PART FOUR
Jason couldn't move as the door closed on the beautiful woman he was sure was Elizabeth. The person everyone avoided talking to him about. The person he had apparently hurt in ways he couldn't even imagine. As the tears fell, he wanted to scream from the pain flowing through his body.
Hearing footsteps, he saw his nephew and Kristina through a fog. "Jason? Oh god! Jason, are you okay, what happened. Oh, my god, my mother is going to kill me." was all Michael said before he rushed out of the room while Kristina took the passkey they had stolen and went to the door laundry and found blankets.
Getting back she covered the man curled up around himself as he now silently cried.
Looking up at the sound of heels, she saw Monica entering the room.
Taking Jason's pulse, she said: "Call for an ambulance but tell them to be discreet."
An hour later, Robin and Leo left the hospital room more confused than ever. "It is the same as when he had his accident. It looks like a heart attack, but there is no damage to the vessel."
"I checked, Monica he had a flare up from the drugs. We need to find out..." she said pointing to Kristina and Michael, "what happened."
Monica got them into an office and said "You are going to have to tell us what happened tonight. I thought you were going to the movies? What changed and why?"
With a guilty look at her brother, Kristina answered. "We offered to show Jason the party."
"You were told to be careful. That he couldn't take too much information too quickly, why would you think going to this party was a good idea?" she scolded.
"It wasn't. 'Sides, we never made it to the party. We ate in a hotel suite then we went down to the balcony before Kristina and I ran back upstairs for about ten minutes. We came back to find him that way."
"You left him where there was a party going on with people that know Jason Morgan. You didn't think someone might accidentally wander onto the same balcony?" she asked.
Flushing, Michael said "I'm sorry. I figured he was safe out there. It was protected from the weather, I didn't think about people."
With a heavy sigh, Monica said "I have to get back to your uncle, but next time think before doing something like this again. Did you see anyone near that room?"
Not looking at each other, they claimed no then as soon as Monica left looked at each other then down at the tiled floor. "Michael, I wanted to help you. I mean you are right about what he did. But this... we hurt Elizabeth as well. I know you didn't intend that."
Trembling as he remembered the woman getting carried out of the hotel, he said sadly. "No, I didn't. I just planned to show him, she was happy so that when he found out about Jake, it would hurt."
"Should we tell your grandmother?" she asked standing.
"No, it will ruin your plan and I want to hurt Sam even more than Uncle Jason. In fact, I am done with that plan. He looked like hell, it didn't feel too good."
Edward was outside the room and quietly went to see Monica. "I know what happened, or rather who happened."
Telling her what he had overheard, he saw her expression and said: "What do we do now?"
"I let Diane Miller give him the papers, let Jason learn the whole truth. I was trying to protect him from Jason Morgan, but I guess I cannot do that any longer. We also have to check on Elizabeth, once again she was hurt by a member of our family."
"Give it a few hours, let her fiancee take care of her," he said then admitted. "I don't want to like him. I want a chance for Jason to make his case, but nor can I blame her for leaving and falling in love with someone else."
"I blame Sonny, I blame Carly and I blame Jason Morgan. Sam is a predator, doing what comes naturally. Fortunately, predators are usually hunted down by bigger game." she replied. "I am going to let Michael and Kristina finished their plan whatever it is, then take care of her, myself."
Jack held Elizabeth as she slowly stopped crying. "I'm okay. I talked to Jason, told him how I felt. It was cathartic. I think we need to end the disguise, I have to stand on my own two feet."
"No, you don't. Elizabeth, I am going to help you, whether you want me to or not. Needing help once in a while doesn't mean you are weak." he pointed out. "It means you are strong enough to realize that you cannot do it alone. Those hurting you are dealing the cards from the bottom to stack the deck against you. Don't try to go this alone."
Looking at him, she said, "What did I ever do to deserve having a friend like you in my life?"
"I think it was offering to split that last piece of cake in the cafeteria when it was clear as day on your face you didn't want to. Right from the start, you knew my flirting wasn't an invitation, then when I would snap in surgery at you, you never took it personally, you knew it was the job. There are not many who don't talk about me there behind my back. Do you really think I haven't heard what they say? Arrogant, snobbish, too rich for my own good, that I bought my way into the program."
"You are none of those things." she protested loyally.
"And you are not what they say about you here. Stand up for yourself, yes. But take help from those around you. Okay?" She saw the strength in his eyes and took a leap of faith.
"I will. Seeing Jason, after Sam's comments, I really wanted to hurt him."
"I am going to tell you a little secret, one you can never reveal or I will get kicked out the male club and I am already teetering on the brink of expulsion. She lied."
Seeing her self-doubt, he said "Men talk about sex a lot. Women like Sam, see themselves as great in bed, but if you have to reassure yourself you are or assure others, you're not. Great sex doesn't need words of assurance afterwords."
"Then why would she..."
"Because that is all she has. My guess is she is overactive in bed, thinking that is what men want. They don't. Men call them gymnasts because they create a routine, never vary from it and it usually ends the same way. With them expecting to be graded highly for nothing more than doing splits in a rhinestone outfit to tacky music.."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"They don't have the ability to fulfill expectations so they put on a show with fake fireworks. Nothing is natural, it's all mechanical since they can't create the real heat naturally. My guess is Sam is cheap zirconium."
"More like plastic beads." she said dryly as she got what he was saying.
Elizabeth thought about something then said, "Hand me your phone, I don't want to use mine."
Calling the number she had in her book for Ric, she stunned him with her question. After stuttering a bit, he answered her. When she told her what Sam said, his derisive laughter as he assured her Sam was wrong, gave Elizabeth a nice boost as she said goodbye.
Seeing Jack's shocked expression she said "I know, I have decided to face a few things. Number one is that I was not the problem with Jason, he was. He wanted that woman, why I don't know, but frankly, it wasn't anything I did wrong. Though I do think other than Robin or me, his taste did tend to run to rhinestones."
"Good, now I say we get some sleep and tomorrow we party like we haven't a care in the world."
"What do you have in mind?" she asked with an apprehensive sideways glance.
"How about some ice skating on the pond in the park?" he asked.
Jason woke up, shivering. Pulling the blanket up, he saw Monica sleeping in the chair. Disconnecting the lines attached to him, he got up to ask for another blanket after using his to cover her. He walked into the hallway, finding Matt Hunter standing there reading a chart.
He asked for the blanket then sat down on his bed. When the nurse brought it in followed by the young doctor he couldn't get over the feeling someone was watching him.
Spinelli was worried about his friend as he watched the screen. Jason didn't look happy, instead, he looked as sad and upset as he had ever seen him. Calling Sam first thing the next morning, he suggested they work on a way to return his memories. "I already have a plan," she said.
Telling him what she needed, then using Nik's credit card went to do one more thing courtesy of her unknowing cousin.
When Lainey entered the empty room, she saw Patrick doing something strange then swearing softly. Looking at him in surprise he just shook his head then called Mac. Telling him what was going on, Harper and Lucky found themselves at GH with a tech crew.
"Got it." said the man to Mac. "It is similar to a server I have a warning on from the FBI. It belongs to that kid."
Turning to his detectives, Mac said "I want him brought into the station. Immediately."
Calling Diane Miller on his way in, Mac chuckled at what she said "Really?"
"Yes, since Jason Morgan no longer exists, Mr. Jackal is on his own." She said as she arrived in the rehab room. Feeling the steam hitting her, she was shocked to see Jason swimming laps.
Turning to Monica who was there, she said: "What happened last night?"
"You weren't there?" she asked. "I sent you an invitation."
"Thank you for that. But social events in PC seem to end in mayhem, so I made other plans."
"Jason collapsed after talking to Elizabeth. I haven't seen her but my guess would be she let him have it with both barrels."
" Your son is my favorite client, but what happened there, I still don't understand. In April he wants to get married, then in November he walks away and then next summer starts sleeping with Sam. I was wondering if he was drugged, I didn't expect to find out he was doing that to himself."
"I know. I don't get it either, nor the coverup for the woman. It just isn't like him." she fretted. "Morgan or Quartermaine, I would have said Jason would die before allowing someone close to him harm a child. Yet to take her back after knowing that. It makes me sick."
Jason kept floating in the water, pretending he couldn't hear them. As he heard what his mother said, he got control before they forced him to stay here. He had to get out of this hospital and track her down, Make her realize he was sorry and that … that what? He asked himself.
Deciding he needed a plan, he swam one more lap then came out of the pool. "Is this Miss Miller? I will be right back."
Showering, Jason soon changed into khakis and a polo shirt, before heading out. Diane shook her head. This was clearly not Jason Morgan, she didn't think he even knew what a polo shirt was.
Sam was cutting through the park with Maxie, making plans for tonight. "I figure tonight is perfect, I am sure that even Monica will leave him alone the first evening."
"Do you need anything else?" Maxie asked as they passed the rink.
Seeing Elizabeth, her fiancee and the boys, Sam decided to make sure Elizabeth knew she could cause her pain.
"Hello, my sweet little boy." Sam cooed at Jake who was playing on his new sled. As she went to reach out for the blond, she felt her arm twisted up and back then found herself face first in the snow.
Romport called out for the guards, but Cruz arrived first, ordering her away from Sam. "I cannot do that sir. I was hired to protect those boys from harm, I have a dossier that proves she is a danger to them."
Cruz called Mac and then when Elizabeth showed up, he said "Your nanny attacked Sam."
Looking coolly at the snowy faced woman, she turned to Cruz and said "Was Miss McCall within fifty feet of my children?"
"She was trying to grab Master Webber, ma'am." said the nanny.
Cruz saw Mac arriving with an annoyed Alexis who ordered him to arrest the woman.
Elizabeth handed Jake to Jack while making sure Cam was still skating with Steven then she looked at Alexis and Mac. Mac saw Elizabeth's anger and ordered Cruz to stand down then looked at Alexis and added "For now. Please explain why I shouldn't arrest your nanny."
"I have an electronic record send to me of Sam McCall confessing to hurting my son, even wishing he was dead. On it, she leaves the room and Sonny Corinthos, Carly Jacks and the DA and concerned mother of three plotting to keep her crimes silent."
Mac looked at Alexis whose skin had turned sallow. "It wouldn't be admissible in court."
"Maybe not, but I am quite sure that I could get the Harold to run an article on corruption in the DA's office. As well as speculation about how the police questioned me about my son's disappearance, accusing me of PPD when it was the DA's daughter who watched him getting grabbed."
Looking at Cruz she added "We can also mention how a detective pressed a pregnant woman to take back her druggie husband after he shot off his weapon in her home and had been verbally abusive to her. Or how said ex-husband is still a detective with nothing on his record in regards to this. Or even better yet, how the police commissioner's daughter was never charged with theft for the drugs she stole from the hospital where she volunteered and feed them to said druggie."
Mac swallowed, well aware he had been derelict in that particular case.
Sam looked at Elizabeth concealing her hatred as a tear dropped from her watery eyes. "I made a mistake, I had a simple moment of weakness, that I have never forgiven myself for."
With a chuckle, Jack watched as the DA herself tried to act like she believed that one and when she said: "I would think she deserves a second chance, after all, she had a hard life." Jack did let out a snort of disbelief.
"Alexis, what about Luiz Alcazar. If Sam deserves a pass on her crimes, didn't he?" she asked staring at Alexis who flinched. "At least we know where Sam gets her criminal behavior from as well as her habit of making excuses for her crimes."
Sam turned to Elizabeth, "What about your behavior? Lying on the stand?"
"You weren't there when I read the results, you know what they said? I seem to recall Carly shouting to the world Jason wasn't the father. Who am I to dispute the great and honest Carly Jacks. Proof, Sam, you need proof. Didn't you learn that in PI school?"
Snapping her fingers she said "Wait, that's right, you didn't even finish high school, let alone get your GED. Just how did you get around the requirements to have at least two years of college and a background in criminal investigations. Mac how come no one looked into that? Isn't that the job of the DA BEFORE someone gets approved for a license?"
Alexis asked, "Why are you doing this?"
"Because all of you are a bunch of lying cheating hypocrites. Sam, come near my sons again, I will wipe the floor with you, legally."
Jason was heading to his room when he saw the uniformed policeman talking to his doctor. "Jason, we are going to release you now since we were only waiting on paperwork. I want to see you after therapy every single day for at least the rest of the month."
"Thank you," he said. At a loss for a moment, he turned to the red-headed woman standing next to him and asked: "Where can we talk?"
"Since I am having my office checked for listening devices, we need a different place." Jason looked down the hall, seeing his grandfather he asked if he had an office open at ELQ.
Robin who had joined Patrick at the doorway, saw Edward's face light up with pleasure and chuckled along with Epiphany as she handed Jason's bag to an orderly.
Edward got into the rear seat of the Bentley, after ordering his men to take Miss Miller's boxes from the trunk of her Lexus. Arriving at his building, he led his grandson past the shocked faces of his employees and with a flourish opened a door on the top floor.
"Here, you can use this room," he said grinning widely. Jason saw it was his grandfather's office and was touched, but said: "I can't just push you out of your of..."
Diane and Edward saw Jason reach for his heart and hit the floor and were calling for help when Tracy rushed in.
"No, WAIT!" Jason called out, embarrassed. "I'm fine. I get memory flashes on occasion. That was all it was, they can hurt. I'm fine, I promise grandfather."
Edward was subdued as he said, "I will leave the two of you alone."
"Wait!" he called out. "Do you remember why I came to see you? I was asking for a list of ELQ property. I was desperate, I don't know why, but I was scared to death. You were acting strange, insisting I come to dinner before giving it to me."
"Not one of my better moments. I didn't know it at the time..." Jason saw him stop talking and knew whatever it was, it was part of the story he needed to know. He also knew not to push it right then.
Turning to his attorney, Jason sat down at the low-slung sofa and said: "Can we talk here?"
Nodding, Diane said we can start with the question passed on by your mother. "You have never been convicted of a crime. You were arrested a lot as Jason Morgan, even had two trials but no convictions."
"What happened?" he asked indicating to the two trials.
Looking her in the eyes, he said: "But I would imagine I was guilty, wasn't I?"
"No, Alexis Davis killed Luis. As for Lorenzo, I never asked you one way or the other."
Seeing her place the case files in a box, he stood and walked over to the window, not sure he could take much more. "Okay, how do I disassociate myself from Sonny?"
"Your mother did that while you were unconscious. I have your money in a secure location. I also took the liberty of using his current difficulties to buy back your stock in the family company."
Taking the paperwork, Jason blinked rapidly, he was richer than he had been. While he felt bad about taking the dirty money, he decided to do good with it since he had no intention of giving it to Corinthos. "Anything else?"
"You own a couple of houses. Two down on Beechnut Street, a lovely cottage in the middle of nowhere and all the surrounding property. The penthouse which we must talk about. Two years ago, during a business split, you ended up the sole owner of the towers. Jasper Jacks would like to buy it."
"What about that kid at the penthouse, I don't want to put him out from his home, but ..."
"We need to talk about that. The reason you were not allowed in your hospital room, there was a surveillance camera in the room. He placed them there before, Mac called while you were signing yourself out of GH. We think he did it again after being denied admittance in your room."
"He is partners with this Sam woman?" he asked thinking on all he had been told.
"Yes, they are friends." she added.
"Tell him h- no I will do it myself. Tonight," he said fuming at the idea of being secretly watched by the woman who had visited him. "Do you know if I have to reapply for a driver's license?"
"No, I have that here, along with some other items. They were all in your safe. I am not sure why, but you have an active driver's license in the name of Jason Quartermaine as well as credit cards and bank accounts all created sometime this last summer."
Taking them, Jason sat down and stared at the various forms of ID, seeing the library card, he held it up like it was a bomb. "Why would he have had a library card?"
"Jason did like to read, usually travel guides, nonfiction books, and similar items. Jason, I also have some Morgan paperwork you need to read. His will and some other items."
"I need a break from him. Can I take it with me?" he asked. Nodding she gave him the items and said "For what it is worth, while he lost his way recently... Jason Morgan wasn't a bad man."
"Tell that to someone who might believe it," he said his ears still ringing from the night before. "Did you know her? Or him when he was with her?"
With a sad smile, she said "I can only tell you what I observed, he didn't always say a lot. He... loved her."
"Then why do the things he did to her? I talked to her, she... I could feel her pain, it was like I was the one hurting. But it makes no sense. She … I … I can't explain... but I want to understand, why... I mean if he loved kids, why not... was it their father? Is that why he didn't... or was it that he couldn't? I want to know, I need to know, because... that is the weird part I don't know the because. All I know is that …." with his eyes closed, he never saw Diane's gaze soften then she gained control when she saw the tears as well as the misery.
"Jason, all I can tell you is you were different around her. I could see it the few times I saw the two of you together. I talked to a few people a while ago... people in the know who used to work around town and would see you together. You were friends with Elizabeth for a long time. You never confided in me really."
Jason felt his heart racing as he saw himself in a room, whirling around a happy Elizabeth who had just said yes. Then pain and anger. Then finally numbness. And a feeling of cold pain, like someone, had encased him in a block of ice.
Setting it down, he thanked her for her help, then asked if she was still getting paid?
She said "Yes, your mother arranged for your estate to take care of my retainer. Do you want to cancel it?"
"No! You have made sense of my alter ego's business life and helped shed some light on the mess of my personal life. I will deal with Mr. Spinelli, explain the rules tonight."
Diane shook his hand, then said what the hell and hugged the amused young man. "If you need anything, just call. Okay?" She gave him his keys, hoping he was truly free of the mess he had been living as Morgan.
Hearing her phone ringing, she looked at it with a Cheshire grin and held up her hand to request quiet. "I am sorry, Miss Jones, that isn't possible. I am no longer Mr. Spinelli's attorney, he can't afford my fees."
Jason backed away, he could hear the screeching through the phone and chuckled when the redhead said: "I would suggest you do that."
When he saw her snap the phone closed, Jason asked to look at it, amazed at how small and complicated it was. Diane said with a smirk. "You are in for a total culture shock. I would find a sixteen-year-old and ask them to educate you."
Calling Michael, Jason arranged for just that.
Alexis saw Sonny and Carly at the table and hurried over. "Sonny, someone gave Elizabeth Webber a recording of Sam's fit and our plans to ignore it. She is threatening to take it to the papers, you have to help me!"
Carly looked at her and said coolly "Why would we care? They certainly have said worse about us. You could care less how this affects either of us; this is about Sam and you. I talked to Mac Scorpio, he wanted me to verify what Sam had done. I could verify the conversation"
"That would be hearsay." she snapped going into lawyer mode.
Carly smirked at Sonny as if to say I told you so. Then looking at the DA said "He knows that, but I do believe he is going to open an investigation, too bad for your daughter. And you of course if the truth comes out. Now go away, I have to talk to Sonny."
Starting to snap, Alexis took the call and said: "I will be right there."
Watching her leave, Carly said "Let Sam hang herself. You need to go to Mac, taking Diane with you to spin things. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Sonny had called Carly planning on conning her into turning over the boys' trusts, temporarily, but with the latest news, he had a better way of getting money. Calling his new accountant, he ordered the man to locate Damien Spinelli. He had a use for the geek.
At the station, Mac showed Spinelli the bug and then when Alexis arrived, she pointed out that the electronic signature wasn't an exact match then suggested it was one of Sonny's people. Mac was frustrated, they all knew that the geek was behind this, but Alexis was proving obtuse.
Grabbing his arm outside, a man showed Spinelli into Alexis' office. "I know you planted the bug, instead of encouraging my daughter, you should be helping her face the facts. Her relationship with Jason Morgan is over, just as if he had died. Now don't let me catch you planting another bug anyplace connected to Jason again. I will press charges next time. Now get out of here."
Elizabeth let Monica in and saw that she was eager to play with the boys so she was shocked when the woman said "We have to talk about something. Please."
Nodding, she led her into the library and sat down. "If this is about Jason, don't bother."
"It is. Please understand that I love my son as much as you love your boys. I know what he did to you. Believe me, if anyone understands I do." she said sighing heavily remembering her past with Alan.
Looking coolly at Monica Elizabeth said "You know what is out there for public consumption. You can't know that Jason repeatedly would give me hope that destroy it supposedly because of the danger, then I would see him with other peoples kids, with Robin, with Carly while they were pregnant. Even when he told me he loved me, he walked away claiming danger as a reason to do so."
Monica saw the anger and it did give her some hope, right until what she heard next. "You can't know what it feels like to be asked to marry him then told twenty-four hours later he changed his mind. Or when I had to find out he took over to get Sonny to sign away his rights to Morgan and Michael from Spinelli of all people, not Jason. That it was more important than his 'love' for me and his own son."
"How I felt hearing Sam had admitted she was at fault for my son's second kidnapping and that Jason said her helping rescue him meant she was FORGIVEN, YET I KNOW HE KILLED FAITH ROSCOE AND HURT HIS OWN BROTHER FOR LESS!"
Calming down, she said softly. "Jason was telling me he loved me and wanted to be with me and yet almost married Claudia Zachara to protect Michael from her. Yet, he couldn't bother to visit us after the mess last February at the hospital. Carly has a nanny, a husband, and an ex-husband, yet she calls about the boys he runs. I had to beg, well no more begging. I am done."
"Elizabeth, Jason Morgan is dead, you know that." she said softly.
Looking at Monica she said "I still see the man who felt sleeping with a woman who did horrible things to my children was a good choice, a man whose best friend called my kids bastards, a man who I forgave because I made mistakes too. I could forgive if he had only hurt me, but Monica someday Jake is going to ask what happened. How can I explain that his father did everything for others yet walked away from him, maybe the passing of time won't make it as bad as it feels today, but I doubt it."
Walking to the doorway, she said: "The boys are in the playroom, I will have one of the guards show you there."
Monica sat there thinking on what she had learned, wondering what the heck had happened to her son, then said "Thank you, but I will stop in and see the boys later. I have a lot of thinking to do."
Spinelli hurried home before Sam managed to seduce Jason into remembering her again. He grinned seeing Sam changing in her old room, then grabbed clothes to head out walking down the stairs with her. As she stumbled putting on her shoe, he said. "Sam, good luck."
Looking up, she said "No luck nee-" They both heard the sound of keys in the lock and Sam grabbed his hand giving him the note saying "Here take this."
Rushing to the back of the penthouse, she waited, as Jason entered the penthouse. "You were at GH, I thought you were a detective?"
Stuttering, Spinelli said "I am, but I was checking in on you that day. Since you didn't know me, I lied."
Nodding, Jason said, "Show me around."
"There are three bedrooms..." as they went up the stairs, Jason looked around feeling like the penthouse belonged to someone else. As he listened to the kid, he knew he was going to have to make a few things clear to him before sending him on his way.
"The third room, is yours?" he asked. When Spinelli showed him the room, Jason vowed to deal with the memories rushing through his head later, he didn't want anyone he didn't trust knowing about them.
As they came downstairs, Jason looked around then said: "My mother said she removed everything that was mine already so we can talk."
"Did you know what happened between Elizabeth Webber and me." As he listened to the kid's version, he was sickened as he pieced together what had happened from the biased perspective of the geek, but when the kid went on to sing Sam's praises he asked about Elizabeth cutting off how he thought Sam was perfect.
"The Maternal One didn't belong in your world, you felt an obligation to her and her son, but the goddess was your true love." he said beaming at Jason then felt his smile fade away, Jason did not seem very receptive to his comments.
Spinelli knew he had a few minutes before Sam was expecting Jason so he asked if Jason needed anything else. "No, but I am going to give you thirty days to move out. I will place two thousand dollars at your disposal to find a new place. I don't want or need this furniture, so take what you want."
"Stone Cold, but we-"
Firmly Jason said "Morgan is dead, I am Jason Quartermaine. I don't want you or any of the other sycophants that were friends with Morgan around me. You are delusional in regards to Sam McCall. I may have lost my mind and been sleeping with that piece of trash again, but I do know one thing thanks to some paperwork I have. I never stopped loving one woman, and it certainly wasn't Sam McCall."
Walking to the door, Jason said "Thirty days from today, the locks on the doors are going to be changed. Piss me off and I will move that date up."
"WAIT!" Spinelli called out, then thrust the note into his hands. "This is for you."
As soon as the man left, Spinelli called Sam "He is on his way, but you really need to get our Jason back, he just kicked me out of my home. He is very different Sam."
Jason debated following the directions, but he was curious as to what he would find.
Sam tugged the shirt lower, then taking out her lipstick, she was adding a glossy coat, only to hear laughter. Looking up she saw Jason standing there. When she walked over and kissed his neck, he removed her "Morgan may have been that desperate to get laid, I am not. This is truly pathetic. You can inform your friend, Mr. Spinelli, he now has fifteen days to clear out."
Sam let him go, stunned as Jason slammed the door on his way off the roof. Jason was going to remember her. He HAD TO. After all, he had threatened to kill her before and still took her back. Happy to realize all wasn't lost, she decided to bide her time like she had before, at least this time there was no cloying Elizabeth Webber to try and steal her man.
Elizabeth spent the evening playing with the boys while Jack dined with Ned who was leaving the next morning. As she tucked Cam and Jake in, she gently kissed their foreheads before heading down to the kitchen. She had heard the doorbell earlier and went to ask Romport who had been there.
"My, you certainly have moved up in the world." said the scornful voice. Looking up, Elizabeth saw the young woman with Emily's face standing in the foyer with one of the guards and a slightly shamed Lucky. "Tell your pit bull it is okay for us to be here."
Looking at the man, Elizabeth said "It's fine for now. But if they don't exit in a half hour, please remove them from my Parlor. Follow me, Rebecca, Lucky I thought we had an agreement."
Her ex-husband glanced around the huge house with the marble floors and curved staircase and felt the envy burn through him. The blond plopped down on the small settee and once Lucky joined her said: "What an interesting turn of events, does this fiancee of yours know what a bitch you are?"
"It's why he asked me to marry him. What do you want Rebecca? And don't pretend this isn't about you. Lucky and I were settled before I left."
Lucky's phone rang, and Elizabeth was suspicious so she called for a guard to escort him outside so he could leave, she was sure it was a setup when she heard they came out all this way separately.
Rebecca waited until the door closed then said "Why can't you leave Nik and Lucky alone. They don't need to be fighting over you again."
Sitting on the long sofa, Elizabeth said "I haven't seen either of them since I returned. I told them both I was done before I left."
Trying not to let the woman annoy her, she had heard the doorbell ringing and knew Romport would get it, but she didn't want to be upset when she brought in whoever it was.
"Stay away from my family, stay away from the Quartermaines, I know all about that brat of yours and how -" Rebecca didn't get to finish the state as Elizabeth grabbed her arm and said get out.
"You are such a user, poor Lucky deserves better." Rebecca felt sorry for her part-time lover; raising two kids he didn't want because Elizabeth had lied. The woman had been on her case from the beginning.
With a snort, Elizabeth said "Lucky and I had made peace before I left. My guess is that it is you trying to stir up the pot. Don't do it, Rebecca, you won't win if you try to take me on. As for the Quartermaines, they are EMILY's family, not yours. You can try all you want, but it won't change. Now get out of my house."
"I seconded that," said Michael from the doorway. "I will also being telling Monica what you pulled, you won't be allowed back there no matter who you look like."
Romport had the guard escort the woman off the property while Michael sat down awkwardly. "I am sorry, I am the one who sent you the message of what happened at my dads. It's also my fault you ran into Uncle Jason the other night. I am sorry about that as well."
"What happened between your uncle and me, it wasn't your fault," she said not sure what to do with the upset kid. "He made his choices and Morgan or Quartermaine, he is going to have to live with them."
"You know, there aren't many Q's left alive. I am sure you aren't going to be thrilled with this, but Morgan doesn't have many friends, same for Molly and Kristina and me."
Wondering about the jump in topics, she said I know and I am sorry about your siblings and cousin. Looking at her, he said with a laugh. "Most people try to pretend that we aren't related. So on behalf of Molly and Morgan who usually get the short end of things, thank you. Look, Cam and Jake are related to us as well. If we keep it quiet, can we spend time with them?"
Michael watched as her face went through so many expressions, from stunned to confused to doubt and suspicion to rejection. "We can do it here, no one will have to know. Please Elizabeth, I mean I am even willing to babysit."
"Michael, I need to think about it. There have to be limits including no mention of Jason, okay?"
"Fine," he said. Then leaving went to place a call to Kristina. "Taken care of. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes, we aren't going to be our parents. When do you want to start?"
"Shit, I forgot to ask Elizabeth," he said hitting the steering wheel. "I have to stop at the Q's and talk to grandmother before I go home, so I need to call Jax, see you later."
Arriving home later, Michael felt quite proud of himself. They were spiking Sam in more ways than one.
The Aussie came up the stairs and talked to the younger man a few minutes later. "What's up? Why did you ask about the hotel?"
"I was hoping you could arrange a part-time job there, in the mail room, maybe. I was serious the other night," he said looking at the man.
"Then why not ELQ?" he asked still not sure it was a good idea.
"I am trying to find a way not to cause a stink if I work for you, neither of them can complain," he said then answered his phone. When he pretended to be shocked, he looked at Jax and said "He is right here. It's Maxie Jones."
Jax took the phone then asked to borrow Micheal's computer. A mere minute later, Jax said I am on my way.
Stopping quickly in their bedroom, he said "A virus invaded the Crimson website, Kate said it crashed the whole system. I have to meet Spinelli at the office."
Carly went to her computer and quickly loaded the page, laughing at first when she saw the cartoon nonsense, but when she tried to exit the page, something happened and the site fell through, running the old game that Spinelli had created about Jason.
Four hours later, Spinelli was still shaking as Maxie took him to her place and put him to bed. Jax had fired him since the mess had tracked back to his programming. The International press had been calling all night and the Australian had been dealing with them. He had thrown Spinelli to the wolves and even called Mac who said he had to prove the kid did it maliciously.
Sobbing into her lap, he told her about Jason kicking him out and that Sam blamed him for her failure to secure a place back in his life. Maxie sighed, wanting to dump the geek. Sleeping on her sofa, she couldn't help wishing she had never gotten involved with Spinelli in the first place.
Jason was lying back on the bed in his old room, trying to come to grips with the memories from the pink bedroom at the penthouse and the woman who now hated him. When the grandfather clock in the hallway rang three, he got up and went to the files Diane Miller had given him.
Grabbing one, he went down to the study and started reading through it. As his mind wrapped around what was now his, he saw a few large withdrawals and checked them out. Seeing the house purchase, the van purchase and the ten million dollar trust set up, he tried to find out more, only to see nothing else proving the purchases existed. Then he saw the two other houses on the same street he still owned.
Grabbing his keys, he drove over there. The two lots were empty, but the one connected to the money had a small cottage on it. Walking up to the door, he saw it was empty. As he left, he saw the name on the mailbox and got it. This was part of the payoff Elizabeth had accused him of giving her to leave.
Seeing Drake on the box next door, he realized Elizabeth must have been close friends with Robin and her husband. He knew that his other self-had apparently been selfish and a bastard, but why would he toss away someone that looked like Elizabeth for someone who looked as bad as Sam McCall did?
Driving out to the other address, he found the house quickly and went inside. Seeing the furniture destroyed and what looked like a huge amount of beer bottles and holding up the clear ones, he saw tequila bottles, Jason went into the other room which was as pristine as the living room was trashed.
Elizabeth and Jack met Patrick who gave them their ID's. Changing in the locker room, Jack waited until they were leaving and had an audience to kiss Elizabeth and said with his eyes dancing "Have a good day at work dear."
Nik watched from the corner as she leaned into the tall man and said "I will tell Kelly to keep her mitts to herself, sweetie. Now play nice."
"When have I ever not played nice?" he asked not realizing their audience had grown to include Carly, Jax, and Monica along with Epiphany.
"That new ward nurse, remember? Please remember that in America we don't treat the doctors like they are gods. You are just a man. A well put together virile man with a rear that … well, you get the picture. Just remember at the end of the day, you are still mortal." She teased as she saw the audience.
"Yes, dear. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go get a woman naked," he said looking at the file in his hands. "Dr. Lee first thing. We need to find your friend a playmate."
Nik walked over and quietly said "I am glad to see you are happy, Elizabeth. It looks like you made the right decision."
Covering his hands, she looked him in the eyes and said "Yes, I had to get past my grief, deal with the mess my life was in. I did that, Jack, well Jack was like a breath of fresh air."
Nik nodded and walked away; he felt a bit sick to realize how much he had lost his way since losing Emily. He had hurt an innocent young woman in Nadine, messed things up so bad his past friendship with Elizabeth would never be the same and now he had this con woman to deal with.
Getting a call, he said "Are you sure? Then call Mac Scorpio, and inform him that my credit card was stolen. Then arrange for a new one."
Jason woke up, curled around his pillow. While he wasn't too sure about this Dr. Winters, he had to talk to someone about the dreams and the pain they caused him. Taking a new set of records he hoped that they gave him, even more, answers after his late night drive.
Seeing his grandfather arguing with a man with silver hair, he was stunned to realize it was Luke Spencer. "Mr. Spencer, you have gotten old."
"Looked in the mirror lately kid, so have you." he snapped. "So I hear you are Quartermaine again, interesting."
"And not your business. Look, Mom filled me in on a few things, and I will tolerate you for my aunt's sake." he snapped. He had been shocked to hear about his past with Laura and about the man's kids who ran around town causing havoc wherever they went.
He had always liked Laura, but Luke had always grated on his nerves for some reason. Nodding at his grandfather he took a banana and one of the muffins on his way out the door.
At GH, he stopped then went to see Dr. Winters who was entering her office. "Dr. Winters, thank you for agreeing to help me."
Sam smirked as she used Spinelli's new personal directional spy toy that let you overhear conversations up to twenty feet away. Sitting down in the supply closet next door, she locked herself in.
"Do you have any questions before we start?" she said, "If you are uncomfortable for some reason, we can find someone else."
"From the moment I first meet you, I have felt uneasy about you treating me. I get an intense feeling of well, distrust for you," he said. Sam couldn't figure out why Lainey had done a great job treating Kristina and the other Jason knew it. "Did you have much interaction with the other me?"
"A bit." Telling him about Sonny and that he was distantly connected to her treatment of Kristina, she saw his expression didn't change. "The only other time we had any interaction involved the first kidnapping of Elizabeth Webber's son."
Sam cursed as there was a sudden mechanical squeal in her ears missing Jason's reply. "In a small room, I was in dress clothes and she was crying. You were insisting she had harmed her son."
Lainey saw the dangerous look in his eyes and said quickly. "I talked this all out with Elizabeth, we are fine now. But I am glad to see some of your memories returning."
Jason looked at her then said "Not many, just a few. And with what you just told me, I don't want you treating me."
Lainey sat there wondering what was going on. She was still shaking as she called Robin and updated her on the patient. Robin was glad she was alone as she smiled. Maybe there was hope to get Jason and Elizabeth straightened out yet. She liked Jack, she really did, but the simple fact was, Jason belonged with Elizabeth, then qualified the statement to add but only after she had kicked him in the balls for getting together with Sam McCall in the first place.
Staggering out of the closet, Sam never saw Jack Griffin watching her. Calling Patrick Drake he told the man about seeing the con artist leaving the supply closet then went to see his next patient.
Elizabeth was working the hub, filling out paperwork when she heard Jason asking for Patrick. Looking up, she saw his eyes weren't on her face, looking down to see what had him shell-shocked, she grimaced at the sight of her engagement ring.
Hoarsely, he asked "Who... who is he?"
"Mr. Morgan, I don't owe you any answers. As for Dr. Dr-" she tried for icy but when he reached out and gently touched her hand, Elizabeth closed her eyes at the pain then continued. "Patrick is meeting with security right this minute."
"Please, just... is he good to you. Do you..." he swallowed the tears. "do you love him?"
Elizabeth ignored the question, then hearing Patrick talking to Nik said: "Dr. Drake is coming down the hall."
"Elizabeth, please just..." he had no idea what to say. Hearing someone saying his name he turned and saw Drake approaching him with Nik Cassadine. He saw the young prince hadn't aged well and then saw the look of satisfaction in his eyes at Jason's pain.
"We can meet in my office," Patrick said directing Jason down the correct hallway. He found himself feeling bad for Mor-Jason. He was one of the few who knew most of the story and he could see that it most definitely wasn't lack of love on his alter egos part that ended his relationship with Elizabeth.
Sitting down, stunned and knowing that he had crossed a line he shouldn't have, Jason sighed then said: "Dr. Winters is not a good choice, I can't trust her."
"I will find someone else until then I would prefer if you at least kept her up to date on your mental state for now. Your physiotherapist said you have some questions?"
"I read my medical records, I have three gunshots that are not recorded. One on the leg, that is jagged, the other two look much better. Like a doctor took care of them, what can you tell me?"
"I don't know about any of them. I do think the one in your leg was while you were chasing down Michael with Sam McCall. You came back with a limp." he said trying not to judge the man. "Have you talked to Sonny Corinthos, he might be better equipped to answer those type of questions."
"Thank you," said Jason. Then hearing a knock, Patrick said to come in, expecting Monica seeing Jack instead, he felt awkward at the twosome being in the same room, which got only worse when Jack asked: "Did you figure out why the hooker/child endangering whore was here in the supply closet."
"Sam was here?" asked a grim Jason. Then thinking, said, "Was this closet next to Dr. Winters office?"
Turning, Jack saw the man in the chair and the atmosphere became chilly. Jason looked up and sighed, yet another person who loathed him. "Drake, I have to get back to Mr. Petrie's samples in the lab, but if you don't deal with her, I will and trust me, my way won't be pretty or politically correct."
Nodding at Jason, he left and went to check on Elizabeth who was reading a file. Watching for a couple of minutes, he reached out and took her now shaking hand. "Luv, are you okay?"
Jason was walking with Patrick when he saw Elizabeth's face light up, walking around the hub, he saw the British doctor comforting her and with his head down walked quickly to the elevator.
Eying Jason, she said, "I wish I could hate him, there must be something wrong with me that I can't."
With a soft smile, Jack said "You love him. Even knowing he is wrong, you do. But Elizabeth, you also know that it is wrong to be with Jason Morgan, that is what makes you different than him."
Carly exited Monica's office, angry but knowing the other woman was correct. She had gone too far calling Elizabeth's sons names. She had known that at the time, but she couldn't help it, Elizabeth Webber had from the moment she meet her pushed her insecurity button like no one else ever had.
When she got to the hub seeing Elizabeth with the handsome doctor, she still felt a twinge of jealousy, not because of Jason, or Sonny or Jax, but because the woman never seemed to let it get to her. Even now she happy in spite of what Jason had done. Then thinking on it, Carly wondered if it might be because of what her moron of a friend had stupidly lost.
Hearing her phone ringing, she saw it was an unknown number but answered it. "JASON!" she squealed as she found out who was on the other end. "I can be there in ten minutes."
Elizabeth looked at Jack and wryly said "She is another reason. Sam McCall wasn't the only one."
Arriving at the mansion, Carly entered the house to see Luke sitting holding court in the living room with Alice and Lulu. "Have you seen Jason?"
Coming down the stairs, Jason said "In the library. Alice, don't you have any work you can do other than waiting on my Aunt's loser husband hand and foot. Or does Mr. Spencer sign your paychecks?"
Jason couldn't believe she was ignoring his grandfather to wait on Spencer hand and foot.
Dazed at what she heard, Carly silently walked into the library and set down the black box she had brought with her. She could hear a loud argument in the other room, but Jason just walked over to the desk and sat down.
"I have some questions I need to ask you. But so we can get this out of the way like with the others. I am not Jason Morgan, we are NOT GOING TO BE FRIENDS, and this is only for the purpose of learning about my past. Got it?"
Visibly less happy she sat down and said: "What do you want to know?"
"I know about Michael, what happened with my brother, and Sonny. Your part in the mess and AJ on a meat hook, his subsequent kidnapping of his son. His death, the death of the woman who helped help him at my hands." Jason continued on then asked about the gaps.
Carly spoke, never stopping for about an hour then Jason asked: "What about your current marriage?"
Telling him about Jax, their daughter, and the boys, she seemed happy but Jason was well aware that her son wasn't. Finally, he asked her opinion about the women in his life starting with her.
"We are soul mates." At his eye roll, she said: "Not that way, as best friends, you were always there for me, even at the damage to your own life."
After a few more minutes, he moved on to Robin. He listened to her response then said: "I heard about Courtney, tell me about that one." When she finished and moved on to Sam, he asked: "If you felt like this when I got re-involved with this woman, why didn't you tell me?"
Sighing heavily she said "Because you seemed off like you were … well, different. I wasn't sure what was going on in your head. You apologized to her about a comment you made. It was strange Jason, you were strange."
Swallowing hard he said, "And Elizabeth?"
He could see her look of guilt and said: "Just tell me."
Giving him her version of events, Jason listened then said "So she has helped you out, almost died at your hands, her baby did die and yet you still called her kids bastards when you were one yourself and your son was one. I'm one as well. What about the father, were you making similar remarks to him? Did you berate him as well?"
Carly froze, stunned to realize that Jason didn't know that Jake was his child. Looking at him, she said, "I have to go, but Jason how did you hear about that?"
"I overheard a conversation between my mother and grandfather." he said walking to the window then said "I am visiting Sonny later today, I am going to make plain to him what I am about to tell you. We were friends due to my brain damage, this me … isn't interested in keeping that friendship going. From here on out you are the mother of my nephew, nothing more."
Carly walked to the door, Monica had tried to warn her, but she had been certain Jason would come back. This wasn't her Jason, this man was a stranger.
Sonny was reading the report when he got the call. The Five Families wanted to meet and it was to be at the No-Name. He was well aware that a public meeting was not going to go his way but not meeting meant a bullet in the back of the head.
Calling Max and Milo he told them to be ready before calling Dante into the room. His son grimly promised to back his father up then went to talk to his mother who had moved into the house at the Cuban's request.
As they entered the Italian restaurant, Sonny projected an image of suave sociability all the while shaking in his handmade shoes. Once the food was taken care of, Don Roma said: "Corinthos you know why you are here."
"It is a small setback." he protested.
"Your ex-enforcer is back to his old self. The old man; Don Almonte decided he admired Morgan or whatever he is calling himself nowadays, we won't be taking him out. As for your new man, your son or not, he is messing up. You are to appoint your senior guard Max Giambetti to the position."
"That is -" Dante didn't have enough sense to keep his mouth shut so Milo pulled him out of the room.
"Corinthos, do you know why Morgan and you were so successful, he wasn't a hot head, like you; like your son. The Zachara kid would have been a better choice, you made yet another mistake with his death. His father is baying for your blood. You keep making mistakes we may give your blood to him. Starting with that hot-headed boy who just left. An eye for an eye."
Sonny hadn't killed Johnny and had been assuming he had fled with the money they couldn't find after Claudia's death. He was now worried and walking out said to Dante. "What were you thinking?"
"They can't..." he protested.
"Then prove you are up to the job. The first assignment, find John Zachara, NOW!"
Dante left determined to make sure the bastard who had used his mother paid for it. Milo followed, listening to the Corinthos heir and when he made plans with Spencer's newest kid Ethan, he knew he had to contact Roy DeLuca.
Arriving home, furious at the way the families had implied the only reason his organization had survived was Jason, he was furious to see the now blond again man sitting in his living room. "What do you want?"
Looking at the man, Jason said "You in prison. Your organization shut down, my life back and I intend to get all of that." Telling him the same thing he told Carly as he walked to the door, "Here, give these to your ex-wife, I kept the ones of Michael and gave them to Monica."
Nodding at an entering Olivia he heard the room being trashed and knew that Monica was correct. Sonny was bi-polar and off his meds.
Stopping at the doorway he told the large Italian standing there, "Your boss is about to lose it. You might want to protect his wife."
"Sonny would never hit a woman." Max looked at the younger man and said: "How can you abandon your friend like that?"
"He was Morgan's friend, Morgan's boss, I am no friend of his nor do I take orders or get used by anyone. You might want to get in there," he said hearing more glass shattering.
Michael and crew descended on Elizabeth's new place courtesy of Jasper Jacks. Spending time with Elizabeth as the kids bowled and played in the basement playroom, Jax talked to Elizabeth about being a parent and her new life.
"The house I could do without, the servants I could also do without. In London, we had a maid, that was it," she said still amused at the amount of household staff. Seeing Molly upset, Elizabeth went to find out why. "My ball is stuck."
Seeing Michael inching down the lane, then pushing the ball forward they all tried not to laugh when his feet went up in the air and he landed on his rear. Rubbing it, he followed Elizabeth over to the well-stocked wet bar for an ice pack while the others continued on. "Thank you."
Looking up the boy said, "For what?"
"You have managed to make things feel normal for my sons."
He sighed and said "For all of us kids, actually. That is why I wanted to do this. I tried to get Spencer here, but Nik was acting weird when I visited him on the island. I saw him later at GH and he looked horrible."
Nik sat down in Kelly Lee's office and said: "How is this possible?"
"I don't know, but I will try and find out. I am sorry Nik, I had no idea," she said. "I want to bring in Dr. Griffin on this. He is a specialist in OB/GYN problems. If this is correct, what are you going to do?"
"Nothing. I don't want anyone to know," he said sick. "I just don't get how this could be."
"We will know the truth by the end of the week," she said gently. This was without a doubt the most unusual thing she had ever dealt with in her career.
Jason was in the study reading yet another file when he saw the box and went to look through it again. Opening the smaller box neatly labeled Elizabeth, Cam, and Jake, he trembled as he looked through the pictures while wondering who had sorted through them.
Seeing them, he held each of them up and saw that Elizabeth's went back to 1999 and the ones of Cam started when he was an infant, the same with Jake. He couldn't help thinking that for a man who hadn't claimed the woman he had loved, he had certainly looked through these photos enough. They were careworn and some had tears spots.
But the one that drew his attention the most was the one of Elizabeth and Jake. Something drew him repeatedly to the picture. Seeing the ones of Emily and Lila, he went to pull out the family albums needing to see AJ and his father. Sitting with his back against the desk, he opened up the first one. Jason was flipping through the pictures when he stopped at one of him with his grandmother and Monica.
Reaching up from the floor he found the box and pulled it down. Comparing the pictures, he turned white and started crying. Hoping he was wrong, he knew in his heart he was right. Shaking slightly as he recalled the conversation with Carly Jacks earlier and knew.
But first, he had to ask her, had to find out from her. She was the only one who knew everything and methodically closing every single album but one, he removed the picture and placed it carefully on the other then walked out the side door stomping through the snow to the garage.
Jax was taking the kids home as Jack arrived and said "How was it they did this on those fifties televisions shows. I know, Honey I am home."
The kids laughed as he kissed Elizabeth's hand and said "My lovely wife, where is my martini and slippers and how was Beaver today?"
Shaking his head, Michael muttered to Kristina, he is a few crayons short of a full box.
Silently envying them, Jax drove everyone home adroitly avoiding answering questions of where he had taken the kids by replying bowling. It was true, it just had been at Elizabeth's.
Kristina and Molly were soon quiet as Sam complained yet again to her mother about her life. Molly's lower lip was trembling as Sam got louder until Kristina pulled her into her bedroom. "Grab your things, we are getting out of here tonight."
"But it's a school night and mom will be mad." she protested.
With bitter eyes, Kristina said, "Trust me, she will never even notice."
Jax soon had the boys to bed and sat down with Carly who looked upset as she went through some photos. "What is it?"
"Olivia dropped these by. Sonny is off his meds and she found these at his house. He was tearing them up."
"Why would he do that?" asked the Aussie as he looked through them. Seeing the one of their little girl, she lifted it and said: "Why would he have this?"
"These were Jason's. I returned his photos to him earlier, he left them at Sonny's saying he took out the ones of Michael for Monica." she said sadly. "He has changed. I didn't even recognize him."
Elizabeth was soon pouting as the boys wanted Jack to read to them. Hearing the doorbell, she went to open it. Seeing Jason standing there, she was stupefied when he handed her a couple of pictures. "Tell me I am wrong, tell me that these boys aren't mine."
"They aren't. You paid me thirty pieces of silver and I did what you wanted and went away. You aren't his father on the birth certificate, it now says father unknown."
Swallowing his anger at her response, he said "Please, just answer me. Are they my sons?"
"No.," she said trying to slam the door only to hit his foot. "Get out of my house."
"Please Elizabeth, tell me that I am not a father. That I didn't do all of this to my own children?"
"Should it really make any difference Jason? Seriously, should it?"
Feeling his heart start racing and the pain returning, he tried to calm down but stated. "It didn't, I was sick with anger at myself even before this, but I have to know. Who is the father of your sons?"
"Alexander Smith and Lucky Spencer. Remember?" she said then saw him reach for his chest and then she could see the bulging vein in his forehead seconds before he collapsed.
"OH GOD! JASON, HOLD ON, ITS GOING TO BE OKAY, PLEASE JUST HOLD ON." she said starting CPR and calling out for one of the guards. "Call 911 and get Jack down here. JASON, please be okay. I am so sorry, I lied, you are Jake's father. Please just hold on okay?"
Keeping up compressions, she found herself pulled aside as Jack took over. When the ambulance arrived, Jack told her to call Monica that he was riding with Jason to GH.
"What have I done?" she asked. Looking at the floor where Jason had been lying, she wiped away the tears and said "Damn it, how can I still love him?"
Jack snapped orders at the medic as they rushed to the hospital. Seeing Leo Julian waiting he gave him the stats then went to find Monica Quartermaine who showed up in scrubs. "What happened?"
"Did you know that Morgan didn't know he was Jake's father?"
"Of cours-" Monica crumpled. "I can't believe we didn't tell him. I thought he knew."
"He showed up and was talking to Elizabeth asking questions. She is on her way in here but we need to stop this. They can't keep doing this to each other. If they don't I truly think one of them is going to die."
Elizabeth rushed in and asked Leo as he exited the room "How is he?"
Leo said "Fine, but every time we think we have the drugs flushed out of his system they keep coming back. What the hell was he thinking taking that experimental drug for so long."
"What drug and how long?" she snapped. When the cardiologist looked mulish, she snapped again. "What drug and how long?"
Explaining what they knew, Elizabeth asked for a third time "How long?"
"November 08." Elizabeth slammed her way into Jason's hospital room where he was hooked up to the Hemopurifier and asked "What the hell was a matter with you? Were you that desperate to forget us? To forget your son?"
"I think I was trying to forget me." he said sadly. "I know you don't want to hear this, I know the pain I caused you. I get why you hate me, but one thing I do know about Jason Morgan. That no matter what was going on in his life, he loved you."
Elizabeth stood stunned as Jason continued "He may have walked away physically, but you were always in his heart. I don't have all the answers, don't even know most of the questions, yet. But Jason left a letter with Diane in case... in case of his death, for you. There was a note that came with it, it ends with I love you and something about you were his first last and always."
Sobbing, Elizabeth finally felt the pain, she had been numb for so long but couldn't help whispering "He never made me feel like it. He hurt me, worse than anyone else every has. If it were just me, I could forgive him. But he hurt Jake, he even hurt Cam with his choices."
Reaching out, Jason held her fingertips then said "He left letters for them as well. Thick as one than he left you. I didn't read the one to you. There was a note asking you to wait until you got past hating him."
With tears flowing she admitted. "I never hated him, that was the problem."
"Sit with me, please." he said feeling peaceful for the first time since he woke up. "I know I hav-"
Elizabeth covered his mouth with her hand, then sat down crying. Jack stuck his head in the doorway and slowly backed out. Elizabeth had fallen asleep her head resting on the bed rail while Jason was staring at his fingers wrapped up in a strand of her curly hair.
"I love you." whispered Jason to the woman who held his heart.
TBC
