A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – Too late for requests. You're just going to have to trust me. Liz will be conflicted not wishy washy. I have bent over backwards in the past to not write about Jason loving Sam, Danny etc., and I have written a boatload of fics. So, I think all of you can handle one fic based on what has happened on the show. Trust me. J * Ella – Don't get me wrong, I love Rick Hearst, but Ric is scum and I don't want him anywhere near Liz. They are trashing her character by having her get back with him. I'm not a Jake fan at all. But, I get why people are. I just don't get how people can be mad at the Sam baggage but dismiss the Ric baggage. Ric did horrible things. Thanks! * ilovedana53 – Sam and Liz have gotten along on the show from time to time. They are just being cordial. Monica is basing her attitude on the info she's got. Thanks!* leeleelayla5 – lol * chicki'62 – rofl. * kcke2pen – Don't think I ever read that. Hang in there. It's really not a lot to sort out at this point Jake isn't Jason and Dylan is more than likely Jason. That's it.

Alright, I'm backing off on making comments to people lol, especially since this fic is so twisty/angsty. I don't want you to think you can't say or react to what's going on. So, feel free to let go lol.

Chapter 4 – Coming Together

Carly sighed. "Jason, she's going to try and weasel back into your life. She convinced you to give up your son. She doesn't deserve another chance."

Liz cleared her throat, glaring at Carly. "Thanks Carly. When he gets his memory back, I'll be the first to let him know about Franco."

Carly's mouth dropped open.

Dylan looked between them both. "Is it true?"

Liz sighed. "Yes. I did ask you to give up Jake. Some of the reasons were valid and some weren't. In the end, you agreed."

"She makes it sound so noble or something," Carly said rolling her eyes. "It was a total selfish bitch move."

There was a knock on the door and Liz got up. "Hello, can I help you?"

"I'm Dylan's mother. You must be Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled. "Hello Mrs. Newman. Please come in."

Nikki walked inside followed by Victor, Stitch, Avery, and Paul.

Dylan hugged his mother and father. "What are you doing here?"

"Stitch told Nikki and then she called me. I just wanted to make sure that you are alright," Paul explained.

"Thank you."

"Please, have a seat," Liz said.

Carly and Sam got up so everyone else could sit together on the couch.

Dylan pulled Avery aside. "Why did you come here?"

"Dylan, regardless of our relationship status, I still love you and care about you. When I overheard Stitch on the phone, I confronted him and I decided to tag along."

Dylan was not happy. He pinched the bridge of his nose and Sam slightly smiled at the Jason move.

Avery sat down and Dylan took in the scene. "I've been having memories that I couldn't explain. Most of them were of Elizabeth," he said looking over at her as his features softened. Avery looked like someone had punched her in the gut.

Someone knocked on the door and Liz got it and let Jake inside.

Dylan looked over at him and nodded. "I got a letter telling me that if I wanted answers, I should come here and from what I can gather, I am not Dylan McAvoy."

"What?" Nikki and Paul said at the same time as Victor smirked.

"Apparently, my name is Jason Morgan."

Avery stood up. "How can this be? You look exactly like Dylan."

"We think that Jake is Dylan," he said looking over at the other man.

"But he doesn't look like you," Avery said.

Jake cleared his throat. "Actually, I was in an accident and I had no memory afterwards. They had to do plastic surgery on my face. So, I wouldn't look like I did before."

"Did you people get DNA tests?" Carly asked.

Nikki spoke up. "Clearly it was tampered with."

"This is insane," Paul said.

"I know but it's true. A woman named Helena Cassadine somehow switched our lives and brainwashed us. I don't have all the answers but there is a microchip in my head. Jake had one as well. She was using it to control us. Once Jake had his removed, he started to remember more. The problem is that she implanted some false memories as well," Dylan said.

Nikki studied Jake. "This is crazy."

"We can have some blood tests done. We already know that Jake is not Jason Morgan," Liz said.

"What about the surgery? Is it dangerous?" Nikki asked.

Dylan shook his head. "There were some issues during Jake's surgery but in the end he was fine and there's no guarantee that I will have the same experience."

Nikki wiped her tears away. "You may not be my son, but I've loved you like one and I am still worried for your safety."

"Thank you." Dylan had come to love Nikki and Paul.

Victor stood up. "I would like to speak to this doctor and are we in danger because of this Helena person?"

Dylan looked over at Jake.

"I don't think she's after you. She's after us and the people in this town," Jake said.

"What time is your surgery?" Avery asked. She had slept with this man and loved him deeply and he wasn't even her Dylan. And to see Jake who was supposedly Dylan but looked nothing like him was such a shock.

"It's this afternoon."

Victor sat back down and Dylan introduced everyone to each other. Sam checked out her competition and she wasn't really impressed. Avery had big cans but she just didn't seem like Jason's type at all.

Carly was pretty shocked that Victor Newman was sitting across from her. From his facial expressions, he didn't seem like he was a big fan of Dylan.

"Can I get anyone some coffee?" Liz asked.

Nikki got up, "I'll come with you and help."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Nikki sat down in the kitchen as Liz put some more coffee on. "So, tell me about Jason."

Liz slightly smiled. "He had a heart of gold and was a really loyal and a good friend. He did have a sometimes violent job, but he wasn't defined by it. He was protective and would do anything for the people he loved and called a friend."

Nikki smiled. "He actually sounds a lot like Dylan. I have a feeling they are similar in some ways."

"Jake is a wonderful man. He's funny and sweet. We have been getting a lot closer."

"And now Dylan shows up and you have no idea what you should do."

"Exactly," Liz said leaning up against the sink.

"Did you love Jason?"

Liz nodded. "We just had really bad timing."

"You have a lot to think about. If I were you, I'd take the time to figure out which one truly holds your heart. Forget about everyone else and go with your heart and instincts."

"He was lucky to have you around," Liz said.

Nikki smiled. "I hope he sees it that way. I may have my issues, but I do love him with all of my heart."

"He's easy to love."

Sam walked inside.

"So, who are you to Jason?" Nikki asked.

"I'm his wife."

Nikki was taken aback. "Really?" With the way Sam was dressed and her vibe, she didn't think that the woman was Dylan's type.

"Yes. We have a son Danny."

Nikki looked over at Elizabeth who was slightly frowning but noticed she caught herself pretty quickly. "Can you take this to my husband?"

Sam smiled. "Sure."

She disappeared and Nikki addressed Elizabeth. "What's her story?"

Liz groaned. "It's long and painful but she won Jason because I was too busy wrecking my life to notice that he had given her another chance. She did something really bad and he forgave her for it and it just doesn't sit well with me."

"Did you tell him you felt that way?"

Liz shook her head.

"Why not?"

"Honestly, I think I gave up thinking that Jason and I would ever be together. So, I figured if Sam made him happy, then maybe I should walk away with the little bit of dignity that I had left."

"That was bold of you."

"Or cowardly."

Nikki smiled. "I like you Elizabeth."

"Tell me about Avery."

Nikki sighed. "Well, she was with my son Nicholas and they were going to marry and then Dylan came back to town and eventually, Avery and Nicholas split and she went back to my other son. She's okay I guess. I don't like how she treated Dylan in the end and she could never make up her mind who she wanted."

Liz made a face.

"What's wrong?"

"You kind of just described me. I don't have the best track record when it comes to choosing."

"At least you're honest about it. None of us are perfect. Believe it or not, I started out as a stripper."

Liz's mouth dropped open. "Get out."

Nikki grinned. "We all have our moments or years."

"Were you any good?"

Nikki laughed. "I was quite the popular attraction."

Liz laughed with her.

Avery walked into the room. "Hope I'm not interrupting." She wasn't really happy that Nikki and Liz were hitting it off.

"Not at all," Nikki said politely.

"Need some coffee?" Liz asked.

"Please."

She got her some and Avery sat down.

"So, you didn't notice anything off about Dylan?" Liz asked.

"Well, it was kind of hard because he was different, but we attributed it to his experiences in Afghanistan and that all the anger was from PTSD."

"Jason is tense but he also has a sweet side. What about his face? Did Dylan really look exactly the same?"

"I guess if I really think about it, Jason's eyes are bluer. I just didn't have any reason to question it. His body was more muscular and defined but I figured it was because of the military. His voice was slightly different too. God, I guess I just saw what I wanted to see."

Stitch sighed from the doorway. "I didn't notice either. I just figured that he was off because of the PTSD."

They all went back into the living room and Nikki tried to get to know Jake a little better.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz let Robin inside. "There's a full house waiting for some explanations."

"I can handle it."

They went inside and Liz introduced her.

"Perhaps you can start by telling us how you think this farce occurred," Victor said.

Robin took a deep breath. "I believe that Helena switched Jason and Dylan at the time of the accident."

"You believe?" Victor asked giving her a look.

"Yes. It's the only explanation. I know I was with Jason until then."

"Well, I was told that Dylan died. So, obviously Helena got a hold of him at some point," Avery said.

"Were you exposed to all the patients that were there?" Liz asked curiously.

"No. There could be others. They only showed me what they wanted me to see."

Liz slipped into the kitchen and Jake followed her much to Dylan's chagrin.

"This is a lot to take in," Jake said.

"I know. It's overwhelming."

He pulled her into his arms. "I miss you and I'm scared that I'm losing you."

Liz didn't know what to say. "I can't tell you what is going to happen."

"You look at him and I can see that you still love him, but we're good together and I need you to understand that I'm not going down without a fight."

She touched his face. "You're a good man. Thank you for wanting to fight for me."

Dylan went outside. He needed some air. Nikki followed him.

"Are you alright?"

He nodded.

"You're worried about Jake and Elizabeth aren't you?"

"I don't want to lose her."

Nikki put her hand on Dylan's back. "I like her."

He slightly turned and looked at her.

"She's nice with a hint of feistiness. She'd be good for you."

"Are you okay with all of this?"

Nikki shrugged. "There's not much I can do. I love you. I thought you were my son. Those feelings just don't go away. Even if it turns out that Jake is my son instead, I will always wonder where you are and what you are doing. Regardless of blood, you are my family and I will never forget you and want to stay in touch."

Dylan fully turned around. "Thanks. I want that too."

Nikki gave him a hug and then went back inside. Sam walked up to him. "She's nice."

He nodded.

"Would you like to see a picture of him?"

"Who?"

Sam looked away awkwardly. "Your son."

Dylan sighed. "Okay."

Sam pulled out a picture from her purse. "He looks a lot like you."

Dylan studied the picture. He wished he could remember but he felt nothing. He handed it back.

Sam was clearly disappointed that it hadn't brought back any memories.

"Is he healthy?"

"Yes. He had leukemia and we got lucky and a donor came forward that saved him."

Dylan was surprised. "So, he's fine now?"

"He's great."

"Good."

"I—do you think that I could have a hug. It's just been so long and I thought you were dead," Sam said emotionally.

Dylan's hands were shoved into his pockets. He nodded and Sam rushed into him and hugged him tightly while he just stood there. After a minute, she pulled back and wiped her face with her hands. "Thanks," she said before going back into the house.

This was going to be messy. He just hoped that everyone would accept the outcome of the tests and honor the choices that he'd make, but he knew it wasn't going to be easy.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Everyone gathered at the hospital. Patrick took Dylan to a room and a nurse prepped him for surgery and then his family was allowed to come back and speak to him.

Nikki rushed into the room and kissed him on the head. "I'm going to go light a candle. We're all praying for you Dylan."

"Thanks."

She left and Paul came in. "I want you to know that I love you Dylan. You are my son in every way regardless of what happens. You saved my life and I will never forget that."

"Thank you. I'll never forget you."

Paul left and Carly came inside.

"Hey. I just wanted you to know that even though you don't remember a lot about me, I'm not leaving this hospital until I know that you are okay. I will always have your back."

He slightly smiled. "Thanks."

She kissed him on the head and left.

Avery walked inside. "I know that I'm the last person you want to see." Her eyes filled with tears. "I love you Dylan and I just want you to be happy and healthy okay?"

"Okay," he said softly.

She picked up his hand and kissed it and then hurried out of the room. Stitch took her place.

"Patrick is a great doctor. I googled him."

Dylan chuckled. "I'm glad you did such in-depth detective work."

Stitch smiled. "Nothing but the best for my best friend." He walked closer. "You've been there for me a lot this past year. I want to thank you. I don't care what name you go by, I will always consider you a friend."

"I feel the same way."

Stitch touched his arm and then left and then Sam and Monica came in to say goodbye.

"I love you and everything is going to be okay," Monica said before squeezing his hand and leaving.

Sam took his hand. "I know you have to be overwhelmed but for right now, don't worry about everything. Just get through the surgery and we can talk later."

"Okay."

She kissed him on the cheek and left just as Elizabeth came into the room.

"I haven't decided how I'm going to play this."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I could cry and beg you not to leave me. I could tell you how much you have to live for or threaten you that if you don't come back to me, I'll hurt you."

Dylan slightly smiled. "What do you think you're going to go with?"

"I think I've decided on something classic."

"And what's that?"

"See you later."

He tilted his head. "See you later."

She smiled and then leaned over him and was going to kiss his cheek but Dylan turned his head and their lips met and he slightly deepened it.

"I will come back to you Elizabeth."

Her eyes filled with tears. "You better."

"So now you're going with the threat?"

She grinned. "It felt right."

Patrick cleared his throat and walked in. "You ready?"

"Yes."

Liz walked away and then stood in the doorway and they exchanged smiles and then she disappeared into the hallway.

Dylan was given a sedative and then he was wheeled to the OR.