Part 3

Jason starts to dream again.

Carly and Sonny are at the hospital with Caroline for a checkup. Jason runs into them in the hallway. Carly gives Jason an obnoxious look and takes Sonny's arm to walk away. Jason asks, "is there something wrong with Caroline?"

Sonny starts to say something about her heart, but Carly interrupts, "it's none of your business".

Jason remembers he had a problem with his heart when he was born, and it was congenital. He goes to the lab with a vial of his blood. He finds one of his Residents and asks him to run tests on Caroline Morgan, now Corothinos. He says, "It is AJ Morgan's and please keep this quiet as it is a private matter the mother does not want it to get out. I don't want Amy Vining to know since she will tell the whole hospital and Carly's family doesn't need to be upset". Jason calls Robin and apologizes, "I'm not going to be able to keep our lunch date. I'm going to be stuck at the hospital all day. Can I see you for breakfast or lunch tomorrow?" Robin is relieved when Jason tells her he will be busy at the hospital as she is still processing everything, he told her this morning.

….Sonny is talking to Jason, "Michael keeps asking about you. He wants to see you tomorrow and Carly and I will bring him with us. Hang in there okay?"

Jason receives the rushed lab results and lifts the flap off the envelope. His heart is pounding as he reads the results. It is a confirmed match. He is the biological father of Caroline. He's not ready to face Robin yet and Carly is dodging his calls; he decides to go right to the source. He knows his brother been hanging out at a place called the 'No Name'. He storms in and rushes AJ. Several of Sonny's and AJ's men grab and hold him; one gives him a sucker punch to the stomach.

"I'm sure my brother won't try anything here, AJ says. "He wouldn't want anyone to damage that pretty face of his. So, what do you want, little bro?"

Jason replies, "can we take this somewhere else?"

Slugging down the last of his beer, AJ replies, "after you". He grabs his leather jacket and sticks his gun in the back of his jeans. They walk to a table in the back.

Jason says, "I know I am the father of Caroline"

AJ taunts him saying, "that's not what the birth certificate says.

Jason says, "well, I have a DNA test to prove it".

AJ leans forward, his face so close to Jason where Jason can smell the beer on his breath and says, "I can produce tests that say otherwise. Do you really think Carly wants to have her child raised by a Q'? Edward would devour her. Do you want that?"

"But she is my daughter and I have the right to raise her and for her to know her father", Jason protests.

AJ replies, "it is a little late since Sonny has already adopted Caroline. He does have the best lawyers and you don't stand a chance. Cut your losses! Jason takes a swing at AJ and AJ wipes his lips, "is that all you got?" He punches Jason repeatedly. Then says, "Johnny take out the trash".

….AJ stops by and leans against the door jam. "Gee Golden Boy; coma serves you well".

Jason picks himself up from behind the trashcans and stumbles down the street to Jakes. He starts drinking to dull the pain. Detective Marcus Taggart is playing pool with ADA Dara Jensen. Taggert walks by and sees Jason on a fast track to becoming severely smashed. "AJ?", he asks. Jason simply rolls his eyes, saying it all. "Look", Marcus says. "I've had to deal with the knowledge Sonny is my half-brother. I may have found out six months ago, but it's still a huge blow".

Jason says, "but I know AJ is my brother. He's changed and different".

Marcus says, "but Jason don't you see? We are not that different. You are dealing with a new AJ. I'm dealing not only with a new brother; but also one who is on the other side of the law".

"Yes", Jason replies, but you didn't just find out that Sonny is raising your child!"

Marcus says, "Wow! I guess I owe you a drink".

Thirty minutes later, Dara interrupts their conversation and says, "I'm taking the two of you home." Jason made it back to the gatehouse and Robin went back to Mac's after classes. Each one wondered what would happen next.

…DA Scott Baldwin walks into Jason's room intending on asking some questions about the shooter. Sonny is there and goes off on Scotty. "What now? Unless you have a warrant for a man in a coma, get the hell out. He can't and wouldn't help you".

Scotty is leaving as Robin arrives. She asks Sonny, "is it safe?"

Sonny replies, "yes. Carly is at home with Morgan".

"I know why Carly doesn't like me, but how do you feel?", Robin asks.

Sonny replies, "I know you did what you felt you had to do. But you should also realize no child should be raised by the Quartermaine's or have AJ as a father".

Robin says, "excuse me for saying this, but if the situation were reversed and you found out you had a child, someone was raising without you because of your dangerous life, would you want to know and have a chance to raise him or her?"

Sonny replies, "That's entirely different. I'm not AJ". He walks out.

Robin sits next to Jason, holds his hand and says, "I guess that would be your answer too, huh?"

…A few days go by and Jason's dodging Robin's calls. He took time off from work. He begged his mother and father to spend a few hours at the clinic. They knew something was wrong. He never calls in sick.

Robin arrives at the gatehouse carrying only a toothbrush and a slinky red lingerie. She knocks and where there is no answer, she walks in. Jason is sitting in a chair drinking a glass of wine, lights are dimmed and he's holding a picture of his mother, father and him as a baby. She places her items on the shelf and walks over to him. She kneels beside him and holds him. He starts to sob on her shoulder and then picks her up, bringing her onto his lap. She wipes his tears away and kisses him. He lifts her up and carries her to the bedroom. He lays her down on the bed and says, "you did ask for a real bed this time, didn't you?"

He takes his shirt off and leans down to unbutton hers. Robin places her hands over his and says, "Jason, this doesn't have to happen tonight. I don't want you to do anything in response to anger or pain".

"No", Jason replies, "I love you. I want this because I love you. I will tell you everything, but for tonight, I don't want to talk about it. You are the one person who can help me through this. I don't want this news to control my life or anything with you". They make love and fall asleep in each other's arms. The following morning, he tells her everything.

Robin says, "I brought my toothbrush and something to sleep in. Does your offer to move in still stand?"

Jason replies with a smile, "You have all the necessities, I'd say yes".

Emily enters Jason's room and says to Robin, "I'm sure when Courtney returns, she will have a field day with you".

Robin asks, "what is she like? Is she good for him? Does he love her?"

"I think he thinks he loves her. Courtney is always complaining about his life. I remember you had problems with his life too; which is why you moved to Paris. You know he will always be loyal to Sonny, but I think he may have followed you if you didn't leave the way you did. He still contributes thousands of dollars every year on The Day of Compassion in your name. He still has a soft spot for you".

Robin replies, "I didn't know that. Let's get out of here for a real cup of coffee". They leave Jason's room and head towards Kellys.

….Robin graduates from Medical school and Jason is the first one to congratulate her. With her help and a good attorney, Alexis Davis, he is about to get full custody of Caroline. Robin was helping with shared custody until the papers got filed. He had it all planned out; his mother was going to watch Caroline. He was going to propose. He takes her to a romantic restaurant and after dinner, the waiter brings a large chocolate covered fortune cookie. She looks at it and laughs. "What is this?"

"Just open it", Jason replies. Robin cracks open the cookie and inside is a beautiful heart-shaped diamond ring. He gets down on one knee and proposes. With tears in her eyes, she accepts. They leave the restaurant holding hands and smiling. The valet brings the car around and opens the door for Robin. Jason turns to give him a tip when suddenly there is a huge explosion behind him. He turns around and screams "Nooooooooo!"

….Robin stops by Jason's room to say goodbye. She needs to get back to Paris for school. She takes his hand, "Jason, I'm so sorry but I have other commitments. I was hoping I could make a difference and you could hear me talking and remember our times together. I know a lot of things went wrong in our relationship and I'm not sure if I would have done things differently. At first, I wanted to place the sole blame on Carly as she pushed me, trying to sabotage our relationship; but I think it had more to do with my not knowing my own father until I was about the age Michael is now. I believed AJ had a right to know his son and Michael to know him. I can't say AJ would have been on a self-destructive path if he had custody or not. Nor can I say what Michael's life would be like if Sonny was in a different profession. But I think it's all about if Michael would want to know his birth father in any sense of the word instead of it being preached to him that AJ is bad. I hoped my voice would trigger something. I can return when you awaken and come for a visit or not, whichever you think is best." She kisses his forehead and then walks out. Before she heads to the airport, she visits her Uncle Mac.

….Jason is on the ground screaming and crying. The police arrive along with Mac Scorpio, the Commissioner, and Robin's Uncle. He questions and comforts Jason. "Jason, what happened?"

Jason stammers, "I..I...I don't know. Why would someone do this to Robin? We were about to start our life together".

Mac, while fighting off the tears himself says, "Jason, I know how much you loved each other, but do you have any reason to believe you were the target?"

"Mac, I don't know", your guess is as good as mine, but until you find evidence placing the blame on someone, I can't be here. I want to go home".

Mac nods to Marcus who helps Jason into his car and drives him to the gatehouse. They talk and drink beer. Marcus cautiously asks, "Jason I hate to bring this up, but do you think Sonny or AJ might have had something to do with this?"

"Why, it doesn't make any sense". Jason cries.

"Jason, think about it, what if you were the target and a means to an end? Maybe AJ wanted you dead so you wouldn't get custody of Caroline. It was your car; they may have thought you would be the one in it".

Jason cannot comprehend anything. He asks Taggert to leave and sits in a corner crying, looking at a scrapbook of Robin and him together. A few days go by and they have her service. He returns home not wanting to talk to anyone. There is a typewritten letter waiting for him on his doormat. He brings it inside and throws it on the counter. He decides to immerse himself into his work. He walks to the clinic and helps the staff and treats patients. At the end of the day, he closes and sends everyone home. He walks around touching things in his office that belonged to Robin. He hears a loud crash and walks to the main office and waiting area. The front window is broken, and a note is attached to a brick. It reads, "you have been warned. Your life, your friends and even you are in danger. As each day goes by the courts will see you are too dangerous to raise a child". He runs out, not seeing anyone. He leaves, not contacting the police. Arriving home, he reads the letter he left on the counter. "You were the target. You have lost the love of your life. Don't make a mistake by causing the deaths of others. You may contact the police, but they will find nothing". He crumbles up the note and throws it down the hall. He calls Taggert telling him not to say anything to anyone, especially Mac. He waits and contemplates his options and worries about those around him. He thinks about running away, taking Caroline with him. He knows if he leaves, those close to him could die. He knows if he brings them Caroline, they may kill him as soon as he hands her over. When Taggert arrives, he tells him everything that happened and will need his help.