Chapter 6

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. ~ Gibran

A/N: To everyone who left such wonderful feedback for Chapter 5, please accept a very grateful thank you! To Sterryvit and Adri my heartfelt thanks to each of you for being great sounding boards.

This chapter is chock full of information, but, alas contains no letters. I do promise that you will see more of the "J" and "S" letters in the next chapter. This chapter also contains some new people and takes place two days after Chapter 5. I hope you enjoy it. ~~ Lisa

Tuesday, September, 13, 2022

Port Charles High School

As Jake and Robbie walked in the front door of the high school they discussed getting together after school.

"I have baseball practice until 4 . . . how about we ride over to my house after that?" Jake suggested.

"That's perfect! I have a meeting with the newspaper until then, so I'll meet you by the field, okay?"

"Good . . . I'll meet you then."

Quartermaine Mansion

The Den

"Monica?" He called to her softly so as not to startle her. She seemed lost in thought - her coffee growing cold on the table beside her - she sat on the sofa still holding the letter from her son. "Monica?"

"Oh, Ned. Good Morning . . . off to the office?"

"Mmmm, I'm going to work from here this morning," pouring a cup of coffee, "then I have meetings with the guys and Diane."

"About Jason? Ned . . . can you tell me what's going on?"

"Actually, Spinelli could probably tell you more. Would you like me to call him?"

"No, no, that's alright. I can call . . ." she looked back down at the letter still in her hand.

"Monica . . . is that the letter from Jason?"

"Yes." Her eyes starting to sparkle with renewed tears.

"It's upsetting you . . . what did he say?"

"Oh, Ned . . . just all the things a mother wants to hear from their child and some things she doesn't. And in my case, some things for which I am given far too much forgiveness. I only hope I'll have a chance to see my son again."

"Monica . . . you of all of us should know how strong he is. How many times did you patch him up? And you've looked after Jake in the only way you could. I know how much Jase appreciates that. When he came to me thirteen years ago, you still didn't know about Jake, and I also know how difficult it was for him to tell you and to ask me for anything . . ."

"Jase, it's good to see you, but why are you here . . . you wouldn't come if it wasn't important." I urged gently, unlike his usual straight forward way, Jason was stalling.

"Ned, I know I don't keep in touch, so, thank you for seeing me. I'm very grateful."

I waved his thanks off, "Talk to me."

"You were really good to me, Ned, when I needed it the most . . . after the accident and when I took over for Sonny the first time . . . your advice helped me stay alive. I couldn't admit it then, how green I was. But I've learned." Getting up from his chair - he paced a bit. "I have a lot to tell you . . . but I will be as brief as possible."

Jason proceeded to tell him about Em's death and his role in it, about Michael's shooting, about his deal with Sonny to get Carly sole custody, about Sonny's misguided alliance with the Zacchara family and the threat he's become. As usual Jason was taking responsibility for events beyond his control. Even he could not predict someone else's behavior.

"Ned, I still control the former Corinthos-Morgan Organization. I want to make it into a legitimate business enterprise," he resumed his seat opposite Ned, "I've already taken certain steps to do that. Right now the Morgan Organization no longer owns any property in Port Charles or any where. It has all been sold to another party."

I had barely been able to hide my surprise, "Go on."

"I can't do this alone. I need help . . . and . . . I was hoping that I might be able to convince you to come back to Port Charles and help me."

"Jase, what aren't you telling me?"

"A lot . . . Ned, I need to know. Would you be willing to help me? Would you be willing to return to Port Charles?"

"I might, but I need to know more."

And Jason further filled me in on the Karpov situation, the attempts on Sonny's life and Sonny's subsequent murder of Karpov igniting a war that set new records in Port Charles and his role in dousing those flames. Jason told me how maniacal Alexis had become in reaction to being used by Jerry Jacks and how a very close, very young, friend of his, a hacker, had put himself in personal jeopardy to help Jason by deflecting federal and international evidence against him. This left the young man vulnerable as leverage to use against Jason.

"They arrested him on violations of The Patriot Act for terrorism . . . it's a life sentence . . . it's worse than a murder charge. Ned, Spinelli is just a kid; he's only 23 . . . about the same age I was when I went to work for Sonny."

Anxiously rubbing his right hand across his forehead, he resumed his seat, "I made a deal with the Feds to keep Spinelli out of jail."

"What did you trade?"

Jason had studied me intently, and then said, "Anthony Zacchara, Ric Lansing, information on Sonny, and myself."

"Jason, that's a life sentence, hell . . . it's a death sentence for you . . . no wonder they can give your free reign in Port Charles!" I had jumped to my feet and paced away from my cousin buying time to calm down by pouring myself a glass of water. "What did you do?"

Jason stood as well, "Ned, relax . . . it's not as bad as it sounds. I'm not a kid anymore. I know what I'm doing . . . that doesn't mean I don't need help. Ned, sit . . . please . . . there's more."

I sat back down, "Okay . . . I'm listening."

Jason told me all about his deal with the Feds - he had given them Zacchara and Lansing, made a deal involving Sonny and after ten years his services would no longer be needed and Spinelli would have a clean record.

"Here's where I need your help."

Jason leaned forward in his seat and swallowed deeply, "I know it's asking an enormous favor, and I have no expectations that you will agree, but there are so few people I trust."

"Jase, what kind of help can I give you?"

"I need someone to help run Morgan Industries. I'm going to be away most of the year and only returning to Port Charles once or twice each year while I'm working for the Feds, and the business is too big to leave without a solid management team." Looking at me warily, he continued, "I also want to claim my part of ELQ."

"You're kidding . . . Grandfather will be over the moon!"

"Yeah, well . . . I'm not doing it for him."

"Is there anyone else you plan to invite onto your management team?"

"Well there's my accountant, Bernie, and my top guys from the organization have agreed to go legit with me . . . they're all good guys . . . smart guys, my chief counsel, Diane Miller, Spinelli will handle all the tech stuff and I plan to ask Nikolas Cassadine and Grandfather."

I was surprised. "Nikolas . . . really? Why?"

Jason deliberated and then smiled for the first time, "Both you and he know how to work, effectively and profitably, just this side of the law."

Chuckling, "Okay, I'll bite . . . how big is the business, Jason?"

"Well, actually, the Morgan Organization that is becoming Morgan Industries, Inc. is about half the size of ELQ." I tried to hide my surprise. "And my personal holdings are twice that," Jason said quietly.

"Your personal holdings?"

"Yeah . . ." Taking a list from his jacket pocket, "When I was traveling I bought property and ranches and factories. I had to do something with all the money and Benny, Sonny's accountant at the time, helped me. My accountant now, Bernie, is Benny's twin."

Looking up from the list in amazement, "Jason, these are all over the world and all over the states, my God man, what are you doing working for Sonny . . . your net worth must be staggering!"

Jason said, fixing me with his usual glare, "It's just money . . . it can't get me what I want, it can't erase the things I've done, but it can, maybe, help me be more than just another thug."

Studying my cousin I still had the feeling there was a piece missing. "Jason, the Feds said you could run Port Charles with no interference from them. Right?"

"Yes."

"Then why the push to change now? Because of this Spinelli kid? Because of Michael?"

Jason studied me considering his answer and taking a deep breath, he said, "I have a son, Ned."

Wyndemere on Spoon Island

The Breakfast Room

As Nik came into the breakfast room he had a chance to observe three of the four most important people in his life. His two youngest children - the soon-to-be eight-year-old Stephanie Rayleen and the not-quite-five Gregory Philippe were just finishing up breakfast and were still not quite into the school year routine.

And he never tired of gazing on the most unlikely girl, or so people thought, to become his wife ten years ago. Nadine was beautiful inside and out. This was the woman who respected his love for his first love, Emily, and helped him see that he could have another love just as important and beautiful. This was the woman who gave him the joy of two more children when he thought that dream was gone. This was the woman who made Wyndemere, or wherever the lived, into a real home.

"Good morning, everybody!"

"Hi, Daddy! Hi Dad!"

"Morning, honey," he said as he dropped a chaste kiss on his wife's cheek. "Are you on at the hospital today or the clinic?"

"Actually, I've got some things to do in town to get the penthouse ready for us. And, Spencer's coming home from school for the weekend . . . I want to pick up some of his favorites, and then I'm meeting Elizabeth for lunch. I'm going to take the launch over with the kids."

Turning to her children, "Steph, Greg . . . let's get going, get your things . . . the launch is waiting for us and you can't be late . . . okay?"

"Okay, Mama, I'm ready," came the ready reply from Stephanie.

"Mama, where's my backpack?" asked little Gregory.

"It's by the door. You two go ahead to the launch with Nanny Rebecca . . . I'll be there in a bit."

"And what's going on with the kids today?" Nik asked as his son and daughter each gave him a kiss on their way out the door.

"After school Stephanie starts dance class and Greg has his first karate class."

"Oh, good . . . listen, Nadine . . . when you're with Elizabeth today . . . please don't say anything about Jason, alright?"

"No problem . . . have you heard anything more?"

"No, we haven't . . . not yet. Do you think we could have an early dinner tonight? I may need to go see Elizabeth afterwards."

"That's fine. I'll tell cook later, or maybe you can just meet me and the kids at Kelly's." Putting on her coat, she asked, "Nik? Do you think Jason's okay?"

"I really don't know, but I hope so . . . otherwise all the sacrifices he's made will have been for . . . well not nothing, but it will not be the outcome he deserves," he said pensively.

And as his wife left their home Nik found himself thinking about the day he became partners with Jason in his new business - it was the last thing he thought he would ever do and it gave him more than he ever expected. His thoughts traveled back to that afternoon thirteen years ago . . .

As Alfred showed Jason into the study, I was just entering. Shaking hands, we quickly walked over to the sofa, "Jason. No problems on the way over?"

"No, none."

I offered Jason a drink that was declined, "Please, sit," I invited as I took my usual place and Jason took a seat on the sofa.

"So, Jason, what did you want to talk about?"

Jason smoothed his hands down the thighs of his dark dress pants. "Listen, Nik, I know that you and I have had a difficult rel . . . acquaintance. But I know how much Emily thought of you and how much you loved her. And I know you're having a difficult time with Emily's death. We both know that I am responsible for that."

"No, Jason . . . you can not take responsibility for Diego's actions, only for your own and you do that and more."

Jason had difficulty hiding his surprise. "Thank you for that, but it doesn't change the fact that I couldn't save her . . ."

"Hey, listen . . . if I had gotten treatment for the headaches I was having, if I had been more aggressive about finding a reason for them . . . I would have been able to help Emily and not leave her and my guests vulnerable. So, I guess that makes me just as responsible. But, you know what . . . you and I . . . we can't keep blaming ourselves, we must move on. Emily would have wanted that, you know."

"Yeah . . . I do. It's one of the reasons I'm here," he said, shifting on the sofa and kneading his hands. "I've come here to ask for your help."

I tried to hide my surprise, "My help with what? Is it Sam? Elizabeth?"

"No, it's neither. Well, in some ways it is Elizabeth, but I'll get to that another time. I know you don't think much of me. And my business and I am only coming to you now, because, I know Emily would have wanted me to . . . she respected and trusted you."

Rubbing his hand across his forehead, Jason said, "I've started restructuring my organization to be a legitimate business. I've already taken certain steps to do that. Right now the Morgan Organization no longer owns any property in Port Charles or any where. But I will not be able to run it after the next year. I've already approached Ned for his help, we met yesterday in LA, and . . ." leaning forward in his seat, "I know it's an enormous favor I'm asking . . . more than a favor, but I would like to have your help as well."

"You want my help?" I interrupted in surprise. "Why?"

"I'm going to tell you the same thing I told Ned. I'm going to be away most of the year and only returning to Port Charles once or twice each year and the business is too big to leave without a solid management team." Looking at me warily, he continued, "Plus, both you and Ned know how to work on the right side of the law without sacrificing profit or compromising efficiency."

I had curiously asked how big his business was and the answer was not at all what I had been expecting. I quickly realized that I had unbelievably underestimated Jason. Here was a man I had thought of only as the career criminal gun-toting mobster brother of the woman I loved, who did only what his boss demanded and never really thought for himself. Although my beloved Emily had consistently talked about how smart her brother, Jason, was - I have to say I never really gave it much credence. Maybe I thought it was just a younger sister hero-worshipping her older brother, or perhaps it was because I couldn't reconcile with the fact that at one point Elizabeth chose him over me or that - oh, I don't know. But here he was handing me a list of his personal holdings that spanned the globe and had to be worth hundreds of millions - to say nothing of the allegedly illegal holdings that had now been reborn as legitimate businesses. In a word, I was amazed and a bit chagrined at my own hubris.

"Okay, I see. And where, exactly, do I come in?"

"I want to put together a solid management team to run Morgan Industries . . . that's what Bernie, my accountant, is calling the new business. My guys that have agreed to come along on this new legit business are all good guys . . . smart, but they're used to working a certain way and they'll need people who know how to stay on this side of the law, but still get the jobs done."

He went on to explain that Spinelli had been targeted by the FBI because he worked for him and the kid was being used as leverage to get Jason to turn in Zacchara and Sonny. Due to the Feds bungling of the Biotoxin disaster at GH, Jason was able to arrange a slightly more amenable deal, but it put him in the control of the FBI for ten years and his conglomerate without a leader. And now, after all the insults I had flung at him over the years, but because of Emily's faith in me and Elizabeth's friendship, he was asking me - me - to help manage his businesses for the time he would be away.

As I got up to go to the bar to refresh my drink; Jason asked me the money question.

"Nik? I know you have your own empire to run and mine is tiny by comparison, but I can promise . . . you will be well compensated . . . Would you be willing to help me with this?"

"It's not the money, Jason, you know that", I said retaking my seat.

Thinking that was my answer Jason stood getting ready to leave and extended his hand, "Hey, thanks for your time. I understand . . ."

I had to stop him so I could tell him how flattered I was that he was asking for my assistance, "No, Jason . . . wait . . . it's not the money, it's not the time. I know what it took for you to ask me for help . . . I've never given you the respect I should have." I held up my hand to ward off Jason's protest.

"All I was to you when we first met was your little sister's friend. I was an arrogant, spoiled teenager who knew everything . . . I made things difficult for Em, she married me when I was in prison and then I cheated on her. When I had amnesia and was kept by Mary . . . she tried to help me and so did you . . . but I wouldn't listen to those with the experience. And when you did what any big brother would, in defense of their sister, I responded badly . . . to say the least. I never respected your relationship with Elizabeth . . . maybe if we all had . . ." I shook my head, "spilt milk, unfortunately. But, I'm not blind . . . I see what Lucky has done to her . . . and I see how she looks at you and you her."

"Nik?"

"I know about Jake, Jason . . . Lucky told me. I don't know if I could do what you are doing to protect him . . . and Elizabeth. However misguided it may be."

"I want them safe, Elizabeth and the boys . . . her boys."

"Your boys, Jason . . . that's how you think of them, isn't it?"

Jason just studied his hands.

"I understand. Listen, you can count me in on restructuring and helping with running your new company. It would be what Em would want . . . I'm honored that you asked me, Jason. Em would be, too."

"Thank you."

"Sure. Now, when do you want to meet about . . . the business?"

As they walked to the door, Jason said, "Ned's coming in from LA on Thursday . . . we can meet that evening or Friday. I'm not sure yet, Ned and I have some family business to take care of first."

"Either time is fine . . . let me know by Wednesday?"

"No problem. I'll be in touch . . ."

"Master Nikolas?" Clearing his throat to get Nik's attention, "Master Nikolas!"

"Yes, Bennings," Nik said having his attention pulled out of the past and back to the present.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, sir, but the launch is back and waiting for you. You have a 10:00 in the city."

Moving toward the door, he rushed, "Yes . . . yes . . . I'm on my way. Oh . . . and tell Mrs. Bennings that we'll all be eating at Kelly's tonight, would you?"

"Yes, of course, sir." He said to Nik's departing back.

Morgan Industries Tower

As Ned got off the private elevator on the 18th floor of the towers, he saw Diane Miller and Bernie Abrams entering the conference room. They were two of a very select group that had access to this floor and being here meant that there was a problem that only the top level people in the company could solve.

The conference room was mid-sized and resembled more of a luxuriously simple living room. Remnants of criminal safeguards and well-founded precautions ruled this meeting space, as it did the entire building. The windows bore blackout shades that were lined with a material that absorbed sound as well as with electronics that emitted a white noise around the room making it virtually impossible for anyone to use a remote listening device. The entire floor including the elevators was swept for listening and video devices twice each day. There were no pictures to hide electronics behind, nor flower or planting arrangements, or any other object that would serve as any sort of hiding place for any surveillance device.

As he entered the room, he saw all those he knew would be there Diane and Bernie, Nikolas Cassadine, Edward Quartermaine, Carly Jacks, Giuseppe Catapano, Francis Donovan, and most importantly, oddly enough, Damian Spinelli - Jason's ever-loyal wingman. Spinelli was the one person who always had track of Jason, but now, even he couldn't locate his cousin.

"Spinelli . . . where are we so far? Everybody . . . take a seat." Turning to Edward, "Grandfather, are you sure you want to be here for this? It could get a bit . . ."

"Nonsense, my boy . . . where else should I be than trying to find out what happened to that poor boy! Dammit . . . he was supposed to be home more than two years ago . . ." he trailed off as he took a seat with the others.

"Mr. Quartermaine, Sir," Spinelli said softly as he stood by the old man's chair, "Your grandson is very strong and very resourceful. I know that we will find him."

Edward looked gratefully at the young man, "Well let's get on with it, then."

"Ned," Spinelli continued, "Johnny is on the phone, as well as Antonio De Orellana in Argentina, Paul Sanders in London, and Vivienne Décarte in France."

Addressing the speaker phone he listed those in attendance to those on the phone and then asked Johnny to give them a brief update on their search activities. When he told them that he sent half the team to Sierra Leone, one of the places Jason had worked for the UN, the group collectively gasped that their friend and absent leader had been sent into so dangerous an area of the world.

At the conclusion of Johnny's update he and Ned asked Antonio (Director of the company's South American holdings) to get in touch with those on his network for information. Nik arranged with Sanders (Director of the company's European holdings) to interface with MI-6, Vivienne (Director of The Morgan International Foundation - Europe and an Attorney) was interfacing with the Sûreté and Interpol, Giuseppe (Jason's long-time Attorney from Italy) would be handling the UN Organized Crime Task Force and the US Agencies along with Diane and Francis. Nik had the Cassadine Security teams looking for Jason throughout Greece and Russia, as well as in the Mid-East where he had significant contacts.

As the meeting drew to a tense close, Johnny addressed the room from his location in Costa Rica, "Hey, Spin, Mr. Quartermaine, Carly . . . everyone," he knew he had their attention by the weight of the silence radiating through the phone lines. "The guys and I . . . we value Jason just as much as all of you. I brought the best we have with me . . . guys who know Jason, respect him, honor him and are, beyond the fact that we all owe Jason, loyal to him. We're not coming home without him. The message Spin got indicated that he's alive and we know he'll do what he can to stay that way."

Nik responded by saying, "We know, Johnny . . . we know you and the guys will do everything you can . . . but we also want you and your teams to be careful and try to stay under the radar so that other enemies to Jason don't get wind of the current situation. Got it?"

"Understood, Nik. We've gotta go. We'll be in touch," and he terminated his call as did all the others after saying a brief goodbye.

After the room had cleared, Nik, Ned and Spin remained behind to discuss if they needed to tell Elizabeth about Jason. For the first time, Carly spoke as she was walking out the door, "Guys? I think you need to tell Elizabeth. If . . . and I don't even want to go here . . . but if, Jason is dead . . . Jake and Cam are his heirs. As their mother, Elizabeth needs to know what's going on."

The Webber Residence

Jake and Robbie anxiously ran up to Jake's room to take another look at the letters that he had been getting from the mysterious "J" and "S" - it was time to really start to figure out who these two are. The two best friends sat on the floor and started to go through the packages of letters for the second time.

"Jake, did you make copies of the 'S' letters?" Robbie asked.

"Yeah, they're . . ." digging in his backpack, "right here," he said pulling out a thin blue bag. "What are we going to do with these?" He asked his friend.

"This way we can mark these copies . . . you know, highlight the parts that might help us figure out who these guys are and stuff," she said.

"Good idea." Jake agreed, "You know, 'S' doesn't mention any names, but he mentions the types of people. Maybe we can figure out who they are."

"Exactly!" Robbie agreed. "You know what else? I noticed that you get the packages only one or two days after the dates on the 'S' letters."

"Really? I didn't notice that," Jake exclaimed.

"And look," she pointed out, "the packages are postmarked here in Port Charles."