Carly's body responded and fell into the kiss. His lips were soft, but demanding and she felt sparks dance on her skin. "No! No! No!" Her inner voice screeched in her head and brought her feet back down to earth. She pulled back away from his lips and then took a bewildered step back.

Damn she tasted so good. Sweeter than the grapes she had plowed in his mouth. She tasted like an exotic fruit that only grew in the rarest of places. She responded to his kiss with passion and fire and he was so tempted to slip his tongue in her mouth and deepen the kiss so he could have the full effect. Then suddenly she pulled away and stood before with a dazed but confused look on her face. Obviously unsure of what she had just allowed her body to do. The silence between them was killing him and he opened his mouth to speak the same time she must have made the same realization and had opened hers to do the same. Their words stumbled over each other and then there was silence again. Zach went first, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that, but in my defense I've wanted to do that since the day we met. I did hold out a long time." He smirked. "But I promise." He continued before she could speak "I won't do it again unless you ask me too."

Carly gave him a half smile in response. "Not that I didn't enjoy that, but I don't think I'll be asking. I'm not looking for any complications right now."

"I'm not trying to be one." Zach answered "but you didn't say never so I'll take that."

"It doesn't matter anyway because I'll be leaving town soon." Carly said and then went over to the table to pour herself a glass of juice in attempt to take the taste of him off her lips. It was hard to stay rational when she could still taste him all over her mouth.

"About that. Why are you leaving again?" He asked

"I have things to do?"

"Like?"

"Like things. Why?"

"I was just wondering why you suddenly have to leave. When you arrived I was under the impression you would be staying for sometime."

"Well, I changed my mind?"

"Why?"

"Why are you asking me twenty questions? My plans changed."

"Do your plans changing have anything to do with the two thugs that were asking questions about you at the bus station?"

"There was someone looking for me at the bus station?" Carly said with great concern in her voice and sat down in the chair. "And just how do you know about it?"

"I could tell from day one you were running from something. No credit card or driver's license. No reservation. It wasn't hard to figure out. I had a few people looking out at the bus station and around town for anyone asking questions" Zach explained.

"And?" Carly questioned.

"Two guys showed up late yesterday with a picture of you asking questions at the bus station. I was told the only information they were able to get was that you purchased a ticket to Pittsburg and left early yesterday morning. It appears you covered your tracks pretty well and sent them on a wild goose chase."

"I can only hope so." Carly said underneath her breathe.

"Do you want to tell me who and what you are running from?" Zach demanded.

Carly sighed and slunk forward in the chair and placed her hands on her forehead. "My ex-husbands and I'm not running. I just walked away very quickly."

"Husbands…as in more than one."

"Just two and they both are very protective of me so much I can't breathe around them. I left to get some space and be on my own for awhile."

"Well your ex's must be very powerful men because the men looking for you were no run of the mill PIs. They were professionals. Who exactly are your ex-husbands?"

Carly's inner voice was screaming at her to keep quite, but part of her wanted to confide in Zach. "Sonny Corinthos and Lorenzo Alcazar." She whispered.

"Repeat that. I thought you just said two of the most notorious crime lords on the east coast."

"They're not crime lords." Carly defended. "They're businessmen."

"If you want to use the term loosely I guess you can call them businessmen."

"How in the world did you get hooked up with men like that? Not only hooked up you married them. Both." Zach rubbed his forehead in frustration. "And these men are looking for you. You are in some serious danger."

"No I'm not. They just want me back in Port Charles where they can watch me and protect me. They're not after me to hurt me. I just don't want to be found. I'm tired of living that life. I want a life away from the violence. I want to be on my own. I haven't been that way in over ten years. I've always had someone looking out for me. Jason, Sonny, Lorenzo. I want to look after myself for awhile and find out who I am again." She dropped her head down in frustration. "Not like you can understand any of that."

"If you only knew my story." Zach told her. "I can relate more than you know. My problem is that you are out here on your own with no protection. What if someone recognized you? Someone who is not as nice as me. I can understand why your ex's are so hot to get you back to Port Charles where you would be safe."

"I'm going to go back. Just not right now."

"And you want to leave Pine Valley? To go where?"

"I have no idea. I was thinking of leaving the country, but my passport is at home in Port Charles and there is no way I'm going back there to get it."

"So stay here. They have already been here looking and left. They won't be coming back through here and at least if you stay I can protect you."

"What you say makes sense, but if I stay it is not for your protection it's because it's the best tactical move to make at this time." Carly stood up and moved towards him. "Don't get any ideas in your head like I need you or something, because that is not happening."

"You're just afraid I'll kiss you again. Don't worry I keep my word. I won't kiss you till you ask me too."

"Good, because I won't be asking." Carly said and her inner voice laughed at the lie.

*********************************************************************

"Where's Carly?" Jason asked again when Sonny didn't immediately answer.

Sonny stuttered over Carly's name and was about to try and tell him that he lost her, but was saved when Dr. Drake came into the room with Sam. Sonny sighed in relief. He did not want to have that conversation with Jason just yet.

"So how are you feeling?" Patrick asked Jason.

"Like someone ran over my head with a truck." He replied.

"Any nausea, double vision?" Patrick asked as he used his pin light to focus on Jason vision.

"None." Jason replied

"Memories?" Patrick asked. "Do you remember where you are and why?"

"Yes."

"Do you remember who your parents are?"

"Monica and Alan Quartermaine." He answered.

"Good, any other memories?"

"All of them." Jason said. "I remember everything."

"We successfully removed the entire tumor and since your memories are intact I would say the surgery was a success. You will need to spend the next few days in the hospital, but barring no complications you should be able to leave by Friday."

"That's great news." Sam said and gave Jason a tentative hug and kiss.

"I'll be back to check on you in the morning." Patrick said.

Sam sat down next to Jason. "This is great news we should celebrate. How 'bout some Jello?" She teased.

"Jason tried to laugh but his throat was dry and it came out hoarse. "It is great news. Where's Carly? I want to tell her myself."