Chapter Twenty-One

Jason was shuddering as he walked back to where Elizabeth was waiting, That was a conversations he never wanted to have again. While he appreciated how much his father cared for him but like he had told him, Elizabeth and he were working on this, figuring things out together.

The silence in the car as they drove to the bridge was a comforting enclosing feeling as they held hands. Jason knew that Carolyn's death had done some damage to Elizabeth but he knew it was more because of the way the doctor had treated her and the way her sister still was.

As he helped her out of the car, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek then waiting until they were leaning against the stone bridge, she asked "Do you ever wonder about your biological Mom?"

"Yes." he said softly. "I know a lot about her, even know how she died. I wonder what she would have thought of me, what would have happened between my father and her. Yet, Monica loves me, and I love her. It's difficult because there are times I feel guilty about not being able to picture her without actually having a photo in my hand."

"I can't help wondering why Carolyn didn't try to get rid of me before this? Then there is what I found out. Turns out Sarah isn't my father's daughter, biologically. Steven is in town, I haven't seen him. I can't... I don't know what to say to him."

"He isn't going to blame you, Elizabeth." said Jason holding her tightly. "You know that he was worried about you while you were missing."

Early the next morning Steven was watching as Sarah cried, he wanted to comfort her but she was ice cold with her anger at Elizabeth. She refused to believe all that they had learned. That Carolyn had lied about their father's death, that she had tried to illegally sell the house. That she knew more than she was telling. Now he was beginning to wonder about his sister.

"Stop staring at me." she hissed. "I can't believe you are on her side."

"Sarah, there is no side, there is only the truth. Carolyn is the one who was telling lies. I did some research into this attorney, he is not a good man. Then there is this mysterious money that Carolyn has been getting from someone. Sarah, Carolyn was up to something, and if she wasn't actually mugged that is why she died."

Sarah walked off, then took out the copy she had once made of her mother's address book. Looking up Trevor Lansing, she called and left a message with his assistant. "Would you please let him know that I have questions regarding my sister Elizabeth Webber."

The secretary took the message, then went to see her stoic boss who seemed furious as he hung up the phone. "Sir, a Sarah Webber just called regarding her sister Elizabeth."

"If she calls back, tell her that we can do nothing for her." he snapped. Then grabbing his briefcase announced he would be out at the Zachara compound. "If Ms. Howard should call, tell her I will see her at dinner this evening."

At Crimson point, he went to create chaos in Anthony only to get another phone call. "I see you received my message, Trevor."

"What do you want Helena?" he spat out losing control.

"Nothing, Trevor, just for you to understand that I don't like to be lied to." she said then after hanging up, saw Andreas entering looking cheerful about something. "What is it?"

"Ma'am, it looks like the young heir is upset about something." he said as she walked to the camera and turned on the monitor for Nicolas' room. She listened as he destroyed his room, saying that he would make Lucky Spencer pay for what he had done.

As he went on to complain about being saved yet again by Elizabeth and Jason, Helena gave a cruel smile and said "He is just about ready for me to approach him. My decision to let this move to Port Charles happen has proven to be boom."

Helena looked around, then said "Andreas, find the Spencer boy, keep an eye on him. Let me know when the time is right for me to spill his family's biggest secrets."

Bowing to his queen, the tall blond left the chamber while Helena looked at the pictures of Elizabeth Webber. "You, I will be watching."

Jason was not sure that Elizabeth's plan to attend class was a good one but he got that she needed to be busy. Watching as she took the shuttle out to Spoon Island, he saw the boat dock and went to drive to GH. As his shift went on, he was soon busy with getting to watch his mother perform a heart transplant. As they changed out of the scrubs, he heard some news that gave him a slight sense of relief.

Robin Scorpio had moved to Paris and that Brenda after a meeting with Lois in New York City had gone with her. Showering and now changed, he checked with the house keeper over at Wyndemere and was told his girlfriend was almost done with her lessons for the day.

Walking down the hallway, he saw Carly talking to one of her fellow classmates, then saw the other girl giving him a looking over before saying something to the blond who frowned then made a comment before walking away.

Arriving to take Elizabeth to a late lunch, he was sent to the study where she was working on reading from a huge book that had to weigh as much as she did. "What are you reading?"

"World history." she said then looked at Stefan and said "Anything else I need to take with me today?"

"No, you are doing well. Work on the math, however Elizabeth." said the austere man as she picked up her books to leave. "And I really want you to consider learning to ride a horse. It is a very good skill to teach patience and balance."

Elizabeth and Jason were leaving when Nik walked by with only a nod. When they were back on shore, she said "He is a bit strange, you know what I mean. One minute he is friendly and the next it is like he can't be bothered."

"I never had much contact with him, other than knowing about Emily's crush but I have to agree." he said with a sigh. "Though, I can understand, after all he has Lucky dogging his every footstep, trying to hurt him, his own mother ignores his existence."

"Speaking of mothers, mine came to visit while I was studying." she said with a grin. "She was a bit flustered over a meeting with Mac Scorpio."

Across town, Mac was explaining what Felicia and he needed. "We want to make it easy for the girls. Can you help us come up with a contact."

"Do you intend to share custody?" she asked writing down as they talked over what was needed. "Now, I do have one more question, have you ever considered adopting the girls?"

"We discussed it, but I never wanted them to feel like I was pushing Frisco out of their lives." Mac had never thought of himself as anything other than their father but he also respected that Frisco loved his children. "Alexis, this won't be a problem, Felicia and I are in agreement."

Alexis wasn't so sure but she drew up the papers like he had requested. On her way to see the blond, she was a bit surprised when Felicia read the contract then signed in. "Alexis how soon will these be filed."

"I can just make it to the courthouse before it closes for the day." she replied then went to file the custody agreement. While waiting for the proof that the agreement was filed,
she was amused to hear the clerks gossiping.

"Did you hear about that lawyer that was killed in Atlantic City?" the woman was asking her coworker.

"Yeah, they said he had been with two different hookers before he was killed." gossiped the other woman. "You know, his father is a big shot attorney in New York, he sent his staff down here a couple of weeks ago to look into some adoption files."

"Really, Lansing, huh? Never heard of him. Wait, are you talking about that stuffy jerk who was here looking into the Webber adoption?" asked the clerk. "He was cut, but the way he acted, like we were nothing more than hicks. I would bet his boss acts the same way."

"Trevor Lansing, he is always in the gossip columns, he is dating Kate Howard, you know that bitchy magazine editor." Taking the notes, she returned to Alexis Davis and said "Here you go hun. Anything else?"

"No, nothing." she said a bit grimly as she recalled Trevor's connection to Helena. Finding a newspaper, she soon had the lurid details of Richard Lansing's death. Calling Stefan as soon as she was out of the courthouse, she asked "Where is Helena?"

"She left town after the ball." he replied. "Why?"

Giving him an update, she said "His son was killed, the suspect a tall blond of foreign descent."

Stefan promised to look into it while across town, Sonny Corinthos was frowning, he had heard about Ric Lansing and had sent his people to do some poking around in Atlantic City. Getting the story, he made a call and arranged for a secret meeting with the man who was one of the most feared mobsters in the country.

"Sonny, is everything okay?" asked Lily as she joined him for dinner that evening. She had heard that his ex lover had moved away and Lily felt a bit relieved because her father had made it clear, her son was only safe if she was married to the man sitting across from her.

"Yes, just worried about a business meeting." he said with a non committal smile. Spending the rest of time before his meeting with Zachara , making his wife feel relaxed. He knew that it was just as awkward for her as it was for him, they were married yet they barely knew one another.

In the city, Jerry and AJ disembarked from the freighter, AJ called the mansion, then was a bit shocked to hear Billy's voice. Hanging up quickly, he looked at Jerry and said "Billy is at my family's house."

Jerry took his turn at the payphone, calling his brother's penthouse. Getting his machine, he quickly said "Jax, it's Jerry. Just wanted to let you know, I am fine. Please tell Lady Jane and John that I will see them soon."

When he had hung up, AJ asked "Why didn't you tell him about your daughter?"

"Because I have no idea what is going to happen." he said. "I have no idea how to track down Jeff Webber."

"Wait, Jeff Webber?" asked AJ. "My mother used to be married to a man named Jeff Webber, he is a doctor based out west. His brother used to live in Port Charles."

AJ didn't mention that his mother had had an affair with the doctor, looking at Jerry he said "We need to get to Port Charles, now."

Jerry went to get to train tickets while AJ debated calling the hospital to talk to his parents but he was certain that Billy was the person who had placed him on the freighter with the stolen art work. He knew better than to go home, without a good idea of the situation.

"Got them." said a grim Jerry as he called his brother back. "Jax, I need a big favor, can you get to Port Charles, New York. Go to the... wait, one minute." Turning to AJ he asked "A hotel?"

Giving him the information, AJ waited until he had hung up then asked why he wanted his brother there? "We might need help and Jax is pretty handy in a fight."

As Jason and Elizabeth joined the Quartermaine family for dinner, he was handed an envelope. Thanking Reginald, he showed Elizabeth and said he would be right back. Reading the results, he swore then returned to the dining room. "Where is AJ?"

"He went out, like usual, Jason." said Monica. "Is everything okay?"

"We need to have a family meeting, immediately after dinner." he said grimly. Looking at Elizabeth who was reading the results. Her hands shook as they sat down to eat. Emily was asking if she had been working?

"No, Mac said he didn't need me until tomorrow. That Felicia and he had to talk to the girls." she said quietly. She had heard what he was saying and knew that the Scorpio family was about to be blown apart.

Monica had heard from Bobbie what was going on and felt for those young girls but knew that it was for the best. "How is your classes going?"

Emily looked over eagerly, she couldn't help it, she liked Nik. "Was Nik there today?"

"No, Nik was busy with something." said an uneasy Elizabeth. She wasn't so sure that Nik was happy in spite of what he said and his blowing hot and cold worried her. "Stefan had me doing a lot of studying. Then gave me a lot of homework. He also suggested I learn to ride a horse. Said it would teach me discipline and balance."

"So would riding a motorbike." said Jason then seeing his family looking at him, he flushed and said "I uh, at school. One of the guys had a bike. I liked it."

"Those things are dangerous." said Alan frowning.

Jason gave his dad a grin and said "So are horses and they have minds of their own but you wouldn't object to me learning to ride one of them."

Lila smiled as she watched the play by play. "He does have you there, Alan."

Dinner was soon finished, then Ned came in and said "Jason, why did you ask me to come home? And you are right, AJ is at Jake's."

"Please, let's go to the living room." he said then when they were seated said "There have been some strange incidents involving AJ. There are some business decisions regarding Ward House, ones that make no sense. He got rid of his car to get the Vette, then there was something I saw."

"Jason, what are you saying? We know your brother is drinking again, I wish it was different and have Ned checking things out at Ward House." said Edward.

"No, it's more than that. He was eating Belgian waffles with strawberries." he said and saw his parents frown. "I have noticed a change in him, then there is his behavior. I contacted his rehab center, he was released two weeks before he came home. Then I found out he had made a friend at rehab, a William Shutts."

"I made a trip to New York to talk to this man, who has been here since AJ got out of rehab. After Elizabeth said well maybe he wasn't my brother, I had an idea."

Looking at his parents he said "I stole AJ's tooth brush and had tests ran. They came back and I know one thing, that isn't AJ living in the Gatehouse with me."

Hearing the gasps, he said "Mac got a picture, this is Billy Shutts, con artist."

Looking at the picture, then at the DNA results, Monica said grimly "Where is your brother?"

"Mac started work at the police commissioner, he is looking into that but we do know that William Shutts passport shows him working on a freighter. He is trying to track the ship down."

Looking around, he said "Mac is going to arrest AJ for drunk driving tonight, get him into a cell. We can't bail him out, no matter what."

"I want to know where your brother is, I don't care how we get answers." snapped Monica.

"And if you help get this man out of jail, he will be gone and we will have nothing." retorted Alan as he got the reasoning behind what Mac had suggested.

Lila was sitting there in her wheelchair, quietly remembering recent conversations with her grandson and knew that Jason was more than likely right but she asked him. "Jason, are you sure?"

"Yes." he said looking over at a quiet Elizabeth as she held a crying Emily's hand. "There is something else, those calls I have been getting from Italy, that were so garbled, I think they were from the real AJ."

At Jake's, the rich young man was unnerving Jake as she motioned to John O'Brien. "The rich boy, he is not drinking tonight and watch his face. He is angry, I am worried, can you stick around."

Nodding he went to the men's room, unaware that he was being watched. The man pressed his lips together then went to the bathroom himself. Inside, he struck the man from behind and when he was down, he took out his small pigsticker and knifed him in the ribs while searching for what he knew the man would have.

When John came to, he could feel the wet blood and gasping called Sonny. "Rich bastard stuck me in the back. Send an ambulance but track the kid down, I think he is our guy."

Sonny told Max to step on it, called 911 and checked with Francis who was on security at the warehouse. "Johnny needs you at Jake's. He was stabbed by that cretin Quartermaine."

Francis arrived just as the medics were loading Johnny onto the gurney. He looked at him, said "I'll live but you track that bastard down. He has my gun, Johnny."

Francis was a bit worried when he saw the Vette in the parking lot, then looking around, broke a window and searched through it. Finding the box of condoms, ripped open and several missing, bothered him when he saw the receipt was for an hour ago.

At the Outback, Carly was joking with Elizabeth on the phone as she bragged about making almost five hundred dollars. "I am taking a cab home, but tomorrow we are going shopping. You can help me get my place into shape."

With a laugh, Elizabeth listened as Carly said "My cab is here."

Getting in, Carly looked at the driver who was wearing his hat over his ears and said "Kelly's Diner please."

No words were spoken as the driver pulled off, "Wait, you need to go the other way."

Hearing the doors lock, Carly pulled out her phone and hit last number called, hoping and praying someone would hear as she shouted at the man. Hitting the plastic separating him from her, she kept shouting at him. "Where are you taking me in this cab, why are we heading away from town. Stop!"

Elizabeth looked at the phone, then handed it to Alan as she went to the house phone and called the police. "911 what is your emergency."

"I am on the phone with my friend, she is in a taxi and being driven out of town and is shouting for help. You need to send the police, she is in danger."

"Where did she get this cab miss." asked the operator as she put out the call to the police. Mac got the message, then looked at the cab driver standing in front of him holding his head. Listening in, he had the operator patch him in to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, has she said anything else, anything at all?"

"Just that she needs help." she said crying while he asked to speak to Jason. Whatever he said, Jason turned white then asked his father to join him down at the station. "Ned, they are sending the police here, please stay with everyone until we get home."

Nodding, Jason took Elizabeth cell, then hurried off along with his father. When they were outside, Ned who followed said "What did Mac tell you?"

"A cab driver was attacked at Jake's, his car stolen. There was a stabbing of one of Sonny Corinthos men after Jake asked him to keep an eye on AJ. Did either of you know that there have been several rapes around town?"

"Yes, I know because Sean asked me to keep out for victims showing up at the hospital, he said that one was killed." said Alan as they got in the car. "Oh god, are you saying that this Billy?"

"Yes, and if he has Carly it is not good." he said as they only heard Carly at a distance as she relayed what was going on. "He has a real problem with her."

On a train heading to Port Charles, Jerry talked AJ into get off before the station. "If this man has taken over your life, we don't know what has been going on. Does the train slow down any place that you know of?"

"Yeah, out near the cemetery, it has to because there is a curve, there is a short cut to town near there too." he said.

Jerry told him to grab his gear, then they slipped back to the last car, as AJ told him it was about an hour away.

Mac meanwhile was getting the call relayed through the operator as the Quartermaines brought it to the station. He had all his officers out looking for the cab, while hoping and praying that this would not end as badly as he was afraid.

Carly looked at the man as she saw her phone start to flash, she knew that meant the battery was dying and she could only hope whoever had gotten the call had sent help on the way.

When the car went off road, she whimpered as her phone died. Reaching in her purse, she fished around for anything she could use as a weapon. As they drove over the tracks, she saw him removing his cap. "AJ?"

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" she asked. "Why are you scaring me this way?"

The man said nothing as he turned off the car. Taking out the gun, he made sure she didn't see it as he opened the door then moved to the back door. Opening it, he made sure she saw the gun. "Get out."

"W-what?" she asked only for him to reach in and yanked her out by her hair. Tossing her towards the tombstone, he watched as her head hit the stone and she fell unconscious.

With a sick laugh, he leaned down and moved her flat on the ground. Pulling out his knife, he wiped the blood on her black skirt and then slipped it underneath and with a quick yank ripped the thin material.

With that done, he reached down and grabbing the bottom of her shirt, gave a quick sharp tug and "No bra, thanks for that."

Setting the gun on the ground next to her he decided to test how aware she was as he bit her on the breast. When she moaned in pain but didn't wake, he unzipped and put on a condom as he reached down and tore her panties.

Spreading her legs wide, he shoved himself in, as she came to screaming. Slapping her, he showed her the gun and said "Don't move bitch."

Carly tried to fight only to be clocked with the gun as AJ leaned down and bit her repeatedly as he shoved himself in and out. When he stopped grunting, she thought it was at least over, when he pulled off the condom, tossed it to the side and slide on another one then knocked her out again.

"Trust me, I know you will wake up again when I do this, whore." he said as he turned her over. "Giving it up, for fucking mobsters then acting like you are better than me, you are nothing, nothing but a whore."

As he went to spread her legs again, Carly who was faking being out, grabbed the knife AJ had dropped and with a desperate shove, stuck him in the side, as she rolled away from him only to trip on the remnants of her skirt.

He laughed and was reaching for her again only to see car lights in the distance. "Fuck, too bad, I had big, big plans for you, bitch. But don't worry, you won't remember this in the morning, hell you won't see the morning."

Taking the gun, he fired it only for nothing to happen then realized he hadn't took off the safety. Carly scrambled, looking for cover as her body screamed in pain. Feeling heat, she looked down and saw the blood as she heard footsteps running off in the distance.

She looked up at the moon, then fell onto the ground in front of a grave. Looking at the name, Barbara Jean Jones. The tears dropped as her head went down into the dirt.

Tony climbed out of his car slowly, his heart still broken as he walked towards his late daughter's grave. Looking at the flowers in his hand, he followed then well worn path, frowning when he saw the shoe, then another and then the ripped skirt. Not liking this, he saw the car in the distance and was about to approach it when he heard someone moan.

Running over, he saw the blond, her body blooded in ways that made it clear what had happened, but seeing the bullet wound, he took out his cell phone and called 911. "This is Doctor Tony Jones, I am out at the Southwinds cemetery, I need an ambulance for a GSW and Dr. Meadows to be on duty when we get to GH."

"Right away, Dr. Jones." said the operator. "Anything on the victim."

"Her name is Carly, I think her last name is Roberts." he said. "Call Mrs. Hardy, she is one of her nursing students."

"Would that be Carly Roberts sir?" she asked then looked at her supervisor and waved the woman over. Telling her, the woman rushed to call Mac Scorpio. Mac who was already on his way to that part of town, arrived just as half his department and the ambulance.

"Tony?" he called out and rushed over to see him covered the girl with his white lab coat. "How is she?"

"It's bad, Mac." he said standing as the medics took over, "She was fighting me when she came to for a moment. She said it was AJ, how the hell?"

"I can't tell you right now, but did you see him? The cab he stole is over there, it's what my men are tearing apart." he stated.

"No, but I have to call Bobbie, she kept asking for Bobbie and her mother. Isn't she friends with Audrey's granddaughter, maybe she would know how to contact her mother."

Mac frowned then pulled out his phone. Calling over to the Quartermaine residence, he said "Monica, I need you to bring Elizabeth to GH, Carly was found but it doesn't, it doesn't look good."

"Oh god." she said softly as she looked at the young woman, standing at the window praying for her friend. "What?"

Tony took the phone Mac was holding out. "She was raped, shot and from the looks of it, he tortured her before leaving."

As the parties all headed to GH, two men were posed to exit the train when a man was trying to reach out to get on. Both grabbed him, as who he was hit them at the same time. "Hello, Billy."

Swearing, Billy was trying to deck AJ when a car pulled up behind them, lights shining on them. "Stop."

Turning, they were now facing Francis who had a gun out. "What the hell?"

"You work for Sonny Corinthos, right?" asked the real AJ. "Long story, but this man needs to come with me, his name is Billy Shutts."

"Well, I am afraid my boss wants a word with him." said Francis as two more cars arrive. "And I think that the two of you should join us, until we get this figured out."

Tony climbed into the ambulance and it sped away towards GH while Mac and his men searched the area for the rapist. They lost Carly twice on the way to the hospital. Pulling into the Emergency room bay, they hopped out and rolled her in as the surgical team rushed to take care of the blond.

"Bobbie, she was asking for you." said Tony as his wife went to suit up to assist. Seeing everyone else arrived, he pulled Jeanne Meadows off to the side and said "She was brutally raped, there are bite marks all over her body. She was bleeding when I found her."

"Thank you." she said then joined the surgical team, hating she had to document this while the poor woman was unconscious. Sending the rape kit off, she sewed up what she could and left the operating room.

What felt like a lifetime later, the young woman was closed up as Bobbie escorted her to the recover room. Knowing that Dr. Armitage would let her family know she was out of surgery, she sat with the poor girl.

When she heard moaning, she reached out and said "Carly, it's Bobbie Jones, do you remember me?"

"M-mother." she said.

"I promise, we will call her, for now, just squeeze my hand, I will stay with you, I promise." she said. "Do you know were you are?"

"H-hospital." she said. "AJ, he hurt me."

"I know, sweetie." With that, she said "Do you want Elizabeth?"

"No, no stay, please?" she asked as the tears came. "You, I need to tell you... you... adopted... I am... I am... Bens... Mot-mother."

Bobbie looked at the blond, wishing she knew what she said as she tried to put together what she had said. It hit her, then she looked at the blond and the tears were now on her face as she mouthed the words on my god, no, not my daughter.

TBC