A/N – Thanks for the comments! cksnoopy – I think this will really put Patrick at a crossroads. * Tamidako – lol. Carly can only be reasonable for like five minutes. Georgie is interesting to write for because I think when someone has been through a lot, sometimes their personality swings in one direction and then they find a middle ground. Her personality has been altered and she has to come to terms with it. All of them do. Johnny is still funny but not as much. AJ is going to continue to struggle until that chip comes out. Even Jason and Dylan are different now.

A/N – Thanks for the comments! Trying to have everyone act more maturely. Part of my pet peeve on the show, is that they don't realize you can create tension and drama without constantly trashing characters.

Chapter 36 – The Future

Monica knocked on Michael's door. He opened it up and smiled. "Hey."

She smiled and gave him a hug. "I was so surprised to hear from you."

"Well, I have some good news for you."

Monica was just happy that is was good news. Michael had been struggling badly and she really didn't want him to repeat AJ's mistakes.

"Have a seat."

"That good?"

He grinned. "Yeah." He looked over towards the bedroom door. "You can come out now."

AJ took a deep breath and walked into the room and Monica passed out. "Shit," he muttered running towards the couch. "Get her some water."

Michael got up and put some water in a glass and came back. A minute later, Monica started to come to and shrank back from AJ.

"Mom, it's okay. Helena took me and Jason and Robin found me and thawed me out."

Monica's eyes filled with tears and she reached out and touched his face. "AJ. Oh my God…" she gushed as she smiled and cried. He hugged her tightly.

"Did you miss me?"

She scowled and took another look at him. "You look the same."

"I had a lift and tuck while I was under."

Monica rolled her eyes as Michael and AJ chuckled. "Where have you been hiding? Why?"

"Well, I'm not ready for everyone to know yet, so you can't tell. I'm trying to get my bearings. I'm a little different now and I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I'm still alive. I'm staying at Jason's."

Now Monica was shocked. "You and Jason?"

He nodded. "We still have some stuff to work through, but he's been good to me. He has an extra bedroom so I'm staying in it temporarily until I "out" myself. Then I was hoping for my old room back."

"Wow. Of course you can have it back. Are you sure that you're okay?"

"Yeah. In fact, I guess whatever Helena did changed my brain chemistry and I actually don't want alcohol anymore."

"Really?"

"I know it's crazy but the thought sickens me."

Monica smiled. "That's good."

AJ really hoped he didn't find a substitute way to be destructive. He felt like he had a fighting chance now.

They talked about what had been going on. AJ was disturbed by news of Nikolas taking over the company.

"With Jason and me alive, I can't see how the vote will still stack up."

"You would vote to get it back?"

"I would if that is what Michael and Tracy want. Honestly, I think I'm done working for the company. Jason is right. I flushed too many years of my life down the toilet of that altar."

"I'm proud of you AJ."

"Thanks."

Michael thought about his offer. He would love to be there and take Nikolas Cassadine down. Once Monica left he had a chat with AJ. "The Cassadines have hurt this family enough."

"I agree," AJ said.

Michael smirked. "You want to take down Nikolas together?"

AJ smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."

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The next day, Alexis showed up with a suitcase and a large bag with some of Danny's favorite toys.

"Thank you Alexis," Jason said.

"Can I see him?"

Jason looked up and noticed that Sam was in the car. Alexis walked in and when Danny saw her he grinned and ran to her.

"Hello sweetie," she said kneeling down and hugging him. "I missed you. Are you being good?"

"Yes."

"Do you like playing with Jake and Cam?"

Danny nodded. "Yes."

Jake and Danny had actually slept in one of Jake's tents like they were camping out.

"Mommy."

"Let me talk to Jason for a minute and then I'll come back okay?"

Danny nodded as Alexis pulled Jason aside.

"Listen, Sam is in a really bad place. They discharged her but Kevin suggested that I take her to a facility he recommended. It's on the water and very reputable. She can get counseling and grieve. She didn't even fight me on it."

Jason let out a long breath. "Okay."

"It might be a month."

"That's fine. We'll do what is best for Danny."

"I left a picture album in his bag. Maybe you could put it in his room."

Jason nodded. "Sure."

"I'd also like to visit with him or take him overnight here and there. Will that be a problem?"

"If you don't mind having a guard, then I don't mind."

"Does he have one now?"

Jason slightly smiled. "Yes. I told him to blend in."

"Well he should get a raise then."

Jason smirked. He knew that Alexis was dating Julian. There was no way he would let Danny go unguarded anyway.

"Look, she's in the car. You think you could talk to her? I think she should come in."

"Okay," he said walking outside. Sam was staring out of the window. She didn't look good at all. He opened the car door and knelt down.

"Is he okay?"

"Yes. Are you going to be?"

Her eyes welled up. "I hope so."

"Were you planning on coming in?"

She shook her head.

"Sam. I think you should consider it. Danny needs to see that you are okay and I think you need to see him too."

She let out a breath and wiped her face. "You're right. I'll come."

He stepped back and she stood up on shaky legs. He steadied her and walked her to the house.

"You sure it's okay to come in?"

"Yes." He had never really planned on allowing that but under the circumstances, he just wanted to do what was right for Danny.

"It's a beautiful house."

"Thanks."

They went inside and Danny squealed and ran into his mother arms. She held him for a long time, basking in his warmth.

"Mommy sick?"

She nodded. "Yes. Mommy has to go away for a little while to get better. Promise you'll be good for your daddy and Liz."

He nodded yes.

She kissed him on the head and then noticed Elizabeth. "Thank you. I know this is a lot to ask."

"It's not. Just feel better so you can come back to him."

Sam nodded.

"Room mommy."

Sam looked over at Liz.

"It's okay. Come on."

Alexis tagged along and they went to Danny's room which he proudly led them around.

Sam was glad he was settling in. "I have to go," she said softly. Her emotions were all over the place and she didn't want to lose it in front of him.

Alexis took Danny's hand. "Come on Danny."

Sam took one last look around. "You did a great job."

"It was really Diane who put it all together."

Sam looked over at her and wiped her eyes. "Don't let him forget me okay?"

Liz didn't like how she sounded and she walked into the room and shut the door, leaving a stunned Jason in the hallway.

"Now you listen to me. You fought tooth and nail to have Danny. I know you have just suffered a great loss, but you cannot throw that away. You need to go get help so you can be there for your son. He loves you unconditionally and he's probably your greatest accomplishment. He is sweet and kind and he deserves a life with his mother. So tell me right now that you are coming home to him."

Sam was stunned by her tone but it kind of snapped her back from the darkness. "Okay. I will."

Liz took a deep breath and spoke in a softer voice. "I know what this loss is like. I've been through it twice and each time I thought it was going to break me, but I survived and that is something you've had to do all your life. Fight for him because just his smile, his hugs, and knowing that he loves you will help you get through this."

Sam wiped her face. "Thank you. You're right. I'm just feeling sorry for myself."

"That's okay Sam. Just don't stay there." Liz turned and walked out and went into her room. That was hard for her to do which was saying a lot because she was a compassionate person. She really just didn't want the kids to suffer for their sins.

Sam got herself together and walked out of the room and went downstairs. She kissed Danny and then looked at Jason and with all the strength she could muster, she said, "Take care of our baby for me. I'll be back."

Jason slightly smiled at her determination. "Good."

Alexis let out the breath she was holding. Sam seemed to be a little better and for the first time since the miscarriage happened, she felt hopeful about her daughter.

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Georgie distracted Danny so that Jason could run upstairs. Liz hadn't come back downstairs and he was worried. He pushed open the door and she was sitting on the bed crying. "Elizabeth?"

She looked up at him. "I'm sorry. That just brought up some emotions for me."

He sat next to her. "Did you and Sam fight?"

"No. I mean I kind of yelled at her to fight for her son because she sounded suicidal."

"Thank you for doing that."

"It's who I am. I was just thinking about when I thought I was pregnant and didn't know if it was Lucky's or Nikolas's. I was suicidal Jason. I almost jumped off of the roof of the hospital."

"I wish I was there for you."

"It wasn't your responsibility. I understand where she is at emotionally and it sucks. You blame yourself and just want to crawl into a hole and die. I was almost selfish and left Cam. I still don't think I can forgive myself for that."

Jason held her. "I cannot tell you how incredible I think you are. After everything Sam did in the past, you helped her and you've taken in Danny. If it gets to be too much…"

"No Jason. We are in this together. I meant that. I can separate my feelings."

"Okay," he said kissing the top of her head.

"I'm just so glad that I'm not in a dark place anymore. We are a great family and I'll never stop fighting for us."

"I feel the same way."

Jake and Danny ran into the room.

"Sorry," Georgie said from the doorway.

"It's alright," Jason said.

Liz quickly wiped her face.

"Mommy why are you sad?" Jake asked climbing on the bed.

"Sometimes girls cry."

Danny couldn't climb up so he lifted his arms up and Jason pulled him onto the bed. Jake hugged his mom.

"Thank you Jake," she said pulling back. Not to be left out, Danny climbed next to Jake and hugged her. Liz smiled. "Thank you Danny."

Danny grinned.

"You two are very special and do you know what special things good boys get to eat from time to time?" She figured she might as well go for broke and just give into a bad eating day.

They both shook their heads. "It's not only pizza night but I'm going to go downstairs and make brownies."

Jake cheered and Danny clapped with him.

Jason smiled. She could always turn things around and make people smile even when she felt bad on the inside.

The boys ran to tell Cam.

"Elizabeth Webber, I love you more than anything. I think I have to be the luckiest man in this world. Will you let me love you forever?"

Liz's mouth dropped open. "Are you proposing to me?"

"Yes and no."

She gave him a look and he grinned.

"That was spontaneous but I had something so "us" planned. Can you wait for the ring and this can be just our secret?"

She grinned. "Yes. I will accept your pre-proposal. I will marry you Jason because I believe in you and our love. I refuse to live my life without you in it."

Jason kissed her passionately.

"We'll finish that later tonight. I need to make some brownies."

She scooted off the bed and ran out of the room with a big smile on her face.

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Jason held back and pulled out his phone to make a phone call. "Victor, it's Jason."

"Well hello there. How are things going?"

"Good. Jake is adjusting."

"That's good. I know my wife is itching for a visit."

"Tell her to give me another two weeks to make sure everything has settled down and she's more than welcome to stay here with us."

Victor smiled. "She will like that."

"How are my least favorite people doing?"

"They haven't moved. Either they know they are being watched or they are waiting for something to explode," Victor said.

"I would go with the latter."

"If they do move, what do you want me to do?"

"Hold them for me. I have men in the area."

Victor smirked. He figured it was just a Jason thing to do and didn't take it as a slight. "Done. I haven't found another lab. That isn't to say that it doesn't exist. I'll keep searching."

"Thank you Victor. I really appreciate it."

"Is Dylan with you?"

"Yes. He's still staying on the property. It's safer that way the Cassadines are put down."

"Good. You all should stick together. It's much safer that way."

"We will. I'll be in touch."

Jason ended the call. He had a bad feeling that Helena had more Cassadines frozen and he wanted to make sure that they destroyed all of the labs before ending her.

AJ knocked on his door.

"Come in."

AJ stepped inside. "I need a favor."

"What's up?"

"Michael and I want to work together to bring Nikolas down."

Jason was aware of what Nikolas did. "So you want to work at ELQ again?"

"No. I'm supporting Michael."

"What do you need from me?"

"Your vote."

"Do I still get one?"

"Yes."

Jason shrugged. "It's yours."

AJ held out his hand. "Thanks."

Jason shook it. "Not a problem." He wasn't sure what he was going to do with Nikolas in the end. He had been acting really shady. Not to mention that he was sleeping with Dylan's fake wife. If he stepped out of line or did anything to hurt Michael or AJ, Jason would show him no mercy. His family was too important.

They went downstairs to help Elizabeth with the kids as the smell of the brownies filled the house.

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Everyone happily munched on pizza.

"Love pizza mommy," Jake said.

She smiled. He had sauce all over his face. They were all getting baths tonight.

"Good," Danny said with a saucy smile.

Jason chuckled and took out his phone and snapped some pictures of them. "Cam, you're too clean."

Cam smiled.

Liz stuck her finger in some sauce and wiped it on Cam's cheek.

"Hey!" he yelled right as Jason snapped the picture.

He did it back to his mom and the boys giggled.

Jason took another picture with a big smile on his face.

Johnny sat back and rubbed his belly. "Where did AJ go?"

Jason shrugged. "He's probably with Michael."

"Is the meeting for tomorrow still on?" Johnny asked.

"Yes."

Liz wiped her face and avoided Jason's stare. She wasn't happy with the meeting with Sonny, but she knew it was inevitable. Diane had delivered some paperwork and Sonny was really mad. It was rumored that he wasn't taking his meds. The fight over Ava and Michael's hatred had worn Sonny down. He was a mess. He wasn't really running things at the moment anyway. Duke was handling it. The families wouldn't be happy with Jason either, but supposedly, Maximus had stepped in after getting some reports from Milo and had spoken on Jason's behalf. That meeting wouldn't be for a few days.

Jason wasn't worried. Sonny didn't scare him and he had been out of the business for years. He was a different person now. They didn't need to know that he could still be lethal or that his memories were all intact. Johnny was going to be at his side and knowing that Sonny would get wind of it, he was going to tell him about Johnny. What Sonny did next, would be anyone's guess, but Jason didn't think he would be in a hurry to go back to jail or stupid enough to come up against him.