Note: Ok I know what you're thinking … where the hell have you been? LOL! I know. I'm a horrible, awful fan fiction author but the muse just left me. It up and went bye-bye must to my distress. Then Lerdo PM about the story and it helped me kick the muse into gear, so THANKS! Cara Mia and zaxie-crazy thank you two so much for replying to all the chapters it was much appreciated; and journey4eva I hope you like the Carly/Jason/Courtney/Robin scene.

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Chapter 3, Part II – Shifting Lines

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Like any urban city, Port Charles, had its sections.  Some were beautiful, filled with the bustle of family, others were dark alleys where crime and destitution weren't just facts and figures, politicians threw out in campaign speeches but a reality. There was the waterfront, along the business district; it was the hub of activity. During the days blue-collar workers hauled goods off boats that were owned by the Quartermaines and Cassadines, the two richest families in town. After the sun went down though, a different class of workers came out, criminals with connections to Sonny Corinthos, Faith Roscoe or Lorenzo Alcazar. At the center of their struggle laid the Corinthos-Morgan Warehouse, a legitimate business owned by Sonny Corinthos and his partner Jason Morgan. To corrupt it would mean bringing down Sonny, the sole goal of his foes.

The diamond in the rough of the area, The Haunted Star, was a floating casino run by Luke Spencer and his partner Skye Quartermaine. It was streetwise meets upper crust; it was a combination that worked as long as Faith Roscoe's influence was kept to a minimum.  Faith Roscoe yet another member of the local mafia, scrambling for power just like the rest of them were.  The only difference was this was the first time the most vicious mobster of the bunch was a woman.

That was the thing about Port Charles. The mob rolled in the 80s with Frank Smith and took a firm hold of the city. Luke Spencer, self-proclaimed rouge, found himself entangled with Smith and then his predecessor Sonny Corinthos. The two were great friends until Luke's son supposedly died, another story all of it's own. They're not exactly on steady terms now, she knew, more like a seesaw of give and take, but the respect they had for another kept them from going to far.

Father and son, however, were now on opposite sides. Luke's son, Lucky, who once idolized the life of his father, became a cop. That's how things work in Port Charles. Lines were drawn, but they were never solid. There was always room for readjustment. And as the once cocky-youth grew up into an upholder of the law another fell from grace and ended up as Sonny's right hand man.

A twist of fate some might call it. A tragedy to others, but an accident—stupid as it may have been—but an accident nonetheless changed the life of Jason Quartermaine into the life of Jason Morgan and the interconnectivities of people's lives tightened.

Brenda thought she had escaped it all when she walked away the last time, but the pull of city and its inhabitants was still so strong. There was still an ache in her heart that only Port Charles could fill. She had tried to fight it, but looking out over the water Brenda finally admitted the truth to herself. She was glad when Robin got Alan's call—not that she wanted Mac injured, just the opposite in fact, but it gave her a reason to come home. Since the moment she left Brenda knew she'd been looking for a reason to return and now that she was back in Port Charles with all memories—bad and good—she knew that leaving again wasn't an option.

"Oh my god," Sam whispered stopping dead in front of the lithe brunette. Brenda, she thought. "No," she denied her thought aloud. It couldn't be. Even though, thanks to Skye, Sam knew she was back in town, she couldn't believe it—yet … the similarities that so many people had commented on were there. The dark hair, small form, wide eyes it wasn't a mirror image; Brenda was taller, curvier and style personified but the resemblance was striking, and a little jarring.

Hearing the unfamiliar voice Brenda tensed and turned. She blinked at the shorter woman. It was eerie seeing someone who resembled her so much, though it wouldn't be the first time she thought, remembering stories of Hannah. Brenda was sure the woman standing before her wasn't the FBI agent. "What?" she asked defensively.

Sam reacted to the attitude. "Brenda right?"

A frown marred her perfect face. "I know we haven't met. So how the hell do you know my name?"

"I've heard all about you," Sam smirked. "Endlessly, in fact, from Sonny … Skye … and Jax," she threw name out last, looking specifically for the other woman's reaction to his name.

"Eclectic company you keep," Brenda retorted, even as she bristled at the names the still unnamed woman tossed out at her.

"Yeah well we're close," she hinted.

"How nice for you Miss …"

"McCall. Sam McCall," Sam finally introduced herself.

"Oh. The card hussy," Brenda remarked taking on an air of superiority. Ned had filled her in to some extent, but had left out Jax and Sonny. On purpose no doubt to spare her, but at the moment she wished he hadn't.

"Like you have room to talk," Sam laughed bitterly. She wasn't one to back down, and going toe to toe with the likes of Brenda Barrett shouldn't have concerned her but it did. She was taking a huge risk by being with Sonny right now. If Jax ever found out she'd lose him, which was a terrifying enough thought on it's own, but if he went back to Brenda … she wouldn't let some two-face snob take Jax from her.

"Hit a nerve?" Brenda smiled enjoying Sam's discomfort. "It must be hard being the look-alike replacement."

Sam shook her head, "Nice try, but Skye already tried that one and it didn't work."

"You'd be wise to listen her," Brenda remarked. "She did experience it first hand after all."

"Yeah but Jax wanted you then," Sam retorted. "That's not the case anymore."

"So you think."

"He left you at the altar," Sam reminded her.

Hurt flashed in her eyes. The pain of that day stayed with her, even more so then when Sonny left her because at least he'd done it out of his insane need to protect her. "That doesn't change what's between us, what will always be between us."

"Ooh," Sam waved her hands. "Is that your declaration of intent?"

"Sweetie if I wanted Jax back, I'd have him," Brenda stated confidently. "I know that look because I've been there, torn between the two of them?"

"Yeah, whatever!" Sam scoffed.

"What scares you more?" Brenda asked stepping towards her. "Losing Jax or losing Sonny?"

"Please," Sam rolled her eyes.

Brenda laughed at her then. "Go ahead. Play your little con. Just know that I'm on to you, and when I decide exactly who I want," she paused, "well you'll see. I always get what I want."

Seething Sam watched her walk off. Bitch, she thought, ranting inside her head. She should have turned around, she shouldn't of spoken to her and damn it all how could Brenda see what neither Jax or Sonny could? "Not this time," Sam promised herself.

~*~

"The family will be ruined," Edward said again finally coming to terms with gravity of the situation. He might be in hospital room recovering from a heart attack but it didn't matter because everything he'd ever worked for was falling apart. His family was in turmoil, his business in ruins and there was absolutely nothing he could do to fix it.

Edward Quartermaine would never be considered a kind or considerate man by anyone who really knew him. Still he was sorry for the losses that befell the guests of his hotel but in the long run their grief did not matter as much as his family. Edward wasn't certain what kind of man that made him – he loved his family completely and wholeheartedly, they were first and foremost in his life – other people weren't a priority. If that made him a bad person then so be it, he just wished his family didn't have to suffer because of it.  He knew they would though. Everything had consequences, some larger and more profound then others, and the fire would cost him and his family dearly.

"You can't worry about that now," Justus told Edward. He had been terrified when the old coot had collapsed and needed to be rushed to the hospital. Edward disgusted him on good days, but he couldn't help but love the old man. Flaws and all.

"The hell I can't! The family is all that has ever mattered," Edward stated the monitors picking up the quickening pace of his heart.

"You need to stay calm," Justus reminded him.

"I know you could care less about what happens to this family Justus …"

"You know that's not true," he stopped Edward tirade. Justus' brown eyes softened as he took a hold of Edward's hand. "I love the Quartermaines."

"Then help us," Edward pleaded his blue eyes filled with doubt and hope.

It was the old trap. One that Justus promised he'd cleared himself of. At least he thought he had. Even thousands of miles away from Port Charles the Quartermaines still held a piece of him. It was dangerous and downright foolish Justus knew to fall back into the family. They would swallow him whole and this time they wouldn't let him go.

It wasn't as if he had much of choice though. He'd already made it when agreed to return to Port Charles to represent Sonny. Justus knew once he came back he'd never leave again.

"I will," he finally answered.  "I will help the family," Justus vowed.

~*~

Carly wasn't sure what she'd been thinking when she turned down Bobbie's offer to stay with her.  To put it mildly the last time she lived with her mother things hadn't gone smoothly. Of course things were different now, she was different, but she had wanted her boys to be as close to Sonny as possible. So moving into Jason's penthouse seemed like the best thing to do.

Wrong again. Carly supposed she should be use to making the wrong decision. Living with Jason while her feelings for him were so strong was the worst thing she could have done. Not only was she having flashbacks to when she lived with him and Robin, but it was clear that her presence was causing problems between Jason and Courtney, who'd also moved back in to work things out.

Perfect timing, she snapped internally as she watched the two of them bumble with each other. The one man who truly understood her, who loved her in spite of all her mistakes was impossibly out of her reach. It hurt so damn watching him try so hard with Courtney. And that's what really crushed her. They were both trying but Carly could see it wasn't working.

She knew that as long as Courtney wanted to try Jason would make every effort, just like he had with Robin. It always came back to precious St. Robin, she thought bitterly. God she had to get out of this place before she turned into a soured woman like Faith Roscoe. "I have some errands to run," she announced getting up from the chair.

"I'll watch Morgan," Courtney said eagerly. Being with Morgan lessened the pain of knowing she could never have her own child. He was her surrogate baby and Courtney knew that she could safely project all her love on him.

"Thanks," Carly replied forcing a smile. "Do you need me to get anything while I'm out?"

Jason watched her jerky movement as she grabbed her coat and purse. She was upset. Carly was trying to hide it, but she'd never been able to hide from him. He could see past the front she put on for others and into the truth of her. He wanted to say or do something to comfort her, to make it right—but how could he? He had no doubt that the same thing bothering him was causing Carly's discomfort. The kiss. They had spilled their hearts out to each, revealing feelings that were best left unsaid, before pouring their souls into one kiss. A kiss that haunted him like nothing else. "No," he answered.

"Ok then," she nodded. Carly turned and opened the front door only to come face to face with her worse nightmare. "Perfect," she muttered with a roll of her eyes. "Robin," Carly greeted coolly. "I was just on my way out," she said side-stepping her.

"Carly," Robin answered in kind but her focus was on Jason. Tall, broad, handsome … and married she reminded herself looking past Jason to the platinum blonde sitting next to him. "Is this a bad time?"

Morgan's cry sounded over the monitor on Jason's desk before either of them could answer. "I'll check on him," Courtney stood and touched Jason's shoulder smiling down at him before crossing the room to retrieve the monitor. On the short trip over she studied Robin. Fine-boned and beautiful with rich brown hair, she reminded Courtney of Elizabeth and she frowned at that thought. She didn't have to compete with anyone she reminded herself, she was Jason's wife, and nothing could come between them not even her own musing on another man.

Unsure Robin stood waiting for Jason to say something. "Monica said you were in town." It surprised her to hear that the information came from Monica, when she left they hadn't exactly been on the best of terms.

"I needed to be here for Mac," she explained.

Jason hated small talk, but that was all that was left between Robin and him. He cared about what happened to her, he wanted her to be happy, but she was no longer apart of his life. "He'll be ok," he stated for a lack of anything else.

Robin smiled at his response. It was so Jason-like and something she had missed terribly. "I know. He's getting stronger every day. So," she drew out the word, "this is awkward. And I probably shouldn't have come but I just wanted to see you." Jason nodded. "Please just don't nod at me Jason," Robin asked. "Say something."

He sighed. "What do you want me to say Robin?"

"Aren't you at least happy to see me?" she inquired hopefully.

"I guess." When hurt flashed in her eyes Jason felt frustration knot in his stomach. "Robin you're not apart of my life anymore. We're not even friends."

"Well that was honest," Robin, said her voice breaking. "I just thought … with people in common that we'd still have some sort of connection."

"Whatever we had ended the day you told AJ about Michael."

"I did the right thing," she raged. "I told the truth. You used to think that was important," Robin said aiming to hurt him.

"It is," Jason answered.

"Right," she laughed. "The truth is important as long as it doesn't interfere with what Carly wants."

"No, it was about what was best for Michael."

"Knowing his father was what was best for Michael," Robin countered. "I know. I spent a good deal of my childhood not knowing mine."

"That's what you could never understand Robin. Just because it's right for you doesn't mean it's right for everyone," Jason stated. "You'd try to force it—by asking Sonny to fire me or telling AJ about Michael—and you made everything worse."

"I was just trying to do the right thing," she whispered sadly.

"I know," Jason sighed. "I didn't doubt your intentions."

"That's something I suppose," she said meeting his eyes again. "I shouldn't have just shown up … I'm sorry."

~*~

She was hiding in frumpy clothes. A pair of dull gray sweats did little to mask the sign Georgie felt was tattooed to her forehead—in big bold letters. LIAR. "Would you hurry up?" Maxie hissed from down the hall.

"Sorry," she called back and quickened her steps.  Georgie watched her sister straighten her skirt and check her hair in one of the many metal hospital carts. Maxie looked bright and happy and it occurred to her then that it might not be good for Mac to see her looking so deflated. She was here to brighten his spirits, not make him worry.

The problem was she wasn't feeling happy or hopeful for herself. For Mac, Georgie was completely optimistic. He would get better. They needed him. It was as simple as that for her, but she knew it was more complicated then that. Some things like mending yourself, be it physically, emotionally or mentally were not easy.

She wished they could be. If she could simply go back to Dillon and be happy, but the past would fester Georgie knew. She had done things, spiraling out control until only the experience of nearly dying forced her to tell the truth. And what kind of person did that make her? How could she like herself, let alone believe that anyone could love her when she did the things she had?

"Remember," Maxie's voice broke her thoughts, "be positive. And try to smile. Mac doesn't need to know you've been moping about the last few days, that will only upset him."

"Right," Georgie said, plastering a smile on her face.

Maxie studied her moment before she nodded, "That should do," she commented. "Come on," she grabbed a hold of her sister's hand and dragged her into their father's hospital room.

~*~

Sage slammed the apartment door closed. "I hate him," she muttered tears stinging her eyes. Seriously she scoffed what was she thinking? Dillon Quartermaine wasn't worth all the time and effort she put into him. Especially if he was dumb enough to chose some mousy little girl over her.

"Sage?" Lorenzo called out.

She jumped at her name. Sage so didn't want her Uncle to see her like this. She wiped the escaping tears from her eyes furiously. "I'm in the living room," she replied and flinched at the watery sound of her voice.

"What's wrong?" he asked entering the room, concern clearly written on his face.

"Nothing," she lied forcing a bright smile.

Lorenzo studied his niece with a skeptical eye. Nothing as she put it was definitely something. Remembering his earlier conversation with Dillon Quartermaine he could guess at his niece's distress. He really was sorry that she had to learn this lesson, that people she loved might not love her back. It was painful and she seemed way to young to have to face that harsh reality. "You're lying," he responded calling her on it.

"No," she protested hugging herself. "Well maybe … yes, ok!" Angered, Sage threw up her hands. "I'm lying. Happy?"

"Of course not," Lorenzo replied. "You're hurting Sage. I don't like seeing that."

"Yeah well you're the only one," she commented flopping down on the couch dejectedly. "No one else in this stupid town likes me."

"That's not true," he countered sitting down next to her. Lorenzo pulled her to him. Sage put up a fight at first but finally allowed herself to be pulled into the comfortable and safe embrace of her Uncle.

"Well Dillon certainly doesn't," she cried.

"Sage …"

"Not enough at least," she amended. "He's all about Georgie. I don't get it? What's so special about her? And what's so wrong with me?" Sage bemoaned.

"There is nothing wrong with you Sage," Lorenzo stated kissing her forehead. "You're a brave, intelligent, beautiful young woman."

"Yeah right," she snorted.

"Sage, you can't compare yourself to other girls because you're nothing like them," Lorenzo informed her. "You are special, a bit of a brat sometimes," he teased, "but dear. One day a young man will see that and treat you right."

"I don't want some young man," Sage complained pulling back from him enough to look into his face, "I want Dillon."

"I know," he said in a soothing voice, "but he loves someone else."

Sage pouted. "Thanks."

"I'm being honest with you Sage," Lorenzo sighed. "I know it isn't easy," he said thinking of Carly. "When you love someone you want to be loved back in return, but sometimes it doesn't work that way. No matter how much you wish it, no matter what you do, their heart belongs to another."

"Like Carly?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he answered his voice stiff.

"I hate this town," Sage declared. "It's full of stupid people incapable of seeing what's right in front of them. I want to leave."

"Leave?" Lorenzo asked surprised. He wasn't ready to leave Port Charles or Carly. Not to mention the conversation he over heard earlier between Ashton and Alexis Davis. She was obviously in over her head and for some twisted reason he felt a need to help her … his brother's killer.

"I don't want to go back to boarding school," she said quickly. "I hate it there."

"I already promised not to send you back," he reminded her.

"I know," Sage smiled a real smile. "But I thought we could just leave. You know pick a new city and start over?"

"Alcazars don't run away Sage," Lorenzo responded, his blue eyes intense.

She nearly wavered under his look. "It's not running away. It's making a choice. We don't have anything left here except each other … please Uncle Lorenzo? Can we please leave Port Charles?"

~*~

"Emily baby … Em come on," Nikolas pleaded his dark eyes filled with concern. "You have to stay with me," he whispered into her ear while Monica worked on her leg. "We have the rest of our lives – you promised."

"There," Monica declared finishing off the last stitch. "That should hold her until we can get to the hospital." After taking of the rubber gloves she wiped the sweat off her brow with her sleeve then placed her hand on her daughter's good leg. "Just be strong a little while longer," she encouraged.

"The helicopter just landed," Ric Lansing announced. "They're unloading passengers now. It should be another few minutes before the next group can be evacuated."

"Can Emily wait that long?" Nikolas inquired of Monica. The three of them were on the last flight. Which meant they had to wait for the other group to go before they could finally get out of hotel.

"We don't have any other option," Monica answered worry evident on her face. Her gaze was focused on the dark patch of drying blood on the floor beneath Emily. "I don't understand," she said to no one in particular, "I can't figure out how the tourniquet came loose. It was secure." Her voice was hoarse from unshed tears as she spoke to her daughter hoping Emily could hear her and know that she hadn't meant to let her down. "I would never do anything that endangered you … never."

Helena rolled her eyes at Monica display of dismay. Though she knew it was precarious she approached her grandson. "Nikolas I want you take my seat on the next helicopter."

"Even if it weren't against the rules we agreed too I wouldn't take your seat," he answered, his eyes never leaving his beloved. "I'm not going anywhere without Emily."

"Don't be foolish Nikolas. You are the Cassadine Prince, the future of our family. You're too important. You have to live," Helena insisted. "Nothing is more important then that, certainly not you're ill-advised choice in a fiancée."

"How dare you," Monica hissed, "you manipulative old hag – you have no right to judge my daughter or her decision to marry Nikolas."

"I would watch yourself," Helena threatened. "It appears the Quartermaines will be losing one family member tonight, I hate for them to have another reason to mourn."

"Why you –" Monica started to pounce.

"Enough Grandmother," Nikolas ordered stepping between the two. "I—We are not going to lose Emily. If you can't be supportive I'd like you to wait for the helicopter on the other side of the room."

"I think that's an excellent idea," Ric remarked joining the arguing threesome. "We can't afford trouble right now."

"I want Nikolas to take my seat," Helena answered giving no credence to anyone else.

"I said no," Nikolas repeated. He was losing patience with Helena and the entire situation. He couldn't lose Emily. She meant too much to him. And if his Grandmother kept saying that he would, Nikolas wasn't sure what he'd do to her.

"After all I've done to see that you leave—"

"Done?" Nikolas hissed. Realization dawned as he looked into Helena's ice blue eyes. He grabbed a hold of her arm roughly. "What have you done?"

The tone of his voice startled her. "No—nothing," she gasped.

"You need to stop this now," Ric ordered taking in the skeptical and scared faces.

"No, this is one conversation we're going to finish," Nikolas informed Helena his dark eyes inflamed with rage. "If you'll excuse us," he said ever polite as he pulled Helena towards the balcony.

"The helicopter will be here any minute," Ric said trying to bring reason back to the situation.

"It won't take long," Monica answered. She glanced down at Emily who was so pale that it frightened her. "Stay with her," she asked.

"This is ridiculous," Ric muttered dragging a hand through his hair. He should follow them and stop this madness but looking down at Emily, Ric couldn't blame Nikolas. If it was Elizabeth … he didn't even want to think about it. He knew though that if Elizabeth were here she'd be sitting with her friend. He thanked God that she wasn't; still he did what she would want and sat with Emily.

Nikolas pushed Helena out onto the balcony. Though the wind had died down there was still enough to whip her hair. He took in her cold beauty and marveled at maliciousness that filled her. This was his legacy. cruelty, murder, mayhem … it was going to end with him. He was going to build a new legacy with Emily. Nothing, not even Helena was going to stop that from happening. "What did you do?"

"I already told you," Helena replied coolly, "nothing."

"I want the truth this time," Nikolas said darkly. "Your life may depend on it."

"Nikolas, really …"

"The truth Helena," Monica insisted stepping from behind Nikolas. Though she hadn't raised it she held a gun at her side. The same gun Luke had used to subdue the crowd. The same gun Ric Lansing had confiscated and placed in his jacket pocket. a gun that was all to easily lifted from the distracted ADA.

Helena's eyes narrowed in on the gun. "I've already told you the truth."

"Wrong answer," Monica replied lifting the gun.

"Are you going to let her threaten me?" Helena asked of Nikolas who stood eyes wide on his future mother-in-law.

Nikolas met Monica's gaze. A silent accord passed between them. "No."

"Nikolas," Helena scolded.

"The truth," he barked. "It's the only way to save yourself."

"Fine," she snapped. "I loosened the tourniquet. I wanted her dead so that you'd be willing to save yourself. I did it for you Nikolas."

Her defense caused Nikolas to snap. Grabbing her about her throat Nikolas threw Helena against the wall. "For me?" he scoffed. "Don't you get it Grandmother I have nothing to live for if I don't have Emily?"

"Don't be foolish," she managed to strangle out.

Nikolas squeezed her neck tighter so she couldn't speak anymore. "Listen to me," he said his eyes burning with emotion. "If you ever go near Emily again I will kill you." Helena shook her head slightly, denying his words. "I'm through with you Helena." Nikolas released her neck and stepped back.

"I'm not," Monica uttered stepping forward with the gun.

"She's not worth it," Nikolas said cupping Monica's shoulder.

"Emily is," she replied.

"Look out!" someone shouted from inside the Versailles room as the building shook with the force of another explosion.

Monica heard the sound of crashing glass as windows blew out below them. A thick gray cloud rushed up the side of the building. Distracted by it Monica barely caught Helena's lunge. She pulled the trigger twice hitting Helena square in the chest causing her to fall back as the section of balcony caved in.

Bleeding and gasping for breath Helena fell into the fiery inferno below.

Inside the Versailles room Ric Lansing panted as he held onto an unconscious Emily, who dangled in the gapping hole in the floor. He heard the groan of the wood and felt the piece of it that speared him when he jumped and landed with a thud to catch Emily. The pain of the wound was unbearable but he refused to let go. "Help me," he groaned, blood seeping from his gut.

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Preview for the next chapter: The next day Monica almost slips Dillon and Georgie run into each other, Lorenzo offers to help Alexis, and much more …