Author's Note: Been a long time!I was away for a funeral and then a business conference, so it's been a lil hard to get my head on straight with the story again...Thanks to everyone for their supportand for checking in with me! I'm back and will try to update as best I can ;) ENJOY!

Chapter 17

Sam felt around her waistband one more time before she walked into Kelly's. She wasn't sure why she felt uneasy – perhaps it was meeting with someone Jason would consider an enemy – but the gun she kept from over a year ago tucked under her leather jacket gave her a familiar confidence. She smoothed out her hair and swung the door open.

"Hey, Sam," Mike said cheerfully. "What can I get for you?"

Sam heard the door open again, and she turned from the counter to see Reese coming in, her hair pulled back and wearing jeans and a green cashmere sweater. Had it been pink, they could have looked like twins. "Just coffee for me, Mike...what about you?" Sam asked Reese as she walked up.

"Coffee's good," Reese said uncomfortably, as Mike's eyes shifted between her and Sam nervously. "I'll go find a table."

Sam nodded, and turned back to Mike, who waited until it was clear Reese couldn't hear his whispers. "Sam, what do you think you're doing? You know the bodyguards will report this back to Sonny and Jason."

"I'm sure Sonny won't be troubled in the least by me having coffee with Reese," Sam replied sarcastically. She knew that look in Sonny's eyes when Reese came in the room – it was illicit and seductive, and Reese responded just as she had. Sam took the cups of coffee from Mike's hands. "We're not talking shop or anything, because I don't know anything other than Kelly's should really think about switching to Corinthos-Morgan coffee." She winked at him, but without a smile, and Mike just shook his head as he watched her sit in front of Reese.

"Well, I have to admit," Reese began, "I'm just as curious as Mike seems to be over there. Why did you want to meet, Sam?"

Sam sipped her coffee, black with no sugar – just like Jason's. She sat the cup down gently and felt her eyes start to water. "I just...needed someone to talk to, you know."

Reese could see the tension finally released from Sam's posture as she spoke, and how hurt she was. She reached for her hand and Sam grabbed it warmly. "Just so you know – it's off the record."

Sam smiled slightly, and let one tear fall before she continued. "I'm just so tense all the time. Nothing's change since that day," Sam admitted. "Sonny's focused on Michael, but no one is willing to admit that he needs help too, including Jason." She looked down and composed herself again. "I'm tired of the silent struggle in our home. It was the one place I felt safe and at peace and it's gone."

Reese sat back, and sipped her own coffee. "I can only imagine. Truth is, I've been avoiding it all. Washington's on my ass about finishing up the paperwork and being reassigned to another case, with a little help from John Durant, of course." Both women rolled their eyes. "I know, I know. Seriously, part of me wishes I had never experienced what we did, but then..." Reese stopped before she completed her thought...then I wouldn't care about him as much as I do.

Sam understood all too well what Reese was thinking, and as she looked out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marco through the window standing near a bush, on his cell. "Reese, I'm certainly not one to give advice, but you may be better off."

Jax walked into his office with the small, unmarked box and a few envelopes he had received downstairs. He couldn't wait to tell Courtney how he handled Rachel, to finally prove that nothing was going on with them. But she is beautiful...Jax quickly shook the image of Rachel smiling just before he walked up from his mind. He sat down in his chair, curious as to why someone would want to be so secretive about sending a package. Like a kid on Christmas, Jax couldn't resist – he threw down the bills and ripped open the box anxiously.

He felt his heart plummet into his stomach when he saw the box he picked out from the jeweler for Courtney's engagement ring. He gripped the black silk box in his hand, unable to accept what was obviously inside.

He began to open the box slowly, seeing a small piece of white paper peeking out the top. Suddenly, his office door burst open.

"Jax, I'm sorry, but..." Skye said hurriedly, but stopped upon seeing the devastation that creased his brow. "Oh my God, what's wrong?" She walked over to his desk as he stood to face her.

"This." He handed her the note he pulled from the box and flashed it at her.

Skye opened the small letter and Jax sat back down, dejected at Courtney's words. "'Jax, you're definitely a man worth fighting for, but I'm just not the woman that wants to fight anymore. I do love you, and I'm sorry. Courtney.' God, Jax, I'm so sorry," Skye offered sincerely, and sat the note back near the box. "What can I do?"

"Nothing. She's made her decision...not that she didn't make it a long time ago," Jax said, trying to cover the pain in his eyes. He stood up and walked around Skye's chair so he didn't have to face her, only to come face to face with another memory of Courtney on the shelf. It was a small gingerbread ornament she had given him for Christmas. He quickly turned away from it. "What did you need, Skye? You know what they say, time is money, and you're not one to waste either," he quipped.

Skye saw right through it. "Stop it, Jax. I came here to rant about my broken heart because I acknowledge that I have one. You have to, too."

"Only if I let it be," Jax said, maintaining his façade. He walked back over to his desk. "You see this, Skye? These numbers, these proposals – this is what I'm good at. Where I succeed – this is where I am the best." He felt the anger rising in his voice. "I'm not second to Sonny, or Jason, or damn gingerbread cookies!" He yelled and threw everything off his desk in one swoop.

Skye jumped back. She watched Jax slump back down into his chair, holding back the waves of emotion that threatened to engulf him. She walked over and knelt in front of him, taking his hand sympathetically. "And yet you'd trash it all, like you just did, for love."

Jax nodded silently, falling into Skye's arms and letting his sobs take over.

Cianna finally stopped, hit the button on the side of her watch, and plopped down on the bench. She loved how she felt after an intense run, especially since she knew she could lose the ability to whenever her body decided to strike again. She pushed that little doubt of her mind, as her phone vibrated in her pocket.

"One new text message," she said aloud, smiling. Only one person text messaged her in the middle of the day. "Coming back to my mom's tonight. Can I see you? L." She quickly punched in her response, and sighed happily as it confirmed it was sent.

Cianna had been thinking about Lucas everyday, to the point of distraction. Seeing his mother at Kelly's was a bit of a shock, but it was then that she decided to stop living in the past. Bobbie didn't recognize her, and neither had Lucas. She had a clean slate, which was refreshing. Now, none of her other problems mattered to her as much. She stood up to stretch and turned quickly when she heard footsteps approach.

Diego faced her angrily. "What? Not happy to see me?"

Cianna took a step back, bracing herself for his wrath. "So it was you."

"Yeah, and it was you," Diego retorted, "the same conniving bitch that ruined my only good shot at a family!"

"Oh, wow!" Georgie exclaimed, as Dillon kissed the perspiration from her neck. She cupped his face and pulled him toward her, not ready for him to leave her body just yet. "Have I told you lately how much I love making love to you?"

"I think the whole Haunted Star heard it about 5 minutes ago," Dillon laughed, and Georgie pulled back enough to grab a pillow and hit him with it. "Ok! I'm sorry! I love you, I love you," he pleaded, finally getting George to release her death grip on the pillow. He sighed happily as Georgie made room for him on the bed, and he cradled her in his arms.

"I'm going to have to leave soon," Georgie said glumly. "I think Maxie knows what I've been up to, and I have to be careful that she doesn't blow anything for us." She halted Dillon's sigh with a passionate kiss before rolling out of bed. "OUCH!"

"What? What happened?" Dillon sat up, alert.

"Nothing, I just stepped on this," Georgie said, pulling out a clipboard of notes and sketches. She looked over each page and turned to Dillon in surprise. "Dillon, this is your final film school project idea! Haven't you done it already?"

Dillon snatched the notes out of her hand and threw them over the other side of the bed. "Didn't you say you had to go?"

Georgie looked at him incredulously. The sting from his words had yet to register – she was more appalled by the look on his face. "So you don't want to go to USC? Dillon, nothing would make me happier than to have you with me..."

"Then stop arguing with me about it!" Dillon exclaimed. "Look, Georgie, it's not due for another few weeks, and I'll get it done. It's just with what happened with our being involved in this caper, and now Alan being in the hospital, my mom's a wreck – "

"You don't even live with them, Dillon!" Georgie said, and instantly regretted it.

"You know what? I'm sorry I don't have parents that butt into my life for the purest of reasons, but that's just who you're stuck with, I guess," Dillon fumed.

Georgie shoved her sweater over her head and pulled on her boots. She was so angry she couldn't look at him. She didn't want him to leave, and yet she was the one pushing for him to complete his projects, to stand up to his family and be whatever he wanted to be, no matter how much it hurt her.

"Georgie, say something," Dillon said, shifting uncomfortably. He reached to hug her from behind but she jerked so fast he fell back on the bed and just stared at the ceiling.

"I'll call you," Georgie said angrily, "if I can think of anything I even want to say to you." She slammed his door shut and ran from the boat, alarmed that she hadn't even shed a tear yet.

Ric stood behind his desk and faced his wife. "What is this, Alexis?"

"You know very well what it is, Ric, and I expect you to support me – just as I would support you," Alexis stated calmly, holding out her petition for sole custody with both hands. They had been dancing around the topic at home since Sonny's outburst at the hospital, and Alexis was getting tired of defending the action she wished to take.

"Really? Would you Alexis?" Ric challenged, as he walked around the desk to begin another battle.

"Of course I would," Alexis said, slightly losing her resolve. "Ric, I spoke with Dara, and we have grounds to keep Kristina away from Sonny for good, and I..."

"Alexis, I wasn't finished," Ric said plainly. "You said you would support me if I wanted to challenge my brother. But you see, I've already done that. I tried to get back at Sonny through his children before, or have you conveniently forgotten that you married the man that chained his pregnant wife to a wall with the plan to kill her and steal her child?"

"Ric, you're over dramatizing again, and it's not even applicable," Alexis said, tapping her foot impatiently.

"IT IS! It's what I did, Alexis, because I was determined to get revenge on my brother," Ric said exasperated. "That's what you want – you want me to support you and feed into my own vengeance at the same time!"

Ric's voice, hoarse from screaming and raw with emotion, trailed off. He sighed shakily, staring at the ground. "Alexis, I pursued you for less than honorable intentions, you know that. That was about Sonny, too, but it's changed for me." He caressed her face with one hand and placed his other on her growing stomach. "I love you, and Kristina, and our child more than anything in this world. I'm not going to trade all that in for the insanity I'd be headed for in resuming a vendetta against Sonny. I don't want you to support me that way...I want you," he paused, "to support our life together, our dreams and hopes, not our fears or past baggage. That's what I want to support you on."

Alexis teared at Ric's words, but she looked into his eyes and saw Sonny's erratic ones. "I don't want to push you away, or drive you to do something crazy. I just think it's crazy not to try and protect the family we want from someone who's unstable and dangerous."

Ric sighed, letting go of his wife. He walked back around to his chair, but couldn't bring himself to sit down.

Alexis instantly felt the absence of his touch. She had been feeling that way all week. "Ric, I need you to sign this petition, to support my dream of having my daughter safe and happy."

"I...Alexis, signing that paper is the exact same as signing up for my own demise," Ric stated, still staring at the floor, his tears hit the top of his shoe. He finally faced her. "I love Kristina, but I can't do it."

Mac knocked on the half-open door, but the tension almost blew him back out of the room. Alexis clutched her petition in her hand tightly, nodded at Mac and left before her tears made their way to the surface. "Sorry I interrupted, Ric."

Ric shook his head, still visibly shaken by Alexis' non-response. "I wish you had come about 30 seconds earlier." He sighed. "What do you need?"

"John Durant – back in Manhattan."

Jason felt his phone ring silently in his pocket. "Sonny, it's..."

"Dad?" Michael said sleepily, and both men jumped at his voice. Sonny and Jason hovered over his bed, as the boy tried to sit up.

"Take it easy, buddy," Jason said, relief washing over him again. "You're in the hospital."

"I didn't go out in the street," Michael said, disoriented and trying to remember what happened when he was hit.

"We know," Sonny said, clinching his jaw at the thought of the events that night. "You were on the curb and someone hit you with their car."

"Did you take care of them?" Michael said seriously, and Jason's eyes widened in surprise.

Sonny looked to his best friend, and then back at his son. "Michael, we've talked about this. You focus on getting better and being a kid, that's it. You understand me?"

Michael looked around, disappointed that he was scolded the minute he woke up. "Fine, where's Mom?"

"She's outside, buddy," Jason said. "I'll go get her and Courtney." He walked out slowly, still reeling from Michael's question. He looked at Carly and Courtney, their heads together and whispering. "Michael's awake – you should go in and see him."

The women each hugged him, Courtney holding on a little longer than usual, and rushed past Jason into Michael's room. He pulled out his phone, hoping his missed call was from Sam. Seeing Stan's number, Jason sighed and called him back. "Stan, what did you find out?"

"You were right, Jason. I traced the ghost account that deposited money into Faith's off shore account. It was AJ Quartermaine's," Stan stated. "He deposited money the day Kristina was taken, and a stop payment was made the day she was killed."

"Thanks," Jason managed to grind out and slammed his phone back into his pocket. It rang again, and he felt his temples throb. Please, just let it be Sam. "Hello?"

"Jason, it's Miguel," Gamboa said anxiously. "Can you talk?"

Jason felt his headache grow stronger when he heard the tension in Gamboa's voice. Since he had taken over for his fallen family, Miguel Gamboa had been indispensable to Sonny and Jason – their alliance kept the relationship between the five families relatively sound. "Yeah, what's going on?"

"The families have called a meeting, about your organization," Gamboa replied. "There was a tape sent – shows Agent Reese Marshall getting too close to Sonny for a lot of the others' comfort, including me – but for different reasons. Sandoval raiding their shipments to prove Sonny unfit isn't helping things."

Jason sighed. He knew that would garner everyone's attention. "What's he promising them?"

"That he can run the territory better, and that Sonny should be forced out – unless his involvement with Marshall offers some sort of protection the boys can use. Look, the meeting's tonight – Guarisco demanded Sandoval make his case in person, man to man."

Jason nodded, knowing Guarisco wasn't easily fooled by slime like Sandoval. "What time?"

"7:00 – and Jason, you know I got your back, whatever happens."

"Thanks, Miguel," Jason said, and hung up. Sonny emerged from the room, a huge smile on his face. "Sonny, meeting with the five families tonight. We both gotta be there."

"Michael just woke up, Jason," Sonny said impatiently. "I'm not going to leave him now. You can handle whatever negotiations."

"Sonny, this isn't about negotiating! Our territory is in jeopardy," Jason said, lowering his voice. He pulled Sonny closer to him. "Sandoval's got some of them convinced he can run the territory better. And he's just the least of our problems."

"What do you mean?" Sonny looked at him, his dark eyes moving rapidly back and forth.

"Stan found out who Faith's partner was, Sonny. AJ."

"I'm glad you did, AJ," Monica said furiously, "because I'm going to kill you."

AJ didn't bother to turn to her. "I'd expect nothing less from you, Mother. After all, I'm not Jason."

Alan reached out for AJ's hand. "And I don't want you to be, AJ. I'm so happy to have you here," Alan said between labored breaths.

"Of course, of course I'm happy you're alive AJ," Monica pleaded, and AJ finally turned to look at her. "But why? Why would you do this to us? Your own father has driven himself crazy after having to identify your body! You put Rachel Adair in the middle of this, and for what? Why do you want us to suffer?"

"Mom, this wasn't about you!" AJ leapt off the bed to face his accuser. "I just wanted to get my son back. I didn't think any of you would have cared about me, after I stole the Quartermaine money, so I put it to use. I set out a plan to get back Michael, so I could finally get him away from those monsters."

"We all want that AJ," Alan said, still breathless. "But how would you being dead accomplish getting Michael?"

AJ ran his fingers through his hair nervously, avoiding both his parents' eyes. "Faith was going to kidnap him." At his mother's indrawn breath, he turned toward his father to plead his case. "Dad, I wanted Sonny and Carly to suffer losing their children like I lost Michael! No one was going to hurt Kristina, or Morgan – they would have come back just fine. I just wanted my son!"

Alan raised his arm gingerly to touch his son's face. "Oh, AJ, there were so many other ways."

"And what you did almost cost Michael his life!" Monica screamed frantically.

"Monica, stop it! We finally have AJ back...and I won't have you convince him...to leave again," Alan struggled again to get out.

Monica looked at her son, and knew he knew what Alan still did not. "Alan, AJ's supposed death was why you got into the accident. It's why you flat lined three times," her voice went from excited to solemn. "It's why you hit Michael with your car."

"Lorenzo, are you sure this is going to be ok?" Rachel said as she brought her suitcase into his apartment.

"It'll be fine," he answered, carrying her other bag. "You can stay in my niece's room – just, um...be careful with her things." Lorenzo looked away, embarrassed that he still had not cleaned out her room.

"I promise," Rachel responded, sympathetically. "I could sleep on the couch instead, or somewhere else..." She walked back toward Lorenzo seductively, pushing her bag off his shoulder and running her hand up and down his chest.

He smiled and took her hand. They leaned into each other, their lips entangled quicker than either one of them expected. Lorenzo didn't feel butterflies but he smiled as he pulled away, the feel of her eyelashes still tickling his cheek. His phone rang and Rachel bowed mockingly. "That's my cue to leave. I won't put my bags in Sage's room – just yet."

Lorenzo watched Rachel's hips sway as she left the apartment, winking as she closed the door. "Lorenzo Alcazar."

"Mr. Alcazar, Armando Sandoval," the man said smugly. "I think it would be in your best interest if we meet – discuss our mutual goals."

"For a moment there, I thought you were a foolish man, to begin your call with a threat," Lorenzo declared unamused. "When and where?"

"6:00, on the docks." Sandoval hung up, his triumphant smile displayed for the whole bar to see.

"We need to go over last week's reports, as well as this week's," a smooth voice called out from the doorway of the woman's office.

"Don't we have accountants to do that?" She answered him, pushing her jet black curls away from her face. She knew this dance all too well – it was the perfect excuse to visit her in the middle of the day. She stood up slowly, smoothing her crisp beige suit that perfectly complimented her mocha-colored complexion, and walked toward her man assuredly. Her confidence and power seduced her lover the minute they met, and she knew how to work it for all it was worth. "Close the door."

"As you wish," Kryptonite's Jamaican accent floated toward her, reminding her over and over again of the nights they made love on the beach in Negril. "You know, beautiful lady, we're going to have to stop meeting this way."

"Well as long as you work for me, you'll just have to suffer through it," his lover said, wrapping his arms around her waist, and then her arms around his neck. "Everything ok, seriously?"

He kissed her passionately before releasing her to lean, facing her, on her glass and titanium desk. "You know if it wasn't, Kryptonite, would take care of it," he said proudly, pounding his chest with his fist.

"That's why we work, you know," she smiled and approached him again. "I handle the boardroom, you handle our other business..."

"And we meet in the bedroom," Kryptonite completed her oft-repeated thought. Kissing her again, he grabbed her hands. "You make me want to marry you, Ms..." At that moment, Kryptonite's cell rang in his pocket and they sighed. "This is K."

"Are you the man they call Kryptonite?" Benito Fonti's sharp voice rang out into the receiver.

"Yes. Whom do I have the pleasure of blaming for interrupting my day with my lady?" Kryptonite said, making the woman smile as she looked out the window over the city of Philadelphia.

"Benito Fonti, and I assure you, what I have to say is well worth it."

After a few minutes on the phone, Kryptonite said simply, "I'll get back to you within the hour." He hung up and looked at her expectant face. "It's the one we've been waiting for."

Her phone rang before she could answer. "Hello?"

"Keesha Ward? This is Nikolas Cassadine."

Emily dropped the box in front of the penthouse door and knocked quickly. "Jase, are you there? It's Emily."

"What's going on?" Jason said, touching Emily's shoulder from behind her. She jumped forward, almost hitting her face on his door. "Hey! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine," Emily covered, "you just scared me, that's all. I was coming by to see if you could help me."

"Whatever you need," Jason responded, still noting Emily's shakiness. "What's with the box?"

"Funny you should ask," Emily said, grateful for the distraction. She picked it up and shoved it into her brother's arms. "Say hello to your new neighbor!" She smiled brighter at Jason's confused expression.

"Ok...um, Emily – what about Nikolas?" Jason said quietly, watching his sister's smile disappear. He usually didn't want to delve into Emily's love life, but her behavior was off the charts.

Emily took the box from Jason's hands. "We're getting a divorce. Too much has happened, Jason." She walked away amid Jason's offer to take the box back. "Don't worry about this. I'm sure I can get someone to help."

Emily had never, ever shut down on him before, but in reaching out for her Jason noticed his watch. 5:30 "My guys downstairs will help, and Emily – I'll be back tonight, if you want to talk." She nodded sadly, and Jason opened the door to his own place. "Sam?"

Would she even come down if I called, he wondered. He was actually thankful she wasn't there this time – he could do this right. "Hey Frank," Jason said eagerly into the phone, "I need to have some stuff set up for me and Sam in the apartment by the time I get back from my meeting. Can you make it happen? Thanks, man."

Jason sighed, left a message on Sam's voicemail to meet him at the docks at 9, and ran upstairs to prepare.

"As I hear it, you have both of your real parents back now, so I don't know what you're talking about, Diego!" Cianna shot back vehemently.

Diego walked toward her menacingly. "You know damn well what I'm talking about! You got me kicked out of your house because you didn't want any of the attention off you."

"You've got to be kidding me!" Cianna looked at him in disbelief. "You have no idea how long I cried when they made you go away! I needed you there because you made everyone forget about me. I know my parents took you in for the wrong reasons, but you kept them sane, and now..." She broke off, not allowing herself to be choked up by the memories.

Diego softened a little, remembering how painful it was to see Cianna cry. "But all those stunts we pulled got me kicked out, C."

"I know, and I never would have done that if I knew you'd have to leave," she admitted, pushing the one tear from her face. "You were so much fun, and you had tried stuff I never got to – I figured I'd rather have my parents argue over something other than me being sick. Diego," Cianna walked closer to him and held his face with her hand, "I am sorry, and not just for you. It only got worse when you were gone."

Diego relaxed and embraced his former friend. "I'm sorry, too." He held her tightly, and she responded in kind. When they finally let go, he motioned for them to sit on the bench. "So what happened?"

"Dad left. We're broke even before you got there, and he couldn't pay for me to get better anyway, so he gave up," Cianna answered bluntly. "Mom's worse than before. She's worried herself catatonic." She looked down at the ground, hoping when she did look at Diego he would know better than to pity her.

Diego rubbed her back soothingly, and Cianna finally let herself cry on someone's shoulder. "You can't tell anyone, ok?"

"Ok," Diego answered, holding her closer and smoothing the hair from her face. He kissed her forehead and they just sat there, quietly.

Georgie darted from behind the bushes in the opposite direction of the indiscretion she just witnessed, careful not to make a sound, positively livid at her friends' beaus' betrayal.

As the sun began to leave deep purple streaks across the sky, Lorenzo stared out at the waterfront. He knew Sandoval was a double-dealing rat, but he was also not very clever. Anything forged between them would undoubtedly be to oppose Sonny, and though Lorenzo knew he should not let his heart rule in business, he wanted Sonny to suffer – for being first to capture Carly's heart.

"Alcazar," Armando called out seriously, extending his hand, "thank you for meeting with me."

"You can thank me if I appreciate what you have to say," Lorenzo replied gruffly, "because if you're wasting my time, I guarantee you won't want my thanks."

"Very well," Sandoval withdrew his hand, careful to look at his watch. 6:05. "I may be in a position to control Corinthos' territory by the end of the evening. I assumed you'd want in on that."

"Never assume anything about me," Lorenzo said, uneasy about this extension of consideration. "Just give me the particulars, and by that I mean why you want me on your side and what I'm going to get out of it."

"You're all business, Mr. Alcazar. I can appreciate that," Armando replied, lighting a cigar. "There's a meeting of the five families tonight, in about an hour. I would like you to attend with me, support my endeavor to control Sonny's territory by offering your legitimate business ventures as 'investment opportunities' for our shipments and financial supply, and you and I will split Sonny's holdings 50/50."

Lorenzo folded his arms over his chest. "Each one of the five families has their own 'investment opportunities' to conceal their activities. Why would I sacrifice mine?"

"As a show of good faith," Armando replied, stepping closer. "Sonny has the DA for a brother, and is now getting cozy with the FBI, yet he offers no protection. If you offer your financial protection, the families will be more willing to force him out."

"In other words, offer them what you can't," Lorenzo said stiffly, "in exchange for half of Sonny's territory. Sorry, doesn't appeal to me – considering I can do what you can't do." He leaned back toward Armando Sandoval with intent, his green eyes flashing. "I can bring Corinthos down all by myself."

Lorenzo stood up straight, backing away from the shorter man, smirking. "Have a good evening, Mr. Sandoval." He fixed the collar on his coat and bound up the stairs, leaving Armando Sandoval surprisingly still smug.

"It's all mine then," he chuckled to himself, looking at his watch once more. He flipped open his phone and hit the speed dial. "Everything in place?"

"Yeah, boss," Sandoval's henchman whispered, peering from a tall bush at Sam and Reese, "I'm in position to move. Just after 7, like you said." He hung up and checked to make sure his targets stayed in sight. He motioned for the other men to take Marco's body away slowly, and he went back to spying.

Sam and Reese stood outside of Kelly's, not minding the chill in the air. Sam looked around, and was thankful that Marco had found something else to do other than spy on her conversation. "Look, about what I said before...I wasn't trying to scare you off of Sonny."

Reese nodded. "I understand, although I've heard all of Sonny's former flames are rather protective of him."

Sam smiled knowingly. "It's true. He does inspire something, some kind of unnatural loyalty in the people close to him. Maybe even unhealthy," she acknowledged as Reese raised her eyebrow and the women laughed, "but it looks like you've already been bitten by that bug."

Reese shrugged her shoulders. "I plead the 5th." They laughed again. "So what about you? I mean, Sam, you're better now but the tension's still waiting for you at home. You sure you want to live like that?"

"I'm sure that I love Jason," Sam replied quickly. "I'm sure that he's never hurt me, or lied to me, or used me – and I'm sure that I need to stop confiding in other people, no offense, and start trusting him with how I feel." She paused and bit her lip. "Maybe you should try to do the same?"

"The 5th," Reese repeated, pushing Sam's shoulder lightly. She could tell that they both missed out on having girlfriends when they were younger. "You going to be ok getting home?"

Sam held up her hand as she checked her messages. She closed her phone and looked at Reese again. "Looks like I have a date with 'trust' at 9 tonight, which still gives me time. I think I'm going to go to the docks, imagine simpler times."

Reese nodded, taking in her wistful look. "Well, be careful...and make sure the safety lock on your pistol is on." She smiled and shook her head at Sam, who blushed at being caught. "What – Iam trained to notice these things!"

"Fine, Miss FBI, have a good night," Sam said sarcastically, and the women parted ways. Sam looked on as Reese walked toward her car, and wondered which of their lives was easier. She headed for the docks, hoping to see a ship or two roll in tonight, with Sandoval's spy checking his watch right behind her. 6:25.

Rachel got off the elevator at General Hospital, still contemplating what she would say to Steven when she saw him. "Excuse me," she said, approaching the 5th floor nurses' station, "is Dr. Steven Webber still around?"

The nurse looked down at her watch. 6:40. "I think he got off at 6:30, sorry," the young woman replied. "I think his sister, Elizabeth, is still around, if you wanted to leave a message with her."

"No, no, it wasn't urgent," Rachel said hastily and walked toward the hub. She could only imagine what Steven had told Elizabeth, or what she had heard from the staff about the episode in ER. Sighing loudly, Rachel stood up just as Carly slapped her hard across the face.

"Bitch!" Carly stood enraged, with Courtney right behind her. "I thought I could hate you just for blackmailing my best friend, but oh no – you tried to help AJ take my son from me."

"No, I didn't!" Rachel looked beyond Carly to see Courtney mimicking her friend's incensed gaze. "I told you, that night Courtney, that AJ was very cryptic about the scores he wanted to settle in Port Charles. He only wanted my help with you!"

"Right, and I should just take your word for it," Courtney shot back, holding Carly's arm back from slapping Rachel once again. "I'm calling Mac – maybe this will be what finally puts you away."

"Maybe not," Lorenzo said, stepping off the elevator and around the women to stand by Rachel's side. He avoided Carly's shocked expression and focused on Courtney. "You have nothing to back up your claims against Rachel, and I won't let you railroad her because you can't take your anger out on your husband."

Carly exhaled and walked toward Lorenzo, until she came within inches of his face. "Are you trying...trying to hurt me?" Her voice came out in an appalled whisper.

"No, he's not," a triumphant, yet shaky voice bellowed from behind the group. Carly and Courtney spun around, while Rachel blinked to make sure he was really there. "That would be me, and believe me...I'm more than ready to take you on," AJ said, less assuredly than he fully intended.

"Jason, I understand, but Guarisco'll be more than fair about this," Sonny said, just outside of Michael's door. "He knows how I value my family. Jason, Jason...Jason! Handle it alright! I'm not leaving Michael," Sonny slammed his phone shut and stuffed it in his pocket.

He sighed and turned back toward the window to his son's room. Carly had run off the minute he and Jason pieced together AJ's plan to her and Courtney, vowing revenge. It was what he loved and hated about his ex-wife – she was always ready to battle for her family, even if she couldn't win. Admiration, not love, he reminded himself as he leaned against the wall.

"Max said you were here," Reese called out from behind him, "though I didn't believe him at first."

Sonny turned to her, smiling at her casual appearance and pensive expression. "Where else would I be?"

"Meeting the five families," Reese said slowly, walking up to Sonny. "I got a call that they're meeting in the next ten minutes."

"Really? Interesting." Sonny shrugged, turning to face Reese completely.

"Yeah, but that's not the case I'm here to work," Reese said finally, removing the kidnapping file from behind her back. "I know you're still worried about Michael, but I can't put this off any longer. You have to sign your statement about what happened when Faith was killed."

Sonny immediately flashed back to that night, but picture AJ's face where Faith's had been. "If I sign it, then what happens? It's just over?" He stepped closer to Reese, whose dark eyes shone into his with apprehension about how to respond.

"I guess so," she said, breaking their gaze.

"Then I can't do it," Sonny said, his face now inches from hers. He could feel her breath quicken, and he was surprised he could still have this affect on her after what she had witnessed only a week before.

Reese caught her breath enough to stammer out a reply. "Why not?" She moved her hand up his arm and to his chest. "Once the case is closed, I'm out of your hair, right?"

Sonny leaned toward her, brushing his lips on hers before moving to her ear. "There's more to the story."