Author's Note: After this chapter, moving into the next arc of the story, I'll be skipping forward past Kellie's recovery and some of the mob fallout in Port Charles. Anna following up with Kellie on Peter's death and the information on Cyrus is on of those items. There will be some explanations provided in the dialogue or authors notes for things that might have gone on as we pick up with Cyrus still being on the run and Kellie and the kids looking to return to Port Charles. I'd planned to do more with the idea that Sonny would end up in back in Port Charles without his memory, but as I outline the story that'll probably be more of a side note with impacts as the story moves forward.

Thank you all for staying on this journey with me. Happy reading.

The Next Morning

Kellie had slept fitfully throughout the night and noticed Jason had done the same on the cot provided.

"How'd you sleep?" Jason asked when he realized she was awake.

"On and off, same as you," Kellie said, "You didn't have to stay with me. You could have gotten a hotel for the night."

"I wanted to be here if you needed me," Jason said, moving sit on the edge of Kellie's bed, "I was worried you might have nightmares if Maxie's situation with Peter hit too close to home for you."

"He stalked and terrorized my friend," Kellie said, "Not me. I'm just sorry I had to attempt to bring him in alive. Okay maybe I shouldn't have said that part out loud."

"Not front of in cops or the WSB or witnesses," Jason said.

"Good thing the only witness is my husband who can't be required to testify against me," Kellie said.

Jason looked at Kellie concerned.

"I was making a joke, Mob Boy," Kellie said, "One of us has to lighten the mood or it might just be the sporadic sleep."

"I'm sure the doctors could give you something to help you sleep if you needed it," Jason said.

"I'd rather not," Kellie said as Jason's phone rang.

"It's Maxie," Jason groaned.

Kellie motioned for Jason to give her the phone, "She'll just annoy you until you let her talk to me."

"Please," Jason said, handing Kellie the phone.

"Hello," Kellie answered.

"Kellie….wait…I'm surprised Jason didn't answer," Maxie replied, "Never mind that. I won't take a lot of your time since you're still in the hospital. I mean obviously, Peter shot you. I'm sorry about that. What I called to say was… this sounded a lot better in my head. How do you thank you one who made sure that I wouldn't look over my shoulder for Peter the rest of my life."

"Maxie," Kellie said, interrupting her, "You're welcome. And you don't have to thank me."

"You have no idea how grateful I am," Maxie said, "I'm finally able to bring my daughter home. We're easing into it since she's only known Brooklyn and Valentin as her parents, but…."

"It'll happen," Kellie said.

"There's nothing I can do to repay you," Maxie said, "But I will figure out something."

"There's nothing to figure out," Kellie said, "Just love that little girl of yours."

"Goes without saying," Maxie said, "We'll come visit when you get back to Port Charles. Being cooped up while you recover, I'm sure we can entertain you."

"Might be awhile," Kellie said, "Soon as the doctors release me, I'm going to the island to be with my kids."

"Well, I can't say I would't do the same. Soak up sun while you're at it," Maxie said, "My mom's calling. I got to go."

Maxie hung up. Kellie handed Jason back the phone, unsure of what to do or say next.

"What do you need?" Jason asked.

"I don't know," Kellie said.

"When I asked you about Maxie and Peter maybe feeling a little bit to close to what happened with the Esoterra brothers," Jason said, "You automatically said that Peter stalked Maxie, not you. That's true. But that doesn't mean what happened to Maxie can't stir up some things."

"I don't want it do," Kellie replied.

"Trying to pretend it doesn't won't do you any good," Jason said.

"But I don't how to explain it or talk about it or," Kellie said.

"You don't have to," Jason said, gently positioning Kellie so she was sitting up more and he could hold her against him.

They stayed like that for awhile until the nurse came into check on Kellie.

Once the nurse left, Kellie said what neither one really wanted to admit, "So you're going to have to go back to Port Charles."

"Sooner than I'd like," Jason said, "I want to stay here with you until you get out of the hospital, get you settled on the island."

"But Cyrus being on the run means you need to be present in Port Charles to maintain your position as head of the business and the five families," Kellie said, "Especially with Sonny physically back even if his memory is a blank."

"I hate that I have to leave you," Jason said.

"I hate it too," Kellie said, "But the best thing you can do is make it safe enough for me to bring the kids home. In the meantime hopefully they'll catch Cyrus."

"He will try again," Jason said.

"I don't doubt it," Kellie said, "What happens to Cyrus's territory?"

"Cyrus might have someone in his organization ready to step up and takeover," Jason said, "Or they'll fight over it along with anyone else that sees an opening."

"That doesn't give me warm fuzzies," Kellie said, "What about Brando? Any chance he could at least grab it before anyone else can? Would he want to?"

"Before he got Sasha pregnant, I would have said yes," Jason said, "But I don't know if he'd really want to make that commitment with a baby on the way."

"And if he did," Kellie asked.

"He's more than earned it," Jason said, "It would certainly help once any ruffled feathers are dealt with."

"Is Sonny still around?" Kellie asked.

"He had to head back to Port Charles for questioning." Jason replied, "Diane said they were leaving this morning."

"At least while I'm on the island, you won't have referee between us," Kellie said.

"I'd rather have you home," Jason said.

"I have every confidence, you'll make that happen," Kellie said, moving slowly to one side of the bed and motioning for Jason to lie next to her.

"If Epiphany were here, I'd say you were asking for trouble," Jason said.

"If I had not just been shot by a psychopath, I'd show you trouble," Kellie said, "In the meantime, I want to spend as much time with you as possible before you have to leave for Port Charles."

Jason gave in and laid on the bed next to Kellie, They stayed there for however long they stayed there.