Part Two:

After a fretful night of sleep and dreams of her life and regrets, Kevin approaches her about trying a different type of sleep medication along with a combination of an anti-depressant. Elizabeth is reluctant as the last thing she wants is to rely on medications and doesn't believe anti-depressants would be the cure-all to her issues for the last several years. While as a nurse she understands the benefits, she's seen first-hand what could happen if someone relies on medications too much. Kevin explains therapy would accompany any medication she decides to take. Elizabeth agrees to therapy but wants to hold off on the medications for a few days. Keven is called away to help with Laura and the boys. He promises to return in a day or two.

After Kevin has left, Elizabeth sits in the common room drawing pictures of her kids, Jason, Emily, and Franco. She makes notes of everything she does remember from her dreams. Jason helped her to focus on the details when Jake was kidnapped, and she was trying again to do it with her dreams, but she was unable to make sense of everything until Spencer's ex-girlfriend appears in the doorway

Elizabeth looks up; is shocked and a little perturbed, but calmly asks, "Esme, what are you doing here?".

Esme replies with a sickeningly sweet smile, "You didn't hear? I have an internship here for a course I'm taking at PCU. I'm studying the psyche of let's say, someone like you.", smirk

Elizabeth is aghast at Esme. "Did you read my chart? You don't have the authority!"

Esme gloats, "You'd be surprised what I can do. In many ways, I can make myself invisible. Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I have to get back to Port Charles and catch up with some friends. Oh, and I wouldn't bother mentioning this to the staff. Your shrink is gone for a few days and after all, you are losing time and forgetting conversations. Who would believe you? I'll be seeing you." And Esme leaves, laughing.

Elizabeth quickly gathers her papers and rushes back to her room quickly locking it behind her. She reaches for the phone and calls the least likely person who would expect a call from her.

Jason 2021

After falling into the tunnels on Cassidine Island and the search for him proved futile, everyone returned to Port Charles and did what they could to move on.

Eventually, Jason was declared dead. Of course, Jason never dies. Jason managed to crawl out of the rubble and find stable ground. He found some water and managed to drink some. He got up and tried to get his bearings and fell. He thought he could make it outside to the shore. As he was close to reaching the outside near the cliffs a boulder fell on him, pinned him and he was knocked out. After everyone finally returned to Port Charles Nikolas went to the island the next day, after finding out about the collapse. He wanted to survey the damages and work on excavation and try to find a body and then rebuild. He found Jason pinned and one of his trusted staff helped him get the stones off him. Nikolas administered some water and Jason woke briefly. Nikolas promised to get him some help and would contact his loved ones in Port Charles to let them know he is alive. Jason begged Nikolas not to reveal he is alive, and he would explain. Soon after Jason passed out again. Nikolas summoned a doctor swearing him to secrecy. He transported him to a private clinic in Arizona. He used only those he trusted and paid them a handsome fee to keep quiet. They administered fluids and checked his vitals and soon after he was placed in a medically induced coma. His brain was swelling and the rest of his body and organs needed time to heal. A few days after everyone returned and Jason was declared dead

Nikolas thought about calling Sonny and even Carly, but he remembered what Jason asked of him, and because Jason was Emily's brother and close to Elizabeth he decided to keep him a secret and for the time being let people think Jason was dead. He justified his actions that Jason was of no use to them or the business if people thought he was incapacitated. He surmised Jason in hiding would be better than everyone trying to see him and even with guards his safety would not be ensured. Finally, if Jason were to die, it may be kinder to his loved ones than having to deal with losing him twice in a matter of weeks if he never wakes up. After he was confident Jason was safe, he instructed the doctors to keep him informed, but he needed to return to Port Charles, but would be back often to check on Jason's progress. Nikolas flies back to Port Charles.

Elizabeth: 2022 Cont.

Elizabeth reaches her room and quickly locks it behind her. She picks up the phone and calls the least likely person who would expect a call from her. After a couple of rings Carly answers. "Carly it's Elizabeth. I wanted to warn you and have you talk to Sonny and put guards on my sons, Joss, Spencer, and maybe even Trina. I'm sure Josslyn told you I've checked myself into Shadybrook, but the reason why I am calling is Esme got an internship here and came to see me a few minutes ago. She laughed at me. She gloated about how she looked at my chart. Then she said she had to go back to Port Charles and catch up with some friends. Then she said she'd be back."

Carly gasps, "I'll let Sonny know, thank you, but why do you think she might do something and is not playing with your mind?"

Elizabeth replies, "she is playing with my mind, but I don't want to take any chances. I only know if she is capable of that tape, she might want to target our kids again. Please tell Sonny and I'll talk with you later. Thank you." Before Carly can ask more questions, Elizabeth hangs up the phone.

Carly finds Sonny and tells him what she knows, and he arranges for security.

Elizabeth has a sleepless night and is watching the locked door. In the morning she asks one of the attendants if Esme Prince is on shift this morning and was told no. Elizabeth leaves to get some breakfast. Elizabeth is back in the sitting room, writing, drawing, and making notes and looks up and Carly puts her hand up and waves. Elizabeth nods her over.

Carly and Elizabeth have come to several understandings and know they need to get along for the sake of their children and they both have grown over the years.

Carly says, "You didn't elaborate last night, and I hope you will tell more now. It must be important. What's wrong? Josslyn said Cameron told her why you checked yourself in this place."

Elizabeth asks, "what else do you know?"

Carly replies, "not much, only that you were having issues after Franco died, then you were taking sleeping pills and losing time and felt it was safer to be in here. She said you told Cameron you didn't want him and his brothers to visit. Only Laura and Kevin have been here. Do you mind my visit?"

Elizabeth shakes her head, "no, I don't mind, but what I'm going to tell you, I'd prefer you don't share what I'm about to say. There are things Cameron doesn't know and some things I haven't told Kevin. He knows I've been having dreams, but they are more than dreams. They are nightmares. All this stuff with Esme and Joss and Cam and that awful tape is bringing back memories."

"What kind of nightmares?", Carly asks.

Elizabeth replies, "some things I never thought possible. I can't explain until I make sense of things. Esme implied no one would believe she came to see me or why, so until I know what I am remembering, it may be better if I don't say anything as no one would believe me or would call me crazy. It's like it was with that tape…no proof."

Carly chuckles, "I've been called crazy before, and people have not believed me. I guess that's something else we have in common. So spill."

Elizabeth replies, "Do you mean Jason? Since we haven't spoken since Jason died, I wanted to express my condolences. You know Jason, he's survived many things. Are you sure he's dead?"

Carly answers, "I wish I could say no. Maybe he is alive, they haven't found a body, but I was there in the tunnel collapse and Nikolas told me he was there a couple of days later and excavated the whole place. There was no way anyone could survive. There was evidence, of blood, hairs, and fibers. It doesn't look promising he's alive. And you keep evading me."

Elizabeth says, "okay, okay. Nikolas did indicate the same to me. About my nightmares. I think I've seen Esme before she came to town. Maybe she started off targeting Spencer and turned to me and then Cameron and Joss. I'm even beginning to question if she messed with my sleeping meds. She's had access to my home. But please don't say anything until I sort more out."

Carly shows some concern. "Elizabeth if you are in here, and she is in here, how sure are you that you will be safe?"

"Carly, I think I can handle some tormenting. No offense, but I've gotten enough from you and Sam over the last several years. I think I can handle a girl just out of puberty. I took Maxie down a few pegs many years ago. Besides, there are cameras everywhere. Until I know more, I don't want to tip my hand. I could trip her up."

Carly responds, "Sorry about that, what you said was true, but in my defense, I was trying to protect Jason. I believe you can handle yourself. I should go, but please call if you need anything. I promise not to say anything to anyone unless it's an emergency. Our kids will be protected. Good luck"

Carly touches Elizabeth's shoulder and leaves. Elizabeth breathes a sigh of relief.