A/N – Thanks for the responses. I appreciate them. Posting today because tomorrow is going to be hectic.

Chapter 3

Carly's eyes narrowed. "Jason, she went back to the man that I thought raped me! He kidnapped me and was going to steal my child." So much had happened and after everything settled, the only thing Ric lost was Liz.

Liz, who can hear her, groaned.

"She saved you, Carly."

"That's beside the point. How could she go back to him after what he did? It's bad enough that Sonny wouldn't let you deal with Ric, but she forgave him for hurting me. He almost killed her, and she lost a child because of him."

Liz jerked the door open, and Carly and Jason's attention flew to her. "You don't think I know that I made a mistake? You don't think that I hate myself for it? I lost a baby. You of all people should understand that sometimes, you make the wrong choice. What he did to you and me was never okay, neither were the choices I made, and I will have to live with that for the rest of my life. Tony Jones, AJ, Sonny, Alcazar, we all make shitty choices, don't we?"

The door slammed again.

Carly's eyes pricked with tears. "I don't care if she's sorry. I still have nightmares, Jason. He was awful."

"I know," Ric would be dead if it were up to him, "but Elizabeth didn't do all of that, Ric did.

"So, you forgive her?"

"I don't understand why she went back, but someone pointed out to me that people probably don't understand my loyalty to you, but I have it anyway."

"It's not the same thing."

"Isn't it? You pissed off and hurt everyone with your crazy schemes. Should I have not forgiven you? Should Bobbie have held a grudge? This situation is hard enough without you adding to her stress. Can you please let it go for now?"

She brushed away a tear. "I have never liked her."

"For no good reason…"

"Your opinion, not mine." She strode to the door before he demanded something of her that she can't do. "If she's here, it's because she finally got some brain cells and left him, which means now, you will be in Ric's crosshairs. I hope you know what you're doing, Jason because he wants to destroy you and Sonny and now, you've added fuel to the fire. Whether you want to admit it or not, Elizabeth turned her back on you. Hell, she held a gun on you. Do you owe her anything?" With that, she left, leaving an intense Jason behind.

He gets why Carly is angry and it's probably more to do with Sonny's handling of the situation because she sees Ric everywhere and he never paid for what he did and still fucks with them. Elizabeth being here is a reminder of that. After gazing upstairs, he put the food away, not happy to see she barely had eaten any.

Upstairs, Liz broke. She had heard every word that Carly said. Even though the bitch always goes over the top, Liz had doubted Jason, something Carly doesn't do. In her defense, she just couldn't see Ric rationally at the time and bought into his rhetoric because she couldn't face the truth, that she had married a monster. Instead, she was mad at Jason for even suggesting that Ric would lie because she was still angry about what happened between them. God, she feels so dumb that she can barely look any of them in the eye.

There is a soft knock on the door. "Elizabeth…"

"Go away, Jason."

"No. Please unlock the door."

She stomped over to it, about to yell at him when she spotted a bag and a bottle of water in his hands.

"You need to eat and drink. Johnny picked you up a sandwich. You don't have to talk to me, but please eat it."

She sighed. "Thanks."

He nodded and once she took the items, he went back downstairs. The chasm between them is so wide, that he doesn't know how to act around her.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Ric paced back and forth. He hasn't been able to find Elizabeth anywhere. He had signed the divorce papers because he doesn't want to lose her. Instead, he'll bide his time.

Emily sat on a bench and eyed him warily.

"I love her, you know."

"Whatever sick brand of love you believe in isn't real love, Ric. Just stay away from her."

"I signed the papers."

"Good, because she deserves to be free of you."

Sonny moved closer. "Are you alright?"

"Yes."

He glared at Ric who raised his hands. "I'm going." He handed her the divorce papers before leaving.

"Do you need a ride?" Sonny asked.

"No."

"Don't stay out here long."

Emily nodded.

Sonny started up the stairs and runs into Sam.

"You don't look happy," she said.

"A lot has happened."

"I see." He doesn't owe her anything, and never lied about the situation.

"I just—I don't want to give you up. We're just starting to get to know each other. I'm getting back with Carly due to the kids. Can we still try and work it out?"

"Okay."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Sonny smiled and then languidly kissed her. "I'll call you later, okay?"

She watched him leave, knowing that she had taken a test and is pregnant. What a mess.

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Jason put his hand on his hips. "So, you're moving Carly back in, but you are staying with Sam?"

"Yes. Carly and I are far from working everything out. Michael, he needed us back together."

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. It's the most ridiculous thing he's heard in a long time. Michael needs to learn that he can't always have his way. "Sonny, Sam came to me tonight. I think you should go talk to her."

"Why?"

"Just—please go talk to her." It's not his place to share that kind of news.

Sonny doesn't know what to think as Jason walks out of his office.

"Max?"

"Yes, boss."

"Get the car."

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The next day, Jason slips out of the penthouse. Elizabeth is still sleeping, so he didn't want to wake her. When he gets to the office, he's surprised to find out that Sam didn't confess like he had asked her to, so he headed to her place.

"What?" she said as she eyed him.

"You didn't tell him?"

"It's my secret to keep, Jason, and it's none of your business."

"You involved me, and I don't like lying to him."

"You don't get a say."

Jason stared as his jaw clenched. "You have until tomorrow, or I'm telling him the truth. He deserves to know. He and Carly are like magnets. You have to understand that. They can't do casual."

"Whatever, Jason! Are you trying to hurt me?"

"All I'm trying to do is the right thing."

"Go away, please!"

"Sam…"

She flung the door open. "Go, now!"

He stalked away. How did he end up dealing with two pregnant women that don't like him much, he'll never understand.

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Elizabeth sat on the couch as Jason placed a container on the counter. "I guess I better learn to cook considering I'm having a child."

Jason glanced at her before sitting. "Why? He won't have any teeth for a while, so his life will be safe."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you implying that my cooking would kill him?"

He shrugged, trying not to smile.

"Wow. I didn't make the broccoli soup, Jason," Liz said as she opened the lid.

"You bought it and it killed me to eat it."

"Big baby…"

There is a knock on the door and Sonny storms inside.

"We need to talk."

Liz looks at Jason who stands.

"Your place."

They leave and Sonny motions for Jason to sit.

"When were you going to tell me that Sam is pregnant?"

"It was her truth to tell, but I gave her until tomorrow. How do you know?"

"Jax may be the father too."

Jason sighed. "What are you going to do?"

"I need you to find her and figure out if that baby is mine."

"I'll call Stan."

"Jason, this is very important."

Jason made a few calls. "The jet is ready just in case."

"Thank you."

Jason returned to his apartment. "I may have to leave for a few days.

She wiped her mouth. "Okay. You don't have to babysit me. He signed the papers."

"I just don't want Ric near you. If you go out, please make sure that Johnny or Francis is with you."

"I will."

"Thank you."

Jason scarfed down his sandwich and then went onto the balcony. This Sam situation is a shit-show that he wishes he weren't involved because it's just going to end badly.

His phone buzzes. "Shit…" It's Carly, and she wants to see him.

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Jason entered the other penthouse. Thankfully, Sonny had left.

"What's wrong?"

"He wants you to find Sam, doesn't he?"

"Carly…"

"Please, Jason. Please don't do it. She's gone, and Sonny and I—hell, I don't know what is going on with us."

"You know, in Sonny's head, you didn't choose him, so he won't make the first move to take this further."

"You think I should do it?"

"That's up to you."

"You want me to put my heart on the line again?"

"If you want him back, you may have to."

She started to pace. "You're going to go get her, aren't you?"

"I have to. I'm sorry."

"Fine… You can leave now."

He sighed heavily before going back across the hall.

Elizabeth's brow rose. "Tough night?"

"You have no idea."

"Emily wants to come over tomorrow night for a movie night."

"Do whatever you want."

"Thanks."

"How is she doing?"

"Okay. She's getting her strength back. Are you mad at her for not telling you?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Yes and no."

She smirked when he didn't go further, making him slightly smile.

"I just felt helpless. What if it comes back?"

"Then we'll support her."

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The next day, Jason got a lead on Sam and headed to a convent where they think she had gone.

When he got there, he came across a nun.

"Listen, I'm looking for a short, brunette woman who is pregnant."

The woman held her hand up. "It's okay. She's here, but she's very conflicted and wants to give her baby up for adoption."

Jason sighed. "I need to see her."

"She thinks you will be a good father, but the situation isn't good. Please understand she is hurting."

He frowns, but says, "Okay."

The woman tells Sam that her baby's father is here, and she is shocked to see Jason instead.

"Why did you follow me?"

"Sonny sent me."

"Look, I'm not even sure who the father is so Sonny shouldn't worry about it."

"He knows and he wants you to come back."

She threw her hands up. "How is that supposed to work, exactly? He has a wife and kids."

"You'll make it work."

"I'm going to have this baby and give it to a good family."

"Sam… Sonny is on the way."

"No. Why? I don't get why he wants anything to do with me."

"Sonny deserves to be a father if this baby is his."

Sam is beside herself. "I'm going to go lay down. You do whatever you want, but in the end, this is my choice."

She walks into the hallway leaving Jason to wonder if he can trust her not to run.

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Elizabeth sat on a park bench. She had to get out of the penthouse and doesn't want to hide like she's ashamed.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Her eyes close at the sound of his voice. "Not for you…"

Ric moved closer.

"How did you find me?"

Johnny appeared to let Ric know they're not alone.

Ric eyed him and then focused on Liz. "I needed to think."

Liz stood. "Then I'll go…"

"Please, Elizabeth… Let me help you."

"No."

When she moved to walk by, Ric grabbed her arm making Johnny rush to her side.

"Get your hands off her, Lansing."

"Why is my brother's guard watching out for you?"

"Emily thought it was best. Now, excuse me."

Johnny cleared his throat when Ric didn't move. "You have until three and then I'll break your arm. "One…Two…"

Ric stepped back. "Fine, I'll go, but I'll never get over you."

She rolled her eyes as she let Johnny lead her back to the car. Once inside, he texted Jason to let him know what happened.

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Sonny rushed into the convent. He argued with Carly before he left. She had made her intentions known and Sonny asked for a slight reprieve to deal with Sam. Patience has never been one of Carly's virtues.

"Where is she?"

"She just left her room to go outside. She wants to give it up for adoption."

"Show me where she is."

He followed Jason to a door and Sonny went inside.

"I'm not mad at you, Sam, but you can't just run away."

"What choice do I have?"

"If this is my baby, I want to be part of their life."

"I'm going to give it up for adoption."

"Giving our child to strangers is wrong. Just give the baby to me."

"Michael and Carly will be resentful. It's not fair to Carly to have to deal with me."

"Carly is a good mother and she'll learn to love the baby eventually."

She wiped some tears away. "So, you want me to give birth to my child and just give it to you and Carly, and then what? Do I disappear?"

"I don't want to take it away from you, but I don't know how you expect me to just walk away."

Jax strode toward them. "It might not even be your baby."

"I don't remember inviting you into this conversation. Leave…"

"I'm not going without her."

"You can't force me to leave," Sam said.

"But I can. I have a court order that you will have an amnio to determine who the father is."

"This baby could be mine, Jax," Sonny said.

"No, she's coming back with me."

"This is my baby. You can't cut me out."

Jax sighed. "I know what this place is, and you were going to give the child up for adoption. If this baby is mine, then—"

"No! This baby is mine, and I will decide, so both of you can go to hell!"

She runs away and trips down some steps, knocking her unconscious.

Sonny and Jax run toward her.

A nun runs toward them and asks who Jax and Sonny are and is shocked to find out that they are both possibly the father of her baby.

She confronts Jason about the men, and he explains.

Sonny corners the doctor. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine but you can't see her right now. She needs to be calm."

Jason stepped forward just in case Sonny goes into a rage.

"Who is Jason?"

"Me."

"She wants to see you."

Jason eyed Sonny who nodded and then he went inside.

"The baby is fine," Sam said. "I just don't know what to do."

"You have time, but you need to talk to them and figure this out."

"Fine, send them in."

Jax entered the room. "Sam, I just want to know the truth. Please… You'll have nothing to worry about. I'll take care of the baby if it's mine."

"You think I did this for money?"

"No, but you're not mother material. You're self-centered and careless."

"Thanks." God, she wishes that she never let him touch her.

"I just need to know if this child is mine."

"Fine. I just want this over with."

Jax left the room.