A/N – Thanks for the comments!
Chapter 14
Huxley questions Patient 6. "When you left to go to the deck, what were you thinking about?"
"Home."
Huxley babbles on and then turns to Patient 6 who is now sitting. "My God, would it kill you to engage in a conversation? Have you ever spoken a complex sentence in your life? When you think of home are you happy or sad? Is there someone there waiting for you?"
Patient 6 shook his head. "I don't know."
Huxley pulled cards out. "How do you feel about cards?"
"Cards?"
"It's either that or stare at a wall."
"Okay."
"Do you know how to play?"
Patient 6 sits on a crate. "You haven't told me what we're playing."
"Poker…"
Slight amusement fills Patient 6's eyes. "Okay."
They play a few games and Huxley is stumped.
"Are you counting cards? I mean no one is that lucky. You've won every hand."
"Your cards are marked."
"A—that's not true."
Patient 6 points them out.
Huxley crosses his arms. "How did you spot that?"
"I own shares in a casino."
"I thought you were a coffee importer."
"I'm both."
Huxley is upset and insists on winning back his money even putting his favorite watch on the line.
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Nina sits across from Franco. "Okay, spill."
Franco runs his hands through his hair. "I've been searching for some answers about my life and I'm trying to make sense of things. When I was growing up, there was a little boy I lived with named Andrew, and—he died."
"I'm sorry, but what does this have to do with you now?"
"My mom covered everything up. Andrew died of a heart ailment, but my mom told me that he never existed, so he became my imaginary friend."
Nina doesn't try to hide her shock.
"You can't tell anyone this." He needs to confide in someone, or he'll go crazy.
She touched his hand. "I won't."
"Andrew was Jason Quartermaine's twin."
Her eyes widened. "Holy shit."
"Exactly…"
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Huxley sat against the back of the chair. "I can't believe you beat me again. Congratulations."
Patient 6 refuses to take it.
"What? You out cheated me. It's only fair."
"I don't need the money."
Huxley frowned. "How can you say that? You have a hundred dollars to your name. Unless, you have some offshore account you haven't mentioned. Is the coffee business that good?" When he got no response, he continued. "Well, thank you then. At least take the watch."
Patient 6 briefly holds his hands up. "No, it's okay."
"Please, I insist. You need some luck."
Jason holds the watch deep in thought. He'll need more than luck to get his life back on track and wonders if everyone has moved on without him.
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Elizabeth placed the closed sign on the window and then sat in a chair and perused the room. Her artwork adorns the walls and the place is uniquely her. She never would have thought she would ever own a sweets shop. Life had taken such a turn and while she is happy in Palermo, part of her misses Port Charles which is hard for her to admit. She had spent her adult life there and loved the docks and Vista Pointe. Jason… She wonders how he is doing knowing he would be proud of her accomplishment even if he's disappointed in her for leaving. No matter what was going on, he always encouraged her. Shaking off a memory of them taking a ride on his bike, she stood, hoping that he is happy because he deserves it. Life always had a way of putting him in his place just like her. It was one of the unfortunate things they have in common. Thankfully, they are both survivors.
It had been weird being attracted to the stranger. She had buried feelings like that for so long and it had felt good to feel almost normal. Unfortunately, it had cost her a phone which meant she would have no way of communicating with Epiphany anymore. With the new threat in the area, now isn't the time to try to reach her through General Hospital, but hopefully, she can get a message to her soon.
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Jason sits at a bar in New York looking at the newspaper which confirmed that seven years had indeed gone by. When the boat finally docked, he had parted ways with the strange man named Huxley and then made his way several blocks to the bar.
The bartender shows some interest. He's a handsome man and she hadn't seen him around before.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No, I'm just trying to catch up with what I've missed."
"Are you in the military or work for the government?" His hair is long which she figured ruled out the military.
"No, but I've been away for quite a while." Knowing he's finally in New York is almost surreal after all he had been through but comforting.
She studies him for a moment. "Are you in trouble?"
"Is it that obvious?"
Her gaze briefly goes to the door. "By the way, cops don't usually show up at this bar without a very good reason. Mostly firemen come here." Two men in uniform had just walked in.
"Which way is the restroom?"
"Walk to the back."
Jason hurries there and puts his hand on his gun just in case. He has come too far and is too close to home to let them stop him.
The bartender moves towards the cops. "So, what can I get you?"
"We're looking for a man."
"What did he do?"
"He stowed away on a boat and entered the country illegally."
They show her a picture which she studies as Jason looks on.
"Nope. He hasn't been around here."
"Are you sure? He has very blue eyes."
"Then I think I would remember that, but you know what I don't remember? Where are your badges?"
They put some money on the counter.
"We'll pay you a lot for any information."
One of them writes down their number and hands it over.
"Alright, I'll call you if I see Blue Eyes."
They leave and Jason returns.
"Thanks!"
"As I said, I prefer not to associate with cops."
She hands him the money they gave her.
"No."
"Take it. It's not my money. They gave it to me."
"I don't need it."
She leans forward. "Honey, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I think you need it more."
He fights a smile. "I'm fine and have enough to catch a bus."
"Take it!"
He handed her the watch. "Why don't you have this. It's supposed to be lucky."
"Then maybe you should keep it." He seriously looks like he could use some especially if he's being hunted by the fake cops.
"I already had my luck. It's your turn."
He put on his jacket.
"Do you mind if I use the exit in the kitchen?"
"No, I don't."
He leaves and Sam and Jason walk in to celebrate their purchase while Patient 6 walks to the bus station.
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Patient 6 is almost to the entrance of the terminal, but as he starts to move out of an alley, two men appear.
"Don't make this more difficult. You're not going anywhere else."
"Do yourself a favor and give in."
Patient 6 punches one of them, dropping him to the ground and disarms the other and chokes him out before hitting him with the gun.
After throwing away their guns, he grabs one of their phones and waits for them to stir.
Not waiting for the man to get his bearings, Patient 6 pressed on. "You're going to make a phone call." He holds the gun on him. "Get on your knees. I know Klein sent you. Who is he answering too?"
"I don't know."
"Don't lie."
"I'm not."
"Call him and tell him we're on our way back to Russia."
The man dials and then tells Klein they found him and are on our way back.
Patient 6 takes the phone back and pretends to look away and then knocks the guy out and drags the bodies to the side, taking out their wallets, a lock picking kit, and money before throwing them into a dumpster. After grabbing their guns, he leaves and heads back to Port Charles.
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When he finally arrives, he goes to Sonny's house and finds it unlocked, so he moves inside deep in thought.
As he heads towards the mantle, he sees pictures of Carly and the kids and memories flash in his head, and then he hears some guards and runs out before heading to the penthouse where he knocks on the door.
There is no answer, so he picks the locks and moves inside.
"Sam?"
He takes a few more steps.
"Sam? Is anybody home?"
He moves forward as he peruses the room and then stares at her jacket before picking it up and smelling it. Memories flash in his mind as he remembers putting it feels emotional. Placing it back, he moves next to the stairs. He spots baby toys on the counter and tears up before moving onto the balcony before he loses it. Time had gone on without him and he wonders how much he has missed.
Turning, he starts to grab the handle of the door and sees Sam move inside and then watches as she opens the closet door and then starts to move further inside, but then a man's voice calls out.
He listens as they talk and then observes them as they kiss and felt his heart break into a million pieces. In his mind, he has been only gone a few weeks. She had a right to move on, but that doesn't make him feel any better because he's still in the same place.
They talk about Danny and Sam says she can't remember the last time she was this happy. Patient 6 watches raptly as the man professes his love to her and when Sam repeats the sentiment, he's heartbroken again. His chest heaves as she talks about their wedding day. She also mentions that Morgan is gone, and pain radiates through his body almost buckling his knees. How?
He grows antsy, wanting to burst inside and separate them, but luckily, they move upstairs and then he goes back inside, realizing that he has lost everything. He touches her coat again before throwing it on the opposite couch and leaving and heading to Morgan's grave where he pours his heart out, mourning the loss of his namesake and the seven years he has been away.
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Patient 6 kneels at the grave. "I wish I was here to help. I've lost so many years, Morgan. You were named after me and—" He hears someone behind him and stands, whirling around as he lifts the gun and comes face to face with Ava who is stunned.
"Sorry." He lowers his arm.
"You could have killed me."
She takes a deep breath.
"When did you get back from Russia?"
"I haven't been back for long."
"Thank you for what you did."
"You're welcome. Unfortunately, Dr. Klein punished me by not finishing my treatment."
"I'm sorry."
"He also tried to kill me for helping you, but fortunately, a friend showed up."
"I'm glad that you're safe." Dr. Klein will need to be dealt with.
"I made it out and flew home. How the hell did you get here?"
"I had help."
She looks at the grave. "Is this your Port Charles connection? Did you know him?"
"Did you?"
"Yes, he was a dear friend of my daughter among other things." At one point, she was quite taken by Morgan.
"How did he die?"
She grows emotional. "There was an accident."
"What kind?"
"One that shouldn't have happened. It was quick and he didn't feel any pain anymore."
"What does that mean?"
"He was very troubled."
"How?"
"Can we—I just don't feel comfortable."
He starts to move past her. "Okay, thanks again."
"Wait. Where are you going?"
"I don't know."
"Then, let me help you. Come back to my place."
"I don't know."
"Please let me prove to myself that I can do the right thing."
He reluctantly follows her the short distance to her building.
"Welcome to my home."
They move inside.
"My daughter comes by, but she's upset with me, so no one else comes here."
She takes a phone call while he listens, perking up when Sonny's name is mentioned. After ending the call, she's upset.
"I just found out that my brother sold his one asset to Jason Morgan."
Patient 6 is confused.
"There has been a lot of bad blood between my brother and most people in this town. I just can't believe that he did it. It was his prize possession."
"Do you have a picture of him?"
"Of Julian?"
"No, Jason Morgan."
She grabs her tablet. "Jason's wife Sam is my brother Julian's daughter."
She shows him the picture and he sits as he studies it.
"Why are you so fascinated? I think I know. You've been gone for so long that you probably thought Jason was dead like everyone else."
He puts the tablet down while she explains.
"Before I came to Port Charles, Jason was lured to the pier and shot by Caesar Faison and kicked in the water. Helena Cassidine plucked him out. Do you remember her?"
"Yes."
"She passed away. Anyway, she kept him in a clinic and he managed to escape, but her men recaptured him and amazingly enough, he escaped again, but then there was an accident. His injuries were horrific and he had to have facial reconstruction."
"Did he have any ID?"
"No. He didn't remember his real name or anything else."
"Then why does he think he's Jason Morgan?"
"Carly Corinthos figured it out."
"How?"
"I think there was DNA involved. Whatever evidence she had was compelling enough that she interrupted his wedding."
"To Sam?"
"Oh no, it was the mother of one of his children, Elizabeth Webber."
Jason masked his surprise wondering how she got mixed up with all of this.
"She helped him recover and they fell in love. Eventually, he recovered his memories and it took a while, but he reunited with Sam four years later. They think they are soulmates."
"Right."
"So, why are you so interested in him?"
He stands.
"Do you know Jason Morgan?"
Before he can answer, he spots a picture of a little girl and picks it up.
"That's my daughter, Avery."
"Where was it taken?"
"At her father's house."
He is surprised. "Her father is Sonny Corinthos?"
Now it's her turn to be shocked. "You know him?"
"You and Sonny have a child?"
"Yes. It was a mistake, but I don't regret having her. How well do you know him?"
"We're friends. Can you give him a message?"
He writes it down.
"Please, can you give him this note?"
"Look, Sonny hates me. There is no way he'll read it."
"He'll still read it and try to figure out your angle."
"You think you know how he'll react?"
"Yes."
"Well, I know how he'll react to me and I don't want to provoke him."
"Why did you help me before? You wanted to prove you're a good person, right? This is your chance. Take the note to him."
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Sonny opened the door.
"Thanks for seeing me."
"I'm assuming that you're here about Avery because the answer is no regarding anything else."
"If you send me away, you might miss out."
She waves the note in front of him.
"Don't play games. Show me or get out."
"Can I see my daughter in exchange for what I brought you?"
"You are not welcome anywhere near my family after you crashed Morgan's memorial."
"Please, I'm still her mom. Don't turn her against me."
"I won't have to because she'll know who you are and what you've done."
God, she hates him. After all the rotten things he's done, he shouldn't be so quick to judge. She holds up the note.
"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think and I'm capable of doing the right thing."
"Who gave you this?"
"I don't know his name. I met him in Russia at the clinic."
"So, this is the man Griffin mentioned. That still doesn't explain everything."
"That's all I know, but he doesn't seem to mean you any harm."
"What does he look like?"
"Sorry, I'm all out of good deeds for the day." She leaves and he reads the note which says to meet at the place where you scattered Stone's ashes and gave me money for a cab. He is perplexed because it's Jason's handwriting and they are the only ones that know that stuff.
Sonny gets a drink and sits as he remembers the scene. He calls Jason and then after he arrives, shows him the note.
Jason read it. "That's the footbridge. Where did you get it?"
"Ava gave it to me and claims it's from a man she met in Russia at the clinic."
"You think this is connected to Petrov?"
"No, I don't think so. I did get a call I can't explain though."
"If this is from Ava, it may be a trap and she paid someone to pretend they are me."
Sonny grabs the keys.
"Where are you going? It's probably a setup."
"She wouldn't have known about Luke's. I didn't tell anyone."
"Well, if it didn't come from her or me, then who the hell did it come from."
Patient 6 stands at the bridge wondering what is taking Sonny so long.
A/N – This name thing is difficult to keep straight. I will refer to Drew as Jason until they prove that he's Drew, but sometimes, the characters are going to call Patient 6, Jason, so you'll have to make that adjustment during those conversations.