A/N – Thanks for the comments! You'll like this chapter.

It's funny that people bring up if Liz will be 2nd choice for Jason when most of their relationship, he was not Elizabeth's first choice. Lucky was. To me, Sam wasn't even his first choice. He ended up back with her when he had wanted to be Elizabeth, but they were both too scared and then she got back with Lucky. People break up all the time and get with other people and it's not necessarily a thought that goes through their mind of 2nd choices etc. Due to all the baggage, it's a hard sell getting Liason back together, but I'm giving it my best shot.

By the way, Sam was very cold on the show to Jason. That is not my interpretation and I did not exaggerate. She only cared about Drew's feelings and turned off her feelings to Jason. They got a divorce and she married Drew. She held that stance until the earthquake and Jason saved her and still after that they weren't together for a long time because she had to "find" herself. I think my eyes just rolled out of my head.

Chapter 23

Jason is at the hospital and very tired. It's early in the morning, about 4:00 am. Drew had gone home, but Jason had refused to leave before he can talk to Faison.

The elevator doors opened, and a man is rushed inside, diverting everyone's attention so he slipped into the room.

Faison's eyes blink open.

"You won't kill me—too many witnesses." His breathing is erratic, and his coloring is off.

Jason stares at him.

"You are the perfect death machine. That is why I took you."

"Why Drew?"

"Your frontal lobe damage rendered my mind-control techniques useless. Dr. Maddox developed a procedure to map and imprint memories, so I could take your skills and put them into someone I can control."

"How did you find Andrew?"

"It was by coincidence while I was reviewing some Navy Seal information. I came across his picture and the likeness is remarkable. His name was Andrew Cain and it was easier to abduct him. I ran a DNA test and found out you were twins, so he was sent to Dr. Maddox."

"You were impersonating Duke Lavery at the time."

Faison struggles to breathe. "I trusted my son, Henrik to complete the mission, but clearly, he failed me." He tried to suck in more air but it's a futile effort. "Once the procedure was complete, your brother was sent to Helena Cassadine. She was familiar with my technique and she programmed him. You were supposed to die, but Henrik betrayed me."

"Why?" He truly doesn't understand how Helena Cassadine had survived for so long after hurting so many people.

"I don't know. He is deceitful and full of jealousy, but you owe your life to his rebellion."

Jason stood and moved to the other side of the bed and leaned over him. "Where is Henrik right now?"

"He's probably in plain sight using an alias. I'll tell you how to find him for a price."

Unwilling to play his game, Jason slightly pressed on his chest to cause pain as Faison held his breath. "No."

"You're not a good negotiator. You'll lie to me and kill me anyway even after you get the information you want."

"You're not worth lying to."

"At least you're honest. Fine, if you want to know about Henrik, then go talk to your brother."

"Drew knows Henrik?"

"He knows more than he realizes."

Finn burst into the room. "You can't be in here."

Jason stepped backward.

"I don't care if he dies, but I can't break the rules for you."

"When he dies, it won't be because of what just happened here."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Drew knocked on Jason's door.

"Come in," Jason said moving aside. He's exhausted and still trying to process everything.

"I went to the hospital and couldn't get in. What happened?"

"I spoke to him and got some information."

Drew sat. "Go on."

"He took me because of my skills."

"And me?"

"He found you by accident after realizing that his procedures won't work on me because of the brain damage."

Drew is surprised.

"He abducted you and Dr. Maddox did the mind mapping and then you were sent to Helena for programming."

"Wow."

"I was supposed to die."

Drew sighed. "What happened?"

"His son, Henrik, betrayed him and kept me alive. He says that he's here hiding in plain sight."

"Interesting…"

"I told Anna after I left the room and she is being very weird about it. I get that Faison traumatized her, but my instincts say something more is going on with her."

"You think she knows more than what she is saying?"

Jason nodded.

"Then we have some work to do."

They need to find and deal with Henrik because he's so dangerous. Jason is concerned that if Henrik finds out where Jake is located, that he could use him as leverage since Jake was also used as a pawn in Helena and Faison's sick game. Stan is searching as discretely as possible. Hopefully, Anna will not prove to be an enemy.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

A week later, Elizabeth is nervously waiting for one of their allies to arrive. It's a new partnership, so it's hard to prepare for it. Sal had been quiet, which makes them anticipate a major strike soon.

The door flew open and Vincenzo Vicari strode inside. He is in his forties, fit, with dark short hair and brown eyes. His muscles are covered with a dark navy suit and he has a mischievous glimmer in his eyes when he spots her. Very little pictures exist of this woman and he has a feeling that her maiden name is fake because there is no intelligence. She had just appeared in Italy one day out of nowhere which made her even more intriguing. The fact that she has taken on such a huge role in Maximus's absence has made her the subject of many conversations.

"Mrs. Giambetti, it's my pleasure."

His accent is pleasing to the ear. Elizabeth held out her hand as she stood. "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Vicari."

"Please, call me Vincent."

"And you may call me Elizabeth."

He nodded as they sat.

"First, I want to thank you for your allegiance in these tenuous times."

"You're welcome. Thank you for allowing a few of our shipments to come through your ports."

"It was the least I could do."

His eyes narrowed and sniffed. "What is that smell?"

Liz slightly smirked and then handed him a tin. "It's my brownies."

His brow is crooked. She is so tiny and her skin is like porcelain. It's hard to think of her in such a harsh environment, but he had heard reports where she had been ruthless. It's an interesting dichotomy.

He opened it and took one, biting into it slowly. "These are fabulous."

And just like that, he relaxed, and she could tell it will be a successful venture. Not only will he help them should something happen, but he has access to some weaponry that may be needed. Normally, the Cosa Nostra in Sicily stays to itself. They don't have international interests or do business with the Italian mafia, but Maximus is always stretching the boundaries and this alliance with the Vicari family who are in Naples and are allowing Maximus to work out of their port is turning heads.

"You may take the rest with you."

"Thank you. My daughter will love these."

"How old is she?"

He groaned. "She's about to turn seventeen and she's driving me crazy."

Liz smiled. "She's around my son Jake's age."

"How are your children handling this change in your occupation?"

Francis had said it's okay to lightly discuss family. "Aidan is with his father, so he's out of the loop, and as you know, my other two work for Maximus."

"Did you ever see this happening to you?"

"Never in a million years, but Maximus has been very good to me and I will do whatever it takes to get him back here safely."

The conviction and strength in her eyes are unwavering.

"So, you think he is still alive?"

"Yes. He is of no use to Sal dead, at least at this point because Sal wants to take down the organization and for Maximus to watch it burn."

"You have lost a few warehouses, right?"

"Yes, but that was within the first few days. We have eliminated some threats and struck back. I'm sure he is planning something, but we are trying to anticipate his moves and defend appropriately."

He likes that she didn't say react.

"What can I do?"

"I would appreciate it if you could just watch our backs. Let Johnny know if you hear or see anything amiss."

"I can do that, especially if you keep the brownies coming."

She smiled. "I will be willing to send you care packages."

He grinned. "Well, I have another meeting to attend, but I am glad that I finally got to meet you."

"I feel the same way."

They stood.

"Take care," he said before shaking her hand.

"You do the same."

She let out a long breath when the door shut. Now she gets why Jason hated these kinds of meetings. It's a bit nerve-wracking.

Francis moved into the room. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." They were listening from the other room.

"You did well."

"Thanks! It's hard to gain a sense of how someone is because I know the image that they put out doesn't always match with who they really are."

"True, but from what I can gather, he has an even temper. The organization had never tried to expand. They are happy with their piece of the pie."

"Well, hopefully, our alliance will benefit us."

"His enforcer is very good and feared. That helps."

"How is Jake doing?"

"He's fine. Like Jason, he simmers below the surface."

"If I ask you a certain question, will you answer?"

He shrugged. "You're the boss."

"Has he killed anyone yet?"

"No, but he has injured someone."

Liz fought a cringe. "And?"

"He handled it fine."

"Jason always did what he had to, but that doesn't mean it didn't take a toll."

"Well, taking away someone's life should never be done unless it's absolutely necessary, otherwise, we'd just be serial killers instead of murders." It's a harsh existence and part of him hopes that Jake will change his mind eventually.

"What's next?"

"We're going to smuggle out a shipment tonight, so you have some paperwork to sign."

She groaned.

"You're as bad as Jason."

She smirked. "I wish he was here."

"Me too." They could use him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason listens as Spinelli fills him in about Nathan dying. It's ironic that Nathan's father was the one who ended his life.

"Maxie must be devastated."

"Yes, she is."

"We need to figure out Anna's angle."

"Agreed," Spinelli said.

"She kept going on and on about me not hurting Henrik. It doesn't make sense."

Spinelli thinks for a moment. "It's almost like she's emotionally vested."

Jason's mind is running a mile a minute. "I have to go. Unfortunately, I need to go to the reading of Faison's will."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason sat at a table with Sam, Drew, Diane, and Anna.

Diane reads the will. "To Andrew Cain, I leave the one thing you want the most; a way to restore your memories."

"Do you think this is true?"

"A detailed account of Andre Maddox's medical research including the way to reverse the procedure is locked in my safe. The executor of the will, once certain parameters are met, can release this information to you."

"What parameters?" Sam asked.

"I think that is in the next part," Diane said. "To Jason Morgan, I leave the last known alias and last known whereabouts of my son, Henrik. This information is locked in the safe with Dr. Maddox's notes. Only my executor has the ability to release them and it shall only be shared upon the death of one or the other."

Jason and Drew stared at one another.

"Is that legal?" Anna asked.

"I assure you that it is legal."

"This is typical Faison. He always has to cause the most amount of damage and suffering; even from his grave he's pitting the two of you against each other."

"Faison is leaving his estate to his son."

"He just wants Jason and Drew to destroy each other," Sam said.

"Exactly…" Anna said.

"Faison is just dangling this information. Andre only had one copy and there is no proof that another exists."

"I agree. Faison always relished his ability to make everyone run around in circles."

"There has to be a way to contact the executor," Jason said.

"That is where the plot thickens. The solicitor died shortly after the will was filed."

"Then how did you get them?" Anna asked.

"They were messaged to me from Switzerland."

"There has to be a contact," Drew said.

"The bank said there is no additional information. He must have left a person in place but there is no indication of who it might be."

Drew sighed. "I think this is a waste of time."

"No, let's finish this," Sam said.

Diane got up and gave Anna a sculptor of Freya. She is the Goddess of fertility, beauty, love, and death."

"That's so creepy," Sam said.

"I don't want it," Anna said.

"At least have it appraised. You could get some decent money for it."

"Fine, sell it."

"You name the charity and I will get it done."

"Great. Is there anything else?"

"Now, the remainder of the estate goes to his son as I said."

"Which one? Is there any more information about Henrik?"

"No. There's one more thing." She has been dreading this the most.

"Why do I feel like I'm going to be sick?" Sam muttered.

"There was a letter. Apparently, it was also sent to Franco who has skipped town."

Drew frowned. "What did he do?"

"He donated some sperm."

Jason is wondering where this is going.

"Helena was there when Franco faked your rape."

"What!" Anna said.

Sam is mortified.

"I'm sorry, Sam, but she had you injected with Franco's sperm and then they faked the test results for Danny."

A tear runs down Sam's face. "Why would she do that? We thought it was Franco's baby at first. Wouldn't that have been her revenge?"

"She wanted to hurt you and Franco wanted to hurt Jason. Eventually, she knew the truth would come out over time which would cause more pain."

Jason abruptly stood. "Did Franco know?"

"Yes. I think he ran because he was scared that you'd kill him."

"I'll take care of Franco," Drew said. He has plenty of past contacts he can dig up who will have no problem taking that piece of shit out. Later, he'll reach out to a few. He held Sam as he watched his brother who is standing by the window. Now, he had a lost seven years of his life, his wife, and a son. How much more can one person take?

"We'll run a DNA test. We still have a sample of Jason's blood on file and Franco's. I'll get it rushed," Anna said.

"Thanks."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Drew leans back in his chair at the office and then there is a knock. "Come in."

Jason moved into the room. "Hey."

"Hi. What's going on?"

"I just thought we could brainstorm."

"Do you want to talk about what happened before?"

Jason shook his head. What is there to say? Franco again had fucked with his head and he hates that the man is getting away with it. He doesn't have time to deal with his feelings. Too much still needs to be done. "You have one month to end Franco, or I'll do it. He already shouldn't be breathing for what he did to Aidan, Joss, and Michael."

"Are you going to say that you're Danny's father?"

Jason sighed. "Danny doesn't even know me." It would be one thing if he was still with Sam, but now that they are divorced, he's not willing to go there.

"I think we shouldn't say anything until Franco is dead and then we'll let Danny know who he is and that his biological father has passed. He'll find out eventually and if we're not honest, Danny could turn on us later."

"True. A little boy shouldn't have to deal with a psycho being his father."

"I know." Drew motions for him to sit as his phone rings. "Hold on." He answered it and Jason can see his disappointment before it ends.

"Is everything okay?"

"That was my private investigator. Apparently, we got another false lead regarding Elizabeth. I swear, someone is planting them."

Jason frowned. "So, you're back up to full speed on that?" They had briefly chatted about getting Stan involved and putting their heads together, but that hadn't happened yet. He has been unable to find Francis and Johnny because their numbers have changed. The last he knew, they were in South America, but that had come up dry and Maximus is not answering his phone.

"Yes."

"What about Sam?" He's wondering if Drew wants Elizabeth again.

"She doesn't know."

Jason shifted. "Did you tell her you stopped?"

"No. She just assumed I did, and I didn't correct her."

"Why?" He's wondering if Drew has forgotten how vicious Sam can be when she feels she is wronged.

"I love Elizabeth and need some closure with her and the boys. That doesn't change my feelings for Sam, but I don't know that she would see it that way."

"Lies have a way of destroying relationships."

"I know. I'll talk to her about it."

"I want to help find Elizabeth and the kids. I already gave Stan the greenlight, but if we work together and exchange information, we'll find them faster." It's like finding a needle in a haystack and might take some time, but he needs all the details if they are going to make educated guesses.

Drew sighed. "Why do you want to find her?" He can't help but feel a little jealous.

"I need to see Jake and I want to make sure she and the boys are safe too."

"Do you still have love for her?"

"I always will. She meant a lot to me and she's the mother of my child."

"Elizabeth… I don't know what it is about her, but life was good and made sense when I was with her. I have to know that she is okay and happy and let her know that I don't hate her." He needs closure.

Jason nodded. "She's special." It's weird and disconcerting that Drew has his memories, for the most part. He feels some jealousy too.

"I know things are awkward between us, but I would like to try and be brothers and friends."

"It would be nice, but I don't have the best track record."

Drew grinned. "Yeah, I guess you don't, but I'm no AJ."

"Thank God."

They chuckled.

"Jason, I want to tell you something about Elizabeth, but at the same time, I'm scared you're going to think that I'm against the people you care about."

"Don't be. Just tell me and I'll listen."