A/N – Thanks for the comments! I'm so glad you guys liked the twist. Guest – re: Lucky and obligation. I do believe Liz loved Lucky and vice versa, but he got with her initially because he felt bad about his part in the rape and then he fell in love. She stayed with him partly because he came back from the dead and she felt bad because of what happened to him and she loved him. It was a mix of love, being stuck in the past, and obligation. Later, it was partly obligation, pleasing people, and not wanting to own up to her mistakes and choices or put her needs first. Love is one thing but being in love is another. Neither Liz nor Jason are in love with each other right now, but they will always have love for each other to an extent due to Jake and their time together. They have respect for one another. Both have good reasons to be fearful of rejection with each other. It's just Audrey, Lulu, and Carly in PC at this point. Lucky's in Ireland. Thanks for sharing your opinion. Other guest re: Jason's "bland" response, Jason can do not right with some of you. Lol Jason usually tries to keep his emotions in check and why wouldn't he anyway? It's not like he's in love with Liz. I feel sorry for Jason because he still started opening his heart to Danny, so it hurts, and he has also been through so much more than that. For some reason, Liz tends to get more sympathy and I will never understand why.

Chapter 24

Drew cleared his throat. "Before everything blew apart, I had pushed Sonny and Carly away. Carly hates Elizabeth."

"Yeah, I know." It drove me crazy that Carly constantly felt the need to mark her territory like she was peeing on his leg. Her hatred towards Elizabeth was boarding on psychotic.

"I heard them talking one day and dissecting your past relationship with Elizabeth. It wasn't pretty. I asked Sonny to help me find her, but he never gave it much effort because he didn't want that, and he thought that he couldn't control me if she were around."

Jason shook his head. "I was going to ask you about that. Go on."

"I just feel like Sonny may have said something to Elizabeth to make her leave. Carly was very mad and then Elizabeth took off that night. I know I'm reaching, but it's just a gut feeling. They never supported my love for her. Carly was glad she was gone."

Jason was quiet for a long moment. "I don't know what to say but if he had anything to do with her leaving, he'll have to answer to me." It's sad that he would even consider that his supposed best friends would stoop that low, but unfortunately, they never could understand his connection to Elizabeth and always say they are doing things to protect him when it never works out that way. It wasn't far-fetched at all. "I wish Max was still here. Maybe I should give him a call."

"I did ask him before he left, but he would always look away and say he didn't know anything."

"Max would usually look me in the eye."

"Oh, he did, unless I was asking about her."

"Interesting… Do you remember who I told to protect Elizabeth if anything should happen?"

Drew thought back. He doesn't have every single memory that Jason holds. It's something he has learned along the way. "No. I remember people, but not every conversation."

"I asked Johnny O'Brien and Francis Corelli to take care of her if something bad went down. Johnny started doing some jobs for Maximus at some point, so Max and Paulie were probably their links."

"Paulie never approached me."

"He was probably wary of the situation. He wouldn't betray Maximus or give away Liz's position."

"So, you think that Max is the one that got Elizabeth out of the country?"

"Possibly. Elizabeth is resourceful though. Nikolas also had the resources and would have probably felt he owed her, so he could have helped her as well."

"True. Even if she started with his help, she may have disappeared afterward. Where is Nikolas now?"

"I have no idea."

Drew sighed. "I'll have my people look into it."

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Jason looks around his new place that Carly set up. Drew's words about his so-called friends are rattling in his head, but he decides not to confront her now. He prefers to let her sink herself. Besides, he wants to find out more from Max before he makes a move, so he knows what he is dealing with. "It's nice."

"I'm glad you like it. I set up Danny's room too."

Jason sighed. "Carly, there is something that you need to know."

She can see how serious he is and sat on the couch. "Does Sam not want you to see him?"

"It's not that. At the reading of Caesar's will, we found out that Danny is Franco's."

She is speechless. "He raped her?"

"No, Helena used his sperm and injected it into Sam."

"Wow. That poor little boy. Are you still going to claim him?"

"No, I'm not. He doesn't know me, and you can't tell anyone. Let Sam and Drew decide when to make it public."

She nodded. "Sam must be reeling."

"I assume that she is, but I haven't spoken to her."

"I'm sorry. You've lost so much." She hugs him and doesn't notice that he didn't return it.

"I'll be fine."

"Are you sure it's over with Sam?"

"I'm not going back to her. I'm done."

"Jason…"

"Carly, she made her choice and has stabbed me in the heart so many times since I came back; like my feelings don't even matter, that I would never go back to her. Hell, I shouldn't have the last two times when it comes down to it."

"You don't mean that."

"Yes, I do. She hurt Jake and I let her back in because I didn't want to be alone and thought I didn't deserve better. If she was a man, she'd be dead. I let guilt eat away at me, but it's still no excuse."

"All of that was Elizabeth's fault."

"Excuse me?"

"She had you so messed up, but you refuse to see it. She made you feel that you weren't enough so much so that you walked away from your son."

"Elizabeth didn't force me to do anything."

"No, but she treated you like your feelings didn't matter and asked you to let my idiot cousin raise your son. She made you feel like you couldn't keep them safe and chose a drug addict over you; one who hates you. You put her on a pedestal and never called her on her shit."

"Enough! I'm not discussing her with you, but Carly, no matter what Elizabeth did, she didn't deserve this life. My son probably hates me for walking away. God, I was such a coward." He had been thinking about his life a lot and the choices he had made to his detriment.

"Don't you ever say that! There is nothing wrong with you. After all, she has done, you deserve better than what she has to offer."

"There is something wrong with me, but you just don't care. Friends call each other out on their shit instead of kissing each other's asses. While I appreciate that you have my back, I'm wrong sometimes. I'm human and make mistakes; some I can't take back. I'm not trying to make excuses for myself."

"Like I do?"

He shrugged. "Take that how you want. I'm going to find my son and hope to God that it's not too late to ask for forgiveness and make amends—if I can. I'm also going to apologize for Elizabeth for being such a stupid idiot."

Her eyes darken. There is no way in hell she'll let him within a mile of Elizabeth. Sonny better find that bitch first and end her or she'll make him pay.

"Well, if you're a stupid idiot, then she is just brain-dead because after you died—"

"Stop right there. I will find out all I need to know about anything she did when I was gone from her mouth. I don't need to hear your version especially after you slept with Franco. You have no right to judge anyone."

Carly recoiled. "So, you don't forgive me?"

"After thinking about it, I don't know if I can. Is Michael ever going to come first with you?"

Her mouth dropped open as he yanked the door almost off its hinge.

"I think you should leave. I've heard enough and I don't think you're capable of keeping your mouth shut where Elizabeth is concerned, so just get out."

A stunned Carly slowly moved into the hallway. "I love you, Jason. Always remember that."

His response was to shut the door in her face.

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Things are heating up in Palermo.

"They put a mark on Milo's head," Francis said.

"What!" Liz said shutting the door to the office.

"He'll have to go in hiding."

Liz threw up her hands. "Just great…"

"Sal is upping the stakes. I think he'll make another move soon and I'm anticipating that it will be our biggest warehouse."

"Is it empty?"

"Yes. There are no workers there either. We split everything up to spread it out."

"Good."

"You're doing a great job, Elizabeth." She treated the men like family, and they responded to that. Maximus was fair but could be heavy-handed. Elizabeth made sure they were fed and took breaks. She was tough if someone screwed up, but for the most part, everyone was happy to be working under her leadership. Even under tenuous circumstances, they wanted to make her happy. The brownies were just a bonus. "You need to get some sleep though." The baking late at night is taking a toll.

"Baking relaxes me."

"I know, but if I can see the strain, then so can the men."

"Alright, no baking tonight, but when everyone gets upset, I'm sending them to you."

Francis grinned. "Deal."

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Jason called Max and is surprised when neither he nor Maximus answered. After trying Milo's number, the call didn't go through and he has a sinking feeling and just hopes it's because their numbers have changed.

He moved into the hospital and heard a gasp.

"Oh, my God," Piph said loudly. She had just gotten back to town after visiting her son.

Jason strode toward her. "It's me."

"How?"

"You've missed a lot."

"I'll say." To his surprise, she grabbed his arm and pulled him into an empty bay. "Spill…"

He quickly ran down what had happened in her absence and she was floored.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay and I'm sorry you've missed so much time."

"Me too. How is Stan?"

She smiled and pulled out his phone. "See for yourself…"

He looked at a few pictures and smiled. "The baby is cute."

"His middle name is J. for Jason."

Jason averted his eyes giving Piph a chance to hit her son's numbers.

"What's up? Miss me already?" Stan asked.

"I have someone here you need to see."

She turned the phone.

"Holy Shit."

"Stanford!" his wife said in the background making Piph chuckle.

"Hey," Jason said.

Stan smiled. "It's good to see you, man." They had agreed not to let his mom know that Jason had been in touch. He had purposely never changed his number once he had gotten settled to make sure that Jason could find him if need be.

"Thanks. I'm glad things are working out for you."

"They are." He got up and grabbed the baby who smiled.

"He's cute." Jason didn't know that Stan has a child. They had only talked a few times and hadn't seen each other. After sending a code word to Stan, the younger man had answered him immediately, shocked, when Jason explained about Drew.

"He takes after me."

Jason chuckled.

"I know you're probably busy, but if you need me, I'm here."

"Thank you."

Piph took the phone back and said goodbye.

"Are you back with Sam?"

"No."

Piph is shocked. "You are just full of surprises."

"Yeah. I'm going to find Elizabeth and the kids."

She was silent for a long moment. "I have a feeling you will."

"I have to go meet my mom."

Piph nodded and watched as he left and then dialed her phone. "Come on, Elizabeth, pick up." When the phone just kept ringing and didn't go to voicemail, she cursed under her breath. That number is the only way to get ahold of her friend. She'll have to try again tomorrow.

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Jason finally reached a contact in Italy and was briefly told about the kidnapping, so he headed for Sonny's.

"Maximus and Max have been kidnapped."

Sonny is shocked. "Are there any leads?"

"No."

"I think Milo must be in charge. The person I spoke to didn't say and rushed to get off the phone."

"Come again?" The younger Giambetti is probably hyperventilating constantly.

"I know."

Sonny thought for a moment. "I feel like we should at least go over there and show our support."

Jason nodded. "I can be on a plane in a few hours. I won't stay long."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Max was loyal and I don't want to see him hurt. Maybe my presence will help resolve it."

"Okay. Take the jet and let me know when you land."

"Thanks. I'm going to swing over to Switzerland on the way back and see if I can find out any information about what Faison said in his will."

"That sounds like a good plan."

"Oh, and Sonny?"

"Yes?"

"When I get back, we're going to have a long talk about Elizabeth. It's past due."

As soon as Jason had shut the door, Sonny was on the phone to Carly to find out what Jason is talking about and wondered if he knew something.

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Drew sighed. "Sam, I didn't say what I did to hurt you."

"I just don't understand why you didn't tell me."

"I knew you wouldn't understand."

"Then help me out here. Elizabeth left and took your son. She lied to you and kept you away from Danny and your life. Why do you still need to find her?"

"I need to talk to the kids and tell her that I don't hate her. It's about resolution. I'm not in love with her anymore, but I still care about her."

A tear rolled down Sam's face. "No."

"What?"

"I said, no."

Drew gave her a look.

"I am fighting for our family."

"This doesn't have anything to do with our family and we're fine."

"I just don't get her hold on you."

"I had no one and she was there and gave me a family to love. I fell in love with her. It's as simple as that."

Sam spun around. "I'm going to bed."

"You're mad."

"You're damn right I am," she said spinning around. "Why don't my feelings matter to you?" Maybe this was karma for treating Jason the way she had.

"They do. I love you."

"Well, you have a funny way of showing it."

Drew sighed. His phone rang and he answered it.

"Hey. I just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving town," Jason said.

"Why?"

"Max is missing in Palermo, so I'm going to see if I can help. Afterward, I'm stopping in Switzerland to see if I can pick up any leads," Jason said.

"Do you want backup?"

Sam glared as Jason's eyes widened.

"Are you sure you want to be in this mess. Palermo can get rough."

"I can handle myself. I just—this is about getting my memories back, so I want to be there."

"Okay. Meet me at the jet in an hour."

"See ya."

Sam waited for him to slip his phone in his pocket. "Who was that?"

"Jason. He needs to take care of something in Palermo and then he's going to Switzerland. He's leaving soon."

"You think you can find some information there?"

"Yes, at least I hope so. Sam, I know you are willing to marry me to prove your love, but is there any part of you that wants Jason back?"

Sam averted her gaze. "It's complicated."

"So, that's a yes?"

She wiped a tear away.

"I know this has been hard and I love that you wanted to be with me, but it will just hurt me further if you decide to be with him later."

"I didn't want to hurt either one of you."

He hugged her from behind. "It's okay. Just be honest with me."

"I look at him and it's so hard because all of my memories are with his face and then I look at you and can't deny the love I feel for you. For the last five years, you are the one that I wanted. It doesn't matter anyway, Jason said that we're through."

"I don't want you to settle for me."

She sighed. "I'm not. I chose you. Can we talk about this when you get back?"

He nodded wondering if this is the beginning of the end. "Okay."

"The results came back. Danny is Franco's…"

He wiped away a tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry. Do you want me to stay?"

"Franco won't be an issue, right?"

"No.

"Then go. The three of us will talk to Danny when you get back."

They laced their fingers together and went upstairs.

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Jason looked up when Drew boarded the plane.

"We'll be there first thing in the morning." He had sent a text to Stan to do some research on Maximus and Max, but the hacker is probably sleeping. Babies can be exhausting.

"Any news on the Giambetti's?" Drew buckled his seatbelt.

"The guy called me back, but he's undercover right now, so couldn't talk. All I know is that Max's wife is running things and Milo just had to go into hiding because there is a bounty on his head."

"Max got married?"

Jason shrugged. "It was a surprise to me too."

The planed edge forward and soon they were in the air.

"Danny is Franco's child."

Jason sighed. "Do you have someone on him?" Franco had done so much damage and it pisses him off that he was able to ingrate himself into Sam and Carly's life and that Michael had to see him all the time.

"Yes. They are en route."

"Good. I thought about what you said about Sonny and Carly."

"Since I have your memories, I get why they are in your life, but you have this blind loyalty to them and frankly, you should have stood up to them a long time ago."

"It's complicated."

"You needed to be needed."

"Get out of my head."

Drew smirked. "Think of it this way, if I don't get my memories back, when you're old and can't remember stuff, you can just ask me."

"Very funny…"

They sat in silence for a while.

"Are you scared of losing Sam if you get your memories back?"

"No. I should still feel the same. Long and short-term memories are stored in different places, so I guess it just depends on how they map it. Are you mad at Elizabeth for lying?"

"Yes and No. It didn't happen to me, even though it was about me, but I'm surprised she fought so hard to be with you. We both walked away several times, but no matter how I felt, it was her choice because she had the most to lose."

"You get a choice too and you chose to not fight. I think you are always trying to be unselfish when that tends to hurt you the most. You do it in all your relationships even with Sam. You let her get away with a lot and I get she always fought for you and most of the time she accepted your life, but shouldn't that have given you pause?"

"I couldn't have normal. At least, I didn't think I could. Sam was willing to take the risk. Elizabeth wasn't and frankly, I wasn't either when it came to her, Jake, and Cam."

Even though Drew has the memories, it doesn't mean he gets them.

"So, Sam's life was expendable, and Liz's wasn't?"

Jason sighed. "Sam could take care of herself."

Drew grinned. "Keep telling yourself that."

Jason fought a smirk. He has a point. Max always swore that one day she was going to get Jason killed. "It was either Sam or stay alone. No one else was willing to take the risk. She made me feel like I was worth fighting for. I guess I did the same with Carly. Even though she hurt me, she fought for me. Maybe I have a complex where that is concerned."

"I understand that feeling. Sam wore me down too. I didn't want to go there after all I knew, but her devotion felt good and I finally gave in. Honestly, I think you were so scared of loving Elizabeth hook, line, and sinker. If something would happen, and she walked away it would break you forever. That and if something happened to her, you would have lost your mind. Sam is mad at me for wanting to find her."

"There is bad blood there. Would you leave Sam for Elizabeth?"

"Ouch. If you had asked me that a year or so ago, I would have said yes. Now, we've built a life together and Elizabeth didn't even try to get in touch with me again. The kids are doing well, and I love working with her."

Jason averted his gaze.

"I'm sorry if that hurts you."

"I'm getting over it. Just don't invite me over for dinner anytime soon." Sam is the last person he wants to see right now.

"Deal."

"Let's go over where you have looked for Elizabeth

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Elizabeth rushed into the office. All hell is breaking loose as Sal finally makes a move, attacking one of their other warehouses which had some men still there from the late shift.

Carlos moved into the room. "Seven men are in the hospital, but they'll survive. They were able to escape before the blast."

"Where is Jake?"

Johnny sighed. "We don't know. He took off and was the one who warned everyone."

Elizabeth's knuckles turned white as she gripped the desk.

"We'll find him."

"How bad is the damage?"

"It's extensive and won't be up and running for a while."

"We have to strike back hard."

Carlos nodded. "I agree. His trucking business will hurt him the most." It's a dangerous game but it's buying them some time.

"Do we take out several trucks or the facility?"

Elizabeth is done playing games. "Take out the facility. Try to avoid mass casualties. He'll be busy cleaning up the mess and hopefully, mistakes will be made that will help us." This is like a giant game of Battleship.

"Okay,"

"We're going to need to make a decision about his family." She doesn't want to go there, but they have no idea of Maximus's condition.

"I know."

"See what you can find out."

Carlos left in search of answers.