A/N: Although no one has called me on my faux pas, in the last chapter I made it seem that no one knew Claudia was the one that hired the hit on Sonny. Yet in chapter 1 I clearly stated it. So there will be a little blurb in this chapter to atone for my mistake. Enjoy. Oh and I already disclaimed this story in the last chapter. If you need to read again, see chapter 17. ;-) PS: For Heather…sorry no smut but I'm fixing, I'm fixing. Hope you are feeling better.

Chapter 18

Jason always knew keeping a few of his old alternate identities would be beneficial. Back when Stan was working for him, what seemed like eons ago, he had no less than fifteen different identities set up with bank accounts in various cities in case he ever had to escape for a while. Stan would create whole lives in the different cities with the different social security numbers, addresses and names. The only similarity amongst any of them was that they were blond Caucasians with ice blue eyes nearly six foot tall.

Over the years, the money in the accounts had grown and stocks, bonds and CD's had matured as well. He had considered pulling all the money in when he and Maxie took off with the boys but he didn't want Spinelli to know about the other identities. He let them sit and kept the ID's and the credit cards and passports locked away where no one else would know. He felt guilty keeping the information from Spinelli but knew that if he ever really had to get lost forever, not a soul could know. Not even his most trusted friend.

So he booked a flight to Albany in the name of Presley Blue. He rolled his eyes at the names Stan gave him, always some similarity to either Elvis, Metallica or The Jackson Five. He could have booked under Michael M Towns or Lars Drummand. He was so obvious it was perfect. Lars the drum man and Michael of Motown or Elvis' blues or maybe it was Blue Hawaii. He and Stan both loved that movie. They loved all of Elvis' movies.

Mostly for the hot chicks.

Once his flight was booked he wrote down some information, lists and things people needed to know in the event of his demise. First he wrote the combination to the locks he had around the house. Always the same, zero four zero seven zero eight. The day he proposed to Elizabeth. He had considered changing the numbers a few months ago. It would really hurt Maxie to know what the numbers meant. But then, she didn't know. No one knew that he proposed to Elizabeth on that day. Even Spinelli. Spinelli knew he proposed to her but didn't know what day, only that it happened around the time of Michael's shooting.

Michael.

What would he do when he got to Port Charles? Should he go see Michael? Could he stay away from him? He knew what he had to do and he knew what he WOULD do but Michael was a mystery.

And it could do more harm than good to let Michael see him. He could not risk being caught. He couldn't risk anything that wouldn't bring him home to Maxie and the boys. He loved his life and would never give it up.

But he had an obligation to his old life and he had to follow through with a promise he made to a little boy in a coma in a hospital bed a long time ago.

He pulled out a clean piece of paper and started writing.

Princess,

To say I love you does not begin to tell you how I feel...

~%~%~%~%~%~

When Maxie woke up, the first thing she noticed was how empty their bed felt. It had only been a few months but Jason, his scent, his presence, his peace had completely engulfed her life. She instantly felt the chill of not feeling his arms around her or seeing the fresh latte sitting on her bedside table.

If she wasn't fully aware of yesterday's events, she would have thought he was just out doing his morning jog and got held up. She always woke up after him and when her latte wasn't waiting for her, he was usually just running late jogging. But he wasn't there. She didn't need to check the garage for his old duffel bag or test the weight of the strong box to know that Jason, his duffel bag and his guns were gone.

Last night as she cried herself to sleep she realized. Jason had said he couldn't tell her why he was leaving. He said he couldn't explain and that there was something he needed to do. She remembered those words would come from his mouth all the time when they lived in Port Charles and she was at the penthouse with Spinelli. He would run down the stairs, say a bunch of cryptic, vague things to Spinelli and grab his guns and leave. Then Spinelli would mutter some crazy Spinelli speak that would tell her all she needed to know.

He was going on a mission.

The realization of that healed and hurt her at the same time.

He wasn't leaving because of her. He loved her and they were still...them. But he WAS leaving his family behind to venture back into his old life and his old ways and for what?

What could be more important than her and the boys?

If it was Spinelli that was in trouble, he would have told her because he has to know that's the first phone call she was going to place.

Whatever Robin told him while they were talking out back was the reason why her cousin came here. And whatever it was, Jason took off immediately.

Sitting up in bed, Maxie tapped her perfectly manicured nail, done in a pretty spring pink with rhinestone daisy's on the pinkies. She needed to find out what or who he was going after. And her first call would be to Mac.

After she brushed her teeth and fixed a latte.

~%~%~%~%~%~

"What are you doing here today?"

"I'm dropping off Jake. It's Monday." Maxie replied to Sally curious as to why the daycare owner would wonder what she and Jake were doing there.

"Yeah but...well...Danny was working the third shift last night and ran into Jason. He said he had a family emergency and had to leave town for a little while. I just assumed..." The woman trailed off not understanding why if Jason had an emergency and was leaving town he wouldn't have taken Maxie and the boys with him.

"Oh yeah that. Well Cam's got a few more weeks of school and I have the boutique. Besides, it's just..." Maxie stopped herself from explaining.

If she said that Jason's father had a heart attack and Jason had told them his father was dead then they'd know she was lying...or think that Jason had lied before. And to come up with any other lie, he could have told a different story already.

Of course knowing Jason, he didn't lie. He just omitted the truth or skirted the truth so she backed up his vague explanation. "Yeah, he needed to tend to a family emergency but there was no reason for me and the boys to go. We decided it would be best if Cam and Jake and I stayed here."

There, that sounded both plausible and gave them nothing. Jason would be so proud of her.

"Well, whatever it is, I hope everything is okay. Danny said Jason looked pretty upset when he ran into him. We just assumed maybe someone had died or was going to die." The woman saw Maxie flinch and immediately placed her hand on Maxie's arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't say that right. I just hope everyone you love is okay."

"Yeah, me too." Maxie said pulling from her grasp and blowing Jake a kiss across the room when he turned to wave goodbye to her after hanging up his backpack on the hook with his name printed above it on the far wall.

She turned and left without another word.

~%~%~%~%~%~

Jason wondered if Maxie had found his note yet. He was driving from Albany in a rented car and couldn't stop thinking about Maxie. Her crying echoed through his brain as he replayed the night before.

He hated leaving her like that. She had to be confused and hurt. But he had no choice. Hopefully she would realize that he loved her. He had told her as much before he left but she was asleep, finally. The pillow under her head soaked with her tears.

He wanted to crawl into the bed and make love to her, show her how he felt about her, but his flight wouldn't allow even twenty minutes more of him staying there. He watched her breathe for a few moments and then hid the letter where only she would find it.

Suddenly as he drove around the winding cliff roads a thought occurred to him. What if she didn't find it? What if she was so mad at him that she didn't want to go somewhere or do something that was special to only the two of them?

He should have just left it on his pillow where she'd find it as soon as she woke up. But that would probably have caused her to simply shred the letter without opening it. Maxie's immediate reactions were always over the top and impulsive.

Of course she had been working on that aspect and was doing much better. But this situation was different.

And Robin putting all of the doubts in her head earlier that night didn't help. "Surely she knows Robin can't change my mind about her, doesn't she?" He looked at himself in the rearview mirror and could see the doubt cross his face.

He'd get to Port Charles, find a place to hide out while he gathered the information he needed and then buy a prepaid phone and call her. He couldn't tell her where he was or what he was doing but he could call her and tell her how much he loved her. But that could be risky. No contact was best.

He let out a long sigh. She just HAD to know how much he loved her.

"Please find the letter." He whispered to no one.

~%~%~%~%~%~

"Cameron I'm not going to tell you again. Get your butt in that chair and eat your damn dinner!"

"Ooooohhhh...you gotta put a toy in the swear box Maxie." Jake piped in from his seat at the table.

Maxie just glared at Jacob and the little boy ducked his head and quickly took a bite of his chicken.

Her whole day had been a disaster and it was all Jason's fault.

She called her father but he didn't answer his phone. She left a vague voice mail saying she just wanted to hear a friendly voice and that she'd call him next week. Then she broke her nail finishing up the laundry that she didn't get done the day before. Her next adventure was with the lawn mower. Jason hadn't finished the yard and with the way the grass had been growing, it would be impossible to cut after two weeks of growth.

Luckily Robbie came to her rescue on that one. He was over at his grandparents using his grandfather's table saw and watched Maxie fighting with the lawn mower.

Honestly, did they have to make them so difficult just to turn on? You can push a button to start a car but for a simple lawn mower, you had to hold down a handle and pull a cord and pump a little black button six times. Not seven and not five, six.

Robbie took pity on her and started it. Then when he saw that the mower was practically as big and heavy as her, he pushed her gently to the side and mowed the rest of the lawn for her. He even did the little diamond patterns that Maxie loved so much that Jason always did.

Jake got sick at daycare and she picked him up early and then when they went to get Cameron, the teacher said that he hit another boy at recess. Maxie brought him home and sent him to his room. Even though after the explanation that the other kid called him a 'nerd' raised the hairs on her own neck, she explained that words don't hurt and he was never to hit someone unless he was defending himself or someone smaller, like a girl or his little brother.

The conversation reminded her of the time she had hurt Spinelli with those same words but she was the adult and Jason didn't want his boys fighting so she did what she'd seen Jason do with Jake when Jake hit Monte O'Rourke at the park one day. Even if her first instinct was to high five Cameron and tell him to beat the hell out of the kid next time.

And that was why Cameron Alexander Webster was being so stubborn. She called him from his room to eat dinner and he promptly went to the couch and started watching TV. She demanded a few times he turn off the TV and eat but Cameron continued to ignore her.

If that was the way he wanted to play it, then fine.

Maxie stood from the table, picked up Cameron's plate of macaroni and cheese, peas and a chicken leg and placed it on the counter. Then she went to the TV and unplugged the power cord to the cable box and pointed, silently, toward the hall and Cameron's room.

Luckily he went without argument and she couldn't help but smirk when he stuck his tongue out at her while he walked by. It was exactly what she would have done. Again, she couldn't fault him for that and maybe that was why he was so mad at her.

He had very similar habits and maybe the boy knew she was punishing him for something she knows she would have done herself.

~%~%~%~%~%~

Jason hid in the bushes and watched as a noticeably pregnant Carly and Morgan strolled out of the house. They were all smiling and laughing. Then a tall, lanky boy with blonde hair and unmistakeable blue eyes, Lila's eyes, confronted them on the front porch.

It took all of his willpower to stay hidden.

Michael immediately yelled at his mother, accusing her of following him to his therapy and refused to believe that they were just leaving the house and hadn't been anywhere but home all day. He told her that he hated her and hated living there and hated the way everyone acted around him.

It was déjà vu for Jason.

He watched as Michael stormed off once a young brunette walked up. Jason thought he heard Carly call her Kristina but surely that young woman could NOT be the little girl that he knew so long ago.

Finally it was confirmed that the sixteen year old he saw was Kristina when Jax pulled up in his Jaguar and yelled to the girl driving away with Michael in the passenger seat to tell Alexis he said hello.

Realizing he needed to get out of there and not knowing where Michael and Kristina would be heading, he took a chance that they would go to Kristina's house and hoped Alexis still lived on the lake. He doubled back through the woods between the Jacks property and their neighbors toward the car he left on the next street.

Rounding the corner of the lake house, Jason watched as Alexis unlocked the door to her house, briefcase in hand and reached back pull the mail from the box. She called out for Molly and then Kristina and then exclaimed in shock.

Jason's instinct was to go to her. Someone was in her house and that startled her. She was under Sonny's protection and by extension, his, because she was the mother of Sonny's child. She still had ties to the mob no matter where the father's of her two children were. She and her girls would always be somewhat of a target. Especially if other mob bosses were trying to send messages to Sonny or Ric.

Especially Ric.

Jason had been keeping up with the trials sporadically on the internet although he had missed the part where Claudia was released. She had not been associated with Sonny's trial anyway. But Ric was. He was the lead witness and speculation was that Ric's turning states evidence would clear him of any of his wrong doing and afford him a full pardon for his involvement with the Zacharra Crime Family and he would be squired off to the Witness Protection Program.

If the FBI was smart, they would put several states between Jason Morgan and Ric Lansing.

No one could get to Sonny. Mac had assured him of that when he visited at Thanksgiving. But Ric…well who knew where Ric was. And as much as Jason knew that the FBI would do anything to keep their star witness out of harms way, Jason prayed someone would get him since he could no longer do it himself.

Just the thought of getting his hands on Ric Lansing made his mouth water. For years, ever since he locked Carly in the panic room when she was pregnant and hurt Courtney, he'd wanted to take his hands and wrap them around the little weasel's neck.

But the two brother's families were sitting targets. Carly was protected he knew. Jax would have a team of security to ensure Carly's and the boys' safety. And Max and Milo would never fully leave their charges. Max especially. He'd been there since Morgan's birth. But Alexis always shrugged security. She always stood offended that the underworld's criminal element would be better able to protect her when she was the District Attorney set out to eliminate said criminals from the streets of Port Charles.

Jason's thoughts were derailed when it was Sam that appeared at the door with her mother. She looked the same. Maybe a little thinner but the same. Her hair was longer and her skin darker. She was still a beautiful woman.

But Jason smiled realizing that he had absolutely no residual feelings for her.

She had done too much. Hurt too many people he loved. Sure she had made every attempt to make amends and after her help when Jake was kidnapped by the Russians, he worked to forgive her. But he could never forget.

She cost him too dearly. Even if being with Elizabeth would have only been a fleeting moment in time, Samantha McCall was instrumental in ensuring he never realized that dream. And THAT was what he could never forgive.

~%~%~%~%~%~

Day three and Maxie had not heard from Jason. She never tried his phone because he left them both sitting on the kitchen counter. No note, no goodbye. Just his wallet and his cell phone from the FBI and his personal cell phone. Jason Johnson's cell phone.

It was his way of telling her she wouldn't find him if she tried. So she didn't.

Mac had called her but she missed the call because she was busy with a difficult customer at the boutique. Honestly, some people think they are God's Gift to the world. And Julia Peyton-Wainwright sure did seem to think she was God's Gift.

Unfortunately she spent lots of her alimony in Georgie's Boutique so Maxie pasted on a smile and put up with her bullshit. Besides, Julia would never admit it, but it burned her ass that Maxie got the guy. Julia was always so obvious how she would throw herself at Jason. And she nearly caught him one night.

But Jason turned her down flat. Sent her home without so much as a 'see ya later'.

Jason had told her, only because she bugged him until he finally relented, that Julia practically attacked him at their house but aside from some harmless kissing, she never even got to see him with his shirt off and because she was so obvious, he quickly lost the desire to even try to get intimate with the shameless hussy.

That was Maxie new nickname for her. Shameless Hussy. It even was in the boutiques computer system. Sure the invoices or receipts would print out Julia Peyton-Wainwright but when Jason did the books, he'd see that Shameless Hussy had bought five hundred dollars worth of purses or shoes.

However, Julia had unknowingly just given her some valuable information. As the Banquet Manager of the Tampa Airport Hilton Hotel, Julia had asked if she was enjoying her time while her cousin was in town. When Maxie asked, she explained that Robin had asked her how to get to Georgie's Boutique and when Julia mentioned she knew the owner and to be sure to mention her, Robin explained she was her cousin and was in town to surprise her. Julia promptly gave her directions to their house in Largo but was surprised the next day to see Robin eating breakfast in the revolving restaurant at the top of the hotel. Then she looked down her nose and asked why her cousin was staying in a hotel instead of staying with her, Jason and the boys. Then she had the nerve to intimate that Maxie wouldn't allow another woman in her home around her man.

Maxie just rolled her eyes. Normally that would have been all she needed to jump feet first into a fight along with a plot to embarrass the woman in public. Called her out as the tramp that she was or announce how she certainly didn't have to run HER out of their home because Jason had done that of his own free will.

But she didn't. Not so much because she was a customer, more because now she was on a different mission.

"Brittany, you're on your own. I probably won't be back today. Lock up for me and make sure you call Mrs. Friedman and let her know her fitting for the cocktail dress is scheduled for next Tuesday and Dr Friedman's Marc Jacobs tux is in. Then print out the list of girls who bought prom dresses. I'll get the boys to make up the tickets with their names on it so we can pull them from the bowl at Prom Friday night." She turned and looked at the beautiful young woman who worked for her. She had really morphed, with Maxie's help over the past year, and Maxie couldn't help but be proud of her accomplishment. The soon-to-be high school graduate was the all American girl.

She had died her hair a honey blonde, very similar to Maxie's. She even was using Maxie's hair dresser. It was cut into a cute bob that was long enough to wear up or down. The highlights looked sun kissed and her skin gave a soft golden glow. Her new contacts made her eyes a brilliant green and the braces had finally been removed so her teeth were perfect. She would no doubt be the prettiest girl at prom in her new Vera Wang gown. A graduation gift from Maxie, Jason and the boys.

"Okay Maxie. Is everything okay?" The girl asked knowing it was most definitely unlike Maxie to leave early on a Wednesday. Usually that was her night to work until at least five and usually closing at seven thirty getting ready for the next day's stock order.

"Everything's fine. Oh, did you have Joey give my name to the limo company? The owner owes me a favor and you may as well collect it for me. You shouldn't have to pay for any more than an hour's rental and have the car all night."

"Joey said the woman not only gave us a huge discount on the cost but upgraded us. We're going in the Hummer." Brittany bounced and clapped and Maxie smiled as she logged off of the computer and grabbed her Luis Vuitton city bag.

"Good, take care. I'll see you tomorrow." She yelled over her shoulder as she walked out the door headed for her new Camaro.

She was on a mission. She had questions and needed answers.

And now…she knew where to find them.

~%~%~%~%~%~

Jason had been tracking Claudia for two days now. The woman had moved back into her family's home in Crimson Point. Johnny was there too. It appeared Johnny was running a faction of his fathers Mafia Organization right under the noses of the FBI with Luke's help but with the reappearance of his sister, he was having trouble.

It always amazed Jason how hard it was for the PCPD and the Fed's to gather information but yet it always seemed to come to him so easily. A vague phone call, a jacked up underboss caught buying drugs or a prostitute that didn't care what she had to do or say as long as she got paid for her time.

And the stupid men, like Lucky, who's own father was involved, spent his day wire tapping phones that the mafia knew were tapped or digging through garbage dumps that had nothing stashed in them but spoiled food and old newspapers.

Johnny had been doing fine running the gambling casino boat with Luke and laundering money from his shipments of guns into Pier 23 which he had disguised as a U-Stor-It facility. One quick pick of the lock and a quick and covert tour through the warehouse showed he was running guns. But now he was having trouble. Crystal offered that information. Apparently she was the regular girl who worked the pier and the Port Captain used her services regularly. He had told her recently that the 'boss' was having troubles with the Fed's snooping around lately. And it was because his sister was out.

Claudia Zacharra always wanted the business, wanted to be in the business and wanted to be respected and in charge but rarely handled any job well. Hits were missed, too many people let in on deals. Too many decisions made off the cuff and not thought through and she ruled with her emotions.

Something you cannot do and be successful in the mob.

It was the one thing that always got Sonny in trouble and one of the main reasons Jason gave up trying to have a life and a family while he was in it. Emotions and Mafia dealings were like oil and water.

Again why Jason was so successful and respected in the industry. He was feared. He was strong. He was fair. He was logical. He was NOT emotional.

As Maxie explained to him long ago, he was emotionless.

At least Jason Morgan was.

Now he was sitting in a car across from Kelly's Diner, watching Claudia and some man he couldn't see in the side alley talking. More like arguing from his point of view.

She was the reason he was there. He always knew that Claudia was involved in Michael's shooting. But she was in custody and there was no way to get to her. Yet he had promised Michael and himself, not to mention Sonny and Carly, that he would make the persons involved pay. Ian Devlin was the first one and he killed that man without even spending the night in jail. But the trail had ended there until Anthony Zacharra outed his daughter's involvement. But he did so while they were at the PCPD and Mac immediately put Claudia in custody and not long after Jason had Maxie and the boys and was off to start a new life.

One that he loved and would never give up.

However, when Robin told him that the woman responsible for Michael's years long coma was walking free, he couldn't let it be. He made promises. And this promise he intended to keep.

He pulled his binoculars out to take a closer look. Before he pulled his binoculars to cover his eyes, he watched Michael, Carly and Morgan walk across the street. Kristina ran up to Michael and another little girl with chocolate ringlets was running behind her.

That must be Molly. He thought as he watched the two little girls interact with his nephew and his Godson.

He was amazed to see Michael walking and talking and laughing. He was more amazed at how everyone had changed. Carly looked to be in her eighth or ninth month of pregnancy and Kristina was now driving. Morgan was a tall gawky pre-teen with braces and Molly was the same. Actually Molly looked like that little girl on TV that Cameron and Junior were in love with. Carly from iCarly. The boys never missed an episode.

Carly.

Jason had debated over the course of the three days he'd been lurking unnoticed around Port Charles whether he should go see Carly and the boys. He wanted to see Carly just to hear her voice and let her know he was okay and hopefully learn she was too. He trusted her with his life and knew she would always have his back no matter what. If he said no one could know he was there, she'd die before saying anything.

He wanted to talk to Michael too. Tell him how glad he was that his life was back and that he was sorry for his role in causing him to nearly lose it. And he wanted to tell Morgan how lucky he was to have a mother and a brother like Carly and Michael and that he still loved him and missed the little boy.

But one thing he knew by day two. His intrusion in their lives right now wouldn't be for the better. They were happy, they were wholesome and they were living a good life. Jason dropping in would only open up old wounds and possibly cause Michael even more anger and frustration

Yes, Robin was right. The boy was angry. He'd seen him take it out on his mother twice already. And one guy who looked to be his same age that Kristina was hanging around. Michael really nailed that kid. Jason felt damn right proud when he saw the guy take three shots to the face before he even knew what hit him.

Jason had always told Michael that the element of surprise was his greatest weapon.

Nope he couldn't interfere with their life. Not now.

Movement in the corner of his eye caused him to look to his right. Someone, he couldn't tell who yet, was moving in to take pictures of Claudia and her male associate in the alley.

Apparently Claudia was still under surveillance. But by whom?

Sensing that there were way too many people on the block that could recognize him, he started the car and pulled away.

Next stop…The Quatermaine Mansion.

~%~%~%~%~%~

Hotels were so easy. There was really no privacy if you just knew the right questions to ask and the right people to ask them of. You didn't even have to pay for the information. Just bat your eyes and flirt a little and bellhops were like putty in your hands. And room service attendants. And waiters. And…

It took her only five minutes and two men to get the hotel room number.

Now, standing in front of twelve o five, the brass plate was glaring at her. All of a sudden her insecurities crept in and ridiculous notions and scenarios popped into her head.

The worst one being…What if Jason was in there?. With Robin.

She shook her head to try to eradicate the thought. But it wouldn't go and now she had a full head of steam while imagining putting her fist up Jason's nose and shaving her cousin bald.

Suddenly the door opened and she was face to face with Robin.

"MAXIE!" Robin exclaimed surprised at the blond pixie's presence at her door. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Why who's here?" However, Maxie stuck her head and shoulders past Robin and looked in the doorway to see if anyone else was in there.

"Who are you looking for?" Robin asked stepping back into the room and rolling her luggage back up against the wall.

"No one" Maxie sing songed as she moved further into the room and continued to look in all corners and behind the door. "Why were you so surprised to see me? I mean you are visiting the town I live in and you haven't called or come back to the house since Sunday."

"I…I didn't think you wanted to see me."

"Well you were right. You were cruel and mean and said some awful things to me."

"I know, I'm sorry. I just…I can't believe…"

"Well believe it. Jason's MINE now." Maxie claimed possession with bravado. "Of course you had another agenda to come see us now didn't you."

"What do you mean Maxie?"

"You know very well what I mean. Honestly Robin, trying to play dumb doesn't suit you. It'd be like me trying to play a virgin. Just doesn't fit your MO. Now where's Jason? What did you tell him and why did he take off in the middle of the night without a word?"

"Jason left?"

"OH don't act like you didn't know." Maxie scoffed as she finished her search of the room and determined that not only was Jason not there now but he hadn't been there at all.

Just certain tell tale signs you notice when living with a person. Like the fact that the toilet paper roll was pulling from the under side. It was a pet peeve of Jason's. The roll should always pull over top. And no matter where he was, he would correct it.

Also, there were toothpaste remnants in the sink. Jason hated that. And the ice bucket was empty. Jason always made sure the ice was filled to capacity when they were traveling for that year. Although that could have had something to do with the fact that he usually filled an already full ice bucket right after their many, many arguments and was usually counting to ten on his way out the door.

But still…the ice bucket hadn't even been filled once and was still upside down on the little tray with the plastic bag neatly folded next to it.

So Jason wasn't here and he hadn't been here.

But Robin still knew something. Maybe not exactly where he was but she knew something.

"I don't know where Jason is Maxie and wouldn't that be for Jason to decide to tell you? If he wanted you to know where he was, he would have said. Why, when did he leave? Hasn't he called you?"

Robin's suddenly worried look on her face caused Maxie to panic a little. Her instinct was to say one of the boys was sick or hurt. If Robin knew anything that could possibly clue her in on where Jason took off to, his sick children would make her relent. But she didn't. Jason and his damn moral code and her stupid promise of no more lying.

Besides, it could backfire since Robin was a full fledged doctor and all.

Suddenly she just felt exhausted. She flopped down onto the king sized bed. "Fine, don't tell me. Keep me in the dark just like Jason is. Forget the fact that I'm here and I matter too. Forget that I love him more than I've ever loved anyone in my life and I'm scared and worried and miss him. Forget that I'm your cousin, no matter what you may think of me, I've always had your back…"

By now she was crying but it was genuine. She wasn't putting on the waterworks for show to coerce any information. She truly was just upset and her emotions were getting the best of her.

The past three days had been the worst in over six months.

"You really do love him don't you?" Robin handed her a tissue and she took it, looking at it and crinkling her nose because it was a generic brand that wasn't soft nor did it have the aloe like Jason always bought.

"He's the love of my life." Maxie turned to look up at her cousin. "I've never known what that was until now. I thought Jessie was, and Coop after that. But now…I know I was wrong."

Robin sat down next to her cousin and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She didn't say anything. She just hugged her.

"Is Patrick the love of your life?"

"I think so." Robin finally spoke. "But I think I've had three because honestly, I think I've lived three lives.

"I don't understand."

"Of course Patrick…and Emma…they are my life and yes, Patrick is the love of my life but…well, with Stone, he was the love of my life too. My life then, before HIV." Maxie nodded remembering when she was little how in love Robin and Stone were. "Then Jason…He was the love of my life when I was learning to live with HIV. He was so supportive and loving and non judgmental. He supported me and didn't shy away from me."

Robin was now lost in her own thoughts. "Didn't I ever tell you and Georgie a long time ago how Jason was the one who found out everything there was to know about HIV when he found out Stone and I had it? Of course he was Jason Quartermaine back then but when he woke up, after his coma, when he was Jason Morgan, he still remembered all of that knowledge. He wasn't afraid to kiss me or hold me or…have sex. I was…I was deathly afraid but not Jason."

Robin stood and moved to the window. Another tell tale sign Jason wasn't there. Open curtains in a hotel room were practically outlawed while they were on the run.

"Then Jason became the guy who fixed things for me. He always made everything better."

"Is that why you're here?"

"No…maybe."

"What does that mean Robin?"

"I don't know…I honestly didn't come here to start trouble or to…"

Suddenly Maxie's phone rang and when she saw the caller ID she could not hit the 'Talk' button fast enough.

"Mac, I'm so glad you called." Maxie's bright bubbly voice and big wide smile faltered when she watched her cousin from across the room waving her arms in silent plea to NOT tell her father that his niece was standing in front of her.