PART SIX
Elizabeth worked out her shift, trying to get the sound of Jason's voice out of her mind, changing out of her uniform, she was leaving when she heard someone calling out her name.
Turning to see Carly Jacks standing there, she counted to ten and asked what the blond wanted.
"I need to talk to you real quick," she said. Then acting like it hurt added "Please."
"Fine, but I do have plans this afternoon so let's combine my lunch with your need to talk."
"The Metrocourt Restu-"
"No, we can stop at the tea shop near the hospital, they have a pretty good chicken salad sandwich," said Elizabeth not letting Carly hold this conversation on her ground.
Sam was on her way to visit her mother when she saw the twosome entering the tea shop and slipped around to the back. Sliding past the waitress, she slipped behind the screen next to them amazed she had never heard of this place and it's very private tables.
Moving the sliding door just a smidgen, she was able to eavesdrop on the two unlikely diners.
"Michael and I talked, he isn't too happy with me at the moment," she told Elizabeth. "You were right about what you said the other night."
"Carly, Jack was the one who told Alexis and you what is going on, I didn't." said Elizabeth.
"True, but my son made it clear that I have to change. With everything going on with Sonny, it was an interesting experience, between Michael, and Jax's anger added with losing Jason, I am finding I don't know everything."
Not saying a word, Elizabeth just bit into her sandwich and let Carly talk. When she had listened to more of the blond's quick journey of self-discovery she was stunned to realize Carly was trying to apologize in a roundabout fashion. "Jax was right, I do associate people having money with being happy, mainly because when I was a kid, I thought that was all I needed to be happy."
"What does this have to do with me?" she asked while Sam wondered the same thing as she ate the rather good tuna sandwich.
"When I first came to town, Emily, you and Robin seemed to have it all. I never saw the problems, to me since you had a family with money, your life was easy. Jax was right, he told me to look deeper the other day. I did."
"Just how did you do that?" she asked.
"I talked to Momma, then to Monica. You always seemed to have everything. Respect, your grandmother who loved you, parents who traveled the world. Sonny would pull someone off my guard detail and say they were protecting you, they would all be so eager to go to you."
"Then when Jason and you seemed to be happy; you just let him walk again, I blamed you for how devastated he was once again after you. I found him punching the hell out of an old bag, crying and I blamed you for the pain. I was actually grateful for that bitch Sam when she seemed to be pulling him back, but now, knowing about... I don't know what to think."
Elizabeth thought about the medical file and said "Carly, neither do I. Some things aren't adding up, they didn't then. I would see Jason out sometimes, he would be distant one minute then the look in his eyes the next, I could see the pain as well as the love that was still there."
"Then, then he slept with Sam. I was angry but not hurt on my own behalf mainly because I was numbing the pain by hurting myself. It was that he slept with her after what she did to Jake, that was the part that hurt considering how he had treated AJ."
"I think I know something you should." said the blond then taking a deep breath said, "I overheard Jason talking to Jax right before Jake was kidnapped, he wanted a file we had from when we hired Sam at the Metrocourt."
"Why does this matter now?" she asked.
"I think Jason was looking for proof that Sam was involved with Jerry. I know that someone erased them from the hotel's mainframe."
"Probably Spinelli at Sam or Jason's request," she said angrily. "I know that Sam was behind the second kidnapping. She knew we were being followed, Jason covered it up."
Carly froze then said "Elizabeth, no you are wrong. Jason didn't know."
"Yes, he did Carly, Maxie told me so."
"Maxie screwed your husband in exchange for drugs, why would you believe anything she says?" sneered Carly who continued, "I asked Jason last year during that mess with the carnival. I asked how he was sure she wasn't involved since she was working with the Russians and he told me that he had had Spinelli look into it."
Then the two women both realized what had happened; while Sam tossed down a ten and rushed out to find Spinelli and that idiot Maxie. "Spinelli?" asked Elizabeth grimly.
"Spinelli," replied Carly as they got what had happened. "We have to deal with him."
"There is something else I need to tell you," she said. Elizabeth proceeded to tell her what Spinelli and Maxie had said to Cameron.
They were on their way out the door when they heard the waitress discussing another customer and swore. "Yeah, Everyday Hero right, she sucked in that show. Can't believe she ran out on her bill. Ten dollars was all she left."
Looking at their check for $44.34, the two found they had to laugh before Elizabeth said: "I will take care of that bill."
"You don't have to do that, it is my responsibility." said the young waitress.
"No, trust me, I will be getting back every single cent from Miss McCall." she said grimly and once they were out of the shop, she said to Carly "If I have to take it out of her hide."
Jason entered the station wondering why Mac Scorpio had requested he come down. Sighing at the looks he was getting from the various people in the room, he knew it was going to be hard for people to get used to his not being Jason Morgan, but he was hoping that with time they would come to accept Jason Quartermaine.
"Thank you for coming," said Mac grimly as he led Jason to his office, where he had the entire alphabet soup waiting along with Diane Miller. "Jason, please have a seat, this is Agent Raynor, from the FBI, Agent Magnlin from the ATF and this is Mr. Hicks from the Treasury Department. They have been made aware of the ruling that you are not Jason Morgan."
Nodding at the group, he sat down next to Diane. "Why am I here?"
Mac let them explain about Sonny then let the agents explain. Agent Raynor was getting on Jason's nerves with his smug attitude and when the rest of the agents left, he demanded to speak with Mr. Morgan alone.
"You might have a problem with that, he ceased to exist a while ago." snapped Jason. Then stopped Diane from leaving and said: "What is your connection to my counterpart?"
Hearing about the rescue of Jake and then about Spinelli, Jason was taken back at the agent's gall, as he said: "You still owe me one."
"I OWE you nothing and from the sounds of it, Morgan should have never trusted you in the first place. Makes me wonder why he did," said Jason on his way out the door. Calling his grandfather, Jason asked him to get whatever the agent had on Jason, Sonny, and most especially those users that had surrounded Jason.
Two hours later Spinelli and Maxie were sitting in the agency's office waiting for Sam to arrive. She had called and snapped for them to be there adding or else. "What is her problem, besides the obvious?"
"I don't know," said Maxie shrugging her shoulders. Hearing the door slam and Sam standing looking angry she said: "What is your problem?"
Walking over to stand next to her BFF she said: "You, you just couldn't resist bragging to Elizabeth, I told you to stay away from her."
"What are you talking about? And why do you care?" snapped Maxie.
The door clicked open and Carly and Elizabeth entered together. "Because she is aware of something you aren't. Sammy here was eavesdropping on a private conversation and is now worried about saving her own skin."
"What do you want Carly, haven't you done enough damage to Spinelli and Sam?" asked Maxie.
Looking at them, Carly chuckled and said "True, I have hurt this business but that is nothing compared to what the muffin is going to do."
"I repeat why are you here?" asked the blond as she flounced into a chair.
Elizabeth went over to the window and leaning against it then glanced at Sam. "Did you know that falsifying an application for a Private Investigators license is a felony. And it is even better when the proof is provided by witnesses who are beyond reproach."
"Wha-" hearing a knock on the door, Sam let in the two men in uniform. "What do you want?"
"Samantha McCall?" asked the one. "We are here to speak to you about a complaint we received in regards to your license. Specifically that you falsified records in regards to your criminal background."
"You will have to wait until my attorney arrives," she said relieved to see Maxie calling Alexis. "I would like those two to leave my office."
"MY OFFICE, actually," said Nik as he entered the building. "I bought this property when Corinthos had money troubles. Carly, thank you for the call. Are the two of you aware you haven't paid your rent in six months?"
"Jason took care of that." she snapped then grimaced when she saw the smirk on Carly's face and Elizabeth shaking her head in disbelief.
"You owe me a little over fourteen thousand dollars," said Nik who nodded at his aunt as he handed her the eviction papers and left. Alexis entered and sighed, she had been trying to spend the afternoon with the girls and once again her eldest was in the middle of some sorted mess.
"Miss Davis, I presume." asked the state trooper. Carly couldn't believe that the muffin's quick plan was coming together this easy.
"Yes, what is this about?" she asked looking around at the groupings then shook her head as if she couldn't believe what she saw.
"We thought we would clear this us quickly for all concerned. Miss McCall, according to this statement you have never been convicted or plead no contest to a crime, is this an honest and correct statement, understanding that lying on this application is a federal crime and that you could face prison time, please answer the question."
"I would like a moment with my client." stated an anxious Alexis but Sam smirked and said she was okay with answering it.
"Yes, sir it is." She said while Alexis was relieved that Spinelli had made her record go away.
"Miss Webber according to your statement an hour ago this isn't true, I have to tell you we ran her records, fingerprints and found nothing." he stated regretfully.
Carly reached into her large purse and with a grin at Alexis said "Sam, thank Mommy dearest."
Looking at the paperwork from the courthouse, the State Trooper read the names then asked Alexis. "Are you aware that suborning perjury can get you disbarred. Now I have a question for you, Miss Davis. Are you aware what I am holding in my hand?"
"From the looks of things, Mrs. Jacks divorce proceedings from 2004 and the research I hired Felicia Jones to do on Sam.." Alexis would bet on it, from the look on Elizabeth Webber's face she knew exactly what was in those papers.
Sam didn't get it at first, then recalled her testimony, then said in a monotone "Bitch."
"I don't understand." said a confused Spinelli.
Elizabeth moved over to the geek and leaned in and said "That isn't exactly a shock, the things you don't understand would fill a library. The godfather was screwing the happy hooker aka your goddess and she was required to take the stand when-" turning to Carly she said, "What is your lame ass nickname?"
"Valkyrie." she said enjoying this side when it isn't focused on her.
"Okay during the divorce proceedings of the Valkyrie the legal eagle aka the goddess' maternal unit questioned her about her past. The Storm Trooper over there is holding the evidence of the goddesses criminal background in black and white and there are a judge, a law clerk, and two bailiffs as well as Maxie's mother that wit-"
"Screw it," said Carly. "Sam admitted to prostitution and other crimes that have mysteriously disappeared from the records all of which I hold hard copies of in my hot little hands. To quote Micheal's favorite show, you have been pinked."
"Uh, ma'am you have it wrong." said one of the officers. Sam, Spinelli, and Maxie breathed a sigh of hope only for it to be dashed when he said "That would be punk'd. My daughter loves that Ashton Kitcher."
"Either way, Sam is going to jail." said Elizabeth.
"You are just jealous that Sam trick-" Maxie shut up, realizing she was making things worse.
As the State Trooper hauled Sam away followed by Alexis who called Kristina and Molly, Elizabeth turned to Maxie and said: "I am not finished with you two, you are going to wish you hadn't messed with my son."
"What are you talking about, that Jason didn't want to your bastards. why would he want you, you are nothing." she scoffed.
Leaning in, Elizabeth said "You made the mistake of thinking I was weak because I didn't deal with you for sleeping with Lucky. The gloves have come off, you went after my five-year-old son, knew that Sam let my sons be endangered, I am going to make you pay for hurting Cam."
"What are you talking about?" she said rolling her eyes at Elizabeth who grabbed her chin and pulled her head so that she was looking at her instead of Spinelli who was protesting the treatment of the blond only for Carly to glare him into submission.
"I am talking about when you told Cameron that Jason wasn't his friend, you have done some low things, Maxie but making a five-year-old cry? That is low even for you, as for you..." she let go of Maxie and walked over to Spinelli.
"Did it make you feel like a man; to tell a little boy about Lucky, then Jason's sex life? Did you get your jolly's from telling my son Jason didn't like him anymore?"
Spinelli sputtered out a response, that inflamed Elizabeth anger as she heard the words, "Jake... obligation, didn't care... Cam... Goddess rightful place..."
Even Maxie winced when Elizabeth bitch-slapped Spinelli. "You are a fool, and since you refuse to learn. I promise you this, what just happened here with Sam, is just a taste of what I am going to do to you."
"But I am only trying to be truthfu-"
Elizabeth looked at him with scorn then said: "You are a pathetic little man sleeping with a whore who will cheat on you the minute she realizes you have lost everything."
Carly followed her to the door then turned to Maxie and said "By the way, I told Mama what you said, she would like a few words with you.
In the hallway, the two women looked at each other shocked at their alliance then quickly left the building without another word to each other.
Elizabeth drove home, parking the van in the garage only to see Jack backing out. "The patient I told you about, the file from New Jersey came, I have to back to General Hospital."
Sighing she said "When you come back tonight, I need your help figuring some things out. I just got Sam McCall tossed into jail with Carly Jacks' help."
Laughing he said "Wow, so Lizzie showed up today. Should I ask about her very annoying business partner?"
Jason was walking down by the shoreline, trying to figure out how to fulfill his promise/threat to Elizabeth when a dark haired man approached him and said: "So do I call you Morgan or Quartermaine?"
Looking at the kid, he said "John Zachara?"
With a quick laugh he said, "Yes, I guess that means the drugs worked."
Stunned he said, "You know what happened?"
"Not all of it, look, can we talk someplace warmer." Leading the way into the Quartermaine boathouse, he said "A little over fifteen months ago, you came to me with an offer. You would call my father's bluff, I would take over to prevent more bloodshed."
Jason nodded, that fit with what he had written. "Things went haywire when Sonny and Claudia married, you were dealing with something you didn't explain, but I knew about Elizabeth and your son."
Seeing Jason look up in surprise, Johnny said "It's why I agreed to help. You said something was off, that Karpov and his associates knew too much about you. You then seemed to lose interest in the plan, but I would get mysterious packages with instructions."
"Explain." was all Jason said.
"Your son was kidnapped, you blew your relationship with Elizabeth Webber to hell and suddenly were trusting Sam McCall, the EXACT same woman you had warned me about."
Sighing, Johnny said "I do know that you went out of town for a couple of days before approaching me, what about I don't know. Then my father messed with toxins at GH, we talked but you NEVER mentioned your plan. You kept disappearing in spite of the way your roommate and Sam were always tracking you down. Then Spinelli got busted by the FBI for something that he normally did without getting caught."
Seeing Jason look at him, he explained then said: "I received a package at that time, including ownership of a garage."
"Next you were all over the place, I was covering for my sister but we both knew she was behind what happened to Mikey, we had talked about it, but it was like you had forgotten what I had told you."
"You told me your sister was behind the shooting?" asked Jason even more confused.
"Yes, right before Jake was kidnapped; a boat blew up in the harbor. That morning we had discussed everything. You had to rescue this McCall woman saying she was part of the plan but something went wrong again."
"Then what?"
"More of nothing between us, we saw each other around, you and I even worked together before Kristina and Michael went to Mexico but that is another mess I don't understand."
"My sister pairing up with the man who tried to kill her, his taking blame for the shooting when he tried to stop it? My contacts said he sold Miss McCall into white slavery yet she showed up back in PC with you. You were severely injured according to your account, yet the only wound was a bullet scar on your leg and a slight limp."
"But suddenly you were attached to this woman, having sex with her. You had some strange outbursts around town, including an incident involving a gun at the Carnival," he told Jason.
"Then a few weeks later, the man I had following you reported some strange behavior after a meeting with Sonny Corinthos at GH. You drove to Elizabeth Webber's house then several locations around town. Ending up on the docks at some studio apartments. Then the next morning you drove off and my man called the police to report a speeding biker out on the Cliff roads."
"Who was the biker?" Jason wondered if this was where he would learn the truth if he pretended not to know things.
"Sorry, I forgot you didn't recall. You were the biker, you were riding along, speeding in the nasty weather then suddenly let go of the handlebars at the start of the hairpin cliffs, grabbed your chest and drove off the road and into a tree."
"He didn't do anything to help?" asked Jason.
"He checked to make sure you were alive but I ordered him back to the house." Looking At Jason, he said, "On your orders."
"What?!"
"Yes, once you were at GH, everything went to shit. You woke up asking for people from your old life and I couldn't fulfill the plan."
"What was the plan?" he asked.
"Strangely enough, it was what happened. You told me you would wake up someone else, this was at the end of October in 2008."
Feeling weak, Jason wondered if his other half had been that sure it would work that he would risk death? Why would he have written a letter to Elizabeth apologizing for what he was about it do? Then thinking about what Jason would gain, Elizabeth and their sons, free and clear of the danger, yes, he would have but something had to have gone wrong. Why else would he have slept with Sam?
Seeing his confusion, Johnny said "I followed your directions to take Sonny down, freeing myself at the same time. You made a deal, Claudia's life for helping you take down whoever grabbed your son. The names and passcodes you gave me were why dismantling this was so easy."
"I need some time to think, but what do you expect from me or rather him?"
Johnny said with a smile, "Nothing, I owed Sonny for a few things, this is the end. I am staying in town to settle a few debts, but Morgan or Quartermaine, we are done."
Holding out his hand, Johnny said: "There is one more thing, you wanted me to give your share of the money to charity, is that still in effect?"
"There is more money?" asked Jason thinking of the billions in his accounts already.
"A lot more," he said simply. "Enough to buy a country."
"Give it away," he said then thanking the man went to find Edward. "Grandfather, we need to talk."
Nik was getting Spencer on the plane when he heard the Maserati squeal to a stop. "Where do you think you are going? Did you think I wouldn't look any further?"
"This is my business, Dr. Griffin." he snapped.
"Your right, I am glad you agreed to let Spencer be, but you and I both know..."
"That the truth is a lot more complicated. Do you really think I don't know that?" snapped Nik.
"One question, before you leave, what else aren't you telling me?" he asked quietly.
"That is none of your business, no matter who you are." Nik walked up the staircase then called back down, "Tell Elizabeth, I said goodbye."
Jack watched as the plane flew out of Port Charles airport, then drove home. Nik Cassadine son's mother had had the sexual organs of a girl but instead of ovaries, she had had interior testes, making it rather curious as to how she could have possibly been pregnant once let alone twice without medical help.
It was the most commonly missed of sexual abnormality in a woman. But a good gynecologist had to have seen it and asked questions. Dr. Lee admitted that Courtney had been pregnant already when she became her patient so she had never questioned it but Jack wanted answers.
Talking to the girl's father had been a waste of time, all he had done was try to threaten him for even asking the questions. So he now had more questions that would remain unanswered. Jack drove for a while trying to figure out if his curiosity was medical or just prurient interest because of the connections to so many he knew.
Arriving home, he decided to let it go. Cassadine was keeping quiet and as long as this insane granny stayed away from Elizabeth and the boys, he could care less what happened to the Porky Prince.
After the boys were down for the night and Jack had listened to Elizabeth's explanation of her day, he asked her what she was going to do about Jason.
Leaning her head against the wall, she said "Jason and I were both acting on pride and fear, neither of us was ready to take that leap forward. I know I made mistakes, but this mess with Sam, I don't know how we get past that one."
"Do you want to?" he asked calmly.
With a heavy sigh, she said "Honestly, I don't know. I am more confused than ever about the subject. I have the letter he wrote, but I am too scared to read it. I think I am more afraid of finding out I was wrong than I am of finding out he loved her."
Hugging her, Jack said, "When you are ready, it won't be a problem."
Edward listened to Jason's story and said "I will see what I can find out. Here are the files, there is one thing interesting in there. I called Mac Scorpio, he and two of his investigators are on the way. I specifically asked for Spencer."
Reading the file, Jason's brow crunched and his lips thinned as his anger grew. "Am I reading this right?"
"You are.." they heard the men arriving as Edward's PA led them into his office. "Mac, thank you for coming. Det. Harper, Lucky, please have a seat."
When Diane arrived, she sailed into the room, with a smile she sat down next to Jason and grinned at Lucky Spencer. "Congratulations, I understand you are about to become a father."
A little rattled, Lucky said "What of it and how do you know?"
"A little birdy told me, shame you won't be able to support the child, not with you about to be fired, maybe your father can give you a job at the Haunted Star," she said losing her grin. "Mac, your detective there was intercepting FBI wiretaps. Agent Raynor's smugness this morning was because he thought it was Mr. Spinelli."
"How do I know it wasn't?" asked Mac with a sinking feeling.
"Oh, I am sure if given a chance the kid would have done this, but we have means, motive, and opportunity. Lucky; when you are committing a crime, don't do it in front of a bank video camera."
Mac took the disc and said, "What else?"
"He also had a conversation with Sam McCall confessing to his crimes." Seeing Lucky protest, Diane said "You were seen by someone else. They came to me. We have audio and video, then there are the records tracking time being erased from the disks. Shame on you Lucky."
Lucky gritted his teeth and said, "Mac can't you recognize a setup when you see one?"
"Det Spencer, or rather former detective Spencer, I would recommend a good attorney," said Mac. "I want you at the station house, tomorrow morning to answer questions."
Mac and Harper left after collecting Lucky's gun and badge. The Spencer kid stood and swore payback.
Jason just looked at him then said "Run, Lucky. I owe you thanks for taking care of Jake and Cam when I couldn't, that is all you get." Handing him a box with a hundred thousand dollars in it, he said: "What I gave Mac is to assure you never return."
Lucky went home, numb. Sitting in his mother's house, he tried to figure out when his life had gone so wrong. Was it when he slept with Sam, or when he got addicted to drugs and slept with Maxie? Was it when he had chased after that Summer girl who had looked so much like his mother? Or was even further back, when he had returned from being held by Helena expecting everything to be the same?
He didn't know, and he was be-. Going to the door where there was a soft knock, he let in Rebecca. "I am keeping the baby, I just thought you ought to know."
"I have an offer for you." Lucky outlined his plan, Rebecca thought about the money and that maybe if they were away from here, Lucky would get over his obsession with his ex and said yes.
Leaving his father a note, he did the same for Lulu, never seeing the one from Nik as he had the shuttle pilot take one out to Spoon Island while Rebecca wrote a quick note to Ethan, never mentioning he was the possible father of her child.
They were on the road by dawn, both looking forward to the start of a new life in Canada.
The next morning, Mac ordered Harper to go and pick up Lucky when he didn't show up, heading over to Alexis, Mac told her what was on the disks, without ever mentioning Kristina's name. He was sure Spencer was gone, Spencer was like his old man, he didn't' have it in him to face up to his mistakes.
Alexis sighed then promised to ask Sam about the conversation when she visited her at the police barracks later that afternoon. She was hoping to divide and conquer with Carly and Elizabeth. Sam was turning out to be a disappointment to her, and Alexis found it hard to give her defense her full attention.
Kristina made a visit to Michael and then asked him to help her with the next phase only to be told her sister was in jail. "Why didn't Mom tell me?" she raged as she headed over to her office. Entering without knocking she eavesdropped in as Alexis asked Carly not to do it.
Seeing her mother hanging up the phone with a sigh, Kristina said "Still hard at it I see. You gave up on Ric; you walked away from your family as a kid, but you will go to the ends of the earth to save Sam. Why? Was her father the love of your life, while Molly's and mine were what exactly?" she inquired as she threw herself down in a chair.
"Why aren't you in school today?" she asked her.
With a snort, Kristina said "Shows how much you pay attention, school was canceled this morning due to a water-main break. But continue rescuing Sam, maybe someday she loves you without wanting something in return. In the meantime, I am going to visit my father, let him know that Dante left town. Maybe call Ric since he needs an attorney."
Alexis flinched at that one, but when Kristina added on "Unless you think it might be a problem for Sam, having to face her former stepfather now that it is public knowledge she rutted on our living room floor with him while her sisters/ his daughters were in the next room worried about their mother."
As the door slammed, Alexis pulled out the picture she kept in her drawer of her three girls and her. Looking closely at it, she finally saw the truth, Sam didn't fit. She never had. Swearing this would be the last time she rescued her, she grabbed her briefcase and went to GH hoping to appeal to Elizabeth mother to mother.
Elizabeth saw the trees in pots and groaned as she left the safety of the surgical theater. Patrick was grinning, the ten trees were wrapped with rings and each had a star on top. "What the heck?"
"Don't ask." she snapped. Going over she tried to rip the rings but they were made of something other than paper. "I will be right back."
Epiphany was ignored as her favorite nurse stormed past her and into the waiting room. Grabbing Jason, she dragged the annoyance to the new arboretum and said: "Make these go away, now."
"No, I mean what I said. We can play nicely or I can fight dirty," he said then handed her some paperwork.
Walking away, she crumpled the papers in her hands then tossing them in her locker, showered. Dressing she heard someone give a soft laugh and turned to see Jason standing there. "Hospital personnel only. You need to leave."
Admiring the view, Jason leaned against a locker and said "No, there are a few things you need to know. This way you can't escape talking."
"Fine," Elizabeth said and taking a deep breath reminded herself he had seen her naked plenty of times, so she would act like he didn't affect her one way or another. Dropping her towel, she pulled on her lingerie and a fresh pair of scrub pants. Just as she reached for her shirt, she felt familiar hands covering hers as her body was gently pulled back against Jason's.
"Let me go." she said trying to keep her voice calm.
"Tell me that there still isn't an attraction between us, that you don't wonder what it would be like to ..." As Jason talked he eased her body around so that her back was facing the locker. He had felt her soften and had believed he was getting someplace 'til he saw the pain and self-loathing in her eyes. "Please, don't. I … Elizabeth..."
Closing her eyes for a moment, Elizabeth got control. "When I look at you, I see the man who was rutting with the woman who hired men with guns to harm your son. I see the man who killed for Michael, but who let the woman who endangered his son into his bed."
Looking up into his eyes, she said "I see the man whose friends told my eldest he didn't matter, that you didn't want Cam. That Jake was only an obligation. They got these ideas from you, Jason. Because it was your face, your body is the one that did this. I feel sick that I ever trusted you with my heart, that I was ever willing to even consider marrying you. That I ever thought of you as my friend."
Closing his own eyes at the pain in hers, he said hoarsely. "I know you don't want to believe this, but most of that was part of a plan. To find a way to be a family. The sleeping with Sam, that I don't get. It is the only thing that doesn't make sense to me."
"It does to me. I was never the one you wanted." with that she slipped under his arm and left the locker room. Jason slammed his hand into the locker, denting it as he began to realize how hard this was going to be.
Maxie and Spinelli were arguing with Mac about Sam. "But you have to help get her transferred here."
"No, I don't. Mr. Spinelli, the FBI would like a word with you," he said shoving him into his office.
"Have a seat," said Raynor as the geek entered. Then checking to make sure the door was closed asked. "Your former boss made a deal last year, one that he reneged on. You have two choices; help me to ensure that Sam McCall goes to prison or we ship you there."
Spinelli sputtered then said, "I am not going to help you, I will go to jail myself before helping you hurt my friends."
"Not even if I tell you that Sam McCall said you filled out her paperwork, and she just signed it. Or how about how she admitted you helped her in November of 08 trick Jason Morgan into thinking the Russians were a danger to Jacob Webber."
"Sam is my friend, she wouldn't do that." Spinelli was certain, after all, he hadn't done any of that. His only part had been to misdirect Jason and Sam in Mexico so that they spent time together like Sam had called and asked.
"Really, are you aware that we have had Mr. Morgan's associates phone bugged."
"Not possible, I would know if you did that." he said quickly.
"Wrong, see we didn't get the warrant under the name Morgan, it was under his birth name. Jason Moore. Some interesting things turned up on those taps, unfortunately, former Det. Spencer intercepted them. But I turned over the originals to Mac Scorpio. His daughter is facing questions right now. You, my guess is you are next."
Meanwhile;
Mac had pulled Maxie into an empty room then said: "Sit down."
"Dad, I don't-" protested Maxie.
"Yes, you do. I had an interesting conversation with Elizabeth Webber and Carly Jacks about you yesterday. They came separately to tell me that out of respect for me, they aren't going to push me to arrest you, but I talked to Felicia and we decided the best thing would be for you to find out there are punishments for what you have done."
"What am I grounded." she snarked.
"No, I wish this was small enough to be handled that way," he said sorrowfully. Opening the door, he asked the uniformed officer to read her her rights and to explain the charges.
"Maxie Jones, you are under arrest for two counts child endangerment, one count conspiracy and two counts of lying to an officer of the court. You have the right to remain sile..." Mac walked away listening to her cries of why and how could you soon followed by threats against Elizabeth Webber.
Walking into his office, he thanked Raynor for this help then said "Now I would like you to leave town. I can't prove what you did was wrong, but it certainly was a gray area."
Looking hard at the kid in the chair, Raynor stopped and said "What is so special about Sam McCall you would betray Jason Morgan for her? A man who risked putting his own plans in danger to save you from making his mistakes, you betrayed him for a trick like that McCall woman."
Spinelli saw a handcuffed Maxie being led past the door and turned frightened eyes toward Mac Scorpio who sat down and stared. "You know, I have to wonder the same thing. Especially since I searched your room at Kelly's today. Then asked Monica to check Jason's tox screen from when he was admitted last year. Viagra?"
"I- don't—" Spinelli truly looked confused so Mac took the evidence bag and dumped it on his desk. "Those are Sam's vitamins, not Viagra, that is a light blue. I should know I ordered them on the Internet for her."
Mac smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Spinelli, for confessing. So tell me about where Miss McCall arranged for this so-called vitamin to come from."
"A medical supply company. They were expensive, so Sam asked me to use a credit card to order them."
"How expensive?" asked Mac. Then added, "Why would she need them?"
"Almost seven thousand dollars for a bottle. She said they helped with her hip after the damage done when Dr. Quartermaine hit her."
"My lab ran these pills, they aren't vitamins, they are drugs given to patients suffering from brain cancer. This particular formula affects certain parts of a person's memories. With the drugs that Jason was already on, they scrambled his brains like that old stay of drugs commercial. The website tracks back to an old Jacks family account."
"If Carly was involved, she could have planted this, she has ALWAYS hated Sam," he said earnestly. "Or her husban..."
Shaking his head no, Mac said "No, see this particular company was exclusively Jerry's mess. So why don't you start talking and explain to me what Sam was doing with Jerry Jacks and I would start talking now. Agent Raynor is leaving but another agent is coming into town to take this case."
Mac continued. "Jagger Cates talked to me earlier, he is quite eager to see Sam McCall spend the rest of her life in prison. Since he is willing to spare Maxie for Robin's sake, he wants the rest of those responsible to go to jail. That would be you."
Hitting the intercom, Mac asked for a uniformed officer "Please read Mr. Spinelli his rights, be sure to strip search him then place him in a jail cell."
Edward took the call just as Jason entered. Stopping his depressed grandson, he said "Mac called, they verified the connection to this Jerry Jacks. Whoever gave you the advice was correct."
"Thanks," he said with no apparent happiness. Then sitting down filled him in on the latest. "What do I do?"
"Your memories are returning, you might need to see Dr. Winters," said Edward as gently as he could. "Jason, learning this explains a lot, like the way Elizabeth seemed so fragile last year. But things aren't hopeless, they aren't as long as the two of you are alive. Don't give up, visit with Jake and Cameron this afternoon and spend time with them."
"What?" he asked. "I turned down Elizabeth's deal." Wincing as he recalled her offer of time with Jake but not Cameron.
"They are upstairs, with Michael and Morgan," he said gently. "Go."
Loping up the stairs, Jason saw the boys playing in the hallway, Jake giggling as he drove his car down the hallway while Cam and Morgan were torturing Alice who looked human for the first time since he had met her.
"Jason," shouted Morgan as he went to hug his uncle. Michael waited to see what Jake and Cam did. The blond soon followed Morgan, he was affectionate with people, while Cam sat down and seeing his lip trembling, Jason knew he had to make the first move. "Hello, Cam."
Not a word, then nodding toward Michael, Jason whispered for him to take his brother and Jake to the playroom. Alice stood there her arms crossed, glaring at him until Jason sat down next to Cam. Then she moved further down the hall but kept a close eye on the former gangster.
"Cam, I know that people told you things about me, but I promise I have always cared about you." When he tried to hug the little boy, he inched away and Jason felt as if his heart was breaking, but he didn't force the issue. "Your Mommy said that I ignored you, I would never do that."
Mumbling Cam stood with his hands in fists on his hips he looked at Jason and shouted. "Yes you did, I said hello, you walked by scowling at me. To that mean lady. You were smiling at her. You made my mommy cry!"
Jason said "I promise you, I would have never knowingly walked by you. I am sorry, but I must not have seen you. As for making you mommy cry, I did, but I thought ..." How to explain a plan to a little kid that was way over his head let along the kids.
"I don't like you anymore." with that Cam went over to the basket of toys and picked out the motorcycle and slammed it on the ground next to Jason. "I hate motorcycles, and I hate you."
Stomping down the hallway, Cam went into the open door and threw himself on the bed crying. Jason sat there, stunned holding the now smashed bike. The little boy's anger was just as heartbreaking as Elizabeth's. Needing to clear his head he went into his room and saw Cam lying on his bed sobbing. Sitting down, he felt tears tracking down his face as he rubbed Cam's back.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" he said when he realized it was Jason sitting next to him. Cam was hitting him with his fists then suddenly stopped and asked "Why was I not good enough? Was I bad? Was I not a good enough little boy?"
Hugging him tightly, Jason broke down into tears never seeing Jax approaching, the blond backed out of sight but got an earful from Jason and Elizabeth's son cried together but when Cam said "I liked you, I saw you kiss mommy once, then you were gone and we got scared. Those men grabbed Jake and mommy was sad all the time again. You were with the mean lady."
"I was trying to protect you from the mean lady," said Jason sadly. "I am sorry, I do like you, I love you and Jake. I messed up. I am so sorry, Cam. I never meant for any of this to happen."
Scooting away, Cam looked at Jason and said "You hurt Mommy. Like daddy did with that mean lady."
"I didn't mean to. I love your mommy, with all my heart," he said softly. Reaching out he took a handkerchief from a drawer and held it to Cam's nose and said blow.
Giggling slightly, Cam remembered that Jason was on the not nice list and said: "I have to go play."
As he edged off the bed, he saw the car arriving in the drive and went to see who it was "It is Jack!" he said excitedly then rushed towards the door knocking over a picture on Jason's desk. Picking it up, he carefully set it back then his eyes widened as he saw it was Mommy, Jake and Him then said: "I's sorry for knocking over your picture."
"It's okay, Cam it was an accident." said Jason gently as the little boy rushed off to see Jack Griffin.
Jax entered the bedroom and said, "We need to talk."
"I wanted to see the boys out," said Jason softly. "I will be right back."
"Don't let Michael and Morgan know I am here yet." warned Jax as he watched the man follow the little boys down the stairs.
Jason saw Jack at the bottom of the stairs, he wanted to hate the guy but he couldn't. He wasn't a jerk, he clearly adored the boys and Elizabeth. It hurt to admit it, but Jack was the man Jason wanted to be. As the boys were bundled up and called out goodbye to Morgan and Michael, Jason took pleasure in Jake calling out goodbye while Cam stared at him thoughtfully for a minute then holding Jack's hand walked away.
Jax sat down in the study and said "Spinelli has been busy. Yesterday, his partner was arrested courtesy of my wife and Elizabeth. Last night he gave me the so-called proof that Sam wasn't connected to Jerry then this morning he was arrested by Mac Scorpio courtesy of your unknown contact and myself."
Jason sat down on the bed, wondering if he was wasting his time. Even if he learned the truth, would it help him fix the mess he had created with Elizabeth? Seeing Jax trying to get his attention he said got the tail end of the conversation. "Why would that matter to me?"
"When you were married to her, she got pregnant, accidentally."
"Was it mine?" he asked thinking on the information he had gotten on the very untrustworthy Courtney Matthews.
"Don't know, but thanks to the docs we know it wasn't an accident. I am also looking into an accident that Dr. Meadows had during the time Courtney had testing as to why she couldn't carry a baby."
Looking up sharply, he asked, "Do you think she murdered this woman?"
"Courtney, no. Sonny yes, especially since if the truth about her dysfunction got out, it might have brought attention to him."
Shrugging it away as knowing he had much worse problems to deal with, Jason said "I am going to confront this Mr. Spinelli tomorrow. Is there anything else you can tell me about him?"
Jax said "Nothing more than I already did. Just he is a needy little pest. You could try Patrick Drake, he spent some time with him."
Calling Drake, Jason asked if he could stop over that evening. That he needed to talk to the doctor about something. Looking up at his wife playing with Emma and talking to Elizabeth on the phone, he said "Where do you want to meet? How about Jake's?"
"No, someplace private." was Jason's answer as he nodded to a leaving Jax who gathered Morgan and Michael to head to dinner with their mother and little sister. "Do you know that old studio building, down by the docks, I own it for some reason. Meet me on the docks there."
Spinelli and Maxie were stunned, they had been released on bail but were told to stay out of trouble and not to leave the state. Seeing Johnny standing in the middle of the station, he told them both, "I don't want to hear it, just go home. Spinelli, I need to see you tomorrow and there is nothing for you to say, Maxie."
Waiting until they left, he asked Mac if he could see Sonny Corinthos. While waiting for the mobster, he looked around the room debating how far he wanted to push the mobster. Don Roma said to make him aggravated but not to push him any further.
"Sonny, you don't look so good," he said when the man was lead into the room. Orange was most definitely not his color. "I came as soon as I heard you were arrested."
Sneering, Sonny snapped "I am sure about that. Where is my money, you bastard!"
"What are you talking about Sonny? What money? I have been dealing with the fallout from my sister's death. You do know you are a widower again. Strange how women keep ending up dead around you. Your mother, your first wife, you ex-fiancee Brenda, wait, she was faking wasn't see. Your sister, you lover Marshall who was your ex-wives best friends. Then there is Olivia."
Seeing his expression, Johnny said, "Cars go boom!"
When the older man wrestled to free himself from his restraints, Johnny added "So that is what? 3 maybe 4 kids you have lost and this one died thinking you betrayed him."
"You wouldn't harm Olivia, you were in love with her." said Sonny "And Dante knows I would never betray him."
"Actually he doesn't." Johnny played the altered tape and then sat down watching the angry mobster. "As I was saying, 3 maybe 4 kids you have gotten killed. Baby #1 with Lily, Baby # 2 with Carly, Baby #3 with Sam, that one probably killed itself with the thought of having either of you as parents." He watched as the Cuban exploded then stood walking to the door. "By the way, Don Roma send his regards and to tell you that you are on your own."
"I will take him down, I will spill every single secret I know. I will ruin him, you and anyone else I have to. Do you hear me, you bastard!"
Johnny walked out and then called Jax, "He is wound up. Do you have the coordinates I requested?"
"Grain of salt, they come from the geek." he said after giving Johnny the information.
"I will know tomorrow," he said leaving to head to the airport.
Patrick sat down and answered Jason, then said "There really isn't much more I can tell you about him. Are you remembering Spinelli?"
"No, but I have found out a few things that make me wonder why my alter ego let him hang around. Did you know what he told Cameron Webber?" After filling him in, Jason saw Patrick stand then say "Are you sure he didn't misunderstand Spinelli?"
"No, I am positive he didn't. A few other things make me question this kids loyalty. Are you aware of what Sam did?"
"The kidnapping, the park, and the second kidnapping. Yes. Why?"
"What kind of person thinks that woman would be a good mother? This kid supposedly knew Morgan's deepest secrets, yet he kept pushing for Sam and Morgan to be together? Why? I mean I have met Sam and I have met Elizabeth. One is so beautiful your heart aches just seeing her, the other is used up. Sam is selfish and manipulative and Elizabeth is the complete opposite."
Seeing his confusion, Patrick said "Sex, it has to be sex. Spinelli's life revolves around women. You might want to take it easy on the kid, he hasn't had the easiest time. At one point …. crap!"
Seeing a furious Patrick pacing, Jason said "What?"
"About the time all of this was happening, I would see Spinelli out. He would be talking about his Master this, Stone Cold this. But ..." seeing the shaking fists, Jason asked again what was going on?
"Spinelli, my guess is he was jealous. You let him hang around when it Sam was there, but with Elizabeth, my guess is you two were alone or with the boys. He was jealous. I have seen the attitude when Maxie would be talking to other men. It is the same hangdog expression he used to get when he talked about you not being around."
"You mean, this … he HELPED her do this because I wasn't letting him hang around? You have got to be KIDDING ME!" said an upset Jason. "This kid helped blow my life apart because I wasn't there to hold his f-ing hand?"
Patrick nodded sadly then said "I have to talk to Robin." then left while Jason tried to calm down. Looking around he saw Sam McCall of all people talking to a woman. Moving closer, he listened as she snapped at her. "I am fine, Alexis. Thank you for getting me out on bail. I will stay out of trouble, I promise."
When the older woman left, Jason had to restrain himself from reaching out and grabbing her by her neck... well that's strange. He watched as a man did walk up to Sam and do exactly that, almost bending her back as he choked her.
The sound of footsteps, had the man releasing her and heading the opposite way calling back to the woman gasping for breath. "Sweet Sam, don't forget, you owe me. I am going to collect."
Jason slipped back so that he could remain unseen as the geek and a blond approached Sam. "Sam! Thank goodness, I knew you would be free soon."
With a thin smile, Sam looked at Spinelli then asked him to track down whoever was running Sonny's old territory. When he said, "Johnny might know, he bailed us out a little while ago."
"We need to talk about this, do you think your mother would represent us since I think Elizabeth is behind our arrests as well as yours." asked an angry Maxie.
"I can ask. I am staying at Kelly's tonight." Sam told them not wanting them to know her own mother had kicked her out. Once Spinelli had rushed off, she turned to Maxie "I might stay there for a little while I have a plan. Would you like to help me burn down Elizabeth whole world? I am going to start with that fiancee of hers and move down to make sure she loses those brats of hers."
"I'm in, I am so sick of Saint Elizabeth," swore Maxie. "What do you need me to do?"
Showing her the monitor on her ankle, she said: "First can you help me find a way to remove this?"
Jason answered the phone and sighed at what Diane told him. "Who gave them the money?"
"John Zachara posted the million. Our mistake was thinking there was no one here willing to post that much for her."
Jason got the feeling that Zachara wasn't going to care if he got his money back. Grimacing, Jason called the number he had for the kid and said "We need to talk. Why did you post Sam's bail?"
Seeing Spinelli entering his garage Johnny waved him into a seat and said "I have to go, my computer is having problems and my tech is here. As for the part, as soon as it arrives at my door, I will have it right where I want it."
Jason drove home the long way, seeing the lights on at Elizabeth's, he impulsively stopped in. Knocking on the door, he saw Elizabeth walking down the stairs and marveled at how gorgeous she truly was, inside and out.
"Do you have a minute?" he asked when she let him in.
"Jason, I don't want to hurt you, but you keep coming around and you won't give me space." she said holding onto her composure by a thread.
"It's important. I know that J-Jack told you about today," he said softly. "I didn't know they were there."
"It's your home, it is my fault. When Jack called Monica after Romport slipped on the ice, I knew it was a possibility. I should have made more of an effort for one of us to get there sooner."
"Please don't. I talked to Cam..." he said awkwardly. "I know that I hurt him, Jake and you, but Elizabeth, I had a plan. I don't remember the plan, but others are telling me about it. I have no idea why I would sleep with Sam-" Seeing her pain, he stopped her from leaving and quickly said, "I am not sure it was my choice."
With a sad and bitter laugh, she said "I can just imagine that one. Sam would do anything; say anything, but Jason you were the one who let her into your life."
"I know that I am learning I was trusting the wrong people. Jason Morgan was, not me. There are going to be bumps in this road, but you should know. I am not giving up. The more I find out, the more I am certain he was trying to get free of this mess... for you, for the boys."
Letting himself out, Jason saw Elizabeth's bowed head and knew she was crying. For what though? For what they had lost or for the pain that not being open had caused them?
Jack entered the study, watching as Jason drove away, then hugging Elizabeth said: "Are you okay?"
Sitting down, she said, "You do know you ask me that a lot, don't you?"
"You look calm, better, actually." he said looking her over.
Elizabeth told him what Jason had said then asked: "Am I a fool for wanting to believe him?"
"No, you want to believe the best in people, you have been lost in pain, but I think you are starting to come out the other side. We also have a little work to do."
Seeing her look at him confused he said "A certain letter."
Tensing up, she let her muscles go weak and then asked: "Would you please bring it to me."
Ten minutes later, after reading the first page, Elizabeth was furious, by the end of the second she was crying and by the third, Jack was debating strangling Jason Morgan Quartermaine but when Elizabeth hiccuped and then laughed, Jack knew that something had changed as she stood then said "I am going to kill that arrogant, know-it-all bastard. And I have just the bat to do it with."
"Uh, luv, who are you intending to kill?" he asked nervously.
"Jason Morgan, but first I have a telephone call to make." she said stalking to the living room.
"Carly, I need to see you tonight, but first can you grab Kate Howard while I call Robin."
There was dead silence then the sound of someone choking and then a couple of yelps before Carly was heard saying to Jax "Stop, I am fine, Just a lunatic on the phone. Elizabeth, have you lost your mind. I may have helped you with Sam the human doork-"
"Carly shut up and listen. Get over here, now. Bring Kate Howard or I will come over and drag your rear here."
"You can't."
"Carly, Sam lied, about a lot of things. It's not just about Jason, it's about Michael and Kristina. But I will be damned before I allow Alexis Davis in my house. Just get out here and should you find a pizza shop on the way, bring lots of pies."
Hanging up, Elizabeth called Robin and said: "Robin how hard would it be to find your mother at this time of night?"
"Uh, she is in Montreal this week. Why?"
"I am sure she is rather handy with a gun. I need you to hurry out to my house, Carly is on her way and she is loaded for bear," she said with a grin, knowing with that incentive Robin would be there as quickly as she could.
"Be there in ten minutes."
TBC