AN:

This chapter is what ties the story to the banner and title. Enjoy!

Chapter Four

(Flashback)

"Are you crazy? There is no way in hell I'm letting you anywhere near Molly." Ric said trying to keep his temper under control. He had not given any thought to the fact Trevor was in Port Charles until today. Ric came home to find Trevor holding moll. His first reaction was to rip the toddler from his father but he didn't want to frighten his daughter. Instead, the nanny had taken Molly for a nap.

"I'm sorry to hear that Richard. I was truly looking forward to getting to know my granddaughter."

"Just stay away from me and from Molly."

Trevor shrugged at Ric's demands. Ric had always been an annoyance to him and now was no different. "Alright. Maybe I'll just get to know your son instead."

"What are you talking about?" Ric took a step back in confusion and surprise. He knew Trevor was up to something he just didn't know what.

"You know I'm surprised that you've never shown any interest in the boy." Trevor continued as if Ric hadn't even spoken.

"I don't... What did you do?" Ric asked his eyes narrowing as he realized the only person Trevor could be talking about.

"Now Richard what makes you think I did anything?" His father asked feigning offense at the accusation.

"Because you're a twisted bastard who never wants me to be happy."

"I'm sorry you think that."

"Why? We both know it's the truth." Ric said coldly. He had long ago accepted he and Trevor would never get along. "Now tell me what you did."

"Are you that blind? Come on Ric the boy looks just like you." Trevor said shaking his head at his only child. "I'm going to let you calm down, get some perspective, and maybe we'll talk later…"

Ric stepped in front of Trevor as he tried to leave. There was no way Trevor was leaving until Ric had some answers. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I thought I was clear. I am going to see my grandson. I'm sure Ms. Webber will be more open to my help."

"Stay the hell away from Elizabeth and her son." Ric snapped fear immediately running through him. He and Elizabeth had just begun to repair their friendship. If Trevor was lying he could do so much damage, damage Ric wasn't sure they could fix this time but what if he was?

"Your son, Richard. You don't believe me do you?" Trevor asked shocked that Ric wouldn't jump at the opportunity he was presenting.

"Why should I? All you've ever done is lie to me for your own purposes."

"What if I'm telling the truth?"

Ric simply shook his head. He couldn't deal with Trevor anymore right now. All he wanted was to check on Molly and then go see Elizabeth. The last thing Ric wanted was for Trevor to blindside her with this news. "Just get out."

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Ric stood watching Elizabeth working at the nurses' station. She was so beautiful that just looking at her made his heart ache. Ric knew even after everything he was still in love with Elizabeth. He probably always would be. So many things had changed between them. Especially in the last year. Ric hesitated to tell Elizabeth what Trevor said. If it wasn't true, it would be like losing Cameron all over again. And if it was everything would change. Except how he felt. Even though Elizabeth had left him, his feelings for Cam never changed. Ric still loved that little boy as much as he loved Molly.

"Hey there." Elizabeth said smiling as Ric walked up to the nurses' station.

"Hey. I was wondering if you had a break soon." Ric asked trying to hide his nervousness.

"Well we're shorthanded today but if you don't mind eating in the cafeteria my lunch break is coming up."

"Yeah. That's all right." He told her stuffing both hands in his pocket.

"Okay. Let me finish these charts up and I'll meet you there in twenty minutes."

"That sounds fine."

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Ric rushed out of the elevator and into the cafeteria, he was almost late. He had stopped by the hospital daycare to see Cam. Ric wasn't sure what he expected see when he did. The young boy reminded him so much of Elizabeth it was hard to see Zander or himself. However, Ric couldn't help but hope.

"So what did you want to talk about?" Elizabeth asked the moment they had sat down.

"Why do you think that I..."

"I know you Ric. Besides not many people would subject themselves to hospital food unless they had to."

Ric tried not to show his surprise but failed. He should have known Elizabeth would be able to read him. "It's not that bad."

"Ric please just tell me." Elizabeth said trying not to get frustrated. Her life had been in complete chaos since last year and Elizabeth just knew Ric's news wasn't good.

"Alright but I want you to promise to hear me out." Ric said slowly taking a deep breath.

"This doesn't sound good."

"It's... it's not bad. At least I don't think so. My father has come to town and..."

"Why?" Elizabeth immediately interrupted. She couldn't understand why Trevor Lansing would suddenly appear now. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I am not sure to be honest. Something to do with Kate Howard. He has been trying to get a hold of Molly. We were having it out again..."

"And?" Elizabeth prodded gently. She knew Ric was trying to avoid telling her something he knew would hurt her. It was sweet but she wished he would trust her to handle what he had to say.

"He says Cam is my son."

Elizabeth was immediately confused and told Ric so, "I don't understand. I mean of course he is legally..."

"No, Elizabeth. He means that he's our child that we made together." Ric said gently letting her slowly process what he was truly saying.

"I... I took a test before we were... before we went to the cabin."

"Could the test be wrong?" Ric asked gently taking one of her hands in his.

"Yeah. I guess it's possible. Oh god Ric what if he's right?" Elizabeth asked on the verge of tear at the thought.

"I don't know. Why don't we find out the truth and then go from there."

"How you be so calm about this?"

Ric smiled at the question. How could he tell her he was this calm so she didn't have to be? "Must be the lawyer in me."

"Must be." Elizabeth said quietly. She did not know what to do all she was sure of was the fact Ric deserved to know the truth and so did Cameron. "I'm going to ask Patrick if he'll run a paternity test. I'll let you know a date."

"Thank you." Ric said gratefully squeezing her hand.

"For what?" Elizabeth asked confused by Ric's words. If anything, she should be thanking him. Ric could have easily taken Cam from her.

"Not accusing me of lying." Ric whispered sincerely. Elizabeth was probably the one person in Port Charles who didn't immediately assume he was lying.

"I trust you Ric. If you wanted you could have forced me to let you be a part of Cam's years ago."

"I would never do that to you Elizabeth." Ric said quickly trying to reassure his former wife. He meant what he told Elizabeth when he won custody of Molly Elizabeth wasn't Alexis and she never would be. "I stayed away be you asked me to but if I am..."

Elizabeth cut him off she knew exactly what he would want. The fact he stayed away so long still surprised her. "I know. I'm sorry."

Ric hated the guilt and pain in her voice. He hated that his father had somehow once again messed with his life. "Don't be. We'll do the test and figure things out from there."

(End flashback)

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Ric slowly fought to open his eyes. With his vision, still slightly blurred Ric was disoriented at first. Then the steady beeping of the monitors finally registered. Once Ric realized he was indeed off Spoon Island and at GH, he began to relax.

A short time later Ric attempted to sit up. Pain immediately radiated from his left shoulder. Frustrated and bored with staring at the ceiling Ric was about to push the call button when the door to his room opened.

"Good. I was hoping you were awake." Patrick said seeing that his patient was finally awake.

"How's Elizabeth?" Ric said in a hoarse voice. His throat felt like sandpaper and he was still in a daze from the anesthesia. He couldn't go back to sleep however until he knew Elizabeth was okay as well.

"She's fine. We watched her for awhile just to be sure."

Ric breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing he had wanted was Elizabeth risking her life for his. She however had used the one thing she knew would force Ric to give in and damn if he wasn't proud of her. "Is she still here?"

Patrick nodded at Ric's question. It had been almost amusing to watch Elizabeth worry over Ric for the last few hours. After receiving some IV antibiotics and fluids, Patrick had released his friend. He had assumed she would have gone home but he was wrong. She called to check on her son again before changing out of her dress. Then she sat in the waiting room until she could see Ric. "She stayed to make sure you were okay. Do you want me to send her in?"

"Yeah. That's fine."

Several minutes after Patrick left Elizabeth opened the door. Ric immediately smiled when he saw her. Gone was the simple white dress she had worn to the ball and in its place was a pair of light blue scrubs. "How are you feeling?" She asked shyly. It was hard to see Ric in another hospital bed all she wanted to was to be able to take care of him. She didn't have the right however not anymore.

"Better now that we're off the island." Ric told her honestly. He hoped to never set foot on the island again nothing good ever came of him going there.

"I'm glad."

After several moments of silence, Ric couldn't take it anymore. He had to know. "Is it true or did my mind make it up? Is Cameron my son?"