A/N: When I was writing this was the second half of the last chapter, that is why it ended where it did. I wasn't actually trying to be evil. It just happens, so sorry, well not really. Luke isn't responsible for the hidden items and you get more information on that this chapter, but that isn't the end of it. And I haven't decided on Alexis's kid, I am thinking of bringing someone knew on for the role. As for Spazzpants, no she can't die. I want to make her life a living hell, instead. For some people, death is the easy way out. And I too love porn hair. At least on Jason.

Chapter 18: A Promise Kept

Entering she saw the woman in the bed that was tilted so she could see people. "How are you?"

"I want to sue Jason Morgan and Elizabeth Webber. Then I want you to make sure that Nik gives me my share of the Cassidine estate. And if you don't... you will never find out what happened to your real heir. Spinelli and I found the proof in the files your brother had. I can just as easily make it disappear."

Looking at the woman she had thought of as her daughter, Alexis gave a cold smile then said "Sam, give me one good reason not to tell you to go to hell. You have been nothing but trouble since the day you arrived in this town. And by the way, Jerry sent me a disk."

Seeing her jaw drop, Alexis said "I know all that Stefan had found out. You have nothing to use. No leverage. As for suing Elizabeth and Jason, there isn't an attorney alive who would touch the case."

"You are going to do it." she said with a cold smirk. "Alexis, I own you."

"No, actually you don't. And sue Nik all you want. He had to put Spoon Island up for sale today; there is nothing left, Sam."

"No, that isn't what I heard. An estate in Greece, worth millions." she said smugly.

"Entailed to the eldest grandchild. That my dear would be Spencer." Alexis said with a sly grin. "Turns out Courtney was good for something."

Sam hid her worry then said "Alexis, when you decide to try and figure out who your child is, let me know. I will be more than happy to sell you what Spinelli found out."

"You have nothing Sam, and no one." with that she walked to the door then turned to say "You played and lost. Elizabeth has Jason and his sons. I know that you have no money of your own, hell even your PI license was fake. What are you going to do now Sam? How are you going to survive? It's not like you can find a man and seduce him to take care of you now, is it?"

"Alexis just how long have you been drooling over Jason." she said with a cold grin of her own. "I saw you, you know. Kissing him. Jason doesn't want you, he thinks you are a cold fish, just like the rest of the men in your life. Poor pathetic Alexis."

Looking at the woman in the hospital bed, Alexis said "Did you enjoy the show, Johnny said that you were watching. He also said too bad you couldn't take lessons, that you need them. Good sex is when they actually talk to your during the act. And I am not talking about when they say "Yes baby, more baby."

"You know nothing about how men react to me." she retorted only for Alexis to give a sad laugh and say "Sam, you are an easy and convenient lay, that is all. Sonny went running back to Carly and Ric was desperately trying to find a way to get Elizabeth back, same with Lucky and Jason. Funny how three of the men you seem to think you left a memorable impression all were desperate to get with her. That alone tells me something."

Alexis walked to the door then turned to say. "They really all just not that into you."

Sam was mentally screaming as she found herself trying to move and couldn't. This wasn't fair. She didn't deserve this. She should be the one with everything, after all she had gone through, she deserved to finally win one.

~~*~~

Monica took the paper and thanked the clerk before calling Diane Miller. "Thank you for your help."

"You are welcome. I hope it brings you a measure of solace." she said looking at the list in front of her. "When will they have the results back?"

"Today, Alan is also coming home this evening. Everyone is going to be there and I would love to invite you over, so just say yes and show up." said the blond doctor.

"I have to regretfully decline, I have a meeting with Mac Scorpio when he arrives back from Canada." she said looking at her appointment book and wondering what the former commissioner wanted.

Heading to the mansion, Monica saw suitcases spread all over the place and went to the living room where she could hear the voices coming from. "Ned, Dillon, wow!"

Seeing Skye trying to keep Lilarae from pulling the books down on herself, she found herself smiling at the noise and confusion. "Monica, what is going on? All Tracy would say was for Lilarae and I to get here, now"

"Wait, is this everyone?" she asked then seeing Brooklynn and her mother coming in from the kitchen, she said "Okay. Alan and AJ are alive."

After the shouts and whats, she said "Sit down and I will explain." Telling them the story, they were stunned and then saddened when they heard about Emily. "So AJ has custody of Michael and he took him to this treatment center?"

"Ned, I know. But yes, it is true." she said with a smile. "Jason is staying with Elizabeth at the Hardy's"

"What about da-Alan?" asked Skye as she picked up Lilarae.

"He is coming home this evening. If you don't mind leaving Lilarae with Alice, why don't you come with me to get him?" she asked shocking the red head.

"Are you sure?" she asked sitting down next to Dillon who himself was in shock at the idea of Georgie. Brooklynn tried to comfort her uncle but he looked at her and said "No, I am fine."

Skye soon left with Monica and Dillon went about calling Maxie to find her sister only to be told that she had no idea where she was. "How is that possible?"

"She has been distant." said Maxie as she went to see what messages Kate had called and left.

Sitting down at Kate's desk, she heard an ahem. Looking up she saw her boss, her eyes widened and she said "I can explain?"

"Is that a question or a statement, Maxie?" asked Kate as she entered the room followed by Olivia.

"I thought you were in Paris?" she said weakly.

"We were, I had to come here to testify in regards to the lawsuit." said Olivia coolly. Kate then ordered Maxie to get back to the files then asked "Where would my other assistant be?"

"Running errands, I believe." said Maxie.

"Hopefully my errands or she can consider herself fired."

"Her brother, Lucky was shot by Sam McCall and died." she said only for Kate to say "Then she should have called me, not left you to offer excuses."

Mac had no sooner exited the plane then he got the message to call Frisco. "What?"

"What is Georgie up to?" snapped the older blond.

"What are you talking about?" asked Mac driving towards town.

"She keeps going to the park and sitting on the steps." said the spy. "Just sitting there in the cold December weather."

Counting to ten at while stuck in traffic, Mac finally maneuvered over to the park road. Pulling into an empty space he found his daughter sitting the one place he never wanted to see her again. "Georgie?"

Looking up, she said "Dad." Then looking back at the step between her legs she said "Do you ever wonder, what is next? What do I do now?"

"All the time, is this about being gone?" he asked awkwardly before sitting down next to her.

"Yes and no. I had lunch with Tracy Quartermaine today, she offered me a job. How is that for funny?" she asked with a bitter laugh. "I told her no, but I don't really even know what it is I want to do. I mean, I decided against Italy, school is really just a holding station. Who is Georgie Jones and what do I want to do with my life?"

"Georgie, I spent years asking myself those questions, it took meeting your Mom and then raising you and your sister for me to find the answers." he said gently. "You don't have to have all the answers today."

Looking at him, she said "Dad, Maxie, Miss unorganized and who lives in total chaos has got the answers, but I don't. Did time pass me by, is it too late?"

Hugging her, he said "It is never too late. But give yourself some time, you have enough funds in the bank to take your time, so do it."

"That money feels like it belongs to someone else." she said quietly. "To the girl who thought she would conquer the world."

"Oh, honey, you still have lots of time to do that. For now, why don't I see if Diane Miller or Alexis needs an assistant, you can decide if being a lawyer is really what you want to do." Mac had another offer in mind but he was going to wait before making it.

"Maybe Diane, Alexis is a little too stuffy for me." she said. Hugging her dad, she stood then offered him her hand. "Thanks."

"Just doing my job." he said then said "In the same line as that, you really need to talk to Maxie."

"About what." she said annoyed. "If she apologizes for something there is no need to do that for again, I am going to smack her into next week. All I want is to be left alone. She is so awkward, so uncomfortable with me. And I just... Dad, while I love her as a sister, I spent a lot of time thinking about things and while it hurts to admit, I don't like my own sister, not as a person. If she was someone I knew at school, I would go out of my way to avoid her."

"But she is your sister, and you need to talk to her." he said kissing her forehead. "And do me a favor, try to stay away from Johnny, it gives Frisco fits every time you are with him." Mac saw the look on her face and groaned, "Why do I think telling you that was a big mistake?"

"Dad, I have an appointment at the DMV, Harper pulled me over and reminded me I don't have a valid license, so I will see you later." with that she left and took a cab to the courthouse while Mac went to his meeting with Diane.

"So, what is going on?" she asked the curly haired man who sat down across from her.

"I have just been informed that I am receiving a finders fee from Homeland Security." he said "For the diamonds that were lost at the Metrocourt. It was cleared because I am no longer a cop, but I need advice."

"About?" she asked leaning back and "How many diamonds?"

"The entire thing. They don't think Spencer knew they were on the boat only one turned up. As for monetary value, try one hundred million."

"Meaning your share is at least a million." she replied.

"That isn't the only thing. There was a reward out for the briefcase, we found it."

"So if my calculations are correct, you should have... oh my... that is a lot of shoes." she said sitting up and staring at Mac. "What do you need from me?"

"An attorney, because I am going to reopen my nightclub and my agency. When you consider that McCall and Spinelli were the only other detectives in town... I don't think I have too much to worry about."

"Why even bother?" she asked.

"I miss it, I miss the rush and the girls are adults now. And frankly I am sick and tired of being a cop." he said. "Abbott is doing a good job, and he is trying to talk a few of my former detectives into coming back now that most of the corruption is gone."

"Yes, but two businesses, are you up for that? No offense but you are a bit older." she reminded him.

"I know, but this is just going to be a nightclub, no dinners except on special occasions, And I have enough contacts now that it shouldn't be that hard to work on getting licensed." he said. "I need to do something and I actually have a potential partner in mind for the agency."

"Anyone I know?" she asked.

"No, at least I don't think so. Did you ever meet my daughter, Georgie?" he asked. "She has her mother's instincts and can handle herself. Plus she was in her third year of pre-law when she was grabbed by Jerry."

"So if she continues with school... I get what you are thinking." she replied. "You are going to need something in the mean time."

"Oh, I can't tell you anymore than that." he said with a smirk.

~~*~~

AJ watched Michael sleep, seeing how restless the blond was, he knew that he was having bad dreams, but wasn't expecting him to sit up screaming. Holding his son, AJ calmed him down then asked what was causing the dreams?

"I keep seeing Dominic, or rather Dante going over that bridge with Sonny standing there. Sometimes, I am him and and he is watching me get tossed over." he said pulling in on himself. "I hate this, I hate that my life was so screwed up."

Looking up, Michael whispered "Are you sure Sonny is dead. I keep seeing him coming for me, telling me that I am going to pay for killing his son."

"Yes, Jason made sure to verify it." said AJ. Looking at his watch he said "We should be landing soon."

"Where are we again?" he asked.

"Just outside of Oregon, in Washington." he said then hearing the phone beep, answered it. "Thanks Jax."

"What is it?" asked Michael.

"We are going to be landing in an hour. Do you want to try and get some sleep?" AJ asked.

"No, tell me something, tell me about you and Uncle Jason."

AJ sat back and said "Well, when Johnny and I arrived, your uncle was already shot a couple of times. Johnny was going to stay while I got Jason out. He was in bad shape and holding his head saying it hurt in spite of the bullets. We went to this hospital in Mexico, they fixed the GSW's, but the bleeding turned out to be worse than expected."

"That was when your Uncle's plan went to heck. Sam showed back up and you know that part." said AJ. "We, your real uncle and I stayed at the clinic and he told me about you and about Elizabeth and the boys."

"He loves them, doesn't he?" asked the blond envious but accepting.

"Yes, but he was so worried and things back home were so screwed up. See, Elizabeth and her sons should have come first, but..."

"Uncle Jason couldn't put them first because of Mom and Dad and the others." said a knowing Michael. "What happened?"

"We started to solve the riddles, but we couldn't figure out the San Francisco one. Steve Webber and Elizabeth and your grandmother did."

"What was it?" When Michael heard he laughed and said "You all were just too lame. I mean a Cage, a seven, please, Nick Cage and Sean Connery, that movie has the best chase scene ever." said the younger blond. "Besides, I like to watch it knowing it makes Mom crazy, did you know Brenda was in it as the girl friend."

Looking at his son, he said "You do have a bit of Quartermaine in you, don't you. That is something we would have done."

"Yup, Mom banned the movie after seeing the scene where she is about to have sex with Nick Cage." said Michael giggling. "So what happened next on this great quest?"

Giving him the details as much as he thought Michael could handle, AJ found the hour passed quickly then it was time to land. Michael sobered up when the two men came with the cuffs and held out his hands. "Dad, you will be there?"

"All the time. Until you are sick of me." vowed AJ as he followed him to the van with the reinforced steel. Praying under his breath, AJ said "I only hope we get to you healthy."

~~*~~

Alan was bit cranky by the time Monica had driven him home. "I just want to sleep in my own bed without annoying nurses coming in every two hours to see if I had any trouble sleeping. I would have been fine if they had just let me sleep."

"Not a lot of fun on the other side of the stethoscope is it." said Skye. She had been shocked that Monica had not only invited her along but had given her time with Alan alone. Now she was sitting in the back seat with her father in spite of having offered to drive.

"No, I can't wait until I find out if I can go back to work." he said with a heavy sigh. "Plus, your brothers own the hospital now, I think I can count on them giving me back my job."

"Not as chief of staff." warned Monica. "You know that it killed Steven, so don't even think about asking for it back. Let his grandson handle it." She had been surprised when AJ had awkwardly told her what they had planned, she had been amused to realize that her sons had felt like they were firing her and Patrick. Neither of them had truly wanted the job and were relieved to be getting back to their own specialties.

"I know, dear." he said then meeting her eyes in the rear view mirror he said "But I can still teach and last I knew we were still a teaching hospital in spite of the damage that fool Ford did. Why you didn't take the job when it was offered..."

"Yes Edward." said emphasizing his father's name. Skye couldn't help chuckling because she had been thinking he was reminding her of the older man. "Speaking of your father, he is on his way into the airport, Tracy is meeting him and bringing him straight home."

"I still want to know how you got him out of town. I would have thought you would have had to pry the keys to ELQ out of his hands." Asked Skye.

"We used Lila, it worked." said Monica with a sad smile. "Now Alan, remember what Leo Julian said, take it easy."

When they had entered and Alan had been given a bear hug from Alice, everyone else soon joined in including Elizabeth who had brought the boys. "Where is Jason?"

"Working believe it or not. He did want to be here." said Elizabeth assuring him that things had indeed changed. Looking around she saw the boys playing with Lilarae with Dillion supervising.

After Monica had gotten Alan seated, she joined the younger woman and asked if everything was okay?

"Yes, Jason was just worried about a few things. Olivia is in town and she is still blaming Michael for Dante and there were a few other things he needed to get done." she didn't want to tell Monica but she got the feeling that Jason was going to be dealing with Nik that night as well.

"I got confirmation, Emily is back in the family vault. She did die of cancer." said Monica with a sad grin. "At least Jerry returned her."

"Are you going to arrange for a service?" she asked dreading the idea of Nik showing up.

"A small one, at the vault." Hearing the phone ring, she had a quick talk with AJ who let them know that Michael had arrived in Washington in one piece.

~~*~~

Spinelli was let into the room and saw the same dark haired man from earlier waiting with a file in front of him. "Sit down."

Looking at him, Spinelli quickly sat then was told. "My name is Special Agent-in-charge Jagger Cates."

"Don't bother, I won't betray my master to you." he said hotly.

"You are not here for that. You are hear to listen." he said then made Spinelli listen to the same disks that Jason had earlier that day. "Now for what you didn't hear. We found the briefcase that was in the Metrocourt. Jerry Jacks led Mac Scorpio to it"

"So, I knew nothing about it." said Spinelli.

"WE know, you are just listening remember? We also found the payment, looks like it was hid at the same time. Diamonds, more specifically blood diamonds, do you know what they are?" he asked.

Seeing him nod yes, Jagger continued. "We have been monitoring you for weeks, I have enough on you to send you to a maximum security lock down in Kentucky for the rest of your natural life. From the worm in this computer, to the accessing the federal terrorist database. Your pal Sam has been connected to money laundering and drug running here in town. While she was working with Det. Spencer at least four shipments went missing. She is our only lead."

"Sam wouldn't...."

"I talk, you listen, remember?" said Jagger as he went through the laundry list of charges. "Finally, we have proof connecting you to what happened to Elizabeth Webber. That mess alone... really, did you do any research on your victim or did you just attack?"

Uneasy, Spinelli said "What are you talking about?"

"The illegally accessing her funds and giving them to Lucky Spencer. You transferred fourteen thousand dollars from one account to the next. Anything over ten thousand triggers a safe guard. My technician has you, dead to rights. Add that to your altering her medical records including the drugs she needed after the toxic ball incident here and we have attempted murder charges."

"No, I didn't mean to kill her, I just wanted her weak, so that I could prove that fair Samantha was a better match for my master." he said desperately then once the damn broke the rest came forth like water flowing under a bridge as Spinelli confessed to everything.

Looking at him, Jagger gave him a cold grin then said "Thank you, now you have two choices. Prison, or we can work out a deal. You come to work for me, taking down mobsters with your rather unique talents and insider information or you go to prison, what will it be?"

"I want to talk to my master, I need his advice." said Spinelli only for Jagger to laugh.

"Who do you think brought me in. He wants prison but knows that I can use you and that I won't be influenced by your pathetic manners."

"One more thing, Jason knew what Sam would do, that she would go to the FBI, he let it happen, let her betray Sonny and the others. What do you think the five families would have done to her? What they will do to her if this were to become public knowledge." he subtlety threatened.

Spinelli turned white and knew he had no choice. "I will work for you."

"Good choice, one more thing, you are dead as of today. Morgan wants you far, far away from his family and you are going to be signing a piece of paper saying you understand."

~~*~~

Jason walked away from the meeting then hurried to the safe house. Seeing the vase right where it was supposed to be, Jason tipped it up and took out the key and the ring. He knew Elizabeth wasn't ready yet, but someday, he hoped she would.

Hurrying to the Hardy residence he was a bit surprised to only see Jeff and Audrey there. "Where is everyone?"

"Alan came home today." said the older man who watched as Jason handed something to Audrey then left quickly. "Well, I guess talking to Elizabeth is out tonight."

"Probably. Jeff, she is still dealing with a lot, I don't know if she will ever be ready to deal with that part of her past. You were the parent it was your responsibility. Yes she hurt your feelings by rejecting you, but frankly she was a kid. What was your excuse?"

"I have none. I just see her with her boys, with her friends, with Morgan and envy the relationship she has, even the one with Morgan right now. She at least is letting him in."

"They were out looking at houses today. They found one they liked but the owners are out of the country right now." Audrey sighed then said "I was hoping they would stick around, but this place is a little crowded."

~~*~~

Luke found himself shackled and his feet chained to the floor of the van and said "I don't need this, I am just attending my son's funeral."

The guards ignored him, then when they arrived, refused his request to attend without the hardware.

"No and stop asking Mr. Spencer." snapped one of the men. They had been told that if they lost the prisoner, they were fired and no one wanted to be fired just before Christmas.

Once inside, Luke took in the pitiful group that included his sister, her son, his daughter and son along with Laura and her mother. "Where is Nik?"

"I asked him not to come. Lucky and he weren't on speaking terms." said Bobbie.

"And Elizabeth, where is Lucky's great love and why isn't she here?" he sneered.

"Luke, tone it down, right now, I have spent the morning getting an earful on this family and frankly Elizabeth is the least culpable in this mess. Sam McCall killed our son, not Elizabeth." snapped Laura.

"Elizabeth is the reason behind it." stated Lulu with absolute certainty.

"No, she isn't. If people had stopped playing games and let Elizabeth and Jason be, none of this would have happened. Now this is a celebration of Lucky's life, such as it was." said Laura. "Stop thinking about who isn't here and lets concentrate on who is."

The short serviced ended and they all went back to the Brownstone where Laura called Scotty and said "Pick me up."

"You aren't staying?" asked Luke from where he stood between the two guards.

"No, I prefer to remember my son as he was years ago, that is the Lucky I will mourn." she said then looking at him said "Luke, take this time, think about things. I don't know who you are anymore and I don't think you do either."

Hugging her crying daughter, Laura quickly left after telling Bobbie she was sorry. Laura had had a full visit in the short time she had been there, including learning how Deception had burnt down and how Nik had illegally sold the property because he was deep in debt. Letting the blond leave, Bobbie looked at the three remaining and said "Lucas what time is your plane?"

"In the morning, I am going to head up to bed." Bobbie told the others about the Haunted Star and that it had been sold for parts, she couldn't help seeing how nervous and angry Ethan was and made a quick call to Mac after he left. Then grabbing her coat went to see Alan and Monica.

~~*~~

That night, Elizabeth walked down to the study and asked "Jason, what are you doing?"

Showing her the post cards that the boys had bought, he said "Planning a family vacation."

"Did you think about my offer?" she asked feeling nervous. She had talked to her grandmother who had agreed but she still felt a bit guilty.

When she sat down next to him, Jason said "First, I have something for you." Handing her the wooden box, he saw the way the blue glass lit up the room with only the reflections of light off of the fireplace. "Tip it upside down."

When the key and ring landed in her lap, Jason said "This ring, is a promise ring. A promise that as long as you need me to wait, I will. The key, is to a safe deposit box. No one but you can access it but just keep it until you are ready."

"Jason, why do I think the answer is no." she said sadly as he placed the Claddagh ring on her.

"You would be right. I don't think that the boys are ready for that and I know you aren't. I can see it in your eyes, Elizabeth." he said with a sad smile. "When you are ready, even just to sleep in the same bed, I think we both will know."

"Jason..." He placed his hand over her mouth and said "No, you aren't. I love you and will wait. I promise."

"I think you are over-thinking this. It is just an offer of a space in the bed." she said gently.

"Not for me, for me it is a sign we are moving closer and right now, I think that it would be a mixed signal." with that he kissed her gently then said "Good night."

Returning the kiss, she sadly went up to bed alone. Jason laid back down, knowing Elizabeth was upset, but he wanted a future and he knew that for that to happen, they had to be completely open and honest and Elizabeth was still hiding in the shadows.

TBC