Jax sat in his office at the MetroCourt. The sun had barely peaked through at the horizon as he flipped through an old family photo album. The pictures brought up old memories of quality time between the Jacks men. 'I'm sorry, dad.' Jax thought to himself as a tear hit the open page.

The door started to open, and Olivia looked in shock to see Jax sitting there. "I am so sorry; I didn't know…"

"It's okay, come in. Did you need something?"

"There was a report in your top drawer that I wanted to take a look at before the order went out today." Olivia explained. "Jax, I didn't expect to see you back at work…"

"I had to get out for a bit." He replied biting his lip in order to keep himself from crying.

"I can't imagine it's easy on you; trying to stay strong for Michael, Morgan, and Britni, and now Alexis, Kristina, and Molly. Meanwhile grieving the death of both your wife and brother." Olivia mentioned noticing the pictures he was looking at. "If you need someone to talk you, someone you don't feel you need to protect, let me know."

Jax looked to her in obvious grief.

"Or, if you just want a hug?" She offered.

He smiled at the kind gesture. "There was a day when I looked up to him; I wanted to be just like him."

"I'm assuming you're talking about Jerry." Olivia replied as she pulled up a chair.

"That Jerry died a long time ago. It just took too long to figure that out."

"Jacks, I'm going to stop you right now if this is a lead in to blaming yourself for everything that monster did. You're right; you're brother died long before he became Mr. Craig, but it's not your fault for wanting to see that boy." She pointed at his picture.

"I thought I had an idea of what he was capable of; I thought there were some boundaries he wouldn't cross, but… he had to be stopped."

"If there's one good thing we can take out of this is that he has been."

"Lady Jane can't know." Jax replied.

"She already does. Weren't you in communication with her the day of the accident? I know she sent flowers to the funeral…"

"It was a farce." He admitted. "Before the rescuers got to the scene Jerry had already found his way aboard a ship doing illegal poaching with Carly."

"Jax?"

"Carly survived the ship wreck, barely. She was brought to shore, and hidden. She eventually gained consciousness, but her memory was gone. He capitalized on it; made a new reality for her where they were married to tried to lure her into his fantasy through lies, meanwhile her mother, and brother, and children mourned her death." He explained through tears.

"Carly's alive?" Olivia questioned.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Shortly after Jason showed up she collapsed and was taken to the hospital."

"Did Jason tell you all this?"

"No; Jerry did. He knew that eventually Jason would come after him. He called me to transfer some money into an account and provide him with haven for the time being." Jax explained.

"No; you didn't. Jax!" Olivia shook her head.

"I did." He laughed. "I gave him a place to stay, and then I left a message leading Jason there. It was the only way I knew how to protect my family. I can only guess that Jerry is long gone by now."

"Wow; so this trip down memory lane, is it to make yourself feel better or worse about what you feel you've done? Either way, I'm not judging."

"I just hope it's not too late. I kept telling myself that a part of him was still there. Somehow every time he apologized I… I wanted to believe him. I wanted to see that brother that I looked up to, and he kept saying he would turn it around; that it was the last time, and… when he made that claim yesterday I felt nothing; it was hallow.

"All I heard was Morgan crying on his mother's bed as he realized the scent on her pillow would eventually fade. All I saw was the blood on Michael's hand after he bashed it into a locker at school. All I felt was Britni trembling in my arms after a bad night terror."

"Do they know that Carly survived?"

"No; they are starting to adjust and I don't want… not if she's going to be taken away again." Jax explained.

"Jason hasn't called yet?" She questioned to which he shook his head no. Olivia picked up the phone in front of him. "Then call the hospital. You're still legally her husband; you have ever right…"

Jax shook his head and put the receiver down. "What if I'm not ready to know?"

XXXXXX

"Lucky, she'll be here just sit down." Robin cautioned his exertion.

"What exactly did Nikolas tell you?" Lucky asked her.

"She was injected with a narcotic and that if not given the antidote it would kill her, but Lucky we're going to find the antidote. I promise you that."

"They just landed." Luke said coming into the conversation after getting off the phone with Ethan. "An ambulance is already there to pick them up. They will be here in about 15 minutes."

"How is Sam?" Lucky questioned.

"So far there's no sign of the drug taking effect."

"Has anyone called Alexis?" Lucky asked.

"Natasha is on her way." Luke confirmed. "Cowboy, I think there is something I should tell you before they get here. They aren't coming alone. Ethan rescued a woman from outside the facility Helena was keeping Sam in. Someone Helena has a special interest in."

"I'm not in the mood for brain teasers." Lucky replied while sitting down.

"Okay then." Luke sat down next to his son. "Helena's grand scheme is to produce an heir with blood ties to the families listed in her clever little nursery rhyme; this is accomplished by using Sam's egg and your sperm."

"My what? How?"

"Do you remember when Helena had you brainwashed?"

"Oh my God, but how? Sam can't…"

"Hence this other woman; apparently her name is Mischa and it's Nikolas' plan to keep her guarded at his castle while they figure out the Ice Princess' next move."

"Do we know that it took?"

"I don't know the details." Luke replied. "I just thought you should be prepared."

"Where's my daughter?" Alexis approached in the desk in distress.

"She's on her way Ms. Davis." The nurse replied. "If you could take a seat with the rest of them we'll let you know when the ambulance gets here."

"Is there any information about how she is doing?" Alexis questioned.

Robin stepped forward. "Luke just got off the phone with Ethan; according to him no symptoms have presented themselves yet. Alexis, please, I know you are scared but we need to clear the hall for when the ambulance does get here."

"Lucky have you spoken with her?" Alexis turned to see him.

"Not yet." He sighed feeling just as helpless as she appeared to look.

"Okay, they are coming." Robin approached them. "Just stay here; Liz, cubicle five is open. When she comes in I want 100 cc's taken and brought back to the lab immediately. I want to check out respiration quickly, and then you guys can see her."

Liz had just gotten in for her shift, and it pained her to see Lucky look so helpless. She wanted to walk over and offer encouragement, but knew the best thing for him would be to find the antidote which meant getting her chart and necessary supplies ready. The door opened and Luke held Lucky back as Sam was wheeled in. Robin directed the EMTs to the cubicle as Nikolas and Ethan joined the family with Mischa.

Alexis gave her nephew a hug as she looked in the direction Sam had disappeared to. "She's okay, right? I mean, she looked okay."

"The damage in the crash was minimal; she mentioned some initial stiffness in the back and neck but otherwise was checked out as fine. She was kept fairly sedated, and can't recall any procedure to procure her gametes." Nikolas explained.

"That's probably a good thing." Luke weighed in.

"What about the injection?" Lucky asked.

"She noticed a heavy feeling on her chest on the way here." Ethan explained.

"It's taking effect?" Alexis hung her head.

"She's a survivor." Luke reminded her.

"Okay, the family can go in." Robin invited them. Nikolas, Ethan, and Luke allowed Lucky and Alexis to go first. As soon as she saw Lucky, Sam opened her arms and he allowed her to throw them around his neck.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you." Sam whispered to him. "Helena told me about the crash…"

"I'm fine; it's you we need to worry about. Lay down." He instructed her.

"How are you feeling?" Alexis asked her. "Ethan said that…"

"It's just a little bit of pressure. Robin thinks that the drug is creating fluid in the chest." Sam replied.

"That's a start." Lucky encourage. "The sooner she can narrow down the possibilities the better shot we have."

"Mom, please don't cry." Sam begged her.

Alexis was trying not to show the fear she was experiencing, but she knew Helena. This was some chemical concoction to which medical science had never seen before. Finding and creating an antidote in time was bound to be impossible. "I'm just thinking that maybe we should give Helena what she wants. At least for the time being, and then we have another nine months to retrieve Ms. Stephen's."

"No!" Sam replied.

"Maybe she's right, hun. I don't want to lose you." Lucky said clutching her hand.

"If we give Mischa back Helena is going to disappear and it's going to be decades before she's heard from again. That's our child," Sam looked to Lucky. "I'm not going to risk losing it."

"But…"

"No; no butts. We have Robin and a team of doctor's working on it on this end, and Galen and an army of soldier's working on it from that one. This is going to work; I know it is. No matter what happens, Lucky, promise me…"

He shook his head. "The only thing I'm going to promise is that I'm not going to let you die."

XXXXXX

Jason walked the path from the hotel to the hospital knowing that it was too soon to visit but having no where else to be. His mind kept wandering to the final show down with Jerry; Jerry was only half surprised to see him there. He knew he was asking his brother too much to turn his eye on that one. After the shoot-out that happened after the MetroCourt situation Jason was expecting more resistance, but it was as if he opponent knew and accepted what was coming to him.

He wanted the moment where he dumped the remains from the boat for the sharks to feed from to feel better; give him relief for the weeks of torment that he had gone through, but without certainty of Carly's condition there was no reprieve. He thought about calling Jax, but figured Jax needed time to come to terms with his role in taking his brother's life, and Jason didn't have any answers for Jax to bring to the family.

"Is there any update on her condition?" Jason asked the nurse's station.

"She's stable but has yet to gain consciousness." The nurse replied knowing exactly who he was asking about.

"Mr. Morgan." Dr. Brown approached him. "I just got off the phone with Doctor Drake. The jet should be landing in a couple of hours and he is feeling confident about going in immediately."

"What's the prognosis?" Jason asked her.

"Dr. Drake has too big of an ego to fly down here and operate on her if he didn't think he could save Carly's life. Why don't you go back there and remind her again of the reasons she has to hang on while he gets here?"

He didn't need to be told twice. Jason went directly to her room to sit down next to her and kiss her forehead. "While we were in South Carolina I told you that was it, I was at my threshold, and I couldn't handle anymore close calls. I know you are stubborn and want to prove me wrong, but I am serious now if you want me here to hold on to then I need you to keep fighting.

"Carly you have three beautiful children. There's Michael, and with all he's been through in his life it's been your love and your stability that has turned him into a remarkable, caring young man about to embark on the greatest adventure of his life through education and love. Morgan is just starting to figure out who he is, what he wants, and where his talents lie. He still needs that guidance and support, but thus far he's taken your optimism and enjoyment out of the little things in life. And then there's Britni, the daughter you always wanted… Carly, it wouldn't be fair to her to never get the chance to experience the love you have given to your sons."

XXXXXX

"I'm Mrs. Corinthos' attorney." Ric said standing on Sonny's porch while being patted down by security.

"He's clean." One of the guards said allowing him to gain access.

"What exactly are they looking to find?" Ric asked his brother once he was inside.

"Those guys are on the courts payroll." Sonny replied. "Speaking of which, what do you have?"

"I spoke with Special Prosecutor Amy Fuller, and discussion is already going in our favor it looks like we could possibly do this without another court case." Ric told him.

"What is she offering?" Claudia asked coming into the room.

"She's proposing settling to the reckless endangerment charge that you should have had in the first place." Ric replied.

"Doesn't that still carry out an eleven to twelve month prison sentence?" Sonny questioned.

"I have asked for the month already served with the rest of the time on house arrest. She's deliberating and should come have an answer before tomorrow's hearing."

"If this goes through I won't have to spend another day in prison?" Claudia clarified.

Ric shook his head no. "Not another minute. She has the burden of proof. She's trying to come up with something, but Alexis has already presented the file. If she takes the deal it goes on the books as a conviction, if not, she's risking an acquittal."

"So you're saying if she agrees to this deal there's no more trial, no more prison, Claudia carries out the rest of her sentence here and she's free by next Christmas?" Sonny clarified.

"You got it." Ric responded smugly.

Claudia attempted not to smile; she didn't want to rely on false hope but felt compelled to give Ric a hug for his efforts.

"It's not done yet, but I will keep you informed when I hear something."

"Thank you." Sonny shook his hand. Ric left for a day out with his daughter. As they stood alone in the entry Claudia let out an excited squeal. After Michael was shot she never fathomed Sonny forgiving her; that in itself was a miracle, but the idea of her being able to have and raise her child in freedom was a true blessing.

"Did I miss some kind of celebration?" Stella asked coming into the Corinthos home.

"Stella!" Claudia welcomed her into her house. "You dyed your hair again."

"A couple shades lighter; it's not that I don't like the idea of being your sister, it's just that shade really wasn't flattering." Stella explained.

"Joey didn't seem to mind. How is he doing?" Claudia asked her.

"He's doing well; they are actually talking about moving him back to Pentonville tomorrow."

"I never thought I would be hoping for the day when a friend required more hospitalization." Claudia responded.

"I know what you mean, but we knew it was coming and nine months isn't really that long."

Claudia touched her belly. "Tell me that again when I can barely roll myself out of bed."

"What about you? Have you heard anything?"

"Actually you probably just missed my lawyer leaving." Claudia replied.

"That was your…?"

"My brother, Ric Lansing." Sonny confirmed.

"Well considering the smile on both of your faces I'm going to assume that it's good news."

Claudia nodded, and explained the deal on the table. "I may need your help with the baby clothes shopping all the stuff I have is for a girl and I really don't think he'll like it."

"She'll fit into those dresses just fine." Sonny argued.

"Sonny, Sonny, Sonny." Stella shook her head. "You just don't argue with mother's intuition."

"Mother's, what about father's? I'll put money on the fact that she's a girl."

"How much?" Stella took him up on it.

"A hundred." Sonny offered.

"Make it a thousand and you got yourself a bet." Stella shook on it.

"Do we find out from the ultrasound or do we ask to hold off until he's born?" Claudia asked securing the terms.

"It's up to you." Sonny said looking to his wife.

"In the delivery room it is." She smirked.