Switching Places

Chapter 48

"Family the only ties that no matter how many times you cut them constantly keep growing back. They are kind of like weeds that way."

Carly was sitting with AJ when Elizabeth entered along with two men. The first was a good looking younger man with that detached but concerned air she had come to expect with doctors but the older one drew her eyes. While coldly efficient, he had a presence that drew your attention. Seeing Elizabeth introduce him to Emily, she went over to her friend and asked if she wanted her to get the Quartermaine family.

"Milo went to get them. AJ Quartermaine, this is my brother Steven. Steven this is AJ, Emily's brother. This is my father Jeff." She said going no further than that. When she saw Monica and Alan joining them, she was amused to hear Alan, treat Jeff worse than she had ever seen him talk to Sonny. She found that rather surprising considering they had brought him here to help Emily.

"What are her stats?" Returned Jeff. When given the information, he soon went over to the patient, only to back away a few minutes later annoyed. "Elizabeth, could you please join us?"

Walking to the bed, Elizabeth was amused to see that Emily had enough fight in her to be rude to her father. When he offered his medical opinion to Alan and Monica the younger girl gathered her strength enough to say "Dr. Webber, I am the patient. If you have something to say, say it to me."

"I need to discuss the technical version with your parents first." He said patronizing her. The various members of the Q's gathered in the doorway, along with Carly.

"Gee, does that mean that all these years of medical school makes me incompetent to understand or is the cancer in my breasts affecting my understanding." She said snottily.

Jeff was chagrinned to realize the young woman was a med student. Flushing he gave her the news. "So what you are saying is if I don't allow the surgery I will die. You are wrong, the cancer has stopped spreading, now that it is retreating, I refuse to consider surgery."

"Miss Quartermaine, why am I here if you are not going to take my advice?" He asked.

"Because your stepmother doesn't think you are as big of a jerk as I do. Mom, Dad, I said I would let him examine me, and listen to what he had to say. I did, I am NOT taking his advice." She said.

"Young lady you are going to die if you don't get that lump removed."

Elizabeth had stayed on the sidelines but now she had to stand up for her friend and her wants. "Monica, this is the same thing all those other doctors have been saying. She has proven them wrong, let's give her time to think, then decide what she wants. Maybe we can get Dr. Jones to show Jeff around the hospital."

"I didn't come five thousand miles for a tour of a place I once worked, Elizabeth. Your are giving your friend foolish advice. Do you want her to die?"

"No, she doesn't but she also doesn't want her treated by a pompous windbag who won't listen to what their patients want." Said Carly. Monica was wiping the tears that were flowing, knowing that her daughter truly believed that not having surgery was the best option, but what if it wasn't. She could not handle burying her.

Alan wished that Jeff's bedside manner wasn't equal to his nonexistent parenting skills. Trying to get everyone in the room to take a step back from the all out brawl it seemed to be coming to, he was glad to see Carly go over and squeeze Emily's hand, then say she would go and home and take care of what Emily had asked. She would bring her little man back later, but they were on their own for the other.

"Tell him I want a rematch." Said the pale girl in the bed. With a half grin, Carly leaned down and whispered to make sure and kick the pompous jackass in the rear when she finally got out of that bed.

AJ joined her in leaving, not wanting Carly to drive home by herself.

Monica looked around and realized that Jason wasn't there, going over to her daughter in law, she asked where he was.

"Mac needed him down at the station. They found evidence of one of the kidnappers; it was something that belonged to Sam." Was all she said. "Alexis was meeting him there, so that he would not be delayed."

Jason walked into the station, groaned at the various law enforcement personnel and wished he were anyplace else. Seeing Diane instead of Alexis he wasn't happy. Alexis could use guilt to get him back to the hospital; Diane would have to rely on the law.

"Morgan, my office. Now." Said Mac then grabbing a grimacing Taggert dragged the man along. Wondering why the detective looked like he was in pain, Jason and Diane followed them.

"Were you aware that Andy Capelli was the man involved with Carly's kidnapping?"

Jason kept his face blank, but was thinking about damn time. "No." was all he said. While happy it was coming out he had expected it to take a few days to run the fingerprints and for them to find the tapes.

Diane asked why he was getting asked these questions?

"Taggert show them what we found at the Zachara house." Taggert looked in agony as he placed the videotape in the VCR and hit play. On it was his soon to be arrested partner standing next to Lucky Spencer's car with a gun and firing it at Dr. Devlin as Lucky laid looking like he was dead.

Jason knew what was on the tape; the deal with New York had gotten him access to the surveillance tapes of one of their legitimate business interests that had taken off into a mini empire for them. He only wished Spencer had really been dead. "Why are you showing me this tape?"

"I don't think you knew, but the FBI does." Said Taggert growling. If Morgan had been aware of Capelli he would be dead, didn't the idiots in suits know that. "We would also like to know about the Zachara crime family."

"The only Zachara's I know employ Ric Lansing's father as an attorney, would these be the ones you are talking about."

"Don't get smart with me, Morgan. I am not in the mood for it." He said before stalking out the door and into Interrogation room one. Shaking his head, he was truly in a filthy mood, a mobster was in his boss' office getting offered coffee and his partner was in handcuffs.

"Why would you do this?"

Capelli wanted to say he had been set up, but it would not have mattered so he just reiterated his request for a lawyer and said nothing else. How did this go wrong, who had done this? It couldn't have been Morgan, if he had known about his part, he would be dead.

Spencer was too much of a screw up and had been in the same room as him repeatedly. He knew it wasn't him. Carly would have told Jason if she knew anything, and Ric was lying in a bed, getting his diaper changed.

He had killed Sam, Durant was dead and so was Devlin. Who did that leave?

Lansing, Sr. It made no sense, though, if he had known why had he not approached him?

Jason thanked Diane for getting there so quickly, then called Elizabeth to let her know he was on his way.

"I am heading home. Emily is sleeping; Nik is with her along with Lucky. She wanted to talk to me, but my father gave her a sedative." She said with a sigh. "Your parents are going to be there and I can't deal with my father. Are you meeting me, or going to the warehouse."

Jason felt guilty but knew what he had to do. "The warehouse." When Elizabeth found out he had been lying to her she was going to skin him alive. Entering the safe house he asked his father how their patient was doing?

"She is starting to come out of the fever, but it is a long time until she will truly be well. I wish you would let Elizabeth help, your men make lousy nurses."

Shaking his head no, Jason looked in on the woman, who was she and what was her connection to this whole mess? Why had his men found her locked in the secret room and who was she to Trevor? Benny was running checks, but had no more information than when he had started. "Alan, thank you. I know that it is the worst possible time for this."

"Your sister would understand. You should have seen her today. For the first time, I think I believe she can beat this thing." He said, feeling confident for the first time in weeks.

"So Dr. Webber has been some help?" He asked leaning against the counter when they arrived into the small kitchen.

"Not in the way he was supposed to be, but he set her back up so bad, she will fight this if for no other reason than to tell him I told you so." Alan said with a watery grin. "I have to get back before Monica starts missing me."

Jason winced at that one, he knew that it was going to be very bad for both of them when this came out. They were both lying to their wives about their location.

Walking the few blocks to the warehouse, knowing it would drive Johnny crazy, but he needed the time to clear his head and make plans.

"Boss?" He heard as soon as he entered. Grimacing he glared at Max, who said "Jason, sorry I know you hate to be called that. We have the bugs, do you want to listen."

Jason listened in as he heard Trevor Lansing ordering his men to find her, then his slamming things around muttering to himself. Then they heard him on the phone asking someone about Anthony. More cursing and then orders to someone to find the kid, now.

Finally they heard the news that there was an intruder. Jason gave a slight smile at the idea of Capelli adding to his own mess. Finally sounds of a search, then Trevor ordering the men to find Johnny, that he had to be on the grounds.

Ten minutes later the sound of the police arriving and then the search for evidence. Best was the sound of a CSU officer telling Mac and Taggert that he had something they needed to see. The sound of Taggert cursing and then Mac calling Justus.

The arrival of the FBI, more local police and the state troopers. Then silence. Jason listened to other bugs in other rooms, which Stan had edited. "Great job, Johnny call Boston, let them know it will be wrapped up soon. Find out what New York thinks happened to Anthony and then talk to Marco about Johnny Z."

Heading home, Jason was standing in the doorway of the penthouse, when he saw his wife coming down the stairs in a dress.

"Good, you got my message; you need to change quickly."

"Elizabeth, what message?" He asked, then taking out his cell phone realized it was off. Turning it back on he found two messages, one from his mother asking is he had seen Alan, the second from Elizabeth. The contents had his eyebrows up to his forehead.

"Are they sure?" He asked astonished. "Why now?"

"I have absolutely no idea. Emily has been talking about it, but I had no idea that Carly was involved until a few minutes ago."

"When did this happen?" He asked still confused but grabbing onto his wife's hand and pulling her up the stairs so that they could talk while he changed.

"I asked Zander to help me convince Stefan. Next thing I know, Zander and her are spending time together. Now they are throwing it all away for love. I had no idea, but we have to go."

"What about Nik and the money?" He asked still confused. The Prince had refused his offer, but had been struggling since. Carly had been furious about this, since it looked like he was going to end up married to Lydia. Carly could not stand the woman, in fact, she had suggested that Nik marry her and then push her off a cliff.

"He called me, telling me that he couldn't go through with it. Not loving Emily like he does." She said beaming. "I still don't understand why Emily is insisting on being there, but she is. Monica protested, but Steven asked if she would agree to use the wheelchair and let him remove her at his discretion."

"Why do we have to be there?"

"We are going, because Nik said the only way he would take the loan from us is if we help him do this." She said nodding her head at his astonishment. "Yup, he agreed finally."

Emily was still twisting Carly's when they arrived at the hospital. Jason drew Stefan and Nik off to a corner, glaring when he saw Lucky there in a suit. "Why is he here?"

"Not my choice." Said Nik. Nik had tried to keep Lucky away from Elizabeth since the incident at the church, but his brother was determined to get back with her. "His aunt invited him. Do you think that with the adjustments you will still agree to the deal?"

"Fine, but I want assurances that you are doing this for you, not my sister." Jason said looking him in the eyes.

"She is the reason, but not in the way you are thinking." Nik didn't want to admit that a woman lying in a hospital bed had to yell at him, before his pride had admitted that he was making a mistake. The verbal picture she had created for him had almost broken his heart.

When he had gone to Lydia, telling her he could not go through with their plans, she had sighed in relief and said Alexis had offered to help get her the money, no matter what.

The pregnant blond stopped beside the priest and said thank you. Father Coates grinned slightly and said "No thanks necessary, this is really the second best part of my job. Shall we get started?"

Carly shooed everyone in, glared at the bride and said to her brother, do it.

Lucas slowly played the wedding march, not used to the keys, but at least it was better than the funeral dirge Carly had wanted him to play for this. Seeing the girl walking down the aisle, he looked over at his mom and smiled.

She was sitting with the father of the groom and looked quite happy. Dr. Lewis had been staying at the Hardy residence and Bobbie had been visiting Audrey to talk to her about the kids. She kept hoping for some sort of change in his cousin, but Lucky seemed to be getting worse.

Realizing he was daydreaming he pulled back to reality in time to hear the priest announce Alexander and Lydia Smith. Still shaking his head, knowing that no one else saw them as a couple either; he just started playing the piano.

When the bride stopped and handed Emily her hastily made up bouquet and said your next, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Nik was telling Stefan to talk to Alexis, then he would sign the papers, before hurrying after Father Coates, his request had the priest grinning, then explaining something, but Nik was insistent. Grabbing onto Elizabeth, he whispered in her ear, then she rushed off, calling Skye and Lila who were not here.

Getting Jason's attention, she did the whispering this time, then went to find Monica and Alan. When Carly realized what all the whispering was about, she cornered her friend, only to be told it was her turn. "I have done this before."

"I know that Carly, many, many, many time." She joked. Getting smacked, she asked her to find a small present that she wanted to give to Emily then returned to her planning.

Fifteen minutes later, she got a call from Skye, "Red, White or Purple?"

"Purple, after all she gets to become a princess, I think it is fitting."

Steven was helping the patient into bed, surprised to realize that the family that had been hanging around and seemed to be holding onto his patients every breath, were all missing. Seeing the young red head boy trying to sneak into the room as he wrote up Emily's chart outside, he said. "No children are allowed into here."

"I wouldn't move." He said giggling. Then walking on ignoring the orders to stop.

Annoyed, Steven went to reach for him, when he found himself falling in the hallway. Glaring at the boy, he was further upset when he started to laugh louder and said "I told you that you shouldn't move. Didn't your parents are teach you to tie your shoelaces."

Furious and with his knee hurting, Steven saw that he had caught his laces in the heavy specialized wheel chair that he had brought down from the burn unit to take Emily to the chapel. "Little shit." He said under his breath, then when he attempted to enter the room, he found the door locked.

Chapter 49

Nik was getting all the stuff Elizabeth had ordered him to get ready when he panicked. He realized he had never even asked Emily yet. Rushing off to her room, he saw the security staff outside and Dr. Webber and his son telling them to get the door open.

"What is going on here?" He asked. The guards stopped, then said. "Some kid locked himself in with your fiance sir."

"What kid and how did he get into Emily's room."

Steven said "The boy who was the ring bearer for that wedding." He said reached down to grab his sore knee. "Just ignored my orders to stop."

Nik laughed at them then called Carly who gave him the number. Calling it, he said to the little boy. "Mr. Corinthos, this is Prince Nik, may I storm the castle, I wish to make the young woman with you my bride this evening."

Hearing the laughter from inside the room as well as through the phone, he heard the snick of a lock being undone and a thatch of red hair as the door opened. "Really?"

"Yes, but I kind of have to ask her first." He said slightly embarrassed by the audience.

"If I let you in, can I be the best man?" He whispered to Nik. Agreeing and reminded how much he was like Carly, he ruffled his hair and said "Yes, but you have to stay clean until then."

When everyone had gathered in the hallway, waiting to be let in, the only person upset was Lucky who was furious to find out that he was not the best man.

Elizabeth looked at Em and said "Wow, I had no idea when I woke up this morning, I would be doing this."

"Was this are you talking about? Getting me into a white robe and makeup with flowers in my hair so that my family can see me dressed like this." She said before leaning back to conserve strength.

"Carly found a pretty set at least. Now do you want me to put one of the flowers into your updo?"

"No, I want to hold all of them. You know this isn't legal right?" Asked Em.

"I bet we get you two legally married within weeks of your getting a clean bill of health."

Letting everyone in, Elizabeth stood next to the bed, holding the flowers that Lila had arranged with Skye's help. Nik had handed Michael the rings, and soon they were married. "You may now kiss the bride."

Nik leaned down and gently kissed Emily before thanking Michael for helping him out. Then turning to Elizabeth, he asked if she could help clear the room. "Emily looks tired." He said quietly. In fact she was looking worse than she had in days.

When they had all taken the chance to look in on the couple, everyone started to head home. Except Jason and Elizabeth. Following his wife, Jason sat down on the pew next to her and held her hand. "What is it?"

"What if one of the changes for our happiness is losing Emily, what if Carly is wrong? She asked looking at him with tears in her eyes. "I don't think I could deal with that."

"I have faith, I have to. You are my faith, my hope. I truly believe my sister is going to walk out of here. Not because of what Carly told us, not because we have the best medical care available. I believe because she will not let herself die. She won't give up and neither will you." He said.

As they walked out the door, she saw her grams talking to her brother and went over to talk to her. After a few minutes, she asked Steven if he was doing fine at the hotel.

"Yes, we are. Why are the Dr. Lewis and his son staying with you anyhow?"

"I invited them. Dr. Lewis is leaving tomorrow though, so if you want to move in you are more than welcome. We will have to repaint one of the bedrooms though."

"Grams, don't worry about it. I will not care what color my room is." He said tiredly. After Iraq he could care less what color the walls were, nor if the beds had flowers on them.

"Steven, I have been living alone for almost two years. I miss having someone to cook for." She said not realizing that Elizabeth felt some guilt at hearing her statement.

"Grams, I'm so sorry, I never thought about the fact you were living alone."

"Elizabeth, you didn't do anything wrong. In fact if you had not moved out, I doubt you would be with Jason now. It took quite a while, but I have finally accepted that you are where you belong." She said reaching out to hug her granddaughter.

Seeing Jason returning, she said to her "I am going over to see Monica, will you be staying here or heading home."

"Home, for a while. Emily is sleeping, and I have to see about eating soon." She said as her stomach announced it's angry presence.

Jason and Elizabeth stopped in for some takeout at Kelly's then headed back to the docks, planning on eating on their bench. Seeing the girls with Kristina, she asked where they were headed?

"We just came into town to get cat food. Someone left the bag down and Mr. Whiskers tore it open." Said Georgie. "Sage and I are then going to a party."

"Have fun, but be careful." Was all she said. Jason had spread out their sandwiches and drinks. When she joined him, he was quieter than usual. "Jason, is this about Emily?" She asked as she took the tomato and cheese sandwich that she had been starving for.

"No, but once we are clear of this, I have to tell you something." He said. Elizabeth racked her mind of what could have him this serious. Seeing that, he reached over and said "It is just something I have been thinking of, there are a couple of things we have to deal with."

Maxie placed her sister in the car seat then tossed the diaper bag in the seat beside her. As she called Alexis to let her know they were on their way home, she looked up and saw the lights on in the studio. Glancing back she saw that Elizabeth and Jason were walking away from the docks.

Shrugging, she turned her mind away from it. After all she didn't want to end up in the middle of mob business after all.

Sage was changing into her new sandals while talking to Georgie who was sitting on her bed. "So anyhow, he is mad at me for saying what I did."

"You are going about this the wrong way. Dillon is not going to listen, he thinks she is being picked on." Said Georgie. Grabbing her jacket with her cell phone and keys, she suggested they get out of here.

"I think it's rotten you get to drive and I don't." Pouted Sage.

"I passed my test, you haven't. If you would practice it might help." Said Georgie at the old argument. Seeing Sage's uncle, they called out "Good night." Only to be stopped before they had gotten out the door.

"I have to visit your father at his office. Something about identifying some stolen paintings. Georgie, could Sage spend the night with you? Your father said I would be at the station most of the night."

"Uncle Lorenzo I am old enough to stay home by myself."

"I know that, but there is supposed to be storm this evening. You hate storms."

Jason waited until they were in the penthouse, then gently sat Elizabeth down and said "I have been keeping a secret. I did something that I can't tell you about. There was a woman there." Seeing Elizabeth stiffen and turn white, he realized where her mind was going. And changed tactics. "She is Monica's age. When we found her she had been locked up for years."

"Why are you telling me?" Elizabeth asked not believing she had been concerned about Jason cheating on her. Shaking the thought out of her head, she looked at Jason.

"Alan has been treating her, Monica doesn't know. She is malnourished, and has many other similar problems. Alan wants me to get your help with her, but I can't allow you near her. She became violent today, when Marco got too close."

"She might not react like that to a woman." She said.

"I know I just am worried. Also, I have seen Johnny Zachara in town. He looked pretty sore but alive. His father is missing though. The police are coming to that conclusion as well." He said then told her the rest. "After Capelli was arrested, we can relax a little. I just want you to be careful."

"I will I still don't trust Lucky. He gives me the creeps whenever I am in a room with him." She admitted.

Lucky watched Nik and his new wife, from the hallway outside her hospital room. Jealous of the closeness he was witnessing. Why was everyone else happy and yet he didn't get to be? Why couldn't Elizabeth understand that they belonged together, they were meant to be.

Seeing Zander and his new bride coming down the hall with Alexis, he ground his teeth, even the moron who kidnapped Emily, got a second change. Now he was married to a rich woman and would never have to work again. It just wasn't fair.

Glaring at everyone in his path, he left the hospital making plans. He was not going to accept being alone anymore. While he was working on getting Elizabeth back, he would find someone to be his; it would serve another purpose as well. It would distract Elizabeth with jealousy. She had been upset when she found out he had been with other woman, so he would get control of his pain and find someone new to make her care.

Going to the small Mom and Pop drug store, he saw they had closed up due to the weather, and picked the locks. Looking around he found the camera and alarm systems and disabled them. Heading to the pharmacy he took what he needed then grabbed some extra to sell to his source.

That kid was always willing to trade. On his way out the door, he took a couple boxes of condoms, extra large of course, he grinned to himself. A couple six packs, stuck in two bags and off he went.

Carly could feel the pains starting. This was not good she thought. Momma was at the hospital, Lucas had gone to a party and not even Michael was here. After the wedding, he had gone to stay with Sonny for the weekend. Feeling the pains getting closer in time, she looked around for her cell phone.

Trying it she saw she had no bars, taking a deep breath, she went over to the home phone and realized there was no dial tone. Great, she thought. Why her?

Walking very carefully down the stairs to the main level, as the pain got sharper, she laughed to herself, she would even take Taggert showing up. Grabbing her purse, she walked carefully down the steps and got into her car to drive herself the ten blocks to the hospital.

When she reached the street corner, stopping for the light, she felt her water break. Stepping on the gas, she went through the red light only to hit an oncoming car.

"Lady are you cr- Carly Corinthos, are you okay?" She heard.

Looking up into Lorenzo Alcazar's brown eyes, she started to laugh. Apparently it was Morgan's fate to be brought into this world by this man. "I'm in labor. The phones are out and I am not going to make it to the hospital. You need to help me back to my mom's house."

"Why not GH; it is just up the road." He said wincing as she squeezed his hand.

"My water broke and I feel my son crowning. So we have to get into the third brownstone there." She said between panting.

"I no nothing about delivering babies." He said looking wild eyed.

"Trust me when I say you will do just fine." She said as he tried to carry her. When they arrived back home, he helped her up to her room and she laughed when he blushed as he helped her remove her clothes.

Five minutes later, Morgan was born, and AJ owed her a shopping trip. Morgan Quartermaine had been born.

Getting a couple of bars on his cell phone, Lorenzo glared at the annoying thing. Calling 911, they assured them that they would send an ambulance immediately.

Just before she passed out, Carly asked him to let her son's father know then he was ready to faint himself when he realized she had started bleeding and the baby boy started crying.

Hearing the sound of footsteps rushing up the stairs, he had to sit down as they checked Carly out and quickly placed her on the gurney. When the second team took her son, he remembered his promise and went to notify AJ Quartermaine he was a father again.

Nik waited until he had seen Lucky leave the hallway, then snuck out to use the phone. Getting her voicemail, he found himself gasping for breath as he said "Elizabeth, I think Jason and you need to come to the hospital, right away. Emily is failing."

Walking over to the empty space between rooms, he punched the walls, until his fingers bled. This was not supposed to be happening this way. Emily was not supposed to die.

The older looking man wandered the streets, looking for his wife. In his pocket was the gun with which he had shot her before, but she had refused to dies. What did it take to kill a faithless whore? He thought.

Seeing the car sitting there with the open door and keys in the ignition, he smiled and looked up saying thank you, I will use it. I knew I was on the path or righteousness.

Getting in, he laughed as he drove past the hospital where he had once killed the woman who had tried to help her escape him. Too bad, he had missed the daughter, but someone had taken her before he had gotten there.

When he saw the sign for the piano shop, he had to pull over so that he could laugh. Little Johnny was no more, now he had to kill the faithless bitch he loved, she could not be allowed to live, not after she had taken him from his own flesh and blood.

As he got back on the road, he drove along, singing his song, twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are!