Switching Places

Chapter 71

The truth is what we perceive it to be; the absolute truth is what the consensus wants it to be.

Georgie was knocking on the heavy wood door when Professor Alcazar came home. "Sir, do you know where Sage is, we were supposed to be working on our History project."

"I talked to her a little while ago; she was going to pick up dinner on the way. Do you have the report with you?" He asked as she pulled it out as soon as they entered the house.

Sitting his briefcase down, he took it from her and started to read it. Taking out his red marking pen, he corrected a few grammar mistakes, but kept reading. When he finally finished, he said "You might want to expand a little bit on the Berlin Airlift and the rebuilding of Europe via the Marshall Plan, but other than that it should be graded well."

Sage rushed in and handed out the white Chinese takeout boxes. "So, do we have to do any more work on this part?"

"Just a few small things. Now what about the attachment?" He asked.

"We are almost done. Elizabeth helped with the drawing of the map and we have to get the rest of it organized. So, does that mean you are going to keep your promise?" She asked with a smile.

"Like I said if you manage to pass all of your Regent Exams with at least an eighty-five, I will take you to Florence this summer. Georgie you too, if you want." He said with a smile. Skye had been softening on going with them, and he was hoping to deepen their relationship before the school year. The two girls would help ease the way.

"Thank you for the offer, but I promised my Aunt Bobbie to work at Kelly's for the summer."

"We can take Dillon." Suggested Sage to the glare of her uncle.

"I don't think so. Now I am taking my food to the study, you two get that report fleshed out." He ordered with a smile to soften the blow.

"Why would you want to take Dillon, I thought you were not talking to him."

"We meet earlier, I agreed to go out with him this weekend." She said happily.

Georgie just shook her head at the on and off relationship between her friends. Dillon was still trying to make two different women happy, Sage who he seemed to truly care about and his "friend" Lulu.

To her it sounded like Sage was her cousin Robin, Lulu was Carly and Dillon was replacing Jason in the twisted triangle. In the end neither of the women had ended up with Jason, she had the sneaky feeling the past was about to repeat itself.

Elizabeth woke up and eased out of bed, she had to pee, again. After finishing in the bathroom, she pulled her hair up and went downstairs to get something to eat. Seeing Jason still there she asked "What happened to your meeting?"

Turning to see her coming down the stairs in one of the practically transparent maternity nightgowns, he swallowed hard trying to tamp down his desire. "We are meeting in Sonny's old penthouse in twenty minutes. Do you have anything after your tests today?"

"No, at least not at school. I promised Grams I would come over at some point today."

"How do you feel about having lunch with Sonny and Brenda, he invited us after our meeting."

"What about Robin? I thought she was staying at the estate?"

"Not that I was aware of, but Michael is going to be there too, so I would think Robin will stay away."

"Fine, let's go. I know that Sonny is trying to get Robin to come back so that Brenda will stay." She said shaking her head at the way they acted. Sonny had the guards chasing after his old girlfriend while Brenda was taking up all his spare time from the restaurant.

"Do you want me to pick you up at school?" He asked as he avoiding touching her while still managing to steal a kiss.

"Jason?" She said when he successfully evaded her hug.

"Remember what happened last week, I am trying to prevent it happening again." He said ruefully, then he reached down and touched the sofa on either side of where she was leaning. "I want you; I want nothing more than to take you back upstairs and make love to you until we forget the outside world exists."

"Stop teasing and go, we can finish this later." She said before heading upstairs to take a shower.

"So, what do we do now?" Asked Johnny.

"Are you sure on this?" He asked reading the file.

"Yes, Luke is making a deal with Trevor Lansing to open the Haunted Star. Should we warn him who he is in bed with?" Inquired Bernie from the corner.

"No, I will deal with this directly. When is this supposed to happen?"

"Beginning of next month. Rumor is that Luke wants to keep things going here in town for Lulu."

"Get all the information you can. What about the rumors about Hector Ruiz?"

"It's true. Someone took him out, after he tried to takeover the Washington territory. I have no idea if it is true that this priest ratted him out, but it does look that way."

"What about Conner Bishop?" Asked Diane, she had been waiting until they had dealt with business before getting into this sticky subject.

"He faked his death; he is now being listed as a deserter. We have traced him as far as the cargo container, so he could be heading to the New Jersey."

"Tell our people there, to keep an eye out."

"What do we do with him when we find him?"

"Pick him up and have them bring him here. I don't want anyone to know about it."

"Okay, but what about Nik?"

"Cassidine is one of the people worried. While he wants to reunite them, he is concerned. Both of the Bishops seem to have mental health issues. We want to contain the mess, especially since there has been a Helena Cassidine sighting." Said Jason.

"Yet, Spencer is making plans to open that bucket of rust back up. What is he thinking?" Asked Johnny.

"I think that whatever he is up to, we need to keep a close eye on it. I don't trust him anymore than I trusted Lucky. Diane, you might want to head out, I have to discuss something without you here."

Watching the red head leave, Johnny said. "Marco and Milo took care of it; we found a copy of the book in the editor's office as well. Do you want the original taken care of?"

"Tonight, then I want our people to find out who sold a copy of it to that tabloid. Did you make sure the publisher got our message?"

"Yes, a small fire in the printing room. The senior editor was fired this morning. So message received."

Elizabeth put down her number two pencil and took a deep breath with her eyes closed, before walking to the front of the classroom and handing in her final. "Thank You."

"Good luck Mrs. Morgan; I hope you pass." Said her professor as she walked out the door. Looking up at the clock, he saw that there was only twelve minutes left in the final.

Steven turned around and saw the small militant looking woman coming his way. "Dr. Webber, I requested that you come to Paris, why are you still here?"

Looking at her, he said "Let's step over to the waiting room, we can talk there." After they were in a semi-private area. Steven said "Where did you get the idea that I answer to you? I don't. I sent my findings to Paris, but I am unavailable at the moment. Now if you have any other questions in regards to the study at Columbia, I suggest you talk directly to Dr. Drake."

"I am in charg-"

"Actually, you aren't. You are part of a team. Now if you will excuse me, I have to talk to someone. For the record Robin, don't ever talk to me like that again, or you will not like my response."

"I need to talk to you about Dr. Drake." She protested.

"Well if you needed something you should have asked not demanded. But right now you are pretty far down on my list of things to do." He turned to the man in the suit who was walking over to them.

"Dr Webber, I'm Dr. Card, CDC, thank you for getting back to me so quickly. Do you have your bags packed already?"

"In the corner, Robin, if you will excuse us." He said while watching her walk away.

Elizabeth saw Emily studying for her anatomy exam, with highlighters, pencils and a VRC. Picking it up Elizabeth hit play, and listened, as her best friend seemed to be giving herself a prep talk. "What, Nik didn't do that for you?" She teased.

"No, all he said was you will do well don't worry about it." She growled and took back the small silver device. "Done?"

"Yes, Jason is picking me up and we are heading out to Sonny's for lunch."

"What about Robin?"

"Robin? Well, I am kind of hoping she is there. She crossed paths with Steven this morning. I talked to him before the exam. Demanded he explain his delay in coming to Paris."

"I'm surprised she is still alive." Said a laughing Em. "Why and what was she thinking? Did he tell her where he is going?"

"I doubt it, the funny thing is that according to her, she in charge of the clinical studies, and Steven works for her."

"Strange here I thought that Steven worked for GH. Are you sure she isn't using this as an excuse?"

"I don't know, but I seriously don't care. Steven said she was waiting for him when he went over to grab his bag and started in again. He reminded her that they were all equals, then he added that he was rather busy doing work for the CDC on Homeland Security and biotoxins, then reminded her that national security trumped corporate politics. She is leaving tomorrow; her Mom is getting married."

"I heard about that from Alexis. So Anna didn't even TELL her?"

"Apparently not. Well Robin is going down to surprise her, apparently it is one of those May December Romances. Older woman younger man, but from what I have seen of Anna Devane, she has the looks and smarts for it."

"Maybe that is Robin's problem. Have you ever thought about it? Anna and Robert overshadow anything she can ever do. Having super spies for parents, must be a hard act to live up to. Like Lucky and Luke."

"I get what you are saying Grams, says that Jeff is still trying to live up to Grandpa Steve's name. That is why he is such an ass, he knows he can't succeed but still keeps trying."

Jason pulled the SUV up to the side of the quad and helped Elizabeth into it, telling Francis to meet them later. "How did the exam go?"

"I think I did pretty well, but I know I am glad I don't have anymore classes, only practical applications at GH after I give birth." She said relieved. "The school was more than willing to allow the delay between graduation and work."

Jason slowly eased down the road, they were a little early and he wanted to spend some time with Elizabeth before they joined Sonny and Brenda. Pulling onto the side of the road at the old bridge, he helped her out of the truck.

"One day when I am a little less pregnant we are going to have to come out here so that I can sketch the ruins." She sighed as she eased back into his arms. Her back was aching from the tension in class and the warmth of Jason's body always seemed to ease the strain.

"We can bring the baby, have a nice picnic and maybe some peace and quiet." He joked slightly. Nuzzling her neck, he was sliding his hand into her shirt when he thought he heard a car. Stopping movement, he realized he had heard a car slowing and then speeding up.

Elizabeth had soon figured out that someone had almost caught them making out like a couple of teenagers. Laughing she said "Do you think they were shocked to find adults making out here?"

"I didn't think that many people knew of this place." He said as they walked back to black vehicle waiting for them.

"A few do, I have even ran into Georgie and Sage out here a couple of times."

Robin arrived at Sonny's just before lunchtime to see Michael in the living room playing with his young nanny. "Hello, there. My you have really grown, since the last time I saw you." She said.

Michael looked up from his video game and said "Which one of us are you talking to?"

"You of course, I remember when you were just a little baby." She said sitting down on the chair in front of the television.

"DO over!" Called out Brooklynn. "Strange woman blocking the screen." She said as she sat down the controller for the game.

Michael turned to her and said "You would have lost anyhow, I had ten thousand more points than you."

"Michael that's not very nice." Said Robin.

Turning to look at the woman, he said who are you?

"My name is Robin Scorpio; I lived with my fiancee your Uncle Jason when you were just a baby. We were going to raise you after we got married." She said.

Brooklynn had heard all about Robin, from both people who liked her and didn't. Meeting the woman, she just waited to decide on what she thought. However she had heard from AJ about Robin, and did not agree on what she had done in regards to Michael.

"Hi, I'm Brooklynn Ashton." She said offering her hand.

"Lois' daughter, of course. How are you?" She asked shaking the younger girl's hand. "Do you live here?"

"'Til the end of the school year, then I am going to New York for college."

"Columbia?" She asked.

"Julliard. I plan on studying music. Do you think you can move to the sofa, you are blocking the television, Michael and I are playing Dragon Quest?"

"Are you sure that he should be playing those violent games? I'm surprised Sonny allows it." She said while thinking she wasn't shocked that Carly did, after all she was Carly.

"My dad bought it for me." Michael said. "Besides, AJ plays it with me all the time, when he baby-sits." Seeing the grimace on her face, Michael mistook the reason and said. "My dad is visiting with Brenda, out on the terrace, I am sure you would be welcome to join them."

Robin got the message and left the room, thinking that Michael had turned out just like Carly. Going to the French doors she was exiting just as the couple were coming in. Seeing the surprised and chagrined look on Sonny's face; she thought he was upset she had seen him kissing Brenda.

Smiling she said "It seems like old times." All that was missing was Jason and her. She could not help thinking of what could have been were it not for Carly and her abandoning Michael.

Elizabeth just glanced at it, then found she had to ask "Jason, why black? I mean why not charcoal gray or navy blue, or even dark green?"

Looking at her, he said "what?"

"Why are all of your vehicles black?" She teased as they started to turn around to head to Sonny's.

Taking her seriously, she got listened to his explanation that there were a lot of black vehicles similar. When she teased him about it being a fashion statement, he finally realized she was just picking on him. "That wasn't very nice, Elizabeth." He said as they arrived at Sonny's.

Still laughing at the dissertation on the multitude of reasons for driving black veils she was laughing as she entered Sonny's place. Hearing the sounds of Michael beating someone at video games, she went straight in wanting to see the little boy.

"ELIZABETH!" He shouted as he went over to hug his mother's friend. "When are you going to have this baby? Nik says he can't marry Emily until you do. I want them to get married before I go to camp." He said.

"Babies are on their own schedule, Michael. She will come when it is time." Promised Elizabeth.

"Mom won't tell me what you are going to name her, so what are you going to name her?" He asked his uncle while still holding onto Elizabeth.

"I can't tell you, it's a secret." Said Jason with a smile at the pout on his face. Turning to Sonny he saw Robin with him and looking at his former partner saw him mouthing the words Sorry.

"So, when are you due?" Asked Robin crossing over trying to keep the smile on her face. Maxie and Georgie had both told her about the baby, but that was different than being confronted with the large belly in front of her.

"Sometime in the next two weeks, but I would guess I go into labor on the day I am supposed to graduate." She said trying to be polite.

"Can I come?" Asked Michael as Brooklynn turned off the game.

"We only have two tickets, Michael. My grams and Jason are going to be attending." She said regretfully. "Your mom is throwing a party for me; you will be at that."

"Cool, hey are you staying for lunch?" He asked as they walked into the dining room.

Robin could hear the response but it was through the buzzing in her ears as she saw the table was set for six. Unless Brooklynn was an unexpected guest they had not intended to tell her that Jason was coming over.

Brooklynn awkwardly turned to Sonny and said "I have to head to Kelly's. Mikey, I will see you tomorrow." She had seen the place settings and bowed out on the invitation that Sonny had extended the day before when he had heard she was spending time with Michael.

Robin was relived to realize she was wrong. Brooklynn wasn't staying, so she was not crashing and no one had lied by omission in regards to Jason.

During the strained lunch that followed Robin tried to bring things around to the past when she had been with Jason and Brenda with Sonny. However Carly's demon seed kept demanding attention from his uncle instead of sticking to keeping Elizabeth occupied.

"Jason, do you have a minute?" She asked as they finished dessert.

"Actually I need to speak to Jason." Said Sonny. He was leaving later that night for Lake George; otherwise he would not leave Elizabeth alone with Robin. He did not know what had gotten into the doctor, but her rather obvious behavior made him understand Jason's objections to her returning even clearer.

Turning to Elizabeth, Jason saw her smile. "Go, I will be fine, just remember we are meeting Grams at two." She reminded him.

Alexis and Carly were going through the files. "So that is all we can find?"

"I'm sorry, Alexis. I couldn't stand her in the other timeline and didn't pay too much attention to her background story. All I knew was it was a convent."

"That's fine. I was just hoping we would have more to go on by now. At least we now know that I was trying to escape from wherever I was when I went into labor."

"We just have to find that doctor. He is the key." She said as she tossed down the file. "We do at least now know that Jeff Webber's sister and Annie Logan were involved with this group."

"The things they do, I understand the need for secrecy." Said Alexis. "I would truly hate to be one of those women. Can you imagine having a spouse searching for you like that, after taking years of abuse? I mean we saw what Lucky did to Elizabeth and this would have to be ten times worse."

"The question is was Maria Zachara hiding from Trevor Lansing or Anthony. If we knew that we might be one step closer to getting our answers. I tried asking Momma, but she clammed up."

"Do you think she knows something?" Asked Alexis from the desk.

"One of her ex-husbands, DL Brock was abusive. He used to hit her pretty badly." Said Carly shivering at the idea.

Audrey listened to Bobbie and said "We have to be careful. We made a promise, to keep these women safe even from our own lives. I only wish I knew that Annie was volunteering with them. When you add that to her cancer, it must have seemed like she was being squeezed on all sides. Are you sure you heard Noah Drake mentioned?"

"I heard Carly saying Noah delivered the baby."

"Great, so I have to get him a message and yet make it look like it is unimportant. Can't you try talking Carly out of investigating this? I know she is trying to help Elizabeth, I have done some looking myself. But the thing is, we are all so compartmentalized, we have no idea who else was helping then."

"Are you kidding, you have met my daughter, haven't you?" Asked Bobbie. "This is not going to go well, we have to get the information and also find out what sent them on this path."

Robin waited until she had a moment alone with Elizabeth and sidled over to where she was watching Michael on the swing set.

"You know I was jealous of you, it's nice to know that I was wrong." She said smugly.

"About what?" She said turning to the doctor.

"I have nothing to be jealous about; you are just a replacement. Jason loves kids and that is something I can never have." She said. "You are just an incubator. A replacement for what we once had."

Elizabeth smiled slowly and said "You need help, but go ahead, enlighten me on how you came to believe this."

"First, you look a lot like me."

"Funny, I look a lot like Emily too, and he knew her first. Does that mean Jason has a thing for his little sister?" She snarked. "Also, the only thing we really have in common is that we are both short."

"Then there is the fact you are studying medicine." She replied.

"I was an artist; I still am an artist. I became a nurse to help Emily, then a nurse practitioner on Alan's advice. But also to upheld the honor of the Webber/Hardy name at GH. You know the hospital my grandfather founded and my uncles, and father worked at. The same one my mother and grandmother worked at as well."

Robin just listened knowing she had the ultimate way of proving her point. "Then why does he take you to our special place?"

"Special place?" Asked Elizabeth confused.

"The bridge, I saw you two there today. We used to go there, it is a place of great meaning for Jason and I." said Robin.

Elizabeth realized that Robin had been the person who had pulled in behind the truck and then pulled off. "Jason and I go riding out there. We have talked all about the bridge and the statues in the gardens." Seeing the confused look on Robin's face. She pressed in for the final blow, tired of the other woman's games.

"We used to discuss my losing Lucky and his losing Michael out there all the time. He told me how he used to out there to think, and saw you trying to jump. How he talked you down. Robin, it's just a bridge, someplace peaceful. All sorts of people meet there; I have even seen Georgie out there a time or two. So your so-called special place, is just a place."

"You have no idea what you are talking about." Said Robin ill that Jason would discuss her with Elizabeth.

"I do." Said Elizabeth gently. "Look, Robin, Jason and I have talked about everything from our past relationships. I know that you meant a lot to him. You helped him grow, but that was the past. We are the future. You need to let go, I think that you are trying to hold on to Jason, out of fear."

"I am not trying to hold onto him. That is just your insecurities." She protested.

"Robin, I trust Jason. With my whole heart."

"Just, just wait, he will betray that. That's what Jason does." Said Robin.

"No, Robin I know that you blame what happened with Carly and Michael for ending your relationship with Jason, but it just wasn't the only problem. You two were moving in different directions. Jason towards finding himself and you, you were trying to push him into the Jason Quartermaine mold. Maybe it was subconsciously, but it was what you were doing."

"You were just a kid; you have no idea what you are talking about."

"Robin, it was Monica and Lila that told me that. They said that it was why they were happy he was seeing you. But they understand that Jason Morgan is his own man. He isn't Jason Quartermaine."

Seeing Jason coming out of the study and approaching them, Elizabeth said "Robin, find out who Robin is, then move on and find the right guy for her. I do hope you can do that, someday.'

Saying goodbye to Michael and Sonny they were on their way out the door when Brenda returned. Seeing the glare on Jason's face directed at her, she felt ashamed to realize her giving in to Robin's plea might have cost her a friend.

Sonny waited until the truck had left then had Leticia take Michael to the kitchen for a snack. "We need to talk. Brenda, I can't believe you thought that was a good idea. Elizabeth has always been kind to you, in spite of her own reservations; she has helped keep the peace between Carly and you. As for you Robin, I think you need to realize that Jason is not coming back to you."

Looking at the girl he thought of as a little sister, he sighed and said "He loves her, it's not a reflection of you, but her. He loves Elizabeth for her ability to make him see art and for her ability to accept him. She does, she truly gets Jason. He does the same for her."

"Sonny-" she started to protest.

"No, I invited you here, because I truly care about you. Robin, so keep that in mind when I tell you, that it's time for you to go. We heard what Elizabeth and you were discussing. She was telling you the truth. I have seen them together and with other people up at that bridge. In fact I saw AJ and Carly there recently."

Robin flinched at that one then said "It doesn't bother you that AJ and Carly are together."

"They aren't. They were there doing something for Jason. Robin, you have missed a lot in the last couple of years and even months. AJ and I declared a truce, the night of the fire. We won't be getting together for dinner anytime soon, but we have come to an understanding."

Sonny walked off, needing time with his son. Seeing Michael reminded him of all the time he had lost with Dante and that he had to find peace before interrupting his life.

Johnny slipped back into town, seeing Johnny O'Brien he pulled off onto the side of the road. "How did you know?"

"We were watching Jasper Jacks. WE know you got close. What can you tell us?"

"Not a lot. Look, I need to meet with Morgan, it's important."

"I will set it up, are you ready to come home?"

"No, I can't. I do have some information he needs to hear. Also do you think you can access police files here in Port Charles?"

"What do you need?"

"The files on all the bodies found at Crimson Point, the autopsy report on Sam McCall and anything on this list of names. I think they are going to all be domestic violence incidents."

"The Overlook, ten o'clock tonight. We will be there to set this up." Said O'Brien.

Leaving the Hardy residence, Jason got the feeling that Mrs. Hardy knew more than she was telling about both Susan and Annie. When he had brought up his mother, she had given him what seemed like a well-rehearsed answer before moving on to another subject.

"That was weird." Said Elizabeth.

"What does she know? And why won't she tell me. She has to know that I have all the public records about my mother and Alan. The murder trial and lawsuit pretty much made it all public."

"I think that Bobbie knows as well. Have you had any success in locating Maria Zachara?"

"No, I have been trying especially since we learned some new information about Trevor." He said as he drove them home.

Jason was in the hallway telling Johnny to arrange the meeting with the Zachara kid the next day, when he heard Elizabeth arguing with someone. Entering the penthouse, he saw her slamming down the phone and muttering.

"What is it?"

"That was Carolyn. She is coming to Port Charles. She was fired from her fellowship and is blaming me for it." Looking at Jason with a hint of inquiry he replied to her unasked question.

"I didn't even think about it, I figured as long as she was a world away it was a good thing."

Georgie had gone up to bed, tired of listening to Maxie complain about the rejection she had gotten from Couture Magazine, then they had hired the girl that was second to her for the job. Maxie was now moaning that she had to get a different job for the summer.

Tossing her phone down, she went over to her window seat and picked up Mr. Whiskers and curled up with the cat. Looking up at the stars, she leaned her head against the windowpane, wondering where Johnny was now. The post card the other day said Singapore. Sighing she laughed when the cat sighed along with her before jumping up and walking to the door.

Georgie got up and let her out, only to hear Robin talking to her dad. Turning out her light, Georgie put on her pajamas in the dark and pulling her comforter off her bed went back to the window seat.

"Knock, knock." She heard. "Come in Alexis."

Joining the younger girl, she said "I knew you would still be awake. Robin is here; she is spending the night on the sofa before leaving for Pennsylvania in the morning."

"What happened to Sonny's guesthouse?"

"According to the call from Carly, Robin started trouble with Elizabeth."

"Why is she still chasing him, he is married." Asked Georgie "Doesn't marriage mean anything anymore?"

"It does to most of us. Robin, too. She is just fighting it, out of familiarity, that's all."

Carly was checking on the boys, when she heard her mother closing a drawer and talking to herself "What did I do with that key. I should lock this up."

Waiting until Bobbie had headed up to bed, she took out the kit that Max had given to her for Christmas and picked the lock. Opening the files, she read quickly astonished at what she was understanding. This was the big secret, the one that she had been looking for.

Heading back up the stairs, she wrote it all down, and tried to figure out what it meant. Looking at the clock and realizing it was almost two; she soon went to sleep. Tomorrow she was meeting with the fabric designer and needed her rest for the trip into the city.

Jerry read the file, then smiled as he replaced them. He would have once chance to protect his little brother and in order to do that, he would have to change who he was and what he looked like. There was only one group that could do that legally and he knew exactly how to reach them.

Now all he had to do was find a dead man, all he had to do was find Robert Scorpio.