A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Lots of feelings on whether or not Jason should be really angry or not. You won't find out until next chapter.

Chapter 23 – Free at Last!

The next morning Liz got up and showered. She put on a blue suit and heels and then put her hair in a bun. When she opened the door, the smell of bacon permeated her nose, making her smile as she hurried downstairs to the kitchen.

"What are you up to?"

"Johnny let me in. I'm riding to the courthouse with you. Your father will meet us there. I just thought you should eat something before you go," Skye explained.

"Thanks for everything mom. I know that I haven't been the easiest person to get along with since all of this happened."

"I understand. You lost the man you love albeit temporarily."

Liz sat and they ate. "I hope he can forgive me. I should have asked Johnny for the details and I didn't. Instead, I ran away from him. I feel like such a coward."

"He loves you."

Liz blushed. "I still can't believe that."

Skye smiled. "I believe it. There are a lot of reasons to love you, Bella."

They finished eating and Johnny came to get them.

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"All rise…" the bailiff bellowed.

Liz stood up briefly and then sat. Jason had not turned around and was focused on the judge.

Sam and Logan were led inside the room in handcuffs and sat on the other side of the courtroom.

Diane immediately spoke up and asked for a dismissal.

Alexis rolled her eyes. "This is supposed to be an arraignment."

"Your honor, several pieces of evidence have come to light which totally exonerates my client."

"Or have gone missing," Alexis muttered under her breath. "You're honor this is highly irregular.

The judge grew frustrated. "Ms. Miller, need I remind you that we are here to establish a plea not to conduct a trial?"

"Your honor, my client has spent six days in jail for a crime he didn't commit. He was drugged and duped by Sam McCall and Logan Hayes and framed for murder. I have evidence including a videotape of that night which clearly shows what transpired. It is a waste of the court's time to pursue a case that clearly will be dismissed. If you are not willing to review said evidence at this point, can you at least granting the defendant bail?" Diane asked.

The judge cleared his throat, clearly exasperated.

"Your honor," Ronnie called out, "may I speak?"

"State your name please."

"I'm Ronnie Dimestico. I'm a detective for the PCPD."

"Go on."

"I have reviewed all the evidence and Ms. Miller is correct. The real perpetrators are sitting right there," he said pointing at Sam and Logan. "We have them on tape committing the crimes and we have audio of them plotting against the defendant and Sonny Corinthos to take them for all the money they could."

"Ms. Miller and Ms. Davis, I'd like to see you in my chambers immediately," the judge said quickly.

Jason turned his head and looked around. He finally made eye contact with Liz and they stared at each other for a few minutes until Sam yelled.

"You think you've won, don't you? I hate all of you people; especially you," she said glaring at Tess who smiled and waved.

"I think orange is going to look great on you," she said smugly. "And please stop looking at me. I feel like I need to go home and take another shower."

"I'm going to beat these charges and then I swear to God I will make you all pay," Sam yelled.

To everyone's shock, Liz stood and then approached her. "Oh shut up you stupid slut! I'm so sick of your crap. You almost ruined my life with your lies. I hope you rot in jail!"

Jason turned to look at them.

Sam laughed. "It kills you that I slept with him, doesn't it?"

Liz smacked her hard. Sam's head snapped back and tears sprung into her eyes. "You are nothing but a lying, filthy whore."

Jason smirked and then turned back to look at the judge who had just stepped out of his office.

"You're going to pay for that with your life you frigid little bitch," Sam sneered.

"Ms. McCall, I would suggest that you close that horrendous mouth of yours before you stick your foot further in it," the judge said.

Sam huffed as everyone sat and Alexis and Diane took their places.

"Detective Dimestico, who was the man killed in the video?" the judge asked.

"Your honor, he was another victim of the two suspects. He tracked them here and was following them."

The judge shook his head. "Mr. Morgan, please stand."

Jason stood, holding his cuffed hands in front of him.

"In light of the overwhelming evidence presented to me today, all charges are dismissed. You are a free man. Please undo his restraints," he said before lowering his gavel.

Jason sighed with relief as Sonny patted him on the back. Diane gave him a hug and everyone celebrated.

As they dragged a screaming Sam from the courtroom, Liz's eyes never left Jason. An officer removed the restraints and he turned and fixed his gaze. A tear fell down her cheek as she tried to smile.

He walked towards her and stopped in front of her. "Hi."

She wiped the tear away. "Hi."

He reached for her hand and she took it. "Let's get out of here."

Johnny led them to the car and they got inside. They drove for a few minutes in complete silence.

"Are you going to speak to me?" Liz finally asked softly.

"We will talk in private when we get home." He has a lot of things to say and he really didn't want Johnny overhearing it.

Sonny called and told them to head to his house, so Johnny changed directions. Jason isn't very happy about it, but he can't get out of it.

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They arrived at Sonny's and everyone was there already celebrating.

Tess strode towards them. "Glad you're back."

Jason smiled and hugged her. "Thanks. I've been told you had a big part in that."

"It was a pleasure bringing that bitch down." Tess grabbed Spinelli. "Jason, this is Damian Spinelli, he's the real hero."

Jason shook Spinelli's hand. "Thank you for everything."

"Stone Cold, it was a pleasure freeing you from the evil chains procured by the Duplicitous one and her spineless minion."

Jason glanced at Tess and then back at Spinelli. "Was that English?"

Liz giggled. "Spinelli has nicknames for everyone."

"What's yours?" Jason asked.

"I'm Fair Elizabeth and Tess is Temptress."

"And Sonny?"

Spinelli spoke very quietly. "Godfather, but to his face, it's Mr. Sir."

Jason smirked. "Good to know."

Sonny motioned for Jason to join him and Liz was left with Tess and Spinelli.

"We're going back tomorrow," Tess said quietly.

"Already?" Liz is really disappointed. She loved having Tess around.

"My job here is done," she said laughing. "No really, John was summoned to play for some charity event. Besides, I have a few auditions that I need to go on."

Liz hugged her. "I can't thank you enough."

John joined them.

"I'm going to miss you too."

John gave her a hug. "Promise me you'll come to see me play again."

"Of course I will. I'm a groupie now."

"Spinelli!" Sonny said.

Spinelli quickly made his way over to Sonny, Jason, and Johnny.

"Yes, Mr. Sir."

"We were wondering if you'd like a job."

"A job?"

"Yes. We really could use someone with your computer skills. You'd be paid well and for now, you can live in the cottage behind my house."

"I don't know what to say," Spinelli said in shock.

"Of course you would get free orange soda and chips," Sonny added, hoping it would further entice him.

Spinelli smiled. "I would be honored to work for you."

"Great. You just tell Max what you need and he'll handle it."

"So, Spinelli, does Johnny have a nickname? I was thinking of Evil Leprechaun," Jason said.

Johnny glared at Jason and Sonny chuckled.

Lorenzo, Skye, and Dante arrived, so Jason heads their way and greeted them.

"Glad you are home," Skye said hugging him.

"Me too."

Jason shook Dante's hand. "Thank you for being such a good friend to my wife."

Dante nodded. "Welcome back."

Spinelli pulled Liz aside. "I have one more gift for you, fair Elizabeth."

"What's that?"

He handed her a piece of paper. It is a doctor's report.

"The Duplicitous one was escorted to the hospital by the police that night to make sure that her nether regions were unharmed. She had ingested a smaller amount of the same drug that Jason had."

"Go on."

"Read it."

Liz read it and gasped. It said that the DNA procured from the rape kit was not a match for Jason. "Oh my God, they didn't sleep together." She knew Jason wouldn't have done so willingly but since he didn't remember anything, there was always a chance that Sam had raped him. It felt good to know the whole truth.

Spinelli smiled. "I thought that would bring you some peace."

Liz hugged Spinelli tightly. "Thank you so much," she said trying not to cry.

Spinelli blushed and then grinned before running off.

They all hung out for another hour and then Jason and Liz excused themselves and went home.