Author's Note Hey guys and dolls... you'll not that this fic SUDDENLY became longer without really seeming to change to much, but what HAPPENED was that I accidently miss uploading chapter 4 so all of the other chapters were mis-numbered.. SORRY, my bad!

And for the reviewer who tapped out on me for my anti-Lowgan writing... well, ya can't please everyone! In my opinion, the comparison of that sexual sociopath Brooke "the Hooker" Logan with my beloved Carly is the ULTIMATE insult... Just cuz their both blonde and considered sexy, dones NOT make them alike... Brooke the chaperone is, in my humble opinion, a PIXIE despite her blonde couiffure and MUCH more on par with Little Lizzie "Lipgloss" Webber...

I mean, look at them side by side... Brookie with her "destinies" and Lizzie with her "meant-to-bes"... Both martyrs without an OUNCE of loyalty though they'll swear up and DOWN that they are unfailingly loyal and caring. Never take responsibility for their actions... both experienced rape storylines on soaps-although Liz's was BRILLIANTLY written and portrayed, while Brookie's was a painful piece of terrible writing... both think they can cry their way out of ANYTHING... Both have their go-to good guy obsession(Bridge v. LnL2) and go-to bad boy obsession (Breacon v. Jiz) who they treat like CRAP unless they need something... Both have kids out of wedlock or of infidelity/extramarital affairs-with no two kids sharing a dad... SORRY I'm just calling them like I see them.

And the Taylor = Robin and Stephanie = Brooke comparisons are BEYOND LAUGHABLE to me... brunette doctors and blonde women... that's all that I see as similarities. But hey to each their own... Regardless, I say all this to say that NO soap character is without fault male or female and to choose one under THAT presumption is the ULTIMATE hypocrisy, I clearly see/don't see different things in the characters than you so I write them the way I see them. To me, Carly and Brooke are POLAR opposites with Carly being a warm, fiery mama bear, a woman who has taken her licks and made her share of mistakes, but OWNS them without expecting ANYONE'S pity... whereas Brooke comes across as a cold, deluded user who sees her children as extensions of her own vanity that she would manipulate in ANYWAY regardless of the impact on them as long as she perceives the result as a "win"-a la Hopeless... But that is simply what I take away from these soaps... if you can do better, please do, but please don't accuse me of hypocrisy for simply not sharing you viewpoint and thus not writing it. I write what my muse provides me based simply on perspective. some will agree some will not, but that's the nature of the beast.

But thank you for those who have enjoyed my story(or stories) to this point and will continue to do so, but especially those who reviewed... you have inspired me to write 5 new chapters of The Truth and 3 more chapters of this story as well... I am also musing on one of my hiatus stories, Forever Changed-thanks for the kick in the pants to MK and all others have reviewed and messaged me to keep going... You have no idea how your words, no matter how few, truly inspire me to continue sharing my stories.

OXOXOXO

Toni

Chapter 10: Excavation Turns Up Findings That Could Mean Major Changes for History Books

He had spent most of the night reliving the good ol' days with Johnny contacting his old guards, and plotting the total mental breakdown and incapacitation of his 'best friend'. Sonny Corinthos had stood between him and his family for too long. And while he felt nothing for the man who was once the center of his world, he refused to kill him if only because of his kids and Kristina who he refused to lie to or hurt by killing him.

At least not yet.

"Well, we could fake one of his kids' deaths," Johnny suggested.

Jason shook his head as he paced sipping his beer. "That would only work if we took, one of his 'loves' out with the kid and made it look like it was his fault."

"Just let me kill him, then your hands will be clean." Seeing the look on his best friend's face, he relented reluctantly. "Fine," he grumbled. "Then why don't we just shoot him up with something and have him sent up."

"Too easy," Jason snarled. "I want him broken even before I stick him into that tiny dark room for the rest of his miserable life. Then, once my family is back in order and I'm sure Kristina and the kids won't be harmed by it, I'll 'put him out of his misery'."

Johnny laughed shaking his head, "And here I thought me and Car were the twisted fuckers in the family."

"What can I say?" he snickered evilly. "I'm part Quartermaine. We're right behind the Spencers and Cassadines for twisted. Just look at the shit we do to each other."

Johnny looked slightly taken aback for the first time in years. "You're finally claiming them?"

"I think it's time I make peace with the past and that includes the other Jason and the rest of the Quartermaines, don't you think?"

Johnny shrugged. "Whatever you gotta do to make things right for Carly and the kids to come home. I always figured you could probably have a better relationship with them on your own terms. Now that you've come into your own. Do what you gotta do, man. You know I'll support you."

"Thanks, man." He walked to the balcony and looked out. "I really appreciate that."

He let himself in looking around, saddened by how quiet it had become. He silently closed the veranda doors as he looked around the empty common room. He couldn't believe all that had changed…all of the people he'd loved and lost. He half expected to hear the whir of Lila's chair, the sound of Alan's complaints, Justus's smooth interjections, Ned's snide remarks, Lois's heavily accented charm, Dillon's rambles about movies, the squeal of Emily's excitement breaking off one of her many admonishments…he even missed AJ's condescending sneer. Well, maybe not that.

"Jason!"

Monica's arrival broke his reverie. He'd obviously shocked her. He saw her start to take a step toward then check herself. The battle to decide how best to approach her son was clear in her eyes. Jason felt ashamed that he'd allowed that to continue for so long. He moved to pull her in his arms. "Hi Mom."

"Oh, Jason!" she chokingly exclaimed only hesitating a second before squeezing him with all her might.

He held her through the torrent of her tears until finally she relaxed and began pulling away nervously. "I'm sorry, Jason. I—"

"No," he assured, taking her hands and looking into her eyes. "I'm the one who owes you an apology amongst others. Can we sit and talk? Please?"

"Of course," she sighed happily. Monica quickly led him to the sofa unwilling to let go of his hand for fear it would be just another fantasy, and her son would disappear. "You know you're always welcome here. And we're in luck we have the whole place to ourselves for a few hours."

Jason nodded and sat. "Monica—I mean, Mom, I want to apologize," he began carefully. "I've made it hard for us to have a relationship based on a very difficult time that's been long over for a long time. I have a habit of pushing the people I love the most the farthest away out of fear. It took one of those people to kick me in the teeth to realize how much that hurts."

He saw her eyes become conflicted before she spoke softly, "Carly?"

"Yeah," he acknowledged. "It's always been Carly. But just like the other members of my family I let my fear of losing myself in the magnitude of that love put a wall between me and the people who mattered most. You'd think after all of the loss I would have learned something, but I kept taking what I had for granted."

Monica took a deep breath. "What about Sam?" she asked then watched the tension returning and nodded simply. "You know, Carly and I have never gotten along very well. Some would say it's because of all we had in common in our personalities. But Jason, I want a relationship with you more than I want to keep hating her. I'd already begun making peace with her for Michael's sake, but if Carly is what it would take to make happy, I will officially bury the hatchet with her. I made the mistake of trying to control you for too long to let anything stand in the way of my second chance."

All the tension fell away from Jason's stance and a huge smile filled his face. "Thank you, Mom," he breathed wrapping her in his arms. "I really do love you, Mom. I'm sorry it took this long for me to realize my mistakes."

"We'll blame Edward," she suggested with a watery chuckle. "It's those damn Quartermaine genetics. They breed hardheads."

"Well, if this isn't a sight for sore eyes," Edward harrumphed.

"Well, Daddy, it was only a matter of time after you started cultivating a relationship with AJ's whelp and that piece of trash Jason almost married," Tracy sneered.

"Edward, Tracy, both of you stuff it!" Monica huffed. "This is my house and if my son and I want to share a moment, we will."

"Mom, I gotta go anyway," Jason interjected with a half-smile. "I just wanted to stop by. Edward, Carly asked me to let you know that Michael is with her on a family trip with her, Morgan, and Joss, but that he'll be back and ready to work soon. And don't be surprised if you see a lot more of me, Tracy. Just one more thing you can blame on Carly. That is unless you're finally gonna do us all a favor and move out."

Everyone gaped at Jason's remark, and he used it to his advantage. "I'll call you later, Mom and we can set a day to have lunch. Oh and maybe a family dinner some time this week." He dropped a kiss on her cheek and let himself out.

With one mission accomplished, Jason felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. He immediately went back to plotting the best way to drive his partner completely insane and get him locked away permanently. Suddenly his phone rang with a number he didn't recognize. Hoping it was Carly, he answered immediately. "Morgan."

"Jason, this is Nikolas Cassadine," the voice said. "I'll be sending you a DVD in player via courier in exactly 3 hours at a location by the water that you would only share with your heart. I need you to watch it immediately and then destroy it. Do not share the contents with anyone unless you trust them with the lives of your family implicitly. That includes Sonny Corinthos. I only have a few more moments, but don't bother trying to trace this for both of our protection. Hopefully, Emily was right about you. 30 seconds. I'll call you within 24 hours to discuss this further. If you've choose to share this with anyone or at least the wrong person, I'll know by then and you'll never hear from me again."

And before Jason could think of a thing to say, the line was disconnected. "Well, looks like things just got a little more interesting, he mumbled as he contemplated his phone for a moment.

He quickly dialed, "I need you to sweep the penthouse discreetly, then meet me at Jake's in about 3 hours. I may be late, but meet me upstairs." Receiving acknowledgement from Johnny, he put his phone away, hopped on his bike and sped off toward the MetroCourt.

I'll still have just enough time to run my errand.

As Nikita rode the elevator toward the lobby with her guards at her side, her mind wandered to the dream. She knew there was something he needed to know since Luke rescued her and she met Caroline, but for some reason, today was the day those memories had cleared and she had to tell them… but especially Jason.

"Jason!" she gasped as the elevator doors opened revealing a patiently waiting Jason Morgan.

He offered her a gentle smile until he noticed her distress, "Nikita! What's wrong?"

"You have to save them!" she cried looking into his solid blue gaze with eyes full of fear. Suddenly, she looked around before whispering urgently, "Is there somewhere private we can go? I don't want—"

He simply nodded before pushing her back onto the elevator with his own guard in tow. "We'll go to Carly's office, ok?"

She nodded fearfully curling in on herself losing that confidence she'd projected since he'd met her at his wedding. Feeling his connection to Carly strengthen at the thought of supporting her friend, he wrapped an arm around and whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry. Whatever it is, I'll help you fix it. Just trust me, ok?"

Moments later, they arrived on the floor that housed Carly's office and made their way over to it. Jason surreptitiously scoped out the guards that followed them. He recognized them as connected and elite with possible government and/or military training. Much like some of the elite force that had come to him to join the organization after Michael's shooting and again after Franco had stolen Josslyn's hat from Carly's home. It suddenly dawned on him that it was Carly who had raised their profile and beefed up their security forces. He hid his reaction as skillfully as the guards following them.

As they reached the door to Carly's office, he turned to the guards and ordered them all to remain outside as soon as the room had been swept. Nikita's guards barely registered any hesitation before acceding to his authority. Jason's heart warmed as he realized Carly had made it clear that he was to be trusted with her friend's safety even after all he'd done wrong.

But all that showed was his nod as he led Nikita into the plush executive retreat. Once inside, he held his finger to his lips as he scanned the room quickly before taking her hand and pulling her toward the hidden entrance to his best friend's secret safe room. He knew only he and her kids, and possibly Johnny, were aware of this room until now. Once they were secured inside, he turned back to her with another nod.

"Ok, now before you say anything. You are one of about 10 people in the world who are aware of this room. Not even Jax, who was a co-owner and Carly's ex-husband is aware of its existence. Now you can tell no one including your guards about it. If you ever are in fear for your life and need a place to hide, come to Carly's office and type danger into the keyboard, then press pound on the phone. It's the only access available for those who haven't been keyed into security by Carly. Ok?"

"Ok," she sighed releasing the tension from her body.

"Now, tell me what you meant earlier," he urged gently. Knowing it was finally safe to speak, she took a deep breath regaining her composure. "Carly told me if I need anything in an emergency and I was sure it was safe to contact her or Luke to come to you. Last night I had a dream or a nightmare. It was really more of a memory actually."

She's definitely Alexis's daughter, Jason thought as she rambled panting. I hope I'm not going to have to find her a paper bag.

"I remember there used to be two other women at the first compound. I was at one compound and then Helena moved me to her island in Greece. But when I was in the compound in Russia, I heard two female voices, and I vaguely remembered hearing the guards speak of them. One would scream such vicious threats of vengeance. She was truly venomous. She would always call out until one day it stopped. What I remember most strongly was her screaming, 'Tell Daddy I'm coming for him, too. If you hurt one hair on Johnny's head, I'll keep you alive for years begging for death and I'll get Nikky to help.'"

His eye widened as the impossibility of what he was hearing tried to process into his brain. Could she really be alive?

Noting the barely controlled visceral reaction, she paused. When he nodded, she continued "The other woman was very different. The first screamed in rage, but this woman, girl was different. She would always scream in sadness and fear or a kind of desperate hope. She would always call to names and swear they would come for her and find her. 'Lucky and Jason may not have figured it out yet, but they will. My brother will rescue us. You'll never win.'"

"Emily!" he exclaimed as his knees gave out.