A/N – Thanks for the comments! Very glad you enjoying this extremely bumpy ride. I have no problem with you having an opinion. I just want you to understand where I'm coming from. I don't like how Carly is acting either. Frankly, I never did and thought overall she was a selfish and lousy friend. Sorry, but even if she turns it around, that doesn't mean she'll be forgiven. You'll have to wait and see. How many times do you have to hurt someone before they finally say enough? That is a question for a lot of these characters. Everyone thinks Liz is too nice and forgives too many things. I'm going to pretty much obliterate that lol. * Guest – Mac has a brain and doesn't think Jason did this., but he has to follow the law and there is more than enough evidence to arrest Jason. For all he knows Milo could have been shot by accident. Mac is on their side.

Chapter 8

Sam approached Dante. "Can I see him?" His arrest had been all over the news and she needs to see his face.

"Yeah. Diane is in with Mac."

She walked into the interrogation room with tears in her eyes. "How can I help you?"

He sighed. "Go home. You shouldn't be here."

"Dammit Jason! I can't just leave you here. I know what they are saying isn't true."

He just didn't have the strength to deal with any drama. They stared at each other and he noted how tired she looks. He had loved her, but that seemed like such a long time ago. Over the years, he had gotten very good at closing himself off and compartmentalizing his emotions. It had been hard for him to try again and allow himself to feel anything for her, but he didn't like being alone; although people thought otherwise. Working solo was one thing, but he did have another side and he realized he had been settling because most women couldn't deal with the day to day of his lifestyle. When Sam had gotten shot, it changed him in some ways. The guilt had eaten him up too. Sam just wouldn't give up and that had struck a chord as well. Sometimes, you need someone to fight for you instead of just walking away, but after what she did with Ric, Jason had started questioning if he really knew Sam at all because her actions had hurt so many innocent people.

"Do you want me to check on Elizabeth?"

"No!"

She jumped due to the intensity of his voice.

His biceps twitched as he gripped the arms of his chair. "I'm sorry. I'm not trying to take this out on you. I'm just—I don't know what to do."

She slowly lowered herself into the seat across from him. "Do you think that the Russians are really involved?"

"Yes. I just don't know who framed me."

"Lucky?"

"Or maybe Luke." He had to make it look like he trusted her to a degree.

"I'll try to look into if you want?"

At this point, he knew she wouldn't get far and if the Russians found out she was snooping around she'd be in danger. "I can't save you if you get into any trouble."

"I can handle it."

That is debatable. "Maybe I don't want you too." He didn't hate Sam, he just wasn't in love with her anymore.

"I need to take my mind off things. I'll be extra careful."

"Maybe you could try to dig and find out who the witness is." That would keep her out of the way.

She slightly smiled, glad he is letting her in. "I can do that. I'll get right on it."

Diane opened the door and is surprised to see her sitting there. "Hello Sam."

"Hi. I was just leaving."

Once the door shut, she looked at him sternly. "What are you doing?"

He sighed. "I'm not with her anymore."

"Does she know that?"

"No and she needs to think that I still am." He winced when he said it, knowing how bad it looked.

"Maybe you should start at the beginning." Jason wasn't normally a person who jerked people around like that.

Diane's mouth dropped open several times when he told her about what Carly did. "Wow. That is one big mess. Jason, the charges are going to stick and I don't think that you'll get bail."

He closed his eyes as his body filled with rage. "If you don't get me out of here, Cam could die or disappear forever."

She tilted forward as she punctuated her words by hitting the desk with her pointer finger. "Don't you put that on me. You know that I will do everything I can, but you need to get your men to find out who did this and prove that it wasn't you and we don't have a lot of time."

"I'm sorry. I'm just—"

Her body retreated as she read the desperation in his eyes. "—frustrated. I get it. Do you need me to pass on a message?"

"Tell Johnny about Sam, that she's going to be researching who the witness is."

Diane rolled her eyes. "Anything else?"

"I think it's Luke. It's the only thing that makes sense."

"Well, I hope for your sake that Johnny can work his magic fast." She stood. "I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, but you know I won't stop fighting."

"I know."

There was a knock on the door and Sonny came into the room.

"He's all yours."

She left and Sonny took her place.

"What the hell is going on?"

Jason momentarily shut his eyes and then inhaled deeply.

"I don't know. I think Luke framed me."

Sonny shook his head. "Now what?"

"Unfortunately, I stay in jail until we can prove I didn't do this."

"Dammit Jason! Everyone knows that you're in here. We're going to be vulnerable now."

"You have other good men."

"You know that Johnny is going to be hellbent on getting you out of here. I might have to pull Francis."

Jason leaned forward and the tone of his voice lowered. "I'm telling you right now, if you do that and Elizabeth gets hurt..."

Sonny glared. "Don't threaten me. You put yourself in the middle of this mess, not me."

"Sonny, Cam is out there and I'm probably the only person who can get him back. He's a little boy. If it was Michael, you would have put yourself in the middle of it too."

"Michael is my son."

"Only because of what we did to AJ."

Sonny blew out a harsh breath. "Cam is not your kid."

"What the hell is wrong with you? Of all people, you should know that blood doesn't matter. It doesn't make you love Michael any less. He's a little boy and he's probably really scared. Elizabeth..."

"What about Sam?"

"Sonny, I think you know where I stand with Sam. The only reason she is still in my life is because of what happened to her. That can only last for so long."

Sonny sighed. "I'm sorry. I know you're under pressure and that Sam wouldn't even be in your life if it wasn't because of me."

He is used to Sonny blowing up and then backing off. "Watch your back out there. Paulie and Micah are really good. Give them more responsibility and I know Logan is a hot head, but he's fierce. Francis stays and Enzo can back him up. Cooper, Ritchie, and Max will have your back. What about Brenda and Alexis?"

"Brenda is safe in Italy and I have guards on them."

If the Russians were willing to take Cam, then they might try to make a move on the business and use their loved ones to make a point. "Good. If Luke thinks I'm locked away, he's going to be stupid enough to bring Lucky home and that's the only thing I'm counting on. They'll be arrogant and make a mistake." He can't touch Lucky for a while, but he is willing to be patient and bide his time. In the meantime, he was plotting everyone's demise.

"I hope you're right."

"Just make sure that he gets nowhere near Elizabeth because then I will really have to be arrested."

Sonny pushed his chair back. "I'll check on you tomorrow."

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Audrey sighed as she turned off the television. "I don't know what to do to help her."

Alfred took her hand. "I wish that I could help as well."

She laid her head against his arm. They had been seeing each other in secret for almost a year and were very much in love. She never thought she would find it again, but somehow his kind heart had won her over. They both thought it was better to hide their relationship for Elizabeth's sake. Helena was still out there and he didn't want to come up on her radar. Things were still tenuous between the matriarch and her grandson and Alfred's allegiance was with Nikolas. After what Helena had done to Elizabeth and Lucky, Audrey was scared that the woman would be mad that Alfred was involved with one of Liz's relatives, but it was getting harder to hide and they would have to come out soon. He was already hinting at having a wedding.

"I can't help but fret about Cam. He's such a sweet child and he must be so scared."

"Audrey, I—I want your permission to do some investigating on my own."

Her brow raised and he softly smiled.

"I was once under Helena's direct employ. I know people and the Cassadines have a Russian connection. Nikolas will be back in a few days. Lucky is his brother, so I can't go to him, but I know all the contacts and can call in a few favors. It might be our only chance."

"Will you promise to be careful?"

"Yes." He practically invented the word stealth.

She hugged him tightly. "Alright, I trust you."

He kissed her on the head. "Thank you."

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Maxie watched as Lucky slept. He is doing well and now they just have to pull off their plans. Going back was risky and unfortunately, they were going to have to go without her. She would stay behind because of the charges against her. It wasn't their original plan, but Carly freaking Benson had turned her in.

Luke motioned for her to follow him into the living room. "I left enough food, but if we're not back in a week, you're going to have to go to the store a few miles away. There's a disguise in the bag over there, so use it. After all of this is over, you, me, Lucky and possibly the kid will blow this pop stand."

"Do you know where Cam is?"

"No, but I'm working on it."

"And what about the Russians? Will they come after Lucky?"

"No. I made a deal with them to frame Jason and I'll give them back their drugs and a cool million." Lucky had gotten himself into a tight spot. In a drug haze, he had stolen the bag of one of his drug contacts and that was how he ended up being Russian enemy number one. It had taken the cartel a while to track what happen, but eventually, the trail led back to his son.

"Ouch."

"He's my son and he's worth it." Cam is a good kid, but Luke couldn't think about that. The Russians promised that he is well cared for and safe. Elizabeth will get her kid back and Lucky will be allowed to live.

She nodded.

"You were sick again this morning."

She started to sputter and Luke pressed something into her hand and she gasped when she saw the letters on the bottle. "Pre-natal pills?"

"My grandchild needs to be healthy."

"How did you know? I'm not even sure."

"You forget that I've been around the block a few times."

"Please don't tell him. He's under a lot of pressure and I want him to choose me for me."

Luke thinks that Maxie is crazy for thinking that Lucky loves her. The only reason his son had given her the time of day was because of drugs, but if there is possibly a bun in the oven now, he will make sure she is safe. "I won't say anything for now, but just don't do anything stupid that will get you caught. I really don't want you to have my grandkid in prison."

"I won't." She needed to get a pregnancy test as soon as possible to confirm.

"Now, let's go over the plan."

By tomorrow evening, they can make their grand entrance.

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Carly paced in her office. Somehow, she had to help Jason get out, but she wasn't sure what to do. This is all Elizabeth's fault for dragging him in the middle of her drama. She needs him, dammit.

Her phone rang and she picked up. "Hello?"

"It's me. The trail went cold, but I'm working on it."

"You have to find out who the witness is so we can track him back to whoever did this."

Carlos cleared his throat. "I'm on it. You're paying me well and I want to deliver."

"Thanks."

"I'll call you tomorrow."

If she could do this, it will prove to Jason how invaluable she is to him. Elizabeth is probably far enough along to get a blood test done or the more invasive test. Jason needs to push it so that he can move forward either way. Unfortunately, with him being in jail, it will be more difficult to get the blood sample done, but they can make it happen. She just prayed that the baby was Lucky's so Elizabeth didn't get her hooks into her best friend and then maybe Jason could help her solve some of her own baby issues.

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Cam had finally cried himself to sleep. He wants his mother and the older woman understood, but wonders if the little boy was going to survive this ordeal. He had refused to eat and she really hopes that he will be so hungry the next day that he'll give in.

She really wants no part of whatever Karpov has planned, but she knew better to refuse him. Now, she is stuck, hidden away from the world as she tries to take care of stubborn child. If Cam didn't cooperate, she isn't sure what to do because if something happened to the little boy, Karpov will kill her. Going over to the pantry, her eyes are drawn to a protein shake. Worst comes to worse, she can possibly get him to drink the chocolate concoction to get some nutrients in him.

His mother must be so worried, but she tried not to focus on that. The key to her getting out of this mess and moving on with her life is her care of this little boy because the alternative is out of the question.

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The next morning an exhausted Elizabeth dragged herself into the shower. Unlike the night before, sleep evaded her. All she could think of was Cam and Jason as she had tossed and turned. Right after she had gotten dressed, there was a knock on her door.

Throwing it open, tears sprang into her eyes and she was immediately embraced by Johnny.

"You look tired," he said as he perused her.

"So, do you."

"I was up all night."

She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to the bed. "Why don't you sleep for a couple of hours? I promise that I'll wake you up."

"I have a meeting with Sonny at 11:00."

"Then I'll wake you up at 10:00."

"I didn't come here to steal your covers."

She watched as he kicked off his shoes and laid down. "Then why did you?"

"I'll see Jason later and he'll want to know how you are."

"Tell him I'm fine. I don't want him to worry."

He patted the bed next to him. "Lay down. I can tell you didn't sleep." There are bags under her eyes and she is dragging.

She shrugged and set the alarm on the dresser. After getting comfortable, she rolled onto her side and he turned his head and then offered his hand. "It's not Jason's, but I hope you consider me a friend."

She smiled and placed her hand into his. "Thank you."

That's how Emily found them an hour later. She observed them for several minutes, wondering how Jason was holding up. Everyone is stressed and she knows he's a worry wort.

Her attention is diverted when Monica motions for her to follow her, so Emily quietly shut the door.

"She's sleeping?"

"Yeah. Johnny is in there. I don't think he went to bed last night and I heard her pacing several times."

"Well then, I'm glad he convinced her to lie down again. Are you going to work?"

"Actually, I have the day off. I figured I'd spend it with her and try to keep us sane."

"Good plan. Make sure she and Johnny eat when they get up."

"I will."