A/N – Thanks for the comments! * chick'62 – Patrick doesn't know. * Guest – Couldn't write that any other way. He did love her just like I can't get over Liz sleeping with Ric again or going back to Lucky ad nauseam. * Guest – His explanation might not fly with you but it's his truth. Everyone forgave Sam and he had lost Jake and felt horrible for not being a father. He wanted that always. It never made sense that he'd give it up in the first place. You just hate that he had a baby with Sam. There were conversations with Jason/Liz where they agreed that they made a mistake because Jake ended up dying without Jason in his life. That is just how it was spun.* Guest – re: glad Jase wants to be a dad to Danny and writing Sam well. Thank you. I'm really not trying to make her a monster. Her character actually got to show growth. I just wish they would stop having Liz make the same mistake over and over.

Guys, Sam doesn't know what Liz did at this point so how can she be saying that what Liz did re: Danny was worse? She's referring to Liz trying to keep Danny's family broken apart and that Liz has hurt Jason deeply over and over. Those are facts, pointing them out doesn't mean you're blaming others. I don't care how long you lie when you do something that hurts a child. It's still really bad. You can't just act like what Liz did was nothing (and that's including non-baby related actions). You guys just don't want to believe that Sam could be sorry for her actions. Lol. Like or not, she has not repeated her mistakes and has actually shown some growth. When Liz confessed to her (minus the DNA), she actually handled that quite well.

Chapter 15 – The Truth Hurts

Jason knocked on Elizabeth's door.

"Hey," she said stepping back. "Cameron's in bed."

He brushed past her and sat down on the couch.

"Are you okay?"

He nodded. "Yes. I just got back from Sam's."

She studied him for a few seconds, trying to see if he was upset.

"I told her that Diane was preparing divorce papers; that it was over."

Liz was surprised he had asked so fast. "Are you sure?"

"No matter what I remember, I can't get past what she did and what I did, so it's done."

Liz laid her head on his arm and Jason held her hand.

"I never let my love for you go. I just buried it. It was the only way I could move on. It feels good to just let myself feel again."

She slightly smiled. "I still can't believe you're back. I prayed so many times and missed you so much. By the way, you have some explaining to do about Sonny."

Jason chuckled. "I already told him I wasn't going back and he didn't take it too well. He said we'd discuss it later but I'm not going to back down. Diane is already preparing paperwork to dissolve our partnership."

"He didn't do that when we thought you were dead?"

"No. I think he figured I'd show up someday."

"Do you really want to give up that life?"

Jason pulled her onto his lap. "Yes. I can't go back to that. The loyalty I showed Sonny was bordering on being mental."

Liz smirked.

"I'm going to blame it on the brain damage."

"So now you can see how toxic it was?"

"Yes. Robin said that my brain activity has changed since she brought me back; that I'm not the same person. While I still have brain damage, which makes me still Jason Morgan, I also have seemed to tone down my intensity. I think how I was as Dylan is just who I will be from now on. It's not like I remember anything from before the original accident, the damage was too extensive for that. But after drowning and being frozen, it has caused some behavioral changes." Jason wasn't quite sure how to explain it all. He was having a hard time reconciling it. But what he did know that a lot of his "Dylan" personality would be the norm now. His brain was healing and basically combining the two.

"You were always lighter with me."

"True but Dylan was a really nice guy. He had moments of anger which I think was my brain healing like after my last accident, but I never really considered myself as the nice guy."

Liz grinned. "Oh Jason, I think you've always seen yourself from a skewed perspective. You were so soft and sweet with me. I will say that you talk a lot more now."

He smirked. "Maybe I just picked up your rambling habits."

She laughed. "I like it that you express yourself more but still have that hot edginess."

His eyes darkened a little. "Hot edginess huh?"

"Down tiger. We are not having sex in the near future. I want us to not be so touched in the head before we do that again."

He grinned. "Touched in the head?"

"You know what I meant."

He hugged her up against him. "I do know what you mean and I agree. It will be hard….literally, but I guess I'll just have to take cold showers."

Liz smiled. Jason with a good sense of humor was nice.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Patrick watched Sam walk into the room. She had taken a bath to try to relax, but she still looked like she was on edge.

"He's filing for divorce. I want to take you and Emma to the Dominican Republic this weekend so I can push it through."

Patrick was shocked. Sam sat next to him and sighed.

"So you're okay with that?"

"I don't have a choice."

Patrick frowned. "I don't understand why he's walking away from you and Danny."

Sam started to cry. "Patrick, there's something I have to tell you." She knew she could lose him, but he needed to know and she wanted to be the one to tell him.

He could tell he wasn't going to like it. "Go ahead."

"I did something really bad several years ago. I was reeling from a lot of things and I was out of control partly because I found out Elizabeth and Jason were lying to me about Jake. I handled it badly and did something I can't take back and it's the main reason that Jason doesn't want me anymore. He had forgiven me, but now, looking back, he doesn't understand how he could."

"Okay."

"When Jake was taken by that woman in the park, I was there. I watched and did nothing."

Patrick put his hands over his face. "Sam…."

"I know it was bad. I just wasn't in a good place. I was so hurt that Elizabeth was pregnant with his child and I couldn't have any. I lost it. I was a raving lunatic around the time of the black and white ball. I'm not proud of any of it." She made a strangled noise, "Um, there's something else."

He looked at her, but didn't say anything.

"Jason and Elizabeth were getting closer and I just couldn't let that happen. I hired some men to scare her in the park. They weren't going to hurt her, but I knew that if she was approached and Jason thought it was an enemy, that he would push her away. Later Jason found out and he threatened to kill me if I tried to hurt his son again."

Patrick closed his eyes. "I'm really surprised that you would hurt a child like that."

Sam wiped her face. "I know. I had never before and I haven't since. In fact, I helped save Jake from the Russians when he was kidnapped. I would never do anything like that again."

Patrick stood up. Jesus, he was Elizabeth's friend and here he was sleeping with a woman who endangered her children.

"Please say something. You know that I'm a different person now. I would never hurt Emma or Danny."

Patrick turned and looked at her. "I just need time to process this. I'll be right back okay?"

She nodded and watched him leave. There was a huge chance that Patrick was going to leave her and she didn't think she could take that right now. Despite everything, she had grown to love him, but she knew that if someone had done what she did to Danny, she wouldn't give them the time of day. She was shocked when Jason and Liz had forgiven her. Now, she was going to have to face the consequences. Losing Jason this time around probably was the biggest slap in the face and punishment that she could have ever received. She could handle jail. A life without Jason, however, was eating her up inside because she had mourned him for so long and he changed his mind.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Patrick knocked on Elizabeth's door.

She got up and answered it. "Patrick."

"I need to speak with you."

He could see Jason on the couch. Liz grabbed her keys and Patrick followed her to the car and got in.

"What's going on?"

"Sam just told me what she did to Jake."

Liz was stunned. "Wow. I'm surprised."

"How did you forgive her?"

Liz shook her head. "Honestly, I think it was because I felt so badly about things I had done. I know people make mistakes and do things when they aren't in their right mind. But, looking back on it, I'm not sure that was the right thing to do. It opened a door for Jason to forgive her."

"How could you even look at me knowing that I was sleeping with her?"

"Patrick, I want you to judge Sam for the relationship she has with you. I could be really vindictive now, but I'm not going to ask you to break up with her because of me."

"I feel like I would be betraying our friendship."

"You wouldn't." She knew that Danny was attached to Patrick and she didn't want to hurt the little boy. "If Sam makes you happy, I don't want to take that away from either you or Danny. She hasn't done anything wrong to you and I hope to God she has learned from her mistakes. God knows I have."

"I guess I need time to think."

"Do you love her Patrick?"

He nodded.

"Well, then maybe that is what's most important. Love is also about forgiveness. Jason and I are in the midst of that now. This is all up to you. I won't get in the middle of it. If you think that Sam is the one for you, then I would never stand in your way. I didn't before and I could have told you. You've been through so much with Robin. I just want you to be happy." It didn't matter how she felt about Sam because it was Patrick's life. "Patrick, I did something to Sam regarding Danny that I can't take back and she doesn't even know about it. I regret it deeply. Sometimes we do things when we're at a low point that we can't undo." There was no excuse for either of their behavior, but the Danny secret was eating away at her.

He nodded. "Thank you for being such a good friend."

"Always."

They got out of the car and hugged and Patrick went back home. He had a lot to think about.

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Victor Newman walked into the warehouse and was directed to the room where Victor and Helena were being held. When he moved into the doorway, he studied them for a moment. The hate practically radiated off of Helena and her brother-in-law didn't look too happy either.

"Victor Newman."

He was surprised. "You know me?"

Helena rolled her eyes. "Of course. I didn't come to be the exemplary businesswoman I am today without knowing all the players."

"It's funny, because I consider myself very well versed and I've never heard of you. Clearly, you aren't as impressive as you think."

She glared at him.

"In fact, from what I've read, Cassadine Industries has pretty much been in the crapper for years now."

"I don't think Newman Industries has done much better."

Victor chuckled. "Touche. Now, let's get down to business shall we? Your lab has been located. You'll stay here until we're done and then you'll be let go. But I have to warn you, if you try to retaliate, I am not an enemy that you want to tangle with. You understand me?"

Helena's eyes danced with glee. Had she found a replacement for Luke? "I can tell you right now that there is no way that I will let your actions go unpunished. There is always a price to pay."

"Then maybe you won't leave here. If you think I give a crap about you, then you are sadly mistaken. I will have no problem letting you rot in this room."

Victor C. sighed. "Helena, shut up. I for one just want to go home."

"God you're such a disappointment."

"You started this mess," Victor C. said glaring at her.

"I have some business to attend to. You'll be let out of your restraints after I leave. If you do anything hostile, they will shoot to kill." Victor opened the door. There was a good chance that he would have to follow up on his threats and he had no problem doing so.

He shut the door and a few minutes later, three guards came into the room and undid their restraints. They left and Victor looked at Helena. "They can be here to rescue us at any time."

"I know. You know I love a good game." Helena wanted them to think they had the upper hand. The truth is, the lab they had found was just digging at the surface and it would send them on a very dangerous path, one that would bring someone back that was going to do some serious damage to those who had turned against this person, especially since Helena's brainwashing and microchip would just take it to another level. Helena was stirring the pot, and when it came to a boil, her final revenge would be done. The only tweaks she would make would be adding Victor Newman to her list. Knocking him down a few pegs would be a distinct pleasure.

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Jake and Jason buckled their seat belts and got ready for the short flight to Canada. They hadn't said much but Jason knew he needed to break the ice somehow.

"I'm taking a nap," Robin said before adjusting her neck pillow. Cody had already closed his eyes. He had insisted on tagging along after Milo had told him what was going on.

"I saw your mom in Genoa City. Are you going to try to visit her soon?" Jason asked.

Jake briefly glanced at him. "I think so. I heard you had a hard time with Nicholas at first."

"That had a lot to do with Avery. Do you remember her?"

"Yeah."

"Do you still want to be with her?"

Jake shook his head. "Nah, that ship has sailed, crashed, and exploded. I think I might have dodged a bullet."

Jason smirked. "Just don't get on Faith's bad side. She can't stand Avery and has no problem voicing it."

Jake chuckled. "I think I'm going to start going by Dylan. Is that too weird for you?" He just felt like he wanted a fresh start.

"No. It's probably a good idea. You're going to have to embrace your past at some point. From what I can tell, you were a good guy."

Dylan rolled his eyes. "That hasn't really gotten me that far."

Jason sighed. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry you were hurt. I know what it feels like to lose Elizabeth."

"Thanks. I hear you like motorcycles."

Jason smirked. "I love them. I can't wait to get back on mine. How about you?"

"I'm getting into it. Maybe you can show me where to go riding."

"There's a windy road going up to Vista Pointe."

Dylan slightly smiled. "Sounds good. Look, I don't hate you Jason. In fact, under other circumstances, I think we'd be good friends. It will be hard for me to see you with Elizabeth, but it's going to be something I have to get used to if I stay in town."

"Understandable."

Robin sighed in her sleep and both of them smiled. Before they knew it, they were landing.

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Sam knocked on Elizabeth's door.

Liz had taken the day off. In the morning, she and Jason had taken Michael to rehab and on the way back, Milo had let Jason know that Morgan was responsible for drugging Michael. He told Carly and she was livid. Liz couldn't believe that Jason let her handle it. He wouldn't even tell her what rehab Michael was in per his request. Liz was enjoying the new Jason.

To say she was surprised by Sam's visit was a major understatement.

"Come in,"

Sam walked by her and they sat down on the couch. "I need to thank you."

"For what?"

"For not trying to turn Patrick away from me. You could have easily done so and you didn't. Why?"

"Because I want him to be happy."

"Even if it's with me?"

"Yes. That is what friends are for." She had let so many people dictate her relationship with Jason and she wasn't going to do that to Patrick.

Sam shook her head. "Look, we have both done things in our lives that we never thought we would do. I can't take back what I did to Jake or Cameron no matter how much I want to. I was so out of control and I totally regret it. Cameron is such a good kid." She wiped away a tear. "My actions came back to haunt me in ways that I couldn't have anticipated. Losing Jason again pretty much has ripped me to shreds."

"Do you love Patrick?"

"Yes. I never would have thought we'd be good together, but we are and Emma is adorable."

"Is he willing to forgive you?"

"I think so. He's still mulling it over. If it doesn't work out, I'll be wrecked for a while, but I'll be strong for Danny. He's why I'm here actually. He'll be spending time with you and Jason and I don't want him to feel any animosity between us. I shouldn't have lashed out and said what I did at the hospital after what I did. I know this is a lot to ask for, but he's a great kid and I just want him to have a good life. My childhood sucked and I know yours did too. I want his to be so much better. Do you think that we could try to be civil around him?"

Liz looked her in the eye. "Okay. When Danny is here, I will treat him like I have always treated him. You don't have to worry about that."

"Thank you."

"Sam, when I came to you that day and confessed about trying to keep you and Jason apart, there was something I didn't admit to."

Sam stared at her for a moment. She always thought there was something more going on. "Maybe you shouldn't tell me."

"Is that what you really want?"

"Does Jason know?"

"Yes."

Sam closed her eyes for a minute. She had a feeling she was going to regret it, but she sighed and said, "Go ahead."

"I was the one that screwed up Danny's DNA tests."

"What do you mean?"

"I changed it and then I confessed to Jason the next day. I couldn't continue to lie."

Sam's bottom lip quivered. "You knew what it was like when Jake was taken, when you didn't know if he was safe or not. How could you do that to someone else?"

"I think we could ask each other that question all day long and not produce a good enough answer. I didn't even recognize myself during that time and you've said the same. I'm sorry. There were several reasons I lied and I think it was partially because of what you did to Jake and things you said to me while he was missing. Tea had been through so much and I wanted Jason back. I was a mess, just like you were."

Sam started to cry. "My God Elizabeth, we've hurt each other so badly. My heart was so broken at that time. My marriage had fallen apart, I thought I had been raped, and then to lose another baby…." She stopped for a moment to try to calm down. She needed to understand. "So, what, you wanted to get even with me?" It had shocked her that Elizabeth would do something like that.

"I didn't take it as far as you did and I also admitted to it right away, but at the time, I didn't think you should be around kids considering what you did to Jake."

"Wow. I just wished we were all honest with each other instead of saying there was forgiveness when there wasn't. It would have saved a lot of heartache. I think what kills me the most about all of this is that Jason apparently doesn't care. You get to be forgiven and loved by him no matter what you did in the past and I'll be judged for my bad choices forever."

"It's not that black or white Sam. He tried to understand what you were going through too. Look, I can't take it back. I told the truth so that I could try and make up for what I did. I'm not asking for forgiveness because I think we are both on the same boat with that. I just can't carry this around anymore. No more lies. I want to be a better example for Cameron."

Sam wiped her face. God this was so twisty. It was like karma had bitten her in the ass yet again. "I know I went off the deep end regarding you, Jason, and Jake, and I can't fix that, but I have tried to move on and be a better person. I'm trying to be a good mom to Danny." She bit her lip to stop herself from losing it. This was just too much. "I need to get out of here. I still mean what I said about Danny and that includes Cameron as well because of Emma. We'll both have to find a way to be civil. I just need some time to process this." Sam stood up so Liz followed suit. They would never be friends, too much damage had been done. But, the kids didn't deserve to suffer for it.