A/N – Thanks for the comments and thank you for being patient regarding posting. So glad that you liked the family time and the GC contingent. * ilovedana53, Guest – I know. We were so upset. * Candyhearts – I didn't know about that clinic. Lol re: shirtless. Guest – re: Georgie. She was married but her and Dillon were so young so I'm with you re: her experience. Re: Y&R lol. I was thinking when I wrote this about him being Vicky's bro now. I wasn't a Villy or Billy fan so maybe it was easier for me to do that. Sorry.

Chapter 44 – Bumps in the Road

Jason got up early and got showered and put on a suit. Today was the meeting with the five families. He was prepared to say anything to get out of going back to Corinthos/Morgan. Failure wasn't an option. He decided to skip the tie. It just wasn't him.

Elizabeth opened the door to the bathroom and smiled. "You look handsome."

"Thanks. I have to go but it shouldn't be really long."

She nodded. "Be careful."

"I will. Give Cam a hug for me." He was going back to school today and Jason was a little nervous. There was a big write up in the paper the day before on Jake and Georgie. It mentioned Helena and cryogenics.

He gave her a quick peck and then went downstairs. Johnny was waiting in the kitchen.

He looked up. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah."

They had gone back and forth over whether he should go or not. It could work for or against him. If Sonny had spoken to them, then it could be seen as a traitorous move, but Jason didn't think Sonny had. Duke however, would be there and Jason was sure he knew the score.

They headed to the car and were on their way.

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Jason walked into the meeting room with Johnny trailing behind him. Duke nodded at him and he looked everyone in the eye before sitting down. Johnny stood behind him.

Dominic studied Jason. "I have to say, the write up in the paper yesterday bordered on science fiction. Was it true?"

"For the most part, yes."

The men looked around at each other with surprise.

"My son was frozen and so was I."

"Is he okay?"

Jason nodded. "So far, he's doing pretty well. Elizabeth says he's a little quieter and we have doctor's monitoring him for any health issues."

"Well I'm glad that he is okay," Vinny said still not quite understanding the situation. It was hard to believe.

"And what about you?" Paulie asked.

"Well, I did have some damage that altered the brain damage that I had previously."

"Do you remember everything?" Dominic asked.

"Not totally. I basically lived the last two years as a normal person in Wisconsin. Helena Cassadine had inserted a microchip and I didn't remember who I was. My personality has changed and I've lost a lot of the edge that made me the Jason Morgan that you used to know."

Duke cleared his throat. "So, are you saying that you are unable to perform your duties as an enforcer?"

"That is exactly what I am saying and I have no desire to go back to that life. I got my family back and want to be a dad and soon, a husband."

The heads of the families looked around again.

"I'm not sure how you expect us to just let you walk away," Paulie said.

"I'm not sure what you expect me to do because I don't remember everything. I don't have the intensity to kill people and you've lasted a few years without me already."

"Sonny is a disaster. Duke is holding it together but it could be amazing with you two working together," Dominic said.

"I'm sorry. I'm not coming back. I would probably be targeted and I just can't do that. Getting Jake back has changed me even more."

Tommy wasn't happy. "So you are basically telling us to fuck off."

"Your words, not mine."

Duke smirked. Jason did seem to be pretty relaxed.

Dominic sighed. "What you are asking from us is highly irregular."

"I understand that, but you making me go back to that life is just going to get me killed and I'd be of no use to you anyway." Jason refused to back down.

Tommy looked at Duke. "How do you feel about this?"

Duke shrugged. "He's no good to me if his head isn't in the game. I can tell he's different already. His body language is relaxed and he hasn't glared once."

Jason smiled and he could tell that they were all shocked by his lightness. None of them had ever seen him smile before.

Dominic cleared his throat. "Jason, how do we know you won't turn Sonny in or any of us for that matter?"

"I want nothing to do with Sonny. And as for everyone in this room, if I'm questioned, then I don't remember any of you. I'm not a traitor. I have nothing but respect for all of you. I'll take whatever I know to the grave."

"We need to discuss this. You can go. Duke will be in touch," Vinny said.

Jason and Johnny left.

"It's such a shame that he has lost his edge," Tommy said.

"He was so good," Paulie said.

"He's useless now," Duke added.

Dominic sighed. "Alright, we'll let him go. If he steps out of line or goes against us in any way, then you need to handle him."

Duke nodded. "Okay."

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Carly sat down. The hearing for Morgan was beginning.

"Alright, according to the police report, Mr. Corinthos caused an accident and his little sister was in the car and was hurt. Is that correct?"

Alexis stood up. When Carly first approached her, she said no. But after agreeing to hear her out and she found out about Morgan's struggles and spoke to him and Kevin, she agreed to take the case. "That is correct Your Honor, but there are some circumstances surrounding it that should be taken into consideration."

"Do you have any objections?" he asked looking over at the prosecutor.

"No Your Honor." It was a cut and dry case and she wasn't out for blood.

"Very well."

"Dr. Kevin Collins is here and we request that he be allowed to speak," Alexis said.

The prosecutor rolled her eyes.

Kevin stood up.

"Mr. Collins, you maybe address the court."

"Thank you. Morgan's mother arranged to have Morgan evaluated. You see, he's been struggling for the last year with mood swings, depression, and anger issues. He kept it to himself but everyone was aware that he was struggling. After the accident, he finally admitted that he was having issues. He was afraid that he had the same disease as his father. I evaluated him and he is bipolar. Left untreated, he was reckless and ill equipped to handle his life. I have prescribed medication and while it does take a while for his body to adapt to it and to find the right dosage, I have every reason to believe that he can balance out his moods and not be a danger to those around him."

"In your opinion, does Mr. Corinthos understand the gravity of this situation?"

"Yes. He's very remorseful and he's willing to do anything to make up for what he has done," Kevin said.

"Do you have any questions for him?"

The prosecutor shook her head.

"Mrs. Jacks, please stand up."

Carly stood.

"How do you feel about this?"

"At first, I was really livid. When we talked and he finally admitted how he was struggling, I was crushed because I've seen the toll that the disorder has taken on Morgan's father and I never wanted my children to have to suffer like that. I was still angry with him, but as a mother, you still want to get help for your child."

"Thank you. Mr. Corinthos, please stand."

Morgan stood up nervously.

"I see your father isn't here today. Why is that?"

"We've been estranged for a while. He hasn't been taking his medication and he's hard to be around."

The judge looked through his paperwork for a moment. "Why didn't you tell anyone you were struggling like you were?"

"I was just in a dark place. You don't think logically; everything is a reaction. I was lashing out because I was in pain."

"And how do you feel about what you did to your sister and brother?"

Tears fell down his face. "I feel horrible. I just was so focused on my hate and anger that I forgot Josslyn was in the backseat. I know how bad that sounds."

"And your brother?"

Michael stood up. "Your honor, I'm his brother. May I speak?"

"State your name."

"Michael Quartermaine."

"You may speak."

Michael cleared his throat. "I've done some things to Morgan which I knew set him off. I was wrong and that is something I'll have to live with. In his right mind, he would have never have done what he did. It was a desperate act and the only good thing I can say is that it forced him to acknowledge that he was sick. I'm proud of him that he didn't keep running and that he's getting help. I don't want to fight with him anymore."

"Thank you."

Michael sat down.

"Morgan, how did that make you feel?"

Morgan wiped his face. "Like he's being nicer than I deserve."

"Before I sentence you, is there something you want to say?"

"Yes your honor."

"Go ahead.

"I'm really sorry for what I did, not because of whatever punishment you decide is right, but because I was wrong and I hurt people that I love. I'm scared because I don't want to be like my dad. That mainly is driving me to make sure that I get therapy and take whatever medication I need to so that I don't hurt people anymore. I had no control over my emotions and I can't live like that. It's too painful and I'm so ashamed with some of the things that I did. Josslyn is a great kid and we could have lost her because of my actions and that kills me. The same for Michael, I was taking my anger out on him and that was wrong. My mom pointed out that we were being like Michael's uncles. They hated each other and tried to destroy each other. I don't want to be like that. I love my brother and I don't want that for us."

The judge noted that Morgan did not ask him to go easy on him and that he definitely got the seriousness of what he did.

"Mr. Corinthos, I will take into account that you had an undiagnosed illness and that you are remorseful. I also spoke to Josslyn earlier. Your sister loves you. I would advise that you don't ever give her another reason not to. I sentence you to thirty days in jail, one year of probation, and a fine of two thousand dollars. You will also have to complete five hundred hours of community service, volunteering at a youth facility for troubled teens that also battle with mental health issues, and you will still be required to see therapy from Dr. Collins. I think you could be a good role model if you stick to your therapy and take your medication. You will also not be allowed to see your sister unsupervised and definitely will not be allowed in a motor vehicle with her for the foreseeable future. In six months, we'll have a hearing to determine how you are doing and then I will consider lifting those restrictions. Keep your nose clean Mr. Corinthos or you will be serving the entire year in prison."

Morgan nodded. "I will. Thank you."

Alexis addressed the judge. "Due to the amount of time to be served, can he please do his time at county?"

"I will allow that."

She knew there was a chance that he wouldn't even have to serve much of the thirty days due to overcrowding. "Thank you Your Honor."

He banged his gavel and left the courtroom. Morgan hugged his mom and brother and was handcuffed and taken for processing.

Carly and Michael hugged, both knowing that Morgan had dodged a bullet.

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Jason met Elizabeth at Cam's school and sat down next to her. "Did they say what had happened?"

Liz shook her head. Cody was leaning against the wall across from her. The principal had called saying there was some kind of a fight that Cam was involved in. Liz was shocked because that was not normal behavior for her son.

The door opened to the office and a woman came out. "The principle will see you now."

Jason stood up and took Liz's hand and once they were inside, they could see Cam crying softly in the corner as he held an ice pack to his face. Jason had to hold Liz back and then he led her into the office.

"Ms. Webber and Mr. Morgan I presume?" He had read several articles about what had happened to Jason and Jake.

"Yes," Liz said softly.

"Cameron got into a fight at recess. He was defending his little brother."

Liz wiped a tear away. "Were they bullying him?"

"According to Emma Drake, a group of boys were taunting him about his brother and calling him names. He ignored it until one of them said that maybe Jake was better off dead."

Liz gasped and Jason's jaw clenched.

"I hope that these other children will be punished," Jason said.

"Of course. I suspended the ringleader and the others have a detention for a week and I'll be meeting with their parents. I take this very seriously. No matter what, fighting isn't allowed. I'm afraid that I will have to suspend Cameron as well."

Liz nodded. "I understand."

"You can take him home and he can return the day after tomorrow. Emma will get his homework assignments. The other little boy received a three day suspension."

A man burst into the office.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't stop him. I called security," the secretary said.

The principal nodded.

"Why is my son suspended when he didn't throw the first punch?"

"I don't tolerate bullying on this campus. He verbally attacked someone and was exceptionally cruel."

"They are kids. He didn't touch him so I don't see what the problem is."

The man seemed to be unnerving the principal with his closeness and anger so Jason stood up.

"You need to step back," Jason said.

The man looked over at Jason and smirked. "I know who you are. Don't tell me it was your little brat that got my kid in trouble."

Jason looked at the man so lethally that he quickly took a step or two back." If you don't keep your brat away from my son, you will deal with me. Perhaps if you spent some time teaching him respect and giving him some discipline, he wouldn't feel the need to belittle other kids. Make sure it doesn't happen again."

The man and the principal swallowed hard.

Jason looked at the principal as his face softened. "I will talk to Cam about fighting and I would appreciate it if your teachers would keep a closer eye on the kids so they can step in when things like this happen."

"I definitely will be having a talk with the teachers involved."

Jason held out his hand and Liz took it and they went into the other room. He knelt down in front of Cam and took the ice pack off. He had a bruise on his cheek. "Let's go home," he said standing up fully. He held out his hand and Cam took it. Liz took his other hand and they walked to the car and got in. Johnny rode back with Cody.

"I'm sorry that they teased you but you can't hit people Cameron," Liz said tearfully.

"I know mom. I lost it when he said Jake was better off dead."

She turned and looked at him. "I know. I get it Cam, but people are going to say things about Cam and Jason and you have to learn to tune it out and just tell your teacher. A suspension goes on your record."

Cam didn't care about his stupid record. The other boys were wrong and he couldn't stop himself. They had just made him so mad.