Chapter 11
Thank you to the guest reviewer, Trini12180, and notenoughlove, who correctly guessed Jason's mystery partner. At the end of this chapter, I will reveal a new surprise to his identity.
Mid 2004-2005 (Sam/Jason/Elizabeth/Lucky)
What if Jason said no to Sonny raising Sonny's kid
What if During Nikolas/Emily's wedding, choices were different
What if: to 2005 When L&L2 Wedding, Robin arrives to save Jason
I loathe Sam even more than I did Courtney. This favors Liason; if you like Sam, you will not like this version. I was not watching much of GH during 2004, but I did pick up some storylines. This is my version.
What if, when Sam was pregnant with Sonny's child, Jason said no to his demands?
Elizabeth divorced Ric again in April and left Port Charles to have her baby. She said goodbye to Jason and Courtney on the Day she left. She told Jason he was right and asked if she was better off without Ric, and Jason replied, "I know you are." Sarah offered Elizabeth a place away from Ric, and Elizabeth gave birth to a baby boy on May 11, 2004.
While Carly was with Lorenzo, Sonny began an affair with con artist and grifter Samantha "Sam" McCall. She was with billionaire Jasper Jacks first and then started seeing Sonny. She was with both of them during the Port Charles Hotel Fire in February. In March, she chose Sonny and hoped he'd stay with her. All she needed was to get on his son, Michael's good side. If she could befriend Michael, Sonny would appreciate her. In May, Sonny reunited with Carly for the sake of Michael and Morgan, but he still wanted Sam.
"Jason, I need you to let Sam stay with you when Carly moves back in. We are sharing custody of the boys but sleeping in separate rooms."
"Sonny, Carly won't appreciate your mistress living across the hall in my apartment."
"My sister is divorcing you. You broke her heart. I told you that it wouldn't last. There is no reason why Sam can't stay with you."
Jason mumbles to himself, "Except I don't like her." He says, "Why me? Doesn't Max have a brother who wants to move to Port Charles?"
"Milo won't be here for at least a year. I'd rather use Francis for other duties."
"Sonny, if you hadn't ordered me to take out O'Brien, he could have been a good fit to watch Sam."
"Johnny betrayed me with Alcazar. I had to send a message to the families about what happens if anyone crosses me."
"Why is Ric still alive then? He did far worse than Johnny."
"As much as I despise Ric, he's family. He gets one more chance."
Jason sighs, gives in, and says, "Fine, she can stay in Brenda's room."
Sam grudgingly packs her clothes, and Max carries her bags across the hall. Sam waits until Jason has left for the warehouse and opens the EPT box. She follows the instructions and waits. She cries at the results. Sonny wants her as his mistress, not his wife. Jax was right; Sonny would choose Carly and his kids first. Sam thinks of a plan: if she can't get Sonny, she might get Jason. She leaves out the test results for Jason to find and a copy of an appointment she made at the clinic for an abortion. She heard about how much Jason loves kids, and he pretended to be Michael's father for Carly. If Sonny turns her away, Jason could be her baby's father. If he sees the "appointment," he'll try to stop her, and she can lay on the tears.
Sam hears the elevator and grabs her purse, exiting the penthouse as Jason enters. Jason says, "Where are you going?"
"Out. I don't need a guard where I'm going." Sam enters the elevator before Jason has a chance to object.
Jason sorts through the mail, and his eyes rest on a piece of paper with today's date circled. It lists the clinic name, and he sees the positive pregnancy test result next to it. Jason rushes out and gets on his bike, speeding to the clinic. Sam changes into her gown and waits until she hears the roar of Jason's motorcycle stop. As Jason pushes his way in, she starts crying and says, "I've changed my mind. I want to keep my baby. Jason, what are you doing here? Did you follow me?"
Jason hesitates; he knows what he is doing is wrong but believes Sonny has a right to know. "I saw the appointment. Have you changed your mind? Does Sonny know?"
"No, I haven't told Sonny."
"You should."
Sonny stops Jason at G.H. to ask Jason what is bothering Sam. "If you can find out, let me know, but I must deal with Carly." Sonny walks away, but Jason stops him. "Sonny, Sam is pregnant."
"What?"
You heard me. The two of you need to have a conversation."
"Jason, I can't lose Carly. I need you to step in and help care for Sam until she has our kid.'
"Yeah, look at how well that turned out the last time I stepped in. I am not playing father to your kid. Carly is not stupid. I will not claim I am the father."
"You need to fix things for me. Let her stay with you until it's born."
"She can stay at the penthouse, but if you don't tell Carly, I will. You will regret it if you let me raise Sam's child as mine."
July 2004: Lila Quartermaine passes away in her sleep, and the Q's hold an emotional service for her. Elizabeth and Lucky attend, offering sympathies to the family.
September 2004. Elizabeth is training to be a student nurse. Jason visits her at General Hospital.
November 2004. Jason started having feelings for Sam, and Sonny did tell Carly. Carly forgave Sonny, and they were going to discuss joint custody when Sam went into premature labor and had a stillbirth. Jason got to hold the baby girl and wasn't sure if his sadness was because he agreed to raise a child again or because of Sam. Sonny was upset when he found out Sam lost the baby.
12/02/2004. Emily and Nikolas marry at the Quartermaine Mansion. Elizabeth was dating Lucky again after her divorce from Ric. Jason brought Sam, hoping to get her out of her depression from losing her baby.
Elizabeth announces it's time for the bouquet and garter toss. Emily aims at Elizabeth, and she catches the bouquet. Nikolas attempts to toss the garter at his brother to catch it, but Lucky misses, and Jason catches it instead. Emily, Nikolas, and Lucky look horrified that Jason caught it, but an amused Elizabeth looks at Jason, who grins.
Steven Webber approaches his sister, looks at the bouquet, and says, "Does this mean you have to dance with Jason Morgan?"
Elizabeth looks at Jason and laughs. "Jason is not the type to dance."
Jason still stares at a laughing and smiling Elizabeth, walks to her, and says, "I'll suffer for tradition." Steve shakes his head and walks away.
Elizabeth laughs and replies, "Jason, I know you avoid dancing when you can; you don't need to humor me. Didn't you bring Sam?"
"And you came with Lucky. I noticed Nikolas was aiming for Lucky and not me. Should I apologize to Lucky? Are you trying with him again?" Jason takes Elizabeth in his arms for a slow dance.
"Lucky is different this time. I think he is free from Helena's control. He's not as controlling this time. I'm still not ready for something instant. I just had a kid and recently divorced Ric. Emily and Nikolas want us to recreate our childhood prophecies together."
Jason gives her a confused look, "Huh? What does that mean?"
"When we were all teenagers after Lucky and Nikolas made peace with being brothers, and before Lucky "died," we called ourselves the 'four musketeers.' They want us to be together now that Emily and Nikolas are married. Lucky wants it, too, but I don't have a great track record. Lucky to you, you to Ric, and now from Ric to Lucky after less than a year. What about you and Sam?"
The music ends, and Jason leads Elizabeth by the elbow to a corner. "I like Sam, but I was trying to help Sonny. I'm not sorry I came, and I'm not sorry I caught the garter." Jason checks to see if anyone is watching, and he leans in and kisses her. "I don't know where this will lead since we are with other people, but I wanted to kiss you either way."
Elizabeth smiles sadly and replies, "Timing.….it sucks."
12/27/2004. Jason meets Cameron for the first time.
Elizabeth runs into Jason at Kelly's. She is pushing her seven-month-old son Cameron in a stroller towards the diner. She leans in to pick him up. Jason holds the door for her as she enters, carrying her infant son. He takes over, pushing the empty stroller inside.
"Jason, hi! This is perfect timing. I've been wanting to introduce you to my son, Cameron."
"Cameron, as in named after Zander's father?"
"Yes, or Cam for short. How are you?"
"I'm good. I wanted to thank you for your advice on ways to help Sam grieve. Can I hold him?" Elizabeth nods and lifts Cam for Jason to hold. Jason says, "Hi there, Cam."
Cam fusses and Jason calms him by rocking him. Elizabeth and Jason discuss the holiday.
2005 Reset: I didn't watch much during this period, and Jason and Elizabeth had little interaction. Lucky was with Elizabeth, and Jason was with Sam, as the O.G. storyline dictates—Robin's return and Jason's needing surgery. Elizabeth and Lucky finally marry.
November-December 2005: Elizabeth and Lucky married. Lucky was injured during a train crash following their wedding. He recovered, and Elizabeth and Lucky lived in an efficient apartment.
Jason needed life-saving surgery, and Sam brought Robin Scorpio in with her experimental drug therapy. Robin found Dr. Patrick Drake, Noah Drake's son when the therapy failed. Patrick performed the surgery, saving Jason's life.
Nikolas and Emily divorced. He had an affair with Courtney Matthews, and she became pregnant with his baby (though, at the time, Jax was believed to be the father). Jax tried to reconcile with Courtney, but she remained with Nikolas.
Emily moved into Sonny's guesthouse to help care for Michael and Morgan while Carly received treatment at Roselawn, a psychiatric facility. Carly was also married to Lorenzo Alcazar. By year's end, they are divorced.
What If 2006
Jason and Elizabeth
Jason and Sam
Elizabeth and Lucky
Events leading to NOP and aftermath
The Next Day
Elizabeth arrives at the Safe House. There are two boxes on the door stoop. Elizabeth brings them inside and says, "You got a special delivery last night." She hands them to Jason in exchange for a plate of eggs and coffee.
Jason reads the card, "From, J.O." Jason opens the larger box first. It reveals several legal documents, various identifications, and financial documents. He opens the smaller package. Inside are two sets of keys and a remote.
Elizabeth finishes her breakfast as she watches him sort through the items. "J.O.? Is this your mystery partner? Are you going to share yet?"
"I want to see what the remote opens first, then I'll consider telling you."
Laughing, "You are stalling. I'm not cross-examining you. You aren't on trial."
"I could be." Elizabeth follows Jason outside, and he presses the remote to the three-car garage, revealing a 2023 SUV and a 2023 fully loaded BMW Roctane motorcycle.
"Wow! That is some friend."
"Would you care to go for a ride?"
"Jason, when was the last time you were on a motorcycle? You just got off your cane. I'm not going to risk your recovery for a ride."
"I was thinking of taking the SUV. Memory issues aside, the bike looks fun, but I don't remember the last time I rode, and I'm not ready."
"Robin, Patrick, Emma, and Noah are coming to the house for dinner, so I must be back before 4:00."
"Let's get going."
Elizabeth asks again about who has been helping Jason.
"Elizabeth, if I tell you, I might have to kill you or…."
Laughing, "Or?"
"We'd have to get married." Jason approaches a familiar area. Elizabeth recognizes they are on the old Cliff Road.
"Married? If you tell me you don't want me to be able to testify against you?"
"Something like that."
Jason parks the vehicle, and they walk towards a free-standing shed. Jason hits a separate remote, opening the shed to an ATV.
"You want to get married for spousal privilege on your mystery friend? Am I marrying you to protect you or him?"
"It's so I can reveal a truth to you that could send him to prison."
"Jason, I didn't know you were alive until two weeks ago. I doubt I'd be a threat to your contact. I value my life, so please don't kill me." She keeps laughing.
Jason shakes his head. "You can't tell anyone about him."
Elizabeth takes his hand in hers, "I promise. I want to thank whoever has been helping you."
"It's Johnny O'Brien. He's not dead."
"Johnny? Why? I always liked him."
"Elizabeth, I'm serious. Sonny ordered me to kill Johnny because he felt O'Brien betrayed him to Alcazar. Sonny thinks I followed his order, but I let Johnny live. Johnny has helped me throughout the years."
"I'm not surprised at Sonny's demand or you letting Johnny go. I was sad when I heard he was gone. I can keep the secret, but why, besides Sonny's wrath, is it important to keep him dead?"
"I was half joking about marriage. Elizabeth, I will always have regrets about us not trying harder to stay together, but if there is a trial, you can't testify. I didn't kill Alcazar. Johnny killed Lorenzo. He also cleaned up other messes by Sonny or myself the last 20 years."
Elizabeth is speechless. She always liked Johnny more than Sonny's other guards. She had her suspicions when Johnny went missing, but she was afraid to ask. Now she can't wait to see him and hopes he'll answer questions.
She clears her throat, "I won't say anything, but why did you take me here on the Cliff Road route?"
"Do you remember the 'Ride to Nowhere' where I told you about the old Estates with the statues?' Elizabeth nods. "I never got to show you that land. Before I proposed and before Michale was shot, I purchased the land. I always had plans on building something there. I worked with contractors off and on over the years when I was alive and well in Port Charles (he laughs at that statement), but there is still a lot to complete." Jason starts the ATV, and they ride to the spot. Jason shows her the new foundation, and they walk the grounds.
Overwhelmed by all the news, Elizabeth says, "Jason, this is amazing. I want to see more and talk about Johnny, but I must pick up dinner for my guests tonight. Can we talk about everything tonight?'
Jason nods, Elizabeth sits behind him on the ATV, and they return to the shed. Jason drives them back to the safe house. "I meant what I said, Elizabeth." He kisses her. "I still love you."
"I love you too. Please give my regards to Johnny. I'm not giving you an answer yet on the marriage option."
"Please return tomorrow. I want to talk about Sonny and Carly."
Elizabeth places an order at Charlie's and drives to pick it up before returning home for the boys to set the table and Elizabeth to shower. The Scorpio-Drake family arrives, and they enjoy a blended family dinner. Jason watches the exchange. He thinks about how much Emma has grown and is sad to have missed out on seeing Jake and Danny grow up.
The next Day.
Cam arrives.
TBC