Chapter 4

Zander and Liason: What If: 2002

Part 1: 6/24/02-The crypt.

Elizabeth approaches Jason on the docks after witnessing a conversation with him and Courtney. She says, "I wasn't eavesdropping, but I saw you talking with AJ's wife. It looked private and awkward. I'm guessing she now figured out she got the bad end of the brother deal."

Jason is unsure how to interpret Elizabeth's feelings on the topic and replies, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"You can figure it out," she smiles.

They are interrupted by Benny Abrahams, Jason and Sonny's accountant. Benny mentions security is being heightened due to his and Sonny's rivals in the area. Jason thanks Benny and returns to Elizabeth, ushering her away from the water and back to her studio. "Come on, let's go! I need you to stay in your studio and not contact me until I find you."

"Jason, what the hell? I did not go out of my way to find you. Keeping away will not be a hardship." Elizabeth agrees to his requests, but she is lying about wanting otherwise. Despite annoying her, she has a soft spot for Zander and asks Jason if Zander is involved and if he should be warned.

"You should steer clear of Zander. He's trouble."

Laughing, "I hate to break it to you, Jason, but your trouble, too."

"Perhaps, but Zander is also a hot head, young, naïve, and foolish. He acts before thinking. It gets him into trouble, and if you are standing next to him, you will get into trouble, too."

Elizabeth giggles, "Fine, I won't call or come looking for you if you don't dictate or tell me what to do."

Jason grabs her from her waist and pulls her to him. He leans in, and she can feel his breath on her face. She shivers at the closeness. He says, "Don't run off trying to prove a point no one else gets."

"You don't have to worry about me."

"Yes, I do." Jason sighs, wishing he had kissed her, but instead, he walks away, shutting her studio door behind him. Elizabeth pulls down the shade and begins to paint. She's startled by a noise and hopes it is Jason returning. Two men enter and grab her, dragging her out of the studio. Zander arrives looking for her, and he hears her scream. He runs to the window to see Elizabeth shoved into a car that speeds away before he can catch the plate number.

Zander makes a beeline to Jake's. Jason is drinking a beer, and Zander says, I stopped to see Elizabeth, and two men were throwing her into a car; one of them worked for Rosco." Pissed, Jason leaves with Zander, and they search all night for Elizabeth.

Jason wishes he did not have to rely on Zander's word that it was one of Rosco's men. He says, "You fed information to Rosco about Sonny for 10k; how can I trust anything you say?" Jason sees a message for him to wait for a call on the Elm Street Pier. "Go home. Sonny has people looking for her, too."

Zander replies, "No way. I'm the one who told you what happened. You got me thrown out of Sonny's organization. I can make it up to him."

"Zander, I don't have time for this. They are sending me a message. They could be watching us. You will only get in the way." Jason runs to the address and waits by the payphone, hoping for a call.

Elizabeth is locked up somewhere dark and dank. She feels like she is underground. She gave up smoking years ago, but she checks her pockets for the matches she always snags at Jakes to use for candles at the studio. She lights one and can't figure out where she is. The flame burns out, singeing her fingers. The man who kidnapped Elizabeth forces her to call Jason. She yells that it's a trap. The man says, "I'll call in one hour. Next time, follow instructions; come alone, and maybe she'll live."

"Just tell me what you want." The line goes dead, and Jason slams the phone down. Zander appears, and Jason punches him. "I told you not to come! That was them, and they said I didn't follow instructions. If something happens to Elizabeth because of your fuck-up, I'll kill you."

Zander returns the punch; furious his input is being ignored. Taggert, on cue, arrests both of them. An hour passes, and the pay phone rings and rings. Jason wishes he'd have killed the kid when he betrayed Sonny. He tells Zander if he's not waiting by that phone, something could happen to Elizabeth. Zander finally understands and is blubbering; he is the one who swung first, not Jason, but the PCPD doesn't care. Jason glares at Zander and prays for Elizabeth. After Sonny threatens legal action for false arrest, Taggert gives up on playing with his prey and releases Jason and Zander. Back at the Penthouse, after hearing Zander whine the way there, Sonny wishes they would have left Zander in lock-up. Jason worries that Zander would have revealed to Taggert what happened to Elizabeth. Zander leaves convinced he can rescue Elizabeth without help from Sonny or Jason. Jason knows Zander is a screw-up and will make him pay if he hurts Elizabeth. Jason has gone to the Quartermaines, hoping to find Elizabeth since the only clue was ELQ. Jason couldn't find any connections to buildings the corporation owned. Jason told Sonny he had another option but wouldn't like it. He mentioned Taggert might be able to help.

Sonny incredulously asks, "Elizabeth means that much to you?"

"Yeah, I guess she does."

With that revelation, Jason realizes he has to do everything he can to find and rescue Elizabeth. He must find her and tell her how he feels. After Jason pulls her from the gas-filled crypt, she tells him that Zander is still inside. Sonny attempts to enter, and flames explode in the sky. Jason shields Elizabeth with his body.

When the emergency vehicles arrive, the crypt is engulfed in fire. Jason helps Elizabeth to an ambulance, where they administer oxygen. He waits with her while the medical personnel checks Sonny for injuries. The fire is extinguished, and the crew enters the crypt. The fire chief exits and announces they found a dead body. Soon after, the body of Zander Smith is carried out on a stretcher.

Jason says, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to save Zander too."

Elizabeth leans against Jason, "I'm sorry too, but I am so happy you could find me in time. I knew you would."

Jason leans in and kisses her forehead. She lifts her head, and he gently kisses her lips. He leans in for a more urgent kiss, and they are interrupted by Taggert.

"Uhumm. Nice to see you survived, Ms. Webber, though I thought you might be more upset by the death of young Mr. Smith. From what I heard, he was the one to see your kidnapping.

Elizabeth dryly replies, "Your point? Yes, I'm saddened by the death of a friend, but I would have been more upset if it was Jason. I'm happy to be with him."

"Elizabeth, I have questions about your kidnapping. It would be best if you came with me to the PCPD to make a statement."

Sonny, now cleared by the EMT, says, "Defective (emphasis on the 'defective' Sonny thinks) Taggert, it's late; she needs to shower and rest."

Taggert changes his tune, hoping Elizabeth will provide information to nail Corothinos and Morgan to criminal activity and why she was kidnapped. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry if I was harsh. Can you tell me what happened? Did your kidnappers tell you why they grabbed you?"

Shaking her head, "No, I don't know who or why. I was in my studio. Two men entered and took me, and shoved me into a car. They brought me here and locked me inside."

"What did they say?"

After I was inside, I only saw one guy. He didn't say anything. (Elizabeth lies). He left me alone for one or two hours. He returned and had me talk to Jason. He left, and several hours later, I spoke with Jason again."

"Are you sure he didn't say anything about Sonny or Jason? Why was Zander there?"

Jason thinks, if I punch Taggert, it would be worth it if I go to jail, but I can leave Elizabeth alone. "Taggert, she answered your questions. Why are you treating her like she did something wrong? I already told you what happened."

Just a few more questions, and then you can come to the station tomorrow and sign a release. Why was Zander there?"

Elizabeth sighs, "The guy carried Zander into the crypt and dropped him on the ground. Zander was unconscious. I asked if he could get him to a hospital, and he laughed. I checked to see if Zander was bleeding, and he was not. It was maybe 15-20 minutes later when Zander woke up. Zander said he thought he could rescue me by pretending to report on Sonny. Zander got himself knocked out and thrown in with me."

Taggert thinks he tripped Elizabeth up and says, "I thought you said you didn't know why you were taken."

"No, you asked me if my kidnappers said why they took me. It was Zander who said he was going to rat out Sonny. I'm sorry he's dead; he made a mess of thinking he was smarter than my kidnappers. I'm tired, is that all?"

"No, that's all for now; get some rest and come by the station tomorrow."

Sonny, Jason, and Elizabeth watch as the ambulance carries away the body of Zander Smith. Jason puts his arm around Elizabeth, and she rests her head against his chest. Jason says, "Will you come back with me to the Penthouse? You can have a nice long shower and get something to eat. Tomorrow, I'll take you to the PCPD. I will get someone to make your studio more secure." Elizabeth nods and joins Jason in his car.

Jason shows Elizabeth to the shower and says he'll send someone to buy new clothing.

"Jason, I can wear one of your T-shirts for tonight. I don't need anything else." Elizabeth starts the shower and waits for the water to heat up. Jason returns with a shirt, and Elizabeth steps under the water. Jason turns to leave, and Elizabeth crooks her finger, motioning him to join her. He strips and enters the shower.

Jason embraces Elizabeth, kissing her as the water pours over them. He squeezes a generous amount of body wash in his hands and scrubs Elizabeth from top to bottom. Holding her from behind, he kisses her neck, shoulders, and back and turns her to face him. They kiss, and Jason applies shampoo to her hair. He rinses her and helps dry her off. Elizabeth pulls the shirt over her head and finger combs her hair. Jason kisses her again and carries her to his bed. "Elizabeth, I've wanted you for a long time. I'm sorry it took you getting kidnapped to realize how important you are to me."

"Jason, I've wanted you too. Please make love to me."

Part Two: After the Crypt.

Zander is not dead. He was killed in this one-shot as a "What if." Future "What ifs" will continue as the timeline suggests.

TBC-2023

Elizabeth pulls into the driveway, jumps out of the car, and rushes to the door. Monica opens the door and says, "He's been asking for you."

"Jason? Jason is alive? How? Where is he?"

"He's alive. He is upstairs, but there are some things you need to know before you see him."

Elizabeth surveys the room. It has a hospital bed, electronic monitors to check vital functions, a defibrillator, EKG readings, a portable MRI machine, IV solutions, and everything else a MASH unit could contain. She moistens her lips, takes a deep breath, and says, "Okay, cliff notes version?"

Monica laughs, "Cliff notes? Try War and Peace. But seriously, before you go upstairs, you should know Jason is aware of where he is and who we are, but he has some memory gaps, and we have been trying to help him. He wants to see you."

Elizabeth quietly walks up the stairs and watches from the doorway at a sleeping Jason. She peeks into the bathroom and smiles at the shower-"large enough for two." She approaches the bed, sits beside Jason, and holds his hand. She brushes her hand over his hair. She notices the blunt cut. Monica watches, and Elizabeth says, "Did he have brain surgery?" Monica nods.

He's had two brain surgeries. If you come downstairs, I'll fill you in."

Elizabeth kisses his forehead and whispers, "I'm here."

Monica has two cups of coffee and says, "Jason's heard this story a few times, but his memory is still faulty. Only a few people know Jason is alive. After the tunnel collapse in November 2021 in Greece, Nikolas had a crew to continue the search for remains. He wanted to bring Jason's body home to his family. His people found Jason alive! He was unconscious and barely breathing. They sent him to a private clinic in Greece. He was in a coma and had multiple injuries. He had broken bones, internal bleeding, and head trauma. One of the Neurologists determined Jason needed a shunt placed in his brain to drain fluid and reduce swelling. In March 2022, he was stable enough to be moved to a private clinic in Switzerland. Nikolas called me in April, and I flew out." Elizabeth sips her drink, wanting to ask questions, but decides to wait for the end of the story.

"Jason was in a coma; the doctors didn't know when or if he would wake up. I didn't want to get people's hopes up. I brought in specialists I trusted from Pine Valley and Landview. In July, Jason had not woken up. I requested new scans and called Patrick Drake in August."

Elizabeth says, "Patrick has known since last year? Does Robin know?"

Monica continues, "Elizabeth, I sent the scans to Patrick. I knew if he took one glance at a John Doe CT Scan, he would know they belonged to Jason Morgan. I had to tell him and swear him to secrecy. I arranged to move Jason to a hospital near Rochester under a John Doe in September. Patrick flew out and evaluated him. He performed additional surgery. Robin doesn't know."

"Monica, asking Patrick to keep a secret of this magnitude from Robin was incredibly unfair."

Monica interrupts, "Elizabeth, please let me finish, and you can offer your thoughts after. After Jason's surgery, he was placed in a medically induced coma to give his brain time to reduce swelling. Patrick monitored his care from Berkeley, and I brought Epiphany part-time in October to oversee his care when I couldn't. She was studying for her MCATs while caring for Jason. He woke up from his coma in January of this year. Once he got his bearings, he insisted he was better and could leave. You know how much he hates hospitals. I had Patrick return for evaluation and to convince Jason to stay until other accommodations were arranged. It was the only way to get Jason to follow his recovery. He mentioned this place. Jason said only three people knew of this location. You were one of them. We moved him in February."

"Nikolas was reported missing in late February. Jason kept asking for you, but you were recovering from your fugue state of last year and your problems with your parents. I didn't want to add to the extra stress, and Epiphany was more than qualified to stay at the safehouse. Jason still has memory gaps, and we've answered most of his questions, but there are many only you can answer, and he has refused to let Sam, Carly, or Sonny know he is alive. He has been receiving physical therapy. I came up with my explained absences from GH to spend time with him. After Epiphany's death, Jason asked for you again."

Elizabeth finally speaks and says, "Thank you for caring for Jason. While it pains me, I understand the need to keep me in the dark. If I knew where Nikolas was, I'd kick his butt for not telling me and then hug him for going the extra mile to find him, but not telling Robin that is not something Patrick should have kept from his wife. She will feel betrayed. Robin saved Jason in 2012 with her protocol. She knows how to keep a secret."

Jason, with the assistance of a cane, walks down the stairs. "I told you Robin should have been told. I agree with Elizabeth."

Elizabeth rushes to help Jason with the remaining stairs. "Are you in pain?"

"Nothing I haven't gone through before. Moni…Mom, continue."

Elizabeth helps him to the hospital bed in the living area. "Mom? Did you just say, Mom?"

Monica chuckles, "It was my form of emotional blackmail. I told Jason I would agree to his demands under one condition. Until he can walk out of this house on his own, he had to call me Mom."

Elizabeth laughs, "That is a low blow, Monica. Sneaky, but apparently effective. Jason, do you want water or food?"

Jason replies, "A proper hug first, then water." Elizabeth complies, her eyes glistening.

Monica says, "Jason can fill you in on the rest of his recovery. He has questions, and you can call Robin, but I warn you, the more people that know, the less privacy you will receive. I'm going to leave you with a list of things before I go to give you time to talk." Monica kisses her son's forehead and walks Elizabeth out. She whispers, "Elizabeth, Jason doesn't know what you went through since he's been away. I'm leaving it up to you to tell him. He doesn't know about the Sonny and Carly debacle or much of the other personal drama. The doctors wanted him to focus on his recovery. Jason needs about four to six weeks of more healing before he can return to Port Charles or elsewhere if he chooses to walk away. He's changed. He's not the same person we remember. Good Luck." Monica hugs her and leaves.

Elizabeth smiles, "Alone at last, can I get you anything? Monica filled me in on many things, but I want to hear your side. I am curious why you asked for me, not Carly, Sonny, or Sam first."

Jason pats his bed and replies, "Join me. I'll tell you what I remember, but how long can you stay? What about your kids? Tell me about Jake."

"I can stay late, maybe midnight or two am. The boys are great. I'll tell you everything, but let me call Jake to tell him to watch Aiden. You can listen to your son."

Elizabeth calls Jake and puts the phone on speaker. "Jake, it's mom. Grandma Monica hired me for a private nursing job, and I'll be busy at night for a while. I'll be home before breakfast to drop Aiden off at Lila's Kids for volunteering. Could you look after your brother for me?" Jason holds her hand, his eyes tearing up when he hears his son's voice. Hanging up the phone, she wipes a tear from his face, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, better. It's still a shock coming back from the dead…again." He chuckles. "At least this time, I wasn't gagged and shackled. Elizabeth, could you please get that box on the top shelf in the coat closet? There is a stepladder inside." She complies and brings the container back to Jason. "You and I are the only ones who know about this box." Jason keys a password, opens the lockbox, and pulls out two pre-paid cell phones. "Epiphany purchased several things for me before her passing. I was very fond of her. She adored you. I'm sorry for your loss."

Elizabeth wipes a tear from her eye, "The feeling was mutual. I'm still dealing. I don't know if Monica told you, but the board voted to install me as the new Head Nurse today."

Jason puts his arm around her, "You deserve it. Epiphany would be proud, and I'm sure your grandmother is too."

"Elizabeth, this burner phone has my number programmed in it. Here is the security code to unlock the phone. If you need to contact me, key in those numbers."

Jason takes his phone, keys in a sequence of numbers, then keys in a phone number. As he waits for an answer, he holds a finger for Elizabeth to stay quiet. Jason says into the phone, "Identify voice," then punches another set of numbers and waits. "Hello, yes, it's me. Rumors of my death, well, yes, that too." Jason laughs at the person on the other end of the call. "I need a favor. I need money accessed from my old accounts and transferred into new accounts with one of my aliases. I am being cared for by my mother and an old friend. Yes, it's Elizabeth. I'll tell her later. I'll contact you. Thanks!"

Elizabeth says, "Anyone I know?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you yet."

She glares, "Fine for now, as long as you aren't hiding that was an undead Emily you were colluding with."

Jason brushes Elizabeth's hair from her face, "No, though I do wish she was alive."

Jason begins telling Elizabeth his story after he woke up from his coma.

TBC