Chapter 12

My heart is in pieces. He was my favorite Nikolas. RIP Tyler Christopher. 11/11/1972-10/31/2023. Too many losses this year.

What If 2006

Jason and Elizabeth

Jason and Sam

Elizabeth and Lucky

Events leading to NOP

Thanks to the guest reviewers and Notenoughlove and Trini12180. I'm glad you like that Johnny is alive. I'll try working on Francis. Sonny may take a while to get his due; I'm not ready yet. We'll see about Sam.

I am breaking 2006 into two chapters as it turned out longer than expected. It has a lot of Jason and Elizabeth's conversations. Some are taken from OG S/L. Since Sam and Lucky's later actions bring Jason and Elizabeth together, I'm trying to follow the events leading up to that night. Jason loves Sam, and Elizabeth loves Lucky.

In late 2005, Manny Ruiz kidnapped Elizabeth Spencer, including several other crimes against Sam McCall, Jason Morgan, Carly Corothinos, Maxie Jones, and others. Manny was diagnosed with a tumor and had surgery. After a trial with Alexis Davis as his attorney, he was released on probation to serve community service at General Hospital. He's been aided by Lorenzo Alcazar, as they have a common enemy, Sonny Corothinos.As Manny did terrible things, he was a catalyst for how things changed things in the dynamics of the Liason relationship.

January 2006

Manny checks in for his community service. He startles Elizabeth, surprising her from behind. He makes her nervous. Elizabeth wants to give him the benefit he's changed from the criminal acts he's done, but there is something about him that she doesn't believe he's changed. Lucky agrees with her.

Jason approaches Elizabeth shortly after Elizabeth Manny's visit. He's due to start his shift as a janitor.

"Elizabeth, have you seen Manny?"

"Yes, I sent him home to get changed. His tattoos can be scary to patients. He unnerves me. Lucky, and I think he's faking being 'cured.'

"I agree. Just be careful around him. He can be sneaky."

"Thank you, I will. He has an ankle monitor, though, right?"

"Yeah, but those aren't always foolproof. I'll see you later. He smiles, and she returns the smile. She is glad they are friends again.

In February 2006, the Port Charles encephalitis plague claimed the lives of Danny McCall, Sam's brother, Dr. Tony Jones, and Courtney Matthews. Several other residents fell severely ill but recovered with the ransomed cure from the former wife of recently returned WSB agent Robert Scorpio, Robin's father.

3/24/06. As much as the Emily and Sonny storyline repulsed me, I needed to include these scenes as it led to an important speech Elizabeth gave Jason later.

Luke Spencer has a "Grand Reopening of the Haunted Star. He turned it into a Riverboat Gambling Casino. Emily asks Elizabeth to cover for her if Jason asks where she is. Emily wants to spend time with Sonny.

Elizabeth is at the bar when she sees Jason cleaned up, wearing a suit sans a tie. Jason notices her and thinks, "Wow! She is so beautiful in her red dress. He walks toward her, and she smiles. "Jason. What are you doing here? This isn't exactly your type of venue."

"I came with Sam. Are you having fun?

"Yeah, Lucky just won at the poker table."

"Have you seen Emily?"

"She said she had to leave to work on a lab report."

"Elizabeth, don't lie to me. She's with Sonny, isn't she?"

"Emily said…yes, you are probably right, she is with Sonny."

"Thanks for the info. Have a good night."

"You too."

3/26/06

Manny was responsible for the death of Officer Jesse Beaudry. Manny wanted Diego Alcazar dead, and the man he hired killed Jesse instead. Lucky believed Jason and Sonny were responsible. Lucky didn't want to consider Sonny would never fire into a crowd with children present. When Dr. Patrick Drake operated on Jesse and lost him on the table, Lucky blamed him for purposefully killing Jesse since he had never lost a patient before, and his father was on the list for a liver transplant.

3/31/06

Jason shot and killed an associate of Miguel Escobar, who attempted to kill Sonny and Emily while they were about to have sex. Jason was arrested and had conversations with Emily and Sonny about how dangerous it is for Emily to be in Sonny's life. Neither would listen to him. Emily is distraught because it was one of the rare times her brother ever yelled at her. Elizabeth tried explaining it was because Jason was scared for his sister.

Jason told Sonny if he wants to be with Emily, he must give up the running the business and turn it over to him. It means things will be more dangerous for him, but his sister's safety is more important.

4/2-4/14 2006.

Elizabeth visits Jason at the PCPD. "Emily doesn't know I'm here, but she is devastated by her fight with you today."

"I'm sorry she's hurting, but I'm not sorry for what I said. If she stays with Sonny, he will wreck her life, and I won't let that happen."

"You are not used to being afraid; you are afraid for Emily. It's why you are handling this so poorly. Emily could have been killed last night. I know that scares you. It scares all of us, but it's Emily's choice. Just like it was your choice to get involved with Courtney, Sonny's sister, Sonny had those same fears, but you didn't listen to him."

"Then he should understand how dangerous it would be for her."

"There are other ways of getting hurt. You can fall in love and give up on it because people keep telling you it's wrong. Then you start to doubt everything you feel, pushing you to make safe choices. But love shouldn't be safe."

"Why aren't you saying this to Emily?"

"I tried. Jason, the same thing happened to us. I started doubting you and was told to make safer choices. Unfortunately, at that time, the person was Ric. But you are the one person she trusts the most. Jason, if you convince Emily to give up on Sonny, she will spend the rest of her life wondering what might have been." Elizabeth thinks, "Just like I do."

"At least she will have a life."

"Do you doubt that Sonny and Emily love each other?"

"No, but sometimes love isn't enough. If he loves her, he will give her up."

DA John Durant enters and announces Jason is free to go. Elizabeth says, "Jason, think about what I said. It's not up to you or me what happens."

Jason thanks her and thinks, "Maybe not, but that's why I let you go."

Manny got a key from Alcazar to unlock his ankle monitor so he could roam freely. Jason overheard Nurse Epiphany Johnson tell Elizabeth she hadn't seen the tattooed janitor all Day and he should be cleaning the floors. Jason goes to Kelly's to search Manny's room and finds the ankle monitor inside. Lorenzo arrives when Jason accuses him of assisting Manny. Lucky shows up moments later, and he blames both of them for letting a freak like Manny be able to work at the same place as his wife.

Elizabeth sees Manny pushing a mop and calls Lucky to tell him Manny is at GH. Skye Chandler-Quartermaine exits the elevator, and Elizabeth watches as Manny reaches for a knife from his pocket. Elizabeth tracks him and grabs a fire extinguisher. As Manny is about to attack Skye, Elizabeth yells out a warning and hits Manny with the extinguisher. Skye runs off, and Manny turns and grabs Elizabeth, lifting her off her feet.

Lucky exits the elevator as Manny holds a knife to his wife's neck. Lucky draws his gun.

Manny says, "Put the gun down, Lucky, or I'll slice your pretty wife's neck."

Lucky places the gun on the floor. "Let her go!" He yells. Manny grins. Elizabeth is tiny and light, and he swings her side to side.

"No, Lucky. Elizabeth stays with me. She is my ticket out of here; besides, she stopped me from killing Alcazar's girlfriend". Skye uses the opportunity to place a call herself since Manny's focus is no longer on her.

Lucky says, "Take me and let Elizabeth go. You can use the gun on me."

"You really are a fool, Lucky. Why would I take you when I have someone I can control? Elizabeth is the perfect hostage. She's smaller and easier to handle. She doesn't mouth off or fight me like you might, and I have the perfect leverage if you don't behave. Don't worry, Lucky; Elizabeth has always been nice to me. She's polite and took good care of me when I was a patient, but if you come after me, I'll kill her." Manny winks at Lucky, carries Elizabeth away, and says, "Bye."

Skye hands Lucky her phone, saying she has 911 on the phone. Lucky relays the information to dispatch. Monica discovers what has happened and calls Jason, who has been arguing with Sonny about Emily. Monica tells Jason Manny took Elizabeth hostage. Sonny sees the concerned look on Jason's face and asks, "What is it?"

Jason replies, "So much for your peace agreement. Manny kidnapped Elizabeth at GH." Jason rushes off. When Jason exits the elevator, Mac Scorpio is surprised to see him.

"Jason, what are you doing here."

Monica says, "I called him. He can help."

"How?"

Jason says, "I know how Manny thinks. Mac, we want the same thing. We want Elizabeth to return unharmed. I can help."

Detective Cruz relays a Manny sighting, and Lucky wants to go after him. Mac says, "Lucky you quit the force, and you are too emotional. Elizabeth is your wife. You could get both you and Elizabeth killed. Let Cruz take point."

Elizabeth reaches Lucky on the phone, but Manny intercepts and demands Lucky come alone and meet them on Pier 52, or he'll kill Elizabeth. Elizabeth is tied to a railing, looking over the pier.

Epiphany pulls Jason aside and tells him Manny was tight with another janitor. Jason got information on where Manny could have taken Elizabeth.

Lucky arrives and pulls his gun, but Manny orders him to drop it. Lucky complies and challenges Manny to come after him. They fight, and Lucky is severely injured.

Jason arrives with his gun drawn, and Manny gives the same order to Jason to drop his gun. Elizabeth struggles and then yanks away from Manny, giving Jason the opening to shoot Manny. Jason catches Elizabeth while Manny falls off the pier. He unties her, and Elizabeth rushes to check on her husband. Jason looks over the side but can't locate Manny. He later recounts what happened to Cruz and is sure Manny is still alive. Elizabeth calls the hospital and gives the phone to Jason, and he tells them where they are. He yells at them to send an ambulance.

Elizabeth is crying, and Jason embraces her. She leans her head against him. She says, "Lucky really injured himself."

Jason feels Elizabeth's emotional pain about Lucky but is more concerned about her. "Did Manny hurt you?"

"No. He threatened to kill me a thousand times, but he never physically harmed me."

"I'm sorry. Manny should have been stopped a long time ago."

"How did you find me?"

"Monica called me and told me what happened, and then one of the nurses told me about the other janitor."

"Which nurse?"

"The big tough nurse who took Lucky into surgery."

Elizabeth chuckles, "Epiphany." She thinks Epiphany will love being called tough.

"I would not have been able to find you without her help."

"You were the one who stopped Manny."

"No, you distracted him for me. You think fast on your feet. You saved your own life." Jason smiles. He is happy she is alive.

4/14-4/30

Elizabeth is fighting the paperwork to keep Lucky at GH since he doesn't have insurance, and she bites Epiphany's head off for being the messenger. Nikolas pays the current balance. Lucky whines about Nikolas paying his bills, Jason is the hero who shoots the bad guys, and Patrick will be there for Elizabeth's career. Elizabeth notices Lucky has maxed out his allotment of medication and sounds drugged. Elizabeth watches him drift off to sleep.

Lucky keeps pushing himself to get discharged from GH. He's trying to walk, and Elizabeth and Emily enter his room and ease him back into bed. As soon as they leave, he presses the medication button repeatedly. Epiphany enters and says, "It doesn't matter how often you press that button; it will only dispense a prescribed amount every four hours. Those drugs can be addicting." She turns and leaves, muttering, "That boy does not deserve Nurse Webber. She won't listen to me, but she needs to hear it from a doctor that Lucky is getting addicted and will kill himself if he keeps this up."

Emily gently lectures Lucky not to push himself, to listen to the professionals, and not to overdo his exercises. She says, "It's time to swallow your pride and be grateful you have a brother who loves you and can help with the hospital bills. Lucky, Elizabeth loves you. Let her help; she's a nurse and understands more than you think."

Lucky grudgingly agrees and apologizes. Emily says, "It's not me you should apologize to." She hugs him and leaves.

Elizabeth vents to Patrick about her husband's recovery process and how she wants to give Lucky his space as he is a prideful man, but she wants to help. Patrick says he can relate as he's recovering from donating part of his liver to his father.

Lucky argues with Elizabeth again, accusing her of not letting him think for himself. "It's bad enough that Nikolas is paying my bills…again; I don't need you making me feel like I am less!"

"Instead of getting ticked at me, you should be grateful you didn't suffer permanent damage and respect the recovery process unless you want to end up in that wheelchair."

"You think I can't handle that? Well, maybe you are just worried about yourself! Elizabeth gasps, throws her hands up, and walks out.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!" Lucky attempts to get out of bed, but a shooting pain hits his back, and he lies back in the bed. He presses his pain meds again. He tries again, slowly easing into his wheelchair.

Elizabeth is in the corner speaking to Patrick. He offers her a private nursing job for a patient recovering from surgery at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. She smiles and thanks him, placing her hand on his arm.

Lucky rolls his chair out of his room and watches the exchange. He envisions them laughing and whispering about finding an on-call room to have sex. Lucky has heard about Patrick's reputation for sleeping with the nurses, and Elizabeth is falling for his charms. He thinks, "Once I'm out of this chair, I will knock Dr. Drake's lights out!"

Elizabeth enters Lucky's room to see him with his brother. Lucky interrogates her about what she was doing with Patrick. He doesn't believe her when she tells him they were discussing a patient. He says, "You didn't think you'd get caught, did you?"

Elizabeth realizes Lucky got out of bed himself and replies, "I've done nothing wrong. If you would listen to your doctor's orders and stop pushing yourself, maybe you wouldn't be in this much pain. It obviously has you in a charming mood."

"And you are ducking the question. Are you screwing Patrick Drake?"

"That was uncalled for. I have to finish my rounds. I hope you are feeling better when I get back." Elizabeth leaves.

Nikolas lectures Lucky on his behavior, and Elizabeth does not deserve his accusations.

General Hospital hosts a Bachelor Charity Auction to build a new wing honoring the late Dr. Tony Jones. Elizabeth stops by Lucky's room before heading out with Emily. Elizabeth has another argument about Patrick. Lucky says, "You are going to bid on Patrick, and the two of you are going to fuck!"

Emily yells, "Lucky!"

Elizabeth says, "That's not how it works. It's a raffle, and I could end up with Dillon Quartermaine; it's only conversation. Lucky, I have to go. I can't talk to you when you are like this." Lucky mutters, "Bitch, " and presses his pain button.

2033

The next Day. (The timeline may not add up as I'm not up on all the stories.)

Elizabeth spends the morning cleaning and preparing Cam's room for his visit. She works four hours at GH and tells everyone Cam is visiting and that she is taking the next two days with her sons. Elizabeth texts Jason that she will have time between 3-5 before Cam arrives. If Jason has any requests, he should text her by 2 pm, and she will pick it up.

Jason reads more pages from her journal.

"August 1, 1997. Gram met my bus and said I had to write an apology letter to the Johnsons. Perfect, Sarah, I'll show Gram."

Jason continues reading about Elizabeth's first days in Port Charles. Elizabeth met Lucky and wanted him, but Lucky wanted her sister. Sarah wanted Nikolas, and Elizabeth acted out every chance she got. He read about the tricks and the pranks she pulled to get attention. She wrote about the invite to Brenda and Sonny's wedding she stole and when Nikolas got shot at Luke's club. When they would go riding, Elizabeth told him a lot about her when she first arrived in Port Charles, but reading her accounts shows an underlying sadness. He never met this Elizabeth, but the one he met carried that sadness with her. It wasn't until he could feel her laughter when she rode behind him on his bike her sadness faded.

8/8/-12/31/97

I met Lucky Spencer outside Kelly's Diner tonight. I was smoking a cigarette, and he gave me grief about the Cancer sticks. He's so cute, I want to impress him. I'll try to quit. When I asked him his name, he said, "Lucky". I grinned and replied, "We'll see."

I arrived home, and Gram caught me sneaking in. She was disappointed. She said, "Elizabeth if you could be anywhere you wanted to be, where would you?" I replied, "Somewhere, I was wanted for a change."

Imagine my surprise when I learned about Emily Quartermaine, a good friend of Lucky's, fresh out of rehab. I had to get on her good side to get Lucky to notice me.

I met Nikolas Cassidine at General Hospital, not knowing who he was. He was running the volunteer program. I thought I had more clout because of my name. I said, "Give me the job, Nikky, or you will regret it."

He shook his head and replied, "Nikky? Well, you can forget about it."

I complained to Gram, who told me his family owns half the hospital. Poor Lizzy fucks up again.

I got a job at Kelly's and asked Lucky if "Ruby was attending that Corelone guy's wedding.

Lucky said, "Sonny Corothino's. He and my dad are business partners."

Great, insert foot again. Lucky must think I'm an idiot. I'm insulting everyone. I don't care; I snagged Ruby's invite and crashed the wedding. Boy, it was a bust. The beautiful Brenda Barrett, a model, got stood up, and a cute guy delivered the news.

I found out that Nikolas and Lucky are brothers. They hate each other. Saint Sarah has the hots for the Prince, and I'll show them. I planted condoms in Sarah's book bag, copied Sarah's test result, and put them in Nikolas's bag. Mr. McMurty will turn them in, and I hope Sarah gets grounded. Lucky wants to date her. He doesn't even notice me except to comment on my work ethic.

Lucky invited Emily and me to a party at his father's club. Emily mentioned her brother, and I said, "So the guy who showed up at Brenda Barrett's wedding, instead of the groom, is your brother?" Emily said, "Well, he lets me call him that."

"So he's not really?" Emily said, "He is, but he doesn't think he is." Here I thought my family was screwed up.

OMG! It was awful. All these mob guys were shooting outside the club, and everyone inside took cover. Outside, Lucky's brother was shot, and my sappy sister cried over the Prince of Nothing. Emily's brother saved Nikolas's life. Who knew a mobster could wield a scalpel? That was so hot!

Gram made me visit GH to give Sarah breakfast. She stayed there all night worrying about him. No one would do that for me. Why the fuck did I come here? I miss Terry, even though he rejected my first kiss. Gram continues to scold me, Sarah can do no wrong, and Lucky Spencer only considers me a friend.

Jason puts the journal away.

Elizabeth arrives at the Safehouse after picking up purchases for Jason. Jason sits on the couch drinking a beer, and the door is opened for Elizabeth to enter. Her eyes grow big, and she nearly drops her items. She squeals, "Johnny!" Johnny O'Brien picks her up and carries her and her bags to the couch. She laughs, and half complains, "Johnny put me down." Johnny lets her go and takes the groceries to the kitchen. He returns, watching Elizabeth hug Jason.

"It's great to see you, Lizzie."

Elizabeth glares. She replies, "You are the only person I allow to call me that. Jason said something about marriage to keep you out of prison. When do you want to get married?"

Johnny laughs while Jason yells, "Hey, that proposal was for you and me, not Johnny."

Johnny says, "I can't stay long. I was dropping some files for Jason to sign and decided to stay when he said you were arriving."

"Where are you staying? Have you been in Port Charles long?"

"I'm staying at an estate not far from here. I've been in Port Charles since Monica moved him. She doesn't know I'm here. I return to Ireland in two or three months, maybe sooner if Sonny finds out about me and asks for my death again."

Elizabeth frowns at Jason. Jason says, "That's not going to happen. Johnny, thank you for bringing me the files. I'd appreciate it if you could make yourself scarce for an hour. Elizabeth's eldest son is visiting from college, and she must be at home soon."

"Third-wheel? I get the message. Lizzie, I'll be in the garage. Please return soon, Jason bores me." He kisses her cheek and walks outside.

Jason says, "I'm ready to see Sonny and Carly. I also want to see Sam separately and later Jake and Danny."

"Sonny and Carly together? How do you recommend that happens? Sonny is engaged to Nina. Each of them will want you to stay with them. They won't leave you alone once you make yourself available to them. Carly will ask Spinelli to lo-jack you. If Carly knows I'm involved, she will eat me for lunch. We are finally at a good place since the revenge porn and Joss and Cam's breakup. We will never be friends, but we respect the other." Jason laughs, and she adds, "Grudgingly."

"Do you have any suggestions?"

"I've been thinking about this since last night. Do you have more burner phones?" Jason nods. "Can you get into the old Cellar under Kelly's? If I can get someone to give Carly the phone without her knowing it came from me, you can call her. She's been running Kelly's since she lost the Metro Court and must pay the government five million dollars in penalties for insider trading."

"Five million? Did Sonny offer to help?"

"Yes, but Carly wants to do it alone. She won't let Joss use her trust fund, either. Bobbie sold Kelly's Diner to her for one dollar, and Carly is running the counter and serving food. Thankfully, someone else does the cooking. Joss helps with bussing sometimes. Oh, and Joss is dating one of Sonny's guards."

"I bet Sonny loves that," Jason says sarcastically.

"Yeah. If Carly can get the phone, call her and wait for her in the Cellar. She calls Sonny, and you meet there. The rest is up to you on the details."

"Okay, what about Sam? We didn't leave things in a good place before I 'died.' I want to meet with her and schedule something with Danny."

"I think I can arrange something. Sam and I are in a better place than I am with Carly. We get along for the sake of Jake and Danny. Perhaps you could ask Monica for the use of the Quartermaine Boathouse. There's a back entrance, and you could meet Sam there. You would be able to discuss Danny."

"You've given this some thought. I also want to come to your house and see the boys before Cam returns to Stanford. I hope the shock will have worn off and Sam will agree to bring Danny."

"Jason, what do you want me to say to them? I don't want them to find out via grapevine from Carly or Joss if Carly tells her."

"Do you think your boys can keep a secret?"

Cam and Jake can. I'd hold off on Aiden. Would you like to see them first? Danny would be crushed to find out after the fact."

"I'll text you my decision tomorrow. It would be best if you got home. I'll watch you on the monitor. I love you."

"I love you too; it helps me get through this."

Jason pulls her in for a more prolonged kiss and hopes she can stay the night again after Cam leaves. Elizabeth smiles and darts her tongue into his mouth. "I'm looking forward to it."

Elizabeth leaves, and Jason says, "Daymm, Elizabeth!" He touches his lips and grins.

Johnny waits until the dust settles in the driveway and pokes his head into the house. "Is it safe to return?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

Jason and Johnny eat, strategize, and wait to watch Elizabeth with the boys, Patrick, Robin, and Emma.

Elizabeth gets home in time with her order from Eli's Ribs, and Jake has set the table. Aiden made a salad and dessert. Cam's Uber arrives 15 minutes later. The Scorpio-Drakes show up a few minutes after that. After warm embraces from everyone and stolen kisses between Cam and Emma, they sit for dinner. Cam updates them on school and soccer. He provides more details than his emails. After dinner, Cam and Emma walk outside, and Aiden goes to the kitchen to formulate his next creation. He created a business with various pies delivered to Kelly's and others via a website. Jake enters the alcove to sketch. Noah plays with a sketchpad in the alcove with Jake. Elizabeth quietly updates Patrick and Robin on Jason, leaving the part about Johnny out. Jason watches this play out on the monitor and doesn't want to wait any longer.

TBC

The Safehouse that evening and the next two days: