Thank you to the guest reviewers. Yes, Lucky is a punk, and Sam will get her due soon. Thank you to Trini12180 and Notenoughlove. Yes, the Sonny and Emily storyline was stupid.

Chapter 13

One more 2006 Chapter before the NOP and aftermath.

May, 2006

Manny kills John Durant, Carly's biological father.

Jason shows up after the function and looks for Sam. Manny has a scope attached to his rifle and aims it at Jason. Sam walks toward Jason, and as he hugs and twirls her around, Manny pulls the trigger, shooting Sam instead. Jason yells out for help. Robin and Patrick quickly arrive to assess the damage. Elizabeth pulls Jason back to let them help Sam. During the surgery process, Elizabeth updates Jason frequently. There is concern Dr. Lee might have to perform a hysterectomy, but fortunately for Sam, since she wants kids, that is not necessary.

Lucky is discharged and given a prescription for Hydrocodone, and he quickly becomes addicted and paranoid that his wife is sleeping with Patrick Drake.

Sam and Jason have known for a few months that Alexis Davis is Sam's biological mother. They think Sam is dying, and Sam asks Jason to tell Alexis the truth before Sam dies. Alexis doesn't believe him, but Jason has proof. Jason says, "Sam is your daughter; she is dying, and she needs you!"

Dr. Kelly Lee notices something is wrong with Sam and asks Elizabeth to find Patrick Drake. Elizabeth replies that Patrick is out of town.

Kelly says, "Then page Noah. Get him here as soon as possible." Noah does not believe surgery is an option, but Elizabeth tells Jason there is a procedure; it's risky, but she has faith that Patrick can perform it. The problem is he is out of town, but she will call and get him back as soon as possible if Jason wants. Jason nods, of course.

Elizabeth calls Patrick and says, "Patrick, don't hang up; it's an emergency." She explains that Sam needs surgery, and his father refuses to operate because it's too risky. Lucky exits the elevator carrying flowers as Elizabeth says, "Please, Patrick, you must come back. Tell me the fastest way to get you here, and I will do whatever it takes." Lucky assumes Patrick is coming to see his wife, throws the flowers away, and hobbles back into the elevator on his cane. Elizabeth notifies Jason, and he makes arrangements to get Patrick there on a private jet.

Patrick arrives and argues with his father about the surgery's risk. Noah asks how did Patrick know to come back. Elizabeth says, "I called him. I believe he can operate on Sam McCall. Jason questions Patrick, and Patrick says he can perform the surgery. Jason signs the release.

Alexis, who has been Sam's mom (for all of about two minutes, which IMO was a dick move to make), files an injunction to stop the surgery.

Patrick still believes he is Sam's best chance and asks if Elizabeth will do the surgery, even if it means she is breaking the law. Elizabeth nods. Jason says he won't let Elizabeth take the fall for the surgery, regardless of the outcome.

Elizabeth replies, "Jason, I made a choice, not out of friendship or loyalty, but I took an oath and believe this is Sam's best chance."

The surgery still happens, thanks to Elizabeth, Epiphany, and Patrick for ignoring the order. Sam is in recovery, and Alexis orders the arrest of Jason and the OR team. Noah follows up with Sam and informs Alexis the surgery saved her daughter's life.

Jason is brought in cuffs, and Elizabeth protests he is the only one cuffed. She says that Epiphany wasn't even in the OR. Patrick voices his displeasure at being arrested before knowing the outcome. Stan Johnson, Epiphany's son, tries to bail her out, but she refuses.

Lucky arrives with the assistance of his cane and says, "You let Patrick talk you into performing an illegal surgery. I'm taking you home."

Elizabeth replies, "That's not what happened. I called him. I talked Jason into authorizing it. I made my choice to assist. It is not on Patrick."

Lucky grabs Elizabeth's arm, "We will talk about it when we get home."

Elizabeth yanks away from Lucky, "I'm not going anywhere until we are all released."

Lucky wants to speak with Patrick, and Mac shows Patrick the door. Patrick thinks he's being released, but Lucky says, "Are you happy now? You have been sniffing around Elizabeth for weeks, and now you are responsible for her getting arrested. Tell me what exactly is going on with you and my wife!"

"Lucky, you are delusional, and from the way you are sweating and the way your pupils look, you are high. I am not interested in Elizabeth except for her surgical skills."

Alexis drops the charges.

Patrick thanks Epiphany for her help and asks Elizabeth if she is returning to the hospital.

Lucky says, "She's coming home with me!"

Elizabeth replies, "Lucky, honey, I have patients to see. My shift is not over."

Lucky is pissed Elizabeth won't listen to him. He thinks that Elizabeth is going back to screw him.

Sam wakes up days later from her surgery. Jason, after much thought, breaks up with her. He says he loves her too much to put her in danger. She could have died. Sam cries, begging him not to leave her.

5/22

Jason finds Elizabeth sitting on a bench on the docks, wiping away a few tears. He asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I will be. I need to cry for a couple of minutes. I'll be okay. You can go do what you need to do."

"I came to look at the water. I don't have any place to go.

"Neither do I."

"Did something happen with Lucky?"

"Yeah. We got into a fight. We tend to do that a lot these days. I love him much, but it seems like every time I try to fix things, it's wrong."

"Why?"

"Because he can't change the one thing he wants the most. Lucky didn't save me from Manny. You did."

"Manny should never had the chance to grab you. I'm the one who screwed up. You tell Lucky that. I should have gotten rid of Manny a long time ago."

Elizabeth laughs, "I don't think that will go over too well with my husband. 'Jason, the man who saved me, regrets not killing Manny before he held me at knifepoint right in front of you.' That was the worst feeling in the world, feeling helpless. I could have fought harder; I should have done something else. It happened so fast. He lifted me up; my feet couldn't touch the floor. There was nothing to hold on to. It wasn't even the knife. It was the way he grabbed me."

"Why?"

"That is exactly what happened when I was raped." Elisabeth brushes a tear away.

"When you were grabbed in the park? I know the facts; he was a photographer? Tom?

"Yeah, Tom Baker. We couldn't charge him with my rape, but we got him on stalking and posting altered naked photos of Emily."

"He's in Pentonville, right?"

"For ten more years, god willing. Despite what happened, I don't think about it much anymore. Lucky found me and helped me through it. I feel I owe him for helping me survive. But there are moments that catch me off guard, the sheer terror. That's what happened when Manny grabbed me."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"Because it happened so fast. It was over so fast, and I'm not the one who got hurt; Lucky was. He doesn't need to hear that to add to his pain."

"Something terrible happened. You get to feel how you feel."

But I'm okay. I really am. I know you aren't into talking, but saying the words out loud helps."

"Then tell me the rest."

"What?"

"Why you and Lucky are fighting."

"Oh, hmm. We have these huge medical bills, and it's killing Lucky that Nikolas is paying them. To make matters worse, Patrick helped me with a job as a private nurse. I made the mistake of not telling Lucky, and he saw me leaving the hospital with Patrick, and now he thinks I'm having a wild affair with Patrick."

"You?" Jason looks surprised.

"I hope you look that way because you believe I am not the type to cheat on my husband. Besides, I think Patrick is hot for Robin."

"No, you wouldn't."

"Thank you. I wish Lucky had as much faith in me as you do. But it's my fault for not being honest. He is in so much pain. His back hurts, and he hates not being able to work. I don't feel like crying anymore, so thank you."

"All I did was listen."

"You always do. Why is this the only place you had to go?"

"Because I left Sam tonight. I told her we were over. She got shot because of me. I prayed in the chapel, please, god, let her live. She's alive, and I have to keep her that way. She'd be in a lot more danger if she stayed with me. She would be leverage, a way for my enemies to get to me, or standing too close like she did at the Metro Court. I can't take the risk of her getting shot again."

"But isn't that her decision? It's not your risk to take. It's Sams. Didn't we have this discussion a few years ago? Before I knew you, Emily told me all about you. She told me you were brave and kind, but the best thing about you is you never told anyone what to do."

"Now, I'm the biggest hypocrite."

"No, no, you just grew up. "You finally came to a place where you don't like the people you love get hurt."

"I'm sorry if I ever hurt you."

"It's okay. It worked out for the best. But you pushing away Sonny, Emily, and Sam hurts not only you. It hurts them, too. They won't have you.

"But I caught a guy from a rival business in Sam's room; I can't protect her."

"Why don't you give Sonny back the business?"

"He doesn't want it."

"What is Sam supposed to do without you?"

"Alexis will step in. Sam wants a chance to know her mother."

"Then why did she risk her health when she left the hospital to see you? You had to take her back to GH because she collapsed."

"Sam will be better off."

Elizabeth leaves.

Jason waits until Elizabeth is out of hearing. He places a call to an old contact. "It's me. I need a favor. There's an inmate in Pentonville Prison. I need you to find someone on the inside who owes me a favor, a lifer if possible, in case he gets caught. His family will be compensated at a future date. His name is Tom Baker, and he raped Elizabeth Webber in 1998, she was 15. He also stalked my sister. You must wait six months. I don't want Elizabeth to know my part in it. Make it look like he instigated it."

The contact replies, "It will take me at least three months to find the right person, and he can take three months to prepare for the attack. No one should live for hurting Elizabeth and your sister."

"I should have taken Tom out years ago. I know it won't change the past, but at least he won't be able to terrorize her if he gets paroled."

"How is our girl? Did you ever make it official?"

"No, she went back to that loser, Lucky Spencer. I'm with someone else, or I was. My life is too dangerous for anyone. Robin, Elizabeth, Courtney, and now Sam."

"Bullshit! You are acting like a loser, and the Jason Morgan I remember is not a loser…or a whiner! Put on your big boy pants and find a woman who will love you. Love shouldn't be safe. It never is. It doesn't matter what your job is."

Jason gasps. "You haven't been secretly talking to Elizabeth, have you? She pretty much said the same thing."

"No, but she's smart. You were a fool to let her get away. I'll find the right man for the job. Goodbye."

"Thanks, and goodbye too."

Elizabeth stops to see Jason at his penthouse to update him on Sam's condition. She says she is improving, and he was right to defy Alexis's orders.

"Thank you, but you could have called and let me know."

"Yes, but I also stopped by to say I know what you did. (Jason holds his breath. How could she know what he ordered?). I went to administration and discovered that the rest of Lucky's hospital bills were paid, his physical therapy, our rent for the next six months, and Cameron's daycare. So I called Nikolas to thank him, but he knew nothing about it. You covered all those expenses. How am I supposed to tell Lucky that?"

"Tell him the truth."

"That's easy for you to say. Lucky already has a problem with his brother helping him; he won't like you paying for everything. It's emotional. He has his pride."

"Elizabeth, it's not charity. It's payment. You helped Dr. Drake with the surgery at the risk of your career. We both know what you put on the line for Sam. You deserve to be compensated."

"Is that all it is? Are you sure it's not payback for me crying on your shoulder about my depressing financial problems the other night?"

"It's not a debt. It's payment, free and clear. Lucky needs to get over his pride. His family needs him."

"If it were just me and Lucky, I'd say thanks, but no thanks, but I have a little boy to consider. Just so we are clear. All debts are paid for Sam and anything else I do for you in the future."

"Deal."

"Thank you, Jason." Elizabeth hugs him and leaves.

June 2006

Sam calls for Emily and Carly to visit her in the hospital. Sam tries to appeal to them to get Jason to see her. Both say they will try but can't promise anything. Emily enters Jason's penthouse to plead Sam's case. As they argue about the danger of Jason's job, Jason catches a glint from outside and throws Emily to the floor. A bullet cracks the bullet-resistant window from the balcony. A guard rushes in after hearing the noise. After an all clear and Jason is assured Emily is not hurt, he points to the window, "This is why I can't be with anyone. This is why you should not be with Sonny."

Carly blames Robin for revealing that "John," Courtney's baby born in February, is not Jax's son, but Nikolas is the father. Carly complains, saying Robin did the same thing to Jax as she did to Jason with Michael. Carly vows she will make Robin pay. Jason doesn't care for Jax or Nikolas but thinks Carly shouldn't have a say.

Lucky and Maxie form a "friendship" over their grief at losing Jesse. He moans about his back pain and says that Patrick wants his wife. Lucky is upset he's out of pain pills and can't get a refill for another week. Maxie agrees with Lucky about his insecurities. Maxie steals pages of Dr. Lee's prescription pad and gives them to Lucky with a bottle of Hydrocodone.

Jason asks Elizabeth for a favor. He wants her help to pack Sam's things and take them to Alexis's place, where Sam lives now. After packing Sam's items, Elizabeth says, "Jason, I am helping you because you asked, but you need to take the suitcases and boxes to Sam yourself. If you can do that and not want to be with her, I'll respect your decision, but you can't hide from it."

Jason points to the window and says, "Emily could have been killed. Sam almost died. I can't be with anyone."

"Are you saying you are never going to love again?"

"It's safer for everyone."

"When you met Sam, did you intend to fall in love with her?"

"No, it happened when I was there because she was pregnant and moved in with me."

"What about Robin or Courtney? Did you expect to love them?

"No. I was too young with Robin and didn't know what being involved with Sonny would bring. With Courtney, you proved my point. We lost our baby because of Alcazar."

"What if it happens again with someone else? You can't shut off your emotions. No matter what others say about your lack of feelings, I know you have the capacity to love."

"I won't let it happen again."

Elizabeth shakes her head. "If you say so. I'm still not going to be your delivery person."

Sam is settling in at the Lake House, and Ric watches her when no one is looking. Sam is getting to know her mother and her two sisters. Manny stalks Sam, and when Sam leaves Kristina outside, Manny is friendly with her sister. Sam returns to GH for a follow-up with Patrick, and she learns the truth about her surgery and what Alexis did to try and stop it. Sam moves out, but Jason won't let her move back with him, and she moves into a room above Kelly's.

Jason saves Lucky's life in a shoot-out and later discusses it with Elizabeth. He tells her something is off with Lucky, and he was unfocused and shooting wildly. Elizabeth tries making excuses for Lucky but eventually agrees with Jason.

Elizabeth says, "It must be the drugs. Lucky has fought the adjustment in his pain medication every step of the way. He didn't want to be taken off the morphine drip, and he was upset when they switched the morphine pills to Hydrocodone. He's pushing himself in physical therapy; I'm afraid he's going to hurt himself. He went through that first prescription so fast. Lucky claimed he lost some pills, they fell down the sink, and he's still in pain. Then he said he found some from an old prescription. What if he's lying to me? What if he got them from someone else?"

Jason doesn't know how to answer her.

Manny continues to stalk Sam and breaks into her room at Kelly's. Sam calls Jason because she saw someone in her room. Jason lets her stay at the penthouse for the night.

Manny kills Justus. Jason found blood on the floor of the warehouse where Justus was meeting a contact. Jason tells Sam another person close to him has died because of his business and tells Bernie to take Sam to a hotel. Jason orders round-the-clock guards.

Jason breaks the news to Edward, and the family blames him for Justus's death.

Sam runs into Kristina at GH, and she convinces Sam to return to the Lake House. She dismisses her guards. Alexis calls the patrol officer instead. Manny returns, evades the officers, and takes Sam. He threatens to kill her sisters if she screams.

After they discover Sam is gone, Jason questions Kristina and discovers Manny is the one who took Sam. Elizabeth stops to see Jason at the penthouse to discuss Sonny. She waits for Jason. When Jason arrives, he asks for her help, and she agrees, saying, "What I have to tell you can wait. What do you need?"

"Manny took Sam from her room at Alexis the same way he took you at the hospital."

"That was on impulse; I'm sure it's not the same. He didn't have much of a plan."

"But there was a pattern. Manny could have gotten away free and clear, but he didn't. He took you to Pier 52, tied you up, and lured Lucky to save you. This is a game to him."

"So Manny is setting a trap for you."

"Not if we find him first."

"Jason, I don't know."

"Can you tell me what happened the day he took you in GH? Everything he said and did and got you out of the building and took you to the pier? The only mistake Manny made was around you. If we go back to the hospital, it might trigger something."

"Okay. I'll do whatever I can to help you save Sam."

Elizabeth walks Jason through everything that happened with Manny and Lucky and what Manny said about using her as leverage. "He yanked on me and dragged me into the hall." Jason lifts Elizabeth and reenacts what Elizabeth said. Elizabeth begins to panic, and Jason asks if he is okay. "Yeah, yeah, I'm good."

"Are you sure?"

"Sam needs this. It's the only chance you have of saving her. Manny used a gurney to take me out of the hospital. A body bag was on top of it, and he told me to climb inside."

"Did he say why he was putting you into the bag?"

"He was taking me to the morgue. It was the only way of escaping the hospital without getting caught."

"Anything else?"

My hands were tied, but I tried getting to my cell phone. Jason, Sam is going to get through this. I don't think Manny will hurt her. He is using her to get to you. She's not going to give up. She's strong and knows you are coming to get her."

Manny has Sam tied to a chair, and her mouth is duct-taped in the basement of General Hospital. He rips off the tape and begs her to scream. "No one can hear you."

July

TBC

The Safehouse that evening and the next two days:

Johnny says, "What have you decided?"

Jason replies, "I like Elizabeth's idea of a burner phone to communicate with Carly. She also raised good points about protecting my privacy until I'm ready to live in the city."

"Do you want to stay in town, or could you be happy living here?"

It's a longer drive and less secure than the Towers or the Quartermaines. I worry about Elizabeth's privacy and safety once people know about us."

"Us? So, there is an us?"

"Not yet, but we are going in that direction. Your contact said Sonny still has guards on some of his kids. I worry that might need to happen with her boys."

"Sonny has someone watching Kristina at Charlie's. Joss's boyfriend, Dex, works for Sonny and is with her part of the time. Sonny has guards and nannies for the younger girls. Michael has refused any help from Sonny. Michael still resents what Nina did to him and Carly. Michael, his wife Willow, and their kids live at the Quartermaine Gatehouse. Did you ever imagine Michael would embrace the Quartermaines over Sonny?"

"If you had asked me that question 15 years ago, my answer would be 'no, never.' Thinking back to my mistakes and choices because Carly asked me, I wonder if Michael would have a different life as a Quartermaine. AJ was messed up, but Alan and Monica didn't give him the love and help he needed. They tried giving me too much, and that sent me running. Emily was the best of the Quartermaines, much like Lila. Cam appears well-adjusted. I hope Jake, Aiden, Danny, and Scout get the love they deserve."

"Do you have regrets about Jake?"

"Too many to count. Too many on Elizabeth, but there was fault on both sides." Jason laughs, "My dying two different times didn't help either."

"How do you want to handle Sonny and Carly? Sonny will want you back. Carly says she is in love with Drew. I hope for his sake she is. The last thing your brother needs is another woman choosing you over him."

"It doesn't matter what Sonny or Carly want. Too much time has passed to be partners with Sonny again. I won't allow Carly to push me into putting her first. When Elizabeth is ready, I want to make it known that Elizabeth and her kids are my priority."

"What about Sam and Danny?"

"I'll always care about Sam, and Danny will be a priority, like Jake and his brothers. Sam chose Dante long before I died. You said your contact told you she is happy."

"I think so."

"Okay, Is Francis staying with you? He left on good terms with Sonny. I trust him more on guarding over Max because of his Carly crush. Has Max had contact with Francis since Max and Milo left?"

"Yes, Francis has been in touch with Max."

"Since Sonny will be comfortable with Francis, I'd like Francis to take a visual point as my guard. It would be best to stay hidden since Sonny thinks you are dead. Marco retired a few years ago, but you said his son took over his work."

"Yes, his name is Mario."

Does Sonny know Mario or what he looks like?"

"No to both."

"Good. I want to get Mario here tomorrow and set him up with fake IDs. He can keep his eye on Sonny and Carly without getting noticed if they try to interfere. Are you heading back to the Estate?"

"Unless you need me for something."

"No, I want the renovations to continue. I hope to surprise Elizabeth."

It was good seeing Elizabeth. Jake looks like you. Are you sure Cameron isn't yours?"

"Yes, unfortunately. It took until the night we conceived Jake for us to be together."

"I'll coordinate with Francis tonight, contact Mario, and get him here tomorrow. Will you text Elizabeth and have her deliver the phone in two days?

"Yes. Thanks."

Johnny leaves. Jason texts Elizabeth that he'd like to see Cam and Jake tomorrow night and will discuss the plans for Sonny and Carly. It has to be a surprise for the boys.

Jason closes up and brings a journal to bed.

February 1998. I finally quit smoking. Sarah got jealous when I told her I saw Emily riding the boat to Wyndemere. As if. Sarah is hurt because Nikolas broke up with her after his injury. I said something about Emily knowing Nikolas better than her since they've been friends longer. And I thought I was insecure.

While studying at GH, Gram asked me about the Valentine's Day dance and if I was going with Lucky Spencer. I said, "I wish, but he hasn't asked, and he likes Sarah. Everybody likes Sarah. Who wouldn't? She's pretty, she's perfect; it's like living with the Statue of Liberty."

Gram said, "She has a lot of fine qualities, but so do you."

"Like what?"

"You have a wonderful, creative sense of humor, but I think you know that." (images flash through Jason's mind of the several times Elizabeth made him laugh or smile). "You have very little patience for things that don't matter to you. But when something does matter, your determination is amazing." (Jason thinks Audrey described her granddaughter accurately). Gram even congratulated me on quitting smoking. Little does she know my determination is Lucky. He hates my smoking. Gram said if Lucky hasn't asked Sarah to the dance yet, maybe I should. I said, "Excuse me, Gram, but the last time I checked, I was the girl, and he was the guy." Gram said something about it's one bit of nonsense my generation disposed of over hers. Who knew my Gram could be a feminist? She said I should ask, "Be casual, but not coy." Gram hugged me and wished me luck.

I saw Lucky at Kelly's. He's upset at his father. Lucky's Aunt Bobbie found her Carly Roberts in bed with Dr. Tony Jones, her husband. Lucky's father knew who Carly was. Lucky said he understood keeping secrets was one thing, but keeping them from family is wrong. Carly Roberts and Lucky are cousins!

I tried asking Lucky to attend the dance, but chickened out and said we could meet at the school and hang out with the other kids. I told Gram, and she said she'd help me find a dress. We got home from the mall, and it was a tiny red dress. I'm surprised she would buy me something this skimpy. She bought me a pair of matching red pumps. Lucky arrived, and I thought we were meeting there. He said, "Since we said we would meet at the dance, I want to be sure you know it's not a date…date. I want to bring someone."

"You want to bring someone?"

"You know how bummed Sarah's been since Nikolas…"

"You are taking Sarah?"

"Yes, she kinda asked if I would go along, and I didn't want her walking alone. I mean, I'm glad she's going at all. She's ready to have a life again after Nikolas. You could still hang out with us if nothing better comes up."

I wanted to cry, but I lied and said Chad Randall asked me, so he was off the hook and be with Sarah all night if he wants. Lucky left and Gram returned with a bracelet Gramps gave to her. She said I could borrow it for the dance. I lied and didn't tell her Lucky was going with Sarah. I called a cab and told Gram I was meeting Lucky at Kelly's. I guess I'll wait out the night at a movie or something.

Jason closes the book and turns out the lights.

Jason meets Johnny and Francis at the Estates by the old Cliff roads the following morning. Jason says, "I like what you've accomplished so far. Have you filed a permit? I don't want my name attached to anything yet. I want any workers to come through the back—contract individuals from outside Port Charles."

Francis says he will drive Jason to Kelly's tomorrow and help break into the Cellar. They will wait for Elizabeth's signal, and he will call Carly.

Jason adds, "Then I'll have Carly call Sonny, and you sit in the corner while we discuss my return. Did you reach Mario? When will he arrive? I want him watching everything from outside Kelly's."

Francis replies, "Mario will be here by 3 pm. Tomorrow, pick me up, and we will go to Kelly's. Mario will take one of the cars in the shed and arrive before us. He's studying a map of Port Charles on the plane, and I'll walk him through the details tonight. Johnny will manage things here."

"Thanks. Johnny, can you show me the rest of the plans for this place? I have ideas for the back and want an outbuilding for guards and a lookout point from all directions.

"Sure thing, Boss." Johnny grins when Jason shoots a glare at him.

Elizabeth arrives home from a shift at GH. She asks Cam and Jake to meet her in her room. Aiden is busy in the kitchen. She says, "I'm running an errand and need your help, but you can't tell your brother yet. It's a surprise."

Jake says, "What's the surprise?"

"Nice try, kiddo. I can't tell you until we get there."

Elizabeth types a text they are on their way. She takes the long way. She says, "Where we are going to, you can't tell anyone where it is. Jake, you can't tell your friends, and Danny can't know either. He will find out who we are seeing, but it will be later. Cam, you can tell Emma after you return to Stanford."

The boys want to know more, but their mother is not offering more data. Elizabeth parks and presses the horn twice quickly. They exit the car and follow their mother inside.

Jason took a shower, changed his shirt twice, and set out soft drinks for the boys and juice for Elizabeth. He's pacing when he hears the horn. He waits until Elizabeth opens the door. She pushes Jake in first, and Jake shouts, "Dad!" He runs into his father's arms, and Jason cries quietly. Cam looks at his mother, waiting for an explanation.

Elizabeth says, "Please sit. Jason has a story, but not everyone can know yet."

Jason says, "Cam, it's good to see you. Your mother has told me about Stanford and soccer. Boys, I am alive, and I will answer any questions. Soon, everyone in Port Charles will know, but I didn't want to wait with you. I thought Aiden might not want to keep this secret, but it's only a few more days."

Cam smiles and hugs Jason. Jason is patient and provides most of the answers to their questions. Elizabeth checks her watch and says, "It's time to leave."

Jason asks for a few moments alone with their mother, and the boys wait in the car. Jason explains the plan for the morning. She will hand off the burner to someone outside and ask them to hand the phone to the blonde at the counter. Jason describes the contact. He will be there at 10 am. Elizabeth is confident Joss will be at PCU tomorrow. Elizabeth will leave and start her shift at GH. Jason says, "Can you stop over tomorrow night for dinner?"

"I'll try. The boys will have questions about us and the future. Do you have advice on what that is?"

He smiles, "Yes, but it will take more than two minutes. I'll see you tomorrow." He kisses her quickly.

Elizabeth drives home, stressing secrecy. They both have more questions, but she is vague.

Tomorrow

Elizabeth gathers the items and drives to Kelly's. She waits in the lot for the contact, nervously approaches him with the code word, hands him the burner, and leaves.

Carly is at the counter when a stranger enters the dinner, and he says, "I found this phone on a table outside. I don't know who left it. Maybe they will realize it's missing and return for it." Carly thanks him, and the man leaves.

The phone rings, and Carly says, "Hello?"

Jason softly says, "Carly, meet me downstairs in The Cellar. The door is unlocked. Tell no one." Jason ends the call. Carly stiffens. She knows the voice. Shaking, she approaches the stairs from the outside. "It's Jason, and he's alive!" She thinks.

She carefully opens the door, and Jason sits at the only table in the room. There is a man in the shadows. She cries, "Jason!" She rushes to him and hugs him. "You are alive! Tell me everything."

"I will, but first, you must call Sonny and ask him to come alone. I will explain and answer."

Carly kisses his cheek, grabs one of his hands, and dials Sonny's number. Her voice wavers, but she tells Sonny that she found something in the old Cellar and that he needs to come alone. Sonny agrees. She hangs up and looks to the man in the corner. She looks at Jason.

Jason says, "Carly, you remember Francis?"

Carly smiles and nods. She resumes her gaze on Jason, and he wrests his hand away from her and invites her to wait.

Sonny AND…

TBC