Thank you to the guest reviewers. Thank you to Trini12180. Manny shooting Sam was necessary to include as the actions of Sam and Lucky changed their relationships with Jason and Elizabeth. Thank you to Starlight Guardian. Welcome to my story, and I appreciate the feedback.

Chapter 14

July

A vengeful Alexis arrests Jason on no basis except Manny took Sam. She appeals to the public, and Elizabeth remembers something.

Elizabeth enters the PCPD and sneaks into the interrogation room, where Jason is cuffed. She tells him about the janitor and how Manny said they are invisible since no one pays attention to them. Jason surmises that Manny has Sam at GH. He asks for help escaping his cuffs, but she also offers a diversion. Elizabeth goes off on Alexis for false arrest, and all focus is on her, allowing Jason to escape and arrive at GH. Lucky enters the PCPD, and Elizabeth announces Manny took Sam like he took her. Alexis can't prove Elizabeth helped Jason escape, so she lets Elizabeth leave.

Elizabeth returns to GH. Jason hides, and Epiphany offers information on the sub-basement level. Lucky arrives to stop Jason, but Elizabeth holds Lucky off, telling Jason to find Sam. Lucky leaves for the basement and pops another pill. Jason finds Manny standing over Sam, strapped to a gurney. Manny shoots him in the shoulder. Manny takes off, and Lucky calls it in.

Jason rescues Sam and brings her to the ER. Elizabeth reminds Jason that Manny took her up, and he leaves to search for him. They fight on the roof. Lucky arrives and squints his eyes, trying to aim for Manny. He fires his gun, narrowingly missing Jason, and Jason pushes Manny over the roof.

Lucky and Jason look down, and Lucky says, "You won't get charged for this."

"I don't care as long as he is dead."

"I killed Manny, not you. He went over the edge because I shot him."

Jason thinks, "You are so high, you don't even know you didn't hit him." Jason leaves the roof to ensure Manny is dead, and Lucky pops another pill.

Jason arrives outside to find Manny dead, and Elizabeth catches him as he falls. Jason confesses to her that he shoved Manny off the roof. Jason needs surgery, and Lucky is lauded as the hero cop who took down Manny Ruiz. Alexis discovers there is no bullet in Manny but keeps it from the public. She wants to hold the news over Jason's head to keep him away from Sam.

While Jason is in surgery, Lucky is euphoric. He says when Manny saved them on the Pier, he got to pay Jason back by killing Manny. He saved him tonight, and now they are even. Elizabeth remembers what Jason told her about pushing Manny over, smiles, and nods in agreement.

Jason checked himself out of GH early because Sonny needs him, but Sam is not happy for being an afterthought. "Sonny calls, and you go running. You are his bitch. What about me? You never think of me first! I've decided to make a life without you."

Jason is sad because he still loves her, but she is right about Sonny and Carly. He thinks, "Sonny tells me I owe him. Why do I listen every time he says 'jump'?"

Lucky and Maxie meet outside GH after Lucky "killed" Manny. Maxie says, "I'm glad you are okay. I don't think I've seen you like this since your injury. You don't look like you are in any pain."

"Well, it's not that simple."

"I'm just saying you look like you are doing better."

"I'm fine."

"You know you can tell me anything."

"No shit; I can tell you things I haven't been able to tell my wife."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything is great! Manny Ruiz is dead, and I took him down when Jason Morgan couldn't. He had Jason cornered on the roof, and I had a clear shot, so I took it."

"That's great! That makes you some kind of hero."

"I couldn't have done it without you. You have been an amazing friend."

"So what's the problem?"

"You've done so much for me and helped score me those pills and never asked for anything in return."

"That's what you do for friends in need. That's what we are, friends? Right?"

"Right." Lucky turns to walk away, and Maxie calls to him.

"Lucky, wait, you are trying not to impose on me, and that's really sweet."

"I'll figure something out."

"Maybe you don't have to. I can help. With everything going on with Manny outside, I can get you more pills if you are running low."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. I get that you need the pills to stay on top of your game."

"Okay, but be careful. I don't want anything to happen to you if you get caught."

Maxie enters the hospital, and with all the commotion, no one notices her taking two bottles of pills. She returns and hands the drugs to Lucky.

Later, Maxie is at GH and asks about Elizabeth. Patrick said she's following up on a patient who left the hospital too soon. Maxie sarcastically says, "Isn't that just like Elizabeth, always trying to help others." She sees Lucky on the docks and feeds into his insecurities, telling him Elizabeth wasn't at GH, and Patrick said she left early to check on a patient, but he left right after her. She says, "Sometimes I feel that you are only friends with me because I can score you pills."

"That's not true. I feel like you are the only person who trusts me."

"Lucky, please don't say that if you are only going to play me."

Lucky touches Maxie's face, "I'm not playing you." He kisses her, and she responds.

Lucky arrives at Kelly's for the party his wife is throwing him for "killing Manny." He sits across from Maxie, who is pissed he kissed his wife days earlier in front of her. He wants more pills, but there is an investigation happening at GH due to the missing medication. She tells him she can't, and he wants 'just' one more bottle. She's surprised. "Did you finish those pills?"

"The fight with Manny messed my back up again."

"No."

"Just get them on the street. You have connections. It doesn't have to be Hydrocodone." He tries to give her money.

"Lucky, you took the entire stash from the last dealer."

"Maxie, I don't know if I can get through the medal ceremony without them, and it will bring up questions about Jesse."

Maxie watches Lucky's speech. He thanks his wife, says he couldn't do it without her, and kisses Elizabeth. Later, he looks for Maxie. She asks if he saw her at the ceremony, and he nods. "I did. Thanks for coming. Did you get the pills?"

"It was really touching to hear you thank everyone, especially the inspiration Elizabeth gave you."

"Do you have them or not?"

"You know, Elizabeth works at the hospital. Have you ever asked her to steal pills for you or score some from a drug dealer?"

"My wife can't lose her job. We need the money. I'm not back full-time yet."

"If Elizabeth is so wonderful, how come she doesn't know how badly you need these?"

"Elizabeth is all over Patrick to notice anything else."

Maxie holds the pills over the water. Lucky lunges for them. "Give me the pills, Maxie."

"Why should I? The only time you speak to me is when you need drugs, so as long as I'm holding on to these, I have your full attention."

"Maxie, please."

"You know, I couldn't risk taking more pills from the hospital, so I had to score Oxy from another dealer."

"Just let me have them."

Maxie toys with the pills in front of Lucky. She flicks one into the water. "So you can take the pills, ditch me, and run back to your wife?"

Lucky reaches for the bag, and it falls into the water. He grabs her wrists and shakes her. "Why the hell did you do that?"

Maxie cries out, "Lucky!"

Lucky lets go, pants, and says he's sorry repeatedly. Maxie says, "It was my fault. I screwed up. I know you need these. I'll make it up to you." She kisses him.

Maxie scores more pills from a dealer and later sleeps with Lucky in a room above Kelly's.

7/7-31

Sam accuses Jason of letting Alexis bully him because he killed Manny and that Alexis forced him to break up with him to avoid being charged. But with Manny dead, it shouldn't matter. Jason says she got shot because of him. He's in the hospital because he got shot. It's not safe.

Sam says, "I will not make it easy for you. If you want me to go, you have to say it. You sold out. I thought I was worth fighting for. You took Alexis's deal. She knows you killed Manny."

"Go".

"You once said you wish I would hate you. That hating you would make it easier. Well, I hate you. You will regret it, and if it takes my last dying breath, I will make sure Alexis pays for what she did." Sam plots to get revenge on Alexis. She lays the groundwork for coming on to Ric. She pretends to convince Alexis it was right for Jason to break up with her. "Jason always takes Carly's side over me. He decides what the risks are and what to do. I want Jason to miss me. I want Jason to know what he is missing. I want him to suffer."

Sam wears skimpy swimsuits and parades around Ric and invites him to swim in the lake with her and the girls.

Sam and Ric drink and play pool at Jake's. She flirts with him. She says she is tired of following Jason around and wanting him to change.

With help from Emily, Sonny was diagnosed with bipolar disease. Emily and Sonny break up in the middle of July. Jason says he was wrong to take the business away and should have let Emily and Sonny make their own choices. Sonny gets help for his disorder. Jason will run the business until Sonny is better.

Lucky finishes a shift at the PCPD, looking at the Manny Ruiz files. He is shocked to read that Manny did not die from a gunshot. He takes a pill before entering his apartment. He is visibly upset. Elizabeth asks what's wrong.

"There was no bullet in Manny when he died, which means the shot I fired missed. That shiny medal and the promotion to detective were all based on lies. I'm no hero, no super-cop; I can't even manage a simple shot across the roof. I didn't kill Manny; Jason did."

Elizabeth tries to comfort her husband and rationalize that the shot was a distraction so Jason could get Manny off the roof, but Lucky says, "They don't hand medals out for that."

"I'm sorry. You are my hero." Elizabeth embraces Lucky and feels the pill bottle in his pocket. She pulls it out and asks, "What is this? Are you still taking these?"

"I can't believe you did this. You set me up acting all loving and sympathetic when all you wanted to do was bust me."

"Me? How dare you accuse me. I put my arms around you to love and comfort you and felt the bottle in your back pocket. I didn't do anything wrong. "

"Oh, so you are fucking perfect?"

"I watched you toss the rest of the pills into the water. What? Did you jump in the harbor to get them back? Have you been taking these pills the entire time?"

"Stop interrorgating me. I'm the cop, remember? At least for now, I am."

"How did you get them? Did you see another doctor? Are you buying them off the streets? Please tell me you are not stealing them from the hospital. There was an investigation. Was that you?"

"I don't need to explain anything to you, and I expect you to take my word. You are my wife." He storms out.

Elizabeth visits Jason and says, "I thought you should know, not that you can do anything about it, but Lucky knows you killed Manny-not him. Lucky pulled the case records and opened the sealed autopsy report. He knows his shot missed. He knows that you shoved Manny off the roof."

"It doesn't matter. Manny's not a threat anymore."

"It does to Lucky. He doesn't feel he deserves the medal or the promotion; he feels like a fraud, and what's worse is he's still taking the painkillers. I don't think he ever stopped. Last night, I found another bottle of pills on him. When I confronted him, he got so angry and accused me of setting him up. Then he left. I don't know what to do. I'm a nurse; I should recognize an addiction problem. "

"Sometimes it's hard to see what's happening when you are standing so close. Elizabeth, I didn't believe you should push somebody to get help, but now I'm not so sure. People do get to make their own choices, but if Lucky is hurting himself, you may need to step in. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you. I will."

8/8-8/11 Events leading up to the NOP:

Carly tells Elizabeth that Lucky is sleeping with Maxie upstairs above Kelly's. A suspicious Elizabeth walks to the door ajar and sees her husband in bed with Maxie Jones. Elizabeth walks off unnoticed. She returns home to their apartment and angrily tosses pillows across the room. Lucky enters and says, "Sorry, I should have called."

"Why didn't you?"

"I was on a stakeout all night. The moment I had to call was late, and I didn't want to wake you or Cam."

"You are such a liar."

"What? No, I was on a stakeout."

"You were on a stakeout, alright. You were staked out all night in bed with Maxie."

"Where'd you get such a crazy idea like that?"

"Oh, Carly."

Lucky scoffs, "Carly? Why would you believe her?"

"You know, your right. I was so sure my husband would be faithful that I went to prove her wrong. Guess what? I even defended you and accused her of trying to undermine our marriage, and I told her how well I knew you and that you would never cheat on me."

"Good for you."

"You didn't sleep with Maxie last night?"

"I told you I was on a stakeout."

"I saw you, and so did Carly. Apparently, you and Maxie were so hot for each other that you didn't bother to close the door."

"You saw us?"

Yeah, I did, and from the looks of it, it wasn't the first time."

Lucky swigs his beer, trying to find the words to reply.

"Why would you do this to me?"

"How could you expect me to do anything else?"

"I'm sorry, can you say that again? How could I not expect you to sleep with another woman when you promised before god and all of our friends and family that you wouldn't?"

"What about your vows?"

"What about them? I haven't broken any vows."

"In your heart, you don't want me. That's why I slept with her."

"Oh, god!"

"It's not funny being the big mistake around her. Maxie believes in me. She wants me."

"Where is this coming from?"

"Honesty, you should try it. You should start by admitting you can't get Patrick out of your mind. You started it by screwing Patrick Drake!"

"You need to get over your irrational jealousy to excuse what you did. I don't even know you anymore because the man I married would never cheat on me and turn it around and make it my fault."

"You need a guy who's bigger than life, and we both know that's not me. The one shining moment in my life when I was a hero, and it turns out it was a mistaken identity. Then there's Patrick, the hottie neurosurgeon."

"I'm not going to stand here and let you wallow in your self-pity over something that only exists in your head. I didn't make you shit on our wedding vows. You chose to. And if Maxie is such a prize, I am happy to get out of your way."

"Huh, you would love that, wouldn't you? You finally got the excuse to run into Patrick's arms, not that you needed to; you probably fucked him all over the hospital! Lucky searches through his pants pockets, unable to find anything.

Elizabeth holds a bottle of pills, "Is this what you are looking for?"

"Give those to me!"

"Why don't you take them, you want them? You probably want them more than me or your mistress!" Elizabeth throws it at him, and it clatters to the floor, spilling pills over the apartment. Lucky crawls to the floor, trying to pick up all the pills.

Elizabeth slams the door as she leaves. She sees Maxie volunteering and nearly slaps her, but Patrick steps in. Elizabeth says, "Listen, you skank. You come anywhere near my husband, and I'll make sure the entire town knows what a tramp the Police Commissioner's daughter is. Oh, by the way, does Daddy know his daughter is sleeping with a married detective?"

"You can tell anyone you want. I'll get my satisfaction for telling everyone what a hypocrite you are. Patrick, watch out for this one." Maxie skips off to tell Lucky everything she saw with Elizabeth and Patrick.

Patrick says, "Did I hear correctly? Maxie is…"

Elizabeth finishes, "Sleeping with my husband? Yes. And my husband thinks I'm sleeping with you."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't look surprised. Do you know something? Tell me."

"I saw them kissing on the docks last week, but Maxie denied it. I'm sorry; I should have said something. I didn't want to hurt you."

"I wish my husband felt the same way. I appreciate your honesty." She drives to her Grandmother's house. She tries telling Gram that Lucky is cheating on her, but she cries before telling her why they are fighting. Audrey tells Elizabeth that marriage can be difficult and she should go home and try to talk things out. Elizabeth sighs and returns to the apartment. She opens the door, and Maxie pulls off Lucky's belt. She smirks at the shock on Elizabeth's face. Elizabeth says, "Just so you know, our marriage is over." Elizabeth storms off and starts driving when the lights go out in the houses as she drives down the street. She doesn't know where to go. Gram turned her away. She doesn't want to go back to GH and is afraid to face Emily. She finds herself in the parking lot of Harborview Towers.

Jason

Sam and Alexis argue about how Alexis feels about her daughter. Sam feels that Alexis thinks she is trash. She is a disappointment as a daughter. Alexis doesn't want that hatred around Kristina or Molly. "I want you to get the hell out of my house. Go back to Jason! I've had enough of you." Ric tries playing peacemaker, and Alexis says, "I can't believe you are taking her side."

Ric says, "It's not about taking sides. Something is going on with you, Alexis, and you won't share."

She says, "I thought I could count on you. Forget about it, my mistake." Alexis storms out.

Ric replies, "Stay away from the Mayor's office."

Sam says, "What does the Mayor have to do with this?"

"Nothing."

Sam starts drinking, and Ric has left and returned. The power is out, and he says he took the girls and Viola to the Metro Court.

Sam asks, "What are you doing back?"

"I returned to finish some work, and then I'll head back."

"Are you going to tell me what you meant by the Mayor's comment snark?"

"I believe she's sleeping with him for favors."

Ric and Sam drink and commiserate about their lives.

Carly visits Jason. She convinces him to see Sam and to try to understand her feelings.

Jason drives to Alexis's house to see Sam. Alexis is leaving after seeing her husband having sex with her daughter on their couch. Alexis is visibly upset but distracts Jason with a health issue and begs him to take her to General Hospital. Jason drops her at GH and returns to the Lake House. Through the window, he sees Sam and Ric on the floor in each other's arms. Shocked, he turns to leave but returns to convince himself he didn't imagine Ric and Sam screwing on the floor. Furious, Jason drives away, returning to the Towers.

NOP AND The Aftermath

August/September 2023

Sonny AND…

Jason's phone vibrates, and he reads the text from Mario. "He's here." Jason nods to Francis. Sonny enters and says, "Carly, what is so important that you call me to your old club no one has been in for years. Jason and I cleared all the shit from here years ago. Where are…you? Jason? Is that you? Holy Shit!"

Carly beams, "Jason is alive. He came back to us." Carly moves her chair closer to Jason and puts an arm around him, pulling him to her. Jason slowly scoots his chair away from her.

Sonny extends his hand, "It's great to see you are alive. What happened, and how the fuck did it take almost two years to return?"

Jason bristles at Sonny's remarks. "It's good to see you too. I'm fine, thank you. How are the kids? I've been traveling. What's next?"

Carly says, "Hey, Sonny was asking a question. You don't need to be snide about it. Where have you been, and why didn't you call or come home sooner?"

"Sonny, please have a seat. Do you remember Francis? He will be with me while I'm in Port Charles."

Carly says, "Where are you living? You can stay in Joss's room if you need a place. Francis can use the guest room, I guess."

"No, Carly. I will not stay with you. I have a place, and I'm not saying where."

Sonny clears his throat, "Uhhum. Let's start over. Jason, Carly, and I are glad to see you. Would you please tell us what happened when the tunnels collapsed on Cassidine Island in Greece?

"I don't have all my memories back, and I don't remember everything about you or Carly. I was in a coma for over a year. I had multiple injuries, including head trauma, and needed several surgeries. Eventually, I ended up in a hospital in Rochester and woke up in January."

Carly shouts, "You have been awake since January and never bothered to let me know?"

"Carly, count to ten and let me finish. When I woke up, I didn't have any memories. I needed months of physical therapy. I still tire easily. Eventually, I transferred to one of my safehouses and had two doctors and two nurses care for me. I wasn't ready to be around people as I had memory issues and was not able to move properly."

Sonny asks, "Which safehouse? Who found you? Who were the doctors and nurses? I can call specialists for second opinions."

"Sonny, the safehouse is off the grid, and it's not one in the system. I don't want anyone to know where I'm staying. I've already been released and given a clean bill of health. My memories are slowly returning. I don't need more opinions."

"Of course. Do you have bills to pay? I can cut checks to pay for your care. When can you return to work?"

"I have money and my own accounts. They've already been paid. I'm not returning to work for you. I don't know what I will do yet; I'm still processing a lot of information."

"You never answered who rescued you."

"If you must know, it was Nikolas Cassidine."

Carly says, "Nikolas has been missing since February. Did you have anything to do with his disappearance?"

"No, why would I? Nikolas saved my life. By the time I was back recovering, he was gone. I came because I wanted to let you know I am alive. I did not come here to be questioned, work for you, or partner with you."

Sonny asks, "What about Francis? Has he known all this time?"

Sardonically, Jason replies, "Does it matter? Francis has been back for a few weeks. Francis will be with me for my protection. I have other places to go and people to see."

Carly whines, "What about Michael? Are you going to see him? Or Sam? Do you even care about Jake or Danny?"

"I'll see them soon."

Sonny says, "You forgot Elizabeth. If Jason wants to see Jake, Elizabeth will need to know."

Carly says, "Wait, no! Elizabeth took time off last month. Was Elizabeth one of your nurses? That bitch knew you were alive before us?"

"Carly, let it go. Leave Elizabeth and her children alone. Be happy I'm alive and don't interfere in my life."

"When will I see you again? You don't need Elizabeth now that you have healed."

"Carly, I'm leaving. Do not follow me or try to find me. If you try to make me choose, you won't like it."

Jason nods to Francis that he's ready to leave. Sonny grabs Francis's arm. "You work for me. Call me later and tell me everything."

Francis replies, "I haven't worked for you in over 15 years. I work for Jason. Let go of me." Francis takes Carly's burner that Jason called her on. "We need this back. Don't bother trying to get the geek Spinelli to help."

Jason and Francis leave. Francis calls Mario to let him know to watch Carly and Sonny. Jason texts Elizabeth that he is on the way to the boathouse,

Meanwhile, Elizabeth has been visiting with Monica, and as soon as she gets Jason's text, Monica calls Sam to the mansion. Jason arrives at the back way and embraces Elizabeth. She says, "How did it go?"

He sighs, "As expected. They are not going to give up on wanting me back. Carly added up the timeline and realized you were helping me. She is not happy. I warned her, but she may attack."

Laughing, "She is a handful. Will I need a guard?"

"You can have Francis, I'll get someone else."

Jason kisses her as Monica knocks on the door twice. They separate, and Sam enters. Elizabeth says, "Sam, I'm leaving. He wants to speak with you."

"Who?"

Elizabeth waves her in. "Good luck." Francis follows Elizabeth out.

Sam

Michael

Jason and Elizabeth

TBC