I Don't Own General Hospital or the Charcter's therein. I don't Own ABC either (or I would put together the couple that I wanted in the first place).

7.) And the Rug the was Pulled Out from Under Him

Jason pulled away from the hospital. For the first time, he really wasn't sure what to do. Elizabeth wasn't even someone he liked, just someone he married under pressure from Sonny for the sake of the business, and now in a matter of hours everything he knew was wrong. How could Elizabeth be innocent? And what- now he was supposed to protect her because she may be Sonny's kid? He wasn't certain of much, but when this was all over he knew that he was going after Anthony and Trevor, on principal. He took a minute to park. 'Where should I go? If I go to the station they'll hold me for hours on suspicion. Where to go?' After some deliberation, he dialed his phone, "Justus, where are you?" Jason asked.

"Hmmm…Jason? Do you realize what time it is?" Justus answered.

"I'm sorry, but Elizabeth was abducted from the PCPD lockup," Jason said.

"What? They wouldn't let me see her. I knew I shouldn't have left without seeing her. I'm at the Mansion. I got a call from Edward that they'd made a room up for me. I'll get dressed and meet you outside in 10," Justus said.

"I'll be there," Jason said pulling away. He thought about calling Sam but she knew that when it came to work he didn't always check in. He settled for calling Milo. "Milo," the young guard answered.

"Milo, is all quiet there?" Jason asked referring to his penthouse.

"As a mouse," Milo replied.

"Good, keep me informed if anything changes. The police may stop by. My wife was kidnapped tonight from the lockup," Jason said.

"Pity," Milo said knowing that Jason and Sonny couldn't stand Elizabeth. None of them could.

"Don't say that around Sonny," Jason warned.

"Something change?" Milo asked as he scratched his head.

"I will give you details when I know more. Don't say anything to Sam," Jason replied as he neared the mansion.

"I know the rules," Milo replied.

"Good," Jason replied hanging up.

As he pulled up to the front, Justus was waiting outside as promised.

Jason stopped in front of the steps, and Justus got in, "Where to?" Justus asked.

"To be honest, I don't know where to begin," Jason stated. He didn't know enough about Elizabeth, and they didn't have enough intel on her abductors yet.

"I do. Take me to Lorenzo Alcazar. He may have some insight," Justus stated.

"He's her stepfather you think he broke her out?" Jason asked.

"No, he wouldn't trigger her that way. Elizabeth has some PTSD, she's been attacked too many times. At the sign of danger she may triggered. She's been working on it but she's panicked before. It's a survival mechanism," Justus stated.

"How do you know so much about her? Weren't you just hired?" Jason asked as he drove.

"No, Francis Corelli has had me on retainer for Elizabeth for a while," Justus supplied.

"To protect her assets?" Jason asked confused.

Justus laughed mirthlessly, "What assets? I was involved to set up protection for the boy, in case something happens to Elizabeth. It's a preventative measure so that he never ends up with Anthony, or God forbid Ric."

"What about all the money she stole?" Jason asked knowing now that it was unlikely that Elizabeth ever took the money. He wanted to know more about her character, and Justus seemed to know a lot.

"She never stole a dime, though for all the trouble she's been through maybe she should have. At least she'd have something to show for it other pain and misery," Justus answered.

"If something happens to her what happens to the boy?" Jason asked, curious since he was supposedly the boy's father.

"Why?" Justus asked.

"Because, I've heard that he's mine. Don't you think that I deserve a chance to know and raise him?" Jason asked.

"Perhaps, there was a time that the Jason Morgan I used to know would have deserved that, but that little boy only knows Elizabeth's love."

"I would have been happy to know and love him despite my relationship with Elizabeth," Jason stated.

"Yes, but Jason you never tried with Elizabeth. Your relationship was built on a lie provided by an emotionally stunted and deranged criminal that resulted in the real world consequence of impregnating your wife. Then after you consummated your ill advised marriage you then advised her it wasn't real, and proceeded to cheat on her repeatedly with Sonny's younger sister. You also were neglectful of her while she was pregnant, and unkind to her. You've said things that despite the context of what you believed to be true at the time you can't take back or unsay- things the court would deem abusive. Elizabeth knows that you can't stand her, and she didn't want her son to be unloved or neglected like she was. She made provisions for others to take and raise the boy, in the event that Ric, Anthony or you and her father finally killed her."

Jason swallowed. He didn't like being cut out or having his decisions made for him. "I will fight you on this. I'm his father, I ought to at least get to know him."

"What a Sonny-like response. You feel that you're owed this because of a biological link. You didn't feel this way about AJ and Michael. When did you become such a hypocrite?" Justus asked.

"AJ was a fall down drunk. I did what I thought was right," Jason stated.

"And you're a criminal. Maybe you haven't been convicted, but you live in a dangerous world Jason, by choice. Elizabeth, has an English education. She's a young woman who has a couple of degrees and was a top Nurse in her field. She was so smart that she graduated from school in England early, and then graduated college early. She's made all the sacrifices that a mother can to protect her child from a world that was forced on her, and yet you've done nothing but feel you're owed something."

"She never told me she was pregnant before she was kidnapped," Jason stated angrily.

"Jason, did you ever stop to consider that watching you with another woman that you cared about more than her might give her pause in broaching the subject. Think of all the conversations that you had with Courtney in front of Elizabeth. The romantic gestures and innuendos all laid bare for Elizabeth to observe and choke on," Justus stated.

"In hindsight, I was very ruthless with her. I thought she was a con-woman out to create havoc with our enemies, and cause trouble," Jason replied.

"Yet, you're not at all bothered by Sam McCall?" Justus questioned shaking his head.

"Stop deflecting, the bottom line is, she never told me she was pregnant. Maybe if I knew, I would've found a way to be gentler toward her. Perhaps, I would've given her a chance," Jason said.

"Didn't Elizabeth make you a dinner a few years ago? In early November?"

Jason thought about it a moment, "Well yes, I remember she had a table set up in front of the door to the penthouse. It was candlelit and it would have been romantic had it not been her. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Elizabeth advised me that she had intended to tell you that you were going to be a father during that dinner but that you told her that you had no time to spare her and left."

Jason's face flinched as he recalled the memory.

Flashback

It wasn't a big table, but the table was set for a candlelit dinner for two. The table was covered in a cream cloth. Jason recalled.

She must have heard the handle jiggle as he walked through the front door. He was surprised to see what Elizabeth had set up. She was smiling and looking at him expectantly.

Jason was planning on going to Jakes and then staying at Courtney's tonight but stopped by to gather some clothes. "What's all this?" Jason asked nodding toward the table.

"I thought it would be nice if we could start over and have a nice dinner together. There was also something import-" Elizabeth said before she was interrupted.

"See this- this is something we're not going to do. I have no interest in getting to know you better. I told you the morning after our wedding and I'll tell you again this is all for business. I have other plans tonight anyway," Jason said.

Elizabeth was crushed and he could tell. Still, she didn't cry. "Please Jason, I'm not asking for the world just dinner."

"I don't want to share dinner or anything else with you for that matter," Jason said as he made his way up the stairs to pack his bag.

Elizabeth quietly listened as he packed a bag, she moved all the food to the kitchen and carefully set the food down. She gripped the counter hoping it would give her strength. She looked out the window for the absolution she wouldn't find, as the tears began to slowly fall. She didn't hear Jason walk down the stairs. Jason noticed the candles had been blown out, and the food was missing. The penthouse was eerily quiet, as he made his way around the corner when he saw Elizabeth in the kitchen. Her profile was visible, and she was crying silently. He felt guilty for shutting her down so ruthlessly, but she was no damsel, and he thought it was better not to lead her on. He quickly turned to leave before she noticed him.

End of Flashback.

"I'll concede that I was a bit of shit when she must have been trying to tell me, but that doesn't give her the right to cut me out completely."

"Well maybe when all is said and done you may be able to prove your worth to her. Elizabeth is nothing if not unfailingly kind," Justus stated.

Jason shook his head, it was hard to wrap his head around. That Elizabeth, a woman he spent years loathing, may have been innocent all along, and that he- he hurt her, so acutely if true, and it was for nothing. "After she escaped Ric, what happened? Where did she go?"

"I'm not sure of all the particulars, but she ended up with Reginald at the Quartermaine's. Your grandmother adored her. I don't know if you ever picked up on it, but if you ever got Elizabeth talking and her guard was down, she had a small bit of an English accent. From what I heard Lila and Elizabeth would talk for hours about colloquialisms that only they seemed to grasp. Your father attended to her needs, but then the heat turned up and Elizabeth got out of dodge so to speak. Ned flew her west and she stayed there for a bit. Took an odd job here and there until she had her baby. Then she went on the run," Justus said.

"Why, we weren't looking that hard for her, so Ric found her or something?"

"Ric found her, but he didn't do the dirty work himself. He sent someone else that she wouldn't recognize to try and steal the boy. The only thing was that shortly after Elizabeth left Quartermaine's Reginald contacted Francis. Francis had always been the only one in your organization that had been kind to Elizabeth. He explained Elizabeth's situation, and asked Francis to keep an ear out in case Ric sent someone after her. Still no sooner would Elizabeth get settled then she would have to move again. Sometimes she could escape unscathed, and other times she wasn't so lucky."

"Justus, I understand why Elizabeth felt that she couldn't come to us with this information, but why didn't Francis reach out?"

"Honestly, that would have to be a question for Francis. Perhaps, his loyalty switched from you and Sonny to Sonny's Daughter and Grandson. I don't think Francis had any idea who he could trust, and in a weird way the most reliable person that Francis had in your part of the world ended up being Lorenzo Alcazar. He gave money to help move Elizabeth on occasion. Covered some of her medical bills and things like that. If Lorenzo has a weakness, it's Elizabeth. She's all that's left of Serafina and Diego. It doesn't hurt that Elizabeth is genuinely sweet and completely lovable."

Jason listened to Justus' words. He just couldn't comprehend that this apparent angel that Justus was describing was Elizabeth. Jason slowed the SUV down as he pulled up to Lorenzo Alcazar's gate. "State your business, Morgan," the guard stated.

"I'm here just to talk to Lorenzo. I don't want any trouble," Jason stated.

"He's been expecting you," the guard replied as he opened the gate.

Jason pulled up to the front of the house and parked. He was uncomfortable in enemy territory, but he needed answers and apparently his son was supposed to be here so this is where he would be.

The guards walked up to Jason's vehicle and opened the driver side and passenger door and escorted the men inside.

Jason noted that Lorenzo was pacing the corridor. He looked anguished. Jason made no move to say anything just placed his hands behind his back in his typical stance.

Lorenzo looked at Justus, "Is there any word? What's he doing here?" as he nodded at Jason.

"He's come for answers on how to find Elizabeth," Justus answered.

"If I knew where she was I would be going to get her. This is all very unsettling. It was supposed to be a simple divorce. You two were supposed to sign some paperwork and be done, and she was supposed to be able to leave and never have to look back. What happened?" Lorenzo asked.

"Elizabeth and I signed the divorce papers like you stated and went our separate ways, but she made a stop in the park and spoke to Reginald. He filled her in on Lila's death and Carly's kidnapping and something clicked with her own kidnapping and she decided to go to the police station," Jason said.

Lorenzo let out a breath shaking his head, "Why does she have to be so kind? Carly didn't deserve her help. She should've never gone to the police station. Too many dirty cops on the take for Lansing."

"Watch what you say about Carly," Jason warned.

"Or what?" Lorenzo fired back, "Elizabeth has been hurt by that woman and she's done nothing to deserve it. Why are you even here? You despise Elizabeth, why would you want to help her now?"

"Because, she's my wife and I just learned that she's probably innocent of every charge laid against her," Jason said.

"You two signed divorce papers so she's your ex-wife," Lorenzo argued.

"They're not being filed, until we can get everything worked out. I owe her more than what she got today, and then there's custody to consider," Jason said as he folded his arms.

"And the real reason why you're here emerges. You're here to assert a custodial claim on Cameron," Lorenzo stated.

"He's my son. I have a right to claim him and protect him," Jason stated.

"And his mother? What rights and protections is she afforded?" Alcazar asked.

"We could have joint custody, and of course I would assign her guards," Jason said. Jason wasn't sure what more he could offer at this point.

Lorenzo started laughing, "You waltz into my home, hours after my step-daughter is kidnapped for helping that gold-digging harpy of a step-mother and make demands regarding custody of child that you've only known about for mere hours, and you think that if you throw the promise of shared custody and some mild protection of guards that this will right all the wrongs. First, as long as you live with that con-woman you're never going to have simple visitation with the boy. That woman is dirty and has more involvement than you realize in what has happened to Elizabeth. Secondly, Elizabeth is possibly the most important heir in the mafia underworld. She has legal claims on Sonny's holdings, as Cameron's mother your holdings, she's my step-daughter so of course I've made provisions for her, but let us not forget Serafina's holdings in the Giambetti family. Make no mistake, you better be able to provide adequately for the wrongs you've committed against Elizabeth. If Maxiumus Giambetti finds out how she's been treated by you, what do you think will happen?"

"Why do you think I haven't moved the paperwork forward? I intend to correct the errors I've made. The only thing is we have to do is find her first. Any idea who would have the ability to break her out of jail?"

"No, but there are some dirty cops who may know how this was pulled off. One in particular is protected by Sonny if I recall," Lorenzo stated disgusted at the whole situation.

"Which cop do you think it is?" Jason asked. They had several that provided them with information, but not many were protected.

"Lucky Spencer. He's as dirty as they come. He came after Elizabeth one time. About a year ago. Hurt Elizabeth pretty bad, she probably doesn't remember. He knocked her down and smashed her head onto the floor, busted a couple of ribs. It was awful. She may not remember him though, she had a horrible concussion."

"Why didn't you share this with us?" Jason asked angrily clenching his fist.

"Would you have listened to me?" Lorenzo asked back.

Jason knew that he wouldn't have trusted Lorenzo, but Francis he might have listened to. He felt so conflicted with what was done right under their noses. Jason thought back on something that Lorenzo said, "What part did Sam have in what happened to Elizabeth?"

"Sam has many alias', one of which is Angela Monroe. A woman named Angela Monroe flew into town the day that Elizabeth was kidnapped, which is also the day that you're money went missing."

"Are you implying that it was Sam that stole my money?" Jason asked.

"I'm not implying it Jason. I'm saying it outright. She and Ric have a sorted past. She was brought in by Courtney originally for other scams, but Sam is a con, and Ric needed someone who could get into your home and steal your money, and make it look like Elizabeth did it. Courtney, provided the layout of your penthouse, and Sam can pick locks. No one counted on Sam sticking around and bedding Sonny," Lorenzo said while he ran his hands through his hair.

"Why would Courtney do something like that? It doesn't make sense," Jason said shaking his head.

"It does if you consider that Ric let Courtney in on the big secret about who Elizabeth really is," Lorenzo explained. "If the secret was discovered, Elizabeth stood to inherit a great deal from Sonny as his only biological heir. Should something happen to Sonny, and trust me, there are many who like to make something happen to Sonny, behind Carly, Elizabeth is a legitimate heir. Courtney didn't want to share that money. She already would have to split it with Carly and Michael. With Elizabeth in the picture, the pot of gold got smaller and smaller. Courtney helped because she's greedy and because she wanted you all to herself," Lorenzo stated.

Jason's head was spinning. He felt sick. 'What have we done?' he thought as he opened his phone and dialed a number.

"Milo," the young guard stated on the other side.

"Don't let Sam leave the apartment. Tell her it's for her own safety," Jason said shaking his head as he hung up the phone.

"Sam's who you care about right now?" Lorenzo asked.

"I need her under lock and key, and not in my way. Trust me, she's getting away with nothing," Jason said, while his heart was breaking. 'How could Sam do this?'

Jason dialed another number, "Lou."

"You got eyes on Courtney?" Jason asked.

"She's in her castle with the prince, Jason," Lou answered.

"Good, don't let her leave the Island. Tell her it's for her own protection, but only if she asks," Jason replied.

"Where's Ric?" Jason asked.

"He's with Trevor in D.C. schmoozing it up with a Congressman," Lorenzo replied, "Why?"

"Now all we need to do is find Lucky and see what he knows," Jason answered.