Chapter 33
End May/Early June 2003
Ric finds a house for Elizabeth and him to move from his apartment. He has plans to make Sonny pay for causing his wife to lose their baby. Faith visits the newlyweds in their new home and makes thinly veiled threats toward Elizabeth. Ric tells her to get the hell out and stop bothering his wife. While Elizabeth is upstairs, Ric moves baby items into the hidden panic room to add to the crib and a chain attached to the wall. He vows Carly will be in the house soon, and Elizabeth will have the baby she lost.
June 2003
Summary:
Luke and Laura return. LuLu misses her brothers and wants to be near friends her age.
Nikolas and Emily pretend to play a couple. Nikolas warns Emily that the farce could backfire and that she should tell Zander the truth. Stefan told Emily he would not allow her to become romantically involved with his nephew. Nikolas defends Emily.
Luis' twin brother, Lorenzo Alcazar, comes to town bent on revenge, and his first targets are Sonny and Jason.
Ric vows to replace the child he lost with Elizabeth with Sonny and Carly's baby. Ric spikes Elizabeth's daily morning OJ with birth control pills to avoid her getting pregnant again. Ric has nightmares of Sonny pushing his wife down the stairs. He checks the PR often.
June 2003
6/1-6/10/2003
Ric encourages Elizabeth to quit Kelly's as he has plans for an art gallery showing for her. She tells him she won't leave Bobbie in the lurch. She appreciates his gesture but explains that Ruby hired her when she had no training and put up with her first few weeks of dropping trays and getting orders wrong. She likes working at Kelly's. She can balance the gallery with school in the fall. Elizabeth says she has a few more college credits and will graduate at the end of the month. She wants to attend nursing school in the fall. Ric argues she doesn't need to further her education. He says that would interfere with her art, and why didn't she consult him first? Elizabeth retorts that he didn't consult her first either, and she made those plans before they married. Ric grudgingly placates her, believing she will change her mind when he gives her a baby.
Zander finds Elizabeth and wants to know about Nikolas and Emily and why she is acting strangely.
6/11-20/2003
Luis Alcazar's twin brother Lorenzo made an offer to Ric to help him gain revenge against Sonny. Ric notices Elizabeth can hear Lorenzo; he declines and says his war with his brother is over.
Carly experiences extreme abdominal pain, and Courtney takes her to GH. Ric visits and expresses sympathy and hopes she feels better soon. Jason arrives and kicks him out. Carly is advised to avoid stress for the remainder of her pregnancy.
Ric comes home to find Elizabeth sketching. He hands her a present and tells her to try it on upstairs. While she is trying on the dress, he pours two glasses of wine. He crushes a sleeping pill into Elizabeth's glass. He brings it to her when she comes down to model the dress for him. Elizabeth passes out on the couch from the drug. Ric leaves and, with help from Alcazar, chloroforms Carly while Sonny, Jason, and Courtney are otherwise occupied. Ric carries Carly into the Panic Room and chains her leg to the wall. He provides water, food, and medical supplies, preparing for the time when Carly delivers and he can give Elizabeth her baby.
Sonny arrives home to find Carly missing. Jason and Courtney search for her, and Jason discovers Carly was last seen with two men whose descriptions match Ric and Alcazar.
Carly wakes and screams when she can't walk more than two feet. One leg is chained to a wall. There is a monitor in the PR that shows the living room and a view that shows the front door. Elizabeth is passed out on the couch, and Ric kisses his wife's cheek. Carly yells, hoping Elizabeth will wake up and hear her. Ric heads into the kitchen.
Elizabeth is wakes to a banging on her door. Seconds later, Jason busts down the door, followed by Sonny and Courtney. "Elizabeth, where is Carly?!"
Elizabeth rubs her eyes, "Huh? What the fuck?" Courtney yanks her up from the couch and asks where Carly is. Elizabeth is still trying to wake up.
Sonny screams, "Where is that goddammed husband of yours?"
Ric enters from the kitchen, holding a plate of sandwiches. "What did you do to my door? Why are you here?"
Jason throws Ric against the wall. "Where is Carly?"
Ric replies, "Why would we know?"
Jason upheaves the couch and tables, yelling, "Just tell us where Carly is!"
Elizabeth replies, "She's not here. We have been here all night."
Sonny runs upstairs, trashing the rooms.
Elizabeth grabs the phone, "If you don't leave now, I'm calling the cops. Carly is not here! Sonny, Ric made peace with you."
They leave but are still convinced Ric knows where Carly is.
Sonny, Jason, and Courtney return to the Towers, where Sonny throws glassware inside his PH. Jason says Carly is the priority. Jason sits against the couch and gulps Sonny's scotch. He is concerned about his BFF but frustrated that he's constantly cleaning up his other BFF's messes. Courtney enters and says, "What are you doing here? What are we going to do about Carly? Where is Sonny?"
"Sonny had a meltdown. He is sleeping it off. Tomorrow, I'll keep looking for Carly."
Jason can't talk with Sonny about it, Carly is missing, so he can't speak to her, Emily wouldn't understand, and the only other person he wants to confide with is married to his enemy. For now, Jason must work with Courtney. She loves her brother.
6/20-30/2003
Elizabeth had a run-in with Faith on the docks when Faith accused Ric of kidnapping Carly. Elizabeth tells Faith to stay out of their lives. Lucky intervenes, and Faith leaves. Lucky questions Elizabeth's reasons for sticking by Ric after all he's done. Elizabeth defends Ric, saying he's changed and ended his feud with Sonny. Lucky says, "Are you sure about that?"
Ric tells Carly his plans to give her baby to Elizabeth. Carly calls him sick, and there is no way Elizabeth would agree to it. Elizabeth will leave him when she finds out. Carly says if Sonny doesn't kill him, she will.
Elizabeth arrives home, and Ric hits the button, closing the door to the PR before Carly can yell out. Elizabeth tells Ric of her run-in with Faith and how Faith accused him of kidnapping Carly. Elizabeth cautiously asks Ric if he knows anything about Carly's disappearance. Ric insists he is not involved and acts insulted that she'd think he'd do anything to Carly.
Faith stole Ric's house keys and poisoned some lemonade. Elizabeth returns home after painting at her studio. She sees the pitcher of lemonade Ric made for her and pours a glass.
Carly warns Ric that Faith put something in Elizabeth's lemonade, but Ric doesn't believe her.
Watching from the PR, Ric sees Elizabeth clutch her chest and pass out. He rushes to her and calls 911. Mac interviews him, and he blames Faith. Ric catches Faith in a lie, and Mac overhears. He arrests Faith. Mac questions Elizabeth about Faith; then his questions lead to Carly. Elizabeth insists that she was with Ric all night. Mac asks. "Are you sure? All night?"
Elizabeth pauses, then softly says, "I was asleep on the couch; I don't know how long I was out."
"So it's possible?"
Elizabeth looks at Ric and says, "My husband wouldn't do this." But she privately is unsure.
July 2003
Summary:
Emily tells Jason she has Cancer.
Zander comforts Emily.
Elizabeth discovers the Panic Room and is rushed to the hospital.
Nikolas tells Emily he is in love with her. She is torn between her feelings for Nikolas and Zander.
Emily starts chemotherapy.
7/4/2003
Emily paces in the park. Jason appears, and Emily breaks down in his arms.
Jason says, "Emily, what is it? Something has been bothering you, and Zander keeps asking what is wrong. Whatever it is, I want to help."
"Jase, I have Breast Cancer. Only a few people know; I'm keeping it from Zander."
"Does Elizabeth know?"
"Yes, she's been a good friend to me."
"I'm glad you have her, but I wish she would leave that husband of hers. He's dangerous, and Sonny and I think he's responsible for Carly's disappearance."
"This is the worst time for me to tell you, but now that I've had a lumpectomy and am receiving chemo, I can fight this, and I might have a chance to live."
Jason sighs, "I'm here. Whatever you need, I'll do."
Emily sadly replies, "You are doing it. I'm going to tell Zander, too. Tell Sonny I'm praying you will find Carly."
Carly watches from the monitor inside the Panic Room, where Ric has kept her for almost a month. Elizabeth is in the living room looking for a book to read. A white glint shines in the bookcase.
"What is that?" Elizabeth wonders.
Carly says, "What do you see, Elizabeth? Oh my god! Elizabeth, push the button!" Carly shouts even though the room is soundproof. Elizabeth pushes the button, and the wall behind her opens, revealing Carly chained to a wall. Carly cries out, "Thank god you found us!"
Elizabeth turns, shock sinking in that Jason was right. Carly yells, "Elizabeth, before Ric comes back, call 911! Please, I've been trapped here for a month! Call Sonny; Ric is out of his mind."
Elizabeth picks up the phone, poised to dial 911, when her chest tightens. Her hand covers her heart, and she stumbles forward. "Car…Carly," she sputters.
"Elizabeth, throw me the phone; I'll call an ambulance." Carly pleads. Elizabeth throws the phone, and Carly catches it. She calls 911 as Ric walks in the door to see his wife passed out on the floor. He rips out the cord and closes the panic room door. Carly screams.
Jason and Courtney are at General Hospital when 15-year-old hospital volunteer Maxie Jones asks Jason if he's there to see Elizabeth. Jason asks Maxie. "What's wrong with Elizabeth?"
Maxie replies, "Her husband brought her in; she just had emergency surgery for a pulmonary embolism."
Worried, Jason says, "How did that happen?"
"The doctors don't know."
"Thank you. Maxie, can I see her?" She nods. Courtney reluctantly follows.
Jason looks at Elizabeth lying still in the hospital bed and holds back his tears while Courtney looks in disbelief. He says, "Elizabeth has always been healthy, but she marries Ric, and a few weeks later, she's in a coma?"
Courtney replies, "Well, Maxie says they don't know what caused it."
"The embolism didn't come out of nowhere. Ric must have done something to her."
Jason sits beside the bed, softly saying, "Elizabeth, you've got to stay away from Ric. He's been lying to you all along, and if you stay with him, he will kill you."
The monitor beeps and shows an even line. Elizabeth is going into cardiac arrest. Jason yells for a doctor and quickly wipes a tear from his eye. Tony Jones arrives with a crash cart and restarts her heart. Faith lurks, and Jason throws her out of Elizabeth's hospital room, telling Jones that Faith has been arrested for poisoning Elizabeth and must be banned from her room.
Jason says, "I wish I could do more to protect Elizabeth. I'd love to get Ric banned from the hospital." Jason calls Johnny, saying, "Who can stand guard outside Elizabeth Lansing's room? Faith Roscoe is hanging around, and I'm worried she might try to kill Elizabeth. She's probably the one who pushed her down the stairs. Francis? Yes, please send him." Courtney stands close to Jason; she wishes Jason didn't care so much. She thought when Carly was kidnapped, they were getting close again. Once Francis arrives, Jason says, "Elizabeth, Francis is here, and I'll return soon." He leans to her ear to not be heard, kisses her cheek, and whispers, "I love you." Jason nods to Francis. Courtney realizes she's been fooling herself. Jason still loves Elizabeth, and she has no chance of competing as long as Elizabeth is around. Courtney and Jason leave. Courtney lets out a relieved sigh. She feels awful that Carly is missing, but since Jason's focus will not be on Elizabeth, she can relax.
Sonny is on the phone with Carly as they return to the Towers. She says, "Ric, let me go."
Sonny says, "I'm on my way."
Elizabeth wakes and remembers everything. With a betrayed heart, she calls Decetive Andy Capelli to give him a verbal statement, "My husband has been holding Carly Corthinos in a panic room in our house for maybe a month. I only discovered her when I passed out. She could still be there." Capelli sends a patrolman to the Lansing house, where they find the panic room and lots of evidence but no Carly.
Sonny threw Ric down the stairs. Alcazar kidnaped Carly. Ric told Faith he was going to help Sonny get Carly back. Sonny and Jason rescued Carly. She reunited with Sonny.
August 2003
Summary:
Emily's condition worsens. She developed an infection. Jason visits and is concerned. She said she was scared. Jason went to see Monica and Alan, and they discussed Emily. He wanted to know what he could do to help his sister.
Elizabeth is discharged and confronts Ric.
8/1-9/2/2003
Jason tells Sonny about Emily's Cancer.
Elizabeth returns to gather her belongings, looks inside the cramped panic room, and shudders, knowing what Ric did to Carly and what a fool she was to think Ric loved her. Ric surprises her as she packs. Ric confesses everything to Elizabeth; she slaps him.
"Nothing I'm doing is about you anymore. It's about me and trying to understand why I keep getting involved and trying to save damaged men. There was Lucky; I felt guilty because Helena brainwashed him. Zander was self-destructive, but he saved my sanity in the crypt. Then there is you—the man who couldn't get his brother's respect and blamed him for my miscarriage."
Ric retorts, "What about Jason?"
She laughs, "Jason, the one person with actual brain damage, was right about all of you. He warned me about you, and he was right. I can't believe I trusted a man I've known for less than a year over one I have known for years. I am very foolish to trust men like you. I'm sure it was Faith who pushed me. You thought you could steal Carly's baby and give it to me. Did you really believe I'd be willing and eager to raise another woman's child? I received the blood test results. I was pumped full of birth control pills, which caused my embolism. The doctors say I'm at risk for more embolisms if I'm on the pill again."
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry. I never meant for that to happen."
Goodbye, Ric."
Scott drops charges against Ric. He wants to use Ric as bait to bring Sonny down. Elizabeth is stunned to hear the charges are dropped. She tells Ric that what he did to her was unforgivable, but what he did to Carly was worse, and she would never forgive him. He belonged in jail, and she didn't care about him anymore. She handed him divorce papers. She leaves with Lucky to check on Emily.
Jason tells Nikolas to tell Emily how he feels. Zander proposes. Jason visits Emily in the hospital on her wedding day to Zander. Jason says, "You think you are dying and don't want to hurt Zander? I don't understand how you can marry Zander when you love Nikolas. You are hurting yourself by thinking you are doing the honorable thing by marrying a man who loves you more than you love him."
Emily says, "Isn't that what you and Elizabeth did?"
Confused, he replies, "Elizabeth and I aren't married."
"Exactly. She married Ric because she was pregnant with his child, but she loves you. You hurt her by marrying Brenda to save Sonny from himself. She never felt first. But you love Elizabeth. You don't know how to admit you were wrong, and you need to choose her over Sonny and Carly. Elizabeth is getting divorced and feels guilty about what Ric did to Carly."
"Elizabeth doesn't love me. She hates me right now. I hurt her this past year."
"And she hurt you. She's sorry for what she's said but hurt and angry, Jase. That doesn't mean she doesn't still love you. Don't let her push you away."
Jason says, "Elizabeth told you this?"
"No, I'm more intuitive than the two of you together."
"I am a better person because of you."
"Don't you forget it," Emily says with a sad smile.
Elizabeth helps Emily get ready to marry Zander. Emily and Zander get married in the hospital chapel. Lucky, Gia, and Elizabeth are witnesses. Nikolas watches from afar.
September
Summary:
Carly feeds Courtney's delusional beliefs she should be with Jason. She tells Courtney she still has a chance with Jason if she goes to him to support him while his sister has Cancer.
Elizabeth starts nursing school.
Emily turns a corner.
Jason and Elizabeth reconnect.
Elizabeth is a victim of an HNR.
9/2-30/2003
Jason is in the chapel praying for Emily and not wanting to say goodbye. Elizabeth places her hand on his shoulder and sits beside him.
"I was in here earlier."
"For the wedding?"
"Yeah, it was beautiful but heartbreaking at the same time."
"I bet it was."
"I tried to go home but turned around to come here. I can't leave. Emily is my best friend, Jason. I don't know how to let her go."
"I know it's hard, but we have to." Jason places his arm around Elizabeth.
"I can't imagine life without her. Why is this happening?" She rests her head on his shoulder and cries.
"I don't know." Jason brushes hair away from Elizabeth's face and leans over to kiss her forehead. He looks up to find Courtney spying on them. She turns and rushes off.
Emily's fever broke the following morning, and she was over the hurdle. Elizabeth hurries from her studio when she hears the news. She tries to call Jason on his phone, but it goes to his voicemail. She reaches Lucky and Nikolas. Jason arrives and hugs Monica, thanking her for all she's done for Emily. Courtney complains to Carly that Elizabeth is ruining her chances of getting Jason to love her. Carly promises Elizabeth will not get her claws into Jason again.
Later that day, Carly corners Elizabeth in the park to stay away from Jason, saying he belongs with Courtney. Elizabeth retorts that if she wants to spend time with Jason, she will. It's up to Jason to express his opinion. Ric confronts Elizabeth about what Carly has to say to her. Elizabeth tells him to MHOB.
Ric later approaches Jason on the docks and tries to start a fight with him, telling him he heard what Carly said to Elizabeth. "How long have you been after my wife?"
"You don't have a wife. You are going to lose Elizabeth like you've lost everything else."
That evening, Elizabeth is sitting on a bench, and Jason approaches. "Jason, hey! Did you see Emily?"
"I saw her this morning. She was sleeping. I want to thank you for sitting with me in the chapel."
"It's a relief to know she's getting better. Carly summoned me to the park and told me to stay away from you. She said that you belong with Courtney. I didn't know you were together. It was nice in the chapel, understanding what we both felt about being friends again. I have this habit of running away from things. From Lucky to you and from you to Ric. You knew he was using me all along, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I'm not with Courtney. Ric heard what Carly said to you in the park and then asked me how long I've been after you."
Incredulous, Elizabeth says, "Ric confronted you?"
"He keeps calling you his wife. Guy still thinks you belong to him."
"Ric envies you. He wants what he can't have, which is Sonny's respect. He can't look past his own vendetta. Sometimes, I wonder if he started dating me just to spite you."
"Does it matter?"
Snorting, "I married the guy; I'd like to believe he loved me."
"I'm sorry if I was the cause of this."
"I made my choices, and it was me who refused to ignore the times you tried to warn me, and I didn't listen."
"Ric wasn't entirely wrong. I have been interested in you for a long time. When you ended things with me, I was devastated. Be careful because Ric does not want to let you go. Emily told me to tell you how I feel. I want to put you first. I'm going to try. Can you?"
"I can try. I miss you."
Jason kisses her deeply and says he'll call her soon.
Elizabeth H&R
9/5/2003
Ric arrives after eavesdropping on Elizabeth's conversation with Jason. He calls her a liar and delusional for thinking Jason is better than him. Elizabeth tells Ric to leave her alone and to stop calling her his wife. She turns and walks away. She rummages through her purse and finds a flyer for her Art Gallery Opening. She rips up the flyer. Upset over Ric's accusations, Elizabeth walks toward her studio. As she crosses the street, she hears a car speed up. Headlights blind her as she tries to move away from the speeding vehicle. She is knocked to the ground and lies in the street. Moments later, she senses a figure above her mocking her and hearing "Calamity Jane." She passes out.
Dillon witnesses the accident from afar and calls 911. Detective Alex Garcia arrives on the scene, and Dillon reveals that he saw a blonde woman hovering over Elizabeth. It was too dark to make out the figure. Paramedics take Elizabeth away.
Emily, recovering from her Cancer, hears about Elizabeth's accident. She leaves a message for Jason. Nikolas, Lucky, and Emily cheer Elizabeth up, discussing their high school's childhood mantra of the Four Musketeers. Jason listens to Emily's message and leaves for GH. Elizabeth awakens and gives Garcia an account of what little she remembers. Ric visits and agrees to the divorce, prompting Elizabeth to accuse him of running her down.
After Jason leaves, Courtney complains to Carly about Jason's friendship with Elizabeth. Carly says, "Alcazar has proof you are the one who hit Elizabeth and kept on driving. He got rid of the car.
Jason arrives in Elizabeth's room when she yells at Maxie to find a doctor who will explain why she can't see. Jason sits, holds Elizabeth's hand, and softly explains what he went through when he was angry at not knowing the answers after his accident.
Elizabeth says, "Later, the nurse told me I should start training as a blind person as if I would never get better." She smiles weakly, "So I should be nicer to the doctors?"
"Elizabeth, do you remember what happened?"
"No, first the police thought Ric did it; they now believe it was Faith. They have witnesses involving a blonde. She has this obsession with Ric and wants me out of the way. She believes if I'm dead, Ric will choose her."
"Elizabeth, I can assign a guard until you are strong enough and regain your eyesight or until Faith is in jail."
I hate the guards, but I like Francis, Johnny, or Marco if you think it's best. Max is too hung up on Carly."
Jason laughs and replies, "Yes, but Courtney aside, I'm the one who is hung up on you." He kisses her forehead and leaves before she can close her mouth agape.
The following day, Jason visits again. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing better; I'm starting to see shadows and shapes. The doctors say that's a good sign."
"That's good; you look a lot happier."
"I still have a long way to go, but I'm optimistic. A physical therapist has helped me walk around the hospital with my new cane."
"Are you worn out, or do you want to take a stroll with me? You can lean on me this time." Jason smiles.
"I'd love to get some fresh air if the nurses will allow it."
"I think that can be arranged."
Jason informs the floor nurse they will be out and leaves his cell number. Elizabeth takes Jason's arm the way her PT showed her how to do when she needs assistance. Carefully, Jason maneuvers the influx of hospital personnel and patients in wheelchairs and stops at the elevator. "Are you ready for an adventure?" He teases.
Elizabeth replies, "I don't think I'm ready for a motorcycle ride yet, but can I take a rain check?"
"Yes, whenever you want." They exit the elevators, and they walk outdoors. Jason announces the stairs ahead and helps her walk down them to sit on their often-visited bench overlooking the waters. Eizabeth closes her eyes despite not seeing; it helps her focus on her other senses. She smells the water, hears the waves lapping at the shore, and feels the dampness on her face.
They talk, falling back into their familiar comfort of friendship. Elizabeth mentions her fear of forgiving Ric. She tells him about the birth control pills found in her system. The doctors told her that was the likely cause of her embolism. Jason is upset that Ric was never charged with what he did to Carly. Elizabeth says, "I hear voices arguing. One of them is Courtneys."
Jason helps her stand and says, "How do you feel about hiding and perhaps learning some unpleasant truths?"
Laughing, "I don't think I could find my way back without you, so okay." Jason helps her to a hiding place. They soon learn that Courtney's verbal partner is Ric.
In hushed anger, Ric says, "You didn't have to run my wife down with your car! She's blind!" Jason places his hand over Elizabeth's mouth to keep her from gasping."
"I didn't plan on hitting Elizabeth; I was angry."
"Are you sure about it? There were no skid marks. You want Elizabeth out of the way. If Elizabeth were dead, you wouldn't be threatened by her. We had a deal, but not at the expense of harm to my wife!"
"Ex-wife."
Elizabeth stiffens. She wants to pull away, but she needs to hear the rest.
Courtney retorts, "As if Elizabeth would believe anything you say. If you hadn't kidnapped Carly and kept her in a panic room in your home, you'd still have Elizabeth. I paved the way for you to be with her, and you royally fucked it up. I told you the things Jason respected and liked about Elizabeth. I coaxed you, and you had to get jealous and want what you will never have. As much as I detest Elizabeth, she has my respect for walking away from you."
"Courtney, you are deluding yourself. Jason is a thug and will never change. His real soulmate is Sonny. He didn't change for his first love or Elizabeth. What makes you think he will put you first?"
"He didn't marry Robin or Elizabeth." Courtney gloats.
Ric angrily asks, "Do you think he'll marry you? Ha! How will you help me get Elizabeth back? Elizabeth and Jason always forgive, and their friendship toward each other is nauseating."
Courtney sighs, "I don't know. Maybe you should try getting close to her high school friends. Emily is her best friend. Jason's sister is recovering from Cancer. If you befriend her, Elizabeth will come around."
Elizabeth turns to throw up from everything she's heard. Ric hears a sound and says, "Too many people may see us. If Jason has any interest in you, keep him away from Elizabeth."
Ric and Courtney walk away in opposite directions. Elizabeth falls to the ground, crying. Jason kneels behind her and holds her. Jason says, "It's getting late; you should be back in the hospital. I am so sorry about what you heard." Jason assists Elizabeth as she walks silently next to him. Once he helps her back into bed, he says, "I'll return tomorrow, and if you want to talk, I'll listen. I have a trio of former friends to confront." Elizabeth curls up under the covers and sobs.
Jason returns to Sonny's side of the Towers to learn from Carly and Courtney that Courtney is the one who hit Elizabeth.
Jason replies, "I know. I heard you and Ric talking. That is not all you did to Elizabeth." Jason walks across the hall to his home, angry, shuts himself in Brenda's old room, and locks the door. He thinks, "Sonny will order him to keep quiet. Right now, he doesn't care about what happens to Courtney. He remembers how he felt when the Quartermaines covered up AJ's drinking. But Robin encouraged him to form a relationship with the crazy Quartermaines.
Courtney enters the apartment and knocks on the door. Jason says, "Go away!" Moments later, he hears knocking again. "Can you not fucking hear? I don't want to talk!"
"Jason, it's Sonny. We need to talk."
"Not if it is about Courtney hitting Elizabeth."
Sonny keeps pounding on the door. Jason opens it and says, "What?"
Sonny enters the pink bedroom Brenda decorated when she "married" Jason to keep them from testifying against each other. Jason said he'd keep it the same if she needed to return.
"Sonny, Courtney is your sister, and I respect that, but I do not have to let it go. Elizabeth knows what happened. We overheard Courtney and Ric talking. Courtney did more than hit Elizabeth. Her reasons are between us, and you need to respect that."
Sonny has a few choice words, throwing around the word 'betrayal' and how Jason disrespected him and his sister. Jason shows Carly and Sonny the door and tells Courtney they must talk.
Jason tells Courtney what he and Elizabeth overheard. "Do you have any explanations for your actions?"
Courtney starts crying, "Jason, I was wrong to hit Elizabeth and drive away."
"You took advantage of my friendship with Carly and ingratiated yourself into being her best friend. You manipulated me. You manipulated the relationship between Elizabeth and Ric."
"What are you going to do about it? Are you going to turn me in? Will Elizabeth?"
Jason replies, "That is up to Elizabeth. She is shocked, but I'll stand by her if she reports Ric again or you. I don't want to live across the hall from you. I'll move out and find a room at Jake's." Jason packed a bag and said goodbye to Sonny and Carly.
October 2003
Summary:
Sam McCall moves to PC and makes her move on Jax.
Stefan Cassidine dies while trying to frame Luke Spencer.
Emily's Cancer is in remission.
Carly goes into labor. Sonny helps deliver their son.
Jason and Elizabeth grow closer.
Officer Andy Capelli is on Alcazar's payroll.
Emily considers divorce and kisses Nikolas.
Elizabeth regains her sight.
10/1-31/2003
Johnny tells Jason that Alcazar approached him and asked him to betray Sonny and Jason, but Johnny refused. Alcazar was hoping to take Sonny down and get Carly to love him. Johnny offered to help take Alcazar down.
Elizabeth's sight returns. Jeff collects Elizabeth, and she is discharged from GH. "I'm glad you are feeling better. I want you to know I'm leaving GH. I was waiting for you to live independently, but you've been doing that for a long time. I've applied for another stint with Doctors without Borders, away from your mother. You are an adult, and I feel comfortable letting you live your life. I love you and hope you are free from Ric. Expect a call from your brother. Steven applied for a job at GH, and Alan is working on his contract. He is not coming to watch over you, though he may live at the house if you insist on your studio." Jeff drops her off at Kelly's, where Emily, Nikolas, and Lucky await to help her celebrate her release from GH.
10/27/2003
Morgan Stone Corthinos is born.
10/31/2003
Most of Port Charles attends the Halloween Ball at the Port Charles Hotel. Elizabeth offers to cover Penny's shift at Kelly's since she's not in the mood for dress-up. Jason keeps her company.
At the PCH, Emily sneaks away to be with Nikolas, and Zander sees her leave. He follows them to the cottage. He sees them kissing and making love. Furious, he goes to Jake's and gets drunk.
Courtney walks by Kelly's. She is incensed to see Jason and Elizabeth laughing. Courtney storms over to Jake's and orders drinks for herself. Courtney and Zander toast to their misery.
At Kelly's, Jason asks her if she is pressing charges. "Scott Baldwin already dropped the charges for the PR; I'm sure he'd find a way to get Ric out of what he did to me. The same goes for Courtney. I've spent too much time wallowing in anger. I'm not pressing charges, but I'm not forgiving her."
"I told Sonny I'd stand by whatever choice you make. I'm cutting Courtney out." Jason helps Elizabeth close Kelly's.
Elizabeth asks as they leave, heading to her studio. "And Sonny and Carly?"
Jason takes her hand in his. "Not yet, but they are testing me. I wanted you to hear because I needed to tell you how sorry I am for how I've treated you. You deserved respect and honesty. I didn't do that. I don't know if you heard me in the hospital after your embolism, but I love you. I never stopped loving you."
Jason follows Elizabeth as she opens the door to her studio. She removes two beers from the mini-fridge. She hands him a beer and joins him on the couch. Jason smiles, "This feels familiar."
"What? Beer and this couch?"
"No, you and I are sitting here talking. The last 12 months have taken its toll on our friendship, and I'm sorry."
"Jason, I'm at fault, too. We've had too many misunderstandings and assumptions. I was foolish to trust Ric and think he loved me. I should have trusted and believed in you. I will try to be more honest with you if you can try too."
"I will, Elizabeth. I love you."
"Jason, I love you too, but is it enough?"
"Can it be enough for tonight?"
Elizabeth places her hands on his face and pulls him to her, "It's enough for tonight."
They explore each other's bodies in rhythm, finding the familiar places that once excited them. Elizabeth rolls off him, sweating and panting. "I've missed that. I've missed you."
Jason pulls Elizbeth to him, enveloping his arms around her, "I've missed this too."
Around 2 a.m., Jason's phone rings. He looks at the number and groans. "It's Carly."
"If you need to answer, I'll go to the bathroom to give you privacy."
"No, I'll call her back." His phone rings again, and the call is from Sonny this time. Jason sighs and answers. "Morgan." He listens and replies, "Sonny, I am not Courtney's keeper. I don't know where she is, and I am busy." Jason hangs up the phone.
Elizabeth says, "I can't believe you did that."
Jason replies, "Sonny needs to realize I can't always be at his beck and call. Courtney is an adult, and if Sonny was that worried, he should have had a guard on her. Carly still has this idea that I want Courtney."
The Day After:
Elizabeth wakes to Jason, who brings in a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, and two muffins from Kelly's. "Elizabeth, I meant everything I said last night. I want us together. Courtney needs to stop trying to be with me, and Carly needs to accept my choices. Can I take you out on a proper date?
Elizabeth smiles and thinks about the dress she made for Chloe, who didn't need it for her collection and returned it to her. She made the alterations a while ago. "Yes, I would like that." Jason kisses her and leaves.
Elizabeth calls Emily, and they make plans for lunch.
November 2003
Summary:
Michael bonds with his little brother, Morgan.
Jax romances Sam.
Emily and Nikolas discuss their feelings and how Emily feels about hurting Zander.
Zander becomes destructive and teams up with Faith.
Tracy told Jax she was planning to open a casino.
Luke and Laura are stunned to see the Haunted Star in the harbor.
Jeff leaves PC.
11/1-30/2003
Zander hands his rings back to Emily. Faith hires him to use Nikolas's shipping lanes to run drugs.
Elizabeth calls Emily and tells her what happened with Jason. Emily confesses she slept with Nikolas.
Zander holds Nikolas at gunpoint per Faith's orders, and Emily asks him not to do something he'll regret. Zander ignores her. Despite his protests, Emily stands in front of Nikolas to protect him and tells Faith and Zander that Jason will take action if something happens to her or Nikolas. Zander backs down, and Faith takes the gun from Zander and prepares to shoot. Jason arrives and holds a gun to Faith's head and reminds her that his sister and Nikolas are under his protection. Faith drops the gun and warns Jason that Ric is dangerous. Later, Jason destroys Faith's drug shipment.
Jason takes Elizabeth to the PCH and the Versailles Room. He asks her to dance. Courtney and Zander see it, and she reports back to Carly. Carly shakes her head, "Jason doesn't like to dance."
"Well, he was dancing and laughing with her."
11/25/03
Emily sees Elizabeth at GH and asks if she is okay. Elizabeth replies, "I took the test last night, and Dr. Meadows confirmed it. I am pregnant."
Emily replies, "Is it…" She trails off with a hanging question.
"Yes, It's Jason."
"Does Jason know?"
"He was with me last night when I took the EPT. I'm waiting for him to arrive to tell him the results from Dr. Meadows."
"Is this what you both want?"
"Yeah, we talked about it. I think it's right. I'm happy. We want to keep it a secret for the first trimester."
Jason walks out of the elevator and sees his sister with Elizabeth. He asks, "Well?"
Elizabeth smiles and nods. Jason picks her up, spins her around, and says, "I love you."
Emily hugs her brother and Elizabeth and says, "Congratulations!"
December 2003
Summary:
At Jason's request, AJ returns to PC to introduce Michael to his brother, Morgan. After working out a new custody agreement, AJ decided to move back to PC.
Jason and Elizabeth marry.
Nikolas proposes to Emily.
Jason brings Justus Ward back from a monastery to represent Sonny.
Alcazar vowed to control Port Charles.
12/1-15/2003
Sonny takes Sam hostage after trying to shoot Alcazar. Scott ordered Capelli to do whatever was necessary to get Sonny to incriminate himself. Carly was adamant that she would find a way to keep Sonny out of prison. Sam testifies on Sonny's behalf. Charges are dropped.
Jason asks Elizabeth to marry him and opens a velvet box with a modest engagement ring. She initially turns him down. "Jason, I married Ric because I was pregnant. I don't want to get married just because I'm pregnant."
"Did you love Ric when you married him?"
"I thought I did, but he was not the person I thought he was."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes, I have since December 1999."
"I've loved you since that winter. Sonny and Carly are having Morgan's Christening on the 18th. We could marry before the end of the year."
"What are you going to tell Sonny and Carly?"
"I'll leave it up to you to decide who to tell. I want to tell Sonny. I can wait until we are married to tell Carly to avoid the fireworks. Unless you want to tell her."
Elizabeth laughs, "Chicken. I might get a kick out of telling her, but for you, we can wait. You can tell him if you think Sonny can keep a secret."
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes, it's a yes." Jason wraps his arms around Elizabeth and lifts her off the floor. He kisses her, letting her down slowly."
He says, "Courtney is leaving Sonny and Carly's place. It will be more secure at my PH, and you will have guards separate from Carly's. I can find a new place if you prefer."
"No, if Carly comes around, great. If she doesn't, I'm okay as long as you put me first."
"Always."
Jason brings Michael to the christening. AJ agreed for Michael to sleep over. Jason and Courtney are Morgan's godparents. Jason left soon after the christening, refusing to discuss his life with Courtney.
12/27/2003
Jason and Elizabeth get married. They wanted a simple ceremony with Audrey, Emily, Alan, and Monica in attendance. Audrey holds a small reception at her house.
They fly to Aruba for their honeymoon. They make love and visit the hot spots. They ring in the new year with sparkling cider.
Stay tuned for 2004