Chapter 31

December 2002

Summary:

Alexis went into labor shortly after Alcazar's death. Kristina Davis-Jacks was premature and stayed in the neonatal ICU at GH. Alexis spent most of her time in the NICU, which caused her law practice to flounder. Alexis takes time to represent Jax after his "confession" to killing Alcazar. Ned pitches in to help with Kristina.

Cameron Lewis arrives in town. He is a psychiatrist and wants to help Alexis with her overall attachment to Kristina. Only Ned and Jax are allowed near her daughter, and she rarely leaves her side unless it's to represent Jax.

Ric Lansing ingratiates himself with Sonny. Sonny had Ric investigated, and Ric's involvements appear clean, but he feels that Ric is too good to be true. Sonny and Jason are suspicious, but Carly's interest has peaked.

Carly tries to push Courtney into Jason's arms.

Jason and Brenda must stay married until the Alcazar murder is resolved. Jason continues to play the devoted spouse to Brenda.

Brenda's fingerprints are on the knife. Jax fingerprints are on the balcony railing.

Skye was passed out drunk in the bedroom suite. She provides false testimony that she saw Brenda kill Alcazar. Jax confesses to Scott after Skye's false statement.

Scott and Taggert want Sonny and Jason in prison.

Other suspects?

Felecia helps investigate.

12/1-14/2002

Ric has a five-year plan for Sonny's business. He drops it off at the PH, along with his resume. Sonny thinks there is something wrong with Ric and that he is too good to be true.

Sonny tests Ric with a task to prove himself. He tells Ric he wants him to dig up dirt on Scott, bad enough to convince Scott to play ball with Sonny. Sonny warns Ric that if he is caught, Sonny will claim he knows nothing about him.

At Kelly's, Ric asks Elizabeth about Scott. She suggests that he talk to Bobbie if he wants the lowdown on Scott. Ric asks Elizabeth for a date, and she says she'll think about it. When Bobbie arrives, Ric asks her about Scott. Bobbie tells him what Scott and Laura's stepfather did to Laura as a teenager. Luke and Laura left town to get away from the madness. Bobbie believes Scott is a liar, a fraud, and probably even a crook.

Carly tells Sonny that Ric said he already has information he believes he should know about immediately.

Courtney tries to see Jason. Jason ignores her, saying that just because he's not with Elizabeth doesn't mean he's interested in her.

Neonatal ICU

Cameron watches the baby when Felicia stops by and wants to know who he is. He explains he is a psychiatrist. Felicia notices that Cameron is connecting with baby Kristina. Cameron finds Felicia and asks her to help Alexis investigate

Kelly's

Carly enters and sees Ric. Ric has a package for Sonny; he hides it when Scott walks in and accuses Ric of stealing something that belongs to Scott.

Carly goes to Kelly's. She runs into Ric and tells him that Sonny would like nothing better than for her to get a job outside their home so she would be too busy to ask him about his business. She tells him about Club 101. Ric tells her she should probably do something like that again since she strikes him as a powerful and independent woman. Carly invites Ric to become her business manager, and after some mild persuasion, Ric consents.

Carly outlines her plan for a new club to Sonny and is thrilled when he tells her he will back her latest business venture. He is shocked when he learns Ric Lansing will be Carly's numbers guy. Sonny observes it's almost as if Ric is trying to take over his life. Later, as Carly envisions the opening night of her new club, she suggests that Jason could have a date - maybe even with Courtney. Sonny reminds Carly what his sister did to AJ, resulting in losing Michael. Jason is adamant he is not interested in Courtney.

12/15-31/2002

Alexis tells Scott that Alcazar might be dead because an international agency decided that Alcazar was a liability, and they got rid of him themselves. Scott will always be dealing with reasonable doubt in the Alcazar case, and Scott should mark the case as unsolved and let it go! Alexis cast doubt on Jax's confession because he's in love with Brenda and trying to discredit Skye.

Jason returns to the PH, and Carly tries to encourage Jason's interest in Courtney, but Jason angrily demands that Carly leave his life alone. He tells her he is not interested, and Courtney ruined his brother's life. Courtney and Carly are the reason why Carly lost Michael. Carly tries turning on the tears and says, "I forgave you for allowing AJ to take away my son, and you forgave me for my betrayal, so why not Courtney?"

Club 101

Sonny is antsy about being in the club and wants to leave. Carly insists they stay until Courtney arrives. Tagliati shows up with a mysterious blonde woman. Sonny says the blonde is Faith Roscoe, Roscoe's widow. She's taking over the territory of her dead husband. At the bar, Faith approaches him. Sonny advises her to watch herself in business. She mentions that Sonny hasn't offered her condolences on her husband's death. Sonny responds, "You're right, I haven't."

Ric approaches Sonny and Carly and tells them he has a list of potential investors for Carly's new club. Ned arrives and advises him to watch out; Sonny is hard on attorneys and has ruined Alexis's life.

Carly arrives at Kelly's and tries to get Jason interested in Kelly's blueprints, which show a hidden room. But Jason tells Carly he does not have time for her little project. However, as Jason prepares to leave, Ric arrives, sits down with Carly, and is immediately interested in Carly's blueprints. Jason is suspicious.

Courtney gives notice at Kelly's and gets a job as a hostess at Carly's new club when it opens.

Jason returns to the diner, where Ric and Carly review blueprints. Jason tries to warn Carly to stop trusting Ric. Carly insists Sonny checked Ric out and found nothing wrong in his background. Jason says that someone who seems too good to be true - probably is!

Courtney finishes her shift and asks for Jason's help. Elizabeth notices, and Carly gleefully informs her that it is too late to get Jason back because Jason has moved on.

"With Courtney? I don't think so. Jason hasn't forgiven Courtney. You are lucky he forgave you. You won because I chose to put myself first. When Carly screeches, Jason runs to clean up her mess."

Carly laughs, "You are half right. Jason did forgive me, but he's there for me because I would never leave him like you did."

"Another reason, Carly, I would never betray Jason like you did and never grovel to get back into his good graces, knowing he'll continue to come when you call because of Sonny. I got my self-respect back."

"Jason has come to your rescue, so don't use that excuse."

"You are right, he has, but he never puts me first. I need someone in my life who considers me a priority."

Carly smirks, "You are right, I did win. I got you out of his life."

Jason tries to walk away, but Courtney follows him outside Kelly's. "Jason, wait. Why won't you let me explain? I was only doing what Carly asked. Carly went after AJ before. You forgave her; why not me?"

I have a history with Carly. I'm obligated to clean up after her, and she's married to Sonny. There are days I wish I had never let her claim me as Michael's father. I was foolish enough to allow her to do that to AJ. That was many years ago. I've done what I can to make it right. AJ now has custody and left town. I miss my nephew, but he's better away from Carly. Carly has suffered enough. You came in and targeted AJ; you married him, intent on destroying him. You could have said no."

Courtney starts to cry, "Bbbbut….but Sonny is my brother. I deserve the same consideration."

Jason runs his hand through this hair. "Fine, for Sonny and Carly's sake, I'll forgive you, but for AJ's sake, I won't forget. I don't know what you want from me, but all it will be is co-existence."

Hearing Taggert's remark at the PCPD, Ned tracks down Faith Roscoe since her husband's 'unexplained' death at Jason's hand. After Faith insists on frisking Ned herself, Ned offers Faith $1 million for a new venture he wants her help with - destroy Sonny Corinthos! Ned explains to Faith why he's willing to provide her with financial backing when she makes her move against the mobster who turned her into a widow. She invites Ned to meet her in her hotel room later.

Elizabeth accepts a date with Ric. It's been a long time since before Courtney arrived, and Jason married Brenda since she felt she was a priority. Ric is changing her perspective. A giggling Liz draws Ric into a snowball fight on the docks.

On the docks, as Ric and Carly looked for a spot for her new club, Carly was intrigued by the question of the hidden room beneath Kelly's. Later, Ric tried to convince Carly that Ric could restructure Sonny's empire so that Sonny could get out of the mob business. Carly warned Ric not to get too interested in Sonny's business.

When Carly and Ric returned to the penthouse, Ric mentioned that he believed Sonny could get out of the mob by restructuring some of his holdings, and Sonny bluntly ordered Ric to mind his own business. After Ric left, Sonny blasted Carly for talking to Ric about Sonny's business - and about Carly's desire for Sonny to get out of the mob. Sonny explained to his puzzled wife that he believed that Ric was trying to work on Carly's sympathies by creating the impression that it could be possible for Sonny to escape his mob connections. Sonny asked Carly if she still harbored hope that Sonny would be able to leave the mob one day.

Ned met Faith, and they began planning to get rid of Sonny. However, they suddenly became passionate and hit the sheets instead.

December 30, 2002

Brenda and Jason were arraigned for Alcazar's murder. Carly and Ric broke through the wall in Kelly's basement, revealing what had once been a speakeasy from 1926.

Carly prods Sonny to consider leaving a life of crime. Sonny reminds Carly why he's fully committed to the path he's chosen.

January 2003

Summary:

Ric agrees to represent Brenda and Jason.

Cameron confesses to Alexis he has a connection to a PC resident. She reveals Jax is not Kristina's father.

Elizabeth talks to Zander about his new job at ELQ. He tells her he is an assistant to Ned and admits he is more of an errand boy. They walk toward Kelly's. Zander has a package to deliver on their way. They run into Faith Roscoe and her bodyguard. Zander recognizes her as Roscoe's widow and is shocked when she tells him she and Ned are partners. Zander intentionally does not introduce Elizabeth. Zander mumbles that Ned must be using Faith to go against Sonny and worries about his connection to her. He hands her the package. She says, "Comments like that could get you killed. You and your friend would be better off keeping things quiet."

Zander explains why he didn't introduce her to Roscoe's widow. Elizabeth says goodbye to Zander and enters Kelly's; she thinks, "Like hell am I going to keep quiet." Elizabeth asks Sonny to meet her at Kelly's. She relays the veiled threat she got from Roscoe's widow. "Sonny, the man shot you and went after Alexis and Zander. He approached me in Kelly's, and now Faith Roscoe told me to watch my back." I don't want you going after Ned. Emily is important to the whole family, but this Faith woman scares me."

"Elizabeth, despite everything that has happened between us, I will look after your well-being. Thank you for warning me about Faith."

Jason and Brenda plead not guilty in court. The judge sets a trial date and recesses. Brenda talks to Jason and asks him if he is sure he wants to plead not guilty so he can help her. He tells her he meant what he said about them being in this mess together and how they would get through this fine. Brenda thanked him and hugged him for the benefit of the public.

Brenda sneaks Jax into the PH and into the pink room she decorated. As they get some needed rest, she dreams about the night Alcazar was murdered. She dreams of a dark-haired man in a trench coat near the stairs when she rushed to leave Alcazar's suite after stabbing him in the arm.

Sonny flies to South America to investigate Alcazar's business dealings. He discovers there was a prisoner released a week or so before Alcazar's murder. The warden doesn't have a name but provides a picture of the man. Sonny is shocked to discover the prisoner is Ric Lansing.

Cameron tells Alexis that she should tell the biological father that he's Kristina's father. He feels he had failings as a parent when he abandoned his child. Kristina's father should have the chance he missed out on. "I wish I could go back and change things with my younger son, Alexander. He ran away after an altercation at home."

"Why are you so far from your home, and why would your son be here?"

My parents were from Port Charles, and I used to take my sons here to visit them. They loved seeing their grandparents."

Jason arrives at Kelly's and, finding the door locked, notices Elizabeth and Courtney arguing inside. Courtney tells Elizabeth that Jason was up for grabs since Elizabeth walked away. "Jason isn't interested in you. You had your chance; he'll be in my bed before you know it." Elizabeth is tempted but refrains from giving Courtney the slap she so richly deserves.

"Courtney, if Jason has forgiven you and if he is desperate enough to be with you, I wish you luck because you will never be first in his life."

"You couldn't handle his life. I'll prove to him I will be more understanding."

"Is that what Carly told you? That I wasn't understanding? Because if you have to "prove" you are more understanding, you've failed."

"Carly's right, you are a bitch!" Courtney smacks Elizabeth. Elizabeth rubs her cheek. Jason enters Kelly's through the back way and grabs Courtney's wrist. He blasts Courtney for calling Elizabeth a bitch. Courtney backpedals and says, "Elizabeth started it."

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. Jason says, "Not the way I heard it. Courtney, I said I forgave you, but you are making it difficult to keep that promise."

An exasperated Elizabeth says, "I'll let you two figure out what you want. I've made other plans." Jason looks disappointed.

1/16-31/2003

Summary:

After visiting Alcazar's South American Estate, Sonny discovers that Alcazar has held Ric as a prisoner. He was released shortly before the mobster's death. Upon his return to PC, Sonny confronts Ric about withholding information about his connection to Alcazar. Sonny asks Ric if he killed Alcazar, but Ric denies it.

Zander discovers his father, Cameron Lewis, is in PC. Zander has a flashback to the day that his brother was accidentally shot during a hunting expedition, and Cameron accused Zander of killing his brother. Zander spirals out of control and resorts to taking drugs to escape the memories.

Brenda tells Jax and Jason that she remembers seeing Ric at Alcazar's compound in South America. She tells them that her mystery man could have been Ric!

Faith wreaks havoc at Carly's Speakeasy below Kelly's. While Ric helps Carly in the flooding clean-up, Sonny calls Ric and asks to meet with him on Pier 52. Sonny tells Ric he knows about him and Alcazar. "Ric, give me one good reason why I shouldn't tell Scott Baldwin about you. Why should I trust you?"

"Sonny, I was wrong to keep my association with Luis' from you. I did come to PC intending to kill him after what he did to me, but I didn't. I was in the alley when he fell. I saw Jason and Brenda leave before Alcazar fell. I didn't want anyone to know about me, so I decided to represent them since I knew they were innocent. I also wanted to work for you and help your wife with the club."

"I'm not ready to trust you yet, but you have proven yourself resourceful. If you can get both Brenda and Jason off, I'll give you another chance. If you fail or betray me, I have evidence to prove you had a bigger motive to kill Alcazar. The case will be retried, and you will be arrested."

"I won't betray you. I promise."

Zander gets drunk at Jake's bar and calls Emily. He wishes her a Happy Birthday and asks about the past, but he gets upset when it appears that Emily doesn't want to be with him again. He slams the phone down, breaks it, and assaults the manager. Zander is arrested, and Mac gives him two choices: counseling or prison. Zander agrees to counseling. Cameron is surprised to see Zander, who is equally surprised to see his father. Cameron calls him "Alexander" and insists he didn't know that Zander was the person he was assigned to counsel.

Gia is instrumental in forcing father and son to face each other and getting Zander into recovery.

Cameron checks up on Zander, who resents his sudden interest in his welfare. Zander says he blames himself for his actions, not his father. Ned visits him and decides to give him a second chance working for him, but if he ends up doing drugs again or misses any therapy appointments, he'll fire him. As Ned leaves, Zander confesses that Faith asked him to smash up Carly's club and not tell him about it. Ned is furious and confronts Faith. He tells her that the deal is off for going behind his back and pulling a stunt again with Zander without telling him first.

Ric takes Elizabeth to the Speakeasy and shows her around. She finds some music on the radio, and they dance. When Elizabeth asks why Ric is working so hard to impress Sonny, Ric hints that maybe Sonny is not the one he is trying to impress. He kisses her and asks her to have dinner with him, and she agrees.

The courtroom reacts to the stunning news that Jason and Brenda have been found not guilty of murdering Luis Alcazar.

Carly thanks Ric for helping Jason. Sonny remains suspicious of Ric's motives.

1/31/2003

Brenda and Jason annul their "marriage."

Stay tuned: Alcazar's real killer revealed.

I have not gotten feedback on who the killer should be, but I've narrowed the list to three suspects. Brenda, Jason, and Alexis are NOT the killers.

February 2003