Chapter 14

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September 1999

Summary:

Carly knows something is off with Hannah and investigates on her own. While he has his concerns, Jason tells Carly to MHOB. Sonny is arrested on RICO charges. Hannah plays the concerned and loving girlfriend but is later revealed to work undercover for the FBI. Carly tries to warn Sonny about Hannah, but he calls her names. Jason intervenes.

Katherine continues to be deceitful about her "pregnancy." A doctor informs her that she is barren. She plots with Helena to trick Nikolas, and he asks her to marry him. Stefan is sure Katherine is trapping Nikolas, and Helena is part of it. Elizabeth and Laura wonder if Katherine is faking being pregnant and believe Nikolas is making a mistake.

Emily and Juan's relationship faces hurdles. His father returns and says it's time to go home to Puerto Rico. The teen couple cries.

Faison continues to be a thorn in Luke's side.

Jason and Elizabeth's friendship begins.

9/2-14/1999

Jason is in the park and sees Carly, Michael, and AJ. Jason approaches and says hello. Michael, with his short little legs, runs to Jason. Jason kneels and hugs his nephew. Michaels says, "Jay Jay."

AJ whispers, "It's a start. He's not calling you DaDa anymore."

Carly places her arm on AJ, trying to show him she doesn't care about Jason, and says, "Are we still going to the docks to show Michael the ELQ boats?"

"Ships, Carly. They are called ships, and we are going to the docks. I'll see you later, Jason. Say goodbye to Jay Jay Michael."

"Bye, Jay Jay." Michael waves goodbye as AJ and Carly leave.

Elizabeth was in the park sketching and watching the exchange. She closes her book and approaches Jason. She says, "I wasn't eavesdropping, but I didn't want to intrude. I don't know how to act around you. You aren't just Emily's brother anymore. Robin told me about Michael and how you raised him during the first year of his life. She didn't go into details other than saying that ending your relationship was mutual. The other night, I thought you were talking about losing Robin, but watching you right now, I realize it's giving Michael up that hurts you."

Jason gives her the background on what happened with Michael. Elizabeth asks if that is what love is. "When I was with Lucky, I felt that way, but now that he's gone, I wonder why. At least Michael is still here; you can hear stories about him, watch him grow up from a distance, and maybe someday, you never know."

"Thanks, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth sketches from the edge of Fisherman Village on the Waterfront. She's focused on her pad of paper. Jason sees Elizabeth lost in thought and decides not to bother her. She hears his footsteps on the stairs and looks up. "Jason. What are you not speaking to me?"

I'm sorry; I didn't mean to interrupt; it looks like you were concentrating."

"That's okay. I bite my lip when I'm trying to focus."

"If it helps."

"Ugg, I don't think so. Emily's right; you aren't like other people."

"Yeah, I am."

"No, if anyone else saw me drawing, they'd ask what I was sketching or would ask to see it. Or they'd stand behind me."

"Was it rude not to ask?"

"No, no...no...no.."

"I thought it looked private. It would have felt like reading someone else's letter."

"Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel about it, too. So, how is everything?"

"Did you hear about Sonny?"

Elizabeth nods. "This will sound bad because you are friends with him; even Emily is too. But when I heard about it, I was glad it wasn't you."

"They are looking at my tax records but won't find anything. They already went to the IRS, and all they will find out is if I can subtract and add."

"I cannot picture you in jail,"

"I'd look the same."

She laughs, "No. For instance, a deer in the woods does not look the same as one hanging over your fireplace."

"I see what you mean. Sonny doesn't look the same. I can't stand to see him that way."

"You went to see him?

"Yeah. I saw you with Nikolas earlier. It looked like a heated conversation."

"Nikolas takes his responsibility seriously. I can't stop thinking about how it was before my parents divorced and Dad chose to stay in Port Charles. He was offered this fellowship in Russia. I guess for him, it was the chance of a lifetime. Mom got pregnant with me, so he had to turn it down."

"Did your father regret it?"

"Oh, no. My mother did. Once, when I was older, I heard my parents arguing. She said I was a mistake that made him turn down that fellowship. Dad didn't want her to get an abortion. After I heard them arguing, I always wondered if that's why I felt I never fit in with my family. They had to turn it down because of me. I guess that's why I'm keeping my mouth shut about Katherine. He hates her, but he wants to be an active presence in his child's life. I told Nikolas I'd support him, even if it meant attending his wedding. I'm trying to be patient, hoping he'll change his mind. Although you didn't ask, patience is not one of my strong points."

"Yeah, well, I'm not patient either. You know, in situations where you have no control, you've got to do something else."

"Like ride your motorcycle."

"You've got the bug."

"What bug?"

"You like to ride. Do you want to?"

"Can we?"

"Sure. Let's go."

Jason drops Elizabeth off an hour later at her car near the park. She had her arms around his waist, laughing and screaming as he weaved in and out of traffic. He takes a detour on a side road. He passes by the boxcars, and Elizabeth asks him to stop. They get out, and she shows him the boxcar Lucky lived in for a while last year before he moved into his apartment above Jason's shop. Jason enters the container and sees the painting on the walls. "Did you paint these?"

"Yes. When Lucky lived there, I wanted to make it seem more like home for Lucky. Sure, they were fake, but Lucky liked them. Emily told me you used to live here after your accident. Why?"

"It was after the Quartermaine's pushed me away and drove me crazy. I had no money, and the boxcars were rent-free." Jason laughs.

At the PCPD, Jason assures Sonny that Benny has taken care of things and that the books are clear. When Jason doubts Hannah, Sonny maintains that Carly is not a reliable source of information. Juan visits Sonny at the police department; he says he is leaving for Puerto Rico. Sonny urges him to respect his father. He should take advantage of his current life.

9/15-26/1999

Emily returns from camp. She asks Ned about Juan, and he tells her Juan left to go home today. Monica and Alan argue with Emily about Juan. Emily says, "I get why Jason had left after his accident. You tried to turn him into something he was not."

Jason sits on a bench on the docks as Elizabeth walks toward him carrying a sketch pad. She has a list taped inside of supplies she needs for her studio. Jason is looking at a picture. She says, "Hi, Jason. It's beautiful out." He stands, and the picture falls to the ground. Elizabeth bends to pick it up and glances at the photo. She hands it back to Jason. "Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. Michael is getting big."

"Yeah, I remember what it was like when he was a baby. One of the things I miss are the little things you barely notice on a daily basis, but when I only see him a few times a month, they are overwhelming."

"I'm sorry."

"It's better this way. It's less confusing, and if I tried to be more involved, Carly would pit Michael against AJ in my favor. AJ doesn't deserve it after how Carly and I treated him this past year."

Emily stops by the Webber Home as Elizabeth heads to Kelly's for her shift. "Liz, help me. Juan's father is making him move back to Puerto Rico. I need your help hiding me while I fly to see him."

"Em, are you sure that is wise?"

"Come on, Liz. You and Lucky were going live in New York together."

Elizabeth laughs, "Em, New York City is nowhere near the same as Puerto Rico. I will only cover you if you plan on returning. I will not suffer the wrath of your parents or your grandparents. Are you covered for money?"

"I have enough money for the plane ticket. I've saved my allowance, and Reggie floated me a loan."

Elizabeth sighs, "I'm going to regret this, but I will cover for you for two days. If you don't call your parents or return in two days, I'm calling Dr. Quartermaine."

Emily hugs Elizabeth. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, Elizabeth."

"I will be at Kelly's. Call me before your flight takes off, and call me when you land."

Meanwhile, Juan skipped his flight and tried to do the same thing: get to Emily.

Elizabeth was at Kelly's. The phone rang, and Elizabeth answered. Calling from the airport, in a hat and dark glasses, Emily waits to take off on her forbidden trip to Puerto Rico. Elizabeth was concerned and tried to talk Emily out of going. "Em, are you sure about this?"

"You are afraid my parents will kill you if they find out I wasn't at your house this weekend. Don't worry; they'll just think I lied if they find out. I love Juan. I can't be without him, at least not without a proper goodbye."

"I'm not worried about me; I'm worried about you."

"Wish me luck."

Elizabeth sighed and told Emily to call when she got there. They hung up, and Juan appeared and said to Liz, "Guess who's back!"

Elizabeth is horrified. She tells Juan what is going on and hurriedly calls the airport. At the airport, they paged Emily, but she was wearing her headphones and couldn't hear the page. Juan says, "Elizabeth, we've got to get to the airport before her flight takes off."

"Shit! My car is at my house. I walked here. Bobbie…" At that moment, Jason walks in. "Jason, do you have your motorcycle, or do you have your coffee truck?"

"I'm actually here to deliver coffee to Kelly's. I can drive you back to the warehouse if you want to go on a ride."

"No, we have a problem. Emily thought Juan was in PR. She's at the airport waiting for her flight. We must stop her; as you can tell, Juan is still here."

Jason glares at Juan and says, "Fine, but Juan, I don't want to hear a word from you on the drive."

"I have nothing to say to you; it won't be a hardship."

Elizabeth chastizes Juan. "Juan, Jason is helping us. Don't antagonize him."

Elizabeth and Jason make small talk on the drive and discuss going riding again.

At the airport, Jason approaches Emily. She yells at him about how he can't stop her from going. He tells her if she gets on the plane, Juan won't be there when she gets off. He lets her scream for a while before pointing out that Juan and Elizabeth are standing across the room. She runs over for an embrace. Elizabeth walks over to Jason to give the lovebirds privacy.

Juan reprimands Emily. She explains her disguise, "I didn't want to look too beautiful."

He says, "Guess what? Fail." They kiss again.

Jason looks at the couple in disgust. Elizabeth says, "You look like you just ate something really rank."

"Why did she have to pick him?"

"Come on. Juan isn't that bad once you get to know him." Jason continues his glare. "He's not."

"Oh, you're on my list too."

"I take it you don't mean your Christmas list."

Jason chastizes Elizabeth for helping Emily run away. "It's Puerto Rico. You can't walk there. You were providing her with an alibi."

"Okay, I was worried too; if you were that mad, you would have called the Quartermaines instead of jumping in your coffee truck and driving us to the airport."

"I never said that Emily should be chained to a post in the front yard. I just asked why did she have to pick him?"

Emily and Juan walk over, and Emily hugs Elizabeth. She thanks her for finding Juan and Jason for driving them to the airport. She elbows Juan, and he grunts thank you, too.

"You're welcome."

"I have one more favor. Considering that Juan ran away from home, Bobbie won't let him stay in his old room at Kelly's. And that's the first place his father will check. Could Juan stay with you? Like a safe house."

"A what?" Jason points out that Juan's father was Juan's problem. Juan is belligerent. Jason says he and Juan would have no problems unless Juan made trouble for Emily.

Elizabeth interjects, "Juan could stay in our spare bedroom until my father returns from his trip in a few days."

Emily is happy and says, "Problem solved!"

Jason leaves to get the truck, and Emily says, "Liz, you should go with him. He listens to you."

"He does?"

"Well, maybe not, but he likes you."

"Okay." She leaves to find Jason.

Emily helps Juan settle at Elizabeth's, and Jason drops Elizabeth back at Kelly's to close up. She says, "How long will I be in the doghouse?"

"Doghouse?"

"With you. You know, for the part I played in your sisters' not-so-great escape."

"Elizabeth, I don't get mad at people who want good things for Emily."

"Oh, so that would include Juan? Okay, I won't push it, but thank you for driving to the rescue."

Jason laughs. "Just keep telling me I rescued Emily, not Juan." Elizabeth laughs, too, and Jason offers to take her home.

9/27-30/1999

Outside Kelly's, Elizabeth discovers her flat tire. She closes early and stacks the outdoor chairs. They fall to the ground. She gets pissed and kicks the patio furniture before Jason arrives and stops her. "What did those chairs do to you?"

"What? Am I not kicking them right?"

Jason helps her pick up the chairs. "Sorry, I didn't know you were closing."

"I'm not, and it's Tammy's night off. To make matters worse, I have a flat tire. Have you ever gotten into a terrible fight with someone you care about? Because they are about to do something idiotic, and you have the nerve to open your big mouth?" Jason follows her back into Kelly's.

"Yeah, it happened to me today. Worse, they will still do the stupid thing, and I can do nothing about it."

Elizabeth fills his coffee cup. "Are you going to apologize to your friend?"

"Who?"

"Your friend you got into an argument with. Of course not. You didn't do anything wrong. He did, or was it a she?"

"Take your pick."

"How many friends did you fight with?"

"Both of them."

"So you were trying to help."

"No, I was trying to shut them up."

"Oh, so are you trying to shut me up too? I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to listen to me. I wish I could stop thinking about Nikolas. I wanted to shut out the crazy with loud noises."

Jason smiles, "You don't think I know a hint when I hear one."

"A hint about what?'

"Yes, we can go for a ride on my bike. I'll call Johnny and have him change your tire, and we and leave."

"You know, I really wasn't angling for a ride. Jason covers a laugh.

Jason is at Kelly's. Elizabeth thanks him for the ride home yesterday. "It's amazing how a couple of hours of wind rushing past you completely clears the brain."

"Yeah, it does that for me too."

She sits, and they talk about her taking art classes and being nervous about starting college. Lucky always encouraged her, and she was unsure what to do without him.

Emily and Juan are crashing at Elizabeth's when her father calls. "Elizabeth, my flight is leaving for Port Charles in an hour. I should be home around 7 pm."

Elizabeth panics and says, "Emily, Juan, I need your help cleaning and putting things back in their place. Juan, I'm sorry, but you must find someplace else to stay."

Emily suggests sneaking Juan into the mansion. "Reggie said he'd help, and we can hide you there." Juan thanks Emily for her ingenuity, and they leave after helping Elizabeth clean.

Mac criticizes Taggert's handling of the Faison case and reassigns his detective to search for a runaway instead. Reginald and Leticia help Emily keep Juan hidden in the corners of the Quartermaine mansion. Emily covers for Juan when Marcus drops by with questions about Mr. Santiago's missing son.

October 1999

Summary: Bobbie gets engaged to Jerry Jacks. Carly tries to talk her out of it.

Jeff returns and has news for Elizabeth. She starts college

Carly invistigates Hannah.

Roy DiLucca is released from prison. He arrives in Port Charles and gets a job working for Sonny and Jason. He reunites with Bobbie and later Luke and Laura. He explains why he's been gone for 20 years.

Katherine schemes with Helena. Laura gets news from Helena's servant that Katherine is not pregnant. Helena sets Laura up. Katherine is found dead below the parapet at Wyndemere. Stefan is arrested and refuses to point a finger at Laura. Helena is the culprit. Faison tells Helena not to worry about Luke since they are holding his son.

Jerry Jacks does business with Sorel.

FBI gets wise to Carly's snooping and sets Carly up for a mugging. Jason and Carly discover the truth about Hannah. Jason presents Sonny with the evidence that Hannah is FBI. Sonny waits to reveal to Hannah he knows the truth.

An agreement is reached to allow Juan to stay in Port Charles. Sonny assures Jason that Emily is safe. Sorel knows that Emily has kept quiet about Juan's beating and that she is under Sonny's protection.

10/1-9/1999

Elizabeth throws the last load of laundry in the dryer and starts the dishwasher. Jeff Webber lets himself into the house and calls out to his daughter. Elizabeth looks around, satisfied everything is in its place. She hugs her father. "Dad, how was your trip? Did you have fun with Ms. Logan?"

"Yes, it was a nice trip, but it's good to be back. Are you ready for school?"

Elizabeth blows out air. "I start tomorrow. I submitted a down payment. Can you send the remaining amount in?"

"Of course. I want to see your studio. Your grandmother is concerned the building is not up to code. I checked the permits, and they will allow changes to the unit if we pay for them. I want you to have your own bathroom and not use the one down the hall."

"Thanks, Dad."

Jason watches AJ and Michael on the docks. AJ is showing Michael the crane he brought for ELQ. He tells him that one day, ELQ will be his. They leave, and Jason runs to pick up Michael's hat, which was left behind. Elizabeth has been watching Jason and can see his pain. They talk about their past, Robin, and regrets.

Elizabeth says, "I never used to be sorry. Sorry for myself, sure. But not sorry for the things I did. People would tell me I was wrong or bad like they had a magic guidebook for living and I was breaking all the rules."

Jason smiles, "I'm sure you were. Their rules."

Elizabeth laughs. "Of course. Why should their rules apply to me?"

Jason nods, "That's always how I felt, but you can live by your own rules and not care what anyone thinks until someone loves you. And you love them, and their rules must also matter." Jason mentions Robin keeping his secret for a year because she loved him but had to leave because she worried about him being manipulated by Carly."

Elizabeth knows about Carly from seeing her at Kelly's and Robin's observations in her letters. "That I can believe."

"But I'm an adult and made choices Carly didn't like. I hope Robin is happy. We couldn't make each other happy. I owe Robin. She taught me most of what I know. Sonny taught me the other parts."

"That explains a lot."

Jason laughs, "Really? About what?"

"Why you're so different. I know Robin more through her letters, but I don't know Sonny that well. You must admit they are very opposite people."

"Not really, except I grew up in Sonny's eyes; with Robin, her expectations wanted more than I was ready for. Initially, she knew more than I did, and I did what she told me. She taught me about honesty and right and wrong. Ultimately, I knew keeping Michael's paternity a secret was wrong. Carly may blame Robin for AJ finding out, but it was my choice."

"You have to be true to yourself."

"Yeah."

"That's what Lucky used to say. We agreed on most things, but until shortly before he died, he didn't see what I did with his parents."

"See, I understand Carly now more than I used to."

"Do you know what I want to do?"

"Go nowhere?"

"Fast!"

Jason smiles and likes her enthusiasm. He turns his head, "Bike is over there."

10/11-15/1999

News hits the mainland about Katherine's murder. Jeff met Elizabeth at the PCPD when the cops interviewed her about Katherine.

At Kelly's, Carly asks Elizabeth if she saw the accident happen. Elizabeth says, "Yes. It was awful." She asks about Michael and hopes Carly will bring him in sometime.

Jason asks Elizabeth if she is okay. She says, "You heard about Katherine?"

"Were you out there? Did you see her fall?"

"No, but I saw her lying on the ground. I don't know what to do; how I should comfort Nikolas."

"Did you have to say something?"

"When Lucky died, people were everywhere, just like last night. The cops think someone pushed Katherine. Taggert was by, but not about Katherine. He wants to know where Juan is."

"Did you tell Taggert anything?"

"No. He was making some sense. Is Juan in any danger? The people who beat him up, could they come after him again? Should I warn Emily?"

"Juan would be better off in PR."

"Emily would just follow him."

"Juan doesn't like rules."

"Lucky didn't either. He liked living on the streets. I was happy having a home and bed to sleep in, but I liked how peaceful it was when Lucky stayed at the boxcars."

"I know how Lucky felt."

"You made that possible to live on his own. You gave him a job."

"When I lived there, it was free. I had no money except my motorcycle. All I decided was never to go back to the Quartermaines."

"What did they do to you?"

"They tried to make me into someone else. They wanted the son they had before the accident. I realize now that they didn't know how to show their love any other way. Monica, Emily, and Grandmother wanted me to be happy. That's what I want for Michael. Monica doesn't want to change me, at least not anymore, so I try to visit her and Grandmother when the Old Man isn't around. It was part of the agreement when I signed over rights to Michael. I didn't like how Edward lied and used me."

"I was the liar in my house."

"You lie?" Jason smiles.

"Not so much anymore, Since my rape, my outlook has changed. I'd lie about everything: smoking, not doing my homework, sneaking out of the house. But my parents found out, and they were disappointed in me. Acting out was my way of getting attention. My Mom wanted me to be more like my sister Sarah. Sweet, virtuous, straight-A student, can do no wrong, Sarah."

"Did she want to be a doctor?"

"Why?"

"Jason Quartermaine did. I wanted to scream, smash things, and get the hell out of there. "

Do you regret it?"

"No way. I chose it. No one decided for me. It means I have the life I want."

"Maybe that's what I should do. Decide the life I want."

"I thought you decided the life you wanted. Didn't you say you want to be an artist?"

"Well, I've been in college for about 15 minutes, and I'm amazed at what I don't know. What if I'm no good? What if I'm the equivalent of a nice singing voice?"

"What do you care if you are doing what you want?"

"I'm trying to paint something I've never painted before.

"Like what?"

"The wind and how it feels on my face when I'm on the back of your motorcycle. Like the world is screaming by, nothing else matters but the wind carrying me away, and I feel like if I let go, I can fly. That is what I'm trying to put down on paper."

"How would you paint that?"

"Not very well, actually. It's one big blur, but I'm trying."

Carly calls Jason. She's been mugged and needs him to come and get her. Jason comforts Carly, tenderly nursing her wounds. After showering to get the grunge off her, Carly arrives downstairs in Jason's shirt with a towel on her head just as Hannah and Sonny arrive. They immediately jump to the obvious and wrong conclusion.

10/20-31/1999

Jason tells Sonny that Hannah is the leak. After Jason leaves, Sonny listens to the tape of Hannah's voice, vowing to put him behind bars. Hannah knocks, ready to tell Sonny the truth about who she is. Sonny answers with a big smile and says he thought she'd never get there. Hannah agrees to move in with Sonny.

Carly visits Jason, who is upset about what he has just told Sonny. He hated telling his best friend that his lover was a Fed. Carly says she must be getting smarter because she knows she shouldn't be there. She starts to leave, and Jason pulls her into his arms. Carly hopes that means Jason is ready for a relationship. Jason is not sure how he feels other than grateful Carly saved his friend from a possible prison sentence. Carly, for once, looked out for someone other than herself.

Elizabeth scrutinizes her painting and waits for Jason to arrive to get a review from him. She hoped she didn't pull him away from anything important. "I told you about my project; I'm trying to paint what it's like on your bike at warp speed. I think I've finally got it." She shows it to him. "I call it 'The Wind,' that's the name of it. I should have mentioned that."

Jason looks at the painting. "It's nice."

"Nice? Saying it's nice is like the kiss of death. I realize that when you put your work out for people to see, you can't cringe when they don't react the way you want. I must be open to criticism."

"Elizabeth, I'm sure your painting is wonderful, but you can't go by me."

"Who should I go by? Some professor who doesn't know what it's like on a motorcycle? You are the one on the bike with me. You know what it feels like to feel the rush when the wind is on your face and the world is flashing by. Sorry, I had hoped it was shown in this painting."

"It probably is. I would be the last person to see it. Emily told you about my accident?"

"Yeah."

"The person I was before is gone, and so are some of the things he could do."

"You are fine, right?"

"I can't conceptualize images or see things unless they are two-dimensional. Drawings, maps, or paintings, I can't see what I'm supposed to see."

Elizabeth laughs, "But you can perform emergency surgery in the parking lot."

"Certain things I remember. I said he wanted to be a doctor, so I remember stuff like that. Things on paper don't always make sense."

"Even photographs?"

"I'm a little better with photos."

Elizabeth thinks about how she can explain the differences to him. "Because they are more like real life?"

"Yes."

"Okay, let's say you can see the primary colors, just not the shades in between." Elizabeth pulls him up to see the painting and points to the colors, images, scenery, and buildings they pass on their rides.

He says, "The way you explained everything makes sense to me. A painting like this of the wind should be in a museum."

"No. No, this painting should be on the wall of the man who taught me to see the wind first."

Jason smiles, "I like that. Thank you. I never knew I could listen to a painting."

"I never thought I could tell one."

"Thank you. I'll see you later."

"Bye, Jason."

Nikolas watched the exchange from the shadows. He saw Elizabeth show Jason a painting but wasn't close enough to see what she painted. They looked too friendly for his comfort. It had been less than two weeks since Katherine was killed, and he found out she had betrayed him. She was never pregnant. He wanted to talk to Elizabeth about it, but she was smiling at Jason Morgan. He watches Elizabeth walk away and leaves in the other direction.

Elizabeth arrives home to update her father on the upgrades to her studio. She hears him on the phone. "Caroline, godamit! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? Sarah has been working alongside you in… where are you now? Bosnia? Why did you not tell me that Sarah got accepted to Brown for early admission to Medical School? You don't have the time or interest to take her yourself and she needs parental signature and paid tuition? God, I always knew you were a selfish bitch, but this takes the cake. Of course, I love my daughter. I will get my shots, stay in Quarantine with Sarah, fly to Providence, RI, and settle her in. At least she will be closer to home. I'll leave after Elizabeth's birthday. Your other daughter is turning 18 tomorrow.

Elizabeth scampers to her bedroom before her father notices she is eavesdropping.

Next: November-December 1999