Jeff returns to PC and starts work at GH.
Chapter 14
Thank you to diamond2225leo, guest, and trini12180 for your reviews.
A/N: Jason maintains a relationship with the Quartermaines, primarily focusing on Lila and Emily. Since Elizabeth's return, she forges a friendship with Emily. Emily and Lucky are slightly sorased but still younger than Nikolas and Elizabeth. Nikolas continues to be Elizabeth's friend, though he wants something more.
Ages:
Steven: 27
AJ: 25
Jason: 23
Carly: 23
Elizabeth: 21
Nikolas: 20 (With his formal education, Nikolas graduated PCU early and is on the GH Board with his Uncle Stefan. He also works at Deception with Katherine Bell.)
Robin: 20 (with skipping grades, is now in med school in Paris.)
Lucky: 18 (Starting PCU)
Emily: 17 (Senior at PCH)
LuLu: Aged to 12
April 1996
PC Hotel
Carly pushes the drunk man off her. He is passed out. She looks at him and realizes he is Sonny Corothinos. "Sonny, Fucking, Corothinos. Of all people to take to my bed." Carly showers and feels repulsed. She dries off and wraps a cozy hotel robe around her. She orders coffee and pastries. She gets dressed. She watches his breathing and listens to his snoring. Carly jumps on the bed, hoping to wake him. She shakes him and considers shoving him off the bed when room service knocks.
Carly opens the door and lets room service in. She hears Sonny stirring. The attendant brings in the serving cart and hands an envelope addressed to Sonny. Carly walks to the room as Sonny is sitting up. She tosses the envelope on the bed. "Coffee and pastries are in the other room. Take them to go. I have errands; don't be here when I return." Carly grabs a muffin and leaves.
Sonny sits and scratches the stubble on his face. He wonders how he wound up in this room with a woman he doesn't know. He dresses and pours a cup of coffee. He opens the envelope and reads, "When you are ready to leave, call this number, take the east staircase, and a car will take you back to the PH. Sonny calls the number and follows the instructions. Renaldo waits in one of the SUVs. Sonny climbs in and says, "How the fuck did I end up in a stranger's room, and where is my fucking car?"
"Boss, your car was picked up last night and brought to the PH. Jason is waiting for your return and will explain everything else." Sonny grumbles and remains silent on the ride.
Renaldo rides up with Sonny and leaves as Sonny enters his PH. Jason is inside, waiting. "Jason, what happened, and do you know who I was with?"
"Sonny, you've been drinking more and more. You get upset about Lily and what happened and blame yourself for what happened to Brenda. Sonny, you must stop drinking. It clouds your judgment. I'm here to detox you."
"Like hell, you will."
"You are out of control. Your enemies will perceive you as weak if you continue this path of self-destruction." That comment wakes Sonny up to reality.
"Okay, what do I have to do?"
"Quit drinking. You wallow in self-guilt. Choose our new business and implement it. I'll work the numbers and watch the books. You have contacts in PR. Get your mind off Lily and Brenda, and stop worrying about things you can't control."
"What about last night? What did you find out?"
I've hired a new computer guy who also specializes in background checks. Stan will gather everything he can on Carly Roberts. That is who you were with last night. She is staying in a suite paid for by AJ Quartermaine."
"Your brother?"
Jason nods. "I've met Carly a few times. She has a reputation. She was sleeping with Dr. Tony Jones, which apparently ruined his marriage to Nurse Bobbie Spencer Jones."
"Luke Spencer's sister?"
"Yeah. There's more. Carly is or has been sleeping with AJ. She slept with Steven Webber until he discovered she was ruining Bobbie's marriage. She came on to me several times when I was dating Robin and again when I got involved with Elizabeth. Stan will find out more from when she arrived in PC and where she was before."
"Fine. I gotta take a shower. Come back in 30 minutes, and we'll discuss business."
Over the next few weeks, Jason gets Sonny detoxed. Sonny decides to operate a coffee import business. Jason agrees and drafts a business plan that includes shipping ports and a coffee warehouse.
Jason has news for Sonny. He tells Sonny he's waiting for the final report on Carly, but she is not who she claims to be.
Elizabeth focuses on specialties at GH. She works three morning and afternoon shifts and two evening and overnight shifts. Elizabeth has completed her move into her studio, and Milo has moved into an apartment next to hers.
Jason found time to have lunch with Elizabeth once a week, and on her nights off, they would go riding and spend nights together either at the PH or the studio. Sonny demanded more of Jason's presence, and Jason would sometimes be called away in the middle of the night. Elizabeth vents her frustration by painting. One night, Jason tried to make up his absences to Elizabeth. They went riding into the night with no destination. Jason stopped his bike and helped Elizabeth get off. They discover an amazing site.
Jeff Webber returns and stays with his father and Audrey until he finds a place for himself. He starts working at GH alongside his father, son, and daughter.
May
5/1-10/1996
Jason has the report on Carly in his hands. He enters Sonny's PH. "Sonny, this is the full background on Carly. Her real name is Caroline Leigh Benson, and she is from Jacksonville, Florida. Her birth certificate lists her date of birth as November 5, 1973. Frank and Virginia Benson adopted her on November 20, 1973. It was a closed adoption. Stan did a little more digging, and a teenager gave birth to Caroline. A guardian accompanied her. The guardian signed for the teenager. Records are too old to ask for witness statements. Stan did find three interesting individuals living in the general area during the time around the birth of Carly. Bobbie Spencer, Ruby Anderson, and Lucas Lorenzo Spencer. Carly or Caroline hired a private investigator to find Bobbie. Carly arrived in PC in January 1995 and moved into a room above Kelly's right around the same time I left. She got a job at GH and was fired due to performance issues. She had an affair with Dr. Jones and lived with him in an apartment for a while. Bobbie found out, and it ruined her marriage. Carly moved into a suite at the PC Hotel the day before you slept with her. She was likely sleeping with Tony, AJ, and you within days of each other."
"She does get around. Thanks for getting me out of there. I can't promise I won't drink again, but I won't ditch the guards again."
Sonny gets a call from the front desk. It's Pete. He says, "Boss, there's an angry brunette to see you. She says her name is Brenda and demands access. She says she used to live here. She's very pushy." Jason snickers, listening in. Sonny says to let her up.
Jason says, "That's my cue to leave. The report is on the table. Call if you have questions."
Jason passes Brenda coming off the elevator. She tries to hug him, but he pushes her away. She love-taps his cheek with her hand and says, "Was downstairs your doing? Do I have to be announced now?"
"Brenda, the security upgrades were because of what happened to you. I added bullet-proof glass and security badges; you must be announced if you aren't on the list. The new guards don't know you. They are following my orders. Be careful; Sonny is not the same. If you hurt him again, I'll escort you to Antarctica and leave you there."
"Jason…Jason…Jason, relax; I'm not here to cause problems, but I came with messages and a business proposition. Robin says hi, by the way."
"Business must wait until I'm in the room. Sonny and I are business partners, and I won't allow you to take advantage of him." Jason says sarcastically, "It's always good to see you again, Brenda." Jason pushes the elevator button as Brenda enters Sonny's PH.
Jason calls Elizabeth, and they make plans for dinner and ride to nowhere.
Carly hadn't been feeling well the past few days and realized she missed her period. She rushes to buy a pregnancy test. She waits and reads the results. "Shit!" Carly thinks back to the possibilities. She lists on her fingers. Tony, AJ, and Sonny Corothinos. None of those options are ideal. She thinks, "I've already ruined Bobbie's marriage, but Tony is pissed at me and would fight me on custody. AJ was a good choice until he found out about what I did. Now he's siding with the sainted Bobbie." The thought of giving birth to a Quartermaine child would raise her standing in PC, but would AJ want her back after offering to send her away? How she implemented the scorched earth policy since her debut in PC has made her very unpopular. Tony or AJ could argue she was not fit to raise a child. The least palatable option was Sonny. Carly did not want him to be the father. He repulsed her. Carly thinks maybe she could salvage her relationship with Steven Webber. Could she convince him to be her baby's father? Steven is attractive, good in bed, and a doctor from a prominent family.
Elizabeth Webber is at the front desk filling out a request for further training to be a scrub nurse. Bobbie Jones said she would recommend her. Carly taps her fingers on the counter and clears her throat. Elizabeth looks up and inwardly sighs. She hasn't met Carly Roberts yet but heard a mouthful from her brother and the rumor mill at GH. Elizabeth smiles and asks, "Good morning. How can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Dr. Webber. Steven."
Elizabeth pauses, "He's busy. Can I help you with something?"
"I don't need help from a nurse. I need to see Steven. If you could direct me to his office, I'll wait."
Elizabeth thinks, "What a bitch." Instead, she says, "The ER is slammed, and my brother is busy treating patients from a bus crash. It could be hours before he is available. I can take a message, or you could return when his shift ends after ten."
Carly thinks, "Crap. She's Elizabeth, Steven's sister. I didn't recognize her in her scrubs. God, what is with her skin? It's flawless. Carly has heard about Elizabeth and her connections to the Quartermaines and Cassidines. Her grandfather basically built the hospital. "Elizabeth, forgive me. I need to speak with your brother. It's important."
"As I said, he is busy. I will give him your message as soon as he is free. Does he have your number?"
"Yeah. Could you tell him to meet me at Jake's at 10:30?"
"I'll give him the message. Can't promise he'll show up."
Carly says thank you but wants to slap the bitch. If Steven agrees to help, she must forge a friendship with the irritating nurse.
Carly leaves and passes Jason on her way out. "Hey, handsome." Jason ignores her and walks to Elizabeth.
He tells Milo to take the night off. He kisses Elizabeth, and she gathers her things. She leaves a voice mail for her brother. "Hey, Steven. Carly Roberts stopped to see you and wants you to call her or show up at Jake's at 10:30."
Jason waits until they reach their destination to ask about Carly. They are at the bridge, and Jason hands her the takeout from Eli's Ribs. Jason carries a blanket, and they reach the pathway to the statutes. Jason lays the blanket on the ground and invites Elizabeth to join him. She leans back against him as they eat and lick their fingers. Elizabeth mentions she'd like to sketch the statues the next time they are out. Jason says, "What did Carly want with your brother?"
"I don't know. She said it was important. Steven cut ties with her because of what she did to Bobbie. I don't like her. She gives off this sickly, syrupy vibe."
"Huh?"
"She acted like I was trash until she realized I was Steven's sister. Then she laid on the fake sweetness because she wanted something from me. Do you want to eavesdrop?"
"What?"
"It's 10 pm. We could reach Jake's at 10:30."
"You want to spy on your brother with Carly?"
"Of course. What do you think he did with you when we were together in Sarevjo? He wanted to be sure I was happy. He was looking after me like he did when we were kids."
"Maybe you can tell me more about our time in Sarevjo sometime."
"Okay. You don't mind hearing about your time as Jason Quartermaine?"
"Not as much anymore. I liked hearing what Emily was like growing up, and Grandmother's stories were interesting. I'd like to know more about you before we met, including who I was before. It's other people who annoy me with their stories of why can't you be like Jason Quartermine that pisses me off."
Jason hands her the helmet, and she straddles the bike behind him.
Carly is nursing her second club soda when Steven walks in. He looks annoyed. "Carly, my sister said it was important. What do you want?" Carly stands and motions him to follow her to the back. "What's with the cloak and dagger?"
"I didn't know where else to meet besides GH. I need your help. I'm in trouble, and I hope you'll help for old times' sake."
Steven scoffs, "Old times sake? Carly, what are you dancing around? What do you want?"
Carly clears her throat, "I'm pregnant and asking you to say you are the father."
"Why? Who is the father? Clearly, it's not me. Why do you want it to be me?"
"I don't like the other choices."
"Wow! Carly, why do you demean yourself like that?"
Carly slaps him, "I am not a slut."
"No, you are misunderstood. I wasn't calling you a slut, but you are sleeping with men to get something you want. With Tony, you ruined a marriage. With me, I'm guessing a doctor. AJ, it was the Quartermaine reprutation. Is there another option?"
"I don't want the father to take my child away."
Jason and Elizabeth are drinking at the bar and hear animated voices from the back of the room.
"Carly, I will not lie for you, nor will I condone depriving a man of knowing the child you are carrying is his." Steven walks back to the bar, and Carly screams and throws her glass at him, shattering it at his feet.
Elizabeth says, "What was that about?"
"Not my story to tell, but be careful around her."
Elizabeth walks Steven to the door. "Dad wants us over to the house for dinner on Friday. Can you make it?"
"I think so. Will Jason be there?"
"Family dinners are not his thing. Dad would want to know him as Jason Morgan, but Gram is stubborn. She thinks I'm making a mistake. I'll ask and leave it up to him."
"Love you, sis." Steven kisses her cheek and leaves.
Elizabeth returns to the bar and overhears Carly.
Carly says, "Hey, beautiful. You look lonely."
Elizabeth grabs Jason's ass and kisses him. Jason wraps his arm around Elizabeth. Carly's smile fades. Jason says, "Not lonely at all, Carly, but have a good night."
Carly thinks, "Bitch! Jason would have been a fine specimen for a father."
Jason and Elizabeth leave for her studio. Elizabeth laughs, "That was priceless. Thank you for playing along. Carly has an agenda. I haven't figured out what it is, but I don't trust her."
"I didn't mind. Carly has been coming on to me since before Robin and I broke up, and she refuses to get the message that I'm not interested."
They reach her studio, and Elizabeth pulls him inside. "I could use proof of your interest in me."
"Awe, the things I do for the woman I love."
Jason and Elizabeth make love and fall asleep in each other's arms. In the morning, as they dress, Elizabeth mentions the family dinner. "Jason, you are under no obligation to attend. Steven mentioned our father. He knew you when from Sarevjo. He understands you are a different person. He will accept you as Jason Morgan. My Gramps will, too. It's my Gram who is resistant."
"I appreciate your concern. I make concessions for the Quartermaines because it makes my grandmother and Emily happy. I think I can survive a Webber-Hardy family dinner for an hour. You love your family, and even if your grandmother can't accept me, I'll survive."
Next: June-July 1996