The ride in the elevator is entirely silent. Carly stares down at her hands the whole way, and Sonny lets her, knowing the talk they're about to have is better suited to a more private locale than the GH elevator.

When they get to the room, Sonny commands Francis not to let in anyone but Jason until he tells him otherwise. Then, closing the door he turns around to find Carly watching him wearily. She recognizes the switched positions they're in, and she's not sure she can handle this conversation. She's so tired and she just wants to hide and lick her wounds.

Sonny refuses to let her retreat into her depression, knowing how easily and how quickly it can suck someone under. Cutting directly to the chase, he demands, "Tell me what's going on in your head. Cause it's clear it's not pretty."

She shakes her head, her mouth stubbornly closed. Sonny nods, scratching his cheek, "Fair enough. Let me tell you what I see." She looks up at him a little fearfully, not sure she's prepared to hear what he's about to say. He continues, "I see a woman who has been through too much and is scared, and hurt, and exhausted. I see someone who thinks she's only hurting the people around her, who probably thinks she's poison to the people she loves. I imagine your brain is a scary place right now."

"Jason and Michael are perfect. I can't hurt them, but everyone I love…" she trails off shaking her head.

"Gets hurt? Sorry kid, that's life. People get hurt. I'm not saying it doesn't suck or that it's usually the opposite of fair. But you know what it's not? Your fault. You got a shit deal, Carly. Welcome to the club." He walks over and sits on the sofa, he tilts his head and scratches his cheek, "What you do control is deciding how you respond. You are in control of how much you're going to let it cost you." She sits in her wheelchair, looking down at the hands she's twisting in her lap. Deciding to come at it straight on to try to break through her walls, he asks, "You know what would hurt Jason and Michael more than anything else you could do, the thing that would absolutely gut them? Not having you around. Because I can also see the urge to run. You're thinking you need to get as far from everyone you care about as possible before you hurt them, but your brain is messed up right now. It's telling you lies."

"It's showing me the truth. I've done horrible things, hurt people stupidly and carelessly. If you knew…" she confesses with shame in her voice.

He lets out a humorless laugh, "Think who you're talking to. I understand what you're feeling all too well."

"You said it, we burn down the world. And you're right, I'm just going to keep hurting them if I stay. They deserve so much better than me, than my messes and plans." Carly counters.

"Maybe you'll hurt them, but you are acting like you have no control over any of that. You make choices. You control, for the most part, what choices you make. If you don't want to hurt them, you put them first. With every decision, you ask yourself what choice hurts my family the least, and you do that." He gives her a level look, "Let's take the decision you have to make right now. Do you stay and fight for your family, for the people you love, or do you cut and run, hiding from the people who need you? Do you have the guts to work to be a better person for them?" With compassion in his voice, he acknowledges, "I know it won't be easy. It will probably be the hardest thing you ever do. Your body and your mind are sick. What that bastard did to you… I'm glad this world's got one less asshole in it. I… I've been locked in closets, thanks to my bastard of a stepfather, so I understand what it's like being chained, not being able to protect yourself, it fucks with your mind. Emotionally, right now, you're one big gaping wound. I get how much it hurts, and unfortunately, it has to hurt for a while, but you will heal."

Carly has tears rolling down her cheeks, shaking her head as though she wants to push the pain so far away it can never find her. Sonny leans forward in his seat, clasping his hands in front of him. "So, here's the choice: you can run away, find some dark little hideaway and wait for your husband to find you. Because let's be honest, there's no way that man's not chasing you wherever you go. He loves you. He's been losing his mind the last few weeks without you. He turned over every stone, barely slept or ate. So, where you go, he follows. Of course, that takes him away from Michael. Yes, he will have family around, me and Brenda, the Spencer's and the Quartermaines, but he wouldn't have his mother or his father. And with the Quartermaines, that can be a curse. With you gone, they'd use every dirty trick to take Michael from Jason, trying to get their hands on the next Quartermaine heir."

"Sonny…" She sounds like she's being tortured, her voice pleading for mercy.

Sonny shows no leniency, trying to get through to her, so she doesn't make a foolish mistake, "And then there's the way Michael will feel his entire life if you somehow succeed in leaving this town and your family behind. We both understand what it feels like to have a parent walk away, the questions that plague you, the feelings that you weren't enough to make your parent stay. That's really how you want your perfect boy to feel? Like he's been abandoned and thrown away?"

"Why are you saying this? Are you trying to hurt me?!" She wails in pain. The thought of her little boy suffering the pain she felt growing up is enough to bring her to her knees. Tears are flooding down her face as she curls in on herself.

"No, I'm just laying out your choices, in which running away is an option. Your second choice is to stay and fight for your family, fight to be the person they need. You talk to the doctor, and you talk to a therapist and you figure out what is causing you to make impulsive decisions that could hurt them. If you choose this option, Jason has his wife and the woman he loves and your son has his mother."

Carly looks down at her hands, "What if he doesn't make it? What if my son…" she looks up at Sonny with wide, tear-filled eyes, "Jason will hate me. He's going to realize that it all comes back to me. He is going to realize that he made a mistake…"

Jason, who had snuck in at the end of Sonny's speech, steps up at this, "Never. I know that I'm fighting bad history, that I'm fighting every jerk who has let you down, but you will never be a mistake. Don't you know what you've given me, all the ways you've made my life better? You see me and get me like no one else does. I didn't even know how important it was to feel seen until you, just knowing someone understands you and likes exactly what they see, knowing that same someone is there for you no matter what. You give me that, Carly." He squats down to be right in front of her, his thumbs gently wiping away her tears, "You gave me a home and a family, a life other than work. You gave me a son who is strong and alive. If the worst happens, if he… I'm going to need my best friend to get through it. I would never blame you, and I will never, ever think of you as a mistake."

"I just feel so broken. I'm going to do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing, and I'll hurt Michael, and I'll hurt you." She argues.

He's gentle as he counters, "And I'll do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing and hurt you, but I'll love you more, and I'll apologize and you'll forgive me because you love me. Isn't that the way it's supposed to be? We make mistakes, but we love each other enough to keep trying."

There's a knock on the door, followed by Francis's voice, "Uh, boss? I know you said nobody but Jason, but Ms. Spencer and the doctor are here to see Mrs. Morgan."

Sonny looks to Jason, who nods. Then, orders, "Let them in."

A moment later, Dr. Winters enters looking at her patient. "Hello, Carly. I hear we're experiencing some symptoms that are concerning. How about we get you back in the bed, so I can look you over? And maybe you can tell me how you are feeling."

For a long moment Carly and Jason simply stare at each other, a silent battle that ends with Carly giving a hesitant nod. As Jason helps settle her on the bed, Sonny tells everyone, "That's my cue to give you some privacy. But, Carly, remember it's all about choices, and I trust you to make the right decision."

He smiles as he sees the surrender on her face. She gives him a nod, then looks up at her husband. He looks scared, and she knows it's because of her. She hates that she's making him feel that way, but her mind is a mess. Every part of her feels over-sensitive, making even gentle handling painful. She's not sure she has it in her to fix what's broken, and the thought of failing Jason, failing her son, guts her.

Dr. Winters checks over her patient, looking at her incision and checking her vitals. "How is the pain? Are there any physical symptoms that are bothering you?"

"I… uh, it hurts, but not too bad. Everything else is…" she pauses, really considering the choice in front of her. Admitting how messed up her brain is terrifies her, hell, admitting it to herself seems impossible. But she never wants her son to feel like she threw him away. If she doesn't get this out and lets it just fester inside, she's going to run. The need is too strong. She's not entirely sure even the doctor is going to be able to change that. For Jason and her son, she may never forgive herself if she doesn't at least try. So, she looks up at the doctor and admits, "My brain is messed up. I'm…" she trails off not knowing how to explain it.

Jason speaks up, "She's feeling a lot of guilt about the baby being born early. She keeps blaming herself for…"

A knock interrupts, followed by Francis poking his head in, "Dr. Collins wants to come in."

Bobbie is the one who answers, "Let him in." Then, she turns to Jason and Dr. Winters with an apologetic expression, "I went ahead and called him in. My daughter has been through hell, and she needs someone to help her process everything that happened to her. He can help her." She looks directly at Carly, "He's a good doctor."

Kevin smiles at Bobbie, "Thank you." Then, he turns his attention to Carly, "Mrs. Morgan, may I call you Carly?"

Carly looks at her mother, and then locks eyes with her husband. His eyes are pleading with her. She surrenders, giving Jason a barely perceptible nod. Then, she turns back to the doctor, "Carly's fine. I assume you're here to root around in my head."

Kevin chuckles, "I like to think I'm here to help you, but yes, it requires getting to know you to help me figure out what's going on. I want to help you learn to cope with and heal from what you've been through. Being kidnapped and living in fear for weeks for your own life and the life of your baby is an incredibly traumatic experience. I would be worried if you woke up from the experience without some things to work through."

Dr. Winters nods, adding in a straightforward tone, "There are also hormonal imbalances that happen due to pregnancy and birth, especially when you have been in a stressful situation."

Bobbie informs the doctors, with a cautious look at her daughter, "She also struggled with depression as a teenager when her friend died. That can also increase the likelihood of her suffering from postpartum, right?"

Dr. Collins holds up his hand kindly, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." Turning his attention to his patient, he explains, "I would like to run some labs, and check your hormone levels and a metabolic panel. I would also like to sit down with you to talk, just the two of us. With what you've been through, I'm not comfortable labeling anything right now. But I do know that I can help you if you'll let me."

"What do you need from me?" Carly asks.

"If it's okay, I would like to sit down with just the two of us, and you can tell me what you went through and how you are feeling. Would you be up for that?" Kevin answers.

Instead of looking at the doctor, Carly looks at Jason as she promises, "I'll try."

Kevin smiles, "For the moment, that's all I ask."

Jason is sitting with Michael when Luke and Sonny come to find him. His wife is talking to the psychiatrist, banning everyone else from the room in the process. He feels a real fear that Carly will take off, leaving him and their son because everything is too overwhelming. He had ordered Francis that part of his job is making sure the guards know where Carly is at all times, making sure she doesn't run. However, whatever Sonny told her seems to have shifted something inside her. She was actually responding to Kevin when he'd left.

He walks out of the nursery, standing so he can see his son. He crosses his arms, standing like a sentry keeping guard and tries to focus. Between his concern for Michael and his concern for his wife, he feels pulled in too many directions, his focus stretched to the limits.

With a smirk, Luke reports, "Looks like the police commissioner has arrested his niece. My guess is he thinks Robin's going to be safer in the slammer than if you get your hands on her. He clearly is underestimating your reach."

Jason looks at his boss, "We still got people inside? Someone we trust to get the job done right?"

Sonny gives a nod, "Depends on where he stashes her, but probably."

"You gonna stop me from making the call?" Jason asks, looking like he's carved out of a statue, shooting a hard look at his boss that softens when Sonny shakes his head.

"No. You won't get any argument from me. You have my support." There's a hint of sadness in the response, but it's overshadowed by resolve. He has given the young woman who helped him overcome the loss of Stone too many chances. It's time to let Jason avenge his family.

Jason lets out a breath, giving his boss a nod. Then, the subject is dropped. Turning to Luke, he asks, "Any problems with AJ?"

"No. I made my position very clear. After listening to his sniveling, I gotta say, your brain damage mighta been a gift." Luke grumbles.

Sonny scolds him, "Real sensitive there, partner."

"I'm just saying, Jason's leaps and bounds over that lot, and definitely over that brother of yours. Being like them is my idea of hell. God, all the crying and begging were downright embarrassing to see. I'm ashamed for the weasel." He shakes his head in bewilderment, then gives Jason a sly look and a smirk, "Plus, I doubt my niece would have given preppy Jason Q the time of day." Then, turning serious, he asks, "How is Caroline doing?"

Jason lets out a sigh, "Not good. She's blaming herself for everything. Bobbie thinks it's postpartum depression, but the doctors haven't confirmed. She's talking to Dr. Collins right now."

"Barbara Jean knows her shit. I trust her judgment." He gives Jason a measured look, "My baby sister is also as stubborn as they come. She will plead, cajole, and bully that daughter of hers to get her better. Caroline is also strong and stubborn, too stubborn. That weak excuse of a man won't break her, not a Spencer."

Sonny puts his hand on Jason's shoulder, adding, "I think we got through to her. It's a rough place to be, when your mind feels like it's out of your control. But I agree with Luke, she's tough."

Jason nods, but looks overwhelmed. With a less than steady voice, he confesses, "I am trying to just keep moving, but I have no idea if I'm making the right choices. They are depending on me to be strong, but I don't feel strong. I'm making decisions for them that can impact their life like I know what I'm doing, but I don't. I have no idea what I'm doing. What if I'm doing everything wrong?"

Sonny puts a hand on his shoulder, "You don't have to do it alone. You've got support. And, there's no right way to navigate this kind of situation. You just do what feels right for your family. But, as far as I'm concerned, you're doing good, kid."

"I don't know how to do this. I thought once I found them that everything would be fixed. But one wrong move, and I still can lose them. I'm scared I'm going to make the wrong choice." Jason sounds like he's in physical pain, his fear and uncertainty clear.

"Are ya gonna love them, show up and step up for them? 'Cause that's the main choice ya gotta make." Luke advises with an uncharacteristic seriousness. "Life and parenting require you to make thousands of choices every day, and you're going to mess up. That's the only assured thing in life, but you keep showing up and loving them, and it seems to work out in the end."

Jason nods, a tear dripping down his cheek, "Thank you, I uh…"

"Mr. Morgan?" Kevin breaks in behind the group. When Jason turns around, he asks, "Can I speak to you privately for a moment?"

Jason wipes a hand over his face, then moves towards the doctor with a frown. Clearing his throat, he asks, "Is she doing okay?"

Dr. Collins answers in his practiced calm voice, "Nurse Spencer is correct; your wife has postpartum depression. She is suffering from some vitamin deficiencies and a hormone imbalance that we are going to address with medication. However, what is more concerning is the trauma she has experienced, not only with her recent ordeal with Dr. Jones, but with childhood experiences as well. I would like to keep her in the hospital for at least a week while I adjust her medications, with a couple sessions with her a day. Then, I'd like to continue seeing her on a weekly basis after she is released."

"But you think she will be okay?" Jason asks in a voice pleading for reassurance.

The doctor nods, "She has been through a lot, so healing will be a journey, but after today, I'm hopeful. Her determination to get better is motivated entirely by her love for you and her son, which we are going to take advantage of. You are going to have to be especially patient and reassuring as she heals."

Just hearing that she will heal, that the doctor has a sense of hope fills him with relief. It's the best news he's heard where she's concerned, so he clutches it to him like his life depends on it. "Thank you. I can do that."

"Good. Let me know if anything comes up. If Carly has any issues or emotional distress, please call me immediately." Kevin directs, and then leaves Jason with, "I know how scary this is on top of everything else. Just know that I'm here if you need anything."

With another thanks to the doctor, and an assurance that Luke and Sonny will sit with the baby, Jason practically runs to Carly's room. He enters to find her surrounded by Bobbie, Lila, and Emily. Lila smiles at him as he joins the group, though he only has eyes for his wife. She looks a little more engaged, finally making eye contact with the people around her, but still fragile.

She gives him a long look, filled with hesitation, and then reaches out a hand to him. He feels a rush of relief. It's the first time since she found out about Michael that she's actively reached for him. Rushing to her side, he sits on the side of her bed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. She scoots over to make room for him, so they are lying side by side, raising her face for a kiss. He takes in a shuddering breath as his lips lean down to kiss her, the kiss salty with his tears. He cups her face, giving her soft emotional kiss after kiss, uncaring that he has an audience. When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against hers, so close their lips and noses brush. He whispers in a voice tight with emotion, "I love you."

When she whispers back, "I love you too." He pulls her closer for a brief, hard kiss. Then, he settles her back into his side and turns his attention to his grandmother.

She's giving them a pleased smile as she explains, "I was telling Carly how glad I am that you have her back home. I know my grandson was lost without you. And my great grandson is a beautiful boy. He reminds me of Jason as a baby."

Emily squeals, "Oh my goodness, I love him so much. He's so cute, and smart. I can tell he understands when I talk to him. He squeezes my finger every time I tell him I love him."

"I've noticed it too." Bobbie adds, smiling. "He's one smart cookie, our little man. I think he's going to end up giving Luke and Edward a run for their money."

Lila laughs, "That's the way it should be. The little ones lead us forward. And don't worry, I will help you rein in my husband. He just gets overzealous for his family. The only thing I want you two focusing on is healing and taking care of that precious little boy."

"Thank you, grandmother." Jason says with a grateful smile.

"You are welcome, my darling." She tells her grandson with her usual graciousness. Then, turning towards her youngest grandchild, she gently commands, "Emily, will you please accompany me to find your grandfather? I think perhaps Jason and Carly could use a little alone time."

"Of course!" She goes to the bed to give both Jason and Carly a hug, and then begins pushing Lila. Her chatter follows them to the door, "We aren't leaving just yet are we? I don't want to leave without telling Michael goodbye. Maybe we can…"

As the door closes on the pair, Bobbie stands by the bed, and reluctantly explains, "I will be out in the waiting room if you need me. Don't forget that you need to rest. You just had major surgery, daughter of mine."

"Mama…" Carly complains.

Bobbie looks directly at Jason as she argues, "I'm worried. I just want my daughter to get healthy and strong. Forgive me, I'm a mother who almost lost her child."

Jason gives her a nod, causing Carly to give them both a knowing look, "I see how it is. You two have some little alliance going on."

"No alliance." Jason assures her, nuzzling into her. "But we leaned on each other when you were gone. We were both so lost without you. If anything, you can consider it a 'we love Carly' club."

Carly looks up at Jason, resting her hand against his cheek, "I'm so sorry you went through that." The couple is so absorbed in each other, they don't hear Bobbie slip out of the door. "I was so scared, Jase, but I knew you were coming to get me. And you didn't leave me there alone. You dreamed it too, right? I didn't imagine that, did I?"

"No, I dreamt it too. Though, I'm sure that is more you than me. You always have a way of finding me." He admits.

She smiles, "I think it's an us thing. I'm pretty sure that superpower only works with you."

Jason cups her cheeks, pulling her in for a deep kiss which she meets halfway. He lets himself luxuriate in the feeling of her in his arms again. His hands are gentle as they skim her curves, scared of causing her any pain, but needing reassurance again that she's really here, within reach. Pulling back, he begins pressing desperate kisses on her face, soft, barely there kisses until suddenly he loses control of his emotions and begins crying in earnest. "I thought I would never get to hold you again. I was so scared I was going to lose you both. I couldn't…"

Carly curls protectively around him as well as she can. Crying out, she tells him, "I know. I'm so sorry. But you found us, and we are here, Jase. I love you with all my heart. I'm here, and I love you."

He presses his head against her chest, allowing himself to release all of the fear and pain he has had to endure for the past weeks. It's been like an oppressive cloud hanging over his head, sucking out all joy from his life. Without her, his future was too bleak to bear. With a gravely, broken voice, he pleads, "Please don't leave me. I couldn't take it. I need you now too much."

"I'm not leaving." She promises him earnestly. Then, she looks down for a second before meeting his eyes with a guilty expression on her face. "I… I'm not going to lie, I thought about it for a second. I just feel so broken, Jase. I feel like I'm some toxic person who's going to poison you and our baby. But I can't do that to either of you, I won't leave you." She pulls back to brush away his tears, "Promise me you won't let me hurt Michael. I'm scared I will do the wrong thing."

"Only if you do the same for me. I'm scared too. From what everyone is telling me, I think that's normal." He gives her a grin, "Also, based on the fact that everyone is telling me stuff, I don't think we're going to lack people telling us how to do it right."

She gives him a tentative smile, "I guess that's good. I trust some of them. No offense, but I'm not going to the Q's for any advice."

"Wise decision." He agrees. Then, in a serious tone, he argues, "We will figure it out. As long as I have you, everything else we can figure out."

She reaches down, entwining their fingers, and leans her head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I did to deserve you because I'm pretty sure all I've done my entire life is make messes. But, whatever brought you to me, I'm never letting go. Forever, I'm yours."

She lets out a big yawn and cuddles into him. He lays his head on hers, telling her softly, "I'm yours, too. Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

She whispers, "I love you," as she closes her eyes and drifts off.