"I'd like to file a police report. I was physically assaulted and threatened by Tony Jones." Carly tells the clerk as she walks into the police station with Justus following right behind.

The clerk is a woman in her late forties or early fifties. Her hair is pulled back in a low bun, with streaks of gray peppered through it. She looks up at the pregnant woman, who has a swollen and bruised face, and immediately leans forward in sympathy. With a kind voice, she tells her, "Of course, sweetheart. You poor dear, what's your name?"

"Carly Morgan." She says, making sure her expression shows her fear and horror over everything that's happened in the past few hours. She wants as much sympathy as they can give her.

The clerk looks up in surprise at the name. "Oh, Mrs. Morgan, your husband… Um… let me get someone for you."

As she's rushing off, Justus softly whispers, "Well done."

Carly fights a smile, her lips tilting for a second. She feels the rush of a good con. In this way, she's far more skilled than her husband, and she can't wait to show him what she can bring to the marriage. She has even dressed the part, in a flowy, innocent looking maternity dress, or what her Mama would call a church dress. It has short sleeves so all the bruises Tony caused are on clear display. As a final touch, she is wearing the modest cross her mother had bought her for her fourteenth birthday. She wants to make it impossible for them to ignore her charges, knowing that with the wrong image, they will be dismissed and won't be able to help her husband.

In less than a minute, Mac Scorpio comes over looking hassled. He stops in shock when he sees her, his face blanching at the bruises showing on Carly's face and arms. "Carly…"

Justus speaks brusquely, "That's Mrs. Morgan."

Mac's eyes shoot to the lawyer, his brows pulling together. "I was told Mrs. Morgan wants to file a police report. I am assuming against whoever caused the bruises."

Carly answers with a purposeful tremor in her voice, only a hint of edge to her words, "Yes, I'd like to file charges against Tony Jones."

Mac lets out a deep breath, exhausted by this mess already. "Follow me."

He takes them into the interrogation room where Taggert is harassing Jason. Her husband has been here for a couple hours, having been put through booking and then subjected to nasty, snarky comments from Taggert. Jason hasn't said a word or reacted the entire time. He sits perfectly still, his eyes blank and his posture stiff and controlled. As usual his lack of reaction is annoying the hell out of the detective. Both eyes shoot up to Carly and Mac as they walk in. If Taggert had been looking, he would have seen a wealth of expression on the cold man's face at the sight of his wife. It's only there for a second, long enough for Carly to read the love, fear, and annoyance at battle in his eyes.

Mac notes the emotions as well. His eyes narrow as he clearly sees the love and possessiveness in Jason's gaze. What he's seeing contradicts everything Robin has been telling him about her ex lately. Truth be told, he's ecstatic that the dangerous young man has moved on. He is personally hoping it sticks, and his niece can find someone better suited for her.

When Justus walks in directly after Carly, Jason gives him a narrowed look, clearly unhappy his wife is being involved. The lawyer gives him a narrowed look in return, trying to convey that he has everything under control. The two men stare each other down for a good fifteen seconds, before Jason turns his focus to his wife. The bruising and swelling on her face are so dark, he flinches a bit, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him, guilt that he didn't protect her from Tony, and guilt that, battered and bruised, she has to come up to the police station.

Carly doesn't have to fake her tears when she sees him chained to the table. Her eyes take in his ink stained fingertips and the fear he's feeling. She feels a tug in her heart when she realizes it's not fear for himself, but for her. She tells the room in a trembling voice, as tears drip from her lashes, "You have the wrong man chained up. The man who deserves to be shackled to that table is Tony Jones. All my husband did was save me."

Taggert demands with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw, "What's going on? I'm in the middle of an interrogation."

Mac tells the detective with an annoyed tone, though whether it's because of his detective or the situation is anybody's guess. "Carly Morgan is here to press assault charges against Tony Jones."

Taggert's expression darkens, "That's a load of sh…"

"Detective!" Mac reprimands. Then, he turns and studies the woman who clearly has had a difficult day. She has bruises running up and down her arms, and the left side of her face is swollen to the point her eye is little more than a slit and the entire side of her face has a bruise in the shape of a hand. Whatever happened, it's clear she has been through hell. Taggert's hot-headedness and vendetta against Sonny have gotten them into trouble more than once, and he'll be damned if the police department is going to go down because of the detective's reckless behavior.

Directing the battered pregnant woman towards a chair that's pulled up for her beside her husband, he pulls out the seat and pushes it in when she sits. Jason's eyebrows rise just a fraction when he sees the meek and sad expression on her face. She's up to something for sure. His eyes jump to Justus who is looking calm and unbothered. Her hand reaches out under the table, softly brushing against his side. It's a fleeting touch, she doesn't want the emotions the feel of his skin against hers brings out of her to mess with the picture she's trying to convey. However , he feels that fleeting touch as strongly as if she had walked into his arms. His eyes finally turn to meet hers, and he sees an excitement in her gaze. She's about to put a plan in action. He's both terrified and oddly aroused. There's something about her fire in this moment that makes him want to find the nearest private space and feel her flames all for himself.

Mac pulls his attention back across the table when he clears his throat, "Car…" his eyes shoot to Justus, "Uh, Mrs. Morgan, please tell us what happened in as much detail as possible. When did Dr. Jones assault you?"

Carly takes in a deep, shaky breath, playing up her vulnerable condition, "I went up to GH because I had an appointment with the doctor and to spend time with my mother, Bobbie Spencer." She gets a soft, excited expression, that is somehow both true and an act. It takes everything in him not to break his cold mask and gaze at her with love struck hearts in his eyes. As scary as a Carly plan is, watching her in her element is a thing of beauty. In this moment, she's self-assured, none of her self doubts creeping in. There are only two areas he sees her like this, cocky and sure: between the sheets and running some crazy plan. Between the sheets is entirely deserved. That woman does things to him that keep at least a low fire burning for her at all times. Her plans, on the other hand, always blow up in her face. He thinks cleaning up the messes is definitely worth the view as he watches her weave a spell on the room, "We got to find out the sex today. Jason says he doesn't care either way, that he'll love our baby no matter what, but I secretly think all fathers long for a son."

Taggert breaks in, sitting up from his insolent slouch, "What the hell is this? This isn't the Oprah Winfrey show! Get to the damn point."

Carly ignores him, though Jason sees her hand clench under the table. He desperately wants to reach for her, to somehow transfer his strength to her. He's proud of her as she pushes on like the detective never spoke, "Imagine my surprise and dismay and, quite frankly, fear when suddenly Robin showed up and started screaming at me, telling lies about Jason and my baby's paternity."

Mac breaks in, "This has nothing to do with my niece. Why don't you get to Dr. Jones?"

She gives him an almost innocent look, but a bit of sass is clear when she counters, "You told me to tell you all the details. And the only reason I was alone was because Robin attacked my mother." She watches with satisfaction as Mac sits up at this news. Clearly no one has informed him about the altercation earlier. With a hint of bite, she continues, "When she started screaming that I was a liar and a tramp, that she was coming after my husband to get him back, Bobbie directed Francis to put me in an exam room. She wanted to get me away from danger, to protect me and the baby." She notes with satisfaction that she's getting to Mac. As much as he wants to defend his niece, he has noticed some erratic behaviors from the young woman he loves like a daughter himself. She has to fight a smile when bringing up the safety of her baby makes the police chief flinch. Then, her expression darkens, and she doesn't have to pretend that fear still has a grip on her when she gets to the part of the story involving Tony, the terror is still sitting in the pit of her stomach. Instinctively, she reaches for Jason under the table, her hand desperately grabbing onto his thigh. "I could hear the fighting going on outside, and got a glimpse of Robin slapping my mom and pushing her to the ground. The next thing I know, Tony is entering my exam room with me." Allowing the room to see the fear she felt in that moment, she tells them with a shaky voice, "I could tell he was angry, that the mood he was in was dangerous. He cornered me, demanding I tell him whether our baby was his. He apparently had been lied to…" She gives Mac a pointed look, "by Robin, told that my husband said the baby wasn't his, that I was trying to…" She shakes her head, a tear leaking from her eye. "He…" She has to swallow down bile, remembering him putting his hands on her causes a knot to form in her throat. "He grabbed my arms, shaking me, and then he hit my face. It made me kind of fuzzy for a second because my head banged against the wall. When I was able to focus again, Alan Quartermaine was protecting me from him."

Justus speaks up, "Mrs. Morgan is submitting medical records that show the full extent of the damage done by Dr. Jones. And Bobbie Spencer and Alan Quartermaine have given statements about the events from their perspective." He places documents on the table in front of Mac.

"That just gives us motive. All you have proven is that your hubby has a reason to want the good doctor dead." Taggert sneers.

Carly shakes her head, "I was in the room with my husband and Tony, and I can swear he never threatened him." She narrows her eyes at the detective. "You are defending the man who beat me, who could have hurt or even killed my baby! But all you care about is coming after my husband." Turning her eyes to Justus, she asks in an off-hand manner, "Can we sue the department for harassment? Maybe libel or slander? I never can remember which is which."

"There's no need…" Mac starts, but Carly butts in, speaking over him.

She is looking over his shoulder into the station, when she informs the room. "It looks like our reinforcements are here." Through the door, she sees Bobbie, Luke, and Virginia enter with Alan and Emily close behind. Then, looking directly into Mac's eyes as he turns back to the table, she continues with a narrowed gaze, "We have the Spencers and the Quartermaines about to descend on you for allowing a psychopath who physically assaulted me, Jason's wife, to go free, while my husband, who hasn't done a damn thing, is sitting here in handcuffs." Turning her attention to Taggert, she reprimands with anger flashing in her eyes, "This is all about your vendetta, Detective Dumbass. You are determined to take down my husband because you have some skewed perception of him, or because you're out to get Sonny. My husband hasn't done anything wrong!"

When she starts getting worked up, Justus puts his hand on her shoulder. There's a jangle of Jason's cuffs as his hands reach for her and are stopped by the chain attached to the table. He settles for leaning closer, so his skin is brushing hers. She takes a deep, shaky breath at the contact.

"Carly…" Mac begins.

"I am happy to sue the police department for you, Mrs. Morgan." Justus speaks over Mac. "I know that Edward has some friends, judges and such, who would be more than happy to help us. He is very concerned about the welfare of his great-grandchild. Now, to the matter at hand. Other than testimony from Tony, which in light of his recent behavior, won't hold up in court, what evidence do you have against my client?"

Sounding less assured, Taggert explains, "We have video evidence of Jason entering the room."

Leaning in for the kill, Justus asks, "No video evidence of the actual threat? No eye-witnesses? What are we even doing here? The word of a mentally disturbed man against the word of four people in the most influential families in town? That will get you laughed out of court, and by the time I have explained what happened to Mrs. Morgan in vivid detail and with pictures, and put her, the pregnant woman who was attacked by the accuser, on the stand, you won't stand a chance. I'm going to tell how terrified she was for herself and her baby. The jury is never going to side with a husband protecting his pregnant wife, over someone who was willing to hurt an unborn baby."

Mac lets out a deep sigh, "Fine." He has to speak over Taggert's outrage to say, "Jason, you're free to go." He reaches over, unlocking his cuffs. Jason rubs his wrists for a moment, and then he reaches a hand over to hold Carly's. She grabs desperately at him, a tidal wave of fear and relief hitting her at once.

"What?!" Taggert yells outraged, "Mac, you can't let this thug just get away with…"

"Detective, this is on you. You need to build a case before you arrest the suspect." Mac scolds. When he begins to argue, the chief of police orders, "Not here. In my office now, Taggert."

As Mac goes to walk out the door, Jason calls out, "Please have a talk with your niece. Make her leave my family alone."

Mac gives him a short nod, then leaves the room with Taggert trailing behind him complaining. Once the door closes after them, Carly lets out a deep breath. Turning to her husband, she finds him scowling at Justus. With a frown, she asks, "What's wrong, Jase? I did good, right? I mean, I…"

Jason gives her a soft look, "You did amazing, and I'm so proud of you." Then, his expression hardens as he directs it back towards his cousin, "Hasn't she been through enough today? There wasn't any plan other than throwing my wife in front of me, than putting her squarely in Taggert's crosshairs?! I don't want her in any more danger!"

Carly watches the vein pop out in his forehead, he's so angry. She hears Justus explaining that it was the best plan and that it worked, but she sees the fear that lies behind the anger. She reaches out, trailing gentle fingers down the side of his face. When he looks at her, she reassures him, "We're okay. Mr. Man and I are safe, and you're not being arrested. It was a good plan, Jase, and I couldn't just sit and do nothing. You act like you're the only one who can protect our family, and don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful for your protection, for how safe you make me feel, but I get to protect you too. That's what family does, they protect each other."

Justus, feeling uncomfortable with the discussion, tells them, "I will go check on the paperwork, make sure everything is getting done quickly and correctly." Then, he's gone, and it's just the two of them again. The couple are so caught up in each other, they hardly notice his leaving.

Jason shows a flash of anger, though it's directed inward. "You're grateful for my protection?! Look at you! How did I protect you?" Though his words are angry, his touch is soft as he caresses her bruised face. When he continues, his voice sounds broken and defeated. "I let him get to you. I promised I would never let him get near you again, and not only did I break that promise, but he was able to hurt you!"

Carly stands up, demands Jason move his chair back, and when he obliges, she sits in his lap. Placing her hands on his cheeks, she gives him a serious expression, "You are not God, Jase. As much as you want to control everything, this was something out of your control. We. are. fine. I promise you. And you got me out of there, before he could hurt me really badly, before he could hurt the baby. This," she indicates her bruises, "could have been a thousand times worse. So, I refuse to let you blame yourself. The baby and I love you too much to watch you do that to yourself."

He leans his head against her chest, letting the sound and the touch of her skin soothe him like nothing else can. In his mind, he's plotting a brutal, torturous end to Tony and Robin both. They stay cuddled together, just taking comfort in each other's presence, until Justus comes back in and informs them that Jason is free to go. As they walk out of the interrogation room, they are bombarded by family. Emily runs into Jason's arms, slamming into him so hard he takes a half step back to keep his balance. Bobbie and Alan have Mac cornered and are giving him an earful.

Carly narrows her eyes and marches over to Mac. Jason and Justus see where she's headed at the same time and rush to try to stop her, but they aren't quick enough. With her full personality in force, she demands, "Mr. Scorpio, Police chief, you tell your niece that if she comes after my husband, I'll show her how we deal with little girls who chase other women's husbands back in Florida! And she better keep her hands off the rest of my family too. Maybe Mama needs to file charges against the little pixie, maybe then she'd stop talking crap about me all over town and stop attacking the people I love. The only reason I was in danger today was because Tony believed her lies!"

Jason cuts in, putting his hand on her back. Gently but firmly, he says, "Carly."

"No Jason! He needs to know what his darling niece is doing to our family! She is showing up wherever we go, yelling awful things. What happens when our baby is here? What is she going to say to him, or worse, do to him?" Pointing her finger aggressively towards him, she demands, "You need to get her under control before she hurts someone! More than she already has."

Justus breaks in, "Mrs. Morgan, I think he gets the point. It's time for us to leave before anyone gets in more trouble."

Carly just crosses her arms, immovable as she waits for a response. Bobbie stands beside her with her arms crossed as well. Mac notes that Bobbie is also sporting a few bruises and scratches. The fact that both women are looking battered is what finally convinces him; that and the fact that people who cross the mob don't live very long lives. Nodding his head, he agrees, "I will talk to her."

Satisfied, Carly tells him, "Please do. All we want is peace, the peace to love each other and raise our family. Please get her to stop attacking us."

When he gives her a sympathetic look and a short nod, she takes Jason's hand and walks out of the police station with her head held high. Her husband leans down as they are walking out the door, and whispers, "I'm proud of you. You did good."

With a beaming smile, she leans forward and gives him a soft kiss. She tells him with a big grin, "I am so ready to get out of here. Let's go home."