Sorry! We had a power outage and it took ten minutes for everything to come back up, and then the Liason scene ran long — anyway. Written in 85 minutes.

Oh, and I forgot the chronology of the Face of Deception stuff. I don’t remember what Carly and Gia knew and when, and I’ve decided I don’t care, lol.

---

Wednesday, September 25, 2025

 Webber House: Living Room

Though he’d done little more than sit in a court room while important decisions in his life were decided by other people, there was still a tinge of fatigue that swept over Jason as he closed the front door behind him, and dropped his keys on the table next to the door.

A veteran of several murder trials as a defendant and countless other hearings, it never got easier to place his life or the ones he cared about in someone’s hands, but Sam had left Jason no choice. He knew that — but that still didn’t offer much peace of mind.

He heard the thudding of sneakers on the steps and looked over just as Danny crashed around the corner and hit the landing, catching himself before he went tumbling. “Sorry,” he said. “I slipped on the last few steps. Uh—” He folded his arms, cleared his throat. “How did it, um, go?”

“Exactly as Diane said it would,” Jason said, and Danny’s shoulders slumped. He looked away. “I’m sorry. Your attorney told the court that you were conflicted, that you felt guilty, but that ultimately you didn’t feel safe with your mom.”

“Yeah, I figure that’d be the deal breaker,” he muttered. Danny dropped to sit on the landing, dragging his hands through his hair. “Do you know what happened with Scout?”

“The same. I’m sorry.”

“You’re not the one who punched Elizabeth with security cameras filming everything.” Danny raised his eyes to his father. “Is…is Mom okay?”

Jason came towards him, leaned against the back of the sofa. “She was upset. But there wasn’t a lot of choices, Danny. The one good thing that came from this—the judge is going to let me decide how much visitation your mom gets.”

Danny furrowed his brow. “What?”

“It just has to be supervised. I don’t much care who’s there,” Jason added. “I figure your grandmother or your aunts are good. Dante if he wants to. And if there are other choices, we can talk about them. And you can see her as much as you want.”

“Oh.” His son looked at the ground, processed that information. “That’s…not so bad. I—I could see her tomorrow?”

“Your grandmother is calling me tonight to set up the details. Danny, this was never about taking you away from your mom—”

“I know. I know. And I asked you—” Danny climbed to his feet. “I asked you to do something, right? I wanted to see the doctor, and you said you’d make it happen. I know Mom made it harder. But—”

“She’s your mother.”

“Yeah.” Danny paused. “Will—can she see Scout, too? Or—”

“Drew’s going with supervised visits from family services. Two hours a week. It’s not fair,” Jason added when Danny scowled. “But we can’t do anything right now to change it. Your mom has to do a few things for the court, but if you stay on the right track, if maybe we can get your grades a little better, when we go back to court in December—it’ll be different.”

“Thanks. I know this sucked for you—”

“I don’t matter, Danny, you do.”

“Still.” Danny approached him, somewhat awkwardly, almost as if he wanted to hug his father, but hung back at the last minute. “I’m gonna call Grandmom. See what time tomorrow.”

He turned and a few minutes later, Jason heard the thudding of sneakers in the opposite direction. He hoped that this would be end of problems with Sam, but he couldn’t be that lucky.

Metro Court Hotel: Restaurant

Spinelli stepped out of the elevator and spied his quarry across the room behind the bar. “Valkyrie, as you requested.”

Carly threw up her hands. “Thank God! I’ve been waiting forever – not your fault. I just can’t seem to sit still. Did you know the FBI searched the crime again today?”

“I did. Michael keeps us well-informed.” Spinelli slid onto the stool, wondering what mischief Carly was intending to stir up. “We expected it—”

“Elizabeth told me that Diane already knows that Gia Campbell — who came to the search — is on the case. That you’re handling it, but Spinelli, neither of you knew Gia. I did—”

“She worked for you at Deception, yes?”

“I only stayed with the company for another six months or so after the competition, and she was there for another year—but that’s not the important. It’s the competition itself. I’m sure if you did your research you know that we initially chose Elizabeth as the Face of Deception and that Gia took over when Elizabeth stepped back.”

“It was in one of the articles. Elizabeth suggested the relationship was hostile—”

“Gia hated Elizabeth. Like full-out sabotage-level hatred. She was ruthless.” Carly grimaced. “At the time, I approved of all of it, you know? I knew Gia was better suited for the job, and I really didn’t like Elizabeth. Well, that’s not true. I don’t like her now. I hated her then.” She paused. “Well, I don’t not like her. I just—”

“Valkyrie.”

“Right. Not the point. At the time, I was really amused. And it felt like Gia and I were a team because we had a common enemy. I campaigned hard for her to get the job, but Laura had the deciding vote and she played favorites. Elizabeth was a pretty girl, but she didn’t always photograph well. You know, a little flat. She probably would have improved, but it didn’t get that far. She had one photoshoot, and quit almost immediately.”

“This is all information we know—”

“This is probably where I’m the asshole, and it’d be great if you didn’t, you know, mention any of this information came from me.” Carly paused. “Gia was angry when she didn’t get the job. She did whatever she could to delay or sabotage Elizabeth — including locking her out on the roof of the building when we were announcing the winner. And she told me that she’d tried to convince Elizabeth in other ways.” She bit her lip. “Gia and Nikolas were dating at the time, and he’d told her something particularly…private about Elizabeth. Several years earlier, Elizabeth had…she’d been attacked by a photographer.”

Spinelli tipped his head to the side. “What?”

“She was sixteen or something. Young. Too young. Not that you’re—” Carly shook her head. “Anyway. Gia tried to use it against Elizabeth — you know, how can you stand to have your picture taken, yada yada. I just know it didn’t work — but then I—” she swallowed hard. “I told Gia I had an idea. Something to convince Elizabeth once and for all she couldn’t do the job. I booked her first photo shoot at a studio…where Tom Baker had held her hostage. Not where he’d…hurt her. This was almost a year later. But it’s where she found out…”

“You…” Spinelli had to stop. “You booked the studio on purpose?”

“I didn’t—I just wanted her to see it wasn’t the right—okay, it was awful. Terrible. But Gia and I planned it together.” Carly pressed a hand to her stomach. “I was awful to her during the shoot. Insulting her appearance. Throwing her off. She ran out, upset, and quit the next day. Gia and I toasted to our victory.”

“That’s…okay.” Spinelli rubbed his temple. “Okay. That’s a lot.”

“I’m not dragging up ancient history because I enjoy it — it’s obviously not something I’m proud of, but I’m telling you this story because Gia delighted in causing her pain. She intentionally made things worse with Lucky and Elizabeth, telling him that she was cheating with Jason — she thought if she made Lucky break up with her, Laura would drop her support of Elizabeth. There was nothing Gia wouldn’t do to get what she wanted. Elizabeth was in her way.”

“That does put a different spin on it, and it makes sense Elizabeth didn’t go into that kind of detail. She…didn’t know it.” Spinelli paused. “But you’ve lived long enough to regret these actions. How can we know Gia Campbell didn’t?”

“Maybe she’s moved on. But she was also pretty jealous of attention Elizabeth got from Nikolas. Nikolas, who went on to have an affair with Elizabeth? Who set up a scholarship in her name? As someone who’s held grudges for far less, I just don’t know if that’s a risk you should be taking. Because if Elizabeth is in actual danger of going to jail—Jason’s going to do something really stupid, like confess to a crime he didn’t commit.”

“Perhaps you’re right. We ought to be a bit more interested in Gia Campbell. I’ll take the message to Diane—”

“Spinelli —” Carly held out a hand. “I’m serious. Please…please don’t tell Jason about any of this. It was a lifetime ago, and I feel awful about it. He probably wouldn’t hold it against me, but the thought of him knowing how petty and nasty I was back then — probably wouldn’t be a surprise,” she muttered to herself. She sighed. “Never mind. Do whatever you have to do with the information. Keeping Jason from being a martyr is our first priority.”

“Understood.”

Even after Spinelli was gone, Carly was still not convinced she’d done enough. There had to be something more she could to curb whatever danger Gia brought to the table. She tapped her fingers on the bar for another minute, then snatched her phone from the purse beneath.

“Maxie? Hey, it’s Carly. I have an amazing idea for Deception. Let’s set up a meeting.”

Chase’s Apartment: Living Room

Chase made a few more notes beneath Sonny’s name, then stepped back to consider the new suspect he’d added to the board. There was little hope that they’d ever be able to tie the gun to Sonny. Even if the FBI was able to raise the serial number, it wouldn’t be traced to Sonny.

But the thought that Sonny Corinthos might be covering up for Kristina after the fact was an interesting one. He didn’t think Sonny had sent Kristina to deal with Cates — that didn’t fit with the way Chase had seen him treat women. Sonny was quick to anger — and quick to throw away women he felt had betrayed him. He’d divorced Nina Reeves over very little.

But as a father, if he suspected Kristina was involved, what would he do? Keep the security footage that would torpedo her alibi from being handed over, absolutely. Fabricate an artificial tip? One that would lead to a planted gun in someone else’s car?

If Kristina had hoped to frame Jason, would Sonny sit by and let that happen? Chase hadn’t been around for the peak of the pair’s power, but he could read articles, look at records. Jason had been Sonny’s right hand man for nearly all the years the man could remember. Sonny prized loyalty — but over his own child?

It was just hard to tell — and too many unknown variables.

Chase’s phone rang, and he reached into the pocket of his jeans. “Detective Chase.”

“Oh, I’m glad I caught you before you were done for the day. We spoke a few days ago? I’m Gia Campbell from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Chase frowned, turned away from his board. “Ms. Campbell, yes. I sent you copies of our witness interviews, but there’s not much more I can or intend to share.”

“I understand that. I would still like to set up a meeting. Are you interested?”

Webber House: Jake’s Bedroom

Danny sat at Jake’s desk, the chair turned towards the bed where Aiden and Jake were sitting, both their backs against the headboard. “I really don’t have to be here—”

“It’s dialing,” Jake said. He sat up, laid the laptop on the bed, turning it slightly so that all three of them could see it. A moment later a video box came up, and Cameron was there. “Hey, sorry we’re late.”

“You’re good. I only have ten minutes before I have to go out—” Cam leaned forward slightly. “Today was the big day, right, Danny? How’d it go?”

“Me? Oh.” Surprised that Cameron knew about the custody hearing or cared enough to ask, Danny answered, “The way my dad said it would. But I get to see my mom as much as I want. With supervision.”

“That’s pretty fair. Still a crappy situation, but it could have been worse.” Cameron’s gaze flicked to his other brother. “I hope Aiden made fun of you when you got suspended. It’s not as bad as getting arrested, but—”

“Hey, I still don’t have a criminal record,” Jake said. “I think out of the four of us, I’m still winning.”

“My name wasn’t on the police report,” Aiden pointed out.

“No, but Mom’s address is on some dispatch report, so—” Jake flicked his brother’s shoulder. “You still coming this Friday?”

“Yeah.” Cameron grimaced. “I tried to talk Mom into letting me stay until after that motion hearing next week, but it wasn’t even a question. There’s no way she’s gonna let Aiden go — so our mission this week is to get you in that room.”

“We got to go to her bail hearing,” Jake said. “But yeah, that was Dad’s call. And it was more for Mom to see us on the dumb little Zoom screen. I’ve already got a plan if she tells me now. I talked to Michael, and he’s gonna pick me up after Mom and Jason leave for Syracuse. He figures he’ll take heat for it, but he says he’d want to be there for his mom.”

“Good. I still wish I could be there, but this is as good as we can get. I know Mom and Jason mean well, but I don’t really trust them to tell us how bad this really is straight. Mom’s like, go live your life and be normal, but she’s got federal charges of murder over her head.” Cameron almost sounded disgusted. “I’m supposed to think about microbiology? No. And Michael would probably make it sound less bad.”

“Okay, sounds like a good plan. Oh, hey—” Jake said. “I know you and Joss are still frosty, but you and Trina are good, right?”

“Why?” Cameron asked, furrowing his brow with suspicion.

“Because Danny is being forbidden from even talking to his sister, and I figure with Trina living on their estate, maybe we could smuggle him or something.”

Danny sat up, surprised by the request. “What?”

“Oh. Well, you should have led with that. Yeah, I’ll call Trina and see what we can manage. I gotta go, though. See you in a few days.”

Cameron’s video disappeared, and Jake closed his laptop. Aiden slid off the bed, but Danny was still stuck in his position. “You didn’t have to do that. I didn’t know you were going to do that.”

“Look, if someone was keeping me from one of my brothers, I’d be pissed.” Jake got to his feet, laid his laptop on his desk and went over to his artist’s table, sitting on the stool. “Drew’s being a dick because, apparently, he got some kind of lobotomy in the slammer. He’s almost never around. I feel pretty confident we could figure out a way to get you guys in contact. And maybe we could give her a sort of fake phone you could text or call her on. I’m still working on that one.”

Danny swallowed hard. “Thank you. I—thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Still have to get away with it.” Jake cracked his knuckles. “But I’m interested in the challenge.”

Webber House: Elizabeth’s Bedroom

Elizabeth sat on the bed, still rubbing lotion into her hands with her eyes narrowed at the doorway. “The boys are up to something.”

Jason, already in bed, sitting up against the head board with his legs stretched out, looked at her. “What?”

“They were very quiet at dinner. Danny’s always quiet. But Jake and Aiden were, too, tonight. I don’t now what it is — but it’s something.” She curled one leg beneath her. “You were a little quiet, too. I know today must have been hard.”

Jason hesitated, then shook his head. “Annoying. But not hard. I warned Sam over and over again that if she pushed me, I’d have to push back. I hate that I had to do this — or that Danny’s been upset by it. Or his sister. But you know how Danny had an attorney assigned to him?”

“Yeah?”

“When Sam first suggested that I could see Danny with supervision, I was willing to deal with it. And I didn’t question it when she said she wanted it to be Jake,” Jason said. “I should have, but I knew you and Sam were civil, I knew that Jake and Danny were close. And I knew it might be difficult because Jake didn’t really want to be around me, but he was willing to do it for Danny. And as long as you were with us.” Jason looked at us. “I didn’t question it,” he repeated. “But it’s clear to me now — Sam never meant for those visits to happen. She assumed Jake would refuse — because he’d been refusing most of the summer. And that it would be the end of it.”

“She didn’t account for Jake being willing to make himself unhappy for his brother,” Elizabeth replied, and Jason shook his head. “I didn’t know that. I thought it was her idea from the start — that Jake and I would be part of it. That’s how Jake framed it — but maybe he thought I’d try to force you guys to go alone. I didn’t question it either.” She paused. “What made you think about that?”

“She never meant for those visits to happen,” Jason repeated, “and every time they did, she interrogated Danny about everything that happened or was said.”

Elizabeth made a face, but remained silent, and he sighed. “I wish I’d know that,” he said. “It bothers me. No, today was irritating because I hate sitting around listening to people talk about me, but it wasn’t difficult. Not when Diane and Danny’s attorney listed all the reasons Sam was making Danny miserable.”

“That’s a good way of looking at it.” Elizabeth slid beneath the comforter, and leaned over to switch off her light. But Jason didn’t turn off his, which made her roll back with her brows lifted. “Are you okay?”

“Just thinking. Now that the hearing is over and Danny’s doing better, I’m going to talk to Spinelli tomorrow.  I know I can’t go around punching people,” he added, and she sat back up. “But there has to be something I can do for your case. I don’t like being shut out of it—” He paused. “What? Why are you looking at me that way?”

She bit her lip, then laid back down, staring at the ceiling. “Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.” Jason shifted to his side, leaning on his elbow. “What?”

“The custody hearing was eight hours ago. And you’re already looking for the dragon to slay.” She sighed. “And that sounds awful because it’s my case you’re worried about, and obviously I want it all over, but you can’t even wait a full day before looking for another problem to solve.” She twisted her head slightly to meet his eyes, but they were shadowed, from the darkness on her side of the room and the dim light on his. “You’re mad.”

“I’m not mad.”

“Frustrated.”

“Stop trying to—” Jason sat up, and she came up as well, holding herself slightly apart. “This is about what we talked about at the warehouse, isn’t it? How I always want to go save someone?” He looked at her. “Maybe I’ve gone too far in the past, but this is your life. Your freedom at stake. I’m not going to apologize for wanting to help end it.”

She pressed her lips together, considered her answer carefully. “It’s my life and my freedom. And we’ve placed it in Diane’s hands. Diane who has steered you through a murder trial and managed to get you acquitted. With much more damning evidence, I might add,” she said, and he sighed. “You told me we could trust Diane, didn’t you? That if we followed her advice, this would be okay.”

“Yes—”

“Her advice is sit back and let her handle it. Let Spinelli investigate within the confines of the law. I’m not in any danger, Jason. We’re months away from trial. The FBI wants me out on bail to get to you—”

“And when they figure out there’s nothing to get either of us for with you out here?” Jason wanted to know. “They’ll want to put pressure on you again—”

“They might. And if—” Elizabeth paused, because the thought was almost too awful to bear. “If they end up putting me back inside until the trial, that would be awful. And I would hate every minute of it. But I got through it before. I can do it again. They still have to convict me, Jason.”

“I know—”

“Diane told us how to handle this. It’s not easy for me, either, you know. The boys are stressed about it. I know they won’t admit it, but they are. Cameron’s wasting his time coming home every other weekend because he can’t stand to be away, and I can’t argue with him because—” She bit her lip “Because you’re right. The feds might try to revoke my bail. And I want all the time with my boys I can stand. Jason, I know it’s hard to do nothing. Especially for you. You need the mission, and the one Diane gave us isn’t enough for you.”

Jason shook his head. “It’s not. That’s why—”

“Fine. Ask Spinelli for something to do. Maybe you can sort paper or something.” Elizabeth laid back down, rolled over on her side away from Jason.

“Now you’re the one that’s mad.” His voice came from near her ear. He’d laid down, curling his body around her, his warmth flooding through her.

“I’m not mad. I’m just—I’m scared,” Elizabeth admitted. She rolled onto her back so that she could see his face. “You were distracted by everything with Danny and Sam, and now that’s over, and you’re immediately looking for the next task. Your next adrenaline rush. But it’s not always like that. Sometimes my life is boring. It’s getting up and going to work, and coming home and being the boys, and then doing it again the next day. And you’re bored in the first twelve hours—” She stopped when he tugged her across him, rolling onto his back and pulling her with him. She braced her hands on his chest so she could sit up slightly. “This is my life, Jason. Especially right now.”

“Then this is my life, too.” When she made a face, he continued, “I’m not bored. But you’re right. I need a problem to solve. And I don’t know what to do with myself without one. That’s something I need to work on. But I can do it. Because I want this. Being with you, getting up, going to work, being with the boys at night, and then doing it all again. I want it—”

“But can it be enough?” she asked softly. “Is it enough to want it? It never has been before.”

“I’ll make it enough.”

She might have protested again, but he kissed her, rolling them so that she was beneath him again and she let it go. Better to focus on the here and now.

Tomorrow was soon enough to worry about everything that came next.