Tuesday, November 2, 2004

General Hospital: Chapel

All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces

Justice of the peace. She almost couldn’t believe he’d said the words. But she had already known the news. She had heard it from the horse’s mouth. Alexis Davis told her nephew that his presence would be needed as she was marrying Ric Lansing in an hour’s time.

Her ex-husband. The man who had once told her that she was the only woman he’d ever truly loved–would ever love. He had moved on to Alexis while she was out of town and now just three months after their divorce was final, he would marry someone else.

Elizabeth Webber Lansing wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry.

“Elizabeth,” Ric murmured. “I didn’t expect you.”

“That much is obvious.” She glanced down at her hands and belatedly realized she still wore the engagement and wedding rings he’d given her once. “Alexis…told Nikolas the news and I thought…” She swallowed. “I thought it was time to give you these.” She took the rings off and set them on the closest pew. “I hope that Alexis gives you what I obviously couldn’t.”

“Elizabeth, wait–”

She turned and walked out of the chapel, her head held high.

Kelly’s

Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere

Brooke Lynn Ashton planted both her hands on Diego Sanchez’s chest and shoved him away. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. She took two large steps back. “Are you insane?”

Diego attempted to smile but failed. “You don’t want it?” he said shortly.

Her dark eyes wide with surprise, Brooke shook her head. “No. No, I don’t. I thought we were friends.”

He grabbed her elbow and yanked her towards him. “Friends? You think I wanted to be your friend?”

“Diego, let me go now,” Brooke struggled against his grip.
He started to drag her towards the kitchen. “Let me show you what I do to teases,” he snarled.

“Let me go!” she cried urgently.

General Hospital: Kristina’s Hospital Room

The tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression

Alexis Davis cleared her throat and stepped further into the hospital room. “Sonny–”

“This is not the time or the place,” Sonny Corinthos murmured, keeping his face calm, his eyes smiling at he gazed down at Kristina.

“I just wanted to explain what happened.”

“It can wait.” Sonny’s lips curved in Kristina’s direction. “Why don’t you get some sleep?”

Kristina yawned and turned over, burying her face in her pillow. Obviously exhausted from her illness and the tests, she was asleep in minutes. Sonny tucked the blankets around her shoulders and stood to go into the hall. Alexis followed him and closed the door behind her.

“I understand that you are angry,” she began.

“Angry, yes,” Sonny nodded. “Disappointed. In you, in Carly.” He looked back at the room. “It can wait until we know what’s going to happen.”

“Sonny–”

“I was tested and so was Courtney and Mike. We’re not matches,” Sonny told her. “Jason’s talking to Carly about testing Morgan.”

“But–”

“When this is over and Kristina is safe, then we will discuss her future. I will be a part of her life, Alexis. I won’t take her from you but I will be in her life.”

Panic licked at the back of her throat. “That’s not possible–”

“I really don’t want to hear what you think right now,” Sonny said, his anger beginning to break through his controlled voice. “I don’t give a damn what you think. When our daughter is safe, maybe then we can discuss what you think though I doubt I will give a damn then.”

Harborview Towers: Corinthos Penthouse

Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

“The test is painful,” Carly Corinthos said stubbornly. “And Morgan is barely a year old. I won’t let him.”

“Carly…” Jason Morgan closed his eyes and sighed. “That’s not just your choice.”

“But it is my choice,” she snarled. “And I choose no. He’s my son and I have to protect him.”

“And if he were sick, you would do anything for him,” Jason said softly. “Including begging Alexis to test Kristina. You don’t have the monopoly on motherhood.”

Carly folded her arms tightly across her chest. “You’re not a father, Jason, I can’t expect you to understand.”

“No.” Jason’s eyes iced over. “No I guess I couldn’t understand.”

Carly’s arms fell to her side. “Jason, I didn’t mean–”

“No, you did mean it. And I think we both have to think about that for a while. I’ll talk to you later.” He turned and left the penthouse.

And left the Harborview Towers altogether.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad

Commissioner Mac Scorpio arrived an hour after Connor Bishop fell into his coma and he pulled Detective Lucky Spencer off the case. “You’re too close to this, Spencer.”

“Commissioner,” Lucky began.

“Too close,” Mac repeated. “I’ll be handling it personally.” He moved over to talk to one of the doctors.

“It’s for the best,” Nikolas Cassadine informed his half-brother. He put a hand on his shoulder. “For the best,” he repeated.

“We should get to the chapel,” Emily Bowen-Quartermaine murmured. She slid her hand into her fiancé’s and tugged him in the direction of the elevators. “Alexis said the justice of the peace would be arriving soon.”

“I can’t believe she’s marrying him,” Lucky muttered as the trio moved towards the bank of elevators, leaving Connor Bishop in his dreamlike coma.

Kelly’s: Kitchen

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had

Mike Corbin frowned at the dark diner and flicked on the lights. “Diego? Brooke?”

A small whimper from the kitchen had his frown deepening and he quickened his steps to find a bruised and bloodied Brooke Lynn crumpled in front of the stove. Mike’s hands clenched into fists as he realized her skirt was hanging in tatters around her waist and her blouse was torn and hanging from a shoulder.

“Brooke Lynn? Honey?”

Brooke buried her face in hands and hid from him, her whimpers turning into hiccupping sobs.

“Honey, what happened?”

When Brooke didn’t answer, Mike steeled himself and reached for the phone on the counter. He called 911 first and then reluctantly–he phoned Ned Ashton.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Front Step

I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take

Elizabeth opened her door that night to find Jason standing there. “Hey, I didn’t expect you tonight.” She bit her lip. “I heard about Kristina. Is she all right?”

“For tonight. I wanted…I wanted to see Cameron.” Jason leaned against the doorway. “I won’t wake him. I just…Carly told me that I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t have Morgan tested because I wasn’t a father.”

Elizabeth touched his arm and pulled him inside. “Jason…you don’t have to ask to see him.” She shut the door and used her other hand to touch his cheek. “You know you’re welcome here whenever you want to come over.”

“I can’t.” Jason shook his head. “I can’t be here as much as I want to be. People might notice. They might ask questions and I won’t risk it. Cameron’s too important.”

“What about me?” she murmured, “Will you risk staying tonight?” There was something in her eyes. Something he couldn’t quite read.

“I’ll stay tonight.” He leaned down and captured her lips in a lingering kiss.

General Hospital: Chapel

When people run in circles its a very very
Mad world
Mad world

The ceremony was simple and it was quick. Before Nikolas could talk his aunt out of it, she had married the district attorney and became Alexis Davis-Lansing. He did not think this was a decision she wanted to make while her entire world was crumbling but it was done now.

Emily wondered how they would tell Elizabeth that this was done. That her ex-husband had married someone before Elizabeth had even given up his name. She wondered if it would devastate her best friend or if Elizabeth would try to shrug it off.

She wanted to claw Ric’s eyes out for destroying Elizabeth’s faith in love, her ability to trust and to give herself to anyone. Since returning from California, Elizabeth rarely spoke about herself and rarely brought Cameron into the public eye. She kept to herself and Emily grieved for the outgoing woman she had once been.

“We’d better get back to Kristina,” Alexis murmured.

Ric nodded and kissed her temple. “For a little while. You need to rest, you need to get something to eat. You do Kristina no good if you’re dead on your feet.”

Nikolas shifted and glanced at his aunt before looking at her new husband–wondering what the man’s angle was. If there was anything Nikolas had learned about Ric Lansing it was that he did not do anything without a reason.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And they feel the way that every child should

Ned Ashton and Lois Cerullo rushed through the doors and stopped when they found Mike Corbin sitting in one of the chairs, a smear of blood on his cheek.

“What’s happened to my baby?” Lois demanded shrilly. “Where’s my daughter?”

Mike stood on unsteady feet and swallowed. “I left her and Diego in charge of the diner. I had to run out and when I came back, she was in the kitchen.”

“Did she cut herself?” Ned asked. He took a hold of the older man’s arm. “Is she hurt badly?”

“Mr. Ashton,” Dr. Steven Webber said softly. “I need to speak with you and Brooke Lynn’s mother.”

Ned let his hands fall from Mike’s arm and he stared blindly at Elizabeth’s older brother. “What’s wrong with my daughter?”

“Brooke Lynn was attacked,” Steven said, trying to spare them the brutal details. “She was beaten pretty badly. She’s got a few bruised ribs, a broken nose, a concussion and a broken arm.” He hesitated and looked at Commissioner Mac Scorpio. “She was…she was raped, Mr. Ashton.”

Ned’s eyes went dark and he stumbled back. “What? But that can’t be possible.”

Lois fumbled for her ex-husband’s hand and she covered her mouth with her free hand. “No, no, Ned, they made a mistake. It can’t be our Brooke. Not our baby.”

“I’m so sorry,” Steven apologized, feeling useless.

“Ned, Lois, I’m sorry for what’s happened,” Mac joined them, his eyes dark with sorrow. He knew that his daughters hung out with Brooke, that they easily could have been there tonight. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

“What happens next?” Lois murmured.

“She was given the rape kit and there is evidence,” Steven said, hoping that would make the parents feel a little better. “Strong evidence.”

“We will be able to convict on this evidence,” Mac stressed. “Now, Dr. Webber tells me that Brooke Lynn is sedated and will be moved to a private room. I won’t press her for a statement tonight but I will have to tomorrow. I’m sorry about that.”

“No, no, you–you’re doing your job,” Ned said. He closed his eyes and wrapped Lois more tightly in his arms. “You have our full cooperation. We just–we just want to see our daughter.”

“I’ll take you to her,” Steven spoke up.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Cameron’s Nursery

Sit and listen
Sit and listen

Leaving Elizabeth downstairs to make a late supper, Jason entered Cameron’s room and sat beside the crib where the infant slept peacefully. “Hey,” he said softly. He folded his arms on the rail of the crib and rested his chin on top of his hands. “You look bigger than the last time I saw you.”

Cameron turned his head and opened his mouth in a sigh but did not wake. “I never understood when people would tell someone that their baby has their eyes or their nose. I could never see it. But you’ve got your mother’s nose. And her smile. You don’t know how lucky you are that she’s your mother.”

Cameron slept on peacefully and Jason closed his eyes, listening to the baby breathe. “She’s so generous and she’s got a heart that was just made for loving her family. She will protect you and she will see that you get the life that you want. I will, too. I just–I can’t do it like she can.

“I can’t be here every day and I can’t put you to sleep at night or be here in the mornings when you wake up.” Jason sighed, his voice a little unsteady. He’d never wanted to be an absentee parent but the decision had been thrust on him with no warning. “The best I can do is provide for you and your mother and hope the little I do makes you happy.”

Elizabeth’s hands rested on his shoulders. “It does,” she murmured. “You know, before Cameron I didn’t want to believe that you were right. That I was safer out of your life and part of me still doesn’t believe that. But I thought you were just pushing me away and knowing you’re doing the same thing even now, it makes me think that you were right. Because you would never live without your son.”

Jason stood and leaned down to kiss Cameron’s forehead. “It’s not even the job anymore,” he remarked quietly. “It’s the people in my life. They have no respect for me, for my privacy. For my right to have a life and until I can fix that, I have to protect you and Cameron.”

“And when you fix it, we’ll be here waiting for you,” she murmured.

General Hospital: Hallway Outside Kristina’s Room

Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me
No one knew me

“Now if Morgan isn’t a match,” Sonny began, “what are our other options?”

“The donor registry. They’re still searching for a match,” Steven told Sonny, Alexis and Ric. “But if there’s no donor there…”

Alexis swallowed and clutched Ric’s hand tightly. “What then?”

“There is one possibility. I didn’t want to bring it up in case there were other options but now that there’s clearly not…” Steven hesitated. “Samantha McCall is pregnant with your child,” he nodded towards Sonny. “Stem cells from the umbilical cord can be used to treat Kristina. Because of their nature, they don’t have to be an exact match. Just a closely related relative.”

Alexis looked at Sonny. “Would Sam consent to that?”

“She’s not due until the end of the month,” Sonny murmured. “Can Kristina wait that long?”

“It’s better if we treat her sooner. If Sam would be willing to induce the pregnancy…” Steven trailed off.

“That’s not something I can agree to by myself,” Sonny remarked. “I’ll have to discuss it with her but we’ll have Morgan here in the morning to test him.” He looked at his watch and frowned, realizing Jason hadn’t called about his meeting with Carly. “I’ll go home and talk to Carly about Morgan.”

He went into the elevators and Alexis slumped a little. “I can’t believe he knows,” she said hoarsely. “I’ve protected that secret for three years.”

“Some secrets aren’t meant to be kept,” Ric wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “We’re going to say good night to Kristina and go home for the night, Alexis.”

“But–”

“Kristina has been given medication, Ms. Davis, she’ll sleep right on through morning,” Steven interrupted. “She won’t even realize you’re gone.”

General Hospital: Brook Lynne’s Room

Hello teacher tell me whats my lesson
Look right through me
Look right through me

Lois curled up in a brown pleather chair at Brooke’s side while Ned stared out into the darkness of the city. His daughter had been beaten and she’d been raped. There were few things worse he could think of happening to her.

How would she get through this? Who had done this? His hands tightened into fists. When he found the son of bitch, there would be no where the scum could hide.

“Ma?” Brooke Lynn murmured, her eyes fluttering open to see her mother at her side. “What happened?”

“Oh, my little girl,” Lois was on her feet in an instant. “Are you all right?”

“I ache…” Brooke turned to lie on her back and a soreness between her legs flooded her eyes with tears and her mind with memories. “Oh, Mama,” she sobbed. “I couldn’t stop him.”

Ned was at her side in an instant, “Shh, baby.”

“Daddy,” Brooke clung to his hand. “I told him no. I screamed it. I thought…” she choked and shook her head. “I thought he was my friend.”

Ned’s blood heated and he struggled to maintain a calm composure. “Who, baby doll?”

“D-Diego,” Brooke choked out. She closed her eyes. “I couldn’t stop it,” she whimpered.

Ned kissed his daughter’s hand and stood. “I’ll go call Mac,” he murmured.

Courtney’s Loft: Hallway

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad

Courtney was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when she pulled the door open later that night. She blinked. “Mac?”

“Courtney.” Mac took a deep breath and looked back at the two uniformed officers at his side. “We need to take Diego Sanchez in for questioning.”

“Diego.” Courtney turned to look at the bed where the teen slept and frowned. “He’s not here. I didn’t even realize he wasn’t here when I got home.” She looked back at Mac. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to know where he is.”

“I’m his guardian, Mac, I deserve to know what you suspect him of,” Courtney said, annoyed.

“He’s suspected of raping and assaulting Brooke Lynn Ashton,” Mac said shortly. “Where is he?”

“That is completely ridiculous,” Courtney sputtered. “Diego and Brooke are friends, he’d never hurt her.”

“Tell that to the parents of the girl lying in the hospital,” Mac snapped. “Where is he, Courtney? Don’t make me arrest you.”

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Bedroom

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take

Elizabeth curled into Jason’s embrace and sighed in content. There were few nights like this. Nights where Jason could stay until morning, where he didn’t have to leave moments after arriving. Where they could spend the night making love if they chose to or sleep in each other arms.

It was nights like these that helped her get through the ones between–where she was lonely–where she was tired of seeing him in public and pretending nothing had changed when in reality, it had all changed.

One day, she repeated to herself, one day it would be different.

As she joined Jason in sleep, his cell phone rang silently. He had turned it off when he stepped into the cottage, leaving the outside world behind him.

When people run in circles its a very very
Mad World
Mad World

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

General Hospital: Pediatric Ward

A bitter argument with his wife had started Sonny’s day off badly. In the end, Carly had agreed to let Morgan be tested for the bone marrow transplant but she’d elected to stay home.

The morning continued as he continually tried to call Jason and received only his voicemail. A brief interrogation of Sam that morning revealed that Jason had not returned home the night before. He was worried more than he was irritated. It was not like Jason to go incommunicado.

He waited by the elevators, a few feet away from Kristina’s room where her mother and new stepfather were visiting with them. He had decided that until this crisis had passed, he would not bring up custody. Kristina did not need him throwing that word around and causing more stress for everyone involved.

But the moment she was recovered, Sonny would have to look deep inside himself and decide how to handle this situation.

The elevator doors slid open and Jason stepped out. “Has Morgan been tested?”

Sonny straightened and his worry slid into irritation. “Where the hell have you been?” he demanded.

Jason sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, wondering why he’d bothered to get out of bed that morning. He’d much rather have stayed with Elizabeth. Maybe given Cameron his breakfast and let himself live that pretense a little longer. He almost had but when he’d unearthed his cell phone and found five messages from Sonny, three from Carly, two from Emily and one from Sam, he had to leave the safe escape and return to the real world.

“I was out. I knew you weren’t bringing Morgan in until this morning and there was nothing else pressing so I took a little breather.” Jason’s eyes bore into his friend’s. “Or do I have to clear having my own life with you?”

Uneasy now, Sonny shook his head. “No. I was just a little worried that no one had seen you. It’s not like you to not leave at least Sam word where you’re going. She’s getting close to her due date.”

“I should have told Sam how to reach me,” Jason nodded. “But I have my own life, Sonny. My own priorities. Your family is not the most important thing to me. It can’t be.”

Sonny narrowed his eyes. “My family is your family, Jason,” he said slowly. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re getting at.”

Neither was Jason except that he knew he couldn’t live like this much longer. Letting the world believe Cameron was Zander Smith’s son, that Elizabeth had to play the ex-wife role, pretending that he didn’t want that life. Maybe it was time to lay the foundation.

“I just want more time to myself,” Jason said after a moment. “I used to come and go as I wanted and now I feel like I have to check with you before I step foot out of my apartment.”

“I never meant to make you feel that way and maybe we do need to discuss some new boundaries. New limits.” Sonny shifted and looked back at Kristina’s hospital room. “I hope to God you never have to stand outside one of these rooms, hoping for news about one of your children.”

“Morgan’s not a match?” Jason asked.

Sonny sighed heavily. “He was tested this morning but Dr. Webber wasn’t hopeful.” He hesitated. “He had an alternative but I’m reluctant to even bring it up.”

“Well, what was it?” Jason asked.

“Sam’s umbilical cord. He says stem cells from that can be used as bone marrow and that she doesn’t even need to be a perfect match.” Sonny exhaled slowly. “But Sam’s not due until the end of the month and Kristina might not have that long to wait.”

“You would have to induce labor,” Jason said after a moment. “She’ll never go for that. She’ll want to help but not at the risk of her own child and I have to agree.”

“It’s not your decision to make,” Sonny remarked. “Sam and I will discuss it ourselves but I wanted to wait until after we knew one way or the other about Morgan.”

Port Charles Police Department: Squad Room

Courtney sat at one of the desks, tapping her foot. “I don’t know why I have to be here,” she said irritated. “I don’t know where he is, Mac.”

“Until we find him, I’m keeping someone on your loft and I don’t want any civilians there who might get hurt.” Mac turned back to the phone. “Hey, Ned, what’s Brooke’s condition?” He listened for a moment and turned away from Courtney so she couldn’t hear what he was saying.

“She can’t stop crying,” Ned said. “She’s just curled up and sobbing. Lois is beside herself and I don’t know what to do. The hospital suggested we bring in a psychiatrist but don’t you think it’s a little early for that?”

“Yeah, I do.” Mac hesitated. “I do know someone who would be a little better than a shrink. She went through it when she was just a little younger than Brooke and she’s managed to move on with her life. Can I put her in touch?”

Ned was silent for a moment. “Are you speaking about Elizabeth Webber?”

“I am. I think it would be beneficial for Brooke to have someone to talk to who went through it and maybe for her to see that one day, she will get past it.”

“I’ve known Elizabeth since she was a teenager,” Ned said after a long pause. “If she’d be willing to speak to Brooke, I’d allow it.”

“Good. Meanwhile, we’ve got officers scouring the city for Sanchez and there’s an APB out statewide. We’ll find him, Ned.”

General Hospital: Brooke Lynn’s Room

Ned entered the room to find Lois gone and Emily sitting in her place. “Lois went to get some coffee,” his cousin told him.

Ned nodded and perched on the windowsill. “How long has Brooke been asleep?”

Emily sighed. “The doctors came in and sedated her again. Have they found…”

“No, not yet. But Mac had a suggestion. Instead of calling in a psychiatrist, he suggested Elizabeth.”

Emily smiled weakly before looking back at Brooke. “I think that would be a great idea.”

“Would you call her?” Ned asked. “I don’t think I could say the words out loud.”

Emily stood and moved towards the door. “I’ll call her. Ned, this is going to be okay. We have to believe that.”

Ned stared at his bruised and broken daughter. “I don’t have to believe anything now.”

Jones House: Georgie’s Room

“I will never understand calculus,” Maxie Jones snarled. She tossed her pencil away and sighed. “Why do I have to be subjected to this?”

“I think the teachers enjoy torture,” her sister remarked. She straightened. “Did you hear that?”

Maxie frowned. “What?”

Their cousin Lucas Jones straightened. “Sounded like it was outside your window.”

Georgie rolled her eyes and moved towards the window, yanking it up. “Honestly, Dillon.”

Dillon Quartermaine climbed soberly into the room and clasped his hands behind his back. “I’m sorry.”

“Why weren’t you in school?” Georgie asked, concerned. “Aren’t you feeling well?”

“I’m fine.” Dillon hesitated. “Something happened last night, guys. Something bad.”

Lucas slowly stood from his seat on the floor and shook his head. “Brooke wasn’t in school either.” He stepped forward. “Dillon…”

“Diego attacked her last night,” Dillon revealed flatly.

Maxie gasped and sprang to her feet and Georgie shook her head, not comprehending. “What do you mean attack?”

“He raped her and she’s got some injuries.” Dillon sighed and looked at the floor. “A few bruised ribs, a broken nose, a concussion and a broken arm.”

“No, Diego couldn’t…” Maxie couldn’t finish her defense of the boy they knew so little about. Her eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Jesus. Have they arrested him yet?”

“No. They can’t find him and Courtney doesn’t know where he is.” Dillon moved away from his girlfriend and sat on her bed. “I haven’t been to the hospital yet.”

Lucas blinked. “How…how could anyone hurt Brooke?” he dragged his fingers through his blonde hair. “This just isn’t happening.”

“Ned and Lois haven’t left the hospital since last night. Emily came today and everyone else has been checking in and out but they don’t know her like I do. Like any of us do,” Dillon clarified. “She’s my best friend.”

Georgie sat next to him and wound her arm through his, resting her chin on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Dillon. This is just…there are no words to say how much this really sucks.”

“That covers it though.” Dillon’s voice caught. “This really sucks.”

“What should we do?” Maxie asked helplessly. She wrung her hands. “I mean, she’s not sick and I just…I couldn’t begin to know what we’re supposed to do.”

“We can’t pretend it didn’t happen,” Lucas murmured. “But I–I don’t know what to think.” His eyes burned with anger. “But if I ever get my hands on that son of a bitch…”

“You’ll have to stand in line.” Dillon kissed the top of Georgie’s head. “Ned’s already got the family lawyers ready to sue Social Services. Claming that they put his daughter in danger when they placed Diego with Courtney.”

“Well, yeah, I mean, who would give her a kid?” Georgie said logically. “She’s a single woman in an apartment that doesn’t even have a closed bedroom. She’s divorced from a reputed mob enforcer, she’s the sister of a mob kingpin. She’s been on drugs, she’s been accused of a hit and run, she’s been a stripper. The list really doesn’t end. Your brother has an excellent case.”

“When you put it like that, how did she get picked as a foster mother?” Maxie asked. “Because she’s run a foundation for six months? It’s bullshit. They should sue her too.” Maxie flopped on the bed. “But all the suing in the world won’t change what happened to Brooke.”

General Hospital: Conference Room

Steven spread Kristina’s case file in front of him and looked at Alexis, Ric, and Sonny seated across from him. “Morgan is not a match.”

Alexis’s shoulders slumped and she looked down at her hands. “What’s next?”

“We’re still searching the donor registry but the truth of the matter is that the disease is spreading fast. Kristina is very small and the antibiotics we have her on won’t hold it off much longer. We need to decide on a treatment and we need to decide now.”

“I’m having Sam brought to the hospital,” Sonny said carefully. “I would like you to talk to her. To explain the procedure, the risks–and the benefits. I think if she hears it from a doctor, she might be willing to consider it more than she would from me.”

“But if she doesn’t,” Alexis said. “If she doesn’t agree, then what?”

Steven sighed. “Has every single relative been tested? Is there no else?”

Sonny hesitated for a moment, searching his mind. “My father, my sister, Morgan…I can’t think of anyone else.”

“I’ve been tested, Ric’s been tested, Nikolas. I can’t think of anyone else either,” Alexis said mournfully.

“We’d test cousins at this point. Anyone who might be related even a little is a remote possibility of being a match.”

“Well, Helena’s dead,” Alexis rubbed her eyes. “The Cassadine family is pretty much out. My sister died two years ago.”

“Michael’s not my biological son,” Sonny offered. “I suppose…” He hesitated. “When you told me that I wasn’t a donor, you seemed a little surprised.”

“Well, your blood type matched Kristina’s and you have a rare blood type,” Steven replied. “Generally, it would have been ideal for you to have matched her bone marrow.”

“So, someone with the same blood type…” Sonny blinked and sat back. “Four years ago, I was shot and I needed a blood transfusion.”

Alexis’s mouth went dry. “Elizabeth. She has Sonny’s blood type. She saved your life.”

“Could she be tested?” Ric demanded, leaning forward.

Steven sat back, a little thrown by this news. “She could. She could very well be tested. I’ll contact her and tell her to come in. I’m sure she’ll agree.”

“She’s a good person,” Sonny said after a moment. “She’d help anyone. No matter who they are.”

Steven nodded. “You’re right. But I think we’re lucky it’s a small child and not an axe murderer.” He stood and gathered the file. “I’ll call her right now.”

General Hospital: Pediatrics Ward

“As long as there’s no risk to the baby,” Sam began, looking at Jason out of the corner of her eye, “I think I will agree.”

Jason leaned against the wall across from Kristina’s room. “Don’t feel like you’re forced into it.”

“If it were my child in there, if my child were at risk, I’d move heaven and earth to save her,” Sam murmured. She rested her hand on her belly. “How can I blame Alexis for wanting the same thing?”

Jason thought about Cameron, the way he’d slept that morning when Jason had looked in on him before leaving. Such a contented little boy, with everything he could want. He didn’t really realize that his father was never around. It would take a few years before Jason’s unintentional neglect would set in but he would be damned if it got that far.

“You look like you’re contemplating the problems of the entire world,” Sam said softly. “Does this have to do with why you didn’t come home last night?”

Jason didn’t answer her. Home wasn’t the penthouse. It hadn’t been the penthouse in years. Home was the small cottage on the edge of town where his son lived, where the only woman who’d ever truly understood him–every really loved him–lived. The penthouse was a temporary place. He’d been home last night.

“Jason, you can trust me,” Sam said. “I hope you know that.”

“I do know that,” Jason said after a moment. And he knew that the closer her due date drew, the more likely he’d have to confide in her–at least partly. She counted on him, needed him to be there. She would need to know how to get in touch with him at all times and other than telling her, the only solution was to not visit Elizabeth for the next few weeks. That wasn’t a possibility.

But before he could make up his mind to tell her anything, Alexis, Sonny and Ric emerged from a nearby door with Steven Webber. Ric shook Steven’s hand and the doctor walked in the opposite direction.

“Hey,” Sam said to the three of them. She took a few steps forward. “I thought I was coming here to talk to Dr. Webber.”

“You might not have to,” Alexis said, wrapping her arms around her and managing the first genuine smile in days. “We found another possible donor.”

“Yeah?” Sam smiled. “That’s incredible. But I thought all the relatives had been tested.”

“They have. But my blood type is the same as Kristina’s,” Sonny explained. “Which is why it was odd that I didn’t match, seeing as how people of our rare blood type usually do.”

“So, someone else with your blood type,” Jason said. “Who?”

“Elizabeth,” Ric said. “Apparently she donated blood to Sonny once and since she’s a match, her brother’s calling her now to get her tested.”

Sam closed her eyes. “I hope you don’t mind if I pray for her to be a match for simply selfish reasons. I was willing to induce labor but I’ll be glad if I don’t have to.”

“It means a lot that you would have been willing.” Alexis clasped Sam’s hands in her own. “A lot.”

Port Charles Police Department: Squad Room

Courtney tapped her foot and stared at the cell phone. Six phone calls to her brother. No word. Four to Jason. Nothing. Surprisingly, two to Jax and no response from him either.

“Am I under arrest?” she snipped.

Lucky Spencer glanced up and tapped Brooke’s file against his hand. “You want to be? You refuse to say any thing about Diego, no hint about his whereabouts, where he hangs out. Nothing. We can arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

Courtney stood. “Then you’re going to have to do that, but I’m going home–”

“No, no you’re not,” Ned strode into the squad room, his eyes ignited for fury. “I just had a call from Mac who’s returning to Port Charles now from the road. Diego was halfway to Buffalo in your car, Courtney.”

“My car?” Courtney wiped her hands on her jeans. “He stole my car?”

“And your credit cards. And a lot of money.” Ned looked at Lucky. “Facilitation of a fugitive is still a crime, isn’t it?”

Panic licked at Courtney throat. “I d-didn’t know.”

“You have a history of lying to the police,” Lucky set Brooke’s file down. “Remember a certain hit and run last year?”

Courtney blinked a few times in rapid succession. “I was only accused. I wasn’t charged.”

“Because someone conveniently came forward and admitted to it. Someone who worked for Lorenzo Alcazar. Who was in love with Carly. Who would do anything for Carly.” Lucky smirked and looked at Ned. “But we all know who nearly blinded Elizabeth for life.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“If you helped Diego try to escape prosecution for raping and brutalizing my daughter, I will see that you pay for it,” Ned threatened.

Lucky’s desk phone rang and he moved to answer it. When he hung up, he looked at Ned. “Mac’s a few minutes away. He doesn’t want you here when Diego gets here. He doesn’t want you to do–”

“What that animal deserves?” Ned said viciously. “He raped my daughter, Lucky–”

“No one understands what you’re going through better than I do.” Lucky moved closer and lowered his voice so Courtney couldn’t hear. “I pulled Elizabeth out of those bushes and watched her fight her way back to living her own life. She had to accept that she might never know the identity of the man who stole that innocence from her and when they did find him, she had to accept that he could not be prosecuted. I know how helpless you feel right now and that the thought of that monster coming anywhere near Brooke again…I know what it feels like to want to kill someone who hurts someone you love. But you have to step back, Ned.”

Ned swallowed hard. “I want to know everything as it happens. Do I have your word?”

“You have my word.” He looked at Courtney. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an arrest to make.”

As he started towards her, the blonde started talking. “He came home last night,” she blurted out. “He was upset, he’d had a fight. He told me he had a fight with Brooke Lynn. He said they’d been out on a date and they’d argued. He was upset and he wanted to drive out to Vista Point to think. I loaned him the keys. He asked about gas, I said I didn’t remember if it was filled and that I didn’t have any cash on me. I gave him my credit card. I don’t know where he got the money.”

“He had a pawn slip,” Lucky said after a moment. “Mac told me when he called. A pawn slip for a diamond ring.”

Courtney only owned one diamond ring. Her engagement ring. Her lips pressed together. “He stole my ring?” she said weakly.

“He raped my daughter,” Ned growled.

“Why didn’t you tell us this when we knocked on your door?”

“I honestly didn’t know where he was and when I heard what he was accused of…I just…I didn’t know what to do.” Courtney sank into a chair. “I thought he was a good kid and I thought we were connecting. At first, I thought there had to be a mistake. That maybe Brooke had gotten hurt on her way home from their date.”

“She was dating Lucas Jones,” Ned said scathingly. “I never would have allowed her near Diego Sanchez.”

“And by the time I realized that it was true, I had already lied.” Courtney propped her head in her hands. “Jesus, that poor girl. If I had just said no when Social Services called. If I had just told them that I was in no place to care for any child long term…”

“Asking those kinds of questions doesn’t turn back time. It doesn’t give my daughter back her innocence, her trust, that beautiful light in her eyes. My daughter was the most generous and the most caring young girl you could ever meet…” Ned’s voice sounded thick. “But she won’t have that again. She won’t be innocent or carefree again. Your ward ended that for her.”

Courtney’s miserable eyes met his. “I know. And I’m going to have to live with that for the rest of my life.”

General Hospital: Pediatric Ward

Elizabeth walked towards the group gathered in front of Kristina’s hospital room. She was careful only to glance at Jason, though her eyes wanted to linger. “I asked Steven if I could tell you the results,” she told Alexis.

Alexis’s hands started to tremble. “Are you…”

Elizabeth nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Yes. Steven’s quite surprised since I’m almost a perfect match but I am a match and it would be my privilege to donate bone marrow to your daughter.”

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

General Hospital: Pediatrics Ward

With the knowledge that Elizabeth would begin the preparations for the transplant that would take place in the morning, Ric managed to convince Alexis to go home and take a nap. Sonny told Jason he would make sure he’d get Sam home and if Jason could make sure Elizabeth had anything she needed, he would appreciate it.

Jason, however, was grateful for the opening his friend gave him to have a conversation with Elizabeth. When the hallway was clear, he stepped towards her. “Is there anything you need?”

She nodded and with a smile, she took his hand and led him into a utility closet. “I just wanted to be alone with you,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his wait and standing on her toes to kiss him. He buried his hands in her hair, threading his fingers through the silky strands. There was never enough time for this, could never be enough time to sate his thirst for her.

“Mmm, we really don’t have enough time for this,” Elizabeth laughed as his mouth trailed down her neck. “There are some things we need to talk about and with me going into surgery this afternoon, there’s not much time to work it out.”

“What things?” Jason pulled away a little.

“There’s Cameron for one. I’m not going to be in any position to take care of him for a few days at least and my grandmother’s out of town for a conference in Manhattan. Emily’s…she’s just in a whole other world right now.” Her eyes brightened. “But if Sam offered to take care of him–as sort of practice, why you’d have to help right?”

“Cameron for a few days?” Jason had to take a deep breath. “Really? We can pull this off?”

“It would be natural. Sonny told you to make sure I had everything I needed.” Elizabeth smiled up at him. “I can’t really imagine a better place for our son to be while I’m recuperating than with his father.”

Jason hesitated. “I think I might have to tell Sam. About Cam. And you.”

“If you trust her.” Elizabeth slowly moved away from him and crossed to the other side to create distance though there was little to be gained in the room. “This situation has always been your choice,” she murmured.

“What would you rather I do?” Jason asked, a little irritated. “Shout it from the rooftops that while I was engaged to be married, I had an affair with you? That I fathered a child and didn’t claim him until well after he was born?”

The words stung but she masked them and looked away. “Let me know about Cameron because I have to make arrangements soon.” She put her hand on the doorknob but his hand pressed against the door to keep it closed.

“I didn’t–I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I hate this. I hate pretending we mean nothing to each other. I hate that I have to hide how I feel about you, about Cameron. If I hadn’t screwed it all up in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“It wasn’t all your fault.” She sighed and fell into his arms again, trying to commit the feeling to memory. “First I walked out and then when we were so close to working it all out, I picked that stupid fight.”

“Yeah, but I’m the one who got married first.” He kissed the top of her forehead. “Give me an hour to talk to Sam at the most. And then I’ll pick up Cameron.” He paused. “I love you, Elizabeth, I want you to believe that.” He kissed her eyelids and brushed his mouth over hers. “I need you to believe that.”

“I do,” she replied. She deepened the kiss just for a moment. “We’d better go.”

General Hospital: Alexis’s Apartment

Alexis exited the bedroom, towel drying her hair and looking more rested after a brief nap and a shower. “That smells good,” she called to Ric in the kitchen.

“It’s just a couple of a sandwiches,” he replied, carrying a plate and a glass of water to the small table behind the couch. “Eat,” he directed.

Alexis sat and stared at him for a moment. “She’s going to be okay, isn’t she?” she asked quietly.

Ric covered her hand with his. “She’s going to be great. And when she’s home and she’s healthy again, we can talk about the future.”

“Future.” Alexis rubbed her fingers idly over his bare fourth finger. “We didn’t take time for a real wedding. Do you regret that?”

He lowered himself into a chair next to hers. “I don’t regret that we’re married. That we’re not going to doing a stupid dance around each other anymore or trying to deny what we both feel. I regret that Kristina couldn’t be there.” He picked her hand up and kissed her fingertips. “So when she’s home again, then we can do it right.”

“When she’s home again,” Alexis murmured. She leaned in and kissed him softly. “Go to work.”

“Work?” Ric shook his head. “No, I should go back to the hospital with you.”

“You’ve been at the hospital day and night for a few days. You can at least go and check in. You do want to be re-elected next year, don’t you?”

“Unless my wife wants to give me a run for my money.” Ric smiled and pointed to her plate. “I’ll go in if you eat.”

Alexis picked up the sandwich and bit into the sandwich with relish. “Go.”

General Hospital: Brooke Lynn’s Hospital Room

Lucas hesitantly knocked on Brook’s door, noting first that it was empty of visitors and second that Brooke looked worse than he’d thought she would.

She looked at him through empty eyes but managed a weak smile. “First line of attack?” she quipped.

Lucas smiled and held out the bouquet of daisies he’d hunted up. “Your favorites, right?”

“Mmm,” Brooke fumbled with her free hand to bring the bed up and Lucas took a seat. “Thanks.”

“Everyone wanted to come,” he said after a moment. “But no one…no one really knows what to say.”

“Yeah. I can imagine it’s really hard on them,” Brooke said, staring at the scratchy white hospital blanket.

“It is.” Lucas sighed and clasped his hands between his knees. “Brooke, this happened to us too. We love you. I’ve never seen Dillon look so upset or Georgie and Maxie so helpless. You’re our best friend, Brooke, and the last thing any of us want to do is hurt you.”

“I know.” Brooke glanced up at him. “They’re…they’re not telling me anything here. Have…they found him?”

Lucas reached over and took her free hand in his, pretending not to notice as she flinched at his touch. “They found him. He’s in custody now. There’s no way he’ll be able to get out of this.”

Port Charles Police Department: Interrogation Room

Mac sat down and stared Diego Sanchez for a few moments before flipping the file open. “Let’s just cut right to the chase here.”

“Let’s.” Diego leaned back and slung an arm over the back of the chair. “She wanted it.”

Blood boiled in the commissioner’s veins but he ignored it. “Brooke Lynn Ashton was found in the kitchen of Kelly’s Diner. She had a broken nose, broken arm, concussion, and a few bruised rips. Not to mention that she was raped. There’s no doubt about that.”

Diego snorted. “So she liked it rough.”

A muscle ticked in Mac’s jaw but that was the only emotion he showed. “You can give us a semen and blood sample or we can obtain a warrant for it. It’s your choice.”

Diego shrugged. “I don’t care. Her word against mine.”

Mac closed the file and stood. “The daughter of Ned Ashton, granddaughter of Tracy Quartermaine and great-granddaughter of Edward Quartermaine. Do you really want that to be your defense?”

Diego’s lips curved into a malicious smile. “You don’t know anything about me, do you Commissioner? I’ve got connections of my own. One phone call and I’m out of here.”

“Mm.” Mac ignored that and left the room.

Ric Lansing was conversing with Lucky Spencer and cut off the younger detective. “Mac, I just got caught up on the Sanchez case.”

“He’s a cocky son of a bitch,” Mac muttered, tossing the file on a desk. “Says Brooke wanted it Likes it rough. It just…it kills me knowing my girls thought of him as a friend. Felt sorry for him, Georgie did.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “How’s Kristina?”

“She’s getting her transplant tomorrow,” Ric answered. “We found a donor so Alexis told me to come in for a few hours.”

“Congratulations on the marriage.” Mac said after another moment. “Didn’t really see that coming.”

“Me neither,” Ric admitted. “But here we are. How is it looking evidence wise with Sanchez?”

“They recovered semen from Brooke, and scrapings under her fingernails from where she scratched the perp. Diego’s sporting some scratches on his face. It’s a pretty solid case and since he’s basically just making it his word against hers that it was consensual, I don’t see a problem.”

“Is Brooke…all right? Otherwise, I mean.”

“As all right as she can be considering she was brutally raped by someone she thought was her friend.”

Harborview Towers: Morgan Penthouse

“I am so glad that Elizabeth was a match,” Sam said, settling on the couch with an oversized bowl of ice cream. “I mean, I was totally willing but it’s just safer for everyone. Kristina’s not using an experimental treatment, I’m not inducing labor…” She grinned at the man she considered her best friend. “I think she’s an absolute angel.”

“Hmmm…” Jason sat in the arm chair adjacent to the couch. “She mentioned she’d need someone to look after Cameron for a few days. She’ll be in the hospital overnight and then somewhat weak for the next few days.”

Sam’s eyes lit up. “I could take care of him. I need the practice and you’re just incredible with babies, right? We could so take him. Did you tell her that?”

“I mentioned you…” Jason stopped and dragged his fingers through his hair. One lie too many. “Sam, there’s something we have to talk about.”

“Sounds serious.” Sam licked her spoon. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s…nothing’s wrong.” Jason stood and started to pace, a move that was so un Jason like that Sam stopped and stared. “There’s really no way to say this except to just say it. Cameron’s my son and Elizabeth and I are…we…” He didn’t know how to put it into words. Lovers? Together? Dating? In love?

Sam set the bowl down on the coffee table and laced her fingers together, unable to hide the surprise in her face. “If Cameron’s your son, then…”

“We had…we had a thing last fall. After her divorce to Ric and her accident, we were…we were working things out. We didn’t tell anyone because at first, it was just too…too much. It came out of nowhere, I was engaged, she was just getting out of a divorce. We weren’t even sure it wasn’t just…a distraction.”

“Mmmmm…” Sam sat back. “And yet, it’s a year later. You’re not married, she’s not married, but Cameron’s your son.”

“We had an argument after Courtney decided to set the date for the wedding. She accused me of using her to forget about Courtney and we–it just went from bad to worse. We ended it and…I married Courtney. I figured I had nothing left to lose.”

Sam snorted. “Men,” she muttered. “So, the baby?”

“For some reason, her doctors screwed up her due date and put it at late July. She assumed it was Zander’s baby because of the dates and after she married Ric, I guess we both figured we’d put the whole thing in the past.”

“But she found out Cameron wasn’t Zander’s.”

“Shortly before she left Ric, they readjusted her due date and the dates matched. But by the time she found out, I was married and I guess…she didn’t know what to do.”

“So she left Ric and left town to have the baby.” Sam leaned forward and propped her chin on her elbow. “But didn’t tell you.”

“I don’t blame her,” Jason said quickly. “It couldn’t have been an easy decision. And she came clean when she came home. But by then…” he trailed off.

“You were tied to me,” Sam murmured. “But everyone knows this isn’t your baby. Why didn’t you come forward?”

“At first, I didn’t think Elizabeth wanted me to. That she kept Cameron from me for the same reasons she had walked out two years ago.” Jason leaned against the desk. “But we finally…we really talked about it this time. Admitted mistakes and said things we probably should have years ago. In the end, we knew we wanted to be a family.” He exhaled slowly. “That was in July.”

“So what’s keeping you?” Sam asked softly.

“I have to protect her. I have to protect Cameron. I’m in no place to take on a family publicly. Do you know what Carly would do to Elizabeth?” Jason shook his head. “Elizabeth can handle herself, I know that. She shouldn’t have to. And…Sonny’s not real understanding about me having my own life lately. I didn’t really understand that until I was sneaking away to be with Elizabeth and Cameron. If I disappear for a little while, he gets angry and I just…I have to find a way for Sonny to accept that I get to have my own life and that I’m not willing to sacrifice my family for his anymore.”

“Elizabeth really is an incredible woman. I mean, she knows I live here, that you’re practically going to be a father to this baby and she just sits with her son wherever you’ve stashed her, waiting for you to give her the time of day.” Sam pursed her lips. “If I didn’t know Elizabeth, I’d think of a few other words people would describe her with.”

Jason scowled. “I know. And when it does come out, people will do the math and realize that Cameron was conceived while both of us were tied to other people. I don’t give a damn what people think but Elizabeth deserves better.”

“How often do you get to see them?” Sam asked quietly.

“I try to stop by once a day but sometimes a week will go by. Last night was the first night I’ve spent there in almost a month and I didn’t even get there until late.” Jason scrubbed his hands over his face. “I’m telling you this for a few reasons. One, you’re going to give birth any time now. You need to be able to get in touch with me at all times.”

Sam nodded. “Sounds reasonable. What are the others?”

“I think that Elizabeth is reaching the end of her patience,” he said after another moment. “She didn’t ask to be treated like some kind of…”

“Mistress?” Sam said dryly. “Concubine? Second wife? Hey, if we lived in China, you could so get away with this stuff.”

“I don’t think of her that way. She’s too important to me.” Jason sighed impatiently.

“I’m beginning to understand that.” Sam hoisted herself off the couch. “For months, you’ve been distracted. You’ve stared off into space and you’ve disappeared for hours at a time. I couldn’t for the life of me understand what was wrong. But now I do.” Her lips curved into a wry smile. “You went and got yourself a life. And from what it sounds like, it’s a good life. One you deserve.”

“I hope so,” Jason murmured. “Sam, you’re the only one who knows. No one else does. Not Emily, not Elizabeth’s family. No one else knows.”

“I’m not about to take out a newspaper announcement.” Sam fisted her hands on her hips. “I think that Elizabeth should recuperate here after her surgery so that she’s not too far away from her son. As for her reaching the end of her patience, we’ll work on that.” She bit her lip. “I know telling me was more of a necessity than anything else. But you really could have lied. Or gotten another cell phone and only given me the number. But you chose to tell me the truth and it means a lot to me that you trust me. I want to see you happy, Jason. I think out of everyone that I know, you deserve it the most.”

General Hospital: Surgery

Steven smiled as he watched a nurse administer the IV drop for his sister. “You ready to do this?”

Elizabeth nodded sleepily. “Yep.” She crooked her finger to motion him closer. When he leaned down, she whispered loudly, “I have got the cee-utest doctor.”

He laughed. “You’re amazing, little sister. Just close your eyes and go to sleep.”

Elizabeth nodded and followed his instructions. “Tell Cameron I love him,” she murmured. “And Jason…”

Steven frowned. “Tell Jason what?” he asked.

But Elizabeth had already fallen into a deep slumber. Steven reached for the long needle to begin the procedure.

Chapter Four

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Corinthos Penthouse: Bedroom

“Elizabeth was a match?” Courtney asked, doubt lacing her voice. “Why? How?”

“She and Sonny have the same blood type,” Carly murmured as she finished packing another drawer into suitcases.

“It’s just…it’s weird that she’s not related and she’s a match. It almost doesn’t seem fair.” Courtney sat on the windowsill. “Carly, why are you packing? Sonny hasn’t made anything official.”

“But he will,” Carly replied. She pulled another bag out of her closet and opened her drawer of panties, bras and other undergarments. “And I just want to be prepared.”

“Carly, you can’t just give up on your marriage–”

“Courtney, I’m not giving up. I’m accepting the facts. Since Sonny and I married for the first time four years ago, we have separated no less than five times–twice in the last year alone. I cannot keep doing this, Courtney. I cannot keep giving my heart and my life for him only to be cast out when he feels I’ve betrayed him. I’m not putting my boys through it anymore.”

“Are you sure about this?” Courtney asked.

“How sure were you when you divorced Jason?” Carly asked. “You weren’t. It was until months after it happened that you were okay with your decision. Well, no I’m not sure. But I really don’t have a choice in the matter.” She closed the newly emptied drawer. “How is the situation with the police?” she asked, changing the topic. “The charges were dropped against you, right?”

“They were,” Courtney replied. “But Diego is still facing rape and assault charges.” She shook her head. “It just doesn’t feel right. I can’t believe he would do that–he cares about Brooke Lynne. Why would he hurt her?”

“You’ve known Diego a month, Courtney. People I’ve known for years are capable of things I can’t imagine happening. I wouldn’t be quick to support him over a girl who’s been raped.”

“I’m not supporting him,” Courtney remarked, a little stunned. “I’m just…surprised.”

The sound of a baby crying broke the tense silent and Courtney frowned. “I thought Morgan was with Bobbie.”

“He is. That’s Cameron,” Carly said, crossing to her closet and perusing more clothes. “He’s staying with Sam and Jason while Elizabeth’s recovering from surgery.”

Courtney narrowed her eyes. “Why with them? Why not her brother? Or her grandmother? Even Emily and Nikolas. Why Jason?”

“Sam volunteered them,” Carly said absently. “Something about practice.” She shut the lid the suitcase. “Courtney, I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s not Elizabeth who’s getting her claws in Jason, it’s Sam.” She hesitated. “And I’m not even sure I care anymore. Jason’s a big boy and he can make his own decisions.”

Courtney squared her shoulders. “You’re usually the first one to head off someone going for Jason. It’s the reason you and Elizabeth are always at each other’s throats.”

Carly sat on her bed and sighed heavily. “I can barely run my own life, Courtney. I can’t pretend I have any control over Jason’s life anymore. Maybe when I figure mine out, I’ll ask Jason what he’s doing hanging out with Elizabeth’s son, okay?”

Taken aback at Carly’s sharp retort, Courtney cleared her throat and stood. “Right. Well, I should go. Jax is coming over and he wants to discuss my legal options. Give me a call when you and the boys are settled.”

“Courtney…” Carly after her halfheartedly as the blonde exited the room.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

“Aren’t we just the cutest little baby in the whole wide world?” Sam cooed, ticking Cameron’s feet. “Yes, we are, yes we are.”

The little boy giggled and Sam laughed right back. “Jason, stop looking at the clock.”

“She should be out of surgery now.”

“She probably is.” Sam lifted Cameron into her lap. “Go see her.”

“I can’t.”

She rolled her eyes. “Daddy’s having a freak out,” she said confidentially to the little boy. “You’re her friend, aren’t you?”

“If we’re around each other too much, it’s hard.” Jason rested his hands on the desk and stared at the phone as if willing it to ring with news of Elizabeth. “Because we have to pretend we don’t feel anything.” He glanced at Cameron. “I have to pretend he’s nothing more than the son of an old friend.”

“Must be next to impossible.” Cameron held his arms out to his father but Jason stayed across the room. “You won’t be able to keep this secret forever. He’s going to get bigger, Jason. He’s going to start talking and maybe the first few times he calls you Daddy in public, people will think it’s cute, but not forever.” Sam hesitated. “Unless he’s not going to call you that even in private–”

“Sam…” Jason closed his eyes. “That’s not fair.”

“Well, it’s not really fair to Cameron or Elizabeth either is it?” Sam set Cameron on the floor and watched him crawl across the floor to where he had some stuffed animals on a blanket.

“At least she gets to see him every day,” Jason murmured. He sat on the floor next to Cameron and the boy immediately abandoned his toys to crawl towards the big man whose voice he recognized.

“Sure she gets to see him every day,” Sam replied. “But she can’t share her life with his father, the man she loves. I know how she must feel.” Her voice softened and she looked towards the windows. “When Carly moved back into the penthouse last spring and Sonny told me he’d come by when he could…” She twisted the hem of her gray sweater in her fingers. “It made me feel so low, Jason. So dirty. Like trash.”

“Elizabeth–she doesn’t feel that way. She has to know…” Jason shook his head. “It’s not like that, Sam.”

“Hmmm.” Sam got to her feet and pressed her hand against her lower back. “I think I’ll go to the hospital. Do some visiting.”

“Sam.”

“Spend time with your son,” she murmured as she moved to the closet and struggled into a jacket.

“Sam, this isn’t something you need to fix–”

Sam pulled the door open and smiled at the guard. “Hey, Tommy right? Yeah, I’m going to General Hospital–my friend’s out of surgery.”

“Mr. Morgan?” the guard spoke past her.

Jason sighed. “Yeah. Take her and don’t let her out of your sight.”

When the door shut, Jason sighed and pulled Cameron into his arms. The baby giggled and touched his face. “I miss you when I’m not around,” he said softly. “When you’re with your mother and I can’t be there…” he closed his eyes and hugged his son close. “I wish it could be different.

General Hospital: Brooke Lynn’s Room

“Okay, so I could do the whole silence awkward thing,” Georgie began, “but I’ve decided that it’s overplayed.”

Brooke smiled hesitantly. “Yeah?”

“Yeah, so here are the flowers,” the perky blonde set an arrangement of tulips on the table next to the bed, “and the card.” She tossed a card onto the bed. “Okay, so let’s get on to other stuff.”

“Other stuff,” Brooke said slowly.

“Yep.” Georgie twisted her fingers together. “Kristina’s got a donor, did you hear?”

“Yes,” Brooke nodded. “I also heard she’s not my biological sister.”

“Oh. Well.” Georgie shrugged. “Blood’s not everything. I mean, Mac’s not my biological father.”

“True.” Brooke shrugged.

“And it’s not like Kristina’s got any other sisters,” Georgie reminded her. “I mean, yeah, Sonny’s got one on the way and two sons but every girl needs an older sister.” She wrinkled her nose. “Even if it’s Maxie.”

“Maxie’s great,” Brooke said. “You guys are lucky to have each other.”

“Yeah, I did luck out that way. And hey, as crazy as family is, they come in handy. You’ve got Dillon.”

“He hasn’t come to see me,” Brooke murmured. She toyed with the edge of her blanket. “I know…I know there’s some bruises…”

“No, no.” Georgie took Brooke’s hand in hers. “Hey, babe, listen. Dillon…he’s destroyed by this. I mean, he loves you so much, he just…he doesn’t know what to say. None of us do. Do we push you to talk about it? Do we pretend it didn’t happen? What do we do? What do we say?” She shrugged. “We don’t want to hurt you, Brooke, we want to help.”

“I appreciate that, I do. I just wish…” Brooke bit her lip. “I wish this hadn’t happened. I wish I knew why…” Tears clung to her lashes. “I thought he was our friend, Georgie. Why did he do this to me?”

Georgie launched her self off her chair and sat on the bed, pulling Brooke into a loose hug. “Because there are people out there who just really suck.”

“Can you ask him?” Brooke closed her eyes and sniffled. “I want to know why.”

“I’ll find out,” Georgie promised, “I’ll find out.”

General Hospital: Pediatric Ward

“Hey…” Sam touched Alexis’s arm. “Did they take Kristina already?”

Alexis nodded and crossed her arms tightly. “Elizabeth’s surgery went more quickly than they expected. There was no reason to postpone Kristina’s.”

“So, it went well? She’s all right?” Sam asked.

“She’s been moved to a room,” Alexis answered. “Cameron’s staying with you while she recovers, isn’t she?”

“Mmm…and so is Elizabeth when she’s released. Jason doesn’t want her on her own with the baby until she’s stronger.” Sam bit her lip. “Anyway, do you know what room she’s in? I wanted to go see her.”

“Oh, no…no, I don’t. But I’m sure someone can help you at the nurse’s station.”

“Thanks…I’m glad Kristina’s going to be okay,” Sam told Alexis. “I can’t imagine the terror you went through.”

Alexis smiled weakly. “Give your daughter another few months. Every fall, every cut, every drop of blood will terrify you. I only hope that fades when they get older. It can’t be good to be terrified for your children all the time.”

“Maybe it just means you love them,” Sam murmured with a smile.

General Hospital: Elizabeth’s Room

Elizabeth was awake when Sam entered her room, but her movements were listless and slow. “I feel like I’ve run a marathon,” the brunette confessed with a weak laugh.

“Well, Cameron’s doing great at the penthouse. I think Jason’s real happy to have him around.” Sam bit her lip. “You know that Jason told me…about everything.”

“He said he might.” Elizabeth blinked and turned her head. “So…how’d you take it?”

“I knew something was different the last few months,” Sam replied. She laughed and looked away. “I thought it was me and my daughter. I–I thought…well you know Jason. You know how easy it is to fall in love with him.”

“I do know,” Elizabeth replied softly. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

“It’s not your fault. No, he seemed–not happy. Settled, maybe. He’d disappear for a few hours; sometimes a whole night and I could never reach him by cell. That’s part of the thing you have. His cell is off when you’re together?”

Elizabeth nodded and closed her eyes. “His idea,” she murmured. “When we were together before, that damn phone rang every time something was about to happen between us. When we decided that we wanted to be together, his first suggestion was the phone was off when we were together.”

“He wants to have a life separate from Sonny,” Sam nodded. “If it can’t be me, then I’m glad it’s you.” She patted her abdomen. “As long as my little girl doesn’t lose Jason as her father, that’s all that matters.”

Elizabeth opened her eyes and blinked a few times. “I–I don’t understand.”

Sam frowned. “Well–Jason and I–we–we’re raising her together. He comes to all my appointments.”

“W-What about Sonny?” Elizabeth asked, struggling to sit up a bit. “He’s her father.”

“Yes, but he’s preoccupied with Morgan and Michael. His other family. My daughter needs someone who puts her first…” Sam trailed off. “Didn’t you know?”

“I–” Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I–he can’t,” she whispered. “He can’t claim your child and raise her when he can’t claim Cameron. No. It’s–it’s not fair. It’s not right.”

“Hey, hey, don’t–don’t get upset, I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to do that.” Sam thought fast. “Maybe Jason was just humoring me–I mean, none of us knew the truth about Cameron. Maybe he had no intention of–”

“No, you know Jason’s not like that.” Elizabeth’s voice was thick now and she leaned back, closing her eyes. “You can’t understand what it’s like, Sam. He’s known the truth for months and I keep waiting for the day he walks through the door and tells me that he’s gone public. He’s claiming Cameron and we’re going to be a family.”

“You are a family,” Sam whispered. “You are.”

“Not in any way that counts. My little boy can’t see his father unless Jason finds the time to come by and most of the time, it’s only quick visits. Half an hour and he spends most it with Cameron. He loves him so much and I know it’s killing him to be away from Cameron but I just–I can’t watch him be a father to another child while my son waits for him.”

“No, no of course not. I didn’t realize you didn’t know. Nothing’s–nothing’s set in stone, Elizabeth. This is all up for discussion and now that I know the truth, man, we are going to work this all out. You and I can be friends, right? And you can bring Cameron over all the time and you and Jason can have more time together. And Cameron can have a sister.” Sam nodded fervently. “It’s all going to be fine, Elizabeth. I promise.”

Thursday, November 4, 2004

General Hospital: Elizabeth’s Room Later That Night

Elizabeth opened her eyes at the feeling of someone watching her. Jason was seated at her side and he smiled when she opened her eyes. “Hey.”

“Hey,” she murmured. “What time is it?”

“Just after 3 AM,” he answered. He took her hand in his. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.” Elizabeth turned her head to face him. “Sam was here earlier.”

“I know…” he exhaled slowly. “Elizabeth, I–”

“How could you not tell me you planned on raising Sam’s baby with her?” Elizabeth asked, her voice husky with unshed tears. “Putting her daughter in front of our son.”

“That’s–that’s not the way it is,” Jason tried to explain. “I promised Sam before I knew about Cameron.”

She closed her eyes. “That doesn’t excuse you not telling me. We promised honesty, Jason. Complete honesty with no omissions.”

“I thought you knew,” he told her. “Everyone did.”

“I’m not everyone,” she said sharply. She reached for the controls of the bed and raised the head up so she could see him more clearly. “I’m supposed to be the woman you love, the mother of your child–sorry, one of your children,” she bit out. “How do you think it’s going to make Cameron feel when he finds out you were willing to claim Sam’s child publicly but not him?”

“That’s–that’s not how this is. Everyone knows Lila isn’t my baby. Sam lives with me. It’s not such a leap to think that I’m going to be involved in the baby’s life.” He took a deep breath. “It is, however, harder to explain that while I was engaged to someone else, I had an affair and she got pregnant.”

“An affair,” Elizabeth said slowly. Her eyes burned with tears but she held them back. “You know that Cameron and I…we’re not a package deal. You don’t have to be with me to be his father, you’re aware of that.”

“Don’t–don’t do this, Elizabeth. You know I love you.” Jason stood and crossed to the door, needing room to pace but unable to find it. “I just…”

“What Sonny thinks is important to you, I get that. You don’t really want him to know that you cheated on his sister. Fine. I get that. I just…I don’t know if I could handle seeing you playing daddy to someone else. You know that Cameron is attached to you. He’s getting older and he’s going to see you in public and he won’t understand why you don’t come to him. Why you don’t hold him and when he begins to talk…” Elizabeth shook her head. “I can’t tell him you’re not his father when we’re not at the cottage–”

“I’m always his father,” Jason interrupted with irritation. “And it’s not like this is easy on me–”

“And it is on me?” she challenged. “You think my family doesn’t wonder how I can afford the cottage? You think that it’s easy for the other nursing students to invite me to single mother’s night?”

“What?”

“It might not occur to you, Jason, but to the rest of the world, I’m a single mother who got knocked up by some guy who later got himself killed by the cops,” Elizabeth said harshly. “It’s not a walk in the park for me, Jason, so don’t pretend that it is.”

“At least you get to see Cameron,” he muttered. He dragged his fingers through his hair. “Jesus, Elizabeth, I don’t feel right unless I’m with you. With him. If I don’t spend the night at the cottage, I don’t sleep well. If I don’t see Cameron or hold you, I’m in a rotten mood all day. And I wish I could change it. I’m working on it. I just–I just need you to be patient. Just a little while longer.”

She sighed and closed her eyes. “All right.”

Jason returned to her side and perched on the bed. He laced their fingers together and used his free hand to brush her hair off her forehead. “Get some sleep. I didn’t–I didn’t mean to argue with you tonight.”

“Thank you for coming,” she murmured. “Is Cam okay at the penthouse?”

“Yeah, we’ve got him in the nursery. Sam said something about breaking in the crib. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him during the day…I didn’t realize he was crawling so much.”

“I had to baby proof the cottage,” her words were slurring and he knew she was drifting towards sleep now. “Get gates and those little plastic…electric…coverings…”

He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her forehead. “I love you, Elizabeth.”

“Love you too,” she mumbled.

Port Charles Police Department: Squad Room

“Diego Sanchez,” Lorenzo Alcazar told the desk clerk. “When he is being arraigned?”

The officer at the desk was shuffling through paperwork when Mac appeared behind him. “Why so interested?”

“I have to bail him out,” Lorenzo said after a moment. “When will he be arraigned?”

Mac folded his arms. “Why?” he repeated.

“I don’t feel that you need to know that,” Lorenzo said instead.

“I could pick up the phone and let Lois know you’re interested in bailing out the piece of shit that raped and beat her daughter.”

The apathetic expression fell from Lorenzo’s face and was quickly replaced by shock. “He’s being charged with that?”

“Yes. There’s no doubt about it–we’re just waiting for test results.” Mac narrowed his eyes. “What’s your interest in this case, Alcazar?”

“I need to see him,” Lorenzo snapped. “Now.”

Knowing that he could observe the conversation, Mac nodded and went to arrange it. Ten minutes later, Diego–dressed in the same clothes he’d been wearing two nights ago–was in the interrogation room. Mac was behind the mirror and Lorenzo was glaring at him from across the table.

“Took you long enough to show up,” Diego remarked. “How long before the charges are dropped?”

“I’m not taking care of this for you. Not this time. Do you know what you’re accused of?”

Diego shrugged. “A little slut who should have known better says I raped her.”

Lorenzo snarled. “That’s Brooke Lynn Ashton you’re speaking of, you little punk. If you think I’m getting these charges dropped, you’re out of your mind.”

Diego smirked. “What’s the matter, Pop, don’t want to do a favor for your dear old son?”

Chapter Five

Thursday, November 4, 2004

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“How is the transplant going?” Bobbie Spencer asked as Steven stepped up to the desk and set some charts down.

“She’s in there with Dr. Quartermaine–Mrs. Dr. Quartermaine,” Steven clarified. “She’s a little more skilled in that area than I am.” He shrugged. “But it’s going okay, I think. It was real luck finding Elizabeth as a donor. I thought after Morgan was tested, we were out of options.”

“And Elizabeth? Is she going home today?”

“Mmm…she’s going to stay with some friends. They had Cameron over night last night and until Elizabeth’s a little stronger, she’ll stay with them.” Steven made one last notation in a chart. “I’m done for the day–”

“Who’s Elizabeth staying with?” Bobbie asked. “Emily?”

“No, Emily’s planning her wedding. She’s staying with Jason Morgan and his girlfriend, Sam,” Steven replied.

“Jason?” Bobbie repeated. She mulled that one over. “I didn’t realize they were still…friends.”

Steven frowned. “What does that mean?”

“Well…” Bobbie leaned across the counter and proceeded to tell Steven exactly what that meant.

Brooke Lynn’s Hospital Room

Brooke took a deep breath. “Thanks for convincing my parents to leave the room.”

Mac nodded. “You can trust me, Brooke. I don’t want to cause you any pain or discomfort but there are questions I need to ask.”

Brooke nodded. “There was evidence right?” she asked softly.

“There was DNA…and the hospital took photographs,” Mac said hesitantly, unable to really look her straight on. It wasn’t too hard to imagine one of his daughters sitting there, bruised and broken. “The last thing we need before DA Lansing goes to the grand jury is your official full statement.”

Brooke nodded. “Okay, go ahead. I promise to tell you the truth.”

“Okay. The night of November 2, you were at Kelly’s with Diego Sanchez, is that right?” Mac asked.

Brooke nodded. “We had dinner and we were talking. Eventually we were the last customers there. Mike–he had to leave and he asked us to keep an eye on the place.”

“What happened when he was gone?” Mac asked.

“Diego and I were just talking. He stood up and went to the, ah, counter. I followed him.” Brooke hesitated. “It’s–I don’t even remember what we were talking about. But–he kissed me.” She rubbed her finger over her bruised bottom lip. “I pushed him away, I was so angry. He knew I’d been seeing Lucas and I didn’t–I didn’t give him any signal that it was okay.”

She clenched her fist in the blankets and looked down. “He–I said ‘I thought we were friends’ and he just–he looked so unlike the Diego I thought I knew. He was so…furious.” Tears threatened to spill over her lashes and she took in a shaky breath. “He–he said, ‘You thought I wanted to be friends with you?'”

She was silent for a moment but then continued. “He had me by the shoulders–and was shaking me so hard I could, like, feel my teeth rattle. I asked him to let me go and then–he dragged me to the kitchen. He said he’d show me what he did to teases.”

Brooke dragged a hand over her eyes. “He threw me against a counter so hard I lost my breath and then–then he tore my shirt.” Her voice broke and she closed her eyes. “He, um, tried to kiss me again but I–scratched at his face and he hit me.” She touched her cheek where a large bruise was swelling. “I don’t–it’s not really clear after that.” She cleared her throat. “I remember him tearing my skirt and the–sound of his zipper,” she said softly. “I think I might…I might have blacked out after that or I just–I can’t remember.”

“That’s enough for now.” Mac capped his pen and put it and his notepad in his coat pocket. “You did fine, Brooke.”

“I asked Georgie to find out why,” Brooke said after a moment of awkward silence. “I was upset and I wasn’t thinking clearly and I know she just promised to do it so I would calm down so…if she asks to see him, tell her no, okay?”

“I’m not letting Georgie anywhere near that kid,” Mac promised her. He stood. “I might have to ask a few more questions but we’re done for now. I’ll go tell your parents that we’re done.”

PCPD: Squad Room

“Dad said it was fine along as someone stands by that little window thing,” Georgie lied smoothly as she smiled at one of the rookie cops.

“I don’t know,” the officer said. “Maybe…”

“I’m the police commissioner’s daughter,” Georgie said patiently. She smiled, charm oozing from her expression. “Would I lie?”

Five minutes later, she sat in the interrogation room, trying not to fidget as an officer led Diego Sanchez into the room.

Diego smirked and flopped into the seat. “You never seemed the type for sloppy seconds.”

Georgie sat back in the seat. “Don’t be crass. I know what you did to her and all I want to know is why.”

“I can’t believe she’s saying it was rape,” Diego snorted. “Fucking tease.”

Georgie clenched her fists. “You knew she was dating Lucas. What made you think she’d want you?”

“He’s a pansy-ass,” Diego snarled. “I thought she’d want a real man.”

“Yeah, a real man forces himself on a girl. A real man doesn’t take no for an answer,” Georgie said mockingly. “A real man has to resort to rape to get what he wants.”

“Watch it, Princess,” Diego said quietly. “Just watch it.”

“Or what?” Georgie challenged. “You’ll hit me? You’ll rape me too?”

“Why would I want some little daddy’s brat?” Diego leaned forward and looked her so intently Georgie could practically feel him ripping the clothes from her body. “You’re just a little girl, Jones. Even your own boyfriend won’t screw you.” He sat back. “I wouldn’t even lower myself to touch you.”

“Well, after what you did to Brooke…” Georgie stood slowly, not taking her eyes off him, “you won’t have a chance to do it to anyone else. You’re going to jail Diego and I hope to God someone makes you their bitch.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, sweetheart. I already got someone taking care of this little inconvenience.”

“What?” Georgie demanded.

“So when I get out, should I look you up?” Diego asked.

The door flew open and Mac stepped in. “Out,” he snarled at his daughter.

Georgie glared at Diego. “I’ll find a way to make sure you rot in prison,” she hissed. She stalked out.

“Officer, get this scum back to his cell.”

Mac dragged Georgie from the squad room into office and slammed the door. “What the hell do you think you were doing?”

“I was trying to get answers,” Georgie seethed. “Is he going to prison or not, Dad?”

“That’s none of your business,” Mac replied. “You do not get to use my name to go see a criminal–”

“Brooke deserves to know why this happened to her,” Georgie argued. “Does he have connections? Is he getting out?”

Mac shook his head. “His connections aren’t coming through. I don’t know what they are, but they’re not going to work. We’ve got him solid, Georgie. Now promise me you won’t pull this stunt again.”

“I promise.” Now that she had been reassured and her father seemed to have calmed down, the chill in her skin seemed to set in. “I never want to see him again anyway.”

Elizabeth’s Hospital Room

Elizabeth was buttoning her pink blouse when Steven pushed open the door and frowned at her. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“So you and Jason are friends.”

“Yep.”

He closed the door and leaned against it. “Friends who have lived together.”

Her fingers stilled on the last button. “That was a long time ago.”

“Mm. So Sam’s Jason’s girlfriend?” Steven asked.

“No.” Elizabeth sat on the bed and started to tie her tennis shoes.

“Is he Cameron’s father?”

“What?” Elizabeth asked, jerking her head up to stare at her brother. “What are you talking about?”

“Is Jason Cameron’s father?” Steven repeated.

“What would make you ask a question like that?” Elizabeth demanded. She finished tying her shoes and stood. “Zander–”

“Had brown eyes,” Steven finished. “I’ve seen pictures. Blue eyes are recessive. So therefore both parents have to have blue eyes.”

Elizabeth blinked. “So?”

“Cameron’s eyes are blue,” Steven remarked. “I didn’t really think about it before but once I found out that you and Jason are not exactly friends, I started to think about it. I pulled Zander Smith’s hospital records. And yours and Cameron’s.”

“You had no right–”

“The blood types don’t match. So Zander isn’t Cameron’s father. And neither is Ric Lansing, I already knew this. So is Jason’s Cameron’s father?”

“It’s not that simple,” Elizabeth sighed, sinking onto the hospital bed. “Steven…”

“Does he know?” Steven asked.

“He knows,” Elizabeth murmured. “I realized he was Cameron’s father last April. I didn’t know how to deal with that so I left town. When I came back, I told him the truth.”

“And he doesn’t want him?” Steven snarled. “I’ll kill him–”

“No, no–” Elizabeth stood and took his arm. “Jason loves Cameron, he loves him so much. You don’t know Jason like I do. He’s a wonderful father. He just–we can’t be a family right now. Sonny and Carly…there are just circumstances. Jason’s trying to protect us.”

“So that’s how you can afford the cottage,” he realized. “And why you always put off those doctors.”

“I love him. I’ve hurt him so much in the past so him just asking for some time to get things squared away is not so bad.” She scratched her forehead. “It’s…just hard pretending that I don’t love him.”

Steven shook his head. “If he was willing to sleep with you, he should be willing to accept the consequences. He thinks he can tell Carly how to live her life–I bet she has no idea he’s treating my sister like some whore.”

“Steven, it’s not like that–”

“Not like that? You might think it’s okay because he loves you and you love him, but that doesn’t excuse what he’s doing. I bet he only comes by once in a while, right? Only when he can find the time,” he said sarcastically.

“Steven–”

“How can you let him do this to you?” Steven demanded. “How can you let him treat you like you’re not important?”

“I am important to him, he’s trying to protect me,” Elizabeth attempted to explain.

“If you were so damn important, Elizabeth, he would tell Sonny and Carly to go to hell. He sure wouldn’t be shacking up with Sam McCall and he wouldn’t be planning to raise that little girl while my sister is stuck raising his son by herself,” he seethed.

“Steven, it’s not like that,” Elizabeth pleaded, her eyes glossy with tears. “I love him.”

“Then I guess it’s just fine and dandy that he chooses the rest of the people in his life over you,” Steven said scathingly.

Elizabeth fell silent and blinked, looking at the floor. What Steven said made sense but Jason loved her. He wasn’t really choosing Sonny, Carly and Sam over her and Cameron.

But he’d known the truth since July. Four months. He came by almost every day in the beginning but it was getting less and less now. Last month, he’d only spent the night one time and his visits were so short. Didn’t her son deserve better?

Didn’t she deserve better?

“Do you think you could arrange to take tomorrow off?” she asked softly. “I just need to rest for a little while and someone needs to watch Cameron. Can you stay at the cottage?”

“Sure.” Steven rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t–I didn’t want you to feel bad, Elizabeth. I just–you deserve the best life has to offer. I don’t want you to settle for someone who refuses to give that to you.”

“I know. I know you love me.” She kissed his cheek. “Can you take me home? And go pick up Cameron from the penthouse? I just want to go home.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Sam opened the door. “Hey, did you bring Elizabeth?” she asked.

Steven stepped past her and entered the penthouse. “No, I’m just picking up Cam.”

“Picking…” Sam hesitated. “I thought she was staying with us.”

“Plans change,” Steven said simply. “Where is he?”

“He’s in the nursery with Jason,” Sam said, “but–”

Steven ignored her and went upstairs, looking for the first open door. It led into a room decorated in pink and white, just ready for a little girl to come into the world.

Jason was standing by the crib with Cameron in his arms. He looked up at Steven’s arrival. “Elizabeth downstairs?”

“No.” Steven spied Cameron’s diaper bag on the floor and picked it up, looping the strap over his shoulder. “I’m here to take Cameron with me. I took tomorrow off from the hospital so I’m going to watch out for them both.”

“Why?” Jason asked, a little sharply. “Cameron’s fine here.”

“He belongs with his mother,” Steven remarked. “Not with someone who can’t bother to treat my sister with even half the respect she deserves. Not with someone who can’t claim his own kid because he’d rather have the respect of his friends.”

Jason stilled and after a moment, he sat Cameron in the crib and stalked past Steven. Steven followed him and shut the door so that Cameron wouldn’t be disturbed.

“What’s the matter?” Steven asked. “You don’t like hearing the truth?”

“You don’t know a damn thing about this situation,” Jason said coldly. “And I find it hard to believe Elizabeth just volunteered this information.”

“Right, because the whole thing is supposed to be some sort of sordid little secret.” Steven nodded. “You ashamed of my sister?”

“Shut the hell up–”

“You ashamed you created that beautiful little boy with her?” Steven asked.

“You don’t know anything–”

“I know that my sister is an amazing person who has been through so much in her life that the last thing she needs is the man she loves treating her like a second-class whore. Do you know how many doctors ask her out?” Steven demanded. “Men who would treat her like gold, who would give her the respect she damn well deserves. But no, she sits at home and waits for you. A man who would rather let what his friends think rule his life. If you really loved her, if you really valued her, you’d tell Sonny and Carly to go to hell. You don’t get to treat her this way, Morgan.”

“Says the guy who never showed up until now. How long has she lived here?” Jason asked. “How many times have you been to visit? How many times have you called or written?”

“I’m not trying to pretend I’ve never made a mistake,” Steven retorted. “I’m saying that I never treated my sister like dirt. I never made her feel like she should have to sit around and wait for you to come to her. It’s done. She’s already taken the first step by going home instead of here and if I have anything to do with it, she’s going to keep walking away from you.”

Jason grabbed Steven by the shirt collar and slammed him against the wall. “What makes you think she’ll listen to you?” he growled.

“She already has,” Steven said coolly.

Sam’s labored breathing broke through the haze of testosterone. She rounded the corner. “I started up the stairs when the door slammed but, boy, it took forever.” She looked at Jason and rolled her eyes. “Let him go. Do you think it’s going to make it any easier if you rough her brother up?”

Jason released Steven and stepped back. “My son stays here. Elizabeth can pick him up herself.”

“Really,” Steven said slowly. “So if we go out to the elevators and I tell you I’m taking Cameron home, you gonna say that? Just like that?”

Jason just glared at him. Steven shook his head. “No balls,” he muttered. He pushed Jason out of the way and went into the room. A few moments later, he emerged, Cameron tucked into a carrier.

“Jason,” Sam hissed. “Stop him.”

“Elizabeth wants Cameron at the cottage,” Jason said quietly as he watched another child being taken from him. “I’ll go see her tomorrow and we’ll–we’ll straighten this out.”

Friday, November 5, 2004

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Bedroom

It was barely past dawn when her bedroom door slowly pushed open and Jason entered. He had slipped past the sleeping Steven on the couch downstairs, crept in to spend a few moments with Cameron before coming to Elizabeth’s room.

She was curled up on the right side of the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest. A pillow from the side of the bed he used when he was here.

His eyes wandered around the room. This was the only room in the house that showed his presence. A small picture of him holding Cameron was on her nightstand. So small that unless you picked it up and looked at it, you couldn’t tell who was holding the baby.

Compared to the large portraits hanging downstairs with Elizabeth and Cameron, Steve and Cameron, Audrey and Cameron, even a group shot of the trio–this demonstrated exactly how distant he was from this family that he loved.

She wore his blue shirt to bed.

Jason sat on the left side of the bed and sighed heavily. As much he loathed admitting it, Steven Webber was right. Elizabeth deserved better than this. She deserved someone who would put her first. Treat her like the most important person in their life.

She stirred and sleepily opened her eyes. “Jason?” she murmured. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. “What’re you doing here?”

“Go back to sleep,” he told her softly. He leaned over and pulled off his shoes before stretching out on the bed next to her. “You need your rest.”

“I’m sorry,” she said softly. Her eyes were still hazy with sleep but it didn’t mask the regret in them. “I shouldn’t have sent Steven to get Cameron.”

“I’m glad you did.” Jason took a deep breath. “We need to talk but you need to sleep. I just…I wanted to be here.”

Elizabeth nodded and laid her head against her pillow. She noticed that one of his was sitting between and she smiled a little. “Sometimes…when I’m dreaming…I think I’m not alone.” She shoved it towards him and he put it behind his head.

“Your brother really cares about you, Elizabeth,” Jason said after a moment. “I may not agree with his methods, but he does.”

“Yeah…even if he is an arrogant bastard,” she murmured. She closed her eyes. “Sleep now, okay?”

General Hospital: Connor Bishop’s Room

Emily leaned against the wall and watched as two uniformed MPs stood guard on Connor Bishop’s room. “At least he can’t escape,” she murmured.

“Just as soon as he’s recovered, he’ll be gone,” Nikolas assured her. He squeezed her hand. “And we can finally get on with our lives.”

“Hmm,” Emily replied. “I do feel sorry for him. I thought you were dead for months, I can imagine what’s he’s going through. He wanted someone to pay for what happened to Mary. Can you say you wouldn’t want the same?”

Nikolas sighed heavily. “No.” He rubbed his neck. “I’m going to go check on Kristina. Why don’t you go home? We’ve been here for days.”

“Okay, but I’m going to by Jason’s first. Sam’s real close to her due date and I want to see how she’s feeling.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you at home.”

Outside Brooke Lynn’s Room

Lois was seated on a chair outside her daughter’s room. Ned was inside, taking his turn sleeping at Brooke’s side.

She had barely slept in three days, her eyes felt gritty and her throat was hoarse from the crying she’d gone through. Diego Sanchez was in jail and it would give her great satisfaction to see him go on trial and eventually go to jail for his crimes.

But it would not put the light back in her daughter’s eyes or give her back the innocence that Lois had fought for her to possess.

She felt a weight sit in the empty chair next to her. “Lois,” Lorenzo Alcazar said softly. “I am so sorry.”

She cleared her throat and looked into his warm brown eyes. Full of compassion, sorrow…and something she couldn’t quite name. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“I have–I have to tell you something.” Lorenzo shifted. “Before you hear it from someone else.”

Lois frowned and rubbed her eyes. “It can’t wait?”

“It has to do with Brooke,” Lorenzo said. He exhaled slowly before beginning. “When I was much younger, I was in Los Angeles. I had an affair with a woman and she became pregnant. I offered to marry her, give the child my name but she refused. Though I hadn’t entered the business yet, my brother and father had and she worried for her safety, for the baby’s safety. I couldn’t argue with that. So I gave up my rights and gave her money.”

Lois hesitated. “You have a child.”

“Twins. They’d be about sixteen now.” Lorenzo saw the understanding in her eyes, the disgust and he forced himself to continue. “Until they were twelve, I had no contact with them. Their mother married and had other children. She died and her husband did not want them around. He put them into the system.” He closed his eyes. “I didn’t know about it. I would have claimed them both. It wasn’t until after I saw Luis and Sage together that I knew I wanted my children in my life.” He hesitated. “But the time I found them, they were fourteen and wanted nothing to do with me. They rather I’d leave them to foster care.”

She saw the pain in his eyes, knew how it felt to have your child reject you. She reached out and squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry.”

“I kept my eyes on them anyway,” Lorenzo continued. “And I’m not ashamed that I may have bribed. Pulled strings to get them into certain homes. When…” he stopped. “When Diego began getting into trouble with the police, I pulled more strings. And I was going to do so yesterday. His sister Maria called to tell me he had been arrested. I went to arrange his release.”

She pulled back and swallowed hard. “I–he’s your son. I can’t blame you for wanting him free.”

But he saw the distance in her eyes and knew it would never be breached. “And until Mac told me what he’d been arrested for, I had wanted that.” He looked away. “Then he told me that my son had raped and beaten your daughter. I couldn’t believe that it would be possible. I demanded to see him.” He took yet another deep breath and decided to finish it. “Diego is my son. I can apologize for what he’s done but I cannot change it. I’m deeply sorry, Lois, for what has happened.”

“You don’t doubt that he’s guilty then?” Lois asked, a little sharply.

“No. I wanted it to be false. But after I saw him, after I heard him, there can be no doubt in my mind. I only hope he gets what he deserves for trying to break such a special young woman.”

Tears burned in Lois’s eyes and she looked away, towards the door where beyond it, her daughter and ex-husband slept. “So do I,” she whispered viciously.

He hesitated another moment before leaving her side.

Cottage: Bedroom

The sounds of Cameron stirring came through the baby monitor. Always a light sleeper, Jason stopped Elizabeth from fully waking up. “I’ll go get him.”

“‘E’s prob’ly hungry,” she slurred. Yawning, she turned over and drifted back to sleep.

Jason got out of bed and padded lightly down the hall. Cameron was in his crib, his legs kicking and his face scrunched up. “Hey, Cameron,” Jason said softly. He picked him up and cradled him in his arms. “I bet you’re surprised to see me.”

Cameron gurgled and waved his arms. “I’m going to be around a lot more,” Jason promised. “That is, if your mother lets me.”

“She will,” Elizabeth murmured from the doorway, her hair tousled from sleep, her eyes a little hazy. She’d changed into a button down shirt in preparation to breast feed Cameron. “He’s hungry.”

Jason crossed the room and handed the baby to her. She started for the rocking chair she usually sat in to nurse him but Jason beat her there. He sat down and tugged her into his lap. “I’ve never been able to see him this time of the morning,” Jason said regretfully.

“He’s not always a prince,” Elizabeth remarked. She unbuttoned her blouse and waited until Cameron’s tiny mouth had latched onto her nipple before speaking again. “I didn’t realize until later what it must have been like for you last night,” she said softly. “Having someone come to your home and take your son away. I am so sorry for that–”

“The penthouse isn’t my home,” Jason corrected. “This is. And I’m tired of pretending it’s not. I’m glad your brother knows the truth and I’m glad he came over last night. It’s made me understand that this isn’t…this is just as hard for you as it is for me and I hadn’t fully realized that before.”

“It’s not so bad,” she murmured. “Before, I was alone. And now I have you and Cameron. Even if I only have you part of the time, I don’t have to sit and wonder…does he care about me? Is this in my mind? Is this real? Now I know.”

“But you deserve better than this.” Jason shook his head. “Cameron deserves better than this. You deserve a family with someone who treats you better.”

Elizabeth stiffened. “”If you’re trying to walk away,” she began.

“No. I’m not–I’m not strong enough to do that,” Jason said. “I love you. I want us to be a family.”

“I want that too,” Elizabeth replied. “But Sonny–”

“If Sonny is my friend, he will understand. And if he doesn’t, then he’s not my friend at all,” he said, a little regretfully. “Carly–she’ll learn to accept it. My friendship is something she depends on so if she wants to keep it, she’ll learn to deal.” He touched her cheek. “I’m not willing to wait for my life to start anymore.”

“Well I’m certainly not going to argue with that,” Elizabeth said. Cameron let go of her nipple and yawned, indicating he’d nursed long enough.

“Lucky guy,” Jason murmured. “He gets to do that whenever he wants.” He met Elizabeth’s eyes. She bit her lip and suppressed a smile.

“So do you,” she replied softly, leaning forward to kiss him. “Steven’s gone. He left a note saying he saw you come in and decided to leave us alone.”

“Well,” Jason remarked, “that’s good news.” He kissed her again. “It’s been far too long since we had a chance to…talk.”

“Mmm…” Elizabeth nuzzled his neck. “Let me put Cameron back down to sleep and we can…talk.”

General Hospital: Kristina’s Hospital Room

Sonny stepped up the doorway where Alexis and Ric were sitting by Kristina’s bedside. He held a cup of coffee in hand. The night before had been the first night that Carly and the boys had been gone. He and Carly had been separated before–it was not the first time he’d spent the night apart from his boys.

But it was different this time. Even he could feel it.

“How is she?” Sonny asked softly.

Alexis turned and stopped Ric from rising. “I’ll talk to him,” she murmured. She stood, brushed her fingers over her daughter’s cheek before going to join Sonny in the hallway.

She closed door and took a moment to gather herself before facing Sonny. “She’s…feeling better. The transplant seems to be a success, there’s no reason to think she won’t continue to improve.”

Sonny nodded. “I’d like a chance to speak with her. When she’s up and feeling better. I want her to know that I’m her father, Alexis.”

Her throat tightened. “I’m not sure that’s wise.”

“I think I told you once that I didn’t give a damn what you thought,” Sonny said tightly. “Because Carly kept this from me, because you asked her to and touched a part of her that remembered Robin, Jason and Michael, my marriage is over and my boys are not in my house anymore. Because you kept this from me and lied to me, I have missed years of my daughter’s life. I have missed her first steps, her first words, her first smiles. Whether you like it or not, she is my blood. She is my daughter just as much as she is yours.”

“You have no right–”

“Because you saw fit to deny me those rights,” Sonny growled. “I understand your fear for her safety. It’s something I have lived with every day of my children’s lives. But that does not give you the right to decide what I should or should not know. If I had kept this from you, if I could have, you would have raised holy hell. Did you think that once I found out the truth, I would just let it continue? That I would let my son of a bitch brother step in and take what is my right? To be her father?”

“Sonny,” Alexis closed her eyes. “I want you to just–please. Do not do this right now. She’s just beginning to recover. I don’t…” She bit her lip. “You have every right to demand to see her, to know her and I know that we will have to deal with this. I am begging you. Let her get better. Let her fully recover from this so that when we do deal with this, it’s with clear heads and not heavy hearts.”

He wanted to argue, he wanted to press the point. But what he wanted, what Alexis or Ric wanted didn’t matter.

Kristina did.

Sonny slowly nodded. “All right. Kristina’s recovery comes first. Once she’s home and feeling well, we will discuss this further.”

Alexis felt the vise around her chest begin to loosen. “Thank you.”

Sonny smiled sadly. “We used to be friends, Alexis,” he murmured. “Good friends. There are days that I miss it.”

Alexis felt her eyes water. “There are days I miss it, too.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Sam groaned as she slowly moved down the steps. She was going to have to give some serious consideration to just moving her bed down to the living room. These steps were going to kill her.

She’d just reached the landing when a sharp pain lanced through her abdomen. Sam gasped and struggled to get to the phone. She’d dialed the first three digits of Elizabeth’s number when she collapsed and hit the floor.

Cottage: Hallway

Hey now, all you sinners
Put your lights on, put your lights on

Jason pressed her against the wall outside her bedroom and sank into her mouth, devouring her like he hadn’t tasted her in days. She slid her fingers into his short hair, fisting them when he bit her lower lip.

Restless, she moved her hips, pressing them against his in hopes of easing an ache that seemed a permanent part of her existence. He dug his fingers into the undersides of her thighs and lifted her legs so she could lock the long lengths around him.

General Hospital: Chapel

Hey now, all you lovers
Put your lights on, put your lights on

Lorenzo sat in the front pew, his hands folded, his head bowed. He’d felt for Lois. Not the sweetness he’d had for Sophie or the choking obsession for Carly. He’d felt something deep for Lois Cerullo. Something lasting and comforting.

And because of something out of his control, something he could never change, it was gone.

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

Hey now, all you killers
Put your lights on, put your lights on

Carly wearily propped her elbows on the counter and waited for her mother to finish her shift so they could go to the house, have dinner and discuss Carly’s future.

Someone cleared their throats behind her and she turned, unable to ignore the fluttering in her stomach at the sight of one Dr. Steven Webber.

“Hello,” he said. “I heard about…your…marriage.” His caramel colored eyes were filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I,” she murmured softly. “But not for the reasons you’d think.”

Morgan Penthouse: Hallway

Hey now, all you children
Leave your lights on, you better leave your lights on

Emily stepped off the elevator and went towards her brother’s door. She knocked and frowned when she thought she heard something.

She knocked again. “Jason? Sam?”

A whimpering from within sounded and Emily’s heart tightened. She fished in her purse for the extra set of keys and hurried to open the door.

A partially conscious Sam was crumpled on the floor.

Kristina’s Hospital Room

Cause there’s a monster living under my bed
Whispering in my ear

“Are you all right?” Ric murmured as Alexis took her seat next to him. He took her hand and brought it to her lips.

“I think I’m going to be,” Alexis replied after a moment. “I think that we might be able to work with Sonny, even co-exist.” She looked at him. “I want him to be part of her life if we can work something out together.”

Though he disliked the idea, Kristina was not his daughter and his marriage to Alexis was still fragile, still too new to push for an alternative.

And maybe it work after all.

Brooke Lynn’s Hospital Room

There’s an angel, with a hand on my head
She says I’ve got nothing to fear

Lois crept back into her daughter’s room and took a moment touch Ned’s forehead. The man was so exhausted, she would have to convince him to go home soon.

For the first time in days, Brooke seemed to be sleeping in somewhat peace. Her forehead wasn’t crinkled up in distress and her breathing was slow and even.

She couldn’t imagine what Lorenzo must going through right now, facing the knowledge that his flesh and blood had brutally raped and beaten a young woman. And then the decision to let him face the charges when he easily could have had him released…

She kissed Brooke’s forehead and left the room.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

There’s a darkness deep in my soul
I still got a purpose to serve

The doors flew open and a stretcher raced in, Emily at its side. “Mom!” she called, spying Monica Quartermaine.

“Emily!” Monica came towards her and when she spied Sam on the stretcher, she looked behind them for Jason. “Where’s Jason?”

“I can’t get a hold of him, he’s not answering his cell,” Emily said, brokenly. “She was just lying on the floor.” She struggled to keep her tears in. “I should call him again.”

Jones House: Maxie’s Bedroom

So let your light shine, into my hole
God, don’t let me lose my nerve
Lose my nerve

“Why haven’t you been to see her yet?” Lucas asked softly.

Maxie shrugged. “I wouldn’t know what to say.” She looked up at him. “She’s always…so strong. She’s always been so tough and just…she’s Brooke. I can’t–I don’t want to see her like that, Lucas. I’m scared.”

“Maxie…”

“I’m scared,” she repeated. “If this could happen to Brooke…it could happen to anyone.”

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now
Wo oh hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now

Sonny almost had to skid to a stop as he launched himself off the elevators and rushed towards Emily. “Where is she? Is she all right? Where’s Jason?”

“She’s in surgery,” Emily said softly. “I don’t know anything other than that. And…” she closed her eyes. “I can’t find Jason.”

Cottage: Bedroom

Hey now, all you sinners
Put your lights on, put your lights on

Jason peeled the shirt from her shoulders and flung it somewhere. She wore nothing underneath save for a pair of white bikini panties. His fingers slid down her torso and cupped her breasts.

Elizabeth bit her lips and fought back a whimper as his thumbs strummed her nipples. She broke free of his kiss and clawed at his shoulders with her fingernails when he thrust his hips into her center. “Jason!”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

Hey now, all you children
Leave your lights on, you better leave your lights on

Steven frowned and took a step towards the woman who had occupied far too many of his thoughts. “Then for what reasons?”

Carly shook her head. “I shouldn’t have even said anything,” she murmured. “Never mind.”

“Carly–”

“Carly,” Bobbie rushed up to the pair. “Have you seen Jason?”

Carly frowned. “No…”

“Sam’s in the ER,” Bobbie told her, “and no one can find him.”

Steven bit his lip and frowned.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Because there’s a monster living under my bed
Whispering in my ear

Sonny hissed when he got Jason’s voicemail again. He slammed the payphone down and dragged his hands through his hair. Jason was gone, disappeared into thin air.

And Sam was in some room, fighting for her life and the life of her child.

Swearing under his breath, he picked up the phone and jammed some more coins into it.

General Hospital: Chapel

There’s an angel, with a hand on my head
She say’s I’ve got nothing to fear

Lorenzo looked up as Lois sat next to him. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

She took his hand in hers. “I am so sorry for what you must be going through right now,” Lois told him. “And so damn grateful for what you did.”

“I didn’t–”

“You sacrificed your son for my daughter.” Her eyes were swollen from crying, but clear. “Thank you.”

General Hospital: Emergency Room

La ill aha ill allah
We all shine like stars

Monica stepped out from one of the rooms, her eyes red, her hands shaking. “Sonny.”

“I haven’t found Jason yet,” Sonny told her. “But I’ve got medical power of attorney to okay any operation that’s–”

“Sonny,” Monica interrupted softly. She put a hand on his arm. “We lost the baby.”

Cottage: Bedroom

La ill aha ill allah
We all shine like stars

Elizabeth fell onto her back, exhausted. She couldn’t stop her lips from curving into a satisfied smile. “We should really talk more often.”

Jason laughed, his voice sounding a little thick. “Yeah, well…” He brushed his lips over her shoulder. “I didn’t say we were finished discussing this yet.”

She giggled and then moaned as he nibbled at her throat.

And tucked into the back pocket of his long ago discarded jeans, another missed call logged itself onto his cell phone, bring the count to twelve.

Then we fade away

Friday, November 5, 2004

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Sonny stared at Monica, not comprehending. “No.”

“I’m sorry.” Monica gripped Sonny’s sleeve. “She had a condition in which the placenta separated from the uterine wall. The baby couldn’t get any oxygen and there was a lot of bleeding. We delivered her but she was…she was still born.”

“No,” Sonny said, his voice rough. “No!” He shook his head. He wasn’t hearing this. He hadn’t lost another child.

“I am so sorry,” Monica whispered. She wanted to offer him comfort but didn’t know how. Where was Jason? Jason would know what to do, what to say.

“Does Sam…” Sonny cleared his throat. “Does Sam know?”

“She’s unconscious,” Monica said softly. “She’s lost a lot of blood, Sonny and will probably be out for a day or two. We’re moving her to ICU now. You can go see her as soon as she’s settled.”

Sonny closed his eyes and gripped Monica’s hand. “I know–I know you did all that you can. Thank you.”

Monica nodded and returned to the operating room.

Bobbie and Carly rushed through the ER doors. “Sonny!” Carly called. The past few days were forgotten and for a few moments, they were just parents. “Sam…is she okay?”

Sonny nodded. “But–she–she lost the baby.”

Bobbie gasped and craned her head towards the surgical room. “Where’s Jason? Is he here yet?”

“I haven’t–I haven’t been able to get in touch with him,” Sonny said hoarsely. “His phone is off.”

“Off?” Carly repeated. “It’s never off.”

“It’s off now and no one’s seen him since he left the Towers this morning,” Sonny told her. “Do you have any idea where he could be?”

Cottage: Bedroom

Elizabeth fastened a few of the buttons on the shirt Jason had removed earlier that morning. “You brave enough to risk my cooking?” she murmured against his lips.

He grasped her hips and tugged her back into bed. “Forget food,” he told her, reaching for the sides of her shirt. Elizabeth giggled and playfully smacked his hands away.

The telephone at the side of her bed rang shrilly and Elizabeth groaned. “I should get that.”

Jason separated the shirt and kissed her collarbone. “Let the answering machine get it.” He nibbled on the soft skin at the base of her throat before going lower.

The machine clicked on after a few more rings. “Elizabeth, if Jason is still there, pick up now,” her brother’s voice commanded.

Elizabeth gasped and pulled away from Jason abruptly. She tugged her shirt closed and reached for the phone. “Steven?”

“Is he still there?” Steven asked.

“Yeah, Steven–”

“He needs to get to the hospital now. They rushed Sam in this morning and I think it’s bad.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him.” Her face pale, she hung up the phone and climbed off the bed. “Sam was rushed to the hospital this morning.”

Jason was out of bed in an instant, his hands reaching for his jeans and boxers. He pulled the latter on while fishing for his cell phone in the first. He switched it on, his face paling at the sixteen missed phone calls. “Damn it.”

Elizabeth found his shirt on the bedpost and handed it to him. He dragged it over his head while trying to fasten his jeans. “Jason, I hope everything’s okay.”

He jammed his feet into his boots, forgetting about socks. “Sixteen phone calls, Elizabeth. Something’s wrong.”

“I’ll–I’ll get dressed. I’ll drop Cam off with Gram and–”

“No, it’s–” Jason found his jacket on the floor. He pulled it on. “It’s not a good time for me to spring this on anyone.”

“I just–” Elizabeth nodded and sank onto the bed. “I’ll just…wait here then.”

“I’ll call later,” he promised. He brushed his lips over her hair before leaving the room. A few moments later, the front door slammed. She heard the garage door open and Jason’s motorcycle roared down the driveway.

A little dazed by how quickly the mood had turned from loving to frantic, Elizabeth sat there a moment longer. Finally, she buttoned her shirt, pulled on some panties and jeans before going to check on her son.

Port Charles Municipal Building: District Attorney’s Office

“Diego Sanchez is being held without bail,” Brianne Joyce, assistant DA, informed Ric as he checked over some paperwork that had accumulated during his absence.

“Good, good.” Ric glanced up. “And Brooke Lynn?”

“Recovering. I, of course, emphasized that it was a Quartermaine family member,” Brianne said, with a small smile. “The judge not only remanded Sanchez but set the preliminary hearing date for next week.”

“Good, good. Mac’s done a good job with the initial investigation but I would like you to have another go at Brooke. Mac’s a friend of the family, his daughters know Brooke and she might feel more comfortable relating what happened to someone who doesn’t know her,” Ric said.

“I’ve already set something up with Ned Ashton and his ex-wife at the gatehouse. Brooke’s leaving the hospital on Monday, so I made the appointment for Tuesday.”

“Kristina’s still not out of the hospital yet. She won’t be home for another week at the most,” Ric said. He moved some more paperwork aside. “I’m hoping you’ll carry me for a few days. I’ll come in for a few hours and take work home but I’ve got to be at the hospital.”

“Perfectly understandable.” Brianne stood. “I’d like to first chair the Sanchez case.”

“It’s a big case, Brianne. How long have you been working here?” Ric leaned back in his chair.

“With all due respect sir, longer than you,” Brianne remarked. “I worked for DA Baldwin.”

Ric nodded and hesitated. “The Quartermaines are a powerful family, but I don’t think I have to remind you of that. You think you’re prepared to first chair?”

“Yes, sir,” Brianne nodded.

“All right then.” Ric moved the case file across the desk. “You’ve had a good trial record so far, Brianne. You can first chair and do any follow up interviews with the police that you need to.”

“Thank you.” Brianne loaded the file on top of the pile in her arms. “Good luck with your daughter.”

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Jason hurried through the doors and stopped at the sight of his sister talking softly to Sonny and Carly.

“Where’s Sam?” he demanded, striding up to them.

Where Sonny would have lit into him for being unreachable, Carly silenced her estranged husband with a glare. “She’s being moved to ICU,” she said softly. She looked to Emily.

“Jason, she lost…she lost the baby,” Emily said. She touched his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Jason stepped back and shook his head. “No. The baby was fine, she was healthy–I don’t understand–”

“It was sudden,” Carly cut in. “The placenta separated and she couldn’t breathe. Sam was very lucky to be alive herself,” she told him.

“Can I–” Jason swallowed. “Does she know?”

“No,” Sonny said flatly, his eyes dark with anger and disappointment.

“I want to be with her when you tell her,” Jason said. “She’d–”

“You couldn’t bother to be there this morning, you shouldn’t bother being here at all,” Sonny said darkly. “I’m going up to sit with her.”

The mobster spun on his heel and stalked to the elevators. Jason stared at him, his eyes blinking in shock.

“He’s upset,” Carly said, trying to soothe him. “We just–it’s so unlike you to not be here when we need you, Jason. I’m not judging,” she said quickly, seeing the angry look Emily tossed her. “It’s just–he’s not used to you not being here when he calls.”

“I need–” Jason cleared his throat. “I need to be alone right now.” He walked away then, heading in the opposite direction that his best friend had.

Emily leveled a glare at Carly. “You too are way too dependent on my brother,” she said scathingly.

Carly arched an eyebrow. “Maybe. But I don’t see you turning away his help either.” She walked away, leaving Emily alone in the emergency room.

Nurse’s Station

Steven was talking with a nurse when Carly strolled up to him. She waited for him to finish his conversation. “So, how did you know where Jason was?” she asked pointedly.

Steven blinked. “What?”

“Ten minutes after my mother tells us we can’t find him, he shows up. After you excuse yourself to make a call.” Carly folded her arms. “I may be self-absorbed but I’m not an idiot.”

Steven shook his head. “Sorry, it’s confidential.” He slid his hands in his pockets and jingled some change as he went to the elevators.

Carly glared at his back before stalking over to him. “Look–I don’t–did you know where he was?”

“Just yes or no?” Steven asked. “No elaboration?”

“Just yes or no.”

“Yes,” Steven answered. The elevators dinged open. They both entered.

“Whoever Jason was with,” Carly said slowly, “might want to know that Sam’s baby died and that she’s in ICU.”

Steven looked at her sharply. “What?”

“The baby died,” Carly repeated. “And Sonny told Jason that since he couldn’t bother being there this morning, he shouldn’t now. So Jason’s sitting somewhere alone, dealing with this. And I don’t think he should have to.”

“So why aren’t you there with him?” Steven wanted to know as the elevators doors slid open on the lobby floor. Carly walked out of the car and headed towards the parking garage. “Carly?”

“Because it occurs to me that this isn’t the first time he’s been unavailable,” Carly said after a moment. “The first time his phone is off. The first time he’s disappeared. He’s been doing it for a while but I assumed he was just getting away from Sam.” She turned and fastened her dark eyes on him. “He’s hiding a part of his life from me. From Sonny. From the entire world and you know something about it. And that tells me it’s got something to do with your sister.”

Steven stiffened. “I know you don’t like her–”

“What I like doesn’t matter.” Carly hesitated. “But what Jason likes does. I hate knowing that he’s felt he’s had to hide something like this from me. And what’s more, I hate that he was probably right in his reasons. That finding out he was dating Elizabeth again would have set me off. I would have ridiculed him, attacked her and ended up looking like a royal bitch.”

“Why?” Steven asked. “Why would you put yourself through something like that, Carly? Jason’s a big boy, he doesn’t need you to approve of his choices and neither does my sister.”

“Haven’t you heard?” Carly snorted. “I’m selfish and I don’t think of anyone else but myself.”

Steven shook his head. “I don’t think you’re selfish, Carly.”

Startled, Carly dropped her hands to her side. “What?”

“I think you’re someone who’s been so busy fighting to survive that you don’t realize you already have.” Steven unlocked the passenger door. “I’ll drive you to your mother’s,” he said. She stared at him.

“That was an incredibly nice thing to say,” Carly said. “I’m not really used to that.”

“Get used to it.”

PCPD: Squad Room

“Is Commissioner Scorpio in?”

Lucky Spencer glanced up from the paperwork stating that Connor Bishop had been taken in the MP’s custody and sat back a little. A petite blonde with wide blue eyes and arms full of files stood in front of his desk. He immediately stood. “No, he’s not but I think he was expecting. ADA Joyce right?”

“Brianne Joyce,” she introduced herself. “I’d offer you a hand but I’d rather not drop these.”

Lucky nodded. “Right. He had an unexpected meeting but he told me to show you to his office and tell you he’d be back as soon as possible.”

“Well, then, Detective…” Brianne trailed off.

“Sergeant,” Lucky reluctantly corrected. After a year and a half on the force, it was hard to accept his recent demotion from detective to sergeant and it was still a bitter pill to swallow. “Sergeant Spencer.”

“Sergeant Spencer,” Brianne repeated. “If you’ll lead the way.”

Lucky led her across the hall and up a flight of steps. “Where’s DA Lansing?”

“He’s taking a short of leave of absence,” she said. “His daughter’s sick and he doesn’t want to leave his wife right now.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to correct her assumption that Lansing was not Kristina’s father but Lucky held back. He opened the door for the pretty lawyer. “Would you like coffee or anything?”

Brianne entered Mac’s office and set the files on the desk. “Nope. I’ll just do some paperwork until he gets here.” As Lucky strode to leave, she called out. “Wait.”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“Are you involved with the Sanchez case?” Brianne asked. “DA Lansing is letting me first chair and I was hoping to get interviews with the investigating officers. To get ready for grand jury.”

Lucky shook his head. “No, Mac’s the only one investigating this. He’s close to the family and all that.”

“Well.” Brianne smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Sergeant Spencer.”

“You, too. Ms. Joyce.” Lucky nodded at her and left the office.

A few moments later, Mac entered. “Sorry, Ms. Joyce. I didn’t think I’d be back this late.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” Brianne went over some of the more simple cases before coming to the final one. Diego Sanchez. “I’m first chairing the Sanchez the case,” she told Mac. “It’s my first and it’s really important that I don’t miss any details.”

“Well, it’s pretty cut and dried. Rape kit was positive. Brooke’s a good kid with a clean record. Comes from a good family. Sanchez is a kid from the foster system. He has a bit of a juvenile record. He’s arrogant and he admits at least that they had sex. One look at the pictures taken after Brooke got to the hospital and hearing her testimony should wrap it up.”

“Right. The pictures.” The pictures of the bruised and battered teenager had made her almost nauseous when she’d finally viewed them in her office earlier that day. But she’d shoved her emotions aside. “Sanchez’s statement says she wanted rough sex. Is there any reason why the jury shouldn’t laugh at that notion?”

Mac’s jaw tightened. “Brooke’s a good kid,” he repeated. “Sanchez is dirt. They only need to look at her to know.”

“I don’t mean to insinuate she’s not. But I can’t have any surprises,” Brianne stressed. “If Brooke had a relationship with this boy, then I can’t have that sprung on me by the defense.”

“Even if they did, that doesn’t take away her right to say no,” Mac snapped.

“No, no it doesn’t. But it creates reasonable doubt,” Brianne tried to explain. “The jury will wonder if she’s said yes in the past, why no now?”

“Well, then it’s your job to change their minds,” Mac said stubbornly.

“Not without the facts,” Brianne argued. “Did Brooke Lynn Ashton date the accused?” she asked bluntly.

“I don’t know,” Mac said coldly. “I didn’t ask.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Maybe you should assign someone to this case who isn’t quite so close.” She held up a hand to fend off his next attack. “So that the defense can’t say the police were biased, seeing as how your daughters are the best friends of the victim.”

Mac seethed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll assign an officer.”

General Hospital: Chapel

Elizabeth slowly slid open the door the chapel, not surprised to find him sitting alone in one of the pews. She glanced over her shoulder and then entered.

Steven’s phone call had confirmed what she hadn’t even wanted to think about. Sam had lost her baby. She had needed Jason and Jason was not there. They’d been making love while the baby he’d come to think of as his own needed him.

She could feel the guilt lodging in her belly and she knew his could choke him.

Elizabeth sat next to him and took her hand in his. She didn’t say anything–didn’t really need to say anything.

He looked at her with red-rimmed eyes. “She needed me and I wasn’t there.”

“You can’t always be there when someone needs you,” Elizabeth murmured. “You’re only human.”

“But Sam was depending on me. Not Sonny. Me. She was living with me.” He shook his head. “I knew she was close to her due date and I turned my phone off-”

“Because she had the cottage number,” Elizabeth interrupted. “She knew how to reach you.”

“Only she did,” Jason argued. “And when she was unconscious, when she needed me, I was…” he stopped and closed his eyes. “I should have waited until she was awake, until I knew she was okay and the phone was near. Nothing should have been more important.”

She flinched–she didn’t mean to and he didn’t notice. Nothing should have been more important. Nothing. Not her, not their relationship and not their son. The ex-mistress of his best friend and the illegitimate child.

No, it was wrong to think that way. Jason cared about Sam, loved the child. He was right. Nothing should have been more important than the baby.

“I wish there were words,” Elizabeth murmured. “But there aren’t.” She met his eyes. “But I know that Sam will need you.”

“Sonny’s–he’s too angry to let me near her right now. I want to be there when he tells her. He wasn’t there. Not all the time. He was only there when it was convenient for him. He didn’t to go the appointments, he didn’t watch her fall in love with this baby.”

“I’ll handle Sonny.” Elizabeth hesitated. “If I hadn’t had Steven pick up Cameron, then maybe you wouldn’t have come over this morning–”

“This isn’t your fault,” Jason said.

“And it isn’t yours because you came to see me this morning,” Elizabeth said. “Things happen, Jason. They don’t always have to have a reason. They don’t always make sense. The only thing we can do is deal with it.”

“What if you don’t know how?” he asked quietly.

“Then you just take it one day at a time.” Elizabeth tightened her hand around his. “One breath at a time, one step. You don’t have to have the answers right away.” A sad smile curved on her lips. “Some one very wise once told me that sometimes things happen fast…”

“But you have to live through them slow,” Jason nodded. “You know what I’ve learned since then?”

“What?”

“It’s a lot easier to give advice when you’re not giving it to yourself.”

Friday, November 5, 2004

General Hospital: Sam McCall’s Hospital Room

“Mr. Corinthos.”

A blonde nurse was at the doorway when Sonny turned. “There’s paperwork,” she said. “You’re listed as next of kin for the baby.”

Sonny nodded and stood. He followed the nurse into the hallway and down to the nurse’s station.

“Jen’s keeping him busy for at least a half hour,” Elizabeth told Jason as they came out of the next room. “She’s promised there’s more than enough paperwork to give him. I’m sorry it’s not more time.”

“It’s more than enough.” He kissed her fingers, the most he dared to do in such a public place.

“I have to get back to Cameron, Gram will ask questions.” She squeezed his hands before disappearing around the corner.

Jason exhaled slowly and went into her room.

General Hospital: Conference Room

“Sorry I’m late,” Steven said as he entered the room, Kristina’s file in hand. “I had some things to take care of.”

“Kristina’s looking much better isn’t she?” Alexis asked. “She’s fine right?”

Steven gestured for her to take a seat. “Where is Mr. Corinthos and DA Lansing?”

“Ric had to go into work, he had no choice. And I didn’t–Sonny’s daughter died.” Alexis shrugged helplessly. “I didn’t think we should reschedule.”

“Right. Of course.” Steven nodded. “Well, Dr. Quartermaine says that Kristina came through the transplant with flying colors. So far there’s been no sign of rejection. She’s been in the isolation unit as you already know from having spent the night there. She’ll remain in there for another week or so until her immune system is strong enough to be moved into a regular room. But should her body not reject the marrow, Kristina will make a full and complete recovery,” Steven finished.

Alexis slumped in her chair. “I can never thank you enough. I know you spent so much time on this case, much more than you needed to. And your sister…” she closed her eyes. “I can never repay her.”

“It wasn’t hard to imagine my own sister going through this with her son,” Steven admitted. “She’s a single mother as well. I only did what I would expect any doctor to do. I’m just glad this has a happy ending.”

“Me, too,” Alexis smiled tremulously. “Me, too.”

Port Charles High School: Library

“So this is where you’re hiding,” Georgie said, sitting next to Dillon and setting her books down. “I was worried when you weren’t in English class.”

“Didn’t feel like dealing with it.” Dillon sighed. “Brooke comes home on Tuesday, Ned told the family today that he and Lois and Brooke would be living in the gatehouse for the immediate future.”

“Well, that’s good.” Georgie nodded. “They should be together. The next few months are going to be rough. Rougher than anything.”

“I still haven’t seen her,” Dillon admitted. He stared at the table. “I know it’s hurting her.”

“Yeah,” Georgie admitted. “But I understand and part of Brooke does, too. Going into that room, seeing her–it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.” She took a deep breath. “And for the first moments, all I could see was what he’d done to her. Her beautiful face. Her spirit. I just–it was so hard, Dillon. Brooke is like part of my family, our family.” She touched his hand. “You, me, Maxie, Brooke–even Lucas. We’re a family. We stick together.”

“Other than my mother, you were the first person that really cared about me,” Dillon said. “You and Maxie. And then Brooke came into my life and she’s a Quartermaine, Georgie. She gets it. And she’s been more like a sister than anyone in my entire life.” His voice faltered. “She’s so bright and beautiful and she deserves so much.”

“The knowledge that he won’t get away with it,” Georgie said slowly, “that he will go to prison, it’s not a lot of help. Because even though he’s going to pay for it, it still happened. And nothing is going to change that for Brooke. I know you want to make this better for her, we all do.” She shoved her hair away from her face. “I even went to Diego for her.”

Dillon snapped his head up, his eyes dark with fury. “What?” he demanded.

“She wanted to know why, she begged me to find out,” Georgie said unapologetically. “You would have promised her the world if you thought it would help. So yes, I agreed. And I went. I’ve already heard this from my dad, you don’t really need to lecture me about this.”

“The hell I don’t.” Dillon straightened. “You are completely out of your mind, Jones, if you think that you can just–”

“And you are completely out of your mind if you think you can yell at me for something you would have done,” Georgie contested hotly. “Now will you shut up and let me finish?”

“Fine,” Dillon said, irritated.

“Anyway, she’s going to need you. Because if she’s got to get up in a courtroom and testify in front him, she’s going to need us all. So even though I know how hard it is, you have got to get past this and go to see her. Because no matter how hard it is for you, it is impossibly more so for Brooke.”

General Hospital: Sam’s Room

Jason eased himself into the seat Sonny had vacated. He took Sam’s limp hand in his own and took a deep breath. “Since you convinced me to see Elizabeth before she woke up to catch her in a vulnerable state, me not being there this morning wasn’t entirely my fault.”

He hesitated. “But I am sorry. I’ve tried so hard not to let you down and I feel like that by leaving this morning, I did. Elizabeth–she tells me that the condition you had was no one’s fault. That even if I had been there and had seen it happen, this might have happened the same way. But we’ll never know for sure and I’m going to know that for the rest of my life.”

“You were right–that I needed to see her this morning. That this situation has gone on so long because I’ve let it. And when you wake up, I’m going to need you to keep reminding me of how selfish I’m being by trying to keep everyone in my life. That my priorities are screwed up and need some serious readjustment.” He closed his eyes. “When you wake up, I’m going to make it a point to be there for you, every step of the way. I’m just–I’m so sorry, Sam. I should have been there this morning and it’s going to be hard to forgive myself.”

“You’re allowed to have your own life,” Sonny said from the doorway. Jason stood hastily and Sonny smiled faintly. “The nurse was a nice diversionary tactic but I could tell she’d run out of paperwork after a little while.”

“I just–I just wanted to see her,” Jason explained. He let go of her hand and moved away from the bed.

“I’m sorry for earlier…” Sonny shrugged. “I was angry. You’re always there when I need you.”

Jason nodded. “I’d do anything to change what happened this morning. I’m not sorry that I–” he broke off and looked back at Sam before looking at Sonny. “How much of what I said did you hear?”

“Enough to know that you didn’t trust me.” Sonny moved inside the room and stood at the foot of Sam’s bed. “I didn’t know that you’d been seeing Elizabeth again. I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide it from me.”

“I–we weren’t telling anyone,” Jason said after a moment, feeling slightly surreal. Could it be this easy? “Sam knows. I had to tell her. And her brother found out. But that’s only recently.”

“So you had a fight with her and Sam convinced you to speak with her this morning.” Sonny nodded. “There’s nothing wrong with having your own life, your own priorities. I guess–it’s been so long since they didn’t mirror my own.”

“I know.” Jason realized now that Sonny didn’t quite understand the situation. Sonny was assuming the relationship with Elizabeth was new. He didn’t understand that Cameron was his son, that Elizabeth was not just someone he was seeing.

But there was time for all that. Sonny knew. And accepted. With time, Jason thought he might be able to make his friend understand that he’d never meant to hurt Courtney. That he had married her, believing Elizabeth was lost to him forever.

And Sonny might just understand that. But he wouldn’t appreciate the knowledge now.

“I am sorry that I wasn’t there this morning but Sam was fine last night. She’d been fine for months. There were no problems. I thought–thought she would be fine.”

“You can’t predict these things,” Sonny said. “I don’t blame you. And I shouldn’t have this morning.” He hesitated. “And you should be here when she finds out.”

“Thank you.”

“So.” Sonny sat down and gestured for Jason to take the other chair. “Tell me about Elizabeth.”

Cottage: Living Room

When Elizabeth got home, Emily was sitting on the couch, surrounded by wedding magazines and her wedding planner. “Em!”

“Your grandmother had a meeting at the hospital,” Emily said. “So she asked me to come by. Since I took this semester off from classes and Connor’s gone, I don’t have much to do other than plan my wedding.”

Elizabeth sat next to her on the couch and started flipping through the magazines. “How is it, planning a royal wedding?” she teased.

“It’s so much pressure,” Emily sighed. “I never realized just how influential the Cassadines are in Europe. There are so many people I have to invite and so many customs I have to adhere to.”

“Why do you have to?” Elizabeth questioned. “Nikolas didn’t when he married Lydia and when Stefan married Bobbie, it was just an elopement.”

“I know, but I want to do this right. Nikolas has made his fortune back in investments this year and we can afford to do the wedding the right way. So I was thinking of a spring wedding, in April,” Emily said. “Out on the Spoon Island. We’d have to hire tons of crew to get the grounds cleaned up and the house, Lord, so much of it has been closed up for the last year. But I love Nikolas and I want the whole world to know.”

“Well, you know anything I can do, I will,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “Cameron’s napping?”

“Yep.” Emily tugged the mammoth wedding planner binder into her lap. “I’ve already hired the company to clean up the grounds. They’re going to be doing that for the next few months and then planting gardens and just making it a much friendlier place to live. Nikolas is flying to Europe for most of January and February to oversee some of the companies he’s bought.” Emily shook her head. “With Connor out of our lives and this Mary Bishop stuff finally over, Nikolas is throwing himself into the business and I’m doing the wedding.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re happy.” Elizabeth thumbed through another magazine before hesitating at a dress–a slim column of white silk. “This is gorgeous.”

“Hmmmm…I was thinking more of something like this,” Emily showed her a picture of a white gown with a full skirt and corset bodice. “It’s got silver shot through the white, so it kind of gleams.” Emily hesitated. “But that one is perfect for you.”

Elizabeth shut the magazine immediately. She and Jason had never discussed marriage and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever want to get married again anyway. “I don’t know where I’d wear it,” she joked.

“You’ll find someone,” Emily said quietly. “Someone who makes Ric Lansing a very distant memory.” Her dark eyes ignited with fury. “Sometimes I could just strangle him for what he’s done to you.”

“Emily–”

“You hardly go out anymore, you keep Cameron to yourself, we rarely see him. You’re always working and don’t think I don’t know you’re working yourself half to death to afford this place.”

“That’s not Ric’s fault,” Elizabeth argued. “It’s me. I’m just–I’d rather be home when I’m not working and Cameron deserves this home.”

“And now he’s married Alexis like you never existed,” Emily continued to fume, “Well, he’s not invited to my wedding–”

“Emily.” Elizabeth sighed deeply. “There’s nothing wrong with me or with Ric. He’s been perfectly normal and sane for the last year and a half. The thing with Carly–it doesn’t–it doesn’t even matter anymore. I wasn’t what he needed and he wasn’t what I needed.” Elizabeth tucked her hair behind her ears. “He’s married to Alexis now and you can’t pretend he’s not. You can’t pretend he’s not part of your family and it’s not fair to Alexis.”

“Alexis is just so smart, how could she delude herself into thinking he loves her?” Emily shook her head.

“You don’t know what she thinks,” Elizabeth said. “You have no right to judge her, to judge him.” She stood and tossed the magazines on the coffee table. She started to pace in front of the fireplace. “That’s not loyalty to family, to friends. It’s Alexis’s life, who are you to make her feel bad, feel ashamed of her choices, of the way she–” Elizabeth broke off and shook her head. “I–I’m sorry.”

“Elizabeth, sweetie…” Emily set her planner aside and stood. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.” Emily stepped towards her and put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “That little rant? Wasn’t about Alexis, it wasn’t about me. It’s about you. I know I’ve been self-absorbed and selfish but you’re my best friend. My sister. You can trust me. You can always trust me.”

“Zander…” Elizabeth’s lower lip quivered. She looked down. “He wasn’t Cameron’s father.”

Emily blinked. Removed her hands. Stepped back. “What?”

“I didn’t–I didn’t know until after he was gone or I would have told him the truth.” Elizabeth shoved her fingers through her hair. “Before I left for Napa, my doctors readjusted my due date and I realized that Zander couldn’t be his father.”

“Who is his father?” Emily asked. She knew it wasn’t Ric. Couldn’t be Ric.

“Someone I love more than almost anything in this world,” Elizabeth whispered. “But he has a whole other life and Cam and I don’t really fit.”

Emily’s mind was racing, fitting possibilities into the slot and discarding them just as easily. Was the man married? Who could Elizabeth love so deeply and so fiercely that she couldn’t even tell her own best friend?

“What do you mean, you don’t fit?” Emily shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“We don’t belong in his life.” Elizabeth moved away from Emily and went towards the kitchen. After a moment, Emily followed her.

Elizabeth poured herself a glass of iced tea and sipped it. “He knows. About Cameron. As soon as I was ready, I told him. And he loves Cameron.”

Emily couldn’t find words. A name was stuck in her throat. She didn’t want to believe it but she couldn’t imagine who else it could be. Not Zander, not Ric.

“So he’s spent time with Cameron? With you?” Emily asked slowly.

“As much as he can.” Elizabeth set the glass on the counter. “He’s provided for me, for his son. He loves us. But it’s not enough. It can never be enough.”

“Elizabeth…” Emily spread her hands out in front of her. “I don’t–you’re not making sense. How could he afford to provide for you like this?” She looked around her. “Did he help you buy this place?”

“He bought it. I didn’t argue because he doesn’t feel like he can do much for Cameron other than provide him a place to live.”

“He bought it?” Emily repeated. She blinked. “I don’t–” She looked around the kitchen. The small cozy kitchen. She wandered past the dining room and into the open living room. Looked at the staircase that led to the three bedrooms upstairs. She turned back to Elizabeth. “Why don’t you fit?” she asked. “Is it his job?”

“No,” Elizabeth said, sounding offended. “I could never ask him to change that part of him.”

“Then…what’s wrong?” Emily demanded. “His family adores you. His friends love you–”

“What?” Elizabeth sputtered. “What are you talking about? His friends can’t stand me.”

“Since when?” Emily asked. “Nikolas and I are like family to you–”

Elizabeth blinked. She looked at Emily oddly. “You and Nikolas aren’t his friends.”

Emily closed her mouth. “I’ve been Lucky’s friend longer than you have,” she tossed back.

“Lucky?” Elizabeth repeated, her eyes wide with shock. “What does Lucky have to do with this?”

General Hospital: Brooke’s Room

Dillon slowly slid the door to Brooke’s room open. His niece was sitting up in bed, reading some trashy romance novel. He blanched at the bruises on her face. “Hey,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“Hey.” Brooke set the novel aside. “Long time no see.”

“Yeah.” Dillon rubbed the back of his neck. “Sorry about that. You know how it is. People to mock, places to avoid.”

Brooke smirked. “Yeah, how goes that mocking thing?”

“Ah, the population of Port Charles High makes it pathetically easy.” Dillon sat at her bedside. “All joking aside, I’m sorry I haven’t been here.”

“It’s okay.” Brooke shrugged.

“It’s not. I was just–” Dillon looked away. “I didn’t want to have to see what he did to you. I’m already angry enough to kill him without actually seeing what he’s done to you.”

Brooke bit her lip. “Dillon.”

“I’m sorry, I just–” he exhaled slowly. “I’m so angry, Brooke. I didn’t want you to see that.”

“I don’t want you to be angry.” Brooke twisted her fingers in the white sheets. “I just–I want this to be over.”

“I wish I could make that happen.” Dillon sighed heavily. “I can yell at you though. For sending Georgie to see that…sorry excuse for a human.”

Brooke hesitated and slid him a glance out of the corner of her eyes. “She actually went?”

“Yes. I can yell at you for that right?”

“I’m sorry, I never should have sent her there.” Brooke sighed. “I just–I wanted to know why.”

“Still.” Dillon sniffed. “Bit irresponsible.”

“Yeah…since when I have cared about being responsible?” Brooke asked with a small smile.

PC Municipal Building: District Attorney’s Office

Alexis pushed open the door to her new husband’s office. Ric sat behind the large mahogany desk, his suit jacket long gone, his tie loosened and his hair disheveled. “Hey.”

“So I met with Dr. Webber.” Alexis closed the office door and sat down. “He told me that Kristina can be moved from the isolation unit in about a week and she’ll be home by December 1.”

“That’s…” Ric shook his head and grinned. “That’s incredible.”

“It is.” Alexis sighed and leaned back in the chair. “I feel like this huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Things are finally turning around. Did I tell you that Nikolas has asked me to be the lead counsel for the hospital?”

“Yeah? I wasn’t aware the Cassadines were still on the board there,” Ric remarked. He capped his pen. “Did Nikolas buy back interest?”

“Yes, he always enjoyed that part of the business. He wants to restructure the hospital and eventually all of Cassadine Industries.” She smiled wistfully. “Seems like yesterday he was a little boy, chasing after Stefan.”

“They all have to grow up some time,” Ric said. He stood and crossed to rub her shoulders. “So what else is on your mind?”

“Our future,” Alexis admitted. “We’re married now and I don’t think that’s sunk in for either of us.”

“No, I guess it hasn’t,” Ric said. “Is it really that dreadful to think about?”

“No.” Alexis’s lips curved into a smile. “Surprisingly, it’s not.” She stood and leaned against the desk, facing him. “But there are things we have to speak about. Living together, for one. Your apartment, mine?”

“How about…some place entirely new. Something that’s not…part of either of our pasts?” Ric suggested. “Kristina’s a little older now. I think maybe something with a backyard.”

Alexis blinked. “You mean…buy something?”

“Sure, what’s wrong with that?”

“I rent,” she replied, a little mystified. “I’ve never owned anything.”

“Well…” Ric took her by the shoulders and kissed her briefly. “There’s a first time for everything.”

November 5, 2004

Cottage: Living Room

Emily blinked. “Lucky’s not Cameron’s father?”

Looking somewhat horrified, Elizabeth shook her head. “God, no.”

“I think I need to sit down,” Emily said faintly. She sat on the bottom step and stared up at her friend. “It’s not Ric.”

“No,” Elizabeth shook her head.

“Not Zander. Not Lucky.” Emily searched for a possible substitute. Her face paled and she slowly stood. “Jason.”

Elizabeth bit her lip.

Emily whimpered. “My brother.”

Elizabeth nodded.

Emily folded her arms across her chest and moved away from her best friend, letting that sink in. Jason Morgan, the brother she loved dearly. He was Cameron’s father. Elizabeth’s secret…lover? Were they still together? He’d bought this house for her.

Her brow furrowed. He had been distracted lately but she’d thought he’d been falling for Sam. Sam. Was Sam and her baby the reason Elizabeth did not fit? Had Jason put Sam above Elizabeth? Or was Elizabeth unhappy with that situation as a whole?

“He was engaged to Courtney when Cameron was conceived.” Emily stated this, did not ask but Elizabeth nodded. “It’s not in his nature to deceive.”

“No. It was–it was sudden,” Elizabeth admitted. “After your wedding to Zander, Jason and I were in the chapel. We thought you were going to die, Emily. We were consoling each other.” Her hands twisted together. “It had been so long since we connected. So long since I had been near him. All that bitterness, that anger. It was gone. It felt like it had been before. I kissed him.” She bit her lip and looked away, lost in the memory. “He kissed me back. We went to my grandmother’s house. She was out of town.”

“And after that?” Emily demanded.

“We spent the night together. I told myself we were just grieving in our own way,” Elizabeth said softly. “But it was more and we both knew it. But he had his obligations. To Courtney. To Sonny and Carly. He wasn’t free. He made his promises to her and I was still legally married to Ric.”

“But you were in the accident, how could the baby have survived?” Emily remembered.

“After the accident, when I was blind…Ric was always around and I didn’t want him at first. I could only remember Jason. I love him so much, Emily,” Elizabeth whispered. “Jason came to see me and he told me that when he’d heard about the accident, he’d been so worried–so upset. He’d come to the hospital to see how I was. He–it happened. I was at my studio then. It happened again and I just–I didn’t want to be without him. He felt the same way. We knew it would take some time to free ourselves. Ric wasn’t letting go easily and telling Courtney would be so painful.”

“You had an affair,” Emily realized.

“It didn’t last long. Only a few weeks. But I found out Courtney had set a date and I was devastated. He was supposed to have been working his way out of the relationship but she was still forging ahead. I–we argued. We said things–we’ve always argued badly.” Elizabeth hugged herself tightly. “And we ended it.”

“He married Courtney, and you married Ric.”

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was terrified. Cameron could have been Jason’s or Zander’s. But then the doctor told me I was due in late June and I was–I was relieved,” Elizabeth admitted. “Jason was married. I couldn’t bear the idea of having a married man’s child.”

“But the due date was wrong.”

“Yes, before I left, the doctor readjusted it and I was actually eight months along when I left. Jason was Cameron’s father. I didn’t–he was getting divorced then but I still didn’t know how to process that information. I left and when I came home, I told Jason immediately and for the first time in years, we talked. We really talked. He loves me, Emily. And I love him.”

“Then why aren’t you together?” Emily asked. “Why haven’t you told anyone?”

“Sonny, Carly and Sam.” Elizabeth sighed. “Jason knew his priorities needed readjustment. He knew that he had to make them understand he had his own life; that he needed to live it. He didn’t want to subject Cameron or me to them without that being clear.”

“So he’s asked you to keep it a secret?” Emily asked, aghast. “Like you were some mistress and Cameron was some illegitimate bastard to be ashamed of?”

“It’s not like that! Why does everyone immediately assume it is?” Elizabeth cried. “Steven all but accused me of being his whore.”

“Well perhaps Steven has a point. I love my brother, Elizabeth, but you never should have let him get away with this,” Emily said. “You should have put your foot down and told him that–”

“If I had given him an ultimatum, I would have lost him,” Elizabeth said fiercely. “And I would rather spend an evening with Carly than lose him again.”

“Better that than your self-respect,” Emily seethed.

“What do you call what you’ve done?” Elizabeth challenged. “You married Zander when you knew you loved Nikolas. You broke Zander’s heart, drove him to do dangerous things and he ended up dead. Nikolas was barely gone a few months before you almost moved on to his brother. You chose to help Connor when you knew he could turn Nikolas in. What right do you have to judge me?”

PCPD Municipal Building: Brianne Joyce’s Office

A knock on her open door jarred Brianne from her study of a law book. She glanced up to see Ric Lansing standing just inside her tiny office. “DA Lansing,” she murmured. She stood.

Ric waved. “Sit down. Just wanted to run over some details with you on the Sanchez case.” He sat in the chair in front of her desk and Brianne took her seat. “I just got off the phone with Commissioner Scorpio.”

Brianne tensed. “Mr. Lansing, if Mac Scorpio has taken issue with my handling of the case, he ought to take it up with me–”

“Brianne, call me Ric. And yes, he has taken issue with your handling of the case but I don’t agree with him. He’s a good cop, but you were correct in asking him to assign a separate officer. Brooke Lynn is the daughter of his friends, the best friend of his own daughters. He isn’t being objective.”

“I can understand why he would be reluctant to question Miss Ashton as to her relationship with the suspect,” Brianne remarked, “but I have to have all the facts even if I have to ask her myself.”

“Well, Sergeant Lucky Spencer has been assigned to the case. I’m a little concerned about his choice. Spencer has a history of crossing the line when it comes to his work. He’s protected his brother from the law quite a few times. Engaged in cover ups. He was recently demoted from Detective.”

“So why didn’t you argue the assignment?” Brianne questioned. Ric rose and stood behind the chair for a moment.

“Because I believe he’s a good cop. With the right influence, he could be a great one,” Ric admitted. “I just thought you should know his history. So you could keep an eye on him.”

“All right then,” Brianne said. “I’ll meet with him Monday morning.”

General Hospital: Sam McCall’s Room

“So how long?” Sonny asked quietly after Jason had sat on the other side of Sam’s hospital bed. “How long have you been seeing Elizabeth?”

Opting for the safe answer, he answered, “Since she came home from California.”

“Since July then.” Sonny leaned back and kept his dark eyes on Sam’s pale face. “Over four months you’ve kept it from us. Why?”

“Because she didn’t deserve the way she’d be treated,” Jason said after a moment. “By Carly. By Courtney.”

“By me,” Sonny said simply. He exhaled slowly. “It’s no secret how much I depend on you. And it’s not right. I got along pretty well before I knew you and when you were out of town. But since you came home that last time, that changed.” Sonny looked at him. “Why do you suppose that is?”

“I don’t know,” Jason answered honestly. “I suppose a lot of the time, I didn’t really think I had anything better to do.” He stood and moved towards the windows that looked over the hallway. “I know how that sounds considering I was married to your sister.”

“If you remember, I wasn’t in favor of that from the start,” Sonny remarked idly. He rolled his shoulders. “Partly because I didn’t want her in this life and also because of Elizabeth.”

Jason turned back to look at his old friend. “You never said it.”

“I didn’t see the point. You wouldn’t have admitted it.” Sonny sighed. “There are certain people who come into our lives, Jason. People who change us, who make us want to be better, to deserve them. And no matter how much we try to walk away from them, we will always love them.”

“You’re talking about Brenda,” Jason said quietly.

“She was the love of my life,” his best friend admitted freely. “I love Carly, but you can only have one person who’s the other half of your soul, Jason.” Sonny sighed, somewhat troubled. “And Brenda was mine.”

Bobbie’s Brownstone: Living Room

“When are we going home?” Michael demanded when his mother walked through the archway from the front hall. He tossed his Playstation paddle on the floor and stood, planting his fisted hands on his hips. “I’m tired of visiting Grandma.”

“Michael…” Carly sighed and sat on the sofa. She patted the tan cushion next to her. “Sit down.”

Her son cautiously climbed onto the couch and looked at her intently. “Did you mess up again? Is Daddy mad at you?”

Carly exhaled slowly. “I know that this last year has been tough on you. Your father and I separating last winter and now…now we’re separating again.”

Michael sighed. “For how long this time?” he asked, resigned.

“This time, it’s different.” Carly rubbed her temples. How to explain this to him? “Michael, I filed for divorce this morning.”

Michael blinked slowly. “What’s that?”

“It’s when two people who are married aren’t anymore. Now, your father doesn’t know about this yet. It’s not something we really discussed. But I filed this morning and I want you to know it won’t be like the last time with the court rooms and the judges. We’re not going to fight over you and Morgan.”

“What are you going to do?” Michael asked suspiciously.

“We’re going to share custody. I don’t know the details yet. You’ll probably spend the weeks with me, and the weekends with your father. You can see him whenever you want, though. I know how much you love each other and I would never want to take that away from either of you.”

“You really aren’t going to get back together this time, are you?” Michael asked quietly. He shifted on the cushion and stared at her intently.

“No. We’re not,” Carly answered.

His shoulders slumped and he looked away. After a long moment, he looked back at his mother. “Are we going to live with Grandma forever then?”

“For a while,” Carly nodded. “Eventually, we’ll find a place of our own. But for right now, this is where we’re going to live. Are you going to be okay with this?”

“I guess,” Michael said. “I wish we could still be together but I guess if I still get to see Dad a lot, it’ll be okay.”

Carly sighed in relief. “Okay. Okay, that’s good to hear. Thank you, Michael.”

General Hospital: Outside Brooke’s Room

Lucas stopped in front of Brooke’s room and hesitated. “Is a doctor in there?” he asked Ned who was sitting in a chair next to the door.

Ned sat up and cleared his throat. “Ah, no, no. Brooke was sleeping.” He rubbed his eyes and Lucas felt bad. He knew that Brooke’s father hadn’t really left the hospital since Tuesday night. Had probably not eaten, not had a change of clothes or done more than wash up in the bathrooms.

“She’s going home soon right?” Lucas asked. He sat in the chair next to Ned. He set the flowers he’d brought his girlfriend across his lap. “Monday.”

Ned nodded. “Yeah.” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Monday. Look, you and the girls and Dillon, you’ve been really good to Brooke Lynn. I’m glad–I’m glad she’s got you guys for support. She’s gonna need it. The trial…” he shook his head. “I don’t know how she’s supposed to get through it all.”

“She will.” Lucas nodded. “She’s strong, Mr. Ashton. You and her mother have set really good examples for her and she’ll stand up. But she’ll always have us.” He hesitated. “So Diego’s going to trial.”

“Yeah.” Ned’s dark eyes began to smolder as he thought of his little girl having to face that scum in the courtroom. “It’s good thing he’s not out on bail.”

“Yeah,” Lucas muttered. “I hear that.”

General Hospital: Cafeteria

“Sonny,” Lois touched his arm as he stood at the coffee vending machine. Sonny turned to see his old friend standing there with sad eyes. “I heard about the baby. I’m so sorry.”

“I heard about Brooke,” Sonny said in return. He kissed her cheek and steered her towards an empty table. “I can’t begin to think of what you’re going through.”

Lois laughed bitterly and dropped into a chair. “It’s like walking through a fog,” she murmured. “I worked so hard to protect my Brookie from everything and now…the most terrifying thing you can imagine has happened.”

“How is Ned handling this?” Sonny asked.

“About as well as you can imagine. He hardly speaks to anyone except Brooke. He’s falling all over himself trying to give her everything she needs. And he’s talking about suing Social Services, Courtney…” Lois sighed heavily. “I know she’s your sister, Sonny, but she’s not fit to have a teenager under her roof.”

“No, no she’s not. I’ve been involved in my own thing lately,” Sonny said. “With Sam and Carly’s father…I wasn’t able to give her my opinion on that subject.”

“I doubt she would have been receptive to it,” Lois said with a faint smirk. “How is Sam?” she asked, changing the topic.

“Still unconscious. Jason’s sitting with her right now but I’m going to send him home when I go back up.” Sonny glanced into his coffee. “He’s seeing someone and I think she ought to know that I know about it now.”

“Jason, huh?” Lois smiled. “Well, if he’s not seeing Sam or your sister, then it’s the other brunette he spends all that time with.”

“What do you mean?” Sonny asked curiously.

“Elizabeth Webber, Audrey’s granddaughter. I’ve seen them around town. They make a nice couple.” Lois sipped her water. “Anyway, it’s going to be hard when Sam wakes up. I don’t envy you having to tell her.”

“Yeah.” Sonny exhaled slowly and sipped his coffee. “Yeah.”

“What do you think about Lorenzo Alcazar?” Lois asked after a moment of silence. “Truly.”

Sonny frowned. “Lois…”

“Just give me the benefit of the doubt,” Lois instructed. “What do you think about him?”

“He’s ruthless,” Sonny admitted. “It makes me glad I don’t go up against him in business because he’d be a challenging enemy and I don’t have the energy to deal with one of them right now. He’s single-minded. Very capable of focusing on something until he gets it.” His lips twisted into a grimacing smile. “Even if it’s my wife.”

Lois nodded. “So you respect him.”

Sonny tilted his head to the side and considered that. “I guess I do. You’re not thinking of becoming involved with him, are you?”

“It’s more than that,” Lois told him. She hesitated but eventually divulged Lorenzo’s confession to him. “And now I’m wondering if I can avoid holding the son’s sins against the father.”

Sonny sat back and digested this new information. “It must be tearing him up inside to know his flesh is capable of something like that.”

“He was going to bail him out of this, get the charges dropped,” Lois admitted. “But when he found out what they were, he decided not to help. That’s not a decision he could make lightly, is it?”

“I don’t know that any man would abandon his son without it weighing on him,” Sonny admitted. “It was decent of him to tell you the truth. To tell you before someone else did. You obviously mean something to him.”

Lois looked down at the table for a long moment before meeting his dark eyes. “Thank you. Thank you for saying that. I know you don’t like him but it means a lot that you would say that.”

“You mean a lot to me, too,” Sonny said. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I truly am sorry for what you’re going through. You and Ned and most especially Brooke. If there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to call.”

“I won’t. Why don’t you go upstairs and relieve Jason so he can go home to his girl?” Lois suggested.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Living Room

The words hung between them and finally Emily looked away. “You know I love you, Elizabeth. That I only want you to be happy.”

Elizabeth exhaled slowly and felt the tension drain from the room. “I know. And I hate this situation. I do. But it’s nearly over. And Jason loves Cameron.”

“I love my brother, too. And believe me, I am glad that he has this life waiting for him. I just–” Emily shook her head. “I just don’t feel like this can end well. You’ve been keeping such a large secret from everyone. You’ve been keeping part of yourself a secret. Are you sure you won’t come to resent Jason for it?”

Elizabeth sighed and sank back onto the couch. “I’m hoping it won’t come to that.”

Deciding a change in subject would be best, Emily crossed to the fireplace and turned to face her old friend. “You’ve heard about Brooke Lynn.”

Elizabeth raised her eyes and nodded. “Yes, I’m so sorry it happened but they’ve caught him. That will mean something to her in the long run.”

“She’ll go to trial. She’ll have to testify in front of him,” Emily continued. “Mac Scorpio suggested she speak to someone who has experience going through this. He suggested you.”

“What?” Elizabeth asked, surprised. “Me?”

“You’d know better what Brooke’s facing than any of us would,” Emily told her. “I wouldn’t want to dredge up…I just…she needs someone who will understand.”

“I’m not sure if I can be much help,” Elizabeth replied, “but I can go see her. If it’s okay with her parents.”

Emily nodded. “I told Ned I’d speak with you. Brooke goes home on Monday. If you could speak with her then. Before the ADA Ric assigned to the case interviews her.”

“Where’s she staying?” Elizabeth asked after a moment. “The Gatehouse?”

Emily nodded. “I’ll tell Ned and Lois to expect you.”

There was a knock on the door and it opened to reveal Jason, who stopped short at the sight of his sister. “Emily.”

“Jason. I’m surprised to see you here.” Emily bent down and started to put her magazines into her bag. She shifted the leather strap over her shoulder and pulled the wedding planner into her arms. “Has Sam woken yet?”

“No. Sonny’s sitting with her. I’ll be going to see her tomorrow,” Jason said. He hesitated, looked at Elizabeth who was staring at the ground. “Sonny wanted me to come and thank Elizabeth again for donating bone marrow to Kristina.”

Emily narrowed her eyes and looked to her best friend’s miserable countenance. “Well that was nice of Sonny.” She looked back at her brother. “I miss the days when you chose telling a truth over a lie. Because no matter how hard the truth can be to hear, the lies hurt the people you’re trying to protect.”

“Emily–”

“I’m going to stop by the hospital and check on Ned. See if I can convince him to come home and at least eat something more than hospital food.” She kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “Don’t forget about Monday.”

“I won’t.”

She stepped up to the landing and paused by her brother. “How can Sonny and Carly be more important than your own son?”

She left before Jason could formulate a reply. He turned to Elizabeth who was staring fixedly at the wall. “You told her.”

“She thought Lucky was Cameron’s father,” Elizabeth murmured. “I think she knew all along Zander wasn’t. The coloring–it’s not right.” She turned to look at Jason. “I couldn’t let her think Lucky was. She’d want to know why he wasn’t in our life. Why he wasn’t with his son.”

“Elizabeth–”

“I didn’t tell her you thought Sonny and Carly were more important. She came to that conclusion all on her own.” She rubbed her hands together and started for the kitchen. “I’m going to get some dinner. Are you staying?”

“Sonny knows,” Jason told her as he followed her down the short hallway into the kitchen. “I was talking to Sam about you and he overheard. He knows, at least, that we’re together.”

Elizabeth opened the fridge and removed some lunchmeat. She set it on the counter and looked back at him. “But not about Cameron.”

“No. I didn’t–I didn’t know how to tell him so soon after he’s lost his daughter. It didn’t seem fair and I don’t think he would have accepted it easily.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. “So I take it you’ve solved things between you regarding Sam.”

“He accepts that we’re together. I’ll tell Carly the same thing and when they’re used to that–”

“No,” Elizabeth murmured. “I understand that telling Sonny now would be painful. That he might not want to hear it. But he’s going to have to deal with it one day. They both will.” She spun to face him, her expression irritated. “You’re concerned with Courtney.”

“I don’t want to hurt her,” Jason admitted.

“But it’s okay to hurt me.” Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Just how long do you expect I should wait for my son to have a father, Jason? You think that because Sonny and Carly know we’re together, that it’s okay no one knows about Cameron?”

“No, it’s not okay.” Jason muttered something under his breath. “Elizabeth, I don’t want to hurt anyone, least of all you. And that’s all I seem to be doing.”

“You had an affair with your ex-girlfriend while you were engaged to your best friend’s sister. You conceived a child with her, one you’ve been hiding for months. Your other best friend can’t stand the sight of me and I’ve never quite gotten along with your ex-wife. You’re going to have to hurt someone.”

“I just need time, time to make this all okay. I don’t want Courtney to hear it from someone else. She doesn’t deserve that.”

“Sonny doesn’t deserve to be hurt, Carly doesn’t deserve it and neither does Courtney. I guess that leaves me.” Elizabeth turned back around and started to make herself a sandwich. “Well, Jason, until you’re finished hurting me, I don’t want you in this house.”

He stared at her. “Elizabeth–”

“You may have bought it but you put my name on the deed to avoid questions. This is my house and I won’t have you in it anymore. I won’t be your escape from your life and I’m not subjecting my son to the crumbs of time you allot him.” She said these words calmly, with any sign of emotion. Her hands were trembling but he didn’t see that. “I love you, Jason, but I don’t deserve to be treated like a second-class whore.”

“God damn it, Elizabeth, that’s not what you are!” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Why do you let other people tell you how to feel?”

“They’re just pointing out what I’d tried to forget. That as far as the rest of the world is concerned, you’re probably still pining for your ex-wife. Or worse, for Sonny’s ex-mistress. No one would even guess you were supposed to be in love with me. That was I supposed to mean something to you.” Elizabeth hesitated and took a deep breath. “And you’re a fine one to talk about letting other people tell you how to feel. Why the hell are we keeping this a secret if not for the people in your life?” She slammed the top slice of bread on her sandwich.

“You said you understood. From the very beginning, you said you understood why we had to do this,” Jason said after a long moment. “Was that a lie?”

“I understood when I thought it would be a few weeks, a month at the most. But here we are into the fourth month with no real end in sight. Because what’s going to make you tell people about Cameron? If we’re together, people will assume you’re part of his life. And as he gets older, why–it will only be natural if he thinks you’re his father. Why should you ever have to say a damn word?”

She shoved the lunchmeat back into the fridge and still refused to look at him. “I know you love him, Jason. And I will never keep him from you. But right now, you can’t be bothered to tell people you’re his father and as far as I’m concerned, you aren’t.”

The blood drained from his face and he swallowed hard. “Elizabeth.”

“Until you’re ready to admit it, then you’re not his father,” Elizabeth continued ruthlessly. She knew how the words must hurt him because she of all people understood how much he loved their son. But Cameron was her son and she had to protect him at all costs. After a moment of silence, she went for the final blow. “As far as I’m concerned, we’re through as well. I can’t be with someone I can’t respect.”

He opened his mouth to argue, to say something–anything. He couldn’t find the words. He couldn’t begin to think how to fix this. He’d had this world in his hands. This woman whom he loved, who loved him. A son. A family who loved him above anything else. And he was losing it. He could feel it slipping away from him and he didn’t know how to hold it.

“I spent a long time pretending that I didn’t love you,” he said finally. “I’m not sure if you know but I’ve cared for you for a long time. Long before you were ready. I think if I hadn’t been afraid you’d be thinking of Lucky, I would have kissed you that night we danced at Kelly’s.”

She closed her eyes and gripped the side of the counter. She said nothing.

“You weren’t ready for that then and I don’t think I was either. And when Lucky came home, it just–I love you, Elizabeth. But I think I always knew I could never be with you.”

Something inside her began to crack and her lips trembled but still she said nothing.

“You deserve better than what I’ve given you. You always have. And Cameron deserves more than what I’ve been able to give to him. I want to make this right for you, for him. I’ll tell Sonny about Cameron. And Carly…Courtney. I don’t have the right to ask you for more, I know that. But Cameron is my son.”

This was going to be okay, she could feel it now. Jason would tell the truth and it was all going to be okay. Elizabeth opened her eyes; she could feel the chill seeping from her bones.

“Sam’s going to stay in the penthouse. So I’ll have to find another place to live,” Jason continued. “But once I have, I–I’ll want custody.”

Panic clogged her throat and her vision began to blur. “C-custody?” she stammered.

“Shared,” Jason said quickly. “I would never take him from you, Elizabeth. You have to believe that.”

It was she that couldn’t speak now. He wasn’t going to fight for them. She’d overplayed her hand, overestimated her worth to him. “Of course,” Elizabeth managed to say. “I should…I should see to him. You can let yourself out.”

She made it past him and up the stairs. She closed her bedroom door as quietly as possible before sinking to the floor in tears.

November 8, 2004

Gatehouse: Living Room

Elizabeth sat down in the arm chair and smiled nervously at Lois Cerullo. “I wasn’t sure if Emily mentioned I’d be by today.”

“She did.” Lois played the hem of her pink sweater nervously. “I appreciate whatever you can do for my daughter, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth nodded but inside, she wondered if she’d be any good to Brooke right now. She felt empty. Hollow. Jason had been gone when she came back downstairs on Friday and she’d spent two days waiting for the second shoe to fall. No word from Jason, no inkling he’d told anyone the truth.

“Seeing you gives me hope,” Lois broke into Elizabeth’s thoughts. “This–this happened to you and you’ve risen up. You have a son, a life. You smile. If Ned hadn’t told me what happened, I wouldn’t have guessed.”

“It wasn’t overnight,” Elizabeth said, though the words warmed her heart. She had risen above her tragedy. Overcome it. She wasn’t the girl in the park any longer. “But I had an incredible support system. I hear that Brooke has one as well.”

“She’s got me and Ned,” Lois nodded. “And her family. Her friends. Dillon, the Jones girls, and her boyfriend has just–Lucas has never wavered.”

“He’s a good kid,” Elizabeth nodded. She looked up as Ned led Brooke into the room. She kept her face calm and composed but the bruises on the girl’s face broke her heart. No one should have to go through this. “Hey.”

“Thank you for coming, Elizabeth,” Ned said. He kissed his daughter’s cheek and tried to ignore the flinch. He looked to Lois. “We should give them some time.”

“I–” Lois hadn’t been that far from her daughter’s side since it happened but perhaps now would be a good chance to tell Ned about Lorenzo’s connection to Diego before anyone else could. “All right. Brookie, if you need me, we’ll be up at the main house.”

Brooke nodded and sat in her mother’s vacated seat. When they were gone, she smiled nervously at Elizabeth. “Hey.”

“Hey. I know–I know we don’t know each other but Emily asked me to come by and see if I could offer anything,” Elizabeth said uncomfortably.

“My dad said it happened to you,” Brooke said after a moment. She stared at her hands while she asked this.

“It did,” Elizabeth admitted softly. “I was a little younger than you. Fifteen.”

Brooke yanked her startled eyes to Elizabeth’s calm ones. “Fifteen?” she repeated. “That’s so horrible.”

“It’s horrible no matter when it happens,” Elizabeth said softly. “Seventeen, fifteen, twenty-five–it’s always horrible.”

Brooke nodded. “Did–did they ever find him? Did you know him?” she asked hesitantly.

“I did all the wrong things when it happened,” Elizabeth said, almost wistfully. “I showered. I refused to go to the police. By the time I reported it, the case was cold and it was later ruled inactive. So for a long time, I didn’t think I would find him. And I think I might have slowly gone mad. Believing every man I saw might have done it.” She took a deep breath. “But eventually, through a coincidence we found him. He went to prison on another crime but he’s serving time now.”

Brooke exhaled slowly. “Was it someone you knew?”

“Not really. I mean, he was someone Emily knew. It was her photographer,” Elizabeth admitted. “But not someone I was personally acquainted with.”

“Diego…he was supposed to be my friend,” Brooke said in a small voice. “Do you think it’s worse if it’s someone you know, someone you trusted?”

Elizabeth hesitated. “In a way…probably.” She joined Brooke on the couch. “I think it’s different for everyone. I couldn’t tell anyone and I didn’t even tell my own family for almost a month. Lucky Spencer found me that night and his father knew, his aunt. But I refused to tell anyone and didn’t tell my closest friends for months. I couldn’t bear for anyone to know. I thought–” she hesitated. “Before I was raped, I dressed in tight clothing. Short skirts, tight jeans, anything I thought might get Lucky’s attention. So part of me thought they would blame me. Say that I had brought it on myself.”

Brooke nodded, her throat tight. “I thought maybe I led Diego on someway. Like…let him think I felt that way for him. I didn’t–I never thought he was more than friend. I have a boyfriend you know.” She swiped at her eyes. “Not that he’s really my boyfriend anymore.”

“Why?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Has he said anything?”

“No,” Brooke admitted. “But–well, don’t you think it’s only a matter of time?”

“I know why you feel it has to be,” Elizabeth admitted. “It was almost a year before I let Lucky kiss me. Six months before I could really stand anyone’s touch. And it was nearly three years before I became intimate with Lucky. See…I was a virgin when it happened to me.”

Brooke cleared her throat and her dark watery eyes met Elizabeth’s warm blue ones. “Me too.”

Elizabeth went with instinct and put her arms around the younger girl. Brooke pressed her face into Elizabeth’s neck and started to sob.

General Hospital: Sam McCall’s Room

Sam blinked. She moved her head to the side and smiled faintly when she saw Sonny slouched in a chair at her side. “That can’t be comfortable,” she murmured.

He sat up at her voice and rubbed his eyes. “Sam. You’re awake.”

“Mmm…I feel so groggy,” she said softly. She tried to sit up, but pain spread through her lower body. Her eyes darted to her abdomen and instantly she knew what was different. What was wrong. “Where is she?” Sam asked softly.

Sonny hesitated. “Friday morning, you were rushed to the ER. You were bleeding.”

Sam stared at him. “Where is she?” she repeated.

“She was stillborn,” Sonny said after a long moment. “She–she was deprived oxygen and she died.” He took a deep breath. “Sam, I’m–I’m so sorry.”

“No.” Sam shook her head. “No, I won’t–I won’t accept that. No!” she yanked her hands away from him as he reached for them. “Where’s Jason?” she demanded shrilly. “He’ll tell me the truth!”

“He’s not here right now.”

“I want Jason,” Sam said. “He should be here. She was his, too.” Tears slid down her cheeks, but she didn’t seem to register that. “How could you let her die?” she demanded.

“Sam–”

“Don’t touch me!” she cried, smacking his hands. “I don’t want you to touch me. I want to see my daughter!”

Sonny stood and took her hands in his almost forcefully. “Calm down,” he ordered. “You’ll tear your stitches.”

“I don’t care!” Sam struggled to pull her hands from his strong grasp. “Where’s Jason?”

“I’ll call him,” Sonny sighed. He let her hands go. “And I’ll tell the doctor you’re awake.” He stood and looked at her intently for a moment, then strode to the door.

“Sonny–” Sam swallowed hard. He turned in mid stride. “Did she suffer?” she asked quietly. “Did she hurt?”

“She never drew a breath,” Sonny sat back down. “She didn’t feel anything.”

“What day is it?” Sam clenched the sheets of her bed. “Saturday?”

“Monday,” Sonny corrected. He brushed her hair out of her eyes with a sad faint smile. “You’ve been in a coma.”

“Did you see her?” Sam asked. She brushed at the tears. “Was she beautiful?”

“She was,” Sonny replied. “We wanted to wait until you woke up to talk about arrangements. Names.”

Sam nodded slowly. “Adella Leigh,” she whispered. “Adella Leigh Corinthos. That’s what we should name her.”

Sonny exhaled slowly and nodded. “All right then. Adella Leigh. I’ll get a doctor.”

PCPD: Squad Room

Brianne set her file on Lucky Spencer’s desk. “I’m sorry I’m late,” she said, tugging her black pea coat off and draping it across the chair that sat in front of the desk. “My alarm didn’t go off this morning.”

“It’s fine.” Lucky waited until she was seated. “Mac gave me his notes. I’m not sure why you needed to meet with me.”

Brianne sighed. “I’m going to meet with Brooke Lynn tomorrow and I want to make sure I’ve got all my bases covered. The preliminary hearing is Wednesday. I’ll be calling the investigating officer.”

“He’ll be bound over for trial, there’s no chance he won’t,” Lucky replied. His eyes darkened. “The sick twisted little bastard.”

She rubbed her temple. “I’m the lawyer, you’re the cop. Let’s just pretend for a second that I know what I need to happen in that court room, okay?”

He smirked. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry. What do you need from me?”

“First of all, I need an exact run down of her injuries.” Brianne uncapped her pen and poised it over her legal pad.”

Lucky flipped to the medical report. “Brooke had a broken nose, a broken arm, a concussion. Three of her ribs were bruised and she had various bruising and cuts on her face and arms. The doctor ran the rape kit at the hospital and Mac supervised. The kit was positive for semen which later matched Diego Sanchez’s DNA. We also have photographs of all her bruising and surface injuries.”

Brianne nodded and finished writing that down. “Diego has said she consented and her injuries are a result of rough sex. Is there any evidence that points that way?”

“You know Mac said you’d ask something stupid like that,” Lucky muttered.

Brianne set her pen down and leveled a cool stare at him. “He’s going to be saying that in court. His lawyer is going to attack that poor girl on the stand. I owe it to her to ask first and to be ready for it. I’m sorry that you and Commissioner Scorpio don’t seem to understand that.”

“No,” Lucky said reluctantly. “I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right. It just–it’s irritating to think he could even get to say that in public.” He shook his head. “There’s no evidence that backs that up. Brooke was dating Lucas Jones, had been for about two months. Her friends say Diego was just a friend. I stopped by the high school on Friday,” he told her. “And I talked to some kids–with parental permission of course. Diego had only been in school for a month. The only person they really saw Brooke with was Lucas. She, Georgie and Maxie Jones, Lucas and Dillon Quartermaine had a little group and Diego was really only on the edges. I got the impression they thought she felt sorry for him.”

“Good, good.” Brianne noted that. “I’ll need a list of names of those kids. If we need rebuttal witnesses.”

He slid a sheet of paper towards her. “Have you ever first chaired a case before?”

“No,” Brianne admitted. “Have you ever worked on a case like this before?”

“Not officially,” Lucky said cryptically. He leaned back in his chair. “Why would you pick something like this for your first case?”

“Because it’s an important case,” Brianne remarked. She slid her legal pad in her bag. “The Quartermaines are attached to it. And it appears that Lorenzo Alcazar is as well. It’d be a good way to make a name for myself.”

He nodded. “It would.” He paused. “But I don’t think that’s why.”

She stood and pulled her coat back on. “Well then I guess it’s a good thing I don’t care what you think.” She slid the bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see you tomorrow. We have an appointment to meet with Brooke Lynn at ten o’clock and I think it would help if you were present.”

“I’ll see you there.” He watched with considering eyes as the assistant district attorney walked briskly out of the squad room.

Kelly’s

Emily found her brother sitting at a corner table back near the counter. She pulled off her scarf and gloves as she made her way back there. She planted the scarf and gloves on the table and her coat on the chair. “Hey.”

“Hey.” Jason rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanted to wait to talk to you about this. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it all myself, so–”

“You can save it. I talked to Elizabeth yesterday,” Emily said briskly. A waitress came over and she ordered a hot chocolate. Jason ordered black coffee. When they were alone again, she continued, “I can’t say that I don’t feel bad about the way things happened. I think I may have had a little to do with it. I said some things to Elizabeth I shouldn’t have and I know her brother may have had something to do with her change of heart. However, I whole hearted applaud her newfound backbone.”

Jason stared at her. “I’m not really sure what you’re saying.”

“I’m saying you treated her like dirt and I am so very disappointed in you. This isn’t the brother I’ve loved and respected for so many years. And then when she stands up for herself, gives you the ultimatum you so damn well deserved, you leave her.” Emily accepted the cup of hot chocolate and sipped it. “She’s devastated naturally.”

Jason didn’t even register the coffee set in front of him. “She threw me out.”

“You didn’t really live there. You don’t really live anywhere,” Emily murmured. Her brisk tone fell to the wayside and she peered at him through dark watery eyes. “I feel so very sorry for you, Jason. You had everything and you chose nothing instead.” She set the cup down and took a deep breath. “She told me that you were going to deed the penthouse to Sam. That’s a good idea. There aren’t a lot of happy memories there anyway. So you’ll need somewhere new to live. In a good neighborhood for Cameron.”

Jason blinked and looked away. “You’re right,” he said roughly. “I woke in the hospital seven years ago with no memory, no family, no friends. I had nothing. And despite everything between, that’s all I have now.”

“No.” Emily shook her head. “You’re still my brother, Jason. And I still love you. I’m just not that thrilled with you.” She reached across the table and took his hand in hers. “You have always been my rock. Always there for me, never failing, never faltering. Let me be that for you.”

“I’m not going to work for Sonny anymore,” he said after a long moment. “I don’t think it’s done anything good for me in years and I think it’s time I left the organization for good.”

“I think that would be an excellent idea,” Emily said. She sat back and a smile crossed her face. “But I know the Cassadine Industries could use a security expert to oversee everything. Nikolas has been expanding the business over the last year and it’s quite the little empire. It’d be challenging which I think would be something you’d want. But more, it would be safe. For a family.”

Jason studied his sister for a moment. “You’ve talked this over with Nikolas already.”

“I talked to him on Friday. It was obvious something in your life was going to have to change. I didn’t think you’d decide to leave Sonny just now but I had hoped to offer this alternative to you.” Powerful relief flooded her veins as Emily realized her brother was actually considering this. “Nikolas would have the rest of the details and when I suggested you fill the position, he was really happy about it.”

“Emily, I appreciate it. I do. But I–”

“No, no, don’t say no yet.” Emily leaned forward. “Talk to Nikolas first. Just talk to him. If you’re really not interested, then okay. But please just give it a chance, okay?”

“Okay,” Jason said after a moment. “Would you help me find an apartment?”

Emily sat back and sighed. “You’re really going through with this.”

“I have to be in Cameron’s life,” Jason said, his voice resigned. “After the way I treated Elizabeth, she had every right to throw me out. I don’t deserve to ask her for her more.”

“What about what she deserves?” Emily asked softly. “She deserves a family. Someone who loves her. Elizabeth deserves you, Jason.”

“Not now,” Jason shook his head. “I have nothing to offer her.” He paused a moment. “Will you help me find an apartment?”

“All right,” Emily replied. She leveled one last glare at him. “Idiot.”

General Hospital: Board Room

Alexis tapped a pen against a note pad and sat straight when Ned entered. “Ned. What’re you doing here?”

“There’s a board meeting.” Ned rounded the table and took a seat next to the head of the table, across from Alexis. “I heard you’d been reappointed the counsel to the hospital.”

She nodded slowly. “You’ve heard about Kristina.”

“I’m glad she’s all right,” Ned told her. “It was a good thing a donor was found.”

She bit her lip. “I was sorry about Brooke Lynn. I–I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Ned said briskly. He opened a folder. “So Sonny knows the truth. Has he filed for custody yet?”

“No,” Alexis said, a little stung. She sat back and shifted in her seat. “We agreed that we would wait until she was recovered and back at home before we talked about that. That Kristina’s welfare came first.”

“He agreed to that?” Ned remarked caustically. “I’d watch my back, Alexis. He does nothing that’s not in his own interest.” He flipped through the papers idly, not really looking at them. “I hear congratulations were in order.” He glanced at her naked finger. “No ring.”

“It was rather sudden.” Alexis covered her left hand with her right. “We haven’t had time for traditional things.”

“Ric Lansing.” Ned looked at her and though his face remained expressionless, Alexis had the feeling he was mocking her. “And I had my issues with Sonny.”

“I’m not sure you have room to judge,” Alexis said, a little haughtily. She tapped her pen more incessantly against the legal pad. “Five seconds after you realized Skye wasn’t your cousin, you were trying to sleep with her. And might I add, Faith Roscoe wasn’t one of your better choices.”

“Says the woman who’s only healthy relationship is with her profession,” Ned replied with heavy irony.

She bit down hard on her lower lip and trapped her words back. He was going through a difficult time as a parent. He needed to lash out, Alexis reminded herself. They’d been friends once. Good friends. She took a deep calming breath. “He makes me feel a little less alone,” she murmured. “A little less isolated.”

Ned closed the manila folder slowly. “Brooke was sitting in her room this morning,” he said slowly, “and she was staring at a blank white wall. I called her name for almost a full minute before she heard me. I came here in a rotten mood and I took it out on you, Alexis. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. I’ve taken things out on you plenty of times.” She offered him a faint smile. “Who else can you treat like dirt if not your friends?”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Desk

“Clean bill of health,” Elizabeth remarked as she met her grandmother at the nurse’s desk. She leaned over and touched her son’s cheek. “Was he okay?”

“He was a perfect angel,” Audrey beamed. She looked at her great-grandchild with pride. “He has his great-grandfather’s nose.”

Cameron had a pudgy nose that looked nothing like her grandfather’s but Elizabeth merely smiled and let her grandmother have her beliefs. “Steven says I’m just fine and I’ll be back at work tomorrow.”

“Good. I have tomorrow off and it would be my pleasure to sit with Cameron.” Audrey crouched down next to the carriage and trailed a finger down his chubby cheek. She frowned and pressed her hand more fully to his skin. “Elizabeth, darling, he’s warm.”

Elizabeth’s smile faded. “Warm?” She knelt in front of her son and touched his cheek. Cameron did indeed feel warm. His face was mildly flushed. Slightly panicked, Elizabeth lifted him into her arms and searched for a doctor.

“He’s probably just got a little case of the sniffles,” Audrey said with a nervous smile. “I’m sure he’s fine.” But she rounded the nurse’s desk and paged Steven.

Her brother stepped off the elevator a moment later and frowned when he saw Elizabeth’s glassy eyes. “Bits? What’s wrong? Did you run into Jason?”

“Jason?” Audrey questioned. “What does Jason have to do with anything?”

Ignoring her grandmother, Elizabeth shifted Cameron to Steven’s arms. “He’s warm. And he’s flushed.”

“All right, all right.” Steven adjusted Cameron in his arms and peered into the infant’s face. “His eyes do look a little bright. He may have a small cold.”

“May?” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and poked him directly in the chest, her red finger nail digging into the white fabric of his lab jacket. “Listen, Doogie, I don’t have the patience for maybes and might bes. You fix him, and you fix him now.”

“Okay, okay.” Mildly amused now, Steven shifted Cameron higher into his arms. “You haven’t called me Doogie in years.”

If flames could have shot out of her eyes, they very well would have as Elizabeth and her grandmother followed Steven into an examining room.

After a brief examination, Steven deduced that his nephew did indeed have a cold and ear infection. He wrote Elizabeth a prescription for Cameron–ear drops and a cough syrup to handle the rest.

“You’ll want to keep him inside, so you probably should take the week off instead of coming back to work,” Steven told her.

“See, everything is just fine, darling.” Audrey kissed Elizabeth’s cheek and squeezed Steven’s shoulder. “Now I have to start my shift. You call me if you need anything, all right?”

“Right, Gram.” Elizabeth watched her grandmother disappear out the door. “I–I’m sorry I snapped at you, Steven. I just–he’s the most important person in the world to me.”

“I totally understand.” Steven kissed Cameron’s forehead and ruffled the baby’s soft dark hair. “He’s pretty important to me, too, Bits.”

She smiled faintly at the nickname. “And don’t mention Jason in front of Gram. Not yet. I’m trying to think of the best way to tell her.”

“You know…” Steven hesitated. “Jason not telling Sonny or Carly…is almost like you not wanting to tell Gram. Or wanting Mom, Dad or Sarah to know about Cameron at all. You know that they won’t accept it. Won’t understand. So you don’t tell them.”

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Playing Devil’s advocate?”

“I’m just saying I do understand his initial reasons for keeping this all to himself,” Steven remarked. He put Cameron into the carriage and secured him. “My issue isn’t with the secret. It’s the way he keeps it. The way he treats you. His son. I honestly believe he loves you so it’s hard to understand why he’d do it.”

“Steven, I don’t really want to dissect Jason’s mind right now. I want to take my son, go home and forget about the whole thing.” She grimaced. “Except for where I have to call Jason and tell him Cam’s sick.”

Brownstone: Living Room

Carly came down the steps and smiled hesitantly at Jason. “Morgan’s napping and I managed to keep Michael upstairs by promising you’d stop up before you go.”

Jason nodded and remained standing next to the sofa. “Bobbie at work?”

“She’s got a late shift.” Carly folded her arms and looked at the ground. “So, listen, Jase, I know I haven’t always been the kind of friend you wanted me to be.”

“I never wanted you to be anyone but yourself,” Jason corrected quickly.

“Well…you’re a better person than me.” She met his eyes. “I know you’ve been seeing Elizabeth. That you were with her the morning Sam lost the baby.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I–I was talking with Steven Webber when Mama told us they couldn’t find you. He said he had to make a call and left. Jase…the only person you and Steven have in common is his sister. He wouldn’t confirm it, so don’t be mad at him.”

“I’m not,” Jason said after a moment. “I came here to tell you that.”

She nodded. “I know that you kept it from me, from Sonny. And I know that you expected me to throw some sort of hissy fit about how she’s not good enough for you and all that stuff.” She shrugged. “Two weeks ago, you may have been right.”

“Carly–”

“But it’s okay,” she hurried on. “I–I’m glad that you’ve found someone. And though I don’t really like her, she’s always put you first. And I think that’s something you need–”

“We’re not together anymore,” Jason interrupted abruptly.

Carly closed her mouth and frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“We were.” Jason took a deep breath. “Carly, Cameron’s my son.”

“I–” Carly exhaled slowly. “Your son.”

“Yes. Last fall…Elizabeth and I–I don’t know how to describe it,” Jason hesitated. “It wasn’t an affair. We were both–I was going to break things off with Courtney but she was still recovering from the miscarriage…and the pills. I didn’t know how to do it. And when Courtney set the date for the wedding, Elizabeth thought–” he shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. We broke things off. She didn’t realize Cameron was mine until the doctors readjusted her due date.”

“And you’ve been sneaking off to be with him, with her,” Carly murmured. Memories of not being able to reach Jason on his phone, of his strange and sudden disappearances began to filter through her mind. “Was it her idea to keep the secret or yours?”

“Mine,” Jason said with some regret. “Elizabeth agreed and we both thought it was temporary. But one day after another passed and before I realized it, she was telling me that as far as she was concerned I wasn’t being a father to Cameron and she couldn’t be with someone she didn’t respect.”

“Jason…” Carly let her hands fall to side. “When did this happen?”

“Friday.” He dragged his fingers through his hair. “And she was right. So I’m telling you the truth. I’ll tell Sonny about Cameron, but he found out about Elizabeth Friday morning.”

“And Courtney?” Carly asked.

“I’ll deal with that. I don’t want to hurt her. But I don’t want her to hear it from anyone else,” he told her. “Carly–are you okay with this?”

“Well, let’s see.” Carly folded her arms again and took a few steps towards him. She turned and took a few steps away. She faced him. “You have a son. A little boy that probably looks like you, that’s going to grow up and know you’re his father. And if I can give Elizabeth any credit at all, she’s not going to keep you from him. I’m very happy for you,” Carly continued, “but I wonder if there’s anything I can do regarding the rest of it. Can I talk to her? What?”

Some of tension bled from his shoulders and Jason relaxed a little. “No. No, I’ll handle that. But I’m sorry that I underestimated you. I thought you’d take this differently.”

“Well, Jason, I’m sorry to burst your little bubble there but you pegged me pretty right. If you had told me about this months ago, I would have. But things have changed.” She smiled faintly. “I suppose I have.”

Jason’s cell rang and he took it from his pocket, noting he had a missed message. He flipped it on. “Hello?”

“Jason…” Elizabeth paused. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He shifted, turned away from Carly. “Are you–is everything okay?”

“Yeah…well…Cameron’s got a cold…and an ear infection.” There was another pause and he could almost see her, sitting on the sofa in the cottage trying to decide what to say to him. “He’s all right, I mean we’ve got medicine and he’s sleeping. I thought you should know.”

“I’ll be right over,” Jason told her. “We–we have to talk.”

“I know.” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I’ll see you when you get here.” There was a click and he knew she’d hung up. Jason clicked to listen to his one message. When it finished, he slid the phone in his pocket and turned to Carly, who was trying to hide her curiosity.

“The message was from Sonny. Sam woke up.” He stared past her, out the window and into the street. “She isn’t taking the whole thing very well and she asked for me.”

“And what did Elizabeth say?” Carly asked.

“How’d you know it was her on the phone?” Jason asked.

“Your voice.” Her lips curved. “It changed. It was very cute, Jase, by the way. What did she want?”

“Cameron. He has a cold. An ear infection.” He met her eyes. “I told her I’d be over.”

“Well, you should go,” Carly said. “Sam’s a big girl. Sonny’s with her.” Her lips twisted into a wry smile. “And I can’t believe I said that without wanting to be sick.” She shook her head. “But you already know what you should do.”

Cottage: Living Room

It was nearly midnight when Jason got to the cottage. Elizabeth was curled up in a ball, on the corner of the couch, watching the local news. She turned as he stepped off the front landing into the living room. “I expected you a few hours ago,” she murmured. She took a glass of water from the table next to the sofa and sipped it. “Cameron’s been up and down most of the night. You should go see him.”

“Sam woke up,” Jason said after a long moment of silence. “I stopped by the hospital to see her. I only intended to stay a minute but…” he shook his head. “No excuses. I should have called.”

Elizabeth stared into the glass. “Is she all right?”

“Physically, yes. Sonny’s still with her.” Jason shifted and stared down at the top of her head. “I spoke to Carly today. I told her about Cameron.”

She glanced up sharply. “You did?”

“She knew part of it.” He rounded the sofa and sat gingerly at the other end. “She thought what Sonny had. That we were seeing each other after you got back from Napa Valley.”

“But now?” Elizabeth prompted.

“She’s okay with it.” He stared at the television, not registering what was on the screen. “I’m trying to find the right moment to tell Sonny, I promise you. He’s just lost his daughter. He’s got Kristina to deal with. Sam…I’m not putting it off–”

“Jason…I don’t expect you to run right out and do it. I know Sonny’s going through some stuff.” Elizabeth curled her legs underneath her. “I’m not asking you to make Cameron your only priority. I’m just asking for him to be your first.”

“I know.” He looked at her. “What about you?”

“What about me?” she murmured.

“What happened between us Friday afternoon…” Jason hesitated and looked away. “It doesn’t change anything. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Elizabeth said softly. “But it doesn’t ever seem to be enough.”

“This time, that’s my fault.” He stood and faced her. “I talked about making you and Cameron the number one priority in my life. I said that I loved you, that I wanted a family. I broke my own rule, Elizabeth. My words meant nothing. I never wanted that.” He shook his head. “I never used to be like that.”

“You meant them when you said them,” Elizabeth murmured. “I don’t think you know what you want, Jason. Or how to make it happen.”

“I know that I love you,” he said solemnly. “And that I’m not willing to just…let this go. I’ve done that. I’ve let you go too many times and we always seem to end up back here. I’m not doing this again. I have to ask you for something. I don’t deserve it but–”

“What is it?” Elizabeth asked. She looked up at him, met his eyes and held them.

“Don’t give up on us yet,” Jason said. “Please.”

“As long as you don’t get married,” Elizabeth said, only half-joking. She stood and touched his cheek. “I love you Jason. I won’t give up.”

He nodded and then stepped back from her. “I should go see Cameron.”

She nodded and watched him leave the room. She should feel relieved but somehow, she only felt sad.