The diamonds on her finger sparkled exquisitely. The rings had been a gift from the man she loved. Unfortunately, it was not the man she had married. But this was a minor issue to the former Caroline Benson. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, remembering the moment the man she loved had placed them on her finger. Every detail was clear in her mind. His blue eyes had looked at her intently, while he slid the rings on slowly and deliberately. Even though he had just been replacing the rings that were stolen by muggers, the significance of the moment was not lost on her. This was the man who should have put them on her finger, not A.J. Quartermaine. But she had had a plan. She laughed bitterly and shook her golden hair.

The ''PLAN'' had cost her precious time, and she had gained nothing, except materialistic items that no longer mattered to her. But through it all, he had stayed by her side. He had accepted her, with all of her craziness. He had loved her. And now she would be lucky if he would even speak to her.

''Oh, Jason,'' she whispered. ''I have to make you understand.''

''Carly?'' She turned to see her mother Bobbie come out of the family owned diner, Kelly's. Carly quickly wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes.

''Bobbie, hey.'' She stood up and faced her mother. Bobbie and Carly's relationship was rocky to say the least. Given up for adoption as a baby, Carly had come to Port Charles looking for revenge on the woman she figured had abandoned her. After a tumultuous start, including Carly becoming involved with Bobbie's now ex-husband, they had finally reached an uneasy alliance. They were Spencers after all, and family was always first and foremost.

''Carly, what are you doing out here in the cold? It's freezing.'' Bobbie shivered, emphasizing the chill in the December air. Her red hair blew slightly in the wind.

''I was just on my way in to see you. I need your help.''

''Oh, no,'' Bobbie began. ''What have you gotten yourself into now?'' Carly winced with irritation. Bobbie never seemed to let up on her. It was comments like these that caused the constant friction between the two.

''You know, Mother, all I said was I need your help. Can you at least wait to hear what I have to say before you start blaming me for stuff? Is that too much to ask?'' Bobbie rubbed her arms against the cold air, and gave her daughter a measuring look.

''I'm sorry, okay,'' she apologized. ''This thing with Jerry has got me on edge.'' Jerry, Bobbie's fiancee, had been arrested for money laundering on their wedding day, a week before. Carly nodded sympathetically.

''No, I'm sorry,'' Carly said, reaching out to take Bobbie's hand. ''I didn't mean to bite your head off. I know you're going through a lot right now, and I'm sorry I haven't been around more to help you through it.''

''It's all right. We both just overreacted,'' Bobbie said, smiling at Carly. ''So, anyway, let's go inside, out of this cold. And you can tell me what you need my help with.'' Bobbie turned to go back into Kelly's.

''No, wait. I can't stay. I just need to ask you something.'' Carly stared into Bobbie's eyes. ''Have you seen Jason?''

Bobbie was silent. She could see the desperation in Carly's face, but she had given her word.

''You know something, don't you?'' Carly asked. ''You know where he is, don't you? Bobbie, you gotta tell me.''

''Carly, I can't.'' Bobbie said, looking down. She turned and walked into Kelly's.

''What do you mean you can't?'' Carly asked incredulously, following her inside. ''I have to talk to him. It's important.'' Bobbie walked behind the counter, and sighed. She was glad the diner was empty because she felt a storm coming from Carly.

''Carly, I promised I wouldn't say anything. And before you blow your top, I want you to know if it were up to me, I would.'' Carly slammed her purse on the counter in frustration.

''What the hell are you talking about? I'm telling you I need to see Jason. I need to talk to him. And you're telling me that you won't tell me where he is because you promised? Promised who?''

''Carly, what is this about? Is this about Michael? Cause if it is, I gotta tell you, honey, you can't keep running to Jason. It's not fair to him.''

''Oh, please, Mother. What's not fair is that Michael is completely separated from Jason. My son needs his daddy.''

''And that would be AJ,'' Bobbie reminded. ''And let's not talk about fair. Because you chose to take Michael from Jason when you concocted this scheme to marry AJ and then destroy him. Don't blame anyone else because your great plan failed.'' Carly rolled her eyes, and started nodding her head.

''You know, this so like you, ''she started. ''I come to you for help, and what do you do? You throw my mistakes up in my face. AJ may be Michael's biological father, but Jason, Jason is my baby's daddy in every way that matters. Now I need you to tell me where he is.'' Carly was leaning over the counter, her dark eyes blazing.

''Carly, I told you, I promised.'' Bobbie said softly. Carly pushed away from the counter angrily.

''Oh that's just great! Why do I think that I can ever depend on you? I actually let myself believe that you're on my side. And then you do something like this. I mean, do you like hurting me? Does it give you some type of warped pleasure?''

''That's not fair, Carly. I am always on your side. But it never fails that whenever I don't agree with you or I do something you don't like, you fall back on the whole 'I'm not on your side' crap.''

''Oh, that's nice. Cute. Go ahead and kick me while I'm down. But just tell me where Jason is.''

''Have you not been listening to me? I gave my word.'' Carly walked back towards the counter, and squinted her eyes.

''To who? Elizabeth Webber?'' Just saying her name gave Carly a red-hot flash of jealousy. In a short span of time she had grown to hate the girl who had dated her cousin Lucky.

''No, not Elizabeth.''

''But she knows where he is, doesn't she? Doesn't she?'' Carly yelled. Bobbie was once again silent. Carly stepped back. ''That's okay. I'll just go find her and get it out of her.'' She turned towards the door, and opened it. Bobbie came from behind the counter quickly.

''Carly!! You leave Elizabeth Webber alone!'' she shouted. Carly swirled around.

''Then tell me where Jason is and I won't disturb little Miss Teen USA.'' Bobbie sighed. She was tired of fighting.

''I can't believe I'm doing this, ''Bobbie exhaled deeply. ''Jason is staying in this room by the docks. It's above the fishing supply store near pier 48. He's in room 207.'' Carly smiled and hugged her mother.

''Thank you,'' she whispered. She turned and went out into the cold. Bobbie reached out and grabbed her hand.

''Before you go, there is something else you should know.''

Jason Morgan was in a lot of pain, but it had nothing to do with his gunshot wound. Bobbie Spencer had already come by and given him some pain medication. Being friends with a surgical nurse had it's advantages.

He stood, holding his bandaged side, and looked around the room. It was relatively bare. There was a bed, in which he had lain until his fever broke, a small desk, and a few lamps. There was also a small bathroom. It reminded him of his old room at Jake's. With the exception of the paint cans and canvases.

Elizabeth Webber rented this room out as an art studio, where she could paint uninterrupted. She had brought him here, after she had found him lying in the snow. He had known Sonny's men were coming, and she had offered a way out. He smiled when he thought about Liz. She was a tough kid. He knew the blood had terrified her, but she had held her own. Especially when she went and got Bobbie. That was a smart move. But she had also brought Sonny.

Jason turned and stared out of the window. He knew he couldn't stay in this room much longer. It wasn't safe for Elizabeth. Sorel could find him and finish the job. And he knew he had to face Sonny. And Carly. He closed his eyes against the pain the image of her face caused.

''What are doing up?'' Elizabeth admonished. Jason turned at the sound of her voice. Elizabeth stood in the doorway, her cheeks flushed from the cold, and her brown hair windswept. She was small, no taller than five foot two, but Jason knew now she was a lot stronger than she looked.

''I thought you had class today?'' He said, and moved slowly back to the bed. He stretched his six foot frame out, wincing slightly. Elizabeth was a freshman at Port Charles University.

''I do,'' she said, closing the door. ''But I just wanted to come by and check on you. And it's good thing I did too. What are you thinking getting up like that?'' She sat down on the edge of the bed. Her brown eyes were filled with worry.

''I'm fine. Bobbie's already been by earlier today. So don't worry. I know how to take care of myself.'' Liz smiled a little. She had been so scared that Jason would not make it. Especially two nights before, when he had been burning up with a fever.

''Okay, I'll try not to worry.'' Jason smiled back at her. ''Oh, I almost forgot.'' She slid off the bed, and picked up a large bag she had brought in with her. ''I brought you some food. Some soup for right now. And there's more stuff...''

''Liz, I can't stay much longer, '' Jason cut in. He stood back up, and walked towards her. ''I really appreciate all that you've done for me. But it's not safe for you with me here. The men that did this to me are probably looking for me as we speak.''

''I understand, '' she said, although she was slightly disappointed. She had started to become accustomed to his presence in her studio. ''But what about Sonny?'' Jason's eyes went flat

''What about him? You didn't tell him I was here, did you?'' Elizabeth shook her head.

''No, of course not, '' she said quickly. ''I'm not trying to pry here, but why don't you want him to know where you are? I mean you guys are best friends.''

''Sonny's not my friend any more, '' Jason said, and turned back to face the window.

''Why not?'' Liz asked. ''I mean, he seemed so concerned when I told him you had been shot.''

''Aren't you going to be late for your class?'' His voice was colder than Elizabeth had ever heard.

''Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry I pried.'' She turned to leave.

''Elizabeth?''

''Yes?'' she turned back around. He was facing her now, and his blue eyes were as kind as ever.

''Thank you again. For everything.'' Liz smiled.

''You're welcome.'' She opened the door, and came face to face with Carly Quartermaine.

Chapter Two

Elizabeth was frozen. But she may as well have been invisible. Carly looked right past her to Jason. Elizabeth turned and saw that Jason was looking at Carly just as intensely. Tension crackled all around her.

''Umm, I'll see you later, Jason, '' she turned back to face Carly. ''Hi.''

But Carly either ignored her or didn't hear her, because she didn't respond. Her attention was still focused on Jason. Carly walked by Elizabeth into the room. Elizabeth, feeling out of place, walked out and closed the door behind her.

Carly and Jason continued to stare at each other. The pain each felt was mirrored in the other's eyes. Jason was the first to break the silence.

''What are you doing here?''

''I had to come. I had to see you.'' Carly's eyes dropped to his injured side. He was shirtless, and the white bandage stood out starkly against his tan skin. Almost involuntarily, her hand reached out to touch it. Jason caught her hand, and his eyes flashed a warning. He dropped her hand and turned away from her. Carly begin to worry the rings on her finger. They were a symbol of love, and she was hoping to draw strength from them.

''Bobbie says that you're going to be okay. She says that she wasn't so sure at first. She told me that you had a really bad fever, ''

''Carly, what do you want?!'' Jason yelled. He was facing her again, his eyes full of anger and hurt. Carly flinched, but she knew she had to go on.

''I'm sorry, Jason,'' was all she could think to say. Jason closed his eyes, and turned away from her again. He didn't want to hear this, but knew he needed to. He needed to get a grasp on what he had seen.

''I need to explain. Explain how things got so wrong.''

''Explain what, Carly?'' Jason's voice was pure ice. ''Did you, did you feel bad? Did you feel worthless? Cause that's what you said when you slept with AJ. '' He turned back to her. She could see the coldness in his eyes, and trembled against it. ''Or, did you do this for me? For us? Tell me, Carly. What explanation are you going to use for f*cking my best friend?''

''It wasn't like that!'' Carly shouted, tears streaming down her face. ''I was looking for you! I needed you!''

''So, what? Sonny was the next best thing? Couldn't find me, so you'll fall into bed with whoever is available. This is a familiar story. Like the night you got pregnant.''

''NO!!'' she shouted. ''This is different. If you just let me explain...''

''You're right, this is different! Instead of my brother, you chose my best friend!'' Jason yelled. Jason shook his head and turned away from her. She reached up to touch his back, but retracted her hands.

''Jason we can get through this. I know we can. That night, I was looking for you because I had finally left AJ. I couldn't take it any more. I was on my way to find you, and then I walked past Kelly's and you were dancing with Elizabeth Webber! You two had your arms wrapped around each other. And then Sonny, he told me that you guys go for rides on your motorcycle. And I had seen you guys before, laughing and sharing secret smiles on the docks. What was I supposed to think?!?!'' Jason faced her.

''That's just it, Carly. You don't think! You just react! Did it ever occur to you that Liz is just a kid in some pain over her dead boyfriend? And did you ever think that maybe I still feel responsible for Lucky's death? So if Liz needs a ride somewhere or she wants to dance to a song that she and Lucky danced to on the night of his death, that I feel that's the least I could do? No! Of course not, because that would require you thinking before you ripped something to shreds!'' He was yelling again, and Carly could not stop the tears from flowing.

''Jason, I'm sorry.''

''You're always sorry! You were sorry that you left Michael after he was born! You were sorry that you called me a violent kidnapper! But sorry isn't going to fix this, Carly! It's broken. I'm finished. Finished with you, and your plans, and your 'sorrys'. I want you to leave, NOW!'' He pointed towards the door.

''No, Jason! I love you!'' she pleaded, grabbing his arm. Jason dropped his hand, and looked at her tearstained face. She could see the tears in his eyes as well. He spoke quietly.

''I love you too, Carly. Don't you understand, that's why this is killing me. I love you too. But I can't do this any more. I can't keep waiting for you to continue to kick me in the gut. It hurts too much. What you and Sonny did....that was it. Goodbye, Carly.''

Carly cried harder. This was the first time Jason had told her he loved her. And he was sending her away in the same breath.

''Jason,'' she began.

''Just go, Carly. Just go.'' He was tired. He turned back towards the window, and waited for her to leave.

''We're connected, Jason. You can't just dismiss that. I won't let you.'' Carly stared at him for a moment, and then turned and walked out. Jason continued to stare out the window, tears streaming down his face.

Chapter Three

Husbands and wives were supposed to share everything. The only thing A.J. and Carly shared beyond their son Michael, was contempt for each other. They were the happy couple in public, but behind closed doors, things were turbulent, to say the least.

"Where are you going, honey?" A.J. asked, while flipping through the morning paper. Carly, who had risen from the breakfast table, smiled. Monica and Alan, A.J.'s parents, were at the table, so the charade was on.

"I thought I would go check on Bobbie, and see how she's handling everything," she lied. A.J. looked at her knowingly, and sneered.

"Well, aren't you the supportive daughter."

"I try," she sneered back at him.

"Well, I think it's wonderful, Carly," Alan said, putting his juice glass down. "Bobbie is lucky to have a daughter who worries so much. You were with her very late last night." Monica rolled her eyes. She despised Carly. From her perspective, Carly had ruined Jason's life, and then moved in on her other son.

"With Jerry's bail hearing coming up, she needs all the support available." Carly really liked Alan. He and Lila, A.J. and Jason's grandmother, would be the only ones she would miss when she got of this crazy house. And she was determined to get out.

"Well, I haven't seen Bobbie in awhile," Monica said standing up. "I think I'll go with you."

Carly froze, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see A.J. smiling with sick pleasure. Carly knew Monica had her suspicions about her loyalty to A.J.

"Thanks for the offer, but that won't be necessary, " she said and picked up her purse.

"But didn't you just say that she needed support?" Monica continued, undeterred.

"Family support." Carly said firmly. Monica laughed.

"She's my best friend. She and I are as close as sisters."

"Not close enough." Carly said with a vicious smile, and walked away from a seething Monica. She couldn't stand her mother-in-law, and took small pleasures in their verbal assaults. A.J. caught up to her in the foyer, while she was getting her coat.

"Still running after my baby brother?" he called out. Carly ignored him and flipped her hair out from under the collar of her coat. "It is so pathetic to see a dog continue to pant after her master. Especially when that master has repeatedly kicked the dog. You’d think the dog would know where she wasn't wanted."

"Go to hell, A.J.," she said and opened the door. A.J.'s laughter behind her made her pause in the doorway.

"No, my sweet wife. Hell is where you will reside until you realize that your place is with me, and our son, in this house. I'll make sure of it." Carly turned and faced him. A.J. eyes were filled with malicious resentment. She smiled.

"Not for long, A.J. Not for long." She walked out of the house.

She took a cab to 5th and Broad Streets, and then walked the remaining eight blocks to the docks. The ground was covered in snow, and it was very cold. But none of this mattered to Carly. She sat on a bench by Pier 47. She sat and she waited.

She had lain awake for hours the night before, replaying her conversation with Jason over and over. She knew that she had hurt him, but seeing the pain in his eyes, made it all the more real. But he had said he loved her. The first time ever. And if he loved her, then they could get through this. She could make it better. She knew she could. As long as he loved her, she could do anything.

"You may want to think about moving closer to Courtland Street." Carly jerked around to see Sonny standing on the steps above her. "That way you can be with the other whores."

She watched him as he came down the steps. Sonny Corthinos, mobster extrodinaire, with his dark looks and flashing dimples. This man, or whatever he was, was the reason she was not with Jason now. She stood slowly.

"You are such a bastard," she said, shaking her head. "You walk around in your fancy clothes, and hurl insults at me, when your best friend just had his heart ripped out. And it's all your fault."

"My fault? Did I force myself on you? You gonna stand here and tell me you didn't want it?" He was standing close enough for her to feel his breath. She shoved him angrily. "I didn't think so. We both betrayed Jason, sweetheart. We showed our true colors, and set him free."

"You set me up!" she began.

"Are we back to that again?" he interrupted.

"All that crap about Jason and Elizabeth Webber! You knew, you knew it was all innocent, and you let me think otherwise. You let me think that something was going on with them! And for what? For what, Sonny?!!! So you could make Jason hurt the way you hurt when you found out about your little FBI girlfriend. That's it, right? You were miserable, so you decided you were going to take everyone else down with you. Including! Including the one person that has been there for you through everything! Even when you weren't even decent enough to show up at your own wedding!" Carly shouted, pointing her finger. Sonny's eyes went black, and he grabbed her arm roughly. She struggled against it.

"Be careful, little girl. You think you have the right to stand around and pass judgment on me? You're no better than me. Everything and everybody you have ever touched has turned to shit. Jason just got added to the long line of victims who are willing to testify to that."

"At least I leave my victims still breathing. Can't say the same for you," she hissed. Sonny clenched his teeth, and held her arm tighter, almost cutting off the circulation.

"You little bitch."

"What are you gonna do now, Sonny? Hit me?" Carly snatched her arm away from him, and took a step back. "You know what? Fuck you, Sonny. I am nothing like you. You cloak yourself in your betrayals and wear them like a badge of honor. Because it gives you an excuse to throw glass and flip out for a few days. And then everyone can say, poor depressed Sonny. But what they don't realize is that you're a cold-hearted son of a bitch that gets off on hurting people. You take pleasure in their misery."

"You call me cold-hearted? What about you? You sleep with Jason's best friend, and you actually believe that apologizing will fix it. That he could ever look at you, and not see you for the tramp we both know you are."

"Jason loves me, Sonny. By his own admission, he loves me. And that won't go away because of a mistake like you." Sonny laughed.

"You keep telling yourself that. But when reality starts to creep into your brain, think about what I said. You have a few 'tricks' that could be used on Courtland Street. Let me know. I'd be happy to give you a recommendation."

Carly watched, boiling with rage, as he walked away. She ran her fingers through her hair, and wondered if she were going to get through this. She had been so stupid going to Sonny in the first place. She should've just trusted Jason. Why hadn't she just trusted Jason?

Carly looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. It was the person she had been waiting for. Elizabeth Webber.

"Elizabeth?" Carly startled her. Elizabeth had been thinking about getting to Jason. She looked at Carly warily.

"Yes?" Elizabeth didn't trust Carly. She barely knew her, but she knew that Jason had been in a lot of pain after Carly left. And not all of it physically.

"I need to talk to you," Carly continued. "About Jason."

"I don't think that's a good idea." Elizabeth said, and walked past Carly. Carly spun around quickly.

"Elizabeth, wait!" she shouted. Elizabeth stopped, and turned back. Carly moved towards her. "I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of Jason."

"You know what, Carly? Just save your little pleasantries, okay. Because I don't want to hear them. You may be Jason's friend, but you're not mine. So, let's just not pretend, " Elizabeth snapped. Carly narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Jason may have no romantic interest in Elizabeth, but the same could not be said for Miss Webber.

"Fine. So I'll just say this and be on my way. Take care of Jason while he's recovering from his gunshot wound. You can bandage up that perfect body to your heart's content. But know this, Jason loves me. Got it? So when you want someone to ease the pain of losing Lucky, you grab onto some little boy your own age. Because that man is taken." Carly looked her over once more, and then walked away.

Elizabeth stood on the docks, looking after her.

"We'll see about that," she whispered under her breath.

Chapter Four

Michael "Sonny" Corinthos was a man who thrived on power. He liked the rush he got from giving people orders, and knowing they'd follow them, or else regret it. It hadn't always been that way. He had been a scared little boy. His cop stepfather had kept in shape by smacking he and his mother around back in Bensonhurst. But all that had changed when he met Joe Scully.

Joe Scully ran the neighborhood. He gave orders, and everyone listened, including the cops. Sonny had loved him, and envied him. And when Joe Scully had his stepfather, Deke killed, he worshipped him. Joe taught him the ropes of the Organization. And what Joe left out, Frank Smith filled in later when Sonny came to Port Charles.

Sonny had risen out of nothing, and now was one of the biggest, most powerful mobsters on the Eastern Seabord. But he preferred to think of himself as a business man. He did have several legitimate business, like the coffee business he co-owned with Jason. He was respected and feared. He had everything that he could have ever wanted, except love.

Growing up, he had seen love as a weakness. His mother, Adele, had loved his father, Mike, but it had gotten her nowhere. Mike walked out on her, and in walked Deke. A man who made his and his mother's life a living hell. Mike was around now, trying to make up for lost time, but Sonny didn't want to hear it. Love was a weakness. He had learned that lesson well with Brenda.

Even now, sitting in his downtown office, he could close his eyes, and see her face clearly. She had been the face of Deception, literally. She had modeled for Deception Cosmetics, and he had wanted her the moment he saw her. He had loved her with everything he had in him. But she had betrayed him. She wore a wire for the cops. He had been tipped off to her deception, but that hadn't made it any easier. Four years later, he could still see the scene in his old apartment above Luke's. Her tears and flimsy excuses rang through his mind. He clenched his fist, remembering how he had grabbed her. That had been the beginning of the end.

He stood and poured himself a brandy. Thinking about the past was not productive. The future was all that mattered now. He needed to figure out what to do about Jason. He hadn't seen him since the day Elizabeth Webber had come to him for help. She had found Jason bleeding to the death in the snow. When Sonny had arrived, Jason had made it clear that he didn't want to discuss the Carly matter. Sonny didn't blame him. What was more relevant was what Jason intended to do with the rest of his life, business wise.

Jason was the number two man in Sonny's organization. He had knowledge of all the offshore accounts, dirty judges and cops. He knew the location of all the safe houses and the inner-workings of the business. Sonny needed to know if Jason was still part of the game. If he wasn't, then he would have to be eliminated.

Sonny sat and swirled his brandy. He didn't want to think about killing the man who had been his best friend through everything. But Sonny had made too many mistakes recently to take any more chances. Mistakes like Federal Agent Hannah Scott. He had let her into his life, divulging personal secrets. And all the while she had been reporting them back to her bosses at the FBI. She claimed to really love him, but Sonny knew the truth. He had been nothing but a mark. And now Hannah was already starting to snuggle up to Lieutenant Taggert, the cop he hated the most. Fucking bitch will pay, Sonny thought, anger consuming him briefly.

Jason had been the one to reveal Hannah's true identity. Sonny remembered how much it had hurt Jason to tell him that the woman warming his sheets was a fed. But now Jason knew what that kind of hurt felt like, because of him and Carly. Sonny sipped his brandy, and thought about the night with Carly.

He didn't really know why he had done it. Was it to prove to Jason that Carly was an undeserving tramp? Was it to punish Jason for telling him the news about Hannah? Was it to make Jason as miserable as he was? Or had he wanted Carly all along, as she taunted?

Sexually speaking, it had been a well spent hour. Carly was a bundle of passion just waiting to explode. And explode she did, Sonny thought with a derisive laugh. She was definitely skilled in the bedroom. But not worth the trouble it was causing now.

He sighed, and faced the window. He liked looking out at the stars and over the city. This was his town, and he wasn't going to lose it to anyone. Not even a man he had considered his brother. He was going to make sure of it. The phone on his desk started to ring.

"Yeah?" he answered.

"Morgan is still at the art studio with Elizabeth Webber, " the voice reported. It belonged to Anthony, one of Sonny's men. He had promised Elizabeth Webber to stay clear of Jason, but he had had her followed. It was always good to know where everyone was.

"Good, " Sonny said. "And what's the news on Sorel? Does he know Jason's there?"

"Yes, sir. I saw one of his men earlier. He cleared out when he saw me."

"Lorenzo should be there in 2 hours to relive you," Sonny said, looking at his watch. "Keep me posted of any changes." He hung up the phone, and continued to stare out of the window. Jason was careless staying with the Webber girl in an unsecure location. Sonny expected that to change real soon. And when it did, he would be ready for it.

*********************************

Jason was thinking about Sorel. He knew it was time he got out of the art studio. Elizabeth was definitely in danger here. And Carly knew where he was. He sighed and shook his head. He couldn't handle thoughts of Carly now. Seeing her yesterday had really affected him more than he had imagined. It had made the betrayal more real in some respects, because she had admitted to it. He couldn't afford to think about that. He needed to figure out what he was going to do from this moment on. He understood his life depended on it.

He knew Sorel would come back to finish the job. That's how the mob worked. Never leave a witness alive. And Jason had seen Sorel kill Moreno. He had been willing to die for Sonny, but that was before. Now, he realized the value of his own life.

"Are you going to eat? Or are you just going to keep moving your spoon around?" Elizabeth asked. She had been watching him carefully, and he had barely taken five bites of the chili she had brought for him. Jason looked up at her. She had been painting so quietly, he had forgotten she was there.

"I'm not really that hungry, " he said. He got up slowly, testing his strength. He was getting better. He walked over to where she was working.

"Oh, no, don't look!" she exclaimed. She threw her hands up in front of the canvas. Jason smiled and then looked at the canvas. It was a painting of him sleeping. It was in the beginning stages, but he definitely recognized himself. He was speechless.

"I didn't want you to see it yet," Elizabeth said sheepishly. She had wanted it to be perfect before he saw it. She looked into his face, but couldn't read what he was thinking. She suddenly felt embarrassed. "You hate it, don't you?

"No, I, " Jason began. "I don't hate it. It's just I'm surprised, that's all. It definitely looks like me." He stared at the painting, not really knowing what to say.

"Oh, I'm so glad you like it, " Elizabeth grinned. "I was so worried you wouldn't. Just wait until it's finished!"

"It's weird looking at it. Like looking at a picture, but different." Jason still looked at the painting. Elizabeth smiled and tilted her head.

"You are the first person besides Lucky I have painted since he died." She said it quietly, but something in her voice caught Jason's attention. He looked at her, and she was smiling softly at him. "I just wanted you to know that."

Jason, not really knowing what else to say, took her hand and smiled. Her smile grew, and in that moment she wanted to hug him. Not as a friend. But as something more. She held her breath.

"I'm leaving tomorrow." Jason's voice startled her. She looked up at him in bewilderment.

"What?" she asked. He dropped her hand, and moved away from her.

"It's not safe for either me or you for me to be here."

"Not safe? I didn't tell Sonny where you were. And the only person besides Bobbie who knows you're here is Carly. And I'll take care of her." Jason turned back quickly at the mention of Carly's name.

"I don't want you taking care of Carly. I understand you want to help me. But this is between me and her."

"I know that," Elizabeth said, sitting on the couch. "But does she? If she thinks she can scare me, then she better think again."

"Scare you?" Jason asked, sitting beside her. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean today, she was waiting for me on the docks. And she said some things. But it didn't bother me. I can handle her, " Elizabeth said, her voice getting lower.

"I don't think anyone can 'handle' Carly. And even if you could, I wouldn't want you to. Carly has never been shy about speaking her mind. But that's just the way she is. Don't take it personal." Even now, Jason found it difficult not to defend her.

"I just want you know that I can protect you from her, or anyone else." Jason had been momentarily lost in thoughts of Carly, but now he looked at Elizabeth. She was staring at him with earnest blue eyes. He was touched by her loyalty.

"Thank you, and I mean that. But I don't need protection from Carly. Or from anyone else. You've been great, letting me stay here, and being my personal nurse. But Elizabeth, you have a life and school and everything. And there are things that I need to take care of. And I can't do them here. Do you understand?"

"I understand," she said. She watched him move to look out the window. He said he didn't need protection from Carly. But she knew that Carly would do anything to be with Jason. She wasn't going to let Carly interfere in her relationship with Jason. And she was starting to believe that they did have a relationship. She smiled to herself, and went back to her painting. She hoped it was finished by Christmas.

This was where it had all began, Carly thought as she looked around the empty room. She was standing in Jason's old room above Jake's Bar. She took off her coat, and sat on the bed. She ran her hand across the blanket, and remembered the first time she and Jason had made love.

She laughed to herself at that. What they had done really couldn't be considered making love. They hadn't even known each other's names. But it had not been necessary. The sexual vibe between them had been overpowering, and they had given in to it. He had been her "boy on the side" in her relationship with Tony Jones, Bobbie's then husband. And Jason had been involved with "Saint" Robin Scorpio, the town angel.

But none of that mattered. Even then, Jason had been the only person Carly truly let see inside of her. He hadn't known her secrets then, but he had helped her. She sighed remembering the time he had let her stay here for a few days. Her Uncle Luke had discovered her real identity, and was threatening her. She had had no place to go, and Jason had let her stay. He had even given her a key.

How could things have gone so wrong, she thought standing up. She was putting her coat on, when the door opened. She looked up, and Jason was standing in the doorway.

For a minute they just looked at each other. The both could feel the other's pain, as well as the weight of the memories the room invoked. Finally, Jason stepped inside and closed the door.

"What, did you get tired of waiting on the docks?" he said, tossing his keys on the desk. There wasn't much to the room, yet the space between them seemed like miles. Carly shrugged.

"I guess your little nurse told you about that, huh?" She realized there was no point in lying. "I'm surprised she let you leave without a leash. Or is she waiting downstairs? Oh, that's right, they don't allow minors in Jake's."

"Carly, just stop," Jason said, putting his hand up. "I want you to leave Elizabeth alone. She has nothing to do with this."

"But, Jase, I was just , " Carly began. Jason held up his hand again.

"No, stop. Leave her alone." Jason stared hard into Carly's eyes.

"Fine, whatever. But don't be naive, Jason, she has designs on you."

"What? Forget it. Why are you even here?" he asked, sitting on the bed. He still felt some pain, so his movements were stiff. Carly watched him carefully. It hurt her inside to see him in pain.

"I just came to, I don't know, be close to you. Remember the good times." She smiled down at him. He looked away from her.

"Just get out, Carly. Go away." He said it quietly, without even glancing in her direction. Carly walked around, and bent down beside him.

"Don't do this, Jason. Don't shut me out, "she said, tears starting to form in her eyes. He still looked away.

"You shut yourself out."

"I made a mistake! It was a mistake!" He finally turned to her, his eyes full of pain.

"That's just it, Carly. You always make mistakes. And I can't, I won't live like this any more. It's too hard to sit around and wait for your next plan. Or your next punishment because you think I did something that you don't like. So could you, please, just get the hell out of here!" He yelled.

"You know what, screw you, Jason!" Carly snapped, standing up. She walked down to the end of the bed, and looked at him. "I fucked up. Yes, I admit it. But don't lay there and act like you didn't play a part in how things went down."

"Oh, so now it's my fault that you slept with Sonny?"

"No, I did that all on my own. And I admit it. It was stupid and self-destructive. But how many times have I come to you, heart on my sleeve, and told you I loved you? Or that I wanted to come home? And what would you say? What would you say, Jase? It was always, 'Stay with AJ, Carly' or 'I miss you too, but things can't change'. Even after you kissed me, " she said, her fingers lightly touching her lips. "Even then you downplayed it. Telling me once again that NOTHING could change! And then that same night, you're slow dancing with Elizabeth Webber! Sure, you can say that it was all innocent, but how the hell was I supposed to know that?"

"How about trusting, "Jason began. Carly shook her head, and sat at the foot of the bed.

"Trust what, Jason? That you would once again, turn me away? Tell me to go back to AJ, and make a life with him, for Michael's sake, even though I'm miserable? Do you think that Michael would benefit from his mother being miserable all the time, trapped in this hell of a marriage? And, yes, I realize I put myself there. Another one of my 'mistakes' that you find so unbearable. But wanna know what I find unbearable? That you're acting like the betrayed lover, when in reality, every time I tried to get closer to you, you turned me away. And you never, ever told me that you loved me. Or even needed me."

"And this is why, Carly, "he said, his voice firm. "Because it wouldn't have mattered if I had shouted I love you from the top of City Hall. You would have found a reason, an excuse, to destroy it. You don't think before you act. You screw up, and then you expect I'm sorry to clean it all up for you. You ask why I never said I love you? Because it shouldn't have mattered. I have been there for you through everything. I even stuck by you when you called me a kidnapper. Do you even know how much that hurt me? Did you even care? No, because as long as I stayed by your side, and didn't interfere in your plan, you were fine. From the moment you showed up on my doorstep pregnant, I have done nothing but be there for you, and lie for you, and turn my life upside down for you. Do you know how much easier my life would have been? And you're telling me that after all that, you fucked my best friend because I didn't say 'Oh, Carly, I love you'? Words don't matter, Carly. It's what you do that counts."

Carly wiped tears from her face. She rose and walked to the window. Jason watched her briefly, and then looked away.

"All this time, I've been telling myself that no one understands me better than you. That you were the only person that really gets me. And now I see that I was wrong." Carly turned to look at him. Their eyes met and held for a moment. Then she reached in her purse, and pulled out an object. She placed it on the desk as she moved to the door. She paused before opening the door.

"Some words matter, Jason. They matter to me." She said it without looking at him, and then walked out.

Jason stared at the closed door. His anger had left him, and now he just felt drained. He got up slowly and walked to the desk. What she left on the desk filled his heart with pain. He picked it up, and held it tight in his fist. Tears escaped the corners of his eyes.

It was the keychain that he had given her their first Christmas together. It had her name on it, her real name. Caroline.

*******************************

Carly walked down the stairs to the bar. She sat down and wiped the tears from her face. She refused to cry any more. At least not over Jason. She ordered a shot of vodka, and closed her eyes against the few people that occupied Jake's. Memories flooded over her, as Brandy's "Have You Ever" played on the jukebox.

She remembered the first time she saw Jason. The way his eyes had never left her. How the heat between them closed the distance. She remembered the first time the played pool. A game that had been filled with flirtations and sexual tension. She remembered the first time he asked her to go upstairs, without even knowing her name. She remembered coming here after her release from Ferncliff. They had eaten and played pool, and then slow danced for hours. She remembered playing pool with him, that ended in him winning a dance with her. She remembered how close their faces had been, their lips inches apart. They way he had held her close, her body meshing against his.

She remembered everything, and the tears were too much for her to stop. She rushed out, without even touching her drink. She never saw Jason standing on the steps, watching her.

Chapter Six

Jason could smell her perfume. He opened his eyes, and saw her leaning over him. He opened his mouth to speak, to ask her why she had come back, but Carly placed a finger to his lips. Without saying a word, she leaned down and kissed him tentatively. She pulled back a little, and they stared into each other's eyes. Then without thinking, Jason reached up for her, and kissed her hungrily. His hands fisted in her hair, and pulled her down on top of him.

They kissed with a fervent passion each had denied themselves for so long. He rolled over on top of her in a quick move, and she gasped, before his mouth crushed hers. Their tongues intertwined , remembering the taste of each other. Jason's hand cupped her breast, and his thumb rolled over her nipple. Carly moaned his name softly.

His mouth left hers, and begin to explore her neck. Jason wanted to taste all of her. His lips left a trail of wet kisses down her neck, and into the valley just above her breasts. He dispensed of her sweater quickly, and undid the front clasp of her bra. Jason's mouth closed over her breast, his tongue drawing lazy circles around the nipple. Carly moaned again, this time clasping her legs around his waist. She pressed his head closer, and ran her other hand over the rippled muscles in his back. She whispered his name over and over, her voice getting louder.

"Jason?"

Jason awoke disorientated. Someone was knocking at his door, and calling his name. He looked down at the tangled sheets and saw he was alone. He had been dreaming. The knocking continued.

"Jason?" He ran his hands over his face, trying to rub the dream from his consciousness, and got up.

"Hold on," he called. He slid on his jeans, and staggered to the door. It was Elizabeth. "What are you doing here?"

"Breakfast," she said cheerily. "Just because you no longer stay at the studio, doesn't mean I don't get to at least try and take care of you." She walked in past him. Jason hung his head briefly, and closed the door.

"Breakfast?" he asked. He put on the shirt he had casually tossed to the floor after Carly had left. Visions of Carly in his dream appeared to him, and he shook his head as if to clear them.

"Yes, " she said, and sat on the edge of the bed. "You have to eat. And I'm just making sure that you do."

Jason stared in amazement at this girl who had been through so much, yet was so determined to take care of him. There was danger in her being seen with him. But he figured they should be okay for an hour or so.

"Okay," he said and smiled.

************************************

"Hey, Mister Man!" Bobbie exclaimed, when Carly walked into Kelly's carrying Michael. Bobbie took her red-headed grandson into her arms and gave him a kiss. "Grandma missed you, yes she did!"

Carly smiled at her mother and son bonding. It was in moments like these that she was glad to be in Port Charles. This was the family she always wanted. The only one missing was Jason. Carly sighed and shook her head. She wouldn't think about him today. It was bad enough he had plagued her dreams.

She hung her coat up, and sat down at the table with Bobbie and Michael.

"Carly, he is getting so big," Bobbie said, bouncing Michael on her lap. Carly smiled.

"I know. Can you believe in a few days he's going to be three years old? Where does the time go?" she said almost to herself. She reached over and ruffled Michael's hair. Bobbie looked closely at Carly.

"Hey, are you okay? You sound pretty down for someone who has everything."

"Well, they say the Holidays have the highest suicide rate, " she said, running her fingers through her hair.

"Carly!"

"Kidding! I'm kidding," she said, raising a hand. "I'm just....I don't know. Christmas is coming up, and then New Year's. And I just can't help but to look back over my life, and this year in particular. You know, I've done some pretty rotten things. And most of them to the people I claim to love the most. You included. And I don't want to do that any more."

"Well, " Bobbie began, " that's good to hear. But, Carly, you just have to learn how to be happy. And then you'll make others around you happy too." Bobbie's pager went off. "That's the hospital. I gotta go." She handed Michael back to Carly.

"Michael, say goodbye to Grandma." The little boy waved goodbye. Bobbie blew him a kiss, and patted Carly on the shoulder. Carly smiled, and then turned her attention back to her son.

Outside, Bobbie literally almost ran into Jason and Elizabeth.

"Hey, are you sure you're okay to be moving around?" she asked, looking Jason over. He smiled at her.

"I'm fine. I had two great nurses." Both smiled at the praise. Bobbie noticed that Elizabeth's smile was particularly bright. She wondered again about the true nature of their relationship. And she wondered if she should inform Jason that Carly was inside with Michael. She decided against it quickly. She would let them handle this, whatever it was, their own way.

"Well, I'm off to the hospital. I'll see you both later, " and walked off to catch a cab.

"Okay, let's see what we can find for you to eat today!" Elizabeth said, opening the door. Her smile quickly faded when she saw Carly sitting at a table with Michael. She looked up at Jason, and saw that he was staring at them. Carly had her back to them, but Michael was looking over her shoulder.

"Dada, " Michael said, pointing at Jason. Carly preparing herself to do battle with A.J., turned around slowly. She froze when she saw Jason. For a moment all they did was stare at each other. Carly noticed Elizabeth's presence and turned back around.

"You know we could go somewhere else, " Elizabeth said. She had no intention of sharing her time with Carly. Jason was still looking in her direction, but Carly had not turned back around.

"Yes, do us all a favor and leave, " A.J. said snidely. He was standing behind them, a smug expression on his face. Jason glared at his brother. A.J. looked beyond them, and saw Carly and Michael sitting. Carly was watching them.

"What's the matter, Jase? See something you want?" A.J. asked, and walked around Jason into Kelly's. He glanced at his wife and son, and turned back to Jason. "Well, forget it. Michael is mine. Carly is mine. Go steal someone else's family. Or better yet, go find one of your own. This one's taken."

Jason continued to glare at A.J. He had never known this much hatred for another human being. Elizabeth was pulling on his arm, but he ignored her.

"I'm leaving, "Carly said, standing up. She put Michael's coat back on him, and reached for hers. A.J. shot her a furious look.

"I thought we were going to have lunch?" he hissed through clenched teeth.

"We were. Now we're not, " she said. She picked Michael up, and moved toward the door. She and Jason locked eyes for a split second, and then she continued out. Jason stepped outside and watched her go.

*********************************

Jason and Elizabeth had ended up having breakfast at a little coffee shop in mid-town Port Charles. He hadn't felt much like Kelly's after seeing Carly and Michael, the family he no longer had. And every time he saw A.J., he wanted to kill him. He hadn't been good company for Elizabeth. Truthfully, he had wanted to go back to Jake's the moment he had walked into Kelly's. But when he opened the door to his room, he had a change of heart.

"What do you want?" he asked the man sitting in the shadows. Sonny Corinthos stood, and faced his portage'.

"We have some business to discuss."

Chapter Seven

''We no longer have any business to discuss, '' Jason said. He closed the door, but his eyes never left Sonny. He was facing his mentor, the man who had been father and brother to him. But looking at him now, he felt nothing.

''It's interesting that you say that, '' Sonny said, shrugging his shoulders. ''Because last I remember you worked for me.''

''Not any more, '' Jason said coldly. Sonny nodded his head, rubbing his hand over his stubbled chin.

''The funny thing about the Organization, Jason, is that this isn't a regular nine to five. You don't just turn in a letter of resignation. You don't just quit. You can't.''

''I did it before, '' Jason said, remembering when his ex-girlfriend, Robin Scorpio, had almost gotten killed by a car bomb. The thought that Michael could have been in the car, had been enough to propel him to relinquish all of his territory to Moreno, Sorel's old boss.

''That was before, this is now. And I'm not Moreno. So you better think about what you're saying.''

''Are you threatening me?'' Jason said quietly through clenched teeth. He was glad that his gun was tucked away in the small of his back. One thing Sonny had taught him was to always expect the unexpected. And this was definitely unexpected.

''Threaten?'' Sonny asked, shaking his head slowly. He smiled, flashing his dimples. ''I just want you to be real clear on all that you stand to lose, all because of a whore.'' Jason's jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed.

''If she's a whore, then what are you, Sonny? Selfish bastard doesn't seem to cover it.''

''I understand you're angry.''

''You don't understand sh*t.'' Jason said. Sonny shrugged again.

''Maybe not, '' he said. ''But understand this, if you think you can just walk away, you're mistaken. Things don't work that way.''

''Really? Maybe I should ask Hannah. She seems to be walking away just fine.'' Sonny's face darkened. Jason knew he had hit his mark. Sonny walked to within a foot of Jason.

''Are you trying to f*ck with me?'' he whispered. ''I made you what you are. And if necessary, I will destroy you.'' Jason stared at Sonny, unflinching, his face unreadable.

''Not if I destroy you first, '' he said quietly, but the threat came through clearly.

A knock at the door didn't stop the quiet standoff between the two former friends.

''Jason!'' It was Jason's sister, Emily.

''Emily! Stay out there!'' he shouted, his eyes never leaving Sonny's. Sonny smiled.

''Don't worry, Jason. I won't kill you in front of your baby sister.'' He walked past Jason to the door. ''I'm not that much of a bastard.'' Jason watched him as he opened the door.

''Oh, hey, Sonny, '' Emily said cheerily.

''Hello, Emily. You're looking exceptionally beautiful today. Juan is a lucky man. '' Sonny smiled at Emily, and turned and gave Jason one last look, before disappearing down the steps. Jason exhaled the breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding. Emily walked in hesitantly.

''Am I interrupting?'' she said, pointing after Sonny. Jason looked at his sixteen year old sister, and shook his head no. Emily was one of the few Quartermaines that he considered family. And if anything ever happened to her, he would kill whoever was responsible.

''I need you to promise me something, '' he said. Emily's brown eyes clouded over with worry at the seriousness of his tone.

''Sure, Jason. Whatever you need, '' she said, sitting down on the bed. Jason sat down next to her.

''You need to stay away from Sonny, '' he said. Emily frowned, and flipped her long, brown hair over her shoulder.

''Sonny? But he's your best friend. I mean, you've always told me that if I were ever in trouble, and couldn't find you, then I should go find Sonny.''

''I know, but that was before. Things are different now, and I need you to stay away from him. Promise me.''

''I promise. But Jason, what's going on? And I'm not just talking about Sonny.'' Jason got up, and walked over to the window. Emily stood as well. ''Why aren't you staying at the penthouse? And why did I have to hear about you being here from Liz? And how does Liz know what's going on?''

''Emily, things have changed between me and Sonny. I can't really get into the details, so you're going to have to trust me. I'll be around here, for at least awhile.''

''So, what does this have to do with Liz?'' Emily asked. Jason sighed and faced her.

''Nothing, really. She's just been a friend.'' Emily gave Jason a disbelieving look.

''A friend? Elizabeth Webber is now a friend of yours?''

''Is that a problem?''

''It's weird. My best friend, is now a friend of my older brother's. I don't know, I just never pictured the two of you having anything in common. I mean, before whatever is going on, you hung out with Sonny and his dad, or Luke Spencer. And there's always Carly, '' Emily said, rolling her eyes. ''Thank God, you decided to let her torture A.J. instead. Anyway, I'm just saying that it's just weird for you to be friends with my best friend.''

''I guess, '' Jason said absently. He was thinking about his confrontation with Sonny again. Emily looked at her brother closely. She could tell that something was bothering him, but she knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't share those feelings with her.

''Um, I should go. I just wanted to come by and make sure you were okay.'' She hugged him tightly.

''Come on, I'll take you home.''

''I can take a cab.''

''I don't think so,'' he said. ''It's late, and I want to make sure you get home safe.''

*****************************************************

Thirty minutes later, Jason watched his little sister go into his former home. He didn't remember anything of his life as Jason Quartermaine. A drunk driving accident with A.J. had left him with partial amnesia. He remembered the basics of life, but none of his family or previous friends. He came away from the accident as Jason Morgan, and the craziness of the Quartermaine household had driven him out. Now he sat in the driveway, and stared up towards the window that he knew belonged to Carly. The light was on. He briefly wondered what she was doing before he rode off.

Inside the Quartermaine mansion, Carly was looking out of her window, at the stars. She was pondering her future. She now knew that Jason would not be waiting for her if she left A.J. But she also knew she couldn't stay married to a man she detested. However, A.J. was not going to give Michael up without a fight.

She walked away from the window, and sat in front of the fireplace. She had meant what she had said to Bobbie earlier. She wanted to change her life. And the starting point would be getting out of this crazy marriage. But how could she do that and keep her son?

She ran her hands through her golden hair, and sighed loudly. What had she gotten herself into?

Whatever it was, she was determined to get out of it. And it started with the number laying on her desk. She walked over to her desk, and stared at the scrap of paper. The name on the paper was her only hope. Carly knew it would be a battle, but if she could just convince this person to help her, she might stand a chance.

The name on the paper was Alexis Davis, attorney at law.

***********************************************************

The phone on Sonny's desk rang twice before he answered it. He had been expecting this call.

''Mr. Sorel, '' he said pleasantly. ''Thank you for returning my call so quickly. You and I have a mutual problem that I think we can take care of together.''

Chapter Eight

It was Christmas Eve, and instead of doing some last minute shopping for Michael, Carly was waiting to talk to a lawyer. She waited in the reception area of Alexis Davis' midtown office. She had been calling for a week, and this was the only day Alexis had agreed to meet her. Carly knew she had a battle ahead of her, and not just the divorce and custody proceedings. She and Alexis Davis had met before during a custody case. But they had been on opposing sides. It had occurred when Carly and A.J. had sued Jason for sole custody of Michael. It had all been part of Carly's "plan". Alexis, who had represented Jason, had let Carly know then that she thought that she was lower than pond scum. But Carly needed the best, and Alexis was it. She had been waiting fifteen minutes when the receptionist invited her into the main office.

Carly took a deep breath, and entered into the plush office. Alexis Davis was behind her desk, looking over some paperwork. She barely glanced up at Carly when she walked in.

"Please, have a seat, " Alexis offered, leaning back in her chair. She removed her glasses and looked over Carly.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me, " Carly said, sitting down. She tried to hide her nervousness.

"My curiosity was peaked by your persistent phone calls. So, what can I do for you, Mrs. Quartermaine?"

"I want a divorce, and I wanted to go over my custody options, " Carly said, taking a deep breath. Alexis was slightly stunned. She had not expected this.

"I'm not a divorce lawyer, " Alexis began.

"I realize that, " Carly interrupted. "But you have handled custody cases before, and essentially that's my biggest priority. Obtaining a divorce may not be hard, but A.J. will fight me on custody of Michael."

Alexis sat back in her chair, and gave Carly a measuring look. She had never liked her. Alexis remembered the way Carly had turned on Jason when it suited her needs. From her vantage point, it appeared that Carly had used her son to gain the advantages of being a Quartermaine. Alexis detested any woman who would use a child.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot represent you, " she said.

"What? Why not?" Carly asked, shocked. "Is it because you defended Jason in the other custody fight?"

"Yes, that's it in part, "Alexis said, standing. Carly stood as well.

"Look, I know you don't like me, okay. I know this. But I am fighting for my son here! A.J. will take him from me if I leave, and I cannot stay there any more! It's a prison! Do you understand? Do you know what it's like to be free but in prison at the same time? It's claustrophobic. I have to get out of that house, but not without my son, " she said, her eyes blazing.

"Mrs. Quartermaine, I empathize with your situation. However, I can't help but to think that you put yourself in this situation, and now you're looking for someone to come save you. I cannot be that someone. I wish you luck. Now with it being Christmas Eve, I'm sure that you understand that I have some last minute shopping to do." Alexis walked to the door, and opened it.

Carly fought back the tears that were trying to fall. She wouldn't let this woman make her cry. She would find someone else, that's all. She picked up her coat and gloves, and walked out.

*************************************************************

Hours later, Carly walked into her Uncle Luke's blues club. Earlier, she and A.J. had taken Michael to the annual reading of the Christmas Story at General Hospital. Carly had been the perfect wife, even though she was still reeling from her meeting with Alexis. She had to find a lawyer before she really went insane.

She tried to push those thoughts from her mind as she sat down on one of the bar stools. Bobbie had invited her here, so they could spend some quality Spencer time together.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite 'bad seed' niece, " Luke Spencer said from behind the bar. Carly smirked, and nodded her head.

"And if it isn't my favorite asshole uncle, " she retorted. Luke doubled over in mock pain.

"Why, Caroline, you cut me to the the quick."

"Oh, if only that were true, " Carly said, smiling brightly. Uncle and niece both laughed. Their relationship had been anything but friendly. Luke had been the first to discover that Carly was Bobbie's long lost daughter. Of course, he had discovered this after she had slept with Bobbie's husband, Tony Jones. He had blackmailed Carly into silence about her true identity, with subtle threats. That had propelled Carly to go to Jason. Carly shook her head, pushing all thoughts of Jason from her mind.

"So, dear Caroline, " Luke continued, pouring her a vodka, "Bobbie roped you into this 'Spencer Family Night' too. God bless her little bleeding heart."

"What's this about my bleeding heart?" Bobbie asked, as she joined them at the bar.

"Nothing, little sister. And don't you look beautiful tonight, as always." Luke said, lighting up a cigar, and then handing her a glass of white wine. Bobbie gave him a knowing look, and turned to her daughter.

"Hey, you. How are you holding up?" she asked, smoothing Carly's hair. "You seemed a little on edge at the hospital."

"I'm fine, " Carly reassured. "So are we going to toast or something? I mean, what is the point of this little outing?"

"You mean, you didn't come down here to tell me how much your life has improved since I've been in it?" Luke asked. Carly glared at him.

"You know what, " she began.

"Hold on you two, " Bobbie interrupted. Fights between her brother and daughter could be catastrophic. "I wanted you both to come here, so that we could be together as a family. I know we have all had our differences in the past. But this year, more than anything, has showed me the importance of family. We've endured a lot this year, and I just want to say that I am grateful to have such a wonderful and supportive family, even if you both drive me crazy. So here's to being a Spencer."

They all raised their glasses, each remembering their own personal pain. Luke had suffered the most. His son Lucky had been killed in a fire, and his wife, Laura, had asked for a divorce. Bobbie's fiancee, Jerry, had been indicted on racketeering charges, and was facing twenty years in prison. Carly looked from her uncle to her mother, and once again realized how small her problems were in comparison.

"Okay, this is enough goodwill and cheer for me for one night, " Luke said, knocking back his drink. "If you two ladies will excuse me, I have a club to run." Luke moved further down the bar.

"Bobbie, thank you, for this, " Carly said after he walked away. "For including me."

"Oh, honey, of course. You're my daughter."

"For better or for worse, right?"

"Are you sure you're all right?" Bobbie asked with concern. Carly smiled again, and hopped off the stool.

"I am FINE, but I would like to go play some pool. Are you up for it?"

"Sure, " Bobbie said, linking arms with her daughter. They walked to the back, where the private game room was. The opened the door, and realized that someone else had already had the same idea. Jason was leaning over Elizabeth, teaching her how to play pool. They both looked up when the door opened.

"I didn't realize that Luke's was catering to minors these days, " Carly said, as she strode in.

"Carly, " Jason and Bobbie said in unison.

"What?" Carly asked innocently. "It was just an observation. I wouldn't want my Uncle Luke to get into trouble."

"Well, don't worry about that, " Elizabeth said sweetly. "Jason and I have other plans for the evening."

"I'm sure, " Carly said, just as sweetly.

"We should just go, " Jason said, putting his pool stick down. He had wanted to stay in, and figure out what he was going to do about both Sonny and Sorel. But Elizabeth had pleaded with him to come out with her. She had said she didn't want to be alone, this being her first Christmas without Lucky. That touched Jason, and he had figured Luke's would be the best spot, considering that Luke and Sonny were no longer friends. He hadn't thought that Carly would be here, especially since she and Luke were at odds as well.

"I just need to freshen up, and I'll be ready, " Elizabeth said. Carly mimicked her words behind her.

"I'll join you, " Bobbie said. She didn't know what was going on, but thought they probably needed time alone. Elizabeth looked over at Carly and Jason before she walked out. She didn't like leaving Carly alone with him.

Carly picked up a pool stick, and moved around the pool table. She was standing on the opposite side from Jason.

"How've you been?" she asked, after a moment of silence.

"Good. And you?" Their eyes locked. Carly looked away first.

"I've been better, " she said. She walked around the table again, towards Jason. "Earlier tonight, I took Michael to hear Alan recite the story of Christmas. I couldn't help but remember last year, when the three of us went. Remember?" They were standing inches apart.

"Yeah, I do, " he said. His voice was low.

"Jason, I - "

"I'm ready, " Elizabeth said. Jason and Carly both turned to face her. She walked in and stood beside Jason. "We should get going. Don't forget, you have a surprise waiting."

Jason looked at Carly again, and nodded. Elizabeth smiled and took his arm.

"Jason, " Carly said.

"I have to go, Carly, " Jason said. Elizabeth smiled victoriously at Carly, and followed him out.

"You always do, " Carly muttered to herself. Bobbie came in after Jason and Elizabeth left.

"Hey, are you okay?" Bobbie said, rubbing Carly's back. Carly spun around.

"I'm find. But you know what? I think Luke was right about too much holiday cheer. So, I'm going to go."

"Already? But you just got here."

"I know, and I'm sorry. But I'm just not in the mood to celebrate. I'll give you a call later." Carly kissed her mother on the cheek, and walked out. She got outside and saw Jason and Elizabeth riding off on his motorcycle. The sight of them made her sick to her stomach.

She started walking down the street. She reached into her purse for her cell phone, when she didn't see any cabs. She never saw the figure emerge from the shadows behind her. And when a hand clamped around her mouth, all she felt was intense, sharp pain.

Chapter Nine

"You know you really didn't have to walk me to my car, " Bobbie told her brother. "I am a big girl." It had been thirty minutes since Carly had left. Even though her daughter seemed upset over things with Jason, Bobbie felt that overall, Carly had been happy to have been included. And for that, Bobbie was smiling.

"There are still a lot of wolves out in the forrest, little red riding hood, " Luke said, putting his arm around her. "Besides, I wouldn't want that hellcat daughter of yours accusing me of being an uncaring bastard."

"Can you at least try to go easier on Carly? She really is trying."

"Not hard enough, " Luke muttered. "Look I know you want us to be some warped version of the Partridge Family, but I gotta tell ya, baby sis, that ain't happening. What's the matter?" Bobbie had stopped in her tracks, and was pointing to something on the ground up ahead.

"Luke, " she said weakly. "Isn't that Carly's red coat?" Luke followed where she was pointing. Someone wearing a red coat similar to Carly's was laying on the ground.

"Stay here, " he ordered, and cautiously walked toward the the figure. As he got closer, he could see long, matted blonde hair. He kneeled down, and turned the woman over. He gasped. It was Carly, and she had been stabbed several times in her abdomen. Luke's hand came away covered with blood. He shouted for Bobbie.

"No!" Bobbie screamed, upon seeing her daughter's face. She dropped to the ground and immediately felt for a pulse. She found one, but it was very thready. "Call an ambulance!"

***********************************************

"Keep your eyes closed, " Elizabeth said, as she opened the door to her studio.

"They're closed, but I don't know why, " Jason said.

"Because I don't want you to see it until I am absolutely ready, " Elizabeth said, breathless. She wanted everything to be perfect. She had been planning this moment for a week.

"You can open your eyes now, " she said, after taking one last look around. Jason opened his eyes, and was speechless. The entire studio was decked out in white Christmas lights. And in the center of the room was the finished painting of him, with a red ribbon tied around it. "So what do you think?"

"It's nice, " he said, not really knowing what to say. "You went through a lot of effort." It reminded him of the first Christmas Carly spent at the Penthouse, the year he had given her the keychain. She had decorated the entire house as a surprise to him.

"Well, it's Christmas, and I figured we both deserved it. I got some wine, too." Elizabeth picked up a bottle and two long-stem glasses she had taken from her Grandmother's house.

"I don't drink that stuff, " Jason said, before she could hand him a glass. "And besides, you're underage."

"I'm not that young, " Elizabeth said quietly.

"I didn't mean that in a bad way, " Jason said, realizing he hurt her feelings. He dipped his head, so he could look into her eyes.

"These last few weeks have seemed like something out of a dream. I can't imagine my life without you now. You have been the best friend I could possibly have, " Elizabeth said, her eyes shining bright. Jason smiled, and rubbed her arm.

"You've been a good friend to me too, " he said. He turned around and looked at the painting again. Elizabeth took a deep breath. This was the moment she had been waiting for. She closed her eyes, and slid the straps of her dress from her shoulders. Underneath she was wearing the new white lace bra and panties set she had bought from Wyndam's earlier that day.

"Jason, " she called softly.

Jason had been lost in thoughts of other Christmas Eve's. He turned at the sound of his name, and froze when he saw Elizabeth in her underwear.

"Liz, what are you doing?" he asked slowly.

"Something I've wanted to do for a long time, " Elizabeth said, walking toward him as seductively as she could. "Jason, you are the first person I've felt close to since Lucky died. I wasted time with him. I don't want to make that mistake with you. Make love to me, Jason."

She was standing directly in front of him. Feeling a courage she didn't know she possessed, she ran her hands down his chest. Jason abruptly grabbed her hands.

"Elizabeth! Stop!" he said firmly. Elizabeth looked up confused.

"But Jason, this is what I want. I know you want it too, " she said, trying to wrap his arms around her. Jason shoved her back.

"No, I don't. What's the matter with you?" He bent over and picked her fallen dress off the floor, and handed it to her. He didn't look at her. She snatched the dress from his hand, her hands trembling.

"I thought this is what you wanted, " she said through her tears.

"Why would you think that?" he asked. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"Oh, I don't know, " she said, sliding her dress over her shoulders. "The fact that you stayed with me, when you could have gone to Carly. Or all the smiles and the touching. You can't tell me, that you feel nothing for me!"

She pulled on his arm, so he could face her. Jason looked at her tearstained face, and realized he had made another error in judgment. He rubbed his hands over his face.

"I do feel something for you, " he said carefully. " You're my friend. You've helped me through a bad time. But that's it. I'm sorry if I made you think something else."

"It's because of Carly isn't it? Jason, don't you understand, I'll take care of her!"

"What?!" Jason asked in disbelief. His cell phone started ringing. He reached for it, without taking his eyes off Elizabeth. "Yeah?" he said into the phone.

"Jason?"

"Bobbie? What's wrong?" He could hear her crying. He forgot about Elizabeth. "Tell me what's wrong?"

"It's Carly. Jason, she's been stabbed, " Bobbie said. Jason felt everything in him go still.

"Where are you?"

"It doesn't look good, " Bobbie continued.

"Dammit, tell me where you are!" Jason demanded.

"GH. I'm at GH."

"I'm on my way." He disconnected the call, and started towards the door.

"Jason! Where are you going?" Elizabeth exclaimed from behind him. He stopped at the door, and looked back at her.

"I have to go. I'm sorry." He ran out the door.

Elizabeth stood in the decorated room alone. She looked around at the Christmas lights, and became enraged. She started ripping them down.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" she screamed it over and over, as she tore down the decorations. Her eyes fell on the painting, and she stopped. She stood before it, breathing hard.

"I will not let Carly take you away from me. I will not let her take you away." She reached out and caressed Jason's cheek in the painting. "I won't let her."

*********************************************************

Jason rushed into the Emergency area of General Hospital. He had never ridden so fast in his entire life. But he still felt like it had taken him an hour to arrive.

"Where's Caroline Quartermaine?" he asked the nurse at the desk. The nurse punched her name into the computer.

"She's in surgery right now. The waiting area is just down the hall to your left." Jason moved in the direction she pointed. He almost ran into Luke.

"How is she?" he asked Luke. Luke couldn't meet his eyes. Bobbie stood from behind Luke. Her eyes were red from crying. "Bobbie?"

"It's not good, Jason. They don't know if she'll make it."

Chapter Ten

Jason sat in the waiting area, staring straight ahead, but not looking at anything. He was remembering seeing Carly at Luke's earlier. How she had wanted to talk to him. It had probably been about something that would give him a headache. And now he just wished that he had given her that opportunity. He wondered if that would be the last time he would hear her voice. He rubbed his hands over his face.

Bobbie came and sat down next to him. She offered him a cup of coffee, but he turned it down. She reached for his hand, and squeezed it.

"When Carly first came into my life, I hated her, " she said, her voice hoarse from crying. "That's a terrible thing to say about my own daughter, but it's true. I saw her as a thorn in my side. A threat to everything that mattered to me. Even when she first told me who she really was, I didn't want to be near her. Didn't want anything to do with her. And now, she's lying in that room fighting for her life, and all I can think about is how much time I wasted being angry and bitter." Bobbie's voice cracked, as the tears started to fall again.

"I envy you, Jason, " she continued. Jason looked at her in surprise. "You have always accepted Carly for who she is. Sure, she has made your life miserable sometimes, but no matter what you have been there for her. Loving her in spite of all the craziness. I wish I could have been that accepting of her. But she is so lucky to have had you in her corner from the beginning."

"After the accident, Carly was the first person I met that didn't want something from me. I mean, she didn't look at me and see Jason Quartermaine like everyone else. She just saw me, which at the time, wasn't much. I was sort of lost. I guess we both were. Like lost souls without a home. And that's what she gave me. A home."

"I think you gave each other a home, " Bobbie said reassuringly. "You know, Carly is miserable with A.J."

"Where is A.J. anyway?" Jason asked, standing up. Bobbie stood as well.

"I haven't been able to reach him, " she said. "Luke went to the Quartermaines to try and find him." They both turned when the operating doctor, Dr. Phillips, came into the waiting area. "How is she?"

"There was damage to one of her kidneys, but we were able to repair that during surgery. So a transplant will not be needed. However, she was bleeding internally in her uterus region."

"Were you able to stop it?" Bobbie asked.

"Yes, but unfortunately, her uterus was left badly scarred, " Dr. Phillips said hesitantly.

"What are you saying?" Jason asked.

"The damage is quite extensive. If she survives, she won't be able to have any more children." Bobbie gasped, and clutched her heart.

"What do you mean 'if she survives'?" Jason asked.

"She lost a lot of blood in the attack. Couple that with the internal bleeding, it's still pretty touch and go. And we're concerned that she might hemorrhage. Right now she's still critical, but if she makes it through the night, I'll be more optimistic. We'll monitor her very closely, and let you know of any changes."

"Can we see her?" Bobbie asked.

"Yes, but immediate family only, and only briefly."

"I'll be here, " Jason told Bobbie. Bobbie looked at the man her daughter loved so much, and hugged him. Then she followed Dr. Phillips into the ICU area. Jason stared at the swinging double doors.

It was worse than he had imagined. Even if she survived, there would be no more children for Carly. He closed his eyes, and tilted his head back.

"Jason?"

Jason eyes snapped open. Elizabeth was standing beside him. He hadn't even heard her approach.

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I heard about Carly on the news. I thought you could use some company, " she said, reaching out to touch his arm. Jason moved his arm away from her. Elizabeth felt a jab of pain in her heart.

"You shouldn't be here, " he told her.

"And neither should you."

Jason looked beyond Elizabeth, and saw A.J. standing with Luke.

Bobbie looked down at her daughter. Carly was hooked up to an I.V., and there was a tube in her nose helping her to breathe. She was very pale from the loss of blood, except for the bruises across her forehead and left cheek. Bobbie assumed she must have gotten those when whoever did this had thrown her to the ground.

She bit back tears, as she took Carly's hand in hers.

"I haven't been there for so much of your life, " she whispered. "I missed your first steps, your first words, your first A. And I missed you wanting to wear makeup when you were too young, and your first date. There was so much. But I want you to know that I am here now. And you have to pull out of this so we can start catching up on all those missed moments."

**************************

"What the hell are you doing here, Jason? You're not Carly's husband. You're not even immediate family, " A.J. snarled. Jason stared at him, his eyes ice blue.

"Jason, maybe we should go, " Elizabeth suggested.

"I have as much right to be here as you do, " Jason said, his eyes never leaving A.J.'s. A.J. laughed cruelly.

"I don't think so, considering I put those rings on her finger, " he said. Jason knew differently, but said nothing. "So why don't you just get the hell out of here. It's probably because of you that Carly is in that bed!"

"Jason is a good man! He would never harm anyone, " Elizabeth shouted, stepping in front of Jason.

"Elizabeth, " Jason began.

"Oh, isn't that cute. You travel with your very own cheering section." A.J. said sarcastically.

"Go to hell, " Jason said. He could feel his fists clenching at his sides.

"Hey, Cain and Abel, " Luke said, moving forward between the two men. "If the two of you are trying to recreate the first few books of the bible, then take that crap outside. This is the last thing Carly needs."

"What's going on?" Bobbie asked, coming back out into the waiting area.

"How's Carly?" A.J. asked. Bobbie looked at Jason first, then to her son-in-law.

"She's critical. The stabbing scarred her uterus, so she won't be able to have any more children, " she said it quietly, so Elizabeth wouldn't hear. A.J. turned toward Jason.

"I guess you no longer have any use for her, " he snarled. Jason punched him, knocking him to the floor, before he even thought about it.

"Jason!" Bobbie and Elizabeth exclaimed together. Luke stood over A.J., a smirk on his face. He felt the little prick deserved that and more. He had no illusions about his niece, but he knew that she had married something lower than her.

A nurse ran into the area.

"We cannot have this! This is a place for healing, " she said firmly. A.J. rubbed a trickle of blood from his mouth. His lip had been split.

"I want this man forbidden to see my wife. Do you hear me?" he asked the nurse. " He is not allowed in her room or even in this vicinity. And if you have a problem with it, take it up with the Chief of Staff, my mother."

Bobbie looked at A.J. and shook her head in disbelief. She held Jason's arm, and escorted him down the hall.

"Jason, " she began.

"It's okay, Bobbie. I shouldn't have let him get to me, " Jason said. He saw Elizabeth standing a few feet behind him. "I should go."

"I'll call you, " Bobbie said. "She would want you here, Jason." She looked into his eyes to make sure her meaning was clear. Jason understood. Bobbie would call when A.J. was gone.

"Thank you, " he said. They hugged once more. Bobbie caressed his face, and then went back to the waiting room area. Elizabeth approached Jason slowly.

"Hey, you wanna get some coffee or something?" she asked.

"No, " he said. "Look, Liz, I meant what I said earlier. You shouldn't be here." Jason turned and left. Elizabeth watched him go with hopeful eyes.

"If she dies, then we can be together, " she said under her breath.

******************************

Sonny stepped off the elevator of his building. It had been a long night full of tense meetings, but things had progressed in his favor. So he felt a sense of satisfaction. He opened the door to his PH, and flipped the light switch.

Jason stood before him with a .45 pointing at his head.

"Now it's your turn, " Jason said. "We have business to discuss."

Chapter Eleven

Sonny closed the door to his penthouse, but didn't look away from his visitor. Jason continued to point the gun at his head. Sonny smirked somewhat and walked over to his bar.

"Can I get you a brandy?" he asked nonchalantly. He was calm on the exterior, but he was thinking of how quickly he could pull his gun. He poured brandy into a snifter.

"You can give me some fucking answers, " Jason said coldly. "Who ordered the hit on Carly? You or Sorel?"

"Somebody took Carly out?" Sonny asked innocently, turning around. He sipped his brandy, letting the liquor swirl around his tongue briefly.

"You tell me, " Jason said.

"What? Are you gonna kill me cause somebody got tired of your little whore's mouth?"

"What do you know?" Jason demanded. His patience was wearing thin.

"I know nothing, all right!" Sonny shouted. "I don't know a goddamn thing about a hit on Carly. But I gotta tell you, whoever did it, they should give him a medal. The world is better off without that cancer."

"Whoever did it failed."

"I thought you said somebody took her out?"

"You said that. Somebody tried." Jason said.

"Too bad they didn't succeed. I gotta tell you, Jason, you're better off without that dead weight around your neck, always yammering around." Sonny opened and closed his empty hand for emphasis.

"The only dead weight I ever carried was you, " Jason said, as he moved closer to Sonny. "But that can be easily dropped." He stood within two feet of Sonny. His arm was extended, and the gun was only inches from Sonny's head. Sonny didn't look at the gun, but at Jason's eyes. He knew he could get to his gun in less than a second. He wondered if that would be enough time.

A knock at the door ended the standoff. Jason's mouth twitched, and he stepped back.

"I guess it's your turn to be saved," he said. "This isn't over." He kept the gun extended as he moved to the door. He dropped his arm, and opened the door, his eyes never leaving Sonny. It had been Johnny, one of Sonny's bodyguards, knocking.

"Jason!" Johnny said in surprise. He hadn't seen Jason around for weeks, and had thought he was dead. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"It's okay, Johnny, " Jason said, his eyes still on Sonny. "We're through for now." And then he was gone. Sonny stared after him for a second. The situation had escalated, and he knew that he had to take certain steps.

"Johnny, " he said, "get Lorenzo and bring the car around. I wanna take a ride."

********************************

Jason left through the servant's entrance of Harbor View Towers. He moved around quietly in the dark, trying to figure out his next move. He used to be able to tell if people were lying, but he was so close to this situation, it was clouding his mind. One thing he knew for sure, was that Sonny was now his enemy. He would have to be careful.

The ringing of his cell phone interrupted the relative quiet of the night. He stood back in the shadows and answered. It was Bobbie.

"A.J.'s on his way home in the next few minutes. He said he wanted to be home before Michael woke up for Christmas, " she said hurriedly. Jason closed his eyes briefly. He had forgotten that it was Christmas.

"I'm on my way," he said.

*********************************

"Stop here, " Sonny ordered. They were by the beach. It had been a quiet three hour drive in his black Cadillac. Johnny had driven, with Lorenzo sitting up front with him.

Sonny got out of the car and smelled the salt water in the air. It was right before daybreak on Christmas morning. A new beginning, he thought.

"Johnny, come here and look at this, " he called. Johnny walked forward and stood next to him. They were standing on a sandy bank, overlooking the beach. Sonny pointed toward where the sun was rising in the east. He moved slightly to the side, so Johnny could see what he was pointing at.

"Sir?" Johnny asked. He didn't know what he was supposed to be seeing. He never felt the bullet enter his brain. His lifeless body fell to the ground. Sonny looked down at him, the shiny, black gun in his hand.

He had always liked Johnny. But he was supposed to be watching the door that night. Had he done his job, Jason never would have been able to get in. Mistakes like that could no longer go unpunished. It was time that a message be sent.

"Lorenzo, " he said, and motioned for him to come over. Lorenzo had seen what happened to Johnny, and was now fearful for his own life. He walked over slowly.

"Yes, sir?" he asked, hoping that the fear didn't creep into his voice. Sonny heard it, and smiled to himself. Mission accomplished.

"Take a look at Johnny, " he said, pointing to the body of his bodyguard. "He made a costly error. You tell the rest of the men that Jason Morgan is no longer part of my organization. They are not to speak to him, or have any kind of contact with him. Jason Morgan is to be terminated if he comes anywhere near me or my territory. Mistakes will not be tolerated."

"Yes, sir" Lorenzo said, quietly thanking God that he too would not be executed. Sonny looked at him, his eyes black as midnight.

"Are you understanding what I am saying?" he asked, putting his arm on Lorenzo's shoulder. Lorenzo nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Good, " Sonny said and patted his shoulder. "Dump the body."

***********************

A.J. walked out of the hospital. There was a smile upon his face, as he took his cell phone out and dialed.

"Jeffrey?" he said, into the phone. "Yes, I realize that it is five o'clock in the morning. But that's why I pay you three hundred dollars an hour. "

He paused listening to his lawyer grumbling about it being a holiday, and that he had awaken his kids. A.J. brushed that aside with his hand.

"Listen, Carly was attacked tonight. She was stabbed several times, and might not make it." He listened as Jeffrey expressed his condolences. "Yes, thank you, but that's not my concern. What are the possibilities of me being able to get a divorce while she's in a non-communicative state?" He paused again as Jeffrey tried to hide his surprise, and then began mumbling about precedents.

"Yes, well get on it, " A.J. snapped, cutting him off. "I'll be waiting at your office within an hour, and we can go over all of that then." He hung up before Jeffrey could respond.

A.J. smiled cruelly as he thought about how surprised Carly would be if she woke up no longer a Quartermaine. He had planned to keep her around, mostly to torture her. But he had planned on eventually having more children to follow his legacy. The idea had come to him one day, while he thought over the future of ELQ. One child would not be enough to guarantee that ELQ would stay within his control. He had thought about his father becoming a doctor, instead of going into the family business, and that his Aunt Tracy had been a traitor to the family. God forbid Michael decided to follow in either of their footsteps, and the company would fall to his cousin Ned and his daughter Brooke.

No, A.J. needed to do whatever he could to secure that he would control ELQ for the foreseeable future. But now that Carly could no longer bear children, she was disposable. Sure, he would miss torturing her on a daily basis. But he would do everything in his power to guarantee that she would not get custody of Michael, and that in itself was a whole new kind of torture.

He laughed as he stepped off the curb, and headed towards his Mercedes SLK. He was going to enjoy this.

**********************************

Jason stepped out of the shadows by the hospital entrance. He had overheard A.J.'s conversation with his lawyer and was seething with quiet rage. The bastard was going to try and divorce Carly while she was unable to fight back. His hatred for his brother grew with every minute.

He went into the hospital and found Bobbie in the waiting area. She stood when she saw him. They embraced once more.

"Is there any change?" Jason asked, looking toward the double doors that Carly was behind. Bobbie shook her head.

"No, but at this stage, that is not necessarily a bad thing." Her voice was hoarse from crying.

"I need to see her, Bobbie, " Jason said. It wasn't a request, it was a statement.

"I think she would like that, " Bobbie said. As she led him through the double doors to the ICU unit, she knew she was breaking hospital regulations, but she didn't care. She wanted what was best for her daughter, and to her, that was Jason. She stopped right outside of Carly's room.

Jason continued in slowly, and sat down beside her. Anger rose inside him, as he looked at the bruises on her face. He reached out and softly touched the one on her cheek. He would make whoever did this pay.

He took her hand in his, and noticed that her wedding rings had not been removed during surgery. He ran his fingertip across the gold bands, and remembered the day he had placed them on her finger. He lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed the rings.

"Carly, " he said, his voice low. "I'm here."

Chapter Twelve

Jason could hear the hospital staff singing Christmas carols in the background. He rose from where he had been sitting for the last two hours and closed the door to Carly's room. Feeling the Christmas spirit was the farthest thing from his mind. He resumed his place by Carly's bedside.

He rubbed his hands over his eyes, and yawned. He had been awake all night, and it was starting to catch up to him. He looked at Carly, and thought about all that had happened in recent weeks. He remembered the moment he had let his guard down, and kissed her. He remembered how surprised and happy she had been. And then he thought about her walking down Sonny's stairs, wearing nothing but his shirt. How had they gotten from one point to the next?

He rose from the chair, and paced around the room. During the last three hours he had gone over those moments, trying to remember how things had gone so wrong. He had known for months that he had loved Carly. Why hadn't he told her before? Would it have made a difference? Deep down, he felt that it wouldn't have.

Carly had always been a reactor. She would see or hear something, and act without thinking. It was one of the things that infuriated him with her. She never thought about the consequences of her actions until after the walls had come tumbling down.

He stopped pacing, as he saw her stirring in the bed. He quickly moved beside her, and took her hand. Her eyes opened. She looked around the room before her gaze rested on Jason.

"Hey," Jason said softly. Carly opened her mouth to speak, but Jason stopped her. "Don't talk yet. Let me go get Bobbie." He got up to leave, but Carly grabbed onto his hand tightly.

"Don't leave me, " she whispered faintly. Jason stared into her pleading eyes, and sat back down. For a few seconds, all they did was look into each others eyes.

"What happened?" she finally asked. Her mouth was dry and her voice sounded weak in her own ears.

"You were stabbed," Jason said slowly. He didn't know if he should be telling her this or not. His concerned was doubled when he saw the horrified look on her face. "Carly?"

"I remember, " she began, tears escaping her eyes, "I remember walking from Luke's, and somebody grabbed me..." She trailed off, as the memory blurred. Jason held her hand tighter, and wiped the tears from her cheek.

"Am I going to be all right?" she asked, hesitantly.

"You lost a lot of blood, and there was some damage to one of your kidneys, but the doctors pretty much fixed that." Carly stared into Jason's eyes.

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked. Jason looked into her eyes, and knew he couldn't lie to her.

"There was some damage to your uterus, " he paused, not knowing how to continue. Carly held her breath as she waited. "You can't, you can't have any more children." Carly's face crumbled, and the tears came heavily.

"No!" she sobbed. Jason moved closer to her and held her face, as she cried. He had known that the news would devastate her.

"Carly," he said, "You've got to think about Michael. Think about how beautiful he is, and how lucky you are to have him." Carly leaned back into her pillow. Jason once again wiped tears away from her face. "Michael, " she said on another sob. "My beautiful baby boy. I wouldn't even have him, if it weren't for you." She thought about how Michael had been born premature, and how Jason had had to make the decision for a life-saving heart surgery.

"No, all I did was carry you to the hospital and sign some papers, " Jason said, remembering that hectic night two years earlier. Tomorrow was Michael's birthday.

"You're always coming to my rescue." Her voice was quiet, almost thoughtful.

"You rescued me too, you know, " Jason said, just as quietly. Carly turned her head to face him, but he was staring at the rings on the hand he was holding. "When you showed up on my doorstep that night, you rescued me from a life that was filled with nothing. You gave me so much, and I'm not just talking about Michael." He lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed it.

Carly smiled sadly through her tears, and reached across with her other hand, and caressed his cheek. He looked up, his eyes glistening with tears, and she felt a deep ache that had nothing to do with her wounds. Why had she thrown this away? For what?

"I'm glad to see you're awake, " Bobbie said from the doorway. Both Jason and Carly turned and looked at her, their hands still clasped. Bobbie walked into the dimly lit room, and smiled for the first time since she had been at Luke's.

"Jason, I'm going to check Carly's wounds, so I need you to step outside for awhile. Also, the Quartermaines are bound to start popping in, " she said, as she moved to the other side of Carly. Jason nodded, and stood. Carly quickly tightened her grip on his hand.

"Come back, " she said. Jason smiled at her.

"I will, " he said, and walked out of the room. Carly watched him leave, but she was hopeful. She was confident he was coming back. Maybe for good.

*********************

Emily walked into Kelly's and sighed heavily. She saw Elizabeth behind the counter pouring coffee.

"Hey, " she said, as she sat down on a stool. Elizabeth smiled at her.

"It's Christmas, what are you doing here?" she asked, pouring her friend a cup of coffee.

"Well, last night Carly was attacked, so the whole house is in an uproar, " she said, as she sipped the hot coffee.

"Yeah, I know. I went to the hospital last night." Emily frowned over the rim of her cup.

"Why would you go the hospital for Carly?" she asked.

"I went to be with Jason, " Elizabeth said. Emily put her cup down, and stared at her friend intently.

"You went for Jason? Jason was there? And even still, why would you go to be with my brother? What's going on with you two?" Elizabeth smiled secretly.

"Well, we're close now. And I thought he might need me, " she said coyly. "And besides, the last things he needs is to be worried about Carly of all people." Elizabeth moved from behind the counter, and began to clear off an empty table. Emily swirled around on her stool.

"You'll get no argument from me about Carly. I'll never understand why Jason even cares about her, considering all she's done, " Emily agreed. "I still don't understand what that has to do with you."

"Well, Jason and I are sort of a couple now, " Elizabeth said, as she piled dirty dishes into a basin. Emily's jaw dropped.

"You're what?" she asked, spinning Elizabeth around. Elizabeth smiled widely.

"Don't make a big deal out of it, okay? We're trying to keep it quiet, " she said, excitement in her voice. Emily looked at her skeptically. She knew her brother, and this didn't sound like him.

"Liz, I don't know why you think that, but I think you may have the wrong idea, " she said slowly. Elizabeth's eyes narrowed.

"What are you saying? That Jason wouldn't want to be with me?" she asked, her hands on her hips.

"No! Of course not. I'm just saying that you're a little young for him."

"What Jason and I have transcends age!" Elizabeth snapped. "Why don't you just go back to playing kissy-face with Juan. Jason and I have an adult relationship."

"Look, I don't know what you think you have with Jason, but let me tell you something," Emily snapped back. "What Juan and I have is real, not some made-up fantasy. Now, I don't know what is going on with you, but you need to snap out of it!"

"I'll tell you what is going on with me!" Elizabeth yelled. "I am so sick and tired of being treated like a child. I am eighteen. And it is not my problem if you cannot accept that your brother realizes it, and you don't."

Elizabeth stormed out of the restaurant. Emily shook her head, and wondered what was going on with her.

****************************

Carmine Sorel was running out of patience. He wanted the Jason Morgan situation taken care of yesterday, but as of this moment, he was still alive. He smiled absently at his wife, Louisa, as she helped their children open their Christmas presents.

"Mr. Sorel, you have a phone call, " his maid announced. He checked his watch. He had been expecting a call from Sonny Corinthos, but this was an hour early.

"Louisa, help Carmine, Jr. with his train set, while I take this call, " he said to his wife, as he got up. He walked down the hall into the private office of his Port Charles estate.

"This is Sorel, " he said into the phone. He was met with dead silence. "Hello?"

He didn't see the figure behind him, until it was too late. The gun crashed against his face, and he blacked out.

Jason stared down at him, his eyes cold as ice.

Chapter Thirteen

Blood ran profusely from Sorel's nose. Jason stared, while Sorel tried to stop the flow with his hands.

"You fucking bastard! I will have your balls pickled for this!" Sorel shouted through his hands. Jason was unaffected be the threats. He leaned on the edge of the expansive desk, looking down at the man who had been a thorn in his side for awhile.

"You're not in any position to be making threats, Sorel, " he said flatly.

"You think you can come into my home, and disrespect me and my family? Then you are even more brain damaged than I thought. My men will make you unrecognizable to that little boy who called you Daddy." Jason's eyes darkened at the mention of Michael.

"It would be a shame for us to involve families. Considering yours is right down the hall, " he said quietly, leaning forward. Sorel looked into his eyes, and hated him with everything in him.

"You will pay, " he said angrily. Jason stood up.

"Not today, " Jason said, and aimed the gun. Sorel began to laugh softly. "It's good that you find your own death humorous."

"No, I find you humorous, " Sorel said, his laughter dying quickly. "You don't even know where your greatest danger lies."

"Meaning what?" Jason asked. The phone on the desk began ringing. Sorel smiled.

"Answer, and you will know, " he said. Jason looked at Sorel, his eyes squinting. He reached back, and picked up the phone, his eyes never leaving Sorel. He didn't say anything.

"Sorel?" the voice on the other end said. Everything inside of Jason froze. It was Sonny. Sorel, realizing his window of opportunity, lunged at Jason. Jason dropped the phone, and tried to get Sorel off of him.

Sorel grabbed the gun, and as the wrestled for control, it went off. Screams erupted from somewhere in the house. Jason kneed Sorel in the groin, and got control of the gun, just as the doors to the office slammed open. Jason only caught a brief glimpse of Sorel's bodyguards, before he ducked and jumped out of the open window he had come through.

He ran across the snow covered grounds, as gunshots blasted behind him. He ran into the trees, and past the bodies of the two bodyguards he had killed earlier. He jumped on his motorcycle, as the men chasing him came out into the road. Gunshots continued to ring out, as he pulled off. He felt a sting in his left arm, but he was alive.

************************************

Elizabeth watched Carly sleep. She was amazed that someone so evil could look so peaceful in sleep. She smirked at the slight smile on Carly's face. She would do whatever she could to wipe it off.

She looked around the hospital room. There was an I.V. attached inserted in Carly's arms. She wondered what would happen if she injected air into the tube. People would think it was fitting end to a wasted life. She ran her fingers down the wire. With Carly out of the way, Jason would be all hers. It would be so easy. So easy.

"Elizabeth?" She turned around startled. It was Mr. Spencer, Lucky's father. She had been lost deep in her thoughts, she hadn't even heard him come in. She smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Luke asked.

"I was just seeing how Carly was doing, " she said, a touch of sorrow in her voice. "For Jason, since he's not allowed to come see her."

Luke nodded his head, but he wasn't convinced. Elizabeth was a nice enough girl, but she seemed too edgy.

"Well, only family is allowed in here, so you should -"

"Go, " Elizabeth finished. "I understand." As she walked out the door, Luke watched her go with curious eyes. Something was definitely off about her.

"Jason?" Carly said, sleepily. Luke turned his attention to his troublesome niece. Carly focused her eyes, and frowned.

"Oh, it's you, " she said. "I thought I heard voices."

"That was me and Elizabeth Webber, " Luke said, taking a seat beside her. Carly looked from her uncle to the open door with surprise.

"Elizabeth Webber?" she said. "What did the two of you come to finish off the job? I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't arrange this little visit to the hospital." Luke laughed.

"Sweetheart, if I had arranged this, we would be visiting you in the morgue, " he said, leaning over. Carly rolled her eyes.

"Oh, joy, that's comforting, " she said. "So, if you didn't come to kill me, what are you doing here?"

"Ahhhh, the million dollar question. It's no secret that you're not my favorite niece."

"That's funny, I'm your only niece, " Carly interrupted.

"But you are a Spencer, " Luke continued over her. "And when a Spencer gets hurt or in trouble, then we stick together. So, that sweet Caroline, is the reason why I am here."

Carly was stunned. She looked at her uncle, a man who had been her tormentor. She didn't know how to respond to him including her in "his" family, even if it was only because she was in the hospital.

"That and the nurses in the short skirts, of course." Carly couldn't help but laugh, and he laughed with her.

"Of course, " she said, wiping away the single tear that had crept down her face.

"Am I interrupting?" A.J. asked from the doorway.

"No, I was just leaving, " Luke said, standing up. "See you around, Caroline." Luke gave A.J. the once over, before he walked out. He did not like the junior Quartermaine, and he had a feeling his niece felt the same way.

"Hello, my dear, " A.J. said snidely, as he entered the room. He sat in the seat vacated by Luke.

"What do you want, A.J.?" Carly didn't feel ready to battle with her husband. He smiled.

"Well, I heard that my beautiful wife was awake, so I just had to come and spread some holiday cheer. Especially since you missed Michael opening his presents. But I brought a present just for you." He reached into his suit jacket, and tossed an envelope on her lap.

"What is it?" Carly asked suspiciously.

"Open it, " A.J. said, gesturing towards it. Carly slowly reached for it, and opened the thick envelope.

"I don't understand, " she said, after skimming the first few lines.

"Let me make it clear for you, my sweet. I'm divorcing you." The smile was gone from his face, and he looked at Carly with hatred.

"You can't do this!" Carly said.

"Oh, but I can, " A.J. said, his voice victorious. "If you notice, I decided to be nice and not use adultery as grounds. For the family's sake. Irreconcilable differences will suffice. But don't have any illusions about Michael. My son will stay with me. Merry Christmas."

A.J. stood, and turned toward the door.

"You bastard! Jason will help me fight you!" Carly yelled. She was shaking with rage and fear. A.J. laughed.

"Jason's the bastard. I'm the legitimate Quartermaine. And you fucked me over for the last time. Sweet dreams, sweetheart." A.J. walked out the door, a vicious smile on his face. He got her!

Carly lay in her bed, tears streaming down her face. She pounded the bed in frustration, and was rewarded with searing pain in her abdomen. She had to calm down. She wiped the tears from her face. She would wait for Jason, she thought. For once, she would wait for Jason, instead of reacting. He would help her.

********************************************************

Emily was surprised when she saw Jason holding Michael. She had been coming to say goodnight to her nephew and godson, but instead had found Jason holding Michael tightly.

"Jason?" she asked. "What's going on?"

Jason wiped tears from his eyes, and kissed the boy that had been his son, on the top of his head. He laid him back down on the bed. When he leaned down, Emily noticed the bullet hole in his leather jacket.

"Jason! You're arm!" she exclaimed, reaching over to touch it. He moved her hand away.

"It's just a scratch, I'm fine, " he said absently. He looked at his sister, and realized how much he loved her.

"Emily, I have to leave, " he said.

"No, A.J.'s at the hospital visiting Carly. It's okay." Jason sighed heavily, and ran his hand across the stubble on his chin.

"No, I mean leave Port Charles, " he said. Emily's eyes widened.

"Why, Jason? What's going on?" she asked, becoming scared.

"I can't tell you, it's business. But it's not safe for me here any more."

"Is this about Sonny?" Jason's face hardened.

"You're staying away from him, right?"

"Yes, of course." Emily said. Jason breathed a sigh of relief. "When are you leaving?"

"Tonight."

"Are you coming back?" she asked hesitantly. Jason looked into her eyes.

"I don't know, " he said truthfully. "But no matter what, you have to watch over Michael. Don't let them destroy his spirit." Emily nodded, as she started crying. "Come here." Jason hugged his sister.

"I love you, Jason" she sobbed. Jason closed his eyes.

"I love you too, " he said. He separated from her, and smiled. "Take care of yourself."

"You too, " she whispered. Jason patted Michael on his head one more time, and then he walked out. He had a couple of stops to make.

*********************************************************

Carly felt a presence in her room. She had dozed off again, weary from her confrontation with A.J.

"Jason?" she said, as she opened her eyes. There was no one in the room with her. Had she been dreaming? She was reaching for the buzzer to call the nurse, when something fell out of her hand.

She reached over and picked up the shiny object.

It was the Caroline keychain.

**********************************************************

The cold air made Sorel's bandaged nose throb. He and two of his bodyguards approached Sonny Corinthos, in the abandoned warehouse.

"I understand you had a little difficulty today, " Sonny said casually, as Sorel approached. Sorel glared at Sonny. He truly despised this man.

"Thank you for your assistance. A warning of Morgan's arrival would have been appreciated, " he said. Sonny, smiled.

"What do you want me to say?" he said, rubbing his gloved hands together. "I told you that once we had Carly stabbed, Jason would come looking for you. Is it my fault that you were not prepared? By the way, I thought our arrangement was that Carly would be killed?"

"Time was short. But that can be taken care of." Sonny shook his head.

"I'll take care of Carly from this point on. But here's a warning for you, Jason has disappeared. You should watch your back, " Sonny said, and then walked away.

"So should you, " Sorel said under his breath.

*************************************************************

"Can I get you a cocktail?"

Jason waved the stewardess aside, and settled back into his seat. The plane had been airborne for twenty minutes, but he refused to relax. He had left a lot of loose ends in Port Charles. One day he would go back to tie them up.

He looked down at the picture of Michael and Carly he carried in his wallet.

Yes, he would definitely be going back.