~ Blonde Ambition ~
Chapter 5

Jason once again awoke drenched in sweat. His dream had changed this time. Carly was hurt, crying, begging for him to return. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. He peeled off the wet t-shirt and grabbed another from a nearby chair.

Just a little bit longer and he'd be home. Maybe that's why his dream had changed. He still didn't know how he was going to react when he saw her again. It still hurt. More than he was willing to admit, even to himself. He sucked in a deep breath and dug the heels of his palms into his eye sockets. His eyes stung. The kind of sting from lack of sleep and sheer exhaustion.

He glanced at his watch as he raked a hand through his hair. 1:15 p.m. Jax would be by soon with the final update of the transactions from last night. They had been up till the crack of dawn dissecting and sabotaging Sonny's business holdings in Port Charles.

He sat on one of the couches and began sifting through a few files that were sitting on the coffee table. All they needed to do to throw off Sonny was to concentrate on his largest investments. He knew that Sonny was trying to secure more legit holdings and from the mountains of paperwork that Jason had obtained, Jax proposed setting up one of his lesser known companies to be the sacrificial lamb. This particular company, Tanlin, was set to go up on the stock market for public trade and Jax knew that Sonny had been eyeing it for months. Sonny wasn't just trying to buy shares of Tanlin, he was trying to take a page out of Jax's book and take it over.

In order for Sonny to acquire the needed legitimate money to buy the new shares of Tanlin, he would have to put up his ELQ shares. Unfortunately for Sonny, that meant that Jax would be wide open to buy them from right under his nose. And as much as Jax hated to lose Tanlin, he would sacrifice it and let it be declared bankrupt. When all was said and done, Sonny's only Port Charles holdings would be his half of the warehouse which would later be discovered no longer belonged to him.

The light knocking at his door shook Jason out of his thoughts and he rose from the couch with a wince. The lack of sleep over the past few days was starting to make its presence known. When he opened the door he wasn't surprised to see that Jax looked to be as exhausted as him. Jax entered the room quietly and took a seat on one of the couches. Jason followed him and sat on the opposite couch facing him.

Jax rubbed his face with his hands looking around the room. "You have any coffee?"

Jason shook his head silently with a small shrug. Jax settled in and began to update him on the transactions that had occurred in the past few hours.

"I have good news," he began. "Tanlin went on the market early this morning and as we planned, Corinthos put his ELQ stock up for bid. Tanlin crashed hard and it's now on its way to becoming bankrupt and Sonny's ELQ shares belong to Jax Corp."

"Did you talk to your people?"

"Yeah and here it is," Jax continued handing him a thick stack of documents. "The Corinthos-Morgan Warehouse has been sold to one 'Red Stevens' approximately one month ago. Notarized and certified copies have been mailed to Sonny. The government can't touch you, Jason. Everything was done legitimately, the documents just happened to be misfiled and mailed late. When all is said and done with Corinthos, you can repurchase the warehouse with no repercussions."

"Good. And our agreement, half of Sonny's ELQ stock goes back to me. . ."

"Or you turn Jerry into the feds."

Jason smirked at him. "Right."

"I'm offended that you won't take my word on this, Jason," Jax told him with a large smile.

Jason shook his head and tried to hide his own grin. "Too bad."

Jax chuckled despite himself. "Smart move, it's actually something I would have done," he admitted.

"What's left?"

"Well," Jax glanced at his watch, "It's just after 12:00 p.m. in Port Charles, Corinthos should have been notified by now that his ELQ stock and Tanlin are gone and he won't know about the warehouse until we get back . . . You're sure that there was no clause between the two of you that one couldn't sell without the other's consent?"

Jason nodded looking through the documents. "I made sure Alexis put that in there before we started the business." He scratched his cheek in thought focusing his gaze back on him. "Have you talked to her?"

Jax slowly shook his head. "No. I haven't had a chance. This," he pointed to the numerous files on the coffee table, "took longer that I thought and when I did get a chance, it was too late to call her."

"Jax, she needs to drop him . . ."

He held up his hand already knowing the situation. "I just wanted to update you first. My ex-wife is next on the list." He watched Jason carefully. "You realize that Alexis is going to ask for proof. Proof that we have, but it will give up our location."

Jason nodded his head slowly, realizing that it was inevitable that Sonny would know who was after him and their locale. "Yeah, I know. See if you can get her to do it without the info."

Jax simply raised an eyebrow. "Easier said than done."

"I know," he muttered. "Work on her, Jax. She trusts you."

Jax walked away from Jason and out onto the balcony pulling out his cell phone. He took in a deep breath and dialed the familiar phone number.

"Alexis Davis," she answered brightly.

"Hello, ex-wife."

Alexis slipped off her glasses and smiled at the familiar voice and the well used term of endearment. "Good morning, ex-husband. Or is it evening wherever you are?"

"Actually, sweetheart, you're running an hour behind me," he grinned. "So how's my favorite ex-wife doing this fine morning?"

Although he couldn't see her, she tried to hide the sadness she felt. "She'd be better if her ex-husband would get his butt home." She paused slightly. "I miss you, Jax. I'm worried about you and I think you should come home to recoup. You sound exhausted and I would bet you a million dollars that you haven't been sleeping."

Jax shook his head and chuckled unsurprised at how well she knew him. "I'm getting plenty of sleep," he lied.

"You're lying," she countered quickly.

As Jax spoke to Alexis, Jason continued to sit on the couch, trying not to overhear, but impossible not to do so. He wondered if he would be able to have that type of conversation with Carly one day or if what had happened between them had killed any chance of any type of reconciliation. He shook his head tiredly. This was taking a bigger toll on him than he thought. His focus went back to Jax who had managed to steer his conversation with Alexis onto Sonny.

"Alexis, listen to me. You need to drop Corinthos, especially with this Carly thing."

"First of all, how do you know about that and secondly why do you care?"

"Alexis, for Christ's sake. Do you really think it's safe for a child to be around him?"

She paused slightly avoiding the question. "Why are you calling me about this, Jax?"

"Sonny is running illegal operations that could discredit your standing as a first-rate attorney, Alexis. Harmless individuals are being run over simply for his own gain and benefit. He's a criminal and he's going to drag you into the mud with him."

"Jax--"

"Alexis, I know you don't like Carly very much, but he's been harassing her. Threatening her."

She was taken aback by his statement. "What? How would you know that if it's true?"

"I just do," he answered calmly.

"Jax, I'm done with this conversation. Sonny Corinthos has the right to be represented as much as you or any of my friends do."

"Do you love me?" he asked her quietly.

"What? Jax, what are you--"

"Do you love me?" he repeated.

"Of course I love you, you jerk," she replied confused. "You're my best friend even though sometimes I wonder why I put--"

"Do you know what I'm doing?" he asked interrupting her.

"Jax, please--"

"I'm looking for any possible lead that I can get my hands on that will finally lead me back to Brenda." He paused slightly, staring out into the ocean as he did so. Thoughts of Brenda invaded his thoughts and he quickly tried to shove them away. "Alexis," he began again, "your client, Corinthos, he sent me a tip saying that Brenda was in Paris. That she was sick and in pain," he voice cracked in remembrance. "I knew in my head it was too good to be true, but I went anyways. It was a fake, Alexis. He sent me there hoping and praying that Brenda would be there, but it was just a lie." When he received no response in return, he tried again. "Alexis?"

She cleared her throat in pain for her friend. "He wouldn't do that, Jax," she told him unconvincingly.

"Are you sure?" She remained silent because she wasn't. He walked back inside the room and walked over to the fax machine. He cast a glance at Jason who nodded his head. "I have proof, Alexis. You should be receiving it in any minute over your fax."

She walked over to her fax machine and watched as the various sheets began to pile in front of her. She looked at them carefully as her anger began to build.

"You there?" he asked after a few moments.

"Jax, I'm so sorry," she told him softly.

"Don't be. You didn't do this. I just wanted you to see who you're representing. What he's capable of."

"You're in mourning and already in so much pain. How could he . . ." There was silence on the line for a tense moment. "The little greasy rat bastard!" Alexis finally seethed. "He'll regret this, Jax, I promise you. He won't get away with it. I can't believe he would do this to you or to anyone for that matter."

Even though the phone was pressed to Jax' ear, Jason could hear Alexis loud and clear and he tried to hold back his laugh. Although they had their differences, he had to admit that he liked Alexis. She did the almost impossible and got him joint custody of Michael when he desperately wanted it. She was smart and resourceful and he knew that Sonny had the upper hand if she was in his corner. Judging by the sounds of things, he wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

"Who the hell does he think he is, playing God with people's emotions?" Alexis continued to vent. "And I can't believe I fell for his little pathetic sympathy act. The little weasel. He'll pay Jax. I swear on everything that he'll regret the day he was born. You shouldn't have to be dealing with this on top of everything else. Only someone cruel and hateful could make this happen."

"Alexis, sweetheart, I'm ok, really. But I'll be better if you drop him."

"Consider it done," she agreed. "I'll let him know that I resign effective immediately."

"Good, thank you," Jax told her with a sigh. "Do me another favor and don't show him the information you have. I don't want him to know where or how I got it."

"I can do that."

"Now, promise me you'll be careful with him," he asked her softly.

She grinned despite herself. "The day a Cassadine cowers under a Corinthos, hell will surely freeze over."

"Alexis, I'm serious," Jax told her, his voice growing edgy. "Don't confront him about anything. You don't know what he's capable of."

"He won't hurt me," she told him defiantly thinking of ways to enact her revenge on Sonny.

"You don't know that," Jax sighed. "Look what he's doing to Carly and she's carrying his child. He wouldn't think twice about going after you." Jason sat up quickly not liking the turn in their conversation. "Promise me, Alexis. You go to him and drop him, but don't threaten him or antagonize him. I know you can handle yourself," he paused slightly. "But don't push your luck when it comes to Corinthos."

She paused, not wanting to agree. The need to hurt Sonny in the same manner he had hurt Jax ran deep in her blood. But she wouldn't be another reason for Jax to worry. So she would concede . . . for now. "Fine."

He released a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "I'll see you soon, Alexis, I promise."

"And I'm holding you on that promise too. Be careful, Jax. Whatever it is you're up to . . . just be careful," she sighed.

"I will," he answered softly. Jax ended the call and tossed the phone on the couch next to him. He cleared his throat and turned to Jason. Jax was now as emotionally exhausted as he was physically. "It's done. She's going to try to hold out as much as possible from him. We need to make our move now." He continued to stare at Jason. "If he hurts her, Jason," Jax threatened, "I pull the trigger myself."

"She'll be ok."

"Yeah," he barely whispered, his thoughts leading back to Alexis. "I'm leaving today, Jason."

Jason nodded in agreement. "We've done what needs to be done here. There's nothing else to wait for . . . it's time. It's better if we leave on different days. It'll be less suspicious."

"I can have my jet ready for takeoff in a few hours, unless you want to leave earlier."

"No," Jason shook his head. "I'll leave tomorrow or late tonight."

"Good," Jax nodded. "No offense to Alexis, but I want to make sure she stays ok myself."

"I can put someone on her," Jason offered. Jax opened his mouth to protest, but Jason quickly stopped him. "Just temporarily until Sonny's dealt with. She'll never know he's there."

Jax ran a hand down his face. "She'll kill me if she found out, but I don't care. Do it . . . thanks."

Jason simply nodded his head.

"Honestly, getting Alexis away from Corinthos has made this entire ordeal worth it."

"I know what you mean," he muttered softly.

"This is going to work, Jason."

"It better."

"You secured your funds right?"

"Yeah, it's all been transferred to offshore accounts."

"And Sonny?"

"I've made it look like a hit has been put on AJ set up by Sonny. Luke called yesterday and the restraining order has been filed. He'll be arrested if he goes anywhere near Carly or Michael. Sonny's stupid enough to set himself up and violate the restraining order and once he does, they PCPD will have enough to hold him until I get back to Port Charles."

"So everything's set then?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "Finally."

"You ready to go back?" Jax asked him curiously.

"Ready as I'll ever be I guess."

The loud ringing of Jason's cell phone broke their conversation. Jason grabbed the phone from the side table. "Yeah," he answered.

"It's Manny," came the tired reply.

"What happened?" Jason replied immediately.

Manny cleared his throat. "It's not good, Jase and I'm not sure what's happened exactly, but Carly's been taken to General Hospital."

Jason's eyes grew wide with concern and he quickly sat forward. "When? Was it Sonny?"

"It just happened about fifteen minutes ago. Mrs. Spencer took off from the house with Carly in a rush and I followed them here. I can't get any more information without blowing my cover. Lucky stayed behind with the kids and Luke hasn't shown yet. Sonny wasn't anywhere nearby."

Jason sucked in a deep breath as he processed the information. "Get Ricky to watch the house while you're at GH."

Jax's eyes quickly went to Jason at the mention of the hospital.

"If Sonny shows up, call the cops. He's not getting near Carly."

"You got it."

"The second you find out what's wrong, you call me," he rubbed his forehead tiredly and glanced back at Jax. "And Manny put Mike on Alexis Davis, but tell him to keep his distance. If she meets with Sonny, make sure he jumps in if it looks like he's gonna try something."

Jason dropped the phone on the couch and began to pace nervously.

"What is it?" Jax questioned.

"Carly's been admitted to GH, but he doesn't know why." He turned to face Jax. "I need to leave now. I don't care who places us together. We're leaving for Port Charles."

Jax nodded quickly, grabbing his own phone. "I'll call the pilot," he informed him as he walked towards the door. "You have any connections at the airport so that a flight plan can be taken immediately?"

"Yeah, I'll take care of it," Jason told him, quickly picking up the various files that they had been working with and rushing out the door behind Jax.

~~~~~~

Laura wrung her hands as she paced back and forth outside the small room. She recounted the events of that afternoon for the hundredth time. Everything was going so well. She, Carly, Lucky, Michael, and Lulu were having lunch, laughing over something that Lucky had said when Carly doubled over in pain. The cramping wouldn't stop and knowing that she could get Carly faster to the hospital then waiting for an ambulance, she left the kids with Lucky and rushed her over as fast as she could. She called Bobbie on the way and the gurney was waiting when she screeched into the emergency section of the hospital. That had been over an hour ago.

Laura finally sat down next to Bobbie and she reached out to take her hand without looking at her. No words were spoken and the two women silently prayed for the younger Spencer.

~~~~~~

"I'm sorry, Carly," Dr. Meadows told her softly. "But the earlier we caught this, the better. This shouldn't affect you having children in the future, but we need to discuss the proper procedures."

Carly simply nodded her head, the tears falling down her face. "Okay," she whispered.

"Is there anybody you want me to call? The father?"

"No," Carly replied quickly. "Can-can you just get my mother?"

"Of course, she's right outside the room. I'll run out and get her and then we can discuss this further."

Dr. Meadows left the room and Carly's tears continued to fall. Was it her fault? Was this punishment from God? What? More tears fell, and her thoughts went to Jason.

"Oh, God, Jason," she whispered. "Where are you?"

Bobbie came rushing in as soon as Dr. Meadows had called for her.

"Carly? What's going on?"

"Mama," she merely sobbed.

Bobbie turned to Dr. Meadows for an explanation as she hugged Carly.

"The cramping has been persistent since early this afternoon. I did a pelvic exam and ran an ultrasound to check the status of the baby. That's when we discovered that Carly is having a tubal pregnancy. The egg was fertilized outside the uterus and instead in her fallopian tube."

"Oh, no," Bobbie sighed.

"As I told Carly this shouldn't affect her having future children if she should decide to do so, but we need to treat this as soon as possible in order to ensure Carly's safety. I know it's hard to hear right now, Carly, but it's honestly the best thing we caught it this early in the pregnancy."

"It's my fault," Carly cried. "I almost had an abortion and I'm being punished for it."

"No, sweetheart," Bobbie told her running her hand down her hair. "Tubal pregnancies just happen sometimes. It's no one's fault. Certainly not yours."

"Your mother's right, Carly," Dr. Meadows told her. "There's nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening."

"So what happens now?" Carly whispered.

"We have to get you into surgery. Tubal pregnancies can't continue to term and we have to remove the developing cells or you won't survive."

Carly simply nodded knowing that she had no choice. "Alright, I'm ready."

Dr. Meadows nodded once and placed a reassuring hand on Carly's shoulder. "I'll alert the surgery department."

Once Dr. Meadows had left the room, Bobbie once again hugged her daughter and the never-ending tears continued to fall. "Do you need anything, Carly?"

"Jason," she whispered. "I need Jason."

"You're going to have to tell Sonny," she began quietly.

"No, Bobbie!" she replied forcefully.

"Ok, baby," Bobbie sighed not wanting to agitate her any further. "Laura's outside, do you want to see her?"

"Yeah," she whispered.

Bobbie disappeared out into the hallway and returned a few seconds later with Laura. Laura smiled gently at her and a new batch of tears came trailing down Carly's face. "The baby's not gonna make it," Carly told her with a shaky voice.

Laura's own eyes began to well with tears. "Oh, Carly, I'm so sorry." She leaned over and gave her a long hug. "You'll be ok," Laura whispered into her ear. "You're strong, Carly. Don't forget that."

All Carly could do was squeeze her tighter in response.