Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The loading docks became chaotic as another working day greeted the early sun, frost graced the ground as condensation puffed like trains from the mouths of workers,
lorry engines roared to life coming back and forth collecting containers of various colours from large to small, loaders pressed for time as words of encouragement and insult were easily thrown between workers drowned out by the calls for lorries to beck up or come forward to load or unload with toots of horns or waves of arms,
Burly bosses ordered others in languages unknown to most as they acknowledged the calls with clipboards or arms strong and wide,
A priest standing out from the crowd muttered under his breath at the business of life, colourful language burned his ears as he spotted his prey by a large cargo ship.
Two souls gazed over to the beeping of a horn as a loader swore at the stranger to move, they scrutinized the Russian priest approaching them with determination dodging a loader as it passed close by not giving care yet blessing the man with a cross of the hand,
"Behave, calm brother" one muttered to the other her voice soothing as he took a calming breath baiting any anxiety creeping into his soul he hated surprises as much as her,
They continued to check off the cargo being loaded onto the cargo ship as the priest stopped in front of them his look of hope pulling on their very soul "Father stan" the female nodded slightly smiling watching the priest roll his eyes at the bestowed nickname as he rested in his arms in the overly large sleeves,
"I need your assistance once again my friends," the words grave that were heavily accented with Russian as the younger male sighed heavily whilst leaning on the female's shoulder the clipboards hanging between fingers feigning disinterest as it swung back and forth,
"What with?" He questioned as the girl’s head tilted slightly in question as their amber eyes studied the nervous-looking priest before them, "Transporting a man to America." Twin amber coloured eyes glanced at one another sense a story behind the request "were listening" they spoke as one the priest nodded with relief seeing it as a positive sign deciding to plead to the twins and getting straight to the point "I found him not far from the boronsky clinic barefooted, I reason to believe he escaped from the place if by the fear in his eyes and a wanting to go home" he watched the twins glancing at one another whilst listening "are you sure?" The female spoke a frown upon her features as the priest simply nodded he watched t as one a silent conversation seemed to pass between them before looking back
"We'd like to meet him" the male spoke, brokering no argument as father Stanisloft nodded in agreement, sighing heavily in relief.
Father Stanisloft led the two to the church, the kind that looked like it might fall down any moment, yet the old stone told the story of pride and accomplishment in the past and the lack of government care in the present.
"Мы хотим встретить его первого отца, прежде чем мы действительно согласимся. *We want to meet him, first father, before we truly agree*," the young male reasoned in Russian as his twin sister nodded, walking the other side of the priest.
"мы не можем рисковать нашим кораблем или грузом, должны были быть в Нью-Йорке в течение месяца. *We can't risk our ship or the cargo, we’re due in New York within the month*" she explained fluently along with her brother watching the priest nod in agreement and acceptance.
"это нормально, только что встретил его, послушайте его историю. *That is fine, just met him. Hear his story*," the stranger's story was spotty at best in their eyes yet there was something that had caught their attention in the eyes of the two whatever it was Father Stainistof wasn't privy to.
Anyone escaping the Boronsky clinic deserved help in the eyes of the male and female; they would offer transport nonetheless, seeing as they were sailing that way already.
They didn't have a problem with helping just with not knowing, they had black market dealings to do one way or the other.
"Child," the priest called as they entered the down the church steps into the crypt,
The girl leaned on the wall, the males mirroring her on the other side of the stone frame as they waited to study the quiet room for prayer.
moments passed until a man stood from behind the pew slow and cautious, the girl frowned fear evident in his cool, blue eyes, yet he held himself strong she knew that look in his eyes, she knew that fear and determination as she felt the males eyes on her with a concern,
"These are the twins, Талия *Taliana* and Мэтью *Matthew*. They both help with our medical and other needs when our government does not or others interfere, In the eyes of God, they are my ангелы милосердия *angels of mercy,*" said the priest with a proud look.
Jason watched the twins scoff, shaking their heads yet blushing slightly with praise.
He studied the two, seeing their young age of twenties, both graced amber eyes and rustic red-brown hair and almost matching height, they dressed the same and mirrored one another movements in almost perfect sync, though he wasn't willing to risk their safety, yet he had no choice.
"My name's Jason Morgan, I need to get home" He stood nervous about something, his eyes darting to the door as though waiting to be attacked.
"Nice to meet you, as father Stan said I'm Talia this is Matthew, my twin brother," Talia grinned, her British southern accent evident in her speech as she stepped past the priest.
"So how can we help?" Matthew asked with a raised eyebrow echoing her speech pattern crossing his arms waiting,
"I need to get home," Jason muttered fidgeting with the long sleeve top he wore as the twins glanced at one another their minds made up sensing a story behind his worried eyes "I think we can help with that," Matthew assured as his twin nodded in agreement.

The docks busier than before had the three ducking and dodging throughout the chaos of the loading area with ease that showed plenty of practice by the two as they guided Jason along with them "how do you help Father Stanisloft?" Jason enquired attempting to make conversation as Talia looked over with a smirk pulling their new companion out of the way of a loader before throwing an insult in german to the driver "let's just there are people in Russia that have a passion for taking lives, be it by medical or by life itself and that interests us, the Boronsky clinic is one of the major players and we have a pure condescending hate for the place" she all but growled watching Jason silently nod, her eyes studying him as he recognised the name Boronsky yet kept quiet it seemed the priest was right after all.
The only large cargo ship stood proud before them, large and true with colours of silver and blue.
"It's called the Excalibur. It's known as a handymax model," Talia explained, getting closer to the vessel looking up as Jason felt like an ant compared to the ship before him.
"Why are they called handymax?" Jason questioned, looking up as the medium containers were uploaded with a single crane on the ship itself.
"Because they can fit in almost any port. The others are much larger and struggle with Cancel ways and docking and unloading, but this little beauty does the job," Matthew answered Jason who nodded in understanding before following the two up the gangway and into the loading bay.
The crew rushed around like bees in a hive too and throw carrying crates of perishables to cargo or galley "docking day is always the busiest, you'll get used to it" Matthew explained quickly before pushing Jason to the wall as a burly man passed by with a large heavy looking sack over his shoulder "sorry bosses'' he muttered as Talia huffed grinning at the passing man "come on Harry you might be half bloody blind but warn a person you're quieter than a mouse hunting cheese!" She all but yelled as Harry passed by laughing with a cheery smile "I'll wear a bell next time boss" he hollered behind cheekily "you best do!"

The Captain's cabin was warm and welcoming, strangely resembling a navy admiral's rich wood of oak-lined walls, the sun streamed in from the portholes yet the lamps were still on casting light over maps and charts,
A burly man in clothing fit for a Captain, his hat resting beside him stood looking down at a selection of charts and maps laying across a large table, scattered with papers and laptops, paying little attention to the arrivals.
Matthew pushed the doors closed caring very little for the bang it created as Jason watched the female approach what he assumed was the Captain of the ship
"Jacob, meet Jason. We're giving him a hand getting home," Talia grinned, jumping up to sit on the side of the table pushing the charts out of the way with little care her legs swung back and forth.
"I'm beginning to think this is your ship," said Jacob, his French accent thick and evident as he grinned at the twins one by one,
Matthew smirked, walking over leaning on the desk next to his sister.
"Sorry to break it to you, Cap," Talia grinned cheekily "-it is." Talia and Matthew both deadpanned as Jacob chuckled, rolling his eyes.
Jason watched the interaction with a frown, attempting to understand just what was going on between the three, his mind racing with the current events of the last twenty-four hours.
"We own the ship, Jacob sails it. Apart from doing legit work transporting things, we also help out people with medical supplies and other stuff, anyone who needs it. The law would call us black marketeers," Matthew explained, seeing the turmoil in Jason's eyes, feeling pity for him.
"You look like you could sleep for a week, we have a cabin that you can use. The only thing we ask Jason if you can help out with stocking the Excalibur isn't a free ride, we all do our part" Talia explained, jumping down from the table as Jason readily agreed.
"Of course, I'd be happy to help" his voice gruff with tiredness and something Talia couldn't quite put her finger on "you can join us for meals. We don't eat with the crew often, so you're safe from questions," Jacob explained, watching the man nod a second time seeing the concern in his baby blue eyes as Matthew approached the man patting him on the shoulder "come on, you can stay in the cabin next to ours. There's just me, Tal, and our friend Lance," Matthew explained, guiding the man to the door, allowing the Captain and Talia time to talk.
"Who is he?" Jacob watched the door close behind them before asking as Talia sighed rubbing the back of her neck,
"The priest found him, Jason claims or doesn't claim he escaped from that Boronsky clinic, from what I can tell he’s been held there for a while, you know how we feel about the Boronsky clinic, you know our history with the clinic and what they did so it seems to reason that helping Jason was the right thing to do" she explained expecting an argument, grabbing a can of cola from the mini-fridge and opening it.
"Held?" Jacob questioned with a deep frown his eyes hard as he turned leaning on the desk staring at her,
Talia nodded, looking bleak as twisted the tab on the top of the can. "He thinks for a couple of months…" she winced, changing to rolling the can between her fingers self soothingly before looking away towards the window as Jacob rubbed his forehead in stress "But you think differently?"
Talia nodded slightly, looking back at the captain, concern for their new crewmember evident in her amber eyes.
"Yeah. Yes, I do. Something tells me it's been years, not months. But I'll get him to work with Lance, he has a way with people and may be able to help" she explained, walking to the door, taking the soda can with her.
"Oui, at least that's one person you know with a brain," Jacob smirked as she flipped him off before walking away.
"Suck lemons, Jacob. Lance is the most honourable bloke I know, but my twin is on the same page as me on a permanent crazy basis, hell we've enough mental problems to make a psychologist panic" she sarcastically remarked glancing over her shoulder as she opened the door.
"Yes, an honourable bloke working on a black market ship and a twin who is as much of a pain in the arse as you!" The captain smirked, calling to her as Talia walked out of the room laughing as the door swung shut.
"Gotta entertain you somehow Captain!"

Entering the cargo hold was always an interesting affair after loading day,
it was worse on container ships, something Talia was grateful they didn't have, she found her target as he stood with his back to her, clipboard in hand pen tap-tapping on the nearest crate at he checked numbers "we found a new guest" her voice carried over the large room as the male turned his dark eyes standing stark against his tanned skin "well about time we had a new member, sounds like the gods finally pulled their weight" he remarked as she nodded leaning into his embrace allowing the tension to leave her shoulders,
"We're transporting him to America then?" Lancelot du Luc, known to others as Lance Llyn to the crew and many frowned at her silence as Talia pulled away and sat on the nearby crate, her feet drumming on the wood. Lance's curiosity was peaked as he placed down the clipboard, leaning back on a crate next to her,
"Yes, he needs help. I don't think we've been asked for no reason, Lance," Talia frowned, looking at the cargo door, listening to crewmen pass by, muttering in Spanish.
"You think there's a reason?" He watched her nod slightly as she winced, finishing off the can of cola and setting it down on the crate.
"Yeah, I think it's one of our paths to walk Lance. I'm just not sure what path yet." She chewed her bottom lip as he reached forward, pulling the abused lip away with calloused fingers.
"Then I know you and Matthew as always are willing to risk the path, just as I am," Lance smiled, kissing her lips softly as she leaned into the touch.
"Thank you," she whispered as he leaned in more as their lips met with more passion.
"As always, I walk beside you," he smirked as she laughed softly as their foreheads touched.
"I wouldn't have it any other way, my knight"

"How's he doing?" Talia's voice carried around the cabin as she pushed the door closed with her foot,
"Oh, now you're interested in Jason's welfare after the tonsil tennis match with your knight in shining armour?'' Matthew smirked teasingly as Talia half glared at her twin whilst trying not to blush "my priorities are always on track brother dear," she huffed heading to the minibar as Matthew laughed rich and warm whilst setting down the paper on his lap turning towards her from the sofa...
She stood, pouring herself a drink, watching her twin glancing through the local Russian papers, frowning from time to time. "Well, he’s confused as expected. I'm gathering whatever they gave him, they doped him up so much that his lost days might be lost months,"
She sipped the brandy, allowing the burn to bind her time mentally agreeing as she winced "More like years." She muttered not willing to see her brother's reaction walking over to the porthole watching the ship raise the anchor as Matthew's head raised shapely staring at her,
Talia leaned on the wall turning towards him, grounding herself as she felt the cool metal beneath her fingers calming her beating racing heart and mind,
Her eyes were closed in meditation thinking of Jason as Matthew sighed heavily. "Are you sure it's years?"
Talia nodded before opening her eyes, picking up the tumbler and downing the brandy in one quick shot.
"Tal, pour me a large one of them because this sounds like a very long talk," he moaned, tidying the papers up as she snickered, following his request.
"Years. How'd you gather that one?" Matthew muttered, looking to the ceiling as Talia crossed her legs, sitting next to him, rolling the tumbler between her palms.
"Kinda got the inkling after he talked about being shot in the back earlier, when he put on the jacket that the priest gave him, his t-shirt rode up. I saw the wound, Matt. It healed perfectly. That doesn't take months bro. That takes..."
"Years," Matthew finished heavily, sighing and rubbing his forehead in angst feeling a headache coming on "Bloody hell what have we got ourselves into Talia? He’s in for a right shock."
"Tell me about it," she muttered as silence descended between them with their troubled thoughts.

The Excalibur broke through the waters of the North Atlantic with little trouble, swaying slightly with the moving tide as the night fell, the sky cleared allowing sailors to seek home through the casting of bright stars before them.
Talia sat in her chambers as the ship quietened, looking over charts, finding the holes in sea patrols to make it easier on the crew and ship for the next four thousand nautical mile journey without the normal checks on passports and stock,
A low thud echoed dully through her room drawing her attention away from her task she wasn't sure what it was except it was muffled, glancing at the clock spotting the late hour of almost three in the morning she sighed before pushing away the paperwork and charts,
getting off the still made bed, bare feet landing on the dark blue rug as she stood, she stepped to the next mat missing the cold metal in-between.
She headed first to check on her brother in his room pulling closed her door, as she crossed the shared area, passing Lance's room and opened Matthew's door, throwing on a hoodie over her T-shirt she smirked knowing it was one of her brothers she had commandeered without his knowledge as she opened his door, watching him sleep soundly relieved he actually slept unlike most nights as memories plagued his mind like her own.
Talia silently left the room leaving her brother to sleep, softly closing his door she headed to the hall, knowing Lance was still working in the cargo area for another hour at least she didn't bother with his quarters,
She headed to the hall, curious of the sound that continued to dully echo every few minutes.
Talia paused, hearing it again-- a muffled cry, be it physical pain or psychological pain, she knew a cry of like that all too well,
"Damn," she muttered realising it was their new passenger though unsurprised rushing next door with her bare feet hitting the cold steel below her, without knocking, she opened Jason's door, walking straight in.
She found the room pitch black quickly flicking on the lamp by the door. Jason lay on the bed, amid a nightmare; sweat beaded from his brow, as he tossed and turned with a look of terror locked in a nightmare. "At least you’re sweating out the shit they pumped you with," she muttered, grabbing a cloth and wetting it under the cold tap.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she began cooling his forehead, watching him still beneath her fingers,
"Shh, come on, Jason. Wake up for me," she whispered as he stilled completely, slowly blinking sluggishly as he woke.
"Where?" His sleep-laced voice panicked before settling on Talia's amber eyes.
"You're safe. You're on our ship, the Excalibur. remember?"
Jason frowned, blinking heavily, attempting to waken himself as he studied the simple room around him. "Ye-yea, the priest."
"Yep, Father Stain, he's a good one. A bit too preachy at times, but we like him," she grinned as Jason struggled to sit up.
Talia set the pillows against the wall for Jason to lean upon as he glanced at the porthole, still seeing the night sky outside.
"Did I wake you?" He asked, worried that he had his eyes seeking clarification, Talia shook her head in the negative "Nope don't worry. I don't sleep much, too much of the past too but I'm gathering you know what's that like. My twin sleeps for both of us when he can," she joked as Jason smiled slightly as she set about wiping his brow once again before flinging the cloth into the sink.
"Matthew?" Jason nodded, attempting to remember his name, wondering why it was so hard to do.
Talia sat more on the bed, crossing her legs facing the older male, it seemed Jason would be fighting the tiredness-- not that she could blame him, yet something in the back of her mind warned her that something wasn't quite right once again.
"Yeah, fraternal twins but twins in every way. So seeing that sleep isn't your thing, I have a question. What's the last thing you remember?"
"Before escaping, I was shot in the back. Everything else is blurry... I t-think I built an immunity to what they gave me until I was able to escape," he muttered, rubbing his brow as though in pain.
She leaned forward, grasping his wrist and checking his pulse, much to his shock.
"Do you know what they gave you at the clinic?" She asked, looking at his baby blues, taking in the blood shocked eyes for the first time.
"I think Ketamine?" He responded blinking heavily as though the shock of the last twenty-four hours was starting to take its toll.
"Horse tranq?" She asked in slight shock as Jason nodded "Damn, okay. When was the last dose?" She asked, letting go of his wrist and scrambling off the bed, heading to the sink and washing her hands.
"Erm, less than a day I guess?" He spoke with uncertainty as she stopped.
"Do you feel fuzzy?" She questioned as she turned scrambling off the bed leaning on the sink, drying her hands with a discarded cloth.
"Sorta," he admitted as Talia walked to the door, pausing as her hand rested on the handle before turning to look at him.
"Jason...can you trust me? I want to flush your system. The amount they pumped you with can do lots of damage and that shit can screw with the body and mind, even if you don't think it is."
Jason sat up more, only then did she see how much he had been sweating with the t-shirt from grey to almost black "Ye-yea. I...I can trust you," he blinked, unsure as to why.
She grinned, making her look much younger as her eyes brightened "Sweet, I'll be right back. Clean yourself up and we'll get you back at full strength in no time."
Returning to her cabin, she attempted to be quiet, but a sense of urgency raced through her mind.
Trying to allow Matthew and Lance to sleep knowing he had returned from his shift, she ruffled through the containers they kept private from the crew, pulling out two saline bags before grabbing the medical backpack.
She listened to movement from Lance's chambers watching him stumble out of the room leaning on the door frame half-asleep "Hey, you okay?" He asked, throwing on a t-shirt over his bare chest, Talia nodded, looking over to her lover "Yeah, Jason was drugged up to the nines. I'm going to flush his system. Do you want to help? If you're up for it that is," she grinned, throwing two pouches of saline to him.
"Yeah, of course, I can. But Matthew can't help because...?"
Talia rolled her eyes, going through the locked cabinet, pulling out two vials. "Sleeping like the dead, whilst he can," she explained as though it was the easiest thing in the world, before closing the cabinet and heading to the door.
"Good point," the man chuckled softly, grabbing what he could and following after her.
Opening Jason's door, she glanced around finding her patient had changed his T-shirt, thanks to Jacob's spare clothing.
He was sitting on the bed pillows wedged up for support looking tired, his blue eyes still unfocused ever so slightly.
"Jason, I'd like you to meet Lance llyn. He’ll show you around the ship tomorrow, but for now, he's gonna give me a hand, okay?" She stated, entering the room as Lance stopped at the doorway before entering himself, Lance's dark hair and darker eyes stood blended in the dull room as the man walked over, he was just a bit shorter than Jason but not build.
"Sure. Yeah, nice to meet you, Lance," Jason nodded tiredly as Talia began setting up the saline, hanging it from a peg above the bed made for just that purpose,
"Jason, can I ask about ketamine? Did you ever feel out of it- like you couldn't feel anything?" She watched him nod slowly while looking up at her, Talia sighed heavily as she brought the IV line down to his hand. "Lay down, that'll help. They put you in what's called a K-hole. It ain't good, but you’re lucky your heart didn't give out. We’ll flush your system; I'll give you something to boost your kidneys and liver function as well through the IV to make it easier" she explained as the man laid back on the bed while Lance helped him settle back the needle went in easily into his hand after placing tape over to hold it in, Lance glanced over, wincing In sympathy as Talia continued to work inserting a needle into the IV line watching the medication mingle with the saline. "Okay, this will take time but we'll stay with ya, okay?" She explained as Lance leaned in the wall watching her,
"Thank you," Jason spoke honestly, looking at the two, his eyes showing the haunting memories dancing just below the surface.
"No problem, mate," Lance smiled warmly, as Talia sat on the bed, her lover knowing very well how she relished in helping others.
She smiled warmly. "Rest. Close your eyes, slow your breathing," she explained, checking the flow of the IV, her fingers resting on his pulse, silently counting the beats.
They both watched as Jason's eyes slowly began to drift closed as he relaxed. Within minutes, soft breathing echoed around the room.
"Damn your good, sedative?" Lance questioned glancing at the needle as she looked over to her man nodding ever so slight,
"Only a light sedative it'll help him sleep whilst the meds work, Hell he needs it" she reasoned worrying her bottom lip as Jason slept on Lance made himself comfortable on the old bucket seat as Talia leaned against the bedframe watching the liquid drip slowly down the line.

The sun was high over the waters as the cargo ship trundled on towards America, slow and steady.
Jason slowly woke to the sound of crashing waves upon the haul as the ship held fast, a female gentle humming of a tune he couldn't quite place echoed as footsteps of booted feet upon the floor, the swiping of plastic, sloshing of liquid dully echoed before the bed dipped beside him,
Talia sat on the edge of the bed, gently removing the cannula needle from Jason’s arm, pressing a plaster over the needle mark as blue eyes prayed openly to look up at her,
"Morning sleepy. We’re not far from Scotland-- waters will get a bit choppy as we pass by," she smiled whilst checking his pulse before allowing him to sit up "morning" he rumbled with sleep laced voice as he sat up against the pillows,
"So, I flushed your system, gave you some antivirals and antibiotics just in case, the pinnacle question of the morning: how'd you feel?" She questioned, throwing the empty bags of saline together on a pile by the door.
"Better... more clear," Jason answered, frowning, feeling his thoughts were clearer before looking pleased.
She nodded as though she was expecting that answer "Well, that's good. Ketamine has a wicked thing for oversensitivity, as well as feelings like anger, or the opposite of losing the sense of yourself, so it looks like it worked with what we've done," she explained, watching as Jason slowly sat up in the bed with more ease than the previous night. "Whilst you’re with us, I wanna keep an eye on you. Make sure there's no lasting damage to your heart...Lance knows what to look out for if you suffer any side effects. So does Matthew, so it's a win-win situation. Plus twenty-odd days of travel, there's gotta be a bonus," Talia spoke as she slipped off the bed and began to stuff everything in the bag as she began moving around the room, her boots clinking on the steel floor once again.
"Thank you," he spoke honestly with relief as he stood, slipping socks and steel toecaps on as Talia threw a thick navy blue jacket to him.
"You’re welcome. Now come on, let's get some breakfast at our cabin. We need to talk, Jason. There are a few things you need to know," she sighed, gathering the medical backpack, her bottom lip between her teeth as Jason nodded ever so slightly, looking worried at the girl "Sure, okay."

Their joint cabin was warm and welcoming like a home from home Jason looked around as he entered following Talia, it was green as a forest with silver trim along the walls, the shared communal area had four doors, three led to their compartments the other the head, three red couches sat in the centre, secured to the floor for rougher weather with a table and a minibar joining close by.
Five wooden crates of medical supplies sat neatly by the corner for their own purpose,
a cabinet locked in the wall itself like a medical cabinet reminded Jason of what Talia and her brother truly did,
A simple meal of croissants and cereal were laid out on the table while Matthew spoke with a tired-looking Lance both nursing coffee between their palms,
The men glanced over as Talia entered the room with Jason with easy smiles,
"Boys," she smirked, placing down the pack by the door noting she would sort of later as she sat next to Lance.
He leaned in, kissing her lips with warmth and love, Matthew made gagging noises watching the display "No matter how many times I see them kiss, I still want to punch him," Matthew joked, looking at Jason as he sat next to the twin.
"Can't be easy watching your sister make out, I guess," Jason reasoned, teasing the twin as Matthew grinned.
"It's the downfall of siblings. Think it's double for twins," he shrugged as though still figuring it out himself.
As they ate, Talia sat back, nursing a coffee, much to the glaring of her brother staring at her. "Coffee ain't food," he remarked as Talia shrugged, smirking at him her eyes sharpening "don't do it-" she raised the cup closer to her lips "Tal don't do i-", slurping the drink as loudly as possible to annoy him she watched him glare "So you do it! you so do it on purpose"
"Yep! And actually, it is in a way. Milk is dairy, water is the substance for the body, caffeine for my brain, and sugar...because I can," she wiggled her eyebrows as Matthew groaned and Lance chuckled.
"You'll get used to them," Lance reassured Jason with a simple smile as they watched the twins bickering "They always like this?" Jason questioned watching the dynamics as Lance shook his head "no there worse".
After sedating Matthew's angst over her eating habits by nibbling on dry cereal, again, annoying her twin, Matthew glared at her while she slowly ever so slowly placed a single frosted flake in her mouth, one at a time as Lance rolled his eyes,
The four settled down to talk as the kitchen crew removed the remaining food and plates whilst the conversation finally turned more serious,
"Jason...what year is it?" Talia’s words were soft as she looked up from her half-filled coffee cup, watching Jason frown, looking at the girl, mentally working out what she meant. "2012? Maybe 2013?" He answered as the three before he sighed as one.
Matthew reached to his side, passing the paper to him. "It's a week out of date from the UK," he explained as they waited for the fallout.
Jason Morgan sat staring at the paper, his thoughts racing as Talia watched his blue eyes well with unshed tears, "Five years?" His voice broke as thoughts raced to his wife, Sam, to his best friends, Sonny and Carly.
Panic gripped his heart as Talia's hand reached his-- a gentle squeeze gaining his attention as his eyes looked to hers with loss and confusion.
"Jason breathe for me in and out, Matt, Lance, give us a moment," she muttered, watching the two nod and stand as she sat by the shocked man.
Lance grasped Talia's hand for a moment in silent support as Matthew patted Jason's shoulder before leaving the room knowing she had been in that position many years ago,
"How, why?" Jason groaned, resting his head in his hands, looking to the floor.
"K-hole side effects...they kept you sedated on ketamine. If they did put shades on you, even a mask, it dulls the senses. You don't see or feel time, so to speak," Talia explained, sitting opposite of the man on the coffee table as he looked up at her.
"My family, friends...how..." A silent single tear trickled down his cheek "Jason, I promise we will help. I can even help explain what happened...but," she paused, chewing her lower lip, thinking over her words. "...But, things may have changed for them. I can't say it's the same, but we can get you up to date whilst we travel and even stick around to help. You’re not alone, not anymore," Talia promised as she sat forwards, reaching out and grasping his hand, watching him nod.
"How did you know?" Jason asked as Talia winced before indicating to his back,
"You said that you got shot in the back. Being trained with medical stuff, even illegally, I'm certified medically trained. My brother could easily do the same if the need arose except he doesn't like blood. It wasn't hard to work out. The wound has healed way too well for such a hit."
"Illegally?" Jason asked with a small smile as he watched Talia roll her eyes, she huffed, taking note that he would catch on to that word. "Black market, a lot is medical supplies, you need to know what you're doing. We supply antivirus, antibiotics, and stuff to those needing it without the red tape, so we have to be trained- something my boss made sure of," she reasoned, watching him nod slightly, though still looking shocked at the prospect he had lost five years.
Not that she could blame him.
"Jason, I have one question though," Talia asked, wanting confirmation from the man before her, Jason looked up, nodding as she sat back. "Which is?"
"What was the doctor's name? Who's done this? And what do you truly remember? This time, tell me everything, no holding back," she explained, passing a newly filled cup of coffee to the man, awaiting his explanation.

"Oh Jacob, dear! You'll love this one, Jason. Tell the dear Captain who's been holding you," Talia called in anger in her voice pushing the door open as Jason joined her side, entering the Captain's cabin.
"Oh no. Who?" Jacob asked, looking curiously suspicious, setting down the paperwork as Talia smugly leaned on the wall close enough to Jason for moral support as he looked over to Jacob.
"Dr Klein.'' Jason's words were confident as Talia shrugged, looking excitedly at Jacob as the man became the colour of a distorted prune around his cheeks.
"He's gonna blow in 3, 2….'' Talia glanced over as she smirked at Jason, who looked over puzzled.
"That asshole! That, détestable monstrous...ce ver, ce bâtard ingrat et trompeur de crapaud. Je vais le déchirer en lambeaux!" Jason stared at the Captain pacing the room yelling go the air before glancing at Talia "Basically Klein is a toad, bastard and I think going to be skinned alive, I don't know. He talks way too fast when pissed off. Jacob can get a bit passionate with his insults," Talia winced at the Captain yelling, his frustration and anger out before pulling Jason towards her both ducking as a glass was flung across the room breaking against the bulkhead shattering into a thousand pieces as it did.
"Why does he have it in for Klein?" Jason asked curiously he knew why he was angry but not a Captain,
"We have issues with the idiot, I can't go into details but let's just say The Boronsky clinic you were held at is picky on who they take...hence elite money and welding idiots. It's good to steal from when we’re low on stock for one, but you see, their work is questionable at best. We've heard a fair few things and none are good-" Talia paused considering her words before deciding to Just say it. "-Klein worked with someone who did a lot of damage some years ago in Paris, something I and my brother were witness to and still pay the price for, Seems he’s still up to no good and possibly working for the same man,'' she explained as Jacob continued to mutter in French, pacing around the cabin as Talia stood looking at the man, a question on the tip of her tongue.
"Jason, just out of curiosity, who do you work for in Port Charles? It could be a link with Klein and why you've lost five years, it might make it easier for us to unravel," Talia asked, her curious mind beginning to piece together a possibility of a puzzle.
Jason reasoning she was right nodded before he focused solely on the woman beside him "Sonny Corinthos.''
Talia's eyebrows shot up as Jacob stopped dead, looking over, not expecting the answer from Jason.
"Bloody hell. Well, this will be fun," she smirked as Jacob grinned ferally and Jason began to look uncomfortable. "Hey don't worry. We know the Mob boss of Port Charles...sorta,” she cackled, leading Jason to a chair as Jacob poured a few drinks of Russian brandy.
"Pier 55, dock 42 and a warehouse on route twenty-two back in 1997,” Talia spoke the words with a smirk waiting for Jason to catch on as he stared at her-- clarity seemed to hit.
"1997. Plumbing warehouse. The owners were out of town," Jason answered.
"Yeah, my old boss owned the warehouse. That's where we store some of our medical supplies as well as legit plumbing stuff. That's how it started. Now using the docks for our cargo drop-offs and pickups-- we do it on purpose to annoy Sonny, just because we can. Plus you two could never catch us back in the day when we used the docks for unloading our own stuff," Talia smirked, sipping the brandy, pleased with herself as Jason smiled, truly smiled.
"So how did you do it? Unload before we could stop you?" he questioned, trying the brandy with a wince at the burn, shrugging as the Captain sat forward, smirking at the man.
"Bad weather keeps many away," he answered as Jason laughed. It was small, but it was there.
"Well, that explains it then. Why were the docks used for years, but we never found who was using them."
Talia sat back on the bucket chair, looking pleased as she did.
"Thanks. We're just that good. Anyway, you started it back in 1997 using the warehouse next door. We got the idea then...my boss back then had the idea to use the docks if Sonny was risking our warehouse next door."
"Who was he?" Jason questioned curiously,
"She was my grandmother, Alina Manners Nee Morgan."
Talia smiled remembering the kind woman with a feisty belief in fair medical care.
"Morgan? Is your surname the same?" Jason questioned, frowning as he waited.
"Oh no, we took our grandfather's name ‘Manners’. But yeah, we use the Morgan name as well from time to time we tend to combine them. Alina and Aunty Lila were always proud that we used the name. She once said something about other relatives being too greedy to care about free medicine, but I've not seen Aunt Lila in years," she shrugged easily as she sipped the lovely brandy, not knowing just what Jason was thinking.
The enforcer stared still in shock at the girl before him, wondering what the chances were. "Lila Morgan...was my grandmother, she married and became a quarter..."
"-Quartermaine, the ELQ company who own General Hospital in Port Charles?" Talia finished, her shock evident, both stared at one another as Jacob watched the two with wide eyes.
"We're cousins?! Shit, ain't that a turn out for the books!" She laughed joyously, looking at Jacob as the man stared at the two of them before smirking.
"So who's telling Matthew?" He asked.

Matthew stood in shock his left eye twitched every few moments as his jaw hung open like a cuttlefish on the hunt Lance leaned close to Jason.
"I think you broke him," he whispered to the man as Talia grinned glancing at the two before pushing her brother's jaw closed
"Cousins?" Matthew repeated for the third time, looking between Talia and Jason.
"Yep, you broke him," Talia's partner smirked as she glared at him.
"Oh quit it, Lance, you know how easy it is to break Matthew," she laughed as she rounded her twin, patting his cheek. "Yes brother, Jason here is our dear cousin through his grandmother and our Aunt Lilia," she shrugged as Matthew frowned, thinking it over.
"Huh, no wonder Alina enjoyed the games between Sonny and herself."
"And no wonder we went into the medical black marketeering with the Quartermaine's owning a hospital and half of port Charles," she reasoned as Matthew gasped, catching on.
Talia and Matthew glanced over to the man both with a smirk that mirrored the other as Jason nervously stared back,
"Well, now we have every reason to help. We don't leave family behind, Pour y parvenir as we say. It means ‘to accomplish it’," Matthew spoke as Talia nodded before her eyes sharpened.
"Klein just happens to be the first and welcome target."

"Just how are we going to get Klein?" Lance asked as he looked out to the calm sea before them as they stood on the deck starboard side of the ship, A soft sea breeze danced through their hair as Talia stood leaning on the railing with Matthew and Jason next to her with Jason's arms crossed in thought.
"Klein will come after me. I was called patient six in the clinic," he reasoned as Matthew frowned questioningly "Not very imaginative, and where's 1-5?"
"What did you expect patient X or something, I don't think I want to know what happened to the others," Lance reasoned as he scrubbed his neck in agitation.
"Neither do I, but that's beside the point at the moment. Why would Klein come after you, cousin?" The words slipped off Talia’s tongue easily, spotting the slight smile from Jason Morgan when she said it mentally deciding to call him more often.
"I was kept there for five years. A patient heard him talking about transporting me but I was kept there for a reason, with escaping..."
"...Now he's pissed off, and it looks bad to whoever he’s working for, I can give you one guess who that is. " Talia finished with a heavy frown looking to the ocean as though expecting the answers.
"Not to mention he'll send others after you and eventually us," Matthew reasoned studying his sister as she glanced over,
"Why us?" Lance frowned as Talia turned leaning once again on the rail.
"Klein will find out we were in the area and put two and two together. If we can work it out that we are family, it's going to be easy for that quack Klien to..." Talia began as Matthew took over.
".. find out we’re related to Jason, then that would give the bastard motive to come after us." Both shrugged as one and Jason mentally agreed, though unhappy that he had involved them.
"So now what?" Lance asked, looking to the three as the ship sailed smoothly along the choppy water,
"We get to Port Charles and help Jason reconnect to his family. I can get Leon and the others in the area before we arrive to help out. Keep an eye on people that Jason knows and collects information. Luckily we've still got a safehouse there."
"Wait, you have a ship and jobs to do," Jason stopped Talia mid-speech.
"Jason, it'll be fine. Our work will carry on. We were heading back to the UK after this drop-off anyway, plus we can run the business from Port Charles….and you ain't getting rid of us. Family sticks together. You may be a Morgan, but you're now a Manners as well," she smiled reassuringly before looking back out to the choppy sea in the direction of Port Charles some weeks away ahead of them.
"We've nineteen days till we dock in Port Charles. We better start getting you ready for it and us. I have a feeling this will be interesting."

Chapter Text

Days passed like a slow trickle of calming water through rain, gales and storms that passed like the awaiting arrival of rainbows upon silver clouds refreshing the soul and mind,
Twenty-two days slowly passed on the Excalibur like flowing water off the bow of a ship, Jason in that time had become part of the crew, he did not shy from the hard work or duties he was given throwing himself into the work as his mind and body began to slowly recover,
Jacob found Jason a likeable lad even if on the quiet side, the crew found him easy to get along with lending him clothing and supplies after the twins had explained the circumstances to them, each encouraged Jason to talk or keep busy when his mind would drift to unpleasant thoughts,
On the twenty-second day, the bridge crew’s attention to the Excalibur was on one thing: their Captain.
Jason entered the bridge he quickly became aware of the chain of command, Talia stood to the left side of the Captain looking ever the boss yet looking pleased as Jacob shouted orders to the crew as she watched with eagle vision as they approached the familiar dock,
The Captain stood at attention, hands clasped behind his back controlling the large container ship like an admiral with very little leeway or forgiveness for mistakes.
Jason now understood why Talia and her brother Matthew had hired the man who didn't make blunders on his watch.
The docks of Port Charles laying just ahead of two miles were harder to see in the perilous twilight, with streaks of lightning dancing across the sky casting flutters of light, rain-splattered upon the large windows of the cargo ship as thunder vibrated in the air thick and fast vibrating against the windows.
The tension was heavy upon the deck with the dangerous weather and docking of a large cargo ship.
Talia quickly glanced over to Jason as he stepped next to her swearing he could see her amber eyes flash as a streak of lightning passed the large window "It’ll take about an hour to dock in this weather. So taking it slow is always fundamental to..well not crashing" she explained sarcastically over the rumble of thunder as she smirked, seeing the intrigued look in his bright blue eyes before glancing away momentarily "I suppose we wouldn't want a crashed ship to give you a way to Sonny, now would we?... But Talia, are you three sure about coming?" Jason questioned with hesitancy in his voice as Talia shook her head, wondering how many times they would argue over the same subject.
"Yes, the safehouse is now our home for our time in Port Charles. Leon already arranged everything. We'll be sticking around till things are sorted for you as well as our old buddy, Klein," she grinned as her amber eyes became cold ''I'll be happy to help" Captain Jacob growled, looking towards them both "Aw, I'm real sorry Captain, You've got a ship to run for myself and my dear brother."
Brown eyes glared half-heartedly at the girl before grinning like a feral animal. "Don't tempt me, just as long as you keep in contact, I'm not having you two more impacted because of that moron" the Captain muttered as Talia rolled her eyes but nodded non the less, tapping Jason on the arm she signalled to the door
"Come on, let's get Matthew and Lance and get the crew ready to unload and in the lorries before we disembark with the landlubbers."
---------------------------------------
Sitting on the wet steps of the loading dock, a warehouse behind them as they nestled under cover of the building's roof away from the ongoing storm, the twins sat with Lance between them, words whispered between them as Jason walked down the plank, joining their side.
"Got everything?" Matthew questioned looking over standing as he did as Jason nodded, glancing around the pier with what Talia could only assume was concern.
"Yeah," he nodded as he pulled the borrowed backpack over his right shoulder.
"Come on then! With the research we've done so far and our insiders in the area keeping an eye on things I would say we have got a fair bit of work to do, and this storm sucks and my feet are wet" Talia grouched standing ready to grab her own larger sailor’s duffel bag and medical backpack resting beside her feet, only for Jason to grab her sailor's duffel with ease throwing it over his shoulder,
"See now, he’s a gentleman, and yet you two on the other hand are planks,” she smirked pulling her jacket close walking towards the road where a Honda crv sat waiting to take them to their destination, Lance rolled his eyes, laughing at Matthew's sheer disbelief patting the twin on the shoulder "The last time you tried that, didn't she threaten to lobotomize you?" Lance questioned Matthew as Jason looked innocently at the two "Yeah, yet our cousin does it and is a gentleman, ugh, siblings. It's worse when there’s a girl," Matthew groaned, mock glaring as Jason shook his head in amusement.
"No, I think it's a Talia thing. She likes to keep us on our toes," Jason reasoned, patting the twin on the shoulder in sympathy.
"Ha, sucks to be Lance then, he's sleeping with her," Matthew cackled as Lance gulped, staring at their retreating figures before jogging to catch up with the two as they both chuckled.
"Don't remind me, and you two quit tag-teaming me! I swear, Matthew, you're a bad influence on Jason already!"

Rain pelted down heavily rebounding off surfaces as the car pulled up outside the wooden cabin style house it was larger than they remembered from the last time they had stopped in port Charles some three years ago, Matthew stepped up on the large porch shaking out his now drenched denim jacket as the sound of rain hitting the tin roof echoed soothingly whilst the others joined him in a mad dash from the car to the porch, unlocking the back door entering their new home Talia found the switch casting light into the open space, upon the kitchen island, sat three more sets of keys and a note was the first thing to catch there attention.
"Kitchens filled with food, including your favourites courtesy of Giaus's who sends his love. Set of keys for each of you including the newest family member, I'll call later with an update. Leon." Lance read out loud, passing keys to each of them as Jason looked dubious.
"This is your home as well now Jason," Lance reassuringly spoke, still holding out the set of keys loosely as he swung them in front of the man.
"He’s right," Talia reasoned, not even looking over as she checked the cupboards whilst Matthew checked the fridge and freezer.
"Take the keys, Jason," Matthew grinned, glancing over from the fridge at the hesitant man as Jason sighed, taking the keys and nodding slightly.
"Well, we may as well wait for Leon to get in contact and go from there. He’s keeping an eye on this other Jason," she frowned, looking at Jason, her head tilted to the side. "From what Leon found out, he turned up two years ago," she paused, filling the kettle up and setting it to boil before continuing. "This guy turns up, without a name, only for a DNA test to be done to find out he’s … you," Talia explained for the umpteenth time that week looking thoughtful as her eyes glanced at Matthew.
Jason nodded as he sat on the kitchen stool whilst Matthew prepared to make the coffee he knew his twin craved, pausing mid-reach for a cup as shock and stupidity "Shit, we're fucking idiots" Matthew muttered as he turned looking at Talia as it hit him all at once like a ton of bricks, Talia frowned awaiting Matthew's epiphany explanation"We're the answer, Talia. You and me,"
Lance frowned, looking at Jason as he shrugged, not comprehending what they meant as they watched the twins, Talia walked around the kitchen island her fingers running along the marble before stopping in front, bother stood staring at each other before smirking like a mirror image,
"Bloody hell, Jason, this guy can only have your DNA for one reason," Talia spoke to Jason without looking over her eyes locked with her brother
"Which is?" Jason questioned a deep-set frown graced his feature.
"He’s your twin, that's the only answer," Lance finished as it finally clicked, Matthew and Talia nodded as one turned towards the two as Jason's eyebrows rose in shock.
"The surgery, Leon said he had facial reconstruction right?" Talia asked Jason, who nodded, remembering the phone call over a week ago.
"That explains the different look. But the question is-- why does he think he’s Jason then?" Lance asked the room as they stood or sat, looking at one another.
"Klein. We need that jumped-up twat in our hands that's the only way we'll finally get some answers we need" Talia growled as Matthew nodded in agreement before turning to the task at hand pouring the hot kettle into cups as Jason stood the stool scraped heavily along with the slate tiles as he abruptly walked out the house the door swinging shut behind him leaving three staring at each other.
"I can't say I blame him, quite the shock to the system" Lance acknowledged as two heads bobbed in agreement knowing the feeling "Tag, your turn Lance you're good at this," Matthew's voice laced with concern, looking from the door to Lance as the man nodded.
"You’re next time, prat," the former knight grinned, clapping him on the shoulder, grabbing two beers off the side and walking out the door.
"Am not," he muttered as Talia smirked over "Better Jason than Sonny Corinthos." She spoke jumping up on the kitchen island nursing the hot cup of caffeine as her feet swung back and forth
"Good point!" Matthew paled at the thought as they both looked out the window towards the porch wondering what was happening just beyond the closed door.

"I'd ask if you were alright but considering everything it would be a stupid question" Lance spoke as he leaned on the wooden railing that surrounded the porch as the rain splattered on the tin roof above bouncing as it tumbled down the corrugated iron as he placed down two beers on the wood, Jason sighed heavily rubbing his brow as the younger passed a cold beer to him silently staring out at the rain.
"Think you need it Jason, Ain't like you find out every day you are a twin...unless you're Tal and Matt," he joked as Jason picked up the cold brew and took a long swing relishing the coolness.
"My wife is married to him, that's supposed to be me Lance, his working for Sonny, believing that he is me. My accounts, my life, I…" he paused looking at Lance as unshed tears danced in his baby blue eyes "...Lance, how do I fix this?" Jason desperately asked his eyes pleading for answers to the man before him.
Lance sighed heavily watching the rainfall "Truly? I don't know, One step at a time I would guess, your wife...I can't say that will end well. As for Sonny, well, the twins have a plan in motion for that one. My suggestion is to go along with it. I've seen Talia pull off some bloody wicked stuff before. As for your accounts, well, Leon has sorted that out already. Not that we can move on that for now, but they're safe," Lance smirked, patting the man on the shoulder in comfort as Jason nodded, still looking lost at the beer bottle as though it had the answer.
"Jason, trust us. You're not alone in this. We are a family, may the Gods forgive anyone trying to challenge that. My friend, we stand together but this will take time, but with Sonny on your side, it will get easier for you," Lance reasoned, standing to his full height as Jason slowly followed both watching lightning dance across the sky.
"Thank you, Lance," Jason spoke with a small amount of hope as the man clapped him on the shoulder and turned towards the door, as he pulled open the door lance grinned as Jason followed close behind "Any time. That’s what family’s for in the end. Now come on, let's get dinner before Matthew's stomach thinks his throat has been slit!"

Soft music echoed around the room as the rain continued to pelt against the window Lance circled the room, placing plates and cutlery on the large polished dark oak dining table admiring the deep wood grain,
Jason stood chopping lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes whilst Matthew stood by the cooker, frying steaks relishing the smell of cooking meat as Talia opened four beers close to him.
It was domestic bliss- quiet yet loud as laughter rang out whilst insults and jokes were passed between them.
Talia paused as she looked at the three, mentally taking a photo for the future, her fingers dancing along the marbled side "You okay?" Lance whispered in her ear, coming up to stand behind her kissing her neck,
"Yeah, our path seems to be slowly opening before us so it seems," she shrugged, picking up the bottles shivering in arousal of his lips upon her skin
"Not such a bad path," Lance spoke softly, pulling away with a smile as he grabbed a pitcher of water.
"No, it's not," she grinned, walking to the table setting down the beers with a small soft smile;
"Food’s ready!" Matthew grinned as he began plating up the meat glancing over his amber eyes and found Talia's identical ones with a thoughtful smile for once their minds were settled, the thoughts of the past just that, the past.
They sat enjoying their simple meal of steak and salad as their talk finally migrated to the main problem at hand.
"So what's the first step?" Lance asked, looking at each member as he placed down his fork and knife,
Talia shrugged, sitting back, a beer in hand supping at the carona as Matthew piled the near-empty plates together looking over as he set them on the kitchen side.
"I think this is Jason's choice," he said looking at the man as he began loading the dishwasher.
"Okay, well we know about Sam and him. I don't want to hurt Sam, so I suppose Sonny and Carly would be the best start. I-we will need their support for getting Klein,'' Jason corrected himself before taking a long sip from the bottle.
Talia sat frowning at the beer bottle rolling it in between her fingers self-soothing as a plan started forming in her mind.
"Do you think Sonny changed the alarm codes to his house?" She asked her eyes alight with mischief, Jason looked questioningly at the girl a slight frown gracing his brow "There's a master code that Spinelli gave me years ago. He designed the system. It overrides all the others. I doubt it's ever changed," he explained as Talia's amber eyes lit up as a shit-eating smirk broke out, "Oh crap, Talia. What are you planning?" Matthew asked, dropping his head into his hands in mock angst "Oh, a little breaking and entering brother dear, with a side order of recording," she explained, placing her phone on the table and pushing it towards Jason with a wink.

Talia stood in front of the bedroom mirror, her fingers quickly finished braiding her rustic red hair before pushing it over her shoulder once finished, she glanced at her open door as laughter from downstairs drifted through the doorway she smiled softly happiness was a thing seldom heard at times she just hoped they were doing as she suggested, though she reasoned that the chances of that were slim to none.
Throwing on a black leather jacket over her red t-shirt and tying her work boots, she grabbed her plain black baseball cap.
She paused for a moment debating on grabbing a weapon; her amber eyes glanced at the closed draw. "Ask first, then shoot," she muttered, shaking her head before heading out of the room, closing the door behind herself,
"Are you sure about this?" Matthew questioned, looking up towards the stairs as Talia walked down her army boots clunking on each wooden step.
Jason, Matthew, and Lance sat on the sofa; before them were newspapers from the past few years, as well as a tablet containing the last four years of Port Charles’s news.
"Yes Matthew, I can get in easier alone. Then we can start the ball rolling figuratively speaking," she shrugged as Jason passed her phone to Matthew, who held it up to her.
"Well, it's on there, explaining everything. Just be careful sister" Matthew advised with worry in his amber eyes "Aw, you worried?" She smirked leaning on the back of the sofa pocketing the device.
"No, I'm worried about how many guards’ wrists you might break, or kneecaps your shot,” Matthew deadpanned as she attempted to hit her brother round the head as he laughed ducking as she huffed and readjusting her cap.
"If you're worried I'm actually not armed but I can't promise anything if they start it," Talia smirked before walking out the house, closing the door softly behind herself.
"Who should we worry about- the guards, Sonny, or the alarm system?" Lance winced, watching the door close behind the only female in the house as Jason looked, silently questioning the two.
"Oh Jason this is a story to hear, We need another beer Lance," Matthew sat forward as Lance passed around the next round of beers while Jason shook his head, waiting for the story.
"When we first met Jacob, Talia broke his wrist. Though in her defence, he held a gun to her head at the time, but it was Percy that suffered…"

The night was cool and crisp but most importantly finally dry though shadow-casting clouds blocked the moon's rays,
Overlaying trees close to the gates provided ample cover from sight, leaning on the wall outside of the gated garden watching the darkened house, she shrugged to herself debating just what to do, with her mind quickly made up and pulling on her gloves she quickly scrambled up and over the fence and dropped to the grassed garden,
With the lights out in the large house expecting the couple to be home any moment she quickly put her plan into action.
Shifting foot to foot, she quickly walked through the garden keeping to the shadows just in case, passing the mob boss’s guards with almost laughable ease, jimmying the backdoor open and quickly putting in the code on the alarm box Jason had given her by the third beep, she looked around panting as her heart race increased forcing herself to calm, with a quick inspection of the home her eyes adjusting to the dark she decided to get comfortable and wait, keeping the lights off she scanned the front room finding a chair facing the front door she sat crossed legged fishing out her phone, she started on level three hundred and twenty-seven of Candy Crush determined to beat Lance's latest score.
"What the fuck, put your hands up!" The voice of a guard called as the lights came on making her wince at the bright lights as a gun came into view aimed at her heart.
With a huff rolling her eyes she studied the guard until the pistol was inches from her forehead; three more bodyguards appeared as Sonny Corinthia with his wife, Carly, entered their living room, slowly pocketing her phone as her arms crossed, looking unimpressed while glancing at her side at the guard annoyance coursed through her at the close contact.
"Get the gun out of my face, or I'll break your wrist," Talia promised, smirking up at the guard whilst watching the couple staring hard at her wondering who she was.
"No. First, tell me who you are and why you're here. This is my home! How did you get in here?!" Sonny questioned sharply as Talia rolled her eyes.
"No. Is it?! And here’s me thinking I was breaking into the Pope's home, not the mob boss of Port Charles, Sonny Corinthos!" She sarcastically replied as the guard next to her stared at her, wondering how crazy she was before she continued. "A mutual friend gave me the codes. That mutual friend has a message for you."
"Message first, then the gun goes down," Sonny answered as Talia shook her head.
"See, I don't think so. I don't like to be threatened." Quick as she could, grasping the guard's wrist, jerking it as hard as she could before yanking the gun out of the man's hand, hearing him cry out and back away as she stood throwing the gun towards Sonny as the man caught it with ease "so now can we talk?" She asked her head tilting slightly, "Out," Sonny ordered the guards who hesitantly left as Sonny mentally reasoned that if she wanted to kill them she already would have let alone hand over the weapon.
Carly studied as the girl's shoulders dropped and the tension seemed to leave her body whilst watching the guards leave the home before gathering herself. "So we have a lot to discuss it seems," Talia reasoned as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone again. "You might want to sit for this one," she urged before pressing the play button and throwing her phone to Sonny who easily caught it as the pre-recorded voice began to echo from the speaker.
"Hello Sonny, Carly."
Talia sat legs crossed on the chair she previously occupied, listening to Jason's voice drift from the speaker as Carly and Sonny watched her phone, both in a state of shock staring at the screen before them, "I'm not sure how to start this? I suppose by proving who I am, Sonny back in 1996, I first met you and you gave me forty dollars to get a cab back to the Quartermain's, I still owe you it, with interest, Sonny, you taught me everything I know about the business. You're my friend, my brother..." Jason’s voice paused as she watched realisation upon Sonny's face, the agonizing realization that they had made a mistake with the other Jason trusting and believing him instead of trying to find the true man that currently sat with her brother and lover,
Talia quickly covered the smile when she heard the collective "Aww!" from Lance and Matthew somewhere behind Jason no doubt out of view though.
"Dumbasses, give up" Jason joked, sounding humorous with an underlying worry before continuing to address the screen "Sonny, no doubt you've met Talia I'm not sure how but.. she will explain what I can't, otherwise her phone battery will die if I try," he joked as Talia rolled her eyes scoffing under breath. It wasn't her fault candy crush was so addicting at times,
"Carly please just...breathe and count to ten before you do anything, okay?"
Talia watched Carly's eyes become misty with tears as she quickly swept them away. It seemed those words were special to the woman though Talia gathered that Carly would deny it if asked.
"What I will say is I've been held for five years in a clinic in Russia, It doesn't seem that long for me...so much has changed, I've lost so much, but without Talia and her family..."
"Your family!" Matthew yelled as Lance laughed from the kitchen area by the echo Talia devised.
"That's too complicated at the moment Matthew, I thought Talia said find something to do?!" Jason yelled Talia assumed behind himself if by the muffled voices.
"He is, he’s annoying you," Lance seemed to call from the kitchen again the clinking of glass on wood and metal top rattling,
"I'll shout to Talia, shall I?" Jason yelled in that direction.
"Oh shit time to go!" Matthew's voice carried as they dulled hearing Lance continued to laugh.
"I'm so saving this video for Talia to hear," she heard Jason huff in laughter before sobering and continued "Sonny, Carly please, believe me, I am Jason Morgan, I know it's hard to believe but I am me. Talia will explain it all...Just don't let any of the guards point a gun at her head, Jacob warned me on the ship, and I think there's a story behind it. I'm not sure what though, I'll see you soon I hope" The recording went quiet as Talia grinned at the couple. "So, a shock to the system or what, now where should we start?"
"How?" Sonny placed the phone down on the coffee table looking guilty and shocked.
Talia sighed, looking to the ceiling asking the gods for strength before Sonny.
"That's a broad-based question, I suppose in Russia, there is a clinic called Boronsky, I won't go into detail. There's a doctor called Klein who had been drugging Jason with ketamine for the last five years, it wasn't until he built a tolerance towards ketamine and escaped did we meet him. A friend of ours-- a priest, Father Stanisloft, found and helped him, Father stain asked us to help to get him home. we agreed, once aboard our ship the Excalibur we were able to determine what Klein had done to him and a plan was started, Jason was helping us on the ship which helped him physically as well as mentally to getting him adjusted to past five years his missed whilst we travelled the last twenty-three days," she paused, remembering the last twenty days before shrugging and sitting forward on the chair waiting for the questions.
"Is he okay?" Carly pleaded with her eyes hopefully tearful. Talia winced, truly thinking as she sighed, noticing she was doing that a lot.
"Yes, sorta, ugh...medically, yes; I was able to help with the ketamine and other stuff," she paused, biting her lip. "Emotionally and mentally...well, he’s lost five years. He thought he was just gone for months, thanks to the drugs which have some wicked side effects, he's also found out there's a guy out there who's married his wife and is working for you, Sonny. He's got kids that are alive...how that happened, I don't really wanna know. Half the people he thought were dead are also still alive. Ain't that a kettle of fish? And his life is now taken over...so peachy I guess" She sarcastically answered, looking at the two.
"How does he know?" Sonny asked, staring suspiciously at Talia gathering there was more to meet the eyes with the female before them.
"Oh, I have my ways. You're not the only one, Mr Corinthos, that can find information. I've got contacts in the area-- that's all I'm saying," she smirked, thinking of Leon and the team wondering where he was at that moment.
"I want to see him." Carly blurted out looking desperate and excited all at the same time, Talia stood, zipping her leather jacket up and pocketing her phone as sonny passed it before replacing her gloves “Well, I'm not gonna stop you, no doubt they’re worried about how much trouble I'm getting in anyways. so come on then."

Laughter echoed around the new home as Talia pulled the back door open, it was free and happy, bringing a smile to Talia's lips.
She glanced behind at Sonny and Carly before stepping in as she threw her gloves on the kitchen side and unzipped her jacket,
Matthew sat at the dining table, dealing cards as pretzels being used as currency was chucked in the centre of the table.
Jason sat poker-faced, looking at the cards throwing in the misshapen snacks.
"Okay, Poker- usual rules: two pretzels to start," Matthew explained furrowing his brow glancing at his opponents, placing the remaining deck down as he quickly smiled.
The seriousness of the words made Talia chuckle leaning on the side as she watched Lance nibble on one before throwing it in the pile.
"Seriously, don't eat the currency!" Jason abolished glaring at the man.
Lance grinned, throwing another up in the air and catching it in his mouth. "Yummy money," he grinned whilst attempting not to choke,
Jason rolled his eyes as Matthew threw another pretzel at Lance. "As Jason said, quit eating the currency!"
"Oh, but throwing it is allowed?" Lance laughed as Matthew growled.
"Can't play if you eat it, dummy." Matthew retaliated as Lance smirked once again "But I'm hungry,".
"You're always hungry," Jason muttered as Matthew laughed at Lance's shocked face.
"See, not even a month and he knows you so well," Matthew smirked as Talia cleared her throat.
"Boys, I thought I taught you not to play with your food? Oh, I brought some visitors," she smirked, drawing their attention behind her as Jason stood from the table, staring in shock at Carly and Sonny.
Time seemed to stop at that moment; only the sound of breathing lingered as the room quietened.
"Matt, Lance, let's give them a moment. We’ll be outside, Jason," she reassured as he glanced at her, worry in his eyes-- not that she blamed him.
"I have got a bone to pick with two boneheads," she smirked, grabbing three beers from the kitchen side and walking out the door she had come in.
"We’re doomed," Matthew gulped dramatically as Lance laughed, pushing the twin towards the door following her outside and shutting it behind them.
"Think they’re okay?" Matthew questioned as he sat on the porch floor, leaning against the house wall.
Talia looked over to the door as she leaned against the railing of the porch, Lance sitting next to Matthew and looking at her. "I hope so, we can only do so much here," she answered before sipping her beer.
Matthew glanced at his watch, checking the time. "It's been twenty, thirty minutes more?" He suggested as a droplet of rain dripped on Talia's head, making her frown.
"Ugh, I'm starting to think port Charles does nothing but rain, it's worse than the UK," Matthew chuckled as Talia stood back joining the two men.
Within moments, rain began pelting down, hitting the porch tin roof once again.
Talia joined the two as she stood against the wall, closing her eyes and listening to the sound of rain on a tin roof allowing the sound to flow over her, grounding herself as her breathing softened. Lance stood slowly next to Matthew, both watching with a grin. "Give her a minute, let her mind clear."
"She’s lucky she can do that. I don't know about you, but this whole situation is nuts," Matthew whispered as Lance nodded in agreement wondering what they had been dragged into as they stood watching the rain dripping off the porch roof.
Ten minutes passed as Talia blinked looking at the rain thundering down as a soft sigh left her lips "good meditation?" Lance queried with a smile as she nodded "informative, yes" she spoke making Lance frown but before he could as the door swung open stopping her explanation revealing Sonny staring at the three as he looked around the corner of the door,
"Come on in, it's pouring, you're going to get drenched," he scolded as the three laughed, feeling like mere children.
Though slightly damp, they were happy.
Entering their home they quickly spotted Jason sitting on the sofa next to Carly, who looked much calmer than earlier though the tear tracks showed it wasn't quite the case during their reunion.
Talia pulled herself up sitting up on the kitchen counter as Matthew rolled his eyes as she smirked at her brother, Matthew huffed before picking up the discarded leather jacket and gloves and putting it away whilst Lance raided the cupboards for food.
The conversation seemed to carry on from where the two had left off as Sonny turned to Jason "You need to go to Sam and tell her you're alive." It almost sounded like a demand to Talia as she raised an eyebrow "Seriously Mr Carinthos, are you port short of a ship?" She questioned as Jason looked over, attempting to cover the smirk at her insult whilst Matthew and Lance didn't, both grinning ear to ear.
"Excuse me?" Sonny glared as Talia rolled her eyes, staring at the mob boss.
"Ya don't just waltz in there screaming ‘I'm your real husband and that guy is my twin with a plastic face' and expects everything to be hunky-dory after’" Talia growled as Matthew nodded, smirking, enjoying Talia's sarcastic wit.
"Yep, Talia's right. Telling the woman is fine, but not in the dramatic drama llama style, that only causes headache let alone heartache," Matthew defended his twin.
"And how do you suggest we do it?" He asked, hands on his hips, waiting.
Talia's amber eyes stared for a moment at Jason's blues both looking at one another as she began to speak to the room "Easy, we don't. We let Jason decide. It's his life-- we are just here to support him;" she reasoned before looking to Sonny and Carly with a look that said it all as she continued "..Because you can suggest whatever you want, in the end, it's his choice and his life, simple as that," she shrugged hoping they understood.
moments later as Sonny went to respond, Talia's phone rang, throwing all their plans to hell.

Chapter Text

"Leon, speak to me," Talia answered as she put the phone on the loudspeaker.
"We've got a problem. Five men have turned up. They’re looking for Jason. Now there's some gala thing going on within the hour, and I'm guessing they’re up to no good with that other Jason and Sam Morgan being at it. I've had Gwaine here keeping an eye on them whilst not drinking half the bar, but it's not good." He paused as Talia signalled for Matthew.
The man stood, walking to a painting behind the sofa and taking it off the wall, revealing a safe.
"They’re going to try and flush Jason out? Where?" Talia asked.
Lance joined Matthew as he removed the large lockbox from the safe.
"I'm texting you the address. What do you want to do, boss?"
Matthew turned to look to Talia. Both stared at one another for a brief moment.
"Get ready, we're coming!"
"And bringing a friend!" Matthew yelled as he opened the lockbox, revealing five 9mm guns.
"Ah fuck. Seriously, we can take care of this. We ain't got a cleanup crew on this side of the pond, Talia! Last time you three took care of things, bloody Scotland yard went nuts!" Leon argued as Talia rolled her eyes, looking at Sonny as the man checked his own weapon, staring at her with curiosity as to who these two were!
"Won't need a cleanup crew. Mr Carinthos is helping as well, so get to work."
"You got it, I'll let the others know to stay out of your way," Leon reassured before hanging up.
"Gods I hate shooting first," Lance sighed, throwing a weapon to Jason, who caught it with ease.
"Gotta be done. Keep them alive if we can. We need to know who Klein is working for," Matthew explained as he threw a gun to his sister.
Talia put on her jacket, smirking at her brother as she slipped the weapon in the back of her jeans "Let's have some fun, bro."
Matthew grinned, his enforcer coming out loud and clear. "Just like London all over again, sis."
"Ha, minus the banknotes and safe," she smirked as Sonny stared at the two, now wondering just what Jason got mixed up with.

It happened quickly, though not quietly.
Three of Klein's mercenaries stormed the gala as predicted, holding the attendees to ransom.
People screamed as the music stopped.
The sound of champagne glasses echoed as they shattered-- some people ran for the door as clothing ripped and tore in the rush whilst others dropped for cover, screaming in fear.
In the chaos, two of five mercenaries blended into the crowd, crouching, waiting patiently for their target.
Sonny, with Talia besides him, waltzed into the room, their weapons raised and ready.
They held the first man to account as he raised his weapon, ready to shoot as he held a woman by the back of her neck.
"Seriously, don't make me shoot you. I don't think they want blood on this lovely carpet," Talia smirked as Sonny glanced at her, wondering how crazy she was.
"You wouldn't dare," the man replied.
"Really? Are you sure? I love a good target practice. I'm not sure about Mr Corinthos here, but I'm game," she retaliated, her eyes alive with fire.
Slowly and finally, the Merc lowered the weapon, pushing the lady away.
Within moments, the two other mercenaries nerves got the better of them and decided to shoot first and take their chances after.
Lance entered at that moment, quick to act, shooting the first man from the doorway.
Talia dropped to her knees, shooting the second to her left as Sonny handled the third to the right, their bodies dropping to the ground before their eyes.
"That was fun," she grinned, standing and looking over to Lance as the man rolled his eyes.
"They’re getting blood on the carpet, love."
"Damn. Well, I'm not footing the bill," Talia grouched as Lance entered the room, encircling her from behind with his arms holding her close, kissing her neck as she shivered,
the attendees began to stand in shock, staring at the three.
Jason looked down from the skyline to the gala as the chaos erupted with Matthew beside him.
"I think Sonny thinks Talia is crazy," Matthew commented as they watched Sonny stare at Talia, who was still grinning.
Jason nodded, his eyes showing the humour. "He'll get used to it."
The sound of sirens echoed from outside as the people began to stand.
Calm and shock soon settled into the crowd. Talia's eyes scanned the area, spotting Sam Morgan and the other Jason. Her eyes sharpened as dread began to settle.
"Lance," she whispered as his eyes found hers.
"Yeah?" He saw the weariness in her eyes as she began looking around the room.
"Something ain't right."
And then the shit hit the proverbial fan.
"Shit," Matthew cursed as they watched the last two mercenaries emerge from the mingling crowd.
One grabbed Sam Morgan, dragging her towards the door and out of the room, the other backing him up.
Jason reacted instinctively before Matthew could.
With the butt of the gun smashing the skyline, the glass shattered, dropping to the ground as the crowd backed away, screaming once again. Jason followed and dropped down to the floor, landing in a crouch.
His gun rose, pointing at the two mercenaries, silently ready to take the shot, but not willing to risk Sam's life.
Matthew had no whims as he fired from above, taking out the fourth mercenary, who was standing alone, not holding the hostage from the skyline above, making him an easy target.
The last mercenary panicked, pulling Sam with him, quickly holding the gun to her head.
He made his way out of the room and building, with Jason giving chase.
"Go!" Talia shouted up at Matthew, who nodded, heading to the stairs.
"Handle the coppers?" She questioned Lance. The man quickly nodded their eyes studying one another as fear and adrenaline rushed through them, he pulled her close, their lips exploring one another before stepping away.
She rushed off to join Matthew.
"What?" Lance smirked, his eyes alight with passion as Sonny stared at him, shaking his head with humour wondering what he had got himself into once again with these three. "You three are like Bonnie and bloody Clyde!"
Lance grinned cheekily at Sonny. "Minus the bank robberies, yeah I suppose."
Talia and Matthew caught up with Jason at Pier 55, just as the mercenary plunged a needle into Sam's neck.
"Who are you gonna save now, patient 6?" He asked before pushing Sam Morgan into the water over the docks whilst drugged with ketamine.
"Jason go! We'll get him," Talia yelled as Jason jumped into the freezing water after Sam Morgan.
She prayed he would be able to save her.
They caught the last mercenary as Matthew slid to a stop behind the warehouse as he took a shot, winging him in the shoulder, sending him hard into the wall.
"Well, we've got some questions for you, mate," Talia grinned, approaching as she crouched down to the mercenary, handing his gun to Matthew behind her as she grasped the wounded shoulder with great pleasure, making him cry out in pain.
"This will be fun," Matthew smirked, glaring at the man as he panted in pain.
The sound of an engine caught their attention as Leon arrived behind them, jumping out of the car, approaching with a weapon in hand.
"Get him to the other safe house. Hold him, but treat the wound-- I want to know everything. Set Gwaine on him if needs be," Talia spoke, annoyed as she looked to the ginger-haired man while he approached.
"Happy to, bosses," he smirked, grabbing the merc roughly and pulling him up.
"Seriously, I swear you are enjoying yourself too much, Leon."
"Always," the man smirked at the two.
"Don’t let Gwaine near the brandy!" Talia called over her shoulder, laughing after patting him on the shoulder and walking away they had to find Jason.
"He’s at ours with her.'' Lance approached the doorway upon spotting the twins approaching the gala explaining.
Sonny stood speaking to the P.C.PD a few feet away, glancing over.
"Seriously, I can't treat her just like I did Jason. It’s not that simple," Talia hissed to Lance with worry in her eyes.
"I know, but you better get over there before these idiots spot you, they're not the brightest sparks in the pack" he shrugged, grasping her hand for a moment before gently pushing her away as she huffed,
"Let's go, Tal. Either way, we can get her to the hospital if need be," Matthew reassured, nodding to Lance as Talia followed him away from the building.
"Right, treat the woman with lungs full of water and drugged," Talia growled as they headed towards their house as Matthew silently supported her.
"Nothing's ever easy," he muttered as she nodded.
Things were starting to get complicated.

The scene before them was chaos.
Carly and the real Jason attended to Sam, who lay on the couch, soaking wet with laboured breathing as Jason crouched, dripping water on the carpeted floor.
"Who the hell are you?" The other Jason growled, standing feet away, staring at Talia and Matthew as they entered their own home, pushing the door closed.
"Let me punch him," Matthew growled, stepping forward as Talia placed a hand on his arm, their eyes linking.
"Next time brother," she reassured him before smirking and pulling off her leather gloves.
She set them down on the kitchen counter as Matthew passed, glaring at the man before heading towards the cupboard.
Talia approached the man moments behind her brother, glaring up at the other Jason.
The resemblance was there, but only in the eyes-- this Jason’s face was rounder and a stubbly beard.
If anything, she would think them brothers, not twins.
Growling, Talia's amber eyes sharpened. "Let's get this straight. One, this is our house. Two, insult us again in our house that you barged into, and I'll kneecap you quite happily.. and three, I'm about to save your 'wife's’ plastic face. So...zip it. You ain't got a nice word to say, then don't open the mouth!" Talia smirked as Sonny arrived with Lance,
stopping the other Jason from saying anything as Sonny glared at him.
Matthew brought in their medical backpack from the cupboard moments later, allowing him and Talia to get to work.
Lance helped out as much as he could, glancing at the other Jason pacing, watching the other three work, his eyes filled with worry and turmoil under Jason's watchful ones.
Talia worked quickly and efficiently, giving the woman adrenaline to counteract the ketamine, listening to her heart and waterlogged lungs. "Sonny, she needs a hospital. We don't have oxygen here, for one. If she's not careful, it'll develop into secondary drowning or pneumonia," she winced, admitting defeat as Carly placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing slightly.
"You tried. That's the best you can do, Talia," she smiled reassuringly as the girl nodded, admitting defeat.
"Mouth-on-legs, your 'wife' needs a hospital. Tell them she's had adrenaline to counteract the ketamine, but her lungs are full of water. Oh, and you're welcome for the save!" Talia glared over her shoulder at the bitter, jealous, suspicious man.
Standing and stepping back, she watched as the other Jason picked her up.
"We'll go with him," Sonny suggested, looking unhappy at the prospect as Carly gathered her coat.
"We'll be here waiting," Talia offered, smiling slightly as the mob boss and his wife nodded.
"Well that was adventurous," Matthew muttered as he grabbed a few towels, wiping up the water and cleaning down the leather sofa.
"Oh yeah, Let's not do that too often," Lance joked, heading to the kitchen area and turning on the kettle as Talia sighed, throwing away the used medical supplies harder than intended. She angrily huffed, rubbing her brow in angst before walking out the front door without saying a word.
Matthew watched as the door slammed closed. Sighing heavily, Jason looked over to Matthew as he sighed, sitting on the sofa, the damp towel gripped in his palm.
"She's angry at herself for not doing what we planned. Sometimes she hates what she can't control. It's one of our many downfalls," Matthew explained, standing as he threw the towel towards the washing machine, shrugging and feeling just as lost.
"Should I?" Jason indicated to the door as Matthew shrugged.
"You can try by all means."
The twin watched him walk out.
"Think he can?" Lance questioned as Matthew shrugged.
"No idea, but you never know. Come on, let's get cleaned up and leave them for the time being. Sod the kettle, I need something bloody stronger to drink!"

Jason found Talia sitting on the floor, leaning against the house wall.
"You need to change out of that wet clothing," she spoke without looking up. He ignored her, sitting down.
"You’re more important," Jason explained as she leaned into him, her head resting on his shoulder as his arm snaked around her shoulder, holding her in support.
"Did she see your face?" Her words were soft as he sighed.
"I'm not sure," Jason admitted, frowning as he looked down at her.
"I know you want her back...but I know you want her safe," Talia spoke as she glanced up at him.
"I do, and you’re right. It's just this..."
"Other Jason?"
"Yeah," Jason sighed, rubbing his forehead as Talia frowned, chewing her lower lip.
"He really thinks that he's you, huh?"
"He does."
"That's weird," Talia blurted out, making Jason laugh. It was warm and rich.
"Just a little," he admitted as Talia grinned.
They both sat together, content in not moving, watching the rain patter down the tin, dripping rhythmically onto the grass below as the subtle smell of ozone lingered in the air.

Sonny arrived the next morning to organized chaos: Matthew stood, cooking breakfast with Jason in the kitchen area. The smell of toast, eggs, croissants, and fresh fruit danced in the air, teasing his taste buds.
Lance sat on the sofa, cleaning the guns used the previous night, including the ones they got off the dead mercenaries to add to their collection, placing each one back in the lockbox after cleaning.
All the while, Talia stood in the corner of the room by the large bookcase with a man Sonny didn't know. He was taller than her by a clear head and ginger-haired with a scruffy beard. Strangely the man looked familiar to Sonny. He watched him grin ear to ear at Talia.
"Come on Tal, we watched him as you said,'' he, too, spoke in a British accent, like her.
Talia huffed, walking over to the kitchen side, grabbing her coffee as Leon stood, arms crossed staring at her.
"I'm not debating that Leon never did. I'm asking if the knucklehead we grabbed is still kicking after you and Gwaine finished with him," she rolled her eyes, taking a swig of coffee as Matthew passed a cup to Sonny.
"Sonny, meet Leon. He’s been keeping us updated while we were in transit," Jason introduced the knight, who nodded to the mob boss.
"Nice to meet ya properly, Mr Corinthos. And yes he's alive, but..." Leon winced as Talia turned to glare at the man.
"But?"
"It's a dead-end. He was hired by Klein, and only Klein after Jason here escaped," Leon explained, shrugging helplessly.
Talia growled, almost slamming down her cup, glaring at Leon, who smirked. Matthew grinned, searching the kitchen counter as Lance smothered a peal of laughter behind a cough.
"That arsehole! That airy-fairy bloody Berk! What the hell, seriously! That knob jockey, gannet, rat-faced, turkey brained, bull-headed dumbass, dodgy prat!" Talia cried.
Jason stared at the colourful insults as his eyebrows shot up, reminding him of Jacob's insults on the ship as Sonny stared, impressed.
"Can you repeat that? I didn't catch it all," Matthew asked, holding up a pen and notepad.
"Don't be a dick!" Talia growled as Matthew broke out into hysterical laughter.

Leon left shortly to check Gwaine hadn't sneaked to the local drinking hole leaving Sonny, Jason, Talia, Matthew and Lance to their investigation.
"So what's next on the agenda?" Lance asked the group as they sat down to breakfast.
Talia sat back, nursing a coffee, shrugging whilst blatantly ignoring Matthew's glare until Jason pushed buttered toast in front of her.
"Traitor," she half-glared as Jason smiled.
"Eat before Matthew wears a hole in the table."
Sonny watched the interaction between the two as he finally began to figure out their relationship-- something he was pleased with.
"We still need to find Klien," Sonny put in as he tucked into the breakfast.
"I've been thinking about that," Matthew spoke up as he placed down his cup.
"Hurt, did it?" Talia innocently asked, her head tilted to the side.
"What?" Matthew frowned, looking suspicious.
"Thinking, did it hurt?" She smirked as Matthew threw a grape at her before she ducked.
"Cow."
"Moo brother, moo!"
"Children," Sonny and Jason spoke at the same time, looking at one another and smirking.
"Jinx!" Talia and Matthew yelled as they descended into laughter, leaving Lance rolling his eyes wondering how did he get into this position in the first place.
After calming, Talia sat back, looking at Matthew. "You were saying, brother dear?"
"Creep. Anyway, I was saying...Klein failed, right?"
"Well with four-shot mercenaries and one captured, yeah," Talia spoke with an air of mischief.
Jason stared at Talia with curiosity. "Just where is he?"
"The mercenary? He decided to become a member of our other ship, the Camelot," she innocently answered, grinning and gulping down her cup of coffee.
"Decided?" Sonny asked as Talia rose to make herself another cup.
"Yeah, decided to...that or...well, I'll leave it to your imagination," she smirked with a glint in her eyes that said nothing good.
"Anyway, Klein will be pissed, so you know what he's gonna do," Matthew spoke as Lance nodded his head, speaking up. "The obnoxious idiot that is Klien will take things into his own hands."
"Bingo," Matthew muttered, looking displeased.
"Shit," Talia cursed as a theory began to form while she sat down, looking to Jason, gaining all their attention. "I have a theory- just hear me out," she spoke as Jason and Sonny nodded. "It's not a fluke. This happened, this was planned, has been for months, if not years by someone. Now there has to be a reason for this," she paused, grabbing a pad and pen and began writing it out as she spoke.
"--One, why is there another Jason? Why does he think he’s you? For instance, there's got to be a reason you were...kidnapped for it," she shrugged, scribbling away. "Two: Klien can't do this alone. We know he's working for someone and being paid. For instance, there has to be another person helping him...in Port Charles," she winced, raising her head and watching their reactions. Sonny looked shocked as Jason looked bewildered and angry.
"You're saying there's an insider in Port Charles?" Sonny questioned, staring in disbelief.
"Yeah, that other Jason, I'd say, was brainwashed or something along those lines to think that he’s actually Jason. But it's how it's done-- you need a therapist, psychologist or hypnotist I'd guess at best?" She shrugged, looking to them all.
"So someone who could rework the brain if need be? In case the other Jason slipped and starts forgetting?" Matthew asked, looking interested as he started cleaning up.
"Yeah, why not? Hell...we would, it's only common sense," she reasoned as Sonny, Jason, and Lance watched the twins brainstorm everything out.
"True. So if we did something like this, we'd have somewhere for easy access. Somewhere that could be used as an excuse to see him."
"Where it wouldn't look strange or out of place practically normal."
"Somewhere that helps."
"Helps them heal."
"...somewhere like," Matthew paused, turning to stare at his sister's amber eyes and both looked horrified at the prospect.
"A hospital." Two voices answered as Talia and Matthew looked to Sonny and Jason.
"Bingo," the twins answered looking pale.
"Sick bastards," Lance muttered, looking angry before continuing. "What the hell is their plan?"
"It's not what the plan is Lance-- it's whose plan. That's the most concerning thing," Talia soothed as she sat back, losing her appetite.
"Talia, Sam's in General Hospital." Jason looked concerned as Talia nodded, rubbing her eyes.
"Two birds, one stone sis. We can snoop as well. No-one knows who we are," Matthew reasoned as he grinned, looking to her.
Talia sat forward, looking to Jason. "You want to see Sam right?" She asked.
"Yeah, but not to cause trouble," Jason nodded in agreement.
"Then let me and Matthew. We were there, and can check on her," Talia reasoned, looking at the group.
"She's got a point," Sonny suggested before looking slightly concerned.
"What if you're questioned though?"
Matthew chuckled softly. "If we can handle the coppers in the UK, we can handle the P.C.PD here."
"He’s right there, idiots," Lance put in his two cents, grinning as Talia looked to her brother.
"Let's get ready then. We've got snooping to do and a patient to check up on."

Finding Sam Morgan's room was the simplest thing they had ever done-- if anything, it was a little concerning.
"That was way too easy Tal. The last time I checked, you don't just waltz in asking for a patient’s room and ‘bingo!’ they tell you without, oh I don't know, relation to them,"' Matthew muttered, heading to the patient's room with Talia.
"Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. Just a little note to self in the future-- General Hospital's staff ain't the brightest sparks at times,'' she smirked, opening the patient's door.
They found Sam Morgan lying awake in the hospital bed but still looking like she had wrestled a bear and lost.
"Hi, don't know if you remember, but we helped you last night?" Talia smiled softly as Matthew rolled his eyes, adapting the same soft personality as his twin much to his own reluctance.
"Yes, sorta," Sam answered as she sat up a bit more, staring at the two.
"It's no worry if you can't. We wanted to check on you, that's all,'' Matthew reasoned softly as Sam nodded.
"Thank you... can you tell me who...who saved me?"
The twins glanced at one another, both looking uneasy at the question.
"Who do you think saved you?" Matthew asked, stepping closer to the end on the bed as Talia rounded to lean in the wall.
"Jason, but not... I mean he had surgery years ago, yet his face was his old face if that makes sense.”
"Ah," Talia winced as Sam looked at her, frowning. "Look, I'm not going to lie, for all that could do is harm and you'll only find out anyway. There's a theory that your husband 'Jason' isn't your Jason but...his twin," she winced again as Sam stared at the two in disbelief.
"I did see his face then? How?"
"In a nutshell, he was kidnapped and drugged. His brother took his place. He doesn't know that he is the brother. We’re thinking he was probably brainwashed because they couldn't do that to the real Jason," Matthew shrugged, scratching his head, making sure he explained everything right.
"Why brainwash someone to believe that he’s Jason?" Sam questioned as she started to piece the puzzle together.
"Easy, Jason has brain damage from a car accident back in ‘96 right? How can you reprogram something that can't be?" Talia shrugged with sympathy for the brothers and Sam.
"Thank you for telling me," Sam muttered.
They could see the exhaustion and mental trauma in her eyes.
"Look, it's up to you what you do with the info. Jason...the real Jason doesn't want to harm you in any way…"
"Is he okay?" Sam quickly questioned, cutting Talia off.
The girl smiled slightly as a single shoulder lifted "He’s doing as well as expected. He lost everything, including five years of his life. He was drugged up to the nines, but...he won't say if he is or not."
"Yeah, I know," Sam smiled slightly knowing what Talia meant.
"Get some rest," the twins echoed before walking out the door, spotting the face of Monica Quartermaine, Jason's mother a few feet away.
"Oh this will be interesting, explaining to this one," Matthew snarked, closing the door as they approached the woman.
"Hi," Monica nervously stood in front of them. The twins glanced at one another.
"Erm hi?" Talia spoke with a questioning voice. "I was wondering if we can talk?"
"You were at the gala last night, right?" Matthew asked, watching the woman nod as Talia sighed, knowing they could be there for quite a while.
"Well I could do with a coffee," Talia said.
"You always want a coffee," Matthew sighed, glaring at her.
"It's my blood source."
"I thought the lava was?" Matthew deadpanned, smirking.
"Well, that makes brimstone yours," Talia snarked as Monica laughed softly as they all headed towards the coffee machine.
"Is it true?" Monica asked as the twins nursed coffees between them, sitting in the waiting room chairs.
"Is what true?" Talia asked, her head tilted slightly to the left.
"Jason."
"Ah," they winced, mirroring one another.
"Well...it's a long explanation," Matthew explained, scratching the back of his head.
"Please, I need to know...is he my Jason?"
"They both are technically. We just don't know his name," Talia glanced at Matthew, sighing heavily before she began to explain just what they knew so far.

"Can I see him?" Monica asked as they walked to the hospital elevator. The cardiologist had taken the information quite well they noted, yet they hadn't said about the relationship between them and Jason. It didn't seem important at that moment.
"Well sure. He’s staying with us-- you’re welcome to come by," Talia reassured the woman as the elevator arrived.
"Thank you."
"Monica, just wondering...do you have a psychologist or psychiatrist here in GH?" Talia asked as the cardiologist smiled.
"Of course, it's Dr Andre Maddox. Why?"
"Oh no reason, curiosity more than anything. GH is very different from the UK hospitals," Talia played on the innocence, much to Matthew's amusement.
"Oh, I bet it is. I'll see you both later."
As the elevator doors closed behind them, Talia glanced at Matthew as she pulled out her mobile, dialling a number. "Leon, look up a Dr Andre Maddox at General Hospital. I want to know everything on the guy," she demanded before hanging up, staring at the doors.
"Think it's him?" Matthew questioned as he shivered slightly.
Talia nodded, looking determined. "Yeah. Yeah, I do. My bet is on Maddox. We just gotta tie him to Klien.''
Matthew grinned, grabbing his phone and speed dialling. "Lance where are you? Sonny's really? Yeah, we'll head that way...yeah, good news! Sorta. We’ll explain when we get there." Matthew ended the call, looking to his twin, both grinning.

"You've got guards on the door, seriously. And they questioned us!" Talia laughed as Matthew rolled his eyes.
"Until Talia threatened to break his wrist!"
They walked into Sonny's house as Jason and Lance looked over.
"You've got a thing for wrists, you know, right?" Sonny asked as Talia and Matthew glanced at one another, shrugging.
"Yep. Apparently, they both have an unhealthy relationship with breaking wrists and kneecapping," Lance smirked widely as he looked over from the sofa. Sonny rolled his eyes and the twins glared at the former knight, promising retribution.
"So good news or better?" Matthew asked, sitting on the sofa looking at the three.

After explaining the Sam situation, with her responding well to treatment for possible dry drowning and pneumonia, Jason looked more relieved.
"There is just one minor problem," Matthew admitted to Jason, looking slightly concerned.
"That is?" Sonny asked as Jason looked on, a question in his eyes.
"We couldn't hide the fact that her husband ain't her husband. Hey, she asked, we answered!" Matthew defended himself, his hands holding up in mock surrender before Sonny or Jason could say a thing.
"She wanted to know why Jason actually looked like Jason. We couldn't hide it, there's too much at risk. I explained it in a nutshell," Talia explained as she sat on the sofa arm next to Lance.
"You did the right thing," Jason agreed, looking at them both as they sighed with relief.
"Oh, that's good, cause Monica caught us leaving Sam's room as well," Talia smirked, watching Sonny's face drop in shock and Jason's fall into slight worry.
"I think you broke them," Lance snickered.
"What did you say?" Jason questioned as he stood pouring the two a drink.
"Well, she asked if it was true. Where you'd been, if you're okay, what happened... the usual parental worry," Talia spoke as she nodded thanks to Jason for the brandy that she nursed between cold fingers.
"And?" Sonny edged, looking at them.
"And...we explained," Matthew sarcastically answered, smirking as Talia rolled her eyes.
"Behave, brother. We didn't go into detail, but we did find out who is possibly helping Klien with the help of Monica," she smirked again, sipping the golden liquid, enjoying the burn.
"Who?!" Three voices echoed as the twins grinned.
"A Dr Andre Maddox happens to be the psychologist at General Hospital. We already got Leon looking into him."
"Are you sure?" Sonny asked, searching for his phone.
"Ninety percent," Talia answered truthfully as Sonny dialled a number on his mobile.
"Brick, I need to search up a guy. A Dr Andre Maddox who works at GH. I wanna know everything about him."
"Don’t forget bank accounts," Matthew threw in as Sonny nodded.
"Accounts, saving everything." With information shared between the group, Matthew looked at Talia as she sighed.
"We gonna contact Jacob?" Talia stretched, rolling out the kinks in her shoulders and she rubbed her neck.
"Yep, we've got... work to check up on," she grinned at Sonny. He looked suspiciously at the girl, which she purposely ignored.
"You coming too, Jason? Or annoying Sonny for us?" Matthew smirked as Lance headed out with Talia.
"I'll see you at home, say hi to Jacob and the crew," Jason spoke as Talia pulled on her jacket.
"Will do," Matthew smirked, following his sister as they walked out, leaving the two alone. Matthew swore he heard Sonny asking "Just what do they do?" as the door closed behind him.
"He said home," Lance whispered excitedly as they walked out of the compound to their car.
"Yea, he did," Talia replied as she fished out the keys. Matthew glanced over smiling. "Looks like the family is growing."

Three hours later, Talia sat crossed-legged on the sofa as the laptop precariously rested on her lap, going over weather reports for the seas that the Excalibur sailed when the front door opened. Three sets of footsteps drew her attention to the door,
Matthew walked down the stairs on the phone, not noticing the visitors.
"No, we’re using the usual docks Balinor. Oh, and we've got a new crew member joining the Camelot...no, Jacob won't be taking over. We need him on the Excalibur…" he paused, still ignoring the visitors and looking to Talia.
"Are we still throwing that Merc to the Camelot?"
Talia looked over her shoulder to the stairs, grinning and answering. "Yep, Percy can keep an eye on the idiot...that or throw him overboard. Up to him."
Matthew laughed, lifting the phone to his ear.
"Yeah...get Percy ready for a new...transfer. This one's a Merc with a mouth...no we'll meet you at the docks. Yeah, 55 like normal. The trucks will be there...yes, yes bye," he huffed, looking to the door as Jason grinned. Sonny looked curiously annoyed at the female with short red hair, who smirked.
"Talia, Matthew, meet Diana. She's our lawyer," Jason introduced Diana as he hung up his jacket, setting his keys in the bowl that resembled a skull on the counter.
"Nice to meet ya," Talia nodded before looking to the stairs and yelling. "Lance! You sorted that shipment yet?!"
Lance's footsteps approached until he stood at the top of the stairs, amused as always.
"Yes and yes as always. They met with the lorries for unloading and reloading...where's this lot going?" He asked, taking two steps at a time until he stood behind Talia.
"Mexico, usual government red tape and idiots," Matthew chirped as he headed towards the kitchen and started making coffee.
"So what can we do for ya Diana? Sonny, don't look so shocked," Talia grinned, knowing full well that Sonny had just found out who had been using his territory for the last fifteen years.

Chapter Text

"How long?" Sonny all but growled as Talia set down the laptop and charts on the coffee table, looking smug.
"Oh, around 1997, give or take," she explained, tidying up the coffee table as Matthew sat on the steps watching the byplay like a tennis match after passing a coffee to his sister.
Lance entered the kitchen area, proceeding to open the cupboard and set a bag of popcorn in the microwave before turning it on.
"1997? You've been using my docks since then?!" Sonny shouted as Jason joined Matthew on the stairs, enjoying the argument. Talia shrugged easily as she stood, crossing her arms, not even the least bit intermediated.
"Yeah, you started it," she argued.
The sound of popping echoed dully from the microwave as Lance got a large clear bowl from the bottom cupboard, setting it on the kitchen side.
Diana sat on the spare sofa, bringing out documents from her briefcase, enjoying the showdown.
"How?!" Sonny questioned.
"Here's a hint, warehouse on Route 88, plumbing supplies back in ‘97. The owners are from out of town," Talia started.
Lance pulled out the bag from the microwave, shaking the contents before emptying it into the bowl.
"Plumbing supply warehouse?" Sonny moaned as Talia grinned smugly, nodding as the mob boss caught on.
Lance dodged past the arguing pair, joining Matthew and Jason on the stairs, sitting between them, holding his treasure.
"That was years ago!" Sonny threw his arms up as Talia continued to grin.
"Well we had the warehouse next door first...still do actually. So my boss retaliated with using your docks. It’s simple," she shrugged easily as her eyes sharpened, looking somewhat evil in Matthew's eyes.
Lance threw up a fluffy piece of sweet and salty heaven, capturing it in his mouth and crunching away. "Popcorn?" He asked, holding out the bowl to Matthew and Jason.
"And just who was your boss?" Sonny asked curiously as Talia laughed.
"Alina Manners nee Morgan, sister to Lilia Quartmaine nee Morgan," she answered, watching Sonny stare in shock.
"Don’t mind if I do," Matthew answered Lance, grabbing a handful of popcorn along with Jason. All three sat munching away as Diana looked over, rolling her eyes smiling.
"Morgan?" Talia nodded at Sonny as the mob boss finally sat down on the stool by the kitchen island. "In other words, you set an unintended byplay. Alina loved outsmarting you, and Lilia was happy to supply information to her. Alina made sure we were well and truly ready to take over the business-- that included being able to stay one step ahead of yourself and the five families," she winked, sitting back down looking to Lance.
"When did you make that?" She laughed as he held out the bowl of popcorn with a smirk.
"Popcorn anyone?"

"So how can we help you, Diana?" Talia questioned looking at the litigator sitting opposite her. "Two things first: do you have any idea who the other Jason could be?" Diana asked, getting straight to business.
"Leon is getting any details he can. There are ways to trace a person through licences and such, but without a name it'll be hard. We're piecing it together slowly, but if he has traits that are unique to trace, it could be made easier," she stated as she shrugged, reaching over and grabbing another handful of popcorn as Lance held the bowl out to her.
Sonny frowned, looking from the kitchen area.
"Like what?" Talia looked over to the kitchen, her brow knitted together as Matthew took over.
"Well, for instance, we're trained in medicine, so finding our license would be easy by deduction...if we had one that is. So if he could build, repair, or work in electrics, he’d have a photo license out there. Even an army officer could work, that sorta thing."
"Army?" Sonny looked sharply at the twins and Lance. The three looked suspiciously at the man as he leaned forward on the kitchen counter.
"Yeah, they’re trained. It's always the same you know...fight, posture, not being shocked easily, the way they dress, swearing a lot... they've got a timeliness to them, hating being late," Lance pointed out, shrugging as he still sat on the stairs.
"You may have something there." Sonny sounded confident, looking to the three.
"How?" Matthew questioned as Jason listened.
"He holds a gun differently than Jason does. He’s never late, always seems to be ready for...something. It was strange at times," Sonny explained, rubbing his stubbled chin, remembering just what he had seen in the last two years.
"Well that could be marine, army, air force, navy seals, SAS..." Talia counted out on her fingers.
"Maybe even higher," Lance pitched in, spinning the now empty bowl in his hands as Talia glared at the man who smirked sheepishly before she snatched the bowl from his hand and tapped him on the head with it. "Ow!"
"Your legs fall off and can't put it in the kitchen?" She huffed.
"I could throw it?" Lance offered, pointing to the sink.
"And I'll throw you," she smirked somewhat easily.
"Love ya?" He blinked innocently as Talia rolled her eyes.
"Creep," she muttered, blowing him a kiss before looking back to Sonny and continuing her investigation.
"Sonny, what about speech patterns? Army and navy do say some unique things. Does he have a set of words he says that stand out?" Talia pointed out as she placed the empty popcorn bowl on the side of the kitchen counter.
"Problem is, if his mind’s been reprogrammed, then that will be hard to pinpoint," Matthew once again pointed out a problem as Talia looked over, nodding.
"Not necessarily. Get a person angry enough, and their emotions take over-" Talia spoke with a certainty.
"-And the thoughts take a step back and instinct takes over," Matthew continued, finishing off as he fished out his phone and dialed an memorised number. "Hey Leon, new job: get into the navy, army, air force, whatever you can find in personal files...not the USA ones you dolt. Look up anyone that looks like Jason...yeah, our Jason...no, I'll explain later when we've got more pinpointed details. Thanks mate.”
Matthew nodded, hanging up the phone and pocketing it as Talia frowned in thought.
"He'll find him if he's on their records, but we need to get to the other Jason so we can attempt to find out better details.'' She spoke with wonder as she sat down next to Jason, who was sitting on the sofa, looking worried.
"How?" Jason asked as Diana watched their interaction.
"Visit the apartment? The hospital, place of work, I just need five minutes, that's all," Talia explained as Matthew nodded in agreement.
"You might not want to be in the area through-" Lance spoke up as Talia raised an eyebrow at the man behind them before he continued. "-Don't make that look! I've seen how you rattle chains, Talia. You’re like a knight facing a dragon."

Sonny stood in their kitchen, searching the cupboards bringing out various things.
"I want my kitchen in one piece," Talia sang, glancing over to the kitchen as Diana passed over the next set of paperwork to read over and sign.
After receiving a call from Leon, Lance and Matthew had vanished to meet with the man to exchange info on Klien and the other Jason he had so far, leaving Talia with Jason, Diana, and Sonny, who was currently curious as to what the Brits had in their kitchen to eat.
"It will be...what is this? Marmite?"
"Yeast extract from remnants of beer fortified with folic acid, B vitamins and a few other extra goodies. A German scientist, Justus von Liebig worked it out in the early nineteen hundreds," Talia rattled off, explaining, purposely grinning as Sonny placed down the jar, slowly looking disgusted.
"Yanks don't know what they're missing," Talia smirked as she signed another document. "Yeah...I'll miss out," Sonny snarked as he continued to rummage through the kitchen as Talia rolled her eyes, smirking at Diana and patting her hand.
"I'm starting to like you," the lawyer whispered as Talia grinned.
"So just why am I signing these again?" Talia asked the litigator as Jason counter signed each document.
"Jason, until we prove he is Jason, has no by proxy if he is injured…"
"A lot, huh?"
"Oh yes, that means you can sign any medical agreements and also get his ass out of jail should he get arrested."
"Happens a lot as well, huh?"
"Since 1996, over one hundred times," Diana explained as Talia's eyes became as large as saucers.
"Wow...that's impressive," she smirked, making Jason laugh before they began finishing up the papers as Sonny deemed he would make a late lunch.

"So let's see. There's Klien... get proof on this whole Maddox thing being linked to Klien. Find out who kidnapped Jason and who brainwashed the other Jason as well...huh," Talia counted off on her fingers, looking to the small group as they enjoyed lunch.
"That about sums it up," Diana answered, enjoying the Brit’s sarcasm as Talia smirked.
"Ain't this dandy."
"This might make it easier," Lance grinned as he opened the door, Matthew not far behind. He placed a folder in Talia's hands and kissed her brow.
"Oh, presents dear brother?"
"Only the best for you," he answered, taking off his jacket and hanging it up.
"Ah, no flowers or alcohol, just plenty of information. You know me so well," Talia grinned as Lance leaned down, kissing her lips before scoffing.
"Didn't say that on Valentines Day," he winked, hanging up his jacket.
"Hush, you," Talia smirked as she began to read through the papers before bringing out a copy of an airline ticket.
"Bingo." She held it up as Jason took it from her and began to read the destination.
"Klien is here in Port Charles?" He asked as Matthew nodded, sitting next to his sister looking smug before answering.
"Arrived yesterday. How much should we bet that he's going to Dr. Andre Maddox?'' He asked, looking at the group.
"So how do we handle this?" Sonny asked as Jason continued to look through the other paperwork with Lance joining him. Both sat for moments as Lance grinned, snagging bank statements.
"Oh look, pretty numbers-" Lance smirked, looking at Klien's bank account as he continued. "We could use some of the zeros, he wouldn't miss them would he?"
"You know what, Lance? I don't think he would," Jason's eyes lit up, the kind that said he was up to no good whilst Talia reached for her laptop at the end of the table, looking at Matthew with determination.
"Oh my dear twin, time to access a few bank accounts."
They set up on the dining table, quickly getting to work with smug satisfaction.
"Are we being nice?" Matthew asked, glancing up as he typed in quick succession.
Talia paced around the room, throwing a hackensack ball in the air. Either it was excitement or anxiety to get the blood money away from Klien into good use, she wasn't sure.
"Yeah, sure. Why not?" She glanced over, continuing to throw the ball rhythmically-- up and catch, up and catch, up and catch.
Lance stood in the kitchen, starting on the evening meal with the help of Sonny, leaving the twins to their speciality of annoying others without their knowledge or consent.
Jason sat with Diana and Carly, who arrived earlier. Both were having way too much fun watching the “terrible duo” as they dubbed the twin’s work, much to Sonny's humour.
"So...what should we say a hundred left in the account?" Matthew asked as Talia glanced over as she continued to throw the ball, smirking.
"Nah, don't make it too easy, spread it out to the...four accounts?"
"Five,'' Matthew muttered, continuing to clean out Klien's savings.
"Huh, who really needs so many accounts? Spread it between the five then," Talia grinned, throwing the ball between her hands, left to right, right to left.
"Where are we putting the three million?" Matthew paused, looking over as Diana choked on her coffee as Carly patted her back.
"Three million?!"
Talia smirked, not answering the litigator. "Which accounts are low Matthew?"
The young man checked the others as Jason rounded the couch, curious to see what was going on. Matthew showed him the screen as Jason's eyebrows rose skywards, reading the various accounts they supported.
"There's the Mexico health clinics, the free clinics joint account U.S.A., Canada, and Asia, plus UK family support group," Jason read out as Matthew pointed to them.
Diana and Carly listened, gaining new light on just how much the three supported free medical care.
"Spread it between them, but take five percent to our usual account as reserve," Talia smirked as she stopped behind the two, watching the laptop screen.
"That should tie them over for some time," Matthew smiled as Jason whistled.
"Yeah, just a bit." the man shook his head in disbelief.
"I'm starting to like you three more and more," Diana commented, looking impressed at Talia and Matthew.
"Now that's huge praise from a litigator," Carly remarked, grinning as Diana rolled her eyes.
------------------------------------
Talia stood with Matthew once again leaning on the wall in the hospital corridor watching the psychologist’s door.
Three hours had passed with Talia and Matthew taking turns to grab coffee or mingle around the hospital to draw less attention-- their patience was slowly running thin. Finally Klien arrived-- just the person they needed.
They stood watching as the so-called doctor stormed into the office of Andre Maddox, his face contorted as his brow lowered and cheeks reddened, his hands balled into fists looking very angry.
"Wonder what rattled his chains," Talia grinned, leaning on the wall as Matthew shrugged, looking over and eating a tuna sandwich.
"Twenty dollars per account could be an idea."
They waited, listening to the raised muffled voices carrying through the closed door.
"Who are you taking?" Matthew asked as he glanced curiously at his sister.
"I'll take Maddox if you wanna follow Klien."
"Find out where he's staying?"
"Hm, set him up as well if you’re up for it. If we get the lovely P.C. PD to pick him up, that will get us one step closer to finding whoever he works for," Talia reasoned as Matthew nodded, pushing the last of his sandwich in his mouth.
It didn't take long for them to wait as Klien stormed out the office, slamming the door behind him.
"Keep in contact," Talia said as Matthew nodded, kissing her brow before following Klien.
Matthew waited as Talia walked to the office, watching the elevator close as the enforcer moved quickly towards the stairs, taking three at a time. Slightly out of breath, he opened the exit to the stairs, waiting on the ground floor as the elevator arrived.
Fishing out his baseball cap that matched Talia's and throwing it on his head, Matthew waited for Klien to leave the building and enter his car. Muttering, he hoped Talia wouldn't be too pissed off as he fished out the keys to their own and followed the doctor out of the car park.
They ended up outside a holiday rental outside of Port Charles, he sat in honda CRV examining the security of the holiday rental via his phone before dialing.
"Hey Leon, I need a favour...yea, Talia's idea, set up style... And the P.C.PD throwing his ass in a cell by midnight, can it be done?....How the fuck did you get PCP? You know what, I don't want to know…wait till Talia finds out. I ain't taking the slack! I'm sending you the address, I want it done tonight if possible, then make the call. Use one of the burner phones- Gwaine's got a stash for each of his girlfriends," Matthew sniggered as he hung up, texting the address as he started the motor whilst dialling Talia's number.
At the same time, pushing open the office door, Andre Maddox looked over in confusion as Talia stood in the doorway, looking determined and dangerous.
"We need to talk," she glanced around, stepping into the room.
"I don't know who you are, but you’re intruding my office," he looked sharply at the girl before him ,taking in the red hair, amber eyes and clothing. Her posture psychologically showed confidence and a no-mess attitude; there was something behind her eyes that made Andre nervous.
"Well I'm at an advantage then, ain't I…" she began, closing the door and stepping towards the desk. "...You and dear Klien have someone in common, a certain Patient Six and a Jason Morgan with very questioning dual personality that isn't his. There's only one difference between you and Klien at this direct moment...well two actually."
"And what's that?" Maddox looked with worry in his dark eyes as he rounded the table. Talia smirked, spotting his fear.
"A desk won't protect you, Maddox- now for one, Klien has it coming to him for what he did for the last five years...what your definition of 'coming' is, I'll leave to your imagination. And two...his flat. Out. Broke. Courtesy of...us," she beamed, stepping closer to the desk.
"What do you want?" Maddox asked, looking for an escape route as Talia smirked.
"Simple, I want the truth. I want to know just what you did to Patient Sixand the one who thinks he’s Jason Morgan. And don't leave any details out, because I may let you walk out this room alive without you being hunted down and ending up over a certain pier with a bullet in your back. If you do help, I can make you vanish and put your skills to good use," she grinned, sitting on the visitors chair as Maddox followed her.
Andra gulped before he began "I met the twins…"
------------------------------------------
Sonny and Jason stood looking at one another as the door slammed open.
"You bloody left me!" Talia growled, shoving her brother as he laughed.
"You said to follow him, jeez come on!"
"Seriously, a quick call is all I needed," she huffed as she threw her coat on the side.
"I did...on the way back," he laughed, copying her movements as she swung, punching him in the arm.
"Jerk."
"Trainwreck."
"Jackass."
"Washout."
"Bite me."
"Children!" Sonny all but yelled at the two as both heads snapped towards him.
"What?!" They both yelled as they stood smirking.
"How did it go?" Jason asked, nonplussed by their antics as they huffed. Sonny fetched the whiskey seeing the twin grins that said they had been up to no good.
"Klien will be in jail come sunrise," Matthew shrugged, taking the glass from Sonny with a nod of thanks.
"Maddox sent a nice little file and a very long tale of two brains," Talia smirked as Sonny passed hers.
"Seriously, a tale of two brains?" Sonny rolled his eyes as Jason shook his head.
"Beat A Tale of Two Cities. That book is long!" Talia muttered.
"Not to mention boring," Matthew shrugged.
"You two are incorrigible," Sonny bemoaned as the door opened.
"You only just realized that?" Lance asked as he entered, carrying overloaded bags of what seemed like clothing in each hand.
"Have fun?" Sonny asked as Carly followed with bags herself, grinning like a loon. "We did!"
"Oh yeah, every shop in Port Charles. Luckily I know both your sizes, or we'd buy all the shops!"
"You enjoyed it Lance, you know it," Carly smirked as Lance blushed ever so slightly whilst the twins burst out laughing.
The bags were finally sorted between Matthew’s, Jason’s and Talia and Lance's shared room, much to Jason's mortification on Carly's criticism of Jason's wardrobe.
"Ho, the guy was locked away five years. Father stain found clothing for him and the rest was from Jacob," Talia shrugged, not seeing the problem with the way Jason dressed.
"But you should see him in a leather jacket," Carly bragged as Talia frowned.
"You ride?" Jason glanced over with a slight smile as Carly's overenthusiastic nature took over.
"Oh yes he does. What is your motorcycle, Jason?"
"Harley Davidson."
"Not as fast as ours,'' Matthew sang under breath, throwing himself on the sofa next to Talia, grinning.
"Nope," she smirked, wiggling her eyebrows as Lance sniggered and Jason frowned.
"Okay, what do you two ride?" He asked curiously as Sonny passed out the tumblers of whiskey.
"Yamaha R1," they both spoke as one, as Carly looked practically pale.
"Please say you wear helmets?!"

Conversation passed to Matthew and Talia's adventures as Talia's mobile rang a short time later. Grabbing the phone off the table, she answered, putting it on speaker.
"Klien's in P.C.PD custody," Leon's smug voice drifted through the speaker.
"How?" Talia asked, glancing at Matthew. The man shrugged, grinning ear to ear.
"Oh, just a job we did a few weeks back. We borrowed the... stock and placed it in Klien's place."
Talia could imagine his shrug of not caring who he set up.
"What stock?" She was skeptical as she stared at the phone, waiting.
"PCP...don't…"
"YOU WHAT!!!!"
"..Yell-" Leon sighed on the phone before continuing.
"-come on Talia, we confiscated it. You know how we work-- it was going to be destroyed. We just decided to use it to our advantage," Leon rambled as Talia growled down the phone, leaning on the table, glaring.
"I want the rest destroyed, you understand me, Leon?!"
"It already is, we found an incinerator. It's burning as we speak!" He soothed as Talia glared at her brother, who held up his hands in mock surrender.
"Hey, don't look at me! I've nothing to do with the drugs, you know that!" Matthew protested.
Talia rolled her eyes and picked up the tumbler Sonny placed next to her, downing the whiskey.
"Fine. Leon, I want an eye kept on the twirp. We’ll collect the idiot when bail is posted in a few days," she reasoned before the man hung up, no doubt with a sigh of relief.
"One down," Sonny remarked as he refilled the tumbler.
"Yeah," she huffed, glaring at her brother, who sheepishly wouldn't look at her as he mentally cursed Leon while Lance soothed Talia's rattled nerves, rubbing her shoulder.
"Well here's my news...take a seat, cause this is one hell of a story," Talia began before getting comfy as the others settled.
Sonny and Carly sat together with Jason on her other side as Matthew with Lance sandwiched Talia.
"Okay, Maddox was hired to experiment on twins swapping their memories…" she paused, waiting for the various cries of "What?” “How?” and ”That's crap!"
Holding up her hand, she placed down a memory card on the coffee table. "That my friends have the whole list of people the little rat experimented on. And how?" She paused, opening the folder, showing pictures of two people. “Now, Maddox doesn't know names, just numbers: Patient 1 and who he transferred the memory to the twin, making the second twin to believe he was the first twin, and so on.'' She paused once again before placing down a file. "Basically it's confusing as hell, making a person believe they are their own twin brother, if that makes sense?"
"Apparently this guy, Cesar Faison, shot you right back in 2012. Well, it's Faison's son, Hendrik Faison, who is playing his father to take over the business. He's the one that kept you alive, hired Maddox to swap your memories into your twins and keep you sedated in the vain hope that your twin would kill Cesar Faison, so Hendrik Faison could take over the business. I'm guessing it backfired?"
"You honestly couldn't make that shit up," Matthew blanched, staring at his twin, who shrugged.
"I honestly thought my brain would melt with Maddox whittling on."
"Just where is Maddox right now?" Carly asked as Jason stood, pacing around the room, agitation and anger building up inside him.
"Safe. He’s with Leon. I want every bit of info out of the worm first then he'll be joining the crew as a shrink on the Camelot," she shrugged, watching Jason as he walked out the house, slamming the door behind him.
"Tal?" Lance stared at her as Talia stood with a sigh, stopping Carly as she slightly nodded.
"I'll go," she spoke, grabbing her and Jason’s jackets.
"The old bridge," Carly quickly spoke up as Talia turned, frowning.
"He liked to go there to clear his head before everything. It might help," Carly shrugged as Talia nodded.
"Thanks Carly."
Walking out, she called over her shoulder at the group. "Have a read, see if you can grasp it, cause I can't. And order dinner, Matt, would you?"
Talia could feel the tension radiating off Jason as she closed the door.
"Come on," she threw the leather at him as Jason caught it.
"You need some air and so do I," she continued, walking towards the old bridge.
Their walk was silent, allowing a peaceful atmosphere to settle around them.
It wasn't until they got to the centre of the disused old bridge looking down at the flowing river below, did Jason speak.
"He stole my life, five years…"
"And you want to kill him?" Talia guessed, shrugging as she sat on the railing, leaning on the support as her legs swayed back and forth over the edge.
"Yes," he spoke slowly as though thinking it over.
"What would that achieve?" She asked, looking over as he leaned on the same rail that she sat on, the two of them looking at the flowing water below.
"I don't know."
"Well, apart from making you feel better, sure. But you're thinking of yourself...what about the others, the other five patients? He robbed their lives, too. Or the five people's memories that he stole?" She reasoned softly. "I get you’re angry and hurt, Jason. I am too, and I wasn't even there, but there's a bigger picture here. We’re only just starting to piece the puzzle together." She watched him work through his emotions before huffing as condensed air puffed out of his lips.
"How long until the puzzle is done though?" Jason asked softly.
"I don't know, but until it's complete, I won't be going anywhere," she reassured softly as he nodded, sighing.
"Thank you."
"You can thank me later by paying for dinner," she smirked as he laughed ever so slightly, rubbing cold fingers together.
"How do we find them?" Jason asked curiously.
"Well, I'm guessing Klien held them just as he held you, so I'm betting he's got a list somewhere," she shrugged, looking down at the rushing river below.
"Well we wait... we wait till his bail. Fancy helping to scare the living crap out of him?" She asked as Jason smirked.

Chapter Text

"Ain't that Icing on the cake?" Matthew smirked as he sat opposite his sister, passing the phone to her.
"Better than the best," Talia grinned, glancing at the text before placing the phone down.
"So Klein has an arraignment in front of a judge. Think the judge will post bail?" Matthew queried, looking at Talia as they both sat at the table, enjoying a peaceful moment for once.
"Not on his own," Talia grimaced before blowing on the hot coffee nestled between her cold hands.
"You’re thinking Diana, that litigation lawyer," Matthew broached with a knowing look.
"Bingo! Think Sonny will mind if we borrow her?" Talia snickered as Matthew grabbed the mobile, dialling Diana's number.
"Probably, but when has that ever stopped us?" Matthew winked, his eyes meeting hers as he lifted the phone to his ear, waiting for the lawyer to answer.
--------------------------------------
Talia took the stairs two at a time down to the docks; the wind whipped up around her as the rain pelted down heavily on the leather jacket as she brought her hood tighter over her cap, shivering already.
The Camelot could be seen just ahead a mile off the port. In the bad weather, it would take a couple of hours to dock, so all she could do was wait. Pounding her booted feet to stop the numbness, she looked around for some kind of cover, seeing only the warehouse as being a suitable hideout.
It was distant footsteps that caught her awareness first-- she noticed how much smaller Sam Morgan was to Jason, almost like the woman would break in a strong gust.
"Mrs Morgan, bad night for a walk," Talia nodded her head as Sam joined her side, seeking cover from the weather.
"I needed..." she sighed pausing as she attempted to filter the feelings into words. Talia wasn't sure if it was tears or rain in the woman's eyes.
"A break? Maybe clear your head?" Talia filled in, stepping more into the corner of the warehouse building, allowing room for Sam to stand next to her.
"Yeah...how is he?" Sam questioned, her hands shoved in her pockets, looking lost.
"Would you like the truth or you want me to lie?" Talia smiled cheekily as the woman shook her head.
"Truth, please."
Talia crossed her arms, leaning against the warehouse wall, facing the port.
"Hmm, strong-willed and determined to find the truth. He’s also, well, he’s worried for you, though at the moment his mind is on finding who did all this," she waved her hands around, indicating the world before continuing. "After that, I can't say for sure. I only know how he's doing now, I suppose that's up to you and him in the future," she shrugged, pulling her hood lower as the wind picked up as she glanced over.
"The other question is how are you, Sam?"
Sam paused before answering. "Scared, mixed up, I thought I had Jason back and he's not..my Jason...yet I care...oh I don't know," she sighed heavily, looking to the rain-filled heavens.
"Ah, well I can't say I know how you feel, as I ain't ever been in that position. But my advice is this: take your time, don't compare that man who is not Jason to Jason" Talia paused, gaining Sam's full attention. "The man you married-- his life was stolen and replaced, just as much as yours was. The path you are meant to walk will come to you, maybe not today, but soon. Till then, you cope. You do it any way you have to, but don't wallow in pity, that just hurts more," she advised as the heavens opened even more; the rain began to pour harder as thunder echoed dully over the sea.
"You sound like you speak from experience. Thank you, Talia," Sam smiled warmly.
Talia noted she looked a little less troubled. "Maybe I am, but anytime."
"I best be getting back before this gets worse," Sam indicated to the sky as she shoved her hand in her pocket, walking away.
"Have a good evening."
Sam smiled hurrying away towards home,
Talia stood, watching her leave, before her eyes looked to the ship heading slowly towards her, pitying how wet she was going to get by the end of the night.
Talia sat in the corner of the warehouse doorway, crouching down watching the large container ship, struggling to hear as she held her phone to her ear the wind taking her breath away as the rain pelted against already red raw cheeks.
"We can't dock, these waters are too choppy and we’re too light. We're being thrown around like a deck of cards," said the Captain.
The voice on the other end was the captain of the Camelot, Balinor.
"Drawback and cast anchor. Ride out the storm, I'll speak to Sonny. See if we can use the docks tomorrow night, I'll check in with you in the morning," Talia replied.
She shivered as her teeth chattered. Standing and stamping her feet, she hung up and began phoning the distribution team as she headed towards the house, feeling like a drowned half-frozen rat as rain dripped off her cap and thunder echoed louder with each step she took.

The door opened with a loud thud drawing attention as the wind whipped through like a tunnel howling
"Where's the kid?" Sonny questioned Carly besides him as she closed the umbrella setting it by the door. With the clear sound of the storm outside echoing through the house, it was bad enough to worry the pair.
Matthew looked over, speaking on the phone rapidly, worry evident in his voice as Lance stood with Jason, putting on their jackets.
"Delivery came. The Camelot's having trouble docking. Balinor’s on the phone with Matthew, Talia was out there waiting. That was two hours ago," Lance filled in as Jason grabbed his gloves, looking at his friend. "We’re going to the docks."
"Shit. Well, come on, limos outside Max…"
"Don't bother, it's fucking wet out there," Talia walked in, dripping wet, her teeth chattering as she began peeling off her jacket, shivers coursing through her body.
"Damn kid, you look half-drowned," Sonny remarked, taking her soaked jacket and baseball cap, setting it down on the side.
"Happens in a storm," she grouched, peeling off her wet boots and dumping them by the door, not caring a wit as Carly gathered her wet jacket to be dried.
"Shower. You need to warm up," Lance worried, sighing and guiding the freezing girl towards the stairs by her shoulders.
"They can't dock, we need to call the warehouse."
"I'll do it," Jason volunteered, taking Talia's phone as she passed it over and began calling. She noted how quickly he had picked up their business.
"I'll make sure your ship can dock tomorrow," Sonny advised, seeing the sorry state the twin was in, dripping wet with hair plastered to her face, her hands and skin red raw with cold as Lancelot helped her up the stairs while Matthew smirked, watching, knowing very well what they would be up to.

"I should have gone with you," Lance abolished as he closed their bedroom door, helping to remove her soaked t-shirt and tossing it in the hamper.
"And then we'd both be drenched," she grinned as his fingers ghosted down her bare side.
"But then we could both warm-up together," he grinned lustily as she allowed her damp hair to fall from its bobble. His fingers untangled the red tressels, their eyes locking, studying one another's soul.
"True. We still can though, even now," she smirked, grasping his hand and leading the way to the un-suite.
"Well when you put it that way, my lady, I can't refuse.”

Talia sat on the floor, smirking at a semi blushing Lance in the kitchen. Matthew rolled his eyes, knowing very well what they had been up to as he warmed up milk on the stove.
"Tart" the brother growled as Lance looked over, smirking.
"She started it!" Lance retaliated, whispering.
"Ew that's my sister, I don't bloody want to know!" Matthew blanched at the mental image as Lance scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Then don't call me a tart, you twat!"
Dressed warmly after a shower and warming up courtesy of Lance's help and a shower, Talia leaned into Carly’s touch as she brushed out the knots of her red hair, enjoying herself. Talia noted how nice it was to be taken care of before noticing Carly enjoyed it as well.
"Is that my hoodie?" Jason asked as Talia looked over, grinning at the oversized black hoodie hanging off her shoulder.
"Lovely and warm," she commented, cuddling into the fleecy goodness.
"Get used to it. She's a clothes monster," Matthew commented, passing a hot chocolate to his sister.
"Am not," she grouched.
"Yes you are,'' Lance smirked, sitting beside Carly. "Don't worry Jason, I'll get you some more."
"She’ll only pinch them," Matthew sang off-key just as Talia kicked him.
"Aw, what was that for?!" He grumbled, rubbing his shin.
"I don't pinch, I commandeer," she smirked as Carly laughed. The woman truly liked the twins and a small hope in her lingered, wanting them to stay.
Sonny walked into the room pocketing, his phone taking in the sight of homely bliss before speaking up. "The docks will be clear tomorrow, but--"
"But?" Matthew turned to look suspiciously at the man.
"I want to be there," Sonny smirked, feeling smug. He would find out just what these three handled.
"Nosy," Talia smirked, glaring up at Sonny, who smiled brightly as Carly finished braiding her hair.
"Ah, he can meet Balinor and Percy then," Lance grinned as Talia's eyes widened, hoping Balinor would behave tomorrow night.

"I saw Sam," Talia remarked, looking at Jason after Sonny and Carly had left a few hours later.
"How is she?" He asked softly as the girl shrugged, curling up on the sofa.
"I'm not going to say okay. She seems confused and conflicted."
"Who wouldn't be--" Matthew reasoned as he looked over the newest set of documents. "--She'll get there, same as you, cousin," Matthew reasoned, looking over he's warm eyes showing his determination.
"When's Klien's bail?" Jason asked as Talia sat up, a determined look crossing her features as her eyes hardened.
"So many days, I'm not sure. But after the judge finalized things, we've got Diana paying the bail. Leon will collect him and then we'll probably meet him and do what we must. Till then, we bind our time."

The next morning brought sunrise and clear skies, the smell of fresh grass and autumn lingered in the air as Talia pulled on her red hoodie, knowing very well that Matthew and Lance would be annoyed with her taking their fun away. Truly not caring, she took the stairs two at a time, heading to the hooks holding all the coats, grabbing her jacket, and throwing it on.
The house was quiet, except the ticking of a clock and the soft floating music from the radio to which Lance was humming along, knowing Jason was with Sonny, catching up on business.
Matthew would soon be meeting with Leon later; Talia could just about hear the shower upstairs, no doubt in her mind that Matthew would be singing off-key to the Spice Girls, leaving just Lance available.
"Where are you going?" Lance questioned as she entered the kitchen area, reaching behind him and grabbing an apple from the fruit dish,
"Setting a wheel in motion," she shrugged, kissing her cheek as his hands snaked around her waist.
"Should I worry?"
"Not yet, but we need to find out who this other Jason is...the sooner the better," she shrugged as Lance sighed softly, their foreheads touching.
"Be safe, be careful."
Their lips met chaste and soft before Talia stepped away.
"Always," she smirked as he handed her a travel mug of coffee.
"Call if you need help."
She nodded, walking out the door towards the Port Charles Media Company, knowing her target was waiting.

"Get out," the other Jason stood, staring at Talia as she pushed the door closed.
"Erm...no I don't think I will," she smirked, stalking into the room and leaning forward on a chair, her hands grasping the leather.
"I will call security."
"Seriously? You can put down a man twice your size, yet now you own a media company and you want to call security?” She smirked, staring at him, her amber eyes locking with his slightly darker blue ones.
"You can't just walk in here like some Motarded person!"
Her eyes sharpened at the words, mentally clocking each one, knowing she was closer.
"Really? This is a media company and it ain't like you’re working with Sonny no more now that Jason’s back."
"I'm Jason, not that Schmuckatelli! He doesn't even compare to me!" He all but yelled as Talia smirked, crossing her arms, not even the slightest bit bothered.
"We'll see. I did come here to say you’re not the only one mixed up in this mess… Your wife and our Jason are mixed up in this as well," she reasoned, her head tilting to the side, studying how he stood almost to attention as he huffed.
"Let’s break it down, Barney-style. I don't care about him."
"Oh how nice, you're a prat as well as a full-grown wassock, seeing as you're not in a good mood, I'll leave you to it," she smirked rolling her eyes and turning to leave.
"I appreciate your good-initiative, bad-judgment approach kid, but I can help my wife!"
She turned as her hand grasped the door, grinning, now having all the proof she needed. She called over her shoulder before walking out the room, "We'll see. Oh, and thanks for the field day."
She exited, leaving a confused man in her wake as he wondered how he knew what she meant, yet he could not understand how he did.

Standing at the Volonino's gym door, Talia watched Sonny in the ring training, jabbing the air left-right-left-right.
"Keep your left up," she heard as Jason and a younger man stepped closer to the boxing ring. She watched as Sonny invited the younger man into the ring, only to be teased as Jason grabbed him from behind.
It was carefree and nice to see Sonny's own enforcer happy, it was something she saw in Matthew on most days.
She reasoned the young man had to be Michael Corinthos. Leon had explained earlier that he was Sonny's adopted son but raised by Jason for his first year of life with Carly mixed in there somewhere, which confused Talia to no end.
Mentally shrugging, she stood, observing and enjoying the peace while watching a family rebond. Her thoughts soon lingered to her own family for a brief moment before mentally squashing them, putting her thoughts back to where they belonged-- behind closed doors. It didn't help to linger on the past --not right now.
Sonny and Jason sparred, both bare-knuckled, dodging and diving their sync perfect.
Micheal teased and advised, not that he knew much about boxing as a sport than more for survival, Talia wagered as she stood watching silently, observing as she smiled, sipping her warm coffee.

"Hey kid," Jason called, spotting Talia by the door as his blue eyes glanced over to her.
"Sorry, didn't want to barge in," she sheepishly smiled, looking away for a brief moment as she approached the ring.
"Others not with you?"
In the distance, Michael’s eyes lingered on Talia as she entered the gym, stepping up onto the outer ring as Sonny questioned.
Talia leaned forwards onto the ring’s ropes, bouncing slightly. "Matthew's with Leon and Lance is sorting out the lorries for tonight," she shrugged, biting her lip.
"Quit that before you make it bleed," Jason scolded gently as she rolled her eyes.
"Talia, meet Michael, my son and Jason's nephew," Sonny introduced, smiling as the young man seemed transfixed with Talia-- he couldn't quite place it what caught his attention was her eyes, he had never seen eyes like sparkling tiger stone,
"Hi." Michael smiled warmly transfixed with her eyes still
"Nice to meet ya, Michael," she smiled, noticing his brown eyes were just like Carly's, as Jason and Sonny climbed out of the ring.
"So what have you been up to?" Jason asked as he unwrapped his hands, Sonny matching his movements as Michael passed bottles of water to the two men.
"Oh...not much," she smirked her eyes full of mischief.
"Oh no," Sonny bemoaned as Michael grinned. It seemed his dad knew quite a bit about the girl to be worried about.
"What?" Talia shrugged, feigning innocence as she looked around.
"What did you do?" Jason asked, huffing as she shrugged, nursing her now slightly cold coffee.
"Annoy a plastic doll."
"Seriously?" Sonny rolled his eyes.
"Yes, and it worked out quite well, thank you very much!" She overly nodded.
"A plastic doll?" Michael curiously inquired to what she meant.
"Talia means the other Jason. For some reason, that's what she's named him, among other plastic objects,'' Sonny filled in as Talia nodded happily before turning and asking.
"And?"
"Motarded, Schmuckatelli, Let’s break it down Barney-style, Good initiative, bad judgment--" she counted off on her fingers. "They’re U.S Marine or SEAL sayings, not one civi I know says them without either being born an army brat or being part of them."
"How do you know the words then?" Michael asked the question lingering on both Sonny and Jason's minds.
"Basic training. Matthew and I, when we were younger, accomplished basic training about sixteen years old, we had to do it. One thing Grandma Alina wanted us to do was to follow orders and increase our knowledge--" she shrugged easily, looking from Michael to Sonny. "--Plus I have a few people with their skills on the books for the harder jobs," she finished, smirking as Sonny moaned.
"Of course you do."
"Jealous?"
"No."
"Aw, I was gonna introduce you to a few as well!" She laughed as Jason rolled his eyes, looking at Michael, who smiled. It was refreshing to find someone to annoy his father and enjoy it.

"Talia's different," Michael commented as they entered Sonny's house, closing the door behind himself. Sonny found himself nodding, thinking ‘different’ was putting it mildly.
"They are downright pains in the backside, but they had their moments. Both of them are unique, both have quite the skill set," said Sonny with a thoughtful frown.
"Both?" Michael frowned, interested as he watched his father cross the room.
"Matthew, the one she mentioned-- he’s her twin brother. There's another, Lance, who's with them. Well with Talia, he’s her partner. They're starting to be dubbed as the ‘troublesome trio’, but in all honesty, they are handy and skilled. I don't even want to think what would have happened if they didn't help Jason get home," Sonny explained, his eyes showing gratitude as he poured two drinks.
"So Jason's staying with them?" Something Michael was surprised about in all honesty-- he would have expected Jason to stay with Sonny and Carly for the time being.
"For now, it seems…." Sonny wasn't sure how to explain as he passed a tumbler of whiskey.
"Good for him?" Michael asked, remembering Jason's interaction with Talia/
"Why'd you say that?" Sonny questioned curiously, wondering if Michael saw what they saw on their numerous visits.
"He's lighter, not so moody around Talia, more talkative. I can't place it, but I've not seen Jason like that since I was a kid," Michael attempted to explain as Sonny listened.
"I suppose you’re right, but wait until you meet them first."
"Meet who?" Carly asked, walking into the room as she hugged her son.
"The terrible trio," Sonny smirked as Carly rolled her eyes.
"Well, as a matter of fact, Michael will...I've invited them to Thanksgiving in two weeks."
"But they're British," Sonny frowned in confusion.
"And?" Carly argued, grinning as Michael knew that Sonny had lost the argument already. "Well..they’re kids and...I don't know!"
"I'm sure a proper meal and giving a little thanks for being with family won't harm them, darling," Carly smirked, walking towards the kitchen with a bounce in her step as Michael patted Sonny's back.
"You lost at the word invite, Dad." Michael sympathised patting him on the back
"Don't I know it," he groaned.

"Diana," Lance smiled warmly sitting opposite the lawyer as she worked on her laptop in the local haunt. Lance had to wonder if she even had an office.
"Mr. llyan, how can I help you?"
"Please call me Lance. Mr. llyan, has me wondering where the lake is-" he joked before continuing. "-Anyway, Talia is off annoying the ‘plastic doll’s head’ as she calls him, and I was wondering how things are with the quack?"
Mr Klien?" Diana inquired, shutting the laptop and giving her full attention to Lance.
"The one and only," Lance nodded, leaning back into the seat, crossing his arms as though getting comfortable.
"A few days, no longer than a week, and then he’s yours," Diana smirked, watching the man bring out his phone before he sent a few texts in quick succession.
"Brilliant, Talia and Matthew will be pleased...not that Klien will.'' Lance’s feral grin showed as he began to stand.
"What...will you do with him?" Diana asked, intrigued as Lance stopped midway to standing and sat back down.
"Klien and his people made our lives difficult and ruined even more. He did a lot of damage whilst we've been in Russia, watching the idiot get fully involved in more shady things…"
"To watch him by whom?" Diana questioned as Lance shrugged easily, smiling warmly.
"Our predecessor, Alina. She knew of Kilian and his associates, but couldn't prove it, so she asked for our help."
"Ah, and Alina is the equivalent of Sonny?"
"Oh no, she's so much more. Hell, maybe you'll meet the family one day," Lance smirked, finally standing and leaving the lawyer to work.
Diana stared at his retreating figure, frowning. They were certainly an interesting trio before she realised Lance didn't say what they were doing with Klien. "Damn he's good."

Matthew paced around the warehouse as Gwaine sniggered, watching the overgrown child clean his nails with a knife. The Mercenary they had caught three weeks ago cringed, watching Matthew as he looked over like a prowling tiger, ready to strike at any moment.
"Is he ready to transport?" Matthew questioned, eager to get back to Talia as Gwaine nodded, stepping closer to the Merc and patting him on the head-- the Merc flinched.
"Yep, nearly healed enough for transport and light work on a ship. Percy is waiting for his wonderful arrival."
"I bet. Don't forget to pick up Maddox from the other safe house tonight as well, Captain Balinor is waiting for him--" Matthew paused, looking over to Gwaine and Leon as the man walked towards him. Matthew frowned, biting his lip. "Look, I don't know how long.."
"We're sticking around until you’re done," Leon cut in as he passed the takeaway cup to the man. Matthew nodded, smiling as relief covered his features while he grasped the coffee.
"Thank you, I know Talia and Lance will appreciate it as much as I do," Matthew smiled as he looked to the window, watching the sun begin to set, knowing time was running out.
"Make sure he's ready for midnight," he spoke, looking back over and staring at the Merc with a savage grin as the man cringed.
"We will, Matty," Gwaine smiled as the enforcer rolled his eyes, shaking his head and walking out the warehouse, whistling.

"Huh," Lance realised as he leaned upon the large steps of the loading dock.
"What?" Matthew asked as Talia looked over, smirking.
"I just realized something." He looked out, watching the Camelot slowly finishing docking-- it resembled the Excalibur in every way except the colour being blue; it stood out predominantly.
"And that is?" Matthew asked exuberantly as Talia sniggered, shaking her head.
Sonny and Jason watched the trio fondly as the mob boss wondered how these three could be so carefree at a time like this.
"This is the first time we've docked here in nice weather," Lance spoke as Matthew rolled his eyes, huffing as he glared.
"Seriously!"
"Yea, it's a big thing! Look! No storms or getting wet..."
"Or contending with mob bosses or fog, trying to find out who's been using his docks," Talia continued, glancing at the man himself, smirking as Jason laughed ever so slightly.
"Seriously I wonder what I did wrong in a previous life to be stuck with you two!" Matthew grumbled as Lance smirked.
"Maybe you were crap at being a knight of the Round Table?"
"Couldn't pull the sword out of the stone?" Talia put in her thoughts.
"Knocked over Stonehenge!" Lancelot smirked.
"Lost the cup of life mistaking it for an ashtray?"
Talia laughed as Lance sniggered while Matthew attempted to keep a straight face before giving up and swiped for them both as they dodged out the way.
"See, your aim still sucks!" Talia giggled as she ducked behind Lance.
"You two are insufferable!"
The sound of truck engines brought their attention to what was going on behind as the slamming of doors echoed dully off the warehouse walls.
Gwaine, Leon, Maddox, and the Merc approached the small group, heading down the loading dock steps, looking somewhat excited whilst the other two glancing around fearfully.
Lines were cast and tied to the loading bay as the large doors of the ship slowly began to open and drop, creating a bridge.
"Nice timing gentlemen," Talia praised as Leon nodded, smirking.
"We aim to please as always...plus I told Gwaine no tavern till the job gets done."
"Aw, a grouchy Gwaine is not a good one," Matthew teased as the man himself jokingly swung at him--Matthew quickly dodged.
"Prat," Gwaine grumbled as Lance looked to the ship.
"Behave, Balinor is coming. Tag Talia, you’re it."
Talia grinned, walking over halfway, meeting the captain as the large group watched on.
"Balinor, how are you doing?" She asked politely as her hands were warmly shaking.
"I’ll be better once we get back to the UK and I can see my son."
"You will. I've got Ambrosios waiting to take over captainship upon your return. I'm sure Emrys will be glad to see you again," she smirked as the captain's eyes lit up upon hearing his son's name.
"Any messages for him?"
Talia reached into her back pocket, handing over a few envelopes.
"Just these. Tell him we'll return when things are settled, just look after him till we do."
"Always child, I owe you that much," the man promised as Talia shrugged.
"Avalon has nothing on me when it comes outsmarting realms," she smirked before walking beside the captain towards the group.
"Captain Balinor, I'd like you to meet Jason and Sonny, who I told you about...and the rest of the vagrants you already know."
A collective "oi" echoed as Talia laughed, watching as Balinor shook hands with the two in greeting.
"So are these the two?" He questioned towards the Merc and Maddox.
"Well the Merc will be Percy's new best friend and Maddox has agreed to grace his mental knowledge for the time being on the ship," Talia smirked from ear to ear, watching the two men gulp.
"Leon and Gwaine-- you mind getting these two aboard the Camelot? Percy should be waiting in the loading bay dealing with the delivery. Just don't get in their way whilst unloading unlike last time," Balinor requested as the two grinned sharply.
"Sure, no problem," Gwaine smirked, pushing the mercenary forward towards the ship.
The rumble of three lorries pulling up brought Talia's attention behind them. Sonny eyed the vehicles, spotting the plumbers’ logos on each truck.
"One step ahead," Talia confidently spoke to Sonny as he rolled his eyes while eight men all together exited.
"Bosses," one spoke up as a forklift rolled off the cargo ship.
Matthew looked over, his enforcer coming straight out. "I want it unloaded, boxes 237, 334, 175, 240, and 456splitst between the three. Take the rest to the warehouse, antibiotics to be delivered to the clinics along with the usual supplies-- they’re running low," Matthew filled in the crew as they listened, nodding.
Talia watched each one of their warehouse staff getting to work with a look of satisfaction she always enjoyed this part.
"There's one from Alina's-- Giaus," Balinor spoke up, looking over as the docks became busy with the workers.
"Seriously, it's about time," Talia bounced as Matthew smirked.
"Can we unload it?" Lance questioned, looking to Balinor. The captain nodded, looking over to his ship, whistling as Percy ambled down the docks, carrying a large crate like it was a pillow.
"Percival!" Talia smirked, practically yelling as she hurried over. The large six-foot man put down the crate, engulfing the girl in a well-needed hug, lifting her off the floor easily as she laughed.
"Hey, you look amazing," he smiled.
"That’s cause there's enough of us to make sure she stays healthy," Matthew reasoned, walking over at a slightly slower pace as Percy pulled him into a one-armed hug as Talia was set down.
"Good, come introduce me. I wanna know who to thank."
Reaching Sonny and Jason, Percival stood a clear head in height over them, standing protectively next to the twins.
"Perc met Sonny and Jason," Talia introduced with a smile looking up at the former protector,
"Nice to meet you. I'm glad to know these terrible three have back up." Hands were shaking as the larger man spoke. Lance huffed as Percy eyed his friend.
"Don't put me with these two, I've been trying to keep them in line!" He defended himself as arms were clasped before Lance ‘oomfed’ while Percival pulled him into a hug.
"How'd that work for ya?" He asked with a smirk, knowing the answer.
"Terrible," Lance deadpanned as the two men laughed before their conversation became more serious with news of the last few months.
They stood together as Sonny and Jason explained to Percival how the twins had met Jason up to the last day or so with various looks of anger to humour passing the larger man's features until they reached the end of their monologue.
"So where's Klien now?" He asked as Talia leaned upon the wall.
"In custody till the day after next, we’ll collect him then."
"You think he'll lead to this Ceaser Fasion?" Percy asked as Matthew shrugged, taking over.
"We ain't sure. It'll be either him or the son who's trying to take over," Percy nodded with a huff, looking to the ship as things began to wind down.
"I wish you luck...but I have a feeling you won't need it, just keep in contact. I can get back here if you need me quick enough," he reassured, standing to his full height, ready to re-embark the ship.
"Take care," Talia smiled as she was once again engulfed in a hug.
"You too, little sister," he grinned as she rolled her eyes at the endearment.
Matthew and Lance followed after; Sonny shook hands, finding he quite liked the gentle giant as Jason was surprisingly patted on the back in a half hug after hands were grasped.
"Trust the twins-- they don't steer anyone wrong, but better yet, also trust yourself and the family you've made," he wisely advised before stepping back, leaving Jason to consider his words.

With the docks cleared of workers, the large container ship began disembarking as trucks pulled away; the group returned to the house, Percival’s crate included, as the sky began to slowly lighten.
It took Matthew, Lance, and Jason to carry the wooden crate as large as a Great Dane into the house and set it down.
"What's in this thing?!" Sonny asked as Jason retrieved a crowbar from the drawer.
"When it comes to Gaius, could be anything," Matthew smirked as he caught his breath along with Lance.
Talia stood impatiently, watching as Jason jimmied the crate open. Inside the contents made her grin-- medical supplies, boxes of treats from the UK, and jars of old remedies sat neatly for waiting hands.
Three thick magnolia envelopes sat on top, nestled between styrofoam.
"Okay this is new,'' Lance remarked as Talia brought out the first envelope, opening it eagerly.
"Deeds, credit cards, licences, and oh lookie, a note from Gaius.” She paused and began to read the note aloud.
~~”Dear trio, I hope you’re not causing too much trouble, but no doubt you are. I enclose what information we could find on your little problem on our side of the pond, and hope you use it wisely.
Do invite the Corinthos clan, if you would, along with your cousin to the Uk. When all is settled we look forward to meeting them.
New accounts have been set up for you three to help with expenses, and as always, I look forward to your return home in due course.
Much love and take care of one another,
Uncle Giaus~~," Talia smirked, looking over to Jason, handing the info over.
"Hendrik Fasion, Cesar Fasion, and Klien, we just hit the jackpot," Matthew commented, looking over Jason's shoulder, speaking to the group while grinning.
"I'll get the coffee. It's gonna be a long night," Sonny commented.

Chapter Text

Carly arrived at the safehouse, coming home to quiet as the sun rose over the apple tree, the red blinds, and the half-opened window. The smell of coffee drifted through, making the scene almost picturesque.
Stepping up to the porch and pushing open the back door, she was greeted by an open wooden crate at the centre of the room behind the sofa with packing paper haphazardly strewn everywhere, boxes of various sizes placed on every surface from table to the stairs.
Sonny sat, napping on the sofa, his head on his arm with Jason on the other side of the sofa almost matching; both men dozed with papers around them as though they fell asleep mid-read.
Matthew was curled up on the lazy chair, resembling the same positions as Sonny and Jason, while Lance occupied the stool, leaning over the island in the kitchen area, his head nestled in his arms.
Looking over to the kitchen window, Talia sat on the kitchen counter, looking refreshed and ready to start the day.
Carly very much doubted the girl had slept, a coffee in one hand and papers in the other as she looked over to the door.
"Morning!" She chippered brightly as the room slowly began to stir as the silence was broken by the young woman.
Matthew muttered something under his breath before settling again in a light doze.
"Long night?" Carly inquired, pouring herself a cup of coffee, though leaning on the counter unlike the younger.
"Yep, Gaius sent a few treats...including a fair bit of info on one Ceaser, Hendrick, and Klien. They’ve been quite busy in Europe," she smirked as Carly leaned forward, a wicked look in her eye.
"Do tell," Talia smirked, handing the sheet she held in hand over to the woman. "Check out this one," she commented as her brother groaned from the chair as he awoke, stretching out the kinks.
"Coffeeeee," Matthew muttered as he stood, resembling a zombie. Talia held out a cup, smirking at her brother.
"Good sleep?"
Matthew huffed grasping the cup.
"You want an insult or a lie?" He grouched, gulping a large mouthful of the amber nectar.
"Ohh let's go with a lie," Talia replied, smirking as Carly watched the exchange with humour.
"I slept fantastically!" He overemphasised like a loon smirking.
Talia rolled her eyes, shaking her head as Lance stretched out his back.
"You’re shit at over-imaginative wording, Matt," he winced, sitting up and stretching his back as a resounding ‘pop’ echoed as a cup was set before him.
"Suck lemons," Matthew muttered, death glaring at his best friend.
"Not with coffee. Maybe with tea later," Lance deadpanned before grinning.
"You two are incorrigible," Talia commented as she continued to make two more cups of coffee, looking over to Jason and Sonny waking up as papers fell, streaming on the floor around them.
"You gotta love all-nighters. Shame about the lightweights that can't stay awake," she smirked, looking to the group, grinning as she raised the cup to her lips, ignoring four looks of disgruntlement.

Papers were piled neatly before them, folders settled close by, yet the boxes were still haphazardly strewn around the room as Talia reasoned two out of three tasks wasn't so bad. Jason watched her amber eyes look around the room before glancing at the clock as her head tilted to the side as though thinking something over.
The others settled to a simple breakfast of bacon sandwiches and coffee, yet Talia didn't.
"Talia?" Jason drew attention to her as the others looked over.
She shrugged, pursing her lips with a frown. "Klien gets released tomorrow."
Matthew studied his sister.
"And?" Concern lacing his voice as eyes locked with hers.
"We know about Caesar and Hendrik now, except the animosity between father and son…"
"You're wondering if Klien knew what happened?" Matthew broached the subject, sitting forward.
"Yes, plus Klien doesn't know about us, and--" Here, she looked to Sonny "--I think it should be a nice surprise."
"Why?" Sonny asked as Carly sat, listening and enjoying how the twins worked. She wondered had Jason and the other been raised together if they would be just like them.
"Shock? Fear? There's no way he could know that we are involved. For all he knows, his boss rinsed out his bank accounts, so if..." Talia paused, shrugging, picking up her coffee as Lance smiled. "-If Sonny collected him and held him, we'd be a shock to the system and put the fear of the devil in the party. He already hates us because of Russia and Paris, so why not here as well?" Lance finished, looking at the group as Sonny nodded in agreement and Carly smiled.
"Sounds like a plan...now eat your breakfast," the woman ordered as Talia rolled her eyes.

Matthew, finally ready and awake, decided to show Sonny their plumbing warehouse that started everything back in 1997 with Talia’s agreement, leaving Lance, Talia, and Jason alone for some peace.
Deciding to clear up the mess that Gaius had sent, they got to work.
With the walk-in wardrobe practically empty by the front door, they decided to store the various boxes on the shelves provided.
Talia spent time explaining the old remedies that the herbalist and doctor had sent until the last box was away.
As the crate was removed from the house via the back door, a knock at the front door grabbed Talia's attention.
"Delivery?" Lance asked, looking over as Talia got up from the sofa looking unsurprised.
Jason stood in the kitchen making coffee as he shrugged.
"Not that I know of unless Carly's been shopping again?" Talia shrugged, praying the woman hadn't. They had enough clothing to last a lifetime.
She then pulled the front door open, revealing Monica Quartermaine.
"Hi...I was wondering if..." the woman at the door started.
"Come on in," Talia invited the older lady in as she stepped back, holding the door open.
Jason stood stock still in shock, staring at his mother as Monica seemed to mirror him.
"Tal, how about we take that walk now?" Lance asked, grabbing the two thermos cups and transferring their coffee as Talia grabbed their coats quickly.
"Take your time," Talia smiled, looking at Jason innocently as Lance guided her out the door, closing it softly behind them.

"Hi," Monica's voice held a tone of uncertainty as Jason stood in the kitchen, staring at his mother-- be it shock or uncertainty, he wasn’t sure how to proceed.
Monica took a step into the house as she removed her coat, placing it on the table.
"H-how are you?" Jason asked nervously. Five years seemed to pass quickly in the clinic, yet it wasn't to Monica.
Days had ticked by, turning to weeks, then months.
Each day, she mourned losing her son, yet now here he stood.
Monica slowly walked towards the kitchen area, each step calculated as she studied the home. She noted little things around that were very Jason-- from the biker magazines, gun cleaning kit, and trinkets from around the world...and yet a lot, if not all, seemed to be the trio's as well. She noted that Jason seemed to fit right in with their little family almost perfectly.
The news was travelling around Port Charles of the mysterious three helping Jason Morgan, yet no one had anything concrete against them, not even a surname. Monica bet they liked it that way,
"I'm...not sure," she answered honestly as Jason rounded the kitchen while Monica neared.
"I'm sorry that…"
"No Jason, don't be. Don't be sorry for coming home...for finding a way. It's not your fault this happened neither,”' she reasoned with a determination in her voice.
"I'm trying...it's hard not to be. I've turned lives upside down," he sighed softly, looking constricted.
"In a good way Jason, there is Sonny, Carly...there's Michael and myself," she argued, smiling warmly as her hand hesitantly reached for his cheek, just to make sure he was real, she told herself as his blue eyes met hers.
"It's okay, I know you’re my mom, and you love me," he spoke softly as the words broke the dam, gasping as tears pooled in both their eyes. She pulled her child to her, holding him as his head rested on her shoulder, her hands resting on his back, swaying ever so slightly as though he would vanish in a moment.

"Think they're okay?" Lance asked as their legs swung back and forth together. They were sitting on the same docks they graced the previous night; the cold water below that shimmered in the sunlight seemed so different in the morning sunlight.
"Hope so, I think Jason needed to see his mother," Talia smiled with a knowing look as she glanced over at Lance, her mysterious amber eyes reflecting the light.
"You orchestrated this, didn't you?" Lance questioned, his eyes sharpened accusingly with a smirk as he shook his head.
"I might have sent a text to a certain cardiologist last night when you all fell asleep going through those files and invited her over," she shrugged, not caring one whit.
Lance leaned in, their lips mere inches away from one another. "Oh my sneaky archer, always one step ahead."
"Only one, my knight?" She teased, her lips touching his ever so slightly.
"Maybe two, no more than three," he smirked as her fingers ran through his black hair.
"Much better, my gallant hero," she smiled, kissing him with lust and love-- the world melted away around them for the briefest of moments.

Monica smiled as she looked at the wooden photo frame in her hands as Jason sat next to her, placing two cups down on the coffee table.
"You all look so happy," she commented, looking at Jason. The photo was taken on the Excalibur-- Jacob had taken it of the four on the bridge halfway through their voyage.
"It was a good day. The sea was calm, the twins kept annoying the crew...in the end, Jacob threatened to lock them in the brig," Jason smiled fondly as Monica glanced over.
"Did it stop them?" She asked curiously as Jason smirked at the memory.
"For almost an hour."
Monica broke out in laughter whilst Jason smiled at the memory before continuing, "We ended up playing poker upon the deck, talking about everything and anything. They're strangely easy to talk to, they don't judge," Jason explained as he stared at the photo, smiling softly.
"They are quite the trio from what I've heard," Monica broached the subject. Jason finally nodded as he thought it over.
"They are, Grandmother would be proud of her great-niece and nephew," he commented as Monica frowned perplexedly at the comment.
"Lila's..niece and nephew? How? What?"
Jason found himself smiling-- it seemed the twins hadn't broached the subject at all.
"They’re my cousins and, well, your niece and nephew, I suppose," he spoke, working it out mentally.
"Oh boy."

"Uh oh," Matthew frowned, entering the house as two sets of eyes stared at him, Monica in a state of shock still and Jason internally smirking.
"I didn't do it and you got no proof I did," Matthew smirked, bouncing practically on his feet as Monica shook her head. He was definitely a Morgan with that cheek.
"Monica just found out about the relations, cousin," Jason emphasized as Matthew gulped, wondering if he could escape.
"Oh come on, why pick on me when Talia ain't here...wait, where is she? Where's Lance at that matter?" He back peddled, looking around.
"For a walk," Monica explained as Matthew growled, huffing, before giving up and dumping off his jacket and throwing himself on the chair, admitting defeat for questioning.
"More like playing tonsil tennis again, the traitors," he muttered like a teenager crossing his arms, glaring at the coffee table.
Monica laughed. Oh, she was enjoying these breaths of fresh air.
"You owe me, I got the Spanish inquisition!" Matthew growled as Talia laughed dodging the cushion as it bounced off the wall as she stepped into the house.
"Do not, I'm just smarter than you are, brother."
"Are not!" Matthew stood, glaring as Talia laughed, hanging up her jacket.
"Are too," she sang.
"Are not times a thousand."
"Are too, many times a million plus one!" She smirked as they stood face to face, hands-on their hips, practical mirrors of one another, attempting to outstare each other as Lance walked past, nonplussed at the situation of arguing twins.
"Miss something, did we?" He asked, entering the kitchen area.
Jason stood with Monica, making lunch of a simple salad.
"Matthew was informing us of Alina," Monica explained as Lance gulped, smiling slightly, pouring two cups of coffee, looking over to the twins.
"Ah, well that would make Matthew grouchy," he sniggered, swiping a piece of cucumber from the chopping board before raising his voice. "You two finished or am I drinking the coffee?"
"Don't even-" Talia began.
"Think about it!" Matthew finished as they both glared over towards Lance, who smirked, biting into the fresh vegetable.
With the promise to visit Monica before she left for her trip for Thanksgiving in a week, the trio and Jason began plotting and planning for Klien.
"Do you think he knows where Ceaser Fasion is?" Matthew asked as they went over the three folders again.
"I'm not sure, even when I was in the clinic he never said anything about who wanted me held there," Jason explained as Talia frowned before looking down at the files.
"Well, we've got the info from Maddox and now these files. We get Klien, we may be able to put the clues together. We just have to be patient."

It was the afternoon two days later that a text caught Talia's attention.
"They got him-- Diana paid the bail. He’s at Sonny's," she spoke, retrieving her leather jacket as Matthew once again removed the gun safe.
"Think we'll need weapons?" Lance asked, frowning at the other male.
"Truthfully, I've no idea, but this is Klien. For all we know, Cesar or even Hendrik could come after him if they know Jason escaped," Matthew explained, looking slightly nervous at the prospect.
"Better safe than sorry," Talia reasoned, grabbing her weapon and keys, ready to leave the house.

Voices carried from behind the door of Sonny's den, a scrape of a chair as Jason's voice raised, echoing through the door.
"You can't do this, I'm free on bail!" Klien's high pitched panic was easily recognisable.
"And I paid your bail on the influence of friends," Sonny's voice was sharp and direct as though impatient,
"M-my boss won't like this," Klien stuttered nervously, like a lie being spoken.
"And we'll stay here until your boss rings then." Jason's voice was determined.
Matthew frowned while looking over as Talia shrugged. The three stood behind the closed office door, listening intently.
"Klien trying to buy time?" Lance whispered questioningly.
"No idea, but I wouldn't put it past him," Talia answered, her voice low as they continued to listen to the others.
"He won't tell me where he is. Every payment was wire transferred...he even took that back!" Klien argued as Talia smirked, glancing at Lance and Matthew.
"Oh, dear. He thinks Hendrik is angry at him," Matthew sarcastically muttered, smirking.
"Even if I did know, he'd kill me when I'm found!" Klien seemed to panic, his voice raising an octave.
"We have friends that have ways of finding people one way or the other," Sonny began before Jason's voice carried on.
"And they're good at making people vanish if they need to," he finished.
Talia could imagine Jason smirking down at Klien.
"I think that's our cue," Matthew smirked as Talia nodded, opening the door. The three stood in the doorway as Klien looked over, panic in his eyes.
"I told you I had friends and family," Jason's voice was confident when he looked at the three.
"That you do cousin. Nice to see ya once again, Mr Klien. And by the way, the Manners family says hi," Talia smirked, her amber eyes locking with Klien as the man paled in fear while hers deepened with pure hatred.
"He looks nervous," Lance grinned, leaning on the wall as the door closed as Sonny sat on the chair behind the desk. Jason leaned on the front of the desk along with Talia next to him, whilst Matthew leaned on the closed door, ready to protect and Klien sat on the visitor's chair, his eyes darting to the five one by one.
"Ah alas, he ain't no bright spark. I mean, the idiot worked for a guy he doesn't even know," Matthew commented, shrugging as Talia looked over to her brother, smirking.
"Ah when money speaks, Klien creeps," she grinned at Matthew as Lance scoffed at the poem.
"W-why, what, why are you here?!" Klien attempted to comprehend just why the Manners were working with the Carinthios family.
"He’s trying to figure it out," Sonny grinned, looking to Jason.
"He is."
"I think his brain might melt." Matthew raised an eyebrow as Talia chuckled, huffing before taking pity on the man.
"Okay, Klien, here's the nutshell. Now we know your lanky little arse from good old Banarsky Clinic, the place of currency from the idiots with too much money and no brains, yet the everyday people of Russia suffer...by the way, Father Stanisloft says hi--" Talia paused, her eyes sharpening as she circled her prey.
"--But here's what you didn't know, Jason here is our cousin. So when we found out that you've been drugging him for years, for your boss that you don't know, we decided to pitch in and help. Basically, you're royally screwed," she smirked, leaning down, her hands resting on the chair arms, practically face to face with the man who made their work harder in Russia.
"Cousin?" Klien gulped as Talia nodded. Her eyes became cold and menacing as she stared at the doctor before her.
"Oh yes. So now, we want info from you. When did Jason arrive? What were you told to do and when did Jason Morgan's twin brother come into this whole diabolical plan?" She asked as Matthew stepped behind her. Klien's eyes darted to her brother "Now what you tell us depends if you get to see tomorrow," he finished.

The door swung open as Talia threw her coat on the bannister. Matthew's soon followed, then Lance's, as Jason walked in, rolling his eyes and gathering their jackets and hanging them up, much to Sonny's amusement.
"So now what?" The man asked as Talia jumped up and sat on the kitchen counter. Matthew began making drinks and Lance returned the weapons to the safe while Jason gathered the open files and placed them on the dining table.
"Well, the captains of the Camelot or Excalibur won't want him there--" Lance began.
"--We can't send him to the UK. Gaius and the family won't be happy about that; Klien's made our business very difficult," Matthew raised the subject as he passed out cups to the group.
"Then we won't--" Talia paused as she looked out the window.
"We got all he could tell us. Our people can keep track of him, he’s got nothing left, except for that one clinic that will be closed down by the end of the week."
Matthew's head tilted slightly trying to work out what she meant. "By letting him go he might even reach out to contacts?"
"Yes, at least I think he will. Klien isn't our target now we got what we want. Now we move to the next," Talia shrugged, looking to the group as she rolled the cup between her cold hands.
"Sounds like a plan," Jason nodded, knowing she was right. Hanging onto a minor grudge wouldn't work as Talia looked over, nodding and smiling as Jason finished.
"There are bigger targets to aim for."

A soft sigh left her lips as she sat on the single step on the porch, her fingers wrapped around a coffee cup as a soft breeze whipped up leaves before settling again on the damp ground.
The smell of autumn lingered in the air as the evening slowly began settling in as Talia’s thoughts raced of the next steps to their plan yet a dissatisfaction still lingered in her mind as she cursed Klien and the dissatisfaction of not achieving it.
"Talia's outside," Jason looked over to Lance as the man joined him at the window. Both stood together staring at the girl.
"I've been with Talia for a while now, and...I'm still learning about the way she thinks. There are times like now, she's either sorting out her mind or berating herself." Lance said with a small sigh.
"For what?"
"Failing? Not achieving her plan, not sorting out things the way her mind says it should, or what's expected."
"She did what she could though," Jason spoke with confusion.
"The family holds her to a point. That's mainly regarding the fact that not many of them fail in any way. Seven guardians in the family looking down upon you, judging you in every way affects you," Lance explained with a huff and a shrug before continuing. "Even I don't understand what they expect at times."
Jason frowned as he began to wonder just who the family was. "But the family isn't Alina?" He questioned as Lance looked over, shaking his head.
"Think of them as higher up-- guardians on a path we don't truly know"
Jason frowned, looking out the window, knowing others never saw the pedestal they were forced to stand on, yet he was now let into a snippet of their lives. Patting Lance on the shoulder, he headed out the back door.

"I thought I would be more disappointed," Jason remarked as he sat beside Talia, noticing the cooler breeze in the air.
"I'm..not disappointed, sorta," she shrugged, sighing and watching the trees sway in the breeze.
"Then what do you call this?" Jason asked, indicating the scene before him.
"Compilation of the world," she deadpanned as the man shook his head in amusement before she continued.
"I don't get how a person can work for someone and not see anything," she sighed heavily, looking to the breeze again, toying with the dropping leaves.
"I'm not sure myself, but at least we know that my...twin...was a marine or something, that's one step."
"Now we just have to find the proof and get your identity back," she reasoned, glancing over as Jason nodded. "I bet it will be a relief to be you," she smirked as Jason chuckled softly.
"Yeah...but it's still just the start."
"Huh yeah. There's still Ceaser Fasion to find and stop, and then Hendrik. Now they’re conundrums. I don't get why they saw you as such a risk," Talia muttered, looking frustrated yet curious.
"Because I'm Sonny's enforcer and right-hand man. Since ‘97, I've helped him keep control of the area as Caesar wanted to take control, take me out. He's a step closer to controlling the five families as head of the...mob. Sonny brought peace without anyone getting hurt. There are no mob wars between them whilst Sonny has control," Jason explained as to what he saw the reasons.
"Sonny's head of the five families that control the imports and exports, from weapons to anything else without a full out bloodbath." Talia pieced it together like a jigsaw as she sipped her coffee.
"Yeah, in a...nutshell, as you say," Jason shrugged as he felt Talia lean into his arm, her head settling on his shoulder as the breeze toyed with the grass while it swayed gently and the sunset slowly over the apple tree.
"Then we can't fail."
"We won't."

The next morning was greeted by a shout of elation.
"We got him!" Leon yelled as the front door slammed open and closed. He pushed past Lance, patting him on the shoulder, grinning and heading straight for the twins. Talia stood as Matthew followed rounding the table as Leon held out the manilla file for them.
Matthew was quick to open it. The first sheet held a photo.
"Leave the door on the hinges, please. We like that door, bloody hell," Matthew muttered as Talia took the photo off her brother, staring at the man in the picture.
Full regalia of a navy Seal uniform with a peaked officer hat stared back but the face was a mirror image to the one standing besides Sonny
"Well, there's no doubting it now." Talia held up the photo, turning it towards the group and looking directly to Jason Morgan as Matthew spoke.
"Meet Andrew Cain, your twin brother."
The room broke into chaos as they all spoke as one except Talia as she sat at the large table.
Jason rounded the table, sitting beside her as they both stared at the photo.
"His eyes-- they’re darker than yours. And before he became a plastic face, he had more weather-worn features, crow's feet around the eyes and the extra frown lines here and there, which I guess is right for a Seal." Talia explained what she saw, passing over the photo and grasping the file clasped in her brother's hand.
"Oh don't worry, keep questioning the air whilst we do the hard work," she deadpanned as the room dropped to silence. "What?" She smirked before opening the folder and beginning to read.
With Lance bringing over the drinks, Matthew stood behind Talia, reading over her and Jason's shoulder as Sonny and Carly sat, staring at the photo.
"Chief Andrew Cain. Age 36, raised in New York, but his history is sketchy at best. He's been a Navy Seal for a fair few years, around ten maybe more. Some classified missions, which is no surprise," she shrugged, continuing reading out. "Okay so, he went AWOL..shit," she paused, looking at Jason. "He went AWOL two months before you were shot in the back."
"Why so spaced out?" Lance asked as he passed cups of coffee around.
"Suspicion if anyone even knows. Jason and Andrew were twins. Both of them vanishing would look too strange at the same time," Matthew explained as he leaned the other side of Talia as she continued her brother’s thought.
"Don't forget Jason would have been in the papers as a Quartermaine and then a Morgan association of Sonny's...no offence." Talia looked to Sonny, who shrugged.
"None took, kid. You have got a good point"
Lance frowned, looking at the file on Andrew before setting the other three down. "So let's let this straight. Caesar tries to kill Jason. Hendrik for some reason saves him and transfers him to a clinic. Maddox then somehow makes his twin Andrew believe he’s Jason for something. We still don't know what that plan was, so Hendrik is planning something that would put him in power over Ceaser Fasion, who would then challenge Sonny, but with Jason here, that puts the kibosh on the plan."
Talia nodded, sitting back as she glanced at the group. "We find Ceaser, we hit a dead end. We find Hendrik, we find out why, because I'm guessing Ceaser doesn't even know Hendrik is out to take over." She placed Hendrik's file on top of the rest.
"So first we get Jason back everything. We get Andrew Cain his identity and then we find Hendrik in-between it all," Matthew reasoned as Jason shook his head negatively before speaking.
"We should find Caesar first. That will lead to Hendrik."
" The Five families he'd approach them first, Everything is a power play and Caesar, no doubt, will be scared shitless that you're back," Talia suggested, looking at Sonny, who smirked.
"Five families are about to meet the Morgan-Manners clan."
"Ha, I like it," the twins echoed, smirking at one another.

Chapter Text

Fear-- that's all Talia could see dancing in Klien's eyes as his brow knitted together.
She stood next to Jason, staring down at the doctor, who was sitting awkwardly on the chair before them.
"You're free to go," she sneered as she stepped back, leaning on the wall of the warehouse he was held at for the time being.
"Free?" Klien queried, disputing the pair’s words.
"Yes, free," Jason replied as he stepped back as Klien began to smirk, slowly standing.
Jason glared, wanting to follow as his fists balled when he began to walk away.
Talia placed a hand on his arm; she subtly shook her head, smirking before speaking.
"Of course...it'll be fun trying to stay ahead of your 'boss.' That's for sure," Talia's eyebrows rose as the corner of her mouth perked up.
She stared at the man, who paused mid-stride out of the warehouse.
"Then, of course, there are the mercenaries he'll hire because you failed," Jason stepped in, catching on to her plan as Talia nodded.
"Oh definitely. I mean, who loses a patient that easily?" Talia reasoned, her arms folding as though in contemplation.
"Don't forget letting them get home without even a scratch," Jason spoke, watching Talia smirk, looking away before forcing a cough to cover his laughter.
"Not to mention we're about to crack the whole sordid tale open very...very...very soon," Talia looked over to Klien as she leaned slightly into the enforcer as the man stared from one to the other, panic settling in his eyes as he blanched.
"How soon?" He questioned, gulping.
Jason's expression closed up as Talia lit up like a child at christmas.
"Within days...so yeah, good luck, nice knowing ya. Not!" She laughed, turning to leave as Jason joined her.
"Wait...where do I go? How do I get back to Russia?!"
Talia turned around, walking backwards and grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Don't bother. Your little clinic won't be there by the time you get back. As we speak, I've got people shutting it down. Bye, bye Klien have fun, good luck--" she stopped, turning to walk forward as her eyes practically lit up with amber fire when she glanced over her shoulder. "Because you're gonna need it," she promised.
As the two walked away out of the warehouse, Talia fished out her keys, throwing them towards Jason.
"Tag. You’re it," she smirked as the enforcer rolled his eyes before easily catching them.
Talia climbed into the Honda she watched from the rearview mirror-- Klien stood, staring from the warehouse exit, looking scared and she didn't care one bit.
"Do you me want to drop you home, or are you coming to Sonny's?" Jason asked, looking over as Talia smiled freely while she clipped the seatbelt.
"Why not? You can go annoy Sonny then; you think he'll survive?" She asked, curious as the engine started as she still stared out the mirror as Klien walked away in a rush.
"No idea, I can't say I care," he answered, glancing at her as they pulled away.
"I suppose I have to agree. He stopped a lot of families from getting help, not just in Russia. Even Grandma Alina couldn't stop him. It irked her to no end. When the ELQ built General Hospital, she was annoyed but she understood Aunt Lila couldn't steer them into the path of helping everyone they could-" she hesitated, watching Jason nod.
He was interested in the divide in the family as she continued.
"So Alina, with Lila's information about the ELQ, they began to help. Who wouldn't?" Talia shrugged, attempting to remember what she was told over the years.
"What did the family do before then?" Jason cut in as Talia looked over.
"Same as Sonny in a way-- black market transport of goods, money laundering and protection. But then there was the helping that we still do. But if they found a family or a story that reached them, they helped financially or even physically," Talia explained as they turned the corner.
Jason nodded, listening still.
"So what happened, why did you go after Klien?" He asked curiously.
"When the family reached out to Russia doing black market stuff, there was Klien and his bloody clinic rolling in money and families and people suffering, begging for medical care whilst being pushed to the side. It doesn't help with bureaucracy in charge, but Klien didn't help and Alina got annoyed," she exhaled, shrugging looking out the window as the scene passed by. Jason's hand settled on hers and she looked down at them.
"Klien is stopped. We've made sure of that. The clinic will be shut down in days after that. We'll see where the road goes after this. I think I want to help," he explained, offering and looking over for a moment, swearing he could see her eyes light up briefly as she looked at him.
"Thanks, it's nice to know we've more family."

"How'd it go?" Matthew asked as Talia hung up her jacket before throwing herself down on the sofa next to her brother, leaning into him.
"Next time we release someone, remind me not to do it so early," she moaned as Matthew chuckled, placing his book down.
"Duly noted."
"It was easy enough. Klien's on the run. Just what he deserves after what he's done," she sighed heavily, pulling her legs up, curling into Matthew.
"Not just to Jason. We should tell them that you know what Ceaser Fasion did. We can't hide it much longer," Matthew spoke with a tone of concern as she nodded silently, not wishing to talk of the past.
"Not yet, not until we're ready," she muttered, looking away.
"So where's Jason?" He changed the subject, accepting the rebuff and frowning as she shivered at the memories before sitting up slightly as her head rested on his shoulder.
"Sonny's. I asked him to drop me off," she sighed once again as Matthew stroked her hair, pushing a strand behind her ear.
"Nice to have some quiet, huh?" He whispered as she hummed in agreement.
The house descended into silence except for the sound of a ticking clock. The pages of a book turned rhythmically whilst Matthew read, continuing to stroke her hair rhythmically as Talia allowed her eyes to drift closed for just for a moment.

"Shh," Matthew hissed as Lance closed the door, stopping dead before spotting Talia asleep and curled up on the sofa, her head on the cushion with a red afghan over her.
Placing the shopping bags down on the kitchen counter before he removed his coat, he walked past the sofa to hang it up, his eyes lovingly watching her sleeping form.
"She needs it," Lance smirked, leaning over the back and stroking her red-tinted hair ever so slightly.
"Yeah, I think we all do at this rate," Matthew smiled before he began to put away the food and start an early dinner for them all.
The door opened shortly after Jason and Sonny arrived to double "shh's" as Matthew and Lance pointed to the sofa.
Talia stirred before settling once again both cringed before sighing.
"Talia okay?" Sonny asked slowly as Jason set his and Sonny's jackets away before walking to the sofa to slyly check for a fever.
Upon seeing no flushed brow, he felt silent relief.
"Yeah...sorta," Mathew shrugged, not wishing to go into details of the rebuff from Talia earlier as he continued to cook.
Sonny and Jason glanced at one another in silent concern.
The four sat around the kitchen island, Matthew cooking as his eyes darted to Talia every once in a while as if he was on edge, expecting something to happen.
Lance had the laptop set on the side, though Matthew would bet it was Candy Crush and not work, by the way he smirked every few minutes or so.
Sonny and Jason sat going over the business account books, Sonny still catching Jason up on business no doubt.
Almost an hour passed as the smell of pasta, bacon, and rich tomato sauce lingered in the air.
Matthew glanced over to the sofa, cursing as he watched Talia thrashing, clearly in the middle of a nightmare.
"Damn it."
Throwing the oven gloves down before the others could even ask anything, he was beside his twin as she shot up, practically crashing into Matthew's side as he held her close.
"Bad?" He asked as she nodded, gripping onto the shoulders of his t-shirt as Matthew looked over to Lance, who quickly walked over crouching before the two.
"Hey beautiful," he whispered as she scoffed.
Beads of sweat graced her brow, her hair in disarray as she blinked owlishly at him, the remnants of the nightmare lingering in her mind as her breathing settled from gasps to soft breaths.
"Liar," she muttered as he smiled warmly.
"Never for you."
"Get a room," Matthew muttered good-naturedly, covering his worry as Talia laughed wetly through unshed tears.
"You're a twat," she sighed, resting her head on her brother's shoulder as Jason and Sonny watched with concern.
"Dinner is almost ready. Go catch a quick shower yea?" Matthew suggested as she nodded, untangling herself from the afghan as Lance walked with her, grasping her shoulders in comfort.
"I said a quick shower, not tonsil tennis," Matthew called over his shoulder as Lance flipped him off, grinning.
"Ew, I don't wanna know!" Matthew snorted as he heard Talia's laughter, It was soft, yet there, making him smile in silent relief before his true feelings became clear.
"She okay?" Sonny asked, watching the whole scene.
"She will be. Lingering dreams of the past. Only so much we can push behind closed doors," Matthew sighed, both hands resting on the kitchen counter.
His eyes closed as though living through the dream himself, attempting to control his feelings of uselessness.
Jason found himself rounding the island and standing next to the younger man.
Acting on instinct, he pulled Matthew into an embrace.
No words were spoken, just support as Matthew gave in to his emotions, gripping the man who was becoming more than a distant cousin.
The sound of a shower running drifted down the stairs as Sonny sat on the coffee table, facing Matthew as he nursed a tumbler of whiskey.
"I'm not going to ask your past-" he paused as Matthew looked to the man, studying his eyes and seeing the same ones as Talia's. "Hell, mine’s probably not much better, but you're not alone. Neither of you. When you're ready, we'll be here to listen," he finished, grasping the boy's hand for a brief moment.
"Talia would say we've seen too much in too little time," he shrugged, looking to the stairs.
"What would you say?" Jason asked, his brow creasing.
"Me? I would say I failed. That I didn't protect her enough." He looked at Sonny and Jason.
"Why do you say that, kid?" The elder man asked.
"Because I'm her enforcer. Her twin, her blood. I'm meant to keep the demons at bay and yet-"He paused, placing his head in his hand and rubbing his eyes. "-She's kept me safe more times than I can count, even from seeing what a true monster can do," he laughed sarcastically. It sounded wet, like tears meaning to spill.
"That's what family does, kid. We protect, we love, we keep them safe," Sonny smiled as Matthew looked up to him.
"The difference now is that you've gained family and brothers," the man promised with a determined look in his dark eyes that Jason echoed as Matthew felt the weight of responsibility lift off his shoulders.
"Thank you, I will explain just...not yet," he whispered.

"Heart to heart?" Lance questioned as Talia silently closed the door after re-entering their room, wearing jeans and Lance's t-shirt. Lance stood shirtless, drying his hair in front of the mirror.
Talia nodded, encircling her arms around his well-toned waist from behind, her head resting on his shoulder as her wet hair dripped down his back.
"Yep, I sometimes forget Matty ain't as strong as he appears," she shrugged as sadness clouded her features.
Lance sighed as he turned, their eyes met as he held her.
"True, but I get the feeling things are changing, this time for the better," he hummed, leaning in and kissing her neck as she shivered.
"Mr. Du Lac, if you’re thinking of binding our time whilst they talk downstairs, I don't think that's feasible right now," she laughed, shivering as Lance pulled back, smirking, knowing he had achieved his goal of making her smile.
His eyes became serious as he held her close, his head tilted ever so slightly as he lingered in her amber eyes.
"I think I'd rather be a Du Lac Manners one day. It has a nice ring to it."
"I think you're right," she grinned, pulling him close as they fell on the bed, laughing.
"Okay, so how do we go about this?" Matthew threw the file of Chief Andrew Cain on the table as Talia cleared away the empty plates and cutlery.
"You could dance around the subject-" Lance began, frowning.
"But you don't think that would be kind," Matthew finished as the former knight nodded in agreement.
"It's like plaster or band-aid-- you wanna pull it off fast," Sonny reasoned as Jason nodded in agreement.
Talia sat next to Jason, reaching for the folder and pulling it towards her.
"I agree. ‘Gently’ doesn't always work, but if we do a 'pull off the band-aid,' it'll have to be neutral ground and somewhere where someone can back this up" She waved the folder before placing it down once again.
"PCPD? We can have Diana join us. It'll be two birds with one stone as well, allowing Jason to take back his identity after informing Andrew Cain that he is not Jason Morgan," Sonny explained, looking at the group as they each nodded, seeing no other alternative.
"Tomorrow then, no point in waiting," Talia offered as they each agreed.

Talia stood leaning on the desk of some detective, silently spying at the case folders beside her hip, liking what she saw.
She began mentally planning on gaining another informant as Andrew Cain, still believing he was Jason Morgan entered the police department with Sam Morgan beside him,
both stood staring at Sonny, Jason, Carly and Diana the litigator, as though they were the enemy.
The twins watched as a practical staring contest began between Andrew and Jason
"Bets on Jason," Matthew sniggered, muttering to his twin.
"Hands down he'd win," she nodded, slightly grinning.
"Well, shall we?" Diana began as Talia stepped forward, a file grasped in her hand.
"In 2012, one Andrew Cain, who is a Chief in the Navy Seals, was believed to have gone AWOL. Not three months later, Jason Morgan was shot in the back and believed to be dead." She paused, opening the file and taking out the photo. "Now I'm not going into the whole affair of just who or what happened between 2012 and 2018, but there's a reason both were taken," she glanced at Andrew as she passed the photo to him. "Your name is Andrew Cain. You’re thirty-six years old and the twin brother to Jason Morgan." She paused again as Matthew took over.
"Andre Maddox worked out a way to transfer memories. You were both set to be transported to Russia in 2012. Memories were taken from Jason and given to you, Andrew, but you escaped before the transport to Russia and made your way here, believing you were someone else/ Dr. Maddox achieved what he wanted-- a full memory swap. After they located you, Andre Maddox moved to Port Charles to keep an eye on you and lock in the memories." He set the next file on the seat from Maddox as Talia took over.
"You are not Jason Morgan. He is. You’re his twin brother, who for some reason, we don't know why was separated. You are Andrew Cain."
It was then when the room descended into chaos,
Andrew stood yelling towards Jason as Carly defended her friend,
Sam attempted to stop Andrew as Sonny yelled at the police chief about harassment.
"You'd think they'd believe us. I mean this shit can't be made up in any way or form, seriously it's like a bad soap opera!" Matthew grouched as Talia sniggered.
Both stood close together and out of the way, watching the crazy scene before them. The office was in an uproar as Andrew argued with Sonny and Diana.
Jason stood with Carly as he stared at Sam, who looked just as lost as a few weeks back.
The police chief Commissioner Jordan Ashford watched the chaos unfolding before her eyes.
A shrill whistle stopped the room as Talia removed her fingers from her lips, smirking as she looked over to the head of the police whilst Matthew glared at his sister, rubbing his ears.
"Next time warn a man!"
Talia smirked, addressing the police chief. "Commissioner, there's a way of proving it all, you know," she spoke up as the room settled, all eyes on the two.
"Just how miss…?"
"Ms. Talia Morgan-Manners," she beamed as Matthew smirked at the adapted surname. He quite liked it in truth.
"And that is?" Jordan Ashford asked, pointing to the computer.
"You've access to the navy, army, air force, and whatever military records there are and they can't be hacked or changed before anyone says anything. Just search for Chief Andrew Cain, pretty simple," she shrugged as though it was the easiest thing in the world as the room waited for the computer to prove or disprove the facts.
Jason stood beside the twins.
"Morgan-Manners?" He asked, standing between them as they both shrugged.
"Seems fitting. We are related and we ain't hiding it if we're sticking around for a fair while. Plus it covers a few minor tracks," Matthew smirked as Talia whacked him in the arm, laughing.
"Seriously, in a copper station, you say that?"
"What are they gonna do, send us packing to the UK?"
"Good point," she smirked as Jason rolled his eyes.
"You two are incurable, you know that?" Jason asked, watching them both nod happily.
"What's your point?" Matthew deadpanned as Talia smirked, leaning into her cousin's side.
"At least we're entertainment," she smiled as Jason laughed ever so slightly at the two.
Sam watched them with a slight smile, envious that Jason had more help.
Andrew starred in contempt and wonder at the three-- the contempt at how they helped someone take his life away, but wonder at just how these twins could have been them.
Diana glanced over, smiling and seeing the small carefree family as she waited for the proof with the commissioner.
Sonny and Carly grinned they had seen the antics too many times between the three.
The sound of a printer bought their attention as the woman reached out, staring at the print before her in shock.
She stood walking over to Andrew, holding out the sheet.
"They’re right, You are Andrew Cain."

They expected Andrew to be led to another room with Sam to sort out the paperwork and Jason with Diana to another so he could reclaim his life.
The twins didn't expect it would take hours to do, but an hour later, Matthew approached the married couple.
"Sonny, we need to catch up with Lance and sort a few things out," Matthew spoke up, knowing better than to go into detail.
"We’ll call when it's all sorted out," Carly spoke, reaching out and patting his arm as Matthew smiled.
"Thanks," he looked over to Talia, who was talking with a detective who looked flustered under the collar, but interested in whatever she was saying.
"Right. We're off before Talia either gets the guy as an informant or he asks her on a date!" He smirked before walking over to retrieve his sister.
Sonny and Carly watched with humour as Matthew joined Talia and the detective.
After a few words were spoken between the three, a business card was passed to the twins before they grinned at one another,
the detective flushed watching as they walked away out of the bullpen as Sonny blinked.
"Did they just gain an informant?" Carly grinned in disbelief, watching them walk out the door, high fiving each other.
"Apparently so, darling," Sonny smirked, impressed.

The house was quiet except for the dealing of cards before Lance, Leon, and Gwaine looked over as the back door to the house opened to reveal two smug siblings waking in, both throwing their jackets on the stair bannister without care.
"How'd it go?" Leon asked as Gwaine delt the cards set before them.
"Better than expected," Matthew smirked, heading for the kitchen area as Talia grabbed an apple and walked to the sofa.
"Don't leave us hanging," Gwaine looked over. The card game paused as Talia rolled her eyes.
"Jason is Jason, and Andrew is soon to be officially no longer AWOL….huh," she paused, leaning on the back of the sofa and frowning as Lance looked over.
"Love?" She blinked, looking concerned chewing her lower lip.
"Andrew Cain may have a problem."

Chapter Text

The house became silent as they stared at one another for a moment.
"How so?" Lance asked, standing from the sofa as Talia headed towards the kitchen area. grabbing a cup from the cupboard and setting it on the side.
Gwaine, Leon, and Lance watched the emotions dance in her amber eyes.
"Andrew Cain was a chief in the SEALs., He was reported AWOL, right?" Leon asked.
"Yeah, he vanished just before a mission," Matthew pitched in as he sat on the stool.
"That means he was on active duty when he was taken."
"Oh fuck." Leon swore to roll his eyes. "He could be charged for it. What's that, military prison?"
"Or dishonourable discharge at bloody best," Gwaine huffed as Talia looked to the pair as she poured a cup of coffee for herself and Matthew.
"Leon, Gwaine you need to locate Cesar Faison or his son. Without those two, things are gonna get dicey at best." Leon grabbed his coat as Gwaine followed.
"We might have to head home if Cesar Faison is more active on that side of the pond." Leon warned as the twins shrugged as one.
Matthew frowned, thinking as Talia leaned on the counter.
"Do what you gotta do. Let us know what happens. And if you can, check in with Emrysas well," he spoke as Gwaine opened the door.
"Will do," Leon answered, leaving the house with Gwaine as the twins settled in for the long wait for the phone to ring.

"Leon what's the plan?" Talia's voice carried through the door as Jason opened it, frowning at the sight of Talia and Matthew speaking to her mobile, their heads close together.
Lance was cooking in the kitchen and glanced over to the twins with a look of concern.
"So it means we'll need to go back to the UK." Leon's voice came from the phone speaker as Matthew groaned, glaring at Talia, who shrugged.
"That's fine. Find a flight and ring when you get one," Matthew muttered, frustrated with the prospect of their team leaving.
"Will do, boss," Leon teased, chuckling before hanging up the phone.
Matthew glanced at the door as Sonny followed behind Jason, standing to make coffee as Talia grabbed her phone and dialed.
"One min," Talia sighed, looking over to the two mob men.
After the third ring, an elderly male voice with a very British tone answered.
"Talia, Matthew everything okay?"
"We're fine, Uncle Gaius, but Leon and Gwaine are heading back," Matthew spoke up, waiting for the verbal sparring match.
"I don't want you two alone." His voice was sharp with concern.
"We'll be fine," Matthew argued back, feeling like a child.
"Are Talia and Lance there?" Gaius questioned.
"I'm here, Uncle. So is Lance," Talia rolled her eyes as she glanced at Lance, who smiled reassuringly.
"I am," Lance called from the kitchen area.
"I'm telling you three now, I want you safe. If Caesar is involved, then you know the risks." The warning was clear in the elder man's voice
"It isn't like I could forget, now is it?" Talia's voice was sharp as Gaius exhaled heavily.
"I know child, I just…I just want you both safe."
"We need Caesar's last location before we can make our next steps," Talia exhaled, forcing herself to keep calm.
"We've got back up, and don't forget Lance!" Matthew filled in as he rolled his eyes while Talia smirked.
"That I am aware, but your cousin Jason doesn't know the full details, and I don't want to pull the Corinthoses into this."
"Too late. We already are," Sonny spoke up as Talia sighed.
"I am aware of your past turf war, but this goes beyond that, Mr. Corinthos." Gaius’s voice travelled through the phone with a hint of impatience before he continued. "Talia child, no more hiding. They need to know the full details of what happened."
"You sure?" Talia sounded doubtful.
"Yes, call me when it's done. I will call in a few favours and attempt to locate Cesar Fasion."
The phone went dead as Talia looked over, dread in her eyes.
"You guys better take a seat. Lance, break out the whiskey."

They settled in the front room; Talia paced around as Matthew leaned on the fireplace, biting his nails.
Lance, looking conflicted, sat on the arm of the sofa next to Jason.
The newly arrived Carly and Diana sat with Sonny on the couch, all four of them curious at the worried glances the trio gave.
"Okay storytime-" Talia huffed, pausing and taking a sip of whiskey. "Cesar Faison first surfaced in Paris, France in 1990. He was under the alias ‘P.K. Sinclair’, an adventure novelist with a penchant for cigars.
In reality, Faison worked with a group called ‘DVX.’ Don't ask me what it stood for. Now backtrack to 1984-- DVX and Fasion get hold of a canister holding a virus called Chimera. It wasn't until 2010 when he decided to see how well it worked.'' Talia paused as she looked pleadingly to Matthew.
Sighing, he coughed, clearing his throat before taking over as Talia brought her emotions into check,
"During this time, Faison often made illicit deals with governments and groups. anyone really. He didn't care who he hurt or killed. We stayed on his track after being asked by Alina when she got word that Fasion was up to no good. See, Fasion had a thing for experimenting, even back then,'' Matthew paused, his eyes closed, remembering the cries for help. "We arrived in Paris in 2010 with rumours buzzing, that Fasion and the DVX were testing out... something. That ‘something’ was the Chimera virus," he finished, looking away as Talia placed a hand on his shoulder before continuing herself.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing the tears away as she spoke.
"The Chimera virus drowns you in your own blood, think the black plague with influenza in a neat little bundle of craziness-'' Talia gulped down a mouthful of whiskey before continuing. "We tracked Fasion with the owner of the Boronsky clinic. A Dr. Boronsky and Klien worked together at a warehouse just outside Paris; we stood on the warehouse roof looking down through the skyline.
It was like a living nightmare-- beds upon beds of people infected by Chimera, bleeding from their eyes whilst choking on their own blood...we used the air vents...and...and...broke in.'' She paused again, rounding the table and sitting on it,
her hands grasped together as though in prayer, looking at the small group her eyes begging, needing them to understand what they had seen, pleading for their understanding. "I'm not proud of what we did...I...I never will be, but we did it to stop their suffering. You see there is no cure for Chimera, please...please understand that. Fasion didn't care who was being experimented on, young, old, weak, strong..." Tears pooled in her amber eyes; she gulped as one traitorously escaped rolled down her cheek. "Each one, each person... we had to stop their su-suffering. They begged us, I see their faces each night when I close my eyes. I see their pain and loss of hope... I see the gun held to their heads, I see the tears of relief as I...pulled the trigger.... that haunts me, I memorized each face as I held that gun to their heads..I...I felt their last breath."
Talia’s tears pooled cascading down her cheeks before a sob left her lips as the barriers finally broke as tears continued to trickle down her pale cheeks.
"That son of a bitch is gonna die,'' Carly promised, staring at Sonny and Jason before pulling the girl into her arms as she held on for dear life as Diana watched stunned at the confession.

The night was peaceful, unlike Matthew's emotions.
A storm brewed inside of him, wanting release, yet he denied it, pushing down the feelings of contempt and fear as he stared out towards the garden, breathing deeply.
"You okay?" Sonny questioned softly from behind as the door swung shut. Matthew looked over, his eyes red rimmed with anger.
"No, but I will be, I guess. I have to be".
"What you both did was brave. You know that right, kid?" Sonny reasoned, standing next to the younger man.
"Tell that to our nightmares," Matthew muttered, exhaling as he walked to the porch steps and looking out to the swaying apple tree.
He leaned on the post, rubbing his brow.
"We didn't know, you know? We thought we’d just go there. Maybe it was smuggling, we heard people were going missing but...well, who'd expect something like that?" He muttered, taking a shuddering breath.
"We will stop the bastard. I thought what he did in Port Charles was bad what with Jason and all, but it ain't nothing compared to the rest of the world," Sonny reassured, settling a hand on Matthew's shoulder as the younger man turned to him with red-rimmed amber eyes swimming in his own angry tears.
"You've got my word, kid," Sonny promised as Matthew practically deflated in front of Sonny as the man pulled him into a bone-crushing hug.

Jason sighed.
He wasn't sure if his life was harder than the twins’; his was simple-- in fact, there were things he doubted the two would ever tell him.
He could just about hear Sonny and Matthew outside and the low voices of Talia, Carly, and Diana upstairs as he nursed a coffee.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Lance asked, looking over as he stood in the kitchen area cooking.
"Did you know?" Jason questioned as he stood up from the sofa, slowly walking over.
"About Chimera? Yes. I knew, it was one of the warnings I was given by the Guardians when I came into the fold," Lance explained as Jason sat on the stool opposite, watching and listening as Lance finished grating cheese.
"When was that?" He asked curiously. His own morals stopped him from bringing in what family he had into the mob business.
"When I came into the fold? Oh, around four years now. The story of how we met is... complicated," Lance smirked, his eyes lighting up with fond memories of forests and Prince Arthur.
"Sounds fun," Jason frowned as Lance laughed, rich and deep as he checked on the pasta bubbling away.
"Oh yes, you've no idea. When I decided to join Talia, I didn't know it would be this interesting, but...I'm with her for the long run, no matter what. Talia and her brother are the most unique and important people I know, and yes I also know if you expectone you take on the other,'' he explained as he chopped bacon, glancing over at the thoughtful man.
"They are close, aren't they?"
Lance nodded, looking to Jason as he continued.
"I wonder if..." Jason trailed off as Lance grabbed a large pan and set it down.
"If you and Andrew would be that close?" Lance finished as Jason nodded, frowning in conflicting emotions.
"Jason...they've been through a lot. More than most, but you and your brother didn't even know, and I'm thinking that that's down to your birth mother. For some reason, I can't fathom," Lance paused, draining off the pasta and mixing in the sauce.
"I don't think you'll ever know, and it won't help you to brood. I see it as you having two choices. Either one, you accept it and get on with your lives. Or two, you brood forever, and trust me that doesn't do naught!" Lance huffed as though speaking from experience as Jason silently considered his words.

"What happened with Chimera?" Diana asked as Talia looked over from her bed, leaning into Carly as they sat against the headboard. Tear tracks still evident on her cheeks.
"We tracked down the canister to Russia, broke into the Boronsky clinic and stole it." She spoke in a monotone voice as though she had said it many times before.
"We can stop if you want?" Diana stopped her halfway, silently supporting as Talia looked over, blinking.
"No, it's okay." She took a deep breath, mentally shaking her head as Diana sat on the edge of the large bed, watching as Talia continued. "We decided then to make Dr. Boronsky's life as difficult as possible. It was the only thing we really could do, so from their accounts to their stock, we interfere with it and... commandeer it to better use."
"Ah, so that's how it started with Klien?" The lawyer asked as Talia scrambled off the bed, heading to the cupboard and bringing out a shoe sized box, holding it in her hands as though it was precious.
"Yeah, Klien was a bonus. We think that's how Klien met Fasion through Dr. Boronsky. The only downfall was Fasion Sr. got away before we got there." She paused, frowning as her hand rested on the box’s blue lid, looking at it as though debating whether or not she should show its contents.
"I...I take this everywhere. It’s mainly letters from Uncle Gaius, Lila, and grandma, but some fond memories are as a reminder I guess...that... that I'm not alone, you know?'' She sat looking through the box, bringing out a photo of herself and Matthew, Lila, and Alina all together.
"We got home after the Chimera was destroyed in Russia and went back to the UK. Lila was visiting at the time-- it was the last time she came over. We sat all night explaining and justifying our actions in Paris, everything-"
"What happened?" Carly questioned as she and Diana studied the photos, pulling them out from the box one by one.
"They said we were braver than they could be, proud of our actions...that's when Uncle Gaius came into the picture. He's a healer and physician, but he likes the old ways. He helped in a lot of ways, from our mind to our bodies, and I suppose you could say, soul?" She pulled out a photo of a shaggy white-haired man with weathered skin, but kind eyes.
"He sounds like a good man," Diana smiled warmly, looking at the photo, noting she was becoming too overly attached to these two.
The thought of them leaving was becoming harder.
"He is. A little grouchy and moans a lot, but he's good," Talia smiled fondly at the photo.
A knock on the door brought their attention away from the photos.
Jason leaned on the frame, smiling warmly at the scene as Talia looked over, placing the photo down.
"Hey. Lance made dinner. He said to tell you it’s a pasta bake?"
Talia's eyes lit up as Carly put away the photos, closing the box with care as Diana stood with Talia.
"Alina's home comfort food. He is a good egg," she smiled warmly, looking at Diana.
"Definitely a keeper," she answered, following them out the door.

The food sat on the large dining table as they gathered to sit together.
Matthew pulled his sister into a hug, holding one her close as her hands gripped his t-shirt with his hand on her back as their breaths hitched.
Lance watched, sighing before running around the table, causing chaos.
"Aww, group hug!" He yelled, squishing the twins and bringing laughter to the table.
Relief fled to their eyes as they relished in the distraction,
The food went down as a treat as they sat together while small talk and laughter filled the air.
Still, the lingering ghosts of the past fluttered through Talia’s amber eyes, but friendship and family began to heal old wounds.
She lingered on the table around her as Lance watched her, knowing full well what she was doing.
Another mental picture for her mind's eye to remember-- it would hurt, but it would be a good hurt, a welcome hurt when the time came to leave.
"You okay?" Lance whispered, placing his hand on hers as Carly looked, overseeing the love between them listening silently.
"Yeah, I will be," she smiled warmly, squeezing his hand.
"You had me worried, you know." His voice was warm and comforting, yet his eyes showed worry.
"I worried myself, but Gaius was right. We can't hide it anymore. Cesar Fasion needs taking down," Talia admitted.
"And he will," Lance spoke with determination in his eyes before continuing. "And till then, we have a family to help," he finished, looking at the group around the table as Talia's amber eye followed him, watching Carly laughing at Diana's joke,
Sonny speaking animatedly to Matthew and Jason, both grinning with intrigue over something he said to them.
Talia looked back at Lance with a wistful look, her words like a memory as she spoke "Family. They are the people who claim us in good, in bad, in parts, or in whole. They are the ones who show up and who stay regardless."