The hours began to bleed into one another as Jax paced the hall outside of his son's room. The doctors had stabilized Joshua and given Jax his options--either find a donor, or pray for a miracle, preferably, both. Lady Jane and John had taken Isabella home, and Alexis had gone to make rounds. Jax and Brenda were left alone, finally, to try and make sense of things. Jax knew he couldn't say what he had to say to Brenda in front of their son, but he doubted she would ever leave his side. He mustered up the mammoth strength it took him to see his son in that condition, and opened the door a crack. Joshua seemed to be sleeping peacefully, and the persistent, yet oddly comforting beeping was all Jax could hear.

     Brenda's head lay near her son's, her face down on the bed. When she heard the door open, her eyes immediately found Jax. He forgot for a moment what he had come to say. Brenda stared at him, her eyes darting back and forth, the tears threatening to spill at any moment.

     "Could I speak to you for a moment?" Jax asked. Brenda's hands were clutching Joshua's so tightly, that she winced slightly at the pain in her fingers as she let go of his hand and struggled to stand up, her back aching slightly from being hunched over on the small stool next to Joshua's bed.

     "I really--I don't want to leave him, Jax, I--"

     "It's all right," Jax said, holding out a hand to her. "He'll be all right. Just come out into the hall with me please, just for a moment." Brenda walked towards Jax and took his hand, still looking at their sleeping son.

     "He'll be all right," Brenda breathed. "You'll see to it, won't you?" she asked, looking up at Jax.

     "Of course," Jax said softly, ushering her out. "Have you given any thought to what I said before?"

     "About testing Belle?" Brenda didn't know how to put this delicately. She wanted to yell and punch Jax and tell him that OF COURSE she wanted her daughter tested, anything to save her son. But she knew that finding out the answer to Belle's paternity might put an end to her relationship with Jax, and she was sure that if she lost both her son and Jax, she'd die herself. There was no alternative, however. "Why don't we all get tested first," Brenda sighed. "John, Lady Jane, you and me, Jerry, Lois, the whole family. We'll call our friends, anyone."

     "Siblings are the closest possible match, Brenda," Jax said, turning his back on her and pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know that we have to do this, we should do this, and we should find out right now." Brenda struggled to find the right words as she placed a hand on Jax's shoulder.

     "You know, even if she doesn't match, that doesn't mean she's not yours, and I--"

     "Let's just do this all right, Brenda? I'm going to schedule tests for all of for tomorrow morning, Belle included. Oh, I cannot believe this is happening."

     "But Jax, at least we know what is happening. At least we can do something, I mean, we know our options."

     "And what would our options be, Brenda? Find out that the little girl I love like my own really isn't my own? Lose my son in the process if she ISN'T a match for him? Lose everything in this life that I love--I've already lost you."

     "No," Brenda protested, shaking her head. "You haven't lost me, you are never going to lose me." Jax stared at her a moment, as if she weren't really standing there. Then, as if snapped back into reality, he took her by the arm and led her back into Joshua's room. The boy still slept silently.

     "He's so beautiful," Jax said through clinched teeth, trying to avoid sobbing. "He's got so much of you in him."

     "Oh, I wouldn't say that," Brenda scoffed. "He's the mirror image of you. Blonde hair, blue eyes, the warmest smile."

     "I can't lose him Brenda, no matter what, I won't."

     "I know that," Brenda said stoically, crossing her arm and sniffling a bit. "Ugh, I don't--I don't know what I'm doing, am I supposed to be doing something?" Brenda asked, feeling a wave of exhaustion coming over her, but resisting it for the good of her child. "I must--there must be something--"

     "There's nothing to be done right now," Jax said, taking Brenda by the shoulders. "I'm going to go and get you a cot so that you can lay down in here with him, all right?" Brenda nodded and held one of Jax's hands tightly. As Jax tried to go out the door, he realized that Brenda was still clutching his hand. "It's all right," he soothed, easing his hand from her grasp. "I'll be right back. You just hold on now, hold on. Brenda? Brenda?" Brenda wasn't listening to him anymore. She was beginning to shake violently and cry.

     "JOSHUA!" she screamed. "Joshua! Baby!"

     "No, no, no," Jax said, struggling to hold on to Brenda."

     "Why won't he wake up?!" Brenda screamed, clutching Jax's hand so tightly he could feel the skin begin to break.

     "NURSE!" Jax said, calling out into the hallway. Brenda was struggling so violently, Jax was afraid he'd have to hurt her in order to hold her down. A team of nurses and doctors came in immediately and wrestled Brenda to the ground.

     "I want Joshua!" Brenda screamed, closing her eyes tightly and pleading with Jax. "Please, please," she said to him. She felt the prick then as it sank into her deltoid muscle on the back of her arm. "I don't want that," she cried, sounding like a devastated child. "Please, Jax, please," she sobbed. "Joshua."

     Her faint cries became murmuring as she was lifted off the floor. Jax carried her to another private room, where she would remain for the rest of the evening.

     Jax found his way outside to get some air. His life had changed so drastically in the past year, he almost couldn't believe it. He'd had all he ever wanted in the world, and now circumstances threatened to take it all away. Somehow, no matter what the outcome, Jax had a profound feeling that one of the things he loved most would have to go--Joshua, Isabella, or Brenda. He didn't see how on earth he could hold on to them all. He said a silent prayer for them all as Alexis interrupted his thoughts.

     "I'm sorry," she said, "but I thought you would want to see this, and do something about it."

     "I'm not on duty, Alexis," Jax said in annoyance. "Please, can't you get someone else?"

     "This isn't a patient, Jax. It's the press. They're camping out in the ER of the hospital. If you don't get them out of there right now--"

     "All right, all right," Jax said, sprinting down the hall with Alexis. When the elevator doors opened, a swarm of reporters descended on Jax and Alexis. "This town is really desperate for a story," Jax said under his breath. Just then, Ned caught his eye. "What's going on?" Jax asked.

     "I called them myself," Ned answered.

     "What?! Explain please," Alexis said, folding her arms.

     "I only called one station," Ned said. "I thought if we could get the word out, encourage people to come and be tested to see if they were a match--I don't know how all the stations got called, Jax."

     "And now my family's tragedy has turned into a media circus because of you."

     "You never know," Ned said, "maybe someone watching will be able to help us. Keep the faith, little brother."

     "Yeah," Jax said. "I'll try. Meanwhile, I have to get these people out of here." Jax walked calmly into the middle of all the reporters, raising his hands to his lips and whistling to silence the crowd. "Everyone, everyone please calm down."

     "Do you have any news on your son's condition, Mr. Jacks?" one reporter asked.

     "Has a donor been found?" shouted another.

     "What will you do if a donor isn't found?"

     "What is your son's prognosis?"

     "Exactly what is aplastic anemia, Mr. Jacks?" Before Jax could open his mouth to answer a single question, they began to fly fast and furious once again, and Jax couldn't single out a question, let alone give a definitive answer. Finally, he gave up and shouted,

     "I will be making an official statement tomorrow morning at 10:00am. My entire family is being tested to see if there are any matches, and if there are, we will go ahead with the procedure."

     "Is there anything you'd like the Port Charles public to know about your situation, Mr. Jacks?"

     "I just ask them for their prayers, and to please come and get tested. We don't need to bombard the hospital all at once, but we need everyone's help that we can get."

     "Do you trust this hospital more than some of the better ones in the state because you work here, Mr. Jacks?"

     "General Hospital is the best in the state," Jax said. "I firmly believe that, or I wouldn't be here. Thank you for your time, ladies and gentlemen, please, I'll speak tomorrow morning. Good night."

     Sonny Corinthos sat, having a brandy and reading over some 'business' reports. The television was on, but he was barely watching it. He almost didn't believe his ears though, when he heard the anchorwoman mention the small town of Port Charles, New York. He seated himself squarely in front of the television and turned up the volume. He'd been aware of Brenda' giving birth, but he was unable to get back to Port Charles while fighting a street war with Moreno.

     "In the small town of Port Charles, in upstate New York, a local family is fighting for the life of their son." Sonny almost turned off the television, relieved it wasn't the newest baby, Isabella. But his curiosity overtook him, and he continued to watch. The anchorwoman went on. "Jasper Jacks, a prominent physician, and his ex-wife, Brenda Barrett, are fighting for their son, Joshua Jacks, who was recently diagnosed with the little known disease, aplastic anemia. The disease calls for a bone marrow donor matching the child. Siblings are the closest match, and the possibility of finding a donor outside of the family is almost nonexistent. But the Jacks family is asking for your help, just the same. While every member of the Jacks family, and most of the hospital staff is being tested, the likeliest one to help save Joshua's life is his little sister, Isabella. The three month old baby will be tested tomorrow morning, in a statement made earlier by Mr. Jacks. WJTV-12 will have continuing coverage of this story as it develops. Back to you, Charlie."

     "Damn," Sonny said, getting up and turning off the television. He knew he had to get back to Port Charles, as quickly as possible.

     Jax got back onto the elevator with Alexis and pushed the "Stop" button once the doors were closed.

     "How are you holding up?" Alexis asked.

     "I'm fine I guess," Jax said.

     "You're fine? Is that why you stopped the elevator, because you're fine? Come on, Jax, you know you can talk to me."

     "Yes I do," Jax said. "I don't know, Alexis, I'm in the middle of a crisis, I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to act."

     "You're doing everything right," Alexis said.

     "Oh really? Well I really can't believe that."

     "You are being there for your children, for Brenda, that's all anyone can really ask of you, you know. You're being strong for everyone, and--"

     "Yeah well I really don't feel like being strong anymore, Lexie! I'd really like to turn the reins over to someone else. My son is in the hospital, my wife is a mess, I can't have my daughter tested because--" Jax stopped short.

     "What?" Alexis said. "I thought you had changed your mind about Belle being tested."

     "I did," Jax said. "Don't listen to me, don't worry about it, all right? I'm just a little out of my mind right now." Jax pushed the resume button on the elevator panel, but Alexis hit stop again.

     "Talk to me, Jax. What's going on? You didn't want Belle to be tested before, and you know that she's perfectly old enough to be a donor for Josh."

     "Yes, I know that," Jax said, sitting on the floor of the elevator. Alexis sat beside him, her legs tucked underneath her.

     "Well then tell me. There is something more here, and it's not just Joshua. Something has had you wound up for months, almost an entire year, and it started--it started around the time Brenda was pregnant with Belle--and--Oh my God, Jax, don't tell me that--"

     "You guessed it," Jax said. "Isabella might not be mine."

     "I don't believe that," Alexis stated plainly.

     "What do you mean?" Jax asked.

     "I mean that you're her father. No matter what any paternity tests show, no matter what any DNA says, you are that little girl's father, you have loved and cherished her everyday of her life. And you don't know that she's NOT yours."

     "But what if she isn't, Lexie?"

     "This test will tell us for sure yes or no."

     "I'm not really sure I'm ready to find that out."

     "But you have to be," Alexis said, "because this is your son. This is his life we're talking about here, and I already know that as much as you're debating this in your mind, there isn't a single thing that you wouldn't do for him, especially this. You can do this Jax, you can handle it."

     "But why does it have to be me? Why must I make all the decisions and always be the bad guy?"

     "You want to hear the truth?" Alexis asked. Jax nodded.

     "Because you're the best man for the job, and frankly, there just isn't any body else. I'm so sorry you're hurting, and I'm so sorry that all of this had to happen to you, but you have to got to hold on. You have got to get through this, for your kids, for Brenda, for your family, for yourself, and for me too, all right?" Jax pulled Alexis into an embrace and allowed the elevator to resume its climb.

     "I don't know what I'd do without you," Jax said to Alexis as they got off the elevator.

     "You'd do just fine," she said, holding his hand. "I'm not the one you need." Jax opened his mouth to respond, but Alexis angled her head towards Brenda's room. "You go on ahead, I've got some rounds to catch up on, all right?" Jax nodded silently and headed to Brenda's room, looking in on Joshua once more.

     Once inside Brenda's room, Jax closed the door softly and went to her beside. She was hooked up to an IV and she was resting comfortably as far as Jax could see. She stirred slightly when he brushed the hair off her forehead, but didn't wake up. Jax kissed her on the forehead and sighed.

     "I love you so much Brenda. Don't ever forget that. And I love our kids, and I'm doing this for you, for me, for all of us, so that--" Jax broke down in tears just then but regained his composure quickly. "So that God willing, we'll be back together again someday. Because I couldn't imagine my life without you, sweetie. I don't ever want to have to think about that day." Jax kissed Brenda on the forehead once more and then stood up. He stepped out into the hallway and walked the few short steps to a phone at the nurses' station.

     He obtained an outside line and called his parents house. No answer, then he tried his own house, and finally Brenda's. "Hey Dad," Jax said when John answered the phone. "No, no, don't wake Mum, it's all right." Too late. Lady Jane was awake in an instant and she grabbed the phone from her husband.

     "Is everything all right, Jax? Is Joshua--"

     "He's fine for now, Mum. What about Isabella, is she all right?"

     "She's fine," Jane said. "A little cranky with all this fuss about, but who wouldn't be. She went off to sleep just fine, glad to be back in her own bed."

     "What about Ned and Lois?"

     "They've all gone home as well, but Lois asked me to tell you that she'll be back bright and early in the morning and she said to keep the faith."

     "I'm trying, Mum, I'm trying. Listen, I need to tell you two something very important, and once I tell you this, you'll understand why I'm asking you to do this favor for me, all right?"

     "Out with it son," Lady Jane persisted.

     "It's about Brenda," Jax started, "and Isabella, and Sonny--"

     "Say no more son. Brenda told me everything, and I've told John."

     "You knew?" Jax asked. "For how long?"

     "Not long at all, love. She didn't brake any confidences with you. We just found out today, shortly before Josh and everything." Jax nodded to himself, unable to help wondering what his parents must think of Brenda, himself, and their relationship. He just didn't have any answers, so he didn't try and explain it to them.

     "All right," he sighed. "Since you understand, I need you to do something for me. Can you get Belle up and bring her back to the hospital? I'll meet you in the side entrance on the east wing, all right? Hurry up, I'm going to schedule the test right now, and see for myself if Belle's a match."

     "You can't do that, son." John said, taking the phone back from Lady Jane.

     "What do you mean, Dad?"

     "This is something you and Brenda have to go through together."

     "By whose definition? Dad, she has operated behind my back one too many times--if I want to do this by myself then fine. I should be allowed--"

     "This isn't about rights, son. This is about family. I know you think you're always right about everything, and you're a doctor now and I'm not, but this time I'm right when I tell you that this is not the way to go about doing this. You're going to end up hurting Brenda, as well as yourself."

     "Dad, I--"

     "What if you find out the worst, son? What if you find out that little Isabella isn't yours, and that she can't save Joshua? What are you going to do? Lie to Brenda, keep her in the dark about all of this and hope that you find another donor?"

     "But what if she is mine, Dad? What if she's Joshua's only hope? Dad, I will NOT let my son die over this. I--"

     "You'll get through this, son, no matter what the outcome. You will survive."

     "I don't want to survive," Jax said, the weariness evident on his voice. "I don't want to survive Joshua. He's got forever and a day on this earth, and I want him to live them all, growing, loving and happy all of the time."

     "You can't guarantee your child a lifetime of happiness, no matter what you do, Jax. Your mother and I certainly learned that lesson."

     "You're right, dad. But I CAN do this, and I will--if you'll let me. I-I had to sedate Brenda earlier this evening, Dad."

     "Is she all right?"

     "Yeah, yeah she's fine, she's fine, but Dad, she can't handle it. I've got to do this on my own."

     "Don't you think you're underestimating her?" John asked.

     "Maybe so," Jax allowed, "but all I know is right now, I can't afford to take that chance. I won't, so do this for me, Dad, please. Bring her in so I can know for myself, so I can save my family."

     "What are your options, son?"

     "If she's mine, there's more of a chance she'll be a match--if she's not, I'll still test her, maybe through Brenda, somehow--I don't know, Dad. If she's not mine, I haven't decided if I'll tell Brenda that I know or not. Perhaps it's better to leave her in wonder--"

     "She almost made the same decision about you once upon a time, and I'm sure now you've found that--"

     "The only thing I've found is that ignorance is bliss, Dad," Jax said. "I'd give anything to take back what happened between Brenda and Sonny, but I can't, so I'm making due with what I have. What I need for you to do right now is bring Isabella in. I'll take it from there. Please, dad, will you do this for me?"

     "Of course, son, we'll be right there."

     Jax almost lost his mind in the twenty minutes it took his parents to get there. Logically, he knew that Brenda was too medicated to wake up and stop him, or at least be with him through this, but he somehow hoped she would wake up and discover him. Another part of him, though, was glad she was asleep. Alexis came to the entrance of the east wing just as Jax's parents pulled into the parking lot. All Jax needed was her presence there. He was glad she knew, it gave him someone objective to talk to.

     "Here she is, son," John said, handing Isabella to Jax. The tiny baby didn't even notice as she was passed between the two men. Jax was glad she still slept soundly.

     "Is Joshua all right?" Lady Jane asked.

     "Yes, Mrs. Jacks, he's fine for now," Alexis said. Jane took hold of Alexis' hand and shook it gratefully.

     "Thank you for taking care of our son," Lady Jane said.

     "Oh, I don't think I did all that much, your son is a pretty strong man. Come on now, why don't I take the two of you to the cafeteria? We can at least get some coffee, huh?"

     "That would be lovely dear, thank you," John said. "Now son, listen to me, be very careful, all right? Will you do that for me?"

     "Yeah, dad, I will."

     "And there's nothing wrong with admitting that you need some help, so if something should come up--"

     "Dad,--"

     "I just mean, son, that if you should need me or your mother, or Alexis, or anyone, don't keep it all locked up inside. Let one of us, or all of us help you. We love you, son."

     "I love you too, Dad. I'll see you in a bit." Jax continued down the hall in one direction, while his parents and Alexis went in another. He went into an exam room, where a friend of his, David Thompson, was doing him a huge favor. Jax held little Isabella as she cried, and when the test was completed, he gave her a bottle his mother had knowingly put inside her diaper bag. He sat in a nearby rocking chair as his friend took the contents to the lab.

     "I'll be right back," David said.

     "Thank you, David."

     "No problem, Jax, you just take care of that little one. The results should be back in about an hour or so, we're putting a rush on the lab, but they're backed up as it is. There was a huge traffic accident a few hours ago, we handled it without you, but we may need you, I hate to do that to you."

     "Nature of the beast," Jax said, not really listening or looking at David. "It's all right though, my parents are here."

     "All right then," David said quietly. "I'll be right back."

     The lab technologist finished with her latest batch of tests, and placed a vial with Isabella Jacks' name on it, in a test tube tray, indicating whether or not she matched her brother and was a potential donor. Just as the technologist left the room, Sonny Corinthos sauntered in. He continued to amaze himself at the reach he still had in this little community. Bribing the guard and getting past the lab workers had been so easy. He looked around until his eyes focused on a name-- "Isabella Jacks." Sonny picked up the vial and read the line. He then sighed deeply.

     "Thank you," he said to no one in particular, "for letting me get here in time."

     By the time the results came back to Jax, he was walking on pins and needles. He was pacing the floor, and he glanced at his watch. Almost five o'clock in the morning. He knew that he would have to get a shower and a little sleep sometime soon if he was having a press conference, but now he seriously regretted making that statement. It was, however, the only way that they were going to get the press out of the ER, and that was imperative. Jax's stomach was churning and he was beginning to sweat.

     "Where are they, damn it?!" he asked himself.

     "I'm right here," David said, sprinting to catch up to Jax.

     "David," Jax said, "tell me, please." Jax placed his hands on David's shoulders to balance himself.

     "You'll want to read it for yourself," David said.

     "What?!" Jax asked, "just tell me, please." David looked into Jax's eyes as Jax waited patiently for a small smile to pass David's lips, or a look of relief, a nod of a head. He got nothing. David just stared at him, the thin piece of paper held in his hands. Jax snatched the paper out of his hands and turned his back to David as he read. " 'Isabella Jacks is not a ma-- Bloody hell," Jax said, reading the paper over and over, trying to make it read something else. He finally crumbled the piece of paper up and tossed it into a nearby garbage can. "It doesn't mean anything," he said, shaking his head. "Not a thing. Siblings don't always match."

     "Yes, but Jax, siblings come from the same parents, most of the time, and they have some DNA work up that is the same, even if not 100%. Isabella didn't match you, Jax, or her brother--not enough to make the most hopeful doctor believe that--"

     "Why are you saying this to me?!" Jax asked, grabbing David by the collar.

     "Because," David said, never once losing his cool, "You have a boy up there that needs saving. He needs a donor, and you have to go about the business of saving his life, Jax. I know this hurts like hell, man, but you can't let it get you down, you can't let it stop you, because Josh is still upstairs and he still needs you, man. You have got to keep this together."

     "What are we going to do?" Jax asked, his face expressionless.

     "There's not much you can do from where I sit," David said. "If you don't find another donor, and the chances of that are very slim, then the only hope you and Brenda have is to have another baby that could be the donor."

     "Is there any guarantee that will work?"

     "Jax it's the only option you have, and siblings have a wonderful chance--"

     "That's not why I'm asking, David. Brenda has chronic fatigue, you know that. I'm not sure her body could stand the strain of having another baby. You saw what happened with Isabella. I'm not even sure Brenda's body could stand it. Hell, Belle's only three months old, is Brenda even ready for this?"

     "She's going to have to be," David said, "if the two of you want to save your child."

     "All right," Jax said, nodding and holding his stomach. "Just--just give me a second." Jax ran down the hall to the men's bathroom and emptied his stomach. Then he sat down in the stall and broke down in sobs. When he recovered, he stood up and washed is face in the sink basin. As he dried his face, David came into the bathroom.

     "You all right, man?"

     "Yeah," Jax said. "Yeah."

     "Well hey, I'm sorry man, but I have to cut out of here soon, I'm off duty, and I've got to get home to my kids, man."

     "I know all too well," Jax said, thinking suddenly that this whole situation had taken two children away from him, not just one.

     He showered had a little something to eat, and then joined his parents in the waiting room at the end of the hall on Joshua's floor. He explained the situation to everyone and his family was extremely supportive. He realized that Alexis hadn't gone home, so he told her what he had learned as well. Her heart went out to him, but she knew better than to say anything like "It'll be all right," or "you'll get through this." Instead, she said, "What can I do?" He told her, and she did just that.

     "What are you going to do now?" Lois asked, holding her daughter, Brooke, in her arms. She held Ned's hand with the other as they both looked intently at Jax.

     "I'm going to have to go in there and tell Brenda."

     "The doctors said that you and Brenda should have another child to save Joshua. Can you do that?"

     "Yes," Jax said. "We found it in time. Josh will most likely have to stay in the hospital the entire time, but we can work around that."

     "Money's not an issue, son, you know that."

     "I know that dad, thank you. I am going to talk to Brenda about having another child as soon as possible, in order to save Josh."

     "Oh, you men," Lady Jane said, standing up in disgust. "Have you any idea what this has done?"

     "What are you talking about, Mum?"

     "This is not just you, Jax. There are others to consider. Brenda loves you, and she was hoping against hope that Isabella would be yours, and now to find out--and plus don't you remember what a time she had with Isabella. Having another child, it could kill her. She's so fragile now as it is--"

     "Well what would you have me do, Mum?" Jax asked harshly. "I don't know what else to do. I know this sounds like a business transaction, and I don't mean to make it so, but the truth is we don't have forever. We don't have time to waste on this. It's going to be difficult for us all. We haven't even begun to comprehend this fight and what it's going to take of all of us, but we are going to be all right. We're going to fight, we're going to hold on, all right. I never imagined I'd have to really say to Brenda that Isabella's not mine, but--"

     "What?!" a familiar voice asked shrilly. Jax turned around to face a shaking Brenda. She had taken the IV out of her arm and was clutching it, but the pain of that seemed to be leaving her. "She's not yours?" She asked Jax, searching the room and looking at all the somber faces. "She's not yours?"