From Keesha's first whiff of the hospital, she was immediately reminded of her first weeks of life just a short while ago. The smell brought back memories that she wanted to forget. The loss of control and the confusion... Those were two things she'd more than had her fill of and wanted nothing more to do with in her life.

Jason walked beside her. He was quiet and focused. His footsteps, quick and sure. She moved at his pace without too much effort. He seemed to be in a hurry and so was she. Keesha didn't like the hospital and the sooner she was out of there the better.

"This is Mary Mae's room," Jason said, coming to a stop. "We can go in separately or together. It's up to you."

She peeked through the small window and frowned. Justus and David stood beside Mary Mae's bed. The last time she saw the two men they were trying to force her to be someone she wasn't. She didn't want to deal with them now. She looked at Jason. "I'll wait."

He peered inside the window, too. "Is it because of Justus and your father?"

She nodded. "They'll try to make me stay. I won't and I don't want to get into that in front of Mary Mae."

"You won't have to," he reassured her. "They won't start a scene in front of her. They know she needs rest and peace. Trust me."

Before she could change her mind, Jason took her hand and they went inside. All eyes turned to them as they entered the room. Jason gave them a faint smile, but Keesha ignored the men. Mary Mae drew her attention from everything else. She released Jason's hand and went to the older woman. Mary Mae clutched her hand and smiled at her.

"I'm happy to see you," Mary Mae said in a coarse whisper. "You're looking well."

"What are you doing here?" Keesha asked. "Jason said you had a heart attack."

Mary Mae rested her other hand over her breast. She smiled. "My heart likes to let me know who's the boss from time to time. I'll be okay. Thank you for coming." She looked past Keesha to Jason. "Thank you, too."

He smiled at her. "You know I'd do anything for you," he said warmly. "How long will you be here?"

"I could leave tomorrow-"

"No, Mama," David interrupted. "We're not having that discussion. The doctor said you should stay a few more days and I agree."

"So, do I," Justus said. "Heart attacks are nothing to play with and none of us are ready for a life without you."

"Baby, that isn't up to us, now is it?" Mary Mae asked. "Now, if you please, I'd like to visit with Keesha alone, and afterwards, Jason, I'd like to speak with you, too."

"Okay," he said. "I'll be right outside."

The three men filed out of the room and as the door closed shut behind them, Keesha said, "I'm not coming back."

"I'm not asking you to," Mary Mae quickly informed her. "I just want to see how you're doing. You really do look fine. How have you been taking care of yourself? Do you need anything? Any money?"

She shook her head. "I don't need anything. I have a job and a place to stay. What about you?"

"I'm here for a few days. All my needs will be taken care of," Mary Mae told her. "I want to apologize for what happened at Ward House before. We were forcing you to be someone you're not anymore and we were wrong to do that. We weren't ready to accept you for who you are. I'm ready now and I'd like to start over."

"I don't understand that. Start over?" Keesha frowned. "We can't start over. I know you and you know me. I can't forget the past, and it can't be changed."

"That's true," Mary Mae agreed. "None of it can be changed, but we can come to an understanding. I'd like to be in your life, Keesha. I'd like to be your friend. No strings attached and I promise that."

"Okay," Keesha said. "We can be friends."

~**~

"What were you doing with my daughter?" David Ward demanded to know.

Jason saw the fire in the other man's dark eyes but refused to rise to the bait. He remained calm and almost aloof. "We were together, and that's all I'll say about that-"

"You're taking advantage of the situation!" David bellowed. "She's not right in the head and you're-"

"I'm not!" Jason said through gritted teeth. "Keesha is a woman who's fully capable of making her own decisions. She suffered brain damage, but that doesn't make her stupid! You need to remember that!"

David lunged for Jason. "You don't tell me what I need to do!"

The two men struggled and Justus moved to separate them. "This doesn't help anyone," Justus said. "Granny Mae is inside and this tension isn't good for her. Uncle David, Jason...cool it!"

"I didn't start it," Jason said, inhaling deep breaths, as he looked Keesha's father. "You can think whatever you want about me, Mr. Ward, but you can best believe I'd never take advantage of Keesha! I wouldn't do it before and I sure as hell wouldn't do it now!"

"I know, I know," David muttered with disgust. "You 'love' her. "

"You can mock it all you want to," Jason returned, just barely holding in his anger, "but I do love her and that's something that won't ever change."

"And what about how she feels about you?" Justus asked, quietly. "You came in together, holding hands. What does that mean? Is she with you now even though she won't have anything to do with us?"

Jason shrugged. "I'm sorry, Justus. I know it's hard, but Keesha makes her own choices. She came with me tonight because she wanted to. I held her hand because she let me. You have to do it on her terms."

"So why was she with you?" Justus asked again. "Where has she been all this time? Edward mentioned something about Sonny Corinthos. What's that all about?"

"She's working at his club on the waterfront. That's where I found her. She's a hostess and she's good at it."

"Damn!" David muttered under his breath. "What a waste. My little girl had ideals, goals and dreams. She was set to change the world."

"She could still do that," Jason defended, "but if or when she does, it will be according to her rules and no one else's. Justus, I don't know what anything means. Keesha and I were together tonight because we were. Saying anything more is simply none of your business, but I'll tell you this, as long as she wants me around, I plan to be there."