General Hospital RECAP: Monday January 18, 2016

In Mexico, Tracy cried out in pain as a masseur worked the knots of tension from her back. Tracy groaned that a "certain business associate" should be the one feeling all the stress, not Tracy. The masseur wondered if there was something he could do to help Tracy relax. She admitted there was and asked him to fetch her phone.

At Wyndemere, Hayden helped Nikolas to bed and fluffed the pillows as he sat. He noticed that she appeared troubled, so she admitted that she couldn't stop seeing the image of him falling over the railing of the restaurant. Nikolas suggested that Hayden focus on the positive because they'd been able to use the incident to their advantage, but she reminded Nikolas that Jason would go to jail. Nikolas argued that Jason had made the choice by rejecting Nikolas' offer, but Hayden worried that the events on the terrace were open to interpretation. Nikolas wasn't concerned because there hadn't been any witnesses.

Later, Hayden fetched Nikolas a pill as he wrapped up a phone call with Spencer. Nikolas chuckled because Spencer had embraced the towns' people ever since Spencer had learned that Courtney had been a townie. Hayden smiled and handed Nikolas the pill as he admitted that he didn't know what he'd do without his son. Nikolas couldn't understand why Jason would risk being separated from Jake and Danny by going to jail. Hayden was curious if the case against Jason was strong. Nikolas nodded because no one could support Jason's claims.

Nikolas changed the subject by admitting that he no longer questioned Hayden's feelings because he'd seen during his recovery that she genuinely cared. Hayden smiled, but guilt clouded her eyes as he told her that she had a loving and generous heart. Moments later, the phone rang. Hayden tensed when she heard Tracy's voice greet her. Tracy explained that she had called for an update, but Hayden carefully let Tracy know that Nikolas was present. Tracy decided to use Hayden's real name as she warned "Rachel" that Nikolas would learn the truth if Rachel failed to help Tracy regain control of ELQ.

Shaken, Hayden ended the call and told Nikolas that it had been the nursing company checking to confirm that Nikolas had dismissed the nurse. Nikolas smiled as Hayden returned to his bedside to help him settle in. Nikolas reached for her hand as she turned to leave. Hayden grinned as he reminded her that he needed a nurse. She pointed out that Nikolas was too injured to touch without causing him pain, but Nikolas assured her that his lips were fine and kissed her passionately to prove it. Things quickly heated up as Nikolas made love to her.

At the resort, Tracy smiled with satisfaction as the masseur continued the massage. He noted that she seemed much more relaxed. Tracy assured him that she was because things were about to change for the better.

At Metro Court, Sam knocked on a guest's door. Moments later, a man dressed in a spa robe opened the door, expecting a woman named Veronica. He was startled when he saw Sam, but she quickly explained that she needed to talk to the doctor. Dr. Sheinberg insisted that he didn't have the time, but Sam refused to take no for an answer and let him know that she knew he'd been renting a room at the hotel once a week to meet a woman who wasn't his wife. Sam pushed past Dr. Sheinberg and assured him that she wasn't interested in blackmailing him.

Sam told Dr. Sheinberg about the altercation on the restaurant's terrace and her search for a witness who could tell her what had really transpired. Dr. Sheinberg admitted that he had seen an argument between a dark-haired man and a light-haired man the night of the Nutcracker Gala, but he explained that the dark-haired man had instigated the fight, while the light-haired man had tried to disengage. Relieved, Sam asked the doctor to go to the police and make a statement because the light-haired man might be charged with attempted murder.

Dr. Sheinberg refused because he couldn't risk anyone finding out about his mistress. Sam held up her phone as she informed the doctor that she had recorded their conversation and would turn the recording over to the police. Dr. Sheinberg was outraged, but Sam assured him that she hadn't broken any laws. The doctor warned Sam that he would tell the police that he had lied to get her to leave. "Milton?" A woman asked as she entered the room and saw Sam.

Sam smirked as Veronica demanded to know what was going on. Sam told Veronica about her investigation and begged Veronica and Milton to do the right thing. Milton feared that he might lose Veronica because of a scandal, but Sam tearfully explained that the light-haired man was Sam's husband. Sam told the couple how she had lost Jason a few years earlier and admitted that she couldn't lose him again. Veronica was touched by Sam's story and told Milton that they had to help. Milton reluctantly agreed.

Delighted, Sam explained that she would contact a friend in the district attorney's office to arrange for Veronica and Milton to give their statements. Sam pulled out an affidavit and two pictures -- one of Jason and one of Nikolas -- as she asked the couple to write down everything they had seen transpire on the restaurant's terrace. Milton was surprised when Sam mentioned that one of the men involved in the altercation was Jason Morgan because Milton had been the one to run the DNA test for Carly to confirm that Jake Doe was Jason Morgan.

In Jason's hotel suite, Elizabeth entered the living room and yelled down the hall to Jake to read a book after he finished playing the video game. Seconds later, Jason returned to the suite. Elizabeth was eager for news about the person who'd been lurking around her house and had smashed the family portrait, but Jason admitted that there hadn't been any activity at the house and all the fingerprints on the frame had belonged to the family. Elizabeth decided that it was time for her and Jake to return home, but Jason objected.

Elizabeth quietly explained that spending another night in Jason's suite wouldn't be good for Jake or Elizabeth. Jason insisted that Elizabeth and Jake stay a few more days and offered to pick up Cameron and Aiden from Audrey's, but Elizabeth feared that having the whole family there would just confuse Jake more. Jason appreciated her concerns, but he pointed out that they were sleeping in separate bedrooms. Elizabeth didn't have an opportunity to respond because Jake ran into the living room and happily greeted his father.

After Jason gave Jake an affectionate hug, he sent his son down the hall to the bedroom because Jason wanted to talk to Elizabeth. Jason waited until Jake was out of sight before conceding that Elizabeth had had a point about Jake getting the wrong impression. Elizabeth was afraid that things would get more confusing the longer she and Jake stayed with Jason. She confessed that it was also difficult for her, but not for the same reasons. Elizabeth knew that she only had herself to blame for losing Jason, but the love she had felt for him hadn't disappeared.

Jason felt bad for putting Elizabeth in an uncomfortable situation, but he had to put the safety of her and the children first. Jason doubted that staying one more night would hurt, since Elizabeth had an appointment for Jake to see the therapist the following day. Jake returned to the living room to ask if Jason still intended to take Jake for ice cream. Elizabeth assured Jason that it was fine, but she declined Jake's request to join them because she wanted to get ready for bed. Jake smiled when his mother promised to wait up for them.

A short time later, Sam knocked on Jason's door. Sam's smile faded when Elizabeth answered the door, wearing a satin nightgown and robe.

In Metro Court Restaurant, Jason warned Jake that Jake could only have one scoop of ice cream, but Jason promised that Jake could pick the flavor. Jake smiled as he looked over the menu. A short time later, Jason and Jake were enjoying their ice cream when Milton and Veronica approached Jason to introduce themselves and explain that they had witnessed Jason's altercation with Nikolas. Jason was grateful when Milton added that he and Veronica intended to go to the police in the morning to clear Jason's name, but Milton revealed that Jason's wife deserved all the credit because Sam had persuaded Milton and Veronica to do the right thing. Jake frowned as Milton sang Sam's praises.

At the police station, Dillon approached the front desk to ask if Valerie was there. The desk sergeant informed Dillon that she wasn't, but Dillon tensed when he heard the sergeant take a call about the BOLO on Johnny. Dillon waited for the sergeant to finish the call to question him about Johnny, but Nathan walked up and filled Dillon in about Maxie's statement regarding Johnny. After Nathan walked away, Dillon turned to leave, but Dante entered the squad room and asked why Dillon was in a rush.

Dillon explained that he had stopped by to pick Valerie up for dinner, but she hadn't been there. Dante was annoyed because Dillon was already involved with Lulu, but Dillon clarified that Dillon and Valerie were just friends. Nathan returned and remarked that Dillon had acted "weird" when Nathan had told Dillon about Johnny, but Dillon denied it. Dante warned Dillon that it was a felony to withhold evidence, so Dillon agreed to talk to Nathan and Dante in private. The three men went to interrogation room, but Dillon balked when Nathan decided to record the conversation.

Dillon made it clear that he would only talk off the record. Dante agreed to hear what Dillon had to say, but Dillon wanted Dante to promise not to charge anyone who might have helped Johnny. Dante refused, prompting Dillon to clam up. Dante threatened to arrest Dillon for obstruction of justice, but Dillon wasn't concerned since Dillon's father was the district attorney. Dante suddenly realized that Dillon was trying to protect Lulu. Stunned, Nathan asked if Dante was right.

Dillon told the detectives about his encounter with Lulu and Johnny on the Haunted Star but rushed to assure both men that Lulu had told Dillon that Johnny had left after one night. Dillon had suspected that Lulu had lied when Dante had confronted Dillon about spending the night with Lulu on New Year's Eve. Dante realized that Johnny, not Dillon, had been in the stateroom with Lulu. Dillon implored Dante not to blame Lulu, but Dante stormed out. Dante was about to leave when the desk sergeant called out to him.

Dante was shocked when the desk sergeant showed Dante video images of Valerie appearing to accept a bribe from Johnny and Johnny getting into Valerie's car.

At Maxie's apartment, Lulu sent Johnny a text message ordering him to call off all plans for Valerie and to leave town immediately. She put her phone down to answer a knock at the door. It was Laura. Laura explained that she had seen the news about Johnny. Lulu feigned surprise, but Laura wanted Lulu to assure Laura that Lulu hadn't helped Johnny. Lulu insisted that she hadn't seen Johnny, but Laura easily saw through her daughter's lie. Lulu was frustrated that no one believed her, especially her mother, but Laura was not fooled.

Laura recalled the messy stateroom on the Haunted Star, but Lulu insisted that Lulu had spent the night in the cabin. Moments later, Lulu's phone rang. Laura waited for Lulu to answer it, but Lulu ignored it. Laura was certain that Lulu knew it was Johnny, but Lulu was hurt by Laura's lack of trust. Laura pointed out that Lulu could easily clear things up by giving Laura the phone, but Lulu became indignant, which Laura thought was suspicious. Defeated, Lulu admitted that she had helped Johnny, but Lulu assured her mother that Johnny was gone and it was over.

Laura disagreed because there was a manhunt for Johnny. Laura couldn't understand why Lulu had helped Johnny, but Lulu blamed Valerie because if Valerie hadn't broken up Dante and Lulu's marriage, then Lulu wouldn't have risked helping Johnny. Laura thought it was a stretch to blame Valerie, but Rocco woke up crying. Lulu explained that Rocco was sick and might benefit from some time with his grandmother. Laura went to check on Rocco but warned Lulu that they would continue their conversation. After Laura walked away, Lulu picked up her phone and listened to Johnny's voicemail message.

Meanwhile, Johnny dragged Valerie to a cabin in the woods. Valerie cried out for help, but Johnny told her that it was a waste of breath because no one could hear her. Valerie's arms were tied behind her back as Johnny shoved her into the cabin and sat her in a chair. Valerie demanded that he let her go, but Johnny yelled at her to shut up. He tensed when he heard a police siren wailing in the distance, but the sound faded away. Valerie warned him that next time the siren would be for him, but Johnny informed her that they were deep in the forest.

Johnny decided to find a flashlight and light some candles. Valerie suddenly realized that Johnny hadn't intended to abduct her because it was clear that he'd been making things up as he went along. Annoyed, Johnny reminded her to be quiet, but Valerie warned him that it was just a matter of time before they were found and Johnny was arrested. Johnny complained that Valerie was more trouble than she was worth as he lit more candles then pulled out his phone. Valerie asked who he was calling, but he ignored her as he dialed Lulu's number.

The call went to voicemail. Johnny left a message explaining where he was and admitting that his plans had gone awry. He insisted that Lulu owed him and demanded that she meet him with his bag and cash because he needed to get out of town. Moments later, Johnny opened the window to get some fresh air. Valerie warned Johnny that she would be missed because she'd had plans to meet a friend for dinner.

Johnny's frustration mounted when he noticed that his phone battery was dead. Valerie continued to push Johnny's buttons until he decided to gag her to keep her quiet. Valerie thrashed and screamed when Johnny told her that he intended to leave her in the cabin, but he assured her that she would be fine. He made certain that she couldn't escape by securing her feet to the chair with rope. After Johnny left, Valerie tried desperately to loosen the rope binding her hands together, unaware that she'd jostled the table and knocked over a lit candle.

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(From Soap Central)

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