General Hospital - DAILY UPDATES

Sonny tears up as he puts his heart on the line and begs Kate to marry him. She listens to everything he has to say, and with her own tears in her eyes, she says that she will. After a kiss, she says that they might be a little battle-weary, but they have remained in tact. Diane, who has just stepped into Kate's office, says that they should rethink this. Maxie finally shows up for work and joins in the fray. Sonny takes a seat and says that they should all say what they have to say in front of him, rather than behind his back.

Diane gladly takes the opportunity and pushes Sonny into a makeshift witness stand. She appoints Maxie as the court stenographer and proceeds to ask how many times Sonny and Carly have gotten back together. Sonny answers all of Diane's questions truthfully and finally Kate raises an objection. She uses 'irrelevant' as her reason for Sonny and Carly's limo tryst and says that there were extenuating circumstances. Diane decides to put Kate on 'the stand' and proceeds to cross-examine her. She lays out a timeline of Sonny's lies and Kate objects because it feels like Diane is badgering her. She thanks Diane for wanting to protect her, but says she's a big girl and can make her own decisions. She says that she loves Sonny and wants to spend her life with him.

This time it's Jax who has entered the office having overheard the tale end of a conversation. He tells Kate that as long as Carly draws breath there's no way that Sonny will stay faithful to her. Diane pulls Maxie out of the room and Kate tells Jax that she has chosen to forgive Sonny. Jax says that's too bad because he and Carly are over. After he leaves, Kate is all fired up because of Jax's visit and Sonny says that he is the luckiest guy in the world to have her love and faith.

Over at Sam's penthouse, Jerry suspects that she is playing him so he grabs her by the neck to see if she'll admit it. Instead, she coolly tells him that she's tired of being someone who she's not and wants to return to her 'bad girl' roots. Jerry lets her go and she pours more wine. She tells him that she has run her share of scams and her newfound straight life isn't all it's cracked up to be. Jerry says that he came to '…this cowpoke of a city' to have a relationship with his brother, but now he's found Alexis, too. None of it, however, compares to standing on the edge of a cliff he teases. Before his thought is complete, he has moved in for a kiss. Sam allows the kiss, but pulls back after a steamy minute and tells him to slow down. She says that she nearly severed her relationship with her mother once by sleeping with her man, so they can't be together until he has broken it off first. Jerry says that he's not a patient man and is very frustrated at the moment so perhaps Alexis can release his pent-up tension. He grabs his coat and leaves.

Over at Jason's penthouse, Carly apologizes for barging in on Jason and Liz. She runs off and Liz asks Jason if he wants to go after her. Jason says that Carly does crazy things when she's mad, so Liz tells him to go do what he needs to do. Jason kisses her and rushes downstairs.

Carly is gathering her things while Spinelli tries to comfort her by offering a snack. Jason catches up with her as she starts to leave, and she blurts out that she never even considers that he might have a life of his own. Jason asks her what set her off and before she can answer, Liz comes down the stairs and says that she'll leave. Jason tells her not too, but she tells him that the hospital just paged her anyway. After she leaves, Carly tells Jason that she finally lost Jax and it's killing her. She goes into a litany of her shortcomings and says that she has no one to blame but herself. When she says that she'll never find love like that again, Jason pulls her in for a friendly hug.

Nikolas finds the clinic burning and quickly calls 911. Then he busts the door down and attempts to rescue Nadine but she says that Matt should go out first. Nik pulls Matt out, and then goes back in for Nadine. Once the ambulance has come and everyone is out of the building, Nadine falls unconscious.

Down at the court house, the jury has called the judge to report their fellow juror's misconduct. The juror denies working with Mr. Zacchara, but the judge discharges her and brings in a substitute. When the new juror arrives, Edward starts by saying that Port Charles has been run by mobsters for years, starting with Frank Smith. He says that it's time that they take their city back and it can start by putting Johnny Zacchara away. For her turn, Epiphany tells them that you can't be convicted because of who your family is.

Liz is back at the nurses' desk when Matt and Nadine are brought in. Nikolas follows and wants to go with Nadine, but Liz pulls him back. After Monica has a chance to examine Nadine, she tells Nikolas that Nadine has smoke inhalation and some minor burns, but she'll be fine. Nikolas is relieved and then explains that Nadine is only a good friend of his. Monica tells him that it's fine and that he is allowed to move on.

When Nadine wakes up she finds Nikolas sitting with her. She asks how Matt is and Nik says that he was badly burned but will make it. As he talks, she starts to cry and is embarrassed about it. She explains that she's being silly, but it just hit her that she could've died tonight. Nikolas tells her that she's not silly and that he's glad she is in his life.

Sam, relieved to be free from her 'dinner date', is about to step into her hot tub when there's a knock on her door. She puts on her robe and rushes to let Lucky in. She tells him that it seems as if she was able to convince Jerry that she wants to return to the dark side. Lucky asks if he's allowed to ask how she did that. Sam assures him that she didn't sleep with Jerry, but admits to kissing him. Unsure of how he'll react, she leaves him and returns to her hot tub. Lucky follows and says that he's proud of her for trying to bust Jerry.

The verdict is in and everyone gathers in the court room. Epiphany stands and states that the jury has found Johnny Zacchara not guilty. As Johnny and Claudia hug in relief, and Scott raises demands there's been a mistake, Epiphany and Edward shake hands as if to say, "We've done the right thing."

When Johnny walks out of the court room a free man, Anthony asks him how he feels. Johnny thanks him for standing by him the whole time and promises not to forget it. Meanwhile, Claudia saunters up to Ric and says that they are a good team. Ric shakes her hand and reminds her that he told her so.

Next on General Hospital:

Lulu is elated to see Johnny walk through her door at Shadybrook.

Lainey privately tells Johnny that it's best for Lulu if he stayed away.

Lulu wonders if Laura is really recovering.

Carly sees Jax on a date with Leyla and decides to try online dating.

Patrick feels sorry for Matt and vows to help him recover.

Robin asks Anna to find Matt's family.

Nikolas tells Liz that his feelings for Nadine are growing.

Diane breaks it off with Max.

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