2002
Edward suffered a serious heart attack. Jason returned to Port Charles and became Sonny's right-hand man. Jason dated Elizabeth, who broke up with him over his mob connections. A.J. and Jason fought over Sonny's sister, Courtney Matthews. Courtney and Jason were engaged.

2003
Emily returned to Port Charles after recovering from paralysis and spending a year at Stanford. Tracy returned with her teenage son Dillon, whom she left in the care of his grandparents. Skye learned that she is not a Quartermaine. Emily was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jason married Courtney. Dillon dated Georgie Jones. Emily married Zander but fell in love with Nikolas. A.J. left Port Charles, taking some of the Quartermaine money and Lydia Karenin with him.

2004
Emily's cancer went into remission and she and Zander divorced. Emily and Nikolas were engaged. The Port Charles Hotel burned down and the Quartermaines were held liable. Edward and Tracy fought for control of ELQ, placing Dillon in the middle. Jason and Courtney struggled with their marriage. Emily grieved when Zander was killed and Nikolas presumed dead. Skye was stalked by a mystery woman.