With the s/l of Jake's death, I decided to write a story that picked up with Jason and Sam after Jake dies. I don't like the idea of Sam thinking she hit Jake or the fact that Sam left Jason at the hospital alone, so that is not an option here! Sam is there to help Jason pick up the pieces and they both find a little surprise as they are putting their lives back together.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own General Hospital or the characters Jason and Sam.

He was purely exhausted and unable to process what was happening. At the same time, he was filled with regret. Jason knew in his head that Lucky had been Jake's father, but in his heart he knew Jake was his son, a son he didn't know and a son who didn't know him. That's where the regret sunk in. He could remember each and every time he had touched or held that little boy, and those times were too few to count. The tears were falling and had been since Lucky called him the night before. He still couldn't believe Jake was hit by a car.

Jason looked into the eyes of the woman sitting beside him. Sam was beautiful and she had been his rock since the moment she arrived at the hospital. As he looked into her chocolate-brown eyes, he saw the love reflected in them. She was his life, his world, his everything. He needed her more now than ever, even if he didn't admit it. Jason Morgan was not a man to express his feelings openly or in public, but he felt the love in Sam's touch as she had one hand wrapped around his hand and she used her other hand to gently stroke his shoulder. He could feel the comfort of her touch, but everything else was empty. His world seemed dark. Jason didn't know what Lucky and Elizabeth would decide, but Jason couldn't help but feel regret for the decisions they'd made nearly four years ago.

"Jason, we're in this together," she reassured him, "I'm here for you." She paused for a moment, "and if you want to be alone, I can make that happen too."

As Jason looked into her eyes, there was one thing he was sure of. He knew he couldn't get through this without Sam. "I know," was all Jason could manage as he reached down and placed a kiss on her forehead. The couple sat in the hospital waiting room consoling one another as they waited for news. No words were spoken, but they were both reliving the past 12 hours.

The Night Before

Jason stood in the observation area as he watched Patrick and Robin perform surgery on Jake. The room was full of doctors and nurses racing against time to save the little boy who had wandered out of his house and into the street only to be hit by a driver who didn't even have the guts to stop and check on the child. Jason was vulnerable, but the terror took over and he vowed to find the person who had hurt his son and make them pay. As the medical professionals raced against time to save Jake, Jason thought back to the brief time he spent with his son. As a baby, Jason had limited contacted with Jake, but he adored his son. He thought about the dreams he had for a normal life for Jake and the reasons why he decided it would be best if Jake was Lucky's son. Then he thought about that December night when he and Sam had gone to rescue Jake after being kidnapped by the Russians. Jake was such a lovable little boy. Jason smiled as he recalled Jake playing with Sam in the back seat. Then Jason smiled more when he thought about the last time he spent with Jake. Jason was grateful that Sam had encouraged him to spend some time with his son the night of the bus crash. Jake was definitely talkative, first talking to Sam and then talking to him. As Jason stood there he thought about all the danger he thought the mob could bring to a child's life and the irony that Jake was injured simply by playing with his toys.

Jason was brought out of his daydream only to hear the panic-stricken gasps of the doctors and the loud beeping of the machines. Robin noticed Jason standing there and she walked out to let him know what had happened.

"Jason we tried to do everything we could, Jake is brain dead."

"What does that mean?"

"Right now we are using artificial measures to keep Jake's organ's functioning, there's some hope. We need to find Lucky and Elizabeth."

With that Robin walked away to leave Jason standing there as the tears started to fill his eyes.

"Jason! Jason!" Sam called as she spotted him in the hallway outside of the operating room. She was running in her heels. As she reached Jason she wrapped her arms around him and gripped him tightly.

As she pulled away, she looked into Jason's eyes and somehow Sam knew the answer to her question, but she asked it anyway, "How's Jake? I came as soon as I heard."

Jason shook his head as he replied, "It's not good."

"Baby I'm so sorry, what can I do?" she said as she stood facing him and rubbed her hands up and down her back.

"I- I just need you with me," Jason said sounding more vulnerable than Jason Morgan ever had in his life.

"Well I'm not going anywhere. I love you," she said simply.

"I love you too. Thanks Sam."

The couple stood and hugged for what seemed like an eternity until they heard Carly coming down the hallway towards them.

"Jason, It's bad," Carly said as she charged toward Jason. Sam moved to stand beside him, but he kept a firm grip on her hand.

"I know Carly. I can't imagine my son on- on life support," Jason said as he could barely get the words out.

"Your son? Jake's that bad?" Carly asked.

"Carly what are you talking about?" Jason asked looking confused.

"It's Josslyn. Her fever and symptoms are more than we thought. She has kidney cancer, stage 5" Carly said.

In that moment, Jason Morgan did what Jason did best. He put on his superman cape and fought back his own pain to comfort his friend. Sam knew that Carly needed Jason, so she asked, "Carly where is Josslyn? Can I go see her?"

"That'd be great Sam. She's in room 427. Jax had to go out and research some organ donors, if you go see her she won't be alone," Carly said.

Sam reached up and looked in Jason's eyes. "I'm going to see Joss, but I'm right here if you need me." She kissed him on the cheek.

"Thanks," Jason said as he watched her fade down the hallway and he focused his attention back on Carly.

"Jason I'm so sorry about Jake. I didn't know it was that bad, I just wanted some support from my best friend," Carly said.

"Carly I- I always want to support you, but I don't know if I can right now," Jason said as tears filled his eyes.

Just then Robin walked up. "They've moved Jake to a room. He's on life support, but it's not good. It's up to Lucky and Elizbaeth. Patrick says if they remove life support within 24 hours, Jake's organs can be donated to other children. Lucky and Elizabeth are considering their options now."

"Jason you have to go to her, talk to Elizabeth and convince her to donate Jake's organs. Jake's kidney could save Josslyn," Carly pleaded with Jason as a grieving mother and Jason couldn't be upset with Carly for trying to save her daughter, he just knew in his head that it wasn't his decision. Jason gave up that right along with many others when he agreed to allow Lucky to raise Jake.

"Carly, it's not up to me, but I will, I will talk to Elizabeth," Jason assured his friend as he hugged her.

Carly sat down next to Jason and she started rambling like only Carly could ramble. Jason couldn't hear what she was saying. All he could think about was that he's never have the opportunity to see his son again. Even if he had to watch him from afar, Jason found comfort in seeing Jake live a happy life. But now, that was all gone too. Jason thought further about the irony. His goddaughter now needed one of Jake's kidneys to survive.

"Do you think so, Jason?" Carly finished.

"What, I don't know…" he said, confused and unsure about what Carly even babbled to him.

"It's ok, I know you're hurt, but your son is giving Josslyn a chance at life, thank you," Carly said tearfully. "I'd better get back to Josslyn." Carly hugged Jason and stood up to walk back to her own daughter.

Sam walked into Josslyn's room and looked at the baby lying in the crib. "Hey Sweet Baby," she said as she looked down. As Sam stood there she couldn't help but think about the baby she had lost. She knew that she and Jason's lives would have been different if Lila had lived and she couldn't help but imagine what it would be like. The tears started to stream down her face and she began to think about the six years that had passed. She was confused. She wanted to be there for Jason right now, but it was hard. Sam knew that there was a time she had wished Jake never existed, but never could she have imagined this happening to him.

She looked at Josslyn again and she said, "You know Joss, Jason and I had two little girls once. Lila was the baby that we got to know while she was growing inside of me, but we never got to meet her. I hoped she would be sweet and brave, just like you," with that Josslyn smiled as she reached up for Sam to hold her. Sam reached into the crib and picked up the little girl. "Hey sweetie, you wanna rock, let's go rock," Sam walked over and sat in the rocking chair with Josslyn on her lap. "Where was I? Oh yeah Jason and I had another little girl, Hope, who we did get to meet and keep with us for a while. Jason and I were going to raise her and love her more than anyone in this world, but then her family decided they wanted to love her too. Your Uncle Jason would be such a great father," Sam said as she continued to rock her.

"He really would Sam," the voice startled Sam and she realized Carly had returned, "You're good with her," she continued.

"Thanks Carly, she makes it easy," Sam said as she looked down and realized Josslyn had fallen asleep in her arms, "I guess sometimes you always want what you can't have," Sam said.

"Sometimes," Carly said as she reached down and grabbed Josslyn to return her to the crib. "You know they want to start pumping chemo-that poison into this sweet little girl tomorrow if we can't find an organ donor."

"Wow, that's quick," Sam said.

"I am so grateful that Jason is going to ask Elizabeth and Lucky to consider donating Jake's organs to Josslyn. I mean it's sad what's happening to Jake, but he could be Josslyn's only shot at life," Carly said.

Sam walked over to Carly and though the two were not best friends, they mutually respected one another. "Carly I hope it works out, because there is no pain worse than losing a child."

"I'm sorry Sam this has to be hard on you"

"Carly you have no idea. I'm going to leave you with this sweet little one. Please let me know if there is anything I can do," Sam said as she walked out of the room.

After Sam left the room, she stayed in the Pediatric Unit for a few minutes to think. She walked down to the end of the hall and into the waiting room where she found a small little girl about 5 years old.

"Hello," the little girl said cheerfully. She didn't look sick, but she had some bandages and cuts on her arms. The little girl immediately noticed the marks on Sam's face.

"Hi there," Sam said as she stood in the doorway.

"Are you in the hospital too?" the little girl asked.

"Well, I was in the hospital after I got hurt, but I got all better and they sent me home. I'm here to visit someone," Sam said although she didn't really know how to say. I'm here to see the little boy that I regretted was ever born that I watched be kidnapped, that I really do love and wanted my boyfriend to raise, but it's too late.

"I'm here because I was in a car accident. My mommy and I were hurt, she's here too."

"I'm so sorry, I hope she will get better soon," Sam said as she offered a smile to the little girl who had stolen her heart within moments.

"Olivia," a nurse said, "It's time to go back to your room and get ready for bed."

"OK"

Sam wondered if the little girl had family or how her mother was doing if she was still a patient at GH. The PI in Sam made a mental note to check it out, but rationally she knew her plate was full.

Sam made her way back to Jason and the two of them sat in the waiting area all night. Jason had spoken to Lucky about donating Jake's organs, but Elizabeth was reluctant and had even been nasty to Jason. Jason was trying to keep his distance and Sam was trying to get through the latest crisis. It was hard for her to be there for Jason, but she knew he needed her.

As Jason and Sam sat comforting one another, neither had heard any news about whether Lucky and Elizabeth would donate Jake's organs. Jason didn't want to talk about it, but he knew that there was no hope for Jake, but that Jake could save Josslyn.

Dr. Webber walked up. "Jason I really respect what you're doing by keeping your distance. Lucky and Elizabeth have signed the paperwork to donate Jake's organs. Josslyn is a match and the surgery will be performed immediately. Thank you for waiting here and for loving Jake enough to give him a good life." That was it, Jake was gone. Jason started shaking and crying uncontrollably. That's when Sam's tears started to stream down her face. She pulled Jason in for a hug. No words were needed; each knew what the other one was thinking. They'd have to get through this together. And for both of them "this" was so much more than just the death of Jake, because a painful summer came flooding back to both of them.