Broken Hearts Club

By JohnandVan

Disclaimer: Characters belong to General Hospital I'm just borrowing them.

Synopsis: Time has passed. Liz has told Jason the truth; the baby is his. Jason and Samantha are still a couple, and Lucky and Liz have committed to raising their family together. Then the situation takes a surprising turn and lives are forever changed.

Prologue

Samantha's life was going smoothly. She was doing wonderfully at the hotel and while her classes at PC College were challenging, she enjoyed them. Sam was happy with Jason; he still did his job, but he came home to her when it was done. They let the past go and began to find a new place for their love to flourish. The one thing that still pained her was her inability to have a child. The pain haunted her. Yet in some strange way she thought of it as penance for the hurt she'd caused her mother with Ric. Sam regretted that and that she didn't fight harder for Jason. In spite of the regrets, she had decided not to allow her mistakes or Jason's to stop them from moving forward with their life together.

Jason appeared to have accepted her not having children. Sam believed him but then again what choice did she have. After all, she had initially convinced him to become a father. They had a good life. There were no more secrets and they were together.

Samantha arrived at the Penthouse, bringing her favorites from Wah Luck's, the Chinese carryout in Port Charles, and a burger and fries for Jason, finding the door of the penthouse ajar. She started as she heard what sounded like Liz's voice and the worry it conveyed.

"Jason I know it doesn't seem fair, but Lucky can't know you're the father of this baby." Liz's tone was desperate and pleading.

"I know what we decided. Sam can't find out you are having my child when she can't." His voice lowered as he spoke.

"Yes, we agreed so why are we having this conversation?"

"It's not right."

"No, it's not, but Lucky couldn't handle the truth. He's doing so well now. This baby and Cameron mean so much to him. If he found out, he'd . . .I don't know Jason, he might spiral out of control."

"Liz, you can't save him. He's got to stay off the drugs because of him."

"Aren't you trying to protect Sam the same way? You don't want Sam to know because you're afraid she can't handle it."

Sam gasped dropping the food on the floor and moving quickly toward the stairs. It was one of the longest walks she'd ever taken. A walk away from the life she'd thought she would have with Jason. Her movements were jerky and her pain as deep as when she'd lost baby Lila. Sam finally thought she was getting a break. She'd lost Danny and now Jason.

Sam ended up in the one place where she felt she could pour out her pain and find some solace. She fell to her knees beside Lila's grave rocking back and forth. Suddenly, she screamed. The following whimpers filled the night air as she bowed her head in abject pain. The memories of love between Jason and her were almost too much to bear. The late nights they shared. The danger. The smiles afterwards. How was she supposed to kiss all the good things they shared good-bye? How was it possible? She touched her lips remembering his kisses, his sweet promises and the hunger in his eyes. Yet words simply said shut a door on what could have been. She couldn't stay with him. Sam wouldn't accept pity, not from him. She wouldn't turn all the beauty they shared into an obligation. Now it was time to find the strength to kiss the love good-bye. . .

Lucky had been feeling melancholy. Yes, things were going well for him and Liz but the loss of Jessie still haunted him, his failure to save Jessie or to do right by the woman Jessie loved. Lucky had known Maxie was in pain and so was he, but he didn't like how he allowed the need to be back on his feet to cause him to be so stupid. The pain he caused Liz, he'd never forgive himself for. He couldn't quite believe his luck when she'd given them a second chance. Lucky wasn't about to mess this up.

A woman's scream interrupted Lucky's thoughts as he stood next to Jessie's grave. He surveyed the area to work out where it was coming from and checked his holster. Lucky moved in and found the raven haired woman who looked like her world had fallen apart. He approached her silently.

"Sam, are you okay?" He asked softly, concerned upon realizing the scream had come from her.

Samantha looked up at Lucky, her eyes swimming with tears.

"I'm okay Lucky. Go away and leave me alone!" she ordered him.

"No. You don't look good. I'm not leaving you alone. Something obviously happened. It's not safe for a woman alone late at night, even if she's you!"

Samantha shook her head.

"I can take care of myself, and I have to now," she told him with the voice of a lost child.

"What happened?" He sat beside her. "That was you who screamed?"

"You heard me, now let it go Lucky."

"Sam, we don't know each other all that well, but I can't leave you like this."

"Okay, Lucky. You win. Jason and I are over," she screamed at him. The words took on a truth that hearing them in her mind had made surreal. Sam hit her thigh with her fist as if to embed the words in her soul and her heart.

"Sorry," Lucky said softly, not knowing what else to say. He didn't know Sam that well but from what he'd heard and seen, she loved Jason. So if she said it was over, something big must have happened.

"Well," she said wiping away her tears, "I'm just someone he feels sorry for now. I should've let go when I got shot, but no . . . I loved Jason. He had to love me, at least that's what I kept telling myself." She thought by taking a hard look at the situation, the pain she was feeling would make a twisted kind of sense. All it did was make her loss that much harder.

"Sam, maybe you misunderstood."

Sam shook her head. "No, I've just been fooling myself Lucky. You know I should have seen it. I just went on thinking nothing changed. How stupid is that?"

"You know Liz and I have had it hard, with me making all those mistakes. But, she forgave me."

"Lucky, she didn't forgive you. She's protecting you."

"Protecting me from what? You think she gave me a chance despite my drug use and my affair with Maxie," he said still ashamed.

"What do I know? You're happy and she's happy." Sam knew the truth and the poor guy had no clue.

"She didn't have to give us a chance Sam but she did. I'd like to think it's because we have a family on the way. Liz wants the same things I do . . . a family."

"I'm upset. Don't pay any attention to me." Sam appeared to want out of the conversation, but the look on her face said she was trying to hide something from him.

"What are you not saying? I'm not a cop for nothing." Lucky's instincts kicked in. Could Sam mean that her break up with Jason had something to do with Liz?

Sam moved away glancing at him as she wrapped her arms around her as if to protect herself from the chill of the night air. He took off his jacket and placed it on her shoulders to warm her.

"Whatever it is you've got to say, I'm a big boy and I can handle it." He squeezed her shoulders in comfort before stepping back to allow her time to answer.

"It's not my truth to tell. I'll deal with this my way; no need for both of us to have our lives screwed up."

"If you know something about Liz, then tell me. If the situation were reversed would you want me to tell you?" He knew that she would want him to tell it to her straight.

Samantha thought about what Lucky said. Yes, she'd want to know if the situation were reversed. She turned to him and looked up into grey eyes that carried concern for her. Sam knew it was genuine. How could she tell what she had just learned? If it tore her up, what would it do to him? He was right he had a right to know. No one had the right to make decisions about someone else's life, especially when it was based on a lie. Taking a deep breath, Sam told him what she over heard. She saw it sink in and saw the light go out of Lucky's eyes as his pain mirrored hers.

"Lucky, I'm so sorry." Sam felt her eyes flood with tears. She understood exactly how he felt.

"No! You're wrong. Liz wouldn't do that to me…not to us. She wouldn't lie not about our child."

"She didn't lie to hurt you. She lied to protect you. She probably felt that the baby was the one thing that would keep you off drugs." Sam trailed off.

"Yeah, I can see it now. 'Don't tell Lucky, he can't take it.' She didn't think I could handle the truth. But, if the baby isn't mine who . . . JASON!" Sam saw the realization hit Lucky like lightening. Fury rolled off him in waves.

"Yes, Jason. We were broken up. You and Liz were, too. I guess they comforted each other." She tried to understand how all of the events had spiraled their lives into such a putrid mess.

"But to lie!" Sam could read his confusion.

"To protect us. I'd found out I couldn't have children. Liz knew that the child she was carrying was your hope. What were they supposed to do?"

"Tell the damn truth. Lying and letting me bond with a child that wasn't mine? Allowing you to continue in a relationship based on a lie? No, I don't understand!"

"I do. Lucky, look at it from their point of view. We are the ones who would be affected. They did what they thought was best. They didn't think we'd be okay."

"How can anyone be okay with this? The baby isn't..." Sam could identify with the emotions Lucky displayed. She knew it had just hit him again that he wasn't going to be a father. It had to be much like her feelings at hearing she would never be able to have a baby.

"Lucky, I'm so sorry."

"What are you sorry for? You didn't lie to me. You weren't my wife, damn it! She didn't have faith in me. Yeah, I know I didn't give her many reasons. I messed up big. I wanted us to start off fresh. I love this baby. Liz doesn't love me, if she ever did. If Liz loved me, she would have told me the truth, so we could work through it together."

"Would you have tried to make it right?"

"I love her. Hell, I messed up. I wouldn't get on a high horse of self righteousness"

"Talk to Elizabeth. Maybe you two can work this out."

"Like you are going to work it out with Jason? Oh right. You're walking away." Sarcasm dripped from his words.

"I have to! I don't like who I've become. I'm like an appendage. Somewhere along the way I've lost Samantha McCall. You know I was pretty cool on my own. Salvager. Con artist, when needed. I look at my life now and I haven't done much with it. First, I hook up with Jax. That ends badly, so I then I'm with Sonny. I've been around. Finally I fall for a man who gives me everything. All I have to do is be there and support him. Love him. I thought we had a partnership, but it was just an empty relationship that ended with him wanting to hide the fact that he fathered a child with another woman. All because I took a bullet that prevents me from ever having a child. I'd laugh if it didn't hurt so damn much."

"Sam, I'm sorry." Sam felt a sense of connection as Lucky took her hand. "For what it's worth, I think Jason was a fool not to trust you with the truth. I think you're pretty strong. Jason should have trusted that."

"Well, he didn't. But, if I'm not strong now I will be after this. Lucky, I'm not going to fall apart. I'm going to do something with my life. Don't know what yet, but I am." Sam could feel the old spirit of fire coming through all her pain. "What about you?"

"I don't know what I'm going to do," he said then threw her what Sam could only describe as a humorless smirk. "We make a fine pair, don't we?"

"Broken hearts Club! Yeah, life sucks."

Lucky pulled her close and let her cry. For once that night Samantha didn't feel so alone and she hoped he didn't either. As Sam rested against Lucky, she realized he'd make it. He was going to deal with this.

Broken Hearts Club

By JohnandVan

Chapter 1

Two years later in Port Charles…

Samantha was sitting on a bench in the park with two cups of coffee, and a bag of the sweetest muffins she'd ever made. She had taken cooking classes and she tested her perfected culinary skills on her friends. After all what were friends for? Maxie and Georgie Jones, Robin Scorpio, Skye Alcazar and Lucky had really complained at the beginning when she'd made them suffer through some of her less tasty treats. In time, she became better and baking was found to be her forte. She glanced around the park and watched mothers with their children. A bittersweet sadness invaded her heart at the thought of not being able to have children.

"McCall, snap out of it. That extra cup for me?" Lucky asked as he joined her on the bench and took the cup as he always did.

"Spencer. And how are you?" she asked him beaming up at him in welcome.

"Good. Are you feeling a little melancholy?" he asked he with concern. Knowing Lucky, he'd observed her long before he got her attention. He had a habit of doing that. Sam wasn't even sure if he realized it. Sometimes he knew what she was thinking before she did.

"Yeah, but I'm good. How was your day? Did you catch any bad guys?" she asked and gave him a muffin without asking if he wanted it.

"Muffin surprise! Will it kill me?" His dimples winked deliciously in his handsomely sculpted face. The man had no idea how beautiful he was, though Sam teased him about it often.

Samantha hit him, the move playful. "Very funny. It's your favorite made with cinnamon chips, just like you like."

"Hmm, you're right. That's the only way you lured me here." Lucky took a bite. The look of pleasure on his face told the story. The muffin was perfection. "I love these."

"Well, you're easy. Now, answer my question. How was your day so far?"

Lucky swallowed the muffin and answered before taking his second bite. "Good. Collared a couple of repeat offenders. Caught a home intrusion offender who eluded Cruz. Overall, it's been pretty productive."

"You are the best detective on the force. How do you do it?" Her tone was playful and serious at the same time. Sam turned on the charm and threw Lucky a smile that she hoped he wouldn't see through. She and Lucky had taken the "Broken Hearts Club" and formed a unique friendship, one she treasured. Sam didn't have many male friends, most ended up horizontal. What she and Lucky had was solid, based on respect and trust, built over time. They valued each other.

"Okay, now I'm worried. Exactly, why did you lure me here McCall? And don't give me any crap about me being your best friend."

"Well, I need a favor." Sam watched the curiosity enter Lucky's eyes at her words. "I hope you'll help me."

"Oh man, this muffin is going to cost me, isn't it?" He finished the muffin and took a sip of his coffee.

"Yeah, but I promise it won't hurt."

"That's what you say now."

"Oh, Spencer, it won't hurt you at all. Plus, if you are really good, I'll even fix your favorite dinner."

"Promises, promises. Okay, I'll bite. How can I help?"

"I thought you'd never ask. I've got this story I need your help with."

"Exactly what kind of help are we talking about?" Lucky asked her. He leaned back and Sam noticed his glance at the kids playing in the park. They had talked about it many times. Lucky wanted to do protect them all. That's why he became a cop. Realistically, he knew that wasn't possible. But growing up on the run, he had realized that people needed protection. Sam knew that being a cop filled that need in him to make wrongs right, even when it seemed impossible.

"A woman came to see me about an old case, and before you say anything, hear me out," Sam added, when she saw him roll his eyes.

"I'm listening."

"Do you remember me telling you Skye wanted to do a new format for the evening news called "Cold Cases in Port Charles?"

"Yes. You had me pull some old cases for you to research. You still owe me lunch for that, I might add."

"Will you forget your stomach for just a minute and listen? This case the woman came to see me about is over fifteen years old. She was involved…she lost her whole family. Apparently, she overheard me in Kelly's and she brought me the files she'd compiled."

"Okay, so you saying she had evidence we may have overlooked?"

"No, I'm saying that her family was brutally murdered. No suspects and no motive were ever found. Lucky, it's haunted her. Her name is Andrea Brown."

"The case, is it one I pulled for you?"

"Yes. The Brown killing. The family was found dead. The father was found in the garage, his head bashed in. The mother was found in the laundry room beaten to death and according to forensics . . . raped."

"What about the daughter."

"Andrea was in a class play. According to witnesses, she was at rehearsals at the time her family was killed. Lucky, she was just fifteen. After her family was buried, she went to stay with her grandmother in Maine. Her parents' death has stayed with her."

"Okay, so she's moved back here. She's what? Twenty-five years old now?"

"Yes and it gets weirder. She's moved back into her family home."

"That's got to be hard?' Lucky said.

"Yeah and that's where you come in."

"Oh really?"

"You are going to help me investigate this. We may just solve it."

"The case is dead. Most cases don't get solved when there are no leads within 48 hours. Sam, you know that."

"I do, but I got a feeling that something was overlooked fifteen years ago. If we look at this with fresh eyes, we may see what was missed."

"You're asking for a miracle."

"Yes and your point, detective?"

"Something tells me I'm going to be a little more involved then I'd like."

"Well, I got this idea. What if we film a segment of you profiling the case for us and ask for new leads? It could stir something up and your handsome mug on the screen would make me talk. Assuming, of course, we can pull in the women viewers showcasing that beautiful body of yours."

"I'm a cop, not eye candy," he reminded her.

"Of course, you are more then a pretty face. But since you are so handsome, we'll just capitalize on it. Who knows? You could get a date or two from this."

"I'm single and free and very happy. Thank you."

"Will you do it?"

"Sam, are you serious?"

"Yes. I ran the idea by Skye and she thinks you'd be great. Now say yes."

"Let me think about. I need to talk with Mac."

"You don't think he'll mind, do you?" Sam had forgotten about Mac Scorpio. He might be a problem. Mac wasn't the poster child for being friendly with the press.

"Well, he is my boss. And you are asking me to go on television and talk about a cold case. Yep, I need to speak with my boss. Maybe he'll talk with the DA's office and the Mayor's."

"You know it seemed so simple. Now, it's getting really complicated. How about I have Skye run it by Mac and suggest you for the spot? If we get the go ahead, are you game Spencer?"

"Only if it gets approval by my office. Anything else, McCall?"

"Actually, I need to know if we are on for 'movie night'." It was a custom of theirs to devote one night to a movie. He usually got the movie, she the snacks.

"Sure! I'll have Cameron with me, so it's PG, if that's okay?"

"Absolutely! I love it when you guys come over. But where is Mrs. Hardy?"

"Mrs. Hardy has a nurses' convention out of town."

"She's a dream with Cam, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. I couldn't raise him without her help."

Since Liz had passed away after a long delivery, Lucky had pretty much raised Cameron on his own with some help from family and friends. His only comfort was that Liz didn't know her child had died just moments after she was born. Jason had never recovered from the loss; he had just gotten colder and more withdrawn.

Lucky pulled away from the sad thoughts. "So you're going to make room for two guys to enjoy your company?"

"Of course, I'll even see if Kristina and Molly can join us?"

"Family night sounds good. Order pizza for us…all my favorites."

"No, Lucky. I'm cooking you don't eat properly and as your best friend, it's my duty to feed you well."

"McCall, you got a new dish to try out, don't you?"

"Ah, you know me so well. Country cooking. You'll like."

"I'm sure. Send me copies of the case files you got from Andrea and I'll get with you later to discuss it."

"Good. Six o'clock good for dinner and movie?

"Yeah, but don't I forgot you still owe me a lunch." He rose from the bench and stretched. "I'm heading back to work and Sam the muffin was perfection" He placed his fingers at his lips and kissed them in what she could only believe was appreciation.

"Good. I had a dozen delivered to the station to 'Lucky Spencer, my favorite detective'."

"You didn't. The guys will smell them and eat every one of them." Sam could tell exactly where Lucky's mind had gone. She decided to put him out of his misery.

"Yeah, that's why I had Cruz put two in the evidence room for safe keeping." Sam watched understanding dawn and his mood seemed to lighten.

"Lucky pulled her off the bench for a good-bye hug and a light kiss on the forehead before taking off. This was the first time he'd kissed her and it left her longing for something more."