2.

Sam collected payment in full and thanked the surly captain that had become a fast friend. A little over eighteen days and nearly 9,000 nautical miles ago she'd been in need of a means to get away and he'd been in need of a 2nd mate. His original crewman had taken ill with a ruptured appendix and would be holed up at General Hospital indefinitely. Captain Gibbs had been in a pinch trying to make a tight deadline and, when Sam had shown up on Pier 17 that evening to purchase a passenger ticket on whatever cargo ship departed next, she happened to overhear his predicament as he relayed it to the harbormaster. She'd offered her services, figuring it was better to get paid to travel than use up what little savings she had.

Of course, Sam hadn't really thought her plans through when she'd packed up and walked away from her old life. And though she didn't regret her decision, only the fact that it had been necessary, the act of leaving had been rather spontaneous and as a result she had no resume on hand. She'd provided a verbal rundown of her qualifications and guessed the weathered mariner could tell she knew what she was talking about. After verifying she was a licensed captain, they'd agreed to terms, signed some forms and shaken hands before boarding to undock.

Sam had run her own salvage operation and been her own boss for most of her years at sea which meant she'd worked and drank alongside men like Gus, as he'd insisted she call him now, for most of those years as well. So, he hadn't been too hard to figure out. He was direct to the point of being gruff at times, but Sam had quickly learned as long as you worked hard and kept a sharp mind and tight lip it was easy to stay in his good graces. And stay there, she had. He'd been so impressed by her skill and efficiency that he'd taken a shine to her and asked her to stay on with him as a permanent part of his crew. She'd considered it briefly. She loved the open sea and just being on the water again had been more freeing than she'd felt in a long while.

Ultimately, however, Sam decided the work was just too demanding for who and where she was at that point. She told him she hoped to find something a little less labor intensive. Maybe she was getting too old for it or maybe she was just out of shape, but she hadn't remembered ever being as tired as she had been the past two weeks, even seasick at times. He'd been sad to hear it and had even admitted by journey's end that he'd never had any kids of his own, that he knew of, but if he had he would want one just like her.

Who wouldn't want a daughter as smart, beautiful, capable, and good humored as her, he'd told her? She'd teared up at his words, her mind flashing to thoughts of the rocky relationship with her mother and the father she still had yet to meet. He'd looked at her funny when she'd followed up his admission by asking if he'd ever known an Alexis Davidovitch. He shook his head, confirming he hadn't, and she'd chuckled softly at herself for entertaining such a silly notion. She shrugged it off, shaking her head, never really answering why she'd asked.

It was worth a shot, she figured.

It was on the second to last day of their voyage that Gus approached her with a job opening he'd heard about from an old friend. Some rich playboy was looking for a new ship's captain to command his new super yacht. According to the few details his friend had, the new captain would be in charge of hiring the crew and preparing for some tropical location to be determined once the ship was ready to make way. The timing was perfect. They were due to make port the following day only a short sail or drive away from the marina where the yacht was berthed.

Cruise around the world at the helm of a luxury yacht on some billionaire's dime? It sounded like a sweet gig to her and she'd jumped at the chance. Gus had put in a good word for her with his friend who'd in turn put in a good word to Mr. Money Bags. Next thing she knew, they'd set up a time and place to meet. After the freighter had been moored and offloaded, Gus gave her a ride to the marina on his 49 foot sloop. He kept it there rather than a parked car since Brisbane was also his home port.

Sam had almost laughed at life's twisted humor as she sailed into Deception Bay half an hour later. She'd traveled over 8,000 miles to leave deception behind her, only to sail right smack dab into the middle of it again.

It was winter there that time of year, but nothing as brutal as those back home in New York. Back home... She shook the thought away. Port Charles wasn't her home anymore. She would make a new home for herself, new memories and a fresh start. She stood at the starboard rail, staring out over the water as the salt-misted wind whipped through her hair. The bright sun shone above and she could see a blue horizon up ahead, full of promise, just waiting for her. Getting there meant leaving things behind, but she was determined to keep moving forward in order to live in a manner that would honor the two greatest loves of her life. Peace. Love. Happiness. Every decision made, starting with goodbye, had been and would be made in an effort to bring those things into her new life. She just wished with all her heart she could have held on to them before, with Jason. She brushed the tears from her cheek.

Sometimes life was so bittersweet.

xxxxx

It took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit tavern as she stepped out of the brilliant daylight and into the local establishment. Gus had warned her that particular pub could be a little rowdy at times and had offered to accompany her. She'd declined, assuring him she could handle herself. She also needed to stop depending on others and get back to doing for herself, though she hadn't mentioned that part. She hadn't mentioned anything that might lead to questions about the life she left behind and, thankfully, Gus hadn't pushed for answers. It was all still too painful to talk about. Besides, Gus had talked of little else the last three days than finally getting home to see his woman and she hadn't wanted to delay him another minute.

Taking a look around, she could understand his concern. It reminded her of the seedy bars she used to frequent years ago when she was in need of a quick game to score a little cash or a bottle to wash away her sorrows. Highway to Hell poured from the jukebox on the wall across from the bar as she scanned her surroundings. The dozen or so customers, she realized, were all male. A couple of the men greeted her with a cheerful g'day which she returned while others regarded her with curiosity. She ignored them as well as the few who acted more like dogs, eying her as if she were a juicy piece of meat. She stepped to the bar and asked the keep if he could point her in the direction of the man she was supposed to meet, a Mr. Jones.

His smile faltered as he studied her suspiciously. "Who's asking?"

"Sam, Sam McCall." She responded.

"He's bean expecting ewe." He told her with a thick accent.

He motioned his head behind him where a card game was in progress. "Inn the back."

"Thanks." Sam smiled and headed toward the table he'd indicated after asking if he wouldn't mind storing her large duffel behind the bar and then handing it over when he'd agreed.

As she stepped closer, Sam took in the men seated there and wondered which one was the wealthy gentleman she'd come to impress for a job. Not a single one appeared to come from money, but she guessed it was possible he could be slumming it if he was hanging out in that dive. Wouldn't be too smart to hold court amongst that clientele waving wads of cash around while donned in rich threads. She was more than halfway to her destination when a voice rang out and she froze in her tracks.

"Ha Haaaa .papaaaa!" He gloated as he slow-rolled his winning hand and began raking in the cash at the table.

"Not so fast!" One of the losers ordered as they grabbed him by the wrist. "How about you roll up those sleeves first?"

"Are you implying I'm a cheat?" The winner asked indignantly.

"No." The embittered man replied. "I'm telling you you're a cheat!"

Insulted, the tall blond with his back to Sam jerked his wrist from the other man's hold and stood abruptly, causing his chair to scoot back and fall on its side. The other man stood to his feet as well, prepared for a fight. Sam wasn't sure what came over her, but she felt the need to quash things before they got any more out of hand. She was there to do a little business with one of those men and doubted they'd be in any mood to negotiate after a brawl.

"Gentleman, gentleman, please." Sam implored in a honeyed voice. "Allow me to settle this once and for all."

The five men turned to her, allured by her words and beauty, but she'd only cut the tension by a hair.

The sore loser with a stout build and dark features was the first to address her. "And just how do you intend to do that?"

Ignoring the tall blond to her left, she met her challenger clear in the eyes. "By beating the pants off of this," she tilted her head toward the winner, "wanker and proving it doesn't take a cheat to beat you!"

She heard the man to her left scoff at the notion that he could be beat, or maybe at being called a jerk-off, she mused, as a player to her right murmured, "Will you take a squizz at this," to which she wasn't sure if she should be offended, or not, but she kept her attention on the man who'd started the altercation.

"Listen sheila, no offense, but this game here isn't for the soft of heart." He replied.

"It's Sam not sheila." She corrected as she pulled out a stack of bills she'd just been paid.

"And I guess in that case it's good I only deal in cold hard cash." She finished as she slapped her money down on the table.

"Bonza!" One man exclaimed, seemingly ready to accept her deal.

"I'll be stuffed!" Another said in surprise.

She glanced down at the paltry jackpot. It couldn't be more than a couple hundred, though she wasn't certain of the current exchange rate for the U.S. to Australian dollar. The money she'd laid down was only a third of what she'd earned, but well over four times the amount lying in that jackpot. She caught the gleam in the losing man's eye and knew she had him, but he was trying not to appear too anxious. She knew exactly what he was thinking and she loved it when people underestimated her abilities.

"We're already playing with a full table." He argued weakly.

"I'll sit this one out." One of the five offered readily then turned to Sam with an innocent smile. "As long as Sam here agrees to share a drink after?"

Sam looked him over. He was young, maybe just out of college, and appeared harmless enough. "Deal. And thank you." She smiled, earning a blush from the young man as he stood and held his chair out for her.

"No, thank you." He insisted.

"Well, gentleman," Sam said as she picked up her money. "Are we good, or shall I just take my money some place where it's wanted?"

She smiled inside when she saw the man who'd been so much trouble tense up at the possibility of losing out on a score like hers.

"Your loss." He shrugged as if her staying or leaving mattered little then relaxed and sat back down at the table.

Sam rounded the table to her seat one chair away from the troublemaker and one chair away from the winner who was now smiling broadly, but she knew him well enough to know he was still miffed underneath.

"Bartender!" He called as he looked back to the bar. "It's my shout! Schooners of Toohey's all around." He ordered as the bartender nodded and a few cheers erupted from the other patrons.

"As a show of good faith, gentleman." He extended. "And lady." He addressed with a tilt of his head in deference to her, but with a smile that couldn't hide the irritation sparkling in his bright blue eyes.

Five hours later, the game had come to an end and Sam was the only one smiling other than the young man she'd promised a drink to. It probably had something to do with the fact that all the money was now stacked in front of her. She felt no remorse. She'd warned them fair and square she intended on beating them all, but she was also a good sport.

"Bartender!" She called a little louder now as the tavern had filled with a bigger crowd as the day had turned to night.

"I'll have a... shout." She announced, uncertain she'd gotten the term right. "A round for everyone." She ordered to which a loud roar and whistles could be heard ringing throughout at her generosity.

She looked around the table to see her fellow players now smiling as well and was relieved not to have been called out for cheating as well. She hadn't, but she was certain the last winner hadn't either.

"She's alright." The man across from her, now known as Adam, said to the stout man, Carl, who'd originally called the blond man out.

"Yea, yea." He admitted grudgingly. "She's alright." Then his mood brightened as the waitress delivered their drinks while Sam laid a hefty stack of cash on her tray. He held up his glass. "To Sam!" He cheered loudly and the entire bar held up their drinks as well and followed. "To Sam!"

The tall blond man with the striking blue eyes couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head at the petite spitfire. She'd just charmed the pants off the entire pub. Sam smiled back at him with a flirty wink and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had that much fun.

Sam kept her promise and had that drink with the young man. Her instincts had been right and he'd been a perfect gentleman with her the entire time. He'd been very interested to hear how she'd learned to play poker so well and she'd given him the cliff notes version, making sure not to incriminate herself. She kept an eye on the table, still trying to figure out which player was Mr. Jones. She'd only gotten their first names as they played. She decided to end her suspense.

"Marty," She entreated upon the young man. "Tell me, which gentleman is Mr. Jones?" She asked glancing from where they sat at the bar back over to the table.

Marty smiled, glad to oblige the lovely lady of whatever she asked. "Oh, that would be the tall blond one you beat the pants off. Otherwise known as wanker." He chuckled as Sam's face grew pale.

Impossible.

She knew damn well who that was and his name certainly wasn't Mr. Jones. Sam suddenly had an urgent desire to speak with that wanker in private. "Marty, I've had a really nice time. Thank you for the drink and great conversation. I hope you won't mind, but I have some business to attend to with Mr. Jones. It's why I came in here actually, only I didn't realize who he was until just now."

"Oh!" Marty jumped down from his stool to stand as Sam did as well. "No worries. I hope he doesn't take offense and everything works out alright."

Sam gave the charming younger guy a warm smile. "You're sweet. Thank you. Goodnight, Marty. It was nice meeting you." She waved as she walked toward Mr. wanker who was now at the opposite end of the bar, near the exit.

"Nice meeting you, too, Sam! Hope to see you around again sometime!" He declared as she turned back to him again to smile and nod wordlessly then made her way to the man she'd come to meet.

"Tommy, settle me up will you? I have an early day tomorrow and I'll be knackered." The blond man spoke.

"Sure thing, Mr. Jones." The bartender replied, anticipating his departure and handing him his tab that had been waiting for him.

"So, Mr. Jones, is it?" Sam stepped to his side, further irritated at the humorous smirk her confrontational stance evoked from him.

He ignored her as he glanced at the tally and pulled enough from his billfold to cover it with a generous tip. Tommy was at the other end serving a customer, but nodded that he'd seen the money. He noticed Sam leaving and pulled her bag from where he'd stored it earlier and returned it to her. She'd thanked him hastily as the object of her anger turned to leave the pub with the feisty woman hot on his heels. He stopped to hold the door for her to exit first. "Let's take this some place a little more quiet where we can talk, shall we?"

"Fine by me." Sam huffed as she breezed past him. "Because you've got a lot of explaining to do!"

xxxxx

Fifteen minutes later, he held another door open for her as she entered what she assumed was his home. She wasn't sure exactly where they were since it was dark out and she'd only visited the coasts of Australia a few times, but she could hear the waves breaking loudly and knew the ocean was close. This must be one of his vacation homes, she thought. Sam stepped through the large double doors and walked into the open plan villa. It was a beautifully appointed grand room with a dining area off to the side. There were white sofa cushions and richly toned wood frames, cream accented walls and natural polished stone floors. It was all very tone on tone, but not at all sterile. It was fresh and welcoming with an air of elegance. Quite honestly, she'd expect nothing less from the man. He always did have impeccable taste.

He closed the doors behind him and stopped short of her by a few feet. "Sam McCall as I live and breathe." He smiled slightly with a puzzled expression. "What on Earth are you doing here?"

Sam turned to meet his questioning gaze. "I could ask the same of you, Jasper Jacks, or is it Jones now?"

He gave a half smile at her annoyance and headed toward the bar. He held up the decanter and she nodded, making her way over to one of the padded bar stools as he poured them both a drink and she awaited his response. "Sorry for the deception, Sam, but I was so intrigued when my man Roger informed me a Ms. Samantha McCall had inquired about the new position as my ship's captain. I thought, surely, it couldn't be the Sam McCall, but my curiosity was too piqued not to meet with you to find out. I thought it best I not reveal my identity until we were face to face. I wasn't sure you would have shown, all things considered."

"By all things, I take it you mean the fact that your brother was the one who held us all hostage at the Metro Court a few months ago and attempted to blow us all up." Sam challenged, but didn't miss the pain that crossed his handsome features as she did so and suddenly regretted her callous words.

"Those would be the things." Jax agreed and took a long sip of his scotch. "Along with a few others."

Sam knew he referred to Jason and Sonny, but their dislike of Jax had nothing to do with her opinion of the man. He'd earned what she thought of him all on his own.

"I'm sorry, Jax. That was uncalled for." She apologized. She hadn't meant to snap, but she was exhausted and her muscles ached. It was late and she still hadn't made arrangements for where she would stay and now she was uncertain about her chances of scoring the job, or if she still even wanted it considering her former lover would be her boss.

"It's alright, Sam. You're entitled to your anger. I assure you, Jerry's betrayal has earned mine as well. He came to me for help, you know, after he'd managed to somehow escape U.S. authorities. As you know, I wasn't there at the time of the hostage crisis. I was here, licking my wounds so to speak."

He swallowed painfully. "Handing my brother over to INTERPOL was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. It just about killed my mother. I'm not sure she'll ever forgive me which is why I've settled here in Brizzie rather than Sydney. I wanted to be close in case she needs me, but far enough away that she doesn't have to see me. Even still, our social circle is very small which is why I've taken to places my mother and her friends wouldn't dare patronize."

Sam's heart went out to him. He'd lost everything too. His family and the person he loved and wanted to spend the rest of his life with. She could relate to his pain. He loved Carly with everything he had, faults and all, and she'd still given him back his engagement ring and married Sonny for a fourth, or was it fifth time? She'd lost count. Jax had been devastated, according to Alexis, and had left town the same day Carly followed Sonny down to the justice of peace and exchanged I do's.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Jax. I was sorry to hear about you and Carly too. I know you loved her." She consoled and wondered if the past tense was accurate. Probably not if the look of anguish on his face as he'd heard her name was any indication. "If it's any consolation, she isn't happy with him."

Jax scoffed. "No, I expect she wouldn't be by now. It's been just over six months. Sonny never was very good at keeping his women happy for long. Winning them, yes. Keeping them, no." He commented bitterly as he took another drink.

Sam didn't know what to say to that. It was true. She took a sip of her drink too.

Jax let out a frustrated sigh and scrunched up his shoulders to relax the tension in them. "Sorry. I know you're still very close to Sonny and Jason."

Sam tried not to let it show just how much it stung to hear his name. Halfway around the world and just his name alone filled her head and heart with so many memories both beautiful and heartbreaking.

"No, it's okay." He looked doubtful, so she continued. "Really. Actually, Sonny wasn't all that happy with me when I left."

Jax smiled devilishly. "Do tell." And she had to admit he was boyishly cute when he did so.

Sam smiled and shook her head. He was enjoying it way too much, but she wouldn't begrudge him a little happiness after living with so much pain. So, she proceeded to tell Jax all about her fifteen minutes of fame during the hostage crisis that had resulted in her starring role on a new hit show. Jax hadn't been surprised to hear she was so popular, reminding her he'd always thought her to be a very intelligent woman and so full of life.

That much was true, but she also remembered how even though he'd recognized that about her it hadn't been enough to keep him from walking away. Why was she always so easy to walk away from? She knew from Jax's perspective, it had been that she'd never been able to trust him with the truth or with her heart completely. And that was true. She'd never learned how to trust anyone before, until Jason. His patience, love and understanding had shown her how to trust in herself and him. Another thing she would always be thankful to him for, even though it was hard not to kick herself for trusting him at the end.

Once she'd finished her story about Everyday Heroes and how Sonny had felt threatened by the media attention it was bringing to his business which prompted him to get an injunction to stop the show from airing, Jax had gone off on a tear. He'd poured them several more drinks during the course of their mutual ranting over Sonny's nerve and Sam had to admit it felt good. She'd wanted to share those feelings about Sonny with Jason, but he'd been too busy avoiding her and when he had been around he never wanted to talk anymore.

Of course, now she knew why. It was his guilt eating at him, but she couldn't find it in herself to feel sorry for him, not for the lie. For feeling like he had no other choice than to give up his son? Yes, but she had no pity for him when it came to lying to her for months in favor of confiding in Elizabeth behind her back. And that was the most painful part of all, waiting for Jason to come home to her those past few weeks since she'd learned the truth and wondering if he was really working or off somewhere with her, turning to her, telling her about all the things he refused to share with Sam.

She didn't even realize she'd started crying until Jax' worried voice broke through to her and she felt the wetness against her face.

"Sam, what's the matter? What's happened to send you so far from home?" Jax asked, concern evident in his gentle tone.

They'd moved to one of the sofas during their conversation and she turned to him as he sat next to her. She tried to get the words out, tried to explain, but they just wouldn't come. All she could do was close her mouth and eyes tight as she shook her head and more tears pushed from her closed lids down her flushed cheeks. Alcohol always did that to her after a certain limit. It made her cheeks flush with color. Maybe it was responsible for her breakdown now, but she'd held it all in for weeks and it just couldn't be contained another tortuous second. She'd focused on work until she was so beat each day she nearly passed out as soon as she laid her head down. Even still she'd been haunted by him in her dreams, him and everything they'd lost.

Jax felt so bad for her. She was in agony. He opened his arms and drew her to his chest. She allowed him to comfort her and buried her face in his solid torso as she cried. Sam had never been prone to emotional outbursts. Well, unless you counted throwing a punch or two, but she never cried. Not like that and he knew whatever it was, it was bad.

"Jason and I broke up." She cried. "It's over, Jax. It's really over this time."

He tightened his hold around her and did his best to console her. He could feel her pain, had felt her pain, and was still feeling it. It made him sick to see her hurt as he had been hurt.

Anger rolled through him. What kind of ass would let a good woman like her go? He realized with sudden clarity, he'd been one of those asses. Maybe it was true what they said, you don't know a good thing until it's gone. He wasn't rewriting history. He remembered exactly why he'd walked away from Sam. No matter how hard he tried, he was never able to earn her trust. Not completely, and that was just one thing he hadn't been willing to compromise on at the time. He still wasn't. He'd rather someone cut him to the quick with the truth than feed him a beautiful lie. It was one of the reasons he and Carly had clicked. He knew she had no problems lying with the best of them at the drop of a hat, but she'd never been anything but brutally honest with him and his heart still had the heel marks to prove it.

Hindsight could be a pithy wench sometimes and, as he sat there with Sam's silent sobs soaking through his shirt, he had one heck of an awakening. He had never afforded her the understanding she'd needed to learn to trust him. She'd never been taught to trust. Her father, well adopted father they knew now, had certainly never shown her an ounce of true understanding. Considering the childhood she'd grown up in, Sam had already made great strides by just admitting back then that she loved him. Maybe if he had been more patient, given her more time, Sam would have finally felt safe to truly let her guard down and really let him in, all the way in, as he knew she had with Morgan.

He decided he wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. He refused to write Sam McCall off ever again. He'd been terrible to her when he'd thought she might be carrying his child and he'd said some unconscionable things, but he intended to make it all up to her. He'd be damned if she suffered another moment's pain, at least not at his hands and not by anyone elses if they knew what was good for them. He glanced down at her, noting the way her breathing had evened out. She'd fallen asleep in his arms.

He carefully lifted her and she shifted against him in her sleep without waking. She must be exhausted, he thought as he carried her to one of the villa's five bedrooms. He used one hand to pull down the covers and placed her gently on the bed before removing her boots. He thought of removing her jeans so that she might sleep more comfortably, but thought better of it. He didn't want to overstep, or do anything to make things awkward between them when morning came. He pulled the covers over her and dimmed the light in the connecting bath and pulled the door, allowing only a sliver to show in case she woke in the night.

He then stepped from her room, closing the door quietly behind him and turning to make his way to his car. He wanted to retrieve her bag for her so she could shower and change at her leisure.

"Oh Roger." Jax halted, surprised to find him up that time of night.

"Forgive me sir, but I heard voices and thought I might come up to see if there were anything you needed." The older man offered as he stood in his nightcap, dark burgundy robe and slippers.

Jax smiled. Roger had been in his employ for years. His father had hired him, actually, when Jax was only a boy and his job had been to tend to his needs. Years later, he was still doing that today and he was quite good at anticipating Jasper Jacks' every need. Jax would have brought him along to Port Charles when he'd moved there, but he knew Roger would miss his homeland too much. He'd lived there his entire adult life. So, he'd simply tasked him to overseeing all of his Australian affairs and with keeping him abreast of important news regarding his mother and he'd never let Jax down, not once.

"Thank you, Roger, but I think I've got it taken care of for tonight. I will require your assistance in the morning. We have a guest. I've given her the large room at the end of the East wing. Ms. Sam McCall will be staying with us indefinitely and I'd really appreciate it if you would help me make her feel at home while she's here." Jax requested.

"Of course, sir. Might I inquire if the lady is a coffee or tea lover, sir?"

"Coffee; strong and black. Three sugars." He smiled, knowing Sam would be getting nothing but Roger's five star treatment.

"Very good, sir. Any dietary concerns I should be aware of?" He inquired further.

"Only that food is one of Sam's great loves. She's had a hearty appetite for as long as I've known her. No restrictions that I'm aware of." He answered with a smile, recalling the time he'd tried to teach her to be a lady at the dinner table and she'd tried to steal his steak and potato.

"I shall see to it there is a wide variety for the morning's meal whenever she wakes." Roger assured him.

"Thank you, Roger. Ms. McCall has had a very long day. I wouldn't be surprised if she slept in tomorrow. Feel free to tend to any errands you may have in the early morning. I know your penchant for adhering to your well-oiled routine. I'll be at Sam's disposal until you've finished up anything you need to do." Jax told the older man who was more like a member of his family than employee.

"Very well, sir, but I assure you I shall have no trouble attending to my normal schedule as well as anything Ms. McCall may need." He insisted and Jax knew better than to argue with him. Roger was nothing if not a multi-tasker.

"Thank you. I'm just going to retrieve Sam's bag from my car and leave it in her room then I plan to turn in. You should do the same. I'm sorry to have woken you at such a late hour." Jax apologized. Roger turned in every night at 8 and was asleep by 10pm. It was well after midnight now.

"Not at all. I'm always happy to be of service." He told him.

Jax smiled again. "Goodnight, Roger." He bid him as he headed toward the front door.

"Goodnight, sir." Roger returned as he watched the young man he'd known since boyhood walk away with a smile bigger and brighter than he'd seen in more than half a year. He was certain this Sam McCall must have something to do with it and he couldn't be happier. Yes, this Ms. McCall would definitely be receiving his five star treatment alright. She deserved nothing less for putting that smile upon his face.

Page 12 of 12 Created: 2011-09-02 Updated: 2016-05-27 Words: 5915 Characters: 31324