Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to any of the characters, they are the property of General Hospital and ABC. Please keep reviewing because that is what encourages me to continue writing.
Chapter 3
"I surprised the church didn't burn down with you in it. I mean after all you are a witch along with a whore."
Sam sighs knowing she's in store for another classic battle with Ms Elizabeth "The Saint" Webber. All she wanted to do was get through the day without a confrontation with either Jason or Elizabeth but noooo she was blessed with both. Well she wasn't going to let her ruin Maxie's day.
"What have I done now Elizabeth?"
"You mean other than tantalize every man around for miles?"
"Every man? Elizabeth I've only dated four men in this entire town and had a one time incident I am trying to forget so I think it's a bit much saying every man. I mean you've been with the same about of men in Port Charles that I have so that would be calling the kettle black wouldn't it."
"You slept with your mother's husband."
"And you married the bastard … twice! Plus you slept with your best friend's husband and your fiance's brother. Do you we really need to compare notes? Just say what you came to say and leave so I can finish the details for Maxie's wedding."
"Fitting, one whore helping another!"
"Jealous much? What's wrong are you just mad that Maxie got something you didn't from Nik? Love and marriage proposal?"
"You bitch!"
"Thank you, now make your point and go!"
"Fine! I had originally come to ask why you told Jason that Lucky was the baby's father but enroute I was stopped and delivered this letter and I want to know what you know about it."
"First of all I didn't tell Jason anything. He stopped me earlier to talk about something and I told him I heard there were other contenders this time as well. However when he asked for more info I told him it wasn't my secret to tell which is the truth. Secondly I have no idea what you are talking about regarding a letter." Sam then noticed a boy at the entry way of the church.
"Ms McCall I presume?" he asks with obvious admiration for her beauty.
"Yes I'm Sam McCall, can I help you with something?"
"I was told to deliver this letter to you and I must say my employer was right, you are beautiful." The boy then drops the letter on the floor and bolts out the door clearly embarrassed.
"So you get one too. So you can't tell me you don't know anything about it."
"Elizabeth!"
Both Sam and Elizabeth turn to see two sets of furious eyes on Elizabeth belonging to Lucky Spencer and Jason Morgan. Behind them stand Max, Milo, Sonny and Cruz. Sam has to admit they make an interesting group to say the least. The cops and the criminals she thinks with a laugh.
"Ummm gentlemen the party isn't until tonight and it's at the Metro Court" she says trying to relieve the tension.
"Funny Honey" Lucky says coming to give her a kiss on the cheek. "So you got a letter too?" he says nodding towards the letter at Jason's feet.
"Apparently but I have no clue what it's about."
"Well if it's the same one we got then it's not good."
"You mean you all got letters too?"
"So far Jason, Sonny, Carly, Jax, Nik, Maxie, Robin, Patrick and myself have gotten the same letter, although the ones Nik and Maxie received also had a note apologizing for any uninvited guests that show up at the reception. I don't know who else received one but I assume Elizabeth's is the same as is yours. Elizabeth can I see yours?"
"Quarter Til Midnight! Say your prayers, ask for forgiveness. Say your goodbyes. You're on the list! Some will die, some with be spared. You will all know what your fate is by Quarter Til Midnight! It's signed The Avenger. This is the same letter we got. Sam open yours and see if it's the same."
Sam walks over to Jason and goes to bend down to reach her letter but he beats her to it and as he stand he looks into her eyes before placing the letter in her again once again setting her skin on fire.
"Thanks"
"My pleasure!" His reply catches her off guard. For a moment he almost seemed like the Jason of old.
Sam tears open her letter and quickly reads it before looking towards to Jason before replying to Lucky. "It's not the same as the others."
"What does it say Sam?" Lucky says. He can see the fear in her eyes and knows things just got worse.
Jason walks to Sam and tilts her chin up. "Sam?"
"No I can't do this" she says dropping the letter and running out the door of the church.
Jason bends down and picks up the letter and reads it with a frown. He then looks at Sonny and then Lucky.
"It's not good is it Jason?" Sonny asks.
"What does it say Jason?" Lucky demands.
"It says 'Tonight is for you Sam. You've suffered far too long at their hands and this is my gift to you. Their fate rests in your hands. You and only you can save them.' It's signed With Love, The Avenger."
"See I knew this was her fault. She probably set this all up" Elizabeth shrieks.
"Oh will you shut up" Carly yells. Nobody had seen the blonde enter the church. "It's not Sam's fault some freak is fixated on her again. Wow did I just defend Sam? I must be going soft" she says with a laugh.
"Yeah since when do you defend Sam" her husband Jax asks from behind her.
"Hey she grew on me" she laughs.
"So has anyone else gotten a letter?" Lucky asks.
"Alexis just called me to say she got one." Jax says just as Jason's cell rings.
"Spinelli now is not a good time. Are you sure? I'm sure she is scared but if you both could meet us at the church we can provide more details. Ok see you soon." Jason hangs up and looks to Lucky and says "add two more, both Spinelli and Georgie got letters as well."
Once Spinelli, Georgie and Alexis arrive Jason and Lucky fill everyone in on what's going on starting with the argument over Elizabeth's baby which warrants a glare from Carly.
"Can't you just go on birth control or keep your legs closed. You're as fertile as Sonny is." The last comment gets a laugh very everyone including Sonny.
"Hey what can I say? I was blessed with good genes" he says showing his famous dimples.
"So where is my daughter?" Alexis asks suddenly concerned for Sam's emotional well being.
"She ran out after she read her letter but I have no idea where she went" Lucky says.
"I think I know where she went" Jason says as he starts towards the door before turning back and saying "Everyone be careful, we know the letter says quarter till midnight but that doesn't mean he or she will wait till then to attack." He then rushes out the door and hops onto his bike.
Twenty minutes later he arrives at the cemetery and heads to the small tombstone where he finds Sam sobbing at Lila's headstone. A few months ago he had the tombstone changed from Baby Girl McCall to Lila Adele McCall. It had seemed so improper for such a precious little girl that hadn't had the chance to live. He had assumed it would be his last gift to Sam and Lila.
"Sam?" he calls out to her.
"You did this didn't you?"
"Yes! It only seemed right."
"Thank you! Not only for this but for loving her, I know people says you don't love but I know you loved Lila as much as I did."
"Yes I did and I still do."
"So let me guess Elizabeth blamed me for the whole mess?"
"Yes but you were defended right away."
"I knew Lucky would defend me."
"He would have but he didn't get the chance. Carly beat him to the punch" he says waiting for her reaction.
"Is she on drugs or something?" Sam says causing Jason to smile, something he rarely does.
"No first she said she must be going soft but then she admitted that you grew on her."
"Yeah kind of like a bad plague you want to get rid of but can't. I have that affect on people."
"Sam? Nobody thinks of you like the plague nor do they want to get rid of you."
"You did!"
"You couldn't be more wrong." Sam's head snaps up at his comment and can finally see the concern in his eyes, something she hasn't seen in a long time.
"What are you doing here Jason? What do you want from me? I don't know who this person is, if I did I would tell you, I hope you all know that" Sam says as she finally rises to her feet.
"First of all I do know that Sam. I know you would never put any of us in danger like that. By the way after you left we found out that Alexis, Spinelli and Georgie all received letters as well."
"No not my mom Jason, I can't let someone take my mom from my sisters."
"We'll figure this out Sam, I promise" Jason says as he walks over to Sam who now has fresh tears streaming down her face. "You asked what I wanted from you Sam?" he says as he lifts her chin up with his fingers. "For starters I want this" he says as he bends his head to take her lips in a gentle but passionate kiss. "And this" he says as he places his hand over her heart. "I want you back in my life Sam. I need you there and no matter what I have to do I will do it."
"Jason" Sam starts to pull away but is stopped by his hands on her waist.
"No Sam, I will give you all the time you need but I won't let you push me away. I won't let you make my mistakes."
"I don't know what to say Jason. How can you possibly want to be with me after what I did."
"You paid for your mistakes over and over and you aren't the only one that made them. Everything that you did was set in motion by something I did. I know you confessed to Mac and when I heard that I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Confessing is something 'My Sam' would do. You have apologized repeatedly for everything that happened last year and yet were not repaid in kind."
"This isn't about the letter is it? You really mean this?"
"Of course I do, like you said before, I never say anything I don't mean."
"I know which is exactly why this will never work Jason."
"What do you mean?"
"You said you don't say anything you don't mean well you threatened to kill me Jason, kill me! That's not exactly something I can forget. I'm not excusing what I did because it's inexcusable but the thought that you could say the words let alone carry them broke my heart all over again. At one time you professed to love me always, you proposed to me twice and yet you were willing to end my life. I'm sorry Jason but I can't give you what you need." Sam removes Jason's hands from her waist and walks away saddened at what might have been.
Jason stands there for a few moments thinking about what she had just said. She was right, he had threatened her and he realized he had never told her that the only reason he'd said it was to snap her out of her downward spiral. He could never have ended her life no matter how angry he was at the time. Suddenly he makes a vow.
"No matter what Sam I am not walking away. This time I will be the one fighting for you. No matter how long it takes, no matter what the cost!" Jason then walks the short distance to his bike never seeing the figure hidden in the shadows smiling to themself.
"Well well will miracles never cease. I must admit he is not the one I thought that would make the first move. The question though is will he be forgiven in time. This shall be interesting evening indeed. Now I must get ready there is a party to attend and I wouldn't miss this one for the world."
Meanwhile at Mac's house and at Wyndemere both Maxie and Nik were filled in. Both are instantly filled with concern for Sam. Nik calls Maxie immediately and she asks if they should postpone the wedding in light of what has happened. Maxie doesn't see Sam walk in just in time to hear her question.
"Don't you dare!"
"Sam!" Maxie yelps in surprise. She hears Nik ask her to go to on speakerphone so they both can talk to Sam.
"Sam we're just trying to do the best thing and keep everyone out of harm's way" he says.
"Nik do you really think this person is going to care whether everyone is gathered at the same place or not?" Sam says knowing full well The Avenger would strike individually but strike tonight they would.
"I guess you're right Sam plus we probably would be safer all together. Do you have any idea who this person is" hek asks.
"Or who you are going to spare" asks Maxie which causes Sam to giggle.
"Maxie I really do love you and no Nik I have no idea. I do know that whatever they are going to do it's going to be without my help. I refuse to be the cause of someone dying.
"But Sam what if they are going to kill everyone unless you choose to spare them?"
"Sam?" Both Maxie and Sam spin around to find Mac staring at them. "You know Nik may be right, you may be the only chance any of these people have. Can you really turn you back on those you love?"