Chapter 3 – Ashes
I want to thank you all for your reviews it means a great deal to hear your feedback especially considering this is my first time really trying to weave a storyline. I know I've drifted off the original path of the show and I will say there are more twists and turns ahead. It might take me a bit to fully reveal my plan and I hope you all will stay tuned. I originally started this as a one-shot, but I have to admit that I can't halt the ideas I have about what lays ahead for Lucky, Sam and Jason. I wanted to pay special attention to how much hurt and pain existed between these three and of course I wanted the true Elizabeth Webber to come out and show her true colors. Here is the next installment and as always please keep the reviews coming and let me know if I should continue on.
As Sam and clung to Lucky in the waiting room her eyes couldn't help, but drift to Elizabeth clinging to Jason as well. Normally you wouldn't see either of the two pair openly comforting one another, but this involved Jake a little boy that was full of so much love and yet yielded so much power to dictate the fate of these four adults.
Elizabeth sighed as she snuggled herself deeper into Jason's arms well as deep as she could, but there was something that had her feeling him withdrawn from her. Her eyes scanned the room trying to figure out what had Jason so distracted and of course it was HER. It was always HER, god she couldn't understand why every man within 10 feet of the petite brunette was enraptured with her. Yeah she was petite and beautiful in her own way, but she was a con artist and in her mind, she would never be anything more. Elizabeth tried to remind herself that she and Sam had reached some kind of understanding and peace in that cabin with the Russians surrounding them and she was eternally grateful that she helped save Jake, but she owed her for watching Jake be kidnapped and for hiring those thugs to threaten her and her boys. Elizabeth knew that Jason had threatened Sam to stay away from her and her boys and it made her heart soar how protective he was of her and her sons.
Elizabeth knew Sam was nothing more than leftovers first from Jaxx, then Sonny and now Jason and it bothered her that she would still be in her orbit with her involvement with Lucky, but she hadn't risked everything and used her son in vain. She wasn't going to let Jason go again not without a fight and she would do anything for her family. As she squeezed Jason's waist tightly it finally caught her attention that Sam was holding something in her hands. "Why was Sam holding an envelope at the hospital?" Elizabeth sat up slowly and asked across the way to Sam "What is that Sam?"
Sam sighed as she heard the voice that was like nails on a chalkboard so whiney and pouty, but there was no getting away from Elizabeth Webber unless she walked away from the two men she cared so deeply for and Sam wasn't packing anytime soon. She saw the need in Jason's eyes earlier and understood he needed to be there for his son and his son's mother and she had to accept they were a family, one that she would never truly be a part of. "I'm not sure actually that nurse over…" Sam's statement trailed as she looked around for the nurse that delivered the envelope nowhere to be found and if she thought about it she didn't recognize her before.
Sam shrugged her shoulders and tried to not put too much focus on where the nurse had gone and if there was something more to this unexpected delivery. "Well I guess she's with a patient or off duty, but this nurse asked if I was Sam McCall and then handed me this envelope." Sam looked over to Lucky as she knew he was on high alert and wasn't going to allow her to open it or expose her to any further danger if he had a choice.
Lucky chimed in "I told Sam that I wanted to have the lab analyze it with the odd timing and all that went down with the Russians and Jerry Jaxx lately I don't want to take any chance that would put Sam in further danger." Lucky took the envelope and stood up making his way to the reception desk. Sam watched as Lucky asked the nurse working a question which she nodded and handed him a plastic bag. Lucky placed the oddly weighted envelope in the bag, sealed it and found his spot next to Sam again.
"Once we get word on Jake I want to take this down to the station to get checked out and make sure you are safe and sound." Jason overheard Lucky's heartfelt words to Sam and his teeth gritted knowing he would have quite a fight on his hands, but this time he wasn't walking away from Sam if they didn't work out it wouldn't be from lack of him trying.
"I think that is a good idea Lucky, Sam has put her life on the line too much for everyone else it's about time she is put first. Sam, thank you for all that you did to help rescue Jake and for going under cover to try and bring down the counterfeit drugs. It took a lot of courage and strength to risk your life to help others." Jason could see her eyes soften and knew she was drawn in by his words, few as they might be and the power and love behind them moved her to her core.
Sam drew in a breath and squeezed Lucky's hand knowing that what she was about to say needed to be said and heard by all of them. "Jason, Elizabeth, Lucky I'm so sorry for all that I put you through and I hope one day you all can forgive me and know that I would do anything to change what happened, but we know that isn't possible. Today was about righting all the wrong and yet it doesn't fix it or make it go away I hope what I did to help Jake proves that I am dedicated to making things right."
Lucky took Sam swiftly into his arms and felt his heart brimming with love and Jason sunk into his seat wishing it was his arms wrapped around Sam. Elizabeth took this moment to stake her claim as her hand rested on Jason's chest just below her face. Tucked neatly into his body she spoke "Sam, we've all done things that we wish we could change or do differently and maybe today was an opportunity we all needed to wipe the slate clean and start new." Elizabeth hoped that they would buy into her tall tale knowing her true intention was to rid Jason of Sam and any possibility they might hold of hope of rekindling their love.
Just then Patrick approached the four sitting in the waiting room. Elizabeth sprung to her feet trying hard to sell her story. "Patrick, how is Jake? Will he be okay?"
Patrick took a deep breath and scratched his head a bit "Elizabeth, we've done several tests on his breathing and his coughing has subsided after we gave him some oxygen. I think the coughing was brought on by all the debris and smoke Jake was exposed to so I think it was a good choice to bring him in when you did."
Elizabeth tugged on Jason's hand and looked into his eyes and back to Patrick "Oh that is such good news I was so worried before. How long will he need to stay?" She hoped that there really wasn't anything major to be concerned with and that her exaggeration of Jake's symptoms hadn't really manifested into something to be worried about.
"I'd like to keep him overnight for observation and make sure he is getting plenty of fluids. There is something else I found a bit curious though." Patrick looked at his chart and wondered how he might approach the question without completely alarming his already frazzled friend.
Elizabeth's eyes widened and she was shocked there was more to what Patrick was looking at concerning his breathing. Suddenly panic washed over her and she wondered if she had made this happen by using her son to try and keep Jason. "What is it Patrick?" Elizabeth's voice trembled a bit not knowing what might come next.
"Well I noticed something and it wasn't caught on the paramedic's records when Jake was originally brought in to be examined and I needed your permission to do further testing." Patrick knew he was being vague, but he had to handle this with the utmost caution as he knew they had all been through so much he didn't want to add anything unnecessary.
Elizabeth struggled to find the answer "Uh what did you find Patrick, oh god did they hurt my little boy?"
"Elizabeth please calm down, to start with I need to know if you had Jake given any shots recently, like the flu shot that might not be on record here at the hospital?" Patrick was trying to find an explanation as to why the little boy had a needle mark on his arm and hoped that it had nothing to do with his kidnapping.
"What? No I always have the boys get their shots done here so I can keep strict records for their daycare and schools. Patrick what are you not telling me?" Elizabeth was stricken by her worst fear that something had happened to her little boy and it was because of her involvement with Jason and his stupid mob life.
"Well it appears that there is a small needle mark on the inside of Jake's right arm. I didn't notice it at first with all the dust and dirt, but once we were cleaning him up a bit I saw it. Look I don't want to alarm you or make you think the worst I just think it would be a good idea to run some tests and try and eliminate any worries." Patrick knew that it was a stretch thinking that the tests on the young boy would keep them from their fear, but if there was something injected into him they needed to know soon to try and help him.
"Oh god, what did they do to my little boy?" Elizabeth crumbled to the floor with tears cascading down her cheek. Jason stumbled to his feet swirling with thoughts of his son and how his life kept hurting them both.
"Elizabeth I know this is a lot to take in, but I need your permission to run some tests to eliminate the possibility that Jake was injected with a foreign substance." Patrick was trying to appeal to Elizabeth's maternal side while using their professional rhetoric in his pitch. He could see she was distraught and understood what it was like to be scared at any harm that might have come to your child.
Lucky stepped towards Patrick and took the pen and steadily grabbed Sam to hold him up. "Patrick do what you think is best, please help our little boy."
"That's the plan, look these tests might take a few hours I might suggest that the four of you get some rest or food or both and I will let you know when we are done." Patrick turned away and let out a sigh knowing the struggle they all must be going through with so many questions.
Lucky straightened his back and looked at Sam knowing that waiting here would only make him more anxious. "Sam why don't we stop off at the PCPD and get this envelope checked out and grab a bite to eat to recharge our batteries?" Lucky felt the need for action or to feel he was helping and staying in those uncomfortable chairs listening to the clock tick would only drive him more crazy with concern.
Elizabeth was relieved to hear Lucky was taking Sam away giving her an opportunity to sink her claws deeper into Jason without her around to compete for his love. Jason's heart sank thinking of Sam walking away with Lucky, but he needed to be here for his son and his son's mother and he knew that Sam understood. Of course, she understood, but that didn't lessen the sadness that crept in her eyes with him not fighting to keep her here with him.
Lucky took Sam's hand and glanced back "We'll be back later, let us know if there is any change." Lucky hoped this distance would give him a chance to have Sam alone and cast off any hope the enforcer carried to recapture her heart. Lucky adored her and knew there was a bond they shared that Morgan could never really understand both growing up as children of con artists. Lucky walked on the side of the law right now, but he couldn't deny the kindred feeling he felt with Sam as they both craved the adventure of living outside of the lines. She was his perfect counterpoint as he didn't have to change who he was or what excited him and the fact that she would accept him fully made him love her even more. Sam was his partner and the woman that could handle herself in a bar fight and yet ignite his fire of passion and quench his hunger in the bedroom.
Lucky reached out his finger to push the elevator button taking that time to pull Sam's body to his feeling her heavy breasts flush against his thin shirt. He could feel her hardened nipples teasing him to take them into his mouth and massage them with his hand. His hand threaded lightly through her hair down her back to finally rest just above her plump bottom. He gazed down into her eyes and she was swept up in his touch and how freely he could show his love for her in public and it made her proud of their bond.
Jason couldn't stand watching their sickening display and knew he couldn't act on his original thought of rushing the cop and seizing Sam back into his arms. Instead Jason decided that he would test the waters with his own words which he knew he used sparingly, but it meant a great deal to Sam when he did. "Sam, please be careful." His words were few, but enough to bring her eyes to his and he felt rewarded with a small smile gracing her mouth.
Sam couldn't believe that Jason was watching her and not just that he was addressing her in front of saintly Elizabeth and her boyfriend. What had gotten into him? She didn't know, but she liked this sudden change in Jason's abilities to express his feelings through his words. "Always" was what she stated knowing that they would always be connected and maybe now they could finally start to find a place in each other's lives that wasn't consumed by hurt and pain.
Sam and Lucky stepped onto the elevator and made their way fairly quickly to the PCPD, Sam wasn't sure of how much time elapsed on their ride as it was mostly filled with silence. Sam was trying to process and comprehend what was happening and if she might be reading too much into her moments with Jason and yet she was oddly at rest with how Lucky was taking a solid place in her life. As the pair entered the station Lucky quickly approached the other officer and Sam watched him hand over the plastic bag filled with the unexplainable envelope. Lucky met Sam again and told her that they should have some answers soon.
Lucky and Sam exited the PCPD and knew that neither of them had eaten in quite a while so he decided to treat them both to some comfort food at Kelly's. Lucky knew that if he couldn't give himself fully to Sam while they waited he would do the next best thing and feed her appetite in one way hopefully soon to fill the other later when they were alone and once they had news of Jake.
Back at the hospital Jason and Elizabeth waited in the waiting room for Patrick to come back. Jason didn't know what he could do and was trying his best to not be reminded of the detective pulling his heart away. Jason was glancing around the hospital hoping he would see someone that might add as a buffer to him and Elizabeth because he could sense she was set on trying yet again to create this fantasy family of her, their son and him. Jason wanted a family that was true, but after hearing and watching Sam with his son it all became clear that she was the woman he wanted to share his life and son with. There would be no getting around dealing with Elizabeth and he still cared for her, but the love he shared for her was a mixture of friendship and appreciation of her as his son's mother. He was reminded of how much turmoil Sonny and Carly's boys endured trying to salvage a family. Jason couldn't fathom a life built on a lie or at least a family and marriage not based on full and true love.
At that moment Robin came to the desk with a few files and he decided that was his opportunity to give him and Elizabeth some space. "Robin, have you heard anything from Patrick about Jake?" Jason asked hoping it would give him some assurance and bid him some time away from being alone with Elizabeth.
Robin turned to Jason a bit startled and off guard that he was in the waiting room and he was asking about Elizabeth and Lucky's son. Robin shook her head no and focused her attention on the papers in front of her. She sensed his concern and knew her old friends must be sick with worry if their son was admitted. "I'm sorry Jason I haven't heard anything about the status of Jake, Elizabeth is there anything I can do?" Robin embraced Elizabeth one worried mother to another even though Robin was having trouble with post-partum depression and balancing her new job as a mother and a career. Robin always found a great admiration for Elizabeth's ability to raise her boys with or without a partner and work the delicate juggling act she wasn't sure she would be able to succeed at her own attempt.
The two friends hugged and Jason felt the relief already with Elizabeth's hands disengaged with his body. Jason realized that it wasn't his place to be asking about Jake because he had given up his place as his father, but he wanted to change that now especially if he could share the joy of parenthood with Sam. Jason thought about all the children he had lost and the missed opportunities and now he wasn't going to deny himself any longer.
As Sam and Lucky picked a table to sit at each one glanced around the room noticing it wasn't very busy and Lucky took that opportunity to pull his chair nice and close to Sam's. Lucky swiftly found himself behind Sam wanting to help her with her coat and take every opportunity he could to sneak a light caress and in this matter tenderly pulling her hair back from her neck and placing a smooth and sensual kiss on the nape of her neck. Sam's eyes fluttered closed and opened feeling the warmth of Lucky's kiss on her neck. She was truly torn and she knew that she had to be honest with both men. She didn't want to hurt anyone any more than necessary and Lucky had been a trite and true friend and lover. Sam knew it wasn't going to be easy for Lucky to hear of her residual feelings for Jason, but she wanted to be fair to him after all the crap Elizabeth put him through she was not going to soil their friendship and what could be their future by keeping something hidden.
Sam and Lucky sat at the table waiting for the waitress to take their order when he grabbed her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist looking longingly into her eyes. She could see he was secure in his love for her and this would prove to be more difficult than she could ever imagine. Sam took a deep breath in and just as she was about to speak she was handed a menu and asked about her order. Sam glared at the waitress in her unknowing ill timing, but it wasn't her fault it wasn't like she knew she was about to launch an emotional bomb on her boyfriend's plate and duck for cover. Sam and Lucky gripped their hands around the menus and Lucky peaked over his at her asking her what she felt like. What a question what she felt like, well at the moment almost ill because she didn't want to keep anything from the man that helped heal her broken heart and never wavered in his devotion to her.
Sam took a moment and replied "I'll have a double cheeseburger with curly fries and a chocolate shake please." Sam knew she probably wouldn't finish it all, but sitting down in a relaxed setting made her realize just how hungry she was at the time.
Lucky followed by "Make that a double." Lucky handed the waitress his menu and cast a smile grin to Sam. "Have I mentioned you have good taste?" Lucky couldn't help but lavish Sam with compliments because it was never more clear to him how much this raven-haired beauty meant to him and how good it felt to be with her. Things with Sam were comfortable and real and she always gave him a sense of truth between them.
Sam was caught off by Lucky's compliment and blushed a bit. "Well you know my never-ending appetite and how much I love food." Sam was trying to play with him lightly.
Lucky chuckled a bit recalling Sam's love and worship for her meals, for such a petite frame the woman could make a serious dent at the dinner table. He didn't mind in fact he quite enjoyed making meals for and with her even more so he enjoyed her as the main course. "I can't wait for you to taste what I have in store for you if you say yes and allow me the pleasure of your company and a romantic dinner soon." Lucky wanted to share his life and heart with Sam and if he had his way he would sweep her off her feet and take her to the bedroom and show her exactly what pleasure he could give her.
Sam stuttered "Um yeah that's sounds nice Lucky, I would really like that. Before we make any plans though there is something we need to talk about. I know a lot has happened lately and we really haven't had an opportunity to spend time with one another and talk." Sam was trying really hard to slowly rip off the band aid of the uncomfortable topic.
Before Sam could finish her thought, Lucky put a finger to her mouth. "Sam, I know we've all been through so much recently and it's made me realize, no it's made it abundantly clear how much you mean to me and it drove me crazy when Jerry kidnapped you and when you were fighting off the Russians. Sam you've put your life on the line for my boys and given me a chance to know the amazing woman you are and I can't imagine not having you in my life. I want to wake-up next to you every morning and drift to sleep every night with our bodies tangled with one another. Sam, I don't know when it happened, but I'm in love with you and I want to be with you in every way I can." Lucky knew he just laid his heart on the line, but she had to know the truth in his heart and he tried to brace himself if she didn't return his feelings.
Just as Sam was about to respond given this golden opportunity to truly reveal her feelings Lucky's phone rang. She sighed and knew this moment would be taken and yet again she would need to delay the serious talk they both deserved. Lucky reached for his phone "Sorry Sam this might be the station or news on Jake. Spencer" he answered and Lucky recognized his co-worker on the other line it was the PCPD calling with the lab results on the envelope. They told him that they didn't want to discuss it over the phone and that he and Sam would need to come back down to the station for more information. Lucky huffed at yet another trip to his work, but he hoped he and Sam could get to the bottom of this mysterious envelope.
"Sam that was the station they've finished analyzing the envelope and want us to come back to the station to discuss the results. Would you mind if we got our food to go? I know that it might take us a bit to go through the information and I want to get back to the hospital to see if there is any news on Jake as well." Lucky hoped she would understand and part of him was glad he shared what he did so that she could sit with his feelings and figure out how she felt and what she wanted.
Sam smiled slightly and told him "It's fine Lucky I want the answers just as much as you and I was hoping we would hear from the hospital or Jason and Elizabeth about how Jake was doing. Let's get our orders to go and we can get going." Sam made her way to the counter and asked the waitress to change their order to go and sat on the stool recalling how many times she sat in this spot pondering her life. Just then Lucky came up behind her snaking his arms around her waist and snuggling into her neck.
Lucky whispered "Don't think you're getting out of a romantic night with me McCall and we will continue this discussion later." Lucky could sense that Sam had something she was battling over in her mind and he wasn't sure how he would favor after all was said and done.
Lucky and Sam entered the PCPD again in hopes of finding the results they were waiting on. Just then Rodriguez approached Lucky and Sam "Hey I'm glad you guys were able to get here so quickly. Do you want to go into interrogation room 1 and discuss what the lab found on and in the envelope?" Motioning towards the room Lucky and Sam nodded following the other detective into the room anxious to hear the news.
Rodriguez shut the door behind them and asked Lucky and Sam to take a seat placing the envelope still in the plastic bag in the middle of the table. All eyes drifted to the object of curiosity and Lucky was the first to speak "So what did they find out about the envelope?"
Rodriguez didn't know how to explain that it seemed there were more questions than answers, but the one thing they could rule out right now is that there were no deadly substances incased in the envelope or what resided in it. "Well to start they traced all the contents of the envelope including the envelope itself and found no traces of anything dangerous or toxic."
Lucky was relieved to hear that Sam holding such a thing earlier was not going to put her in direct danger. "So is there anything else we should know about?" Lucky felt his partner was holding out on him and knew in his gut there was something more to this.
Rodriguez paused and looked at both Lucky and Sam and opened the plastic bag taking out the envelope, a letter and a small metal lighter. "Do any of these things mean anything to you Sam?" Sam was confused by the items and shook her head no. "Well these items were clearly for you and whoever sent it to you thought they might be of some importance to you." Rodriguez then picked up the envelope and walked over to Sam wanting to show her what was in the envelope to see if anything registered with her further.
Sam looked in the envelope and then back up at Rodriguez asking "Are those ashes?"
Rodriguez closed the envelope and said "Yeah and by the looks of it is from paper fibers. You might want to read the letter and see if it gives you any other clues that ties this all together."
Sam noticed the outside of the envelope was not addressed to her specifically, but when she leaned forward to open up the letter she had shivers run down her spine on the salutation.
Sweet Sam,
If you are reading this letter you know by now I was not blown to bits in that boat explosion. After our time on the boat and Jasey-poo's daring rescue of you I couldn't help but wonder if I might have helped you two lovebirds find your way back to one another. You know the whole life in the balance bit and who truly owns your heart.
I digress, I know there are questions that you and the mob enforcer seek to answer regarding Michael's shooting and well for that bit of information you will have to wait a little longer, but being such a good sport in our game I wanted to help you on a different matter.
You see sweet Sam I've watched your strength and your loyalty to those you hold most dear and I have to hand it to you I'm quite impressed at the lengths you would go to protect them. I know your past of being a con artist and you did what you had to do to survive. I've watched you fight heroically I might add for others and what did that get you?
You've lost quite a bit in your short time in Port Charles and one would think you would cut all ties and move on, but not you sweet Sam you will fight to the bitter end. Seeing a kindred spirit in you I leave you with this…
If you sift through the painful ashes of your broken heart you will find the person that is truly responsible for your loss is not, you.
I bid you farewell for now sweet Sam and please give my regards to Jasey-poo.
Mr. Craig – Jerry Jaxx
Sam read the letter aloud to both Lucky and Rodriguez and still couldn't understand why Jerry was leaving this for her and what the hell the ashes in the envelope along with the metal lighter had to do with her and her life. Sam set the letter down and asked "Were there any fingerprints on any of this?"
Rodriguez cringed a bit when Sam asked the question he knew was coming and he sat back down and looked between Lucky and Sam and answered "Actually, yes there was a set of prints on the lighter and I'm not sure how to tell either one of you this, but they were Elizabeth Webber's."