Thank you all again for the support and feedback! I'm thinking this is the last chapter for now until inspiration hits again and I get another idea or one of you lovely readers throws something out there that sparks something in my brain. So no one is confused this takes place while Jasam are in the safe house before they figure out Nikolas went to London. This is how I envisioned this conversation going, I hope I did it justice and I hope you all enjoy!

P.S. I'm all for feedback on my writing but if you don't like the characters then don't read the story. I don't need anyone's negativity in my inbox. Keep it to yourself. Thanks.


"I win!"

"You're cheating and you know it."

"Jason c'mon how could I be cheating? The dominoes are in front of your face. Take your shot and admit defeat."

Sam picked up the tequila bottle and poured Jason his second shot of tequila. Jason picked up the glass and downed the shot.

"I don't remember you being this good at dominoes."

"We already established this, your memory isn't that reliable."

"Or I'm just a little rusty."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night babe."

"Best 5 out of 7."

"Fine, if you want to drink that whole bottle of tequila yourself be my guest."

Jason chuckled at Sam as she reshuffled the dominos. Now that he could remember, he was happy to know that he and Sam didn't lose their ability to joke around with each other. Even though he didn't enjoy the circumstances and leaving their son, he was happy to spend time alone with Sam.

"Ok pick your dominoes."

Sam and Jason each picked their dominos smiling and laughing at each other and began to play their third game.

"This was a good idea Sam, it's bringing up a lot of good memories for me."

Sam smiled at Jason as she placed her first piece down.

"Speaking of memories, there was something I've been meaning to bring up, but because of everything that happened and coming here and then starting the investigation, I almost forgot."

"Oh really. Uh, what did you want to talk about."

Sam tried to play it off like she didn't know what Jason was going to say, but Jason saw through it.

"Sam. Why didn't you tell me about what happened with Franco?"

Sam cringed at the mention of the subject. She knew there was a chance Jason might bring the topic up, but was hoping that investigating Nikolas' disappearance might distract Jason.

"Ah, well, you didn't remember what happened and I didn't really see a point in dredging it all up. It's not like you were trying to be best friends with Franco. You instinctively hated him so I figured that was enough and eventually I could ease into that conversation."

"Sam, he, he raped you, how were you going to ease into that?"

Sam sighed.

"Yes and no."

"What do you mean yes and no? I saw him."

Sam thought for a minute, trying to find the words to explain this to Jason as best as possible.

"When Franco came back he brought all of us together, all of the people you cared about. Me, Michael, Carly, Sonny, A.J., Elizabeth, Spinelli, and Maxie. He, he showed us 2 tapes. One was from our honeymoon, and the second one was about what happened with Michael."

Sam noticed Jason's fist clenched at the mention of his nephew.

"Do you..."

"Yes. I remember what happened to Michael."

"The tape with Michael showed Franco talking with Carter, first on camera encouraging him to hurt Michael, which is what Franco eventually gave to you, and then off camera telling Carter not to hurt Michael and telling him that he just wanted to antagonize you. Franco swore that he didn't want Michael to actually get hurt, and that Carter hurt Michael against his orders. It doesn't mean much though because he still put a target on Michaels back."

Jason heard and understood what Sam had said, but like Sam he didn't think it meant much. Franco actions still led to Michael getting hurt, and Jason felt regret that the bullet he shot Franco with didn't kill him like he had thought.

"What about the second tape."

"The second tape is a continuation of the first one, except after Franco stopped what you saw, you just see him leave me there."

Jason took a minute to again absorb what Sam had said. He thought back to that day. Being drugged and locked in that room. Watching Sam fall out of the shower into Franco's arms. Watching him pull the shower curtain off her body. Watching him look at her and unbutton his shirt and then taunt him. Jason felt his anger egging out of control so he poured himself a shot and downed it.

"So it's on his word that he didn't rape you?"

"Yes. I've tried to remember. I've tried to remember anything that would prove what he said was true, but I don't remember anything."

Sam watched as Jason got out of his seat and crouched in front of her to caress her cheek with his hand. She appreciated the comfort he gave her. Talking about what happened had always been hard, but this time it was easier and she realized it was because Jason was there. He went through it with her.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have made you talk about this."

"It's okay Jason. I knew it would come up, it's gotten easier to talk about."

Jason kissed her forehead.

"Another example of how brave and strong you are. I don't care what he says though Sam he violated you and made you believe that he raped you. He tortured you psychologically and one day he will get what he deserves. Thank you for trusting me enough to talk to me about this."

Jason took his seat again and made his move.

"I love you Jason. Of course I trust you enough to talk about this with you. I don't want to talk about him or think about him anymore though. Now correct me if I'm wrong but the next topic you want to discuss is Liz?"

"If you're up for it."

Sam nodded her head. She knew what was coming and she wanted to get it over with so they could clear the air.

"I'm sorr..."

"I don't want to hear it."

"But..."

"No but. We need to get past this Jason. You didn't know who you were when you were with Elizabeth."

"At the end I did. At the end I knew who I was. Even before I knew you supported me the whole time. You did everything you could to try to help me to figure out who I was and when I finally got the proof I treated you horribly and even though I didn't consciously know I was doing it I chose Liz over you again and that wasn't right Sam. I mean, look at how I spoke to you when you were just trying to tell me the truth. Even though I didn't know our history I still knew you as my friend and the mother of my child, I should have treated you with more respect."

"You're right. You should have. But it happened and it's over and it doesn't excuse it but I knew you were mad. After I left I thought about it and I understood. You knew me as your friend but Liz was your touchstone. She helped get you better, gave you a place to live, accepted you even though at first she didn't know who you were. You were betrayed by her and you knew it but you lashed out on me because it was easier than confronting her."

"You're right. Between my talk with Carly, how she acted at the wedding, and seeing how she reacted when you were at her house I knew in that moment she was lying to me."

"Jason I know you. I know how you think. Like I said it was wrong but I forgive you. I lost you Jason, I physically lost you. We lost each other at one point but we were still in and out of each others lives. This time though you were just gone. I wouldn't wish the pain I felt on anyone. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad I'm telling you this so you know that I'm not going to give up on us because of something small like you getting angry at me when you were going through a rough time."

"I..."

"I win again!"

Sam jumped up from the table excited to beat Jason not once but 3 times in a row!

"I definitely don't remember you being so good at this."