A/N: Hi guys.. I know it's been a minute since I've updated. Sorry about that but I hope this chapter makes up for it, it's a little longer than usual. :) Also during this time preiod I know that Jax and Carly were already back together and planning their vow renewal but in my story they are still in limbo... not divorced but not living together.
As always, thanks to my awesome reviewers: liz324, pinkprincess007, greengirl82, jasonandsam44, Liz, robinscorpiofan, SamMorgan-Cassidine, and forever babe. I hope you all had an awesome holiday season... well on to the story. Enjoy! :)

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When Intertwining Paths Lead To A Crossroad

"There comes a time when every life goes off course. In this desperate moment, you must choose your direction." ~Mark Schawn

Jason rushed through the door of his penthouse, anxious to see the evidence Spinelli had uncovered. He knew logically most people would think he was just holding on to false hope but if there was any chance that Sam, his Sam, was out there he had to find her.

"Gracious greetings Stone Cold," the young hacker spoke happily.

"You said you found out where Alfred Boyd was from?" Jason said as he peered over his shoulder.

"The Jackal has indeed procured the location of not only Alfred Boyd's birth state but the residence in which he inhabited until he became deceased," Spinelli replied.

"And?" Jason motioned with his hand.

"Alfred Boyd is actually a native of Canada, born outside of Edmundston which is located right along the border of Maine," he explained. "Though he was born in Canada he received two citizenships, one being of Canada and the other being to The U.S. as his mother was an American citizen."

Jason let out a breath, scratching at his cheek in annoyance. "Not that this isn't interesting Spinelli, but would you get to the point!"

"Yes Stone Cold," he said remorsefully, "my sincerest apologies. Alfred Boyd resided in Maine and it was there, in one Penobscot Bay, between the mainland and Vinalhaven Island that he saved an unidentified woman from the turbulent sea on November 14th."

"Three days after the ship exploded," he said more to himself than the young man sitting across from where he stood. "That she traveled that far in the ocean…" he trailed off. "How long could she survive out there?"

"It is said a person may survive three to five days at the most, not taking into account sharks and other things of that nature, before the human body would shut down," Spinelli answered. "The Goddess was most likely close to being as heaven bound as we believed her to be, if this unidentified woman is indeed Fair Samantha."

"It has to be," Jason said. "Do you have a lead on where Alfred Boyd took her; the hospitals in the area?"

"There are Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Waldo County General Hospital, and Miles Memorial Hospital that have been narrowed down as possible medical centers that The Assumed Fair Samantha would be brought to," Spinelli replied. "The Jackal is running a program that should lead us to the right hospital but it may take some time before The Jackal narrows down the hospital that is housing The Courageous Heroine."

"Well I can't just sit around here and wait," Jason said as he hit his fist against the table behind the couch, causing Spinelli to jump up. "I have to go."

"Go where?" Carly said as she barged into the apartment. "Thank God I caught you, I need your help Jason. This issue with Jax has gotten out of control; he's still mad at me for giving Sony that alibi but he really wants to work this out but I…"

"Carly," he held his hand up to stop her. "I don't have time for this right now," he shook his head. "I have to go to Maine."

"Maine?" she scrunched her face up like the idea was appalling. "What the hell is in Maine?" She watched Jason and Spinelli share a look before the young hacker continued to type determinedly. "Okay," her eyes glanced between them, "what is going on? Is there some new threat? Should I be worried Jason; is it the business?"

"No, it's nothing like that," he said as he ushered her to the door. "Look I promise I'll help you with whatever it is later but right now I have to go."

"Wait," she turned in his arms. "Stop, does this have to do with avenging Sam?"

He let out a deep breath. "I don't have time to explain but yes it has to do with Sam."

"How long will you be gone?" her voice lowered as her eyes softened when he didn't answer. "Just be careful." Carly leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"I always am," he said before watching her leave. "I'm going to go pack."

"Perhaps The Jackal may be of assistance on your journey," he perked up. "The Jackal would be happy to accompany Stone Cold on his journey to bring Fair Samantha home."

"You're staying here," Jason said resolutely.

"But," Spinelli began but was cut off by the hard look his mentor gave him. "The Jackal will appease his master's wish."

Jason was upstairs and back with a black duffle bag in a matter of minutes before he made his way to the closet, pulling out the metal lock box and retrieving another gun before returning the box to its shelf. "Call me as soon as you pinpoint the hospital."

"Will do," the young hacker smiled. "The Jackal is certain that Stone Cold will return home with his one true love The Goddess."

"Thanks," Jason said slowly with a shake of his head before leaving.


Sam stood at the window, looking out at the buds of flowers that were beginning to bloom on the trees outside her hospital room. The sun was just about to set now and even though she knew it was only going to be one more night, she wished she could leave this place now. Being cooped up made her antsy and besides, maybe once she was out in the real world she could find out where she belonged. She felt her stomach flutter and move, somehow knowing what the movement was. Hiccups. She smiled before a flash of memory began to play in her mind.

Sam's hands cradled around her belly as she looked down at Jason; his body bent down to listen to her stomach, one hand resting against her protruding abdomen like a proud papa." No, it's not her heartbeat."

"What? " Jason said before kissing her stomach softly and rising to look down at her face.

Sam continued, "Its hiccups."

"Hiccups?" he repeated, an indication of surprise in his voice.

"Yeah," Sam smiled.

"Are you-are you uncomfortable?" he asked in concern.

"No. No; not at all," she answered, the smile still on her face as she glanced down at her baby bump. "I'm actually… I'm kind of enjoying it."

"Ok," he gave a small nod.

"You better get used to seeing me around here, because if you don't get out on bail, I'm going to be visiting a lot," she replied.

"I might be out sooner than I expected," he set as he met her eyes before moving around the room.

"Sam," April said as she entered the room. "Are you okay?" She pulled the stethoscope from around her neck and sat it on the table.

"Yeah-yeah," she nodded as she came back to the present. "I had another memory," she said softly. "I was pregnant and Jason was there again and we were talking about the baby hiccupping." She shook her head in annoyance. "Why can't I remember, his last name or mine because we know Monroe probably isn't it. I mean, that baby could just be waiting for me."

"We're going to figure this all out, I promise." April replied, "And when we do that Amelia chick won't know what hit her." She offered her friend a small smile. "But until then I have some good news. How would you like to get sprung out of here tonight?"

"Are you serious?" Sam's eyes lit up. "You better not be pulling my leg right now because I have been going stir crazy ever since I woke up."

"Then I guess you better get ready because I convinced Dr. Campaña to let you out tonight," she replied.

"Oh my god, you're a lifesaver," she hugged her new found friend. "Thank you so much April."

"You're welcome," she said as they released each other. "I'll get them to start on your release; don't go anywhere." She laughed.

"Yeah, very funny," Sam rolled her eyes with a smile as the nurse left the room before gazing down at her protruding belly. "You hear that little girl, we're going to get out of here and then we're going to find out where we belong. We're lucky April found us," she rubbed her stomach gently. "Very lucky," she said as her fingers glided over the discarded stethoscope before another flash hit her.

Sam sat quietly waiting as she played with the stethoscope around her neck before jumping at the feel of arms wrapping around her from behind. "Oh, my goodness," she said with a smile as she turned back to see who it was.

"Good morning," Lucky said as he kissed her cheek softly, rocking her in his arms as he nuzzled against her.

"Are you ready to play doctor?" she asked happily as she stood up and turned around to face him.

"Don't tempt me the way I've been missing you," he replied as he grasped her hands within his own, entwining their fingers.

" I keep telling myself the deeper undercover I go, the sooner we find out who is smuggling the phony drugs, and the sooner we can have a very public reconciliation and stop…" she was cut off by his lips on hers.

Sam's eyes widened as soon as the memory stopped. "Oh baby girl, who the hell am I and which one of these men is your father?"


Elizabeth fiddled with the piece of paper in her pocket nervously, her eyes darting around the hospital to make sure no one was watching her. It was the sixth time she'd checked to see if it was still there. Though she knew even before her fingers reached the paper's edge that it would be; it felt like it has been burning a hole in her scrubs since she'd first stuck it in her pocket.

"Elizabeth," Robin said as she placed a hand on the nurse's shoulder, causing her to jump slightly. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay," she turned around to face her friend. "I guess I'm just a little jumpy today."

The doctor peered at the woman in front of her in concern. "Are you okay Elizabeth? Has something happened?"

"Not yet," she mumbled.

"What?" Robin asked.

"If you could make someone's life better by ruining your own, do you think you would?" she asked as she almost looked through the other woman. "You know what," she held up a hand as Robin started to open her mouth, "never mind."

"Are you okay?" Robin asked again, a disquiet look taking over her features.

"I …" Elizabeth shook her head. "I um- I have to go and take care of something."

"Is it one of your boys?" Robin questioned.

"It will certainly affect them… and me… maybe," she answered evasively. "Just um-please tell Epiphany something came up. I-I'll see you later."

"O-kay," Robin said with a puzzled look as she watched the nurse rush into the elevator.

Elizabeth jabbed the button for the garage vigorously before tapping her foot out of nervous energy as she waited for the elevator to descend, before turning to look at the man in all black who was standing behind her. "Sorry," she said as she stopped taping her foot. "I'm a little late." Elizabeth turned back to look at the elevator's number display.

"I think you're right on time Nurse Webber," he said creepily before he grabbed the mousy woman from behind, placing a chloroform treated rag over her mouth until she stopped struggling.


Jerry stood in the shadows of the darkened house, phone to his ear as he whispered into his cell phone. "You have your instructions."

"I don't know about this," Amelia's voice was shaky.

Jerry stepped back even further as he saw the lights from an approaching car bounce on the walls. "I have to go now; get it done Amelia darling or you will be sorry," he said before he hung up just as the door was opening.

"Thanks for meeting with me," Jax said as they came into the living room, turning the lights on.

"You didn't have to wait outside," Carly replied as she tossed her jacket and purse into the chair.

"Where's Morgan tonight?" he asked.

"Spending the night at a friend's house," she answered before letting out an anxious breath at the tension in the room. "I don't-I don't want to fight with you."

"I don't want to fight with you either Carly but I need to know that you're going to stop putting us behind Sonny," he replied with a shake of his head. "I mean, what is it going to take to finally get you away from him?"

"I'm not putting us behind Sonny," she shook her head, tears filling her eyes.

"Really?" he paused dramatically. "Because it feels like you are. You could've walked away after you had him sign away his rights but you didn't, you gave him an alibi and every time I turn around I find you two together."

"That alibi was months ago," she shouted. "There's nothing going on between me and Sonny but he is the father of my children and right now we're both worried about Jason," she explained.

"Another person that you continue to put ahead of our family," Jax countered.

"Jason and Sonny are a permanent part of my life, they are my family." Carly retorted. "You knew that when this started and now you want to just change everything in the middle." She blew out a heated breath. "Jason just lost Sam because of Jerry and I can't abandon him now."

"So now because Jerry is my brother it's my fault?" he asked indignantly.

"I didn't say that but why wouldn't you help Jason," she asked, her eyes saddened, "knowing how much I care about him? And now he's running around like crazy, going up to Maine and he's going to get himself hurt if he keeps letting this consume him."

"And yet another moment where you should be focused on us, it's all about Jason," he replied in irritation. "You know what; I don't know why I even bother."

"Jax," she cried as he began to turn away from her.

"Leaving so soon brother," Jerry said as he stepped out of the shadows.

"Jerry?" he turned around to face his brother in shock.

"Get the hell out of my house!" Carly screamed.

"I've already gotten what I came for anyways," he smirked. "Ah, ah, ah," he said as Carly reached for her phone, pulling out his gun and pointing it at her.

"When Jason finds you he's going to make you pay you miserable son of a bitch," she spat as she stepped away from the phone.

"Why did you come back here?" Jax asked.

"Is that anyway to greet your older brother," he let out a laugh as he moved around them, gun still aimed at his sister-in-law. "I had to tie up a few loose ends but I promise next time I visit it'll be longer."

"Just get out of here," Jax motioned with his head.

"What?" Carly said. "You can't just let him leave."

"We don't have much of a choice Carly," he replied. "Besides, you've certainly turned away enough times for your family; it's only fair I do the same." His eyes shifted t his brother. "I'll give you two minutes before I call the police."

"As always, it was lovely to see you both; tell Jasey-poo I'll see him soon," Jerry smiled cockily before strolling out of the house.

The minute he was out of sight, Carly immediately reached for the phone as her eyes looked at her estranged husband in disappointment.

"Carly," he tried to explain.

"You've just taken care of your family and now I'm taking care of mine," she said before dialing the familiar number.


"So here we are," April said as she led Sam up the driveway to her house, "Home sweet home."

"It's great," Sam said somewhat distractedly as she looked around her surroundings.

"Gee thanks," April said as she put the key in the door, unlocking it before swinging the heavy wood door open.

"I'm sorry," Sam said with a shake of her head. "It really is beautiful but…"

"Come in," the Asian woman motioned with her head, watching as her friend slowly moved forward. "But?"

"But I've just had this weird feeling since we left the hospital," Sam replied. "I guess it's just weird for me to actually be out in the real world." She said as she closed the door and locked it behind her, feeling overcautious at the moment.

"It's it everything you hopped for?" she said as a dog ran up to her, making a low growling noise when he noticed the stranger in his house. "Bantay," April chastised before giving him a pet on the head. "That's Sam; she's not a stranger." She rubbed behind his ears, calming him before watching as he moved towards the pregnant brunette.

Sam looked at him a bit wearily as he sniffed her before nudging his head towards her. "Hey Ban-tay," she said with a squint as she pet him on the head. "I'm Sam and I'm going to bunking with you for a while."

"So that means no growling at Sam Bans," April said before leading her into the living room.

"That's an interesting name?" Sam said as she stepped into the living room.

"It's a pretty typical Filipino dog name huh Bantay?" April said as she leaned down to pet his head. "Have you been good today boy?" She smiled as he barked before looking back up at Sam. "It means to guard." She paused briefly. "I actually thought about naming him Askim."

"What does that mean?" Sam asked with a raise of her brow.

"Nothing," she shook her head with a laugh. "It was going to be a joke because of the accent. You know, when people ask what his name is I'd say Askim," she stressed her accent on the last word.

Sam let out a chortle. "That's good; pretty funny." She paused briefly. "You know what I realized; this friendship has been kind of lopsided. I didn't even know your nationality till right now."

"You thought I was white?" she joked.

Sam laughed again. "No, I just meant we've been focused on what we don't know about me."

"Yeah well you've had more important things on your mind like some crazy lady trying to steal your baby," April replied more seriously. "And even after you find out who you are, we'll still be friends so you have plenty of time to learn all about my heritage." She winked.

"I hope so," Sam said before Bantay began to growl lowly. "Hey Bantay, I thought we'd become friends already."

The dog ran around the couch towards the hallway going towards the back of his house as he started barking.

"It's not you," April said as she watched her do before looking back at Sam. "Maybe the feeling you had was right; stay here."

"April wait," Sam grabbed her arm.

"I'm just going to look out the window to the backyard," she explained. "Don't worry."

"Be careful," Sam said as April went towards the sound of her dog's barking. "It's going to be okay," she said as she felt a kick, rubbing her stomach soothingly before she suddenly felt an eerie chill fall over the house as Bantay made a strange noise and was then suddenly quiet. "April?" Sam called out to her friend. "April," she rushed towards the hallway but stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of the red-headed woman standing there. "Amelia?"

"I guess we're going to do this the hard way," she said with a nervous smile as she pulled out a gun, aiming it towards the other woman's protruding belly. "We're going to take a little trip."


Jason raced down the highway towards his destination. He couldn't believe he actually had a lead that seemed like it was panning out. Spinelli had just contacted him, letting him know the search was now narrowed down to two hospitals and he was certain by the time he arrived they would know exactly which hospital Sam had been taken to. He only hoped she was still there or someone on the staff knew where she'd gone. Hearing his cell phone ring from the center console, he reached to answer it. "Morgan."

"Jason?" the familiar female voice of his best friend wafted through the line.

"Carly," he let out a sigh, "I don't have time for this, I told you…"

"Jason wait," she interrupted. "I know you're busy but Jerry-Jerry was just here…"

"What?" he asked as he swerved his SUV. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine-I'm fine," she said. "But he said he'd see you soon. Jason," she paused briefly, "he was in the house when Jax and I were talking and he knows… he knows you're going to Maine."

"Carly," he let out a breath.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I didn't know he was here," she explained. "You have to be careful."

"I will," he said as his phone beeped. "Look I've got another call. "I'll send guards to the house."

"I don't think he's coming back," she replied.

"I'm sending guard to the house," he said more firmly. "I gotta go."

"Just, please be careful," Carly stressed once again.

Always," Jason replied before clicking over. "Morgan," he answered.

"Jasey-poo," Jerry said happily. "I heard you were looking for me."

"Where the hell is Sam?" he demanded.

"Sam?" he repeated. "Why the last time I saw her we were on a lovely boat, pity it exploded."

"You son of a bitch," he yelled. "Where is she?"

"Aww Jasey-poo, you shouldn't get yourself so upset," Jerry said with a laugh. "I do have something… someone of great interest to you but she's here in Port Charles. Yes Nurse Elizabeth is certainly lovely and her little boys are so cute, especially the youngest one."

"If you hurt them I will kill you!" Jason said into the phone.

"Well I thought you were already going to kill me," he shook his head. "Elizabeth and her boys will be waiting for you, that is if you can get here in time."

Jason clenched his teeth in frustration.

"And Jason," he said in a sing-song voice, "come alone or you can say goodbye to every one you care about."

Jason slammed his fist against the steering wheel as Jerry hung up the phone. "Damn it!"