A/N: Soooooo, they finally kissed! What did you guys think?! I was so nervous to write that moment because I wanted it to be perfect. I was trying to create the perfect balance of romance, heat, spontaneity, and like this unconquerable need to kiss Sam, like he just couldn't fight it anymore. I don't know if I achieved that, but I was still happy with the result lol

I always loved that every now and then, Jason would lay a kiss on Sam that just left her a bit dazed. I love to play up that part of their relationship. I know a few of you are wondering when they'll give in to their feelings. Well, no spoilers, but it may be sooner than some of you think lol I have some stuff coming up for JaceSam to move this story to the next arc and they need to be as close as possible in order for that to happen. So keep your eyes peeled. :p

And sidenote, one of my very clever readers made a wish regarding a certain reptilian nurse and Jace's discharge, which inspired me to make a quick edit to the chapter that I hope everyone will appreciate. So thanks, Samfan2! :D

Anyways, in the aftermath of the kiss, Sam comes to a major realization. But she's also brought down to Earth by a few poorly chosen words. Can she look past other people's thoughts and judgments to find what's in her own heart? We'll start to see in this chapter.

As always, thanks for the incredible reviews and please, please keep them coming. Like I keep saying, the more response I get, the more inspired I am and the more eager to post.

Happy reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 21

Sam stood in the middle of her bedroom in a daze. She raised her fingers to her lips, touching them briefly. Jace had kissed her! And it hadn't been just an ordinary kiss. It had been earth shaking, dizzying, and perfect. She'd been swept up in the moment the second he had touched her, and when he'd said he wanted it all, her initial thought was to shout 'Then take it!' and throw herself into his arms.

Sam sank down onto the edge of the bed. But it had been more than desire, more than passion. Kissing Jace made her feel alive again, in a way she hadn't felt in a very long time. It was almost as if a piece of her that had been missing was found in Jace. She'd never been so affected by a kiss with anyone other than Jason. Oh God, Jason!

Sam paused, glancing over at his picture on her dresser, waiting for the wave of guilt to wash over her. But it never came. All she felt was that same giddiness she'd felt before. And that wasn't a word she used often. Giddy? Please, that was for teenage girls. But damn it, that's how she felt. She was...elated. She couldn't even explain it to herself. It sounded stupid but she literally felt as if her soul was singing. Why would kissing Jace affect her on such a deep level? And why didn't she feel guilty about kissing him? She'd been with Silas for nearly a year and the entire time, kissing him had felt like a betrayal. How could kissing Jace feel so right to her already?

Sam sighed and shoved her hands through her hair.

"Great, now I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. Pathetic." Shaking her head, she stood up to go take a hot shower. Whatever she felt, Jace would be moving in across the hall in less than 24 hours and things had just gotten a hell of a lot more complicated between them. She wasn't sure if she was ready for a relationship, but damned if she didn't want to kiss him again. Sam's mind flashed to the kiss again. She'd better make that a cold shower, she thought with a bit of a rueful grin.

...

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Sam? I mean, you hardly know the man." Alexis asked for the third time, watching her daughter worriedly over the bed they were spreading the sheets on.

Sam sighed and glanced at where Molly and Kristina were sliding pillows into pillowcases. Kristina winked at Sam and then aimed an exasperated look at their mother.

"Mom, you're being ridiculous. Sam has spent nearly every day for over a month getting to know Jace. He saved her life, not to mention he rid the world of that sick freak, Franco. Plus, he's crazy hot. He's practically a god, Mom."

Alexis rolled her eyes and straightened, studying the made bed critically for a moment.

"Oh, well God forbid I doubt a man who is 'crazy hot'." Alexis intoned sarcastically.

Molly shook her head and piped in as she arranged the pillows on the bed.

"Mom. He risked his recovery to save Sam. She and Carly would be dead right now if it wasn't for him. I'd say he deserves the benefit of the doubt."

"But-." She started before Sam cut her off.

"But nothing, Mom! I understand that you're concerned but there's no reason to be. I told you how Jace saved me. He was incredible. Danny and I are safe with him. Trust me."

Alexis sighed heavily, a bit disgruntled at the fact that her daughter's were ganging up on her. She was Sam's mother, damn it. She had the right to worry.

"And I'm just supposed to ignore the fact that he seems to be a highly trained killer? Well, at least we can say you definitely have a type, Sam. Are you sure you're not infatuated with this man because he reminds you of Jason?" She ask testily before gasping and covering her mouth.

"Mom!" Molly gasped, staring at her in disbelief.

"Real nice." Kristina spit, before turning to Sam in concern.

Sam stood there, her face pale, her hands covering her stomach. The words had slammed into her gut like a fist, leaving her breathless. She'd woken up this morning still practically floating. But now her mother had brought her solidly down to Earth by reminding her that Jason and Jace were eerily similar. Sam could feel herself sinking into the guilt. Was that all she was doing? Was she only attracted to Jace because he reminded her so much of Jason?

Alexis strode forward quickly, gripped Sam's shoulders and stared down at her, filled with regret.

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry. That was cruel. I didn't mean it, I swear. I'm just worried about you. I love you and I'm worried and it makes me crazy and stupid. Please forgive me."

Sam nodded and shrugged.

"Of course, Mom. Like you said, you're worried." She pulled away and walked over to the new dresser in the bedroom and wiped at imaginary dust. She turned around and smiled weakly.

"I'm gonna go see if Carly needs any help unpacking the groceries." She said quietly, making her way out of the bedroom quickly.

Alexis looked at the ceiling and sighed. She lowered her head and looked between Molly and Kristina's disapproving faces.

"Go ahead, tell me off. I deserve it for being an insensitive cow."

Kristina shook her head.

"You can't help yourself, can you, Mom? You always have to judge us, make us question ourselves. And then you wonder why I-why we don't feel like we can tell you things." She stormed out of the room before Alexis could say anything.

Molly watched her go before looking at her mother. Alexis was staring after Kristina thoughtfully. Molly let out a heavy sigh, releasing her frustration.

She walked over and put an arm around Alexis' shoulder.

"Mom, I know you didn't mean that. And so does Sam. Just, can you at least try to be more supportive, okay? This is a big deal for her. She really cares about Jace. She asked us over to help get the penthouse ready for him, not to ask what we thought about her decision. Respect that." Molly said kindly.

Alexis nodded and pressed a kiss against Molly's forehead.

"How did my beautiful little baby grow into such a smart young lady?"

"I got it from my Mama." Molly teased in a sing song voice. Alexis raised a brow in confusion but smiled.

...

Sam walked into the kitchen and saw Carly standing at the sink, staring out the window.

"Hey, you okay?"

Carly turned around and smiled weakly.

"Let me guess. Alexis give another one of her sanctimonious speeches?" She replied, ignoring the question.

Sam laughed softly and shrugged.

"She's just worried." She paused before continuing, "Carly, do you think I'm trying to shove Jace into a Jason-sized box?"

Carly rolled her eyes and walked over to Sam, putting an arm around her shoulders.

"Your mother is a real piece of work. Sam, you like Jace for Jace. Okay, maybe at first, you were drawn to him because he reminded you of Jason. But you've gotten to know him this past month, and so have I. And sure, he does remind me of Jason in a lot of ways. But in a lot of ways he's totally different. Don't doubt what you feel right now, Sam. Just let yourself feel."

Sam smiled and leaned her head against Carly's shoulder.

"Thanks. Okay, Carly, tell me. How is it going with Michael?"

Carly stepped back automatically, wrapping her hands around her middle, as if to protect her self.

"It's not. He's moved in with the Quartermaines, he's even legally changed his last name to theirs. He won't talk to me, Sam. He won't talk to Sonny. We've lost him." Her voice broke and Sam moved forward to hug her. After a moment, she stepped back.

"Just give him time, Carly. He'll come around. He loves you and Sonny too much not to."

Carly just nodded.

"What about the investigation?"

Carly shrugged.

"They can't do anything. Franco's dead, thank God, and we destroyed the evidence. You and Dante didn't hear the full recording, so you only heard what I said. They made some threats about charging me as an accessory, but Diane put that right out of their heads." Carly smiled weakly.

Sam nodded, not surprised.

"And Sonny?"

"Dante and Michael have been fighting to get murder charges brought up against him, but they don't have the evidence for it yet either. He's a person of interest and they've reopened the case, though." She shook her head, rubbing her hands over her face.

"I was kinda surprised they didn't arrest us for destroying evidence." Sam admitted.

Carly nodded.

"That was Dante. He didn't say anything about the DVD or anything because he didn't want to get you in trouble." She explained. "If it had been just me, I'm sure he wouldn't have hesitated." She added wryly.

"So the official statement is that Franco destroyed the evidence, right?"

Carly nodded.

"According to our statements, anyway. Dante doesn't buy it, but like I said, he wanted to keep you out of it."

Sam was definitely feeling gratitude towards Dante at the moment.

Her phone beeped and she glanced down. A smile immediately crossed her face.

Time to blow this Popsicle stand. Be a good neighbor, and bust me outta here, huh?

"One guess who that is." Carly said with a grin.

Sam ignored her smirk and nodded.

"Jace was discharged. I've got to go pick him up."

Carly studied Sam's flushed complexion and gasped. She leaned forward and pointed at Sam suspiciously.

"Something happened!"

Sam's blush deepened and she avoided Carly's eyes.

"Yeah, I told you. Jace was discharged. I better go." Sam turned to leave but Carly practically leapt across the kitchen to block her path.

"Oh no, no, no. Not so fast, Sam. Something happened between you and Jace. It's written all over your face." Carly grinned, watching as Sam shifted uncomfortably.

"Carly, please don't make something out of this. It was just a kiss." Sam said miserably, suddenly feeling sorry for anyone who got caught in Carly's sights.

Carly's eyes widened.

"Ha! I knew it!" She crowed, clapping her hands together.

Sam rolled her eyes and pushed past Carly.

"I have to go."

Carly pouted and stared at Sam. Sam sighed and couldn't quite hide her smile.

"I'll call you later with all the details."

Carly grinned in satisfaction.

"If you get my mom out of here before I get back." Sam added.

Carly nodded.

"No problem. Just tell me one thing. Was it good?" She asked with a naughty smile. Sam paused.

"It was amazing. And terrifying." Sam admitted. Carly frowned.

"Why did it scare you?"

"Because when Jason died, I felt like a part of me died too. But last night, when Jace kissed me? Carly, it was like I was suddenly alive again. This odd sense of peace settled over me, a sense of right, this feeling that something missing inside of me was found. Carly, it scares me how much I care about him. How right we feel together." She didn't mention her mother's remarks.

Carly was staring at her, shocked. She had suspected things were turning romantic after seeing them together at her house. But this was a side of Sam she'd only seen once before. And suddenly, Carly understood why Alexis had asked Sam what she had. Was Sam really falling in love with Jace? Or was she looking at Jace but seeing Jason?

But before Carly could think of a way to ask her, Sam was gone.

...

Jace sat in the wheelchair unhappily while he waited for Sam. He really didn't want to be back in the damn thing, but Nurse Epiphany had made it abundantly clear: No wheelchair, no discharge.

"You're being discharged! I'm so happy for you, Mr. Smith."

Jace closed his eyes in a bid for patience. He tried to summon a polite smile but the best he could manage was to bare his teeth.

"Thank you, Nurse Webber."

Elizabeth shifted in front of him, wearing a friendly smile.

"So listen, I know that you don't have anyone you can count on or anywhere you can go. So, I was thinking, I have a spare room in my house and maybe you could stay with me and my boys until you get back on your feet?" She beamed at him happily.

Jace just stared at her. They had barely spoken more than two or three times during his entire stay. Why the hell would she want him to live with her?

"That's kind of you but no thanks. I actually do have somewhere to live as well as people who care about me. Sam offered-."

Liz sneered and rolled her eyes.

"I should have known Sam would offer up her home, and probably her bedroom to a complete stranger. Never mind the fact that she has a young child." She said nastily, before looking down at Jace and realizing her mistake. His face had gone hard and cold.

"You know what, Nurse Webber? I don't know you and I don't want to know you. And what little I do know about you has guaranteed that I don't like you. You're rude, spiteful, and overbearing. And it's none of your damn business, but Sam is renting me the apartment next to hers. She would never invite a strange man to live in the same home as her child. Unlike you, because I'm pretty sure you just asked me to move in with you and your boys. So please take the hint. I am not and never will be interested in you. The only woman I'm interested in is Sam."

A snort sounded from behind him and Jace looked up to see Sam covering her mouth to hide a smirk. Mortified at his words, Liz followed his gaze and was infuriated to see Sam standing there.

"Hey you." Sam said softly, and before she could stop her herself, she had leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Jace's lips. Just when she would have pulled away, his hand sank into her hair and brought her closer, deepening the kiss. When they broke apart, Sam completely forgot about Elizabeth until she huffed.

"Way to stay classy, Sam." Elizabeth spit. Sam merely glanced at her.

"This from the woman who constantly draped herself over me when checking my stats." Jace shot back, unable to help himself. Elizabeth turned scarlet and Sam shook her head.

"Ignore her, Jace. Elizabeth has a pattern of trying and failing to steal men I'm involved with."

Elizabeth stiffened.

"What Jason and I had was real! We shared a child!"

Sam rolled her eyes.

"And yet I'm the one he married. He chose me every time and it killed you. Aren't you tired of being so desperate and pathetic all the time? Take what little dignity you have left, and go find someone else to stalk." Sam said in her sweetest voice, though her eyes were spitting fire.

Elizabeth took a step forward, her hand raised but Jace stood quickly, putting himself between her and Sam. Liz stumbled back a step, surprised.

"Don't." Jace said quietly.

Liz stared at him for a moment and shook her head in disgust.

"You know what? I don't care. You two deserve each other."

She spun around and flounced away. Jace shook his head and looked at Sam. She was pinching the bridge of her nose, her eyes closed.

"I am always my worst self around her and I'm sick of it. I shouldn't let her get to me so much, but I just can't stand her."

Jace smiled softly.

"She's kind of a bitch. I don't blame you."

That startled a laugh out of Sam and she shook her head.

"Come on, let's get you out of here."

She started to walk away, but he grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"That was some kiss." He said softly. She blushed furiously and waved it off.

"I heard what she said to you and I don't know what came over me. I just wanted to make her feel dumb. I'm sorry."

Jace shrugged.

"Do you see me complaining? Hell, I wouldn't mind a repeat performance."

Sam blushed again and looked away.

"Oh. Oh...well...um...I better, uh, I mean, we should, do you have anything, or no, of course you don't, but." She stopped and sighed, shaking her head.

"Let's go." She finished lamely, looking everywhere but at him. Stifling a laugh, Jace just nodded and followed. But if he'd wanted to kiss her before, he wanted so much more now.

...

Jace stood beside Sam as she unlocked the door to the penthouse for him. It was taking everything inside him not to kiss her again. Hell, it had taken everything inside him not to kiss her in the parking lot and the car. Especially when she was being so adorable. Sam had been studiously avoiding touching him, would blush furiously whenever their eyes met, and she was babbling nonstop. It was the cutest damn thing he'd ever seen. But he'd decided to let her get accustomed to how things were between them now.

Operation Obliterate Friend Zone was a fairly simple op. He wasn't going to hide how he felt about her anymore. He planned a full frontal assault.

Sam glanced up at Jace and felt a tingle of alarm race down her spine at the satisfied smile curving his lips. She wasn't sure she trusted that smile.

But she'd worry about it when she needed to. For now, it was time to show Jace his new home. Sam pushed open the door and waited for Jace to come inside. Once inside, she watched as Jace stared around, assessing.

"It's nice." He said quietly, overwhelmed by the clear evidence of just how wealthy Sam was. He shifted uncomfortably.

Sam rolled her eyes. She'd expected this.

"Yes, it is. And before you say it, it is big but perfect for a bachelor. And I bought fresh groceries that are in the fridge. I also got some basic toiletries, blankets, and etcetera. And don't bother arguing or getting all caveman offended. I am who I am. And who I am is someone who takes care of her friends. So deal." She set her chin, challenging him to argue with her.

Sam was right. He had definitely been about to fight her on accepting her generosity, and had been fully prepared for her to sweet talk him into accepting her kindness. But instead, she'd stood up to him, wasn't taking his crap, and took charge. And damned if take-charge Sam wasn't just as intoxicating.

"Well, are you going to-oh!" Sam let out a shocked cry that was quickly swallowed by Jace's mouth as it crashed over hers. Once again, she found herself backed against a hard surface, this time the door. But she didn't care. She met him passion for passion, her hands reaching up to the hair at the nape of his neck and pulling him closer.

But just as Sam was sinking into the kiss, Jace broke away from her, stumbling back a step. He hadn't meant to do that. He'd planned to let Sam get used to how things were changing between them. And he certainly hadn't been prepared for Sam to respond like that. Holding Sam in his arms was like holding a live wire; electrifying but dangerous. Not that he was complaining.

Sam stared at him, her chest heaving.

"Why do you keep doing that?" The question seemed to burst out of Sam. Jace raised his brow.

"Kissing you?" He raised a brow.

Sam glared at him.

"Kissing me senseless and then pulling away! What kind of game are you playing?" She sounded decidedly disgruntled.

"One I plan to win." He said simply.

Sam stomped her foot and then cursed under her breath. He'd actually made her so mad she'd stomped her foot? What was she, twelve?

She'd stomped her foot, Jace marveled. How did Sam manage to be both the sexiest woman he'd ever met and the cutest? He had to kiss her again. He strode forward, already bending towards her.

Sam read the intent in his eyes and scrambled back, putting her hand up and the couch between them.

"No! No more kisses!" She declared almost desperately.

Jace stopped and stared at her, feeling a bit deprived.

"Why not?"

"Because you don't seem to know what you want. You kiss me and then you pull away. It's becoming a pattern. You say this is a game you intend to win?"

Jace nodded. "It is." It was a simple statement of fact.

"Well, this is not a game to me, and I'm not a prize. This is confusing enough for me without adding a game that I don't know the rules to. I don't want to play your game."

Jace was suddenly regretting his words. He'd meant to tease her, to put her at ease. He'd obviously done the opposite.

"Sam, wait. I'm sorry. You're right, this isn't a game. Look, the reason I keep kissing you is because it's all I've wanted to do since the moment I opened my eyes and saw you. The reason I keep pulling away is because I don't want to scare you off."

He hadn't realized how true that was until the words had come out, unbidden. But now that they had, he knew what he wanted to tell Sam.

"I'm scared you're going to freak out and run from me, or from what we could be. And that's the last thing I want. But I can't lie and say that you're only a friend to me because you're not. Sam, you're the most important person in my life."

Sam stared at him, her eyes damp. Slowly, she walked around the couch and stood in front of him. She cupped his face between her hands and pushed up onto her toes. She brushed her lips against his softly and looked up at him.

"I don't know what it is I feel for you, Jace, but it's definitely more than friendship. And it's so powerful that it's overwhelming. But trust me when I say I'm not going anywhere. Because whatever happens between us, you're a part of me now."

Jace stared into Sam's gorgeous, melted chocolate eyes, her words leaving him speechless, choking on an emotion he didn't recognize and yet one that felt so right.

She seemed to understand and smiled. Sam let her hand fall between them and their fingers interlocked.

"Come on, let me show you around your new home." She grinned, pulling him along behind her.

Still overcome with emotion, Jace didn't say anything. He just followed the woman he was pretty sure now owned his heart.