Chapter 21: Unlikely Trio

Carly didn't like it, not one bit. They'd lost direct communication with Luke three weeks ago, only two weeks after he'd left following Ric's money trail in the Caribbean. Luke met with Carly and Spin the same day Jason and Sam left town with Alexis. Spinelli was able to uncover a gambit of circumstantial evidence, but Carly wanted direct evidence. Ric got away with the heinous crimes committed against her in the past and she wasn't about to see him walk again. He needed to go down for good this time and the unlikely trio determined their best bet was to follow the money.

Spinelli continued his search online. While Luke prepared for the field work. There was the initial corporation in New Mexico that needed checking out and then he would fly on down to where the offshore private banking accounts were established to do some digging. He'd also check out the holding companies to see if there might be any dirty laundry going on at that end. Spinelli learned the first foreign target of investigation was a real estate development company in Costa Rica and the second was a bio-diesel shipping container company located on the coast of Venezuela.

Carly thought it probable Ric used those corporations as fronts to hide payoffs and bribes from suspected dealings with her ex-husband, Lorenzo Alcazar, as well as countless other crooks. Luke agreed. It was only a hunch, but seemed too unlikely Ric would go to all the trouble to create those companies to hide money only to use it for the two transactions they'd found so far.

Carly was convinced where there was smoke, she'd find fire.

Luke always traveled light; always ready to split on a moment's notice, but he couldn't just go sniffing around as Luke Spencer. They couldn't risk his name getting back to Ric. He'd need good papers and that cost good money and took a little time to acquire so Luke had used his niece's money and one of his contacts to score two complete sets of cover ID. He still had a backup alias from previous escapades he could use, but that was for emergencies. The forgeries cost them another week before he was ready for travel, but it was worth it.

Spin used that time to gather and create helpful gadgetry to assist Luke in the field. Carly thought she'd walked into a scene right out of her favorite TV show that day. An assortment of ordinary everyday items were sprawled out on the table as a socially inept Spinelli excitedly demonstrated each item's ingenious capabilities to Carly and Luke. Come to think of it, Spin did sort of remind her of a much younger Marshall Flinkman so she figured that would make her bad ass Sydney Bristow.

It was a damn good thing Spinelli provided Luke with all those gadgets, because it was the only means they had of communication at this point. For some unknown reason, Luke stopped using the satellite phone he'd been given. At least Spinelli was able to track his GPS coordinates via Luke's gadgetry and then hack into security cameras in the area to ensure he was still alive.

Had it not been for this fact, Carly would have already gone to Sonny. As much as she hated the idea of letting him in on her plan, she was no idiot. Sure Sonny would want to take over as soon as he found out, but Carly knew sending Luke to South America to poke around businesses directly, or indirectly, linked to the likes of Lorenzo Alcazar was a very dangerous task indeed. People received permanent vacations for far less, but Luke had been around the block many times and she knew he could handle himself. So as long as he showed his face at some point every other day or so, she'd give him two -three more weeks tops. After that, she would fly down to Luke herself.

Carly had to give the kid credit. He was working 24/7 tracking Luke's movements as well as keeping up with a new task Jason had given him. She didn't know how he kept those hours, but she was beginning to wonder if there was a direct correlation to his abilities and orange soda and barbecue chips. The hotel room was littered with empty bottles and bags, but she didn't complain. She simply ordered additional housekeeping services for his suite.

So far Spinelli had no luck tracing the phone number Ric called before making those suspicious wire transfers. Spin said it would take a live trace which was what prompted them to bug Ric's phone after the information originally surfaced. Spinelli would only be able to trace the caller while they were on the line with Ric.

The virus would turn Ric's phone into a homemade listening device. Spin could not only listen to every incoming and outgoing phone call, he could view all e-mail and text messages and track his movements via GPS. Scariest of all, his phone would become a listening device whether Ric made a call, or not. His phone would act as a microphone as he chatted away in private meetings and conversations even while it sat unused on his desk or nearby.

Obtaining Ric's smart phone long enough to copy the data and upload that special virus was no easy feat, but with teamwork they'd managed to get it done. Carly really felt like an undercover agent that night. She distracted Ric with an argument at the bar while Lulu palmed his phone and delivered it to Spin at a secluded table nearby. Carly managed to keep Ric tied up just long enough for Spin to work his magic and Lulu to replace it on the bar without being missed. The distraction was simple enough, but the adrenaline rush at the possibility of getting caught was intense.

She missed the thrill of living dangerously sometimes. One thing she could never deny about her life with Sonny was how it always made her feel more alive than anything or anyone else. Damn. Just stop, Carly. She could not afford to think like that now. Must remain focused. No time for Sonny, or Jax. Ric must be exposed before Elizabeth gives birth and the sooner that happened the better.

Things were only worse now between Elizabeth and Jason thanks to Ric. Lucky still pursued Elizabeth and they were actually on the road to repairing their friendship. They spent a fair amount of time together too now, according to Lulu. Well, considering they were barely in the same room together only a couple months ago. Lulu also reported Elizabeth was turning to Lucky again for advice, but she only accepted it up to a point. Lucky still had a ways to go before he gained enough influence with Elizabeth again to pull her away from Ric for good.

It wasn't yet enough to offset the power Ric seemed to wield over Elizabeth's decision making process. Carly needed to find some way to resolve that madness, before things reached the point of no return. Jason could only be expected to endure so much taunting. One more declaration from Ric about how he planned to be there for Elizabeth and both of her children in every way as long as they needed him and Jason was going to find a nice spot in the woods for Ric to take a good long dirt nap.

xxxxx

Jason was exhausted and he missed his wife. He made his way into the penthouse not bothering to turn on the lights. The faint glow of the accent lights on the wall behind the pool table was enough. He tossed his keys on the desk and placed his gun in its lock box before returning it to the shelf and hanging up his leather jacket. It was about as much energy as he had left. He crashed on the sofa thankful sleep would claim him soon.

Working himself to exhaustion these past weeks was no accident. It was the only way he could sleep without Sam. He wasn't even able to sleep in their bed without her. The place was too quiet without Sam and Spinelli around. He couldn't believe Carly still needed Spinelli's help, but she insisted she did. He left it alone after Spinelli ensured him that he could handle the workload and understood Jason's assignments took first priority.

He tried to remember back to the time when he preferred a life of solitude. It wasn't all that long ago and yet it was a lifetime ago. Sam changed his life forever. The quiet space left his ears aching for Sam's laughter, laughter or ramblings that inevitably brought a smile to his face and heart. He wished it wasn't 4am so he could call her and fall asleep to her voice.

Four weeks. He wasn't sure he'd last four more weeks until Sam arrived home again. They left six weeks ago with Alexis, Kristina, Molly, and Viola. The guest condo was a bit crowded, but they managed to find a way to make it work for the two weeks Jason was there. He hated leaving Sam, but urgent business awaited back home. He finally had that talk with Elizabeth and worked on resolving the Alcazar situation. Jason sighed. For all his efforts, neither matter had a resolution anywhere in sight.

His relationship with Elizabeth was now in what seemed a perpetual state of contention. She was hurt that he lied to her about the wedding and dismissed her by leaving town without so much as an explanation. Elizabeth resented him telling her Ric was a threat, but Jason didn't want him near his child or her. Elizabeth also begged Jason not to be straight with Lucky. Jason felt Lucky was owed the truth the same as Sam. He didn't like it at all, but he kept quiet for now. He didn't want to put more strain on his relationship with Elizabeth and he damn sure didn't want to give her any more excuses to turn to Ric.

Alcazar claimed to abide by the terms of the current truce, but he was up to something. There was a new player in town whose identity remained elusive, but Jason was convinced it was related to whatever Alcazar had planned. Jason exhaled deeply attempting to push that stress away.

He was home alone for two weeks before Sam returned for her 10 week check-up and ultrasound. Dr. Lee reported everything still went as well as could be expected. There was still no sign of the more dangerous placenta accreta, but placenta previa remained likely and both risks as well as others were still a concern. However, since Sam and their babies appeared healthy for now Dr. Lee agreed to reschedule her 14 week check up and ultrasound to 16 weeks. It would allow Sam more time with her mother since it might be necessary for Sam not to travel after her next check-up.

Sam spent her tenth week of pregnancy at home before returning to her mother's side, but seven days was not enough to make up for the fourteen nights he suffered without her. They spent most of the week in bed making up for lost time. Sonny managed to coax them away from their love nest for one of those nights with Carly's help. He prepared a special meal for Jason, Sam, Carly, Michael and Morgan.

Sonny was clearly fighting to win Carly back now that she was dating Jax. Jason wasn't sure who Carly wanted. He wasn't convinced she knew either, but tried not to get in the middle of what he knew was one of the most complicated relationships ever formed. It was actually quite a change from the usual with Sonny and Carly that night. They got along without a single real quarrel. They'd teased each other incessantly, but that only reminded Jason of the old days when they were happiest.

It was a great night surrounded by his family; the family he chose for himself. Family that accepted him unconditionally and Jason knew after that night he wanted many more family dinners just like that in his future. In fact, Sonny suggested they do it again when Sam returned for her next appointment. Make it a tradition, he'd said, now that Carly and Sam actually got along and they'd all agreed it was a good idea.

He laid there on Sam's couch and sighed again still missing her. She'd returned to her mother and sisters a week ago. He spoke on the phone with her at least once every day. He also sent texts every morning and every night sending his love and wishing good morning and sweet dreams, but he was worried about her again... still.

He knew how important it was for her to be there for her mother. He just wished he could be by her side through it all. As uncomfortable as it was seeing Alexis so vulnerable, he'd have stayed anyway, but it there were more feelings to consider than his own. He could tell it was twice as hard for Alexis to have him there. Just so much bad history. They'd probably never move past it. They managed to avoid arguments for Sam's sake and even remain civil the entire time he was there, but he didn't want to push it.

Jason just felt like it was better to give Sam time alone with her mother. Alexis should be focused on her treatment not avoiding conversational landmines with her daughter's new husband. He'd be on the next jet if anything came up. She was just a short flight away.

Besides, he really couldn't put off the Elizabeth and Alcazar situations any longer. He sighed again. He hated feeling useless. Right now he couldn't be there for Sam like he wanted, Elizabeth refused to see reason and Sonny wouldn't give the word for Jason to just go ahead and eliminate Alcazar and whatever threat he posed. Sonny insisted on more information first so Jason and Spinelli worked around the clock to deliver.

Music filled the silent room and his heart sped up as "Just you and Me" played. It was Sam's ring tone. What was she doing calling him this time of morning? Something must be wrong.

"Sam? Are you okay? Is it the babies? Alexis? I'm on my way!" Jason was completely awake now. He stood from the couch awaiting her response.

Sam's brows furrowed hearing his response on the other end. She was sorry she called. He sounded exhausted and now she could hear the worry and anxiety in his voice with such an early and unexpected call.

"I'm fine, Jason. We're all just fine. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I knew I shouldn't call at this hour. It's just that I couldn't sleep. I miss you." Sam assured him and her voice immediately soothed him.

His entire body relaxed hearing she was okay.

"No. It's fine. I was just lying here trying to go to sleep thinking of you. I miss you too." Jason admitted.

"Well maybe we can talk each other to sleep. I've got an idea. Reach over and grab my pillow. I'm holding the one you used while you were here. It still smells a little like you." Sam spoke softly.

Jason hadn't told Sam about his inability to sleep in their bed without her. He didn't want to make her feel bad and it was kind of embarrassing to have such a silly weakness. He paused now trying to think of what to say.

"Jason?" Sam questioned the long silence on the other end.

"I'm, uh, just a second. I'm on my way." He hustled up the stairs.

Great. Why did he say that? Now she was going to ask...

"Where are you? Weren't you already in bed?" Sam was confused.

"I, uh... Well, no. I was on the couch." Jason hoped she would leave it at that, but knew better.

"Why were you sleeping on the sofa?" Sam didn't understand.

"It's nothing. I just..." It was no use. Jason wasn't going to lie to Sam ever again, even about something as trivial as this.

"I can't lie in our bed without you." Jason confessed and twisted his mouth to the side as he stood looking at their bed now.

It was Sam's turn for a long silent pause. Her heart swelled at the thought of Jason standing over their bed and finding himself unable to lie in it without her. Jason. Her Jason. God, she loved him, loved him completely. He really might be the most romantic man there ever was.

"Jason." Sam's love and sincerity traveled through the line and straight into his heart.

His face relaxed into a small smile. Her voice was his favorite sound on Earth and when she said his name? He melted and he longed to melt against her right now with his arms around her.

"I love you. Do you have any idea just how much I love you?" She asked him.

"I want to hold you." He said simply.

Sam heard the longing in his voice and she felt it again now as well. His embrace was her favorite place to be. "You can. Are you in our bedroom now?"

"Yes."

"Good. I want you to climb in bed with me." She ordered in a hushed tone.

"Sam, I'm not so good with..." His accident left him incapable of abstract reasoning such as using imagination.

"Don't worry. I'll talk you through it. Now, lie down next to me. I'm right here all alone in our bed, Jason. Lie down with me." Sam pleaded softly.

"I'm in our bed, under our covers." Jason waited for her instruction.

"Pull my pillow close, it's me. It's me lying next to you. I can feel the warmth of your body against my back, your arms around me. You feel so good next to me, Jason. Your arms feel so good. Hold me close. Pull me tighter to you." Sam closed her eyes imagining this now.

Jason pulled her pillow to him tightly. He closed his eyes remembering how good she fit in his arms. How perfectly her body nestled beside his when he pulled her to him. He inhaled the scent of her shampoo and faint trace of perfume on her pillow.

"Sam..." He moaned into the phone.

"I'm right here. Right here in your arms. There's no other place I want to be, just here next to you. Your arms around my waist..." Sam began.

"My face pressed against your soft hair falling over the crook of your neck, breathing you in. You smell so good. I love holding you so close. You fit so good in my arms, Sam. Like we were made to hold each other." Jason may not be able to imagine, but he could remember every little thing about every inch of her beautiful body, heart, and soul.

"Don't let go. Keep holding me tight, Jason. I want to fall asleep just like this, in your arms." Sam relaxed in the feeling of complete safety and total comfort that nothing except his love and embrace ever delivered.

"I'll never let you go again. You're part of me, the best part of me. I love you." Jason wanted to soothe her to sleep.

He knew she must be worn out. Sam needed sleep before her morning sickness kicked in around 9. "Can you feel my hand on your belly? It's over our babies now. They're sleeping so peacefully, so safe inside their mom. They feel your love, our love for them and for each other. I can't wait to meet them, can't wait to see you holding our babies and loving them. You'll be such an amazing mother. Our babies are so lucky to have you."

"Lucky to have you." Sam mumbled and Jason could tell she was close to sleep now.

"Sleep now. I want you to go to sleep and have sweet dreams about all the wonderful times we're going to share with our babies; all the love we're going to give them. Get some rest, baby. I love you. Good night." Jason spoke softly now too.

"Nite, Jason. Love you too. Love you so much. See you in the morning." Sam was almost inaudible now.

Jason smiled. He could tell she was seconds from sleep now. She said "see you in the morning" forgetting she wasn't actually by his side. It worked. She fell asleep in his arms. He smiled.

"See you in the morning." He didn't want to break the lovely dream.

He waited on the line a few moments longer. When she failed to respond after calling her name a couple times, he knew she was fast asleep. He smiled and hung up the phone and he allowed himself to believe the lovely dream too. He gripped her to him and breathed her in just as sleep claimed him as well.

Page 8 of 8 Created: 2010-02-13 Updated: 2012-05-10 Words: 3524