Chapter 37
Sam sat quietly in the passenger seat of Jason's SUV, her hands clenched so tightly in her lap that her knuckles were white. She was seconds away from throwing open the door and jumping out of the car to go find that ass of a boyfriend of Kristina's. She didn't know how she'd let Mac and then Jason convince her to go home and let the police take care of Kiefer Bauer. She needed to put a boot in his ass and then they could slap the cuffs on him.
God, she could still hear Kristina's voice, shaky and uncertain, as she gave her statement to Mac. She'd held on to Sam's hand so tightly that Sam had lost almost all circulation to her fingers. But she hadn't cared. It had taken so much courage to tell Mac what had happened that day. Turning Kiefer in, even though it wouldn't be the most popular decision, was courageous. Sam wished she would have the guts at that age to do the same. But she hadn't.
As soon as Kristina had finished, Mac had closed his notebook and promised that the PCPD would have Kiefer in custody before the next day. He was also putting a guard on Kristina's door so he would not have access to her. Sam had continued to sit on Kristina's bed, holding her hand until she fell asleep. She hadn't even heard Alexis enter the room. When she'd turned around to see her sitting in a chair across the room she had walked straight towards her and pulled her up into a hug.
She could still hear the words she had whispered to her.
*Flashback*
"This is not your fault," Sam stated as she pulled back and stared up into Alexis' face. "This was nobody's fault. Kiefer Bauer is the only person to blame."
"But-" Alexis said tears falling down her face.
"No," Sam insisted. "Do not go blaming yourself." She turned to look back at a sleeping Kristina. "She doesn't need us blaming ourselves for this. She needs our support now more than ever. She needs us to be strong and to show her that we don't look at her any differently."
"You know…you've been through this before," Alexis said staring down at her eldest daughter with questioning eyes.
"I have," Sam admitted honestly. "But I didn't have the support system she has."
"Sam…I'm so sorry," Alexis said pulling her back into the hug.
"It's not your fault," Sam said shaking her head. She waited until Alexis released her before smiling sadly. "Just be there for Kristina."
*End of Flashback*
Sam could still hear Alexis' promise that she would be there for her little sister. That she would just wait and see what Kristina needed from her. She would push or pass judgment. Sam had to admit to herself that she didn't think it would last. Alexis had strong opinions and could only hope that she let some days pass before she started expressing them to Kristina.
"Sam…" Jason said softly from the driver's seat. "Are you okay?" He could see the deep breath she took and the way she seemed to debate her answer. He hated that she didn't feel like she could just tell him how she was feeling. Before, it would have been easy. He wouldn't have been able to get her to be quiet. But now, she had walls that she put up and took down at her own discretion. He missed her easy way of communicating.
"Yeah," she finally said before looking out the window, a frown on her face. She'd been so wrapped up in her own thoughts she hadn't been paying attention to where Jason was going. "Where…I thought I told you I wanted to go home."
"You did," Jason said nodding his head. He turned into the parking garage of Harborview Towers before he added, "But you shouldn't be alone tonight."
"I'm not going to go looking for Kiefer Bauer," Sam said closing her eyes as she silently admitted to herself that the thought had more than crossed her mind. She'd even pictured the gloves she would be wearing when she found him. She didn't want to leave any DNA at the crime scene.
"I know you won't," Jason said calmly turning the car off. He turned to look at her and sighed. "But I know you want to. Hell, I want to. But the PCPD can handle this."
"Really," Sam said turning to glare at him. "You so calmly turn over Kristina's attack to the PCPD but if it was Michael you'd be out there seeking vengeance."
"Sam," Jason said hurt. "That's not-"
"Fair," Sam finished for him. "What about this is fair Jason? My little sister is in the hospital because some asshole thought it would be okay to beat her. She is terrified and in pain and all he'll probably get is a slap on the wrist, considering who his parents are." Sam pushed open the car door and jumped out walking around the SUV to see that Jason had done the same. He reached to take her hand but she pulled it away. "What about Sonny? Is he okay with the PCPD handling this?"
"You know he's not," Jason said quietly. He reached over again for her hand but finally quit trying when she tucked them into her pants.
"But Kristina doesn't rate as high on your list of priorities right?" Sam asked sarcastically.
"That's not true," Jason insisted. "But she's already turned him into the police Sam. If anything, anything happens to Kiefer Bauer before the police get to him. I will be hauled into the PCPD and you know it."
Sam glared at him before she turned and made her way towards the parking garage exit. She didn't know where she was going to go. She was across town from her own apartment and most businesses were closed this late. But she just had to get away. She was so angry and she had no one to take it out on except Jason. And he didn't even deserve her anger.
He'd been great since they'd even heard what had happened to Kristina. He had stood by her, helped her with Molly and had even refrained from commenting when he'd most likely overheard her entire conversation with Kristina. She'd known there was so much he wanted to say. She could feel the questioning looks he had given her ever since but he had stayed quiet. He was trying to let her get a handle on her emotions with Kristina's attack and how did she repay him, by attacking him.
"Sam," Jason said following her. He finally reached her and just picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder.
"Put me down Jason," Sam ordered slamming her fist into his back.
"No," Jason stated firmly. He carried her straight towards the elevator and still didn't put her down when the doors closed and he repeatedly hit the button for his penthouse floor. He ignored her fists and her words as she started to even threaten him with bodily harm if he didn't put her down. She was too angry right now. He needed to get her inside before she did something she would regret. He walked off the elevator and was about to put his key in the door when it flew open and Spinelli stood there with Maxie, arms wide open as he expected a welcome home hug.
"Stonecold! Fair Samantha!" he exclaimed before he paused, cocked his head to the side and took in Sam's predicament. "Oh…did the Jackal and the missus interrupt Stonecold and Fair Samantha's alone time?"
"Put me down Jason," Sam said, her teeth clenched tightly together as she tried to hold in her growing anger. She waited until Jason had set her on her feet before trying to go around him, reaching for the door handle. When he covered it with his hand and shook his head at her she sent him one last glare before she turned and ran up the stairs.
Jason sighed, staring up after her, before turning and tossing his keys on the desk. "I'm glad you're back Spinelli. I need you to get to work."
"Uh…if you think you aren't going to tell us what is wrong with Sam you are so sorely mistaken," Maxie said crossing her arms over her chest. "Why was my best friend practically in tears before she ran upstairs? And why, if she wanted to go, did you not let her?"
"Did Stonecold and Fair Samantha have a fight?" Spinelli asked his own distress obvious.
"No," Jason said as he stripped off his leather jacket. "Maybe…I don't know."
"Real clear," Maxie said sarcastically.
"Kristina was attacked," Jason said before she could say anything else. He could see the horror on both their faces before Spinelli's eyes widened in understanding.
"It was the Goddess-In-Training's boyfriend wasn't it?" he asked sadly. "Fair Samantha was positive that The Fallacious One was not who he portrayed."
"She was right," Jason said looking towards the stairs. "We just left the hospital."
"Of course Sam is upset," Maxie said glaring at him. "And there you go, being all heavy handed with her. She's scared and hurt that her sister was just beaten by her boyfriend. Have you never heard of compassion? Do you even care about the pain she must be feeling right now?"
"Uh…Maximista," Spinelli warned as he saw the glare Jason started sending Maxie's way.
"Of course I care," Jason said wishing, for the moment, that he was with that punk Kiefer. He couldn't take his anger out on any of the men that had hurt Sam. But Kiefer was still out there. Mac hadn't called with his arrest yet. "You didn't have to stand there and listen to Sam as she told Kristina that she understood what she was feeling. You didn't have to hear the pain in Sam's voice."
"Sam was-" Maxie said softly closing her eyes as she was unable to finish. She'd always known Sam had lived a very hard life. Sam was very open about her unconventional childhood but she'd never mentioned being abused by anybody.
"Fair Samantha," Spinelli said his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find the words to express his pain at the thought of her skin being marred by any man's fists. "But she's so strong….tough."
"Now," Jason said walking towards the stairs. "I need you to get to work Spinelli. Find out where Johnny Zaccharra is living now." He didn't wait to see if his order would be followed. He wanted to find Sam and make sure she was okay. The look on her face when he had made sure she couldn't leave scared him. She hadn't been that angry in a long time, at least towards him.
He opened his bedroom door gradually before finally pushing it open when he heard the shower running in the bathroom. He could see the trail of clothes Sam had left as she had made her way towards the bathroom. He picked them up, tossing them into his hamper before he walked quietly into the bathroom and was confused when he couldn't see her silhouette through the shower door. He moved closer before he finally saw her, crumpled on the shower floor.
"Sam," he said softly as he pushed open the door and walked in, still in his clothes, and pulled her up into his embrace. He couldn't hear the sobs but feel only the shudders that took over her entire body. "I'm so sorry Sam," he murmured over and over unsure if she could even hear him through her own grief.
Kristina's eyes flew open and she gasped in pain as she tried to sit up. She'd been locked in a nightmare and had been positive that she was still with Kiefer and he was still attacking her. She felt the hand take hers before she turned and saw the anger on her father's face. She knew it wasn't directed at her but it still hurt to see the anger staring straight at her.
"Dad," she said tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Kristina," Sonny whispered holding her hand tightly in his. He hadn't seen anyone in this position since his own mother. He'd never thought he'd see it again in his life and especially not his daughter. Never his daughter. "Was this…the first time?"
Kristina closed her eyes and debated lying. If she told him that Kiefer had hit her before, she was sure he'd be angry with her. She knew that she shouldn't have let Kiefer hurt her even once, let again over and over. She finally opened her eyes and just shook her head. She was sick of lying.
"Kristina," Sonny said bowing his head to try and hide his growing anger from her.
"I'm sorry dad," Kristina said softly, tears now running down her face. She hated disappointing him.
"It's not your fault," Sonny said quickly looking up at her. He waited to continue until Kristina finally nodded her head. "I don't want you to blame yourself for a single moment. This boyfriend…ex-boyfriend of yours, he will be dealt with."
"No!" Kristina said loudly. She reached over and covered their clasped hands with her other hand. "Dad you can't go after Kiefer. You can't!"
"Kristina," Sonny said calmly, too calmly.
"No dad," Kristina insisted. "You can't go after him. You have to promise me that you won't send Jason after him."
"You still care for him," Sonny said closing his eyes. He should have known that she wouldn't be able to turn her feelings off even after being put in the hospital by him. It was typical battered woman's syndrome to still think you were in love with the guy. She was acting just like his mother.
"I…don't hate him," Kristina admitted looking away. "But I don't love him either. I just…I told the police everything."
"The police," Sonny said disgusted.
"Yes, the police," Alexis said from the foot of the bed. She'd walked in only seconds ago but she knew without having heard the entire conversation what they were talking about. "The PCPD will be dealing with Kiefer. And he will be prosecuted."
Sonny squeezed Kristina's hand before pulling away and taking a step back from the bed. He and Alexis would never agree on the PCPD and what they were capable of. She put all her faith in the justice system and Sonny had his own way of dealing out justice. They would never agree on what action to take and especially not in this instance.
"Mac has the entire force out looking for him Sonny," Alexis warned. "You'd better call of Jason."
"Jason isn't going after Kiefer," Sonny said still angry that his friend had told him no. He had been so sure that Jason would leave the hospital immediately and go out to seek the only vengeance Sonny believed in. And eye for an eye. But Jason had refused to leave Sam. "He's leaving it to the PCPD."
"Really," Alexis said honestly surprised. Jason had never seemed like a level-headed, clear thinking type of guy. She'd always seen him as the type to react first and think later. But maybe he had changed. "At least one of you has a brain."
"That…kid…put our daughter in the hospital!" Sonny said glaring at her. "He put his hands on her in anger. He broke her ribs!"
"I know that!" Alexis yelled right back. "And a part of me would love to see you get your hands on him," she admitted at a more respectable level.
"Mom! Dad!" Kristina yelled attempting to sit up again before she gasped in pain. She placed a hand on her stomach, over her broken ribs, and looked between the two of them. She hadn't seen them argue like this in a long time. She didn't miss it.
"I'm sorry Kristina," Alexis said softly after one last glare at Sonny. She turned towards their daughter and walked around until she was standing on the other side of the bed, across from Sonny. "We're just-"
"You're both angry," Kristina said for her. She looked at her father beseechingly. "But please…stop fighting."
"I…I'm going to go check on Carly," Sonny said quietly. He bent down and kissed Kristina's head. "I'll be back."
"Dad…" Kristina said tears falling down her face again. She could finally see the pain beneath the anger and wished that there had been some way that it had never come to this. She wished she had been tougher and fought back. That she had been someone her father could look at proudly.
"He just needs to regroup," Alexis said raising the covers on the hospital up higher. She had seen the same pain and it hurt her. She knew what Sonny had been through as a child. He'd told her about his stepfather one night, how that had colored his viewpoint on cops ever since.
"He's mad at me," Kristina said crying harder.
"No," Alexis tried to reassure her. "He's just…he's mad at the whole circumstance. Like we all are."
"But it's more than that," Kristina said remembering the look on his face as he'd turned and walked out of the room.
"Sonny's mom…his stepfather used to hit her," Alexis finally explained carefully. She didn't know if Sonny would want Kristina to know but Alexis couldn't let her believe that Sonny was mad at her. That wouldn't help in her recovery. "And him."
"What…" Kristina said looking towards the door like her father was going to materialize right before her eyes.
"I don't know the entire story," Alexis said reaching over to tuck Kristina's hair behind her ear. "But I know enough to know he's not angry at you." Alexis leaned down and chastely kissed her forehead. "Now you need to get some sleep."
"Will you make sure dad is okay?" she asked softly.
"After you're asleep," Alexis assured her. She waited until she closed her eyes and then she just stood there, running her hand soothingly through Kristina's hair until her breathing became deeper and she was sound asleep.
Carly sat in her hospital bed, arms crossed over her chest, as she stared at the clock on the wall. It had been hours since Sonny and Michael had left her. Hours since she'd asked to be alone, so she could process everything they'd told her. How her own husband had betrayed her.
She'd always known he cared about Morgan. But Michael he'd always treated differently. Even before his coma. Jax had seen how much Michael adored Sonny and it had always bothered him. He'd tried, at first, to win Michael's adoration but he'd never quite succeeded. Michael was forever his father's son. And it seemed like Jax had finally tried to find a way to sever that connection. By having the son turn on the father.
She'd called his cell as soon as her hospital door had closed. It had gone straight to voicemail and she hadn't bothered to leave a message. She knew he would show up eventually. This hospital housed his daughter.
Carly sat up straighter as her hospital door opened but it was only her nurse. She barely heard her as she prattled on about something or other. Her every thought was consumed by what Michael had had to go through today. He'd been given an impossible choice and by his own stepfather. But Carly had known, just like Sonny had known, that Michael would never turn on Sonny. He couldn't.
"Oh…Mr. Jax," the nurse said smiling as he walked through the door. "Mrs. Jax has been missing you I think."
"Has she?" Jax asked smiling at the nurse. He walked towards the her bed and bent down to kiss her but paused in surprise when Carly turned her head and his lips connected with her cheek. He waited until the nurse walked out of the room before sitting down beside her on the hospital bed. "How long did it take him?"
"How could you?" Carly asked glaring at him.
"I was protecting our family," Jax stated honestly.
Carly stared at him and couldn't believe that he honestly believed that. "You tried to make my son…my baby…lie to that bitch of a DA."
"I didn't ask him to lie," Jax denied.
"No but you tried to scare him into making that decision on his own," Carly said disgust written all over face. "A seventeen year old boy. You tried to manipulate my son into doing what you've never been able to do. Put Sonny behind bars."
"You have to see how much safer his world would be if Sonny was in prison," Jax said frustrated. He pushed himself off the bed and paced away. "How much safer this whole town would be? And Sonny did order Jason to kill Claudia."
"But Sam didn't pull that trigger on Sonny's order," Carly pointed out loudly. "She did it to protect my son! And herself! If Michael had lied what do you think would have happened to Sam? Huh? What would Alexis think about you putting her daughter behind bars with a lie?"
"She might not have gone to prison," Jax said stubbornly.
"Oh get real," Carly scoffed.
"I still think Michael should have turned Sonny in," Jax said turning to face her. "I know that's not something you'll ever be willing to do. But I had hope for Michael. After everything he's been through…because of Sonny…he should want his father out of his life." He stared at her for a moment before he added, "I was only trying to protect him. You have to see that."
"I don't even know who I'm looking at right now," Carly said shaking her head at him in disgust. "You obviously have no respect for me or the decisions I make for my boys."
"You know that's not true," Jax said exasperated with her. "But I can see how right now that you have to believe that. But once you cool down, you will see the truth. That I did what I did out of love. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Don't bother," Carly said before he could walk out the door. When he turned to look at her she arched one eyebrow. "Go home and pack your things. I want you out of the house before I am released."
"I'm not leaving our home Carly," Jax said rolling his eyes. Sometimes her dramatics were too much.
"Then I will," Carly said honestly. "But one of us is leaving that house."
"What about our daughter Carly?" Jax asked imploringly. "We owe it to her to work through this."
"I'm not cutting you out of her life," Carly said shaking her head. "Unlike you I would never try to take a parent who cares about their kids away from them. We can work out an arrangement that suits us both."
"You will change your mind," Jax said backing up quickly as the door opened. He chuckled with very little humor and turned to Carly as Sonny walked into the room. "Why am I even surprised?"
"You may want to get out of my face right now Jax," Sonny warned clenching his hands into fists. He stared at him with so much hate and anger that it didn't take Jax long to shaking his head one last time and hurry out of the room. Sonny turned to find Carly with her face in her hands. "Are you okay?"
"No," Carly admitted finally looking up at him with tears in her eyes. She saw the look on his face and sat up quickly. "What happened? Is it Michael? Is he okay?"
"Michael's fine," Sonny said softly walking farther into the room. He stared at the woman who had given him two sons and had continued to be there for him even after everything had blown up in their faces. She continued to put her trust in him, her faith in him. He needed her now, more than ever. He was seconds away from falling completely apart and he couldn't allow that to happen. His baby girl was in the hospital because an animal had dared to lay his hands on her. He needed to be there for her.
He felt Carly's hand touch his tentatively before latching on more securely. He squeezed hers tightly before finally letting the first tear fall. "It's Kristina."