Do not own General Hospital or any of the characters.
Okay, I was a little inspired by today's show to write this. I'm not sure if I am loving the new Franco though. RH is good but he is not James Franco! He is not creepy enough.
The Flame of Franco
Back to Reality...
It was the next day and time to get back to reality for both of them. After the proposal they had fallen into a deep sleep. It felt like ages since they have both gotten a perfect night's sleep. But the blissfulness quickly went away as they were both awaken by the sound of Jason's phone going off.
Opening his eyes, he reached out for his cell on the night stand. He quickly looked at the caller display. It was Carly. "Hello?" he answered into the phone. He was still laying down against the pillows. His blue eyes shifted towards Sam, who was lying on her side beside him. Her brown eyes were wide awake and looking back at him.
"Jason!" spoke Carly in a panic on the other line.
Sam stayed there to listen to their conversation or it was mostly Carly doing all the talking. Sam couldn't make out what she was going on about now, but she assumed it was something to do with Michael. Shifting her weight onto her elbows, she leaned over and kissed Jason on the cheek before getting out of bed. She was in a need of a shower.
Sam didn't bother to close the bathroom door behind her as she stripped off the night shirt she was wearing and took a step towards the shower. Turning on the faucet, she listened to the sound of the running water. As she waited for the water to warm, she turned towards the vanity. She stared at herself in the mirror. Lifting her hair off of her neck she turned slowly so that her back was now reflected back at her in the mirror. Looking over her shoulder, she studied the burn that ran down her back, it started slightly from the bottom of her neck and traveled to her hip. Most of it had been fixed with skin grafts. But in parts, the burn marks were still present. She knew it would never full heal to the way it had been before. She looked along were the new skin met the old. From a far, you couldn't really tell the difference but as you got closer you could tell. It reminded of her of the patches she had on her jeans as a kid. Two different fabrics sewn together to make something new.
Dropping her hair and turning away from the mirror, Sam stripped off her panties and into the shower.
Jason listen carefully as a upset Carly explained to him how Michael was doing. She had gone to visited him first thing in the morning at Pentonville. Michael had put on a strong face for his mom, but she could tell he was scared. He had no one to look out for him there. He was by himself. This scared Carly more then ever. He hated this as well. If he didn't have Sam to worry about, he would make a deal with Claire Welsh to get him sent to Pentonville to look after his nephew. But he didn't have that choice. He needed to look after Sam. He needed to be there for her. He wasn't going to let her down like he had Michael.
After promising Carly that he would go see Michael, he ended the phone call. He lay there for a moment listening to the shower before getting up himself. Putting the phone back onto the nightstand, he walked towards the bathroom. He normally gave Sam privacy now a days but she had left the door open. He took this as an invitation to join her. He stood in the door way of the bathroom, watching as she washed her self. Despite the scares on her body, she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Bringing his hands to his waist, he pushed down the elastic waistband of his sweat pants. Letting them fall to the floor, he stepped out of them and walked towards the shower.
Sam turned to look at him. Their eyes locked with one another as Jason came closer. He stopped suddenly unsure of what to do. But got his answer as Sam reached out and grasped his hand. She wanted him to join her.
"I think it's time Sam," spoke Dr. Winters to Sam as she appeared over her glasses from across her desk. For the past month Dr. Winters had tried to talk Sam in to visiting her apartment. She thought that if Sam finally stepped into the place where it had all happened, that she would be able to move on. Sam was better off now, then what she had been when she had first started seeing her. But there was still a lot of work to be done.
Sam just looked at the doctor. She didn't have to ask what this meant, for she already knew. She knew it was something she couldn't avoid any longer. She wanted to get her life back on track. and she knew that the only way she would be able to is by finally facing her fears head on. She was finally accepting her body and appearance. It had been a week since her birthday and she felt closer to Jason then ever. Nothing had happened since that night but she was finally finding that she was looking forward to the future. She was finally seeing that she had a future, that there was a life after rape. That she could be happy. That there were reason for her to be happy. And that was Jason. They were getting married. She couldn't help but smile suddenly at the thought. After telling their families, the thing had come a reality and not just some dream. Her sisters were already looking a bride maids dresses to wear. And Maxie was already scheduling daily visits with her to talk over details. After hearing the news, Maxie had appointed herself to wedding planner.
"I think it's time as well," stated Sam, meeting her doctor's eye. She wanted to move on as best as she could.
"I want to come with you," stated Jason as he glanced over at Sam. They were driving home from the hospital and she had informed him about her decision. A part of her didn't want to go but another part of her knew she had to get it done with. It was like taking off a bandage. You knew it was going to hurt to do it but the quicker it was done the easier it would be in the end. Prolonging it would sting more in the end.
Sam made a slight face at this. She knew that Jason wanted to help her and support her but this was something more she had to do on her own. "Baby, I don't know," she spoke softly to him. "I think this is something I have to do on my own."
Jason didn't like the sound of this but did not argue with her. He understood were she was coming from that this was her battle to face not his. However, Franco was still out there and did not want to take the chance that he was hiding out in her apartment, waiting for her return. He had someone coming in once a week or so to clean the place out and check up on things. However, with Franco you never knew. "At least let me come up with you," he replied as he parked the SUV and turned in his seat towards her. "I just have to make sure you get in and out safely."
Sam was taken back by this, "You think Franco is living in my apartment?" she asked her voice raising slightly in a panic. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach at the idea of Franco hiding out in her home.
"I don't think so," stated Jason quickly, trying to reassure her that everything would be fine. "I have someone coming in once a week and have a guard watching for any activity. But he is still out there Sam. And I can't take the chance if he is, waiting for you to come back!"
Sam just nodded her head in reply as she let her thoughts drift to this new possible idea that Franco could be closer then what she would have liked. She gave Jason a nervous smile before getting out of the SUV.
Sam lay awake all night thinking about Franco and if he was hiding away in her apartment. It gave her the chills to think that Franco was using her shower and touching her stuff. Most of her clothes and such where at the Penthouse. However, she still had personal belongings at her apartment. But she knew that she was just letting him get to her once again. Jason had reassured her multiple times since coming home that Franco was very unlikely to be there. Since sending the message to Carly, a few months ago, there had been really no sign of Franco. Jason still had Spinelli working on finding the artist whereabouts but it seemed like there was no trace of him in the art world.
"Did you sleep last night?" asked Jason towards his fiancée as he rolled onto his side in bed and looked over at Sam. She was lying on her back, looking up at the ceiling. She did not say anything as she shook her head to signal no. She hadn't slept last night.
Jason looked on at her with worry but did not make a move or say anything else to her. They stayed like this for a moment longer before Jason let out a sigh and rolled onto his back as well. He felt for Sam's underneath the covers and gave it a slight squeeze. "Come on, I'll make you some breakfast!" he murmured as glanced over at Sam and let her hand go before getting out of bed.
Sam let out a deep breath before sitting up and getting out of bed as well. She was suddenly hungry and needed the distraction of eating. Making her way around the bed, she met Jason's eye as she reached out and grasped his hand. The two of them then made their way downstairs.
After much discussion, Sam had finally allowed Jason to come with her to her apartment. And as she stepped through the lobby of the building, she felt safer with having Jason beside her. She nodded her head in greeting to the familiar security guard as she walked passed his desk and towards the elevators.
Jason was close behind her as she pressed the button impatiently for the elevator. He could sense that she was nervous by the way she kept on clenching and unclenching her hands. Reaching out, he took her hand into his. She looked suddenly up at him at this. He smiled down at her. He was here for her. Just then the elevator arrived. The two of them then stepped onto it together, still holding hands.
They walked slowly down the familiar hallway which lead to Sam's apartment.
"You ready?" asked Jason towards her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.
Sam looked up towards him and nodded her head slowly in response. She had her arms wrapped around her thin frame as she listen to the door being unlocked. She could feel Jason's eyes on her as he pushed open the door and held it out for her. "I will be here," he whispered, reaching out and touching her lightly on the arm.
Sam looked up at him at this and smiled slightly, "I know," she whispered nodding her head in response. She knew that Jason wanted to come with her but this was something she had to face on her own.
Bitting down nervously on her lower lip, she wrapped her arms further around herself as she stepped through the threshold and into her old home. Her eyes looked around at her old dwelling, taking it all in. Everything seemed to be the same as she had left it so many months ago. The only thing that was different about it was that it appeared cleaner then she had kept it. She figured it was because of the cleaning ladies that Jason had hired to clean the place every so often. Everything was fine, she whispered to herself over and over again as she made her way through the living room. Her eyes falling onto the bar...Moving away from the window, she stepped towards the bar, where a bottle of red wine was awaiting. Two glasses stood beside it along the smooth granite table top of the bar. Taking a glass in her hand and the bottle in the other; she poured herself a glass. The room was in utter silence besides the clinking of glass against glass as the tip of the bottle glazed against the rim of the glass; a deep plum red liquid flowed between them. Once the glass was half filled, she placed the bottle of wine back onto the counter of the bar. She raised the rim of the filled glass now to her lips and took a sip of the bitter liquid...
She let out a shaking breath as she suddenly turned away from the bar and walked the short distance to the terrace. She pushed open the fresh doors and looked onto her once beloved Jacuzzi. It had been one of the reasons why she bought the apartment. She had always loved the idea of having one and when she had moved out of the penthouse, she had decided she wanted something for herself for once and no one else. There had been good moments had in that tub, alone and with company. However, now as she stared at it, all she could think about was Franco... "Hello Ms. McCall! I've been waiting to meet you!"
Her brown eyes widened as they looked out onto the artist, Franco's face. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing however came out. The wine glass shattered to the patio floor as it dropped from her grasp. Her heart beat raced as Franco began to step towards the Jacuzzi, a twisted smile appearing on his darken face...
His voice rung in her ears as she felt her eyes sting with tears. A part of her wanted to run away from all this and go join Jason out in the hallway. But she knew this had to be done. She needed to move on. Taking a small step, she stepped out onto the terrace. The Jacuzzi was covered and not on at the moment. However, she could still hear the sound of it running as Franco had moved towards her...Franco had grabbed her by the wrist, twisting it painfully behind her back as he forced her out of the water, onto the snow cover patio.
"Now play nice, Sam," he spoke into her ear, a smile appearing on his face once again. "Jason wouldn't want you being rude, now would he?"
"Jason wouldn't want you touching me," spat Sam in response, crooking her neck upwards so she could look into the sick thinking face of Franco. Her brown eyes blazing with rage towards him.
Franco licked his bottom lip before his face broke out into wide set grin; laughing in Sam's face. "Jason, Jason , Jason," he murmured, amusement dancing in his eyes. "It's always about him isn't?" A hard edge appearing in his voice as he continued to look down at Sam.
"Well aren't you the one who is obsessed with him?" asked Sam, a bit confused. Wasn't he here because of Jason? Franco continued to look at Sam for a second before throwing his head back and letting out a belly aching chuckle.
"Obsessed! No, no. I prefer to think of it more like a deep connection me and Jason share. He just doesn't want to see it but we are alike him and me," stated Franco as he still held Sam against the hot tub.
"You and Jason are not alike!" spat Sam, a taste of dislike in her voice. Her brown eyes blazing up at Franco as she continued to look at him over her shoulder. Noticing the playfulness faded from the artist eyes, replaced with raging coldness, Sam turned her face and looked down into the crystal clear water of the hot tub. Her breathing was laboured now it seemed as her heart beat pounded against her chest. She knew what would happen now, she just hope that it would go by quickly; as she felt Franco tighten his grip on her, pushing her harder against the hot tub. The fronts of her knees scrapping against the plastic...
Stepping towards the tub, she ran her hand along the edge of the plastic cover. She didn't know how long she stood there as she looked on at it. Letting her memories of that day fill her mind... Sam tried to fight him off, but she was no match for him. He was taller than her by a good foot and more strength. He just seemed to laugh at her as she attempted to turn around and scratch his face. Untwisting her wrist from her back, he placed it on the edge of the hot tub, along with her other hands; he held both of them down with his hands on top of them. Sam was now pinned. Goosebumps ran down every inch of her body from the coldness of the air as she continued to stand there dressed in barely nothing. Her eyes still remained closed as she could feel the warmth of Franco's breathe on her bareback. She bit down on lower lip; preventing from screaming out. No one could hear her if she did anyways.
Then all the sudden, Franco released his grip on her left hand and spun Sam around, so that they were now face to face. They held each other gaze for a long moment it seemed before Franco trailed his eyes slowly down Sam's body. A shiver running down Sam's spin.
Sam wanted to scream out as she felt the hotness of his eyes taking in the sight of her cleavage. "Your sick," she spat in his face as a sly smile appeared on his face. Franco was a sicko there was nothing else about it, she thought to herself.
"Oh Sam, if only you knew," whispered Franco, leaning in towards Sam, their faces only inches apart. Sam cringed at this as Franco blew a kiss on her cheek. A small smile appearing on his face, his eyes sparkly with something that Sam could not read. Running his eyes over her body one last time, he let out a small sigh as if he was disappointed with what he saw or something. He then loosened his grip on her wrists.
Sam took this as her moment to escape. Twisting her left hand out of Franco's hold she raised it above her head and punched Franco in the face. The snow was falling heavy now as Franco who was taken off guard by the punch touched his face and took a step backwards from the impact. His eyes seemed to darken a little with rage towards Sam.
Sam looked on at Franco for a brief second, before jumping over the edge of the Jacuzzi and plunging into the hot water. Ignoring the protest of her body as the coldness of her skin burned against the hot temperature of the water, Sam moved across the Jacuzzi trying to get a head start. However, Franco swiftly moved around the hot tub and managed to grab Sam just as she was about to step out.
Sam screamed bloody murder this time around as she felt Franco's hands wrapped around her waist pulling her out of the water. She flared her arms and legs like a crazy woman, trying to fight Franco off as he threw her over his shoulder.
After a moment or two, she had stopped kicking all together. Franco had held Sam with one arm, while with his free hand reached into the back of his pocket and tapered her. A low animal like moan escaped from Sam's lips as the bolts of electricity ran through her body; causing her to go limp...
She was crying now. Tears flowing down her cheeks as memory after memory came flooding back to her. As she cried, she didn't hear Jason approach her from behind. She let out a startled scream as she felt his hand on her shoulder.
"It's only me," he whispered, his blue eyes locking with hers. He gently squeezed her shoulder before pulling her to his chest. This only caused Sam to sobbed harder as she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his chest.
Thanks for reading! Leave a review if you feel like it!
