Author's note: I'm so bad at updating…if it helps, this chapter is pretty long…Not much Lucky action, but that'll change in the next chapter.

The phone was ringing. Max fumbled with it for a moment, then picked it up. "Hello?"

"Max, it's Sonny."

"Yes, sir?"

"Where are you right now?"

Max swallowed. "I'm--I'm in the car." Max wasn't an idiot, and he'd heard more of the fight between Mr. Corinthos and Mr. Morgan than he probably should have. And disloyal though it may have been...he was starting to think that maybe Mr. Morgan had a point.

"Well, where's the car?"

Max sighed, and gave him the information he wanted. "I'm outside of the Quartermaine mansion, sir. Ms. McCall's in there, having dinner with them."

"Does Jason know?"

"I don't know," Max said, and might have added that it didn't exactly seem to be Ms. McCall's style to hide anything, but then, he wasn't paid for his opinions.

And the abrupt click on the other line only proved it.

Jason stared blankly at the shipping contracts. The words blurred in front of his tired eyes, and he pushed them away, irritated.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. After blowing up at Sonny and Carly, Jason had gone for a quick ride around town on his bike, then come back to the apartment to do some work. But he couldn't concentrate, which was new for him.

Yet another thing that was changing about him.

Jason closed his eyes, remembering the fight that had occurred. He hadn't exploded like that in a long time. And yet, despite his temper having cooled, Jason couldn't find it in himself to regret what he'd done.

Jason wasn't sorry at all, and that fact shook him a little.

There was a knock on the door and Jason looked up. "Who is it?" he called out.

"It's Sonny."

Jason paused. What the hell. "It's open," he said.

Sonny opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind him. "Since when do you knock?" Jason asked curiously.

"Figured it was time I started," Sonny said. He paused. "Are we okay?"

Jason didn't feel guilty for what he'd done. And he was still trying to sort out how he felt about Sonny and Carly right then.

But, dammit, Sonny had always been a constant in Jason's life. Sonny was Jason's boss, his best friend, his family, and Jason couldn't picture not forgiving him. He always had, and he always would.

"Yeah," Jason said, nodding. "We're okay." And they were. Because they were Sonny and Jason, and that was the way it was always going to be, and Jason would always, always find a way to forgive Sonny.

"Good," Sonny said, clearly relieved as he looked around. "Good. What about Carly? You okay with her too?"

Jason nodded. "Yeah."

"It's not that we don't get it," Sonny assured him. "Sam has to be a priority for you now. It's just—the Quartermaines…"

"Sam likes them," Jason said with a shrug. "I don't really understand it, but she's determined to get to know them, and I don't want to fight her on this."

As a Quartermaine, Dillon knew he was supposed to be horrified by Sam's sudden appearance. But as a future director, he couldn't help but admire the entrance she had made. Excellent timing.

Monica was the first to speak. "Sam, uh...welcome?"

"Thanks, Monica," Sam said cordially, still grinning. "Please, don't let me interrupt." She calmly sat down on a couch and watched them as though they were interesting specimens she'd collected in a petri dish and was now going to observe.

At that moment, Lois, BrookLynn and Justus came in. "Hey, guys," Sam said cheerily. "I just saw my first Quartermaine feud."

Lois looked at the Quartermaines with disgust. "You couldn't even make it to the dinner table without fighting?"

Tracy threw up her hands. "Well, it's not like we upset her! Look at her, she's perfectly fine with it!"

Justus glanced at Sam. "Are you okay?"

"Sure," Sam said, looking bewildered. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Sam, Emily said soothingly, "if you feel at all uncomfortable—"

"Emily," Sam said, "I'm fine. Seriously, what did you expect, that I would burst into tears and run out of the room? Now, what's this about Lorenzo and ELQ?"

"My sister," Alan explained, "being her usual maverick self, decided that the best way to serve ELQ was by bringing a South American drug lord—"

"Former South American drug lord," Lois interjected, and Ned rolled his eyes at this.

"Forgive me," Alan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "a former South American drug lord—"

"What difference does that make?" Monica burst out. "He's still mired in criminal activities!"

"Not anymore," Dillon piped up, then shrank down in his seat at his aunt's fierce glare. He knew it was a little ridiculous, given that he was twice Monica's size, but he couldn't help it. His aunt could be scary when she wanted to be.

"Look," Ned put in to Lois, "I don't care how much you guys like him—"

"I don't like him that much," Brooklyn said. Dillon thought that was only because BrookLynn saw Lorenzo as a roadblock to her parents getting back together, but he kept quiet. It was usually the best course of action at times like these.

"Thank God, at least one person here has some sense," Edward muttered.

"Look, Ned, Lorenzo isn't half as bad as you're making him out to be," Lois insisted, putting her hands on her hips. "For one thing, he's very charming—"

"He's well-mannered," Dillon added.

"For a drug lord, he does have nice manners," Sam agreed, nodding.

"And need I remind you, brother dear," Tracy said sarcastically, "that ELQ wouldn't be in the position it is today if it wasn't for that alcoholic thief you call a son who embezzled millions—"

Alan threw his hands up in disgust, "Oh, here we go again—"

"—and that your other son," Tracy continued, her voice rising, "is an enforcer for the mob and breaks the law on a daily basis—"

"Daily?" Justus repeated with a snort, as he sat down next to Sam. "Try hourly."

Sam grinned at him. 'So that's how you can afford all those pricey Hugo Boss suits," she teased, plucking at the sleeve of his suit, which was indeed Hugo Boss.

Justus laughed. "Damn straight."

Meanwhile, the feud raged on. "You want to throw potshots at our parenting skills, Tracy—" Monica started dangerously.

Tracy tilted her head, pretending to think about it. "Hmm, now that you mention it, I would!"

"At least none of my sons are bigamists!" Alan thundered.

Now poor Ned was the one throwing up his hands. "Do we really need to bring that up again?"

"Say what?" Sam asked, amazed. She turned to Justus. "Okay, that one I haven't heard."

Dillon sat down on the other side of her. "We have got so much to tell you, Sam, the family history is just--"

"Ridiculous," Justus said flatly. "I'm one of them, technically, and I still can't believe it sometimes."

"The fights--"

"The addictions--"

"The divorces--"

"The board meetings--"

"The court appearances--"

"The Thanksgiving dinners," Justus said, and both he and Dillon shuddered. "If I have to eat takeout one more time," Justus groaned, "I swear I don't know what I'll do."

Sam was giggling. "God, this is better than Days of our Lives," she murmured, sitting back in her chair and enjoying the show. "All we need now are embarrassing baby pictures, and my night is complete."

Dillon grinned. "Speaking of pictures..."

"So, where's Sam?" Sonny asked. They were looking through the paperwork for the casino down in Puerto Rico.

"Out," Jason said. "She's having dinner with the Quartermaines again."

Sonny looked at his best friend. "It really doesn't bother you, does it? Sam there at the mansion, with Edward and all the rest of them--"

Jason looked up, confusion on his face, and Sonny managed to keep from looking triumphant. Jason hadn't known. "What are you talking about? She's having dinner at the Grille with Alan and Monica."

"Jason," Sonny said patiently, "Sam's at the Quartermaine mansion tonight. I called Max, because I needed his help with something, and he said that's where they were." He paused. "Didn't she tell you?"

A flicker of apprehension appeared in Jason's eyes, but he brushed it off. "Sam said she wanted to get to know them, so it's not that big a deal."

"Last time she had dinner with Monica and Alan, she came back on the verge of walking out," Sonny pointed out.

"That was because of you, Sonny, not the Quartermaines," Jason countered. "Sonny, you may not like Sam, but she's carrying my child--"

"I don't have a problem with Sam," Sonny insisted, "she's the one who's got a problem with me. All I'm saying is that if I were you, I'd be really careful about letting the Quartermaines near Sam and the baby. You can't have forgotten what happened last time."

Jason stiffened and Sonny went on. "They took Michael right out of your arms and told you they weren't giving him back. You really think they won't try it again?"

"Sam wouldn't let them," Jason said calmly, but Sonny picked up on the undercurrent of doubt.

And he exploited it. "Sam--I know that she wants to do what's best for this baby," Sonny said carefully. He wouldn't get anywhere attacking Sam, but that was all right. He could work around that. "But the fact is, Sam hasn't been around long enough to realize how the Quartermaines work. Jason, after only one dinner with your parents, she was ready to walk out. What's going to happen when she's surrounded by all these people telling her how dangerous and--and unstable you are?"

Sam blinked at the pictures in front of her. "Ned, please tell me that's not you."

Ned leaned over her shoulder and looked at the photo album that Dillon and BrookLynn had carefully put together with the help of the staff. "Oh my God, you had to put those pictures in there?" he groaned.

"Hey, not any guy can pull off the leather pants," Sam reassured him, although she still kept giggling. "This was when you were a rock star, right?"

"Yep," BrookLynn said with a giggle. "Sorry, Dad, but it is part of the family history."

Sam turned the page, and found a picture of a younger Alan and Monica, smiling at the camera. "Wow, you guys look happy," Sam said a little wistfully.

"They were probably between divorces and affairs at the time," Tracy said helpfully.

Dillon choked on his soda. "Sorry."

Sam glanced to a picture of Alan, a dark-haired shorter man, and Jason, all wearing tuxedos. "Who's that?"

There was the slightest pause before Alan answered. "AJ. That's my older son, AJ."

AJ Quartermaine. Sam studied the face. Handsome. He looked a little like Alan. Sam tore her eyes away, and looked at the next page. Her jaw dropped.

"Is that…Jason?" she asked. Stupid question, she could tell it was Jason. But...he was so different. He was younger...his face was thinner...the hair...but most of all, the smile. The eyes.

Sam was looking at a completely different person from the one she knew and lived with.

She looked back at the picture of AJ, Alan, and Jason in their tuxedos. If AJ Quartermaine hadn't crashed that car...if Jason Quartermaine hadn't died in that accident and made way for Jason Morgan...if that horrible tragedy hadn't happened...Sam wouldn't be here.

The implications made her head spin, and Sam closed her eyes briefly.

As if she could read Sam's mind, Monica said quietly, "It was a horrible thing, the accident. But I am so glad that you and this baby are here now."

The room was silent, and Sam blinked back tears. "I'm glad too," she whispered, looking up. Monica smiled down at her.

"Sam's not like that," Jason insisted, standing up. "She makes up her own mind."

Sonny stood up as well. "Jason, we both know that Sam isn't, you know, comfortable with the business. She hates it, in fact. And how hard do you think the Quartermaines are going to have to work to convince her that you're working for the devil, and that she and the baby would be better off far, far away from you?"

Jason's face was no longer an unreadable mask. Now it was laid bare for Sonny to read, and he could see the indecision and the insecurity, the doubt.

Sonny knew that Sam and this baby meant a lot to his friend. And if Jason wanted to keep them, he had to realize that there was no middle ground here. Either Jason went back into the fold of the Quartermaine family, which he would never do, or he continued to work for Sonny.

But he couldn't do both. He couldn't walk that line for long, and neither could Sam.

"Jason..." Sonny stepped closer to him, and looked into his eyes. "Sam's already left the country once. Do you really want to go through another custody battle? Because let me tell you something. If Sam continues to spend time with the Quartermaines, that is exactly what's going to happen."

"Wow, this looks amazing," Sam said, seeming impressed, as she came into the dining room on Edward's arm.

"Cook is a little temperamental at times," Emily explained, "but when she wants to, she can really whip up some amazing stuff."

Dillon thought wryly that the huge bonus Edward had promised her for making this dinner might have had something to do with it. BrookLynn caught his eye and grinned, and he knew she was thinking the exact same thing.

"I can see that," Sam said as Edward helped her into her seat. She smiled at him, and Dillon could see Edward working the charm. Not in a pervy way though, thank God.

"So," Edward said, beaming paternally at Sam, as the servants brought out the food "--tell me all about--"

A cell phone rang. The paternal smile still on his face, Edward stared daggers at BrookLynn and Dillon, and both of them held up their hands in a universal 'who, me?' gesture.

Like Dillon would be stupid enough to bring his cell phone to dinner, after listening to Edward lecture for fifteen minutes straight on the importance of making a good impression. The whole thing was a little moot for Dillon, seeing as Sam saw him everyday at L&B's, but that didn't matter to Edward. He'd made it clear that if Dillon didn't stay on his best behavior tonight...

Edward turned to Alan, who shook his head. "Don't look at me, Father," Alan said. "I left my phone upstairs--"

Sam held up her cell phone sheepishly. "It's me. I'm so sorry, could you excuse me for a second?"

She stood up and placed her napkin on her chair. "Hello?" she said as she walked to a corner of the room. "Jason? What's up?" There was a pause. "Yes, I'm at the mansion."

Everyone's ears pricked up at that. They all kept eating though, Dillon included, because it would have been impolite to blatantly eavesdrop. The Quartermaines did have manners, after all. They just didn't bother to use them normally.

"Jason, I told you I was having dinner with the Quartermaines." Sam's voice was getting defensive. "Well, if that's what you assumed, then how is that my fault?"

Dillon looked around the table, gratified to see that he wasn't the only one keeping his face totally expressionless. Ned and Brooklyn were staring at their plates, while Alan, Monica, and Edward were quietly carrying on a conversation like there was nothing going on. How they were doing that and still managing to listen was beyond Dillon. Tracy, however, was leaning back in her chair, obviously eavesdropping and just as obviously enjoying herself. Emily was glaring at her.

Reginald was serving the lamb, and his mouth was pursed as though he was trying very hard not to grin.

"Jason, what's the big deal? So I'm having dinner with--okay, there is no need to make it sound like that--you're being completely irrational. I didn't mislead you, you misled yourself!"

Another pause. By this point, no one was even pretending that they weren't listening to the conversation.

Sam was tapping her foot irritably. "What? Yes, your grandfather is here." Everyone looked at Edward. "No, things are going just fine…yes, I happen to like him, and what's wrong with that?" Sam sighed loudly. "So what if he's known for manipulation? So's Sonny! Besides, your grandfather's charming."

Tracy choked on her wine.

Then Sam snorted. "Jason, I hate to break it to you, but Sonny is not charming, he's just creepy."

Now Dillon was choking, this time on the lamb. No way did she just say that. Ned beamed, because anyone who insulted Sonny Corinthos automatically got into his good graces.

Sam sighed again. "Jason, you are being completely irrational and I'm in the middle of dinner. We'll finish this when I get home." Sam hung up with a flourish and sat down in her chair, clearly peeved.

Alan looked around and said, "Well, I for one, am going to address the pink elephant in the room. Is everything all right?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Oh, everything's fine, other than the fact that Jason's acting like a caveman. It's not my fault if he assumed that tonight's dinner didn't involve the rest of you."

"Is he upset?" Emily asked.

Sam scoffed. "If he is, I don't care," she declared.

Dillon considered applauding, but decided it would probably be in bad taste.

Jason stared at the phone. "She hung up."

Sonny was sitting on the couch. "Let me guess, she said everything was fine, that the Quartermaines were great, you were being paranoid."

"Oh, yeah," Jason said, still stunned. "She said Edward was charming."

Sonny leaned back, his eyes wide. "Really? Damn, the old man works fast. I'm impressed."

Jason stared at him, his eyes wide. "Sonny, this isn't funny."

"I know it's not," Sonny said. "But you know this is only going to get worse, right? I'm just saying you might want to set some limits...nip this in the bud before it goes too far."

Jason nodded, and Sonny knew he had Jason right where he wanted him. "Yeah."

"So, what's the deal with this Nurses' Ball thing?" Sam asked.

Everyone immediately lit up and started explaining--

"It showcases the talent in Port Charles..."

"...there's food, singing, dancing..."

"...it raises money for the AIDS foundation...money they need more than ever now.."

"Please, it's a chance for everyone to show off! Personally, I'm hoping for a fistfight."

"Tracy, this is Port Charles. There's a fistfight or shootout every fifteen minutes!"

Sam reflected that it was amazing how relaxed she felt. She felt...in her element. Which was insane, considering she'd never been in these sort of surroundings before.

But it was obvious that the Quartermaines were doing their best to make her feel welcome, and they were doing a bang-up job. She felt more comfortable with them in five minutes than she ever had with Sonny and Carly.

Not that she wasn't expecting the Quartermaines to have their bad side, because she knew that they did. Sam had been warned enough about that...but somehow...it didn't seem like such a bad or scary thing.

Nothing about the Quartermaines had scared her as much as the thought of Sonny Corinthos and his business had...

Before Sam could think too much about that, the maid came in. "Excuse me, but...there's a visitor here, and he won't leave."

"Who is it?" Edward asked, frowning darkly. He'd lightened up somewhat, but Sam could still tell he was determined to make sure that things kept going smoothly tonight. Clearly, Edward Quartermaine was a guy who was used to getting his way when it came to everything.

But Sam already knew. Somehow, she knew. "It's Jason, isn't it?" she said quietly.

The maid nodded, confirming it, and a tension fell over everyone. Sam gritted her teeth.

Damn him. Arrogant son of a bitch...What the hell was he trying to pull? Sam hadn't come running when he'd ordered her to come home, so he was here to drag her back home?

Oh, that bastard...

Alan spoke. "Send him in."

Yes, Sam thought with outraged fury. Send him in so I can rip a strip off his back.

Jason would never, never get used to this place. The mansion itself seemed to demand something of him, the walls whispering in his ears...Come back, Jason...

But he wasn't coming back. He wouldn't. Jason Quartermaine was dead and buried, and he had nothing in common with the dutiful son and brother who had died in a car accident years ago. Nothing in common but the fact that they shared the same face and first name.

That was just the way it was, the way it would always be, no matter how hard the Quartermaines fought it. And they always would fight, Jason knew. They would never let it be, and if Sam brought them into his life...their life...no matter how many promises they made, no matter how many boundaries they would initially set up...sooner or later, they would drown Jason with their demands.

What the hell had he been thinking? This could never have worked out. Better that he had realized it now, before things had gotten too far...

But no, it hadn't been like that. Sonny had been the one to...For a moment, Jason felt a chill pass over his body, remembering his conversation with Sonny right before he had rushed over here, but then resolutely pushed it aside.

After all, what did it matter if Sonny had been the first one to bring it up? Sonny had been right.

The maid appeared again. "Come on," she said, and Jason followed her into the dining room.

They were all gathered at the table, staring at him. Jason ignored them however, and only looked at Sam.

She was pissed, that was clear. Her jaw was set, her dark eyes glittering in a way Jason hadn't seen since--

since the night she'd found out about Sonny and Carly and the coma. Oh, boy. Except now she didn't look heartsick or distressed. Just very, very angry.

For the first time, Jason started to really question the wisdom of coming here.

No one said anything. Finally, Edward said, still blustering, but somehow with an effort, "What are you doing here, Jason? You're interrupting our dinner."

Jason didn't bother looking at him, and kept his gaze focused on Sam. "Sam, what are you doing?" he asked at last.

Despite the anger he saw in her eyes, Sam seemed calm, which was weirding Jason out. "Having dinner. The lamb is just amazing, you should really try it--"

"I can see that you're having dinner, Sam," Jason said with forced patience. "What I mean is, what are you doing having dinner here?"

"Because I was invited," Sam replied breezily.

"Okay, then why were you invited?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Sam asked, her eyes wide with pretend innocence. "Because you knocked me up." She smiled at him tightly at him while Dillon, taking a sip of the water, choked and Ned started pounding him on the back.

Still the rest of the Quartermaines didn't say anything.

Jason gritted his teeth. Sam was in one of her difficult moods, and was clearly spoiling for a fight. Well, so was he, but that didn't mean he wanted to do it in front of everyone. "Can we talk about this in private."

"No," Sam said.

He blinked. "No?" he repeated in shock.

"No," Sam said again, and stood up. "Jason," she said softly, dangerously, "I'm going to let you in on something that is probably going to rock your world. Are you listening?"

The room was so silent you could have heard a pin drop.

And then Sam dropped her bomb. "I like your family."

Jason was dumbfounded. She what?

Sam looked around. "Did the world end? Did the earth stop spinning on its axis?" she wondered sarcastically. "No? Imagine that."

"Sam--" Jason started, but she didn't let him finish.

"I like them, okay? Deal with it. And who the hell do you think you are, barging in here like some goddamned caveman, trying to drag me off to the penthouse where you can set your watchdogs on me!"

Jason felt completely off-balance, like the ground had shifted underneath his feet. Shit. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea.

"You remember our bargain, Jason?" Sam asked. "I agreed to stay, and you agreed to let me make up my own mind about your family. Well, I have, and I like them. Now, you can either accept it, or you can put up a fight and piss me off even more. If I were you, I'd go for the first option."

Damn. The thought of the yelling they'd have to go through…Jason was getting a headache at the prospect. He didn't mind fighting, but Sam had a way of digging in her heels and refusing to give up until he finally came around. "This just can't work--"

"Why the hell not?" Sam demanded angrily. "Give me one good reason why this can't work. And if you say because of Sonny, I swear to God, I'll scream."

"It just can't," Jason insisted. He and the Quartermaines were like oil and water. They didn't mix, never had, never would.

Monica finally decided to speak. "Jason, what are you so worried about? We're not trying to manipulate Sam, we're just trying to get to know her."

"For God's sake," Alan burst out, "all we're trying to do is get a chance to know one of our grandchildren."

For a second, Jason wavered...a sudden wave of guilt spread throughout his gut…

Sam pressed on. "Jason, if you think I'm leaving with you, you're crazy. I am staying right here." To emphasize her point, she plopped right back down in her seat, and folded her arms.

Jesus. He was screwed. Short of physically dragging her out of there--and that Jason wouldn't do--he was stuck.

"And if you're so worried about the Quartermaines manipulating me, then hell, stick around to watch!" Sam suggested flippantly. "Either you stay here or you leave, but I'm not leaving no matter what you do. So, what's it going to be?"

"Okay, so there's Diego, acting like the supreme authority on films, when he is so totally wrong--hey, Jason, could you pass the salt--the guy sees a few indie films, and suddenly he's an expert?" Dillon ranted, indignant.

Jason briefly considered throwing the salt shaker at Dillon's head so he could shut up already, but reconsidered. Sam would kill him. Painfully.

He silently handed the salt shaker over.

"It's not like he religiously follows the Sundance Festival every year or--"

On the other end of the table, Edward was once again arguing with Tracy and Ned. "I don't give a damn how much money the man's got, he's a menace!"

"Oh, give me a break," Tracy groaned. "If anyone's a menace, it's you--"

"Hear, hear," Ned muttered in agreement.

Monica and Alan were on another side, with Lois piping in. "It's completely and totally inapprorpriate for an Attending to have relations with a medical student!" Alan insisted.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Alan," Monica said impatiently, "the two just had dinner."

"I agree," Lois said. "I think you're making way too much of this--"

Jason turned away from them. Across the table, Emily was rambling on and on about her wedding plans to Justus. "And Elizabeth is worried about the shower being too formal...but I don't think holding it at the hotel would be too formal, would it? Or maybe we should have it here, at the mansion...Wyndamere is totally out of the question, when I move in, I'm planning on completely redecorating the place..."

Justus's eyes had glazed over ages ago, but Emily didn't notice and prattled on.

Jason was now thoroughly convinced that he was in hell.

This night was turning out better than Monica had hoped for. Sam was still here, and Jason had joined them. Glancing at her son and feeling the now-familiar feeling of pain and longing, Monica turned to Sam. "Have you started working on a nursery?"

Sam shook her head. "Not yet."

"Well, you might want to get started," Lois put in. "It's never too early to get everything settled."

"Oh, I know," Sam agreed, "but Jason and I are trying to find a house, so--"

She was interrupted by the sound of Alan and Ned simultaneously choking on their wine. Sam stopped and waited politely for them to recover.

Alan spoke first. "You and Jason are...moving out of the penthouse?"

Jason answered for her. "Sam wanted to move out, so we are."

Monica looked around the table, silently pleading with everyone not to make a big deal out of this. And thankfully they didn't. Ned smoothly changed the conversation into less loaded subjects.

Jason waited by the car while Sam said goodbye. He didn't care if it was rude, after this evening he'd had his fill of Quartermaines. Finally, Sam finished, and without looking at him, slipped into the car. Jason got in after her.

He chanced a glance at her. Sam's face was set. Finally, she spoke. "If you don't trust me, I would really just like it if you said so."

"I do trust you," Jason said quietly. "I don't trust them."

"You mean, you don't trust my judgment," Sam said heatedly.

Jason could feel himself starting to lose his temper. "Like you trust mine?" he shot back. "I told you that Sonny was all right, that the Quartermaines were messed-up and that we were better off away from them, and you didn't listen!"

"Hah!" Sam twisted around in her seat. "Let's go over this. Sonny launders money, smuggles in weapons, shoots pregnant women in the head, bribes people, and God knows what else, and yet the Quartermaines are the bad guys? Because what, they yell?" She made a derisive noise. "Do you even hear yourself?"

Jason forced himself to remain calm. "The Quartermaines want to control everyone."

"And Sonny doesn't?" Sam snapped. "Wake up, Jason. Who's more freaked out about the Quartermaines, you or Sonny?"

Again, Jason could feel himself tipping off-balance, the ground shifting underneath his feet. "It's not like that," he heard himself mutter. "There's Michael--"

"That's an excuse and you know it," Sam spat. "Come on, Jason, tell me the truth. Whose idea was it for you to go over to the mansion and drag me out of there? Yours, or Sonny's?"

Jason was really mad by this point, ready to throw a retort in her face, hotly deny everything--

except that he couldn't. He couldn't deny any of it. That realization hit Jason like a two-by-four to the gut. Sonny had been the one to tell Jason that Sam was over there, that Sam was in danger from the Quartermaines--

Jesus Christ. Jason had barged in there, acted like an idiot, broken the pact that he and Sam had made, gotten into a fight with her--and for what? For a stance that Jason wasn't even so sure about anymore? Jason ran over the conversation he'd had earlier with Sonny, and felt a suddden chill.

Sam spoke softly. "I can't live like this, Jason."

A knot of fear coiled up in Jason's stomach. Scared that the next words out of her mouth were going to be, "I have to leave," he said quickly, "Look, we'll figure something out--"

As if he hadn't spoken, Sam continued. "Tell me how I'm supposed to live like this, with you and Sonny dictating everything, who I can talk to, where I can go, what I can think--"

"I'm not trying to do that--"

"Even if you aren't," Sam said loudly, speaking over him, "--which I'm really starting to doubt, Sonny definitely is, and I won't let him do that. Not to me, and not to my daughter."

For the first time, Jason understood why Sam was pushing so hard. Because Jason's life, as it was now, couldn't work for Sam or the baby. Sam would have to change herself, change every part of her personality--her fierce independence, her brutal honesty--if Jason wanted to keep his life the way it was.

So, he would have to change.

Sam sighed. "Look...I'm tired. Please, Jason, I know this is hard for you, but you have got to trust me."

Jason sighed. "I do trust you. It's just—can you give me a little time to get used to the idea? The Quartermaines haven't been a part of my life since—well, they've never been a part of my life. And it's going to take some time for me to adjust, that's all."

Sam nodded. "Okay, I'll try to be sensitive to that, but you have to give them a chance too."

Jason nodded reluctantly. "Even Edward?"

"Even Edward. And Tracy too," Sam added, and at his horrified look, amended, "But you don't have to be that nice to them."

Jason sighed in relief. "Good."

"You know…" Sam said conversationally, "if you're so worried about Edward and the Quartermaines manipulating me…maybe you could come with me sometimes."

Jason stared at her in horror. "You mean…go through all that again?"

"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad—"

"No, it really was," he insisted, then frowned. "You're not…trying something, are you?"

Sam scoffed. "Jason, please. I just think—if you're there, and you see for yourself that nothing is going on…maybe you won't be so worried. It's just dinner. I'm not asking you to take on the family name or anything."

"Just dinner?" he asked warily. "Once in a while?"

"Yeah," Sam assured him, smiling. "And you don't have to be nice to Edward and Tracy, I promise."

To Jason's shock, he said, "Let me think about it."

Say what? Was he seriously agreeing to this insanity? Oh God…but maybe it would work out. At least then he'd be around to keep an eye on things.

He added, striving for casual, "And maybe…we should move out of the penthouse sooner than we planned."

"Yeah," Sam agreed. "Definitely." There was a pause, then— "Sonny was the one who told you I was having dinner at the mansion tonight, wasn't he?"

"Yeah," Jason admitted, waiting for the blow-up.

"I thought so," Sam said, and that was the end of it, to his surprise.

Yeah. They definitely needed to move out soon.

They were quiet in the elevator, but the wheels in Sam's head was turning. After tonight...she felt like raising a little hell. After all, if she was going to stay in this town, she needed the practice.

When they made it to their floor, Sam turned to Jason, "Do you mind if I go over to Sonny's for a little bit?"

Jason's eyes widened. "Um, Sam, that's really not a good idea--"

"Just for five minutes," she promised. "And I won't be too mean."

"Actually, that wasn't what I was worried about," Jason told her. "I'm just worried about your blood pressure. If you get into a fight with Sonny."

"I won't get into a fight," Sam promised. "Look, why don't you wait right outside the door. If you start to hear yelling, you can bust right in."

Jason looked somewhat pacified. "Allright." As she was about to reach the door, he said, "Hey…if you really want to piss him off…"

Sam turned around hopefully. "Yes?"

A slight quirk of the mouth and a shrug, as he said, "Tell Sonny I'm coming with you to the dinners from now on."

Sam blinked in surprise. "But…won't that be a lie?"

Jason smirked. "Not if you say it. And not if I actually plan on going, which I am."

Sam's mouth fell open, but she couldn't help it. "Seriously?"

"Well, somebody's got to protect you from Edward…"

Sam couldn't help but laugh at that, and to her surprise, Jason smiled back. A real smile.

Well, what do you know? This night was filled with surprises.

The phone rang and Sonny picked it up. "Hello? They're back? Uh-huh…how'd it go?"

Carly looked up from her magazine to find her husband frowning. "He stayed? Why? Did they fight later? Uh-huh…"

When Sonny finally hung up, Carly asked, "You really think it's a good idea to keep tabs on Jason like this?"

"I'm just looking out for him," Sonny muttered. "The Quartermaines—"

"—aren't nearly as sneaky and manipulative as you," Sam finished smugly, standing in the doorway. "You know, you really should lock your door." She smiled widely, utterly confident.

Carly was torn between shock and—reluctant respect.

Sam stepped into the penthouse slowly. "I have to say, I'm impressed, Sonny. The way you handled this…preying on Jason's insecurities and fears…getting him to rush over to the mansion, keeping tabs on us through Max…" She clapped slowly, once, twice, three times, her mouth still curved in that amused, cold smile. "Pity it backfired on you so badly though."

Sonny, to his credit, was keeping his cool for the most part. "Oh, yeah?" he asked. "How's that?"

Sam tilted her head. "Well, for one thing, Jason didn't drag me out of there. He actually stayed for dinner…but then, you already know that, don't you?" She grinned humorlessly. "And we actually came to an understanding. Not only am I still going to have dinner with the Quartermaines on a regular basis, but Jason is going to come with me."

Carly's mouth fell open in shock. How in the complete hell had she managed that?

Sonny was just as shocked as she was. "You're lying," he said slowly, his eyes wide. "Jason hates the Quartermaines…he would never…"

"Oh, but he would," Sam assured him. "He's already agreed to it, Sonny, and he's also agreed not to get in the way of me getting to know his family. Because they are his family, Sonny, no matter how much you may hate that fact."

She stepped closer to Sonny, getting into his face. "You lost Sonny," she said coldly. "Get over it."

At that point, Carly decided to step in. Getting up off the couch, she demanded icily, "Who the hell do you think you are, barging in here—"

Sonny held up a hand to silence her. "It's all right, Carly." Seething, Carly obeyed the unspoken order to keep quiet. Sonny grinned without mirth, flashing his dimples. "So, is this the part where you tell me that if I ever do anything like this again, I'll regret it?"

Sam actually laughed. "Oh, no. Please, go right ahead with your schemes if that's what you want. It'll actually be kind of fun to watch. Because here's the thing, Sonny: I'm on to you now. And what's more important, so is Jason. So nothing you do can make a difference."

Sam walked away, then stopped at the door. She turned back. "But it was a really good effort, Sonny. I mean that." With a smug smile that made Carly want to slap her, Sam slipped out of the apartment.

For a minute, neither she nor Sonny said a word. Finally, Sonny shook his head. "I'm going upstairs."

"Sonny," Carly started, but he held up his hand again.

"Don't."

He disappeared up the stairs without another word, and Carly sank back onto the couch, sulking.

Jason had gone to bed, but Sam was staying up, watching reruns of Fear Factor. She cringed as the contestants were told to eat food that no human being should ever digest. "Who would do that for fifty grand?" she muttered. "If you're going to humiliate yourself on national TV, at least hold out for a million bucks."

She glanced at the phone. Sam wanted to talk to somebody, rehash the night's events… but Jason was already in bed…

Lucky. Quickly, Sam grabbed the phone and scrambled through her purse, looking for the number. As she punched it in, she murmured, "Please…please, don't be sleeping…"

"Hello?" Lucky sounded wide-awake, which was a good thing.

She smiled in relief. "Lucky, it's Sam. Am I calling too late?"

"No, no," he assured her. "I was up. So, what happened?"

Sam laughed. "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you…"

Lucky chuckled. "Sam, it's the Quartermaines. I'd believe anything of them."

"Okay, so when I got there, I walked right into a huge battle over Lorenzo Alcazar…"

As Sam went on, she couldn't help but notice that Lucky was a little more quiet than usual. He laughed in all the right places, but his laugh was subdued. "Lucky, are you all right?" she asked at last.

There was a long pause. "I'm fine."

"Liar," Sam said automatically. "Come on, tell me. What's wrong?"

Another long pause, and then—"Mac Scorpio just called, about ten minutes ago."

"Your boss?" Sam asked in confusion. "Okay, what'd he say? Are you in trouble?"

"No, not me." Lucky sounded so…tired and lost. "Sam…Skye Quartermaine…the woman my dad was seeing—"

"The woman who went down for a murder you think she didn't commit? Yeah, what about her?"

On the other end of the phone, Lucky sighed. "Sam…she just escaped from prison tonight."

Sam blinked. "Oh. Damn."

"Exactly."