Author's Notes: Thanks everyone for all of the comments. I'm glad that so many of you have enjoyed this story and the friendship that has developed between Carly and Sam. I did take the request/note that asked for a small Jason and Lorenzo scene, showing their understanding. This story will probably be over in another couple of parts, but until then, I hope you continue to enjoy.


"Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Sam had asked that question three times already. Though they were already idling outside of Sonny's property, a fourth time didn't hurt anything. They hadn't gone inside the gates yet, so they could still turn around. "I mean, maybe we should just call Alcazar."

Carly sighed and shook her head. "If I bring Lorenzo here, everything will just go straight to hell. There's no way he's going to let me take the boys without a fight, and then we all just might end up back at the station."

"I wish Jason were here." Sam groaned as she inched the car forward. "Of course, Sonny did pull a gun on him just a few days ago, so I don't know how much that would help."

"Jason's got his own issues with Sonny, and right now wouldn't be the time to handle things. Think about it, Sam. Jason's upset, and if he were to go in there upset… Again, we might all end up at the police station."

Sam sighed. "I guess you're right." Her eyes widened suddenly, and her lips clamped shut. "I didn't say that," she spat out quickly, her hands tightening on the wheel. "You did not hear that."

"Oh, yes I did, and believe me, it'll be brought back up later." A small smile curved Carly's lips, but fell away as they grew closer to the mansion. A sense of foreboding fell over her, wrapping her in a blanket of dread. Her hands twisted in her lap, her fingers clenched tightly together.

With the mansion actually in view, she was starting to think that maybe she should have brought someone with her. Not Lorenzo, because that would have ended too badly, but someone. Maybe she should have brought her mother. Bobbie had been angry enough with Sonny for not telling her that Carly had returned that she would have stood with her when she took her kids. She might have even talked Luke into going with them. Carly wasn't liked by her uncle, but they still had the same blood, and if Bobbie told him to go, then he would have gone.

Or maybe she could have brought a police officer. She did have custody of the boys, and that hadn't been revoked. In fact, finding Kristina and risking her life could have just made her case stronger if Sonny chose to fight it. Carly could have brought any officer with her, claiming knowledge that Sonny wouldn't just hand over the boys. It wasn't too late to call the police.

"Do you think Agent Marshall is there?" Sam looked at Carly as she pulled the car to a stop in the drive. She parked the car, then let her fingers hover over the ignition. "I mean… This was her case, right? And as a federal officer, she can't be party to Sonny breaking the law, right? Keeping the boys would be breaking the law."

"If she's there, I doubt she'll be able to do anything." Carly shrugged. "Though, she did shoot Jason, so we could probably use that against her. That woman… She's got an itchy trigger finger." Carly sighed. "Honestly, we're just lucky that he brought everyone back home tonight. Well, as much as everyone as he could. Ya know, I've never been Alexis's friend, nowhere near a fan, but… I actually hope she manages to keep Kristina away from Sonny."

"Are you kidding me?" Sam snorted a laugh. "Can he really pay off that many people to ignore the fact that Kristina was taken from his house, because of a grudge against him?"

"You have no idea what Sonny can buy." Carly rolled her eyes. She reached out and grabbed the handle of the door. "Ya know, the longer we sit in this car, the harder it's going to be to go inside."

"I know. I'm hoping you'll change your mind and call the cops." Sam groaned and leaned forward. Her head hit the steering wheel and she sighed again. "This isn't going to be easy. We both know that. He's gonna fight you every step of the way and if you think what he did to your wrists is bad…"

"I know, I know," Carly muttered. "But, I've gotta hope that there's enough decency in him not to do it again. And not because I don't want to face that this is really the end, either. I know that already." She sighed and turned towards Sam. "I just… I may not be in love with him, anymore, but I don't hate him. I want the kids away from him because they're all safer that way, not because I want him to suffer. I just don't want him to have to live with anymore than what he's already done. I may not want to be with him, but that doesn't mean I want him to go crazy either, because he turned out like his step-father."

Sam sat back and rolled her head against the headrest. She let her eyes settle on Carly and sighed. She was way too nice to Sonny. For all the grudges that she held on a regular basis, this is one that she shouldn't have let go. She should have wanted him to pay. Sam knew that she certainly would have, if it had been her. As it were, Sonny had wanted to take her baby away from her before the little girl was even born. And here he was, practically holding Michael and Morgan hostage and yet, Carly was still thinking about his well-being.

"Well, I'm not saying you're right this time, because you're not. You should want him to suffer, but it's your decision. If you can make him see that this is best, then fine. If not…" She sighed and leaned over, her body crossing Carly's. She opened the glove compartment and the inside light shown on a small Deringer. "Jason always keeps one in this car. That's why I had the taxi drop us off to get it instead of just coming here."

Sam pulled the gun out and put it in her pocket. She looked to Carly and expected to see surprise, or maybe even shock. She didn't see any of that, though. She only saw resignation, maybe a little determination. She was ready to do this, and if it came to extreme measures, then they'd just have to do it.

Sam sighed and opened her door. "Let's go and get this over with. It's really early, and it'll be hell enough getting the boys out of bed. The sooner we get them, the sooner you can put them to bed."

"And the sooner we can all get back to some kind of normal life."


Jason felt someone hovering over him and he knew it wasn't Sam. The shadow was too large. His eyes opened and he groaned. "I thought we were done seeing each other." He rolled his eyes but kept them open. In a hospital, no weapons around, he wasn't about to close his eyes against anyone. Granted, common sense told him that after what had happened, Lorenzo Alcazar wasn't going to do anything to him. But, old habits die hard, and trust issues weren't that easily overcome. "What do you want, Alcazar?"

"In an attempt to be polite, I thought I would tell you that Carly and Sam have both been released. As I speak, they're on their way to pick up the boys, and then Carly will be going to her mother's brownstone."

Jason looked up at him with as much shock as he could muster through his tire. "Now, I'm going to say something you were real quick to say to me. You just let them go alone!"

Lorenzo sighed and shook his head. "I offered to go, but Carly thought it was a bad idea. I don't know about you, Morgan, but I've learned something about both of these women in the past few days. I've learned that they know how to handle themselves." He paused, then added, "And each other."

While his instant reaction had been outrage and worry, Jason had to admit that a certain calm had started to befall him when he really thought about Sam and Carly going somewhere together. He wouldn't say it out loud, definitely not to Alcazar, but something told him that they might be able to handle it without problem. The two had proven themselves very trusting of one another. He really believed that no one other than Sam would have been able to take that gun from Carly's hand.

But, he still didn't like the idea of them being alone with Sonny. He'd known that Carly would want to see her sons soon, but he had hoped that he got the chance to see Sonny before she did. He'd wanted to be the one who brought the boys to her, because after all that had happened…

I swore that Michael would always be safe, he thought to himself. I swore that I'd never let anything bad happen to him. I'd keep him safe and… He's just not safe with Sonny. I have to face that fact. I have to face it and learn to live with it.

"You need to know something, Alcazar." Jason sighed and his head lolled from side to side before he came back to center. "Just because Sam and Carly have found some kind of bond, don't think that we're going to do the same. I have absolutely no desire to be your friend."

Lorenzo smirked. "Well, what do you know? We agree on something." He folded his arms and looked down at Jason, letting the slight humor fall from his face. "Believe me, I have no intention to ever call you for dinner. Unless, of course, Carly wants to have you over, and then I'll just have to put up with you."

Jason groaned. "I'm not an idiot, Alcazar, so I know that Carly's made a choice. It's one that I don't agree with, and I'd rather she have neither of you right now, but if she thinks she can trust you…"

"I think I've shown that you can all trust me. A lot more, apparently, than you can trust Corinthos."

Jason ignored the dig verbally, but the narrowing of his eyes said enough. "Just remember this, Alcazar. If I'm ready to rage all over Sonny for what he did to Carly, just think about what I'll do to you if you ever hurt her."

"Believe what you want, Morgan, but I am nothing like your boss. Carly's perfectly safe with me. And she'll never have to worry about losing her children with me. Corinthos isn't the only one that has pull with the legal system."

The two stared at one another, both holding hard glares. Jason didn't like being around Alcazar, and he guessed that the man felt the same. They would tolerate each other for the sakes of Carly and Sam, but that was it. Jason would never be his ally, and Lorenzo would never ask him for favors.

"I think we have an understanding," Jason said, his teeth clenched.

"Yeah," Lorenzo told him, "we do. And now, I'll take my leave and wait for Carly's call. You can expect your girlfriend when she and Carly have finished their business."

Lorenzo turned and walked out of the room, and Jason wished he had something nearby to throw at him. Something that, hopefully, would end him up in a room down the hall. He'd been forced to trust him, forced to stand beside him in a tough spot, but nothing was ever going to make him like the man.


"I have custody," Carly said firmly, "and I'm taking my boys with me." She moved to the side, trying to get around Sonny. He stood on the stairs, his arms braced on either side. His grip on the banister, made the color in his knuckles bleed away. "Dammit, Sonny, they're my children!"

"They're mine!" He growled at her, sneered. "Do you think I'm letting you take my children so you can go play house with Alcazar? Not a chance in hell!"

"You can't stop me! I have custodial rights, Sonny. Michael and Morgan live with me!" She moved to the side and tried to push past Sonny's arm, but he wouldn't move. "Michael!" She called up, hoping that her little boy was still awake. It seemed that every time something went on that he shouldn't have seen, Michael was around. "Michael!"

"Stop it, Carly!" She pushed against him and Sonny reached out, grabbing her arms. "You're not getting them! Your father caused this! It's your fault Kristina was taken! I already lost her because of you! I'm not losing the boys, either!"

"It's not my fault!" She pulled back, trying to jerk away from him, but he held her tightly. "John took her because of you, and Alexis took her away from you because you're dangerous!" She twisted more. "Let me go, Sonny! You're hurting me!"

"I'll let you go when you're out of my house!" He walked her off the stairs, dragging her towards the door. Sam stood at the door, her hands in her pockets. "Get out of my way. Get the hell out of my house."

"Jesus, Sonny, where's your gratitude, huh?" Sam sighed. "Carly and I are the ones who found Kristina. And you should be apologizing, instead of showing yourself even more unfit. You're a horrible parent, Sonny, and if you're what she had to look forward to, I'm glad that Lila's gone."

The hand that shot out, connecting with her face was unexpected. Sam fell to the side, thrown to her knees. As Carly watched, it was as though Sam moved in slow motion. The backhanded slap was quick, but the fall… it took forever. Carly wrenched out of Sonny's grip and ran over to Sam. She went to drop down, but Sam was already pushing herself up to her feet. Her eyes glistened and a line of blood coursed down from the corner of her mouth.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Sonny!" Carly took Sam's arm, holding her up steadily. "Look at yourself! You're not better than your step-father! And you really think I'd leave my children here with you? Do you think anyone would leave their children with you?"

"Carly…" Sonny's eyes were wide, shocked. He looked to Sam and said, "I didn't…"

"You didn't mean to?" Carly finished for him. "Isn't that what they all say? Believe me, Sonny, you meant it. Every hurtful thing you do, you always mean it. Michael's a willful boy. What happens when he talks back to you, huh? What's going to happen when he says something you don't like? Are you going to hit him, too?"

"I'd never hit him, Carly, you know that!"

"And I never thought you'd raise your hand to a woman, either, but you did. Look at her, Sonny! Better yet…" She released Sam and threw off her coat. She forced her sleeves up and shoved her arms towards Sonny. Her wrists and arms were bruised with a bright green. "Look at what you did to me! You claim to love me, but you did this, Sonny. And there's no telling what my arms will look like once the new bruises set in."

Sonny stuttered over his words and Carly continued to scream at him. They were both too preoccupied to notice Sam stepping to the side. Neither saw her pull the gun from her pocket. No one even saw her again until she screamed, "Carly!" Both heads turned towards her and she was holding the gun steady, aiming at Sonny. "Go upstairs and get the boys."

"Sam…"

"Carly, go!"

She hesitated, her eyes weighing down on Sam heavily, but she finally walked away. She eased past Sonny and moved to the bottom of the stairs. She turned back, almost afraid to leave them alone. But her boys were upstairs. They needed her. Right then, they needed her more than Sam would. If she needed her, she'd have said something.

When Carly was halfway up the stairs, Sam screamed, "You bastard!" She held the gun as steady as she could, though her arms were shaking. "You're just like all the rest of them. You use us, and you beat us, and when you're through with us, you throw us to the side."

"Sam…"

"Shut up!" She took in a deep breath, then swallowed hard. "Don't you say a word! I'm not…" She gulped again. "I'm not giving you the chance to say what they always say to me. What you've always said to everybody. I've been so… so blind to you. We all have been, but now… You're not doing it anymore, Sonny. Not to me, or Carly, or anybody else."

"Sam, just calm down." Sonny's arms were up, out to the sides. "Give me the gun, and…"

"And what? You'll let us walk out of here with the kids?" She barked a bitter laugh. "Not likely. You'll just have us both carried out of this house, and Carly will never see her children again. But now…" Her laugh was maniacal, almost sadistic. "Oh, now, it's you that'll never see them again, any of them. Between Carly's bruises and my face… You've done yourself in, Sonny."

"What would Jason think about this, huh? Jason…"

"Jason loves me! And he loves Carly. And more than anyone else, he loves Michael. He won't let you do this to me. Or Morgan or Kristina. Jason knows what you are now, Sonny." As her words went on, her voice got thick. She was trying not to cry, trying to stay in control. "He knows what you are, and he'll never forgive you for this. You'll never see those children again, Sonny, and if you do see them, it'll be with supervision. And you know what? They're better off. Michael was better off with Jason as his father."

"How the hell do you know anything?" The calm he'd tried to fake left in an instant. "You weren't even here!"

"But, I've heard. I know, and he was better off. Kristina will be better off thinking of Ric as her father. And Morgan… Lorenzo Alcazar is a better man than you. I can say that and more, because I have the power. And don't think you can get to me before I shoot, because you can't. I'll shoot you, Sonny. I let so many men beat me and tell me it was my fault, but not now. Not anymore!"

Her arms were shaking and she didn't know if she should just shoot him and get it over with, or try to straighten her arms. If she showed too much weakness, he'd rush her, and she might not get a shot off. But he had to know… He had to know that he couldn't treat people like this. He couldn't rule the world and step on everyone that came along after him.

"Sam!" She heard Carly call to her, but she couldn't take her eyes off of Sonny. "Sam, I have the boys." Sam stopped and shook her head. She was trying to tell her something. "I have the boys and they're right here with me, Sam. Michael's awake, and we're going to be at the door really soon."

Put the gun down, that's what it meant. Put the gun down because, no matter what else Sonny would do, he wouldn't turn his own son against him. He wouldn't let Michael see him hit Carly or Sam. So, it was safe to put the gun down. Carly just couldn't say the words, because of the boys. She couldn't come over there and take it from her hands.

Sam lowered the gun slowly and slipped it into her pocket. Carly came rushing down the stairs, holding a dozing Morgan tightly against her. Michael followed, confused and sleepy. Sam reached out to him and after a nod from his mother, he took her hand. Sam pulled him to her side, holding his hand tightly. "What's going on?" he asked, wiping his eyes. "Dad?"

"It's okay, buddy," Sonny told him. "You'll be back in bed, soon."

"We're going to stay with Grandma," Carly told him. She took her hand from the back of Morgan's head and grabbed Sam's arm. Her hand was still in her pocket. She was still holding the gun. "Come on, Sam. Let's get the boys out of here. You don't want me to drive them, do you? I'd likely crash us and I really don't want something else for you to mock."

Sam reluctantly turned away from Sonny and realized that she was moving. Carly was pulling her backwards, carefully moving her to the foyer, soon to the outside. Sam looked at her and wondered if she'd done this for her, or for herself. Before, Carly had made her promise. She'd made it evident in the beginning that she didn't want to do it. But, Sam hadn't said anything like that. Part of her even wanted to shoot Sonny. But something bigger… Carly just knew that she didn't want to do it. She knew that she had to do what Sam had done for her earlier.

"Sam, what happened to your face?"

She looked down at Michael, then up at Carly. She looked back down to the boy and said, "It's nothing. I just… You know we found Kristina right?" He nodded. "Well, wouldn't you know it. I'm… I'm a klutz and I fell. Your mom'll be making fun of it for years."

"Yeah, I will." Carly's voice was shaky, but she tried to make herself seem call. At the car, she put Michael in the back, then went to the front, still holding Morgan. She slid into the passenger side and Sam slid in behind the wheel.

"Okay, we're off to see your Grandma." Sam had to work hard to keep her voice steady. As it were, she lost the battle with her hands and they trembled almost uncontrollably against the steering wheel. She took in deep breaths, but nothing calmed her. Nothing, until Carly put a hand on her arm. Sam turned to her, tears streaming her face. "Thanks," she said softly. Carly nodded. Her hand slid from Sam's arm, her head turned back to the windshield, and she stared out the front, past Morgan's head.

Sonny stood on the steps, watching as his children were taken away. Between Carly's touch and the look on his face… Sam could see him clearly when she turned on the car and the headlights hit him. She could steady herself. She could control herself long enough to drop off Carly and the boys, then go see Jason at the hospital. Until she reached Jason, she could be strong. She thought that Carly was being strong, too, just until she'd put her children to bed and called Lorenzo Alcazar to hold her. They were both being strong for the boys, and they could hold it as long as necessary. "We'll be fine," she muttered as she pulled out of the drive, heading away from the dark mansion. "We'll all be just fine."