Chapter 3

All she was doing was looking out for the best interests of Michael and yet Carly refuses to see that. Instead she fights Sam at every turn. It was getting ridiculous and Sam had enough. She was sick and tired of Carly constantly telling her she wasn't good enough for Jason; of Carly reminding her over and over again that she had been Sonny's mistress – or rather a bed warmer until he came to his senses and took Carly back. And then she had committed the worst offense of all – she had the nerve to get pregnant!

Sam sighed. She really didn't want to think about the pain of losing a baby she loved with all of her heart. Sam was not going to back down on this though. It wasn't until Sam and Jason admitted their love for each other that she felt like she was really living. Sam now had a home she was not going to give up, no matter who was trying to push her out.

Looking at the clock, Sam was beginning to wonder where Jason was. He still wasn't home. Sam bit her lip as she headed upstairs. The other night Sam had followed Jason to make sure he didn't get himself killed. She had found him quickly, only to discover him checking on the warehouses and then heading home. As soon as Sam realized this, she made it back to the penthouse before him and never said anything about it.

Sam went to the closet and pulled out her gear again. Knowing this was probably a stupid idea, Sam got herself ready. She didn't care. She was not going to let Jason get himself killed because he was distracted.

Leaving the penthouse, Sam made her way to the docks, keeping to the shadows. She had no idea where Jason might be, or if he had even left Sonny's house yet. She knew he wasn't home because he would have called her when he discovered she wasn't there. All the warehouses were quiet and none of the guards or workers had seen her. Sam was heading back when she heard voices. Sonny and Jason were standing not too far away, talking. Sam crept closer, wanting to hear what they were saying.

"Come on Jason, I know you don't like the man because of your past experiences with him, but if Michael is making progress, that's what's important," said Sonny as he watched his friend pace. Sonny could feel the waves of tension coming from his friend.

"I know that Sonny, but there is something about the guy that I don't like," said Jason. It was hard for him to explain the reason for these feelings.

Sonny sighed. "Jason, you know I trust your instincts. And you know how I feel about shrinks. If you can find proof that Dr. Thomas is not who he claims to be, I will pull Michael out of therapy."

Jason stopped pacing and looked at his friend. "I don't think he'll hurt Michael, Sonny. I just get this vibe from him that I don't like," said Jason, trying to put his feelings into words.

"What kind of vibe?" Sonny asked. He wasn't used to seeing Jason like this. Jason was always so together. He followed his gut instincts. This Jason was stressed and edgy. "Talk to me Jason," Sonny prodded him.

Jason sighed and ran his hand through his hair and down his face. "I don't like the way Dr. Thomas is with Sam."

Sam gasped slightly, covering her mouth. Jason was jealous? But there was nothing to be jealous of. Sam had no interest whatsoever in Dr. Thomas, except on a professional level, and she was sure the man was only interested in her because of Michael.

"What do you mean?" Sonny asked. If Sonny wasn't sure before, Jason just confirmed how much he loved Sam.

"Dr. Thomas is hiding something. He knows something and I think he's trying to manipulate Sam to get what he wants. He's using her concern for Michael to get close to her."

"So you think Dr. Thomas is interested in Sam on more than a professional level?" Sonny asked.

"I know he is. Justus has been doing some digging into Thomas's past and he talked to Dr. Winters. She shared some of her observations concerning Dr. Thomas and Sam. I don't like it Sonny."

Sonny nodded. He didn't like the way it sounded either. "Alright, get Stan on it. Have him do an extensive search. Keep an eye on Sam when Michael has a session. You said that Thomas has been talking to her privately after the sessions," said Sonny.

"Yeah, but I don't know what they talk about. I think he's trying to convince Sam to bring Michael in for extra sessions," said Jason.

"Until we know more about the man Jason, I wouldn't leave Sam alone with him," Sonny advised as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Jason agreed. "Oh, and heads up, Carly got into it with Sam again at the house. I had to intervene and sent Sam home to avoid a fight."

Sighing and rolling his eyes, Sonny nodded. "Thanks," he said. "Look, just keep an eye on Sam and Dr. Thomas. Stan's good, he should be able to find something." With that said, Sonny left, heading home to see what damage control was going to be needed.

Sam was still reeling from what she heard. She had never even thought that Dr. Thomas could be dangerous, she had no reason too. Sure, Dr. Thomas voiced his concerns about Jason's involvement with Michael's therapy, but she didn't see anything wrong with that. Seeing Jason still on the docks, Sam figured she should get back to the penthouse before he did. As she moved further into the shadows, she stopped when she heard his voice again.

"You can come out now Sam," he said.

Sam sighed as she stepped out of the shadows.

"What are you doing here," Jason asked as he walked over to her. "I thought you were at home."

"Oh, you mean after you dismissed me?" Sam asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

Jason looked down at her and saw the fire in her deep brown eyes. She was angry and Jason didn't blame her, but that didn't mean she should be sneaking around the docks this time of night. "I'm sorry Sam."

Sam sighed, but was not going to apologize for snapping at him. "Jason, why can't you just get past these feelings you have for Dr. Thomas and let it go?" she asked.

"I can't. I don't trust him. He's up to something."

"Jason, don't you see that Michael is picking up on this? He looks up to you, seeks your approval! And he can tell you don't like this whole thing Jason and it may be holding him back. Michael is hurting and he's confused. He needs all of our support in this!"

"I know that Sam!" Jason exclaimed. "Don't you think I want him to get help? But there is something about Thomas I do not trust!"

"And what is it Jason? Is it the fact that he wants to help a little boy that you think of as your son? Or is it the fact that someone other than you might be able to get through to him? Or how about this one Jason, is it because you're jealous? Are you jealous that someone other than you values my opinion, seeks me out to talk to? Come on Jason, you're better than that!" Sam didn't know where that came from as she ended her rant.

Jason was shocked. Sure, he and Sam didn't get along when they first met and had exchanged angry words before, but this was the first time Sam had hit exactly what had been going through his mind. Was it true? Was he just jealous and imagining the worst?

When Jason didn't answer, Sam sighed in frustration. "I'll be at home." Turning, Sam walked away.

It had been two days since Jodie had met Michael in the park. She had really liked him and thought his little brother was cute. But since then, Jodie had been stuck in the hotel room with a baby-sitter while her Social Worker – Mrs. Carmine – continued to look for Jodie's biological father.

Jodie still wasn't sure how she felt about all of this. All she knew was that things had been going fine until her mom had gotten sick. Sure, her mom didn't like it when Jodie would disappear, but she also knew her daughter had a curious mind and knew how to take care of herself. Jodie missed her mother terribly and was more curious now than ever before about whom her father really was.

Mrs. Carmine wouldn't tell Jodie anything, and that really made Jodie mad. She just wanted to at least know his name or maybe even see a picture of what he looked like. Did she look like him? Jodie knew she had her mother's blonde hair and facial features, but what about her eyes? Jodie's mom had brown eyes while Jodie's were a light blue. Also, Jodie was very smart and curious and always wanted to learn about what was going on around her. She knew she didn't get that from her mother, so she assumed she inherited that from her father.

Jodie was bored out of her mind. The baby-sitter was on the phone and not paying any attention to her. Jodie figured she could sneak out of the room and wander for a bit before Mrs. Carmine got back. As she was getting ready to head out, Jodie saw a file folder on the table. She recognized it as the one where Mrs. Carmine kept all the information on Jodie's father. Walking over to the folder, Jodie flipped it open and started reading. She found the name and address of the man who was her biological father. Grabbing a piece of paper, Jodie wrote the information down, slipped it into the pocket of her jeans and slipped out of the door.

If no one was going to tell her anything, Jodie was going to have to find the information on her own.

"Excuse me, Mr. Alcazar?" Lorenzo turned when he heard his name and saw a woman standing a couple of feet away. She looked to be in her mid 30's with light brown hair that brushed her shoulders.

"Yes, can I help you?" he asked, wondering who this woman was and how she knew him.

"Actually you can. Is there somewhere we can talk?" she asked, looking around the busy hospital corridor.

Lorenzo nodded and indicated that she precede him to a nearby sitting area. Once settled, Lorenzo looked at the woman expectantly.

"I'm sorry to have to discuss this hear, but your secretary said you would be here for most of the afternoon. My name is Mary Carmine and I a Social Worker."

Lorenzo raised an eyebrow. "I thought that Diego was no longer in need of a social worker," he said.

"This is not about Diego, Mr. Alcazar," said Mary, recognizing the name from her files as the seventeen year old boy who had just come to town. "Do you remember a woman by the name of Amanda Moran?"

Lorenzo did remember her. He had met Amanda ten years ago through a business deal. He had found her sweet and kind, and although he had still been struggling with the loss of Sophie and was burying himself deeper and deeper into the family business, Lorenzo found himself drawn to the young woman. But once his business was over, Lorenzo left. He was no interested in a relationship – at least not an emotional one.

"Yes, I remember Amanda. What does this have to do with her?" he asked.

"I am sorry to tell you Mr. Alcazar, but Ms. Moran passed away about a month ago," she said, taking in the sadness that flashed through his eyes. As part of Mary's job, she tried to not pass judgment about her clients.

"What happened?" Lorenzo asked. He had remembered Amanda as a healthy and vibrant woman.

"She had terminal breast cancer. By the time it was caught, it was too late. She went quickly. The reason I am here Mr. Alcazar is because of this." Mary handed the man the letter Amanda had left.

Lorenzo took the envelope and pulled out the folded paper inside. Unfolding it, he started to read.

Dear Lorenzo,

I am not sure if you remember me. My name is Amanda Monroe and we met about 10 years ago in Florida. You were there on family business and I was working as a waitress in the restaurant where your meetings were conducted. I know we did not really spend much time together and had decided that neither of us wanted anything more than what we had for those few weeks, but there is something I never told you.

A month after you left, I found out I was pregnant. I knew the baby was yours. I know I could have contacted you, but I also knew that you were not looking for any long term commitments, that you were dedicated to your family's business. I kept the baby and raised her on my own. I know it was wrong of me, but I did not want to burden you with this.

I had a baby girl and named her Jodie Ann. She's a beautiful little girl. She reminds me a lot of you with her intellect and curiosity. I never told Jodie about you, although she started asking at the age of three.

If you are reading this, it means I lost my battle with cancer. I feel horrible about leaving my precious little girl behind. I have no other family and cannot bear the thought of her being raised by strangers who have no blood ties to her. I know I should have done this a lot sooner, and I am sorry for the time you have missed with her. Please, if you are able and willing, love her. Take her into your home. She is a special little girl who deserves to know her father, to know where she came from. She knows I loved her deeply and I can only hope that she will one day forgive me. I will understand if you don't want her, but I pray the two of you give each other a chance.

Again, I am sorry to have waited so long to tell you.

Amanda

Lorenzo was stunned. He had a daughter. He looked up at the woman. "Where is she?" he asked.

"She's at the Metro-Court with a baby-sitter. I had wanted to speak with you myself before bringing her into it. I have all of her information here," said Mary as she handed him a file folder. "Everything's in there: a recent picture; all her medical records for the last nine years; her school records and report cards. I would ask that you look over everything before we arrange for you to meet her."

Lorenzo took the file. He opened it and saw a photo of her. She had shoulder length, straight blonde hair, bright blue eyes and her mother's smile. "I want to see her."

Mary nodded. She knew the kind of man Lorenzo Alcazar was and she was not going to deny him seeing his daughter.