The Letter

General Hospital

Rating: M

Pairing: Jason and Sam

Summary: Jason comes to his senses about being apart from Sam. However, when he gets to the lake house instead of finding Sam… Jason finds that she's gone and all that she left was a letter.

Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or anything related to it or any other copyright material within this story. It's for entertainment purposes only.

-x-

It was earlier that day that Jason had taken Carly's insights about the way he'd treated Sam since breaking up with her seriously. Carly had gone on and on about how he'd been stupid to think that Sam would have wanted him to leave her or blame himself for the shooting. Carly had told him that how he'd hurt Sam with his words and actions over the last few months were worse than any physical injury.

She was his best friend but Carly had a reputation for sticking her nose into other people's business especially his. It wasn't the first time she'd tried to talk him into getting back with Sam. At first he'd brushed it off as her usual busy body self until her points were not about why he should be with Sam but how the break up had reinforced all of Sam's worst fears and insecurities.

And her remarks were so spot on that it scared him into action right away.

He'd gone to the lake house to see Sam and of course, his least favorite person opened the door.

Jason walked up the steps of the porch to the door and knocked on the glass a few times. Only a few seconds later Ric opened up and seemed just as happy to see Jason as he was to see Ric.

This was for Sam so Jason took a calming breath and asked, "Is Sam here? I need to talk to her. It's urgent."

Ric leaned against the door frame. "No, she's not. And let me also answer your next questions. No, I don't know where she is and no, I don't know if she's even coming back. Even if she did I would bet big money it won't be any time today."

Jason furrowed his eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Sam and Alexis got into a huge fight the other day. Sam got up this morning and announced she'd rented a place of her own then movers showed up. They packed up all her stuff and she left about four hours ago."

Jason shook his head in frustration. "And I'm assuming she didn't leave her new address."

Ric shook his head but added, "However, Sam did say to give you this if you stopped by."

He moved away from the door to a table and picked up a manila envelope that looked like it contained legal documents. Jason took it from Ric and without another word, turned back toward his truck.

Jason had been back at his house for hours now. Inside the manila envelope was a small ordinary white envelope. He set it on his desk. He could see it contained something more than a letter because in the lower corner was a small circular bump.

His stomach was in knots. He felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Jason was literally frozen in fear. He could not count all the times he'd actually stared down the barrel of a gun. Jason had been in shoot outs. He'd survived explosions. He'd even been hit a few times.

Jason Morgan could face all of that without ever having any inkling of fear but he could not read that letter. He didn't know what to do. He'd be so afraid that he barely noticed the lights had gone out.

He stared around his dark apartment and he knew that if he didn't get Sam back then with or without lights on… his life would be full of darkness.

Suddenly, he knew what to do. This was turning out to be a day of firsts. This was the first time he was actually scared and the first time Jason was going to make this type of call. He'd answered too many to count but never once made the call.

She picked up after three rings.

"Hello?"

"Carly, look I know it's late and there's a black out but I need you to come over. I went to the lake house to tell Sam that I'd messed up and I love her but she was gone. She packed up all her stuff in a van and left me a letter. Carly, I can't read the letter. I don't know what I'll do if she's gone for good. I love her, Carly. I can't live without her... and I've been stupid and it will kill me if this letter says what I think it might say. Please."

"I'll be right there."

And true to her word despite the blackout, only a half hour later she burst in the door. She arrived in typical Carly tornado fashion. She stood in the open door way and stared at the totally dark apartment. Jason was sitting in the chair between the desk and coffee table. He was staring into the fire place he hadn't even bothered to light. Although considering how hot it was outside a warm fire didn't sound very appealing.

Carly did notice that he'd taken out a few flashlights and put them on the desk. She picked one up as she moved inside and closed the door. She flicked it on as she approached Jason who was sitting there just staring at nothing. At least that was what it seemed like except as she came to stand behind him in the chair the flashlight shown over what Jason was really staring at. It was a picture of Sam. He was looking at his everything.

Jason stared at the picture as he felt Carly sit next to him on the arm of the chair and threw an arm around his shoulders. She shined the light on Sam's face.

"That's a pretty picture."

Sam was smiling at the camera with her dark hairs falling over her shoulders and she was wearing a black tank top and the star necklace Jason had given her. He ran his fingers over her face. "Before Sam this place was just somewhere I could shower and sleep. Then Sam moved in and she turned it into a place we could relax. She made it warm and inviting. Sam made it a home. She changed this place and she changed me."

Jason thought about how they would talk, argue over styles of music, she taught him how to laugh. He read his travel books out loud when they cuddled up in each other and marking each place they planned to visit together. They would also curl up and watch one of her movies. He found it hilarious that even though she was this tough bad ass that could take down men twice her size but when it came to movies was as girly as any other woman. Sam would order a pizza, grab them a couple of beers then would turn on movies like Titanic and The Notebook. His favorite part was making her laugh again after the endings would make her cry.

"She made me want to come home to her."

Carly squeezed his shoulders. "And now you realize that penthouse wasn't home. It was Sam. She's your home."

Jason nodded. "And now it's probably all gone because I was too stupid."

Carly had never seen Jason like this. She may not be Sam's biggest fan but Carly understood that she was the only one for her best friend. Jason had found that one person in the whole world he truly loved. And Sam gave him that love he had thought did not exist let alone that he'd find it for himself.

In Sam, he found a woman that challenged him but never tried to change him. She wasn't afraid of him or what side of the law his work put him on. Sam could also be in the trenches with him because that woman was fearless, loyal, and knew how to fight. And she fought anyone who told her or Jason what they should be doing or tried controlling either of them. Just like Jason, Sam hated being told what to do by others.

Sam gave Jason the love and happiness that he deserved more than anyone she had ever met.

And after everything Sam had been through in the last few years, Carly would admit that the feisty brunette also deserved some happiness.

However, Jason had been so scared that night Manny Ruiz shot her that it had made it perfect for Alexis to finally manipulate him into leaving Sam. She had played right into his guilt for not protecting Sam when it was literally his job to protect Sonny, his kids, and herself. Even if it wasn't, it was simply in his nature to protect his loved ones. And Jason loved no one more than he loved Sam. He'd felt like a failure when Sam had been shot. In his mind even though Manny Ruiz had pulled the trigger, Jason felt he was the real danger to Sam. So that combined with Alexis playing on his guilt and fear using her expertise as lawyer no doubt… Jason had broken up with Sam.

Carly knew the whole thing had been tearing up Jason on the inside as badly as it had been tearing up Sam. He was not just breaking Sam's heart but his own as well.

Someday, Carly was going to read Alexis the riot act for setting this all in motion especially since the hypocritical bitch was married to a man that had kept her locked in a panic room for months with plans to steal her baby and make her disappear afterward.

But she had more pressing issues. The most important being dragging her best friend out of the pit of despair the same way he had for her so many times.

"Where's the letter?" Carly asked.

"On the desk."

Carly got up and moved her flashlight over to the desk to see an ordinary envelope sitting on the middle of the desk.

As she looked at it, she could see why Jason was so scared to open it. Carly could see the outline of the ring and felt the weight it added to the envelope. Jason had thought he was doing the right thing and protecting Sam. However, as much as she loved him, Jason had been so cold and almost heartless in his treatment of Sam since the break up. She had fought against him with everything she had but there's only so much someone can take before saying enough of enough.

Carly was afraid for Jason that Sam had reached her point just as he realized how dumb he'd been,

Carly turned it over and tore up the seal. She fished out the ring and put it the tip of her pointer finger to secure it. Then she took out the letter and unfolded the piece of notebook paper. Carly held her flashlight over it and glanced it over before reading it word for word.

"Out loud Carly."

"Okay…" Carly said then began reading the letter.

My dearest Jason,

I have to start by saying that I love you. I have been so mad at you for letting my so called mother talk you into giving up on us. I don't blame you but I do blame Alexis for thinking she had any say in our relationship or any right to tell me what I should be doing with my life. Since she won't acknowledge that she was in the wrong or respect the fact that I'm an adult or realize that she's a couple decades too late to act like a concerned parent and unlike her other daughters, I get to make my own choices. My choice is you. I know you feel responsible for what Manny Ruiz did but I don't blame you. I know we can overcome this just like we've already overcome so much. I know that I can't force you to be with me but you asked me to marry you and I said yes both times. After the train crash you told me that you fought to get back to me because you had to give me the ring you'd promised me. I will wait for you to fight your own guilt and fear to get back to me so that you can give me my ring and we can start our life together.

With all my love

Sam

P.S. – I'm staying at the Port Charles Suites on Chestnut Drive Suite 22C

When Carly looked back up after finishing the letter she saw that happy glint in those crystal clear blue eyes and an actual smile on his handsome face. She could see the relief in her best friend and as much as she hate to admit it, Carly was relieved too.

"She didn't leave me. She didn't even leave the city."

Carly smiled and shook her head. "Nope, she just left that overbearing control freak she got as a biological mother and her sleaze of a husband."

Jason stood up and started rushing around the apartment. "I have to go see her. I have to bring her home."

His movements were frantic but she could see that he was happy and excited. It was so amazing that even she was getting excited. Carly had to admit that Sam was the one for Jason. Everything she had written in that letter demonstrated an understanding of who Jason was at his core. Not to mention an unswerving loyalty and unconditional love that no woman before had ever been able to give him.

She knew that Sam was it for Jason. Carly would bet that Jason wasn't going to waste anymore time on the engagement; in the very near future she would bet that not only would Sam being wearing her ring again but Jason would be sporting a ring to match.

"I'm going to see her now. Right now." He opened the closet and grabbed his signature black leather jacket and swung it over his shoulders. Jason stopped in front of the desk and grabbed a blue velvet ring box out of the drawer. He looked up at her and Carly couldn't help but smile at him and his obvious joy.

Yep, Jason would be married in the very near future. "Where's the ring?"

"Yeah, it's right here but give me the damn box because you're getting jittery and I don't want you to lose this in a damn black out."

Carly took the box out of his hand and then took the ring off her finger before placing it securely inside the box then putting it in his inside jacket pocket. Then she pulled his jacket closed and zipped up but did not let go right away.

"Jason, you know Sam is not my favorite person—"

"Carly, look I –"

"Shut up and listen to me. She's not my favorite person but you are my best friend. This woman is the best thing that has ever happened to you. Making a dumb move once by letting her go is acceptable because you're a guy and while I love you… guys do stupid things. However, this is your second chance and you're lucky to get it because you've been a jerk. Sam loves you and if you let her get away again it will be the biggest mistake you'll ever make because Jason, she is the one."

Jason smiled. "I know. I love her so much. I won't mess this up again. You're right... she's my home and all I want is to be her husband and the father of her kids for the rest of my life."

Carly felt her eyes prick with tears.

"You two were made for each other."

Jason nodded then he and Carly made their way to the door. He pulled it open only to find Elizabeth Webber on the other side about to knock.

The nurse ran straight into Jason's arms who stood there awkwardly looking at Carly whose presence didn't even seem to register with Elizabeth.

"Oh, Jason, thank goodness you're home. I didn't know where to go. Lucky's cheating on me. I need you so much right now."

Carly rolled her eyes. Elizabeth had obviously rehearsed her damsel in distress act to prey on Jason's loyalty and sympathy. She couldn't believe that Jason had been so close to making a clean get away. Now, if Elizabeth had her way she'd spend the night crying on Jason's shoulder and probably hoping to get into his pants with her sob story too.

It was typical of the insipid young woman. Carly knew that Elizabeth wanted Jason, anyone except Jason knew that. Elizabeth couldn't stand that Jason had simply moved on after his brief lapse in judgment when he entertained the idea of he and Liz becoming more. She couldn't stand when Jason fell in love with Courtney. Carly knew that Elizabeth had even accused Courtney of "stealing" Jason from her and accused Jason of walking away from their "relationship" instead of working things out. Except Jason and she had never had an actual relationship. That's exactly what Elizabeth resented most. Jason had never loved her and now she was trying to take advantage of his temporary single status to try to tear him away from Sam.

Jason padded her back soothingly but then put his hands on her shoulders and gently pulled away.

"Elizabeth, I'm really sorry that you're going through this but I have to go. I really need to go and it's extremely important. Again, I'm sorry but I can't talk to you about this. I hope you feel better. I promise we can talk about this another time."

Jason moved around a shocked Elizabeth whose face had gone from sad with teary eyes to furious with an angry glare.

Jason was hurrying toward the stairwell before he turned back. "Carly, will you please lock up for me?"

Carly smiled. "Sure thing. And I want a full and detailed report first thing."

"You got it. Bye Liz."

Then the door to the stairwell slammed shut indicating his departure.

Carly turned around and moved the door closer so she could lock it before she pulled it shut as Elizabeth made another step toward the apartment with a confused look on her face.

"You want a full and detailed report on what? Where was he going?"

Carly swung her keys to the penthouse in her hand and smugly smiled down at the whiny, annoying nurse with the obvious agenda.

"I want a full report on what happens after Jason proposes to Sam."

"What?" Elizabeth almost screamed. Now she had her hands on her hips and if she were a cartoon character then steam would be coming out of her ears. "He broke up with that lying bitch of a con woman. Why the hell would he propose to her? He just came to his senses and ended that ridiculous relationship. He finally realized that she was just trying to trap him where as I—"

Carly raised her eyebrows, "Whereas you what?"

Elizabeth realized what she had started to say and the wheels were obviously turning trying to come up with a plausible ending to that sentence.

Carly shook her head and held up her hand, "Don't bother trying to come up with a lie. It won't work on me. We both know that if you really needed to just talk then you would have gone to Robin or Emily. You climbed fifteen flights of stairs in a black out because you wanted to sleep with Jason."

Elizabeth glared at her. "How dare you? Jason and I are friends. He cares about me."

Carly smiled and nodded. "Exactly. You and Jason are friends… and that's all. You want more but he doesn't. He's never loved you and if you want to regain some sort of dignity then now is the time to stop following Jason around like a bitch in heat. See it's one thing to be go after a guy who doesn't want you but it's another to go after a married man who doesn't want you."

Elizabeth huffed. "Jason's not married."

Carly smiled again and leaned in real close. "He's going to propose to Sam for the third time. Trust me when I say that soon this will be the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Morgan."

With that Carly turned away from the nurse and made her way to the stairwell leaving Elizabeth to stand alone in a dark hallway seething with jealousy.

-x-

End of Part I