Hi everyone. Okay this is another chapter to bear with me (the last scene that is). Remember I'm not good with medical stuff but I googled it so hopefully it makes sense. Enjoy!

Chapter 8- The Great Escape

"Dad!" Sam bolted to Julian's side with Robin.

Matteo ran from the room.

Robin started applying pleasure to the wound. "Sam! Go find Patrick! Or anyone!"

Sam nodded, and glanced at Helena/Alexis whose face was white as a ghost, then she ran out to the hallway. "Help! Somebody help!" She turned a corner and bumped into Elizabeth wearing pink scrubs. "Elizabeth, my dad, he's been shot! In my mom's room. Robin said to get Patrick."

"He's at the nurse's station. You go find him. I'll go help Robin."

Sam darted down the hallway until she reached the nurse's station. Epiphany was typing on the computer and Patrick was talking to Monica. The elevator doors opened, and Spencer walked out.

"Patrick, my dad… he was shot in the head. In my mom's room."

Patrick's eyes grew wide. "I'm on it." He took off down the hallway.

"Where's the shooter?" Monica asked.

"He took off. He was just a kid."

"Epiphany, call the police," Monica ordered. "I'll alert security on all floors. We're going under lockdown."

"Lockdown?" Spencer walked over to them as Monica took off. "Is your mother okay?"

"My mom's fine, it's my dad…" Sam took off after Patrick.

Julian was being pulled away on a stretcher by Robin and Elizabeth, a bandage wrapped around his head. Patrick caught up to them.

"We need to get him into surgery right away!" Robin exclaimed.

Sam's breathing sped up. "Is he gonna be okay?"

"We'll find you after the surgery," Patrick said before they wheeled him away.

Sam rubbed her temples.

"Well, that's frightening." Spencer appeared at her side.

"Uh huh… why are you here, Spencer?" Sam asked, glad for a distraction, and deciding to wait to tell Lucas and Ava when the lockdown is over. But she pulled out her phone and texted Lucas: Please pick up Danny and Leo. I'll call later xo

"Grandmother withdrew me from school the last couple days. She didn't bother to inform me why. But I overheard her conversing with Dr. Collins. I know that Aunt Alexis has Great-Grandmother's mind now and I need to speak with her."

"And does your grandmother know you're here?"

"Of course not. That is why I have been removed from school. She doesn't want Great-Grandmother to approach me."

Sam sighed. "Well you can't leave now. You should at least call her and let her know you're here. She's probably worried about you."

He frowned. "Okay, after I talk to Great-Grandmother."

"But your grandmother wants you safe from her."

"Great-Grandmother won't hurt me. I was her prince."

"Why don't you call your grandmother and wait here with me?"

Spencer groaned. "Okay, fine." He pulled out his phone. "Hello, Grandmother. Yes, I am fine. I'm at the hospital with Sam. I know it's on lockdown. I am fine, compose yourself. I need to talk to Great-Grandmother about my inheritance. Ugh. Okay. Okay, fine. I will stay with Sam. Okay, goodbye." He slipped his phone away and plopped himself down on the bench, crossing his arms.

Sam sat beside him. "She's only trying to protect you."

"I don't need protection."

"You're lucky to have her." Sam rubbed her sweaty palms on her thighs. "Grandmothers are really special. Danny and Scout love theirs."

"I know, but she doesn't understand my birthright. Valentin confiscated my home and my father."

Sam cleared her throat. "Has your grandmother talked about your father the last couple days?"

"Yes. He is alive and the authorities are searching for him. But I think Great-Grandmother will know where Valentin took him."

"Maybe. I can ask her after Dad's surgery."

"Thank you. Now we're getting somewhere."

Sam let out a deep breath and slouched a little.

"Did my eyes deceive me or was that Emma's father that whizzed your father away?" Spencer asked.

"It was. Danny said she started back to school yesterday."

Spencer's eyes grew wide. "And Grandmother chose yesterday of all days to take me out of school. Not only will I be seeing Josslyn everyday now but Emma too." He grinned. "As long as Cameron doesn't try to step in my way again."

Sam chuckled a little, but then guilt flooded through her. Distraction was good, but this was no time for laughing. "Maybe each of you can date one, if of course they're interested too."

He scratched his chin. "That would be a hard decision. I have history with both. I like Josslyn's spice, but Emma is just so beautiful."

Sam looked up when Helena/Alexis appeared in front of them, still pale as ever, staring off.

"Mom?" Sam asked. "Are you all right?"

"Great-Grandmother!" Spencer jumped up and hugged her. "I heard about your mind being back. I must speak with you about my father and my inheritance. Please tell me where the codicil is that leaves everything to Father."

Her eyes moved down to him. "Spencer…"

"Great-Grandmother?"

"Your father failed me."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Aren't you happy to see Spencer?"

"Remember?" Spencer smiled. "I'm your little prince… though I'm not little anymore. Valentin stole everything from me. But with the codicil, I can get my birthright back."

Helena/Alexis started to smile. "You speak like a true Cassadine."

"Yeah," Sam said, crossing her arms. "Remember? You loved Nikolas and Spencer. Nikolas may have failed you at one time, but he was a good businessman and he is your flesh and blood."

"True, Samantha."

"And you don't want everything to go to Valentin," Sam continued. "If you just tell Spencer where the codicil is and where Valentin might have taken Nikolas, then the true Cassadine line won't die out."

Helena/Alexis breathed in deeply. "I hid the codicil where no one would find it."

"Where is that, Great-Grandmother?" Spencer asked.

"It's sewed inside the dress I wore to my first dinner with the King and Queen of Spain."

Sam scrunched her face. "Really? The dress Scout has now?"

"And Father?" Spencer asked. "Where could Valentin have taken him?"

A shuffling sound made Sam whip around. Matteo Marchesi was peeking around a corner, but his eyes grew wide and he sprinted away.

"No, wait!" Sam chased after him.

Matteo came to a halt when Chase appeared at the end of the hallway.

"Sam? Is this the kid?" Chase asked.

"Yes, but… Matteo, let us help you…" Sam said.

"I—I don't need help!" He pulled out his gun again. "Just—just stay away!"

"Listen, kid," Chase raised his hands. "You don't want to go down this path. You can still make the right choice."

"Just—just stop!" He darted into a vacant room and they followed after him. He climbed up on the windowsill and pushed it open.

"Wait, don't jump…" Sam said. "Please, we can help you."

"I said, I don't want help," he said through gritted teeth, then jumped.

"No!" Sam and Chase hastened to the window.

Matteo hung from a helicopter and Alessandro pulled him on board. The helicopter soared away.

GHGHGH

The lockdown subsided once word got out that Matteo escaped. Sam finally called Lucas and Ava. Kristina and Molly went over to watch the kids so Lucas could come. He picked up Ava and they arrived together. Laura had been waiting outside the hospital since she learned Spencer was there and took him home right away. Sam was surprised that Helena/Alexis hadn't left the hospital since knowing she could officially leave since the lockdown was over. She kept wandering the hallways but wouldn't say a word to them.

When Ava and Lucas did arrive, Lucas immediately hugged Sam. And as soon as she was in his arms, she finally let the tears fall that had been stinging at her eyes since the shooting. Her funny, brave dad who she pushed away so many times was possibly in there dying… if not already dead.

"Any word yet?" Ava asked, pacing back and forth.

Sam shook her head. "It's all because of me."

"What are you talking about?" Lucas asked. "This isn't your fault."

"Not directly…" Sam pushed away some tears with the palm of her hand. "But the Marchesis wanted revenge because Dad killed Salvatore to protect me."

"Exactly," Lucas said. "He did it to protect you. Just like you would have done to protect Danny or Scout. The Marchesis are sick people raising their children to do evil things. This is on them, not you."

"I just… I wish Mom were here," Sam said. "And I mean really here." She looked up and Helena/Alexis was standing there looking sullen.

"Sam… Lucas… Ava…" Patrick arrived with a surgical mask hanging from his neck.

Lucas swallowed hard. "How did it go?"

"Is my brother okay?" Ava asked.

"Well, the good news is the bullet exited the back of his skull," Patrick said. "That and the fact Robin was there when it happened probably saved his life."

"And the bad news?" Ava asked.

"It grazed some of his brain tissue and caused some hemorrhaging and swelling. We won't know the effects of it until he wakes up… if he wakes up."

Sam locked eyes with Helena/Alexis, then she lowered her gaze.

"When can we see him?" Ava asked.

"Once he's out of recovery." Patrick set his hands on his hips. "One of the nurses will inform you. We will be monitoring him closely."

Lucas nodded and wrapped an arm around Sam. "Thanks, Patrick."