Jason had a wonderful morning with his son. He hadn't had many one on one interactions with Danny since he found out the wondrous news - he usually had the other boys with them or Sam, or Elizabeth - not usually just him and Danny, doing something fun. As he watched his son run ahead of him, he couldn't figure out what had taken him so long.

He was a happy little boy, free and curious, and bright and polite. He had moments of silence when Jason would notice him taking in everything and everyone around him, quiet and reserved…then he'd ask the most astute questions…simple and concise - showing his curiosity and observation skills, keen as any adult he knew. He had a real curiosity about things and how they worked, which gave Jason insight on how his mind worked. He was unbelievable and special. And he was his.

He found out at breakfast that his son had missed him in a way he'd been absolutely blind to, thinking the occasional hour he spent sharing an ice-cream cone or some chicken fingers at Kelly's was all the time he needed to afford a four-year-old, all the time he needed from him. Finding out how present Sam had kept him in his son's life, how much Danny knew about the him he'd refused to face himself, was eye opening.

"Daddy, what is it like in Italy?"

Jason laid down the coffee cup as he watched his son storm through a small pancake stack, drowned in syrup.

"Italy?"

"Huhah…Mommy said you took her there once. She was reading me a bedtime story about Siena, and she said she really went there with you. What was it like?"

He was taken aback. He'd never even thought about trips he might have taken with Sam, or about places they would've traveled, those special memories made together.

"I'm sorry, Buddy, but I still can't remember a lot of things from the past. I'm sure it was beautiful like Mommy told you…I wish I could remember too."

"It's okay, Daddy. I can show you the pictures in my book. Mommy said you saw a shooting star - did you know that Mommy loves stars?"

Jason smiled and took a sip of coffee, recalling the night they'd seen one at the water together…back when he had no idea he was standing there, talking to his wife about himself.

"She might have mentioned something about it." He watched Danny nod and stuff another huge bite of pancakes. "What about you, do you like shooting stars?"

He got a cursory nod as he could see the wheels turning, knowing his remarkable offspring was already moved on to the next thing on his curious mind. He soon found out he'd guessed right.

"Do you dream, Daddy?"

"Do I dream?"

"Mhm. Mommy said you hurt your head, that's why you can't remember us. I dreamed once that I could fly…isn't that silly? People don't have wings like birds or like airplanes - people can't fly."

"You know about flying?"

He got another nod, then found out something else he didn't know about his little boy. "The shape of the wings move air really fast on a plane, did you know that?"

"I had no idea. Where'd you learn that?"

"From Mikey. He took us on the jet once. We didn't get to fly anywhere that time but the pilot showed us how it works. Mikey bought me a model airplane and we put it together and erything."

"Really? Aren't you too little?"

They'd exited Kelly's and were walking towards the park. Jason wasn't ready to take him back home yet, Sam said he didn't have to be back until two, and he was thoroughly enjoying their time alone.

"Nahuh, I'm a big boy - even Mommy says. Mikey was there the whole time, and Mommy too. It's in my room at Patrick's house - want to see it, Daddy?"

Jason felt a quiet anger stir inside him. Other people got to do the things with his son that he should have been doing. He missed out on years with Danny, teaching him things, learning what he liked, what he didn't…because some old, deranged crone had an agenda of who he should be and what he should be doing…being a father to his sons not one of them…not his right, by her decree. Cursing Helena again in his mind, he brought his concentration back on Danny.

"Sure, I'd love to see it, Buddy."

They spent time at the park, then at the Museum of Science, where Jason knew Danny would get a real kick out of the antique planes on display. He wasn't disappointed when his son adopted, "wow" as his word of the day. He used it so many times Jason couldn't stop smiling, loving every single minute spent with him, indulging his curiosity.

His phone rang just before noon, and as he reached inside his pocket he found himself excitedly hoping it was the mother of his son. Checking up on Danny of course, he told himself…but of course, it wasn't her.

"Hello."

"Jason, hi. You've been gone all morning, are you on your way home yet?"

"I'm still with my son. I'll be back later."

"That's one long breakfast - where did you take him, California?"

He was confused by the snarkiness in her voice, but didn't want anything intruding. "No, we went to Kelly's like I told you. I'll see you later…I need to get back to Danny."

"Jason, wait…"

His annoyance was growing. "What is it Elizabeth?"

"I have to be at work at seven - can we at least have dinner together before then? Since you didn't bother to take Jake on your little outing, I'm sure he'd love to see his father today too."

"I never do anything like this with Danny, why are you making it a big deal?"

He could hear when she injected the nectar back into her voice, obviously realizing she'd erred. "We just miss you when you're not here, that's all. I didn't expect you to be gone all day…especially after last night."

The image of them together popped into his head, and regret once again took him over…regret that he'd used her, regret that she'd expect that kind of hunger all the time now, regret that he wasn't being more sensitive…and the most extensive regret that had ebbed low in his gut since - that his conjured partner hadn't really been the one there.

"I'll talk to you after I drop Danny off - I have to go." He quickly hung up, still annoyed that she would interrupt the time with his son for no reason, but placed himself back into the magic of the day - waving at Danny where he'd been watching him across the room. He had so much making up to do, and his four-year-old was where he was the most anxious to start.

Sam drove to Kelly's to try and catch up with Jason and Danny. When they weren't there she started to worry that Jason was on his way back to the house, but just as she reached for the phone to call him, a text appeared. Releasing a pent-up sigh, she breathed relief that they were still out having fun, as she quickly texted back to them to enjoy the Museum and Jason to drop Danny off at her mom's when they got done. She also told him not to worry about two, that they were no longer on a schedule. She didn't want to cut her baby's day short if he was having fun - no reason at all to now.

"Seriously, Sam - why do I even bother trying to do this with you?" She turned to meet the bristle of Maxie's tirade as the busy blonde soared into Kelly's and came to stop next to her. Maxie took one look at her friend's face and grabbed her by the elbow, pulling her to a table in the far corner of the room, all exasperations forgotten.

"Sam, what's wrong. I got a text from Patrick saying you've postponed the wedding, at the last minute I might add…" her voice trailed off as she studied Sam's face, "…but this isn't just a postponement, is it?"

Sam shook her head sadly. "I thought at first it would be. Honestly, Maxie I thought he had a right to know that everything wasn't all fairytales and roses with us, and I thought he'd be okay with pushing the wedding out a little bit, just, you know - till we figured everything out. I know it's a mistake for us to get married right now, but I really didn't think we'd be here."

"Where exactly are we?"

"Splitsville, that's where!"

"But why, Sam you guys were so happy and in love. I don't think your confusion over old feelings for Jason could do this - Patrick's just hurt. He'll come around."

"What do you know about my feelings for Jason?"

"Oh, God, Sam everybody knows about your feelings for Jason - especially the thot he's engaged to. Didn't you explain it to Patrick?"

"I tried - he didn't want to hear anything, and honestly, after the ugliness he showed me today - this is definitely for the best."

"Ugliness - what do you mean - what did Patrick do?"

Sam toyed with the saltshaker as she heard his unkind words play over and over again. "Not a damn thing I want to talk about, but given that we now know how he truly feels, we were about to make the biggest mistake of our lives. I'm really sorry all your hard work just went down the drain…but it's better we found out before we tied ourselves together for the wrong reasons."

Maxie was worried. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine. Dr. Drake finally learned that he can't control me, and I guess that didn't sit too well with him. We are definitely better off going our separate ways now."

"WHAT? YOU BROKE UP WITH PATRICK?"

The shaky shriek got everyone in the room's attention, and the friends looked over to find Elizabeth Webber standing there clutching her purse like a lifeline beneath her arm, her face stricken and white.

"Why? Why would you do this - to come chasing after Jason again? You better think again, lady because this time I'll fight you to the death. I am never letting go of Jason, do you hear me? Never! So you and your offspring can just find yourselves another pursestring to latch onto, because Jason is MINE. He belongs to me and Jake and you're never getting near him again. NEVER!"

Sam looked from the incensed woman, to the other astounded patrons, then over to Maxie with a confused look on her face.

"Is this hyena addressing me?"

Maxie pursed her lips in derision and bobbed her head. "Yep, yep - I'm pretty sure that crazy was all addressed to you…but do you want me to handle it though? Please, please, PLEASE, can I handle it?"

"Or…we could just ignore the nuisance till it went away?"

Her arms flashed towards the woman. "I vote no! By all means…handle that…but tag me in when you're done, will ya?"

Elizabeth was furious. They obviously thought she was a joke? "My life is no joke for y…"

She was startled when Sam reared up after shoving the chair backwards.

"You're nothing BUT a joke, coming at me with this bullshit right now. What's the matter, Liz…your collar on Jason feeling a little loose these days? What the hell are you doing this for, huh? He's all yours, isn't he? He chose you - isn't that what you never forget to remind me - ever? So why the public display of NUT? I really don't have the patience for your dumb shit, so you better back the hell up!"

Sam looked down at Maxie, "Will you help me make calls? I have to stop this train that's already left the station."

"Of course - I already put the florist and the caterer on pause…fine, I'll call and cancel for good." She grabbed her purse to follow Sam out.

Elizabeth was fuming mad, grabbing Sam's arm as she pushed forcibly past her, swinging her back to face her.

"Sam, I need you to be reasonable…we decided - we all decided…this is what's best for everybody. Jason doesn't want the mob life, he's happy - we're in love - you can't break up Jakey's happy home."

Yanking her hand from the woman's grip, Sam was about to put the anger she was carrying around in a punch to her face, but caught herself just in time, opting instead to use her words.

"Elizabeth, here's a novel concept for you…unlike you, my thoughts, my actions, my existence, is not spent devising ways to get Jason. You've never been able to understand this, but Jason Morgan is his own person, who makes his own decisions and lives his own life. Believe it or not, I actually have other things to think about, that haven't a damn thing to do with you and Jason."

She folded her arms and asked curiously, "Why exactly, does my relationship status threaten you so much though? You're in love, right? So why would you be the least bit worried about me? Because I'll tell you - when Jason and I were married, you were NEVER someone I worried about. Do yourself a favor…concentrate on keeping your house in order…then you'll never have to worry about me, or anybody else." She shoved her face right up to the woman's nose, "Unless of course, you don't have what it takes to keep the man…then I'd be worried, if I were you!"

No, this wasn't happening. As God is her witness she will never lose him to Sam ever again. He'd made promises to her, and by God he would keep every last one.

Jason pulled up outside the Drake house just before two. He hadn't meant to run so late but they'd just been having such a great time that he didn't want his day with his boy to end. But he'd promised Sam. He looked around when he didn't see her car, but Drake was there - Danny would likely be going with him for the fitting. Grinding his teeth to stave his temper, Jason reminded himself that he had no reason to hate the man…until he opened the door and just the sight of the face that Sam would be looking at for the rest of her life took him back there.

"Draake!"

"Morrgan!'

Jason thought he sounded more pompous than usual, and he could see the hatred he was also feeling, reflected back from the man.

"What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn't you be somewhere screwing my ex-fiancé?"

Looking hurriedly behind him to where Danny had stopped near the car to tie his lace, Jason was thankful he was still out of earshot.

"What? I know you're not talking about Sam like that!" His already piquing anger needed no more sparking.

"Who the hell else? Take your kid and get the hell out of here - run off to whichever whorehouse you've been…"

Before Jason knew it, his right fist had connected to the man's nose and he'd taken a menacing step inside, when the voice of his son carried from behind him.

"Daddy?"

Danny sounded scared, and instantly Jason regretted that he'd let Danny see the result of his anger.

Moving down the steps, he steered him back towards the car. "Go back to the car, son - we're meeting Mommy in town."

"Is Patrick okay?" Danny's voice carried even as he heeded his father and moved towards the car, his neck craning to see behind him to the open front door.

"He'll be fine. I'm just going to make sure he fixes it. Stay in the car, I'll be right back."

"You son-of-a-bitch!"

Jason heard the insult just as he got back to the front door, where the man had grabbed the tip of his shirt to squeeze it to his nose and was spinning back for the door, his right hand doubled into a fist. He struck out, but Jason moved quickly to pull the door up between them, hearing the sound of cracking bone and a strangled yelp of pain when fist met reinforced wood, before he turned away and went back to the SUV. Serve the jackass right for saying shit about Sam…hope his arm's in traction for weeks!

Worried, he turned out the drive and reached for his phone that was on the charger. It had died right after he sent the text to Sam to tell her where they were, and he hadn't turned it back on since placing it to charge. As soon as he did, the text from Sam popped up. Damn. Was she okay? What the hell had happened between them and why did Drake think it had something to do with him? Guess this means…he was ashamed of the leap of joy that kicked his heart, but he refused to scold himself for feeling happy that she was no longer going to marry that ass. You don't want her to marry anybody, you ass!

Sam sat down on the bench by the pier and looked out longingly over the water. Everything had been so much simpler when she was a captain of the sea and the commander of her own fate. Yes, it was dangerous, lonely, and sometimes cold, but it was exciting and free. She sighed when she had to also admit, it had long since lost claim to being the most fulfilling, unregrettable time of her life. Nothing had given her the thrill and happiness that her time in Port Charles had…nothing else even came close in comparison.

Still, that time had also given her more pain and regrets than any other too. These days she was usually feeling confused and melancholy, rejected and ignored, uncertain and a little bit afraid. What now? What should the next brilliant step be now that she'd once again marred her son's life and left him without a father, without a home, without a future?

Sitting erect as though someone had stepped in front of her and drawn her up by her shoulders, Sam immediately turned her train of thought. What the hell was she talking about? Her son did have a father - he was with him right now, doing father-son things! People co-parented apart all the time and their children, when put first, were no worse for it. They did have a home - the penthouse sat empty and it had always been their home - always…and they did have a future…a very bright future - she would make sure of it! She didn't need a man to secure her son's future! She was healthy and capable, she was full of love for him and completely committed to raising him the way she hadn't been - happy, safe, loved! She was capable of doing that - why the hell did she doubt that she could, or that she could do it alone?

"Penny for your thoughts, Samantha...and I'm being extremely generous!"

Sam was surprised by the woman's presence as she took an uninvited seat next to her on the bench, pulling the elaborate fur snugly around her neck.

"Helena! You're not dead yet?"

A cold chuckle sounded from the crone. "As distasteful as usual, aren't you dear? After everything that I've done for you."

"Done for me?" Sam looked at the woman, the incredulity that seemed to always come with her statements, evident on her face. "You made my husband your prisoner and tried to control him, sent him to take my life, and you want gratitude? Why exactly aren't you dead yet?"

"Your husband…how quaint. From what I heard, he dropped your tasteless snipe the first chance he got. Pity - so much potential, so much skill, lost on the likes of you and that insipid Elizabeth Webber. Proves that I was right to take him…he's much better suited to be a soldier, uninhibited by useless feelings and obligations to you worthless people."

Sam rose to her feet angrily. "You're despicable! People are not yours to control - when will you crazy Cassadines ever learn that? Jason has a family, one that loved and missed him every second - but why would I be surprised that you could never understand that? No-one in your family has ever wanted or loved you, you ice cold, irrelevant excuse for a human."

Helena rose to even the height disparity, always commanding control in every situation. "Every second? Come, come Samantha…you and I both know that you were less than the grieving wife that you're pretending to be. Oh, dear - that's ex-wife now though, isn't it? Turned out Mr. Morgan has no more use for gutter snipe than I do. Poor, poor Samantha…still thinking there's some happily ever after for you somewhere - how adorable." Helena pulled the coat together in front and held it tightly in one hand, while the other stuck in her pocket. "You and your germane lineage will never know happiness another day in your life - I'll make certain of it!"

Sam looked at the hateful, spiteful woman distastefully. "I don't know why I'm even wasting my time with you." She neared her, the anger for every minute Jason was kept from her and Danny, every minute her mother was robbed of her grandmother's love, every second the woman had stolen, sending angry blood bursting through her as it seemed to have hummed below surface all day long. "You stay the hell away from my family, if you know what's good for you." She then brushed past her angrily, intent on not giving her one more blessed moment of her life.

Turning to watch the angry little snipe storm away and up the steps, Helena cackled out loud in glee. It was always so easy to get a rise out of them, simpleton peasants that they were. She was looking forward to putting the next phase of her plan into action to make their miserable existence even more so. As she gloated, she stepped back, her foot hitting a mooring where it stuck up out of the board, throwing her body off balance and backward, where her arms flailed aimlessly as she tumbled to the water below. Her head cracked loudly where it smacked against a plank, and as the pain registered, she became despairing aware of sinking, the water instantly soaking the heavy fur to pull her under. The burning lungs that filled with dark, vermin ridden harbor water registered with the last drowning thought that ran through her head. That simple guttersnipe ended up being the death of her afterall, much like she'd always feared that she might be.