"I'm here about a job."

Alighting from her SUV, Sam smiled at the driver of the grey sedan parked in Spinelli's space, where he'd apparently waited for her to get to the office. Slamming her door shut, she smiled wider as she opened the back door to grab her laptop carrier, before she turned to face him, hoisting the strap to her shoulder.

"Oh, yeah? Got experience?"

Lucky returned the radiant smile as he handed her a cup of her favorite brew, then stuck a cold hand inside his coat pocket.

"A little…was a Detective, once upon a time. Heard the skillset is pretty similar."

Sam unlocked the door and led the way inside her office, where the motion sensors kicked in to flood the room with soft light.

"Hours are killer, though. Not exactly ideal for a family man with something to prove to the courts."

Lucky unzipped his coat and took a seat across from her desk, then took a sip of the coffee he held before responding, "You seem to make it work. Never seen you look happier, McCall."

"Morgan!" It came out as if on instinct, before Sam even realized she'd said it. When Lucky's brows raised, she felt compelled to explain. "Gotten kind of used to it, and since it's my son's name too, I don't think it'll be going anywhere."

Lucky stared at her keenly, seeing for the first time since he'd been back, that those feelings were as strong as ever, whether she knew it or not. Still, if she wasn't going to pay any attention to them, who was he to push her?

"Sorry - Morgan! Gotta say though, still see a whole lot of McCall in front of me…fiery, determined, capable, hot as all hell! It's a good luck McCa…Morgan!"

Shaking her head, Sam fired up the laptop and threw him a look. "Okay, okay, you didn't come here this early to butter me up - what do you want, Spencer?"

"I'm serious about the job. Saw your ad looking for experienced PIs…need to secure gainful employment before the court date - so how about it?"

She paused to study him, realizing he was serious. "I wish I could, really I do…but I can't help you fight Jason."

There was a small sting of rejection that he calmly brushed aside. "I thought you two weren't…"

"We're not. But he's still my kid's father - I can't do anything to hurt him, and helping the man trying to take his son, would. We're friends, Lucky, but I can't help you hurt Jason."

"This case is about Jake, Sam - not Jason. Besides, he gave Jake up for a reason. He may not be living the life anymore but his enemies haven't forgotten…they can still come after him at anytime, and that could put Jake in very real danger if he's around him."

"You have a few enemies yourself! And wait a minute - I thought this was about Jake's living arrangements! Are you saying you're going to keep him away from Jason completely when you said you wouldn't?" When the truth shone through his eyes, Sam rose from the chair in surprise. "Lucky, Jason loves that little boy! You can't cut him out of Jake's life - not again! It wasn't fair of you and that bitch to do it the first time and you can't seriously be considering it now after they've bonded so closely!"

"Sam, Jason gave Jake up because he knew the danger. I also remember him cutting you completely out of that decision, so I'm a little surprised you're fighting for him like this. He didn't want you in his son's life either, remember?"

"Ancient history and a string of lies coerced by the love of your life. Jason has gotten to know his son - like he should've in the first place - and he adores that little boy! I would never keep him away from Danny, never! And if you see him with Jake, you'll realize that you're not doing your son any favors either, by doing that. Jake loves Jason, and he'll end up resenting you for it."

"Jake is a child - he doesn't know what's best for him - I do. I'm sorry, but Jason Morgan is, and will always be, a danger to anybody close to him. You might want to reconsider about Danny, and yourself too."

"Not in a million years would I ever keep Jason and Danny apart. They need each other and that bond is as real as it gets. Jason is a good man, and you know that. Nothing good is going to come from locking Jake away from him…and he's not going to just let you do that without a helluva fight either."

Lucky rose to his feet and placed the coffee cup on the desk, facing the fiery beauty who was facing him down. She was even hotter when she got all fired up like that.

"Look, we're drifting waay off topic…I didn't come here to talk about Jason…don't mind if we never talk about the man, ever! What I really want to know, is will you have dinner with me tonight?" He shrugged when she narrowed her eyes at his sudden change of topic. "I'd like a job, but since you've blatantly turned me down on that end, you have to soothe my ego with a meal." She still looked at him confused, so he quickly added, "Say a proper hello to a friend…and you can even spend the evening trying to convince me why I should let Morgan stay in my son's life."

Sam shook her head at the man. "Stop it Spencer - you're far from charming." She eyed him thoughtfully, seeing a chance to help Jason where she'd tried to convince him before that he wouldn't need it. She'd sworn Lucky wasn't out to keep him away from Jake. "I'll have dinner with you, but only to catch you up on what you've missed around here, and make you see what a disservice you'd be doing to Jake by keeping him away from Jason." She pointed a finger at him, "Don't get any ideas."

Smiling at his good fortune, Lucky started to back towards the door before she could take it back. "It's a date! The MetroCourt restaurant, say around eight?" He had a hand on the handle, turning it quickly and stepping from the room. "Great - see you then!"

Sam watched the door close and stood still for another minute, in worried contemplation. Things were about to get pretty bad before they got any better…hopefully she'd be able to talk Lucky down before they found themselves embroiled in a full scale war. She wasn't the least bit blinded to his intentions either…question was, was she at all interested? Sitting down slowly, she thought about the status of her love life. Shambles, tatters, nonexistent, were a few words that popped into her mind, prompting her to remember that there was a time when Lucky Spencer hadn't been so bad to go home to. He was very kind on the eyes and surprisingly satisfying as a lover, knew how to show a girl a good time…but just like most of the men she'd known, he wasn't quite able to accept the fiercely independent streak imbedded in her. He was never able to accept her going into any situation where a case led, trusting her to handle herself around any and all elements.

Lucky Spencer was a protector - the old fashioned kind who liked his woman at home with the kids, while he sought adventure and put away danger. He could never accept her being as much of a danger junkie as he was, even more of one, actually, so there had been fights and arguments when she resented the overt overprotectiveness…when he resented her bold and brash hold on life. The mutual parting of ways had been without pain, as they'd both accepted the inevitability…that theirs was not a love story for the ages.

There had been only one man in her life, who'd been truly capable of accepting and wholly embracing every facet and fibre that made up Sam McCall Morgan. One man who'd respected and even admired her need to be her true self, had encouraged and supported the growth of that free, unstoppable spirit. Only one man knew her…truly, truly knew her.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

"Daddy!"

Turning to the sound he'd never be able to ever live without again, Jason opened his arms to welcome the running hug headed his way, when Danny broke away from the sitter at the first sight of him. Swooping and holding him tightly to his chest, Jason wondered for the millionth time how he'd ever managed a day without this little boy. The pure, unfiltered love he got from his son was the richest thing in his life and he'd never let it go.

"Hey Buddy!"

When Danny eased back to see his eyes, Jason had to hurriedly mask the emotions threatening to consume him.

"I didn't know you were coming, Daddy!"

"Did I get our schedules mixed up, Mr. Morgan? I thought I was picking Danny up today?"

"No, Trudy - you're fine. My afternoon freed up and I just needed to see little man." He smiled at his adorable little boy, who was always so excited to see him that it swelled his heart. "Want to grab some hot chocolate with your old man, kiddo?"

"Can we go to the park too?"

"It's a little too icy for that today…but we can figure out something else fun to do afterwards, deal?"

Smacking a tiny, mittened hi-five against the palm Jason held up, Danny nodded and grinned. "Deal!"

After hot chocolate, Danny reached inside his bookbag to show Jason the huge card he'd colored for his mom at preschool.

"Look, Daddy. I made this for Mommy - think she'll like it?"

"She'd gonna love it! It will go very nicely with that other gift we have for Mommy. Ready to go pick it up?"

"Mmhm."

"Finish your hot chocolate and we'll go."

An hour later, Danny was still excited as Jason unlocked the door to let him lead them into the penthouse.

"This is so cool - I can't wait for Mommy to see. Can we call her now, Daddy?"

"Sure, but it might be more of a surprise if we just hang out until she gets here. Let's make her dinner while we wait."

"Okay."

Cooking with his little boy was the highlight that capped their wonderful afternoon, and as Jason listened to Danny talk up a storm while they chopped and sautéed and pureed away, he felt a kind of peace and comfort that had been sorely missing for a really, really long time. Being there felt so much like home, the place where one's spirit was most at peace and one's heart and head was most at rest…natural, serene, light. Everything.

"What's all this?"

Two sets of seablue eyes turned to the door that had swung open to reveal Sam, standing with one hand on the knob and her keys in the other, looking questionably at them adding the finishing touches to the dining table set for three. Grabbing the card from where he'd lain it by her plate, Danny raced to the open door.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Mommy!"

Hugging him to her, Sam pushed the door closed behind her and tossed the keys to the desk, bending over to squeeze her son tighter.

"Happy Valentine's Day, my baby! Oh, this is the best present ever!"

"There's more, there's more!" He wriggled from her grasp and handed her the card, grabbing hold of her free hand to pull her over to the dining room, where Jason patiently waited, looking the tiniest bit anxious.

"There is? I can't wait to see!"

Danny was pulling her chair out, his happy little face beaming with pride. "Daddy and I made you dinner, Mommy!"

Resting the card near her plate, Sam held her hands up. "Can I wash my hands first?" When he nodded, she grinned and turned towards the kitchen, only to freeze in her tracks when both Jason and Danny yelled, "NO!"

Startled, Sam looked at them both, catching the quick look they passed each other, before Jason explained, "It's a giant mess in there, pots and pans piled high in the sink - use the bathroom." Before she even moved an inch, he was at her side, guiding her towards the first floor guest bathroom. Eyeing him suspiciously, Sam allowed herself to be steered, keeping silent to give them their way. She'd play along with their little conspiracy, admitting to herself that even though she didn't quite know how to feel about the coziness of their little surprise, it felt good to see them conspiring to do something nice for her. She dutifully washed her hands and returned to the table, where her son held her chair out, his delight washing her completely. Finally reading the card he'd obviously poured lots of time and love into, Sam made certain he knew how much she loved it.

"Thank you, baby - it's the best card I've ever gotten - ever!" The pleased smile that transformed his handsome little face was all she'd ever need. After that, Sam was a bubbling gutful of happiness, savoring the delicious chicken stir-fry and frozen, ginger-infused mango ice dessert. She made a show of scooping the very last drop from the bottom of the bowl when Danny proudly told her how he'd added the ginger himself and poured the puree into the freezing molds, without Daddy's help.

"Mmmm! I've never had anything so good!" She smiled at her baby and winked, "That was delicious!"

He nodded as he mouthed another taste, then grinned at Jason. "Now, Daddy?"

"There's more?" Sam loved the mischievous look that passed between them that told of a shared secret known only to the two. They were so happy…a warm sight that filled her heart.

"Now." Jason winked at Danny and they headed towards the kitchen, leaving Sam to chuckle that she was right from earlier - they were hiding something in the kitchen!

A minute later, her face broke out in a huge smile of surprise that warmed her right through, as she rose to her feet, watching Danny lead the four legged, huge red bow her way. "You didn't!"

"Do you like it, Mommy?"

Kneeling to stroke the adorable black and brown specimen, Sam bubbled over with glee. "I love, love, love it! I've never had one before - thank you!" She grabbed her son and covered him with kisses, before they both went back to stroking the new arrival. She looked to Jason who hung by the table watching them, mouthing "Thank you!"

He shrugged, feeling his heart explode at the wattage of the smile he'd keep on her face if he could. "Danny chose him. He said this one would be perfect for you…he was right."

She turned back to the Doberman that Danny had in a hug, as it sniffed her hand that was stroking its coat. "He's perfect."

Sam's phone had been beeping in her back pocket for awhile, though she had barely noticed, only remembering that she'd made plans for the evening when it beeped again. Knowing that it was probably Lucky, she checked and saw that it was and that it was almost nine. She'd completely forgotten about him!

Noticing her changing expression, Jason, who'd started clearing the table, asked absently, "Something you need to do?"

Sam met eyes that seemed to know, without really knowing, and she'd almost forgotten what that was like with him.

"Just something I said I'd do that I forgot about. It can wait."

Jason piled the plates in one hand and reached for another. "Sure? I can watch Danny tonight, if you need to work."

"I'm sure." One look at her little boy, who'd obviously found a new best friend, and she knew there was no place else she wanted to be. "It can wait." She texted Lucky an apology and asked for a raincheck, then placed the phone on the table without reading the incoming response. She was definitively, in for the night.

Leaving Jason on cleanup duty, Sam gave Danny a bath, where she had the hardest time convincing him that dogs didn't like water very much, so their new friend, who was bigger than him too, wasn't interested in joining him in the tub. When he tried and tried, she finally told him, "Daniel Edward Morgan, no! You are not going to swap dirt with that dog."

"I think he would like the tub, Mommy. Pllllease?"

"No. He can have his own bath some other time." Sam shook her head and chuckled. "What's his name, anyway?"

"Captain!"

"Really? Why Captain?"

Danny splashed the bathwater with the battleships he crashed together and dipped. "He's your First Mate. Daddy says he'll look out for you when we're not there and when you need him to, he'll take charge."

"That's a good name - I like it!" She flicked his cute little nose with a forefinger, "He'll have to get in line though…I already have the best First Mate in the business!"

When she'd finally gotten him settled in for the night, Sam left boy and dog together, one in bed, the other lain out on the floor next to it, and went back to the living room to find Jason stoking the fire, seemingly lost in thought.

"Thank you, Jason. This was a nice surprise."

He watched her get comfy on the couch before he moved over to hand her the cold beer waiting for her. Clinking his bottle to hers, Jason didn't know when he'd spent a better evening. "Happy Valentine's Day, Sam."

"Happy Valentine's Day, Jason." She took a sip and savored the brew, allowing it to help relax the nerves that were starting to build.

"Danny asleep?"

"Just about…if he doesn't decide to spend the entire night awake with, Captain." She looked at the man who still knew her pretty well. "I hear I have a new guard."

"A very well-trained one."

"Oh?"

Smiling, Jason sat next to her and toyed with the label on the cold bottle. "Just don't say the words, 'Captain kill,' unless you mean it."

Sam didn't know whether or not to believe him at first, but when he turned serious blue eyes her way, she realized he really meant it. Poking him with her big toe, she was shocked beyond belief.

"I left him with our baby! Jason, you did not get me an attack dog!"

"You bet I did. He won't hurt Danny - he won't hurt either of you." She was still gaping at him in disbelief so he added, "You don't want me to do it, so you need someone beside you when you're at the office. No more surprises."

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't tell me you were attacked in your office, Sam, and I'm assuming it's because you know I'd have been your shadow ever since. Those two idiots could've killed you!"

She eyed him suspiciously. "Why do I get the feeling that you have been my shadow since?" When the silence got strained and he only took a long swig of beer, she prodded in annoyance, "Jaason…have you been following me?"

"Okay, before you make it sound like stalking, I was a little…concerned! I know you can handle anything…you definitely handled that situation…but a little insurance never hurt."

"Who told you what happened?"

"Does it matter? Why didn't you?"

"Didn't think I needed to…who told you?"

"Someone who knew I should know that the mother of my son was almost taken away from us. She didn't do it to snitch but she thought I'd want to know - and she was right."

"She?"

"Just take Captain with you where you go. He's trained to keep up…and before you protest, Sam - even cops have backup when they're out saving the world. I want you to, too."

"Will you quit shadowing me if I do?"

Jason held one hand up in surrender. "Swear."

She'd thought she was crazy one night the week before when she could've sworn she'd sensed him on a stakeout near the east side of town, where she'd followed a cheating spouse to his mistress' condo. She'd been in the middle of getting the moneyshot from the side of the house across the street, when something told her she was not alone…but she'd shrugged it off as her heart and mind playing silly tricks, conjuring him where he wasn't. But she wasn't wrong!

"Of course, you could always just hire me to do it. You're still looking for people, right?"

"What? I can't hire you to work for me!"

"Because?"

"Because…it would be weird!" He was looking at her to explain, so she continued, "You're not going to take orders from me - that would just be weird!"

"We've worked together hundreds of times and it's never been a problem before."

"I wasn't your boss before. And we were…"

"Pretty damn good!"

"Not what I was about to say."

"Fine - how about this - how about you let me buy in, and that way, we'll be equal partners. Will that work better for you?"

She looked at him seriously for the first time since the conversation started - he wasn't joking!

"You're serious about this?"

"Dead serious. You need help and I need a purpose, Sam. I haven't been doing much of anything except drive myself crazy trying to get my memories back. It's time I figured out what I'm doing with myself. I know what I want on the personal side, and I won't stop until I get it again…but professionally…honestly, I'm starting to feel kind of lost all over again."

Sam's heart thumped with hurt for him. Jason Morgan was the most self assured, structured, disciplined man she'd ever known. She honestly hadn't given much thought to him floundering like this, but why hadn't she? In all the time that she'd known him, he'd always been, Jason Morgan, Sonny Corinthos' Enforcer and savior of the day…but he wasn't that anymore, was he?

"I'm sorry, Jason - I guess I just never thought about it that way. You're financially set for life - you don't ever have to work again…but that's not you, is it? You're just like me in that way…you need to work."

"We're alike in a lot more ways than just that, Sam."

Her cheeks burned instantly at his statement - she knew he was right again. She'd so often thought they were two sides of the same coin, sharing the same views, opinions, traits, skills, ambitions…but that was when they'd also shared a life. Business was booming and she definitely needed help, and nobody was more qualified than the man sitting next to her. Personal issues aside, she couldn't think why she hadn't thought of him before.

"Okay…I'll talk it over with Spinelli, although we both know what his answer is going to be." Holding a hand out, she smiled, "Welcome aboard…partner!"

The electricity that shot through her at his touch, zipped all the way to her pinky toes, and Sam knew it had a helluva lot to do with the wonderful evening he'd put together for her. As Valentine's Days went, this one ranked right up there with the time he'd had her sisters decorate his penthouse with pink and red balloon hearts and flowers, just for her. Looking at him sitting across from her, calmly sipping the last of his beer, Sam remembered a time when this ended a typical evening for them…relaxing on the couch after a long day, unwinding with the only person either wanted to end it with. They'd fit so easily and so naturally together, so in love and in like with each other, so similar in thought and deed…so right together. It was times such as this that she missed her husband the most. She realized with a start that he was staring at her, and Sam would swear he was thinking the same thing she was. Clearing her throat, she stood from the couch.

"It's late, I'm going to head to bed." She cringed, suddenly realizing what she said probably sounded like an invitation.

Jason smirked wickedly and stood up, resting the bottle on the coffee table as he did. "Sounds like a good idea." He wasn't disappointed when she bristled and blushed at the same time, eliciting a soft chuckle that warmed his heart. She was adorable. Stepping close, close, he took her hand softly, then leaned in torturously slow to plant a soft kiss on the side of her lips, lingering enticingly, allowing only the tiniest flick of the tip of his tongue to brush the corner of her mouth, then moved his face to brush her cheek and whisper, "Goodnight, beautiful." Reluctantly letting go, he grabbed his jacket and walked through the door, closing it softly behind him, thinking, that was the very best evening he'd had in forever.