The truth behind the lies

by KHighness

She played with a man's life, kept him from his child, his mother, his family, yet everyone treated her like fragile porcelain when all was revealed. Elizabeth is not off the hook for keeping Jason Morgan hostage for seven months and keeping him away from Danny, not if Samantha Morgan has anything to say about it. She's going down!

20. Chapter 20

A/N: My girl Sam has been dealing with alot in this story, so this chapter is more of a filler, dedicated to giving her a few laughs to ease up on the heavy lifting.

"Coming!" Someone was knocking on the door of the penthouse, a continuos knocking that was driving Sam crazy as she hurried from the kitchen to blast whoever it was for being so obnoxious. "WHAT?"

Maxie swooped in the minute the door opened, "Sam, you're not ready!" She looked her friend up and down in disapproval of her casual lounging attire.

Sam went to close the door behind her, simultaneously turning her gaze to follow Maxie into the living room, "Ready for wh…" she was cut off as the door was pushed open wider and she turned to find Carly unexpectedly barging in behind Maxie. "Carly? What're you doing here?"

Carly threw her clutch on the desk as she turned to face Sam, "Why aren't you ready?"

Sam was more than a little confused as she closed the door but not before she popped her head out to make sure nobody else was trailing behind the blonde. Turning to face the two busybodies she shrugged a shoulder at them, "What am I supposed to be ready for?" She didn't remember making plans with either of them for the afternoon and she was in the middle of making her baby a snack. The two blondes looked at each other and smiled before turning back to a still mystified Sam, who was looking at them inquiringly. "Somebody wanna tell me what's going on?"

Carly walked over to her, grabbing her arm and pushing her towards the stairs. "All you need is your passport, grab it and let's go," pushing Sam even further.

Sam whirled around to look at both of them, Carly who was standing there like a warden waiting for her to obey commands and Maxie, who had taken up residence on the couch and was thumbing through her purse. "Have you two lost your minds? When exactly did I plan international travel?"

Maxie looked at her with confusion contouring her face, "Wait, Sam - didn't Jason tell you?"

Sam walked back towards her with her hands opened curiously, "Tell me what?"

Carly chimed in, "Leave it to Jase to leave out the details. No matter, really Sam, Sonny's jet is waiting - we gotta go." She was moving back towards the desk where she picked up her discarded clutch and motioned for Sam to go up the stairs. "C'mon, seriously, we gotta go."

Sam folded her arms and looked at them both. "Okay, whatever this is it's not happening, okay? Danny will be up from his nap any minute so you two have fun wherever it is you're headed to."

Just then there was a knock on the door and Carly who was standing next to it reached over and turned the handle, opening to reveal Jason standing there. "Jason! Nice of you to finally show up and oh, by the way, thanks for clueing Sam in!" She spun around to Sam again, "Hayden was supposed to be here already - why is everybody late today?"

"Hello to you too, Carly." Jason entered the room and instantly felt uncomfortable with the audience, and it didn't help that they were all staring at him as he walked over to Sam. He had just seen her the day before when he dropped Danny off after dinner with his mom, but he could swear she looked more beautiful every single time he laid eyes on her. He stopped before her and looked into beautiful brown eyes, his signature smirk-smile transforming his face. "Hi."

Sam wanted to know what was happening and why her living room was suddenly teeming with bodies but her mind seemed to forget everyone else once the smirk-smile broke out, temporarily rendering her soft. "Hi."

They stared at each other for a minute before he asked, "Where's Danny?"

"Still napping. He'll be up soon."

"Okay." It was then that Jason remembered his other reason for stopping by. He jerked his head in the blondes' direction, "In case they've been too busy talking so they could hear themselves and didn't tell you what's up, I'm here to take Danny to the suite while you're gone."

"Not you too! I feel like I'm stuck in an Abbot and Castello skit where the question is justing bouncing around in circles - Where am I supposed to be going, Jason?"

"Mexico."

At Jason's mention of their destination Maxie and Carly both shouted, throwing their hands in the air animatedly, "Viva Mexicoooo-yea!"

Sam furrowed her brows and quickly looked from one to the other in the room, "What? I can't go to Mexico?"

Maxie hurried over to her friend, "Sam, as Carly said, the only thing you'll need is your passport, Jason already made sure I got everything else…trust me the entire new Cartulo Summer Line is packed and waiting in the limo - from sunglasses to bikinis bebe - we're set! Lets go!"

Sam turned to Jason confused. "You did this? You planned to send me out of the country without me knowing about it?"

"I figured you'd catch on somewhere over the Pacific." That hot smirk-smile again. "Seriously though, I want you to go with your girls on this short trip - really, you need to recharge, Sam. You've been dealing with alot."

Maxie added, "And where better than Cabo San Lucas? Three days and two nights filled with sun, surf, and tequila - what's not to love?" Carly joined in with "Viva Mexico, woohoo!"

Sam looked back at Jason, her own smirk-smile lifting her lips in shared humor, "Mexico, huh?"

"Yep, and don't worry about Danny, my main man and I have plans of our own to keep us busy." He reached his good hand out to hold hers, "Just go have some fun, okay?" Then lowered his voice for her ears alone he added softly, "Let me take care of you."

"So now you have my baby keeping things from me?" Sam was smiling as she looked around the room, and she had to admit that a quick, spontaneous adventure with the girls did sound like fun. She eyed Jason and once again marveled at the change in him, and as she looked at them one more time before heading up the stairs she couldn't help the smile that spread to her heart.

Two hours later the girls were in the air on Sonny's jet and Hayden, who had met them at the airport because she was running late, was in the middle of proposing their fourth toast of the afternoon. The minute they got on board they had decided they'd get a headstart on the tequila shots. "Okay, technically it's only early afternoon in Cabo but we know it's five o' clock somewhere - so ladies, here's to a kickass couple a days with some kick ass bitches to have with you in any jam! Cheers!"

"Woohoo! Cheers!"

Sam downed the shot and winced at the sting of the liquor going down, shutting one eye then biting into the slice of lime. "Who's idea was this? I'm honestly loving it so far, and we're not even there yet!"

Maxie was wincing much in the same way after downing her shot too, "You can thank Jason for putting it together," she said flashing her hand furiously against the sting at her throat. "He called us and told us you needed this, so here we are! He got the limo and the hotel, Carly got the jet and I got the outfits. Hayden got the…well, Hayden just kinda invited herself along but what the hell…the more the merrier!"

Carly was already pouring herself and Hayden another. "Hey, my best friend is the best damn man I know, and you and I haven't always been friends Sam, but Jason loves you more than he's ever loved anyone, and you're good for him. You two are good for each other."

Sam held out her shotglass to Carly, "Shut your drunk ass up and pour! Cabo, here we come - WOOHOO!"

Mexico was beautiful and the hotel was intriguing, from the outside that was built in the shape of the pyramids to the inside with live vines running from the ceiling to cascade over each floor, all the way down to the lobby. Jason had booked them a top floor two-bedroom suite with double kings in each one, and a fully stocked bar and mini fridge. The wide balcony sported an incredible view of the infinity pool with the ocean as a backdrop, and as Sam stepped through the dual sliding doors to take it in, she breathed in fresh, salty sea air and looked out to the horizon and exhaled. Crystal clear skies cast the bluest hue on the vast ocean as far as the eye could see and she immediately wanted a dip in its depth. Hayden had followed her out and dropped onto one of the four lounge chairs facing the oceanview, "Oh, yeah - this is the life."

Sam chuckled at her, "It's pretty sweet. I'm going for a swim who wants to join?"

"Maybe not a swim but definitely the beach, let's go."

Twenty minutes later all three were lounged on the beach placing drink orders with their personal butler who came with the suite, while Sam waded out to dive into the sweet blue. The ocean had always been like a second home for her and she loved that Jason remembered that about her. The water was cool and inviting and as she dipped and bobbed with the waves she felt so very peaceful and at ease. She was definitely going to enjoy this.

When Sam got back on shore their butler, Oracio, was telling the ladies about the planned agenda for the next two days. Jason had arranged excursions as part of his gift for Sam and as she listened she was really touched at how well he still knew her.

Maxie didn't sound quite as impressed when she piped up, "Ziplining and ATVs are all good and well for some people, but how about you get to the massages and spa treatments he booked following the deathtraps?"

At Oracio's apologetic look and Maxie's responding shock, they burst out laughing. "Sorry, miss, but only excursions were prescheduled for your stay." He hurried to appease her dissatisfaction, "but I will be happy to book those for you now, yes?" He smiled and nodded when she relaxed back into her lounger.

"Si. Gracias, Oracio!"

They spent the rest of the early evening lounging by the beach, sipping on margaritas with intermittent tequila shots, before dining on traditional Mexican fare at the hotel's outside restaurant. Sam looked around at her three friends, all of whom were more than a little bit tipsy at that point and she couldn't help smiling at how different, yet alike they all were. Carly Corinthos, the Hotelier and Mobster Wife, had been a bitter enemy when Sam first came to town and she was gungho about splitting up Sam and Jason so he could get back together with Courtney, yet somewhere along the way, with lost loves and shared tragedies the two had become strong friends, and Carly was as loyal as they come. Maxie Jones, the Fashionista Junior Editor, could be flighty and unpredictable and she was characteristically selfish, but she owned every fault and made it work for her, and had proven her loyalty and friendship on so many occasions. Hayden Barnes, the former Financier and reformed Conwoman, was a new surprise who Sam would have never guessed she'd become friends with but the woman was another take-no-nonsense fighter with a good side and a positive attitude. Not only did their fierce, loyal, independent, bold characteristics blend extremely well, but by some great Devine they all hated the bejesus out of Elizabeth Webber. The thought made Sam laugh out loud so she raised her margarita high, "Ladies…to great friends, great loves, and the total annihilation of mutual enemies. Salud!"

"SALUD!" They all chorused as glasses clinked and laughter echoed into the night.

The next morning they were up at nine to start a full day of activities. After Sam and Carly called home to check in with the kids they all had a lazy breakfast outside near the beach then headed over to the marina for the first activity on Jason's list, parasailing. Maxie didn't relish the thought of sailing high above the sea with only a line tethering a chaired balloon zooming behind a highspeed boat, but she refused to be a party pooper so she clung to Sam for dear life as the parasail eased off the boat and started soaring through the air. The wind was a little brisk so it caused the seat to rock from side to side and soon after they'd reached the height limit and leveled out, Maxie was surprised to find that it didn't seem so scary anymore and she was able to enjoy the beauty of the view from high…miles and miles of sea and beachfront below with miles and miles of blue skies above.

Sam looked at her friend and she could see the moment that the tranquility of their surroundings started to take effect and calm her nerves. She was also very happy to feel the blood circulating again as Maxie unclasped her poor arm, so she relaxed back into the seat and drank in the picturesque view around them. So perfect and serene. The feeling of flying high above the world on a cloud was euphoric and cleansing and all too soon they felt the slight dip as the parasail started its decent back to the boat.

As Hayden and Carly took their turn riding the skies, Sam and Maxie enjoyed the boat with the crew of three, the Captain who kept them on course as they glided through the waves, the operator who launched and watched over the safe gliding of the parasail, and a photographer who chronicled the ladies' experience. The boat cut through the water, sending a spray over the two friends basking in the beauty of the day as the Reggaeton music drummed its beat through the air. They found themselves moving to the music as they watched their friends soar and the margarita that they'd had with breakfast helped to relax them even more.

"Wooooo," Maxie shouted as another wave sprayed over the side of the boat, drenching their hair and swimwear, and the music thumped a rhythmic beat through their bodies. "Wooooo-hoo," was the response from the crew, breaking them all into mirth and laughter.

"That was so cool," Hayden said as they alighted from the boat back onto the Marina. "What's next?"

"Well, Ziplining is tonight so I say we catch some rays and have lunch on the beach." Carly was loving it.

Sam was agreeable to that, "Keep the margaritas coming and I'm in!"

"Amen to that, sister!"

Oracio had towels waiting by their lounge chairs and was ready to bring out the drinks as soon as they got comfy. "Why the hell don't we do this more often?" Carly was curious.

Sam had an answer, "We get caught up in everybody else's bullshit and forget to take care of ourselves, that's why!"

"Well, we need to stop it. This is awesome - no kids, no Sonny, no drama…"

"…Tequila," Hayden added to a burst of laugher and cheers as Oracio returned with margaritas and shots.

They had lunch and more tequila, before deciding to take a nap to refresh for Ziplining. At seven they met their limo driver in the hotel lobby for the short ride to the location, where they were met by two guides who would take them through the experience. They followed them to the most interesting underground caves and as they filed through the twists and turns and jagged stones the four friends marveled at the wonders in nature. Hayden broke out her phone and turned the camera on video, then spun around so she was walking backwards to get good footage of herself with the cave in the background, "I'm in Mexico in a cave somewhere. If you don't hear from me in a few hours, please, somebody…come find me!" Her voice was brimming with laughter even as she tried to sound scared.

They burst out laughing as Carly shoved her shoulder, "Idiot!"

At the end of their walk they came to the foot of a towering flight of steps that they needed to climb to get to the lines. Maxie was losing her nerve again. "Whoa, whoa, whoa…how high is this thing?" She turned to her friend, "Sam, I have a heart condition, remember? That can get me out of this with no hard feelings, right?"

"Oh, come on Maxie, it's not that bad. Look…," Sam said pointing upwards, "it's not like you can't see the top." She was already climbing when she continued, "Come on, I'll race you." She was really going to enjoy this adrenaline rush.

Carly and Hayden were just as excited to get up there so Maxie had no choice but to bring up the rear since she had no company to stay at the bottom. She cursed the name Jason Morgan under her breath with every step that she left behind her, till finally she joined the others at the top where they were already getting fitted in harnesses. Sam turned to smile at Maxie, "Come on, you'll love it!"

"Not likely! And why did we have to do this at night away? Is Jason Morgan trying to kill us?"

"Just look around you, Maxie - it's beautiful at night."

"I'm looking and all I see is miles and miles of jungle - dark jungle waiting for my poor lifeless body to plummet to its death. Why can't you and Jason ever like anything calm and relaxing like gondolas and hot stone massages?"

They moved to the edge where the line started and the guide hooked Hayden up and gave them instructions. "There are seven lines to complete to circle back around. Use both hands to hold on tight, bend your knees and when you get to the end of the line there will be someone there to help you off. Don't look down if you don't like heights and don't forget to breathe. Have fun - go," he finished, before he sent Hayden soaring off into the night.

Sam was next and as the attendant hooked up her harness and checked its security she turned her head to look back at Maxie. "You good?"

Maxie waved her on, "Go ahead, I'm fine. I'll be right behind you."

"Okay, see you in a few." She smiled at the attendant, "Let's do this!" then soared off as he gave her line a gentle push, sending her zipping through the air over trees and vines. Sam released her hold on the harness and spread her hands like wings as she closed her eyes and listened to the night. Sounds of jungle life filled her ears with songs of crickets and frogs and she loved every second spent dangling in midair, surrounded by a sense of zipping through nothingness. She landed at the end of the first line, eagerly anticipating the next one, but decided to wait for Maxie to make sure she was okay. Hayden joined her as they watched Carly come up behind Sam, no Maxie in sight.

"What happened to Maxie?"

Carly shook her head as she smiled at them, "She chickened out. Got hooked up and everything then backed out - she went down with one of the guides - she'll meet us at the end."

"She's okay?" Sam was concerned.

"She's fine. Let's go."

The zipping was exhilarating and at the end Sam wanted to do it again, but they decided to go off tracking instead. Maxie met them at the end of the lines, a little bit sheepfaced as they started teasing her. Sam bit her lip to stifle the grin, "Maxie, what happened?"

Maxie raised one hand as she explained, "Sam, I was ready to go, I swear - got hooked to the line and everything, but then he said something about seven times and how long each line was going to take and I looked down and all I saw was dark jungle and my life flashing before my eyes, and I just couldn't do it. Huh-huh, that was just too damn much!"

Hayden broke out laughing, "You realize you left us hanging, don't you?"

"Literally!" They said in unison and started barreling at the pun.

"Man, we're way too sober right now. Let's finish up with the off track vehicles so we can have a damn drink!" Carly was leading the way to the next activity.

They drove the track in pairs, one vehicle following the other, and had tremendous fun navigating the sudden twists and turns that took them over rugged terrain through trees and caves and a bridge over water that came up over the bottom of it. They rode the track a few times, each lady taking a turn behind the wheel as they hooted and hollered every time they narrowly missed hitting a tree or plunged through a cave entrance, or there was a sudden dip in the track that sent them barreling down before it leveled out again. It was like being chased through a jungle, or driving a roller coaster with surprise popups along the way.

Way too soon the invigorating adventure was over and they headed back to the hotel where they decided to grab a quick dinner before checking out the night life in Cabo, thus starting a whole other one. Feeling extremely nice the ladies took on the dance floor and fell right into the nightlife. The tequila flowed all night and Sam couldn't have been surrounded by a better party trio, laughing and teasing their way through a great experience. Soon they found themselves danced out and winding down from a very busy day. They were seated at a table in the far corner of the bar when the waitress came over with a fresh bottle of tequila.

"Compliments of the gentlemen over by the bar." She nodded in their direction and the ladies turned to see two men looking over then they moved towards the table.

"Ladies. I'm Simeon and this is my friend Ellis. Will you allow us to buy you a drink?" He gestured to the freshly delivered bottle in the middle of the table.

Sam and Carly exchanged looks before scanning the newcomers. They weren't the most handsome guys in the world but weren't bad to look at in the least. Simeon was built like a jock, his muscles clearly visible through the tight fitting collar shirt and jeans. His green eyes were striking against a broad smile that seemed harmless enough. He motioned to a chair at the empty table behind him, "May, I?"

They nodded and he pulled the chair over next to Sam, as Ellis mimicked the same to sit next to Maxie, his brown eyes locked on her the entire time. Maxie watched him draw near, laying his beer down on the table as he piped up, "Where are you ladies from?" He was shorter than his friend and not as muscular but he obviously spent his fair share of time in the gym also. His dark hair was cropped low and he had a slight accent.

"New York," Carly replied then continued to introduce first names only for each of them. "How about you, where are you guys from?"

"Coincidentally, we're from New York too - a little town I'm sure you've never heard of called Beechers Corner."

"I've heard of it," she was purposely noncommittal, "what brings you to Cabo, Spring Break?" They were obviously not college age but they couldn't have been out that long, they looked not much older than Maxie.

Both men took the joke in stride, chuckling as Simeon replied, "I have a place down here, make the trip a few times a year."

"So you know all the hot spots to hit?" Hayden's eyes brightened with mischief.

"This is one of them," Simeon answered, "but we'd love to show you around to a few others." He had turned to look at Sam when he said that but she was staring at her glass, her mind obviously elsewhere. Just then the music changed and something about the drums in the Reggaeton beat reminded Sam of the boat and she just wanted to move. She sprang to her feet, pulling Maxie with her to the dance floor where their drunken, off key dance earned them more than a few appreciative stares from around the room. Working the short Cartulo minis that fit like they were made to order along with matching four inch heels, the two friends had no idea what a tempting and alluring picture they presented as they bobbed to the beat and laughed their heads off at nothing in particular. The music was heady and the atmosphere was energetic and before long they both collapsed again at the table, reaching thirstily for their half empty glasses.

Carly and Hayden were still exchanging light conversation with the two men as Sam returned to her previously vacated seat next to Simeon.

"You move very well - I'd love to take you dancing some night. What're you ladies up to tomorrow?"

Sam felt Carly nudge her knee under the table with her own and looked up to see her looking at Simeon. She groaned inwardly. There were three other beautiful women at the table and two were completely single, why her? At the thought she lifted her head - why not her? She was single too! But even as she thought that, she knew in her heart she really wasn't - not deep down where it counted, and she wondered if she'd ever feel really single ever again. He'd been lurking in there for so long that there was no corner of her heart that he hadn't entered and claimed as his own. She looked at Simeon again and made a decision. "Tell you what, it's been a long day and we're kinda beat but we're going sailing tomorrow - you're welcome to join if you want."

That time the nudge had turned into a kick under the table, a clear indication that Carly did not approve of her invitation, but Sam merely continued, "How do you feel about snorkeling?"

The jock became visibly uncomfortable. "Not much of a water person - bad swimming incident as a kid - but I'd love to show you around tomorrow night. Where are you ladies staying?"

Carly was not about to let that go any place. "Probably really close to you - where's your place?"

Sam snickered and grabbed the tequila bottle, "What say we finish the night on a bang?" She poured the rounds and sprinkled salt on her hand in preparation for the shot. She looked over to her friends, lifted her shotglass in toast and downed the silver liquid. After biting into the lime she turned to Simeon, rising to her feet as she spoke, "Thank you for the drink but we're gonna call it a night. Maybe we'll see you around." Her friends followed her and as they filed out Sam was surprised they weren't all staggering more drunkenly from the continuous rounds since the day before. She felt light headed and still in control but thought it a lucky thing Jason had the foresight to get them a dedicated limo driver who was with them everywhere.

At the hotel, Sam finished brushing her teeth and walked back into the living room to plop down on a chair. Carly was splayed across the sofa, her hand resting over her forehead and her eyes closed tightly. "God, make it stop. Please make it stop."

Sam chuckled into the night, "Make what stop - the spinning sofa or the ceiling?"

Carly opened her eyes and mumbled, "Make fun now, we'll see in the morning if I'm the only lightweight around here."

Sam sighed as she turned and hugged a pillow to her. "I don't know when we became lightweights, Carly. I used to be able to drink any guy under the table any time, day or night, and wake up fresh the next day and do it all over." She sighed again, "Now I can't even flirt and mean it."

There was a short silence in which Sam thought Carly had fallen asleep, then she heard a quiet, "Do you still love him?"

Sam didn't need to think about it - that fact had never changed over the years, no matter what place either of them were in. "Every much as I always have."

Hayden, who'd walked in from the room she shared with Maxie, didn't see the problem. "Isn't that what really matters?" They turned to look at her as she took a seat by Carly's feet on the sofa. "All I'm saying is I barely know you two, but even I could see how you feel about each other after I'd only known you guys for a few weeks. The way that man looks at you is bananas!"

Sam twirled the pillow's fringe in her hands. "Our problems aren't just on the surface. Some of this hurt runs as deep as it gets."

Maxie came out in her shortie pajamas to join the party, sitting on the floor near Carly's head. "So does the love though, Sam. I was there for a lot of it, and even I have to admit that Jason and you belong together. You don't look at anybody else the way you look at him, and I haven't seen him with anybody else the way he is with you - that stony man actually smiles around you or even when he just talks about you. You understand him…and lord knows the man is a conundrum!"

Carly eased up on one elbow and looked over at Sam, "They're right you know? I know Jason better than anybody, except maybe you, and as much as I hated it at times and hated you too, you're it for Jason, Sam. Elizabeth who? He's crazy about you!"

Sam got up from the chair and threw the pillow playfully at Carly, "No more heavy lifting on this trip - I'm off to bed. Coming drunkie? You need a crutch?"

Carly groaned and laid back down with her hand covering her face, "I'll just go ahead and die right here."

Sam smiled and turned towards her room when Maxie stopped her, "Sooo, Sam, if Jason's not a factor how come you completely ignored Mr. Buffulous tonight? He was nice, so what gives?"

"Can't trust a man who doesn't like the ocean." She continued on to bed, "Niiite."

"Yea, that was it I'm sure."

The next morning they sailed out on a rented Catamaran headed for snorkeling at a nearby private beach…who knew Whale Sharks would be so gentle. Sam couldn't believe how different it was from swimming with Dolphins and Rays, and was even more pleasantly surprised when Maxie actually joined them in the ocean, and enjoyed it to boot! After a leisurely late lunch out on the water the ladies returned to the hotel, where, as a reward to Maxie for actually embracing the day's activities without quarrel or qualm, they all went on her appointment for an evening beachside massage. Laying by the waves and listening as they rushed to shore, having the aches of the day kneaded from their bodies as the sunset streaked the Mexican skies in all its orangey red glory, and kissed by a sweet tropical breeze was the best end that they could've asked for to their impromptu mini-cation. They could fly home the next day feeling rejuvenated from some well deserved time off with some well rounded friends.

That night they dined by the beach again where the Tequila flowed freely and the four friends prepared to say goodbye to Mexico and walk back into their very demanding lives. They vowed that they would find time to take a trip every year and make it a proper one - a full week with no kids, no men, no problems - starting early the very next year. "Okay, maybe the kids…maybe. Viva Mexico - Salud!"