Proper Disclaimer:

I am not now nor have I ever been associated, in any form or fashion, with ABC/Disney/General Hospital… the writers or actors.

Read, enjoy, review….

……………………………………………………………………………………………

Okay, so what do you do when you know you're in trouble and you know that whatever heinous punishment that is about to be leveled on you is probably unjust in the broad skim of things, but very reasonable under the letter of the "law" because you knew the rules and willing broke them?

It wasn't that Sam didn't think Sonny would be angry. She actually knew he would be the minute she convinced Milo to let the girls stay. She knew how furious her dad would be and if he knew about Lucky being in her room that afternoon, well let's just say that anger would be the least of his emotions. Regardless, if she didn't assert herself a little now he'd be calling all the shots until she finally got out of this asylum. What she couldn't understand was why her father had turned on her. He was seeing danger at every turn and smothering her with rules, guards, security, and being under his watchful eye. At this point if it wasn't for missing Lucky and Emily she would beg to be sent to boarding school. Maybe there she could finally get some freedom.

Sonny stood at the door with an entirely different set of thoughts running through his mind. He had come upstairs with a very specific intent. That was to avoid losing his temper with Samantha. His daughter was out of control and it just wasn't something he could deal with right now. There were missing shipments, disloyal men, missing money, an ex-wife running amok in his casino, a current wife in the hospital, and the loss of a baby that frankly were already occupying his every waking moment and a hormonal spoiled 16-year-old running wild he did not need. He'd promised his wife less than an hour ago that he would have a heart to heart with their daughter and explain why company at the house wasn't a great idea, but that she could go out tomorrow night with her friends. He was going for the compromise, until he walked in and found her wrapping up an unauthorized party.

"So, go ahead let me have it. I know you're furious. Just don't take it out on Milo or Jason I let the girls in and I asked them to stay. If you're gonna blow this out of proportion with anyone then it might as well be me." Sam stood her ground and watched her father's face turn red. Her intent was to go down swinging.

Sonny was so close to leaping across the room at her she had no idea. "I don't need your permission to blow anything out of proportion! As a matter of fact since I'm the parent the only one who needs permission in this room is you. Which makes me ask, what the hell were you thinking about having company without clearing it with me first?"

"Oh, I don't know I thought for once I'd do something normal like ask my friends over, have them say yes and enjoy my evening. So much for that…"

"You know what young lady if I were you I wouldn't push my luck. Do not mistake my calmness for acceptance. I have calls I need to make. Get ready for bed and I'll be back up. And Samantha you better have a shift in attitude by then." Sonny turned and walked to the door being stopped by her comment, one she thought was made under her breath.

"Sure I'll just stay awake waiting to be punishment…"

His sharp pivot matched his words. "¡Usted hará como le dicen!" Then her door slammed shut.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

You will do what you are told!

His words rang in her ears along with the sound of splintering wood as her door slammed. Her courage came in waves, the last one having been exhausting. Taking out her pajamas Sam made quick business of changing her clothes and then went in to pull her hair into a ponytail, wash her face and brush her teeth. She wasn't sure if the sleep was coming on her because it had been a long day or if her body was determined to defy her father too. Either way when she looked at her clock and realized it was nearly eleven she let out a sigh at the thought of waiting up for Sonny to come and yell at her some more.

She wanted to call Lucky or Emily, but decided that might not be the smartest choice for her father to come in and witness. She did send a number of frantic texts both responding back-to-back. Finally, Emily said she had an early rehearsal and Lucky had a swim meet, so saying goodnight they both told her they hoped to see her tomorrow.

Finally she made another call and prayed it was picked up.

"Mom, were you sleeping? I'm sorry… I know… no Krissy is fine… I don't know, Sonny checked on her… I didn't really get a chance… now you're mad at me? Leticia was with her upstairs… they had popcorn and watched a video… that's why I'm calling… Emily came by with Elizabeth Webber… No I don't like her… she invited herself… I didn't… yes… yes… but don't you think that's unfair? Yes the rules are clear… It wasn't that big of a deal… No, he didn't… downstairs making calls… very… a little… but he was being so unreasonable… oh, I didn't know that… I guess he's going to change his mind now, huh? Nothing… listening to music and eating pizza… upstairs… no… I sort of demanded he let them stay… I'm sorry about that and I took responsibility… yes… so can… but… he's furious… I mean seriously ticked off… he slammed my door… I do… I know… it's not fair… yes ma'am… I will… love you too, 'night." Sam closed her cell phone and sat at her desk to chronicle the day in her journal before this conversation with Sonny and after.

Half a page in there was a knock on her door. "Come in." She answered.

Sam closed her journal and shoved it in the top drawer of her desk. She swiveled in her chair and faced the door as it opened. Remembering what her mother had said and the warning that came with it took her attitude down by half.

Standing in the doorway the weary father of four dragged his hand across his forehead. He had convinced Marty not to send Carly packing for at least another month. It seemed that the call where Marty gave the ultimatum, that it was him or the ex-wife, came more frequently now. Then Jason called to confirm that he'd found the missing money and receipts. Now a decision had to be made regarding someone they both hoped would be with the organization for a long time. He kept thinking that everyone wanted and no one was willing to give.

"Ilo siento daddy." Sam got up and stood in front of her fuming father who she noticed looked like he aged since he left her room.

Gesturing toward her bed Sonny responded by saying, "sit down."

"This has to stop Sammie. I don't want anymore apologies or attempts at making it right. You know what's expected of you and you need to get back to doing it. Tonight crossed the line. The guards and Leticia are not your personal servants. You don't make demands of them and you don't ask them to disobey my orders in favor of yours."

"Yes, sir." Sam had picked up that haggard looking marsupial and was rubbing his ear.

"You broke your word and that is completely unacceptable. Míreme. You promised your mother that you'd take care of Krissy and instead you sat downstairs and never checked on her once. Leticia said she cried for you and your mother for an hour."

"Well, I was in the house. Why didn't Leticia just bring her down to me? I would have handled it. I didn't tell Leticia not to disturb me or anything like that, not once. The only one I ran out of the room at all was Michael and that's because he was being a pest."

"You're trying to justify your behavior? There is no excuse because you should have been watching that movie with her and reading to her and comforting her they way you said you would. I am so disappointed in you. Once again you chose your immediate wants over what was best for the family. I'm not okay with that at all." Sonny got up from the end of the bed and crossed the room to his daughter's desk. He had to put some distance between them.

Thinking about what he was saying was making Sam feel bad. She was selfish she thought. She had taken a stand to have Elizabeth Webber in her house what had she been thinking. Krissy was so important to her. Samantha loved her little sister, even when she was being a 5-year-old terror. Knowing she had cried herself to sleep was hurting her heart. "I'll make it up to Krissy and mom, I promise."

"Please don't… don't make anymore promises tonight, your word has proven to be unreliable at best."

Wow, Sam took a deep breath that was harsh. Maybe he was right, maybe this time sorry wasn't enough.

"You know your mother talked me into letting you go with your friends tomorrow. She said that you couldn't prove that you could be trusted if we never let you doing anything. She's gonna regret telling me that now."

"I guess you changed you mind about that and I'm not leaving the house tomorrow." Sam was defeated.

"Oh, you'll probably leave the house, but that'll be up to Kristina. You'll be spending the day making it up to your sister. You're going to do whatever she wants and be her new best-friend for the whole day."

"Is that my punishment?" If there was more she just wanted to get it over with.

"Do you hear yourself? I said your sister was hurt by what you did and you just want to move on to when you can… what go out with your friends again or have some more of them running through the house."

"I said I was sorry about Krissy, but I'm hardly five and we weren't running through the house. Emily is Jason's sister. Elizabeth is Steve and Audrey Hardy's granddaughter. There not random girls I picked up on the docks. I broke one stupid rule." Things were escalating again. All of Alexis' coaching had gone out the window. Her voice was rising and shaking.

"You better lower your voice, right now. That one rule could be the difference between the life you know and a very different scenario. You're 16 now Samantha and you understand the sensitive nature of my business. I decide what risks are taken not you. Who comes in and out of this house is part of that whether you think it should be or not." He matched her tone measure for measure.

"But daddy…."

"I'm done having this conversation. Go to sleep Samantha because Leticia has instructions to deliver Kristina to your room the minute she wakes up. Goodnight." Sonny crossed and turned out the lights in the room this time gently closing the door too exasperated for much else.

Sliding back on the bed Sam slipped under the covers and didn't cry, as expected, but instead really thought about what Sonny had said. Holding on to her Joey she recalled all the things she loved about her day, but she kept coming back to her sister and thinking about the fact that she had spent the night crying. He was right she promised to be there and she wasn't. There was no way around that fact. The other notion that gave her pause and drove sleep further and further away from her was the idea that she was old enough to take a hard look at her daddy's business. When sleep finally overtook her Sam couldn't get the certainty out of her head that most coffee importers didn't need to carry a gun to work everyday. Could something reckless that she did really put her entire family's future in jeopardy?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Hey, I don't know where those hands have been." Taking hold of the tiny wrist attached to the probing finger that was pulling her eyelid up Sam addressed her sister.

"Morning Sammie, daddy said you were taking care of me today. He said we were gonna spend the whole day together and no boys." Krissy climbed up into her sister's bed and snuggled close to her side. She was wearing pink princess pajamas and her hair was absolutely wild. That also meant it was absolutely tangled and would be hell to do.

"Yes we are going to hang out today. Did you eat breakfast?"

"No. Sammie will you make French toast for me." It was Kristina's favorite breakfast… mostly because of the ton of powder sugar she loved all over it.

Giving it split second consideration Sam said. "I have a better plan. Why don't we go to Kelly's and have Grandpa Mike make some for us. He taught me and daddy how to make them, so his are even better than mine." The little girl's eyes lit up.

"Yay! I love going to Grandpa Mike. He lets me have whip cream too."

Sam jumped out of bed surprised with the brilliance of the plan forming in her head. There was a way to rid the guilt, comply with her father and see her friends and it all hinged on French toast.

Running into the hall she called out to see who was still left in the house. It was just a little before eight and as expected everyone was gone. Leticia was at Michael's game with Morgan and had probably taken Milo with her. That was if the poor guy still had a job. Odds were in his favor because Sonny had trust issues and would rather chew him out and make his life miserable for a few days then break in someone new. Sonny and Max were at the hospital without a doubt which left either Logan or Danny as her personal escort. Easy choice… Danny. He teased her a lot, but he was more big brother and less completely trigger happy crazy. He also wasn't as committed to impressing Sonny with his ability to follow orders.

"Okay kiddo lets get you cleaned up. And we have got to do something with this hair. What do you do sleep standing on your head?" That garnered giggles as the little one took off running down to her room to pick out something to wear.

Sam grabbed her phone and sent out a few texts. Brilliant she thought… shear brilliance. "Wait for me squirt!"