A/N: Thank you all for staying on this ride. I apologize for taking awhile to update I keep trying to find the time to edit and I'm sure something will pop up that shouldn't so sorry in advance. Thanks again for your patience, reviewing, and sticking with this muse. Special Thanks: palmbeach and msmanu0808 for your reviews, all those who this to their alerts thanks for your support I really appreciate it.
March 14, 2014, 2200 EST 122 Harbor View Towers, Penthouse #2
"Sam! Sam I'm back," Jason calls out as he enters the Penthouse after an abrupt meeting held with the Five Families. The meeting was to protect all interests, all interested parties had families and held to the code of honor-absolutely no drugs, and involvement of women and children- it was unanimous. Thus Anthony Zacchara's attempts to bring drugs into their territories had to be dealt with very soon. Their newest allies over the last two years weren't smooth sailing. Todd Manning, John McBain, and Johnny Zacchara had one commonality they all wanted to hurt his long time befriend, Sonny, but things were different now. Todd and John were definitely not part of the business but they were family now. So, they would keep the peace for their families.
Sonny was still reeling from being accused of killing Todd's granddaughter Hope Manning Thornhart and the child's father Cole Thornhart. Initially, the charges were dropped because his guilt was not beyond reasonable of doubt. There were many unanswered questions. Jason, Olivia, Johnny, Max, even Maxie had seen her disassociation but never put the pieces together. Sam realized after talking to Carly that Jason had encountered the wrath of Connie, Kate Howard's alter-ego. It was a bombshell of truth Sonny was unwilling to face when Jason and Sam revealed it to him. Sonny wanted his name cleared but he didn't want to see Kate's fragile mind shatter from the thought of killing an innocent child. He was right Kate Howard attempted to end her life while being transferred to Shadybrook Sanitarium after being charged guilty by reason of insanity. Sonny blamed himself for missing the clues and not believing in Jason so he could have helped Kate sooner.
Once it was proven that Todd did not kill his brother Victor but in fact he was alive and well the charges were dropped. Months later Todd rescued Victor from Allison Perkin's; the brothers came to a truce after menacing Llanview, PA. They had forged ahead to keeping their families happy. Victor and Tea reunite with their newest bundle of joy. Todd and Blair's history in Llanview was eccentric on a good day but their love ran deep enough to start fresh in Manhattan closer to their daughter Starr Manning. Blair hadn't thought about taking Sam away from Victor but she would always be his mother too. Tea and Blair worked things out for a shared custody agreement.
Danielle and Todd continued to working at their father and daughter relationship. Starr had Michael's support to help her grieve and get her life on track. Starr's demo reached #1 for 14 weeks. Michael had told Jason about Starr and her strange family saga to help him figure out if he and Starr should move on to more than friendship? Jason didn't like giving relationship advice but he made an exception for his nephew telling him "she should fit right in with all the drama Port Charles and your mother has to offer. If you think in your heart that she's the one don't let go. " Michael's smile meant the world to Jason seeing the affect his approval or thoughts still had on the young man he always wants to protect like his son.
Blair remains the owner of Craze Magazine but gave Todd's niece Jessica Buchanan Brennan control of the enterprise. Blair also became acting co-editor of Crimson as Maxie Jones remains senior co-editor and the backbone to Kate Howard's creations. Blair, Carly, and Sam grew closer as friends. Michael and Starr remain good friends but everyone around them thinks there's more than friendship between them. Starr was able to make her father drop his vendetta against Sonny and Kate.
John McBain and Jason also learned to co-exist once they found out John and Sam were twins separated at birth. Jason hated himself for thinking their connection was anything more than friendship. Sam never told him to cut off ties with Carly who carried more baggage than baggage and claims at any airport. Sam saw Carly's flaws, constant interruptions and loyalty to Jason but never showed insecurities with their friendship. He knew he owed it to her to let her feel protected by her brother like she used to for Danny. He only warned John not to hurt Sam so that meant John could not use his FBI tried or clearance to come after Sonny and Jason. John had asked Jason to keep the same promise, never to hurt his sister, Sam.
Johnny also felt guilty for his part in keeping Connie a secret. He knew better than that he had accused Sonny of driving his sister Claudia insane and to her death. He also blamed his grandfather's part in bring back Lisa Niles' retribution on Port Charles residence. Johnny had lost his focus he didn't want to be a lose canon like Sonny or cause innocent bystanders to get hurt like his grandfather enjoyed. Johnny showed up at the meeting wanting to amend any discord with the Zacchara organization. Johnny inherited the business but he was nothing like, his grandfather, Anthony Zacchara. Johnny had lost his focus and wanted to resume and maintain the peace with Corinthos-Morgan. This last minute decision to end his self destructive behavior was going to tick off his grandfather. Johnny knew Anthony always had a myriad of plans to take down ELQ, an international conglomerate, owned by Jason's family. The six generations of Quartermaine's had dwindled to less than a handful due to a series of tragedies.
Johnny knew Jason would not hesitate to kill Anthony. He also knew if he did nothing to stop his Pop from hurting the Quartermaines Jason would end his life too. Johnny admitted all this to Jason after the impromptu meeting with the Families and their associates. Jason always liked working with Johnny without the drama of Grandpa Z. Now that Anthony was no longer in control Jason knew he didn't have to worry about disunity. He was thankful to have Johnny as an ally again. He would use the info to give Monica, his mother and Grandfather a heads up. He also made a mental note to have a word with his aunt Tracy. Jason was getting a headache just thinking about having to approach the unscrupulous and highly judgmental lioness.
Jason did not find Sam in the nursery nor in their room as he expected. The timing was always off somehow but than again the timing in his personal life never was perfect. Well, with a few exceptions the day Samantha McCall came into his life, the day she became Mrs. Morgan, and the day their twins were born he thought with a smile reaching his eyes.
He came back downstairs went to the kitchen reaching for cold beer as he thinks of his family. He wished his family was home so could hold them close. "I probably forgot who's turn it was for a sleepover," he admits out loud to himself. He recalls only a month after reuniting with the twins when Emily, Carly, Robin, Maxie, and Natalie all talked him and Sam into having sleepovers so the twins would get to know the family. They agreed to have the twins spend a few hours with Monica and Alexis first then they would let the twins slowly get use to the idea. The first time Jason and Sam dropped their five month old twins off at the Lake House only for a few hours she came home bawling holding back the need to text, call, or just head back and get them. Jason was struggling too with his separation anxiety from the twins was nearly as bad as Sam's or worst however being the introvert that he is only Sam knew he felt the same way. Three hours later Alexis, Kristina, and Molly were disappointed to see Jason and Sam back for the playful babies. Alexis told them she understood and knew exactly what they were feeling. Alexis had gone through the same when Kristina was kidnapped as a child. Sam stayed in her mother hug when she promised in a few months and years to come they would have to beg for a babysitter and she will happily say I told you so. The new parents apologized but took their smiling babies home. Once home Jason and Sam had spent the entire night with the babies in their bed asleep together.
Over two years ago, Heather had taken both babies only hours after Jason and Sam were told their family would be release from the hospital. Jason felt broken and Sam was beyond consoling. He remembered her words well "we only had them for three days Jason! This is worst than losing baby Lila! They are probably scared, hungry, or felt our doubts! Jason I want my babies go find them now," she cried as she fights her husband to get up from her hospital bed to go find them. "Our babies Sam, our babies, I promise I will," Jason said just before Dr. Kelly Lee came to tell them Jason was the father of both Sam's children.
They had survived walking into the empty nursery once again and trying to find the words to comfort each other. Jason couldn't deal with those memories right now. It was the darkness time since Michael's disappearance, AJ faking Michael's death, Jake's death, Robin's presumed death and reappearance without her memories, finding out about Franco being his twin, finding out Franco lead him to believe that he had rape Sam was all a mind game, Sam going into premature labor, only to find out the twins were normal size babies, taking a third paternity test recommended by Dr Lee, finding out his disconnect to the pregnancy was to his own children, Sam figuring out Heather had switched the second paternity test and second guessing had the babies felt loved. He needed Sam and the twins to come home soon; he shakes his head away from the rush of thoughts. Jason hated the idea of the twins going on a sleepover. They were not so much babies anymore but they would always be his babies and he didn't want to miss out on their lives anymore than he already had in their short lives. He wanted them home and bonding with Sam and him. Daniel Justus, Emilia, and Sam were his world.
As Susan Curtis, she lived briefly in Toronto, Canada during late summer and fall. It was not long before she came to terms that it was barely even winter nonetheless the cold was not her cup of tea. She then moved on a whim to get closer to her love for the sea and remain out of the country while she thought of her next move.
Costa Rica was the perfect paradise for her persona and still appeared natural. The low cost of living helped her budget her former inheritance and make a wise investment to keep a strictly cash only income. Sandy's inheritance was a nice cushion but she did not feel that she deserved it and thus it was easy to be generous to Mary Mae Ward and even Bryan. Sandy had transferred the chain of pubs to Bryan after selling the main property. She smiled to herself when she thought Bryan probably had broken even whether he sold or kept the properties after clearing his personal tab from the books.
Denying herself to indulge on wasting her new found security Susan's, first order of business was to care for JT, he was always close to her heart no matter what name she called herself. JT's account balance had declined tremendously with every expense for room, board, shopping, field trips, and books not including the annual tuition. Susan decided to set up a pseudo-account with one lump sum to transfer monthly payments to TJ school account. The accounts were virtually like a trust fund containing an even one hundred thousand dollars from the Vincenzo family. Somehow JT would know she kept her promise to always protect him and though they did not see each other he remained close in her heart. The remaining eighty thousand dollars was hers and she was content knowing it would get her by.
Susan was young, mature, and witty. She knew what she wanted and she would go after it. The problem was she wasn't sure how she would start to obtain her endgame. She wanted to finish school but she found the classes were boring and she knew she had the experience through the conning world and what she had gained through her lives. She didn't' feel like she was making excuses she knew she was good at problem solving, understanding the mechanics of any equipment, any mode of transport, and flexible under pressure. Susan wanted to capitalize on her qualities. On the other hand, there was staying on the down low –avoiding the rogue agents, figuring out how to expose their disgusting machinations, explore her youth and prove she wasn't a lie and yet can esteem respect as did Sandy. She was disappointed by these mind-boggling obstacles that lay ahead because none of these goals were possibly attainable without exposing herself. She had to remind herself she needed to stay hidden. Susan wondered would she ever reclaim her inner self. Though keeping an alias was natural from growing up in the con-world she never thought her feelings would be so divided to reverting back to her true self.
March 14, 2014 1300 EST
Langley, VA
"Black suits on the pursuit is what she called us," Agent Rayner smiled to his colleagues looking over the observation room. The suits on their computers completely glued to their assignments.
"That ungrateful con artist was nothing before I gave her the training to hone in on her indecisive talents. She has given us nothing to penetrate the Corinthos-Morgan organization. All this time blending in as his wife she still hasn't given us a thing." Rayner said with indifference
"So what are you saying Rayner," a female voice finally replies in matching tone.
"Samantha McCall has gone rogue," he said with deliberate pauses. She is no longer to access any of you, is that clear! I want all her clearance denied immediately. Rayner commanded.
"You are sacrificing her because she didn't play by your rules," the brunette spoke again in defiance.
"Yes, she's a means to an end. No worries my dear my rules can end your career too." Rayner threatened.
"This isn't over," she said flatly.
Cell phone in hand she dropped an encrypted text to an unmarked cell. Hoping desperately that Sam gets it in time.
Earlier, March 14th 1330 1322 Harbor View Towers Penthouse #2
Sam had asked to spend some quality time together and he had reassured her that tonight would be their uninterrupted time. Sam came down the stairs earlier with a surprise but was again struck with disappointment when his cell rang and he was pulled away yet again.
Now recalling as he left making more empty promises that Sam had shrugged her shoulders saying "fine". He knew it meant that they needed to talk about something important but this time it was different he knew she was holding back. Over the years they have had their fair share of peaks and valleys. Often time it felt like their lowest of the lows would redefine their relationship or destroy them. They had a beautiful family and made each member feel special. Lately, he also noticed Sam reluctantly admitting to feeling tired. She was always being the strong one, his complement, and made it appear effortless.
She started salvage work, she was taught by Cody but found it to be second nature. Initially, Susan rented a Cape Islander, an inshore motor fishing boat. Over a short time, she then befriended the local seamen giving them an irresistible offer as a volunteer to care for the boat maintenance for a barter system. The men were amaze to see how efficient the young lady really was; what they did not perceive was Susan wanted a savage ship and tug boat for savaging but they were expensive. She had no plans in becoming penniless.
In a matter of weeks, she gained a reputation that resulted in more time spent at sea and nearly making every costal stop reaching Nicaragua to the North, the Caribbean Sea to the east, then towards the southeastern tip of Panama and back again making her next place of residence. Ideally, summer or dry season was the best timing for coasting out to sea. Susan had enjoyed that time before she had to endure the tropical Atlantic hurricane season at sea during the inlands rainy season which seemed to last forever. It was discombobulating to have a tropical winter season when she decided to run from the cold. While on her third trip from the western Caribbean Islands back to Costa Rica she discovers someone was looking for her. The island folks were friendly but did not want anyone interfering with fair trade so they protected the woman named Susan Curtis.
So what do you think? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again for staying on this ride.