Disclosure: I don't own General Hospital or its characters. (Jasam wouldn't be so OOC, reliving their worst tragedy again or so far apart).

A/N: Thank you to all for reading this muse, reviewing, compliments, alerts, and favs. I really appreciate it. To all Ghers and Jasammers do not give up. I know the present s/l is hard to watch. Yet, the GH cast is giving killer performances. Show your support for the actors TPTB will eventually dial down the angst. Our Stelly/Jasam/ Morgan will be stronger than ever. They will reunite with their gorgeous baby boy soon. Note: No Jasam in this update but don't worry this is a Jasam story after all. This chapter took a life of its own. Happy Friday and hope you enjoy.

XXX

Chapter 7

Sam was feeling completely out of sorts for the last two days since she survived the aftermath of Cody. She was marooned off the coast of a familiar island. She despised Cody more than ever. She guessed they were even now. He saved her life but it was still his fault. She had enough to worry about before he resurfaced only to give her more grief.

After listening to his side of the lies she didn't even have time to process it all before a small vessel came out of nowhere and ambushed her tug boat with shots. It wasn't just a warning. "Get down," she heard her father yell.

"Sammie I will distract them just get out of here," he instructed with fear protectively. Sam was confused she never saw this side of Cody. She almost felt sincerity in his voice until he jumped directly into the open hauling area of the ship and shot at dark image swearing, "you will blow up too." She didn't have any problem with pirates. They knew her boats and she didn't get in their way. Cody must have pissed someone off, she knew this was the case more times than not.

As Sam quickly approached the body lying on her boat she was horrified when she found it was someone she had recognized. What are you doing here, she asked confused? As she looked at his face she touched the inanimate body in shock. "You killed him!" Sam said angrily. "Before he got a chance to kill you," Cody bellowed at his stubborn daughter.

Another shadow jumps in Cody's proximity catching him off guard. Sam pulls her trigger swiftly dropping the intruder. "Thanks," Cody says simply. "Get your ass off this boat now. It's going to blow," he screamed at her. Further confusion filled her control on reality, within the chaos, she hadn't even felt a bullet gazed her left tricep. Sam couldn't believe Cody's reaction to her. She bent down to see the face of the intruder. She didn't realize his dark features right away but she soon discovered he was a rogue in training. "Caleb," Sam whispers as he moans softly. She moved away once she realizes he is alive but still possibly a threat as he breathes out "Nighthawk."

She couldn't control her breathing realizing how things had gone from bad to worst. She had to retreat to safety. She took in the scene before her one last time looking over at the hatch only a few steps away and all the heavy artillery flying into her boat. "Sammie what are you still doing here, get off the ship. I told you it's going to blow up. Just remember what I told you," Cody yelled with finality he pulled a pin out of a grenade. Sam had no choice she ran towards a life buoy and jumped leaving the bloody boat with the images engraved in her mind's eye. When she hit the freezing water in the darkness she then felt the searing pain in her left shoulder going numb. For a moment her mind went into panic mode thinking about attracting sharks. She wasn't very far away from the explosion when her tugboat went ablaze. Sam swam directly in the direction of the remaining wreckage. She needed to get out of the water fast.

It was so hard to swim any faster than she already had but she needed the advantage. Sam had encountered enough sharks while diving to know the Caribbean Reef Shark, Lemon, Shark, and even the Great White Shark. Though they were mostly indifferent towards humans she wasn't going to taunt them with her blood especially with the latter being a carnivore. She didn't blame the Great White for being a natural born predator this was all Cody's fault. She tried to switch her thoughts to killing Cody when she made it out alive.

Once she reached the damaged she knew she was not alone. She quickly remained calm and motionless. It circled the expanse of the wreckage. Her blood and the fire attracted the nocturnal hunter. She knew this was going to feel like an eternity. If she wanted to remain alive she had to stay still. She recognized the battered shark. It would instinctively nudge her to determine what she was. Usually this alone would cause it to go away but an injury would surely attract it. It was indeed a Great White as luck would have it. Cody definitely knew she could hold her own. He was a great escapist but a poor planner. He probably hadn't even noticed her injury before blowing up her ship. He would never think about a plan B it was always save your own ass…that was his plan B. This time she knew he wanted to make it look like she was dead. Yet, as the hard luck kid, whenever Cody was in her path, his thoughtless plan was probably going to become reality.

This cat and mouse game wasn't her style. She was either still heading towards Haiti or drifting towards Cuba but if she was completing off course she would be out to sea for days before reaching Aruba. She had to outsmart this predator in its own domain, in the dark, with a severely damaged boat out in the middle of nowhere. She didn't have time on her side for survival of the fittest. Sam remained breathless determined not to let this death come to fruition. She grabbed hold of the floating tugboat moving quickly towards the capstan just seconds before the shadowy creature's jaw of life reached her. An aggressive shadow leaped so close the twenty foot long Great White's form landed partially inside the remaining tail end of the boat pulling it downwards.

Sam was already holding onto the bridge ladder climbing upwards toward the wheelhouse as the boat shifted towards the rear to an eager Great White. It was undeterred even with objects flying its way. She quickly aimed her gun at the angry sea beast. She knew she had to be accurate. As a true sharpshooter, she succeeds in targeting its vulnerable spot. She shot out one eye. It ferociously grinds its jaw towards the funnel to get to Sam. This caused the antenna to dislodge and it was getting closer. Sam kept her back against the wall as she tried to enter of the wheelhouse but the lock was stuck. She thought about reaching the steering wheel knowing it won't help. Otherwise she had a hidden vault that would lead her to the bow. As Sam looked at the height of the bow above water she knew going deeper into the ships anterior wouldn't be a solution if it was flooded. Sam at least made it to the clear view screen to see the condition inside the wheelhouse. She sighed at the impossible situation. It was filling with water fast and she was going to become dinner soon.

Sam decided to use her last bullet aiming for its gills. It was a no-go. From her vantage point it was a futile. Sam had to get closer to the creature on it's blind-side. She prayed for a miracle and defiantly stands on the handrail to reach the top of the wheelhouse. It was a long shot but she wasn't going down without a fight. The thousand toothed creature kept grinding towards her. Suddenly Sam pulled the trigger at its snout and the giant creature stopped grinding its way towards her she thought she had died a painless death. The creature slowly shrinks back into its abyss. This causes the remaining craft to nearly capsize. She knew she was safe from the creature as she noted its gills and caudal fin go still. It was impaled by the mainmast with the masthead light still glowing through its grotesque jaw.

Sam knew the possibility of more hunters to fight off. She had to keep the boat adrift. She needed to maintain alertness. Finally ripping at her wet slacks she tied a tourniquet around her injury and just stayed still hoping the vessel would settle afloat. Sam let out a scream when her ship was hit with more water the anterior of the wheelhouse burst at its seams toppling over to the remaining main deck. She held onto the handrail gliding down anterior deck quickly picking up the rope on the capstan tying it around her waist and lassoing it around the H-bitt, used to secure a line to another vessel, it was useful in her salvaging and hauling. She never thought she would have to secure herself in such a way. She did this as a last resort knowing it was a catch 22 if it hindered her from getting away. Sam prayed and waited for sunrise to come with haste. She hated being defenseless and hopeless.

Now it had been two days since she was out to sea before a familiar voice called out "LINDA."

She didn't recall falling asleep. She called back in the evening heure bleu, blue hour, with a hoarse voice. She thought she had imagined it. The voices were in the distance further away now but she did hear someone calling out Linda. "François, she screams recognizing one of her contacts. It's me come back s'il vous plait, please." She cried out louder until the sharpness burned at her throat. She was ready to give up at shouting as she intended to modulate to a higher pitch all she heard to her own ears was an undertone. A flash of light returning in her direction gave her hope. She called out a few more times. "Au secours, au secours, au secours, please help me!" she exclaimed in a shrill. As the small vessel approached François and his men were devastated to see their friend in such a quandary. "Linda what happened?" François asked as he helped the young brunette out of the makeshift harness of rope. She hadn't answered and only gave him a sad smile. He fell into a comfortable silencing with understanding.

My wife will cook for you. All your favorites okay, he promised. She loved his acceptance and his wife's cooking. She was finally going to be alright. "Quelqu'un a essayé de vous tuer," one his associated asked. "Non," Sam says harshly then apologizes. "I can't explain any of this François. I need this to remain quiet. No one can know," she hated to beg. "Elle a été attaqué par un requin. Cela restera entre nous ou nous risquons de perdre du tourisme." François a commandé. Linda chuckled, "you told them I was attacked by a shark, which was true she shuddered the thought, and they should keep this to themselves because it would affect tourist."

"You understand well," François shook his head at the massive destruction the petite brunette had to handle alone. He also knew there was more to his mysterious friend but it was rude to pry. "When you try to trick me with your gourde and dollar currency I learned quickly," Linda laughed knowingly. "You had to bring that up again. I save you from the requin so we are even now," François joked. "Shark," she corrected. Nope you promised me your wife would cook for me…all my favorites," she relaxes sipping on the bottled water he handed to her minutes before. "Okay men lets get back. Linda is hungry. This is an emergency," he spoke in French causing everyone to laugh.

XXX

Linda knew some locations on the island but she never really had time to enjoy it. She remained hidden in the southern mountains with François' in-laws. The next day she mostly explored her bearings for the pristine unadulterated beaches. She was staying low-key amidst the countryside away from tourism. It was perfect. She did not know how she would ever repay François' family. The elderly were always hard at work keeping their youthful form. The elder folks on the countryside had coffee crops, fruits trees, and livestock to care for. The children were expected to excel in school and complete chores. Agriculture was starting to decline though still valued by land owner. Land was passed down from each generation.

Linda wanted to continue salvaging work though for a fraction what she made manning her own boat but it was better than nothing. That was what Cody left her with- exactly nothing at all. He may have told her the truth about saving her but he had stolen everything she had. He took her cash, blew up her ship, killed her friend and she possibly killed an agent. The one silver lining in all of this was since Sam McCall was supposedly dead staying hidden was no longer a chore. Yet, she was angry because she hated being dependent after maintaining her self-respect thus far.

On the other hand, she felt welcomed by François, his wife Carmen, and their extended families and friends. She loved the value system instilled at infancy it seemed. She was in awe at the respect the family showed one another. The subtle affectionate titles given even to strangers were cute to her. She loved meeting the older children as well. She knew they were doing well in school, as their parents, would proudly tell her of the family's progress whenever she made her stops at port. To get a great deal in the barter system she learned to be a keen listener.

The family loved staying up late sharing tales of the day's events, telling jokes, and playing games. François was a police officer during a time of political peace. He retired when the government was affect by a coup d'état. Carmen was a secondary school professor. They had the means to provide security to, their prize possessions, their four children. The two eldest Dominic Eugene, Jean-René, were studying at the University in Port de Prince. The two youngest were Idoria Françoise, and Amiliance Carmelita. The girls spoke English well as they learned in school but found it intriguing to hear Sam's expressions. François was stern but he was constantly smiling when the girls were in his presence. He and Carmen would usually refer to girls nicknames Dora and Amilie.

Dora was a timid nine year old. She was usually helping her mom with chores though they had Tsasha, a house servant on hand. Amilie was an animated six year old though she looked much younger in a petite frame. Tsasha was also a meek twelve year old who moved in with Monsieur François' family from the countryside once she graduated from the sixth grade. Tsasha would go to school in the capital with room and board provided while she cooked, cleaned, and care for the younger children mostly Amilie.

Linda didn't see any discomfort from Tsasha. She was content that she could finish her schooling and someday wanted to become a doctor. Linda talked to François and Carmen about other arrangements for Tsasha. He had reminded her that she had to see this was the way of life. Those in the position to give back to less fortunate were helping to educate the next generation. He didn't hid the fact that in some case the house servants were abused or treated as less than human but in his family they were treated as their own. Carmen explained that they had house servants growing up and now she does. Our children know better than ever disrespect her in anyway. François also pointed out when she salvage the gold and natural resources of the land it also has a negative impact on the people. But we all say the ends justify the means when it suits us. Carmen reassured Linda she wasn't offended. "Debating a point of view and having a difference of opinion is what makes us different from robots is what I tell my students all the time," she winked at her friend and husband. He continued to accept their friendship not feeling offended by Linda's questions. You should tell Carmen all your favorites before your last night; François switches the topic on cue. "Everything she cooks is my favorite," Linda laughed.

Linda knew François during his policemen days when he could have arrested Cody for numerous crimes. She was younger and was tasked to manned the boat so he didn't know her as Sam. If he had made the connection he sure kept it to himself. He wasn't perfect but he was a realist and non-judgmental.

Susan Curtis was known in the capital and to the eastern province bordering Dominican Republic. To the ports, merchants, and traders she was simply Linda. So she stayed indoors while in the capital as so as not to draw any attention though it was a mountainous region and gated community.

After three days, Linda reluctantly left François and Carmen's home to meet her contacts who usually made their way to the Eastern Caribbean Islands by Thursdays. She had set out to the port early. She wasn't at all blind-sided by the corruption that lay at the ports. She and everyone else learned to keep their mouths shout for the temporary good. The problem was she knew she took part in it too as her friend had put so eloquently. As she approached the fisherman Jean-Luc she remained discreet. He simply nodded in understanding. A few feet away, a rugged middle age man spoke French with an American accent seemed to look her way just before embarking his ship. "Ah oui that's the one I want," he pointed in her direction. Linda froze in the moment. The man waved his to his partners armed with automatic guns to grab her. Linda was surprised when they walked right past her and obtained someone she hadn't noticed behind her. Linda was armed but outnumbered she saw the familiar little girl. "Arrêté, (stop)" she spoke brazen. The six years old eyes buried into Linda's with fear knowing what the men would do next. She cried out, "non, please don't let them take me."

"Shut up," an over zealous henchmen smacks the child. Amilie drops to the ground then swiftly jumps into friend's arms for refuge. Linda hugged the child tightly as the men tried to pry her from her arms. The little girl screamed clenching onto Linda.
"Leave her alone," Linda blood boils lifting the girl and adjusting her onto her right hip.

"Mind your own business," the pervert aimed his gun at her.

"She is my business she is my daughter," Linda quickly said stroking the girl's curls and back.

"You expect me to believe that. I have seen you around in the ports before," the man stated. His men loosen the grip on their guns when he waves them off. "Je suis…" he began to introduce himself smugly.

"I know you're an asshole. How I chose to make a living is my choice. We don't need you giving Americans a bad rep here. So go back under the rock you crawled from," she was fired up. "It's going to be okay," she whispered to the little girl. She wanted to believe it too.

"You insolent bitch. I can make you pay for that," Anthony threatens.

"Watch your mouth she's a child," Linda demanded. "Anyone aiming a gun can act tough especially when you use children but I'm sure you don't want the press finding out you did this to one of your own," Linda tried to get under his skin tactfully.

"You are full of surprises. At least, this will be entertaining," he uttered amusingly.

"Just let her go and we can work out a deal," she continues.

"Don't," Jean Luc, the fishermen, jumped in. He tried to ignore it but couldn't anymore.

"Monroe leave now. You have no business here," François shouted.

"Papa Papa," the child called out and runs to her dad.

Linda jumped in the Anthony's way "don't shot, I'll come with you," she could feel the barrel of his gun press between her breast.

François quickly shield his daughter holding this gun toward the men, "let Linda go," he commands. François' usual entourage wasn't with him. She knew Jean-Luc at least had a few knives and though the odds were better in overpowering them she didn't want to see a bloodbath. Anthony had a 9mm, his two goons each had a semi, and the last one had been playing with a large blade in his hand.

"François take our daughter and go," Linda decided on sticking to her story.

"How touching, the drifter and the mulattos," he stuttered with disgust.
"You are a pig," Linda still boiling with angry.

"I'm going to enjoy you. You are a spit fire," he disrobed her with his eyes wandering lustfully.

"I don't intend to be your slave. I'm coming willing." Linda breathed out holding back the fear in the pit of her stomach.

"Linda don't do this." François yelled feeling hopeless at protecting his daughter and his friend. There wasn't a choice. They both knew it. He simply kept his gun on the men while his daughter kept sobbing.

As Linda kept her eyes on the men she winked at François to leave. She was able to keep her back away from the men letting her gun remain concealed. As Anthony waved his men back to the ship, he eyed Linda with his gun "let's go" he instructed.

Suddenly, shots were fired when the little girls yells out to Linda "wait, I love you."

"You idiots!" Anthony growls.

XXX

Linda dived into the line of fire to save the little girl. François raced towards his friend pulling her off his daughter. Amilie, Amilie, ca va? He glanced at the stillness of his friend. "You did this! You imbeciles," he pointed his gun at Anthony believing his daughter and friend were dead. Anthony shot François not to protect himself rather he didn't want any witnesses. Jean-Luc also met a hasty death. "Get her and let's go," he commanded. The men didn't bother picking Linda up. They pulled her up to her feet like a rag doll and shoved their weapons at her side. She was lightheaded she quickly reached for her thigh in pain not full registering what happened.

As they got closer to the coast she begged Anthony to tell her about Amilie. The stitches to her prior injury popped and she definitely was losing blood. She reached for her gun but it was gone it must of fallen or the men retrieved it. She was crestfallen and loathing. As the ship sailed she heard a small voice screaming her name. She wasn't sure if it was real. The last memory of her young friend would plague her forever wait I love you. Linda couldn't hold back the tears. "I hate you," she screams at the pervert. He seemed to shrink back a bit.

Anthony Monroe was a pig. He watched his father's trophy wives get tossed aside one after another. He didn't pity them for his father did the same to his mother when he was just a little boy. Anthony never thought money, power and greed would change him. His mom died when he was about six years. He was older than the little girl Linda tried to save, he thought. He watched his father rebuild the family empire only to place pistol to his temple when one of his tricks robbed him of all his assets. Anthony was young and didn't care for the money but over time he became bitter and fought for the assets as sole heir.

The Monroe's were sang bleu, aristocratic settlers from Haiti who helped Americans negotiate the Louisiana Purchase in 1802. In particular, his paternal great grandfather James Monroe assisted Robert R. Livingston and France General Charles LeClèrc by order of President Thomas Jefferson to remove France's presence in the region. Their success added growth to the soaring independent colonies. The Louisiana territories spanning 15 mid-western states and two Canadian provinces had protected both U.S. trade access to the port of New Orleans and free passage on the Mississippi River. By 1804, Haiti had gained its independence during a slave revolt led by Touissant L'Ouverture. Later in 1861, during the U.S. Civil War, his Haitians ancestors came to assist. Thereafter, the Monroes' and many other families immigrated and settled throughout central Louisiana from Monroe, Lafayette, and the southeastern most tip to the French Quarters. It was a brilliant mixture of Sarawak Taíno Indian-African-French-Spanish culture, arts and music. That is, in early America's history entrenched with slavery at the time these not so subtle influences' didn't go unnoticed. After a long line of renowned achievements the Monroe remained elites acclimating to capitalism renewed their prosperity.

However, the Monroe family crest was in name only. The forty-two year old man looks at his current situation with self-pity. He wouldn't be in this predicament had his father thought with his head instead of his pants. He was one to talk having the name courir de jupe (skirt chaser) since the eight grade. He looked up to his father once but with the Monroe reputation in perils he didn't know why he should care anymore. Ramo Anthony Monroe, Sr shamelessly didn't.

He really wanted to impress this Linda who showed courage in the middle of turmoil. She looks at him with disdain. Even in the aftermath of the senseless deaths he still remained a heartless snob and knew it. Linda was right he was killing his own though he looked at the mulattos as half-breeds. He's father called this mother Tina Marie LeClèrc a half-breed because he wanted to show his superiority in the line of aristocrats. Anthony wasn't quite sure when he started feeling the same. "Linda you can't ignore me this entire trip, it's a long one, let me see your injuries," he tried to reason in his nice voice.

Linda glared at him. She simply asked him for a first aid kit. He watched her and ordered the men to give her whatever she needed. She had cared for her injuries on her own. She had already tied off her left tricep with a handkerchief and had taken her layered button down shirt off to tie off her right leg. This left her in a revealing a tee and feeling vulnerable. "This won't last. I need a surgeon to remove the bullet, from my leg. Or you could just let me die." Linda complains with the latter being wishful thinking or to keep her captives from seeing her fears. "Don't be so melodramatic. I need you alive if I want you to keep your end of the bargain," he dismisses her stares. "We will be in Miami soon enough," he declares.

"What! I maybe dead by then we haven't passed the Turks, she pauses, as in Turks and Caicos Islands don't tell me your guys don't know the Bahamas either. From Haiti the islands will be northeast way before Miami. Or you can take me back to Haiti at the very least the medicine man could patch me up and you would have fewer questions to answer," Linda utters.

"Damn, girl. Do you ever shut up?" Anthony hated that she thought all the angles so quickly. She had a fire and he gave her credit for that. "What do I get in return for all these so-called stops?"

"You are kidding right? I already told you that you were a pig. Your intentions were clear. You wanted to take the young girls from the island. It's called human trafficking. I gave you an out by volunteering to come instead. So what if you let me die…then you're left with absolutely nothing," Linda breathed out.

She didn't want to become a martyr she wanted to save her friends daughter. She had been unsuccessfully in avoiding the bloodshed and protecting herself. She couldn't feel the physical pain of her injuries with the anger she felt had she done things differently. Yeah I should have thrown Cody overboard immediately, she thought. It was his making contact with her that put her in danger in the first place. She knew about the rogues and she had kept them off her back for nearly four years. Now looking at her present circumstances she had maintained vigilance to stay alive and fight off any form of attack. She was feeling sleepy but she wasn't going to let them catch her off guard. Anthony did order his men to give her whatever she wanted. That could work in her favor she just had to get out of their view especially Anthony's sometimes he was hard to read. She knew what she said had gotten under his skin. She was pissed off so she didn't care about speaking her mind. Linda didn't want to anger him nor bring too much attention to herself. It seemed that the only thing he had in his head was sex. Sam had always protected herself by having an exist strategy. In any case she wouldn't let Anthony figure her out.

What the hell? Linda snapped out of her thoughts. Anthony had pulled her upright against his unshaven facial hair he kisses her hard. Running his hands through her hair and pulled it back with a fist to her nape causing her to stiffen. You belong to me now. Remember that before you start ordering me round. I will keep you healthy so that you are ready when the time comes; he hangs his head close to her lips. Linda bites his lips before he invades her with another disgusting exchange of spit and head butts him. Anthony and Linda both lose their balance landing hard. Linda landing on her already injured leg screaming in pain. While Anthony held his nose he was infatuated with the spit fired woman. He wanted to show her whose boss but he really didn't want to hurt her. He was going to work at his approach since Linda wasn't easily subdued. She wasn't going to back down even if she was afraid. He saw her fear though she tried to hid it. He also saw innocence in her that he couldn't quite explain.

Linda hated the feel of that pig on her lips. It was a thousand times worst than the pain throbbing in her leg. She wouldn't give him the chance to ever manhandle her again. She would rather die than to let him touch her. She needed an escape but where and how. She was feeling light-headed again. She couldn't fight it. She scanned her surroundings a few more times. There were crates haphazardly placed in the center of the ship. The crates were stamped with a red circle with the letter D in its center. It was familiar she recalls seeing the emblem during her undercover assignments. What did Anthony Monroe have to do with it? She needed to find out fast to stay alive. To her right his men were playing cards and Anthony was still nursing his nose. She saw red and her eyes closed tuning out the world around her.

Eric the machete had watched his boss, Anthony, with the woman. The boss had signaled the men not to interfere when Linda head-butted him. Eric smiled secretly when he saw the petite brunette take down the spoiled brat. Eric saw how efficiently she placed the tourniquet and dressing her own leg before falling. When he heard her scream he jumped wanting to help her but thought it wise to wait. His true allegiance was for Monsieur Ramo Monroe and he remained loyal to the senior Monroe until his death. Ramo was ruthless and a womanizer. His weakness was over-indulging his son making him the self-centered fool he is today. There were speculations that Anthony may have killed his father. He became greedy setting up to regain his wealth he exploited every opportunity to make a killing. He was competitive and shady. This made him a risk taker but unpredictable for he no limits.

XXX

"Hey sweet Linda", Chase sings as he catches up to her to no where in particular. Linda was hesitate but allows him to walk at her side. "Hey," she says after a few moments bringing a smile to his eyes. She couldn't help but smile back. So are you planning on stalking me all day, she asked. "Yep," he admits simply. "It would be nicer if you asked me out or something," she relaxes. "Like a date…or something," he says fervently.

Linda pushes his shoulder making him stumble a bit. "So I take that as a yes," he raises a brow. "I didn't hear you ask me," she flirts. "Can't you see all my efforts to impress you… okay have it your way." He reaches and gently holds her hand. "Linda will you marry me?" Chase asked.

Linda turned red and walked away but not before punching him.

"What? What did I do now? You have to stop punching me." He catches up to her pulls her into a kiss surprise she didn't resist. She even kisses him back. It was soft, sweet, and cut short when Linda pulled away looking into his eyes. "You were going to ask me out but you jumped to proposing." Linda felt overwhelmed.

"What's wrong with that?" He raised a brow honestly confused.

She watched him as his muscles tensed and grimace contorted to a puzzled look. She couldn't help but laugh. "Women!" he shakes his head and sway enough to miss another punch.

Linda pouts when she doesn't make contact. She wasn't even sure it was purposeful she told herself he provoked her. "Chase I don't want to hurt you," she says meaningfully. "Then just stop punching me," he says pulling her into a hug. "You know what I mean…trying at a relationship. I like you but I can't make any promises about a future right now," Linda says sincerely. "You like me uh," he smiles. "Is that all you heard me say," she retorts. "That's all that matters. Let's get some conch salads and head back to your boat. There we can talk more about my proposal," he showed her a level of maturity she hadn't seen before.

"Sure I'm starving," she admits.

~A half hour later on the boat~

"I can't believe you asked them to make it spicy hot," Chase lampoons. "The crushed habanero peppers with pepper oil cooks the conch more and the acidity from the lemon dressing kills off bacteria. Its raw seafood, a delicacy I know, but I don't plan on dying from food poisoning, Linda shrugged her shoulders.

Don't you eat sushi in the states, he asked?

"Of course, but then I can sue." They both laughed. "Plus honestly I think my taste buds for spicy were killed a long time ago from accidently having pepper oil as dressing," she added between laughs. This caused the two to laugh even more.

Linda felt free as the wind being on her ship. She was finally thinking something might happen with her and Chase. She knew the truth that possibility was dead in the water. No! She screamed waking up from her dream. She looked around knowing it was a hospital.

Anthony simply sat a window staring at her with a white band aid stuck across his nose. She hated him. She had awaken to a nightmare. "Where am I?" she asked almost in a whisper. She cleared her throat then rephrased. "I mean where did we anchor?"

"Bahamas," Anthony was mellow.

"What aren't you telling me?" She assesses her injuries. There was an IV drip in her right antecubital, and cast on her right leg. She also noted both her left shoulder and right thigh had pressure dressings. "Why do I have a tele monitor on me?"

"Hello young lady", an easy going doctor enters her room. "My name is Dr. Samia Cayaba-Lucayo. I am a cardiologist. Everything is okay now, she reassures the puzzled brunette.

I have consulted on your case since your husband brought you in yesterday evening. You had surgery our orthropedic surgeon Dr. Henri Smith worked on your leg. You had a bullet lodged in your thigh and subsequently require pins to your fractured femur. My field of expertise is needed only because you had a fatal complication. The fracture caused a fat embolism to lodge into your aorta. You flatlined twice before we could get you back. You are a fighter. Your fiancé here hasn't left your side. I will examine you and require that you remain on bed rest for 4-6 weeks. Currently, you are on a heparin drip, an anticoagulant, to prevent clotting however this also means you are at a high risk for bruising and bleeding.

Linda held back tears flowed like a waterfall. "Will I be able to walk once its healed? Is my heart damaged from the clot? Will the pins remain in my leg? Sam had a myriad of questions. That bastard is an imposter she wanted to scream. She didn't know who she could trust. What if they were working for Anthony? Why would anyone believe he was her fiancé? She didn't even have a ring on. She wasn't that desperate. She looked down at her wristband on her left wrist. She wiped at her tears to read it.

It became time for a new identity but this time it wasn't her decision. Anthony had given her the newfound identity when he had taken her to the hospital.

XXX

Thanks for reading and staying on this ride. Stay tune. Next time…

The remote past Anthony has given Linda a new name. It will be two weeks later (at least ;)

2012 Heather's demise is approaching yea or nay?

2014 The twins are home with Jasam before going off to another sleepove and more supporting actors