Ch. 4

"I can't believe it's been two weeks." Kristina said as she, Sam, Alexis, and Molly got out of Alexis's car. The family of four began to walk up the sidewalk that led to the Pleasant Grove Church. It was Sunday afternoon, the day of Emily's funeral; a day that Sam dreaded, along with the rest of Emily's loved ones.

Molly took hold of Sam's hand. "I can't stop thinking about Nikolas. I mean I dropped by Wyndemere two days ago and he seems like he has gotten worse." Molly sympathized.

Sam knew that was the truth. Between helping Lucky and Nikolas deal with the grief of losing Emily, Nikolas was definitely worse off. While Lucky basically dealt with the loss of Emily by working overtime, Nikolas drank in solitude and picked fights with whoever he could find. Sam had visited him quite often since Emily's death to make sure he was doing okay. To say he was doing fine would be a lie of extravagant proportions.

"He'll get better." Alexis told her daughters. "He's just grieving. Give him some time."

Molly nodded as they made their way inside the church. "I know you're right. I just wish there was something I could do to help."

"Just be there for him." Sam told her. "He needs his family."

Several people were already seated inside the church, waiting for the funeral to begin while many were still entering within that instant. Sam was surprised Emily knew so many people. Then again Emily had that personality about her that just gravitated people towards her. She was that much of a people person.

Sam and her family met up with Lucky and Nikolas, who were conversing with Monica and Edward Quartermaine up front.

"Hey." Sam said, giving Lucky a quick peck on the cheek.

Alexis gave Nikolas a hug, followed by Molly, and Kristina.

"Thanks for coming. It means a lot." Nikolas told them.

"We're here for you." Alexis told him, sincerely. She looked at Monica and Edward. "How are you doing?"

"I've had better days." Monica said with a weak smile. It was obvious she was trying to hold back her tears.

"Well if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Monica nodded. "Thank you."

"Yes, thank you." Edward pitched in. "This time has been hard on all of us. It means a lot to know that Emily was loved by many." He gently grabbed Monica by the hand. "Come on, let's sit with Tracy."

Monica followed Edward's lead towards their rightful seats in the front, left-hand side of the church.

"We'll be seated in the third row." Alexis told Nikolas and Sam, pointing to the seats on the right side of the room. They nodded and Alexis, Kristina, and Molly were off as well.

Sam looked at Lucky with concern, taking his hand in hers, and tightening her hold. "How are you doing? You haven't been answering my calls all week and I've only seen you like twice."

"I've been busy with work." Lucky told her, eyes avoiding her gaze.

Sam let it go, deciding it would be best not to argue with him over something so less important. She definitely wasn't a clingy type of girl, and she knew he was grieving; but she just wished that he would confide in her. Wished he'd let her know what he was thinking.

Nikolas came to her side, looking at the opened casket with Emily laying in an endless sleep. "I never wanted to admit that she was gone…but seeing her now like this is really making it hard to ignore it."

Sam didn't say anything; instead her eyes were examining the forever sleeping beauty. Emily was dressed in a black turtleneck sleeveless dress; Sam assumed was to cover the long slit across her throat that was made when the killer attacked her. She appeared to be at ease, looking just as beautiful as she was when she was alive.

"We better take our seats." Lucky said, swaying Sam and Nikolas towards Alexis and the others. Nikolas assembled in-between Alexis and Lucky while Sam sat at the end. Lucky who was seated next to her, cautiously took Sam's hand in his, re-affirming his grip, much to Sam's surprise. There was no denying that their public display of affection has been on hold due to the recent set of events, but it felt nice to know that he could lean on her for support; even if it was for something as minor as holding her hand.

Father Daniels strolled to the front of the room and began to speak. The sound of his voice made the room grow silent, aside from the constant sniffs and light crying echoing throughout the room. "I stand before you with a heavy heart. To celebrate the life of a remarkable young woman..."

The double doors opened at that moment and everyone's heads turned to look at who could possibly enter the room. It was as if everyone was hopeful that it was a mistake. That the girl in the casket was a look-alike. That the real Emily Quartermaine was the one walking through those doors at that moment, to assert that she was alive and well. Unfortunately the confirmation they were hoping to come to light was immediately replaced with the same grief from moments earlier when Jason Morgan and Sonny Corinthos appeared in the doorway instead. There were gasps here and there and a few remarks that shouldn't been made in a church, that was for sure, but that was the impact those two men made whenever they entered a room.

"Jason." Monica said from her seat. She stood up and waved him to come to the front to join her and the Quartermaines. Sonny sat by Courtney as Jason hesitantly moved forward, ignoring the fact that everyone was starring at him. He was never really too much of a people person. If he had to choose between socializing with people and getting shot at by an enemy, he would gladly choose the latter.

"Some funeral this is." Whispered one elder woman behind Sam. She was a short, petite looking blonde lady, probably in her mid 30's.

"I know, right." Another female responded. She was a brunette, not to mention larger than the petite blonde. "Who would have thought that the mob and the PCPD would be in the same room together besides the police department?"

"If we get shot and killed because of them, I guess Emily's funeral won't be the only funeral going on today."

The brunette shook her head. "You're forgetting that there is hospital staff here as well. So we might have a fighting chance of survival with them in the room."

The blonde nodded. "Thank you Emily for having the proper connections all together in one room: law enforcement and medical personnel." She and the brunette laughed just as Jason walked past, finally taking his seat with his family.

Sam couldn't believe her ears as the two grown ladies continued their conversation as if people weren't in hearing range. Out of all the places to gossip and make rude remarks, these two had the audacity to talk crap within the church. They had the impudence to be inconsiderate to Emily's loved ones who were still trying to comprehend that Emily was gone. Just their simple ignorance was about all that she could take. Sure, she was no saint. Hell, she wasn't even that religious, but even she wouldn't sink that low. She turned around so she could eye the two ladies down.

The brunette gave Sam a vulgar look. "May I help you?"

"Do you two have any respect?" Sam asked, bluntly.

The blonde lady gave Sam a mocking smile. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me. I said do you two have any respect? But then again, that was a really dumb question considering you two are in here gossiping like teenagers!"

The blonde shrugged. "We were just truthfully speaking what was on everyone's minds."

"Well you picked the wrong time and the wrong place so show so common sense by acting your age... And by the way, Jason is Emily's brother. He has just as much of a right to be here as anyone else."
The brunette rolled her eyes unapologetically. "Sorry. We didn't realize we offended you about your friend."

Sam wanted to tell her to save her half-ass apology, but decided against it. "I don't know him, but I know for a fact that Emily wouldn't want him anywhere else so next time, show a little respect." Lucky let go of Sam's hand, clearing his throat. Sam immediately looked up to find several faces starring back at her and the two ladies. She quickly turned around to find Lucky and everyone else up front was doing the same. Obviously their conversation wasn't as quiet as she thought. She felt bad for taking attention off the service, wincing in embarrassment. "Sorry." She apologized.

Father Daniels nodded and then continued on. "Now as I was saying previously, I stand before you with a heavy heart. To celebrate the life of a remarkable young woman…"

This time Sam avoided looking Lucky in the eyes. She didn't want to see the well known look of disapproval he constantly gave her when she didn't do something to his liking. Instead she avoided his gaze by looking forward, intent on hearing Father Daniels's speech. It was pretty hard to do when she could feel someone's eyes watching her. Scanning the left side of the room to see if her senses were truly off or working properly, she made eye contact with deep ocean blue eyes. Those eyes had her in a trance for two seconds before she finally broke free, coming to the realization that Jason Morgan was the one looking at her.

xoxoxoxoxo

After the service was over, people either left or remained inside the church to offer their condolences to the Quartermaines and to catch up with old acquaintances. Spinelli, who was seated with Maxie and Georgie during the whole funeral service, was now standing up front, starring at the now closed casket. After he finished praying, Spinelli joined Sam in the far back corner of the room.

Sam, who was watching Spinelli as he was parting ways with Emily one last time, gave Spinelli a comforting smile. "Were you saying goodbye?"

Spinelli shook his head. "More like articulating that I will meet again with the Noble Emily in the foreseeable future. It is not more of a farewell, but a promise."

Sam nodded solemnly. "You better keep that promise."

Spinelli smiled at her politely. "How are you holding up, Fair Samantha?"

Sam shrugged. "I'm fine. If anything, Lucky and Nikolas aren't doing okay. I'm trying not to be overbearing."

"It's okay to be concerned for your love ones. Just like it is acceptable to illustrate sentiment for the ones you love."

Sam smiled weakly. "You're right."

"They are lucky to have such a faithful companion such as yourself." Spinelli said, giving Sam a meaningful hug. She returned his friendly embrace. It was no big surprise that Sam and Spinelli cared for each other in a way that went beyond business partners. They were both close friends to the point that there relationship went into the family territory. Spinelli was like a little brother to Sam just as she was a big sister to him. Though not blood related, their sibling love for each other proved to be just as tight as actual siblings. Georgie hurried over to them at that moment just as Sam and Spinelli broke apart.

"Hey." Georgie said politely. "Is it okay if I steal Spinelli away for a bit?"

"Oh no, take him." Sam joked. She glanced at Spinelli. "I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Bright and Early." Spinelli confirmed.

"I don't know about you, but I'll still be asleep bright and early. I'll see you Twelve after getting some much needed sleep done." She chuckled.

Spinelli and Georgie laughed as they headed out back.

As Sam looked around the room, she spotted Jason up front by the casket. He was by himself. She figured people were too afraid to be anywhere near him. Which was outrageous in her opinion, because she was sure that Jason was in pain over this. Losing a sibling was like a wound that couldn't be repaired. It hurt like hell. She understood that. That was probably what made her subconsciously walk in his direction. She stood by his side, trying to figure out the right words to say, but nothing came out. It wasn't easy since they didn't know each other. She bit her bottom lip, finally coming up with something to say, but Jason beat her to the punch.

"You look like you'd rather be anywhere but here." Jason said, not taking his eyes off the picture of Emily that was sitting on top of the black casket.

Caught off guard by the fact that he spoke first, Sam shrugged. "Funerals aren't really my thing. Too much silence and people saying sorry over and over again as of it's been rehearsed... It doesn't really help." She sighed before continuing. "So you're right. I'd rather be anywhere but here."

Jason finally took his eyes off Emily's picture and glanced at Sam. "You're not the only one."

"Yeah?"

Jason went back to looking at the picture. "About what you said before..."

Sam crossed her arms, her hope that the incident from earlier wouldn't be brought up again now shattered. "Sorry. I didn't mean to talk so loud… Just the fact that two fully grown women were making such rude remarks during an already depressing day for everyone kind of struck a nerve with me." Though Jason kept quiet, his eyes danced with amusement as Sam continued to babble. She noticed this and wanted to kick herself. "And I'm talking a lot. I do that to keep the conversation going sometimes when there's awkward silence."

"It's okay, really." Jason said holding a hand up to calm her down. "I was just going to say thank you. That's all."
"You really don't have to thank me. I was just…speaking the truth." Sam muttered.

"It was something Emily would have done…So thank you." Jason said.

Sam ran her fingers through her hair, eyes fixated on the enforcer. "Yeah. You're welcome."

Lucky came from behind Sam, clearing his throat. Sam and Jason looked back at him. "Sorry to interrupt, but Nikolas, Alexis, and the girls are waiting out front."

"Right." She looked back at Jason. "I'm Sam, by the way." And then she walked off, following behind Lucky, Jason starring after her.

Author's Note: So this chapter is extremely lame, but this was honestly the best way I could think of for Sam and Jason to cross each other's paths. So I hope you guys like it. Anyways, what did you think of Jason and Sam's first encounter? How do you think Lucky felt? What do you think will happen next? Leave your thoughts in the comment section. Lol. I'm not trying to sound needy, but your comments really do make me write faster. The only reason why didn't update quick enough this time was because my mom and I got into a disagreement and she took my laptop. Smh. So please, express your thoughts :D

Next chapter: Sam and Spinelli get down to business, PI style. lol. But when Spinelli tries to prove that he's a badass PI, he lands them in a world of trouble. Who will come to their rescue? Lucky? Maxie? Or Jason? A clown? An elf? A homeless man? Santa? Make a guess and take your pick! lol. Oh, and there will be more Spinelli in this chapter, I promise. I know I have been lacking Spinelli, so I will try to make up for that.