Thank you to those who are reading this fanfic and a special thanks to: forever babe, robinscorpiofan, palmbeach and Meaghan for their reviews/comment.

Chapter 16

Maxie/Sam/Lulu

"What is so urgent?" Sam asked coming off the elevator

"Franco" Maxie said and that one word struck her

"He is back?"

"I am not sure he even left" Lulu said

"So what happened?" Sam put her P.I. hat on

"We had a photo shoot and the photographer was really late and all of a sudden he showed up and started to take amazing pictures. Then he asked something that was really unusual for him"

"We have used this photographer many times" Lulu added to clear up what Maxie meant

"What did he want?"

"He wanted the assistant to take a photo with him in it—you know with all the models"

"Okay…"

"Well he took the picture and then left, but as he was leaving he said…" Maxie paused "he said that he saved the day again and that Jason Morgan owes him"

"It really freaked us out because we do not have direct ties with Jason. Then later we got the proofs and it clearly was Franco in the picture of him and the models" Lulu said as Sam was processing "We think he has done something before this. And the only other people left that he has stalked in the past are you and Carly"

"Did you ask Carly?" Sam said worried

"We called and she said that nothing out of the ordinary has happened since the picture of you in Josslyn's christening photos"

"So…have you come in contact with Franco?" Maxie asked and Sam nodded no "So who else?"

"Wait…I think when I was attacked he was the one that saved me from the thugs. But I was not fully conscious."

"That makes sense since she said it was the second time he did something for Jason" Maxie replied

"So what now—I mean Dante knows and but he is talking to Ronnie first since Ronnie has a past tie with Franco" Lulu added

"I need to see Jason." And Sam left

"Is she going to be okay?"

"I do not know—when it comes to Franco, Sam gets weirded out."

PENTONVILLE

Jason was sitting in the visitors room when Sam barged through the door "I know who it was" Jason looked up confused "Franco"

"How did you know about Franco?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You first" Jason stood up

"You know how I said some guy saved me…it was Franco" she waited for a reaction but Jason was blank "I did not realize until today when Maxie and Lulu said Franco approached them too; but they did not realize until later. He told them that he saved the day again and the Jason Morgan owes them. But if he already saw me, Lulu and Maxie that means that Carly is next" Sam stopped

"Dammit"

"Now what were you saying about Franco—I mean how could you know about me?"

"I did not. Listen: when I killed Carter as he was dying he said 'Franco say's hi'"

Sam sat down "What now?"

"We get you and Carly protection and tell Lucky."

"No, I am not having a guard follow me around"

"Then you need some way to hide in plain sight—I am not going to make you have a guard because you will probably just lose them. Can you please be safe for me?"

"Yeah. But what about Franco?"

"We will figure this out."

A guard then walked in "Claire Walsh is waiting to see you"

"What is this about?" Jason asked

"She needs your help with someone" and the guard left

"Probably Sonny" Sam said "I will let you two talk and I will call Lucky when I get to my car. I will be okay" she smiled and kissed him on the cheek

"Wait, Sam" he said and she turned around "I love you" he said and she smiled infectiously

CLAIRE/JASON

Claire walked in and got right to the point "I had a conversation with Detective Falconari today about the artist Franco. Someone who means something to you; apparently he has a fascination with you and he is back—which seems to be a bad thing."

"Yeah—he is someone who needs to be caught. The only reason he was not handled earlier was because he knew Michael killed Claudia"

"From my understanding he goes after people who mean something to you; Sam McCall, your girlfriend" Claire said and Jason tensed "Carly Jacks, your best friend; Maxie Jones, your friends fiancé and Lulu Spenser who is a family friend"

"That is all true—he wants to make me mess up and he knows going after people I care about will send me off"

"Well I need your help tracking him down"

"I cannot do anything in here, Franco likes to play games and I need to be able to move"

"Which is why I can make a deal with the warden and my authorities. We can work out a deal to have you released until Franco is caught.

"Then let's get this started"

"There are rules: you will go back to serving your sentence, you must cooperate and you will be working with Detective Falconari. You will be in his custody"

"Does that mean…"

"You can still live where you live but he is responsible for you—I suggest you follow his rules or you will both be in jail." She paused "I will get the paperwork started" and Claire left and Jason went to a holding cell to wait to be released

CARLY/SAM

"Hey, Sam! What brings you by" Carly said when she opened her front door to Sam

"I have some news you should know about"

"Oh no, what now?"

"It seems that Franco is back and he has already made contact with me, Maxie, and Lulu and if memory serves right you are next."

"Wow, thanks for the warning. It is hard to be afraid when I am so happy my son if back and the best news of all is that Sonny has to stay away"

"Wow, I bet Sonny is pissed"

"Yeah, but he has to deal with it or Michael goes back to prison. So I assume Jason wants to raise security on me?"

"Yeah, me too. I told him no guards and he reluctantly agreed"

"You have some way over him. Take is to your advantage to get things out of him" Carly smiled

"Yeah" Sam said not sure where she was taking it

"You missed Michaels coming home party—I thought your sisters would have told you"

"They did. I am so glad that Michael is out, but it hurts that Jason is still in there even though he went in for Michael. Michael deserves to be home but I want Jason home too" she held back her tears

"I know. Diane will find a loop hole and he won't be charges for killing that inmate"

"He wasn't…there was not enough evidence."

"Good, that is some good news. Do you want to stay for dinner—I think Kristina is here."

"No, I am going to order some Chinese food and look over case notes after I check on Spinelli. Thanks for the offer though. Tell everyone hi for me"

"Will do"

SPINELLI/SAM

"Spinelli, how are you doing?" she opened the door to a dark room with only a computer screen shining

"Fine" he said as Sam turned on the light

"Do you want to come over for dinner at my apartment—getting you out of here will be a good thing"

"I am in the middle of a game"

"That's it—you are coming whether you like it or not"

"But Fair Samantha should have a peaceful night"

"All my nights are too quiet. Having another person to talk to will be nice"

"Fine, Let me grab my keys" he said and Sam made a face

"Take a shower, change your clothes and put all your dirty clothes in a basket—I will do the laundry while you get ready. Then we will go to Kelly's; you need air and healthy food—well as healthy as diner food can be" she laughed and Spinelli smiled

"You have not laughed in a while" Spinelli said and handed Sam his laundry "It is good"

As Spinelli got ready, Sam did his laundry and did not throw up amazingly. Before they left, Sam remembered to grab one of Jason's iconic black t-shirts for her to wear to bed like she has every night since he left for prison. "Jason, come back to me soon" she whispered as she sat on his bed holding his shirt against her chest.

Next Chapter: JASAM REUNION...

*Let me know what you want to see out of Franco: go along with the spoilers about California (except Sam will come along-unlike the spoilers state) or find some other angle (which I have not clue what to do yet).

POSTED: JUNE 16, 2010