Disclaimer: I don't own the show GH or its characters...and since I'm sort of a newbie to the show I'm going to make some mistakes and hope you all bare with me and help me fix any you find! Thanks!
"Alexis calm do… Alexis I need you to… Alexis…Mom!" Sam McCall finally shouts into the phone, trying to get her mother's attention. "I'm going to need you to calm down if I'm going to be able to help you. Now start from the beginning. Something is wrong with Kristina?" Sam says in a soothing voice, one she would normally save for a distraught child, not a grown woman with three daughters. Sitting forward and taking notes on her pad of paper Sam lets out a groan listening to Alexis explain the current calamity taking place in Port Charles.
"So what you're saying is that Michael and Kristina decided, instead of facing the consequences of their actions, like normal children do, they decided to go on the run?" Running a hand through her hair she laughs. "How so very typical. What! No I am taking this seriously Alexis, but you also have to understand that this is so like these two. They are definitely Sonny's children, that's for sure. No I'm not saying I won't help you. Of course I care! She's my sister Alexis! No I'm not coming to Port Charles…because there's no need for me to go there first…I'm not just doing this to avoid you know who and you can say his name! If Michael and Kristina left Port Charles almost two days ago then there's no need for me to start there…because that trail is already been stomped all over by the PCPD and Sonny's men. I understand you don't trust them, I wouldn't either, I'm just saying that going there will probably take up pointless time that I could be spending finding these two. Yes I am the professional here and I know what I'm talking about. Ok Alexis…I promise. I'll call you as soon as I have a lead. Yes I understand this is very important. You're welcome. Bye…Mom." Sam finishes lamely since Alexis Davis had already hung up the other end of the line. Sighing and tearing the paper off from the rest of the pad Sam turns to her laptop, forgetting the other person standing in her office.
"I've always loved your conversations with your mother…so heartfelt and warm!" Stephen Danes, her business partner and friend says smiling from the other side of her desk, before pulling up a seat. "So what's the latest crisis in Port Charles?" Stephen always loved hearing tales of the town Sam had moved from. Having grown up in northern Iowa Stephen loved the excitement that Miami had to offer, but even what the most exciting day Miami had to offer didn't compare to what the residents in Port Charles went through on a daily basis.
"Oh you know…the usual." Sam says rolling her eyes and typing in the details Alexis had given into the computer. "Car accidents, miscarriages…runaway children."
"Ooo sounds exciting! Do tell!" Sitting forward in his seat like he's expecting an exhilarating story Stephen isn't surprised when Sam gives him a playful glare. "Ok fine…first we work and then you dish?" Stephen says standing up and straightening his clothes filling his voice with dejection.
"If you grab your laptop and help me work…I might be convinced to talk while we find where my wayward sibling and her half-brother have run off to."
"Sounds like a plan!" Turning on his heel and walking to his desk Stephen is back in his seat and logging into the networks database before Sam can even blink. "So tell me what I'm looking for."
Sighing Sam sits back and watches as her computer runs a search. "Check all flights, buses, boats, and any other mode of transportation possible out of Port Charles that these two could've been on, starting two days ago. And while you're at it can you check banking records?"
"No problem…And while my fingers do the walking you can fill me in."
"Apparently my underage sister Kristina took my mother's maids car and got in a car accident with it, that very same night her half brother Michael was driving his car that he had been grounded from and he too got in an accident. And now they both have runaway together." Sam says simplifying a very complicated story.
"Ok I get both were driving when they shouldn't have been and accidents are bad, but from what you've told me these two could commit murder and their parents would still call them angels…why'd they run?"
Laughing at how true Stephen's statement was Sam shakes her head. "A coincidence is that a pregnant Claudia, wife of Sonny Corinthos…"
"Mr. Mob himself." Stephen interrupts loving where this is headed already.
"Claudia was apparently hit by either Michael or Kristina."
"And instead of sticking around and being punished like they should've been they're on the run…why? Won't Alexis and Sonny just cover up for them like they always do?"
"Well that's the funny thing about it. Alexis was also in a car accident and she was under suspicion until these two decided to run. Now the PCPD in their infinite and misguided wisdom have zeroed in on it being one of the children…"
"All because they're Sonny's children and since they can never pin anything on the father punish the children instead."
"See, you can practically tell the story yourself now." Sam says smiling before turning back to her laptop. When nothing comes up to help she groans and starts a new search.
"Yes I must admit some things of that lovely town will never change, like the PCPD being totally inept, it's still fun to hear your side of things." Opening a new window Stephen takes a moment before giving his attention back to Sam. "This isn't working…I'm not finding anything."
Huffing Sam pushes back from her desk, "Me neither and I don't understand. Michael and Kristina would need money and a way out of town and they aren't capable yet of not leaving a trail behind them."
"Well did Alexis say anything else? Maybe someone there has a lead or knows something that we could use to find these two?" Stephen says before frowning down at the computer in his lap.
"You might be right." Sam says nodding her head and reaching for her cell phone. Scrolling down Sam hits send and waits for the person on the other end to answer; smiling when they do Sam sits back in her chair. "Spinelli…yea I'll hold a second. Hi! I need your help. Yes it's about Kristina and Michael. That would be great thanks!" Putting a hand over the mouth piece Sam looks at Stephen "I think he might have something for us."
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Walking into his penthouse Jason reaches for the ringing telephone. "Hello. Hey Sonny yea I just got in. I'm going to have Spinelli get on the computer and see what he can find for me. Depending on what we find I'm planning to be on the road tonight. I know they've had two days Sonny! I care about Michael and Kristina as much as you and Alexis do. Alright, fine! I'm on it." Hanging up the phone Jason sighs and turns to face the stairs. "Spinelli get down here!" Sitting down on the one end of the couch Jason watches as Spinelli sits down in on the other side, his laptop already open and his fingers working furiously over the keys. "I'm assuming you're working on finding where Michael and Kristina went?" Jason says amused.
"Mr. Sir was very adamant last night when he ordered Stonecold and the Jackal to find the Golden child and his sister and the Jackal has very diligently been working on it."
"And…" Jason asks, noticing Spinelli is avoiding eye contact. Which usually means either has done something wrong, like play with one of Jason's guns again, or he hasn't found anything. "Spinelli please tell me you have something by now."
"Deepest apologies Stonecold, but the Jackal has been at it all night and the most he can ascertain at the moment is that the Golden child and the dear Kristina left in two nights ago in one of Mr. Sir's many vehicles, presumably the one Mr. Sir bought for the child."
"Spinelli that's nothing new!" Jason says standing to pace the living room. "We're talking about two children here…how is it possible that they could just disappear off of everyone's radar? Even the best criminals aren't able to do that, but these two can?"
"Well in the defense of all those searching for the children they have infinite resources at their disposal what with Mr. Sir's wealth and reputation. They could easily being traveling under those means."
"And don't you see Spinelli how dangerous that could be for them if it were true? What if Michael and Kristina are using Sonny's name and money to get away? They're bound to run into one of his enemies or someone looking to gain some leverage. These two could easily walk into a trap and not even know it!"
"Surely the children know how much peril they could be in by doing so. They are young, but quite wise."
"Wise!?" Jason says scoffing. "Wise would've been to let Sonny, Alexis, and myself handle this mess. Instead they had to get excited and do something stupid!"
"I'm sure the…" Spinelli was starting to speak when his laptop drew his attention away. "Ah…Oh! The Jackal has some most excellent news!"
"You found Michael and Kristina!"Jason says walking back to the couch and leaning to see what the computer has to say.
"Not quite." Spinelli says holding up a finger.
"Then what is it Spinelli?!" Jason asks frustrated.
"It appears the vehicle the children had been using has been found abandoned outside a bus station in the city that never sleeps. It appears they might've left a trail from there."
"Which station?"
Reading the address to Jason, Spinelli watches his mentor reach for his phone and calling presumably Mr. Sir. Hearing his phone ringing in his own pocket Spinelli pulls it out and is pleasantly surprised. "Hello!" Spinelli says trying to keep his excitement in check. "Hold one second while I seek a more private setting." Turning to Jason Spinelli smiles apologetically, "It's my Maximista requesting a word."
"Yea go Spinelli, thanks for everything." Jason says turning his attention back to his phone conversation. "Yea I'll be heading to New York tonight…"
Rushing upstairs Spinelli closes his door before returning the phone to his ear. "Fair Samantha I was expecting a phone call from you! I'm guessing this is about the Golden Child and the Young Kristina? I'm pleased to say I do have an update." Smiling and sitting at the foot of his bed Spinelli starts to fill Sam in on what he had just told Jason.
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Hanging up with Spinelli with the promise to call him with any leads she comes up with Sam starts clicking on her computer. "Spinelli says Michael and Kristina dumped their car at a bus station in New York."
"Ah Spinelli…one day I'm going to have to meet this computer genius you've spoken so much about. Why didn't you think to call him sooner?" Stephen says setting his laptop down on Sam's desk and coming around to stare at her screen.
"Because I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that. I would only call Spinelli if there was no way for us to figure this out on our own."
"I'm feeling a little wounded…and jealous…of this Spinelli. It's not the first time he was able to help you when I have failed to do so." Stephen says, only slightly kidding this time.
"Oh Stephen you know I wouldn't replace you with anyone in the world. Spinelli just has much experience with illegally finding information on the computer and going unnoticed. Something I would never want you to get involved with and one day get caught and then I would lose my business partner and then where would I be? I only call Spinelli when I know it involves entering an area of the internet that's way over our heads."
"I understand…just know that I'm not ashamed to throw a hissy fit if you ever tried to replace me" He says smiling. It was nice to know you're needed. "So what's the next move? Are you going to New York and showing their picture around? I can book you a seat on the next flight out."
"No I'm not going to New York. According to Spinelli they NYPD found the car yesterday afternoon, meaning they've had almost a day to be on the move. Besides one of Sonny's guys is already on his way there and there's no need for both of us to show up and making noise. Drawing even more attention to what's going on."
"Remind me again why that's a bad thing? Wouldn't an amber alert or at least an APB out on these two help to find them?"
"Normally yes." Sam says shrugging her shoulders. "Except we're dealing with the children of Sonny and if word got out they were on the run, unprotected…all alone….they would probably be in more danger. One of his many enemies would give anything for an opportunity like this. Any attention drawn to this could make matters much worse."
"Which is why you're not going to go traipsing across the country, but what about Sonny's guy? He is…isn't that going to draw attention?" Stephen had been working with Sam for a little over a year now and he notices the second she tense up and watched as she quickly tries to recover her carefree demeanor.
"No…I'm sure he will be sure to stay far under the radar." Sam says quietly, her mind going to all the different ways Jason had learned to gather information and travel the globe without leaving a trace of himself behind for the cops or the criminals to find. He had taught her much of what she knew now about that very same thing.
"Oh…So you know who this guy is? The goon Sonny is sending to New York." Stephen says choosing his words wisely…hoping get a reaction. He wasn't disappointed.
"He's not a goon!" Sam snaps quickly before really thinking. "I…I mean I'm sure he's good. He knows what he's doing." Gathering her things Sam starts to get up, but is stopped by Stephen resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Sam, I'm sorry. I figured he wasn't." Stephen says quietly. "It's just of all the stories you've told of that town and the people there you always go very vague when it comes to Sonny Corinthos and this mysterious man who does much of his dealings. I'm assuming that's who we're talking about now." Turning her to face him so he can read her face Stephen can see the clouds in her eyes, the wall she was setting to keep him out and everything in. He only saw this on rare occasions, when they were talking about Sonny's right hand man. "Can I at least get a name? So I know who to watch for if it pops up while we're searching for them."
"What does it matter who he is?" Sam says shaking her head. "We aren't going to be working with him. He's working his own investigation and we're working ours, with any luck our paths won't even cross in this."
"Come on Sam, you know that's not going to happen. We're all looking for Michael and Kristina…we're bound to come across each other at some point. I'm just thinking that while I'm working on this and going through records if his name or face pops up it would be helpful to know he's a good guy." When Sam rolls her eyes he holds back a chuckle. "Well at least he's working on our side."
"Fine!" Sam snaps quickly knowing that makes perfect sense, turning back to her desk and pulling open the bottom drawer where she normally keeps her gun. Pulling out a picture she slams it down on her desk before grabbing her bag. "His name is Jason Morgan and that's what he looks like! If he pops up in the investigation do whatever you can to help him and whatever you do, don't get in his way." Storming out of her office she calls over her shoulder, "I'm going to make some phone calls and take a walk. I'll be back in an hour."
Watching his normally upbeat and happy business partner leave in such an upsetting mood Stephen sits down in her seat with a surprised sigh. Grabbing the picture from the desk he looks down at a carefree and younger looking Sam, being held in the arms of a muscled man who must be Jason Morgan.
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Walking back into the offices of McCall and Danes PI Sam juggles the two coffees she had purchased at the Starbucks across the corner. Kicking the door shut with her foot Sam peaks her head into Stephen's office and notices he's not there. Turning to go into her office she sees him sitting behind her desk working on her laptop and his simultaneously. Giving her a brief glance before going back to work Sam feels bad for snapping at him earlier. "Ok, I'm sorry for the way I behaved. Here's a coffee to make up for how bitchy I was." Sam says holding out the coffee cup.
Looking up at the coffee cup, Stephen's shoulders slump. "Oh man! And here I was all set to apologize to you for prying into something you obviously didn't want to talk about and you have to go and beat me to the punch!" Reaching for the cup and taking a sip of the steaming liquid he sighs. "Thanks for the coffee, but I say we're pretty even. I was being a nosy SOB and you were just protecting your secrets. We both were at fault."
"The thing is I don't even know what I reacted that way about Jason!" Sam says falling limply into the chair usually for clients. "He isn't really a secret."
"Well you obviously don't like talking about him or you wouldn't have reacted that way when I brought him up. So maybe it just would be better if we didn't discuss him…for now." Stephen adds on at the last minute.
"You would really do that for me?" Sam says surprised and grateful.
"Of course dollface! You're my friend and I can obviously tell there is a killer story to be told, but I'm not going to push; especially when you need to be focusing on finding your sister and Michael. Just realize that I'm going to bring this up again…and nothing will stop me from getting all the juicy details."
"Fair enough." Sam says nodding and standing from the chair to walk around the desk. "So what have you found while I was gone?"
"I'm not quite sure yet, how bout you go first while this last search finishes."
"Alright." Sam says sitting on the edge of the desk and taking a quick gulp of her coffee for fortification. "First I called Alexis to give her an update and she's now freaking that her precious child is alone in New York City…completely forgetting the fact that Kristina put herself in this position in the first place by running off. Then I called a friend I have at the NYPD who owed me a favor and he told me that the kids left their cellphones in the car."
"Why would they do that?" Stephen says surprised. "Wouldn't they at least want a way to contact someone if they needed help?"
"My guess is they realized who their father was and knew Sonny had GPS locators in their phones."
"Controlling and conniving…I love it!"
"Yes well Sonny Corinthos is very controlling." Sam says her mind flashing back to various memories she had of the man. All those nights he had Jason watching over her for her own protection and to keep an eye on her…make sure she stayed out of trouble…funny how that ended up. Shaking her head clear of the memories Sam looks back at Stephen. "Besides their phones they left their credit cards too, which tells me they either got cash before ditching their cards or they're extremely stupid and are going to try and go about this with no money."
"Well I can help you there." Stephen says opening a window on his laptop. "There was a withdrawal on both kiddies cards made at the ATM machine at the bus station where they dumped the car."
"Ok so they get some cash so we can't follow their money trail through their cards and they dump the phones and the car." Sam says ticking off what they know so far on her fingers. "Do we know yet if they got on a bus or if they just stopped there before planning their next move?" Sam asks looking at Stephen hoping he has some answers.
"I don't know how you're going to feel about this but it appears they did get on a bus in New York."
"That's great Stephen! Do we know where they were headed?"
"It appears they took a bus to the Mexican border."
"Ok…and?" Sam asks when Stephen doesn't elaborate.
"And that's where the trail ends."
"Are you serious!" Sam shrieks pacing her office. "The Mexican border is as good as we can do?"
"It's better than where we were an hour ago. At least we know where they're headed." Stephen says, knowing that it's pointless to try and reason with Sam when she's like this.
"Yea, they're headed straight into Mexico! Kristina doesn't even travel with Alexis or Sonny! Let alone traveled alone in a foreign country! And neither of them can speak a word of Spanish! Why would they go to Mexico? What could they possibly thinking…it's going to be next to impossible to find them now!"
"I think that was the point here Sam." Stephen says standing up and grabbing Sam by the shoulders to stop her pacing. "Calm down. This is good news."
"How is this good news?" Sam says confused and still fuming.
"They're on a bus right? Well all we have to do is get you on a flight out within the next few hours and you should make it there the same time they do."
"And if I get there after them?" Sam asks, starting to calm down, seeing the logic in what he's saying.
"Well than you're right behind them and someone will still be around to question where they've went. As you just mentioned, they're not going to be very prepared once they get into Mexico and are going to probably draw extra attention." Stephen can see the wheels turning in Sam's head and he knows he almost has her convinced this isn't all bad. "Think about it Sam, two teenagers who don't know the language. They're going to be asking for help every step of the way. Someone is bound to remember them."
"And I'll be following along practically right in their footsteps." Sam says, a small smile forming on her face.
"Exactly! Now you go prepare yourself for a trip to Mexico and I'll book you on the next flight."
An hour later Sam's bag was packed and she was waiting next in line to get on her flight, remembering she needed to call Spinelli to tell him what she knew Sam pulls out her phone and with an apologetic smile to the flight attendant steps out of line to find some privacy. Rocking back and forth waiting for Spinelli to pick up Sam watches as the line gets smaller. "Hey Spinelli!" Sam says turning back around to face the wall when he answers. "I'm just about to get on a plane to Dixon, Texas and thought I would tell you what I know. Yea I've learned quite a bit in the last few hours. Besides ditching their car at the bus station Michael and Kristina also dumped their cells and credit cards after getting cash and hopped on a bus to Dixon and I'm thinking they're going to cross the border there into Mexico. I'm hoping that I'll arrive in Dixon when they do, but if not I won't be too far behind them and their trail will be fresh and easier to follow." Listening to what Spinelli had to offer Sam looks quickly to see there are only about half a dozen people left in line. "Spinelli I know you're going to have to give him this information. If you could just leave my involvement out of it I would greatly appreciate it. I'm hoping to have this solved before he even get's down there. Well if it comes to that than I'll guess I'll have to see him! Spinelli I have to go…I'll call you when I land. Bye" Shutting off her phone complete Sam walks back into the nonexistent line and hands her boarding pass to the attendant. Walking down the aisle and claiming her seat Sam looks out the window and wonders what she wants more. To find Michael and Kristina before Jason even gets down to Texas, avoiding him completely. Or running into him in the middle of her search and seeing him for the first time in two years. Either way it really was out of her hands.
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Walking out of the New York bus station Jason lets out a frustrated sigh and runs and hand through his hair. He got absolutely no where from talking with the people in charge of the bus station. The surveillance, if you could call it that was broken and they don't keep records of any cash transactions. No one even remembered seeing two teens traveling together without an adult! It was another dead end.
Pulling out the phone he dials Spinelli and listens as the phone rings and rings. When it goes to voicemail Jason rolls his eyes and leaves a message. "Spinelli call me as soon as you get this message." Hanging up the phone Jason starts walking back to his SUV, climbing in his phone starts ringing in his pocket, pulling out he's surprised to see Spinelli already calling him back. "Spinelli thanks for getting back to me so soon. What were you doing that you couldn't answer? Talking to Maxie…Spinelli do you realize that Michael and Kristina are on the run all alone? We don't have time for you and Maxie…You have something? Ok…I'm sorry for claiming you didn't care about Michael and Kristina. What have you got? Dixon… as in Texas? They left their credit cards! Wait…Spinelli how do you know all of this? Spinelli where did you get this information? I know I don't normally ask where you find this stuff but after the incident with the FBI earlier this year I really rather not have you going to prison. Ok…as long as you promise this was all found legally. What do you mean you're not sure? Spinelli we're talking once I get back to Port Charles you've been acting strange…er than normal. Alright I guess I'm heading to Dixon. Yea I'm taking the SUV so I have a vehicle. I'm only a day behind Spinelli and I can drive faster than a bus. Ok I'm going to go. Keep up the good work and stay out of trouble! Bye."
Shoving his phone back in his pocket and starting the ignition Jason starts heading in the direction of Dixon. Something about Spinelli was off…more so than normal. Shrugging it off he blames it on Maxie since Spinelli spent so much time with her lately. It seemed like if he wasn't with her he was talking on the phone with her. The kid had it bad that's for sure.
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Hanging up the phone with Jason Spinelli lets out the breath he had been holding. "Stonecold is very suspicious of the Jackal lately."
"Well honestly can you blame him Spinelli?" Maxie says sitting down next to him on the couch. "The man must think you and spend every waking moment either with me or talking to me since I'm your go to excuse for whenever Sam calls. Honestly am starting to wonder if I like being your excuse, Jason's been glaring at me more than normal as if I'm keeping you away from helping him. That's completely ridiculous!"
"I know my dear Maximista! It's not fair that it has to be this way but the Fair Samantha doesn't want Stonecold to know that she and the Jackal converse on a regular basis. You know that."
"Yes I know that Sam doesn't want Jason to know where she is and that she's still in contact with some of us here in Port Charles…I don't understand that really myself, but I just think this has gotten out of hand. It's been two years Spinelli! Surely Jason wouldn't mind now."
"I'm sure Stonecold wouldn't mind at all…in fact I think he would greatly enjoy to have word of the Fair Samantha, I know how distraught he was when she left. And I'm sure that I've caught him on a number of occasions thinking about her…."
"How do you know he's thinking about her Spinelli?"
"Because I catch him looking at a picture of Stonecold and Samantha together every once in awhile."
"A picture! Where?" Maxie asks looking around the penthouse living room, but only seeing the pictures on the mantle of Carly, Michael, and Emily.
"It's there in the desk. The bottom drawer." Spinelli says pointing towards the desk. "He quickly puts it away when he hears me approaching, but my curiosity got the better of me and one night I couldn't help but see what had Stonecold so troubled."
Standing and walking to the desk Maxie points to the drawer in question. "The picture's in here?" Without waiting for a reply Maxie pulls open the drawer and scrunches her nose. "He keeps the picture in the drawer with a gun! That is so like Jason!" Carefully pulling the picture out Maxie goes abnormally silent.
"What's the matter my dear Maximista?" Spinelli asks rushing to her side.
"It's just…this picture." Maxie says sitting on the corner of the desk and holding the picture in her hands. It showed a laughing Sam behind held in a smiling Jason's arms. It was a obviously a truly happy moment caught on film "They both look so much younger and happy, when it only could've been taken, at most, four years ago."
"Yes I thought myself they both look so much more carefree and joyous than I had ever seen them. I often wonder what happened that brought us to this circumstance. With the Fair Samantha virtually in hiding from Stonecold and he's so reserved from everyone, when it's apparent that at one time they both were so vibrant and…together."
"I don't know Spinelli. I often wonder that very same thing myself." Putting the picture back where she had found it Maxie sighs and crosses her arms over her chest. "Do you think you'd be able to take a break and join me in getting some food?"
Hesitant to venture to far from where he was need Spinelli looks back at the laptop sitting on the coffee table. "Would it be possible if…"
"Yes Spinelli, you can bring the laptop with you if it makes you feel better." Maxie says rolling her eyes and grabbing her purse.
"Well then I don't see the harm in my simply changing locations while I work." Spinelli says cheerfully picking of the computer and following Maxie out the door.
So there's the latest! I hope you all enjoyed this newest chapter! Thank you all who are reading and a special thanks to the reviewers!
Also I forgot to mention in my authors note: in this story I'm not going to have the whole Olivia and Dante/Dominic storyline. That's one thing I'm taking out of the present show.
Also…thank you for correcting me on how to spell Spinelli's name. I honestly had no clue and guessed. So thanks!