I'm SO sorry that it took forever to update…I'm just struggling trying to find my JaSam inspiration and right now Guza isn't supplying me with much! I also have been on vacation visiting my sister in NYC so it's hard to find time to sit and write, but I'll promise to try and do better! But enough with me and my rambling…I'll just let you guys get to the newest chapter. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own GH or the characters!

The beeping of the machines in her room is the first thing Sam notices when she slowly starts to wake up, the next is the soreness of her neck and throat. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes Sam looks around the room and even with the lights on low she can tell she had been moved to a new room. The next thing to catch her eye is Jason, sleeping in a recliner towards the left side of her bed in a cramped, uncomfortable looking position. Trying to adjust herself in bed in a more upright position, Sam's muscles scream in protest and she's unable to completely silence a groan. Turning her head she sees Jason stir before his eyes pop open and their gazes immediately lock onto each other. Sam sinks back into the bed this time not even trying to suppress the groan from her aching muscles.

"Are you ok?" Jason asks concerned coming to stand at Sam's bedside.

"Yea…" Sam starts to say but when she starts to get a cramp in her back she stops and sighs. "No I'm not." She mumbles in frustration trying to avoid Jason's gaze. She kept getting caught in his blue depths and she was confused by what she saw there. It was never what she expected.

"What's wrong? Do I need to get someone?" Jason asks reaching over Sam for the Call button on the other side of her bed.

"No!" Sam says reaching out and grabbing Jason's hand stopping him. They both freeze and stare at their joined hands. It was the first time Sam had touched Jason on her own accord, every other contact before that was always Jason reaching for Sam. Sam's eyes dart up to look at Jason who was staring down at her. "I ah…I just need some help sitting up in bed. My back is cramping and it hurts too much to move myself." Sam says glancing back down at their hands as she slowly pulls her hand back, she missed the shadow that crosses over Jason's face. "Do you think you…would it be possible…?" Sam stammers trying to find a way to ask Jason for help, without actually asking Jason for help.

"How bout I help you?" Jason asks ending the mental struggle Sam was putting herself through.

"I would really appreciate it." Sam says with the first sincere smile in Jason's direction.

"Ok…how am I…what do you need me to do?" Jason asks leaning towards Sam, but hesitant to actually touch her in case he did more harm than good.

Sam tries to think of an easy way to do this, but every possible method would involve them sharing close proximity, something that Sam wasn't sure would be a good idea. "You know maybe it would just be easier if we did call in a nurse or something?"

"No." Jason says shaking his head and resting a hand on Sam's arm. "I'm sure we can manage on our own." Jason could practically read Sam's thoughts at that moment, she was trying to imagine a way to have him help her without having to actually touch him…was she that opposed to him now?

Sam could hear the dejection in Jason's voice and it confused her because she didn't know the cause. "Ok I just really need a boost up is all, I slid down as I slept or maybe that happened when they transported me from the other room."

Nodding his head Jason carefully slides an arm under Sam's back and the other under her knees. "I'm just going to left you a little…" She was still slight and slid easily up the bed. "Is that better?"

"That's great thanks." Sam sighs resting her head back as Jason removes his arms. She missed the warmth from his body already and since she missed it she purposefully looked at anything in the room except Jason, not wanting him to read anything on her face. "So I noticed the room change…"

"Yea the police needed the other one cleared out since it's now a crime scene; and since you were being moved I thought it would be better if it were to a private wing where it could be guarded better. After what happened last time…" Jason notices Sam kept darting her eyes towards him, but away again and he sighed in frustration before taking a step closer to the head of her bed trying to catch Sam's wandering gaze. "How are you?" He asks once he finally has her attention.

"Confused, would you mind telling me what happened?"

"What do you remember?" Jason asks in return. He wanted to know how she was physically, if she was healing, but Sam would always want answers first.

Sighing Sam closes her eyes and tries to clear up her muddled thoughts. "I remember I was feeling no pain from the medication and I remember Robin getting a page that she needed to answer. She didn't want to leave me alone…because of you." Sam says opening her eyes to stare at Jason who was standing there silently nodding his head. "She stayed as long as she could for a nurse to come, but they were taking too long so I finally just told her to go. That I would be fine on my own."

"She never should've left you alone." Jason interrupts his tone harsh.

"I told her to go Jason, she has other patients that she needed to tend to." Sam says in defense of Robin. When Jason stays silent, Sam continues with what she remembers. "I was only alone for a second it seems like." She says closing her eyes and shaking her head. "I thought it was Robin coming back into the room deciding to wait for someone to come." Sam's voice had gotten low, almost as quiet as a whisper. "I didn't even get a chance to open my eyes before whoever it was had his hands on me. Telling me that I was going to die and that it was a shame and he loved a woman that put up a fight. Not that I could do much, what with my injuries and the pain meds, but I tried everything…even screaming for help. That's when he grabbed the pillow to silence me with one hand while with the other he started to choke me." Her voice was now as quiet whisper and Jason had to lean closer to keep from straining to hear her. "And that's when you came in…I couldn't see you, but I heard you." Opening her eyes Sam sees Jason leaning close to her and she gets lost for a moment in his blue eyes. "You saved me." Sam says the words spoken more like a question than a statement.

"Of course I saved you Sam." Jason responds having heard the question in her voice and reading the confusion on her face. "Why would you question that Sa…?"

"Knock knock!" Alexis says walking into Sam's hospital room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything." With a withering look at Jason Alexis walks to stand next to him at Sam's bedside, not so subtly pushing him out of the way. "The hospital called to inform me about your recent attack." Alexis says reaching for her daughters hand and squeezing it lightly. "Sam, why didn't you call and tell me? I would've been here right away."Her tone was accusing and Alexis didn't even register the flash of irritation in Sam's eyes, but Jason did.

"She just woke up Alexis." Jason says his annoyance and frustration evident in his voice. "She has been through a rough couple of days and she really hasn't been up for a phone call."

Alexis had been hoping that Jason would have left the room, but since he hadn't she would just deal with him now, rather than later. "Jason I understand the ordeal my daughter has been put through recently. And I understand that a great deal of the credit of that must go to you." Alexis turns to give him her best disapproving look. "In fact…I wouldn't be surprised if this latest attack on Sam didn't have something to do with you too." Jason just rolled his eyes before having gaze land on Sam who was also rolling her eyes.

"Alexis you're the one who sent Sam to Mexico…putting her into the line of fire…"

"I didn't expect there to be any gun play when I asked for Sam's help!" Alexis shouts over Jason. "Of course I should've knowing that Sonny had sent you to find Kristina and Michael and whenever you're involved there is always going to be shots fired!"

"I was trying to protect Sam!" Jason shouts frustrated, rubbing a hand over his eyes.

"Well that's perfectly obvious. I mean look at the wonderful job you've done of that!"

"Alexis…"

"Enough!" Sam says as loud as possible, causing her to wince and reaching a hand up to rub her sore throat. She lays her had back and closes her eyes, she just felt so tired and weak. She didn't know if it was from the medication Robin and Patrick had her on or her body just being too tired.

"Sam you shouldn't be trying to yell." Jason says shoving Alexis out of the way. "Your throat has to be sore…"

"Jason I am her mother, let me tend to my daughter!" Alexis says putting an arm on his shoulder to move him out of the way. "You have done enough."

"Alexis get your hand off of me." Jason says his tone cool and his eyes fierce looking at the hand on his shoulder.

Alexis quickly lifts her hand from his shoulder and rests it on her hip like the other one. "Jason step away from my daughter's bedside…right now!" Alexis tacks on at the end when Jason just ignores her. "Jason!"

Jason could hear Alexis behind him, but he kept his gaze on Sam who looked like she was asleep again, he thought she was until her eyes fluttered back open to look at him for a silent moment. "Sam?"

"Jason could you please give my mother and I some privacy." Sam finally says, putting an end to the fight. She notices the hurt that flickers in his eyes, but it goes right away when he nods his head. Sam watches as he goes to exit the room glaring at Alexis the whole way.

"I'm just going to be outside the door… just in case." Jason says looking at Sam and watching the annoyance battle with gratitude in her eyes while Alexis just sighs theatrically. The second the door closes behind him Jason turns to look in on the pair, ready to jump in at the first sign of distress on Sam's part.

------

Looking over Alexis' shoulder Sam can see Jason standing in the hallway just outside the hospital room. Alexis follows her gaze and sees Jason standing there too, rolling her eyes the older woman looks back at her daughter. "So Jason staying by your beside the entire time you're in the hospital…does this have something to do with the two of you…?" Alexis doesn't even want to finish the thought, let alone the actual sentence.

"The two of us…like that? No." Sam says shaking her head. "Never." She adds as an afterthought. "Right now there is someone trying to kill me for some information that I might know and Jason is trying to stop that from happening. That is all."

"Really." Alexis says nodding her head and sitting at the foot of Sam's bed. "Well I've seen Jason in protective mode before and usually he just places a guard."

"There is a guard in place." Sam says avoiding Alexis's gaze.

"Sam." Alexis says waiting until she had Sam's full attention. "There is more than one guard in place and Jason is still here with you."

"And...?" Sam asks shrugging her shoulders. She knew Alexis wanted answers, but Sam had none to give. She was as confused by the whole situation as Alexis was. She had no idea why Jason was so attentive and concerned. Why he didn't leave the protective detail to one of the flunkies Sonny had instead of himself. "Alexis I don't know what to tell you. I keep going in and out of consciousness so everything to me is unclear. You would probably have better luck getting answers from Jason at the moment."

Alexis just stares at Sam for a moment a she can tell from the look in her daughters eyes that she was telling the truth. Sam really didn't know what to make of the Jason. Looking back over her shoulder she sees that the man in question hasn't moved from his post at Sam's door and Alexis' brows bunch in concern. She loved her daughter and wanted what was best for her and she just didn't think Jason Morgan fit the bill. "Well I'll just save that conversation for later, now I'm here for you." She says turning back to see Sam's eyelids drooping. "But you look like you could use some rest."

"I'm sorry." Sam says trying to suppress a yawn and failing. "I think it's the pain meds they have me on…I can't seem to stay awake for very long."

"Well it might be for the best. The more your body rests the faster you'll heal and the quicker you can get back to that glamorous life I hear about in Miami." Alexis liked the thought of that. She missed Sam while she's away, but away from Port Charles meant away from Jason…which was what Alexis wanted.

"Yea. Thank you for stopping by." Sam says trying to keep her eyes open, but failing.

"I really had been trying to get by sooner, but Kristina has been so upset over everything that happened in Mexico…it was hard to get away."

"I understand." Sam half mumbles nodding her head half-heartedly.

"But you're really ok?" Alexis asks and smiles when Sam just nods her head. "Ok…get some rest." With one final squeeze of Sam's hand Alexis turns and leaves Sam's hospital room, coming face-to-face with Jason. "You and I are going to have a talk."

"Not right now." Jason says trying to step around Alexis, but she gets in his way.

"No…I'll let you stay here and watch over her…protect if that's what you want to call what you do…But just understand that I'm not going to go away."

"What are you talking about Alexis?"

"Jason Sam is my daughter and I might not be the best at showing it, but I care for her and I want what's best for her. I want her to be happy." Alexis says glaring at him.

"And…Your point being Alexis?" Jason asks confused with where this could possibly be going.

"You aren't what's best for Sam. And you've proven how poorly you can make her happy." Alexis says, watching his eyes widen in shock and outrage before turning into angry slits of blue. "So you do what you have to do right now, but realize…that once this is all over…Sam will be going back to Miami and the life she created for herself there; leaving you and this lifestyle behind."

Jason was lost to the reason why they were even having this conversation, but he wasn't going to allow Alexis to place all the blame on shoulders. "Are you forgetting about your part in what happened between me and Sam all those years ago Alexis? You are partly to blame for all the pain Sam…AND I… went through. You played a hand in her unhappiness. Don't forget that!"

"I haven't." Alexis says shaking her head. "And I'll never be able to make up for what I did. But even with all my manipulations from before, you and Sam found your way back to each other and you still managed to hurt her, without my interference. I won't let that happen again."

"Why are we even having this conversation Alexis?" Jason asks shaking his head. It was pointless arguing with a vapid narcissist…they were always right and you would always be wrong.

"You're not fooling me Jason. I know what you're trying to do and it is not going to work…not this time at least."

"Alexis I have no clue what you're talking about and I could care less." Pushing his way past her Jason leaves Alexis standing in his place outside the hospital room, staring at his back.

"The fool doesn't even see he's already falling." Alexis murmurs to herself watching as Jason goes to stand at Sam's bedside reaching out to run a hand down the side of Sam's sleeping face. Shaking her head and turning on her heel Alexis storms down the hallway, knowing for now that it was in Sam's best interest to have Jason watching over her, keeping her safe. But as soon as she could she was getting Sam as far from Jason Morgan as possible, before it was too late.

Jason didn't really understand the point to everything Alexis had said or why she would even bring up the problems from the past, but he wasn't going to let it get to him. Right now he needed to keep a clear head in order to protect Sam. Standing at her bedside and looking down at her peaceful form Jason is reminded of the numerous times that he had been standing in this familiar spot, looking down at a sleeping Sam in a hospital bed…too many times to count. But unlike those many other times Jason couldn't just reach out and hold her hand or run a comforting hand down the side of her face. Instead he had to sit back and watch and wait. The memories made it all the more difficult. Sitting on the edge of her bed, prepared to jump up at the first sign of alertness from Sam, Jason reaches out to touch the back of her hand. When a sigh escapes her lips he pulls back quickly and looks up to find her eyes still closed and her breathing still even. Reaching his hand back out Jason grabs a hold of hers and gives it a light squeeze.

"Jason." Sam murmurs and his eyes jump to her face, but she's still sleeping. Except now she was talking in her sleep. Letting go of her hand he puts both of his in his lap and watches and waits to hear if she was going to say more…it's not too long before she does. "Jason…why…?" But nothing else comes out and Jason has to sit and wonder…why what?

------

This time Sam came awake a lot quicker, but she kept her eyes closed to listen to the sounds around her room. There was still the beeping of the various machines set up around her, but if you listened past that you could hear a quiet conversation in the background. Opening her eyes only a little to see Sam follows the noise to stare at Jason's back as he stands in the corner talking on the phone. Watching him she notices he hasn't really changed in the two years she had been away. He still had that quiet intensity about him, and he still acted as if the weight of the whole world rested on his shoulders. Sam shook her head at that thought, some things would never change. Jason's conversation with whoever ended and he turned back to face Sam, pausing when she sees she's awake. Neither speak for a moment until Sam breaks the silence. "Important phone call?" Sam calls, trying to speak up so he could hear from across the room.

"No not really." Jason says shaking his head and coming closer so she didn't have to speak as loudly, he was sure it was at the very least uncomfortable for her to do so, even if she would never admit it.

"If there is somewhere you have to be Jason, you can go." Sam didn't think Jason would need the encouragement to leave, but she gave it anyways.

"Sam I don't…"

"Jason the phone call." Sam says frustrated, figuring it had to do with the business he was obviously ignoring since he had been at her bedside all this time. "I'm sure it was important all your calls usually were."

"It was." Jason says in agreement. "It was about you."

"Me?" Sam says confused…she was feeling that a lot lately. "What about me?"

"One of the guards I have placed here at the hospital. He is supposed to call me from now on to let me know when someone wants to get on this floor. That way we won't have any surprise visitors and this should put a stop to any more attacks while you're in the hospital."

"I have a visitor?" Sam says ignoring everything else Jason had to say. She wasn't happy about all the guards it sounded like Jason had in place, but she would save that argument for later. "Who is it?"

Jason just smiles and shakes his head at Sam. He knew she was probably unhappy with the measures he was taking and wanted to argue with him about it, but knowing Sam she was saving up for later. There was a knock on the door and Jason didn't even bother turning to look since he knew who it was. He was more interested in watching Sam's reaction to her visitor. Her eyes got wide in surprise and then quickly she had her poker face back in place. "Hello Sonny." Was all that she said…giving nothing away as to what she was thinking.

"Sam." Sonny says stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

Unsure why there was now tension in the room between the two, Jason looks at Sonny and then back at Sam. "I think I might just step into the hall for awhile." He says, but it was like talking to air. They weren't even listening to him. His gaze wandering between the two as he exits the room Jason is confused. Sonny and Sam had many disagreements, but with the cool expression on Sam's face it felt like more than that. And the almost ashamed look on Sonny's led Jason to believe it was more than that.

------

"It's nice of you to visit." Sam says keeping her eyes downward on her hands in her lap. She didn't really know what to expect from this visit. The last time she talked to Sonny she told him she wasn't going to be toeing the line anymore; she was done following his orders. Now two years later where did that leave them? "Although I'm a little confused as to why."

Sonny could hear the censure in Sam's voice and he was disappointed, but he wasn't surprised by it. In fact he had half expected to get ice chips in the face after what Jason had told him. He had done wrong by Sam two years ago, he didn't even need Carly's help to figure that out he just wished he had more practice with eating crow before this visit took place. "Sam…" Sonny starts to say stepping closer into the room, but stopping when her eyes follow his every movement, almost distrusting. "I came here for a couple of reasons actually."

"And they are?" Sam asks curious.

"First I want to say thank you." Sonny says watching her brows scrunch in confusion. "For saving Michael and Kristina in Mexico."

"That was all Jason…" Sam tries to interrupt, but Sonny stops her.

"I know Jason helped, but you got to them first." He says silencing her and coming closer. "Who knows what Jerry would've been able to do if you hadn't been there and for that I'm grateful. You helped bring Michael and Kristina home so thank you."

Unsure of what to say and a little uncomfortable Sam shrugs her shoulders. "I didn't just do it for you, Kristina is my sister and Alexis was distraught on the phone…." Sam stops midsentence and sighs. "You're welcome." She finally says and the room falls into an awkward silence after that and Sam starts tapping her hands together before finally sighing. "And the other reason?" She asks unable to let the silence go any longer.

"I…" Sonny says, but stops to look down at his feet. He was never good at this. "I wanted to apologize." He says looking up from the floor to stare into Sam's eyes, wanting her to be able to see his sincerity. When Sam opens her mouth to say something Sonny steps even closer and holds up a hand to stop her. "I'm not very good at this so you're just going to have to bear with me here." Watching to see if Sam was still going to interrupt he watches her nod in shocked silence. "Ok." He lets out the deep breath he had been holding and tries to organize his thoughts. He was only going to get one chance at this.

"Sonny…?" Sam says staring at the normally suave and confident man standing before her looking nervous and uncomfortable. There was no trace of the dimpled charmer she had expected when he first walked into her hospital room, this was Sonny at his finest…when he was actually human and not the mobster who thought he was better than everyone else. "You don't have to do this." It was enough that he was willing to try; Sam knew the blow that had to be to his ego.

"Yea I do." Sonny says shaking his head, he appreciated Sam giving him the easy out, but he had to do this. "You didn't deserve the way I treated you two years ago."

"Sonny…" Sam says again, but he just talks over her.

"It's just when it comes to Jason I get very defensive…"

"I know Sonny." Sam practically shouts, finally getting him to stop talking. His apology was making her uncomfortable. "I really appreciate that you feel you have to apologize and I accept, but it's not necessary."

"Sam." Sonny tries to interrupt.

"No listen to me Sonny." Sam says shaking her head and not letting him. "I crossed a line two years ago and when you called me on it I got overly defensive about it. We both said things we probably shouldn't have, but I don't want to rehash all of it." Sam says shaking her head. "It's been two years Sonny! Let's keep the past where it belongs." Sam could see the indecision on Sonny's face and she tries to give him her most determined look. "We both made mistakes…let's just try not to repeat them."

Sonny could understand what Sam was trying to say and decided that if she didn't want to discuss the past he wasn't going to make her. "Ok." He says simple nodding his head and sighing while putting his hands in his pockets."So we're ok than?" He asks wanting to be sure.

Sam tensed a little at the thought and she wasn't sure why. "Yes, we're okay." She says nodding her head slowly with a little smile.

Sonny smiles back at her and he relaxes a little more. "So…How've you been?" Sonny asks awkwardly.

Sam chuckles. "I've been…ok." Sam finally settles on. It was actually kind of nice talking to Sonny again. She never expected to be able to do that again.

"I hear you're a PI now. How did that happen?"

Sam's smile grows and she pats a hand on the foot of her bed. "Have a seat and I'll tell you." She surprisingly missed being able to just talk to Sonny and was looking forward to the rest of his visit now that they got over the uncomfortable issues of the past.

Jason who was still standing outside the room could practically see both Sam and Sonny relax as his friend and business partner settles at the foot of the bed. Watching the easy smile spread on Sam's face Jason feels a burning feeling at the pit of his stomach and doesn't know why it bothers him that Sam was able to relax with Sonny. Frustrated with himself he turns from the room and walks to the elevator. He wasn't needed at the moment with Sonny in the room. "I'm only going to be gone a half hour at most." Jason tells the guard. "Ms. McCall should be safe as long as Sonny is with her, but if he leaves before I'm back I want you standing outside her room until I get back. No one else is allowed to see her until I get back…Understood?" He asks with a cold look.

"Yes sir." The guard says trying not to stare at Jason, but it was hard. The guard was used to this sort of duty, but never before had Jason seemed so concerned and determined. This Ms. McCall was someone important that was for sure.

"Good." Jason says before getting on the elevator. He saw the curious look in the guard's eyes and he ignored it, his focus had to be on Sam's safety and stopping Jerry.

------

"I haven't met Stephen yet, but he does sound like quite the character." Sonny says shaking his head. "You and Jason pick up the strangest strays. First there was Spinelli and now…."

Sam smiles and nods her head. "He is a character, but he is a great business partner and a good friend." They both get quiet and Sam can see the attentive look on Sonny's face. "So what about you Sonny? Alexis tells me there is a new Mrs. Corinthos out there…"

"Yes I'm married." Sonny says with a small smirk, his dimples flashing. "It started a little conventionally, but…"

"Nothing is ever conventional when it comes to you and relationships Sonny." Sam says laughing quietly shaking her head.

"Yea well what about you?" Sonny asks. "Is there anyone…?"

"No." Sam shakes her head. "There isn't anyone…" When Sonny opens his mouth to say something a thoughtful look on his face Sam keeps talking. "I mean who has time what with starting a business and work and…"

"And when you still have feelings for someone else?" Sonny asks, not caring that it's none of his business and he is probably crossing the line.

Sam's breath hitched in her throat and for a moment she was speechless before she quickly recovered and tries to smile. "Sonny…" she says shaking her head and trying to laugh off the idea. "I don't know what you're referring to, but…"

"What I'm referring to is Jason, Sam, but I'm pretty sure you knew that." Sonny says, not allowing her to play coy.

"It's been over two years Sonny since Jason and I were even…"

"Does that matter?" Sonny asks.

"It's been two years Sonny…" Sam says weakly, looking down at her clenched hands.

"Sam…about these two years…Jason…well Jason…"

"Is here." Sam says quickly watching as the door opens Jason walks in, his eyes darting between the two.

"Am I interrupting?" He asks having noticed they both got uncharacteristically quiet when he walked in.

"No." "Not all." Sam and Sonny say simultaneously.

The silence that follows is deafening and Sonny finally breaks it clearing his throat and standing up from the foot of the bed. "Well this was fun, but I really should get going."

"Oh…ok." Sam says surprised at the disappointment she feels over Sonny leaving so soon. She was actually enjoying his company. "Will I see you again?" She can't help but ask.

Sonny smiles and nods his head. "I'm sure I can manage another visit."

"I'll walk you out." Jason says, his voice gruff from his annoyance at the obvious bond that Sonny was able to find with Sam so easily while Jason was still scrambling.

"Yea, I have some business to discuss with you." Sonny says in a hushed tone before turning quickly to Sam. "Just want to say thank you again for helping to bring Michael and Kristina back."

"Really Sonny it was Jason…"

"Well whoever…" Sonny interrupts shaking his head. "The least I could do is reimburse you for the expenses. Plane fare and car rentals…I'm sure that got expensive."

"Thanks Sonny, but I don…" Sam was saying when all of a sudden there was a stabbing pain in the middle of her head. "Oh my god." Sam shrieks raising a hand to her forehead and curling into a ball on the bed. "The pain…" She says breathless. "Jason…oh god!" Sam groans.

"Sam!" Jason shouts rushing to her side and reaching out to rest a hand on her back sending Sonny a frantic look. "Go get some help!" Watching as Sonny just nods his head in astonishment and leaving the room Jason looks back at a whimpering Sam. "Sam, what is it?"

"My head!" She groans looking at him before quickly closing her eyes. That's when she sees flashes of image: a parking garage, a man, her angry and driving away. Just flashes that make no real sense because all she can concentrate on is the pain…the unbelievable pain. "Jason…it hurts!"