Hey everyone! Here's the latest update…I really was struggling with this one for awhile and was getting a little desperate and started giving up, but I went back and reread what I had posted and thankfully I pushed through! So I just want to say I'm sorry for the long wait in between updates…you guys deserve better! It also doesn't help that some of the characters in the show right now are driving me CRAZY making it harder to write them since my frustration for the show wants to enter into my writing. I did it though, and I hope you all enjoy this new chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or it's characters.
Jason felt completely useless standing outside Sam's hospital room staring in as Patrick and Robin talk to Sam. After Sonny had left the room to go get help Jason only could stand at Sam's side rubbing a hand up and down her back and hope that whatever pain she was feeling subsided. She had been whimpering and rocking back and forth when Patrick and Robin had come rushing in with Sonny right behind them. Robin immediately went to the side of the bed where Sam's IV was and took a syringe out of her pocket, administering whatever drug she had Robin had then stepped forward to run a soothing hand down Sam's back, unintentionally pushing Jason's out of the way. Patrick had ordered Jason and Sonny to go wait in the hall while they worked, Jason had been reluctant, and only with the insistence of Sonny and Robin that he would just be in the way, did he finally leave. He only got as far as the other side of the door and stood there watching as they worked. It was going on half an hour that they had been in the room and Jason was getting anxious.
"Jason…" Sonny calls standing a few feet behind him and looking at his back. "Jason." Sonny says again when he gets no response. Coming to stand at Jason's side Sonny follows his gaze and sees his attention is on Sam. "Jason!" Sonny says louder and there isn't even a flicker of recognition, Jason was so engrossed in what was going on in the hospital room. "Jason" Sonny says finally forced to grab his shoulder and physically turn so Jason was now facing Sonny. "Sam is going to be alright." Is the first thing he says, figuring that that was what Jason needed hear most right now.
"How do you know?" Jason asks, his voice low and his eyes anxious,
"Because…she's a fighter Jason." Sonny say, wishing Jason would lose that look in his eyes. "She's recovering right now."
"Is she?" Jason asks turning to stare back into the room. "You were in there Sonny, you saw. Sam was talking and smiling one second and the next she's screaming in pain. Is she recovering? Or is there something more seriously wrong that Patrick missed in surgery?"
"That's why he's in there right now Jason, trying to find out if there's something he missed. There's nothing you can do right now except trust that they know what they're doing and are able to figure out what's wrong."
"I hate this…this useless feeling, I'll never get used to it." Jason says turning to pace the hallway. "What is taking them so long?" Jason says quickly coming back to stare into the room.
"They're being thorough Jason. That's a good thing." Sonny says rationally, understanding Jason's tension.
"I don't understand what happened. She seemed fine, even doing a little better than she had been before the attack. Then all of a sudden…" Turning to look at Sonny Jason's eyes were full of suspicion. "What happened while you were in the room with her?"
"Jason…" Sonny says shaking his head. "All we did was talk the whole time I was in there."
"That's it?" Jason presses, hoping that there was more, so he could have someone or something to blame for Sam's pain. Something to explain why this was happening.
"That's it." Sonny says shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head in exasperation. "Sam was talking about her life in Miami." When Jason turns back, with a defeated set to his shoulders Sonny sighs. "I understand what you're feeling Jason. You want someone to blame, so you can take action…except you can't do that now." Sonny watches as Jason just nods his head, his gaze never wavering from staring into the room at Sam. "Jason I know I asked you this already, but what is this all about with Sam?"
Shaking his head Jason looks over his shoulder to stare at Sonny. "I don't even know myself Sonny. I just know that I want Sam to be ok. She has to be ok." Closing his eyes Jason drops his head down to his chest to silently pray.
"Do you still have feelings…?"
"I don't know Sonny." Jason snaps. "I do know if that's the case then this has gotten a lot more complicated. I also know that I have no right to have feelings for Sam and…and that it changes nothing." Jason says weary.
"It changes everything Jason." Sonny says incredulously.
"No Sonny, it changes absolutely nothing."
Sonny didn't agree with Jason, but now wasn't the time to argue. Shelving the conversation for later Sonny sighs and rubs a hand over his eyes. "So what are you going to do now?" He finally asks.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to protect Sam…I owe her that after everything." Before Sonny has a chance to respond Patrick and Robin are exiting Sam's hospital room. "How is she?" Jason asks before the door is fully closed behind them. "Is she going to be ok? Does she need another surgery? Is it a complica…"
Patrick holds up his hands finally silencing Jason and his bombardment of questions. "Sam is going to be fine. There were no complications from her surgery. And no a second surgery isn't necessary…at least for the moment."
"Then what was that?" Jason asks lifting a hand in the direction of Sam's room. "Sam was fine one second and then she was crying out in pain…that's not normal!"
"Jason." Robin says stepping forward and grabbing his out-stretched hand and squeezing it in both of hers. She could see that his concern for Sam was really starting to take a toll on him; he wasn't his normal quiet, detached self anymore. "Patrick is telling you the truth. There medically nothing wrong with Sam and therefore nothing we can do except give her stronger pain medication..."
"Which, Sam has declined." Patrick adds quickly.
"What…why would she do that?" Sonny asks at the same time Jason asks, "Then what happened to her in there?"
"Technically there isn't a medical term for what happened." Robin says addressing Jason's question first. "Her memories are starting to come back and that's causing pain for her because her mind was blocking them for a reason. This isn't uncommon, but definitely painful. We normally recommend the stronger dose of pain medication."
"And Sam's refusing the medication because…" Sonny asks again.
"And Sam's refusal of stronger meds is because she is sick of falling in and out of consciousness every hour or so." Patrick offers to Sonny. "She wants a clearer head." You could tell from his tone that he was both in awe and annoyed with Sam's decision.
"Why…if her mind is still trying to block the memories…is she starting to remember?" Jason asks not surprised that Sam's refusing the meds. He was more concerned with Sam's comfort and condition.
"We don't know." Robin says shrugging her shoulders. "It could be one of many reasons…normally something sparks it. Whether, it's something that was said or something that she sees. There are so many ways a memory can be triggered."
"Jason you better than anyone should be able to understand that." Sonny says from behind him.
Sonny was right, Jason did know that almost anything could spark a memory. Pulling his hand from Robins grasp Jason sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "So what now?" Jason asks the same question Sonny had asked of him earlier.
"Nothing changes." Patrick says from behind Robin. "Sam getting her memories back is a good sign."
"And the severe pain is just an inconvenient side-effect?" Jason asks cynicism in his voice.
"Don't be that way Jason." Robin says coming to Patrick's defense. "Sam is recovering quite nicely, even with the set back from her attack." Robin says reassuring Jason and agreeing with Patrick. "We're confident that she'll make a full recovery…and hopefully with time the pain from her memories will diminish."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Well hopefully then Sam will be willing to take the stronger medication, but it's her choice." Robin says, knowing it wasn't what Jason wanted to hear.
"I know you're looking for some sort of divine intervention here Jason, but that's not going to happen." Patrick says with more sympathy than he normally has for Jason. He didn't approve of Jason's lifestyle, it was in direct opposition with the work Patrick did on a daily basis. But even Patrick could see the effect this was having on Jason and he could see the stress Jason was trying hard to conceal. "I'll tell you what we told Sam." Patrick says stepping around Robin to stand at Jason's side. "This is going to be a long and painful recovery process for Sam. The injuries she sustained in Vera Cruz were severe and the attack made here at General Hospital did nothing to help her. But she's strong…" Patrick shakes his head and remembers Sam's unwavering refusal of stronger meds. "…She's very strong…and she's going to get through this. I'm going to be sure she gets through this." Patrick can see the relief battling with concern in Jason's eyes.
"Sam is a fighter Jason." Robin says her voice firm.
Sonny steps forward and rests a hand on Robin's shoulder. "Thank you…both of you." He says looking quickly at Patrick before his eyes settle back on Robin. "Can we go in to see her?"
Robin smiles and nods her head. "She probably won't be awake for much longer since I administered a stronger med as soon as I got into the room and that will take effect soon; she's fighting the drowsiness right now and winning, but for how much longer I don't know."
"She actually wants to talk to you two."
"Both of us?" Jason asks his tone doubtful.
"Yes both of you." Robin says before walking towards the elevator, Patrick following behind her. Pressing the call button Robin calls down to Jason before he's able to follow Sonny into Sam's room. "If it happens again dial 2 on the phone and Patrick or I will be here as soon as possible."
Jason nods his head and enters behind Sonny; seeing Sam lying in bed with her eyes closed Jason quietly closes the door. "It looks like she's sleeping…we should let her rest…" Jason says in hushed tones.
"I'm not sleeping." Sam grumbles from the bed, her eyes opening to stare at the two of them. "So you two can stop whispering."
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"Ok Stephen this is Kelly's…the last place Spinelli and I will be showing you where you can stay while you're here in Port Charles. If you don't like it here than you're on your own!" Maxie says her annoyance clearly obvious, not only in her voice, but with the look on her face when she turns outside the door to Kelly's and glares at Stephen. They had shown him numerous places he could stay and her patience was wearing thin…she wanted to get back to the hospital.
"Well this place looks rather quaint." Stephen says trying to hold back his smirk, but failing. He could tell he was trying Maxie's patience, but he wanted to give Jason and Sam as much time as possible alone. Plus…he needed to get Maxie and Spinelli on his side before they got back to the hospital.
"Quaint!" Maxie says her voice shrill. "Listen here Miami surfer dude!" She says stepping forward and pointing a finger at Stephen's chest. "You may be Sam's friend and business…"
"Maximista I'm sure the Bronzed Comrade will be more than pleased with Kelly's!" Spinelli steps forward and grabbing the hand Maxie had pointed at Stephen.
"He hasn't approved of any of the places we've shown him Spinelli!" Maxie says turning to look at him. "And he spends all this time hemming and hawing when it's obvious that he's not going to stay there! He's taking forever…" Maxie pauses to spin and glare at Stephen. "And I'm starting to think it's on purpose!" Maxie speculates aloud and sees the flash in Stephen's eyes that tells her she's right. "I knew it! You've spent these last four hours wasting our time!" When Stephen doesn't show any sign of responding; Maxie growls in frustration and stomps her foot. "Why!" She demands.
Stephen has a strong sense of self-preservation and knows that Maxie was at the end of her rope, not liking the angry look in her eyes Stephen holds his hands up in possible need of defense. "I'm not going to lie to you. I have been purposely making this take as long as possible."
"I know that...tell me why!" Maxie asks with an aggressive step towards Stephen. "You have been letting Spinelli and I lead you around this town for hours under false pretenses and I want to know why! Especially since Sam is stuck back at the hospital…possibly with only Jason Morgan to keep her company!"
"You say that like its bad thing." Stephen says easing into the topic of Sam and Jason.
"It is a bad thing!"
"You see, now I don't agree with you there." Stephen says with his most charming smile. "How bout we go inside and get a cup of coffee and we talk…sound like a plan?"
"How bout I kick you in the shin and go back to the hospital to be with Sam?" Maxie asks super sweet, her smile almost lethal looking.
Chuckling Stephen just shakes his head, which only spurs Maxie's anger on more. "I can see what Sam meant by spirited."
Maxie was fuming and before she could react Spinelli steps in the way and smiles apologetically. "Perhaps it would be best Antagonistic One to not provoke Maximista anymore…she hasn't been herself recently and I fear she might act impulsively if pushed any further."
"Antagonistic One?" Stephen says laughing and shaking his head. "Where do you get this…?"Running a hand through his hair and sighing; Stephen realizes this was going to be tougher than he originally thought. "How bout I promise that I'll rent a room here with no questions asked and in return you hear me out before rushing back to the hospital…does that work for you two?"
Spinelli, now working as the mediator looks back at Maxie and gives her a persuasive smile. In response Maxie huffs and nods her head in a jerky fashion before turning on her heel and pulling open the door, leaving Spinelli and Stephen behind to watch. "It would appear Maximista agrees." Spinelli says lamely before following after her. Suppressing the urge to laugh Stephen follows them both inside where Maxie is at the counter already ordering for her and Spinelli.
It only took a few minutes for Stephen to get a room key and place his coffee order, but by the time he joined Maxie and Spinelli at the table they had sat at in the corner he could see her patience was wearing thin and he was going to have to talk fast if this was going to work in his favor. Sliding into his seat across from them he isn't surprised when Maxie immediately starts asking questions.
"What sort of game are you playing? Why would you purposefully leave Sam all alone in the hospital? What kind of friend are you anyways? What is the matter with you?" Maxie asks almost in one breath, not giving Stephen a chance to answer before the next question was out of her mouth.
"Finished?" Stephen asks raising his coffee cup to his lips and taking a sip. Setting the cup back down he leans forward in his seat and rests his elbows on the table. "I'm sure you're not going to agree with me on this, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to persuade you to see things my way, but if not, I want you to know that's not going to stop me."
"Stop you from what?" Maxie asks…sick of the games.
"Stop me from getting Sam and Jason back together of course." Stephen says simply while shrugging his shoulders, his tone implying that it was obvious all along what he was talking about.
Maxie just stares at Stephen in silence for over a minute, her mouth forming an O and her eyes going wide. Spinelli was smiling at Stephen until he looked over and saw Maxie's expression and then he grew concerned. He had never seen her face turn that shade of red before. Maxie's jaw starts working and her mouth starts to open and close but still no words were coming out. Shaking her head she slams her hand down on the table. "What are you CRAZY!" She shouts, unable to keep her voice down. Stephen just chuckles in response.
------
Watching as Sonny goes to stand at Sam's bedside, Jason watches as Sonny reaches for Sam's hand and she lets him. She even gives Sonny a reassuring smile. All the tension and uncomfortable energy from before was gone. Jason wanted to punch something. Whatever Sonny had done to Sam, she had obviously forgiven and they had moved past it. Why couldn't she do the same for him? Because what he had done was unforgiveable, he knew that. Sighing Jason steps further into the room and rest his hands on the railing at the foot of Sam's bed, fighting the urge to come to her side the same way Sonny did, knowing Sam wouldn't be as receptive to him. "Do you want me to leave you two alone?" He asks his eyes darting between Sonny and Sam, the petulance in his voice obvious even to his own ears. Sam just frowns at Jason, confused about his attitude. Sonny just smirks and shakes his head. The man had it bad that was for sure.
"I believe what Jason meant to ask was…how are you feeling?"
Sam was still frowning at Jason and it was only the tug Sonny made on her hand that finally drew her attention back to him. "Uh…sorry." Sam says squeezing her eyes shut and lightly shaking her head. She had to stop staring at him, it was distracting her. But she couldn't help it. Jason was so full of contradictions right now and she couldn't keep up. To make matters worse she was starting to get used to his presence and that wasn't ok. She needed to keep her distance from Jason, but how? "What did you say?" Sam asks opening her eyes to look at a concerned Sonny.
"Are you feeling ok?" It was Jason that asked this time, Sam who was fighting to keep her gaze trained on Sonny couldn't help but look back at Jason. And in his blue eyes was such a mixture of emotions that Sam got lost once again.
"Robin and Patrick said you refused stronger medication…are you sure that's wise Sam?" Sonny asks when Sam still doesn't answer. "If you're still suffering…"
"I'm feeling fine…right now it's just the medication that's making me lose my focus." Sam says, grateful that she has that excuse and she doesn't have to openly admit it was Jason, not the medication that kept distracting her. Sighing she releases Sonny's hand and rubs her temples, the pain was almost completely gone now, but it was replaced by a heavy drowsiness that Sam was failing at fighting off. "That's part of the reason I told them I don't want it. In order to protect myself I have to be alert and focused. That medication is a hindrance to my health."
Sonny bursts into laughter. "Only you Sam would say medication is bad for you."
"Jason never wanted to take his meds when he's in the hospital!" Sam says sounding a lot like a child.
"And he is the example you plan to follow now?" Sonny asks in disbelief.
Sam looks down at her clenched fists. "That's beside the point." Sam starts looking between the two quickly. "I don't mean to use you as a defense Jason, but if anyone can understand an aversion to medication it's got to be you." Sam says finally resting her gaze on him, surprised to see a smile on his face instead of annoyance at getting him involved.
Jason looks at Sam and smiles a little. She always liked to think she was so tough, and she was, but not as much as she thought she was. In all honesty Jason wished she would take the stronger medication because he hated to see her in that much pain, but it wasn't his place to get involved as much as he wished he could. And he did understand the feeling of hating the effects pills had on you. He rarely took them when they were prescribed to him. "I understand." Jason finally says since it felt like both Sam and Sonny were waiting for him to give his opinion.
Sonny just sighs and shuffles his feet. "I don't agree with either of you on this, but I know that my opinion won't matter. It's not too late to reconsider…"
"I respect your opinion Sonny, but I don't want the medication." Sam says shaking her head. "I need to have a clear head to stay safe. I can't protect myself if I'm in and out of consciousness."
"You won't have to worry about things like that Sam. Jason and I are taking care of your protection."
"Sonny I don't need you to do that."
"Sam." Sonny says shaking his head. He didn't know what else to say to convince her. Sam had always been so stubborn.
"Sonny." Sam replies, her tone firm.
"If the only thing holding you back from taking the stronger medication is concern for your safety, then take the medication Sam. You don't have to worry about that." Sonny insists. He looks over at Jason, expecting him to jump in, but Jason was staying silent and his expression unreadable.
"I know that Sonny, but you don't have to. I want you to take your guards back." When Sonny just shakes his head Sam sighs. "Sonny I can take care of myself…"
"Enough!" Jason finally shouts, unwilling to listen to anymore.
"Easy Jason." Sonny says raising a hand towards his long time friend and business partner, with his eyes Sonny was trying to yell at Jason that this was not the way to handle Sam right now.
"No Sonny…let Jason talk." Sam says reaching and lowering Sonny's hand. Sam's gaze doesn't leave Jason's. She couldn't wait to hear what he had to say since she was having such a difficult time reading his actions and face.
Taking a deep breath to calm his growing impatience with Sam and her constant defensive attitude Jason lets it out. "If you don't want to take the medication because you don't like the side effect that's fine, but if the reason you're being so stubborn about this is because you have something to prove…than take the damn pills!"
Sam didn't even flinch at Jason's outburst; in fact, if it did anything, it empowered her and fueled her own irritation. "I don't have anything to prove! That's not why I'm doing this Jason. I just don't want them, I like having control of my life, remember?" She asks with a cool look in her eyes and smirks when Jason drops his gaze to the floor. He was remembering the same thing she was…when he made all of her choices for her and both of their lives started to fall apart. "I like calling the shots and that's not possible if I'm taking those pills! I'm not going to allow it to go on any longer…I can't afford it if I'm going to keep myself safe!"
"I'll keep you safe!" Jason shouts, looking back up from the floor to stare at Sam, his blue eyes on fire.
It was Sam's turn to look down, unable to keep his gaze when she knew that it would be so easy to get caught there. "I don't need you to Jason." Sam says, losing some of the fight in her. Looking up from under her lashes Sam sees the hurt that flashes across Jason's face before he turns away. Lifting her head her eyes follow his back while he walks to the window.
Jason wanted to punch a hole into the wall. He wanted to shout until his voice went hoarse. He really wanted something to release the stress and the anger and the pain that he was feeling. Turning back around, his eyes first land on Sonny who had his hands in his pockets and was looking down at his shoes…obviously uncomfortable being caught in the middle of the struggle that Sam and Jason were going through. Jason's eyes then fix in on Sam who was staring at him, her eyes clouded with sleep and confusion, causing Jason to sigh. "You are in no shape to protect yourself right now Sam."
"Right now no, but that's because I'm still under the effects of the stronger medication. Once it wears off I'll be fine." Sam says stubbornly, she couldn't let herself soften to Jason, not even a little bit.
"Would you just let me do this Sam?" When Sam starts to slowly shake her head Jason steps towards her. "Please?" Out of the corner of his eye Jason can see Sonny's head jerk up in surprise and he watched as Sam's eyes grew wide. It wasn't very often that Jason said please.
With that single word all of Sam's defenses were taken down. "Fine!" Sam finally says, not wanting Jason to know how much his plea affected her. "For now." Sam quickly adds she wasn't going to let this go.
Jason releases the breath he had unconsciously been holding and runs a hand over his face, trying to wipe away his frustration. "Thank you." He says quietly. The silence that follows wasn't bordering on uncomfortable and was only broken by the ringing of Sonny's cell phone, who was startled by the loudness of the ring.
"What is it Max?" Sonny asks, having read the caller ID before answering. "Ok. Tell her I'm on my way." Hanging up the phone Sonny shakes his head. "I have to go now."
"Business." Sam says knowingly.
Sonny just nods his head quickly before looking at Jason. "Jason, I need to speak with you for a second." Sonny says heading towards the door.
"Let me just get someone in here to watch Sam and I'll be right behind you."
"Jason!" Sam says on a sigh. "You probably have two guards placed on the floor, one on the elevator, and possibly a few dispersed somewhere in the lobby I'm guessing. I think I'll be fine if I don't have one of them sitting at my bedside." When Jason looks like he's going to argue with her, Sam raises her hand to silence his rebuttal. "Besides… I don't want some stranger standing over my bedside…it's just kind of creepy. I'm willing to compromise on this, but only so far."
Jason didn't like it, but Sam did have a point. And he only was going to be gone a few minutes. "Yea, you have a point." He says, ignoring the smug look that was forming on Sam's face. "When I get back I think we should talk about what you remember. Ok?" He tacks on at the end, wanting Sam to know she does have a choice in the matter. He didn't want to upset her anymore.
Sam was unable to contain her smile, she knew it was unusual for Jason to ask for anything…or at least it used to be. So that he was doing it now with her made Sam feel better. It gave her a sense of control that she had been lacking before. "That sounds fine." Jason smiles in return and she watches as he leaves the room behind Sonny. Waiting for the door to close fully Sam lets out a groan. "McCall you got to watch yourself…it's been two years and you've both moved on. Remember that!"
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It was going on hour number three of sitting at Kelly's and Stephen hadn't made any progress with Maxie. In fact, they just kept going in circles, covering the same ground. He was fairly positive that he had Spinelli on his side. That was clearly obvious within the first five minutes when Spinelli had squealed from excitement when Stephen started talking about his plan…Plan JaSam…as he loved to call it. "Maxie I've already told you why I want Sam and Jason back together!" Stephen says through clenched teeth, he was normally the even tempered one, but that was before Maxie Jones.
"You keep saying because they still love each other, but…really?" Maxie says shaking her head. "How do you even know if that's true?! You just met Jason today! And from what you've told us, Sam never mentioned him by name until four days ago! In what delusional world does that say love to you?"
"Don't you see Maxie…It's everything that Sam didn't say. All those times she would mention this person, who I now know to be Jason, and she would get this wistful look about her. It's in her actions and the silence that you can tell how deeply she still feels." When Maxie remains silent Stephen sighs. "Sam still loves Jason."
Maxie just shakes her head vehemently until Spinelli rests a hand on her shoulder. "Let's say that what you're saying is true…which I'm not saying it is…but let's use it as a for-instance. What about Jason? You just met him. You can't know that he loves Sam too. And if you try and do this…this JaSam plan! And it fails!"
"Jason loves Sam Maxie!" Stephen says indignantly.
"You can't know that!" Maxie says back seething. "You weren't here last time; you didn't see the destruction that was Sam McCall and Jason Morgan." Feeling the burning of tears in her eyes, Maxie stops and takes a deep breath before continuing…this time using a different method to get through to him. "Those two were the most in love people I think I ever saw!" Maxie says her voice rising and opening her eyes to stare into his. "They were so in-sync with each other that half the time they didn't require words! And it failed! It almost killed both of them the last time. I don't like Jason and I blame him for what happened…whatever the hell it is that he did…but I'll be the first to admit that when Sam left him. When their world came crumbling down. Jason was devastated just as much as Sam. How the two of them survived it I will never know. The carnage left behind was enough that Sam ran from everything and everyone she knew because it was too hard to stay…"
"Maxie…" Stephen tries to interrupt, but Maxie had hit her stride and she wasn't finished.
"It has been two years. I don't know what is really going on in either of their lives because Sam is always very vague about her life in Miami and I try to avoid Jason as much as possible out of loyalty and also because I have just a little bit of fear over the life he leads." Maxie looks at Spinelli and isn't surprised to see the shock on his face at her statement. She never let him know that she wasn't exactly comfortable with Jason's work. Looking back at Stephen Maxie sighs. "What I do know is both of them seem to be content now…moved on from all that. And you want to what…? Push them back into that…that pain? Why would you want to do that? When both seem to be…"
"Content? Ok? Is that what you were going to say?" Stephen says tartly. "Is that what you want for them? For Sam…to just be ok? Because I don't…I want more for her. I want her to be happy. And I think Jason…"
"Shut up!" Maxie shouts putting her hands over her ears. "You don't know what you're talking about. So just shut up!"
"Maximista!" Spinelli says quietly, reaching out and grabbing her shoulder to turn her body to face him. "Please…just listen." Spinelli had been mostly silent through their whole conversation. He really didn't know what to do in this situation. He agreed with Stephen and would give anything to see Jason and Sam together…he honestly believed what Stephen was saying. But he could tell that Maxie was really struggling with the idea. And Spinelli could never consciously do something that Maxie was so openly opposed to. When Maxie looks at Spinelli with anxious eyes Spinelli gives her an earnest look.
Maxie didn't want to hear anymore, but Spinelli asked so little of her that she couldn't really say no to him. "Fine…"She says releasing a deep breath.
Stephen waits for Maxie to compose herself and for the rest of the people in Kelly's to go about their business before continuing. "I get that you're struggling with this, but I think if you give my idea half a chance you will see that I'm right. And I must agree with you on one thing... You're right when you say that I wasn't around before, but you seem to forget that I met Sam not too long after she moved to Miami, so I did get a glimpse into the destruction Jason caused. Just like I have sat back as Sam has tried to start a life in Miami…and she's been doing a pretty good job, but there's just one problem. As long as Sam's heart is still here in Port Charles she could live in China and still never fully move on and be happy."
"How do you know that Sam still loves Jason?" Spinelli can't help but ask. "I, myself, have had much deliberation and am very optimistic that this is so, but you seem confident. And I fear maybe perhaps overly confident?"
Sighing Stephen runs a hand through his hair. "Ok I can see that my assurance isn't enough to convince you that this is a good idea. So how bout you two talk to Sam and Jason and see for yourselves?"
Scoffing Maxie shakes her head. "As if that would ever work. Sam and Jason are both notorious for being stubborn and evasive…especially when it comes to talking about each other and their feelings."
"Maximista speaks the truth. Stonecold and Fair Samantha are unforthcoming about anything relating to their persons. Any inquisition on our part would most likely be faced with taciturn non-answers."
"Then you'll just have to get your answers another way." When both Spinelli and Maxie look at him quizzically he laughs. "Just watch the way they act around each other. Both are so busy trying to act disinterested and unaware when the other is in the room that it's blatantly obvious that they both want each other. It's only matter of time before they jump each other's bones."
"Your confidence is truly astounding, but in a situation like this why not just let nature take its course if the Bronzed One is so sure?"
"Because I know Sam and she's going to fight this every step of the way. And if I leave it up to her she'll be on the plane back to Miami before she even realizes that she wants Jason. And Jason will be too reluctant to pressure Sam, because he feels that he's done too much to ever deserve to ask anything of Sam. He'll see it as a favor to Sam to let her go. Of course I'm merely guessing with that, since, as you have pointed out, I just met the mobster this morning."
Maxie just stares at Stephen for a minute, taking in everything that he had said. Finally she nods her head. "I'm not agreeing to help you…yet! Let me talk to Sam first."
"Thank you." Spinelli says smiling and turning to Spinelli, waiting for his answer.
"I'm with Maximista. I too hope you are right, but will withhold support and assistance until the Jackal can be sure of the Bronzed One's confidence."
"That's all I can ask for." Stephen says, feeling even more confident now than he did before.
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Sam was sitting in her bed with her eyes closed. She could feel the medication slowly starting to wear off. Along with her clearer head she could also feel her muscles complaining and a small throb in the back of head, but it was all tolerable if it meant she would be more aware of her surroundings and possibly get released from the hospital sooner. Hearing the sound of the door opening Sam sighs. "Wow. You left me alone a whole five minutes…I'm impressed." The smirk that had been forming on her face freezes, when Sam opens her eyes to see who her visitor actually was. "Oh… Hello Elizabeth."
I just want to say a quick thanks to everyone reading…I hope you all are enjoying the story, because it's been pretty fun writing it! And for everyone reviewing…you guys are AMAZING! Thank you! The story would be long forgotten for lack of inspiration if it wasn't for you guys!
