Ok so I know I posted a one-shot and said this chapter was coming along nicely…but after rereading what I had written I was very unhappy and ended up tossing what I had and starting from scratch on this. So it took me longer than I had planned, but I'm a lot happier with this chapter than my original and hope you aren't all too upset with me! I gotta say that my inspiration has been all over the place and then Sunday when the Vikings won I got completely distracted by that and all the excitement…but I'm back on track! One last note before you read my update…this chapter totally got away from me and from the help of my sister Sara I didn't just throw my hands up in frustration like I was tempted to do. Enough from me and on to the story. I hope you all enjoy and can't wait to hear what you all think! Thanks for reading and reviewing…you ROCK!
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or the characters.
"Knock knock!" Robin says coming into the room her smile freezing on her face when her eyes land on Jason and Sam and she gets a feel of the tension in the room. "Am I interrupting?" She asks frowning. "I…I uh can always come back later."
Jason brought his gaze back to Sam and saw that she was looking at him too. Neither spoke for a moment. And Jason really wanted to tell Robin that yes she should come back later because he wanted some more time with Sam alone, but before he gets the chance Sam finally breaks eye contact and looks back at Robin. "No, it's ok Robin. Come in." Sam says and Jason can hear the uncertainty in her voice and he was sure Robin could too.
"Are you sure?" Robin asks looking first at Sam and then her gaze wandering to Jason's, it didn't go unnoticed to her that both seemed preoccupied. "I really can come back later." She says reaching blindly behind her for the door handle.
If Sam hadn't been so distracted by the intensity of Jason's gaze on her face she might've found Robin's struggle more amusing. Sam finally gives the other woman her full attention in time to see that Robin was almost halfway out the door. "Robin, wait!" Sam calls, causing the doctor to halt in the doorway.
Robin heard Jason's drawn out sigh letting her know that he hadn't been bothered to see her leaving, but was now that Sam had stopped her from making her exit. Turning back to face the two she could see that she at least had Sam's undivided attention and it looked like Jason was going to at least acknowledge her. "I really feel like I'm interrupting…" Robin says shaking her head.
"You came here for a reason Robin. What is it?" Jason asks briskly, and the look of hurt that quickly crosses Robin's face and Jason sighs. "I'm sorry Robin." He says avoiding both the women's stares, knowing that he deserved to be glared at.
"We both are." Sam says with one final reproachful look at Jason.
"No it's fine, I obviously walked in on something." Robin says coming back fully into the room to stand at the foot of Sam's bed. "I was just getting ready to leave the hospital for the evening, but thought that Sam might want to hear the good news I have for her before I left."
"Well if you have good news than don't ever hesitate to come in." Sam says smiling and casting a quick glance at Jason to see that he too looked pleased at the idea of some good news finally coming their way. "So what is it?" She asks looking back at Robin.
"Well it's a medical update actually…so Jason if you could maybe step outside for a moment?" When he just glares at her and starts shaking his head Robin sighs. "Jason, Sam has a right to her privacy and you have to respect…"
"Actually…" Sam hesitantly interrupts sitting up more fully in bed. "Jason can stay." She says and feels like a spotlight had just been turned on her, because both of their gazes turned and zeroed in on Sam. Robin had a look of surprise battling with happiness on her face. And Jason…well the only description that really seemed to fit was relief and wonder. With the tilt of his head and a cock of his right eyebrow Sam knows its Jason's way of asking if she was sure it was ok that he stayed and she slowly nods her head. "You said you weren't going anywhere, remember?" She says quietly and watches as his eyes fill with warmth and he reaches out to lightly squeeze her hand. Uncomfortable with all the attention being on her Sam forces her gaze back to Robin. "So what's the good news?"
"Well barring any complications through the night I will be releasing you from the hospital tomorrow morning." The gasp of pleasure from Sam was exactly what Robin had expected, what she hadn't expected was Jason's reaction. First his eyes go wide and he shoots a quick glance back at Sam before turning back to stare at Robin with a troubled look, shaking his head.
"That's great news!" Sam says clasping her hands together. "Jason isn't that great news?" Sam asks and when he doesn't agree right away Sam finally notices the tense set of his shoulders. "Jason?"
"Isn't it a little soon to be releasing her?" He asks, not answering Sam's question. His attention was on Robin, but he didn't miss Sam's intake of breath and he was sure if he turned around he would see fire in her eyes, but he didn't let that deter him. "I mean it just seems a bit premature to release her. After all she is…"
"Jason!" Sam says clenching her hands into fists. "Maybe it would be better if you did wait outside." She says when he turns to look at her. Sam didn't really mean it and she could tell from the look in Jason's eyes that he knew she didn't.
"I'm sorry Sam, but this just seems a bit fast."
"Jason I'm fine!" Sam says exasperated.
"You are not fine!" Jason challenges back, knowing it would be better to just drop it, but he couldn't. He knew how much Sam hated hospitals, but right now he kind of liked the idea of her being stuck in one. If he were to be completely honest he would have to admit that he feared once Sam was released from the hospital she would hop straight on a plane back to Miami before he had a chance to blink. "Sam you're suffering from multiple bullet wounds, massive head trauma, and let's not forget the attack on your life."
"All of which I'm recovering from and if Robin thinks that I'm ready to be released than who are we to argue?"
Jason could see that he wasn't going to get Sam to see his side of this, not that he could blame her. Nobody had ever been able to convince him to stay in the hospital any longer than he deemed necessary. Turning back to Robin he tries another tactic. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes Jason." Robin says forcefully. "If I didn't think Sam was ready I wouldn't be releasing her."
"And what about Patrick? Does he agree that Sam is ready to be released?"
"Jason!" Sam says, but he doesn't even acknowledge her outburst.
"She is suffering from severe headaches that consist of a stabbing pain in her forehead whenever something triggers a memory. Surely he wants to keep her here for observation."
Looking over his shoulder at the daggers Sam was staring into the back of Jason's head Robin turned her gaze back on her friend and it was like a switch had been flipped and she finally understood why he was acting this way. Jason wanted to keep Sam in Port Charles and if she was released from the hospital there was little chance of that happening. Well Jason could rest easy, just because Sam was released doesn't mean she was going anywhere. "Well I appreciate your vote of confidence in my medical opinion Jason."
Jason's eyes widen, he hadn't meant to make it sound like he didn't trust Robin's opinin. "Robin I didn't mean it like tha…"
"Save it." Robin says with a small smile and raising her hand to silence him. "I get that you're concerned for Sam and for that I'll forgive you. As for Patrick's opinion…Patrick did originally plan to come up and visit Sam with me so we could give the good news together, but he got pulled into an emergency surgery so he'll be by later. I'm sure he's going to have much to say to you and I'll let him. But trust me when I say that he and I both have discussed this and have gone over all the possibilities and are comfortable that there will minimal risk to Sam's recovery upon her being released tomorrow." Robins smile grew when Sam squealed in delight. "That is if you follow the conditions set in place." She was reluctant to bring them up at the moment since Sam was so happy.
Sam's smile faltered for all of two seconds, but then it was back in full force. "That's not a problem."
Jason couldn't help but smirk at the excitement in Sam's voice, but he had heard Robin's hesitant tone and figured that Sam probably wasn't going to like some of the conditions Robin had come up with. "What sort of conditions?" Jason asks curious.
"Yea… Lay them on me. What are we talking about here? Taking things slow, no undercover work for awhile…give me your worst." Sam says when Robin doesn't answer right away.
Smiling Robin shakes her head, Sam had no idea what Robins worst was obviously. "Well you're right when I want you to take things slow and that your undercover work will definitely be put on hold for the time being, but that's not all."
Sam didn't like the sound of that. "What more could there be?" Sam asks with a quick glance at Jason, but he wasn't looking at her.
"Sam Jason had a point when he said that your body suffered a lot of trauma and under normal circumstances I would want to keep the patient in the hospital for longer observation, but this isn't normal. I know you probably feel trapped in here and that will most likely lead you to push your recovery. My hope is that if I release you that little extra freedom will keep you from doing something drastic. And to be sure that you don't push yourself faster than you should I want someone to be staying with you throughout your recovery and…"
"That's not a problem." Sam says releasing a relieved sigh, that wasn't so bad considering... "Stephen and I share an apartment back in Miami and I'm sure he'll love the opportunity to boss me around."
"Sam." Robin says shaking her head. "I'm going to want you to stay in Port Charles so I will be able to keep track of your recovery. You won't be able to go back to Miami for the foreseeable future." She watched as Sam's face takes on a look of horror and Jason's eyes go wide with a look of pleasure, their contradictory reactions almost cause Robin to laugh, but she holds it in.
Jason didn't know if he had heard Robin correct. Sam had to stay in Port Charles indefinitely? It's what he had been hoping for, but never actually thought it would happen. Looking over at Sam he could see that she didn't have the same sentiment as him at the moment. She looked ready for a fight, one that he was glad he wasn't on the other end of finally.
All the plans and happy thoughts Sam had been forming freeze at Robins words and she feels her heart constrict in her chest…she had to stay in Port Charles indefinitely? "You're joking right?" Sam asks and can tell from the serious look Robin gives it wasn't. "Robin. Please be serious here." Sam says almost frantic.
"I am being serious Sam."
"Why?" Sam asks and winces when it comes out a lot whiner than she would've liked.
If Robin wasn't mistaken she had just heard a whine come from Sam and she was surprised since she had never expected that response. Yelling…definitely. A little arguing…sure. But never would she imagine Sam McCall was even capable of a whine. "Because I'm your doctor and your recovery is very important to me." Finally casting a look at Jason, Robin could see that he was battling between amusement and relief. Over what Robin wasn't sure, but she was happy to see that he didn't look so daunted anymore.
"But…but…but there are plenty of doctors in Miami! I'm sure a number of them are more than qualified to oversee my recovery." Sam says grasping at straws, but she knew that Robin wasn't going to bite.
"I'm sorry Sam, but the only way I'm going to release you tomorrow is if you have someone staying with you and that you stay put here in Port Charles where I can keep an eye on you."
Grumbling Sam crosses her arms over her chest. "Maybe Patrick will be more…."
"I can assure you that Patrick feels the same way that I do about this Sam."
"Well this is just ridiculous!" Sam says throwing her arms in the air and turning to look at Jason. "Can you believe this?" When Jason just shrugs his shoulders Sam groans. "You're happy about this aren't you!"
Jason had been enjoying the argument between Sam and Robin. It had reminded him so much of old times when Sam was always ready to take the world on, especially if she was in one of her moods. If in the mood to fight Sam would go out of her way to find something to argue with him about…whether it was about something actually important or something as silly as the weather. She had a fire in her that Jason hadn't seen since she had been back and he didn't realize how much he missed it. But now that Sam's heated gaze was on him he was unsure of what he should say. "Am I happy that this clearly upsets you? No." Jason says hoping that would get Sam off his case and her angry gaze would go back to Robin…but she wasn't appeased and waited for him to say more. "Am I happy that Robin is obviously being sure that you are unable to screw up your recovery once you're away from her supervision? Yes, that makes me happy." When Sam looks ready to argue Jason sighs. "We both know you would test your limits at the first opportunity."
Sam was speechless for a moment, but then she realized she shouldn't be all that surprised. Jason hadn't even wanted her released from the hospital. "You put her up to this, didn't you!" Sam says accusingly…the thought just popping into her head.
"No I didn't, but it doesn't mean that I don't agree with her decision." Jason was very pleased with the conditions Robin had set in place. Sam was released from the hospital which would make it easier to protect her. And now that Robin made it impossible for Sam to bolt right away Jason didn't fear she would disappear again. The added fact that Sam would have to have someone staying with her to make sure she didn't overdo it was a bonus, because he planned to be that person.
Sam just glares at him skeptically before turning back to Robin. "Is that all?"
"That's all I have for you, but I'm sure Patrick has a few requests of his own."
"Requests?" Sam scoffs crossing her arms over her chest. "Doesn't a request mean I have some choice in the matter? These sound more like demands to me and I don't ap…"
"Sam I know you're unhappy with this, but it's the only way I can reasonably see you being released so soon. I know how much you hate hospitals."
When it looked like Sam was going to argue more and that Robin was gearing up to argue back Jason holds up both his hands to silence them. "You two are just going to keep going in circles if you keep this up." He turns to Robin. "What you're saying is that if Sam wants to get released from this hospital tomorrow morning that she'll have to promise to stay in town so you're able to check up on her recovery and that she has to have someone around to keep her from overdoing it. Am I right?" When Robin nods her head Jason then looks over at Sam. "So that means you're going to have to agree to Robin's conditions or you're not going anywhere. Sounds to me like you have a choice to make."
"Yea I get to pick my prison." Sam says releasing a long breath. "Trapped here in General Hospital or stuck walking the streets of Port Charles."
"I think the choice is pretty clear." Jason says shrugging his shoulders. "Do you really want to stay in the hospital?"
Sam just looks at Jason for a moment before closing her eyes and shaking her head. She really didn't like the idea of staying in town for too long, but she liked it even less that Elizabeth worked in the hospital and their paths would more likely pass if Sam stayed. Opening her eyes Sam first shares an understanding look with Jason, both knew that she would never stay in the hospital when there was the option of being released. She then brings her gaze over to stare at Robin who was quietly waiting for Sam's answer. "Alright, you win." Sam says with a heavy sigh. "I will follow all of your conditions." She adds grudgingly.
"Glad to hear it" Robin says smirking and reaching for Sam's chart to make a note of her release in the morning. "So I'm assuming that you'll be staying with Alexis and the girls while you're here in Port Charles rii…"
"NO!" Jason and Sam say at the same time, both sharing an understanding look, missing the confused one that Robin gives them.
"Ok…than where will you be staying Sam?"
Jason doesn't even think before answering, because to him the answer was obvious. "She's moving into the penthouse." He was surprised when Sam lets out a choked laugh.
"No!" Sam says shaking her head. "No way in hell." She saw the exasperated look that Jason gave her and she just kept shaking her head. "That is NOT happening." She says with more finality in her voice and crossing her arms over her chest.
------
With a tired sigh Jason walks into Sonny's living room to find his long time friend sitting behind his desk staring at the phone. "I was just thinking about calling you…" Sonny says his eyes following Jason to the wet bar. He had heard Jason's sigh and the tense set in Jason's shoulders. "But I thought you might have your hands full with Sam. Looks like I might be right."
"She is just unbelievable!" Jason says squeezing his hands into fists before picking up a water bottle and twisting the lid off forcefully and taking a drink.
"Sam still giving you a hard time?" Sonny asks standing up and coming to stand on the other side of the desk.
"I can't follow her….I just can't keep up." Jason says aloud, not really hearing Sonny he twists the cap back on the bottle and starts rolling it between his hands.
"I thought things between the two of you were getting better. At least it felt that way when I was leaving."
Shaking his Jason squeezes the bottle. "She is all over the place Sonny."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Sonny asks shrugging his shoulders. He had never seen Jason so on edge like this and he was unsure of how to proceed.
"She's just…" Jason says continuing to shake his head and turning from the wet bar. "She's just…" At a loss for words and with all the anger and frustration and weariness piling up on him Jason just snaps. Turning back around Jason raises his arm and throws the water bottle. He gets mild satisfaction from watching it hit the wall and the cap snaps off causing to water go everywhere. With a tired sigh Jason walks to the couch and sits down and covers his face with both of his hands.
Sonny stands frozen for a moment, his gaze jumping from Jason sitting on the couch to the water splatter on the wall and the busted bottle lying on the ground. At a loss for words Sonny runs a hand through his hair and before sighing. "All better now?"
Jason looks up from his hands at his friend and he just lets out a humorless chuckle before shaking his head. "No…not really." Standing up he looks over at his shoulder at the mess he made. "I'm sorry about that." He says looking back at Sonny.
"Hey, don't worry about it." Sonny says waving a hand. "If it made you feel even a little bit better it was worth it."
Cracking his knuckles a small smile crosses Jason's face. "It kind of did."
Laughing Sonny walks over to the bar to grab himself a drink. Turning back to Jason he holds out another bottle. "Can I trust you with this?"
Rolling his eyes Jason takes the bottle from Sonny. "So you said you were going to call me. What's going on?" He asks going to look out the patio doors.
"Don't worry about that right now." Sonny say going back to lean against his desk. "You obviously have a lot on your mind…"
"What…? No Sonny. It's fine." Jason says turning to look at Sonny. "Honestly right now I could use something to distract me before I do something I might regret." Like go back to that hospital and bark more orders at Sam, because that had been working so well for him before.
Sonny still wasn't sure, but if Jason was at the point of throwing water bottles Sonny didn't feel like pushing him any further. "It's about Claudia." Sonny says with a sigh and looking to be sure that they were alone in the living room.
"Has Bernie found something already?" Jason asks surprised. He had Spinelli look into Claudia numerous times and he always came back with nothing to show for it. For Bernie to find something so quickly made Jason question if Spinelli had been hiding more from Jason than the whereabouts of Sam.
"What…? No." Sonny says shaking his head. "Bernie has just started looking."
"Then what?" Jason asks, with a feeling of relief. Spinelli hadn't been lying to him then. Jason felt bad for doubting his friend, but if Spinelli had been able to keep his knowledge of Sam a secret for two years what else was he willing to do. Spinelli, for some reason, had formed a strange friendship with the conniving woman. Would Spinelli be willing to lie for Claudia?
"She's been asking questions Jason." Sonny says coming to stand closer to him so they wouldn't be overheard.
"What type of questions?"
"Questions about what happened in Mexico and about Sam… A lot of questions about Sam and how she got hurt."
"Why would she ask about Sam?" Jason asks, his instincts telling him that this wasn't good. "She's never even met her."
"I don't really know. She wanted to know why I had pulled guards from the house and placed them on Sam."
"And what did you tell her?"
"That Jerry Jax is after Sam." Sonny says and watches as Jason looks ready to yell. "What else could I tell her Jason?"
"How about nothing!" Jason says setting the bottle down before he made more of a mess. "Sonny whatever Claudia is hiding Jerry Jax knows about it…she almost blew both of us up trying to get rid of him. You telling her he's coming around again is just going to create more trouble for all of us right now."
"Claudia would've just gotten her answers somewhere else if I hadn't said anything." Sonny says rubbing his temples. "At least this way I control what she knows."
"What did she say when you mentioned Jerry?"
"She looked stricken at the mention of the man's name, but I can't be sure."
"Anything else?"
"She was curious about why Jerry would be after Sam. I told her we weren't sure since Sam can't remember anything from Mexico." Sonny had more to say, but wasn't sure if Jason should hear it. "She stopped with the questions after that, but…"
"But what?" Jason asks, his teeth clenching.
"She mentioned that she should maybe go and visit Sam…something about thanking her for bringing the kids back safely."
Shaking his head Jason starts pacing. "I don't want that woman anywhere near Sam Sonny. I don't care if Bernie hasn't found anything on her I know she's hiding something."
"I know Jason" Sonny says in a placating manner. "I don't know what it was, but the way Claudia was acting…She's hiding something."
"Keep her away from Sam." Jason says stopping his pacing to stare at Sonny.
"I'll be sure to tell the men that unless Claudia has an appointment she has no reason to be at the hospital and if she does have an appointment there's no reason for her to be on Sam's floor."
Sonny mentioning Sam and the hospital brought back the memories of Jason's last argument with Sam and his lets out a long breath. "That won't be necessary after tomorrow morning."
"What are you talking about?"
"Sam is being released from the hospital tomorrow morning." Jason says sitting back down on the couch and grabbing the water bottle.
"So soon? Is that safe for Sam to be leaving the hospital? What about her recovery?"
"Well Robin said, and I would have to agree with her, that if Sam were to stay in the hospital she would just push herself and probably slow her recovery process down. Where if she's given a little freedom Sam might take things slow."
"Sounds like it might work." Sonny says, but he really doubted it. Sam was going to push her recovery no matter where she was. "So Sam's being released…does that mean she's going back to Miami?"
"No. Robin and Patrick will only release her under the condition that she stays in Port Charles where they are able to oversee her therapy. Plus Patrick isn't comfortable with Sam going anywhere while Sam keeps getting those headaches. He wants her close by to keep an eye on her." Jason says remembering the tense conversation that had taken place when Dr. Drake had shown up. The hostility in the room was enough that Patrick had stayed long enough to repeat Robin's conditions and then thankfully order one final dose of pain meds for Sam. The couple had left soon after that leaving Jason and Sam to argue until Epiphany came in and ordered Jason to leave since he was upsetting the patient. By that point Jason didn't have to be told twice to leave since if he was at a loss for ideas to convince Sam she wasn't safe anywhere else but with him at the penthouse. Jason had needed some space from Sam and the hospital, but he had every intention of going back tonight. He didn't trust anyone with Sam's safety for more than an hour, two at the most.
"Neither trust Sam to take things slow?" Sonny asks a smile spreading on his face, his dimples flashing.
"Would you?" Jason asks with a tired sigh and rubbing his eyes.
"Not a chance." Sonny says shaking his head. "So Sam is moving into Alexis' for the time being?"
"Too dangerous for Alexis and the girls for Sam to be there with Jerry after her, besides I can't protect her as well way out there."
"We wouldn't want to risk it." Sonny agrees nodding his head and thinking for a moment. "Well isn't it obvious! Sam should move into the penthouse. You will be with her at all times so Jerry can't get close enough to attack her personally and you have enough guards and security in place that he wouldn't be able to get near the building to try something." Sonny said it like it was the easiest solution and a no brainer.
"You would think it would be that easy, but it's not."
"What do you mean it's not?" Sonny asks and Jason just looks at him. "If this has something to do with the constant arguing between the two of you that's just ridiculous, you two are just going to have to set it aside for the time being Jason…"
"It's not that." Jason says speaking over Sonny. "I told Sam she should move into the penthouse. She said she no."
"What do you mean no?" Sonny asks, acting like he had never even heard the word before. "There is no other option."
"She won't Sonny and there's nothing I can do to convince her, believe me I tried."
"I don't understand." Sonny says shaking his head in bewilderment. "It's the safest option for her. Why wouldn't Sam move into the penthouse?"
"Well I would think that was obvious Sonny." Carly says standing in the door way of the living room holding a suitcase in each hand. "Sam isn't going to play to Jason's every whim and follow demands like the good little girl you both were used to." Dropping her suitcases at her feet she crosses her arms over her chest, she was in a spirited mood and the look of surprise and confusion on both of their faces, just made it worse. "Sam is all grown up now and you boys are going to have to learn to play with the big girls."
Jason and Sonny both stand up from the couch and stare at Carly speechless. Sonny is the first to break out of the stupor. "Carly what…what are you doing here?" Sonny asks walking towards her. "And what's with the suitcases?" Looking over his shoulder Sonny sees that Jason no longer looks surprised to see Carly, but he is now staring at her with apprehension, when Carly got into these moods things never turned out good.
"Well isn't it obvious?" Carly asks smirking and looking at the two men she knew she could always count on. "If I can't trust my lying, two-faced husband to tell me the truth than I have a serious problem…so for the time being I'm going to be staying here with you and the boys Sonny."
"What… wh … How long?" Sonny finally asks.
"Until Jax can figure out where his loyalty lies and if he happens to make the wrong choice…than who knows." Carly says with a bright smile and shrugging her shoulders. "Don't act like you aren't happy to see me." She says walking into the room, patting both Sonny and Jason on the shoulder before walking and grabbing herself the brandy…she really could use a drink. "But enough about me…Jason it sounds like you have yourself a bit of a problem. And I am just the woman to help you."
------
Walking into the dark penthouse Spinelli flips on the light switch and walks quietly inside looking for any sign of Jason being home. "It appears the coast is clear Maximista." Spinelli says turning and watching as the blonde comes in a closes the door behind her. "Although the Jackal is still perplexed as to why Maximista and the Bronzed One are so opposed to speaking in Stonecold's presence."
"We've been over this Spinelli."Maxie sighs setting her purse down on the coffee table. "We don't want Jason to overhear us."
"But we are doing nothing that Stonecold would not want to hear. We are simply trying to right the wrongs and mend the hearts of those near and dear to us. Surely Stonecold would appreciate the assistance of the three of us and our mission to mend the broken road so that he and Fair Samantha can find a way back to each other."
"He might." Maxie says nodding her head and crossing her arms over her chest. "But knowing Jason he's not going to appreciate us meddling into his and Sam's lives…neither will Sam for that matter so don't say anything to her either!" Maxie quickly says, it had taken a lot of convincing to get Spinelli to agree that telling Jason what they were up to was a bad idea…the last thing any of them needed was for him to go running off to Sam and telling her. "Even though they both should be grateful that we are taking the time and the energy to do this very generous thing for them."
"But I thought Maximista said that the Fair Samantha wanted Stonecold in her life. If this is to be true she would be applauding our efforts…right?"
Maxie didn't know how to explain it to Spinelli when she didn't fully understand it herself, but she just knew that Sam and Jason wouldn't be happy to hear what their friends were trying to do. "Spinelli when two people like Jason and Sam get burned as badly as they did by each other, it's very hard to forgive and even harder to forget. And instead of dealing with everything Sam ran and neither one had to face the other for two years."
"But now the Goddess is back and Stonecold hasn't left her side for any reason that wasn't deemed crucial… surely that accounts for something."
"To an outside party who can see how much pain those two are obviously in…yes, but Jason and Sam are both too close to the situation to see what's staring them in the face."
"Which is?"
"That they obviously are still in love with each other!"
Spinelli's whole face just lights up at the thought. "Then why does Maximista doubt the star-crossed lover's acceptance and gratitude of all that we're doing to ensure their happiness and reunion?"
He wasn't getting it Maxie silently moans before pasting a big smile on her face. "They just need a nudge in the right direction is all Spinelli and we both know how much Jason and Sam don't like being told what to do…and the HATE when they're manipulated. So it's just better for everyone involved if we keep our efforts secret from them." When Spinelli doesn't look completely convinced Maxie sighs. "Just for the time being Spinelli, it's not forever."
Spinelli still didn't look pleased. "I'm hearing what my Maximista is saying. That it is imperative that our efforts are kept quiet, but the Jackal can't help but hesitate at the thought of withholding yet another secret from Stonecold. One cannot easily forget the look of betrayal on my mentors face when he had discovered that the Jackal had not only known of Fair Samantha's whereabouts, but that I had been in regular contact with the Goddess. I fear that by entering into another secret behind Stonecold's back that I might forever lose that trust and friendship. Not to mention the terrible possibilities that could arise if Stonecold and the Goddess find out that Maximista, the Bronzed One, and myself have plotted behind their backs."
With a sympathetic smile Maxie walks over and gives him a quick peck on the lips and grabs one of his hands. "I know you don't like keeping things from Jason, but this is one time where it really is for the best. And your heart is in the right place Spinelli. Jason and Sam are going to know that."
"That is true." Spinelli says. "All the Jackal really wants to see is Stonecold and the Fair Samantha happy like they once were." Following Maxie to the couch they both sit down, still holding hands.
"And that's where we come in Spinelli. We're just going to nudge them along, because if we don't than those two will never get their act together and our children will probably be getting married before Sam and Jason."
"Speaking of matrimony…has the Maximista factored in our upcoming nuptials into all of your planning?"
"Of course Spinelli." Maxie says waving off his concern. "The wedding is a little over a week away. By then Stephen and I hope to have Sam and Jason not only on speaking terms with each other, but also able to hold a conversation about more than business and the weather. I know Jason isn't much with conversing, but it always seemed that Sam was able to pull the words out of him."
"So what does Maximista propose we do?" Spinelli had spent much of the time with Stephen and Maxie as they discussed what they were going to do about Jason and Sam, but he spent much of it on his computer so he had missed a lot of what they had said.
"Well Stephen and I both agree that Jason and Sam are inevitable. None of us were around when they fell in love but we all have heard the stories and watched the carnage that followed their break up. Not to mention the tension that radiates between the two of them now. That kind of energy screams passion that won't be denied for long." When Spinelli still looks confused Maxie sighs. He was so smart with computers, but so dense with people. "Stephen and I hope that it will help if we keep pushing the two of them to spend time together, but it has to be alone time…something that they never seem to have. Meaning we have to run interference when Alexis, Sonny, Carly, and everyone else comes around. For Sam and Jason to work through their problems they can't get interrupted every five seconds."
"But…surely it will take more than that. Stonecold and Fair Samantha are undoubtedly the most stubborn individuals on the planet."
"That is very true…which is why Stephen and I are working for a plan B."
"Which would be…?"
"We don't know yet." Maxie says glumly. "Which is why we really have to hope Plan A doesn't fall through." Worrying her bottom lip Maxie frowns.
"I'm sure that Maximista will think of something, but the Jackal has one request."
"What is it Spinelli?"
"The day of our nuptials will not be fraught with matchmaking and trickery, but be a joyous occasion that all will enjoy."
"As long as you promise that our wedding won't turn out like so many other Port Charles wedding where guns are drawn and police reinforcement is required." Maxie says smiling.
"Promise." Spinelli says smiling in return.
Like I said in the start of this chapter…I was tempted to throw my laptop a few times, but my sister and common sense stopped me. The next chapter should be interesting since I haven't really ever written Carly before and I'm looking forward to that and I hope you all are too!
I just want to say thanks again to the readers and a special thanks to the reviewers…you're the best!