Ok so I suck. It's been forever and ever since I've updated this story and you guys all deserve better from me. I don't even have a real defense of having written a oneshot since I haven't done that either. I just honestly struggled a lot with this chapter. It's the complete opposite of what I had originally planned to have happen. I still worry that it's missing something, but if I keep obsessing I will never update and I don't want that to happen either. So here's the latest of Gone For Good, it's one of my longer posts. I hope you all enjoy it. I really can't wait to hear what you have to say since all the characters this time stepped out of the box I put them in and it concerns me they are now acting out of character.
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or the characters.
Jason stopped his pacing long enough to stare into the window of Sam's hospital room to see Patrick and Robin's back. They were standing in the way of his view of Sam so he wasn't sure if what they were saying was good news or bad. "What is taking so long?" He asks aloud, but receives no response from anyone. Looking over his shoulder he sees Sonny standing across the hall next to Stephen and Spinelli, the three of them kept looking back and forth between him and Maxie. And it was all because Maxie was standing next to Jason, nudging him in the side. "Maxie what are you doing!" Jason finally asks turning to look at her like she had lost her mind.
"I'm trying to get a peek into Sam's room to see what Robin and Patrick are saying." Maxie says her tone implying that Jason must be dense not to know that. "If you would please just get out of my way... then… maybe I could…see!" Maxie struggles to get the words out as she tries pushing Jason out of the way.
"You can't see anything except their backs, Maxie." Jason sighs, but still steps away from the door so she can look in. "I told you." He says lifting a hand in the direction of the door after Maxie turns with her shoulders slumped.
"Well obviously they're releasing her, why else would they spend so much time in there if they weren't." Stephen says, his gaze lingering on everyone before resting back on the hospital door. "You're all just over-reacting."
"The Bronzed One makes a valid point." Spinelli agrees nodding his head.
"We really gotta talk about this name thing Spin." Stephen responds while chuckling and shaking his head.
"It's Spinelli." Jason says his tone leaving little room for argument.
"Really Stonecold, the Jackal doesn't mind a nickname of his own."
"I didn't mean anything by it. Honest." Stephen says apologetic.
"No worries…the Jackal takes no offense."
Sonny stares at Spinelli and Stephen and silently wonders where Jason and Sam found the patience to deal with them day in and day out, it had only been a half hour and he already felt a headache coming on. "How about we discuss what we're going to do once Sam is released from the hospital." Sonny says, his gaze landing on Jason who had turned back to stare at the door.
"Here's what we're going to do." Jason says turning he stares at Spinelli first. "You are going to be working to find whatever you can on Jerry Jax. I want to know where he is and what he's planning and I want to know the second….the second!" Jason snaps squeezing his hands into fists and taking a breath to get his anger in check. "I want to know the second he steps foot in Port Charles…"
"Does Stonecold really believe the Demented One would return knowing you're to be expecting him?" Spinelli says hesitantly with a doubtful smile.
"Jerry isn't going to want to, but he's going to have no choice. If he wants the job to be done he knows he'll have to do it himself in the end." Jason's voice matching the cold glint in his eyes.
"You sound pretty confident." Stephen says, resisting the urge to flinch when Jason's gaze lands on him.
"I'm counting on it." Jason responds. "Jerry Jax is going to pay for everything he has done. I'll see to it." When Stephen just nods his head once and diverts his eyes Jason turns his gaze to Sonny. "I want at least a few men to be ready to get to work depending on whatever Spinelli finds. Jerry is going to be working fast. I want to be a step ahead of him from now on."
"You already know that won't be a problem." Jason just nods his head at Sonny's acceptance and turns back to stare at Sam's hospital door.
"You forgot me." Maxie chimes in, waving her hand high in the air, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"What about you?" Jason asks confused.
"Ah…obviously my job in this whole thing is to stay by Sam, right? I mean Spinelli told me Sam's going to need someone with her to help out and be sure she doesn't over do…"
"I'm going to be there Maxie." Jason shakes his head and cuts her off. "You don't have to worry about that, I'll have it covered."
"I don't think so." Maxie rests her hands on her hips and glares at Jason. "Sam is going to need someone a lot more nurturing to be by her side Jason. I'm not sure you even understand the meaning of the word."
"Maxie this isn't my first time dealing with a recovery from gunshot wounds…" Jason starts to say, but it's Maxie's turn to interrupt him.
"Oh I'm well aware of your history in this type of situation Jason. I'm sure you could write books full of your knowledge! And your expertise isn't being questioned right now, but that's not what Sam needs… she needs a friend."
"I am her friend Maxie." Jason grounds out through clenched teeth.
"Friend!" Maxie scoffs.
"There is no point in doing this I'm staying with Sam Maxie. So drop it."
"Jason Morgan if you think that I'm just going to leave Sam in your care, you are seriously mistaken!" Maxie shouts pointing a finger in his face.
"Maxie I'm through arguing with you." Jason says squeezing the bridge of his nose.
"Well that's just too bad, because I'm not." Maxie crosses her arms over her chest and prepares to continue arguing when Spinelli grabs her arm and turns her to face him and Stephen. "Spinelli…!"
"Maximista please." Spinelli hurriedly cuts her off. "Perhaps it's not wise to provoke Stonecold right now." Spinelli says in hushed tones, knowing that Jason was within hearing distance.
"No kidding the guy looks ready to snap your neck." When Maxie just rolls her eyes in response Stephen shrugs. "I'm just saying…pissing off a known mob enforcer doesn't seem like the smartest idea…" Stephen noticed Jason's eyes narrow at his words and he just smiles in response.
"Oh please." Maxie waves a hand while looking over her shoulder to see that Jason was glaring at her. "Jason wouldn't harm me no matter how much I irritate him. Not only because Mac is the commissioner and he would make it his mission in life to punish Jason for it, but also because of Spinelli. Jason would never lift a finger against me out of respect for Spinelli." As an afterthought Maxie smirks. "Not to mention Sam, any chance of gaining her forgiveness would be lost if Jason touched me. Her FRIEND!" Maxie emphasizes the last word for Jason's benefit.
"Do you really want to test that theory right now Maxie?" Sonny asks sighing and rubbing his forehead. When the blonde just shrugged her shoulders in response Sonny turns his attention to Jason. "Look Jason why don't you get out of here for awhile. I'm sure Sam's being released soon and with all the commotion the less people around the better. Jerry isn't going to be able to get to her right now."
"Jerry has a better chance of succeeding with everyone so preoccupied." Jason disagrees and shaking his head.
"Look, I'll stay here and watch over Sam while the paperwork gets finished." Looking back at Maxie who was silently staring at him and Jason Sonny represses the urge to glare at her, knowing it wouldn't help matters. "You don't need to deal with Maxie right now Jason, so let me."
"No." Jason says simply before looking over at Maxie. "I'm not going anywhere." He says loud enough that she's sure to hear it.
"Well neither am I." Maxie says just as loud, giving Jason her most confident look.
Jason and Sonny looked ready to reply when Sam's door opens and both Robin and Patrick exit. "Sam has dozed off and I would hope you all could stay out here and let her sleep for as long as she can. Rest is important right now for her." Patrick says before anyone can ask. "I'm going now to get everything in order for her to be discharged." With a final squeeze of Robins arm Patrick silently wishes her luck in dealing with them before leaving her.
"What does this mean? Sam's going to be released?" Sonny asks stepping towards Robin. "Where is Sam going to be staying?"
Those weren't the first questions to come to Jason's mind at Patrick's announcement. He had been more concerned with if she was truly ok, did her headaches mean something more was wrong, was there any complications from Jerry's last attack. But Sonny's questions were just as important. Earlier, before Sam could say where she was going to be staying Patrick had come in and asked everyone to leave so Sam could have some privacy. So Jason had spent the last half hour waiting to find out what Sam's decision was. "Robin?"
"Sam has decided to accept your offer Sonny to stay in the old penthouse." Robin says with a smile. "That works just fine with me, but I'm concerned about who will be staying there with her. Sam's going to have to have help in the following weeks, not to mention someone there to stop her from doing more harm than good during her recovery."
"Oh that will be me Robin." Maxie says sweetly stepping forward before Jason can even open his mouth.
"No, I will be staying with Sam." Jason says shaking his head at Maxie.
"Come on Jason." Maxie turns to roll her eyes at him. "Sam hesitated about even taking Sonny up on his offer because of the close proximity it has to you…do you honestly think she'll be ok with the idea of you being underfoot all the time? Because I think she might have something to say about that."
"She has a point." Sonny mutters eyeing Maxie, wondering how Jason put up with her on a daily basis, she would try the patience of a saint.
Jason just stared at Maxie and saw the glint in her eyes. She knew she had won, she also knew that he knew too. "Fine, whatever." Jason says pushing a hand through his hair. "Is there anything else? Patrick said he had to go get everything in order for Sam to be discharged."
"He just meant getting all the paperwork and everything together. It's going to be another hour or so until Sam's released. I'm going to want to talk with you Maxie about her restrictions…" Robin's pager goes off causing her words to fade off when she pulls it from her pocket. "Ok."She says looking back up at the group surrounding her. "I have to go make one quick check on one of my patients, but I'll be back. You all might want to go take care of any preparations necessary before Sam's discharged, whatever they might be. I'll be back to talk with you Maxie and to help Sam get through all the paperwork." With a final wave and a smile Robin is down the hall.
"See, everything is fine. You need to stop overreacting all the time. All of you would be in much better moods if you just relaxed." Stephen shrugs and smiles wide. He didn't understand why there was all this tension. Sam being released was good news, but was her staying in the hospital really that bad?
"You don't understand." Maxie says flatly crossing her arms around her waist. "What appears to be is never what it seems, if these hospital walls could talk you would be shocked."
"It's a hospital, bad things happen in hospitals sometimes."
"General Hospital has more than its fair share." Maxie grumbles. "Look Stephen, just drop it."
"Maximista is right." Spinelli steps forward putting an arm around her shoulders. "Let's all just be grateful that Fair Samantha is being released."
Stephen felt that there was still a lot he was missing and wished Sam hadn't kept her past so secret. "What's the deal about this hospital…?"
"Listen you little surfer punk." Sonny says grabbing Stephen by the arm and turning him. "You're Sam's friend and she wants you here, but right now you're getting on my last nerve. So how bout you make yourself scarce before I forget myself and have you removed."
"Woah!" Stephen says wrenching his arm from Sonny's grasp. "What's the big deal? I just want to know why everyone seems so on edge about Sam in this hospital."
"If you haven't noticed no one wants to talk about it."
"Look Mr. Sir, or whatever it is that Spinelli calls you. I'm not trying to start anything here. I just want some answers."
"Well good for you!" Jason finally steps forward stopping the bickering before it got too out of hand. "You want answers, well so do I!' Slashing a hand through the air Jason's gaze is divided between Maxie and Spinelli. "I would like to know why you thought it was necessary to lie to me… to keep something so important from me." With a brief look down the hall to be sure they were still alone he turns back to stare at the four of them. "I want to know what she's been up to since she left town. Obviously she was safe, but was she happy? She's back now and I want fix things with her. I want to know what it's going to take for her to forgive me."
"Jason…" Maxie says a little surprised at the outburst, something that was rare for Jason.
"You don't think I know I screwed up? Because I do! So what's it going to take?" Jason's gaze narrows in on Stephen. "Can you tell me that?" Stephen just shakes his head silently, all of them were silent now. "I didn't think so." Clenching his jaw Jason turns to pace the hallway, finished with the conversation.
Stephen was shocked silent watching Jason turn away and so was everyone else. "I…I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine." Maxie says quickly coming out of her reverie and forcing a smile for Stephen. "We all have our fair share of bed memories. Most of ours just happen to include this hospital in some form or another. You didn't know."
"Obviously there's a lot I don't know." Stephen says grudgingly looking at Sam's hospital door. "I'm starting to realize how little I actually know about Sam."
"Fair Samantha I'm sure has her reasons."
------
Sam was sitting in a taxi across the street watching as Jason walked up to the doorman. She knew the second he was told she had been there because she watches him look around for her, causing her to hunch a little lower in the seat so he won't see her. She watches as he takes the note she left for him and can practically hear the questions going through his mind. She half expects him just to leave the note with the doorman to throw away or do it himself, not caring what else she would have to say. They already had said everything, more than once in fact. She lets out a relieved breath she had been holding when he walks into Harborview Towers with her note, knowing that meant he was going to read it.
After a few minutes go by Sam knows Jason must be in the penthouse by now, she could practically see him sitting at his desk reading her words. She wondered what he was thinking, what he was feeling. Was he relieved to be rid of her finally? Was he angry that she left with the last word? Was he sad that this was truly the end? There was a time she wouldn't have second guessed Jason's thoughts, his feelings. But that was back when she thought she knew him… Now she wasn't sure of anything.
"How much longer is it going to be?" The cabbie asks his words laced with annoyance. Sam had hopped in and just as he had been preparing to go off duty and promised it would only be a quick trip. That was over ten minutes ago and they hadn't moved yet and Sam still hadn't decided where she was headed. Plane, train, bus, or car…no matter what mode of transportation she took she wasn't going to be able to take away the damage done with her.
"Sorry." Sam says tearing her gaze from the building that she had called home. It was the first home she had ever had. She wondered if she was ever going to find that again. Sadly she doubted she would since what had made it feel that way was Jason.
"It's your dollar, the meter is running. But could we get moving? My wife will start to worry if I'm not home soon."
There was that word…home. Closing her eyes and shaking her head Sam turns her head to look forward. "You have a wife?" Sam asks looking in the mirror to see that the driver is about her age.
"Yea, been married a little over a year now." The driver says a warm smile spreading over his face, one that spoke of love and happiness. Sam quickly looked away, she knew that look well.
"Any kids?" She struggles to ask staring up at the window of Jason's penthouse, the lights were on. She wondered what he was doing now.
"We just found out a couple weeks ago that she's pregnant. I'm picking up extra shifts now to save up money to get ready." The driver must've caught on to Sam's mood because he turned to stare at her over her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Yea, sorry. I'm fine." Sam says nodding her head and wiping a stray tear from her cheek. Looking out the window she can see Jason come into view and her breath catches in her throat. She watches as he grabs the doorman by the arm and she knows that he's mostly like asking him a series of questions now with a lethal edge to his voice. The doorman wouldn't be able to tell him anything, Sam made sure of that at least. After leaving the note she had walked in the opposite direction of the cab and circled back. The doorman, if he had been watching, would never know that Sam had climbed into a cab across from Harborview Towers and had been there ever since. She knew the second Jason realized he had met a dead end because he released the doorman and stormed off, where he went after that Sam didn't know. Turning to see the cabbie was still staring at her she tries to smile, but knowing she failed at making it seem sincere. "Can you take me to the airport please?" Sam asks. She still wasn't sure where she was headed, but at least that was a start.
"Are you sure you're ok?" He asks while putting the vehicle in drive and pulling from the curb.
"Yea." Sam says her gaze lingering on the direction Jason had taken before going back to stare at the window of the penthouse until the building is out of view. "Just a little homesick."
Sam woke up with a start and rolled over in bed to realize she was still in the hospital. She hadn't thought about the night she had left Port Charles in a long time, but the memories still came back as if it were only yesterday. She noticed the lights were off, Robin and Patrick must have done that when they left. She also noticed she was alone for the first time since arriving in Port Charles.
Peering out the window of her room Sam can see everyone standing, talking, arguing…doing what they all thought necessary at the moment. She could hear higher pitch of Maxie's voice mixed in with the low baritone of Jason's through the door. She couldn't hear the words, but she knew they were probably discussing her. She knew she should be angry over the fact they weren't including her, but she also took pleasure in the fact that these people so obviously cared about her. It felt good. The fact that Jason was one of them was surprising and…she found she liked it. A lot. But could she trust it? Rolling back on her side Sam let that question replay in her mind as she listened to the sound of their voices.
------
Sonny didn't really want to leave Jason when he obviously had a lot on his mind, but he knew that a lot had to be done before Sam's released. "Jason I really should head over to Harborview Towers and get the old penthouse opened up. It's been awhile since anyone's been in there."
"Yea, thanks Sonny." Jason nods his head coming back to stand with the group. "I'll be here if you need anything."
Sonny turns to Maxie. "Can I speak with you for a moment?" He asks, but his tone implies it wasn't a question. "Could you just lay off for awhile?" Sonny asks Maxie once out of earshot of everyone else. When Maxie gives him a blank look Sonny shakes his head. "Don't give me that look. I know you know what I'm talking about Maxie." Maxie just glares at Sonny and crosses her arms over her chest. "You obviously can see that Jason isn't acting like himself lately…"
"What self are you referring to Sonny." Maxie asks her gaze wandering to Jason who was staring at them quizzically. "The silent mob enforcer you trained him to be before Sam came into his life. Or are you talking about the Jason who actually showed a sliver of human decency when he was with Sam? Or possibly the monster he turned into when he broke my friends' heart? Could you also be referring to the zombie he turned into after Sam ran away, no wait my mistake. After her drove her away?" Shifting her stance Maxie leans closer towards Sonny. "Which Jason are you talking about Sonny, because I've seen all sides of the man and right now I got to say that this Jason, the one that feels and talks and actually appears human…gives me hope."
Sonny felt like he had whiplash, Maxie truly was all over the place. "Hope?" He finally asks, latching on to that last word. "Hope for what?"
Maxie resists the urge to groan. "Never mind that." She waves her hand quickly. "What I do and say is none of your business Sonny. Just like what you do is none of mine. So why don't we keep it that way, or I'm sure Mac would love to hear how you're harassing his little girl."
"Are you threatening?" Sonny asks with amusement, not taking Maxie seriously.
Frowning Maxie knew that Sonny would never buy she actually would go to Mac. Sonny and Jason were partners, Spinelli helped Jason out a lot of the time… which meant that Spinelli helped Sonny out too. It was a big mess that Maxie would never understand, but never questioned. Out of love and respect for Spinelli Maxie never said much around Mac about the time she spends around Jason and in the penthouse. It was no secret that she could've probably got her hands on a lot of incriminating evidence, but she never would. Sonny knew that. "Ok. Fine! You got me there. I wouldn't actually go to Mac." Maxie shrugs her shoulders. "But I'm not going to just sit back and watch as you and Jason railroad over Sam. Don't expect me to."
Sonny never thought he'd see the day he would actually admire Maxie, but in that moment he respected her for standing up for Sam. "You're a lot like her you know." Sonny says with a small smirk.
"What? Who?" Maxie asks completely confused at the obvious change in topic.
"Your attitude, it reminded me a lot of Sam. That never back down, don't show fear. Sam always was like that, still is from what I've seen."
Maxie felt a smile tugging at her lips, but she fought against it. "Yea, well…I've learned it from her. She would do the same for me if the situations were reversed. Sam was really hurt Sonny, she still is even if she doesn't show it."
Nodding his head and rubbing a hand over his mouth Sonny looks back at Jason who was still staring at him. "I'm just doing what you're doing. I'm looking out for my friend."
"Well it's his fault this has happened." And Maxie was referring to more than just the latest hospital visit. It was Jason's fault Sam didn't trust him. It was Jason's fault that Sam had left Port Charles and was just now finally returning.
"Leave it to you to keep pointing that out." Sonny sighs.
"Is he sorry?" Maxie asks all of a sudden eyeing Sonny.
"More than you'll ever know." Sonny says without pause.
With a small frown Maxie stares at Jason and for the first time notices the dark circles under his eyes, the obvious signs of fatigue on his face and in his stance. They were all evidence of lack of sleep and distress that went deeper than just a rough couple of days in a hospital room recliner. "He has a lot to make up for."
"Are you going to stop him from trying?"
Maxie looked back at Sonny briefly before returning her gaze to Jason. Almost as if he could hear her thought he looks up and into her eyes and she understood now what Sam had always tried to describe about Jason's penetrating gaze. It truly was compelling. "No. I won't."
"Thank you." Sonny says before walking towards the elevator. With a final wave towards Jason Sonny turns when the doors open and his eyes go wide when they reveal Alexis ready to get off. "Alexis, how nice to see you. What are you doing here?" Sonny asks blocking Alexis from getting off and stepping on elevator in one fluid motion.
"I'm here to see my daughter Sonny, isn't that obvious." Alexis says while trying to step around Sonny, but the elevator doors closing stop her.
"Sam's busy speaking with Robin right now. Why don't you come back later?" Sonny says with a silent thank you that he intercepted Alexis before she got to Jason.
"No I won't come back later. Sam's being released today, I'm sure Jason has told you. I need to go be with her. She will need help in this transition, not to mention I've pulled some strings to have her moved into an excellent care facility where they have security to keep her safe. So if you would please get out of my way so I can get off this elevator." As she was speaking Sonny pressed the first floor button and then the elevator was in motion with Alexis was silently seething.
Now don't be like that." Sonny turns and gives his most charming smile. "You and I haven't gotten a chance to talk in awhile. How is Kristina doing after everything that's happened?" Alexis just glares at Sonny in silence. "Don't be that way Alexis."
"What are you trying to pull here Sonny?" Alexis asks annoyed.
"What? Me…why would I try something? Why would you assume that?" Sonny asks as he watches the numbers of the elevator slowly decrease.
"Because why else would you keep me from seeing Sam. What's going on?" The elevator doors open on the ground floor and Sonny holds the doors for Alexis to precede him out. "Why do I feel like you're hiding something?"
"Why don't you just come with me Alexis?" Sonny sighs, Jason was going to owe him.
"I have to go get Sam ready to be released Sonny. She doesn't even know about the accommodations I have set in place for her."
Resting a hand on her lower back Sonny urges her towards the hospital doors. "About that Alexis…" Sonny scratches the back of his neck. "How do you feel about going for a drive?"
"What? Why? A drive to where?" Alexis asks her gut telling her that she wasn't going to like where this was headed.
"To Harborview Towers." Sonny says cringing as the words leave his mouth, prepared for Alexis' reaction. She didn't disappoint.
"Are you kidding me!" Alexis shrieks as the hospital doors close behind them.
------
It was just Jason, Maxie, Spinelli, and Stephen left waiting outside Sam's hospital room. Maxie went to stand next to Spinelli who pulled her into a hug. "Maximista the Jackal can't help but inquire as to what Mr. Sir wanted to discuss with you."
"Just a little chat, nothing serious." Maxie shrugs her shoulders and smiles. "But I have a favor to ask of you. Both of you." She says looking over his shoulder.
"Whatever you ask Maximista."
Maxie just smiles, knowing that she could count on Spinelli. "I'm not really going to have time between now and Sam's release to get my stuff together. Could you possibly go to the apartment and just pack some things for me. Spinelli you know what I wear and I'm going to need. Whatever you forget I can pick up later."
"Are you sure you don't want to go with?" Stephen asks skeptical.
"No I need to stay here."
With a quick glance to be sure Jason wasn't standing right behind him Stephen leans forward to be able to speak quieter. "Wouldn't our plan work better if we left Jason and Sam alone?"
"Well of course."
"Then why do you seem so determined to get in the way?"
"Because if I just leave Sam in Jason's care not only would it look suspicious, but Sam wouldn't be my friend anymore. Trust me. I know what I'm doing here."
"You're in charge." Stephen shrugs his shoulders. "So we'll meet you later with Sam I'm assuming?"
"Yea that will work fine. Like Robin said it will be an hour at least before Sam is able to leave so you two don't have to hurry or anything." Stephen just nodded his head and starts towards the elevator, but Spinelli lingers.
"Is Maximista sure she wants to be left alone with Stonecold? The Jackal has concerns that one or both parties if left alone could quite possibly do more harm than good while waiting for the Goddess release. Perhaps the Bronzed One should stay to mediate."
"Don't worry about Jason and I Spinelli. The two of us will get along just fine." She could tell he wasn't convinced. "I promise that I won't provoke Jason again." Maxie raises her right hand.
"The Jackal knows Maximista is just trying to appease him. I'm not fooled by your wily smile." Leaning in a kissing her swiftly Spinelli steps back and runs his fingers down the side of her face. "Just be aware that when irritable Stonecold is prone to overreaction and is ignorant of how malicious he can be. He honestly means no disrespect…"
"Spinelli please stop worrying." Maxie smiles and cups his cheek. "I have everything here under control." Nodding his head Spinelli joins Stephen by the elevator. Maxie watches as both disappear before turning to face Jason who had been silently waiting for Spinelli to leave.
"We're you eavesdropping Jason?" Maxie asks resting her hands on her hips. "Never figured you to be the sort."
"You're not going to get rid of me that easily Maxie." Jason says ignoring her words. "I'm used to putting up with your whole ditzy act. That's not going to scare me off. Sam needs protection right now and unless somewhere in the past you've learned how to handle a gun I'm not leaving her alone in your care longer than necessary. So you and I are just going to have to learn to get along, for Sam's sake. Can you handle that?"
"Jason I have been sharing Spinelli with you for years now. And for the last few months I've even started having to spend more time in your company if I wanted to spend any time with Spinelli. I'm more than capable of spending quality time with you while Sam is on the mend. The real question here is…can you handle it? Because up until now you rarely found a need to acknowledge my presence, that won't be as easy now."
Rolling his eyes Jason crosses his arms over his chest. "You're not going to make this easy are you?"
"Nope." Maxie's smile was wide and showed lots of teeth.
"What's your deal Maxie? Sam's your friend I understand that. I'm just trying to keep her safe."
Groaning Maxie stomps her foot and points a finger in Jason's face. "Like you were just trying to watch Sam for Sonny all those years ago. Like you were just trying to protect Sam when you broke up with her. Like you were just trying to save your relationship with Sam after you slept with Elizabeth. You're always trying Jason! Do better!"
"You don't know what you're talking about." Jason says looking away and scowling.
"Well enlighten me Jason. What am I missing?" Maxie asks walking so she was staring him in the face again.
"I'm not going to discuss this with you Maxie. That is between me and Sam."
"News flash Jason! There is no you and Sam!" Jason still just scowls in response and she sighs. "The question is what are you going to do about it?"
"What am I…? What are you talking about Maxie."
"You still have feelings for her Jason. It's as clear as day. Whether you act on it is still up in the air. My opinion is if you don't you're a bigger fool that I originally thought." Behind them the elevator rings letting them know that someone was joining them. "Whatever you do Jason, don't hurt her." With a brief look over her should Maxie can see Robin stepping off the elevator with Patrick in tow. "I'll be watching." Maxie says with an ominous hint to her tone that normally would've been humorous, but the look in her eyes told Jason she was serious.
"Let's get this show on the road." Patrick says holding a clipboard full of papers. "I'm sure Sam is more than ready to get out of here."
"Sounds like a great idea." Maxie says turning and heading towards Sam's room.
Scratching the back of his head and staring after the young blonde in confusion Jason can't decide if he should be amused or concerned with her show of bravado. Maxie had never been one to be shy, but normally she and Jason just left the other alone. Obviously with Sam back that wasn't going to be the case anymore. Shaking his head he follows behind Robin into the room and takes up a spot by the window to just be able to listen as the others talked. Thinking silently how he was supposed to work things out with Sam if Maxie was constantly getting in the way.
------
It was almost two hours since Sonny had gotten Alexis from the hospital and after she got over her initial anger she relented that it was a smart set-up. If not a little convenient for Jason. Something Sonny didn't comment on, knowing it was a no-win situation with Alexis. She had left him outside the hospital muttering about having phone calls to make and Sonny had waited until he had watched her pull out of the parking lot before leaving himself. With a quick trip to the office to get the keys Sonny had plenty of time to get the penthouse unlocked and Sonny was left waiting for Jason to arrive. Sitting on the couch with the TV on Sonny stands up and shuts it off when Jason walks through the door. "Where's Sam?" He asks when no one follows in after him.
"Maxie is driving her over. I figured since we didn't even know if Sam was being released for sure until about a half hour ago that there's no way Jerry could've known."
"Makes sense. So what now? Sam and Maxie will be staying here and you're going to be across the hall?" There were only two bedrooms in Sonny's old place, the master bedroom on the second floor and the guest bedroom on the first floor.
"No I'll be staying here as well. Me across the hall isn't going to work with Jerry."
"There's only two bedrooms Jason."
"The couch is fine." Jason shrugs his shoulders. Compared to the hospital chairs it looked like really comfortable.
"Anything to prove you're serious about Sam right?" Sonny smirks.
"Anything to keep Sam safe." Jason responds, his eyes troubled. Letting Sonny know that Jason was really concerned and why shouldn't he be? Jerry has proven to be lethal and hard to catch.
"Jerry isn't going to get near Sam Jason." Sonny reaches out to squeeze his shoulder before dropping his hand back down. "I wish I could stay and help get Sam settled, but I don't want to crowd her. I'll call you later."
Jason was only left alone in the penthouse for a few minutes before there was a knock at the door. Opening it he steps out of the way to allow Sam and Maxie to enter. "How was the drive over?"
"Uneventful, just like I knew it would be. Seriously Jason, Jerry Jax isn't all knowing. He couldn't have known Sam was being released today. We just found out ourselves right before it happened."
"Save your breath Maxie." Sam says with a genuine smile. "He can't help but worry."
"You're in a better mood." Maxie says sitting next to Sam on the couch.
"What can I say? Being out of that hospital changes my whole outlook." Sam says leaning back and releasing a tired sigh and closing her eyes. She would never admit that the trip down to the car, the drive over, and then the trip up to the penthouse had really worn her out.
"I'm glad." Jason comes around to sit in the chair next to the couch. "This place is fully furnished, all I need to know is about food. Give me a list of what you need and one of the men can go shopping for you."
"What sort of food?" Sam asks opening her eyes to stare at Jason, she wasn't surprised to see he was staring back at her. She could practically feel his gaze on her.
"Well I don't know, all kinds." Jason shrugs. "Whatever you might need if you feel like cooking…" Jason realized then who he was talking to and couldn't help the smile that came to his lips.
"Don't you dare smile like that." Sam says in mock outrage, forgetting for a moment the awkward tension between them. Right now both were caught up in the memories of Sam's past failed attempts in the kitchen.
"I can't smile?" Jason says innocently.
"Not if it's at my expense!" Sam says trying hard not to smile in return.
Maxie silently watched the interaction and felt herself smiling too. The two of them, when they let themselves, really were great together. Easing herself slowly and quietly up off the couch Maxie made it only a few steps before both noticed her retreat. Pulling her phone from her purse Maxie pretends to have received a message. "That's Kate. Emergency at Crimson. I really should go before she get's upset." Maxie says hurriedly, hoping to be out the door before the mood had been broken.
"I didn't hear your phone go off." Sam says skeptically.
"Vibrate." Maxie says and is proud of her quick thinking. "Jason you'll be fine staying here with Sam right? Great! Thanks! You two get along now while I'm gone!" Maxie was out the door before either could say any more to detain her.
Sam stares after Maxie speechless, wondering why it felt like she had just been set up. Turning back to Jason she sees that he too looks surprised by Maxie's quick retreat. "Well she sure got out of here fast."
Jason wasn't sad to see Maxie go, but he regretted that the easy camaraderie between Sam and him left with her. "Must've been some emergency."
"So what now?" Sam asks looking back at Jason sitting in the chair. Suddenly she is struck with a memory, one from awhile ago. Back when she was still with Sonny and Jason had been forced to protect her. They had been sitting in these exact same spots then and the silence between them had been just as tension filled. The only difference now is they shared so much history. Looking into his eyes she can tell that he too is remembering when they had been in this position.
Jason hadn't considered the memories that would come with the old penthouse. It had been so long ago that he had to watch over Sam for Sonny and to be honest he tried to forget that there was ever a time when Sonny had been with Sam. To be here with her now, protecting her once again Jason felt almost like they were starting over from square one, a lot like they had done all those years ago. Except now Sam had every reason to distrust him and Jason was a lot more invested in Sam. With a tired sigh Jason leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "I don't know Sam." Jason says quietly, his gaze held hostage by Sam's. "What now?"
I just want to say a quick thank you all for keeping with this story and for reviewing. Your reviews are what pushed me to get through whatever is blocking me and without you guys this would be half finished and forgotten in my documents. And special thanks to my sis Sara…you know I appreciate you, even if I insult you half the time!