Hey you guys! So I have to say up front that this is a short post, but I want to give you guys something because you've been amazing and stuck by me and my erratic posting. I've had a long stretch of work that still isn't over and haven't been able to write a lot. And my sister is coming to visit and with her here it's going to be hard to even open my laptop, let alone write! So I wanted to give you what I have now with a promise that I'll try and get more up ASAP! So here's the latest…can't wait to hear what you all have to say!
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or the characters.
Almost a week had passed since the night Sam had caught Jason in the hall with Elizabeth, almost a week had passed since Jason had seen or spoken to her. That wasn't just a coincidence. Jason had been banned from the other penthouse and between Stephen, Maxie, and even Spinelli he didn't see that changing any time soon. He hadn't even seen the inside of the other penthouse since then, he was always stopped at the door by one of Sam's three guards. Jason would stop by and every time he would get turned away, but he didn't stop trying. Sam would have to talk to him eventually he figured, it was only a matter of time. Normally he would be willing to wait her out, used to not seeing her after she had been gone so long. The problem was he missed her. In the short time she had been back he had gotten used to being with her. He also really wanted to discuss that kiss, because it had meant something to him and he knew that it meant something to Sam too. He wasn't about to let Elizabeth come between him and Sam again.
He had left the penthouse that night knowing that he still had a lot of work ahead of him, but at least he knew that he still had a chance with Sam. But that was before Elizabeth had shown up. Sitting down at his desk Jason's thoughts go back to that night and how terrible it had ended. With a tired sigh he lowers his head into his hands and closes his eyes.
It had taken Jason another ten minutes of wrestling to get out of Elizabeth's clutches and finally have her on the elevator. She hadn't wanted to leave when he obviously had a lot on his mind she had said. She didn't want to leave when there was something wrong. What she couldn't seem to grasp was SHE was the something wrong. And getting to Sam before she could blow what she saw out of proportion was the only thought on Jason's mind. As soon as the elevator doors had closed Jason had turned to the other penthouse and reached for the handle. He cursed the fact it was locked, but honestly wasn't surprised. Knocking on the door Jason waits , but nothing happens and he sighs. "Sam…its Jason! Open up!" He knocks again. "Sam please open the door!" There was silence on the other side. "Spinelli come and open the door!" Still nothing happens. Slamming a hand on the doorjamb Jason clenches his hands into fists. "SAM! You have to let me explain!"
"Explain what exactly?" Maxie asks coming up behind Jason, surprising him. He hadn't even heard the elevator doors open.
"Maxie you have to help me…" Jason says turning and seeing from the hostile look she was giving him that she was going to be no help to him. "Let me explain." Jason quickly holds up a hand trying to stop whatever angry tirade she had prepared.
"There's that word again. Explain." Maxie glares at Jason. "You're sorta like a broken record Jason aren't you? You always want to explain yourself. Just like you always are just TRYING with Sam. And you always seem to be sorry."
"Maxie…"
"No…my turn to talk." She says with an angry step forward. "Now I don't know exactly what happened after I left here this evening, but you two seemed to be getting along. There was that whole deep connection and longing looks going on that you both think is subtle…but it's really not…you had your chance tonight Jason!" Maxie stomps her foot." But you wrecked it! I don't know why I'm so surprised by that because it's what you seem to do best…especially when it comes to you and Sam." Taking a deep breath Maxie crosses her arms over her chest. "You are just one disappointment after the other Jason…I don't understand why you can't seem to get it right." Maxie shakes her head. "Whatever happened here tonight seriously hurt Sam. Spinelli was frantic on the phone Jason!"
"Nothing hap…"
"I want to hear Sam's side before I hear yours." Maxie quickly holds up a hand and cuts off his words. "No offense intended, but I'm not exactly going to be very willing to trust whatever it is you have to say at this point anyways. So you might as well save your breath."
Jason just nods his head and steps aside so Maxie can get to the door. "Is she ok?" He asks as Maxie passes him.
Sighing Maxie stops walking, but doesn't turn to face Jason. "What do you think? You're the one that hurt her Jason. How bad was whatever you did?"
Jason hadn't seen Sam's face before she turned and ran back into the penthouse, but he didn't have to. He could picture the expression on her face, the pain he would've seen in her eyes. "Dammit" He groans rubbing his hands over his eyes.
"Exactly." Maxie says casting a glance over her shoulder to stare at him. She didn't know Jason very well and definitely couldn't read him like Sam was able to. But even she could see a man suffering. And even though he was to blame for this latest mess, Maxie took pity on him. "Go home Jason. You're not getting near Sam again tonight. Try again in the morning."
Jason had surprised himself by actually listening to Maxie and going home that night. He was up early the next morning and across the hall before even making coffee. He had knocked on the door, but there was no answer right away. Knocking again the door was flung open with an annoyed Maxie on the other side telling him he would have to try again later. That went on for a few days with Stephen and Spinelli taking turns turning Jason away before Jason finally got tired of being dismissed.
The door was closing in his face and Jason's hand reached out and stopped it before it could fully close. "It's been four days you have to let me talk to her."
Stephen steps back out in the hallway and closed the door behind him. "I don't have to do anything and I would suggest you don't push me right now."
Annoyed at the attitude Jason glares at the other man. "What is your problem?" Of the three people Sam surrounded herself with Stephen was the most hostile towards Jason, which surprised him since he didn't think the kid had it in him.
"You are my problem."
"You don't even know me."
"You're right, I don't know you." Stephen shakes his head. "But I know about you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason asks shrugging his shoulders.
"I've been in Port Charles for awhile now and people talk. A lot about you… a lot about what you might've done. I've found that even though you and Sam aren't ones to share your thoughts and actions that the people around you love to speculate."
"Well you really shouldn't believe everything you hear."
Scoffing Stephen's arms drop at his sides. "You really are a piece of work, do you know that? You have this whole detached, angry mobster who isn't bothered by human emotions and has no real ties to anyone. You have everyone fooled, but I don't buy your whole aloof act."
"Why's that?" Jason asks with a flicker of impatience in his eyes, he just wanted to see Sam. Not talk psychology with Stephen.
"Because there's no way that Sam would be in love with someone like that. For her to feel that much for you, to be that affected by you…It's for a reason. You have a heart buried deep underneath all that anger and steely glares if you didn't Sam wouldn't have wasted her time on you."
"Your point?" Jason asks a little intrigued now with what Stephen had to say.
"My point is that for all your faults and stupidity Sam still loves you. So I don't know what it is that you did or you keep doing, but stop! Figure out whatever it is that you want and do something about it, just stop messing with her." With nothing left to say Stephen turned and went back into the penthouse leaving Jason alone in the hall.
Jason had wanted to stop trying after that, figuring that Sam had finally had enough. Not that he could really blame her for being upset. He knew how bad it looked, he had just got done kissing Sam and then she catches him wrapped in Elizabeth's arms right after. Jason was so pissed over the whole situation that he almost missed the similarities between now and the last time Elizabeth had come between him and Sam. But Jason was going to learn from his past mistake and this time he wasn't going to let Elizabeth get in the way. He just had to get to Sam. She was more than worth the struggle and he couldn't just let her go back to Miami without trying.
The sound of heavy footsteps down the stairs broke Jason out of his thoughts. Standing up from his chair he turns as Spinelli reaches the bottom of the stairs. "Greetings Stonecold." Spinelli avoids Jason's gaze like he had been all week. Jason hardly saw him anymore, since he spent all his spare time across the hall with Sam.
"Will you just hold up one minute?" Jason asks watching as Spinelli gathered his laptop and bag to head over to Sam's. "All week you have been slipping in and out of here, avoiding me as best you can. Now this is going to stop. I have to talk to you about what you've found on Jerry."
Sighing Spinelli sets his laptop bag down on the couch and turns to face his friend and mentor. "It is with deep regret the Jackal must inform Stonecold that he has been unable to trace the Demented One after he checked out of his accommodations across the border. There hasn't been any movement under any of his known aliases, but I will keep up my diligent efforts to find him. If that is all…the Jackal will be going."
"No that is not all." Jason says frustrated. "Sam has a hospital appointment today. I told Maxie yesterday that Jerry has had enough time since Sam's been released that it's not safe for her to be out without a guard. I don't like that we have no trace on Jerry after Mexico, he could be right here in Port Charles for all we know. I'm not taking any chances here."
"Yes Maximista knows and both her and Fair Samantha have agreed it would be wise for one of Mr. Sir's men to escort on any outings."
"One of Sonny's men?" Jason says indignantly.
"Yes the Goddess insisted upon it being one of Mr. Sir's men." Spinelli says obviously uncomfortable with Jason's annoyance. This past week had been difficult on Spinelli since he was both Jason and Sam's friend. Maxie had told Spinelli that he didn't have to pick sides, but he wasn't allowed to let Jason in to see Sam or to be a go between. Putting Spinelli in a very awkward position with Jason. "Something about how Stonecold would have your hands full with another of your affairs…those were the Goddess' words Stonecold not mine." Spinelli quickly adds when Jason looks ready to protest.
"I understand Spinelli." Jason sighs and rubs the back of his neck, silently cursing. He had hoped that the trip to the hospital would be his chance to talk to Sam. Obviously she had other ideas and still planned to avoid him. Jason would just have to work around that, because he was going to talk to Sam today. Jason just had to get her away from everyone else. "Tell Sam and Maxie that one of the men will be waiting for them out in the hall an hour before her appointment."
"Oh Maximista won't be able to accompany Fair Samantha. She must work today or she fears she'll never be allowed back at Crimson, a fate worse than death for my beloved. In fact Fair Samantha insists that Maximista, the Bronzed One, and myself all to take the day and spend it on ourselves. Fearing she's taken too much of our time, which is preposterous, but the Goddess is adamant."
Jason was glad to hear Maxie and Stephen weren't going with Sam to the hospital, it made his job easier. "I'm sure Sam appreciates everything Spinelli, she never has been one to want to be considered an obligation or inconvenience." Jason knew that from experience.
"The Jackal would never think of the Fair Samantha in such a way."
"Don't take it personal Spinelli." Jason shrugs his shoulders.
It was the first time Jason and Spinelli had really talked since Jason had been caught with Elizabeth and Spinelli couldn't help but ask the question he, Maxie, and Stephen all wanted to know. "Stonecold…if you don't mind me asking. What happened that night in the hall? Fair Samantha was so distraught that when she returned that she went to bed. And she won't let us bring the night up since. Perhaps you might be more inclined?"
"No Spinelli. I am not more inclined." Jason shakes his head. The only person he felt like talking to about that night was Sam. "It was all just a big misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding maybe, but one that truly upset Fair Samantha. The Jackal can't remember seeing her like that since…well not since the Maternal One…" Spinelli's eyes go wide. "Has this something to do with the Maternal One?"
"Spinelli…" Jason shakes his head once letting him know the topic was closed, but not denying what he had said.
"Deepest apologies Stonecold, the Jackal will not bring it up again." Grabbing his bag Spinelli turns and smiles. "I will be leaving now. If Stonecold needs my services I will be at the office." Jason nods his head as Spinelli leaves and turns to look at the clock. He had a few hours before Sam had to be at the hospital, a few hours to prepare.
Ok so this is shorter than my normal posts, but like I said…I'm not sure when the next update will be coming. I'm hoping by Sunday when my sister leaves, but I'm not making promises that I can't keep. I just wanted to give you all something because you've been really great! I love reading what you all have to say, the reviews help me keep focused on the story and from giving up! So thank you! You guys rock! And I know this wasn't what you were hoping for after the way the last chapter ended, but just stick with me…you won't be disappointed!