Hey everyone! I just have to say WOW your responses to this story just blow me away and I so appreciate it! You make me want to write and I'm so grateful for all of you!
(Quick authors note) I have to say before you read this next update that I don't hate Alexis and Kristina…honestly I really like the two characters a lot in the show and actually wish we could get more of them! But for some strange reason when I write them in my story they both just come off incredibly bitchy! So for those who don't really like my Alexis and Kristina I don't know what the deal is, but my muse just can't seem to let them be nice.
On that note I hope you all enjoy this latest update and I can't wait to hear what you all have to say! Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing, you guys are amazing!
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or the characters.
"You…You can't!" Alexis says vehemently. "I'm her mother and I won't let you."
"You rather have Kristina go around thinking that I don't love her, that Sonny doesn't really love her? Do you really want her to be so distrusting and guarded the rest of her life?" Sam shakes her head disbelieving. "Do you want that for her?"
"She doesn't think that."
"Yes Alexis, she really does." Sam sighs. "You might think that you're protecting Kristina, I honestly believe you think you are. But you're not Alexis, you really aren't. You're hurting her."
"You don't know what you're talking about. Sonny would hurt her…" Alexis starts to argue, but Sam raises a hand and silences her.
"Sonny could hurt her too, that is true. But it would be of a completely different nature. What you're doing to her…it…its just wrong." Sam shakes her head.
"Sonny's life is too dangerous for her. Look at what happened to Michael!" Crossing her arms over her chest Alexis whole posture is defensive. It was obvious she wasn't listening. "You weren't here Sam, you don't know. You can't know what it was like to watch a child of Sonny's suffer and know that just as easily could've been my child." Her voice was shaking now, clearly upset. "I can't let anything like that happen to Kristina."
"I know you're scared Alexis, after what happened to Michael you have every reason to be. But I'm not suggesting you have Kristina go to work with Sonny. He isn't suggesting that either I'm sure, especially after what happened to Michael. But just let her get to know her father. Let her decide if he is someone she wants to know. She is a smart girl and she has a right to make up her own mind."
"I have been protecting her all her life, I think I know what I'm doing. I am her mother!"
"And he's her father!" Sam didn't know why she was defending Sonny so much, but it truly bothered her that Alexis was so willing to dig her heels in and hide her head in the sand. Completely oblivious what it was doing to her daughter. "You have been lying and covering and keeping her away from him all her life that she truly believes he doesn't care about her. That he doesn't love her. And we both know how untrue that is. Sonny loves Kristina, but he respects you enough to trust your judgment on this."
"So why can't you do the same?"
"Because I saw today what it has cost Kristina." Sam closed her eyes and could picture the young girl, standing so alone. Even when she had been surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. It hurt Sam because she had been just like Kristina at that age, at 17 she had finally realized how much of a bastard Cody McCall could be and had prepared to break free. The only difference was at 17 Sam didn't have anyone who loved her, who looked out for her and Kristina does. "A girl needs her father Alexis. Needs to know he loves her no matter what. And Kristina doesn't think Sonny does. She feels she's a burden that his employees have to cater to. Not worth any of his time."
"Well I will just explain to her that's not true." Alexis concedes. "Kristina will understand that I'm only protecting her."
"It doesn't work that way." Sam shakes her head, wishing Alexis would for once just hear her. "She's not that little girl anymore. You can't just take her to Kelly's and give her a sundae to make it all better. She isn't going to just believe you Alexis. Your word means nothing to her anymore, nobodies does."
"What are talking about?"
"Kristina has been lied to for so long: by you, Sonny, Carly, everyone did really, myself included, but we did it to protect her. And it worked because she was too young to catch on. But she grew up! People in this town talk…a lot about Sonny. A lot about the dealings you try to keep her away from. She is surrounded by it on a daily basis and instead of getting the truth at home from you, the person she should trust, you lie to her. She knows it, she even expects it I'm sure."
"What do you want me to say? I did what I thought was best, what I still think is best. She is growing up to be a good child. Good grades, good friends, good activities…"
"She ran away Alexis!" Sam shouts. "Michael and her both did…to Mexico. She fled the country. And you call that good?"
"Well it was a mistake. She knows it was wrong. It won't happen again."
"It will happen again. Only the next time we might not be so lucky and won't be able to find her. She's only going to learn more and become more determined to get away. She knows it's wrong, but if it gets her the attention she desires it's more than worth it. She will run away again."
"And who do you suppose she learned that from?" Alexis asks coldly.
Sam felt like she was slapped, it was a direct hit that came out of nowhere and it hurt. She looked down a moment to school her features, not wanting to show how the words had affected her. "You think my moving away from Port Charles had something to do with Kristina running away…"
"She's always looked up to you Sam, you had to know that."
"I'm aware." Sam murmurs still looking down at her hands.
"You say I'm hurting her by being over protective, well what do you think you disappearing in the middle of the night did to her? She was confused and hurt when she realized her big sister Sam wasn't coming back. She thought it was something she had done, did you know that? She blamed herself for you not wanting to come back to Port Charles. Not to mention every time she invited you back for something and you never did, that hurt her too. Do you know how hard it was to watch? And what was I supposed to do about it?"
"Tell her the truth perhaps?"
"How can I do that when I don't even know the truth Sam?" Alexis voice rises. "You just left that night with a note that you were ok, but you would never be returning. I immediately assumed Jason had something to do with it, but with no proof what was I to say? I still don't know what to say to her about it since you won't talk to me. So maybe I'm not the only one who needs to open up, because you haven't been very forthcoming with information either. If Kristina doesn't trust you then that is your fault, you let her down when you left."
"You're right, I did. And that is on me, but what good is it if I tell her my truth and she doesn't believe me?"
"Don't try and pin it on me if she doesn't forgive you Sam…"
"I'm not!" Sam groans. "I'm just suggesting that maybe it's time we all stop lying out of protection for those kids. Because if today has proven anything it's that we're doing a terrible job of it."
"We aren't doing a terrible job of it Sam. It's you…you and Jason."
Jason paced the hall, stopping every few minutes to glance into see that Sam and Alexis were still talking. And judging by the annoyed look on Sam's face it wasn't going very well. With a sigh Jason turns and is startled to find he wasn't alone in the hall anymore. "What are you doing here Elizabeth?" Jason asks regretting the fact the hallway was deserted except for the two of them, where were all the patients and hospital staff when he needed them?
"Jason." Elizabeth says taken back by how cold he sounded. "I do work here after all, where else would you expect me to be?" She smiled serenely, stepping closer.
Jason knew she had a point, but it still seemed just too coincidental to him. "Don't you normally work on the surgical floor or up on maternity? I don't think I've ever seen you work in the ICU." He hadn't, Jason was almost sure of it. Elizabeth shouldn't be here.
Elizabeth's heart warmed at that. He remembered what floor she normally worked on, he obviously still cared for her. Sam was good as gone. "Well we're a little short staffed right now Jason, so I offered to come down to lend a hand." Not to mention she heard that Sam had been admitted and Elizabeth knew wherever Sam was Jason would be nearby. "But what are you doing here Jason? Looking for me?" Elizabeth couldn't hold the hope back from her voice.
Wary now Jason shakes his head and rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably. "No Elizabeth, I'm not here for you." Staring at her intently Jason can see a shadow pass over her eyes, but it was gone before he could be sure. "Elizabeth you shouldn't be here."
"I work here Jason, I have every right to be here. You're the one that seems out of place." Her tone had now turned cold, unhappy that Jason was trying to dismiss her so quickly.
Jason looked around the hall again, and sighs when he sees that they were still alone. "Sam was involved in a hit and run, I'm here for her."
"Oh poor Sam." Elizabeth says, but with little feeling behind the words. "It's just odd how these things just seem to happen to her all the time, don't you think Jason? I mean it almost like she goes around looking for trouble."
"Elizabeth Sam is in danger." Jason says not wanting to talk about this with the other woman, but not wanting Elizabeth to get the wrong impression.
"It seems like she's in danger a lot of the time Jason." Elizabeth says cocking her head to the side with a thoughtful expression on her face. "And you always come running when it happens, that can't possibly be coincidence Jason."
Annoyed now, more than ever, Jason crosses his arms over his chest and looks down at her. "What are you trying to get at Elizabeth?"
Shrugging her shoulders Elizabeth can tell she's getting to Jason, which pleased her. "Only that maybe Sam has caught on and maybe some of these dangerous situations she finds herself in aren't what they seem…" Elizabeth says with air quotes around the word dangerous.
"Enough Elizabeth!" Jason barks, not even wanting to hear what else she has to say. The idea that Sam would do this to herself on purpose was ridiculous.
"I'm just saying Jason. It's something to consider." Elizabeth shrugs her shoulders again.
Jason opened his mouth to order the nurse to leave, but heard raised voices in the room behind him. Looking over his shoulder he sees Sam rising up in bed, her face red, and angry. Followed right behind Alexis raised voice. "Dammit!" He mutters before quickly turning back to tell Elizabeth to leave, but she was already halfway down the hall. "What the hell…" Jason says confused with what that was about. Sam being more important Jason turned back around and entered her hospital room in time to hear Sam's voice rise out of agitation.
"Jason has nothing to do with this!" Sam's eyes dart to him as he walks into the room before resting on Alexis again.
"And that's your problem that you can't seem to see the trouble he can cause." Alexis says her gaze turning to rest on him, her eyes hard. "You just stay away from my children."
"Don't be ridiculous Alexis, Jason is no danger to Molly and Kristina." Sam says when Jason doesn't bother to respond.
"Just like he's no danger to you? You're in the hospital again Sam!"
"Because of me! It's my fault I'm here Alexis, this has nothing to do with Jason."
"Sam…" Jason says coming to her side and resting a hand on her arm, trying to get her attention, to get her to calm down. "It's fine."
Sam wanted to argue with Jason, she wanted to argue with her mother too, but knew neither would get her anywhere. Instead she looked down at her hands and took a deep breath. "Fine Alexis, whatever you say. If you want Jason to stay away from the girls he will."
It was Alexis turn to look down to avoid Sam's gaze. "Not just Jason but…"
"Are you kidding me?" Sam says in outrage staring at her mother's lowered head.
"Alexis Sam has every right to see her sisters!" Jason says equally outraged.
"I know that Jason and normally I wouldn't suggest otherwise, but it's obvious that whatever danger Sam is in you can't protect her from. Which means I can't trust that Molly and Kristina can be protected either. If it was in my power I would keep Sam away from you as well, but she clearly has made her choice." The look Alexis gives shows how unimpressed she was by that choice.
"You can't just keep them from me Alexis, I won't allow it and neither will they."
"They are both young girls and will have no choice in the matter. And I would hope you would respect my decision on this, for your sisters sake if nothing else."
Sam stared at Alexis, waiting for the punch line because this had to be a joke. "You want me to say that I'm fine with you keeping me apart from my sisters, that I'm ok with that? Because I won't Alexis, and it's not. Just because you don't appreciate my honesty doesn't mean you can just deny me access."
"Sam this is not about that. This is about the safety of Molly and Kristina, you know that." With a small frown Alexis clasps her hands tightly in front of her. "Considering what almost happened today…"
"Fine!" Sam snaps turning her gaze away from both Alexis and Jason so they wouldn't see the tears she refused to let fall. "You think it's not safe for me to be around my sisters than who am I to argue."
Alexis was now uncomfortable standing in the hospital room with the glare Jason was sending her and with a small nod she turns to leave. "Thank you for understanding." She says lamely.
Scoffing Sam rolls her eyes. "Can I at least speak with them before you take them from the hospital…a goodbye perhaps?"
"I don't see why not." Alexis agrees readily before making a hasty exit.
"She is unbelievable." Sam says in awe shaking her head, staring at the closed door.
Jason, who was so angry he was shaking, just nodded his head while lowering himself onto the side of Sam's bed. "Sam you don't have to listen to her." Jason says brushing back her bangs and waiting for her gaze to meet his. "Alexis is wrong…"
"She's their mother Jason." Sam sighs shaking her head, her bangs falling loose again in her eyes. "Whether she's wrong or not doesn't matter. Besides after today maybe she has a point. It's clear that anyone near me could be in danger, look at what almost happened to Molly. It really shouldn't come as that big of surprise if you think about it."
"Don't." Jason says, his tone harsh. "Don't let Alexis get to you Sam, she is only trying to justify her actions even though we all know she's wrong." Jason could see she wasn't convinced and he leaned forward to cup her cheek. "You are not a danger to your sisters Sam. Look at how you protected Molly today from the car…"
"Molly wouldn't have had to worry about that car if it wasn't for me." Sam mumbles lowering her gaze.
"You can't let Alexis do this to you Sam." Jason insists releasing her face and grabbing hold of her hand. "Trust me, I know she can be very convincing when she wants to be." At Sam's questioning look Jason sighs. "She got me to walk away from you even though I knew it was the wrong thing to do."
Sam felt a chill run down her body at the terrible memory of Jason walking away from her while she was recovering from a gunshot wound and brain surgery. "I remember." Sam murmurs quietly.
"So do I and if I could I would go back and tell her to go to hell. Because she was wrong then Sam and she is today too. Don't let her convince you otherwise."
Staring into his blue eyes Sam can't help but get strength from him and with a small nod she clears her throat. "Alright…she's wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to do this one thing for her."
"What…Sam…?" Jason says prepared to argue.
"Just for a little while at least." Sam says leaning forward and pressing a finger to his lips to keep him silent. "Until we have more information on Jerry it really isn't safe for them. Look at what he's already done, who knows what else he could be capable of."
"You have a point."
"In fact I really think it's time Maxie and Spinelli found somewhere else to stay too. It really isn't safe for them either."
"I won't argue with you there." Jason chuckles. Already looking forward to having the younger couple out of the penthouse, allowing more alone time for him and Sam.
"I didn't think you would." Sam says with a small smile of her own before leaning forward to lightly brush her lips against Jason's. Laughter breaks out between both of them when he pushes her back in the bed and the lightly wrestle until both settle comfortably together in the hospital bed.
The soft knock on the door alerted them both that they were about to be interrupted and before Jason could get himself untangled from Sam and off the bed they were joined by James followed by Molly and Kristina.
Clearly uncomfortable at the position he caught them in James clears his throat and shifts his eyes to a picture on the wall. "Sorry I…I was told that I should bring the girls up to Sam's room, but…"
"No it's fine James." Sam assures him with a knowing smile, Jason's men weren't used to seeing him in this position with a woman.
"But Sam, if you and Jason would prefer privacy…"
"They're in a hospital Molly, they won't be getting much privacy here." Kristina murmurs keeping her eyes lowered from everyone. She still felt terrible about her outburst earlier and the fact that because of her Sam was in the hospital again.
"I just thought…" Molly says unsure and looking at Sam nervously, the last time she had seen her Sam had been when the paramedics were rushing her into the ambulance. "I'm so sorry." Molly says tears filling her eyes once again.
Sam surprised by the tears quickly gets up from the bed and with the support of Jason goes to Molly. "Oh Molly." Sam says wrapping her arms tightly around the young girl. "Shh it's ok…I'm ok." Sam murmurs brushing back her sisters hair and looks into her eyes. "Molly everything is going to be ok."
"But…but you got hit by a car!" Molly struggles to get the words out, burying her head into Sam's chest.
"And I'm fine Molly." Sam says looking over at Kristina to see she had silent tears falling down her cheeks too. "Kristina." Sam calls out and holds her other arm out for the young girl to walk over. When she does Sam pulls her closer and hugs both girls close to her. "I'm fine." Sam soothes and sends Jason an appreciative look over her shoulder when he rests a hand on her back to help support the extra weight her sisters were putting on her body.
"It's our fault." Molly whimpers after a minute had passed.
"No!" Sam and Jason say at the same time, startling the young girls.
"She's right." Kristina says stepping back and finally looking Sam in the face. "If I hadn't fought with you and Molly hadn't run outside you would've been safe in the penthouse, just like Jason wanted you to be." Kristina says casting a quick glance at him before looking back down. "It's our fault you got hurt."
Sam was starting to feel sore, which meant the pain medication was wearing off and weak on her feet she was starting to depend more on Jason's strength to stand up straight. "Come here…sit down with me on the bed." Sam urges sitting down and patting spots on either side of her for the girls to follow. "Now listen to me closely, because I want no misunderstanding, ok?"
"Ok." Both girls say quietly staring intently at Sam.
"It is not your fault that I got hurt, neither of you were behind the wheel of that car…"
"But I ran out into the street!" Molly begins to argue, but is silenced by one look from Sam.
"And I followed you out there even though I knew better. Even though there were a number of people who were already on their way to help, I did that. It was my choice. You didn't make me." Sam says, her voice firm, but her gaze warm and comforting. "And I would do it all over again if I had the chance."
"Really?" Molly says her tears finally coming to an end.
"Of course!" Sam says pulling Molly into another hug and kissing the top of her head. "You are my little sisters, it's my job to keep you safe." Sam says the last part and remembers what Alexis had asked of her. Gritting her teeth and closing her eyes Sam takes a deep breath, regretting that she had to do this. "I love you two so much." Sam says staring first at Molly before turning her gaze to Kristina, wanting both to know how true those words were. "You know that right?" Sam asks, this time only looking at Kristina, and the small flicker of doubt in the young girl's eyes hits Sam hard. "Kristina…"
"I know you say you do, but it's hard to believe it sometimes Sam." Kristina says her voice husky from her tears, her gaze lowering to her hands in her lap.
"Kristina!" Molly shouts getting upset all over again.
"No Molly…shh." Sam says patting her leg. "Kristina has a right to feel that way. I haven't exactly been a great older sister lately."
"I think you have." Molly says quietly earning her a small smile from Jason who had been standing quietly in the corner of the room.
"Thank you Molly." Sam says feeling her own eyes tear up at the fact this little girl loved and looked up to her no matter what. It made having to stay away that much more difficult. "But Kristina does have a right to be upset, I let you both down. And I hope after things settle down I can make it up to both of you." Sam says picturing maybe a trip to the city full of shopping for Kristina and museums for Molly.
"I was thinking we could take a trip out on the boat!" Molly says excitedly. "We haven't done that in forever and according to the news the weather this weekend is supposed to be perfect." As Molly continued to gush over the idea Sam couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm before reality overtook her once again.
"I'm afraid this weekend isn't going to work out."
"Well if you're not feeling up to managing the boat I would be more than happy to do it for you! With you directing me of course since I've only read a little on the subject, and Moby Dick doesn't really count…but it would be just like we were captain and first mate!"
Molly was so engrossed with the idea she missed Sam's frown, but Kristina saw it and just knew. "You won't be spending time with us anytime soon will you?" She says it like a question, but the accusation in her eyes lets Sam know it was rhetorical.
"What?" Molly says confused looking between her two older sisters. "Is that true?" She asks staring at Sam intently.
"Molly…" Sam sighs, her shoulders slumping, hating that she had to do this.
"Why!"
Sam looks over at Jason and she can see understanding in his eyes, he knew how hard this was for her. "Because…it's not safe right now for me to be spending time with you, I don't want to chance something like today happening again."
"But it won't, I promise!" Molly pleads. "I won't run off like that again and Kristina and I will get along better, won't we Kristina?"
"Whatever." Kristina shrugs her shoulders. "Sam isn't going to change her mind Molly."
"But why?" Molly says sullenly. "If we're careful and stay in the penthouse where Jason can watch out for us, why can't we? We will be safe then. Right Jason! You'll protect us." Molly says turning to face him.
Jason surprised to be at the center of attention all of a sudden clears his throat and nods his head once. "Of course I will try, but nothing is definite…"
"You will Jason, I know you will." Molly urges optimistically.
Sighing Sam shakes her head and draws Molly's gaze back to her. "Molly it doesn't work that way."
"But Sam…"
"Molly enough!" Sam snaps, her anger at Alexis and the entire situation getting the better of her for a minute. The startled look she sees on her youngest sisters face makes same realize the mistake she made and her shoulders slump. "I'm sorry Molly I didn't mean to that." Sam squeezes her hand gently.
"Sam." Jason says and waits for her eyes to reach his. "You don't have to do this you know?"
Sam smiles sadly at him and shakes her head. "But I really do. She has a point Jason."
Once again Kristina knew without much having to be said that there was something Sam wasn't saying. "Oh I get it." She scoffs with a shake of her head. "Mom is making you do this, isn't she?"
"It was her idea, but I…" Sam starts to say, not wanting to blame it all on Alexis and have the girls mad at their mother. The last thing Sam needed was Alexis blaming her for that.
"You're mother doesn't want me around you girls and since Sam isn't willing to leave me Alexis is punishing her." Jason says, not caring if Alexis got mad at him for telling the truth. He wasn't going to let Sam lie for that woman.
"Jason…" Sam sighs, knowing it was no use arguing with him.
"I'm sorry Sam, but you said it yourself. They deserve the truth." Jason says pushing away from the wall to join the group near the bed.
"Not that truth." Sam murmurs with a small glare before looking back at her sisters. "Jason isn't explaining it right…"
"Oh come on Sam! That so sounds just like our mother. Its passive-aggressive and manipulative… two things she loves to do when she wants her way."
"Kristina!" Sam says trying to keep her amusement hidden.
"Well it's true." She shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't understand why she would do that?" Molly says shaking her head looking between Sam and Jason.
"She's not Molly." Sam shakes her head, getting control of the situation again and shooing Jason away with a flick of her hand. "She just wants you girls safe and after today it's obvious that even with the best security Jason has it's still not quite safe enough. Not in Alexis eyes anyways." Sam could tell Molly still wasn't understanding completely. "She's scared Molly and when Alexis gets scared she tends to overreact."
"So you really aren't in that much danger?" Kristina says doubtful. She had watched the whole scene earlier in the street, that car had been aiming right for Sam.
"No, Alexis is right to be concerned for your girls' safety, which is why I'm not going to argue with her decision. It really isn't safe to be near me right now."
"For how long?" Molly asks.
Sam looked at Jason again and could read the regret in his eyes as he shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "Not until Jason and I are sure it's safe." Sam says not wanting to commit to any length of time, knowing it could take awhile to finally catch Jerry.
"When will that be?" Kristina asks, not allowing Sam to get off that easily.
"I don't know exactly." Sam shakes her head lightly. "Hopefully not long, because I'm going to miss you both like crazy!"
"And after the danger has passed…then what?" Kristina asks not convinced.
"What do you mean?" Sam asks confused by the question.
Kristina shrugs her shoulders and avoids talking by clearing her throat, but Sam's gaze on her face becomes too much. "What happens when you no longer need Jason's protection? I mean the only reason you came back in the first place was because you needed medical help and Jason transferred you here while you were still unconscious. It wasn't like you had any say in the matter. So once you're healed and no longer in danger will you still stay here? Don't you have a life to get back to? Or are you just going to pack everything up and move back here?"
"Well of course she's not going to leave again." Molly says confidently. "Sam has too many reasons to stay…we're here, Maxie and Spinelli are here."
"That doesn't mean she's going to stay Molly. She had all those reasons to stay before and she still left." Kristina says, her gaze unflinching from Sam's. "So are you going to leave again?"
Sam couldn't say she was surprised by the question, Kristina had every right to wonder if Sam planned to stay. She just wished she would have had more time to prepare, to think through her answer. Because if Sam was going to be honest she would have to admit she didn't know yet if she would be staying in Port Charles. Kristina was right she had created a life for herself in Miami. One she loved and would miss if she just left it behind. At the same time Molly was right when she said Sam had plenty of reasons to stay in Port Charles; family, friends, and Jason…she couldn't forget about him. She loved him. But did that mean she had to give up the new life she had created for herself? Sam honestly didn't know the answer to that.