Do not own General Hospital or any of the characters.

The Flame of Franco

The Bomb...

Jason gritted his teeth as he looked onto the face of Franco. His blue eyes were as dark as coal as he stepped passed the artist and entered the darkened studio. His hand held onto the gun as he turned swiftly around and pointed it in the direction of Franco.

"Tell me where she is!" he yelled, his voice filled with rage at his eyes narrowed at the artist.

Franco's eyes were filled with mischief, his lips turned out into a grin as he turned to look at Jason. He was pleased that he had finally come. It had taken longer than he would have liked but he was here, now. "Jason, Jason, Jason," murmured the artist as he leaned back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest.

"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS!" Jason's voice echoed off the rafters of the studio as he took a step closer to where Franco stood, aiming the gun at his heart.

"Oh I will but not now," replied Franco, not flinching at Jason's threatening movements. "I have other business to discuss with you first," he then straightened up and took a step forwards, enclosing the distance between the two of them. He was not threatened by Jason or his gun. A soft chuckle escaped from his lips as he walked pass, Jason, moving further into the studio.

Jason quickly turned and watched Franco. His heart beating loudly through his massive chest as he tightened his grip on his weapon; he knew he would have to play by Franco's game for a little while longer before he could find out where Sam and Josslyne were being kept.

"I have been working on my masterpiece since you have last visited," explain Franco, is back was towards Jason as he looked on at a easel where a 4' by 4' canvas rested. It was covered by a sheet hiding what was underneath on the canvas. "I don't like to brag but it is some of my best work," gestured the artist as he turned around and glance at Jason, a smile playing on his face. "It is the piece that will make my name last in history. I am very proud of it." He winked at Jason before turning away from him and pulling the sheet off of the canvas.

Jason's eyes shifted away from the artist and onto the painting that just been revealed. It looked like a blue print of some sort to him as he took a small step forward to get a better look. It showed the outline of a box with scratches of numbers underneath. It was painted a sequence he noted as his eyes drifted from the top left corner to the right and moved across and down to the bottom left. It ended with the words bomb. No matter how long Jason looked on at it, he would not be able to get it. He didn't get art.

"What do you think?" asked Franco with pride towards Jason as if he was a dear friend and not the man who wanted to kill him.

Jason just glared at Franco, "Tell me where she is!" he spoke again. His blood was boiling with rage by this point. He wanted to kill him and now but he could not do that until he found out where Sam and Josslyne were.

"But I just did," replied the artist.

Sam lay on the floor of her prison cube, looking out through the plexiglass to the door of the warehouse. She needed to get out but how. The door was locked and she couldn't wait for Franco to return and try to slip out yet again; he would surely murder her then.

Was this how she was supposed to die? Slowly and alone?

Tears she was unaware of where rolling down her face and onto the surface of the floor. Where are you Jason? She thought to herself.

"WHERE ARE YOU DAMNIT!" she cried, her voice echoing off of the walls. She pounded her fist into the floor with rage. She had known from the beginning that Jason would come and rescue her. She didn't have to worry; he always had her back, even the times that she didn't want his help. But now has days went on, she was losing faith.

Calming herself down, Sam listened to the stillness of the room, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. The lights in the warehouse were on a timer, they had suddenly gone off. It was then she heard it, a soft ticking noise. This was the first time she was hearing it. Slowing rising to her feet, she moved to the edge of the cube to look out at something that had caught her eye.

Why had she not noticed it before? She wondered as she looked on at what looked to be a digital clock. It flashed a harsh red light in the darken space as the numbers on it suddenly changed. It was counting down, noted Sam a suddenly realization came over her. Panicking she started to bang her fist hard against the plexiglass; hoping by some miracle that it would break.

Lucky and Dante where just leaving the police station when Lucky's cell went off in his coat pocket. Pulling it out he looked down at the caller display, frowning slightly he pressed the phone to his ear. "Spinelli what is it?" he asked.

"Greetings, Cleft Chin Keeper of the Peace," spoke Spinelli to the officer. "The Jackal is in most need of your services. Something has arrived through The Deranged One again. "

"Franco sent something? What is it?"

"The Jackal is not hundred percent sure to be honest. It is most confusing. I believe it would be best that the Keeper of the Peace, came down to Stone Cold's dwellings himself to see this new item," rambled Spinelli through the phone. He was one the void of panicking. This new piece of evidence was truly something out of the norm. It was neither a picture or a video or a piece of clothing.

Sensing the hacker's fear, "I'm on my way!" Lucky told him before hanging up and turning his attention towards Dante.

"We are going to the Penthouse," he spoke to the Italian standing beside him, who had been listening to the whole conversation.

Dante nodded his head at Lucky in agreement before both heading towards the parking lot.

The two officers arrived at the Penthouse ten minutes later to be greeted by a flustered looking Spinelli.

"Spinelli what is it?" Lucky's blue eyes looked over at the hacker as he made his way into the penthouse, followed by Dante. The officer was scared that it would be another video of Franco doing something to Sam or worse.

"It is this," gestured Spinelli to something on the desk. Both men looked over to where he was pointing at. The object was a small cube made out of plexiglass which was seated on a base. It was 4 inches in height and diameter.

"This is it?" asked Lucky in confusion as he looked up and met Dante's eye before turning to look at Spinelli. He didn't understand why Spinelli was so panicked, it was just a box.

"Yes. But the Keeper of the Peace does not see it," replied Spinelli, shaking his head slightly.

"See what Spinelli, it's just a box," this time Dante spoke.

Spinelli narrowed his brown eyes at the officer with annoyance. "It is not JUST a box!" Taking a step forward, he reached for the cube and flipped it over, revealing a not that was tapped to the bottom.

"This is a bomb and will go off at within six days on the dot," read out Lucky over Spinelli's shoulder.

All three men looked at one another at this; Sam had been missing for six days now.

Okay I know it was a little shorter than usual but more will be coming soon, I promise. Thanks for reading and please review!

Julie