Do not own General Hospital or any of the characters.

I suggest that you all grab a cup of coffee or tea before reading this, it's a long one. Some of the dialogue is from the show back in 2010. Hope you don't mind!

Enjoy.

The Flame of Franco

The Island...

Sam had been asleep on the couch when there was a loud knock on the front door. Sighing at this, she slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She had been having a good sleep, for once.

"Coming," she called out as there was another knock on the door. She noticed she was not dressed appropriately for receiving visitors as she caught a glance of herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a long sleeve black t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms covered in images of polar bears, her hair was a mess But it was early in the morning. She hoped that it was just her mother, coming to check up on her. She had spent the last couple days at the lake house. Jason had ended up going to South America with Sonny. But was suppose to be returning today.

However, it wasn't her mother as she opened the door, and looked at the unfamiliar face of the smartly dressed woman before her."Hi there," she answered, wondering who this person was.

"Hi, is Jason Morgan home?" asked the stranger towards Sam, taking in her outfit.

"Unfortunately, he isn't," answered Sam. She had never met Claire welsh but she assumed this was who was standing in front of her. Jason had warned her to be prepared for her to drop by. "He was called out on a last minute business matter in Puerto Rico," she lied.

"Well, do you know when Mr. Morgan will be returning?" asked the lawyer politely towards her.

"I'm not really sure," lied Sam, pulling a bit of a face. She knew that Jason was returning today but didn't want to tell this lady that.

"Oh, well when he does, can you tell him to give me a call?" spoke the lawyer, as she reached into her purse and handed over a business card to Sam.

Taking the card from her, she carefully looked down at the name before smiling back at her. "I will sure to do so."

The two women then said their goodbyes to one another before Sam watched as Claire got onto the elevator. Shutting the door behind her, Sam placed the business card down on the desk. She was suddenly over come with fear. She had known that Jason had warned her about this happening but she was still worried what the outcome would be. She didn't want to have to face Jason going to jail. Sighing, she ran her hands through her hair before walking towards the kitchen, she needed coffee.

"Do I have to worry?" asked Sam as she appeared back in the room. Jason had not been home for five minutes before Claire welsh was banging at the door again. She had come to warn Jason that he couldn't run from her. That she was going to be calling him to testify at Sonny's trial.

"I don't know," he replied honestly. This whole thing with Sonny was a mess. They were all lying out of their asses at the moment in order to keep the truth under wraps. He knew he should be worried about this threat from Claire but he also knew that she could just be playing games with him. He was standing by the fire place as Sam came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek into his back, breathing in the scent of him.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I missed you too," he replied back as he turned around to face her. It had been a long couple of days. He was glad to be home, even if he had to deal with Claire Welsh. He was happy to see her again. The couple then shared a long kiss with one another before being interrupted by someone at the door.

"What does that woman want now," groaned Jason as he pulled away from Sam and made his way towards the front door. He thought it was the lawyer again. However he was mistaken as he opened the door to see an upset Carly."What happened?" he asked, dreading what the answer would be.

"Jax and I were having another fight about Sonny," began to explain the blonde as she walked passed Jason and into the penthouse, paying no attention to Sam who was now seated on the couch. "And how he is a danger to our family," she turned to look at him as he closed the door.

"Jax got you this upset?" he asked, a little taken back that Jax would get her this worked up.

"And, Jax stormed away," she continued on, ignoring his question. There were tears in her eyes but they weren't of sadness. But out of fear. She was shaking with emotion as she looked up into his face. "And I knocked this over," she spoke gesturing to the photo album she held into her hands. "It photos from the christening." Her eyes pierced into Jason's as she opened the album and pulled out a photograph.

"It's Franco," she stated as she held up a photograph of the artist to him His eyes immediately darkened at this. "He's still after you Jason," she added.

"What's Franco?" asked Sam, suddenly standing up and making her way over to where the pair stood.

Carly looked over at Sam at this. She hadn't noticed that she was there. The two women then stared at one another before, looking over at Jason. His eyes were piercing into the photo of the man that he loathed.

"How did this happen?" asked Sam, her voice filled with panic, "How did a photo of him get into the album?" she didn't want to have to think about that Franco was at the christening. Just the thought gave her goose bumps.

"Do you think he is coming after Josslyne again?" asked Carly at Jason. She too was in a panic at what all this meant or could mean.

He looked briefly over at her, before reaching out and taking the photo from Carly. He was trying to keep his anger at bay but was finding it hard too as he read what was written on the back of it. "He's coming after me," he stated as he handed over the photo back to her. He then began to pace around the room. He was deep in thought. He had not forgotten about Franco still being out there, he just been dealing with Sonny problems.

Carly looked down at the message that was written In Franco's hand writing before reading out the message, "What's taking so long? Kill soon or I will have to kill first!"

Sam looked over at Jason, who was looking back at her. There seemed to be nothing that neither of them could say to one another to make the other one feel better. They were both lost at what to do.

"If he wants to scare us, why didn't he just send a picture of Michael kneeling over Claudia's body?" asked Carly turning around to face Jason. She didn't understand what all this could mean. "That would prove that we lied about everything going on that night!" She was furious. She hated Franco. She hated these mind games he played.

"This doesn't have anything to do with Michael," stated Jason, towards his friend, "Franco wants to make sure that I haven't forgotten about him…that he still out there, watching me."

Sam let out a shiver at this, wrapping her arms around herself. She didn't like to hear that. That Franco was watching all of them. It made her sick to her stomach to think about it. She then violently shook her head from side to side, trying to erase the thought from her mind.

Jason knew that Franco was waiting for him to mess up and when he did he knew that he would show his sad excuse of a face again. This new message from him was a warning, something that Jason could not take lightly. He could not forget what he had done to Sam. He never would. He had told Carly not to worry about the message that they had to focus on Sonny and the trial. He had made a lot of mistakes the night that Claudia had died, they all had and Franco knew all this too. And he would use it against him. Franco was for him to handle, he had told Carly this. But to make her feel safer, he had ordered extra guards around her home. He wasn't taking any chances this time.

Jason had already failed Sam. He didn't want to fail Michael either.

It was a few days later and he had Spinelli working on Franco, finding out how the photography had gotten into the christening album. He wanted to get as much information on him as possible. He knew he needed to find him soon before he decided to pull something else. He had also put extra guards around the Penthouse; he didn't want Sam to be in danger. Usually she would have protested but she didn't. The guards gave her comfort. He was seated on the couch, flipping though the newspaper, when he heard her. Jason looked up, surprised to see Sam coming down the stairs fully dressed in jeans, boots and leather jacket.

"Where are you going?" he asked. She didn't dress up usually unless she had to go to therapy. She hardly left the house now a days.

"I can't take it anymore Jason, I need to get out of here," she answered him as she stepped off the last stair and walked towards the desk. "I was thinking about heading over to Kelly's, do you want to come?" she asked. Her brown eyes stared into his as he rose slowly from his seat. They hadn't been on a date in some time. "Do you want me to come?" he asked, he didn't want to impose on her time alone.

"I would like you to yes," she answered, a smile slightly appearing on her face. "I know you have a lot of going on at the moment, but I thought it would be nice just to get away from the house for a bit," she rambled.

"Okay," he replied, making his way over to where she stood at the door. He touched her lightly on the shoulder as he passed her to get to the closest where his coat was hung.

Kelly's however didn't manage to be the distraction that they both were hoping it would be. As they were served their food, Kristina walked into the diner followed by Ethan. Sam frowned over her food at this, as she watched as her little sister took a seat at the table by the door, with this older man. She didn't like the looks of this. She knew that Krissy had a slight crush on Ethan.

"What's wrong?" asked Jason, watching her with concern. He had his back towards the door and did not see the young girl enter.

"It's my sister," whispered Sam towards him, her eyes looking briefly at him before looking back at her little sister, who had just laughed at something Ethan had said. She didn't know what was going on between them but she didn't like the looks of it.

Jason didn't say anything as he looked over his shoulder to where Sam was staring at. He took in the scene before him. Kristina was all smiles as she looked onto the older man, who was smiling back at her. It looked like they were playing cards of some sort. Ethan began to shuffle a stack of cards, saying something to Kristina in the process. He could see why Sam would be concerned.

"What do you think they are doing together?" she asked to him.

"It looks like he teaching her how to play poker or something," he offered, looking back at her.

"I don't like the looks of it," she whispered as she once again looked on at their table, where Kristina was now leaning in towards Ethan, touching him lightly on the arm. She knew what her little sister was up too. She had done it too often herself at Kristina's age and later. Usually it wouldn't bother Sam to see her little sister flirting so openly like she was. It was more who she was doing it with that bothered her. Ethan was too old for her sixteen year old sister. It wasn't right. "Do you think I should go over there?" she asked. She didn't want to embarrass her little sister, but she didn't want to see her get hurt either. She had done stupid things in the pass when it came to men, she didn't want her sister following in her footsteps.

"If you think it's for the best," he offered. If it was him, he knew that he would push Ethan in the face and warn him to stay away from Sonny's daughter. Sam frowned at this. She bit down on her lower lip. She wanted to look out for her little sister but didn't want to cause any trouble. They could be innocently playing cards with one another. However, she knew that there was more too it.

"I think, I will wait," replied Sam, looking at Jason. "I will visit Krissy later and tell her not to get her hopes up about Ethan. Or maybe I will talk to Ethan too, explaining to him that Krissy had a crush on him and by spending time with her, he is leading her on."

"That sounds like a good idea," replied Jason to her, giving her a reassuring smile. He knew how much she cared for her sisters and would do anything to protect them. They then remained quiet for the rest of the time while they ate.

"You ready to go?" asked Jason appearing back at the table, after paying the bill at the counter. Just then however, his cell phone went off. Shooting Sam an apologist look, he pulled the phone out of his pocket and pressed it to his ear, not bothering to check who was calling. "Hello?" he spoke into the phone.

"Jason, where are you?" It was Sonny calling.

"I'm a Kelly's," he answered.

"Well, I need to meet up with you," replied Sonny on the other line, "I'm outside the Penthouse."

"I can be there in five. I'm just finishing up now," answered Jason to his boss and friend. He knew that Sam wouldn't be too happy about this. But whatever Sonny wanted to talk to him about, he knew it was important. Sonny had returned with him to the states, his bail had not been provoked.

"That was Sonny right?" asked Sam, who was still seated at the table, finishing off her drink.

"It was," he replied sadly, "He is at the penthouse waiting for me."

Sam didn't seem to upset by this. She understood the business. "Well, you go and meet up. I will stay here. I might try and talk to Ethan about my sister," she replied, looking up at him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, worried to leave her alone.

"Jase, I will be fine," she spoke standing up and reassuring him. "I will only be ten minutes or so. " she placed her hand on his arm, smiling up at him.

He didn't feel like leaving her, especially with the possibility of Franco being around town again. But he knew that Sam wanted to make sure her sister was okay. And plus Sonny was waiting for him. "Text me, when you are leaving," he spoke to her before leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips.

"I will," she replied, kissing him back before letting him leave. She watched him leave before turning her attention onto her sister who was still, playing cards with Ethan. Letting out a sigh, she grabbed her purse and made her way towards their table.

"Hey Krissy," she spoke, as she touched her sister lightly on the shoulder.

"Sam! Hey!" cried Kristina, as she looked upon her older sister. "I didn't know you were here!"

"Yeah, have been here for a while," replied Sam, looking from her sister and Ethan and back. "I was having lunch with Jason."

"Oh, I thought I saw him leave just now," replied the teenager. "Me and Ethan are just playing cards, do you want to join or do you have to get back to Jason?" She was hoping that her sister couldn't stay. She loved Sam but she wanted to spend her time alone with Ethan.

"Um, no I don't really," answered Sam, knowing that this wasn't the answer her sister was hoping for. "He is going to go meet your father. I can stay for a bit!"

"Excellent!" cried Ethan, flashing Sam a smile. "The more the merrier!"

Kristina frowned slightly at this; she didn't like how all the sudden Ethan was giving her sister all the attention. Sam was defiantly the beauty of the family. She saw how she didn't even have to try and all the guys drooled over her.

"You okay?"Asked Ethan as he began to shuffle the cards, he was noticing how Kristina wasn't looking too happy at that moment.

"I'm great!" answered Kristina, her faces breaking out into a smile. She then all the sudden sat up in her seat, rolling her shoulders back and thrusting out her chest. She wanted to show Ethan that she wasn't some little kid. That she was just as womanly as her older sister who had just pulled up a chair and was seated between the two.

The trio played for a good ten minutes, before Kristina's cell phone went off. She was suppose to be meeting up with her French study group. "Shit!" swore the teen under her breath as she placed her hand face down on the table and grabbed her phone. It was a text from someone in the group wondering where she was.

"Do you have somewhere to be?" asked Ethan towards the teen. Both Sam and him were staring at Kristina, as she looked up briefly from the text message she was sending. "Just give me a moment," she replied, flashing him a reassuring smile. "I just need to make a phone call!" She didn't want Ethan to think that she was bailing on him.

She then stood up as she pressed her phone to her ear and left the table, leaving Sam and Ethan together. Sam was graceful for this moment. She was hoping to have some time alone with the Aussie. She waited for her sister to be out of ear shot before turning to the young man.

"Okay, lets cut to the chase," she spoke to him, placing her hand down onto the table. She was all business as she locked eyes with Ethan, who was looking back at her with a puzzled expression. "You must know she has a major crush on you!" Sam wrapped her arms around her chest.

Ethan looked at her for a second before his face broke out into a grin, "Yeah, it's pretty hard to miss!" He had known from day one that Kristina was crushing on him.

"Well, then that brings me to my next question, why in hell are you encouraging it?" answered Sam, there was an edge in her voice as she looked into his face. This was no joking matter to her. At this, Ethan dropped the smile he had been supporting to that point. Sitting up, he looked at Sam.

"You miss understand. I'm not encouraging anything," he answered. He cared for Kristina and didn't want to case her any harm. "I'm just trying to be nice to a messed up kid with daddy issues and a jerk boyfriend, that's all" He explained to her. Kristina had enough problem in her life. He just wanted to be a friend and help her out.

"Okay, I won't argue with you on that point of view. I think Kiefer is bad news. And I'm happy that you are concern for her well being," answered Sam, she understood where he was coming from, "But, girls like Kristina kinda lose their heads when cute boys pay extra attention to them. So maybe, you are just giving off the wrong signals too her, that's all!"

"You really think so?" he asked towards her. He didn't seem to be upset with what Sam was proposing. He had tried to keep from playing into Kristina's feelings but acting friendly. But he knew also how girls did read into everything.

"Yeah I do," replied Sam, honestly too him. She could tell that Ethan wasn't a bad guy. He genially cared for Kristina's well being.

"I never attended to lead her on or anything," replied Ethan, letting out his sigh.

"I know you didn't" she spoke, "I'm just saying maybe to dial it down a little bit."

He then smiled at her, "I will!"

"Sounds good!" replied Sam, smiling back at him.

Just then Kristina returned.

"Everything okay?" asked Sam, turning her attention to her sister, who had just taken her seat back at the table.

"Yeah, great," replied Kristina at her sister. She was able to cancel her French study group. "Let's play some poker!" She cried, picking up her cards from off the table. "You so going down!" she spoke towards, Ethan, flashing him a seductive smile.

Ethan smiled nervously at her, before pretending to look down at the time on his watch. "I'm afraid Kristina, I can't stay. I have to get to work! I'm so sorry love!"

Kristina face fell at this, "Oh, okay!" she replied, looking down at the table, trying to mask her disappointment.

Ethan then left the two sisters to be. "this is all your fault!" snarled Kristina towards Sam.

"My fault!?" asked Sam, in confusion.

"Yeah, everything was going fine, until you showed up!" she was pissed and upset over Ethan suddenly leaving and was taking it out on Sam. "What did you tell him after I left? Five minutes with you and he suddenly is all distant!"

"How did your talk with Sonny go?" asked Sam as she stepped into the Penthouse and looked over at Jason who was seated on the couch.

"It went okay," he shrugged as he stood up and made his way towards her. He could tell she was upset about something. "How did you talk with Kristina go?"

"Oh you know, she basically hates my guts now," answered Sam, trying to keep her voice from cracking. She hated when her sister was mad at her, especially when she was just looking out for her well-being. Kristina had accused her of trying to ruin her relationship with Ethan. She didn't understand that he was too old for her. She hated Sam for what she had done.

"She will come around," whispered Jason into her ear as he reached out and pulled her into an embrace. He knew that Sam loved her sisters and only wanted the best for them.

"I hope so," she mumbled in reply. They stayed like this for a moment before Sam, pulled away and looked up at Jason. "So what did Sonny want?" she asked. She knew that Sonny hadn't just wanted to talk with Jason. There was something more to it.

Jason let out a sigh at this, before taking her by the hand and leading her to the couch. There was something he needed to discuss with her. He didn't know how Sam would take this news he was about to tell her. When Sonny had suggested it to him, he had hesitated in accepting. Any time before he would have said yes but he had Sam to think about.

"What's up?" she asked as she took a seat and turned to face him.

"Sonny wants me to go the island," he answered. "He wants me to take Michael, so that he won't be forced to testify at the trial." There were too many people that knew that Michael had been the one to kill Claudia and the young man was becoming even closer to confessing.

"Okay," she replied, "So when are you going?"

"I didn't tell him anything. I told him that I needed to talk it over with you first," he answered, giving her hand a squeeze. Sonny had not been happy about hearing this, but he understood.

Sam was a little taken back by this. She hadn't expected that he would talk it over first with her. Usually it was whatever Sonny wanted, Sonny got.

"So what do you think?" he asked, "I won't go, if you don't want me too. Max and Milo can go down with Michael. He just needs to be watched." His blue eyes studied her face. He couldn't make out what she was thinking.

"I don't know," she replied. She didn't like the idea of him leaving her again. But at the same time, she didn't want to hold him back. "How long would you be going for?"

"I don't know, as however long the trial lasted I guess," he answered as he rubbed his face in frustration. He just wanted this whole thing to be over with. An idea then suddenly popped into his mind, "How about you come with me!"

I know that's not the best ending to this chapter but there will be more coming soon. Thanks for reading and please review!

Julie