Do not own General Hospital or any of the characters.

The Flame of Franco

The Jury is in...

The next 24 hours were hell as the jury made their decision on Sonny's faith. Jason was hoping that they would be able to make a decision before Michael could confess. Michael had already called Carly letting her know that he was safe , however wouldn't tell her where he was. He had told her that he would be home if Sonny was not found guilty of killing Claudia but if he was, then he would confess the truth. This was something that Jason did not want to happen. He was just grateful that this nightmare of a trial was almost over. And that whatever happened next wasn't as troublesome. He could finally focus his attention onto Sam and her needs. Something he had been lacking the past month it seemed. Even no he knew the end was near, it did not make the wait any either. He found he could not sleep that night as he waited and wondered if the jury would side with Sonny or with Claire.

He wasn't alone however, Sam was up too. This time it was to support him. Things had gotten a little easier for her. She didn't have to worry about Kristina so much. Her little sister was making a good recovery it seemed after all the hell she had been through. Krissy was going to therapy and getting help from Dr. Winters as well. Sam loved to see this. It gave her hope that her sister wouldn't be a screw up like she was. Kristina was still so young and had a bright future ahead of her. She was glade to see that Kristina wouldn't let what Kiefer did to her set her back. However she knew the young woman still had a long ways to go but it was a start. Unlike Sam, who felt she was stuck in this dark hole forever now. It didn't matter how hard she tried, she could not get past what Franco had done to her. No matter how much she went over the events in her head and talked about it out loud with Dr. Winters.

The couple did not say much as they sat on the couch together. Jason was holding Sam's hand as she rested her head against his chest. It was early in the morning, just passed four. They were watching some show on the television. Neither were paying attention to it though. "Are you scared?" asked Sam, looking up towards Jason, bringing him out of his silence.

"A little," he admitted in a soft voice. He wasn't looking at her as he spoke. He was still looking into the screen of the television.

"Do you think Sonny will get off?" she asked towards him, her brown eyes never leaving his face.

"I don't know," replied Jason honestly, "I don't know what the fuck to think anymore."

"You did all you could Jason," whispered Sam in reply, " Don't beat yourself up if he get convicted. Sonny is protecting his son. You both were protecting Michael from confessing. You knew there was a good chance that Sonny would end up in jail. You agreed to it, as long as Michael didn't end up there." She explained this all in a low whisper. She didn't want to upset him anymore then he already was. She just wanted him to see that this was all part of their plan in the beginning. And if Michael didn't end up in jail, then they were doing their job.

"I should have taken the blame," spoke Jason in a harsh whisper. "I should have confess to killing Claudia."

Sam didn't like to hear this but didn't say anything. She knew that they all wished they could take back all their lies they had said on that night. "You did what you thought was right at the time," she spoke softly, hoping to change his mind.

"I should had done more," he spoke bitterly after a moment.

It was at this moment, Sam didn't know if he was still talking about the trial and Sonny or something else. She knew that Jason still blamed himself deeply for what Franco had done to her. And after months, he still wished that he had done more. However, no matter how much they wished and thought about how things could have been different. It didn't change the present. She didn't say anything at this as she lean over and kissed him on the cheek. "I don't blame you," she whispered into his ear. Her voice gently caressing his skin. She didn't blame him for what had happened to her. He hadn't been the one to rape her. That was all on Franco.

The couple was silent for the rest of the morning as soon afterwards they had fallen asleep. They had stayed liked since until the afternoon. Sam had been the one to awoken first. She had woken the her stomach growling for food. She was starving. Jason had a woken a few moments later. They stared intensely at one another before sharing a tender kiss. It seemed like in that brief moment, all their troubles were behind them as Jason cupped the side of Sam's small face, deepening the kiss. However, the moment faded away like dust as Jason's cell phone vibrated across the coffee table. Sam let out a muffed groan as she felt his lips leave hers.

Jason's hand slipped from her face as he reached over towards the cell phone. He was waiting on a call from Carly. He had assumed that the jury was going to make their decision quick. No one would think twice about not finding Sonny guilty. He was the most wanted man in Port Charles.

He barely glanced at the caller display as he lifted the phone to his ear, "Jason Morgan," he spoke. His voice was deep and serious. It was his business voice.

"Jason," cried a paniced Carly on the other line, "Something terrible has happened!"

"What is it?" asked Jason, not missing a beat.

"That Jackass Dante, that's is what! I was at the court house, waiting around seeing if I could find out any information on Sonny's trial. Waiting for the jury to make their verdict. Well, it didn't take long. I was there for an hour before the trial was resumed and the jury was in. And just as they were about to read out the verdict, who comes storming into the room but Dante! The little brat interrupts the whole thing and tell the judge that Sonny isn't the one to kill Claudia but Michael!" Her voice was filled with rage as she told the events of the trial to Jason.

"He did what?" asked Jason in disbelief.

"That Jackass of brother, turned Michael in!" cried Carly into the phone. After Dante had confess this little bit of truth to the judge, all chaos had broken out. There had been yelling and screaming from everyone in that courtroom. It had taken the judge a good moment or two for everyone to calm down. He had send put Dante on the stand, making the cop explain himself. Dante had then told him how Michael had been taken away by his family not because he was a witness to the crime but because he was the true killer. He then said he had proof that Michael was the killer. He mentioned Michael's bloody shirt from that night, that he had kept. He also had explained to Judge Carroll how his younger brother had confess all this to him and how Claudia death had been an accident. After listening to Dante explain himself, the judge had called Carly yet again to the stand, hearing out her side of the story.

"And what did you tell them?" asked Jason in his voice quieter as his mind began to race. He could feel Sam's eyes on him but he ignored her as he listened as his friend began to explain what she told on the stand.

"Well, of course I stuck to our original story. I said that Sonny had been the one to kill Claudia but added in that yes Michael had been at the cabin that night and had seen the whole thing. I said that Michael was only trying to protect his father but taking the blame for Claudia's death. The judge didn't say much after that. He then called a recess but issues a warrant for Michael's arrest! You need to find him Jase before it's too late!" her voice was high as she pleaded for her friend's help in finding her son before Dante did. She couldn't see her baby going off to jail. She wouldn't have it.

And neither would Jason. He then quickly hung up the phone as his mind raced at where he could possibly find his nephew. He was feeling a mixture of fear and rage at the moment as he quickly explain to Sam what had happened at the court house.

She was quiet as she listened to him explain the news to her. She didn't protest as he explained how he had to go find Michael before it was too late. Usually, Sam would offer to come with him and help him on the search. However, she didn't have the energy to do that now. Michael was dear to her. But this time it was Jason's battle not hers. So she simply watched as he fled out the door, leaving her alone in the Penthouse.

I know it was a short chapter but more will be coming soon! I promise!

Thanks for reading and please review!