7.
Jason's emotions were all over the place by the time he'd dropped L!z off, but mostly he felt guilty, trapped and torn. He knew he didn't love her the way he loved Sam. He'd also realized he would never love her that way, but they were good friends and he really believed he owed it to his child to try and make it work with his or her mother. In theory it was the most logical choice to him. It was the right thing to do, but in practice it just felt wrong. Any future that didn't include Sam by his side was just wrong.
As he'd suspected, and dreaded, L!z brought up their argument earlier at Kelly's where she'd insisted Michael deliberately spilled the drink. She reasoned Michael was probably threatened of her relationship with his uncle and maybe even a little jealous of the baby. She said it was only natural for a child to have those kinds of fears, but it wasn't alright to allow him to act out. Jason didn't disagree that Michael sometimes misbehaved, but his nephew swore to him it was an accident and he believed him. Michael never lied to him. End of story.
To his relief L!z hadn't tried to win the argument again, but she still managed to make him feel guilty. She pointed out siding with Michael over her in front of him made her out to be the bad guy. Even Emily hadn't stood up for her. Not only that, but the way he abruptly dismissed her feelings without even considering them made her feel like he didn't value her. He wanted to point out she was the one that chose to have the conversation in front of Michael when she accused him, but she was crying and he didn't want to make it worse.
Tears always got to him whether it was his mom, sister, Carly, Robin or her. Yet none of their tears tore at his heart more than Sam's or Micheal's, so when Michael swore to him it was an accident with tears in his eyes Jason just couldn't believe Elizabeth's accusation. She didn't know Michael like he and Emily, so it wasn't really her fault. He apologized for hurting her and was relieved when she'd dried her eyes. That was, until she brought up a way for him to make it up to her.
She reminded him of their talk earlier about a trip to New York City that weekend to find an engagement ring. Jason felt a familiar tightening in his chest as he had in the baby store and it was hard to breathe again, but he couldn't exactly say no. He told her he'd have to check with Sonny first because he wasn't sure he could get away from work. It wasn't a total lie. He did need to keep a close eye on his new neighbor.
Normally when he needed to clear his head he raced off for a long drive on his bike, but he'd done that a lot lately and it just didn't seem to be working. Before he knew it his SUV was headed down that long familiar drive. He cringed at the thought of voluntarily visiting the Quartermaine nuthouse, but he kind of just wanted to talk it out with someone. He wished he could talk it out with Sam, but she was part of the very thing he needed to figure out. He usually talked things out with Sonny, but Sonny had made it perfectly clear how he felt about Elizabeth and Jason wanted to talk to someone he knew cared for all three of them. Emily loved him, Elizabeth, and Sam. She would have all their best interests at heart.
"Jason, what a nice surprise!" Emily smiled as he entered the patio doors.
Jason preferred to sneak in unannounced. He also loved that particular entrance, because it trailed through Lila's rose garden and even when the winter wind allowed no rose to bloom he still felt his grandmother's presence as he walked by. He wished she were still alive. She'd know just what to say to him now.
"Hey, Em." Emily's face grew concerned as she took in the tiny tells indicating her brother was struggling with something.
"What is it Jase? Is everyone alright?" She hoped nothing bad had happened.
"Everyone's okay." He quickly reassured then shrugged. "Just wondering if you had a minute."
"Of course! Nikolas just called to say he's on his way, but I always have time for my big brother. What's going on?" She noticed him anxiously eye the doors that led to the foyer. "It's just the two of us, aside from Alice and Cook. Mom and Dad are at the hospital. Grandfather and Tracy are at ELQ and Luke is... heaven only knows. So, how can I help?" Emily wanted to know.
Jason gave her a half smile as he sat on the edge of the chair, forearms resting on his denim-clad thighs. Emily sat near him on the sofa, soft compassion alight in her eyes.
Jason swallowed. "I'm not sure where to start."
"Well, if I asked you to name the person or thing most troubling you right now what would it be?" She wondered. It was a starting point, at least.
Jason didn't even need a second's pause before answering. "Sam."
Emily smiled softly. "I couldn't help notice the way you watched her at lunch today."
"She didn't even acknowledge me when she walked by on her way out. I was looking right at her, but she wouldn't even look at me." There was no anger when he spoke, only sadness.
"I'm sorry Jase. Did you two have a fight?" She had thought it odd Sam never asked her once the night before about her brother, but Emily figured Jason had told her the news and didn't want to bring up a hurtful topic at her sister's celebration.
Jason nodded and proceeded to tell her exactly how Sam found out about his engagement and the baby. "Oh Jason, I'm so sorry she found out that way. How terrible it must have been, for both of you."
He nodded. "I messed up Em. I've never seen her look so hurt, not... not when I was the cause of it. I should have told her weeks ago."
Emily couldn't help agree with him. "Yes, but regret is a waste of energy. The best thing you can do now is to learn from this mistake and focus on making it right. Have you spoken with Sam since her encounter with you and Elizabeth on the docks?"
Again he nodded. "Last night when she got home."
"I take it from the cold shoulder she gave you today, things didn't go too well." Emily hedged.
"I wanted to apologize and I tried to explain..." Jason pressed his elbows into his thighs as the sentence trailed and he rubbed his hands over his face.
"Wanted to, tried to, but did you? Did you apologize, or explain?" Emily prodded gently.
Jason shook his head. "I started to, but then I kind of... froze and by the time I unfroze it was too late."
Emily frowned. "Too late? Why?"
"Her boyfriend showed up." Jason told her and Emily struggled to quickly recover from the way her jaw dropped in a most unladylike way.
"Sam has a boyfriend? Since when?" This was the very first she'd heard of that development.
Jason shrugged and sighed. "Since last August? He showed up last night on her boat and after seeing her allover him I just excused myself quietly. They didn't seem to notice."
"No way does Sam McCall have a boyfriend." Emily shook her head. She wouldn't believe it.
Jason nodded. "That's who she was having lunch with today at Kelly's. Looked pretty comfortable with each other too."
"Nope, I'm sorry, but Jason there is no way Sam is dating someone unless that someone is you!" Emily stated confidently.
"Me?" Jason wondered if his little sister knew something he didn't.
Emily was nervous all of the sudden that she'd said too much. She feared no matter what she did she would betray at least one of her friends, but not saying something at that point might do more harm than good. Jason had come to her for advice about Sam and as hard as Jason was to read, every instinct she had told her he was conflicted over his feelings for Sam and marrying Elizabeth. She needed to convince her brother to admit his true feelings first to himself and then to Sam and Elizabeth. Yes. Someone was bound to get hurt, but she truly believed it was in all three of their best interests if Jason faced it before the wedding rather than after.
"Sam has never said anything, but I can see it when she looks at you. She loves you, Jason, and you love her. Don't you?" Emily hoped he would finally admit his feelings for her.
"Of course I love Sam. She's my best friend." Jason shifted uncomfortably. To admit he was in love with her out loud was to betray the promise he'd made to his child, but to deny it was to lie to his own heart.
"What about Elizabeth?" Emily persisted.
"She's a very good friend. She's having my baby. Of course I care for her." Jason answered.
"So, you care for Elizabeth, but you love Sam. I think that says a lot about what's really in your heart."
Jason remained silent and looked down.
Emily continued with caution. She knew what a huge step it had been for him to confide in her this way. "You owe it to both Sam and Elizabeth to be honest with how you really feel and, above all, Jason, you need to follow your heart or you'll never be truly happy."
"I don't want to hurt anyone." Jason confessed as innocently and sadly as if he were a small boy in a custody battle between parents.
Emily's face and tone softened for her brother. "Ignoring the choice won't stop anyone from getting hurt. In fact, it may end up hurting everyone. Sam, because you walked away from real love. Elizabeth, because you don't love her the way every wife deserves. You, because you refused to follow your heart and ultimately, your child. Jason, you know from your experience with Michael that kids know when there is tension in a relationship. Do you really want to subject your child to a home where you may very likely end up resenting its mother for keeping you from the woman you really love?"
Jason thought hard about what she'd just said. His gut told him Emily was right. He could already feel himself resenting not just Elizabeth, but his innocent child as well. He'd stuffed those feelings down since he found out about the baby, but now that Sam was there and he saw her slipping away from him before his very eyes he couldn't push the feelings down anymore and it scared him to think he could resent his own baby.
"I just feel like I owe it to my son or daughter to at least try to give them a home with two parents that love them." Jason confessed.
"And who's to say you couldn't if you chose Sam? She loves you, Jason, enough to love any child of yours too and that baby would be so blessed to grow up surrounded in all that love. I know you have your doubts and fears, but there are plenty of parents that aren't together as a couple. It doesn't stop them from being great parents. I know you and Elizabeth are dedicated to doing the very best for this little one, but honestly the best gift you can give any child is a sense that they are safe and loved. Now, think of how your love for Sam makes you feel and then try and imagine just how safe and loved your baby would feel to share it." Emily urged.
Jason nodded as he tried to process everything his little sis told him. He couldn't help the way his heart swelled with love thinking of Sam with his baby. Emily seemed convinced Sam could accept his child with another woman, but he wasn't so sure. It felt like he'd be asking too much of her. He wasn't even convinced Emily was right about Sam having the same feelings for him that he had for her. "Thanks Emily. You've given me a lot to think about. I'm not sure of much right now, but the one thing I do know is that I've never loved anyone more than I love Sam."
Emily smiled lovingly. She was so relieved to hear him finally admit what she'd suspected all along. "Well, that's a good place to start, Jason. A love that strong doesn't come around very often, if ever, and if that isn't something worth fighting for I don't know what is."
Jason stood to leave and Emily hugged him goodbye. Nik pulled his head back around the corner just before Jason looked up. He'd only heard the tail end of their conversation, but it was enough to tell him he'd been right in his advice to Sam. Jason loved her every bit as much as Sam loved him and Emily had been right. A love that strong was worth fighting for. Nikolas was even more determined now after his talk with Sam to fight for Emily as hard as he knew Emily would fight for him.
xxxxx
Sam was straightening her framed P.I. license on the wall to the right of her desk when she heard someone enter. She'd centered it between two other matching black frames that formed a horizontal line an inch above her eye level. The other two frames held 8 by 10 black and white photos.
Coop had taken the first photograph while messing around with her camera as they worked his case. It was a candid shot of Sam's profile as she stood before a whiteboard with her thumb under her chin and index finger over her lips studying a list in her other hand while Spinelli hovered over his laptop in the foreground at a desk filled with half-empty Chinese food containers, a bag of barbecue chips, and a couple bottles of orange soda.
The second photo was of Sam and Spinelli with the family they'd helped after solving their first big case. In it Sam and Cooper stood arm in arm smiling bright, his sister Sarah at his other side with her husband next to her and Spinelli balancing precariously on one leg, arms flailing, as he'd tried to make it before the timer went off. He kind of looked like a geek version of Superman in that pose. All that was missing was the cape. It made her smile every time she looked at it.
"Hello." A little voice called out. "Anyone here?"
Sam gave a final adjustment to the license, twisted her mouth still uncertain it was straight then shrugged and made her way out to the front.
"Hey, Michael!" Sam said surprised. "What brings you by?"
No sooner had she asked than Max rounded the front office door with a giant gift basket wrapped with a silver threaded black bow. Michael smiled wide. "Aunt Emily told us you're a P.I. now. She told us you opened this new office. She says you've moved to Port Charles for good and I..." Max cleared his throat and threw Michael a knowing smile. "Err Max and I, we, wanted to surprise you!"
"Oh my. Well, you certainly did surprise me! Michael, Max." Sam said accepting the basket from Max and looking it over appreciatively. "This is wonderful! Thank you, both of you." Sam said genuinely as she held their gaze.
Max blushed and was the first to look away. "You're very welcome. Congratulations, Ms. McCall. It was Micheal's idea to surprise you." He confessed.
Michael grinned. "Yea, but it was Max's idea to put the gift basket together from stuff at dad and uncle Jason's coffee shop."
"Well, you two make a great team and Max, I've told you, it's just Sam." He nodded with a shy smile as she checked out the items. "I see all my favorite Corinthos-Morgan coffee beans, and a few I've been meaning to try, a mini Cuisinart coffee grinder, those amazing shortbread cookies, oh and I love this gourmet chocolate and is that a fresh loaf of my favorite banana nut bread?" Sam said to their delight.
"Milo just pulled it out of the oven before we left. He said we couldn't put a gift basket together for you without it." Michael explained.
"Well, please, make sure and thank him for me. Oh and I love the black and silver Corinthos-Morgan Coffee mugs and stainless steel to go cups. Two each, awesome!" Sam really was very touched. "This is incredibly thoughtful, you guys." She told them as she sat the heavy basket on the desk in the receptionist area.
"So, would you like the grand tour?" She offered.
Micheal nodded excitedly. "Yea."
"Sure, as long as we aren't keeping you." Max added.
"No, are you kidding? I'd love to show you around." Sam led them on a little tour and told them of the few remaining plans she had for the waiting area.
Michael had lots of questions about her work and thought it had to be the coolest job ever by the time she was done answering. They'd been there for about ten minutes when Michael turned to Max. "I need to talk with Sam, in private."
Max's brows furrowed in amusement as he looked to Sam who appeared curious, but nodded then he nodded to Michael and stepped outside Sam's private office and closed her door behind him.
Sam wondered why he suddenly seemed so serious. "So, Michael, what did you need to talk about?"
It occurred to her that maybe he was still worried she might tell on him for catching him laughing earlier in the diner.
Micheal's plan was working flawlessly so far. He'd arranged it so that Max would be the one to take him home so he could persuade him to stop by Sam's office. He was worried and needed to talk to her, but he didn't want his uncle Jason to know. He really wanted to surprise Sam too though, so he was happy she liked the gift.
"You said a few minutes ago that when a client hires you, it's secret, right?" He spoke cautiously.
Sam was puzzled. She nodded and motioned for him to sit at one of the chairs in front of her desk as she sat next to him in the other. "That's right. I keep the identity of my clients confidential."
She had no idea where he was going.
"That's good." Michael nodded. "Because I want to hire you!"
Sam laughed, but when she saw Michael was all business her laughter faded. "You're serious?"
Michael nodded. "I don't know how this works, cuzzz I've never hired anyone before. Do I pay you now, or later? Is what I tell you secret if I haven't paid you yet?"
"Michael." Sam shook her head. "You don't have to pay me. If you need something, I'm here to help." Sam assured him.
Michael shook his head. "I want this to be official." He said reaching into his coat pocket. "And don't worry. I think I've got enough to cover it."
Micheal pulled out a stack of one hundred dollar bills causing Sam to blink to make sure her eyes weren't betraying her. "Michael, this is a lot of money."
It was two bank-wrapped stacks of $10,000. "Where did you get all this money from?"
She knew his parents were loaded, but they'd never allow Michael anywhere near that kind of cash.
Suddenly Micheal's eyes focused on something behind her and he cocked his head to the side and squinted his eyes. "That picture is crooked."
Sam turned back to see he was right then caught herself before being totally distracted. "Nice try. Now, I'll ask again. Where did you get the money?"
Michael sighed deep. She was good, as good as his uncle Jason. He'd made the right choice to hire her. He briefly wondered if the tears would work on Sam too, but then felt guilty for lying to his uncle even though his uncle started it by lying to him first. Sam hadn't tattled on him earlier though, so he decided not to lie again.
"Petty cash drawer." Michael shrugged and fidgeted a bit nervously in his seat. "So, is it enough?"
Petty cash drawer, petty cash drawer... It took her a minute. "Oh my gaw, Michael, did you steal this from your uncle Jason's petty cash drawer?"
She remembered Jason showing her the drawer in his desk in case she needed anything last spring when she was helping him search for Michael.
"I didn't steal it! I borrowed it." Michael argued.
Sam gave him a knowing look. "Does Jason know you took it?"
Michael swallowed hard and shifted his eyes guiltily from hers for a second before returning his gaze. "Well, no, but it's there for emergencies and, trust me, this is an emergency!"
xxxxx
"Morgan." Jason answered. He was back in his SUV having just left the Quartermaines.
"It's me. I've got something I need your help with." Sonny began.
"Sure. What's up?" He hoped it wasn't more trouble with Alcazar or that useless Romeo living across the hall from him now.
"Well, I need to ask you a favor. It's for Carly, it's about Michael."
"What's going on? Are Michael and Carly alright?" He'd just left his nephew so he felt he was probably okay, but every since the kidnapping he'd learned just how quickly it could all go bad.
"Yea, yea, they're fine, Jase. I just saw them both. Carly was just here actually and Milo says Michael stopped by with Max, something about a gift for Sam. I don't know, but they left to drop it off a little while ago. Anyhow, it's about this weekend. Sam invited Michael and Kristina on a weekend trip on her boat. They leave tomorrow evening and return Sunday afternoon." He explained.
"Yea, Michael mentioned at lunch today Sam invited him. I didn't realize it was an actual trip. I thought she'd have them sleepover one night and maybe cruise the harbor." Jason really wished he was his nephew now. Two nights and three days alone on the water with Sam sounded like heaven.
"Yea, well, that's kind of what has Carly worried, not that she doesn't trust Sam with Micheal. She does, we both do. We know Sam would do whatever it took to protect him. It's just that, well, this is the first time Carly would be letting him stay anywhere overnight since... since you know." Sonny still had a difficult time thinking about the kidnapping and subsequent memorial service they'd held for Michael when AJ staged his son's death.
Jason swallowed hard and his eyes watered. He'd never, ever get that picture out of his head of Micheal's still little body lying in the dirt.
"Yea." He almost whispered before clearing his throat and speaking again. "What can I do? Should I assign a guard detail for both Michael and Kristina?"
"You read Carly's mind. That's what she asked of me, to send some guards along. She wouldn't come out and say it. You know how stubborn Carly can be." He winked and flashed his dimples at his stubborn wife leaning on his desk in front of him as her face broke out with mock indignation. "But Jase, I think she really wanted you to do it. You know, she's been so stressed since it all happened and well, I just don't think she's going to be able to get any sleep at all unless she knows you're with him, keeping him safe. Plus, it would really mean a lot to me if you could look out for both of them while they're away." Sonny wasn't kidding, both he and Carly would feel a lot better if Jason were the one entrusted to his children's safety.
It took Jason about two and a half seconds for his brain to register he just scored a winning ticket aboard Sam's boat and managed to get out of his weekend with Elizabeth before he answered. "Of course Sonny. I know how hard it's been. I'll escort Michael and Kristina personally. Tell Carly I'll keep him safe. I'll keep all of them safe."
"Will do. Thanks man, I owe ya." Carly's smile grew and she placed her hand to her mouth to contain her giddy squeal.
Step one of her plan was a success. Besides, she hadn't used Micheal's safety as only a ploy. She really didn't know how she would sleep without him in a room down the hall for even one night, let alone two. The last eight months since he'd returned, not one night had gone by that she hadn't woken up at some point, usually after the nightmare, to check on both of her boys. The fact that the issue coincided with her anti-Elizibitch agenda was just opportunity knocking, and Carly was nothing if not an opportunist. She was a survivor and she'd fight dirty when needed as long as she and hers came out on top.
"So what time do we need to meet Sam?" Jason wondered if she had any idea about any of it yet.
"I'm not sure. I'm supposed to call Carly with the details so she can fill Sam in and I'll have her tell Sam to give you a call." Sonny ad-libbed. He hadn't gone over that part of the conversation with Carly beforehand and she was now waving her arms about mouthing "No, No!"
Sonny shrugged his shoulders and mouthed, "What?"
Carly just put her face into her palm and shook her head. She didn't want Sam and Jason having any contact whatsoever and ending up in a fight until they were stuck on a boat together with two little pouting faces to contend with should they decide to change their minds and not follow through with the trip.
"Okay." Jason nodded. He hoped Sam would be okay with it for several reasons. He didn't want her to regret inviting Michael and, as much as he wanted to spend time with her, he didn't want to force her to do something she didn't want either.
"By the way, how'd that thing go earlier?" Carly rolled her eyes at his obvious attempt to exclude her from "the business."
"Not quite as expected, but I'm handling it." Jason dreaded telling Sonny something he knew he wouldn't want to hear.
"What does that mean?" Sonny sat up in his chair.
"Did you know he's close to Sam?" Jason started.
"What? Our Sam?" Jason smiled at the way Sonny always spoke of her like family.
"Yeah, anyway, when I told him you needed the place for Courtney he offered to give the place up no problem. He didn't even want compensation." Jason tried not to sound like he was hard-selling the guy, but he was. There was no way in hell he wanted that guy booted so he could cozy up with Sam at night.
"Seriously?" Sonny was a little surprised and wondered what kind of game the guy might be running.
"Yeah." Jason told him. "So listen, Sonny, since he's close to Sam and all I kind of handled it another way."
"How's that?"
"I told him he could stay." Jason announced.
"You what? What the hell? Jason, I thought you just said he offered to leave." Sonny really wondered if his enforcer had lost his mind.
"I know. I know, but it's Sam, Sonny. Who knows what this guy might really be up to and when I asked him to leave he said Sam had invited him to stay with her as long as he's in town. If he's up to something, I don't want him anywhere near Sam for a bunch of reasons. The first is for her safety, but I mean if she's close to him it's not like I can just take him out. I don't want to hurt her like that. So, I took your own advice. I'm keeping our enemies closer." Jason heard Sonny's deep sigh and knew he had him.
"Alright. I don't like it, but I trust you to handle it. I wouldn't want to hurt Sam either, but if he's out for us..." Sonny left the statement unfinished, but Jason heard it loud and clear.
"Then I'll do what I have to do. For right now though, I plan on putting a guard on my door again 24/7. I want to keep tabs on his comings and goings and all his visitors." Jason had decided.
"Sounds like a good idea." Sonny agreed.
Carly had been getting bored listening to "business" and had busied her hands and mouth with other things, namely the soft spot on Sonny's neck and the curls at the back of his head as she unbuttoned his shirt for the second time in less than two hours.
"Uh, listen, something just came up. I gotta go." Sonny ended leaving Jason hanging. He must have been wrong, but he thought he'd heard Sonny moan before he hung up. Jason shook it off, relieved he hadn't gotten much of a fight out of Sonny. He knew the issue wasn't over though, Sonny would ride his ass until that Coop guy's true agenda was discovered.
xxxxx
"Okay, Micheal, why don't you start from the beginning. What's this emergency about?" Sam was getting worried. She hadn't seen him so upset since he'd come to talk to her about his bad dreams after the kidnapping.
"You promise to take the case?" Michael said.
"Well, let's just hear what you have to say first. There may not be any reason to hire me. Maybe it's all just a misunderstanding." Sam reasoned, though she had no idea what or who could have generated that level of concern in him.
"No way. She thinks I don't understand because I'm just a kid, but I do. She's a fake and a liar." Sam was shocked to hear him talk that strongly and negatively.
"Michael, that's a pretty nasty accusation to make against someone without proof. Who is it you think is lying to you?" Sam was beginning to think she knew after putting his anger now together with his actions earlier against the nurse.
"Elizabeth, uncle Jason's leach!" Michael repeated innocently, but with the same venom he'd overheard his mother use.
Sam nearly gasped. "Michael!"
Michael shrugged. "That's what mom called her. What's a leach anyway? I mean, I know what a leach is. They're bloodsuckers, but why would mom call her a leach?"
Sam shook her head. She could only imagine how pleased Carly had been to learn Jason was marrying and starting a family without her blessing. "I'm not sure, but let's get back to why you think she lied."
"First of all, she's fake. She pretends to be all interested in me and want to get to know me, but only when uncle Jason's around. When it's me and aunt Emily, or just me, she doesn't even say a word to me." He explained with passion.
"Okay." Sam didn't like the sound of that, but tried to remain objective.
"And she pretends like she's this nice person to everyone, but she's not Sam. She's mean, mean like the wicked witch mean!" He continued as his face reddened.
Alarm bells began to ring. "How is she mean, Micheal? Has she ever hurt you?"
Sam couldn't believe Jason would ever let anyone capable of hurting a child into his life or his nephews, but something had to have happened to get Michael that upset.
"She never hit me, if that's what you mean." Michael answered. He trusted Sam, but Elizabeth's threat had really scared him. What if she found out somehow he'd told on her? He didn't want to be separated from his family again. He'd been away from them for so long when AJ took him and he never wanted to leave them again.
"I'm glad to hear it, but that's not the only way to hurt someone. Sometimes words can hurt worse than fists." Sam told him and the way Michael hung his head and his eyes filled with tears told her those suspicions were correct.
Sam leaned over and took Micheal's hand and gave it a little shake. "Hey."
She drooped her head down to meet his eyes. "You know you can trust me, right? I love you, Micheal, and I won't let anything happen to you. You can tell me what happened."
"She knows." He whispered without looking up.
"Knows what?" Sam frowned.
"She said she saw me laughing from a reflection. She knows I spilled the drink on purpose. I didn't admit it, but she knows anyway and she told me I better be nice and no more stunts or else..." Micheal sighed. His little heart was beating fast, he was so scared.
Sam gave his hand a gentle squeeze and spoke as calmly as she could. Her heart was breaking at the sight of him. He looked terrified. "Or else what?"
He looked up into her warm brown eyes and could see how much she loved him. It was the same way his mom, dad and uncle Jason looked at him sometimes and they'd do anything to protect him. He knew Sam would too.
He took a deep breath. "Or else she would convince uncle Jason to have my parents send me far away to military school, but Sam I don't want to go away again. AJ took me away and I don't want to leave my mom and dad or uncle Jason or my brother and sisters, but she said uncle Jason still loves me he just loves her and the baby more and he'll trust them not me because she said they're his real family." Micheal began to panic a little.
If Micheal weren't so upset, she'd walk out that minute to find that nurse and put her in her place. How dare she play mind games with a child, especially one that involved separating one from his family after he'd just been kidnapped not even a year ago?
"Hey, hey." Sam pulled him into her lap to calm him, not caring that he was almost as big as her.
She hugged his side to her and pressed her lips to the top of his head before looking straight into his eyes. "You listen to me, Micheal, that is never going to happen. Jason would never ever send you away. He loves you, your parents love you, I love you and we all want you around. You made a mistake. It wasn't nice to pull that prank on Elizabeth." She could think of another few choice names for her. "But your family loves you unconditionally and that means we accept you flaws and all, even when you mess up. It doesn't mean you don't deserve some kind of consequences for misbehaving because you can't go around getting into trouble just because you don't like someone but there's no way we'd ever let you go again, any of us. Okay?" Sam reassured him and waited for him to nod that he understood.
He still didn't look quite convinced. His next words were almost a whisper. "But he lied. Uncle Jason never lied to me before, but he did now, for her. Elizabeth says it proves he loves them more." Sam felt like she'd just been stabbed in the heart. Her eyes teared up and it took a moment for her to find words.
She swallowed. "He's not perfect. Your uncle makes mistakes too sometimes and I'm sure he feels really bad about not being honest with you. It doesn't mean he loves her more. If anything, I'd say maybe it means he loves you more."
Micheal looked confused. "Why do you think that?"
"Well, you and I both know how important Jason feels it is to always tell the truth, right?" Micheal nodded his head. "So, think of how scared he must have been to hurt you in order to go against what he's always believed in... honesty? I bet he's feeling incredibly guilty now for telling that lie, especially to people he loves." Sam finished and as much as she wanted to stay angry at Jason, she had to admit how crushed he'd looked the night before, how scared he'd been when he begged not to lose her friendship.
Jason Morgan never begged. She'd thought it characteristically impossible, until last night. She'd just been too pissed off and hurt to acknowledge it.
"Just promise you won't say anything, please! Maybe you're right, but maybe she'll be able to put some spell on him or something and make him make more mistakes like sending me away." He started to get scared again and Sam knew she had to agree. "Okay, I promise."
She felt his entire body relax against her as he let out a deep breath and nodded. "Thanks Sam. I knew I could count on you."
It warmed her heart to think just how much trust the little guy had placed in her over the last year. She rubbed his back and gave him another squeeze. "Always Micheal, I'll always be here for you."
Feeling better and a bit like a baby now that his confidence was back up, Micheal hopped up and returned to his own chair. His little legs dangled back and forth almost touching the floor and Sam smiled. She was glad she seemed able to make him feel better. "So, why don't you tell me exactly what it is you need to hire me for?"
Micheal smiled. "I need you to catch Lizzie Liar in a lie. I heard her talking to someone this afternoon and I know she's up to something."
"What do you mean? What did you hear?" Sam hoped he might have some real dirt because at that point she'd decided the witch was going down one way or another for threatening her, her Micheal.
"Well, uncle Jason had to go across the hall for business and that's when she told me about, you know, sending me away." Sam nodded. "And then when she was done trying to get me to make a deal her phone rang."
"Who was it?"
"She didn't say, but she got this goofy look on her face and her cheeks turned pink like aunt Emily's when Nikolas says something nice to her."
Sam frowned. It wasn't much, but after everything else she'd heard Sam decided she owed it to Micheal and to Jason to at least check it out.
"Okay, but Micheal sometimes people blush when they get compliments. It doesn't necessarily mean she was doing anything wrong." Although Sam wasn't so sure about that anymore.
"Wait! There's more." Micheal told her. "She saw me looking at her so she told the person now wasn't a good time and to meet her after her shift tonight."
"Oh." It still wasn't much, but she figured it was worth tailing her after her shift to see who she was meeting.
"Yea." Micheal grinned slyly. "I knew she was on to me, so I pretended I was tired and went upstairs. She thought she was all alone and that's when I heard her."
"Heard what?" Oh make it good, make it good, Sam hoped.
"She said 'I've missed you. What about her?' then said uncle Jason wouldn't suspect a thing if she told him she didn't need a ride home because they'd had a little fight. Then she said 'I love you too.' and hung up."
Wow, remind her to hire that kid as soon as he was legal. He would do the P.I. industry proud. "Are you sure you heard everything right?"
She had to ask. Her emotions were tied to it now for not only Micheal, but herself and Jason too. She also wondered what their little fight had been about, but she needed to try and remain objective. She needed the truth as much as he did now.
"Positive!" Micheal nodded adamantly. "So, are you on the case?"
Sam held out her hand to shake and he accepted it and shook. "I'm on the case!"
"Cool!" Micheal grinned.
"Now, about this money that you took without permission..." Sam began again.
"I know. It wasn't mine to take, but Sam I didn't know what else to do." Micheal pleaded.
"Alright." Sam sighed. "I'll make you a deal. I'll take the case, but this money goes back."
Micheal started to argue. "But I want to pay you. I won't feel right if it's not a real case."
"Here!" Micheal shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled dollar bill, a lint covered gummy worm and two video game tokens and placed them in her hand. "This is just to start. I can get more from my savings account tomorrow!"
Sam tried to hand it back to him, but he pushed her hand back. "Please, Sam, please!" He begged and she relented. "Okay, but consider this..." She held up her closed fist with dollar bill, gummy and game tokens inside. "Payment in full!"
Micheal started to object again, but Sam stopped him and he gave in that time. He could see she had her stubborn face on just like his mom got sometimes. Thinking of his mom got him wondering. "Hey, did you get a chance to ask my mom about this weekend yet?"
"I did." She smiled, glad he'd given up on insisting on raiding his savings for her. He really was too cute sometimes. "She said it was okay with her, but wanted to ask your dad first. As a matter of fact, she should be calling me sometime soon with his answer."
She barely got the words out when her cell phone rang and vibrated against her desk.
xxxxx
"Tell me again why you didn't just call and ask Jason yourself?" Sonny asked while buttoning up his shirt for the third time that day.
"Because." Carly explained for the umpteenth time. "First of all, I'm not speaking to Jason right now and second of all, if I had asked him he'd have just accused me of trying to set him up!"
"But it is a set up." He chuckled as he tucked his shirt into his pants and buckled his belt.
"Well you know that and I know that, but it doesn't mean I want him to know it." Carly searched her contacts for Sam's number. She considered briefly adding her to speed dial then shrugged it off. It wasn't like they were best friends or anything.
Sam picked up after a couple of rings. "Hey, Carly." She answered after checking caller ID.
Micheal could barely sit still he looked so excited about the weekend.
"Sam, hi. I spoke with Sonny and he says it's fine for Micheal to go and I agreed with him it's just..." Carly hesitated.
"Is there a problem?" Sam's brows furrowed and Micheal's smile fell.
"No, well, sort of. I'm not sure. You see, this will be the first time Micheal is away from me since last spring." Carly still had trouble mentioning the "k" word.
"Carly, I'm sorry. I didn't even think about that. Of course, I understand if you don't feel comfortable with me..." Sam began, but was cut off.
"No, it isn't that. Sonny and I both trust you with Micheal. We know you'd protect him with your life, it's just, well... It may not be rational, but I'd feel a lot better if he had a guard escort."
"Oh. Well, that's no trouble." Sam had plenty of room. Max could stay in the VIP stateroom while the kids took the twin beds across the hall.
"Oh good. You're sure you have room?" Carly asked to get that excuse out of the way before she dropped the bomb.
"Plenty. You could send two guards if it makes you feel more comfortable." She could set the other guard up in the crew quarters if needed.
"No, no. One will be fine. One will be more than enough actually. You see, I asked Sonny to assign a guard and it turns out he asked Jason to do it." Carly held her breath gearing up for any possible rebuttal.
Sam was silent on the other end for a minute.
"Did you say Jason would be the one escorting Micheal on our trip?" Sam asked aloud as Micheal pumped his fist in the air and squealed yessss.
"Yea, Sam. Look, I'm sorry. I know he's probably not your favorite person right now. He certainly isn't mine either which is why I didn't want to ask him for any favors." Sam was surprised. That was the worst she'd ever heard Carly talk about her best friend before. "But now that Sonny's already asked him and he agreed I have to admit knowing Jason's looking out for the kids is probably the only thing that will let me get any peace while he's gone."
Sam was quiet again. Of course Jason would agree. He'd do anything for Micheal or Carly, even subject himself to a weekend of hell with a woman that had thrown him nothing but attitude and the cold shoulder within the last twenty four hours. He had to expect more of the same based on what he'd received so far. Sam wasn't sure how she felt about spending two nights and three days alone with Jason. The memories of how she'd initially envisioned their trip began running through her mind again and she sighed.
"Sam, you there?" Carly wasn't sure what her silence meant.
Sam took a good long look at the happy little red-head in front of her and knew she couldn't be the one to take that away. "Yeah, I'm here. Sure, Carly. Um, it'll be fine."
"Thanks Sam." Carly grinned at her husband and nodded.
"No problem. Thanks for letting him come with me on the trip. I know this couldn't be easy for either of you." Sam thanked her.
"Of course. Micheal really likes you, Sam. You've helped him out so much. You were there for him when... when we were too caught up in the nightmare to be there like he really needed." Carly admitted sincerely.
Sam being so supportive and helping her son when Carly felt like she'd failed him was the turning point in her feelings toward Sam. Sam was there when Micheal needed someone. She'd put her son above any petty differences they may have had and she respected her for it. End of story.
"I don't know what to say, Carly." Sam felt kind of speechless. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
"Yea, well, you can repay me by not killing my best friend and dumping the body out at sea while you're gone. If anybody gets the privilege of punishing him for his crimes, it's me." Carly teased to lighten the uncomfortable turn of sentimental sap the conversation had become.
"I'll do my best." Sam half-laughed and rolled her eyes. Carly would feel only she was entitled to hold the man responsible for his crimes.
"So Sonny told Jason you'd give him a call to let him know when to meet you at the docks with Micheal tomorrow, but if you'd prefer you can tell me and I can have Sonny relay the message." Carly hoped she'd take her up on it.
Sam considered it for a minute then decided against it. "No, that's alright. We'll have to talk at some point. We're grown ups. I'm sure we can act like it."
Sam noticed little ears were listening and reminded herself she and Jason would need to be particularly careful over the weekend when they talked, if they talked. He was real good at not talking. She hung up her cell and gave Micheal the good news. Turned out it was really Micheal's lucky day because Sam had decided he'd been through enough torment dealing with Elizabeth. She didn't want him getting in trouble for taking the money too, so she decided to use her excuse to talk to Jason as a reason to pay him a little visit in person rather than call then just so happen to slip the twenty grand back in his petty cash drawer with him none the wiser.
Carly accepted her answer, regrettably, and ended the call still happy with the win. Sonny huffed and smiled at his wife. Her spark was coming back, slowly but surely. It was the real reason he'd agreed to help her with her plan. Sure he owed his wife one for keeping the truth about Elizabeth and the baby from her and Carly using her feminine wiles on him hadn't hurt either, but the real truth was that crazy scheme was the first sign he'd seen of the woman he'd fallen in love with in months.
She hadn't been herself since their sons' kidnapping, but it only got worse after Michael was presumed dead and they'd had to hold a memorial service for their boy without ever recovering his body. The nightmares had started shortly after Sonny told her Micheal was gone and it still killed him that he'd fallen for AJ's scam and put Carly through that when their son was still out there alive and waiting to be rescued from that twisted freak.
He'd thought the bad dreams would disappear once they'd brought Micheal home, but they hadn't. She still woke up next to him crying out in a sweat at least once a week. The fear of losing Micheal and then the added stress of AJ's murder investigation when they feared Micheal may be responsible took something from Carly that he was only just now beginning to see her get back, her fight. She'd slowly been getting it back, but then the whole lie with Elizabeth and the baby came out and he feared she'd withdrawn again due to the way she'd handled it.
His old Carly would have kicked Elizabeth Webber, Spencer whatever's ass six ways from Sunday then schemed and plotted to get rid of her and fought with Jason until she was blue in the face for marrying a woman she hated. However, this new Carly simply walked away. She was hurt and he knew the old Carly would have been hurt too, but this Carly actually let that hurt show. It wasn't hidden behind any hurricane of anger. Instead, she had no words for him or for Jason. She just boarded the jet for the island the very next day and he'd feared he really had lost the woman he married for good. She was back now though, she was scheming. Maybe her time on the island really helped heal her. Sonny had begged her to let him come with them and work it out, but she'd told him she needed time and maybe that had been for the best. Whatever worked, he'd decided. Whatever he had to do to support and encourage the woman he loved to come back to them as only Hurricane Carly could do, Sonny was determined to do.
He just hoped his friend and right hand man didn't kick his ass when he realized they'd been meddling in his personal affairs.
Page 22 of 22 Created: 2011-02-12 Updated: 2014-11-08 Words: 8639 Characters: 45903