Hope For The Holidays

by imgoodbackup

Slightly different spin on how Sam ended up in Port Charles, found her family, met Jason, and managed to never give up Hope For The Holidays.

20. Chapter 20

20. part 1 of 3...

"You know, you could make this a whole lot easier on yourself by just answering a few simple questions for me now. We could have this whole thing wrapped up in the next ten, fifteen minutes." Detective Domestico informed his usual suspect.

"I told you. I have nothing to say..."

"Yeah, yeah. Nothing to say without your attorney present." The aggravated cop repeated the only words the man seemed to know.

"Suit yourself." He told him with a shrug. "I'm just saying, who knows when that top-dollar mouthpiece of yours is gonna show. Looks like you may not make that little girl's birthday after all. I wonder if you'll be missed." Ronnie added with a smirk as he made a show of noting the clock to the right of the interrogation table.

"Tick tock, tick tock." He taunted as he vacated the tiny room shutting the door behind him.

Jason clenched his jaw and sighed through his impatience. He remained staring straight ahead without courtesy of eye contact as the man spoke to him. His hands rested in loose fists on top of the table refusing to clench and reveal his annoyance as he sat waiting, and waiting for his attorney to come and get him out of the mess. Ronnie or any other cop in that building, with the possible exception of Mac, would never see it, but underneath that cool exterior Jason's patience was beginning to wear. It had been nearly two hours since he'd called Diane and told her to get down there. She'd told him she was already downtown. So what the hell was taking her so long?

He sighed again knowing the PCPD could hold him another twenty-one hours without evidence if they chose. All he could do was sit and wait, but if Diane Miller's delay caused him to miss Kristina's party the woman might as well look for another client to support her designer habit.

This was the last place he needed to be right now. He needed to be with Sam at her little sister's 4th birthday party. He'd promised them both he would be there and it was a promise he intended to keep. Sam, he'd been worried about her since she'd woken up in his arms yesterday morning, the morning after Ric's attack. She hadn't been herself since. It was more like she'd been her super-self running around non-stop from the moment she stepped out of bed.

She hadn't wanted to talk about the nightmare he'd woken her from hours earlier, or the cause of the stiffness in her every movement. She'd barely acknowledged anything was different at all. It was as if the night before hadn't happened. He'd tried to get her to talk about it, let it out, but there was too much to do she'd told him. There would be time for talk later, right now she had a million things to get done. It was the day before Kristina's birthday and her mother had entrusted her to make it a day her sister would never forget. Sam wanted it to be perfect not only for Kristina, but for her mom too. He could see how important it was to Sam that she live up to her mother's expectation.

Jason could see it in her eyes. It would have been a battle of wills if he pushed. So, he'd let it go and asked what he could do to help instead because there was one thing he refused to let her forget and that was that he would be sticking by her side until the threat posed against her and her family was neutralized. She'd showered and dressed for the day while he brewed the coffee then they'd stopped off at his place so he could do the same. Their next stop was Greystone Manor, where Sonny and Carly lived, to pick up Michael and the girls. She wanted to get the girls back to their nanny, Viola, at their mother's home to keep their schedule as close to normal as possible and she wanted to borrow Michael for the day to help with party details. Kristina had already provided her wish list for the event and Sam wanted everything else to be a surprise.

Carly and Sonny were just sitting down to breakfast with the kids when they arrived. Sonny insisted there was plenty and invited them to join. Jason figured Sam would refuse, but she'd put on a happy face and accepted to his surprise and Sonny's delight. Carly and Sonny hadn't been oblivious to Sam's discomfort, but they'd put on a good face in front of the children too. She was a little too eager, a little too over the top with all of her responses, Sonny mentioned later in private when he'd asked Jason if she was okay. He said it was as if she were overcompensating for some reason. Jason knew she was probably worried they would look at her and know what happened, even though she'd gone to great lengths to hide it, and the bruises.

After breakfast, they'd sent the kids upstairs with Leticia to gather their things while Jason and Sonny retreated to his study to discuss business and Sam and Carly made their way to the living room. Jason filled Sonny in on everything. He told him about tailing Logan and the information Sam had given him about Cooper's true connection to him as well as what Ric and Elizabeth had been up to. Jason told him about the baby not being his, how Ric attempted to drug Sam and attacked her and how he'd ended up beating him then covered it up. Sonny was disgusted and enraged. Sam was his daughter's sister. She was family and his sick brother had actually attempted to violate a woman in the worst way imaginable and not just any woman, but his own step-daughter. If Jason hadn't already hospitalized him, Sonny may have ordered him shot, and still might brother or not. They spent the next fifteen minutes discussing strategy and deciding which men to keep on Sam, Alexis and the girls. Jason was relieved to hear Sonny as insistent as he when it came to their safety.

Sam sat through Sonny's breakfast and Carly's not so subtle prodding of a developing romance between her and Jason with a smile, patience of an elementary school teacher and the masterfully evasive answers of an experienced con. She did it for him, and the kids, and he knew it. She was only being herself, loving and giving, but it made him love her even more. Still, he worried. Between her mother's illness and complicated relationship, starting her own business, Ric and the attack, worrying for the girls and if he would be caught for assaulting the D.A., the threat of Logan and Alcazar, planning her sister's party, assisting his sister with the party she wanted to throw for her new agency and the plan to take Elizabeth down... Well, between all of that, Sam was under too much pressure.

Sooner or later the dam would break. He just hoped the flood didn't hit when she least expected like in the middle of her sister's party. It was just one more reason he wanted to be by her side. He needed to be there for her when she finally let go again like she had that night. He would be, right now, if he hadn't forgotten Kristina's gift back at his penthouse and let Sam take the launch to the island while he rode back to get it. He'd been on his way out the door, pink gift-wrapped box with black silk bow in hand, when one of PCPD's worst stepped off the elevator and threatened him with arrest if he didn't come to the station willingly to answer a few questions.

At least Sonny was already at Wyndemere with Max and Milo. Enzo and Paulie, Vinnie's little brother, were there as well. Gianni normally partnered with Enzo, but he was older and more experienced than Paulie so he'd been assigned to Sam while Paulie was teamed up with Enzo who was just as good as Gianni. They'd been assigned to Alexis and the girls much to Alexis' thoroughly expressed dismay. It was amazing. The woman had just had a good portion of her lung removed and was still filled with more hot air than anyone he knew. Well actually, he amended, Alan and Sonny could definitely give her a run for her money. At least she was alive, he reminded himself. Sam and those two little girls hadn't lost their mother and that was what mattered most.

Sal and Vinnie were still on Logan, who appeared to be laying low for the moment. Nikolas had even hired his own security for the week leading up to, and including, the event to help ensure no surprise visits from Helena. So, Jason felt about as assured of Sam's physical well-being as possible without him actually standing beside her. It was her emotional well-being that concerned him. He wasn't sure anyone else would notice the signs until it was too late and he wasn't sure she would let anybody else help her if needed, maybe not even him. He needed to get to her. He needed to keep his promise to the little girl who had stolen a piece of his heart and he needed to get to Sam. Where the hell was his lawyer already?

"Alright. I'm here. Let's get to it, shall we? What, pray tell, have the inept of inept dragged you down here for this time?" The brash red-head demanded of him as she whisked in, briefcase and legal acumen at the ready.

"Finally. What took you so long?" Jason wanted to know.

"Did I not mention over the phone how very appalling your timing was? I mean, really Jason, I've had that spa day on the books for months. The waiting list for that place is ridiculous and there are just some things that cannot be rushed. A good Brazilian wax and deep tissue massage at the hands of a Greek God are two of them. The massage, not the waxing. That was at the very efficient hands of one Miss Kim-Ly." She informed him most assuredly.

Jason groaned and closed his eyes to the mental images she'd drudged up. He sighed summoning more patience. "Just get me out of here. I'm late for Kristina's party."

Diane cut her eyes at the younger man with an assessing glare. "You continually manage to surprise me, Mr. Morgan. That's impressive. So few ever do. I was invited as well, naturally." She confirmed as if he'd asked, or cared. "But I simply do not do children parties. I did, however, gift Kristina a beautiful Dior black silk dress with all over flower print and the most adorable pair of Dolce & Gabbana fancy black patent leather Mary Janes to match. Cost a small fortune, but seeing as it was a present for the child of a dear friend and also my most lucrative client, Kristina was worth it." She hedged with a head tilt and shrug of her mouth.

"Focus, Diane. I need to get out of here. I have a promise to keep." Jason urged the rambling woman.

She was stalled in mid-protest. "So, ready to talk yet?" Ronnie asked the man seated across from him as he entered. There had been no missing Ms. Miller's grand entrance.

"Certainly." Diane answered for him. "My client has nothing to hide and wishes to cooperate with authorities to the best of his abilities."

Ronnie rolled his eyes and shook his head. That would be a first.

Jason blinked, nonplussed.

"Great." Ronnie retorted flatly. "Let's start with your whereabouts the night of the ball last Friday. Where were you?"

"I was working. I was all over." Jason told him.

"And would 'all over' include the Metro Court hotel?" Ronnie persisted.

"I was there for a few minutes that night. Courtney left something for Sonny at the front desk and he'd asked me to stop by and pick it up." He admitted coolly.

"Convenient." Ronnie commented. "What was it?"

Jason knew all he'd have to do was look at Diane and she'd put a stop to that line of questioning, but the answer actually helped his case. "A receipt. Sonny made a sizable donation to a fundraiser for Courtney's foundation and his accountant had been bugging him for it for tax purposes."

"That's right. Guess you guys gotta work extra hard to keep those tax records above reproach." Ronnie smirked.

"I would appreciate it, detective, if you would proceed with your questioning and respectfully refrain from unwarranted jabs at my client's expense." Diane warned.

"Of course." Ronnie appeased, though it was clear he could give a damn. "Walk me through your time at the hotel that night. Start to finish."

"I parked in the underground guest lot; took the elevator up to the lobby, retrieved the receipt from the front desk, used the restroom and left." Jason recounted as briefly as possible.

Diane gave him an approving smile then looked back to the detective with an expectant twinkle in her eye as if she were daring him not to take her client's words at face value. She lived for this, she just wished it didn't have to impede on spa day.

Jason sat quietly, wanting to get it over with as soon as possible. Of course he hadn't recounted what actually happened, but they didn't need to know that. No one other than Ric, Sam, Cooper, and their tech guys knew he'd ever left the lobby after retrieving the receipt, punched Ric and then taken the stairs. Jason had called Stan that night while watching Logan and instructed him to erase all video footage of him except for when he'd walked in the lobby, retrieved the envelope and left. Stan complied immediately, leaving both surprised as hell to find someone had already done it for them. A someone they later would discover was none other than Stan's new cyber-nemesis.

Jason knew he was in the clear, for that at least. There was a crowd of cops waiting at the main bank of elevators that night, so he'd used the staff's side elevator which was located on the same hall as the restrooms and stair door to get up to the ballroom. Even if one of the staff members had noticed him headed to the hall, they wouldn't be able to confirm whether he'd used the restroom, elevator or stairs. The hallway had been empty when he walked it and the video camera covering it had been out of service and awaiting repairs since the previous week. He was good.

"So, can anyone confirm your story?" Ronnie interrupted his thoughts.

"Ask the desk clerk on duty, or Courtney herself." Jason responded.

"How did you get those cuts on your knuckles?" The detective threw out, hoping to catch him off guard.

"Long day at work. I took my frustration out on a brick wall and the wall won." Jason answered without hesitating or rushing which might indicate his response had been rehearsed.

Ronnie sighed deep. He could see where it was going. "Anyone witness the injury?"

Jason was prepared for that as well and listed the names of two of his men that were able to vouch for his story and could be trusted to withstand interrogation.

Diane cut in at that point. She, too, could see once again they'd rushed the gun by parading her client downtown. "Detective, I believe my client has been more than helpful. If there are no further questions, I would appreciate if you would speed this up. Mr. Morgan has prior commitments elsewhere."

"Just a couple more." Ronnie replied, taking his time and watching him closely as he worded his next question. "Did you speak with D.A. Lansing while you were at the Metro Court last Friday night?"

"No." Jason told him unequivocally. It wasn't a lie. He hadn't said a word to Ric.

Ronnie's jaw tightened. Damn Morgan and his one word answers. "Did you see the District Attorney at any other time that day or night?"

"No." He answered again just as decidedly. The animal he'd caught attacking Sam later that night wasn't fit to claim the title of human let alone District Attorney.

Once. Just once it would be nice if the good guys could catch a break instead of getting stonewalled and shat on by the filthy rich criminals that ran the town. One day Corinthos and Morgan would go down and he just hoped he was there to see it, to be a part of it. Today, however, would not be that day. There just wasn't enough evidence to hold him, yet. He slid pen and paper across the table. "I'd like your client to write down exactly what he just told me. I'll type up his statement and have him sign then he's free to go." He told the lady lawyer then looked back over at Morgan. "You better hope this story checks out, or you'll be right back in here once I find the proof I need."

"I won't hold my breath." Diane murmured in insolence, but loud enough to be sure he heard it.

Ronnie huffed and shook his head then walked out of interrogation.

Thirty minutes later, Ronnie walked back in with the typed up statement for Diane to read over and Jason to sign. He'd dragged his feet typing it up as long as he possibly could as a parting little F.U. to the murdering thug that always seemed to walk away with his hands clean. He'd probably missed most, if not all, of the party by now and that just made Ronnie feel all warm and tingly inside. It was a tiny victory, but it was something. He would have taken even longer to finish up if Diane hadn't finally threatened to get Mac involved.

Ronnie regretfully informed Mr. Morgan he was free to leave then returned to his desk in the squad room. He was anxious to start vetting Jason's story. He doubted the hitman left any loose ends, he never had before, but the quicker Ronnie hustled the better chance of finding them.

Diane read and Jason signed without a second glance. Normally he read everything too, but he'd lost too much time already.

"You're welcome." Diane spoke candidly as she rose from her chair with the document in hand. "You can thank me by seeing to it you do not disturb me again for the remainder of my weekend. I'm headed back to the spa to see if I can possibly salvage a smidgin of zen you and the dreary detective have managed to zap from my overworked and much too much under-appreciated body. Oh, by the way..." She turned back to him on her way out. "Tell the birthday girl she owes me one."

Jason huffed and shook his head without comment as he stood to follow her out.

xxxxx

"Emily, I can't thank you enough for all your help." Sam mentioned again as she joined Emily near the larger refreshment table.

She truly was thankful. With everything that had been going on there was still so much to do as of only yesterday that she'd been worried it wouldn't come together in time. Jason, Michael and Emily had been a tremendous help. Jason more for moral support than any creative input, but his calming influence and perfectly-timed encouragement had been vital in helping her see everything through without breaking down. He'd also driven them all over God's green earth without a single complaint from sun up to sun down and she was entirely indebted as it was a beautiful fall weekend with only 35 shopping days until Christmas.

Fortunately, several of the more important tasks had been completed the previous week. She'd mentioned to Nikolas last Monday of Kristina's wish for a pirate princess themed party as they waited together for word on her mother's surgery. He'd insisted there could be no better place to hold such a party as Wyndemere before Sam even had the chance to ask. Sam wanted to provide pirate and princess costumes for the children, hold tea and a treasure hunt and was pleased to hear Nik's ideas which they'd incorporated as part of the plan as well. Emily confided yesterday he and Alfred had been plotting and preparing for the celebration with boyish excitement all week. Sam only wished she'd been there to see it.

A suitable menu had been finalized with Wyndemere's head chef last Wednesday and, considering the late notice, Emily suggested a baker she had a special "in" with for the cake. Its order had been placed that day as well once design and flavor had been decided upon. It was the Quartermaine cook Emily recommended and he'd been so thrilled at the chance to use his more creative abilities for something as fun as a child's birthday that it had left Sam somewhat saddened to realize how empty that big mansion must feel without the laughter and love of children.

Invitations had been covered too. She'd used her favorite in-house graphic designer, Damien Spinelli, to aid in their creation. He truly was a young man of many talents. Sam helped Kristina hand deliver each one Tuesday evening as soon as Spin had finished with them. She'd also used that opportunity to chat up the parents and encourage their attendance as well, if they wished, and to ask for their child's clothing sizes as part of a surprise she was working on. Sam invited Spinelli to attend as well, but he'd made other plans with a new friend already.

"It was my pleasure, Sam, truly. Though, I really didn't do all that much." Emily replied modestly, but also rather honestly. "I think you may have missed your calling as an event planner."

The way Sam had transformed the dark manor into every child's richest fantasy in such a limited amount of time was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The pilot had been instructed to wait for all guests to board before delivering them safely to Spoon Island so that, from the moment they first stepped foot off the launch, their collective immersion into a new adventure began.

The entire length of the 360 foot stone walk had been dressed with a carpeted runner of dark pink crushed velvet with bits of real gold dust, gold coins and jewels sparkling in the sunlight. It had taken quite a bit of effort on Sam's part to convince Nikolas plastic coins and fake jewels would be just as fun as the real thing for such young party-goers, but Emily still wasn't sure he agreed. Sam had given the launch pilot bags to be issued to each child prior to departing the vessel, each with their names embroidered in white on the front of the black drawstring pouch.

The pilot captain, who was dressed in vintage pirate regalia and definitely rough enough to look the part, left them with the parting advice to fill their bags with as much treasure as they came across on their journey. The bags were then collected by Alfred at the front door and the child with the most treasure would receive a special prize. Emily hadn't made her way down the walkway since arriving, but by the way those pouches had been stuffed she would venture a guess not a single fake doubloon or plastic jewel remained on the ground outside.

Clearing the stone steps from the dock, Wyndemere could be seen more fully with its azure, gold and white pennant flags perched and rippling atop each of the castle turrets. An azure blue flag with the Cassadine family crest in gold waved proudly from the parapet directly above the main entrance. Guests ended their journey standing before two over-sized dark oak doors with large brass hardware and looped knockers, held in the mouths of lion's heads. A large wooden sign was set off to the right that read: Pirates, Prince and Princesses only. All others shall walk the plank. It was decorated with a foreboding stencil of a skull and crossbones wearing a pink tiara.

As guests entered, they were greeted first by Alfred and then formed a line to be received by their regally attired host, Prince Nikolas Mikhail Stavrosovich Cassadine, and hostess, Pirate Princess Samantha Marie McCall, as well as the mother of the guest of honor herself, Alexis Davis. As father of the birthday girl, Sam had invited Sonny to be in the receiving line as well, but he'd opted to remain low-key. He'd told Sam he didn't want to upset the apple-cart. It was enough that she'd made him feel so welcomed.

The entry hall, ballroom, conservatory and study had all been child-proofed and decorated for the occasion with touches of black, white and rich pink tapestry rugs, fabrics, pillows, and balloons. Lots of balloons, as Kristina loved them, in varying sized bunches were displayed at varying heights in each of the three colors, including a few special black latex balloons bearing the pirate skull and crossbones. Glass vases adorned tabletops with soft arrangements of pink and white roses with fresh petals scattered about and, everywhere one looked it seemed, was more wonderment for the eye to behold.

Upon arrival and following reception, guests were escorted to the ballroom to await the anticipated arrival of the guest of honor before all festivities were to commence. Emily smiled warmly, recalling how the momentous occasion came to be. Sam and Jason had recounted Kristina's declaration to Emily and Nikolas while waiting together the previous Monday. She found it humorous how Kristina believed she was a true pirate princess and, in fact, believed they were all three princesses simply because if their cousin could be royalty, they could too. That got Nikolas thinking and, upon obtaining his aunt's consent, he'd arranged for a special surprise which he'd revealed at the beginning of Kristina's party. Nikolas first announced the guest of honor; Her Royal Highness, Kristina Adela Corinthos Davis, and then presented her and her two sisters with tiaras made of gold and loaded with diamonds of various cuts and sizes. At the very peak was a mounted opal with a brilliant round cut citrine and emerald on either side as if forming the base of a triangle. These, Nikolas pointed out, were the birthstones of the Davis girls.

Sam took it all in jest, but was sincerely shocked when Nikolas divulged the tiaras were as genuine as their titles. Nikolas had contacted his great uncle, His Majesty Constantine II, King of the Hellenes for a special compensation. His great uncle happily granted it, though rather unorthodox, as he was all too familiar with the horrible tragedies that branch of his family suffered. Nikolas went on to explain, more to Sam than Kristina or Molly who were still far too young to comprehend, how the head of the Greek royal family was their great uncle, King Constantine II, and he was the one to decide who are bona fide members of the family and what titles they carry. When a royal died without an heir, Nikolas informed, the title returned to the royal family to be given out to someone new at the head of the family's discretion which, for the title of prince or princess, was unheard of but technically not against the rules.

This was exactly how Molly was able to receive the title princess as a gift from her belated Uncle Stefan and Krissy was able to receive the title princess as a gift from her belated namesake and aunt Kristina. As you see, normally, the title prince or princess was granted only to children of the King or Queen as well as direct descendents of a male heir. So even if Alexis had not renounced her title, her children would have only been titled Lord or Lady. However, as these titles were transfers of relatives past, they were awarded as they were given. Or, in Molly's case, the nearest female equivalent of said title. The last title had been available for an entirely different reason. It had been Alexis' until she'd renounced it years ago and since it had not been customary to ever pass such a title down to another, it was most fittingly still free to be awarded to Sam.

Having placed the tiaras upon each of their heads, Nikolas then turned to his audience and proudly presented his three cousins in order of their birth: Royal Highnesses; Princess Samantha, Princess Kristina and Princess Molly. Emily had been surprised Alexis gave her blessing of such an action considering her feelings toward all things Cassadine. Alexis insisted she still didn't regret that decision for herself, but that it felt good to be able to honor her daughters with a lasting and significant connection to their birthright. So much had been stolen from Alexis, her sister and first born at the hands of Helena and, to an extent, Mikkos. It felt good to be able to steal some of that back. The best part, Alexis confessed, was knowing Helena couldn't do a thing to stop it since the King had been on unfavorable terms with her since the mysterious death of his youngest son. A death which, most conveniently, brought Nikolas one step closer to the throne.

Looking around, Emily admired her surroundings once more. There were various sitting areas all around the periphery of the ballroom, interlaced with tables dressed in fine pink linens utilized for holding gifts, drinks and trays filled with goodies. There were crème puffs and fruit tarts, sugar cookies with the pirate branded 'P' and others shaped like gold coins, decorated mermaid tale cookies full of chocolate chips and fresh fruits cut like flowers that were presented on sticks to form edible bouquets as well as dozens of other various confectionery delights the likes of which would put Willy Wonka to shame.

Nikolas' head chef had outdone himself with the light lunch as well which was served in finger portions that provided delectable healthy morsels prepared in fun ways to grab the children's attention just as much as the desserts. The largest refreshment table held a crystal fountain with a seemingly endless supply of fresh squeezed mixed berry fruit juice cascading down. There were also small wooden barrel kegs labeled 'Rum' that were filled with hot cider on tap and a variety of bottled waters and carbonated beverages being served as ordered.

A gross sundae station had been setup, inspired by their weekend getaway, with Alfred in his formal black and white butler attire and white apron at the ready, scoop in hand, as he cheerfully served up children and adult children alike. Carly, Emily noticed, was on her second sundae and truly living up to its name with the oddest combination of ice creams and toppings Emily had ever seen. Really, who paired red hots with mint chocolate chip, she wondered, then looked to Michael and had to laugh. He seemed to share his mother's similarly afflicted taste-buds.

With the main part of the room emptied of everything other than plush floor coverings and over-sized throw pillows there was more than enough room for child's play, of which there was plenty at the moment such as pin the patch on the pirate. There were also Princess and the pea races where contestants had to make it from one end of the long ballroom floor to the other first in a pair of heels without dropping their tablespoon of peas. There were three craft tables with a jewelry making station full of Swarovski necklaces, bracelets and earrings and hundreds of varieties of charm-like beads which the girls gravitated toward and an Aztec gold charm necklace kit as seen in the Pirates of Caribbean movie that the boys all wanted to make. Even the moms were having fun making pieces with the designer beads. There was also a Jolly Roger flag making station and a pirate code book making station. For everyone knew, Sam enlightened, that any pirate worth their salt must be prepared to fly their colors high and carry a copy of The Code.

"It's all in the details." Sam replied to Emily's compliment. "I learned early on how well you know your mark and your material makes all the difference in selling your fantasy as their reality. I also had to learn to be able to think and act on my feet. As a con, or a captain, you never know when the tide will turn, only that it will. It's nice to see those skills are good for something that actually benefit my sisters."

"I'd say it's benefited more than just your sisters. Everyone here appears to be enjoying themselves immensely, parents and children alike. We're lucky to have you, Sam, and I'm so happy you've decided to make your home here with us in Port Charles." Emily responded sincerely.

"I second that." Alexis piped in with a shy smile as she silently sought permission to join their conversation.

"Thank you Emily. Thanks mom." Sam smiled, but couldn't manage to hold her mother's gaze.

A flurry of emotion swirled within. Each time she looked into her mother's eyes, she felt nervous, sad, worried and... mad. She wasn't altogether sure why she felt the way she did. The reasons were as varied as the emotions. She only knew she couldn't act on any of those feelings now. Her mother had only woken from her coma yesterday afternoon. She still hadn't been told about Ric's affair, or the attack. Sam wanted to wait until after the party. Everything just felt as if it were all happening at once. She felt as if she couldn't catch her breath. It was only yesterday Nikolas had spent the morning with his aunt, hoping the drugs would wear off while he was there with no such luck. A few hours later, Sam was forced to drop Emily and Michael off downtown to finish up a few errands while she and Jason responded to an urgent call from her sisters' nanny.

Kristina was in the middle of a meltdown. She missed her mommy, she missed her daddy Ric and she wanted Sam to take her to them. It was Saturday, she'd told them, and they always spent Saturdays together. She insisted mommy needed to see them, all three of them, right that minute and nothing could convince her otherwise. It wasn't a normal temper-tantrum. Had it been, Sam could have easily ignored it and sent her to her room until she straightened up. Sam didn't fall for those, but this, this had been something more serious.

Krissy was beside herself. Despite daily reassurances, Kristina had gotten it into her head mommy was never going to wake up unless they went to see her and there was just no reasoning with an inconsolable three year old. Sam had wondered what brought Kristina's reaction on so fast and strong. She'd seemed fine before and after breakfast when they'd dropped the girls off. Viola apologized profusely, explaining that when she'd stepped into the kitchen with Molly to prepare a Sippy for her, Kristina had been left in the living room to watch her show. Viola had returned just as a breaking news report came on flashing a photo of Ric. Kristina heard reporters say he'd been beaten and hospitalized in ICU before Viola could turn the channel and became very upset. Being three, she didn't understand it all, but she recognized Ric's picture and the word ICU. She'd told Viola her mommy was in ICU and was very very sick.

Kristina was scared for both of them. There was no way Sam was taking her to see Ric, but she had to do something. So, she agreed to take them to see their mother. Sam waited with the girls while Jason checked with Robin to make sure Alexis looked as normal as possible. Nikolas had returned to Wyndemere to oversee last minute details for readying the estate. He'd mentioned Elizabeth was there when they spoke on the phone, but fortunately she was working on another floor and she nor Jason had run in to her.

Alexis was off the ventilator and she was pale, but not as much as the day before. She was down to one IV with heart BP and pulse ox monitors still attached. Robin ordered her mother's nurse to switch from the mask to a high flow air/oxygen blend via nasal cannula which would be just as effective in that case, but also less frightening to a child. Jason had pulled Sam into a hug as they stood waiting for respiratory to finish the task, extending his strength in the gentlest of ways as Molly clung to her hip with Krissy at her side. He then waited patiently in the hall while Sam sat with her sisters as Kristina willed their mother to wake up.

Kristina had tears in her eyes as she told their mom that she could wake up now. "You said hearing my voice and my sisters is the best medicine there is and we're here now mommy, all of your girls, so you can wake up now. You just gotta open your eyes." Her little sister's pleas tore at Sam's heart.

A couple of minutes passed and tears were steadily falling down Kristina's little face. Sam decided maybe it hadn't been a good idea to bring them after all. She was just about to escort them out when Kristina shouted for her mother. Alexis had gripped her hand and was slowly beginning to wake. Sam found herself crying then as well, but they were happy tears.

"I still can't believe Dr. Drake released you from the hospital today. You just came out of a coma." Sam chided. She still wasn't convinced her mother was ready.

"Most patients like me only spend 5-7 days in hospital post-op. I was there for nearly six. I'm fine. Emily, tell her." Alexis looked to her nephew's girlfriend and resident doctor in hope of a little back up.

Emily looked between the two debating whether it would be safer to go against Sam or Natasha... "It's true Sam, and Patrick and Robin are great doctors. I'm sure they wouldn't have sent Alexis home if they didn't feel she was ready. As long as Alexis follows doctor's orders to the letter, I'm sure she'll be just fine."

Alexis stood smug and Sam still doubtful. "Still, I think you should sit either the scavenger hunt or treasure hunt out. All that walking will be a lot of stress on your lungs."

Alexis started to argue, but Emily cut her off. "I think that sounds perfectly reasonable."

Well, there went any possible plans she ever had of using Emily as a partner in crime. Her wing man had just left her open. "Fine." Alexis conceded. "I'll rest during the scavenger hunt, but I want to be there when they find the treasure."

Her eyes fell on her middle child as she said that and the three of them watched as Kristina approached with a determined brow. Emily giggled as dread fell over both women's faces before relief set in on Alexis as Kristina addressed her sister instead. "Sam, where's Jason? I want him to go with me and daddy on the treasure hunt."

Sam sighed. Diane had called her, per Jason's request, and explained why he'd been delayed, but Sam couldn't tell Kristina that. "I bet he's still at the penthouse wrapping your present. You know what a terrible gift-wrapper Jason is."

Kristina nodded remembering how all he and Michael had used to wrap Sam's bell was a plain box with a bow. "Can you tell him I don't care how it looks? I just want him to be here."

"I will." Sam promised eliciting a smile from the little princess. She nodded happily, confident her big sister would take care of it. Sam stifled a sigh and hoped Jason would make it in time.

Emily wasn't sure why her brother was late, but she knew it must be unavoidable because he'd promised to be there.

"Kristina, guess what?" Emily said with exaggerated enthusiasm.

"What?" The little girl looked up in wide-eyed anticipation.

"Nikolas told me he has another special announcement. I think we should find him and see what the surprise is. What do you think?" Emily encouraged.

Kristina nodded vehemently accepting Emily's hand as they marched off with parting smiles to both Alexis and Sam.

Alexis took a slow and steady breath. She'd been biting her tongue for nearly twenty four hours since learning her husband had nearly been beaten to death and dumped in front of the hospital. She'd called Mac right away. They were working on a few leads and in the process of questioning the usual suspects. She didn't have to ask if Sonny and Jason were on that list. She'd confronted Sonny first thing, but he swore he had nothing to do with it and definitely had not ordered Jason or any of his men to do it.

She didn't want to believe Sonny would allow Ric to be harmed that way, but they had a volatile history. She wasn't foolish enough to think it wasn't a possibility and that thought ate at her as she'd watched Sonny interact with their daughter. The thought that he could be so ruthless one minute and loving the next sent a conflicting chill up her spine. "Maybe it's for the best Jason doesn't show considering we can't be sure he isn't the one responsible for putting Kristina's stepfather in the hospital."

"Innocence until proven guilty, isn't that what your profession practices?" Sam clipped.

Alexis sighed. "I didn't say he was guilty. I said we don't know and until we do I just think it might be a good idea if Kristina..."

"Kristina invited him all by herself, twice. She wants him here and I won't be the one to disappoint her." Sam interrupted.

Alexis knew she was right. Kristina had asked about Jason's arrival several times already. She studied her daughter. Sam was tense now and she couldn't tell if she was preparing for battle or simply closing herself off, probably both. Alexis sighed. She didn't want to argue on what was supposed to be a happy day. "I won't either, at least not today."

Sam nodded, but couldn't find a smile. "Excuse me, Nikolas is about to announce the scavenger hunt and he'll need my help. Try and get some rest, Alexis."

Alexis watched as her eldest walked away from her, wishing and wondering if things would ever be easy for them.

Thirty minutes later, everyone rejoined Alexis in the ballroom. The scavenger hunt had been a success. Nikolas had gathered everyone around then told them all of a family legend passed down from generation to generation. There was a pirate ship hundreds of years ago named The Courage. It was loaded down with treasure and sunk off the very shores of Spoon Island. Nik's ancestors, he shared, left clues to a map which had been hidden some place in the castle for safekeeping. He said he'd been looking for a long time, but never had any luck finding it. He told his guests he thought it was because he wasn't a pirate and maybe only a real pirate could find real treasure.

That was Sam's cue. She was a pirate, she told him. Dread Pirate Cottontail, she remembered with a smile. She asked if he and his guests would like to become pirates too so they could help find the treasure. The entire room had been filled with resounding consent then Sam had them recite the secret oath that made them all honorary pirates. Nikolas then handed out copies of the list of clues that led them all around the castle until they'd finally found the map. Now they were back with said map in hand and the next task was to decipher it to find the treasure.

"It's in Spanish." Nikolas observed aloud.

"Sonny, you know Spanish, don't you?" Sam asked knowing full well he spoke it fluently which was why she'd chosen to use it. She wanted Sonny to feel included.

Sonny looked around to see if anyone else would step forward. He looked to Viola, but she shook her head and put a hand over her nephew's mouth as he was about to volunteer, she was sure, and encouraged Sonny to go for it. He nodded with a grin when no one else stepped forward. He held the map out in front of him as he translated. "Ye intruders beware. Crushing death and grief... soaked with blood of the trespassing thief..."

"You guys!" Michael told them excitedly. "This could be the real thing!"

Sam grinned on the sly, knowing he'd recognized the message. After she'd witnessed his love of pirate movies last spring, she realized he'd never seen one of her favorites and they'd gone out that afternoon to purchase a copy of Goonies to remedy that tragic mishap. The kids were completely into it now and the parents were all smiling at the scene. She looked around at the little faces. They were enthralled with the sense of adventure just as she'd hoped. Viola's nephew, Bastian, and Michael were thick as thieves now and ready to solve the mystery. He was a year younger than Michael, but it didn't seem to matter. Kyle and Kayla were six, but in the same gymnastics class as Kristina and they were enjoying themselves too. Sonny's father, Mike, listened in with a casual smile as he sat nearby on a rug with Molly and Morgan like the dutiful Grandpa he was, helping them stack blocks as high as it would go. Sam was glad he'd been able to get away from managing the diner for a few hours. There were so few times he'd been able to share with his family like that. Madison, Teresa and Allie had turned four earlier in the school year and surrounded her sister now, chatting giddily as only little girls could.

She was so caught up in the moment, she didn't notice Jason's arrival until Kristina's cheerful shout broke through and she turned to see her take off in a sprint. "Jason! Jason, you made it! I knew you wouldn't miss my party!"

Jason gave her a half smile as he watched her run to him and lifted her as she jumped into his arms. It was the best welcome ever. Her little being radiated with happiness and her smile brought a smile to his heart. He hadn't let her down.

"I couldn't break a promise to the birthday girl, could I?" Jason said as he jostled her and the present in his arms.

"No way." She shook her head. "You missed a bunch, but you're here for the best part. We're going to do cake and presents next and then the treasure hunt! Is that for me?"

Jason followed her dark brown eyes down to the pink box he held. "Happy Birthday." He told her as he handed it to her.

She accepted the gift looking it over curiously. "You wrapped it?"

Jason raised a brow. He wasn't sure where this was going. "Yeah."

Kristina nodded then looked up at him. "You did good this time."

Jason chuckled and tickled her side. "Thanks." He told her as she giggled and leaned away from his tickle fingers.

Jason looked across the room spotting Sam watching them intently with a soft smile on her face. He held her gaze and smiled his hello, both speaking volumes without saying a word. Kristina wiggled again and Jason lowered her back to her feet. She ran to the table where all of her other gifts set waiting and placed his there too then ran back over to him and grabbed him by the hand. He followed helplessly as she pulled him down on the nearest giant throw pillow to chat. Jason sat with her as she began to fill him in on all he'd missed. She told him about the authentic Russian Tea with the samovar and zavarka, tiny tea cakes, biscuits and jams the ladies attended in the conservatory while the gentleman retreated to the study for brandy and cigars, or juice and pretzel sticks as it were. The ladies shared stories while the gentleman played games.

"I'm a princess!" She suddenly remembered. "Nikolas gave Sam, Molly and me real tiaras and we're all real princesses now."

"A real princess? Sam and Molly too?" Jason chuckled as he looked up from a nodding Kristina to Sam for confirmation.

Sam inhaled deeply and nodded as she tapped the tiara on her head, still surprised by it all. She stepped closer to watch their interaction and before long, she noticed, the rest of the kids had flocked to Jason too. Most of the adults stood along the side, like Sam, while the children all sat on the floor with the pair listening and commenting as Kristina filled him in.

Several adults chuckled at Mike's melodramatic offense to Morgan's effrontery as he promptly abandoned his grandpa and the building blocks in favor of Jason. Molly wasn't far behind. She'd been glued to her cousin's side since they found one another. She toddled her way over as soon as she realized he'd left her and plopped herself down next to him in Jason's lap. The two toddlers worked as a team to pull the blue-eyed man's big hands around them, securing their spot. Jason hugged them close and kissed their soft raven locks as he continued to give his undivided attention to Kristina.

"I even made my first royal dec, dec, deckry." Kristina informed him.

"Decree." Michael gently corrected.

"Deck ree." Kristina tried again nearly getting it. "I made all the boys and girls at my party prince and princesses for the day then we all dressed up like princesses or pirates."

"Or both, I see." Jason commented as he noted her beautiful pink gown and tiara paired with a white silk sash holding a Nerf pirate sword.

The rest of the girls were adorned in beautiful gowns, gloves and pretty little shoes too while the boys were decked out in black pants, boots, tricorn hats, white renaissance shirts, muted red sashes, blue or brown coats with wide cuffs and gold buttons and a few had eye-patches as well. Nikolas gave Swarovski tiaras to each little girl completing their look and authentic replica's of vintage brass nautical compasses to the boys.

Krissy nodded her head. "I'm a pirate princess now. We're all pirate prince and princesses, everybody at the party. That makes you a prince now too."

Jason huffed in amusement, a slight smile threatening to show. "I'm no prince, Kristina."

Kristina wasn't buying it. "Uh-huh. You're the best kind of prince. You kept me safe from the water. You keep everyone safe."

Sam, Emily and even Carly who was still clinging to remnants of anger with him all silently agreed with the little girl.

"I love you, Kristina." It left his lips before he'd thought about it because he seldom admitted his feelings to anyone, especially in public, but his heart was overwhelmed with love for her in that moment and had forced him to confess it. He breathed deep. There was nothing quite as redeeming as the unconditional love of a child.

Sam's heart melted as Alexis' froze in fear watching helplessly as two of her three girls fell a little deeper in love with Jason Morgan.

"I love you too." Kristina beamed.

"Okay." Nikolas cut in noting his aunt's unease. "Who's ready for cake and presents?"

That got everyone's attention. The next hour and a half went by quick. They sang happy birthday as Kristina made her wish and blew out the candles on her one of a kind cake. The Quartermaine cook had outdone himself. It was a three dimensional treasure chest in pink with black and white accents and edible silver-painted hardware. The chest was propped open with gold foiled chocolate coins, candy necklaces, ring pops and gummy fish pouring from its hold. Kristina flew threw the wrapping paper, but remembered her manners like a true princess as she thanked each and every guest for her gifts.

There were dolls and games and craft kits she loved, but her favorite gift seemed to be from her dad who, upon time to receive his gift, had Max and Milo cart in a life-sized photograph of a custom-designed playhouse that was waiting for her in her own backyard at her mother's. He'd had one setup at his house too and Carly had filled both with furniture and dress-up clothes. Alexis gave her a 14kt gold heart-shaped locket with an engraving of flowers on the front and two pictures inside. There was a picture of her and Kristina as an infant on the left and a second more recent photo of mother and daughter on the right with an inscription on the back. True love is eternal and knows no bounds as is mine for you. Love always, mom. 11-19-2006.

She opened her presents from Sam next, a bunch of cute clothes and a bead gift set for the Pandora bracelet she'd received on Molly's birthday in honor of the day they first met. Sam had given one to Alexis, Molly and herself as well to commemorate November 8th 2004, the day Sam was reunited with her family and saved her sister's life as it would always be a very special anniversary for the Davis girls. She'd given Krissy the RoyalTea gift set this time and it included a royal carriage bead, a pearl beveled bead and a teacup and saucer bead. Kristina loved it and had squeezed Sam's stuffings in thanks.

Jason had been rather secretive about his gift and Sam was curious to see what he'd chosen. It was a tranquil tide machine that lit up and rocked side to side along with the soothing sounds of the waves. He hoped it might encourage a love for the water and help to overcome her fear of it. Kristina loved it and told everyone so. She planned to put it by her bed so she could watch it as she fell asleep. Her grandpa Mike gave her a 12" Princess Ariel doll with a wardrobe and friends accessory set and a matching Prince Eric doll to boot and she had yet to put them down. Michael picked out exactly what his little sister had asked for; a Princess Ariel Bath Castle for bath time. It was from Morgan too and Kristina had promptly declared them the best brothers ever. It took Alexis nearly twenty minutes, however, to convince Kristina she would have to wait until she was home before she could take a bath with it.

Emily gifted her with a half dozen beautiful frocks fit for a princess and a special edition of the 1905 children's classic, A Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett that Emily's mother Paige had given to her when she was a little girl. Emily felt a special kinship to Kristina and Molly as they nearly lost their mother to cancer too and she'd wanted to give Krissy something special to share with her mother. After Emily explained how her mother had read it to her when she was a little girl, Kristina was anxious for Alexis to do the same. Nikolas had quite possibly outdone them all. He hired a riding instructor for her to begin lessons. He also tried to give his little cousin her very own pony, but Alexis insisted she share it with her sister. Nikolas conceded without argument knowing perfectly well he would buy Molly her own in three more years when she was ready to ride.

His gift had been the last, so they'd all walked down to the stables to meet Kristina, and Molly's, pony afterward. It was a grey mare Fell that stood 13.2 hands high. The pony looked white, but was still considered a grey. It had medium grey flecks all over Kristina had called freckles and since she had the honor of naming it, Freckles was what she chose. The birthday girl was the first to ride and then she loaned her helmet to her guests as each girl and boy took a turn too with Nikolas leading them around the heated indoor paddock.

The final event of the day was the treasure hunt. They returned to the map and Nikolas and Sam helped the kids decipher the rest of the clues as Sonny translated them. Before long, Nikolas was leading them through one of the secret passages and down the dark tunnels which had been cleaned and cleared and lit with flamed torches every few feet. The kids and parents all made their way down to a cave where Nik and Alfred had set up a treasure chest to be discovered. It was found resting on its side, half in the water, with real gold coins and gallons of glitter surrounding it and a skeleton dressed in tattered pirate rags gripping it tightly.

"You found it! You finally found it!" Nik feigned utter shock and amazement as everyone rushed to see.

The kids were jumping, bouncing and cheering and so were some of the adults when they realized the gold was actually real. Sam had cut her eyes at Nik, whose only defense had been a sheepish grin and shrug of his shoulders.

"I can't believe it was just sitting here all this time!" Michael exclaimed.

Nik supposed the recent storm must have dragged it to the surface and all the kids seemed to think him right until Michael's next question. "If the chest was dragged up from below how come the pirate is still holding onto it?"

Nikolas and all the other adults were at a loss until Sonny stepped in. "That's what you call a death grip." He told them with a sure nod. "He must have been dragged up with it. You see, even in death, he couldn't let go of that treasure and that is why you should always beware never to love treasure more than friends and family, or you too might fall victim to its hold."

"Wow!" Michael's eyes widened in total belief and all the other kids followed suit while stifled giggles broke out amongst the adults.

The boisterous group retraced their steps, happy with their score. Sonny and Jason were entrusted with seeing the treasure back up to the main house with a cluster of tiny pirates guarding them front and back as Nikolas and Alfred brought up the rear, extinguishing flames as they went.

The treasure was divided up with Nikolas giving each pirate their fair share, four authentic Spanish gold doubloons in honor of Kristina's four years of life. Sam couldn't believe he actually had, and gave away, real treasure. The goodie bags were handed out along with the pouches they'd received at the beginning of their journey still filled with the play coins and jewels they'd collected. There were wrapped cookies, candies and gourmet caramel apples as well. There was also a 5" treasure chest engraved with the day's date and lined with black velvet to store their special pirated coins. Their costumes, crystal tiaras and brass compasses were a parting gift as well. The parents thanked their host and hostess for the best children's party they'd ever attended. The kids all seemed to agree. Sam had no experience with birthday parties for children other than the ones she'd attended for her sisters, so it meant a lot for her first attempt to have been a success.

She took a moment to enjoy the feeling of everything going perfectly right for once. She looked around the crowd wondering where Jason had disappeared to and then briefly startled before a smile crept into her soul as she realized it was him wrapping his arms around her. She leaned back against him placing her arms over his and felt his warm mouth and nose nuzzle gently at her neck. He inhaled deeply and hummed. "I missed you today."

She smiled. "You were with me for most of it."

He rubbed his mouth against her shoulder enjoying their physical connection. "But I wasn't holding you."

She turned to face him in his arms. She was grinning. He'd made her grin. He loved doing that. "You hold me all night and now you want all day too?"

Jason nodded unashamed to admit he couldn't get enough. A quiet laugh escaped her. He was too much. "I'll see what I can do." She told him as she raised up to kiss his lips.

He leaned down and returned the kiss. "Well, you are a princess now. I'm sure you can make it happen." He teased as he glanced up at her tiara.

Her hands lifted to touch the sides of it. "Can you believe this? I still can't believe it. Not that it changes anything really, but it was still very thoughtful of Nik to do this."

He tightened his arms around her, mindful of her bruises, to pull her snug against him and he didn't even bother to fight the smile from hinting at the corners of his mouth as he stared down at her with love. "You're right. It doesn't change anything. You're still just as beautiful and your heart is still just as pure as it was the day I met you."

Sam wasn't prepared for the thoughts that surfaced with his words, or the heavy emotion that it brought. Her eyes filled with tears in an instant. She'd been told she was beautiful before, plenty of times. So many times, in fact, it hardly phased her as anything more than another lame pickup attempt. But when Jason said these things to her knowing her as well as he did and still able to think her heart pure, think her beautiful, he didn't just tell her she was beautiful. In that moment, and in so many others since she'd known him, he'd made her feel beautiful, beautiful and good and worthy of something beautiful and good in return. "Jason, I..."

He kissed her before she could finish what she was going to say. Before she could finish telling him she loved him, his lips crashed down on hers in a most ardent fashion. His kiss was urgent yet tender, teasing as his tongue softly traced the line of her mouth until it opened for him and their tongues met in a slow and sensuous glide, greeting and dueling until they were both out of breath. Senseless, just like that he could kiss her senseless. All thoughts went out the window. She breathed deep as her lungs tried to catch up.

"What was that for?" She breathed still winded. That had been a pretty intense kiss, not that they weren't all great. Jason was a fabulous kisser, but there was something more about that one than just a 'mid-day haven't seen you in a few hours' kind of kiss.

She was beautiful and she had chosen him, chosen to be with him out of all the other men out there that probably deserved her more and the look in her eyes just now, that look stopped and started his heart every time. She was about to tell him she loved him. He could see it in her eyes and as much as he wanted to hear her say those words to him, as much as he'd longed to hear them and to know without question that she truly felt the same, he wanted to be the one to say them first. But not there, not yet. He had a plan and he was going to make sure it all went perfect, because she deserved nothing less.

20. part 2 of 3...

He was just staring down at her, not saying a word. His face had taken on a determined look. Why so serious, she wondered.

"Jason?" She inquired softly.

The crease of his brow relaxed and his eyes warmed to an even deeper shade of blue. She felt the deep evened rise of his chest fall against her own as his gaze held her captive. "You leave me breathless." He confessed. "Couldn't resist."

She felt butterflies. She felt exhilarated and she wondered how it was possible for him to make her feel that good when so many things around them were still so bad. It was a gift. He was her gift.

"Oh." She replied as she smoothed her hands over the strong arms that held her, resting them at his shoulders.

"Well neither can I." She told him with a smile as she rose tip-toed to peck his lips once more, softly and sweetly.

She lay her head against his chest and closed her eyes determined to enjoy another perfect moment for as long as it would last and knowing perfectly well it would end far too soon.

The rest of the guests followed Alfred out of the ballroom to the entry hall, where one of Nik's security details stood waiting to escort them back to the launch while Sonny and Carly hung back with the boys for a private goodbye. He'd just finished thanking Nikolas and Alexis for having them. He was grateful they'd all managed to keep the peace for Kristina's sake. He hoped it could last. He'd also thanked Emily for her help and for her very generous gift to Kristina. Sonny didn't have very many things his mother had given him before she died aside from her rosary, but he knew how much he treasured them. He wasn't sure he could part with one of them for anyone, but Emily had for his daughter and it meant a lot. Carly stood with the boys as they chatted up Nikolas and Emily while Alexis sat nearby on a settee next to a sleeping Molly who'd passed out from all the excitement.

Sonny knelt down to his daughter's level taking her little hands in his own. He caressed them with his thumbs, marveling for a moment in their soft perfection before he spoke.

"Did you have fun?" He grinned bigger when she grinned.

"Uh-huh." She nodded. "Lots and lots." She told him.

"I did too. I'm so glad you had such a happy birthday. You're a very lucky little girl to have so many people who love you so much. You make sure to give your sister and cousin Nikolas extra big hugs and kisses to thank them for your special party, okay?"

"Okay daddy." Krissy nodded.

Sonny smiled and nodded too. "Okay. Good. Now how about a hug and kiss for me?"

Kristina smiled and hugged him tight around the neck.

"I love you, baby." He told her as he hugged. "Happy Birthday." He whispered one last time.

"Love you too, daddy." She hugged tighter. "When am I gonna see you again?"

Sonny sighed wishing things could be different, that he could spend more time with his little girl who was growing up so quick. "Soon, baby. I'll see you soon and when you come over we can have fun setting up your new playhouse. I'll bet you and Carly will have lots of fun going through all those dress up clothes she bought."

Carly smiled down at them hearing her name.

"Dress up with myCarly is the best." Kristina told her dad remembering all the times she and Carly spent in Carly's closet and at her vanity.

Carly would always let her try on her make up and wear all her pretty jewelry and blouses that fit like dresses and even her most 'spensive heels. Her mommy never let her do that. Her myCarly did her hair in ways she never wore it before too and they took turns painting each others nails. Nobody else ever let her have that much fun playing dress up.

"I can't wait." She jumped in little girl excitement as she looked up at Carly who smiled brightly for her. She was the little girl she never got to have. "I can't either, Kristina. We're going to have so much fun and once we're all dressed up we'll make all the boys come to tea with us or maybe even take us out to a fancy restaurant."

"Oooo it's gonna be so fun!" She danced the three steps over to Carly and took her by the hand twirling round and round.

"Easy, Kristina, you don't want to make your tummy hurt after all those sweets you had today." Alexis cautioned.

Kristina kept twirling. She was having fun. She didn't want to stop and was about to tell her mommy that, but then she felt dizzy so she listened. Maybe her mommy was right.

"Okay well, Kristina, I think we better get your little brother home. It's past his nap time and he'll start to get grouchy soon." Carly bent down. "One last birthday hug from the birthday girl?"

Kristina hugged her without a single reservation. She loved her.

"MMMMnnnn." Carly hummed as she hugged.

She stood tall again as Michael and Morgan said their goodbyes to their sister and searched out the room for Jason. Even though she wasn't sure that she was done being mad at him for the way he'd hurt her, especially since he hadn't even apologized yet, she wasn't used to seeing him without saying goodbye. Carly spotted him across the ballroom in a far corner with Sam. They were hugging one another and from the looks of it, that was way more than a friendly hug.

"EEEEE!" Carly squealed latching onto Sonny's arm while doing a little hop-foot happy dance in her heels. "You see that Sonny? I told you! I told you my plan would work!"

Sonny looked up at his wife wondering what the hell she was carrying on about then followed her eyes to the far corner of the room. Jason was holding Sam and Sam... Sam was holding him. Even he could see there was something there between them, something more than friendship.

Emily and Nikolas had noticed Carly's reaction too. So had Alexis, but she chose to ignore it. It had been a nice day and she didn't want to spoil it. The coast was almost clear. A few more minutes and Carly would be on the boat back to the mainland. She wondered if she could arrange a detour to China instead.

"What plan?" Emily wanted to know, her curiosity piqued and her defenses raised since she'd said 'plan' while looking at her brother. Emily was all too familiar with Carly's 'plans' as they usually resulted in her brother cleaning up the mess.

"My plan to get Jason and Sam to finally admit their real feelings for one another. Look at them. They're in love! Oh sure, Sam wouldn't admit a thing yesterday no matter how many times I tried to pry it out of her, but I knew it! I just knew if I could get them alone on that boat together..."

"You talked Sam into taking Jason on her trip?" Emily was surprised. Not just that Carly had been observant enough of someone else's feelings when they weren't all about her, but also that she seemed to be in clear support of setting her brother up with someone he obviously cared a great deal about. Carly was many things, but she wasn't an idiot. Well, not in the traditional sense at least. She was foolish, but she was smart enough to know encouraging Jason into a relationship with Sam was bound to cut into her time with him and Carly was nothing if not selfish enough to expect Jason to live for her rather than himself. So, yeah, that revelation surprised the hell out of Emily. She wasn't even aware Carly liked Sam all that much. Then again there weren't really any women Emily could think of, aside from Courtney, Carly seemed to like all that much or that liked her for that matter.

"Not exactly. It required a little finessing." Carly wasn't willing to give away any of her trade secrets.

Alexis couldn't believe it. Carly had set Sam up. Although, looking at her daughter right now she didn't think Sam would mind too much. "Sonny, did you know about this?"

Sonny felt like the deer caught in headlights staring down Alexis' fiery gaze. That's what he looked like too. When in doubt...Lie. "I had nothing to do with this." He held his hands up in surrender.

Carly slapped him on his arm and narrowed her eyes at him when he turned to look at her guiltily. "I may have had a little something to do with it." He mumbled, but quickly recovered. "But just look at them, Alexis, they're happy. Sam's happy."

Alexis clenched her jaw, anger seeping into her skin like poison. That wasn't the point. For the love of all things holy, why couldn't anyone get that it didn't matter how happy she was if she was dead? Or, even if Jason did love her daughter as much as it appeared he might, which was enough to take a bullet for her if necessary, then what? What of her daughter's happiness then? When it was too late and she'd fallen even more head over heels in love with Sonny's enforcer, or worse gotten pregnant with his child and he was killed? She would be heartbroken. Her daughter would be crushed. Alexis knew that kind of pain. She'd felt it once too. She didn't want that for her daughter. She wanted better.

It took everything in her not to go off, not to tell those lovestruck idiots exactly how careless it was to encourage a woman to love a man who flirted so recklessly with danger, especially if that woman was her daughter. She bit her tongue, though. For the sake of all three of her daughters, the youngest who was lost in some blissful dream beside her, the middle who was laughing with her brothers a few feet away, and the oldest far across the room who, she had to admit, looked more at peace than she'd seen her since she woke from her coma yesterday.

Something seemed off with her first born, but she'd chalked it up to the stress of the last couple of weeks. At any rate, she looked happy right now and as much as Alexis feared for her daughter she didn't want to be the one to take that look from her face right now. There were so seldom times she'd ever seen it before. It was a look of utter contentment, as if in that moment she had everything she could ever want or need. That did not mean, however, she was giving up. The way Alexis saw it, she was in a fight for her daughter's life, but for today, for now at least, she would bite her tongue until it bled.

Alexis hadn't rebuffed his assertion and Emily and Carly both took her silence as a win, but Sonny and Nikolas knew better. They remained quiet having both separately recognized that fight in her eye. She wasn't going to let it go, not easily anyway. Sonny sighed deciding to use her silence as his chance at escape before their shaky truce was trampled.

"I'm just going to go over and say goodbye." He motioned his head toward the happy couple as he walked their way with Carly falling in step behind. It would be easier and somehow more acceptable, Carly decided, if she were only graciously following the lead of her husband rather than making the first move toward opening communication between them again.

Sure, she'd offered him a drink last week which had been the first time she'd spoken to him in about two weeks. She'd had a hell of a lot to say that night, the night they'd returned from their trip and informed her and Sonny of what that bitch Elizabeth had done to her son, and to him, but that had been more about raging out against Elizabeth than actually talking to him or sharing anything with him. She usually confided her feelings to Jason, even sought his advice above all others when something bad like that happened, but she hadn't that time and that had been a first.

Not only had she not sought his emotional support, she hadn't wanted it. She didn't want him to see her upset and have him try and console her because she hadn't wanted to be reminded of the reasons he was a good person and she loved him. She was still furious with him for choosing Elizabeth over her, even more so after learning what Elizabeth had done, and she wanted to stay furious with him until he actually gave a damn and apologized. Maybe that was childish, maybe not, but that was how she felt and she wouldn't pretend otherwise.

Sure he felt bad now. He felt guilty as hell probably and while she'd refrained from saying the things on the tip of her tongue that night that she'd wanted, things she knew would make him feel even worse, it didn't mean she still didn't feel them, feel that anger and because of that she hadn't been able to bring herself to totally forgive him yet. But she wanted to. She missed him and she knew he'd just been human, just made a mistake, a bad mistake, but nothing worse than any of the hundred or so she'd made over the years and he hadn't turned his back on her. He'd actually been the first to lend her a helping hand to lift her up from that new low she always seemed to find.

Until Elizabeth.

He hadn't turned his back on her until Elizabeth and that was what stung. She'd seen that conniving manipulator for whom she really was. Maybe it took one to know one, she considered then quickly dismissed it. She was nothing like that witch. She would never threaten a child to get what she wanted. And Jason, Jason hadn't trusted her instincts. He hadn't trusted her, chosen her. He'd always chosen her first, even when she didn't deserve it. Sometimes especially when she didn't deserve it and to know that he could dismiss her feelings so easily, dismiss their entire friendship so readily for a woman like Elizabeth... It was the biggest slap in the face he could have given her. If he was going to put any woman first over her, it damn well didn't deserve to be Elizabeth.

Truth be told, she still didn't think there was anyone that deserved to be first in his life over her, but deep deep down she knew that was just her own selfish desires talking. Jason deserved to be happy with someone that could accept him as completely as she did and since she was in love with her husband and since the only way Jason could be truly happy was to make another woman happy by putting her first then she guessed Sam made for the best choice. Sam accepted their way of life and she accepted them, the bond Jason had with her, Sonny and their kids and she never tried to change him or take him away from them like another woman might.

"Jason." Sonny greeted as Sam and Jason pulled apart to face them, both looking a little red-faced.

"Hey Sonny." Jason nodded. "Carly." He acknowledged awkwardly.

He knew she was still mad at him and she had good reason. He'd been so preoccupied with everything going on with Ric and Elizabeth, the business and being there for Sam that he hadn't put any time into fixing things with her. They'd barely spoken. He hadn't even called to check on her after Sam had told him about running into her last week at Kelly's when she almost went off on Elizabeth. Actually, they hadn't spoken at all since a week ago when he'd dropped Michael off. Well, other than a few polite exchanges during breakfast yesterday, but he knew that was only for the sake of Michael.

Carly didn't want Michael to know she was upset with him because Michael was a worrier and she didn't want him worrying about them or worse, to have it negatively affect his own relationship with Jason and he respected her for that. She wasn't as selfish as everyone thought and he could stand to remember that a little more often. His life would be simpler after tomorrow and he decided he would make a point then of getting things back on track with his friend.

"Hey. We're about to head out. Just wanted to say our goodbyes and to thank you Sam. You went above and beyond for your sister today and it means a lot to know just how much you love her. It meant a lot that you went out of your way to make sure I felt included in her day with her too. So, thanks. Thank you." Sonny told her in earnest.

He looked at her and could see the faint traces of bruises. She'd covered them well with clothing and make-up, but Sonny had a well-trained eye for such things. Seeing her standing there smiling softly with Jason's arm around her and imagining the trauma she went through only two nights ago, he knew she'd put on a good front for everyone to make sure her sister and all of her guests had the best time.

It reminded him of his mother and how she'd always tried to put on that same brave face to help him feel better, feel braver and stronger, like they could make it through somehow. He cared for Sam even more now and wished he could express all of that to her, tell her why, but he knew it wouldn't be received well. Sam was a very guarded person. Sonny respected and related to that and he knew she wouldn't want to talk about it with him. At least not right now, but he did plan on talking with her about it when the time was right.

When more time had passed and her wounds, emotional and physical, weren't still so fresh, he would apologize for his sick brother and for not taking proper action a long time ago after what Ric did to Carly. Carly. Once she learned what Ric had done to Sam, she was going to lose it. She never believed Ric had changed. She never believed he'd had a sudden epiphany and turned his life around and she was right. Ric was still the twisted man that kidnapped a pregnant woman, tried to steal an unborn baby and force himself on his step-daughter. Sonny felt sick to his stomach that he'd fallen for his brother's lies, believed that he'd actually changed and wanted to live a better life.

"You're welcome, Sonny. You're her dad. You love her. Of course you should be included." Her mother might feel differently, but Sam had never seen any reason Sonny deserved to be cut so radically out of his daughter's life.

It almost made her glad Alexis hadn't raised her because as screwed up as her childhood had been and as many things as her dad got wrong he got a few important ones right too and she loved him, faults and all. She didn't regret growing up a McCall. She just wished he'd made better choices with his life, with their life, and that was why she'd had to leave him.

She finally got old enough to make a better choice for herself and she'd made it. She'd left the dead end her father was headed down to find her brother and start her own road, a road she hoped led to a real home and family. One that accepted you and made you feel good enough just the way you were. Her road had been long and hard and she'd felt like she was on her own dead end quite a few times, especially after losing Danny, but she had Jason now and with him... with him she had hope again.

Sonny smiled and nodded. "Well, I guess we better get going." He looked back over to Jason. "Give me a call later, will ya? Just a few things I'd like to touch base on."

Jason shrugged his lips and nodded his agreement looking from Sonny to Carly and feeling his guilt kick in triple time when she wouldn't even make eye contact with him. It wasn't pissed Carly, giving him attitude. That rarely evoked his guilt. This was hurt Carly, afraid to show her vulnerability and there had only ever been a handful of times he remembered her putting that wall up with him.

He didn't like the way it felt to have things so tense between them and he hated dealing with relationships, because that usually meant dealing with emotions and he'd rather take a bullet than deal with that. But he really felt like he was going to have to be the one to make the first move this time and considering the reason for the distance between them he couldn't say it wasn't right to be that way. Carly was always the one to apologize. Of course, she was always the one who'd done something to apologize for... Not this time though.

"Hey, uh, Carly." Jason addressed getting her attention.

She looked at him finally and he could see all those emotions she'd been trying to hide. She didn't speak. She waited for him to continue. "Uh, I thought, if you want, we could maybe... get together this week sometime."

He was reaching out and part of her wanted to forgive him right now just for trying, while the other part wanted to tell him to take that olive branch he only saw fit to extend to her now and shove it! She settled somewhere in the middle. "I'll have to check my schedule. The boys have swim lessons Monday and Wednesday and Michael has kung fu and a ball game on Tuesday. It's Thanksgiving Thursday and then mama, Courtney and I always spend black Friday shopping together. I also have a few doctor appointments set up, but um, if you want I'm sure I could find time to meet with you."

"That's right. I guess I forgot it was Thanksgiving this week." Jason looked at Carly, but she was looking at anything but him.

They had a long-standing tradition. He always spent Thanksgiving with Carly, Sonny and the boys. Last year, he'd spent some of it with Sam too and most of that Friday. He wasn't sure if Carly would want him there this year. "How about I call you Tuesday morning and you can let me know? I didn't know Michael had more games. I thought the one I went to a couple weeks ago was the last one for the season. Who's going to the doctor? Is everyone okay?" Jason hoped Michael hadn't had another nightmare.

Sonny told him yesterday Michael seemed fine, no more nightmares, so it would have to have been last night. He realized there was a lot going on in his friend's life he didn't even know about. He was just so used to her giving him daily updates that he'd become accustomed to never really having to ask. He felt Sam take his hand in hers and their fingers locked together.

"That was the last game for fall ball, but Michael wanted to sign up for PCYO's winter indoor season to get in more practice before Little League starts back up in the spring. Morgan missed his annual check-up last month after his birthday, because of that cold so it was rescheduled for this week and Sonny and I thought it might be good if Michael had a follow up session with Dr. Winters just to be safe. I um, I have an appointment too, but I'll find time and let you know Tuesday." She finished weakly wanting the conversation to be over. It was hard talking with him like things were normal. They weren't normal. If they were, he would know all of this already. She would have told him on one of their daily phone calls or impromptu visits, or he would have asked.

"Are you alright?" Jason was worried for her now. What was going on? Why was she going to the doctor? He remembered she'd already had her annual check up last month, because she had bitched to him for an entire hour afterward about getting stuck with Elizabeth as her nurse and Robin as her doctor since her regular intern had an emergency and Robin was covering.

Damn him. He was doing it. He was being all concerned Jason and looking at her like he cared, like he really cared and she didn't want to see that, feel that. She felt her eyes begin to tear. "Fine, I'll be fine. I um..." She choked up. "Sonny." She turned to her husband. "We really need to get Morgan home now."

Sonny sighed. He hated to see the woman he loved and his best friend hurting and struggling. He saw the pleading in Carly's eyes. "Yeah. Yeah, babe. You're right." He wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back in comfort. "Listen, Sam, Jason, we'll talk later. Okay?"

Jason nodded resignedly feeling dispirited and concerned. Sam wrapped her arm back around him and hugged him to her side.

"Goodbye Sam." She turned to her avoiding Jason's eyes. "It was an amazing party."

"Thanks Carly. I'm really glad you could all make it." She knew things were still strained between Carly and Jason, but Kristina had made it very clear at breakfast yesterday how happy she was that Jason would be at her party.

She feared Carly might be a no show just to avoid having to put on the same fake happy face again as she'd done over breakfast. She wouldn't have blamed her. Sam hadn't enjoyed having to do it either, but it was for her sister and she'd do anything for her sisters. She should have expected nothing less from Carly either. She knew Carly genuinely loved her step-daughter. She was nothing like Evelyn and, for that, Sam was truly thankful.

Carly nodded, only meeting Sam's eyes briefly with a smile that was beginning to tremble before Carly could even turn completely back toward her sons and the door. Sonny gave Sam and Jason a look. He started to say something, but didn't really know what there was to be said. "See you guys." He told them then turned to follow his wife home.

"See ya." Sam and Jason replied in near unison. Jason's response was more disconcerted than Sam's.

The boys rushed over real quick to say their goodbyes. Sam noticed it was Carly that had whispered something in Michael's ear and knew she was the one who'd sent them over with orders to give their uncle Jason such big hugs. She'd done it to make him feel better and that made Sam feel better about Carly.

Moments after the Corinthos family were escorted safely to the launch, all was quiet again. They'd moved into the living room while the staff busied themselves cleaning and restoring the ballroom back to its normal state. Molly woke up during the move and sat with Kristina now on the richly hued Persian playing with the new toys while Alexis rested nearby on a comfortable chaise. She would never admit it, but she was completely exhausted. Emily and Nikolas sat together on the sofa while Jason and Sam were off to the side again sharing another semi-private moment. He'd tried to get some quality time with Sam during the party, but as hostess she'd been the center of attention and unable to find more than a minute or two here and there.

Sam stood with her head against his chest hugging him close. It felt good to have him to hold onto. She'd had a wonderful time, but she was tired. She was both physically and emotionally spent and she knew he must be too with everything going on and especially after how hard it had been with Carly. Neither spoke for several minutes, content to just hold one another.

Sam finally broke the quiet. "So I take it everything went okay?"

Jason knew she was referring to his visit to the PCPD. She hadn't brought it up yet and he hadn't either knowing she'd ask when she was ready. "Exactly as expected. Nothing to hold me on. I gave a statement and that was it."

She sighed, her worry wouldn't be relieved until Ric was awake to give his statement. So far, he'd been unconscious. Jason sensed her nerves kicking in and rubbed his hands against her back soothingly. She breathed deep again and he felt her relax against him. It was working. He kissed her temple and then her ear before she pulled back and met his lips with hers. It was a slow kiss as their mouths touched and parted in soft loving strokes before ending with their lips nuzzling the others.

Emily couldn't help watching her brother's open affection toward Sam with a smile. She leaned into Nikolas' side. "It's nice to see Jason so comfortable with someone. He was never so free with Elizabeth, or with anyone else for that matter. I just wish my friend didn't have to be hurt for Sam and Jason to have the happiness they deserve."

Nik sighed as he watched his cousin with a protective eye. "I just hope it isn't my cousin that ends up being hurt."

"Jason loves Sam. He would never hurt her Nikolas." Emily protested.

Nik shook his head. "I'm still not convinced Jason wasn't responsible for Ric's attack."

"I don't believe Jason had anything to do with it. Jason only does what he does to protect the people he loves. Ric hasn't threatened any of them, so he would have no reason to go after him." Emily argued.

Nikolas remained silent. He didn't wish to argue or put her in the middle. "I hope you're right." He said instead and kissed her chastely on the cheek.

Alexis felt herself nodding off when she'd heard mention of her husband's name. She overheard Nik state the same concerns about Jason that she had and she'd listened as Emily defended him much like she was sure Sam would when she had the conversation with her later. She pretended to be dozing until they'd finished. She didn't want to end such a lovely day in an argument which is where it could lead quickly if she hadn't bit her tongue rather than rally with her nephew. She used the lull in their conversation as her chance to make an exit.

Her eyes fluttered open to find Emily and Nikolas smiling at her. She yawned and admitted it was probably best if she get the girls home now. "Thank you both for everything."

"You're welcome, but the credit belongs to Sam." Nikolas insisted.

"It really does." Emily agreed as she and Nikolas rose from their seats with Alexis to say goodbye.

"Sam did an outstanding job." Alexis admitted with a tinge of pride in her voice. "She exceeded my wildest expectations."

Her mother's back was to her, so she hadn't realized Sam overheard her compliment. She couldn't stop a bright smile from brimming her lips. She accomplished what she'd set out to do. She made Kristina happy and her mother proud.

"I just wish she could exceed my expectations where her relationships are concerned as well." Alexis sighed and Sam's smile fell, her disappointment taking away from the reward she'd worked so hard to achieve.

Alexis was still unaware Sam and Jason were listening, but Emily noticed. She watched as Jason reassured Sam silently with his touch, noting how Sam leaned into his strength and how he leaned into her. She'd known it since she first saw them leaning toward one another that night on New Year's Eve and she believed it even stronger now, Jason and Sam's love was meant to be.

"Sam is an adult Alexis. She gets to make her own choices in life. All we can do is love her and be there for her." Nikolas advised.

Alexis sighed and nodded wearily. Her body was tired and sore and her mind too fried to fight. Besides, she knew what her nephew said was true and admitted it. "You're right. I just can't help worrying. It's a mother's lot in life." She informed him. "And an aunt's."

She smiled as brightly as she had enough energy left to do and opened her arms to hug him goodbye. She kissed him on his cheek then quickly rushed to brush her lipstick away.

"Girls, say goodbye and thank you to Nikolas and Emily. It's time for us to go home." Alexis instructed as Emily and Nikolas knelt down to say their goodbyes.

Alfred appeared out of nowhere with two extra large shopping bags and proceeded to pack the remainder of Kristina's gifts in them. There was also a third, smaller bag full of leftover cake and other desserts.

Alexis turned to leave and found Jason and Sam holding one another. She'd made her daughter promise to walk away from him if anything had happened to her. She was happy to be alive, but she wished somehow she could reason with Sam to make better choices with her life, safer choices.

Sam felt her mother approaching and pulled out of Jason's embrace to turn to her. "Sam, thank you for making this day unforgettable for not just Kristina but myself as well. It was beautiful and fun, clever and adventurous just like Kristina, just like all three of my wonderful daughters."

It felt good to have lived up to what she wanted, but Sam was unable to freely express that to her. She found herself holding back out of fear that she would never be good enough to love just the way she was, for all that she was and not just the parts Alexis deemed suitable. "Thanks Alexis."

Alexis took a slow breath, not too deep, to avoid irritating her incision. Sam was holding back. She was Alexis again. She smiled and nodded, not wanting to acknowledge how much it hurt to be so at odds with a daughter she never thought she'd have the chance to love. Having that second chance with her first born was a blessing and yet she just couldn't seem to get it right. Loving Krissy and Molly was still so easy. She wondered if it might be as hard to love them one day as it was Sam.

She almost hoped it would because that would mean she loved all her daughters equally. Maybe not the same. Her daughters were their own individuals and so she loved them individually, but she would like to believe she loved them equally as much. If it became harder to love Krissy and Molly when they got older, it would mean there wasn't some piece of her heart she held back when it came to Sam. She wasn't sure that was true, though, and that hurt her maybe as much as it hurt Sam. It pained Alexis to see her daughter in pain and it hurt even more to know she was the cause of it and not know how to fix it.

She didn't know how to fix the part of her that refused to let go and just love. That part of her had been broken for a very long time. She had hope at one point, but then that hope died and with it, a part of her. When Sam was returned to her, she'd believed that lost hope had been restored, but maybe a piece of it was still missing and maybe she would never get it back. And without it, she feared she may never be able to love as good as she should, as good as she needed, again.

Sam's wall was up, but when she saw how her mother's smile never reached her eyes her resolve broke a little. Even though she didn't feel safe to open up and be herself around her mom and wasn't sure if she ever would for more than the fleeting moments they shared, she still loved her, still worried about her. "How do you plan to manage with these two and all those bags without Viola?"

It was Viola's day off and she'd left earlier with her nephew, Bastian. Sam told Jason yesterday she still intended to live with her mother until Alexis healed. Jason didn't like it. He offered to hire a private nurse instead because he didn't want her living in the house where she was attacked. Sam didn't really know what to tell him. She wasn't sure she'd be fine and she wasn't going to lie and say she was. Instead, she promised she would call him the minute she felt her emotions getting the better of her. She promised he would be the first person she called and this time, she wouldn't wait until she was in over her head to do it.

"I'll be fine for the few hours until you get home. If I really need assistance, I've got two grunts shadowing me to help out." Alexis made an attempt at humor by referring to the two guards Sonny and Jason assigned to cover Alexis and the girls.

"Let them carry the bags." Sam bossed. "You don't need to do anything more strenuous than push Molly's stroller. Don't lift Molly. Let Paulie or Enzo help. I'll be there in time for baths and to help put them to bed." Sam promised.

She was torn between going with her mom like a dutiful daughter and staying with Jason. She dreaded going back to that house and she dreaded spending one minute away from Jason and she really dreaded the conversation about Ric and his affair she would have with her mother after the kids were in bed.

"Yes, daughter." Alexis grumbled. She hated being told what she could and couldn't do, though it was nice to know Sam still cared.

Alexis did her best to ignore Jason. A civil nod in his general direction was the best she could manage. It was hard to look at him and not wonder if he'd been the one who almost killed her husband and then watch as he put those same hands on her daughter. She turned to find Enzo and Paulie waiting for her with bags in hand. Kristina and Molly gave goodbye hugs and kisses to Sam and Jason, even though they would see Sam soon and then the Davis girls, minus one and plus two guards, made their way to the front door.

Sam trailed behind and paused in the living room doorway to watch her mother and sisters prepare for the late November chill, still torn over going with them now to help out or staying behind. Alfred stood waiting with their winter coats. He assisted Alexis with hers and then helped Kristina as Alexis buttoned up Molly. Alexis was just about to lift Molly into her stroller when Paulie stepped up to do it for her. Alexis could only grin and bare it. She knew Sam was watching and Molly was just too heavy. She would put too much stress on her wound and sutures. She hated being reminded of her limitations.

Alexis and the girls were gone and it was the moment Jason hadn't really been waiting for as much as dreading. He needed to tell Emily about Elizabeth. Sam must have felt him tense at the thought. She rubbed her hand up his back and squeezed his shoulder. He drew his right arm up across his chest and entwined his fingers with hers over his left shoulder. He held her hand that way as he watched his sister and Nikolas smiling and laughing about something. She was happy right now and he was about to take that away. He looked down at Sam and brought her hand to his lips to kiss. "I need to talk with Emily."

Sam nodded. They had discussed his plan that morning before she'd left with the car and driver Nik provided her to bring Alexis home from the hospital. Jason had tailed them in his Escalade. He'd told her how he didn't want Emily blindsided tomorrow when the news became public and she'd suggested telling his sister after the party.

"Good luck." She wished him as she took his hand to hers and kissed his palm.

A faintness of something almost reminiscent of a smile crossed his face at that as he nodded then made his way over to the other couple. "Emily, could we talk a minute?"

"Sure Jase." Emily beamed, but faltered a bit when she noticed how serious he looked.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, concern filling her features as she looked from him back over to Sam in the distance.

"I just need to tell you a few things. It's about Elizabeth and how we plan to handle things. I wanted to let you know what to expect." Jason explained.

Emily nodded as her smile faded and Nikolas smoothed his hand over her arm. "Would you like me to stay with you?"

"No. Thank you, but I think Jason would feel more comfortable if we discussed this in private." Emily knew how hard it was for her brother to talk about his feelings and she didn't want to make it any harder for him.

Nikolas wasn't really concerned with what would make Jason more comfortable. It wasn't that he disliked Jason. It was just that he was more concerned with what would make Emily most comfortable. She didn't seem too comfortable right now, though. She could read him so well. She could see the hesitancy in his demeanor. It was making her even more anxious and that was the last thing he wanted. "Very well. I'll be in the study if you should need me."

"Jason." He acknowledged on his way over to Sam.

"Care to join me, highness?" Nik offered his arm to his cousin.

Sam smirked. "I still can't believe you did this." Her eyes rolled up to the tiara on her head. It was getting a little heavy, but Lord only knew how much it cost and she was afraid to take it off until she had a safe place to put it.

Nik just smiled, full of himself and all he'd gotten away with today, as Sam linked arms with him and they headed out of the living room and down the west hall toward the study.

"So, I'm confused." Sam told her cousin as they entered. "You mentioned the head of the Greek royal family, but I thought we were Russian royalty?"

"Actually, no. We are members of the Greek royal family and descendants of Russian royalty and of Russian nobility." Nik clarified.

"Where does the Russian part come in?" Sam wondered.

"Ah." Nik nodded. "Time for your first royal family history lesson. Please, sit." He offered a spot on the plump striped loveseat in front of them.

Sam sat down and wished she could kick off her boots. Her feet were killing her.

"Our Russian ancestry dates back to our great great great grandmother, Grand Duchess Olga Constantinovna of Russia. She married our great great great grandfather, George I, King of Greece. She was the granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I and first cousin of Tsar Alexander III."

"Wow." Was all she had for that. "You're telling me we're related to like the great rulers of Russia?"

Nik chuckled as he sat next to her. "Yes. That is what I'm telling you."

"So I don't understand. Greece isn't under a monarchy, so how is there a royal family?"

"Well, that's a bit more complicated. You see, Greece isn't any longer ruled by a monarchy, but they were for thousands of years. In fact, it wasn't until the early 1970's when a referendum was voted on and passed that the monarchy was abolished."

"So we're king, queen, prince and princesses without a country?" Sam gathered.

"Basically, yes, but there are those that believe, and plot for the day, that the referendum will be overturned restoring the monarchy to its rightful place as leadership over its people."

"I'm guessing one of those people would be Helena." Sam answered.

"Correct. In fact, she has her hands in many schemes with that very goal in mind, though I don't know why she bothers. It isn't as if I'm next or even third in line for the thrown." Nik shook his head.

"Just how far down the line are you?" Sam was curious to know.

"Well, let's see. King Constantine II was the first born son and crown prince of King Paul, our great grandfather who died of cancer, and our great grandmother, Crown Princess Frederika. Our grandfather, Mikkos, was brother to Constantine II and 2nd born son to Paul and Frederika. Constantine II and his wife have six children, three sons and three daughters. Pavros is the 1st son of Constantine II and the crown prince. So, with Mikkos' death, my father Stavros' death, Uncle Stefan's death that made me 8th in line after Pavros, his two brothers and his four sons. That is, until recently when prince Philippos was killed in a tragic accident which rumor has it Helena may have had a hand in. Now, I would be 7th in line."

"Do you think she had something to do with it?"

"She's treacherous and some might say evil, but she's also a genius. I wouldn't put it past her. In fact, it's exactly something she would do." Nik admitted, ashamed to be any relation to the woman.

"So how does she get away with it? Why doesn't the King just kick her out of the family and strip her of any power, or have her brought up on charges?" Sam wondered.

"She isn't a recognized member of our royal family any longer, but she has power and title all her own. She's a Duchess of Russia and with that title comes a lot of powerful connections. Those connections allow her to keep her hands clean of the dirty deeds she orchestrates." Nik explained. "Fortunately for us, she's off enjoying the finer things those connections provide somewhere far away."

"Well, from all I've heard of the woman I'll consider us all very fortunate if it stays that way." Sam said and Nik agreed. "Indeed."

There was a lull then, both feeling an unusual awkwardness of where to take their conversation next which they hadn't felt since first getting to know one another. Nikolas wanted very much to address his concerns of Jason with her, but he was hesitant to dampen her spirits. Sam sat quietly, thinking she should probably give Nikolas a heads up about what Jason was telling his sister. Emily considered Elizabeth to be her best friend. She would be devastated to know what she'd done to the brother she adored. It would help her if Nikolas was prepared.

"Does Emily know I found proof of Elizabeth's affair?" Might as well just put it out there.

Nik had been staring blankly at the flames in the stone fireplace. His focused returned to her upon hearing her words. "Not from me. I didn't want to keep it from her, but I felt it wasn't my place to say anything. It was something Jason had a right to reveal at his discretion and I also didn't want to betray the confidence you placed in me."

Sam was touched. "Thank you for that, but I would have understood if you'd shared it with Emily. I'm sure she would have kept quiet, if asked, but it was probably better she didn't know before now. We were all lucky in that we were able to avoid Elizabeth and the temptation to confront her until we were ready, but Emily works with her every day. They're best friends and I imagine it would have been considerably more difficult for her to maintain everything was fine between them if she'd known."

Nik nodded. "You're right. I hadn't thought of that. I'm glad I didn't put her in that position now as well, but you said 'before now'. I take it something has changed? Is your investigation over? Is Jason prepared to confront Elizabeth now?"

Sam sighed with a nod as she turned her body on the sofa to see him more fully. "Yes, but I can't really go into details just yet. All I can say is that after tomorrow, her affair will be public knowledge to all of Port Charles."

Nik shook his head. "Yes. I imagine the scandalous news of a Quartermaine heir falling prey to the infidelity of a morally bankrupt woman will make for page one material, but I would think if not for Elizabeth's sake Jason might try and keep this under wrap at least for the sake of his child."

Sam was silent as Nik looked at her expectantly. When she still didn't speak, light dawned. "Is it not his child? How can he know for certain? If there was possibility before, then surely it is still possible."

"She lied about everything Nik. Elizabeth never slept with Jason the night of the blackout like she led him to believe. They've never been together, so there is no possible way the baby is his. She was already a month pregnant when she went to him that night. She isn't even in love with him. Apparently from correspondence we've found, she's in love with the baby's father and this was all part of some plan to further his career." She hoped she hadn't just said too much.

Nik looked horrified. "It isn't Lucky's?"

"No." Sam shook her head. "But I really can't say anymore than that right now."

Nik studied her thoughtfully as if trying to puzzle it all out for himself. Sam felt a little self-conscious under his gaze. She was hiding things she didn't want him to know and he'd gotten to a point where he could read her pretty well. She began to fidget and look about the room, the last thing she should have done under the circumstance and she knew it, but couldn't control it in that moment.

"It was Ric. Ric is the man Elizabeth was seeing behind my brother and now Jason's back, isn't he?"

Sam didn't even have to speak, the moment she looked at him, he knew.

He groaned and brought his hand over his face. "Alexis is going to... I'm certain if she had any suspicion of Ric's adultery, she would have confronted him or left him by now. This is going to knock the wind out of her. Here she is, we are, worrying about him and who's responsible for beating him when he's done this..."

Nik's voice trailed off as something else occurred to him. "He did it, didn't he?"

Sam's stomach began to tie itself in knots. He was getting too close to the truth and now, when she needed her old survival skills to kick in most and spin some elaborate story or to deflect his attentions, instead she was left speechless. She could only stare and look at him as if she didn't understand his question, but she did.

"Jason was the one to attack Ric!" Nik rose from his seat, he couldn't sit still with that knowledge.

"My God, Sam. He nearly killed him. He's your mother's husband! Molly's father, not to mention the acting District Attorney!" He paced and then turned back to her wanting to know what she could possibly say for herself, say for him.

"It's not his fault!" Sam shouted, unable to hold it in. "He was protecting me. It's my fault! It's my fault!"

Nik was utterly confounded. "Protecting you? Why would he need to protect you from Ric? What could he have possibly done to warrant..."

Nik noticed Sam shift her eyes from him. In fact, he'd noticed she hadn't really been able to make eye contact since before last Friday. As he watched her he could actually see her withdrawing into herself physically, sinking into the cushions and somehow making herself even smaller. Ric had done something to Sam, something heinous enough to unleash Jason's tight control so much so he nearly killed the man with his bare hands. Suddenly a moment from the night of Molly's birthday dinner flashed in his mind. He'd thought he caught Ric looking at Sam in a way no married man should ever look at another woman, let alone their step-daughter. He'd dismissed it, not wanting to believe that's what he'd seen but...

"What did he do, Sam? What did that bastard do?" Nik demanded.

"Nothing." Sam shook her head, still not meeting his eyes.

Her voice held little to none of the conviction it should to sell her answer. Her mind was already shutting down. She didn't want to think about it, or talk about it and she certainly didn't want anyone else to know. Visions of it began looping in her mind. She kept trying to replay the moment when she'd actually lost control of the situation. The truth was she'd been fooling herself to think she ever had control of it. She went up against a dangerous man under the influence of powerful drugs and then proceeded to taunt him until he was enraged enough to lose whatever slim grip he had left on reality. What part of his reaction did she ever think she could control? She closed her eyes to the memories that invaded her consciousness.

"Like hell. Look at you." Nik's voice softened as he walked back over to her and sat. "You're shaking at the mere thought of it!"

"I'm fine. It's just a little cold in this drafty old castle." She opened her eyes and attempted a smile as she looked about the room. "You really should consider retrofitting the main level with modernized heating and air. The fire is nice, but..."

"Sam..." Nikolas was soft, but insistent as he implored of her. "It's me. Talk to me. You can talk to me. You can trust me. I swear it. I need to know Sam. If you expect me to give Jason a pass, I need to know why he felt justified attacking my baby cousin's father that way."

Nikolas extended his open hand across the cushion between them, his eyes beseeching her to confide in him. Her chest felt heavy and her jaw clenched tight, not wanting to let it out in the light of day where she would be forced to face it. "Can't you just believe me when I say there was a good reason?"

His hand remained empty, but unmoving. He still hoped she would accept it and his support. "I do believe you."

Nik nodded causing Sam's eyes to meet his briefly and he could see the fear there. "Which is all the more reason I need to hear it. You're my family, Sam. In the short time that we've come to know one another you've become as important to me as any other I hold dear. In some way, even more so, because there has only been one other person in my life that has ever made me feel as accepted just the way I am, who's made me feel as comfortable in my own skin as you, and she just happens to be the love of my life." He offered up as if Emily were chopped liver earning the slight smile and tiniest moment of levity he'd been hoping for.

"I love you, Sam, and I can tell that you're hurting. I may not be able to fix everything for you, but I would truly love the opportunity to try. At the very least, I would love to feel you trust me enough to come to me when you need someone, when you need your family. We may not have had the chance to be there for one another growing up, but we have that chance now and I don't intend to waste it. Please, let me be there for you as you would wish to be there for me."

Sam had only met his eyes briefly when he'd first spoken then continued to focus on his outstretched hand. She wanted to grab it and hold on to the strength he offered, to the love and support he gave so freely, but she'd been scared to trust anyone other than herself, to rely on anyone other than herself. His words though, his words and something in his voice as he said them to her broke through and she believed him. She believed his words and she believed in his love. Sam swallowed thickly then nodded her head as she placed her hand in his.

He took her hand and sighed in both relief and anguish to see his cousin so conflicted, to see how difficult it was for her to trust and to know it had been a direct result of her childhood. He'd had a very different childhood, but they had each learned some very similar lessons from it. Nikolas moved closer to her, opening his arms as her tears began to silently fall and she moved in allowing him to hug her as she cried.

They sat that way for a moment and then she pulled back as he took her hand in his once more. She readied herself and began. "The night of the ball, he tried to drug me so that he could... so that he could..."

She swallowed and started again. "He forced himself on me. If Jason hadn't come to the lake house that night to check on me when he did, I don't think he would have stopped until... I don't think he would have stopped."

She couldn't say his name, didn't want to think of his name or else she would picture him. "I fought him. I tried to get him to stop, but he wouldn't listen. It was like he didn't believe me. He didn't want to hear me or believe me when I was kicking and screaming at him, telling him I didn't want him, that I never wanted him like he said."

Nik wasn't sure if Sam realized how tightly she was gripping his hand. She was shaking. Then suddenly, she let go. She wiped her eyes dry and breathed deeply. A change fell over her features, a blankness as if she was closing herself off or steadying herself for some unknown battle they were facing, or maybe she felt she were facing it alone. Maybe she still wondered if he would doubt her or blame her. He wasn't sure, but he knew he needed her to know he was with her. One hundred thousand percent, he was with her and would help her in any way he could and helping her meant helping Jason. "I'll say I hired you."

Sam was totally thrown. What was he talking about? He didn't have any questions? Didn't want her to talk about it more? Explain herself?

"I'll say I became aware of the vicious rumor circulating the hospital concerning an affair between Elizabeth and myself, so I hired my cousin P.I. to find the culprit of initiating and facilitating such atrocious falsehoods in order to put an end to them. In the course of your investigation, you discovered there was more truth to the rumor than either of us would have ever guessed. You found proof of Elizabeth's indiscretion, but were able to rule me out as her lover. This will help you to keep your client's identity secret should you receive pressure from law enforcement to reveal your sources. I presume your client is someone in Jason's family, or someone he may consider as family? It wouldn't look good to throw suspicion back his way. Police may assert you or Jason's family member alerted him to the affair and he took matters into his own hands. If I am the client, I can insist I held you to your contract and would not permit you to reveal this information to Jason to spare Elizabeth his outrage. Instead, I'll say I intended to simply tell Elizabeth she had to break things off with Jason and come clean to Lucky and Emily about what she'd done."

That wall? That wall that served her well for so many years? She felt his words once again come crashing through. He never questioned her, never blamed her for what this would do to her family. He only wanted to help her, support her and not only her, but Jason and she knew that was for her too and Emily. Her heart was as full of emotion as her eyes. He loved her and he accepted her, just the way she was. "Nikolas, thank you. Thank you for wanting to help me and Jason this way. It means more to me than you'll ever know, but I can't let you do it. Ric and Elizabeth have caused enough heartache for our families."

She shook her head. "I won't let this cause problems for you and Emily too. You promised one another you would stay out of anything to do with Elizabeth and Lucky and the alleged affair. You wouldn't be able to confide in Emily without putting her at risk of being an accessory after the fact."

Besides, Sam wouldn't have him lie to Emily that way knowing what it would cost him. "You make a good point about not being able to reveal my true clients, but Jason and I have a plan. We have another person in mind who isn't close to Jason at all and wouldn't mind taking credit if it meant sticking it to Elizabeth."

Nikolas exhaled harshly. He was glad to hear they at least had a plan. He hadn't considered how covering for Jason might mean lying to Emily to protect her, but Sam had thought of it. Her first instinct was to look out for and protect her family, as was Jason's, he was learning. "As long as you're sure..."

"We're sure. This is going to work. I just need you to play clueless a bit longer. By tomorrow afternoon, Elizabeth will be exposed." She promised.

Nik nodded, another thought entering his mind. "Does Emily know... Is Jason telling her what Ric did to you?"

Sam shook her head fiercely. "No! I don't want anyone else to know. I didn't want you to know so that you wouldn't have to keep it from anyone, but Nikolas I need you to keep this between us. Can you do that? For me?"

Nik didn't like it one bit. He understood they couldn't make Sam's assault public knowledge now without giving Jason perfect motive for attacking Ric, but Alexis deserved to know and he really didn't like the idea of keeping something that big from Emily. "Sam, Alexis has a right to know. She's his wife. You're her daughter. She, she would want to be there for you."

Sam was shaking her head adamantly before Nikolas could even finish his argument. "No Nik, please!"

Her eyes stung again at the thought of telling her mother. "I already have to tell her about the affair. I waited until after the party, but I'm telling her tonight once the girls are in bed. This will be enough. It will be enough for her to leave him and cut him out of our lives and that's all I want. That's all I need. Alexis never has to know the rest. It would only hurt her to know the things he did to me. It wouldn't serve any purpose to tell her."

She had his hand gripped tight in both of hers now. He looked deep into those pleading chocolate eyes and as much as he wanted to argue with her until she saw reason, he wanted to give her some peace even more. He placed his other hand over hers. "Okay. I won't say anything to anyone without speaking to you first. I promise."

"Thank you. Thank you Nik!" She breathed the breaths she been holding and pulled him into a grateful hug.

Nikolas held his cousin in his arms and swore to himself they would pay. Ric Lansing and Elizabeth Webber would pay for hurting his family.

20. part 3 of 3...

A reflective silence settled over her on the ride to the marina as Jason spoke on the phone. It sounded as if he were receiving updates on Logan, Alcazar and maybe Cooper, but her mind had been too stuck on other things to pay much attention. She'd stared out the window instead, contemplating the conversations to come. Jason hadn't mentioned it since the morning after, but the talk was still there, waiting to be had, and Sam could feel it no matter how hard she wished otherwise. It was there, in the hesitancy of his every communication to her, as if watching to see if that moment may be the right moment.

Thoughts of Alexis weighed heavily as well. She wanted Ric out of their lives, but not at the expense of their pain. She tried to come up with the best way to proceed, questioned whether she should show her mother the evidence and, if so, how much. Pictures, letters, video, how much was enough to convince while inflicting as little damage as possible? Her thoughts now lingered there again as she rested with her back against the pillowed arm of her sofa.

"Gianni says thanks." Jason relayed as he stepped off the bottom step from where Sam's guard was stationed on deck above.

"I could have taken it up myself." Sam maintained, but Jason had insisted she sit after her obvious attempt to busy herself with a fresh pot of coffee.

"You've been on the go two days straight. You need rest before you have to get up and go again." Jason insisted as he lifted her outstretched legs so her feet rested in his lap when he sat.

"Honestly Sam, I don't know how you manage in these all day." He told her as he inspected the five inch heeled black leather boots and began to lower the zipper on each one to pull them off.

Sam flexed all ten toes sighing appreciatively as they cried out in sweet relief. "I love my boots."

Jason shook his head. "Clearly, but they don't appear to love you back." He observed as he began massaging one foot and then the other.

Sam moaned lightly as the side of her head lolled against the cushions. "That feels good."

Jason's mouth twitched affectionately. "That's the idea."

A lazy smile crossed her lips, eyes closed, and perfectly contented to stay right there like that with him indefinitely. She opened her eyes after several long moments of silence to find him completely focused on the task at hand. He looked over at her when he noticed her head lift and, though his mouth barely moved, his eyes smiled at her as every pressing stroke radiated warmth and love.

Sam sipped from the cup of coffee Jason prepared for her after he'd insisted she settle on the sofa then snuggled deeper into the blanket he'd wrapped around her. The unusually clear and sunny day had ended an hour or so ago with a biting reminder of winter's imminent arrival as the wind picked up and temperature dipped into the 30's. The boat's heater hadn't been on, so she'd made the coffee while Jason adjusted the thermostat.

She fell deeper into a relaxed silence as her tension was rubbed away by Jason, who seemed content to enjoy her company without need of conversation. It was nice, she noted, to have that level of comfort with him, but curiosity soon won out. "How did it go with Emily? She was really quiet when we left, other than the apology."

As if Emily had any reason to apologize for Elizabeth, Sam shook her head as she recalled their goodbye.

His fingers softened and slowed against the pad of her foot. "She was shocked. It was a struggle to believe someone she trusted so much lied that way and threatened any child, especially Michael after all he's been through."

Sam chewed the side of her lip through an anxious breath. "She did believe you, though, didn't she?"

Jason nodded with a sigh. "The denial wore off pretty quick once I went into detail. She still loves Elizabeth, but agreed a little public accountability would serve her right. She was angrier than I've seen her in a long time and demanded to know when it was going down tomorrow so she could be there."

Sam nodded. She shouldn't have expected any other reaction really. Emily loved her family more than anything and she was fiercely protective. Still, it had to be hard to accept that one of the people you loved like family was someone you needed to protect them against. People often fell into denial when faced with such news and blamed the messenger instead. She'd feared as much when she'd been forced to deliver that same news to Jason and she'd feared it again, for Jason, when he'd felt compelled to warn his sister. Sam hated being Jason's messenger and knew it had been equally hard on Jason with Emily. She studied his stoic profile. He was holding back, probably for her sake. She pulled her feet to rest on his thigh and hugged it with her toes. "How are you?"

He didn't respond right away which was her first indication he wasn't good. His hand smoothed over the top of her foot and ankle as his thumb caressed her absently. "I could strangle her with my bare hands for scaring Michael and making my sister cry."

Sam nodded hastily brushing a tear away before Jason noticed. He was more upset with L!z for hurting those he loved than for what she'd done to him and that touched her heart, but it also refueled her desire to exact justice for him. He deserved someone looking out and fighting for him as good as he did those he loved. Sam would be that for him. She sat up, suddenly uncomfortable at being so relaxed when there was still so much unresolved. She felt like a ball of nerves, but she needed to stay strong. She set her cup on the table next to her as her feet touched the floor. The movement positioned her closer to his side and Jason fought the urge to pull her to him. It was obvious she was too agitated to be held, but all he wanted to do was make it all okay for her, better than okay.

"Are things alright with you and Nikolas?" He'd felt an intense energy shift when they rejoined him and Emily earlier.

Sam sighed. "I told him."

Jason knew immediately from her tone she meant she'd told him everything. "It wasn't my intention, but he started piecing it together after I told him about Elizabeth and when he pressed for answers I just... told him."

Jason remained quiet considering what that might mean. Nikolas was prone to follow the dictates of law-abiding citizens and might report what he knew. Then again, he was a Cassadine and his family had been threatened. Jason only cared how it would effect Sam. He'd made her an accomplice after the fact and the last thing she needed was to be subjected to further questioning. "What did he say?"

"He understood, once I explained. On our walk back from the study, he admitted if he'd been the one to find me he couldn't say with any certainty Ric would be alive now." She didn't mention how Nik had urged her to tell Alexis because she didn't have the energy to argue the point with Jason as well.

Jason nodded, glad to hear he and Nikolas were on the same page where Sam was concerned. "Will you tell Alexis now too?"

He knew she hadn't planned on it unless it was the only way, but he hoped she would change her mind as she had with Nikolas. Alexis needed to know the extent of her husband's depravity so she could take the necessary steps to protect her family.

"No." Sam refused. "Nik agreed not to tell anyone. This stays between you, me, Nik and I guess Sonny if you mentioned it like we talked about."

Jason nodded. "He wanted to apologize, but he didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Sonny agrees with me, though. We're going to do whatever necessary to make sure Ric is no longer a threat."

Sam wasn't sure how she felt about that. She didn't care too much whether Ric lived or died, but at the same time she didn't want anyone she knew to be responsible for it either.

"He's Molly's father." It was a dispassionate plea, at best.

Jason sighed. He didn't want to upset her, but if Ric attempted to cross the line again... "He's been warned. It's on him whether he listens."

Sam didn't know what else to say. She understood where Jason was coming from and couldn't say she totally disagreed, but it still made her sick with dread wondering if Ric would be stupid enough to try something again and exactly how that might hurt her or those she loved if he did. She turned to look back at Jason sitting next to her. She could sense his anxiousness. He was worried he'd upset her and he was unsure of what to do to make any of it better.

She could see it in his eyes.

He wanted to be there for her, but he wasn't sure if it was best to let it go for now, or push to have that talk. She felt herself fall a little deeper in love with him at seeing how hard he struggled to do right by her. She scooted into his side and nuzzled her cheek against his pectoral, hoping to reassure him that all she needed to be okay was him by her side. Warm lips pressed against her forehead as his arm wrapped around her back. He grabbed the houndstooth throw she'd discarded and pulled it over them without another word as he held her, inviting that calming silence to envelope them once again. She hugged closer to him, incredibly grateful he hadn't picked that moment as the moment.

xxxxx

Sam sat on the edge of her sister's bed with Krissy between her knees as she carefully combed her towel-dried hair. It smelled like strawberries which made Sam smile. She would forever associate that smell with her little sisters.

"See my picture? Mommy hung it up for me." Kristina pointed to a matted and framed picture Kristina had drawn of her entire family seated at a long table with a turkey, pies and overflowing cornucopia.

"It's beautiful." She told her as she paused to admire it. "I love all the bright colors. You have such a pretty room." She told her as she looked around at the comfortable surroundings any little girl would love to have.

"Thank you. Did you have a pretty room when you were little too?" Alexis paused in the doorway, curious for Sam's answer as well.

She'd assisted during bath time as Sam took charge washing the girls. It was still too soon after surgery to work over the tub that way, but Alexis couldn't bear to miss out on even the most mundane activities with her girls after almost losing her future with them. So she'd hovered with a smile as her littlest ones proceeded to splash her biggest one with more water than if Sam had just jumped in with them. She'd lingered with Molly a few moments longer as she fell asleep, but now she was there to wish her middle child goodnight.

The polite thing would have been to make her presence known, but she knew so little about her eldest daughter's childhood that the prospect of learning more was too tempting to resist. Sam seldom offered any information about her past and Alexis had been too scared of the things she had mentioned to ask about much more.

"My dad and I moved around a lot when I was little, but I did have a room I loved once with my brother. We didn't have a very big home like you and Molly are lucky enough to live in so we had to share, but we didn't mind." Sam explained as the comb ran through her sister's long locks.

She squinted her eyes as if trying to bring her room from long ago into focus. "I remember it had... dark blue carpet like the deep blue sea and my dad let Danny and I paint it any color we wanted. We chose blue like the sky on a bright sunny day. The next day my dad came home with these awful matching brown twin comforters and plain white sheets because those were the ones on clearance. It was okay though because the sheets were soft and the comforters were warm and fluffy and Danny, and I used to pretend the brown covered beds were our very own ships on the ocean. The white sheets were our sails."

Alexis smiled a sad smile, happy her daughter was able to make the best of such meager possessions and saddened that she hadn't been there to give her more. Krissy turned her head as Sam began on the other side. "That's a fun room! What about pictures and toys?"

Sam smiled. It was a fun room. "We decorated our walls with pictures we colored too, just like you. We didn't have a lot of toys, but we always had a deck of cards and we played a lot of Go Fish, Gin Rummy and..." Sam thought better of telling her how Cody had taught them the finer points of blackjack and poker. "Other card games. We had a lot of dice too and Danny and I used to see who could build the tallest tower without it falling over." She left out how those die had been specially weighted and used for craps training.

"Who won?" Krissy wondered.

"Danny!" Sam answered instantly with a bright smile. "He was always so careful and I never had enough patience."

"What about story books? Did you have the same as me?"

Sam chuckled. Four year old's were every bit as curious as three year old's, maybe more-so. "My dad loved reading. He read to me almost every night, Danny too when he became part of our family. We couldn't keep a lot of books because we traveled so much, but there were a few classics Cody would never part with and I never got tired of him reading them to me."

Sam rambled off a few titles, but they didn't sound like any fairy tales Kristina had ever heard before. "I've never heard those stories."

Sam wasn't surprised. "You're a bit too young for any of those stories just yet, but Cody believed there were important lessons to be learned from them and the earlier in life we learned them the better off we'd be."

"But you were little like me, so maybe I need those lessons too." Kristina argued.

Sam bit her cheek and tried to figure a way to explain it that a four year old could understand. "No. The lessons Cody taught me are lessons you won't need to learn for a very long time Krissy, maybe ever, because you have something I didn't."

"What?" Kristina wondered.

"A mom and a big sister to look out for you." She nudged her little sister in the rib causing her to giggle.

Kristina stilled again as Sam resumed combing and wondered why her sister called her mom and dad by their names sometimes instead of just mommy and daddy. She decided it must just be something you did when you were grown up. "Mommy likes to read to me too just like your dad. What was your dad like?"

Sam's brows furrowed as she finished combing Kristina's hair and stood to turn down the bed. Krissy hopped in and Sam covered her as she sat back down next to her. "He was..." She thought about it a moment. "A lot like yours."

Alexis was riveted to hear her answer as she leaned against the door frame with her face resting against her hand, but also fearful of how Sam might compare the two men. "He's made a lot of mistakes and doesn't always do the right thing, but when it comes to his little girl he would beg borrow or steal just to put a smile on my face. Because even though he doesn't always know the right way to go about getting it, my happiness means everything to him just like your happiness means everything to your dad."

Alexis felt her eyes sting and her heart swell. Those were the fathers of her children and Sam had just described the essence of what had made her fall in love with each of them once upon a time.

Krissy wondered why she never met Sam's dad. "Where's your daddy now? Does he live far away, in Hawaii like Danny?"

Sam shook her head side to side. "No, baby. Hawaii is one of the few places my dad and I never lived together."

She didn't want to admit to Kristina or anyone really, including herself, that her dad was actually only right across town that very moment. So, she spoke of him as if he were still in her past where she needed him to stay, because the idea of opening herself up to him again frightened her. "I, I lost touch with him a long time ago. It was just me and Danny until he passed away which is why I'm so lucky to have you and Molly now." Sam smiled and pinched her sister's little cheeks.

Kristina smiled back. "And mommy too."

Sam's smile faded a bit as her voice softened. "Mom too."

Kristina looked solemnly into the mirror image of her sister's dark eyes. "Do you miss him?"

"Danny? I miss him every day." Sam confessed.

"No." Krissy shook her head as her fingers fidgeted above the covers. "Your dad."

Sam was quiet for a moment. "Yeah." She admitted honestly. "I do sometimes."

"I bet he misses you too." Krissy proclaimed. "Maybe he'll come find you one day like how mommy found you."

A tender expression crossed her face as she gazed down into the infinite hope and wisdom of youth. "Maybe."

"I hope he does, Sam."

"Why?" Sam wondered.

Krissy's little brows knitted together as she answered. "Because it feels really sad when you miss your daddy so much and I don't want you to be sad."

Sam couldn't help it. She scooped her sister up into a hug ignoring the stiffness and subtle ache of her bruises over the sudden movement. It hurt to know she and Kristina shared such similar heartbreak where their fathers were concerned. "Oh Krissy, how could I be sad with such a good sister like you to make me so happy?"

"I love you, Sam." Kristina hugged tighter.

"I love you too sweet girl." Sam squeezed back and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too." She laid Krissy back down and tucked her into her covers once again.

Alexis held her hand over her mouth and backed out of the doorway before she could be noticed. Her daughters had both been hurt so much by the decisions she'd made. There was good in both men. She'd seen it firsthand, but no matter how good and good intentioned they may be Alexis found it impossible to get past the fear of putting her daughters in harm's way. Granting Sonny full access into their lives would only lead to even greater heartache. It had led to that for Sam. She consoled herself with the knowledge that she'd made the best of an impossible situation for her daughters. She'd made the right choice, the safe choice, for all of them. She only hoped she could find a way to help Sam make the safe choice too.

xxxxx

Alexis sat quietly, fully composed by the time Sam joined her in the living room. Hearing about Cody brought up a lot of questions she was dying to ask her daughter, but she wasn't sure she was ready for the answers yet, soon though. She wanted to be closer to Sam and learning about her past, encouraging her to trust her with those stories seemed like the next logical step. She decided she would pursue it as soon as she was healed and feeling stronger.

"I thought you were going to say goodnight to Kristina?" Sam said as she made her way over from the stairs.

Alexis turned to her with a reticent smile. "You two seemed deep in conversation. I didn't want to interrupt."

"Sorry, I didn't mean for you to miss out." Sam knew how much Alexis wanted to make up for lost time.

"It's alright. I love seeing my girls together. I know she was in very good hands. I'll just check on her before I turn in."

Sam nodded as Alexis moved over and beckoned Sam to sit with her on the sofa. She stood frozen and staring, locked in the last moment she'd been on that couch when she'd been trapped beneath him and felt as though she were fighting for her life.

"Sam." Her mother called for the third time, though it was the first Sam had heard. Alexis looked worried. "Everything alright?"

Sam swallowed and moved to sit on the opposite end from where the attack occurred. Alexis followed her movement to see Sam shake her head no in answer to everything being alright as she pulled a folder from a drawer on the end table and sat facing her mother.

"What's wrong? What is that?" Alexis motioned with a head nod to the file in Sam's hands.

Sam swallowed and took a breath meeting her mother's questioning gaze head on before answering. "Evidence."

Her mother bristled at the word, her spine stiffening as she sat fully erect. "Evidence? For what crime? Against who?" Alexis' professional demeanor kicked in, but there was an uneasiness in her tone, a fear almost, that was usually masked on the job.

"I have something to tell you. I wish it weren't true. I, I wish I wasn't the one to have to tell you and I wish... Well, I wish a lot of things, but the reality is you need to know. You deserve to know..."

"Know what? Sam, what is going on? Is it Sonny? Has he done something else? Are the girls in more danger?" Alexis turned sharply to reassure herself the guard was still positioned just outside the front door.

She could make out Enzo's muscular silhouette through the glass and wished it gave her the comfort it was meant to provide, but all it accomplished was to remind her of the constant peril her daughters were in thanks to moments of weakness with a man she should have never allowed inside her heart, much less her bed.

"It's not Sonny." Sam assured then breathed deep again to steady herself so she could just spit it out. Alexis returned focus to her daughter and relaxed marginally, but not by much.

Sam knew it was best that she be the one to tell Alexis about Ric and L!z, but it didn't make her feel any better about doing it. She'd considered keeping the other woman's identity a secret so as not to provide a motive against Jason, but Alexis would find out anyway when she confronted Ric and that would allow Ric to put his spin on what happened, if he remembered, and possibly make it worse for Jason. No, it was best if her mother heard everything from her and it was probably best if she started at the beginning. "The second day in my new office, I was hired to investigate a rumor. My client had reason to believe Elizabeth and Nikolas were having an affair behind Emily and Jason's back."

"Impossible." Alexis rushed to her nephew's defense. "Nikolas adores Emily. He wouldn't do such a thing."

Sam smiled softly, grateful at least that much was true. "You're right. He wouldn't, hasn't. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Elizabeth. She's been having an affair for more than a year and a half."

Alexis had to admit she was surprised to hear it. She didn't know the nurse very well, but the few times she'd seen her around town she'd seemed downright giddy in love with the enforcer. She was having his baby and they were engaged to be married, for Pete's sake. It didn't make sense. As a matter of fact, the whole conversation didn't make sense. "Well that is unfortunate news... for Jason, but I'm not sure what it has to do with me exactly. And, not that I'm trying to tell you how to run your business, but should you be sharing this information with me? Isn't there some confidentiality clause in your contract?"

Sam huffed with a slight chuckle at how very Alexis her mother could be, but the humor quickly dissipated with the weight of what was to come. "My client has been briefed. They plan to expose Elizabeth's indiscretions tomorrow which is why they've agreed you deserve to know beforehand."

Alexis was puzzled. "I don't understand. Why would it concern me if Elizabeth's affair were made public knowledge? It isn't like I have anything to do with her or whoever she's been..." Alexis' face paled as her voice trailed off.

Sam's face softened realizing her brilliant mother was finally piecing the puzzle together. "Mom..."

"No." Alexis shook her head vehemently. "No." She repeated as if it were an absolute improbability. "No no. NO. He wouldn't." She shook her head and stood to pace then turned abruptly, arms flailing as she spoke. "He wouldn't do this. You're wrong." She said matter-of-fact. "I'm sure you're an incredibly gifted investigator, Sam. You're my daughter and you're brilliant, but you're wrong this time. You've got it wrong. It's not Ric. Tell me, tell me it isn't Ric."

Alexis looked at Sam pleading for an answer different from the one her heart already knew to be true. Sam's hands tightened on the file in her lap drawing Alexis' attention to it once more. Her jaw tightened in response as she glared at it, eyes stinging as she sat back down before her legs gave out.

"This can't be..." She suddenly felt as though she couldn't get enough air. "This can't be happ, happening." Her breathing increased, too fast, Sam noticed.

Alexis was hyperventilating which was bad for a woman with lungs still as compromised as hers. Sam moved to her mother's side in attempt to soothe her rapid breathing. "Easy."

Sam smoothed one hand over her mother's back and clutched her hands with the other. "I'm here. I'm here, okay, and we're going to get through this. We'll all get through this together, okay?"

Alexis closed her mouth trying to regain control as she breathed through her nose and nodded, but as she nodded her lips started trembling from the strength exerted not to open them and allow the cry within to escape. Her nod turned into a shake of her head as her eyes filled with hot tears spilling over her cheeks. No. She wasn't sure she could get through it at all. Ric wasn't perfect. She was the first to admit that, but either was she and she loved him. Despite their problems and disagreements, she truly loved him. How could he do this to her, to their family?

"Mom." Sam repeated, her own heart breaking and, at hearing her oldest daughter's sympathy, Alexis lost any remaining hold she had over her pride. Her lips fell open and muffled sobs tumbled out as she turned into her daughter's embrace and cried into her shoulder imploring aloud of anyone and no one in particular. "Why?"

Sam shook her head as her chin rested over her mother's shoulder, no answer would ever be good enough. She dried her eyes. Her mom needed to feel like she could draw from her strength, not as though she needed to be strong for someone else. They stayed like that for several minutes, until Alexis' eyes rested on the brown folder now on the sofa cushion. Sam had proof and, as much as she didn't want to believe it, she knew Sam would never come to her with it unless she was certain. Still, Alexis needed to see it with her own eyes. Maybe it was the attorney in her, but she needed the facts. She dealt in facts. The facts were what gave her comfort, allowed her to work through any problem.

Alexis pulled from her daughter's hug and breathed through a deep sigh.

"I need to see it." She sniffled and wiped at her eyes.

Alexis didn't have to explain any further for Sam to know what she meant. She nodded solemnly and pulled the file from where it lay behind her. She'd decided against showing her the video. Her mother's entire career had been based on the power of the written word and she hoped it would be enough, though she'd included a few photos as well. Those images would likely be all over town by tomorrow afternoon and she didn't want her mother blindsided.

"This is one of the first e-mails from Ric showing the affair began shortly before February 19th, 2005." Sam handed it over.

"Valentine's." Alexis whispered. She looked up to Sam briefly and then back to the paper. "We had a fight, worse than the others. I thought our marriage was over that night." She finished reading. "I guess it was."

Sam was hesitant to give her any more. Alexis knew the truth now. What good would it do to see more? She tried to put herself in her mother's place, though, and Alexis seemed to need to know. She held out her hand for more and Sam sighed in acquiescence relinquishing the final two. "There were others, but I only have three here. The first shows when it started. The second is about Elizabeth's baby."

Sam hated this. She steeled her jaw and resolve along with it, blinking rapidly to deny her own tears as she watched her mother's face fall a little more at the reminder of Elizabeth's baby.

"It's his." It was a statement more than question and devoid of any of the hope her voice held when first confronted with his infidelity.

"Yes." Sam nodded as a tear escaped despite herself. She'd actually felt that pain when she'd believed Elizabeth's baby was Jason's.

Alexis sighed and attempted to read the words as they blurred together, his words professing his happiness and love for another woman and the little miracle they'd finally been blessed to create from their love. His last e-mail was dated only a few days ago. She felt flushed and nauseated as if she may be sick. She breathed deep, reminded instantly of her physical limitations by a contracting pain in her lungs. They were burning. Her eyes were burning, her skin burning remembering every place he'd touched her all the while sleeping with another woman.

She clenched her fist, crushing his words in her grasp just as his words and deeds had crushed their family. If it had been once, a moment of weakness, she could have understood. She could have seen her way to giving their marriage another chance. They'd both made mistakes during that difficult time. But this, this wasn't the past. Ric had been having an ongoing relationship with another woman for two years, and it wasn't just one lie to forgive. It was a thousand and she couldn't even be sure anymore what part of their life had been the truth and what had been the lie. Maybe all of it had been a lie.

Suddenly, every late night at work, every time he'd stayed at his hotel suite downtown, every time he'd told her he loved her and that he was right where he wanted to be was suspect and her anger surged as she recalled every time he'd seemed distant and she'd blamed herself for not being attentive enough, every time she'd felt guilty, every time he'd made her feel guilty to deflect suspicion. She could forgive a mistake and the lie of it told to protect their family, but she could not, would not forgive him for making her believe he wanted a future with her while playing her for a fool and continually making choices he knew would bring that family nothing but pain. The anger steadily replaced her hurt. "What else is there?"

Sam handed her two photographs of Ric and Elizabeth in a lover's embrace, kissing. Elizabeth's face was clear in one, though Ric's identity was less apparent. However, after reading the e-mails, there was no question in her mind it was him. She looked at the date and time stamped in the lower right corner and gagged on the depths of his callousness and her own fury. Ric couldn't be there for her the morning of her last chemo session because he was so busy but he had time for a secret rendezvous with his mistress. She screamed a scream mixed with rage and anguish as she tore the pictures to shreds.

She threw them to the ground and rubbed her hands over her face as if rubbing hard enough would wipe away the new reality she faced. She began massaging her temples. Her head was pounding and she felt out of breath again. Her chest was sore and throbbing now at the sight of her incision and she hated how little effort it took to over-exert. It made her feel weak and she couldn't afford to be weak now. She had a husband to divorce and a daughter to retain custody of.

The front door slammed opened with Enzo filling its entry, gun drawn. Alexis and Sam looked up in alarm before realizing he was only responding to her shouts.

"It's alright. Just some bad news." Sam explained causing Enzo's concerned alertness to subside somewhat.

He studied them a moment longer and looked around the room for any signs of a threat. Upon finding none, he simply reminded them. "I'll be right out front if you need anything at all. Gianni is stationed at the back and Paulie is covering the grounds, but I could have one of them moved inside if..."

"That won't be necessary." Alexis snapped then sighed. They were only doing their job. "Thank you. I appreciate the offer and your dedication to our safety."

Enzo nodded and re-holstered his weapon. "Of course. Don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything at all."

"Thanks Enzo. I'm going to put a fresh pot of coffee on in a few minutes and refill your thermoses. Promise you'll at least rotate every half hour or so to come inside and warm up." Sam offered.

"No need. We're used to outdoor assignments like this." Enzo knew Ms. Davis wasn't very comfortable with the guards around her or her children and he and Gianni were conditioned for harsh working environments. The kid was probably freezing his ass off, but it went with the job and he'd have to toughen up some time or another.

"Please." Alexis insisted. "You won't be very good to my daughters if you're fighting pneumonia."

Enzo smiled slightly with a nod. "If it would make you feel better."

"It would. Thank you." Alexis confirmed.

She didn't like the idea of strange men in her home, but then again she'd apparently been living with a stranger for more than a year now. What would adding one or three more to the mix hurt? At least these three knew doing anything to hurt her or her daughters was as good as signing their own death certificate, unlike her no-good husband.

Enzo nodded once again and exited returning outside with his back to them.

Alexis was at a loss for words, but her mind was moving a mile a minute and it struck her almost as quickly and powerfully as it had Nikolas hours earlier. "It was Jason!"

Sam swallowed her nerves pretending she had no idea where her mother was going. "What?"

"He did it, attacked Ric. He found out about the affair. Maybe the baby too and went after him. Hell, I'm not ordinarily prone to violence and even I wouldn't mind laying my hands on him right now. There's no way a man with anger issues like Jason was able to keep his cool." Alexis hypothesized.

This was where things got messy because she was about to scam her own mother. She had no choice. Well, truthfully you always had a choice she just wasn't sure she could live with the outcome of those other choices. She loved her mother, but she carried little doubt Alexis would be willing to cover for Jason no matter how angry she was with Ric. She also didn't want to make her mother complicit in their cover-up which would risk her license to practice law and she sure as hell didn't want to explain the real reason Jason attacked her husband. "My client hasn't told Jason, or anyone else yet. Besides, Jason plans on telling Elizabeth tomorrow that he can't go through with the wedding because he wants to be with me. Finding out about an affair would only relieve Jason of any guilt he might have; not anger him enough to go after Ric. Jason may have a temper, but he also has the best impulse control of anyone I've ever known. He's moved on and it would take a lot more than Elizabeth's lies to lose control like that and risk assault charges against the district attorney."

Alexis was skeptical and scrutinized her daughter for signs of anything less than the truth. She had to admit what Sam said made a certain amount of sense, but she wasn't sure she believed it... or her. "There's evidence to suggest otherwise. The cuts on his knuckles, for instance."

"Jason explained how he got those." Sam returned tiredly. She wished her mother would let it go, but knew better than to actually think it would happen.

"Right. A disagreement with a brick wall. Doesn't speak too highly of that great impulse control you mentioned. First it's the walls. What next? What if you had been standing in front of that brick wall when he'd lost control with his fist?"

Sam scoffed at the idea. "Jason would never lay a hand on a woman or child. He would never hurt me."

"I never thought Ric would hurt me either and he isn't consumed in violence like Jason."

If you only knew, Sam thought.

"But look how wrong I was about him!" Alexis continued. "Jason lives and breathes bloodshed. It can't help affect who you are, darken you, and eventually turn you into something you never thought you'd be or wanted to be. It's only a matter of time before that happens to him, if it hasn't already and, Sam, I don't want you anywhere near it or the danger his lifestyle invites. I'm worried for you, all of you, because loving a man like that is dangerous to so much more than just your physical safety. You don't even realize what you're risking until you lose it. Loving someone so completely who you are almost assured of losing, it takes something from you, something so precious and you don't even realize it until it's gone. Until it's broken and you're left with an emptiness that can never be filled, never be the same. I don't want that for you, Sam. I want so much more. I want you to be with a man that isn't such a gamble to your heart and to your life." Alexis confessed.

Sam was touched by her mother's concern, but unmoved in her own conviction. "You can't help what your heart wants. Any love is a risk and if any one thing is worth any risk, it's love, right? I'd rather spend even the smallest amount of my life with the man that I love than live the rest of it without him, without knowing and living that love."

Alexis sighed sadly. "You say that now because you haven't lost anything, yet."

Sam had a feeling Alexis was speaking from her own experience and while she truly appreciated her mother's attempt to impart some of her wisdom, Sam firmly believed that her mother's experiences weren't necessarily fated to be hers. "What did you lose, Alexis? Who took that precious piece of you and left you feeling broken?"

Alexis straightened, taken aback. "We're not talking about me, Sam."

Sam observed her solemnly. "Maybe we are. Maybe we should be. Alexis, you just had to face what might be the end of your marriage."

Alexis scoffed. "Oh, there's no question. It is definitely over. I'm filing first thing in the morning."

"I'm sorry."

Alexis shook her head, confused. "Whatever for, Sam? It isn't as though you were the one he slept with."

Sam swallowed hard at those words and the chilling thoughts they produced.

Alexis didn't want to lose the opportunity. Sam was actually talking openly with her about her feelings without shutting her out. She felt as though it were her best, and maybe only, chance of reaching her. "Please, Sam. All I ask is that you give this relationship with Jason more thought before you take it any further. If a law-abiding man like Ric can do this much harm to his family, imagine what someone like Jason could do. Intentional, or otherwise."

"Jason is the most loving, giving and gentle man I've ever known. He's nothing like Ric. He would never hurt me and I trust him with my life!" She insisted firmly.

Alexis sighed and redirected her argument. She wouldn't win if she continued down the path her obstinate daughter was stuck on. "I notice you didn't include laying his hands on a man, especially a man he already despises. How can you be so certain Jason wasn't responsible? Everyone has their breaking point and Ric has a way of pushing people past their limits. Loathe as I am to acknowledge any of his talents right now, it's one of the things that makes him an excellent attorney. Maybe he said something untoward regarding Elizabeth and Jason just lost it." Alexis surmised.

If she could somehow prove the degree of brutality Jason was capable of... Maybe if Sam could see it firsthand rather than as some intangible hypothetical, then she would finally realize what his life was really about and choose better for herself. Maybe.

Sam felt herself losing her cool now. She wasn't comfortable with the topic of discussion or the memories the room conjured up as she sat there. "I know exactly what Jason was doing when Ric was beaten because I was with him! Jason was with me that night. He came by the lake house to check on me after the limo dropped me off from the ball and I ended up going back to my boat with him."

Alexis' head jerked at that revelation. If that were the case, why hadn't Jason used her as an alibi. "Why did he need to check on you and why is this the first I'm hearing of it?"

Sam sighed. She probably shouldn't have admitted that last part, but it was out there now. "He'd just learned Alcazar's man was in town and he was worried about me. We didn't tell anyone because he didn't want to involve me in a police investigation unless it was necessary. He was worried the negative attention might deter my potential clients."

So far, technically, everything Sam had told her mother over the course of the evening was one hundred percent true and that was what made her an exceptional con and, alternately, one lousy daughter, she sighed to herself. She'd managed to mislead her mother without telling an outright lie by using carefully worded truths.

"Not surprising he would take the law into his own hands by interfering with a police investigation, but I somehow expected better of you, Sam." Alexis could see how that man's morals were already corrupting her daughter. Not that Sam didn't have a colorful past with the law in her own right, Alexis knew, but there she was starting a new career on the right side of the law and in comes Jason Morgan pulling her into his mess with the police. If he would only stay away from her daughter, there would never be any reason for concern over involving her in one of the many investigations he was sure to be considered suspect number one.

"Sorry to disappoint you." Sam didn't know what else to say. She didn't want to argue with her mother knowing the amount of both physical and emotional pain she must be in. Sam was exhausted and she knew her mom must be too.

Alexis let it go in favor of another concern that surfaced. "You said your client intends to make this affair public tomorrow. I don't suppose there's any way you could talk them out of it. Even if it's only to hold them off a few days until I can better prepare for the media fallout?"

Sam shook her head. "I never gave Ric's identity away. They were only concerned with finding dirt on Elizabeth. Nobody will know it was Ric, unless you decide to tell them or Ric or Elizabeth decide to go public on their own."

Alexis breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Of course. What Ric did was bad enough. I wasn't about to let the press get a hold of it and inflict more pain on you or my sisters." Sam replied.

Alexis dabbed at the water returning to her eyes. "It will be a matter of public record in the divorce hearing, but you looking out for us that way means more than I can say."

"I'm here for you, whatever you need." Sam told her and meant it.

Alexis looked at her daughter long and hard. She wanted to believe that was true, but couldn't deny that feeling as she looked at her, that feeling you get when you know someone you love and trust is lying to your face. As much as she wanted to believe they could work through it as a team, as a family, she just couldn't trust Sam to put her feelings for her or her sisters over her love for Jason. She couldn't prove it, but she felt it. Sam was lying to her for him and the fear of what that ultimately said about her commitment to her family made her hold back.

She just didn't feel safe enough to open herself up again for one more person to lie to her and betray her trust, especially not her own daughter. It was best if Alexis kept her distance and got through it on her own. Maybe she expected too much out of a daughter she never raised to know and do better. "I think what I need right now is a moment with my girls. They always make me feel better. I'm going up to check on them and then I think I'll turn in. Goodnight Sam."

Sam couldn't help feel slighted. Maybe her mother didn't mean it the way she took it, but it hurt to hear her say she needed to spend time with her girls because they always made her feel better. She was her girl too, but she obviously didn't have the ability to make her mother feel good and the way her mother had said goodnight felt more like goodbye. Her mom hadn't blamed her, so why did it feel as if she were being punished nonetheless? She watched her mother's somber ascent up the stairs and felt bad for making it about herself when her mother's world had just fallen apart. It just hurt to feel like she was still on the outside looking in.

"Goodnight." She replied as her voice caught on the word.

Sam was left wondering when and where things had changed. Alexis leaned on her then suddenly pulled back. She sat there as Alexis looked her over, so very careful not to reveal her duplicity, and yet she still felt as though she'd failed some test. She'd once again failed to measure up to some unknown standard. Her mother was hurting and somehow she'd messed it up so that she couldn't even be the one to help her through it. She could feel Alexis closing herself off to her and she felt her emotions swirling as a result of that and everything else. She felt guilty for lying by omission and being the messenger that broke up her sister's family, but she also felt an unbridled anger churning deep inside and she wasn't even sure where it all came from.

She was furious with Ric and Elizabeth and her father, to a degree, for just showing up out of the blue and expecting her to let him walk back into her life. But she was also mad at her mother and that just didn't even make sense to her. She knew in her head Alexis wasn't trying to hurt her by pushing her away from Jason, but it did hurt and it made her both angry at her mom for not accepting her choices and just being happy for her and also guilty for being angry when she knew her mother was only doing it out of concern. Sam was mad that she even cared and guilty at how ungrateful that made her after almost losing her mother for good.

A harsh wind rattled the glass doors in their frame, pulling her from her thoughts, and when she realized she was still sitting in that room it became hard to breathe. She rose from the couch and headed to the kitchen to make that pot of coffee for the guards, wanting to put as much distance between that room and those memories as possible.

She handed Enzo a refilled thermos for each of them, and reminded him of their promise to come in and warm themselves throughout the night before heading to her room. It was the only bedroom on the lower level and though she would never admit it, she felt slightly better knowing Enzo, Gianni and Paulie were keeping watch. She wished Jason could be there with her. She'd already grown accustomed to falling asleep in his arms. She hoped her exhaustion would aide her to sleep soon even though her mind still fretted over her mother and how Alexis would get through it if she chose to keep her and everyone else out. Maybe Nikolas would have better luck, she thought as she stepped into her room and locked her door behind her, a habit now after residing with Ric last week.

The room was dark other than the faint glow of moonlight that highlighted his broad form on her bed, but Sam was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice as she made her way to the adjoining bathroom. She completed her nightly ritual of using the commode, washing her hands and face, brushing her teeth, flossing and applying her daily moisturizer before turning out the light and walking back into her room as she stripped her damp shirt from her head. Her clothes were still wet from bathing the girls earlier. She finished undressing down to her black panties and reached inside her dresser drawer for a pair of warm pajamas. That big bed was going to be cold without Jason. She pulled on some flannel bottoms and slipped a long-sleeved black thermal over her head as his voice cut through the silence and her concentration. "Got any pj's in there for me?"

"Jason!" Sam whipped around with an instant smile as she covered her mouth. Hopefully her mother hadn't heard her outburst.

"What are you doing here?" She whispered loudly and thoroughly pleased as she crossed over to him.

She could make out her favorite smirk-smile in the moonlight as he held the covers open for her and she climbed in next to him. "I told you. You're stuck with me for the foreseeable future."

Sam snuggled into his side. "I wouldn't mind being stuck with you for the rest of my future."

"Good." Jason told her as he rubbed his hand down her back. "That's the plan."

Sam liked hearing he'd been making plans for their future. She rested her chin on her arms over his chest, eyes sparkling. "So, what all does this plan of yours for our future entail?"

She made the corners of his mouth want to smile. "It's a surprise." He told her as her face scrunched up into a pout. "Come on Jason, at least give me a hint!"

Jason pursed his lips, eyes considering her and her request. He couldn't give her too much of a hint. She was one hell of a private eye, after all. "Happiness, it definitely entails a lot of happiness."

She wanted to know more. But how could she argue with that, especially when he looked at her the way he did right now, like she was everything?

"Perfect." She purred with a satisfied smile as she leaned in to kiss him. The kiss was soft and slow, sensual and sweet.

Her hands left his chest and found their way entangled in his hair as she deepened it. He opened his mouth for her and her tongue delved in to mingle with his, tips teasing, lips sucking seductively. His strong hands pressed her firmly, but gently to him as their mouths mated and she felt her body respond. She wanted him.

"I want you." She whispered breathlessly as she pulled from his mouth to look in his eyes.

He felt himself harden at her words, but he wasn't sure. She wasn't even healed physically, let alone emotionally. "Sam, I don't think..."

She straddled him, grinding against him as her breasts pressed back down on his chest. He felt her nipples harden against the friction as she rubbed her body against him and pleaded hotly into his ear as she licked and nibbled. "Please. I need you. Now."

Her hot breath and tongue against his ear coupled with her words and the way her body moved against him made for too strong of an argument. He searched her eyes for any indication she may be forcing herself into it too soon, but all he could see was her desire and need for him to love her, and he did. He did love her and more than anything he wanted her to feel it, wanted to show it in the most intimate way possible, in every way possible.

His mouth and tongue found hers again in one intensely passionate stroke that lingered and ebbed into the tenderest of touches. She felt his hand press into the small of her back as he flipped her and hovered above. She was slightly stunned by the swiftness of his strength, but it faded into a smile as she gazed up at him and his thumb caressed her cheek. She pulled him back into another kiss, one arm wrapped around his neck as the other reached between them to find the hem of his shirt.

He began kissing that spot on her neck, the one that drove her wild and murmuring the sweetest little nothings in her ear as he lavished her with hot wet affection. With each suck on her pulse, she felt a tug deep in her belly. She was so ready for him and feeling him so hard against her only made her more impatient to have him. Maybe it was wrong to do that under her mother's roof with her family right upstairs, but she couldn't think of that right now. All she could think of was how good he was making her feel in that moment, how safe and loved and how nothing else mattered except the two of them.

Those were the last thoughts going through her mind before it somehow went all bad. The next thing she knew Jason had lowered his full weight on top of her at the same instance her hands reached between them to remove his shirt. It was only a moment, but when her hands became trapped between them and she felt that weight on top of her she panicked. She was thrown right back into the moment she'd been held down against her will and she lost it. She began shouting and thrashing, struggling and yelling for him to get off her. "No! No, get off. Get off! GET OFF OF ME!"

Jason was so caught up in what they were doing, he didn't realize what was happening until she started yelling. He jumped up to give her space and turned on a light so she could see that it was him. "Sam! Sam, it's okay. It's okay. It's me. It's just me. You're okay. You're safe." He assured her in ragged breaths.

He wanted to pull her into his arms and tell her so, but he was afraid to upset her even more. Sam caught her breath, tears streaming down her face as she realized her mistake. "Jason? Jason, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She told him as she sat upright with him and pressed herself back into his arms.

"Hey." He held her as she cried feeling so helpless. "Shh, Sam. It's okay. I understand, okay? You don't have to apologize."

Sam shook her head, still wrapped in his embrace. "It's not okay. I don't understand. I'll never understand."

Jason just held her close. He didn't know what to do or say, so he just said what he knew to be true. "I'm here Sam. I'm here for you, always, no matter what."

She hugged him closer hearing those words. Those words and his embrace comforted like nothing else.

"Let's just lie back down." He suggested as he maneuvered them back to their original position with her by his side and reached to turn out the bedside light. He kicked himself for not being stronger. He knew it was too soon, but he'd allowed his body to convince him she was ready.

She wrapped one arm tight across his waist and the other up under the shoulder she lie against pulling him as close to her as humanly possible, as if she needed the reassurance he wouldn't disappear on her after rejecting him that way. She'd treated him as if he were no better than Ric. She felt so embarrassed and so awful doing that to him, but with each caress as he held her close he reassured her that he truly did understand, as much as he possibly could, and that he meant what he said. He wasn't going anywhere and that gave her more peace than anything else possibly could. She felt her body and breathing calm as his fingers gently stroked her arm and back. She felt safe again. With him, she felt safe.

Jason was never much for talking, but with Sam he found himself wanting to reassure her of what she meant to him and also wanting to know what was on her mind. Usually he didn't need to ask since she did most of the talking, but at times like this he found himself wanting, needing to know. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Sam tensed in his arms and felt her breath hitch as fear seized her. She shook her head no, unable to speak. She felt like she owed him that talk, but she just wasn't ready. She heard and felt him take a deep breath. She wondered if it was out of frustration. "Is, is that okay?"

God, Jason just wanted to pull her even closer into his arms and love her until all that vulnerability in her voice was gone. Until she felt totally and completely secure in herself and in them, as a couple. But how could she feel that way about them when he still hadn't broken things off with Elizabeth and had been keeping the depths of his feelings for her unvoiced?

"If that's what you need for now, it's okay. Whatever you need." He assured her and felt a little better when she relaxed into him again.

"Sam?" Alexis worried from the other side of her door. "Are you alright? I heard shouting."

"I'm, I'm alright. Just the TV. I hit the remote and the volume was too high." Sam hoped her mother bought it.

There was a pause before Alexis replied. "You sure?"

"I'm sure. Sorry I disturbed you. Goodnight mom." She insisted.

"It's okay. I'm just glad you're alright. Goodnight sweetheart. Sleep well." Alexis told her as Sam heard her footsteps disappear back down the hall.

They lie there quiet for the next several minutes before Jason started to wonder if maybe she was uncomfortable with him there now. "Should I go?"

Sam instinctively tightened her grip around him. "NO!"

"Okay." He answered as he tightened his own hold on her. "Good because I don't want to go." He felt good when his words caused her to settle again.

He wondered if more words might help continue to lull her into a peaceful sleep he was certain she needed. "How did it go with your mom? She didn't take it out on you, did she?"

"No. She was shocked and hurt, but she believed me and when I told her I was sorry she asked what for like I had no reason to apologize." She recounted, thankful her mom wasn't angry with her yet still saddened that something seemed off between them.

Well, not any more off than their relationship had always been. It always seemed as if they made two steps forward and three back. She hoped they would find their way past that some day soon.

"You don't have any reason to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong. It took a lot of courage to do what you did tonight." His voice was low and deep and it soothed her. "I'm proud of you." Jason told her with a kiss on her head.

"I just did what needed to be done." Sam stated simply.

"You put your family and their needs first tonight. It's easy to be there during the good times. What matters is how you handle the bad. You've been right there by your mom and sisters through everything big and little, good and bad, since you came home. You're a good daughter and a great sister. You're family is lucky to have you and so am I." It was the simple sincerity he was famous for and she loved him for seeing the best in her, especially when she found it difficult to see it for herself.

She'd been feeling like she let her family and Jason down because of what happened with Ric. She should have handled that situation different, better, smarter. It meant a lot to hear he felt that way about her.

"I guess you're just rubbing off on me. You're always there for the people you love too." She squeezed and pressed her mouth and nose to his chest to inhale his scent. He smelled clean like soap and fabric softener with traces of leather and gun oil and it turned her on and made her heart beat faster for him all at once.

He smirked in the dark. "Nice try, but you were like that with Danny before you ever met me. Face it, McCall, you've got a good heart, one of the best."

Sam smiled against him and sighed feeling so contented there in his arms. "Takes one to know one, Morgan."

A few minutes passed by without words and Jason was sure she'd fallen asleep. There was really no point talking now, but something came over him to speak out loud about the things on his mind, so he did.

"I can't wait for tomorrow. Elizabeth will be out of my life for good and I can finally show everyone how I really feel and who I feel it for." He hugged Sam as he said that and placed a tender kiss against her temple.

Sam hadn't actually fallen asleep yet, but she was close. She felt love in his kiss. He didn't say it, that he loved her, but he made her feel it and it was the best feeling in the world. She wondered why he was able to tell Kristina and Michael, but not her. Probably the same reason she was able to do the same. It was like the promise of his love was too good to be true and if she said it out loud, or he said it out loud, it may disappear like all good things. Funny, she mused, how the good things disappeared while all the others kept turning up like bad pennies. She wondered if her dad was a good thing that would disappear or just another bad penny?

She knew she should tell Jason about her father, but she wasn't really sure how she felt about it yet. She told herself she might not even see Cody again, but she knew that was a lie before the thought even finished forming in her mind. She would tell him, she vowed. They would talk about her father, about everything, just as soon as she felt a little stronger.

Page 56 of 56 Created: 2011-10-06 Updated: 2014-11-09 Words: 32477 Characters: 175907