The first performance of the night is underway, but his attention is solely hers. She's telling him about the art exhibit she helped build from the ground up, how happy she had been when she finally got to display her own collection.
The smile never leaving her face and, in turn, never leaving his. He loves seeing her like this. Happy about something, especially her art, knowing that she made the right choice for her. Her family - much like his - still will not give up their hope that she go into medicine, but its not for her anymore than it was for him.
"I might be moving back home indefinitely." she says with a bright smile. "The company I'm working for wants me to oversee the construction of the new gallery their opening in town and manage it once its built."
"Why would they want to build a gallery in Port Charles?" Jason looks at her curiously, trying not to get his hopes up of her moving back to town.
"The Mayor is looking for ways to bring more culture to the town." she explains, accepting her drink from the bartender. "After he called, I passed on the suggestion to my boss and she loved it."
"When will it be a sure thing?"
"Their ironing out the details with the government." she takes a sip of her drink, glancing around the room. "Where's the future missus?"
"Sonny's table." Jason gestures to where he was. "You sitting at Mac's table?"
"Yeah." she shakes her head. "Speaking of which, I should get back. Come find me after Robin's speech? I really want to meet the lucky lady."
"Sure." Jason smiles slightly, not really sure about introducing Sam to her, but knowing he's going to have to. "I'll come find you later."
"Okay." she leans over, kissing his cheek, completely unaware of the affect that has on him. "I'll hold you to it."
Jason watches her walk off, a part of him hoping she gets the job and the part hoping she doesn't. Its easy when she's gone, to be friends and nothing more, but its almost torturous with her so close. Once she takes her seat, Jason orders up the drinks for the others at his table and returns to his seat to hand them out.
"Thank you." Sam says as she takes the club soda from him, not failing to notice the blank expression on his face.
"You're welcome." Jason replies before taking his seat beside her. "Do you need anything else?"
"No." Sam shakes her head, not wanting to give him another reason to leave the table. "I'm okay."
Once again he falls silent, his eyes on the performances on stage, while she watches him. Now more than ever, Sam wishes she could read his mind, wondering what was going on behind the blank expression he's sporting. The music is floating through the air, but she doesn't truly hear it. Her mind on other things, more important things than performances by residents of the town.
Its not long before Robin takes the stage, the entire room falling silent in anticipation of her speech. Sam sits up, giving the woman the respect she deserves, unable to imagine what she goes through on a day to day basis. Times like this, Sam feels grateful for her health. She couldn't imagine having to take medication ritually, monitoring every aspect of her life carefully.
"Every year I come up here and I tell you about what its like to live HIV positive." Robin smiles out to the crowd. "I open my life up to you, showing you that there is no difference between you and me. That hasn't changed. I'm just like you. I live and breathe just like you. I love with all I have. I smile and I laugh. And, believe it or not, I get angry and hurt...just like you."
Sam listens carefully as Robin goes into detail about how she came to be HIV positive - surely for those who didn't know the story - and going on to talk about her best friend that saved her life. Its at this part of her speech that Sam looks at Jason. A soft smile touches his lips as he looks up at her, undoubtedly remembering it the way she's telling it.
Robin talks about the side of Jason that Sam knows exists. Its the part of him that wakes up in the middle of the night to check on her. The part of him that sits up with her - albeit in silence - but still. Robin gives her thanks to him and encourages others to be as understanding - as accepting.
Then she talks about her career, how she helps so many people find hope when there is none. How each and every one of them have the chance to give that kind of hope to someone like her. To HIV positive men, women and children, to those with AIDS as well.
"Being here and showing that you care is amazing, believe me, but its the day to day that matters, too." Robin says with conviction. "I have no idea where I'd be without my family and friends. They've gotten me through so much that I probably wouldn't have been able to without them. Please, open your hearts to those suffering from the disease, because that's what it is...a disease. It doesn't change the person who contracted it...it just makes them need your love that much more. Thank you."
The room erupts in applause, the "she" walks up to the stairs, wrapping her arms around Robin once she's off the stage. Sam can see that it took real strength for Robin to stand on that stage and talk about her disease as if it was no big deal. If it were her, Sam doubts she'd be able to do that. To stand there and give her life story for others to learn from. She holds great respect for Robin and how she's able to open her heart like that.
"Hey, you." Sonny embraces Robin, giving her a warm hug before pulling away. "You did good."
"Thank you." Robin smiles before turning to look at Carly. "Carly, its nice to see you again."
"Ditto, Scorpio." Carly says with a smirk. "Sonny, lets get something to drink."
"Find me before you leave, okay?" Sonny says to Robin. "I need to talk to you about something."
"Sure." Robin watches them walk away before turning to Jason and Sam. "Hi, Sam, its so nice to see you again. How're you doing?"
"I'm okay." Sam smiles politely, wondering where the "she" walked off to. "Anxious to finish planning the wedding."
"Of course, that's understandable." Robin eyes Jason before returning her focus to Sam. "How's the little one?"
"Developing at a steady rate." Sam says proudly. "The doctor says that it should be a decent pregnancy."
"When are you heading back to Paris?" Jason asks, wondering if she'd be staying too.
"Actually, I've been offered a position at General Hospital." Robin admits, smiling at the thought of working under Alan Quartermaine, the man that inspired her to be a doctor. "I'm just waiting for our girl to get the green light before I accept the position."
"Talking about me again?" a voice teases, walking up the group, causing Sam to unknowingly stare at her. "Hi, you must be Sam."
"Yeah." Sam manages to get out, shaking the hand the "she" held out. "And you are?"
"Elizabeth Webber, but you can call me Liz." she smiles, eyeing both Sam and Jason. "Congratulations. Jason's really lucky to have you."
"Thanks...I think." Sam looks at her and seriously couldn't understand her.
"I'd really like to talk more, but I have a long day ahead of me." she apologises. "Jason, tomorrow, usual place?"
"I'll be there." Jason confirms, hoping that it meant they'd have a real conversation. "You bringing it?"
"Of course." Elizabeth laughs softly. "Sam, it was a pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah...you too." Sam watched as the "she" said her goodbyes to Robin and walked off. Yup. She definitely hates her.
Not long after the "she" leaves does Jason take her home. He doesn't wait for Sonny and Carly to be ready to leave. Instead, he has one of the guards give him the keys to their SUV, driving her home in that. She wonders what he's thinking, it was clear that he wanted to leave with the "she" instead of her.
Of course, he wouldn't do it even if he could because he can't. She's the one he's going to marry. Not the "she" and it wouldn't look right if he left with her and not Sam. No matter what he's feeling, it was obvious that Jason wasn't backing out of their marriage. It wouldn't be good for Sonny and that was most important to him - that Michael, his godson, has a secure family.
The ride back home was done in silence. He's visibly tense, leading her to wonder what thoughts were going through his head. Sam wishes she knew the history between Jason and the "she" - maybe it would help her understand why he was so in love with a woman that didn't seem to notice.
"Jason." she calls to him as he's about to walk up the stairs to his room. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Jason turns to look at her, waiting for her to figure out how she wants to phrase it.
"Who is Elizabeth to you?" Sam can see his guard go up a thousand feet and, in a way, she's gotten her answer.
"She's a friend." Jason says plainly. "Why?"
"Just wondering...from the way you two act..."
"She's just a friend." Jason snaps. "Nothing more. Nothing less."
Without another word, not waiting for her to question him further, he walks up the steps to call it a night. She'd be lying if she said that it didn't hurt. The way he closed himself off and practically snapped at her. Taking a deep breath, Sam walks over to the couch and sits down.
"If only that were true." Sam sighs, kicking off her heels and folding her legs beneath her, hugging a pillow to her chest. "Lord knows I wish that were true."
A/N: Let us know what you think about what's happened so far.
Anyone feel bad for Sam? All reviews welcome.
- ROCkER & The Jackal's Vixen -