A/N: I've been writing like crazy, so I wasn't sure I would post again so soon. BUT, insomnia turns out to be your friend, because I am WIDE awake and figured what the hell? lol So, here it is! I was thinking about Danny and realizing that at this point in time, if I ignore the idiotic choice to keep casting older and older children, Danny is about two years old. So all the talking I was having him do was quite a bit advanced LOL. So, if you notice a difference in how Danny talks, it's because I'm trying to make it more realistic. He'll still say sentences, but they'll be much shorter, and the words may sound a bit different because, let's be real, he's just learning to talk. At least, from what I remember from my kids and what I read online lol.

Anyway, we're going to have some JaceSamiel (teehee) time in this chapter. A few chapters from now, I'll be breaking it up a bit where we'll have a chapter devoted to what's happening in Sam's life and another devoted to Jace's point of view. I want to give Jace his own personality, and to do that, I feel like I need to include some interactions outside of or away from Sam.

I think you'll like the slight changes I made to what actually happened on TV. I tried to keep some of the ongoing storylines and just change out some of the characters and interactions to fit my story. And please keep your reviews coming. They're most of the reason I've been writing so much. It's so awesome to read your reviews and hear your thoughts, and so many times it influences what I'm going to write. (For example, some of you wondered about DNA tests. That's going to be addressed in a future chapter :D) If you haven't already faved or followed, please do so. Thanks!

Anyways, happy reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 8

The next evening, Sam and Danny walked down the hospital halls towards Jace's room. The closer they got, the faster Sam's heart raced. Though it had been difficult to cope with the fact that he wasn't Jason, she'd realized how irrational she had been.

Of course he wasn't Jason. In fact, she was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing. Even so, she did feel an unexplainable urge to explore this connection she felt to him.

Besides, he had no memory, which meant he had no family. She couldn't imagine that he didn't have people who loved him looking for him. But for now, he had no one. She couldn't let him go through this arduous recovery alone.

"My fwend!" Danny suddenly hollered, breaking out of Sam's grasp and hurtling on little legs into Jace's room. Sam hurried after him and stopped just in time to see Jace's eyes light up when Danny popped up beside him.

"Hey little man!" Jace greeted Danny, smiling at the adorable towheaded boy standing at his side. He wasn't sure what it was about this little boy, but Jace was thrilled to see him.

And not just him. Jace looked away from Danny and let his eyes travel leisurely over Sam before landing on her insanely gorgeous face. She was smiling softly, watching Danny.

"Hi." He said quietly.

"Hi Jace. We were on our way home from dinner at my mom's and I thought we'd swing by. How're you feeling?" Sam turned her smile on him, leaving him momentarily dazed.

"Good, all things considered." He let his eyes drift down to where Danny was drawing shapes on his hands.

Sam studied him and tilted her head to the side.

"You know, I can't see your face to tell if you're lying. But something tells me you are. Jace, you've had several major surgeries in the last few weeks. I'd be surprised if you weren't feeling a bit under the weather."

Jace looked up in surprise. She was right. He had a blinding headache. But other than that, his other injuries seemed to be healing okay. His ribs still hurt when he moved too much but he wasn't one to complain. At least, he didn't think he was.

"I don't like the drugs they give me." He admitted.

"I'm sure if you don't like how these meds make you feel, you can request something different to help you manage your pain." Sam suggested.

Jace shook his head lightly, pain radiating through his head.

"No. They make my head cloudy. I don't like to feel out of control."

Sam chuckled and shook her head.

"Wow, you sound just like Jas-." Sam broke off guiltily.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't-look, I'm sorry about how I acted yesterday." Her face was red with discomfort, unable to meet his eyes.

"Sam, hey. We talked about this yesterday. You don't ever have to apologize to me for talking about your husband."

Sam looked up at him and nodded, touched.

"Thank you."

Jace's eyes drifted down to Danny again. Danny was gripping his hand in a fierce grip, simply smiling at him. Unexpectedly, Jace felt his eyes water.

Sam noticed and moved forward.

"Is he hurting you? I'm so sorry. Danny-."

Jace cut her off quickly.

"No, no. He's fine, leave him." He assured him, blinking back the tears that had stung his eyes a moment ago. He wasn't sure why but he'd been hit with a wave of emotion when he stared at Danny.

Sam nodded and sat down beside his bed.

"Have the doctors said anything new to you about your recovery?"

Jace sighed heavily, frustration clear in his voice.

"Only that it's going to be a long, difficult recovery. All I want is to get out of this damn hospital. I hate hospitals." He said moodily.

"Damn hosbibble!" Danny hollered, making Sam gasp and Jace swallow a bark of laughter. Choking on her own laugh, Sam tried to set her face in serious lines as she looked at Danny.

"Danny, that's not a nice word. Please don't say damn again." She said sternly.

Danny beamed up at her.

"Damn! O'tay." He said, his adorable little voice full of innocence. Jace was still grinning when he looked over at Sam.

"I'm sorry about that." He apologized, unable to wipe the grin from his face. Sam shook her head and giggled.

"It's okay. I probably shouldn't laugh but that was kind of the cutest thing ever."

Jace stared at her, transfixed by the smile on her face. In that moment, she seemed so familiar to him that he could have sworn he'd seen that exact smile a thousand times before.

"Yeah, it was."

Sam looked up at him and blushed when she realized he was looking at her and not Danny. She cleared her throat.

"Well, um, we won't stay long. I know you need to rest a lot so you can get better."

"No, don't go. Sam, I was in a coma for over two weeks. I do nothing but lay in this bed and rest. Please, you're saving me from going crazy." He wasn't ready to say goodbye. They'd just got there.

Sam smiled softly and nodded, looking away quickly.

"Yeah, okay. We can stay a little while longer."

"Tell me more about your life." Jace said suddenly. He wasn't much for talking. He didn't remember much, but he seemed to know that instinctively about himself. But he did like to listen, especially to Sam.

Sam looked at him, startled.

"You can't possibly want to hear more about me. That's all we've talked about since you woke up." She said with a laugh.

Jace smiled.

"It's not like we can talk about me."

Sam's smile faltered.

"Oh God, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless-." She began but Jace cut her off.

"Sam, stop. It's fine." He insisted, reaching out to capture her hand. She looked down at their hands and squeezed gently.

"Actually, there might be a couple of things I can tell you about myself." Jace blurted out. Sam opened her eyes wide in question.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well, I'm allowed to eat real food now. So I've been trying different things off the menu of the cafeteria to try and figure out what I like."

Sam laughed at this.

"Okay, and what did you discover?"

"It's all terrible. Just the worst." He smiled when Sam burst out laughing.

"Yeah, General Hospital isn't known for it's stellar cuisine." Sam choked out, still laughing.

"And I know I like the sound of your laugh." Jace said quietly, watching her cheeks bloom with color again.

"I uh, I also realized that I'm a night owl." He said quickly, trying not to make Sam uncomfortable. She smiled softly.

"So am I. There's just something about the stars in the sky that just gives me peace and hope."

Jace thought about it and agreed.

"I feel the same way. I think what appeals to me the most is that anything is possible at night. I can go out and find peace if I need it. But if I'm looking for a distraction, things come alive at night in a way they don't during the day. I don't know if that made any sense." He ended with a self-conscious chuckle.

"Actually, it totally does. I feel the same way. My husband and I would go on these long rides on his motorcycle and just get away from it all. It was so relaxing. Those were some of the best nights of my life." Sam reminisced with a faraway look in her eyes.

Struck by her words, Jace paused. He had a sudden flash of speeding down a lonely road, scenery flitting by in a blur as adrenaline pumped through him. He looked up at Sam in surprise.

"I ride. Motorcycles, I mean." He clarified as Sam stared at him in shock.

"Did you just remember something?" She asked excitedly.

He nodded slightly.

"I think so. It was just a flash, but I remembered what it felt like to race down the highway on my bike. It was exciting but in a way that gave me peace." He mused, trying to focus on that brief flash but finding nothing else there. He sighed and glanced up at Sam, who was beaming down at him.

"Jace, that's incredible. If you're already having memories, it's just a matter of time before you have all your memories back."

Jace silently prayed she was right. His attention was drawn away briefly by a loud yawn. Danny was blinking sleepily at him, swaying on his feet.

"It's Danny's bedtime. I better get him home." Sam said, reluctant to leave. She didn't think she imagined the look of disappointment in Jace's eyes, either.

"Danny, say goodbye to Jace. It's time to go home." She said, holding her hand out to her son. He blew her a kiss but ignored her outstretched arm and moving faster than she expected, climbed onto the bed beside Jace, hugging him.

Jace looked startled, but brought his uninjured arm up and hugged Danny to him. There it was again. That feeling of overwhelming love. What was it about this little boy that just tugged on his heartstrings?

Sam rushed forward.

"Danny, no! Jace is very hurt, and you have to be careful." She chastised him gently, moving to pick him up.

Danny sat up quickly and looked at Jace with big eyes, tears forming.

"I hurt my fwend?" He asked sadly and Jace hurried to reassure him.

"Hey, hey, buddy. It's okay, you didn't hurt me, I promise." He reassured Danny quickly, tickling him so he giggled, his tears forgotten. He glanced up at Sam.

"Honestly, I'm fine. He didn't hurt me." It may have been a slight lie, as Danny's knee was currently pressing against his broken ribs. But there was no way he was going to let this adorable kid know that.

Sam narrowed her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

Jace nodded.

"Well, I still think he should get off the bed." She said, worried.

"Nah, he's fine." Jace said, tickling Danny again and making him giggle.

Sam smiled as she watched them, an unexpected warmth in her heart.

"Okay, if you're sure." She conceded. Just then her phone vibrated. She pulled it out and saw a text from Kristina.

911. Mom found one of the pamphlets Dr. Collins gave me. I covered but I think Mom suspects! Help!

Sam grimaced and texted back quickly.

Krissy, maybe you should just come out and tell her…no pun intended. :p

It's not funny, Sam! I'm not ready. What if she freaks out? What if she hates the thought of her daughter being lesbian or bi? What about my dad? He'll definitely flip.

Krissy, just calm down, okay? I really think your parents would surprise you. But if you're really not ready, then I'll help you.

Thank you, Sam! Thank you! How? What are you gonna say to Mom?

Sam frowned.

Idk, but I'll think of something. I'll be over in a little bit and I'll distract her.

You're the best! g2g, Mom's coming.

Sam shook her head. She was smiling when she looked up at Jace.

"Sorry about- oh." She stopped when she realized that Jace had fallen asleep with Danny in his arms. Danny was stretched out beside him also sound asleep. She couldn't even begin to explain why seeing the two of them like that felt so right. Tears stung her eyes, and she shook her head, annoyed with herself. She aimed her phone at them, despite herself, and snapped a quick photo. She shoved her phone back in her pocket, refusing to think about why she'd just done that.

She moved silently towards the bed and bent over Danny, trying to extricate him carefully, without waking up Jace. She managed to get her arm between Danny and Jace, carefully pulling Danny to her. Abruptly realizing that Jace's breathing had changed, Sam glanced up and was startled to see Jace's brilliant blue eyes locked on hers.

Jace stared into Sam's pretty brown eyes, breathing in her exotic perfume, relishing their closeness. It felt right. He didn't question why.

For a moment, Sam stood like that, bent over him, her face inches from his, lost in his deep blue eyes. And then she was snapping upright, clutching Danny in her arms, stumbling back a step or two.

"Sorry. I-I-I have to go. Goodnight." She stammered hurriedly, rushing out of the room without waiting for a reply. Jace stared after her, a small smile on his face.

"Goodnight, Sam." He whispered, before letting his eyes drift closed, breathing in the lingering scent of perfume surrounding him like a cloud, still smiling.

Later that night, Sam lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She didn't understand what was happening to her or why she was feeling the way she did. Maybe she should just stop questioning it. She glanced guiltily towards the dresser where the photo frame of her and Jason kissing sat. She forced herself to turn around and face the other way.

Without realizing what she was doing, she had grabbed her phone off the nightstand and was flipping through the photo album. Stopping on the photo she'd taken of Jace and Danny, she paused. To be honest, it looked like Danny was sleeping next to a mummy, as heavily bandaged as Jace was. And yet, it was still one of the most moving photos she'd ever seen. He seemed to genuinely like Danny and Danny had definitely taken to him. And maybe she had too.

Smiling, she set the phone down and let herself drift off to sleep, a blue-eyed mummy haunting her dreams.