A/N: Hey guys! Thank you so much for all the awesome reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying the build up between Jace and Sam. And you're right, even without his memories, Jason recognizes trash when he sees it lol But there's so many questions, so many blank spaces, it becomes a matter of what he knows mixed with these brief flashes mixed with instinct. I like exploring who else causes that kind of reaction inside him.

This chapter is all about Jace. Where he's at, what he's thinking, and who he is without the past connecting him to all these people. Do your memories change who you are, at the core of you? Are there some people just meant to be in your life while others were just happy/unhappy circumstance? I'm always curious to how we become friends with the people we become friends with. What draws us to them before their personality is revealed? Are we just drawn to certain people, do our souls recognize kindred spirits?

I wanted to explore that for Jace. He's starting over, for the third time in his life. And though he doesn't know it, he's drawn to the same people over and over again. But this time, Sam can't tell him whose important to him and whose an enemy. He'll have to figure that out on his own.

As always, thank you for the reviews, and please keep them coming! If you haven't already, please follow/fave.

Happy reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 12

Jace was staring up at the stranger, rage pulsing through him one moment and the next the feelings faded. Jace was left confused and shaken at the depth of rage he'd experienced. He didn't know this man; why had he had such a strong reaction to him?

"One of the nurses mentioned seeing you come in here and thought maybe you were lost. You know you came to the physical therapy room instead of the art therapy room, right?"

Jace listened to the man's condescending, grating voice and thought maybe his initial reaction was spot on.

Carly gave a weak laugh, fiddling with an ugly eyeball necklace around her neck.

"I know where the art room is, silly. I came to visit a friend. Oh God, sorry! Franco, this is Jace. Jace, this is Franco." Carly introduced them quickly.

Jace held his hand out but Franco just stared at him.

"Yeah, hi. I'm Franco. Carly's fiancee." It was said pointedly and Carly flushed.

"Yes, of course. This is my fiancee, Franco." She repeated, clarifying.

"Hey man." Jace said disinterestedly. Yeah, he didn't like this guy at all.

"You want to get out of here, grab lunch?" Franco asked, dismissing Jace.

Carly looked annoyed but quickly schooled her features.

"Franco, why don't we meet later? I'm going to finish visiting my friend and then I have, uh, some work to take care of. But I'll see you at home tonight, okay?" She smiled reassuringly.

Franco stared at her for a moment, as if trying to read her expression. He nodded slowly, backing up.

"See you at home, then?"

Carly nodded, smiling as if to reassure him.

"Yes. See you at home." She said again. Franco smiled and then giving Jace a short nod, walked out. Carly immediately sighed and dropped into a chair, covering her face with her hands.

Jace wheeled himself over to her.

"Hey, Carly? You okay?" He asked softly. Carly lifted her head and shook it.

"No, I'm really not."

"Want to talk about it?"

Carly stared at him.

"Actually, yeah. I do." She admitted sounding surprised.

The doors swung open and the PT walked back in, the determinedly cheerful expression back on her face.

"Okay, Mr. Morgan. Ready to try again?"

"Yeah, no. We're done here. Thanks." Jace replied. The PT stared at him a moment in disgruntlement before turning on her heel and storming out, muttering something about pain-in-the-ass patients.

Carly laughed.

"I don't think she likes you very much." Carly teased. Jace shrugged dismissively.

"Whatever. So tell me what's going on."

Carly sighed.

"I'm supposed to marry Franco in one week. And I want to, I really do. Or I did. I do. I don't know! I love him, despite his horrifying past and despite the fact that literally no one in my family likes him or is coming to the wedding to support me." Her voice broke a little.

Jason sensed a "but" coming.

"But?" He prompted.

"I cheated on him. I'm cheating on him. With my ex-husband." She admitted, cringing at saying the words out loud.

Jace nodded in sudden understanding.

"Are you sure you're in love with this guy? I mean, if you really loved him, you wouldn't have gotten back with your ex, right?"

Carly stared at him.

"That's it? You don't think I'm a horrible person?"

Jace shrugged.

"I mean, I don't know. Would a horrible person be as messed up about what she's doing as you are? I don't think so."

Carly's eyes filled with tears of gratitude. She had expected to be judged, but he had seen past her action to her intent. No one had done that for her in a long time. Not since Jason.

"Thank you. I was really happy with Franco. I mean, I've always had reservations because of his history, but I got past that. But my ex-husband and I have this bond that has always been there and will always be there. We're connected in a way that we just can't deny. We've never been able to completely let each other go, even when we were married to other people. And I really thought we were past all the back and forth. But then it just happened and now it keeps happening. It's like a drug. Sonny is like my drug!" She exclaimed suddenly, looking a bit crazed.

Jace bit back a smile.

"Sounds like maybe he's the one you want to be with."

Carly shook her head.

"No, no, no, no. I can't be with Sonny. We're poison together. It's the most unhealthy, toxic relationship I've ever been in. We wreck each other, Jace. I'm done with that. I'm done with Sonny. And I made a promise to Franco and I'm going to keep it." She said fiercely, as if she was trying to convince both her self and Jace. She swiped angrily at the tears that had escaped.

"Hey, Carly. Look, just calm down. Take deep breaths, count to ten. You're going to give yourself a heart attack." Jace warned. Carly's head snapped towards him and she stared.

"What? What's wrong?" Jace asked in confusion.

Carly shook her head.

"Nothing. It's just...what you said; about taking deep breaths and counting to ten? That's exactly what my best friend used to tell me. For a second you sounded just like him."

Jace stared, not sure why she was so shaken.

"Well, I mean, it's a pretty common phrase, I think."

Carly shook herself and laughed weakly.

"You're right, of course. I just-I guess I'm missing Jason too and hearing you say that was weird. It was exactly what he would have said, at exactly that moment." She smiled, closing her eyes briefly.

"Jason? Sam's Jason?" He asked curiously.

Carly smiled.

"Yeah. He was my best friend. God, he'd hate that I was marrying Franco. I mean, so does everyone else, but Jason would really, really hate it." The smile had faded and she was looking miserable and unsure again.

"What did this Franco guy do to make so many people hate him?"

Carly shook her head.

"Horrible, horrible things. He hurt so many people I love. But he wasn't in his right mind. He had a tumor and once it was removed, he changed. He's not the same person he used to be. He's not." Once again, she sounded as if she was trying to convince the both of them.

"Look, I'm sure your family will be there to support you. They love you. They'll put aside their feelings to be there for you."

Carly shook her head sadly.

"No, they won't. And I don't blame them. I just wish that my son, Michael, would come. He's the kindest, most loving and supportive kid you could ever ask for. We've always been so close, and to have even him refuse to go to my wedding? It's an ache in my heart that won't go away." She sniffled a little, a single tear escaping.

Jace reached out and squeezed her hand.

"I'm really sorry. I'd go if I could get out of here. But to be honest, I didn't really like the guy either."

Carly laughed in surprise.

"You met him for like ten seconds." She argued, shaking her head.

Jace shrugged.

"I know. There's just something about him. He kind of has a creepy vibe, don't you think?"

Carly laughed and shoved his arm lightly.

"You're horrible."

Jace laughed with her. After a moment, he spoke again.

"You and Sam seem to be really close. I'm sure she'll be there to support you."

Carly's eyes widened with horror.

"No! I would never expect Sam to go anywhere near Franco after what he put her through." She burst out, then shut up, seeming to regret her words.

Jace straightened in his chair.

"What he put her through? What did he do to Sam?" He asked urgently.

Carly shook her head, regretting her words.

"That's not my story to tell. And I wouldn't bring it up, either. Please, Jace. It's painful for her."

Jace nodded slowly.

"Look, thanks for the talk. Really. I don't know why, but you're just really easy to talk to you. I like you, Jace." Carly added suddenly. "And I don't like people that much."

Jace had to laugh, though his thoughts were still occupied with Sam.

"I like you too, Carly. And I like listening to you. And I don't think I like to listen to people that much either."

Carly laughed again. Tossing her hair back, she reached out and squeezed his hand.

"I better go. I need to put an end to this thing with Sonny once and for all. Do you need help getting back to your room?"

Jace shook his head.

"Nah, I'm good."

Carly smiled, before walking out the double doors. She turned back at the door and smiled at him.

"By the way, nice face." She winked at him, making him laugh, before she breezed away. Jace stared after her for a moment, before looking down at the card he held in his hand. He ran his thumb over Sam's name.

Sighing, he dropped the card on his lap and pushed him self out of the room and into the corridor.

He reached the end of the corridor and was wheeling himself into the main hub towards his room when he spotted Carly talking to a tall, handsome young man with golden blonde hair by the elevators. She seemed to be pleading with him. He looked sad but shook his head. Tears filled Carly's eyes, but she smiled and nodded. Kissing his cheek, she turned and walked into the elevator.

The young man watched the doors close and then tilted his head back, closing his eyes. Jace was wheeling himself past him when the young man turned and tripped over the wheelchair.

He looked down at Jace in horror, hands out in apology.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you hurt? Can I help you get somewhere?" He asked quickly, his eyes searching for injuries.

Jace looked up and smiled reassuringly.

"It's okay, man. I'm fine. But yeah, if you wouldn't mind, can you take me to my room?"

He nodded quickly.

"Yeah, yeah, of course." He said politely, pushing Jace, following his directions.

"I'm Jace, by the way. And you're Michael, right?"

Michael had just pushed him into his hospital room and Jace turned to face him. Michael looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah. How did you know that? Have we met before?"

Jace studied him.

"You know, I don't think so. But something about you seems familiar." Jace said slowly, now that he had a chance to study the handsome young man's face.

"Yeah, you too." Michael said, staring at the man. What was going on? He had the craziest urge to hug this guy. He felt like he was being reunited with a long lost friend or family member. He shook his head at his fanciful thoughts.

"Sorry, I was in an accident a month ago, and I lost my memories, so I don't know if I know you." Jace explained, still staring at him. He felt an odd sort of protectiveness come over him as he studied his face.

"Then how did you know who I am?" Michael asked in confusion.

"I saw you with your mom, Carly. Put the pieces together." Jace replied.

Michael's eyes widened with recognition.

"Oh, wow. You're the guy she told us about. You were in a coma. Sam found you in the street after the hit and run. God, I'm sorry you went through that, but I'm glad you're starting to recover."

Once again, the mention of Sam derailed Jace's thoughts.

"You know Sam too?"

Michael nodded.

"Yeah, she was married to my uncle. I mean, she's family to me. Sam's great."

Jace smiled.

"Yeah, she is."

Michael smiled.

"Well, it was nice to meet you."

"You too, Michael." Jace hesitated.

"Hey, Michael. I know it's none of my business. But I just wanted to say your mom seems like a great person."

Michael's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, she's the best." He agreed slowly.

"I'm just trying to say she really loves you. I mean, when she talks about you, she just lights up. And, you know, I think it would mean a lot to her if you went to her wedding."

Michael reared back in surprise, shutting down instantly.

"You're right. It's none of your business." He said coldly.

Jace nodded, accepting the truth in that statement but continuing nonetheless.

"It's not. But your mom has shown me a lot of kindness and she doesn't even know me. So I have to think that she'd do anything for you. That she's done everything for you. And if that's true, then maybe you could consider doing this for her. That's all. I won't say anything else."

Michael stared at him for a moment, before a reluctant smile spread over his face.

"You're right, she has. Hey man, thank you. I've got to go. Good luck, Jace." Michael shook Jace's hand and hurried out of the room.

Jace watched him leave, a smile on his face. He didn't know why but he liked that kid.

Jace was in the hospital, walking into a room with a tiny cubicle inside. He leaned over it, and looked down into a tiny little face with reddish blonde hair. He was so tiny and defenseless and Jace knew he would die to protect him.

Jace blinked and the memory was gone. There had been a child in his life that he'd loved very much. But he didn't think it was his child. Maybe like a child to him. Maybe it was a nephew? Frustrated, Jace slammed his fist into the mattress, trying desperately to remember.

When nothing came, Jace cursed. He would never give up figuring out who he was. Now that he knew there were people he cared about out there, he was more determined than ever. He would find the people he loved again if it was the last thing he did.

Jace pulled himself back out of bed and into the wheelchair. Wheeling himself across the room, he stopped in front of the small mirror there. He stared at his reflection, his eyes tracing the lines of his face. He stared, willing himself to recognize even the slightest feature on his face but unable to. He didn't recognize this face. He didn't know who he was, whether he was a good person or a terrible person. Had he been happy, miserable, or just coasting along somewhere in the middle? These questions plagued him at night. He fought the rising feelings of hopelessness and disappointment.

But it wasn't just all the unanswered questions that kept him up at night. It was guilt. Guilt, because although he was determined to find out who he was, he just couldn't deny his attraction to Sam. And his refusal just made him feel all the more guilty. Because what if he had a wife or girlfriend, or someone who loved him that was grieving the way Sam was? Another woman out there with the same questions and terrible pain that Sam dealt with every day?

He didn't know who he had been before, but he knew who he wanted to be; someone honorable, loyal, and true. But what if he had no one waiting for him? Was he willing to step away from Sam and keep himself at a distance on the off chance that someone was waiting for him?

Jace didn't know how Sam felt about him, but he knew how he felt about her. He cared about her. He was attracted to her. Hell, that was a mild way of putting it. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Every time their hands touched, a shiver of recognition went through him. It was as if echoes of other times they'd touched flowed through him, but he didn't know why. She was also funny, smart, courageous, daring, witty, and caring. She made him laugh, she challenged him, and she loved that little boy of hers so much that it came off her in waves. Not that he could blame her. He was half-way in love with that kid him self.

All those things combined to make her a damn near irresistible package. One he didn't want to resist. He was damned if he was going to ignore the pull he felt towards her. He just needed to know how she felt about him.

"If she would just come see me." He said under his breath, missing her more than he thought he could.

"Where are you, Sam?"