A/N: SURPRISE! Two days in a row?! Whaaat?! LOL I decided to post the next chapter pretty quickly because I know the last chapter was kind of brutal. We have enough of that in real life at the moment, so I just wanted us to be able to move on to happier things.

I want to thank you all SO much for all the wonderful reviews! Almost everyone was incredibly supportive and had such amazing things to say about it! I know it was a dark and kind of brutal, but Franco is a dark and brutal character and pretending he's not is something I'm not going to do. I'll leave that to TPTB :p

For the one reader who found my chapter disturbing enough to leave a rude comment & quit reading, girl bye. I have no problem if you dislike my fanfic, but I do ask that you not be insulting or hostile. It's super unnecessary.

Those of you worried Sam will be seriously injured, no spoilers, BUT no need to skip ahead either :p

While there is some heavy stuff that happens, there's also a few moments that make me just sigh in happiness. I hope you'll spot them when you get there, and feel the same. :)

Happy Reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 19

Sam squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the blow but it never came. Her eyes flew open as a loud thunk echoed in the room and Franco's murderous expression turned blank as he slid unconscious to the ground. His hand still clutching Sam's hair, he dragged her down with him so that she was laying across him, her face hovering over his.

Frantic to escape, she began to struggle furiously to disentangle her hair from around Franco's hand. Harsh sobs were now clawing their way up her throat as she realized how close she'd come to dying.

"Get off! Get off!" She cried, desperate to get away from Franco. Suddenly, gentle hands were covering hers and she gasped.

"Shh, shhh, it's okay. Sam, it's me."

Recognizing Jace's voice, Sam's body slackened with relief. His hands carefully opened Franco's fingers and gently pried her hair free. Scrambling up and away from Franco, Sam stared in disbelief at Jace.

He was here. He was really here, staring at her with concern. Without conscious thought, Sam flung herself against his chest, locking her arms around his neck, clinging to him. Caught off guard by Sam's weight, slight as it was, Jace tumbled backwards onto his butt.

He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her, holding her close, feeling her trembling body against his. He needed to hold her right now, to reassure himself that she really was okay.

Sam buried her face in Jace's neck, giving into a moment of weakness as the horror of the last hour or so slammed into her. She'd nearly died at the hands of a man who had tormented her for years.

Jace pulled back and cupping Sam's face in his hands, he leaned his forehead against hers.

"You're okay, Sam. He can't hurt you anymore." He whispered fiercely.

"Fair Samantha! Are you alright?" Spinelli's frantic voice broke through the bubble that surrounded them and reality broke in. Sam glanced up at him and nodded shakily. Taking a deep breath, she tried to pull herself together.

"I'm okay, Spinelli. What are you guys doing here?" She turned to Jace, clarity returning. "What are you doing out of the hospital? Are you okay? Are you in pain?"

Jace shook his head.

"I'm fine, I promise. We didn't hear from you. I was worried."

Spinelli scoffed, still amazed at Jace's instincts.

"He wasn't just worried. He knew something was wrong. He said he felt it; that you needed him."

Sam was staring at Jace, who shifted uncomfortably, pulling himself clumsily to his feet.

"He was right." She said softly. Her eyes connected with Jace and something unspoken passed between them.

A soft moan from behind them reminded Sam of Carly's presence.

"Oh my God, Carly! Thank God you're okay." Sam cried out, rushing to Carly's side. Carly was sitting up, holding her head.

She looked around in confusion.

"Jace? Spinelli?" She said groggily as Spinelli helped her stand.

"Uhnn." Franco groaned, stirring.

Sam, Spinelli, and Carly spun towards the noise, Carly swaying slightly. But Jace sprung into action. He brought his walker down with lightening speed, the legs on either side of Franco's head and the center bar pressed against his throat, trapping him against the floor.

Jace's face was a cold mask of fury as he stared down at Franco. It gave Sam pause; she'd never seen Jace like this before. It was a sobering reminder her that there was so much she didn't know about him.

"Jace?" She said tentatively. His eyes shot to hers, and his face softened. Sam knew immediately that Jace would never hurt her or anyone else who didn't deserve it. She knew that instinctively.

"It's okay, Sam. This pig is never gonna put his hands on you again."

Franco was staring up at Jace with a mixture of hatred and glee.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite roadkill." He choked out, trying without success to lift the walker from where it was pressing down on his throat, cutting off his oxygen.

"So it was you." Jace said angrily. "Why did you do it? Why'd you leave me there to die?"

Franco grinned madly.

"It's what we do. My favorite game." He said cryptically, in a sing-song voice. Jace shook his head, confused.

"What the hell does that mean? Tell me!" He shouted.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came stomping in the house and cops were flooding the living room, guns pointed.

"PCPD! Freeze! Put your hands in the air!" They shouted at Jace. Sam waved her hands and stepped in front of them.

"Don't shoot! He just saved our lives! Franco's the one you want! He tried to kill us." Sam cried quickly. Dante pushed past the officers in front of him and put his arms out.

"It's alright. Lower your weapons." He said quickly, turning to Sam.

"Sam, I'm sorry. I never would have left if I thought you and Carly were in danger." He said quickly, remorse written all over his face.

Jace glared at him from across the room.

"What the hell kind of cop are you? You left two women alone with a known serial killer and predator."

Shamefaced, Dante didn't defend himself.

"You're right. I have no excuse."

Sam waved off his self-recriminations.

"Dante, stop. I told you to go. But how'd you know to come back?"

"I was out looking for Michael, but I couldn't find him. I heard the call come in and hauled ass back over here. I arrived at the same time as the responding officers."

While they were talking, the other officers had moved forward and after Jace stepped back with his walker, they'd pulled Franco to his feet, cuffing him with his hands in front of him.

Jace shuffled forward carefully, a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Now that the rush of adrenaline was fading, he was beginning to feel just how weak he still was.

He stopped beside Sam, who automatically leaned into him, making him smile briefly.

Carly was still talking to Dante.

"Dante, you have to let me leave. I need to find Sonny and tell him about Michael." She pleaded.

"Look, Carly-." He began, uncertain.

"Dante, you owe me! You left me here and Franco almost killed me! I know you have to do what you have to do. But can't it just wait until I find Sonny? We need a chance to make things right with Michael."

Dante cursed under his breath.

"Yeah, okay. Go ahead, Carly."

Franco had been listening to them talk, and hearing Carly state her intention to go see Sonny after everything that had happened sent him into a murderous rage.

"YOU BITCH!" He spat furiously.

Everything happened as if in slow motion after that.

Franco twisted suddenly and yanking the closest officer's gun from his holster with his cuffed hands, he pointed it at Carly.

Sam, Jace, Carly, Dante, and Spinelli looked up at the same time and realized what was about to happen.

"No!" Sam shouted and Franco swung the gun in her direction. Dante moved to pull his gun from his holster but someone had gotten to it first.

Moving as if on automatic, Jace reacted without thinking. He turned in a blur, yanking the 9mm out of Dante's holster, swinging his arm up and without hesitation, pulled the trigger once.

The boom of the gunshot seemed to bring everything back into focus as time moved at a normal speed again. Franco went flying back, a hole right where his heart was, blood seeping out of the wound, his empty eyes staring up at the ceiling.

Jace was staring at his own hand in shock, unsure what had just happened.

Sam was staring at Jace too, unable to believe what she'd just witnessed. She'd never seen anyone with reflexes like that, except Jason.

The other officers in the room once again pointed their guns at Jace and shouted at him to drop the weapon.

Surprised at what had just happened too, Dante had to shake himself before he was again striding forward and calling off the cops.

"We all saw what just happened. That was self-defense." He shouted. The other cops looked at each other before nodding in agreement, lowering their weapons.

Dante turned to Jace and held out his hand.

"You wanna give me back my gun?" He asked quietly. Jace raised his eyes to Dante's, and Dante could see he was shaken by what he'd just done.

"Listen, pal, I don't know who you were before that accident, but not a lot of people could have done what you just did. Whoever you were, you were dangerous." Dante said it softly, so only Jace could hear.

Dante's words echoing in his head, Jace slowly held out the gun. Dante took his gun back, and after another appraising look at Jace, he turned and started barking orders, taking over the crime scene.

Who the hell was he? Jace asked himself, horrified. Who was he that he could take a life so effortless, without hesitation or remorse?

Sam was still staring at Jace and immediately recognized the self-doubt covering his face. She stepped forward and placed her hands on the sides of his face, forcing him to look at her. When his eyes met hers, she held his gaze.

"Don't. You just saved my life. Again. Jace, Franco would have killed me and left my son without both of his parents. You did what needed to be done." She insisted firmly.

Jace stared into Sam's eyes, reading the sincerity in her eyes. She meant what she was saying.

"But the way I did it...it was without thought. It felt almost natural, instinctive. Who kills on instinct?" He asked, his stomach turning.

Sam stepped closer, barely an inch between them.

"Someone fighting for his life, or for someone he cares about. This doesn't have to mean you're a bad person. You could have been a cop or in the army. You don't know, Jace. Don't assume the worst because I know who you are. You're a good man."

Jace stared down at Sam, gratitude and relief coursing through him. She meant it; she really believed in him. He couldn't put into words what her support meant to him. To have her by his side, believing in him when he couldn't believe in himself? It was everything.

He lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers for a moment, before pulling her into his arms and hugging her tight. A wave of dizziness passed over him, but he breathed through it. He was feeling weaker and weaker the longer he stood here.

Sam let out a breath, relieved that Jace seemed to believe her. She held onto him, letting him borrow her strength, just as he'd done for her just moments ago.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt. But I'm gonna need a statement about what happened here today." Dante said, clearing his throat, avoiding looking at them, as they pulled apart reluctantly.

Sam nodded and followed Dante a few feet away, glancing back at Jace once. He smiled and nodded to let her know he was okay and she turned back to Dante. She was halfway through her statement when she saw Jace sway out of the corner of her eye.

Dark dots flashed in front of his eyes as the pain and weakness in his legs grew stronger. He was struggling to remain upright. He turned to walk over to the couch and sit but the room seemed to spin.

Sam watched in horror and started forward just as Jace dropped to one knee, and then fell sideways, unconscious before he hit the ground.

"Jace!"

...

Jace opened his eyes blearily, blinking as the room began to come into focus. He was back in his hospital room. He turned his head to the side and spotted Sam sitting beside his bed, watching him.

She smiled when his brilliant blue eyes met her, overwhelmed with relief.

"Hey, you."

Jace smiled weakly.

"Hey, there."

"How are you feeling?" Sam asked quietly, reaching out to brush his hair back from his forehead.

Jace warmed at how easy she was being with showing affection. Before, Sam would have run out of the room at any sign of intimacy, but here she was, tender and caring.

"I'm okay. What happened?"

"You fainted. You never should have left the hospital, although I'm grateful you did. But you overexerted yourself." Sam couldn't shake the image of Jace collapsing out of her head. It had terrified her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" She asked again.

Jace reached out and grabbed her hand.

"I'm sure, Sam. My pride's not doing so hot, though. I fainted? Jesus." He said, grimacing.

Sam laughed.

"You just woke up from a coma a few weeks ago and fought off a mad man to save my life. I'm pretty sure you're manhood is still intact."

Jace studied Sam. There was vivid bruising on her cheek, and by her temple. Jace felt a vicious satisfaction that he'd killed Franco in that moment.

"What about you? How are you feeling? That son of a bitch did a number on you." He said angrily, brushing his thumb gently over her bruise.

Sam winced lightly and shrugged.

"Sore as hell but for the most part I'm okay." She hesitated.

"Jace, I know you feel torn up about killing Franco. But I have to tell you;I haven't felt this sense of peace in years. Knowing that Franco will never hurt my son or me again? It's an indescribable sense of relief. I will be forever grateful to you." She admitted, hoping he could understand.

And he did. Though he was still concerned about this deadly skillset he seemed to have, he was glad he had them because otherwise Sam could be dead right now. And he didn't know what he would have done if he'd lost her.

"I'm not sorry I killed him, Sam. Truth be told, I've wanted him dead from the moment I found out what he did to you. It was him or you, Sam. And I knew I couldn't lose you."

Sam blushed as she stared into Jace's eyes.

"This whole friend zone thing just keeps getting harder and harder, doesn't it?" She asked ruefully.

"I've pretty much given up on it." Jace admitted wryly.

Sam smiled tenderly.

"Yeah, the lines are definitely getting blurry."

They stared into each other's eyes, the tension growing thick in the air. Sam's phone beeped suddenly, making her jump.

Laughing self-consciously, she pulled out her phone and glanced at the screen. Sighing, she looked up at Jace.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. I need to pick up Danny."

Jace felt a burst of disappointment wash over him, like it did every time Sam had to leave.

"Of course. Say hi to the little guy for me." He smiled, thinking of the cute little tyke.

Sam grinned.

"Absolutely. Or you could say hi to him yourself tomorrow. How about we bring you breakfast? Pancakes?"

Jace's smile widened.

"That would be great."

Sam stood up. She hesitated a moment before leaning down and pressing a kiss to his cheek. She pulled back, her face inches from his.

"See you tomorrow, Jace."

Jace was staring up at her, fighting the urge to yank her down to him for a proper kiss.

"Tomorrow." He whispered. She grinned and pulled away, waving a little as she walked out the door.

"I hate to see her leave but I sure love to watch her go." Jace grinned to himself as she disappeared around the corner.

All right, so the friend zone was officially non-existent now. At least, it definitely was for him. He was more determined than ever to get back on his feet and look for his past. He needed to find out who he was so he could look forward to his future. One that included Sam, he thought to himself.