A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the delay. I've got the worst flu ever. It's going around the office and it finally got me. But I hope this chapter will make up for the wait. It's much longer than usual and the story really starts to pick up from here. I hope it's rewarding and exciting. I know it's a fast wrap up, but I hope that it's written in a way that keeps you engaged. I know a lot of you have asked that I not make this story as long as NEC, and if that's going to happen, I need to start moving it up. I think I will aim for 50 chapters, but Lord knows if I can contain myself lol. Might just have to make the chapters longer to make it work. :p

Anyways, in this chapter, Jace and Sam learn something huge when Hayden makes a life altering confession. Enjoy, and as always, thank you SO SO much for the amazing reviews, and for my new readers, WELCOME! Please keep the reviews coming. They keep me inspired.

Happy reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 28

"I'm only going to say this once. Stay the hell away from Sam."

Patrick's voice echoed back to Sam and her eyes widened. She hurried out of the kitchen and into the living room. Moving quickly, she slipped between Jace and Patrick.

"Patrick, stop. He didn't do anything wrong." She laid a hand on Patrick's chest and met his eyes. She adored him for wanting to protect her, but she could take care of herself.

"He's married, Sam! He shouldn't be here, messing with your head. But here he is." Patrick turned on Jace, stepping forward, "I should kick your ass."

Jace didn't react other than raising a brow.

"You can try."

Sam bit back an unwilling smile as Jace's reaction.

"Patrick, stop. Even though Jace is-he's- he's married," She stumbled over the words that sent pain lancing through her, "We're still friends. Of course, he can come over."

Patrick sighed and turned to face her, gripping her shoulders and looking at her intently.

"Sammy, you were crying when I got here. It's been a long time since I've seen you hurting like this, and it's because of this bastard here. I hate seeing you hurt."

Jace stiffened, regret coursing through him when he heard how hurt Sam was.

Sam winced at Patrick's words, praying Jace hadn't overheard.

She reached up and cupped Patrick's face.

"Thank you, Patrick. I love you for wanting to protect me from pain. But you can't save me from being hurt, and I don't want you to. I don't need you to protect me. I'm a badass, remember?" She winked at him, sending the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Jace stepped forward.

"I know what Hayden said caused Sam pain. Believe me, Patrick, it's the last thing I ever wanted. I love Sam. I would rather die than hurt her."

Patrick turned to look at him, reading the truth in his eyes.

"But you're still here." He pointed out.

"Because I found something out about Hayden. Something that could prove she's lying."

Sam's head snapped to him and she reached out to grip his arm.

"What?"

Jace smiled down at her.

"After I went back to my apartment, I talked to her for a few minutes and she was acting sketchy. So when she left, I followed her. But I bumped into Dante, and he had some interesting news."

"Oh, really?" Sam asked, intrigued.

Jace grinned.

"Apparently, Hayden's been in Port Charles since I woke up. He saw her in the police station."

"Was she filing a missing person's report?" Patrick asked curiously.

"No." Sam and Jason answered simultaneously, and Jason looked at Sam in surprise.

She blushed a little and laughed self-consciously.

"One of the first things I did was search for the missing persons report she claimed she filed. There aren't any."

Jace nodded.

"She was complaining about a parking ticket. She never brought me up once, according to Dante. But that's not all. It's where she went instead of the Metro Court that's really interesting.

Sam tilted her head curiously.

"Well, where did she go?"

"According to Dante, she went to Spoon Island. He said that pretty much guarantees that whatever she's a part of involves the Cassadines."

Patrick's head snapped up, suddenly alert. The Cassadines?

Jace saw and raised a brow.

"You reacted just then to that name. Why?" Jace asked suspiciously.

Patrick was scrambling for a response when Sam saved him.

"Patrick's had more than a few run ins with them. They've made his life hell on multiple occasions."

Patrick nodded quickly, grateful to Sam for the unknowing cover. Questions filled his head.

Why would the Cassadines care about Jace? Enough to to hire someone to pretend to be his wife and tear him away from Sam. Who the hell had Jace been before that would make Helena Cassadine- because surely Nikolas wasn't involved- want to control his recovery. And how would his growing closer to Sam impact her plans?

"Are you sure that's it?" Jace asked, watching Patrick carefully. He was sure there was more to it. Patrick looked as if he was trying to make sense of something important.

Patrick looked up in surprise. He saw Jace's expression and knew that he wasn't being careful enough.

"Yeah, I'm sure." He replied shortly. He shot Jace a look of annoyance and carefully schooled his features.

God, he's so suspicious. No wonder Sam fell for him. He's just like...Jason...oh my god. He's just like Jason.

Patrick stared at Jace in horror.

It couldn't be? Jason was dead...wasn't he? Patrick turned away from Sam and Jace quickly.

Robin had shown him the cryogenic chamber...I never saw the body...she's lied before to protect people she loved. But it can't be.

Patrick's mind spun as more and more pieces of the puzzle connected.

Jason didn't die all those years ago because the Cassadines had him. I know that for sure. What if he didn't really die earlier this year either? That would explain Sam's immediate, unexplainable connection to Jace.

It would explain why his MRI scans showed so many previous TBIs. But his prints hadn't matched...then again with the Cassadines involved, did that really matter?

But Robin told me he was dead. What if that was another trick the Cassadines forced Robin to play on him? Oh God! Are the Cassadines still forcing Robin to stay with them?

Patrick looked up, wild-eyed. Sam was staring at him with concern.

"Patrick?" She said uncertainly, taking a small step towards him. Patrick wheeled away.

I can't tell Sam until I know for sure. She'll never forgive me if she finds out I knew Jason was still alive when we went to Crichton Clark. But if I give her hope and I'm wrong? She'll be devastated and start mourning Jason all over again. I have to be sure.

"I have to go." He blurted out.

Sam stared.

"Patrick, what's going on?"

Patrick realized how suspicious he was acting and tried to cover.

"I'm sorry, Sam. I just...hearing about the Cassadines made me remember what they did to my son and Sabrina. What they've done to Robin. Look, you said it yourself, you can take care of yourself. I don't need to be here for this conversation."

Patrick didn't wait for an answer, he just turned and bolted out the door, leaving a worried Sam behind.

"What was that about?" She wondered aloud.

"I'd like to know the answer to that too." Jace said, still staring out the door.

Patrick stood outside the door and pulled up his phone, shooting out a rapid-fire text.

Robin. Tell me the truth. Is Jason dead?

...

Hayden sat in the chair, staring at Helena.

"Didn't you hear me? They have some kind of cyber wizard or something going over my story with a fine tooth comb, or whatever the cyber equivalent is." Hayden said, waving her hands wildly.

"I'm not deaf, Ms. Barnes. Of course I heard you." Helena said dismissively.

Hayden waited and when nothing further was forthcoming, she couldn't contain her outburst.

"Well? Will it hold up?"

Helena shrugged unworriedly.

"I hire only the best, so I expect we've been given the best. However, nothing is foolproof, so it's possible they will discover these are forgeries."

Hayden's eyes widened.

"Then I'm done! If I get caught, they'll charge me with fraud." Hayden saw Helena's face, and hurried on, "Look, I tried. I really did. I was cruel and hateful, using everything you taught me about them to my advantage. But it didn't work. I've done what you wanted, but if they find out I lied, my life is over."

Helena leaned forward, her eyes glinting dangerously.

"And if you stop now, your sister's life is over. Your choice"

Hayden's eyes flew to Helena, before fluttering closed, a few tears spilling down her cheeks.

I have to figure a way out of this. For me and for Nattie.

She nodded her head jerkily.

"Fine. What do you want me to do?"

Helena leaned back, a satisfied smirk on her face.

"Wise choice. Here's what I want you to do."

...

Sam shook her head and looked at Jace.

"That was weird."

"Yeah."

Sam hesitated.

"So what does all of this mean? Are you and Hayden not married?"

Jace wanted nothing more than to tell her he wasn't but he wouldn't lie to her.

"I don't know. It's looking more and more like she's lying. But I don't know if it's about being married to me or something else. Maybe we used to be married? Maybe we're divorced."

And suddenly, a feeling of terrible loss and heart-wrenching sadness streaked through him.

A woman's gentle sobs.

"Go ahead and say it...I can't."

"We need to get a divorce."

Though the voices were once again distorted, he knew instinctively that had been him. He was...he was divorced?

"I'm not married." He said to himself quietly.

"What?" Sam asked quickly, surprised.

Jace looked up at her, his eyes burning with certainty.

"I'm not married. Sam, I just had a memory of telling my wife we needed to get a divorce. I remember how much it hurt me, and how hard it was for her. She...I don't think it was Hayden. I can't quite picture her face, but I know it wasn't Hayden."

Jace stepped forward, cupping Sam's face.

"Sam, I'm not married."

Sam's eyes searched his, wanting more than anything to believe him.

"Are you sure? Jace, what if you only talked about divorce but never went through with it?"

Jace shook his head.

"Sam, what I just remembered? I've never felt pain like that before in my life. That was real. It wouldn't have hurt that badly if it hadn't been the end."

"I-I don't know what to think." Sam stammered, staring up at him.

"Hayden said we were still together when we got into an argument and I left her. But look at my ring finger. The tan line is nearly gone. My ring had to have been off for a long time for that to happen, right?"

Sam's eyes went down to her own ring finger. She'd taken off her ring only months ago, and the spot where her ring had been was still much paler than the rest of the skin.

Her eyes shot up to Jace's.

"You're right. She said you threw your ring at her before you left. That would have been almost three months ago. Well, I took my wedding ring off almost six months ago and it still looks the way it did that day."

"Sam, I'm not married." Jace repeated softly, grinning this time.

Sam automatically smiled back, but it faded quickly. She pulled away, taking a step back.

"Jace, wait. I want this to be real. More than anything, I want to know that we're free to love each other. But this memory? It's subjective. We're reaching because we want this so badly. That's all it is."

Jace stared at her, stunned. Disappointment shot through him. He knew she could be right, but she could be wrong too.

"It doesn't feel wrong being with you, Sam. Why shouldn't I reach for a way for us to be together."

Sam looked at him sadly.

"Because even if it doesn't feel wrong, it is wrong. You know for sure you were married. You know for sure you asked for a divorce. But you don't know if the divorce ever took place, and you don't think Hayden was your wife. Which means there could still be someone out there missing you."

Jace sighed heavily, shoving his hands through his hair.

"You're right. But when I'm with you, all I can think about is finding a way for us to be together. I should go."

Sam nodded sadly.

"I'm not giving up on the search for who you were, or on who Hayden Barnes really is."

"And I'm not giving up on us." Jace replied quickly.

Sam's smiled softly.

"Good."

Jace opened the door and stopped short at the sight of Hayden standing there, her hand raised to knock.

She look startled and then resolute.

"Good, you're here. I have something to tell you both."

Jace and Sam stared at her in surprise. She looked wild-eyed and determined. There was a light sheen of sweat on her forehead and her hands were trembling.

Hayden stared down at her hands, questioning herself. She wouldn't do what Helena had asked her to do. She couldn't, not even for her sister. Nattie wouldn't want her to, either.

So here she was, about to risk her and her sister's lives on the hopes that Jason Morgan really was as badass as rumor had it.

But how much should I tell them? I can't tell them he's Jason Morgan. Helena would definitely kill Nattie. But I don't have to keep hurting them.

Sam looked at Jace, and widened her eyes meaningfully. Picking up what she was saying, Jace approached Hayden slowly.

"Hayden, what did you want to tell us? It's okay. You don't have anything to worry about here."

Hayden glanced up locked eyes with Jace. Jason. Jace. She shook her head and kept her eyes on him.

"I'm not your wife."

Sam gasped in surprise but Jace just watched Hayden carefully, knowing there was more. But there was no denying the shock of relief flowing through him.

"I figured that much out." He said gently, not wanting to scare her off.

Hayden looked startled and stared at him.

"Wait, what?"

"I followed you when you left. You went to Spoon Island, instead of the Metro Court."

Hayden's eyes widened in panic and she stared between Jace and Sam. While she'd been planning to tell him some version of the truth, she had hoped to control the situation more.

Jace continued, shifting slightly until he stood between Hayden and the door. She looked ready to bolt. He noticed Sam slip quietly out of the room with concern, but focused on Hayden.

"While I was on the docks, Detective Falconeri had some interesting information that helped put some things together. Now all I need is for you to tell me why. Why are you pretending to be my wife?"

Hayden appeared to be frozen, her face pale and her hands trembling even more. And suddenly, Sam stood in front of her, offering her a cup of tea.

"Sit down, Hayden. I know you want to tell us the truth but you're scared. Don't be. Whatever it is, we'll figure it out. We'll keep you safe." Sam said gently, leading Hayden to the couch and sitting g beside her.

Hayden looked surprised but grateful and tears sprung up in her eyes. She took a small sip of tea, and closed her eyes as its warmth moved through her.

"Tell us, Hayden. Why would you pretend to be Jace's wife?"

Hayden took a deep breath and opened her eyes, meeting Sam's gaze. It was easier to talk to her than Jace.

"Because Helena Cassadine hired me to."

Sam and Jace's eyes met briefly, before Sam's gaze returned to Hayden.

"Why? Why would she do that?"

Hayden bit her lip, trying to decide how much to reveal.

"Before his accident, Jace, uh, Jace witnessed something that Helena wants kept secret. She wanted to make sure he doesn't remember."

Jace was watching Hayden carefully. He knew there was more to the story, but he didn't want to push her. Not yet.

"What is it that he witnessed?"

Hayden shook her head, genuinely unsure.

"I don't know. All I know is that whatever it is, she's desperate to keep it hidden."

Sam tucked her hair behind her ears, thinking. What the hell was Helena up to now?

"Why would you agree to something like this? Was it for money?" Jace asked suddenly.

Hayden looked up at him, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Helena has my sister. If I don't do what she says, she'll kill her. Like she killed my parents."

Sam gasped and stared at her in shocked sympathy.

"Oh, Hayden."

Jace stared at her, stunned.

"So then why are you telling us the truth now? What about your sister?" He asked quietly.

Hayden began to sob, reaching into her purse.

"Because I couldn't do what she wanted me to do. I just couldn't. Not even for my sister. And now because of me, she could die!" Hayden finished fumbling in her purse and held up a small vial.

Sam and Jace stared from Hayden to the small bottle in her hand.

"What did she want you to do?" Jason asked intently.

"What is that?" Sam asked, standing up and taking a step back automatically, as if somehow aware of how dangerous that vial was.

Hayden looked up at Sam, tears still gathering in her eyes before tumbling down her cheeks.

"It's poison. I'm supposed to put this in your drink. She wanted me to kill you."

Sam's jaw dropped as Jace cursed viciously. He strode forward quickly and snatched the vial out of Hayden's hand, tossing into the fireplace.

"She wanted you to kill me?" Sam asked in disbelief. Not because she didn't think Helena was capable of it, but because she hadn't thought she even registered on Helena's radar.

"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, Sam. Or Danny. I promise." Jace vowed fiercely.

Sam glanced up at him and seeing the truth in his eyes, nodded gratefully.

"I don't understand. What could I possibly know that would be worth killing Sam to protect?" Jace asked in frustration, slamming his hand onto the hearth.

Hayden jumped and looked up at them.

"I don't know."

"But you must know who Jace really is, don't you? Please, you have to tell us." Sam burst out suddenly as the thought finally occurred to her.

Hayden looked away, knowing if she revealed Jace's real identity, she was signing her sister's death warrant.

"No, I don't." Hayden replied softly, avoiding their eyes.

Sam couldn't hide her disappointment as she looked down at her hands. She had hoped that Hayden could finally give Jace and her the answers they were seeking.

Jace reached down and squeezed Sam's shoulder gently. He felt her disappointment keenly, as he felt the same.

He crouched down in front of her, her hands in his grasp.

"Sam. I'm going to find out who I am, and then we can be together. Trust me."

Hayden watched them and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "But you can be together now!"

Sam and Jace turned to face her.

"What do you mean?" Sam asked quickly.

"So you do know who I am." Jace said accusatorily.

"She'll kill my sister! Please, I'm begging you. Let this go until I figure out a way to save my sister."

Sam opened her mouth to argue but Jace put a hand out.

"It's okay, Sam. I can wait a little longer to find out who I am. But I can't wait to be with you. So if Hayden is saying she knows of a reason why we should be together, I want to hear it."

"I can't tell you who you are, but I can promise you this; Jace, there is nothing to stop you from being with Sam. No other woman, no other child, no other relationship exists that will stop you from being with Sam and Danny." Hayden chose her words cautiously, careful not to reveal too much.

Jace stared at Hayden, scared to believe her. Sam reached out and grabbed Hayden's arms.

"How can we believe you? You've lied about everything else." Sam argued, her pulse racing at even the possibility of Hayden's words being true.

Hayden looked into Sam's eyes, understanding her resistance.

"I know. And I'm sorry. But I'm telling you the truth now. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore. I just want my sister back. And from everything I've learned, you and Jace have the resources to help me save her. So please, believe what I'm saying. And help me."

Sincerity was etched on Hayden's face and Sam couldn't help but believe her. Sam smiled suddenly, happiness lighting her up from the inside out

"Then we'll help you save your sister." Sam promised before aiming her smile at a grinning Jace.

"She's right. We'll do everything we can to save your sister."

"Helena can't know that you know the truth. The only way she'll drop this assassination plot is if she thinks you're not a threat anymore." Hayden warned her.

Sam thought for a moment.

"Then we'll have to let her think that we believe your story. We'll play along in public so she has no reason to doubt you or hurt your sister." Sam suggested. Jace was watching her carefully.

"Sam, I don't want you to be hurt by this anymore than you already have. If people learn I'm supposedly married-." Jace began but Sam cut him off.

"They'll what? Say mean things to me?" Sam walked towards him and cupped his face.

"Jace, I don't care what anyone thinks. What hurt me was the thought of you being married and us not being together. I don't care if we can't be together in public. We'll have that eventually."

Jace's eyes were studying hers before he simply laid his forehead against hers, his arms looping around her waist.

Hayden looked away, feeling as if she were intruding.

Sam smiled up at Jace before stepping out of his arms and towards Hayden.

"So how are you going to explain to Helena why I'm still alive. It's not like I can go into hiding. Danny's with my mother tonight, but he's going to come home tomorrow and I won't drag my son into a dangerous situation."

Jace's face clouded over as he recalled his earlier fears. Being with him would put both Sam and Danny in danger.

Hayden pulled out her phone.

"I have an idea of how to reassure Helena and get rid of any lingering doubts you may have about what I said about you two being free to be together."

Sam glanced over at Jace briefly, but gaze shot back to his when she saw the expression on his face. Her jaw tightened but she decided what she wanted to say could wait until they were alone. She knew that expression. She'd seen it far too many times before and she'd be damned if she was going to let Jace do what she thought he was.

She looked away reluctantly as Hayden started speaking.

"Helena, it's me."

"Is it done?"

"No."

"Excuse me?" Helena's voice was deadly for all its quietness.

"I didn't have to! Sam's supposed cyber genius came up blank. They couldn't disprove the documents you provided. My husband and I have officially been reunited."

"Excellent. Hold on to that vial. We may still have need of it."

Hayden's eyes widened as she looked at Sam in a panic.

"Why would I still need to kill Sam?" At her question, Jace took a protective step towards Sam.

"Helena, if Sam dies now, it will just bring more attention on me and Jace. And didn't you tell me her father was the head of a huge mob organization? He won't rest until he finds out who killed his daughter. And her lawyer mother won't either. It would be a huge mis-." Hayden said quickly but was cut off by Helena.

"Enough! You've made your point. No need to blather on endlessly. But be warned, Ms. Barnes. I am not one to be trifled with. If I find out you're lying to me, you will wake up with my knife over your throat and will only live just long enough to see your sister's dead body lying beside you."

Hayden went deathly pale, her hands starting to tremble again.

"I-I-I understand. I won't betray you. Jace and Sam won't learn from me who he really is. Or that there's nothing or no one standing in the way of them being together." Hayden shot a look at Sam, whose eyes had fluttered closed at her words, a single tear spilling down her cheek.

"Very well. I expect you'll be moving in with our dear Mr. Morgan now."

Hayden's eyes shot around but neither Sam nor Jace had seemed to hear Helena. Still, Hayden surreptitiously clicked the volume button so that Helena's voice wouldn't travel beyond her own ear.

"Move in with him? We-uh, we haven't gotten that far yet."

Jace and Sam's eyes shot to hers in surprise.

"Oh, he's coming back! I have to go, Helena. I'll check back in with you at our next appointed time."

"See that you do."

Hayden hung up quickly, looking up at Jace.

Jace sighed.

"I should have expected this. If we're going to sell this, we're going to have to make it believable. You can stay in one of the guestrooms in the penthouse. If it's okay with Sam, of course." He turned to Sam, who nodded.

"Of course. Jace is right. If we're going to make Helena buy this story long enough for us to figure out how to save your sister, it needs to look real. So you should move in with Jace. And in the meantime, I know just who to call to help us find out where Helena is keeping your sister." Sam said with a sly smile.

Hayden's eyes widened and she leaned forward, clutching Sam's arm.

"Who?"

"My cousin. Nikolas Cassadine."

"You're a Cassadine?!" Jace blurted out in horror, making Sam laugh.

"Barely, but yes. My mother is Helena's husband's bastard daughter. Anyways, my cousin is nothing like the rest of the Cassadines. He's good and decent and you can always count on him. He's been away with his son for the past few months, but I'm sure he'd be interested to know his grandmother has taken up residence at Wyndemere in his absence." Sam smirked, knowing without a doubt that she could count on her cousin for help.

"What could he possibly do to help me or my sister?" Hayden asked, scared to hope.

Sam leaned forward and reached out to hold Hayden's hand.

"Hayden, Nikolas is extremely powerful and extremely kind. When he finds out what Helena's doing, he'll help us. I'm really close to my cousin, so he'll be furious when he finds out Helena wanted you to kill me. Trust me. He'll help us."

Hayden began to cry quietly.

"Thank you, Sam. Thank you so much. I was horrible to you. I hurt you and lied to you and Jace and you're still trying to help me. I don't deserve it."

Sam smiled.

"I did a lot of things I wasn't proud of to help my brother when I was younger. I can understand that desperation. I might want to kick your ass a little, but I understand."

Hayden laughed a little.

"I like you, Sam Morgan."

Sam grinned.

"Well, I won't go that far yet, Hayden Barnes. Baby steps."

Hayden laughed again and nodded, mopping up her tears. She looked up at Jace.

"You're a lucky guy. I'm going to go over to the penthouse, if that's okay. I need to process what just happened, and I think you guys could use a little privacy."

Jace nodded, handing her his keys.

"Thank you, Hayden. For telling us the truth."

"Thanks for wanting to help me, despite the pain I caused you."

Hayden stood and with a small wave, left Sam and Jace alone.

Jace and Sam stared at each other wordlessly, a thousand words unspoken in the silence. The tension in the room mounted, almost unbearably, as they reveled in the fact that they were finally free to be together.

Jace spoke first.

"Sam, I can't tell you how sorry I am that whatever's in my past hurt you. And there are no words to explain how it feels to know that we're free to love each other and see where this relationship could go."

Sam was watching him.

"So why do I feel like you're pulling away from me?"

Jace sighed and pinched the bridge of the nose.

"Sam, you heard Hayden. Helena was willing to kill you to keep from me from learning who I am and what she's trying to hide. How can I ask you to put yourself and Danny in danger?"

Sam pushed her hair out of her face.

"You're not asking me and I would never put Danny in a dangerous situation. We will be careful but I'm not letting that hateful old bitch keep me from being happy."

Jace stared at her, unsure.

"You said you love me. Did you mean it?"

Jace looked at her startled.

"Of course I meant it."

"And I love you too. So be with me, Jace."

As soon as Sam said that she loved him, Jace knew he was fighting a losing battle, and suddenly he didn't want to fight anymore.

And then they were in each other's arms, clinging to each other, their mouths fused together in desperation and hunger. Jace pulled back a moment, his hands gently tracing her face.

"Sam?" He asked quietly. Sam looked up at him, and nodded quickly, she pulled him back down to her, kissing him passionately. Without hesitation, Jace sank back into the kiss and with a sudden move, he swept Sam up into his arms and climbed the stairs.