A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a bit, but I hope this chapter is worth it. BIG stuff is happening. Things are really going to pick up and start moving fast. I know I've kept the story focused on Jasam, while weaving other characters in and out. I had planned to write stories for other characters but I realized that I really wanted the focus on Jasam. So the other characters' storylines will play out on Offscreen GH and I'll just refer to them as if you actually watched them. Just go with me lol.

Anyways, in this chapter, Sam is fighting for her son's life when her world is turned upside down. And Jace does something that could change everything. As always, thank you SO much for all the great reviews and support. I appreciate it more than you know. Keep reviewing, please. I love reading your thoughts and opinions.

Happy reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 34

The handsome man with the chestnut hair lay unconscious, strapped to the bed in the sterile, barren room. A petite, brunette beauty checked his chart, sadness and regret shining in her golden brown eyes.

Tears welled in her eyes but she shook her head impatiently, blinking them back and clearing her throat. Crying wouldn't help them now.

"Honey, I'm so sorry I got you into this. I never should have let you get dragged into all of this. If I hadn't been so selfish, so desperate to see you again, I would have replied differently when you asked me about Jason." The woman reached out and clasped his hand, bringing it to her lips and pressing a gentle kiss to it.

"I should have brushed you off and said you were being ridiculous. Instead, I was deliberately vague in the hopes you would figure it out and go to my mom for help. I never dreamed Helena would be monitoring my texts. I was so stupid."

"Well now, that is the first intelligent thing you've said in months, my dear Robin." Helena's sneering drawl came from behind her, sending Robin spinning around, her body positioned protectively in front of Patrick's still form.

Helena noticed and let out a chilling chuckle.

"Please, if I wanted Dr. Drake dead, he already would be. But I do so hate to rid the world of such a delectable specimen of a man. It would be such a terrible waste."

Robin stiffened, hatred seeping through her veins.

"Let him go, Helena. I've done everything you've asked of me. Everything! I am missing my daughter's entire childhood because of you. She needs her father! Please!" Robin pleaded angrily, wishing desperately that she had a weapon if some kind. Her oath as a doctor had always made the idea of causing physical harm to someone abhorrent to her, but she would make an exception for Helena.

"Not quite everything." Helena replied bitingly.

Robin felt her stomach tighten.

"I am doing everything I can to bring Stavros back! I'm so close. But what you're asking of me now is impossible. I can't bring back someone who is already dead, especially who has been dead for decades."

Helena's face became fearsome in its wrath.

"You WILL bring back my Mikkos, or your entire family will suffer my wrath. Including your precious little Emma."

Fear shot through Robin and she stepped forward, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Helena, please see reason. You're asking me to perform a miracle! You found Stavros at the brink of death and were only able to keep him alive by putting his body in stasis in the cryogenic chamber. But Mikkos is nothing but a rotting corpse now and-."

The slap echoed around the room and sent Robin stumbling back against the bed. Helena may look old and fragile but there was nothing weak about her.

She leaned over Robin and her voice shook with quiet rage, her eyes showing a hint of the insanity she kept so carefully hidden.

"You insolent bitch! You will bring my Mikkos back to me, whole and healthy or I swear before God that I will maim every single member of your family and have them begging for death."

Robin nodded her head jerkily, knowing there was no reasoning with Helena. Hopelessness had taken up residence in her heart long ago, but Robin would never stop fighting to save her family. Even if it meant she would turn into a mad scientist in the attempt to bring back Mikkos Cassadine.

Helena spun on her heel and slammed the door behind her, the sound of the lock falling into place echoing through the room.

"She's insane."

Robin's head snapped up and met Patrick's glazed eyes.

"Patrick!" Robin climbed to her feet and leaned over Patrick, running her hands over his face.

Patrick's eyes dropped to Robin's cheekbone, where a drop of blood welled from the tiny slice one of Helena's rings had made.

"I'll kill that bitch." Patrick said heatedly, struggling to sit up. A wave of dizziness swept over him and he groaned, not struggling as Robin pushed him back down.

"Patrick, stop. You need to rest. They've kept you sedated for over a week. Besides, we're trapped and no one knows where we are. We're not exactly at an advantage here."

Patrick grinned weakly, surprising Robin.

"We're at more of an advantage than you'd think. When I realized what was happening and Helena's involvement, I made arrangements for certain information to be delivered to a couple of people I trust. We're not as alone as you might think."

Robin stared at him for a moment before her eyes widened in appreciation.

"Patrick, you're brilliant!"

Patrick's grin faded.

"Yeah, well I wasn't smart enough to realize that my wife didn't leave of her own free will." He said bitterly.

Robin's own smile faded as she reached out to hold Patrick's hand.

"Patrick, stop. You-"

"Don't! I should have known you would never leave me like that. My God, you would never leave Emma that way! I know you better than that. So how could I believe that? How could I not go after you?"

Robin could see the torment and self-recrimination in his eyes, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. She would never admit it, but at her darkest, most bitter moments, she'd had those same thoughts. But in the end, she was always forced to admit that the ones truly at fault were Helena and herself.

She never should have left her family to save Jason. She should have known a Cassadine couldn't be trusted. At the very least, she should have confided the truth in her mother. Maybe she could have saved Jason and herself.

"Patrick, you did nothing wrong. This is all Helena's fault. And mine. I never should have left to save Jason. I should have chosen you and our daughter. It's the biggest regret of my life. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She said tearfully, starting to pull away.

But Patrick stopped her, pulling her close to him and down onto his arms. She tumbled against his chest and looked up into his eyes.

"We've wasted enough time, Robin. I've never stopped loving you, even when I thought I hated you for leaving. And we're together now. We just need to get to Emma."

"You're right. Even if we're stuck in this hellhole, at least we're together."

Patrick grinned and as his heart slammed against his chest, it felt as if was beating for the first time since the day Robin walked out the door. His eyes dropped to her lips, and Robin's breath caught. Her gaze dropped to his mouth as well and she licked her lips, remembering how it used to feel against her own. And then they were kissing, longing making it hot and desperate.

"Well, isn't this sickeningly touching?" Helena drawled from the doorway, flanked by two huge thugs.

Robin and Patrick broke apart at the sound of Helena's voice, Robin splaying herself in front of Patrick protectively. Patrick struggled past the pain in his head and dizziness to throw his arms out to cover Robin.

"Please. This display of courage is pathetic. Take her out of here." Helena ordered with a smirk.

"Robin, no!" Patrick shouted as Robin was seized and dragged from the room.

"No! Please! Patrick!" Robin screamed, struggling futilely. Patrick's eyes burned with I shed tears as Robin disappeared around the corner. He struggled out of the bed only to be overcome by a wave of dizziness and crash to his knees in front of Helena.

"Like I said. Pathetic. Amusing, but pathetic." Helena said in disgust. She put one tiny, heeled foot against his shoulder and shoved him backwards.

As the room swam in front of his eyes, Patrick lay on the ground gripping his pounding skull. Helena's blurry face leaned over him.

"You should have minded your own business, Dr. Drake. If you had, you would be with your daughter right now, instead of a prisoner on my island."

As darkness claimed him, Helena straightened and walked away, the door slamming shut with a crash.

"Robin." Patrick whispered before giving succumbing to the pain.

…

Sam held Danny in her lap as she rocked back and forth in the chair by his bed. It had been nearly a week since Danny's cancer recurrence had been announced. Silas had explained that the leukemia was more aggressive this time, so they would have to be more aggressive with his treatment too. He had immediately started Danny on a round of chemotherapy. However, Danny needed another bone marrow transplant but with Julian in prison, they couldn't depend on him to be Danny's donor again. Alexis was fighting with the courts to get him freed so he could donate again.

Sam closed her eyes, struggling to find her balance. Every time she thought she had found the strength to keep fighting, she lost it. Watching her son go through this battle again felt as if it was slowly killing her. Danny was older now and was able to understand how sick he was. He was also able to tell Sam how poorly he felt, which made it both better and worse for Sam.

It helped her care for him better because he could tell her when he felt nauseous or dizzy or anything. But it also broke her heart in indescribable ways to hear his little voice hoarse with pain, or crack with tears.

He'd just had his treatment and had been horribly sick afterwards. To make things worse, he appeared to be coming down with a cold, so there was the fear of pneumonia. He's been fussy and miserable, but had finally fallen asleep from exhaustion in Sam's arms.

"Do you want me to put him in the bed?"

Sam glanced up to see Jace standing in the door. Tears blurred her vision as she shook her head quickly.

"No, I want to hold him. I feel like if I let him go, he'll disappear. He's losing weight, Jace. He's fading away right of me and I can't stop it. It's only been a week but he's already had so many setbacks. Jace, I can't lose him." Sam cried out softly, her shoulders shaking as she wept softly.

Jace stared down at the woman he loved and the beautiful little boy in her arms. He wanted to rage at the heavens for doing this. Every time he looked at Danny, Jace felt a deep connection, as if he knew he would die for this little boy. And watching him fighting for his life, Jace would give anything to trade places with him.

Jace crouched down in front of Sam, placing one hand over hers and the other on Danny's back.

"We're not going to lose him, Sam. I swear to God, I will do whatever I have to do to get Danny and you through this. I love you both too much to lose you."

He squeezed her hand.

"I just went and got tested to be a donor for Danny."

Sam's eyes shot to his. Jace anticipated her reply before she could say it.

"I know the doctors said the odds of a nonfamily member being a match are a million to one but I had to try. Sam, I love that little boy as much as I love you. I can't sit here and do nothing."

Sam stared at Jace, overwhelmed with love and gratitude. Her shoulders shook as she tried to quiet her cries. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, taking a deep breath. She was so grateful for Jace's support. Every time she felt like she would crumble, he would prop her up. She thought she had loved him before. But now? Seeing the love he had for her son, his commitment to getting Danny well? She knew, she would never stop loving him.

"Thank you." She whispered, unable to say all the things she wanted to say. But Jace seemed to understand and with a small smile, he nodded.

There was a knock on the door and then Alexis, Molly, and Kristina were filing into the room. Seeing the tears on Sam's face, Alexis' own complexion went pale.

"Oh God, Danny. What is it? What happened?" She asked anxiously. Krissy and Molly waited nervously for Sam's reply. Sam sniffed and shook her head.

"Nothing's wrong." She shook her head ruefully. "Well, nothing new is wrong. Danny's the same."

"Then why are you crying?" Kristina asked, her voice going hard and her eyes shooting to Jace in accusation.

Sam smiled softly, amused by her sister's overprotective nature.

"You just caught me at a weak moment. Danny had a rough day and I was just telling Jace how scared I am."

Jace straightened and backed away.

"I'm going to give you ladies some privacy. I'll be back."

"Yeah, wouldn't want to keep your wife waiting." Kristina snapped, staring at him pointedly.

"Yes, do give your wife our regards." Molly said in a saccharine sweet voice that dropped with sarcasm.

Sam shot Jace a look of apology.

Despite everything going on, they still had to keep up appearances so that Helena wouldn't suspect Hayden had told them the truth.

In fact, Hayden had joined Jace on more than a few visits to the hospital to present a united front. In reality, she only stayed a few minutes before excusing herself to give Sam and Jace privacy. She usually met with Nikolas to work on their search for her sister.

It was odd, though. The first time Alexis had met Hayden, she had gone deathly White and swayed on the spot. When Sam had asked her what was wrong, she hadn't answered. Sam had to repeat herself several times before Alexis jumped and turned to face her. Sam had been surprised to see tears in her eyes.

Alexis had brushed it off, claiming Hayden had just reminded her of someone from her past. Hayden hadn't seemed to recognize her though.

Her thoughts coming back to the present, she heard her motherask in an odd voice.

"Is, um, is your wife here? In the hospital?"

Kristina shot her a look of annoyed bemusement and saved Jace from having to answer.

"Mom, who cares?" She turned to Jace. "You know, don't feel like you have to come back. We'll take care of Sam."

Jace simply nodded and with a long, meaningful look at Sam, he left the room.

Sam glared at her sisters.

"I wish you guys wouldn't be so hard on him. He lost his memory. It's not as if he knew he had a wife when we started seeing each other." She said in his defense.

Molly was staring at doorway with a thoughtful look on her face. She turned to Sam and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You know, for someone who just found out he's married and is supposedly determined to stay with his wife, he doesn't act like it. He stares at you as if you're his entire world."

Sam blushed and looked away, though she couldn't deny it felt good to hear that.

Kristina pursed her lips.

"It's kinda hard to hate the guy when it's obvious he's still head over heels for you." She added.

"Good. Don't hate him. He's good to me and he loves Danny. And I need him right now." Sam pleaded. She turned to her mother.

"Mom, what's going on? What's with this fascination with Hayden?"

Alexis looked as if she wanted to speak, but just shook her head.

"It's nothing."

Molly watched her mother thoughtfully, before shaking it off. She'd grill her mom later.

"Anyways, Kristina was right when she said we would take care of you. That's actually why we came today."

Sam looked at them in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Alexis finally shook off her muddled thoughts and stepped forward to brush the hair away from Sam's face.

"You need a break, Sam. You've been in the hospital with Danny since he was admitted. Go home, take a shower and put on some fresh clothes. We'll stay with Danny."

Sam looked down at Danny before shaking her head.

"I don't want to leave him. I'm terrified that I'll leave and something will happen. I can't."

Alexis' heart ached for her daughter.

"Sweetheart, I know you're scared. But Danny's going to be okay. I promise. We won't leave his side."

"Mom's right. Sam, you're exhausted. And you need to eat. You've lost weight and you're Tony enough as it is." Kristina added.

"You know how much we all love Danny. You can trust us with him." Molly added. "I promise we'll call you as soon as he wakes up."

Sam hesitated but knew they were right. She was no good to Danny if she collapsed from hunger and exhaustion. Sighing, she nodded.

"Okay. You're right. I'll go home."

Sam stood with Danny in her arms and pressed a kiss against the top of his head, before moving him to the hospital bed. He didn't stir at all. Taking a deep breath to keep herself from dissolving into tears again, Sam straightened.

"Call me when he wakes up. Don't forget!" She reminded them, walking reluctantly towards the door.

"We won't. Carly sent a driver for you. They're waiting downstairs."

Sam lifted a brow.

"We're all worried about you. It was Carly's idea. She doesn't think you're in any shape to drive andfor once, I happen to agree with her." Alexis explained.

Sam sighed and with a last look at her baby boy, she turned to leave.

"Oh, Sam, wait!" Alexis called out. Sam stopped and looked back at her mother askance. Alexis was digging through her bag. Finally, she pulled out an envelope and held it out to Sam.

"This was delivered to my office yesterday. It's for you, so I didn't open it." She said, curiosity burning in her eyes.

Sam took the envelope, too exhausted to look at it.

"Thanks, Mom. I'll look at it later." She said drowsily. Sam made her way down the hall and to the elevator. During the short ride down to the parking garage, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes briefly.

The ding of the elevator sent her lids snapping open, and she realized she'd dozed off, standing in the elevator. Suddenly grateful Carly had the forewithal to send a car, Sam climbed into the back and leaned against the seat tiredly. The envelope slipped from her hand and she shook herself. Leaning overc she scooped it up and tossed it on the seat beside her. She started to doze off, her eyes slipping closed when she happened to glance down at the envelope. She bolted upright, her heart speeding up when she saw the handwriting.

"It's from Patrick!"

Snatching up the envelope, Sam ripped it open and hurriedly pulled out the letter inside.

Her eyes widened, filling with tears as she read, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.

"Oh my God." She whispered.

Sam,

If you're receiving this letter, something's happened to me. If that's the case, then I know my suspicions are right. Before I tell you what they are, though, there's something else I have to tell you.

Something that could ruin our friendship forever. It's part of the reason I've kept this secret for so long. I couldn't bear to lose you. But it was also because I wanted to spare you the pain.

Sam, Jason didn't die in the harbor three years ago. He was found, clinging to life and taken to a clinic where they. were able to keep him alive. But he was dying, and they knew they couldn't save him, so they called in an expert. Robin.

You see, Robin didn't leave Emma and I to go to Africa. The people who found Jason asked her to go work for them, and in return, she could save Jason's life. So she went. And I was so mad and so hurt, because she didn't choose Emma and I. But she said that Jason had risked his life to save hers more often than she could count and she owed him the chance to be reunited with his family. Robin made me give her my word I wouldn't tell anyone about Jason. Not even you. I refused at first, because I didn't want to lie to you. You were already becoming my best friend. But then I realized that if Jason didn't make it, you would have to grieve all over again. And you had finally started to find happiness with Silas. So I kept Robin's secret and it killed me every day.

They were at Crichton Clark, Sam. When you and I were there, Jason was there with Robin. But she told me he didn't survive the experimental procedure to save him and I knew I was right to keep her secret. You would have lost him all over again. I didn't want to cause you more pain. Please believe that I thought I was sparing you.

Sam, I know I betrayed your trust and if you can never forgive me, I understand. But I need you to know how much I value your friendship. And more than that, how very sorry I am. But I need you to find me, Sam. If not for me, then for Emma. Because she's in danger. We're all in danger.

Because what I didn't know was that the people who found Jason, who brought Robin in? It was the Cassadines, Sam.

Which brings me to the reason I'm missing or dead. Because I began to suspect that Jason didn't die after all. In fact, I think he's right here in Port Charles. I think there's a reason you felt an instant connection to Jace, Sam.

He's Jason, Sam. I think Jace is Jason.