A/N: Here we go! Time to get this story moving along. I know it's taking me a while to post, so I appreciate everyone's patience. GH is just so unbearable for me to watch lately, that I have no motivation for this story anymore. There's not even anything wrong with Jasam that I feel the desperate need to fix or anything. It's just boring, nonsensical stories. Ugh.

Anyways, I finally figured out how I wanted to move the story along, and it starts in this chapter. I do a lot of jumping around to take us from scene to scene, moment to moment. I hope you enjoy the ride. Again and as always, thank you so much for the encouraging words. Especially on Twitter, I get A LOT of love and messages asking for updates. I hear and read every comment and review on here and any other site I post on, and I'm SO beyond grateful to all of you. Thank you.

Side note: Please forgive any spelling errors. I'm usually careful and thorough with my spell and grammar check before posting but I'm exhausted, I have to get up in 4 hours, and I really just wanted to get this out tonight so I said fuck it lol. Sorry!

Happy Reading!

Jen

buttercup0303

Chapter 41

"Catch me, Daddy!"

Jason grinned like he always did at the sound of the word "Daddy" slipping so easily from Danny's lips. Sam and he had worried about how Danny would adjust now that he was healthy and completely lucid. But their fears had been for nothing, because Danny seemed thrilled that his 'fwend' was really his dad. His heart light, Jason shot forward after his son, Danny's small legs pumping as he barrelled across the playground. Jason caught up and scooped Danny up into his arms before tossing him high, to Danny's delight.

Sam couldn't help the little catch of breath as Danny flew up, but she just smiled and watched as Jason caught him and pulled him close for a hug. She giggled a little as Danny made a face and wiggled free, giving Jason a stern look as if to say, "Be cool, Dad."

It had been three months since Danny was given a clean bill of health. And since Jason had officially moved back into their penthouse. And three months since Helena had fallen off the face of the Earth, with Patrick, Robin, and Hayden's sister. The smile fell from her face as the thought occurred to her.

Hayden moved in with Alexis so she could get to know her, but Sam knew it was also a way for Hayden to keep her mind off of her fear for her sister. Sam had started working with Spinelli in earnest to help locate Helena and she knew they were getting close. She hadn't said anything to Jason, but she was going to change that today.

Sam took a deep breath when she saw Monica walk over to Jason and Danny. She smiled brightly as Danny took off towards her, throwing himself into her arms. She held him tightly, pressing endless kisses against his head, not wanting to let him go. It would be the first night he spent away from them since his second battle with cancer. Jason raised an eyebrow over Monica and Danny's head, since she hadn't told him about her plan to have Danny spend a few days with his grandmother.

They made small talk with Monica before watching her walk off with Danny, the two of them bouncing with excitement at the prospect of a sleepover. Jason sat down on the bench and pulled Sam down beside him.

"Why didn't you tell me Monica was going to pick up Danny?" He asked curiously.

Sam turned to face him.

"Because I wasn't sure how you would feel about the reason why."

Jason just watched her and Sam smiled a little. Memory or not, he was still her Jason.

"I know you don't remember this, but we were never the sit at home and bake pie kind of couple. And I was never Suzy Homemaker. I love our life and I love our son and I would never do anything to risk the life we've built together." She hesitated.

"But…?" Jason prodded gently. Sam sighed and looked into his eyes.

"But I can't change who I am. And I don't think you can either. That thrill, that rush of living life on the edge? I need that. I'm not saying I want to take unnecessary risks. Of course not; we have our child to think of. And I get most of that rush from my PI firm. But there are times when you have to act, and I think now is one of those times." She said in an impassioned burst, her eyes pleading for understanding.

And to her great relief, she could see it in Jason's eyes before he spoke.

"You're talking about Helena." It wasn't a question, but Sam nodded anyway.

"I happen to agree with you. It's taken too long for them to catch Helena. It's time to take action. She stole years of my life and I want her to pay for it. I don't think she will unless I get involved."

"Unless we get involved." Sam corrected quickly. Jason paused and Sam's stomach sank. She'd thought he'd understood that she needed to be involved in this.

"Sam, I don't want you to get hurt."

"She stole two years of my life too. I raised our son alone for two years because of that old witch. And I'm sure as hell not going to sit at home and wait for you by the fires while you put your life at risk." She said angrily.

Jason shook his head. He couldn't lose her. He'd just gotten their life back. There was no way he was going to lose it now.

"Sam, our son just beat cancer. He needs you now more than ever. How could you even consider leaving him now? Is the thrill of adventure more important than Danny?" He stiffened with regret the moment the words came out but it was too late. He could see the color leech from Sam's face and cursed himself. He'd wanted to keep her safe, not hurt her.

Sam reared back in shock.

"Don't do that, Jason. Don't you dare use our son to make me feel guilty for wanting to fight for our family. Because we will never be safe as long as Helena is out there. You know that. Our son needs both of us, Jason." Hurt, Sam stood up and walked a few feet away. She blinked back the tears that sprung up. Jason was saying out loud every doubt, every self-recrimination she'd had once she'd decided she wanted to help find Helena. It hurt to hear him repeat it.

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose, remorse flooding him.

"Damn it." He muttered, standing up and coming up behind Sam. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, wincing when she remained stiff as a board.

"Sam, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that and I shouldn't have said it. It was a dick move. I was just trying to convince you to stay home and, I don't know, I was desperate. I was lost for so long until I found out who I was. I had just found you and Danny when we almost lost him. And now this? I don't want to lose you, Sam. I can't lose you. I love you too much. I need you too much."

Sam sighed and turned in his arms to look at up at her husband. He was so different and yet, the same.

"Baby, I love you and need you just as much as you need me. Do you think I could just sit at home and wonder if you're going to come home to me? I did that once, and it was torture. And you didn't come home!" Sam's voice broke as she spoke her fears aloud.

"I can't go through that again, Jason. It would break me. I have to go with you. I need to be there, because if I'm there then I know that I will do everything I can to bring you home with me when it's over. I won't sit and wonder if I've lost you again. We do this together, or we don't do it at all."

Jason stared down into her eyes, and reached out to gently wipe away the tears that had escaped. He nodded slowly.

"Okay. We do this together."

…

Three Days Later…

"Sam? What's going on?" Nikolas listened for a moment before a wide grin stretched across his face. He rubbed a hand over the growing stubble on his jaw as he listened.

"Okay. We'll meet you there." He hung up the phone and started laughing.

Anna and Robert looked up in curiosity.

Nikolas turned to them and held his hands out, palms facing up.

"It seems my lovely cousin, Samantha, and her resourceful husband, Jason, have decided to become involved in our hunt."

Anna's eyes brightened.

"They have?"

Nikolas nodded, his smile growing wider.

"And they've found her. Looks like we're going to Tuscany."

…

Sam stood on the balcony of their luxury hotel suite in the Tuscan countryside, her head tilted back as she let herself enjoy the weather for a moment. The wind was crisp, the sky blue, and the day was perfect for an adventure. Sam could feel her blood pumping through her veins, the exhilaration and thrill of the hunt sending a tingle of electricity over her skin. They were finally going to rid themselves of Helena Cassadine. She bent over at the waist and scooped her hair up into a knot on the top of her head, though a few stray strands escaped to curl loosely around her face.

Just then, strong arms came up from behind her and yanked her backwards against a hard body. Two large hands crept up and cupped her full breasts and she looked over her shoulders with a wicked grin.

"You know, my husband is a very possessive man."

Jason grinned down at her, but his eyes were full of heat.

"He's a very lucky man to have a sexy, stunning wife like you. Especially in that outfit." His eyes drifted over her body lazily.

Sam was clad head to toe in a black, skintight catsuit that hugged every curve. Her legs were encased in thigh high flat soles boots, and she had a loose belt where her daggers were stored.

"You like?" She teased with a smirk.

Jason nodded lazily.

"Hell yeah. When this is all over, promise me you'll wear this for me again."

Sam laughed and nodded.

"I can't wait for you to peel it off of me the next time I wear it."

Jason's blue eyes went hazy with desire as he spun her around and hiked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist automatically.

"On second thought, let's not wait. I don't want you to wear this in front of anyone but me." His hands were already busy, wandering up and down her lush curves.

Breathless, Sam nodded.

"What are you waiting for?"

With a grin, Jason covered her mouth with his and dragged her towards the bed.

….

Sam and Jason stood side by side, each clad in jeans and a black t-shirt, small smiles on their face as they watched Anna, Robert, and Nikolas approach their waiting car.

"Cousin. Jason." Nikolas greeted them formally, though he did drop an affectionate kiss on Sam's cheek.

"Sam, Jason, thank you for joining our hunt." Anna said quickly.

"How accurate is your information on Helena's location?" Robert didn't waste time on niceties.

Sam reached behind her into the car and pulled out a photo, handing it to Robert.

Anna gasped and snatched the picture from him.

"100%. They're there right now." Sam replied.

"How recent was this picture taken?" Anna asked quickly.

"This morning. Sam and I did a little recon while we waited for you to arrive. Are your people in position? Helena's not going to make this easy for us."

Anna dragged her eyes away from the photo of Robin and nodded.

"They arrived shortly before we did. They're in position."

"Good. Let's go get our daughter." Robert said abruptly, though his eyes were also on the photo of Robin.

Anna and Robert moved quickly, Nikolas right behind them.

"Wait!"

Nikolas spun around as a tiny, blur ran towards him, throwing herself at him. His arms opened automatically as he caught Hayden, his hands gripping her waist.

"Hayden, what are you doing here? How did you know where to come?" He asked anxiously, ignoring the thrill of happiness seeing her beautiful face brought him because it was followed by a shiver of fear at her being so close to Helena's reach.

Hayden glanced at Sam guiltily.

"I told her." Sam said defiantly as Nikolas stared at her in accusation.

"She has just as much right to be a part of this as you do, Nikolas. It's her sister's life at risk. You never should've shut her out in the first place."

Hayden smiled gratefully at Sam. Nikolas opened his mouth to snarl at Sam. But Jason's stony glare made Nikolas bite his tongue as he shook his head in frustration and turned back to Hayden.

"It's dangerous, Hayden. Please, wait for us at the hotel."

Hayden shook her head, reaching up to cup Nikolas' face.

"I can't do that. Nik, I appreciate everything you've done for me more than you'll ever know. But Sam is right. Nattie is my sister and I have to be there when you go to rescue her. Please try to understand."

Nikolas sighed, his jaw clenched as he fought an internal battle with himself before nodding shortly. Hayden smiled and pulled him towards the waiting van.

Sam smiled up at Jason.

"Are you going to growl at every person who looks at me sideways, even if they're family?" She teased, bumping her hip against him.

Jason looked down at her indignantly.

"I didn't growl."

She laughed.

"You definitely did. But it was cute."

Jason rolled his eyes but then dropped a quick kiss onto Sam's lips.

"I didn't growl. But yeah, pretty much."

Sam laughed as he pulled her after him as they joined the others.

…

Jason lay on the grassy knoll just above the sprawling villa below them, his binoculars scanning the grounds. He held up one hand and began making seemingly random symbols with his fingers. Nikolas rolled his eyes and glanced at Sam, but stopped, surprised by how carefully she was watching Jason's hand. She glanced up at him and smiled at his expression, before looking around at the others all huddled nearby.

"Jason's spotted twenty-five guards total, six walking the outer perimeter, two posted at each door with four visible entrances, four snipers on the roof, two guarding the front entrance, and five circling the inner perimeter. Not accounting for any guards we can't see from this vantage point." She explained matter of factly as Nikolas and Hayden gaped. Jason glanced back at Sam and grinned and she winked at him.

Anna and Robert seemed to take it in stride, though Robert looked slightly impressed. Anna bellied up beside Jason and pulled a large duffel bag up beside her. Jason did the same. Robert glanced back at Sam.

"You two make a helluva team."

She smiled.

"Hell yeah we do."

Robert chuckled. Suddenly, two simultaneous muffled shots sounded from behind them. Sam and Robert twisted towards them as Anna called out, "Sniper, left corner, down." She cycled the bolt quickly and called out another shot. "Front and center. Down."

Jason took his cues and silently took out the other two guards on the rooftop. Jason moved quickly, holding out his bolt-action rifle out. Sam grabbed it quickly, and in a blur of movements, she had it broken down and stowed away in the duffle bag as Anna did the same. Jason was already inching forward, signalling for them to follow him.

Nikolas stopped beside Sam.

"Robert was right. I've never seen two people more in sync. I'm happy for you."

Sam smiled, glancing surreptitiously at Hayden.

"I'm happy for you too."

"Huh?" Nikolas said dumbly, before glancing at Hayden briefly. He gave Sam a small smirk and nodded quickly.

"Thanks."

"Come on, follow us. Stay low to the ground, and stay alert." She whispered, gesturing at them to follow the others. She pulled up the rear, her gun at the ready.

They moved quickly and silently, moving from cover to cover, hoping to make it onto the grounds before the other guards discovered the bodies of the snipers Jason and Anna had taken out. As they approached the wall surrounding the property, Jason stopped and reached a hand back. Without hesitation, Sam jogged forward, put her hand in his, and in a seamless motion, Jason pulled Sam forward into a run and with one foot on his bent knee, the other climbing the now outstretched arm he held out for her, she leaped up and grabbed the ledge. She pulled herself up easily and lay flat on her stomach, holding a hand down. Jason handed her something attached to a rope and she worked quickly, latching it onto the wall ledge.

"I'm going to make sure we're clear." She said quickly.

"Sam, wait!" Jason hissed uneasily but it was too late. Sam had already shimmied over the side and out of sight.

They waited in tense silence, Jason pacing back and forth.

"To hell with this. Let's go. Climb." Jason said shortly, uneasy with Sam being out of his sight for even a moment. Anna and Robert scaled the wall easily, ignoring the rope Sam had secured, but Nikolas had to help Hayden grip the rope and climb up. He followed her over, and finally, Jason threw the rope over the wall, and easily leapt up and pulled himself up and over. He dropped down to see Sam jogging towards him silently, and pulled her into his arms.

"Don't ever do that to me again." He muttered, glancing at the wall.

"You know I can take care of myself, Jason." She said, although she tightened her grip on his waist.

"I know. But please don't ever do that to me again."

Sam's eyes softened and she leaned up and kissed him quickly.

"Ok. We stay together." She said simply. Jason nodded, smiling slightly. "Let's go."

They caught up with the others as they crept through the garden. Jason, Anna, and Robert made quick work of the guards in the garden, as Sam stayed close to Nikolas and Hayden.

"That's five but Jason counted six." Sam muttered to herself, her eyes scanning their surroundings carefully. The snapping of a twig had Sam spinning around, her gun up just a large guard was bringing the butt of his gun down towards her skull.

She ducked but couldn't move quickly enough to completely avoid the blow. It slammed into her shoulder, knocking her off balance. She cried out as she stumbled to the side, pain ricocheting down her arm.

At her cry, Jason spun around, and his eyes narrowed in rage as he saw the large guard attacking her. He barreled forward just as Nikolas lunged at the guard, and they began fighting over the gun. The gun was now pointed terrifyingly close to Sam's position and without hesitation, Jason changed direction and looped around behind the guard. He moved in a blur, his hands gripping the guards head, and twisting viciously, snapping it. The guards grip slackened as he dropped to the group, the gun dropping beside him.

Jason moved quickly, rushing over to Sam and crouching in front of her. He reached out to where she was holding her shoulder, touching it gently.

"Are you okay?"

Sam stared into his eyes, concerned by something she saw there. She started to answer him but her eyes locked on something behind him.

"Jason, look out!" She shouted, pulling up her injured arm, ignoring the pain shooting through it, and pulling the trigger. Jason spun around on his heels to see the guard that had come out of nowhere, fly back, blood trickling out of the neat hole in his heart.

"Nice shot, babe." Jason said, looking back at her. Her face went red and she winced.

"I was actually aiming for his shoulder. You used to tease me about being a lousy shot after I accidentally shot you once. Maybe you were right." She admitted sheepishly.

Jason gaped.

"You shot me?" He asked incredulously. Embarrassed, Sam glared at him.

"You told me to!"

"What?" Jason's brow crinkled in confusion and Sam burst out laughing.

"Never mind. Help me up."

Jason was still pondering why the hell he would ever tell her to shoot him, but put his hand under her carefully and helped her to her feet.

"Are you okay? Maybe you and Hayden should head back with Nikolas."

"That's not a bad idea." Nikolas started, but both Sam and Hayden immediately shut that down. As Hayden argued quietly with Nikolas, Sam turned to Jason with a frown.

"We spoke about this. You're not doing this without me."

Jason exhaled heavily.

"Fine." He said, before pointing at Nikolas. "But this time you're covering the rear. Sam's staying with me."

Nikolas nodded in agreement, his own elegant, pearl-handled pistol already in his hand. Jason smirked a little and turned away, Sam beside him.

"Don't be mean." She whispered, biting back a grin.

"What the hell is that? Why is it so fancy? It's a gun, not an accessory."

Sam stifled a laugh.

"Who said you can't protect yourself and be stylish at the same time?"

Jason chuckled and shook his head. The smile faded from his face, as they moved closer to the large villa.

"I know everyone said I was a good person before. And I read about being Sonny's enforcer, even though you insisted I only went after people threatening the people I loved. But Sam, I snapped that man's neck without hesitation."

Sam looked up at him and that look from earlier was back in his eyes. So that's what had been bothering him.

"He was going to hurt me."

"I know. I don't regret what I did. I just...I don't care. I don't care that he's dead. What kind of person can take a life and not care?" He finally said the words that had been circling in his head after he killed the guard.

"The fact that you even asked, that it's bothering you right now? That tells me you do care. But it was him or me. Jason, I just killed someone too. Granted, I wasn't trying to, but if it was between killing him or letting him shoot you? I'd kill him every time." She said simply.

Jason stared at her for a moment, his eyes clearing. He nodded and started moving again. Sam stopped him.

"No regrets. We choose each other and our son first, always." She told him, needing him to truly believe what he did was the right thing.

"Always." Jason replied, meaning it.

Satisfied, Sam nodded and they joined the others.

"Can you save your cute little moments for when another time? Namely when we're not busy trying to save our daughter and her idiot husband?" Robert drawled sarcastically when Jason and Sam rejoined them.

"Robert." Anna chastised him.

Jason sent him a steady look. Robert met his eyes and returned his stare.

"Sure, if you can save your smart ass comments for someone who cares about your opinion." Sam said sweetly as she walked past him. Jason cracked the tiniest smile, following his petite wife. Robert watched them and chuckled.

"She reminds me a lot of you, luv. Got your fire." Robert said in aside to Anna as he walked by. She grinned after Sam.

"She certainly does, doesn't she?" She grinned. She looked back at Hayden and Nikolas.

"Stay close, we're going in." She instructed, then moved forward, Robert right beside her and Nikolas and Hayden bringing up the rear.

Up front, Jason and Sam had reached the rears doors. Jason took out to the two guards quickly, while Sam watched his flank. They waited for the rest of the group to arrive. Jason turned to Anna and Robert.

"Your people in position yet?"

Anna nodded quickly.

"They've taken care of the guards around the back, and are ready to move in when I give them the signal."

Jason turned back to Sam and when their eyes locked, he nodded.

"Let's finally end this."

Jason moved quickly, opening the door and slipping inside, making sure the path was clear. He signaled for everyone to follow him, and having memorized the blueprint of the villa Spinelli had provided, Jason moved quickly towards the parlor. They took out any guards they ran into, their silencers making sure their approach was silent.

As they passed hallway that broke off to the left, Anna stopped.

"We need to split up. According to the blueprints your friend Spinelli provided, there are labs in this direction. It's the most like place we'll find Robin and Patrick."

Jason hesitated. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

"I think we should stay together."

"We're not asking, mate. We're going to go find our daughter." Robert stated clearly.

Jason nodded, understanding. Nikolas hesitated, turning to Hayden.

"Let's stay with Jason and Sam. I doubt my sister would be in the lab." Hayden said slowly, looking towards Sam for confirmation.

"I think you're right. Come on, let's go." Sam said, gesturing forward. Anna and Robert took off down the corridor leading to the labs as Jason, Sam, Nikolas, and Hayden headed deeper into the house.

"There's the door." Jason pointed across the hall. They made their way across the marble tiles, and stopped in front of the door. At Jason's signal, everyone tensed. Jason threw the doors open and froze.

Helena sat in front of the fireplace in a plush, throne-like chair, facing the doorway, her legs crossed gracefully. She smiled slowly, set down her glass of sherry, and held her hands out in welcome.

"What took you so long? I've been expecting you."