Chapter 12

Thank you to Trini12180 and Guest for your reviews.

September 24 afternoon to early morning September 25

Patrick and Elizabeth arrive at GH, and he heads to Sam's room. He asks to visit with Sam without the family. He asks Elizabeth to join him in taking notes.

Elizabeth says, "We don't know the extent of Sam's memories. Sam and I have a past; depending on what she remembers, I might trigger unpleasant memories."

Molly and Kristina are crying and holding each other. They have long since forgiven each other, realizing that family is important and they could lose each other. They will need therapy, but that is on the back burner.

Patrick goes in alone, "Hi, Sam. I'm Dr. Patrick Drake. Do you remember me?"

"Of course, Patrick. We were once engaged. What happened to me?"

Patrick carefully explains that she was shot but leaves out the details, not wanting to upset her. He explains she has been in a coma for about two weeks. "What is your last memory?"

Sam's hand goes to her face and head. "I remember being upset at finding Danny at Jason's motorcycle shop. He didn't tell me where he was."

"That's good. Do you remember the date?"

"Umm, the 4th or the 5th?"

"Good. What else?"

Sam thinks back to her argument with Ric and her concern for her mother and the gun she threw off the bridge. "That's it. Can I speak with Jason?"

"He should be here soon. We left a message. Would you like to see Danny?"

"Yes, thank you."

Patrick leaves and tells Danny his mother wants to see him. He suggests leaving out his current living arrangements.

-XXX-

An hour earlier. Jason is working at the warehouse. It's mundane but quiet. He likes the solitude. He's always been good with numbers. They are honest and don't lie unless you fudge them, which Jason would never do. Sonny watches Jason go through the rows of bagged beans as he checks his clipboard, making notes.

"Jason, do you have a moment?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"What is going on with Ric?"

"I've reviewed the surveillance notes from Curtis. Ric trailed Sam on at least two occasions. He followed her on the day Sam came to the bike shop when Danny and Jake were getting an inspection of my bike. She was angry at Danny. Later, she went to the Highsider. Ric stayed outside for about 20 minutes and left. Sam stayed longer and proceeded to get drunk. Curtis followed Ric to the MC. He got Spinelli to hack Ric's phone. He called a number with ties to the ATF. A friend of Ric's specializes in tracking serial numbers on guns."

"Shit! He found the gun Alexis tossed, discovered it was one of mine, and used it on Sam!"

"Apparently. I found out from Dante that Sam confronted Ric at the MC after his statement about Alexis tossing the gun. Ric has been receiving money from an offshore account that Curtis hasn't been able to trace…yet."

"Get Spinelli to find it. Wasn't he helping Sam with other things? He'd want to find out who's been paying Ric."

"I don't want to get Spinelli involved. He's with Maxie, and they are raising three kids. He's out of this life."

Sonny yells. "Find someone you trust and get the goods on, my loser brother!"

"I have a few contacts. I want to discuss my involvement in our business. My position still stands. Once Ric is contained, I only want the legal operations." Jason's phone rings; he looks at the ID and says, "Elizabeth, is everything okay? What? I'll be right there." Jason walks out, saying, "Sam's awake. I need to be there for Danny."

Jason arrives at GH and finds Elizabeth at the Hub. "Sam's awake? What does she remember?"

"Ask Patrick. He questioned her. I'm staying out of it because if Sam remembers her last moments, I could upset her. Danny just went into her room."

"Thanks, I'll find out what Patrick knows." Jason finds Patrick and is updated on Sam's answers. Danny is still with his mother. Alexis begs Patrick to tell her something…anything!

Patrick says, "I don't know anything new from the last five minutes you asked. Sam asked to see Jason."

Jason enters Sam's room, hugs Danny, and ushers him out. Danny leaves, and instead of staying with Alexis, he hurries to find Elizabeth. Jason says, "I'm glad you are awake. How was your visit with Danny?"

"Cut the shit, Jason. We don't have much time before my mom pushes her way in or Anna demands a statement. I can't even face Dante right now."

"Okay, the floor is yours. What do you remember?"

Sam remembers everything from her argument with Danny to getting shot by Ric. She starts telling him about Curtis's report, but Jason interrupts, letting her know he already read it. "Sam, someone else is paying Ric, and I'm trying to find out who. What do you want me to do about Ric?"

"I want you to kill the bastard! He tried to frame my mother, and then he wanted to kill me! Before he shot me, he said, 'I want Sonny and Jason to pay for ruining my life. Your death accomplishes it.' He was screaming it in the rain."

"I'm sorry. We didn't know until we heard the shot. Elizabeth saw him run off, but without your confirmation, it was hearsay."

"What about the gun?"

"It was the one Alexis threw off the bridge. The one Kristina stole from Sonny. I got rid of it."

"And you couldn't have any weapon tied to Sonny, right?"

"Hey! It was for Alexis and Kristina, too."

"You are right. I'm sorry. I'm just pissed."

"Are you going to tell Dante you remember everything?"

"No, because if he knows and Ric dies, you will be the number one suspect. That or he will try to kill Ric himself. What about Elizabeth? Do you trust her?"

"Yes."

"The night I was there, I saw it; you still love her, don't you?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, Sam."

"Don't be. We've been over for a long time. I just hope she can accept being last in your life after Sonny, Carly, and their kids."

"Times have changed. Once Ric is controlled, I'm making changes."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"I should leave. Alexis and your sisters will want to see you."

"Jason, thanks." Jason nods and leaves as Alexis, Kristina, and Molly push past him.

Jason finds Danny and Elizabeth together at the Hub. Danny used to be so angry and fought with his brother when Sam put restrictions on him, but in the past couple of weeks, Danny has calmed down. Elizabeth sees Jason and smiles. "Danny, you can stay as long as you want, but Jason must take you home. Can you give me a moment to speak with your father?" Danny nods and returns to find Dante visiting Sam. Elizabeth says, "I'm sorry, but I've had a nurse call in sick. I can't find anyone to cover. I'm pulling the overnight shift. I have time for a quick dinner but I can't come home tonight. Can you watch Jake and Danny? Cameron made plans to go out with Joss, Trina, Dex, and their new friend Gio."

"I have an old friend arriving that can watch over the boys. If you are going to work the graveyard at the hospital, I want to be there. Besides, I'm worried about Sam. She remembers everything and doesn't want to tell the PCPD about Ric."

Elizabeth grins, "Do I know this old friend?"

"Yes. He's trustworthy, and you'll be happy to see him. He wants to surprise you." Jason takes Danny to Elizabeth's. He checks with his old friend and stations him outside. Jason leaves to pick up food at the MC for dinner with Elizabeth.

-XXX-

Ric hangs up the phone, "Thank you for calling, Molly. I love you too." He snickers and thinks, "Sam doesn't remember. That doesn't mean one day she will. I'm ready to fix that." He changes into the orderly scrubs he stole the other day when everyone was focused on Sam's surgery. He takes the service elevator to above the tenth floor. He waits until 10 pm and walks one flight down to the tenth floor. He exits and hugs the walls. He mapped out the floor plan and watched the tenth-floor Hub. Jason Morgan was chatting with Elizabeth. He sneers at Jason and carefully walks to the supply closet. He tugs at the door, "Crap! It's locked," he thinks. "It also has a two-tiered system needing a swipe card. Elizabeth is doing her job." The keys are on a wrist bracelet on her left wrist. There is no way he can get that from Elizabeth. Her swipe card hangs from her scrubs. He thinks, "Oh, well, plan B." Ric pulls a syringe from the pocket of his scrubs. He smiles and returns it.

Ric walks to an empty room next to Sam's room. Dante is visiting Sam, and Ric listens to their conversation. Sam says, "Dante, go home. You've been at the hospital all day checking on LuLu and getting back to me. Danny is with Jason, but you should spend time with Rocco. Tomorrow, I want you to find Drew, and I insist he brings Scout. He never once came to visit with her."

"Drew is focused on running for Congressman McConkey's seat. Scout is watched by the nannies at the Quartermaines when she's not in school."

"Dante, promise me, if something happens to me, petition Drew for custody. He can't run a political campaign/career with half his time in Washington. You are a better father than he is."

"Sam, I don't like talk like this."

Sam sighs, "Go home. Rocco needs you.' Dante gives in and kisses Sam before leaving.

Ric waits for Dante to leave and checks the Hub. Jason and Elizabeth are still talking. He waits another 20 minutes for Sam to fall asleep. He enters Sam's room and stares at her. He sits by her bed and thinks, "What should I do to you?"

Elizabeth tells Jason she needs to do rounds but should return in 15 minutes. Ric removes the syringe and creates an air bubble. He inserts it into Sam's IV and quickly leaves. He runs for the stairs and to the next floor, hiding in a room for ten minutes before taking the stairs to the basement. Elizabeth rounds the corner as alarms go off. She hurries to Sam's room, pushing the code blue button. She swears she saw Ric run for the stairs but must focus on saving Sam. Doctors soon arrive and take over CPR, shocking her heart. Elizabeth falls into Jason's arms and collapses. They wait for the doctors to exit, and they shake their heads. The night ship doctor says, "I'm sorry, Sam died. It looks like there was an air bubble in her IV. An autopsy will confirm the cause of death, but I'm sure it's unnatural."

Elizabeth heads to the Hub, and Jason follows. "I've got some calls to make, and you should tell Danny yourself."

"Elizabeth, I'm not leaving you. I'll get more people on Danny. I can tell him when your shift is over."

"It should be about another hour. I'm sorry about Sam. I think I saw Ric running away."

"Are you sure?"

"No, but the doctor said there was an air bubble in her IV. Who else wants Sam dead?'

Jason growls, "Ric."

"Jason, what are you going to do?"

"I can't tell you. You shouldn't know."

"I think I do know. Ric deserves to pay. There is a way to protect you. You aren't going to like it, but if I'm questioned, I want to be able to say, 'I can't testify.'"

"What do you mean you can't testify?"

Late Poll"

Who is Jason's old friend?

Who is financing Ric?