Title: Love is what saves us
Author: maxiefan

Chapter 1

"Sam we've talked about this. I don't want you to have anything to do with Karpov. The guy is a criminal and he's dangerous. He won't think twice about using you and throwing you away!" Lucy's voice grew strong and harsh. Sam could feel the anger inside her to stir.

"Lucky I have to do this and it's not just about the counterfeit drug ring this is also about me. After Jason and I ended I was in a really bad place. I was so consumed by jealously and resentment that I hurt and innocent child." Sam hung her head in shame.

"Sam we've talked about this. That is over can't you just move on? Let it go! I have." Lucky tired to move closer to Sam and pull her close but she moved out of his grasp.

"Lucky I can't. I turned into a person I didn't even recognize. A person I didn't like at all." Sam paused but made herself continue. Her words were full with regret and sorrow. When I was with Jason my whole life became about him and all about his needs, his work, protecting him. I totally lost myself and then when I found out Jason and Liz were together and Jason had lied to me I completely lost all sense of reality. Also I lost myself in the process. I'm not sure I ever found myself again." Sam turned away from Lucky. Tears in her eyes what she was about to say wasn't easy for her to say.
"Even our relationship started out being about Jason and Eleventh and trying to get back about them."

"Sam." Lucky moved towards her and put his arms around her. " I knew that when I started this relationship with you but it turned into something much more. Something changed...I fell in love with you.

Sam turned to face Lucky and smiled, " I know it change for me too but that's not the point. I need to do this and I need to do this on my own and please don't try and stop me.
"Sam please I just don't want to lose you!" Lucky pulled same into his arms and kissed her forehead."
"I promise that you won't! I can do this and I can do it on my own. Trust me ok." Sam kissed Lucky and than left the clinic. She was in a daze until she found herself at the docks. She looked out over the water. Her gaze met the peaceful serenity of the blue water. Sam had always felt peaceful around the water. It was the one place where she felt at home. She could do this.... she had to do this.

Chapter 2

Sam had been working for Karpov for about a week. Everything was going according to plan. Her crew liked her and Sam was actually really enjoying her work. She had forgot how much she loved being on and around the water and how much she loved being in control of a boat. For the first time a long time Sam felt like she had a reason to get up in the morning. She could go to work knowing she was putting in a full day and it didn't hurt that she was also trying to uncover a drug ring in the process.

However Karpov proved to be a ruthless and dangerous as everyone had said, although he tired to hide it from Sam she had dealt with his kind before. She could see the emptiness, and complete lack of conscious in his eyes. He was good at hiding it but Sam wasn't fooled she knew that she was dealing with a slick, slimy, sob who wouldn't give her any second chances if he found out what she was doing. Sam knew she had only one shot and she couldn't afford to screw it up!

Sam went home exhausted. She wasn't used to all the physical work that came with manning a boat. She unlocked the door to her pent house, threw her coat on the chair, and was just about to switch the light on when a light from the living room was switched on. Followed by four words that she hated to hear.

"We need to talk."

"No, we don't, you've made your feelings about me clear and I have nothing to say to you!" Sam tried to walk into the next room but was stopped by a large pair of hands that had once been the gentlest hands in the world towards her.

"Sam I don't want to fight with you. I just want to talk. I'm worried about you. "

"Jason, why on earth would you be worried about me for?" Sam turned her back to him.
"Sam, I know you're working with Andre Karpov and I'm here to tell you you're in way over your head! Karpov is a really dangerous man! He'd think nothing of getting rid of you simply because he's tired of you. Sam you need to get out and you need to do it now!" Jason mouth tightened and he crossed his arms.

"If you don't get out now Sam, I won't be able to protect you." Jason eyes were now pleading with her.

"Who says that I want your protection Jason? I didn't ask for it and nor do I want it. I know longer take orders from you! Now please get out of my house and leave me alone." Sam walked over and opened the door.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Sam's eyes were burning with fury and if looks could kill Jason Morgan would be dead.

Jason just sat down and began to talk to Sam like he hadn't talked to her in a long time. "Sam I care about you. You were a big part of my life for three years. We helped each other through some devastating times. I know I hurt you a number of times and I'm sorry about that. That was never my intention.
You saved my life more than once. Not only that you showed me that life is worth living and embracing. For that I'll always be grateful. While it's true that I will never forget what you did I do forgive you and want you to be happy. I'll always remember the love we had and I just don't want anything to happen to you!" With that being said Jason moved towards Sam and the door. He kissed on the cheek before exiting her apartment.

Sam stood their stunned unsure if that had really just happened but the one thing she wasn't unsure about was what she was going to do next.

Chapter 3

It had been a couple weeks since Sam's visit from Jason a lot had change in those weeks! Sam was in pretty deep. Karpov had begun to trust her with some of his more precious shipments. Which meant the stakes went up with each shipment. Sam new that she was actually getting into the organization and that the even the slightest wrong move could cost her not only the one chance she had to expose Karpov but also her life. But no matter what the cost Sam new she had to do this.

After work that night Sam headed home. Little did she know that behind the darkness of the night she wasn't alone. In fact Sam hadn't been alone in weeks. Something Sam didn't know about Karpov is that he's extremely paranoid. His men had made him aware of the visit she had got from Jason Morgan. His competition. They had asked if he wanted Sam eliminated but he just smiled and evil grin and told them to just watch her. Andre Karpov was by no means a stupid man and he had done his research on Sam. He knew that she was the former girlfriend of the Mob Boss and thought he could use her to his advantage.

Jason Morgan was in a position to cause an extreme threat to Karpov's organization. His first move to use Sonny against Jason had failed. His number one loyalty would always be Jason and Karpov saw no reason to use to former king ping against Jason because it was clear that even though he had left the business some of his former business partners including Jason still felt some obligation to the former ruthless mob boss.

Karpov wasn't sure what his next move would be until Sam fell into his lap. Jason had loved her enough to marry her once and Karpov was sure that old feelings still lingered in the enforcer's heart. Yes he thought Sam would be the perfect bait to lure and kill Jason Morgan. It had been relatively easy. He had hired Sam and given her a false sense of security.... now it was time to pull the rug out from under her and Karpov couldn't wait to see what Jason Morgan would do. Even in the small amount of time Karpov had spent in Port Charles he knew that Jason was extremely loyal and even though him and Sam we're together he knew Jason wouldn't be able to simply walk away from her in distress. No Jason Morgan would have to save her. Karpov watched Sam walk over to her apartment building. He then looked at his watch. It was almost time. Soon he would have Jason Morgan begging on his knees and then he would kill him.



Chapter 4

Sam had just walked into her apartment building when some came up behind her and grabbed her. Sam struggled but they outnumbered her and were much stronger than her. She tried to scream but something was quickly placed over her mouth Sam knew right away it was chloroform because the smell had always made her feel sick. She was a tiny women and it didn't take long for the affect to take place.

It wasn't long after Sam disappeared that the phone began to ring at Jason's office. "Yeah?" Jason voice was firm and strong.

The other rough and sadistic voice on the other side of the line replied, " You have stepped into my organization for the last time. We have Samantha McCall and if you ever want to see her alive again you will come to the Alcazar Waterfront properties in two hours alone and you will trade your live for hers." Before Jason even had a chance to reply the voice on the other side of the line was gone.

Jason picked up the vase on his desk and threw it against the wall. He threw all the paper work off his desk before grabbing his leather Jacked and walked out. All Jason could think was that another person he cared about was about to pay for his choices. He couldn't let this happen again like it had happened to Emily, and Michael this time Jason would keep her safe even if it cost him his life.

Jason knew he only had a couple of hours and he needed to figure out a plan. He had Spinelli working ever angle he could possibly find. He needed a way to get Sam back safe and sound. Jason needed someone he could trust someone who could get the job done without any questions...someone who was unusually motivated to get Sam back. Suddenly Jason knew whom he had to involve. He knew this could cost him everything in the future but at this moment all that mattered was getting Sam back.

Jason knew he only a couple of minutes and that he really shouldn't be here but he couldn't help it. There was a very real chance that he wouldn't make it out of that warehouse alive to night and their was one person who he owed a explanation one person who he needed to say goodbye to. He found himself at Elizabeth's door and banged on it with and urgency he didn't even know existed.

A very confused and scared Liz opened the door. "You shouldn't be here!" Was all she said Jason nodded and simply told her the truth, "I need to see him. Please Liz just one last time. It's important." Liz nodded and let Jason in. She brought Jake downstairs and put him in Jason's arms. Jason felt at peace holding his son in his arms. He wished he could stay in this moment forever but he was already out of time. He handed Jake back to Liz and whispered to her,

"If anything ever happens to me promise me that when Jake is old enough you'll give him this." Before she could answer her kissed her and ran out the door. Leaving Liz confused and scared for him.

Chapter 5

Jason made his way into the warehouse. He hoped that he had made the right choice involving him but he wasn't sure. Jason knew he couldn't trust him but they did have Sam in common which took a huge weight off his mind. After his entire main objective tonight was to get Sam back so she could be with the man she loved. He was no longer that man. Nor did he want to be that man. All Jason simply wanted was to save someone he had once loved with all his heart.

The warehouse was dark and cool. It seemed to have a dark presence that lingered in it. Jason shivered against cold night air and walked deeper and deeper into the warehouse. That's when he saw her. She was tired up to a chair. Bound and gagged, he body looked soar and tired. She had obviously been beaten. She appeared alone but Jason knew better. The Snipers were waiting for him...he could feel their eagerness and shot in the air.

"Sam!" Jason called out to her but stayed in the shadows he would only get one shot at this and wanted to make sure it was the one that would keep him alive.

Jason gave the signal and called out to Sam again. This time in the echo of his voice bullet shots rang out. This is where the part of his ally came in. He had to completely trust him, which wasn't something Jason thought he'd ever be doing. He waited and waited than he finally saw the single he knew it was now or never Jason made a dash for Sam. More shots rang out but this time they were answered with shots of their own.

By some miracle he made it to Sam safely. He ripped through the rope with his knife and before he had time to explain he grabbed her and pulled off into the shadows. Sam clung to Jason. He simply pulled her tighter in his arms and they moved deeper into the shadows.

Jason pulled out his gun, "Sam are you ok? He was leaning over her and looking her up and down to see if any of her injuries were serious. She nodded, "Good girl" Jason cooed. He pulled out another gun from his belt and handed it to her.

"I trust you still know how to shoot one of these."

Sam smiled and took the gun from him. "If anyone other than me or Lucky comes up shoot them first ask questions later."

Before Sam had a chance to ask any more questions he was gone. She was scared stiff. So many gunshots were fired Sam wasn't sure how it was possible the warehouse hadn't exploded form all the gunpowder. After what seemed like an eternity she heard someone coming.... Sam got her gun ready and she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her body. The footsteps came closer and closer. She was ready to shot than she saw his eyes and she knew right away who it was.

"She threw her arms around Lucky and pulled him into a huge kiss." Lucky just held her tightly in his arms while whispering gentle words of affection and encouragement.

Over Lucy's should Sam looked right into Jason's eyes and mouthed, "Thank You." She than turned her affection back to the love of her life. But a smiled formed on her lips. She felt like Jason and her had finally mad peace.

Jason smiled in the back round. He had saved Sam from paying for his choices and now she was back with the man she belonged with. He knew that he had done the right thing and that while he would always care for Sam she was with who she should be.

*****

Lucky opened the door to Sam' apartment and led her inside. He pulled her tightly into his arms and whispered in her ear, "we're home!" Sam smiled at Lucky and snuggled deeper into his embrace. She look around and she knew that after all they have gone through they were finally home and for the first time at peace