The end of Sam McCall’s story on General Hospital will not be the end of the story. Life in Port Charles will go on. But things will be very different without Kelly Monaco’s beloved character in the mix. Scroll through the below photo gallery to get a taste of what may be to come on ABC’s soap.

Relation to Sam: Significant other. What comes next: Overcome with grief, the PCDP detective is sure to spiral. He may even throw some barware like his dear old dad. But more importantly, having borne witness to the tragic aftermath of Sam’s good deed, he could decide that there’s no point in doing the right thing and ask Sonny to join “the family business.”

Relation to Sam: Transplant recipient. What comes next: Luke and Laura’s daughter (now Alexa Havins) will no sooner have awakened than she’ll wish that she hadn’t. She’ll feel guilty to the nth that she’s the reason her ex-husband’s new girlfriend was in a position for harm to befall her and, therefore, fight her natural impulse to comfort the man that she still loves.

Relation to Sam: Mother. What comes next: Between the death of Kristina/Molly’s baby and now Sam’s demise, Alexis is in for the fight of her life to keep from tumbling back off the wagon. It’s a fight that, alas, we fear she will lose. On the plus side, after one too many, she might fall into bed with someone new and give us the Alexis/Martin Grey pairing we’re hoping for.

Relation to Sam: Ex-husband. What comes next: Stone Cold is gonna have to warm the hell up as he becomes Danny’s only remaining parent. That means no more being here today, gone tomorrow in his son’s life and — gulp — Jason being forced to put his own family’s welfare above that of Sonny and Carly’s. Perhaps he’ll even have to give up the Mob and join the PCPD!

Relation to Sam: Ex-husband. What comes next: Besides being there for Scout, his daughter with Sam, Drew will be left in a position to reflect on what could’ve been. His life with Sam ended long before her life did, but he’ll still have to look at his own and ask, “What am I doing?” This could be the show’s way to extricate him from the Willow mess that fans hate.

Relation to Sam: Half brother. What comes next: Having performed Sam’s last surgery on her, the doctor is going to feel like he’s taken a scalpel to the heart when she dies. He could even be so unmoored by the loss that he seeks comfort from the last person that he wants to — former husband Brad. Ironically, Sam’s passing could give the exes the second chance they never expected.

Relation to Sam: Part of her blended family. What comes next: Between mom Lulu’s years-long coma and dad Dante’s near-death after being shot, the poor kid has been through the wringer. But he’s a good egg, that one. And despite his grief, he’ll likely step up and try to be there for Sam’s little girl, Scout. It’s not just what Sam would’ve wanted, it’s what she’d have expected of him.

Relation to Sam: Half sister. What comes next: Since Kristina lost the baby she was carrying for Molly and partner TJ, she has been at her wit’s end. This second heartbreak is all sure to push her over the edge — and likely into the arms of someone who is not her significant other. If only to dull the pain, we could see her having a drunken tryst with Josslyn Jacks’ boyfriend, Dex Heller.

Relation to Sam: Half sister. What comes next: Let’s face it. Kristina just has not been herself since she flew out that Metro Court window and lost the baby. As Sam’s death breaks her down even further, watch for the show to try to redeem Natalia, of all people, by having her call back to Port Charles Blaze to comfort her former girlfriend. Hey, it’s a start, at least.

Relation to Sam: Partner in crime. What comes next: Losing his fair Samantha is certain to make Spinelli take notice of the brevity and tenuousness of life. That being the case, he won’t want to waste another minute before locking it down with his true love, Maxie Jones. Perhaps this time around, the non-husband and non-wife will actually go through with their wedding.

Relation to Sam: Friend. What comes next: Lulu’s mother will be left in the uncomfortable position of rejoicing over her daughter’s return to the land of the living and lamenting that Sam has been taken from her loved ones. Laura is sure to step up to try to help Sam’s kids and Dante navigate the long and bumpy road that lies before them. She may also have to deal with…

Relation to Sam: Menace to society. What comes next: If the rumor proves true that Laura’s half brother kills Sam — though why would he? — the mayor will have no choice but to see that he is returned to prison for the rest of his miserable life. She’ll also have to grapple with the fact that she fought to see the good in the villain who put Lulu in a coma and Sam in the grave!

Relation to Sam: Friend… most of the time. What comes next: We’ve all seen it. Carly’s just been waiting for an excuse to jump into bed with Jack Brennan. An upset like Sam’s unexpected passing could be just the ticket to make Carly say, “Screw it, life is short!” and act on her impulse to take the bad boy as her next lover. Will she regret it? C’mon, the guy is as corrupt as he is sexy!

Relation to Sam: Friend… in the end. What comes next: Sam’s longtime rival for Jason’s affections had moved past their animosity ages ago. But she will find herself in a unique position upon Sam’s death. Since Jason isn’t the type to go running around expressing his feelings, Liz will almost surely reach out to Jake’s father to lend an ear… and, shortly, a pair of lips as well?

Relation to Sam: Ex-lover. What comes next: Always a fan of grief sex, the mobster will inevitably wind up taking comfort between the sheets with moll du jour Natalia. And, if foul play is involved in Sam’s death, Sonny will take it upon himself to avenge her. Because, as we all know, in Port Charles, the dimpled don is not only judge and jury but also executioner. (Right, Cates?)

Relation to Sam: Friend. What comes next: On the off chance that Sam’s demise doesn’t push Jason toward Liz, Anna could enter the fray, suggesting that if he wanted to rail at the heavens, she’d be willing to listen. One thing would lead to another, and suddenly, the kiss that was supposed to stay in Africa is being repeated in Port Charles. Wait till his ex — her daughter, Robin — finds out!

Relation to Sam: Son. What comes next: Sam’s worst fears are likely to come to pass. Danny already idolized dad Jason, and with her out of the picture, the teen is sure to try to follow in the hitman’s bootsteps. Yet another reason for Jason to reconsider the kind of role model he has been and is still being to his impressionable son. Black T-shirts? Fine. Mafia life? Not so much.

Relation to Sam: Daughter. What comes next: A case of soap-opera rapid-aging syndrome may be in the future of Sam’s daughter with Drew. Heartbroken over Mom’s death, Scout might ask to pull a Charlotte Cassadine and go to boarding school. By the time she returns, she could be old enough to mix it up with the soap’s teen set. Stranger things have happened…

Relation to Sam: Boyfriend’s mom. What comes next: A twist as devastating as Sam’s death could throw Ned’s missus off her game. She’s usually as levelheaded as they come. But she could be vulnerable to bad decisions for a time — bad decisions that might just include a roll in the hay with a certain ex-lover who may soon be turning back up in Port Charles. (More on that here.)

Relation to Sam: Acquaintance. What comes next: Aside from the overall awfulness of Sam’s death at such a young age, Tracy probably won’t be too hard hit — except in that she will want to be there for Luke’s daughter, Lulu. Is there enough tough love in the world to allow Tracy to help Lulu cope with the crippling guilt that she’s sure to feel in the wake of Sam’s passing?

Don’t! Hang with Sam a little bit longer as you review her wild and crazy life story or peruse our brand-new photo gallery of Kelly Monaco’s traffic-stopping red-carpet looks.