Bait by TheJavaGirls

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter One

“Okay what do we have so far?” Rubbing at his tired eyes, Luke Spencer paced the private waiting room on the third floor at General Hospital. Roy and Scott sat at either end of the institutional mauve couch, both showing signs of fatigue.

“A bunch of lose ends that don’t add up.” Roy replied, staring at the ground having already gotten tired of watching Luke’s endless pacing.

Standing up and growling in frustration, Scotty headed for the window that looked over the harbor. “This is useless. We know that AJ is behind all this.”

“Okay so we know the ending. Now we just need to come up with the beginning and the middle.” Clapping his hands together in mock enthusiasm Luke

“I still say that Alberta Macintyre is the that will lead us to AJ.” Slapping his thigh in anguish Luke ignored Roy’s groan. “If those two steroid fed boys of hers hadn’t been there I know that we could’ve gotten somewhere with the woman.”

“Yeah well I think it’s safe to assume that you and your little partner in crime burned that bridge.” Snorting his disgust, Scotty kept his gaze on the view outside the window.

“If only there was a way to lure those corn fed boys away from the conniving Mamma.” Going on as though he hadn’t heard Scotty’s input Luke started to rub his chin.

Roy knew that the look on his best friend’s face all too well. It was the look that had gotten them into more trouble in the past then he could count. “Luke why is it that I’m starting to get a real bad feeling here?”

“Hush I can’t think with all your nagging.” Placing his hands over his ears, a smile broke out over Luke’s face, sending shivers down Roy’s spine.

“Luke what ever you’re thinking don’t.”

Turning from the window, Scotty studied Luke Spencer’s expression and felt a sickening weight in the pit of his stomach. “I’m going to need a layer aren’t I?”

“Boys, what you have just witnessed was a genuine brainstorm.” Eye’s twinkling with untold pleasure, Luke headed for the door. “Meet me at the Brownstone in an hour. I have a plan and the skirt to help us.”

Both males watched helplessly as Luke flew through the door, leaving them in a room filled with silence.

“Please tell me we aren’t going to jail.” Still not able to wrap his brain around the fact that he had teamed up with Roy and Luke on purpose felt sweat bead along his forehead.

“We’re not going to go to jail.” Roy’s deep voice lacked any conviction as he took a seat to wait and see what new and wacky plan Luke Spencer had come up with.

~~~**~~~

“Bobby!” Walking through the front room of the Brownstone, Luke stopped short when his sister came walking out of the kitchen followed by Michael. “What a *wonderful* surprise to see you.” Looking around as though in search of someone else, Luke’s smile faltered as his sister studied him for a moment.

“Are you okay Luke?” Setting down a plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk on the coffee table she patted Michael on the head before returning her gaze to her brother.

“Me? Fine, yes I’m fine. I thought you’d be with Carly.” Really he had. The last person he thought he’d run into at the Brownstone was the owner, who had made it quiet clear that she wanted him to drop his ‘little’ investigation into the DNA blunder.

“I’m just about to head back out. Leticia had a few errands to run so I came back here to wait for Michael to get back from school.”

“Ahh what about Liz? She could’ve waited for Michael.” Fishing for an answer, Luke stilled waiting for his sister to answer.

“She’s been so wonderful helping with Michael ever since Carly came up missing that I really didn’t want to take advantage. I’m sure she would’ve been more than happy to help but I can’t keep expecting her to put her life on hold.” A sad look came into Bobby’s eyes. “She has to start all over with her life...again and I can’t keep taking up so much of her time.”

Feeling a little guilty himself, Luke nodded in understanding. The girl he would always think of as a daughter really had been given a rotten hand. Good thing Liz wasn’t a gambler or she’d be broke. “I still haven’t heard what happened for her to totally give up on Cowboy. But knowing how much she’s given up to help my boy I can only imagine that it’s big.”

Both stood in silence for a moment before Luke took in a deep breath to wipe away the memories that would get him sidetracked. “Why don’t you go see your daughter? I’ll wait here for Leticia.”

“Are you sure?” He could tell by the brightness in her eyes that she really wanted to take him up on his offer.

“Of course. Now you get on out of here and say hi to that daughter of yours.”

“Well okay if you insist. Leticia should be here soon, Liz is upstairs and you have my cell number if you need to get in touch with me.” Without so much as a look back, Bobby grabbed her jacket and was out the door.

Sneaking up to the window to watch Bobby’s fading back, Luke let out a deep sigh of thanks before returning his attention back to Michael. “Hey kid what do you say we go up and see how Liz is doing?” Seeing the youth’s eyes light up with an enthusiastic grin, Luke held out his hand and hurried to the stairs.

~~~*~~~

Unpacking the last of her things, Liz took a long look at the small apartment that had over night become her new home... about a week ago. This was the first free moment she had had to actually put any of her clothing away, having lived out of her suitcase.

Though the space was a little cramped after she got all her stuff unpacked, she had never felt more at home or at peace. She finally felt as though she were living for herself, doing what she wanted to do, when she wanted to do it.

If she could have the chance to do it all again she wouldn’t have changed a thing. Though the road had been painful, and at times made her feel as though the life was being bled from her. She had learned so much about herself over the last three or so years.

It didn’t mean that she didn’t feel as though she had made plenty of huge mistakes. More then she had fingers to count them on. But everything that she had done and been through had brought her here to this moment. In her own apartment, on her own terms, a fresh start in a life she had total control over. It was quiet liberating.

She knew that if she had left with Jason that night he had offered to take her away, she would always have doubts. Wondering if she had tried hard enough, or had done everything in her power to make her relationship with Lucky work. And that Doubt would have ruined whatever new feelings where growing inside her for one of her best friends.

A knock at the door brought her out of fog of memories as Luke Spencer’s voice came through the door. “Darling are you home?”

A smile crept on her lips as she hurried to let in her first houseguest. “Luke, Michael come on in. I just got everything unpacked.”

“Well this place looks...small.” Looking around the tiny area, Luke tried to recall if he had ever been up here.

“Well seeing that it’s just me I think it’s a great size.” Teasing the man that had taken the role of her father in her life, Liz grinned and winked at the redhead who was beaming back at her. “So Michael how do you like it?”

“I think it’s great!”

Giving Luke a spunky so-there look, Luke scrunched up his face. “He thinks his Uncle Sonny is great too.”

“Well so do I.” Liz grinned knowingly at Michael.

“Wonderful would you like me to leave you two alone so you can form your very own I love Sonny club? Or would you like to hear about the new adventure I have planned?” Wiggling his brows at Liz, he couldn’t help but let the big cheesy grin he’d been bottling up since he had come face to face with his sister. “I have a staring role for you Liz if you’re interested.”

~~~*~~~

Pulling the bike along side the curb, Jason cut the engine and brought the kickstand down. Taking off his gloves one at a time he stared up at the Brownstone and took a deep breath. He’d already been by to visit Carly, telling her how grateful he was that she was alive. It was her that had suggested he stop by Bobby’s to pay a visit to Michael.

Just the thought of seeing the young nephew he had once raised as his own made his stomach tighten in that painful way the first few moths after he had to give him up. His worst nightmare was that Michael wouldn’t know who he was, wouldn’t recognize him because of all the time he spent away on business.

“Jason?” Looking up he saw Leticia walking up the sidewalk, a warm smile on her face. “I thought that was you. Are you here to see Michael?”

Smiling back, Jason nodded. “Good to see you. I bet it’s been a rough week.”

Her smile faltered as she led him up the stairs and into the house. She contemplated telling him about the encounters with AJ and his new wife, but decided against it. Too much was going on now that the last thing Jason Morgan needed was another fall out with his brother. “Yes, but we’re so happy to have Carly back.” Walking through the front hallway she looked around at the empty first floor in puzzlement. “Bobby said she’d be here when Michael got home from school.”

As if on cue noise from upstairs had her and Jason lift their heads. “I bet she left him with Liz. Wait here I’ll go get him.”

Jason felt his blood run cold at the mention of her name. He had planned on stopping by her studio later that night to see if he could catch her, but he had no idea why she would be here. Wanting to call out to Leticia for some answers, Jason held off.

Bobby was Lucky’s aunt, so in a way it made sense that didn’t.

“I’m telling you Roy that this isn’t going to be good. I can feel it.” Turning toward the door Jason’s body went tense as Scott and Roy came walking in. Both were preoccupied and hadn’t noticed him yet.

“Will you calm down? We just have to listen to his plan. If we don’t like it we say no and come up with something else. You know Luke like I do. Once he gets something in his head you just have to ride it out.” Walking past the sputtering lawyer it was Roy that first noticed Jason standing alone in Bobby’s living room. “Jason. Long time no see.”

“Yeah just got back into town.” His face showed no emotion as he watched the two other men eye one another.

“See this is a sign. It’s saying no good is going to come of this.” Grumbling under his breath Scotty shoved his hands into his pockets as he turned his back on Jason’s steady stare.

“Uncle Jason!” A happy squeal made the three men jump as Michael came charging into the room and into Jason’s waiting arms.

“Scott?” Leticia followed her charge into the room, stopping when she saw the other two men. “Luke said you two would be here soon. He asked me to tell you to go on up to Liz’s apartment.”

Scott went over the conversation at the hospital and went a sickening pasty white within seconds. “Oh he wouldn’t.” Sending a pleading look over at Roy he could see that the other man was coming to the same conclusions. “He can’t be thinking it. You’re his friend Roy talk him out of it!”

Roy had watched Jason’s eyes turn to granite as Scott started his mental tirade. Taking the other man by the arm he started to pull him to the stairs as she sent out a thanks to Leticia. “Will you shut up?” Roy grumbled.

Jason watched until they disappeared. “Well they were acting odd.” Leticia laughed as she walked into the kitchen with the remains of Michael’s after school snack.

“Liz is going to be bait.” Michael told his Uncle Jason proudly.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Two

Once Leticia led Michael from the room Liz looked over at Luke as though he had lost his mind. “You want me to be...”

“Bait.” Luke supplied as he nodded.

“Bait for what?” Feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise Liz was reminded of a conversation she had once had with Laura. It was about the way Laura would get this ‘feeling’ whenever Luke was up to no good. Liz had a pretty good idea that she was having one of those feelings right at that moment.

“It’s more of a who than a what, Darlin.” A boyish sparkle consumed his blue eyes as he rubbed his hands together, clearly pleased by whatever plan he had formed in his head.

“Okay who then?” She was in trouble, Luke had her hook, line and sinker. She already knew she wouldn’t be able to say no to Luke. Not when he looked like a little boy on Christmas morning.

“Well you see there’s these two over grown flying monkeys that I need to get past.” Walking over to the couch Luke sat down as Liz waited for him to continue. “And you my beautiful, caring, and gutsy young woman are just the person to distract them.”

“Luke you already had me after staring role. You don’t need to flatter me now.” Blushing anyways, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Just tell me what needs to be done.”

A loud knock at her door interrupted Luke before he could get down to the nitty gritty. Suddenly the door flew open as Scott came charging through. “Stop whatever you’re doing Luke.”

“Why Scott you disappoint me pal, I wasn’t doing anything but admiring Liz’s new shoebox.” Spreading his arms out in innocence Luke grinned at Scott’s flushed face. “See this here is why we don’t play with you very often. You’re absolutely no fun.”

“Yeah well at least I don’t involve innocent children into my plots and schemes.” Scott shot back as he put a hand on each of Liz’s shoulders. “Whatever he’s trying to talk you into just say no. It’s really easy so here watch me.” Turning back to Luke he started his old adversary in the eye. “No.”

Turning back to Liz’s amused face Scott gave her shoulders a soft squeeze. “Your turn, just look at him and say no.”

Biting her lower lip, she really tried hard not to laugh. “I really want to help.”

“Close.” Scott nodded as though he really wasn’t listening. “But it’s just one word. No.”

“Oh leave her alone. Lizzie here is great at this kind of thing and she won’t even have to die this time around. Besides you should’ve seen the way she handled old Hells Bells Cassadine. I’m telling you the girl has the gift. So Nancy Regan if you’re done I’m sure Leticia won’t mind stirring up a yummy glass of Metamucil.” Prying Liz away from Scott’s hold, Luke turned her around.

“The plan is simple, fool proof really.”

“Those words coming out of your mouth only spell doom!” Pivoting on his heal, Scott glared over at Roy who had so far remained silent. “Do something before your pal over here corrupts yet another innocent young woman.”

“Luke perhaps Scott has a point.” Using a tone he hoped would get through to the land of insanity Luke had taken up residency in, Roy gave his friend a steady stare.

“Yeah on his head.” Luke sneered.

Ignoring the barb without a beat, Roy pushed on. “Getting Elizabeth involved might not be the best idea.”

“No I want to help.” Speaking up for herself, Liz couldn’t explain it but she really wanted to be a part of whatever Luke and the other two men where up to. “I mean its not like I’m really doing anything right now.”

Seeing that the young woman in front of him had already been sucked in by Luke’s charm, Roy felt it was his responsibility to let her know exactly what she was getting herself involved with. “I don’t know how much Luke has told you about what’s going on.” Pausing for her to answer, Roy watched as she began to nibble on her lower lip.

“Well not much really.” Sending Luke an exasperated look Roy shook his head and wondered how even at an older age Luke was still able to charm the ladies into getting stuck in one of his schemes.

“I was about to tell her until *he* came charging in here.” Waving a hand in disgust over at Scott, Luke sulked and sat down on the couch.

“Liz I’m sure that I don’t need to tell you that what I’m about to tell you is confidential. With Carly having come back, it leaves us with a dead body and a false DNA test.”

“I was wondering about that.” Liz nodded. “Who do you think is behind it?” Watching the three men exchange glances Liz rolled her eyes. “Oh come on. Even I have *my* suspicions. If you want me to be a part of this I don’t want to be kept in the dark about anything.”

“Who do you think is behind it?” Luke was carefully watching Liz, waiting for her reply. He knew the girl was one smart cookie. No one really saw it, but he did. She may look like a sweet little church girl, all smiles and blushes. But he knew there was another side to his adopted daughter that she very rarely let out to play. She could be tuff when the time called for it, and when her head wasn’t in the clouds her street smarts gave his a run for his money.

“Well I’m probably wrong.” Feeling a little uncomfortable with the way they were watching her, Liz pushed down the nervous butterflies in her stomach. She didn’t want to ruin this, whatever this was. It was the first time in a long time she wasn’t being treated like some charity case and it felt good, she felt needed. “I was thinking who would benefit most from Carly’s death and there’s only one person I could really think of...AJ.”

Bolting to his feet Luke pointed a finger in Liz’s direction, a huge grin from ear to ear. “See I told you she has the gift.”

“Well that was very Nancy Drew of her, but I think that most of the town has already started to connect those dots.” Scott argued.

“BUT!” Liz went on. “Then I started to recall everything I knew about AJ. Having been friends with Emily I’ve been able to see AJ in some of his not so bright moments. He’s not smart enough to do this, but the person who controls him is.”

The three men who were getting ready to argue all stopped and turned her way. “Come again Sweetheart?” Luke’s forehead creased as he stood staring at her.

“I’m not sure if you all have notices but AJ’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer.” Really getting into having the attention on her, Liz eyes began to sparkle.

“You all have issues with AJ. So this has tainted your outlook on this. I on the other hand really have no history with him, except that he’s Emily and Jason’s brother.” Pausing she watched as three numb nods in unison as the guys listened.

“I also know that it’s Edward Quartermaine that leads AJ by the hand.” She concluded.

“Boy she’s good.” Luke let out a deep breath. “And here I was *really* wanting to go after AJ.”

“Oh I’m not saying that he didn’t know.” Seeing Luke’s disappointment Liz soothed his hurt feelings.

“Well one Quartermaine is just as good as another I guess and if AJ was involved...” Luke paused as he went over everything again in his mind.

“See this is why we shouldn’t drag her into this.” Scott pointed out. “AJ is one thing, but Edward he’s a totally different game. The man may be ready for geriatrics, but he’s still a crafty SOB.”

“No I’m in this.” Liz’s eyes took on a glint of determination. “Besides who else are you going to use for bait?”

~~~*~~~

Feeling his blood run cold through his veins, Jason hugged Michael back and set the boy on the ground. “Michael what do you mean your Uncle Luke wants to use Elizabeth as bait?”

With a careless shrug of his shoulders the redhead didn’t understand why Uncle Jason looked so serious. “I don’t know. He asked her if she wanted to be part of an adventure and told her she’d be bait.” His small face scrunched up as he thought for a moment. “I don’t think Liz likes to fish.”

If he hadn’t been so worried about Elizabeth he may have found Michael’s observation funny. But he knew Spencer and his haywire plans and it only meant trouble for the girl that had haunted his mind over the last year.

With a forced smile, Jason led Michael over to the couch. “I don’t think she does either. Did your Uncle Luke say anything else?”

“Nope. But Grandma said that Liz had to start her life over again.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Three

He’d been sitting impatiently in Bobby’s living room for close to an hour and there still hadn’t been any sign of Elizabeth. Sure he'd heard footsteps on the floorboards above, an occasional shout, but no physical sign of those enchanting dark blue eyes. Jason would know, because every few minutes his eyes would dart over to the stairs, his breath trapped somewhere between his lungs and his throat. He couldn't get his muscles to relax as his body sat ridged waiting for Elizabeth to appear. It was weird almost like a deep part of him knew she was near by.

Michael was curled up on the end of the couch, small snoring sounds coming from under the afghan that was draped over his tiny form. He’d fallen asleep in the middle of a book on Egypt, making Jason silently wonder if he was tired or if the book bored the little guy to death.

Once again his crystal blues were drawn to the stairs. As though his feet had a mind of their own he stood from the chair he’d been sitting in and headed for the stairs he’d been watching for what seemed to be an eternity. Slowly taking one step at a time, he came up with a hundred and one reasons why he shouldn’t be doing this. Ranging from it wasn’t any of his damn business, to okay honestly that was really the only one he had come up with a hundred and one times. But his gut was telling him that whatever was going on upstairs was jeopardizing her safety. So, Jason rationalized, this was just his form of intervention. Save him time and grief when things got out of hand and he was forced to step in and help.

Reaching the top landing and walking down the long hallway to the door at the end, he could hear voices now on the other side of the door. Not surprising he could hear Scott complaining about corrupting the youth of the town and Luke telling Scott if he didn’t like it to leave. It was Roy’s voice that broke up the soon to be argument. Stepping closer to the door to get in a better spot to hear he shook his head at another verbal spat the two older men were getting into.

“Liz honey did that closet of yours swallow you whole?” Jason shifted from foot to foot to a more comfortable position.

“I’m not too sure about this outfit.” Just her voice sent a shiver down his back. It was a cross between hearing an angel, and the sultry song of a siren. He could tell by her voice that she sounded uncomfortable, making his brown crease in concern.

“Well come on out here and let us take a look-see.”

There was a long pause, as Jason leaned closer to the door. It was the catcall that sent his blood boiling. He could only imagine what would make Elizabeth uneasy and Spencer whistle. He had half a mind to barge into the room and demand to know what the hell was going on. But he wouldn’t do that to her. Keeping an eye on her to make sure she was safe was one thing. Turning into a raving lunatic like Lucky another.

“I look like a slut.”

“No you don’t Darlin, you look...”

“Like a slut.” She finished for him. “Scott what do you think?”

“That I would hogtie my own daughter if she ever owned something like that.” Scott’s voice was full of disdain.

Personally Jason had never really cared for Scott, but at that moment Jason was cheering the guy on.

“This won’t work.”

“Finally she’s coming to her senses!”

“No the plan will work, this outfit won’t. Sure guys become stupid when enough flesh is shown, but I think our guys would go for a more innocent and clean kind of a female.”

“Alberta Macintyre's boys probably would go for anything with a pulse.” Luke’s grumble of disappointment floated through the door. “Okay maybe I got a little carried away when I picked out that outfit.”

“I’ll be right back. I have something perfect in mind.”

“Whatever it is none of those long granny skirts you’ve been sporting. They scream uptight librarian.”

The sound of footsteps and a closing door made Jason retreat a back down the stairs. Grabbing his phone out of his leather jacket he made a call. Macintyre, he had a name, now he just need to figure out why Elizabeth was being used as bait.

When a voice finally answered on the other end, Jason couldn’t help but smile. “Johnny, I need your help with something.”

~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Wiping off some of the make-up she had caked onto her face with a spatula, Liz let out a long sigh of relief. It wasn’t as though she didn’t like make-up, it really did have a way of hiding ones flaws. But when there was enough on her face to make her look genetically related to Tammy Faye Baker, well there was limit.

Looking down at the simple spring dress she had bought but never worn she wondered if it would pass Luke‘s inspection. The barley there spaghetti straps hardly kept the top in place as the silky heather blue material poured down her body like water. The hem of the dress fell about an inch above her knees, showing off her shapely calves. Three-inch platform sandals gave her legs an illusion of being longer, which was always a miracle in her case. She had also bought a matching sweater, but something told her that the compromise from the embarrassing get-up Luke had chosen and what she had would mean she’d go sweaterless for the day.

She still felt a little bare, but she always did this time of year after a winter of bulky sweaters and heavy pants. But she defiantly was more at ease dressed like this instead of some streetwalker down on Pier Street.

Stepping out of the bathroom, Liz caught the three grown men at one another’s throats again. Well actually it was Scott and Luke circling around each other, and Roy standing by to break up any real problems. All three men glanced up as she entered the room and froze.

Letting out another loud catcall Luke stood back and started to nod approvingly. “You know what sweetheart that is the outfit to pull this off.”

Making a dramatically half turn she smiled over her shoulder at Luke.

“Roy I need you to go and get Laura’s car. If she asks any questions just tell her that mine’s acting up again.” Throwing his friend his set of keys, he glared over at Scott. “Why don’t you go with him? But don’t and I repeat don’t say anything to Laura if she asks. You couldn’t lie your way out of a paper bag.” With one last immature glare toward the lawyer, Luke turned his attention back to Roy. “Meet me out front of Frick and Frack’s apartment building in lets say,” Looking at his watch Luke cocked his head to the side. “An hour sound good?”

“Luke you haven’t told us what you’re planning.” Roy lifted a brow in question. Though he trusted Luke with his life, lately his plans had been a little more out there than usual.

“Don’t worry, you’re starting to sound like him. I’ll tell you all everything you need to know when we get there. Come on I‘ll walk you two out.” Patting Roy on the back and half shoving him to the door he called out to Liz that he’d be right back.

The three men went down the steps single filed, stopping at the base of the stairs in the front foyer. “Will you two wipe off those looks off your faces? You’re gonna scare the girl.”

“Well she should be.” Running a hand through his thinning hair Scott tried one more time to get Luke see reason. “I know that you’ll always see that girl as a daughter, even if she’s not marrying Lucky.”

“Marry? Where the hell have you been? She won’t even be in the same room with my boy.” Leaning against the banister to get into a comfortable position, Luke knew how long-winded Scott could get.

“Right. She’s been through a lot this last year. The Spencer/Cassadine war.”

“Which she handled herself like an ace.” Luke broke in.

“Which she was poisoned and nearly died in.” Scott shot back.

“She didn’t almost die, we poisoned her on purpose.” Not aware how condemning his words were Luke waved his hand acting like it was an everyday occurrence to slip someone a substance to make them appear to have died.

“Then there was the wedding fiasco, where she had to learn that your son wasn’t marrying her because he loved her but because he felt he owed her.” Raising both his brows he waited for Luke to interrupt that one, but seeing the blush rise up on Spencer’s face he had a feeling that there were no words to warrant Lucky’s behavior. “Followed by my favorite who done it, the accident. Where she was put in the hospital with dangerous injuries.”

“Between you and me it was Gia Campbell's fault.” Putting a hand to his face and whispering theatrically, Luke winked at the two men. “Scott I know what she’s been through. I also know that something happened to break up Port Charles's very own Scooby gang. None of them save my annoying stepson and his gold digging fiance are talking to one another. Liz needs some excitement in her life.”

“What she needs is to figure out what she wants to do. She’s not going to school, doesn’t have a job.” Scott started to list off the reasonable things that Liz should be doing but froze when he realized they were being watched. “Jason.”

Never in his life had Luke Spencer spun around so fast. With a low curse, and a loud groan at his luck, he put on a fake smile and lifted his hand to Jason. “Long time no see. When are you leaving?”

“I’m not.” Folding his arms over his chest Jason looked Spencer right in the eye and enjoyed watching as the older man squirmed.

“Aren’t we lucky?” Luke looked back over his shoulder, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he made a face.

“Depends.”

“On what?” Scott stepped forward.

“On whether Elizabeth gets hurt or not.” The tone of his voice left no doubt that he meant business.

“Why would that darling little girl get hurt?”

“Cut the crap Spencer. I may not have much use for your son, but you and I have never had any major issues. So lets not start now. I know your dragging Liz into one of your little schemes and as much as I want to stop whatever is going on I can’t. It’s not my place. So I’m going to only warn you once, if so much as a hair on her head gets a split end I’m coming after you, all of you. Are we straight on that?”

“So Cowboy wasn’t joking. You really do have a thing for our Liz.”

“She’s my friend Spencer. That’s all you need to know.” Stepping around the group of men, Jason hesitated at the foot of the steps and looked up before swinging the door open and stepping out into the bright sunlight.

“Wow it’s not everyday your threatened by the mob.” Shrugging his shoulders, Luke started to push Roy and Scott out the door. “Car, hour, building.”

Roy paused as he watched Jason start his motorcycle and roar down the street. “Luke you know that Jason wasn’t joking right.”

“Yeah I know. But the thing is nothing’s gonna happen, you’ll see.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Four

“Okay here’s the plan.” A wicked and terrifying gleam housed itself in Luke’s eyes, almost glowing with promise that everyone was in for a long bumpy ride. Standing outside in the early spring sun, a slight breeze wrapped around the four bodies that were huddled together.

It had taken Roy and Scott a little longer than they had expected, seeing that Laura was strong on the scent that there was something amiss going on. She had asked several questions, all aimed at Scott that Roy had been able to answer in the best way he knew how. Cryptic and evasively.

Liz, her arms wrapped tight around her shivering body as she tried to fight off the slight chill in the air, struggled to concentrate on what Luke had to say. Only since she and Luke had met the other two men on the corner of third and Pier Street, she couldn’t get rid of that nagging sensation that she was being watched.

Not just noticed, like hey I see you there, but scrutinized like she were under a microscope kind of watched. Call it her form of Spider senses, that tingly feeling that turned into an annoying buzz inside her head, her skin starting to feel too tight, that every move she made every facial expression that passed her face she was being analyzed. It was a feeling she could do without.

“You see that red pick-up truck parked over there.” Pointing in the general direction, three sets of eyes looked up. “The one that looks as though it should have a Rebel flag and a gun rack in the back.”

Scanning the street, her focus shot, Liz let her eyes wander around the rundown neighborhood, searing for the source of her discomfort. Too bad there weren’t any large signs that said peeping Tom here with a big X marking the spot.

“Sweetie you aren’t gonna find any old jalopies up on the roofs.” Stepping behind her, Luke put a hand on each shoulder and turned her in the direction he had been pointing to. “There see it?”

“Yeah.” Sucking her lower lip between her teeth she nodded.

“Real Hot Rod isn’t it?” Something in her voice caught his attention. Turning her to face him he studied her face for a moment. “Lizzie honey is there something wrong? You’re not having second thoughts are you?”

“Thank the Lord! I knew you were a smart girl.” Scott beamed as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet.

“No! I already told you that I‘m in. I just have this creepy feeling like I‘m being watched.” Shaking her head, Liz looked over her shoulder again. “Do you guys get the feeling that we’re being watched?”

Looking over her shoulder again, Liz missed the look the three men were exchanging.

Roy’s head shot up as he started to scan the area. Taking a few steps away from the small group, he slowly circled. His eyes searching their surroundings. “I don’t see anything.”


“That feeling you’re having is what called a guilt complex. You’re doing something that you know is wrong and your instincts are warning you against it.” Scott commented dryly. “Trust me, I represent a lot of people that get that feeling and in the end wished that they had listened to it.”

“Will you shut up? If you don’t want to be here then just leave.” Clearly having met his pain threshold of having Scott in his personal space, Luke cast a glare at the other man. “You whine like a girl.” Turning to Liz he looked down at her apologetically. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Responding back, a smile tugged at Liz’s lips.

“Naw I’m sticking around so when this plan falls through I can stand here and tell you I told you so. Even if it’s from the next jail cell over.” Shoving his hands into his pockets, Scott snapped his mouth shut.

“The plan?” Roy asked almost afraid. He also was getting the feeling they were being watched. But unlike Liz he had a strong feeling that he knew who was keeping an eye on them. Trying to be discreet he cast another look around to see if he could pick up on anything. That’s when he say it. A blue Buick halfway up the block. It was a slight reflection that had caught his eye. Someone was watching them.

“Oh yes the plan.” A fire leapt back into Luke’s eyes. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out Laura’s key chain.

~~~*~~~

“Damn I wish I knew what they were saying.” Lowering his binoculars, Johnny shoved a chip in his mouth.

“Does it matter what they’re saying?” A low growl slipped through Jason’s lips as he watched Elizabeth wrap her arms around her shivering body. What in the hell was she thinking dressing like that anyway? It wasn’t warm enough out to show that much skin. Not that she wasn’t breathtaking, he knew without a doubt that she had taken his away the minute he laid his eyes on her. “Spencer’s involved so it’s no good.”

Snorting softly Johnny popped another chip in his mouth and brought the binoculars back up to his eyes. “So what do you think they’re up too?”

“I’m betting that this has something to do with the DNA scam and the dead body that was supposed to be Carly.” A soft breeze lifted the back of Liz’s dress, bringing it up a few inches as it danced in the wind.

“Ahh.” Johnny said nodding. “Do you think they have something?”

“I don’t know. But if they do it’s guaranteed that whatever Luke has planned will ruin whatever lead they have.” Shaking his head his mouth set in a grim line, he watched as Scott and Luke started arguing again.

“So how does Miss Webber fit into all this?”

“She doesn’t. That’s the problem. Luke wants to use her as bait.” Trying to keep a professional attitude, detaching him from any emotional involvement, Jason kept his tone level his face blank. Where he could control his outside appearance he was having a devil of a time controlling the volcanic eruption going on inside.

After a year away he truly believed that he would have been able to come back and control himself where Elizabeth was concerned. Not that he planned on avoiding her or ignoring the feelings that refused to die, just be able to separate his feelings for her from his business life.

When he’d been here last he’d let his life get spin of control. His every action and mood revolved around how he and her were getting along at the time. Making some very poor decisions based on those emotions. No this time he had told himself that he would keep those two parts of his life separate. But here he was with Johnny, his first day back and the two worlds were already bleeding into one another.

He had known through Sonny that Liz and Lucky were a thing of the past. That the two were on the outs and neither were interested in fixing whatever problems were keeping them apart. He had felt a little guilty the way his heart soared when he heard about the wedding being called off. Knowing the pain that Elizabeth must have gone through. He really wished that he could’ve been there so she had someone to talk to, to vent out the anger and frustration he knew had to of been swarming inside her.

He loved her, that much he knew without question. There couldn’t be any other name for the feelings he had lived with for the last year. Most of the time he just hurt, feeling as though a limb had been torn from his body. Sleep had become a joke. Because every time he’d close his eyes all he could see was the look in her eyes the last time they saw one another after the fire.

Maybe if he hadn’t seen love in glowing like a beacon, the past year would have been less painful. But he knew what he saw. It didn’t mean that he understood it, or liked that she walked away from him, from the chance they had to be together. But he knew what he saw. Which meant that he might still have a chance to show her the lights, to give her freedom, to wake-up with her at his side.

“Duck!” Snapping out of his stupor, Jason slouched down in the seat. Ducking his head to the side. “Damn. I think she knows they’re being watched.” Muttering in his uncomfortable position, Johnny tried to squirm lower.

“How?” His brows knotting together, Jason peaked over the dashboard as Liz looked right in their direction.

“I don’t know. Women’s intuition?”

Waiting until the small group stopping looking around, Jason sat back up. “Tell me again what you have on the Macintyres.”

“Nothing much. Alberta Macintyre has been arrested once for bad checks, that was back in ‘83. Her boys have had a few run ins with the law but nothing big.” Reaching into the backseat, Johnny grabbed the file he had gotten from Benny. “They moved here about a year ago from Queens. She works at the local A&P as a cashier. Her boys both work at Hanks garage.”

“That’s it?” Taking the file from Johnny’s hands, Jason glanced at the papers. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jason shook his head at his bad luck.

“@#%$ she’s looking this way again.” Both sliding down in their seats they waited a moment before sitting up. “Okay they have to know we’re here. Should we bail?”

“No. I don’t care if they know we’re here. My only concern is Elizabeth’s safety.”

~~~*~~~


“You want me to WHAT?” Liz looked down at the keys in her hand to the lunatic standing in front of her. “Luke have you lost your mind?”

Scott pushed at Luke’s shoulder, his eyes wide in disbelief. “I knew you were you were losing it Spencer you can’t just ask her to--.”

“Now Sweetheart don’t look at me like that.” Ignoring Scott and his little tantrum, Luke looked directly into Liz’s startled blue orbs and tried to calm her down. “I’m not telling you to go mock eighty into the side of the truck. I’m just saying a little innocent fender bender.” His face clearly showed that he didn’t understand Liz’s reluctance to the plan. “Then when they come barreling down the front steps start up the ole water fountains and cry them a tale.”

“Yeah while they call the cops and I get arrested for driving without a license. Luke you’re the one who tried to teach me to drive, remember? Does whiplash ring any bells? And lets not mention that I just recovered from a major car accident. Not really planning on reliving that fun filled day.”

“Shh.” Covering her mouth with his hand Luke looked around to see if anyone was close enough to hear Liz’s outburst. “So you don’t like the plan.”

Shaking her head and glaring at Luke, the older man lowered his hand and shrugged. “Okay plan B.”

~~~*~~~

“I never knew that Miss Webber had a temper. I mean I knew that she’s a little stubborn...”

“Like a mule.” Jason replied a little louder than he had intended.

“But wow can you see the way she’s going off on Spencer. We don’t even need to hear her to know that she’s ticked.”

“Hopefully ticked off enough for her to walk away from whatever Luke has planned.” If possible his body tightened the second Luke put his hand over Liz’s mouth. “That son of a bitch.” Reaching for the door handle blindly as he kept he eyes glued on the scene in front of him, he almost had the door open before Johnny grabbed his arm.

“Whoa there. What do you think you’re doing? I thought you said no interference. Relax, see he let her go.” Keeping a hold of Jason, Johnny turned his attention back to the group. “Alls good.”

Reluctantly Jason let go of the handle. “He touches her again...”

“I know waterfront property.”

~~~*~~~

“Let me guess plan B consists of me setting myself on fire and running up and down the street.” Sarcasm dripping from her words as Liz tipped her head to the side. “Or is that plan C?”

“Did I ever tell you that I like this girl?” Grinning ear to ear, Scott looked as though the weight of the world had just been lifted off his shoulders.

Luke pouted and snapped at Scott. “What are you smiling about?”

“I know everything will be fine now that she’s shown to have some common sense. You’re losing your touch with woman.”

Ignoring the men Liz looked off into the distance and thought for a moment. “We just need a way to get Alberta’s sons out of the apartment so you can get in there to talk to her right?”

Roy was the first to respond, hoping that Liz could come up with something a little saner than ramming Laura’s car into a pick-up truck. “Right, just long enough to get a few questions answered.”

“Fine. Luke can I have your pocketknife?” Waiting for Luke to oblige, Liz kept her hand out palm side up.

“Why?”

“Do you trust me?”

Giving her a hurtful look, Luke reached into his back pocket and handed her his knife. “Well sure I do Darlin.”

“Good. Now what’s their apartment number?” This time all three men exchanged unsure glances. Rising her right brow an inch, Luke relented. “117.”

“Give me a couple minutes and you should be golden.” With Laura’s keys in one hand and the knife in the other, Liz prayed that she knew what she was doing.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Five

“Jesus she almost took out that Granny with a walker!” Sucking in a deep breath, Johnny stomped down the urge to close his eyes as Elizabeth Webber pulled out into traffic. Never in his life had he seen so many moving violations at one time. “I didn’t know that Miss Webber... drove.” The last word was slightly hesitated as hundreds of other adjectives bounced around his head that described Elizabeth Webber’s driving abilities.

Dropping the binoculars down into his lap, Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “She doesn’t, or at least she didn’t when I was here last. I can’t watch. Just tell me if she crashes.”

Shaking his head, Johnny winced as the sedan barely missed sideswiping a forest green Cherokee Jeep. “Should we follow her?” The real question should be. How did one tail a sedan going fifteen miles an hour and was using both lanes?

To his word Jason didn’t look up. “Is Spencer and his friends still standing there?”

“Yeah, looks as though Spencer’s about to piss his pants.” Johnny shook his head with a slight smirk.

“Then no. I really don‘t know what the hell is going on, but if the guys are still standing there it’s a safe bet she isn’t going far.”

Tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, Johnny paused. “I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“The women in this town.” Johnny said shaking his head. “Most of them can’t drive, and the majority of the ones that do shouldn’t. I mean they do offer drivers Ed here don’t they? First it’s Sonny’s little sister and Gia Campbell, then it was Carly.”

Jason nodded absently.

“It just seems weird. Take my sisters for example. They knew how to drive by the time they turned ten.”

“Cause they were lifting cars by the age of ten.” The corners of Jason’s mouth twitched as Johnny stared at him in disbelief. “Morgan was that a joke?” The only response he got was another teasing twitch.

“Where is she now?”

“She just turned the corner about a block up. You’d be impressed she only took out two trashcans.”

Groaning and leaning his head back to stare at the ceiling.

~~~*~~~


“So you taught her how to drive huh?” Scott grimaced as he watched Liz maneuver Laura’s car down the street. “Why is it that I don’t find that hard to believe?”

“Will you just shut your mouth? I swear having you around is like having my very own walking and talking hemorrhoid. Scott you’re a pain in my ass.” Fidgeting in place Luke’s eyes went from Laura’s car to the blue Buick down the street. “Man Morgan is going to kill us.”

Roy nodded. “You spotted him too?”

“Kinda hard not to miss, it’s not like he’s being all that secretive about it or anything.” Running a hand over his face, Luke winced as a Jeep honked its horn as Liz barely missed them.

“What do you mean? Where is he?” Looking around wildly, Scott’s face lost a bit of coloring.

“Jeez man, think you could try to at least be a tad discreet?” Pulling on Scott’s shirtsleeve, Luke groaned. “You act like you’ve never had the mob breathing down your neck before.”

Yanking his arm away, Scott shoved his hands into his pockets. “Well that’d be because I haven’t.”

Roy looked down at the ground pretending to be interested in the cracked cement. “Blue Buick about half a block up.”

Scott tried hard not to look in the direction of the vehicle, but found it hard. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“It wouldn’t have changed anything.” Shrugging his shoulders, Luke shoved his hands into his pockets, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.

Grumbling several colorful oaths under his breath, Scott closed his eyes and brought a hand to his forehead. “Well that’s just great! Maybe I should’ve sent my obit to the PC Herald.”

“Yeah can see it now. Dried up, middle aged mediocre lawyer found dead. Cause of death determined to be extreme case of anal retentivitus.” Luke chuckled at his own joke and ignoring Scott’s unamused glare.

“Will you two shut up?” Raising his brows at the bickering men, Roy shook his head. “I haven’t said anything until now but listen up both of you. We’re risking Liz’s safety here, and I don’t mean Momma Macintyre’s sons either. Whoever paid them has money and connections. What if we’re all wrong and it isn’t either Quartermaine? Did either of you think of that?”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Turning the key in the ignition, Liz leaned her head forward and rested it against the steering wheel as she took a few deep-cleansing breaths. There was no doubt, she was a menace on the streets. No wonder she didn’t have her license. Who knew that some gray haired little old biddy knew so many curse words?

Pulling the keys out and shoving them into her purse, Liz felt around for the cool smooth surface of the pocketknife Luke had given her. Staring down at the object in her hand Liz silently wondered what in the hell she thought she was doing. Sure it had been fun scheming with Luke, but now that she was seconds away from actually following through on it she was wondering about her own mental state.

Shoving the purse under her seat, Liz looked into the rearview mirror and was mildly shocked to see how calm her reflection looked seemed. With how tightly she was wound inside she wouldn’t have been surprised at all to see the reflection of some wild woman staring back.

Wiping her hands on the car seat, and taking one last deep breath, Liz opened the car door. Looking around to make sure that no one was watching she headed to the rear tire and kneeled down. Holding the handle in a tight fist, Liz held her breath and slammed the point into the tire.

The first attempt failed when the point only grazed the tire. Biting down on her lower lip she tried again, and again until she was rewarded with a satisfying hiss of air escaping the inflicted hole. Standing up quickly and looking around again, she opened the back door of the sedan and threw the pocketknife in.

~~~*~~~

“What the?” Looking over at Jason, Johnny rolled his eyes and gave his boss a sharp elbow in the ribs. “I think you should take a look at this.”

“Is she still driving?”

“Nah, the car’s parked. But well it looks as though she’s trying to slash her own tire now.” His amused chuckle brought Jason’s eyes from the ceiling to where Johnny was looking. “She’ll never cut through it holding the blade like that.”

“I don’t get it. What in the hell is going on?” He usually had a gut instinct that gave him the ability to see through other people’s actions. But he was a loss here. Which only frustrated him to no end. Especially with Liz involved.

“Well if it’s any consolation I don’t think our little friends have any more of a clue than we do.” Nodding over to the three grown men, who were standing on the corner, mouths hanging open looks of confusion plastered to their faces. “They look like a damn group of guppies.”

“Okay that does it, whatever they have planned its over.” Jerking his head over to where Spencer was standing, Jason felt a cold rage churning in his stomach. It would please him to no end to just be able to hit the old man once, okay maybe twice.

Coming back to Port Charles he knew that nothing was going to be all rosy at first. There had been too many lose ends left the last time he’d been in town. But having to sit back, biting his tongue as he watched Liz put her safety in the hands of a deranged idiot was not something he saw happening.

“What happened to just keeping an eye on her? Or your ever so popular live and let live mantra?” Johnny’s patronizing was the last straw.

“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Holding his hands up, one still clutching the binoculars the other empty, Johnny couldn’t seem to keep the smug grin off his face. “Okay, okay don’t look at me like that. It’s just that I don’t get it. We’re sitting here waiting for something bad to happen and then step in before she really gets hurt. When I know all you really want to do is get out of this car and throw her over your shoulder.”

“I would never do that.” Frowning, Jason shifted forward to lean his elbows on his legs. Though the idea had some merit.

Johnny snorted and shook his head. “No you wouldn’t.”

“Why do you make that sound like it’s a bad thing?” Getting clearly aggravated with the bodyguard Jason’s tone was icy.

“Listen forget I said anything.” Shrugging his massive shoulders, Johnny just shook his head.

Teeth grinding together, Jason “If you’ve got something to say just say it.”

“I know that it’s none of my business and all...”

“But?”

“Can I be frank with you, totally off the record?” Without a word Jason nodded for Johnny to continue. “Fine, but remember this is off the record and you can’t put your fist in my face.” Waiting for Jason to nod, Johnny cleared his throat and thought for a moment before he continued. “When it comes to Miss Webber you’re a frigging idiot.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Last time you were here you didn’t even fight for her, you just walked away and let her stay with that little punk.”

“You know what O’Brien you were right. It isn’t any of your damn business.” Letting his face go blank, Jason leaned back in his seat.

Ignoring the dangerous territory he had stepped knee deep into, Johnny pushed forward. “You just stood back, letting her choose like the noble sap you are. Knowing that she was making a huge ass mistake. Did you tell her how you felt? No...Anyone who knows you know that you didn’t that you wouldn’t. You stayed in the background, waiting. Here you are a year latter doing the same damn thing.” Motioning with his hand in the direction where they last saw Liz, Jason’s eyes looked in the direction and straightened in his seat.

“If you want the girl this time you need to be more aggressive. Keep your eye on the target.”

Swearing loudly, Jason hit the dashboard. “She’s gone.”

~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~*~~~*~~

“You know Spencer its not too late to run across the street and get her.” His voice begging, Scott looked Luke in the eye and could the worried gleam.

“Naw she can do this. Liz is strong and smart.” Nodding, Luke sounded more like he was trying to talk himself into his words than trying to convince Scott. “Did I say quick on her feet?”

The three men stood rooted in place, their eyes glued to the door that Liz had just entered. All holding their breaths, praying that nothing happened to Elizabeth.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Six

I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. Chanting silently inside her head, Liz stopped in front of her destination and took a deep breath. Shaking out her limbs and rolling her head from side to side, she closed her eyes and told herself to get a grip.

Darn it Webber pull yourself together. Stop being such a ninny and just knock of the freaking door all ready. With a determined nod, she wiped her sweaty palms on the skirt of her dress before raising a shaky hand.

Her arm fell back to her side, and with a disgusted groan, tilted back her head. She was being stupid. The McIntyre's were nothing compared to the trauma she had faced in her relatively short life. Not only had she survived being raped, the fire and Helena Cassidine. But she was well acquainted with Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan.

Jason. God if he could see her now. A small smile spread across her overly glossed lips. He’d probably give her that look. The one where he thought he had all his thoughts hidden from sight. But his eyes always gave him away, well at least to her they did. He’d be upset. No he’d be highly agitated that she was purposely putting herself in danger.

Not that he’d say anything. Well at first anyways. He’d stand back. Grinding his teeth, his body tense, until he couldn’t take it anymore. Then he’d jump to action. Telling her to go back to the studio while he took care of the problem. Not that she ever listened to him.

Looking again at the door, then down at the dress she was wearing. The smile on her lips faded. Perhaps it was a good thing that he wasn’t here. Because she really didn’t think Jason would find any humor in the situation.

~~~*~~~

Glaring at Johnny’s fingers drumming against the steering wheel. Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “I swear I’m going to break your fingers if you don’t stop that.”

“Jesus you’re a freaking grouch.” Muttering under his breath, Johnny checked his watch. “How long has she been in there?”

“Three minutes and twenty-four seconds.” Answering without a second thought, Jason looked up and kept his eyes glued to the entrance of the building.

“How long are we giving her?”

“One minute and thirty-six seconds more.”

“So you gonna just bust in there?”

“Actually I was giving your idea some thought. Just throwing her over my shoulder, take her somewhere and try to talk a little sense into her.” There was no trace of joking in his voice. Johnny nodded. “It’s a sound plan.”

“Are the other’s ready?” Pulling his gun out of the glove box he checked the clip and switched the safety off.

Looking in the rearview mirror, Johnny grunted. “Right around the corner.”

“Good. She has forty seconds.” The car fell silent.

~~~*~~~

“Okay Spencer I’m through with this.” Scotty slammed his fist in his hand. His eyes blazing. “To tell you the truth I kinda like Elizabeth. She’s sweet, kind and had enough brains not to marry your son. She shouldn’t be involved in something like this.” His eyes flickered to the right, over to the car that was parked down the block. “Plus I might be selfish when I say this but I also really, really like my life. Jason isn’t going to look too kindly on how we’re using her.”

“Jason-Smashon.” Luke shrugged his shoulder and looked directly at the blue Buick. Lifting up a hand and waving, he waited until he knew he’d been noticed.

“Damnit Luke will you cut it out.” Grabbing his friend’s arm, Roy cursed under his breath with the driver stuck his middle finger out of the sunroof. “See are you happy now?”

Luke wanted to say yes, but checking his watch again he fidgeted. “She’s been in there for almost five minutes. What in the hell is she doing? Having tea and crumpets?”

“Crap he’s getting out of the car.” Rubbing the back of his neck and quickly looking down at his feet, Scotty’s face started to turn beet red. “Crap...Crap...Crap.”

“Luke this isn’t good.” Roy shook his head. The sound of squealing wheels brought their heads up, looking down the street they watched as another car screeched around the corner, only to double park next to Laura’s car. “He called back up.”

Letting out a disgusted growl, Luke ran a hand over his stubbly hair cut. “He’s ruining everything!”

“No. He’s not willing to let Elizabeth put her life in danger.” Sonny’s voice came from behind them.

~~~*~~~

She couldn’t believe she had gone through with it. No she couldn’t believe the two guys who were following her, staring at her butt had fallen for the line of crap she had given them. Amazing what a few tears could get you. No wonder Sarah had men falling at her feet at a few calculated sniffles.

“I really do appreciate you two helping me.” Looking over her shoulder, Liz tried not to think about just how huge the two men were. No not just huge, but gigantic. Both were at least two feet taller than she was. “I’m such an idiot when it comes to cars.”

“Well I’m sure you make up for it in other areas.” Trying not to hurl on the man’s shoes, Liz gave him a fake smile and turned her head before he saw her rolling her eyes. Boy didn’t she just meet the classiest men in Port Charles. It was a wonder they were both single.

“That’s...sweet.” Feeling that she had to say something, she reached for the door handle, anxious to get outside. But before she could yank the door open, one of the men brushed her aside and made a real show of opening the door for her. “Aren’t you just the gentleman?” His cocky smile wanted to make her laugh, but somehow she found the strength to contain herself.

With one huge man in front of her, the other uncomfortably close behind, Liz’s view was slightly blocked as she went down the first step. “What the...?” Not stopping in time, Liz ran into the first man. Almost lost her balance as she cursed the three-inch heels she was wearing.

Barely grabbing onto the railing and saving herself a painful fall down the steps, Liz looked up to see what had stopped Mount Saint Helen. Feeling her stomach fall, she counted the suited men standing around Laura’s car. Recognizing several of them.

“Friends of your honey?” The man behind her asked coldly, placing a hand on her shoulder. The simple action had the men on the street pulling out their weapons and pointing them in their direction.

“If you wouldn’t mind getting your hands off my little sister, I won’t ruin your face by putting a bullet through your forehead.” Johnny took a few steps away from the rest of the men, his gun unwavering.

The pressure on her shoulder released automatically, as she felt the man take several steps away from her. “I don’t want any problems here. I was just helping...really.”

“Elizabeth, come down here.” Francis called out. Letting out a groan, Liz’s eyes flickered over to where Luke and the others were supposed to be standing and felt sick when she spotted Sonny. Taking a step around the man in front of her she made her way to the bottom step, only to see a flash of motion out of the corner of her eye.

“Jason.”

Jason Morgan walked with a determined stride to where she was standing, his eyes glued to the men behind her. “Take a good look at her.” Growling harshly, Jason reached over and wrapped his hand gently around her wrist. “If I ever see either of you so much as look at her again you will answer to me. Do I make myself clear?” Both men gulped and nodded quickly. “Good.”

Turning his attention to her, his eyes were blazing. “Elizabeth...” Clapping his mouth shut, he took a few breaths. There were several things he wanted to say to her at that moment. Things that in the heat of the moment were better left unsaid.

“Jason I can explain.” His eyes narrowed into slits. “I mean...” Johnny cleared his throat from a few feet away and shook his head in warning. Instead of taking the guards advice, she felt anger start to bubble inside her. “Besides what are you doing here? No better yet, how long have you been here?”

He was seeing red. From far away he hadn’t thought her outfit was appropriate. But up close, with the chilly breeze whipping up the street he could clearly see her hardened nipples teasing him through the flimsy fabric...

“Get in the car.” Grinding his jaw to the point he thought it was going to crack, Jason kept a firm hold of her arm and led her to the Buick. As soon as they were out of earshot he slowed until they were walking side by side. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Casting another look over his shoulder at the two large men glaring at Liz’s back, he was tempted to tell the men to have some fun just for the hell of it.

“I was helping a friend.” The words only angered him more. “Well hello to you too. You‘re gone for a year and this is the greeting I get.” She knew he’d come home someday. But out of all the ways she imagined their first meeting to be, this one didn’t even make the top one thousand list.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Seven

“Your boy looks a little high strung.” Luke grumbled under his breath as the foursome watched the show from the other side of the street. His gaze moved to Liz and Luke wanted to squeeze his eyes shut. Poor kid. She hadn’t seen Jason... yet. When she did, he knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. Jason looked ready to maim. He could feel the young man’s fury all the way on the other side of the street.

It was at that moment the man behind Liz grabbed her shoulder. Causing Luke and Roy to grimace, Sonny chuckle and Scotty groan as the guards pulled their weapons. “Do you think if I asked nicely, one of those guys would put a bullet right about here?” Pointing to the side of his head, Scotty shook his head sadly. “I’m thinking it’d be a lot less painful way to go.”

“I’d do it for you and you wouldn’t even need to ask nicely.” Luke shot his old chum a look that told him to shut up.

Turning to Sonny, Luke crossed his arms over his chest. “Wanna tell me why your kid is ruining everything? Liz was doing just fine on her own.”

Scratching the side of his head, and keeping one eye on their surroundings, Sonny let out a slow breath. “Oh come on Spencer. This plan of yours didn’t stand a chance in hell.”

“She got those huge momma's boys out here didn’t she?” Looking across the street again, he watched as Jason jumped into action. “I can’t watch this.” Luke groaned, as he placed a hand over his eyes.

Sonny chuckled. “It’s not that bad. Elizabeth is usually a smart girl. As long as she doesn’t put up a fight this will all be over in a matter of minutes.”

“Then we might want to grab a seat cause she doesn’t look too agreeable right now.” Roy’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he watched Elizabeth go off on Jason.

Luke slapped Sonny on the back. “Ten bucks on Lizzie.”

Sonny narrowed his eyes, and took a closer look at his friend’s face. He’d seen Jason mad in the past. Aggravated too. But this was something all together different. “You’re on, but make it twenty that Jason will get the last word.”

~~~*~~~

It was as though the street stood frozen in time. No one moved as they waited for Jason and Elizabeth to do something. Too bad they were at a stand still. Not trusting himself to speak, Jason was rooted in place waiting for her to make the first move. Liz refused to take another step until he said something to her. Both their eyes were flashing with anger as they stood on the sidewalk, silently daring the other to do something.

“Jason?” Johnny yelled, giving him a look that told him to get a move on it.

“Elizabeth, please. Just get in the car.” Looking down again at the way she was dressed he cursed under his breath and took off his leather jacket. “Put this on.” When she hesitated, he took it upon himself to slide her arms into the ridiculously long sleeves. Reaching out to take her arm, he scowled when she took a quick step away. “We’ll talk about this later.”

“I don’t think so. I want an answer. How long have you been here?” Her eyes shot daggers at him. “A week? Two? When were you going to let me know you were back?” The anger in her eyes was quickly replaced by pain. “Tell me this at least...am I the last one to know?”

“Later.” Letting out a frustrated sigh, he looked over his shoulder at the men who were waiting for Elizabeth to be safely tucked away into the car. Johnny rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“No now. Am I?”

“Jesus Elizabeth.” Yelling at the sky, he took a step forward until they were only inches apart. Never since he‘d met Carly had he met a woman who could get under his skin like this. There were times he wished he could do like Johnny had suggested. Throw her over his shoulder and force her to see reason. “I got back today. I checked in with Sonny and also saw Carly. I stopped by to see Michael and then I was going to head over to your studio.”

“I don’t live there anymore.” Biting on her lower lip, she hugged Jason’s jacket around her.

“I kinda figured that. Now will you please get into the car?” Waving his hand toward the car, Jason grunted when she didn’t move. “Elizabeth if you haven’t noticed my men are standing in a public street with their weapons drawn.”

Remembering her anger, Elizabeth shook her head. “You ruined a perfectly good plan. I had them out of the apartment and all Luke had to do was walk right on in.” He wasn’t going to apologize to her for stepping in. Sure perhaps they had gone a little overboard, but he wanted to make sure that not only the large looking apes standing on the steps got the hint. But also, the three conspiring idiots standing across the street also understood where he was coming from. He didn’t find putting Elizabeth in danger amusing and in the future it would not be tolerated. She meant too much to him and whether she wanted to remain friends, or wished for something more, her safety came first.

“Jesus Morgan!” Johnny shouted, “Sometime this year would be nice!”

“Are you going to get in the car?” Acting as though he hadn’t heard a word she had said, Jason shifted a little.

“No.” It wasn’t the sharply spoken words that got to him. He’d always known that she could be as stubborn as a mule when she really put her mind to it. It was the haughty way she lifted her brow at him, almost daring him that was the last straw. “I need to talk to Luke--.”

Her words were cut off when he ducked down swiftly, put his shoulder against her stomach and just as quickly stood up again. Elizabeth hadn’t stood a chance. One minute she’d been standing there. Knowing full well that she had pushed him too far. The next she felt a slight draft on her rear end, as she got a nice view of Jason’s behind.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Screeching on the top of her lungs, she was mortified to her the laughter of the men behind her. “Jason put me down.” Hitting him in the back, she tried to wiggle out of his hold, she felt the back of her dress hike up a little bit more. “Put me down. Unless of course your plan is to have me flash everyone.” Hitting his back again she got very little satisfaction out of from his grunt.

Jason got them to the car, opened the door and set her on the ground again before practically pushing her into the back seat. “If you would’ve just gotten in the car when I asked you wouldn’t have this problem.”

~~~*~~~

Francis kept his gun level on the two men standing on the steps as he inched his way over to Johnny’s side. “So what are we going to do now?” His voice low.

“How am I supposed to know?” Johnny grumbled back. “Does he have Miss Webber in the car yet?”

“You mean your little sister? Why in the hell would you say something so stupid?” Francis asked, looking over to where Jason “No. She looks pretty pissed off and he’s just standing there. ”

“Jason?” Johnny yelled, looking over at him. Shaking his head he mumbled under his breath. “He’s so freaking whipped.”

“You think?” Sarcasm laced France’s response. “I couldn’t tell.”

“I told him he should just throw her over his shoulder.”

Shaking his head, a huge smile spread across his lips. “Christ, bet he loved that advice.”

“Actually he was considering it, thank you very much.” One of the large men started to lower his arms, and Johnny pointed his gun at him.

“Did you give him any other great advice?”

“Just that he was a frigging idiot when it came to Miss Webber.”

Francis choked, his gun dropping to his side as he turned to look at his friend. “And he didn’t shove his fist down your throat?”

“Nope, made him promise. Also told him that he needed to stop waiting around for her to make a move. That he needed to be more assertive.” Moving his wrist slightly, he checked the time on his watch. “Talking about assertive has he gotten her in the car yet?”

“Nope.”

“Jesus Morgan!” Johnny shouted, “Sometime this year would be nice!” Seeing the dark look his boss sent his way, Johnny clamped his mouth shut.

“You know I think you’re getting too familiar with the boss. Calling him by his first name and all.”

“He told me too.”

“Well it’s not very...holly @#%$ he didn’t!” Francis jaw dropped as he stared down the street. Turning his head Johnny let out a loud laugh. “See told you he was thinking about throwing her over his shoulder.”

The rest of the men dared a glace, a few chuckles and one or two catcalls were issued. But when the back of Miss Webbers dress was hitched up a little higher than what most would find as modest, the men quickly looked away.

“Hey @#%$ what are you looking at?” Johnny’s face turned beet red as he headed for the steps.

The first guy, whose jaw was practically hanging to his knees, snapped it shut and nudged his brother sharply when he didn’t look away. “N-Nothing.”

“Really? Do you like staring at my sister?”

“No.” Both men replied at once, their eyes trained on the gun.

“Hey Francis did you hear that. These guys don’t think my sister is good looking enough to look at.”

Francis stepped forward. “Really?” Cocking his head to the side he bit on the inside of his cheek to keep form laughing. “Are you calling Elizabeth ugly?”

“God no.” The young man whimpered. “She’s beautiful.”

“So you were looking at her.” Nodding his head, Francis looked back over to Johnny. “See they liked looking at your sister.”

“Come on mister. We don’t wont to die.” The second man nearly cried.

Francis and Johnny shared a look of amusement. There were times that they just loved their jobs.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Eight

“It’s odd really.” Mumbling to herself out loud, Elizabeth crossed her arms across her chest, only to find Jason’s ridiculously large jacket in the way. “I don’t remember you being so pushy.”

Glaring at her reflection through the rearview mirror, Jason didn’t trust himself to turn around, afraid he would find his fingers wrapped around her throat. “Do you have any idea what could’ve happened to you in a neighborhood like this?”

“Be abducted and held hostage against my will in the back of a blue Buick?” Sarcasm dripped from the words. “It’s not like I was alone. With Luke, Roy and Scott keeping an eye on me, what could’ve gone wrong?” Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth tried the door handle and wasn’t too terribly surprised when it wouldn’t work. “I was fine. It’s not like those guys know who I am. There’s nothing connecting to the false DNA scam-.”

“Which was why you should’ve stayed out of it.”

“But I wanted to help.” Not even the muscle ticking on the side of his neck was going to detour her. She was sick and tired of people telling her what to do, and how to do it. Apparently she’d become a four year old with out realizing it. But not Jason. He was the only person who let her be what she wanted to. And now he shows up, after making himself conveniently absent and bullying her around.

“Consider this an intervention.” Keeping his gaze straight ahead to where Johnny was pushing one of the large men who had followed Elizabeth out of the rundown building, Jason gritted his teeth and ignored the nasty words directed at him from the back seat.

What in the hell had she been thinking? Combined, both men out weighed her by at least three hundred pounds, if not more. If anything had gone wrong, or if either one of the idiots had figured out she’d been messing with them . . . It was better not to think about. Nothing happened and he was going to ensure nothing did.

“Intervention?” Why that . . . “ What are you going to do? You can’t keep me from helping Luke if I want to. I’m not some little girl who needs to ask Daddy for his permission.” Kicking the back of Jason’s seat with her foot, Elizabeth swallowed anything else she was wanting to say. Even from the back seat she could tell he’d already thrown up the wall he was so famous for. That impregnable, glacial wall Jason erected whenever he wanted to keep the world out.

Or in this case, a very pissed off - aggravated female he wanted to tune out.

It frustrated her to no end, knowing she was at his mercy and to make matters worse, it looked like she was going to be given the special silent treatment. One of Jason Morgan’s deadliest and most annoying weapons.

Jerk.

Figures his homecoming would be ruined. Not that she’d known he was coming home. That would’ve required a phone call. Or perhaps a letter. The postcards were nice, even the words “Thinking of you” touched her, making her dark dreary days a little brighter. Out of all the ways she’d dreamt of seeing Jason again, what he’d look like - what they’d say, this wasn’t quiet the reunion she’d planned.

Him, being a mean, pushy jackass.

Her favorite Jason coming home dream had to do with him, her and a long fast ride . . . on the back of his motorcycle. They’d talk all night as though nothing had changed, or at least like he hadn’t been gone over the last year. Looking up at the stars as they bonded.

It definitely didn’t include her being in the of one of Luke’s wild capers . . . well . . . damn it, her dream had been more personal, you know one-on-one, private. Not so mob in action, you better find cover, shoved in the back of a car and getting lectured.

But here he was, and they were already at odds.

“Those guys won’t be helping any stranded females for awhile.” Getting into the driver’s seat, Johnny took one look at Jason’s stony expression and kept the rest of his commentary to himself. “Sonny’s taking Spencer back to his penthouse, wants you to meet him there.”

Wasting no time, especially with Jason’s current mood, Johnny pulled the car away from the curb and headed north on Broadway. They drove for five minutes in silence before Elizabeth spoke up.

“I live the other way.” Frowning at the back of the men’s heads, Elizabeth’s mouth pinched into a frown when no one acknowledged her. “Excuse me?” Leaning forward in her seat, Elizabeth spoke directly to Johnny. “I want to go home.”

But like a good little puppy, Johnny looked over at Jason for direction.

“Elizabeth’s coming with us.”Jason drawled.

“No, actually I’m not.” Elizabeth forced out between clenched teeth. “Johnny apparently Jason can’t hear me. Will you tell him I have no interest in being dragged along. I want to go back to my apartment. Which is the other way.”

Johnny shook his head, the corner of his mouth ticked. “No. You tell him.”

“Why are you two making this out to be some huge thing? All I was doing was getting those guys out of the way so Luke and Roy could talk to their Mother.”

Twisting to look at her, Jason snapped. “They had you dress in a scrap of material and endangered your safety.”

“Hey! There’s nothing wrong with this dress!” Outraged, Elizabeth clenched her fists in her lap as fire danced in her eyes.

“Then you might want to know that the material doesn’t hide much.” Though his words were blandly spoken, the tension in the car increased.

Ducking her head down and moving the jacket aside, Elizabeth’s cheeks inflamed. Apparently this was why there was a matching sweater that went along with the outfit. Dear Lord, what had she been thinking by not wearing a bra?

Had Jason seen . . . ? Oh God how mortifying.

Opening her mouth only to snap it shut again, her heart shaped lips formed into a pout. It was the pout that did him in. He could deal with the anger snapping in her eyes. Elizabeth couldn’t stay angry long at anyone. But hurt feelings. She’d had enough of those in her short life, and he wasn’t going to be responsible for more.

“Until we know what’s going on, your not going home.” Jason leaned his head back against the headrest. “Elizabeth if the McIntyre’s are involved and feel someone’s on to them, they might come after you.”

“They wouldn’t have known anything was off if you and your posse hadn’t shown up. I was only there to lure them out.”

“Good job.” Johnny mumbled under his breath, as he braked for a red light.

Ignoring the man behind the wheel, Jason reminded himself to watch his words, or he might find himself actually owning her an apology. “You put yourself in a position that could’ve gotten you hurt. Those two punks weren’t exactly the type to help without some sort of repayment.”

Her eyebrows shot straight up. “Excuse me?”

“Children, do I need to pull over?” Johnny’s joke fell flat.

Jason’s eyes swung in the guards direction. “Johnny, want to be unemployed?”

~~~*~~~

“There you are darlin.” Sitting in the center of Sonny’s couch, his arms wide over the back, Luke Spencer looked as though he didn’t have a worry in the world. “You did a great job.”

Elizabeth smiled at her partner in crime and was making her way to sit next to him, but Jason placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Thought woody woodpecker here was going to grunt, scratch and take you back to his cave.” Not effected by the dark scowl on Jason’s face, Luke smiled big. “Surprised you took the time to throw her over your shoulder like that bubba. Wouldn’t it have been a whole lot easier just to grab a handful of hair and drag her back to the car?”

“Okay, okay.” Sonny held up a hand to stop any further remarks. “This is not helping.”

“Well, technically none of your interference helped.” Luke’s dry comment slid off his tongue. “The plan consisted of me getting inside the building and talking to Ma.”

“And you couldn’t do that by not jeopardizing Elizabeth?” The grip Jason had on Elizabeth’s shoulder tightened.

Touched to the point of irritation by Jason’s need to keep her safe, and this time by not pushing her away, Elizabeth wanted to make sure Sonny knew where she stood. “I wanted to help, it’s not like I had anything else to do.”

Sonny watched Jason’s usually guarded expression turn stormy and held up a hand again. “Johnny why don’t you take Elizabeth up to the guest room?”

“Why can’t I just go home?” Brows knitted, Elizabeth wasn’t thrilled with the answer.

“Until we know exactly what’s going on, I’d feel better keeping you close.” Flashing her those deadly dimples, Elizabeth knew this was Sonny’s way of letting her know the conversation was over. First Jason and now Sonny. There was no need in pushing the matter. Because the next step was having a guard attached to her hip.

“Get one of the guys to go out and get her a change of clothes.” Jason kept his eyes trained on Luke’s mocking smile and tried to keep them there as Elizabeth stomped up the stairs, missing the way her face exploded in color.

Waiting until Johnny came back down, Sonny turned his gaze on Luke. “I thought we were friends Spencer?”

Tilting his head to the side, Luke genuinely stumped. “Of course we are. You’re saddled with that niece of mine. Sweet girl. Where is she by the way?”

“Out.” Seeing where Luke was heading and wanting to steer him back on course, Sonny kept an eye on Jason who was pacing like a caged cat.

Well there was one thing for sure, Jason’s homecoming was anything but boring. Hell, when he’d gotten the call that Jason was on his way home, he’d wondered just how long it would take before things heated up again between his friend and Elizabeth Webber. Friends his ass, no two healthy human beings, who had that much chemistry - could remain friends. It was an impossibility.

And it was rather entertaining, standing on the sideline watching as Jason started to unravel.

It was about time Jason Morgan got himself a life. And maybe he’d take a page from Spencer’s book and use Elizabeth as Bait.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Nine

“Let me get this straight.” Refilling his drink, Sonny stared into the amber liquid as he swirled the contents. “You, Baldwin and Deluca thought AJ was responsible for the DNA switch. And that he hired the Macintyres to lie about it. You had tried talking to the mother, who saw right through your act and blew you off when her sons showed up. So you and your little pals decide if you could just get the mother alone for just a few minutes she’d crack.”

Nodding his head, Luke made a face that said he was digesting the replay. “Right on track with everything except the part where she saw right through us. I think she was a little smitten with me to tell you the truth.”

“Right.” Scratching his chin, Sonny nodded. “I’m still not understanding how Elizabeth got pulled into this.”

“She was bait.” Talking slowly, like he would to a three year old, Luke smiled brightly when Jason folded his arms over his chest and scowled darkly at him. “Get the big bubbas outa there with that pretty little face of hers. Then we could slip in and get a few minutes of alone time with Mama.”

“You couldn’t have placed some bogus phone call? Or maybe set off their car alarm? Jesus Luke, she could’ve gotten hurt.” Setting down his drink, Sonny didn’t know if he could stomach much more. Luke was perplexing sobber. The last thing he needed was a little buzz.

“Pfft.” Waiving his hand, Luke brushed off Sonny’s concern. “Elizabeth’s like a cat-.”

“She doesn’t have nine lives.” Jason snapped.

“She always lands on her feet.” Finishing his sentence, the older man shook his head at Jason and wagged his finger. “You really need to relax. All this stress is going to give you an ulcer. Now as I was saying before being so rudely interrupted. It was a small job and Elizabeth’s a pro.” Turning his attention back to where Sonny was standing, Luke knew it was a perfect time to really set a fire under Jason’s ass. Not only was it fun, but it got the attention off him.

A little coco, a couple of marshmallows, some ritual sacrifice . . . Now that’s a party. Well as long as the coco was spiked, the marshmallows were aspirin, and it was Borgboy that was tied at the stake.

It wasn’t that he didn’t like the new and improved Jason Q. He just had a problem knowing that the stone giant was the man who really owned Elizabeth’s heart. The only thing that kept the entire situation from gagging him, was watching Jason lose the control he usually had.

“Sonny you saw her in action with the Queen of Botox. Pretending to be in love with Nikolas, taking that poison. You even said she was amazing.” Spinning the story, Luke heaved a long sigh. “There’d been a few close calls, but she’d squeaked through with minimal damage.”

“What?” Jason snapped, his burning gaze swinging over to where Sonny stood glowering at Luke. He’d heard Luke saying something like this earlier that day at Bobby’s, but now Luke was making it sound as though Sonny was in on it too.

“Jason she was safe the entire time.” Shoving his hands deep into his pant pockets, Sonny’s tone remained casual. The look he gave Luke was anything but calm.

“Well as safe as a person can be around Helen Cassidine.” Luke nodded. “And the poison was nothing. We’re just lucky we knew the right amount to give.” Pushing all the right buttons, Luke was on a roll.

“Stop!” Holding up a hand, Jason looked at the two men as though they were strangers, his attention rested on Sonny. “I asked you to make sure Elizabeth was kept safe.”

“I did! That’s why I interfered when I got wind of what was going on.” Defending himself, Sonny felt a moments frustration with the man on the couch. “I had Francis tailing her the moment I found out. She was sent to the island when everyone though she’d died.”

“You should’ve contacted me.” He didn’t like being kept in the dark. “I would’ve come back.”

“To do what partner?” Luke’s humor faded slightly. “Jump in the middle of things. Cause a few waves, endanger us all?”

Jason’s jaw muscle twitched. “She had no business -.”

“Blah, blah, blah.” Putting his hands over his ears, Luke kept it up until he saw Jason’s mouth stop moving. “God, will you two knock it off? It’s not like I set Elizabeth up. She knew exactly what was going on. I understand she looks all soft and simple, with those pouty lips and wide doe eyes. It’s all a front. She’s a lot smarter then most people give her credit for.”

“I never said she was stupid.” Frowning Jason didn’t like what Luke was implying. He never treated Elizabeth like she was some breakable object. Hadn’t he seen first hand the spine of steel she possessed? The fire that burned inside of her? Luke made it sound as though he say her as something less.

“We’re not getting anywhere.” Sonny said. “Elizabeth’s been through a lot since you left Jase, and what she tells you and doesn’t tell you is up to her.” Giving a pointed look at Luke, Sonny didn’t wait for his response. “Can we get back to today please?”

Luke looked a little disappointed, but went along with it for now. “Fine with me.”

“Let’s say you got something out of this Alberta Macintyre, what then? What were you going to do with information?”

“Do with it?” Tilting his head to the side, Luke look momentarily confused. “Nothing yet. It’s a great bargaining tool.”

~~*~~

Was it really just that morning she’d been bored with her non life? Staring at herself in the bathroom mirror, disgusted with how repetitive every day seemed. Just look at what one visit from Luke Spencer could do. It got her here, standing barefoot and alone in the livingroom of Jason’s barren penthouse.

Glaring down at the ‘clothing’ she’d been given, Elizabeth muttered at the injustice.

The, oh-so flattering grey sweat suit hung from her like a rag, making her look like the blob. Worse, the color did nothing for her complexion. Even if she hadn’t had the great pleasure of seeing her reflection in the mirror at Sonny’s place, Carly’s nasty little smirk spoke volumes on her horrendous appearance.

Carly.

A person would think she would’ve softened a little after what she’d recently gone through. Or perhaps become a little more grateful to those who volunteered to help with Michael in her absence. But no. The banshee from the ninth level of hell had started on her insane rampage the second she’d come home from a hard day of shopping and found out she was upstairs. She’d whine, then yell, Elizabeth wouldn’t be surprised if Carly had found a way to squeeze out a few tears until Sonny had given in.

Like she wanted to be locked in the guest room.

For a fleeting moment she thought she’d be taken back to the Brownstone. To her small but comfortable apartment. Far away from Carly and her hurtful words. Instead, Max had taken her across the hall to Jason’s dark, empty penthouse.

And had Jason come over with her so she could find out what was going on? No. He was currently appeasing Carly cry a lot and her never ending stream of manipulating tears. Heck, she’d seen preschoolers who threw less tantrums.

So now she was alone. Feeling nasty and mean. Wearing elephant skin for clothing. All because she helped Luke. So he could find the person responsible for swapping his niece’s DNA.

This was all Carly’s fault.

Opening the french doors to the balcony outside, she scowled down at the city. The cars beneath drove back and forth, people with places to go. Did everyone have such messed up lives? Mini drama after mini drama? It was like living in some pathetic Lifetime movie of the week.

“Elizabeth?” Hearing the door to the penthouse close, Elizabeth chose to ignore the owner of the voice. “Still mad at me?”

The voice this time came from directly behind her, leaving the only rout of escape a breath taking drop from the eleventh floor. Talking to Jason or dropping to a painful death. What a choice.

“Carly still trying to get an Emmy nod?” Looking over her shoulder at Jason’s confused expression, Elizabeth sighed and looked back at Port Charles. “Is she still acting like Carly?”

“Yeah.” With a single nod, Jason leaned against the doorframe. “Sorry about that.”

“So, can I go home now?” Not wanting to talk more about Carly, or the events of the day, Elizabeth really didn’t want to hear Jason telling her he was sorry.

Watching as the wind played with the ends of her hair, Jason held back the urge to reach out and take a strand beneath his fingers. “Not yet.” Her spin stiffened. “Elizabeth, we don’t know who messed with the files. And now you’re involved -.””

“It has to be Edward and AJ.” Turning around to face him, Elizabeth felt like screaming on the top of her lungs. It was Jason’s blank faced attitude that made her blood boil. Trying to push past Jason into the penthouse, Elizabeth was stopped when he straightened and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“We don’t know that.”

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth wanted to back away but couldn’t find the strength. It’d been too long since he’d touched her like that. Gentle. Caring. “Who else would benefit?”

“I don’t know.”

“Jason, you’re over reacting. No one is going to come after me because of this afternoon.”

Feeling her relaxing underneath his touch, he took a chance and moved his hand down her shoulders to take her hands. “But now the Macintyres can identify you . . . Elizabeth can you please just do this for me? Give me a week to figure out what’s going on.”

A week.. Seven days to be alone with Jason. One hundred and sixty-eight hours of staying across the hall from the Praying Mantis.

“You can stay here in the guest room.”

Feeling his fingers lock with hers, Elizabeth closed her eyes as she remembered what their connection felt like. Alive, free, and slightly out of control.

“I’ll even promise a motorcycle ride or two.”

That was cheating.

“I think I can handle that.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter Ten

Elizabeth Webber was not a happy camper.

Being left alone, in an almost empty apartment for the last four days would do that to a person. She went from feeling giddy over having a chance to reconnect with Jason. To being upset that Jason had just left the next morning with only a short note. Then there was the brief moment where she was mad at herself for apparently reading more into the situation than there was. Until finally settling into being down right pissed off at Jason, who seemed to have forgotten he’d asked her to stay the week.

If it weren’t for the note he’d left her on the coffee table the first morning, Elizabeth might’ve wondered if she’d misunderstood him when he’d asked her to stay. But having read the words on the paper a few hundred times, she knew she wasn’t completely insane.

He’d said he’d be gone a day or two. That he was looking into something. To feel free to give one of the guys a list of things she’d need, clothes, food, whatever. When the first day bled into the next and he hadn’t called to check in, Elizabeth felt a little hurt. On the second day she started to worry and was told by Francis that Jason was just fine. In fact, he’d just got off the phone with Jason a couple of hours before.

Wasn’t that just dandy.

By the third day she had a little speech rehearsed in her mind and waited on the couch most of the day, waiting for Jason to walk through the front door. But on the fourth day, she was absolutely disgusted with herself.

Feeling like a well-trained puppy, Elizabeth couldn’t believe she’d regressed back into the person she swore she never again wanted to be. It was annoying it took four days to figure it out, but as she took one last look around the bedroom she’d been using for any stray items she might’ve forgotten, Elizabeth knew she couldn’t stay here another night and respect herself in the morning.

She knew when she wasn’t wanted. Hoisting the strap of her overnight bag she’d made Max pack for her, Elizabeth barely made it to the stairs when she heard the front door open and shut downstairs.

“Figures.” Muttering under her breath, Elizabeth held her head high as she descended the stairs. Going over the conversation she’d been practicing in her head, Elizabeth was prepared to rip into Mr. Morgan. To shove him on his ass. Make him realize she wasn’t the sweet, stupid twit who’d tolerate being set to the side.

Instead she came face to face with Carly.

“What are you doing here?” Preparing herself for one of Carly’s famous stinging replies, Elizabeth was in amazement when she opened her mouth, only to shut it tight. A hundred different emotions flickered in the blonde’s eyes before she took a deep breath.

“Michael said you where there for him when everyone thought I was . . .” Clearing her throat and wrapping her arms across her chest, she looked down at the floor before looking up again. “I can’t say I’ll ever be your friend, or that after this conversation I’ll be pleasant to be around, but what you did means a lot to me.”

“Well at least you know how to be honest.” Muttering under her breath, Elizabeth took the last few steps before dumping her bag onto the ground. “I like Michael. He’s a good kid.”

“Well now that I have that off my chest I’m going to leave now and purge myself of this need to be nice to you.” Though her tone was the same condescending, Elizabeth was taken back by the almost soft look in the blonde’s eyes. Apparently a near death experience had somehow altered the wicked bitch of the east.

“No need.” Picking up her bag again, Elizabeth adjusted the strap over her shoulder. “I was just on my way out.”

Carly lifted a brow. “I thought Jason wanted you to stay here until he and Sonny figured out who was behind swapping my DNA with that other woman’s.”

“Change of plans.” Making her way around Carly, Elizabeth sighed when the other woman sidestepped and blocked her way again.

“Who’s? Your’s or Jason’s?” Reaching out and taking hold of her bag, Carly tugged until Elizabeth stopped.

“Does it matter?” Contemplating whether it was worth the trouble in freeing herself from Carly’s grasp, Elizabeth sighed in defeat. “I thought you wanted me out of here.”

“Oh I do.” Snorting, Carly said. “But Jason wants you to stay here. I may not understand his need to punish himself, but I can’t let you just walk out the door when he’s not here.”

Staring at the woman who made it her life’s pursuit to make her life hell, Elizabeth had to hold back the need to let out an exasperated laugh. “There’s the Carly I know. Let me get this straight. I want to leave. Something you want more than anything else in the world. But you wont let me because I don’t have Jason’s permission?”

“Actually I want this cute little Jaguar I saw the other day more, but yeah something like that.”

“You’re doing this just to piss me off aren’t you.” Tossing her packed bag onto the couch. Elizabeth wanted nothing more than to inflict pain on Sonny’s wife.

“Nice mouth.” Tilting her head to the side, Carly clucked her tongue. “But really, just for a moment could you get over yourself and step out side the world that revolves around Little Princess purity to the real world everyone else lives in. If you leave then Jason will find out. Which means he’ll come flying back here to pat you on your head and make sure everything is peachy in your world again. I want to find out who has it out for me bad enough to try and prove I was dead.”

“Ahh.” Nodding her head in understanding, Elizabeth laughed under her breath. “I should have known. It’s all about you . . . Again. As long as Jason is lapping at you’re heals your in hog heaven. So that means, you need to suck it up and deal with my existence.”

Carly stopped in mid-replay and a sly smile graced her lips. “Wow. I’m impressed.”

“How’s that?”

“I had you pegged all wrong. Here I thought you were some farm fresh Pollyanna sent to earth to spread your goodwill and cheer. Instead there’s a raging little she bitch presiding inside you.” Her smile widening, Carly shook her head. “Kudos on fooling everyone in this simpleton town.”

“Watch it Carly that was a compliment.” Placing both hands on her hips, Elizabeth smiled back. “Next thing you’ll be inviting me over for a tupperware party and we’ll be wearing matching outfits.”

With a shiver of disgust, Carly looked ill. “Not likely.”

“So now that we have that out of our system will you please step aside so I can leave.”

“Nope.” Looking extremely pleased with herself, Carly stared down at her nails in utter boredom. “But feel free to unpack and bunk down. I have a sick feeling you’ll be here for a while.”

“I really hate you.” Grabbing her bag, Elizabeth thought about swinging it into Carly’s smug face.

“Love you too princess.”

~~~~*~~~~

“Ah Jase?” Knocking on the flimsy hotel door, Johnny stepped inside. “You got a problem.”

Looking up from the report he’d received a few hours ago from Benny, Jason rubbed the back of his neck. Trying to ease some of the tension that had been building for the last few days. “What?”

“Carly was seen entering your Penthouse thirty minutes ago.” Where Johnny’s tone was light, the constipated look on his face told Jason all he needed to know.

“Are there any survivors?”

“Max didn’t say.”

Shoving the file away, Jason felt a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach. “Is Carly still there?”

“From the sounds of it.” Looking uncomfortable, Johnny right eye twitched. “There’s more.”

“Of course there is.”

“Well it’s not like Max was exactly eavesdropping, but . . .”

The dread was growing. “But what?”

“He wasn’t for certain . . .”

“Damnit Johnny just spit it out.”

“It sounds like Miss Webber was about to leave when Carly showed up. And I don’t mean for a stroll around the park.”

Closing his eyes, Jason felt the tension mounting in his shoulders and neck. “And now?”

“Well Maxed said Carly wouldn’t let her leave.”

“Carly?”

“Yeah.” Giving a short laugh that was quickly cut off by Jason’s dark scowl, Johnny cleared his throat. “Did Miss Webber say anything to you about leaving?”

Feeling the tips of his ears burn, Jason tried to smoother the guilty feeling he’d been trying to ignore for days now. He was on a job and he couldn’t afford to get distracted. Not when so many people were counting on him to get to the bottom of this. The quicker he worked, the sooner he’d be able to get back to Port Charles and be alone with Elizabeth.

“I haven’t spoken to her.”

Johnny froze and stared at him. A look that was split between amusement, and disgust pasted on his face. “Christ you aint kidding.”

“No.”

“Jesus” Closing his eyes, Johnny groaned as though in pain, “Please tell me you’ve lying.”

“Why would I?” Not liking the way Johnny was making him feel, Jason glowered back at the guard.

“She’s gonna chop your balls off.” Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Johnny put his head into his hands. “If you’re lucky she’ll show an ounce of mercy and kill you first.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Jason I know you’re not Romeo in the romance department, but I never imagined you’d be such a complete idiot.”

“If you want to have your jaw wired shut keep talking.” Aggravated, Jason scowl deepened.

Looking as though he were going to take Jason at his word, Johnny kept quite for almost a full minute. “Jason if you want to keep Miss Webber, you can’t shut her out like this.”

“Like what?” Rolling his eyes, Jason looked puzzled. “We’re on a job.”

“Yeah. And I still call my Mom. Let her know I’m thinking about her and all that crap.” Standing up Johnny took a moment. “Jason you do want something with Miss Webber, right?”

Not answering right away, Jason couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t want Elizabeth. In his life. By his side. Next to him every night. But it wasn’t something he was comfortable talking to Johnny about. “Yeah.”

“Listen to me then.” Johnny said. “You need to call her. You don’t have to tell her what we’re up to. Or even where you’re at. But you can’t lock her up, leave then expect her to be there eager for your return. Unfortunately women aren’t made that way.”

Thinking about Elizabeth sitting alone in the penthouse, with no one to talk to and nothing to do, Jason let out a groan. “She’s gonna kill me.”

“I could shoot you and you could tell her you were hurt.”

Looking at the phone on the table next to the lumpy hotel bed, Jason swallowed down the lump of disgust in his throat. If Johnny was right and Elizabeth was already pissed off at him for not calling, he couldn’t imagine what she’d be like after thirty minutes alone with Carly.