I Want to Be Free by liasonfan75

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 11

An hour later Elizabeth and Jason left the clinic. According to the doctor, Elizabeth’s baby was still safe in her womb. Not that both trusted what the doctor said. She also said that Elizabeth needed to be examined. Elizabeth said nothing, while Jason assured her that Elizabeth didn’t want that.

The doctor looked shocked, but nodded in the awake of Jason’s cold voice. Jason had taken Elizabeth from the offices as soon as the words both he and Elizabeth wanted to hear were out of the doctor’s mouth. He knew that as bad as Elizabeth was shaking, it was better if he get her out soon as possible.

Jason knew that no matter how much Elizabeth must miss her family, that wasn’t what she needed or wanted right now. She wanted to be alone in her healing. Although, Jason wanted to help her, he knew there were some things that he just couldn’t do. But giving her a place to stay and food and anything else she wanted, that would be the easy part. The hard part came when she would have to understand his business or when she wanted to open up about what happened to her. Jason knew that there would be a lot of healing, before Elizabeth could do much of anything.

Jason sighed as he carried Elizabeth to the penthouse, Max opened the door and Jason set her down on the couch. Jason sat next to her.

Jason laced his fingers together as he glazed at her. “Elizabeth," she jumped when he said her name, “we need to talk about what is going on.”

Elizabeth lifted her eyes to his face. “You want me to leave, right?” She asked.

“No.” He told her firmly. “I want you to understand something. My work is very dangerous. I don’t want it to touch you or your baby, but it might. And if it touches you in anyway, I want you to know that I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth nodded, she wasn’t stupid. Now that she was over the shock of last night and got a good look at the people around her she knew that this Jason Morgan had been arrested dozens and dozens of times over again for crimes that never stuck for one reason or another and more than once the changes had been murder. “I understand.” She whispered.

“I don’t want you to get hurt, but you need me right now. So aside from that, whenever I ask you to go upstairs please do. I don’t want you to over hear something you shouldn’t. Those way when or if the police ask you something you can honestly say that you don’t know anything, okay?”

“Yes.” Elizabeth said as she nodded her head. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

Jason nodded, “okay. Another thing, I’m assuming that you don’t have any clothes or things you need right?” He asked.

“No. They are at my grams.”

“Okay. Than, tomorrow Max will go shopping with you. Get whatever you need. Don’t worry about the money; I’ll take care of it.”

“Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want to waste your money.” She whispered.

Jason sighed. “It’s just money. I have too mush as it is. Get whatever you want. In a few days or whenever you feel up to it, I want you to make an appointment with OBGYN at General Hospital. Okay?”

“Why? You heard that doctor. I’m fine.”

“Yeah, but you still need medical care throughout your pregnancy.”

Elizabeth nodded but didn’t say a word.

Jason nodded and took a deep breath. “I need to go see Sonny for a minute. I’ll be right across the hall. If you need anything just ask Max. He’s right outside.” Jason stood and crossed penthouse in a few long steps.

Elizabeth glanced up as he opened the door and shut it behind him. She sighed as she leaned back on the couch. Tears fell from her eyes. She was sick of crying but couldn’t seem to stop. She pulled her keens to her chest and wrapped her arms around her keens, burying her face into Jason’s sweat pants.

Jason opened the door to Sonny’s penthouse and saw Sonny sitting on the couch. Papers spread across the coffee table. Jason closed the door behind him and stood over Sonny’s shoulder, glancing at the papers.

“What have you got?” Jason asked his voice cold and hard.

“Well for starters, Bobbie Spencer sure as hell knows what to do. She found hairs and fingers prints. Among other things.”

“What did the crew find?” Jason asked.

Sonny glanced at him. “Lots of blood, for one. He must have hit her a lot because if she really is pregnant than she’s not a virgin.”

“She only did it once. She told me what happened with the baby’s father. I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay. But if he hurt her, forced her and she fought like hell, than that could explain the blood. But it wasn’t all hers.”

“What does that mean?”

“She hurt him too. She might have bitten him, hard. Or she could have scratched him.”

Jason smiled at the thought. “She was fighting for she baby. She would have done anything.”

“Has she told you anything?”

“She told me that the guy raped her and that she begged him to stop because she was pregnant. She hasn’t really described him. Not that I thought she would.”

“Well, we have enough evince to find this little bastard. We have his finger prints; we have hairs; we have semen.”

Jason closed his eyes at the last word. “I want to do it Sonny. I want to see this animal wriggle on a hook.”

“Jason . . .”

“You didn’t see her craw out of those bushes; you didn’t see her cry out for her baby. And you sure as hell didn’t hear her scream as she fought this imagery thing in her nightmares.”

Sonny nodded. “I’ll let you know when we find him.”

“Make sure it’s him, Sonny. No mistakes.”

“So tell me, what did the girl said about the father? Did she tell you anything?”

“The baby’s father is some little punk named Taylor. Elizabeth had a crush on him for years. He was older. When he came back for winter break; they were both lonely and wanted someone. Elizabeth says that she knew he was using her; that she knew what was going on. She thinks he is a good guy, Sonny. Even now, she doesn’t think anything bad about him. He won’t answer any of her phone calls. She says that telling him about the baby is something she doesn’t want to do over the phone.” Jason sighed. “She loved him, Sonny. And he just used her for sex.”

“What is his name again?”

“Taylor Johns. He goes to school in Oregon somewhere.”

“Okay. Do you want me to find him too?”

“No. If Elizabeth wants him to know about the baby then she’ll tell him.” Jason whispered.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 12:

Elizabeth woke to the sound of the door slamming and Max yelling. “You can’t go in there!”

“The hell I can’t!” A man yelled.

Elizabeth opened her eyes to see and tall dark haired man standing by the door with Max right behind him. Elizabeth’s face started to crumble as she screamed Jason’s name.

Jason started to ask about the papers spread across the table when he heard Elizabeth scream his name. Her scream echoed across the hall. Jason ran for the door with Sonny right behind him. Jason forced himself through Max and the man standing in his doorway. He made his way to Elizabeth. She was shaking in his arms.

“It’s okay.” He ran his hand over her hair. “It’s okay. No one is going to hurt you.”

“Who is that?” She asked as Max shut the door leaving Max and Sonny out in the hall.

Jason pulled her from his arms and turned around. His eyes went cold. “A.J.” He growled.

“Hey Jason, what the hell are you doing with a teenager in your penthouse?” A.J. asked, his voice growing colder by the second.

Elizabeth was still shaking in his arms. Jason turned to her, “I want you to go upstairs okay?”

Elizabeth nodded and slowly got to her feet. When she disappeared into the upstairs room and Jason heard the bedroom door close, he turned to A.J.

“What the hell do you want A.J.?”

“To see my son.” A.J. yelled.

“Michael is not yours.” Jason said as he folded his arms across his chest. “Get out.”

“Who’s the girl, Jase? Uh? Is she impressed with the mighty Jason Morgan? Does she know what you do? Does she know that you murder people? Does she know that you kept my son away from me?” A.J. asked as his anger rose.

“I said to get out A.J. You have no right to Michael. You have no rights to that little boy.” Jason said as he moved closer to A.J.

“He is my son.”

“Says who? Carly? Carly is gone, A.J. Carly left him to me. She’s not coming back, A.J. Whatever has got you on this idea to Michael is your property, get off it.” He paused. “You are not going to see Michael.”

“You can’t keep him away from me, Jason.”

“I’ll never let you have Michael. He’s a person. You can’t push him back and forth. And if you come into my home and scared my guests again I will not tolerate you again. Get out!” Jason ordered.

His cold eyes watching A.J. as he moved toward the door. When A.J. had left Jason quickly climbed the stairs and opened one of the bedroom doors. He found Elizabeth sitting on the bed glazing down at her feet.

Elizabeth looked up as Jason came into the room. “Hey.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Hey. It’s okay.” Jason whispered as he took her hands in his.

“He scared me, Jason. He scared me so much.” She whispered.

“It’s okay. He’s gone.” He whispered.

“Am I allowed to ask who he was?” She asked.

“He’s just a loud person who likes to scream and yell.” He sighed. “His name is A.J. Quartermaine. He thinks that people are property, and can be owned.”

“Who can be owned?”

“A little boy,” He rubbed his forehead, “named Michael.”

“Is he your son?” Elizabeth asked.

Jason glanced at her. “You know, I think of him as my son. And Carly named him as my son. But he’s not. But I have to protect him. I have to keep him away from his biotical father because they will tear him down until he is nothing.”

“Who is Carly?” Elizabeth paused. “Is she your girlfriend?”

Jason took a deep breath, “Carly died a little over two months ago. She was Michael’s mother; she died giving birth to him.”

Elizabeth’s face fell, “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. So I have to keep Michael away from people who want to hurt him the most.”

“Where is he, Jason?”

“Somewhere safe, until I know that it’s safe for him to come back.”

Elizabeth nodded. She understood that she was not going to get an answer. “His eyes were full of so much anger, Jason.” She shivered.

“Yeah, well, the Ouartermaines like to yell a lot but they can’t do much.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 13

Elizabeth had almost refused to go to the hospital even a week later. “Elizabeth, you have to go.” Jason reassured her that she would not see her grandmother, and if she did Jason would be there.

“I don’t know, Jason. I mean, my bruises aren’t healed yet and I don’t want them to think something that they shouldn’t.”

“Elizabeth, your baby needs heath care. Period.”

“Okay. Fine, I’ll go. But you have to go with me.” She whispered.

Jason nodded. The past week had its ups and down, mostly downs. Elizabeth still had nightmares every night and would wake up screaming.

One up was watching her come home, her arms full of bags of clothes Max following her in with even more bags. Her face light up as she unpacked everything she bought.

“I bought clothes, some in just bigger sizes. I doubt if I’ll need maternity clothes.”

“Well if you do. Just ask.” Jason stated.

Elizabeth smiled, “I also bought some stuff for the baby. I hope you don’t mind.”

Jason smiled as he shook his head. “You can buy whatever you want.”

“Okay good. I want to show you what I bought.” Elizabeth said as she sat next to Jason with two bags in her hands. “I got a lot of white because I don’t know if my baby is a boy or a girl.”

Jason sighed. “Carly said that she got a lot of yellow and green because she didn’t know if Michael was a boy or girl either.”

Elizabeth paused. “Does it hurt to talk about her?”

“It use to.” Jason whispered. Jason took in a deep breath, “but now I’m just sad that Michael will never know her.”

“Do you tell him about her?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah. All the time. He should at least know about her. But he’s still really little, so I just talk to him a lot about his mother and I read to him.”

“I hope he can come back soon.” Elizabeth whispered.

Elizabeth had still refused to even leave the penthouse, except for the one shopping trip and sometimes would spend hours in her room; Jason was starting to worry. He hoped that shopping for new clothes would help her and break her of some of the walls that she had started to build. But nightmares weren’t going away, and she was starting to close up.

One thing had come into Jason’s favor, apparently Elizabeth’s grandmother had been looking for her, but no police report had been made.

Elizabeth refused to have him in her room four days after she had moved in. But an hour later she started to scream. Jason had sighed and went to her room. He pulled her close and whispered that he was here and nothing could hurt her. She fell asleep a little while later and Jason grabbed a blanket from the closet and slept in the chair across from her.

“I want you to go to the hospital, Elizabeth. Your baby needs it, okay?” Jason asked as she started up the stairs after breakfast, trying hard not to be mean but ignore him at the same time.

Elizabeth just nodded as she disappeared upstairs. Jason sighed and knew that he would have to do it himself. Elizabeth would keep ignoring him until she thought it was safe to leave the penthouse. Who knew when that would be?

Jason picked up the phone and dialed the hospital line. He asked for appointments for an OBGYN as soon as possible.

“We have an opening tomorrow morning, Mr. Morgan.” The receptionist said.

“That sounds good.” He paused. “The appointment is for an Elizabeth Webber. But no one must know that she is coming in.”

“That’s fine, Mr. Morgan. We’ll see you at nine.”

“Thanks.”

“Have a good day.” Jason turned off the phone and glanced at the top of the stairs and sighed. If she was going to look after her baby; than he would do it for her.

The door opened and Johnny let a small girl with brown hair into the room. Jason smiled at the slight of his sister. “Hey Em.”

“Hey.” She whispered as she draped her coat over the back of the couch and sat down.

“What’s going on?” Jason asked. He sat next to her.

“The usual. Grandfather and the family. God, Jason. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to live at that house.” Emily sighed deeply. “But I would miss Mom and Grandmother too much.”

Jason nodded. “Em? Why are you really here?”

Emily gazed at him guilty, “A.J. was going on and on about this teenager that you have living here, I was just making sure that you don’t get into trouble.”

Jason laced his fingers together and stared at Emily. “I can’t tell you – ” Jason started.

“Jason!” A scream came from upstairs as Elizabeth rushed down the stairs. “Oh my God.” She murmured on the way down.

Jason stood and gave Emily a quick glance. “Elizabeth,” She ran into his arms. “What is –”

“I’m bleeding. I don’t know what to do. Oh God, I should have listened to you.” Elizabeth cried.

Jason yelled for Johnny as he picked up Elizabeth and started for the door. Emily stood there in shock. With a shake of her head she grabbed her coat and started after Jason and Elizabeth.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 14

Jason paced outside the ER room that Elizabeth disappeared behind with Bobbie and what Bobbie said was one of the best OBGYNs in the hospital.

“Jason?” Emily asked as she looked from her place in the waiting room.

Jason stopped pacing and stood in front of Elizabeth’s room. He could see through the doors, and watched as the doctors ran tests. Elizabeth stared back at him with a scared expression.

“Jason.” Emily called as she stood and touched Jason’s shoulder.

“What?” Jason didn’t tear his eyes away from Elizabeth.

“What in the hell is going on?” Emily asked as she placed her hands on her hips.

Jason gave her a quick glance before turning his attention to Elizabeth. “It’s not my place to tell you, Em.”

“What does that mean?”

“Elizabeth will tell you.” He stated firmly.

“Jason, do you know how much trouble you can get into?”

Jason nodded. “I don’t care.”

Emily sighed, “of course not.” She whispered.

“Em, I’m doing what I think is right.”

“I know.” She whispered.

“Elizabeth doesn’t need questions flying at her, okay Em. So when she comes out, please just be nice to her.”

“Sure.” Emily flashed him a small smile. Emily wasn’t sure what was going on, and she knew that she couldn’t ask her brother. He would shake her off, telling her that what he just told her. The only person she would get answers from is Elizabeth.

Ten minutes later Bobbie came out of Elizabeth’s room. She sighed as she looked up at Jason, “She’s okay.”

“And the baby?” Jason asked. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Emily’s mouth open in shock.

“As far as I can tell her baby is fine. But this was a warning Jason. Her body can’t handle what she is doing to herself. She needs to rest. She can’t have all this stress going on.”

Jason nodded, “can I see her?”

Bobbie nodded and Jason opened the door to Elizabeth’s room. The doctor that was with Elizabeth turned and smiled. “Hi, I’m Dr. Mellows.”

Jason nodded and gazed at Elizabeth. She was pale, but smiling.

“Your baby seemed to be under a lot of stress. That’s what caused the bleeding. Now, I’ve told Elizabeth that she has to calm down and take it easy.” She paused. “I’m going to do an ultrasound just to make sure.”

Jason nodded again as the doctor left the room. Jason ran his hand over Elizabeth’s forehead. “It’s okay. Everything is fine.”

“I almost killed my child.” Elizabeth cried as she dug her nails into his forearm, pulling him closer. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“No. You didn’t know. It’s okay.” Jason wiped the tears away with his thumb.

“I almost did though. I almost killed Taylor’s child. I mean, you stood there and told me to get checked out and I ignored you. I told you was fine, and that I didn’t need it. What the heck was I thinking?” She asked him.

“You weren’t ready. It’s fine, Elizabeth. You’ve had a lot to deal with. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go anywhere.”

“Okay. Let’s see how the little one is doing.” Dr. Mellows said as she came back into the room.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 15

Emily Bowen-Quartermaine had never seen something like what she was looking at now. Jason leaning over his own bed, a wash cloth in his hand, washing the forehead of a young girl. Emily was amazed.

“It’s okay. Go to sleep.” He whispered as she closed her eyes and Jason backed away from the bed. Jason closed the door and stood facing his sister in the hallway.

“Is she okay?”

“She’s scared.” Jason stated as they both moved downstairs.

“Is it your baby, Jason?” She asked. She found that if she didn’t ask an out-right question instead of dancing around it, then she would get her answers.

“No. I just met her a few weeks ago.” Jason stated as he sat down on the couch. He needed to see Sonny about Moreno and Elizabeth’s rapist. He didn’t have time for his sister’s questions right now, no matter their importance.

“I know you told me that it’s her story to tell, Jase, but she’s a teenager. Do you think it’s wise to have her here?”

“I do what I think is right.” Jason stated. “I have to go across the hall for a few minutes. Can you stay here? Watch Elizabeth for me?”

Emily thought about for a minute, “yeah, sure, if you want me too.”

“I just want to make sure that she doesn’t start having problems again.”

“Okay, Jase.” Emily whispered.

Jason nodded and head for the door, “Thanks Em.”

“Yeah, no problem.” She whispered into the air.

Emily slowly went up the stairs to where Elizabeth was sleeping. She didn’t know what was going on with this girl and her brother; she just hoped that this wasn’t like Carly. Carly had used Jason and she abused his trust and friendship. Not that she would voice that opinion out loud. Jason wouldn’t have any ill-will spoken toward Carly. He thought that baby Michael would be able to feel what they were saying against his mother. Not that Emily believed it.

She sighed as she opened the door. Elizabeth body neatly slept, her hair spilling out over Jason’s pillow. Emily found herself wondering if Jason had told Elizabeth about Robin and how she had ripped his heart out so long ago.

She sat down in the chair that was next to the bed and sighed, she didn’t know what to think about Elizabeth. She was torn between wanting to do the right thing for her brother and wanting to find out more about this girl before forming ideas about her.

“I just don’t know what to think.” Emily whispered out loud as she rubbed her face and closed her eyes.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and glazed at the young girl. Her brown hair was falling in her brown eyes and Elizabeth knew that she was Jason’s sister. That much had been said in the car on the way to the hospital.

“What are you doing?” Elizabeth asked as she sat up.

Emily looked up at Elizabeth. “Oh, hi.” She whispered.

“Where is Jason?”

“He just had to go across the hall. He’ll be back, I swear.”

Elizabeth sighed and lowered herself back down into the bed.

“What is he to you?” Emily blurted out. She quickly covered her mouth. “I’m sorry, is that the wrong question?”

“He’s my friend. Nothing more, I swear. I just met him a few weeks ago. He helped me out of a tough spot. I got kicked out and he offer to let me stay here.”

“That’s Jason for you.”

“Yeah, he’s great.” Elizabeth sighed. “You want to know about my baby, don’t you?”

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I’m just worried about my brother. That’s all.”

“It’s not his, if that’s what you’re thinking.” She paused. “It was just like something out of a daytime talk show really.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” She paused again. “I should really get use to people asking me about it, right? I’m going to show soon.” Elizabeth sighed. “His name is Taylor Johns. I had a crush on him since I was fifteen. I didn’t do anything about it, though. And when he came back from college in December I took it has a sign to finally do something, you know. I knew that he was using me, there was no lying. I knew that at the end of December he would go back to college and I would still be Colorado. A month later I found out I was pregnant; I tried to call him, but he ignored me. I think he thinks that I’m trying to hang on to him. I didn’t want to tell him about the baby over the phone.”

“So, when are you due?”

Jason sighed as he entered Sonny’s penthouse. “Please tell me you have good news.”

“Moreno is going to make his move soon. We have to show him that this is our territory and nothing can mess with it.”

“Okay. When?”

“Soon. Within the next month.”

“It’ll be done.”

Sonny nodded and picked up a folder. “On the other hand, we found Elizabeth’s rapist.”

Jason glanced at the folder in Sonny’s hand. “Who?” Jason’s voice turned to ice.

Sonny opened the folder and flipped though and pieces of paper. “A photographer named Tom Baker.”

“Tom Baker.” Jason said the name as if tasting it. “Where is he?”

“Jason, if you want to do this, that’s fine. But don’t make a mistake. That’s a good way to get yourself killed.”

“He could have killed two innocent people that night, Sonny! Elizabeth and her baby. If you think I’m going to do something stupid, you’re wrong. I know what I’m doing.”

“The thing is, Jason, this guy is a pro. He’s popular with the photography crowd. He knows a lot of people and people will know when he’s gone.”

“So? I’ve done this before, Sonny. I know how to do it too. Clean. I'm going to show him why he’s going down and do it clean. No mistakes.”

“If you think you can do without anything happening.”

“I’ll do it tonight.”

Sonny sighed as he handed Jason the folder. “If you’re sure.”

“I want Elizabeth’s nightmares to stop. And this is the only way.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 16

Jason sighed as he closed the door to the penthouse. His eyebrows rose when he heard laughing coming from upstairs. He jumped the stairs two at a time.

“So, than my friend Lucky comes running into the house saying our dog, Annabelle had taken off with his dog, Foster. I swear that Grandfather was going to have a heart attack when he found out about the puppy.”

“That really happened?” Elizabeth asked through her fits of giggles.

“Yeah. Oh, and every Thanksgiving we have to have pizza because Grandfather finds one way or another to make cook mad.”

“Your house must be a riot.” Elizabeth laughed.

Jason sighed against the outer wall and smiled. It was good to hear Elizabeth laugh. Once tonight was done, he could tell her that she wouldn’t have to worry about him, not ever again.

“Yeah. They are all crazy, but it’s not hard to love them.” Emily paused. “What about your family?”

Elizabeth sighed, “Well, even before the baby, I didn’t really fit in with my family. I mean, I always felt out of place with them. My sister, Sarah, would bring home these amazing grades, right? Then, when my parents saw my grades, they would always say, ‘Lizzie, we know you can do better.’ And I always thought, ‘Yeah, but why try.’” She paused. “You should have seen the look on my gram’s face when she found out that I was going to have a baby. I thought that she was going to faint or die of a heart attack. She was so disappointed in me. I thought that if anyone in my family would care about me it would be my gram, but as it turns out . . . well, she’s just like the rest of them.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth shook her head, “oh please. Don’t feel bad for me. Your brother is taking good care of me.”

“But still. You should have friends of your own age. I’ll tell you what, you can meet my friends. Yeah, we can go to Kelly’s. Do you know where Kelly’s is?” Emily waved away a reply. “It doesn’t matter, I can take you there. You’ll get to met Nikolas and Lucky and Nikolas’s girlfriend – come to think of it, I really don’t like that girl –”

“Em, that’s nice. But I don’t think so.”

“Why?” Emily’s eyebrows lifted in confusion.

“Because I don’t want to meet new people, Em. I want to disappear. I just don’t want to go anywhere.”

“But why?”

“Because.” Elizabeth sighed. “Because I have to feel normal before I can face people.”

“What does that mean?”

Elizabeth ran her hand through hair. “You’re great, you know. You talked to me and made me laugh for over an hour. But I’m ready to tell you why I’m staying with Jason. Okay?”

“This has to do with why you’re staying with him?”

Elizabeth nodded, with tears in her eyes. “I can’t tell you right now, okay?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah, okay.” She paused. “Are you in trouble?”

Elizabeth gazed up at her, “I was in trouble. And I think I’m still in some sort of trouble. But if you’re worried about Jason -”

“I know that Jason can take care of himself. But I just don’t want anything to happen to him, you know.” Emily paused. “I’m not just worried about him. I’m worried about Michael too.”

“Jason’s son?”

“Yeah, he’s a great baby, and I miss him. I want him to come home. But I know that Jason won’t bring him home until he feels it’s safe.”

“What happened? Why did Jason take Michael away?”

Emily took a deep breath, “It happened on my birthday. The family knew that I would ask Jason to come and bring the baby. Grandfather; Ned my cousin, Dad, and A.J. tried to take baby Michael away from Jason. I freaked out, but Jason was so calm. He got the baby back, and I saw him a few times before Jason took him away.” Emily smiled. “For a long time Jason didn’t name the baby, he said that it was because he didn’t know what Carly wanted to name the baby. We got to name him, at his christening, right before Jason took him away.”

“So, that’s why? Because your family tried to take him?”

Emily nodded. “A.J. got this idea that Michael is his. I don’t know why, but A.J. started going on and on about it right after Michael went away. A.J. says that Carly told him that he was the father. I don’t believe him. Carly never really talked to him after she said that Jason was the father. I guess A.J. can’t let it go.”

“You miss him, do you?”

“Michael? Yeah, I do.”

Jason stepped into the room. He didn’t want to interrupt Elizabeth and his sister, but if he wanted to get to Baker’s home, he would have to say good-bye now. “Hey.”

A smile spread across Elizabeth’s face. “Hey.”

Emily turned a faced Jason and smiled. “Hi, Jase.”

“Emily, I need to talk to Elizabeth for minute, okay?”

Emily sighed and got up from the chair and walked to the doorway. “I’ll be downstairs.” She whispered as she left.

Jason shrugged and adjusted his leather jacket. “I have to go somewhere tonight. I’ll home really late, okay.”

“Am I allowed to ask where you’re going?”

“No, it’s better that you don’t.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll tell you everything when I get back.” He kissed her forehead. “I’m going to see if Emily can stay with you, okay?”

Elizabeth nodded as she slowed the knot on her throat. “Just be careful.”

“I will.” He promised as he left the room.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 17

Jason glanced at the number on the piece of paper in his hand and then up at the studio apartment. The numbers in bold black lettering where peeling off their red doors. Jason’s eyes narrowed in on the door marked 231. There it was. Jason tightened his hands around his black gloves. This had to be clean, he reminded himself. Jason opened the door of his unmarked car and got out.

He slowly walked to the door. He banged his fist on the door. “Hold on.” Came a rough voice from inside.

The door opened a crack and then all the way, the light from the apartment gave Jason a good look at the man. His face was unkempt and he had the markings of an upcoming beard. His nose was shaped like a rat. His eyes were like black holes.

“What do you want?” Tom Baker snared.

“Tom Baker?” Jason’s voice was cold and sharp.

“Yeah. Who wants to know?”

Jason Morgan delivered a sharp blow to the man’s upper chin, sending the man to the floor of his apartment. Jason quickly stepped inside and shut the door. He stood over Tom Baker for a second before he bent over the man, almost sitting on his chest. Tom’s eyes were wide with surprise and shock.

“I’m going to kill you.” Jason whispered.

“What?” Tom stammered.

“I’m going to kill you.” Jason said louder. “Do you know why?”

“I didn’t do anything.” Tom said, sweat forming on his brow.

Jason grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him against the wall. “I’m going to kill you because of Elizabeth Webber.”

“Who?”

“You took something from her, and now I’m going to take something from you.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, man.” Tom said as he grabbed at Jason’s hands trying to pray them from his shirt.

“You don’t know?” Jason lifted in eyebrow at him before slamming him into the wall again. His face a mask of anger. Jason placed his forearm across Tom’s neck, slowly cutting off his oxygen. “You took Elizabeth Webber from that bench that night, and you raped her.” Tom’s eyes grew wide. “Do you know what you did to her?” Jason asked. “Did you know she was pregnant?” Tom’s eyes bulged out of his head. “You could have killed her and her baby!” Jason yelled, his voice dripping with the sound of murder. “I found her, bleeding and crying out for her baby.”

Jason punched him across the cheek. “Did you even hear her as she screamed for help? I hear her all the time.” He delivered another punch to the other side of his face. “Now you are going to pay.”

Jason punched him in the stomach and let go of him. Tom Baker slid to the floor, “You made her feel dirty and used. That is unforgivable.” Jason’s face turned hard as he reached behind him and pulled his gun out of his waistband.

“Please –” Tom started.

“I bet Elizabeth begged you like you are begging me now. You know what? I’m not going to listen, just like you.” With one pull of the trigger, Tom Baker was dead. A clean shot right between the eyes.

Jason’s eyes where cold as he saw life leave Tom Baker, a person who hurt his new friend. A person who didn’t deserve to live and breathe the same air as Elizabeth did. He reached for his phone out of his front pocket. “Hey Francis, it’s me. Is Elizabeth okay?”

“She and Miss. Quartmaine are still in her room.”

“Good. Call Johnny. I need a crew.”

“I swear the only thing that I can make is brownies!” Elisabeth sat up cross-legged on her bed. Emily sat facing her, her legs tucked under her. Both girls dressed in pjs.

“Come on, Elizabeth, everyone can make something else.”

“No. The only thing that doesn’t come out burned is brownies.”

“Well, Cook doesn’t let anyone in the kitchen. But when my mother was alive –” Emily paused at Elizabeth’s face of confusion. “The Quartmaine’s adopted me after my real mother died of breast cancer.”

“Oh, Em. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Anyway, when my mother was alive she used to show me how to cook and I sort of remember.”

“It must have been hard for you.”

“Yeah, my mom was all I had. It was like something was taken away from me, you know? And I’ll never get that time back.”

Elizabeth nodded, her smile falling. “Yeah, I know what you’re talking about.”

An hour later, Jason slowly opened the door to the penthouse. He scanned the area, and saw that no one was around. He turned on the light, quickly shut the door, and opened the closet door. He took down the fire poof box from the top shelf and opened it. He took the gun from his pants and stared at it for a second. Sighing, he placed the gun in the box, closed the lid, and put it back in the closet.

He glanced up at the top of the stairs to see Elizabeth standing at the top. She smiled and ran down the stairs to meet him. She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Jason smiled as he slowly wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s okay.”

“I was so worried.”

“I’m okay.”

She pulled away from him and they both walked over to the couch and sat down. “So, what did you do tonight?” She smiled again.

Jason sighed as he laced his fingers together. “I had a job to do.” He glanced at her, and Elizabeth’s smile faded.

“It was bad, right?” Elizabeth asked.

Jason turned to her, throwing his arm around the back of the couch. “I found out who raped you, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth took in a sharp breath and covered her mouth with her left hand.

“He’s not going to hurt you ever again.” Jason’s voice was soft and promising.

“You killed him.” She stated. “That’s what you did tonight. You killed him.” Her voice shook.

Jason nodded. “His name was Tom Baker.”

“I don’t care what his name is! That bastard took me off a bench in the damn park and he took something from me that I may ever get back!” Elizabeth screamed as she ran her hands through her hair and stood. “Oh God, you killed him because of me.”

“He hurt you, he doesn’t deserve to live.”

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her waist and looked down at him. Tears in her eyes she reached for his hand, “you didn’t have to do that.”

“I just wanted the nightmares to stop.” Jason said as he stood next to her.

“They’ll stop without him dead.” Elizabeth paused and sniffed. “Sooner or later, they would have stopped. I’m not saying that I don’t wish he was alive.” She paused. “I’m glad that he’s dead. I’m glad that he can’t take me again.”

“Is that what you dream of?”

Elizabeth shook head, “Sometimes. Sometimes it’s just his hands and his weight crushing me.” She shivered. “Sometimes I image him killing my baby.” She whispered.

Jason’s face hardened as he cradled her body to his. His hand ran through her hair. “He’s never going to touch you again.”

“He’s always going to be there, Jason.” She paused. “I can’t see myself moving on. I can’t see my way out of this.”

“You just have to take it a day at a time.” He whispered into her hair.

“I’m trying. But I’m fighting something that I can’t see. I’m fighting a ghost that won’t go away.”

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 18

The sunlight shone through the bedroom window as Emily Quartermaine stirred. She moaned as she opened her eyes. Her brown hair was thrown around her face; she slowly realized where she was. She was in her brother’s room, in his penthouse, keeping her new friend, Elizabeth, company. Emily glanced around the room. Elizabeth was nowhere in slight.

Moaning, Emily thought about going back to sleep. She hadn’t gotten much of it last night. She and Elizabeth had stayed up half the night telling stories. When Emily finally found sleep, she took note that Elizabeth had left the room.

“Grrr,” She whispered under her breath, “Crap.”

Emily rolled off the bed and combed her hands through her hair. She stumbled her way out the open door. Emily rubbed her eyes as she made her way down the stairs. She stopped short of the last stair and her eyes when wide.

Jason lay on his leather couch, a blanket thrown over his lap, his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. Elizabeth’s head was tucked under Jason’s chin as she used his chest for a pillow and he used the top of her head.

“Oh God.” Emily wondered over to them and stood, staring at the two, not believing her eyes. “Jason. Wake up.” Emily shook her brother’s shoulder.

Jason’s eyes slowly opened as he glanced at Elizabeth first and then his sister. “What’s wrong, Em?” He whispered.

“Jason –” Emily started.

Elizabeth started gasping like she couldn’t breathe. She reached for an invisible face; her face full of hurt. Elizabeth scratched at her neck, her nails leaving nail marks in their wake.

“Elizabeth.” Jason called to her softly. He reached for her arms to stop her from scratching her neck any further. “Elizabeth, wake up.”

“No. No, please go away.” Elizabeth mumbled. “No!” She screamed.

“Elizabeth!” Jason started to shake her shoulders. “Wake up. It’s a dream!” Jason’s voice rose.

Elizabeth jumped before her opened her eyes fully. She glanced around her and sank into Jason’s arms. Tears started to climb their way to her eyes. “It won’t ever stop.”

“It’s okay.” Jason whispered.

Emily stood slightly by, wrapping her arms around herself. She all of a sudden felt like ice water had been dump into her body. “Jason?”

Jason looked at her over the top of Elizabeth’s head.

“She’s bleeding, Jason.” Emily stated as she pointed to her neck.

Jason pulled back and gazed down at Elizabeth’s neck. Her nails had opened three long, thin wounds. Little drops of blood started to fall from the cuts and land on Elizabeth’s shirt.

“Can you go and get the first-aid kit, Em?” Jason asked.

Emily nodded and quickly left the room.

“God, I’m so mad, Jason!” Elizabeth yelled she fought back the tears.

“I know.”

“He made me feel so dirty, Jason.” She ran her hand through her hair. “I just want to be clean.” She whispered.

Jason stood up and ran his hand down her cheek as he pulled her into a hug. “You’ll find a way out, Elizabeth. I know you will.”

Elizabeth hugged him back, clinging to his shirt.

Emily quickly came back with the first aide kit and Jason bandaged Elizabeth’s neck.

“I’m going to go; I’ll call you guys later.” Emily whispered as she gathered up her things.

“Em, wait. Let me explain.” Elizabeth started.

“No. It’s okay. You don’t need to tell me anything. I’ll call you.”

“But Emily –”

The door of Jason’s penthouse closed and Elizabeth turned away from Jason. “She’s just confused, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I’m going to go lay down.” She didn’t wait for a reply from Jason as she went up the stairs.

Jason sighed as he sat down on the couch. Did he make a mistake by killing Tom Baker? Was he supposed to let him walk around free while Elizabeth was in so much pain? Jason hated it when he questioned his actions; maybe he was supposed to have let Elizabeth face him first. But now she'll never get that chance. He wished that Carly was there to give him a problem to actually fix. He couldn’t fix Elizabeth Webber, no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn’t make her better, and he didn’t know what could.

Elizabeth sighed as she ran her hands over her jeans and sat down on the bed. She glanced around the room and realized that there wasn’t much in Jason’s room. A bed, two dressers, a night table. A mirror stood attached to one the dressers. The dresser top held only a few pictures. One was Emily; one of a blond which Elizabeth assumed was Carly, and one of a baby, which Elizabeth knew was probably Michael.

Travel books sat on one of the night tables. Egypt, Italy, Rome, Africa, Japan and England. A lap stood on the same table.

Tears blinded her once more and she cried aloud in frustration. She stood and paced the room for a few minutes, like a caged animal. She staggered over to Jason’s stack of travel books; she aimlessly flipped through the book. Her rage took over and she slammed the book down. Thinking that wasn’t enough, she flung the stack of books, the books scattered all over the floor, causing a loud crash. Elizabeth caught a glance at a small bear that she bought for her baby; she grabbed it off the bed and smelt it. Crying out once more, she threw the teddy bear across the room.

Crying openly, Elizabeth ripped the lap from the wall outlet and through it across the room. It landed against the wall and exploded. Elizabeth loss her footing for a second, before looking straight at the mirror on the dresser. Without a moment’s thought Elizabeth picked up a hardback cover of Japan and threw it at the mirror, breaking it into pieces. The pictures landed sideways when gravity took over and the book fell into the dresser.

That wasn’t enough; Elizabeth needed to brake even more. She glanced at the nightstand and pushed over. Going over to the closet, Elizabeth ripped pieces of clothing from the hangers, throwing the clothes every which way. She coughed a few times before she violently opened each dresser door and threw clothes over her head. She knew it was immature and she should be calm and think about her baby. For once, Elizabeth Webber just wanted to be mad and not think about anything but her anger.

With a cough, Elizabeth slowly climbed into the bed and cried, screaming that it wasn’t fair.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 19

Jason listened outside the door, when he heard the crashing stop, he opened the door. Clothes, hers and his, where everywhere. Shattered pieces of thick glass from a broken lap littered the carpet. His book about Japan was lying on the dresser, the pictures he had there were face down or on their sides with even more glass covering the top of the dresser from the broken mirror.

Jason stepped over the broken glass and clothes. He slid his fingers onto the bed spread and combed his way through Elizabeth’s hair. She turned and faced him as he sat down on the edge of the bed.

“You must be so mad at me.” She whispered as she fingered a blue shirt that was on the bed.

“You got mad.”

“Yeah, something just broke.”

“It happens.”

“I broke a lot of your things.”

“Yeah, yeah you did.” He paused as he looked around the room. “It can all be fixed, Elizabeth. I’m not worried about the room.”

“Yeah, but Jason I –”

“I did that once. I broke everything that I could get my hands on. I tried to fix what hurt by finding something that hurt more. It only works for that moment, Elizabeth.”

“What made you mad?” She asked as she wiped away a few tears.

Jason sighed and shook his head. “Two years ago, I was in a car accident. When I woke up from my coma, I couldn’t remember anyone. The Ouartermaines begged me to remember; over and over again they pushed and pushed me to remember the guy, and I just couldn’t. One night I just lost it, and I trashed his room and ripped everything up. Afterward, nothing got better. It didn’t help to trash his room; it only hurt the family more. So, I found a better way to get way from my problems.”

“What was that?”

“Come on, I’ll show you.” He stood up and offered his hand.

She smiled a little and took his hand. “Okay.”

“This?” She asked as they stood outside of Harbor View Towers.

Beside Jason sat a gleaming black motorcycle. Everything about the bike screamed fast. Elizabeth smiled as she took a closer look.

“You want to go for a ride?” Jason asked.

Elizabeth stared at him for a second than nodded.

They both climbed into the bike; Elizabeth took the helmet that Jason handed to her. “Scream if you don’t like something.” He yelled.

Elizabeth nodded and smiled. She grabbed onto Jason’s waist as he started the bike.

A few hours later, Elizabeth laughed as she got off the bike, “Wow! This thing is fast!” She giggled as she handed his helmet back to him.

“Yeah.” Said Jason as he too stepped off the bike and stood by Elizabeth.

“It was like I was flying and nothing could touch me. Not Tom, not my family, nothing.”

“That’s the idea.”

“Everything was like one big rush. And the lines on the street were just one big yellow blur.”

“It’s like being free.” Jason whispered.

“Can we do it again?” Elizabeth asked,

“Sure. Any time you want.” He paused. “Until the doctor says that you can’t.”

Elizabeth’s face fell as she reached for her still flat stomach. “For a moment, I forgot.”

“You know, I think it’s about time that we get inside.” Jason said. He and Elizabeth turned to go inside.

“Do you think it’s bad that I forgot about my baby?” Elizabeth asked.

“No. That’s what my bike is supposed to do, make you forget everything.”

“Yeah, but Jason this isn’t about my rape; this is my baby.”

”Carly thought about Michael all the time, she use to say that some days that’s all she had was her baby. But I don’t think it was bad for you to forget about your baby.”

Elizabeth remained silent.

“You should really back to school, Elizabeth.”

“Where did that come from?”

“I don’t know. I just think that you should be in school.”

“Okay.” Elizabeth said slowly. “But I already did.”

“What?”

“I already went to school.” Elizabeth sighed. “I took the graduation test. The dance was supposed to be my own little celebration for pasting it. Gram refused to have me in school when she found out about the pregnancy, so it’s not like I had a choice in the matter.”

“Your Grandmother didn’t want you to go to school?”

Elizabeth nodded, “she thought that people could already tell I was pregnant. Not that Sarah didn’t help that out. She told everyone she came across what a whore I was.”

“She didn’t say that did she?”

“Oh yeah. Lizzie the Terrible.”

“She called you that?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Along with selfish, slut, and anything else you can think of. My sister and I don’t get along. I tried, you know. I tried to be nice to her, but than everything went to hell when they found out I was pregnant.”

Jason opened the door to the penthouse and let Elizabeth inside.

“I think I’ll get some sleep.” Elizabeth stated. She headed for the stairs. “Thank you, Jason. I had fun tonight.”

Jason nodded. “And don’t worry about the room. It should be clean by now.”

Elizabeth just nodded before heading upstairs.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 20

“Jason?” Elizabeth called as she came down the stairs the next morning. Jason glanced at her from the couch as he put down a file that he was reading. “Do you know where I can find Emily?”

“Why?”

“I need to explain –” She paused. “I need to tell her, Jason.”

“I can call her, if you want to find her.”

“No, I don’t want you to call her. I want to ‘just run to her’. Okay?”

Jason nodded. “You can usually find her at Kelly’s. That’s where is she goes most mornings before school. Her friend Lucky Spencer works there for his aunt.”

“Can you take me there?”

“Do you want to go now?” Jason asked.

Elizabeth nodded and pulled up her sleeve of her sweater. “The bruises are almost gone.”

“Elizabeth –” Jason started.

“Look, I know it’s not my fault. So please, stop saying it. I just don’t want the questions. That’s all. And if Sarah is there, I don’t want her finding out. Okay?”

Jason nodded and stood. “Okay.”

At Kelly’s, her and Jason took a table by the window. She smiled as she looked around. “It’s so cute.”

“Yeah. This is the place to meet Em, if you want to find her.” Jason paused as a young man came up to the table. “Hey Lucky. How’s it going?”

“Good. Thanks. How’s Michael?” Lucky Spencer had light brown hair and deep blue eyes. An earring hung from his left ear. His smile was wide and friendly.

Elizabeth wanted to throw up.

“He’s good. Growing fast.”

“So, what would you like to order?” Lucky asked.

“I’ll have a number three.” He paused and looked at Elizabeth. “What do you want?”

“I’ll have a number three too.” She whispered. She wanted to throw her arms around Jason and beg him to take her back to the penthouse. Instead she laced her fingers together, under the table, until her knuckles turned white.

“Oh, Lucky, this is Elizabeth Webber. Elizabeth this is Lucky Spencer.” Jason introduced them.

“Sarah’s sister, right. I’ve seen you around. It’s nice to meet you, Elizabeth.”

“Yeah,” She offered a small shaky smile, “you too.” Her skin crawled.

Lucky left as Elizabeth turned to Jason and sighed. “He knows my sister, Jason.”

“So?”

“I don’t want my Gram finding me yet. I’m not ready to face her.” She blocked out the thoughts about Lucky. She would tell Jason later.

“It’s been three weeks. She's going to find you sooner or later.”

“I know. But there’s no harm in putting it off, right?”

Jason sighed, “If you aren’t ready to see your grandmother, then you aren’t ready.”

The door of Kelly’s opened and Emily stepped into the dinner. It was like slow motion. Time was moving slowing as the girl behind Emily stepped into the dinner.

Elizabeth’s smile faded as she glanced at them.

“Lizzie!” The high voice of her sister sounded in her ears. “Where have you been?” She asked as she and Emily came up to the table.

Jason took a quick glance at Elizabeth. Her face is pale and pasty. This can’t be good.

Elizabeth glanced at Sarah and then at the table, Jason saw a tear slip down Elizabeth’s cheek. She quickly wiped it away.

“Are you going to ignore me, Lizzie? I mean, God, you’ve been gone for three weeks! Not a word! Do you know how worried Gram is? She’s beside herself!” Sarah yelled. Customers started looking around at them.

“Sarah, do you think you should be yelling at her?” Emily asked.

“Em, you have no idea what she has done to our family. She dank and smoked and did any damn thing she wanted to do. Then one day she shows at Gram’s door! And then we find out that she’s pregnant with God knows who’s child.”

“You need to stop right now.” Jason said softly as he stood, his jaw was tight and fury rose in his eyes. “You throw those things in her face again, and I’ll –”

“Who are you? Her new screw-buddy?”

Elizabeth felt bile rise in her throat. She wanted to go to the bathroom and throw-up at even the thought of another man touching her. She wrapped her arms around herself as she shook.

A voice popped into her mind. The voice was cold and harsh. “Not a word.” Elizabeth gasped. That’s what he said when she begged for her baby’s life.

“Sarah!” Emily yelled.

“Okay, that’s it. We are leaving.” Jason said he was angry. If he and Elizabeth didn’t leave now, he would do something that he didn’t want to do, especially the way Elizabeth looked at that point.

Elizabeth stood up from the chair, her legs a little shaky, and followed Jason to the coat rack. Jason helped Elizabeth with her coat. Elizabeth didn’t say a word.

“Sarah, what are you doing?” Emily asked.

“Where are you going?” Lucky called as he came out with Jason and Elizabeth’s order.

Jason dug out some money out of his pocket and handed to Lucky. “Here. We have to go. Let Emily and her friend have it.”

Lucky gave Emily a confused look; Jason and Elizabeth left the dinner without a second glance.



Chapter 21

Elizabeth and Jason walked into his penthouse. He was worried; Elizabeth hadn’t said a word since they had left the dinner.

“I don’t know what to say.” Elizabeth whispered. “I wish I could say that she was wrong. That I didn’t use to smoke or drink; that I didn’t have sex with a guy I hardly knew. ”

“Did you stop drinking and smoking once you found out about the baby?”

“I stopped before I found out about the baby.”

“Well than you shouldn’t –”

“But, Jason, I had sex with a person I didn’t even know.”

“So? You had feelings for him. Look, what you did wasn’t wrong. You followed something else besides you head. You didn’t do anything. You’re taking responsibly for your actions, and that’s more than what some people do.” Jason sighed. “Your sister still should not have said those things to you.” He stated.

“Yeah, well,” she started as she wiped away a few tears, “she’s right. I was just some piece of trash to both of the men who have touched me.”

“Don’t say that.” He paused. “Elizabeth, your rape was an act of violence. And the father of your baby,” he sighed as he sat down, “was some punk who used you to get what he wanted.”

Elizabeth sighed as she sat down next to him. “I know that. I know that Taylor used me. I know that I’m going to have to raise my baby myself. And I have a little over five months to fix that.”

“I’ll help you.” Jason whispered. “Anything you need.”

“Thank you, Jason. But I just want the pain to go away. I want a father for my baby.”

“I’m sorry I can’t fix it for you.”

Elizabeth smiled. “But I’m going to be okay. I know what is going on. I know who grabbed me in the park that night, and I know that he can’t hurt anyone else. And it might not matter, but I remembered what he said that night, after I begged him not to hurt my baby. He said, “Not a word”.” She sighed. “It doesn’t matter now.” Jason nodded. “I know that my sister was just mad that she had to deal with my gram.”

“Are you sure that you’re okay?”

“It just freaked me out.”

“What did?”

“Being out. Being around . . . guys.”

“Lucky scared you.”

Elizabeth raised her eyes and met his. “Yeah. I know that he didn’t do it. I know that the guy who did this is gone, but I can’t help it.” Tears clouded her eyes. “It makes me sick to think of someone touching me like that.”

“It’s going to take some time.” Jason stated.

“Yeah I know. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Lucky was there and than with Sarah saying what she did. I just freaked out.”

“It’s okay not being okay, Elizabeth. You went through something terrible. You’re not going to get over this in a couple of weeks.”

“I know.” Elizabeth looked down at her hands. “I want to be strong for my baby. I want to bring my baby into this world with a strong mother. I just want my baby to be safe, Jason. And I can’t let you do that.”

“Do what?”

“I can’t do what Carly did to you. You already have Michael. You shouldn’t have to take care of me and my baby too.”

“The baby is yours, Elizabeth, it’s inside you. You’re the one taking care of it. I’m taking care of Michael because he has no one else to care of him. And Carly turned to me because she wanted to protect her baby, and she can’t anymore. So, I’m doing everything I can to for Michael and I’m trying to do what Carly would want me to do.”

“You loved her.”

“She was one of my best friends.” Jason sighed. “I’m thinking of bring Michael home soon.”

“Really? Do I get to meet him?”

“Yeah, sure. Things have calmed down with A.J.” He paused. Sonny and Jason had been working toward getting A.J. to back down. All they had to do was find the right materials and A.J. would brake. No matter how much Michael would mean to A.J.’s position in the Quartermaine family, he wouldn’t ruin himself for Michael. Especially when it would be a long time before A.J. could prove anything about being the baby's father. If it did come to that, Jason would just change the test. There was no way that he would let A.J. get a hold of Michael. Jason would die first. “Michael will be home in a few weeks. A.J. has seemed to forget about Michael for the moment. I miss him, and I don’t want to have to be away from him anymore.”

“You miss him a lot, don’t you?”

“Yeah. I do.” Jason sighed. “I’m going to have to put extra security with him, but I miss him, and I need to bring him home.”

“Do you want me to leave so that you can have room for Michael?”

“Michael had his own room.”

“Yes, but, Jason, you don’t want me around.”

“Yes I do.”

Elizabeth smiled, “really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Even though I can be a total brat sometimes?”

“I haven’t seen it.”

“Well, now that I’m feeling better, maybe you’ll get a glance at it. But do you know what I want to do right now?”

Jason stood and smiled, “Go fast?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Okay. Let’s go.” He grabbed a hold of Elizabeth’s hand and together they went out the penthouse door.