Elizabeth's Homecoming by Hannah21

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 50

Gillian noticed the confusion on Elizabeth's face as the petite brunette stared down hard at her small hand. "Is something wrong?"

Elizabeth swallowed and shook her head. "Um...no, um not really."

Gillian narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure? I mean your staring at your hand."

"J.just all of a sudden my hand became warm and now it's tingling."

"Mmm." Gillian's brows furrowed. The connection between you two isn't broken. She can feel him touching her.

"Why do you suppose that's happening?" Gillian feigned ignorance.

"I don't..I don't know." She lied. It was the same tingling sensation she felt that night at Vista Point, when Jason kissed her.


Elizabeth's hospital room

Jason smiled. "I know you need your rest so I'll keep asking until you're ready. Just know that I love you."

"Jason?"

The former mob enforcer looked up. "Hey, Colletta." He watched as Elizabeth's adopted mother walked into the hospital room. Jason's smile dropped when he saw Gina.

"How is she today?" Colletta asked.

Ignoring the redhead he turned to answer Colletta. "She's getting better. I can feel it."

Gina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right" She muttered. Jason glared at the redhead but remained silent.

"Gina, enough," Colletta warned her daughter. And how are you, Jason have you slept or ate at all?"

"I'm not hungry and yeah I've been sleeping." Somewhat.

"I brought you some lunch so try to eat." Colletta smiled. Pulling out several wrapped sandwiches out of her bag.

"No thank you." Jason replied reaching for Elizabeth's small hand. Touching her every five minutes.

"Jason, you need to keep your strength up for Elizabeth. She needs you."

"Oh please, mama we all know if it wasn't for Spike over there Elizabeth wouldn't be fighting for her life." Gina snapped.

"Gina! This is not Jason's fault. That bastard she was married to did this to her!"

"You're not wanted here, Spike!" Gina yelled ignoring her mother's comment. "Why don't you run back home to your family in Port Charles and leave Elizabeth alone." Gina raised her voice stalking over to Jason.

"Elizabeth is MY family! And I don't give a damn what you think about me. And if you don't lower your voice, I'll have you thrown out of here! Jason growled deeply. I'm not going to allow you act this way around Elizabeth."

Gina huffed and laughed. "ALLOW, ALLOW? "Pttf, you smug bastard, I'm not one of your cronies you can order around! Gina snorted, You know what, Spike? You're not Elizabeth's husband no matter what my mama told the hospital and you will never be." She smirked. "No matter how much you want it to be true. Elizabeth is out of your league and deserves to be loved by a real man. Not a little boy and once you realize that you'll fly back to your beloved Sonny and his tramp of a wife. And I'll be here with my mother and Michael undoing the damaged that you caused." She smirked.

Jason glared before rolling his eyes. Bitch. And that bitch reminded him of Carly as she stormed out of the room. The way she used to treat Elizabeth. Jason wanted to kick himself for the way he had allowed Carly to behave towards her. Never again, he promised himself. Never again.

Colletta stood there in shock watching as her daughter stormed out. She had never seen her daughter act this way. She knew that she didn't like Jason but her behavior was unacceptable. She shook her head and looked towards Jason.

"I..I'm so sorry, Jason..the way she.."

Jason held up his hand. "Let her say what she wants about me. I don't care. I only care about Elizabeth. She's my wife and family; Jason looked up at Colletta. I'm not going away. "

Colletta smiled a sad smile and went to touch the former enforcer's hand. "Elizabeth is lucky to have you."

Jason shook his head. "No, I'm the lucky one." He smiled looking down at Elizabeth with his eyes full of love.

Colletta smiled and slipped out the door there her daughter stood there with fiery eyes. "That bastard!"

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 51

"GINA!"

"What? Oh my God, don't tell me you're taking his side!" She snapped.

"You're behavior was inexcusable!"

Gina's jaw dropped. "After everything he's done to HER? You're taking his side over family?"

Colletta shook her head. "Gina, both of them have made mistakes. Not all the blame should be placed at Jason's feet. Elizabeth screwed up too."

Gina shook her head. "You're amazing, Mama. You're backstabbing family and taking the enemies' side. You're truly amazing, Mama."

Colletta let out a breath. "I'm not backstabbing our family Gina. I love Elizabeth as much as you do..."

Gina raised a brow and smirked. "Do you Mama? Do you really? Cause I didn't see that so-called love just now."

"Gina! I love Elizabeth, you know that! The only enemy we need to help Elizabeth fight is her illness."

"No, Mama you're wrong the enemy against our family is Jason Morgan." Before Colletta could reply her daughter stomped off. "And with or without your help I'm not going to let him hurt her again." She growled.


"So, are you and this old friend still friends?"

Elizabeth swallowed and kept glancing down at her tingling left hand. "Um, kind of...um we were becoming friends again and then..."

"This?" Gillian asked.

Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, then I came here."

Gillian nodded.

"Um, how long were you with your husband before you came here?" Elizabeth asked trying to ignore the feeling in her hand. Damn it, stop.

Gillian sighed. "We were only remarried for a month before I passed."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. The paper hadn't stated that the couple had just remarried. Just that Gillian was killed on the estate of her cousin Demetri Merritt. And that she was survived by her husband, Ryan Lavery.

"You were married to him before?" Elizabeth questioned.

Gillian smiled and nodded. "Yes, we were married for a year then we divorced."

"How did you meet Ryan?" Elizabeth asked. Wondering more and more about the handsome man she had seen in the paper next to Gillian.

Gillian smiled and let out a chuckle. "I actually met Ryan through a woman that later became one of our friends."

Elizabeth nodded.

"I had just arrived in Pine Valley after getting into some trouble in Hungry. I had gone to live with my cousin Demetri at his home at Wildwind. After being there the INS showed up. My passport had expired and they ordered me to leave the country."

"Oh, and the only way you could stay was to....." Elizabeth began.

"Was to marry a US citizen." Gillian smiled thinking about her past.

"So, you met and married Ryan, just like that?" Elizabeth questioned.

Gillian shook her head. "No, actually I was trying to marry a man named Scott Chandler, nephew to Adam Chandler."

Elizabeth's brows furrowed. "So, at that point you hadn't met Ryan yet?"

"No, I hadn't. You see Elizabeth I was a very different person back then. I was selfish, and a snob and extremely broke. I wanted to marry Scott for his money besides keeping me from being deported."

"Oh."

"Liza Colby, who at the time was Adam's wife knew why I wanted to be with Scott even though I tried to convince her otherwise. She didn't buy my story that I loved her step-nephew. Which I didn't. The only person I loved was myself. So, being the determined woman that I was and still am I went to her place of work to convince her of my love for Scott."

"What happened?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Well, I walked right in and walked up to an gorgeous young man and demanded that he fetch Liza for me. Gillian chuckled and shook her head. He smiled and looked me up and down."

"That gorgeous guy was Ryan?"

Gillian nodded. "Right away we were attracted to each other but we both fought it and each other. Until...."

Elizabeth ears perked up. "Until...?"

"We got married."

"Wait, but weren't you engaged to Scott Chandler how did you end up with Ryan?"

"Fate. I was born to be with Ryan I just didn't know it at that time. He's my soulmate. Real love never just ends, it grows stronger and stronger each year. Two people might fight to stay away from each other but if it's TRUE LOVE. Nothing and no one can keep you apart."

Elizabeth looked down at her tingling hand and touched it softly. "Jason" She whispered to herself.

Gillian noticed the look and smiled. "So, it was fate. And also a tad bit of Liza." Gillian chuckled.

"Liza?"

Gillian nodded. "Yeah, Liza. She found out that Ryan was embezzing money from her televison station and so instead of senting him to jail. They struck a deal that he would marry me instead of Scott. She had also told him I was rich."

"So, to put it frankly she blackmailed him. And him being greedy for money he married you."

Gillian nodded and smiled. "Yup."

"Oh my God if I didn't know you I would swear your life was a soap."

"What would soap have to do with it?" Gillian questioned confused.

"No, oh no not bathing soap. Elizabeth chuckled. "I meant as in terms of a tv soap opera. You know, daytime tv?"

Gillian shook her head. "Oh, I never watched those."

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 52
"Oh." Elizabeth chuckled. "So...um you and Ryan stayed married for a year? Wait, when did you find out he only married you for your money?"

Gillian let out a breath. "Right after I found out he was poor. Just like me."

Elizabeth's brows knitted together. Confusion flooded her small face. "But your marriage was built on a lie. How could you not be upset about that? I don't get it."

"I was bothered at first but he was helping me to stay in the country and I was helping keeping him out of jail."

"But they lied to you. Both Ryan and Liza. How were you able to forgive them? Didn't you feel like they made a fool out of you?"

"I was angry, I would be lying if I said I wasn't. It took time. But I didn't cut myself off from Ryan because of it. And yes I was angry with Liza especially after everything came out into the open. I even refused to talk to her but she didn't give up and she called me on my old plan to marry Scott. She told me neither me or Ryan had lost anything but we did have tons to gain. I sort of knew what I was entering into when I married Ryan. But that didn't stop me from yelling and screaming. Gillian laughed. I even threw stuff at his head. Then I started developing feelings for Ryan. And I realized that I couldn't let my anger get the best of me and mess up a possible life in America. So, I refused to walk away. I knew the theme."

Theme? "Oh, I think you mean the score." Elizabeth smiled.

"Yes, the score."

"So, since you only knew half the truth you accepted what you already knew. That it was a marriage of convenience."

"Yes."

Elizabeth looked down and bit her bottom lip."What if Liza hadn't intervene? And Ryan from the very beginning told you about his life and that...."

Gillian cocked her head to the side as she studied her new friend. "And that?"

Elizabeth shifted nervously and sighed. "And he was honest with you saying that there were things he could never share with you."

"Okay, but why couldn't he share those things with me?"

"Because that part of his life was business."

Gillian thought for a second then nodded. "Alright."

"Could you have forgiven him for lying to you about something important?"

Gillian rubbed her small chin with her forefinger. Would the lie involve his business?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I don't really see how I could be too, too angry because he was honest in the very beginning. That there were things he couldn't tell me about that side of his life."

"But let's said he told you from the very beginning that he WOULD never lie to you after knowing how much you hate liars."

Gillian let out a sigh as her dark brown brows knitted together. "Would the lie Ryan told affect us directly and interfere with our relationship?"

"Well kinda of..."

"In what way?"

"He let you and the whole town believe something that wasn't true."

"So, Ryan lied to my face?" She's talking about him.

Elizabeth shifted. "Well no, um..not really. He just let you believe the lie."

"So, technically he didn't lie to me he just let me believe something that wasn't true."

"Well, um yeah I guess so. But I consider that a lie."

Gillian nodded. "I would be upset...but"

Elizabeth nodded triumphly but stopped short. "But? but what?"

"I would have been extremely upset if he lied directly to my face. But he didn't."

"But he let you believe that a person you considered a friend was dead." Elizabeth stated.

"But that's the thing....he just let me believe it for some reason; he didn't actually come to me and said for example. Gillian, your ex-brother in law Tad is dead."

"But he let you morn for Tad. Knowing all the time that Tad wasn't DEAD."

Gillian nodded. "So, it was a faked death?"

"Yeah."

Gillian sighed. "You know what this sounds like?"

"What?"

"It sounds like that me and Ryan have communication problems."

"Why do you say that?" That's not true.

"Well, for example when I found out that "Tad" was dead. And Ryan knew the truth he should have come to me and said something like. "Gillian, things don't appear as they seem. And I want you to remember I told you I couldn't share certain things about my life with you and well this is one of them. That would have made me remember what we talked about when we first got together and what we had agreed to involving our lives together. Then I would have questioned him on it as much as I could and once we finished our discussion I would have trusted that everything would be okay. That WE would be okay. Because that's the most important thing, US."

Shit.

"Believe me, me and Ryan weren't perfect we had communication problems. But we learned, to talk. To speak without having to really say anything." Gillian smiled.

"I thought that about...." Elizabeth began and then shifted before letting out a nervous breath.

Gillian smiled. "You thought that about your Jason?"

Elizabeth's sapphire eyes widened. "He's not my..."

The look on Gillian's face made Elizabeth swallow the rest of her words. "What you have to understand is that-that type of communication doesn't happen over night. You have to work on it. Not just you or him; it has to be the both of you together. You both have to be willing to put your heart in the other person's hand. And to me you and Jason weren't willing to do that before. But I believe you are now."

"We...we had agreed to try before." Elizabeth replied sadly.

"No, trying is nothing...Elizabeth. It's nothing. Why try to be together, or why try to just date? Why not just BE because you both want it. Because you're in each other's blood so deep that when he feels pain; you do too. That when he's not around you, you wonder what he's doing and is he safe? And he wonders the same about you."

"I worry more about Jason than he does about me." Elizabeth stated sadly. He never came home.

"That's not true. He cares about you, Elizabeth. That man is totally head over heels in love with you. And has been for a very long time."

"Jason doesn't love me. He never has. He told someone that who then turned around and shoved it up in my face."

"HE LIED."

"But Jason doesn't lie."

Gillian smirked. "The business that he's involved in requires him to lie."

Elizabeth's jaw dropped. She knows?

"Answer this." Gillian states watching her friend carefully.

Elizabeth's eyes widen. "What?"

"Are you in love with Jason Morgan?"

Elizabeth swallows hard. "It doesn't matter." She states before looking away.

"That's not an answer. Do you love him or not."

"Can't we just change the subject. Let's talk about Ryan again." Elizabeth tries to smile but fails.

"No. Answer the question." Gillian growls. Admit it.

"No, I don't. Happy now?" Elizabeth lifts her jaw in the air in defiance.

"You just lied. I thought you hated liars? Now, try again." Gillian raises one brow. I hate being hard on you but I've got to get you to admit it.

Elizabeth began to tear up as she pushed a lock of her long curly hair behind her ear. She covered her small mouth as she looked down at her feet. Her white slippers dangling in the air as she sat next to her friend. I'm a hypocrite.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as her bottom lip quivered. "Yes, I love him. I've....I've been in love with Jason since the night of the warehouse fire."

Gillian smiled. I knew it.

"But it doesn't matter he doesn't feel the same. Jason Morgan will never be in love with me. And I've accepted it. I accepted it a long time ago."

"You are so stubborn."

Elizabeth frowned. She wasn't liking this conversation at all. "I am not."

"Yes you are. Jason lies. He has to lie in order to survive. Everyone lies, even you. He may not lie directly to you but he does lie. Hell, he's been lying about his feelings for you for years to everyone who would listen."

Elizabeth's sapphire eyes widened in shock.

"I know a lot about you and Jason and if you take my hand I'll show you things you don't know."

Gillian held out her petite hand to the small brunette. Take it. Gillian watched as her young friend reached out but quickly pulled her hand back.

"I always thought he wanted to hide our friendship or more than friendship to protect me from his enemies."

Gillian shook her head no. "No, he pushed you away to protect himself."

"But why, I mean I have hurt him in the past but..."

"That's it. Elizabeth, you have NO idea how much power you have over Jason. You have what his enemies have been searching for-for years."

"And what's that?" Elizabeth states softly listening to her friend.

"The power to crush him. No one else has it, not his family or his substitute family. Only you."

"I don't want to have that type of power. I don't want to hurt Jason."

"It doesn't matter. His love for you makes him vulnerable to you and you only. That's how he's able to hurt you so badly because of your love for him." Gillian stands up and holds out her hand again.

"Take my hand."

Elizabeth looks up at Gillian's face then down at the brunette's out stretched arm. Elizabeth bites her bottom lip and rises up slipping her small hand into her new found friend's.

"Trust me?" Gillian smiled glancing over to a teary Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded as she closed her eyes. When she reopened them she and Gillian were in Port Charles.

Elizabeth glanced around shocked. "We'rrrre" She stuttered.

Gillian smiled still holding her friend's small hand. She nodded. "We're in Port Charles."

"B...but why?"

"We're in Port Charles, 1999. And you're about to save a life." Gillian smiled approached Kelly's with a stunned Elizabeth by her side. Elizabeth jaw dropped when she saw herself walking out the doors of Kelly's.

"Night, Penny I'll see you tomorrow!" Elizabeth sang out.

"Okay, nite!" Penny replied.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 53
Authors Note: Hey everyone,

Sorry it took me a while to get here but I needed the transcripts and I found them. Okay, so here's the deal. Gillian and Elizabeth are back in PC of 1999. And they are both able to hear Jason's thoughts. Every thing they say and do when others are around will stand out. Hopefully my computer will cooperate with me on this. Enjoy, this trip down memory lane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

December 2, 1999
Port Charles, New York


Gillian smiled still holding her friend's small hand. She nodded. "We're in Port Charles."

"B...but why?"

"We're in Port Charles, 1999. And you're about to save a life." Gillian smiled approached Kelly's with a stunned Elizabeth by her side. Elizabeth jaw dropped when she saw herself walking out the doors of Kelly's.

"Night, Penny I'll see you tomorrow!" Elizabeth sang out.

"Okay, nite!" Penny replied.


Elizabeth eyes Gillian with wide eyes. "Save a life, what are you talking about? I've never saved anyone."

"That's where you're wrong. You did and that night you opened yourself up to the greatest love of your life. You just didn't know it."

"Love?" Elizabeth whispered to herself. "Gillian,...um I...um I can't do this, I don't want to do this. Let's just go back."

"No."

"But..."

Gillian sighed and turned to her friend. "I know you're scared, Elizabeth. I really do, but you said something that wasn't true. That your Jason doesn't love you. When he does and has for a very long time. I'm going to show you your past with Jason whether you like it or not. Besides, this happens to everyone who's about to cross over. Haven't you heard the saying about, "My life flashed before my eyes?"

Elizabeth nodded and held on tight to the brunette's hand.

"I'm only going to show you, your life regarding your Jason so, you'll be able to hear his thoughts. And see how your life affected both you and him. Are you ready?"

Elizabeth nodded holding her head up high. "Yes."

Gillian nodded and she and Elizabeth walked slowly toward Kelly's. She glanced around and looked at the pale brunette by her side. "Do you remember what today's date should be?"

Elizabeth swallowed hard and cleared her throat. "Today is December 2, 1999. The night I found Jason bleeding in the snow."

Gillian nodded and smiled as she turned her attention towards Elizabeth Webber leaving Kelly's that night.

"You were really cute." Gillian smiled widely. "No wonder he fell in love with you."

Elizabeth blushed and bit her pouty bottom lip.

"So, where were you headed?" Gillian asked as they followed a singing Elizabeth.

("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.....Jack Frost nipping at your nose.....")

"Whoa....singing is not your forte' is it?" Gillian teased. Lightening the mood.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped opened and playfully hit her friend's arm. "I was alone, thank you."

Gillian chuckled. "So, where were you headed?"

Elizabeth let out a sigh. "Home, home to my studio."

"Did you ever wonder what made you walk this way home?" Gillian questioned.

Elizabeth's brows knitted together and she thought about her friend's question. "I...I always thought it was kinda of weird. Because I..um normally didn't walk that way home at night."

Gillian nodded and they continued to follow the singing brunette.

("And everybody knows, some turkey and some mistletoe.....")

"It was fate."

The two women stop dead in their tracks as they watched the petite brunette suddenly stop. Elizabeth glanced behind herself after hearing what sounded like a moan. She then shook her head.

"You're hearing things, Webber." She chaised herself. When her small boot crunched the snow beneath her feet, she heard the sound again. She stopped when the moan pierced her ears again. She then quietly started towards the sound. Her eyes widened when a pair of leather clad boots came into view. She inched closer and recognized the face.

Elizabeth and Gillian stood quietly by and watched. "Jason." Elizabeth stated teary eyed as she watched herself from the past approach the dying mobster.

"Jason? Jason! Jason. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. No, this can't be happening. Jason! Jason? Can you hear me? Jason, wake up. Come on, you have to wake up! Come on! I can't help you if you don't open your eyes! Jason?"

Jason opened his eyes.

"Oh, thank God. Oh, thank God. Are you okay? What happened? How did you get here?"

"Help me up." Jason replied holding onto his side.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I’m okay. Just -- just do it."

"Okay. Okay. Up." Elizabeth goes to go ducked herself under the mobster's arm and begins to lift him out of the snow.

Jason moans. Please help me.

"Oh, my god. Jason, you're bleeding. Were you shot?" Oh my God!

"It's okay. I'm fine. I just -- I just need -" Jason replies breathlessly and begins to slip down out of Elizabeth's grip.

"No, no! Jason, not here. Come on. We have to get you out of the snow. Jason, I’m not going to let you die. Come on. Damn it, Jason, help me!"

Jason coughs. "Box -- boxcar." She's helping me.

"What? Okay. Boxcar, yeah. Okay, we can make it. We can make it. You just have to stay awake for me, okay? Can you do that? Can you stay awake?"

Jason nods slightly holding the petite brunette's hand.

"Okay. Ready? Now, on the count of three, we're going to get up and we're going to walk to the boxcar, okay? Ready? One, two -"

Elizabeth and Gillian watch the scene and both grimace at the stark contrast between the snow and Jason Morgan's blood.

Jason groans.

"Oh God, Jason.." Elizabeth whispered feeling Jason's pain. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Three." Elizabeth states lifting Jason onto his feet.

"Ah!" The young mobster moans loudly.

"Come on. Come on. You can do it. You can. Come on. Here. Lean on me, okay? Lean on me. I'm a lot stronger than I look, so you can just lean on me, okay? Now, come on. Just go slow."

The petite brunette walks Jason over to the boxcar and helps inside."There. Okay. Okay, are you okay? Jason, try to stay warm, okay? I'm going to go call 911." Elizabeth states taking off her coat and wrapping it around the young mobster.

"Don't, don't."

"Why not? Jason, why?" You've lost too much blood, Jason.

"Because they'll tell the cops." Jason states holding his side. So much pain. God.

"But you need a doctor. At this point, that's all that matters." I'm not going to let you die.

"You -- you should just go. Don't -- don't come back. Don't tell anyone. Please." I need to protect her.

"Are you crazy? No."

"You -- you shouldn't be involved." Please go for your safety.

Gillian turns to Elizabeth. "Hear that, his protective side for you started a long time ago."

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip.

"Jason, you're hurt. You need help. I'm not going to abandon you, okay? If you don't want to go to the hospital, fine, but we need to find a way to treat you."

"The first -- first aid kit." She's so stubborn. He smiles inside.

"Did he just call me stubborn?"

Gillian turns and raises one brow and chuckles. "Oh.... like you're not?" She teases.

Elizabeth huffs and folds her small arms across her chest.

"First aid -- right, first aid kit. Okay, um -- okay. I'll be right back. Try not to move, okay?"

"I’m okay."

"Right." Sure you are.

Gillian and Elizabeth watch as the petite brunette runs from the boxcar and doesn't stop until she reaches Harborview Towers. They follow the petite brunette into the elevator and watch as she impatiently presses for the penthouse floor.

"Hurry up, damn it." Elizabeth growls. As she exits the elevator she runs into one of Sonny's guards.

"Oh, I need to see Mr. Corinthos. My name is Elizabeth Webber. I need to see him right away."

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 54

Gillian and Elizabeth watch as the petite brunette runs from the boxcar and doesn't stop until she reaches Harborview Towers. They follow the petite brunette into the elevator and watch as she impatiently presses for the penthouse floor.

"Hurry up, damn it." Elizabeth growls. As she exits the elevator she runs into one of Sonny's guards.

"Oh, I need to see Mr. Corinthos. My name is Elizabeth Webber. I need to see him right away."

"He's busy." Johnny replies.

"Look, if you won't let me in, then please take him this message."

Johnny quirks his brow studying the petite woman in front of him. "What is it?"

"Tell him I have news about Jason." Maybe that will get your ass moving.

Johnny's gray eyes widened. "Wait here."

"Ok."

"Something tells me that Mr. Corinthos has more security than Hugo ever had." Gillian smirked.

Elizabeth's brows knitted together. "Who's Hugo?"

"My Grandfather."

Elizabeth nodded and returned her attention to the scene unfolding before her very eyes.

They all watched as the guard turned quickly around and knock on the door behind him.

KNOCK, KNOCK

Johnny then sticks his head inside the door after hearing Sonny's reply. "Yeah?"

"Elizabeth Webber is here. Says it's about Jason."

"Let her in." Sonny replies getting up from his leather couch with a small glass in his left hand.

"I’m sorry. I don't mean to interrupt. But this is really important." Elizabeth then turns towards Sonny's newest flame.

"Are you ok?" Hannah asks with concern studying the upset brunette..

"I don't mean to be rude, but I need to speak to Sonny in private." Elizabeth replies. LEAVE

"That's all right. I was just leaving anyway." Hannah answers with a small smile.

"See you later." Sonny replies watching as his latest walks out the door before turning his full attention to Jason's friend.

"Jason’s been shot. I found him at the boxcar. He doesn't want anyone to know, but I knew I needed to get help. And if we don't do something fast, I’m afraid he's going to die." Elizabeth rambled a mile a minute.

"Tell me exactly what happened." Sonny replied trying to remain calm.

"Ok. I found him at the boxcar. He was lying on the ground. He's bleeding really bad from a wound in his side. I got him in the boxcar, but he wouldn't let me call for help."

"Did you tell him you were coming here?"

"No. He wanted me to get him a first aid kit, but I know that wasn't going to be enough. Sonny, he needs a doctor, fast." Stop with all the questions and help him, damn it!

"All right. Tell me -- tell me where the boxcar is." Sonny replies walking quickly over to grab his coat.

"You know, it'll be quicker if I take you."

"No, no, no. Jason was right. You can't be involved."

What the fuc...? "But I already am." I'm in it and I count, buddy.

"Listen to me. It was a smart move coming here, but now you got to forget everything that happened, ok? Come on. I'll get somebody to drive you home. And then you can tell me where the boxcar is."

Elizabeth eyes the mobster as they walk towards one of Sonny's car. No one is going to stop me from helping Jason. No one not even you Sonny. I'm in this and I count." Elizabeth thought to herself as she sat down in Sonny's car. If you won't get him help I WILL.

Later, at the boxcar.

Sonny and Johnny approach the boxcar with caution. Locating the injured young mobster inside. Sonny quickly hops inside and goes to Jason's side.

"Jason? Can you hear me? It's Sonny."

Jason opens his sky blue eyes and tries to focus them.
"Sonny."

The dimpled mobster goes to check the wound that injured his second in command. "Elizabeth's right, you need a doctor." When Jason doesn't reply he continues.

Elizabeth, Jason thinks to himself. Is she here...where is she?

Gillian smiles. "He's looking for you. Even though he told you to leave."

Elizabeth's sapphire eyes grow wide. "He didn't really want me to leave him." She whispers.

"What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me you were shot?"

"When was I supposed to mention it?" You dirty son of a bitch before or after you screwed Carly?


General Hospital

Elizabeth comes barreling out of the elevator and quickly scans the area for Bobbie but instead sees Nikolas.

Gillian turns to the brunette by her side. "Don't listen much, do you?" She chuckles.

Elizabeth lifts her chin. "Not when it's life or death. I couldn't let him die. I just couldn't."

"You remind me of me do you know that?" Gillian smiles. Thinking about how she saved her Ryan's life when he was on the run from the police.

"I kinda figured that out." Elizabeth replied turning her attention back to the couple in front of her.

"Oh, Nikolas. Nikolas, have you seen Bobbie?" Elizabeth questioned still scanning the room.

"No. Are you ok?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I just really need to find her."

"Ok. Maybe she's in the O.R." Nikolas stated simply wondering what his friend was upset about.

Dread flashed across Elizabeth's face. "No, she can't be."

"Relax. We'll just ask, ok? Where's your coat? You're freezing."

Elizabeth looked down for the first time, she hadn't even felt cold. "Oh, I left it someplace." Then she wondered why Nikolas was at the hospital.

"You're not sick, are you?" Searching her friend's face for any discomfort.

Nikolas shrugged. "No, family business. Come on. Excuse me, miss? Is Bobbie Spencer in the O.R.. right now?"

The young blond turned. "No, but I can page her for you if you like."

"Thank you, please do." Elizabeth smiles weakly as the nurse pages Nurse Spencer.

Bobbie returns the page by calling the nurse's station. The blond hands Elizabeth the phone. Before saying anything Elizabeth

smiles sadly at Nikolas. "Can I..."

Nikolas holds up his hand. "It's okay, I'm going but if you need anything call me, okay?"

"Thanks, Nikolas." Elizabeth replies before watching her friend walk away.

"Bobbie? Bobbie, I need you. It's an emergency."


Back at the boxcar, Gillian and Elizabeth appear.

"How bad is it? Can you breathe?" Sonny questions scanning Jason's wound.

"Yeah. I think the bleeding's letting up." Where's Elizabeth?

Elizabeth turned towards her friend. "He's still wondering where I am."

Gillian smiles. "Of course he was; he was falling for you."



Chapter 55

"Maybe. You think you can stand?"

"I’m -- I’m ok." The sweet scent of vanilla floods his senses. Then Jason realizes the comforting scent is coming from Elizabeth's coat. He never liked fruity type of scents before but now it was the sweetest scent he had ever smelled. And he liked it.

"You will be as soon as we get you to a doctor."

"No -- no." Get away from me. I don't want your help.

"What?" Sonny asked with confusion flooding his face.

"I know -- I know what to do. Elizabeth is bringing a first aid kit." So, go away, Elizabeth will help me.

"No, forget that. We need to get you some help -"

"No, I said -" Jason groans. "I said I’ll be ok."

"What is this? You rather die than take help from me?" Sonny growls.

Jason rolls his sky blue eyes. Drop dead.

"Jason? I know you're hurting, and -- and -- listen to me. Last night you found out what I am and what Carly is. You don't need to hate me. I already hate myself. Let me help you."

Jason scrowls. "Never speak to me about this again." All I need is Elizabeth.


General Hospital, Nurses Station

"What you're not saying is that Jason’s been shot. But I need to know where and how bad and if he's lost a lot of blood." The redhead questioned.

"Bobbie, he could be dying while we discuss this. Please just come with me." MOVE YOUR ASS!

"Ok. We got to stop at a supply room and get some things. Come on."


Back at the boxcar

"I’ll shut up, but I’m not going to leave you here."

"Elizabeth is coming." I don't need you.

What is his attachment to that woman? "No, she's not. I told her stay away. Now, forget the first aid kit. Come on. Let's get out of here before we freeze to death. Come on."

"That is one control freak isn't he?" Gillian rolled her brown eyes at the dimpled mobster.

"Always has been. But he wasn't going to stop me from helping my...I mean Jason."

Gillian smiled. "My?...mmhh."

Jason's eyes opened when he heard her voice. Elizabeth, she came back.

"Jason? It's me. Jason -- how is he? I brought you some help, ok?" The petite brunette stooped down next to the injured blond. Scanning his face.

Sonny let out a frustrated breath. " I told you not to -- I got it under control, all right?"

"Sit down." Elizabeth ordered Jason ignoring Sonny's comment.

Sonny shook his head when he saw Bobbie. "I’m going to take him to a doctor. You need to get her out of here and yourself out of here." NO one was listening to him.

"I don't think so." Bobbie glanced down at the injured young man and the brunette by his side. Elizabeth was touching Jason's face with her small hands hoping some how she was relieving his pain.

Jason closed his eyes and ignored everyone around him but Elizabeth. She was gently touching his face. Leaving a tingling sensation behind in every spot she touched. Oh God.

Sonny stepped away from the couple to speak to Bobbie.
"Come here, I know you're going to have to report this. That can't happen. You're just slowing us down."

Control freak. "Sonny, I came to give medical help. Let me give it." Bobbie replied.

"Bobbie -" Elizabeth stated trying to get the redhead's attention.

"Oh, there is a lot of blood. He may be bleeding internally."

"Bobbie, Bobbie, Bobbie -- before you touch him, please, can I just -- you need to tell me you're not going to tell anybody you were here."

Gillian stomped her foot. "Good God, if it wasn't for you Jason would have died. That Mr. Corinthos is a pain in the ass!" She growled.

Elizabeth shrugs. "Sonny at the time was protective of his friends. Now, he's a totally different person."

"He's still an ass." Gillian retorted.

"All right, let's get you out of this jacket. That's it. See? That's it." Bobbie bent down in front of Jason and helped him and Elizabeth remove his jacket.

Jason hissed when Bobbie's hand glazed his injured side. "Ok, Jason, hang on. I've almost got it cut, and then what I need to do is just get a better look, ok? All right? Hang on. All right. Now, what I’m going to do is check and see if you've got any other bullet wounds. Does this hurt anywhere else?

"No." Jason replies holding one of Elizabeth's small hands in his.

"This is it. Ok. Can you lean forward so I can check in the back? I'll try to take it out." Jason leaned forward as the redhead checked his back.

"Guess I lied to you, huh?" Elizabeth looks up thru her long eyelashes at the dimpled mobster. Sonny didn't look pleased.

At the moment Gillian turns to petite friend. "I thought you said you hate liars?"

Elizabeth swallows hard. "I couldn't let him die."

"Who else did you mention this to?" Sonny questioned.

"No one."

"You got to tell me because they could be in danger."

Elizabeth and Gillian both roll their eyes at the mention of the word, "danger"

"Sonny, I went to the hospital, got Bobbie, and came back here, ok? I swear, I didn't tell anyone."

The mobster nodded and let out a sigh. "You got to understand something, ok? You cannot breathe a word to this to anybody. It would not only fix Jason with the cops, but whoever did this could pick up a scent, and they're going to use you to go after him. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

They want trouble they got it. "Yes."

"You cannot come back here." Sonny ordered.

The hell I can't. "That I can't promise you. Lucky used to live here."

Jason groans. Lucky.

Bobbie archs one brow. "Sorry." Jason nods.

She thinks I'm groaning because of the pain, but it's far from it.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 56

"Ok. Hang on. Hang on. Deep breath. That's good. All right. What you've got is an exit wound, all right? That's it. Hang on. All right, you've got some bleeding. The external bleeding isn't too bad, which means maybe the vital organs are ok, all right? What we need to do is get an x-ray and determine if there's any internal injuries."

"What kind of medication does he need?" Sonny questions glancing down at his injured friend.

"He needs a surgeon." Bobbie replies looking up.

"He can't -- he can't go to the hospital."

"He could die of infection, Sonny." Bobbie states worrying about Monica's youngest son.

"Whatever medication he needs can get to him, but a hospital is out of the question." Sonny states trying to make Bobbie understand.

"I need -- I need to speak to Sonny alone." Jason speaks up letting go of the soft hand that felt like silk. He didn't want to but he had to.

"Ok. All right. Try not to get excited, all right?" Bobbie states getting up walking out with Elizabeth behind her.

"I won't let him."

"Let's go." Bobbie states wrapping her arm around the petite brunette's shoulders.

After the two women were out of sight Jason spoke. "Who -- who's after me?" But before Sonny could reply Jason looked around the boxcar and his eyes fell upon Elizabeth and Gillian.

Sonny watched his friend and followed his line of vision. "Is something wrong?"

"I just feel like....nah...forget it." Why did he feel Elizabeth? How could he; she was with Bobbie.

"Benny -- Benny said there's -- you know, there's no trace of Moreno. They couldn't find his limo, his muscle, his nothing."

"Moreno's dead. He was about to shoot me, and I got him first."

"What about Sorel?" Sonny asked.

"He was there. I don't think he was hit." Jason replied trying to ignore that he and Sonny were being watched.

"I guess he covered his tracks. Bobbie, Elizabeth?" Sonny called out and watched as the two reapproached the boxcar. Elizabeth immediately went to Jason's side. And he slipped his larger hand back into her smaller one.

"All right, listen, I’m going to get you to a safe house. And after I get you moved in. I'm going to get you a doctor." Sonny stated.

"Sonny, he needs these antibiotics right now." Bobbie replied placing the prescription in Sonny's hand.

"Thanks. I think he's going to be fine. Just, you know, leave as soon as you can, will you?"

"Let me check him."

"Ok. I found a blanket and a wool shirt." Elizabeth states after going thru Bobbie's knapsack.

"Oh, it's Jerry's."

"This should help." Elizabeth replies.

"Let's get it on him." Elizabeth and Bobbie begin to remove the rest of Jason's shirt. Elizabeth swallows hard as her sapphire eyes scan Jason's muscular chest. DAMN. He's INJURED, Webber, stop it!

"WHOA....nice body." Gillian growls. Elizabeth reaches out and pops her friend lightly in her arm.

"Put your eyes back in your head there, princess." Elizabeth warns.

"Okay, okay. But even injured he has a nice....."

"Shut up."

Gillian smiles. That's the spunky part Steve and Lila had told her about. She was glad to see it.

Gillian bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Hey, just cause I'm married, doesn't mean I'm dead."

Elizabeth raised one dark brown brow and stares at her pal.

Gillian stops and thinks about what she just said. "Oh, yeah I am dead....ignore that of what I just said. It's just dead humor."

"Dead humor?" Elizabeth questions.

"Yeah, like how many dead people does it take to change a lightbulb?"

Elizabeth eyes her friend. She's nuts. "I...I don't know how many?"

"None, cause the bulb goes straight thru their hands....get it?" Gillian cracks up laughing.

"She's a nutball."

"Put your coat on." Jason states to Elizabeth. I don't want you getting sick.

"Ok" She states as Jason hands her back her coat. Already missing the sweet vanilla scent that is Elizabeth.

"Let's get this off. Sorry, I know it's cold. So, hang in there. All right, let's get the hand in here. Just like that. That's it. Elizabeth said she found you here, Jason. Why didn't you go somewhere for help?"

"I wasn't -- I wasn't thinking clearly." Jason replied glancing over to Elizabeth every so often.

"It was a good thing she found you." Bobbie smiles weakly.

Jason groans. I'm happy she did too.

"Otherwise -- sorry -- you might not have made it. That's it. Ok. Whoo. Wait till Carly hears..."

"No. Carly -"

"But Jason, how close you came to...".

"Carly -- Carly won't hear. You gave your word." Jason demanded.

"Right. Elizabeth, I want you to take my car, ok? You go home, and I’ll wait with Jason."

"No, no, no, no, no. You both have to go. Otherwise, Sonny's people can't come in." Jason answered.

"Shh, okay."

"You -- you saved my life. Thank you, both of you." Jason's eyes fell on Elizabeth's soft face and he watched as he nibbled her bottom lip between her front teeth. She's cute.

"All right. Come on." Bobbie states turning towards Elizabeth.

[After they leave , Jason tries to leave]

"Going somewhere?" Elizabeth smirks.

Jason looks up. Shock written on his handsome face."Going to -- I was going to check into a motel and take care of myself. You don't listen very well, do you?"

"Nope." Elizabeth raises her chin in defiance.

Well, I'm glad you don't."



Chapter 57

[After they leave , Jason tries to leave]

"Going somewhere?" Elizabeth smirks.

Gillian smiles. "You're a little hard headed thing."

Elizabeth pouts. "He needed help."

Jason looks up. Shock written on his handsome face."Going to -- I was going to check into a motel and take care of myself. You don't listen very well, do you?" I'm glad you don't.

"Nope," Elizabeth held her chin up in defiance. "What about Sonny's men?"

"He really expected me to listen to Sonny? He could have died if I had." Elizabeth shook her head.

"He might have thought that but part of him was glad you didn't." Gillian reminded her petite friend.

"I want to handle it my way." Jason replies trying to ignore the pain in his side.

"I know a place that'll be more private. Will you let me help you?"

"I don't have much choice, do I?" Jason replies with amusement. No one has ever wanted to care for me before.

"Are you still hearing his thoughts?" Gillian questions looking at her new found pal.

Elizabeth nods. "Nobody has ever taken care of him before...before me."

"And no one has since you." Gillian adds looking serious.

"Nope, so come on." Elizabeth reaches out to Jason with her small hand. Jason looks down at the tiny hand extended to him. The red nail polish that adorned her little fingers matched her red pouty lips perfectly and that for some reason made a hurt Jason smile.

He reaches up and takes her hand in his. "Don't worry about supporting your weight, I've got you." She states as she scoots under Jason's arm in order to raise him off of the floor.

Jason glances over at the petite brunette. Even though all the pain he felt; he was amused.
"Elizabeth, I...I'm too heavy for you to support me." This girl couldn't weight more than 100 pounds wet.

"Hey, I'm pretty heavy there buddy boy. I'm 101 pounds, and last month...pttf I was 102, so there."

For the first time since he was injured Jason Morgan smiled and shook his head.

Gillian glanced at her friend. "Oh yeah you're a real fattie."

Elizabeth mock glared at the princess and turned her attention back to herself and Jason.

"Pttf, like I said before I'm stronger than I look." Elizabeth lifted Jason carefully with his help of course and lead the mobster to her studio.

Jason hid his smile. She's small enough to fit in my pocket.

As they slowly reached her building Jason realized that her studio was near the docks and it wasn't the safest of areas for a young woman to be alone. He looked up at her building and frowned.

"Y..you live here?" Jason asked trying to ignore the trobbing pain in his side. The area screams danger.

"Yeah, it's not much but it's comfortable." Elizabeth replied helping the mobster walk.

As they entered the building Jason noticed that the front door wasn't locked and one of the pane glass windows was broken. He didn't like that at all.

Gillian looked around. "Like to live dangerously, huh?"

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "I do not. I happened to be very comfortable when I lived here. It actually holds some great memories for me."

Gillian smirked. "Okay."

As Elizabeth helps a breathless Jason up the stairs she accidently brushes up against his injured side.

"Oh -- oh, god, I’m sorry. You ok?" Worry and concern flooded her small face.

"Yeah" Why does she care so much? I'm not worth it.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "He doesn't think he's worth my help? How could he think that? I would have done anything for him." And still would.

Gillian's eyes saddened. "You both think you don't deserve the other. That's one of your problems. You both haven't been treated very well, you growing up and Jason for the life he's chosen. So you tend to settle for someone or something easy. Someone you don't care about just to have a person in your life and pretend that you love them when you really don't. Real love is work and you both were scared of it. That's why you both did what you did."

Elizabeth covered her mouth with her small hands ignoring the tears rolling down her cheeks.

As she removed her keys from her jeans and opened the door Elizabeth looked over at Jason as she lead him inside. "Ok. I'm going to lean you up against the sink, ok? Can you make it?

"Mm-hmm." Jason replied letting out a slow breath he closed his eyes.

"Ok. Just hang on while I turn the heater on."

Jason leaned up against the sink quickly then opened his eyes when the petite brunette began to speak again.

"You know, Gram rented me this place for my birthday so I’d have a place to work. Then I started to just live here. Almost no one knows about it." As she approached him to help him sit her hand brushed his cheek. "Oh, god, Jason, you have a fever."

"I’m ok. I just -- I just need to sleep." And you.

"You were shot. I think you need more help than I can give you here." You need to go to a hospital.

"No, no. This is -- this is -" Jason mumured closing his eyes.

"Jason -" Oh God please stay with me. Open your eyes.

"This is fine." Jason leaned into Elizabeth's side.

"Jason, please let me take you to the hospital."

"You did good, Elizabeth." Besides being beautiful, she's smart too.

Elizabeth blushed when Gillian turned towards her.

"He's got it BAD for you." Gillian smiled.

"I had no idea."

"I know."

"What about the safe house? I'm sure Sonny has a doctor waiting there for you. Let me call him. He'll send someone to pick you up." I'm not that smart Jason what if I can't handle taking care of you?

"No, no."

"Why won't you let Sonny help you?" She asked but instead of a response she was met with a moan.

"Why wouldn't he let that Sonny guy help him, besides the man is a complete control freak." Gillian stated watching the enforcer.

Elizabeth let out a breath. "Because Jason was in love with Carly and Sonny slept with her the night Jason was shot."

Gillian pushed out her bottom lip as she thought. "So, it sounds like this Carly was and is a whore."

"You got it." Elizabeth agreed.

"Just to let you know, by the way Jason is looking at you he'll realize later that he never loved Carly."

"Really?"

Gillian nodded. "Really."

Letting the Sonny subject drop for a minute and tighten her grip around him. "You need to lie down, ok?

"Ok."

Helping him walk towards her small couch Elizabeth glances up. "You ok?"

"Yeah." Thank you for helping me.

"Ok. Just hang on. We're going to get you warm. Oh, god. Ok, sit down. Just go slow. Ready? Just lean on me. Ok. Put your head down. Ok. The heat's starting to come up, ok?" Elizabeth rambles.

Jason coughs.

"You need some antibiotics and something for the pain. Ok?"

"I’ll be ok when I’m warm." I'll be fine thanks to you.

He's so stubborn. "I’m going to go to Sonny's." Elizabeth stated getting up from the small couch.

" No."

"Jason, he has the medicine. We left the boxcar before he was able to send somebody over there, remember?"

"I’ll be ok." I don't want anything from that bastard.

"No. You spent the night in the snow. You're not getting pneumonia on me." I can be just as stubborn, Morgan.

Jason let out a slow tortured breath. "Don't tell Sonny where I am."

"I won't. What if he wants to come back with me?" Elizabeth wondered what had happened between the two men.

"Tell him I said no." If he comes I'll shoot him.

"Hell, I would help him." Gillian smirks. Elizabeth shakes her head.

"Ok." Elizabeth glances back. "Stay right there, okay? I'll be right back."

Jason nods then closes his eyes.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 58
Haborview Towers

When Elizabeth stepped off the elevator at Harborview Johnny immediately greeted her.

"Ms. Webber." Johnny nodded.

"Hi, and it's Elizabeth not Ms. Webber."

The six-footed mobster nodded and smiled slightly.

"Is Sonny in?"

Johnny nodded and knocked on the door before opening it.

KNOCK, KNOCK

"So, we're back to Mr. Control Freak." Gillian states glancing around.

"Yeah, I went back to get Jason's medication."

"Boss? It's Ms. Webber." Johnny announced letting the petite woman walk past him.

Sonny immediately got up from his couch and walked towards the brunette. "Is he all right?"

"Yes. Well, no. I mean -- he's not dead, if that's what you mean."

Concern flooded the older mobster's face. "Where is he?"

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip then freed it from it's torture. "Jason asked me not to tell you."

"That's right buddy, this doesn't involve YOU." Gillian adds glaring hard at the mobster.

"Do you think Steve would be mad if I tripped him? Gillian holds out her small foot.

"Gillian," Elizabeth warns.

"What?"

"You said we can't affect the past, remember?"

Gillian rolls her dark brown eyes. "The man quirks me."

Elizabeth bites her bottom lip to stop from laughing. "I think you mean he "irks" you."

"Okay, yeah that."

"All right. Well, this is the medicine, ok?"

"Ok. Thank you."

"And maybe you -- Johnny can drive you. It'll be faster."

"I can't. I'm sorry." I made a promise to him and I'm not about to break it.

"Elizabeth, if he's getting worse, if you think he's dying, forget what Jason told you. Call me, ok? I'll come."

"I will."

"Elizabeth -- I’m sorry. Thanks. You shouldn't be involved in this."

"He's my friend. I'm just taking care of him, that's all." I'm not going to let anything bad happen to him.


Elizabeth's studio

The cool air floods the small studio as Elizabeth rushes in with Jason's medication in her small hands. She quickly discards her coat and walks over to the studio's small kitchen to get a glass of water. Jason remains quiet and watches her.

Elizabeth walks over and sits down on the edge of the couch. As she leans over her soft skin brushes up against Jason's arm. She clears her throat trying to ignore the warm sensation that went up her arm. What the hell is wrong with you, Webber. Get a grip.

"Ok, now, this one's the antibiotic. Open up." Elizabeth ordered. Jason obiendly opens his mouth without objecting.

"And this one's for the pain. You know, it'll probably -- probably bring down the fever as well. You ok?"

"Yeah." Nurse Webber. Jason groans

"Okay, now, sleep." Elizabeth states after getting up from the small couch.

Jason smirkes. "When’d you get so bossy?" She's no bigger than a doll.

"I said sleep. Jason, if you change your mind about going to the hospital -"

"I -- I just want to be by myself." Well not exactly by myself.

"Like I’m going anywhere." Elizabeth replies as though she had read his thoughts she walks over to her small kitchen to make herself some tea. As Jason begins to nod off Elizabeth walks over to her phone to call Kelly's.

"Kelly’s" Tammy answers.

"Tammy, it's Elizabeth."

"Hey, sweetie. You all right?"

"Yeah. Um -- I can't make my shift tomorrow."

"Well, why? What's wrong?"

"Something's come up." Elizabeth replies glancing over at the quiet mobster laying on her couch.

"You know, baby, you're starting to scare me a little bit."

"You know what? I'll call you later when I know more, ok?"

"Well, are you - is everything all right? I mean -"

Elizabeth hangs up and glances over at a sleeping Jason. "I'm never going to let anything bad happen to you." She whispers.

"You have one beautiful man there, do you know that?" Gillian smiles looking over at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nods. "I'm starting too."


"Wow. That's weird."

"Hmm?" Carly questioned.

"You didn't happen to see Elizabeth Webber when you were looking for Jason, did you?"

"Was that her?"

"Yeah, and she didn't sound so good."

"Well, you know, there's that flu bug going around."

"No, no, no. Elizabeth didn't show up last night without calling, and now this. I just -- I don't know what's wrong with her."

"I do."


Next day

Elizabeth tried to shake the feeling of being followed. She kept turning around and scanning the street but saw nothing.

"I'm losing it." She shook her head and continued on to her studio. When she approached her door she saw her guest trying to get up off of her small couch.

"Oh. Hi." Jason greeted the brunette. God she looks pretty with her hair down. Damn it, Morgan stop oggling her!

"Jason, what happened? Jeez, I knew I shouldn't have left you alone." I'm a screw up, just like my mom said I am.

"No, no, no. I --I slept great." Jason replied. Why does she look so worried?

"Well, why were you trying to get up?" Does he hate it here? Does the place smell bad? Oh, God the couch is too small...shit!

"I was just trying to look out the window. No, really, I do. I feel -- I feel a lot better." Don't be upset.

Elizabeth let out a breath she was holding. "How's your fever?" Elizabeth sat down next to Jason reaching out to touch his handsome face. "Let me try to warm up my hands cause their cold."

Jason watched her quietly as she rubbed her tiny hands together. Good lord she's so tiny.

"Okay, now close your eyes." Elizabeth placed her small hand against Jason's forehead. Jason's breath hitched.

"Oh. Mmm. You smell like snow."

"Snow doesn't smell."

"Yes, it does." It smells like you.

"Well, I guess you are feeling a little cooler. Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?"

"Yes. Besides, I would'nt stay. This is good. But I can leave whenever you want me to." Does she want me gone?

"Right. And go back to the boxcar? No. Elizabeth smirked. Why'd you go there, anyway?"

"I don't know. I guess because it was home to me for a while. Why did you?"

"I guess I just wanted to see it in the snow. It was never really home to me, but I painted it to look like one.

"You know, no matter how much you two fight. You both think alike. God, you remind me of me and Ryan."

"I suppose that's why we bumped heads alot." Elizabeth stated watching Jason and wanting to reach out and touch him.

"I noticed." I liked it.

Jason's sky blue eyes seem to be looking into her soul and it made her a bit uncomfortable. "Um. now, if I get you some soup, will you eat it?

"What for?" Jason smiled slightly as he studied her face.

"Oh, I don't know -- maybe to sustain life. Bobbie told me not to force you to eat, but you need to keep fluids down you."

"Whatever you and Bobbie say is okay." Jason shrugged slightly not knowing what the big deal was.

"Ok. Now I want you to lie down because you look like you're getting tired."

"Um -" Jason replied still sitting up in one of Elizabeth's chairs.

"Here." Elizabeth stated pointing one perfectly manicured nail to her couch.

"I’m fine."

"Nope. Come on. Lie down." Elizabeth ordered softly.

"Oh, gosh." She's going to fight me on this. Jason began to get up slowly and immediately Elizabeth was at his side.

"I know, I know." You poor thing.

"Oh." Jason coughs.

"There. You ok?" Elizabeth unwraps her small arm from around the enforcer's waist as he takes a seat back on her couch..

"Yeah, um where are you going?".

"To Kelly's. I won't be long, ok?"

"Ok." Jason watches as Elizabeth leaves. He smiles to him hoping she would be back soon.

All of a sudden the door opens.

"That was quick."

"Jase - "

Jason's smile fell immediately and his enforcer face went into full affect.

"How'd you find me?" Go away.

Gillian's jaw dropped. "That bitch followed you?"

Elizabeth let out a breath. "Typical Carly."

"Does it matter?" Carly walked slowly over to her ex.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 59
"How?" Jason demanded. Tell me now, damn it.

"I followed Elizabeth Webber. I didn't tell anybody. Why? Are the police - "

"This is not an adventure, Carly." Jason growled. Just go AWAY.

"Are you sick?"

"I can't do this." God, I wish Elizabeth was back.

"S...something's wrong here," Gillian looked around feeling heat on her skin. Something bad."

"What's the matter? Let me help you -" Carly walked over to reached out to touch him.

Gillian glared hard at the blond then turned suddenly to Elizabeth. "Get in front of him, don't let her touch him."

Elizabeth's brows knitted together in confusion besides being slow to react to Gillian's order.

"Get in front of him, NOW!" She snapped harshly. Elizabeth quickly moved in front of Jason still looking at her friend.

As Carly reached out to touch Jason's face. A invisible heat burned her fingers and she quickly pulled back wondering what it was. As she looked down she noticed the tips of her fingers were red and they hurt.

"No, I don't -- I don't want you here." Jason growled. A feeling of a comforting warmth surrounded him making him feel protected. A feeling that he only had when Elizabeth was around, but she wasn't there right now. So, where did the feeling come from?

Elizabeth sat in front of Jason and glared hard at Carly.

"What happened to you? Carly's eyes scanned her boyfriend and saw a spot of blood, You're shot, Jason. My god, what -- how bad -"

"GO away and leave me alone." Jason demanded with a harsh voice.

"No. I can't, Jason. I love you."

Gillian and Elizabeth both rolled their eyes and Gillian stuck her finger in her mouth while making a gagging noise.

Jason rolled his eyes at her words. Sure you do.

Carly began to look around frowning. Her attention no longer on Jason. "Artist's studio? She's not an artist. She's a waitress. Why did you go to her for help?"

"I didn't." But if I had I would have gone to her before I ever went to you.

"Don't you know that I would do anything for you?" You should have come to me not some wimpy ass waitress.

"Elizabeth found me."

"What is she to you? Whore bitch.

Elizabeth's eyes widened and quickly stood up. "Who the hell are you callin' a whore bitch?.....Bitch!" It takes a whore to know a whore.

"Doesn't matter, Carly." None of your business.

"Doesn't matter, Carly"? I saw you with her. I saw you with her. I was standing outside of Kelly’s while you two were inside slow dancing, fogging up the windows. I panicked. I went to Sonny, you know? Who else was I going to ask? And he -- he told me that you were seeing her. He said that, you know, she deserved you and I didn't and you were better off without me. And I hated him for saying it, you know? And I didn't want to believe it, but I saw it with my own eyes.

Anger flooded Gillian's face. "That bitch was jealous of you from the start. She knew then that Jason was starting to have feelings for you. That's why she did everything in her power to break you two up." Gillian growled.

"And I let her. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, I was so stupid."

"That was just -"

"Just what?"

"It's not important now."

"It is important, Jason. That's what started this whole thing. Look, what I did, I mean, it was so stupid. It was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I -- it was so stupid, Jason. And I’m so sorry, you know? It was just a bad decision, and -- and it didn't mean anything to me. You know I love you.

Carly tried to get closer to Jason but the heat surrounding him was wierd. Where the hell was it coming from?

"I know." Do you really?

"She never loved him that's what made it so easy for her to sleep with Sonny. Love is not control. And that's what Jason gave her...control over his life. Even though he said he hated the Quartermaine family because they wanted to control his life. He went ahead and let that woman control him. And every one since then except you. You're the only one in his entire life that wanted him to feel free. It's so sad how confused he was." Gillian shook her head.

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, God Jason."

"I love you, too. But that doesn't matter anymore. If you would've fallen in love with Sonny, I would've hated it, but I guess I could live with it because love just -- you can't help. But you did this to hurt me. You thought of the thing you could do that would be hardest for me, and you did it."

"No, I didn't think of it. It wasn't like that. I wasn't thinking about it, Jason."

"She's a evil bitch and damn whore." Gillian growled.

"Yeah, she was and still is." Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"You knew exactly what you were doing, Carly."

"I’m sorry. What can I say?" If only he would just accept what happened and stop whining.

"Yeah, I know. I know you are."

"Oh my God.." Elizabeth gasped quickly placing one of her small hands over her pouty lips.

Gillian turned around and looked hard at her friend. "Do you feel and see it too?"

Elizabeth's mouth agaped just nodded as she stared at the blond. "The...the dark cloud around her head...the smell....oh my God...it's horrible."

"That's not a cloud...it's a spirit....an evil one." Gillian held her breath feeling her stomach churn.

"I...I can see into her soul oh my God...it's so ugly, Elizabeth felt herself shiver. She didn't mean anything she just said to him."

Gillian nodded.

"What's that smell?" Elizabeth asked looking around.

"It's the spirit...her spirit." Gillian closes her eyes and reaches out towards the studio door.

Elizabeth's brows knitted together. "What are you doing?"

"Bringing you back to the studio. She has a very dark spirit and WE need her gone and gone now. It's a danger to him."

Elizabeth's eyes widened. "Can't we fight it now and get her and it away from him?"

"We can't. We can only hold her off for so long. That's why I told you to get in front of him. It was to protect him. But only you can. But I need you to come back now because since we are in the past only your human self can chase her away.


Kelly's

Elizabeth paid for her and Jason's order when suddenly a chill past through her. As she slowly got up from sitting a small drop of blood appeared on the counter. She reached out and touched the small droplet. What the hell? Elizabeth reached up when another small drop hit but instead of the counter it hit her hand. That's when she felt it a sharp pain in her side. Wiping her small nose with a tissue from her pocket Elizabeth winced. Her eyes suddenly widened. "Jason." She whispered before turning and running out the door with their food in hand. She didn't know why but she had to get back to Jason because something was wrong.

"I’m really sorry."

"And you think you're never going to do something like this again. But guess what -- you will because that's how you work." Where's Elizabeth?

"No, I won't." Get him to believe you.

"And you're going to do something like this when you feel the need to punish me - "

"I would never do that." Oh, yes I will.

"If I let you. So I -- I can't let you. You understand me?"

"No."

"This is over." Where is Elizabeth?.

"It'll never be over between us." I'll control you till the day you die. I own you.

"You want to help me? Get the hell out of here. Go. Don't come back. That's what I need right now."

"Mm-hmm." Say what you think he wants to hear.

"I know that you hate me right now. And you know what? You have every right. But nobody will ever love you the way that I do. And I know that you will forgive me because I know you better than you know yourself, and that's what you do. That's what you do. You forgive me. So, I'll keep coming back until you do." No matter how bad I treat you, you always come crawling back and you will this time too.

"Don't even think about it." A voice growled near the studio door. Jason looked up with wide eyes. Elizabeth.

"Thank GOD." Gillian let out a breath.

Elizabeth let out a breath and stared at herself. "Get rid of her."

"Excuse me?"

"Coming to my studio. You're not welcome here. LEAVE."

"Oh. Excuse me, little girl, but if you think you're going to keep me away from Jason, you have another thing coming."

"FIGHT HER!" Elizabeth demanded of herself from the past. YES.

Elizabeth felt a surge of energy flow through her. "Oh, I can, and I will. Because it's obviously what he needs. He's hurt. And I don't mean just the gunshot wound. You did something to him. I don't know what, and I don't even want to know. But you are not going to have the chance to do it again, at least not until he's strong enough to fight back."

"Jason doesn't need to fight me."

"No, because I’ll do that for him for now." And I'll keep doing it.

"Elizabeth make her leave now!" Gillian demanded standing next to the petite brunette.

"Look, you want to play heroine? That's fine. You change his bandages and you try to keep him away from me. But understand -- I got rid of one little angel, and I can get rid of you, too."

"Oh, trust me, I’m nobody's little angel. You want a fight? You'll get one. Now GET OUT and leave him alone." Elizabeth growled as anger coursed through her veins. She slammed the door in the blond's face and clenched her small fist before turning around to face the quiet and very shocked enforcer.

Gillian smiled then turned to her friend. "You know you were wrong about one thing."

Elizabeth turned and looked at her. "What was I...?"

"You were an still are an angel.....just only Jason's angel."

Elizabeth began to blush as she watched herself walk over to the enforcer and smiled.

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 60
"I...I can't believe you just did that." Shock written all over the enforcer's face.

Elizabeth's raised one brow as she took off her jacket. Did he not want her protect him? Was he mad that she told off his girlfriend? UGH...girlfriend. Didn't Jason know he could do a hell of a lot better than trailor trash like Carly Benson? Good lord has the man every looked at a mirror? Gorgeous face, beautiful body and that butt; a person could bounce a penny off that butt. Elizabeth's eyes darkened as she thought of at least five things she would love to do to his ass. One included biting.

Jason watched the petite brunette (enforcer) with an amused look. What was she thinking about? Is she blushing? And just how far down did that blush go?

"Um, Elizabeth?" Jason cleared his throat.

"Why, you dirty girl." Gillian teased.

"Oh shut up." Elizabeth blushed.

"You had it bad for him then just like now." Gillian grinned.

"Can we just concern ourselves with...." Elizabeth tried to think about something.

"With what?" Gillian laughed watching as a blush trailed down Elizabeth's neck.

"Oh, shut up."

Gillian snorted and began to laugh.

Upon hearing her name Elizabeth snapped back to reality. Her eyes wide. Where did those thoughts come from?

"Um...what?" Elizabeth asked taking off her jacket.

Jason smiled. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm better now. But you didn't answer me." Jason replied studying her face.

"About what?"

Jason smiled. "Throwing out Carly...it's just..."

Elizabeth's head dropped. "You're upset now that I did that....it's just that..."

Jason waved one hand. "No, no I'm not. I'm glad. I was just shocked that...no one has ever stood up for me before."

Elizabeth's brows knitted together. She didn't like hearing that just she knew how he felt. "Well I will. You're my friend and you're hurt and even if you weren't. I wouldn't allow anyone to hurt you; I don't care who it is."

Jason's heart began to beat faster as he studied her beautiful face. "Than...thank you."

Elizabeth smiled. "You don't have to thank me I would do it anytime." The look on Jason's face started making her tummy do wierd flip flops so she jumped up and ran over to get the food she had placed on the counter from Kelly's.

"Hey, you still hungry?"

Jason nodded and smiled.


Next day

Elizabeth brushed back a lone curl from her face. The wind howled outside due to the snow storm that had begun to blanket the city of Port Charles. She had just made it to the door of her building when it begun to come down. Elizabeth stamped both her boot clad feet to knock off the snow that had already stuck to them. She looked down at her and Jason's meal from Kelly's in her hands hoping that Jason's soup had stayed warm. Elizabeth breath a sigh of relief when she saw her studio door. She was home finally. Home to Jason. Elizabeth blushed when the thought entered her mind. Stop it Webber, he's just a friend; nothing more. As she opened her door her sapphire eyes scanned the room quickly and her heart jumped.

"Jason? Oh, no, you can't be gone. Jason?" Elizabeth stepped inside and quickly put her bags down on one of her studio tables.

Oh God, where is he? All of a sudden the enforcer walked out into the studio behind her.

"You ok?" Jason asked with concern written all of his face. She looks okay. Actually she looks beautiful.

"Jeez; Elizabeth let out a breath. I thought somebody grabbed you or you fell out the window or -- god, get in. What if somebody's watching this place or you got locked out? You know it's supposed to start snowing any second. Where did you go?"

Jason listened as the brunette rambled. He hid his smile. "I went down the hall." Does she always ramble like that?

"Well, you look like you're about to keel over."

Jason chuckled. "Trying to make me feel better?"

"Sit down. Just sit down." Elizabeth ordered before noticing how wet Jason was. "Oh, jeez."

"Just -- I washed up. Can't you tell?" He replied with an innocent look. His normally spikey hair was laying flat. The look made him look like a 15 year old instead of his age of 25.

"There's a sink right behind me." Elizabeth held back her laugh. He looked so cute. So kissably cute. Damn, it Webber!

"I know, but there's no hot water." Mental note: Have a conversation with Elizabeth's land lord up close and personal.

"That's why I brought a hot plate."

"I needed the exercise."

"So you decided to run laps up and down the hall? You remember what Bobbie told us. If you move around too much, you're going to start bleeding again."

"Yeah, I know, I know, I know. But walking around helps me." I've never had anyone this concerned for me. Is she also this concerned about Lucky? Jason's stomach twisted. Why does that thought bother me so much?

"And so does resting, so why push yourself?"

"I have to get out of here." But part of me doesn't want to leave.

"Why? What happened? Do you need a better place to hide?" Oh, God he hates it here.

"No, you can't -- you can't take care of me anymore." Jason shifted uncomfortably on the small couch.

"Says who?" Who ever said that can kiss my as... Elizabeth threw her jacket onto her bed and turned to walk into her small kitchen with Jason's dinner in hand.

"Now, why, again, is it so difficult for me to heat up soup on a hot plate for you?"

"It isn't fair." Jason replied watching how she moved so sweetly in her fitted jeans. Did the woman own any baggy pants at all?

"Ha, he just totally checked out your butt." Gillian laughed.

"Gillian." Elizabeth warned.

"What?"

"What isn't fair? That you should be in a hospital and you aren't, or that you have to hide here on some sofa from a flea market?"

"Elizabeth, you shouldn't be involved in this." You don't understand if something happened to you...oh God.

"He always did that." Elizabeth's face darkened.

"What?" Gillian asked.

"Push me away or try to."

"That's because that's the type of man you're in love with. Before he even realized that he loved you he wanted to keep you safe. That was all he ever thought about. Your safety. What did you think the "how much you mean to me" really meant?

"But he never pushed Sonny's slut of a sister away." Elizabeth pouted.

Gillian shrugged. "Because that slut didn't mean anything."

"That tramp was like disposable contact lenses...use for a week or two then throw it away. IT was to fill the void that you left, that's it."

Elizabeth thought about the comment. "I got it."

"Good." Gillian winked and turned back the scene before her and Elizabeth.

"Yeah, well, here I am just the same. All you have to do is take your medicine and rest, ok? Nobody knows you're here." Elizabeth challenged with her head held high.

"But if the wrong people find out -"

Elizabeth raised one small hand to dismiss the comment.
"Don't worry about that. Just appreciate what you have. All of this and canned soup, too. Which is burning."

"You can't cook to save your life." Gillian mused lighting up her friend's mood.

"I...I can cook...I can cook brownies, so there." Elizabeth huffed.

"Brownies? Someone alert Betty Hopper." Gillian laughed.

Elizabeth smirked. "It's Betty Crocker, jackass." Both women began laughing.

"I bet you never cooked for Ryan." Elizabeth crossed her small arms across her chest.

Gillian's brown eyes widened. "I cooked I made Ryan....um...I made him..."

She noticed the smirk on Elizabeth's face

"Oh, shut up."

Elizabeth bursted out laughing.

Elizabeth and Jason finished eating and she took both of the bowls and placed them in the small sink. "Oh, and one question -- if you can barely lift your arms, how'd you wash up? Not that it's any of my business, but -" Dangerous ground, Webber picturing Jason without clothes. She cleared her throat.

"Well, I filled the sink up with warm -" Jason began.

"Warm water, mm-hmm."

"Real warm, yes. And then I bent over the sink and -"

"And?"

"Actually, I kind of fell in." Great going Morgan, now she thinks you're a doofus.

"You fell in? You fell in?" Elizabeth's eyes lit up trying to hold in her laughter but she failed miserably.

"Please don't -- don't make me laugh, please." The sound of her laughter made him start to laugh.

Jason threw a mock glare. "No laughing."

"No, I can laugh. You can't." She giggled.

I wonder if she would laugh that way if I tickled her?

[JRK Archiver]

Chapter 62
"You're leaving already?" Jason tried to hide the disappointment in his voice

Elizabeth nodded.

"He doesn't want you to go." Gillian smiled.

Elizabeth's heart began to swell. "I felt the same way when he recovered from the shooting."

"Are you working a long shift?" Stop bothering her, Morgan...geez.

"No, I’m only on for half a shift."

"Good. I mean, um don't think about me I’ll be ok." You sound like a child.

"I always think about you." Elizabeth stated without thinking.

Jason's sky blue eyes widened at the admission. Did she mean that?

"Oh, was that a slip I just heard? Gillian quirked.

"You talk too much." Elizabeth retorted.

"And it'll be even less if it starts to snow because then there won't be any customers and, you know -- so just rest, ok?" Elizabeth smiled.

"Yeah, yeah, I feel better." Even better if you stayed.

"Ok, so, what would you like from Kelly’s?" Coffee, Tea or me? Did I just say that?

"Oh, anything."

"Oh, good, because I think the special today is liver and onions." She tried to hide her smile.

"I’ll have chili." Jason spoke up quickly. If I asked would she eat with me?

"What else would you like?"

"A pool table and a travel book." And you. STOP it MORGAN just a week ago you wanted...um...what's her name? Ummm...oh yeah Carly!

"A pool table, huh?" Elizabeth chuckled. "Jason Morgan just told a joke."

Jason smiled. He really enjoyed being around her.

"Ok, I’ll stop by the library. And regarding the pool table I'll come back here and change into my black leather pants, boots and a black turtleneck then go rob Jake's to take their table."

Jason quirked one brow. Leather? Elizabeth in leather? Leather pants. The're probably tight just like her jeans. Fitting her in all the right places. Jason's heart began racing.

"If you knew what was on his mind back then you would have...died...oh well maybe not die per say......more like blush until you exploded."

Elizabeth blushed and looked at the enforcer on the small couch.

"My advise, when you get better and you will you are going to go out and buy tons of leather cause the MAN loves leather."

Elizabeth bit her bottom lip. "About four pairs."

"Look at his face, he looks as though he would peel them off you with his teeth." Gillian chuckled.

"Gillian." Elizabeth blushed the deepest shade of red.

Gillian laughed and turned around to face the scene unfolding.

"And with that travel book, where would you like to go?"

Jason sat there looking at her with darkened eyes. She looked around with confusion.

"Uh,....Jason?"

Upon hearing his name Jason jumped slightly. "Um...what?"

"The travel book, where would you like to go?"

"Um....Egypt."

"Egypt."

"Mm-hmm."

"That could be arranged."