Paper Chains and Rain

[Fanfic Archiver]

I think the insanity has finally kicked in full swing on me! Why else would I start another story when my other two are still sitting waiting to be finished? This story just wouldn't leave me alone so I had to put it down. Here is some history you need to know. This takes place back when Lucky came back from dead and had a huge problem with Elizabeth and Jason's friendship. So, there is no Cameron, there never was a Courtney, Sam, or Ric. I changed a thing or a two. One is that Jason lives at Harbor Towers, not Jakes. Elizabeth lives at her studio. Even though this takes place back then, they both look like they do now. I want honest opinions on this fic. You girls let me know if you want me to continue with this

Banner credit: Huma

Paper Chains and Rain

Elizabeth looked around the small studio at the blue and pink paper chains that seemed to fall from the ceiling. The tiny round table was perfectly set with two glasses and a bottle of apple cider. The tall white pillar candle in the middle of the table gave the room just the right feel for the occasion. This situation Elizabeth decided was a good thing. It was going to solve all the problems. The past several months had been so crazy and emotionally draining. The constant fights with Lucky over her friendship with Jason seemed to consume their relationship. It was hard for Elizabeth to think of one single day when Jason's name wasn't thrown into a conversation. Elizabeth knew it was partially her own fault. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stay away from Jason. But she felt that she should be allowed to pick her friends and that was what Jason was. A friend. Elizabeth sighed. That was a lie. Jason had always been more than a friend. The feelings between them were always stronger than friendship. But all that changed this morning when she held that little white stick in her hand and peered down at the blue positive sign. She was pregnant, with Lucky's child. She couldn't harbor feelings of more than friendship for another man. She knew Jason would understand and would always be there if she needed someone to talk to.

The door opened, pulling Elizabeth from her thoughts. Suddenly, her palms started to sweat and she felt nervous as Lucky came into view.

"Hey Elizabeth" he greeted, closing the door behind him

"Hey" she forced the smile "Sorry to call you at work but I couldn't wait for you to get home. I've been dying to share the news all day"

"News" Lucky repeated, his demeanor becoming more guarded "What news?"

Elizabeth paused and looked at him. She told herself again that this baby was a sign. A sign that her and Lucky belonged together and that they could work out all the problems they were having. She knew that somewhere the Lucky she fell in love with when she was 15 was still inside the man standing before her. They had a pure love, a true love. A love that couldn't be erased no matter what amount of trash he had been brain washed with.

She crossed the room to him and took one of his hands in hers and placed it on her flat stomach. With her free hand, she gestured to the paperchains. Lucky said nothing, just looked at her with a puzzled look on his face.

"I'm pregnant"

His expression didn't change, not even to one of surprise or shock. Elizabeth blinked, lifting his hand from her stomach to her cheek, forcing him to cup it. "We're going to have a baby"

His eyes moved from hers to the room, finally looking about and noticing the decor. She had expected him to be surprised but happy. What she didn't expect was the look of indifference he gave her. "Lucky? Say something"

"Am I the father?" Lucky's voice was emotionless when he finally locked eyes with her again. Her hand dropped from his and she felt has if the floor was going to drop out from beneath her.

"What?" she gasped, shock rattling her tiny frame

"The baby" Lucky pointed at her stomach "Who's the father?"

"How can you ask me that?" Tears sprang to Elizabeth's eyes and she made no attempt to keep them from falling.

"It's a simply question Elizabeth. At one time I wouldn't have asked to you. But your actions these past few months..." Lucky was cut off when Elizabeth's tiny hand connected with his cheek. Her hand stung and his eyes blazed with anger.

"I can't believe you just asked me that" Elizabeth yelled, backing away from Lucky as he took a menacing step towards her. She wasn't quick enough and he grabbed her arm, wrapping his hand around her small bicep and yanking her to him

"It's his kid isn't it?" Lucky hissed, his teeth grinding out the words

"You're not thinking straight Lucky. Let me go" Elizabeth tugged in vain

"Shut up!" he yelled "I'm so sick of everyone telling me that I'm not thinking right" his gripped tightened and she yelped, the discomfort turning into pain

"Lucky please" she begged, attempting to tug her arm free again "Look around. I wanted to surprise you. I thought you'd be happy that we were going to have a baby"

"Happy? You can't even tell me who the father is" he shoved her back, finally releasing the hold on her. She stumbled and reached out to catch herself on anything within arms reach.

"You are the father!" she yelled

"I don't believe you" he said bluntly, shocking her.

"How can say that to me? You are the only man I've been with" Elizabeth fought to find some reasoning for Lucky's accusations

Lucky laughed and rolled his eyes "The only man other than Jason you mean"

"I'm not going to keep doing this with you. I thought this baby would answer all our problems. I thought it would bring us closer together and chase away all doubts you had about who I really wanted to be with" Elizabeth's eyes pleaded with his

"I want a paternity test. Then if it's true, if I'm the father, we can finally get Jason Morgan out of our lives forever"

"Are you serious? You want me to take a paternity test?" Elizabeth asked bewildered

"What's the matter Elizabeth? If you swear I'm the father, the results shouldn't be a surprise"

"The problem is having to take the damn test to begin with to prove to my boyfriend that I'm not lying!" Elizabeth reached for her purse and coat "I can't do this with you Lucky"

"Ah, go ahead Elizabeth. Run to Jason like you always do" Lucky challenged

She paused at the door and turned back to face him "At least when I tell Jason, I won't be accused of being the town slut"

"No, just a mobster's whore"

Elizabeth's cheeks burned red and new tears burned her red rimmed eyes. She was going to be a mother. That meant someone was going to look up to her, see her as a role model. What kind of example would she set by staying with Lucky? The good times were few and far between and seemed to only happen in the bedroom any more. That seemed to be the only way to control Lucky's rage. The bad times dominated their relationship and that was something that couldn't happen any more. She thought this baby was their answer and in a way, she guessed it was. It just wasn't the one she thought it would be. Opening the door, she gave one finally look at him, "Go to hell Lucky"

**~**

The rain pounded the pavement and came down in heavy sheets as she walked through the crowed parking lot of Harbor Towers. Between the 10 minutes Elizabeth had to wait in the pouring the rain to catch the cab and the hike into the parking garage, she was drenched. Her long hair clung to her face and water pooled at her feet as she scanned the rows of cars looking for one specific vehicle. She spotted it in the corner, near the stairs. She really wasn't sure why she hadn't gone in through the main lobby. Perhaps it was the embarrassment of her current situation. What ever the reason, she found herself in the elevator pressing the sixth floor button and watching as each little floor button lit up as the elevator car passes it by. As the bell dinged and the doors began to open, she said a silent prayer, hoping that no one would be in the hallway, except the guards. She cautiously stepped out and into the hallway, turning towards penthouse 3 she was greeted with a warm smile from Francis.

"Good evening Ms. Webber. Everything OK?" Francis asked after surveying the young woman in front of him

"Hi Francis. Is Jason home?" Elizabeth avoided the question, knowing the guard wouldn't pry. Francis merely nodded and raised his hand to knock once before opening the door to announce Elizabeth

Jason looked up from his game of pool and immediately dropped the cue stick when he saw her. The leather coat she wore did nothing to protect her from the rain that was drenching the city. Her jeans had become a second skin as the soaked denim clung to her legs.

"Are you OK?" Jason knew it was a stupid question. Of course she wasn't. One look at her red eyes told him that she had been crying

"NO" she answered him honestly "But I will be"

Jason opened his arms and she started to go, wanted to fly into them but the squishing in her boots made her stop after the first step "I don't want to get you wet"

Jason smiled as he made his way to her, wrapping his arms around her small shivering frame. "I won't melt"

Elizabeth laughed and pulled back slightly to look at him "Did you just make a joke?"

"I thought you needed to laugh" he answered honestly.

That was the one thing about Jason Morgan that Elizabeth loved. He always knew what she needed. "I did, thank you"

There was a long moment of silence and Elizabeth finally finished pulling out of his embrace. "Aren't you going to ask me why I'm standing in your home soaking wet?"

"I figured you'd tell me if you wanted me to know" Jason smoothed the damp tresses out of her face as he answered her question

She reached up and held his hand in place, closing her eyes at the sensation "Your hands are so warm"

Jason cocked his head to the side as he looked at her. She was the woman he longed to touch, longed to kiss, longed to be with. He knew it was foolish and selfish. He should have pushed her away a long time ago. She didn't need to be around him or his life style. It was little moments like this that let him imagine what things might be like if she was his. But the reality was, she wasn't his. "They're rough"

"No" her eyes fluttered open "They're perfect". How many times had they been this close? The spark between trying so desperately to ignite. It was only two months ago when she had ran to Jason, all dressed up because Lucky had her playing the face of Deception. Jason's hand had cupped her cheek that night the same way it was now. He was so careful and gentle as he rubbed her face free from the makeup that hid her true beauty. Then he had went to kiss her and she had panicked. Again. So afraid of what was right and wrong, so confused by the tug of war raging within her heart.

Tonight the tug of war had ended and she felt like she was the one face first in the mud. In the past twelve hours, her world had been turned upside down. The man she planned to commit herself to, raise a child with had turned his back on her, insulting her and making her feel as if she never meant anything to him. Thanks to Lucky, the news that she wanted to shout from the roof tops a few hours ago, she now wanted to keep to herself, at least for now. She didn't feel like fighting anymore. In fact, she wanted to forget the events that had transpired.

She lifted her trembling hand to Jason's face "Can you make me forget tonight?"

[Fanfic Archiver]

She lifted her trembling hand to Jason's face "Can you make me forget tonight?"

Jason closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could make her forget her own name in a matter of minutes. Hell, he'd care to bet he wouldn't even remember his own name unless she moaned it. He should do the noble thing, tell her no and just let her cry on his shoulder. That's what a friend would do.

"Jason?" he opened his eyes slowly at her soft voice, then all his resolve broke, all his nobility went out the window with the whisper of one little word "Please"

His lips were on her before either of them knew it. He gently sucked her full bottom lip into his mouth, raking his teeth over the delicate flesh. She curled her hands into his hair, racking her short nails against his scalp. His tongue traced her lips and when they parted on a moan, it gently slipped between and started to taste her. His hands went to hair, gently tangling them in the unruly wet locks. He tugged softly on her, angling her head to a better position. Her legs felt weak and she knew for sure she would have fallen to the floor if Jason hadn't pulled her flush to his hard body.

"I'll do whatever you want me to Elizabeth" he professed, his voice husky as the need for air became to much and forced them to part. "Whatever you want" he repeated again, nipping at the right side of her neck. "How you want" he continued, making his way over to the left side. She tugged at his black T-shirt, lifting it up and over his head. She study the scares that peppered his chest and the ads that were made to be worshiped. She ran a timid hand down his torso.

If this was what being with Jason Morgan was like, she never wanted to leave. She wanted to kick herself for waiting so long. She would damn her sole and pay for her sins. Her and Jason were as opposite as day and night, oil and water, paper chains and rain but that's what made them work. That's what set their friendship apart and deepened the connection they shared. Her mind quit analyzing the current situation when Jason's hands slipped over her shoulders and pushed the wet leather jacket off. It landed with a thud on the hard wood floor. His hands ran down her arms and gripped the hem of her blue sweater. The movement was slow, lifting the sweater up to free it from her body, his callous fingers grazing her skin the entire trip. He stepped back to take in the woman before, standing there in only a red lace bra and her jeans.

"You're beautiful" he smiled and he lowered himself to his knees in front of her. She watched him, his movements smooth and confident. He reached up and placed his right hand flat on her stomach and she froze, her eyes misting over with a wave of tears.

"Elizabeth?" Jason was watching her the whole time, noticed the change the minute he touched her that way. He didn't know if it had brought back a bad memory or if she was having second thoughts. She closed her eyes and shook her head, bring her hands up to cover her face.

He stood his full height, pulling her into a tight embrace and placing his chin on her head. "We don't have to do this"

She pulled back, wiping her face. "I want to, I really do. I just....there something I need to tell you first" She paused, embarrassed sudden at her current state of dress. She covered her chest with her arms "You may not want to be with me after you find out"

He reached for her arms and took her hands in his, intertwining their fingers together. "I've always wanted you to come to me and want me the way I want you. It doesn't matter why you came to me tonight, just that you did. I could never turn you away. I know I'm not who you want to be with but I'll take what ever you'll give me"

He was so wrong. After today, Elizabeth finally knew who she wanted to be with. She wished the circumstances were different but what was done was done and there was no going back and changing things.

"The town sees you has this cold blooded monster and that makes me so mad. I know what you do. I'm not blind. Your job doesn't define you Jason. You are the warmest person I know. You're my best friend. I mean..."she paused, turning away from and taking a few steps towards the couch "I show up on door step, soaking wet and crying. You don't ask me any questions. You don't tell me everything's going to be OK. You just let me be. I ask you to sleep with me and you don't even question it"

Jason followed behind her, keeping a few steps between them. It warmed his soul to hear the words she spoke. To hear what she thought of him. "You know there are no words to tell you how I feel about you. You've done things for me that no one else would have. You've lied to the whole town, turned your back on your friends, your job, just to take care of me. You've had to put up with Carly"

She laughed, nodding her head "Today has changed my outlook on life. It's as if the earth shifted, the planets aligned and I could finally see clearly. Lucky is not the same person I feel in love with all those years ago. He proved that to me tonight"

"Did he hurt you?" Jason swore that if that sorry son of a bitch had touched Elizabeth that he would be dead before sunrise.

Elizabeth waved her hand, dismissing the question. "I'm not really sure how to say this to you. I don't want to lose what we just experienced"

"We won't" the words were simple and Elizabeth looked at him for a moment

"You can't promise that"

"Yes, I can. You need me, I'll always be here. Regardless" to Jason it was that simple.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes "I found out this morning that I was pregnant"

Jason wasn't expecting that. It was as if he had been sucker punched in the gut. The woman he loved was pregnant with another man's child. He recovered quickly though. He didn't know what to say so he did the only thing he could think of and pulled her into another hug. This hug was different though. Elizabeth embraced him back protectively, clinging to him as if he would disappear if she let go. His chest was so warm against her cheek, she could hear his heart beating and it somehow soothed her.

Not moving from her current position she continued "To make a long story short, Lucky thinks the baby is yours and got real angry. He accused me of sleeping with you and he wants a paternity test. I told him I was done and that I was leaving and he said I was just a mobster's ...." she stopped herself when she felt every muscle in Jason's body tighten. She tensed, unsure of what his reaction was going to be. She pulled away and looked at him. His jaw was tight and she could see the muscles in his neck twitching.

"Are you mad at me?" her voice was meek and scared and Jason cursed himself for making her even think that

"No" he told her softly

She released a breath she didn't realize she was holding, then fought to find the courage to ask the next question "Do you still want me?"

She had expect for him to have to think about it. At least take a few seconds to ponder it. But he didn't. He moved a hand from her back to her cheek and answered immediately "More than my next breath"

She smiled and stood on her toes to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He wasn't going to let it go with being an innocent kiss. He lifted his arms under her butt, raising her up and causing her to wrap her legs around his waist. The wet denim was cold against his hot skin but he didn't mind. He carried her with ease around the couch and towards the stairs that would lead up to his room. They only made it to the third step though. Jason turned, bracing her back against the wall has he pressed himself into her jean clad center

"Do you feel what you do to me?" he didn't wait for a reply. The kiss was only broke long enough for him to tease her with the sound of his lustful voice. Neither of them heard the yelling taking place in the hallway. Suddenly, the penthouse door opened and Francis walked in with Lucky on his heels. Jason growled low in his throat as he gently lowered Elizabeth back to solid footing, standing in front of her to provide some cover from the peering eyes.

"Mr. Spencer is here to see you" Francis announced. Jason glared at the guard, wanted to shot him for letting Lucky in. No shit Lucky wanted to see him. Francis turned quickly, recognizing the stare and closed the door behind him.

"Isn't this cozy" Lucky spat. He couldn't believe what he had just walked in on. His sweet and shy Elizabeth was half naked against a wall "You just jump from one bed to another don't you Elizabeth"

Jason was to Lucky in two step, holding him by the jacket and throwing him up against the wall "Never talk to her like that. You understand?"

"Go ahead. Show her the type of man you really are. The enforcer who goes around killing people and showing not an ounce of remorse. A man who turned his back on his entire family" Lucky taunted Jason, a smirk playing across his lips. How many times had they been in this exact situation? Jason would attack him and Elizabeth would plead with Jason to let him go. He waited, knowing that any minute Elizabeth would come to her senses, yell at Jason for the way he was man handling her boyfriend and they would leave together.

"That's enough Lucky" the smirk disappeared when Elizabeth came into view, pulling Jason's T-shirt over herself "You have no right coming here"

"No right? My girlfriend is pregnant and whoring around with mobsters and I have no right to go out looking for her?" Lucky gasped as Jason yanked him off the wall only to throw him against it for a second time. Lucky grabbed at Jason's hands, trying to loosen the older man's hold

"Don't fucking talk about her like that again? Do you hear me or do I have to beat that into you?" Jason was livid and it was taking every ounce of self control he had not to put Lucky through the damn wall

"Do you hear him Elizabeth?"

"All I hear is you spouting off about things you know nothing about" Both Jason and Lucky were surprised by her words. Jason had expected her to defend Lucky, after all, that was how it always played out. Lucky was certain she would. Both men turned to look at her as Jason released his hold. "You come into Jason's home and interrupt a private moment only to continue throwing around accusations. I told you earlier Lucky, I'm done and I meant it"

"You can't mean that Elizabeth. You said the kid was mine. You know I get angry sometimes but I need you" Lucky implored

"No Lucky, you need help. This relationship is just a shell of what it once was. It's over Lucky, face it, accept it and move on" Elizabeth moved closer to Jason, needing to feel his strength to give her courage

"Move on? Like you did? Oh wait. No, you didn't move on because Jason was always there. Always waiting in the shadows. This is all his fault" Lucky flicked his thumb over towards Jason "He's put all these ideas in your head. He knocked you up and now..." Lucky was back up against the wall before he got a chance to finish the sentence

"I'm not playing with you boy. You heard Elizabeth so you can either leave now, willingly or I can have you carried out in a body bag" Jason didn't make idle threats and Lucky knew that.

"Fine, I'll leave for now but this isn't over" Lucky vowed slamming the door behind him

[Fanfic Archiver]

Lucky opted to take the stairs instead of the elevator, it would give him more time to think. Think. That's what he had to do. Think of a way to get rid of Jason once and for all. He knew he couldn't go toe to toe with the man. The mighty mob enforcer was to experienced and had the killing instinct. No, he had to come up with a way for Jason to parish. An accident. That's what it had to be. Elizabeth would never question an accident. The few people who would question it would pass it off as being done by one of Jason's many enemies. Lucky stopped when he got to the last of the stairs. He had been so caught up in his plotting that he had missed the main lobby. Instead, he now stood in the parking garage and that's when he saw it. An evil grin spread across Lucky's face and the wheels in his mind began turning. He looked around saw no one. No guards, no patrons. No one would see a thing. He walked closer, smiling wider when he saw all the oil and fluid stains peppering the pavement One more little spill wouldn't even be noticed. He reached back and retrieved his knife from his back pocket.

"One last ride" Lucky smirked, kneeling down next to Jason's bike as he looked for the brake line. Once he found it, he made the perfect incision. Having worked at the bike shop a few years back, he knew his way around. He made sure that the lower portion of the hose had just enough fluid in it to get Jason out of the garage and up to 70 MPH before it ran out.

Finishing the job, he stood and gave one more look around. By this time tomorrow, Jason would be out of his hair. But more importantly, Jason would be out of Elizabeth's life forever.

~~*~~

"When she is here, don't just walk it. You knock and wait for me to open the door. If Lucky shows back up here tonight, make him disappear" Francis nodded at Jason's orders. Closing the door, Jason slid the knock into place. What else could happen tonight he wondered. The woman that invaded his dreams every night had finally come running to him. Granted she was pregnant by a man he despised but that wasn't the point. Then the ultimate mood killer himself showed up, spouting off his little punk mouth about how Elizabeth was his. He was like a little boy dog going around pissing on things, marking his territory. Shit head. Of all the happenings though, Jason had to admit that the most surprising was Elizabeth telling Lucky that he had crashed their private moment. That was putting it mildly. Jason wanted to smile at the thought of Lucky witnessing him having Elizabeth flushed and hot, half naked pinned against the smooth wall of the stair case. That smuck had no idea how to please a woman, he couldn't even treat one right. Turning back to face Elizabeth, she raised an eye brow at him. She had never seen him knock the door before, let along tell the guards not to come and go as they please. Every time she had ever been to Jason's, someone had always just walked right in. Normally Carly, sometimes Sonny.

"I'm sorry that he saw you like that early" Jason apologized

Elizabeth smiled "It's OK, I was a little preoccupied to notice or care"

"Yeah?" Jason asked, causing the slightest blush to creep across Elizabeth's cheeks

"I should go. I'm going to turn into a prune if I don't get out of these wet pants" Elizabeth moved to go around Jason and pick up her wet jacket and sweater from the floor. When Jason didn't answer she turned around to find his back towards her. She smiled, knowing he had misunderstood

She walked up behind him and placed a soft kiss between his shoulder blades. "I'll be back, if that's OK"

"You don't have to leave. Lucky won't be back here tonight" Jason turned to face her

"I don't have any dry clothes"

"I like the way you look in my clothes" Jason cocked his head and offered a lop sided smile as he looked her up and down.

"I don't think your jeans will fit me" Elizabeth teased, bringing her hand up to trace a long thin scar above his heart. She eyed it as her finger lingered on the raised flesh that was a shade darker than his skin and she wondered how he had gotten it. It hadn't been there back when he was shot.

Her heart skipped a beat when she looked up and met his eyes. They were smoldering and she could have sworn that the room was on fire. The temperature jumped 20 degrees and it suddenly felt like a sauna.

"I like the way you look at me" she confessed, leaving the playful banter behind. The mood had shifted in a matter of seconds. "I like the way you make me feel"

Jason's hands went to her waist, sliding under his baggy shirt that engulfed her. His fingers found the zipper of her jeans and tugged it down. His hands slid into the course fabric on both sides of her hips as he began to push the jeans down her slim legs. He lowered himself as he made his to the floor, stopping when the jeans pooling around her ankles. She braced her hands on Jason's strong shoulders as she lifted her right foot first for Jason to remove the boot, then her left, before he could rid her of the damp material. He leaned in and placed a kiss on each of her knee caps. The move was unexpected and caused a wave of goosebumps to cover her exposed skin. His fingers ran across her toes and up her legs, savoring the feel of her soft flesh on his rough hands. His shirt fell just above her knees and his hands disappeared under the fabric once again as they continued on their upward journey. Still on his knees, he looked up at her and found her blue eyes watching him intently. He closed his hands around her panties and slid them down as Elizabeth kicked them aside. He stood and Elizabeth's arms moved from his shoulders to wrap around his neck.

"I like the way you feel in my arms" his voice was as husky as she had ever heard it. It sent shock waves to her very core. He hadn't even touched her intimately yet and she was already coming lose at the seams. She took the first step and kissed his chest. The scar that had captured her attention early was the sight of her administrations. She lavished wet kissed above it and below it. Another scar, this one smaller but wider caught her attention. She moved to soothe it, then another, and another. It wasn't long before his chest had been loved by her beautiful mouth and that's when she moved to his side and the wound she had doctored. He brought his hands up, burring them in her chestnut hair. He couldn't' believe that this beautiful woman was worshipping his body. Missing her kiss to much, he gave her a gentle tug and brought her up to him, catching her lips in a fiery kiss. The passion was surrounding them, rolling in like waves crashing on the beach. The desire between them was almost TANGIBLE and Jason finally had to pull away, resting his forehead on hers. His eyes were close and fought to regain control of his breathing.

"Don't stop Jason" her voice was laced with seduction, surprising herself at her boldness.

His eyes opened and his voice was merely a whisper "What do you want?". He was coaxing her, trying to get her to let go whatever inhibitions she might have.

His voice made her weak, made that coil inside her stomach tighten even more. How could she deny this man anything? "I want you Jason"

There it was. The confirmation he needed. The assurance that she was at the same place he was. Their lips met again, their tongues dueling for dominance. His won out and she let him lead. His hands moved down and under her shirt again. This time they went upward, moving towards her breast. He cupped the soft globe in hand and ran his thumb across the lace covered nipple. Her breathing hitched and Jason pulled back

"If you want me to stop"

"I don't" she never wanted him to stop. A part of her thought it was to soon for this, up until tonight, they were just friends, despite the feelings that had grown stronger than friendship over the past several months. But with Jason touching her the way he was, she didn't care if it was right or wrong.

Jason removed his hands from under her shirt and scooped her up in his arms. He could have taken her right there on the floor, the couch, hell even the pool table. But not tonight. Tonight was going to be about them, finding themselves in each other and he wanted it to be perfect for her. The new position allowed her to nuzzle his neck, softly nibbling the tanned skin just below his ear. She smiled against his neck when he made a growling sound low in his throat.

"Damn it woman" he growled, pausing half way up the stairs. If she kept that up, he'd drop her for sure and have to take her right then and there

She ignored him and continued to torture his neck. Come tomorrow, he would wear marks from their encounter. Proof that it wasn't a dream or fantasy. He wasn't about to let her leave without a few reminders as well.

Using his boot, he kicked the bedroom door open wider, allowing them to enter their paradise waiting. He crawled to the center of the bed, Elizabeth still in his arms. As he lowered her, her arms spread out on the soft satin sheets. Satin....that surprised her.

He pushed her back, her head finding his pillow as his lips met with hers once more. Her nails scoured his back, raking gently up, then down and causing him to grind into. She moaned into his mouth, the feeling of his length pressing against her was sweet torture.

He broke the kiss and pulled back completely. Elizabeth opened her eyes, confused as to why he stopped. He held out his hand to pull her into a sitting position. She smiled and accepted, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his lips. He wasted no time in removing her shirt, freeing her body to his eyes.

"Your beautiful" he said softly, making no attempt to touch her. He wanted just a minute to drink her in, look at her in his bed, and savor the moment.

"You already told me that"

"It's worth repeating" his fingers toyed with the strap of her bra, running the little strap between two fingers. He pulled it down and leaned in, feathering open mouth kisses over her shoulder. He repeated his actions on the other shoulder, making sure to give it equal attention. His hands slid down to the clasp and with one flick, the hook gave way. His eyes were trained on hers as he started to pull the last barrier of her clothes away. Words couldn't describe the beauty of the woman before him. Her porcelain skin, tainted pink and flushed. Her body was perfect, to him anyway.

Elizabeth watched as he took her in. His eyes burning her body with every longing stare. Jason made her feel beautiful, just by the way he looked her. Made her feel wanted by the way his body responded to hers. She watched as he scooted off the bed to remove his boots and jeans. She smiled as his body came into view. The man was perfect. He had a body that was meant to be on canvas. What she wouldn't give to paint this Adonis. As he slid his boxer briefs down his tone legs, her eyes widened.

Jason crawled back into bed, hovering his large body over her tiny one. His hands smoothed her skin, running up and down her body has he captured her lips. The kiss was passionate but quick. He had other intentions and other parts to worship. He treated her neck to the same sweet punishment that she had provided to his. He racked his teeth across her sensitive skin, only to soothe it with his tongue. She squirmed beneath him, his ministrations driving her crazy. He left a wet trail down the column of her neck as he descended upon her breast, worshiping each globe with his warm mouth.

Her soft moans filled the quiet bedroom as he latched onto one dusty peak. Her fingers curled in his sandy strands, holding him in place. He alternated, first racking the bud with his teeth, then sucking it into his mouth to soothe it. He slowly left her breast, kissing her stomach has he hand led the way to his next destination. His fingers found her folds first and gently cupped her, feeling she was already ready for him.

"Jason" she moaned when his tongue took a broad stroke over her swollen nub. He repeated it the movement, once, twice, three more times. He teased her folds with his long fingers, giving her an idea of what was to come. He didn't' want her cumming without him inside of her so he began his journey back up to her sweet mouth.

"Tell me you want me" Elizabeth's words caused Jason to stop. Her voice was so husky, full of desire. Her eyes glazed over with passion and it was all for him. Elizabeth needed to hear it. She knew it, she could tell by the way he looked at her, the way he touched her. But at that moment, she needed the words.

"I want you, Elizabeth" he whispered against the shell of her ear, his engorged member rubbing her wet folded "Can you feel how much I want you?"

"Yes" she moaned as he began to push into her. Her eyes fluttering shut at the sensation.

"Open your eyes" he leaned in, kissing her eyelids as he slowly began to thrust. Their bodies were meant for one another and they found their rhythm immediately. The dance was slow at first as Jason continue to love her mouth with his. It wasn't long before the need to release became to much. The pace quickened and he rested his head in the crook of her neck, his hot pants fanning across her skin. Her nails dug into his burning flesh as her walls tightened around him. The sound of his name filled the room as she came first, sending Jason over the edge as well.

Jason made no attempt to move. He could have laid that way forever. Their bodies one, still connected in an intimate embrace. Elizabeth was the first to stir. Running her leg up and down next to Jason's.

"Hmmm. Thank you for tonight" her voice was hoarse and Jason leaned up on his elbow to peer down at her.

"I should be thanking you" Jason's honest reply made her smile. He ran a finger down her jaw, over her neck, and between the valley of her breast. Her skin was glowing, the slightest sheen of sweat visible under the soft lights. Despite what the world had in store for them, for that moment, every thing was right.

[Fanfic Archiver]

The sound of the running water from the bathroom caused her to stir. She stretched her legs and lifted her arms over her head until they hit the headboard. Her eyes lazily opened and she smiled at her surrounding. She was laying in Jason's bed. The tangled satin sheets wrapped around her naked body as she thought back to last night.

"Good morning" Jason walked out of the bathroom already dressed for the day. His glorious form covered in his trademark jeans and T-shirt.

"Good morning" Elizabeth smiled shyly. Jason crossed to the bed, sitting down on the edge and leaned in to softly kiss her lips "I don't want to get out of bed today"

"You don't have to"

Elizabeth chucked "Why do you always make things sound so simple?"

"Sometimes they are" Jason shrugged his shoulders, reaching up to try and tuck an unruly chestnut swirl behind her ear

"Only when I'm with" she reached up and pulled his hand from her face so she could plant a kiss on his open palm "I don't want to, but I have got to go"

"OK" Jason nodded and stood, walking over to the dresser that sat against the far wall. I had your clothes washed for you"

"But...when did you?" she started to ask, pondering the question in her own mind before smiling "Never mind. Thank you"

There was an awkward silence in the room as neither made an attempt to move. While Elizabeth had no problem last night with modesty, this morning was a different story. After all, she didn't get to see Jason naked this morning. Where was the fairness in that?

"I'm just...uh...I'm going to go downstairs to get some coffee so you can get dressed" Jason shifted his weight from one motorcycle clad boot to another. He seemed unsure and he picked up on her hesitancy to get out of the bed with him standing there. While he would have loved to see her swivel form this morning, he respected her and would allow her the privacy to dress alone

"Jason" she called out for him the moment he turned to leave the room. her voice sounding desperate in an attempt to make him stop. He paused and leaned against the door frame. "I'm not embarrassed...well, no...I am a little but not why you think..I mean" she paused when Jason cocked his head to the side, confusion etched on his face as he tried to understand her nervous babble. "You don't have to leave....I mean, it's your room. It's not like you didn't see...."

"Elizabeth" he cut her off, offering her one of his lop sided grins "It's OK. Get dressed"

~~*~~

Jason sipped the hot liquid carefully as he leaned against the desk looking over a file on the next shipment of coffee that was due into the harbor this week. Try as he may though, he was having trouble concentrating. His mind kept flashing back to last night.

"What do you mean I can't go in?" Carly's loud voice boomed through the heavy wooden doors and Jason groaned. This was going to be interesting. Jason opened the door to find Max fending off Carly.

"What in the hell is his problem?" Carly asked Jason. Jason didn't answer her, instead he looked at Max

"Mr. Morgan" Max greeted "When I took over this morning, Francis said we had orders not to just walk in anymore when Ms. Webber was here"

Carly huffed, pushing pass both Max and Jason. "Like that applies now. It's 8 o'clock in the morning. The muffin is probably pouring coffee or wiping down counters at Kellys"

Jason closed his eyes for a brief minute and rolled his shoulders. The damn knot right between his shoulder blades always seemed to flare up the minute Carly opened her mouth. Closing the door behind him, he just stared at her "What do you want Carly?"

"Someone's cranky this morning" Carly huffed, placing a hand on her hip

"Carly, did you come by for a reason?"

"What crawled up your ass and died?" Carly waved the question off, not really expecting to get an answer anyway "Sonny and I are planning on taking a trip with the boys. Michael has been dying to go back to the island. He loves the beach and swears they have the best shells to be found"

"Have a good trip"

"NO silly. We want you to come with us. It would mean a lot to the boys, especially Michael. You know how much he loves his Uncle Jason"

"I can't" that was kind of a lie. He could have went but he didn't want to. As far as he was concerned, the scenery was much better here and in the shape of a 5 foot 2 brunette

"Sure you can. I already asked Sonny if it was OK and he said there was nothing he needed you here for. So, you can"

"No, I can't"

"Jason!" she stomped her foot and both of them turned when the stairs creaked and Elizabeth stepped onto the landing. "What the hell is she doing here?"

"Carly" Jason warned "Don't start"

"I'm just going to go" Elizabeth went to move towards the door but Jason stopped her

"I'll take you"

"It's OK. You look busy" Elizabeth smiled, touching his arm

"He is busy" Carly piped in

"Carly!" Jason snapped

"I'm going straight to Kelly's" she reassured him "I'll be fine"

"Will you let Max walk you?"

"What? Can she not find her way to work?" Carly mused

Elizabeth wanted to throw Carly out and it wasn't even her house. That's OK. She was the more mature of the two woman and she wouldn't lower herself to throw childish insults. She would however, freely state facts

"After last night, how can I tell you no?" Elizabeth smiled, giving Jason's bicep one last squeeze before he opened the door

"Last night?" Carly asked, even though neither one was listen to her

"Walk Ms. Webber to work and see her shifts starts before you come back to your post"

"Yes sir" Max nodded, extending an arm to usher Elizabeth to the elevator. She paused though and turned back to Jason. She wanted to kiss him but was unsure if she should in front of the peering eyes.

"Maybe you could pick me up after work if you aren't busy" Elizabeth extended the offer, putting it on the table, hoping that he would come.

"I'll be there" he smiled. She made no attempt to walk away, instead kept her eyes locked on his. His glacier blue eyes held her stare, except for when her tiny pink tongue darted out to wet her suddenly dry lips. He followed the movement, totally captivated by it. He stepped up to her and cupped her face gently before leaning down and placing a soft kiss on her lips. She blushed and racked her bottom lip with her teeth when he pulled back. OH yeah, that's what she was waiting for.

~~*~~

Jason rubbed his temple and closed his eyes. How long could one woman possibly ramble on about one subject?

"Jason, I mean come on. If you don't tell me any differently, I'm going to think you actually slept with little goody goody muffin face?" Carly tapped her foot impatiently as she waved her arms around

"It's none of your business Carly" how many times had he told her that? He was sure it had been at least 10 in the past 5 minutes

Carly huffed as if he had insulted her "As your best friend, it is my business. The girl, key word there was girl Jason, the girl is a yo-yo. She goes back and forth between you and Lucky. She doesn't know who she wants"

"I know you of all people isn't going to talk about going back and forth between men"

She jabbed her chin out at the remark. "All I'm saying is she's just using you"

"Like you did"

"That was mutual let me remind you. You were with your other Princess Purity and needed a real woman. I was with your brother and needed a real man"

"He's not my brother" Jason grumbled, turning his back to her and picking up his coffee again

"Jason" she tried again "She'll tell anyone who will listen how her and Lucky are perfect for each other, how they are written in the stars, blah blah blah. The last I heard she was with Lucky, then this morning she comes down your stairs and thanks you for last night. Obviously she isn't the sweet and innocent little girl she wants everyone to think she is"

"Carly, you need to listen to me. What goes on between me and Elizabeth is nobody's business but ours. You have no say so in who I see or sleep with. Elizabeth has never claimed to be sweet and innocent, that was you spouting off about your perception of her. This conversation is over and you're leaving" Jason moved to the door to open it

"What! You're throwing me out? Over Elizabeth? Do you see Jason? She is already coming between us!" Carly moved towards the door but stopped short

"No, I'm throwing you out because you're irritating the hell out of me"

~~*~~

One would think that having one customer yell at you, another customer spill coffee all over the floor, and one who skipped out on the check would be enough to put anyone in a bad mood. But as Elizabeth brought the back of her hand up to wipe her long bangs out of her eyes, she just couldn't keep the smile off her face. Penny had teased and tried her best to get the scoop from her, stating that it had to be something huge to put her in such a good mood. That thought made Elizabeth smile even more. Oh it was huge all right.

She had been at work for two hours and it had been a productive morning. The diner stayed busy but she managed to slip into the back to call and make an appointment with Dr. Meadows. She knew that was something she couldn't put off. She had to find out the due date, get started on prenatal vitamins, and all the good stuff that accompanied her present state. She honestly didn't know what she was going to do about Lucky. At the moment, she couldn't stand to be near him but she knew he had a right to be there for the baby. Lucky had the right to be at the doctor appointments, he had the right to be there for the first time when they heard the heart beat, he had the right to be there when they saw the ultrasound for the first time. But in her heart, she wished it would be Jason who was there, holding her hand and kissing it softly as they embarked on the journey of parenthood.

"Well, well, well" Lucky's voice brought her out of her thoughts and she groaned.

"Lucky" she offered no smile, just scooped up the dish bin and headed towards the counter

"Aren't those the same clothes you were wearing yesterday?" the accusatory tone was there but it was laced with something. Was it arrogance?

"That's none of your business Lucky"

"How do you figure that? Your my girlfriend, Elizabeth. I think it's my business when you're out sleeping around with the mighty mob enforcer" he pulled out a stool and perched himself at the bar, making no attempt to keep his voice quiet

"I was your girlfriend Lucky. I'm not going to keep going over this with you and I'm certainly not going to hash our problems out here" she turned her attention to the coffee pot, deciding at that point it needed her full concentration

"You still are my girlfriend Elizabeth!" Lucky yelled, causing her to jump as his voice boomed through the full diner

"Everything OK here?" Penny came out from the kitchen, casting a glare at Lucky before turning towards Elizabeth

"Yeah, everything's fine" she smiled and Penny nodded.

"You need to leave now" Elizabeth hissed as Penny walked away with platters in hand

"Fine" Lucky's mood changed instantly and he was back to being smug and arrogant. "Doesn't matter anyway. I've always said we have a permeant lock and now it's in the form of blood. That kid will forever bind us. US, Elizabeth. You and me."

"Do you hear yourself Lucky? Yesterday you accused me of lying to you and swore on your life that this baby was Jason's. Now, all of sudden today your talking about this baby tying us together for life, like you actually belief me and accept that this baby is yours." when he just smirked at her, she continued "But I know that can't be it, especially after what happened last night"

"Oh you mean when I crashed yours and Jason's little party"

She ignored him as if he hadn't spoken "So what's up Lucky? Is this just part of who you've become? Am I going to have to deal with this for the next nine months. One day you belief the baby is your, the next you accuse of me of being a whore and lying."

"I simply realized something that I hadn't before. Jason is merely a problem. A thorn in my side. If he wasn't around, you wouldn't be able to run to him every chance you got. You know how relationships work Elizabeth. When there is a problem in one, you eliminate it"

"What are you talking about Lucky? Don't you dare go and do something stupid" Elizabeth warned, her eyes blazing with fury

"Me? Please. Everyone knows that Jason has always attacked me. You remember Elizabeth, you found him beating me up on the docks. All I'm saying is that accidents happen everyday, especially when your in the mob" he began backing towards the door

"But you said...."

He simply smirked at her and then he was gone. Elizabeth's palms were sweating, she felt nauseous, and she had no clue what to do. Lucky knew he couldn't fight Jason and win. Didn't he? Lucky was acting too different today and that worried her. Suddenly, her blood ran cold when Lucky's words replayed in her mind "All I'm saying is that accidents happen everyday, especially when your in the mob"

She grabbed the phone from under the counter and called Jason's cell. With each ring, her heart constricted tighter and tighter in her chest. "Come on Jason, pick up, please" she whispered.

[Fanfic Archiver]

[image noborder]http://images.andale.com/f2/113/114/13054187/1139811316553_jpier3.jpg[/image]

Elizabeth's hands shook and she redialed his number for the sixth time. Something was wrong, something was off, she could feel it. She was getting no where fast and she couldn't afford to waste time.

"Penny, I have to go. Cover for me?" Elizabeth asked, fighting to keep her voice steady

"Of course, go" Penny assured her

Elizabeth grabbed her purse and jacket and sprinted from the diner. She headed toward the docks, hoping to save some time. She bounded down the stairs and as soon as she turned the corner she ran into someone.

"Elizabeth"

"Oh my God, Jason" Elizabeth threw her arms around his neck as she fought to keep from crying.

"Whoa, hey...come one. What's wrong?" Jason soothed his hand up and down her back, trying to calm her.

"I was so worried...I thought something happened. He said accidents happen and I just knew..." Elizabeth trailed off as she lost the battle and the tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Who said that Elizabeth?" Jason coaxed

"Lucky" Elizabeth pulled back and wiped her face "He came into Kelly's this morning and he was acting funny and it's just the way he said things"

"It's OK" Jason pulled her back into a tight embraced. "I'm here. I'm fine"

When she nodded against his chest, Jason continued "I was walking over from the warehouse to see you".

"God, I can't believe how I acted" Elizabeth pulled away, wiping her face "I'm so embarrassed"

"Why?" Jason tilted his head "Because you cared enough to be worried about me?" he used the pad of his thumb to wipe the wet trail of tears away from under her eyes. "I like that"

"I can't lose you now" Elizabeth's honest words floated in the crisp cool air

"You won't"

"God Jason, I wish you wouldn't say things like that!" Elizabeth pulled back away from him "You can't promise me that something bad isn't going to happen to you. You can't promise me that one day you are going to wake up and change your mind. It happens all the time"

Jason didn't say anything, just watched her. Finally she sat on the bench near the stairs. "I'm sorry"

"Don't be" he made his way to sit next to her "You're right. You know that in my line of work, there are always going to be risks. There are times when I have to go away and can't tell you why. But you are wrong about one thing. The way I feel about you will never change."

She started to cry harder this time, wiping at her eyes in a useless attempt to dry them "Can I just blame this on pregnancy hormones? I didn't mean to wig out on you"

"There's a lot going on. You're entitled to...wig"

She laughed as she turned to welcome his embrace

~~Several Days Later~~

Lucky's frustrations grew with each passing day. He was sure that cutting the brake line would have worked. It was impossible for Jason to have known something was wrong with that bike but yet, somehow he had figured it out causing he plan to go up flames. He knew he couldn't take Jason out on his own. He should have realized that sooner. Lucky threw the dart, only half focusing on the game. He wasn't here to play or even get drunk. No, he was there on business. The old run down bar that sat right at the city limits was notorious for housing individuals that could be bought. Their prices weren't high and there was nothing pretty about their work. Each had their own specialty. Some were expects in the world of arson, some in the world of black mail, some even dealt with the darker deeds. It was the later of the bunch that Lucky was there to see tonight.

Lucky kept darting his eyes around the smoky bar until the person he was there to see came in. A tall man, probably about 6 foot, maybe 6'1 with greasy black hair and a day's worth of stubble made his way to the bar. "I hear you're a problem solver"

"Who the hell are you?" the guy asked as he signaled for his usual

"Let's just say I'm a guy with a problem....and money"

"What kind of problem you got?" he asked, throwing back his shot of whiskey

"This guy who doesn't know how to keep his nose out of my business. He's a home wrecker, a thorn in my ass and I need him taken care of" Lucky took in the guys arms, large and tattooed, some with gang markings for years past.

"I normally don't waste my time on domestic disputes"

"I'll pay for your fucking time" Lucky snapped, quickly calming himself when the gruff man stood before him

"This is what I have so far" Lucky slid a white envelope towards the man. Taking a peek inside, he snorted with disgust "You'll get every cent. Consider this a down payment. Besides, don't you want to be the one known for knocking off the notorious mob enforcer, Jason Morgan?"

That got the man's attention. He seemed to pounder the thought while he threw back his second shot of whiskey. Pushing the shot glass aside, he picked up the money and stuffed it in his pocket.

"I don't care who's around, I don't care where, when, or how. You eliminate Jason Morgan"

~~1 Month Later~~

Jason Morgan hated hospitals. It was the one place on earth that he would avoid at all cost. Yet, there he sat on the neutral brown sofa in the lobby. The wooden coffee table in front of him cluttered with magazines. He never understood why there where so many magazine at these places. They were all outdated, ripped, colored in by children. Why couldn't they put out the morning paper? At least that contained news, weather, stuff of interest to him. Of course, it really didn't matter. He had way to much on his mind to concentrate on reading. There was the situation with Elizabeth. There was the fact that someone had cut his brake line, although he was ninety-nine percent sure he knew who the culprit was on that one. After the way had spouted off to Elizabeth at Kelly's a few weeks back, it didn't take a genius to figure out what Lucky had in mind. Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The stupid little fuck had no idea what he was doing, that made him dangerous. As much has he hated to admit it to himself, Elizabeth was safer away from him, at least until he figured out what to do with Lucky. If Elizabeth wasn't pregnant with the idiot's kid, Lucky would already be at the bottom of the Port Charles Harbor. But the reality was she was pregnant with Lucky's child and at that moment, that was the only thing keeping the twit alive. Elizabeth would never forgive him if he killed Lucky, robbing their child of the chance of knowing his father. Jason snorted with disgust at that thought. What a wonderful father figure Lucky was going to be.

That brought him to his next problem. His relationship with Elizabeth. Even though he didn't dream, he imagined this is what it would feel like to have one come true. She was his vision of perfection. They hadn't discussed being in a committed relationship. They hadn't exchanged "I love you's". They hadn't even made love again. Elizabeth had wanted to, on several occasions but he always found a reason why they shouldn't. He admitted that he was somewhat jealous. What man wouldn't be if a woman like Elizabeth was pregnant by another man? They hadn't discussed Jason's role in the baby's life. They hadn't discussed the plans for the future. Sure he was here for Elizabeth's doctor's appointment but that was more for protection then anything. He hadn't gone into the room, opting to stay in the lobby. All of this just made the war raging within Jason's head worse. While he would never say it to her, he thought that making love to her that night was wrong. He wouldn't have cared less if he was a rebound fling. He wouldn't have cared if their one night of passion was to get back at Lucky. He would have been glad to show her what a real man was like in bed. He would have been happy that his one and only fantasy had come true. That he had been able to connect with Elizabeth in the most intimate way. That for a moment in time, not only did their bodies become one, so did their souls. He would have been able to let her walk away, out of his life and back into Lucky's arms because that's where she had planned on making a family. At least with Lucky, she would never have to worry about someone making her and the baby a target for revenge. She would never have to take a guard with her to the park in order to let the little one play. She would never have to live behind bullet proof glass. As long as Elizabeth was with him, she would always be a target. Now not only by his enemies, but by Lucky as well. He stood, unable to sit any longer. He walked around the coffee table and leaned against the pillar and sighed. He knew what he had to do.

The elevator doors opened and Elizabeth stepped out. The first thing she noticed was the tight set of Jason's shoulders. She could tell he was tense. He hadn't been himself lately. She assumed that it probably had something to do with work. There was always the chance of a new threat and they always seemed to be on a verge of a mob war.

"All done" Elizabeth came up behind him and offered a warm smile when he turned around "We're just fine"

"Good" he nodded, placing his hand on the small of her back to guide her towards the elevator

She waited until they were alone inside the elevator car "Is everything OK? I mean...you seem preoccupied"

He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long breath. When he didn't answer or look at her, she continued "I know if it's work related you can't talk to me about it but if it's about us....you'd say something right?"

"Elizabeth" the tone in which he said her name caused her to tense instantly. "This isn't really the place to talk about this"

The elevators opened and they made their way out to the Expedition. They drove in silence, neither one offering to be the first to start up conversation. Elizabeth frowned when Jason made the left hand turn onto Pine Street instead of going straight. That meant he was taking her back to her studio instead of the penthouse. Sudden a realization hit her like a ton a bricks. She couldn't get enough air, couldn't take that much needed breath fast enough. She felt as if she was suffocating.

"Oh my God" she gasped "It all makes sense now"

He looked at her as he slowed down to pull into the parking lot. "Elizabeth"

"I got it. Really. Just stop the car" tear were rolling down her cheeks and she was already opening the door

"Elizabeth, wait"

Jason had verily gotten car stopped when Elizabeth jumped out and started sprinting towards her building.

"Damn it" Jason cursed, slamming his fist into the steering wheel. He flung his own door open and made his way after her. He caught up to her just as she reach the second landing where her studio was "Elizabeth"

"Please, just go. I got it, really Jason" she started to unlock the door when he gently grabbed her arm

"You don't understand"

"NO? You don't want to be with me anymore. It's perfectly clear now, all of it. I've made a total fool out of myself. The fact you wouldn't sleep with me again should have been a dead give away" Elizabeth's voice was loud as she fought to keep herself upright. "I'm so stupid"

"Stop that!" Jason's voice was stern and moved to take hold of both her shoulders, turning her to face him completely

"Stop what? Telling the truth?"

"It's not the truth!" Jason snapped "Damn it Elizabeth. I want you more than anything. That's why this is so hard."

"What's so hard Jason? You want someone, they want you back. It's simple"

Jason took a deep breath "It's hard..." he paused, stumbled over his words "you're pregnant and it's not my child"

"Jason"

"Let me finish, please" when she nodded, he continued "you and Lucky are going to be the parents to this child. Lucky is going to be the one with you when you give birth. His name is going to go on the birth certificate as the father. That's something so special that you get to share with him, not me. I don't want to be me the guy who pulls apart a family. If you stay with me, Lucky will never leave you alone and the fighting will never end. I don't want to be the reason you're child grows up and doesn't know who his father is. Plus Lucky doesn't have people coming after him like I do. With him you'll get to live a normal life. Enjoy watching your kids play outside without having a guard at every post" he paused when a sob escaped from her mouth. Her beautiful porcelain face was streaked with tears. "It would kill me if something happened to you"

"It would kill me to loose you" Elizabeth whispered "Please don't ask me to walk away"

"It would be so much easier if you did Elizabeth. I could let you go and know you'd be safe and had the family you wanted" Jason's eyes glistened with unshed tears

"I only want a family with you"

"Elizabeth" Jason closed his eyes, trying desperately to find the strength to continue but Elizabeth spoke first

"I'm not going to argue with anything you just said. I know you just want what's best for me. But I'm not safer with Lucky. He flips out and gets mad. He'll away think I'm seeing you behind his back"

"He won't be able to think that if I'm not in Port Charles anymore" Jason interrupted her, causing her eyes to widen when she heard what he had to say

[Fanfic Archiver]

[image]http://images.andale.com/f2/113/114/13054187/1139811316553_jpier3.jpg[/image]

"Don't I get a say in my life Jason? Elizabeth's voice pleaded with him "You can't treat me like Sonny treats Carly. You can't order me to do this and that and expect me to obey like some well trained dog"

"I just want you happy and safe"

"I'm only going to have that with you. Can't you see that?" Elizabeth took a deep breath and placed a small hand on each side of his face, forcing him to look at her. His heart tightened when he saw the pain in her eyes. His eyes were unreadable though. She knew that there was one thing about Jason Morgan that would never change and that was he couldn't lie. Elizabeth voice break when she spoke again "I'll walk away on one condition"

His heart stopped beating has his ice blue eyes bored into hers. His voice came out hoarse and low, so low in fact he didn't even know if she had heard it "OK"

"Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't want me. That you never wanted me. That you have no feelings what so ever for me" she paused to try and compose herself, but it was useless. She was fighting to keep her breathing steady as her heart thundered in her chest "Tell me that you don't want a life with me. That you don't want a family with me. Tell me that night you slept with me meant nothing to you"

Jason dropped his eyes, unable to look at her anymore. She let go of his face and shoved his chest with her tiny hands.

"Tell me!" she sobbed

"I can't"

"There's others options here. If you want to leave, I could go with you. We could go to Italy, start a life there. But you don't even want to consider any of those. If you can walk away from me, then I must have meant nothing to you Jason" Elizabeth cried "Actions speak louder than words"

She fumbled for her keys again, this time he didn't stop her when she put them in the lock and opened the door. She went to close the door when his heavy motorcycle boot stopped her. He moved so quickly that she didn't even realize what was happening. In a matter of seconds, he had closed her studio door and pinned her with his body against it. His lips crashed onto hers, ravishing the plump flesh. One of his hands went to her hair and tangled it's self there, the other went to her face to angle for a better position. She moaned into his mouth and clawed at his shoulders. He tugged her bottom lip into his mouth, racking his teeth across the tortured flesh. When the need for air became to much, he only pulled back enough to rest his forehead on hers.

"Never think that I don't want you.....that I didn't want you that night because I did and I still do"

"Then show me. For once Jason, fight for me, for us. Don't walk away, don't ask me to walk away"

Jason pulled back, moving both of his hands to dry her face. As his thumbs stroked softly against her cheeks, she continued "I know you want to do the right thing. But this..." she lifted her hand to motion back and forth between them "This is right. So take your nobility and lock it away somewhere because I'm not leaving and neither are you"

At that point Jason knew he had lost the war. There would be no other battle over the subject as Elizabeth Webber knew what she wanted and that was him. He felt like the world's biggest ass for hurting her today, for even making her think that he didn't want to be with her. The two little words seemed to come up so short on how he was feeling. "I'm sorry"

"I don't want you sorry" Elizabeth whispered "I just want you happy....with me"

Jason smiled "You stole the line that I was supposed to say"

"You stole my heart" she lifted her hand to cup his face and he closed his eyes at the sensation "But I don't want it back. You can keep it"

"You can keep mine too" he whispered "You've already had it for as long as I can remember"

It was hard to say who made the first move but their lips were fused together again and Elizabeth was backing Jason towards the sofa. His knees hit it and he fell back, pulling her with him into his lap. Her jacket had already fallen to the floor on their journey to the couch. His rough hands pushed under her shirt, taking in the soft porcelain skin it found there. Piece by piece, their clothes landed carelessly on the floor. Jason changed their position, laying Elizabeth down on the sofa. He took his time and worshipped her body, giving his full attention to every inch of her creamy skin that glowed in the dim studio. Her soft moans of pleasure urged him on, gave him the strength to keep his own release at bay until she was fully satisfied. His thrust became deeper, his strokes longer each driven with purpose. His name was on her lips as the stars exploded and her walls tightened around him, holding him hostile as she waited for him to join her in this orgasmic bliss.

Jason draped the old crochet afghan over their spent bodies as Elizabeth snuggled into his chest. His hands rested on the small of her back as his thumbs rubbed up and down in small little strokes. "Do you know how many times I wanted to make love to you here on this old couch?"

"Could have fooled me" Elizabeth mumbled, referring to the fact Jason had been avoiding her intimately. Him and his stupid nobility

He ignored her comment and continued "It was back when I was shot and you were helping me. I'd wake up here on this couch and you'd be painting, singing to yourself. I'd watch you"

"I hate that we wasted so much time" she raised up on her elbow, looking at him directly now "Promising me something"

"If I can"

"No bailing. No matter what. No matter how much safer you'd think I'd be elsewhere. I only want to be with you, here in this relationship with my best friend"

"No bailing" Jason leaned down and sealed the deal with a kiss

~~*~~

"We can't fuck this up, you understand? We got one chance at a clear shot before he gets blocked by cars" Lee instructed to the younger man. Lee had accept Lucky's money, even though it was a little less than he would normally charge for a deed this big. However, the appeal of taking out the most fears man in Port Charles was to big of an opportunity to turn down "We Morgan comes down those stairs, we open fire. Got it?"

"Got it" the pair did one last check of their weapons, making sure the chamber of each of their guns were full.

~~*~~

"Do you want to come back to the penthouse with me?" Jason asked, pulling on his leather jacket

"That's a tempting offer but I think I'm going to stay here and paint. I'm suddenly inspired" she grinned, pulling on her own shirt that she found rumpled by the coffee table "But maybe I'll come over later tonight"

"OK. Call me and I'll come get you" Jason planted a soft kiss on her still swollen lips "If you're nice, I'll bring my bike"

"Hmmmm....you got a deal"

Jason backed half way towards the door before finally turning around. "Lock the door"

Elizabeth nodded "See ya later"

Jason closed the door and she started making her way over to it to slide the metal dead bolt in place. That's when she noticed Jason's keys laying on the floor by the end table. She reached down and scooped them and took off after him

Jason was on the last step when her heard Elizabeth's voice call out to him. Elizabeth stood at the top of the landing looking down at him as he began to turn around. Suddenly the sound of metal cutting through the night air rang out.

"Get back inside Elizabeth!" Jason yelled, reaching for his gun. He never got the chance as the pain of the bullets racked his body. Elizabeth covered her mouth in horror

"JASON!" she screamed as she watched Jason's body jerk back violently and come crashing down onto the unforgiving cement "OH MY GOD, NO!" she frozen in fear, terrified of what she was witnessing.

Jason heard Elizabeth's voice but couldn't find his own as he slipped darkness. As quickly as the gun fire had erupted, it ended just as fast. Elizabeth finally shook herself out of the state of shock she was in. She didn't care if there would be another wave of bullet filling the area or not, she just had to get to Jason. She took off at a sprint and made it three stairs down before she slipped. She tried to catch herself on the railing but she had to much momentum. The stairs dug into her delicate skin as she tumbled down the two flights to the bottom where Jason laid motionless.

Her arm was draped across his chest and she fought to lift her head. She felt disoriented and pain consumed her body. She felt blood trickling down her face but she ignored it, didn't bother to wipe it away. "Jason...Oh God, Jason"

He was lifeless, not moving and his eyes where closed. Time stood still and for a moment she was transported back to when she had found him lying in the snow bleeding to death. "Jason, please answer me. Look at me, open your eyes"

She made an attempt to get to her knees but pain radiated through her body, protesting the move. She gritted her teeth, determined complete the seemly simple task. She pushed open his leather jacket and gasped. The T-shirt he wore was soaked in blood, the cotton material ripped and jagged where the bullets tore through. She had to get him help, had to get him somewhere safe in case whoever did this came back. She went to lean over him, needing to retrieve his cell phone from the inner pocket of his jacket and that's when it hit her. The stabbing pain in her stomach that made her stop and nearly fall on top of Jason.

"NO" she begged on a ragged breath, the pain coming again, stronger, sharper this time. This couldn't be happening. "Please no, not the baby" She couldn't be losing the two things she loved most in the life. She finally felt the phone, blindly reaching with one hand while the other wrapped around her stomach. Flipping the phone open, she had to pause again when another rush of pain seared through her. Her fingers pressed the three numbers needed

"911, what's the nature of your emergency?"

Elizabeth prayed help would arrive in time. The operator insisted on staying on the phone, even though Elizabeth had already dropped it somewhere between her and Jason after giving the woman the information needed. Elizabeth's pain worsened with each passing minute and no position offered any relief. She knew what was happening, had read about it in her pregnancy books. She still hoped, wished for the best. That somehow, someone could save her baby. Her body laid next to Jason's and she was whispering words of encouragement and endearment to both him and the baby when sirens began filling the night.

"Remember, you promised...no bailing" then there was darkness

[Fanfic Archiver]

[image noborder]http://images.andale.com/f2/113/114/13054187/1139811316553_jpier3.jpg[/image]

Elizabeth tried to stretch but her sore body protested to much. Eyes still closed, she knew where she was. The sound of the machines beeping, the smell, the feel of the stiff sheets against her skin.

"Ms. Webber"

Elizabeth forced her eyes open only to close them again when the bright florescent lighting was too much. "The baby?"

"Ms. Webber. I'm Dr. Deacon. I'm the one who admitted you. Seems you took a nasty fall"

"The baby" she tried again, her voice stronger this time

"I'm sorry darling but there was nothing we could do to save the baby. It was just too soon in your pregnancy and the fall was too bad"

Tears immediately sprang forth, spilling out through her closed lids. Her hand went to rest on her stomach, filling the lose immediately.

"As hard as this is now, there is good news. There was no damage done to your uterus so you'll be able to have more children. What we need to do right now is focus on you getting well, healing both physically and emotionally. The situation was very dramatic and the effects it could have you are...."

"Jason!" he had been shot, that's why she fell down the stairs. She tried to raise up on the small bed but pain shot through her body

"Ms. Webber, calm down. It's not going to help for you to get yourself all worked up"

"I need to see him. Where is he?" she demanded "He has to be OK"

"Elizabeth"

She looked towards the door when she heard her name "Emily. Jason was shot. They brought him in with me. He was so bad. I just..."

"You just need to breath" Emily moved passed the doctor and gently sat down on Elizabeth's bed, leaning in to hug her. "I'm so sorry about that baby. Why didn't you tell me that you were pregnant?"

"Life got real crazy" Elizabeth wiped at the tears as she paused to take a deep breath "Where's Jason?"

Emily looked down at Elizabeth's hand and softly took a hold of the one free of IV's. "He's in surgery. Mom's working on him now"

"He's going to be OK right? Em, he has to be OK"

"Mom's trying. She has a great team in there with her. I was in there for a little while but wanted to come see you. I should probably get back though"

"Will you come tell me as soon as he's out of surgery?"

"Of course I will. Do you want me to call Lucky? He should be here with you." Giving Elizabeth's hand a final squeeze before standing

"NO!" she hadn't meant for her voice to contain so much hatred

"OK....how about your grandma?"

"No, she didn't know I was pregnant either"

"Liz, what's going on? You're going to have to fill me in on everything. I feel like a terrible friend. I don't even know what's happening in your life." Emily frowned as she looked down at her troubled friend. They were best friends, at least they were before she had been hurt. Emily hadn't realized the distance her time away had put between her and Elizabeth.

"You're not a terrible friend Em. I promise I'll tell you everything. I just need to know that Jason is going to be all right"

"OK. I'll come back later. Do you need anything before I go?"

"Yeah, I need to call Sonny"

~~*~~

Elizabeth drifted in and out of sleep thanks to the medication currently pumping through her aching body. She tried to keep an eye on the clock that hung just above the door but it was useless. She couldn't remember how long she had been there or how long she had been waiting for word on Jason's condition. She asked every nurse that came in to check on her but none could give her an answer. Emily had promised to call Sonny on her way to check on Jason but so far, there had been no sign of the Cuban mobster.

"Elizabeth"

Speak of the devil. Elizabeth didn't even try to forge a smile, there was no reason to fake it. There was nothing to smile about giving the current circumstances.

"Thank you for coming"

Sonny tossed his coat over the chair that sat near the door and made his way to her bed. "What happened?"

"Someone tried to kill Jason" the minute the words left her mouth, a new wave of tears appeared. They clung to her dark lashes, spilling over onto her pale cheeks

Sonny pulled a stool up by her bed and placed a hand on her leg "It's OK. It could have just been an accident. Maybe they thought Jason was someone else"

"NO" Elizabeth shook her head adamantly "There was no one else around, no one in my building even looks remotely similar to Jason. They waited until he was at the bottom of the stairs in plain view. The gun shots just kept coming Sonny" she sobbed, forced herself to breath and finish "I tried to get to him....but I fell down the stairs. There was so much blood"

"Hey, you did good. You called for help, you got him to the hospital and they are going to do the best they can for him" Sonny reassured her "You know how tough Jason is"

She nodded mutely, trying to compose herself "But whoever did this is still out there. They'll try again."

"I'll take care of it" he offered her his famous dimpled smile and somehow she took comfort in those five little words.

"I want to know how did it Sonny"

"Elizabeth..."

"NO" she hadn't meant to yell it but if it surprised Sonny he didn't show it "I'm sorry"

"It's OK"

"It's just that who ever did this to Jason, took something from me that I can never get back. I have a right to know who did it"

"You know Jason is strong and he's a fighter. You haven't lost him yet" Sonny patted her leg, hoping the reassuring gesture would help convey his sincertity

"I was pregnant"

Sonny blinked, stunned by what Elizabeth had just told him. He hadn't know she was pregnant. Why hadn't Jason mentioned it? "Elizabeth"

She lifted her hand to stop him, not wanting pity "The baby wasn't Jason's but he didn't hold that against me, didn't judge me. We were finally getting things right, moving forward for once. Then this happened."

"Everything will work out Elizabeth. You have to have faith. Jason's cheated death more times than I can remember"

"That's what worries me"

~~*~~

Emily swallowed thickly as she walking into the dim room. All the lights were out expect the one over the sink that sat in the corner. All the machines seemed to beep in sync with one another. She smiled as a nurse walked past her and checked on Jason's IV's. She waited until the nurse was done before she slowly made her way to him.

"Hey you" her voice was soft and she raised a hand to softly stroke his face. "The surgery went good you know. They were a little worried about the bullet lodged near your spine but you know Mom, she's the best"

She had to pause for a moment. Seeing her big brother who was the strongest man she ever knew like this was so overwhelming. The white plastic tube coming out of his mouth was secured to his lips. The once tanned face somehow seemed paler, chalkier.

"Elizabeth is all right. She's worried about you more than herself." The tears started flowing and she made no attempt to wipe them. "You have to fight Jason. You can't give up. Who am I going to go to for help if you aren't around? Who knows what type of mess I could get into. Plus, you can't leave me to here with the Quartermains"

"We're not that bad" Monica made her way into the room

"I know Mom, I was just talking to Jason" Emily smiled "He's going to make it, right?"

"Emily, he's been through a lot. You know how tough your brother is" Monica moved up to stand next to Emily at Jason's bedside. She lifted her hand and softly fanned it over his spiky blonde hair, watching as the wheat colored strands sprung back to place. She ran her hand down his cheeks, shivering herself when she felt how cold he was. It had been years since she got to touch her son. On occasion, she would be surprised with a hug from him but those were rare. She felt almost guilty as she relished in the simply gestured that most mothers got to bestow on their sons on a regular basis. The only reason she was able to enjoy them now was because her son was laying in the bed, fighting for his life. "But he has to make because I couldn't stand to lose him twice"

~~*~~

The floor was quiet, all the visitors that were there seeing the other patients had gone. Occasionally she would see a nurse walk by. She had refused an earlier round of pain medicine, not wanting to be a sleep in case someone came with word on Jason's condition. Before leaving, Sonny had gotten her a couple of magazine from the waiting area. At least it was something to occupy the time with. Elizabeth could only image the field day that Carly had when she found out she was pregnant by one man and seeing another. Had been pregnant she mentally corrected herself. Had been.

"I guess we're not that different after all" Carly's voice spoke from the door way

"What are you talking about Carly?" Elizabeth hadn't expected to see Carly and giving her current state, she had no desire to entertain company, at least not Carly

"You and I" Carly moved a little further into the room, glancing at it's contents

"I'm nothing like you"

"Please muffin" she dropped her coat and purse in the chair and crossed her arms over her chest "I can remember it like it was yesterday"

When Elizabeth didn't speak, Carly continued "It was raining so hard and I was so scared. I was pregnant and I knew that they would try and take my baby"

"Who?" Elizabeth's ask curiously

"AJ, Tony, take your pick. I had screwed my life up so bad I didn't know what I was going to do. That's when I went to Jason. I showed up pregnant on his door step, soaking wet and asked him if he'd say he was the father" she looked at Elizabeth then, tears glistening in her eyes has she recounted her and Jason's history "He's always been my life line"

Elizabeth just looked at Carly in awe. Carly was right. As much has she had thought they were as opposite as day and night, they really weren't. Elizabeth had shown up on Jason's door, the same way Carly had. "It was raining the night I went to Jason and told him I was pregnant"

Carly nodded. She had figured that much after Sonny had told her about the miscarriage. "It gets better. The pain I mean. You never really forget though"

"I didn't know that you lost a child too"

Carly leaned against the bed rail "Yeah. Sonny and I would get together but we weren't a couple. I got pregnant and Sonny was so happy. He went to doctor's appointments with me and made sure I was eating right. Then I miscarried. I had a real hard time accepting it and Sonny helped me through it, never left me and that's when we figured out what we had was real."

"I feel so empty. I feel guilty. If I had been more careful"

"Don't. I went down that path and blamed myself. It doesn't help and it's not going to bring back what you've lost"

"Thank you telling me" Elizabeth didn't know why Carly's story helped but it did.

"Jason's strong and he's a fighter, especially when he has someone to fight for" Carly paused when a stray tear spilled over her black lashes "Sonny will find out who did this." She turned back towards the door, pausing to pick up her belongings "But don't think for one minute that this means we are friends"

[Fanfic Archiver]

It wasn't unusual to see Dr. Monica Quartermaine checking on her patients at all hours of the night. It was unusual however to see her sitting next to her patient's bed telling them stories of their youth.

"I can still remember the look on Edward's face when you hit that baseball through the sliding glass doors and it hit his favorite vase" Monica laughed "That ugly blue vase that set on the pedestal by the fire place. You were about 11 years old and AJ just kept goading you. Then there was this time when you found this squirrel who had been attacked by some cat. You hide it in your room until you nursed it back to health. It got healthy alright. It took Alan and I over two hours to corner that thing when it got lose in the house"

The clear tube that was taped to his mouth, pulled at his tanned skin. The stumble on his face and the bruises made him look so much older than he was. Her tone turned serious as she lovingly rubbed his hand with hers "You know when I was going through my breast cancer treatment, I kept thinking about all the wonderful memories I had of my children. It's what kept me going. I knew that my children needed me. I know I need you more than you need me" She paused and took a deep breath "A parent isn't supposed to out live their child. I know you're not the same little boy I raised but you are still my son Jason. One day when you're a father, you'll understand what I mean"

Her eyes darted back and forth between the monitors, looking for any change in his vitals. Frowning, she stood "My breaks almost over. They'll be paging me if I'm not back downstairs soon. I'll be back when my shifts over" she leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her son's forehead.

~~*~~

"What do you mean you can't find anything?" Sonny demanded "That's not acceptable!"

"I'm sorry Mr. Corinthos. We have checked on everything, searched every lead, roughed up people who might have known something...anything but we haven't turned up one single lead" Johnny O'Brien regretfully informed his boss

"Look harder. Whoever did this is still out there. Once they find out they didn't get the job done, they'll be back. Those weren't warning shot they were firing, they were shooting to kill. I want another set of guards on Jason's hospital door. I want a guard on each elevator and stair well so we can monitor who comes and goes on Jason's floor"

"Yes, sir. Right now Max and Francis have been doing rotation outside Mr. Morgan's hospital room. They've reported that only family and medical staff have come and gone" Johnny knew how frustrating this was for Sonny. It was frustrating for him as well. He didn't just consider Jason his boss, but his friend.

"Keep me posted and keep looking" with that Johnny was gone and Sonny turned towards the bar to pour himself a bourbon

"You're worried about Jason" Carly came up behind her husband and placed her hands on his shoulders

"Yeah"

"Wanna talk about it?"

"You know I don't discuss business" Sonny downed the amber liquid in one long gulp before pouring himself another

"I do but this isn't business, this is personal. Jason's family" Carly linked her arm around his and pulled him to the leather sofa

Sonny gave in and rubbed his hands over his face "Jason's always protected me...us. He's always solved the problems and took care of the threats. There are days when I think he could run this organization better than me."

Carly remained quiet and gently rubbed his knee to urge him to continue "Jason can't protect himself now. The doctors don't even know if he'll make it. He's not even breathing on his own." He blew a harsh breath out "How am I supposed to protect him when I can't find one single clue as to who did this or why?"

"It had to be personal" Carly pointed out

"What?"

"The reason someone went after Jason, it had to be personal"

"Why do you say that?" Sonny turned towards his wife, waiting for her to explain

"Because, Jason's been in the hospital for three days now and no threats have been made on you or us or the business. Plus, you know how your enemies like to use the woman you guys love as bargaining chips. Well, Elizabeth was right up there and no one attacked her. She fell trying to get to Jason. So, it had to be a personal hit on Jason"

Sonny stared at Carly with wide eyes. His dark orbs wide with surprise. Why hadn't he seen that? She was right. It had to be a personal attack.

"Yeah, but that still doesn't mean it isn't a personal hit that steams from a business deal gone wrong" Sonny pointed out, standing and making his way back to the liquior

"It was personal Sonny, I can feel it. Every time we've been in danger or targets I've felt it in my gut. Maybe it's my motherly instincts but I could feel that need to protect my children at all cost. I had that fear that every time you walked out that door that you might not walk but in it. I don't have any of those feeling right now. I'm telling you, it was personal and it didn't have one damn thing to do with business. It has to be someone that thinks Jason did something..." Carly's eyes widen and she paled, pausing mid sentence.

"Carly?" Sonny turned and saw his wife looking like she was in shock "Carly?"

"Oh my God"

"Carly, sweetheart, what?" Sonny moved back to the couch quickly as Carly stood

"I know who did this" her hands were nearly trembling as she held them up to grab onto Sonny's shoulders

"Sweetheart, I know you want to help but there is no way that you can know who did this"

She shook her head adamantly "NO! I know. I can feel it. It all makes sense. She went to Jason's that night, I walked in on them the next morning. He must have..."

"Carly. What are you talking about?"

"Elizabeth. She went to Jason's one night and she was still there the following morning when I went over. Who was Elizabeth with up to that point? Who told everyone that would listen how much he hated Jason and how dangerous Jason was?" Carly's voice was near pleading and then a look passed through Sonny's eyes as he realized who it was

"Lucky"

~~*~~

Emily nervously looked around as she pushed the wheelchair currently seating Elizabeth. "I could get in so much trouble for this"

"I know" Elizabeth sighed, knowing the chance her best friend was taking. Going against doctor's orders was grounds for dismissal for any hospital staff member. "I can't thank you enough Em, I just need to see him"

The wheelchair slowed as they rounded the hall leading from the elevators. Emily came around and kneeled down in front of Elizabeth, placing her hands on Elizabeth's quilt covered knees. "I need you know what you're going see once I push you between those doors. It looks real bad. He looks real bad. Maybe you should wait Liz"

"No" Elizabeth shook her head "I need to see him now Em. Just for a few minutes"

Emily nodded and slowly finished the push to Jason's door.

"Miss Webber, it's good to see you" Max smiled, extending his arm to open Jason's door for Emily.

"Good to see you to Max" Elizabeth smiled. She took a deep breath as she was wheeled into the darken room.

"Let me just move the chair and I'll move you closer" Emily left Elizabeth at the foot of his bed while she did a little rearranging to make room for Elizabeth's wheelchair at Jason's bedside.

Tears pricked Elizabeth's eyes but she refused to let them fall, not yet anyway.

"I'll be back in a little bit to get you"

Elizabeth nodded and watched has Emily left and the door closed behind her, leaving her and Jason alone

Her moist eyes locked on what laid before her. The man that she was madly in love with laid motionless, fighting for his life. Every little sound was amplified in the quiet room as all the machines and monitored seemed to have a rhythm. Elizabeth was careful not to tangle her hand up in the of tubes running from Jason's hand as she softly squeezed it.

"Hey you" she whispered "You don't know how much begging I had to do to get your sister to bring me here tonight"

Elizabeth was never one to be lost for words but tonight, at that moment sitting beside Jason, she was having a hard time finding the words she wanted to say. "You know, a lots has changed since the last time you were shot but Kelly's still has your favorite soap"

Her joked came out as a half laugh, half sob. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "The doctors said it was a good sign that you've made it this long. It's been 72 hours. Trust me, I'm stuck watching the damn clock on the wall of my hospital room. But I'm OK. Don't you worry about me" the tears slipped as she lied to him. She hated lying to him, he always knew and always found out. She couldn't tell him that she had lost the baby or that she was so bruised that the blanket covering her hurt to the touch. He would blame himself and that wasn't what he needed right now "You just keep fighting. You have to make your way back to me. I need you. I want you in my life...forever"

She gripped Jason's bed railing with both hands and pulled herself up to a standing position, the quilt covering her legs falling to the floor in a heap. Her body screamed out in pain but she ignored it as she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You have to wake up Jason. I'll take you back to my apartment and I'll take care of you, make you soap and change your bandages. You can watch me paint and listen to me sing" her tears fells onto his face as she leaned over him, her forehead now resting on his "Then when you get stronger, you can make love to me on that old couch"

She lifted her head from his hoping to find some sort of sign that he had heard her. She stared at his closed eyes, the black circles that laid beneath them and the cuts and bruises that peppered his face. She willed his eyes to open, just so she could catch a glimpse of glacier blue. A new wave of tears came when Jason remained lifeless. She had a thousands thoughts running rapid through her mind. Then the realization dawned on her that her and Jason had never said "I love you" to one another. She knew he loved her and she was sure he knew that she loved him. However the words were never spoken.

"Hey. listen to me OK? I know it's selfish but you can't die. Sorry but you just can't. I want to hear you say those three little words to me. I want to say them to you but I want you to be awake, looking into my eyes when I do. So if you need to sleep a little longer to get stronger and beat this, than that's OK. That's what you do. I'll keep coming in here and rambling away night after night until you come back to me"

She leaned down and kissed his closed eyes, the left then the right. She rested her forehead on his one more time and whispered "Remember you promised me no bailing"

She lifted her head and went to move her hand from Jason's when she felt the slightest grip squeeze her fingers. Elizabeth's eyes widen and for a moment she wondered if she had imagined it. That question was answered when her hand was squeezed again, this time stronger

"Jason. Oh my God, Jason. I can feel you fighting. That's it, come back to me" Elizabeth's word of encouragement fell upon Emily's ear as she walked into the room

"Hey"

"He squeezed my hand, twice!" Elizabeth cried

"Liz, it could have just been nerves, muscle spasms" Emily tried to explain. She had checked Jason's chart several times a day, looking and hoping for any type of response but always found none

"I know what I felt Em, it was Jason, not some involuntary action" Elizabeth drug her thumb over Jason's knuckles and that's when she felt it for the third time. "Em, he just did it again!"

"OK, let me get you back to your room and I'll have Mom come check him" Emily smiled, not wanting to get her own hopes to high

"Remember what I said OK? I'll be back later" Elizabeth carefully lifted his hand and placed a soft kiss on it before she allowed Emily to help her back down into her wheelchair.

"He's going to be OK" Elizabeth told Emily as they wheeled down the hall towards the elevator

"I sure hope so but you can't set yourself up for a fall though Liz. You've been through a lot too and you have to be prepared for the worse. At this point, no one really knows if Jason's going to wake up or not"

Elizabeth shook her head in disagreement "I do because Jason doesn't break his promises"

Finally reaching Elizabeth's room, Emily helped her back in bed. "I'll sneak back in on my break. Get some rest OK"

Elizabeth watched as Emily left, quietly closing the door behind her. She made an attempt to get a tad more comfortable but it was useless. The bed was to hard, the sheets to stiff, and the smell just too sterile. She began to think back about her visit with Jason, how he had squeezed her hand when a shadow moving from the far corner caught her eye

"You still can't stay away from him can you?" Lucky asked