Time: 9:57 p.m.
Date: February 12, 2003
Place: Jason’s Penthouse

Look into my eyes – you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart – search your soul
And when you find me there you’ll search no more

Jason entered the penthouse, his face pale and drawn. He sat down numbly next to Elizabeth on the couch. “She just kept screaming,” he said quietly.

“I’ll check on her in the morning,” Elizabeth told him. She ran her hand through his hair, her eyes concerned. “Why don’t you go upstairs? Try and get some sleep?”

Jason shook his head. “I don’t think I could sleep if I tried,” he told her. “She didn’t believe it at first–thought it was like before. That he was going to fake it and work behind the scenes like he did with Alcazar.” Elizabeth shifted and laid her head on his shoulder and took his hand into her lap, drawing little circles on his hand.

“I guess finally it sunk in. She just started screaming at me and crying. Michael woke up–he was so upset.” Jason closed his eyes and leaned against Elizabeth’s head. “I just couldn’t sit in there anymore. I had to get out of there.”

“It’s not your fault,” Elizabeth said quietly.

“Yes it is,” Jason replied. “The first thing you learn about this business is Sonny always comes first. He comes before everything and anyone else.”

Elizabeth sighed. “You heard Sonny–he would have done the same thing.”

Jason shook his head. “No…I can’t…I know how it sounds, but I was not supposed to even remember you were there. I was supposed to make sure Sonny was safe first and foremost.” He raised his head and caught her eye. “And you want to know something else?”

“What?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“I’d do the same thing over again,” Jason told her. “I’d still go to you first. What kind of friend does that make me?”

“Jason…” Elizabeth sighed. She looked away. “I don’t know what to say…”

“Carly hates me,” Jason murmured. “She blames me.”

“Maybe right now,” Elizabeth agreed. “But eventually she’s going to see that it was a no win situation.”

Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
You can’t tell me it’s not worth dyin’ for
You know it’s true
Everything I do – I do it for you

Time: 6:45 a.m.
Date: February 13, 2003
Place: Jason’s penthouse

The oak door slid open quietly and Carly entered, her blonde hair in tangles, her dark brown eyes red and swollen from crying.

She stared down at her best friend, stretched out on the couch. Elizabeth was sprawled out over him, her head resting on his chest and her arm protectively slung around his waist.

The sight would almost look peaceful to anyone who didn’t know better–just two young lovers who’d fallen asleep together.

But Carly knew and Carly understood. She saw the way Jason’s jaw was clenched and saw the frown Elizabeth wore even in her sleep. She knew Sonny wasn’t here and that Elizabeth was.

Shed gone to the hospital sometime after Jason had left the penthouse and had gotten into see AJ, who was recovering after emergency surgery and he gave her the story.

Look into my heart – you will find
There’s nothin’ there to hide

Courtney had gone to the safe house and nearly managed to kill Elizabeth before Jason got her away. They’d thought Courtney was knocked out and were in the living room, waiting for the clean up crew.

Courtney had appeared and shot AJ twice. And just before he lost consciousness, he saw Courtney aim the gun at Elizabeth, standing in front of Sonny.

It wasn’t hard to see what had happened. Jason had acted instinctively and pushed Elizabeth down.

And Sonny had died.

Carly kneeled beside Jason and touched his face. “Jason.”

Jason’s eyes shot open and he shifted a little before realizing that Elizabeth was on top of him. His eyes darted to Carly. “Carly–”

She sucked in a deep breath and tried to smile at him but failed. “It’s…it’s okay.”

“What is?” Jason asked warily.

“Why she’s here and what you did. I don’t blame you,” Carly told him. “I can’t. Because you didn’t do anything I wouldn’t have.” Her hand started to tremble. “You saved the woman you loved–the person you can’t live without. And I-I get it. I…don’t…I don’t particularly like that it’s the muffin, but I…” she shook her head. “Just promise me something, Jason.”

“What?” Jason asked quietly.

“Don’t…don’t let him have died in vain,” Carly said, her voice soft and pleading. “You chose Elizabeth–don’t forget that. You chose her over your best friend, over my husband, so that has to mean something, okay?”

“Okay,” Jason agreed, feeling the guilt cut through him again.

Carly stood. “I’m going to get some sleep,” she said. “And then I’m going to cry in my room for about a day or so. The arrangements can wait that long, right?”

“Yeah,” Jason agreed. He watched Carly exit the penthouse before chancing a look down at the brunette sprawled out on top of him.

Take me as I am – take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice

He didn’t remember falling asleep–he didn’t remember a lot about the night before except that Elizabeth had been here and she’d stayed.

Which was more than he deserved.

“I told you so,” she murmured sleepily, stretching her legs a little, her toes just brushing the middle of his jean-clad calves.

“What?” Jason asked.

Elizabeth yawned and tipped her head up, resting her chin on his chest. “That Carly would understand,” she said softly. “I didn’t think it’d be this quick…”

“Why are you here?” Jason asked quietly. He dipped his fingers into her soft brown hair, letting the strands slide through his fingers.

“Where else would I be?” Elizabeth asked. She frowned. “If you want…I can leave–”

“No,” Jason said quickly. “It’s not that…it’s just…after everything…and you…you’re still here.”

“I’m where I belong,” she replied, her voice deadly serious. “You need me, Jason. And I need you.”

Don’t tell me it’s not worth fightin’ for
I can’t help it there’s nothin’ I want more

She touched his face. “And you’re going to push me away and shut me out, but I’m prepared for it this time–and I’m not going to let you do it.”

Jason shifted and started to sit up. Elizabeth moved away and they sat up the couch, Elizabeth still half in his lap. “Okay,” he agreed.

“Okay?” she repeated. She frowned.

“But what about everything…” Jason looked away and gave a half-shrug. “Everything.”

“What…these last few months?” Elizabeth asked. She shook her head. “You know…I could hold it against you…I could spend the rest of my life angry and pissed and bitter, but in the end, what good would it do me? I’ll be alone.” She met his eyes. “I’m tired of being alone.”

“Me, too,” Jason admitted quietly. He took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers.

Time: 5:43 p.m.
Date: February 13, 2003
Place: Corinthos Penthouse

Carly was sitting on the sofa, her knees drawn to her chest, her hair pulled back from her face and her eyes swollen. “You didn’t–”

Elizabeth shook her head as she set the sandwich in front of her. “It’s not a big deal,” she said. “I just…wanted to make sure you were eating.”

Carly nodded and looked away. “Thanks.” She watched as Elizabeth stuffed the Styrofoam box into the paper bag and stood. Carly reached for the plate with her sandwich. “How is…Jason?”

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “He’s meeting with Johnny and Max. I didn’t ask why, but I figure it has something to do with Courtney’s uncle in New York.”

Ya know it’s true
Everything I do – I do it for you

“I suppose you’re making sure he eats, too, huh?” Carly asked, staring at the sandwich plate on her lap and feeling no inclination to eat it.

“Making sure he’s okay is the only thing I can do,” Elizabeth said. “Carly…for what it’s worth…I know how much you loved Sonny and…he wanted me to tell you that he loves you. And Michael.”

Carly raised her eyes to the brunette, once again they were filled with tears. “We were supposed to start a family together,” she said shakily. “We thought things had settled down and…we….” She trailed off and looked away. “Thank you, Elizabeth. For telling me that.”

“If you need anything, I’m across the hall,” Elizabeth told her former nemesis.

Time: 11:23 a.m.
Date: February 17, 2003
Place: Jason’s Penthouse

Jason was trying to button the cuffs of his black shirt, but his fingers were shaking and they kept slipping. He’d been one to one funeral for his best friend–he wasn’t looking forward to a second one–a real one.

Elizabeth came down the steps, dressed in the same black dress she’d worn to Kristina Cassadine’s funeral. Her hair was loose and she sighed, taking in the sight of Jason.

She stepped forward and without a word, took his arm and buttoned the cuff. She reached for the other one. When she was finished, she looked up to see him staring at her.

“What?” she asked.

“I just can’t believe you’re still here,” he said quietly.

“You keep saying that,” Elizabeth replied. She opened the closet door to grab his suit jacket and her black overcoat. “If you’re not careful, I’m going to think I’m not wanted.”

“You know that’s not true,” Jason told her.

“I know,” Elizabeth replied.

“I just…you’ve been running around for the past few days…taking care of me, of Carly…of everything…and you haven’t blinked or hesitated.” Jason took her hands in his. “I’m sorry for the way the past few months have turned out. I–”

There’s no love – like your love
And no other – could give more love

“I’m not completely blameless,” Elizabeth cut in. “I left–never wanted to talk. Maybe if I had…” she sighed and looked away. “Maybe all of this never would have happened.”

“Don’t blame…don’t blame yourself, okay?” Jason told her. “This wasn’t your fault.”

“And it wasn’t yours,” Elizabeth said firmly. A moment passed. “You’re going after Frankie Gregory, aren’t you?”

Jason took a deep breath. “Elizabeth, you know–”

“I know, I’m not supposed to ask. But Jason, I ask because I care what happens to you. I always will. And just because I ask, it doesn’t mean you have to answer, okay?”

“Okay,” Jason replied. “That sounds fair.”

“Just…be careful, okay?” Elizabeth asked. “I told you–I don’t have any more soup at my studio and I don’t work at Kelly’s anymore.”

There’s nowhere – unless you’re there
All the time – all the way

Time: 1:04 p.m.
Date: February 17, 2003
Place: Funeral Home

Jason touched Carly’s shoulder as she stood in front of the casket–open this time. Carly couldn’t bear for Sonny to be closed up in the dark. She was going to have him cremated after the viewing and his ashes were going to be buried near Lily.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly.

Carly shook her head. “No. I-I’m not. I can’t believe he’s gone, Jase. I keep waiting for him to sit up–just like the last time. He looks so peaceful, like he’s sleeping.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders tightly. “I know.”

“He was my life. What am I supposed to do without him?” Carly asked softly. “We were supposed to have a family. We wanted to get on with our lives.” She sighed and wiped at her tears. “How are you?”

“Fine,” Jason replied, noncommittally.

“The muffin making sure you’re eating, sleeping?” Carly asked. Jason barely raised his eyebrows at her use of the insult. Somehow it no longer seemed like she was making fun of Elizabeth.

“Yeah,” Jason assured her. “She’s been good.”

“She told me that Sonny told her to tell me that he loved me,” Carly replied. Her lower lip trembled again and she bit down on it. “Did he really?”

“Yeah,” Jason replied. “He wanted me to do it, too, but made Elizabeth promise, too.”

“After everything he’s lived through, it’s not fair that his own sister killed him,” Carly said quietly. “Courtney better be glad she’s dead or I might have killed her myself.”

Later, when the service was about to start, Elizabeth sat next to Jason and slipped her hand into his. He wrapped his fingers around her slender ones tightly and brought it to his mouth to kiss her knuckles.

This time the viewing went off as planned–no Taggart barging in halfway through. It was quiet and reserved, nothing like the man himself.

Don’t tell me it’s not worth tryin’ for
I can’t help it there’s nothin’ I want more

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