Pardon me while I burst into flames
I’ve had enough of the world and its people’s mindless games
So pardon me while I burn and rise above the flame
Pardon me, pardon me, I’ll never be the same
Never be the same, yeah
– Pardon Me, Incubus

---

Friday, January 14, 2000

Street

The car had barely come to a full stop before Jason had twisted, shoved the door open, and launched himself out of the car, reaching back in only for a second to wrap his arms around Elizabeth’s upper torso, already halfway out, and drag her the rest of the way.

And then they were flying. Legs pumping, hearts racing, the air rushing past them, with Jason’s hand tightly in hers, as he steered them down an alleyway, behind a row of buildings, then another alley—it felt like a twisted labyrinth and if he knew where they were, he didn’t stop to tell her.

She didn’t feel the ground beneath her stockinged feet at first, but then something sliced through, and pain radiated straight up her leg. she stumbled, her hand breaking from Jason’s. Elizabeth fell to her knees, swallowing the cry that threatened to erupt.

Jason hissed, crouched down. “What is it?”

“Nothing—I’m fine—”

There was a shout, and he snapped his head up, focusing behind her.

“We need to go—” Elizabeth got to her feet, snatched his hand and they started to run again. She ignored the throbbing in her foot. Ignored the way the gravel and rocks bit into the tears in her stockings as they shredded into nothing more than irritants.

Jason took the lead again, turning down another alley, but this one butted up to Port Charles Park and she nearly wept from relief. Much of the park towards this side of town was covered in trees. They could get lost in the woods—

They started down a path, one that she vaguely recognized as twisting and turning through the west side of the park, leading out towards the business district. It would be crowded this time of night and maybe—

But then she didn’t think or speculate. Her feet were burning, the pain almost unbearable, but she pushed past it. Jason would get her to safety. He would—

This time it was Jason who stumbled, his foot caught on a tree root that had crept under the path. He went flying, his hand jerking out of her grasp, landing a few feet away, on his side.

No Name: Restaurant

Sonny fought down the swirl of nerves and fury, taking another drink from the bartender. So far everything had gone according to plan — Elizabeth had charmed the people she needed to charm though he was a little put out that she’d barely had to speak and Carlotta Vega had decided to approve of her.

Sonny had been trying for five years.

But she’d survived that gauntlet, made it through dinner, and the dancing — and Jason hadn’t murdered Sorel on the dance floor.

Now Sonny just had to wait for the limo to return.

“I like your partner’s wife,” Daniel told Sonny as he signaled for a drink of his own. “She does you both credit.”

Sonny exhaled slowly, forcing himself to sip the bourbon. “She’s a quick learner.”

“Carlotta was concerned when we found out she’s eighteen.” Daniel lifted a brow. “A bit young for marriage, wouldn’t you say?”

“Elizabeth didn’t agree.” Sonny bristled. “Do you have a point?”

“Jason did not look happy to be here tonight. I thought at first it was because we both know he’d rather gnaw off his arm than put on a suit for something like this.” Daniel tipped his head. “Did you, perhaps, leave him no choice but to bring his wife tonight?”

Sonny tossed the rest of the liquor back, ignoring the burn in his throat. “He showed up and did his part. He did everything we asked—”

“My quarrel is not with him. Or his wife.” Daniel’s mouth was grim. “She’s too young to be used like a pawn—”

“I’ll remind you that this was your idea,” Sonny shot back. “You wanted this reception. You know that Jason doesn’t like these things. You knew Elizabeth wasn’t experienced with things like this. If you’re feeling guilty for using her, Vega, look in the mirror.”

He left the irritated mobster and headed for the lobby. He wasn’t going to wait an entire hour. He’d call for a car. Let them handle their own damned problems from now on. He wasn’t going to stand around and be insulted.

Port Charles Park

Elizabeth nearly collapsed from the pain and the fear as she saw Jason lying unconscious a few feet away, but she couldn’t give in. Couldn’t give up. She started towards him, then nearly fell herself from the new waves of throbbing, burning pain in the lower half of her body.

She swallowed the cry that bubbled in her throat, terrified that someone might hear her. She limped towards him, wincing at the blood on the side of his face. He’d hit his head—oh, God—there was crashing in the trees behind them in the distance. She had to—She had to get them off the path.

Grunting, Elizabeth pushed, rolling Jason’s unconscious form until there was a dip in the earth and it rolled on its own. She winced and rushed after it, relieved when he came to a rest a few feet below—just out of sight. Harsh, gasping sobs slipped out of her mouth as she frantically found some branches and leaves in the drifts of snow, hoping it would give them just enough cover. The crashing in the trees was closer now and she could hear voices and shouts, footsteps—

Elizabeth dropped down, flattening herself over Jason, burying her face in his chest and squeezing her eyes shut.

Please. Please. Please. Keep running. Don’t stop. Don’t see us. Please please please—

The voices and footsteps ran past them, fading into the distance. But Elizabeth didn’t trust it. Didn’t believe they wouldn’t circle back.

She didn’t know how long she laid there, only that the pain in her feet had started to fade into numbness, the cold seeping into her body. She hadn’t worn a jacket, expecting to travel directly from the building to the limo and back again. The snow had started to fall again, the thick flakes all around them. The wind was picking up.

But the voices and footsteps hadn’t come back. Elizabeth raised herself up. They were alone. The woods around them were silent. She shivered, rubbing her hands to get feeling back into them.

She looked at Jason, laying so still beneath her, but still breathing. “Jason.” She rolled off him, wincing at her feet. They could come later. Head wounds first— She knelt at his side, feeling the back of his head. The bleeding had stopped, so that was good—

“Jason—” She pressed her hands to his cheeks. “Please, please, open your eyes—” She pressed her lips against his, freezing, hoping for something—for a miracle. She couldn’t do anything from here. Couldn’t carry him. Couldn’t save him—

He groaned first, but then his eyes opened, just a sliver. “Elizabeth—”

“Thank God. Thank God.” She lowered her brow to his. “You’re awake.”

He grunted, then shoved himself up, bringing her with him, looking around with confusion. “What—What happened—”

“You hit your—” The adrenaline was starting to fade, and the fear and shock were setting in, her hands shaking as she tried to form words. “You hit your head. I—”

Jason exhaled slowly, then looked around again, more alert this time, taking in the pathway nearly twenty feet away, slightly uphill. “We were being followed—”

“They went past. A while ago. I was—” She couldn’t say anything else. Couldn’t form the words. “They didn’t come back.”

Jason nodded, then took a deep breath. He dragged himself to his feet, lifting her up. She cried out as she put weight on her feet. She’d sat for too long— “Damn it,” he muttered. “We won’t get reception here on the cell,” he told her. “We have to move.”

“I know.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her limp back up to the path. “Your head,” Elizabeth said. “We need to get it looked at—”

“I’m fine. I just—” Jason twisted, looking at the path for the first time. He took out the phone in the inside pocket of his jacket. “One bar. Might be enough. We can go back the way we came, I think.” He crouched down, lifting one of her feet, trying to examine it in the inky darkness, nothing but the dim light of the cell phone to work with. “Damn it. How are you walking on this?”

“Think about it later,” Elizabeth suggested shakily, but clung to him tightly. He started to lift her into his arms, but she stopped him. “No, you can’t. You might have a concussion. I made it this far, okay? Let’s call Sonny and find somewhere to meet him.”

He wanted to argue further, but instead he whipped off his suit jacket, wrapped it around her shoulders. Her shawl had disappeared somewhere or had been left behind in the limo. He needed to get her out of the cold, out of the open.

He was able to connect to Sonny long enough to give him a meeting place, then they limped back the way they came, dipping off the path at any strange sounds. No one came back, but that didn’t make either of them feel any safer.

Not until they left the path for a well-light street and the café Jason had given Sonny. There was a car parked in front, but he kept Elizabeth behind him until Sonny emerged from the passenger side, his face creased in worry.

“Jason hit his head, “Elizabeth blurted out as Sonny approached them. “We need a doctor—”

“I’m fine,” Jason repeated, turning to her. “You need—”

“You both look like hell. Richie will be waiting at the penthouse,” Sonny clipped out. He gestured to one of the guards to open the back door. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth never made a sound as their doctor gently worked on her feet, but Jason held her hand tightly. The doctor had to cut the stockings away from her ankles, then gently peel the shreds out of the various cuts and gashes in her feet before he could even disinfect and treat them.

“If I had left my shoes on, I’d have broken my ankle before we got out of the first alley,” Elizabeth reminded him with gritted teeth. “It was the only way.”

The only way.

She was right about that, of course. Once they’d been trapped in a limo, ditching the shoes and running was the only option available.

But it shouldn’t have been.

He didn’t know how she’d done it — how she’d run so far on those feet when he knew she’d had the first cut within seconds of leaping from the limo. Her dress was torn, a strap dangling down the side of her dress. Her hair had come undone, the curls falling around her face, and her cheeks were streaked with her makeup, smudged by tears.

Somehow she’d managed to keep them both safe on the path when he’d fallen, and she’d barely had a word of complaint other than winces and hisses of pain.

She deserved so much better than this.

“You’ll want to stay off the feet for a few days,” Richie advised as he wrapped Elizabeth’s foot in gauze, then a wrap to protect the bandages. “Maybe longer. I don’t think any of the cuts need stitches, but we need to keep our eye out.” He glanced at Jason. “How’s the head?”

“Feels like hell,” Jason bit out. “But I’m fine—”

“You could have a concussion,” Elizabeth argued, shifting away now that her injuries had been seen to. “You were out for a while—”

“I know the symptoms,” he told her gently, squeezing her hand. “We’ll keep an eye on it, but I’m okay for now.” He looked at Richie. “Right?”

“Yeah, you know the drill. Not your first knock out. Won’t be the last.” The doctor got to his feet. “I’m going to leave you what you need to take care of the feet,” he told Elizabeth. “Call me if any of it gets worse.”

“Thanks,” Sonny said as the doctor passed him. “Appreciate the quick service.”

“Appreciate the paycheck.” The doctor left, and Sonny turned back to them. “You should get some rest—”

“You want to tell me what the hell happened?” Jason demanded. He’d not said anything in the car, not wanting any of the guards involved. He knew if he started talking, he might explode.

This was Sonny’s fault. Every cut, every gash, every bruise, every piece of Elizabeth damaged from tonight was his fault—

And Jason’s.

“We didn’t realize anything was wrong,” Sonny said, chagrined. “I left early and was already on my way home when you called. Sorel was still at the No Name when I left. I contacted Vega—Sorel left just after I did. He must have found out somehow—maybe there’s a rat—”

“Maybe it was fucking obvious you were setting him up,” Jason retorted. “I told you, didn’t I? But you all had your own games you wanted to play. He wanted hostages of his own. You wouldn’t have known anything was wrong until the car didn’t come back for you, and by then it would have been too late. Sorel would have had us to bargain with.”

Sonny shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers, dipping his head down. “I know—”

“What happened to Max?”

Elizabeth’s soft voice drew both of their attention and Jason’s breath caught at the reminder of the guard who was supposed to be in the car.

The man Jason hadn’t bothered to check for when they’d gotten into the limo. He’d been so eager to leave, to get Elizabeth away from the restaurant that he hadn’t bothered to verify the driver. Rookie mistake.

“They found him behind the No Name. He was shot. Not dead,” Sonny added in a rush when Elizabeth’s face paled. “He’s being seen to. I’m sorry—”

“Wait here,” Jason cut in again. He turned to Elizabeth. “You need to rest,” he told her softly, lifting her in his arms. “I’m going to take you upstairs.”

“Mmm…I want to take a hot bath.” Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck. “I promise, I won’t get my feet wet. I just—”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Once Elizabeth was settled, soaking in the bath she’d asked for, her feet carefully propped up to stay dry, Jason returned downstairs where Sonny was still standing.

“I never wanted her to get hurt,” Sonny said. “You know that, don’t you? Whatever’s wrong between us, you have to know—”

“There was always a possibility tonight would go wrong,” Jason interrupted. “You knew that, and you decided the risk was worth it. Sorel already made it clear he doesn’t care what happens to her. The only reason she didn’t die on New Year’s was a faulty wire.”

“We don’t know that he wanted her dead, Jason—”

“I’m not in the mood to be charitable. He put a live bomb in Elizabeth’s studio and then called her to make sure she knew she was going to die. And tonight, he tried to kidnap her. There’s no more games. No more rituals or traditions. You’re done using me.”

“I didn’t—” His face gray, Sonny swallowed hard. “That’s not what I wanted to do—”

“It’s all you’ve ever done. You call yourself my brother, my friend?” Jason demanded. “I’ve lied, cheated, and stolen for you. I’ve killed for you. And all I ever asked you to do was to respect me. To respect my choices.”

“I—”

“And you don’t. You used me to get back in good with Vega and everyone else because they’re still pissed you took off and left me in charge.”

“This is my fault, I know it—”

“I don’t give a damn about your martyr act,” Jason snapped. “This is your life, not mine. And I don’t want it anymore. I’m done.”

With those words echoing in the air, Jason stalked upstairs and left Sonny alone in the living room. He didn’t want to think about the man anymore tonight. Not when he had his own guilt twisting in his stomach.

For all that he blamed Sonny, Jason knew he was the real culprit. Sonny had put them in a dangerous situation, but it was Jason’s mistakes that had led to Elizabeth nearly being kidnapped and dragged through the park until her feet had been sliced into ribbons, forced to protect them when he couldn’t.

Tonight was his fault.

I burn, burn like a wicker cabinet
Chalk white and oh so frail
I see our time has gotten stale
The tick tock of the clock is painful
All sane and logical
I want to tear it off the wall
I hear words in clips and phrases
I think sick like ginger ale
But my stomach turns and I exhale
– Inside Out, Eve 6

---

Friday, January 14, 2000

No Name Restaurant: Lobby

Jason kept a hand at Elizabeth’s waist as he ushered her past the guards at the front of the restaurant and inside. The No Name was decorated much like Sonny’s penthouse, with dark wood and muted colors.

He hesitated just before they went inside the main room, and Elizabeth leaned in close to him. “It’s going to be fine,” she said, and he glanced down at her, their eyes meeting. She smiled, a bit tremulously. “I can do this.”

“It’s not you I’m worried about,” he muttered. No matter what Elizabeth thought, he knew she’d be able to hold her own. But Joseph Sorel was in this room, and he’d already tried to kill Elizabeth once. The bomb in her studio hadn’t been fake or a dud. It had been a live explosive that had only failed because of a faulty wire.

He never would have reached her in time, and there was no guarantee she wouldn’t have been killed in the explosion, no matter how much she’d tried to protect herself in the closet.

But there was no going back. He took her hand in his, squeezed, and guided her into the room where Sonny was waiting.

“There’s the happy couple,” Sonny said, with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Elizabeth, I want to introduce you to some friends.” He gestured at an older couple, both of them elegantly dressed. “This is Daniel Vega and his wife, the lovely Carlotta. This is—”

“Michael, you’ve forgotten your manners,” Carlotta interrupted smoothly. “I believe Jason should be introducing his new wife.” Sonny tensed, and Jason enjoyed a moment of satisfaction. In his eagerness to get the evening underway, Sonny had forgotten one of his stupid rules. She flicked her dark eyes to Jason. “Unless, of course, he’s forgotten our names.”

“No, of course not, Mrs. Vega.” Almost relieved, Jason shook the hand Daniel offered, and kissed Carlotta’s cheek. “Sonny likes people more than I do.”

“My left foot likes people more than you do,” Daniel Vega said dryly. “I hope your new bride is an exception.” He quirked a brow, as if daring Jason to disagree with him. After all, the syndicate didn’t really know anything about Elizabeth or their relationship. She’d come out of nowhere and was now married to one of their junior members.

“Daniel, Carlotta, this is Elizabeth, my wife,” Jason said, finishing the introductions, hating how awkward it felt, and unsure really what to do after that.

“It’s nice to meet you both. I’m relieved to be on the very short list of people Jason can stand to be around for long,” Elizabeth said, flashing him a smile. “Unless I’m asking him to let me drive his bike.”

Carlotta shivered. “You can’t possibly enjoy that death machine.”

“I absolutely love it.” Elizabeth smiled at him again, but this time was smile was a real one—reaching her eyes and radiating out to anyone who could see it. “It’s one of our favorite things to do together. I love the way the wind rushes past and it’s loud—” She broke off. “It’s hard to describe,” she admitted.

“You did a good job painting it,” Jason said, brushing her knuckles with his lips. “She’s a gifted artist,” he told Daniel and Carlotta.

“Really?” Carlotta studied him for a long moment, then looked at Elizabeth. “Come. I will introduce you to the others. Let the men do their nonsense.”

Elizabeth took a deep breath and went forward, letting Carlotta take her arm and guide her away. Jason followed them, his heart picking up pace when she slipped out of sight.

“I do believe that my wife likes yours,” Daniel said. “Let’s get you a drink.” He looked at Sonny. “Corinthos, I believe we have some business to discuss.”

——

Of all the women that she knew would be attending to night, Carlotta Vega had made Elizabeth the most nervous. She’d been married to her husband longer than any of the other wives, making her the undisputed leader of the motley group of wives, girlfriends, and mistresses that the older woman introduced her to.

At each group, Elizabeth saw the same looks—the ones she’d remembered from Kelly’s — taking in the fit of her dress, the fabric, and her lack of jewelry, dismissing her as a unimportant.

“Who designed your dress?” one of the women asked breathlessly, her large breasts practically bursting from the low-cut bodice of her cocktail dress every time she drew a breath. Around her neck was a rope of pearls studded with diamonds, flashing every time it caught the light.

“I have no idea,” Elizabeth said truthfully. “It was on sale at Wydham’s, and it fit.”

“It’s off the rack? Oh, you poor dear,” a dark-haired woman said, though the malice in her eyes belied the sincerity of her words. “Hasn’t your husband given you a credit card?”

“Yes,” Elizabeth said, and then added nothing. The other woman narrowed her eyes. Elizabeth didn’t know who she was — she hadn’t been important enough, she supposed, to merit a biography.

“I’m sure Jason will take care of it before long,” the first woman said. What was her name? Elizabeth couldn’t remember. “Carly was always so well-dressed and put together.”

“Which jeweler do you shop at?” the second woman asked. “I think that Bradford on Central Avenue is the best.”

“I don’t wear a lot of jewelry,” Elizabeth said. She flashed her left hand with its diamond wedding ring. “Just the ring Jason gave me on our wedding day. Can I see yours?” She pressed her hand to her lips. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I’ve forgotten. You’re not married, are you?”

Something akin to hatred flashed in the other woman’s eyes, and she opened her mouth.

“Well, this has been lovely,” Carlotta cut in. “But I must finish introducing Elizabeth to the others.”

“Yes, you must,” the dark-haired woman said sourly.

“I’m sorry, that was a little mean of me, wasn’t it?” Elizabeth asked as Carlotta ushered her away.

“Yes. Which is why it was perfect.” Carlotta patted her hand and escorted to a table with other, more sedately dressed women. “Elizabeth, let me introduce you to a few of my closest friends. I think you’ll fit right in.”

——

Jason craned his neck to check on Elizabeth, who was wiggling her fingers so that one of the younger women could admire her ring. That same woman touched the long rope of jewels around her neck with a smirk, as if Elizabeth wasn’t valuable enough to him to drape her in gems. Carly had been like that, he thought. He hadn’t cared what she bought with his money, but—

Then Carlotta escorted Elizabeth away from the cluster of young women to her own private table. He shook his head in disbelief. He wasn’t sure exactly what had happened, but inviting Elizabeth to sit with her was the stamp of approval none of them had expected tonight.

“She’s quite a charmer, your Elizabeth.”

Jason turned to Daniel who offered him a glass of wine. He hated wine, but he could live with it. “Yes, she is,” he said shortly, and the older man laughed, clapping him on the back.

“I know you hate every minute of this. You always looked like a fish out of water when you took those meetings.” Daniel sipped his wine. “But you do the job and you give enough respect that we can live with it. You know what I always liked about you?”

Jason didn’t care, but — “What?”

“You’re not in it for the power. I am,” Daniel added. “Which means I value partners like you. You have my promise that no harm will come to your wife. I don’t—” He glanced over at the bar where Sorel was chatting with Sammy Tagliatti. “I don’t like this new generation willing to use the families. I don’t like collateral damage. He made a fatal mistake on New Year’s,” Daniel murmured. “I wonder if he fully realizes it yet.”

Jason sipped the wine which didn’t suck. “He’ll find out,” he said.

“He thought to hurt you. To break you. He’s done the opposite. We’re not so different, you and I. A threat to my Carlotta—” Daniel’s dark eyes flashed, icing over. “I will put the grief aside until I’ve scorched the earth. ”

No, Jason supposed they weren’t. There was a reason Sonny was still struggling for the respect and power within the Five Families. Daniel Vega had been the unquestioned power for more than a decade because he didn’t allow emotions or personal vendettas to rule. He’d let Sonny take over for Frank Smith, just as he’d allowed Jason to take over when Sonny became a liability. He hadn’t been behind the threat to Brenda that caused Sonny to run — but Jason had always suspected Vega hadn’t minded it either.

“It’s time for dinner,” Sonny said, touching Jason’s elbow. “She’s doing great.”

He’d been thinking the same, but Jason didn’t need Sonny’s approval. “I know—”

“I’m just—you don’t have to worry. This was the hardest part of the night—”

“I’ve got it,” Jason snapped, striding forward to greet Elizabeth as she returned from Carlotta’s table.

“I think I like her,” Elizabeth murmured, sliding her arm into Jason’s. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t?”

“No.” Jason pulled out a chair at the head table, hating that they were about to be put on display for everyone to gawk at the rest of the night. Dinner, some dancing, and then they could leave. He could handle that. “She was always nice to me. Lily liked her.”

“Lily?” Elizabeth asked, blinking in surprise. “Sonny’s first wife?”

“He was married to her when I met him.” Jason’s lips curved into a slight, sad smile at the memory. “She taught me to dance.” And then she’d been gone, stolen in an explosion of heat and flames. Nothing had really been the same since, he thought. But he’d liked her. She’d sweet and kind to him.

“Well, then I’m grateful to her. I know from experience you’re not bad at that,” Elizabeth teased and his smile spread a bit more. She grinned, then reached for the glass of wine that had been set in front of her, a stark reminder that these people did not care for rules or regulations. Something as petty as a legal drinking age wouldn’t concern them.

Dinner went smoothly, and Elizabeth could feel some of the tension sliding from Jason as the evening continued. Then he scowled when Sorel got to his feet to give a long, rambling speech about love and promises that no one listened to. Then he clinked a spoon against his wine glass, an action joined in by others in the room.

Jason fought the urge to grimace because it wouldn’t reflect on Elizabeth, when his chief complaint was that he didn’t want to be on display like an animal at the zoo. He turned to her. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.” She leaned in, with that smirk on her lips that made him wish they were anywhere else. “I like kissing you, and the way some of those women have been staring at you tonight—I want them to go home miserable.”

He laughed, a sound that definitely caught those who could hear it off guard because no one had thought him capable of humor. He leaned in and kissed, curving his hand around her neck, threading his fingers through the tendrils of hair she’d left loose. “Is that enough?” he murmured against her mouth.

“Mmm—maybe—” But Elizabeth drew back, catching that dark-haired woman’s eye, who had questioned Elizabeth about credit cards and jewelry. She wore a sour scowl, and Elizabeth felt pretty good about it. They might have married for reasons that weren’t about forever, but Jason was happy to go home with her and no one else. That would be enough for now. He didn’t care that her dress was off the rack or that she didn’t bathe in jewels.

Dinner was cleared away, and all that was left was dancing. A group of musicians came into play some boring music that was slow and mind numbing. But it gave him an excuse to keep Elizabeth close and look around the room to see how it was being taken in.

“Almost over,” she murmured, and he looked down at her. “Hasn’t been so bad, has it?”

“Well, I like you,” he said, echoing her words earlier, and she laughed. “But I could do without the rest of it. Unless—I mean, I know you like stuff like this—”

“This?” She wrinkled her nose. “I mean, it’s not terrible. But it’s not our friends or family. Maybe if our grandmothers were here. If Emily or even Alexis—” She sighed. “I might even settle for my sister.”

She hadn’t had any of that, he remembered. Just a quick wedding ceremony that had been interrupted by Carly and a wedding dress destroyed by the police the next day. He tugged her a bit closer. “I like this part.”

“Me, too.” She laid her head against his chest, the way she had that first night. “You know, the first time we danced, I was trying to pretend you were someone else, but it didn’t work. I wish—” She tilted her head back to meet his eyes. “I wish we were somewhere else.”

Somewhere where they weren’t on display. He’d do that for her, he decided. He’d find a moment where he could dance with her that wasn’t about anyone else. He’d done that first dance for her, and now she was doing this for him, but it still wasn’t right. She deserved better. Maybe they both did.

The song drew to a close, and Jason exhaled in a rush of relief. Just one more dance. He’d hand her off to Daniel Vega who wasn’t someone to worry about, and he’d get through dancing with Carlotta, and then he could get Elizabeth away from this place.

Daniel and his wife were approaching with wide smiles. “I hope you’ll allow us to cut in,” he said. “I don’t move as well I as did once,” he told Elizabeth, “but I can hold my own.” He whirled her away, which Jason hated. But it was necessary.

He reluctantly started to dance with Carlotta, feeling stiff and uncomfortable. He hated dancing. “I find myself feeling quite protective of that young woman,” Carlotta told him, and he frowned, focused on her. “When Daniel told me of tonight, I was upset.”

Jason tilted his head. “Why?”

“He knows I dislike these events,” Carlotta muttered. “Why do you think we never hold them? I’ll do what’s necessary to keep the peace, but I won’t be used. Some of these women—they don’t mind. I do.” She focused on him. “And I respect the men who use women even less.”

Jason’s throat tightened. He was using Elizabeth, but—

“But then I met her and I’ve seen you. And the obvious affection—” Carlotta glanced at her husband and Elizabeth as they circled past. “She’s not like the others. I realized that the moment I saw her. She’ll be an asset to you in the best way.” She squeezed his upper arm. “I hope you see the value you have in her.”

“I do,” Jason promised. “And I’m not the one using her tonight.”

“No. I can see that.” She started to say something else, but then Jason saw Sorel out of the corner of his eye, striding across the dance floor. He cut in between Daniel and Elizabeth.

Jason tensed, but Carlotta tightened her hands on him. “That’s what he wants,” she breathed. “Don’t let him win. He can do nothing in this room, Jason. And she can handle herself.”

“She shouldn’t have to,” he bit out. “This isn’t her fight—”

“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong, my dear.” Startled at that, Jason swung his eyes back to the older woman, her eyes fierce. “It became her fight the moment she made her vows. Don’t diminish her by suggesting less.”

Somehow, Jason managed to complete the dance without pummeling Sorel into the ground for going near Elizabeth. Sonny’s face was tense as he approach the dance floor once the song had ended, and other couples had come out to dance.

Carlotta kept Jason at his side, forcing Sorel to bring Elizabeth to him. “Joseph,” Carlotta said with a lift of her chin. “You’ve broken traditions. You know how that disappoints me.”

“I apologize, Mrs. Vega.” Sorel smiled at Elizabeth who managed a polite curve of her lips though her eyes were blank. “I couldn’t resist the chance to give my congratulations to the lovely Mrs. Morgan.”

“I’m sorry to hear you are so very impulsive.” Carlotta sniffed, wound her arm through Elizabeth’s, dislodging her from Sorel’s grasp. “You are such a lovely bride,” she told Elizabeth who beamed. “And I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet you. I will invite you to tea.”

“That would be great.”

“But now, it’s time for the newlyweds to enjoy their privacy.” Carlotta handed Elizabeth off to Jason, who gratefully tucked her against her side, creating more distance between her and Sorel. “Joseph, you will take me to peruse the dessert table.”

Sorel scowled, but did as Carlotta directed. And just like that, the woman had dissolved the tension and averted crisis.

“I like her,” Elizabeth told Jason. “I wanna be just like her.”

Jason kissed her fingertips. “You already are,” he told her, and her smile broadened. He turned to Sonny. “We’re leaving.”

“I already have the car pulled up. It went well—”

“We’re leaving,” Jason repeated. He put a hand at Elizabeth’s waist and headed for the entry way, leaving the private room and winding through the dining room until they reached the lobby. Just a few more feet. He didn’t stop to say goodbye to anyone — didn’t care about it.

Sorel had had his hands on Elizabeth, and Jason wanted her as far as way as possible — as quickly as they could make it happen.

Outside, the limo was at the curb as Sonny had said. Jason didn’t even bother to wait for Max to get out of the front seat to open the door for them. He opened it himself, ushered her inside the backseat, and followed.

“It’s over,” Elizabeth said, leaning her head back against the seat. The car started to move, picking up speed as it left the quiet street where the No Name was located.

Jason wouldn’t feel that same rush of relief until he got the word from Sonny that Sorel was gone, but he wouldn’t begrudge her. “You’re better at this than I am,” he admitted with a bit of surprise.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, and met his. “I’ve had a lot more practice pretending,” she murmured. She reached for his hand. “You hate that part of it, I know. But I think I’m going to be good at it.”

“Carlotta Vega invited you for tea,” Jason told her. “There are guys in there whose wives have been around for years that haven’t gotten that invite.” He shook his head, a bit in shock. Even Lily had to work longer for Carlotta Vega’s approval.

“That’s probably the first time I’ve charmed someone on sight,” Elizabeth said dryly. She sat up. “Usually, I’m an acquired taste.”

“Well, most people are idiots—” Jason stopped, his heart beginning to pound as he saw the privacy screen lowered. Not all the way down, but cracked.

Max would never do that. And it had been firmly up when they’d gotten in the car. In He’d checked.

Jason took Elizabeth’s hand and drew her close, pulling her in for a lingering kiss, angling himself so that his back was to the window. He broke the kiss but stayed close enough for their lips to brush. “Can you do something for me?” he asked, carefully to keep his voice nearly inaudible.

“What’s wrong?” she breathed, following his lead to pitch her voice low. “I can tell—”

“The window. Press the button and roll it down,” he murmured, then slowly kissed her again. “The driver is listening,” he breathed against her mouth. He could feel the pulse in her neck pick up. “I need to know where we are.”

He felt her hands slide up and down his back, slowly stroking, and then one moved away. He heard the light whirring of the window. “What do you see? Can you—”

“Buildings.” She swallowed hard and her startled eyes flew to him. “They shouldn’t be there.” She kissed him again, drawing her legs up, knowing her dress would slide higher on her thigh. If someone was listening, they might be watching, too, Jason realized, even though he hated that she was trying to use her body to distract them.

She was right. They should be on the highway back into downtown Port Charles, but there was a long stretch of woods between the No Name and the ramp back into town. There shouldn’t be buildings for another ten minutes. Which meant whoever was driving wasn’t taking them home.

He cupped her face, sliding his thumb over her lips. “We need to run,” he murmured. Then he kissed her again. “We’re in a different part of the city—”

“Traffic light or stop sign,” she breathed. She draped her legs over his lap. “Heels. Take them off.”

Christ. She was right. She was wearing shoes she couldn’t possible run in, but then she’d be stockinged feet—if she tripped and fell in the shoes, she might hurt an ankle. He reached for the straps and let the shoes drop to the floor of the car.

“I’m going to make this okay,” he told her with one more hard kiss. “You’re going to be okay.”

She kissed him back, feeling the car slowing down. “We’re going to be okay,” Elizabeth said.

Then the car stopped. Jason shoved the car door open, flew out, Elizabeth’s hand in his, and ran.

If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I’ll ever ask of you
You’ve got to promise not to stop when I say when
– Everlong, Foo Fighters

---

Friday, January 14, 2000

Kelly’s: Diner

Bobbie had kept quiet for days, arguing with herself about things that were not her business. It wasn’t her place to blow up lives with truths that no one asked for, was it? But if she didn’t say anything now, would she really be able to hold on for months? Years? Forever?

If there was one thing Bobbie had learned living in Port Charles, it was that the truth always came out. All that mattered was where you stood when the pieces fell. Where did Bobbie want to be?

With that in mind, as soon as Carly walked into the diner late that morning, Bobbie pulled her into the kitchen, into a back pantry and closed the door.

“Oh, I guess we’re talking to me now,” her daughter grumbled as Bobbie pulled her. “What’s your problem now?”

“My problem,” Bobbie said, her teeth clenched and her voice pitched low, “is that Monica asked if I was happy about another grandchild.”

Carly stared at her for a beat, then offered a careless shrug. “I hadn’t had a chance to tell you, and I didn’t know if you’d even care. You were pretty mad at me—”

“I still am.” Bobbie planted her fisted hands on her hips. “You might be pregnant but we both know that AJ Quartermaine isn’t the father.”

Carly lifted her chin. “Says you—”

“Says anyone with a brain. I don’t know what the hell game AJ’s playing now, but I don’t care. I want to know what you’re doing—”

“I don’t see the problem—”

“A few weeks ago, you’d have jumped to tell Jason about this baby. Jason can’t be with Michael, but a baby that’s his?” And it sickened Bobbie that she was doing this. If Carly did blow up everyone with the truth, Elizabeth would be one of those casualties. It would crush her — just as it had crushed poor Robin.

But Bobbie couldn’t stay quiet. “Why haven’t you told him?”

“Because I don’t want to.” Carly folded her arms. “And it would mess things up for Michael. AJ is a lot of things, but he’s a half-decent father, and my children are better off as Quartermaines. Jason doesn’t want me. He made that clear. So I’m going to leave him and his pasty angel alone. You should be happy—”

“I would be if I thought for one second you weren’t up to something—”

“You’ll never trust me, will you?”

“Do you blame me?” Bobbie scoffed. “You nearly had me taken in for aiding and abetting a fugitive. You don’t care about me, Carly. Not really. Not when I might be in the way of something you want.”

“What a terrible thing to say—”

“What’s going to happen when Jason finds out about this baby? Do you think for one second he’s not going to demand a paternity test and visitation?”

“Jason is going to leave this alone,” Carly said flatly. “Because we’re all better off. He’s going his way, and I’m going mine. I tried to get him to love me. To take me away from this, but he said no—”

“He would have if you’d told him about the baby—”

“I deserve more than that,” Carly hissed. “I deserve someone who loves me. AJ doesn’t, but at least he’s got something to show for it. Jason didn’t want me, so he gets nothing. And if you want Michael to have any happiness, you’ll keep your mouth shut.”

Carly yanked open the door and stormed out, Bobbie staring after her, troubled.  Jason would find out Carly was pregnant at some point, but would he think to ask for the test? Or would he also, maybe, tell himself it was better off this way?

She just didn’t know.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth tossed aside her sketchbook and padded over to the desk, her socks silent against the hardwood. She picked up the ringing phone. “Hello?”

“Elizabeth. Thank God you’re home.”

“Hey, Em.” Elizabeth took the cordless with her and returned to the sofa. “Are you okay?” She heard boots on the steps and looked up to find Jason turning the corner around the landing.

“Mom didn’t call me right away, I think she wanted to think the whole thing was a terrible joke or a nightmare. I don’t know. But now that bitch is in my family forever and there’s no way to make it stop—”

“Em—” Elizabeth frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Is she okay?” Jason asked. He sat next to her, his brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

“Carly,” Emily spat. “She’s pregnant. There’s no way we’re getting rid of her now.”

“What?” Elizabeth repeated, dumbfounded. “Are you sure? Are they sure?”

“AJ seems to be, but he’s a moron,” Emily huffed. “I don’t know, but it seems to be. I’m going to have to see her at every holiday for the rest of my life, aren’t I? Can I come to your place instead?”

Elizabeth just shook her head, met Jason’s eyes. “Emily, I have to call you back—”

“But you agree. This is terrible news, right? This is apocalyptic—”

“It’s not good news, that’s for sure. I’ll call you later.” Elizabeth tossed the cordless aside. “Jason, Carly’s pregnant.”

His eyes widened and he drew back. “What?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly. “Pregnant?”

“Pregnant.” Elizabeth exhaled slowly. “The Quartermaines apparently know, and I guess they’re accepting AJ as the baby’s father, but—”

“It’s not mine,” Jason said in a rush. “I told you—”

“No, I know.” She reached for his hand, smiled to reassure him. “You told me you haven’t been together in years, and I believe you. And I’m sure there’s a chance AJ is the father, but—”

“There’s also a chance Sonny is,” Jason murmured. He looked away, troubled. “Carly could be faking it.”

“She could be. It’s a risky trick to pull,” Elizabeth pointed out. “With a family that basically runs the hospital. AJ could insist on a blood test run by Alan or Monica, and she’d have no choice.” She wrinkled her nose. “And AJ certainly knows she can hide test results if he’s not on top of it. That’s what happened with Michael.”

“Yeah.” Jason rubbed the side of his face. “If AJ finds out about Sonny, he’ll file for divorce. He made her sign a prenup — infidelity means she surrenders full custody of Michael, and any other divorce cause was automatic joint custody.”

“Ah.” Elizabeth nodded. “I wondered—” She paused when he looked at her. “She married him to stop him from going for full custody in the first place, but I wondered why they were still married. Since…” Since it was clear that Jason and Carly were involved emotionally—why hadn’t it tipped over physically?

“She made her choice. I told her that months ago,” Jason said, uncomfortably. “I mean, maybe I thought—” He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Things are what they are, and I’m glad.” He brought her hand to his mouth, kissed it when she smiled weakly at him. “I mean it. I’m glad to be done with her.”

“I know.” Though he’d never have looked at her if Carly hadn’t slept with Sonny, Elizabeth knew. Better not to dwell on that. “Are you worried about Michael?”

“Yeah. Carly’s…she’s not a good person,” Jason said, “but I don’t—”

“You don’t think she should lose her son,” Elizabeth finished, and he nodded. “No, I guess not. But she knew what she was signing, Jason.”

“I know—” Jason got to his feet and paced over to the mantel. “It’s not that I want to protect her—”

“You do,” Elizabeth said. He turned, stared at her wordlessly. “You care about her, even after everything she’s done. And you still love Michael. You don’t want them to lose each other.”

“No,” Jason admitted. He rubbed the back of his neck. “But what if it’s not Sonny’s baby? What if it’s AJ’s? Why would I screw everything up for Michael on a maybe?”

That made sense, but Elizabeth couldn’t help but wonder how much of Jason’s reluctance to say anything was about Michael or about Carly. Jason had told her he hadn’t really been in love with Carly, but maybe that was wishful thinking. Maybe he didn’t want to be in love with her. You couldn’t always help the way you felt.

“It’s none of my business,” Elizabeth said, when Jason remained silent. “I’m not going to say anything, if you’re worried. I don’t owe Sonny any loyalty, and I can understand staying quiet until you know more. Maybe we’re wrong, and Carly does know.” Maybe the timing was wrong. Women knew those kinds of things, didn’t they?

“Maybe,” Jason murmured. He exhaled slowly. “I can’t say anything right now anyway. With the reception tonight, I want Sonny focused on that. I don’t want anything to go wrong.” He grimaced. “I’m going over to the No Name to check the security.”

Elizabeth glanced at the clock on the mantel behind him and winced. “And I should start getting ready.”

“Now?” Jason reached for her hand, stopping her from getting too far. She turned back to him, a brow raised. “You have three hours—”

“I have to wash and dry my hair. Some of us can’t just slap on some gel and go,” she teased. He rolled his eyes and drew her against him, kissing her long and deep, savoring. No matter what was in the past, she had him right now and that was enough for her.

Quartermaine Mansion: Foyer

Carly strolled down the stairs, her fingers sliding down the banister. In the foyer, by the entrance, she saw Monica and Ned at the doors of the parlor. At her approach, they looked at her, and she saw the identical irritated expressions cross their face.

It was nothing new — just the same reaction she’d been dealing with since they’d told everyone the news. No one wanted Carly to be pregnant with a second Quartermaine. A second baby would only tie her more firmly to the family—

Carly was going enjoy every single second of forcing Sonny Corinthos’s child on these bastards. Walking around like she was some kind of trailer trash not fit to be part of their family.

“Hello,” Carly purred. “What a nice surprise to see you home in the middle of the day.” She stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Monica, I’ve been thinking. I’ve been married to AJ almost a year, and now with another baby coming—” She fluttered her lashes, delighting in Monica’s scowl. “Maybe I should start calling you Mother. Or Mom. Because we’re all one happy family.”

Ned smirked. “I’d pay money—”

“Shut up,” Monica told him, slapping his arm. She focused on Carly. “The day you call me Mother is the day I go out and buy a shovel to bury you. You’re not fooling anyone, you know. Your days are numbered.”

“We’ll see about that.”

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Jason tugged at the tie around his neck, grimacing. He hated getting dressed up. He hated suits. He might be able to put up with it if he was at least interested in where he was going. He’d worn a tuxedo the day of the wedding and had barely noticed how uncomfortable it was.

He’d rather toss on a pair of jeans, a jacket, and be on the cliff roads with Elizabeth, feeling the wind rush past—

Instead, they were getting ready for a party neither one of them asked for and couldn’t avoid. He didn’t want Elizabeth anywhere near his job, but now she’d be walking straight into the viper’s nest.

There was a light knock on the door, then Sonny came in, dressed in a suit of his own. “Uh, hey. I thought we could go over the game plan one more time—”

“I know what we’re doing,” Jason snapped, but he closed his mouth when he heard the click of heels on the steps above them. He didn’t want Elizabeth worried that the tension between him and Sonny tonight had anything to do with Emily’s phone call earlier that day. He knew she had her doubts about his past with Carly, and he wasn’t going to do anything that would make it worse.

He’d keep his damn mouth shut until he knew more. He wanted to get out of this reception unscathed, which meant keeping everyone focused. Sonny played games with Jason’s life all the damn time—why couldn’t Jason do it for a few days?

“Sorry, I’m late.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose as she came down the steps, wearing a soft purple dress that looked like it floated around her, held up by thin straps.  Her curls were piled loosely on her head, with tendrils escaping down the side. She draped a darker purple shawl around her shoulders and smiled at them both, her lips painted a dark red. “I hope I didn’t hold anyone up.”

“No, no.” Sonny smiled at her. “You look beautiful, doesn’t she?” He elbowed Jason who glared at him. He could compliment his own wife, and Elizabeth always looked beautiful—

“Yeah.” Jason cleared his throat when Elizabeth looked at him, her brows drawn together with worry. “You look great.”

“So do you.” Elizabeth’s smile had dimmed slightly but she stepped forward and adjusted his tie, loosening it slightly. “You hate ties. You look better without them.”

He sighed, kissed the tips of her fingers, hating that she’d picked up the tension anyway and absorbed it. “They’re pretty formal at these things.”

“Still.” She adjusted the lapels of his suit jacket, then turned to Sonny. “So what’s the plan?” she asked him. “I’m sure you want to go over it one more time.”

Sonny shot Jason a told you so glance, and Jason suddenly had the urge to growl. “I’m glad you asked.” He cleared his throat. “We’ll go over together in the limo. Max will drive. It’s a show of unity,” he added when Jason opened his mouth to protest. “I know you’d rather drive yourself, but you’ll be offered drinks tonight, and it’ll be rude not to accept them.”

“Is it always this exhausting?” Elizabeth wanted to know. She folded her arms. “How do you guys have time to commit crimes when you’re worried about rules and expectations?” she added on a mutter, and Jason smirked. She was back on his side. Not that there were sides, but it was still reassuring that if there were, she was on his.

Sonny made a face. “There’s a protocol. We’ll arrive together,” he began. “There will be cocktails. You’ll have to schmooze with the wives,” he told Elizabeth. “Did Jason—”

“You sent over those pictures and bios,” Elizabeth said quickly before Jason could snap. “Jason had more important things to do than quiz me, so I asked Alexis. I’m ready. I’ll make nice with the women while their husbands give Jason alcohol. Got it.”

Sonny narrowed his eyes, as if unsure she was taking him seriously. “After cocktails,” he said slowly, “we’ll do dinner. There will be toasts. Sorel might be one of them. You can’t punch him,” he reminded Jason, and Elizabeth scowled. When she opened her mouth, Jason tightened his arm around her waist and she said nothing.

“Then a few dances. You’ll dance with each other. Then Elizabeth will dance with Daniel Vega. You’ll dance with Carlotta. That’s—”

“‘I know,” Jason interrupted, “who Carlotta Vega is. This isn’t my first day on the job, Sonny.”

“I’m just making sure Elizabeth knows,” Sonny said, his mouth pinched. “That’s Daniel Vega’s wife,” he told her. “And—”

“And she’s notoriously hard to impress. She probably won’t like me but as long as I follow the protocol, it won’t be a problem.” Elizabeth lifted her brows. “I told you. I read the material.”

“Good—”

Jason bristled—Sonny sounded like he was complimenting a dog, but Elizabeth just squeezed his hand.

“After that,” Sonny continued, “you’ll be able to leave. I’ll stay another hour or so. The limo will come back for me.”

“If Sorel comes near her, he’s going to leave in a body bag,” Jason said. “Does he know that?”

Sonny wrinkled his nose. “Yes, but remember—that’s the object of the entire night.” He offered Elizabeth an apologetic glance before looking back at Jason. “So whatever crime you think he’s committing, do your best to let it go. We’ll make him pay later.”

There would never be enough payment for the fear Sorel had inflicted on Elizabeth on New Year’s, but Jason nodded. “Fine. Let’s get this over.”

Limo

The drive to the No Name Restaurant was thick with tension and irritation, mostly because Sonny had insisted on going over the night a second time. And then a third. Elizabeth could understand that he was nervous, that he knew a lot was riding on this night, and if anything went wrong, Jason might never forgive him.

But she also knew that Jason didn’t see it that way, and that every time Sonny reviewed the rules and procedures, it felt like he was telling Jason how to do his job—the same job that Sonny had forced on him two years earlier when he’d jilted Brenda.

And there was nothing she could really do to the bridge the gap. If she pointed out Sonny’s nerves to Jason, he’d take it as a sign that even Sonny didn’t believe in the plan, or worse—he might see it as taking Sonny’s side.

She’d never do that to him, so she stayed quiet.

The limo rolled to a slow stop, and then the door opened. Sonny slid out, but Elizabeth stopped Jason from following. “Can we have a minute?” she asked him. She looked at Sonny. “Just one.”

“I’ll meet you inside.” Sonny closed the door, and Jason frowned at Elizabeth.

“What’s wrong? I can tell him to turn around—we can stop this—”

“No, we can’t.” She laid her hands on his cheeks and leaned in to kiss him. “But once we get out of the car, we have to turn into people that neither of us want to be.”

He exhaled slowly, tucking a tendril of her hair behind her ear. “I hate this.”

“I know. But it’s too late to turn back. I can do this, Jason. You don’t have to worry about me. I know how to make small talk and not say anything. I’ve done it my whole life. You know how to do this. You ran this business, remember? I’m the wild card—”

“You’re not—”

“I am,” she insisted. “I can hold my own, but it’s what you’re worried about. I’m asking you trust me. I can do this.”

“It’s not about trust,” he murmured, kissing her again, lingering. “You’re fearless, and that scares the hell out of me.”

“I can live with that,” she breathed. “Let’s get this over with.”

In a way, I know my heart is waking up
As all the walls come tumbling down
Closer than I’ve ever felt before
And I know, and you know
There’s no need for words right now
– Breathe, Faith Hill

---

Wednesday, January 12, 2000

Quartermaine Mansion: Family Room

Carly’s palms were sweating as she followed AJ into the family room that morning. This was too soon, she told herself. What if Jason heard and had questions? What if he told Sonny and demanded a paternity test? What was AJ thinking? If they could just wait a few more weeks to give them all time and space—

“It’ll be fine,” AJ told her before turning to his family scattered between the breakfast table and the sofa where Lila was sipping her tea and Edward was reading a newspaper. “Good morning—”

“Hardly,” Edward muttered. “Did you see the stock market? I’ll be making some calls—”

“Don’t call Moynihan again,” Ned complained from the table. “We need him for actually important things—”

“Don’t tell me—”

Lila ignored her husband and grandson and offered AJ a warm smile. Though it cooled just a touch when she met Carly’s eyes, it was still less hostile than the rest of the family. “Good morning, darling. How lucky we are to have you both join us.”

“Lucky isn’t the word I’d use,” Alan muttered and Monica elbowed him.

Carly folded her arms, looked at AJ. “I told you,” she muttered, but he didn’t indicate that he’d heard her.

Instead, he raised his voice, “Carly and I have something to tell everyone.”

The conversations dimmed and now they were all looking at AJ and Carly. Oh, man, he was doing this to torture her, wasn’t he? This was terrible. This was stupid. Why had she agreed to this—

“Do you?” Monica asked. She twisted in the chair and arched a brow. “Go on.”

“Michael is going to be a big brother soon,” AJ declared, sliding an arm around Carly’s waist. He pinched her and she forced a smile. “Carly’s pregnant.”

“Oh, how lovely,” Lila said with a smile that actually looked genuine. Monica pursed her lips and Alan picked up his coffee. “Another baby—”

“Not that we got to enjoy the last one as an infant,” Edward muttered.

“When are you due?” Ned asked, rising to his feet. “I didn’t realize you were thinking of expanding the family.”

“It was a bit of a surprise,” AJ said. He turned to Carly. “When did you say you were due?”

Ned was only asking to check conception dates, and Carly bristled at it. What, was he going to count back forty weeks and see if AJ was in town?

“September 10,” Carly said. “Give or take a week or two. You know how inaccurate they can be. Michael wasn’t due until January—”

“No, that’s certainly true.” Monica rose. “Well, congratulations.” She kissed her son on the cheek, ignored Carly. “You’ll have to excuse your father and I. We have a meeting at the hospital.”

Alan’s brows drew together slightly, the only indication that he hadn’t heard of this meeting before now. Still, he set aside his coffee. “Of course.” He shook AJ’s hand and kissed Carly’s cheek. “Michael will be an excellent big brother.”

Carly managed a weak smile. Either they didn’t think AJ was the father of this child or they were all horrified that Carly would have a second claim on the Quartermaine fortune and name. Indignation flooded her veins. She was good enough for their son to marry but not have another child with? It didn’t matter that the baby wasn’t a Quartermaine by blood—neither was that stupid bitch, Emily, but this baby would be born in wedlock.

She was glad now that she was foisting Sonny’s kid on them. They deserved it. Bunch of stuck-up snobs.

PCPD: Squad Room

Taggert tossed aside a robbery file, then dug through the stack of open cases on his desk—pausing when he saw the Moreno file.

His blood boiled all over again, knowing this case was not only going to remain open but go cold. He glanced across the squad room where Capelli’s empty desk sat. The asshole had only ended up with a ten-day suspension, which in Taggert’s opinion, wasn’t nearly enough. He’d tanked Taggert’s case and engaged in vicious witness intimidation. Capelli should be off the force.

He opened the report, removed the statement Carly had given. He read it for what had to be the hundredth time, looking for something—anything—that might give him a fresh lead.

Carly couldn’t say when Jason had been shot, only that she’d seen him November 30 at Kelly’s with Elizabeth Webber, and then two weeks later, she’d seen him at Elizabeth’s art studio. He’d been sleeping on the sofa, clearly injured. Carly had tried to encourage him to go to the hospital, but he’d refused.

Taggert saw a scribble in the margins — there’d been a false fire alarm at the studio around the same time. Maybe Carly pulled it?

There was something about her statement that felt off to him, and he wondered how Morgan had recovered from a gunshot wound in that cold, damp studio. He’d had help, of course. Corinthos had any number of doctors on his payroll.

He could always check in with Bobbie Spencer. Elizabeth was close to her—and it would make sense if Carly had left her out of the statement.

How far would he get? Bobbie wasn’t a green kid. She’d likely refuse to answer questions and that would be the end of it. He’d never be able to prove it.

Taggert tossed the file back into the stack. No, he’d need a real break in the case, and that was as likely as a blizzard in July.

Wednesday, January 12, 2000

Hardy Home: Dining Room

Dinner with Elizabeth’s grandmother began as awkwardly as Jason expected, but he was determined to get through it without showing his unease. Audrey Hardy didn’t like him, but she clearly loved her granddaughter.

Elizabeth had spent most of the evening searching for topics they could talk about safely, but they really didn’t have much to work with. Jason didn’t have a lot of interests, and Audrey had bitten her tongue more than once to avoid talking about what he did for a living.

“You know, my grandmother used to be a flight attendant,” Elizabeth said to Jason about halfway through the meal of pot roast and potatoes. “Jason has a whole shelf of travel books,” she told Audrey.

“Really?” Audrey cleared her throat. “Do you enjoy traveling?”

“I haven’t really—” Jason saw Elizabeth’s hopeful expression because she was clearly grasping at anything she could find. “I haven’t traveled much,” he continued. “Since the accident, I mean. But I want to.”

“Oh, well—” Audrey’s eyes softened a bit. “I do recall you traveled often during the summers. You did a lot of internships and programs that took you everywhere. Maybe…well, maybe there’s a piece of you that does remember that.”

He hadn’t known that, but— “Maybe,” he allowed. “I remembered some of the medical things I studied. That make sense.” He didn’t like talking about his accident. “So you weren’t always a nurse.”

“Well, I had completed my studies,” Audrey said, “but rather than going to work in the field, I decided I wanted to see more of the world. Lucille thought I was wasting my life. My older sister,” she clarified when Jason frowned. “But I thought the world was much bigger than Port Charles and I was determined to see it.”

Jason nodded. He could understand that. Sometimes he wondered about the world outside, and wanted to see the places in the books he’d read. “What made you change your mind?”

Audrey smiled at Elizabeth, before looking at Jason again. “Well, I came home to visit Lucille, and I went to General Hospital. The emergency room had just opened the year before,” she said, “and they were looking for nurses. Lucille was trying to get me to apply—to make something of myself—and I was refusing. But then—”

“You saw Gramps,” Elizabeth finished, putting her chin on her fist, her eyes shining. She’d clearly heard this story before. “Right?”

“It seems silly to me now that I changed everything just because I’d met someone, but I just felt something click.” Audrey’s fingers rested on her fingers. “Of course, Steve and I didn’t quite manage to get it right, and I ended up leaving. I worked in Vietnam during the war,” she told Jason. “But the few years I lived here working as a nurse, it became clear to me that was what I was meant to do. But I’m so glad I took the chance and saw the world first. Oh, flying was so different then! Pilots and stewardesses were treated like traveling VIPs, and I was so lucky to be given an international route. I was able to see London and Paris, and for a time, I worked on the Barcelona tour, and I flew to Cairo—”

“You’ve been to Egypt?” Jason interrupted. “Did you see the pyramids?” He’d read about them, but the pictures didn’t look right, and he’d wondered about them ever since.

“Oh, of course! Giza is just outside of Cairo, and I couldn’t pass up the chance. Have you?”

“No, but I—” Jason paused. “No, but I read about Egypt a lot. A lot of the books are about Africa,” he added. “The Egyptian ones are my favorite. I like the history.” It had appealed to him, all the long-lasting dynasties, maybe because he hadn’t any history of his own. “And—” His throat tightened. “Michael liked hearing about the animals.”

“I always wanted to go back,” Audrey said. “To see the animals. To do a safari. Steve and I—” Her voice faltered. “We talked about traveling when we retired, but—”

Jason remembered now that Steve Hardy had died in his office at GH—that he had never retired. And he knew Audrey still worked. They’d never had that chance. “I’m sorry. Dr. Hardy was a good doctor.”

“The best.” Audrey took another deep breath. “Well, Elizabeth has also talked often about traveling. There are so many museums she wants to see.”

Elizabeth cleared her throat when they both looked at her. “Um, yeah, I guess. I took an art history class last semester and I knew some of it, but the Renaissance really—I want to see Italy,” she added. “And definitely France. There’s some really amazing architecture and beautiful buildings. But I don’t really have the time for traveling right now with school and work.”

Audrey tilted her head. “You’re still at Kelly’s? I would have thought—”

Elizabeth made a face. “Gram.”

Whatever Audrey had intended to say, she dropped it. Instead she smiled, “Summer will be here before you know it,” she told her granddaughter. “I can understand not taking a honeymoon right now with classes starting in a week, but—”

“Gram—” Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed, and she shoved her hair behind her ears. “We haven’t talked about that—”

“But we could,” Jason said, and Audrey smiled at him. A genuine one with warmth and softness. They’d taken a turn there during the dinner, even though he wasn’t really sure where. He was just glad it had happened, and that Elizabeth was smiling even as her cheeks were still stained with the flush of embarrassment. She met his eyes as she sipped her water and smiled at him. Maybe she would go with him this summer. He could take her to Italy, couldn’t he? And she could see the pyramids with him in Egypt. Why not?

Corinthos Penthouse: Living Room

“Do you have anything better to do than sic contracts on people?” Sonny wanted to know Alexis set yet another pile of paper in his face. “What’s this one?”

“Your partnership agreement.” She sat down. “Jason wanted to update it, remember? A survivor contract—”

“Right. Right.” Sonny skimmed it. “Do I have one of these?”

“You didn’t need one,” Alexis said. “Your estate leaves everything to Jason, including the business. This—” She tapped the paper. “Protects Elizabeth from you stealing Jason’s side of the business if he’s not there to advocate for himself. Not that you would, but it’s just safer to have it in writing.”

“Yeah, I guess that makes sense.” Sonny initialed the first page. “I’ve been thinking of updating the will. You know, because Jason was complaining about all the paperwork — I was thinking maybe of leaving something to Elizabeth.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I mean, Jason doesn’t need any of it. And I just have my dad. I’d leave him something, I guess.” Sonny wrinkled his nose. He hoped Mike would stay away from the gambling tables long enough to enjoy an inheritance. “But you know, Jason doesn’t need the money—”

“Mmmm—” Alexis rested her chin on her fist. “And how do you think Jason would feel about you leaving your estate to his wife?”

“I don’t think he’d care—”

“This is about that reception next week. The one at the restaurant.”

Sonny shoved the contract back at her. “Look, it was just a thought—”

“Did you do something to piss Jason off?” Alexis straightened the edges of the contracts, then slid them into an envelope. “He doesn’t seem happy with you.”

Sonny sighed. “Do you want me to answer that or do you want plausible deniability?”

Alexis just stared at him, and he sighed. “There’s a way to do things—”

“I’m a Cassadine,” she interrupted. “And I’ve seen the Godfather.” She tipped her head. “Is that why you started going by Sonny?”

“No.” Sonny wiggled his shoulders. “It’s just a coincidence,” he muttered.

“Uh huh, well, as long as you don’t plan to have the same fate as your namesake—”

“Are you just gonna crack jokes, or—”

“No. Sorry. Go ahead.”

“I’m not planning any crimes,” Sonny said after a long moment. “I don’t have specific knowledge of any that are going to be committed either,” he added. “But I’m not going to be mad if they are.” He paused. “You’ve read about Joseph Sorel in the papers.”

“Ah. So this reception is designed to assist you with the problem.”

“I have no idea what’s going to happen at this reception once I leave,” Sonny said, flatly.

“Right.” Alexis squinted. “Why do you need an elaborate reception so you can deal with this guy when the lake is right there?”

“You really don’t want the answer to that—”

“I think the reason you’re doing this is why Jason’s pissed at you, so I do. If I’m supposed to represent both of you—”

“Fine. There were two ways I could have dealt with Sorel.” He went over to the window. “One was quick and painless for everyone. And the other…” He raised his head and caught his reflection in the mirror. He looked away. “The other way served my long-term goals.”

“Ah. And your long-term goals were important enough that you decided to drag Elizabeth into all of this.” She rose. “I begin to understand Jason’s position.”

“Alexis—”

“It’s common courtesy to inform you that you may need to engage another attorney to continue representing you,” Alexis said finally. “At least when it comes to your partnership agreements.”

Sonny frowned. “What? Why?”

“Because if I am asked to draw up a contract to make Jason a silent partner or sell his share of company, it wouldn’t be ethical to represent a potential buyer. And Jason is the one who retained me.”

Sell— “Jason is thinking of selling out of the business.” Sonny rubbed his chest. “I—I didn’t—”

“I don’t know if he is or isn’t. Just that we need to prepare for that. Unless he agrees to waive any possible conflict of interest. Something you should keep in mind, when you’re considering any other long-term goals.”

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

Elizabeth switched off the bathroom light and crawled into bed next to Jason who had one of his travel books in his hands. She curled on her side, watching him read for a while before she realized the cover was the Piazza del Marco from Venice.

“You’re reading about Italy?”

Jason laid the book on his chest. “Yeah. I bought it when I replaced the others.” The only personal possessions of Jason’s that had been destroyed in the police search. He often reread his favorites, she knew, and Egypt was sitting on his nightstand. His usual go-to night reading. “I thought I’d brush up on it after dinner tonight. It was nice, talking to your grandmother about the places she’d been.”

“Yeah. Sometimes I forget what a full life she’s lived. I’ve always known her as the upright and steady nurse who took on her husband’s grandchildren and loved them like her own. She’s not my biological grandmother,” she added. “And she didn’t even raise my dad, but I’ve never once felt that way.”

“You’d never know it,” Jason said. He paused. “Monica’s not my biological mother, either,” he said. “But I know she raised me like I was.”

“That must have been strange after the accident,” Elizabeth said, “learning about all the secrets and craziness from when you were a kid.”

“Not really,” Jason said. “Monica used it to try to explain that even if I didn’t remember her, that it wouldn’t change anything. Blood didn’t make a family.” He stared at the ceiling for a moment. “It’s always been easier with her. Not as easy as Emily or my grandmother, but more than anyone else.”

“I’m sorry if Gram brought back any sore spots with the accident—”

He shook his head. “It’s fine. It’s—” He frowned. “It’s interesting, I guess, what stayed the same. I used to think of myself as a different person but the more time that passes, I can hear about him now. Or myself. I still know some medical things, and the traveling—I didn’t know I’d been a lot of places.”

“You spent a summer with my parents,” Elizabeth told him, and he blinked at her. “Doctors Without Borders. Before they joined it permanently a few years ago, they did a stint that summer, and you applied to the program, I think, your freshman year. You were in Sarajevo.”

“I didn’t—” He exhaled slowly. “Sarajevo, my freshman year. That would have been when things were getting bad.”

“Yeah. It’s one of the reasons Mom and Dad kept going back, and why they just…made it their life’s mission. They’re terrible parents, but amazing doctors. The world’s lucky to have them.” Elizabeth reached for the book laying on his chest. “You always read about all these places. Why haven’t you gone?”

“Never seemed like a good time,” Jason told her. “First I didn’t have the money, and then I was working for Sonny. I went to Paris to see Robin,” he added. “But Sonny left, and there was Michael—” He shook his head. “You never told me about your art history class before. We could go, you know—”

“Oh, don’t let my grandmother think—”

“You don’t have to work at Kelly’s,” Jason said, and she frowned at him. “I mean, you can. I know you like it. But you should have more time for your art. I just…if you wanted to.”

Elizabeth sat up, thumbed through the pages of the book, sliding her fingers over the pictures. “Tammy said the same thing,” she murmured. “She said I’d always have a place there, but when classes start next week, I won’t have much time. Last semester, I felt like I always working and going to class. Maybe that’s why my art wasn’t as good. I was so tired.” She looked at him. “I’ve heard the light in Italy isn’t like anywhere else in the world. That’s it’s amazing for artists and why so many important works are from there.”

“We could find out. After your semester is over,” he added. “But—”

“We could,” Elizabeth said. She handed him back the book. “One condition. We go to Egypt first.”

He grinned, tossed the book aside and reached for her. “Anything you want,” he murmured against her mouth.

“I’ve got everything I want right here.”

Said I don’t know if I’ve ever been good enough
I’m a little bit rusty, and I think my head is cavin’ in
And I don’t know if I’ve ever been really loved
By a hand that’s touched me
And I feel like something’s gonna give
– Push, Matchbox 20

---

Monday, January 11, 2000

Corinthos & Morgan Warehouse: Jason’s Office

Jason thumbed through a stack of invoices. At the sound of heels outside the office, he looked up, wondering if it might be Elizabeth—before remembering she was still working and she never wore heels anyway.

But she was never far from his mind, and he’d rather be at home with her than sitting at this desk, wrestling with paperwork.

It was Alexis who stepped inside, her briefcase in hand. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“No. Far from it.” He gratefully shoved the invoices to one side. “What’s up?”

“Nothing urgent, but just some paperwork to finish off the legalities.” Alexis set the briefcase on his desk, flipped open the top. “The insurance company sent the forms to add a beneficiary, so you can fill those out—”

“More forms,” he said, with a sigh, but accepted them. It was important that if anything happened to him, Elizabeth wouldn’t have to worry about anything. “What else?”

“Here are the forms for the partnership you have with Sonny—a survivor’s agreement,” she clarified. “Stating that Sonny becomes active partner, but your interest goes to Elizabeth—” She handed him that. “It was in the prenuptial agreement, but we still need some specific contracts—”

“Can’t you just tell me where to sign—”

“Hey. You’re the one that ran with my stupid idea,” Alexis reminded. “I was just making conversation. You also told me to do everything I would normally do if you or Sonny got married.” She held up the contracts. “This would be what gets done. You’re just not some pauper who lives in a boxcar anymore. You and Sonny entered into a partnership last year that’s worth millions of dollars.”

Jason made a face. “Yeah, but—”

Alexis sat down. “Look, I know you hate all of this. I know Elizabeth hates all of this, but it’s my job to protect you both. Things happen, Jason. And God forbid, something terrible happens and Elizabeth ends up having to do all of this herself. Because that prenuptial agreement protects you in the event of divorce. Your will leaves your estate and property to Elizabeth. Without the right forms in place, all of that gets tied up in probate—”

“All right, all right.” Jason picked up a pen. “I’m sorry.”

“And Elizabeth’s had her own paperwork to fill out. Do you know how many forms there are to change your name? Social security, DMV, bank forms—”

Jason’s head snapped back up. “What? She—she signed them?”

“Yes. Last week. And by the way, I don’t know if Elizabeth passed this on or not, but you are not to get divorced before the end of the year. The PCPD needs evidence to break the spousal privilege, and that’s—”

Jason scribbled his name at the bottom of the insurance form and went to the next page. “She told me.”

“Oh. Good. Don’t take legal advice from Sonny.”

“Not planning on it.” He moved on to the next set of contracts, then hesitated. “This…survivor agreement—it makes Sonny the acting partner.”

“Yes. And Elizabeth would be a silent partner, in the event that you were incapacitated or not, uh, alive,” she said, a bit awkwardly. “It also gives Sonny the option of buying your half of the company for full-market price. It protects her interest. I’m sure Sonny would take care of her, but it’s always best if—”

“Could—” Jason met her curious gaze. “Could you draw up another one of these? Not for Elizabeth. For me.”

Alexis studied him for a long moment. “Are you thinking about stepping back from the warehouse?”

“I’m thinking about giving myself options,” Jason said after another moment. “When it looked like I might have to leave Port Charles, I thought about where I could go. Places I’ve only read about.”

“A lot of places around the world Elizabeth could paint.”

He’d thought of that, too, and maybe it was a crazy idea, but…what if it wasn’t? “Could you do that? The contract?”

“Do you want the same one? With Sonny able to buy you out?”

“Yeah. I do. Thanks.”

Quartermaine Mansion: AJ & Carly’s Suite

Carly leaned over the toilet, her stomach pitching and rolling, and she heaved, coughing and nearly choking. She’d already puked her guts out, and now it was just dry heaves, her wretched body putting her through the exhaustion of vomiting without the mess.

She finally leaned back against the cool tiled wall, her sweaty hair sticking to her forehead, hanging limply around her shoulders. It had been hell hiding her nausea from everyone, especially from AJ, but it would be nearly a month before she could safely tell AJ she was pregnant.

He’d never believe it now. Before last week, they hadn’t been together in months, and he was already feeling terrible about her mother’s visit earlier that day. He’d gone into the office, and Carly had headed straight for the stairs.

She didn’t want to disappoint Bobbie—she’d tried so hard to be a good daughter, but Bobbie would never, ever forget who she’d been once. There would always be that small kernel of distrust and hatred inside.

Elizabeth Webber, Carly thought bitterly. That’s what had made Bobbie so angry. Not just that Carly might have had to snitch on Bobbie, but that Elizabeth had actively been in trouble. Why did everyone want to protect that stupid little girl?

Lost in her own misery, she didn’t hear the bathroom door open — but she did hear the soft click of shoes on the tiles. She twisted her head to the side and watched in a sort of detached horror as AJ knelt down beside her, his head tipped to the side.

“Food poisoning,” she managed. “Something I ate—”

“Must have been hell,” AJ murmured, “finding out you were pregnant after Jason married someone else.”

She drew her brows together, confused by this opening. “What?”

“Before that,” he continued, conversationally, as if he hadn’t just caught her, basically red-handed in her infidelity, “you probably could have guilted him into finding you a way out of the prenup.”

She cleared her throat. “I—”

“You could still tell him,” AJ said, “but I bet he wouldn’t help you the same way now. He’d just give you child support and ask for visitation. And you’d lose Michael and all of my money, too. Not exactly what you’d want, huh?”

She couldn’t fight back. Couldn’t argue. And what would she even say? He was right. Even if the truth was out, Sonny would just take the baby from her. And she’d lose everything.

“I can explain—”

“Michael is not going to lose his family,” AJ said. He looped a nearly boneless arm over his shoulder and lifted Carly into his arms, taking care not to jostle her. “He loves you and you’re an okay mother.”

She wanted to slap at him, tell him to stop saying words, she was an amazing mother—

“And I think you and I have an understanding now,” AJ continued. He set her down on the bed, tugging off her shoes. “Jason’s not an option for you. And if you told him now, you’d just make him unhappy.” His face tightened. “He’d never be rid of you.”

She closed her eyes, the tears slipping down her cheeks. If this had been Jason’s baby, AJ would be right. Jason would be miserable and trapped with her. He hated her now, and he’d never stay with her for the baby. That bitch had ruined everything. Why hadn’t she gone away? Why couldn’t Carly get rid of her the way she’d chased away Robin?

“And he owes me for what he stole from me. What he put me through,” AJ continued. “This is my child, Carly. We’ll raise it together, and Michael will get to keep his family together. He’ll be a good brother, and I’ll be a good father. Do you understand?”

“Y-Yes,” she managed. “Yes. I understand.”

Corinthos Penthouse: Living Room

“Hey.” Jason folded his arms as Max pulled the door closed behind him. “You wanted to see me?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Um—” Sonny scratched the back of his neck. “I wanted to let you know that I finalized some of the details for the reception.”

“Okay.”

Sonny winced at the short, clipped reply but forged ahead. “It’s, uh, this Friday at the No Name. We’ll take the limo,” he continued. “There’s gonna be some dinner and dancing. Vega wants to say some nice things, and then there’s the favors part—”

“Favors?” Jason echoed. “Why—”

“They feel as though I didn’t deliver on my part—” Sonny closed his eyes. “When I married Lily. I was supposed to make up for it later, but—”

But he’d walked away, leaving Brenda at the altar. He couldn’t say it. Couldn’t think of it. The tragedy, the pain of her death still felt too raw. “But this is why Sorel is on board. Why he’s buying it, because I owe this. I’ll grant a couple of requests. Elizabeth will spend some time with Vega’s wife. Tagliatti is between wives—”

“And then we leave,” Jason said. “I don’t want to be there more than two hours—”

“Yeah, yeah. You and Elizabeth will take the limo home, and it’ll come back for me. I’ll head out after another hour or so, and when Sorel goes, there’ll be the shooting. But that’s the deal. The three of us are out of range.”

“And you think Sorel doesn’t see this coming?” Jason demanded. “So close to the rest of it—”

“He’ll be suspicious,” Sonny admitted, “but he knows I’ve got tension with the others because of these last two years. It’s me getting in good with the rest of them. And he wasn’t invited at first. They let it slip in conversation to him, and he forced his way in.”

Jason didn’t like that, though he understood why it made sense. “Fine.”

“The only time you won’t be by her side is during the favors when she’s with the women and during some of the dancing. Vega’s calling for the dance, and she’ll be safe with him,” Sonny added when Jason scowled. “He’s old school. You know that. He helped broker your deal with Moreno.”

Jason exhaled slowly. “I remember. He was angry that Mac had been hurt and that Michael and Robin were in the line of fire.”

“If there were another way—”

“There’s always another way,” Jason bit out. “This is helping you, not me. Not Elizabeth. You said it yourself. You made these guys angry as hell when you dipped out of town and left everything to me. You need to get back in with them. If this was really about getting rid of Sorel, I’d just go stake him out and bullet in his head. You assholes want the circus.”

“Jason—”

“I told you. We’ll do this, but don’t expect me to be happy about it. You didn’t give me a choice.”

Jason didn’t slam the door as he left, but Sonny flinched all the same. Putting Elizabeth in even the slightest of danger had been the final crack to their friendship, and Jason was right. Sonny had seized this opportunity, telling himself it was the only way. He’d agreed too quickly, seeing the benefits to them all.

But if he’d taken even a minute, he’d have known Jason wouldn’t agree. Not under these circumstances. Not after he’d torn his hands apart to get to Elizabeth on New Year’s, and she’d still been shaking when he’d brought her to the Towers.

Sonny had, once again, thought more of himself than anyone else, and just like always—he’d be the one left alone in the end.

And he would deserve it.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

“I smell like grease,” Elizabeth grumbled when Jason leaned in to kiss her that evening. She flattened her hands against his chest to hold him back slightly. “Some kid threw a plate of fries at me just before my shift ended—”

“I like fries,” he reminded her, and kissed her anyway. “Work was okay, then?”

“As good as it ever gets.” Elizabeth unzipped her jacket and tossed it over the desk chair. She kicked off her shoes and wandered over to the sofa. Behind her, Jason used his foot to push her shoes closer to the desk, then hung up her coat. “Tips are good.” She flashed him a grin. “I think they’re worried if they stiff me, I’ll complain to you.”

“Happy to be useful.” He sat down and lifted one of her feet in his lap, rubbing a thumb against the arch. Her eyes fluttered closed and she sighed happily. He hated to mess this moment up, but— “The reception is set for this Friday,” he told her.

She opened her eyes and sat up, bracing herself on her elbows. “Oh. Okay.”

“We can go over the rest of it later,” he told her. “But in case you need to get off work—”

“Yeah, I can. Um, if we’re talking about dinner plans then—” Elizabeth bit her lip. “Gram came by the diner. She wants to have us for dinner this week. Should I tell her maybe another week would be better?”

He was nervous about this reception, but the thought of sharing a meal with Elizabeth’s grandmother who thought dirt on her shoe was better than him was more intimidating, he realized. But—

“No, we can do it this week. Um, pick the night,” he told her. “Whenever.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “You’re doing something for my—” He squinted. “My side,” he said finally. “I should do it for you, too, right? And I…like your grandmother.”

“You do?”

“She’s trying, isn’t she?” Jason pointed out. “Maybe it’ll be a disaster,” he continued and she sighed. “But maybe it won’t be. We’ll see what happens.”

“All right.” Elizabeth reached for a magazine on the coffee table, and started to flip through it. “What did you do today?”

“Paperwork, actually.” Jason sat next to her. “Alexis came by to finish the last of it. From the wedding,” he added, and she glanced over.

“I thought we did all of that already.”

“I had some insurance and forms related to the warehouse,” he said, determined to remain vague. He didn’t really want to talk to her about the insurance policies or that. He was more interested in what he’d learned from Alexis. “She said you’d turned in the forms for a name change.”

Elizabeth raised the magazine to cover her face. “Yeah. We, um, talked about that. Before the wedding—”

“And then we talked about it again,” he said gently, putting two fingers on the edge of the magazine to lower it. “I didn’t know you’d decided.”

“Well—this was after you told me about Sonny. About not needing a full year. I—” Elizabeth shrugged one shoulder, looked down at her chipped nail polish. “I guess I asked if I should go through with it to see where your head was at. And if you told me not to bother, then—”

He’d told her that it didn’t matter to him. “When you asked me that,” Jason began carefully, “I meant what I said. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“No, I know. It’s silly. It’s a name, it doesn’t—”

“It’s not silly,” Jason corrected, and she looked at him now. “But it’s your decision. It would be your decision even if we were making it under other circumstances. I just—names don’t matter to me.”

“Well, if that were true, you would have kept being Jason Quartermaine, so they matter a little.”

He grimaced, looked away. “Yeah, okay. I guess you have a point.”

“I—” Elizabeth tucked her hair behind her ear. “But I get what you mean, and I appreciate it. It’s just—I signed those forms because I realized why you’d told me what Sonny said. You know, that you wanted me to have a choice. So I made it. The choice, I mean.” Her cheeks flushed.

Jason leaned in, kissed her softly. She traced the line of his jaw. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too.”

He kissed her again, pulling her into his lap. “Did you want to get something for dinner?” he murmured.

“After.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “Definitely after.”

So I walk up on high
And I step to the edge
To see my world below
And I laugh at myself
While the tears roll down
‘Cause it’s the world I know
Oh it’s the world I know
– World I Know, Collective Soul

---

Monday, January 10, 2000

Harborview Towers: Hallway

“I’ll pick you up at Kelly’s after your shift,” Jason promised Elizabeth as he walked her to the elevator the next morning. “We can’t take out the bike because of the ice,” he reminded her, “so I’ll be in the SUV.”

“Maybe we should have taken a ride yesterday,” she said with a wrinkle of her nose, but Jason shrugged and kissed her.

“I like what we did instead,” he said, drawing back grinning when her cheeks flushed and she ducked her head, biting her lip. He slid a finger under her chin to kiss her one more time. “I’ll see you later,” he murmured.

“See you later.”

When she was on her way down to the parking garage to meet Francis, Jason looked over at Sonny’s door, took a deep breath, and then went over to find Max standing outside as always.

“Hey, Jase.” Max rapped lightly on the door.

“Max.”

Sonny pulled open the door. “Jason.”

“We need to talk about this reception,” he said, walking past Sonny. Sonny closed the door behind him, and Jason faced his friend and boss. “When?”

“Uh, Vega and Tagliatti were going to get back to me,” Sonny said, a bit taken aback. “They wanted to wait for things to settle a few days. To let Sorel think the deal is in effect and that this is just part of the normal order. We should get the date in another day or so,” he clarified.

Jason nodded, shoved his hands in his pockets. “We’re doing it. Not because we want to or because I think it’s the best way to handle this—”

“Jason—”

“Because I don’t. I think it’s one way, and maybe it’s the easiest for all of you,” he added, and was gratified when he saw Sonny grimace. “I’m doing it because you didn’t give me a choice. You already told them yes,” Jason interrupted. “And if I refuse now, it’ll tell everyone we have a problem between us.”

Sonny stared at him for a long moment. “And we do, don’t we?”

“Yeah, I think that’s clear.” And he shouldn’t have to explain this to Sonny. If Elizabeth had understood it after only a few months, why the hell didn’t Sonny? “But it’s personal and it’s no one else’s business.”

“I know you’re mad that I went to Elizabeth—”

“It didn’t work. And it’s not going to. Elizabeth isn’t Carly,” Jason retorted, and Sonny scowled at that. “You can’t turn her against me—”

“That’s not what I did—”

“You said it yourself, Sonny. Carly saw me dancing with Elizabeth and asked you about it. You knew you could play her. You knew you could make her angry at me, and you did it because you thought you knew better than me.”

“I was right,” Sonny insisted, his face reddening. “You know I was right, and you’re better off now, aren’t you?”

“It was my mistake to make, and if you hadn’t pulled that bullshit with Elizabeth yesterday, maybe I could let it go.” And he nearly had, Jason realized. Because Carly was out of his life and he was happier for it. But Sonny hadn’t been content just to leave it at that. “But you tried it again. You thought you could get Elizabeth on your side—”

“She’s not the reason you’re standing in front of me, agreeing to do it?” Sonny pointed out, and Jason pressed his lips together. Because Sonny had a point, but it hadn’t happened that way.

“You tried to talk her into taking your side when you knew how I felt. What if I’d done that to you with Brenda? Or Lily?”

“It’s not—”

“What, it’s not the same?” Jason shot back. “It is. But it won’t work with Elizabeth, and you know that now.”

“Jason—”

“I’ll do this reception because I don’t have a choice, but you and I are going to have to talk about what happens after that. Things are going to change, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

Kelly’s: Dining Room

“Hey, DJ, we’ve got another three omelets on order,” Elizabeth said, arranging some dishes on the tray and delivering them to the table.

As she returned to the counter, the bell over the door jingled and Bobbie stepped in. Elizabeth tensed, realizing she hadn’t seen or spoken to the redhead in more than a week—not since she’d moved into Jason’s penthouse and the wedding.

“Well, good morning.” Bobbie smiled brightly, taking one of the stools. She flipped over her coffee mug, and Elizabeth poured. The nurse caught Elizabeth’s hand, the diamond flashing. “I heard about this.”

“Yeah, it’s, um—” Elizabeth wiggled her fingers, still unused to the way it felt on her hand. “It’s new.”

“I’ll say.” Bobbie tipped her head. “Quite a lot has happened in the last six weeks, wouldn’t you say?”

That was a fair statement, so Elizabeth just smiled thinly, then left to grab orders when DJ hit the bell. When she once again returned, Bobbie was sipping her coffee.

“Is that all you’re going to say?” Elizabeth asked hesitantly.

“Well, I suppose I have my worries,” Bobbie admitted. “Lord knows, I’ve jumped into marriage impulsively. I suppose—” She bit her lip. “I suppose I’m concerned. I know you and Jason care for each other. He made that very clear to me,” she added with a flush to her cheeks. “At the same time, I saw the papers. I know what the PCPD is investigating.”

Elizabeth paused. Clearly Bobbie didn’t know that Carly had made a statement. While Emily’s suspicions had hurt because her best friend really didn’t know anything else was going on in the background. Bobbie did—and if she didn’t know about Carly, did that mean Carly hadn’t said anything about her mother?

What if that meant that Carly still had that up her sleeve? Carly’s story was dead in the water with herself as a witness, but if she went back and told them about Bobbie, wouldn’t it bring more people in? Bobbie and Carly weren’t the only people who had seen Jason at her studio. Elizabeth’s grandmother had. Nikolas had. And maybe they’d think more closely about how Jason had looked—

“Elizabeth?” Bobbie prompted. “Is everything all right?”

“Actually, um, there were some—well—there are a few reasons Jason and I decided to get married so quickly. And one of them was Carly.” Elizabeth met Bobbie’s guarded expression. “Carly threatened to tell the PCPD about the studio. And that you and I knew.”

Bobbie swallowed hard. “She—”

“We needed to damage her credibility,” Elizabeth added, keeping her voice soft. Almost inaudible. Bobbie leaned in. “So we did. And then Carly went to the PCPD. I don’t think she said anything about you—”

“But that doesn’t mean she won’t.” Bobbie nodded, closing her eyes. “I see. All right. I’ll have to—I’ll have to handle that. Ah—” She focused on Elizabeth. “Are you all right? Otherwise, I mean. Were you—”

“I’m good,” Elizabeth promised her. “Do you remember right after it happened, and I told you I was scared that I’d never be able to be with anyone?”

“I do.”

“I was wrong.” She smiled then, happy to see some light coming back into Bobbie’s expression. “Very wrong. You were right. When I was ready, and when the right man came along, it was beautiful. Thank you for that, Bobbie. For all that you did for me after the rape.”

“I’m so glad, sweetheart.” Bobbie squeezed her hand. “I just knew it would turn out well for you. I’m very happy for you.” She paused. “For both of you,” she added.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Jason hadn’t lived in the penthouse all that long, but he thought it seemed awfully empty and lifeless when Elizabeth wasn’t there. He didn’t really have anything else to do that day, and with the snow, he couldn’t even take out the bike.

When the guard at the front desk told him that his sister was waiting, Jason was relieved. Even if Emily had come over to yell at him.

“I was actually hoping to catch Elizabeth,” Emily said, as she removed her jacket and scanned the penthouse, frowning when she caught sight of the framed wedding photo on his desk. She picked it up. “Oh, man, it’s real,” she murmured.

Remembering how sad Elizabeth had felt after she’d seen Emily the day before, Jason tensed.  “We told you—”

“I know. But—” Emily showed him the photo. “You’re in the church. You’re wearing a suit, she’s got a dress on. You look happy.”

“Yes.” Jason frowned. “That’s because we got married.”

“No, I thought—” Emily shook her head, studying the photo. “I don’t know what I thought,” she admitted. “Maybe that it was a City Hall thing or something in the living room. It all seemed so rushed—”

Jason arched a brow. “Because you weren’t invited?”

“I don’t know. Yeah, maybe. I’m her best friend, and your sister.” Emily set down the photo. “If it was all real and on the level, why didn’t you call me? No one said a thing to me,” she complained. “I saw Elizabeth on New Year’s, and I know you guys weren’t that serious then. Then three days later you get married—”

“What do you mean, not that serious?” Jason demanded. “What are you talking about?”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Elizabeth told me that Nikolas was wrong at the Christmas party. I don’t know everything, but I know things weren’t like that. And she was nervous on New Year’s Eve about taking things to another level. She was only going to stay with you because of the lock on her door.” Emily shrugged. “I’m not stupid. You were with Robin forever and never got married, and you were in love with her. Something happened to make you marry Elizabeth like this.”

Jason folded his arms. “Things were different with Robin,” he said finally. “And I’m not that person anymore.” He’d worked hard to be better. “And what makes you think you have any right to demand Elizabeth and I tell you why we got married?”

Emily stared at him. “What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what Elizabeth and I have been telling you for days. Weeks,” he clarified, and her cheeks flushed. “You’re not entitled to information about our sex life—”

“Oh my God, this isn’t about sex—”

“Yeah, it is. You just said so. Elizabeth was nervous about it on New Year’s Eve. And you’re telling me like it proves anything. How do you know she even talked to me about it yet?” Jason challenged. “What if she didn’t? She confided in you, Emily.”

“I—” Her cheeks paled. “She said she was going to talk to you—”

“How do you know she did? Did she say so?”

“No, but—”

“No. And you’re here demanding to know why we’re married. Did I demand you tell me everything about Juan?”

“No—” Emily scowled. “But you didn’t like him—”

“No one did,” Jason muttered. “You think something’s wrong because you had a conversation with Elizabeth over a week ago—”

“You’re telling me you fell in love with her that fast?” Emily demanded. “Because—”

“It’s none of your business,” Jason cut in, irritated now. “Elizabeth is your best friend, not me. And until she decides to make it your business, you’re only making it worse by demanding information. Why shouldn’t I tell her you’re going behind her back and telling me what you talked about?”

“That’s—” Emily swallowed hard. “That’s not what I meant to do. Elizabeth just—she just gets so defensive about you, and I just wanted to know why you got married so fast. Why can’t I ask?”

“You can ask, but no one owes you information, Emily.”

“I’m trying to protect her and look out for—” Emily huffed. “You’re making it sound like I’m a bad person. I know you rushed into this wedding, and I think it was because of something she did for you. Because if you weren’t sleeping together last month, then there was another reason you were staying with her. And fine, keep that from me. Whatever. But if it’s the reason you got married and it means she’s going to get hurt—”

Jason remembered the way Elizabeth had looked that night at Vista Point, when she’d painfully recounted some of the things people had said to her during her first shift back after the Christmas party. The way she’d been treated. That she’d thought she wasn’t someone he’d care about.

It didn’t matter that Emily had a point. That she was absolutely correct, and maybe they should tell her something. It mattered that Emily had said something exactly like this to Elizabeth, and it had brought all that back, and made her doubt everything he’d been working so hard to make her believe about herself.

“You’re so sure that I wouldn’t have married her,” Jason said, and Emily stumbled to a stop. She drew her brows together, confused. “You don’t think it’s the other way around. You think I wouldn’t have married Elizabeth.”

“Well, yeah. You wouldn’t have—”

“Is that what you said to her? That you know I wouldn’t have married her unless something was going on. That the only reason we’re married is because of my job or something else. Not her. Or the way I feel about her.”

Jason could see the truth sinking in now and Emily’s cheeks paled. “Oh. Oh, no. That’s not what I meant. Not at all. You’d be lucky if Elizabeth picked you to marry. You’re out of her league—” Tears glimmered in her eyes. “She’s too good for you, okay? After all the things you did to Robin because of Carly—”

“Then maybe you tell her that,” Jason cut in, not in the mood to hear another diatribe about his shortcomings. Elizabeth didn’t hold any of that against him, so he didn’t care. “And stop demanding to know things that aren’t your business.”

Kelly’s: Diner

Elizabeth tossed up another table of orders and grabbed the bowls of chili DJ had set down. As she delivered them to another table, she heard the bell over the door jingle and braced herself. Her grandmother had just walked through the door.

Just because Audrey had been kind about the wedding a few days earlier, that didn’t mean Elizabeth could really trust it. Gram had a way of smiling and accepting who Elizabeth wanted to be, only to turn around and lay down conditions the next time they spoke.

“Hello, darling. I was hoping I could catch you after the lunch rush.” Audrey glanced around the diner which was starting to thin out a bit.

“There’s a shift change on the docks in about an hour, but I’ve got a minute.” Elizabeth went around the corner and waited for her grandmother to settle herself on one of the stools. “Tea?”

“Yes, thank you.” Audrey spooned some sugar in the tea as it steeped. “I was hoping you might ask Jason to join us for dinner one night this week.”

Elizabeth blinked. “Dinner?”

“Yes. If I’m to get to know him better, we’ll need to spend a bit of time together.” Audrey carefully blew on the hot beverage, then sipped. “Or do you think he’ll be uncomfortable? We can do something else. What would you suggest?”

“I don’t know.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “I wasn’t really expecting—”

“I meant what I said, dear. Lila has been so gracious and warm about you joining her family. She knows you thanks to your friendship with Emily. I’d like the same opportunity. You’ve told me that Jason’s not who I think he is. I’d enjoy finding out for myself, I think.”

This felt like an episode of the X-Files, Elizabeth thought. Or one of the old Twilight Zone stories her grandfather had liked to watch. Her grandmother wanted to invite Jason for dinner. What would that even look like?

“We don’t have to—”

“No, I mean, I don’t know. I’ll ask Jason.” Jason would probably agree, Elizabeth thought. He felt so bad that she was being dragged into this reception thing—he’d probably see it as fair. They’d be even. Still — “I’ll call you and let you know.”

“Wonderful.” Audrey beamed.

Not long after her grandmother had finished her tea and left, Elizabeth had another visitor — one that gave her nearly as much anxiety. In fact, she nearly tossed her apron and disappeared into the back when Emily came in.

“Hey.” Emily smiled nervously. She bit her lip and sat at the counter. “I, uh, went over to see Jason this morning. We had a really good talk.”

Elizabeth stared at her, uncertain. Had Jason told Emily why they’d married? He wouldn’t—would he—

“And he made me see that the way I’ve been acting since you told me, it was, uh, sending all the wrong messages. Like, I obviously don’t get to demand information from you. And you’re both right. I’m not entitled to know anything about your sex life.” Emily’s cheeks flushed. “I’m not asking about that, either. It’s just—it, um, really threw me. You were gonna stay with Jason because of the lock on your door and you said you were really nervous about how things were gonna go.”

And then three days later, Elizabeth had married Jason. “I guess I can understand how that would be strange,” she said slowly, “but—”

“And I didn’t say things right, you know? It’s not that I don’t like the idea of you together. I like it even better after talking to Jason, by the way. Before, I was happy you weren’t Carly, but I couldn’t really see it. Like, it didn’t make sense.” Emily began to shred a napkin into long slivers. “But I also know my brother’s been a moron. He really hurt Robin, you know. You’re really too good for him.”

“Em—”

“Not that way either. Crap, I’m messing this up.” Emily met her eyes. “I never thought you getting married was weird because I didn’t think he’d marry you. Or that he’d be interested in you. I promise you, it was never that. It was just—I was scared you got in the middle of something with his job and I don’t want you hurt. So I pushed because I wanted to make sure you were okay. I just messed it up.”

Elizabeth’s chest felt looser now and she exhaled in a rush of breath. “That’s why you were saying it was weird.”

“Yeah. But then I went to Jason’s—to your place, too, now, I guess. And I saw your wedding photo. And he’s wearing a ring.” Emily reached for her hand. “So are you. It’s real. And he looks—well, I think he’s happy. He’s hard to read.” She released Elizabeth’s hand. “Are you happy?”

“I’m—” Was she? Things were so up in the air, unsure and fragile. But — “Yes. You were right. That last time we talked before you went to New York. I talked to Jason about how I was scared, and he was kind.”

“And this isn’t me asking for details,” Emily said. “I just—I want you to be okay. And happy, but okay is different, you know?”

“I’m okay,” Elizabeth promised her. “Better than.”

“Good. Good. I never in a million years would have put you guys together,” Emily told her, “but then again, maybe I would have. I remember when I was gonna run away with Juan last September, and you got Jason to help us. And he didn’t even yell at me or anything. He listens to you. I could see it then. And I’m glad. I hope you guys are really happy together.” Her face brightened. “And hey, we’re sisters now.”

“Yeah.” Elizabeth smiled. “Yeah, I guess we are.” And it felt so good to be back on the same page with Emily. She might have lost Nikolas, but Emily really had been her best friend. It had been hard to be at odds with her.

Maybe things were looking up.

Quartermaine Mansion: Parlor

It was the first time Carly had seen her mother in at least a week, and she had a strange feeling this wasn’t a social call.

Bobbie was standing by the window, her shoulders tight, her arms folded. She turned when Carly came in and just stared at her.

“Mama—”

“How could you?” Bobbie asked softly. “How could you do that?”

Carly’s list of crimes was long enough that she didn’t know exactly what her mother was referring to. “What—”

“It would have cost me everything,” Bobbie said, and Carly winced. “And don’t tell me you wouldn’t have thrown me under the bus if you’d needed to. We both know you still can and will.”

“Hey.” They both turned to find AJ. “Reginald said you were here.” His easy smile faded as he took in the tense atmosphere. “Michael’s upstairs if you want to see him.”

“That’s not why I’m here,” Bobbie said. “I’m here because my daughter decided to talk to the PCPD.”

AJ blanched and came fully into the room, closing it behind him. “Bobbie—”

“And clearly you knew about it,” Bobbie said. “You knew she was planning to turn me in?”

“But I didn’t!” Carly said. “I know I told Jason I would, but I didn’t mean it—”

“I made her do it,” AJ said quickly, and Carly shot him a grateful look—something Bobbie did not miss. “I made her do it because I wanted her to prove she’d broken with Jason. But she always wanted to keep you out of it—”

“Me, but not Elizabeth,” Bobbie said, and AJ looked away. “Not your sister’s best friend. You didn’t mind if Elizabeth was dragged into the investigation. Arrested. Maybe even put on trial.”

“Everyone keeps telling me she’s a grown adult,” Carly spat. “She made her choices—”

“I also knew Jason would protect her,” AJ cut in, and Carly glared at him. “Because it was the right thing to do, and he cares about her. You know that, Carly—”

“And what would have happened if you’d been wrong?” Bobbie demanded. “Do you really think that it would have stopped at Elizabeth? Were you so sure I wouldn’t be part of it—”

“Mama—”

“You did it to be spiteful and vindictive because Jason had moved on. And you—” Bobbie leveled a furious glare at her son-in-law. “You did it to get revenge on your brother. Don’t try me with this ‘Elizabeth would be protected’ bullshit. You took a calculated risk because that’s who you are. This is who you both are.”

“Mama, please—” Carly’s voice broke.

“You deserve each other,” Bobbie spat. “I hope you have a miserable life.”

You’re the reason I believe in love
And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
– From This Moment On, Shania Twain

---

Saturday, January 8, 2000

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Jason pushed open the door and found Elizabeth curled up in the chair at the desk, the phone at her ear.

“No, I’m glad—I’m looking forward to it—” She glanced over her shoulder to smile at Jason, and he took a deep breath, because all her smiles hit different now, and he wasn’t entirely sure he knew what to do with this incredibly confident and eager version of Elizabeth, but he thought it would be worth finding out.

“What?” Elizabeth said, looking away from Jason, her cheeks heating. She bit her lip, and he shook his head, went to close the door. “No, sorry, Jason came in, and I got distracted. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up the phone and laughed when he spun the chair around so she faced him. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He leaned down to kiss her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. When he started to straighten, to lift himself up, she didn’t move her arms, so he just took her with him. Her legs went around his waist, and he gave serious consideration to the sofa behind them, or maybe the new pool table—

Jason set her on the arm of the sofa, took another deep breath. “Who was on the phone?”

“Oh, that was Emily. She came up for the weekend, and she’ll be here until Monday. We’re going to have lunch tomorrow.” Elizabeth hesitated, and her eyes sobered. “Sonny came over.”

His own mood blackened at the name. He moved past her and dropped onto the sofa. “To talk to you about the reception.”

Elizabeth remained on the arm of the sofa, but twisted, so that she was facing him, her feet on the sofa cushion. “Yeah. He came over pretty quick after you left, and I think—”

“He arranged for me to be gone so he could plead his case.” Jason just shook his head, leaned back against the sofa, his face tilted up towards the ceiling. “What did he say?”

“I didn’t really let him get that far. I told him he was a bad friend and that he doesn’t get to divide and conquer. I also told him to go to hell.”

Jason frowned, looked at her. “You did?”

“When I was a kid, I used to pull that kind of thing. You know, Mom says no, so you go ask Dad, he says yes, and Mom has to look like the bad guy or give in — and, like, yeah, when you’re six, that’s okay. Because you’re six. But it’s kind of…” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s not a great look for a someone to be pulling that on his friend. Sonny and I are not friends. We don’t have a history or anything. I only know him because I know you. It’s…just irritating. What if you hadn’t said anything to me? What if you’d just said no, and thought it was the end of it?”

“What would you say if Sonny had asked you? If I hadn’t told you I don’t want to do it.”

Elizabeth furrowed her brow. “I don’t know. I probably would have said that I’d do whatever you wanted to do. And I’d still be weirded out if Sonny came to me over it. I don’t like that he doesn’t care if he creates problems for us.”

“Me either.” Jason tumbled her into his lap, and she cuddled against him. “Thank you.”

“We’re a team.” She kissed the underside of his jaw. “Now about the bike—”

He just laughed and cut her off with his mouth.

Sunday, January 9, 2000

Kelly’s: Dining Room

“Hey.” Elizabeth dropped into the chair across from Emily. “How’s New York?”

“It’s fine.” Emily twisted, looked behind her. “Jason couldn’t be here?”

“No, he had work.” Elizabeth picked up a menu and scanned it. “Maybe if you’re still in town tomorrow, you could—”

“He’s working? Didn’t you just get married? I knew it.” Emily sat back. “I knew something was weird about all of this.”

Elizabeth looked at Emily, baffled. “What?”

“Since the Christmas Party, you’ve both been acting really strange,” Emily said. “I mean, I’m trying to be okay with all of it, and I’m still glad it’s not Carly, but you have to admit, this all feels really forced.”

Her good mood which had been mostly permanent for the last twenty-fours, save for the Sonny confrontation, dimmed. “Forced.”

“Is it about the business?” Emily lowered her voice. “Are you helping Jason cover up something?”

Carefully, Elizabeth set the menu side. “Because he couldn’t possibly want to marry me otherwise, right?” She reminded herself that Emily was partially right, but it was hard to focus on it. After all, she and Jason were actually married. Sharing a bed. Sharing it often. Which was better to focus on, not how the narrow-minded people around her thought.

But this was Emily. Her best friend. Jason’s sister. Who was supposed to know both of them better than anyone else. And some of that confidence she’d been steadily building since yesterday morning—

Well, it wasn’t bullet proof.

“Elizabeth, that’s not what I meant—”

“But it’s what you think. It’s what plenty of people think.” Their opinions didn’t matter, she reminded herself. They just didn’t.

But Emily’s did. And it stung. Because it was a reminder that the ring on her finger wasn’t hers forever. That there was a built-in exit plan — even if they never used it — it existed.

And Jason was happy right now with what she could offer, but maybe he was just amused by her — she’d been like a puppy, so eager for any piece of affection—

“I just think it moved really fast,” Emily said. “You know I’m not wrong. A week ago, you were worried about—”

“I know what I was worried about—” Elizabeth sat back. “You were ready to run away with Juan after a few weeks—”

Emily flushed. “A few months. And I didn’t—”

“Because Juan got here first.”

“You and Jason, this is like a couple of weeks. Jason was with Robin forever and never married her—where are you going?” Emily blinked in confusion. “You just got here.”

“I lost my appetite.” She jerked away from the table and stalked out.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

He’d figured on distracting himself with a few hours of grunt work to distract himself while Elizabeth went to lunch, but Sonny had just followed Jason down to the warehouse to talk to him again about the damned reception, so Jason had left almost as soon as he’d arrived.

He went back to the penthouse to wait for Elizabeth. Maybe she would want to take a ride. The roads were clear, and they were supposed to get snow the next day. It would be the last chance for a while—

He found her out on the balcony, the doors wide open, letting the swirl of January winds into the penthouse. Not that he cared, but—

Jason stepped out onto the balcony. “Hey, are you okay?”

Elizabeth turned, then blinked at the doors behind him. “Oh. I didn’t realize—” She sighed. “I just got back from lunch with Emily, and she thinks—it doesn’t matter,” she muttered. “I’m just not in the mood to deal with her.”

He joined her on the balcony. “Do you want to talk about it?” He drew off his jacket and dropped it on her shoulders. “Aren’t you cold?”

“I didn’t want to feel anything,” Elizabeth replied, then made a face. “It sounds stupid now. I was in such a good mood and now—”

Jason ran his hands down her arms, then back up to her shoulders. He cupped her face and kissed her, frowning when she remained tense in his arms. “Hey. What’s going on?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, her lashes sweeping across her cheeks, hiding her eyes from him. “It’s…I’m going to say it out loud, and it’s going to sound stupid because it is stupid, and I know it is, but you know, you can’t always convince your brain—”

“Then let me convince you.” He brushed kisses against her closed eyes. “What’s wrong? What happened with Emily?”

“I don’t know. She didn’t even really say anything bad, but you know—” Her eyes finally opened, and he saw a hint of color sweeping across her cheeks. “She said something that I shouldn’t care about, and I don’t, but it triggered this thought in my brain—and you’re doing that thing with your eyes now where I know you’re trying to listen, but you can’t follow—”

“Tell me what’s wrong.” When she just stubbornly shook her head, he sighed. He lifted her up and carried her inside, setting her on the edge of the pool table. He kicked the balcony door closed behind him. “Elizabeth.”

“I was really…happy yesterday,” she confessed softly, and peeked up at him through the curtain of hair that had tumbled in front of her face. He swept it back, combing through it. “And I know you….I mean, you know. I know. But then Emily started asking questions about why we got married, and how no one thinks it’s because we wanted to, and I know that’s true, but it’s, like, one thing to know it’s true, but for other people to think it, it kind of hurts, which I know—” She pressed her lips together. “I guess maybe I started wondering if maybe I’d…I don’t know. I started to get…”

“Started to get what?”

“I don’t know. Embarrassed?” Elizabeth admitted. “I practically jumped you every time you opened your mouth yesterday—”

“Yeah, real tough day for me,” he replied, and she laughed, a bit startled. She met his eyes. “Yesterday was good. Better than good,” he added, and her cheeks pinked up more. “And I know how nervous you were. How hard it was for you to trust me.”

“It was, until it wasn’t. And I guess that’s the strangest part, almost. Just how much the fear seemed to take over everything—” Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck. “And how much room there was for everything else once it was gone.”

“And I think you forget that it wasn’t just you yesterday.” He pressed his thumb against her lip, which she’d bit again. “You don’t need to be embarrassed by anything we share. And I’m sorry if Emily said something to hurt you.”

“She didn’t mean to. I’m still getting used to you…” Her face was cherry red now. “Getting to the idea that I’d…be enough. You know. In bed. Because I want to be. I just—”

“You are perfect, just the way you are.” He kissed her again and this time, she relaxed into his arms, melting against him in the way he’d grown used to. This was better, he thought. “Come upstairs and I’ll show you.”

“Does it—” She drew back, licked her lips. “Does it have to be upstairs?”

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

Jason woke abruptly later that night, though he couldn’t say why. The room was pitch dark, without even a glimmer of moonlight sliding through the curtains. Snow had moved in a few hours ago, clouding out any light in the night sky.

He listened intently—had there been a door creak or footsteps that had jarred him out of sleep? But there was nothing. Just the sound of Elizabeth’s soft breathing. She was curled against his side, her arm hooked across his chest, the tips of her fingers brushing his shoulder.

She was still sleeping deeply, though that didn’t mean anything. Elizabeth barely responded to an alarm clock blaring right next to her head.

But there was nothing in the penthouse. No sounds. No movements. Nothing outside beyond the whirl of wind and sleeting snow against the windowpane. There was no threat. Just his own thoughts.

He closed his eyes, tried to slide back into sleep. He’d done this before, in the studio, when he’d had pain or worry about the world outside. He’d focus on Elizabeth, sleeping just below him on the floor. Her breathing always lulled him back to sleep, and it was even better now. She was in his arms, and he could feel her soft skin everywhere, her breath warm against his skin where her face tucked into his shoulder.

He stroked her back, and she moved slightly. Her breath changed, and he winced. Had he woken her?

She shifted, her hand sliding down his chest, away from his shoulders, towards herself, and then she slid up on her elbow. “Jason?” she asked, her words slurred. “Are you awake?”

“I’m sorry, go back to sleep,” he murmured. He touched her face, brushing her hair back, but he couldn’t resist sliding his fingers down her cheek to her neck. He couldn’t see her very well in the dark, but he knew she wasn’t going to listen.

“What’s wrong?” She shivered, and he reached for the blanket that had slid down. He tucked it around her shoulders, but he could see the white of her eyes and knew she was awake now.

“Nothing,” Jason said, but Elizabeth didn’t accept that. She reached across him, straining for the lamp on his night table. He squinted when the soft light flooded the room and illuminated her face, worry etched into her features.

“Jason—”

He laid back, stared at the ceiling, the way the light cast shadows above them. She tucked herself back into his side. “We have to do the reception.”

“I know.”

Jason frowned, but he didn’t look at her. Still stared at the ceiling. “How did you—”

“Sonny said yes. It’s why you were so angry.” She tilted her head up so that her chin rested on his shoulder, and now he met her eyes. “Once he said yes, it didn’t matter what you wanted or what I wanted. It was already done.”

And that was it, of course. That was why he’d woken in the middle of the night. Why he’d avoided talking about it with Sonny earlier, refusing to engage. It didn’t matter. Sonny wasn’t asking Jason, and he hadn’t presented it that way. He’d just told him. This was how it was, and there was no choice.

“I don’t know why things are like this between you and Sonny,” Elizabeth continued, “but I know something’s wrong. You don’t have to tell me,” she added. “It’s just that I’m worried. Your job is to take orders from him, isn’t it?”

And it was that simple, wasn’t it? Would Jason be this resistant if that night in December hadn’t happened? If Sonny hadn’t already proved that he was no better than the Quartermaines or Robin or anyone else who thought Jason didn’t know how to think for himself—

“It is,” Jason said hesitantly. “But not about this. Not when it involves you.”

“But it’s not about me—”

Restless, Jason slid out of bed and reached for the briefs nearby on the floor. “Yes it is, but I can’t explain why.” Didn’t want to explain it. Didn’t want to explain to Elizabeth that it all traced back to that horrible moment standing in Sonny’s penthouse, bleeding from a bullet he’d taken for Sonny, watching the woman he thought he loved saunter down the stairs in Sonny’s shirt.

How did he begin to tell her about any of that without making it seem like it was the sex that bothered him? It had in the beginning, but then it didn’t anymore. And after watching Elizabeth’s face change that day in the church—

He didn’t want to go through it again.

“You don’t have to—” Elizabeth began, but for some reason that answer irritated him. He turned back towards her, some of his frustration bubbling up and out.

“Stop that,” he said, and it sounded harsher than he’d meant it to because she flinched, then swallowed hard. She dragged the blanket up more tightly, seeming to draw back inside herself.

Jason dragged his hands over his face. “Stop telling me I don’t have to explain myself,” he said, a bit more calmly but the damage was done. “This is about you. Don’t tell me what I’m feeling.”

“I didn’t mean to—” Elizabeth tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t mean to. I just—I just don’t think Sonny sees it as it being about me, and maybe that’s the disconnect, you know? He’s seeing it as business, and you don’t—”

Jason just shook his head and walked away, went over to the window to shove aside the curtain. The bedroom sat over the living room, so the view from here was the same as the balcony, over the lake and the harbor though he could barely see either through the snow.

He heard rustling behind him and turned. Elizabeth had reached for the first clothing she could find—the gray sweater he’d discarded somewhere on the floor, and his mood softened. The collar slid to one side, and the hem hit her midway on the thighs. “I’m sorry,” he said.

“You don’t have to apologize—”

“No, I just—” He sighed. “This would be easier if I told you why Sonny and I are having issues, and I don’t want to do that.”

“Because it involves Carly.”

Jason drew his brows together. “How—”

“I’m not an idiot,” she said with a roll of her eyes. She folded her arms, tucking the ends of the sleeves into her palms. “You talked about Carly doing something that made you see who she really was, and you cut them both out at the same time. Why else would you be so mad at Sonny over me? Because it’s not about me,” she said flatly. “It’s because of Carly. They slept together, right? The night you were shot.”

“Yes,” he confirmed with a slow nod, and she sighed. “I’m not mad about that. Not the way you think. I was for a while, but I meant what I told you the day we got married. That I see Carly for who she is, and I’m glad—”

“Jason—”

“And I wouldn’t give a damn about it anymore if it hadn’t been for what Sonny said to me the day after,” Jason hurried to add, and she frowned at him. “He came to the boxcar and told me that now I knew who they both were. He did it because he thought I was better off without Carly.”

She swallowed hard, looked away, and swallowed hard. Jason hurried to explain, “he was right. I know that. But it wasn’t his place to prove it to me.”

“Okay—”

“I thought he understood that. I thought—” Jason shook his head, looked away from her again, out the window to the blinding snow. It had snowed like this the night he’d gone to the boxcar. He’d laid out on the ground, waiting for the numbness to seep throughout his entire body. “I never expected much of Carly, but Sonny was supposed to know better. He was—” How did he explain this? How did he make her understand when he could barely put it into words for himself?

“You told me once that Robin and Sonny had taught you everything you knew,” Elizabeth said. He met her eyes. “And that you grew up in Sonny’s eyes, but not Robin’s.”

That was it. Exactly. He swallowed again. “Robin thought she knew what was best for me. She was right about Carly using Michael, but I didn’t care. I knew she was. But I wanted Michael. It was worth it to me. Robin took the choice away from me. Just like the Quartermaines,” he murmured.

“And Sonny did that again with Carly.”

“Yes.”

“And now he’s doing it again with this reception thing.” Elizabeth reached for his hand. “I’m sorry.”

“I was wrong about Carly. I know Robin and Sonny were right. And maybe the Quartermaines were right, too. I don’t know. But it wasn’t their job—” His throat tightened. “I’m not damaged. I’m allowed to make mistakes, and no one—” He couldn’t force out the words anymore. Couldn’t make himself finish.

“No one has the right to make choices for you.” Elizabeth clasped his hand between both of hers, bringing it to her chest, resting it against her heart. “Or tell you what you’re feeling. Or be angry when you don’t live your life the way they think you should.”

He nodded. Cleared his throat. “I don’t know if I can keep working for Sonny if this is how it’s going to be.” He met her eyes. “But I don’t know who I am if I don’t work for Sonny. I don’t have anything else.”

“You have me,” Elizabeth said. “I know it’s not a lot, but it’s not nothing, right?” She chewed on her bottom lip. “That’s not where either one of us lives anymore. You told me that the day we got married. That I dragged you back into living. Let me keep doing that.”

He dipped his head, kissed her, wishing there were words. Wishing he could make her understand just what she’d done for him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her in his arms, marveling for just a moment that he could do this now. That she’d trusted him.

“Do you know why this happened yesterday?” She murmured against his lips, hooking her legs around his waist. He carried her back to the bed and set her down. “Because you gave me the choice. When you told me what Sonny had said about not needing the whole year.”

Jason blinked, a bit confused by that. He drew back, but Elizabeth just smiled. “You let me make the choice for myself,” she continued, tracing her thumbs over his cheekbones.  “Trust me to keep making that choice, and I promise you I won’t ever make one for you. We’ll do this stupid reception. And then—when you know what you want to do, I’ll still be here.”

“Yeah?” He leaned down and kissed the shoulder left bare by his sweater. “For the whole year?”

“For however long you want me.”

Jason focused on her, on the way she’d said the words and what she might mean, then he kissed her again, losing himself in how she tasted and felt. He didn’t need anything but her.

How you gonna ever find your place
Runnin’ at artificial pace?
Are they gonna find us lying face down in the sand?
So what the hell now, we’ve already been forever damned
Anywhere you go, I’ll follow you down
Anyplace, but those I know by heart
Anywhere you go, I’ll follow you down
I’ll follow you down, but not that far
– Follow You Down, Gin Blossoms

---

Saturday, January 8, 2000

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

As much as Elizabeth had wanted to try to stay in bed all day, eventually her stomach had growled, and Jason had insisted on feeding her. She’d thought about trying out his suggestion about the shower, but when she’d finally slid out of the bed, her muscles protested —

And it turned out you really couldn’t make love all day when you were new to the whole thing, but how absolutely amazing to know she could do it again tonight—

“You have to stop doing that,” Jason said, jerking her out of her thoughts, and handing her a slice of the pizza he’d just pulled from the box they’d had delivered. Elizabeth frowned. “You know what you were doing.”

“I do not.” Elizabeth bit her lip, and he scowled. “Oh. That? I always do that—”

“And I told you—” Jason kissed her quickly, but thoroughly before releasing her. “What it makes me think about.”

Her cheeks flushed but she forced herself not to bite her lip again. She took her pizza and went over to the sofa. “I’ll try to remember, but I’m not gonna lie — I’m not going to try very hard.”

Jason just sighed and came to sit next to her, “You’re a menace, you know that?”

“No. But you can tell me again.” She beamed at him. It was so lovely to realize just how much Jason wanted to be with her. Sure, he’d said it, and sometimes she’d gotten hints. But since this morning, he’d stopped hiding it. And she liked it. It made her feel beautiful and desirable—and all the things she’d never thought possible.

Jason Morgan was sexually attracted to her, and almost everything she did made him hot for her. She grinned at him, and he just narrowed his eyes. “Eat your pizza.”

“That’s right. Fuel for later.” Elizabeth sat crossed legged. “You know, there are probably lots of things we can do that—”

The phone on the desk rang, and Jason sprang up, almost looking relieved. She just shrugged and bit into her pizza. She had done a lot of reading in her life, and she had a lot of ideas just waiting to try out, and now that she knew she could, she wanted to do everything—

“Can it wait?” Jason grimaced, looked over at her. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll be over.”  He set the phone back on the base. “I have to go over to Sonny’s. He said it wouldn’t take long.”

“Okay.” Elizabeth lifted her pizza. “I’ll be here—refueling.”

This time he laughed, and came back to the sofa to kiss her. “Mmm. You taste like pizza.”

“That doesn’t sound like a good thing—”

“It is when you’re hungry.” Jason kissed her again, lingering. “I don’t want to go, you know that, right?”

“Yeah. I know. But we had all morning and part of the afternoon.” She touched his face, trailing her fingers along his jaw. “The rest of the world isn’t going to stop for us. So go get dressed, and then hurry back.”

“I will.”

Corinthos Penthouse: Living Room

Sonny grimaced as Max opened the door for Jason. He was not looking forward to this conversation, and from the way Jason had spoken on the phone, Sonny had interrupted something at the penthouse.  “Hey. Sorry if you had plans today.”

Jason just raised his brows. “You said it wasn’t going to take long. What’s going on?”

“I got a call to meet Vega and Tagliatti at the No Name this morning.” Sonny paused. “Vega wants something from us.”

Jason tensed. “What?”

“He wants,” Sonny said slowly, “to throw you and Elizabeth a wedding reception at the No Name, and before you say no—” he put up a hand as Jason opened his mouth. “It’s not something we can refuse.”

“Why the hell not? It’s personal—” Jason began, then shook his head. “No. It’s not, is it?”

“They’re gonna use the party as a cover to take out Sorel. They didn’t say what the hurry was, but I figure Tagliatti and Vega have their eye on Moreno’s territory, and they’re not interested in letting Sorel solidify his hold. Better to act now while things are up in the air.”

“Then they can throw their own party,” Jason retorted. “I’m not taking Elizabeth anywhere near an assassination attempt—”

“I get it, but—” Sonny paused. Jason, in so many ways, wasn’t a good fit for this world and this was more evidence of it. “Let me lay out their plan—”

“Wait. Wait—” Jason shook his head. “There’s already a plan? Damn it, Sonny, you’re in on this—”

“Tagliatti and Vega have nothing against you or Elizabeth. In fact, they’re on our side. None of us want Sorel in charge of a parking meter, much less Courtland Street and the rest of that area. Moreno was a boil on our ass, and I’d be happier if we divided things up—”

“I’m not—”

“The plan is to make sure you and Elizabeth are long gone before any of this goes down,” Sonny interrupted. “We’ll have the party. Other guys will bring wives and mistresses. Whatever. You’ll do a few dances. Dinner. And you’ll retire early and the party will go on. Just like any other reception,” he added. “Elizabeth will be safe at home before anything happens—”

“That’s if it goes right,” Jason snapped. “What makes you think Sorel will play along? What if he—”

“That’s a risk,” Sonny said slowly, “but Sorel’s already gone after Elizabeth once. You and I both know he was behind that bomb on New Year’s. Sorel needs to go, Jase. This might be our one chance—”

“No—” Jason shook his head. “Absolutely not. You can find someone else—”

“It’s not a request.” Sonny got to his feet. “This is how it’s going to be—”

“You don’t get order me around—”

“No?” his boss raised a brow. “We could call Elizabeth over and ask if she’d be willing to do this—”

“You leave Elizabeth out of this,” Jason growled, stepping towards Sonny. “She’s already done enough.”

Sonny tipped his head. “You think she wouldn’t want a chance to get rid of Sorel? She’ll probably understand this better than you do—”

“I don’t care. It’s not on the table. You can go to hell.”

Jason slammed the door behind him, and Sonny sat down, troubled. He’d known Jason would take this badly, but that was the problem with friendships in this business. Sometimes you had to put them aside for the greater good.

Whether Jason liked it or not, this was how it had to be.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth had just set her plate on the desk by the half-empty pizza box when Jason stormed back in, the door slamming so hard behind him that it vibrated. He stalked right past her, towards the fireplace and windows. Her smile faded. The sweet, sexy, frustrated man who’d left her less than ten minutes ago had been replaced by a furious one, and she wasn’t entirely sure how to handle it. Was she even allowed to ask?

“Is everything okay?”

Jason turned, his eyes softening even as the tension remained in his face. “If Sonny tries to talk to you, don’t listen.”

“Uh—” Elizabeth blinked. “Don’t listen?” she echoed. She’d thought things were better with Sonny and Jason, but—

“He thinks he can convince you when I already told him no, so I need you—” Jason exhaled in a huff. “You need to trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

Mystified, she took a step towards him. “I do trust you, and I won’t talk to Sonny if that’s what you want.” She hesitated. “Can I least know what’s going on or—”

Jason fisted his hands at his waist, dipped his head to look at the floor. “I’ll tell you, but you won’t change my mind.”

This didn’t sound good, but Elizabeth trusted Jason. “Okay.”

“Two of the other families want to use us to get rid of Sorel,” Jason bit out. “They want to throw us a wedding reception so Sorel will come and they’ll take care of things. They promise we’ll be out of there before it happens, but there’s no way I’m putting you in that position.”

That was the absolute last thing Elizabeth had expected to hear and she simply stared at him. “Why does Sonny think I’ll say yes when you already said no?”

“It’s—” Jason grimaced. He glared window overlooking the terrace. “Because it’s how things are done,” he muttered. “Sonny thinks I’m an idiot, and I don’t know that.”

“I—” Which meant it was a good idea? She didn’t understand what was going on. “Do you think they’re lying when they say we won’t be there?”

“No.”

“Okay.” So if the risk to her was minimal and this was how things were done— “Do you think I’ll mess something up or I’ll—”

“No. It’s not about any of that.” Jason turned to face her. “Sonny has no right to tell me what to do. This isn’t business—”

“It sounds like it is,” Elizabeth said gently and he flinched. “I’m not pretending I know a lot, but I’ve lived in Port Charles long enough. There’s not really a clear line between personal and the business, is there? I mean, look at us right now. I didn’t want to be mixed up in any of this, but I am. We haven’t been able to separate any of it since you were shot.”

“I don’t want this to touch you—”

“It’s too late for that.” He flinched, and her stomach twisted. “Look, I’m not saying I’ll agree or anything. You’ve said no, and that’s enough for me. This is your life, Jason, and you get to make the decisions. Okay? Please don’t think I’m saying anything differently.”

“Then what—”

“If this is about Sonny telling you what to do—” Elizabeth tipped her head. “Is it maybe about the delivery and not the idea itself? He made it sound like an order, didn’t he?”

Jason was quiet, but she could see some of tension easing in his shoulders. “I don’t like the idea,” he said. “But maybe it is. He’s in charge, that’s fine. But he’s not going to tell me what’s right for me. Not again.”

Elizabeth knew something terrible had happened with Sonny and Jason, but he’d never told her what it was. She just knew it was the night of the shooting and it was why he’d been bleeding to death in the middle of nowhere, and that it involved Carly, who Jason thought he’d been in love with a month ago.

And this was not a conversation she wanted to have today, not after what they’d shared. She wanted to hold onto the dream little longer.

“Okay. So we won’t do it and Sonny will have to figure out something else.” She turned back to the pizza box. “Do you need more food or are we good with that now?”

“I’m fine.” There was another pause. “You’re not going to ask any other questions?”

“About Sonny? Do I need to?” She shrugged. “You know why you’re saying no, and you asked me not to take Sonny’s side.”

He blinked, then nodded. “Right. So, okay. We won’t do it.”

“Right. That’s what I said.” She went over to him, slid her arms around his waist. “Do you want to keep talking about Sonny?”

“Not even a little bit.” Jason cupped her face in his hands, kissed her. “But we also can’t do that.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not that sore—”

Jason just shook his head, kissed her again, and then swatted her butt. She jumped, then grinned. He’d never done that before. “Get dressed,” he told her. “We’ll take the bike out.”

“Can I drive—”

“No.”

Elizabeth grumbled and head for the stairs. “So much for the sexual favors I was gonna surprise you with—” She squealed as he scooped her up and carried her to the stairs. “You changed your mind?”

“What do you think?”

---

They never did make it out on the bike, and Jason had been a little regretful about that when he was called out for a last minute issue at the warehouse.

Since he didn’t know how long it would be, Elizabeth decided not to wait up in the bedroom. So far, they’d only been there, and she was thinking about branching out to other rooms.

She was pretty proud of herself, she thought as she curled up on the sofa and reached for the remote. She’d jumped head first into the whole sex thing, and it turned out she was pretty good at it — or at least, Jason thought she was good enough that she’d managed to distract him from whatever argument he was having with Sonny.

It was strange that Jason seemed so grateful that Elizabeth had taken his side with so little push back. This was Jason’s way of life, and he was the one calculating all the risks. What business was it of hers to say differently?

She flicked through the channels, restless, because there wasn’t really anything she wanted to watch but she needed a way to pass the time—

There was a knock at the door. “Mrs. Morgan?” Francis called through the door.

Elizabeth beamed the sound of the name that was almost legally hers. She’d forgotten to tell Jason she’d signed the forms — she’d do that when he got home. “It’s open,” she called back.

“Mr. C needs to talk to you.”

Elizabeth frowned, then scowled. Jason had left ten minutes ago, and here Sonny was, knocking on her door.

If Sonny tries to talk to you, don’t listen.

That little twerp. So much for a last-minute warehouse snafu. She got to her feet and went over to the door to pull it open, surprising Francis and Sonny. “What do you want?”

“Can we—” Sonny gestured, and Elizabeth stepped back, folding her arms. He came past her and she closed the door. “Sorry if I’m interrupting dinner—”

“You know you’re not interrupting anything. You’re the reason Jason had to go to the warehouse, aren’t you?”

Sonny blinked, then grinned ruefully. “You’re pretty quick—”

“And you’re a shitty friend.”

The grin faded. “Excuse me?”

“Whoever called Jason made it sound serious.” She folded her arms. “He left right away. You did it so you could get me alone to talk to you about something Jason already said no to. You didn’t care if we had plans. You just cared about yourself.”

“Look, I get why Jason is angry at me, and I hate that it has to be this way. But this life means doing the hard things—”

“And it means you trying to shove a wedge between me and Jason because you think you’re right,” Elizabeth cut in sharply. Sonny stared at her blankly. “What do you expect is going to happen if Jason tells you no, and then I tell him that I’m on your side? You think Jason isn’t going to be mad at me?”

“Elizabeth—”

“But maybe that doesn’t matter to you since you already told Jason he can divorce me tomorrow if he wants to,” Elizabeth retorted. “So what do you care if Jason and I are fighting?”

“I never said it—is that what he told you?” Sonny demanded. “I told him he should just let things go until you want to make a change. No expiration dates—”

“I want to know why it was your business to even offer an opinion. Do you think Jason and I are morons?”

“Okay, maybe—”

“Do you think we wouldn’t have noticed in a few weeks that the PCPD had stopped sniffing around or that Carly wasn’t really a threat anymore? Do you think we need you to tell us what to do?”

“That’s not—”

“You told Jason he could divorce me any time and he came home to tell me that I had options,” Elizabeth spat. “Because he wanted me to know if I wanted out, I could go. Because that’s who Jason is. He didn’t want me to feel tied down or forced to stay. But it took me longer than it should have to figure that out, and so we spent most of yesterday pretty sure the other person wanted to leave.”

“I didn’t mean for that to happen—”

“I don’t care what your intentions were, okay? I care that you think you have a right to interfere in my life or Jason’s. We’re not your pawns to move around a chessboard.” Her chest burned. “And I don’t know what you did to hurt him and break his trust, but this sure as hell isn’t going to earn it back.”

“I’m not trying to earn it back,” Sonny said slowly. “If Jason’s in Port Charles and working for me, then he still needs to take orders from me. If he can’t handle it—”

“Then it’s your fault.” Elizabeth jerked the door open, once again startling Francis.  “You can get out. Jason speaks for both of us. If he tells you no, you don’t get to go around him.”

“This wedding reception is going to happen,” Sonny warned her as he went into the hall, turning back to face her. “I already told the others yes. So you tell Jason—”

She slammed the door before he could finish.

And all I want from you is what you are
And even if you’re right next to me
You’re still too far away
If I’m not inside your arms
I get dramatic, baby, yes I know
But I need you, I want you, oh man, I love you so
You’re gonna see
I’m gonna run, I’m gonna try
I’m gonna take this love right to ya
All my heart, all the joy
Oh baby, baby, please
– Rush Rush, Paul Abdul

---

Saturday, January 8, 2000

Morgan Penthouse: Hallway

It was past midnight when Jason finally climbed the stairs, and part of him was relieved. It was late enough that he was sure Elizabeth would be asleep and he wouldn’t have to think about that disastrous conversation in the kitchen.

He knew he’d messed everything up—had seen the way her entire body had flinched when he’d rejected her offer to make plans for after she’d finished work. The life had drained out of her eyes, the color fading her from her cheeks. He’d hurt her, and he didn’t know how to make it right.

When she’d smiled at him at the end, and it had been one of the smiles he’d seen her give everyone else last fall — hoping they’d believe it and think she was all right— it had slammed into him like a punch to the gut. He couldn’t stand thinking he was someone she thought she had to pretend with.

He hated knowing Sonny was right, that Jason had caused her all of this pain by not simply reassuring her that he wanted her to stay with him—

But it couldn’t be ruined completely, Jason reminded himself. Elizabeth hadn’t moved to the guest bedroom—which he’d seen yesterday was now furnished. She’d stayed in their bedroom, in their bed.

And she lay there now, fast asleep. As long as she was still here, he could fix this. He just had to open his damn mouth and tell her what he was thinking. And keep doing that. And then she’d never smile at him that way again, with the lie on her lips and the truth in her eyes.

He changed into a pair of sweat pants, then crawled into bed beside her, unsurprised when she didn’t stir. He laid on his back, and listened to her breathe.

Jason wasn’t sure when he fell asleep, but he must have because the next thing he knew, sunlight was sliding through the cracks in the curtains at the windows. He was still laying on his back, but Elizabeth had turned over in the night and was now facing him, still sleeping, a hand tucked beneath her cheek, her hair loose around her shoulders, curls falling over her face.

Her eyelids fluttered and she rolled onto her back, stretching her arms over her head, then crossing them over her eyes. “We need darker curtains,” she mumbled. “Can we get them in black?”

He turned, propping himself on his elbow. “What about the blinds?”

“You have money. We’ll get them custom made—” Elizabeth’s voice was still slurred as she drifted between a state of sleep and alertness.

“I can do that.”

She let her hands fall to her side, her eyes open now, still a bit unfocused. Watching her wake up, climb through the layers until she was fully awake, was one of his new favorite ways to spend the morning.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“I spent yesterday,” she said, “thinking about what you said the other day. About not having to stay married.”

He braced himself. Would she want to annul things now? Had she already had enough?

“At first I thought you told me because you wanted me to be ready,” she continued. “Because maybe it wouldn’t even be six months. Maybe it’d be next month.”

Jason shook his head. “No—”

“And it hurt,” she admitted, her voice soft. “Because it was like you were already—because if we got divorced, we couldn’t—I mean, it would be weird and people would wonder. So it was like you were planning for the end—”

He was, but— “Not that way—”

“No, I know.” Now she smiled and this time it was real, he could see it in her eyes, in her cheeks, and feel it in the way her body was still relaxed from sleep. “You told me because you wanted me to have a choice.”

The tension slid from him and he nodded. “Because you needed to know, but—”

“I talked to Alexis.”

Jason frowned. “What?”

“She doesn’t agree with Sonny.” She rolled over so that she could see him. “About the PCPD just going away.”

“Oh.” Relief swirled in his gut. He still had time.

“But if Sonny were right…” Elizabeth hesitated. “If Alexis said we didn’t need the year…” her eyes searched his. “Would you still want it? I mean, if we had the choice.”

“We did have the choice,” Jason reminded. “I made mine.”

“Before the wedding, yeah. But now, it would be different. Carly isn’t a threat anymore.” Elizabeth nibbled at her bottom lip. “Would—would you agree with Sonny? That we’d just stay married until we didn’t want to be?”

“Isn’t that what everyone does? They stop being married when they don’t want to be anymore?” It wasn’t an answer to her question, he knew that, but he wasn’t really sure now that she was asking it. He didn’t want things to change right now, but he knew that wasn’t what she wanted to know.

“I guess.” Elizabeth paused. “But it’s different. I don’t know. And I don’t think we should just ignore it like it doesn’t matter.”

He hesitated. “I’m not doing that—”

“We both are.” She sighed, stared at the ceiling. “I knew we’d be married for a year, and I thought, well that’s enough time to figure out what this is, so that’s fine. And you know, I think I was expecting you to be done with me by then.”

Jason scowled. “Done with you—”

“Or maybe I’d be ready to move on,” she said, and he stopped again. “Which would make that year agreement a relief, right? An out. An exit plan.”

“Right—”

“But what if we don’t want an exit plan in a year?” Elizabeth rolled on her side, waited for him to look at her. “What if we still want to be together? That’s—I mean, that could happen. Do we just stay married?”

“I—”

“I don’t think it’s right to just…drift into marriage either, and that’s all we’d be doing. Marriage—it should be a promise.” She met his eyes. “We didn’t make it. Not the way I’d want to. Um, does that make sense?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Yeah. It does.” And he didn’t have an easy answer to that.

“And we’re not ready to talk about making that promise.” She slid closer and he tugged her into his arms, relieved that she fit just the way she had the day before. “I’m not trying to get you to do that.”

“I know that.”

“I just—I don’t want to ruin the chance that maybe one day…” The tips of her fingers traced a pattern on his chest. “Maybe we’d want to.”

“We won’t.” He kissed the top of her head. “As long as we’re honest with each other. If—if you change your mind—if you don’t want to be here anymore—”

“I’ll tell you.” She tiled her head up so that their eyes met again. “And you’ll tell me if you’re the one that changes their mind. That’s — that’s a promise we should be able to make.”

“It’s an easy one.” He brushed his mouth against hers.

“Do you have to be anywhere?” she murmured.

“No.”

“Good. Can we just lay here for a little while? I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” He tightened his arms around her, and they lay together in the quiet, early morning. Just the two of them.

---

A few hours later, Elizabeth emerged from the bathroom, and when she found Jason still in the room, standing at the dresser to pull out clothes for the day, she decided to take it as a sign.

“Hey, um, do you have something to do today?” she asked, forcing a casualness to her tone, even as she slid her eyes over the muscles in his back, and the smooth expanse of his chest when he turned to answer her question.

“No,” he said, and her cheeks flushed when she dragged her eyes up to meet his, to find him smiling because he’d probably known what she was looking at.

She could do this. She could absolutely do this, and reminded herself that Jason had made it clear for more than a week now that he was physically attracted to her, but it was easy to forget that. She was…who she was and built the way she was, and Jason was older and he’d been with other women—how many, she wondered idly, and how could she possibly—

“Did you want to do something?”

His question jerked her out of her thoughts and she bit her lip, folded her arms. She mentally cheered when his eyes drifted down—the strap of her tank top had slid down her shoulder. Okay, so maybe—

“Yes. I—” She stepped forward. Just a single step because it was literally all she could manage. Everything felt tingly and heavy and strange. How did you ask a man to take off his clothes? Was it too fast? But he’d done it a few days ago, she reminded herself—

“Elizabeth?” Jason prompted. He closed the dresser drawer, then strode towards her, stopping a few feet away. He tipped his head to the side. “What did you want to do?”

You.

She knew she hadn’t said it out loud, but maybe it was in her eyes because the blue in his seemed to change shades, darkening, and there was a tenseness in his chest that hadn’t been there earlier. Not tense. That wasn’t the right word. But she could literally see his body tighten.

She was an adult woman who was married to this man. She could ask for it, couldn’t she? He wouldn’t laugh at her or say no.

Elizabeth lifted her chin, took a deep breath. “Um, a few days ago. Before the search warrant, I mean. We were talking about…and we were—” She gestured at him. “I just, um, didn’t want you to think I wasn’t still thinking about it—” Stop babbling, moron, she chided herself.

Jason caught her hand and drew her closer until their bodies brushed. He dipped his head and kissed her, and all of the nerves fled her body like rain cascading from the sky. She loved the flavor of him, the mint from his toothpaste, the way he always tasted just a little like coffee—

Her hands dug into the skin just beneath his shoulder blades, addicted to the way his skin felt like silk stretched over steel. And his heart pounded against her chest as Jason dragged her closer, his fingers tangled in her hair, sliding through until he’d released it from the band she’d been wearing. It spilled down around her face and shoulders.

Jason drew back just slightly, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his breathing shallow and the color in his cheeks raised. She’d done that to him, she had to remind herself. He’d been touching and kissing her and she’d made him that way—

“What do you want to do?” he repeated, but now the question sounded different, his voice thicker and pitched lower. And she wasn’t as scared as she’d been before. She wasn’t worried he’d laugh at her or refuse.

And she thought maybe she wasn’t scared of anything anymore. How could she be when this was Jason in front of her? The man who had slept beside her for more than a week? She knew the weight of his body now, the gentleness inside of it, the softness—he could never hurt her.

Elizabeth slid her hand up his chest, her fingers resting just below his collar bone. Below the bobbing of his throat as his heart continue to beat rapidly against her body. She needed to put what she wanted into words, because she knew—she knew—he wouldn’t touch her until she gave him permission. Until she told him what she wanted.

She could hear her heart so loudly it was pounding in her ears, but she knew what to do. How to tell him she was ready. She took a step forward, and he stepped back. She took another step, and he understood—

His knees hit the edge of the bed and Jason slowly sank down on the edge of the mattress, sliding back slightly. Her pulse was skittering now, and her hands were nearly shaking as she lifted a leg to rest on the bed beside him. Jason’s hands went to her hips, supporting her as she slid the other leg across him.

His fingers had slid beneath the edge of her tank top, where it had separated from the top of her sleep shorts, the touch scorching against her bare skin. His eyes were still locked on hers, and his hands didn’t move.

She could feel him against her now and it wasn’t the first time he’d been aroused, the heaviness against her body. The mornings she woke up curled around him, he’d always been hard — and he’d always rolled away and said nothing.

Elizabeth had never been scared of him in those moments, and now, knowing that they were close to the next step, to the step she’d never been able to take—

“Are you okay?” he asked, roughly.

Elizabeth just smiled, rested her forehead against his, her hands touching his face, just letting herself settle. She could stay here forever, his warm body against hers, reminding her that she wasn’t damaged. That she was more than the girl who’d crawled out of the bushes.

“You could never hurt me,” she answered softly. “I’m ready for this. I trust you.”

“Elizabeth, I can wait as long as you need me to,” he promised. He brushed her hair out of her face, his hands warm on her neck. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know. But I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to know.” She kissed him, reaching for his hands. She laced their fingers together, then brought them to her body, sliding beneath her tank top. “I want you to—” She lost the words then, her breath failing as his thumbs brushed the underside of her breasts. “Please.”

“I need you to say it,” he murmured against her throat as she dipped her head back. “You’re in charge, remember?”

Oh, he was so mean, she thought, dropping her head back to glare at him. Jason just laughed at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief and amusement. Elizabeth arched a brow. Two could play that game, she decided and she rocked her hips back, then forward—and now he was the one who lost his breath for a moment.

“You were saying?” she murmured.

Jason slid the hem of her top slowly up, his eyes on hers, waiting for her to say anything to stop him. But she wouldn’t. She couldn’t.

And then it was gone, tossed somewhere in the room, and she still wasn’t scared. Still wasn’t pulling back.

“I want this,” she told him softly. “And I want it to be you.”

He was so careful with her, moving almost too slowly at times and even when Elizabeth expected him to roll them, so that she was on her back and he’d rise over her—he never did. Maybe he thought it would scare her—

But she didn’t think about any of that—couldn’t have. She was lost in the way his hands felt on hers, the way his body tensed, then nearly quivered as she explored with her fingers. She wanted to spend forever just learning every piece of him—

And then the moment came that she’d been terrified of—the moment she’d had nightmares about and panic attacks—and it was as natural and as beautiful as she’d dreamed. She wasn’t being ripped apart and broken, but pieced back together and made to feel whole for the first time in years.

And he kept those beautiful eyes on hers every minute as he slid inside, waiting for her to stop him, to give him a signal, the worry mixed with lust she could see and feel brought tears to her eyes. This wonderful man who managed to always put her first even when anyone else would be thinking of his own pleasure—

“Are you all right?” he managed when it was over and she lay on his chest, sweat glistening on their skin, their breathing shallow and rapid, the sunlight sliding through the curtains and bathing the room in golden light. Or maybe that was inside her mind. It was hard to say, hard to separate the dream from the reality.

“Better than,” she breathed, closing her eyes and drifting. “Perfect.”

No Name Restaurant: Private Dining Room

Sonny frowned when he entered the room and only saw Sammy Tagliatti and Daniel Vega waiting—no Sorel.  An emergency meeting already didn’t bode all that well — but one missing the most unpredictable member wasn’t particularly encouraging.

“Uh, you commanded my presence?” he said, rubbing his chin.

“Sonny.” Daniel Vega rose. “Take seat—”

“No, thanks. I’ll stand.” Sonny rested his hands on the back of the seat left empty for him. “What did you need?”

“We’ve been discussing the matter of Joseph Sorel,” Vega continued, resuming his seat at the other end of the table, clearly elected to lead this particular meeting. He steepled his fingers in front of him. “And we thought that perhaps we might offer you a chance to make good on some…broken promises.”

Sonny tensed. “Broken promises,” he repeated.

“Two years ago,” Vega continued, “you were supposed to marry the lovely Brenda Barrett. We were invited to attend, and continue the tradition of trading favors in honor of the marriage.”

“The marriage didn’t happen—” Sonny said, his throat tight, remembering that terrible day. And Brenda, lost forever to the deep, still waters of the lake.

“Yes, my Carlotta was quite disappointed in you to not even have the decency to call off the ceremony before it began.”

Sonny grimaced. “What’s your point? What does that have to do with Sorel?”

“We’d like to arrange a way to rid ourselves of the pest,” Vega said. “And celebrate your partner’s marriage in a manner befitting such a lovely bride. We’ll hold a reception here at the No Name. Sorel will be reluctantly invited. We will celebrate the young love of Mr. Morgan and the lovely Elizabeth, and then we will solve our Sorel problem.”

Sonny hesitated, then swallowed the immediate denial that came to mind. Jason would never agree to it — he’d never want Elizabeth to be part of this.

But he took an extra moment, took a look at Tagliatti who had said nothing, leaving the entire matter in Vega’s hands.

“All right. Let’s talk details.”

Morgan Penthouse: Master Bedroom

Jason wasn’t one for dreams — when he closed his eyes, there was nothing between falling asleep and waking up. But if he dreamed, he didn’t think he’d be able to think of anything that was better than this moment.

Elizabeth was in his arms, curled up and dozing, her body soft and relaxed tucked against his, as if she’d been designed to fit there. She’d picked today of all days to take the next step—one he hadn’t thought possible for at least a few more weeks.

He’d fumbled so badly the other day—and yesterday—letting her think that he didn’t want to be with her anymore, and somehow, without Jason doing anything to fix it, Elizabeth had found a way to bridge that awkwardness—to resolve their tension—

It almost didn’t feel fair, Jason thought, for her to have been the one to fix it when he’d broken it in the first place. But maybe that was okay. Maybe it was supposed to be like this.

“Can’t we just stay like this all day?” Elizabeth murmured, her lashes fluttering. Her eyes remained closed.

“We could,” he murmured against her forehead. “If you don’t want to eat anything.”

“I’m afraid if I move—” She stopped, her voice faltering, and Jason was startled when he felt something damp on his chest, and Elizabeth rolled away from him hiding her face.

“Elizabeth?”

“It’s stupid.”

“Hey. It’s not.” Jason leaned down, kissed her shoulder, left bare by the sheet that had slid away when she’d moved. “Talk to me.”

“I just…” Elizabeth rolled to her back, and he hovered over her, worried about the shimmer of tears he still saw in her eyes. “What if I wake up and it’s all a dream? Sometimes dreams feel so real when you’re in them, and then you wake up, and it’s so much worse. Because—”

Jason dipped his head to hide the smile tugging at his lips. He nuzzled her neck, then—nipped her collarbone. She jerked, startled. Her eyes wide. “Still think it’s a dream?” he asked.

“You think that’s funny, don’t you?” Her eyes narrowed.

“A little.” He grinned and the irritation smoothed away from her expression. “It’s not a dream,” he told her. “And if we get up and get dressed, it doesn’t mean we can’t come right back in here later and do this all over again. If that’s what you want to do.”

Elizabeth studied him. “Is that what you want to do?”

“Spending the day in bed with you,” Jason told her, his voice deepening, “is all I’ve wanted to do since the first time I kissed you.”

“Really?”

“I told you—” he swept his thumb across her bottom lip, then leaned down to kiss her again. “I told you days ago that I wanted you.”

“I know.”

He stroked the long line of her torso with his fingertips, until he reached her knee, lifting it so that she rested more firmly against him. She bit her lip again— “Every time you do that, you know what it makes me want to do?” he asked her.

“What?”

He kissed her, taking that bottom lip into his mouth and flicking his tongue over the nicks her teeth had left. She sighed, tangled her fingers in his hair. He started to raise himself over her, to cover her, then stopped.

“What’s wrong?” she murmured, her eyes unfocused. “Don’t you—”

“Do you want to?” he asked. Her expression cleared and she realized what he meant. She’d needed to be in charge, to make the moves. And he’d made sure she was on top, completely in control of moving.

This way, with her underneath him—he’d stop if she wanted him to, but he didn’t want her to feel trapped. To feel fear or anxiety even for a moment.

He slid his hand down to cover her heart, feeling its rapid beat beneath his fingers. “I need you to be okay,” he said, almost roughly. “To want this, too.”

“I do.” She swallowed hard. “And just like this. I do. You would do it this way with anyone else—”

“You’re not anyone else,” he cut in.

“But I want to be.” Her eyes filled again and he exhaled. Better to have this conversation now then be in the middle and hurt her worse. Jason swept her up, rolling so that he was sitting up and she was in his lap, straddling him.  “Jason—”

“I need you to listen to me,” he said, a bit more roughly than he meant to. He cupped her head by the nape of her neck and kissed her hard, until she was panting and her eyes were glazed over again. “Look at me and listen, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I want you. Like this. Underneath me. Against the wall. In the shower. Bent—” he stopped as her eyes widened, not with surprise or shock, but something else and he really needed to finish this part without being distracted again. “But you are not just a body in my bed. You’re not anyone else,” he repeated. “You’re Elizabeth. And I don’t want you, not for one minute, to feel anything but good when you’re with me. That’s all that matters. I need you to understand that. As long as I have my hands on you—I don’t care how it happens.”

She smiled tremulously. “You really mean that.”

She was going to kill him. “Yes.”

Elizabeth licked her lips and he thought maybe he’d just kill her instead— “Then I think I want all of the above. Including the one you didn’t finish.”

“What?”

“Maybe not all at once,” she continued, wiggling until his eyes nearly crossed, and she smirked. Fast learner, he thought.  “But definitely making a list.”

He groaned, dropped his forehead until it rested against her collarbone. “You’re going to kill me,” he said, this time out loud, and he felt her laugh, more than heard it.

“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” She tilted his head back up, cupped his jaw with her hands so that their eyes met again. “I mean that. When you look at me, when I’m in your arms like this, there’s nothing else. I was so scared it wouldn’t be like that. But it’s just us. Just you.”

He swept her hair back, kissed the hollow of her throat. “Tell me what you want.”

“I want to be underneath you.” Her hands braced at his shoulders. “If that’s okay.”

“That…is definitely okay,” he managed after a moment to take a deep breath. Then he gave her exactly what she wanted.

I’m too shy to ask, I’m to proud to lose
But sooner or later I’ve got to choose
And once again I’m thinking about
Taking the easy way out
But if I let you go I will never know
What my life would be holding you close to me
Will I ever see you smiling back at me?
How will I know if I let you go?
– If I Let You Go, Westlife

---

Friday, January 7, 2000

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

The skies were just beginning to lighten with hints of dawn as Jason finally got home, after a shipment had arrived three hours later than they’d expected and a chunk had been missing—

Cursing the security at the border which had held up a second shipload, Jason was feeling the edges of exhaustion fighting at the edges. He didn’t need a lot of sleep, but he still needed some, and there hadn’t been much to go around lately. They’d gone to bed late after the PCPD had destroyed the penthouse, and he’d woken with Elizabeth at four-thirty in the morning for her shift at Kelly’s.

Now he stood in the middle of his living room as weak, gray morning light illuminated a room that had been mostly bare the day before — the only piece of furniture to get delivered before he’d left had been the pool table.

A leather sofa that looked similar to the one the cops had destroyed had been delivered, along with a matching arm chair. A new coffee table sat in front of the sofa — and a console table with a new television set.

He glanced towards the stairs, to the bedroom he’d shared with Elizabeth for nearly a week. He’d left yesterday with a strange tension in the air — she hadn’t really reacted to his news about the time limit on their marriage, and he didn’t really know what to do with that.

She hadn’t seemed disappointed or relieved — two emotions he would have understood. Something in the middle that left him uncomfortable and questioning himself — which was not a position he enjoyed.

He considered just stretching out on the sofa for a few hours, but would that hurt her? Would she be angry he didn’t come upstairs? Would she care?

He exhaled slowly. Only one way to find out.

He removed his boots before he went up the stairs, his steps not making a sound on the carpet. He stopped outside their bedroom door, then looked over at the third bedroom which hadn’t been taken over as her temporary art studio.

What if the furniture downstairs meant that she’d also ordered a bed for that room? Maybe she wouldn’t even be in the master bedroom. After all, it wasn’t like the PCPD would come back to search and notice separate bedrooms.

Jason didn’t realize how much he’d expected to find an empty room until he twisted the knob and gently pushed it open.

There was a light still on at the side of the bed. Elizabeth was on her side, curled up, eyes closed. She’d fallen asleep, the magazine she’d been reading on the floor beside the bed, her fingertips dangling of the edge as if she’d turned over and let it fall.

She was here. And she was asleep. He had time to think.

Jason changed into a pair of sweats, then switched off the light, picking up the magazine so she wouldn’t slip on it when she woke up. Then he climbed into bed next to her, listening to her breathing, soft and even.

He’d grown used to it since she’d come to stay there, liked sharing a bed with her and it filled him with pride that she trusted him enough to sleep beside him every night. She’d been so nervous that first night, but now it was normal.

He liked Sonny’s idea of just leaving the idea of divorce off the table until they wanted to think about it. Eventually, she’d leave him. She accepted things for now, more than Robin had and differently from Carly, but one day, she’d want something else. He’d handle it when it came, but until then, he’d hold on to what they had now. He just hoped Elizabeth would let him.

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

Taggert folded his arms. “How long did it take you to cave to Alexis Davis?” he demanded.

“Not just me.” Mac said, getting to his feet and going to close the door to the office. “She showed up here yesterday morning with a lawsuit already written, prepared to file if I refused to take the meeting. The last thing this department needs is a public relations nightmare like this—”

“Suspend Capelli, but let me have my investigation—”

“The city’s attorney took one look at the lawsuit, the photos, and that damned dress, and told me that we’re lucky all Alexis Davis asked for was us to back off Elizabeth Morgan.” Mac scowled. “Don’t make that face. That’s her name now. You’re making this personal because you like her—”

“And you don’t?”

“She’s married to him,” Mac said bluntly. “We can speculate all we want why she did it—”

“They were not sleeping together a month ago, damn it! Carly might not be credible, but you know her statement lines up with the facts! You know that’s how it went down!”

“What we know and what we can prove are different,” Mac said, and Taggert just shook his head. “Are there any other witnesses other than Carly that can corroborate Morgan getting shot last month?”

“If we can get him in for a physical—”

“We might get lucky and get a new scar. But no judge is signing a warrant after Capelli destroyed that bedroom. The downstairs was bad enough—but that bedroom, that dress—you’re not getting anything. And Carly is not enough to go into a court room. Alexis Davis would tear her apart.”

Taggert scowled. “So that’s it. Morgan gets to walk away again—”

“You didn’t have anything on him to begin with. A gunshot wound doesn’t tie him to Moreno—”

“The timing—”

“Circumstantial. And you can’t even drag Elizabeth in and subpoena her—”

“Because he married the best witness against him!” Taggert exploded. “Why am I the only one who sees it?”

“Prove it. Go ahead. Prove their marriage isn’t real.” Mac lifted a brow when the detective remained silent. “You want to question her again, you go through Alexis. You want to question Jason, you go through Alexis—”

“Conflict of interest—”

“Prove it,” Mac repeated. “You get me evidence that Jason only married Elizabeth to circumvent the legal system, then we can take it to the city attorney. But until then — you can investigate Moreno’s death all you want. But stay away from the Morgans.”

Morgan Penthouse: Kitchen

Elizabeth had just sat at the table with her hot chocolate and a bagel when Jason strode in, stopping short at the doorway. They looked at each other for a long moment, then he cleared his throat. “I thought you had work.”

“I did—I do. Um, the lunch shift.” Was that the only reason he’d come downstairs? She’d been surprised to find him still asleep when she’d woken—he so rarely slept longer than she did. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

Jason opened a cabinet, took down a bag of coffee beans. “I didn’t get in until four.”

She flicked her eyes at the clock over the stove. Four hours ago. “You could have slept longer.”

“I have to take care of something at the warehouse.” He switched on the grinder, the loud sound forestalling further conversation.

The day before, they’d woken up together — her alarm waking him first, actually, and he’d had to nudge her awake. She’d smiled, and stretched lazily—and then they’d spent a few more minutes in bed—

Her cheeks felt hot, and she glanced down at her breakfast. Today was different. He had barely looked at her—and he was such a light sleeper, she realized now it was hard to believe he’d slept through her shower and getting dressed — only to wake up directly after her and take a shower of his own.

Which meant he’d laid in bed, pretending to be asleep and hoping he’d miss her entirely.

Doubt swirled in her chest, and everything felt heavy—like it was a chore just to hold up her own head. Did Jason—did he regret how hastily they’d gotten married? Now that he knew it didn’t need to last even a year. What if they’d found another way to stop Carly —

Maybe Sonny giving him an out made Jason realize he didn’t want to be married, or worse—

Elizabeth pushed her plate aside, picked up her hot chocolate. “Um, I get done work around eight,” she told him. He glanced over to her, then back at the coffee pot. “I was—maybe we could—”

“It’s supposed to rain,” he cut in, and she closed his mouth. “And I’ll probably be at the warehouse most of the day. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“Right.” She forced herself to take a sip. He was pulling back, pushing her away — either way, the dynamic had shifted. She didn’t know how to fix it. What if she was just making this all up in her head—

“Hey.”

Elizabeth blinked, cleared her throat, and found Jason at the table. He pulled out a chair and sat down. “Hey,” she said almost weakly.

“I was out of the picture for almost a month,” Jason reminded her, his eyes soft — and she relaxed. “Sonny held up a couple of—” He paused. “Shipments,” he finally said, and she nodded. “He didn’t reschedule until he knew I was back at work. The Christmas party, Moreno, and then…it just means I’m going to be busy for a few nights. Tonight definitely.”

“Okay.”

“But you have Francis to take you anywhere you want to go.” Jason went back to the counter, finished making his coffee, and she felt the withdrawal like a sharp, cold snap. “And I left the bank stuff on the desk—”

“I don’t want your money,” Elizabeth muttered.  Especially now. It felt…more like a transaction than it had before. Hadn’t they just been looking at wedding photos? How had it gone so badly?

“I know. And I know you won’t use it. But I’d feel better if you had at least one of the debit cards—”

“One of?” Elizabeth scowled. “We agreed that you’d set up one account—”

“One that’s just yours, yeah. But I’ve got others. You’re on them now. And there’s a credit card. Maybe two. Alexis thought you might—” Jason glanced over at her. “In case there’s an emergency. She left some forms for you to sign. I didn’t get a chance to tell you yesterday.”

“Forms?”

“Uh—” Jason came over to the table with his coffee. “Forms for a name change,” he said finally. “Social security, DMV—”

Name change. It hadn’t seemed like a big deal a few days earlier, but now— “Do you think I should still do that? Change my last name?”

Jason hesitated. “You don’t have to. I mean—” He met her eyes briefly, then as he’d done before, looked away. Focused on his coffee. “It’s your name. It doesn’t matter to me.”

She knew that was true. She knew that he probably wouldn’t care even if he’d gotten down on one knee and promised her forever. But somehow, hearing it today, it felt different. As if none of this mattered at all.

Why go through all the paperwork if the time limit was gone? They could have a fight in three weeks and break up. No reason to stick now.

“I’ll look at the forms,” she said finally. “And talk to Alexis. See what she thinks.”

“Okay.”

“I should—I need to do some more work upstairs.” Elizabeth picked up her hot chocolate. “Um, let me know if you go anywhere, I guess. If you can.” She flashed a quick smile, then headed for the door, tossing her barely touched bagel in the trash on the way.

“Yeah. I will.”

She hurried out of the kitchen, irritated with herself for not pushing the conversation further, and sick with knowing that she’d only backed off because she’d been afraid of the answers.

Corinthos Penthouse: Living Room

“Everything go okay last night?” Sonny wanted to know when Jason came by later that day. Jason shoved his hands in his pockets, trying not to glower at his partner. It wasn’t Sonny’s fault that Jason had somehow killed his own marriage, but damned if Jason didn’t want to punch him all the same.

“Yeah, nothing that didn’t get resolved. Last round of shipments are tonight, aren’t they? And then nothing until next week?”

“That’s the plan.” Sonny sipped his coffee. “You got something else to do this weekend?”

Not that it mattered now, Jason thought darkly. He’d thought about checking Elizabeth’s work schedule and seeing if she’d go away for a night or two. Not to pressure her anything, but well, it was what people did, wasn’t it? When they got married?

But that had been before. Now she didn’t even want to change her name, even though she’d asked Alexis for the damn forms in the first place—

“No. Just wanted to know.”

Sonny hesitated. “Everything okay?”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t sound like it—”

“It’s none of your business either,” Jason cut in, sharply, and Sonny exhaled. Set his coffee down. “So just stay out of it.”

“If this is about yesterday, what I said—I didn’t tell you to get divorced tomorrow. I just thought—you should check with Alexis first—”

Jason scowled. “Wait. I thought you said that she—”

“No. She didn’t. She was meeting with the PCPD yesterday, but it won’t change anything. The cops still won’t be able to touch Elizabeth after that search.” Sonny got to his feet. “Before, it was spousal privilege protecting Elizabeth. Now it’s Capelli’s impulse control and the witness intimidation.”

“Why did you say anything then?” he demanded.

Sonny rubbed his chin. “Uh, I have to say I’m a little baffled why you’re angry with me. All I did was tell you—”

“That Elizabeth doesn’t need to be married to me,” Jason interrupted.

“No, that’s not what I said. I said you might not need a year. No one said anything about Elizabeth not—” Sonny stopped. “Did you talk to Elizabeth about this? Does she want a divorce? Or annulment?”

“No.” Jason raked a hand through his hair. “Not yet.”

“No, you didn’t talk to her—”

“She didn’t ask for one yet,” Jason said, his teeth clenched. “But now she’s talking about not changing her name—”

“Ah.” Sonny nodded, and Jason wanted to deck him — why did he have to look so smug? What did he have to be smug about? “That explains it.”

“Explains what?”

“You told Elizabeth you didn’t have to be married a year.” He tipped his head. “Why did you tell her anything at all if you wanted to stay married?”

“What?”

“You’re ticked at me because I told you the time limit had changed. I’m not the one who turned around and told her,” Sonny pointed out. “So I’m asking you why would you open your mouth and give her an out if you’re happy with the way things are?”

Jason grimaced, looked away. “That’s not the point.”

“No, I think it’s exactly the point. You could be pissed at me if I’d told Elizabeth, because that wouldn’t be my business. But I didn’t do that. So you told her and she didn’t immediately leap into your arms and declare she wasn’t going anywhere, and now somehow I’m the bad guy.”

“That’s—” Not what he’d wanted Elizabeth to do, not exactly. Frustrated, Jason folded his arms. But maybe he’d wanted some indication that Elizabeth was okay with things staying the way they were. “You’re not understanding the problem—”

“I’m understanding clearly. You’re the one who doesn’t understand—”

Jason tensed. “I’m not stupid.”

Sonny’s brow creased in confusion. “I didn’t say you were—”

“Then what the hell do you mean?”

Sonny hesitated. “Sometimes when you’re in the middle of the situation, when it’s happening to you, it’s hard to see it from an outside perspective. Elizabeth is probably having the same doubts you are.”

Jason didn’t know what that meant, but he sure as hell wasn’t going to admit that to Sonny. He wasn’t an idiot. He knew how to solve his own problems, and he didn’t need Sonny to explain women to him.

“You don’t know Elizabeth—”

“Not as well as you do, no. But I’m just asking you to think about it from her perspective. She got married three days ago and now her husband tells her they don’t have to stay married that long. Maybe she’s wondering why he’s bringing it up if he’s happy with how things are.”

Jason clenched his jaw. “I brought it up because you told me yesterday. And she deserved to know—”

“—in case she wanted an out,” Sonny said. “Which is great. Except she already had an out, Jason. You’re the one that told me getting married was her idea. She convinced you.” He lifted his brows. “Did you happen to mention that you wanted to stay married?”

“I—” Jason closed his mouth. “I’m going to the warehouse.” He yanked the penthouse door open and left before Sonny could say anything else.

He didn’t need Sonny to fix his problems. He could do it himself. Even if—Jason winced as he punched the button at the elevator.

Even if Sonny was probably right, which only made Jason’s mood worse.

Morgan Penthouse: Living Room

Elizabeth paced the length of the room, trying to determine if she’d lost her mind. She’d had a thought halfway through her shift at Kelly’s, and had begged Tammy to let her go early. Tammy had agreed, dropping another hint about Elizabeth quitting her job.

There was a knock on the door, and then Francis opened it. “Ms. Davis is here.”

Thank God. Elizabeth turned as Alexis entered and set her briefcase on the desk. When the door closed, Elizabeth didn’t waste any time. “You met with the PCPD yesterday, right?”

“Yes. I would have thought Sonny or Jason would have told you—” Alexis saw the forms on the desk, still unsigned. “You didn’t do the paperwork? I thought I was that was why you’d asked me to come over. To pick it up.”

“That’s—that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Elizabeth bit her lip. “Sonny told Jason yesterday that he didn’t think we’d need to stay married for a year anymore. Jason told me that, and I didn’t ask about the PCPD—does that mean—”

“I’m not sure what Sonny meant by that. The agreement I made with the PCPD was that they can’t question either of you without me present. I don’t have the power to get them to drop the investigation.” Alexis tilted her head. “They’re not going to approach you, for at least a year. They have to come through me. Otherwise, we file the harassment suit. But the investigation—it doesn’t go away.”

“So we still need the year.”

“I don’t—” Alexis paused. “Are you asking me if you get divorced earlier? Is something wrong? What happened—”

“N-Nothing. I just—” Elizabeth bit her lip. “Does Jason know that? What you just told me? That they still need to—”

“Sonny does. I got the impression from Mac that he wouldn’t mind breaking spousal privilege. The search warrant fiasco makes it hard for him to come at you,” Alexis continued, “but he can’t subpoena you right now. If they could prove your marriage wasn’t real or that you entered it solely to circumvent the law—that’s different. I never mentioned anything to Sonny about the time you have to stay married. And I wasn’t worried about Mac proving the marriage false.”

“You weren’t?” Elizabeth frowned. “Why? It is—I mean, that’s why—”

“Is that the only reason you married Jason?” Alexis asked, and Elizabeth flushed. “You see? They can’t prove that. You and Jason have a romantic connection that precedes the ceremony. You’d look like that if they asked you the question, and no judge would invalidate the privilege. It’s not like you were strangers.” She cleared her throat. “Elizabeth, did something happen? Because you and Jason seemed to be…well, I don’t know, on the same team when I spoke to you the other night. Have you—did you argue with him?”

“No. Nothing like that. It’s just—” She shook her head. “He told me what Sonny said, and he said we could just be married until we didn’t want to be anymore, and so I thought—”

“Maybe he was bringing it up because he didn’t want to be,” Alexis finished gently, and Elizabeth nodded, almost miserably. “Ah. Well, that’s not something I can really help you with.”

“I guess not.” Elizabeth sank onto the sofa. “I thought I’d be relieved if you told me we still need to stay married for a year. I expected it.”

“But now you’ve got the doubts.”

“Some. It’s—it’s not that I’d back out,” Elizabeth said quickly. “Because I can’t. I just…I can’t stand wondering if he wants out, too—”

“Speaking as an outsider who doesn’t know either you incredibly well—” Alexis perched on the sofa next to her. “But also as someone who attended your wedding—”

“That wasn’t—it wasn’t real—”

“Until Carly showed up, I think everyone in that room forgot why you started this whole thing,” Alexis said. “I certainly did. Jason didn’t look like a man who was being marched to the altar.”

“I know, but—”

“My track record in this area is—not good,” she said after a short pause. “And I’m sure you know by now that my marriage to Jax was not real.”

“No, it was like me and Jason—”

“I assure you, it was nothing like that,” Alexis said. “Jax and I were just friends. Separate bedrooms. Only kissed him at the ceremony.” She made a face. “Again, I can’t say that I know Jason that well, but I just—I don’t think he’s looking for an out.”

“Then why would he tell me we can get divorced whenever we—” Elizabeth paused. “To give me the out. So I’d know there was a choice.”

“There’s not—”

“No, but he thought there was. And he wanted me to know it.” Elizabeth took a deep breath, then went over to the desk where she’d half filled out the forms the day before. She picked up a pen, and scrawled her name at the bottom.

Then she looked at the bank cards sitting next to the form. Two debit cards for Elizabeth Morgan, and one credit card in that name. She picked them up and slid them in her back pocket. She’d never use them, but Jason would feel better knowing she had the option.

She straightened the papers, then held them out for Alexis. “How soon can you file these?”