I still don't own. I am just playing and forcing the characters to dance to my own tune for a while. So... I blame Deb for this story being written. Of course said with the utmost love. This was one of January's challenges and my muse ran with the idea. Thank you Deb for amazing ideas! This was (I hoped) going to be a one shot, but... yeah that didn't happen. Three chapters should be all it needs. Hope you all enjoy and will let me know what you think. This Story has warnings for adult situations and some language.
Life Isn't Measured…
Chapter One
Elizabeth knew she was probably still in shock but when Jason grabbed her around the waist and pulled her tightly against his body, something deep inside snapped or maybe pulled tighter, or for all she knew, both.
After it was all said and done, the cops had gone, Jason gone wherever he went and Lucky at the hospital. Elizabeth standing alone on the docks, the same spot that Jason had saved her, things finally started to make sense.
One small part of her mind demanded she go to the hospital, but it was so small, it was easy to ignore.
The smell of burnt fuel and oil and boat material still hung heavy in the air, but for Elizabeth, she didn't notice the smell or the sights before her. Her sight was set within, delving the deep caverns of her mind and heart.
She wasn't sure how long she had stood there, seeing and hearing nothing but the first thing she did, when she came back to herself was grab her cell phone.
The number she'd forever committed to memory, allowed her fingers to fly over the numbers, as if with great urgency.
"Jason, I know you are probably busy but could you spare a half an hour? I really need to see you."
"Sure, where are you?"
"Literally the last place you saw me."
She could hear the quick intake of breath but didn't try to guess why her statement would have caused the quick breath. She was done trying to fix and or figure people out.
'I will not break the silence, either say what you want to say or hang up.' Elizabeth thought to herself.
"I'll be there shortly, please be safe."
"Life isn't safe Jason. Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
Before he could say anything, she disconnected the call. 'Chew on that little bit of wisdom, why don't you Mr. Morgan.'
XxXxX
Jason listen to the dial tone as he stood there, staring at his phone.
He couldn't, for the life of him, put a finger on what was different but there was something different about her.
"Sam, I need to go out for a bit, I'll be home a little later."
"Who was on the phone?"
"It doesn't matter. I'll see you later."
When he saw the tears, he simply turned, grabbed his jacket and gun – now wasn't the time to be lackadaisical – placed said item in the back of his pant and left the penthouse.
Not for the first time, Jason found himself questioning why he was with her. Everyone and their dog, continued to tell him how suited to his life she was, but at every turn, she was either breaking out the waterworks or flouncing her way into his work and screwing things up. How someone like that could be perfect for him, he was seriously starting to wonder.
As he stood in front of the elevator, thinking deeper thoughts than he had thought in a long time, he heard the telltale sound of the doorknob to his penthouse turning. Wanting to postpone another possible fight, he quickly moved to the stairs, taking them two and three at a time.
When he pushed through the basement door, he took a moment to decide on what mode of transportation he wanted to take. Yes, the SUV would work, but he wanted freedom for a few short minutes.
'Maybe' an inner voice whispered, 'Elizabeth will join us for a ride.'
"Yes indeed." Jason said aloud.
XxXxX
It was an amazing feeling, standing there, feeling the wind rustling her hair and clothes, feeling its gentle caress against her skin.
For the first time, possibly ever, she didn't feel like she was shackled, like her life was finally her own. Yes, she had responsibilities but only to Cameron.
Her sweet little boy, he didn't feel like all her previous responsibilities, he was simply a joy. He made her heart lighter; he made her free in the most basic of senses.
"I was born to be a mother; I hope someday soon, I can give him brothers and sisters. He'd be such a wonderful big brother." Elizabeth said to the cool night air.
Her smile held such peace and serenity; she could feel it settling over her.
"You were made to be a mother; you are so very good at it. Any child would be fortunate to call you mom."
"Oh, Jason, you startled me." Elizabeth said clutching her heart. "Thank you, not just for your kind words but also for saving my life."
"No thanks needed, I speak the truth and as for saving your life, I think you had a big part in that. If it wasn't for your quick thinking, I wouldn't have been able to do anything."
"Be that as it may, I thank you nonetheless. That isn't why I asked you down here though."
"Why did you, ask me to meet you?" Jason asked his curiosity shining in his eyes.
"Hmm…such a loaded question or perhaps it is my answer that is loaded." Elizabeth replied with a laugh.
"I don't think I follow."
"I need three things, I will apologize now for asking but you are the only person I trust."
"Ask, you know I will do all I can, we are friends, sort of…and once we were at least trying to be more."
"Mmm, yes, trying…" Elizabeth said in sadness. "First, if you think it can be done, I need a way to get to the Dominican Republic."
"Why?"
"For a divorce of course, I can't stay married to a man I do not love and have no respect for. It was wrong of me to marry him, when all I wanted was to provide a stable home for my son. The words Lucky and stable do not belong together, I realize that now."
She laughed slightly at the shocked look on his face. 'No point in stopping now' she thought.
"Secondly, in divorcing my husband, I will need a place to stay, I was wondering – please understand, my pride is taking a serious hit for this – but I wondered if you would give me a loan. I need a proper home for my son, I'll pay you back, and I'll give you everything I can spare every month, with interest."
"Elizabeth…"
"Don't, please don't. I love you too much, to use you like everyone else. If you agree to give me a loan, I want your lawyer to set up a payment plan and whatever else she thinks is needed."
"Elizabeth…" Jason tried again.
"Hush." Elizabeth said. When he tried to speak again, she used the only thing she could think of, her lips to silence him.
XxXxX
He knew he should stop her. They were both in committed relationships but her lips on his – even though he was supposed to never be able to dream – was just that, his dream. He had dreamt it on many occasions and to feel her lips on his, to feel the emotions flowing, scrambled all his thoughts.
'She said I love you.' Jason thought to himself. He had longed for the day those three simple words would pass her lips and be meant for him and now, here they were and she'd said them and…
Another minute, he promised himself, then they would pull away and file this in the 'do not think of and do not talk of' file.
When a minute passed and another, he cursed his inability to be stronger.
He couldn't be sure who reached out first. Whoever did changed the direction the kiss was going.
At first, it was soft and tentative, but when hands encountered skin and began to explore, they were both lost.
Anyone passing by, the cops still patrolling the area could spot them at any moment, but neither worried about such things, this moment was seven years in the making.
Jason stumbled when Elizabeth's leg hooked high on his hip, bringing her center closer to his tightening pants. Unable to right them, they fell to the ground together.
Clothes were removed quickly but reverently. Every touch and caress tattooed their deepest feelings on the other, feelings they thought long gone or long buried.
Breathy moans and passion filled gasps and groans, filled the air, electrifying the world around them.
Fingers and lips, touched for the first time. They worshipped every curve, dip and muscle.
"Jason, please. Don't make me wait." Elizabeth breathily begged.
"I couldn't, even if I desired it so." Jason replied, his own voice husky with his growing need.
When their bodies joined at long last, it felt like the earth moved, like their bodies had been electrocuted in the most exquisitely pleasurable and painful way.
XxXxX
"Wow."
"Wow indeed."
"What…" Jason paused, trying to regain both his breath and wits. "What was your third request?"
"I don't think I know. Can an orgasm kill your brain?"
His sated laughter touched her deep inside.
"Possibly, I seem to be having problems myself."
"Have you…had you ever had that happen before? Has it...you ever felt something so intense and gratifying and soul deep before, because I know I have never felt anything like that before?"
Talk about boosting his ego, but all joking aside, he had never felt such…perfection. Not once in his life had he felt a connection that deep, with anyone. "No, I can't say that I have."
"Jason we need to get dressed, someone could come by and see us."
"Now you think about it, you weren't so worried five minutes ago."
"Yes well, how could anyone worry about such paltry things when in the throes of that much passion?
"You are very good for a man's ego."
"Pssh, you are good for a woman's."
"Weren't you just talking about getting dressed?"
"Well, your fingers need to stop caressing; otherwise I might forget everything, including my name."
His rich laughter, while their bodies were still intimately joined, caused the most delicious friction.
"Jason we have to stop once can be explained as heat of the moment, any more than that and it would be premeditated."
"This is making love, not murder."
"Yes, well, with who my soon to be ex-husband is, don't tempt me with talk of murder. Besides, you have a girlfriend, whom you love."
"After everything we just did and experienced, I don't think what I feel for Sam could be called love. You are right though, if this is to go any further, it needs to be done right."
"Done right? What is your version of right?"
"Let a man have a little mystery woman."
"The great Jason Morgan want's a little mystery, okay, in that case, I need to get going."
"What? Why…why would you need to go now?"
"Can't a woman have a little mystery?"
"Oh, so you want to play it like that…Evil, that's what you are."
"Not evil per se, I have a plane to catch baby. The sooner I leave, the sooner I return."
"Okay, you take care of your first request, with my assistance and I'll take care of your second request."
"Jason…" She started but was interrupted with a kiss.
"Hush, we will figure everything out."
"HEY! Who's down there, what are you kids doing?" An authoritative voice broke the nights quiet.
XxXxX