Starting update on 8/4/18. Will post MWF 3 chapters until I've finished.

AU-A/N – This is a triangle. I got a few requests for Johnny/Liz love, but I decided to throw Jason into the mix. So, it's going to be hot, angsty, with a lot of action.

Character Background:

Liz – No kids. She's an OR nurse. And she's feisty. Having your heart broken will do that to you.

Jason – Mob enforcer – basically the original background.

Abby – Still stripped in past but turned her life around and became a pediatric nurse assistant. She works at GH. She's conniving.

Johnny – Still same background. Anthony is alive as well as Claudia.

Jason is dating Abby. They aren't serious though. Liz and Jason started a relationship at one point, but Jason ended it because he didn't think she could handle his lifestyle.

Chapter 1 – Love Hurts

With a saddened heart, Jason watched Liz walk out of Kelly's. Every time he sees her he feels guilty. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but he couldn't figure out any other way to make sure that she is safe and happy. So, he had told her that he was breaking up with her because of his lifestyle, but the bottom line is that he thinks she is way out of his league and deserves more than he can give her.

Liz is very angry at Jason because she is crazy about him and feels discarded because he had refused to fight for her. She had opened up her heart to him and he had crushed it and now, he is with someone else. It made her feel like she had been easily replaced which didn't sit well at all.

Abby, the new woman in his life, is another story. She has a troubled past, is feisty, and had lived a hard life, but she made changes and went back to school. Jason is sure that she can handle what he does for a living, which wasn't an issue with Liz either, and she doesn't seem to care about the violence. His heart is safe, because he can't imagine having deeper feelings for her, and Elizabeth can move on with someone she deserves. His greatest fear had been that something bad would happen and Elizabeth would leave him and he'd be devastated. People assume he is just a cold, hardened killer, but he has more layers than that. He has been dating Abby for a few weeks and the only problem is that he can't stop wanting Elizabeth, so his resolve is starting to crumble. They have a connection that he can't explain or disconnect from and he wonders if he made a huge mistake.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

It is beautiful outside and Liz has the day off. She drove out to this small lake on the outskirts of town thinking that she could take a swim and do some sketching. Drawing is what she does to clear her head and she really needs that right now. She parked her car and got out. No one else seemed to be around, so she took off her top and shorts and laid a blanket out on the grass. She is wearing a cute little bikini that really flatters her figure. Carefully, she rubbed some suntan lotion on and lay back on the blanket taking in the sun's rays. She fell asleep for about a half hour and then decided to take a swim in the lake. After looking around, she stuck her toe in. It is a little cold, but it feels really good. Deciding to just go for it, she waded in and then dove under. She lay on her back and floated around for awhile when suddenly, something grabbed her ankle and started pulling. Liz barely had time to suck in some air when she is pulled under. Panicking, she struggled, thrashing wildly which is causing her to lose too much oxygen.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny drove up to the lake and saw Liz's car. He is supposed to be meeting some of his friends, but had driven around because he couldn't find them. Surveying the area, he got out and took off his shirt. When he looked at the water, he noticed someone's hands and then saw some of his friends swimming around a bend. They looked like they were up to something because of the way they were laughing. When the hands go below the water, he pulled his shoes off and jumped into the water, quickly swimming to where Liz is and pulling her up into his arms. She is gasping for air and choking. He glared at one of his friends who had just surfaced.

"Are you fucking crazy, Joey?" he said walking Liz to the shoreline. "You could have killed her."

His friend swam away to join the others and they disappeared from sight.

Johnny scooped up Liz into his arms and gently laid her on the blanket and then covered her with the towel she had left out as she struggled to catch her breath.

"Are you okay?"

She couldn't speak, but nodded.

He watched her intently for a few minutes and then reached up to move the hair off her face noticing her beauty.

She sat up and wiped her face with the towel. "Thank you."

He shook his head. "I'm so sorry. They can be assholes."

"It's not your fault."

They stared at each other for a long moment.

"Maybe, I should go."

He started to get up, but Liz stopped him. "Wait, I made some lunch. There is enough for both of us. Would you like to join me as a way for me to say thank you?"

Johnny smiled. "On one condition…"

"What?"

"What is your name, little mermaid?"

She laughed. "Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz if you want."

"Johnny."

"Nice to meet you, Johnny," she said before going to her car and grabbing a bag.

They ate lunch and chatted having a really nice time, but Liz has to go. She teaches art classes on the side and needs to get back to her studio.

As they went their separate ways, Liz is hoping they'll run into each other again.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

"Liz, it's Lainey."

"Hey Lainey, what's up?"

"Girls night at Jake's tonight?"

Liz smiled. She loves girl's night. "Count me in."

"Meet us there in an hour."

Liz hung up her phone and then ran into her room and rifled through her closet. She had bought this cute little top and paired it with some tight jeans and heels. Once she was satisfied with her choice, she jumped into the shower and blew dry her hair. After putting on her makeup and clothes, she took one last look in the mirror.

"Jason who?" she said smirking.

Her buzzer went off signaling that the cab is there to pick her up, so she dashed down the stairs with a huge smile on her face anxious to get her drink on.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Lainey, Liz, Robin, and Kelly sat at the bar doing shots. Coleman loves when they come in since they always have a great vibe and leave a big tip.

Kelly went and put a song on the jute box and they all squealed and got up to dance. Coleman laughed as they girls sang and danced with abandon.

He glanced to the doorway in time to see Jason and Abby enter. They sat in a corner and Coleman brought them their usual. Jason scanned the room, quickly noticing that Liz is dancing and having fun. His attentiveness didn't escape Abby and she is not happy about it. Their history is well known and she and Liz never got along. It had nothing to do with Jason either.

The night went on and the girls are pretty buzzed. They are a little loud, but very entertaining.

Johnny entered the bar and immediately spotted Liz dancing. He admired her for a second and then got a beer from Coleman.

"I see you're eyeing one of my girls."

Johnny smiled. "You could say that."

"May I ask which one has piqued your interest?

"Liz."

Coleman raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No, she used to date Jason though."

Now it is Johnny's turn to be surprised. He had seen Jason in the parking lot and he was with another girl.

"Looks like Jason has moved on…"

"If you say so…" He would bet the bar that it wasn't the case.

A slow song came on and the girls booed as they went back to the table. Johnny intercepted Liz before she could go.

"May I have this dance?"

Liz is very surprised to see him. "Yes."

The rest of girls giggled and started gossiping.

"Who is that?" Robin said curiously.

No one seemed to know.

"I don't know, but she looks happy to see him," Kelly said.

They laughed and returned to drinking.

Jason certainly knows Johnny and he is not in the least bit happy. The Zacchara's had blown into town about a month ago, and they are already causing Sonny trouble.

Abby cleared her throat. "Earth to Jason…"

He glanced at her and then took a swig of his beer. "Sorry, that guy over there is a rival."

"You sure that's all it is?"

He nodded. "What else would it be?"

"I'm not stupid, Jason. I see the way you look at her."

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, but I'm not with her. I'm with you."

He moved over and kissed her.

"Why don't we get out of here?"

She nodded and they got up. Liz didn't even notice they were gone.

With the alcohol surging through her veins, she settled into Johnny's arms as they swayed to the music. After a few minutes, she realized it had stopped and pulled back. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Thanks for the dance." He reached up and caressed her cheek.

She smiled and moved away.

Johnny went back to get his beer, but before he could get comfortable, his phone rang.

"Got to go, Coleman." He left a tip.

After a few minutes Liz scanned the room, but couldn't find him.

"Did your Prince Charming leave?" Lainey said.

Liz giggled. "Apparently, my shoe didn't fit."

Kelly shot her a look. "I don't think he was looking at your shoes."

Everyone started laughing.

"Well girls, it's late and we all have to work in the morning."

A collective groan sounded. "Coleman, call us some cabs," Robin yelled.

"You got it."

"We really need to do this more often," Liz said holding up a shot glass. "To friendship, drinking, and hot men..."

They yelled cheers and drank their last shot of the evening. Almost all of them will be hurting in the morning.