New Story! Because I don't neglect the others enough as it is. I'm going to try to bring more characters into this one as the story goes on. It is, of course, Liason. I'm going to try hard to treat everyone well, but since it's told mainly from Elizabeth and Jason's perspective, things will be correspondingly skewed. Let me know if your interested in seeing more, or if it's just boring, and I should focus my energy elsewhere. Reviews (and constructive criticism) are always welcome. = )

Chapter One

Jason sat in the hospital chairs, mentally categorizing the torrid mess his life had become. He was pretending to be the father of yet another child, who wasn't his, and by extension attaching himself to a woman he didn't particularly care for. He was doing it for Michael, because Carly and Sonny had put themselves into yet another impossible situation. Carly declaring that she would leave Sonny if the baby was his, and Sonny coming over to his place to mack on his mistress whenever he thought Carly wasn't looking, after having vowed to God to keep his family together. Ugghhhh. It made his head hurt just thinking about it.

When had his whole life become about fixing Sonny and Carly's problems? Where once his "loyalty" concerned his job, it now seemed that every time he disagreed with Sonny, it was a betrayal. Which, Jason was coming to realize, wasn't really a friendship at all, but a strange kind of dictatorship, with Sonny holding the power. Which was ironic, because his association and friendship with Sonny had always, on some level, been about achieving a level of power as Jason Morgan, after the accident. Now he felt as trapped as he ever had by the Quartermaines.

His whole life had become about sacrifice. Jason rubbed his temples and wondered if it was possible to fall apart without anyone noticing. Probably, he thought bitterly. Everyone else was so wrapped up in their own problems.

"Jason?" Her voice was like a balm over his raw feelings. He looked up to see Elizabeth gazing at him with concern. "How are you?"

He dredged up a smile. "I'm fine. I'm great."

She nodded her head up and down. "Oh, okay, great. Good to hear." She crouched so they were at eye level. "How about the truth this time?"

Jason sighed. "Truthfully, I feel like I'm in a trap."

"Crazy feeling, isn't it?" She smiled sympathetically. "Been there myself. You know what I find always helps?" Her smile grew wider, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

Reluctantly engaged, Jason took the bait. "What always helps?"

She opened her eyes wide, trying to look her most innocent, "Why, a ride on your bike! What do you say?"

Jason thought of Sam, in the hospital bed, waiting for him to fix things. He thought of Sonny and Carly, god knows where, wanting for him to fix things. He thought of Courtney and Michael, always depending on him to fix things. He nodded. "A ride sounds wonderful."

O O O

It was almost an hour later when they walked into Kelly's. "Jason! Shut up!" Elizabeth cried, laughing despite herself. "It wasn't that funny." She added.

"Oh, no, it was." Jason had tears streaming from his eyes. "It may be the funniest thing I've ever seen."

"I'm sure you're wrong." She protested, looking disgruntled, if still amused to see Jason in such light spirits.

Jason collapsed into a chair. "Well, when I get my hair in a snarl, so I can't get my helmet off, and see a rat while I'm prying at it, shriek and then step on an old banana, you can tell me if there is something funnier than the look on my face. Deal?"' He grinned at her.

"Deal," She said grudgingly. Just then a couple walked in, the woman in the middle of a tirade.

"- don't know what they plan to do about the pest problem in this city. I swear, if something isn't done, we'll be utterly overrun with rats-"

Jason and Elizabeth tried valiantly to avoid eye contact, but in the end, it was no use. They looked at one another and promptly went of into gales of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Like a switch, the sound of Courtney's voice brought an end to their levity. Jason stood, as did Elizabeth.

"Uh.. It's just- there was.." Jason struggled to pull himself together.

"You know, it's not that funny, you just, had to be there, I guess." Elizabeth did her best to rally. "Anyway, I have to be getting home."

Courtney smiled politely. "I hope I didn't interrupt."

"No, of course not. I had to be going anyway." Elizabeth was equally polite.

Jason looked back and forth between them, struck by how different they were. As Elizabeth turned to him, he found himself wishing that the night didn't have to end, that he could continue on in this lighthearted way. Of course, he couldn't, so he leaned down and gave her a brief hug. "Thank you for your help."

"Of course. Call me if you need anything." Elizabeth nodded at Courtney, then disappeared through the cafZ doors.

Jason and Courtney were left, standing awkwardly be the table. "I thought you were at the hospital, taking care of Sam." Courtney stated.

"Yeah, I should be. I.. uh.. stepped out for a bit." He trailed off lamely.

She watched him closely as she doled out the next fact. "With Elizabeth."

He nodded. "We went for a ride. It.. seemed like a good idea at the time. I should go back to the hospital now, though. " Courtney watched his eyes grow dimmer, and shockingly, more like "normal."' It hurt her to see that some other woman, Elizabeth, could bring a totally different side of Jason. Courtney wondered if she had ever really seen him so buoyant.

The thought nagged at her as she asked, "How are Sonny and Carly? And the boys?"

"They're good- the boys, I mean. Sonny and Carly are missing. I have to go make some phone calls and figure things out." Jason began to compile a list of all the things he needed to do, making a mental note to swing by and play with Michael and Morgan for a while, so they wouldn't feel lonely. The weight of the world, which he had so briefly escaped, settled onto his shoulders again. "I really do have to be going."

Courtney looked hurt, and guilt added itself to Jason's load. "Sure, I understand." She said, though, like always, her eyes told another tale. "I'll see you later."

"Bye." He stood before her for a second, unsure how to take his leave. His hand came up, then dropped, in an aborted wave. He sighed softly, a fine rush of air from his nose, before jerking his head toward the door, and letting his body follow.