Metamorphosis

AU – Elizabeth Corelli has just lost the only family that she had and she is lashing out. Jason Morgan is her main target when an accident occurs. Can they both see beyond the pain and move past it? What happens when friends intervene?

A/N – There is a lot of angst in the beginning and it's really sad. You'll just have to go on the ride with me and trust. Please post reviews and let me know what you think so far!

Chapter 1 – A Funeral

Elizabeth Corelli walked into Kelly's and looked around. Going up to the counter, she engaged the waitress and ordered some coffee.

Georgie went to get it and Elizabeth sat down on the stool. Today was her brother's funeral and she didn't know how she was even functioning. She had been in Paris when she got the call, lecturing art students. At 26, she was already known in the art world. Between her paintings, her collaboration with Brenda Barret on a clothing line, and teaching, she barely had time to sleep. Her life was busy and it was just the way she liked it. Francis, on the other hand, was one of the top men at Corinthos/Morgan Inc. She had begged him to leave behind all of the danger but it was what he liked to do. He spoke highly of Jason Morgan especially, a man who Liz had never met. But all she could feel was disgust towards him because Francis had died due to a bomb meant for his boss and now she was alone.

Her assistant, Siobhan slipped into the chair beside her. "How are you doing?"

"I'm a grumpy bitch right now." Liz said almost pouting.

Siobhan frowned and then stared down at the counter. "Understandable."

"Today is going to bite." Liz said before taking a sip of coffee. "It's almost time isn't it?"

Siobhan nodded.

Someone came inside and walked up behind them. "Elizabeth." He said softly.

She spun around and met his eyes and gasped.

"Come here."

She hurled herself off of the stool into his arms. "Johnny." She said squeezing him tightly.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I'm so sorry."

Squeezing him one last time, she pulled back. "I know."

He studied her for a moment. Her hair was longer and had dirty blonde highlights from what he could tell under the hat she was wearing. She had on minimal makeup and there were tell tale circles under her eyes. "If you don't mind, I'd like to accompany you."

She nodded. "I would like that."

Johnny O'Brien was her brother's best friend. Liz hadn't seen him in five years. But, he still looked the same. He was still handsome and she could tell that if it wasn't such a sad day, she'd probably see the devilish look in his eyes that he was known for.

"This is my assistant Siobhan." She said waving the red head over.

"Pleasure to finally meet you." Siobhan said holding her hand out.

Johnny's eyes registered shock for just a second. "You know, there's only room for one person with that accent in this town."

Siobhan smiled. "Good thing I'm only here for a few weeks then."

He smiled back and then let go of her hand and looked down at Liz. "You ready to go?"

She nodded. He held her hand and led her out onto the docks, and then took them to his car.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Johnny parked the car at the church and got out. They had driven the whole way in silence and he felt like he could feel her heart breaking the entire way. He opened the back door and Siobhan and then Elizabeth slid out. She looked up at the church and wiped a tear away.

"Come on." Johnny said taking her hand and leading her up the steps. It seemed like it took forever. There were people milling around but Elizabeth didn't seem to notice. Everyone wondered who she was.

Siobhan looped her arm through Johnny's other arm. The presence of so many guards and mafia people were freaking her out a little bit. Liz had warned her but she didn't want her to deal with this alone, so she had insisted on tagging along.

Elizabeth took a deep breath as she walked down the aisle. Her hair was pulled back in a bun and she had put a small hat on that had a little veil. Her red lips stood out against the black dress and hat. Even under the circumstances, she looked beautiful and everyone was turning to look at her; wondering who she was.

They sat down in the front row.

"I think that's Elizabeth." Sonny whispered as he held Carly's hand.

Jason nodded. He had seen a picture of her before. He watched her wipe away a tear and then couldn't look anymore because he blamed himself for losing Francis. They were leaving Jakes and they had switched cars because Francis had needed more room in order to do an errand the next morning. The force of the explosion had knocked Jason out. When he had come too, Mac and Dante had to hold him back because he was trying to get to his friend.

The viewing was a closed casket. Elizabeth stared at it bitterly. She didn't even get to see his face again because of the damage that was done to his body. Closing her eyes, she tried to put that out of her mind so that she could just get through the day. Johnny put his arm around her and pulled her closer as if he sensed her angst and she gladly let him comfort her.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

It was Elizabeth's turn to speak and she walked up the steps and stood in front of the mic. She put her hand over her chest, trying to calm herself. "My name is Elizabeth Corelli. I'm Francis sister. My brother was the best man that I know. He took care of me growing up after our parent's died; that was a lot of responsibility to take on when you're young. But, he treated it like a privilege; doting on me and making sure I did my homework; harassing boyfriends when I brought them home. I never felt unloved." She paused to gather her thoughts. "I will never be able to replace this hole I now have in my heart." Her voice began to waver. "He was all I had left. The last time I spoke to him, he told me that he would never leave me; that his love would always find me no matter what happened. And I really hope that is true. Francis Corelli was a man with integrity; passionate about doing the things he loved and didn't care what anyone else thought about it. He lived life to the fullest and death cannot take any of that away."

Seeing her wobble, Johnny ran up the steps and put his arm around her and led her back to her seat.

Jason stood up and walked up to the front. "I'm not a man of many words but Francis Corelli was my mentor and good friend. He was fierce and compassionate. I considered it an honor to work beside him and he always had my complete respect." Jason swallowed hard. He could feel Elizabeth's stare. "If I could go back and switch places with him, I would. That is how much he meant to me."

Elizabeth watched him walk down the steps and looked up at Johnny.

"That was Jason." He whispered into her ear.

Liz swallowed. Although, she had seen the pain and guilt etched onto the man's face, all she felt was contempt. She knew it was partially irrational considering that Francis chose that life and clearly Jason hadn't wanted him to die. But, she needed an outlet for her anger and right now hating Jason Morgan was it.

A few other people got up and spoke, including Johnny, but Liz barely heard them. She just stared at the coffin and silently cried.

liIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They walked into the cemetery. Johnny put his arm around her waist to make sure she navigated the grass with her heels. They stood in front of the casket and she watched as people threw flowers and said prayers.

"I love you Francis; forever and always." She said repeating a phrase he used to say to her before tucking her in. Dropping the flower, she turned and stood next to Johnny and Siobhan again.

She fine until they started to lower it and then she lost it. "No…no….no….." She moaned as she moved forward and Johnny grabbed her waist and pulled her into him as she started to crumble.

Jason closed his eyes. Her wails were breaking his resolve and he just wanted to grab her and tell her how sorry he was. Carly rubbed his back trying to comfort him but she knew that Jason was in a self inflicted house of pain and there would be nothing she could do to ease his grief.

Johnny picked up Elizabeth and carried her back to the car. He put her in the back and Siobhan held her tightly as she broke down. Everything she had been holding back was just flooding out and Liz was powerless to stop it.

"I want to go to Francis's apartment please." She finally belted out.

Johnny nodded and drove to the Towers. Francis had an apartment there which he had occupied for a year. They went inside and Elizabeth walked around it slowly taking it all in. It was simple but had style, just like her Frannie. There was a picture of them on his desk and she touched it reverently as if she was actually touching his face.

"I want to sleep here tonight." She said softly.

Johnny frowned and looked at Siobhan. "Elizabeth…"

"Don't argue with me Johnny. I need to."

Johnny nodded. "Okay. I'll go get your stuff from the hotel. Give me your key."

"Siobhan has one."

He looked at the other woman and nodded. "Let's go."