This is one of the fun shorter stories that may be made into a longer story. The guys bet Jason that he can't stay in a cabin in the woods with no television, internet, or phone. He will have to go on and become one with nature for two months. Francis thought one month but Johnny thought that would be too easy. The girls bet Liz the same thing. The trouble or fun begins when they accept but don't know the other was going to be there. I don't own the characters. They belong to ABC and General Hospital.
Elizabeth could not believe that her friends would make a bet like that. Two months with no communication with anyone. She could have all the fun that she needs and that she will be in a beautiful mountain cabin during the months of November and December. She knew that meant that she would be snowed in but she would have a generator and she also had two working fireplaces and she had been to the cabin that summer.
She knew that the cabin is always well stocked and it belonged to Francis and Diane. Diane and Elizabeth had been friends since she interned for her a couple years back. She was a full time lawyer, since she just passed the board a few months ago. She wanted Elizabeth to relax for a little bit and the woman would not even if she was paid to do it. This was Diane's way to get back at the two people who made both her and her husband's life a nightmare at times.
Diane knew that both Elizabeth and Jason were in love with each other but they both put everyone's feelings ahead of their own. They wanted to keep peace by taking on everyone's problems. Francis knew the only way that Jason would stop trying to pick up Carly and Sam's messes is by hiding him away from them. He also wanted to hide him away from Sonny.
Diane knew that Elizabeth did not love Lucky but she kept going back to him and trying to fix him. The last time she did that, she almost died. She tried to stand between her strung out friend and Jason. Lucky shot her and she almost died.
This was her way of protecting Liz from herself. She just prayed that it would work. She told Liz that it was the slow time of the year and that she needed rest. She was not to help anyone but herself. She could take any reading material that she wanted, she could take her music and she could listen to the radio so she knew if any bad storms were coming. The pantry would be stocked with everything that she could possibly need. There was going to be a cell phone there for only emergencies.
The bet was if Elizabeth could stay in the cabin for the two months that she would get a 100k bonus. If she lost the bet then she would work a month of overtime for free. Diane knew that Elizabeth could do it. If she did lose that she was not going to make her work overtime for free.
Jason's bet was a bit more serious. Jason has always wanted to take Elizabeth to Europe for a year. It had already been approved by Maximus and the five families. They knew that Jason needed this break. They also knew that Sonny would not allow it because he picked up after him and Carly too much. This was a test for the older man to take more responsibility for his people. If Jason lost then he would have to leave Sonny and take on another territory down south, possibly Miami or Puerto Rico. It was really a win for Jason but he would not see it that way.
The day came that the two of them would be going to the cabin for their bet. No one told them about the other person who was going to be there. Diane took Elizabeth up to her cabin. Liz had packed for the two months. She had brought plenty of books to read and her favorite music. She could not wait to chill out in the mountains. Diane promised to tell her family and friends about her vacation.
Johnny and Francis had driven Jason up to the cabin. They were not going to leave him with any way to leave. That was part of the bet so he didn't freak out about it. He thought that Sonny knew since Maximus and the five families knew and approved of the bet. He probably would have anyway since Sonny was driving him overedge with needing him for everything. He was looking forward to being alone and reading his travel guides.
Diane had dropped Liz off just before the guys got there with Jason. Diane opened the cabin and Liz fell in love. She knew that there would be no distractions and she couldn't wait to begin her two months.
When Johnny stopped his truck and they saw that Diane was up there, Jason knew something was up. Jason got out of Johnny's truck and looked at his two friends. He knew that he had been played but when he went inside he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was so happy to see Liz but he was also shocked.
"Before we leave, we forgot to tell you the best part of the two months alone in the cabin, well you won't be alone. You will have each other for company."
Diane, Francis and Johnny then looked at the young couple and walked out the door.
"It looks like we have been played. I must give it to Diane, she is good and she did this with a straight face. I know that I needed to have a break but I didn't think that they would do this to us."
Jason started pacing back and forth. He knew that he had been had and so had Liz but he wondered if Sonny knew that he was gone or if Francis did this without his approval. He decided that maybe this bet was better for him than he thought.
"I am sorry that Diane did this to you but I am glad that you are here. I hope you are too."
"When you first came in with your luggage, I was a bit shocked and then I realized that this test is to see how I will do, not having to take care of anyone but myself. I think that you probably feel the same way. I don't have to worry about Lucky anymore and you don't have to worry about Carly, Sam or Sonny."
The two of them decided to check out their rooms and see what they had in store for them for the next two months. There was a large pantry behind the most amazing kitchen. This cabin was a designer cabin. Diane had everything that a person could need. The television, internet and electronic communications were the only things that were not there. There was a sweet view of the lake. The leaves had turned and were starting to come off the trees. Jason knew that soon the snow would start. He figured that tomorrow he could start gathering wood that they would be needing.
"Jason, I want to tell you something that I have not been able to say before now. I have wanted you for so long but it always seemed that someone was in the way. I know for me it has been Lucky and Ric trying to get my attention. I am very sorry about that because I wanted you but it seemed like you would rather be with someone like Courtney or Sam than to be with me. I hope that you like me too."
Jason took a long look into the eyes of the one woman who had held his heart for such a long time. He didn't feel like he deserved her because of what he did for a living. Carly, Courtney and Sam were just someone that he had sex with but didn't have the connection that he felt for Liz.
"I have had feelings for you for a very long time too. I have always wanted to be with you but I was afraid that you didn't want to be with me because of what I do for a living."
"I think that it is funny that you feel that way since I am one of your lawyers. I have loved working for Diane, since I interned for her during my university days. I want you to know that even though I don't agree with everything that you do, I understand why you do it. I also know that you are trying to make our lives safer by taking out the bad guys. It is a bit of a stretch I know but I think you get where I am coming from or at least I hope you do."
The two of them went to their rooms and unpacked. Elizabeth's bedroom was perfect for sketching. She had the side of the cabin that had the most light. She had the doors leading out to the balcony. The view from their overlooked the lake. The sun was starting to set and Liz walked out and was in love with the cabin. Jason came outside to see what she was looking at so intently.
"The sun is setting on the lake, it is so peaceful and beautiful here. I feel safe here and I don't know if I will want to leave in two months."
Jason came behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She felt so good in his arms and he wanted so badly to kiss her. She turned around and she looked in to his big blue eyes and then kissed him. It was sweet and slow at first. She was testing Jason to see if he wanted more or if she should back off. He returned her kiss and deepened it. She knew that she was going to have to thank her boss when January rolled around.
"Why don't we take this inside. I think that you are starting to get a chill. What do you want to eat for dinner? There is everything that we can possibly think of to make here and there is plenty of food to last us till we leave. I think that they thought of everything. I saw two shotguns here so if there are any wild animals around we can be safe."
"Okay. I say we have spaghetti and salad. I also know that Diane has plenty of spices and things that we can bake. I want to bake our bread and of course my brownies. The other thing that is important and I see that Diane has stocked up on hot chocolate for me. She knows my addiction. She has both instant and the good kind. I love making it with milk but that is something that we won't be able to get the way I normally can. I think that there is a recipe to make the instant kind but I have no clue what we will do for staples like that once we run out."
"I have a feeling that Francis or Diane will figure out how to get the staples we need especially when Thanksgiving and Christmas come. I did hear that Diane does have some lights and ornaments and all we would have to do is cut down one of their trees. I think she even has Christmas cd's for us to play."
The two of them worked together and made a wonderful dinner. When they were through, Elizabeth put the dishes in the dish washer and went to sit in the living room to read one of her books. Jason was reading one of his travel guides. He had bought several new ones on countries that he had not been too yet.
The two sat in a comfortable silence. They were both happy that they were not alone. They didn't realize how lonely it would have been for them if they had done the bet truly alone.
Francis got to Port Charles and thought about Jason and knew that Jason was happy that he was out there and away from the chaos back home. "Diane, have we thought everything through. I know that we gave them enough food but things like milk, juice, bread and other staples will be running out soon. I think that they could last a week but what about after that? What are we going to do?"
"I think that we will need to have a runner go into the town nearest to our cabin. They would buy the staples that we think they would need and deliver them to the doorstep. They would ring the bell and leave. The first trip will be done this week. That way we are ahead of the game. Also, the runner would wait to talk to Jason and Liz. Then if there is anything that they need, then the runner could go and get it or bring it back the following week. It could be once a week, the same day and time of the week. When Thanksgiving is there, Liz can tell the runner what they will be eating for their dinner."
"Okay. I am glad that you have it all figured out. I am so lucky that I married someone who is as beautiful, sexy and smart as you. I am very blessed."
"Now, don't you forget that. I will also send her a message and you can send one to Jason too. That way we can make sure that things are going okay."
Elizabeth went and snuggled next to Jason. He was so comfortable and looked so good in his sweats. She knew that she was going to have the time of her life with him. "I am going to take a nice hot bubble bath. I will leave you some room if you care to join me."
Jason looked at Elizabeth and smiled. "I think that I will warm up your bed for you. If you take too long then I might be asleep by the time you go to bed."
Elizabeth just laughed. She made herself a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream. She was happy to see all the cool whip that was in the freezer. Diane knew that the whipped cream would go fast but the cool whip would last a lot longer in the freezer. She then took her book and went to the master bedroom. She started the bath and got her pajamas ready to slip into once she was done.
Liz had put on the radio. She was listening to a soft rock station, that played her favorite love songs. She felt so relaxed with her hot chocolate, the bubble bath and the soft music playing in the background. She heard Jason come into the bedroom and get under the covers. She stayed in the bath for a little longer and then she got out of the tub. She dried herself off and put on her pajamas. Then she went into the bedroom and saw that Jason was pretending to be asleep.
She decided that two could play that game and she first went back into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Jason had already done that in his bathroom. When she went to lie down, she turned her back to him and turned off the lights.
Jason knew that she was playing too. He then went to cuddle with her and fell asleep with Liz in his arms. Liz woke up a few hours later with Jason still holding on to her. She eased herself off the bed and went to look outside. It was early in the morning and the mist was just starting to lift off the lake. It was so beautiful and serene on the balcony. She looked in to the woods and she could see some deer grazing near the tree line.
Jason looked at her and knew that he was in trouble. This was the first of many days that he would watch her starring into the woods and praying that the days would not go by so fast. He walked out to her and put his arm around her and handed her a cup of hot chocolate. He put on the whipped cream and he made himself some coffee.
When he gave her the hot chocolate, she thanked him and they both went inside. Liz had taken some of her sketch books and she planned on doing a lot of sketching while she was there. She might even do some painting. She just needed a few things and wished she had thought to bring it with her. She knew that Diane would be writing her while she was away. She could ask her to send some of her things to them at the cabin.
"I was thinking, after breakfast that I would go start getting supplies for when the snow and the cold comes here. We are in the mountains, so it will start before it does in the city. We also know that is usually happens this month so would you like to help me or would you rather do something else?"
"I would love to help you. Do you want me to find kindling wood or do you want me to chop down a tree?"
Jason laughed because he knew she was joking about chopping down the tree. "I think gathering the kindling wood would be great. Thanks!"
The two of them ate a hearty breakfast. They had eggs, bacon, toast, juice and jam. Elizabeth made breakfast and Jason cleaned up. The two of them had a system and it was working out great.
Liz had made the bed and went outside to help Jason get the wood that they would need. She knew where the generator was because they had a bad thunderstorm that knocked out the power and Francis had showed Liz where the generator was and how to start it.
There were also chain saws and other tools in the shed where the generator was stored. The was a place to store the wood near the front entrance to the cabin. Jason gave Liz a pair of work gloves and they went into the woods to find some kindling wood and logs for when the weather was bad. The generator was mainly used for keeping things warm so there were not busted pipes.
Liz loved watching him with both the chainsaw and the axe. She felt like he was her hero. She cared so much about him but was afraid of getting hurt. Lucky lied to her and she didn't want that from Jason.
Jason felt a little lost because he was so out of his element being there at the cabin with the one woman who could truly break his heart. He knew that he was in love with her but he didn't want to push her too hard. He wanted her to chase him and that way he knew that she really wanted him.
The two of them had a couple of sandwiches and some water while they were working outside. They decided that they had done enough for the day but Liz wanted to go for a walk. Jason followed her because he was afraid that something would happen to her.
Sonny had noticed that Jason was not answering his phone for the past couple of days. He went to ask Max but he said that he didn't know where Jason went too. Sonny found out later that day, that Jason left and he didn't take his phone. Sonny was nervous that he was kidnapped. "Francis, I need you and Johnny in my office in ten minutes. Jason has gone off the grid and we have to find him."
Francis and Johnny went to see their boss and was ready for whatever tricks their boss tried to pull on them. "Where is Jason? I have an assignment for him to watch over Sam so I can have some peace and quiet without her whining all the time. She wants to stay in Puerto Rico until the baby is born."
"We haven't seen Jason in the past few days. His vehicles are all at his place so I don't know how he could have gone somewhere. Maybe he decided to get on a plane and go somewhere warm to relax. He does deserve a vacation. Everyone else has one. I think he just had to do it on his own."
"If you hear from him, tell I need him back, asap. Sam wants to go to the island to have my baby but she won't go unless Jason goes. She thinks that she can get him to marry her while they are there."
"I will tell him what you said, but do you really think that Jason should marry this girl especially if she is having your baby." Francis and Johnny then left the office. Sonny then called in Max and Milo. He wanted them to follow Francis and Johnny. Then he wanted the brothers to report back to him.
Sonny didn't know that most of his men were on Jason's side and they knew about the bet. They were only taking orders from Sonny because they knew that Maximus was going to send him away and that Jason would be in charge in Port Charles.
Sonny just didn't know it yet. Sam was getting to be unbearable and she was driving both Sonny and Carly crazy. "Where is Jason? I want him to go with me. I don't want to wait around anymore." Sonny knew that Francis and Johnny knew where Jason was and he decided that he needed to see Maximus and maybe then he could find Jason.
Sonny called Maximus and asked him if he knew where Jason was and if he was in trouble? "Sonny, I can tell you that Jason is safe. He is spending some time off the grid. I have made a bet with him and if he stays off the phone and the internet for two months, then he will get to take a year off to travel with Elizabeth Webber. You don't have to worry about Jason right now. You just need to worry about your territory. I know that he is safe and that is all you need to know."
"How can you take my enforcer away from me? I need him to do things for me. I promised someone that Jason would take her down to Puerto Rico until her baby is born. She also wants him to marry her. The baby is mine but I want her mother to be safe and far away from here. That is why I need Jason back?"
"That is not going to happen. Jason needs this time away from you and you also need to take care of your own problems and not give them to Jason to take care of. It is not fair and you need to think about others sometimes before yourself."
Maximus then hung up with Sonny. Sonny was beyond furious. He wanted Jason right then and he was going to get his way. He didn't care where he was or how he was going to get him back but he had too for his own sanity.
The other thing that Sonny had noticed was Elizabeth was not working with Diane. No one had seen or heard from her either. Although, no one really cared about where she was but he knew that she was not allowed to be anywhere near Jason. That was the other reason why he wanted Jason in Puerto Rico.
Carly looked at Sonny and realized that he was either worried or angry about something or someone. "What is going on with you? You look like you have lost your best friend? Have you heard from Jason? I have been trying to reach him but now the box has reached its limit and not taking any new messages."
"I spoke to Maximus and he knows where he is and won't say. I have a bad feeling that he is with Elizabeth Webber. I think wherever you find one, then you find them both. I am not sure how to find them since they didn't take their cell phones. I guess, I need to start checking all the safe houses. I will also have to think about anyone's personal property."
Sonny decided that he was going to check out Francis' cabin in the mountains. He figured that they probably sent them there. He went to knock on the front door. Jason saw on the surveillance cameras that Sonny and Sam were at the front door. Jason went into the kitchen and saw Liz making dinner. He pulled her down and kissed her by the stove. Sonny could not see inside. He just knew that they were in there.
Sam knew that Jason was in there too. She tried to call out to him but he still wouldn't budge. There were no keys outside that Sonny could find. Jason was starting to feel trapped. The two of them headed to Jason's bedroom and hid in the bathroom. Sonny was about to throw a rock at the window so he could go in there when Francis showed up with Diane.
They had their suitcases and it looked like they were going to be staying there for a while. "Jason is in there. I know he is and I need for you to let me in, so I can get him."
Francis decided that he was going to let Sonny in and Sam. When Francis took Sonny into one room, Jason and Liz moved to another room. Sonny had checked out all the rooms and realized that Jason was not there.
Sam was still calling for Jason like he was her long-lost puppy. Elizabeth tried not to laugh but it was so sad. When Sonny and Sam started to leave, Francis got more of his things out. They were more of Jason and Elizabeth's things so they would be more comfortable.
"I am sorry about this. I should have known that Sonny would figure out where you are but I need to give you props for not going outside and not letting him see you. He is not going to stop until he has you where he wants you. I will make sure that if he tries this again that I will have Max and Milo take you and Liz up to a safe house I have in Canada. It is one that Sonny does not know about but Maximus does and it is not far from the border. I also will have a runner bring you the things that you need every week. It will be the same time every week and I will also have that runner stay around where you both are so you can leave quickly if Sonny tries to come again or Sam."
"Thank you for that. Is the runner someone that I know that Sonny may not know about. I think that runner needs to be new but someone we can trust. I don't mind having some back-up more for Liz than myself. There is a new recruit that I think would do a great job. I think his name is Charlie. I think that he would be good. Sonny doesn't like him and you can say that he was fired. That way he will be off Sonny's radar. I think that Charlie will be a great guard one day and he needs the practice. The days that he runs to get the milk and bread, I can train him. I trust that you will take care of us and keep Sam away from me."
Diane brought some paints, extra lights, an easel and canvas to make her painting. "I think that you could do something perfect for our office. There are so many things that are worth painting around here. If you do a painting of Jason, I will let you keep that one in your office. Have fun and relax. My husband will protect you from Sonny and Sam. I need to go but I will keep an eye out for you. The runner will take any notes that you want to send to me. If there is anything that you need, I will make sure that you get it. Just remember no phones, internet or television."
Diane and Francis then left the cabin. They knew that they needed to stay away for at least a few days so they went up to the cabin in Canada. Diane could see that Jason and Liz were very close and that they both didn't want it to end. If they did, then Jason would have let Sonny know that he was there. It made both her and Francis happy to see that their plan was working.