Disclaimer: I own nothing General Hospital. This is just for amusement only.

Summary: When lies and manipulations bury the truth, deadly secrets come with a high price. But the heart can never lie, the heart always knows the truth.

Pairings: Liason, Georgie/Johnny, Dante/Lulu

Timeline: 2010, Alternate History (We are taking a little liberty with the timeline so be patient with us while we hammer out all the kinks)

Things You Need To Know: Jason did not go back to Sam, Liz never went back to Lucky and the whole Nic affair did not happen. Liason has been together since 2007, and never split up. The rest of the Alternate History will be explained through out the story. :D

Inspiration: Well, we've always been Liason fans ever since 1999 and we found fan fiction about them on here and other sites. Then we found the Georgie Johnny fan fiction and a lot of what ifs came playing inside our minds, so we decided to try our hand at things and see how it goes from there.

THE HEART KNOWS

By

Winchestergurl4life

and

ThroughtheMirrorDarkly

CHAPTER ONE

"The Year of the Volunteer"

It had been three years…

Three years since her death and it still weighed down upon Johnny Zacchara's heart heavily. So many regrets upon regrets set upon his shoulders, and he could hear the depression creep up on him again. No matter how many prescriptions the doctor's gave him to keep him from sinking down in that hole, it still managed to come crawling back into his thought. Her death…left a physical ache inside his soul, like he would always be missing a piece of himself that he would never get back. He stood there his hands braced on the porcelain sink as he stared deep into the mirror, not quite seeing the face that looked back. The last few years had been trying, especially with her gone.

He never thought he'd be in business, in any shape or form. He detested it. He hadn't wanted it. However, shortly after Anthony had gotten Sonny to marry Claudia to take over the business, Johnny had left. The man had him kidnapped and tortured for things he had supposedly done, Johnny would not stay in the house if Sonny Corinthos was there. Anthony sent hounds on him, and when it became apparent that his father was as relentless as ever to have Johnny under his thumb he went to the only person that could help him.

Jason Morgan. The man was having his own problems with Sonny, who had been bitter when Morgan would not hand the organization back over to him. Johnny had become his enforcer, and swore to protect him and his family since Johnny wouldn't have a family. Not after losing her. The idea of moving on seemed so abstract. He couldn't comprehend and he honestly didn't want to. He lived, he went through day to day, but he couldn't see being with someone else like he had been with her. Running a hand across his jaw, he felt the stumble there and went to reach for the razor when a memory hit him.

"I like your stubble," she said, with a big grin on her face as she ran her fingers across his jaw.

"Oh, really?" Johnny quirked an eyebrow.

She gave him a smirk. "It's sexy."

Johnny let out a small chuckle and he swore he could still feel her touch right now ghosting across his chin like she always did before she went to kiss him. His chuckles ceased so suddenly it seemed as if all the noise save for his breath was vacuumed right out of the room. There was only one thing that was bad about thinking about the good memories, it always led back to the inevitable one…the one where she was lying in the snow. The one where she was cold and dead and there was nothing he could do to change that. He ran his hand down his face tiredly, and let out a deep sigh before he turned heel and walked out of the bathroom. He made his way down the stairs, and grabbed his jacket off the chair before he went to the front door and pulled it open.

He blinked in surprise at the person who had been ready to knock. "Elizabeth," Johnny said, only faintly surprised.

Elizabeth Webber, Jason Morgan's fiancé and mother of his children (Cameron though not Jason's by blood was equally loved by the mobster) stood there with one hand raised to knock and in the other hand a plate of brownies. She had shocked look on her face that was slightly comical before she blinked, and shook her head. "Hey, Johnny, I was coming here to drop this off for you," Elizabeth said, and he could tell there was something more she wanted to say, but was hesitant.

"And…?" Johnny prompted, eyebrow arched. He pulled the door wider open, and stepped to the side in a silent invitation. Elizabeth walked in and set the plate of brownies on the desk while her eyes looked around the familiar penthouse. It had been Jason's for several years until Jason decided his family needed a bigger house. Not many knew Jason had moved out and got a house with Elizabeth, they did not want to draw too much attention to the fact they were together until the marriage went off without a hitch. For several years, people had tried to tear them apart and sometimes were successful. Jason and Elizabeth were determined not to let that happen ever again.

"And I wanted to know if you were coming to the Nurses Ball tonight," Elizabeth inquired, softly. There was a look of concern plastered on her face and she twisted her hands nervously together. "I know that you have reservations about going since it's Year of the Volunteer and who we are celebrating…I know that it wouldn't be an easy thing. That kind of pain doesn't go away, but I think you should go. It might be good for you."

Johnny sighed, heavily. "Look, Liz, I appreciate your concern…and the brownies are always welcomed," he gave her a half smile though it felt a bit fake. "But I don't know if I can go there. I don't think I would be welcome and it's hard to hear people speak about her like they truly knew her when they really didn't. They had no true understanding about how wonderful, and great and…" He trailed off, a wistfulness and haunted look about his expression.

"I understand," Elizabeth nodded, sympathetically. "Just know that if you change your mind, Jason and I have bought an extra ticket and you are more than welcomed to come with us."

"I might," Johnny shrugged his shoulder. "Just to keep the harpies away."

Elizabeth let out a laugh, her eyes rolling. "Yeah, we could use some help with that," she stated, her arms crossed over her chest. Carly had hounded Elizabeth everyday since Jake's paternity became public knowledge, and determined to get her "claws out of Jason". At first, Carly tried to sue for custody on Jason's behalf before Jason firmly shut the blond down. Then Carly had thrown women in Jason's direction to get him away from Elizabeth, there had been Lisa Niles though she soon turned her sights onto Patrick Drake who she used to date. Patrick was far from interested, and after Robin knocked her out with a single punch, Lisa Niles left Port Charles with her tail between her legs. Then there had been Abby, who quickly backed off once she realized that Elizabeth wasn't the scheme ho that Carly had led her to believe. Abby was now working on becoming a nurse at the hospital, thanks for Liz's help. However, those failed attempts hadn't stopped Carly in the slightest, the blond was firmly convinced Jason would come to his senses because there was no way he truly loved Elizabeth. Even after three years of being together, Carly still hadn't seen the light and if it weren't for Morgan and Jocelyn (all who adored Liz much to Carly's chagrin), Jason would have cut all ties to the blond. She was just one of many reason that their upcoming nuptials had to be kept hush hushed.

Sam was another harpy. The woman hadn't actively came at Jason or Elizabeth since the two gunmen incident, but that hadn't stopped Sam from bad mouthing Elizabeth to anyone who would listen. Or when Elizabeth happened to be in the same room, Sam would make some sly comment that was supposed to hurt Elizabeth and she even revealed the truth about Jake to Monica, giving Jason's mother an askew version of things. To this day, Monica still treated Elizabeth horrible and Jason had offered to step in several times, but Elizabeth told him not to. If Monica didn't care enough to get Elizabeth's side of things, then she wasn't worth it.

"Well, just let us know if you change your mind," Elizabeth said, quietly. She patted his arm comfortingly as she passed him heading towards the door, and gifted him a with a smile. "Call us if you need anything, alright? Jason and I will always been there if you need someone to listen."

"I appreciate that," Johnny said, a true smile on his face. "Thank you."

"What are friends for, right?" Elizabeth grinned. "Stay out of trouble, and don't do anything I wouldn't do," she said, opening the door.

Johnny mocked frowned. "But there isn't anything you wouldn't do," he stated, with an eyebrow arched.

"Exactly," Elizabeth smirked, before she shut the door behind her and Johnny just laughed.

Anticipation buzzed through the air of Port Charles ever since Jason Morgan funded the Nurses Ball, and despite his alleged coffee business, everyone was quite pleased with its return. Jason sighed, heavily not realizing how much effort and time went into the Nurses Ball. Not that he wanted to be involved in the finer details of things, but Lucy Coe (who had come back to town after Robin and Elizabeth's request) was determined to have him at every rehearsal. It was time like these that he really wished he could use his gun…on himself. "Why…" He pinched the bridge of his nose while reminding himself that this was all for a good cause. "Why am I here? I am really needed for all of this?"

"Of course you are!" Lucy blinked, innocently. Jason knew that she was anything, but. "Surely you want to see what all you money is going towards? The stage, the backlighting, the dancers! Oh, speaking of dancing, you'd make a great dancer! You got a great form, so what do you say? I still have a spot open for you to snatch up?" Lucy talked over people and had them agreeing to things before they even knew what they were agreeing to. She was determined that Jason Morgan would be no different.

"I'm not dancing," Jason gave her a deadpanned stare. "End of discussion."

"Alright. What about singing?" Lucy was not one to be deterred in the slightest. When she set her mind to something, she set her mind to and darnit, she got it done. And besides, she had two hundred dollars resting on him getting up there and doing something. Oh, why did she have to go out drinking with Robin and make that bet? That was the last time she went on a Girl's Night Out with the seemingly innocent brunette.

Jason just gave a flat look.

"O-kay. No show tunes for you," Lucy nodded, slowly. Her eyes were narrowed as she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Is there anything you'd get up there and consider doing?"

"No. Not really," Jason said, flatly.

"Oh, come on! We can't let this hard earned if slightly questionable procured funds go to waste!" Lucy threw up her hands, and gave him a glower to intimidate him into submission. It worked with Kevin, but Jason merely quirked a brow. Lucy sighed, setting her clip board down on the nearby table and squared her shoulders as she turned back to Jason. Chin stubbornly raised, she marched towards him and started pushing him towards the stage with little success.

"What…what are you doing?" Jason looked down at her, eyebrows up to his hairline.

"You are getting up on that stage if it is the last thing I do," Lucy's voice was strained as she continued her efforts. Her face was scrunched with determination, and finally she pulled back glaring up at him. "Fine," she stalked over to her seat and gave him a look that made him slightly nervous. "Time to whip out the big guns. If you will not go the stage, then the stage will come to you. Dancers! Down on the floor please!"

"What do you think you are doing?" Jason had a foreboding sensation in his stomach as the dancer came down and flanked him on all sides like they had been practicing this moment. A cold sweat broke out along his skin, and he started to shake his head. "No, no, no, no," Jason tried to march forward, but Lucy had already hit play on the stereo. The dancers ignored him (as per instructed by Lucy earlier) and started dancing in sync around him. Jason was not having any part of this and went to get out of the way, but every time he tried to step forward one of the dancer block his way.

He was beginning to think this was a setup, and contemplated how much trouble he would be in if he just shoved one of them out of his way. Instead, he stood there still as a statue arms crossed over his chest and staring stoically past all the people dancing around him to the 'Moves like Jagger'. Lucy just watched thoughtfully, and nodded. "You know what," she said, with a slight smirk and a finger pointed in Jason's direction. "I can work with that."

Jason glowered at her.

Unbeknownst to Jason, in the corner peeking around the curtain Robin and Epiphany watched barely containing their laughter. Robin pulled her cell phone out, and whispered with a giggle, "I have to take pictures! I can't help myself!"

Epiphany snorted, her cell phone already out in her hand and she gave Robin a look, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm taking video," the Head Nurse whispered and the two of them dissolved into their quiet laughter.

Elizabeth was getting ready for the Nurses Ball, while picking up the boys toys from the floor. It was kind of sad to know that in just a few days that she would be completely moved out of here, the home that Emily helped her find. But it was firmly closing the dark chapter of her life then and moving on with Jason into their future. She would be leaving everything, but necessities behind. Dr. Collins felt that it would be easy for her to get a fresh start because it was the past that held her back from doing what she wanted. How many times had the Spencers played on their history with her to get what they wanted? How many times had everyone done that?

But not Jason. Jason was her light. She had loved him since 1999, and never stopped no matter who came into her life. She had spent years trying to deny it, trying to reason with herself that it couldn't happen, but in the end, Jason had broken down all the walls she had built up. Elizabeth didn't regret it for one moment.

"Thank you," Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief that the nanny had no trouble watching the kids all night. Jason hired a nanny, even though Elizabeth protested it. The woman was nice, though Elizabeth did not call on her a lot. She still felt that she should take of her kids herself, but on night's like tonight when her and Jason would get time alone, she was grateful Jason hired her. "I really appreciate you offering to watch the kids. It means a lot." Elizabeth opened her mouth to express her thanks once more when a sharp knock on her door made her pause. Her brow furrowed as she tossed the door a look because she wasn't expecting anyone. "Thanks again. Bye."

She ended the call, tossing the phone onto the couch and stalked over to the door. She twisted the handle and pulled it open and only by sheer will did she not slam it shut in Carly's face. "What are you doing here, Carly?" Elizabeth asked, dryly. Carly didn't answer her, just shoved her way past Elizabeth and into the house. "By all means come in," Elizabeth said, sarcastically. "My house is your house."

"Where is Jason?" Carly cut in impatiently.

"Out," Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest. "What are you doing here, Carly?" She knew that Carly was after something. The blond would never change, and never stop trying to drag Jason around like he was her lapdog. Elizabeth had tried to explain that they could both exist in Jason's life, but the other woman wouldn't hear of it. She deemed that Michael and her were Jason's real family, that Elizabeth and her 'bastards' were just substitutes. Jax hadn't been particularly happy to overhear that so the blond had been on her best behavior in the recent weeks. Elizabeth had a feeling that was about to change.

Carly arched a cool brow as she stared down at Elizabeth. She didn't understand the appeal of Elizabeth Webber. She was a flat chest twit that was not woman enough for Jason, and despite how many times she tried to show Jason that, Jason just ignored her. It was all her fault that Jason was pulling away. "I got Jason's ticket for the Nurses Ball, so he could sit with his real family," Carly said, an ice cold edge to her smirk.

Years ago, Carly's words would have stung. Now, Elizabeth shrugged them off because after a long talk Elizabeth and Jason had clear all the doubts and insecurities between them years ago. She would not let Carly try to resurrect them now. "His real family? You mean, you and Sonny?" Elizabeth commented, looking as if she were bemused. "The man who betrayed him, and the woman who won't let him be happy unless he is at her beck and call and has no real life of his own? Is that what you are saying? Jason knows who his family is, Carly, and you haven't be apart of it for a long time."

"You know nothing about Jason," the blond snapped.

"I know more than you ever have," Elizabeth folded her arms over her chest. "And that's what this is really all about isn't Carly? All the bluster? All the rants and screams? It's because Jason let me into places of his heart that he would never allow you. That he loves me and I love him and no matter how hard you try…all your schemes, and your liars, and all the things you've done over years have never been able to break that connection," she said, not wilting under the glare. She would not keep her silence and take the high road. She did that for years, and it had sent her to rock bottom. If it hadn't been for Jason, she would have never had found herself again.

Carly flushed, angrily. "You think that you have it all, don't you? The house, the kids, the man," the blond placed her hands on her hips. "That can easily get taken away. Jason will wake up and see you for what you are. A lying, manipulative, miserable whore and when that day comes, I will be there waiting. Hell, I'll even throw a party to celebrate your fall off of the pedestal that you stand on with your holier than thou attitude."

Elizabeth arched a brow, a jolt of suspicion rolling through. "I may not be perfect, Carly. I have never claimed to be, but even on my worst day…I will never compare to you. Now, is that all?" She asked, sardonically. Before the blond had a chance to reply, she continued on, "Good. Now leave before I have Milo make you."

Milo came out of the kitchen where he had been having lunch, and had his arms crossed over his chest waiting for Elizabeth to give him the signal to toss Carly out on her ass.

"What's the matter, Muffin?" Carly taunted, making no movement towards the door. She wasn't about to back down. "Can't fight your own battles? Have to have your guards do you dirty work?"

"Oh, I would love to wipe the floor with you and take some of those horrible extensions as a trophy, but I learned something a long time ago, Carly. You know what that was?" Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest while she gave Carly an overly sweet smile. "You aren't worth my time. You put all this effort into hating me, trying to make me miserable as you? And you know what? I don't spare you a thought. Milo, if you please," Elizabeth turned to go up the stairs and finish getting ready when Carly lunged at her. Luckily, Milo was quick and grabbed Carly around the middle hauling the screeching woman towards the door.

"You just wait! You just-"

Milo shoved Carly out the door and shut it. The lock slid into place with a satisfying click, and Milo looked at Elizabeth. "You know I have to tell Jason about this," Milo warned her, with a wince.

"I know. I was going to talk to Jason about it myself," Elizabeth said, with a light frown. "I think Carly is up to something and a scheming Carly is never a good thing. Especially not with everything that is going on."

The evening came by too quick for Johnny's liking. He found himself standing in front of the Metrocourt in a suit and tie, the past few hours were a blur for him where he wavered back and forth on whether to show up at the Nurses Ball at all. In the end, he had caved. He knew not only did he have an obligation to be there for Jason, as his lead enforcer to have his back incase anything happened. He also owed it to her to be here for her. To honor her memory in the best way he could.

He visited her grave when he could. No one had known about his relationship with her, keeping it quiet because no one would have approved. Looking back on it now, Johnny should have shouted it to the world and kept her safe from the get go instead sneaking around in the shadows. He swallowed thickly and drew in a deep breath and said, "Here goes nothing."

And he stepped through the doors.

END OF CHAPTER!

This chapter is short, but we just really wanted to get this ball rolling and see what people thought of the beginning. It may be a little while until our update because we want to stay a number of chapters ahead, hope you all understand. Thanks.

RRs are appreciated! :)