Turning Points

A note: I do not own GH or its characters. But this story is all mine.

--

Chapter Two

Cam and Spencer run into the Wyndemere parlour and chase each other around the gilt-edged table, an antique vase and several other Cassadine heirlooms. Squeals of laughter are quickly followed by a loud crash and sheepish grins.

Elizabeth turns to Nik as they enter the parlour with baby Jake. "Are you regretting your offer to let us stay?"

Nik grins, "Are you kidding? What's a million dollar vase between family?"

He holds Jake closer and strokes his cheek as proof. "Even though things didn't work out between you and Lucky, I will always think of you as my sister, Elizabeth. That and Jake will always connect us. I want to help."

Elizabeth gingerly touches Nik's arm, her wounds still burning, a smile of gratitude passes her lips.

Nik places Jake in the playpen he had Alfred set up beforehand. Nik then calls Norma to take the boys to the stables for a visit with Rubicon. When the boys are gone, the two of them settle on the couch. Elizabeth sinks tiredly down, her pale skin even paler than usual.

"Would you like something to eat?" Nik asks.

Elizabeth shakes her head. "I just…" Her voice falters as her realization of what she's given up sinks in. Tears she had held in until now fall down her cheek. Nik embraces her, letting her sob in his arms.

Jake hears his mother's cries and begins his own wail. Perhaps he needs some food but more likely he needs comfort from his mother. Elizabeth wipes away her tears and picks up her son. She rocks him tenderly, singing a familiar lullaby in his ear. She looks at Jake with infinite love and speaks to Nik without taking her eyes off her son. "I made the right decision. I need to protect my sons and that is a hundred times more important than my need to be with Jason." She whispers, "It hurts but that ache will fade."

"But you said he would leave the mob for you."

Jake's cries cease and Elizabeth returns him to his playpen.

"Nikolas, the mob is all Jason knows. I can't— I won't change him. We've reached a crossroad where we can't pretend any longer. I put my sons in danger by continuing my affair with Jason. The fire was a turning point. I saw the threat first hand. But I shouldn't have waited until something happened. Never again will I be that blind and reckless when it comes to protecting Cam and Jake."

Nik stands up and puts his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder in comfort. "Please don't blame yourself." Changing the subject, he says, "Do you know what you will do next? Perhaps you can take your boys away somewhere for awhile."

Elizabeth smiles teasingly. "Are you trying to get rid of us already?"

Laughing, Nik nods his head in mock agreement. Elizabeth playfully pushes him away.

"No seriously." Nik says. "You and the boys can stay here as long as you need." And pulls her in closer for a bear hug, forgetting briefly about her wounds.

Elizabeth cries out in pain. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry." As Nik apologizes a force pushes him aside. Elizabeth looks up in surprise.

"Jason!"

--

He had left Sonny's office and searched everywhere for Elizabeth. He went to Audrey's. She wasn't there. He went to Jake's, Kelly's, and the docks. He knew she wouldn't be in these places, that she would be somewhere recuperating, but he couldn't bring himself to go to Lucky's home. Finally giving in, he knocked on his door. Lucky looked at him in disgust, hurled a few insults and grudgingly told him Elizabeth wasn't there. He slammed the door in Jason's face. Instinctively, Jason rode to Spoon Island.

Now he scoops Elizabeth up and lays her on the couch. He gives Nik a perfunctory apology for knocking him over. Nik grunts and then turns to Elizabeth. "Do you want me to stay?"

Elizabeth shakes her head. "Can you take Jake to get something to eat? I need to talk to Jason for a minute." Nik picks up Jake and leaves the room.

Jason leans in and kisses her fervently. They've been apart for less than five hours and he already misses her smile, the way her hair falls across her forehead, her shining eyes. In a moment seemingly without end they connect once more.

And then she pulls away.

"Are you okay?" Jason can't help but be concerned.

Elizabeth ignores the question, "Jason, what are you doing here?"

"I needed to see you. I have—"

"Jason! Why are you making this so difficult?"

"Because I love you and I want us to be family." Elizabeth starts to protest, but Jason gently covers her mouth, stopping her from speaking. "You made your choice. Now it's my turn. I told you I would leave the mob for you and the boys and I meant it. I told Sonny the same thing."

"But Jason, the mob is your life. You've told me before you can't get out."

"No, you are my life… and the boys. I've thought this through. We will have to leave Port Charles and go some place safe for now. I can protect you more easily if we're together than if we're apart."

Elizabeth nods her head slowly, biting her lip with worry. "I trust you Jason, but what will this mean for our boys? Will we be on the run for the rest of our lives?"

Jason lowers his head; he doesn't want to see the fear in Elizabeth's eyes. "I can't answer that, but please trust that I will do everything in my power to protect our family."

Elizabeth caresses Jason's cheek, her eyes well up with tears. "I do."

Jason takes Elizabeth's hands and kisses them softly. "We can go Mexico or Canada or wherever we need to until the arsonist is caught."

Elizabeth's ears perk up at the mention of Canada. "I know a safe place for us to go… my cousin Gwen from my mother's side. We used to be close when we were young. She'll take us in if I ask."

So Elizabeth makes the call to her cousin in Kingston while Jason makes one last trip to his penthouse.

--

"What does the Master mean the Grasshopper will reside alone in the Stonecold's lair, free to do what he wishes? Are you and the Maternal One fleeing from the rancorous arsonist? Do you not desire to seek revenge on this as yet unknown assailant who has blighted your fair Elizabeth's home and put the Stonecold's family in mortal peril?"

Jason waits for more of Spinelli's monologue but when none is forthcoming—it seems he is out of breath—in an uncharacteristic action he hesitantly puts his hand on his longtime roommates shoulder. Secretly he already misses his—what would Spinelli call himself—protégé. "Thank you."

Spinelli is speechless. He makes a squeaking noise.

Jason grins; he feels unexpectedly optimistic and unusually happy. "What was that?" He says teasingly.

Spinelli clears his throat and repeats himself, "Thank you for what?"

Handing Spinelli the keys to the penthouse, Jason ignores him and instead says, "The place is yours. I'm leaving for good." He grips Spinelli's shoulder tightly and gives his best stone cold stare, "I trust you not to tell anyone."

"But you neglected to mention the location of your new humble abode for the Stonecold, the Maternal One and your offspring."

"And I'm keeping it that way. Look Spinelli I—"

He is unceremoniously cut off by a loud knock on the door. "I know you're in there Jason. Open up." Carly.

Spinelli slinks to the couch not wanting to get in the way of Carly's ritual diatribe. Jason sighs and opens the door. Carly pushes her way in.

"Sonny tells me you're leaving the organization. One guess as to who put you up to this." Without waiting for an answer to this obviously rhetorical question she continues, "Elizabeth has always been afraid of your lifestyle. Besides, what real ties do you have with her? Your family is here—"

"Carly!" Jason's tone is clear. "I do not have time to listen to you badmouth Elizabeth for the umpteenth time."

"Fine, but you better rethink your choice. You're acting with your heart and not your head. She makes you do that. Perhaps not on purpose but it's making you reckless."

Once again he cuts her off. "I have to go." He picks up his suitcase, gives Carly a quick kiss goodbye and exits his penthouse for good.

Aghast and mouth wide-open, Carly stares at the slammed door. And then turns toward Spinelli who merely shrugs.

--

Sonny slams down the phone. Carly couldn't stop Jason from leaving. He's not that surprised. She doesn't know what's really at stake. And when Jason sets his mind to something it's impossible to get him to see anything else. He knows Jason will do everything in his power to protect Elizabeth and the boys. But that's not enough.

He calls Max and Milo into his office and gives them a direct order. "Follow Jason and tell me where he's taking Elizabeth and the boys."

Milo and Max hesitate. Sonny glares threateningly, "What are you waiting for? NOW!"

To be continued