Disclaimer: Anything remotely recognizable as being a part of the cannon General Hospital.

Claiming any artistic creativity thought up by yours truly. Copy Writers be fore shamed.

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DARK SIDE
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Its been a week since Elizabeth art exhibition and she still couldn't believe that her Gram had shown up. Every day since the exhibition, her grandmother has called at least twice a day, joining her for breakfast a couple times and even buying her a gift for no apparent reason. She wasn't sure what prompted her grandmother's sudden change of heart, but she was almost certain that Jason had a hand in it.

Turning to look at her sleeping boyfriend, she couldn't help but smile slightly at the sight of him fast asleep. There aren't many people that Jason would trust enough to drop his guard around and only one person he'd trust enough to fall asleep around. Her. Elizabeth couldn't even begin to describe what having that kind of trust felt like.

To know that she was the only person he trusted enough to be completely unguarded around, suffice to say that it made her that much more adamant to never do anything to make him change his mind. To have his trust made Elizabeth give her trust easily and unconditionally. The same went for her heart.

"Stop staring." his husky voice says softly, sliding his arm to rest over her lap. "Its hard for me to sleep when you do that."

"And here I thought you were asleep." she counters teasingly, running her fingers along the length of his arm.

"I was." he assures, stroking the side of her leg with his fingers. "I felt you staring."

"Sure you did." she laughs softly when he finally opens his eyes to look at her. "I'm not going to apologize. I like watching you while you sleep."

"Did I ask for an apology?" he counters, moving to where he was at eye level with her. "I like watching you sleep, too."

"I know." she smirks, leaning in and kissing him softly. "I'm not always asleep when you do."

"I know."

Laughing softly, Elizabeth closes her eyes as Jason's lips move to claim hers, successfully cutting off anything she was about to say in return. Like every other time before, the kiss takes on a life of its own, drowning them in their love and pulling them into the same old song and dance that they loved so much.

Every movement, every touch, sends sparks through both of them, feeling both new and known at the same time. Elizabeth had always wondered if the feeling would end, if they'd become so accustomed to each other that it would no longer feel new anymore, but thankfully that time hasn't come yet. And she prays it never will.

"What time is it?" Jason asks her after they finally get washed up and changed.

"Little after nine in the evening." Elizabeth admits, pulling on her jacket before turning to face him. "Don't feel bad, Jason. You needed to sleep."

"Still." he sighs, walking over to pull her into his arms. "I just wasted an entire day that could have been spent with you."

"You did spend it with me." she reminds him, kissing him softly. "True, you were unconscious the entire time, but you spent it with me none the less."

"Not the same thing." Jason says seriously, looking at her intently. "I hate sleeping the day away. You know that."

"I know...but now you have the energy to take me out tonight." Elizabeth points out, handing him his leather jacket. "You up for it?"

"What do you have in mind?" Jason counters, seeing that gleam in her eyes that meant they were in for one hell of a night.

"You'll see." she says simply, sliding her hand into his. "Come on."

Their night started with a bike ride through town, with her as the driver, making it up the winding road and back again. Jason had to admit, though he doesn't let her do it often, he enjoyed the few times that she ended up deciding where they're meant to go. Tonight is no different and he couldn't wait to see what she had in store for him for the rest of the night.

"I'm sorry." Jason apologizes for the tenth time since they arrived back at Harbor View Towers.

"Stop apologizing." Elizabeth demands, taking his hand in hers as they walk into the building and onto the elevator. "I accept your job and that means accepting Sonny's constant calls and interference. We're okay."

"Yeah?" he moves to pin her up against the back of the elevator, staring deeply into her eyes. "What did I ever do to deserve you in my life?"

"I ask myself that question every single day I find you laying beside me in bed." she admits, moving to wrap her arms around his waist. "I love you and, because that's true, nothing Sonny or Carly do will ever get me to walk away."

"I love you." he whispers, claiming her lips swiftly, bringing his hands up to frame her face. "You are my life."

"I know." she assures, sighing when the bell dings and the doors open up. "Time to see what the tyrant wants."

"Come on." he moves out of her embrace to slip his hand into hers. "An hour at most...then its just you and me for the rest of the night. Promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Morgan." she says seriously, standing outside of Sonny's penthouse.

"Oh, that's one promise I'm definitely gonna keep it." Jason says simply as he gestures for Ritchie to announce them. "I'm still looking forward to the night you had planned."

"Well, in that case, make it a half hour at most." Elizabeth glances down at her watch. "We'll barely have enough time if we stay any longer."

"Half an hour it is then." he smirks, leaning in to kiss her temple. "Promise."

Hand in hand, Jason and Elizabeth walk into the Corinthos penthouse to deal with whatever had Sonny's panties in a bunch this time. The moment they walked through the door however, Elizabeth knew that Jason would soon be leaving town, just by the look on Sonny's face.

Its a mixture of worry and anxiety, but a glimmer of satisfaction that Jason would be out of town and away from her. Its a look that Elizabeth has memorized. Its a look she hated. And a look she wished she'd never have to see so soon. Yet there was the look and soon her boyfriend will be on a plane out of town to handle whatever disaster that Sonny created.

While Sonny and Jason walk into the kitchen to discuss their business, her boyfriend's only demand whenever she's around, Elizabeth walks over to stand by the balcony windows. She could feel Carly's smug face watching her, but she didn't care.

All she cared about was where Jason was going and how long he'd be gone. Sonny and Carly can feel as smug as they want, she was focused on the most important thing in her life, Jason. No matter what anyone thinks, her life would mean nothing without Jason. She'd mean nothing without him.

"Ready?" Jason says from behind her, placing both hands on either sides of her shoulder. "I made sure it was less than half an hour."

"I know." she whispers, taking a deep breath before turning to face him. "I'm ready."

"Elizabeth..."

"Later." she says seriously, slipping her hand into his. "I have a night planned for us, remember?"

Walking past Carly and Sonny, who found themselves on the couch, Elizabeth and Jason walk out of the building and make their way to his bike before taking off into the night. Though she knew the conversation that waited for them later that night, Elizabeth forced herself to stay in the moment and focus on the night she had planned for them. She'll be damned if she let Sonny and Carly ruin the night she worked so hard to put together.

Pulling the bike into Jake's, Elizabeth took hold of his hand and walked him through the doors, right up to his favorite pool table (apart from the one in their home, of course) and started to rack up the balls. Jason knew right away that this would be one of those nights and he only wishes that Sonny didn't place that damn grey cloud overhead. He'll let that cloud linger for now, ignoring it the best he can, because he knows they'll be confronting it soon enough.

"Hey, love birds." Ethan Lovett's voice brings them out of their little bubble, both turning to greet their friend.

"Hey, Ethan." Elizabeth wraps her arms around him, kissing his cheek. "Heard you teamed up with Luke to open up a floating casino."

"You heard correctly, love." Ethan smirks, moving to shake Jason's hand before accepting the beer from the waitress. "You feel generous enough to help with the decor?"

"Sure." Elizabeth shrugs, grabbing her beer from the pool table. "Let me know when you've got things finalized and I'll stop by."

"Will do." Ethan assures before turning to Jason. "Care to play against someone that won't kick your ass as much?"

"Sure." Jason says after getting the approval from Elizabeth. "One game."

"One's all I got time for." Ethan agrees, taking the pool stick that Elizabeth holds out for him. "Thanks, love."

Taking her seat at the table closest to the pool table, Elizabeth kicks up her heels and cradles her beer in her hands as she watches the two men go at it in their game. She noticed Jason's focus diverting to her every now and then, but she wouldn't indulge him right now. Right now's about having fun and Ethan's just the person to get them out of their funk.

One game turned into two, which turned into three, ending with Jason the victor and Ethan paying up. Once she was sure that they were finally done with their game, Elizabeth rises to her feet and walks over to stand by her boyfriend, accepting the goodbye hug from Ethan.

"As much as I love getting my ass handed to me by you, mate, I have to blow out of here." Ethan says, grabbing his jacket from where he tossed it. "Look forward to my call in a day or two, kay?"

"I will." Elizabeth assures before watching him shake Jason's hand and walk out of the bar.

Once Ethan was out the door, Jason and Elizabeth decide that its time to end their night and pay for their beers before heading out. This time, Jason's the one to sit in front, after she tells him that they'll be heading back to the penthouse.

Jason could feel her clinging to him and it had his heart aching, knowing that she'd be without him soon and he'll be without her. As quickly as the thought entered his mind, he banished it just as quickly. That conversation is for the end of the night, they still had a good amount of time left before they'll be forced to have it.

Slipping the key into the lock, he unlocks the door and pushes it open, completely in shock at what he finds. All throughout the penthouse are small flame-less candles, soft music playing in the background, rose pedals spread all over the floor and a six pack of beer sitting on ice near the couch.

"How?" he asks, glancing down at her.

"Your sister helped me out." she admits, pulling him inside and closing the door. Helping him out of his jacket as she said, "Dance with me."

"Anything you want." he swears, helping her out of her jacket. "Its yours."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Starting off with a dance, or two, Elizabeth decides that she's had enough of dancing and stops him from holding her. For a moment, he's confused, but soon he gets the picture and slips his hand into hers, knowing exactly where they were going.

Grabbing the last two bottles of beer, Elizabeth and Jason walk up the stairs to their bedroom, beginning the same old song and dance that they loved so much. Though it was bittersweet, with his impending departure, they both relished in it, as they always did.

"I guess we should talk now." Elizabeth says in a hushed tone, running her fingers up an down his chest.

"Yeah...I guess we should." he agrees, softly stroking her hair. "I won't be gone that long."

"How long is not that long?" she counters, shutting her eyes as she listens to his words.

"Two weeks...maybe three." he confesses, feeling her tense up for a moment before relaxing again. "I'll be in Puerto Rico..."

"Which means you won't be able to call me." she sighs, turning to look at him. "I hate it when you go there."

"I know." he sighs, kissing her softly. "I'll try to get it done as soon as possible, but I can't make any promises."

"And that's why I worry." she shakes her head, nestling her face into his chest. "When you can't make a promise, its never good for me."

"I'm coming back to you." he swears, moving her to look at him. "I'm coming back to you, Elizabeth! That much I can promise."

"You better." she swears, staring him in the eyes, intently. "Because Carly and Sonny will have hell to pay if you don't."

"Elizabeth..." he tries to protest, but she simply slams her lips against his, cutting off anything he could have or would have said.

"I love you, Jason Morgan! You are my life." she says seriously, framing his face in her hands. "If I lose you, I lose everything. You understand me?"

"I understand." he says softly, staring into her eyes. "You're the same for me."

"Good." she says seriously before nestling into him once again. "Just...just be careful."

"Always."

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