A/N – Thanks for the warm welcome. FYI There is no Kate in this one. Connie is the only persona that exists. My daughter gave birth a few days ago, so I got my first boy g-child who was over 9 lbs. They are in Germany, so, unfortunately, it will be a while before I get to meet him.

Chapter 2

Elizabeth sat on the bleachers and read a book. This is the way it always has been. She can't have friends because they ask too many questions and couldn't come to her house because of her father, so she made up her own world in her head and sometimes she wrote about it to get her ideas out. Lunch is usually spent on her own which is just fine with her. It gives her time to think or create.

Gnawing on the top of her pencil, she thought about how Jason came to her rescue. He's a strange one. His mood varied from intense to more intense and she wonders what is up with him. Not only is he gorgeous and athletic, but he's smart. How can he not be happy? Something is obviously amiss in his world and she wonders what it is that makes him put up such a high wall.

"Lunch is over."

She jumped, almost dropping her book and then her gaze locked on Franco Baldwin.

He smirked. "Seriously, look at your watch."

She glanced at it and he was right. "Thanks."

"No problem, can I ask you something?"

"Sorry, I can't be late." She jumped up and hustled down the stairs, leaving him standing there in shock at her abruptness. The boy gives her the creeps. There are rumors that he had killed a couple of cats and wrote weird notes with their blood. He is the last person that she wants to talk to.

He stared at her disappearing form and then kicked the side of the stairs. For the last two weeks, he had been trying to drum up the courage to talk to her and ask her to the dance, but she always found a way to escape. "Stupid stuck up girls always judging me and looking at me like I'm a murderer or something."

He stomped away, determined to put Elizabeth in her place someday for treating him like a leper.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason stared at the clock, he has fifteen minutes until he's off and he can't wait. His attention goes to Elizabeth who is chewing on the end of her pencil as she crunches some numbers.

"What are you doing?"

She jumps a mile, not expecting him to address her, and then slightly blushes as she glances at him.

"Just figuring out how much this car repair is going to cost me."

"What's wrong with it?"

"The radiator sprung a leak."

Jason cleaned up around the register. "Let's call it a night. Change the sign and if you need a ride, I can give you one."

A feeling of panic overtook her. "I can take the bus."

"It's not out of my way."

"I don't know what to say."

He smirked. "Just say yes."

"Okay, thanks."

They shut down the store and reconciled the register before leaving.

Jason held the car door open as she slipped inside and then hustled to his side. "Do you mind if I make one stop?"

"No." She's in no hurry.

She watches curiously as he pulls off and after a few minutes, guesses they are headed towards the river.

He glanced at her. "What are you thinking about?"

"Have you ever just wished you could change your name, move away and start over?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

He shrugged. "I know you think you know me, but we all have things we wish we could change."

"True and no, I don't think I know you. In fact, you totally perplex me."

"Why?"

"It's like we come from different worlds at school. You're seen and I'm trying my hardest to be invisible."

"I hate being the center of attention."

She studies him for a moment. "Then why do you hang out with the in-crowd then?"

"I don't. They hang out with me."

She smirked. "Where are we going?"

"Nowhere."

Her head tilted. "I don't remember seeing that on the map."

"It's there, but you have to look for it. I go there to think, and I thought you might like it."

"Well, thank you, I think."

He slightly smiled and pulled down a dirt road and at the end of it, the river rushed by. It narrows in this spot but widens about a half mile away.

Liz smiled and climbed out of the car and ran towards the edge and sat on a tree stump.

Jason moved behind her.

"It's beautiful." The sound of the water soothes her soul and the mountains are visible in the distance looking so glorious. "I love it here."

"Me too."

They silently waited for the day to turn into night as they got lost in their thoughts.

"I guess I better get you home."

"I think I want to draw this view someday."

"You're an artist?"

She stood. "I'm trying to be one."

They got into the car and Jason drove to her house.

"Will you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Can you drop me off down the street? My dad is really strict."

Her dad is an asshole, at least that is the impression he had from the few times they've met. "Okay." He wondered why fear had flickered in her eyes. Another mystery regarding Elizabeth he'll have to solve. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed someone's company, so he hopes that maybe they can develop a friendship. Most of the people he hangs out around aren't very genuine and he likes that she seems to be, besides, none of them could just shut up and be for more than two minutes and she clearly doesn't have that issue. Sometimes, not saying anything and just being is more powerful than anything that can be said with words.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

For the next two days, Elizabeth had to catch a bus to go home because her car was still being serviced. As she turned the corner onto the next street, she swore that someone was following her, but she's scared to turn around.

Gripping her books, she started to run, spotting the bus from afar and praying she'd make it. When it pulled off, she yelled, but it was no use because she was too far away. "Damn," she muttered.

She had left her stupid phone at home but spots a telephone booth and hurries towards it to try and call Nadine to have her pick her up. Thank God, they hadn't torn it down yet, it's one of the last ones standing in the county and is used more for target practice than making an actual call.

Someone stepped from inside an alley and grabbed her, covering her mouth as they ripped off her backpack and it crashed to the ground.

She tried biting him and the man practically howled and then slammed her against the wall and she saw stars. Without missing a beat, he hauled her into the alley and threw her down, ripping open her shirt.

Around the corner, Jason looked both ways and then made a right and happened to see Elizabeth's book bag. "What the hell?" There was no sign of her, so he pulled over and hopped out and when he got to it and picked it up, he heard her whimper and a smack filled the air and he ran towards the sound.

"You bitch! That will teach you to reject me."

Jason grabbed him and threw him off her as Elizabeth's tortured sob filled the air.

The masked man took off, so Jason reached for her as she attempted to crawl away.

"Elizabeth, it's me."

She gulped for air. "Oh, God, please just go."

"I'm not leaving you here. Where did he hurt you?"

She paused as she stared at the ground. "Everywhere…"

Her voice broke and Jason cursed under his breath. "We need to call the police."

"No! Please! I can't go there. My dad will say it's my fault." She crawled closer and grabbed his arms, forgetting about being partially clothed. "Please, don't. I'm begging you."

The fear in her eyes took his breath away. "Okay, okay, but I have to get you out of here." He had volunteered to escort her home, but she had declined, so he hadn't pushed it, but now he wished that he had.

She sat back and then tried to pull at the scraps of her clothing.

Noticing her state of discomfort, he ripped off his light jacket and helped her into it. When she stood, she swooned and he ended up lifting her into his arms and carrying her to his car. Once he got her settled, he retrieved her book bag and put it in the back.

She stared out of the window as he drove, not even registering that he was driving to his house. When the car stopped, she finally looked at him. "Where are we?"

"My house, my parents are doctors. If you won't go to the police, then this is your only other choice." His mother doesn't practice anymore for some unknown reason, another secret he wants to expose.

Liz isn't happy, but she doesn't have the energy to fight him.

He got out and opened her door and even though she protested, he wouldn't take no for an answer and carried her to the door and kicked it with his foot.

After a minute, Monica answered.

"Oh my God, Jason, what happened?"

"She was attacked and I stopped it."

"Put her on the couch."

He laid her down and Monica fussed around her.

"Why didn't you go to the police or the hospital?"

Elizabeth's bottom lip trembled. "Please, my dad will be so mad. It will get very bad. Please…"

Monica is stunned but slightly nods. She is aware of Elizabeth's parents and Trevor's position. The man is a blight and she wondered if he is abusing Elizabeth.

Alan had heard them and grabbed his bag. "Hello, Elizabeth, I'm Alan, Jason's father. Can I examine you?"

She nods. "Can we be alone?"

"Yes." He looks at his wife and son and they reluctantly leave.

Monica peppers Jason in the kitchen. "This could really backfire if anyone finds out you brought her here instead of to the hospital. Do you even care what kind of predicament you're putting us in?"

Jason shoved his hands into his pockets. "And why is that? Maybe you could shed some light on why it's so bad that we help her."

"Did you see the look in her eyes when she spoke about her father?"

"Yes."

"Trevor Lansing is brutal and you do not want to be on his radar. He could ruin your life."

Jason rolled his eyes. "She needs our help."

"Are you friends with her?"

"Not really, but we work together."

"Honestly, Jason, you're already in enough trouble."

He sighed and then leaned against the counter. If he finds out that Trevor is hurting Elizabeth, he's not sure what he'll do. Even if they don't know each other very well, he can't imagine standing by and letting the man get away with that.

Out in the living room, Alan finishes up. "Well, you have a nice sized egg on the back of your head and a mild concussion. You're very lucky. There may be some bruising from where he grabbed you, but there won't be any lasting damage."

She gripped the jacket as she pulled it around her.

"I'm sure that my wife has something you can wear. I'll be right back."

"Thank you, Dr. Morgan."

"You're welcome."

Jason sat across from her and then handed her some water.

"Thanks," she said before sipping it.

"Are you going home?"

Again, tears pricked her eyes, and he gripped the arms of the chair, wondering what her story is.

"I—I don't want to, but I don't have another choice."

"You can stay here."

"Jason!" Monica said as she moved closer and then handed Elizabeth a sweat suit. "This should fit and please know that I'm not against you, but I'm not sure that you being here is appropriate."

"I understand."

"Well, I don't. She could sleep in the guest room and I can run her home early in the morning," Jason said.

"She needs to be watched," Alan said. "Maybe it's for the best that she stays here."

Elizabeth began to cry with relief and Monica gently hugged her.

"It's going to be alright. You'll see. Now, let's go to the room so you can change and lay down."

Liz nodded and let Monica direct her.

Alan took her place on the couch.

"Are you mad?" Jason asked.

"I wish you had just taken her to the hospital, but I get why you didn't. Just keep your distance from her going forward so you can stay out of Trevor's way."

Jason has no intention of doing that, so he ignored the request. "Why are you so scared of Trevor?"

Alan sighed. "It's complicated."

Jason growled as he stood. "I'm so sick of you never answering my questions. I'm going to bed."

Alan watched his son leave. He hates keeping this secret and hopes that someday, Jason will be able to forgive him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth eyes the door as it crept open.

"It's me," Jason said carrying a pillow and blanket.

"What are you doing?"

He threw the pillow onto the floor and then laid down. "I thought you might feel safer if I stayed."

While she's surprised, she's also very grateful. "Thank you."

"Elizabeth, is Trevor hurting you?"

"Not how you probably think. It's just—I can't tell you. Please don't ask me again."

He doesn't like the answer, but perhaps over time, he'll gain her trust and she'll come around.

"Okay. You need to sleep."

Her eyes slowly closed and remained shut for about an hour before her first nightmare assaulted her mind.

"No! Stop! Please don't hurt me," she whimpered, making Jason jump to his feet.

"Elizabeth."

"Please don't rape me."

When she started to kick, he moved onto the bed and held her against him, trying to protect her. "Elizabeth, it's Jason. You're okay."

Her body jolted awake.

"You're okay. I've got you."

A cry left her lips and he stroked her back as she let out her emotions.

"I hate that he hurt you."

Her crying had died down, but she remained silent.

"Talk to me."

"I can't." She tried to push away, but he held her against him.

"Please don't run from me."

She slightly retreated. "You don't even know me. You have no idea what I live with and how stressful my life is and I don't get why you even care. I barely exist to you."

He dropped his arms and sighed heavily. "Elizabeth…"

"No, Jason. I don't know what we're doing. You can't talk to me in public or your friends will make my life absolutely miserable. I'm grateful that you stopped him from hurting me, but let's be honest; you're not going to be my bestie. You are Jason—an untouchable and gorgeous and I'm Elizabeth, the one who gets made fun of who is dowdy and pathetic. There is no reality where we fit."

He is struck dumb that she thinks so little of herself.

"I'm really tired, just let it be."

"For now…"

She falls into a restless sleep as Jason lays awake thinking about everything she said. He had thought long and hard about what he wants to do after graduation and he hopes to just get out of this town as quickly as he can. His parents will hate that he won't be under their thumb anymore, but it is what it is and he'll do it with or without their help. He never asked for the popularity, but he didn't shun it either and the bottom line is that it made his life easier so he went along with it. While he doesn't care about what any of his so-called friends think of him, for some reason, the little brunette currently tossing and turning on the bed makes him want to care about something. There is way too much pain in her eyes for her age and she is far too young to be so jaded.