A/N – Thanks for the reviews so far. KristinaDEllis – Thanks for reading! Doralupin86 – I hear you! This chapter and the next are probably the worst for Jason and then it improves. I'm giving you a 2nd chapter for today. Enjoy! Liz kind of does something really stupid….

Chapter 4 - Runaway

Liz took a deep breath. "If I'm not pretty enough or suitable enough for you, then we should end this now. I'm not going to waste away in this house. I have way too much to offer for that."

Jason growled and walked towards her. Suddenly, Liz felt a little intimated. He stopped in front of her and she took a step backwards. "I will not be forced to care for you or make this marriage work. I didn't want it in the first place and was pressured into it. You can't bat your eyes at me and cook your way into my heart and wear a hot dress and think that I'm going to get all tongue tied. I will not succumb to your charms, ever!"

Liz hurled her body at him, and let out a battle cry, and started pounding on his chest as she practically screamed in frustration. Jason grabbed her and pulled her close to stop her from hitting him, and when that didn't work, he picked her up and threw her onto the bed.

"Please stop," Jason yelled.

She lunged at him and he lost his balance and fell on top of her. Liz fought him with every ounce of anger she had in her body as he held her down as gently as he could. He didn't want to hurt her. She finally stilled and he stared into her eyes as he watched the tears well up before letting her go and easing his body off of hers. Slowly, he walked out of the room. When he didn't come back, Liz threw on some clothes and sneakers and grabbed the little bit of cash she had on her. She sneaked out of the house and just started running.

Jason was in the kitchen and didn't see her leave. He walked back upstairs and when he got to the room, she was gone. He frantically called Johnny who came in right away.

"She's gone. We had a big fight and she sneaked out. It's not safe right now. We have to find her."

Jason knew he had screwed up as he watched Johnny curse under his breath and take off.

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Dante Falconeri was coming from a friend's house when he saw the petite little woman walking down the street. He pulled up alongside her. "Are you in trouble?"

"Leave me alone please," Liz said continuing to walk. She didn't even bother to look his way.

"I can't do that. I can't leave you out here. It's too dangerous. Please get in my car."

Liz shook her head. "You could be an axe murderer."

Dante chuckled. "I assure you that I am not. I'm a Fire Investigator." She looked over at him and he flashed his badge.

She didn't say anything and continued to walk.

"If you won't get in my car, will you please let me call you a cab?"

Liz froze when she heard someone yell her name. She reached for the door handle and jumped inside.

Dante smiled and punched the gas pedal and drove to a diner on the outskirts of town.

They settled into a booth and a waitress appeared.

"What can I get you?"

"Can I have some hot chocolate?" Liz asked.

Dante smiled. "I'll have the same and a slice of that apple pie."

The waitress smiled at him. "Whatever you want honey."

Liz giggled. "I think she likes you."

"I think she's older than my mother."

Liz laughed.

"I'm Dante by the way."

"Elizabeth. So, tell me about yourself Dante."

"Hmmm. Well, I'm a fire investigator, which you already know. I just moved to Port Charles from Brooklyn. My dad lives here, but I haven't spoken to him in a long time."

"Why?"

The waitress placed there order on the table. "Holler if you two kids need anything," she said before winking at Dante.

He shook his head and continued. "Well, let's just say we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things."

"Okay," she said before sipping on her drink.

"Want some pie?"

She shook her head no.

"I'm single, but I hope to change that. I also like baseball and my ma's cooking," Dante said before taking a bite of the pie.

Liz grinned. "I love to cook. I make some mean gravy."

He looked at her with surprise. "What else do you like to do?"

"Well, I love to paint. I'm an artist. I love to play cards, pool, you name it. I love tequila. And one day, I'd like to teach art." Liz grinned at the thought. "And I even sew and made my own prom dress."

Dante smiled. "Wow, you're one talented lady. I'm impressed."

"I suppose you want to know why I was wandering around the streets by myself at night?"

He studied her face. She was gorgeous. "You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to."

"Let's just say my arranged marriage is not quite working out like I planned it."

"Did you say arranged? What is this India?" he asked making a face.

Liz laughed. "It was more of a business transaction." It suddenly hit her that Dante now knew more about her than her own husband and that made her sad.

"I really hope it works out for you. You seem like a really nice lady," he said, a little bit sad that she was married.

Liz smiled. "Thanks."

"So, where do we go from here my new friend?" he asked putting his fork down.

Liz thought for a moment. She could kick herself for not grabbing her purse.

Dante guessed her predicament. "Would you be opposed to going to my apartment? I'll sleep on the couch and be a perfect gentleman. I promise."

She took another sip of her drink. "This could very well be the stupidest thing that I've ever done, but yes, I'd like to take you up on that."

"Good."

Dante threw some money on the table and stood up. "After you milady."

Liz smiled and walked past him and then out to the car.

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Dante unlocked his door. "It's not much. I just changed the sheets this morning. You can have the bed and I'll sleep on the couch."

Liz liked the loft. It was industrial, but it had character. She turned and looked at him. "I like it."

"You're just being nice. Have a seat."

Liz sat on the couch. She knew Jason would be furious, but she just didn't care. He deserved whatever he'd have coming from her father. She just hoped that Dante was really a stand up guy.

"You want some water?"

She nodded and he went into the fridge and grabbed a bottle and then grabbed a beer for himself before joining her.

He turned on the television and they started watching a movie. Eventually both of them fell asleep. He woke up and carried her over to the bed and tucked her in and then went back to the couch. What kind of asshole lets a girl like that go?

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Jason met Johnny back up at the house. "Fuck." he said when he saw Johnny was alone.

Johnny didn't even reply.

"I fucked up."

"You think?" Johnny said exasperatedly.

Jason knew that he deserved the looks and attitude he was getting from everyone, but all he could think about was that she was alone out there by herself and scared all because of him. She was small and he was worried that she wouldn't be able to protect herself. If anything happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

Sonny came running into the house. "Did you find her?"

"No."

Sonny clenched his jaw. This was not going to end well. "So help me Jason, if you fuck this up and she gets hurt, I will kill you myself," he said walking over to the couch and sitting down.

They sat around and waited all night.

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Liz woke up in an unfamiliar bed to the smell of eggs and bacon. She sat up and looked over at the kitchen. Dante was cooking without his shirt on. She smiled at his fit body and tattoos and then got up and freshened up in the bathroom and then sat on the couch.

"Did you sleep well?" He called out.

"Yes."

He put two plates and some juice on the coffee table. "Dig in," he said before grabbing his shirt and putting it back on.

She smiled and ate as they chatted.

He looked over at her. "I have to be at work soon. Is there some place that I can take you?"

Liz gazed at him solemnly. "I guess you better take me home. I think I taught him a good enough lesson."

Dante smiled. "Whatever you want. Just let me put on my uniform."

She nodded and he came back in ten minutes and grabbed his keys. She followed him down to his car and they got inside.

He handed her a card. "If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to call me."

"Thank you."

She gave him directions to the house. To her surprise the gates were opened and they drove in. Dante pulled up to the house and got out of the car and opened her door.

"Thanks again," she said sincerely.

"I'll walk you to the door."

Liz cringed. "I don't know if that's a good idea. My husband is a hot head."

At that moment the door flung opened and Jason came bounding down the stairs as Johnny ran behind him.

"Where have you been?" He yelled. "You scared us shitless."

Liz flinched and Dante pushed her behind him. "Can you calm down please? You're scaring her."

Johnny jumped in front of Jason and pushed him back before he could beat the shit out of Dante.