Chapter 4

He was tailing them. Elizabeth and that guy she seemed so comfortable with. Who was that asshole? He decided he would get Max on that tomorrow, discretion be damned.

Jason watched them enter her apartment building. A few moments later, he saw lights come on and through the window he could see her stumbling across the room. She definitely looked drunk.

Like an itch that required scratching, he wanted to get closer, needed to see more. He eyed the fire escape. What the hell.

Huffing slightly as he scaled to the second floor, he stopped on the landing outside what appeared to be her bedroom window. It was unlocked.

What is she thinking leaving her window unlocked?

He slid it open.

And over the fire escape of all places.

He crawled in.

Anyone could get in here.

Jason closed the window behind him.

He looked around, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dark space, the moonlight cascading over his shoulder and a small amount of artificial light coming in from the hallway. Jason stepped off to the left and into the shadows to avoid continued illumination. He could make out a bed, queen sized, with a dark colored comforter – a dresser, nightstand, lamp, closet – standard bedroom, he decided.

Jason's brow furrowed as he eyed a…stuffed animal? fur vest? What the hell was that? The 'what-the-hell-was-that' turned to look up at him. Good God, is that a cat? It's huge, he thought as his eyeballs bulged.

He watched as the cat looked up at him and cocked its head to the side, as if it was considering him. Jason bent down and rubbed the beast under its chin. He heard it purr in response and turn its head into his palm.

As Jason stood the cat jumped, knocking over a waste paper basket. Shit. He quickly picked up the cat and tossed him towards the open door. The animal landed on all fours and ran out of the room. Jason shook his head in relief and concealed himself behind the open bedroom door, just in case.

He discovered this vantage point allowed him a partial view of the living room and the entrance to what looked like the kitchen. He saw Elizabeth standing, with him beside her and that big rat rubbing itself on her leg. Jason heard Elizabeth say something about "fatso" as she picked up the cat and walked toward the kitchen. "Fatso?" he mouthed silently.

Jason heard the guy say something about not leaving her bedroom window open. Jason certainly didn't like him, but found himself nodding his head in agreement. Don't leave your window unlocked much less wide open, he internally scolded her. Did I not teach you anything?

Then it happened. Jason watched as he touched her. Not wanting to bear witness, but unable to pull his eyes away, Jason saw him kiss her and cringed as she responded. Holding his breath, he was punched in the gut at the memory of another time, another place, when he had felt something equally painful. His heart ached as it had all those years ago when he watched in silence as Elizabeth and Zander began…

His mind came shooting back to the present when he saw this guy start to cop a feel. Jason's blood began to boil. Breaking every one of his fingers would be a pleasure.

They stopped kissing and he scrutinized them as they whispered to one another. Words of desire? Love? Jason knew he needed to tear himself away and get out of dodge before he was busted, but he couldn't move. Suddenly, the rat hissed and the guy let go of Elizabeth. Damn, that rat was growing on him.

Jason heard him call the cat a psycho. Jackass. No one talks about my rat like that.

He watched the guy get his coat and turn towards the door. He's leaving? Thank God for small favors. The last thing Jason needed to see was Elizabeth and this…this horny guy falling over each other…and then get caught in her bedroom as they tumbled toward the mattress. Totally embarrassed and jailed. Not a good plan.

So that's it, they're lovers. Elizabeth left something at his house and was so distracted by him she couldn't remember how she did her hair. Why is she fidgeting so much? Bastard. Don't let the door hit you in the ass, bud.

Jason watched Elizabeth close the door, her small hands and delicate fingers turning the dead bolt, setting the chain. Good girl. He saw her turn to the rat. Did she call it Jake? Jake the cat/rat doesn't like him. Jason, on the other hand, liked this cat more and more with each passing minute.

He gazed at her as she turned off the light in the living room and walked towards the kitchen. He was mesmerized by her movements. His eyes followed her down the hall… Oh, holy hell Jason pinched his eyes shut as Elizabeth entered the bedroom and crossed to the window. He realized then that he was stuck…and rusty. He stared at her as she flipped the lock and peered outside.

He watched as her eyes met his, saw her stiffen…

Well, now seems like as good a time as any.