Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to ABC Disney/General Hospital, no copyright infringement is intended.
Marco knocked on the door to Jason's penthouse before sticking his head inside.
"Jason, you asked to be informed when Carly was back, she's home."
"Thanks Marco." Jason said to the guard, who nodded and disappeared again.
Jason took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders, hoping to release some of the tension that had settled into them. This was not going to be a fun conversation to have with Carly. For some reason that was lost on him, she hated Elizabeth for a long time and it was likely that Carly's head would explode when she heard the news. He might as well get this over with.
Moments later Jason was opening the door to Sonny's penthouse. Carly turned around and a huge smile crossed her face.
"Jase!" She called out as she crossed the room and hugged him.
"How was your trip Carly?" He asked, stepping back from her.
"It was great. Paris is beautiful, even though I didn't have much time for seeing the sights. I was able to get the deal finalized with the supplier for the new Deception perfume line." She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. "How are you? You look tired."
Jason couldn't help but smile, typical Carly. "I'm fine." His expression turned more serious which made Carly still.
"What's going on? Did something happen?" He nodded and took her by the arm to have a seat on the sofa. "Where are Sonny and Michael? Are they ok?"
"They are fine Carly. It's nothing like that." Carly reached out and smacked Jason's arm.
"Don't scare me like that. So what is going on?"
"Rick is dead. He betrayed Sonny and he came after me. I can't get into the details because I've been charged with murder."
"Oh my god Jason! What is Alexis doing about this?"
"She is handling it, but there is more. Yesterday Elizabeth and I got married."
For a moment the words just hung in the air between then and Carly was absolutely still. That was something that didn't often happen and Jason knew it wasn't good and wouldn't last.
"Married? You married that muffin faced little twit? Why? What did she do?" Carly exploded.
"Don't talk about my wife that way. She and I realized how we feel about each other and decided not to wait to be together. That is all you need to know Carly."
"That's it? That is all you're going to tell me? Are you kidding me Jason? When I left for Paris she was glued to my cousin Lucky's side while still panting after you. How could you marry her?"
"I don't have to explain my relationship with Elizabeth to you Carly. All that you need to know is that we're married and I expect you to be nice to her."
Carly looked at Jason as if he'd suddenly grown a second head. "You can't be serious Jase. I can't stand that little girl. She is not nearly good enough for you. I will make you see that." Carly said as she stood up from the sofa.
"Enough Carly!" Jason's sharp tone made Carly stop and look back at him. Jason got to his feet, his face like stone, a look Carly hadn't been on the receiving end of since she'd slept with Sonny two years earlier. "I am not asking, I'm telling you. Elizabeth is my wife and she is important to me. I don't expect you to agree with my choices but if our friendship means anything to you then you will respect them. Don't put me in a position of having to choose."
Carly stared up at Jason in shock. There is no way that he would choose that girl over her, his best friend. He was just being protective of the other woman, an instinct that Jason took seriously. "Ok, ok, Jase, I will be nice to her."
"I mean it Carly, I don't want you to do anything to upset Elizabeth. She is already dealing with enough."
Carly put her hands up as if surrendering. "Alright, Jason, I promise."
Jason didn't believe her for a second but he would have to take it for the moment. "I have to go. I have a meeting."
Carly gave Jason a hug. "Let me know if there is anything I can do for you or to help with your case."
"It's being handled. The only thing you can do for me is be nice to Elizabeth."
"I already told you that I would."
"Tell Sonny I'll call him later."
Jason left, the door closing quietly behind him and Carly flopped down onto the sofa in a huff. There was no way in hell she was going to stand by and watch that twit manipulate Jason. Carly was going to make sure that Elizabeth was out of Jason's life, one way or another and it would be for good.
"Johnny, do you mind if we make a stop before going back to the penthouse?" Elizabeth asked hesitantly from the back seat.
"Not at all Mrs. Morgan, where to?" Johnny replied, a soft smile on his face. He knew the young woman was struggling with adjusting to being a direct part of Jason's life and wanted to do whatever he could to make it easier on her.
"Um, my studio. I want to take care of a few things."
"Sure, no problem."
"Thanks. Oh, and will you call me Elizabeth?"
Johnny nodded and smiled. "Sure Elizabeth." He made a quick turn and headed towards the riverfront to the building where Elizabeth's studio was. It was not the best area of town and Johnny decided he would talk to Jason about upping the security if Elizabeth was going to be spending time there. From a security stand point it would make much more sense for Elizabeth to just paint at the penthouse but Jason had made it clear that he did not want Elizabeth to feel like a prisoner in his life and she would have the freedom to do what she wanted. After parking the car Johnny got out and walked to the back to open her door.
They walked up the stairs in silence and Elizabeth wasn't sure what to say or do. As they approached the door to her studio Elizabeth began to dig in her bag for her keys when Johnny held up a set of keys.
"I've got one." He said with an easy smile which made Elizabeth laugh softly.
"Of course you do."
"Jason wanted to make sure I had access so I could properly protect you. Wait here just a second while I check it out." Johnny unlocked the door and pushed it open, walking inside and checking the storage room before coming back to the door. "All set."
Elizabeth walked into her studio, the familiar scent of paint, canvas and wood settling her nerves. This was the one place that had been consistent in her life the last few years, the one place that she could be herself. She had been very glad when Jason had told her she would still be able to come there to paint. It would have been very difficult to not have this place to escape.
"You can have a seat on the couch Johnny, it's not much but it's pretty comfortable."
"Thanks Elizabeth but I will wait outside."
"You don't have to, it's ok."
"I appreciate your thought but I need to be between you and the door or any potential threat. If I'm sitting over there I wouldn't be doing my job." He said with a smile.
"Oh, I hadn't thought about that. Thank you for explaining."
"No problem. I know that this is a lot to get used to. If you need anything or there is something I can do to help, just let me know ok?"
"I will, thanks Johnny." He nodded and slipped from the studio, leaving Elizabeth alone.
Normally coming here to her studio and painting was the best way for her to clear her head but today she wasn't sure that was going to work. So much had happened and changed that Elizabeth was having a hard time recognizing her own life. Trying to shut her mind down she grabbed a canvas and started getting out her paints, setting to work.
Zander glanced over at Emily as they walked across the Elm Street Pier. For the last two days since Lucky had announced that Elizabeth and Jason had just gotten married and the confrontation with the two of them, Emily had been quiet and somewhat withdrawn.
"Em? Can we sit for a second?" He finally asked and she nodded. Once they were seated he took a deep breath and looked at her. "Why don't you just call Elizabeth?"
"What? What are you talking about? Why would I call her?"
"Because you miss her." Emily opened her mouth to respond but Zander stopped her. "Don't try to tell me that you don't. I know you remember?"
"I just can't believe that she married my brother and neither of them bothered to tell me they had even been seeing each other."
"It sounds like it was a complicated situation, maybe they didn't want you to get caught up in it."
"He's my brother and she is my best friend, or at least I thought she was."
"You know that she is."
"Why are you defending her?" Emily asked, a hint of accusation in her voice.
"I'm not defending her. I'm just trying to help you. You're hurt, I get that, but shouldn't you at least try to let them explain?"
"It's not like either of them has called me to try and work this out."
"I'm sure there is a lot going on with Jason being charged with murder."
"I can't believe that he did it."
"We both know that being charged doesn't mean you did it." Zander pointed out. He'd been falsely charged with the murder of a cop so he knew what it was like to deal with something like what Jason was facing.
"I know. I just…I can't believe that Liz would go behind Lucky's back with Jason for months and that she never told me what was going on."
"I think this is exactly why you need to talk to her Em. You and Elizabeth have been friends for a long time and I don't want to see you hurting over something that could get cleared up."
Emily nodded slightly and looked at Zander. "When did you get so sensitive?" She asked with a smile.
"Hey, I've always been sensitive." Emily gave him a doubtful look. "Alright, maybe not, but you have a good effect on me. I just want you to be happy Em and you're not happy when you're fighting with your brother and Elizabeth."
"I guess you're right. It wouldn't hurt to try and talk to her."
"Do you want to go now?"
"I don't even know where she and Jason are living. Lucky said she moved out of Kelly's but didn't know where she went."
"How about we try her studio, maybe she is there."
"I guess it is worth a try." Emily agreed and they headed across the docks to Elizabeth's building.
Elizabeth looked at the abstract painting she'd been working on and couldn't decide if she liked it or not. When that happened it usually meant that she didn't. With a sigh she tossed her brush down and pushed her hair out of her face. As much as she'd wanted and hoped to be able to focus her mind kept wandering all over the place.
A knock at her door made Elizabeth look up. Johnny stuck his head in. "Emily and her boyfriend Zander are here to see you. Do you want me to let them in?"
"Um, sure, it's fine." Elizabeth said hesitantly, not sure that she was up for another argument with Emily.
The door opened wider and Emily can in, followed by Zander. Johnny pulled the door most of the way closed but not all the way, preferring to be sure he could hear if Elizabeth needed help.
"Hi." Elizabeth said after a moment. The tension thick in the room.
"Hi Liz." Emily replied.
"Do you guys want to sit down?" Elizabeth asked awkwardly.
"Sure, thanks." Zander replied, leading Emily over to the sofa. Elizabeth sat down on a stool beside them.
"I have to admit that I'm surprised you guys stopped by…" Elizabeth said hesitantly then added, "I'm glad you did. I didn't like the way we left things."
"I didn't either…I'm sorry that I screamed at you."
"I don't blame you Em. I am sorry that you were blindsided by everything."
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did I have to hear that you married my brother from Lucky?"
"There wasn't a chance to tell anyone. Everything happened really fast." Elizabeth replied, fidgeting with the hem of her smock.
"Then why not before? I don't understand how you could go behind my back with Jason for months."
Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked at her best friend. "All I can say is that I'm sorry Em. It is a complicated situation. Jason came to me in January and said that he needed a place to stay out of sight and asked if he could stay here. I agreed to help him. You know how hard it was on me after Jason left, how close we'd gotten and how much I missed him. I guess there was a part of me that wanted to have him to myself for a little while. As soon as I saw him it was like we hadn't missed a second. He became my safe place again. I was in the middle of the chaos with the Face of Deception contest with Gia, something I didn't even want to do but Lucky was pushing and I didn't know what to do. Seeing Jason again made me realize how I felt about him."
"So why didn't you tell anyone? You could have talked to me."
"I was confused and I didn't know what to do. You know that Lucky hasn't been the same since he came back and no matter how hard I tried we could never get back to what we had before. I wasn't ready to deal with my feelings for Jason or anything else."
"What happened the other night at Jake's? Lucky told us that you were with Jason when he killed Rick and that you were dragged down to the police station." Zander asked.
"I can't talk about anything that happened that night, not until Jason is free of the charges."
"Not even to me?" Emily asked, trying not to feel hurt.
"I'm sorry Em. I want to, believe me I do but I can't."
"Can you tell me why you got married without telling anyone?"
Elizabeth hesitated. "Jason and I realized how we felt about each other just before this all happened and we decided not to wait. It was kind of spur of the moment and we just got caught up in everything." Elizabeth reached out and touched her friend's hand. "I'm sorry that we did not tell you what was happening, or include you in any of it. I am so sorry that I hurt you." Elizabeth blinked back tears as she looked at Emily.
"I can't say I exactly understand…but I forgive you Elizabeth. How could I stay angry at my new sister?" It wasn't until that moment that Elizabeth realized that Emily was right. She hadn't thought past her and Jason to realize that Emily was now her sister-in-law.
The two women hugged each other fiercely, tears starting to fall. Feeling out of place and wanting to give them a minute together Zander stood and slipped out of the studio. He glanced at Johnny.
"Women and tears, not something any guy is good at dealing with." Johnny smiled slightly and nodded in reply.
Twenty minutes later Emily pulled the door open and looked at Zander.
"You didn't have to leave you know."
"Hey as soon as the waterworks started I figured it was best if I stepped out here." He replied with a laugh before pulling Emily into a hug.
Elizabeth stood just inside the doorway and watched the two of them. She hadn't seen two people that in love since she herself had been with Lucky before his "death". It was hard not to be jealous but she was happy that her best friend had found a guy that loved her. No matter what some people thought of Zander and admittedly he had made a boat load of mistakes in the past, no one could claim that he didn't love Emily with everything he had.
Emily turned back to Elizabeth and gave her a hug. "I'm glad we cleared everything up. Will you tell Jason that I'm sorry?"
"I will, but you know he will tell you that it's fine, that he understands why you were upset."
"Thanks. Maybe we could do lunch tomorrow?"
"I'm working the lunch shift but I would love to see you."
"Sure, by Liz."
"Bye Em, bye Zander."
Johnny watched the two of them leave then looked at Elizabeth. He could see that her eyes were brighter and like a little bit of the weight that had been sitting on her shoulders had been lifted.
"I think I'm done here, not that I got much accomplished. Can we head back to the penthouse? I need to change before I head to Kelly's for the dinner shift."
"Sure, anything you want Elizabeth."
Elisabeth stepped back into the studio and grabbed her purse. Johnny locked up the studio and they headed out to the car.
Jason stepped off the elevator and nodded to Marco as he approached the door.
"Is Elizabeth here?" He asked.
"No, she had a shift at Kelly's. She left with Johnny about 20 minutes ago."
Jason tried not to show his disappointment. It had been a long day, especially after his conversation with Carly. Something about it just wasn't sitting right with Jason but he couldn't put his finger on it. It didn't make sense that Carly had agreed as readily as she had to be nice to Elizabeth. He'd been asked for over a year for Carly to be nice to the younger woman and his requests had always fallen on deaf ears. Jason knew Carly well enough to know that she didn't just suddenly change her mind about something or someone. She was up to something but Jason didn't have the energy at the moment to figure out what it was.
Part of him had hoped to come home to Elizabeth, which made him stop short as he opened the closet to lock up his gun. They had only been married just over 24 hours and weren't even really moved into the penthouse but he already found himself thinking of it as home. More accurately he realized, when he thought of home it was Elizabeth that came to mind, not a specific place. Refusing to take the time to analyze that feeling he locked up his gun and went upstairs to take a shower.
The dinner rush was finally over and Elizabeth was able to take a deep breath. She tossed the towel in her hand on the counter and took a sip of the Coke she'd just poured herself. It had been a few days since she'd worked but certainly wasn't out of practice, for some reason tonight just seemed busier then normal.
The door to the diner opened and in walked Nikolas with Gia hanging on his arm like a trophy. The two of them were probably the last people with the exception to maybe Lucky that Elizabeth wanted to deal with at that moment. Johnny looked up and saw the expression on Elizabeth's face change instantly. He recognized Lucky's brother Nikolas and his girlfriend as they approached the counter. Every instinct he had told Johnny to step in but remained in his seat, not wanting to crowd Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth." Nikolas's voice was cold as he acknowledged her.
"Hi Nikolas…Gia." Elizabeth replied. "Can I get you something?"
"How about an explanation." Nikolas replied.
"I was referring to something to eat or drink. I'm working and I'm not in the mood to explain myself to you or anyone else."
"That's all I get? After years of friendship, I am not entitled to some kind of explanation as to why you have thrown my brother, the man you claimed to love, aside for a criminal like Jason?"
"It's not that simple Nikolas but as I said, I'm working and I'm not going to get into this with you." Elizabeth replied, her temper rising. She was getting very tired of everyone feeling justified in yelling at her about the choices she made in her own life.
"At least you had the sense to finally drop out of the Face of Deception campaign." Gia threw in, making Elizabeth glare at her.
"I never wanted it to begin with Gia so it's not a big loss as far as I'm concerned. You're more then welcome to it, after all, you never would have had a chance if I hadn't dropped out."
"How dare you! I would have beaten you because you don't have what it takes to be a model for a company like Deception." Gia replied.
Elizabeth shrugged and came around the counter with a pot of coffee to refill her customers' cups. "Whatever helps you sleep at night Gia." She walked passed the two of them and went about her work. When she returned to the counter Nikolas leaned in closer.
"Come on Elizabeth, what the hell is going on?"
"Whatever is going on is my business Nikolas, not yours." Elizabeth replied, her temper rising. "I get that you are trying to defend your brother or whatever but it is none of your damn business."
"You are my friend, or at least I thought you were. I don't understand any of this. Please, help me understand."
"I can't Nikolas, please just accept that I am with Jason. What Lucky and I had is in the past." She grabbed a pitcher of water and came around the counter again. As she moved passed Nikolas he reached out and grabbed her arm.
"No Elizabeth, that is not acceptable. I'm not going to just let this go. Tell me what Jason did to force you into this."
"Nikolas, let go of me." Elizabeth said as the door to the diner opened and Jason stepped inside. Instantly his eyes landed on Nikolas' hand gripping Elizabeth's arm and even though he was further away then Johnny, Jason reached them first, anger propelling him forward. Slamming his hands into Nikolas' chest, he threw the man backwards and forced him to release his hold on Elizabeth's arm. Elizabeth went tumbling off balance, the pitcher of water in her hand shattering on the floor.
Nikolas recovered quickly and came at Jason, throwing a punch but was off the mark. Using his momentum against him Jason was able to throw Nikolas over a near by table with a crash. Jason wanted to keep at him and pound the self righteous prince into the ground like he deserved for putting his hand on Elizabeth but he managed to stop himself.
Leaning down he gently touched Elizabeth's arm. "Are you ok?"
"I…I think so." She said as she sat up. As she did Jason saw the crimson stain of blood on her clothes and the floor beside her.
"You're bleeding. Johnny! Get a towel!" Jason yelled to the guard hovering behind him who rushed to the counter and returned with a towel. As gently as he could Jason examined Elizabeth's arm which appeared to have been cut on the broken glass of the pitcher. He wrapped the towel around her hand and helped her up.
"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Gia yelled from where she was helping Nikolas up, glaring at Jason. He barely even registered that she spoke, his focus on Elizabeth.
"Johnny, get the car, we're taking Elizabeth to the hospital." Jason nearly growled at the bodyguard, who disappeared from the diner. "Where is your purse Elizabeth?" Jason asked as he sat her down on one of the stools at the counter.
"Behind the counter." She replied, her voice shaky. Jason stepped around the counter to retrieve it as Nikolas approached.
"Elizabeth, I'm sorry…" Before he could close the distance to her Jason was at her side again, blocking Nikolas' path.
"Stay the hell away from her."
"I was just trying to apologize Jason." Nikolas protested.
"If I ever see your hands on her again, I will kill you. Do you understand me?" Jason's voice was cold and deep, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
Nikolas opened his mouth to argue but Gia tugged on his arm. "Let's go Nikolas. She is hardly worth getting hurt over." After a moment Nikolas stepped back, glancing to Elizabeth first.
"I am sorry Elizabeth." He said softly before turning and leaving the diner with Gia.
Jason turned back to Elizabeth and touched her cheek lightly, bringing her eyes to his. "Can you walk out to the car or do you want me to carry you?" He asked softly.
"I can walk…but Jason I'm ok, it's just a cut."
"That is bleeding and needs to be looked at by a doctor, humor me alright?"
"But the mess, someone else could get hurt."
Jason glanced at the mess of water, blood and broken glass on the floor as Johnny opened the door. "Johnny will stay here and make sure everything is taken care of while I take you to the hospital."
Johnny nodded, guilt weighing in his gut that Elizabeth was hurt on his watch. "Of course, go Elizabeth."
Without waiting for any further comment from her Jason scooped Elizabeth up in his arms and left the diner. He got Elizabeth settled into the car and walked around, getting behind the wheel.
"My legs are just fine Jason, I could have walked."
"It was easier if I carried you." Jason stated.
Three hours and 10 stitches in her left forearm later, Jason and Elizabeth walked into the penthouse.
"Can I get you anything?" Jason asked, not liking the helpless feeling of watching Elizabeth in pain and not being able to do anything about it.
"I'm fine Jason. You heard Dr. Quartermaine, I just need to keep the bandage dry and not overdo it so I don't pop any of the stitches, which will come out in 10 days."
Jason hadn't wanted to deal with either of his parents when they'd arrived in the ER but unfortunately Alan was on duty and after hearing Elizabeth referred to as Jason's wife, he had taken special interest in her care.
"I am sorry you got hurt." Jason said as he settled Elizabeth on the sofa.
"It wasn't your fault. You reacted when you saw Nikolas grab me."
"Where the hell was Johnny? How was Nikolas even able to get a hand on you."
"Johnny was only a five feet away at the counter. He can't follow every move I make in the diner. I came around the counter as I was arguing with Nikolas and he reached out to stop me. He wasn't going to hurt me Jason."
Jason took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "I know…I just saw his hands on you and reacted."
Elizabeth reached out and touched Jason's hand. "Thank you." He smiled softly and laced his fingers with hers for a moment. "You know, I heard what your father said about Lila."
Jason sighed and closed his eyes. He rarely thought of either of the Doctors Quartermaine in terms of his parents but it was a fact. Since the day he walked out of the Quartermaine mansion and went to work for Sonny, his family wasn't based on blood relations. The only exceptions to that were his sister Emily and his grandmother Lila.
"Now that the Quartermaines know about our marriage we are going to have to do see Lila." He said softly. The idea of lying to his grandmother made Jason's chest tight. She was the one person in this world that he had always been honest with and couldn't imagine deceiving, no matter the reason.
"We can go see her tomorrow if you want."
"I know we need to, but the idea of lying to Lila…"Jason trailed off, not sure what was making him verbalize his thoughts to Elizabeth but she seemed to have a way of making him do just that.
"I know, your grandmother is the kindest, sweetest woman in the world. I hate the idea of lying to her too."
"But we don't have a choice and if anyone is paying attention to our marriage then they would notice if I kept you away from my grandmother."
"We will just have to tell her the same thing we've been telling everyone else. That we reconnected when you asked for my help earlier this year and everything that happened made us realize life is short and we got married."
"You know I hate making you lie about all of this, right?"
"I know Jason. I know it's not easy for you to lie to everyone either." She paused for a moment and looked down at their joined hands. "Emily came to see me today." She said softly.
"She did? What happened?" Jason asked cautiously.
"It was actually good. We talked everything out. I explained our situation as best I could and she forgave me for not telling her about us or the wedding before it happened. She asked me to apologize to you too."
"She doesn't have anything to apologize to me for."
Elizabeth laughed softly. "That is exactly what I told her you'd say."
"I guess you know me pretty well then." He said with a squeeze of her hand. "Are you sure I can't get you something to eat or some water?
"I'm ok Jason, I promise."
Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I'm feeling much better. I can't even say how much the support and feeback means. Enjoy!