Jason sits in the dark, wondering how his life has become one big Franco mess. Lately he has found himself back tracing over his past and wondering where he could have made changes. He looks back and wonders where he could have made better choices, where he could have been braver or when he could have let go faster. Jason never did like to look back because there was no way to change what has already happened, but ever since he lost his sister, Jason has done nothing but look back.

Then when he heard Sam say that Jake was taken by the Russians, Jason did nothing but run through his choices. Go over his life and wonder where he could have made better choices, safer choices, selfless choices. It seemed that every choice he made was never the right one to make. When it comes to the business, he can make precise choices and know that its the right one, but with his own life...he has just made a complete mess of it. Sitting there, that man's words kept echoing in his head.

She doesn't need you in her life anymore and in my opinion...she never did.

She never did.

She never did.

"He's wrong." Jason muttered to himself, his hands bracing his head between them. "She did need me, and, more importantly, she wanted me."

That guy doesn't know what he's talking about. He and Elizabeth need each other. Even if they are only on the outer parts of each other's life, they still need each other. Who else would they run to when they needed to talk? Who else would they call up on a moment's notice, needing to see the other? Where else would they find the understanding that only they could give to the other? It didn't matter who came or went from their lives, they always were the only ones that truly understood the other. No. They need each other. No matter what anyone says, no matter what anyone thinks, they'll always need each other. Even on the worst of terms, they need each other.

It was true back when she was with Ric and he was with Courtney. Emily was dying and they found each other, like a lighthouse beacon in the fog, they were there for each other. It was true through the mess with Manny Ruiz. Sonny's lapse in judgement in regard to Emily. When no one else understood why he had to do what he had to do, she was there. Understanding and not a single judgement ever passing her lips. For her it was Lucky's broken ego and his pride. They found each other countless times, mostly on their bench, and they helped each other through the crisis of their separate lives.

"We need each other." Jason whispered, cradling the wind on his lap, running his fingers over the painting. "We need each other."

Just then, Jason's cellphone rang again. He was hesitant to answer it, but did it anyway.

"Morgan." he answers, waiting for the other person to speak.

"Jason, where are you?" came his wife's voice. "Are coming home soon?"

Jason glanced around the studio, wondering why he still felt at home there, but not voicing it. Something even more stranger was that her voice seemed so unfamiliar to him. He knows its Sam, but it just didn't feel right. The confusion was starting to get worse and Jason was starting to truly hate it.

"Something important came up." Jason's still surprised at how easy that came out. "I might not be there until late so don't wait up."

"Is everything okay?" there's worry in her voice, but it seemed so foreign to him in that moment.

"Yeah...I just have something I need to do." Jason explains, rubbing his temple where it started to throb. "I'll be there as soon as I can. Just go to sleep and I'll join you when I get there."

"Okay. I love you!" she says, causing him to grow angry that it seemed hollow to him.

"You too." he says before ending the call.

Elizabeth looked in on her friends, sitting in a circle around the boxes of pizzas. She knew that she should probably tell them where she's going, but if she knew Johnny, he'll know where she's going. So instead of walking in to say she was leaving, Elizabeth walked out to the garage, getting into one of the smaller cars before heading to the studio.

Talking to Emily had her thinking that there really was something wrong with Jason. Something that may have to do with the explosion that he was there for when he was saving Jake. Starting up the car, Elizabeth pulled out of the estate and drove straight to her studio.

No matter what's happening between them, she always knew Jason better than anyone else and he hasn't been the Jason she knows and loves for a while now. Hopefully she'll know what's up when she looks into his eyes and talks to him. Since they broke up, they haven't exactly been close enough to talk about much. There were a few times when it revolved around their son, but they were both too distracted to really focus on each other so she didn't have a chance to really talk to him.

"Jason?" she calls out as she walks into the studio, turning on the light and nearly stumbling back at the sight of Jason sitting on the couch with the Wind. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

"Thinking." he admits as he looks up at her. "This is still the only painting I actually like."

Elizabeth laughs softly, walking over to sit by him. "Its the only painting I ever did where I caught the pure emotion of the moment." Elizabeth says as she takes it from him. "Its my favorite."

"I was just sitting here, thinking about the time we spent in this studio when I was shot the first time." Jason found himself saying. "How easy it had been to just be. No expectations. No stresses."

"Yeah...other than the fact that I was scared to death you might die and Carly, amongst others, bursting in at any given moment...it was an easy time." Elizabeth shook her head, remembering how frightened she had been for his life during that time.

A lengthy silence fell over them, both staring down at the painting, remember easier times between them.

"Do you ever wonder what might have happened if I never got shot and you didn't take care of me that winter?" Jason voiced as he looked up at her. "Do you think we would have been as close as we were?"

"Sometimes...just like sometimes I wonder if I would have been devoted to Lucky had I not been raped." Elizabeth got up and put the painting back on its stand. "Or if Lucky never came back...I wonder about a lot of things from time to time. Like what if we actually tried all those years ago...or what if we trusted each other more...there's a lot of what ifs Jason...you're the one that taught me to never dwell on it."

"Yeah...but it seems that's all I can do lately." Jason sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Ever since we lost Jake...all I can do is look back...wondering what I could have done differently. Wondering what would have happened if I actually stuck by my only rule...that everyone deserved to make choices for themselves."

"Life would be a whole different story, that's for sure." Elizabeth agreed.

EJ was starting to worry about Elizabeth, but the other three didn't seem to care that she hasn't gotten back from the bathroom yet. Emily was just playing a game of cards, war, with Johnny. Both completely into the game, though to EJ it seemed pointless. There's no thought process to that game. You flip the card and its all by chance.

Francis, the oldest of the three, was simply sitting on the couch, flipping through a geography magazine. He was the calmest out of the group and that was saying something because the other two were simply laughing and having fun. Having enough, EJ stood in the middle of the room.

"Does anyone care that Elizabeth hasn't come back yet?" EJ said loud enough for all of them to hear.

Johnny and Francis didn't bother looking up from their distractions, Emily decided to clue EJ in on a little truth that she and the other two know all too well.

"We all care, but none of us are worried." Emily said simply, winning the next set. "We all know where she is and we all know she's safe."

"What does that mean?" EJ looked at her intently. "Where is she?"

"With my brother." Emily slapped Johnny's hand when he tried to take the hand she won before looking at EJ. "Knowing Elizabeth, she's searching for some truths of her own that have nothing to do with Franco's little game."

"Will she tell him?" EJ was starting to hate that there are more variables being added to this.

"No." Emily said vehemently. "Elizabeth knows what she's doing. Stop worrying so much...she's safe with my brother."

"After everything he put her through...how is she safe with him, right now?" EJ countered, remembering everything about Jason that he learnt over the years.

"Look Kapileo, you can learn everything you want about Jason and Elizabeth. Their history and whatnot." Johnny finally spoke up, tearing his gaze from the cards. "But no matter what you learn, no matter how much you think you know, you'll never know a damn thing about the connection they share. Trust me, I was there at the start, no one can understand the pull they have on each other. It just is."

"To put it in simple terms, Jason and Elizabeth are drawn to each other like a moth to a flame." Emily explained. "It doesn't matter how bad things get between them...they'll never be done with each other."

Walking out of the room, EJ made his way to the office. Franco's plans have to be changed up now. Too many changes have been put into affect and now he has to make changes for the better of all those involved. The dead can't possibly come back to haunt him anymore than they already are. Picking up the phone, EJ dialled the number he has for the villa in Florida.

"Forget Franco's plans. I want you on the first flight back to Port Charles." EJ informed the guards. "Bring all of them with you and make sure that they are not seen. Come straight to the estate."

Elizabeth paced the studio. She had a lot to think about in regard to Jason and their son. A part of her now understood why he had to keep the truth of Sonny's fake death from her. Hopefully he'll understand when their son is brought back to them. The only thing, the sole reason why she's not telling Jason, is Sam. Until that threat is neutralized, Elizabeth can't tell him anything.

"Thank you for coming to see me." Elizabeth stopped to face him. "It meant a lot that you'll still come when I call."

"Sure." Jason stood up, the painting in his hands. "Can I have this?"

"You want it?" Elizabeth arched her eyebrow, eyeing him intently.

"Its mine." Jason says simply, holding the painting close. "So...can I have it?"

"If you want it." Elizabeth repeats the words from years before. "It is yours after all."

"I want it." Jason secures it to his side. "Thanks."

"You don't have to thank me." Elizabeth shakes her head. "It belongs to you."

Closing the distance between them, Jason places a kiss on her forehead.

"Thanks for holding onto it." Jason whispers, turning and walking out of the studio, leaving an equally confused Elizabeth in his wake.

Making her way back to the estate, making sure she wasn't followed, Elizabeth parks the car in the garage and makes her way into the house. Everyone seems to be in their own rooms, giving her the chance to not answer their questions. Deciding to finish off the painting, Elizabeth makes her way to the studio, not all surprised to find Johnny waiting with a cup of hot cocoa for her.

"How did it go?" Johnny questioned, handing her the cup. "Find what you were looking for?"

"It was...enlightening." Elizabeth smiled slightly, sitting down with him on the couch. "He's still in there somewhere. We just have to figure out what's wrong with him."

"We will." Johnny assures. "I have Spinelli working it. Once he figures out McCall's connection to the Russians...we'll figure out just what happened that night they went looking for your son...then we put an end to all those who pose a threat. Once and for all."


Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews.

The plans have changed in Franco's game...will the endgame be the same? What's wrong with Jason?

We'll just have to wait and see.

Till next time...