Title: With Love
Circa: 2001
Significant Change: Elizabeth gives up on Lucky after her talk with Jason on the bridge. The two become closer friends than before, but neither step over the line into something more than what they have always been. More than friends, but less than a couple.
Disclaim everything recognizable as thought up by those behind the soap opera known as General Hospital.

Not really one to take baths, more of a shower kind of man, Jason had to admit that soaking in the hot bubble bath was doing wonders for his aching body. If this was wrong, he seriously didn't want to be right. It was like the tension was seeping out of his body, leaving it thoroughly relaxed. Something he couldn't even begin to complain about.

While he's soaking upstairs in his bathtub, Elizabeth is fixing up the living room, setting up a little picnic style dinner with food from Kelly's. As sad as this may be to admit, Elizabeth wanted to celebrate the fact that she didn't have to worry about Zander walking in on her in any given moment. Knowing that it was just her and Jason was something worth celebrating because now she just relax.

As much as she has accepted Zander and Emily together, she still couldn't get the fact out of her head that they had gotten close because he kidnapped her. With that memory frozen in the back of her mind, Elizabeth would never truly be able to see Zander in a friendly light. Sure, she can accept them, but it didn't mean she had to be friends with him or feel comfortable around him.

Putting a six pack of beer bottles on ice, she fixes his plate and hers before setting them down across from each other, knowing that he'll be out of the bath soon and downstairs once he's dressed. Taking a step back, she admires what she's done, knowing that he'd appreciate it while telling her that she didn't have to do it.

It always seems that way with him, which made her want to do more things for him. Whenever she went the extra mile, did something more for him than he asked, he tells her that she didn't have to. Of course he appreciates it, but she didn't have to go out of her way to do it. What girl wouldn't want to do more for a guy that didn't expect it?

"Liz?" Jason calls out to her when he walks downstairs to find the picnic dinner by the couch. "What is all this?"

"Dinner." Elizabeth walks out of the kitchen with napkins. "I figured I'd do something more than takeout on the couch since its just us."

"You didn't have to." Jason comments, walking over to sit down with her. "I don't mind having dinner on the couch."

"I know." she smiles, laughing softly. "I wanted to do something special, okay? Its been a really long time we've had dinner that didn't involve really loud music or movies to drown out Emily and Zander's noises upstairs."

"Okay." Jason says simply, accepting the beer she holds out to him. "You're right...a quiet picnic dinner does sound good right about now."

"Good." she shakes her head, handing him his fork. "Now, lets eat."

Dinner is eaten in a comfortable silence, both simply enjoying a peaceful dinner without any interruptions from either Emily or Zander walking around upstairs and opening or closing doors. He had to admit that having dinner like this, after the many weeks of having Emily living with him, was a true breath of fresh air. As much as he loves his sister, he really loves the peaceful silence without her there.

"Out of curiosity, did you tell Sonny about hiring me yet?" Elizabeth asks as she pushes her empty platter away, eyeing him intently.

"No. I haven't."

"Well...are you?"

"Why should I?" Jason looks at her curiously. "I'm hiring you, I'm paying you."

"Okay, that may be true, but you're both part owners." Elizabeth points out. "How would you like it if he hired Carly to...I don't know...redecorate your office at the warehouse without telling you?"

"Point taken." Jason shakes his head. "Fine. I'll tell him in the morning."

"Smart man."

"Anyway, speaking of tomorrow, Francis and Johnny are going to assist you during your training sessions." Jason concedes, popping the top off another beer bottle.

"What did Johnny do?" Elizabeth laughs softly at his expression. "Well, knowing Francis, I know he volunteered, but Johnny...not even."

"He didn't know when to shut up." Jason says simply. "So, are you okay with them helping out?"

"Sure." she shrugs, taking a swig of beer. "Why not? It'll be fun."

Just then, as if by some dumb luck, Emily comes barging into the penthouse with Zander close behind, rambling on about something that the Quartermaines did and something or another. Elizabeth and Jason watch as the two of them make their way upstairs, absolutely oblivious to what they had undoubtedly ruined. A peaceful dinner without them.

"Well, it was great while it lasted." Jason says plainly, running one hand down his face. "Do you wanna go check what happened?"

"Tomorrow." Elizabeth says simply, rising to her feet to put some music on. "She'll be fuming just the same in the morning."

"Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" Jason asks when she walks back over to him with a soft smile on her lips.

"Yes." Elizabeth says simply, holding out her hand to him. "Dance with me."

Licking his lips slightly, he shakes his head before taking her hand and rising to his feet, pulling her in close as the song floats all around them, filling the room with a thumping melody, drowning out any sound the would be coming from upstairs.

Laying her head against his chest, Elizabeth closes her eyes, listening to the sound of his heart beating against her ear. It has been quite a while since she last danced with him like this, always being brought back to the moment they had danced in Kelly's. As hard as she tried to imagine Lucky holding her, she was way too aware of Jason's arms to ever believe it was Lucky.

Jason's taken by surprise a little as she snuggles deeper into him, holding him close as they gently sway to the music, but he doesn't comment on it. He simply holds her close as well, resting his head atop of hers as he closes his eyes, relishing in the moment they have found themselves in.

"Thank you." she whispers, sliding up her hands to rest at his nape. "I know you're not that big on dancing..."

"If its with you, I really don't mind." he assures, smiling slightly when she moves to look up at him. "I'll dance with you anytime you want."

"Don't say anything you don't mean, Jason." Elizabeth lays her head back on his chest. "I just might hold you to it."

As the song comes to an end, the argument between Zander and Emily start to grow too loud that no amount of music could possibly drown it out. Not unless they wanted to disturb their neighbors as well. With a sigh, Elizabeth walks over to the system and shuts off the music.

"How about we go for a ride?" Jason suggests, holding out her jacket for her to take.

"I thought you'd never ask."

Walking out of the penthouse, the two of them head down to his bike, straddling it before taking off into the night. For the next few hours, they simply ride up and down the winding road, knowing that they had to kill enough time until Emily and Zander both pass out for the night. Then and only then would they be able to go back to the penthouse and get some sleep for the next day.

"Remember that day when I said you should move into the penthouse?" Jason questions, standing on the bridge with her, continuing when she shakes her head. "What if I move into the studio?"

"What if you just tell your sister to get her own place?" Elizabeth counters. "You shouldn't move out because of your sister."

"I see how it is." Jason nudges her softly. "You don't want to live with me."

"Oh, shut up." Elizabeth shakes her head. "That's not it and you know it."

"Then what is it?" Jason counters, looking at her curiously. "You practically stay at the penthouse already, but you won't live there. Why?"

"I want to move into the penthouse, believe me." Elizabeth says seriously. "It would be nice to use my studio just for my art, but we both know I can't move into your place right now."

"Why not?"

"Emily." she looks at him intently. "You already have a full house with her living there. It would be a loony bin if I were to move in right now. It works just fine because I don't stay there all the time, but it'll be a lot different if I started living there, trust me."

"You're probably right."

"I am." she says simply, linking her arm with his. "Come on, lets head back. They should be asleep already."

"Yeah..." Jason turns to walk back to the bike with her. "...okay."