A/N: Glad to see that everyone enjoyed the last chapter. Here's Chapter 8, a game changer for this story. I think everyone is going to love it and warning now, it's a doozy.

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Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, just the storyline.


"The best love story is when you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time."


Chapter 8

Fall Away

Previously on You Found Me…

"That's what big brothers are for right," Elizabeth commented as Steve walked by. He looked between his sister and AJ, and shook his head. He didn't even want to know.

Elizabeth smiled, "When Emily crushed on a boy, she crushed hard. Especially when we were the Four Musketeers and she liked Nikolas."

AJ smirked, "The Four Musketeers? What were you, ten?" Elizabeth swatted at his arm and he chuckled. "You're just jealous you weren't a part of it," Elizabeth retorted.

Their conversation took a sad turn, and Elizabeth realized that AJ didn't have many friends during that part of his life.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that-"

AJ waved off her apology, "I was an asshole back then, things changed." Elizabeth nodded her head, "I'm glad you're back for your son."

"Thank you. At least someone thinks my intentions are noble with my son," AJ grimly told her. "Did you ever find out who drugged you," Elizabeth asked and AJ rolled his eyes.

"It was Sonny. He's just pissed that Michael is trying to have a relationship with me," AJ told her. "And you're not pressing charges," Elizabeth asked with interest.

AJ shook his head, "Sonny's just being an immature prick. The less time I have to think about him, the better." Elizabeth smiled, "I'm glad you're being the better man here."

AJ nodded his head. "I'm going to go. I don't want get you in trouble with Epiphany." He watched the head nurse eye the two of them.

Elizabeth laughed, "Don't worry. Epiphany's all bark and no bite." AJ nodded his head and said goodbye. She watches him as he boards the elevator back downstairs, confused because he had been looking for Monica in the first place.

"Nurse Webber, you know better than to have your personal life interrupt your work time," Epiphany scolded her and Elizabeth grinned. "Epiphany, AJ is just a friend. Besides, he was looking for Dr. Quartermaine."

Epiphany still gave her a look. "It looked like he was flirting with you. And you were giving it right back." She walked away and Elizabeth thought about her words.

It was just shameless flirting she told herself. Maybe he gave her butterflies with that devilish grin of his. They were just friends…

Right?

~March 21st, 2013~

AJ walked by the pier, looking out into the dark and swirling waters that had taken his younger brother. AJ kicked a pebble into the water, and the black abyss immediately swallowed it. He couldn't help but think the same for Jason.

He regretted not coming back sooner, and to reconcile with his younger brother. Of course, they had always had a tumultuous relationship ever since they were kids. But it came to a head right before AJ's death. He had tried to kill his father and his brother.

AJ admitted that he has made mistakes in the past, and he's trying to atone for his sins now. Most people had either forgiven him, or stayed away from his "menacing presence". Or that's what Carly said. AJ was okay with that. The farther away his son's mother was, the better off he was.

You swear you recall nothing at all
That could make you come back down

Hands deep in his jeans pockets, AJ was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't hear her approach. Turning around, he's surprised to see Elizabeth standing behind him. She lightly smiles at him, and starts to walk away.

"Elizabeth," AJ called out to her and she turned around. He noticed that she was hiding something. He walked closer to her and saw the anguish in her sapphire eyes. He felt a pang in his heart when he looked her over.

She was wearing a blue blouse, with a black pea coat over it. She had a black beanie hat on her head, and she was wearing dark jeans with black boots. AJ could tell that something serious was bothering her. It was all in her body language and the expression on her face.

"Are you okay," he whispered, and Elizabeth weakly smiled. "Jason always asked me that whenever we ran into each other," she quietly admitted. AJ gestures to the bench behind them, and Elizabeth sits down.

AJ joins her. "Did you love my brother," he tentatively asked. She doesn't answer a first. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business," AJ hastily apologized. Elizabeth waves off his apology.

"I don't mind talking about Jason anymore," Elizabeth said, pain laced in her words. "I've moved on, and accepted that he's gone…and he had forgiven me in the end," she admitted and AJ nodded his head.

They both fell silent. AJ stole glances at her from the corner of his eyes, nervous and concerned at how quiet she was. Elizabeth was never like this, not with him.

"Can I tell you something," Elizabeth asked, finally breaking the silence. AJ quickly nods his head.

"When I first met Jason, I was a wreck. It was after Lucky had died in the garage fire and I didn't know who I was anymore. Everything I was with Lucky was gone. I didn't who to be after that. But, Jason…he saved me one night sixteen years ago," Elizabeth told him.

You made up your mind to leave it all behind
Now you're forced to fight it out

AJ keenly listened to her story, never knowing how Jason had met this woman that had evidently met so much to him.

"I went to Jake's, just looking for trouble. I was just trying to feel something…anything. Anyways, a guy started harassing me and out of nowhere, Jason showed up. He pulled the man away and threw him out. I don't know why, but I was so angry at Jason. But it was the first time I felt anything in awhile, so I guess it was okay. We talked, and connected in a way that I still can't describe today. He just listened…no one ever did that for me. They either told what to do or how to be myself. Jason didn't do that. He was a one of a kind, your brother," Elizabeth reminisced.

You fall away from your past
But it's following you

AJ watches her, captivated by how she chose her words carefully when describing the side of his brother he had never known. Her words were laced with love and regret of what could have been.

"About three months later, I found Jason near the boxcar. He was shot and lying in the snow," Elizabeth explained and AJ remembered when his brother had been shot, but didn't quite know the whole story.

"I hid Jason in my studio that December. I lied to my friends and my family, and Jason was always baffled by how I protected him. I told him no one had the right to tell me whom I could or couldn't see. I think he admired that in me, the strength and loyalty I had for others. He helped me moved on after Lucky's death. I think…I think that was when I had fallen in love with Jason," Elizabeth whispered the last part.

You left something undone; it's now your rerun
It's the one you can't erase

She had never admitted it out loud before, but it was true. She had fallen in love with Jason while he was healing in her studio. AJ smiled, realizing that his brother was capable of something good.

Elizabeth frowned. "Then one day, he left. And Lucky had come back from the dead. The next few years were difficult for us. People kept coming between Jason and I, pushing us apart. Then, one night I went to his penthouse during a blackout. I had just caught Lucky cheating on me with Maxie, and was the last straw for me. It also happened to be the same night Jason had caught Sam with Ric. But…that night we saved each other and our lives were finally in sync. We created a life together."

AJ looked over at Elizabeth, a confused look on his face. Elizabeth's heart dropped. He didn't know that Jason had a son. Elizabeth's eyes teared up and AJ saw the look on her face.

You should have made it right, so you wouldn't have to fight
To put a smile back on your face

He moved a little closer to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Elizabeth struggled to find the words to complete just one sentence. It may have been two years since her son was ripped away from her, but the pain was still fresh and raw in her heart. "My son, Jake, died in a car accident two years ago today," Elizabeth mournfully explained.

You fall away from your past
But it's following you
You fall away

AJ sat back against the bench in shock. He didn't know that he was an uncle, let alone that his nephew was dead. He ran a hand over his face. Monica had never told him while he was stuck in rehab. Not even while Jake was alive.

Something I've done that I can't outrun
Maybe you should wait maybe you should run
But there's something you've said that can't be undone

"I'm so sorry Elizabeth. I had-God I had no idea," AJ said with tears running down his face when he realized how painful it must be to sit here on this bench at the docks where the father of her deceased son died, on her son's death anniversary.

And you fall away from your past
But It's following you

Elizabeth wiped her tears away. "Thank you for being here," she whispered, placing a hand on his knee. AJ looked down at her hand, then at Elizabeth. He gave her a small smile and squeezed the hand on his knee.

You fall away
It's following you

"I have nowhere else I want to be," AJ assured her and she nodded her head. He placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and they both looked out at the waters, sharing the bond of losing the people closest to them.


A/N: I felt like AJ and Elizabeth needed to have this conversation in order to move forward in their friendship/relationship. I hope you guys liked this chapter. Lyrics to 'Fall Away' by The Fray. Let me know what you thought in a review, and what you would like to happen. Until next time!