ABC/DISNEY owns GH. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 10

Grabbing his jacket he slipped it on and stepped in front of the mirror. While wearing a suit would never be his favorite thing, he had to admit that this time it wasn't too bad. His main complaint in the past had been that they were too restrictive. Which is why he always gave the clothing away once he didn't need it anymore. The last time getting dressed up had been called for was Sonny's funeral. Jason hadn't owned a suit since.

A custom fitted suit was a whole different animal though. He didn't feel like he had been stuffed into his clothing. The jacket gave him enough room to roll his shoulders, the collar of the shirt wasn't cutting off his air supply, and the pants weren't tight in one spot while loose in others. Joseph had him do all kinds of odd things while getting measured, like hug himself and touch his toes. Now Jason understood why. Wearing the tuxedo for the next few hours no longer seemed like something to be endured, and there wouldn't be a need to rush home to take it off.

The last thing he did before leaving the penthouse was secure his weapon at the small of his back. Since the closet was open he wondered if he was supposed to wear his coat. The new one that Elizabeth helped him pick out. It had been altered while he was trying on his suits. It was going to be used in Ireland, but it hadn't been worn here in Port Charles yet. He decided against it because he wasn't going to be outside for very long at any point during the evening. The tuxedo jacket should be fine.

Renaldo was waiting in the hall, chatting with the guard on the door, also in a tux. The guard's girlfriend was out of town tonight so he didn't mind working the ball. He had admitted yesterday that he was hoping to not have to fend off any female admirers. This was one event that folks didn't mind coming alone to since there were always other singles in attendance. Relationships had been started at this charity gala. With him being solo tonight Renaldo didn't want anyone getting the wrong idea. "Why a bowtie?" Jason asked in the elevator, he had gone for a more modern long tie.

"I like the classic look." Renaldo replied with a grin. "Growing up I watched a lot of James Bond movies, he always wears a bowtie. He also always has a lot of very pretty ladies." The grin widened showing dazzling white teeth. "You've seen my girlfriend, so clearly it works."

"So you'll be drinking shaken not stirred martinis tonight?" Jason asked making fun of his friend. He wasn't a Bond fan, but he did know some things about the spy.

"No. I won't be drinking anything but water since I'm working. If I was off I still wouldn't be throwing back any martinis. I'm not a gin or vodka fan." Renaldo explained to his boss.

"Scotch?" Jason knew that a lot of the guys drank it.

"Whiskey and soda." Renaldo knew that Jason preferred beer. If he had to drink hard alcohol he ordered tequila. The doors opened and they transferred elevators. Jason was driving himself and Renaldo would follow. "Where are you meeting Ms. Webber?" His boss hadn't shared much info, which wasn't unusual.

"Lobby of the hotel." Jason answered removing his keys from his pocket and remotely starting his car. This was a great feature. Car bombs were pretty much nonexistent now because no self-respecting mobster started their car any other way.

This was date number two and the second time he didn't pick her up from her home. The reason he was meeting her tonight was because she had been at the Port Charles Hotel all day tending to last minute touches. Elizabeth and Georgie were both getting dressed in one of the hotel rooms, because his grandmother's assistant was helping too.

In fact he wouldn't be picking Elizabeth up for their next few dates either because those would take place in Ireland. He would either knock on her hotel room door or meet her in the lobby again. Odd start to a relationship, or more precisely what he was hoping might be a relationship. While it was still early, he was already thinking Elizabeth was just what he needed. "I may drive her home though."

"Hank has been with her all day." Renaldo passed along as they walked to the cars. "He said she has been very easy to guard. Things were a bit awkward at first just because she's not used to having protection. Hank told me that Ms. Webber made it a point to put them both at ease."

"Good." Jason nodded opening the door to his Maybach, he really should take this car out more often. "I'll check with Elizabeth, if she's comfortable then Hank can stay on that detail."

Renaldo nodded as he got into his SUV. It sounded like Jason was planning long term. Renaldo had asked Sal about Elizabeth, and Diane's guard said that the brunette was really sweet and down to earth. There was also mention of fantastic brownies. He said that he could see how she would be a good match for Jason. Low maintenance ladies made their lives much easier so Renaldo was hoping all the good reports were true.

"That is stunning." Georgie said giving her friend two thumbs up when she stepped out of the bathroom in her gown.

Liz was looking at her reflection in the full length mirror. "Would I sound egotistical if I agree with you?" She said turning to see how the gown looked from the back. For formal events she tended to stick to the more classic end of the spectrum. Couture could get strange, and she avoided those gowns. Tonight she was in a cap sleeved color block tuxedo gown with a split neckline. The mermaid silhouette really showed off her curves and the cotton/silk material would kept her from overheating as the evening progressed. The black and white theme was carried over into the jewelry with large earrings and a bracelet.

"When it's working you know it." Georgie said with a shrug.

"You should know because you look fantastic." Liz said turning the spotlight onto her friend.

"Thanks." The younger brunette blushed at the compliment. "Maxie didn't even call to ask what color I wanted to wear, she just shipped this over and said wear it." The dress was a floral print gown that left Georgie's shoulders bare. The dark color kept it from being totally in your face, but it was still a gown designed to draw attention. "The shoes too. She then said to use my connections to borrow jewelry."

"You are rather sparkly." Liz said smiling. Georgie was going to make the papers; that how good she looked.

"Again Maxie." Georgie confessed. "I was content to wear something from my jewelry box and then a guy showed up at work with a tray of gems. I was mortified."

"I heard about that." Liz had been out of the building.

"I'm terrified I will lose something. However on the plus side you won't be the only one with security tonight." Georgie said with a perky grin. "I'm sure a guard is going to materialize as soon as we leave this room." She was surprised a guard hadn't shown up when the jewelry was delivered an hour ago.

"Lila isn't going to make you feel like you are being watched. If you lose a piece it won't be the end of the world." Liz was facing the mirror again checking her makeup. She wanted to look good, not for the photographers but for Jason. What kept her from fussing too much was that he enjoyed her look for their date which was about as low key as a girl could get. Tinted moisturizer, lip gloss, mascara, and a bit of eyeshadow. So she knew he didn't need her glammed up around the clock. That would require more effort than she was willing to put in. Even her face for work only took twenty minutes.

"Lila?" Georgie said looking down at the bracelet on her wrist. "This is Lila's jewelry." Which meant family heirlooms.

"You didn't know?" Liz was trying not to laugh at the look on Georgie's face. "She offered me some as well, but I had already picked up items to wear." The earrings would go to Sarah because she would wear them regularly, Liz was keeping her bracelet though. "You look great in them. Why did Maxie pick that dress?" Elizabeth thought the older Jones sister had great taste. This would also get them off the topic of the gems.

"She said since I was going alone it was my duty to make all the other women wish they had my gown." Georgie had just shaken her head at that very Maxie statement.

"Believe me when I tell you that your sister is going to get her wish." Liz wasn't going to touch the fact that Georgie was going stag. She broke up with her boyfriend a few months back because he had trouble staying faithful.

"The gown is only mine for the night, tomorrow it goes into the box and gets shipped back to Paris." Where it would be cleaned and stored. Georgie would enjoy her princess moment though. "I'm giving Lila back her jewelry at the end of the night. Edward can put the pieces in his pocket. I get to keep the shoes as a souvenir." She was happy about that.

"I'm all set whenever you are." Liz moved away from the mirror and packed the clothes she wore during the day, and her small satchel of toiletries, into the garment bag. The hotel could store them until she was ready to call it a night.

"Of course you are ready to leave. There is a gorgeous guy waiting for you." Georgie teased Liz. "Assuming he's on time."

"Even if he's late I can stand in the lobby and greet folks." Liz wasn't the official greeter for the evening, but she always ended up chatting with the guests at some point. Usually the more money people gave the more attention they required. If it got them funding for research then Liz would be happy to listen as someone stroked their own ego.

"He's never late for board meetings." Georgie said as they grabbed their bags and stepped into the hall. The guard who had been following Liz around all day was waiting for them. He was in a tuxedo now so that he would blend in with the guests. At some point Georgie was going to have to find out how her friend felt about that.

"Jason is downstairs." Hank said as he called for the elevator. Reaching over he took both garment bags. It didn't sit well with him letting the ladies carry them.

"Thank you." She didn't expect him to carry things for her. "Is he generally punctual?" Liz wanted to know.

"Jason is rarely late for anything." Hank shared as he hit the button for the lobby. The ladies were behind him so that he could keep them both safe. While Ms. Webber was his charge, anyone with her would get his protection as well.

"Good to know." Liz had butterflies in her stomach as they went down. She was very much looking forward to seeing Jason again.

Jason was talking with Renaldo and watching as a lot of dressed up people walked through the lobby. The businessman in him couldn't help but wonder about the spike the local economy must have experienced in the last few days. The cynical part of him wondered why people didn't just write a check instead of spending so much money on clothes, hair, and everything else. Sitting on the board of the foundation he had learned that people expected something for their donations, usually a party.

They were facing the elevators when the doors to one slid open and Hank was grinning at them as he stepped out. The next person Jason saw was Georgie, and then Elizabeth appeared. She looked stunning. Poised and feminine. The gown wasn't flashy, skin tight, or low cut. Still he was willing to bet she was going to turn heads in the ballroom.

Renaldo was watching his boss watch Ms. Webber. Looking over Hank pointed to the bags and then the front desk. Renaldo nodded getting the silent message. The ladies were almost over to where they were waiting. Ms. Jones smiled and moved off towards the ballroom. He moved off a little to give his boss and Ms. Webber some privacy.

"Hi." Jason was still taking her in. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." Liz was fitting off a blush at his compliment. "You look very handsome in your tuxedo." Looking at him she gave a small laugh.

"What?" Jason wanted to know.

"When I picked this gown I didn't have a date for tonight. Standing here I realize we match." Both were in black and white.

"I'm not even on your level, I seriously doubt that anyone will even look twice at me." Jason paid her another compliment.

"I don't know what to say to that." Liz said blushing again.

"When you come up with something let me know." Jason replied flirting. "In the meantime let me escort you to our table." He held out his arm.

Liz didn't say anything else but put her arm through his as they followed the crowd into the ballroom. On the way they were stopped several times by people who wanted to talk to Elizabeth. A few people just wanted to compliment her on the dress. "Hello." She said smiling at Lila and receiving a kiss to the cheek from Edward.

"Elizabeth, my dear you look lovely." The patriarch of the Quartermaine family said with a smile. He very much liked the younger woman. He also agreed with his wife that Elizabeth was the perfect successor to run the foundation.

"Thank you. I'm just trying to keep up with your wife." Liz adored Edward. Mainly for the way he showered Lila with affection. "Hello AJ, Keesha." Elizabeth greeted the other members of the family who were sitting with them. "Ned, Lois." Jason held out her chair and she took a seat.

"Jason it's good to see you here." Lila smiled as he kissed her cheek. He got along with everyone at the table, but she had still told her other grandchildren to not make any smart remarks about him coming. They would heed that warning or end up on her bad side.

"I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend more time with Elizabeth." Jason replied making his date smile.

"He gets that charm from me." Edward said smiling at the younger couple. It was good to see Jason out. Especially with a woman like Elizabeth on his arm.

"Are Dillon and his date on their way over?" Elizabeth pointed to two of the four empty chairs at the table.

"No. He is no longer coming." Lila had indeed reserved those seats for her grandson and his date. Until she found out who he was bringing. While Lila wouldn't tell her youngest grandchild who to spend his time with, she wasn't having that particular person at this table. So his invitation to the ball had been revoked. "I've asked Georgie to come join us because Edward needs more people to flirt with."

Edward just gave the table a wry grin. His wife knew him well. The gentlemen at the table rose as Georgie joined them. As they were sitting Lucy Coe took the stage and the night got underway.

Thanks for the reviews!