Chapter 10

"Who are these supposed witnesses because my client was not on the docks with a firearm."

Rick threw a folder on the table and Diane picked it up. "I have two witnesses." Rick said with a devious smile.

"John Panelli and Danny McBride… do you know these me." Diane asked Jason after reading the statements.

Jason nodded then wiped his hand over his face. He leaned into Diane, "They work for Alcazar." He whispered quietly.

Diane turned back to Rick, "Ok, it is obvious that they are lying and want my client behind bars." She looked down at the paper then back at Rick. "It says that my client pulled his gun on them? Right in the middle of the docks?"

Rick nodded, "Yes, the judge is reviewing a copy of the statements but it is pretty much cut and dry… Mr. Morgan will not be going home to his new wife. He will be convicted." Rick turned to Jason, "Get used to your cell, you'll be in one for a very long time."

Over the next few hours the events unfolded exactly as Rick had hoped. Jason's bail was revoked and he was ordered to remain in custody through the outcome of the trial. Jason was sure that the meeting last night with Alcazar in the middle of the night was a setup. He had been thinking that Alcazar and Rick were working together and this completely solidified that thought. With Jason out of commission and behind bars the Corinthos organization had a major weakness. Sonny was still recovering and therefore was unstable.

After the bail hearing, Jason was escorted to his holding cell and remained there for the rest of the day giving him time to think. His entire life had been sent in a whirlwind over the past month. He was on trial for a murder, one he did not commit but was more then content dealing with the fallout of that day at Elizabeth's studio. That was until he discovered she was pregnant with his child. Her being pregnant completely changed things. He no longer wanted to be the one to take the fall but he also did not want her to. It had him worried that Alcazar and Rick had more up their sleeves and the outcome would be Jason spending his life behind bars… away from his child, and away from Elizabeth.

From the beginning he was apprehensive about marrying Elizabeth… not because he did not want to though. He did not want her to get hurt, get involved or be in danger. Deep down he had a feeling that being married to Elizabeth would make him happy, an emotion that he was not accustomed to. They had come so far in the past few days, forming what seemed to be becoming a relationship beyond the one arranged for the convenience of the trial. The idea of her opening up to him excited him. After years of dancing around each other, pushing and pulling away, it seemed that they had come full circle and moved beyond friendship.

"Morgan, get the fuck up, you have a visitor." A young officer, obviously on a power trip, spat at him as he opened his cell. He placed cuffs on Jason's wrist. Jason rolled his eyes and followed him to the small room with a single table and two chairs. "Sit down." He ordered the disappeared, locking the door in his wake.

Ten minutes later the same officer returned to the door, opened it and Elizabeth nervously walked in. Jason quickly stood from the table and approached her. The officer nodded to Elizabeth, "You have ten minutes." Then he left the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Elizabeth could see that the officer was standing guard at the door.

"Is he going to stand there the whole time?" Elizabeth asked.

Jason nodded. Since his hands were cuffed it made it hard to hug her. He raised his hands to her face and traced the line of her bottom lip with his thumb. "I'm sorry."

Elizabeth shook her head, "Shhhh. You have nothing to be sorry for. I am the one who should be sorry because I started this whole thing." She lifted her hand to his cheek and he leaned into her palm. Her body dipped down and under his arms so they were wrapped around her.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" He asked after a long silence, his chin rested on the top of her head.

She nervously laughed, "I called out sick." She mumbled into his chest. "Epiphany wasn't too happy but it is the first time I have called out in a long time so she can't be too mad."

Her arms wrapped around to his back and she just stood there not wanting to move or let him go. "Try not to worry too much. Diane is good."

"I hope she is." Elizabeth mumbled. She was trying not to get too emotional so she wouldn't worry Jason.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left last night. Sonny just…"

"Don't." She said tilting her head up to look at him. "Don't you be sorry for anything."

He just nodded his head and she again rested hers against his chest. They stood like that for a while. She listened to the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat as he bent his elbows and maneuvered his wrists so he could rest his hands on the back of her head. "I don't want to go." Elizabeth whispered when she felt ten minutes closing in. She felt his head nodding and his chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath in, sighing when he released it from his lungs.

Her head tilted up for her sad eyes to meet his. He silently wished he could make everything go away, the trial, Rick, his job… but it wouldn't be easy, not for any of it nor would it be easy for them. The question is would they pull away again or fight for it, he knew his answer. "I…"

Jason was interrupted when the guard opened the door, "Time's up."

Elizabeth's eyes closed and wished for more time but Jason lifted his arms over her. She quickly stood on her tip toes and covered his lips with hers.

"Ah hem." The guard said clearing his throat behind her, but she ignored him, not wanting to lose the connection of their lips. It was Jason that finally pulled away.

"I should…"

Elizabeth nodded, looking down. "I'll be here in the morning for opening arguments, and every day till the trial is over. Do you need anything?"

He shook his head as she walked toward the door, stopping once she was standing outside. She met his eyes one last time, 'I love you' she thought to herself. She wished she could say it out loud but couldn't bring herself to. Instead she watched as the officer talked to him as though he was a speck of dirt on his shoe then led him past her and down the hallway where the holding cells were. Her eyes never left his until he was out of sight, then she left.

"I'm sorry to call you, I know you just got off your shift." Elizabeth said apologetically.

Emily shook her head, "It's ok, I could use a drink. A few more weeks and I will be done with these crazy shifts, done with school and able to have a life again." She said laughing. "Coleman, dos tequilas por favor." She yelled across the bar holding up two fingers.

"Uh Em…"

Before Elizabeth could finish he showed up with two shot glasses and a bottle of some cheap tequila.

"Are you really going to serve us that crap? Break out the Patron or at least the Cuervo… and make sure it's not watered down this time." Emily joked.

"Uh, Coleman, make it one, I'll just have a water." Elizabeth mumbled as she chewed on her bottom lip.

"So you asked me to meet you at a bar and you aren't going to drink with me?" Emily asked. "What's going on?"

Elizabeth sighed and picked up her water. She motioned to the booth in the corner and picked up Emily's shot as well then stood from the bar and quickly moved across the bar. Emily followed her and slid into the seat across from her.

"Spill missy." Emily said.

"I guess you have heard that Jason's bail was revoked?"

Emily nodded. "I am going to go over and see him tomorrow morning before the trial starts, if Rick will let me in to see him."

Elizabeth shrugged, "I just didn't want to go beck to the Penthouse… and I can't go to the studio… and Grams, well I don't feel like hearing her lecture me right now."

"Liz, you aren't telling me everything." Emily said brushing her hand over Elizabeth's. "I love you, I love my brother, you can tell me."

Elizabeth let out a deep breath, "I can't tell you, mainly because I don't want you to get involved. Generally speaking, I'm nervous about the trial I guess."

"And?" Emily said knowing there was more. "What else? I know there is more going on here… I won't push though if you don't want to tell."

"The less you know the better. I'll just say though… you brother has been unbelievable, he saved me and he may end up spending his life in jail for it. I don't know if I can live with that."

"Ok, so here is my theory and you do not need to confirm it… Something else happened that day at the studio and Jason doesn't want you to get involved so you two got married. He cares for you Elizabeth and the case does sound like it could be in his favor. But my question is that it has been almost a month since this all went down, what happened recently that changed things?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes, "What didn't happen."

Emily angled her head and gave her a sympathetic look.

Sighing, Elizabeth spoke, "Well, first I fell in love with him… ok, maybe I have loved him all along."

Emily smiled knowingly and nodded, "I knew that, what else?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sighed. She closed them and blurted it out "I'm pregnant."

Emily's jaw dropped but was followed quickly by a squeal which got them a few looks from the men playing pool close by. Her face quickly dropped, "Wait, it's not Lucky's is it?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "No, it's Jason's… it uhh… it happened before everything, the night of the blackout. I actually just found out last night. After you told me about Lulu I got to thinking and kinda figured it all out. I guess with everything going on I was oblivious to the symptoms. ELQ strikes again."

"Does Jason even know yet?"

Elizabeth nodded, "Yea, he knows. Of course he is being great about it and he is so good with kids. The thing is, without saying too much… what I know would immediately get him out of the defendants chair… and put me in it, which is why he won't let me testify… he knows I wouldn't lie and he doesn't want me to go through it all."

"Elizabeth you…"

"No, stop, I've said too much already." Elizabeth put her elbows on the table and rested her head in her palms. "I'm sorry, I just haven't been able to talk about all this to anyone and I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown."

Emily shook her head, "Liz, you can trust me."

"No, I have said enough already. I just needed someone to listen to me ramble."

Emily sat straight up and looked Elizabeth in the eyes, "Ok well here is my comforting words… I love you, you are my best friend. Whether you realize it or not, my brother loves you too and I am sure already loves the child you are going to give him. As for the trial, have faith in him… things will work out, I can feel it."

I love you guys, thank you all for the wonderful feedback. I am so crazy into this story, I can't stop writing.