A/N – Thanks for the comments! Starting at bottom! Guest – lol you're already trying to strand them again? * ghfan51184 – Elizabeth is really trying to handle this on her own. But I hear you about the screaming. They both made me want to strangle them on the show. Dreamlover22 – Yes Matt and Patrick are brothers. * Guest2 – Well, he never said he was madly in love with Gina, but given the circumstances, she probably wouldn't have acted like this in their normal life because everything was good. Him ignoring her are bringing out all her insecurities and plus, it's really hard for her to take. More details will come out later. * lrobinson01 – lol that was short and to the point.

Chapter 12–Below the Surface

Gina came into Jason's view. She had a really cute pajama set on and he couldn't help it and smiled. "The Grinch?"

"Michael gave them to me for Christmas so I thought I'd wear them," she said as she sat next to him.

"Just be glad you didn't get the crazy reindeer ones like Emily."

Gina chuckled. "I'm trying to convince Alice to take a picture for me."

"Where are yours?" she asked poking him in the arm, liking that he was actually being more like himself.

"Um, I left them on the mountain."

"Sure…"

Jason smiled. "That's the story I'm going to tell him."

"What do you have against ninja turtles?"

"They look funny and it would ruin my street cred."

Gina pushed him and he started to tickle her and they fell back onto the bed. He looked at her as if to say he was trying and then they kissed lightly. When she started to kiss him more deeply and moaned into his mouth, she felt him tense and pull away which made her roll the other way and get up. She took one last look at him before walking out of the room in tears as Jason rolled onto his back and hit the bed with his fist. He didn't even know why he couldn't be intimate with her. It just didn't seem right to lead her on when his head was so scrambled and sex was the last thing on his mind.

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Ric looked down at Elizabeth and smiled. Tears were streaming down her face like they always did when she watched this particular movie. He started to chuckle and she smacked him on the leg. "Don't make fun of me."

"You're such a sap."

She hit him again and they playfully wrestled and Ric ended up on top of her. He kissed her and Elizabeth started to stay in the moment and kiss him back, but then she moved her head to the side and Ric flipped onto his back.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're not ready. I can wait. You were just laughing and looking so beautiful and I kissed you in the moment."

"I know. You didn't do anything wrong. I called the counselor."

"Really?"

She nodded. "I know it's hard on everyone that I'm not myself, so she gave me a referral and I have an appointment tomorrow night."

"Elizabeth, I don't want you to do this to please me or your family. Do you want to see a counselor?"

She nodded. "I need to do something. I can't live like this."

He hugged her. "Okay. Do you need me to drive you? You hate driving in the snow at night."

"Okay."

Ric was thankful that she would let him be there for her and for the first time since she came home, he really had hope.

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The next morning, Elizabeth pulled on her coat and was surprised when Johnny came to her door.

"Your chariot awaits."

She smiled. "You're driving us?"

He nodded. "Yup."

She grabbed her gloves. "Alright, it's your funeral."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Are you coming shopping with us?"

"Yeah. You'll be in public and I don't want people approaching you. Why?"

"You've never been shopping with Diane."

He shrugged. "I've been shopping with Carly and there is no way that Diane can top that."

"We shall see," Liz said as she grinned mischievously.

Johnny opened the truck door for her and she slid in next to Diane.

"Are you ready?"

She nodded. "Yup. Johnny thinks we're amateurs."

He turned around. "I didn't say that."

"You implied it."

Diane smirked. "We'll see what he thinks in about two hours."

Liz chuckled.

They drove to the mall and the two men followed them around as they went from store to store. A few people approached them and Liz politely said hello and then Johnny would move them along.

Two hours later

"How can they look at shoes in one store for two hours?" Johnny asked.

Francis chuckled. "It takes a while for the salesperson to go to the back and find the right size."

Johnny groaned. "This is torture."

Diane was prancing around in some stilettos and she looked over at Francis. "What do you think?"

"They look hot on you."

She smirked. "Thank you Mr. Corelli." She sauntered back towards Elizabeth.

"Do you have a thing for Francis?"

"I have something for him. The man is hot," Diane said before pretending to shudder.

"Are you getting those?" Liz said as she studied the shoes in her hand.

"He said I looked hot in them. Of course I'm buying them. Maybe I'll wear them when he's…"

"Diane," Liz growled, "focus." She pursed her lips and tapped her fingers on them. "Let's give him a test. See those awful hooker heels over there?"

Diane followed her finger and then her mouth twisted. "I wouldn't be caught dead in those."

"Exactly."

"I'm not following."

"Have them get your size. I want to see if he says you look hot in everything."

Diane grinned. "Alright, but if someone takes a picture and my rep is destroyed, I will find a new Picasso to mentor."

Liz smiled. "Deal."

Diane discretely went over to the sales girl who laughed at Diane's request.

She came back to them a few minutes later with the box and Diane slipped them on and started walking around.

"Holy hell," Johnny said.

Francis looked at the scene, completely thrown. "Is she really walking around in those?"

"I would have never pegged her for the type."

Francis slowly smirked. "They are testing me."

"What?"

"Watch and learn my friend."

Johnny crossed his arms and watched.

Diane strode towards them, trying to keep her balance. "So, what do you think?" she asked Francis.

"You look hot."

Diane could barely hide her disappointment. "Thanks, I think," she said as she turned around. As she started to move, she lost her balance and wobbled. Thank goodness that Francis was right behind her and steadied her. Diane gripped his arm and Francis whispered in her ear, making her shiver. "I said you looked hot, which you always do, but lose the shoes. You're way too good for them."

Diane smiled. "Thank you Mr. Corelli."

"It's Francis," he said before pulling back.

She slowly walked back and took them off and put them in the box.

"What happened?" Liz asked, confused. She had heard what Francis said at first so Diane's change of mood made no sense.

"Let's just say that Mr. Corelli is going to have a date for dinner tonight."

Liz grinned. "Nice."

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They walked through the mall with Francis and Johnny trailing behind, carrying their purchases. A man walked towards the girls and Johnny sat the bags at Francis's feet and started to close the distance.

"I saw you on television. You are breathtaking," he said openly admiring her.

"Thanks," Elizabeth said before turning away from him.

He grabbed her arm. "Please, I'd love to take you out—"

He was cut off by Johnny's lethal voice. "Get your hand off of her now," he said with a low voice that even scared Liz.

The man shot him an annoyed look. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm not going to ask you again. The lady is not interested." He pulled Liz towards him and when the man continued to grip her arm, Johnny swung and dropped him. "Let's go," he demanded, grabbing Elizabeth's hand and walking her back towards Francis. He grabbed the bags and then hustled them to the escalator, but before they could reach it, mall security stopped them.

"Sir, I need to ask you to come with me," he said fixating on Johnny.

"He didn't do anything wrong," Diane said.

"That gentleman over there says you attacked him for no reason."

"That man was grabbing me and refused to let go," Liz said loudly.

A crowd had gathered.

"That's the plane crash girl," someone yelled.

The guard looked at her. "You are the lady from the crash?"

"I am. If that man wants to cause a scene, then I want to press charges," she said holding out her arm so he could see the slight bruise.

The guard winced. "Stay here with them," he said to the other guard before walking back over to the other man who he promptly told off.

Finally, he approached them again. "I'd like to apologize on behalf of mall management, Ms. Webber. If you want to shop here again, you should come to the security desk and we'll make sure that you are left alone."

"Thank you."

They left and walked to the car and everyone noticed that Elizabeth was really quiet.

"You okay?" Diane asked.

She nodded as she slipped her coat on.

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They were silent the whole way home. Johnny texted Jason to call Liz in about fifteen minutes.

She was dropped off first. Johnny stayed with her and then Francis took Diane home.

Immediately, she went into her bedroom and dropped the bags in front of the closet and then laid down on the bed. Johnny sat on the couch and turned on the television, there was no way he was leaving her alone when she was upset.

She looked at her arm and cringed. Her phone rang and when she saw it was Jason, she quickly answered it. "Hi."

"Hey. How was shopping?"

"I know Johnny probably called you," she said as she sat up.

"He told me to call you, but he didn't say why," Jason admitted.

"Some asshole grabbed me at the mall."

"Where the hell were Johnny and Francis?"

"They were there. We were walking a little bit ahead of them so we could gossip."

Jason almost groaned with frustration. "And?"

"He approached me and told me that he saw me on television and thought I was beautiful. When I went to walk away from him, he grabbed my arm. He was warned to let go and when he didn't, Johnny decked him and he went down. At first the mall police gave us a hard time, but then they let us go. I'm fine, Jason."

Jason sighed. "Did he hurt you?"

"I have a bruise, but it really doesn't hurt unless I touch it."

"Then don't touch it."

Elizabeth smiled. "Ha, ha."

"Seriously Elizabeth, you need to stick to Johnny more closely. Promise me that you will."

Liz sighed. "Does that mean they are staying around a while longer?"

"Yes and don't try to change the subject."

"Okay. You're so bossy."

Jason smiled. "I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"You have plans with Ric tonight?"

Liz hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I have a doctor's appointment at 6:00."

"For what?"

"I'm going to talk to a counselor."

Jason was surprised. "Really?" He wasn't comfortable with making that step yet.

"Yeah, I need to do something. I feel so stuck."

"Okay."

"I have to go, but I'll text you later to let you know what happened."

"See you later."

"See you later,"she said not really wanting to hang up, but knowing she should.

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Elizabeth sat nervously waiting for the doctor. A door opened and a woman moved forward with a warm smile. "Come on in, Elizabeth," she said holding the door open. "I'm Dr. Saybrooke, but you can call me Marty."

Liz nodded and sat down.

"You seem a little nervous, so let me ease your mind a little. I'm here to listen to you and then when you get stuck, I can help you try to work through it. I'm not going to tell you how to live your life or judge you. I have heard about your ordeal, but I know better than to believe everything I hear."

"Have you ever had to deal with a plane crash survivor before?"

"No, but I have dealt with a train collision patient before and others in car accidents. I know it's a different situation, but I still feel like I can help you. Are you game?"

Liz nodded. "Okay," she said before sliding her coat off and placing it on the couch next to her.

"So, what do you want to talk about today?"

Liz tucked her hair behind her ears. "I feel like a totally different person than I was before the plane crash. Everyone around me wants me to be that person again, but I feel like I have no connection to her at all."

Marty nodded. "Do you want to be that person again?"

Liz shrugged. "I don't know." She paused and thought for a minute. "I just don't think I can."

"Tell me who you were before."

"I spent a lot time making sure my family and my fiancé Ric were happy. I was the good girl and behaved the way everyone expected me to. It was easier that way and kept the peace."

"Go on."

"I loved painting and spent most of my time in my studio. It was like my escape," she said smiling at the memory. "I also liked working on art for non-profits."

"But the rest of your life was a lie?"

"I guess you could put it that way."

"How would you put it?"

"I never really thought about it like that while it was happening. At the time, I thought I was happy, but now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I was just telling myself that. It was all about everyone else and Ric rewarded my behavior by doting on me."

"Do you believe he loves you?"

"Yeah, he loves the person I became for him."

"Describe her more."

"I smiled at all the right moments and was the perfect girlfriend. I helped him kiss up during dinner parties and did what I could to support him. And before him, I did whatever I could to make my grandparents happy. My sister was a rebel, so I think I wanted to be the opposite because my Grams always complained about her."

"Did you and your sister get along?"

"Yes, quite well actually."

"Where are your parents?"

"They died in a plane crash with my brother when I was younger."

Marty was surprised, but she thought she was getting the picture. They would have to talk about that crash at some point.

"How did Ric feel about your art?"

"He appeased me. He'd go to the gallery when I had events, but he didn't really come to the studio and spend time with me there."

"Elizabeth, I want you to think about everything you just told me. If you were looking at how you were then from your perspective now, what would you think about the person you were?"

Liz thought for a moment. "That she was living her life to please others instead of herself and that she probably doesn't know shit about truly being happy."

Marty watched her fidget and grow quiet. "That's all the time we have for tonight. You did very well."

Liz was shocked that the hour went by so quickly.

"Do you want to meet on Thursday at the same time?"

Marty felt like they were getting somewhere and she didn't want to wait too much longer than that.

"Okay."

"Good. I'll see you then."

Elizabeth got up. "Thanks."