Every once in a while someone comes into your life and you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. That's love.
Once again, Elizabeth finds herself standing behind the nurses' station, staring blankly at an open file. She knows that she's supposed to be doing something, having been told repeatedly by the head nurse to get it done, but she just couldn't focus. Not with the early morning visit from AJ still hanging over her head.
She always wants to see the best in him, always willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but they've never found themselves in this type of situation. They've never found themselves this far apart on different sides of the same issue. With all the things weighing on their friendship, she just can't allow herself to be blind to the signs anymore.
"Let me guess..." Emily voices in front of her, causing a sense of dejavu to overcome her. "...AJ again?"
"That obvious?" she chuckles, shutting the file once again, unable to focus on it for even a second. "He came by at one this morning."
"One in the morning?" Emily couldn't believe that her brother would do something like that unless... "Was he...god, I hate even asking this, but..."
"No. He wasn't drunk." Elizabeth assured her. "Trust me, I was close enough to smell it if he was."
"Oh, thank god." Emily breathes a breath of relief. "So...what's the look for?"
"Did you know that Jason made a deal with Edward to put AJ back in charge of the development?"
"Well that explains why he stopped by this morning." Emily had been sorely confused by that. "Edward obviously made his usual wager in exchange for Jason's request."
"But why would he make that deal?" Elizabeth voices her confusion from when AJ had first told her. "He seemed pretty set in punishing AJ for what he did."
"Isn't it obvious?" Emily counters, eyeing her curiously. "He did it for you."
"For me?" she looks at her with even more confusion. "How do you figure?"
"Come on." Emily shakes her head. "The day after you tell Jason about your attack and AJ's part in helping you heal, he goes and meets with Edward to broker a deal for said brother...no way that's a coincidence."
"Wow...I...I didn't think of that." Elizabeth couldn't believe that her confession moved Jason that much. "Do you think he'll tell me about it?"
"Knowing Jason, its doubtful." Emily admits. "I mean, he's not exactly the type to draw attention to the things he does."
"You're right." she smiles softly. "He's not exactly great at accepting gratitude."
"He really isn't." Emily chuckles, knowing that her friend is about to show some extra gratitude to the unsuspecting Jason. "Anyway, about that look..."
"Its okay." Elizabeth waves off her concern. "Its nothing I can't handle."
"You sure?"
"Its AJ." Elizabeth counters.
"Right." Emily accepts. "Well, if you ever need a sounding board..."
Without another word, the two friends share a warm embrace before walking their separate ways. As concern for AJ starts to fade off into the back of her mind, thoughts of Jason takes its place, a true wonder to what he was willing to do for her.
With one simple request, he put an end to the strike that he had been adamant in keeping going to prove a point to AJ. Now he has gone and put AJ back in charge of the development after she confessed how important AJ had been to her healing process. To think that he cared about her so much to do something like that...it just leaves her at awe.
Leaving Francis in charge of the shipments, Jason locks himself in his office, trying to get a handle on the thoughts running through his mind. For as long as he could remember, working for Sonny had been the easiest decision he's ever had to make. It was never even a question. With a few simple words, Sonny had gained his trust and his loyalty. To think that all of it has gone to hell leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.
The more he thought about it, the more he seems to be leaning heavier towards accepting Maximus's offer rather than rejecting it. Obviously he will never be free from this life, no one ever truly is, but the more Maximus tries to recruit him, the better the deal seems to get.
If he were to take Maximus up on his offer, he'd be a silent partner with minimal risk involved, no longer working the field and getting his hands dirty. He'll mainly be consulting on various business endeavors, assisting Maximus in taking his organization to the next level. Taking trips every now and then when its absolutely necessary, but, for the most part, able to settle down and make a home for himself wherever his heart desires.
With a deal like that on the table, its hard to just turn his back so easily, especially with the way things seem to be going with Sonny.
If it were only him, he knows that he could take it, whatever Sonny has to dish out, but its not just him anymore. His choices no longer affect only him, not since he made the choice to start a relationship with Elizabeth, and he had to take that to heart when it comes to the possible threat that Sonny now poses.
Rubbing his face in frustration, he lets out a loud groan, wishing things didn't have to be so damn complicated.
Does he take Maximus up on his offer?
Does he find a way to have a little more faith in Sonny?
Should he talk to Elizabeth about any of this?
So many thoughts pounding away in his head that it becomes too much, an intense headache starting to form, making him hate the very thoughts running through his mind. With one swift movement, Jason bounds his way out of the office and downstairs to find Francis, needing to get out of that place as fast as possible.
Letting his friend know that he'll be out, to call if there are any problems, Jason straddles his motorcycle and takes off, needing the speed of his bike to take his mind off of everything. For just a few hours, he needs a clear mind, no thoughts of any kind, nothing at all to cloud his head.
"Jason?" a voice calls to him as he shuts off his bike in some random parking lot, making him realize where his ride took him.
"Hey." he says softly, dismounting his bike to walk over to her.
"Hey to you, too." she smiles at him, a hint of curiosity shining through her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Not sure." he admits, glancing around before meeting her eyes. "Um, did you take your lunch yet?"
"I was just about to." she replies, the curiosity growing within her eyes. "Is everything okay?"
"Just a lot on my mind." he concedes. "I was kind of hoping you'd help me take my mind off it for a while."
"Sure. Of course." she voices without hesitation. "Let me time out and I'll be right back, okay?"
"I'll be here."
He could tell she was confused by his request, he was confused as well about what lead him there, but he knows now that he needs her company. She gives him clarity, a longer lasting clarity than his motorcycle provides, and that's something he needs now more than ever.
Soon enough, she's back outside, straddling the bike behind him without another question, and off they go, driving faster and faster. With her arms secured around his abdomen, he could feel the tension leave his body, his muscles relaxing further as they drive through town to the local diner.
She wasn't sure what she could possibly do to derail whatever her brother was currently up to, but she had to try something. Its been so long since she has seen Elizabeth this genuinely happy and she'll be damned if she let anything or anyone get in the way of that. Jason may not have been the most obvious choice in regard to her best friend, but even a blind person could see how happy the make each other.
Of course she understands where AJ is coming from, but danger is a part of everyone's daily lives. Its not just Jason's life that holds all the danger. People live and die on a daily basis, regardless of what occupation they have chosen. Even the safest job in the world has its fair share of dangers attached.
"Emily." her brother's eyes convey his confusion, but he holds steady as if he had been expecting her.
"AJ." she replies, shutting the door behind her. "How's the job going?"
"Its fine." he says simply, shutting the file in front of her. "She told you didn't she?"
"Who told me what?"
"Don't play with me." he counters seriously. "Elizabeth told I stopped by at one this morning and that's why you're here, isn't it?"
"Can't a sister visit her brother without so much suspicion?" she voices, but quickly concedes when he looks at her with knowing eyes. "Okay, fine, she told me, but I'm not here for the reasons you think."
"So you're not here because you think I'm going to do something stupid?"
"Okay, maybe I am here for the reasons you think." Emily sighs, leaning back against the door. "Look, I know how you feel about our brother, but he did something good...nice even...can't you just accept that and put the past behind you."
"Life's never that easy, Em." he counters. "Look, am I skeptical about Jason's reasons for putting me in charge of this development, you're damn right I am."
"AJ..."
"But I'm not going to give grandfather another reason to pull me off of this." AJ continues on as if she hasn't spoken. "Despite popular belief, I actually care about this development and I'll be damned if I let grandfather take it back because of something stupid stunt I pulled against Jason."
"Why can't you ever just accept Jason's efforts at face value?" Emily questions. "He did something in your favor and yet you still can't help but see the worst in him."
"What do you expect from me?" AJ nearly shouts. "Really, Emily, what do you expect me to do?"
"Nothing, AJ." she says with complete conviction. "I expect you to do nothing. Let Jason and Elizabeth be happy. Let go of whatever image you have in your mind of what Elizabeth's future should be like and let her find happiness where she wants to. For the love of all that's good in this world, AJ, just let her go."
"And if I don't?" he questions. "What then?"
"You'll not only lose Elizabeth in your life completely, but you'll lose me, as well." Emily states through gritted teeth. "I love you to pieces, AJ, but enough is enough. If you can't find it in your heart to let things be, to let those two love each other in peace, you and I will be done."
Pulling open the door, she quickly exits her brother's office, shutting the door firmly behind her. She hadn't intended to give him an ultimatum, not in the least, but the look in his eyes sent chills down her spine. He's up to something, she's not sure what exactly, but she could see that familiar glisten in his eyes. He's up to something and its nothing good.