Second Chances: No Where Fast
Jason slid the cumbersome black SUV into a spot in front of the Harley Shop. He'd be so happy to be on a motorcycle again no longer encased in the confines of an automobile.
"You ready?" He turned and asked Elizabeth whose eyes were riveted on the row of motorcycles lining the sidewalk in front of the shop.
"Uh-huh." She nodded as her lips quickly curved upward.
"Let's go then." Jason laughed as he held the door open for her. He had almost forgotten that she loved riding nearly as much as he did.
"Oh my god," she gasped at the hundreds of motorcycles that covered the showroom floor. "I never imagined there'd be so many. Look at all the colors Jason," she said admiring the almost rainbow effect she saw before her.
"You want pink you get your own bike," he joked as she rested her hand on a gas tank covered in magenta metallic paint.
"It's not pink – my own bike?" she questioned the thoughts of color getting lost in the idea of a motorcycle all her own.
"If you want."
"I always thought you said I couldn't handle a bike on my own," she questioned him coyly. "Was that just your way of keeping me on yours?"
"No, what I said was you couldn't handle my bike," he corrected. "And the thought of keeping your arms wrapped around me had crossed my mind." Jason pulled her body into his securing his arms around her as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Ah Mr. Morgan," the man said clearing his throat. "So glad you could find the time to come to the showroom. As you can see we have a great selection of the latest models."
Jason dropped his arms from around Elizabeth's waist and laced his fingers through hers as they followed the salesman and began to wind their way through the maze of motorcycles.
Elizabeth watched and listened as Jason surveyed each machine asking question after question about most things she knew little to nothing about. "I'd like one with a cover to protect the chain," Jason said to the man in the gray suit.
"That's an unusual request. It would make maintenance rather difficult." The older man gave him a rather odd stare.
"Unusual yes, but it's what I want. Do you have anything that fits my needs?" Jason wasn't about to take any chances this time around. He wanted to be sure that no one would be able to tamper with the master link and cause another accident while he had Elizabeth on the back of the bike.
"Well honestly I'm not sure. I don't believe that anyone has ever asked for such an option. I will have to look into that."
"Then do it."
"I'll be right back."
"So which one do you like?" Jason turned to her.
"There's so many how am I supposed to choose? Besides I don't even know what I am looking at. I couldn't even begin to pick. And really as long as you are driving I don't much care about anything else," she purred slipping her hands inside his leather jacket. The sensation of her touch through his thin black tee shirt made every nerve in his body sing.
"Color preference?" he asked.
Elizabeth cocked her brow as she began moving through the rows of bikes pointing out one color after another. First the magenta that he had vetoed right off the bat, then a teal blue with a pearl white inset. Next she moved on to a deep metallic purple with bright yellow flames shooting across the sides of the bike. Jason covered his mouth and stifled as chuckle as she continued her journey. She pointed out an array of greens, blues, oranges, reds and a few colors Jason wasn't even sure what they were called. When she finally stopped at the Harley covered in the black cherry lacquer Jason began to smile.
"You like?" she questioned.
He did in fact like the color. It was close enough in resemblance to his signature color black but in the right light it gave off a deep cherry red tone. "Yeah, yeah I do." He moved closer bending down to inspect the intricacies of the motor and gears. He liked the craftsmanship he saw. Jason leaned the bike off its stand and swung his jean-clad leg over the side and sat down. It felt so good to be on a motorcycle again even if it was only sitting in the showroom. "Hop on," he said to her.
"Right here?"
"Yeah, right here."
Elizabeth laughed but did exactly as he instructed. Easily she slid into position behind him. She let her body rest against Jason's back and tightly her arms encircled his torso.
"So what do you think?" He looked at her over his shoulder.
"I can't wait to see the wind!" She grinned with anticipation.
"Have you found one you like Mr. Morgan?"
"I think we have. What about that special option that I requested?" he asked in serious tone.
"Unfortunately sir, that's not a factory option. However our head mechanic said that he certainly could fabricate a piece to meet your specific needs. It would just take a few days."
Jason watched Elizabeth's smile fade and her features fall. His own shoulders dipped a little. They both hadn't realized how much they had been wanting – needing a ride that night until the idea of not taking one hit them.
"Fine, but I'll be taking the bike tonight. I'll have it brought in tomorrow to have your mechanic install the chain cover." Elizabeth tightened her grip around his waist thankful that they would still be seeing the wind that evening.
"Well if you will just follow me into my office we can start the paper work and have you and your lovely lady on your way."
"That won't be necessary. Have the papers drawn up and sent to my office." He handed the man a business card with the Corinthos-Morgan Coffee logo at the top.
"Yes, Mr. Morgan. I will have those papers to you by morning." The man said as Jason slipped several large bills in his hand.
"I'm sure that will cover me taking the bike tonight," Jason remarked.
"Certainly," the salesman agreed. "Will there be anything else, Mr. Morgan?" The older gentleman finally made the connection. He finally understood whom exactly it was standing in his showroom.
"Helmets. We need helmets."
"We have a large selection in the display case in the corner." He pointed across the room.
"Black for me will be fine," Jason said having done enough shopping, even if it was for a motorcycle shopping wasn't his forte. "Elizabeth?"
"Black's fine with me too." She was eager to go for their ride and the color of her helmet made little if any difference.
"See if these fit you correctly." The salesman handed each of them a helmet.
"Yeah," Jason said.
"Perfect," Elizabeth agreed.
Elizabeth fidgeted in anticipation as Jason placed a call to Max so that the SUV they had driven over in could be picked up and returned to the garage at Harbor View Towers. She stared out the large plate glass window her eyes focused on Jason's new motorcycle. The chrome shone to perfection and the sun's rays reflected off of the metallic flecks hidden within the rich hue of the dark finish.
"You ready?" Jason whispered in her ear startling her.
"You bet."
She pushed open the swinging door and walked over to where the bike sat. They both fastened the chinstraps on their helmets. Elizabeth waited as Jason mounted the large Harley first. Every muscle in her body was taut waiting her turn to climb on.
"Well?" Jason prompted her to join him.
Effortlessly she melted into her position behind Jason. Their bodies molded into a single form. Elizabeth let out a squeal of delight as he revved the bike's engine. The sound of the rumbling exhaust was a sweet melody to Jason's ears. He was home. The first bike he had ever purchased he used as a way to separate himself from the Quartermaines. It had given him his freedom yet somehow this new machine was even more freeing. He couldn't explain it but loving Elizabeth made him feel free. When he was with her he didn't feel the oppressing expectations that others held for him. With Elizabeth there wasn't a need to be in constant motion. The quiet moments that they shared brought him a peace that he never thought he deserved. He turned his head to look at her.
"What?" she said with a slight laugh.
"I love you Elizabeth Webber," he said taking off letting the roar of the motorcycle swallow her reply.
Elizabeth relaxed letting her body become one with Jason's. She leaned into each curve like he had taught her to so many years before. She closed her eyes and recalled all of the rides he had given her back then. Those were the only times when she felt completely alive during one of the most difficult times in her life. Those were the only times when she didn't have to pretend to be something she wasn't for everyone else. She treasured those memories each time Jason had left Port Charles for one reason or another and would anxiously await his return hoping that every thunderous roar she heard in the distance would be him ready to take her away to see the wind. She tightened her grasp around his midsection as he quickened the pace. Oh how she loved going fast and Jason never disappointed in giving her that rush of adrenaline.
When Jason turned onto the old winding dirt road Elizabeth knew exactly where they were headed. She smiled. She loved that bridge. What she loved even more though was that Jason had shared something special to him with her all those years ago. Somehow over the time they had known one another the bridge had become less his and Robin's place and more theirs. It was funny how first loves lead the way to true love.
Jason brought the motorcycle to a halt at the edge of the stone bridge. He shut down the engine and the pair sat silently for a moment taking in the scenery. The calm filtered through the both of them. Elizabeth was the first to break and hopped off the back of the bike. Peeling the helmet from her head she shook out her ruddy mane letting it fall against her shoulders in an unkempt mass of curls. Jason who was now standing along side of her reached over and ran his fingers through her hair. She shivered at that even slight touch.
Taking her small hand in his much larger one Jason led her across the bridge. "Where are we going?" she asked curiously.
"You'll see," Jason answered mysteriously.
Elizabeth shot him a quizzical glance. Mystery and Jason Morgan barely if ever occupied the same sentence. They continued walking and just as they were about to crest the hillside she gasped at the sight she saw. There before them was a red and white gingham blanket spread over the grass with a large wicker picnic basket sitting on top of it. "How – how did you do this?" she asked more than a little shocked.
"I had a little help, Max..."
"So that's why you were on the phone for so long," she interrupted him.
"Yeah," Jason blushed. Again Elizabeth stared at him in awe. Jason Morgan never blushed or got embarrassed.
"I can't believe you did all of this," Elizabeth said when she peeked inside of the basket.
"You don't like it?" Jason wondered out loud. "I just thought we could use some time where we couldn't be constantly interrupted." As of late it seemed as though the penthouse had become grand central people waltzing in and out at their leisure with no regard for the individuals that actually lived there.
"Jason, I love it!" she cooed placing herself in his lap bringing her lips softly against his. He savored her sweet taste and let out a contented sigh. "So what did Max bring us? I'm starving," she stated as she lifted the lid of the picnic basket. Inside were several bottles of Jason's favorite beer, sandwiches from Kelly's and a few other munchies that had been thrown in for good measure. Elizabeth emptied the contents and spread them across the blanket. "Thank you," she said softly. "Thank you for making me feel normal."
"You are normal," Jason laughed as he picked up the sandwich she put in front of him.
"You know what I mean. This, a picnic, is something normal people do. People who don't have psycho ex-husbands. People who don't live with body guards shadowing their every move," she sighed.
Jason pulled back and stared at her for a long time. It broke his heart to see the strain of everything etched on her beautiful face. All he wanted to do was keep her safe and make her happy. All he wanted to do was love her. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he moved closer to where she sat. "I'm sorry that everything is so out of control. I'm sorry that you feel trapped by Max and the other guards...."
"Sshh." Elizabeth placed her hand against his mouth to silence him. "Don't – don't apologize. We have to stop doing this. We have to stop trying to fix everything for one another. We just need to live in the moment. Jason we need to sing like no one's listening, dance like no one is watching, live each day loving each other as though it might be our last."
"In my world it very well could be," Jason said more sarcastically than he had intended for it to sound.
"Stop that! We aren't given any guarantees in life Jason. I could step off the curb tomorrow and get hit by a bus."
"Highly unlikely," he retorted.
"Jason when our time is up it's up and I would hate to have spent my entire life missing out on loving you because I was afraid to step into the circle of your world – your life."
"I don't know if I could survive losing you," he said honestly clutching her tightly. She had been put in danger so many times in the past just because of him. It was difficult for Jason to let his own selfish needs – his need for Elizabeth to be part of his life put her in constant peril.
"Welcome to my world. That's how I feel every time you walk out the door to attend to business. But no matter where I was I would feel that way. As much as we have tried to deny our feelings in the past some irresistible force always brings us back to one another. I know Jason I am where I am meant to be. I am meant to be here in your arms loving you." She again kissed him gently as a way of reassuring him. "I'm where I want to be Jason."
"So am I," he agreed. Jason let his eyes fall shut as he digested the truth in her words. They was no denying that they belonged together. He felt complete when she was a part of his life.
The rest of the evening was spent in quiet conversations and playful banter. Both of them were enjoying a little relief from the circumstances of their lives. It wasn't until the sky began to darken with ominous clouds rolling in quickly overhead and lightening crackled above them that they even considered heading home.
Elizabeth looked back at the spot they had just vacated searing the memory in her mind. Something told her that this might be the last normal day they had for a while.
Jason slid the cumbersome black SUV into a spot in front of the Harley Shop. He'd be so happy to be on a motorcycle again no longer encased in the confines of an automobile.
"You ready?" He turned and asked Elizabeth whose eyes were riveted on the row of motorcycles lining the sidewalk in front of the shop.
"Uh-huh." She nodded as her lips quickly curved upward.
"Let's go then." Jason laughed as he held the door open for her. He had almost forgotten that she loved riding nearly as much as he did.
"Oh my god," she gasped at the hundreds of motorcycles that covered the showroom floor. "I never imagined there'd be so many. Look at all the colors Jason," she said admiring the almost rainbow effect she saw before her.
"You want pink you get your own bike," he joked as she rested her hand on a gas tank covered in magenta metallic paint.
"It's not pink – my own bike?" she questioned the thoughts of color getting lost in the idea of a motorcycle all her own.
"If you want."
"I always thought you said I couldn't handle a bike on my own," she questioned him coyly. "Was that just your way of keeping me on yours?"
"No, what I said was you couldn't handle my bike," he corrected. "And the thought of keeping your arms wrapped around me had crossed my mind." Jason pulled her body into his securing his arms around her as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Ah Mr. Morgan," the man said clearing his throat. "So glad you could find the time to come to the showroom. As you can see we have a great selection of the latest models."
Jason dropped his arms from around Elizabeth's waist and laced his fingers through hers as they followed the salesman and began to wind their way through the maze of motorcycles.
Elizabeth watched and listened as Jason surveyed each machine asking question after question about most things she knew little to nothing about. "I'd like one with a cover to protect the chain," Jason said to the man in the gray suit.
"That's an unusual request. It would make maintenance rather difficult." The older man gave him a rather odd stare.
"Unusual yes, but it's what I want. Do you have anything that fits my needs?" Jason wasn't about to take any chances this time around. He wanted to be sure that no one would be able to tamper with the master link and cause another accident while he had Elizabeth on the back of the bike.
"Well honestly I'm not sure. I don't believe that anyone has ever asked for such an option. I will have to look into that."
"Then do it."
"I'll be right back."
"So which one do you like?" Jason turned to her.
"There's so many how am I supposed to choose? Besides I don't even know what I am looking at. I couldn't even begin to pick. And really as long as you are driving I don't much care about anything else," she purred slipping her hands inside his leather jacket. The sensation of her touch through his thin black tee shirt made every nerve in his body sing.
"Color preference?" he asked.
Elizabeth cocked her brow as she began moving through the rows of bikes pointing out one color after another. First the magenta that he had vetoed right off the bat, then a teal blue with a pearl white inset. Next she moved on to a deep metallic purple with bright yellow flames shooting across the sides of the bike. Jason covered his mouth and stifled as chuckle as she continued her journey. She pointed out an array of greens, blues, oranges, reds and a few colors Jason wasn't even sure what they were called. When she finally stopped at the Harley covered in the black cherry lacquer Jason began to smile.
"You like?" she questioned.
He did in fact like the color. It was close enough in resemblance to his signature color black but in the right light it gave off a deep cherry red tone. "Yeah, yeah I do." He moved closer bending down to inspect the intricacies of the motor and gears. He liked the craftsmanship he saw. Jason leaned the bike off its stand and swung his jean-clad leg over the side and sat down. It felt so good to be on a motorcycle again even if it was only sitting in the showroom. "Hop on," he said to her.
"Right here?"
"Yeah, right here."
Elizabeth laughed but did exactly as he instructed. Easily she slid into position behind him. She let her body rest against Jason's back and tightly her arms encircled his torso.
"So what do you think?" He looked at her over his shoulder.
"I can't wait to see the wind!" She grinned with anticipation.
"Have you found one you like Mr. Morgan?"
"I think we have. What about that special option that I requested?" he asked in serious tone.
"Unfortunately sir, that's not a factory option. However our head mechanic said that he certainly could fabricate a piece to meet your specific needs. It would just take a few days."
Jason watched Elizabeth's smile fade and her features fall. His own shoulders dipped a little. They both hadn't realized how much they had been wanting – needing a ride that night until the idea of not taking one hit them.
"Fine, but I'll be taking the bike tonight. I'll have it brought in tomorrow to have your mechanic install the chain cover." Elizabeth tightened her grip around his waist thankful that they would still be seeing the wind that evening.
"Well if you will just follow me into my office we can start the paper work and have you and your lovely lady on your way."
"That won't be necessary. Have the papers drawn up and sent to my office." He handed the man a business card with the Corinthos-Morgan Coffee logo at the top.
"Yes, Mr. Morgan. I will have those papers to you by morning." The man said as Jason slipped several large bills in his hand.
"I'm sure that will cover me taking the bike tonight," Jason remarked.
"Certainly," the salesman agreed. "Will there be anything else, Mr. Morgan?" The older gentleman finally made the connection. He finally understood whom exactly it was standing in his showroom.
"Helmets. We need helmets."
"We have a large selection in the display case in the corner." He pointed across the room.
"Black for me will be fine," Jason said having done enough shopping, even if it was for a motorcycle shopping wasn't his forte. "Elizabeth?"
"Black's fine with me too." She was eager to go for their ride and the color of her helmet made little if any difference.
"See if these fit you correctly." The salesman handed each of them a helmet.
"Yeah," Jason said.
"Perfect," Elizabeth agreed.
Elizabeth fidgeted in anticipation as Jason placed a call to Max so that the SUV they had driven over in could be picked up and returned to the garage at Harbor View Towers. She stared out the large plate glass window her eyes focused on Jason's new motorcycle. The chrome shone to perfection and the sun's rays reflected off of the metallic flecks hidden within the rich hue of the dark finish.
"You ready?" Jason whispered in her ear startling her.
"You bet."
She pushed open the swinging door and walked over to where the bike sat. They both fastened the chinstraps on their helmets. Elizabeth waited as Jason mounted the large Harley first. Every muscle in her body was taut waiting her turn to climb on.
"Well?" Jason prompted her to join him.
Effortlessly she melted into her position behind Jason. Their bodies molded into a single form. Elizabeth let out a squeal of delight as he revved the bike's engine. The sound of the rumbling exhaust was a sweet melody to Jason's ears. He was home. The first bike he had ever purchased he used as a way to separate himself from the Quartermaines. It had given him his freedom yet somehow this new machine was even more freeing. He couldn't explain it but loving Elizabeth made him feel free. When he was with her he didn't feel the oppressing expectations that others held for him. With Elizabeth there wasn't a need to be in constant motion. The quiet moments that they shared brought him a peace that he never thought he deserved. He turned his head to look at her.
"What?" she said with a slight laugh.
"I love you Elizabeth Webber," he said taking off letting the roar of the motorcycle swallow her reply.
Elizabeth relaxed letting her body become one with Jason's. She leaned into each curve like he had taught her to so many years before. She closed her eyes and recalled all of the rides he had given her back then. Those were the only times when she felt completely alive during one of the most difficult times in her life. Those were the only times when she didn't have to pretend to be something she wasn't for everyone else. She treasured those memories each time Jason had left Port Charles for one reason or another and would anxiously await his return hoping that every thunderous roar she heard in the distance would be him ready to take her away to see the wind. She tightened her grasp around his midsection as he quickened the pace. Oh how she loved going fast and Jason never disappointed in giving her that rush of adrenaline.
When Jason turned onto the old winding dirt road Elizabeth knew exactly where they were headed. She smiled. She loved that bridge. What she loved even more though was that Jason had shared something special to him with her all those years ago. Somehow over the time they had known one another the bridge had become less his and Robin's place and more theirs. It was funny how first loves lead the way to true love.
Jason brought the motorcycle to a halt at the edge of the stone bridge. He shut down the engine and the pair sat silently for a moment taking in the scenery. The calm filtered through the both of them. Elizabeth was the first to break and hopped off the back of the bike. Peeling the helmet from her head she shook out her ruddy mane letting it fall against her shoulders in an unkempt mass of curls. Jason who was now standing along side of her reached over and ran his fingers through her hair. She shivered at that even slight touch.
Taking her small hand in his much larger one Jason led her across the bridge. "Where are we going?" she asked curiously.
"You'll see," Jason answered mysteriously.
Elizabeth shot him a quizzical glance. Mystery and Jason Morgan barely if ever occupied the same sentence. They continued walking and just as they were about to crest the hillside she gasped at the sight she saw. There before them was a red and white gingham blanket spread over the grass with a large wicker picnic basket sitting on top of it. "How – how did you do this?" she asked more than a little shocked.
"I had a little help, Max..."
"So that's why you were on the phone for so long," she interrupted him.
"Yeah," Jason blushed. Again Elizabeth stared at him in awe. Jason Morgan never blushed or got embarrassed.
"I can't believe you did all of this," Elizabeth said when she peeked inside of the basket.
"You don't like it?" Jason wondered out loud. "I just thought we could use some time where we couldn't be constantly interrupted." As of late it seemed as though the penthouse had become grand central people waltzing in and out at their leisure with no regard for the individuals that actually lived there.
"Jason, I love it!" she cooed placing herself in his lap bringing her lips softly against his. He savored her sweet taste and let out a contented sigh. "So what did Max bring us? I'm starving," she stated as she lifted the lid of the picnic basket. Inside were several bottles of Jason's favorite beer, sandwiches from Kelly's and a few other munchies that had been thrown in for good measure. Elizabeth emptied the contents and spread them across the blanket. "Thank you," she said softly. "Thank you for making me feel normal."
"You are normal," Jason laughed as he picked up the sandwich she put in front of him.
"You know what I mean. This, a picnic, is something normal people do. People who don't have psycho ex-husbands. People who don't live with body guards shadowing their every move," she sighed.
Jason pulled back and stared at her for a long time. It broke his heart to see the strain of everything etched on her beautiful face. All he wanted to do was keep her safe and make her happy. All he wanted to do was love her. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he moved closer to where she sat. "I'm sorry that everything is so out of control. I'm sorry that you feel trapped by Max and the other guards...."
"Sshh." Elizabeth placed her hand against his mouth to silence him. "Don't – don't apologize. We have to stop doing this. We have to stop trying to fix everything for one another. We just need to live in the moment. Jason we need to sing like no one's listening, dance like no one is watching, live each day loving each other as though it might be our last."
"In my world it very well could be," Jason said more sarcastically than he had intended for it to sound.
"Stop that! We aren't given any guarantees in life Jason. I could step off the curb tomorrow and get hit by a bus."
"Highly unlikely," he retorted.
"Jason when our time is up it's up and I would hate to have spent my entire life missing out on loving you because I was afraid to step into the circle of your world – your life."
"I don't know if I could survive losing you," he said honestly clutching her tightly. She had been put in danger so many times in the past just because of him. It was difficult for Jason to let his own selfish needs – his need for Elizabeth to be part of his life put her in constant peril.
"Welcome to my world. That's how I feel every time you walk out the door to attend to business. But no matter where I was I would feel that way. As much as we have tried to deny our feelings in the past some irresistible force always brings us back to one another. I know Jason I am where I am meant to be. I am meant to be here in your arms loving you." She again kissed him gently as a way of reassuring him. "I'm where I want to be Jason."
"So am I," he agreed. Jason let his eyes fall shut as he digested the truth in her words. They was no denying that they belonged together. He felt complete when she was a part of his life.
The rest of the evening was spent in quiet conversations and playful banter. Both of them were enjoying a little relief from the circumstances of their lives. It wasn't until the sky began to darken with ominous clouds rolling in quickly overhead and lightening crackled above them that they even considered heading home.
Elizabeth looked back at the spot they had just vacated searing the memory in her mind. Something told her that this might be the last normal day they had for a while.