A/N – Thanks for the reviews. Virgy15 and ilovedana53 – It's hard writing Liz so messed up but things will be looking up soon! Chawkchic – I agree.

Chapter 37 – Cabin in the Sky

The next morning Jason and Johnny packed the SUV and they headed out.

"You're not even giving me a hint?" Liz said excitedly.

"Nope."

Jason drove for over an hour and by the time they got close to the mountains, Liz knew exactly where they were going.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Bringing me back here."

Jason smiled. "It's where I started to fall for you. I thought it might do us both some good to relax."

Liz smiled.

The mountains are beautiful at this time of the year. Everything is so lush and vibrant. By the time Jason pulled up to the cabin, Liz was itching to get out and breathe the fresh air.

They unpacked the car and went inside. Jason put the groceries away and Liz put their bags in the bedroom.

"Can we take a walk?"

Jason nodded and took her hand. "Let's go."

They followed the path where Jason had pulled her on the sled. Liz grinned as she saw her rock and climbed atop it.

She took in the beautiful view and Jason stood next to her doing the same.

"I love it here."

"Good."

She gazed down into the valley and saw some horses running with their manes moving in the wind and wished she could be that free. Life had not been kind to her, but when she met Jason, all that changed and when they made love, that was when she felt free the most; like there was no one else on earth but them. Maybe it is the reason why she really misses it. He helped her down and they continued to walk until Jason said it was time to turn back.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They raced to the house and Jason let her win.

Liz set the table and as he made some sandwiches, and then turned on the radio and they ate and chatted. After they were finished, they settled onto the couch.

"Okay, it's time for the first phase of our homework."

Jason smiled. "I'm ready, teacher."

Liz grinned.

Jason turned his body so it took up the length of the couch and Liz sat in between his legs with hers on top of his.

She giggled and Jason smiled at her. "What are you laughing about?"

"It just seems so high school."

"Is that so bad?"

"No, but maybe we should go out to the car."

Jason chuckled.

She eased her way closer. "Can you take your shirt off?"

Jason took it off as she openly perused him. She'll never get tired of looking at his body. She ran her hands over his chest and sighed.

"Is it better if I look at you or close my eyes?" Jason asked.

"For now, close your eyes."

She just wants to look at him without getting lost in them. For a moment, she admired his gorgeous body and then eased herself closer. When she touched his chest, Jason jumped a little and they laughed. Gathering more courage, she leaned in and kissed him softly and then explored his lips with her tongue and when she finally retreated she gazed at him dreamily.

"My move," Jason said softly. He put his arms around her and then pulled her closer as his hands traveled up and down her back.

Liz smiled and kissed him again, this time more deeply and then her eyes fluttered open. Jason opened his and leaned towards her slowly and then honed in on her neck which he licked and kissed. Liz moaned as Jason moved to the other side and when that was thoroughly explored, he pulled back because she had tensed a little bit.

"You okay?"

She nodded and dove against his chest. "You make me feel so good that it scares me a little."

"Liz, if we are doing our homework and anything makes you feel uncomfortable, then tap me twice okay. That way you don't have to feel bad for saying anything."

Liz smiled. "Okay. I'd like that better."

Jason adjusted the pillows and laid back and Liz lay between his legs before getting comfortable and dozing off.

He watched her sleep. It is the only time that she truly looked at peace.

They have been resting comfortably for a while when she suddenly screamed and jumped off him.

"It's okay."

She tried to catch her breath and finally sat next to him.

"Would it help to tell me about it?"

She took a deep breath. "It's the same thing over and over. I'm tied up and he tells me your dead and I scream."

"What do you think it means?"

"I think I was more scared of having to live without you then getting raped. I know I can survive being raped, but being without you…"

Jason moved her head so she would look at him. "I'm right here baby."

She hugged him tightly as she got lost in her thoughts. "I wish this wasn't so difficult. My whole life, everyone has left me. Lainey thinks that I have abandonment issues."

"So, what happened triggered them because…"

"Because I never acknowledged it. I just buried my feelings. You came along and you were a security blanket of sorts. You made me feel safe and loved. It was that safety and protection that I had never felt before, so I relaxed and was able to be myself and thrive."

Jason nodded. "Makes sense."

"At the same time, your life represented danger. I think in the back of my mind I thought that you'd be taken away from me at some point, but I loved you so much, that I just didn't focus on it."

Jason sighed, feeling like he is a constant reminder of her biggest fear.

"I just need to sort it all out. Lainey thinks that accepting that I have a problem and dealing with it will help me get beyond this."

Jason was surprised by all her revelations because he thought her problems had more to do with being raped and then kidnapped.

"Of course, I'm still dealing with the fear surrounding what I went through. To tell you the truth, I'm glad this all came out so I can leave it behind for good. I don't want anything to come between us."

Jason smiled at her. "I think you're the bravest person I know."

Liz smiled. "Even more than Zombie enforcer?"

Jason chuckled. "Yes. I hide behind a gun. I ran from my past. When I found you, I finally was able to feel deep love; something I didn't think I was capable of. Elizabeth, we saved each other."

Liz touched his face. "I love you so much."

Jason smiled. "I love you more."

They reverently kissed. "Let's sit on the porch."

"Okay."

They went outside to the porch swing. Jason sat on it and pulled Liz onto his lap. They felt content as they watched the sky get darker and darker. Eventually, he picked her up and went back into the house with both feeling a lot better about their future.