~ * Small Beginnings * ~

Taking over hell-storm had been a tough battle, but it was one that he couldn't refuse to take on. After all the damage that hell-storm caused, being presented with the opportunity to turn them around was something he just couldn't back down from, regardless of the personal problems it presented. Sonny had put the challenge in front of him, refusing to step in to aid his takeover, which only proved to strengthen his standing somehow. What he hadn't known was that it was also Sonny's way of testing his reserve. Seeing just how far Jason was willing to go to right the wrongs that hell-storm undoubtedly created.

It wasn't until Jason successfully took over hell-storm that he saw the true potential in Sonny's vision for hell-storm. Since it's creation, he has been trying to put his plans into full motion but was never truly able to do just that. Not until Jason came along, that is. With Jason's particularly unique set of traits, Sonny finally believes that he can solidify his ideals and maintain his foothold on Port Charles once and for all. For as long as he could remember, Sonny has searched for a place to call home and Port Charles has finally become just that for him. A home he will fight his damnedest to protect.

A sentiment Jason can fully support and intends on doing just that. With Jason at the head of hell-storm, it is no longer just a tool to recruit but a sector all its own. Putting the members through rigorous training to best defend themselves and their crew, Sonny has groomed them to carry out missions all their own. By graduation, each member that shows a true understanding of Sonny's vision will be given the opportunity to continue on his organization while still having the option of declining, though hardly anyone ever does.

Sonny has given each of them a purpose they didn't have before and the loyalty that's created from that is everlasting. With Carly being kicked out of the crew, the relations with the crew have gotten a lot stronger, no longer having her toxicity plaguing each meeting. Jason has seen quite a few new friendships form practically overnight and that gives him hope for the direction that hell-storm is taking. He just has to make sure that whoever takes over for him once he graduates will be able to continue hell-storm's current path without deviating from its purpose.

"Jason," Sam greets him as she walks into the hell-storm base, setting the invitations down in front of him. "As requested. Everything's set for tonight."

"Good," Jason states though he's thoroughly surprised that she was able to convince Elizabeth to give them the invitations. "Sonny will have his men on the perimeter as a precaution. Let's not make it a necessity."

"Understood," Sam replies without hesitation. "I just hope tonight puts an end to this thing once and for all."

"This won't end it for the town," Jason reminds her. "But it will end it for the school."

"I guess that's one step closer to an end," Sam replies, letting out a deep sigh. "I've already lost one friend to this, I refuse to let this take anyone else."

"Sonny's working hard to cut off the supply line into town," Jason states firmly. "As long as we do our part, there will be an end to this for the town, as well."

"Right," Sam says with a nod. "Guess I better get ready. See you tonight."

Turning away from the door once she's gone, Jason goes over their plans for the umpteenth time, needing to ensure that they are prepared for anything that might come their way. They are already met with quite a huge setback with the party now containing more people than they had intended to invite. As unpredictable as this party might be, it is far less than the unpredictability of Carly. Knowing her the way he does, there's just no telling what she'll do now that she no longer has hell-storm to fall back on. No. Changing venue is the best thing for them in the long run. Now to get ready for the party.

While her friends are getting ready for the party, Elizabeth sits on the front porch of her house with her sketchbook in hand, her nerves getting the best of her so much so that she just needed the escape. What seems like only yesterday somehow feels like a lifetime ago as she remembers what had sparked her desire to pursue her art. All the memories from the past has fueled her to become the girl she is today and yet a part of her still misses the girl she used to be. The girl that didn't need to take defense lessons to feel safe. The girl that didn't lose faith in her best friend because he chose to make an unthinkable choice.

"And here I thought you'd be gone before I got home," her grandfather voices as he walks up the path to the house. "Seems we've been like ships passing in the night these days."

"Yeah," Elizabeth smiles softly. "We have been quite busy lately."

"As we had expected," Steve replies as he lowers himself down onto the steps. "Though, it seems luck is on our side from the looks of you. Care to talk about it?"

"That obvious?"

"You're my granddaughter," Steve counters simply. "If I can't tell you're in need of a good talk, who can?"

"The sketchbook was a dead giveaway, wasn't it?"

"You can say that," Steve chuckles. "So...what's eating at you, pumpkin?"

"Life," she replies with a heavy sigh. "Senior year is turning out to be a lot more complicated than I had anticipated."

"How so?"

"For the last three years, I have seen the people in hell-storm a certain way, not that they didn't give me good reason to," Elizabeth explains. "But now...I'm just not so sure anymore...they've shown me a whole different side to them that just contradicts everything I thought I knew about them."

"I'd say the only thing that's changed is your perception," Steve comments, smiling softly when she looks at him curiously. "No one is all good or all bad. Sometimes the only way to understand why people do what they do is to get to know their past as well as their present."

"I know. That's why I gave them invitations to the party tonight," Elizabeth explains. "My friends don't think it's wise, though, they think it's just asking for trouble."

"And what do you think?"

"You've always taught me to give people the benefit of the doubt and that's what I intend to do," Elizabeth replies. "And I think that by doing so...I don't know...maybe it just might get me to understand them better."

"And I think you're quite wise for your age," Steve comments fondly. "It never hurts to try to see the best in people and I believe your friends will see that soon enough."

"I hope so."

"Things work out as they should," Steve gestures to the image upon the page of her sketchbook. "What's meant to be will always find a way. You just have to keep the faith."

"I wish that were true," she admits, her gaze dropping to her sketch. "We've just changed so much over the years..."

"People change and grow for as long as they live. It's only a matter of understanding that and accepting each other as you are that love will flourish," Steve reminds her before placing a gentle kiss upon her forehead. "Enjoy your party and stay safe. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Gramps," Elizabeth voices softly, looking up at him. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweet child," Steve replies wholeheartedly. "Never forget that."

Dropping her gaze back to her sketch, she lets out a deep sigh as her grandfather's words flutter through her mind, wondering if there truly was a way for her and Jason to find their way after all that's changed between them. Deciding to go on faith, she rises to her feet to head out to the party, hoping that her grandfather is right and someday all that's meant to be will somehow be. Climbing in her car, she takes off to Zander's house to pick him up.

"About time Liz," Zander blurts out as he jumps off the steps and hops into the car. "Thought you'd never get here."

"The party doesn't start for another hour, Z," she reminds him as they take off down the streets. "Besides, I thought you weren't too thrilled to be partying with hell-storm."

"Uh, yeah, right...of course."

"Unless you've changed your mind."

"Well..."

"Spill," Elizabeth states. "Now."

"Okay, so, maybe that Johnny guy isn't so bad after all. We hung out after school and...he's actually pretty cool." Zander hesitantly admits. "If you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it, understand?"

"Aw, big tough Z has a guy crush," Elizabeth teases as they pull into the parking lot of the warehouse. "That's actually kind of sweet."

"I mean it, Liz," Zander says seriously. "Promise me!"

"Okay, okay, geez," Elizabeth laughs. "Your secret guy crush is safe with me."

"And stop calling it that," Zander says as they get down. "Party here we come."

"Yet again, need I remind you, it hasn't started yet," Elizabeth sighs as they walk into the warehouse, needing to make sure that everything was in place before the rest of their friends arrive followed by everyone else. "Can you go start up the DJ booth, please? I could use some music."

"I thought Stone was manning the booth."

"He is," Elizabeth assures. "When he gets here. Until then, can you just put something on?"

"Fine," Zander says as he climbs up to the DJ booth. "But I'm telling him you told me to do it."

"Sure, name drop," Elizabeth shakes her head. "Otherwise big bad Stone Cates will get you."

"You joke, but the guy's a beast when you mess with his equipment," Zander counters as he puts on some music. "So, yeah, I'm definitely name dropping. No shame in the self-defense game."

"Right," Elizabeth says as she turns away from him, walking over to the table to check on the things. "Looks like we're all set."

Not too many songs later, her friends start showing up, Zander playing the Elizabeth card when Stone notices someone's been at his booth. Of course, Stone doesn't care who told him to do it and makes him stand there until he does a full inspection of his equipment. Elizabeth knows, however, that Stone's just messing with Zander. Being a couple years older than them, Stone has created somewhat of an image with Zander that he seems to have a need to uphold. She isn't quite sure why that is, but she'll let them have it.

"You know I always have your back right?" Robin voices beside her as they watch hell-storm walking into the party. "But this...I just really hope you know what you're doing."

"Trust me," Elizabeth voices as her eyes meet Jason's. "Benefit of the doubt, Ro...benefit of the doubt."

"If you're gonna have faith then so will I," Robin says after a long moment. "Let's party!"