They stood like that, Jason holding Liz, neither ready to let go yet, when Jason's cell phone rang. "I have to take this," he whispered to Elizabeth as he silently cursed the caller on the other end.
"Yeah?" he said, a bit too harsh. When he realized it was Sonny, he turned away from Elizabeth, not want to disturb her. Jason sighed, "Yeah, ok, I'll be right there."
He turned back to Elizabeth to find her staring out the window again. "I'm sorry, but I have to go." He placed his hand on her shoulder again. She nodded silently, but didn't turn around, not wanting Jason to see the pain in her eyes.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again as he left her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth watched him from her window until she couldn't see him anymore. When she finally turned around, she noticed he had left the sketch pad open to her drawing of him. Not wanting to see it anymore, she threw the pad across the room, then ran to pick it up so nothing would get damaged.
She sat there, staring into space. Not sure what was going on inside of her. Making her feel this way...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason reached Sonny's penthouse in record time. He could feel her watching him as he walked through the docks. He didn't dare turn around to look at her though, for if he had, he would've run right back to her.
Johnny opened the door to announce Jason's arrival. Sonny and Benny were just finishing up a conversation.
"Bye Benny," Sonny said as he motioned Jason over to the desk.
Jason nodded to Benny as he passed, wondering what was going on now.
Sonny looked at Jason with daggers in his eyes. "There's something going down. You need to get to the island, immediately. Carlos' men are threatening retaliation. Take Francis with you. If you have any problems, call me."
Jason sighed, knowing he had to go, though it was the last thing he wanted to do. He wouldn't even have time to say good bye to Liz. He hoped she would understand, she had to understand...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After an hour, Liz decided to go back to Kelly's, to see Lucky. Maybe that would calm the storm inside of her.
When she reached Kelly's, she spotted Lucky at the counter, drinking a coke.
"Hey," she said as she sat down next to him.
Not looking at her, he mumbled something in reply.
"What's wrong?" She held her breath, unsure of what was coming.
Lucky sighed, "Em and Zander have disappeared again. Nobody knows where they are."
Since Zander was still out on bail, she knew this was bad news.
He paused for a moment, trying to think of a better way to say it. "I'm going after them," he said, still not looking at her.
Elizabeth stopped and looked at him. When he finally looked up at her, she saw hate in his eyes. Knowing how much he loathed Zander, she mistook it for hatred towards him. Knowing it was no use to try and talk him out of it, she nodded slightly, "I understand."
"I have to Elizabeth. If Sorel's men find out they're missing...." He left off, not wanting to think of the possibilities.
"It's ok Lucky. I understand." And she did. It would give her time away from him, to think about things. Try to get her emotions in order.
His eyes finally softened as he realized how harsh he was being, "I'm sorry Liz. I know you're still remembering the fire and all, but Emily needs me. I'll be careful, I promise." He pulled her to him, hugging her tightly. He kissed her gently, and wiped away the tears that had once again started to fall. He hated leaving her, but Emily needed his help, or a good smack upside the head at least. She looked up at him and smiled, trying to make the both of them feel better. Kissing her nose, Lucky left.
As she watched him leave, she had a feeling that nothing would ever
be the same again......