Eventually Carly got over Elizabeth living with Jason. The were by no means friends, but they could be civil towards each other, and that was more than either Sonny or Jason could've hoped for.
As far as Jason's business, Elizabeth knew to stay out of it. She did feel kind of guilty though when he asked about her day, and she couldn't reciprocate the gesture.
Lately, though, Elizabeth felt that something was off. Jason had been a little more distant towards her, more formal. And she could've sworn there were two bodyguards on her now, but they did such a good job of stay inconspicuous, she wasn't sure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jason sighed as he rolled over. Watching Liz sleep was the most relaxing thing he could do, but tonight it wouldn't calm his nerves.
He stroked her cheek gently, memorizing her, every angle, every curve. The color of her lips, the way her eyelashes brushed against her cheeks.
He had been afraid for her from the very beginning, knew what kind of danger she was in, even if she didn't want to admit it to herself.
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him as tightly as he dared. Burying his face in her hair, he closed his eyes, but never slept.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth groggily opened her eyes. The room seemed too dark for it to be morning, so she checked the clock.
"9:27! Jason Morgan!! You let me oversleep!!" she yelled to him as she jumped out of the bed. She turned around as she zipped up her jeans. "Jason -" she stopped when she realized he wasn't in bed. She searched the penthouse, calling out his name.
When she reached the living room, she gasped. On the table was two dozen long stemmed red roses, and a card...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Take care her for me Sonny."
He shook the hand of his best friend and walked out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth smiled at the roses, and sat down to read the card:
Elizabeth,
I'm so sorry, Liz. I have to leave. For your safety.
Sorel wants me.
And he'll use you to get to me. I can't let that happen, so I'm
leaving.
I wish I could say this in person, but you would try to stop me, and
I
don't think I would be strong enough to say no to you. Please
remember that I'll always love you, no matter where I am. You'll
always be in my heart. Please try to understand. I never
meant
for this to happen. I will love you until the day I die Elizabeth
Webber.
Please love me back.
Yours always,
Jason
I've never seen this kind of love
The kind that won't wash away
And then leave you in the dark
I would die for you
I would die for you
I would die for you
Elizabeth dropped the card before reading the signature. "Jason," she whispered. "Jason," she said a little louder. Tears started streaming down her face.
"JASON!!"
I've never kissed a sweeter mouth
I've never been swept away
It's what dreams are made up of
Don't you know I could not survive
Without you in my life
I would die for you
I would die for you
I would die for you
Jason took one last look up at the penthouse windows. "I love you Elizabeth Webber, please love me back," he whispered into the air. Revving up his motorcycle, he let the tears fall as he sped away from the woman he loved.
I've never seen this kind of love
The kind that won't slip away
Yes I'm soaring through your heart
Don't you know I could not survive
Without you in my life
I would die for you
I would die for you
I would die for you
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sonny sighed as he fixed himself a drink. Finally able to get Elizabeth to calm down, he took this chance to think about things. Sitting down in front of the fire, he stared past it, reliving the past 36 hours...
"Damn it Sonny! This is the third time! And Elizabeth has no idea what's going on!"
Jason was not one to loose his temper, but Sonny could understand his frustration. Three attempts on the life of the woman he loves would be enough to break any man.
"She hasn't needed to know Jason," Sonny said quietly.
"That doesn't matter! I know! That's enough!" Jason sat down on the couch and sighed. "Sonny, that's it. I can't do this to her. She's been hurt so much. And," he laughed bitterly, "she trusts me. God help her, she has total faith in me."
"And you haven't let her down," Sonny tried to point out.
"Yes, I did. I let her down by letting her love me."
"Jason, you didn't let her do anything. She was going to love you whether you liked it or not."
"I let her in, Sonny. I let her into my life knowing full well what would happen!" Jason grabbed the brandy decanter and pitched it into the fire.
"Jason, you are a human being, whether you like it or not. You cannot be Superman, on call 24 hours a day. There is only so much you can control. Elizabeth understands that. Damn it man, that's why you lover her so much!"
Jason just sat there with his head in his hands, "I have to leave."
Sonny nodded, "Yeah, go see her. You'll feel better."
Jason stood up to look his friend in the eye, "No Sonny, I mean leave town.
Leave Elizabeth. She won't be safe unless I do."
Sonny immediately started shaking his head, "No man, she won't be safe if you leave. She'll be miserable, but she won't be safe."
"She'll be safer, and that's what matters."
Sonny tried to speak, but Jason cut him off, "I've made up my mind. I'll leave tomorrow. Make the arrangements."
They looked at each other, Sonny finally resigning himself to the fact that Jason's mind was not about to be changed. He nodded as his best friend walked towards the door.
"Sonny?"
"Yeah?"
"She's going to need you. I know how Carly feels, but please..."
Sonny nodded, "You never have to ask."
"And let her stay in the penthouse. As little, or as long as she wants."
"You know she won't leave. She'll wait for you Jason."
Jason nodded, he knew it, but didn't want to say it.
Sonny poured himself a drink, "She can't leave anyway, she's safest there."
"Yeah."
Jason looked around the room, as if he had forgotten something. He watched Sonny, but his friend wouldn't look at him. Finally deciding everything was taken care of, Jason walked out of Sonny's penthouse to begin to say good bye to Elizabeth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Sonny?"
Sonny jerked free from his memories at the sound of Elizabeth's voice. "Hey," he said as he tried to paste a smile on his face.
She made her way down the stairs and sat next to him on the couch. She looked over at the half full brandy snifter in his hands. Without asking, she took it from him, gulping the alcohol until it was gone. Grimacing as the liquid worked it's way into her stomach, she handed him back the snifter.
"I could have gone with him," she said softly, watching the fire dance in the fireplace.
"I know," Sonny agreed.
"He didn't have to leave me." She blinked back the tears threatening to spill out.
"I know."
"I would've been ok." She sniffled as she stood up to study his picture on the mantle. She picked it up, running her finger down the side of the frame. Filling with rage, she flung the picture across the room, watching as it crashed against the door. Johnny burst into the room to make sure everything was ok, but Sonny waved him out.
"I loved him! I trusted him to never leave me!" She fell to the floor as she started to cry.
Placing his glass on the ottoman, Sonny made his way over to Elizabeth, gingerly picking her up to bring her back upstairs.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder
as she cried. "I love him," she whispered, over and over again.