Chapter 7
Jason felt like he was on overload. Carly was having some complications with her pregnancy and Sonny was giving him an increasing amount of responsibility for the business, so that he could be with her.
Frustrated, Jason threw the file he had been reading across the desk. He kept running into dead ends in his investigation into who was really running Sorel's operation now. Sonny was convinced that Farrow, Sorel's second-in-command, was only a puppet with someone more powerful pulling the strings. Jason agreed. Farrow was a lightweight, and whoever was really in charge, was making some daring, yet well-executed decisions. If he couldn't get the answers soon, he was afraid that Sonny was going to be vulnerable to attack. He needed more information so that he could take steps to protect them.
Jason's thoughts drifted to more personal things. It had been a week since he had seen Elizabeth at Chloe's office. So many times, he had wanted to drop everything and go see her, but he hadn't. Each time, he had hesitated, unsure whether he wanted to risk opening himself up to her again. Emily had told him that Elizabeth had broken up with Lucky. That had surprised him, and he wondered what had precipitated the break-up.
Then there was Michelle. Jason sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. He knew he was distancing himself from her, but he couldn't seem to help it. His time with her in Paris had been like a time out of time - unreal. Now that he was once again immersed in reality, he knew that she didn't really fit into his life. Jason sighed, again. At least he had been able to rent a studio for her and she had her work to occupy her.
He stood up, grabbed his jacket, and left the office, still unsure what to do about his personal life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elizabeth closed the studio door behind her and kicked off her shoes. It had been a long day, full of fittings and last minute adjustments to the designs that Chloe had selected for the showing. Still, she knew that all the hard work was worth it as soon as she saw the finished products - her designs come to life in shimmering fabrics. She was exhausted, but too excited to sleep.
Suddenly, noise erupted from upstairs. There was a loud crash, and then, what sounded like a string of expletives in a foreign language. Curious, Elizabeth climbed the stairs and approached the door to the newly renovated studio. She knew that Michelle was the new occupant because she had seen her enter the building a few times. She hadn't seen Jason, though, and she wondered why.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Elizabeth knocked lightly and called, "Is everything OK?"
Michelle opened the door and answered, "Yes, yes. Come in. Elizabeth, right?" Elizabeth nodded and entered. Michelle continued, "I am just very frustrated with my work right now. I let my temper get the best of me, and, voila." She gestured towards some clay fragments in a pile on the floor.
"I can understand your frustration," sympathized Elizabeth. "When I'm painting and I feel blocked... Well, I have been known to throw my brushes." She smiled.
"You paint? I know that you design for Chloe, but I did not realize that you also paint. I would very much like to see your work," Michelle said, genuinely interested.
"Oh, I'm not very good," Elizabeth disclaimed. "But, I do love the rush I get when I actually put some emotion on canvas."
Michelle really looked at Elizabeth for the first time - not as a rival for Jason's affection, but as a fellow artist. She was surprised to find that she liked what she saw. "Yes. That is exactly how I feel when my emotions come through in my sculptures. Unfortunately, today was not a good day." Her shrug was very European.
"Could I see some of your work some time?" Elizabeth asked cautiously.
"If you would like, I can show you what I have unpacked," suggested Michelle.
She led Elizabeth to some pieces that she had placed on a small table. Elizabeth recognized almost immediately, how incredibly talented Michelle was. Her sculptures were all of people - a happy child, a sad, old man, an innocent girl on the verge of womanhood. The emotions of each were so tangible, that she felt she could almost touch them.
Suddenly, Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath. The next figure was clearly Jason, and it was beautiful. From the well-defined cheekbones to the sleek, muscled upper torso, it was extremely lifelike. Elizabeth could feel tears well in her eyes, as she recognized the emotion behind this piece - it was love. Not the feeling emanating from the poser, but the emotion poured into sculpting the subject. She felt almost like a voyeur.
"Your work is heartbreakingly beautiful," she said quietly. "You are a very talented sculptor, Michelle." Beyond this, she was at a loss for words.
"Merci, Elizabeth. I can see by your reaction, that you truly do understand my work. That means a great deal to me." Michelle was obviously sincere.
"I should go. I have some things to get done tonight." Elizabeth paused at the door. "Thank you for showing me your work." With that, she departed, her own emotions in a tangle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As he approached the bar, Jason didn't know why he had come to Jake's tonight. He felt restless, and couldn't face going to the penthouse just yet. He ordered a beer and took it to a corner table, away from most of the patrons. As the cold beer slid down his throat, he began to relax a little.
Then he noticed her. She entered Jakes and went straight to the bar, ordering a club soda. She was wearing a clingy black sweater and black jeans, and she looked incredible. She hadn't noticed him yet, so he could watch her unobserved.
What was it about Elizabeth that drew him to her so strongly? She wasn't as obviously beautiful as Michelle, and yet, something about her spirit, the essence of who Elizabeth was, made her the most beautiful woman he had ever known. He was drawn to her. He needed her in a fundamental way that he couldn't explain.
Jason sighed heavily. He might as well admit it. No matter how hard he fought it, he still wanted her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What am I doing here?" Elizabeth thought to herself. After viewing Michelle's work, her own studio had felt stifling. She couldn't rid herself of the memory of the sculpture of Jason. It was like a declaration of Michelle's love for him, and it bothered Elizabeth.
Who was she trying to fool? Elizabeth knew she had come to Jakes because it reminded her of Jason. She felt closer to him here, closer to the memories that haunted her dreams. Carly had been right. She had been afraid to go after what she wanted, and sometimes, when she was alone, the regret almost consumed her. There were times when she felt like Jason had taken a part of her with him - a piece of her heart, a part of her soul.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the man beside her at the bar, until he spoke to her.
"Excuse me," he said, drawing her attention. "I have never seen you in here before. Of course, I have only been here a few times myself. I just thought you might be new in town, as well." He spoke precisely, not like a local. In fact, his manner of speech reminded her a little of Nikolas.
She smiled at him. He was very handsome, with dark hair, and silver-grey eyes, that were observing her closely. "I haven't been to Jakes in a while, but I have lived in Port Charles for several years. Have you just moved here?" she asked sympathetically.
"Yes. I have only been here for two months and I am still trying to find my way around. Perhaps you could help a poor, lost newcomer?" he pleaded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jason had been watching what looked like an attempted pick-up of Elizabeth from a distance. He waited to see if she needed help, but, unlike a few years ago, she seemed to be in control of the situation. He admired her renewed self-confidence but, as he watched her smile at the unknown man, Jason felt pangs of jealousy. He stood up and approached them slowly.
Elizabeth saw him before he spoke and, as their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.
"Elizabeth," Jason said her name softly, never taking his eyes from hers.
"Jason," she responded somewhat breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"
"Probably the same thing you are," he answered. "We need to talk. Do you want to go for a ride?"
"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled, happy just to be with him. He held out his hand and this time, she took it without hesitation.
They exited the bar, unaware they were being observed by the grey-eyed stranger. His eyes grew cold and a smirk appeared on his face. So... Old rumors were true. Jason Morgan did have an interest in the Webber woman. His plan had just become a lot more interesting.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jason felt like he was on overload. Carly was having some complications with her pregnancy and Sonny was giving him an increasing amount of responsibility for the business, so that he could be with her.
Frustrated, Jason threw the file he had been reading across the desk. He kept running into dead ends in his investigation into who was really running Sorel's operation now. Sonny was convinced that Farrow, Sorel's second-in-command, was only a puppet with someone more powerful pulling the strings. Jason agreed. Farrow was a lightweight, and whoever was really in charge, was making some daring, yet well-executed decisions. If he couldn't get the answers soon, he was afraid that Sonny was going to be vulnerable to attack. He needed more information so that he could take steps to protect them.
Jason's thoughts drifted to more personal things. It had been a week since he had seen Elizabeth at Chloe's office. So many times, he had wanted to drop everything and go see her, but he hadn't. Each time, he had hesitated, unsure whether he wanted to risk opening himself up to her again. Emily had told him that Elizabeth had broken up with Lucky. That had surprised him, and he wondered what had precipitated the break-up.
Then there was Michelle. Jason sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. He knew he was distancing himself from her, but he couldn't seem to help it. His time with her in Paris had been like a time out of time - unreal. Now that he was once again immersed in reality, he knew that she didn't really fit into his life. Jason sighed, again. At least he had been able to rent a studio for her and she had her work to occupy her.
He stood up, grabbed his jacket, and left the office, still unsure what to do about his personal life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elizabeth closed the studio door behind her and kicked off her shoes. It had been a long day, full of fittings and last minute adjustments to the designs that Chloe had selected for the showing. Still, she knew that all the hard work was worth it as soon as she saw the finished products - her designs come to life in shimmering fabrics. She was exhausted, but too excited to sleep.
Suddenly, noise erupted from upstairs. There was a loud crash, and then, what sounded like a string of expletives in a foreign language. Curious, Elizabeth climbed the stairs and approached the door to the newly renovated studio. She knew that Michelle was the new occupant because she had seen her enter the building a few times. She hadn't seen Jason, though, and she wondered why.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Elizabeth knocked lightly and called, "Is everything OK?"
Michelle opened the door and answered, "Yes, yes. Come in. Elizabeth, right?" Elizabeth nodded and entered. Michelle continued, "I am just very frustrated with my work right now. I let my temper get the best of me, and, voila." She gestured towards some clay fragments in a pile on the floor.
"I can understand your frustration," sympathized Elizabeth. "When I'm painting and I feel blocked... Well, I have been known to throw my brushes." She smiled.
"You paint? I know that you design for Chloe, but I did not realize that you also paint. I would very much like to see your work," Michelle said, genuinely interested.
"Oh, I'm not very good," Elizabeth disclaimed. "But, I do love the rush I get when I actually put some emotion on canvas."
Michelle really looked at Elizabeth for the first time - not as a rival for Jason's affection, but as a fellow artist. She was surprised to find that she liked what she saw. "Yes. That is exactly how I feel when my emotions come through in my sculptures. Unfortunately, today was not a good day." Her shrug was very European.
"Could I see some of your work some time?" Elizabeth asked cautiously.
"If you would like, I can show you what I have unpacked," suggested Michelle.
She led Elizabeth to some pieces that she had placed on a small table. Elizabeth recognized almost immediately, how incredibly talented Michelle was. Her sculptures were all of people - a happy child, a sad, old man, an innocent girl on the verge of womanhood. The emotions of each were so tangible, that she felt she could almost touch them.
Suddenly, Elizabeth drew in a sharp breath. The next figure was clearly Jason, and it was beautiful. From the well-defined cheekbones to the sleek, muscled upper torso, it was extremely lifelike. Elizabeth could feel tears well in her eyes, as she recognized the emotion behind this piece - it was love. Not the feeling emanating from the poser, but the emotion poured into sculpting the subject. She felt almost like a voyeur.
"Your work is heartbreakingly beautiful," she said quietly. "You are a very talented sculptor, Michelle." Beyond this, she was at a loss for words.
"Merci, Elizabeth. I can see by your reaction, that you truly do understand my work. That means a great deal to me." Michelle was obviously sincere.
"I should go. I have some things to get done tonight." Elizabeth paused at the door. "Thank you for showing me your work." With that, she departed, her own emotions in a tangle.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As he approached the bar, Jason didn't know why he had come to Jake's tonight. He felt restless, and couldn't face going to the penthouse just yet. He ordered a beer and took it to a corner table, away from most of the patrons. As the cold beer slid down his throat, he began to relax a little.
Then he noticed her. She entered Jakes and went straight to the bar, ordering a club soda. She was wearing a clingy black sweater and black jeans, and she looked incredible. She hadn't noticed him yet, so he could watch her unobserved.
What was it about Elizabeth that drew him to her so strongly? She wasn't as obviously beautiful as Michelle, and yet, something about her spirit, the essence of who Elizabeth was, made her the most beautiful woman he had ever known. He was drawn to her. He needed her in a fundamental way that he couldn't explain.
Jason sighed heavily. He might as well admit it. No matter how hard he fought it, he still wanted her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What am I doing here?" Elizabeth thought to herself. After viewing Michelle's work, her own studio had felt stifling. She couldn't rid herself of the memory of the sculpture of Jason. It was like a declaration of Michelle's love for him, and it bothered Elizabeth.
Who was she trying to fool? Elizabeth knew she had come to Jakes because it reminded her of Jason. She felt closer to him here, closer to the memories that haunted her dreams. Carly had been right. She had been afraid to go after what she wanted, and sometimes, when she was alone, the regret almost consumed her. There were times when she felt like Jason had taken a part of her with him - a piece of her heart, a part of her soul.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice the man beside her at the bar, until he spoke to her.
"Excuse me," he said, drawing her attention. "I have never seen you in here before. Of course, I have only been here a few times myself. I just thought you might be new in town, as well." He spoke precisely, not like a local. In fact, his manner of speech reminded her a little of Nikolas.
She smiled at him. He was very handsome, with dark hair, and silver-grey eyes, that were observing her closely. "I haven't been to Jakes in a while, but I have lived in Port Charles for several years. Have you just moved here?" she asked sympathetically.
"Yes. I have only been here for two months and I am still trying to find my way around. Perhaps you could help a poor, lost newcomer?" he pleaded.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jason had been watching what looked like an attempted pick-up of Elizabeth from a distance. He waited to see if she needed help, but, unlike a few years ago, she seemed to be in control of the situation. He admired her renewed self-confidence but, as he watched her smile at the unknown man, Jason felt pangs of jealousy. He stood up and approached them slowly.
Elizabeth saw him before he spoke and, as their eyes met, her heart skipped a beat.
"Elizabeth," Jason said her name softly, never taking his eyes from hers.
"Jason," she responded somewhat breathlessly. "What are you doing here?"
"Probably the same thing you are," he answered. "We need to talk. Do you want to go for a ride?"
"I thought you'd never ask." She smiled, happy just to be with him. He held out his hand and this time, she took it without hesitation.
They exited the bar, unaware they were being observed by the grey-eyed stranger. His eyes grew cold and a smirk appeared on his face. So... Old rumors were true. Jason Morgan did have an interest in the Webber woman. His plan had just become a lot more interesting.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*