She let out a sigh when Jason started slowing the bike down, her eyes drinking in the scenery around her. Her nose filled with the scent of pine trees. Elizabeth climbed off the bike first, unstrapping the helmet to shake out her hair. Removing her clip from the pocket of Jason's jacket, she swept her hair back up so it was out of her face.
Jason watched her while she took in her surroundings, it was like she was seeing a forest for the very first time. He watched her hands reach up into her hair, pulling it back from her face, and something inside him clicked. His eyes roamed down her body, noticing that her shirt had gotten pulled out of the waistband of her jeans. His fingers itched to touch the exposed skin, and something else clicked inside of him. Squinting his eyes, he could've sworn he saw a glint of silver, but Elizabeth dropped her arms too soon for him to get a good look.
He swung his leg over to dismount the bike, taking the helmet from Elizabeth's outstretched hand. "This is the best part of Port Charles." He stood close to her, too close. He closed his eyes, his nose taking in the light peppermint scent of her shampoo. She looked so small in his jacket, so vulnerable.
She turned to look up at him and was startled by his close proximity. She took a side step to put some distance between them. "The best part? That doesn't say much for the city, does it?" She tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a nervous chuckle.
She watched him stand in place, his eyes closed while his chest rose and fell. The moonlight bathed him in a silver glow, making him look heavenly and dangerous at the same time. His eyes opened, and even in the dark, Elizabeth could see the ice blue orbs, felt them trying to delve into her soul, and it scared her. She turned away from him, and walked a few feet, her hands gently brushing the branches of the pine trees closest to her. "Do you come here often?" she asked without turning around. She jumped he spoke, his voice sounding from right behind her.
He quietly followed her, placing his hands on her shoulders when she jumped. "Sometimes. When I need to think." Elizabeth had missed a small tendril of hair, and it brushed softly against the back of his hand, whispering for him to take her clip out and sink his hands into her hair.
She walked away from him, looking over her shoulder to see his hands still hovering in mid air, where her shoulders had been. "And you need to think now?" She bent over to pick up a pine cone, anything to keep her hands to herself. "This is your boss, Webber," she muttered to herself.
Jason's head cocked to the side, catching the word boss. He shook his head slowly, his eyebrows furrowed. "No, not really." He approached her again, mindful to keep a safe distance between them. "I was just hoping to get to know you better." His eyes locked on her for a second time, and Elizabeth could've sworn she had seen the stars reflected in them.
Elizabeth chuckled nervously, swinging her hands out to her sides. "There isn't much to know." She walked past him, desperate to be free from his gaze, but she could feel the instant he turned around, his eyes boring into her back. She refused to turn around as she gave him a background sketch of her life. "I have two parents, Jeff and Melanie. Two siblings, Steven and Sarah- Steven," she pointed at nothing in particular, "Is the oldest, and way too over-protective." She took a deep breath, "I'm too wild for their taste, so I was ordered to move." She spun around then, her hands held out at sides, level with her shoulders, her palms facing the sky. "And here I am, in Port Charles. Without a friend in the world." Her smile was lopsided, a wave of sorrow sweeping through her.
Jason closed the distance between them, "I'll be your friend." He wanted to touch her, take her hand, but he knew she would pull away.
Her head cocked to the side, her smile brightening. "Thanks." She let her hands drop back to their sides. "So what about you? Do I get to know you better? Or is this going to be a one-sided friendship?" Her eyes danced, teasing him, taunting him.
Jason let out a stiff laugh, "Yeah, me." He chuckled again at the thought of telling her about the accident. "We'll save that for another night." His eyes caught her again, and didn't let go. He could see her hesitate, wanting to say something yet holding back. "Beth?" he asked, trying to get her to talk.
Instead, Elizabeth looked down at her watch. "Oh my gosh!" She jogged back to the bike, slamming the helmet down on her head. She let out a yelp when it collided with the clip in her hair. "Jason, I need to get home. It's 12:30! I have to get up for work in five and a half hours!" She watched him hesitate, his shoulders slumping slightly before he returned to the bike. "What is it that you do anyway," he grumbled, swinging his leg over the bike to kick the kick stand up.
"I'm a secretary," she answered, her hand flying up to her mouth when she realized what she's said. She could feel Jason stiffen slightly, then relax when his fingers turned the key.
Jason heard the click as clearly as he could hear the motorcycle engine. Beth. Elizabeth. He revved the engine, his lips curving in a half smile, the realization hitting him.
It only took them fifteen minutes to arrive at the Towers, but Elizabeth never relaxed once. She knew he would figure it out now, how could he not? All she could do was make it to her room without incident, and hope that he would forget about her.
She watched his face, searching for any sign of recognition. Satisfied that there was none, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. Remembering her mistake from the previous night, she removed his jacket right away, handing it to him while they were still in the parking garage. His fingers brushed hers, causing her to jerk her hand away, dropping his jacket on the ground.
He bent over to pick it up, his eyes leaving her for half a second. When he straightened, he noticed she was half-way to the elevators, and had to jog to catch up with her. "Beth! Wait!"
Elizabeth didn't stop, just kept on walking. She let out a curse when she had to stop and wait for the elevator.
He caught up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Did I do something wrong?" His eyes conveyed the hurt he felt, and it broke through to her heart.
She shook her head, her lips tightly pressed together. "No, I just, I thought you were right behind me, I'm sorry." She knew he wouldn't believe her, but she needed to get away from him, before she did something she would regret.
He gave her a look telling her he knew she was lying, but let it go. With his hand on her back, he guided her into the waiting elevator. Jason left his hand on her back, reveling in the contact, even if her tee shirt was in the way. He looked down at the top of her head, a small smile on his face as all the pieces started falling in place.
Elizabeth barely gave the doors time to open fully before she exited, leaving Jason and his hand hanging in the hair. She shoved her hands into the pocket of her pants to get her keys ready. His boots thumped on the floor behind her, but she tried to will them away, wishing he would just turn around and leave.
When they reached her door, he grabbed her elbow and spun her around, forcing her to look at him. "Listen Beth, I don't know what's wrong, but I do know that you don't have to run from me." He spotted the small curl of hair just behind her ear and his hand went to it to rub it between his fingers. His eyes focused on hers, daring her to break away.
"Jason I-" her mouth let out a small gasp when his finger tips brushed the curve of her neck, and she could've sworn she saw sparks out of the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry. I'm just, I have to get some sleep. That's all. Really." Her eyes pleaded with him to believe her while his fingers traveled upward to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.
He nodded, outwardly he would agree with her. Inwardly he knew the truth, or at least suspected. He let his hand cup the left side of her face, his thumb softly stroking her cheek. "Can I see you again?"
She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek into his rough, calloused hand. "I- don't- " her eyes fluttered open, her mouth eliciting another gasp when she found his body inches away from hers, his head bent down. She could feel his breath on her face, could smell the bitter beer, and all she wanted to do was taste it, taste him. She jerked her face away from his hand. "Good night, Jason," she said stiffly, slipping the key into the lock on the first try. She didn't look back until the door was closed, and she leaned her forehead against it, her palm flat on the smooth surface.
He stood before her door, his hand touch the cool wood. If the material had melted away right then, their hands would be touching. He stood like that for a moment, his mind clicking. Letting out a heavy sigh, he turned to retreat to the elevators.
When the elevator doors opened to him, Jason turned the corner to visit Sonny instead of heading to his own penthouse. He knew his friend would be awake, and there was a question he needed to ask him. Johnny ushered him in, closing the door softly behind him.
Sonny looked up from the contracts spread out on the dining table. "What is it?" he asked gruffly, assuming it was Mendoza.
Jason smiled slightly, a far away look in his eye. "That new secretary, Elizabeth. Do you know where she lives?" He locked eyes with Sonny, his smile brightening just a bit.
Sonny rubbed his face, caught slightly off guard by Jason's question. "Yeah, downstairs. 4G. Why?"
Jason chuckled at himself for not realizing it sooner. "You remember the girl? From last night?"
Sonny nodded, unsure where Jason was going with his questions.
"Elizabeth. Beth. She's your secretary." Jason laughed out loud at Sonny's surprised expression.
Sonny stopped, his exhausted mind trying to process Jason's words. "My secretary?" he pointed to himself. "And you?" he pointed to Jason. His dimples popped out at the implication that his partner and his secretary liked each other.
Jason sobered up slightly, and walked towards the table, slumping into the chair across from Sonny. "There's only one problem."
Sonny chuckled, his dimples growing deeper. "What's that?"
Jason's finger traced circles on the sleek table. "I think she's afraid of dating her boss. Or, at least, her boss' partner." He looked up at Sonny, his eyes twinkling.
Sonny's chuckle was low and knowing. "And I'm guessing you don't have a problem with it?"
Jason shook his head, "But I need your help in convincing her."
Sonny nodded, folding his hands together. "Anything."