"You think you can put your little claws into him? Well let me tell you something little girl, I'm here to tell you that you can't."
Carly raised an eyebrow, glaring down at Elizabeth. Elizabeth straightened, setting her jaw. She refused to let Carly get to her.
"Don't you have anything to say? Or are you just going to stand there? You really are a little child, you know that. You think you can play in the big leagues here? You can't Lizzie Webber. You're nothing but a-"
"Carly."
Jason's voice was stern and his expression made the older woman stop short, taking her attention away from Elizabeth as Carly looked up at her best friend. "I WARNED you about her, Jason. She's going to use you."
Anger flashed through Elizabeth, darkening her blue eyes a shade as she took a step towards Carly. "I would NEVER use Jason."
Jason gave Elizabeth's hand a little squeeze. "It's ok, Elizabeth…"
Carly rolled her eyes. "Sure you wouldn't," she sneered.
Elizabeth's teeth ground together as she took a step forward. "I wouldn't. That's your job."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You use people, Carly. You use them to get what you want. You say I'll use Jason, but you know what, I know I won't because I care about him. But you… I wouldn't put it past you for a minute."
Carly glared, taking a step closer to Elizabeth. "You little witch. You know NOTHING about me, so don't even pretend that you do."
Jason raised his hand, trying to put some space between the two girls. Elizabeth used her hand that was still clasped to his to pull him back.
"You think you scare me, Carly? Well let me tell you something. You don't."
"I'm going to tell you this once, little girl, and it better sink into your head this time. Stay away from Jason… He doesn't need you and he doesn't want you."
"Carly." Jason's voice was dead serious this time. "Don't speak for me."
"Jase…"
His jaw clenched and he looked down at Elizabeth. He said nothing but she seemed to understand his unspoken words. She tightened her hold on his hand for a second before dropping it, glaring at Carly for a second before making her way to Alexis's penthouse.
Jason took a deep breath, holding his chin in his hand as he waited for Elizabeth to close the door behind her before turning towards Carly.
"Don't even say it Jase."
He raised an eyebrow. "Say what? That you shouldn't have done that? That I don't need you to interfere in my life? You're right, I shouldn't have to say it. I've said it enough. You should KNOW it by now."
Carly's eyes widened as she watched him. "You're mad at me."
Jason sighed in frustration. "How am I supposed to feel, huh? I come here with Elizabeth and the second you see us, you attack her."
Carly shook her head. "I can't believe you're mad at me… Jason, I know I complicate your life." Jason snorted, but Carly ignored him. "But I'm only trying to help you here. You need my kind of complication in your life because you need me. We're best friends. But you do not need Baby Webber to complicate your life."
Reaching out for his hand, Carly pulled on it until he looked at her and her voice softened. "I'm not blind, Jase… I see how you look at her. She's only going to hurt you. And you…" Carly frowned. "… care… about her so much that… it would ruin you, Jase. I don't want that to happen."
Jason sighed. "I don't need you to protect me."
"Jase… I ruined you. Hurricane Carly came into your life and rained destruction. I don't want you to have to go through that again… and little Lizzie will only end up hurting you."
"You need to stop thinking like that…" Rubbing his hand over his face, Jason sighed. "Go back inside, Carly… take care of Sonny. After the trial and everything… He needs you more than I do."
"But Jase…"
He looked down, his blue eyes burning into her. "Go to your husband Carly."
Without another word, Carly frowned, letting him know how she felt, but she nonetheless went back to Sonny's penthouse.
Leaning against the hallway wall, Jason rubbed his hands along his cheeks, feeling the beginnings on a stubble, and sighed.
Resting her head back against the door of the penthouse, Elizabeth sighed.
"Something wrong?"
Jumping, Elizabeth let out a small yelp as she pushed away from the door, putting her hand over her heart. "My God, Alexis… you scared me."
Taking off her glasses, Alexis smiled from her seat on the couch. "I'm sorry… I thought you saw me when you came in. Then again, you seemed a little preoccupied."
With a sigh, Elizabeth saw down on the couch. "Jason and I were coming in and we ran into Carly."
The distain in Elizabeth's voice was obvious and Alexis shook her head. "I should have known… again, I'm sorry."
"She said stuff and… I tried to act like it didn't bother me out there, but… I guess it kinda does."
Alexis raised an eyebrow. "What did she say? If you don't mind me asking."
Elizabeth let out another sigh. "What did she say? What she always says. That I'll used Jason, that I'm only going to hurt him. That I don't deserve him."
Alexis watched Elizabeth carefully. "Carly lashed out a lot when she sees someone moving in on her territory. She's like a cat in that respect… and annoying cat with sharp claws, but a cat nonetheless."
"I know, I know," Elizabeth said, pushing some of her hair out of her face. "And I should know not to let her get to me… but… There were things in my life that made me… well… some of my decisions hurt Jason, I know they did. What if Carly's right. What if I will end up ruining his life. What if I don't deserve him."
Leaning forward, Alexis rested her elbows on her knees. "I'm not one you should probably be talking to when it comes to relationships, because most of the relationships I have are in a pretty sorry state, be it romantic relationships, family, friends… But I can tell you this; don't let 'what ifs' rule your life."
Elizabeth ran her hands through her hair and Alexis regarded her closely. "Elizabeth… how do you feel about Jason?"
Elizabeth's hands froze in her hair and a second later, she dropped them to her sides. "How do I feel? About Jason?"
Alexis shook her head. "I'm sorry, that's too personal of a question."
"No, no…" Elizabeth took a deep breath. "I… I care about Jason. I'd do anything for him. He's my friend…"
One of Alexis's eyebrows raised. "Is that all he is?"
Elizabeth bit her lip. "He's…" She sighed, leaning back on the couch. "No, he's more than just a friend."
Alexis smiled. "It makes it seem more real, saying the words, doesn't it? I think you have a lot to think about, Elizabeth. But don't let Carly's words get to you. Remember that they are just 'what ifs' and you shouldn't let those control what you do. You could lose out on something really great if you do."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around herself as she looked up at the neon signs of Jake's. After her talk with Alexis, Jason had walked in and Elizabeth had pushed him away. He seemed to understand that she needed time alone, and he respected her enough to give her that.
"I'll be at Jake's," Jason said, reaching for the door. "I'll be there all night, if you need me."
Elizabeth looked up, catching Jason's eye. "I'll need you… I'll be there later. I just need some time alone… to think."
So here she was, a couple hours later. It had gotten dark but she wasn't uncomfortable. She knew Francis was standing a few feet away. She could sense him behind her, even if she couldn't see him.
Walking into the bar, Elizabeth looked around. It was smoky and loud tonight, more crowded than it usually was. Her eyes drifted over to the pool table and she couldn't help the small smile that came to her face.
She looked over at the door and saw Francis standing by it. He gave her a small nod before his eyes started scanning the area once more. Knowing that she'd be safe, Elizabeth sat down at one of the tables.
She had walked around for a long time. She had gone to the park while it was still light outside and sat on one of the benches to think, but she'd left once it became dusk. She'd aimlessly walked around Port Charles after that, Alexis's words running through her head.
And after all that walking, she'd ended up here. At Jake's. Where she knew Jason was.
A shadow loomed in front of her and Elizabeth looked up, holding her breath when she saw Lucky standing in front of her. Off to the side, she saw Francis taking a few steps towards her, but she shook him off.
"What do you want, Lucky?" Elizabeth asked carefully.
Lucky looked around for a second before taking the seat in front of her. "I just want to talk, is that a crime."
His voice was overly calm and Elizabeth peered at him cautiously. The last time she'd seen him was when she'd ended and he had been anything but calm. "What are you doing here?"
He couldn't keep the distain out of his voice as his eyes drifted towards the sign by the stairs. 'Tenants Only.' "I had a feeling you'd be here."
Elizabeth straightened in her chair. "Lucky, I think you should leave."
Lucky's eyes moved back to her face and they softened. Reaching out, he grabbed her hand, ignoring the fact that she pulled against him. "Are you ok, Elizabeth?"
Looking over at Francis once more to shake his approach off, Elizabeth turned back to Lucky, keeping her voice even. She could do this herself. "I'll be fine once you let go of me."
His thumb moved back and forth across the back of her hand. It used to be a movement that comforted her.
"I want to help you, Elizabeth. I found a bracelet at Kelly's."
Elizabeth stiffened in the chair even more. "I know about that."
"Is someone trying to hurt you, Elizabeth? You can tell me… I'll help you."
"I don't need your help."
Lucky tightened his grip on her hands. "You do, Elizabeth. Why can't you see that? I'll help you. I can help you. You have to let me… you always let me."
Elizabeth shook her head sadly. "Not anymore… let go of me, Lucky."
"No."
Pulling her hand back, Elizabeth tried again. "I said let go!"
Lucky shook his head adamantly. "NO! You need me."
"I believe she said to let her go."
Both Elizabeth and Lucky looked up at the sound of another voice. At the sight of Jeremy, Elizabeth breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Who do you think you are?" Lucky asked, standing up. Jeremy met his glare with one of your own.
"I'm a friend of hers from school. Now, she asked you to leave and I think you should."
Lucky glared at the other man. "You have no right-"
"Lucky," Elizabeth said, standing up. "Please leave." Turning her head towards the door, Elizabeth nodded to Francis, who immediately came over.
"Come on, Spencer," he said, pulling on his arm. Lucky resisted but Francis held him tight, practically dragging him out of the bar.
Elizabeth waited until Lucky was gone before turning back to Jeremy. "Thank you… for stepping in."
Jeremy smiled at her. "It looked like you could use some help." Taking a seat at the table, Jeremy motioned for her to sit down.
"What are you doing here?" Elizabeth asked, motioning around Jake's with her hand. A slow smile came to Jeremy's face.
"I was looking for you."