Name: Queen Gwenyvere/Jae2183
Email: queen_gwenyvere@hotmail.com
Title: Two Rivers--Chapter One: Safe and Sound
Summary: Post 9/23 episode, after Elizabeth finds Jason and Skipper on the docks, and Jason's got a pretty lipstick decorating his shirt.
Rating: G...I guess, I'm not getting really daring with this one yet
Anything Else: Thanks as always to ILETUDRIVE for being such a fabulous beta. Thanks also to www.jasonandelizabeth.com for the transcripts. The song is "Sae and Sound" by Sheryl Crow.




The silence that separated Jason and Elizabeth as they walked back to Harborview Towers was deafening. Jason made no attempts to catch up to Elizabeth or to walk in front of her. He chose to do this partially so that her back was covered. He could see anyone approaching from any direction and fend them off before they could get near her. At least that was his excuse, an excuse easily gleaned from his profession.

But the truth was that he could sense from Elizabeth's body language that she was angry with him, or at the very least dissappointed. She made no attempts to turn back and look at him. She just continued walking on, the sound of her shoes as they hit the concrete the only sound, aside from the occassional passing car. Jason didn't know whether to interpret her lack of acknowledging his presence as a sign she heard him and took for granted he was there, and left it at that, or she had no desire to look at or speak to him anytime soon.

Jason gritted his teeth as they walked, inwardly damning Sonny, damning his own sense of single-minded loyalty, his devotion to his job, and the effect Elizabeth had on him. Part of him wished he was a better liar, so that he didn't have to avoid the striking petite brunette who walked in front of him, her shoulders slightly slumped, her head partially bowed with fatigue and resignation. His hands, fingers and arms twitched at his sides, itching to reach out across the abyss that separated them, to take hold of her arm and pull her to him, to hold her and appologize for breaking a promise he had made to her a lifetime ago--or was it just a few days ago? He'd said he'd never intenionally hurt her, and yet he was. He was purposefully avoiding her so he wouldn't have to hear her console him about the death of his best friend who sat warm and cozy in a safe house outside of town a room away from Princess Brenda.

Brenda. Jason's teeth went from gritted to grinding. His earlier conversation with Sonny replayed in his mind, like a CD player stuck on repeat. "No, I -- I can't. Let's just fly her to Puerto Rico. We can hold her in a suite at one of the casinos until this is over, Sonny."
"I'm not going to ship her out of town."
"Just for a few days. That's it. You know how she is. She doesn't think. She's more trouble than we need right now."
"We are holding Brenda until Alcazar's out of the picture. And then she can do whatever she wants to do, which is probably going to go back to Europe. She'll never know I was alive."
"Fine. I need a break. If she starts in on me again, I'm going to lose my mind."
Jason sighed. Once again, King Sonny had spoken and Jason, his trusty First Knight, had done his bidding. He remembered the fairy tales Bobbie and others had bought for him to read to Michael. He'd never really understood them and had taken to reading Michael travel books and motorcycle manuals. He still didn't like them and didn't fully understand the need for them, but Jason felt like he was trapped in a bad fairy tale.

Sonny was the king and Jason did his bidding. He protected Carly and Michael. He protected Princesss Courtney. He protected Princess Brenda, one of the only people Jason had ever met whom he thought should be locked liek Rapunzel in a doorless tower. But then again, if she were, Sonny would probably order Jason to rescue her.

As they entered Harborview Towers, Jason exchnaged nods with one of the guards they had milling around the lobby at all times. He didn't stand stock still for hours on end, like the men who guarded the penthouses and anything or anyone else they were ordered to. This guard was more inconspicuous, undercover. Silently, Jason and Elizabeth entered the elevator for the long trip to the top floor. Jason's image of the Sonny-led monarchy still swirled in his head. "I feel like a damn watch dog," Jason grumbled under his breath.

"Sorry to be such a burden," Elizabeth retorted icily.

Jason gritted his teeth again. Apparently, he hadn't been speaking as far under his breath as he would have liked.

"I didn't mean you," he replied, keeping his voiced even.

Elizabeth didn't reply. She merely cast him a sad side long glance.

Finally, they reached their destination, and Jason held the door so Elizabeth could exit first. After exiting himself, Jason nodded to Paulie, who was keeping an eye on both doors while Max, Johnny, and Francis were busy with the whole Brenda/Alcazar thing. Sonny's band of merry men. Elizabeth waited for Jason to unlock the door, and then she passed through it ahead of him, finding Zander seated on the couch reading a magazine.

Zander took one look at Elizabeth and asked, "Are you alright?"

Jason entered his penthouse behind Elizabeth, even though his intention had been to make sure she returned safely and then head back to the war. He wa sunsure what had made him come inside. He remained standing stoicly by the door.

Elizabeth sighed and briefly looked over her shoulder, confirming that Jason had followed her into the Penthouse. "Go upstairs, Zander," she said tiredly.

Zander set his magazine down on the coffee table. "Why?"

"Because I'm asking you too," Elizabeth replied, the deadly calm in her voice slightly unnerving Jason. Part of him wanted to tell Zander to stay, merely in the hopes that Elizabeth would take her wrath out on the stupid amneisiac and not himself.

"But Eliza--" Zander began to protest.

"GO, Zander," she said forcefully, glaring at him. Rising from the couch, Zander returned her glare, and added one for Jason for good measure, before stomping up the stairs and slamming the door to the guest room.

Jason watched silently as Elizabeth took a deep breath and held it for a few moments before expelling it in a forceful sigh, seeminly delfating before his very eyes. She turned to face him. "Go upstairs and change your shirt---the one you're wearing is stained." She said the word "stained" as though it were vile. "I'm going to go put on more comfortable clothes and then you're going to meet me in the kicthen, where you will eat the sandwhich I will make you."

"Eliza--" Jason began.

"GO, Jason," Elizabeth ordered with the same forcefulness she had shown Zander. "Change, eat, and then leave. You're here, so you might as well pretend you live here." She walked over to the stairs and stood, obviously waiting for him to ascend before her.

Jason bowed his head briefly and walked up the stairs, his boots thumping loudly. He heard Elizabeth pause at the bottom to remove her shoes, then heard her much softer footfall as she ascended the stairs barefoot. They both walked into the master bedroom, where Elizabeth had been sleeping since she moved in. For his part, Jason had been sleeping on the couch--that is, when he was home. He watched Elizabeth take some clothes out of a drawer she had requisitioned for herself, and then silently headed for the adjoining bathroom.

The door shut with a click and Jason emitted alow growling sound. Frustrated, he removed his shirt with the lipstick stain and hurled it across the room towards the laundry basket. The shirt hit the wall and slid down, partially landing in the basket. Rolling his head and neck to relieve tension, he headed for his chest of drawers and removed a black T-shirt. As he pulled it over his head, he heard Elizabeth emerge. Wearing black draw string pants and a white T-shirt, he dropped her clothes in the laundry basket on top of his shirt and walked out of the room. Tucking his T-shirt into the waistband of his jeans, Jason followed her out of the room and down the stairs. In the kitchen he saw her angrily flip on the Bose radio.

"It's too freakin quiet," she muttured as she opened the refridgerator door and removed a loaf of bread and a bowl of tuna fish. Jason reached int a cabinet and took out two plates, setting them on the counter next to her. He looked at her and frowned.

"I didn't know you were glasses," he remarked.

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me," she replied sharply.

Jason sucked in a breath. "I deserved that."

"Only partially," Elizabeth amended, placing a glob of tuna on a piece of bread. "I usually wear contacts, the kind you can keep in for two weeks without cleaning them and then throw them away and put in a new pair. I have this thing about my glasses--I hate wearing them."

"So why are you?"

"My eyes are tired," she replied simply, putting a piece of bread atop the mound of tuna and handing him the plate. "There are chips on top of the fridge.

Jason took the plate from her and set it on the table, grabbing the chips as she had directed. "What do you want to drink?" he asked.

"Beer."

Jason arched a brow, "I didn't think you liked beer."

"I'm making an exception," she replied, sitting at the table with her own sandwhich.

Deciding not to fight her, Jason set two bottles of beer on the table. He twisted off both caps and watched her takez a swig. To her credit, she did a good job concealing her grimace as she swallowed the bitter liquid. Jason followed suit, minus the grimace. They sat in less than companionable silence, each brooding in their sandwiches.

Maybe this is forever
Forever fades away
Like a rocket ascending into space
Finishing her sandwich, Elizabeth stood and placed her plate in the sink. As Jason watched, she downed the rest of her beer and threw the bottle in the sink, where it clattered against her plate. Grabbing a clean glass from the rack, she took some water from the tap, which she drank with gusto.
"Making an exception?" Jason asked wryly, placing his own plate in the sink.
Elizabeth growled and set her glass down on the counter. She placed a hand on her hip, the other on the counter near the glass. Looking up at him, she asked tiredly, "What do you want, Jason?"
Could you not be sad?
Could you not break down?
After all, I won't let go
Until you're safe and sound
Wordlessly, Jason took her by the hand and led her out to the main room. She followed him out of the kitchen, but dug in her heels and stood firm by the pool table. Jason felt her stop and he turned, tugging on her arm lightly.
"What do you want, Jason?" she repeated, her tone and inflection the same as the first time.
Until you're safe and sound
There's beauty in release
There's no one left to please but you and me

"I--I want to appologize," Jason said quietly.
She sighed, "I figured." She walked around him. "Jason, I'm so tired..."
"You should go to bed then," he replied gently.
"I wasn't finished," she said, sitting on the couch.
"Finish." He walked over to the couch and sat at the other end. It was hard not to notice the distance between them.
Elizabeth looked at him across the expanse, propped her elbow on the back of the couch and resting her head on her hand. "Jason, I'm so tired of being avoided. You're never home and I hardly ever see you, but when I do, you're with Courtney Quartermaine." She laughed in spite of herself. "I see carly more than I see you and I swear to god I'm thisclose to believing she's the only friend I have."
Jason opened his mouth to speak, but Elizabeth silenced him. "I don't want to hear it Jason. I don't want to hear the word "business" or hear you say you're sorry you can't tell me things, but that's how it is, and you know it isn't fair so maybe I would be better off." She took a breath. "It was my choice to be with you Jason. I thought I knew what I signed on for, but I certainly wasn't ready for this. Being avoided---Jason, it hurts almost as bad as being lied to."
Jason's head slumped forward to his chest and he relased a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
I don't blame you for quitting
I know you really tried
If only you could hang on through the night

"Elizabeth, I know you just want to help me," he said, his chin still on his chest. "But--I can't let you. Not now."
"This is bigger than Sonny dying, isn't it?" she asked. Jason lifted his head and met her eyes, but wouldn't reply.
I don't want to be lonely
I don't want to be scared
And all our friends are waiting there
Until you're safe and sound
Until you're safe and sound
"You know," Elizabeth said somewhat whistfully. "I wish you were a better liar. At least then you would talk to me."
"You hate liars."
"I'm making an exception."
There's beauty in release
There's no one left to please but you and me
They were at an impasse. They sat in silence, staring at each other. Upstairs, Zander turned on a stereo at full volume.
Elizabeth and Jason growled in unison. "Turn it down!" Elizabeth yelled, taking his magazine off the coffee table, rolling it up and flinging it at the ceiling haphazardly. It bounced off the ceiling and fell unceremoniously to the floor. The music upstairs stopped.
Elizabeth slid across the couch so that she was nearly curled up against him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she asked, "So what are we gonna do?"
Until you're safe and sound...
Jason's cell phone chose that exact moment to ring. Elizabeth groaned. "I really hate modern technology." He looked uncertainly from Elizabeth to his ringing pocket. She waved her hand, sighing, "Answer it. Somebody obviously needs you."
"What about you?" he asked softly, before flipping open his phone. He stood and walked towards the door. Behind him, Elizabeth rose and walked to the balcony doors, wrapping her arms around herself protectively.
"Morgan," Jason said.
"Where are you?" Sonny demanded.
"My place," Jason answered, frowning. "What's wrong?"
"I need you back here."
Coming master, Jason thought. Aloud he said, "I'll be right there." He shut his phone and returned it to his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he walked over to join Elizabeth at the doors.
Feel like I could've held on
Feel like I could've let go
Feel like I could've helped you
Feel like I could've changed you
Feel like I could've held you
"I'm sorry," he said softly, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"But you hafta go," she replied, hanging her head.
"It's--" he began, then thought the better of it.
"Yeah," she said. "Business. I know."
Feel like I could've hurt you
Feel like I was a stranger
Feel like I was an angel
Feel like I was a hero
Feel like I was a zero
Jason took his hands from her shoulders. "I'd stay if I could."
"I know," she said, her voice hushed and resigned. Turning to face him, she remarked, "When the goings gets tough, the tough call Jason."
"Elizabeth--" Jason said, placing his hand on her cheek.
She turned her head away from him. "Just go. Someone needs you."
Feel like I could've cured you
Feel like I could've healed you
Feel like I could've touched you
Feel like I could've saved you
Feel like I should've heard you
Feel like I could've moved you
Jason squeezed her hand, tying to find encouragment when she didn't resist him. "If you want to help me, stay here. I don't want to have to worry about you too." He turned and walked away from her, pausing only once he had opened the door. She had returned her attention to the Port Charles skyline.
"Elizabeth?"
She turned, arms atill wrapped protectively around herself.
"What about you?"
She looked at him, mystified as to what he meant.
"You said that when the going gets tough, the tough call me." His soulful eyes met hers. "What about you?"
Elizabeth held his gaze for several long moments, considering his question.
Feel like I could've changed you
Feel like I could've held you
Feel like I could've kept you
Feel like I should've told you
"I'm not tough." Her voice was a whisper, and yet it echoed across the penthouse.
Jason bowed his head and pulled the door shut behind him. It clicked, and Elizabeth's head fell back so that she was staring at the ceiling. She let out a long and loud scream of frustration. She heard footsteps on the stairs and said, "Go away Zander." The footsteps stayed a moment, then retreated back from where they had come. "Come back, Jason," she whispered, staring out at the lights of Port Charles. "Come back."
Feel like I could've loved you
Feel like I could've loved you

On the other side of the door, Jason rested his forehead against the wationood and growled in frustration. This noise of his was becoming far too much like a habit for this tastes, especially today.
Feel like I could've loved you
Feel like I could've loved you
"Yup, I'm Sonny's good little watch dog," he muttered to himself. Behind him, he heard a man clear his throat. "Shut up, Paulie."
"Yes sir," the guard replied.
Jason stepped on to the elevator and sighed. "See you later, Elizabeth," he whispered as the doors closed.

Feel like I really loved you