There was a time in her life when she hated silence. But as Elizabeth Morgan lay sprawled across her couch, she could only be happy about it.

They were finally asleep. But, it would start all over again in an hour or so. After Isabelle had begun walking and talking, Elizabeth started looking forward to the child's afternoon naps. Even though she loved her daughters very much, she still needed adult conversation to sustain herself. And if nothing else, she needed quiet time to get her thoughts together.

Elizabeth lay there for a few more minutes before she pushed herself up and went to the kitchen. Breakfast and lunch dishes were stacked on top of each other. The trash needed to be taken out and someone needed to go grocery shopping.

Pushing the last two tasks aside, Elizabeth went to the sink and filled it with warm water. She added dish soap and as the bubbles filled the sink, Elizabeth tugged off the engagement ring from her right hand. After putting it safely in the soap dish, she began washing.

Every few minutes, Elizabeth would see a guard walk past the window. Although she hadn't thought two guards were necessary, Jason insisted. Andrew lived on the property with them, and another guard would come during the day. And even though she wasn't sure, Elizabeth expected that Jason would send an extra guard at night to watch the house.

Sometimes she wished he would just move in with them and protect them himself. Elizabeth knew it was too soon and Jason would never suggest it himself. Not because he didn't want to. No, she knew he wanted for them to be a family again more than anything. Elizabeth wasn't sure how to go about doing it. The constant weight of her wedding ring against her heart reminded her they were married. As if she would ever forget.

The problem was there was a certain physical part of the relationship she wasn't sure about. Other than that night almost eight months ago, they'd hardly touched each other so intimately. She knew Jason didn't want to push her too far too soon. And she was so confused about what she wanted most days it didn't matter much.

Elizabeth was sure she wanted Jason to be with her again. When he would leave hear at night, her entire body would sag from disappointment. In more ways than one she felt like a virgin again.

She felt herself blush at the admission, even if it was only to herself. They had been in Prague the first time. Jason had been so tender with her as they experienced new heights together. All of the times she and Lucky Spencer had almost consummated their relationship, Elizabeth was sure it could have never been as wonderful as that night with Jason.

And Jason had been almost virginal himself. A little nervous, but mostly just full of unabated love for her. As he had pushed inside of her the first time, Jason whispered his love for her in her hair. She could still remember that first glorious release.

Rinsing the last dish, Elizabeth placed it in the drainer and turned the water off. She turned towards the overflowing trash can, but was saved when someone knocked on the back door. Elizabeth glanced out the window expecting to see Andrew or Don, but was surprised to find Jax standing there.

Elizabeth went to the back door and pulled it open. She greeted him with her best smile. "Hi."

"Hi yourself."

Elizabeth stepped aside and held the door open for him. "Come in, Mr. Jacks."

The Australian smiled warmly at her and stepped into the small coat room. "Thank you, Mrs. Morgan."

"What brings you by?"

"Nikolas and Robin wanted to visit with Lexi before they fly back to Paris. I wanted to give them some time alone."

Elizabeth nodded, then turned back to the kitchen. "Isa and Abby are napping, if you wanted to see them. But, if you'll settle with just me, then I'll make some coffee or tea, and we can sit for awhile."

"Tea is fine." Instead of sitting, Jax went to the sink and began filling the kettle. "You sit, I'll make it for you. Besides, I'm an excellent tea maker."

"Is Alexis still having trouble sleeping?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.

"Some nights." Jax leaned against the stove while the water heated. "The doctor is ready to take the baby, but Lexi wants to wait. She's nervous about her age, and a thousand different things. And she keeps mumbling things about the Spencer-Cassadine War."

"Didn't the 'war' end years ago?"

"I think so." Jax pushed away from the stove and went to the cabinet. He pulled two saucers and teacups down just as the kettle began to whistle. Like an expert, Jax made the two cups of tea. He sat one down in front of Elizabeth and sat across from her. "But you know Alexis. Besides with Luke and Helena always taunting each other, Lexi is never sure when the other shoe will fall."

Elizabeth took a sip of her tea then propped her hand under her chin. "It really is just a game to them, isn't it? All of the lives they ruin with it is just fun."

"Sometimes I think so."

"I don't understand how either of them think they have the power to play with life like they do," Elizabeth admitted. "I love Luke Spencer. Other than my grandmother, he was the first family I really had. But the way they both have such a disregard for life; it bothers me."

Jax reached across the table and covered her hand. "I know. But, with the set up you have here, I don't think you have to worry about anyone ever touching you."

Elizabeth pulled her hand from beneath his and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Then she took a long sip of her tea. Finally, she spoke, "Honestly, I would trade the bodyguards and bullet proof glass for Jason. I mean, I know we're probably safer with security, but I want my husband back."

"Have you told him?"

She shook her head. "I should but what if he doesn't want the same thing?"

It was no secret that Jax didn't care for Jason, but he knew the younger man loved his family. And when Jason cared, he cared for life. "Trust me, Elizabeth, just talk to him. I think you and Jason are on the same page."

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Thanks." She reached across the table again and touched his hand. "And thank you for dropping by."

"I just hope Alexis is enjoying her time with Nikolas."

"How is he?" Elizabeth queried. She sometimes thought of her old friend. Nikolas and Robin married in August, the weekend after Audrey passed away. She and Jason had both been invited, but in the end she hadn't been up for it.

"They both look good. Robin and I stay in touch, and her health is good. But maybe you should see for yourself. Go see Nikolas," he suggested.

Elizabeth hesitated and took the last sip of her tea. "Maybe." She glanced at him through her lashes and immediately recognized his concern. "It's just-" Elizabeth began. She bit her lip and studied her nails in her lap. "Nikolas and I didn't part on the best of terms. He didn't exactly approve of my relationship with Jason, and well you know how I can get."

"Yes, I do." Jax stood and went to the sink. He dumped the rest of his tea down the drain and filled the cup with water. "But maybe you should give Nikolas a chance anyway. He's a good guy."

Elizabeth felt Jax press a kiss to her forehead and smiled. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah, I should. I wouldn't want to miss my wife sending me to New Guinea after some something," he joked.

When Jax moved away from her chair, Elizabeth stood. "I'll walk you out. But first, let me get the trash together."

Jax stood back and watched as she struggled to get all the trash into the white plastic bag. "You know, most people change the trash more than once a week."

"Those are normal people. I'm not normal," Elizabeth shot back. She sighed when she went to pull the bag from the can and it wouldn't budge. "What are we throwing out? Bricks?"

Taking pity on her, Jax went to the trash can and lifted the bag easily. "Why can't Morgan put you in a trash compactor?"

"Let me let you in on a secret: Jason's not mechanical. If it doesn't have to do with a bike, he's completely useless."

"Right."

Elizabeth held the door open for him and Jax stepped off the back porch. He followed her to the trash can and put it in for her. "I should go."

"Okay," she replied. Elizabeth blocked the sun with her hand and watched as he walked to the blue Mercedes. "Hey Jax!"

The Aussie stopped and turned around. "Yes?"

"When do Nikolas and Robin leave?"

"Friday afternoon." Jax walked back to where she was standing. He put a gentle hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Go see him," he urged.

She nodded.

"Are Lexi and I still on sitter duty Saturday night?"

"If it's okay. I mean Sonny will watch them if you can't."

"We love to keep them," Jax assured her. "We'll pick them up Saturday afternoon and then you'll get them that night."

Elizabeth blushed and looked down. "Can you keep them until Sunday morning?"

Because she was studying her feet, Elizabeth missed the look of concern that crossed her friend's face. He opened his mouth to comment but was cut off when they both heard the rumble of a motorcycle.

Jax and Elizabeth watched as Jason's bike turned the street corner and pulled into her driveway. He parked the bike next to the Mercedes. Elizabeth was smiling happily at her husband, so Jax unlocked his car and started towards it again. "Call me," he called over his shoulder.

Elizabeth nodded, but she'd already forgotten what he said. Her gaze hadn't left Jason since he arrived. Absently Elizabeth waved as Jax backed the car out of her driveway. "Hi."

Jason crossed to her and felt relief flood him. The anxiousness he'd been feeling left his body as soon as her arms wound around his waist. "Hey."

When Elizabeth pulled back, she wrapped the fingers of her right hand around those of his left. Jason followed as she pulled him into the house. "Where're the kids?"

"Sleeping," she answered. Elizabeth closed the back door firmly then went into the kitchen. "They've only been down forty-five minutes, so you might have a long wait." She was leaning against the kitchen counter, her arms wrapped around her waist.

Jason took a step towards her and nodded. He continued walking until her body was pinned between him and the counter. "I can't stay long. I'll drop by later to see them."

"Oh, okay." Elizabeth leaned forward and hugged his body again. She tilted her head back so she could see him. "Then why're you here?"

He lifted a hand to her face and traced the delicate features. His finger trailed down the line of her jaw, to her chin. Pulling slightly, Jason released her bottom lip from its torture. "I wanted to see you."

Whatever he said was completely forgotten as he caressed her collar bone and shoulder. Elizabeth was totally relaxed as his hand skimmed down her arm and back up. She sighed, "Jason," when he ran a hand over the curve of her breast. Looking up at him, at the desire swirling in his eyes, she smiled.

Jason nuzzled one ear, then the other as he continued to caress her upper body. Her hold on him shifted and she put her arms around his neck. Leaning down, Jason kissed her softly.

His lips moved gently over hers as Elizabeth pulled herself up into his embrace. He nipped her bottom lip with his teeth then soothed it with his tongue. Elizabeth opened under him and allowed his tongue entrance.

Jason took firm hold on her bottom and pressed her into him. His mouth slanted over hers, his tongue taking time to explore the treasures she held.

Things were quickly getting out of control and Jason went to pull back from the kiss. Instead, Elizabeth followed him into his mouth and he groaned. Blood shot straight to his groin when she mimicked his earlier actions.

Taking a step, Jason pressed her against the counter again. One hand settled on her breast and he gently kneaded it. He heard her sigh his name, but continued to kiss her.

Elizabeth's tongue caressed his, as it had a thousand times before. She clung to him as sensations arose in her body that only Jason could bring.

Finally, he pulled back and began to kiss her jaw line and neck. Elizabeth loosened her grip on his neck as they slowly pulled back.

When he looked at her, Jason had to admit she looked thoroughly loved. Somehow he'd gotten her breast out of the shirt and the nipple strained against her tan bra. Elizabeth's lips were swollen; her face had a glow to it.

When she could speak, Elizabeth asked, "What was that for?"

Jason's smile was quick and lethal as he looked down at her. He looked away and tugged at his ear. "I don't know, but I've wanted to do it all day."

He looked back at her and groaned. Her smile would be his undoing. It made him want to carry her upstairs. "I should go."

"Do you have to?" Elizabeth didn't bother to hide her disappointment.

He moved his hips so that his erection pressed against her stomach. "I need to."

"So I see."

Jason lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, "I don't want to. But if I don't, I think I might throw you over my shoulder and take you upstairs."

She blushed at his admission. "You don't know how good-" she caught herself. "Are we still on for Saturday?"

Jason knew what she stopped herself from saying, but knew better than to press the issue. Instead, he took her right and put it on her chest. "Where's your ring?" he asked, frowning.

"I took it off to do the dishes." Turning, Elizabeth picked the platinum engagement ring from the soap dish.

Jason took it from her and reached for her left hand. "Would it be okay?"

Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded her head. She watched as he slipped the ring back to its proper finger. Impulsively, Jason tugged his own wedding band off and pressed it into her palm. "Would you?"

Elizabeth took the ring from him and slipped into on his left ring finger. She gently kissed his palm. "I'll see you later?"

"Yeah. I'll drop by with dinner. What would you like?"

"What about we grill out? I'll call Sonny and the guys."

"Sounds good," he agreed. "I'll bring the steaks." Jason kissed her softly on the lips. "And yes, we're on for Saturday."

"Okay, I'll see ya later."

Jason sighed, but disentangled himself from her. Without another word he let himself out of the house.

Elizabeth couldn't stop smiling as the motorcycle rumbled to life and sped away.