SOLACE OF ALL WE'VE BECOME

Chapter 1

Elizabeth Webber sat in her office at L&B looking over the latest paperwork sent from Milan. Glancing at her watch she sighed realizing she had been staring at the same page for an hour. She wasn't getting any real work done today at all and couldn't understand what the problem was. She had been feeling out of sorts today for some reason. She leaned back in her chair and mused on the changes in her life these past few years.

After Lucky's death she wasn't sure if she could continue with anything. Fortunately she had Jason to lean on during that time. She considered herself a lucky person that Jason was at Jakes the night she snapped and decided to be the girl she was when she first arrived in Port Charles. She still shudders to think what could have happened to her if he hadn't had stopped her and taken her for the first of their many bike rides. She learned to stand on her own again, something she had lost during her time with Lucky. Then when Laura offered her the chance to be the Face of Deception she took her up on the offer. It had been scary but also exciting and a wonderful experience. But after a year she had decided that as much as she enjoyed the position she was much more interested in her art and the behind the scenes than in being in front of the camera.

And that decision led her back to her old job with Chloe Morgan. She returned to the design business and Chloe quickly gave her more responsibilities. Six months later Chloe told her that she was returning to Europe. Elizabeth was in shock. She had loved working at L&B/Morgan Designs and had thought that she finally found her niche. She hadn't been sure what she would do once Chloe left. Fortunately, Chloe calmed her fears by explaining that she was not abandoning her presence in the US and Port Charles. She then proceeded to give Elizabeth the job of running the business on this side of the Atlantic. And what fun she's had. Her position allowed her a lot of freedom at times and the opportunity to travel.

Her face darkened as her thoughts went back to Lucky. His return from the dead six months ago shocked everyone. As happy as she was to have him alive it didn't take long for them to realize that they had grown apart. They no longer were the naïve children that pledged to love each other forever. Unfortunately that didn't stop Lucky from trying to run her personal life.

And then there was the man in her life. She never thought she'd find a love stronger than what she had had with Lucky but she did. How she wished he was here with her…

A knock on her door interrupted her musings and returned her to the present. She smiled when the door opened. "Alexis! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be out of town for another week."

Alexis shook her head. "Well, Jax got called back so I thought I'd come by and see if you're free for lunch. You look a bit busy though," Alexis said taking a look at Elizabeth's desk.

"Actually I'm more than ready for a break." Elizabeth motioned to the papers in front of her. "I'm not actually getting any work done." She said standing and gathering her things.

Alexis frowned at her. "Nicholas hasn't been bothering you has he?"

"Not today," Elizabeth laughed. "And no Lucky either. I think I'm just burnt out. I've been busy with work on the new line and Isabella was supposed to help but she took ill, so it's just been me burning the midnight oil. We're almost ready though so I'll be able to relax soon."

"Well, why don't we go to the Grille and you can forget about the office for a while." Alexis suggested as Elizabeth joined her at the door. "And you can catch me up on all the news…" her voice trailing off as the two women walked out of Liz's office.

~~~~PC Grille~~~~

Leo walked into the room and quickly spotted Elizabeth. He raised his brow when he realized that Alexis was her dining companion. Grinning, he leisurely walked over to their table.

"Mind if I join you?" you asked as he sat down next to Elizabeth and kissed her on the cheek.

"Do we have a choice?" Alexis shot back sarcastically.

"I'm hurt Alexis," Leo sighed dramatically, putting his hands over his heart. "Mortally wounded."

"If only it were that easy" Alexis laughed.

"Stop it you two," Elizabeth rolled her eyes at them. Turning to Leo she grinned. "And not that I'm not glad to see you but what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be in New York today, holding some model's hand?"

"The shoot got cancelled and I thought I'd find my favorite lady to see if she could play hooky for the afternoon." He replied plucking a tomato off of her salad plate.

"Sorry," she grimaced. "I haven't gotten anything done all morning and I've got to finish up some last minute details for the new line. But you can really join us for lunch, right Alexis?" She looked at Alexis.

"Of course," Alexis smiled. "How often do I get to have lunch with my cousin without Jax around glaring and disapproving."

"Hey it's not my fault your husband can't stand me. " Leo protested. "It's not like I ever actually did anything to him."

At this Alexis and Elizabeth both laughed. Elizabeth leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Tell me later why you're really here."

Their waiter arrived to take the remainder of their order as Alexis' phone rang. "Hello. How did you know I was-- Glancing at her watch. "I'll be there in half an hour. Yes I know. Bye."

Looking at her companions she frowned. "Sorry about this but I've got to go. "

"Let me guess, Sonny?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Right the first time. How he knew I was back I haven't a clue but he does. And as usual Taggart is being annoying. I'll talk to you both later." She explained as she gathers her case and stands.

"Bye," they both called after her. After watching Alexis leave the restaurant, Elizabeth turned to Leo. "So why are you really here?"

"Actually I was telling you the truth earlier. Though I was concerned about you too." He told her.

"Concerned? Why?" She was intrigued as Leo was not the worrying type.

"I don't know, just a funny feeling I've got." Leo took her hand in his, playing with the diamond ring she wore. "Everything's okay isn't it?"

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Everything is fine. My worst problem today is simply that I haven't gotten any work done since I can't concentrate."

"Wanna talk about it?" Leo asks sympathetically.

"Nope."

He looked closely at her eyes and shrugged. "Okay. Then tell me one thing. How the hell did Corinthos know Alexis was back in town?"

"He's psychic," she deadpanned. "Now take my mind off of work since your cousin left before she could."

Leo laughed and proceeded to entertain her with tales of his days creating havoc in Pine Valley.