Babble: If you would like to read more please let me know.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Quagmire
Part VI
~General Hospital ER~
The waiting room near the ER was beginning to be a freakishly familiar place to Elizabeth. She had made the trip to the ER three times in the past three days that had to be a record of some sort. Of course who would want a record like that? She knew it took her exactly 18 steps from corner to corner, she knew she stepped over 8 panels in the floor, and the third one had a big glob of bubble gum that she had to avoid every time she paced over it.
"Why don't you sit down?"
"I can't sit down," she didn't even pause, just pivoted and began to cross to the other side of the room.
"You're going to wear yourself out if you don't stop, not to mention me," Jason pointed out.
"I'll be fine," Elizabeth paused midstep and practically ran to his side. "Are you okay? Are you feeling bad again?" Without waiting for his reply she pressed a hand to his forehead. "You don't feel that warm and you're not perspiring. But that doesn't mean anything. I knew you should have had your stomach pumped like the rest. Wait here I'll get the nurse," she turned to go only to be pulled down in a chair.
"Elizabeth I'm fine," he squeezed her hand trying to reassure her. "I didn't eat enough of the chocolates to get sick."
"You look pale though," she touched his cheek. Ever since the frightening dash to the emergency room she couldn't seem to stop touching him. She needed the contact to reassure herself that he was okay.
"I'm fine, I just don't like hospitals." He tightened his grip on her hands when she went to stand. "It's not your fault."
"Yes it is, those kids," she trailed off and felt sick to her stomach.
"Lucas is fine he didn't have any candy because he's diabetic. You heard the doctor Georgie Jones, threw up three times, other than that she's fine. Maxie needed her stomach pumped, and so did Felicia, and all of them will be released in a few hours, when they're not dehydrated."
"Yeah but what about Courtney and Bobbie?" She asked quietly.
"You heard the doctor, he didn't seem to think the poison was life-threatening," he reminded her and saw her flinch when he said poison.
"Poison. Do you know how crazy that sounds? Someone poisoned all of those people because of me, they tried to poison you," a tear slipped down her cheek. "He told me to stay away from you, I should have listened."
Jason moved until he was crouching on the floor in front of her chair and tilted his head until he could see her face. "This is not your fault. You didn't ask for any of this."
"I was so stupid. Why didn't I just tell you what was going on? Why did I think protecting myself from being hurt by you again, was more important than finding this guy?" The blame game was starting already.
"You'll tell me now," reaching up he brushed the tears from her cheeks but they were quickly replaced. "And we'll figure this out, together."
Elizabeth took hold of one of his hands and held it to her cheek while she studied his eyes, finally she lowered it to rest in her lap. "Is this what you felt?"
"When?"
"All those time you were afraid I'd be hurt because of you? The time you told me you wouldn't hold me in your arms and watch me bleed again, is this why? Because you didn't want to feel this kind of guilt?"
"Sort of, but there's a difference. I walked into my life with my eyes wide open. So anything that happens to me is something I always knew could happen because of the choices I made," he shifted closer. "You didn't ask for this. You didn't do anything to deserve this guy's attention."
"But you could have died because of me. You could be the one lying on a gurney in there hooked up to machines, because you ingested some kind of poison. You didn't ask for that." Elizabeth reminded him.
"You wouldn't let me push you away because I was afraid something would happen to you, I'm not let going to let you push me away either," he promised her.
Sighing she brought her head down until she rested her forehead against his. "I'm scared Jason. I don't think I was this scared when I was locked in that crypt."
"I won't let anything happen to you Elizabeth."
"I'm not afraid for me, I'm afraid you and other people I care about. He knew I wouldn't eat the chocolates. He made sure I couldn't eat them. He wanted to punish me, but he didn't want me hurt." She drew back and ran a hand down his cheek. "He told me to stay away from you. When I got to my studio this morning, there were 10 new messages, he was mad at me, because he knew I stayed with you last night. The last message said he was going to teach me a lesson for disobeying him."
Jason was getting more and more angry. Since Elizabeth had realized that the chocolates were making people sick and they came to the hospital she had been filling in the blanks over what had been going on with her the past several days. He hadn't gotten the whole story from her yet, but the parts he'd heard were enough to make him furious.
"Do you want to get some air?" Jason asked.
Elizabeth turned her head to look in the direction that Courtney and Bobbie had been taken before nodding. "Yeah."
Standing up Jason held out his hand and when she took it he worried about how cold it was. Keeping his hold gentle he pulled her from the chair and they began to walk. He nodded to Greg who was keeping watch outside of Courtney's room but he was sure that Elizabeth hadn't seen him. She didn't seem to be aware of much at the moment. She had retreated to some place in her mind she wouldn't let him follow, and he knew it was because of the guilt she was feeling.
"Jason," Sonny Corinthos stepped off of the elevator and spied his friend. "Greg just called me about Courtney, what the hell happened?"
Elizabeth tried to let go of Jason's hand and step back but he kept a firm grip on it. "We don't know anything more yet. She had her stomach pumped, and their running some tests on her because some of her organs began to shut down. Until they identify the poison there isn't a lot they can do. Her doctor is over there if you want to talk to him."
"I thought you told me that the thing with her stalker was dying down," Sonny reminded him.
"It is, Courtney hasn't gotten anything new in days now, she wasn't the target, she just got caught up by mistake," Jason shifted preparing to walk away. "I'll explain more later."
"You'll explain things now," Sonny snapped.
Elizabeth made a sound of distress and yanked her hand free. "Courtney wasn't the target, Jason was. And he was a target because of me. Courtney is here because of me. Happy?" She jeered and began to stomp off, only to hesitate by the nurse's desk, and turn around. "I'll be in the waiting area."
"I'll be right there," Jason could see the fear she was trying so hard to hide.
Nodding Elizabeth moved back to the waiting area and instead of sitting she began to pace again, making sure she kept Jason in sight the entire time.
"What did she mean by that?" Sonny asked.
"Someone is after Elizabeth, they were upset she was with me last night. So they sent me a box of chocolates supposedly from Elizabeth. The chocolates were laced with something, and Courtney ate some along with several other people," Jason explained briefly.
"Jesus," Sonny sighed. "Are you sure someone isn't after you and just using Elizabeth to do it?"
"I'm positive, some of the stuff that he's using to terrorize her with is personal. There is no way an enemy of mine would know about it. And when this started she wasn't even talking to me," Jason rubbed wearily at his eyes.
"Are you okay?" For the first time Sonny noticed Jason's pallor.
"I'm a little nauseous," he admitted reluctantly. "Don't let Elizabeth know she's panicked enough."
"Did you get your stomach pumped?"
"No, I didn't eat enough candy for that, the doctor said I'll be fine. Bobbie and Courtney are the serious ones, they ate a lot of candy."
Sonny nodded. "Did you get the whole story out of Elizabeth yet?"
"Most of it, I already had done some preliminary work on a name she wanted me to check out, I have Benny digging a little bit more. Once we leave here I'm going to listen to the messages she's been getting."
"Well this explains why she's been jumping down everybody's throat the last few days," Sonny commented.
Jason just shook his head and eyed his friend wearily. "Actually the only person's throat she's been jumping down is yours and mine and we both deserved it. I'd stay clear of Elizabeth right now, she's angry with you and she's in no shape to fight with you."
"I'd never fight with her," Sonny retorted insulted.
"You never used to do a lot of things you're doing now," Jason pointed out. "So just stay away from her."
The warning he saw in Jason's eyes stunned Sonny. "Do we really have that bad of a problem?"
"Jesus Sonny for once don't make this about you," Jason snapped angrily. "This has nothing to do with you. I will take care of Elizabeth you should go see your sister."
~*~*~*~*~
"Well if is isn't my favorite patient," a cheerful Chris Ramsey called out when he spotted Elizabeth.
Started Elizabeth whirled around, and then managed to work up a weak smile. "Hi."
"Don't tell me you hurt your arm again," Chris said.
"No some friends were brought in," she explained. "I just wish they'd tell me how they are."
Chris glanced at his watch. "I have a few minutes before I go on, why don't I check on them for you?" He offered.
"That would be great," this time the smile wasn't as hard.
"What are their names?"
"Courtney Quartermaine and Bobbie Spencer," Elizabeth volunteered.
Chris smothered a whistle when he heard the names. "I'll check on them and let you know. But since you're not family you can't really hold me to what I find out. You also can't tell anyone."
"I won't," Elizabeth promised.
"Then I'll be right back," Chris began to walk away. "Remember not a word to anyone."
Not a word
The words hit Elizabeth with an impact of a punch and she staggered and would have fallen if Jason hadn't caught her.
"What happened?" Jason asked.
"He…I…" she gasped trying to bring air into her suddenly closed off lungs. "Can't… air…"
"Come on," Jason picked her up and kicked open the door to the stairwell, and moved down one flight until he was in the covered parking garage.
The cold October wind hit her face and she sucked greedily at the bitter air. Jason leaned against the wall, still holding her in his arms he slid down the wall until he was sitting on the concrete floor. He pulled on the edge of his jacket until he could work it over her shoulder, and drew her head to his shoulder. "Just breathe."
Closing her eyes she sucked in air and tried to do what he ordered. Seeking his warmth she tried to burrow even closer. She could hear the steady beat of his heart and that reassured her.
Sonny opened the stairwell door and walked out searching for them. His eyes met Jason's and Jason could see concern in the dark eyes. Jason shook his head and jerked it towards the door. Sonny nodded and disappeared back inside before Elizabeth saw him.
With time her breathing seemed to settle until it wasn't labored anymore, but Jason kept rubbing her arm trying to soothe her. Sighing Elizabeth shifted slightly in his lap, until he wished she wouldn't do that anymore. Now was not the time for his body to realize a woman he had been crazy about for years was sitting on his lap.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"I just heard something and that made me remember the," she hesitated, "the rape."
"I saw you were talking with that doctor, is he the one who upset you?" Jason asked.
"Yeah but it wasn't his fault, it was just the words he chose. Not a word. An innocuous phrase except when I hear it I freak."
She shifted again and Jason had to stifle a groan.
Drawing back her eyes met his. She brought a hand up and rested it against his cheek. "I'm a wreck, I have been for days now, I can't think straight, and I'm still so very angry," she whispered, and brought her thumb down to trace his lips. "But right now, with you holding me in your arms, it feels so right. It would be so easy for you to take advantage right now," she whispered an instant before she pressed her lips to his.
Jason automatically kissed her back, his arms tightened their hold, yet he kept the pressure of his lips light, letting her set the pace. The kiss was both chaste and powerful. It was both bittersweet and passionate. And when she broke it, he felt the loss of her lips but didn't try to hold her to him.
She ran a finger over his lips again, this time brushing off the lipstick. "But you won't take advantage will you?"
"No I won't hurt you."
Smiling darkly Elizabeth pushed to her feet. "Yeah you're never the selfish one are you?" She moved to the door. "I want to check on Bobbie."
Jason got to his feet replaying the last few minutes in his mind. Somehow he had messed up again. He just didn't know what he had done wrong this time. Muttering under his breath he trailed the only woman who had the power to confuse in a minute.
~Studio~
"I promised to give my answering machine to Taggert in the morning," Elizabeth reminded Jason.
"And you will, I just want to hear the messages first," Jason explained. He couldn't believe that he was voluntarily letting Taggert have the same information he had. Of course he really didn't have a choice in the matter. Elizabeth had informed him that she had already given Taggert some of the details, so Taggert knew about the phone calls before he had. But it still didn't sit right with him.
They had reached the door but Elizabeth made no attempt to insert the key and unlock it. Jason knew what she was thinking about. "The doctor said both Courtney and Bobbie would make a full recovery."
"I know but their kidney's were damaged, and that's all my…"
"It's not your fault. The only person to blame is the person who laced the chocolates in the first place," he reminded her.
"I guess," shrugging she inserted the key and unlocked the door. She pulled the key out placed it in her pocket and took a few deep breaths before opening the door. Jason reached past her and hit the light switch and to her relief nothing looked different than it had been that morning.
"I just want to get my stuff and then you can take me to the hotel," energized Elizabeth moved inside the room and headed directly for her closet to get a suitcase.
Nodding Jason moved to the table. "How many messages did you have this morning?"
"Total?"
"Yeah."
"62."
"Well you have 71 now," Jason informed her.
"I don't want to hear them." Elizabeth began shoving clothes in a bag, not caring or noticing what she was grabbing.
"I need to hear them," Jason reminded her.
"Fine I'll go to the bathroom." She made it as far as the studio door before her bravado gave out.
"I can come back tomorrow and listen with Taggert," he offered.
Elizabeth couldn't help but smirk at that. "I wouldn't do that to you, go ahead."
"Are you sure?"
"Just get it over with," she moved to her couch and grabbed a pillow so she would have something to maul with her hands when the messages started.
Jason hated to do it, but he pressed play anyway.
"I miss seeing you. Don't you know I count on seeing you?"
***
"This is unacceptable, I've been watching you for you years now. As long as I see you every few days, everything is okay. Where are you?"
***
"I love the way you walk, just like a gazelle, not at all like those sluts around you. But you're not just any slut, are you? You're my slut. You moved under me like a dream. I know you still think about me, and I think about you every night."
***
"I love you in maroon. It's so close to the red you were wearing that night. You don't wear red very often anymore, especially not that vivid red. The harlot, trampy red. It was the red that drew me to you, that drew me to the slut in you. But I like you in maroon too, I bet I'll like you even more out of the maroon."
***
"The last time was so fast but so good. I wonder how your body has changed since you've grown. Will your breasts still fit in the palm of my hand like they did that night? Will you still beg for my touch? Or will you pretend? I like it when you pretend that you don't want me when your eyes say you do."
***
"You need to stay away from Jason though. I tolerated your dalliance with Lucky but I won't with him. You're mine Elizabeth, from the minute you put on your harlot's dress you became mine. Now remember … not a word … about this to anyone."
***
"Do you really think a new lock will keep me away from you? I've been watching you for years Elizabeth. There is no place you can go, no place you can run, no lock you can hide behind that I won't find you. You belong to me."
***
"Did you have fun tonight? I did, I love hunting, and I loved hunting you. Did you know that when your terrified your body releases adrenaline and pheromones that are intoxicating to males? Your terrified scent was just that case. But you shouldn't you have run to Jason."
***
"I warned you about Jason didn't I? But you didn't listen to me. You are just a slut. I'll bet your spreading your legs for him right now. I won't have that Elizabeth. You need to be punished. You will be punished."
***
"You're wearing his clothes? What did the thug tear yours off of you? I didn't break you in to let Jason Morgan have you. You will regret this Elizabeth."
***
"I don't know how much plainer I have to be, before it sinks into that stupid brain of yours. I've told you repeatedly to stay away from Jason, yet you continually ignore me. I can't have that. You need to be taught a lesson."
***
"I only wanted to get Jason, but look how many other people I hurt, or I should say you hurt. It's all your fault. If you had just followed the rules I wouldn't have had to hurt anybody. Maybe you're the brain damaged one. I know you're with him still. You never learn do you?"
***
"I'm so disappointed in you Elizabeth I thought you cared about people. But your actions continually convince me that you don't. I'll give you one more chance. Make Jason leave, and I won't hurt anyone else. But if you stay with him, you'll regret it."
"Stop it Jason, I can't," Elizabeth jumped from the couch and raced for the door. Bypassing the bathroom she raced down the backstairs, she could hear Jason following behind her and ran even faster. She hit the door that led to the alley and threw herself against it flying out into the alley. Looking around she tried to see which way to run, and that hesitation gave Jason time to catch her.
"No," Elizabeth yelled when he took hold of her arm. Whirling around she started to hit him trying to get him to let go.
Jason ignored her blows and pulled the struggling woman in his arms, pinning her arms to her sides, and hugging her. Elizabeth tried to yank free but his hold was too strong. Her yells had turned into tears but she hadn't realized it yet. Abruptly she went limp in his embrace and he shifted to take her weight.
"Why is he doing this to me? Hasn't he hurt me enough?" She asked in a quiet voice that he'd never heard before.
"I don't know but I'll find him I promise you I'll find him," Jason vowed.
"But is that enough?" Suddenly aware of how tight he was holding her she tried to pull back.
"Don't."
"I can't," she tried to turn away and he tightened his hold. "Don't do this," she pleaded even as her body began to weaken. If she leaned on him now what would she do when he walked away?
"I can't watch you in pain and not do anything about it," Jason whispered against her hair. "Lean on me, I'm not going anywhere."
Even though she was desperately afraid that he would leave her, she still couldn't stop herself from leaning on him and giving into the tears and the comfort that he was so desperate to give.
~A Basement~
Humming under his breath he thumbed through his latest batch of photos. He was getting very good with the camera, although he had always been good with his hands. Smiling to himself he popped a piece of candy in his mouth and picked up a pair of scissors. These photos would be perfect once he cut Jason out of them.
It was a pity that Jason hadn't gotten sick, but there was always next time. The half of the photo that he'd snapped in the hospital garage, containing Jason fell to the desk, and he picked it up.
"Jason, Jason, Jason. You won't have her for long." He vowed and began snipping at it until the photo was in shredded pieces. Pleased with himself he picked up his trash and brushed the shreds into his trash until they covered the pictures of the blonde woman that he had thrown away a few days ago.
Humming again he picked up the other half of the photo and studied the terrified expression on Elizabeth's face. She was afraid because he wasn't there with her. Once he was, she would never be afraid again. His surprise was almost ready, and once it was, he'd make his move, and Elizabeth would be his forever.
Pleased with the day's work, he pinned the latest photo of Elizabeth on a wall that was covered with pictures of her. Stepping back he admired his handiwork. Reaching down he picked up a silk nightshirt and rubbed it against the night growth of a beard on his cheek. Inhaling deeply he caught a whiff of strawberries and vanilla and he visualized Elizabeth wearing it.
When his stomach growled he breathed in her scent one final time then carefully laid her nightgown on his chair then reached up and pulled the string on the lone light bulb in the room. The last thing he saw when before the lights went out was Elizabeth's smiling face.
"Soon Elizabeth."
~Port Charles Hotel~
Elizabeth's hand shook slightly as she reached for her hot chocolate. "When I got to my studio that night, after I left Jason and the others at Kelly's, he had been inside. He decorated the inside with all these balloons, streamers, hearts, signs all of them saying will you be mine, or Happy Valentines Day. The worse thing was the dress. He found one that was identical to the one I wore that night, and he laid it on my couch with a note saying he couldn't wait to see me in it and then out of it again."
Taggert's lip curled in disgust. "What did you do with it?"
"I threw it away along with all the decorations," Elizabeth admitted. "I couldn't have them in my house."
Taggert nodded and hid his disappointment. "Do you know when your trash is picked up? There's a chance it might still be there."
"I don't know," she shook her head. "I messed up again didn't I? Just like last time."
"No," Taggert was quick to reassure her. "I'll probably be able to find them at the dump."
"No you won't."
Taggert turned to the other occupant of the room, who had spoken for the first time since Elizabeth had begun her story. "What do you mean by that Morgan?"
"I was there when Elizabeth threw the bags out, they ripped open and when I saw what was inside I was curious, so I took them," Jason explained.
"Now why would you do that?"
"Stop it," Elizabeth snapped. "I know you two hate each other, but I won't be used as a weapon between the two of you. If you can't work together then both of you get out. I need help here, I need both your help, and I can't handle your sniping."
"Elizabeth…"
"I mean it Lieutenant, you can hate Jason all you want, and go after him anyway you can, when this is over. But right now I need him," she informed him before turning to Jason. "And you, I know you hate this, but Taggert is in this, he's helped me before and I believe he can help me now."
Taggert got to his feet. "I think I have enough for now, thanks for clarifying things. I'll start checking out Timothy Baker."
Jason could feel Elizabeth's accusatory glare on him and he forced himself to speak. "Baker took a plane from JFK Airport to Port Charles about 12 days ago, he went to Pentonville, but after that it's like he's fallen off the map."
"He's in town?" Elizabeth whispered in horror.
"Maybe, that's what I was coming to tell you when the chocolates were delivered," Jason explained.
"I'll do some digging then," Taggert picked up his coat and headed for the door. "You're staying here?"
"Yes."
"Alone?"
Huffing out a breath she reached past Taggert and opened the door. "Goodnight Lieutenant."
"Morgan I'll need that trash from you soon," Taggert refused to budge.
"You'll get it I know how you love trash," Jason replied.
"Children," Elizabeth muttered.
"If you think of anything else, or if you just want to talk here's my card, my home and cell number's are on the back, call anytime." Taggert handed her a card. "I'll walk you out Morgan."
"He's not leaving yet," Elizabeth piped up. "Goodnight," before he had a chance to protest she shut the door in his face and leaned wearily against it.
"Are you hungry?" Jason asked.
Turning around she shook her head.
"Are you tired?"
"A little, but I don't want to close my eyes," she admitted.
Jason moved until he was leaning against the back of a straight back chair. "Your more than welcome to stay at the penthouse. In fact I wish you would."
"No," she shook her head and moved a little closer. "There's too many memories at the penthouse," she looked around the large room. "I don't have any here, either good or bad ones, I kind of need that tonight."
Jason nodded reluctantly and didn't press.
Elizabeth was suddenly aware how big the bed was in the room. Now that it was just her and Jason in the room, it seemed to have grown until it dominated the room. Nerves had her moving to her bag and she began to unpack it. "I have no idea what I packed I just sort of threw things inside the bag. It's a good thing I don't work tomorrow, I might only have sweats with me."
She moved to the bed and grabbed her other bag, and took two steps before dropping it, sending the clothes spilling out. Jason crouched down beside her to help pick things up. Frowning he picked up a shirt he recognized as the one she had been wearing that morning. Elizabeth darted a sheepish glance in his direction. "I couldn't find my silk nightshirt and I wanted something big and roomy, I was going to give it back to you eventually. I'll even wash it first."
"You can have it," Jason held it out to her. When she reached to take it back their hands brushed and both froze. The shirt fell from her suddenly nerveless fingers when he leaned closer.
Angling her head she met him halfway. His hand found the curve of her cheek, it was so delicate to the touch. He ran a thumb down it and he felt her tremble. He took her mouth gently, his lips skimming over hers, learning the texture of her full lips, tasting her. All the kisses they had shared he had never taken the time to taste how truly sweet and addicting she was. It was a mistake he was determined to rectify. Her lips trembled under his and her hand fell on his thigh, her eyes went soft then the lashes fluttered closed.
Nibbling on her lips until they parted, Jason took the initiative and swept inside her mouth. Elizabeth seemed to melt into the kiss, into his arms, until they were both lying on the floor. Sweetness gone, passion emerged, the kisses grew in desperation. His mouth roved her face, learning every nuance.
The tip of his tongue touched hers, then went deeper, slowly, in such a deep kiss that it left her boneless. Her hand slipped from his shoulder to clutch at his waist, and her head fell back in surrender. His mouth moved on over the curve of her cheekbone, down the slim column of her jaw.
"Jason."
She whispered his name and he lifted his head to look in her eyes. His fingers found their way to the smoothness of her skin again, and he ran a finger over her swollen lips. "I won't say I'm sorry."
"I don't want you too," she admitted honestly. "But I'm still mad at you," she admitted just as honestly.
"I know you are," with a reluctant sigh he shifted off of her and got to his feet.
"I'm scared," she admitted and took his hand when he held it out.
"I know that too," he helped her to her feet.
"It's not just the stalker I'm afraid of," she admitted with the honesty that used to define their relationship. "I want you Jason, and I care about you so much, but I don't want…"
"Shh," he placed a finger over her lips. "I told before I'm not going anywhere. We don't have to decide anything tonight, or next week, or even next month."
"You mean you won't run, try to push me away, or avoid me?" She challenged him. "Because you're pretty good at that." Jason's grin was lethal, one she hadn't seen before, and it took her breath away.
"I'm not going anywhere and this time I'm not going to let you push me away either," he promised and kissed her quickly before she had time to protest. "Are you sure you want to stay here alone?"
Though she may be struggling to keep her balance with this suddenly flirty Jason she had no problem answering him. "Jason what did you do when I told you I planned on staying here tonight?"
Puzzled Jason raised a brow in question.
"You excused yourself to make a phone call. If I know you, you've bought out every room on this floor that you could. You probably have a few of your men filling some of the rooms while you plan on parking yourself in the room across the hall," she grinned up at him when he looked away. "I'm right aren't I?"
Jason shrugged and opened the door. "If you need anything…"
"I'll know where to find you," giving into impulse she stepped closer and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight."
"Night," Jason waited until he heard the door lock before stepping back from it. "Francis?" The door to the room next to Elizabeth's opened a second later. "Any problems?"
"Nope we're spread out through the floor. No one will get near her room without one of us knowing about it," Francis promised then cleared his throat. "Where will you be?"
Jason frowned in his general direction then turned to walk into his room across the hall from Elizabeth's. "Stay alert."
~General Hospital AM~
"You didn't have to come with me, I don't mind Francis," Elizabeth reminded him when they stepped on the elevator.
"I don't mind," Jason replied, even as the familiar tension he always felt inside the hospital began seeping into his bones.
Nodding Elizabeth decided to let it drop, knowing he would hate for her to make a big deal about things. She had the uncomfortable feeling that people were watching her and her eyes darted around the elevator. When she saw a man looking in her direction she instinctively shifted closer to Jason and took his hand.
Puzzled by her sudden show of nerves Jason looked around trying to see what had spooked her. The elevator doors opened and Elizabeth pressed tight against him when a man behind them moved off the car. Once the man left she stepped back and began to breathe a little easier. It was then that he realized he was now the only man on the car. Fighting the impulse to hit the wall, Jason realized that what this guy was doing to her was affecting her in a lot more ways then he'd originally thought. It was all the more reason to find the bastard and kill him.
The doors opened again and they walked out of them. Elizabeth moved up to the nurse's station. "Amy can you tell me what rooms Courtney Quartermaine and Bobbie Spencer are in?"
Nurse Amy Vining's curious eyes moved from Elizabeth's questioning face to Jason's impassive one. "Courtney is in 610 and Bobbie is 612."
"Thanks," stepping back she took Jason's hand again and ignored the look she was receiving from the blonde gossip box.
Even before they turned the corner she could hear the raised voices of the Quartermaine's and felt Jason stiffen beside her. "You don't have to go any further."
"It's okay," Jason said.
"No really. I know you need to check in with Sonny and whoever else. I'll be just down the hall, I won't leave without you I promise," Elizabeth offered with a small smile. "Besides this is going to be awkward enough without worrying if the Quartermaine's are going to yell at you."
"Okay I'll be in the waiting room," Jason pointed to the alcove by the nurse's station. "If I'm not there when you're ready to leave, wait there for me."
"I will." She watched him walk away before taking a breath and turning the corner.
~*~*~*~*~
Feeling frazzled and drained although it had only been 45 minutes Elizabeth drug herself down the hall towards the nurse's station. She thought the Q's were difficult when they were in a good mood, but when they were in crisis mode, they were unbelievable. Edward had kept cornering her to warn her about the thug, masquerading as his Grandson, which had inspired Ned to snipe at him. Courtney had laid on the bed holding AJ's hand and looked as baffled by the fighting as she was. Escape had been a relief.
Visiting Bobbie had been easier. Lucas was there and Dr. Jones had been leaving just as she had entered, much to her relief. She still didn't remember what she had said to insult him, but judging from the icy look he had given her in passing, he remembered very well. Bobbie had been more worried about her then her own injuries, and said she would be released later in the day. Bobbie had also informed her that she could miss as much work, as she needed too, and her job would be waiting. Sometimes she wished Bobbie wouldn't be so generous in keeping her job for her. She was getting tired of waitressing. But on the other hand she knew she'd never find another job that would be so understanding of all the time off she needed.
Stepping into the alcove she half expected to find Jason sleeping but he wasn't in the room at all. Pivoting she moved back to the nurse's station. Amy was gone but a dark haired nurse had taken her place. "Excuse me I'm looking for a man who was supposed to meet me over there. His name is Jason Morgan, have you seen him?"
"The gorgeous hunk of a man that fills out his jeans in a way that should be illegal?" The nurse asked.
"Yeah that's him," Elizabeth's smile turned into a glare of warning.
"He had to a make a cell call, so he went outside," the nurse explained.
"Thanks," she turned to walk away.
"Is your name Elizabeth Webber?"
"Yes," Elizabeth turned around.
"Good I'm new here, but you matched the description. Audrey Hardy left this here for you," the nurse held out an envelope.
"Thanks," taking the envelope she wasted no time opening it. She sighed when she read the words and wondered if she was ready for this. It seemed her grandmother was requesting an audience with her. If she showed up with Jason there would be no chance at all of them having a civilized discussion. Of course there would be no chance for discussion at all if Sarah were there. Still she knew her grandmother had no doubt heard what was going on, and was probably concerned. Before she could change her mind she moved back to the nurse's station. "If Jason comes back will you tell him I'll be right back?"
"I'd love too," the nurse brightened.
"Down girl," Elizabeth narrowed her eyes in warning and moved to the elevator. Scanning the note while she waited, she stepped on the elevator and reached for the floor button that was the floor her grandmother was supposed to be on, but it wasn't on the keypad. Confused she got off the elevator and moved back to the nurse.
"I'm supposed to go to LL2, but I can't find a button for it on the elevator, do you know why?"
"LL2?" The nurse looked confused then checked her cheat sheet. "Oh you can only get to that floor by using that elevator," she gestured to the right.
"Thanks." Elizabeth crossed to the elevator and was soon on her way down to LL2.
The car came to a halt and after a minute the doors opened. Frowning Elizabeth paused in the open door, the doors had opened in an area that didn't look like the rest of the hospital. Instead of brightly colored walls, the walls were gray and the hall itself was dimly lit. She heard the clang of metal coming from a distance and the sound of it reverberated along the empty hall, but other than that there was no sign of life.
Elizabeth nervously stepped out of the elevator but kept her hand on one side of the door so the doors couldn't close. "Gram?" She called out and the echo sound came again. Frowning she looked back at the elevator, and realized that the keypad was different on the outside. It looked like you needed a key to call the elevator to this floor. Unnerved even though she was trying to be brave, Elizabeth was tempted to get back on the elevator and get Jason.
She had gone so far as to take a step into the elevator when the sound of music drifted down the hall, recognizing it she grinned. Count Basie was her grandmother's favorite so she had no trouble identifying the song when it reached her ears. Setting her purse on the ground, Elizabeth shrugged out of her coat and placed it on the ground so it would block the doors from closing then picked up her purse and stepped back. She hesitated long enough to check that the doors couldn't shut tight, they began to close, but when they hit her coat they opened again and that reassured her.
Rubbing her arms for warmth Elizabeth set off down the hall. She pushed through one set of swinging doors, and the music sound got louder. This hallway was dimmer than the last one had been, but there was a light visible at the end of the hall. The lighted room was also where the music was coming from.
The music cut off suddenly and she froze in her tracks, Count Basie had disappeared to be replaced by what sounded like piano and someone talking. Puzzled Elizabeth listened hard trying to make out the words as she walked.
Behold the way our fine-feathered friend,
His virtue doth parade
Thou knowest not my dim-witted friend
The picture thou hast made
Feeling uneasy for no particular reason Elizabeth's steps began to slow.
Thy vacant brow and thy tousled hair
Conceal thy good intent
Thou noble, upright, truthful, sincere
And slightly dopey gent
By the time she reached the door the music finally changed and she cautiously stepped into the doorway the same time the music and rhythm of the song changed.
You're my funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
A seemingly empty room greeted her. Empty except for the blood red rose that was on a table in the center of the room, along with a heart shaped box of chocolates. Gasping Elizabeth stepped back.
Your looks are laughable, unphotographable
Still, you're my favorite work of art
Terrified Elizabeth began to run back the way she came, she was nearing the swinging doors when the light behind her suddenly disappeared. Charging through the doors she raced for the elevator and stumbled to a stop when she saw her coat lying in front of the closed elevator doors.
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is Valentine's Day
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Song Credit: My Funny Valentine by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers
Want more? Then reply.