Disclaimer: Anything related to General Hospital and its characters are not owned by me.

Finding the Whole

Jason Morgan and Elizabeth Webber have drifted further and further apart ever since the dreaded break up. An accidental encounter on the docks changes all of that, for they realize how much they need each other in their lives.

This starts a couple days after Ric reveals to Elizabeth about her new gallery. Sonny was never beaten or taken by Alcazar. Let's just say all the PC mob families (Sonny's, Jason's, Ric's, etc.) have been "happy" for a while and are in no immediate danger. The panic room story line will emerge eventually in the story.

A/N:

Hi guys! Sorry for the long wait, but I just got back a couple days ago. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for all of your reviews!

Chapter 3: Finding Common Ground

Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips and searched around the kitchen, there had to be a decent tablecloth around somewhere. The red pot on the stove began to bubble and boil; she ran to it and turned the heat down. She lifted the cover and got a whiff of the delicious concoction; her mouth watered. Although she was tempted to eat a plateful of Lucky's food, she covered the pot and stopped herself. There's no harm in just one spoonful, she thought to herself with a grin.

Courtney rushed around her apartment in search of her keys. Of all the times to be late for something, she was late for her job. She already felt guilty for always taking breaks and getting Penny to cover for her, she did not want to show up late. "There you are." She exclaimed as she pulled a set of keys from her other purse. She skillfully pulled her hair back into a twist, let a few tendrils frame her face, and raced down the stairs. On the way down, she bumped into her handsome fiancé. After some quick see ya's and pecks on the cheeks, Courtney rushed off to the diner.

Courtney entered the diner, finally relaxing. By the looks of things, the night was slow. A happy couple was sharing a milkshake by the jukebox and a well suited man was hunched over his coffee and newspaper. Courtney greeted a fellow waitress with a huge grin, but was shocked when she saw Liz emerge from the kitchen. "Liz. I thought you didn't work here anymore."

Liz had heard Courtney's voice from the back and was dreading the conversation. She knew Jason must have told her about the docks. She figured Courtney was late, her cheeks were flushed, and her hair was a bit tousled. But that was how it always was around Kelly's; it would be odd if at least one of the waitresses weren't late. "I'm not; I'm helping Lucky." She stated simply, trying to avoid eye contact. She started sorting through the various formal cloth napkins under the counter.

"Oh." Courtney replied, relieved that she would not have to work with Liz. Courtney watched Elizabeth, uncertain of whether or not she should attempt a decent conversation. It had been a week since Jason told her about the docks and she figured it was time for her to try a polite talk with Elizabeth, for Jason's sake. "Jason told me about what you said the other night," she told Elizabeth calmly. Elizabeth didn't look up from what she was doing. "That you wished us both happiness," Courtney continued, trying to get Elizabeth's attention.

"Yeah." Elizabeth stated, still concentrated on the napkins assortment. Her stomach began to fill up with butterflies, she knew she would have to converse with Courtney now.

"Thank you." Courtney said in the sincerest voice she could emit under the current conditions.

Elizabeth looked up at Courtney and put on an obviously artificial smile, "No problem." She started examining the tablecloths now, after going through the napkins twice. Courtney just stood opposite of the counter and looked nervously around the room.

Courtney sighed and gave up. There was no use; both she and Elizabeth were still a bit uneasy about everything. "So I guess we're still going to be cold to each other," she mumbled under her breath.

Elizabeth heard Courtney and sighed. She figured she might as well try to talk to Courtney. She knew the truth and she was moving on, there was no need to be ruthless enemies with her anymore. But that didn't mean she had to like her right away. "Look Courtney. Not to be rude or anything, but I'm still a little uncomfortable with-" Liz began to explain, but paused.

Courtney looked up at her former friend; she realized Liz had heard her. "No I understand, I mean it would be kind of weird to act all buddy buddy again so soon." Courtney interrupted.

Elizabeth sighed. "Yeah. I gotta go - " she started, carrying cloth napkins, a tablecloth, and a few candles in her arms.

"Not to interfere on anything, but why are you taking those?" Courtney interrupted, pointing to Elizabeth's full arms. Elizabeth tritely explained Lucky attempting to make a nice formal homemade dinner for his girlfriend.

"Oh, that's so sweet of him."

Elizabeth sucked it in and made a friendly comment. "Yeah, if only more guys did that for us women," she smiled and gathered up the tablecloth and napkins, as well as a couple candles.

"Yeah, totally." Courtney returned the smile. Liz began to walk back up the stairs when Lucky started coming down, holding unusual napkin rings in between his fingers.

"Hey Liz, what do I do with these?" he asked, utterly confused.

"Didn't I teach you anything, Lucky?" Elizabeth laughed as she led Lucky back into the room. Courtney watched and listened to the two. She contemplated over whether or not she and Elizabeth would ever be such good friends again. Get real, Courtney. She thought. She and Elizabeth could never be best buds if Courtney was going to marry Jason and Liz already married to Ric. Well, at least they weren't slapping each other.

Another blonde strolled into the popular diner. Her long straight locks were now in soft curls and her usual tight shirt and jeans attire was replaced with a simple form flattering dress. With no hint of her boyfriend in sight, she decided to strike up a conversation with her acquaintance. "Hey Courtney."

Courtney looked up from the cash register and was happy to see a friendly face. "Hi Summer, what's up?" Courtney noticed Summer's semi formal attire and quickly put the pieces together. She had almost forgotten that Lucky and Summer were an item. Her already huge smile grew annoyingly wider at the romantic night Lucky had planned for his girl.

"Have you seen Lucky, he asked me to meet him here; he told me we have a reservation at some fancy restaurant." Summer explained nonchalantly as she continued to look around the small diner, thinking she missed him.

"Well he's-" Courtney started, unsure of what to say.

"Actually, you're right on time." Liz exclaimed from the stairs, before Courtney could have a chance at screwing something up. She walked over to a very confused Summer.

"On time for what?"

"He's waiting upstairs." Liz explained, pointing in the direction of the stairs.

"Thanks." Summer smiled and hurried quickly up to Lucky's room. Liz and Courtney stood silently, waiting for the inevitable scream of joy. Oh my gosh! Summer exclaimed. The women by the counter laughed silently to themselves.

"Summer is a very lucky girl." Courtney said as she began wiping the counter clean. She was hoping to try another friendly conversation with Elizabeth.

"No kidding." Elizabeth didn't have to suck it in as much this time; she was beginning to relax around Courtney. Beginning to, she was not at total comfort, yet. "One time, an old boyfriend of mine cooked French toast and bacon, and that didn't turn out so good." Liz joked. Courtney laughed lightly and was shocked when Elizabeth began to help her close up. "So what about you?" she asked while putting some of the chairs up.

"What? With any guy?" Courtney asked from the register.

"Yeah, I mean, this other guy I know tried making spaghetti and he just opened a can and warmed it up in a pot." Elizabeth giggled, recalling the story Sonny had told her about Jason's first real meal. Should she even be thinking about Jason? But, she was sincerely trying to be nice around Courtney, for Jason's sake. "And for my sake," she thought to herself. She knew it was high time to try and move on and put all of the built up hate and anger behind her, after all, she was married to another man.

Courtney thought a while before answering. Her thoughts were more preoccupied at the surprising fact that Elizabeth was creating conversation voluntarily, not because she had to. "A guy made me scrambled eggs once. I think there was more salt and pepper than there were eggs." The two girls laughed and continued to make fun of the other flaws that most of the men in Port Charles share. Just as they were about to lock up, Bobbie entered through the back door.

"I'm glad to see you guys are getting along." Bobbie interrupted.

"Yeah." The two girls said; both were as shocked as Bobbie was.

"So what are we girls laughing about? Let me guess. Guys?" Bobbie grinned.

"Guys." The two answered at once. The three women conversed for a few more minutes before finally dimming the lights and locking the oak doors of the diner.

As Elizabeth and Courtney walked back to their respected homes, each pondered about the same thing: Why had Elizabeth warmed up to Courtney so quickly and readily? Elizabeth was even unsure of herself. But her question was quickly answered when she noticed him standing at the docks again. She wanted to approach him and talk once again, but she knew Ric would be waiting up for her. She paused and quietly wished Jason good night as she walked past to her home. Although the lonely walk in the dark usually made her uncomfortable, she felt a rush of security as she slowly made her way home.

His eyes remained locked on the sea, his thoughts focused on the one woman that had made him feel confusion, happiness, sadness, love and dislike all at the same time. He felt her presence for a moment, but did not turn. He knew she would approach him if she wanted to. He felt her smile, knowing her eyes were gazed upon him. He heard her telling to him to be safe. He heard her voice, not with his ears, but with his heart. Just as quickly as her presence appeared, it had escaped. He turned and saw her walk quietly away in the distance "Good night, Elizabeth," he whispered and he walked back to his penthouse.