Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with General Hospital, ABC, or Disney
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. The story will also include Courtney and Ric, and a few appearances by other GH characters.
Chapter 5: It Was Never Hate
Jason's eyes grew increasingly worried and hurt. Just as a tear was about to form, he swallowed hard and quickly composed himself. He never realized the depth of the hurt and confusion that had grown between him and Elizabeth. He gingerly placed her fragile hand in his and looked straight into her sad, yet sparkling eyes. He had almost forgotten how he loved becoming lost in them.
"I never thought of you as anything less than a friend, Liz." Elizabeth couldn't help but crack a grateful smile. Relief swept over her, but caution quickly took over. She couldn't get her hopes up about Jason too quickly.
"Really? Even when I was b-slapping your fiancé?" she asked, a little sarcastically. She noticed that his fingers still encompassed her own tiny hand; she didn't want to let go of the grasp.
"I admit, you did annoy me a few times," Jason lightly joked, but then turned serious, "but I always knew the Elizabeth I first became friends with was somewhere down beneath all the hurt that I had caused." Elizabeth smiled again, took Jason's hand, and lead him into her home. Ric was obviously nowhere to be seen, so Elizabeth motioned for Jason to make himself comfortable. Jason examined the quaint living room; the room was obviously more of Ric's style than Elizabeth's. He began to wonder how their place would have looked like. "Stop it, Morgan," he thought to himself, "you lost her a long time ago."
"You're not going to apologize again, are you? Cause I really should be the one apologizing?" Elizabeth commented as she returned to the living room with a few refreshments. She sat next to Jason on the couch and offered him a drink.
"You have nothing to apologize for." Jason replied as he took a small sip of his drink.
"Of course I do. I called you and Courtney liars and backstabbers. I accused Courtney of stealing you away from me. I tried making deals with Sonny," she rambled again. She didn't know what was making her so nervous inside. Jason just seemed to make her feel like a teenager again., like a freshman hanging out with the hot senior. "Whoa, Liz," she thought, "Ric is the senior now, isn't he?"
"Ok, stop-stop right there." Jason interrupted. He searched for the words to explain his thoughts. "First of all, Courtney and I did lie to you, but about two different things for good reason, we didn't want anyone to get hurt. I understand you blamed Courtney because you couldn't let it out on me." Jason began with a serious tone.
"I'm feeling another one coming on here." Elizabeth said, lightening the mood like she always did around Jason. He smiled at the comment, it was like old times again.
"You were also just trying to protect your husband even though you knew it wasn't going to work. You did know it was a bad idea right?"
"It was worth a shot." She explained, returning the playfulness. Before another awkward silence could begin again, Elizabeth took the initiative. "Thank you," she said with the utmost care and gratitude in her voice.
"For what?"
"For understanding, like you always do," she explained. He silently told her your welcome with his sweet smile he always reserved for her. "So…"
"What?" he asked, sensing something was still bothering her. He brushed the hair from her face again; she didn't flinch, but rather memorized how he was touching her cheek.
Elizabeth took in a deep breath and looked Jason in the eye. "So you forgive me for everything crazy and horrible I've done and said to you?"
"I forgave you a long time ago," he replied, his hand now in hers.
"So did I." The two smiled while a rush of feelings seemed to take over them. Silence surrounded them, but neither cared. All that mattered was the processing of what they had just said to the other. Both realized that the gentle seam that held them together was now almost mended.
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Ric questioned as he stood by the main entrance. The red door was wide open, confusion and anger evident in Ric's face.
"No, no, hon, Jason was just leaving." Elizabeth insisted as she stood up quickly, breaking her grasp from Jason. Jason sighed and followed Elizabeth's suit. He walked towards the door without glancing at Ric.
"Thank you for walking me home," Elizabeth said to Jason.
"No problem." He ignored Ric's angered presence and continued to talk to Elizabeth. "If there's anything you need, just call." She nodded, trying to hide the disappointment in her face. He quickly glanced at Ric, who seemed oblivious to her disappointment. He wanted to give her a hug, but knew it was out of the question. "I'll see you around."
"Yeah, see you later," she replied casually. Ric came up behind her and placed his hands around her small frame, obviously indicating that Elizabeth was his. Jason's temper began to rise at the fact that Ric was treating Elizabeth like a possession and also at the fact that Elizabeth now appeared to love Ric like she used to love him.
"Ric. Take care of her." Jason's blue eyes turned to ice, almost threatening as he looked at Ric.
"I don't need you to tell me that," Ric answered with an equally cold tone.
Jason turned around and headed back to his own home. If only Ric hadn't interrupted him and Elizabeth. If only he had found time to talk to Elizabeth. If only he could watch her paint again. There were so many "if's," but the one that stood out and made him doubt himself for the first time in a long time was, If only he and Courtney weren't getting married so soon.
* * * * *
"What was that about?" Ric asked his wife after Jason left.
"He just wanted to make sure I wouldn't get mugged or something like that," Elizabeth replied, cleaning up the refreshments from the coffee table.
"Well, that's none of his concern, you could've called me if you were feeling uncomfortable walking alone at night," Ric insisted. Elizabeth quickly sensed the jealousy and envy that seemed to overtake Ric.
"It was a last minute decision, besides, what makes you a judge of who can care for me and who can't?" Elizabeth argued.
"It's not that, its just…" Ric started, fumbling for words to describe his feelings without sounding too obsessive, "I don't want to lose you to anyone."
"Excuse me, but who's my husband again? I married you because I love you, not because I felt like I had to or because I wanted to get back at Jason." Elizabeth insisted, trying to assure Ric, as well as herself.
"Yeah, I know that. I know that you love me," Ric replied. He kissed her forehead and embraced her tightly.
"Do you?" she asked.
"Of course I do. I love you, too. That's why I ended the vendetta against Sonny." Ric insisted as he walked towards the kitchen for a late dinner.
"Is it really over?" she asked; he stopped abruptly in his tracks.
A/N: Sorry for the delay. Thank you to all of you who have reviewed and e mailed me asking what happened to the story. It is not over yet, probably half way over. (sniff, its halfway through) How was this chapter? Was it real enough? I wasn't too sure, but I really wanted Liz and Jason to have a touching, healing moment. Please review and tell me what you think!