Shot in an Alley: The Shadow Over Happiness
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--------- Corinthos Penthouse
Elizabeth was sitting in the chair next to what had become Jason's couch. She had her sketchbook in her lap as she completed her second sketch of him sleeping. These were so much better than the ones she had done from memory.
She had been up for about an hour, and because yesterday had been such an eventful day, everyone else was still sleeping. Everyone was on edge because they knew that Ric would get home soon. He would see Carly had left the Panic Room. He would know what was going on.
Ric would most likely go to Gram to explain before anyone else got to her first. He would get there and see that the house hadn't been lived in all week. No bag filled with her things, no food in the fridge, and no cars in the driveway. Most importantly, no Gram sick in bed. Her cover would be blown soon.
Then he might come here, see what was going on. Or he might call her cell, trying to talk with her. He may go to Kelly's. That was the part everyone was worried about. What he would do next. She could tell Sonny was scared for his family. Instead of just Johnny outside he was now with Max and Francis. Courtney had Marco and someone named Paul. Mike had Rick and another guard she had never met named James. In addition to all this they weren't supposed to leave the penthouse - but that was fine with her, it gave her time with Jason.
Just as she turned the page to start another she saw Jason stir in his sleep. "Shh, Jason. Go back to sleep."
Jason didn't seem to want to obey and he opened his eyes. "Hi." He greeted sleepily.
Elizabeth frowned at him, "I told you to go back to sleep." She said, pretending to be angry.
Jason smiled, "I know, I didn't want to."
Before Elizabeth could say anything Jason spoke again. "What's the picture of?" he asked, indicating to her sketchpad.
Elizabeth turned the pad around for him to see. Jason seemed to be studying it carefully. She knew that he couldn't make sense and connect the lines that she'd lovingly drawn on the paper.
"What is it?"
Elizabeth looked at him, incredulously. "It's you!"
Jason frowned, "I don't think so."
So Elizabeth went about the task of showing him how she saw him.
--------- Lansing Home
The door opened as Ric Lansing came home. "Elizabeth? You here?", but he got no answer. There was no real reason why she would be. She didn't know when he was going to be back, so she wouldn't be here. Ric put his bag down. After a few seconds he got out the remote control to the panic room.
He clicked the button and watched the door slide open. Carly didn't come running out like she had at first but that was because she knew it would do no good. Ric stepped inside and felt his heart stop.
Carly was gone.
Ric looked around the room. The mobile that he had stole from Carly and Sonny was also gone. Ric then looked over to the wall with the monitors.
In the chair, the one he found Carly sitting in so often, was a jacket. An Italian made jacket.
Sonny's jacket.
He hadn't left it there by accident either. He had wanted Ric to know that he knew Carly had been here all along.
He wanted Ric to know he was a dead man.
--------- Corinthos Penthouse
Carly moved down the stairs. She was planning a big talk with Elizabeth today. Basically a "hurt him and I'll kill you" type thing.
She stopped halfway down the stairs. There on the couch was Jason and Elizabeth laughing.
Jason was laughing.
Carly felt herself smile despite what she wanted to think about Elizabeth. She had seen Jason laugh like that maybe five times since she met him but there he was sitting on her couch laughing with Elizabeth Webber. Maybe she could hold off on the talk for a bit.
--------- Audrey Hardy's House
Ric Lansing had never been more afraid in his life. What if Sonny had told her? Would she hate him? Or could she forgive it?
Ric pounded on the door. "Elizabeth? Elizabeth! Please open the door. I need to talk to you!"
He got no answer. Just as he started to knock again he could hear a car pull up. Elizabeth… She was there, she would talk to him. He'd make her see.
Ric stopped when he realize that the car didn't look like hers. It wasn't the right color or model even. Ric couldn't breath when he saw who opened the car door. Audrey Hardy. She was looking as healthy as ever and she was carrying a suitcase.
"Oh hello Ric!" she greeted.
A mistake, this was all a mistake. "Hello Mrs. Hardy. Where's Elizabeth?"
Audrey frowned. "I don't know. I haven't heard from her since I called your house to say goodbye before my nurses convention."
With that out of her mouth Ric ran to his car.
--------- Corinthos Penthouse
Sonny and Elizabeth helped Jason to the table. He had insisted on sitting with them for breakfast. With Carly and Michael home it was like the family was all together and he refused to sit on the couch for the whole thing.
Michael came bounding down the stairs and started to run to Jason but Sonny intercepted him and scooped him up. "Okay buddy. There's something you need to know. Your Uncle Jason got hurt and we need to be careful with him okay?"
Michael nodded bravely. "Okay."
Sonny smiled. "Just stay away from his stomach okay?"
"Can I give him a hug?"
Jason smiled at the little boy. "Come here buddy."
Michael walked slowly to Jason. He climbed up the chair but kept as far away from Jason's middle as possible. "Get over here."
Jason leaned in and hugged his former son. Carly, Sonny and Elizabeth beamed in their direction.
--------- Elizabeth's studio
Ric opened the door with the key Elizabeth had given him
He knew now what had happened.
Jason Morgan's jacket was sitting there. Elizabeth had gone to her Gram's the night he had shot Jason, but that wasn't the truth. She had taken care of Jason instead of her Gram. After a while someone must have contacted Sonny.
He was a dead man.
A couple of excellent recommendations:
"Save Me" by C. C. Carz. It's a great AU Liason.
"A Road Not Yet Taken" by Omally. Every liason fan should read this excellent story.