Elizabeth and Jason find themselves in a difficult situation that will force them to revisit their friendship. Will fate finally intervene?

A/N - Well, I'll start this one. Work is very hectic right now. I will commit to once a week for now but try to post twice when I can. Sorry, but there is too much going on in my life, but I still want to give you guys a new fic. The first quarter of the year is always insane for me. Let me know what you think. This premise was a suggestion by BritBrit09 who wanted a fic where Jason is living with a pregnant Liz (from either him or Zander) already when Sam shows up in town and there's Sonny/Carly drama. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 1

Elizabeth swallowed hard as she tried to focus through her tears. He looks the same; like the man, she had fallen in love with. His dark eyes soften when he speaks to her and his smile grows brighter as he talks about their love, but inside, he's a monster who kidnapped Carly Corinthos and was going to steal her child from his brother. Is anything that comes out of his mind the truth, or are the words just some re-written fabricated version he created to cover his true intentions? The fact that she had chosen to take him back after all that he has done is so awful that it is eating away at her soul. It was the desperateness and vulnerability she had felt being pregnant and alone that had prompted her to give him another chance. He had begged and bent over backward to show her that he had changed and that Sonny wasn't his focus. Eventually, she had caved. She loves him; the part of him that is gentle, puts her first, and makes her feel so cherished, but the version of that man is fleeting. Was it ever real to begin with? Something had changed yet again, and he is slowly obsessing about Sonny. There is no way in hell she can subject herself and this baby to that nightmare. No, if she's going to be a good mom, she needs to make better decisions and get out of this toxic relationship. Soothing his fragile ego shouldn't be her job and sacrificing her need to be respected and truly loved is just further shattering what's left of her self-esteem.

"Elizabeth…"

She squeezed her eyes shut, making the tears that she had held at bay trickle down her cheek. "Sign the papers, please."

His eyes began to well with tears. Elizabeth is his salvation, but he had ruined it and now, she wants nothing to do with him. Damn, Sonny. This is all his fault. How can he let go of his hate and need to be loved fully by his brother when it's all he can think about? It is something he just hasn't been able to reconcile. He liked that being with Elizabeth, took Jason down a few pegs. She fought for him, even held a gun against the enforcer, and it was more revenge than he could have ever conjured up himself that Sonny's golden boy had lost the woman he wanted for good. That Ric Lansing, had her before he did, but even beyond his need to punish, he loves Elizabeth more than breathing. This is all Faith's fault. He didn't plan on wanting the bitch, but she's dirty and does anything he wants in bed and strokes his ego. She can't hold a candle to the goodness inside Elizabeth and Faith knows it which makes her insanely jealous. While it's wrong to fuck her and be with the love of his life, Faith speaks to his dark side, one he has more trouble hiding than he thought possible.

"I—please Elizabeth."

"You've been pulling away and I've seen you twice with Faith. Why would you ever give her the time of day after what she did?"

"She was threatening you. I was just trying—"

Her throat is sore from the stress she is under. Every time she swallows, it's like trying to push down a huge boulder "Save it. I'm not going to believe a word out of your mouth. You have done nothing but lie and use me from the get-go."

"That's not true!"

"You're nothing but a bitter, fractured child who can't let the past go. You earn love, Ric, and you ruined that with Sonny and me. I'm such an idiot for trusting you—never again will you have another chance to break my heart."

Seeing the pain in her eyes takes his breath away. "No, you're not an idiot. You have a big heart and you're so forgiving and see the best in me no matter how rotten I feel. I'll do anything—please, Elizabeth. Let me make it up to you. We can raise this baby together."

She can't believe how easily the bullshit flows from his lips. "If you have ever truly loved me, you'll sign it."

"Dammit! I was willing to raise someone else's child. That punk Zander didn't deserve to speak with you let alone sleep with you."

"I never said that Zander was the father."

His eye grew wide and then dart as he realizes she might be telling the truth. "If it wasn't him, then who? You are not that kind of girl, Elizabeth. I know you."

She let out the breath that she is holding. "Do you? You know the weak girl that tried to save you from yourself, who treated you like she wanted to be treated because she was so broken. I'm not her. Unlike you, I learn from my mistakes, and you Ric, are a huge mistake—one I will never make again." She wiped a tear away. "I'm going to walk out that door and work on forgiving myself and healing from the emotional damage you heaped on me because I will never let someone manipulate me like you did, so give it up. Sign the papers. You can drop them off tomorrow."

"No." He can't walk away even though he knows she deserves more than he could ever give.

Her eyes narrowed as fury showed in them. "If you don't sign them, I will make you sign them. I will go to the police and turn your ass in for what you did to Carly and me." She can barely swallow again. The fact that she needs to threaten and beg makes her unbelievably angry.

"Sonny…"

That was the wrong word for him to say. "Fuck Sonny! Unlike you, I don't give a shit what he wants or thinks. All I know is that I can't stand the sight of you anymore. I don't want to hear another word come out of your lying mouth again. You are dead to me."

With that she spun on her heel and strode out of his office, slamming the door behind her, her legs almost giving out when she came around the corner. Luckily, Mac was there and grabbed her.

"Elizabeth, are you okay?" Noting her tears, he pulled her into the office and made her sit. "Do you want me to call someone?"

She nodded. "Emily…"

"Give me your phone."

She handed it over and he found the contact and dialed.

"Liz? Where are you?"

"Emily, this is Mac."

She stood. "Is she okay?"

"She's upset and I don't know why, but she's in my office. Can you get here?"

"I'll be right there."

Mac focused on Elizabeth. "Was it Ric? Are you separating again?" After all the things Ric had supposedly done, that he wasn't able to prove, he was shocked that Elizabeth would go there again.

"It's over."

"I'm sorry."

"It's for the best."

"You're a strong person, you'll be okay."

She nodded.

His eyes went to her belly.

"It's not his. We weren't together when it happened." She can feel herself turning red. Finally, after moving into her fifth month, she is showing a lot more.

"You don't owe me any explanations, but if it gets rough with him, promise me that you'll tell me."

She bit her lip to stop a sob that threatens to spill from her lips. "I will do the right thing for this child."

The door flew open, and a frantic and pale Emily moved forward.

"Em? Are you feeling okay?" She feels selfish knowing that Emily is recovering from her cancer treatment and probably should be resting.

"I'm fine. I was just worried."

Mac picked up the phone. "I'll be right there." He focused on Emily—concern etched on his face. "I have to leave, but you should sit for a minute, okay?"

Emily nodded. "Thanks."

He shut the door behind him, and the women's gazes locked.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look pale."

"I admit that I probably did too much today." While she is doing much better, her stamina had taken a direct hit.

"What can I do?"

Emily grabbed her hand. "I need a huge favor and you're not going to like it."

"What is it? Is the cancer back?"

"No. I'm healing. This is about you."

Liz sighed. "I've made a mess of things. I told Ric that we're done. He wasn't happy, but I threatened to go to Mac with evidence of what he did to Carly if he doesn't sign the papers by tomorrow."

"I'm proud of you."

Liz nodded, but proud is not something she thinks of herself; not after all she had forgiven.

"I know I'm asking a lot, but Faith is dangerous. You lost a child because of Ric's involvement with her."

Liz's eyes pressed shut. It's another reminder of what a stupid decision it was to take him back.

"I wasn't trying to judge."

"I know."

"I just need you to be safe. They are dangerous. I think you should move out of the studio. You are too vulnerable there."

"Emily…"

"I know you don't want to stay with me and why, but Audrey's is out of the question because you don't want her caught in the crossfire."

Liz threw her hands up. "This is awful. I can't afford to go anywhere else."

"Yes, you can."

"I'm not moving into the mansion." There's no way she'd put the family in that kind of danger.

Emily chuckled. "I wasn't going to suggest that—more so for your sanity."

"Then where?"

"Now, hear me out—"

"Why do I have a feeling that this is the worst suggestion ever?"

"Just give what I say a chance."

Liz nodded.

"I spoke to my brother, and you can move into the penthouse."

"Emily!"

"It's just temporary until the divorce is final and the threat is gone."

"We rarely ever speak. He probably hates me because of Ric."

"He doesn't. I can't say he understands why you went back to him, but he didn't mention hating you."

Liz stood. "It's too much, besides Courtney would never stand for it."

"She moved out. They're finished."

Liz's jaw dropped. That was most unexpected.

"So, will you think about it tonight? Please?"

Elizabeth is exhausted. "I just want to go home, Em."

"But you'll consider it?"

"No promises…"

"That's a start."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

FLASHBACK

Jason stared at his sister as he tried to process everything that she had just told him. Elizabeth is in trouble. He had dreaded that it would happen due to her involvement with Ric.

Emily started to pace. "Ric might be working with Faith again. Liz thinks he had Zander killed because Ric hacked into hospital records and found out she's pregnant. She never told anyone but me that Zander was the father."

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. Elizabeth… He had been crazy about her for a long time, but something always happened to separate them. First, she chose Zander and then Lucky. By the time they agreed to try for something more, the stupid lie about Sonny's death happened and he was so upset that he fell into a relationship with Courtney. He had shut down his heart because he just couldn't take the hot and cold of his relationship with Liz anymore, most of which he had spent from the outside looking in. Courtney was totally into him and she was Sonny's sister, so danger wouldn't be as much of an issue, or so he thought. Elizabeth had moved on with Ric and then everything went to hell when Carly was kidnapped.

"You were married to Zander." He hates that little prick and is glad that he's dead.

Emily froze. "Jason, I need to tell you something. I had a cancer scare."

"What? Are you alright?"

She nodded. "I am now. They caught it early."

His shoulders slumped. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I just—I was scared and didn't want to worry everyone unless I had to. It hadn't spread, but at first, I didn't know that. Things were complicated with Nikolas. I had asked him to fake a relationship with me to push Zander away because I didn't want him to see me die. Nikolas and I fell in love and I cheated."

"Emily…"

"I know I was wrong, but I was so all over the place. Anyway, it turns out the treatments worked as they should, and we were kissing, and Zander saw us. He was so hurt, and we broke it off. He was upset, and Liz was too because of Ric and they slept together again."

"Go on." That news had made him feel ill whether he had a right to or not.

"After that, Ric used her vulnerable state against her and wormed his way back in and she didn't fight. Frankly, something had died within Elizabeth and I think the baby woke her up, but she was scared of being alone and a bad parent. Eventually, Ric couldn't keep up his good façade and she saw him meeting with Faith a few times and caught him in some lies and realized that she had made a huge mistake. She is giving him divorce papers. He'll probably sign them under the guise of winning her back. Jason, she thinks that Ric and Faith might have killed Zander to get him out of the way. They didn't find out who shot him. He died in my arms, and it's something I'll never forget."

He embraced her, his body finally relaxing after realizing that he had almost lost her. "I love you, Emily." Silently, he's kicking himself for not noticing her weight loss. Courtney had been a handful and they had decided while they love each other, she can't handle his lifestyle.

"I love you so much."

"What do you need?" She had been through so much and he won't say no to whatever she asked.

She pulled back. "I'm scared that Ric will hurt her. I know Courtney betrayed you with Alcazar and you're done."

He doesn't want to talk about his ex-wife. "What were you going to ask me?"

"Since Courtney isn't here, can Elizabeth move in temporarily?"

He raked his hand through his hair. "Emily…"

"I know you have a history, and it hasn't been good between you lately, but you'll protect her."

"It's more complicated than you realize, but I would never turn my back on her."

"I'm aware that Courtney acted like a friend to Elizabeth and then fell for you, but this is bigger than all of that. She won't go to Windemere. She hates it there."

"You're living with Nikolas?"

She smacked his arm due to his expression. "He is not a bad person."

Jason rolled his eyes.

"He stood by and emotionally supported me. I don't know what I would have done without him. Just give him a chance, okay?" She understands how they both feel about each other.

"Fine…" She's a grown woman, so unless he makes Nikolas disappear, which would probably start a war, he'll have to suck it up although he has hated the pompous ass for a long time and doesn't get what his sister sees in him.

"Thank you. Will you do it?"

He sighed deeply before nodding.

She hugged him tightly as she squealed.

"Emily?"

"Yeah?"

"I can't breathe."

She laughed. "I guess I do need you alive."