Disclaimer: The characters within the story are the property of ABC. I am
not affiliated with ABC or the productions of General Hospital.
(Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement. I apologize for taking so long, but my process is a long one. I found it particularly difficult writing the dialogue. I hope it is okay.)
Chapter Three: Profound Revelations
"Thank you so much for an incredible evening. I had the best time."
"No, thank you" Jax said "you made the evening enjoyable."
They had just returned from a night out in the city. He had taken her to a posh restaurant in New York and then to the Opera. Of course, being in Italian she had not understood a word, but the emotion of the singing was incredible. It was a wonderful experience and her first Opera. She hadn't thought she would enjoy it because it was in Italian and she never particularly enjoyed Opera music, but the production was much to her surprise inactivating from beginning to end. It was art on stage.
After the show, they had gone out for dessert. Jax know Elizabeth's fondness or rather obsession with chocolate. Her expressions and excitement at thought of chocolate was pleasing to him. He of course teased her about it, but she knew his teasing was only based on his self- imposed regulation of sweets. She always knew he would take her, so he could share it with her, without feeling guilty for getting his own.
He knew Sonny was out so it was okay to walk her to the penthouse. He avoided Sonny as much as possible. He never liked Sonny, that wasn't news to anyone, but since Jax has started dating Elizabeth the tension between the two was at a boiling point. They had gone through a couple years of relative peace or rather the lack of interference with one another, but now their rivalry was renewed and more heated then ever before. Jax knew that it hurt Elizabeth to see them argue and it was even more painful watching them try to be civil to one another. So, Jax made the conscious decision to simply avoid Sonny whenever possible. He reached down to kiss her and captured her lips with his. It was not a passionate kiss, but it was intense. Jax was a great kisser. He was tender, soft and intense. She had been dating him for months now and things were at a cross road, where they would either be serious or not. She wasn't sure what she wanted from him. She often thought the reason she held back was to protect herself and of course because of Sonny's passionate hatred of him, but deep down she knew she was still waiting for him - Jason. The kissing had become much more intense and could have lead to much more, but she stopped and backed away from him.
"Okay, okay.not tonight, I have to work tomorrow and you will keep me up all night" she said blushing and moving back to create distance between them.
"Alright" he said, "I know, I know, but you make me crazy and I can't get enough of you." Elizabeth took another step back bracing herself against a canvas she had been working on.
"I am not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not" she said smiling "but I need to work early. Not tonight, okay" she said in a more serious tone.
"I know, I know" he said "Are you sure you don't want to come back to the penthouse with me.I promise we will just sleep."
"You said that the last time and I was late opening the store. Not tonight" she said finally.
"You do torture me Elizabeth Webber Corinthos, but I love you anyway!" he said smiling bodly.
Trying to capture the gravity of what he just said, she just starred at him. Her body felt like it was not even hers, as if she was disconnected. Her ears were void of all sounds, her heart started palpitating, her palms were sweating and an overall body sensation overcame her that felt foreign.
"What did you just say" she said trying to understand if she misheard him "sorry..I wasn't listening and I thought you said you.. I loved me" the last words three words being choked out from her throat.
"I love you" he said softly "you heard me correctly. I love you Elizabeth Webber Corinthos. You have enchanted me and I love you!"
She just stood there wondering when she was going to wake up. He loved her and she didn't even know what to say and instead of thinking about something equally sincere and caring as his omission she said, "Wow" in a surprised tone. She wondered why that monologue in her head could not think of something more clever or witty. In an act of haste, she quickly tried to remedy her reaction.
"I..wow..I am not going to lie, I'm shocked. Shocked but, happy" she quickly added! "I mean glad. No not just glad. Wow, I mean that is huge!" She was babbling now, talking with her hands and unable to make eye contact with him. "I don't know what to say" she said trailing off into her thoughts.
Jax made the next move closing the distance she had placed between them. Taking her face in his hands and turning her head up and forcing her eyes to meet his.
"Elizabeth" he said, "I love you for who you are and how you make me feel. You are one of the most genuine, caring and creative persons I have ever met and you make me feel like I can be me." He stopped and just starred into those beautiful eyes of hers, drinking in the sight of her.
"I don't need you to say it" he said surprising her. he could tell he had taken her off guard and not wanting to make her uncomfortable or even to say what he need to say quickly stated that "I mean I hope you will in time, but for now I can love for the both of us. I just wanted you to know and understand how much I want you in my life now and always." He kissed her in the lips gently brushing her cheek with his thumb.
"Goodnight" he said "I will see you tomorrow."
He walked away beaming with happiness closing the door behind him. She stood there frozen in a moment. Her body and mind were conflicted. She wanted him physically, but love was a place she wasn't sure if she could go. She cared for him, she knew that, but love was a big next step. She stayed frozen for what seemed like an eternity. She finally shook off her transience and went upstairs to her room. Sonny wasn't home yet so she knew she had the penthouse to herself. She walked into her room and just laid on her bed waiting, hoping an answer would come to her. She reached into her nigh table and pulled out a postcard from Italy, the one Jason had given to her while she was in the hospital recovering from the crypt. She had kept everything he gave her or reminded her of him and banked it away with all his words into a secret place that was just hers. She hadn't actually thought about him daily since she had started spending time with Jax. He would creep into her thoughts and bring her back to a time when she felt very safe and loved. Although she had stored all her Jason memorable in a box which she kept in her closet, she kept the postcard in her night stand. For her, the postcard was not the past, like many of her items- a piece of red glass given to her on Valentine's, a paper chain made for a Christmas tree many years ago and a shirt he had left at her studio from an unexpected visit. The postcard was not about the past, but a glimpse into a possible future that had not come or had never been given the opportunity to become. The postcard represented a place where they could be - just be. That postcard was not just a representation of her hopes for the future, but a future with Jason. As she starred at the postcard and ran her fingers across the now warn image, she realized that for the first time in ear she was scared. She had always believed that she would be able to make amends with him someday, but that day seemed so far away and the postcard was a future that may never be. She thought perhaps she was using it as a crutch, a means to hold him close when he wasn't close at all. Jax was close, he was there everyday and he loved her. Maybe she though she should try to love him back and live for today and not what could have been or hope for what could be, but live for this moment. She knew now that she had kept a distance between her and Jax, not wanting to get to close or give up the hope that he would return. Her heart and mind were conflicted and she began to cry. She cried for fear of her future, fear that she would never see him again and fear of the life unlived and unloved. She collapsed on the bed, holding the postcard to her heart and cried like she had not done in years, weeping for all that was unsaid. She cried until she had no more tears left and feel asleep exhausted and drained of her being. She dreamed of Italy and of a man on a motorcycle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sonny had been called away quit abruptly during his date with Sam. They were having dinner together at the Port Charles Grill when Johnny had shown up. Johnny asked for a few minutes of his time and while Sonny was annoyed by the interruption - he agreed, although reluctantly. Sam told him she didn't mind, that she understood, but he could tell she was annoyed too. Sonny gently kissed her on the forehead and told her it would only take a minute.
Johnny lead Sonny to a secluded place in the restaurant where no one would take notice of them and no one could hear and proceeded to give Sonny information he had been waiting for two years on - Jason had come home. As Johnny relayed the information that Jason was flying in and wanted to see him - Sonny went numb.
He asked Johnny to repeat his report several times before he fully grasped the reality - Jason was back. Johnny told Sonny that he had received a call on his cell phone an hour ago from Jason saying that he was about two hours away from landing in Port Charles and asked Johnny to relay the message and request for Sonny to meet him there.
At first Sonny was shocked, Jason was coming home and wanted him to meet him. Then he was upset that he hadn't called him first. He had wondered for almost two years what this moment would be like - his brother, his partner, his best friend was coming home. Although he was happy, he was nervous. Much had happened and changed while Jason had been gone and he suspected that Jason wouldn't be the same either and although his mind was occupied with his own thoughts on Jason's return, he couldn't help but think about his sister and how this would impact her.
After giving instructions to Johnny, Sonny walked toward the table and Sam. He knew she would be disappointed. He was to, but he needed to see Jason for himself. He paused briefly before re-entering the restaurant and looked at her. She was beautiful he thought to himself, and with sudden recognition realized that when Jason had left Carly and him were together. Jason did not even know Sam. He didn't know that he now had three children, Jason had missed so much. There was much that needed to be said and explained. He proceeded toward Sam and she could tell by his composure that the evening was over. Sonny sat down with a look of bewilderment on his face and taking her hand starred into her eyes.
"I have to leave" he said.
"I know" she said sadly "it's business."
He looked at her with regret and disappointment, but not for her but for himself. He had learned a lot about himself and about sustaining a relationship. Carly, although he would never admit it publicly, taught him to care beyond reason and to love completely, but they were too much alike to maintain their love. They both fought for control over the other. Elizabeth had taught him to be honest. She never spoke to him directly about Jason, but he could see the sadness that dwelled inside her. He knew that lies could be destructive and secrets only placed a distance, a gap which could only grow wider and not smaller. He knew Elizabeth hurt and it was lies and secrecy that been the catalyst of her sadness.
"No" Sonny said frankly "It's not business, a friend has come home." Not wanting to push him on the subject, Sam sat quietly stroking his palm waiting for his next breath.
"I have told you about Jason before - my partner, my friend, hell he is my brother" he said. "He is on his way back to Port Charles."
She was surprised, but she didn't want to express that to Sonny. She had heard about Jason from numerous people - Jax, AJ Quartermaine and Sonny. Each man had given a different account of the man. She wasn't sure what to expect.
"He wants me to meet him at the airport" Sonny said sounding nervous.
After several moments of silence, she raised her eyes from his hand to meet his eyes. "Are you going?" she asked.
"Yes" he said "I have to go, actually, no - I want to go."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sam asked.
Sonny smiled at her and taking her hand and entwining it with his own said, "No, I will be alright. Thank you for offering. I appreciate it."
"I just want you to know that I am here for you" she said.
"I know" he said, "more than you know."
He raised slowly from his seat and reluctantly relinquished his hand from hers. He walked toward her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I will need you later" he said and with that he left, leaving her to ponder the sudden arrival of Jason in Port Charles and what that would mean for so many of its citizens.
Jason sat in the plane reliving his conversation with Johnny and request for Sonny. He wanted to call Sonny directly, but he wasn't sure he wanted to approach their first meeting in two years with such abruptness. Johnny had called 10 minutes ago telling Jason that both he and Sonny were on route to the airport. He was nervous and anxious as to how their greeting would go.
"How much longer until we get to Port Charles" she asked.
Turning his head and looking down the end of aisle at her he smiled and said, "As long as it takes, not much longer."
"Well, how much longer is that going to be" she asked again.
"Well" he said "whenever we land which should be in about an hour."
"I don't know why we have to meet Sonny" she said sounding annoyed.
"I told you" he said, "because I want to see Sonny before we go into Port Charles. I don't want to spring my arrival and even yours on him."
"Jason" she said "I have been gone to long and so have you to care about what Sonny thinks."
"It is not that I care about what he thinks, but I do care abut assuming I have a place in his life again" he said.
"Jason" she said walking toward him "you are a different person than you were. Hell, you have even grown on me!"
"Thanks Brenda, your endorsement of my character means a lot" he said smiling.
"Okay, I will wait for Sonny, but not long..I mean it" she said turning away from him and trying to sound annoyed with him, but laughed at herself. She knew this was hard for him, she just wanted to support him and thought if she made light of the situation it would help a little.
He looked at her and smiled. Just then they felt the plane making its decent into Port Charles. They both turned toward the window looking down at the dim lights of Port Charles.
"Okay Morgan" she said "its now or never."
(Thank you so much for your feedback and encouragement. I apologize for taking so long, but my process is a long one. I found it particularly difficult writing the dialogue. I hope it is okay.)
Chapter Three: Profound Revelations
"Thank you so much for an incredible evening. I had the best time."
"No, thank you" Jax said "you made the evening enjoyable."
They had just returned from a night out in the city. He had taken her to a posh restaurant in New York and then to the Opera. Of course, being in Italian she had not understood a word, but the emotion of the singing was incredible. It was a wonderful experience and her first Opera. She hadn't thought she would enjoy it because it was in Italian and she never particularly enjoyed Opera music, but the production was much to her surprise inactivating from beginning to end. It was art on stage.
After the show, they had gone out for dessert. Jax know Elizabeth's fondness or rather obsession with chocolate. Her expressions and excitement at thought of chocolate was pleasing to him. He of course teased her about it, but she knew his teasing was only based on his self- imposed regulation of sweets. She always knew he would take her, so he could share it with her, without feeling guilty for getting his own.
He knew Sonny was out so it was okay to walk her to the penthouse. He avoided Sonny as much as possible. He never liked Sonny, that wasn't news to anyone, but since Jax has started dating Elizabeth the tension between the two was at a boiling point. They had gone through a couple years of relative peace or rather the lack of interference with one another, but now their rivalry was renewed and more heated then ever before. Jax knew that it hurt Elizabeth to see them argue and it was even more painful watching them try to be civil to one another. So, Jax made the conscious decision to simply avoid Sonny whenever possible. He reached down to kiss her and captured her lips with his. It was not a passionate kiss, but it was intense. Jax was a great kisser. He was tender, soft and intense. She had been dating him for months now and things were at a cross road, where they would either be serious or not. She wasn't sure what she wanted from him. She often thought the reason she held back was to protect herself and of course because of Sonny's passionate hatred of him, but deep down she knew she was still waiting for him - Jason. The kissing had become much more intense and could have lead to much more, but she stopped and backed away from him.
"Okay, okay.not tonight, I have to work tomorrow and you will keep me up all night" she said blushing and moving back to create distance between them.
"Alright" he said, "I know, I know, but you make me crazy and I can't get enough of you." Elizabeth took another step back bracing herself against a canvas she had been working on.
"I am not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not" she said smiling "but I need to work early. Not tonight, okay" she said in a more serious tone.
"I know, I know" he said "Are you sure you don't want to come back to the penthouse with me.I promise we will just sleep."
"You said that the last time and I was late opening the store. Not tonight" she said finally.
"You do torture me Elizabeth Webber Corinthos, but I love you anyway!" he said smiling bodly.
Trying to capture the gravity of what he just said, she just starred at him. Her body felt like it was not even hers, as if she was disconnected. Her ears were void of all sounds, her heart started palpitating, her palms were sweating and an overall body sensation overcame her that felt foreign.
"What did you just say" she said trying to understand if she misheard him "sorry..I wasn't listening and I thought you said you.. I loved me" the last words three words being choked out from her throat.
"I love you" he said softly "you heard me correctly. I love you Elizabeth Webber Corinthos. You have enchanted me and I love you!"
She just stood there wondering when she was going to wake up. He loved her and she didn't even know what to say and instead of thinking about something equally sincere and caring as his omission she said, "Wow" in a surprised tone. She wondered why that monologue in her head could not think of something more clever or witty. In an act of haste, she quickly tried to remedy her reaction.
"I..wow..I am not going to lie, I'm shocked. Shocked but, happy" she quickly added! "I mean glad. No not just glad. Wow, I mean that is huge!" She was babbling now, talking with her hands and unable to make eye contact with him. "I don't know what to say" she said trailing off into her thoughts.
Jax made the next move closing the distance she had placed between them. Taking her face in his hands and turning her head up and forcing her eyes to meet his.
"Elizabeth" he said, "I love you for who you are and how you make me feel. You are one of the most genuine, caring and creative persons I have ever met and you make me feel like I can be me." He stopped and just starred into those beautiful eyes of hers, drinking in the sight of her.
"I don't need you to say it" he said surprising her. he could tell he had taken her off guard and not wanting to make her uncomfortable or even to say what he need to say quickly stated that "I mean I hope you will in time, but for now I can love for the both of us. I just wanted you to know and understand how much I want you in my life now and always." He kissed her in the lips gently brushing her cheek with his thumb.
"Goodnight" he said "I will see you tomorrow."
He walked away beaming with happiness closing the door behind him. She stood there frozen in a moment. Her body and mind were conflicted. She wanted him physically, but love was a place she wasn't sure if she could go. She cared for him, she knew that, but love was a big next step. She stayed frozen for what seemed like an eternity. She finally shook off her transience and went upstairs to her room. Sonny wasn't home yet so she knew she had the penthouse to herself. She walked into her room and just laid on her bed waiting, hoping an answer would come to her. She reached into her nigh table and pulled out a postcard from Italy, the one Jason had given to her while she was in the hospital recovering from the crypt. She had kept everything he gave her or reminded her of him and banked it away with all his words into a secret place that was just hers. She hadn't actually thought about him daily since she had started spending time with Jax. He would creep into her thoughts and bring her back to a time when she felt very safe and loved. Although she had stored all her Jason memorable in a box which she kept in her closet, she kept the postcard in her night stand. For her, the postcard was not the past, like many of her items- a piece of red glass given to her on Valentine's, a paper chain made for a Christmas tree many years ago and a shirt he had left at her studio from an unexpected visit. The postcard was not about the past, but a glimpse into a possible future that had not come or had never been given the opportunity to become. The postcard represented a place where they could be - just be. That postcard was not just a representation of her hopes for the future, but a future with Jason. As she starred at the postcard and ran her fingers across the now warn image, she realized that for the first time in ear she was scared. She had always believed that she would be able to make amends with him someday, but that day seemed so far away and the postcard was a future that may never be. She thought perhaps she was using it as a crutch, a means to hold him close when he wasn't close at all. Jax was close, he was there everyday and he loved her. Maybe she though she should try to love him back and live for today and not what could have been or hope for what could be, but live for this moment. She knew now that she had kept a distance between her and Jax, not wanting to get to close or give up the hope that he would return. Her heart and mind were conflicted and she began to cry. She cried for fear of her future, fear that she would never see him again and fear of the life unlived and unloved. She collapsed on the bed, holding the postcard to her heart and cried like she had not done in years, weeping for all that was unsaid. She cried until she had no more tears left and feel asleep exhausted and drained of her being. She dreamed of Italy and of a man on a motorcycle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sonny had been called away quit abruptly during his date with Sam. They were having dinner together at the Port Charles Grill when Johnny had shown up. Johnny asked for a few minutes of his time and while Sonny was annoyed by the interruption - he agreed, although reluctantly. Sam told him she didn't mind, that she understood, but he could tell she was annoyed too. Sonny gently kissed her on the forehead and told her it would only take a minute.
Johnny lead Sonny to a secluded place in the restaurant where no one would take notice of them and no one could hear and proceeded to give Sonny information he had been waiting for two years on - Jason had come home. As Johnny relayed the information that Jason was flying in and wanted to see him - Sonny went numb.
He asked Johnny to repeat his report several times before he fully grasped the reality - Jason was back. Johnny told Sonny that he had received a call on his cell phone an hour ago from Jason saying that he was about two hours away from landing in Port Charles and asked Johnny to relay the message and request for Sonny to meet him there.
At first Sonny was shocked, Jason was coming home and wanted him to meet him. Then he was upset that he hadn't called him first. He had wondered for almost two years what this moment would be like - his brother, his partner, his best friend was coming home. Although he was happy, he was nervous. Much had happened and changed while Jason had been gone and he suspected that Jason wouldn't be the same either and although his mind was occupied with his own thoughts on Jason's return, he couldn't help but think about his sister and how this would impact her.
After giving instructions to Johnny, Sonny walked toward the table and Sam. He knew she would be disappointed. He was to, but he needed to see Jason for himself. He paused briefly before re-entering the restaurant and looked at her. She was beautiful he thought to himself, and with sudden recognition realized that when Jason had left Carly and him were together. Jason did not even know Sam. He didn't know that he now had three children, Jason had missed so much. There was much that needed to be said and explained. He proceeded toward Sam and she could tell by his composure that the evening was over. Sonny sat down with a look of bewilderment on his face and taking her hand starred into her eyes.
"I have to leave" he said.
"I know" she said sadly "it's business."
He looked at her with regret and disappointment, but not for her but for himself. He had learned a lot about himself and about sustaining a relationship. Carly, although he would never admit it publicly, taught him to care beyond reason and to love completely, but they were too much alike to maintain their love. They both fought for control over the other. Elizabeth had taught him to be honest. She never spoke to him directly about Jason, but he could see the sadness that dwelled inside her. He knew that lies could be destructive and secrets only placed a distance, a gap which could only grow wider and not smaller. He knew Elizabeth hurt and it was lies and secrecy that been the catalyst of her sadness.
"No" Sonny said frankly "It's not business, a friend has come home." Not wanting to push him on the subject, Sam sat quietly stroking his palm waiting for his next breath.
"I have told you about Jason before - my partner, my friend, hell he is my brother" he said. "He is on his way back to Port Charles."
She was surprised, but she didn't want to express that to Sonny. She had heard about Jason from numerous people - Jax, AJ Quartermaine and Sonny. Each man had given a different account of the man. She wasn't sure what to expect.
"He wants me to meet him at the airport" Sonny said sounding nervous.
After several moments of silence, she raised her eyes from his hand to meet his eyes. "Are you going?" she asked.
"Yes" he said "I have to go, actually, no - I want to go."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Sam asked.
Sonny smiled at her and taking her hand and entwining it with his own said, "No, I will be alright. Thank you for offering. I appreciate it."
"I just want you to know that I am here for you" she said.
"I know" he said, "more than you know."
He raised slowly from his seat and reluctantly relinquished his hand from hers. He walked toward her and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "I will need you later" he said and with that he left, leaving her to ponder the sudden arrival of Jason in Port Charles and what that would mean for so many of its citizens.
Jason sat in the plane reliving his conversation with Johnny and request for Sonny. He wanted to call Sonny directly, but he wasn't sure he wanted to approach their first meeting in two years with such abruptness. Johnny had called 10 minutes ago telling Jason that both he and Sonny were on route to the airport. He was nervous and anxious as to how their greeting would go.
"How much longer until we get to Port Charles" she asked.
Turning his head and looking down the end of aisle at her he smiled and said, "As long as it takes, not much longer."
"Well, how much longer is that going to be" she asked again.
"Well" he said "whenever we land which should be in about an hour."
"I don't know why we have to meet Sonny" she said sounding annoyed.
"I told you" he said, "because I want to see Sonny before we go into Port Charles. I don't want to spring my arrival and even yours on him."
"Jason" she said "I have been gone to long and so have you to care about what Sonny thinks."
"It is not that I care about what he thinks, but I do care abut assuming I have a place in his life again" he said.
"Jason" she said walking toward him "you are a different person than you were. Hell, you have even grown on me!"
"Thanks Brenda, your endorsement of my character means a lot" he said smiling.
"Okay, I will wait for Sonny, but not long..I mean it" she said turning away from him and trying to sound annoyed with him, but laughed at herself. She knew this was hard for him, she just wanted to support him and thought if she made light of the situation it would help a little.
He looked at her and smiled. Just then they felt the plane making its decent into Port Charles. They both turned toward the window looking down at the dim lights of Port Charles.
"Okay Morgan" she said "its now or never."