Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. I do however own the story line and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't steal it.

CHAPTER 3

      Elizabeth's first reaction when she saw the amazing view that could be seen from the big bay window in the room that Jason had given her was to run down stairs and throw her arms around him in thanks for his generosity. But, since they didn't have that kind of relationship anymore, she pulled her urges under control and kept her feet planted firmly in their spot. 

      She was awe struck by the magnificent beauty before her. The house they were staying in was on lake front property and Elizabeth's bedroom was the only bedroom that faced the water. She knew that Jason had given her this room on purpose. He had known that she was the only one who would truly enjoy the spectacular scene just outside the window.

      Reluctantly she turned away from the window and examined the bedroom. It was incredibly homey and inviting. She had no doubt she would sleep well here. The atmosphere of the entire house exuded comfort.


      She quickly unpacked what few things she'd been able to bring with her and took one final look out the window before making her way downstairs and into the living room. Jason was talking on the phone; her guess what with Sonny, but when he saw her he stopped and motioned for her to have a seat next to him.

      "Yeah, I understand. I'll take care of it. Call me if you have any more information." Jason hung up the phone and rolled his neck. "Sonny wanted to know if you'd told me anything yet, but I told him I wasn't going to rush you."

      She smiled softly. "Thank you."

      "It's not a big deal. I meant what I said in the car. You don't have to tell me a thing until you're ready."

      "Well I'm glad you still feel that way, but that's not the only reason I'm thankful."

      "What do you mean?" Jason asked with a frown.

      "The view Jason! It's amazing. How did you know that I would absolutely adore it? And the lighting! Oh my god Jason, the lighting in that room is unbelievable. I just wish I would have brought my painting supplies."

      Jason smiled at her excitement. "I'm glad you like it. I'll have Johnny go get some more of your stuff so maybe you can get some painting done while you're here."

      She sat there and studied his features. She'd had the memorized for years now and still every time she looked at him it was like she was seeing him for the first time. He was beautiful and it pained her to think of how she had hurt him so badly.

      Had she really been so stupid all those months ago and made a deal with the devil to keep him safe? She cursed herself mentally for not trusting him enough to take care of his own business by himself.

      "Elizabeth…Elizabeth?" Jason waved his hand in front of her face. "What were you thinking about?"

      She shook her head and looked at him. "I was just thinking about how stupid I was a couple of months ago and how I would do things differently now if I could."

      "Elizabeth…"

      "No, Jason it's way past the time for us to discuss this."

      A hurt appeared in his eyes. It was the same look he'd given her the night of the argument and it still affected her the same way. It felt like someone was crushing her heart and the only way it would get any better would be for her to tell Jason everything that had happened and why.

      "I can't hear this right now." Jason said, shaking his head, standing up, and walking over to the glass doors that lead out onto the veranda.

      "Jason, nothing is ever going to change if we don't talk about this."

      "I know that and I know that we need to talk about it, but I can't right now. Just leave it alone."

      She knew it was his way of dismissing the subject, but she wasn't ready to give up yet. "No, I'm not going to leave it alone. You are going to sit down and listen to every damn thing I have to say to you."

      His eyes widened. It was unlike Elizabeth to be so forceful. But, to be honest he kind of liked it. "Why is it so important that you tell me the dirty details of your liaison with Taggart?"

      She took his hand and pulled back over to the couch. "It's important because you don't know everything that happened that night Jason. You didn't give me a chance to explain." She said softly, before taking her place next to him.

      "Fine, if that's what you really want." He sighed and settled back into his previous seat. It wasn't possible for him to get comfortable because the only thing he could think about was the fact that he wish he could be anywhere else other than that spot at that precise moment.

      "It's what I want. I should have done this before, but I was hurt too. I never thought you would ever look at me the way you did that night. It was like I was some stranger and you weren't looking at me, you were looking through me. I hated that feeling." She cleared her throat and thought back to that night so that she could decide where to start her story. "There is so much that you don't know Jason and so much that I should have told you from the beginning. I think we probably could have saved our relationship if I'd have just told you the truth from the start."

      "I won't disagree with you there." His stiff posture made her even more nervous than she already was. She knew he was going to either forgive her completely or be even angrier when she was done.

      "Jason, the reason I was meeting with Taggart is because…" Her words were interrupted by a loud bang coming from outside. Jason was up on his feet and out the back doors in a matter of seconds leaving Elizabeth alone and more frustrated than she had been in the first place. "Am I ever going to get a moment alone with him without some stupid idiot interrupting me!" She got up off the couch and followed Jason hesitantly out the door.

      When she got out onto the veranda she saw Jason kneeling next to Johnny who was lying on his back in a puddle of water with a look of pure amusement on his face. "Oh my god what happened?" Elizabeth asked, walking towards them quickly and looking down at a very embarrassed Johnny.

      "Um…I fell?"

      Jason chuckled. "You mean you tripped."

      Johnny groaned as he lifted himself into a sitting position. "Thank you Jason, but actually I slipped on this wonderful puddle of water I am now so personally acquainted with."
 
      "Well what was that load bang?" Elizabeth asked hiding her smile from him as he tried to stand up and found himself trying not to slip again.

      "I dropped a bottle of Mr. Corinthos' favorite champagne when I fell. He's not going to be very happy about that."

      Elizabeth let out a small laugh and was forced to forgive Johnny for his previous interruption. "I don't think Sonny has to know about this little incident. What do you think Jason?"

      Jason shrugged. "I guess if nobody brings it up then there's no reason for him to know."

      Jason noticed the way Johnny was holding his back and he offered his friend some help. "Hey let me help. I think maybe you should have a doctor check you out."

      "No way man. I don't want anybody to know about this."

      Elizabeth watched in amusement as the two men argued. Only after they'd gone inside did she allow herself to feel more regret for not being able to tell Jason yet again. She didn't blame Johnny, he couldn't help it if he was a klutz, but at the same time she was getting tired of being interrupted just when she'd gotten the courage she needed to spill her guts.

      She bent down and began picking up the chunks of glass left by the shattered bottled. It was funny how much it reminded her of the relationship she and Jason had once shared. They had been strong together, beautiful, and she still got a bubbly feeling inside her when ever he was in the same room with her. But with one small mistake, one small slip their relationship had been shattered.

      "You know what you have to do if you want to keep Anger boy out of trouble." Taggart's forceful tone worried her. It was the same tone he used when he questioned Sonny or Jason.

      "Taggart, I know what you want me to do, but it's not something I have to do." She replied, standing straight and confident in front of him.

      "Yeah well, you keep on believing that sweet pea. In the mean time think about this, the next time you see your boy toy might be behind bars if you don't do as your told. I'm not going to tell you this twice so think really hard about what you're going to say next. Now, I'm going to give you a day or so to think it over and then I'll contact you. I hope you'll make the right decision." He said, before turning and walking away from her.


      That was the first time she'd ever met with him and she wished it had been the last. She'd allowed him to manipulate her into thinking there was no other choice and now she knew that wasn't true.

      "Elizabeth, you don't have to clean that up." Jason said, as he walked back outside carrying a broom. "I'll do it."

      "Jason, we still need to talk."

      Without looking at her he replied, "We can talk about it tomorrow. Just give me tonight Elizabeth, ok?"

      She sighed and nodded her head even though she knew he couldn't see her. "Alright…in that case, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Jason."

      Jason nodded his head and watched her leave. "Goodnight Elizabeth." He whispered to her retreating figure.

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