Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story (except for Martinez), the writers of GH do. I do, however, own this story and would appreciate it greatly if you did not steal it.

Chapter 9

       Jason and Elizabeth spent the next couple of days just reacquainting themselves with each other. There was no discussion about what Jason had over heard and Elizabeth hadn't brought up telling Jason very much about that night months ago. The only thing they had discussed was forgetting about that night for the time being and acting like it had never happened.

      They both had their reasons for agreeing and their reasons were both different ones. Elizabeth knew that they couldn't hide from that night forever, but the fact that Jason wanted to spend time with her was enough for her to be willing to put it off for the time being.

       Jason on the other hand had the advantage over Elizabeth. He already knew most of what she wanted to tell him after over hearing it a few nights before. Then there was the fact that she really didn't have to tell him about the murder she'd seen because he knew all of the important stuff; at least he was pretty sure he did.

      They'd spent a lot of their time outside, by the lake, enjoying the sweet smells and sounds that came with being out in the middle of nowhere. It was like, for that short amount of time, there was nothing wrong in their lives. The business Jason was involved with didn't exist and the hit out on Elizabeth's life didn't seem as important.

      All that mattered to them was that they were together and that they were allowed to discuss things they hadn't discussed in a long time. Elizabeth would tell Jason about certain art pieces and Jason would tell her about all the places he'd visited. It surprised her how many places she still didn't know about.

      It was these unpretentious conversations that entertained them everyday while Jason's wound began to heal. As bad as it sounded, the wound was actually healing too fast for their liking. They wanted to stay like this forever with no dark clouds hanging over their heads threatening to rain down on them. Unfortunately that was just a pipe dream, reality always had a way of making it's presence known and neither one of them was prepared for it when it did.

      Jason was by himself in the living room standing in front of the glass doors. His stitches were really beginning to itch, but at least the pain was pretty much gone. The only time it really bothered him was when he over stretched and the stitches began to pull. No, the gunshot wound wasn't hurting him half as much as the fact that as of this afternoon, he would no longer be at the safe house with Elizabeth watching over her.

      Sonny had called early that morning and given Jason some information that could change the entire situation. He hadn't really wanted Jason to be the one to handle it, but with Jason's wound being healed and all, it just seemed like the most logical step in bringing Antonio Martinez down.

      He hadn't found the nerve to tell Elizabeth yet and part of that was because she hadn't come downstairs yet, but he knew that the moment she saw him she would know something was wrong. He had to hold it together for her and make her see that this was the only thing that could happen right now.

      "Good morning." Her cheerful voice sounded in the room and Jason closed his eyes. He really didn't want to turn around and watch that happy look on her face melt away.

      He sighed and turned towards her. "Good morning."

      His assumptions had been right. The minute he turned around and spoke to her she knew that something was wrong and it showed in her eyes.

      "What's going on?"

      He took a deep breath and placed his hands on his hips, a stance he often took when he was talking about something serious and stressful to him. "Sonny called me this morning, he wants me to go back to Port Charles and finish this."

      She walked quickly towards him and shook her head. "You are not leaving here again. Not now Jason. You're not completely healed."

      "Elizabeth, please don't do this. You know I'm going to go no matter what you say. It's my job and I have to do this if only to make sure that what we've started to build here these last couple of days isn't lost." He took a step towards her and cupped his hand over her cheek. "We can't truly get over any of this until this business with Martinez is over."

      Elizabeth's eyes widened. "You know about Martinez? But, I didn't tell you."

      "I know. Sonny's got someone on the inside now. That's why I have to leave. His source gave him some new information involving some of Martinez's business dealings. I promise you Elizabeth, if there were any other way I would definitely be trying to get out of this, but the truth is, I'm the best Sonny has and there's nobody that's as qualified to handle this."

      Elizabeth willed the tears not to come, but found herself fighting a losing battle. "I'm scared Jason. I don't want to lose you again. It almost happened when you got shot and I don't want to feel that helpless ever again."

      "Elizabeth, you knew that all of this was a possibility when you got involved with me. I told you about all the risks that I take and I also told you that I'm good at my job. I don't make unnecessary risks. Yes, sometimes I get hurt, but I can't help that. I need you to trust me right now. I'll be back for you and I'll be back safe a sound."

      Elizabeth's bottom lip began to tremble. "Ok. But, you better do what you're telling me or I'm going to be really pissed off."

      Jason smiled and nodded his head. "I'll do my best." He looked into her big blue eyes and he knew that he was about to do something that could change their relationship drastically. Hoping for the best, he gradually lowered his mouth to hers. Tasting the sweetness he'd been missing for such a long time. When their lips touched it was like coming home for the first time and they felt the rightness of their position.

      To Elizabeth, this kiss was ten times more potent than the kiss she and Jason had shared in her dreams. And to her, it was more that just a mere kiss. It was Jason finally allowing his real feelings for her to be known. He'd given her several reasons to suspect the way he was feeling, but it took this kiss to truly confirm her suspicions. She wasn't ready for him to pull away from her, but when he did her eyes instantly went to his, just to make sure he didn't regret kissing her.

      "I think it would be best if I leave as soon as possible." He said softly, not letting go of her face, which was currently resting in his hands.

      "Are-are you sure you have to leave so s-soon?"

      Jason almost grinned at the drunken look she had on her face. "Actually, I'm not supposed to be in Port Charles until this afternoon, but I think it would be better for both of us if I went early." When she opened her mouth to speak Jason continued with his thought. "I know you want me to stay, but I can't be here for the next few hours just waiting for the moment I have to leave you. I'm being selfish right now Elizabeth. I don't want to have to dread leaving for that long. That's why I'm going to leave now because if I don't there's no way I can do it later."

      Elizabeth sighed and nodded her head. "Alright."

      Jason hesitantly pulled his hands away and took at step back from her. "I'll call you tonight if you want, but I'm going to warn you right now, it'll be late."

      She nodded her head enthusiastically. "I want you to call. I don't care how late it is."

      He took a deep breath a let it out slowly hoping that it would calm his nerves and give him enough strength to walk away from her. "I'm going to go now. Johnny is going to be here with you and when I get to Sonny's I'm going to send Max out here too."

      "Ok." She said softly crossing her arms across her chest.

      He gave her one more good look before turning and walking away from her towards the front door. He had barely started to turn the doorknob when he heard her bare feet running on the hard wood floor towards him.

      "Jason!"

      He turned back towards her in time for her to fling her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to settle into her arms, if only for a moment.

      "Elizabeth…"

      She pulled away and nodded her head. "I know you have to go. I just couldn't let you go with out telling you something first."

      "What?"

       "I love you." She blurted out before turning and running up the stairs and away from Jason, leaving him shocked.

       He smiled and shook his head. At least she hadn't been sleeping when she told him this time. She had given the one thing he'd been praying for all morning when she'd said those for words. She gave him the strength he needed to leave and get the job done. He knew that the sooner he left, the sooner he could be back here with her again and the sooner they could get back to the place they used to be.