Chapter 13

Both Audrey and Jason turned toward the preacher in utter disbelief. "What?!"

From her place within the door of the jail, Elizabeth's face had drained of all colour. Surely Reverend Jones had not suggested...no...it was simply too ludicrous to even consider. Perhaps all the strain of the day was finally catching up to her and she was imagining things?

Carly and Sonny exchanged surprised glances, at first not knowing what to make of the strange turn of events. But it wasn't too long before Carly's eyes took on a gleam of speculation. iMarriage/i...what a coincidence...hadn't they been speaking to Jason about the very same thing the other day?

Reverend Jones smiled out at his parish and raised a hand in the air. "Now, my friends please quiet down. Let me explain."

With cheeks flushed an angry red, Audrey replied, "You had better explain Reverend. You cannot possibly be suggesting..."

"Yes, Mrs. Hardy, I am suggesting that this man marry your granddaughter," the preacher explained. "As you have so rightly pointed out, your granddaughter's behaviour last night with this man was highly inappropriate and should be severely frowned upon. But all can be set to rights if she were to marry this man. Her reputation while damaged will not be completely ruined."

It was Mac who replied, "I don't think you know who this man is, Reverend. Jason Morgan is a very dangerous man, not husband material for any young girl. And take it from someone who has seen his dealings with young women, the man is ruthless, even when he claims to love them." As Mac spoke his eyes dared Jason to deny the words. But there was no noticeable reaction from Jason as he calmly returned the sheriff's gaze.

When the minister did not reply, Audrey gave a high pitch laugh. "This is simply ridiculous, Reverend. The man's a criminal! And what makes you think a man of his ilk would ever marry the girl he has ruined? He has no honour!"

"Now, just ya wait one minute!" Carly screamed out as she flew down the stairs toward Audrey, "Jase has more honour in his li'l finger than you and all the fine folk of this town put together!"

Audrey turned her cold grey eyes toward Carly, and asked scathingly, "Are you suggesting that this scoundrel will actually marry Lizzie?"

"I'll be tellin' ya what I'm suggestin' ya old hag-" began Carly as she began to move past Jason, but was stopped as Sonny laid a warning hand on her arm. He whispered softly, "Let Jase handle this Carly."

Carly was about to open her mouth again when Jason interrupted her, "Carly, stay out of this, please." But Carly shook her golden head determinedly as she took deep breaths in a futile attempt to control her rage. Seeing the flames in her eyes, Jason looked at Sonny and both men took Carly by the arm and guided her down the stairs, past an affronted Audrey, and slightly away from the crowd to the side of the jail. Jason's icy glare kept even the most curious at bay.

Looking from her husband's reproving face to Jason's stern one, Carly said fiercely, "I know what ya goin' to say, Jase! Ya want me to be quiet. But that witch has gone too far this time! First she hits that poor girl. Now, she's insultin' ya, Jase! I ain't standin' idly by and watchin' that!"

"iCarly/i," Jason began in exasperation but then continued in a gentler tone, "I know you just want to help, but going off on the woman is not helping right now. Just let me handle this."

At his firm, calm request, Carly sighed and finally reluctantly agreed, "Fine, I'll let ya handle the old hag..." As Jason started to turn around to head back to the front of the jail, Carly placed a hand on his upper arm, and said softly, "But Jase...'bout what that preacher said...I want ya to remember what we talked 'bout before...'bout Rebecca needin' a mother. That gal there is in hot water 'cause she wanted to help ya...and now these townsfolk are gonna tear the wee thin' apart. Ya know how cruel they are to us girls, but we can fight back, Jase. Can she? And what 'bout them cowboys...they'll think she's fair game without any protection. Perhaps ya can help her and yourself if ya married her..."

Jason groaned. He couldn't believe that Carly actually was agreeing with that crazy preacher ...had the whole damn town gone mad? They wanted to saddle him with timid, itroublesome/i little girl for ilife/i? They all belonged in a madhouse!

When Carly was about to press her point, Sonny gave her arm another squeeze in warning and thankfully Carly did not continue. While he liked the petite brunette, he didn't think there was a chance in hell Jason would ever marry her. He was too set against marriage, and the girl...well, Sonny had rarely seen Jason as irritated as he had been around her.

Meanwhile in the front of the jail an impatient Audrey was once again speaking to the minister, "You see Reverend Jones, your suggestion is completely out of the question. That man will never marry her. There is nothing that can be done to rescue Lizzie's reputation..." She let out a sigh of long suffering. "But I am afraid you are right. I cannot abandon the girl despite the dishonour she has brought to my family." Audrey finally glanced up at a pale Elizabeth standing alone at the top of the stairs. "Well, I'll simply have to try to get the wickedness out of the girl. Come, Lizzie. We're leaving."

As she watched her grandmother turn around and walk the remainder of the way down the stairs, Elizabeth blinked in surprise. Was her grandmother allowing her to come home? Perhaps Grams anger was dissipating now and she would eventually forgive her? Oh please Lord let that be the case...

When Elizabeth didn't immediately follow her command, Audrey said in irritation, "Will you cease being such trouble Lizzie? I said we're going home. Now!"

Jumping at the harsh command, Elizabeth said softly, "I'm sorry, Grams," and started to make her way down the stairs on unsteady feet. Keeping her eyes down, she had just walked down the last step when suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Wait."

At the sound of ihis/i deep voice, Elizabeth froze in midstep with her eyes still downcast. She hadn't even realised he had come back. What could he want to say to her? All she wanted right now was to leave and go hide away from all these disapproving eyes. When Jason didn't immediately say anything, Elizabeth raised her tired, wary eyes to meet his intense blue gaze. He spoke evenly, "Before you go, I need to speak to you."

Elizabeth's red rimmed eyes widened. "About what?!" she asked in surprise.

"Lizzie!" Elizabeth glanced at her grandmother and sister, who were giving her irritated, impatient glares. "Have you not learned anything?! You will not speak to such characters any longer, you hear me?! Get away from him!"

As she made a move to walk past him, she began, "I'm sor-"

Before she could finish her apology, Jason asked angrily, "Are you going to keep doing that?"

"What?!" Elizabeth asked in confusion as she looked up at the harsh angles of face again.

"Keep apologising for doing nothing wrong?"

Elizabeth was so shocked by what he said, she couldn't reply.

Jason knew if he had half a brain, he would have just let her walk away with that witch of a grandmother. In fact, when he had stopped the girl, he had simply wanted to thank her for speaking the truth. And he had been relieved that the old woman was going to take the girl home where she belonged...but now....he couldn't just let her go. The girl looked so lost and wounded as she accepted that old crow's browbeating. And he knew that the situation would likely only get worst as time went by.

He recognised the need in the old woman to punish the girl because she wasn't who the witch wanted her to be. It seemed Audrey Hardy and Edward Quartermaine were cut from the same cloth. Edward had tried to mould Jason into the image of who he wanted him to be, and when he couldn't, Edward had sought ways to punish him. Through Robin...through Rebecca. But Edward wasn't going to win...and if he had anything to say about it, neither was Audrey Hardy.

Aware of all the eyes on them, Jason asked Elizabeth, "What are you apologising for?"

Elizabeth couldn't understand what the man was getting at. She had done something wrong...it was only right she apologise for it. "I-I shouldn't have gone to the saloon-"

He cut her off, "You were drunk because someone put spirits in the punch. You're behaviour can be mighty foolish. I've seen it, but last night wasn't all your fault."

Elizabeth stared at him with large round eyes. Why was he saying all this? He had been so angry with her the other night. He iknew/i better than anyone here how outrageous her behaviour had been. She had made a spectacle of herself and... "I-I've shamed my grandmother and sister..."

"Because you told the truth to prevent me from hanging?" Jason asked bluntly. As Elizabeth nibbled on her lower lip pondering his words, Jason's eyes briefly met Carly's from where she now stood with Sonny in the front of the crowd. He remembered what she had said about how folks would treat the girl. Then there was the matter of Edward's murder. Someone had tried to set him up to take the fall for it...that meant they wouldn't appreciate the fact the girl gave him an alibi. That meant she could be in danger.

And then there was Rebecca. He remembered how patient Elizabeth had been with the little Spencer girl...Damn! He couldn't believe he was even considering this possibility, but he really couldn't see any other way. She had helped him at her own expense and now he owed her.

"Lizzie! If you do not stop speaking to that man, and leave with us immediately, I wash my hands of you!" Audrey warned angrily as she walked closer to the pair. She had not been able to hear the quiet conversation, but she knew she needed to put a stop to it.

Elizabeth glanced towards her grandmother. She knew that Jason's words were likely true. She would never have gone to the saloon if she hadn't imbibed in spirits, and telling the truth about being with him last night had been the right thing to do. But what did all that matter? Her grandmother would never understand. And besides Steven, Grams and Sarah were the only family she had left in the world. She ineeded/i them. Looking up at Jason once again, Elizabeth whispered, "Mr. Morgan...I have to go."

Jason shook his head. "No, you don't."

Blinking, Elizabeth looked at him questioningly, "What do you mean?"

"You don't have to go with them. You can come with me." Jason kept his eyes steady on hers.

A small gasp escaped from Elizabeth's lips, "What?!"

All the while cursing inside, he said firmly, "You can marry me."

Gasps came from the crowd. A small smile appeared on Carly's face as she glanced at her shocked husband. Sonny's mouth was agape, a very unusual sight which made his wife almost burst out into laughter.

"WHAT?!" screamed a completely flabbergasted Audrey as she stepped up beside Elizabeth. But even her grandmother's screeching could not break through Elizabeth's dazed shock. Did he just say...? All of a sudden, Elizabeth couldn't seem to get enough air into her lungs and she was beginning to feel very light-headed. Her knees gave out.

Jason immediately saw Elizabeth's disorientation, and quickly grabbed her arm and waist to support her before she fell. Looking down at her, Jason ordered, "You need to sit down somewhere."

As he quickly came up to the pair followed by an anxious Carly, Sonny suggested, "Why don't we take her back to the saloon where Johnny can get her some tea."

Nodding in agreement, Carly took hold of Elizabeth's other arm and said gently, "Come on honey. Ya must tired. Let's find somewhere quiet where we can talk this all out." She started to guide the girl through the crowd which parted quickly in the face of Jason and Sonny's threatening glares.

Audrey, who had just come out of her stunned silence, ran up to the four and shouted, "Where do you think you are taking my granddaughter? Get your hands off of her!"

Glowering down at the woman, Jason said firmly, "She's not well. Get out of our way."

"You can't just take her away!" Audrey turned to Mac and demanded, "Sheriff you cannot let them take my granddaughter!"

Before Mac could reply Carly said scathingly, "It's a li'l late to be treatin' the girl like kin. Just moments ago ya were disownin' her!"

"Why you..." began an affronted Audrey, but Carly continued, "Ya can count yourself lucky that I care more 'bout gettin' the girl away from here than wringin' your neck! Don't think I've forgotten how ya treated her and Jase! Now get out of our way!" Pushing the woman aside, Carly once again led the confused Elizabeth through the crowd.

Audrey once again turned to Mac, who finally growled out, "Wait Morgan! You can't be taking the girl anywhere against her will!"

Jason looked down at the pale girl, and asked, "Do you want to stay here?"

Still dizzy and leaning slightly against his side, Elizabeth could only shake her head and whisper, "No."

Without looking back at the sheriff or Audrey, the four moved the rest of the way through the crowd, and toward the saloon, leaving chaos in their wake.

An outraged Audrey started shouting at a very frustrated Mac to do something. At the same time, while scribbling fiercely, Alexis pressed the sheriff for information about the murder of Edward Quartermaine. Who was the next likely suspect now that Jason was cleared? Among the crowd, Sarah was in hysterics over her sister's outrageous behaviour and was being comforted by Lucy and Amy. Well...they were giving as much comfort as it was possible as they chatted excitedly over the day's news. Murder, scandalous behaviour, and now a possible shocking marriage between little Lizzie and Jason Morgan! Such astonishing events had not happened in the normally quiet town of Heaven in years...if iever/i!

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As Elizabeth found herself walking through the double doors of the saloon for the second time in as many days, she was feeling slightly more steady. And she could not help but feel grateful that it was now only Carly's hand on her arm, and no longer Jason's as he released her arm to hold open the door. His strong, warm hand on her bare skin was not a steadying influence. She could still feel the shock of hearing his words...he had said, i"marry him"/i, had he not? Surely he couldn't mean it...

"Elizabeth, please sit down."

She looked up at Carly's concerned face, and slowly took a seat in the chair pulled out for her by Sonny, who then hollered, "Johnny!"

Hearing his friends shout, Johnny's dark head popped up from behind the bar. With a bottle of whiskey in his hand, he turned his eyes toward his friends. As he saw Jason, his face broke in a wide grin. "I knew ya wouldn't be in the calaboose for long! How'd ya get out, Jase?!" When Jason didn't immediately answer, Johnny finally noticed the girl. "What's she doin' here?"

Sonny replied, "I'll explain later. We need a cup of tea, Johnny."

"Tea?!" Johnny asked incredulously. They inever/i served tea. "Are we havin' a damn tea party?"

"What tea party?" Francis asked as he walked in from the back, before coming to a quick stop and shouting out, "Jase! So that damn sheriff finally came to his senses!" Then he too noticed Elizabeth sitting quietly at the table. "But what's the li'l gal doing here?"

With a warning glare at the two men, Sonny ordered quickly, "Johnny just get that cup of tea. And Francis get everyone out of here. Then you and some men stand guard outside the doors. I don't want any of those damn town folks coming in."

As Sonny spoke, Elizabeth had calmed down enough to glance quickly around the saloon. Without the crowds of people, it hardly looked like the same vibrant place she remembered from last evening. Only a few painted women and some rough looking cowboys were sitting at the tables. Briefly, her eyes caught a few of their curious glances.

Blushing, Elizabeth turned her eyes down toward the table top and found herself looking at a pair of large hands. Slowly moving her eyes up, she was soon staring directly into Jason's ice blue gaze. She hadn't even realised he had sat down directly opposite her. As he continued to look down at her with an unreadable expression, uneasiness made her want to tear her eyes away from him. But for some reason, she couldn't.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. The words were kind but his tone was almost indifferent.

Elizabeth blinked, not quite ready to speak to ihim/i yet. She was vaguely aware that the other people in the saloon were getting up from their seats. She could hear Carly speaking to some of the women...

After a few seconds of silence, Jason said, "We need to talk about some things."

As she flushed, Elizabeth stammered, "I-I don't know..."

As he accepted the cup of tea from Johnny, Sonny said gently, "Jase, let the girl get her bearings first." Placing the tea in front of the girl, and taking a seat next to her, Sonny said, "Drink the tea, Elizabeth. You'll feel better."

With unsteady hands, Elizabeth picked up the tea cup and took a tentative sip of the soothing hot liquid. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on the feeling of the heat warming up her body. As she took another sip, she let the warmth soothe some of the pain and confusion swirling inside her. The look of outrage on her grandmother's face...the disapproving murmurs through the crowd...Lord how had her whole life become such a disaster?

"Elizabeth?"

She reluctantly opened her eyes to find Carly holding out a piece of steak. "Hold this to the side of your face. It'll help ya with the swellin'."

Placing a hand to her cheek, Elizabeth realised that the side of her face was swollen. She said softly, "Thank you," and took the cold, slippery meat. Placing it against her cheek, Elizabeth blinked back the tears that suddenly watered her eyes. All the harsh words her grandmother had directed at her flooded her mind, stinging worse than her swollen face.

Carly sat down next to Elizabeth, giving her a sympathetic gaze. Then turning to Jason, she asked directly, "So what are ya goin' to do now 'bout all this, Jase?"

Despite the tension from the day's events and his own exhaustion, Jason had to smirk. "What you're really asking, Carly, is whether I meant it when I suggested the girl and I marry."

Noticing the slight softening of his features, Carly laughed softly. "Ya know I am! Well...?"

Elizabeth's eyes flew to Jason's face, waiting for his reply. She knew there was no way he could possibly...

"Yes I meant it," Jason said as once again his eyes locked with hers.

As a gasp escaped her, Elizabeth dropped the piece of meet her hand. She stuttered, "You-you what?! We can't marry!"

Jason's hand had shot out to catch the steak. Looking back up at the girl, he muttered in frustration, "Unfortunately, it looks like the only thing we can do."

Shaking her own head emphatically, Elizabeth jumped up. "N-no! Are you mad?!"

Both Sonny and Jason had immediately stood up when she did. Placing his hand gently on her shoulder, Sonny said gently, "Elizabeth, please sit back down. I think you should hear Jase out." When Elizabeth finally took her seat again, he turned to Carly and suggested, "Honey, I think we should let them talk."

With a single eyebrow raised, Carly asked, "Whatever can ya mean, Sonny? They can talk now."

Sonny shook his head in slight exasperation and held out his hand to his wife. "Carly, they need to discuss this alone." With a frustrated sigh, Carly slowly took his hand and stood up.

"You be treatin' her kindly, Jase..." Carly warned before promising Elizabeth, "We'll be back soon, honey." Then she reluctantly allowed her husband to guide her towards the stairs.

Elizabeth was about to beg them to stay when Jason leaned across the table to place the meat he was still holding back on her reddened cheek. Her eyes immediately came back to his. Slowly she lifted her hand and mumbled, "I-I can manage." As his fingers slowly moved away from the meat, leaving room for her small hand, their fingers briefly touched. Elizabeth jerked her head back in surprise.

Lowering his hand, Jason began, "Look, the last thing I want right now is to get married, but after what happened out there, it might be the only thing we can do to protect you."

As her eyes widened, she repeated in a shocked tone, "iProtect me?/i From what?"

"Well, to begin with, from all those folks out there. Do you know what happens to women who've lost their reputations? Ask Carly and the other girls here."

Shaking her head, Elizabeth replied, "No. They-they won't do anything...Grams..."

Jason knew he had to be blunt. "Your grandmother won't be any protection. The whole town will shun you or worse harass you. They'll never let you forget that you did something they judged to be wrong."

"But...but how can marrying you prevent that from happening?" Elizabeth asked in confusion.

"Because marriage will give you the protection of my name. They'll know I'll not take any insults to my...wife...lightly." Jason almost flinched as he said that word. iWife/i. Damn. What the hell was he doing? After Robin he promised himself to stay the away from any hint of marriage...but then that was a different situation. He had been completely blind then...his eyes were wide open now. There were no illusions here.

Elizabeth was quiet for a moment, looking down at her own clasped hands. What had happened this day would probably never be forgotten...but perhaps eventually she could sink back into obscurity. No one had paid much attention to her before all of this. But...no, she knew Jason was right. Those scandalmongers of the parish would never let her forget. But perhaps the people in town would just let her be if she married this imposing man.

But when she dreamed of marriage...it had always involved walking down the aisle toward Lucky, whose handsome, gentle face shone with love. Yes, she iknew/i that this scene would only ever play out in her dreams...but how could she marry anyone else when her heart belonged to Lucky? How could she marry a practical stranger?

She took a tentative glance up at Jason's rigid face. There was a day's worth of stubble on his face, and the scar slashing his chiselled cheek seemed even more pronounced than usual. And his eyes...they were so cold, remote...Lord how could she marry ithis/i man?

Taking a shaky breath but keeping her eyes on his, she said softly, "I-I can't marry you, sir. Do not worry about the folks in town...I will eventually be forgotten when folks find something else to talk about. There is no need for such a drastic measure."

"I'm afraid we're not only talking simply about gossip, Miss Webber. When all this gets out, there'll be plenty of men who feel they can take liberties with you, especially since there are no men in your household." Jason wanted her to know exactly what she was going to face.

"What?" Elizabeth turned sheet white, "You do not mean...?" She didn't know exactly what "taking liberties" entailed...but she knew it wasn't good.

Jason nodded curtly. "Yes." He was silent for a moment before continuing, "There's also another problem. Someone murdered Edward Quartermaine and wanted me to take the fall for it. That means I have an enemy, and now that your name has been linked with mine, you're in danger."

"Oh!" Elizabeth gasped. If the man was trying to scare her, he was succeeding. But she couldn't marry a man she didn't love. "No. None of that matters. I can't marry you, sir! I-I," Elizabeth paused before finishing in a rush, " I don't love you."

Jason's face hardened as he asked dispassionately, "Love? Who said anything about love? I'm not asking you to love me, Miss Webber. All I require of you is loyalty and honesty." He paused before continuing, "And that you be good to my daughter."

Elizabeth felt her face go red. Lord...why had she mentioned ilove/i? But as his last word sunk in, she found herself asking, "Rebecca?"

Jason's eyes softened slightly at his daughter's name. "Yes. My grandmother suggested Rebecca would need a woman's influence in her life once I get her back. I think you know the story..." Shaking his head slightly, Jason continued, "And you seem to like children."

Unable to say anything, Elizabeth merely nodded. She loved children, but did the man mean he wanted her to be a imother/i to his daughter? Oh Lord!

"While you're young and rather reckless, Miss Webber, I believe you're not without some sense. This marriage can be beneficial for both of us. I give you my name and the protection that goes with it, and you help me put my grandmother at ease about my daughter's care." Jason leaned back in his chair, watching the conflicting emotions run across the girl's face. He could see the fear there...and something else...

Finally Elizabeth replied softly but firmly, "No, it won't work, sir. Marriage is for life. You-you may someday find someone who you lo-"

Before she could finish, Jason said harshly, "No." When he saw the shock on Elizabeth's face, Jason replied more calmly, "No. That's not a worry. As for your other concern. It doesn't have to be for life."

Elizabeth blinked. "What?"

Jason was quiet for a moment before responding, "If either one of us finds the situation intolerable, we can get a divorce. But that would have to be a last resort. I don't want Rebecca's life disrupted anymore than it has been. But if you want out of the marriage, I'll give you a divorce. There would be scandal of course, but I'll give you sufficient funds to let you go anywhere and do anything you wish. You can have a fresh start somewhere, and I'll see that you remain protected. I owe you that much for what you've done today."

Divorce...Elizabeth couldn't even believe they were talking about marriage let alone divorce. She knew it was possible to obtain one. Wasn't Laura Spencer divorced? But she knew it was difficult for a divorce woman...however, he said he would give her money. And for some reason she trusted he would follow through on this promise. He would give her freedom if the marriage didn't work out...freedom to do anything she wished. To buy her own farm...to draw freely. It was tempting. iVery/i tempting. But...

"Well?" Jason asked impatiently. Talking about Rebecca reminded him that he still didn't know where she was. He had to go and find her. And he needed to see Lila...

"I-" Elizabeth swallowed hard. Her eyes moved away from his searching gaze, and rested on his large hands. His fingers were long and even looked elegant but she knew they had calluses. She had felt them when he had touched her arm...if she married him, he would be touching more than her arm...Turning a bright scarlet, Elizabeth shook her head, "I can't..."

Jason let out a frustrated breath. Now that he had decided to marry the girl, he just wanted to get the details sorted out so he could find both Rebecca and then Edward's murderer. But the girl for some reason was being difficult. You would think he was offering her a fate worse than death. "Can I ask what other reasons you have against marrying me besides the ones you've mentioned?"

Elizabeth's mouth parted slightly, but before she could respond, a loud ruckus could be heard coming from the other side of the front double doors.

"Do you think I care what Corinthos said? Get out of my damn way!"

With those words, Francis went flying backwards through the swinging doors, with Luke Spencer walking in right behind him.

Elizabeth looked down in horror at Francis who had fallen near her feet. While he seemed angry, the man did not appear to be too hurt as he began rise. She turned back to look at Luke. But it wasn't Luke her eyes finally rested on. It was the figure behind him.

"Beth are you alright?"

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