Babble: All the standard information is on the first part. This is an action adventure fic, that features Jason, Elizabeth, Sonny, Nikolas, Stavros, Francis, Johnny, Benny, Max, plus several of my own creations in leading roles. There will also be a lot of surprises and some familiar faces popping up here and there as I abuse the characters.

Yes I know it has been forever since I updated this piece, hell, since I updated almost any of my stories. Hopefully that slowness in updating will change soon and hopefully I still have readers of this fic on this board. For any of you who read my other work, and wonder if it will ever be updated, the answer is yes. All my stories, will be completed eventually, or when I win the lottery, whichever comes first.

Well without further ado please dive on in…

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One of Those Days

Part XI

~Free Falling~

She flew through the air with the greatest of ease, that brave little girl on the flying trapeze….

The only thing was, she wasn't brave, and this sure wasn't easy. Elizabeth was sick and tired of having her feet leave the ground with no concept of if they would ever return. The only good thing about this particular trip was the fact that she wasn't alone. Her grip on Jason's arm was tight and his weight was making them fall much faster than her weight alone would, and yet, it still felt like she had been hovering in mid air for hours now.

Abruptly and without warning the fall stopped and she hit the water harder than she had any other time in the last day. Her momentum propelled her so far down that the sun was just a tiny sliver of light somewhere far, far above her. Hitting the water as hard as she did made her lose her grip on Jason, but at that precise moment she couldn't even think about what that meant. Her main concern at the moment was how to get her suddenly deadened muscles to respond to her commands and move.

Pinprick needles of pain soon morphed into what felt like bombs ripping through her body with every move she made. Her mouth was open, yet the energy it would take to close it was lacking at the moment. Her body felt like it had been asleep and then woken up all at once by being jolted with 1,000 volts of electricity.

Finally, in spite of the pain, she began to move towards the dim piece of light miles above her. Closing her mouth she propelled herself through the water. Closer, and closer to her goal, she actually began to think she might make it when she caught a flicker of movement from the corner of her eye. Turning her head to see what it was, the only thing she saw at first was a large, dark shape. The black blob as defined by her oxygen deprived brain was moving in the opposite direction as she was, down to the bottom and she had already turned away when she realized that the blob was in fact Jason.

Lightheaded from lack of oxygen, her lungs didn't seem to be burning as badly as they once had, and even in her confusion she knew that wasn't a good sign for her continued well-being. Yet in that instant none of it mattered. Without giving it a moment's pause she turned and went after the descending Jason into the darkness of what seemed about to become their watery grave.

~Cliff~

"Well will you take a look at that? Someone's pet monkey is trying to escape." Hawk let out a long-low whistle startling the small man in the clearing.

"Who?" Hector broke off when a fiery bolt of pain ricocheted through his broken jaw. He glanced down at his still unconscious cousin. Why wouldn't Jorge wake up and stop all these people from hurting him? It was all Jorge's fault, he thought and gave the unconscious giant a kick to the shoulder.

"Temper, temper," Jessica tsked following Hawk into the clearing.

Hector's eyes widened at the sight of the beautiful blonde. He didn't think he'd mind if this one wanted to spank him, as long as the spanking was done in private and in the right area. He tried to smile and almost passed out at the foolhardy move.

"Ahhh Jess, Shorty here likes you," Hawk teased.

Moving past Hawk her boot happened to come down hard on his foot and he let out a hiss. "Well honey what happened to you?"

Hawk rolled his eyes at the return of the Southern Belle with the fake honeyed concern dripping from each word she uttered and began scanning the area trying to make sense of what had happened there. There was a fight that much was obvious and somehow he didn't think it was between Shorty and the sleeping giant.

"Don't mind Bubba over there, he's a bit touched in the head," Jessica drew the man's focus back on her and ignored Hawk's expression. "He's never been right, but after all these years I'm used to him, after all it isn't his fault that he is the way he is, what with his parents being cousins and all, he was kind of doomed from the start don't you think?"

Hector gulped when the man in the question focused a cross-eyed stare at him. Would this day never end?

"Some people think I ought to feed him more than I do, but I like keeping him lean and just a bit hungry. It makes him meaner, and when he's mean no one will go after him," Jessica explained and watched the short man pale even more. "Oh don't worry sweetie," she patted his hand. "Bubba here never hurts anyone unless I want him too," she drawled in reassurance.

Closing his eyes Hector gave into temptation and kicked his sleeping cousin in the ribs, Jorge grunted but other than that didn't move.

"You know it looks to me like you ran into my boyfriend, or should I say my ex-boyfriend," Jessica drew his focus back on her. "He's around six foot, blonde spiky hair, blue jeans, t-shirt, and motorcycle boots?" The man flinched at her rundown of Jason Morgan and she knew she was on the right track.

"I've been looking for him for a few weeks now, if you want to know the truth, he's the reason I've been keeping Bubba here so hungry," Jessica lightly touched the man's swollen jaw. "Did he do this to you?"

Hector didn't want to answer, he didn't want to get anymore involved then he already was, not even to help the beautiful woman before him … then Bubba growled from behind him and he nodded desperately.

"I thought so. Did you see what way he went?"

Hector shrugged.

Jessica's smile was wide. "Now I know we aren't supposed to be on this island, and as soon as we collect my ex, Bubba and I will be gone. You can't blame me for wanting to get vengeance on him now can you?" Her smile turned mean. "After all if it's one thing a Southern woman knows, it's how to handle a man who has done her wrong."

Grunting more in disgust than in trying to play the character Jessica had created for him, Hawk went back to surveying the ground while Jess spun her web. Some men were so gullible it was pathetic to have to claim as men.

~Jeep~

"Francis I don't think you should be going so fast on this road," Manny pointed out, reaching desperately for his seatbelt. "Is this even a road?"

"Relax I know the road," Francis replied increasing his speed.

"That's comforting," Manny, muttered tightening his belt as much as he could without sending his spleen through his spine. "So why are we in such a hurry?"

"This river has a waterfall in it."

"How big of a waterfall?" Manny wanted to know.

"At least 80 feet," Francis answered shortly and drove the jeep off the road to the right and into the knee length undergrowth.

"Now I know this isn't a road," Manny cried when the Hummer began to bounce up and down.

"We need to get Jason off the river before he gets to the waterfall," Francis explained briefly before focusing his attention on the drive.

~Shore~

"The first thing you are doing when we get back to Port Charles is going on a diet. No more #4's for you," Elizabeth huffed. "The first thing I'm doing is joining that new health club."

Falling quiet Elizabeth concentrated on the now familiar task of dragging an unconscious Jason around. This time the water helped to propel him, but all too soon the only movement came from her already spent muscles.

With a final hard tug Elizabeth lost her grip and fell back on the ground. Jason's body came down on her legs pinning them underneath him. Gasping in air she stared up at the blue sky and rested her aching body. The sun seemingly revolved, once, then twice, and she closed her eyes until the dizziness passed. She waited a few more minutes to be sure before reluctantly sitting up.

"Jason," she tutted softly at the unconscious man, "what am I going to do with you?" Moving gingerly she lifted his upper body up until she could work the waterlogged backpack off of him. "How is it that you still smell good?" she wondered aloud when he fell back against her.

Shaking her head at the unfairness of it all Elizabeth moved carefully until she was crouching beside him and carefully began to take stock of his injuries. She knew from the tinge of the water that the bleeding had finally stopped but now that they were back on dry land it had picked up again.

"Oh man," Elizabeth picked up his arm and let out a sigh of relief when she saw an exit wound on the back of his arm, at least she wouldn't have to dig for anything. Returning his arm to the ground she moved to the crease on his forehead, but that injury was still sealed. "It's a good thing you have a hard head."

Her focus shifted to the backpack and she checked it for any kind of supplies that could be used to patch him up. The canteen and an old ratty blanket was all she saw, and with a weary sigh she dumped them out on the sand. Next she reached into his boot and pulled the Bowie knife from its sheath.

"Shirt or blanket?" She asked the unconscious man. "Well Rip I guess its up to me to decide and for you to tell me later what I should have done instead."

Feeling parched she reached for the canteen, relieved to find it over half full, she took a long drink. Gasping in surprise when the liquid hit her mouth Elizabeth began to cough. When she recovered she peered curiously inside the canteen. Whatever was in there sure wasn't water.

Her gaze shifted to Jason's bloody arm, the knife in her hand, then back to the canteen. "There's nothing wrong with Dutch courage," she informed the deserted beach before taking another long sip.

~New York City~

"What the hell are you talking about now Johnny?" Sonny demanded.

Johnny recognized the look in his boss' eye. It was the one that meant you waste my time and don't be surprised to find yourself on the milk run again. "Well," he cleared his throat and tried again. "I remember where I heard that name before."

"What name?" Benny asked.

"Margaretha Zelle," Johnny prompted. "Fran … I was watching this biography on A&E and it was about her."

"You were watching A&E?" Sonny asked doubtfully.

"Yes," Johnny answered defensively. When Sonny and Benny's expressions remained dubious he explained. "I was with Francis."

"That explains it," Benny murmured.

"Anyway," Johnny glared at the others. "They did this bio on Mata Hari, whose real name happens to be Margaretha…"

"Zelle," Sonny finished for him before turning to his fact-finder. "Why didn't you catch this?"

Johnny preened while Benny shifted his feet.

~Beach~

"You know this is the exact reason why I studied my Gram's medical books." Elizabeth chirped while her hands were busy cutting up the blanket. As usual talking to him helped to calm her nerves. "After finding you in the snow that time, I figured there was no harm in being prepared in case it happened again." Pausing in her work she patted his chest and lowered her voice. "And I have to tell you Jason, you being injured seems to happen a lot, so it's a good thing I did study."

Reaching for the canteen she took another long drink. "I guess it's time to do this." Picking up his arm she placed his hand on her knee and reached for the bandage she'd made. "Oops almost forgot." Dropping the bandage she grabbed the canteen and brought it to the wound. "I really hate to waste this," she muttered regretfully before pouring some of the alcohol on his open wound.

The intense burning in his arm jolted Jason into wakefulness. He immediately made a move to sit up only to be pushed back down to the ground.

"Take it easy."

Blinking the cobwebs from his mind Jason gradually came to realize where he was and more importantly whom he was with. "Elizabeth?"

"You were expecting someone else?"

"No." Jason tried to sit up only to have her shove him back down.

"Stop fidgeting. I need to get this bandage on your arm," Elizabeth gave him a warning glare than began wrapping his arm.

Tilting his head he studied her actions, when she cursed under her breath his attention shifted to her face. He wasn't surprised to find her chewing on her bottom lip. The smile that image brought to his face faded when he noted how pale she was, and how deeply her eyes seemed to be sitting in her pale face. Her fatigue was obvious and it caused him some concern.

"Almost got it." Determined to get the bandage on, she forgot to be gentle and yanked hard on the two ends of the blanket bandage, before tying them together. "Did you moan?"

Ignoring her question Jason flexed his arm, when she dropped it, checking her work. "Nice job," he gave his approval reluctantly then noticed she wasn't listening to him.

"Of course it's nice work, I told you've I've been studying," Elizabeth reminded him tartly when she quit drinking.

Recognizing the glint in her eye Jason merely nodded his agreement and sat up, this time she let him. Flashes of color surrounding them on the beach caught his attention. Frowning he picked up one of the larger pieces, glanced at the bandage on his arm, then looked at what was left of the blanket, which wasn't very much. Elizabeth's off-key humming caught his attention and his focus shifted to his companion.

Her face, which had been ashen just a few minutes ago, now was sporting rosy cheeks, along with a red nose and he immediately grew concerned. She hadn't felt well earlier in the day. If she got sick while they were on the island he didn't know what he would do.

"Well Jason, our luck's holding." Elizabeth pointed at the waterfall and nearly poked him in the eye. "That fall was definitely not a small fall."

"No it was the big waterfall," he admitted, bracing himself for her retort. But none arrived instead she took another drink.

"How are you feeling?" Jason asked.

"Me? I'm just peachy. I'm not the one that was shot remember? All I did was go flying." Setting the canteen down she stretched and nearly poked Jason in the eye again. "How's your head?"

His focus on the canteen, he gave an absentminded reply. "It's fine the bullet just creased me."

"That's good," Elizabeth murmured through her yawn. "Oh my god you were shot in the head?" Concerned she shot to her knees and yanked his head closer. "Where? I don't see anything."

Jason found himself with his head pressed against her chest. Shock held him motionless but not for long. As quickly as she had pulled him in, Elizabeth shoved him back with a frown.

"I don't see a bullet wound."

"I told you it was only a crease," was his response to her accusation.

"Oh that's right," she reached for the canteen, but Jason was too quick for her. "Hey!"

"What's in the canteen?"

Elizabeth shrugged then glared at him. "You can say thanks you know."

"What?" Feeling the heat of her glare he looked up from his study of the liquid inside the canteen.

"I did save your life … again. How many times does this make in the last three days?"

"Elizabeth…" Jason began but Elizabeth cut him off with a short wave of the hand that he had to duck.

"I was making my way to the surface, trying not to drown, but before I could get there and begin breathing again, I see you." She poked him hard in the chest. "And are you swimming to help me after pulling me over the waterfall?" She demanded and he opened his mouth to reply. "No not you…." Jason's mouth slammed shut.

"Nope Rip, the blob, was sinking to the bottom. But did I give up? Did I ignore you so I could breathe again? No not me, I swam after you and saved your life yet again. And what do I get for my trouble?" She spread her arms and caught him on the chest. "Nothing as usual."

Jason set the canteen down with a slam that made no noise in the sand. She had come close to dying again and he hadn't been able to help her. He hated that, he hated the fact that he had let her down again. "I'm so…"

"I know your sorry," Elizabeth sing-songed and reached for the canteen. "If we ever do this again, you're going on a diet first."

Jason pulled the canteen from her hands. "I think you've had enough."

"Now you get bossy. I knew it would happen," Elizabeth grumbled.

Ignoring her he smelled the liquid in the canteen but smelled nothing, finally he took a small sip and fire burned a trail down his throat.

"You know I don't think this sweater is made of very high quality material." Elizabeth complained while Jason began to cough.

"What?"

Frowning down at her sweater which had now shrunk to the size of a tube top she held out her arms, tightening it even more over her chest and shook slightly. "Maybe I'll start a new trend," she sighed in despair. "I only wish I have more jiggle to fill up the sweater."

Jason's eyes moved automatically to her chest. "What you have is fine."

Her frown disappeared and her smile was wide when her eyes met his. "You've been looking."

Unnerved Jason took another drink and promptly began coughing.

"Jason your ears are turning pink," she marveled with a laugh. Throwing her arms around his neck she drew him closer.

His embarrassment lasted as long as his resolve and neither had a chance against the feeling of her in his arms. He was past wondering why, with the difference in their sizes, she fit so well in his arms, he had finally learned to accept it. All too soon he felt her trying to pull back and reluctantly let her go. She didn't go far however, she merely pulled back far enough to study his face.

"I'm glad you weren't hurt worse," she whispered.

"I really am sorry I wasn't there to help you," he responded just as softly.

"Don't worry at the rate we're going you'll have your chance," Elizabeth grinned. "Don't frown."

Responding automatically to her order he tried to let go of the worry her words caused.

"There is no point in worrying in advance, believe me, I know," she informed him.

Her smile was, as usual, impossible to resist and a small one in response made its way to his lips. Reaching up he brushed some sand from her cheek and she leaned into his hand. Drawn to her he tilted her head up and moved closer. His lips were inches from hers when Elizabeth shoved him away, reminding him of all those frustrating times last winter.

"I don't think we should do this," Elizabeth sat back on the sand. "We both know what will happen if we do kiss. You'll regret it as soon as we stop. You'll say it was a mistake. That it was just the moment that made you kiss me, and that it will never happen again. And when you say that it will feel like you ripped another layer of skin off of me."

Jason flinched.

"I don't like pain Jason. With my past I should be used to it by now, but I'm not," she sighed sadly. "I really don't think I can stand hearing you say that kissing me was nothing more than a mistake." Thoroughly depressed she reached for the canteen.

"Elizabeth," Jason's voice was sharp in exasperation but by the time he got the canteen from her it was empty and her expression was mischievous. "How much of this have you had?"

"Not mu…" she hiccupped. "Not much at all."

Either, Elizabeth was lying, she was a one-drink wonder, or the alcohol had hit her stomach and went straight to her head. Whatever the case he had a feeling that both Elizabeth and to a degree, himself, would be feeling it later on. But at the moment Elizabeth's mood seemed to be happy, knowing that could change any minute he realized they should probably get moving while she was being agreeable. "We better go."

"Okay," Elizabeth agreed readily yet made no move to get up.

Shaking his read Jason grabbed the canteen and waded into the water.

"Jason I'm not pulling you out of the water again," she warned him.

Ignoring her he rinsed the canteen out and filled it. Wading back to shore he picked up the backpack and shoved the canteen and blanket into it, before putting it on.

"Don't forget this," Elizabeth held out the Bowie knife.

Concerned Jason quickly took the weapon from her. "Time to leave."

"You go ahead, I like it here." Elizabeth yawned and leaned backward.

Resigned Jason bent, picked her up and over his shoulder. Laughter rang out on the deserted beach. Moving purposefully he headed for the tree line. The sooner they were out of sight the better off they would be.

"You know Jason I changed my mind. Anytime you want to kiss me I'm willing," she informed his rather firm butt, and was rewarded with a slap on her own. "Hey!"

~Airport~

"Are you sure about this?" Nikolas asked doing his best not to let his concern show.

"If you want to stay here go ahead." Was Max's only reply.

Glaring at the mountain of a man, Nikolas followed him, somewhat reluctantly from the small terminal and made his way to the lone seaplane tied to the dock. Would he feel more reassured if his companion spoke more? Or if the ancient plane didn't look like a string and a prayer held it together? He thought so, but was afraid he was out of luck in both cases.

"Do you really know how to fly one of these planes?" Nikolas couldn't help but question.

Sighing wearily Max eyed him coldly. "If I don't you'll be the first to know."

Annoyed Nikolas glared at Max who was either oblivious or just could care less. Muttering Greek under his breath Nikolas finally clambered inside the old plane. One day he was going to punish Sonny Corinthos for saddling him with the cretin known as Max for this trip.

~Beach~

Francis moved cautiously into the clearing his eyes trying to take in every potential threatening area at once. He knew Manny had his back, and despite his comments to the contrary, he knew the kid was good, he had a lot of potential. If he lived that long that was. His eyes swept the area once, twice, then gave Manny the all clear signal and let his guard down slightly.

"Looks like this is where he came ashore." Manny pointed out the strips of fabric on the ground and the faint outline of a large object in the sand that hadn't been erased by the water lapping the shore yet.

Nodding slightly Francis moved toward the waters edge trying to read the scene. When he got to the shore he spied the familiar tracks of a boot print with a nick in the sole. Manny was right Jason had come ashore here and from the looks of the area he was alone when he did and able to walk out on his own as well.

"The tracks lead off in this direction," Manny took a step in the direction of the tree line. When Francis didn't say anything he turned to see what was going on. Francis was still scanning the ground as if he was looking for something. His expression dimmed and he felt every ache in his body when he realized what his friend was doing.

Francis finally stopped looking at the ground and wearily made his way to join Manny.

"Did you see any other tracks?" Manny asked quietly.

Giving a terse shake of his head Francis checked his watch. "I can't put this off any longer. We missed our last check-in. We need to get to higher ground and phone in, Sonny needs…" Francis swallowed hard. "He needs to know Jason is alive and Elizabeth is dead."

Manny silently trailed his partner into the bush. Whoever had done this to Jason and Elizabeth would pay, he knew that. But he just now realized how much others were already paying and they hadn't done anything to deserve it.

~Clearing~

"So what did you see?" Jessica dropped the honeyed drawl as soon as they stepped back into the bushes and away from the clearing at the edge of the cliff.

"Bushes were broken, there were lots of footprints, more than just the giant and your latest conquest back there," feeling her glare Hawk summed up. "I think Morgan went over the edge."

"Damn the man," Jessica muttered.

"That's not all." Hawk was the one drawling this time and he waited until her eyebrow had arched and her eyes were shooting darts at him before going on. "We aren't the only one following Morgan."

That thought gave Jessica a moment's pause and she took a long look at the area around them.

"Boss?" Hawk prompted after another minute. He wanted to continue with the hunt but knew if his boss called it off that would be it.

"It was probably just another guard," Jessica decided finally. "There's no way any of Corinthos' people could have found him by now. We better move on."

Hawk's grin was lethal, he shouldered the rifle and gave a sharp salute. "A hunting we will go."

"Why didn't I bring one of the others on this job?" Jessica wondered aloud, moving from the trail she headed deeper into the bushes.

"Darlin you know why. You miss me too much when you don't see me every day," Hawk reminded her cheekily.

"Where was that pit we found?" Jessica asked. "I believe I found its next occupant." She deliberately fell silent even though she could feel the bastard's grin on her back.

~*~

Hector let out his first easy breath when the sounds of the visitors passage finally faded. This was the final straw he was never coming back to this island of hell. Jorge groaned and Hector couldn't help but kick his cousin again, it was all his fault. Jorge jerked into semi-wakefulness and Hector immediately backed off. His cousin was never very friendly after a beating.

Shifting his attention to the opening that the blonde and her growling companion had disappeared through. Hector gave a passing thought to calling her back and warning her about the other stranger who had been asking about her boyfriend. Jorge began cursing behind him and the thought drifted from his mind.

~New York City~

Surprisingly he didn't throw the phone against the wall. In fact he closed it softly, more softly than he usually did and automatically returned it to his suit pocket. Moving slowly, almost woodenly he crossed to the window and stared at the New York skyline and the barely visible setting sun. His room was high enough that he could see the light that filtered through the skyscrapers, but the dark was there as well.

"So much darkness," Sonny whispered against the cold glass.

"Boss?" Johnny asked after another minute of cautious study.

"Benny," his voice was too rough, too hoarse, too emotional and he didn't like it. "Do you have a list of all of Unique's employees?"

"I do, or at least all the employees we can verify work there," Benny replied nervously.

"Good." Sonny turned from the window, determination and anger lining his face. "Bring it."

Benny and Johnny eyed each other in question while their boss picked up his coat and headed for the door.

"Where are we going boss?"

"Unique," Sonny's eyes were as dark as the darkness inside of him. "I have the hammer to break them."

~Puddle Jumper~

Nikolas was almost asleep when the mountain began to hum. Startled because this was the first noise his traveling companion had made without prompting, Nikolas opened his eyes then immediately wished he hadn't.

Max was … well the only thing he could think of was that the mountain was happy. The humming faded and a smile formed. The smile was okay, nothing grotesque, but it was the expression behind the smile that spooked Nikolas. To him it appeared that Max was demented.

The plane banked to the right then quickly righted itself.

"Is there a problem?" Nikolas asked but the giant merely began to whistle and banked the plane to the left.

Nikolas was disgusted to find himself fidgeting slightly and immediately stopped it. Princes didn't fidget, no matter what, they didn't fidget. How many times had he heard that? Steeling his back and his resolve Nikolas was determined not to show his concern.

The plane banked dangerously to the left causing his head to hit the window and things in the back of the plane to roll around. "What the hell is your problem?"

"You know I'm really a good pilot," Max began in a conversational tone. "And I'm not as dumb as I look."

"That is good to know. Now what are you doing?" Nikolas braced himself when Max banked again.

"I know lots of things. Things like how much weight should be in a plane and how that weight should be distributed inside the plane."

"So?" Nikolas tightened his seatbelt.

"We have more weight in the plane than we should."

More concerned with the bucking plane than he was with what Max was saying, Nikolas' reply was pithy and in Greek.

"Do you know what that means?"

"What?" Nikolas cried.

"It means we have a stowaway in back," Max announced calmly.

That pronouncement captured his attention, Nikolas' eyes darted to the back of the plane but all he saw were blankets and a few crates.

"Take the stick."

Horrified Nikolas turned his focus back on Max. "What?"

"Fly, while I go see to our visitor." Max was already unfastening his seatbelt.

"You want me to fly the plane?" Nikolas' face drained of color.

"Just keep it level and I'll be right back."

"No," Nikolas yelled. "You fly I'll investigate." His fingers fumbled with the safety clasp on his belt.

"Mr. Cassadine…"

"You fly, I'll find out who is here with us." Nikolas freed himself and pulled the headset from his head and the sound of the engine and wind immediately filled his ears.

Nikolas scrambled from his seat and hunched over in the cramped quarters, he had taken a step towards the rear of the plane when Max thrust a small but heavy club in his hand. He looked at Max in question but Max merely shrugged and jerked his head towards the rear of the plane.

The smallness of the plane, as well as the bucking of it made movement difficult but Nikolas kept his focus on the one place that was large enough to hide a person. Was it is his imagination or did the lump under the blanket moan when Max banked sharply again? It had to be his imagination because it was too loud to hear anything in the plane.

Tightening his grip on the bully club Nikolas drew near the lump on the floor. Crouching next to it he saw the lump move under the blanket and raised the club high in the air above the lump. The hand he held out to pull the blanket free was remarkably steady. Taking a deep breath he yanked the blanket free and prepared to strike.

~Trail~

"Do you have to breathe so loudly?" Elizabeth asked grumpily.

Jason didn't bother to reply. He knew her drinking would come back to haunt him and now it had.

Rubbing her temples Elizabeth continued to mutter under her breath while she followed Jason. Her focus was on trying to calm down enough so the red would fade from her face. She was mortified when she thought back to how she had acted with Jason. Whatever had been in that canteen had gone straight to her head. At the moment she'd welcome a pit to fall into, even if it did have a snake.

"Do you want some water?"

Jason's voice broke into her reverie as he held out the canteen. She eyed it dubiously and Jason took a long swallow before offering it to her again this time she took it and drank greedily.

"Take it easy. Who knows when will be able to fill it again," Jason cautioned.

Obeying automatically Elizabeth put the lid on the canteen and handed it back to him. "Where do you think we are?"

Jason shrugged and tried to hide the wince when he felt the shaft of pain that movement caused. His body ached more from hitting the water than it did from the bullet. But since Elizabeth hadn't said a word in complaint he wasn't about too.

"As usual you are a fountain of information." Elizabeth muttered darkly.

"We went over a waterfall, on an island I've never been too, I'm sorry if I'm a little unsure."

"How do you know we went over the falls? You were unconscious remember? Maybe I drug your ass to the shore before we went over the side," Elizabeth shot back.

"Is this the time that you start yelling at me again?" Jason asked hotly.

Elizabeth spun around to fire a retort and the world continued to spin even after she stopped causing the retort to die on her lips.

Seeing her pale and stagger Jason was at her side quickly and urged her to sit on a fallen log while he crouched in front of her.

"I feel dizzy," Elizabeth murmured. She was so tired of feeling weak and dizzy.

"Just breathe deeply," Jason pushed her head down.

Elizabeth closed her eyes until the feeling of vertigo passed. When it did she tried to sit up only to have Jason push her head back down again.

"Enough Jason," she swatted his hand away and sat up. Seeing the wounded look in his eyes she immediately felt bad but by that time it was too late.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine it's just after effects of the alcohol." Elizabeth reassured him.

"Are you sure?" Jason remained unconvinced. "You didn't feel well earlier."

Elizabeth's eyes slid away from his. "That was because I was hungry. I'm fine now."

"Elizabeth?"

"We probably should get a move on." Elizabeth tried for cheery and made a move to get up but Jason didn't budge.

"I think its time you were straight with me." Jason's expression was serious.

"What do you mean?" Again her eyes danced nervously away from his face.

"It's time for you to tell me the whole story Elizabeth. I want to know what brought you to Sonny's villa, what drug you took to fake your death, what happened on the plane, and what's happened since we landed on this island."

Unnerved she dropped her eyes and belatedly noticed that his hands were on either side of her on the log, effectively pinning her in. She raised her head to look in his eyes and recognized the look of determination in them. He wasn't going to be put off this time.

~*~

Stavros hummed quietly to himself while he studied the pair before him. Dark and light. The contrast between the couple made them a striking pair. Raising the rifle he had appropriated from an idiot guard to his shoulder he sighted the woman through the scope.

It would be a pity to finish the woman before he was able to taste her. She definitely caught his fancy. It was also a pity that he would need to strike from so far away. He preferred killing up close. The closer you were to the victim the better it was. You got to smell the blood, the fear, you could almost taste it at times. It was very addictingl.

His hesitation lasted only an instant he hated to deprive himself of any sort of pleasure and he wasn't going to start now. Backing quietly into the bush he put the rifle strap over his shoulder, pulled his handgun out and began moving cautiously down to the unsuspecting pair.

~*~

"Jason I really think we should get moving. You said yourself it wasn't smart to stay in one place for long."

"We'll be fine." Jason recognized her tactic for what it was, an evasion. "Why did Sonny send you to the villa?"

"You didn't want to know the details remember?" Elizabeth was determined not to mention Lucky's name.

"I want to know now," Jason's voice was soft but firm.

The last thing she wanted to do was mention Lucky and watch him shut down again. Or worse start treating her like she was one of the Quartermaine's. She'd made a promise to herself that she wouldn't mention Lucky. That she wouldn't try to explain her actions, her reasoning's. To accomplish that she couldn't talk to him about Port Charles at all.

When it became apparent that she wasn't going to answer he changed tracks. "What about the plane? What happened between you and scarman?"

Jolted, Elizabeth shot to her feet causing Jason to fall back on the ground. "That doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is getting off this island." Moving quickly she took off down the trail. "We better move."

"Elizabeth," Jason got quickly to his feet but she had already disappeared into the thick bushes that lined the old trail they were following.

Elizabeth risked a glance over her shoulder and sighed in relief when she didn't see him. Maybe he'd drop his questions for now. Satisfied she turned back around and came to a halt a few inches from the barrel of a gun.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Please reply if you'd like anymore.

Stephanie