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CHAPTER 2

Elizabeth slammed the door as she entered Luke's.  She threw her stuff on the table, giving the chair a bit of a kick. She stopped and took a deep breath attempting to gain some composure. She looked up as she heard Luke yelling.

"What the hell is all the racket out here?" Luke bellowed. He stopped when he realized it was Elizabeth.  He smiled at her.  He loved this kid, she had the makings of a Spencer, it was too bad his son let her go, Summer was great but Elizabeth was priceless. Luke referred to Elizabeth as his Should-Have-Been-Daughter when he spoke about her to others.  He spoke about her a lot he was so proud of her. She had handled the whole Ric situation with courage and grace. Yup the little darlin should be his kid, not those lousy Webbers, who never paid any attention to her. With the exception of Audrey of course, the only decent one that Elizabeth should call family. Nope it was always about Sarah, to tell the truth Luke couldn't stand that moronic Dumpster Barbie. He swore Sarah was so dumb you could probably keep her busy for hours by putting her in a circular room and telling her to touch all four corners.

"How's it going Little Bit?" using his nickname for her.

Elizabeth looked at the man who was a better father to her then her own biological one and felt the tears well up.

"Luke" she whimpered before throwing herself in his arms.  She usually tried to hide the tears, but he always managed to bring the honest emotions out of her. He was such a good parent to her.

"There, there darlin, now what has you all upset?" Luke said patting her on the back and drying her tears.

The door to the club opened and in walked Skye Chandler-Quartermaine. She and Luke had been seeing each other for about a month now.  Even though Elizabeth loved Laura with her whole heart she was glad to see Luke begin to move on with his life.  Elizabeth and Skye had become great friends.

"Elizabeth what's wrong?" Skye asked hugging the girl.

The three took a seat and Elizabeth told them about how Ric was blackmailing her.

Luke swore under his breath, "I hate that man, in case I never said it before I hate him.  Are we sure he is Sonny's brother, could he be a Cassadine in disguise?"

Elizabeth smiled at Luke; leave it to him to make her laugh.

"Don't worry kiddo, I'll come up with the money for you." Luke said smiling at her.

"I appreciate the offer Luke, you know I do, but I know you can't afford that kind of money. Not legally anyway, and you are finally getting back on the straight and narrow.  No I'm going to do this on my own.  I could easily let you, or Sonny help, but it wouldn't be serious. You would never expect me to pay you back.  No I'm going to do this the right way.  I'll find an investor and I'll pay them back, I'm still working at Kelly's and hopefully my art will sell. Then when the loan is paid up I can say the show is all mine. Do you understand how I feel?" Elizabeth said looking at Luke.

"I do, and that is why you are the strongest person I know. Just remember I am always here for you no matter what." Luke said giving her hand a squeeze.

Skye was off in another world and she didn't notice the two of them staring at her.

"We boring you?" Luke asked her mockingly.

"Huh oh no I was trying to think of possible investors for Elizabeth.  Obviously the Quartermaine's have a lot of money, but lord only knows what you would have to do in return for Edward, probably give him your first born.  The Cassadine's have their own financial problems," she said ignoring Luke's sneer of disgust. "Oh why didn't I think of it? You could ask Jax," Skye exclaimed. She and Jax had gotten over their nasty parting and had become friends again.

"Jax?" Elizabeth asked, "I barely know him.  I doubt he would just lend me the money."

"Well I don't see why not. You are a good investment. Seriously Elizabeth talk to him." Skye said

Elizabeth thought about it. She had barely ever spoken to Jax except when she was taking his order at Kelly's.  He always intimidated her a little. She wasn't scared of him.  He never made her feel unsafe; it was just that she had always had a tiny crush on him since she came to town. He was just so blasted good looking.  She always got tongue-tied around him. He probably thought she was an idiot.  She wasn't sure if she could ask him for several thousands of dollars when she had a time of it asking him if he wanted his coffee refilled.

Skye saw Elizabeth's hesitance. "Look I know Jax can be a little intense sometimes, but that is just when he's dealing with business, he's very good at being a corporate raider, but I swear he is a really nice guy.  I could talk to him for you if you want set up a meeting for the two of you. When he hears about the Ric situation he'll help you I know it. He would never stand for a creep like Ric blackmailing you." Skye said

"NO" Elizabeth exclaimed, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout it's just I want to get this loan because of my work, not a sob story.  I won't be Ric's victim anymore, which means I won't use him as an excuse anymore.  If I get a loan from Jax I want it to be because he likes my artwork and feels like I'm a good investment." She stopped to think for a second and then looked at Luke. "What do you think?" she asked him.

"Well I have no love for Jax, but I have no hate for the guy either. He's got the money and he is a trustworthy sort of person, so I don't think I have to worry about him making ridiculous demands out of you like Edward would. And Lord knows I would rather chew off my own arm then watch you go into debt to the Cassadine's.  I think Jax is a good choice." Luke said.

"We're talking like Jax is just going to hand over the money.  He might look at my work and hate it." Elizabeth said worriedly.

"I don't think so Elizabeth, you are so talented and Jax will see it right away.  So I'll call him right now and set something up, and I won't tell him about Ric blackmailing you. But Elizabeth if he does give you the loan you're going to have to tell him, he hates secrets." Skye said grabbing her phone and heading to the bar to place the call.

"Ok I'll tell him if he accepts my work" Elizabeth said to Luke.

Skye dialed Jax's number and waited for him to pick up the phone.

****

Across town in Jax's penthouse.

Jax was sitting on his couch reading over some files.  He couldn't believe how dumb people could be.  Some companies would get so greedy and spend everything they had, leaving themselves wide open for him to come in and hit them when they weren't paying attention, or were close to bankruptcy.  He rubbed his eyes he was getting restless. He wasn't sure what it was but he needed a distraction. Not for that exact moment but in his life in general.  He always went through stages, he would hit his peak at the corporate level and would be doing well, and then something would change and he would crave something different in his life. That was part of the reason he had bankrolled Carly Corinthos with Club 101, the club was a change of pace for him.  He sighed as he heard his phone ring. He picked it up.

"Jax " he said into the phone.

"Hey Jax it's Skye. How are you?"

"I'm good, getting bored though" Jax said, he was glad that he and Skye were able to become friends again. It also helped that neither one felt any romantic feelings for each other anymore. 

"Bored huh? Well that's great. What if I told you I had an investment for you that would be a bit different then you are used to?" Skye asked giving Elizabeth a thumbs up sign.

"I'm intrigued, how much are you going to need, and what is for?" Jax asked.

"Actually it isn't for me. It's for Elizabeth Webber; she's an incredibly talented artist and is looking for someone to invest in a show for her. She of course would pay you back in full as soon as all of her magnificent art is sold." Skye said holding her breath.

Jax thought about it, he wasn't into investing in strangers, but Elizabeth wasn't a stranger. Not completely anyways.  There was nothing to say she would be a bad investment. Plus, if Skye was recommending her she had to be good. An art show, now that was different.  Funny, wasn't he just thinking of doing something different with his time.  This could be what he was looking for to break up the monotony.

"I think I could be interested, why don't you have her come over at 4:00 today.  Tell her to bring some of her work with her so I can take a look. If I like what I see I would be glad to invest." Jax said.

"Great! She'll be there." Skye hung up the phone and let out a squeal of excitement. She ran over and hugged Elizabeth.

"He said to be over at his penthouse at 4:00, and to bring some of your work, so he can look at it.  He said if he likes what he sees he would be glad to invest." Skye said.

Elizabeth felt her heart soar.  Maybe this would be her answer, she could be done with Ric once and for all and get her show. She hugged Skye and both girls giggled excitedly.

"Wait a minute" spoke up Luke, "Why does he want you to come to his penthouse, isn't that a little strange?"

Skye rolled her eyes, "He works out of his home, he has an office but he hardly ever uses it. I assure you, he will be a complete gentleman with Elizabeth.  If you don't believe me I'll go with her, is that ok with you, Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth sighed with relief.  She was actually going to suggest Skye come with her.  It would be nice to have someone there who she knew, just in case she started stuttering and babbling in front of Jax. That and Skye could help her pick up her ego if Jax hates her work. "That would be fine with me, it will be nice having someone there to introduce us, I really don't know him that well."

"Well all right. We have enough time for you to change your clothes and grab some of your artwork.  Let's go." Skye said excitedly, she was thrilled for Elizabeth. Jax could be unknowingly getting Elizabeth out of a horrible situation with Ric.

"Good Luck Little Bit" Luke said hugging Elizabeth and then hugging and kissing Skye goodbye. He chuckled as he watched the girls go arm in arm chatting the whole way out the door.  He hoped Jax knew what he would be getting himself into.

*** All right everyone what did you think? Should I keep writing or should I pull the plug now? Let me know.

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