Second Chances: Confessions
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jason opened his eyes and saw Elizabeth resting comfortably in his arms. The horrible events of the night before came tumbling back to him. He lowered his head to hers and drank in the soft scent of vanilla that was Elizabeth. He exhaled deeply relieved that she hadn't been severely injured in the accident. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like if he had lost her. The sudden realization that he needed her in his life more than he had ever been able to admit to himself before was freeing and frightening at the same time.
He watched as the sun climbed high into the morning sky. The sunrise was bright, full of life and cast a pink hue among the mist that hung in the heavens. Absently he found himself wondering how Elizabeth would describe it to him. He never tired of hearing her explanation of things. He marveled at her zest and excitement.
That was one of the things he loved about her. She could make even the simplest things new for him. Jason brushed his lips against her soft locks and settled back to watch the sunrise finish its ascent.
He felt Elizabeth stir slightly in his arms. "Hey," he said when she finally opened her eyes. Immediately he saw discomfort wash over her features. "You okay?" he asked softly.
"Um huh," she murmured not convincing Jason in the least bit. The thumping in her head reminded her of the time she and Emily had gotten into the Quartermaine's liquor cabinet and decided that drinking a bottle and a half of scotch between them was a good thing. She did her best to reposition herself in bed but in doing so a stabbing pain shot through her shoulder making her wince.
"Easy," Jason said as he removed himself from the bed to assist her. "That better?" he asked once she was sitting up.
"Much, thank you."
"You need anything?"
"No. Did you stay with me all night?" she questioned surveying his rumpled clothes and blonde stubble poking out from his cheeks.
"Yeah. I couldn't leave," Jason said openly as he took her hand in his own.
Elizabeth softly smiled at his reply as her heart swelled. "Thank you for staying." She had forgotten what it was like to wake up with him there. When he was recovering from his gunshot wound waking up together had been a normal occurrence, one that Elizabeth missed when he was no longer there.
"You sure you're okay?" She still looked awfully pale to him.
"Well if I can ignore the pounding in him head and the throbbing in my left arm, I'd say I'm great," she joked.
"Be serious," he said. "Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine Jason, really." Elizabeth did her best to reassure him yet concern consumed his ice blue eyes.
"I see our patient is awake," Monica's voice startled them both. "How are you feeling this morning Elizabeth?"
"Sore."
"That's to be expected. You will probably feel like that for a few weeks actually."
"Can you give her something for the pain?" Jason interrupted.
Monica turned to look at her son. She smiled slightly. It was so evident the depth of feeling he carried for Elizabeth Webber. "Yes, we can certainly give her some medication for her discomfort."
"Good."
"When can I go home?" Elizabeth asked.
"Tony is working on your release papers right now. So it shouldn't be much longer. I think it would be best if you weren't alone for the next few days. You are going to need some help, at least until your shoulder and wrist heal a bit."
"She'll be staying with me." Jason immediately spoke up much to Elizabeth and Monica's surprise.
"Okay, well as soon as Tony finishes up with the paperwork you will be able to go. Just take it easy for the next few days. Understand?"
"She will." Again Jason spoke for her.
Once Monica was out of the room Elizabeth turned and stared at him. One part of her was thrilled by Jason's need to protect her but another was infuriated by it. "I can go back to my studio. I don't really need to stay at your penthouse."
Jason felt his heart sink. He wanted more than anything to take care of her, do for her what she had done for him. "You heard Monica, you shouldn't be alone."
"I won't be. Isn't that what I have Max for?"
"Someone say my name?" Max asked as he entered the room carrying a bag of fresh clothes for Elizabeth.
"Morning Max," Elizabeth grinned at him. "Those for me?"
"Yeah, Mr. Morgan asked me to drop by your place and pick up a few of your things."
"I thought you might like a change of clothes," Jason said.
"Thank you." She grazed her hand against his sensing that he was disappointed that she didn't want to stay with him. It wasn't as if she didn't want to stay with Jason. In fact that's all she wanted but for once she wanted it to be for no other reason than that the two of them both wanted it. She didn't want it to be tied to some catastrophe like the times before.
"You're welcome." Jason moved across the room and Elizabeth instantly wished she had just agreed to what he wanted. Why did it seem like they were forever playing this game? Just as she was about to speak Dr. Jones breezed into the room.
"Well you're all set. Here is a prescription for some pain medication. Take it only when you really need it and I would like to see you in a week or so just for some follow up. If you are feeling up to it we might start you on a little physical therapy for your shoulder."
"Thanks, Tony," Elizabeth said as she reached for the prescription in his hand.
"Would you like Maxie or Georgie to come in and help you get dressed?" he asked.
"Yeah that'd be fine." Instantly Elizabeth eyes locked with Jason's and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing? Thinking that she wanted him to be the one to help her.
"We'll be right outside," Jason said as he and Max exited the room. "Max can get this filled for you." Jason took the thin piece of paper from her hand. Their fingers barely touched but it was enough to cause Elizabeth to shiver with excitement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All ready," Elizabeth said as she approached Jason in the corridor.
"Max is bringing the car around," Jason said his voice almost sounding detached.
"Guess no more rides for awhile huh?" She tried to lighten the mood to no avail.
"Probably not."
Elizabeth followed Jason into the awaiting elevator and then into the black sedan parked at the curb. Neither one of them said a word. Occasionally Max glanced at the pair from the rearview mirror. He didn't like what he saw. Both were perched on opposite ends of the back seat as far away from one another as they could get. Jason was staring straight ahead with his famous blank expression etched on his face and Elizabeth was gazing out the window watching the Port Charles scenery as it went by. 'Damn,' Max thought to himself.
Elizabeth noticed Marco standing by her studio door as they made their way up the staircase. "What's he doing here?" she questioned.
"He will be on duty with Max," Jason said flatly.
"What? Why? Why two guards now?" Elizabeth did little to hide the alarm in her voice.
He hated the fear he heard in her voice and saw on her face. "It's necessary."
"Necessary?" she parroted. "Why?" She was anxious for an answer.
"Let's get you inside, okay?" Jason turned the key in the lock and ushered her into the small studio. "Sit down, please." He was trying his best to conceal his concern for her but his steely mask was faltering.
"Jason, what's going on?" she asked.
Max closed the door behind him and left them in private hoping that his boss wouldn't blow it with her once again.
"Nothing, nothing's going on. I just think you should be sitting down. You sure you feel all right?" He placed his hand against her cheek as she had done to him so many times in the past.
"I'm fine." Elizabeth was more than a little confused by how he could change directions so quickly. One moment he was detached and distant and the next he was filled with concern and worry for her. It was making her head swim. "Would you please come and sit with me?" she asked.
Jason complied with her request and settled himself down on what he considered his side of her little sofa. The sat quietly for a few minutes neither sure what the other wanted to hear. Finally Elizabeth spoke. "Jason, what's going on?" She repeated her earlier question. "Did I do something? Are you upset with me cause I.."
"No!" He cut her off before she had a chance to finish. "No, I'm not upset with you."
"Then what? What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Jason, please, please don't do that with me. Don't hide. What's wrong? Why do I need two guards now? Why are you so distant all of the sudden?"
No matter how hard he tried he had never been able to hide anything from her. It upset him but overall it was their connection that had kept him going more times than not. He reached across the sofa his hand swallowing hers. He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand in small gentle circles searching for the right words.
"Jason, what is it? You're starting to scare me," she admitted openly.
"I'm scared too." Elizabeth pulled back. She had never once heard Jason admit to ever being afraid of anything. He had always been her rock. "I was so scared I was going to lose you last night. Right after the accident.," his words faltered, ".I couldn't find you at first then you wouldn't wake up. You don't know what it was like Elizabeth to watch you lying there on the ground not moving.."
Ignoring the pounding in her head and the ache that depleted the left side of her body, Elizabeth moved closer to him. "I'm fine, everything is okay," she said gently squeezing his hand. She knew exactly how he was feeling for she had felt the same. The night of the Valentine's day fire at Sonny's warehouse when she stood outside breathlessly waiting for Jason and Sonny to emerge from the flames and rubble. She had been terrified. She could see that terror reflected in Jason's eyes.
"It's not fine. It's never fine! There is always some sort of danger, someone with a score to settle. You are always going to be caught in the cross fire of my life." Jason nearly choked on the cries he wouldn't allow release.
"Please don't say what I know you are going to say." Elizabeth had heard this speech time and time again. It went something like this, that his life was too dangerous for her to be a part of it, that they couldn't be friends, that there would be no more rides, no more talks - nothing. "Please don't tell me we can't see each other anymore." It was now her turn to surpress tears.
Jason ran his other hand through his blonde hair and watched as the tears pooled in her deep blue eyes. "I can't do that. I can't not not see you. I don't think I'd survive it."
"What?" Elizabeth was noticeably shocked by his reply.
"I've tried for years now to do the right thing. I've tried to push you out of my life but something always propels us together. I can't fight it anymore. I can't fight what I feel for you. I love you, Elizabeth."
Those words brought silence to the room. She couldn't believe what she had heard. How she had longed to hear those words from him forever. That he loved her. Jason Morgan loved her.
"I love you too, Jason" she whispered. Both appeared stunned by the others revelation. "I never thought after all that I did you could ever love me."
"I've loved you for a long time. I planned on telling you that first time I came back to Port Charles. But when you told me Lucky was back, I just couldn't do that to you. I knew what Lucky meant to you and I didn't want to mess that up for you." All those feelings Jason had been holding in for so long came spilling out like a damn that had released its flood gates. "I knew I shouldn't have asked you to go away with me but I couldn't help myself. I tried like hell to respect your wishes about your not being able to see me anymore. That killed me inside, Elizabeth. Then the whole mess with Sonny faking his death and then Ric.."
"Sshh," Elizabeth placed her finger against his lips to silence him. "I've known that I loved you Jason, since the night of the fire at Sonny's warehouse. Lucky tried to lead me away saying - I can't even remember now, but I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave until I knew you were safe. Then when you came out of the building all I wanted to do was run into your arms. I knew at that moment I loved you but my loyalty to what I had with Lucky got in the way." She let out a heavy sigh. They both had wasted so much precious time dancing around one another. She didn't want to waste anymore. On that note Elizabeth leaned in and kissed him catching Jason completely off guard.
Jason felt her soft lips against his own and instantly melted into her warm touch. He still couldn't believe all that she had said. She loved him too. Elizabeth Webber loved him. The thought sent his emotions to high he never thought them capable of. He felt the need to deepen their kiss and let his tongue gently probe her lips until gaining access. He heard a slight moan escape from Elizabeth's mouth as their tongues began a lazy duel. Jason ran his hand along the features of her face. With each feathery touch of his fingers she felt waves of excitement pulse through her.
"I love you," she whispered as her digits explored his rock hard chest. She wound her hand around his neck drawing him as close as her injured arm would allow. Neither could get enough of each other. Without much thought Jason reclined his body allowing Elizabeth's to follow. The sensation of her on top of him had him growing with arousal. With a feverish pace he began kissing her neck until she winced in pain when he reached her wounded shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he immediately said. "Did I hurt you?" His lust for her suddenly replaced by concern.
"You could never hurt me, Jason." Elizabeth stroked his face with her hand doing her best to allay his worries.
"Here let me help you." Gently he assisted her in sitting back up. He scolded himself for his loss of self control. He should have known better, yet the declaration of their feelings had his head spinning.
"Jason, I'm fine really." She laughed. "Is this how I looked?"
"Huh?" he responded.
"Did I look like this fussing over you?"
"Maybe a little," he grinned slightly for being caught in the act.
"Well at least I had good reason. You were shot. I'm just a lousy driver."
Before Jason could respond to that comment his cell phone rang. Elizabeth listened to his side of the conversation and knew that he would have to go take care of one thing or another. Yet this time is was different. Yes she still was still afraid for him - the work that he did for Sonny was dangerous to say the least but knowing how he felt about her finally gave her an odd sense of peace.
"I've got to go," he said reluctantly. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her.
"I thought that you might."
"I'm really sorry..."
"Don't be. You go. The sooner you go the sooner you will be back, right?"
"You sure you don't want Max to take you to the penthouse?" Jason questioned. He would have been much more comfortable knowing that she was safe there than here in her studio.
"I'm fine here, really."
"I'll be back as soon as I can. You need anything - I mean anything you have Max or Marco take care of it. You need to rest."
"Yes sir." She gave him a mock salute and a little giggle.
"Bye." He leaned in and kissed her goodbye.
"Bye."
Elizabeth watched the door close behind him. In the stillness of the studio she replayed what had just transpired between them. There was a part of her that couldn't believe that they were finally at a place where they had told one another the truth. Emily would have been proud, since she had said all along that her brother and best friend were a perfect match.
She felt her shoulder beginning to get stiffen. She knew it was time for a pain pill. She felt shaky as she stood up from her place on the sofa. She reached for the art table near by to balance herself. The room finally steadied around her. "Must have just gotten up too fast," she said aloud.
It was then that she heard a ruckus just beyond the heavy steel door. "Max, what's going on?" she asked as she opened it.
"Nothing, Miss Webber. I'm handling it."
Elizabeth saw a skinny young man dressed in suit at the other end of Max's long arm. "Max put him down."
"Miss Web..."
"Put him down Max."
Max reluctantly complied with her request even though Jason had told him that no one was to get past him.
"What's going on?" she asked again.
"He says he has a delivery for you." Max was skeptical. He had seen his fair share of bogus deliveries.
"I do." The young man assured her.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm from Ms. Davis' office. She said you'd be expecting these." He held out an envelope for them to see.
Those must have been her divorce papers. Alexis had said she would be sending them over for her review. "It's fine Max. They're my divorce papers. I'll take them." She reached out and took the envelope from the messenger. "Wait," she said as he was about to leave. "Let me grab my purse." Elizabeth intended on tipping him.
"I've got it Miss Webber," Max said as he pulled a twenty dollar bill from the wad of money in his pocket.
"Thank you and call me Elizabeth, please."
"Sorry, Elizabeth it is."
She closed the door behind her and held the manila envelope tightly in her hand. This was it, the end of her farce of a marriage to Ric Lansing. She let a heavy sigh escape her lungs. Elizabeth laid the package on the table in front of her and opened the clasp with her uninjured hand. She turned the envelope end over end and rather than the documents she was looking for spilling out shredded paper dropped on the table.
"What the?" She ran her fingers through the strips of paper. They indeed were her divorce papers. It was then that she saw the typed note.
You can't get rid of me that easily.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jason opened his eyes and saw Elizabeth resting comfortably in his arms. The horrible events of the night before came tumbling back to him. He lowered his head to hers and drank in the soft scent of vanilla that was Elizabeth. He exhaled deeply relieved that she hadn't been severely injured in the accident. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like if he had lost her. The sudden realization that he needed her in his life more than he had ever been able to admit to himself before was freeing and frightening at the same time.
He watched as the sun climbed high into the morning sky. The sunrise was bright, full of life and cast a pink hue among the mist that hung in the heavens. Absently he found himself wondering how Elizabeth would describe it to him. He never tired of hearing her explanation of things. He marveled at her zest and excitement.
That was one of the things he loved about her. She could make even the simplest things new for him. Jason brushed his lips against her soft locks and settled back to watch the sunrise finish its ascent.
He felt Elizabeth stir slightly in his arms. "Hey," he said when she finally opened her eyes. Immediately he saw discomfort wash over her features. "You okay?" he asked softly.
"Um huh," she murmured not convincing Jason in the least bit. The thumping in her head reminded her of the time she and Emily had gotten into the Quartermaine's liquor cabinet and decided that drinking a bottle and a half of scotch between them was a good thing. She did her best to reposition herself in bed but in doing so a stabbing pain shot through her shoulder making her wince.
"Easy," Jason said as he removed himself from the bed to assist her. "That better?" he asked once she was sitting up.
"Much, thank you."
"You need anything?"
"No. Did you stay with me all night?" she questioned surveying his rumpled clothes and blonde stubble poking out from his cheeks.
"Yeah. I couldn't leave," Jason said openly as he took her hand in his own.
Elizabeth softly smiled at his reply as her heart swelled. "Thank you for staying." She had forgotten what it was like to wake up with him there. When he was recovering from his gunshot wound waking up together had been a normal occurrence, one that Elizabeth missed when he was no longer there.
"You sure you're okay?" She still looked awfully pale to him.
"Well if I can ignore the pounding in him head and the throbbing in my left arm, I'd say I'm great," she joked.
"Be serious," he said. "Are you really okay?"
"I'm fine Jason, really." Elizabeth did her best to reassure him yet concern consumed his ice blue eyes.
"I see our patient is awake," Monica's voice startled them both. "How are you feeling this morning Elizabeth?"
"Sore."
"That's to be expected. You will probably feel like that for a few weeks actually."
"Can you give her something for the pain?" Jason interrupted.
Monica turned to look at her son. She smiled slightly. It was so evident the depth of feeling he carried for Elizabeth Webber. "Yes, we can certainly give her some medication for her discomfort."
"Good."
"When can I go home?" Elizabeth asked.
"Tony is working on your release papers right now. So it shouldn't be much longer. I think it would be best if you weren't alone for the next few days. You are going to need some help, at least until your shoulder and wrist heal a bit."
"She'll be staying with me." Jason immediately spoke up much to Elizabeth and Monica's surprise.
"Okay, well as soon as Tony finishes up with the paperwork you will be able to go. Just take it easy for the next few days. Understand?"
"She will." Again Jason spoke for her.
Once Monica was out of the room Elizabeth turned and stared at him. One part of her was thrilled by Jason's need to protect her but another was infuriated by it. "I can go back to my studio. I don't really need to stay at your penthouse."
Jason felt his heart sink. He wanted more than anything to take care of her, do for her what she had done for him. "You heard Monica, you shouldn't be alone."
"I won't be. Isn't that what I have Max for?"
"Someone say my name?" Max asked as he entered the room carrying a bag of fresh clothes for Elizabeth.
"Morning Max," Elizabeth grinned at him. "Those for me?"
"Yeah, Mr. Morgan asked me to drop by your place and pick up a few of your things."
"I thought you might like a change of clothes," Jason said.
"Thank you." She grazed her hand against his sensing that he was disappointed that she didn't want to stay with him. It wasn't as if she didn't want to stay with Jason. In fact that's all she wanted but for once she wanted it to be for no other reason than that the two of them both wanted it. She didn't want it to be tied to some catastrophe like the times before.
"You're welcome." Jason moved across the room and Elizabeth instantly wished she had just agreed to what he wanted. Why did it seem like they were forever playing this game? Just as she was about to speak Dr. Jones breezed into the room.
"Well you're all set. Here is a prescription for some pain medication. Take it only when you really need it and I would like to see you in a week or so just for some follow up. If you are feeling up to it we might start you on a little physical therapy for your shoulder."
"Thanks, Tony," Elizabeth said as she reached for the prescription in his hand.
"Would you like Maxie or Georgie to come in and help you get dressed?" he asked.
"Yeah that'd be fine." Instantly Elizabeth eyes locked with Jason's and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing? Thinking that she wanted him to be the one to help her.
"We'll be right outside," Jason said as he and Max exited the room. "Max can get this filled for you." Jason took the thin piece of paper from her hand. Their fingers barely touched but it was enough to cause Elizabeth to shiver with excitement.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All ready," Elizabeth said as she approached Jason in the corridor.
"Max is bringing the car around," Jason said his voice almost sounding detached.
"Guess no more rides for awhile huh?" She tried to lighten the mood to no avail.
"Probably not."
Elizabeth followed Jason into the awaiting elevator and then into the black sedan parked at the curb. Neither one of them said a word. Occasionally Max glanced at the pair from the rearview mirror. He didn't like what he saw. Both were perched on opposite ends of the back seat as far away from one another as they could get. Jason was staring straight ahead with his famous blank expression etched on his face and Elizabeth was gazing out the window watching the Port Charles scenery as it went by. 'Damn,' Max thought to himself.
Elizabeth noticed Marco standing by her studio door as they made their way up the staircase. "What's he doing here?" she questioned.
"He will be on duty with Max," Jason said flatly.
"What? Why? Why two guards now?" Elizabeth did little to hide the alarm in her voice.
He hated the fear he heard in her voice and saw on her face. "It's necessary."
"Necessary?" she parroted. "Why?" She was anxious for an answer.
"Let's get you inside, okay?" Jason turned the key in the lock and ushered her into the small studio. "Sit down, please." He was trying his best to conceal his concern for her but his steely mask was faltering.
"Jason, what's going on?" she asked.
Max closed the door behind him and left them in private hoping that his boss wouldn't blow it with her once again.
"Nothing, nothing's going on. I just think you should be sitting down. You sure you feel all right?" He placed his hand against her cheek as she had done to him so many times in the past.
"I'm fine." Elizabeth was more than a little confused by how he could change directions so quickly. One moment he was detached and distant and the next he was filled with concern and worry for her. It was making her head swim. "Would you please come and sit with me?" she asked.
Jason complied with her request and settled himself down on what he considered his side of her little sofa. The sat quietly for a few minutes neither sure what the other wanted to hear. Finally Elizabeth spoke. "Jason, what's going on?" She repeated her earlier question. "Did I do something? Are you upset with me cause I.."
"No!" He cut her off before she had a chance to finish. "No, I'm not upset with you."
"Then what? What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Jason, please, please don't do that with me. Don't hide. What's wrong? Why do I need two guards now? Why are you so distant all of the sudden?"
No matter how hard he tried he had never been able to hide anything from her. It upset him but overall it was their connection that had kept him going more times than not. He reached across the sofa his hand swallowing hers. He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand in small gentle circles searching for the right words.
"Jason, what is it? You're starting to scare me," she admitted openly.
"I'm scared too." Elizabeth pulled back. She had never once heard Jason admit to ever being afraid of anything. He had always been her rock. "I was so scared I was going to lose you last night. Right after the accident.," his words faltered, ".I couldn't find you at first then you wouldn't wake up. You don't know what it was like Elizabeth to watch you lying there on the ground not moving.."
Ignoring the pounding in her head and the ache that depleted the left side of her body, Elizabeth moved closer to him. "I'm fine, everything is okay," she said gently squeezing his hand. She knew exactly how he was feeling for she had felt the same. The night of the Valentine's day fire at Sonny's warehouse when she stood outside breathlessly waiting for Jason and Sonny to emerge from the flames and rubble. She had been terrified. She could see that terror reflected in Jason's eyes.
"It's not fine. It's never fine! There is always some sort of danger, someone with a score to settle. You are always going to be caught in the cross fire of my life." Jason nearly choked on the cries he wouldn't allow release.
"Please don't say what I know you are going to say." Elizabeth had heard this speech time and time again. It went something like this, that his life was too dangerous for her to be a part of it, that they couldn't be friends, that there would be no more rides, no more talks - nothing. "Please don't tell me we can't see each other anymore." It was now her turn to surpress tears.
Jason ran his other hand through his blonde hair and watched as the tears pooled in her deep blue eyes. "I can't do that. I can't not not see you. I don't think I'd survive it."
"What?" Elizabeth was noticeably shocked by his reply.
"I've tried for years now to do the right thing. I've tried to push you out of my life but something always propels us together. I can't fight it anymore. I can't fight what I feel for you. I love you, Elizabeth."
Those words brought silence to the room. She couldn't believe what she had heard. How she had longed to hear those words from him forever. That he loved her. Jason Morgan loved her.
"I love you too, Jason" she whispered. Both appeared stunned by the others revelation. "I never thought after all that I did you could ever love me."
"I've loved you for a long time. I planned on telling you that first time I came back to Port Charles. But when you told me Lucky was back, I just couldn't do that to you. I knew what Lucky meant to you and I didn't want to mess that up for you." All those feelings Jason had been holding in for so long came spilling out like a damn that had released its flood gates. "I knew I shouldn't have asked you to go away with me but I couldn't help myself. I tried like hell to respect your wishes about your not being able to see me anymore. That killed me inside, Elizabeth. Then the whole mess with Sonny faking his death and then Ric.."
"Sshh," Elizabeth placed her finger against his lips to silence him. "I've known that I loved you Jason, since the night of the fire at Sonny's warehouse. Lucky tried to lead me away saying - I can't even remember now, but I couldn't leave. I couldn't leave until I knew you were safe. Then when you came out of the building all I wanted to do was run into your arms. I knew at that moment I loved you but my loyalty to what I had with Lucky got in the way." She let out a heavy sigh. They both had wasted so much precious time dancing around one another. She didn't want to waste anymore. On that note Elizabeth leaned in and kissed him catching Jason completely off guard.
Jason felt her soft lips against his own and instantly melted into her warm touch. He still couldn't believe all that she had said. She loved him too. Elizabeth Webber loved him. The thought sent his emotions to high he never thought them capable of. He felt the need to deepen their kiss and let his tongue gently probe her lips until gaining access. He heard a slight moan escape from Elizabeth's mouth as their tongues began a lazy duel. Jason ran his hand along the features of her face. With each feathery touch of his fingers she felt waves of excitement pulse through her.
"I love you," she whispered as her digits explored his rock hard chest. She wound her hand around his neck drawing him as close as her injured arm would allow. Neither could get enough of each other. Without much thought Jason reclined his body allowing Elizabeth's to follow. The sensation of her on top of him had him growing with arousal. With a feverish pace he began kissing her neck until she winced in pain when he reached her wounded shoulder.
"I'm sorry," he immediately said. "Did I hurt you?" His lust for her suddenly replaced by concern.
"You could never hurt me, Jason." Elizabeth stroked his face with her hand doing her best to allay his worries.
"Here let me help you." Gently he assisted her in sitting back up. He scolded himself for his loss of self control. He should have known better, yet the declaration of their feelings had his head spinning.
"Jason, I'm fine really." She laughed. "Is this how I looked?"
"Huh?" he responded.
"Did I look like this fussing over you?"
"Maybe a little," he grinned slightly for being caught in the act.
"Well at least I had good reason. You were shot. I'm just a lousy driver."
Before Jason could respond to that comment his cell phone rang. Elizabeth listened to his side of the conversation and knew that he would have to go take care of one thing or another. Yet this time is was different. Yes she still was still afraid for him - the work that he did for Sonny was dangerous to say the least but knowing how he felt about her finally gave her an odd sense of peace.
"I've got to go," he said reluctantly. The last thing he wanted to do was leave her.
"I thought that you might."
"I'm really sorry..."
"Don't be. You go. The sooner you go the sooner you will be back, right?"
"You sure you don't want Max to take you to the penthouse?" Jason questioned. He would have been much more comfortable knowing that she was safe there than here in her studio.
"I'm fine here, really."
"I'll be back as soon as I can. You need anything - I mean anything you have Max or Marco take care of it. You need to rest."
"Yes sir." She gave him a mock salute and a little giggle.
"Bye." He leaned in and kissed her goodbye.
"Bye."
Elizabeth watched the door close behind him. In the stillness of the studio she replayed what had just transpired between them. There was a part of her that couldn't believe that they were finally at a place where they had told one another the truth. Emily would have been proud, since she had said all along that her brother and best friend were a perfect match.
She felt her shoulder beginning to get stiffen. She knew it was time for a pain pill. She felt shaky as she stood up from her place on the sofa. She reached for the art table near by to balance herself. The room finally steadied around her. "Must have just gotten up too fast," she said aloud.
It was then that she heard a ruckus just beyond the heavy steel door. "Max, what's going on?" she asked as she opened it.
"Nothing, Miss Webber. I'm handling it."
Elizabeth saw a skinny young man dressed in suit at the other end of Max's long arm. "Max put him down."
"Miss Web..."
"Put him down Max."
Max reluctantly complied with her request even though Jason had told him that no one was to get past him.
"What's going on?" she asked again.
"He says he has a delivery for you." Max was skeptical. He had seen his fair share of bogus deliveries.
"I do." The young man assured her.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm from Ms. Davis' office. She said you'd be expecting these." He held out an envelope for them to see.
Those must have been her divorce papers. Alexis had said she would be sending them over for her review. "It's fine Max. They're my divorce papers. I'll take them." She reached out and took the envelope from the messenger. "Wait," she said as he was about to leave. "Let me grab my purse." Elizabeth intended on tipping him.
"I've got it Miss Webber," Max said as he pulled a twenty dollar bill from the wad of money in his pocket.
"Thank you and call me Elizabeth, please."
"Sorry, Elizabeth it is."
She closed the door behind her and held the manila envelope tightly in her hand. This was it, the end of her farce of a marriage to Ric Lansing. She let a heavy sigh escape her lungs. Elizabeth laid the package on the table in front of her and opened the clasp with her uninjured hand. She turned the envelope end over end and rather than the documents she was looking for spilling out shredded paper dropped on the table.
"What the?" She ran her fingers through the strips of paper. They indeed were her divorce papers. It was then that she saw the typed note.
You can't get rid of me that easily.