Second Chances: Settling In
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Slowly Elizabeth opened her eyes and the realization of where she was caused a smile to expand across her face. She was nestled in the crock of Jason's strong arm. She had spent the night with him in his bed. A sense of comfort and contentment that she hadn't had since the days of living in her studio with him washed over her.
She turned on her side slowly as not to disturb him. For once she wanted to be the one able to study him. Endless times she had woken up to him staring down at her, it was her turn. She watched him sleeping. She was well aware that Jason Morgan professed to need little if any sleep but something told her that this was the first time in ages that he actually welcomed the slumber. He appeared so at ease lying beside her. In the world Jason lived in being at ease wasn't something that came readily.
She watched the rise and fall of his chest with each breath that he took. His breathing was even and steady much like her own was when he was close by. To this day she didn't understand it but Jason had a way of calming, centering her by doing absolutely nothing but being there. Even when she couldn't admit it to herself much less the world, she knew she loved him. She shared so much of herself with him without giving it a thought. It had been so easy, natural.
When Lucky returned from the dead, she was thrilled but it paled in comparison to the feelings that invaded her the day she saw Jason on the docks that first time he came back to Port Charles. It was as if a part of her heart had been returned to her. It was a shame that she hadn't been able to admit her true feelings all those years ago. She could have saved so many people so much pain.
Jason stirred a bit as the early morning light filtered itself through the slats in the wide wooden blinds that adorned his bedroom windows. She winced when his movements jarred her shoulder, but she clenched her jaw not letting the sound of pain escape from her lips. She knew if she were to do that Jason would be awake in a fraction of a second and she wasn't ready to relinquish her study of him just yet. She waited for the discomfort in her arm to pass and resumed her examination of him.
Mentally she sketched his profile in her mind. His features had a hardness to them but Elizabeth knew how they softened when he would smile at her or when she could get him to inadvertently laugh at one crazy thing or another that she might say. She recalled the first true laugh they shared. It was that Christmas they spent in her studio. He laughed at her little Christmas tree that cried to be taken home with her. In the end they decorated that little tree together. It had been one of the best Christmases she remembered ever having. "I loved you then," she whispered in his ear.
"When?" Jason said not opening his eyes.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked.
"Since you pretended not to be in pain." Jason smiled sheepishly.
"I did no such thing," she protested slightly annoyed that she couldn't ever fool him.
"Ah huh," he laughed and opened his eyes finally. She loved his eyes. To the rest of the world they were hard cold pieces of blue ice. But to Elizabeth they were as deep as the bluest part of the ocean. They were warm and loving. They showed a side of Jason only she knew.
"So you loved me when?" he questioned. It still was hard for him to comprehend finally letting the word love and Elizabeth occupy the same sentence. Or that even though he knew that there was danger from so many sides just beyond his penthouse door he wasn't forcing her out of his life. This new existence was going to take some getting used to but he definitely wouldn't mind it. "So, when?" he prodded anxious to hear her response.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Elizabeth cocked her brow and smiled slyly enjoying the easiness between them.
"Yes, I would." He turned on his elbow and pressed his lips against hers.
"You think you ply me with kisses and I'll just divulge all of my secrets, Mr. Morgan."
"Ah-huh." He smiled and kissed her again this time letting his tongue dart into the recesses of her mouth. "Working?"
"Maybe," she giggled.
He rested his hand on the back of her neck and drew her closer to him. At first his lips were soft against hers but took on a hunger that Elizabeth returned eagerly. The beating of her heart quickened to the point that she heard it pounding in her head. It was merely a kiss but it elicited emotions in her that were uncontrollable. Suddenly he pulled back. "So when did you love me?" He was intent on getting answer.
"Ugh," she sighed looking at him with laughter in her eyes. "You aren't going to let this go are you?"
"No."
"You know this is very un-Jason-like of you," she scolded. "My Jason never pushed for answers. Who are you and what have you done with him?" She laughed.
"I've decided pushing for what I want isn't so bad after all." He kissed the tip of her nose.
"I agree. Sorry it took both of us so long to figure that out."
"No looking back," he said.
"Now there's the Jason I know and love," she added.
"Momentary lapse of reason," he agreed. "So when.." Before he could finish Elizabeth's cell phone rang from inside her purse. "Here." He reached across to the bedside table and offered it to her.
"Thanks. Hello."
"Like playing house?" The distorted voice said before the line went dead.
"Elizabeth?" Jason saw the panic fill her eyes. "What? Elizabeth who was that?"
"I don't know," her voice shook.
"Was it Ric?" Jason pressed.
"I don't know," she repeated. "The voice was all garbled. It could have been but didn't have to be."
"Was it a man's voice - maybe a woman's?" Jason asked not forgetting about Faith Roscoe. Even though he wasn't as convinced as Sonny that it was her, Jason certainly couldn't rule her out.
"I don't know!" she snapped.
"I'm sorry," he said as he cradled her in his arms. He felt her body trembling. "It's okay. It's okay baby." He ran his and along her back in small concentric circles until her body stilled. "You okay?" he asked as he pulled back to look at her face.
"I'm fine."
"You're a terrible liar."
"With you," she faintly smiled.
"What did the person say?" Jason questioned.
"They asked me if I liked playing house? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Sounds like someone knows you aren't staying at your studio." Jason sighed deeply, wishing that for once something between them just could have been simple.
"That's what I thought." She closed her eyes hoping that the tears wouldn't come.
"You're safe here Elizabeth."
"I know."
Elizabeth moved off the bed and walked across the room. She tried to calm the wild thoughts that ran rampant through her head.
Jason made no attempt to follow her. He just watched her. He hated that she was afraid. He knew she was even if she would never admit it. That was just her way. She would put on a brave face and pretend all was fine even when Jason knew it was far from it.
All he wanted to do right then was kill Ric Lansing. He would stake money on it that that call had been from him. He knew that Elizabeth was with him, staying - no living at his penthouse now. When would the man give up? Jason thought. He knew the answer though, he wouldn't - not until he got what he wanted. And that was never going to happen.
When he could no longer handle the distance between them, Jason walked to where she stood facing the corner and slipped his arms around her tiny waist. "It's going to be okay," he whispered.
"Is it?" She turned to face him. He saw the tears that had made their silent appearance on her cheeks.
"Yes." He wiped them away with his thumbs. "Yes, I promise you Ric will NEVER hurt you again," he emphasized.
"You don't know how much I want to believe that Jason."
"But you don't do you? You don't think he's ever going to be out of your life?" he asked reading her quiet thoughts.
She nodded her head in reply.
"He will Elizabeth. I swear to you he will." He pulled her against him as she rested her head on his chest. "If it's the last thing I do, he'll be out of your life once and for all."
A shiver ran down her spine at the calculated way Jason spoke. She knew the veiled meaning in his words and for once didn't care that that meant a man might die at Jason's hand. All she wanted was for Ric to be gone from her life.
"You hungry? You want some breakfast?" he asked after a few minutes of silence between them had passed. A part of him was surprised that she didn't ask if he intended on killing Ric and another was even more shocked that she hadn't asked him to spare the man's life. On many occasions both she and Emily had asked him to turn a blind eye on what he knew would have been best for all concerned, yet this time Elizabeth hadn't. He searched her sapphire eyes for what she was thinking.
"I'd love some food. And no I'm not going to ask you about him. I don't want to know Jason." She answered his unspoken question.
"What does that mean?" he asked unsure how to gauge that remark.
"It means I don't want to know what happens to Ric -- or your involvement in it. This is one time that I don't mind being kept out of your 'business'."
"Okay." Jason nodded dropping the subject. It was odd to have had that conversation with her yet it was also good. For once he felt as if he knew where he stood with her. There weren't any secrets. Maybe they finally crossed that last hurdle that had forever tripped them up. "Why don't you take a shower while I figure out something for you to eat?"
"Sure. Jason," she called to him as he began to leave the room. "I love you."
"I love you too, Elizabeth."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She descended the stairs to find an array of food spread out on the glass top coffee table. "Wow! Are you feeding an army?"
"Wasn't sure what you would be in the mood for."
"You did all of this?" she questioned. "Sonny better watch out. It looks like you are vying for his position as master chef." She laughed as she reached for a blueberry muffin.
"Hardly. Besides you can thank Kelly's and Gavin since he delivered the feast you see before you."
"Ah - I see. Thank you though. You thought of everything."
"How's your shoulder feeling?" he questioned when he saw her stop short in pain as though she had forgotten about the injury.
"Stiff, but I'll manage."
"Have you been taking those pain meds that Tony prescribed?"
"They are still at my studio," she said as she took another bite of her muffin.
"I'll have one of the guys go over and get them for you. It couldn't hurt you to take them for a couple days. At least you would be more comfortable."
"I was thinking that I should go back.."
"What? Why?" Jason cut her off before she had even been able to finish her comment. Immediately he was fearful that their conversation about Ric and what might happen to him had her running for cover. "Why don't you want to live here?"
"Who said I don't want to live here Jason?" She was amazed that he would jump to that instantaneous conclusion. But then again hadn't that been their previous pattern? Cut and run when either one of them couldn't deal with something. It was going to take a while for the both of them to realize that this time was different - that it was forever.
"You said you were thinking of going back to your studio."
"No, what I was going to say was that I should go there and pick up my stuff. As much as I love wearing your shirts." Jason smiled at that remark. "I can't do it forever. I would like to get some of my art supplies.."
"Max and Marco can do all of that. Besides you aren't supposed to be doing anything strenuous for a little while."
"I'd kinda like to get my personal stuff myself, if you know what I mean."
His cell phone rang before he had a chance to speak. "Morgan. Can't it wait? Elizabeth is here and she's not supposed to be left alone." Jason knew he was exaggerating a bit but he didn't care. He didn't want to leave her alone again. Especially not for another run in with Sonny that would get them no where. "I'm not sure we have any more to say on the subject." Elizabeth heard the ire in his voice. "Fine!" Jason dropped the phone on the desk with an angry thud.
"Jase?" she questioned. "You okay?"
"Yeah. That was Sonny."
"Figured as much."
"He needs to talk to me."
"Got that too."
"I don't want to leave you alone. I mean you've been in the hospital twice in two days. I would just feel better staying here." Elizabeth's heart surged with delight. Jason was putting her first. He didn't immediately run for the door the second Sonny ordered him to. He was sitting on the couch next to her. She had to pinch herself to believe this wasn't a dream.
"I'll be fine. I promise not to rearrange the furniture while you are gone," she laughed. "Go see what Sonny needs." She couldn't put her finger on it but she sensed that there was a rift between the two men. "When you get back we can go to my studio and pick up my things."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I promise to rest until you get back," she said with a wink.
"Rest huh?"
"I promise," she giggled.
"Okay, I'll be right across the hall. Come get me if you need anything or if you feel dizzy - you haven't been feeling dizzy again have you?" He hadn't thought to ask her that earlier.
"Only when you kiss me."
"Very funny," he said as he leaned and kissed her.
"See, I feel faint." She rested her hand on her forehead like the women did in the old black and white films.
Jason caught her in his arms and kissed her passionately until she really did feel woozy. "You lay down and I will be back as soon as I can." Jason pointed to the leather couch.
"Yes sir."
Elizabeth settled back and watched him disappear through the doorway. She let out a squeal of delight as though she was a giddy schoolgirl all over again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Slowly Elizabeth opened her eyes and the realization of where she was caused a smile to expand across her face. She was nestled in the crock of Jason's strong arm. She had spent the night with him in his bed. A sense of comfort and contentment that she hadn't had since the days of living in her studio with him washed over her.
She turned on her side slowly as not to disturb him. For once she wanted to be the one able to study him. Endless times she had woken up to him staring down at her, it was her turn. She watched him sleeping. She was well aware that Jason Morgan professed to need little if any sleep but something told her that this was the first time in ages that he actually welcomed the slumber. He appeared so at ease lying beside her. In the world Jason lived in being at ease wasn't something that came readily.
She watched the rise and fall of his chest with each breath that he took. His breathing was even and steady much like her own was when he was close by. To this day she didn't understand it but Jason had a way of calming, centering her by doing absolutely nothing but being there. Even when she couldn't admit it to herself much less the world, she knew she loved him. She shared so much of herself with him without giving it a thought. It had been so easy, natural.
When Lucky returned from the dead, she was thrilled but it paled in comparison to the feelings that invaded her the day she saw Jason on the docks that first time he came back to Port Charles. It was as if a part of her heart had been returned to her. It was a shame that she hadn't been able to admit her true feelings all those years ago. She could have saved so many people so much pain.
Jason stirred a bit as the early morning light filtered itself through the slats in the wide wooden blinds that adorned his bedroom windows. She winced when his movements jarred her shoulder, but she clenched her jaw not letting the sound of pain escape from her lips. She knew if she were to do that Jason would be awake in a fraction of a second and she wasn't ready to relinquish her study of him just yet. She waited for the discomfort in her arm to pass and resumed her examination of him.
Mentally she sketched his profile in her mind. His features had a hardness to them but Elizabeth knew how they softened when he would smile at her or when she could get him to inadvertently laugh at one crazy thing or another that she might say. She recalled the first true laugh they shared. It was that Christmas they spent in her studio. He laughed at her little Christmas tree that cried to be taken home with her. In the end they decorated that little tree together. It had been one of the best Christmases she remembered ever having. "I loved you then," she whispered in his ear.
"When?" Jason said not opening his eyes.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked.
"Since you pretended not to be in pain." Jason smiled sheepishly.
"I did no such thing," she protested slightly annoyed that she couldn't ever fool him.
"Ah huh," he laughed and opened his eyes finally. She loved his eyes. To the rest of the world they were hard cold pieces of blue ice. But to Elizabeth they were as deep as the bluest part of the ocean. They were warm and loving. They showed a side of Jason only she knew.
"So you loved me when?" he questioned. It still was hard for him to comprehend finally letting the word love and Elizabeth occupy the same sentence. Or that even though he knew that there was danger from so many sides just beyond his penthouse door he wasn't forcing her out of his life. This new existence was going to take some getting used to but he definitely wouldn't mind it. "So, when?" he prodded anxious to hear her response.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Elizabeth cocked her brow and smiled slyly enjoying the easiness between them.
"Yes, I would." He turned on his elbow and pressed his lips against hers.
"You think you ply me with kisses and I'll just divulge all of my secrets, Mr. Morgan."
"Ah-huh." He smiled and kissed her again this time letting his tongue dart into the recesses of her mouth. "Working?"
"Maybe," she giggled.
He rested his hand on the back of her neck and drew her closer to him. At first his lips were soft against hers but took on a hunger that Elizabeth returned eagerly. The beating of her heart quickened to the point that she heard it pounding in her head. It was merely a kiss but it elicited emotions in her that were uncontrollable. Suddenly he pulled back. "So when did you love me?" He was intent on getting answer.
"Ugh," she sighed looking at him with laughter in her eyes. "You aren't going to let this go are you?"
"No."
"You know this is very un-Jason-like of you," she scolded. "My Jason never pushed for answers. Who are you and what have you done with him?" She laughed.
"I've decided pushing for what I want isn't so bad after all." He kissed the tip of her nose.
"I agree. Sorry it took both of us so long to figure that out."
"No looking back," he said.
"Now there's the Jason I know and love," she added.
"Momentary lapse of reason," he agreed. "So when.." Before he could finish Elizabeth's cell phone rang from inside her purse. "Here." He reached across to the bedside table and offered it to her.
"Thanks. Hello."
"Like playing house?" The distorted voice said before the line went dead.
"Elizabeth?" Jason saw the panic fill her eyes. "What? Elizabeth who was that?"
"I don't know," her voice shook.
"Was it Ric?" Jason pressed.
"I don't know," she repeated. "The voice was all garbled. It could have been but didn't have to be."
"Was it a man's voice - maybe a woman's?" Jason asked not forgetting about Faith Roscoe. Even though he wasn't as convinced as Sonny that it was her, Jason certainly couldn't rule her out.
"I don't know!" she snapped.
"I'm sorry," he said as he cradled her in his arms. He felt her body trembling. "It's okay. It's okay baby." He ran his and along her back in small concentric circles until her body stilled. "You okay?" he asked as he pulled back to look at her face.
"I'm fine."
"You're a terrible liar."
"With you," she faintly smiled.
"What did the person say?" Jason questioned.
"They asked me if I liked playing house? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Sounds like someone knows you aren't staying at your studio." Jason sighed deeply, wishing that for once something between them just could have been simple.
"That's what I thought." She closed her eyes hoping that the tears wouldn't come.
"You're safe here Elizabeth."
"I know."
Elizabeth moved off the bed and walked across the room. She tried to calm the wild thoughts that ran rampant through her head.
Jason made no attempt to follow her. He just watched her. He hated that she was afraid. He knew she was even if she would never admit it. That was just her way. She would put on a brave face and pretend all was fine even when Jason knew it was far from it.
All he wanted to do right then was kill Ric Lansing. He would stake money on it that that call had been from him. He knew that Elizabeth was with him, staying - no living at his penthouse now. When would the man give up? Jason thought. He knew the answer though, he wouldn't - not until he got what he wanted. And that was never going to happen.
When he could no longer handle the distance between them, Jason walked to where she stood facing the corner and slipped his arms around her tiny waist. "It's going to be okay," he whispered.
"Is it?" She turned to face him. He saw the tears that had made their silent appearance on her cheeks.
"Yes." He wiped them away with his thumbs. "Yes, I promise you Ric will NEVER hurt you again," he emphasized.
"You don't know how much I want to believe that Jason."
"But you don't do you? You don't think he's ever going to be out of your life?" he asked reading her quiet thoughts.
She nodded her head in reply.
"He will Elizabeth. I swear to you he will." He pulled her against him as she rested her head on his chest. "If it's the last thing I do, he'll be out of your life once and for all."
A shiver ran down her spine at the calculated way Jason spoke. She knew the veiled meaning in his words and for once didn't care that that meant a man might die at Jason's hand. All she wanted was for Ric to be gone from her life.
"You hungry? You want some breakfast?" he asked after a few minutes of silence between them had passed. A part of him was surprised that she didn't ask if he intended on killing Ric and another was even more shocked that she hadn't asked him to spare the man's life. On many occasions both she and Emily had asked him to turn a blind eye on what he knew would have been best for all concerned, yet this time Elizabeth hadn't. He searched her sapphire eyes for what she was thinking.
"I'd love some food. And no I'm not going to ask you about him. I don't want to know Jason." She answered his unspoken question.
"What does that mean?" he asked unsure how to gauge that remark.
"It means I don't want to know what happens to Ric -- or your involvement in it. This is one time that I don't mind being kept out of your 'business'."
"Okay." Jason nodded dropping the subject. It was odd to have had that conversation with her yet it was also good. For once he felt as if he knew where he stood with her. There weren't any secrets. Maybe they finally crossed that last hurdle that had forever tripped them up. "Why don't you take a shower while I figure out something for you to eat?"
"Sure. Jason," she called to him as he began to leave the room. "I love you."
"I love you too, Elizabeth."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She descended the stairs to find an array of food spread out on the glass top coffee table. "Wow! Are you feeding an army?"
"Wasn't sure what you would be in the mood for."
"You did all of this?" she questioned. "Sonny better watch out. It looks like you are vying for his position as master chef." She laughed as she reached for a blueberry muffin.
"Hardly. Besides you can thank Kelly's and Gavin since he delivered the feast you see before you."
"Ah - I see. Thank you though. You thought of everything."
"How's your shoulder feeling?" he questioned when he saw her stop short in pain as though she had forgotten about the injury.
"Stiff, but I'll manage."
"Have you been taking those pain meds that Tony prescribed?"
"They are still at my studio," she said as she took another bite of her muffin.
"I'll have one of the guys go over and get them for you. It couldn't hurt you to take them for a couple days. At least you would be more comfortable."
"I was thinking that I should go back.."
"What? Why?" Jason cut her off before she had even been able to finish her comment. Immediately he was fearful that their conversation about Ric and what might happen to him had her running for cover. "Why don't you want to live here?"
"Who said I don't want to live here Jason?" She was amazed that he would jump to that instantaneous conclusion. But then again hadn't that been their previous pattern? Cut and run when either one of them couldn't deal with something. It was going to take a while for the both of them to realize that this time was different - that it was forever.
"You said you were thinking of going back to your studio."
"No, what I was going to say was that I should go there and pick up my stuff. As much as I love wearing your shirts." Jason smiled at that remark. "I can't do it forever. I would like to get some of my art supplies.."
"Max and Marco can do all of that. Besides you aren't supposed to be doing anything strenuous for a little while."
"I'd kinda like to get my personal stuff myself, if you know what I mean."
His cell phone rang before he had a chance to speak. "Morgan. Can't it wait? Elizabeth is here and she's not supposed to be left alone." Jason knew he was exaggerating a bit but he didn't care. He didn't want to leave her alone again. Especially not for another run in with Sonny that would get them no where. "I'm not sure we have any more to say on the subject." Elizabeth heard the ire in his voice. "Fine!" Jason dropped the phone on the desk with an angry thud.
"Jase?" she questioned. "You okay?"
"Yeah. That was Sonny."
"Figured as much."
"He needs to talk to me."
"Got that too."
"I don't want to leave you alone. I mean you've been in the hospital twice in two days. I would just feel better staying here." Elizabeth's heart surged with delight. Jason was putting her first. He didn't immediately run for the door the second Sonny ordered him to. He was sitting on the couch next to her. She had to pinch herself to believe this wasn't a dream.
"I'll be fine. I promise not to rearrange the furniture while you are gone," she laughed. "Go see what Sonny needs." She couldn't put her finger on it but she sensed that there was a rift between the two men. "When you get back we can go to my studio and pick up my things."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I promise to rest until you get back," she said with a wink.
"Rest huh?"
"I promise," she giggled.
"Okay, I'll be right across the hall. Come get me if you need anything or if you feel dizzy - you haven't been feeling dizzy again have you?" He hadn't thought to ask her that earlier.
"Only when you kiss me."
"Very funny," he said as he leaned and kissed her.
"See, I feel faint." She rested her hand on her forehead like the women did in the old black and white films.
Jason caught her in his arms and kissed her passionately until she really did feel woozy. "You lay down and I will be back as soon as I can." Jason pointed to the leather couch.
"Yes sir."
Elizabeth settled back and watched him disappear through the doorway. She let out a squeal of delight as though she was a giddy schoolgirl all over again.