Sorry it took me so long to update. For the record, GH has been so depressing lately it's been hard to find the strength to go onÉwell, not really, but you get the idea. You may, if you haven't seen it, enjoy my rant in the form of "If I were in Charge" which is what I wrote while neglecting this story. In any case, readers should note that this chapter has a flash back to when Liz was blind, and since I can't remember specifically how long ago it was, those flash backs will be reference as "One Year Earlier" so if you see that, in this chapter or any other, that's the time frame I mean. Questions? Comments? No? Then on with the show.

Chapter Eight

Jason reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door. He hurried to answer it, not wanting Elizabeth to be disturbed. He was bock shocked and annoyed to see Ric standing in his doorway. The man looked tired and on edge.

"She doesn't want to see you Ric." Jason started to close the door.

"I know. I'm here to see you actually."

Jason eyed Ric suspiciously. "Why?

"I have to talk to you about Elizabeth." Ric paused before adding, "And Zander." Jason was reminded forcibly of his questions about Liz's confession when he pulled her out of the car. He was just curious enough to allow Ric entrance to the penthouse.

"Fine. But make it quick. I don't want you hear when Elizabeth wakes up."

A flash of resentment crossed Ric's face, quickly controlled. "Fine." They stood in the entryway. "Elizabeth killed Zander the night of the fire. He was threatening to take away her baby, and she hit him. She panicked and ran out. She told Nikolas, Emily and I the truth the other day, and we have a plan about how to cover it up, but we need your help.

Jason stared at Ric, stunned as much by the story as his gall in asking for help. "What do you want, and why should I give it to you?"

Ric stared back, before forcing out the words, "Because youÉcare about her. Am I wrong to assume you wouldn't want to see her go to prison?" Jason cursed. The bastard had a point. Ric kept talking, "So if you will sigh a statement saying you heard Capelli confess to killing Zander, I'll make the whole thing go away. Liz will be in the clear. Can you do that for her?" Jason was struck with the thought that whatever else Ric was, he appeared to be a man who loved his wife, in some twisted way.

"Fine. I'll come down to the station tomorrow and sign it.

"Good. Great." Ric turned to look up the stairs, longing in his eyes, before he ran his hand over his face. "Thank you." He left, closing the door softly behind him. Jason was alone again. He collapsed on the couch, overwhelmed. Who would have thought that Liz would end up killing the man who had come between them once? Not that he cared about Zander, but it was weird the kind of tricks life played on you. Like the trick she had played on him. Boy had he fallen for that one. Let him self believe she could love him again. Making all kinds of plans in his head while he watched her sleeping face. And then she had realized "it was a mistake" and sent him home to Courtney. Letting his head fall back on the pillows, he let the memories overtake him.

*One Year Earlier*

He didn't know why he was back. Well, back wasn't really the right word, since he hadn't properly left to begin with. He stared at her studio door, trying to will himself into leaving, so he didn't go in a make a fool of himself. He was with Courtney, for Gods sake, he shouldn't be here, chasing after a woman who, if she had any sense at all, wouldn't want anything to do with him. He would only hurt her if he went in. That did it. It convinced him. Jason turned to leave, again, when he heard a crash and a cry from inside the room.

"Elizabeth?!" Knocked briefly before hurriedly letting himself in. "Are you okay?" Scanning the small room he saw her, sprawled on the floor with her head in her hands, weeping. A tray with a broken mug and teapot lay beside her. He rushed over, crouching down and brushing aside her hair to see her face. "Elizabeth, are you hurt." She sobbed louder. Growing seriously concerned, he ran him hand up and down her body, checking for injuries.

She propped herself up, wailing, "I'm fi-ine." Her voice broke, and she was less than convincing. Jason took stock, and swept her up in his arms, walking over to the couch. He sat down, placing Liz on his lap, and hugged her. She cried into his shoulder, occasionally making attempts to convince him that she was just peachy, and that he should really go, which he ignored. After some time, her tears subsided into weak hiccups, and then an embarrassed silence. They sat still, Liz's face buried in his chest, for a moment, before she gave a little sigh and lifted her head.

"Sorry. I'm so sorry Jason. Here you probably forgot your scarf or something and you get saddled with a emotional lunatic. I'm fine now, really, you should-

"Go. Yes, I know, you keep saying that." Jason interrupted her. "Elizabeth, I'm not going anywhere, nor do I want to. I came back because I wanted to, and I'll stay until you honestly want me to leave, and not before.

She protested, "Well, I honestly want you to leave now."

"You're lying, I can tell." Jason smiled at her indignant squeak.

"I am certainly not lying. I really, really want you toÉ Fine, okay, I'm lying." She smiled softly. "You always could tell.

"It's because your face always tells the truth."

She relaxed against him, asking, "And what is your face saying right now?

"It wants to know what brought on that crying jag. Not that you aren't entitled or anything.

She sighed again. "It was justÉ" She paused, changed her mind, "It was nothing, I just lost it."

"You're lying again. Tell me the truth." He prodded, certain he needed to know the answer.

"Do you honestly want to know Jason? Because it isn't pretty, and it isn't fixable, and it's complicated, and once I say it, I can't take it back."

"I honestly want to know." He answered immediately, his voice absolutely solid.

"I miss you." She said it so softly he almost didn't hear her. But he did, and her words sent a buzz through him unlike anything he had ever felt before. She sat in his lap, frozen, waiting for some platitude, before he fled.

"I miss you too." It was the last thing she expected to hear, and she turned her face toward the sound of his voice, looking at him with blind, shocked eyes.

"Really?" It was the barest whisper.

"Really." He couldn't stop himself, and he leaned in, kissing her softly, then pulled back, unsure of what her reaction would be. She was flushed, and a lone, stray tear rolled down her cheek. Appalled, he started to apologize, but was stopped as her hand found his face and she kissed him, not gently, but with all the passion in her heart. His heart was ricocheting in his chest, and he was so giddy he thought his head would float away, but he hoped not, because it was the sweetest, sexiest kiss he had ever had. What seemed like ages later they parted, both breathing heavily. He summoned up the last shreds of his self-control. "E'lizbeth, if you want me to stop, now would be the time to say it, because if we start again, I don't think I'll ever be able to leave." Her response was to drag his face down for another kiss, slipping her other hand under the waist of his shirt and up his torso. He groaned, giving himself up to the love of his life.

*Present*

It had been so perfect, so beautiful. But when she woke up the next morning, it had been so done, at least, as far as Elizabeth was concerned.

"Jason?" He yelped, snapping his neck around. There she was, standing next to the couch, looking extremely amused to have startled him so badly. He scowled, which escalated her amusement into full-blown laughter. "Oh! Oh, if you could only see you face!" She braced herself on the back of the couch as she struggled to contain her mirth. He grinned reluctantly, thrilled to see her so happy. When she finally got herself under control, she came and plopped down next to him, sighing contentedly. He looked over at her, and she aimed those big eyes up at him and casually asked the one question he couldn't even begin to answer. "So, what were you thinking about oh-so-intensely?

-To Be Continued-

So, I've been reading other peoples stories, and many have this interesting little habit of blackmailing their readers. You know, no update unless they get lots of reviews? And I was like, "Hey, I LOVE getting reviews. Maybe I should blackmail MY readers!" So, guess what?! Ha ha ha, you *must* (PLA-LEASE?) review to encourage updates, okay? Is that okay? You should review and let me know if that's okay. Okay?

= )