A/N : So, just one review for the last chapter. And here I thought it was
really good. Guess not. This one is not my best. But I need to build up the
story until Jason and Liz see each other again and I guarantee it's going
to be a good Liason fluff feast. Please trust me. Oh and review!
**************************************************************************** ****************
Chapter 9: Living
~ Jake's~
He woke up with a strange tugging in his heart. Yeah, he was alive. Been around her for three days was enough to make his heart beat once again. She was always so full of life and enthusiasm that was contagious. Jason sat on the bed and looked around. Jake's. At least he'd slept on a bed for the past few days. That's more than what he had done in the past few months. It was bright an early and he decided to do something, anything. He needed to start living again. He stood up and walked to the window and smiled. He was alive.
~ Miami~
She woke up with a strange tugging in her heart. Yeah, she was alive. She stood up and walked to the window of her room. Been around him again only served to confuse her even more if that was possible. Ever since they met at Jake's that fateful night he saved her form herself, they've been on this emotional roller cost. From friends, to more than friends, to hardly speaking at all. Life had taken them on two different directions but somehow they ended up back at Jake's. This time she wanted to save him, but couldn't. Jason. When she left town she was counting the minutes between each thought about him. That wasn't necessary anymore, after been with him for three days she was sure she was gonna think about him every minute of every day.
The knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. She walked towards the door and opened it to reveal a very pale Lucky.
" Hey, what's up? You look awful. "
" T- Thank yshuuu... " He was sneezing and trembling when the temperature was 90 degrees. Elizabeth touched his cheek and felt him burning. " Oh my God! Lucky your burning up. What happened to you? When you left you were ok and now... " She was interrupted by his sneeze again. " We have to go to the hospital. "
" No. Am gonna be ok. "
" Yeah, right. Just dandy! I'll go change. We're going to the hospital immediately. "
~ Port Charles~
Jason was walking around trying to figure out what he wanted to do. It was definitely easier when he just wanted to drink and sleep the hangover away. He didn't really wanted to die, he just didn't want to feel the emptiness, the pain and the guilt that took over his heart after everything that happened. It was his fault, everything was his fault. Courtney getting killed, Sonny having to leave his home, him been alone again. How he wished the doctors had been right about him not having feelings! It sure as hell would've been better of. Falling in love with the wrong people, signing his life over to his best friend in the name of loyalty and honor. And where did that lead him? His life was a mess, Elizabeth was right. He couldn't give up on life that easy. Elizabeth... He looked at his watch. Could it be possible that he's been thinking about her every hour on the hour? She wanted to be his friend again, she wanted to help him. Little did she know how much she did help just by saying the things she said to him the other night.
Jason stopped and looked around. He was somewhere in Sullivan's St. He hardly visited this side of town. He looked around and took in the atmosphere of the place. It was quiet. The houses were picket fenced and family oriented. A nice place indeed. Then he saw the pine trees stand close. The woods were close. He could probably walk up to the boxcar and back in less than an hour. Maybe he should've taken Courtney and moved here... There is no room for maybes or what if's. There never used to be. Why all of the sudden he only thought of them. What if he had taken care of Faith somewhere else? What if he had stayed in Europe with Courtney? What if he stopped been Sonny's enforcer first, last and always...
He went on his way but a couple of minutes he stopped again, this time in front of an old building. It looked like a garage. He didn't notice two men coming out of the place.
" The upstairs is fully equipped. It has one bedroom with a bathroom and a small kitchen. The garage itself has the main working area, the office, the locker rooms and a small bathroom. "
" It's still too small. I was looking for something bigger. Thanks anyway. " They said there goodbyes and the man walked away.
Jason was still standing there, when the owner finished locking up.
" Can I help you? "
" No, I was just... sorry for eavesdropping. I- I used to own a bike shop and this place, I guess it reminded me of that time. "
" You are a mechanic? "
" Was, I haven't been in a while. "
" Why not? "
" Life. "
" I know what you mean. I have to sell this place and is like giving up a piece of myself. "
" I know what that feels like. "
" Are you thinking about coming back to business? "
" Not until five minutes ago. "
~ Florida~
Lucky was resting in the bed while Elizabeth gave him his medicines.
" There. Now just rest. "
" We have to get moving. We need to find my Dad. "
" You heard the doctor. You need your rest. We're not going anywhere until you get better. "
" But... "
" No buts. Just lay down and sleep. "
~ Jake's~
Jason was sitting on the armchair in his room trying to figure out how to make the call. He picked up the earpiece and dialed the familiar number. Ring... Ring...
" Francis? Yes, it's me. Am fine, look I need to see you. Can you be at Jake's at 8? Yeah, Max can come too. Ok. So I see you then. Ok. "
~ *~ *~ That night at Jake's ~ *~ *~
" So, where have you been man? We've looked everywhere, Florida, Indiana, Canada, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain... "
" Believe him when he says everywhere. "
Max took a sip of his beer.
" I was around. "
" Look we're really sorry about... "
Jason interrupted Francis mid sentence. " I know you are, but I don't want to talk about that. "
" So, what do you need? "
" My money. "
" Well man, it's all were you left it. "
" Roy went through with the dissolution of the partnership. All of the money is in you accounts, local and oversees. "
" I don't really care. I just need enough to buy something. "
" Are you sure you don't want to come back? Roy needs... "
" I don't care what Roy needs. "
" Ok. I understand. But you are coming back to the penthouse, aren't you? "
" There's nothing there for me anymore. " " I took the liberty of clearing it of her things. I thought you might want to come back. There's something you don't know. A package came for you the day... the day the hit went down. "
" Look, Francis I would really appreciate it if we don't talk about that. I'm not going back to the penthouse and could care less about packages, messages, letters or anything that has to do with what happened or the life I had before. It took me a while, but I decided to move on. Clean slate. The last thing I need is a reminder of what my life used to be. "
" Sorry. I though you might want to... but I guess not. "
" We can get you the money as early as tomorrow at 9:00 am. "
" That's good. I'm gonna go upstairs. It was nice to see you again. " He stood up an gave them a slight hug.
" I'll come back tomorrow with the money. "
" I'll see you around man, keep in touch. "
Max and Francis walked out of the bar and Jason headed upstairs.
~ Sonny's Island~
Sonny was standing in the balcony overlooking the beach. The sun was starting to set. Going down slowly just like his life. Carly's words kept echoing in his brain...
" Like you've gotten used to it. Do you actually believe I don't hear you at night? The nightmares, the pacing around. . . You're devastated. You miss him like hell . . . I've done so much for you. I picked my life up and left my home for you. And what do you give me in return? HELL! . . . Am not going to stay around and watch you throw your life away. Either you put your act together or am out. "
Where did his life go wrong? When did he became a hermit? Why did he feel so disgusted every time he looked in the mirror? He was doing the right thing. He couldn't risk his family anymore. But Jason was his family too. Wasn't he? Life was complicated and getting harder by the minute. Carly was thinking about leaving... what was he going to do?
The sun had set and darkness overtook the horizon shadowing the darkness inside Sonny's heart.
~ Port Charles~
After meeting at Jake's, Jason asked Francis to give him a ride to Sullivan St. Once there Jason told his friend his plan to open a bike shop. Francis was glad that Jason wanted to start over, but was a bit apprehensive. Once he had watch his ex-boss try to work outside the business and fail. He wasn't sure that Jason could get accustomed to a life without the adrenaline rush and excitement he got from being an enforcer.
Jason signed the contract and paid in cash. At two o'clock in the afternoon Jason Morgan walked out of his new home.
" And now what? "
" Well, now I own a bike shop. "
" Not trying to be reiterative but, now what? I mean, you need to set up the garage, arrange for publicity and hire at least one more mechanic. "
" I guess I have to. Can you do me another favor? "
" Whatever you need man. "
" Would you find my old Harley and have it brought here? "
" You mean the one you haven't use in years? "
" Yes. They bike I had replaced after Elizabeth walked out. "
" Ok. I'll bring it back from the garage in New York city. Jason you're gonna need money to put this place in shape. "
" Yeah, I know that. Am gonna use the money I need to prep this place. Not a cent more. "
" It's your money. You can spend it all if you wish. "
" I won't. Look the only thing I want to do is forget about everything that happened. "
" You do know it's not that easy, don't you? " " All I know is that I want to. I can't live in the past. And I sure as hell don't have much hope for the future. All I know is that am alive. And somebody told me not to give up on life. I promised her, so am going to start living one day at a time. "
" I understand. Look I just want you to know that am your friend. We all are, and we'll help you however we can. "
" Thanks. I appreciate your support. "
" I have to go my shift starts at three. "
" Ok. I'll see you later. Am going to stay around for a while. "
They said their goodbyes and Francis left. Jason stood there for a while. Was he doing the right thing? Could he actually have a normal life? He didn't know, but he was willing to try.
**************************************************************************** ****************
Chapter 9: Living
~ Jake's~
He woke up with a strange tugging in his heart. Yeah, he was alive. Been around her for three days was enough to make his heart beat once again. She was always so full of life and enthusiasm that was contagious. Jason sat on the bed and looked around. Jake's. At least he'd slept on a bed for the past few days. That's more than what he had done in the past few months. It was bright an early and he decided to do something, anything. He needed to start living again. He stood up and walked to the window and smiled. He was alive.
~ Miami~
She woke up with a strange tugging in her heart. Yeah, she was alive. She stood up and walked to the window of her room. Been around him again only served to confuse her even more if that was possible. Ever since they met at Jake's that fateful night he saved her form herself, they've been on this emotional roller cost. From friends, to more than friends, to hardly speaking at all. Life had taken them on two different directions but somehow they ended up back at Jake's. This time she wanted to save him, but couldn't. Jason. When she left town she was counting the minutes between each thought about him. That wasn't necessary anymore, after been with him for three days she was sure she was gonna think about him every minute of every day.
The knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts. She walked towards the door and opened it to reveal a very pale Lucky.
" Hey, what's up? You look awful. "
" T- Thank yshuuu... " He was sneezing and trembling when the temperature was 90 degrees. Elizabeth touched his cheek and felt him burning. " Oh my God! Lucky your burning up. What happened to you? When you left you were ok and now... " She was interrupted by his sneeze again. " We have to go to the hospital. "
" No. Am gonna be ok. "
" Yeah, right. Just dandy! I'll go change. We're going to the hospital immediately. "
~ Port Charles~
Jason was walking around trying to figure out what he wanted to do. It was definitely easier when he just wanted to drink and sleep the hangover away. He didn't really wanted to die, he just didn't want to feel the emptiness, the pain and the guilt that took over his heart after everything that happened. It was his fault, everything was his fault. Courtney getting killed, Sonny having to leave his home, him been alone again. How he wished the doctors had been right about him not having feelings! It sure as hell would've been better of. Falling in love with the wrong people, signing his life over to his best friend in the name of loyalty and honor. And where did that lead him? His life was a mess, Elizabeth was right. He couldn't give up on life that easy. Elizabeth... He looked at his watch. Could it be possible that he's been thinking about her every hour on the hour? She wanted to be his friend again, she wanted to help him. Little did she know how much she did help just by saying the things she said to him the other night.
Jason stopped and looked around. He was somewhere in Sullivan's St. He hardly visited this side of town. He looked around and took in the atmosphere of the place. It was quiet. The houses were picket fenced and family oriented. A nice place indeed. Then he saw the pine trees stand close. The woods were close. He could probably walk up to the boxcar and back in less than an hour. Maybe he should've taken Courtney and moved here... There is no room for maybes or what if's. There never used to be. Why all of the sudden he only thought of them. What if he had taken care of Faith somewhere else? What if he had stayed in Europe with Courtney? What if he stopped been Sonny's enforcer first, last and always...
He went on his way but a couple of minutes he stopped again, this time in front of an old building. It looked like a garage. He didn't notice two men coming out of the place.
" The upstairs is fully equipped. It has one bedroom with a bathroom and a small kitchen. The garage itself has the main working area, the office, the locker rooms and a small bathroom. "
" It's still too small. I was looking for something bigger. Thanks anyway. " They said there goodbyes and the man walked away.
Jason was still standing there, when the owner finished locking up.
" Can I help you? "
" No, I was just... sorry for eavesdropping. I- I used to own a bike shop and this place, I guess it reminded me of that time. "
" You are a mechanic? "
" Was, I haven't been in a while. "
" Why not? "
" Life. "
" I know what you mean. I have to sell this place and is like giving up a piece of myself. "
" I know what that feels like. "
" Are you thinking about coming back to business? "
" Not until five minutes ago. "
~ Florida~
Lucky was resting in the bed while Elizabeth gave him his medicines.
" There. Now just rest. "
" We have to get moving. We need to find my Dad. "
" You heard the doctor. You need your rest. We're not going anywhere until you get better. "
" But... "
" No buts. Just lay down and sleep. "
~ Jake's~
Jason was sitting on the armchair in his room trying to figure out how to make the call. He picked up the earpiece and dialed the familiar number. Ring... Ring...
" Francis? Yes, it's me. Am fine, look I need to see you. Can you be at Jake's at 8? Yeah, Max can come too. Ok. So I see you then. Ok. "
~ *~ *~ That night at Jake's ~ *~ *~
" So, where have you been man? We've looked everywhere, Florida, Indiana, Canada, Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain... "
" Believe him when he says everywhere. "
Max took a sip of his beer.
" I was around. "
" Look we're really sorry about... "
Jason interrupted Francis mid sentence. " I know you are, but I don't want to talk about that. "
" So, what do you need? "
" My money. "
" Well man, it's all were you left it. "
" Roy went through with the dissolution of the partnership. All of the money is in you accounts, local and oversees. "
" I don't really care. I just need enough to buy something. "
" Are you sure you don't want to come back? Roy needs... "
" I don't care what Roy needs. "
" Ok. I understand. But you are coming back to the penthouse, aren't you? "
" There's nothing there for me anymore. " " I took the liberty of clearing it of her things. I thought you might want to come back. There's something you don't know. A package came for you the day... the day the hit went down. "
" Look, Francis I would really appreciate it if we don't talk about that. I'm not going back to the penthouse and could care less about packages, messages, letters or anything that has to do with what happened or the life I had before. It took me a while, but I decided to move on. Clean slate. The last thing I need is a reminder of what my life used to be. "
" Sorry. I though you might want to... but I guess not. "
" We can get you the money as early as tomorrow at 9:00 am. "
" That's good. I'm gonna go upstairs. It was nice to see you again. " He stood up an gave them a slight hug.
" I'll come back tomorrow with the money. "
" I'll see you around man, keep in touch. "
Max and Francis walked out of the bar and Jason headed upstairs.
~ Sonny's Island~
Sonny was standing in the balcony overlooking the beach. The sun was starting to set. Going down slowly just like his life. Carly's words kept echoing in his brain...
" Like you've gotten used to it. Do you actually believe I don't hear you at night? The nightmares, the pacing around. . . You're devastated. You miss him like hell . . . I've done so much for you. I picked my life up and left my home for you. And what do you give me in return? HELL! . . . Am not going to stay around and watch you throw your life away. Either you put your act together or am out. "
Where did his life go wrong? When did he became a hermit? Why did he feel so disgusted every time he looked in the mirror? He was doing the right thing. He couldn't risk his family anymore. But Jason was his family too. Wasn't he? Life was complicated and getting harder by the minute. Carly was thinking about leaving... what was he going to do?
The sun had set and darkness overtook the horizon shadowing the darkness inside Sonny's heart.
~ Port Charles~
After meeting at Jake's, Jason asked Francis to give him a ride to Sullivan St. Once there Jason told his friend his plan to open a bike shop. Francis was glad that Jason wanted to start over, but was a bit apprehensive. Once he had watch his ex-boss try to work outside the business and fail. He wasn't sure that Jason could get accustomed to a life without the adrenaline rush and excitement he got from being an enforcer.
Jason signed the contract and paid in cash. At two o'clock in the afternoon Jason Morgan walked out of his new home.
" And now what? "
" Well, now I own a bike shop. "
" Not trying to be reiterative but, now what? I mean, you need to set up the garage, arrange for publicity and hire at least one more mechanic. "
" I guess I have to. Can you do me another favor? "
" Whatever you need man. "
" Would you find my old Harley and have it brought here? "
" You mean the one you haven't use in years? "
" Yes. They bike I had replaced after Elizabeth walked out. "
" Ok. I'll bring it back from the garage in New York city. Jason you're gonna need money to put this place in shape. "
" Yeah, I know that. Am gonna use the money I need to prep this place. Not a cent more. "
" It's your money. You can spend it all if you wish. "
" I won't. Look the only thing I want to do is forget about everything that happened. "
" You do know it's not that easy, don't you? " " All I know is that I want to. I can't live in the past. And I sure as hell don't have much hope for the future. All I know is that am alive. And somebody told me not to give up on life. I promised her, so am going to start living one day at a time. "
" I understand. Look I just want you to know that am your friend. We all are, and we'll help you however we can. "
" Thanks. I appreciate your support. "
" I have to go my shift starts at three. "
" Ok. I'll see you later. Am going to stay around for a while. "
They said their goodbyes and Francis left. Jason stood there for a while. Was he doing the right thing? Could he actually have a normal life? He didn't know, but he was willing to try.