A/N: Hello everybody! I just wanted to thank those of you who are still reading this story. Sorry for the wait but I've being going through a bad case of writer's block. Hope you like this new chapter. If you drop me a line I might get inspired sooner... I know is blackmail but, hey it might work. I also wanted to warn you that this chapter has a bit of bedroom talk so if you think it's not appropiate, please excuse me.

Chapter 19: Bleeding in the Snow

Port Charles Cemetery

He was making his way out of the graveyard when a soft female voice called his name. He wasn't expecting to find her there, but somehow he knew this was a sign, since when he started believing in signs it was beyond him, but after the 180 degree turn his life had taken he wasn't about to rule out any possibility. He turned and looked at the woman in front of him and the ghost of a smile appeared on his face. Carly was standing there; a shocked looked on her face, one hand on her hip and the other one holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Hey."

"I wasn't expecting to find you here. I thought Sonny had..." She trialed off as the smile in her friends face disappeared and a cold mask stared at her in its place.

"He did. But I found a way. I needed to see- to talk to her. One last time..."

"What do you mean one last time? Are you leaving?"

"No. But I'm letting her go."

"Jason I'm so sorry things happened this way I know how much she meant to you, to all of us, she was a very special young woman."

"Yes she was. And she didn't deserve to die the way she did."

"Jason, you have to stop blaming yourself for what happened."

"It's hard not to. She was my wife, I was supposed to look out for her and I didn't."

"You know what, I'm not going to stand here and listen to you dwelling in self pity. Come on."

The blond woman wrapped her arm around his and walked with him down the street.

"Where are we going?" Jason wasn't that surprised at her antics, after all they used to be best friends. "I thought you were going inside."

"I am, but first we are going to have some breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

"Me neither. But there is a Dunkin Doughnuts around the corner and I'm craving a strawberry-jelly filled doughnut."

Hospital Hallway

He had to do something and soon. His son had being in the hospital for almost two weeks and there was no change. He couldn't risk staying in the same place for too long and that gave Helena the advantage. It also kept him farther from finding his beloved Laura. He was also worried about Nikolas and Elizabeth. They were both way in over their heads and they were back in the town of Port Chuckles which leaved them way too close to danger.

Luke made his way down the corridor of the hospital deep in thought. But not enough to miss the dark figure that made its way out of Lucky's room. Was that a vision, his imagination playing games with him? No, a blond woman dressed in black had walked out of his son's room and it was walking down the hall in the opposite direction. Could it be Laura? His dear angel was free? Had she found a way back to him? He didn't have time for contemplations; he had to go after her.

Safe House

Emily was sitting in the porch, reading a romance novel when Nikolas made his way outside. He sat down and moved her legs up so they rested over his lap. She didn't look up from the page she was reading, but a smile appeared on her face. Some how he knew it wasn't because of her reading, but because of his presence and that made him smile too. He took her shoes off and started to massage her delicate feet. Her smile became a giggle and then full on laughter. He looked back at her smiling devilishly.

"Nikolas! Stop that!"

"What? I'm just being a thoughtful husband."

"A very mischievous husband you mean." She moved her feet down. "You know I have very ticklish feet."

"You do? I must've forgotten some how."

"Brat!" She threw the small book at him while he laughed harder. He grabbed the book and read the cover. "Nikolas, give it back."

"No. Let me see."

All the laughter was out of her and embarrassment was making her face red. "Babe, just give me the book."

"Hot Desires?" He looked at her with a brow raced. "I never knew you read this, this kind of literature." He opened the book and started to look trough the pages.

"Yeah well, there's a reason for that."

"What?"

"It's personal and utterly embarrassing and humiliating."

He read out loud. "William kissed her slowly but hungrily. He bit her neck and then salvaged the wound with a sweep of his tongue over her heated flesh."

"Nikolas, give it back." She moved over him and tried to take the book away from him only to end up falling over his body.

Nikolas took the book in one hand and lifted it over his head successfully keeping it from her.

"Do you actually like this stuff?"

"Well, there's not anything more to do out here, is it? And besides what if I do, it's not a crime is it?" She was resting over his chest, their lips close and he couldn't help but want her.

"No. It's not a crime. But if you wanted a paperback romance, you just had to ask and I would have obliged."

"What do you mean?"

"We are alone on a godforsaken cabin in the middle of the woods." He moved his head closer to hers. "Don't you think this is a perfect setting for us to succumb to our own Hot Desires?"

He angled his head and took her mouth on his, hungrily and passionately. After a minute they were both breathless. He moved his free hand up her hip until he reached the underside of her breast. Moving his mouth to her ear he whispered. "How about we go inside?"

"Oh my God, yes." He trailed kisses down her neck seductively and bit her playfully.

Book forgotten he stood up with his wife in arms and moved to the door. A moment of clarity took Emily back to earth. "Wait. Nikolas. We can't do this. What if someone comes home? Francis, Max, Jason or Elizabeth anyone could be on their way."

"They won't be back until this afternoon. We have plenty of time until then." He took her mouth again and she forgot even her name.

Cafeteria

Jason and Carly were sitting on a table in the back of the store. A small box of doughnuts and two large coffees were sitting in front of them.

"I take it you're not here for the food." Carly broke the silence looking at Jason's untouched doughnut and coffee.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Jason looked back at Carly with an unreadable face.

"Well for starters you haven't touched you're coffee yet." Jason gave her a half smile and took the plastic cup and took a long sip of the hot liquid. She smiled back at him. "See, that's much better. Now, let's start with some small talk, you know to break the ice. How have you been lately? Is the shop doing okay?"

"The shop is doing well."

"Good. And you?"

"I'm better than three months ago."

Carly looked at him and raced an eyebrow in question. "Would that have anything to do with a certain brunette that happened to be back in town?"

"Carly..."

"Hey, whoa, wait a minute. I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I just... I ran in to her two weeks ago in the docks. We actually talked for more than five minutes without pulling each others hair out."

"You and Elizabeth talked?"

"Yeah."

"What about?"

"Nothing."

"Carly..."

"Okay, I asked her about your relationship before the whole Sonny's fake death fiasco."

"Why would you do that?"

"I was curious."

"Almost three years after the whole thing? Why?"

"Look Jason it was nothing. I saw her sitting on the bench looking over at Spoon Island and I had a flashback of you two always hanging around the docks and I don't know I stopped and asked her some stupid things."

"What kind of things?"

"Why are you so interested in this?"

"No reason. It's just strange."

"Hum. Try another one. I'm not buying it, not after the way you hold her."

Jason was drinking from his cup, when he caught Carly's comment he chocked on the coffee.

"What did you say?"

"Look I didn't say a thing. Forget I ever brought it up. It was nothing."

"When did you saw me holding Elizabeth?"

"The same day Elizabeth and I talked."

"Where?" He took in her guilty face and shook his head. "Back on the docks."

"I went back to see if I could find her. Somehow Courtney came up and I noticed she didn't know what happened... I wanted to talk to her, explain what happened."

"That wasn't your place."

"I figured you weren't going to tell her, and she deserved to know."

"Why do you think that?"

"Well if she's still in love with you she needs to know how badly you're hurting. I wanted to warn her and..."

"Make threats."

"No. Look I know it wasn't my place but... I never got to tell her anything. You don't have to worry about it."

Jason's face was devoid of any expression. All of the sudden he recalled Carly's words... Elizabeth was still in love with him? When was she in love with him before? Since when has she being?

"Jason. Are you alright?" The blond put her hand over his and squeezed it gently.

"Uh? Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking about something."

"I didn't mean to pry on your business. We aren't on the best terms right now and the last thing I want is for us to go back to square one."

"I know you mean well Carly. I was going to look for you today. I wanted to tell you that you didn't have to put your family on the line for me..."

"Don't start with the 'I don't want your sympathy' crap again. I'm here to stay. I've being since the beginning, since our first night at Jake's. There's no turning back now."

"I know that. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I haven't being very friendly to you since you came home and I'm sorry."

If Carly Corinthos was shocked by Jason's admission, she didn't show it. "You don't have to be sorry. I understand where you're coming from. I've being there myself and you've always stuck by my side. That's why I came back. I needed you to know how much you're friendship means to me. I've realized some things during my stay in Port Charles."

"What kind of things?"

"The three of us; Sonny, you and me, we've being through so much together. And we managed to keep our friendships untouched for the majority of the time. Or at least that's what I thought. A friend has been kind enough to point out some really messed up changes that went down, without us even noticing. Or at least without Sonny and me noticing. The thing is that some where along the line you stopped being our best friend and became our go to guy."

"I never mind helping you. I liked to think I was good at fixing things." "Yeah, well you were. We started taking you and your life for granted. And I'm so sorry we did. I now realize how much you lost because of our selfishness."

"It's not your fault. I was happy doing my job. I didn't even notice when things changed. But you're right, in hindsight I can see how many sacrifices I had to make to keep our family together and safe."

Carly's face was full of tears and her voice trembled a little when she talked. "Forgive me Jason. I never meant to loose sight of our friendship. I love you so much."

"Come here." Jason stood up and brought Carly with him. He hugged her tightly and whispered in her hair. "I don't have anything to forgive you. I love you too."

Port Charles Airport

He walked out of the building followed by two other men. He looked unshaken by the cold, but he had to admit he had grown accustomed to the warm whether. It had being a long time since he had being in town, but as he looked around he saw that it hadn't changed. At least not in it's appearance. But for him it had changed. The place he once called home was now a cold and empty place. He made his way to the car that was waiting for him and gave the driver the directions. The sooner he finished his business the sooner he'll be on his way back home.

Port Charles Cemetery

Jason and Carly walked down the street in a comfortable silence. She was happy, even though she shouldn't be. Her marriage was on shaky ground and here she was walking down a street on Port Charles New York while her husband fell deeper into his depression. What kind of woman was he? She was supposed to be feeling horrible and incomplete, but all she could feel was grateful that she had gotten her best friend back.

"Here we are."

"What?" She lifted her head and noticed they had stopped in front of the gates of the graveyard.

"What's wrong? You've being unusually quite since we left the cafeteria."

"It's nothing. I was just thinking about stuff."

"About Sonny."

"Yes."

"Carly, I appreciate how much you care about our friendship, but I don't think that it was worth risking your family for it."

"Look Jason, I'm not sorry for coming here. If Sonny can't see the huge mistake he's done then it's his bad. He'll lose his family and it'll be his fault."

"Are you sure that's what you want? I don't want to be the reason you lose everything you've worked for."

"The only one responsible for the failure of my marriage will be Sonny."

"Do you want me to wait for you?"

"No. It's okay. I'll be a while and I have plans for a late lunch, they're picking me up later."

"Be careful." "You too." He stepped closer and hugged her again. "I'm really happy we worked things out."

"Me too. See you around." Jason turned around and walked away from Carly who was smiling, even though tears were running down her face.

The man watching from his place in the black car was outraged. She had betrayed him once again. But this was the last time. He cursed out loud and bowed his head. This was going to be the last time; he'll make sure of that.

Boxcar

Elizabeth made her way down the path that lead to the boxcar, wondering what she was doing there. She had being walking for a while and after turning around the corner and remembering her shortcut she decided she could use the fresh air. Some how she had to get the strength to go back to Jason's and face him without letting him see her hurt and disappointment. She was a fool for thinking that she had a chance with him; she was a fool for even considering he still felt the same way she did. Hell, she didn't even know if he felt something more than friendship for her before. Don't do that Webber. You know that once upon a time he had feelings for you... strong feelings. But that was before you hurt him, use him and walked away from him. You were so scared of those feelings you ran at the first opportunity you got. God she wish she could turn back time and just listen to what he had to say to her. How stupid could she be? She let him walk away and straight to Courtney's arms.

She was so deep in thought she didn't hear the footsteps behind her. She arrived at the boxcar and a flood of memories took her back in time. Memories from the time Lucky lived there, the house she painted for him inside. She decided to see if there were remains of them so she opened the sliding door and hopped in. Looking around she realized the paintings were gone. With a sad smile she knew that with them were gone all her regrets too. The promise of a Permanent Lock between her and Lucky had changed a long time ago. It was now a strong bond of friendship and she was glad they had the chance to start over and put all the bad things behind them. She turned and stared at the white snow on the floor outside of the boxcar and she say Jason laying there... that was one of the scariest times in her life. If she had being a couple of minutes late he would have died. A slight shrug passed though her. That was the beginning...

Woods

Jason walked amazed at how breathtaking the trees looked cover in snow and pine cones. He made a mental note to bring Elizabeth sometime; she'll really enjoy the walk. Maybe he could bring her tomorrow. At the thought of her walking by his side his features softened. As he made his way down the dirt path a gun went off in the distance.

Boxcar

Elizabeth was ready to go back. She crawled back out of the box car and closed the door. When she turned she came face to face with a wall of solid muscles.

"Hello Miss Webber. It's nice to each other again."

She recognized him as one of the man that opened fire to her and Lucky back in London. "I'm sorry, you must have me confused. Excuse me." She tried to walk away but he stopped her.

"So you're not Elizabeth Webber?"

"What exactly is it that you want?" Elizabeth was trying to keep her face straight and took a couple of steps away from him.

"I just want to give you a message."

Taking a couple more steps back she asked. "What kind of message?"

The man took out a 9mm and pointed it at her. "Let the games begin." And with that he shot the gun and as the woman felt to ground he took of.

Elizabeth saw the flash of the metal and threw herself on the ground, but on her way down she felt the hot and painful hit. Her body crashed on the ground and her eyes drifted shot. The pain was so much she just let it take her away.

Jason came running a couple of minutes later. He stopped dead on his tracks as he saw the small body lying curled up on the snow. He was frozen for a moment. This couldn't be happening again. Flashes of Courtney falling on the pier took over him. For some reason he felt like his life was being taken away.

He took a couple of steps closer. It was then that he realized it was a woman. He crouched down beside the petite woman. Electricity ran through him when he recognized the white coat and the vanilla and honey scent. This couldn't be happening. Not again. Her brown hair was covering her face; blood was streaming down the wound. Hesitantly, he brushed the locks away and when he saw her, the blood drained from his face. Elizabeth was bleeding in the snow.