Some notes: Since I loathe Sam, and, well, lets call it almost everything on GH, you can consider it a bit of an AU. Here's what you should know: Jason and Liz's relationship is the same as it is on the show. Cameron doesn't exist. Liz and Ric never reunited after she discovered Carly in the panic room, but (since this is fiction) is the same as he is now on the show, and he is dating Alexis. Sam (ha ha ha) was smothered as an infant, and thus was never inflicted upon Port Charles. Jax and Courtney are as is, as well as Nik and Em. Steven (since I like him) has just arrived in PC, but he is not, I repeat NOT a love interest for Carly. Also, (and maybe I'm wrong here), I seem to remember that Johnny turned traitor or something. In any case, I miss him, so he's around and totally loyal and everything. Probably you don't need all this information, but there you have it. If I think of any other important departures, I'll let you know. In the mean time, carry on.

Scattered Wrecks Enough Of It To Remain, Dim Memories

Jason ran a hand over his face. It came away wet. He had cried in his sleep, and he was covered in sweat. His breath was rushing in and out as if he had run a marathon. He shuddered. It had seemed so real. The physical sensation of rain. The smells. And most of all, the waves of grief that were still pulsing through him.

He knew it was only a dream, fully understood that without a doubt, Elizabeth was at home, in bed, asleep, and alive.

But it had felt so, so real.

He grabbed his cell phone off the bedside table and dialed, talking quickly and over riding Max's hints for an explanation. "Max? No, everything's fine. I want you to send a man to watch Elizabeth Webber. Audrey Harding's house. No reason. Just do it."

He hung up. Tried to regulate his breathing. Knowing he'd never be able to sleep, he went down stairs. Intended to make some tea, kick back with a history book, but found that he lacked the energy or the will. He felt as he had after Michael had been taken away. It was stupid to feel so bereft over a dream, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make it go away.

He paced back and forth through the house for hours, before watching the sunrise from his balcony. At 7:30 he took a quick shower and dressed, arriving at Kelly's the minute it opened. Mike seemed taken aback to see him waiting at the door when he unlocked it, and even more so that the first thing out of his mouth was, "Is Elizabeth working today?"

"She should be here around nine." Mike replied, adding, "Is something wrong?"

"No." Jason said it forcefully. Mike, not surprisingly, looked unconvinced, but didn't push it. Jason took a seat at the counter and nursed several cups of coffee, moving to an outdoor table when Mike complained that he was vibing out all the customers. The time inched by, and Jason had to fight against calling Max for an update, knowing the man would think he was crazier than he already did.

Finally, Elizabeth walked through the courtyard. He jumped up. "Liz!"

"Hey Jason." She smiled. "How are you?"

"Fine, fine." He cleared his throat. "How's everything with you. You doing okay? No one bothering you or anything?"

He eyebrows drew in slightly and she tilted her head. "No," she said musingly, "can't say they have. Everything's fine. Are you sure you're okay though?"

Great, now she thought he was crazy too. "No, yeah, I'm really fine."

"Frustrated, insecure, neurotic and emotional?" She joked.

"What?"

"Nothing." She considered him. "Why don't you come hang out with me while a work for a bit. Talk. Tell me about your life."

Unwilling to let her out of his sight just yet, he agreed, spending the next hour chatting with her between customers. After finally reassuring himself that nothing worse was up than his apparent decent into madness, he stood to leave. "I have to go. I'll see you later though?" She seemed not to hear him. "Elizabeth?"

"What?" She focused on him. "Sorry, zoning out, I love this song. Yeah, I'll see you later." She waved him off.

He pushed through the swing door out of Kelly's, the music following him. As the door swung shut he caught the tail end of the chorus. "...without you, it keeps a raining, more and more."

And logic was no obstacle for the feeling of dread that exploded within him.

TBC

(Chapter title taken from "Peracles" by Robert Browning)

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