Show: General Hospital
Title: Las Vidas de los Corinthos' II: Chapter 13
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you for the last chapter's comments… It's a catch-22 for my feelings – I'm glad some
of you like the Daniel character, but hate me for the lack of Liason…. Well, I hope you enjoy this
chapter.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Schmidt Gallery, New York City (Elizabeth's gallery showing)
She wore red.
More specifically, fire engine red. But, because he was practically colourblind, he couldn't tell the
difference between the hues. All his mind could sort out was that her dress, as the satin lovingly
cupped and skimmed every curve on her body, screamed, "Fuck me!"
Jason's eyes narrowed as he watched a dark-haired man pull Elizabeth closer to his side, his
hand possessively gripping her ribbon waist. Seemed to him, that's exactly what *he* was doing.
Jason quietly cursed and turned away from them, heading to the bar in the corner, trying hard to
ignore the waves of unusual jealousy splashing over him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Of course, she'd seen him the moment her family stepped through the door.
Kept a subconscious look out for him even as Alexis and Ric made a bee-line for her, enveloping
her in hugs, while her father awkwardly hung back, and even further apart was an uncomfortable
looking Courtney, stunning in a winter-white sheath. While he looked absolutely delectable, his
suit looked as though it was suffocating him, and she mentally counted off the seconds before he
stuck a finger under his collar in an effort to breathe. For those few seconds, she could've cursed
Daniel for talking her into making it a black-tie affair.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Magically materializing at her side, his large hand a slightly uncomfortable presence on her hip.
He sucked all her attention from Jason with that one move as he gallantly kissed Alexis's hand in
remembrance and returned Ric's firm handshake.
When she remembered to peek for him again, he was gone and Courtney and her father were
heading her way.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Of course she would look beautiful tonight. After all, it was *her* night. The chance to at least
reap a few benefits after all the hard work she'd put in.
But yet again, the green-eyed monster couldn't help but raise its ugly head again as she gazed at
her niece, even with Jason's warmth a comforting presence beside her.
She didn't have to be so damned beautiful!
Courtney watched as every male in the room seemed to be magnetically drawn toward Elizabeth.
She didn't even have to peek out the corner of her eye to tell that Jason's eyes were glued to her.
One man in particular was drawn towards her. She watched with a hooded gaze as he
enunciated himself into Elizabeth's personal space, his arm sliding possessively around her
waist.
Courtney's heart soared.
Jason cursed beside her.
It plummeted back into her Jimmy Choos.
Sonny whispered into her ear, "Ven, querida. Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
She was the most beautiful girl in the room.
Most beautiful *girl* because, of course, Alexis took the cake for most beautiful *woman* in the
room.
Even with all his misgivings about coming to the city to the opening when things were still so
fragile between them, he couldn't help but thank God that he had.
Pride at his daughter's accomplishments barreled through his chest the moment he set eyes on
the petite dark-haired princess, holding court amongst her peers.
A wisp of a smile graced his face as he watched his fiancée and brother swallow her in hugs and
kisses, even as he hung back.
She looked happy… for once.
He looked to his left, to the couple that had hung back with him… outsiders of sort. Jason and
Courtney.
Both seemingly so happy, standing so close to one another they could probably hear each other
inhale and exhale in the din of the crowded room.
But on closer inspection, one came to the conclusion that looks were certainly deceiving. Neither
looked at each other…. An invisible fence had been erected the moment they stepped foot into
the room and laid eyes on Elizabeth.
On whom their eyes were glued.
Sonny wished he were a mind reader, able to hear what was running through their heads. But the
levels of emotions flitting across their faces as they stared at his daughter gave him a pretty good
idea.
Lust.
Jealousy. Times two.
His gaze swung back to his daughter just in time to see a dark-haired man practically join himself
at the hip to Liz. Sonny's eyebrows skyrocketed.
His gaze swung back to Jason and Courtney.
His best friend cursed quietly and turned away, heading for the bar.
Courtney sighed.
He slid closer to her side. "Ven querida," he spoke, hoping she couldn't hear the sympathy in his
voice as he steered her toward the Corinthos crowd. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
(Two hours later)
She'd finally managed to escape.
For three hours, she had played the dutiful hostess, pasting the plastic smile onto her face each
time Daniel or Connie introduced her to someone new. Critics, potential buyers, admirers… it
wouldn't pay to be grouchy tonight. First impressions were always important. Tonight, she would
have to make enough lasting contacts to jumpstart her career.
There had been a few genuinely pleasant moments during the night when Nikolas had tackled
her in a bear hug and her Uncle Stefan had kissed her affectionately on both cheeks. She hadn't
been expecting them – Alexis had told her they were in London attending a board meeting – and
had been pleasantly surprised when she'd gotten her bearing back.
Of course when the crowd realized that the artist was none other than a Cassidine princess, the
had descended on her in droves, and she had only been able to extricate herself from their
clutches when Daniel had called her away for the unveiling.
Now two hours later, Liz had slipped off her pumps and was tiptoeing down the dimly lit corridors
to the other un-used Gallery rooms in a desperate search for at least a moment's privacy.
Cautiously she peeked around the corner of a dimly lit room at the end of the room, ensuring that
no one had had the same idea as she, and slipped quietly into the room.
"Taking a break?"
Elizabeth gasped and whirled to face the speaker.
From the shadows he emerged.
Jason.
He came towards her. Stopping about a foot away from her and leaning against a tall art-deco
sculpture, a long tapered glass of beer dangling from his fingers.
Her stiletto heels threatened to slip from her fingers as she gazed at him. The first time she had
been close to him in almost two months.
**God, he looked good.**
Dark grey, almost black, suit that fitted him to perfection, crisp white shirt and the dreaded silver-
grey silk tie. Automatically her eyes dropped to his feet. Classic wingtips in shiny black leather. A
rueful smile graced her face. **Somebody went shoe shopping** she mused, remembering that
time so long ago when he had only owned his motorcycle boots.
Finally dragging her gaze back to his, which remained steadily trained on hers, she nodded. "You
nearly scared the pants off me," she added ruefully.
Behind the cool blue gaze, desire flared and kicked him in the gut at the image of Elizabeth naked
that suddenly popped into his head. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
Liz nodded, trying to ignore the fluttering in her belly, the softening of her nether regions as she
inhaled the scent that was uniquely his, the lump in her throat as she watched him raise the glass
to his lips and take a sip of the expensive imported beer Daniel was paying for.
She looked away and moved farther into the room. "What about you?" she asked, turning to him
again she sat on a lighted pedestal.
"Crowds," he replied, closing the good five feet of distance she had created to one again.
"You cut your hair," he suddenly spoke up. His hands were itching to reach out to the errant girl
that slipped into her face.
Liz blushed as she tucked the curl behind her ear as she remembered how in a sudden fit of rage
when she had just gotten home from PC she had butchered it with the paper scissors. The first
thing she had done on her second good day was pay a visit to Paul Mitchell for a more
'structured' haircut. "Yes. Got sick of the long hair," she lied.
Jason lifted an eyebrow. He knew she loved her hair. She had only drastically cut it once before –
when she was angry with Lucky and being the Face of Deception. He said nothing.
Liz cleared her throat. "I'm glad you came." She grinned ruefully as his eyebrow shot up again.
"Really I am. It's nice to have people I know and…" she paused, "love here with me."
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," he replied truthfully.
"Thank you," she replied, a genuine smile dazzling her face.
Jason nodded in reply.
The silence carried on between them as the muffled din of the crowded room continued.
"Is it that bad out there?" he asked.
Elizabeth's knee immediately stopped bouncing. "Is it that obvious?"
"I *know* you," Jason replied.
That, he did.
"It's like a nest of vipers out there," she finally admitted.
"How so?" he asked.
Liz sighed, meeting his gaze in the near darkness. "They all want a piece of me. I suppose I
should feel flattered, but all I feel is smothered…you know?"
Jason smirked. "Yeah…."
"I guess I now understand why most artists would want to be left alone." She sighed again,
playing with the flirty hem of the "Fuck me!" dress.
"You don't have to go back out there." Inwardly he was shocked. **Where the hell did that come
from?**
Liz's eyes snapped up to meet his. The confusion swirling in the sapphire depths showed him she
didn't quite know what to make of that statement… and also, the temptation to take him up on his
offer.
"Nah…" she replied softly, her gaze holding his. "I can't just skip out…. Any minute know
someone's gonna come looking for –"
"Liz!"
Liz jumped, her gaze darting to the door. It was Daniel.
Footsteps echoed towards them and she shot to her feet just as Daniel snapped on the
fluorescent lighting overhead.
"There you are." Daniel paused and looked at the couple that, up until a few seconds ago had
been alone in the relative darkness of the room.
Liz stepped away from Jason, but she was still close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his
body.
Daniel's eyebrow lifted pointedly.
Black eyes met blue.
Liz was most definitely caught in the middle.
Jason's eyes narrowed as he recognized the man as her promoter, the man who had stuck to her
side most of the night.
Liz struggled to make peace between the silent hostility. "Daniel," she said, as her lover/promoter
strode toward them.
"I don't believe I've met your *friend*, Elizabeth," he spoke as he neared them. "Daniel Toreno,"
he introduced, extending his hand.
For a second, she thought Jason wasn't going to return the handshake. "Jason Morgan," he
replied, noting the flicker of comprehension that dawned in the other man's eyes.
"I hate to break this little tête-à-tête up, but the critic from the New Yorker is looking for you."
Jason's empathetic gaze flicked to her face. He knew she didn't really feel like going back out
there. He shrewdly noted as she pasted the plastic smile on her face and accepted the hand that
Daniel offered.
"Of course," she replied. She turned to Jason. "Thanks, Jas. I'll see you later?" she asked
hopefully.
Jason nodded. "Sure." Tried not to snap the glass as Daniel wrapped his arm around her waist,
fingers sliding against the slick "Fuck me!" satin as he led Liz away from him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
He'd barely spoken to her tonight. Neither of their faults… people kept steering her attention away
from him, but at least she had been civil. And had even kissed his cheek in greeting. She had
wanted to talk to him about something, but she hadn't had the time to do so tonight, but she had
smiled her special smile at him, so whatever it was, it was good.
Sonny's heart felt about ten tons lighter as he chatted with Stefan and Ric about something or the
other and watched Alexis from across the room as she chatted with the curator and some former
colleagues.
Just then, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He excused himself from the conversation and
turned to Johnny, who handed him a cell phone.
"Corinthos."
It was Benny.
As his accountant relayed the information to him, dread returned to his features threefold.
They had a problem.
Another one of his employees was dead.
TBC…
A/N: Not as much Liason as I would've like myself, but something's better than nothing. I hope
you enjoyed. R&R folks and let me know what you thought.
Title: Las Vidas de los Corinthos' II: Chapter 13
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thank you for the last chapter's comments… It's a catch-22 for my feelings – I'm glad some
of you like the Daniel character, but hate me for the lack of Liason…. Well, I hope you enjoy this
chapter.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Schmidt Gallery, New York City (Elizabeth's gallery showing)
She wore red.
More specifically, fire engine red. But, because he was practically colourblind, he couldn't tell the
difference between the hues. All his mind could sort out was that her dress, as the satin lovingly
cupped and skimmed every curve on her body, screamed, "Fuck me!"
Jason's eyes narrowed as he watched a dark-haired man pull Elizabeth closer to his side, his
hand possessively gripping her ribbon waist. Seemed to him, that's exactly what *he* was doing.
Jason quietly cursed and turned away from them, heading to the bar in the corner, trying hard to
ignore the waves of unusual jealousy splashing over him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Of course, she'd seen him the moment her family stepped through the door.
Kept a subconscious look out for him even as Alexis and Ric made a bee-line for her, enveloping
her in hugs, while her father awkwardly hung back, and even further apart was an uncomfortable
looking Courtney, stunning in a winter-white sheath. While he looked absolutely delectable, his
suit looked as though it was suffocating him, and she mentally counted off the seconds before he
stuck a finger under his collar in an effort to breathe. For those few seconds, she could've cursed
Daniel for talking her into making it a black-tie affair.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear.
Magically materializing at her side, his large hand a slightly uncomfortable presence on her hip.
He sucked all her attention from Jason with that one move as he gallantly kissed Alexis's hand in
remembrance and returned Ric's firm handshake.
When she remembered to peek for him again, he was gone and Courtney and her father were
heading her way.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Of course she would look beautiful tonight. After all, it was *her* night. The chance to at least
reap a few benefits after all the hard work she'd put in.
But yet again, the green-eyed monster couldn't help but raise its ugly head again as she gazed at
her niece, even with Jason's warmth a comforting presence beside her.
She didn't have to be so damned beautiful!
Courtney watched as every male in the room seemed to be magnetically drawn toward Elizabeth.
She didn't even have to peek out the corner of her eye to tell that Jason's eyes were glued to her.
One man in particular was drawn towards her. She watched with a hooded gaze as he
enunciated himself into Elizabeth's personal space, his arm sliding possessively around her
waist.
Courtney's heart soared.
Jason cursed beside her.
It plummeted back into her Jimmy Choos.
Sonny whispered into her ear, "Ven, querida. Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
She was the most beautiful girl in the room.
Most beautiful *girl* because, of course, Alexis took the cake for most beautiful *woman* in the
room.
Even with all his misgivings about coming to the city to the opening when things were still so
fragile between them, he couldn't help but thank God that he had.
Pride at his daughter's accomplishments barreled through his chest the moment he set eyes on
the petite dark-haired princess, holding court amongst her peers.
A wisp of a smile graced his face as he watched his fiancée and brother swallow her in hugs and
kisses, even as he hung back.
She looked happy… for once.
He looked to his left, to the couple that had hung back with him… outsiders of sort. Jason and
Courtney.
Both seemingly so happy, standing so close to one another they could probably hear each other
inhale and exhale in the din of the crowded room.
But on closer inspection, one came to the conclusion that looks were certainly deceiving. Neither
looked at each other…. An invisible fence had been erected the moment they stepped foot into
the room and laid eyes on Elizabeth.
On whom their eyes were glued.
Sonny wished he were a mind reader, able to hear what was running through their heads. But the
levels of emotions flitting across their faces as they stared at his daughter gave him a pretty good
idea.
Lust.
Jealousy. Times two.
His gaze swung back to his daughter just in time to see a dark-haired man practically join himself
at the hip to Liz. Sonny's eyebrows skyrocketed.
His gaze swung back to Jason and Courtney.
His best friend cursed quietly and turned away, heading for the bar.
Courtney sighed.
He slid closer to her side. "Ven querida," he spoke, hoping she couldn't hear the sympathy in his
voice as he steered her toward the Corinthos crowd. "Let's go."
*~*~*~*~*~*
(Two hours later)
She'd finally managed to escape.
For three hours, she had played the dutiful hostess, pasting the plastic smile onto her face each
time Daniel or Connie introduced her to someone new. Critics, potential buyers, admirers… it
wouldn't pay to be grouchy tonight. First impressions were always important. Tonight, she would
have to make enough lasting contacts to jumpstart her career.
There had been a few genuinely pleasant moments during the night when Nikolas had tackled
her in a bear hug and her Uncle Stefan had kissed her affectionately on both cheeks. She hadn't
been expecting them – Alexis had told her they were in London attending a board meeting – and
had been pleasantly surprised when she'd gotten her bearing back.
Of course when the crowd realized that the artist was none other than a Cassidine princess, the
had descended on her in droves, and she had only been able to extricate herself from their
clutches when Daniel had called her away for the unveiling.
Now two hours later, Liz had slipped off her pumps and was tiptoeing down the dimly lit corridors
to the other un-used Gallery rooms in a desperate search for at least a moment's privacy.
Cautiously she peeked around the corner of a dimly lit room at the end of the room, ensuring that
no one had had the same idea as she, and slipped quietly into the room.
"Taking a break?"
Elizabeth gasped and whirled to face the speaker.
From the shadows he emerged.
Jason.
He came towards her. Stopping about a foot away from her and leaning against a tall art-deco
sculpture, a long tapered glass of beer dangling from his fingers.
Her stiletto heels threatened to slip from her fingers as she gazed at him. The first time she had
been close to him in almost two months.
**God, he looked good.**
Dark grey, almost black, suit that fitted him to perfection, crisp white shirt and the dreaded silver-
grey silk tie. Automatically her eyes dropped to his feet. Classic wingtips in shiny black leather. A
rueful smile graced her face. **Somebody went shoe shopping** she mused, remembering that
time so long ago when he had only owned his motorcycle boots.
Finally dragging her gaze back to his, which remained steadily trained on hers, she nodded. "You
nearly scared the pants off me," she added ruefully.
Behind the cool blue gaze, desire flared and kicked him in the gut at the image of Elizabeth naked
that suddenly popped into his head. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
Liz nodded, trying to ignore the fluttering in her belly, the softening of her nether regions as she
inhaled the scent that was uniquely his, the lump in her throat as she watched him raise the glass
to his lips and take a sip of the expensive imported beer Daniel was paying for.
She looked away and moved farther into the room. "What about you?" she asked, turning to him
again she sat on a lighted pedestal.
"Crowds," he replied, closing the good five feet of distance she had created to one again.
"You cut your hair," he suddenly spoke up. His hands were itching to reach out to the errant girl
that slipped into her face.
Liz blushed as she tucked the curl behind her ear as she remembered how in a sudden fit of rage
when she had just gotten home from PC she had butchered it with the paper scissors. The first
thing she had done on her second good day was pay a visit to Paul Mitchell for a more
'structured' haircut. "Yes. Got sick of the long hair," she lied.
Jason lifted an eyebrow. He knew she loved her hair. She had only drastically cut it once before –
when she was angry with Lucky and being the Face of Deception. He said nothing.
Liz cleared her throat. "I'm glad you came." She grinned ruefully as his eyebrow shot up again.
"Really I am. It's nice to have people I know and…" she paused, "love here with me."
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," he replied truthfully.
"Thank you," she replied, a genuine smile dazzling her face.
Jason nodded in reply.
The silence carried on between them as the muffled din of the crowded room continued.
"Is it that bad out there?" he asked.
Elizabeth's knee immediately stopped bouncing. "Is it that obvious?"
"I *know* you," Jason replied.
That, he did.
"It's like a nest of vipers out there," she finally admitted.
"How so?" he asked.
Liz sighed, meeting his gaze in the near darkness. "They all want a piece of me. I suppose I
should feel flattered, but all I feel is smothered…you know?"
Jason smirked. "Yeah…."
"I guess I now understand why most artists would want to be left alone." She sighed again,
playing with the flirty hem of the "Fuck me!" dress.
"You don't have to go back out there." Inwardly he was shocked. **Where the hell did that come
from?**
Liz's eyes snapped up to meet his. The confusion swirling in the sapphire depths showed him she
didn't quite know what to make of that statement… and also, the temptation to take him up on his
offer.
"Nah…" she replied softly, her gaze holding his. "I can't just skip out…. Any minute know
someone's gonna come looking for –"
"Liz!"
Liz jumped, her gaze darting to the door. It was Daniel.
Footsteps echoed towards them and she shot to her feet just as Daniel snapped on the
fluorescent lighting overhead.
"There you are." Daniel paused and looked at the couple that, up until a few seconds ago had
been alone in the relative darkness of the room.
Liz stepped away from Jason, but she was still close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his
body.
Daniel's eyebrow lifted pointedly.
Black eyes met blue.
Liz was most definitely caught in the middle.
Jason's eyes narrowed as he recognized the man as her promoter, the man who had stuck to her
side most of the night.
Liz struggled to make peace between the silent hostility. "Daniel," she said, as her lover/promoter
strode toward them.
"I don't believe I've met your *friend*, Elizabeth," he spoke as he neared them. "Daniel Toreno,"
he introduced, extending his hand.
For a second, she thought Jason wasn't going to return the handshake. "Jason Morgan," he
replied, noting the flicker of comprehension that dawned in the other man's eyes.
"I hate to break this little tête-à-tête up, but the critic from the New Yorker is looking for you."
Jason's empathetic gaze flicked to her face. He knew she didn't really feel like going back out
there. He shrewdly noted as she pasted the plastic smile on her face and accepted the hand that
Daniel offered.
"Of course," she replied. She turned to Jason. "Thanks, Jas. I'll see you later?" she asked
hopefully.
Jason nodded. "Sure." Tried not to snap the glass as Daniel wrapped his arm around her waist,
fingers sliding against the slick "Fuck me!" satin as he led Liz away from him.
*~*~*~*~*~*
He'd barely spoken to her tonight. Neither of their faults… people kept steering her attention away
from him, but at least she had been civil. And had even kissed his cheek in greeting. She had
wanted to talk to him about something, but she hadn't had the time to do so tonight, but she had
smiled her special smile at him, so whatever it was, it was good.
Sonny's heart felt about ten tons lighter as he chatted with Stefan and Ric about something or the
other and watched Alexis from across the room as she chatted with the curator and some former
colleagues.
Just then, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He excused himself from the conversation and
turned to Johnny, who handed him a cell phone.
"Corinthos."
It was Benny.
As his accountant relayed the information to him, dread returned to his features threefold.
They had a problem.
Another one of his employees was dead.
TBC…
A/N: Not as much Liason as I would've like myself, but something's better than nothing. I hope
you enjoyed. R&R folks and let me know what you thought.
