CHAPTER 2
Two days later Elizabeth had barely left her studio. She and Jason had spent their days talking while Elizabeth painted and sketched. Jason had left to have several meetings but other than that he had been with Elizabeth.
Now Elizabeth had to face reality and go to work. She entered Kellys to see Lucky, Nikolas, Gia, and Sarah sitting at a table. She sighed. She should have known they wouldn't wait any longer.
"Long time no see, Liz," Gia said trying to ease the tension.
"Yeah," Elizabeth said putting on her apron and grabbing an order pad. The diner was filling up fast and if she was lucky she could avoid the inevitable confrontation until the end of her shift.
"Where have you been?" Nikolas asked neutrally.
"At my studio," Elizabeth said taking several tables's orders and heading for the kitchen.
"Alone?" Lucky asked stiffly.
Elizabeth let out an audible sigh and walked over to their table. "Ask whatever it is you really want to know."
"Is Jason living at your studio again?" Lucky asked emphasizing again.
"Yes, Jason is living with me. Do you really want to have this conversation in a crowded diner?" Elizabeth replied.
"Elizabeth," Nikolas said in a tone that would be used to explain something to a not very bright three year old, "We've been through this before. Seeing Jason Morgan is dangerous. It could get you killed."
That was the last straw for Elizabeth who looked at Nikolas with fury in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice dripped venom, "Because spending time with the Cassadines and Spencers has been nothing but roses and tea parties."
Nikolas stiffened and Lucky blanched.
"Look, Nikolas," she said her voice now nothing but tired, "we've been friends for a long time. Now you have two choices. You can keep up with this stupid hatred of Jason and not be my friend. Or you can support my choices now matter how distasteful to you and continue to be my friend. It's up to you."
"You would throw away all our years of friendship because of Jason?" Nikolas asked incredulously.
"This isn't entirely about Jason and you know it," Elizabeth shot back at him. "You're supposed to be my friend. Friends don't lie to each other. Friends don't encourage a relationship that borders on abusive. Friends don't stand by and watch you choose a man who doesn't love you over one who does. I made the wrong choice once but I was given a second chance. I don't intend to lose him again even if it means losing you."
The whole diner was silent for several minutes before Gia said, "Nikolas is just concerned about your safety."
"Nikolas is just an idiot," Jason said from the doorway.
Elizabeth smiled at him before walking behind the counter to pour his coffee. Jason walked to the counter giving Nikolas and Lucky his trademark enforcer glare.
"I just stopped to see how you were doing," Jason said quietly at the counter.
"Are you hungry?" Elizabeth asked.
"Do you need me to stay?" Jason countered.
"I'm handling it," she said.
"So I heard," he said. "I should get back to the warehouse but I'll pick you up after your shift if you want."
"I'll desperately need to go nowhere by then," she said with a smile.
Jason took the cup of coffee and, with one more glare at Nikolas and Lucky, left.
The table with two of the musketeers left Liz alone after that and she went about her shift. An hour before she was scheduled to leave, Courtney and AJ came in. Liz walked over to get their order.
"I heard my brother's back in town," AJ said looking up at Liz. Then he glanced at Courtney and mumbled, "It would be nice if he went to see Mother and Grandmother soon. They miss him."
Liz looked at AJ silently for a moment before she said, "I'll mention it to him."
Knowing AJ's brother worked for Sonny and that Liz was Sonny's friend, Courtney asked, "Do you…have you seen my brother?"
"I only see him when he comes in here usually," Liz said.
"Well if you see him, would you tell him I said hello and I hope he's doing well," Courtney said.
"Sure, I can pass that message along," Liz said before going to put their order in.
Three weeks had gone by since the confrontation at Kellys. Elizabeth and Jason spent the majority of their time together, especially since Jason had bought a bed for the studio.
Elizabeth smiled to herself at the memory as she sat in the hospital waiting room.
It had been the morning after Jason had come back to Port Charles. He'd gone to see Sonny and Elizabeth had been painting when there was a knock on the door. Liz opened it to two delivery men.
"Delivery for Elizabeth Webber," the man said.
"From who?" Liz asked suspiciously.
The man glanced down at his clipboard and said, "I only have initials—JM. Where would you like us to set it up?"
Elizabeth looked out in the hall to see what Jason was having delivered. She was stunned to see a mattress and unassembled bed frame. Absently she opened the door to let the delivery men in.
"Um, anywhere away from the windows, I guess," Liz said.
The second delivery man walked in with the headboard and said, "Not into watching the sunrise from bed?"
"Actually, I'm not into having a bullet hit me while I sleep," Elizabeth retorted.
Jason chuckled from the doorway at her comment but only Elizabeth heard him. She looked at the bed and then at him questioningly.
Jason shrugged and said, "The only way I'm sleeping on that couch again is if I've been shot."
Elizabeth shook the memory away as she heard her grandmother call her name.
"Hello, Grams," Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, I've been hearing some disturbing rumors that you are associating with criminals again," Audrey said. Elizabeth let out a sigh but Audrey continued, "I will not continue to pay the rent for your studio if you are going to use it to harbor mobsters."
Jason stepped off the elevator in time to hear the threat.
"That's fine, Grams. You don't need to pay for half my rent if you don't want to," Liz said.
"Be realistic, Elizabeth. You can't afford the full rent on what you make as a waitress," Audrey said.
"She doesn't have to," Jason said walking up behind Elizabeth. "I'll pay half since I am living there as well."
"Living there?" Audrey asked aghast.
"Yes, Grams. Jason's living with me," Liz said.
Audrey's shoulders slumped as she turned around and walked away without second glance.
"You okay?" Jason asked softly.
Liz looked up into his eyes and he saw the tears there. Jason pulled her into his embrace and felt her cling to him with all her strength.
"I knew this was coming but somehow I'm never prepared when it happens," Liz said.
"If this is too much, I can move to Jakes," Jason offered.
"It won't make a difference," Liz said. "You're in my life whether or not we live together so I'd rather have you as close as possible."
The smile he gave her was so beautiful Liz leaned up and kissed him softly before saying, "I have to go or I'll be late for work."
"I'll see you at home," Jason said.
Liz nodded as the elevator doors closed.
Later that day, Jason entered the salon of the Quartermaine house through the patio doors. Lila looked up and smiled at him.
"Jason, it's so good to see you," Lila said.
"It's good to see you, too, Grandmother," Jason said giving her a kiss before sitting on the couch.
"What's wrong, dear?" Lila asked. At his look she said, "I can still read you, and even if I couldn't, this is the second time you've been here in less than a month."
"I'm sorry. I should visit more often," he said.
"I didn't say it to make you feel guilty," Lila said. "I'd like to help."
"I'm afraid I'm hurting Elizabeth," Jason said quietly.
"Why do you think that?" she asked.
"Audrey cut her off and her friends barely speak to her because she's with me," he told her.
"If her friends desert her because of that then she's better off without them," Lila said. "You care a great deal for Elizabeth don't you?"
"I think…I think I love her," Jason confessed.
At that moment Tracey walked into the room. Spotting Jason she said, "Well, well, the prodigal son has returned."
"Tracey, leave and do not allow any other member of this family in this room until Jason is gone," Lila commanded.
"Yes, Mother," Tracey said, backing out of the room and closing the door.
"I should take you to a meeting with some of my uncooperative associates," Jason said.
"Oh dear," Lila said with a chuckle. Turning serious she asked, "Now, does Elizabeth love you?"
"She hasn't said so but I think she does," Jason said.
"Then stop worrying about what she's losing by being with you and remember that true love may carry a high price but is always worth it," Lila said.
"Thank you, Grandmother," Jason said heading for the door.
"Oh and Jason, tell her how you feel. She'll need to hear you say it," Lila said.
Jason nodded before disappearing from the patio.
Meanwhile Liz was working a slow shift at Kellys when Courtney came in and sat at the counter.
"Hi, Elizabeth," Courtney said hesitantly. They didn't really know each other but Courtney was hoping they would become friends.
"Hey," Liz said.
"You seem out of it," Courtney said. "Want to talk about it?"
"I just had a run in with my grandmother," Liz said.
"I take it you two don't really get along," Courtney said.
"Normally, we do but she doesn't approve of my relationship with Jason," Liz said.
"I've noticed a lot of people in this town feel that way," Courtney said. "So if everyone agrees that Jason is bad news why are you with him?"
"Why didn't you listen when everyone said AJ was only using you to get to Sonny?" Liz challenged.
"Point taken," Courtney said.
"It just makes me so mad because they don't know him," Liz said. "Except Lucky who actually used to be his friend."
"Well maybe Lucky's jealous, Courtney suggested.
"No, it's not that. At least not completely," Liz said. At Courtney's look, Liz said, "Lucky's animosity goes back a long way."
"I'm sure your friends will come around," Courtney said. "In the meantime, I'd be happy to pick up the slack. Between my brother and my husband, very few people in this town have been willing to give me a chance."
"I guess us misfits should stick together," Liz said with a smile.
Courtney smiled back until she heard a motorcycle approach. Courtney turned to watch the rider get off the bike.
"Remind me that I'm married," Courtney said without looking at Liz.
"You're married," Liz said with amusement.
"I love AJ but I'd have to be dead not to appreciate a man that sexy," Courtney said watching the blonde god walk into Kellys.
"I know exactly what you mean," Liz said as Jason walked to the counter. To Jason, she said, "You look like you need a ride to nowhere."
Jason nodded and asked, "You up for it?"
"Always," Liz said. "Oh Jason, this is Courtney Quartermaine. Courtney, Jason Morgan."
Jason glanced at the woman who was his best friend's sister and his own sister-in-law and nodded.
Courtney looked back and forth between the two before looking at Liz and saying, "I totally get it."
Liz grinned and before she left said, "Thanks for listening. I'll see you soon."
Jason and Liz rode for hours before Jason took them down the road to nowhere. He pulled over near the statue and got off. Elizabeth followed him silently. They sat next to the statue in silence for a long time.
"I'd like to help if you can talk about it," Liz said softly.
"I went to visit Lila today," he told her.
"Did you have a run in with Edward or AJ?" Liz asked rubbing her hand up and down his arm comfortingly.
Jason shook his head and let out a deep breath. "She said I needed to tell you but she didn't tell me how hard it would be."
"Tell me what, Jason?" Liz asked a ball of fear forming in her stomach.
"That I love you," Jason blurted out. "I know I should have done something romantic or said it better but I love you."
"I didn't realize how much I needed you to say that until I hear it," Liz said. "I love you, have for a long time."
Jason leaned down and kissed her. The kiss went from gentle to all-consuming in seconds. After a minute Jason lifted his head, breathing raggedly.
"We better get out of here," Jason said standing.
"Why?" Liz asked still a little dazed from the kiss.
Jason pulled her to her feet and straight into his arms. With her body flush to his and his face only an inch from hers, he whispered, "Because otherwise I'm going to have you flat on your back naked in less than a minute."
Liz looked startled at first before a grin spread across her face. "It would be a shame to waste the beautiful bed you bought by just sleeping on it," Liz said.
Jason pulled her toward the bike and Liz laughed at the fire in his eyes before he took off. Neither of them had ever wanted to get out of nowhere so quickly before.