CHAPTER 3

Three days later Elizabeth was working the breakfast shift at Kellys when Nikolas and Gia came in. A few minutes later Lucky and Sarah came downstairs and joined them. It took all of thirty seconds for Liz to figure out her sister and Lucky were together. She waited for the pain and jealousy to wash over her but found she felt nothing but relief. Liz walked over to take their order, steeling herself for another round of "Jason will get you killed."

"Hey, Liz," Gia said brightly.

"How are you?" Liz asked neutrally.

"Fine," Nikolas said. "Look, Liz, could we try to be friends again?"

"I don't know. Can you try?" she asked.

"We're willing," Lucky said.

"Okay," Liz said with a tentative smile.

"Great!" Gia said. "Nikolas and I were talking last night and we thought it might be fun for all of us to get together for an informal dinner party tonight."

"Sounds good. Why don't we have it at the studio?" Liz asked testing them.

A look of unease crossed the faces of Nikolas and Lucky before they both nodded.

"Good. Jason has to work so I was going to be alone and now I won't be," Liz said. "I'll make dessert."

"We'll have Mrs. Lansbury put together a couple of entrees," Nikolas said.

"I'll bring salad," Sarah said.

"I'll bring drinks," Lucky said.

"So I'll see you all at the studio around 7," Liz said. The group agreed and Liz moved to wait on the other customers.

That afternoon Jason walked into the studio to see three dozen brownies on the counter along with all the dishes Liz owned. Liz was vacuuming the couch and didn't hear him until he was right behind her.

"Did I forget to tell you I have to work tonight?" Jason asked glancing around.

"No, you told me," Liz said. "Nikolas, Lucky, Gia and Sarah are coming here for dinner."

"Okay," Jason said.

"They said they're willing to try so I'm giving them the chance to prove it," Liz said looking at Jason. "You know, Sarah and Lucky are together."

Jason watched her for several moments before asking, "Are you okay with that?"

Elizabeth looked up at him again and gave him a heart-stoppingly beautiful and honest smile. "I actually felt relieved when I figured it out," she said.

"I'm going to go before you decide I need vacuumed too," Jason said.

Liz turned the vacuum off and caught him at the door.

"I love you," she told him giving him a kiss. "Be careful."

"I love you too," Jason said kissing her until her toes curled. "That's to give you something to look forward to after your friends leave."

Jason walked out and shut the door. Liz let out a breath. Damn, but that man is good with his mouth, she thought as she went back to cleaning.

By 7:15 everyone was there dishing up food and drinks. By 8:15 they were digging into the brownies while laughing and talking like old times.

Suddenly Liz went completely still and silent. She reached over and grabbed her cell phone dialing the first speed dial. No answer. She called the second number. No answer. Going into her phone's directory, she tried three more numbers. No answer at any of them.

"Liz, what's going on? What's the matter?" Gia asked.

"I…I don't know. Something has happened to Jason," Liz said shakily, trying all the numbers again.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Sarah said dismissively. Liz glared at her.

"Hey, calm down," Lucky said. "He probably just got arrested. Alexis will get him released soon and he'll call you."

"Maybe," Liz said sitting back down.

For the next hour Liz tried to relax and enjoy herself but she couldn't get rid of the nagging sense that Jason was in trouble.

Meanwhile Jason had been shadowing the guy he and Sonny thought was responsible for the drugs flooding the territory. Francis was behind Jason, making sure the guy didn't have anyone try to take Jason out from behind. Unfortunately Francis was too far away to intervene when whoever the guy was meeting realized he was being followed and shot Jason and Jason's prey before disappearing into the shadows.

Francis quickly took stock of the location and knew there was a place close by that Jason would be taken care of. He picked Jason up and carried him to the safe haven.

Carly opened the door, ready to take a strip off whoever was leaning on her doorbell. She immediately yelled for her mother and led Francis to a bedroom on the first floor. Bobbie rushed in and took charge, giving Jason the care she had been trained to administer.

Jason thrashed around repeatedly calling out "Elizabeth" in a thready whisper.

"What did he say? What does he want?" Carly asked.

"Elizabeth," Francis and Bobbie replied in unison.

Carly's eyes narrowed but she put her dislike of the girl aside. If Jason thought he needed her to get through this, then Carly would bring the muffin, even if she had to be nice to her to do so.

"Stay with Jason," Carly told Francis. "Max, let's go."

"Where are we going, Mrs. C.?" Max asked as he started the car.

"Elizabeth Webber's studio," Carly said through clenched teeth, her voice resigned.

Max suppressed a smile. No one had told Carly that Jason was living with Elizabeth. If Jason didn't feel the need to tell her, then the guards didn't think it was there place to enlighten her, especially since it was bound to bring Carly's wrath down on Elizabeth. Not that Elizabeth couldn't hold her own with Carly but there was no need to ruin Elizabeth's happiness any sooner than necessary.

At 9:30, Carly knocked on Liz's door. Liz threw the door open expecting Sonny or a guard. Taking one look at Carly's face, Liz grabbed her jacket and followed without a word.

The silence in the studio was broken by Gia who said, "Lucky, wasn't that your cousin?"

"Yep, that was Carly," Lucky said.

"I thought they couldn't stand each other," Gia said.

"They can't," Lucky said.

"Then what the hell just happened," Sarah demanded.

"You just witnessed the Jason bond," Nikolas said. "No matter how much two women hate each other, if they both love Jason and there is a crisis, the two will put their differences aside until the crisis is resolved."

"How do you know?" Sarah asked.

"I've seen it before," Nikolas said and no one missed the bitterness in his voice. "Emily would partner with Satan if it would help Jason."

"Well we might as well clean up here since it seems the party is over," Lucky said.

As the group cleaned up the remnants of dinner, Sarah began formulating a new tactic in her plan. She had originally hoped that telling her Grandmother of the relationship would be enough to break the happy couple up. Ever since that had failed, Sarah had been trying to come up with a new plan that would not implicate her but would end the relationship. After Lucky's comments about his cousin hating Lizzie, Sarah was pretty sure she could manipulate the woman into doing the dirty work for her.

Carly and Elizabeth rode to the brownstone in silence. When the car pulled up, Liz was out the door and in the house before Max could shut the car off. Carly was not far behind her. Francis opened the bedroom door and Liz rushed in to see Jason unconscious.

"I gave him pain medication that knocked him out and I stitched him up," Bobbie said. "But even with the meds, he's restless. He needs to calm down or he'll pop the stitches and he can't afford that."

The three women watched as his head rolled from side to side and he thrashed about on the bed. Liz walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. Taking his hand, she leaned down to whisper in his ear.

"I'm here now, Jase. You need to rest but I'll be right here. I won't leave you," Liz said.

Everyone watched as whatever Elizabeth said to him calmed him down infinitely. Jason seemed to stop fighting and go into a peaceful sleep. Carly looked around the room. No one else seemed surprised that the muffin had that effect on Jason. Maybe, just maybe the girl had something going for her, Carly thought. Not that I'll ever like her.

For the next six hours Elizabeth sat next to Jason's bed, holding his hand and keeping up a continuous stream of rambling so that Jason would know she was there. When she saw his eyelids flutter, she stopped talking. When Jason opened his eyes, they immediately found Liz's.

"Hi," she said softly.

"Hey," he said starting to sit up until she put a hand on his shoulder.

"Bobbie said you need to stay as still as possible," Liz told him. "She doesn't want you popping your stitches."

"Where am I and how long have I been here?" Jason asked.

"You're at Bobbie's brownstone and you've been here almost seven hours," Liz said.

"And you've been here the whole time," Jason stated. "You look exhausted."

"Gee, thanks," Liz said.

"Why don't you lie down with me and get some sleep?" Jason suggested.

Liz shook her head and said, "I don't want to hurt you or make you pop your stitches."

"I could hear you talking to me while I was sleeping and I kept wondering why I couldn't feel you next to me but I couldn't wake up to find out," Jason said, pulling back the covers. "Please."

"That was the pain medication," Liz said easing into the bed next to him.

Jason and Liz stayed at the brownstone for two days before Jason insisted on going back to the studio. As the guards helped Jason to the car, Carly stopped Liz.

"I don't know why he wants you around but it's obvious he does," Carly said. "Take care of him and don't hurt him again or I will personally make your life hell."

"I'll take care of him," Liz promised knowing Carly was worried about Jason. "And I'm aware of how lucky I am to have gotten a second chance with him. I don't intend to screw it up."

Carly nodded as Liz went to join Jason in the car. While Carly would never like the muffin, she could see the love between the two and she wanted that for Jason. She had meant what she said though. If Liz hurt Jason, Carly would see to it that the girl paid, just as she would anyone who hurt Jason.

Elizabeth spent the next few days taking care of Jason while Marco, Johnny, and Francis took turns standing guard outside the studio door. Liz knew they were there for her and not Jason but she chose to ignore that fact.

On the evening of the second day back at the studio, Liz brought up the topic of new windows.

As she brought a spoonful of soup to his mouth, Liz said, "So I was thinking I should get bulletproof windows installed."

Jason swallowed the soup and watched her for a minute before saying, "If you don't feel safe with me here, I'll leave. But there's no reason for you to get bulletproof windows. There isn't anywhere for someone to shoot from into here."

"Except a boat in the water or a roof of a warehouse," Liz said. "And I wasn't thinking of getting it because I feel unsafe."

"Then why?" Jason asked.

"To keep you safe," Liz said.

"Me?" Jason questioned.

Liz nodded and said, "I knew when you got shot. I didn't know that's what had happened but I knew something had happened to you." Liz paused and looked into his eyes before continuing. "Lucky tried to tell me you had just been arrested but I knew it was more. And I couldn't get a hold of anyone to find out what had happened even though I knew something was wrong. Then Carly showed up at my door. One look at her face and I knew you'd been shot."

Jason searched her eyes as she spoke. She didn't try to hide anything from him and what he saw in her eyes floored him: pure love and total acceptance. Not just of him but of his life, his work and the danger of being with him. Jason had never thought he wanted or needed anyone's acceptance before but found himself realizing he had craved it from Elizabeth.

"It's just, when you come home, I don't want you to have to worry about your safety or constantly be on guard against an attack," Liz said.

"Hey," Jason said taking her hand. "It's not a place that makes me feel that way. To me, home has never been about location. Home is you."

Elizabeth melted as those words and leaned into kiss him.

On the third day Bobbie called.

"I know you have a lot going on with Jason right now," Bobbie said. "I wouldn't ask if there was anyone else but Penny is at a doctor's appointment and will be an hour late. Please, Liz, it will only be until Penny gets here. An hour and a half max."

Elizabeth looked at Jason hesitantly but he said, "Go, I'll be fine alone for a couple of hours."

"Okay, Bobbie," Liz said. "I'll be there soon."

Liz hung up and grabbed her jacket and purse.

"Take Francis with you," Jason said.

"I'd rather have him here in case you need something," Liz said.

"I'll call Max if I need anything," Jason said. "He's at the warehouse."

"Okay," Liz said giving him a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Be careful," Jason said.

Elizabeth took off out the door and Francis followed at a slight distance. While Liz had had guards before, she wasn't used to them being around constantly and Francis didn't want to crowd her.

Unfortunately Francis didn't realize how fast Liz was walking and before he knew it, she was twenty yards ahead of him. Then she turned a corner and he lost sight of her.

Liz turned the corner to head off the docks and stopped when a tall, dark-haired man stepped out of the shadows in front of her.

"Miss Webber," the man said. "I've been waiting to meet you."

Elizabeth cocked her head to the side and studied him for a moment. He oozed power and control reminding her of Sonny and Jason. But unlike Sonny and Jason, the vibes this man put off did not promise violent danger to anyone who crossed him. Well, if he thinks Elizabeth Webber is going to be an easy mark, he needs to be introduced to Lizzie, Elizabeth thought.

Luis Alcazar was a man used to evoking fear and being obeyed. As Elizabeth Webber gave him a thorough once over, he felt himself being weighed and measured before she very blatantly dismissed him in her mind. Elizabeth saw his shock before he managed to slide his mask back into place. She smiled inwardly.

"Don't you know it's dangerous to walk alone near the docks?" Luis asked trying to intimidate her.

"The same could be said for talking to strange men," Elizabeth retorted. "And I'm not alone. I've got my very own tall, burly shadow."

"How rude of me," Luis said extending his hand. "I'm Luis Alcazar. But I don't see your shadow."

Ignoring the offered hand, Elizabeth said, "That's because he is one of the best. Shadows aren't supposed to be seen, Mr. Alcazar."

"I had heard Jason Morgan was the best but someone managed to take him out," Louis said.

Elizabeth looked at him for a second and then burst out laughing. "That was a good one. But if you'll excuse me, I need to get to work."

Luis simply stared after the brunette as she walked away, barely managing to hide as her bodyguard came around the corner. It's not possible Morgan survived, Luis thought. Is it?

Elizabeth intended to tell Francis about the encounter as soon as they got to Kellys. Getting to the diner, Elizabeth found it crawling with customers and the newest waitress in a complete panic. Encounter with Alcazar forgotten, Elizabeth immediately took charge and brought order to the diner. Just as the rush ended, Penny came in.

Elizabeth said a quick hello and good-bye to Penny before heading out the door, eager as she was to get back to Jason. Francis once again trailed her at a short distance.

As she walked home, Elizabeth couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The closer she got to the studio, the worse the feeling got until she was flat-out running up the stairs to get to Jason. She heard a voice in the studio as she approached so she paused, not wanting to interrupt if Max was meeting with Jason.

"I almost didn't believe it when your girlfriend implied that you were still alive, but I decided to check for myself," Luis said.

Elizabeth pushed the door open to see Luis with a gun in hand. Quickly and silently she grabbed the bat from next to the door and walked up behind him. Just as he was about to aim at Jason, Elizabeth swung, connecting the bat to the back of Luis's head and knocking him out. Dropping the bat, Liz rushed to Jason, checking him for injuries. He remained unconscious and she realized his pain medication had kicked in.

Francis entered the open door, gun drawn, knowing there was trouble. Taking in the scene, he put the gun away and pulled out his cell phone. "Max, I need you to bring a car to the studio. There's been an intruder. We need to get Jason and Miss Webber somewhere secure."

Elizabeth smiled up at Francis gratefully and he said, "Max will be here in five minutes. Do you want to pack some things to take?"

Liz nodded and began throwing clothes for herself and Jason in a bag along with his medications. Five minutes later Max pulled up to the building and called Francis. The guard picked Jason up and headed for the door.

Seeing Elizabeth hesitate and look at Alcazar, Francis said, "Don't worry. We'll be back for him." Liz nodded and followed him down to the car.

A minute later two men came out of hiding down the hall. They walked to Elizabeth's studio and, after making sure they wouldn't be caught, went in and retrieved their boss. Alcazar was a difficult man and none of his employees were very loyal. They weren't about to risk a run-in with Corinthos's people to help Alcazar but they were willing to save him if there was no risk to themselves. He did pay fairly well after all.

Jason woke up half-way to Harborview Towers. Francis explained what had happened, finishing as they pulled up to the building. Johnny let Elizabeth and Jason into Sonny's penthouse and Max and Francis left to deal with Alcazar. Elizabeth was making Jason lay on the couch when Sonny came out of the kitchen.

"What happened?" Sonny asked.

Elizabeth quickly explained what had taken place in the studio.

"I hope Francis or Max recognized him," Sonny said.

"It was Luis Alcazar," Elizabeth said and both men turned to stare at her.

"How do you know?" Jason asked.

"I ran into him on my way to Kelly's," she said. "He introduced himself."

Sonny cursed in Spanish and Jason said, "We need somewhere safe to stay until I can deal with this, Sonny."

Sonny stood silently looking out the windows for a while before turning around with a grin.

"What?" Jason asked as Elizabeth eyed Sonny warily.

"I think you guys should move in across the hall," Sonny said.

"Move in with Alexis?" Elizabeth asked, confused.

Jason shook his head at his friend. "Still won't move in with you, huh?"

"No, she keeps saying she needs to keep her independence," Sonny said. "But now she'll have to move in because you guys need somewhere safe to live."

"And the fact that she is well aware that you have multiple safe houses we could use?" Elizabeth pointedly asked.

"If you don't want to stay in the penthouse, we'll go somewhere else," Jason said to her.

"It's not that," Elizabeth said, looking at Sonny. "I don't want you pushing Alexis into something she's not ready for."

Sonny hung his head in guilt. "I just don't understand why she won't give me a commitment."

"I doubt you've given her one," Elizabeth said.

"I asked her to move in with me," Sonny said.

"That isn't a commitment," Elizabeth said. "That's just easier access for you."

"Then what should I do?" Sonny asked.

"Give her time," Elizabeth said. "I love you, Sonny, but your track record with women doesn't exactly inspire confidence. And remember that she's a Cassadine—they have a very difficult time trusting people."

At that moment Alexis opened the door and walked in. She glanced around the room and knew something was up. "What's going on?"

"Luis Alcazar broke into Elizabeth's studio to finish Jason off," Sonny said.

Alexis looked at Jason to make sure he was okay and he smiled at her.

"Sonny thinks we should move into your penthouse," Elizabeth said.

Alexis looked at Sonny and raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I was thinking since it would only be for a little while, you could stay here and we could do sort of a trial run," Sonny said. "You know, just to prove that you wouldn't kill me if we lived together."

Alexis was silent for a moment before she said, "You must have me confused with one of my clients since they are the ones always being accused of violence."

Sonny grinned and said, "Oh yeah, are the guilty of all these violent acts?"

"Of course not," Alexis said with a straight face. "They are coffee importers."

"Oh my God!" Elizabeth said and Alexis and Sonny turned to look at her. "This is actually how you guys flirt. That is just wrong!"

Jason started to laugh only to groan when the laughter caused pain to shoot through him. Elizabeth rushed to his side to check on him and Sonny stepped forward in concern. Alexis laid a hand on his arm and nodded toward the kitchen. Since Elizabeth was taking care of Jason, Sonny followed Alexis.

"I will agree to this because it is obvious Elizabeth and Jason need somewhere safe to stay until this problem is dealt with," Alexis said once they were in the kitchen. "But make no mistake, Sonny, I know exactly what you are trying to do. I will stay in the guest room."

"Now, Counselor," Sonny said but Alexis cut him off.

"Don't even try it. The only time you win an argument against me is when you use physical persuasion," Alexis said.

Sonny stiffened as if she had slapped him and his eyes grew cold. "I have never forced…"

Alexis held up her hand and said, "That isn't what I meant. Physical persuasion was a euphemism for seduction. And I never said I was unwilling."

Sonny grinned at that. "So you're saying I could seduce you into staying in my room."

Alexis suppressed a smile and said, "I guess you'll just have to try and see if it works."

"Now that's one hell of a challenge," Sonny said, smiling as he walked back into the living room.