Chapter 2

Elizabeth and Lucky walked quietly to Kelly's. She was worried about Jason. She hoped he wasn't in real trouble. The image if him bleeding in the snow came to her. Even though she hadn't seen him for months, she knew he was alive. She didn't know how she would feel if he died. He was her friend and she didn't want him to get hurt. She wondered if it, whatever it was, had anything to do with Sorel. She knew Sorel's trial was about beginning soon. Maybe Jason was here to make sure Sorel didn't get off. She knew Emily was worried. Especially about Zander. He was going to testify against Sorel and the murder of the police officer. If Sorel was acquitted then Zander's life would be over. Sorel would kill him for sure. Maybe Jason was here to make sure that didn't happen. She knew Jason didn't like Zander but for he would do anything for Emily. And if that meant protecting her boyfriend Jason would do it.

"Elizabeth? Elizabeth?"

She looked up to see Lucky staring at her. They were in Kelly's and she was just standing by the doorway. "I'm sorry," she said as she continued into the restaurant and sat at an empty table. "I was just thinking of Emily and Zander."

Lucky sat down in the chair opposite her. "Oh, really? Because I know today at the photo shoot, it was a little hard on you."

Okay here it comes, she thought. He was going to tell her he changed his mind about her being a model. She felt relieved.

"But I got to tell you, you were wonderful," he said smiling.

"What?" she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. "Are you sure?"

"Of course, my mother is so excited. She loved the pictures. She wants to set up some studio time to do more professional shots and discuss her ideas for the campaign," he said oblivious to her dismay. "She wants you to come by and talk about a contract. This is going to be great."

"At least one of us thinks so," Elizabeth muttered quietly. She couldn't believe it. She was so sure the test shots were going to convince Lucky and Laura that she wasn't right for the job. Now what was she going to do.

"Do I have to convince you how beautiful you are," he asked teasingly. He leaned across the table and kissed her on the lips.

"Wow, I'm amazed because that convinced me," she replied. She couldn't let lucky know she wasn't happy about this new development.

"Good. Because from what I saw today, you're going to be a big star." He smiled as he looked up at Penny, the waitress on today, and ordered a coffee for him and a hot chocolate for her.

"You know what? I would rather just forget about this whole photo shoot thing," she said as Penny walked away.

"Oh really? I could handle that. Actually, I'd like to spend the rest of the night just making love to you anyway."

"Spending the night together sounds wonderful, but…" she stopped as Penny returned with their drinks. "But I really need to go back to my studio and finish my assignment."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it's just the painting isn't going well and it's due soon." The lie rolled easily off her tongue. She had been lying to him for so long about her painting she couldn't remember when was the last time she told him the truth.

"All right, if that's what you want, you know, paint. I'll just sit and watch."

Getting up from the table she replied, "Oh well, that will distract me and that kind of defeats the purpose."

"Okay, fine. But paint fast. I'll be waiting here for you. And, um, you know just use your key." He moved to take her in his arms and kiss her again. "I love you."

"I will. I love you, too. Bye." She hurried out the door without a backward glance.

Lucky continued to look at Kelly's entrance. He knew Elizabeth was worried about the Face of Deception thing. She had doubts that it would be a success. She didn't want to let him down. But he knew she was perfect. He just had to show her great this was going to be. The two of them working together and living together was everything he had dreamed about when he was being held. He had dreamed about the life they were going to have and he knew this was the beginning of that dream. He just needed Elizabeth to see that too.

"It's just me," Elizabeth said as she opened her studio door. She didn't want Jason to worry about Lucky finding him. She saw him standing by the window.

"I know. I saw you come up from the pier." He looked back to her. "Thank you for not letting him know I'm here."

Taking off her coat, she walked up to him. "Jason, what are you doing here?"

He knew she would have questions, he just hoped she liked his answers. "I'm here for business. I can't tell you more than that. But no one except you can know that I'm here." He moved away from the window and sat on the couch.

"Not even Sonny?"

"Sonny knows. But it's a little complicated. We need to double-check security issues."

She moved to sit on the couch's armrest. "You think there's someone you can't trust. A traitor?"

He knew she was smart. "We just need to be sure," he said reassuringly. He didn't want her to worry. He wasn't going to put her in any danger. He would find the traitor and then leave.

"So Sonny's men can't know you're here?" So this wasn't about Sorel. Or maybe the traitor works for Sorel, she thought.

"That's right. I should only be here for a few days," he replied. He looked at her. He could see she was uncertain. She probably didn't like that she had to lie to Lucky. He remembered that before the fire they had an honest relationship. He didn't want her to have to lie to the man she loved. "I realize this will be hard for you. I can leave, just don't tell anyone you ever saw me." He got up to walk to the door.

Elizabeth reached for his arm. "No, no Jason, you're going to stay here, okay? I understand you wouldn't have asked me if it weren't important. I'm just going to tell everyone that I'm busy working on a painting and I can't be disturbed." Jason needed her help, and she wouldn't let him down. "Do you need anything? Something to eat?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks." Jason was relieved. She was letting him stay. He walked back to couch.

"Are you sure? Because I can have a pizza back here in five minutes." When he shook his head, she let the issue go. She remembered Jason not eating much the last time he was here. She would make sure he got plenty to eat this time. She would come by every day to make sure he was all right. "Okay, I should get back to Kelly's anyway. Lucky is waiting for me. He and I worked everything out. We're better than ever," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

It was a small thing, but Jason noticed it. "That's…" he didn't know what to say. She didn't look happy. "I'm glad for you."

"Yeah, me too. When you were here last summer, Lucky was pushing me towards Nicholas. But it was all a set up to catch Helena. After Helena was killed, Lucky explained that he needed her to believe she had control of him. We've been together ever since."

"That's good. I know you dreamed of having Lucky come back to you. I'm glad you're happy." He knew something was wrong, but he wasn't sure if he should ask her about it.

"Does Carly know you're here?" She just remembered his ex-girlfriend. Would he want to see her now that she's married to Sonny? "And Michael have you seen him?"

"No, to both. Carly doesn't know and I haven't seen Michael." It still hurt to think of Michael. He knew Michael was better off with Sonny as his father, but he still missed him in his life. Maybe, he always will.

Elizabeth saw the sad look in Jason's eyes. He hasn't gotten over Carly, she thought. "Is it okay if I ask where you've been these past months?"

Leaving his thoughts of Michael, he looked at Elizabeth. "Everywhere. Nowhere." They both smiled remembering the night at Jake's. "I just travelled around a lot."

"I'm glad your back, Jason." She moved to hug him. "I missed you," she said as she moved back a little to look into his eyes.

"I missed you, too," he replied looking back at her.

For a moment, Elizabeth thought she saw something in his eyes. She wasn't quite sure what it was, but she began very aware of the fact that she was only inches away from his lips. Her eyes dropped to look at them. Quickly she lifted her arms off his shoulders and moved off the couch. She walked towards her jacket. She needed to get back to Lucky. He would be waiting. Jason gave a little sigh and followed her to the door.

"I'll be here tomorrow morning with breakfast, okay?" She asked without looking back. "If you need anything, let me know tomorrow and I'll try to get it for you. Bye." Without waiting for his reply, she opened the door and left.

Jason stared at the closed door. Only the first day and he was already having trouble keeping his feelings to himself. Elizabeth must have sensed something during the hug. That was why she took off. He hadn't wanted to know that he had feelings for her. Especially now that she was with Lucky. He didn't want her to worry about it. If she did that would change their relationship and he didn't want that to happen. If his choice were between being her friend secretly loving her and not being her friend because she knew how he felt, he would prefer to be her friend. He would just have to be more diligent about keeping his feelings to himself. Elizabeth must never know that he loved her.