Chapter 21

Emily was worried. In the thirty minutes since Jason entered Kelly's, he hadn't smiled once. Anyone else wouldn't even notice, but she was only one of a few people who knew the real Jason; the kinder, gentler, loving side he kept from the world. He hadn't let his guard down since he arrived to the deserted diner. Even when she had rushed up and hugged him, she'd felt a distance from him. He usually laughed and held her tight, but this time the hug had been awkward like he had never hugged anyone before.

She'd spent the last thirty minutes trying to get him to lighten up but had gotten nowhere. She gave a quick look to Zander begging him silently to do something. He reciprocated with raised eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't have a clue. She scanned the diner grateful there weren't any other customers. There was only fifteen minutes before closing. She didn't think Bobbie would be too upset if she closed up early. She excused herself and went to lock the door.

She looked back to her brother. He was hurting and she wanted to help. She knew it had something to do with Elizabeth. Emily remembered how distraught Elizabeth had been on Valentine's Day, but she didn't think Jason rescuing Sonny was the cause. Did something happen between Jason and Elizabeth? No, that was crazy, she thought. Elizabeth was in love with Lucky. Besides Jason had just arrived in Port Charles. How could something have happened between them? But if Jason and Elizabeth were just friends, then what was going on with Jason and Lucky the other day? Did Lucky think something was going on between them, too? Is that why he shoved Jason? It would certainly explain why Jason stopped coming into Kelly's for coffee and lunch. She'd thought Jason had left town, but Jake assured her that he had paid for the month. When Emily found him at the warehouse, his excuse had been work.

She intended to get to the bottom of the problem, but didn't know how to approach the subject with him. If Jason had a thing for Elizabeth, she wouldn't know what to say. Elizabeth and Lucky belonged together. They were the storybook couple. Emily took a deep breath and signalled Zander as casually as she could. She wanted him to go upstairs so that she could talk to Jason alone. After a few head waves, he finally got the message and headed fort he stairs. She hesitated, not sure how to begin.

"What is it you want to ask me, Emily? Whatever you're struggling with just spit it out," Jason said without turning to face her.

Emily shuffled her feet. "Are you in love with Elizabeth?" The question was out before she could stop it. That wasn't what she'd wanted to ask.

Jason was silent. He didn't think he could lie to his sister, not about something like this. He turned to face her. "Why do you ask?"

She nervously gripped her hands in front of her. "Well, it's the only thing that makes sense with what's going on. First Elizabeth comes here crying like she'd just lost her best friend or something. Then Lucky tries to start a fight with you two days later. Finally, you have been avoiding Kelly's."

Jason ran his hand over his face. "I told you why I haven't been by. The warehouse …"

"Yeah, I know you've been busy with the warehouse. But you've been busy before and you've still found time to spend with me. I'm sure if I were still at the mansion, you would come and see me everyday. And those people you treat like the plague. So there must be a reason you're not coming to Kelly's."

Jason remained silent and tried to give her a blank stare. He couldn't do it. His most intimidating stares wouldn't work on Emily. She knew he would never hurt her.

She saw the truth in his eyes. "How does Elizabeth feel?"

"She wants to be with Lucky," he stated matter-of-factly.

She took his hands in hers. "I'm sorry, Jason. Maybe if Lucky hadn't returned …"

"Emily, I really don't want to talk about this," he said removing his hands from her grip.

"I'm sorry. I understand. I won't bring it up again. But Jason, please don't avoid me. I need my brother in my life," she pleaded.

Jason silently cringed. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"I know. It's not your fault. Maybe we could meet at Jake's instead of here," she suggested.

He chuckled, "I don't think the Quartermaines would like you hanging out in a bar."

She laughed, "Since when have you ever cared what the Quartermaines like or dislike. Besides they probably won't even mind when they find out that Zander and I will be moving in together."

"What?" His little sister was moving in with Zander?

She nodded, "I love him. I almost lost him because of Sorel. I want to spend every moment I can with him." She could see Jason didn't really like the idea of her living with Zander. "It's a mute point anyway. Nothing is going to happen until Zander gets a job and not many people are willing to hire an ex-drug dealer with no experience."

Jason studied her. He could see she knew what she wanted, and she wanted to be with Zander. "Okay," he said getting up and grabbing his coat. "Tell him if he wants there might be a job for him at the warehouse. Tell him to come and see me tomorrow."

"Really!" She didn't wait for his reply. She jumped into his arms and hugged him. This time he returned the hug with just as much enthusiasm as she did. She pulled back and kissed him on the cheek. "You're the greatest brother in the whole world."

"What's going on?" They turned to see Lucky and Elizabeth enter the diner.

Emily smiled and pulled away from her brother. "Jason is going to give Zander a job. He is just the best brother there ever was."

"I'm sure he is," replied Lucky sarcastically giving Jason a menacing look but not acknowledging him.

An awkward silence filled the room. Emily tried her best to ease the tension. She looked at Elizabeth. "So tell me! Are you famous yet?"

Elizabeth, who had remained silent until then, gave a weak smile. "Well, …" she began but lucky interrupted her.

"Cousin Carly pulled a fast one," he looked at Jason as if whatever Carly did was his fault. "She claimed they couldn't decide, so she's letting the public vote on who will be the next Face of Deception."

Emily was confused. "So this means you're still going to be a model, right?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth to answer, but Lucky spoke again. "Yeah, both Elizabeth and Gia are going to be in the campaign. Carly's set up the first shoot for next weak."

Emily was so excited. She rushed to Elizabeth and hugged her. "This is so exciting. My best friend is going to be famous." She took Elizabeth's hands and practically dragged her to the counter. "Tell me everything that happened."

Lucky grabbed Elizabeth's arm to stop her. "You know, it's been a long day. Elizabeth's tired. Why doesn't she tell you all about it tomorrow?"

"Lucky, it's okay. I'm not that tired," Elizabeth insisted. She wanted to talk to Emily. She needed to talk to someone and she couldn't go to Jason. She gave him a quick glance. She couldn't risk anything longer for fear of Lucky's reaction. She was afraid he would start a fight, and she didn't want that.

Lucky was adamant. "You need your beauty sleep. I want you looking your best for next week's shoot."

Both Emily and Jason could see that Elizabeth wanted to stay, but instead of taking a seat, she quietly followed Lucky without complaint. She stopped at the base of the stairs and gave Jason another look. For a second, his heart jumped anxious that she might come to him. It fell when she continued up the stairs.

"What is up with Lucky?"

It took Jason a moment to realize Emily had spoken. He was worried. Elizabeth was allowing Lucky to control more than just her friendship with him. Lucky was speaking for her and making decisions for her. Anger flowed through his entire body, but he didn't know who it was directed at. Lucky for treating Elizabeth as a possession, or Elizabeth for letting him do it.

"Jason, are you okay?" Emily touched his arm to get his attention.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he didn't know what else to say.

"God, I hate this," Emily sighed in frustration. "I hate Elizabeth for hurting you."

Jason didn't want to hear that. Emily couldn't turn against Elizabeth. She needed to stay close to Elizabeth and be there for her when she needed it. "Emily, don't let this come between you and Elizabeth. She's going to need you soon."

"What do you mean?"

Jason hesitated. He didn't know how much he should tell Emily about Elizabeth. He didn't think she would like him discussing her problems with someone else, even Emily. "Just, just don't turn her away if she wants to talk to you." He looked back to the stairs. "I have to go. I'll see you soon." He gave her a quick hug and left the diner.

Emily stared after him. She wished there was something she could do to make him happy. Life sucks, she thought. For Jason to be happy, Lucky would have to suffer. It wasn't fair. She sighed then made sure Kelly's was locked up tight before heading upstairs to Zander.