Hey Hey- lucky for all my fantastic reviewers (I love you all), I had plowed on through to chapter two. So enjoy, and of course, tell me about it. = )

Chapter Two

Jason had just settled onto the couch in Sonny's apartment, planning to do some business paperwork, when there was a knock at the door. He looked up to see Max stick his head in.

"It's Mrs. Lansing to-" His head disappeared, then reappeared, "-Sorry, Ms. Webber, to see you."

Jason smiled, "Let her in Max." The door immediately swung wide, and Elizabeth bobbed in. Jason stood, "What brings you by?" It had only been a few days since he had last seen her, and he was surprised she would have sought him out again so soon.

She walked over and looked at the papers spread out before him, not closely, but enough to know they weren't exactly pleasure reading. "Just as I suspected."

"What?" He too looked at the stack, seeing nothing unusual.

"You're working." She tisked her tongue. "Thank god I came."' She consulted her watch with a grave expression. "Yes, it's definitely time. We have one hour. Your mission," she winked, "should you choose to accept it, is to accompany one damsel," she dropped into a brief curtsy, "To Jakes, for a round of pool and some brew."

Jason considered just running out, but knew he couldn't. "Elizabeth, that sounds great, but I really have to get some work-"

"Nonsense. I talked to Max; you've been working all day. You need a break."

"But the boys, what if-" He raised another obstacle.

Which she promptly decimated. "You'll have your phone. Leticia is here. It'll be fine. And before you mention it, I cleared my schedule. I have nothing to do. I would be rude, and I'll be very," she pouted, "-cross if you turn me down."

Jason surrendered. "We wouldn't want that. Let me get my phone. Do you want to take the bike?" Jason paused, "Huh, there is such a thing as a stupid question."

"Indeed." She leaned against the front door, watching him as he gathered his keys and phone. Max looked surprised when they both came out of the apartment, but knew better than to say anything. After giving the guard instructions to call him if absolutely anything happened, Jason allowed himself to relax.

They road in silence to Jakes, both enjoying the sense of freedom the bike instilled. Jakes was practically empty when they got there, and they requisitioned the pool table immediately. The bartender sent over some beers, and they became embroiled in a serious game of pool, talking as they lined up the shots.

"So how are you doing?" Elizabeth broke, and the balls scattered. Nothing went into a pocket.

"Busy. Very busy. Sonny was shot, and he and Carly are in hiding, so I've been taking care of Michael and Morgan on top of everything else." The words flowed out. He had forgotten how easy it was to tell her things. He sunk his first two shots, but stuck out on his third.

"My turn." She moved into position. "You know, telling me about Sonny and Carly and the boys isn't exactly answering the question. Number 12, side pocket." She got it.

"I don't know how else to answer the question. My life is about taking care of other people right now. And it's okay, everyone has to take turns caring for everyone else." He stood up from his stool and put down his beer as she finally missed. Elizabeth snagged her drink, and allowed herself the naughty pleasure of checking out Jason's ass as he leaned in to make his shot. She sighed. He had a very nice ass.

"Tell me if I get this wrong at any point," she qualified the statement, "but as far as I can tell, you're taking care of Michael and Morgan, Looking out for Sam and her baby, -" Jason felt a mental twinge of guilt. He knew he should tell her, the way he had told everyone else, that the baby was his; but he couldn't bring himself to utter the lie. "-running Sonny's business, providing emotional support for Emily, and trying not to show how much you miss Courtney. Is that right?" Her long list dwindled to an end.

"It's fine. I really don't think of it that way." He protested. "I'm just doing what needs to be done." Sure, he thought to himself, it could be exhausting, and sometimes all he wanted to do was throw his hands up and let everyone figure it out alone, but this was his family, and you did what had to be done when it came to family. Didn't you? He repeated himself, "It's fine." But he missed his shot.

Elizabeth lined up hers. "Sure." She said, sounding unconvinced.

O O O

When Mike walked into Jakes, he was taken aback to see Jason, without a care in the world, playing pool with some girl. As she came up from making a shot, he realized that it was Elizabeth. He felt a pang, because he had always liked her, and he didn't want to put her on the spot, but walked over anyway.

"Jason!" They both turned as he spoke. "Didn't expect to find you here."

"Mike." Jason's voice was guarded, and he steeled himself for what he knew was coming.

Sure enough. "You know, I ran into Courtney this morning. She looks miserable. When you got married, you promised me you would make her happy, so why don't you go find her and work things out already. I know you two love each other."

Jason sighed, feeling pained. He looked over to see Elizabeth, taking a sip of her beer and carefully examining the ceiling. He didn't know what to tell Mike. That he wasn't sure if he had ever really loved Courtney the way she wanted to be loved? Yeah, right, that would go over really well.

Mike went on, leaning in and lowering his voice, not wanting to embarrass Liz. "Also, I think it would really hurt her if she knew you were running around town with Elizabeth again. I know you too are friends, but you should really take Courtney's feeling into consideration."

Obviously his voice hadn't been low enough, because Elizabeth interrupted, saying mildly, "I thought you too had gotten a divorce?" She addressed the question to Jason, but they all knew she was making a point.

Mike looked at her sympathetically. "But everyone knows they're still in love." He said it gently, not wanting to hurt her. She seemed unconcerned.

"Well, be that as it may, Jason and I are friends, having a friendly game of pool, and it's Jason's turn, so if you wouldn't mind.." She didn't say it rudely, but Mike knew she was telling him to get lost, in as polite a fashion as was possible. He acquiesced, knowing that there was no point in talking to Jason with someone else there, anyway. He tilted his head to them both, and wondered over to the bar. Elizabeth turned to Jason, "It is your turn, and unless I miss my guess, I think you'll finish off this game."

"Thank you." They both knew was referring to more than her causal compliment of his playing skill.

Her lips quirked briefly. "No problem. What are friends for?"

Jason did indeed win the game. Not wanting to go home, he asked, "Another round?

She chewed on her lip and checked her watch. "No.. I think I should get home. I have someone waiting for me. But we should do this again, soon."

"Yeah, sure." Jason found that his disappointment was surprisingly sharp, but even more surprising was the spasm of jealousy that had passed through him upon hearing she had someone waiting on her. She gave him a brief hug before hurrying out. He watched her go and berated himself. What was he thinking, feeling possessive? She was only and friend, and a beautiful one at that. Of course she would be seeing someone, and, he tried to convince himself, that was the way it should be. He was happy for her. He took a long sip of his beer, finishing the bottle, and immediately ordered another.

Mike watched thoughtfully as Jason sat at the bar, nursing his new drink, noting the vaguely cranky look on his face. Clearly he missed Courtney, and Mike was just the guy to fix it.