So, you'll have to forgive me for my neglect of Cameron. Unless I say otherwise, just assume the little mite is happy, well fed, healthy, etc. I can understand why people who've just had kids are more or less useless for romance, 'cause I can't seem to even write it. In other words, Cameron as a plot point bores me (and we all know how I hate that) so you probably wont see too much more of him. If this upsets you, tell me, and I'll see what I can do. No promises though.
On an additional side note, can I say how lovely it was to see Jason and Liz together this week, even if it was in a rehashed, obvious, boring and pathetic attempt to advance Sam and Jason (even their couple name JaSam (is that it?) is stupid). I wish the writers would, A) stop insulting me by telegraphing their plots months in boring advance, B) stop putting Jason with women purely to create tension between him and Sonny (been there, done that), C) Decide if Sam is wearing pants or a dress, and D) realize, like the rest of us, that Jason and Liz belong together. Of course, this would require that they, E) have full brain transplants and/or have a brain in the first place.
Yes, General Hospital IS annoying me lately. But...really... how could you tell?
NOTE: The scene outside of Kelly's more or less begins directly where they left off on GH today (9/13/04), but in my version, Sam interrupts them, because Jason doesn't notice her, cause she's stupid and whiny and annoying (nothing personal or anything).
Chapter Six"Oh my God!"
Jason woke up to the sound of Elizabeth's stunned voice, and frantic scramble from the couch. "What? What's wrong?"
"It's eight o'clock!" She frantically stuffed Cameron's things into his baby bag. Cameron slept on, oblivious to it all. At Jason's uncomprehending look, she clarified. "I'm going to be late for work. I have to get Cameron back to my grandmothers, get changed, and be across town in a half hour."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa." He grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the couch. "Where do you work that your shift starts so late?"
"I'm a bartender."
Jason was definitely surprised. Somehow, even though he knew she had, well, a streak of bad girl, so to say, he couldn't really picture her slinging drinks for a living. "Oh. Well..." he trailed off, not really sure what to say. Elizabeth slung her bag over her shoulder.
"I have to go. Thank you for all your help this afternoon."
"Sure. Listen, Elizabeth, let me give you a ride, that way you wont be late, and then I'll take Cameron home to your grandmother."
She bit her lower lip, clearly torn between her desire not to inconvenience him, and her wish not to be late. "Are you sure?"
He answered by picking up Cameron and walking to the door, letting her trail after him. It was a short way to the bar, by car, and, in fact, Liz was early. They sat in the car, the engine idling. The heater was running, and the car felt suddenly hot, and tense. Elizabeth struggled to breath through the pressure, and her desire to pin Jason to the door and ravish him. "Well, bye." She squeaked, before practically falling out of the car in her hurry to get away.
Jason sighed with relief as she retreated. He had been about to do something unforgivably stupid, and throw all their progress away for a kiss. "Idiot." He said aloud to himself.
Cameron snored on, oblivious.
One Week Later"Everything will be fine, Emily will be fine, you will be fine, Cameron will be fine." Jason's voice was low and soothing.
Elizabeth forced herself to take a deep breath. She knew she was getting worked up over what might be nothing, but it was the rational side that knew it. Her emotions didn't seem to care.
"Jason." They looked up to see Sam hovering. "I need money for dinner."
Jason sighed, rolling his eyes at Liz before standing to give Sam some cash. Elizabeth's lips quirked as she struggled with the need to laugh. "I need a ride home too." Sam added.
"How did you get here then?" Jason was confused.
"My body guard drove, but I don't like him. I want you to take me." Her voice was petulant.
"Well deal with it." Jason said brutally. Sam needed to grow up. How was she going to take care of a baby if she couldn't even take care of herself? She sniffed, bouncing away indignantly.
Jason ignored her, sitting down. "Sorry about that."
"It's no problem. I wish you had more space for yourself though. It seems like no one even bothers to ask you nicely anymore." Liz was annoyed for him.
"I don't think that'll be a problem much longer." He replied, thinking of his confrontations with Carly and Sonny.
She seemed nonplused. "Well, good, then."
"Elizabeth, do you think working in a bar is the best thing for you?" The words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"Um..." Surprised, she felt unsure how to answer. "I guess. It allows me to be with Cameron during the day, and still make money. Tips are great for a bartender."
"Yeah. It just doesn't seem like you, is all." God, he sounded so lame.
She shrugged, and there was silence at the table, awkward and prolonged. They weren't a pair for awkward silences. Tense moments, sure. Raging fights, totally. Surges of joy, absolutely. But though they had always been friends, there had never been anything mundane between them; nothing so boring as a prolonged silence neither knew how to break. And over something so stupid.
Jason wasn't judging, Elizabeth reminded herself. She knew it, but it still hurt. Probably because she didn't think it seemed like her either. She missed her painting. She missed talking with people, as she had waitressing (not that it had been any picnic). While she saw a lot of people as a bartender, the drinks were potent and the music was loud. It wasn't the type of place she connected with anyone. But she had to be practical. She needed money, and she needed to be with her son. So she made compromises. Unexpected tears burned in her eyes, and, mortified, she mumbled an excuse and fled from the table, not wanting him to see her cry over something so trivial.
Jason was horrified. The last thing he ever wanted to do was make her cry. He jumped up, chasing her into the park. "Elizabeth!" She stopped running, but stood with her back to him, hands covering her face. "Elizabeth." He reached out and gently turned her to face him, pulling her into his arms. She sobbed against his chest, as if a wall, which had been so carefully constructed, had fallen.
After some time she managed to bring herself under control, and she pulled away, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't believe I did that."
"What? Let yourself depend on someone else for a change?"
"No. I didn't want to be a complication, a burden in your life. I wanted to be someone you could go to, not someone who's crying all over you and taking advantage, like everyone else in your life." She sounded angry.
"Elizabeth, you've been all that to me, but you need people too. And if you're my friend, then I'm yours. I want to be there for you too." His voice was urgent. "Why wont you let me?"
"Because it's... I want... Never mind. I have to go." She stated to turn to leave.
"No, wait..."
"What, Jason? I'm really tired tonight." And her voice was undeniably weary.
"I need to tell you." He trailed off again. Part of her wondered at this uncharacteristic hesitancy, but mostly she wanted to crawl into bed, and forget the mess her life had become. Stress made her voice sharp.
"What?"
"This." With that he pulled her back into his arms and kissed her. She moaned and melted against him, sensation exploding through her. Jason held her as tightly as he could without depriving her of oxygen. He poured all the months, nay, years of yearning into the kiss. Every missed opportunity, every restless night, all his desire and need. Elizabeth brought her own desperate longing. All the times she had burned with envy watching him with Courtney. All the days she had cried herself to sleep. Her undying wish that she had gone with him when he asked. Her lust, and want and craving of him.
The kiss was broken only for air, then sunk into again. They surrendered to it. It quickly reached the point of no return, and they sank to the ground, Elizabeth ripping at the buttons of his shirt, Jason's hands slipping under hers. There was a strange welching sound, and they broke apart, staring at one another. Coming to their senses in the middle of a mud hole, for lack of a better description.
"Oh my god." Liz spoke first, her face burning.
"Yeah." Jason pulled himself up, belatedly realizing that his entire backside was wet and slimy.
"We almost... In the park. Oh my god." Her face got hotter. Jason was feeling fairly embarrassed himself, and he wasn't usually one to care. They looked at each other, amazed at how close they had come to doing the deed in a public park, and, likely, spending the night in jail. His lips twitched. She curled hers in, trying hard not to laugh. Jason chuckled. Liz giggled in spite of herself. Then they were both laughing so hard they were bent at the waist, frantically trying to breathe. Minutes went by before they could bring it down to a manageable level. Liz sighed, but it was a happy one, like slipping into a warm bath. "Why don't you come back to the house with me and take a shower. It's a lot closer then the penthouse."
"Wont you grandmother mind?" Jason didn't really want to have to hide his feelings again, even for a night.
"She's out of town for a day or two. Cameron is there with a sitter." She explained. Though her words weren't suggestive, her eyes were.
"Well, it would be nice not to feel mud sliding down my back." He agreed agreeably.
"Good, it's settled. Shall we go?"
"We shall."
But, polite and amused as they acted, they were very careful not to touch again. Just in case.
TBC
Well, what did you think?