Elizabeth wanted to turn tail and run at the sight of Jason Morgan walking towards her yet her feet remained fixed in place. Suddenly she felt her pulse quicken and her palms go clammy. And as much as she stood there chastising herself for reactions she seemingly had no control over that's how much she was excited as well.

As he drew closer again she was taken with his chiseled features and lean muscular build that spoke volumes to his profession. He even looked the part of a driver. Yet she wasn't allowing herself to think about that at the moment. She only let her mind focus on the sullen look he wore behind his sky blue eyes. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her denim jacket as he was nearly standing in front of her.

Jason didn't bother looking back to where he had left Billy Weston and Theresa Kennedy. He didn't need to see them to know that their stares were boring holes in his back. He could feel it. He almost laughed again. How the hell was he supposed to race for Pat Ryan with the likes of Weston on the team? If he hadn't known he couldn't do it before – well that altercation just proved it.

He hastened his pace lengthening the distance between himself and the pair focusing his gaze forward. It was then he saw a petite frame off in the distance. His steps faltered for a moment almost turning around and heading back in the direction from where he came. The last thing he was up for was another well meaning groupie there to offer her 'support'. Yet when he gave the figure a second glance he recognized it – almost so he kept moving forward.

As he approached Jason was able to get a good look at the girl. Her dark curls wildly framed her face as the cool night breeze had taken to wiping them about. He took notice of her exquisite features and porcelain skin. But it was her deep ocean blue eyes that caught his attention. He felt as though they were speaking to him. Almost willing him forward to where she was standing.

"Hi," she said awkwardly when Jason stopped in front of her. "Elizabeth," she offered him her name sensing while he recognized her her name had escaped him.

"From the hospital?" he said shaking his head finally putting it all together. "You helped Jake."

"That's right," she confirmed all of the sudden feeling like she had been transported back to the halls of her high school to a time when she was a skittish teenager.

"What are you doing out at the track?" Jason couldn't help but wonder aloud. This was the last place he ever expected to find her. Hell he hadn't thought he would ever see her again.

"I like the track at night. It's quite and calming and I like to come here to think." What possessed her to divulge that private information about herself she didn't know but yet it had spilled from her mouth just the same?

Jason gave her a strange glance at that remark. It sounded so much like why he had come there himself – even though tonight the track hadn't given him any of those effects. It was an odd sensation that overtook him thinking that someone not at all connected to racing would find a deserted asphalt track calming. He studied her a little more closely now trying to crawl inside her head looking for the reason for it until her sweet voice invaded his thoughts.

"Besides tell me one person who's grown up in North Carolina hasn't fantasized about racing around the track," Elizabeth said trying to draw attention away from her last comment. "I could ask you the same question. What are you doing out here at night?" she said putting Jason on the spot.

He fumbled searching for how to answer her. He didn't want to sound corny by repeating back to her what she had told him even if it were true. Suddenly what this tiny brunette thought of him mattered. That in and of itself was strange enough yet the urge he had to reach out and push the hair out of her eyes was even more so. "Would you believe I was out here thinking?" He finally answered with the truth since most of his other responses sounded too ridiculous.

Elizabeth looked at him and smiled softly. "Yes," she replied. It made perfect sense to her. Given all that happened in the last week she wasn't at all surprised that he needed to think. She had only gotten a glimpse of the woman who called herself his mother but honestly Elizabeth had to wonder about Alison Morgan. There was something about her that she couldn't put her finger on but Elizabeth was very good at reading people and the vibe that Jason's mother put off wasn't all that inviting. And she was well aware of Jason's relationship with Jake even though she hadn't been told out right it was obvious how close the two men were. The strained silences she had been witness to over the last days spoke volumes to her. No it didn't surprise her at all that Jason Morgan was out there in the black of night thinking.

They both stood in silent as the darkness surrounded them. Neither willing to go but not knowing what to say to one another either. Jason watched her shiver as the chill in the air deepened its hold on the night. Even though she had a jacket of her own he found himself removing his leather bomber and silently offering it to her. It seemed like a natural thing to do.

She shook her head at his offer and watched as he draped the black jacket over his shoulder. How she wanted to wrap herself up in that jacket. Elizabeth could only imagine that it held his scent. She wanted it to envelope her and again those thoughts had her brain telling her ran for the hills as fast as her feet would carry her. However she didn't move an inch. She stood there mesmerized by the man before her – mesmerized by a man she swore she wanted no parts of.

"Elizabeth," Melanie's voice from the outside world broke into Elizabeth's thoughts. "Elizabeth, are you ready for lunch?" the red head stared at her friend curiously.

Elizabeth was thankful for the distraction as she felt the flush radiating from her cheeks at the recollection of her brief encounter with Jason at the track last night. It wouldn't do her a damn bit of good to continue thinking about the possibility of something that she could never allow to happen. It all boiled down to the fact that Jason Morgan was a driver and she promised herself no more drivers no matter how much she was drawn to him. She let out a heavy sigh frustrated again with her brain's unwillingness to cooperate.

"Liz?" Melanie questioned sensing the quandary of emotions coursing through her friend. "Still mad at your dad?" she asked figuring that was the reason behind Elizabeth's mood. Melanie hadn't a clue that her best friend's inner war had nothing to do with her father.

"Lately when am I not mad at him?" Elizabeth quipped.

"Good point," Melanie agreed. "You want to talk about it?" Several days ago she hadn't been all that successful in getting Elizabeth to tell her what really happened between her and Pat. She only offered her cursory response along the lines that they just didn't see eye to eye anymore.

It broke Melanie's heart to see her friend as upset as she was. There was a part of her that wanted to take the heads of Pat Ryan and Billy Weston and bang them against one another for what they had done and kept doing to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked across the room at her friend and wished that she could have it in her to spill her guts. She and Melanie had been friends longer than either of them remembered but still there was a part of Elizabeth that she always held back. A part that never allowed anyone to fully know the true person she was. She hadn't even let Billy in that deep even though he had wormed his way in deeper than most. "There's nothing to talk about really. It is what it is. You said something about lunch," she said changing the subject.

Melanie let out a heavy sigh wanting to push but knowing better. "Yeah. You want to join me?"

"Sure." Elizabeth pushed herself away from the desk grabbed her purse and hoped for an hour or so to leave her thoughts of Jason Morgan behind.

The pair settled into a corner booth in the noisy hospital cafeteria. Elizabeth was still trying to keep her attention on the conversation that Melanie was trying to have with her even though her thoughts wound their way back to Jason every chance they got.

"Liz?"

"What?" Elizabeth now realized that she had been asked a question but hadn't offered a response.

"What's with you?" Melanie asked with a bit of concern in her tone. "You have seemed off for days now. Is something else besides your dad bothering you?" Melanie questioned sipping from her diet coke.

Elizabeth wanted to answer yes. She wanted to scream that no matter how hard she tried she wasn't able to remove Jason Morgan's face from her head. Awake or asleep he plagued her thoughts and her dreams. It was maddening. "I just don't know how to deal with it all anymore," she answered her statement having a double meaning only she understood.

"How about just laying your cards on the table finally. Don't you think it's about time daddy knows what an ass his golden boy is?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "See I knew there was a reason you and Leo would make the perfect pair."

"What?" Melanie choked on what she had just swallowed. "What do me and Leo have to do with anything?"

"He's been telling me the same thing for months now," Elizabeth smiled weakly knowing that both her friends had a point she just wasn't willing to take the risk telling her father would entail.

"Well he's right!" Melanie agreed. "It's time that Billy gets thrown off his high horse."

"Like that would make a difference," Elizabeth retorted. "No matter what happens he falls in shit and still comes out smelling like a rose."

"That can't last forever."

From where Elizabeth sat it certainly appeared it could. Billy Weston had a way of turning any situation to his advantage. She didn't expect it to stop any time soon. She pushed her half eaten salad around the plate with thoughts still centered on Jason Morgan. "Did you know that Jake Russell's son – well I guess he's not really his son," Elizabeth knew she was rambling and wished she could stop herself. "…but anyhow did you know that he's a driver? Can you believe that?"

"I had my suspicions," Melanie said. "You know how hospital gossip is though. I only believe half of what I hear."

"What did you hear?" Elizabeth found herself asking completely curious.

"Nothing much really. Just that he's some up and coming big racing star and well the health issues of his crew chief have put a kink in that."

Elizabeth leaned back in the hard black plastic chair and mulled over Melanie's comments. She had to wonder now if that's what all the tension had been about – the snag in Jason's career. "You think any of it's true? I mean from what I have seen of Jason he doesn't seem to be the prima donna driver all worried about his career. He seemed genuinely concerned about Jake's health."

"Honestly Liz, I don't know. It wasn't like the guy talked all the much."

"I know," she agreed having recalled the many times at the hospital during Jake's stay her trying to speak with Jason. "I mean I just don't think he's pissed about his career. He's not like Billy." Elizabeth saw her friend eyeing her with a funny expression on her face. "What I mean is Jason seems to be – or at least from what I could gather very close to Mr. Russell and well I know they were arguing about something the other day and well it seemed like Jake was the angry one not Jason." Elizabeth gasped for air when she finally finished her rather long winded remark.

"You seem to know a lot about Mr. Morgan don't you?" Melanie commented with a sly smile and a twinkle in her eye.

"Not really. Not much more than you do." Elizabeth already knew she had said too much just from the expression on her friend's face.

"You know a hell of a lot more than I do," Melanie teased.

"I do not!" Elizabeth argued suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"Sounds to me like you have been doing a hell of a lot of thinking about him."

"I have not! It's just strange to find a driver so different than Billy. You know how all drivers are." Elizabeth was digging her hole deeper and she knew it.

"No sweetie, why don't you fill me in. And if you really think I am buying any of this you are nuts." Melanie grinned watching her friend squirm. It wasn't very often she got to razz Elizabeth and she planned on enjoying it to the max. Before Elizabeth could come up with a retort for her friend's accusations the sound of Melanie's beeper pierced the air. "Saved by the bell," she said looking down at the display screen. "I have to get to the ER but don't for a minute think that this conversation is over," Melanie said patting Elizabeth's shoulder as she walked away.

"UGH!" Elizabeth groaned as she rested her head on the table. What the hell had she just gotten herself into she thought?

Jason and Tom exited the car from opposite sides and stood silent for a moment. Jason couldn't believe he was about to do what he was about to do. How he had let himself be talked into becoming part of Ryan Racing when every bone in his body shouted it was the wrong thing he didn't know. Yes he did. It had been Jake and his constant persistent badgering even from as far away as Texas that finally had gotten Jason to relent.

The man had taken to calling Jason hour upon the hour since he arrived in Texas. And when Jason had stopped answering both his apartment phone and cell phone Jake then jammed the answering machine and voice mail with the same message over and over again until he left Jason with no choice but to do what he wanted.

Looking around now Jason wished he had stuck to his guns and still said NO. He pulled off his dark sunglasses and tucked them into the neck of his crisp white tee shirt still not sure if he should just get back in his car and drive away. In the distance sounds of revving engines and heady exhaust whispered to him like the sweet voice of a woman. The smell of the practice track and all that went along with the racing circuit called to him and Jason found himself putting one foot in front of the other despite himself.

Tom followed along behind Jason and was overwhelmed by the sheer size of Ryan Racing. It had to be ten times the size of the operation that Jake had. He scanned the garage bays and stared at all of the state of the art diagnostic equipment and the large red tool boxes that seemed to tower in all directions. For Tom it was like he had died and gone to heaven. "Get a load of this place man," he said almost awe struck.

"Uh huh," Jason mumbled far less impressed with what he saw. To him all it showcased was what Pat Ryan thought he could buy be it a good driver, fancy equipment or a rebel racer's fines. Jason wasn't one to be bought and he intended on making that clear to Pat Ryan.

Jason caught sight of Pat at the outer edge of the garage. He was in the middle of what looked like a heated exchange and he thought it was the perfect opportunity to catch the great Pat Ryan off his game so he headed for him with Tom in tow.

Pat looked up to see Jason and a young man he was unfamiliar with standing there staring at him while he was arguing with a truck driver who had delivered the incorrect engine parts. "I'll be with you in a minute," he said but was unnerved by the way that Jason remained there almost staring him down. "Benny," Pat finally yelled across the garage to his crew chief. "Come handle this would you?" Once Benny took over the problem Pat turned his attention toward Jason. "I see you made it," he said.

"Uh-huh," Jason replied with a noncommittal tone.

"Who's this?" Pat asked pointed in Tom's direction.

"Tom Boudean." Tom offered his hand to the legendary NASCAR driver. Even though he hadn't wanted to be in wonder of him he was. It showed on his face and that made Pat smile.

"He's my mechanic," Jason stated.

"As you can see we have mechanics. Bringing your own wasn't necessary."

"It was to me," Jason commented coldly.

"Adding another mechanic to the payroll wasn't part of the deal," Pat groused. "I never agreed to that."

"And I only agreed to this if Tom was part of the deal. If he's not well then we're outta here." Jason would have been just as happy to turn on his heal and walk out the door the way he came in. No matter what Jake had wanted to believe about Pat Ryan and his tactics Jason's opinion of the man wasn't about to change anytime soon.

"I guess that's your call then isn't it?" Pat wasn't about to let Jason back him into a corner no matter how much money he stood to make off of him.

"Yeah it is. Come on Tom let's go. I told Jake this was a mistake from the word go." Jason was almost relieved to turn his back on Pat. Deep down he hadn't really wanted to do this any how.

"You really are as stubborn as Jake said you were," Pat called out. "I didn't think there was anyone in the world more stubborn than Russell but hell he's met his match in you hasn't he?" Pat chuckled. "You really want to disappoint him by throwing a tantrum and walking out on what he's worked so hard to set up for you?" Pat knew quite well he was playing of Jason's loyalty to Jake but he could have cared less if it would get him want he wanted.

"You don't know a damn thing about me and hell let's keep it that way!" Jason huffed.

"I know that Jake went out on a limb for you. He would have sold his soul to the devil to keep you racing…"

"How do I know that's not what he did by coming to you?" Jason retorted.

Pat laughed for a minute at the young man's caustic tone. It was easy to see that he didn't like him very much. For Pat that was an odd feeling – not being liked. Most young and up in coming drivers fell at his feet but not Jason Morgan and in some strange way Pat liked him for it even if he wasn't about to admit it. "So you willing to make a deal to keep your personal mechanic?"

"What kind of deal?" Tom asked without letting Jason answer. This was his life they were bantering on about as if he wasn't even standing there.

"Well?" Pat pressed Jason for an answer.

Jason stared at his long time friend and felt like he was between a rock and a hard place. He sensed how badly Tom wanted this and in his own way he wanted it too – if only to prove to Pat Ryan that he could blow Weston's doors off. It was that need to prove himself that kept Jason going – pushing him forward to places he wasn't sure he wanted to be. "What's the deal?" he finally said.

"You keep your mechanic and I get a 60/40 split of your race winnings." Pat already had a contract to the like drawn up but Jason Morgan didn't need to know that.

"That's bullshit!" Tom was the first to say. "You are robbing him!"

"Well he can take it or leave it. That is if he wants you to be the one under the hood of his car," Pat returned smugly.

Jason didn't have to think very long about the offer. He knew that there was no way in hell he would ever allow one of the Ryan mechanics anywhere near his car. He certainly didn't trust them and could only imagine that their loyalty would lie anywhere but with him so the decision was an easy one for him. "Fine – 60/40 split and I get to keep Tom as my sole mechanic."

"Seems you are a smart young man after all. How about I show you both around?" Pat suggests.

Reluctantly Jason followed behind him as he lead them deeper into the garage. Pat made the necessary introductions to the other mechanics and explained Tom's role at Ryan Racing. Immediately Tom was asking questions about the equipment and didn't even realize that Pat and Jason had walked away.

"Would you like to meet some of your team mates?" Jason only shrugs his shoulders as he continues walking behind Pat. "Leo, Leo!" Pat shouted out across the practice track. He waves the driver towards them. "Leo Jorgenson, Jason Morgan."

"We've met," Jason said as he offers his hand to Leo who takes it willingly all the while completely confused as to why Jason Morgan of all people is standing on the Ryan practice track.

"Jason's going to driving for us while his crew chief rehabs from his heart attack."

Leo did little to hide his stunned expression. "Oh really?" It certainly looked like things around there were about to get a little interesting.

"Yes…."

"Mr. Ryan," a voice over the loud speaker called to him cutting him short. "Phone call line one Mr. Ryan."

"If you will excuse me," he remarked as he turned leaving them.

"You're really racing for Ryan Racing?" Leo questioned astonished.

"Looks that way." Jason recalled the way Leo had apologized to him the day of the qualifier and decided that while the likes of Pat Ryan deserved all the attitude he could serve up Leo Jorgenson didn't. "How's the suspension since our little rubbing on the track?" he asked as he started toward where Leo's large green stock car sat.

Elizabeth pulled her car against the metal garage and let the rumble of the pipes reverberate off the tinny surface. She loved that sound and she killed the ignition one last roar escaped before the engine died into silence only to be replaced the by the thunderous screams of the stock cars that raced around the practice track.

She closed the driver's door with a slam and made her way to where she fully expected to find Leo. She wasn't sure what her excuse was for needing to see him – really she didn't have one but for one reason or another she wanted to be at the track right then and he was as good enough reason as any.

As she strolled into the garage Tom nearly dropped the ten thousand dollar hand held computer he was holding.