Jason sat behind the wheel of his car adjusted the headset hanging loosely around his neck and then let his eyes again rest on Elizabeth Ryan's petite frame perched high on the stadium bleachers. Even in the thick of the crowd he was able to pick her out. It was like he had a sixth sense when it came to her suddenly – almost like he felt one with her. In some ways that was a wonderful thing yet in others it could prove to be trouble with a capital 'T'.

It hadn't taken him long hanging around the Ryan garage to hear all sorts of rumors about Pat Ryan's only daughter and the bulk of them had to do with her relationship with of all people Billy Weston. When he had heard the first round of gossip, Jason just shrugged it off assuming it was all talk since he couldn't imagine a girl like Elizabeth wanting anything to do with a cad like Weston. Yet after doing some discrete checking of his own, Jason found himself starting to believe the hearsay. Unfortunately he wasn't able to get any concrete information on as to how and why their relationship ended. Even Leo was tight lipped when Jason mentioned it in passing hoping to get the real story behind it all. The only thing that Jason had heard on the subject was that Elizabeth had issued Billy an ultimatum saying he had to choose between her or his career. Something about that just didn't sit right in Jason's brain. He couldn't seem to align those remarks with the person who had been with him in the Ryan garage weeks ago. It just didn't make any sense.

Jason shook his head and tried to clear his mind. What he did or didn't believe about Elizabeth Ryan or what he did or didn't feel about her for that matter didn't mean a hill of beans at the moment. He couldn't allow himself the luxury of caring either way about what had happened between her and Billy Weston – even though those thoughts niggled at him in the back of his mind. He knew that hooking up with the owner of his current racing team's daughter was a disaster in the making and if it hadn't been clear to him all along the gossip mill that ran rampant throughout Ryan Racing certainly had him thinking better of it all. Yet as he pulled the headset over his ears Jason couldn't help but again find Elizabeth's form in the stands. Just the idea of her being there for whatever reason calmed him and as he allowed the engine beneath him to roar to life – a state of calmness was exactly what he needed. Jason looked to his left as Leo gave him the thumbs up and both drivers maneuvered into position.

Elizabeth shifted on the metal bleachers uneasy. For her it almost felt awkward being there in the thick of the fans. Normally she would have been pit side milling through the throngs of the Ryan pit crew yet there she sat like any ordinary fan. However she was anything but ordinary. She listened as the conversations around her swirled with talk of number seven – Jason Morgan and how he would fair in this qualifier given his lack luster performance his first time out of the gate under the Ryan Racing umbrella. Immediately Elizabeth felt the urge to defend him. None of those around her had any idea all that Jason had been through in these past few months, Jake's heart attack and leaving for his rehab in Texas being the biggest hurdle of all. All she wanted to do was turn around and scold the naysayers who had their doubts that Morgan was up to the challenge of Ryan arena.

Once more Elizabeth wanted to kick herself. There she sat wanting to leap to the defense of a man who by all rights she knew was trouble – at least for her he was. She squared her shoulders as the sea of brightly colored machines rolled onto the track. Luckily their thunderous roar drowned out the voices of all those around her. Easily she picked out Leo's deep green metallic car and Jason's gleaming blue one and as much as tried to avoid it the sight of Billy's black car caught her attention. She suddenly had mixed emotions about being there. She still wasn't able to rid herself of the many memories of their relationship that plagued her. She struggled with them as most of the time the good recollections mixed with the bad to the point that she almost allowed herself to forget about the man he truly was. Elizabeth hated to admit it but there was still a part of her heart that Billy Weston owned and she wondered if that would always be the case. As the green flag dropped indicating the start of the race she settled back and got lost in the action.

Billy gunned the engine when the green flag flapped wildly from the starter's hand. While he wasn't the leader of the pack he was close enough to the front to worry very little about Jason's middle of the road standing. There was no doubt in Billy's mind that he would be winning this qualifier if for no other reason than to show Pat Ryan that there was no need for Morgan to be a part of his team. The competition before him was stiff and most of the drivers were well aware of Billy's antics so it appeared that many of them were working together to keep the wild man Weston securely in his place which thoroughly ticked Billy off. While they were only forty laps into the two hundred and fifty lap qualifier he hadn't been able to gain any ground from his starting position and his frazzled nerves were beginning to show. "Where the hell's Morgan?" he screamed into the microphone attached to his headset demanding to know Jason's position within the pack of competitors.

Leo steadily weaved his way through his opposition picking off the slower cars as he went. The weeks practicing with Jason had taught him a thing or two about what moves to make and what ones not to. It wasn't as though Leo thought himself a bad driver before but having Jason as an ally on the team had renewed his sense of determination in showing just what he could do in a racecar. In the distance he could see the vivid blue blur that was the tail end of Jason's car pleased with himself for being close enough to make out his teammate.

Tom paced along the sidelines as the cars whirled around him on the track. He watched Jason for the last thirty or more laps snaking through the crowded sea of machinery clogging the asphalt. He hit the counter on his lap timer as the shiny blue car he knew like the back of his hand sped passed him. While the lap time wasn't up to Jason's usual snuff it was a vast improvement over the last race. It appeared to him that his friend was finally getting his groove back.

Jason was still having a difficult time with a voice other than Jake's communicating with him during a race but today he wasn't about to let get in his way. Mentally he focused on Elizabeth Ryan sitting in the stands and blocked out the droning voice filtering passed his eardrums. It was an odd feeling for him to allow someone other than his father or Jake to guide his actions yet that's exactly what Elizabeth or the thoughts of her seemed to be doing for him. He finally felt centered in a way he hadn't since the day he won his last qualifier the day Jake had his heart attack.

According to the voice from beyond there were fifty more laps in the race and Jason was in fourth place. Not a bad showing but certainly not what he was hoping for. In the distance he saw Billy taking the lead high on the right bank and an adrenaline rush suddenly pulsed through Jason's frame and as if on instinct he made a hole for himself between the two cars in front of him and moved into third place setting his sights on Billy Weston's black machine.

Elizabeth moved to the edge of her seat as she saw Jason begin to reclaim his rightful place on the track. She loved the way he glided effortlessly between the other cars almost like they weren't even there. "Come on Jason," she whispered as she watched him edge closer to Billy.

"Look at Morgan go." A voice from behind her said.

"Now that's the Morgan I remember." Another voice commented.

Elizabeth felt a sudden surge of unexplainable pride as all those around her began to rally for Jason to win. She was in way over her head and she knew it yet at that moment in time it didn't matter. All that did matter was Jason winning and leaving Billy in his dust. She was so enthralled with watching Jason Elizabeth almost missed Leo closing the gap between himself and Jason. There were only three cars separating the pair. "GO LEO GO!" she screamed jumping to her feet. The sight of Leo's green bomber in the top five had her shrieking uncontrollably. For Elizabeth Ryan this was a red letter day.

With less than ten laps to go Billy had been successful at holding the number one position all the while with Jason behind him doing his best to get by his rival. Billy snickered on occasion proud of how he had been able to keep Morgan at bay. He was out to show Pat Ryan that he was the star of the team and this was just the way to do it. As the white flag fell signaling the final lap it appeared to those seated around the large oval track that Jason Morgan was content with second place as he rode close behind Billy Weston's back end.

Tom stood silently smiling knowing exactly what his friend was doing and wondered if Billy even had a clue.

Jason gripped the steering wheel tightly as he readied himself to make his move. He waited for just the right moment and pulling back from Billy ever so slightly giving him enough momentum from the draft he had created to propel him forward passed Weston's car as the checkered flag fell across his hood. Jason had won with Billy trailing behind in second and Leo placing a not so distant fifth.

Pat Ryan smiled broadly as he watched the stadium sign illuminate with three of his driver's names ranking in the top five. For the upcoming race he would have not only Jason and Billy leading the pack of wanna be racers but Leo would be in the mix as well. Maybe adding Jason to the mix had lit a fire under him as well. Pat didn't really much care what had caused it only that it served him well. He exited his private box and made his way to the pits and his drivers.

Elizabeth sped down the stand stairs unsure if her feet had actually touched a single one of them. She couldn't believe it Leo had placed fifth. As she hurried in the direction of the Ryan winners she tried to tell herself that she was only going to congratulate Leo – her friend. He deserved it especially with the string of bad luck he seemed to be having lately. She looked up overhead and saw Jason's name in bright white lights on the stadium sign and did her very best not to think about him however that was much easier said than done especially when she drew closer to the excited crowd of the Ryan team.

"Hey you!" Leo picked her up throwing her over his shoulder. The excitement over how well he placed got the better of him.

"You did so great Leo," she said kissing him softly on the cheek as he placed her feet on the ground again. "I knew you had it in you," she laughed.

"I'm glad one of us did," he remarked.

"I knew it too," Jason said joining them.

"Thanks man," Leo stated offering Jason his hand in thanks. "I couldn't have done it without you."

Elizabeth was thankful that Leo still had his arm wrapped tightly around her thin waist because she suddenly felt faint at the sight of Jason standing within inches of her. Her heart was in her mouth. She could feel her pulse beating in head and the mercury in her body rising into the red as he stood there fire suit hanging loosely around his waist and thin white tee shirt clinging tightly to his sweaty chest. "Congratulations to you too," she said not sure where she found her voice. "That was an impressive finish." Elizabeth smiled as she looked passed Jason to see Billy throwing his usual tantrum at not coming in first. Something told her having Jason win only made it worse and she loved every minute of it.

"Yeah it was," Tom said joining the group a little out of breath from his jog over. "Wonder if Weston even knew what hit him?" Tom laughed offering his long time friend a high five.

"Apparently not," Jason remarked never once attempting to return Tom's gesture all he could do suddenly was stare at Elizabeth.

"Look at the big baby," Leo remarked pointing over to where Billy was still pitching a fit. "Man you made my day!" Leo smiled patting Jason the back.

"Mine too," Elizabeth added unsure of why she even said that the words just seemed to fall from her mouth without her control.

"Glad to be of service," Jason said giving them a mock bow causing the pair to laugh.

Tom stood on what seemed to be to him the outside looking in as Jason, Leo and Elizabeth continued talking about the race as though he wasn't even there. It was completely different for him now. Jason's wins used to be something that they shared. It used to be him, Jason and Jake laughing and joking about the happenings out on the track but now there he stood nothing more than a bystander rather than a participant. Maybe he would have handled it better if Elizabeth hadn't been a part of it all. Ever since the night at the bar when Jason had cut in on his dance with her, the lingeringly looks Jason seemed to shoot Elizabeth's direction hadn't gone unnoticed. And now the way she stood between Leo and Jason playfully ribbing them from time to time made Tom's stomach want to lurch. "We going to go back to the garage and get to work on the car?" Tom asked hoping to break the closeness he sensed between Elizabeth and Jason.

"I thought we'd go out to celebrate," Leo said before Jason could answer.

"We always go back to the garage and go over the car," Tom stressed in a strained voice.

"Come on man," Leo continued turning to Jason completely ignoring Tom's seeming insistence. "It's my first top ten finish in hell I don't know how long. I want to celebrate. Liz you up for a celebration with your best buddy?"

Suddenly all eyes feel on her waiting for her reply. Part of her wanted to run screaming for the hills knowing that this was a bad idea no matter what angle you looked at it. But when she looked at Leo's pleading expression all of the sudden she couldn't deny him. And the fact that Jason agreed seconds before only made it all the easier for her to say yes. "Sure, what the hell," she laughed.

"Great! Let's go!" Leo draped his arm around her shoulder leading her out of the pits.

"You coming?" Jason asked turning to look at Tom.

"Jas, we should really take a look at the car. You know make sure everything is in working order. It's what Jake would want us to do." Tom knew that using Jake's name was hitting below the belt but he didn't much care. All he knew was that the Jason standing before him didn't even vaguely resemble the Jason he used to know.

"It'll be there in the morning. Come on let's celebrate. We all deserve to blow off a little steam don't you think?" Jason remarked. He wasn't about to miss an opportunity to spend some time with Elizabeth under whatever guise necessary even though all the bells and whistles were blaring their warning signs in his head.

"You go. I'm going to go handle things the way Jake would want them to be."

Jason gave Tom one last glance before turning and running to catch up with Leo and Elizabeth who were now half way across the track. He felt like a complete jerk for leaving his friend the way he had. Tom was right if Jake had been there the three of them would have been back at the garage drinking a beer and giving his car the once over but Jake wasn't and Jason wasn't about to let the occasion to be around Elizabeth slip through his fingers.

Theresa Kennedy twisted her way through the thinning crowds a little stunned to see Elizabeth Ryan of all people standing in the pits. She quickly did a double take hoping that her eyes had deceived her unfortunately that wasn't the case. There stood Princess Elizabeth Ryan smiling and laughing with Leo Jorgenson and Jason Morgan. The sight of Jason readily caught Theresa's attention not to mention the way she saw him looking at Elizabeth. Quickly she glanced around searching for Billy yet never taking one eye off Jason Morgan the entire time. This was the second time that he had edged out Billy for first place. She was starting to see a pattern – a pattern that she would find a way to be a part of if it continued. She didn't care who Mr. Morgan seemed to be eyeing at the moment. She'd wormed her way in before and she could certainly do it again she thought.

"Are you throwing this game on purpose?" Elizabeth questioned Jason curiously. "I thought you were some champion dart thrower."

This was the third time Jason had missed the board completely yet he wasn't about to tell her that she was the reason for his loss of concentration. "I'm having an off day," he shrugged handing her the darts.

"Don't you know Liz a man's only allowed one win a day and well Jason's already had his," Leo laughed hoping to help his friend out of a tight spot. He had spent the last few hours watching Jason trying so hard not to look like a love sick puppy. Leo almost found it funny if the idea of Elizabeth hooking up with another driver didn't scare him just a little. Not that she couldn't handle it but Leo had his doubts that Weston would be able to. He feared Billy's neatly built house of cards would crumble if Elizabeth and Jason became an item.

"You don't say?" she eyed him skeptically as she threw another perfect dead center bulls eye.

"Man she's kicking your ass!" Leo stated the obvious.

"Uh thanks," Jason said only able to laugh at himself.

"How about another round of beers?" Leo asked as he headed in the direction of the bar.

"Sounds good to me," Elizabeth commented handing Jason back the darts for his turn. Even that light touch of their hands in the exchange caused her to quake in her knee high boots. For a moment their eyes connected both wanting to say something but not daring.

Across the room sitting in the shadows Tom watched Jason and Elizabeth playing darts. He saw every nuisance that the pair hoped they were hiding. He observed the lingering touches as the darts passed from one hand to another, the way Jason stood poised watching her every move as she threw dart after dart and how Elizabeth's eyes were glued to Jason no matter where in the room he was. He was losing her and he knew it.

"How many games does this make now?" Leo questioned.

"Huh?" Jason turned and gave him a funny look not understanding his question.

"How many games have you lost to her?"

"I lost count," he admitted.

"Six," Elizabeth piped in with the exact figure.

Before Jason could say anything to defend himself or his skills the cell phone at his side began to ring. "Let's see if you can do any better," he said handing his darts to Leo before answering the call.

"Damn straight I can," Leo announced as he threw a perfect bulls eye on the first shot.

Jason only chuckled as he looked on while Leo did a little dance of pride – ones like the football players do when they've made the game winning touchdown. "Hello," he finally said.

"Jason, my boy." Jake's voice came through loud and clear almost startling him.

"Jake?"

"Oh course it's me. What you think I fell off the face of the earth?" he asked in his gruff playful manner.

"No. I'm just surprised to hear from you." Jason looked up at the clock to see it approaching midnight. "I thought you'd be in bed by now."

"Good God Jason it's just barely nine o'clock!" Jake laughed.

"Shit that's right." For a moment he had forgotten that Jake was two time zones away in Texas. "It's so good to hear your voice." He had known he missed Jake but didn't know just how much until he heard the older man's voice.

"Yours too, son," Jake agreed.

"So what do I owe the honor of this call?"

"That stellar win in the qualifier this afternoon. You were amazing out there. I love the way you drafted Weston in the end to win. Smart thinking."

"I was running low on fuel and didn't want to lose the laps by pitting so I just hoped it would work."

"It sure did. I'm proud of you, son."

Those words made Jason beam. "Thanks, Jake."

Ali stood outside the door of Jake's room listening to his side of the conversation. It didn't take much for her to surmise that he was talking to Jason. As much as she hated to admit it he sounded so much happier when he was talking racing – talking to Jason. A pang of guilt suddenly claimed her for bringing him all the way to Texas since it hadn't been at all successful in accomplishing what she had wanted anyway. Jason was still racing and Jake was still involved as much as the distance would allow.

She had always known Jake and Jason were close even when Erik had been alive the pair were like two peas in a pod yet listening to the way Jake spoke to her son it was obvious the years together had drawn them even closer. In a way she envied that closeness knowing that no matter what she did she would never share that type of intimacy with her son. She herself had seen to that. Lost in her own thoughts she hadn't heard him finish his conversation.

"Alison!" he bellowed instantly running into her as he exited his room. "Oh," he said grabbing hold of her so she would tumble to the floor.

"Yes?" she said feeling more than a little embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping outside his door.

"We're going to North Carolina."

"What?" There was little she could do to hide the shock on her face and disbelief in her voice.

"For Jason's race. We are going to North Carolina. Should you make the travel arrangements or should I?"

Alison stood there dumbfounded without a single audible reply.