A/N – Thanks for the comments! Leasmom – 1st, Don't forget, this isn't Jason, 2nd, Liz always chose someone over Jason and walked away many times, so I think he would get what it feels like to be left behind. He had plenty of experience with multiple women.

So, before this story suggestion, I had a story I was going to go with that took place after Jason comes back and Liz is with Franco and Jason doesn't get back with Sam. Not sure if you'll be sick of this time period after we get through this one, although it's very different. I'll quiz you on it down the line and see if you want me to switch it up.

I'm going to start making jumps forward.

Chapter 7

Liz sucked in a breath of fresh air as tears pricked her eyes. This is home for the foreseeable future and as beautiful as it is, she feels numb. Somewhere between Port Charles and Italy, she had gone on autopilot. Suddenly, her body is wracked with sobs as Francis moved behind her.

"Elizabeth…"

She spun around. "Oh Francis, what have I done?"

He tugged her against him and when her legs gave out, he carried her to a bench and slipped her next to him. She needed to let it out and he wasn't planning on stopping her.

"I lost myself years ago and I don't even recognize who I am today. I'm so tired of losing."

"Is this about Jason?"

"We screwed up so badly and now he probably hates me because yet again I took his son from him."

"He messed up too."

"We were so scared of the kids getting hurt."

Francis sighed. "You were a big part of that too. I think it would have killed him if something had happened to you."

"I'm tired, Francis."

"Then you have me to lean on. I know we weren't that close in the past, but I like you and hope you'll allow me to be your friend."

"I don't think that's very fair."

He kissed her on the head. "I have a say on what is fair. I think you have been lost since what happened in that park. You became whoever you thought people needed you to be after that. Maybe it's time to find your inner Lizzie and let her come out and play."

Liz laughed. "Do you think the world can handle that?"

"Who cares? For once, think about you."

"I tried that and ended up the town pariah."

"I can't speak to where your head was at, but I don't think that was about what you wanted or needed because it was desperate, and nothing good comes from staying in that place. It festered for months. You knew it wasn't right. If you build a foundation based on lies, it's gonna come tumbling down."

"Amen."

"Just relax and get your bearings. You have time to reflect. Just try to think of this as starting over. You can do whatever you want. If you want to be a nurse here, take whatever courses you need to take. If you want to paint, I'll buy you some canvas."

Her eyes widened. "Francis, I have no money."

He slightly smiled. "Yes, you do."

"How?" Her eyes widened. "Jason?"

Francis nodded. "I'll give you the bank information tomorrow."

Her eyes narrowed. "How much?"

"Elizabeth…"

"No, Francis. I need to know. What did he do?" He had already been generous before, so she hadn't expected anything else.

Francis sighed. He knew she would react this way. She has always been too stubborn about this issue. "He put one million dollars into an account." With interest, and the fact that Jason had a percentage of other investments rolling into it, the balance is probably around two million by now, but he'll let her know about that later.

"What!"

"He wanted to leave more, but he was scared you'd balk."

She stood and her hands found her hips.

"Now before you blow a gasket, he loved you, Elizabeth, and didn't want you to have to worry. He gets to support his son and the woman that he never thought he was good enough for."

Her shoulders sank. "This is so typical. He's way sneakier than people give him credit for."

Francis grinned. "I taught him well."

She shook her head. "Men…"

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

One Year Later

Carly sauntered up to the bar. "Mind if I join you?"

Jason's brow lifted as he swirled the whiskey in his glass and then shrugged. Carly just won't give up. She is as bad as Sam. For the last year, they just happened to show up wherever he is and he swears they have him chipped.

She ordered a drink. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"I think I know myself more than you know me."

"I doubt it."

He didn't even have to look at her to tell that she is smirking. His eyes rolled before taking another sip.

"You know, you could smile every once in a while."

"It's overrated."

She sighed. "How long are you going to punish yourself?" For the last year, he mainly brooded and wouldn't give anyone the time of day.

"My personal life isn't your concern."

"Damn right it is!"

"Carly…"

"You need to stop. You are wasting your life, and for what? She's gone."

He stood up abruptly, his chair flying backward. "Shut up! I'm so sick of your mouth. Can't you just leave me alone?"

The other patrons still as they wait to see what the blonde will do. Jason is in her face and practically shaking.

"How did we get to this place where you hate me?"

He sucked in a breath as he retreated. "When you decided that you should get to run my life. You get no say—deal with it."

Her eyes pricked with tears as he strode away. "Damn, Elizabeth," she muttered before downing her drink. That bitch is still ruining Jason and she's not even in the picture anymore. Grabbing her purse, she headed to Sonny to see if he had made any headway in the search. If they find her before Jason, they can save him from years of misery. Muffin is going down.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth laughed as Johnny grabbed Aiden who is carrying a football and spun him around. It had taken a while for them to settle, but they are doing much better. Francis and Johnny have been a godsend. Even Maximus is great, taking the time to teach the boys how to cook and be a man. Lucky called Aidan every once in a while, to check-in, but she never spoke to him having nothing good to say. She doesn't have the luxury of going to find herself as he did, and it still irks her that he walked away from his son. What a Spencer move. He learned well, but hopefully, Aidan won't be adversely affected by Lucky's absence. All she wants is for her sons to flourish and be happy and hopefully, they are on their way.

Jake moved behind his mom. He just had a growth spurt and now towers over her and must admit he likes it. While there are cultural adjustments from time to time, he doesn't mind living in Italy. It's not like he was attached to Port Charles anyway. Johnny and Francis are teaching him self-defense and lots of other skills in return for good grades.

"I know you're there."

He smirked. "How?"

"I just felt you. It reminds me of your dad. I knew instantly when he was in a room." She turned to face him. "Sucks to be you. You'll never be able to sneak out."

Jake chuckled. "That's what you think."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't push me. I made brownies."

His eyes light up as he holds up his hands. "Uncle…"

She grinned. "That's what I thought. Are you too old to hug your mom?"

His blue eyes twinkle. "I will do anything for a brownie."

She lunges for him and he darts and runs and now it's Aidan and Johnny's turn to laugh as they watch Jake dodge his mother.

Finally, she gives up as she pants. "I'm getting old. How did you get so fast?"

"Could you catch my dad?"

She shook her head.

"Genetics…"

Liz rolled her eyes and then suddenly looked ill and Jake ran towards her to steady her as Aidan held his breath and then Jake found himself on the ground on his back staring up at his mother who is grinning.

"Unbelievable…"

Liz got up and did a victory dance as Johnny laughed his ass off. Jake jumped up and twirled her around.

Cam shook his head as he moved towards them. "Mom, you have a phone call."

"Did you come out here to help your brother?"

"He isn't used to your tricks, but I am."

Liz rolled her eyes and grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"I miss you."

Liz smiled. "Hey, Piph."

"What's going on?"

"I'm just having some fun with the boys."

"You need a girl there to balance things out."

"Are you volunteering?"

Piph smiled. "Yup. You got me for two weeks if you want me."

Liz squealed and Piph cracked up. "You know what to do. Everything will be set."

"I'll see you in a few days."

"I can't wait."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Max entered Sonny's office.

"Hey, what's up?" Sonny asked.

Max handed him a slip of paper.

"What's this?"

"I—it's my resignation."

Sonny frowned. "What is going on?"

"My father needs me, so I'm going back."

Sonny sighed. "I see."

"I'm sorry. You have me for a month. I'll train whoever you need me to before I go."

"Okay. I'll hate to lose you, and normally I'd fight, but I have too much respect for your father. Is Milo going to?"

"No, but I think he'll probably be called back in a year or so."

"I'm sorry it has to end this way. You can't take Carly."

Max smirked. His supposed crush was all a ruse to prove his loyalty. If he never saw Carly again, he'd die a happy man, especially after what she did to Elizabeth. After a meeting with his dad where Max expressed how miserable he is working for the lecherous pair, Maximus finally told him he could leave and help him run the business. Max was grateful for the offer. Besides, he is eager to see how Ms. Webber and the boys are doing.

"Alright, get back to work."

He left and Sonny made a call. With Max soon to be gone, Paulie would have to take his place which is a move Maximus anticipated. Since Paulie is in his pocket, he'll still be able to keep an eye on things in case Sonny gets too close to discovering the truth about Elizabeth.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Piph got into a black town car.

"Welcome to Italy, Ms. Johnson," Johnny said.

Piph grinned. "I'm excited to see my girl. How is she doing?"

"She struggles here and there, but she's doing well. The boys are too. You won't believe how tall they have gotten."

"Even Aidan?"

Johnny chuckled. "Yeah, his father is vertically challenged, but Aidan isn't."

"Is Jake adapting?" She worries about him the most especially since Helena got her hands on him.

"He's an interesting kid and just as stubborn and single-minded as his father. Once he has something stuck in the noggin, it's a bitch to change. He looks a lot like a young Jason and wants to be like him."

"Really? How are you handling that?" The irony that Jason spent so long trying to protect Jake from the mob and the kid runs right for it, is not lost on her.

"Well, it's a process. Right now, we're helping him train to a degree in exchange for keeping his grades up. He's very smart but gets bored easily. It's a challenge, but if he's hellbent on going in this direction, I will make sure he's the best."

Piph sighed. "Does Elizabeth know?"

"She thinks it's a phase because Jake hero-worships Jason. However, I disagree. The kid is driven and determined to protect his brothers and mother. He doesn't want her to have to hide away forever."

"That's a lot to put on his shoulders."

"We're making sure he still does kid stuff. He's a teenager, so things are a bit awkward. Because he's good-looking and in shape, the girls have come sniffing around."

Piph rolled her eyes. "Keep those hussies away from him. An unwanted pregnancy is the last thing he needs."

"I agree. We talk to him about it. He gets it and wants to wait. I think it's a challenge for him to not to submit. The way his mind works is interesting."

Piph chuckled. "From what I hear, his father broke some hearts back then."

"Oh, Jason Quartermaine flirted and dated, but it took him a while to get his swagger on. There was a lot of hype from what Em used to tell us."

"Well, Jason hasn't been himself. He still doesn't have a lot of memories, but he starting to warm up more to remembering. I think he's just tired of everything being in limbo. Sam and Carly have been hunting him down but to my surprise, he doesn't bite."

Johnny pulled into a long driveway. "You can have Aidan's room. He's the neatest. He's going to camp out with me and Francis."

"Outside?"

"No. There's a small house where we stay within eyesight. Maximus had it built."

"What's he like?"

"He's tough, but mushy about Elizabeth. I think she's the daughter he never had. He dotes on the boys and spends time with them every Sunday."

"Wow. That's great. I'm sure they like that."

"They do. He's a character. Last weekend, he tried to teach them how to play poker. Cam and Aidan have the worst poker face I've ever seen. It was funny."

Piph grinned. "Maybe I need to play him."

Johnny's head tilted as he put the car into park. "You play?"

"Hell yeah."

"Oh, it's on."

"Consider it brought."

He laughed as he got out of the car and then opened her door. "You go inside and I'll get your stuff."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, handsome."

"Are you flirting with me?"

"Is the sky blue."

He looked up and then grinned.

Liz shook her head. "Are you flirting again?"

A huge smile lights up Piph's face at the sight of her. "I can't let Patrick have all the fun."

"How is he?"

"He's crazy as ever." The man was downright depressed at first, but he eventually came out of his funk and broke a few hearts.

Liz laughed. "Who is he with now?"

"He is in Paris."

"What?"

"Robin is there cleaning up the Cassadine mess and she wanted to see Emma."

Liz's brow raised. "Wow." She wonders if they'll reconnect.

They warmly embraced.

"I missed you so much, Webber."

"Right back at you. Wait until you see my sons. Come on."

They went into the house and when they moved into the living room, the boys stood and Piph's eyes grew wide. "Holy—"

"Piph!"

Cam chuckled and moved forward. "Hey, Ms. Johnson."

"Get over here. You're so handsome." She hugged him and stepped back. "How old are you now?"

I'm seventeen and, I'm graduating early."

"Congrats!"

"Thanks!"

Cam had chosen a business college near Rome. He'll have a younger guard with him, but they aren't sure about living arrangements yet and are considering maybe having him be closer to home the first year.

"Are you going to college?"

"Yup. I start in the fall."

"When do you walk?"

"Next week."

She is elated. "I'm so glad that I get to come."

Aidan is the next to offer a hug. "It's good to see someone from home."

Piph can't believe how much he has grown. "You're getting old too fast. My goodness, another handsome Webber."

Aidan smiled. "You look good."

"I have lost sixty pounds working out with Milo Giambetti."

"That's awesome!"

"Thank you."

Liz had noticed. "He's right. You look fabulous."

"He worked me to death, but I feel great." She'll tell her later that they have gone out on a date.

Jake moved closer.

"Hello, Jacob."

She's the only one who calls him that.

"Hi."

"You don't have to hug me."

"It's okay." He embraced her and then quickly retreated and when she continued to stare, he slightly smiled. "I know I look like my dad."

"Yes, you do. Your eyes are very similar, and the hair."

Cam playfully shoved his brother. "He looks like a girl."

"I do not."

"He looks very handsome. I think the longer hair fits you." He kind of looks like a surfer.

"Thanks."

Francis came from around the corner. "Well, look who the knucklehead dragged in."

"Hey!" Johnny said.

He embraced her. "You look very nice."

"Milo…"

"Ah… He found a victim?"

She laughed. "Yup."

"He didn't make you drink those protein drinks, did he?"

"Ugh, I lived on those."

He chuckled. "Maximus should be here any second."

"Oh, I get to meet him right away—excellent."

Sure enough, there is a knock on the door.