Back To Life

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Late into the night, she sits up on the balcony, nervous about the situation playing out across town. Jason and Sonny have gone to speak to Nikolas in regard to Lucky's wife. Apparently they have found a connection between the two that no one had seen coming. Cradling the cup of hot cocoa in her hands, she stares out at the town that has meant the world to her, wishing more than anything that things could finally gain some normalcy. From her being taken to the situation with Lucky's marriage, its all gotten so complex that she just doesn't know what to do with it all.

"Hey." Emily voices from the living room, gaining Elizabeth's attention. "Johnny let me in."

"Hey." she says softly. "Grab a cup from the microwave."

"Thanks." Emily replies as she makes her way over to the wet bar. "Jason and Sonny are with Nikolas. They thought it was best if I wasn't involved."

"Same here." Elizabeth admits as she pulls over a chair so Emily could sit next to her. "I hate being sidelined, but I think I've had my fill."

"True." Emily agrees as she sits down. "I didn't mind either. Me and the Cassadine heritage just don't mix well, you know."

"Yeah."

"On that note, lets try to stay off that topic." Emily says with a soft smile. "How have you been? We haven't had a chance to catch up since you saw Lucky."

"I've been..." Elizabeth shrugs, setting her cup down on the table. "I guess I've been okay. I've been seeing a therapist...so, there's that."

"About your time away?"

"Yeah...mostly." Elizabeth confirms. "About coming back, as well. She's helping me come to terms with everything that's changed."

"Good, that's good." Emily replies thoughtfully. "Its good to talk things out. Find some clarity."

"Yeah. It is. Mostly."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we started talking about Jason yesterday...his place in my life." Elizabeth says with a sigh. "She thinks that I need to find my independence again. Set out on my own for a while."

"Doesn't she know the situation?"

"She does." Elizabeth assures. "Once things settle down, though, it might do me some good to live on my own. Find a way to live my life and find myself again."

"Have you told Jason this?"

"No. Not yet." Elizabeth admits. "I haven't found the words to say it. He just makes me feel so safe and secure...so..."

"Loved?"

"Yeah." Elizabeth sighs. "What am I really doing here, Emily? I mean, what do I really expect will happen once Jason puts an end to the threat hanging over me?"

"I don't know. Maybe that's something to explore, you know?" Emily suggests. "You clearly care about each other. Why not find out where it can take you?"

"Dr. Baldwin believes that proximity plays a part in it all. He did save my life." Elizabeth throws her head back in frustration. "I don't know. Maybe some time apart might be good for us. Give us a chance to clear our heads."

"Maybe."

Sitting together in silence, they both stare up at the night sky, hoping that that things work out for all those involved. The thought of living on her own floats through Elizabeth's mind for the rest of the night, wondering if she could really do it. Could she really leave Jason? Could she really walk away now? She's felt the change happening between them. She could sense how close they were starting to become and she can't help but wonder if it really was just proximity.

"Hey." Elizabeth greets Jason when he walks into the penthouse just shy of sunrise.

"Em, you mind?" Jason asks, holding open the door for her.

"No. Of course not." Emily rises to her feet, hugging Elizabeth goodbye. "I should get home to Nik."

"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asks him when he closes the door behind his sister, walking over to stand in front of him. "Jason?"

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Elizabeth questions him in confusion. "What's going on?"

"I have to send you out of town." Jason explains, avoiding her eyes as he walks past her, further into the penthouse. "Its not safe for you here right now."

"How long?" she dares to ask.

"Long enough for me to end the threat over your head." Jason says carefully. "You can take whoever you want with you. I'll set everything up."

"Jason, please!" Elizabeth stops him from turning away from her again, forcing him to face her. "Look at me."

"I hate this." he whispers, finally meeting her eyes. "I never wanted you to have to leave your life behind."

"I'm not leaving my life behind. I'm not." Elizabeth says seriously. "You say I have to leave for my safety, okay, I'll accept it. Just don't apologize for trying to save my life."

"You'll have at least twelve guards on you at all times." Jason assures her, his eyes remaining fixed on their hands rather than her face. "You'll be staying at the safe house in Puerto Rico. We took care of the problem down there, so, it'll be safe for you."

"You're rambling." Elizabeth points out, her heart aching for him. "You never ramble."

"I know." he sighs, finally bringing his gaze to meet hers. "I don't want to be away from you, Elizabeth. I don't want to leave your safety in the hands of anyone else."

"I don't want to leave you either, but you'll put an end to the threat and I'll come back." she says softly. "At least, this way, I can put my doctor's advice to use."

"What advice?"

"Dr. Baldwin suggested that I set out on my own for a while." Elizabeth explains with a soft smile. "She thinks I rely on you too much. That what I've come to feel for you is based off proximity rather than reality."

"And what do you think about it?"

"I think...I think I feel in abundance with you. I feel things I never thought I could feel." she whispers, staring into his deep blue eyes. "Does it have to do with proximity, with you saving my life? I hope not. I hope its real because, believe me when I say, it means the world to me. You mean the world to me."

"I couldn't even begin to describe what I feel for you." Jason whispers, his fingers lacing with hers. "There's no word for what I feel for you."

"So, maybe, this time away will be good for us both." Elizabeth suggests, smiling softly with a tilt of her head. "It'll give us time to think about all of this...about what we really see for ourselves once this is all done."

"Yeah." he replies. "Maybe."

"You know, I'm gonna miss having you so close." Elizabeth comments. "Knowing you're there while I sleep..."

"I'll miss you, too."

Staring into his eyes, Elizabeth closes the distance between them, claiming his lips with hers. She couldn't help herself. She had to kiss him. At least once. Jason had been frozen for a mere moment before his lips moved with hers, claiming what he desired while not pushing it too far at the same time. The kiss last forever yet ended too soon as they pulled away from each other and laid their foreheads against the other's.

"I had to do that at least once." she whispers, taking in a deep breath. "In case your feelings change when I return."

"They won't." he promises, his heart in a vice. "Promise you'll call me if you have trouble sleeping."

"Promise."