A/N: My apologies for the delay in the update. I got a bit sidetracked by the european championships. I hope, despite the long delay, you still want to continue reading. This chapter Lizzie deals with what happens in maybe not the best way. This is a Lizzie centered chapter. Don't hate me for it... Reviews will be greatly appreciated. Also thank you for all who continue reading!

Chapter thirty-six

Whatever they had or whatever they had been building, it was now lost to both of them. Lost because of words spoken and by their inability to talk and trust one another. In a way they were back where they'd started from with the exception that this time the circumstances were different for they now had shared memories of what could have been.

Lizzie had gone straight home after Angela's nasty words. She knew that in time Red would show at her door, but she had no intention of talking to him. She packed her and Jethro's stuff and left. She didn't know yet where she was going to go or for how long. All she knew was that she had to go away. For now she didn't want to live in the house that held so much memories already of them together. His scent lingered on the sheets and his belongings were scattered around her house. All memories of him, memories she did not want. She'd ended up in a cabin near Burton where she would stay for a maximum of two weeks.

She'd cried after arriving at the cabin. Cried for a love lost, cried for maybe even something that had never been, something that never had the chance to grow. She cried for failing herself. For trusting her heart yet again to a man who made her believe in a lie. It was partly her own fault. She was simply too foolish. But she would never make that mistake again. She would no longer give a man her heart again, no she was just going to be more freely and not go for anything serious anymore.

After the first few days Lizzie got more determined about her resolution. Later today she would go and look up Jason. After all if Red could cheat on her, she would cheat on him. Looking around her cabin she couldn't help but miss her home. She missed walking on the beach with Jethro. The walk in the woods here was nice, but it wasn't the same. She missed Red too. She missed waking up with his arms wrapped around her and missed the comfort he brought. At nights she cried, but Jethro always was there to comfort her. Whenever she was sad, Jethro came up to her, put his head on her leg, and sometimes kept pushing her until she would go out for a walk with him. He was a true companion.

Looking at herself in the mirror after putting some make up on, Lizzie felt she was ready to go to Burton and visit Jason. She wondered if he would still recognize her. She'd put on a nice summer dress and a short vest. Happy with her appearance she grabbed her keys, called out for Jethro and together they made their way to the city. After parking the car Lizzie took her time exploring the town. She drank something on a terrace where Jethro got some water. After that she asked for directions to Jason's store which was called the Dragonfly. Ten minutes later she walked into the store with Jethro closely behind her. Looking around the store she realised it was best for her dog to stay at the door. She directed him back to the door, ordered him to lay down and stay there which he easily did.

"Good afternoon."

Lizzie heard a man's voice from behind her. Turning around she saw it was Jason.

"Liz. You came." Jason immediately recognized the woman he'd met a little while back and smiled at her. He hadn't expected her to come and visit him. He looked around the store, expecting the man whom he'd seen her with at the market to be there also.

"Yes." She smiled back at the man. She looked at him. He was handsome and had a stunning smile, but he was no Red.

Sensing that she was a bit uncomfortable, Jason backed away a bit. "Why don't you look around a bit?" He made his way further into the store to give her some space. A few minutes later a new customer came in who needed his help.

Lizzie took her time walking around the store. Besides the wonderful scarfs, there was also a nice collection of bags and jewellery. There were also some vases and pots. "You really have a nice shop." She said after the other customer was gone again.

"Thank you. I'm glad you like it." Seeing she was a bit more comfortable, Jason nodded at the dog. "He's well behaved."

Smiling Lizzie looked at her Big Dane. "Yeah, he's a sweetheart."

"So how long are you going to be in town?"

"Two weeks at the most."

"Really?" Jason's eyes lit up. This was a nice surprise. "How about we get a drink then?"

Lizzie smiled shyly. "I'd like that."

"Great." He hadn't expected her to agree so easily. "How about tonight?"

"Sure. Where shall we meet?" She didn't want him to pick her up at her apartment. That seemed too much for now.

"How about nine o'clock at Mint." He wrote down the address for her and handed her the card. "I'm glad you came to visit, Liz." His blue eyes held hers just that bit longer.

"Me too, Jason. Me too." She walked out of his store with Jethro following her again. This went better than she'd expected. Jason hadn't been too forth coming. He'd given her space, probably sensing her nerves. Walking back to her car she couldn't help her mind from wandering back to Red. She wondered what he was doing. Was he looking for her? She hadn't received any phone calls. It disappointed her. Maybe he was happy she was gone. Now he could lead his life with Angela and Abby, playing the happy family they were. Her heart ached for him. Getting in the car she sniffed. Jethro, who was in the back seat, pushed his nose against her cheek. "Thanks sweetie." She said and petted the big dog. She hoped Jason could help her forget Red.

TBC...