A/N – Thanks for the comments! Feel like a lost people last chapter. Always gives me pause when I have a reveal and people who have been commenting stop. Come back lol. Glad the rest of you liked the reveal. It gets harder to surprise you guys. * Jaliz – Welcome! * arcoiris – lol You can handle it! * NaxieFan48 – Sarah is just trying to feel out the situation. Re: Johnny/John – No. Johnny and Liz met in PC. John was from when the Webbers lived in Co.

Chapter 13

Johnny watched as Liz hurried towards him. "Hey." They kissed.

"Why are you off already?"

"I needed to change so I could go visit a customer and crawl around under a desk." He had an apartment downstairs. "I thought that I'd come see you on the way back."

"Don't you have people for that?"

"You do have a point, but sometimes I like to get my hands dirty."

She smirked.

"What?"

"I don't get to see you in jeans that much. You look hot." She swore that he slightly blushed.

Pulling her flush against him, he passionately kissed her as she lightly moaned.

"You might have to come down to my apartment later so I can show you how dirty I can be."

Her cheeks turned red.

"After all of this is over, I'm hoping we can get away for a few days."

"Okay."

He kissed her again. "Start thinking of where you want to go. It will be your choice."

"I will."

"Alright, I have to go. See you at dinner."

"Later."

Right when he left, the deliveryman came with the groceries.

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Andrea knocked on Stefan's door.

"You okay?" he asked as he perused her. "Come in." She had let him know where she was going to be. Since she didn't want the word to spread regarding her separation, the Metro Court was out, so she was staying at another hotel across town.

"So, I suppose this is where you tell me that you don't want to leave your husband?"

"Things are a little up in the air right now." She wasn't ready to give up on her marriage. While she was fond of Stefan, she wasn't in love with him or anything. It wasn't serious and happened without planning.

"So, you're hoping that he will change his mind?"

"I don't know—I just…." She got up and started pacing. "I have a family to consider and Jeff and I have been married a long time."

"Didn't you tell him that we never slept together?"

"I did, but it didn't matter because it was still cheating."

"Would you have gone through with it last night?"

"Probably. I was pretty upset."

Stefan tried to remain calm. "So you were going to have sex with me because you were mad at him, not because you wanted me?"

"I wasn't thinking clearly."

He shot her a look. "I really think you need to leave."

She burst into tears. "I'm sorry. I hate this. I wasn't trying to hurt you. Everything was out of control and I should have never put you in that position."

He closed his eyes for a moment and then held her. "I know that if you could go back, you'd make a different choice. I get it. As much as I admire and respect you, I stepped over the line too. You're a beautiful woman, and when you kissed me—I should have stopped it."

She pulled back and sniffed. "You have listened to me and I really need that. This is all my fault."

"Can I give you a word of advice?"

"Yes."

"Right now, you're being vulnerable with me, if you want to reach your husband, you're going to have to do that with him."

She blew out a breath and then wiped some tears away. "That's hard for me. He rarely sees me like this."

"Why?"

"I wasn't allowed to show a lot of emotion growing up. It was a sign of weakness. There are things—let's just say that I learned to suck it up. I chose to never let my dad see that he got to me. It was easier to shut off. I was hardened. I don't know how to be anyway else." She never talked about her childhood. It was just too painful.

"You can be whoever you want to be. You became this person out of necessity. Authentically, you are probably different. You'll have to decide if keeping this persona is worth losing your marriage over."

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"I'm not happy how this turned out, but you are hurting. I'm not the kind of person to turn my back on someone. Now, why don't we order out. You need to eat."

"Thank you for being a friend."

"Always."

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Francis walked into Liz's apartment. "It smells good in here."

"It looks good too," Liz said.

Cook had made roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli.

He followed her to the table. "Hey."

Jason smiled. "They let me get up."

"With the condition that his leg is propped up."

Johnny sat a beer down in front of Francis who looked at Jason apologetically.

"Sorry. I'd tell you to have some patience, but with you that wouldn't work."

Jason froze for a second and everyone held their breath.

"Talk to me," Liz said as she hurried around the table. She was scared he was having a seizure.

"Headache," he finally blurted out.

"I'll get you an aspirin."

She scurried away and Johnny got up and went to the living room. Liz handed Jason the aspirin and some water.

Johnny came up behind him. Lean forward a little.

Jason did and he propped a pillow behind him.

"You looked uncomfortable."

"Thanks."

Alice came out of the kitchen and served them.

"You should sit with us," Liz insisted.

"Oh, that wouldn't be proper."

"Nonsense. Have a seat," Johnny said.

Alice smiled and went to get herself a plate.

Liz took a bite. "Oh my goodness. This is delicious."

Francis just nodded as he chewed.

"Cook has been with the family for years."

"You're very lucky," Liz said.

Jason enjoyed a bite. "Good."

"I'm glad you liked it." Alice knew Monica would be pleased.

"So, what's it like over at casa de Quartermaine?" Johnny asked.

Liz saw Jason tense up a little.

"It's never a dull moment. They definitely keep me on my toes."

"How's the construction going?" Jason asked.

"Good. Several other companies have been lending us men. Apparently, they saw you on television and felt compelled to help."

Liz was surprised. "That's great. Does that mean that you'll be able to get started faster?"

"Definitely. The ruble will probably be cleared in another week."

"Excellent."

"I knew you were the man for the job," Francis said.

"Lila is very excited to help," Alice said.

"I'm going to love working with her. Maybe we can have her over to dinner so she can see Jason again."

"Oh, she would love that."

They ate and Francis sat back in his chair. "I'm stuffed."

Alice got up and Johnny helped her clear the table. "I hope you have room for Cook's chocolate volcano cake."

Liz groaned. "I think I'm moving to the mansion."

Francis grinned.

"How was your date with Katherine?"

"She's nice, but a little distracted."

"Do you think you'll see her again?"

"I don't think so. She's a good person, but I don't think she's for me."

Jason wasn't feeling so good. The headache was raging and he felt really tired. "You think you could help me back to the room?"

Liz stood. She could tell he had been fading fast. "I'll get his leg."

Francis slowly pulled him back as Liz moved his leg into position. He pushed him towards the hallway and Johnny came up behind her. "Is he okay?"

"I don't think so."

"The headache?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe you can save him a piece of cake."

She spun around. "You want me to share chocolate?"

He chuckled. "Uh—yeah. You always say it makes you feel better."

"You're handsome and all, but you know better. Gonna check on Jason. I'll be right back."

She sauntered away and walked into the room. Francis had gotten Jason settled in. Liz felt his head. "You're not warm. What can I do?"

"I just need to rest. It will go away."

"Okay. I'll turn off the light and check on you when I get out of my chocolate coma."

He smirked. "Sounds good."

Francis walked out ahead of her and went to get his dessert. Afterwards, Alice left and Liz checked on Jason again.

"So, you doing okay with this arrangement?" Francis asked.

Johnny nodded. "I guess so. I miss having her all to myself, but I can deal."

"How is she doing?"

"Honestly, she doesn't talk to me much. Jason on the other hand seems to have her attention all the time."

Francis cringed.

"I walked in here early and she completely opened up to him about the baby and what happened."

"It's probably easier for her to talk to him because there are no expectations. Just be glad she got it all out."

"I am. I just wish she'd lean on me. I want to be there for her too."

"I know you do and I don't blame you for it. Just be patient with her. It's been a rough week."

"I'm trying."

Francis patted him on the back. "Don't give up on her."

He didn't want to and he really hoped that at some point, she would trust him enough to talk to him.

Francis said goodbye and Johnny went to Jason's room. Elizabeth was looking out the window. He moved behind her. "Should I go?"

She turned into him. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried that he'll have a seizure."

"It's okay."

Her hand glanced against his cheek. "Thank you for being patient with me."

He kissed her forehead. "Try to get some sleep tonight. I'll call you in the morning."

"Night."

He left and after a while, she went and grabbed her computer and reclined on the bed hoping that the light wouldn't wake him. She wrote a few emails and then Jason's body jerked.

"No!" he yelled.

Liz put the laptop aside and moved closer. "Jason."

"No!"

She went to touch his arm and Jason grabbed her. "Jason!"

His eyes blinked open and stared into hers. She was half on top of him and could see the fear in his eyes.

"It's okay."

His hand slipped down her back and came to a stop at the dip in her spine.

"Talk to me."

He took a deep breath. "The building was falling on us and you didn't answer me. I thought you had died."

"That's how I felt when you were unconscious. At one point, I really started to panic." She went to pull back.

"Please, don't go."

"Just let me turn off the computer." Quickly, she shut it off and then laid against his chest. "What a pair we make."

"I just hope we never have to go through anything like that again."

"Me too."

"I want to remember my life so badly. I feel like I'm living in a void."

"I'm sorry. They'll probably do another scan when you get the cast off.

"I can't wait. Thank you."

"For what?"

"It helps that you're here right now. I can't explain it, but it makes me feel calm."

"I'm glad that I can help."

They were silent for quite a while.

"I don't want to cause trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"Johnny would be upset if he saw us right now."

She pushed up on her elbow. "You're right."

"Part of me wants to be selfish and—." He sighed heavily. "—it doesn't matter.

"Jason…."

"No. You've done enough. Maybe I should have gone home with my parents." Being this close to her was harder than he thought it would be.

She sat all the way up. "Do you really mean that?"

Just from the faint light of the moon shining through the window, he could see her face and tell that she was hurt.

"I just think that maybe I'm making things worse for you and that's the last thing that I want."

"You're not. I like talking to you. There is no judgment and you just accept me as is."

"You think other people don't?"

"I know they don't. My parents didn't. Johnny wants the woman back that I was pretending to be. I just—right now I'm a little lost and I'm not ready to let you go." He made her feel like she could survive all of her emotional turmoil. He was the only person she felt comfortable opening up.

"Okay."

"You'll stay?"

"Yes."

"Thank you Jason. I guess I should go to bed."

She slowly left the bed and then paused in the doorway. "Sleep tight."

"You too."

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The next morning, Dante came over and worked Jason out, making sure he started out slow. Elizabeth ran to the office to get some work done and Emily stopped by.

"Hey," Jason said with a smile.

"Hello. How is everything going?"

Dante looked up at her. "He's doing great."

"He always was an overachiever."

"How's the job?"

"Busy and I'm exhausted, but I live for it. I can truly say that I wouldn't want to do anything else," Emily said.

"Must be nice to be so focused. Did I like construction?"

"Yes. Francis used to say that you were good with math and critical thinking. He always joked that you were going to start your own company and be the competition."

"Sometimes I can feel him."

"Francis?"

"No, who I was. I get this surge of anger or sadness."

"You tried to hide it when you were around me and Lila, but sometimes I would see you out and about and it was hard watching you be in so much pain. You really missed your mom. She was all you had."

"Did you like her?"

"Honestly, I wasn't happy about what she tried to do to our family, but I figured that she must not be all that bad because you are a good man. I had dinner with you guys a few times. She had a snarky sense of humor and she doted on you. I think you were all she had too."

Jason grimaced as Dante pushed his good leg back.

"If it's too much, say something."

"I will."

"Jason, you never really wanted to hear what she did to draw the ire of the family. I get why, but I really hope that you'll give Alan a fair chance. Start with him, because he's hurting too. People make mistakes. Think about letting him in. It's not betraying her because she brought you back here for a reason. She knew she was dying and wanted you to have someone in your life that would love you unconditionally. I doubt she'd ever push you, but she sucked it up and came back here so you wouldn't be all alone. You were so upset when she died that you went the complete opposite way. I really hope that you think about that when you get your memories back. I will always be there for you no matter what. I guess I just didn't have the guts to say all of that before because I was scared of losing you over it." Jason was so black and white about the situation.

"And now?"

"You almost died and that would have devastated us. I'm taking a big chance here, but it's because I love you and my dad."

"I'm glad that you were honest with me."

Dante slightly smiled. The more he was around Emily, the more he liked her.

"Anytime."

She got up to get Jason some water.

"You could at least try to hide your attraction. My fists still work."

Dante tried not to chuckle. "I will do better when I'm around you."

"Good."

"Jason, I need you to know something."

"Yeah?"

"My dad is Sonny Corinthos."

Jason's eyes narrowed. "This day just keeps getting better."

"He doesn't know that you are my patient and I would never tell him anything you said or that I overheard."

"Good to know."