A/N – Thanks for the comments! – Guest – Why would I put Jason with someone else right now? They are both having issues and trying to regroup, but they admitted they like each other. I think that would be weird and wouldn't make sense. * babeboo – I already put it out there who likes John. Wink wink.
I fast forwarded a bit. I just needed to move the story along. Hopefully, it's not too jarring.
Chapter 29
Liz stopped and looked at some flowers. Lila's garden was beautiful and the colors really caught her eye. "Thank you for letting me stay."
"You're not leaving are you?" Alan was feeling protective of her after what happened.
"I should. I can't hide away forever."
"Well you could. It's a big house."
She smiled. "You'll keep an eye out for Jason for me right?"
"Of course."
"Thanks!"
"Elizabeth, have you noticed a change in my son?"
Liz sighed. "A little."
"I'm just worried."
"You think he'll leave?"
"Yes." He had made a little headway with Jason and really didn't want to see it come to an end.
"He has a lot to process. Give him space and I think eventually, he'll come back."
Alan was quiet for a long moment. "I would give anything to go back and be able to raise him—anything, even if that meant being nice to his mother and running interference with my family. I love him."
She touched his arm. "I think he knows that, but he's not sure what do with his feelings. Let him figure them out. If he lets me, I will help him."
"You're a good friend. He is lucky to have you."
"I'm the lucky one."
They slowly walked back to the mansion.
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Sarah walked towards the launch and looked around. Helena had always given her pause. She was sneaky, conniving, and bitter which were not an attractive combination.
"Hello ma'am."
She slightly smiled and took his hand as he helped her aboard and then got her seated. The cool air felt good, so she closed her eyes and breathed it in. Stefan didn't know that she was coming and she wondered if he would be upset with her. She figured she could get the dinner over with and Helena might back off. Her eyes rolled at the thought. Helena was like a dog with a bone. She highly doubted that her intentions were noble. The little witch is clearly up to something and Sarah is going to have to dig deep to figure out what it is before she is blindsided.
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Elizabeth gathered her things and was just about finished when Jason rolled into her room.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going home in the morning."
"Oh."
She noted the disappointed look. "I need to stand on my own two feet and take my life back."
"I get it." He didn't like it, but he understood.
"Thank you."
"Dante just left."
Jason didn't talk a lot about the therapy. "How is that going?"
He shrugged. "I'm getting stronger."
"You'll be walking in no time."
"I can't wait."
She sat on the bed. "Alan is worried."
"Why?"
"Because you've been pulling away."
He remained quiet.
"I told him to give you some time and space. He's willing. I think he's just glad to be a part of your life."
"Are you going back to work tomorrow?"
"Yes."
"Are you scared?"
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't."
"Lock your door while you're working," he said.
"Good idea."
"And you can call me any time."
"Thanks. Would you consider going to therapy?"
He shrugged. "I don't know."
"It helps to talk to someone completely neutral."
"Aren't you?"
"I try to be, but I'm probably more on your side."
There was a knock on the door and then Kelly entered. "Hi."
"Hi, Kelly," Liz said.
"Sorry, I heard your voices."
Jason turned his chair around.
"Maybe I should have called first. I was just on my way home and wanted to touch base."
"That was nice of you," Liz said.
Jason cleared his throat. He was feeling a little awkward. "Why don't we go downstairs to the sitting room?"
"Okay."
He led the way and Liz walked over to the window.
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Sarah got off the launch and walked towards the mansion. She noted the façade which gave her the creeps and wondered why anyone would want to live there. It was dark, dreary, and very uninviting. Who the heck thinks gargoyles were a go-to decorating choice?
Alfred opened the door. "Ms. Webber, please come in."
Sarah carefully navigated the stairs. "Thank you."
"May I take your sweater."
She slipped it off and handed it to him.
"You look very nice."
She smiled. "Thanks. You look rather dapper yourself."
Alfred smiled. "Follow me, please."
He led her hrough a few rooms until they ended up in the dining room.
Stefan had just sat down and immediately rose. "Sarah?"
"Hi. I hope this is okay. Helena insisted that I intend."
The sarcasm was not lost on him. "I'm sorry," he whispered before brushing his lips against her forehead.
"I can handle the battle ax."
His brow lifted and she bit her lip as Helena swept into the room.
"Ah, I'm glad you arrived safely. Please, have a seat."
Stefan gave Helena a look, warning her to behave, and then directed Sarah to sit next to him.
"I hope you had a smooth ride over in the launch."
"It was fine." She put her napkin on her lap and Alfred appeared at her side.
"Would you like some wine?"
"No thank you. Do you have any iced tea?"
"I do." He left and she looked around.
"This mansion is a replica of our family home in Russia. Mikkos took extra pains to make sure they got every last detail right. I think it suits the demeanor of our family perfectly."
Sarah wasn't sure that was a good thing. "It's kind of gothic."
Helena laughed. The girl was apparently clueless when it came to art and history. "Well, it's an acquired taste. Sarah, how are your parents getting along. There have been some nasty rumors flying around."
"Don't answer that. The Webber family is off limits," Stefan said.
Helena sipped her wine. "How disappointing…"
Alfred put the ice tea down and then went to get the first course.
"You know, your mother is a classic beauty. You must take after your father more."
Sarah gripped her knife and looked at a Stefan. "If I slit her throat, will you testify that she was choking on something and I was helping her breathe?"
He had barely heard her whisper and tried to suppress a grin. "Definitely."
Alfred placed salads down in front of them.
"Thank you," Sarah said softly.
"You're welcome."
After Alfred had disappeared, Helena addressed her again.
"There is no need to thank the help. He is paid well for his services."
"Perhaps you should reconsider that. There are plenty of books written about the help offing their overbearing employers."
Helena's eyes twinkled with delight. "Alfred knows better."
They ate for a few moments in silent and then the sounds of classical music filtered through the air. Alfred collected their plates.
"Thank you, Alfred," Helena said wickedly.
Alfred stopped in his tracks. "Are you alright? Shall I fetch the doctor?"
Sarah snorted.
Helena waved him off. "Do you see why I don't say thank you?"
"Maybe if you had said it more often, he wouldn't have been so shocked."
"Alfred knows his place and eventually you will too."
"Mother!"
"What?"
Sarah rolled her eyes. Maybe she should have gotten a drink.
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Monica invited Kelly for dinner and Jason couldn't help but notice how quiet Elizabeth was.
Alan and Kelly were discussing a surgery and Lila was trying to draw Jason into a conversation.
Tracy strolled into the room. "Another stray?"
Kelly gave her a look.
"Tracy, if you're going to eat with us, you need to hold your tongue," Edward said.
"Is that even possible?"
She poured herself a drink. "It amazes me how someone like Jason could attract such a harem."
"Tracy, please behave," Lila said.
"Why?"
"Because no one wants to hear your bitter quips," Monica said.
"Oh, I'm sure that isn't the case." Her phone rang and she cursed under her breath and answered it. "What do you want AJ?" She groaned and left the room.
Lila clucked her tongue. "How much did you pay him?"
Edward grinned. "One never reveals things like that."
Alan chuckled.
When they finished eating, Elizabeth excused herself and went upstairs.
"Jason?"
His head jerked towards Kelly. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
She sighed. "Walk me to the door?"
He nodded and when they got there, she looked at him solemnly.
"Are you in love with her?"
"Who?"
"Elizabeth."
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because you can't keep your eyes off of her."
Jason was silent for a moment. "Kelly…"
"You don't owe me anything, Jason. I just—I'll get over it. Be happy." She left and he closed his eyes.
"Quite a conundrum," Edward said.
Jason turned to face him.
"They are both great women, but I'm kind of partial to Elizabeth."
Edward grinned and Jason's eyes filled with amusement as he watched him lumber off to his study.
Jason headed to the elevator to check on Liz.
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Kylie climbed into Johnny's lap and handed him a book. He took the cue and started to read as Katherine watched. They had bonded and the only thing that scared Katherine is losing Kylie and how hard it would be if they had to part. Now Johnny was added to the mix. Kylie needed a positive male in her life and right now, Johnny was it. He spoiled her and paid attention to her. It was just what Kylie needed in order to feel normal.
When he felt her still, he looked up at Katherine who smiled and put her finger to her lips. Carefully, Johnny stood and carried her into the bedroom. He tucked her in and then joined Katherine again.
"Thank you for being so good to her."
"It's easy. She's a good kid."
"You're going to make a great dad some day."
Johnny sighed. "I hope so."
"I know so."
"Have you heard from your sister?"
"No."
"I'm scared he's going to strike the next time Kylie has an incident."
Katherine squeezed her eyes shut. "It's my greatest fear, that he'll take her and I won't be able to save her."
He put his arm around her and she laid her head against him. "I'll do whatever I can."
"I know. I can't tell you how much that means to me."
"I have people looking for him."
"He knows how to lay low."
Johnny rubbed her arm. He just hoped that when the time came, he'd be able to stop whatever Jake had planned.
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Stefan walked Sarah back to the launch. "I'm sorry that she gave you a hard time."
"I can handle her."
"I thought that to, but she has a way of making you do her bidding."
"You can stand up to her, you know."
Stefan made a face. "I've tried before and it didn't end well."
She gazed into his eyes. "If she told you to leave me, would you?"
A pained look flashed in his eyes.
"Don't answer that." She got into the launch.
"I'll see you at work tomorrow," he said.
"Okay."
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Two weeks passed by. Elizabeth was knee deep in work. Piph was doing a lot better and Patrick had returned to work. She was still on leave, but she was itching to come back. Sarah and Stefan were getting closer, despite the cold shoulder he was receiving at work. Jason's leg was healing and he was able to put a little weight on it as he walked with crutches. Emotionally, he was a bit of a mess and was spending a lot of time alone in his room. He didn't get to see Elizabeth as much as he liked, but they tried to at least talk daily.
Liz walked over to Patrick who was standing next to nurse's desk. "Hey, how's our girl?"
He smiled. "She's okay. Her stamina sucks and that is just something she isn't use too."
"And you are getting along?"
"For the most part, yes. She hasn't been in a good mood the last few days, but I refuse to let her wallow for long."
"You're a good friend."
"I'm trying to be. Kylie was in earlier."
"Is she okay?"
"I think so."
She frowned. "You look worried."
"I am. I think her seizures are combination of stress and prior abuse. Unfortunately, I had to write it up. If I don't, it could come back to bite me."
"I get it. I just hope they won't take her away from Katherine."
"I don't think they will. She has permission. It's better to document what her dad did, so the police have something to work with."
"I know. Diane let me know that we're going to court in two weeks."
"That's good. It's hard when something like that is hanging over your head."
"Yeah. I'll be glad to get it over with and for Ric to suffer."
"How are you doing?"
"Okay. I'm slammed with paperwork, but what's new?"
"And your love life."
She rolled her eyes. "What love life?"
John came around the corner with Jolene and Liz was a little shocked.
He said goodbye and then looked up and made eyes contact. "Hey."
"Hi. What are you doing here?"
"Jolene and I had breakfast."
"Really?"
"Does that bother you?"
She shook her head. "No—I—No. I'm happy for you."
"She's cool."
"You deserve to be happy."
"So do you. How is Jason?" He was still nursing his wounds, but Jolene was a good distraction and he felt like there could be something good there.
"He's healing and getting his bearings."
"I have a meeting, but maybe we can have lunch soon."
She slightly smiled. "I would like that."
He winked and then left.
"Are you really okay with him seeing Jolene?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"You seemed like you were a little jealous."
She shook her head. "I was just surprised."
"That he's getting over you so fast."
She punched Patrick in the arm.
"Ouch, woman."
"Do not make me sic Epiphany on you."
He smiled. "That could be fun."
"You are beyond help."
He chuckled as he watched her walk away.
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Jason walked into the sitting room with the help of his crutches, only to find Tracy staring at him. "What?"
"You're still here."
"Trust me, if I knew you were down here, I would have stayed in my room."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know. What is your problem with me?"
"Maybe it's your genetics."
Jason had remembered quite a bit at this point, and he had already made a decision that he was going to leave. It was just too stressful for him. "Not another word."
"Why not? We have been tip toeing around the issue for weeks now. Your mother hurt my family and since you are clearly on her side, that makes me think I can't trust you."
"What gave you the impression that I cared what you think?" he asked before sitting in a chair.
"How long before you start asking for money and bleeding Alan dry."
"I don't want his money."
"Then what do you want? You hate him."
Jason couldn't deny that, with a lot of his memory back, his feelings towards his father had returned and he was having a problem reconciling it. "Alan and I are fine."
"You can't even call him dad. If your bitch of a mother hadn't of blackmailed him, you wouldn't have lost out on a relationship with your father."
"You need to shut up, right now!"
"Or what? Are you going to make me?"
They stared in silence.
"You either need to stop blaming us for everything that went down or walk away. I don't want to watch my brother fall into a bottle because you reject him when you get your head on straight."
"It's none of your business."
"He is family and unlike you, I love him. Just because he has taken pity on you, doesn't give you the right to mess with his head."
"You have a funny way of showing love and I am not messing with him."
"Yes, you are. I see the conflict in your eyes. You are this close to leaving," she said pinching her fingers together. "I will fight you tooth and nail if you ever hurt him again. Do you understand?"
He started to rise. "I don't need this shit. I'm done." He was half way up when a severe pain made him yelp and he collapsed.
Tracy jumped to her feet. "Jason?"
