Thank you to everyone who has replied to this story of mine, your comments mean a lot. I once again apologize that this chapter was late, but, life just decided that writing wasn't the most important thing.
Chapter Fourteen
Lucky was really getting sick and tired of sleeping in the dives that he kept choosing. However, he didn't have much of a choice, if he wanted to stay off the radar and wanted to stay ahead of Morgan, he needed to remain inconspicuous.
The worst thing about being on the run, was very simple, he missed Elizabeth. He really did need someone to take out his anger on, since he was forced to leave her and in such a condition, he wondered if those who found her, had bothered to help her or if they decided to play. It was those thoughts that kept him going the first week, but as his rage increased and his twisted desire surmounted, he was forced with a quandary, either act upon his rising rage and find some helpless, hapless woman or girl, it really didn't matter to him either way, to take out his frustrations on, or pick a fight nightly.
Either choice left the possibility of trail, and as much as he wanted to stay out of sight and mind, the malevolence that resides inside him, was slowing beginning to take control.
Eight days on the road had finally been his breaking point. Once he reached Canton, Illinois; he searched for the scummiest motel, every city and town had one, it was a prerequisite or something. With the hotel found, Lucky took an hour to relax, allowing the constant stress of being on the move to evaporate.
Feeling better than he had in a very long time, he quickly jumped in the shower, washing another days worth of sweat and road dirt from his body. Feeling wondrously rejuvenated, Lucky left the hotel and went in search of his next and newest prey. Who knew, perhaps this little unscheduled trip would prove to be good for him.
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Jason had once again managed to fall asleep in the uncompromising chair, and once again he awoke with a weight upon his lap.
Not exactly sure why she moved to his lap, especially when she had a whole bed to herself, but grateful that she sought comfort from him, even if it was while he slept.
He could never explain to her, the feeling of waking up and having her in his arms. It was something he truly wanted for the rest of his life, whether it would happen or not was something he couldn't be sure about. Nevertheless, he knew he would fight for her and a life together, down to his last dying breath.
She was the reason he awoke in the morning and got out of bed. She gave him a reason to go on. He couldn't help the rich deep laughter that burst from him, luckily though, she slept through it. His laughter was something he couldn't have explained, it all seemed so cheesy, especially when reflected upon in such a way, but it felt so right.
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"Carly this is ridiculous! You need to stop this now, Jason is a grown man and can do what he likes." Sonny said, pleading with her sense of rationality, but fearing that no such thing existed within her.
"How is it, you will fight me tooth and nail about Jason and his weird obsession with Muffin, you help her without a thought, but every time I try to help him, I get accused of being crazy." Carly shouted, her patience slowly dwindling, if she had any to begin with.
"Enough, Jason is a big boy, he is allowed to love who he wishes. Remember, you burned your bridge with Jason a long time ago. Perhaps if Jason is the one you really want, you should just pack your bags and move now. I love Jason like a brother and he is in love with Elizabeth, I will not allow your delusions or your desire to cause trouble get in the way of his happiness. I love you, but I am not playing second fiddle to any man." Sonny said, finally reaching his breaking point.
"I don't get it, what is so grand about Muffin, why does everyone flock to protect her or defend her. Besides, you must be on drugs if you think Jason loves her, it won't happen." Carly spat, her anger and insecurities forging to the front. "What about me Sonny, I'm your wife, how could you."
Sonny just looked on in stunned silence, once again she had managed to turn everything around, to make it all about her. He couldn't understand what he saw in her, most times, she was more hassle than she was worth, but damn, if she didn't make him happy, most times…
He contemplated chasing after her, but this time he decided he would let her come to him, he had said his piece, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, he had been right.
Jason was her best friend, that he understood, but he couldn't understand her demented logic of running his life, thinking she could do a better job, when in fact she could barely run her own on a daily basis. No longer would he sit idly by and watch her berate Elizabeth or hound Jason, she was going to get a grip on reality or she could suffer the consequences.
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Elizabeth came slowly awake, the first thing she noticed, she was no longer in Jason's bed, a moment of fear squeezed the tightening bands around her heart and mind, cutting off all coherent thought, but as she started to look at her surroundings, she understood that she was still in Jason's penthouse, but once again in his arms.
Not exactly sure when she had moved, that moment of fear came back to her, but as soon as she saw those beautiful blue eyes staring back at her, the world dimmed, the longer time passed, the more it seemed to dim, almost to the point that it disappeared altogether.
Her teeth found her bottom lip and began to worry the tender flesh, but her anxiety had nothing to do with her sleeping arrangements, but everything to do with the unquenchable desire to claim his lips with hers.
Knowing she would be unfair to do such a thing, Elizabeth slowly pulled herself from the raging thoughts that sped through her mind.
"Don't do this Elizabeth, you can't lead the poor guy on and then turn cold fish." Elizabeth said, berating herself, but also knowing there was no way around it.
"How long you been awake?" Elizabeth asked, her voice cracked slightly.
"Not long, I just awoke myself. How are you this morning?" Jason asked, wondering if he could expect more late night cuddles.
"I'm okay, still tired though and very sore. I swear my back hurts more now than it did when it happened." Elizabeth said, wincing as she stretched.
"March your cute little butt into the bathroom, it is time to get those bandages off and clean ones on." Jason said, placing Elizabeth on her feet.
"Yes sir." Elizabeth said, briefly touching her forehead with the side of her hand. She squealed as Jason launched himself out of the chair.
Jason stalked towards her, keeping his movements unthreatening. Once close enough, Jason began tickling her, delighting in her girlish laugh.
"Jase, Jason stop it, I can't take anymore." Elizabeth said between bouts of laughter.
It had been his plan to distract her enough, so she wouldn't fall into a depression or anything, when he began to clean the wounds. It wasn't going to be such a big deal with her back, but she had other wounds that needed tending to, and those were the ones that could cause some problems.
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Lucky browsed the merchandise, at least that is how he saw the women who were frequenting the less that clean bar. He had no intention of purchasing sexual favors, why would he, he could just take what he needed, but first he had to find one who was willing to get busy and who was willing to be alone with a stranger, people were so paranoid now a days.
A raven haired beauty sat at the bar, drinking some awful concoction, it looked like it was a mix between a Shirley Temple and a margarita. By the way she swayed slightly, it looked like she had already drank four or five. That was good, actually that was great, at least for Lucky. It meant the woman might be inebriated enough to not remember what he looked like, he only hoped the rest of the patrons would be as soused.
Lucky eyes the dark haired woman from afar, for the past hour he had watched her every move, along with those of the other people indulging in a cool beverage. He noticed how her eyes kept finding his, she tried to play it coy, but he could see the wanting, the lust that emanated off of her, now he just needed to play it just as coy.
If he was over eager, someone might remember him, if he was overly coy, she might find him indifferent. So every once in a while he favored her with a long deep look and at other times a friendly smile.
Lucky was beginning to believe that things had almost reached a head, when a tall dark haired man took a seat beside her. His arm casually flung over her shoulder, his lips a mere breath away from her olive skin. Cursing his luck, Lucky prepared to leave, but fate seemed to grant him a reprieve, the raven haired beauty, turned away from the man, in a swirl of black hair and flaming eyes, she raised her hand and smacked the drunken man, sending him reeling.
Not exactly sure what he had been expecting, Lucky jumped up, going to her defense. He placed a steadying hand on the small of her back, making sure to keep his intentions clear, or at least those he wanted her to know.
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Elizabeth alternated between cussing and gritting her teeth in a silence pregnant with tension and shame. But she sat still, not making Jason's job any harder than it already was. As soon as he began, she could tell what it was costing him, she knew once again he was blaming himself for this injustice, so instead of carrying on and making a scene, she tried to remain as motionless as possible.
"Sorry." Jason said, his voice tinted with guilt.
"Shhh, never mind, it hurts yeah, but I will survive." Elizabeth said, biting her lip to stall anymore noise from spilling from her.
"I-I'm done your back… I need to clean your other wounds now!" Jason exclaimed, fearful he would see anger or shame in her eyes. But as she slowly lowered his boxers, she favored him with a crooked smile.
"Just so you know, cracking a joke at any point within the next few minutes, would not be conductive for your health." Elizabeth said, gently poking him in the chest.
Jason struggled to stifle a smile, but that was something his old Elizabeth would have said, "Don't worry, I'll keep all knock knock jokes to myself."
In spite of herself, she began to laugh. But it was a sad laugh, how could she expect him to tend to her on a daily basis, never mind the fact that these wounds needed tending at least three times a day. She squashed the urge to rebuke his help, it would only hurt him more, besides, what pride she had left, didn't need to get in the way of what she and Jason were trying to build.
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Sonny had left after the argument, not wanting to be a part of the conversation any longer nor the guilt he would feel if he stayed, besides, he was needed at the warehouse, thank goodness for small favors.
He wasn't running away from her, per se, but when Carly got in one of her moods, it was better to leave while the leaving was good, otherwise, there was a good chance that one or both would say something they really didn't mean.
As he looked over the manifesto, he realized his mind really wasn't on work and surprisingly it wasn't on Carly either. Carly had been right in her assumptions, people did tend to flock towards Elizabeth, it was as if you could see her inner goodness, that inner light that set her apart from all other women.
Her kindness was always something that had boggled Sonny, even when people were unjust, she remained kind. She was also unwilling to say something bad about anyone, even when that person deserved it. That was only one of the many things that set Elizabeth apart from other women, but it didn't explain why he was thinking about her.
Just as he was sure he would get no work done, Stan entered his office, forgoing the normal niceties, such as knocking.
"Stan, did your mother not teach you manner's or were you born in a barn?" Sonny asked, glad for the interruption, but needing to remain focused, the young man didn't just show up, unless there was something very important to be discussed.
"Umm, she taught me just fine, I just thought you would like to know this information." Stand said, suddenly feeling like a fly under a microscope.
"And that information would be?" Sonny enquired, disliking the fact that he had to draw out the answers.
"Sorry sir, Jason had asked me to do some extensive searching on Mr. Spencer and while I haven't found much, I do have records from yesterday, that show he withdrew a large amounts of cash from both his debit card and credit cards. I would say enough was withdrawn to last him for some time, it's chump change to you, I am sure, but to him, it probably was everything he had or at the very least most of it." Stan said, uncomfortable under Sonny's dark scrutiny.
"Keep working on this, if you get any other information, bring it to me. I will be the middle man for you and Jason. Elizabeth has been through quite enough, she doesn't need to have to deal with more new faces and the information they bring. Every minute you aren't sleeping, I want you searching for Lucky, got it?" Sonny said, hoping the younger man knew the seriousness of the situation, but also hoping he didn't know what happened to Elizabeth.
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Jason tried to do the job quickly, he was thorough, but he didn't linger, Elizabeth was keeping a brave face, though he knew it was hard for her.
"Okay, I think we are done, at least for now. I hope I wasn't too rough." Jason said, watching her facial expressions carefully.
"Yeah, we can repeat this in another four hours, Yay." Elizabeth said, trying hard to keep up the façade of bravado.
"If you are uncomfortable with me doing it, I can ask Dr. Thompson if he has a nurse that he trusts, see if he can send her over." Jason offered.
"No, you and Sonny and Dr. Thompson have all gone above and beyond your call of duty, beyond friendship even. I can handle you doing it, really." Elizabeth said, noting the look of disbelief that flashed over his face.
"So long as you are sure, but if you, at any time feel like someone else would be better at doing this, please tell me." Jason replied, gently taking her hands in his.
"You have your self a deal." Elizabeth answered, smiling in spite of herself.
"I'll let you get dressed, if you need anything, just shout." Jason said, stepping out of the bathroom, then out of the bedroom.
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