Author's Note:
I honestly tried not to embellish or slam the other characters in this chapter. My intentions were to write each one as they appear on the show. (well at least how I see them) Some of the behaviors we've seen on the show, have made some of our most favorite characters do and say things we know are not quite right. I am only taking what's on the TV lately and using that feeling in the story.
This is an Elizabeth and Ewen fic, but at the same time hope the over all story is entertaining.
Side note - For those who are totally falling in love with this pairing, there is a great site I found. For whatever reason I can't seem to get an URL successfully pasted into the site. Though I have put it into my profile for those who want to take a look see.
~~2~~
"Did you see how happy Monica was?" Sitting back in the passenger seat, Sam couldn't keep the grin off her face. From the second Kelly had given them the test results, she felt as though the world had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Yeah." His response was quiet, as Jason kept his eyes trained on the road ahead of him.
Her smile faltered, as she studied her husband for a moment. "Is everything alright?"
It was a loaded question, one he really didn't want to answer. Sam was so happy, and the last thing he wanted to do was upset her.
"You know I love you and this baby . . ." A lump grew in his throat making it hard for him to swallow. "This baby means the world to me."
"Of course." Concern ebbed some of Sam's excitement, as her brain worked double time trying to figure out where he was taking this.
"I just wish yo - we could have been a little more considerate back there." The scene on the rooftop was going to haunt him for days.
Understanding flashed across Sam's face. "You mean Elizabeth."
"Yes." Nodding, Jason took his eyes off the road for a second to glance over at his wife. He knew the two women would never see eye to eye. That there was too much history between them.
"I am sorry you two lost Jake." Sam said after a few seconds. "I know you're still healing. But I have waited so damn long for this baby, have suffered so much while she was popping out one after another. Do you know how hard it was to standby and watch her give you the child I couldn't. I deserve to be happy."
"I didn't say you shouldn't be happy." This was why he didn't want to say anything. But if he wanted to avoid any hurt feelings in the future, he needed to.
"You know what? If I want to yell my news from the top of a building, I should be able to." Folding her arms across her chest, Sam turned her head to stare out the passenger window. "I hate how she always seems to make everything about her."
Her words triggered the nerve above his eye to twitch. "Do you remember when you lost the baby?"
"Of course." Sam whispered. "Why would you even need to ask?"
"Do you remember how sad you were? How angry and empty you felt? How heartbreaking it was to see someone else happy because they were having a baby, or when you saw new parents pushing a stroller down the street."
"Like I could ever forget that." Becoming irritated, Sam placed a protective hand over her stomach.
Gripping the steering wheel, Jason took a few breaths. "Imagine if you lost her when she was four. To some stupid, pointless accident."
Biting down on her lip, Sam continued to stare out the window. Not that she'd ever admit it to Jason, but a part of her enjoyed telling Monica the news while Elizabeth looked on. She had known exactly what she was doing. In some sick way it had been her reward for the hell she'd lived through.
Sam also felt Jake's death had been Elizabeth's fault. Sure Luke shouldn't have been cruising around town three sheets to the wind. But the precious gift Elizabeth had of raising Jason's baby had been wasted on her.
There wasn't a day that went by when she didn't stop and think of the little girl she lost. There was a hole in her heart that had never completely healed and she hoped with this baby some of the pain would fade. She hated how badly Jake's death effected Jason. That he got that far away look in his eyes sometimes. It seemed even after the death of his son, Jason would always have a connection to Elizabeth Webber.
"So that's where you disappeared to." Annoyance flashed in Sam's eyes. "Checking on Elizabeth."
This was why he didn't want to say anything. Jason also wasn't going to lie to his wife. "I wanted to make sure she was okay."
"Why does it matter if she's okay with us having a baby?"
"I didn't say that."
"But you just said you went after her to make sure she was okay."
The twitching was back in his eye and his stupid hand was getting that prickly numb feeling. "Maybe we should just drop this."
"No." Twisting in her seat, Sam pinned her husband with an icy glare. "I'd really like to get this out in the open. Would like to know what I am and am not allowed to do. I mean do I need to consult with Elizabeth on the color of the baby's nursery? Or perhaps I should ask Elizabeth if I should bottle of breat feed our baby. You know, just to make sure it doesn't make her cry."
"Sam." Jason warned.
"We can't live our lives always worrying if we're going to upset her." Too agitated to sit still any longer, Sam shifted in the seat wishing they'd get home soon. "I thought our marriage was supposed to be a new beginning for us."
"It was." Sighing, Jason gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. "Is."
"Well for us to have a new beginning, perhaps you should finish the other chapters in your life."
Elizabeth could almost sense the second Maxie Jones stepped off the elevator. For the life of her, Elizabeth couldn't figure out what the other girl had against her. For years little Maxie Jones had placed a target on her back. Most of the time she was able to brush the other girl off, like the annoying little gnat she was. But lately it took every ounce of self-preservation not to go postal on her.
It was almost sad how predictable the blonde had become. Unable to resist the scent of blood, Maxie looked posed for the kill. Like one of those piranha's with tiny sharp teeth.
"So have you heard the news?" Of course Maxie's eyes glittered with uncontained excitement over the opportunity to devastate her.
Looking up from the patient files she was updating, Elizabeth sent Maxie a steady stare. She just didn't have the energy to deal with whatever Maxie was up to. Her eyes stung as if there was sand in them and her stomach felt as though she'd received a well executed blow. Was it asking too much just to be able to finish her shift and go home to her boys without any additional drama?
"I assume you're referring to Jason and Sam." Her throat felt tight again, and Elizabeth was determined not to melt down like she had on the roof. Damnit she was not going to show any sign of weakness to Maxie.
With an exaggerated sigh, Maxie smiled. "Isn't it great? I mean those two have had so much to deal with through the years. I really do love a happy ending."
The innuendo wasn't lost on Elizabeth. Maxie, like so many others in the town, felt she'd been responsible for so much of the added stress to the couple. How easily everyone seemed to forget that if it hadn't been for Sam jumping in the sack with Ric, she and Jason would probably never had spent the night together.
"Is there a reason you're here Maxie? Don't you have a job?" Elizabeth asked.
"Matt and I are going to dinner at the Metro." This time Elizabeth shook her head. Maxie's insecurities where Matt was concerned was beyond ridiculous. "Maybe we should invite Sam and Jason to celebrate."
"I'm sure they'd just love that." Knowing full well Jason would rather shoot himself in the foot, Elizabeth continued to type, hoping Maxie would get the hint.
A pout formed on the blonde's mouth, as her eyes studied Elizabeth for any sign of weakness. "I wonder if they're going to have a girl or a boy. I mean a girl would be awesome, though knowing those two they would probably get a miniature leather jacket and boots for her. But I hope it's a boy. Jason really does need a son."
It felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room. Elizabeth should have known Maxie wouldn't just leave well enough alone, that being ignored would only have her sink to the lowest of depths to make an impact.
"Ladies." Though he tried to keep his tone light, Matt walked behind the nurse's station, his eyes pinned on the two women. Maxie's smug expression and Elizabeth's shaky hands only meant he was too late to stop the damage his girlfriend had intended. "Everything okay."
Tears swam in front of Elizabeth's eyes, as she kept her head down. The need to vomit was overpowering. "The test results for Mr. Adam's are in." Blindly reaching for the patient's folder, Elizabeth shoved it in his direction.
"What's going on?" Matt drawled as he looked down at the folder, seeing Elizabeth had handed him the wrong one. His head lifted and he gave Maxie a questioning look.
"Oh we were talking about Jason and Sam's good news." Maxie chirped, her eyes full of innocence.
Matt's gaze swung over to where Elizabeth stiffly stood. "Really?"
"Yup." Maxie answered when Elizabeth didn't. "Are you about ready for dinner?"
His attention still on Elizabeth, Matt took a moment before looking back at Maxie. "Maybe we should postpone."
"Ah, why?" The smugness slipped off her as she stood up straight. "We've had those reservations for over a week."
"Yeah, I know. But I'm running behind on my rounds." The lame excuse hung in the air, Maxie sensed it and her narrow eyes went directly to where Elizabeth was pretending to ignore them.
"I'm sure. There's still an hour before we need to be there. I suggest you catch up and meet me at my apartment." Her pinched mouth and angry eyes dared him to make any further excuses before snatching up her purse from the counter and spinning on her heel. "One hour Matt."
When she was gone, Matt took at step forward and leaned up against the counter. The entire time his eyes were pinned on Elizabeth. "How are you holding up?"
"Are you asking how I'm holding up before or after that banshee's visit?"
Grimacing at Elizabeth's icy tone, Matt put a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "I'm sorry if she said anything inappropriate. Maxie's just insecure."
Elizabeth snorted. "Just for starters."
"I had wanted to find you earlier." Matt hedged.
"I wanted to be alone." Stepping away, out of Matt's reach, Elizabeth went to the other side of the desk.
"Guess Keenan didn't get that message." Matt didn't care if he came across as being jealous. Ever since Ewen Keenan had entered the picture the other man just rubbed him the wrong way. There was something off about the shrink. It wasn't just his unorthodox ways of treating his patients. Matt wished the other doctor would just leave Elizabeth alone.
"Ewen." Elizabeth empathized the doctors name. "Actually took the brunt of my anger."
Shifting uncomfortably, not knowing when exactly he'd started to feel this unease between them, Matt sighed. "You know I'm always here for you. Whenever you need someone to talk to."
Elizabeth looked over at Matt. She was tired and really wished he'd leave. It wasn't that she disliked Matt, it was the opposite in fact. He had been a great friend to her through some of the darkest moments in her life. But right now her nerves were raw, and all she wanted to do was finish up and go home. "I know and I really do appreciate it."
"I can still cancel my plans." Matt offered. "We could go get coffee and talk."
"No." Shaking her head, Elizabeth sighed. "The last thing I need right now is for Maxie to have another reason to hate me."
Matt looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end he knew she was right. "Fine. But I want you to call me, no matter what time it is if you do need to hash things out."
"Deal." Relieved their conversation was almost over, Elizabeth smiled weakly as Matt left to finish his rounds.
"Dr. Keenan." Monica Quartermain voice called out, stopping Ewen from entering the elevator. He despised the woman's poor timing. Having just witnessed the exchange between Elizabeth and the Jones girl had set him on edge. The unwarranted attack had been uncalled for. And while Dr. Hunter may see himself as Elizabeth's friend, his ignorance towards the pain his girlfriend inflicted at every opportunity was disgusting.
"Dr. Quartermain, how nice to see you." He wasn't one for lying. Hated the energy it took sometimes. But if he wished to achieve the goals his aunt had set, as well as his own, the pretense was necessary. "I hear congratulations are in order."
"I'm always amazed how fast the gossip flies around here." Monica gushed, her cheeks still pink from the excitement. "I was hoping I would run into you."
"Really?" Ewen knew what the doctor and acting Chief of Staff was hedging at, but he wasn't about to make it easy for the woman.
"I was wondering if you've given anymore consideration to the offer." The older woman supplied.
"I have." Ewen offered slowly. "My supervisors at Shady Brook have no issues if I were to take the position."
"Wonderful." Monica beamed. "Why don't you come by my office tomorrow and we'll iron out the particulars."
Shaking his head, Ewen frowned. "I do have a few concerns."
Looking puzzled, Monica hesitated. "Any I can help you with."
"Actually, I'm hesitant to except your offer because of some of your managerial techniques." Waiting for her reaction, Ewen wasn't disappointed to see the smile vanish from her face.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I could be wrong, but it appears to me you at times use your position for personal reasons." Satisfied he'd ruffled the woman's feathers, Ewen sat back and watch the other doctor fight to control the anger she was obviously feeling.
From his experience, both professional and personal, no one liked to be called out on their poor behavior. Especially in an environment other's could easily overhear their conversation.
"Am I to assume you're referring to the interaction you eavesdropped on?" Yes, he'd definitely pushed the right button.
"You are. As you mentioned before, gossip seems to have a life of it's own here, I couldn't help but pick up a few things as well." Ewen replied unapologetically. "If I were to accept the position, assuming of course your still offering, you should know I tend to speak my mind."
"Noted." Monica replied, less than thrilled. He could almost hear the gears grinding in her head to find a way to rescind the offer. "Though I feel you read my conversation with Elizabeth wrong. There have been some issues where her work ethic has been concerning. I feel I was overly generous by allowing her back to work so soon after her brief visit to Shady Brook."
Ewen had little doubt it had nothing to do with Monica's generosity. It was probably more of Elizabeth's family history with the hospital that had her returning so soon.
"I really hadn't intended to stay long in Port Charles." Ewen responded slowly, a slow smile tugging at his lips. "But I have to say I may be changing my mind about that. Why don't we get together and discuss this more in depth. I do have a few other questions."
Sounding less thrilled than when she'd stopped him, Monica forced a smile on her face. "Sounds great."
Ewen nodded to her as she passed him, deeply pleased to see the smile wiped off her face.