--Chapter Ten--
.:Luke's Bar:.
"Luke! Luuuuuuuke!"
Jason heard her before he even saw her. And when he turned around, sure enough, there was Elizabeth Drake hopping down the steps into Luke's bar with a peculiar contraption tucked under her arm. She wore her favorite pair of blue jeans – the ones with the gaping hole at the knee – and a gray tank top with a cluster of pool balls at the top center, and her hair was down and curly, just the way he liked it.
Keeping his eyes on her, Jason dropped the pool cue he held onto the red felt and slowly shuffled over. She still hadn't seen him in the dimly lit bar and was making her way toward the counter where Claude was polishing glasses.
"Claude, have you seen Luke anywhere?"
"Don't ask him – he doesn't work here," came a voice from the back and a few seconds later, an irritated Luke Spencer pushed back the curtain of beads and stalked out to pour himself a stiff drink. "Claude, I thought I fired you today."
"Twice, Mr. Spencer."
Elizabeth's eyes twinkled when the old man nodded to himself, pleased. "Oh, good," he chuckled, tossing her a wink. "I'm glad I'm not losing my touch."
The brunette rolled her eyes playfully and opened her mouth to speak, but someone else had already distracted Luke. The old man had the attention span of a gold fish sometimes.
"Jason – want another?"
"That'd be great, Luke," the young man nodded, sidling up next to Elizabeth and tipping his head at her.
"Oh, hey, Jason," she smiled, balancing the peculiar metal contraption on a stool. "I just keep running into you, don't I?"
He offered her a small smile at that, but quickly pressed on to what he had come over to say as Luke pulled a bottle of beer out of the mini cooler and watched on curiously. "I…I just wanted to apologize for the other night."
The regret in his eyes made her take pause, and Elizabeth couldn't figure out what he was trying to say. "Why? I had a good time."
"I had no idea you didn't eat meat," he clarified, lifting one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. "If I knew, I would have taken you somewhere else."
Her lips stretched into an easy smile and she waved her hand, dismissing his apology. "Oh, that…"
"Elizabeth, why didn't you tell me? I would have found someplace else that-"
"Jason, really, it's fine," she assured him, settling a small hand on his forearm, temporarily forgetting that Luke was watching the two of them with unabashed interest. "It's no big deal – I ate, didn't I?"
"You had three leaves of lettuce-"
"I'm telling you, it's fine. I don't eat that much anyway."
"You said you were starving-"
"Jason." She gave his arm a little squeeze, her sapphire eyes twinkling with mirth. "It's very nice of you, but honestly, it's fine. I ordered a pizza when I got home and invited Carly over, so it was nobody's loss. And I know I could have said something but…I didn't want to be rude, especially since you were so nice to take me out. I'm not one to rock the boat."
"No – you capsize it," he muttered, breaking into an impish grin when she swatted his thick bicep.
"Very funny," she glared at him, reaching out for the item that she had brought along with her. "Luke, you can snap your mouth shut any time now – story time is over."
"Sorry, darlin', but I gotta find some entertainment somewhere," he shrugged. "Especially since Claude here refuses to dance like a monkey for my amusement."
"I bet that was why you fired him, huh?" Elizabeth smirked back, watching Claude as he made a hasty retreat. "Anyway, I came back to return your pogo stick."
"Oh, I was wondering where that damn thing went," Luke exclaimed, happily taking the contraption that she extended to him over the counter.
Jason had no clue what was going on, but that wasn't anything new. Instead, he watched as Elizabeth nodded along. "Thanks for lending it to me – you were right, it really got the job done."
"You can borrow it again the next time you need to make those repairs, darlin'," he told her, setting the pogo stick down behind the counter. "Can I get you a drink? What'll it be?"
"A glass of water would be great, Luke," she smiled sheepishly. "It's boiling out there."
"Water," the old man muttered contemptuously, rummaging in his cooler for a bottle. "She comes into my bar and all she wants is water. Darlin', have you ever heard of a guy named Jesus H. Christ? You remember what he used to go around turning water into? Man, you could win an awful lot of bar bets with a skill like that…"
"What does the H stand for, Luke?"
"Huh?"
"What does the H stand for? In Jesus' name?"
"…How the hell am I supposed to know?" the old man blustered, throwing his hands in the air. "I'm not a Bible scholar. Honestly, darlin', sometimes I worry about you."
The brunette shook her head and accepted the water, glancing over at Jason. "This is what I have to deal with."
She took a swig of the cool liquid as he chuckled, then abruptly reached out and poked him. "Hey – I meant to ask you. Are you going to be at Wyndemere for the Bacchanalian Ball?"
Jason nodded, taking another pull of his beer as Luke poured himself half a glass of scotch on the rocks. "Yeah, I've always gone – except for the past three years. I couldn't get away then."
Elizabeth nodded, not needing an explanation. "Good – I'm coming, too. So's Carly, but she's going stag. So, anyway, I was thinking…maybe you'd want to go together?"
"Together?"
"Yeah, you know, like, I put on something pretty…you put on something pretty…I show up at the party…you show up at the party…we show up at the party…tell me when I can stop conjugating."
He chuckled, spinning his bottle around on the counter. "Yeah, that sounds good. But, I'm sorry, I can't pick you up – Nikolas and I have some business to take care of so I'm taking the launch over to Wyndemere in the morning."
"Oh, that's no problem," Elizabeth answered quickly. "I'll just meet you there – that sound okay?"
"Sure, that'd be fine."
"Great," she beamed, quickly twisting the top back onto her bottle and grabbing her purse. "Okay, so I'll see you then. Thanks for the water, Luke. Bye!"
Jason watched as she turned and trotted away, off to finish the rest of her errands for the day. She pulled the door open and stopped, turning around to flash him a cute little grin and then disappeared. Letting out a heavy sigh, the young man turned around to face Luke behind the counter.
But the old man's eyes were still on the door as he stared in bewilderment, still clutching his glass of scotch. His pale topaz eyes then darted from the door to Jason and then back again. "Jason Morgan just managed to finagle himself a date…?"
Jason watched humorlessly as Luke looked at his liquor for a long moment before emptying the entire glass down the drain.
.:Port Charles Hotel, Fourth floor, Room 431:.
"Where are your shoes?"
Carly Benson bumped her head on the bottom of the coffee table as she picked up a few kernels of caramel popcorn underneath, and she glanced over at her bedroom suite in irritation at the sound of her sister's frantic yell.
"Two goddamn closets full of nothing but shoes and I can't find-"
"Which ones do you want?" Carly yelled back. "I've got a system. Gimme the make, model and color. Year is optional."
"I'm not buying a used car, you freak! I just want a pair of burgundy Manolo's with the little rhinestone…ooh! Found 'em!"
The blonde rolled her eyes and shuffled off toward the trashcan, knowing that she'd better get ready if she was going to be at the ball in time. This year, she was on her own – and Elle was going to be her date. It was a good thing that her stepsister was planning on coming along because the Bacchanalian was usually quite a bore, despite Nikolas' best efforts to get some energy in the room. In previous years, she and Jax would always hang around on the terrace and poke fun at the rest of the high-society types inside, but this year she couldn't do even that.
With a sigh, she walked over to the master bedroom where she had laid her clothes out that morning. Her stepsister was running around looking for pantyhose as Carly carefully pulled on her new orange full-length gown, mindful of the heavy golden-yellow beadwork and embroidery. As she pulled her long blonde mane up into a fancy ponytail, she could hear Elizabeth in the master bedroom, emptying out the contents of her jewelry box on her bed.
Closing her eyes, Carly made a mental note to lock her massive jewelry collection up and stick it somewhere in the kitchen where she knew Elizabeth would never go. It took her about ten minutes to put on her makeup and when Carly finally came out of the bathroom, dressed and primped and ready to go, she wasn't surprised to see that Elizabeth still looked a mess.
"What's wrong with you?" she snipped, opening her closet door and pulling out the deep burgundy gown that she had agreed to lend to the younger woman for the night. "I mean, I know you're bad, but you're never this bad. Seriously, Elle, get a move on."
"I know, I know," Elizabeth huffed, hopping on one leg as she adjusted her pantyhose. "I'm sorry I'm borrowing your hose, but mine had a run and a Dr. Pepper stain. How the hell do you get Dr. Pepper on pantyhose? Oh, well – the eternal question pops up yet again-"
"Elle…"
"Fine, fine," the brunette sighed, exasperated. She straightened her stockings and adjusted her bra, then trotted across the room to take the gown from Carly's arms and leapt into the bathroom. "Out in a minute!"
"No woman has ever been out in a minute when she's getting dressed," Carly groused, sitting down carefully on the lounge chair by her window. Her gown wrinkled easily and if she showed up at Wyndemere looking like the puppy in those detergent ads, her darling stepsister would find her morning coffee laced with cyanide.
"Don't measure me by your standards!" came the indignant reply from behind the bathroom door.
"Hurry up or the only thing I'll be measuring you for will be coffin size!"
"Jawohl, mein Fuhrer."
"What did you just say?!"
"Nothing," Elizabeth sang out, opening the bathroom door with a flourish to reveal the gown. She twirled once, her arms stretched over her head. "Don't I look pretty? Tell me how much."
"You'd be prettier if your hair didn't look like the nest of an angry beaver," Carly pointed out, pulling her sister over to the vanity. Elizabeth sat with a thump as her stepsister quickly whipped out her curling iron and opened the three drawers filled with various makeup items.
"You paint, I curl," she directed, plugging in the iron as Elizabeth pulled out the foundation and makeup wedges. "Honestly, Elle."
"Oh, the things women do for beauty," the brunette sighed dramatically, smoothing the air-whipped foundation mousse over her cheekbones. "What was that, Carly?"
Her grumbling sister flashed her a sweet smile in the mirror. "Nothing I care to repeat."
Together, it took them almost twenty minutes to make the petite brunette look presentable. By the time they were done, Carly was quite pleased with their handiwork. Her sister's cheeks were blooming with a rich crimson blush that matched her dress but was subtle enough to look almost natural. She had done her eyes up to be smoky and hazy and had slicked on a clear lip-gloss, choosing to leave her lips nude.
Her hair, dark and thick and often barely manageable, cascaded down her back in fat curls and tight ringlets alike. Elizabeth had selected some of Carly's more ornate, Indian-style jewelry to borrow and was snapping a silver-and-garnet choker around her swan-like neck as her sister passed her the matching rings.
"Oh – I hear my phone," Carly muttered, dropping a few bobby pins on the dresser top. "Hurry up, will you? I hate being late."
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Elizabeth snapped, trying to get her hair to look exactly right.
"What are you doing that for?"
"I want it to look…better."
"It looks fine! Normally, you could care less once it's curled and frizz-free. Who're you getting all dolled up for, anyway?"
"The same person who's probably hanging up right now because you're over here yapping?"
"Damn it," the blonde muttered, picking her hem up off the floor and raced over to the living room. "Just hurry, okay?"
Her phone was sitting on the couch and she snatched it up quickly, mildly surprised to see that it was Jason's number that flashed on the screen. "What?"
"Carly?"
"What, Morgan?"
"Is Elizabeth around?"
"Yeah."
"…Can I talk to her?"
The request surprised her, and Carly frowned. "Why? And why didn't you just call her on her own phone?"
"…Carly, I'm talking about Elizabeth."
"Oh. Never mind." Chuckling sheepishly, she brushed a loose tendril of hair back behind her ear. "She's getting ready now, so-"
"Just tell her that it looks like I might be a little late to the Bacchanalian tonight. Nikolas and I are here at Wyndemere right now and we ran into a small problem but I'll be down as soon as I can. Thanks."
With that, Jason hung up and left Carly to stare at her phone in utter bewilderment, wondering what the hell he was talking about and why he thought Elizabeth would care.
"…Elle?"
"Ready!" she cried, running out from the bedroom with her shoes in her hands. "We can go!"
"That was Jason on the phone."
Her stepsister blinked back innocently. "Oh? ELQ stuff?"
"No," Carly replied, slightly confused. "Actually, he wanted to talk to you."
"Me? Why?"
"I don't know," she shrugged, slipping her phone into her purse. "He said to tell you that he and Nikolas were running a little late but he'd be down as soon as he could – as if you'd care."
"Well, that's strange," her sister agreed, sounding slightly too chipper for her own good. Her sapphire eyes twinkled as she slipped on her shoes and then grabbed her sister's elbow, leading her to the door.
"It really is," Carly murmured, absently standing by as the brunette pulled the door open. "I mean, he sounded kind of…he sounded like…"
"Like what, Carly?"
"I don't know, like he thought he was meeting you there – like a date." The thought made Carly laugh, and she didn't notice Elizabeth's telltale smirk. "Oh, man, that's hilarious – the poor deluded kid actually thinks you'd go out with him again. Man, that's totally…Elle?"
Her sister locked the door and dropped the keys in Carly's purse, smirking, and the tall blonde frowned. "Elle? Why aren't you agreeing with me?"
The smirk turned into a full-fledged grin and Carly would have kicked the wall if she wasn't wearing her brand new Vera Wang sandals. "Oh, damn it, Elle!"
.:Spoon Island, Wyndemere, Grand Ballroom:.
Jason Morgan nodded politely at Stefan Cassidine as the older man approached him, drink already in hand.
"Jason," he smiled, shaking the young man's hand firmly. "I didn't expect you down here so soon."
"Nikolas and I finished up a bit sooner than planned," he answered, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Mrs. Lansbury did a good job tonight."
"Didn't she, though?" Stefan mused, looking around the grand ballroom that his housekeeper had arranged to be decorated with large, blooming flowers. "It's such a nice change, isn't it? This old mausoleum benefits greatly from her touch."
Jason smirked against the rim of a glass of scotch that a server had just handed him, nodding. "I think so."
"We're seeing a wonderful crowd tonight," the older man continued, gesturing discreetly to the other guests. "The Quartermaines have arrived, as have the Barringtons and the Jones'. I do believe that your good friend Luke Spencer is scheduled to make an appearance tonight, as well…along with your friend Caroline and Miss Elizabeth Drake."
Jason's smile was sly and knowing as he nudged Stefan with his elbow. "Whatever she gives you tonight – don't drink it."
The older man chuckled, almost sputtering on his cognac. "Yes, yes, I know. I dare say, the last time I allowed that wisp of a girl to freshen my drink, I ended up losing three of my islands! She had the nerve to tell me the next day that she was going to build a giant water park there on one of them and keep the other two for show. The cheeky little thing."
Stefan shook his head, still amused at his tricky little friend and hoping that she would make an appearance, even though an appearance by Elle Drake always seemed to cost him. He patted Jason's shoulder, a familiar gesture, and set his empty glass on a server's tray.
"I'd best be off, seeing to the guests," he excused himself. "Stay as long as you like, Jason – you may spend the night if you wish, if you and Nikolas have more business to see to."
Jason watched as he walked away, heading toward Scott and Dominique Baldwin. Absently, he swirled the ice cubes around in his glass and glanced at his watch, wondering if Carly and Elizabeth planned to make an entrance any time soon.
Jasper Jacks tipped his head at him as Jason moved the back of the room, already feeling awkward at standing out in the open and hoping that some young woman wouldn't take the opportunity to ask him to dance. He slipped past Alexis Davis and nodded at Ned Quartermaine, the lone prodigal son who refused to take part in the family company and instead managed the L&B recording label where Elizabeth's friend Kelly worked.
He spotted the doors leading out to the terrace and considered hiding out there for a while. That way, he'd be able to spot Elizabeth when she arrived and in the meantime wouldn't have to put up with any of the other guests…like the Quartermaines, who happened to be conveniently standing at the bar, right between him and his intended exit.
With a sigh, Jason took a gulp of his drink and weighed his options. If he wanted his freedom, he'd have to run the risk of being spotted by the old man. Still, it seemed a risk worth taking and since their backs were turned as they fixed themselves a drink, it seemed possible.
Jason could hear them talking as he attempted to ease by without being noticed, not that he cared to hear what they were saying. Still, a few words jumped out at him and he couldn't help but linger nearby, trying to catch more.
"These parties are such a bore," Alan sighed, waiting as his drink was fixed. "I don't know why we come."
"Because we work with Nikolas, unfortunately," Monica groused, running a hand through her styled blonde hair. "And snubbing his invitation would be a grave faux-pas."
"I enjoy these parties," Edward announced, puffing out his chest. "I do find them so…valuable. So many wonderful opportunities to be found in this room, hm?"
"Father, what are you talking about?"
"Edward, you look as smug as a bug. What are you planning?"
"Can't an old man come to a social gathering and just expect to have a pleasant time?"
"No," replied his son and daughter-in-law in perfect unison.
"Fine," Edward groused, motioning for the young bartender to hurry it up with his drink. "I'm looking forward to…forging a new alliance this evening."
Jason stepped away and out of sight as Alan and Monica looked over their shoulders, trying to figure out who Edward meant. "Who, Father? We have connections with every family in this room. Who do you mean?"
"I mean, that lovely young lady right over there – with Stefan, see? The one in the red dress with her hair down, like a hippie."
Monica squinted at the pretty brunette kissing Stefan's cheek. "Isn't that Noah Drake's daughter? Elizabeth?"
"That's her," Alan agreed, "Carly's sister. What does she have that you want, Father?"
"Jason," the old man replied with a crafty grin, rewarding his own deviousness with a sip of his white wine.
His son and daughter-in-law gaped at him. "What do you mean, she has Jason? Are they seeing each other?"
Jason almost groaned aloud when Edward's dangerous eyes began to glitter. "It appears that they are – or that they soon will be."
"How do you know this, Father? Jason takes care not to tell you anything."
"Oh, I know that, but the dear boy is slipping. Lila invited him and Nikolas to tea about two weeks ago and that was when I first came to be suspicious of the match."
"How so? What did he say?"
"We were discussing Emily's dog," the old man explained. "I mentioned that she wanted a new pet and that it was to be a Golden Retriever, adopted from the pound. Jason was quick to offer up some information about the dog…and the girl."
Alan and Monica exchanged quizzical glances. "Go on, Edward."
"He mentioned that she had a dog of the same breed, and that he had just seen them the day before. Nikolas inquired into it – saving me the trouble – and Jason said that he had been out when the animal appeared to get loose. Jason chased him down and returned the dog to Elizabeth."
"…And how does that mean anything?"
Edward's eyes were knowing and triumphant all at once. "When was the last time you heard Jason speak of a woman? In front of me?"
Both husband and wife looked at each other, the realization dawning on them. "But, Edward, what are you going to do with her?"
"First, I intend to see if my suspicions are true," the old man replied with a shrug. "If Jason sees her, talks to her, dances with her…well, then, we'll know I'm right. And that's when I'll move in. It will be a good way to…keep tabs on the boy, let's say that."
"Oh?"
"Certainly. We had good relationship with Keesha and Robin," Edward reminded them, "and it worked to our benefit. Thank goodness that horrible Brenda Barrett is no longer in the picture – we never did get on very well. But if we can secure Elizabeth, I'm sure the connection will prove quite profitable in the future."
Jason sighed to himself and pinched the bridge of his nose. This wasn't good at all. No, this was a disaster. He had tried to be discreet during the garden party, but Nikolas wouldn't let things go and the seed of suspicion had already been planted in Edward's twisted mind. And if he thought that he and Elizabeth were an item…that would not mean good things for them in the future.
He stepped away from the large planter, all thoughts of escaping out onto the terrace gone now. He knew what he had to do – dispel Edward's suspicions. It was the only way to keep Elizabeth out of the messy snake-in-the-grass family politics that went on at ELQ; once she was in, there would be no way out for her. Edward would milk her for everything she was worth, and there was no way he was going to let that happen.
Carly glanced over her shoulder when she felt someone sidle up next to her and flashed the cute pianist a fleeting smile. "Hey, you, what's up?"
"Can we go now?"
"Already?"
"Yeah – can we go? Let's ditch this tomb and, I don't know, grab a bite and go shoe-shopping."
"Wait, wait, wait," Carly interrupted, setting her glass down on a server's tray and settling both hands on her sister's shoulders. "You never go shoe-shopping with me. When I ask you to, you tell me you're getting your leg tested for radon. What gives, Elle?"
She glanced sullenly at the other corner of the room then turned away, her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "Nothing. I just want to leave."
"Because…"
"Because the music sucks, the food sucks, and the people suck."
"Huh?"
"Um, first, who the hell likes easy-listening muzak? And what purpose does a harp serve, anyway, except to piss me off? And second, four words about the food: tiny portions, gross sauces. I don't like food that thinks it's better than me, Carly. And…"
"And the people?"
"The people suck."
"Aha," her sister murmured, watching as Elizabeth glanced away again and following her gaze. "Who was mean to you?"
"No one."
"Nuh-uh," she warned, looping her arm through the petite brunette's and taking a turn to look around the room. "Who was mean to you?"
"No one. I'm just tired, hungry, and these damn shoes are killing my feet."
"Woah, woah," the blonde interjected, holding up her hand. "Say what you want about the music, the food and the people but honey, do not – and I mean, do not – rip on the shoes."
Elizabeth glanced down at her feet, wiggling her toes. "Sorry."
"That's okay." Carly tossed her bangs out of her eyes and forced her sister to meet her gaze. "But, hey, Elle, what happened? What happened to getting Stefan drunk and taking pictures of him dancing with a lampshade on his head? What happened to teasing Nikolas about going skinny-dipping?"
"Carly…"
"No, I wanna know," she insisted, settling her hands on her hips. "A few hours ago, you were running around at my place all crazy about your dress and your hair and your makeup. You were so excited to come here and…meet up with your little date, although I don't know why anyone would feel anything but nausea at the prospect of having to meet up with your Mr. Big Fat Happy Sunshine Day Morgan. And now you want to leave? Come on, Elle, what happened?"
The petite brunette crossed her arms over her chest and stuck out her full bottom lip in a sullen pout, looking away, and didn't offer any answers. Frowning, Carly blew her hair out of her eyes and scanned the room, looking for anyone that looked even the slightest bit guilty so that she could march over and ram her stiletto up their nose.
She saw Nikolas talking with Ned, then Luke with his arm draped around a profoundly uncomfortable Stefan's shoulder. Jax met her gaze and smiled hesitantly before turning back to Junior, no doubt discussing their secret love: the cranes in the harbor. Carly frowned, feeling Elle try to push her toward the door, and was about to oblige her sister when her hazel eyes connected with Jason Morgan's.
The connection held for a second before Jason looked away quickly, almost as if flinching from the contact. Edward stood next to him, a hand delicately placed between his shoulder blades, and appeared to be discussing ELQ business with the young man. Carly's lips tightened into a single red line; she knew what had gotten her sister so upset so suddenly.
"Is it Jason?" she asked, feeling her sister stop abruptly at the question. "It's Jason, isn't it?"
"Come on, let's just go, Carly."
"Oh, I knew it. I knew it. Tell me, what did that son of a bitch do? I told him to stay away from you but he couldn't get past his own I'm-Too-Sexy-For-My-Shirt ego to-"
"Carly, forget it. Let's just go."
"Fine," she acquiesced, digging her heels into the floor as Elizabeth tried to push her into the foyer. "On one condition."
The brunette sighed wearily, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. "What?"
"You have to tell me what he did."
"And then we'll leave?"
"And then we'll leave."
"Scout's Honor?"
"I'll do you one better – pinky swear."
"Fine." Elizabeth blew a glossy ringlet out of her face and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "You want to know what Jason did? He basically confirmed everything you've said about him from day one. He's an arrogant, rude, self-centered tight-ass who isn't worth a second of my time. You were right all along, Carly – can we just go now?"
The blonde stood still as the petite brunette stormed off into the foyer, ready to call the launch and escape Wyndemere. Elle's words had surprised her – not only the venom, but the humiliation and sadness. If she didn't know better, she'd have to think that her best friend was deeply hurt by whatever it was that Jason did…as if he actually mattered to her, and more than she let on.
With a heavy, knowing sigh, Carly brushed imaginary dust off her dress and slowly turned on her heel, leaving the grand ballroom.