Author's Note: I really, really should have updated this ages ago. I'm sorry...but life has gotten in the way. Anyway, I'm not sure what to think about this chapter. It's fluff, I guess-and well, I'm drawing upon a couple of my own experiences so...hope you guys enjoy. Read and review, please!
Elizabeth velcroed Cameron's shoes onto him, and walked him up to the lane. With her help, he was able to knock down five pins. After him, Emily went. Her first turn, she didn't get any pins down. Laughing, Cameron sat down next to Elizabeth."Now, Cam...don't pick on Emily. She's trying."
"Yeah...I am. I don't see you up here."
"Oh?...A challenge, huh? What do you think?"She asked, turning to Cameron.
Emily completed her turn only two above Cameron.
Elizabeth then made her approach, taking a quick look back at Cameron who had nestled himself safely beside Jason. He's getting used to him already... She didn't get a strike, but managed to knock down eight pins in total.
Jason went up next, to which Cameron, Elizabeth and Emily cheered on. Silent in making his approach, he got a strike.
"Yay...Mommy, Mister Jason knocked down all of the pins!...Mommy!"Cameron said, clearly amazed.
"I know, sweetie. Come on, why don't we go and get something to drink...are you hungry?"
Elizabeth and Cameron went to place their order at the counter after asking Jason and Emily if they wanted anything, and the evening continued. Their game finished with Jason taking the lead and eventually winning. Elizabeth came in second with Emily and Cameron following.
"Do you guys want to play again?"Jason asked, finding himself having a good time.
"I don't know. Why didn't you tell me you had such talent?"
"Talent?"Jason said, laughing.
"Speaking of talent..."Emily said, pointing to the games area. ''Anyone up for a game of pool?"
Elizabeth laughed nervousily. "I don't know, Em. What's Cameron gonna do?"
"Well they have one of those racing games right next to the table. Come on, it'll be fun."Emily said, hoping to convince her.
For the second time that night, Elizabeth made the decision be Jason's. "I'm game."
Distracted. That was the way to describe Elizabeth. She'd gone up to the table, and managed to knock in a few of the pool balls, but it seemed different. Glancing over at Cameron playing on the racing game, she smiled. He was so happy, he had no clue that his mother was literally driving herself crazy.
"Elizabeth-"Emily called.
"Hmm?"
Putting chalk on her pool stick, Emily laughed. "You're up."
"Oh. Of course."Elizabeth said, positioning herself behind the cue ball. She managed to knock a few balls around, even line a few up for Jason who was up next, but nothing productive. Sighing, she stepped back from the table.
"Hey.."Jason said, walking towards her. "If you're not having a good time, we can leave..."
"No. Jason, I'm fine. We don't have to leave."She insisted, watching him play. She thought back to the times at Jake's to all the times when they'd played against each other. She remembered the look in his eyes, the way he way so focused, leaning over the pool table. Soon enough, Elizabeth found herself staring-Emily noticed, too.
Pretending not to notice, Emily took her turn. "So..Liz, I think we're gonna have to form an alliance against Jason here. Because Seriously-this game is not going the way I planned."
Elizabeth smiled, laughing a little. "Maybe."
"Hey, I dunno about that."Jason warned, watching Cameron walk up to them. "Hey buddy-"He said, kneeling down in front of him. "What's wrong?"
"The game's over."
"Oh. Well do you need more money?"
"Jason, it's fine...he can sit here and watch us for a while."Elizabeth insisted, moving her hair behind her ear.
"Uh-huh. Hey, Elizabeth..can you come with me and get drinks?"Emily said, moving her straw around in her cup. "I need a refill."
Elizabeth looked over at Jason who simply shook his head. "Okay. I'll be right back."
At the counter, it was evident that Emily wanted to say something. "Em...what's going on?"
"I...was about to ask you the same thing. Oh, can I get a refill please?"She asked to the woman behind the counter.
"What do you mean?"
Emily thanked the woman, handed her the money and looked back at Elizabeth. "What's going on between you and Jason? All night there's been this awkward silence thing. Is something going on that I don't know about?"
Elizabeth, clearly shocked by Emily's accusation simply laughed. "Jason and I are friends. You know that."
"Okay."
"What's that supposed to mean? Emily, come on...if anything...happened-I'd tell you."
"So you're admitting-"
"You know what? No."Elizabeth said, suddenly feeling that they were acting like highschool girls. "We're friends. That's it. I mean, yes-we've been talking more lately...but you're the one who asked him to come tonight. Any more questions?"
Emily looked back at her, lett well enough alone. "None at all."
"Come on-"Jason said, turning the wheel sharply.
Cameron giggled, watching Jason try his best to win at racing. "Go, Jason, Go...Go!"
Emily and Elizabeth watched them, silent.
The checkered flag waved across the screen and the sound of arcade music filled the area. "Yay...you won?"Cameron asked, wanting to make sure that it was okay to celebrate.
"Yeah."
"What are you two doing?"Elizabeth asked, walking up next to them.
"Jason helped me play the game...and he won."
"Did he?"Elizabeth asked, happy.
"Uh-huh. Mommy, I'm tired.''Cameron confessed.
"I bet you are. Are you ready to go home?"Elizabeth asked.
Cameron shook his head. "Uh-uh."
"But you just said you were tired. Come on, sweetie. I think we should go home."Elizabeth said, picking him up.
Jason stood up, walking towards her. "Leaving so soon?"
"Yeah...I've gotta get Cam to bed. But maybe we could watch a movie...if he stays awake that long."
Debating on whether or not she was inviting him over, he nodded. "Okay. So, I see you later?"
"Mmm-hmm. Bye, Em...Bye Jason."
"Bye, Jason!"Cameron said, waving excitedly. For a tired kid, he sure wasn't acting tired.
Elizabeth had just put Cameron to bed when she heard a knock on the door. Not thinking, she went to open the door. "Hi."
"Hey. Cameron uh-he forgot his toy at the bowling alley. I thought I'd bring it by."Jason said, standing in the doorway.
For the first time, she became aware of the fact that she was standing in her pajamas. Sure, it was only a pink tank top and a pair of old scrubs (she wasn't in the mood to find anything), but it was Jason. Swallowing, Elizabeth took the car from him. "Thanks."
Pointing to her outfit, Jason laughed, embarassed. "Sorry. I should have called."
"You live across the hall, you don't have to call."
"Yeah. Well-"Jason said, not wanting to leave, but not wanting to make the moment seem awkward.
"Did...Emily talk to you?"
"About what?"He asked.
Looking down at the ground, Elizabeth felt herself blush. "It's nothing. Anyway, thanks...I just put him to bed...but I'll give it to him."
Jason nodded. "I had a great time. I'm kinda glad Emily dragged me along."
She laughed. "Me too. I'm glad you came."
He's quiet. Why? And he's...he's smiling. Why is Jason smiling? She thought to herself. The hallway fell silent, neither of them wanting to leave. Silently, slowly, they moved closer together. It happened quickly, but neither of them tried to stop it. Jason's hand reached towards her cheek, pulling her closer. Elizabeth's hands found his shoulders. Slowly, their lips came together, in a way that was unsure, but at the same time felt right. Linking her hands around his neck, Elizabeth sighed, content. Her forehead rested on his, silent.
"Jason-"She whispered.
"Shh.."He said, pulling her into another kiss.
It was all Elizabeth needed to hear. Suddenly it didn't matter if anyone was watching, or how much time had passed. She was comfortable, and so was he. And in that moment, it was all that mattered.
Please don't hate me. Really. I'm not sure how much I like this chapter, the whole bowling alley thing came out kinda corny. And Jason coming to Liz's at the end, just to give back a toy? Well, that part was actually believeable. And the kiss(es)...I knew that's how I wanted to end this chapter. That, and I have been feeling all emotional lately (and I was kinda listening to Edwin McCain's "I'll Be"-can ya blame me?) Amyway, I apoligize for taking sooo long. I'm doing massive updating within the next week or so (well, not exactly massive, but i'm updating everything, especially the stuff I've been neglecting.
Oh, and I started a new fic on The Canvas. Hee! LOL, I'm so happy. It's called "Unexpected Connections"-I should have an update to that this weekend. Anyway, hope you liked. Thank you SO much for reading now...review, please!