"So," she said not wanting to meet his gaze, "what happens now?"

Jason swallowed a lump in his throat, then turned his head slowly to wear Elizabeth was standing. She was facing the door, her back to him.

There were so many times when they were in this position, where they could tell each other exactly where they stood and what they felt for each other. Each time, however, both of them would cover. He was putting a stop to that right then and there. Today was the day that truth was to be told. He spent so many years denying the one thing he truly wanted: that was over.

He walked over to her and gently touched her shoulder. She turned slowly, nerves and anxiety taking over her body. When she looked up at him, however, his eyes held a hope in them that she never quite saw before.

He looked deep into her eyes and took her hand, gently running his thumb over the top.

"Now we figure out what comes next."

Elizabeth nodded, unable to move her eyes from his gaze.

"How do we know what that is?"

He slid a piece of her hair behind her ears with his free hand, his knuckles softly grazing her cheek.

"We finally just listen to our hearts."

A tear ran down Elizabeth's cheek. Hope spread through her whole being at his words. She closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again. It was time to let it all out, and deal with what is to come. A small, mischievous smile graced her lips.

"Okay, you first."

A chuckle escaped his lips at her challenge. He knew it was only fair, though. She had already told him once that she loved him, even though it was followed up by all the reasons they could never be. It was his turn to let it all hang out, so to speak.

He took a deep breath and looked down at the floor. He just wanted to collect his thoughts. He needed for this to come out right. He knew he wasn't good with words, but with her he was downright pitiful.

"I never had the ability to really ever tell you what you mean to me. I told you once there were no words for what I feel for you, and that is partly true. I just didn't know how to express it back then. The past few years, I kind of suppressed everything I felt for you, because then I could move on. It was always there though. You have been a constant in my life, even when you and I weren't really talking. Last summer was a tough one for both of us, but we supported each other, and I got my best friend back. You stuck up for me, you listened to me, and you were there for me. My life seemed better because you were a part of it."

He paused and took her other hand, pulling her to the couch. He was nervous, and needed to regroup. Sitting back on the cushions, he turned to face her, his hands still holding on to hers. Looking down on their intertwined hands, he continued.

"The night you came to me, we were in the same place. We leaned on each other. But it was so much more than that for me. That night brought me the one thing I'd always wanted, but never thought I could have; you. I know we said it was just for that night, but ever since then, even when I thought you were carrying Lucky's baby, I wanted it to be more than that one night. That's part of the reason I could never really reconnect with Sam. Part of me was still there, in that night, with you in my arms." He fought back tears. "I love you, Elizabeth. I want to be with you, not just because of Jake, because you are who I want in my life. I want to be a father to my son and Cameron, if you'd let me. He's a great kid, and he deserves the best. I want to be a family, the four of us. My life is still dangerous, but I will do everything I can to protect all of you. I need you, Elizabeth. I never realized just how much until recently." He looked up from their hands to her face, which was drenched with tears. She was silently sobbing. His heart broke at the sight, and he reached up to wipe some of the tears from her cheek.

"Don't cry, Elizabeth. I hate it when you cry." He was fighting off his own tears as he watched her.

She shook her head and smiled softly, one of her hands slipping out of his to cup his cheek.

"Jason, I never thought I'd hear you say so much at one time. I am the one who rambles." They both laughed softly for a moment, and then she turned serious again. "The one thing I've always wanted was to just know I had a small place in your life. Being your friend, it seemed like enough for a while. I had once again, listened as everyone else dictated to me what I should do and who I should be with. I thought Lucky was the safe choice, but I was wrong." She paused a moment, breathing in and out slowly, trying to keep her composure. "As we both just recently learned, danger is everywhere. We are just as safe with you as we would be with anyone else really. Your life and how you live it, well that was my excuse. I always had faith that you would keep me and the boys out of danger. It was my heart that I was trying to protect. That night we created Jake, was also the night that my feelings for you came back to me, all at once. It seemed to hit me in the face. I tried to control it, I tried to deny it, but I couldn't. I saw how much you loved Sam, though, so I tried to put all those feelings aside, because all I've ever wanted for you was to be happy. I thought remarrying Lucky would free you from any obligation you felt for me." The tears started flowing freely. "I can't do it anymore. I'm not going to sacrifice my life for someone else's and I'm not going to deny what I've been feeling for so many years." She took her other hand from his grasp and held the other cheek. Moving her head close to his, her thumbs caressing his face softly, she looked into his eyes, her voice filled with confidence, "I love you, Jason Morgan. I want to be a family with you, Cam, and Jake. Cameron would be a very lucky boy to have you as a father to him. He would know what loyalty and trust really is. They will both know that there will always be someone who is there for them, no matter what. You are my safe place. I'm done doing everything for everyone else. This time I'm going to be selfish and take what I want. I want to be with you too."

Jason laughed, looking down, tears filling his eyes.

"Finally, we agree on something."

Elizabeth laughed, a full rich laugh, one that hadn't been heard from her in a long, long time. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close as they cried, not from heartache, for the freedom they felt in each other's arms.

Jason pulled back just a bit to capture her lips in a soft kiss, both savoring the moment. As he pulled back from the kiss, she grabbed the back of his head, kissing him with all the pent-up passion she'd had held in since that hot August night, and he responded in kind.

The pair broke apart only when air became an issue.

His hands ran down her long hair behind her, her hands running up and down his chest seductively.

"You know, Gram has the boys. Spinelli is out, most likely following Lulu around."

Jason nodded, liking where she was headed.

She moved to slide into his lap, wrapping her arms tighter around his neck, then layed her head on his shoulder, softly kissing the warm flesh of his neck, and nibbling on his ear as she spoke.

"Why don't we get reacquainted?" She nipped at the bottom of his lobe softly, causing him to groan.

"I love the sound of that." Without warning he stood up with her in his arms, causing her to squeal in delight. He walked around the couch and placed her on the edge of the pool table, standing between her legs. He held her by her hips, her legs wrapping around his waist. He looked deep into her eyes, his voice raspy.

"I love you Elizabeth."

"I love you too, Jason."