Chapter 2

It had been way too long since he had laid eyes on Elizabeth Webber. Her hair was longer, but everything else in his memory was true; her porcelain skin, her plush lips… her body. She looked good. His heart ached.

The moment Jason heard her say she was heading to Jake's he planned to go. He needed to see her, wanted to talk to her, but wasn't sure she would feel the same way. Sliding into the driver's seat of his black Escalade, he drummed his thumbs against the steering wheel as he replayed the events for the umpteenth time.

She broke up with you, he reminded himself. She ended things. She moved out of the penthouse.

He could still hear her words echoing in his ears and slicing through him.

You are Sonny's enforcer. First, last, and always. I hope it's enough.

The way she looked at him was burned into his mind's eye. When she confronted him for keeping the truth about Sonny's "death" a secret, she accused him of trampling her trust and ruining their chance to be together. He had never wanted to hurt her, it was business. But he knew he had, and he couldn't tolerate that after everything they had been through to get to that point he'd lost her…so he left.

Port Charles felt the same, like an old comfortable boot. He guessed coming home always did. Hell he'd been born here…twice. He wondered if his memories were more powerful as a 9-year old adult instead of an average 32-year old man. Is that why he could so vividly remember her smell, the exact blue of her eyes, the timbre of her voice, the feel of her hands? Not as much junk to dilute it?

Jason cracked his knuckles and rubbed his neck. He felt a tad ridiculous. In fact, he felt like a stalker, but he could not stop himself.

The reconnaissance work was straightforward enough. She was no longer waiting tables at Kelly's and was now a nurse at GH. She had moved from her studio into a one-bedroom apartment closer to the hospital. He imagined the old brick building with large paned-glass windows provided plenty of natural light for painting.

He did not ask Max for any other details, didn't want to tip his hand too much. He had always kept his feelings for Elizabeth closely guarded and he wasn't about to stop now.

Looking at his watch, he scowled…nearly midnight. She had gone inside exactly 213 minutes ago – make that 214. He watched from the dark, damp alley as patrons entered and exited the joint. But there was no sign of Elizabeth.

A beer, or two…hundred, and a game of pool were just what he needed, but he was not ready to spring himself on her just yet. No, he would just stand there, shuffling his feet, listening to the sound of gravel under his boots and watching the dive's front door like some creep…but he would make sure she got home okay.

Calling himself stupid, he shook his head. She had likely been to Jake's for a Friday night out a hundred times since he'd been gone, and made it home each and every time without his assistance. Old habits die hard he decided as he pushed his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

The bar door swung open and Jason observed a tall, dark-haired male step directly under the street light. He was laughing and holding out his hand toward the threshold.

Jason's heart stopped cold in his chest…that laughter. Her laughter. Jason watched an arm extend from the darkness and a female hand enter his. The guy pulled her playfully and out she fell, crashing against his chest with a giggle.

God she was beautiful…but who the hell was that?

Time slowed way, way down as Jason watched her in his arms. She tossed her head to the side, chocolate tresses sliding over her shoulder and down her back, and she graced him with one dazzling smile.

"Man, you suck at pool E," Jason heard him say.

He sounds like a chick…E? Who's E?

"Well, should I blame it on the shots of tequila? Which tasted like ass by the way. Who actually drinks tequila?" she questioned. "Or my teacher? Who obviously couldn't teach for shit because I am an excellent student."

Jason grimaced.

"Oh, you're an excellent student are you? Well, maybe there's a thing or two I can teach you, because I," he stressed, "am an excellent teacher."

Jason glared at him from the shadows and began to plot his demise.

"You two need to get a room," Emily shouted as she exited Jake's with some guy Jason didn't recognize. He had really missed his sister, but right now he had an overwhelming desire to duck tape her mouth shut.

"Sounds like a plan." Jason cringed at the sound of the falsetto voice that filled the air.

"Well then, Ryan…take me home," Elizabeth said dramatically.

Is she drunk? When did she start getting drunk?

"As you wish my sweet Elizabeth," that guy responded.

Jason felt the muscles in his jaw working overtime.

Oh, he was definitely going to die.