Thanks to everyone who reviewed this story. I was amused when someone asked me to try and write a story about this time period because I was a huge watcher at this point. As for Prodigal, I have a hard time working on it, I have tried though. I just have such a loathing for Nik right now, that I can't write him as nice. I end up making him a loser whenever I have to use him.
I liked this time period. Sonny was a halfway decent character, Carly was love to hate and Lucky was well, only mentioned and not on screen.
Chapter 2
AJ Quartermaine looked at his brother, angry, sad and yet at the same time he felt elated and horrified. Going with the first emotion, he told his brother. "Stand up."
"What?" asked Jason as he did what his brother asked then was soon knocked on his rear.
"You deserved that, your stupid asshole." growled the older blond. "What were you thinking? Or were you even thinking beyond sleeping with that tramp?"
Standing, Jason rubbed his jaw then said. "I haven't' sleep with Carly since before any of this happened. In spite of what she has been saying to people."
AJ looked at him and asked. "Do you realize the time you have stolen from my son, from me? Did you ever think that maybe it might have been reason for me to get my head out of my ass even sooner?"
"A baby shouldn't be used as a reason to get clean." he said to his older brother, "Nor should he be used to win something, including respect from Edward."
With a caustic laugh, AJ had to admit that part would have been true at the time of Michael's birth but now it was totally different. "I want to see my son, then we are going to figure out how to work him into my household. Do you have any idea how much this is going to confuse him. He is calling you daddy and now to hear that I am his father..."
Jason held up his hand and said. "He doesn't call me daddy. He calls me JaJa."
Looking at his brother, AJ said in disgust. "Why now? Or should I answer that question for you? You want to punish Tony Jones for what he did and know that it will look better if I am found out to be his dad."
"No, and yes. I want Tony Jones punished for what he did but at the same time, that isn't why I did this. I lied originally to give Carly time to bond with Michael, she hasn't done so. She spends all the time I give her with him, trying to get me to marry her or is telling others how I am going to do so. She wants money and me in that order. She is going to get neither." he said tired of the games.
"Carly." he said scoffing as he looked at his little brother. "So you want to pawn the harpy off on me."
"I was trying to keep her away." he replied then added. "She hasn't bonded with Michael, she hasn't even tried. Yesterday she was in court for the end of her community service, Alexis told me how she reacted and I knew... I knew that unless I put a stop to her nonsense she was going to try and drag me down with her."
AJ stood, pacing as he thought about it. Claire knew of his history with Carly as well as that there had been DNA tests ran. She was fairly level headed but how was she going to feel about their having to deal with Carly for the next eighteen years. She already disliked... crap... Looking at his brother, he glared and said. "Why did it take you two months to figure out that Carly wasn't going to bond with Michael, I heard what happened at Kelly's in May. Why would you give her so many chances?"
"Because I thought that no mother, no woman would react to their child like that. She was pretending to my face but the guards were telling me that when I wasn't around, and it was just her and Mikey she would leave him with Leticia."
"That might have been the better choice." said AJ then looking at his brother announced. "I would like to see my son as my son for the first time, then I need to have a talk with my wife. You get your attorney and I will have Justus hammer out an agreement in how we move my son home."
Jason felt sick after agreeing to meet AJ with Michael later that day as he sat there. Standing, he left by the French doors, knowing he had done the right thing even if his heart was feeling a hole where Michael had claimed his spot.
Hurrying away, he was at Jake's when he saw Elizabeth Webber walking in with a bag. "Jake, where are you?"
The older woman came out and said. "Thank you my dear. I really just needed a bowl of hot chili."
Elizabeth wiped her brow and said. "It's ninety degrees out."
"It heats up my insides so that the outside doesn't feel as hot." confided the bar owner as she paid the younger girl and gave her a tip. "Are you done for the day?"
"Yes, thank goodness. I don't know what it is about the heat but I swear they were drinking the coffee like crazy today." she replied then took the bottle of root beer that was being handed to her. Turning, she saw Jason looking a bit sick and asked. "Are you okay?"
"Fine." he said not wanting to tell anybody the news until AJ had talked to his wife. "I was just stopping in to check on Jake."
After a few more minutes, Elizabeth drained her root beer and was leaving at the same time as Jason. "I uh, heard you were getting married, congratulations."
"What?" he asked then growled "I am not marrying Carly. Where did you hear about it?"
"Bobbie, she seemed excited by the news." she replied a bit confused.
"Carly Benson and I are not nor are we ever getting married." he said firmly. "If there was an exact opposite of what I want in my future, she is it."
"But she is Michael's mother." Elizabeth pointed out.
Jason wanted to tell her the truth but thankfully his phone rang and he hurried off after showing her the ringing phone. Hopping onto his bike, he grimaced at what AJ was saying but agreed with his plan.
When he arrived at the cottage, he entered just as AJ and Claire pulled up. They were very serious as they entered the house while Leticia was carrying Michael down the stairs. "Jason, Carly called, she asked me to bring Michael over, is that okay with you?"
"No, I will let her know that however." he said as the nanny passed the little boy to him. Michael was holding out his hands trying to clench at his shirt saying "JaJa-JaJa-Ja-Jas."
He saw the moment AJ looked at the little boy and for the first time really saw his own son. Jason's hands were shaking as he handed the little boy to him then sat down on the sofa, his heart breaking like he knew it would. Watching as his brother bonded with his son, he looked at Claire and said. "I am sorry about this."
"I get how and why this happened. I don't like it on his behalf but I do get it. I only wish that you weren't pawning his mother off on us as well." she added dryly. "What happens next?"
"Like AJ and I discussed, we will slowly assimilate Michael into your house, if that is what you want." he said feeling tired.
"What about his illness from last year, was there any lasting affects or medicines we need to know about?" asked AJ from where he was freeing his nose from the toddler's hands.
"No, he is healthy, but we do need to discuss a few things. Leticia for one. She has been the one constant in his life besides me." he said holding his breath.
"We talked about that on our way here." said Claire. "If she is willing we would like her to continue working for us after we are done with the transfer. With two children under the age of three, it is going to be a handful."
AJ looked up from the little boy with the brown eyes and said. "I informed grandfather that I am going to start working less, he blustered but backed down when I said I wanted to spend more time with my family. I didn't tell him about this, not yet. We are going to tell Alan and Monica first, then grandmother before the rest of the family. I know you aren't fond of them, but I would like you to be there so we can present a united front. We tell them that I understand, I do but at the same time I want to hit you again every time I think about it. That you were doing what was best for Michael because of Carly."
Claire continued. "With Carly being Michael's mother they will be understanding of the why. I also want to talk to you about her, but not when Michael is around. We need to have an open and honest discussion about this woman that this little boy no matter how young doesn't need to hear."
"Tony Jones' trial is tomorrow, I would like to do this afterwords." said AJ.
As they left, AJ saw Jason holding Michael and while he was still angry at his brother, Claire's words on the drive out there were sticking in his head, and he said to his wife. "You are right, I just worry because he wants nothing to do with the Quartermaines."
Kissing her husband's cheek, she said. "Maybe Michael is the way that your family bridges the gap between them."
Carly was ready to head into court, her plans already in place after a visit from Jason the night before where he had informed her that there was no them, that they were not getting married and that she was going to have to start working soon. Feeling the bulge in her purse, she sat down wiping tears as they led Tony Jones into the room.
Glaring at the dark haired girl sitting behind him, she was certain that Robin was the reason that Jason was acting the way he was. There was no way she was losing the man she loved to that pasty faced twit. Speaking of twits, she glared when Emily Quartermaine and her tag-a-long Elizabeth Webber entered the courtroom.
It was their fault that this had almost blown up in her face. They recalled seeing Tony with a baby carrier the day before the kidnapping. If they had kept their mouths shut for just one more day, Jason would have been hers, she had already seen him softening towards her while their son was missing.
Jason entered the court room and saw AJ nod at him letting him know that Monica and Alan had been informed of what was going on. Seeing Robin sitting behind Tony Jones pissed him off. Yes what Carly had done to him was wrong, but that didn't make it right for the man to kidnap an innocent child. Carly stood and created a scene, as she throw herself into his arms. Slowing setting her down, he sat next to her while the rest of the courtroom filled up.
Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Jones was ordered to get treatment with a shrink and Carly stood screaming at him. When she pulled out the gun, Jason tried to wrestle it away from her, only to get shot himself and for couple of innocents to get shot as well. Elizabeth Webber and Maxie Jones who at the age of twelve had snuck into the courtroom wanting to know what was going on.
As they were rushed to the hospital, the defendant ironically was one of the medical personal treating the wounded, Carly was once again being arrested. As she screamed for Jason to help her, she saw the blood and knew that she had killed him.
Stopping fighting, she was soon led to the cell by Taggert who said "I told you two months ago to get away and stay away from Morgan. What is it with you."
At GH, Audrey arrived in the ER just as Elizabeth was brought in. When she learned it was only a scrap, that Maxie Jones had taken the worst of it, she hugged her granddaughter and sat down to cry. Standing, she looked around and saw Sonny Corinthos. Walking over the elderly woman glared at him. Meanwhile Emily who was worried about her best friend and her brother moved over.
"Mrs. Hardy, this has nothing to do with the mob."
With a glare at the young woman she said. "I know that. I just want to know where those guards he had assigned to you and Elizabeth were?"
Looking like a fish out of water, Sonny finally just asked. "How did you know?"
"Mr. Corinthos, I know that you think as the resident gangster you are the smartest person in the room, well be assured you aren't. I have seen those men right here in this ER a time or two and am well aware that my granddaughter and Emily have had guards since the night my granddaughter was attacked. What I want to know is where were they today?"
"Outside, they were waiting outside the room." he announced then said. "I am sorry, I wasn't expecting Carly to get a gun inside."
Looking at Mac Scorpio Audrey started to approach him but soon heard what Dr. Armitage told him. "Maxie is going to be fine. The bullet went into the fleshy part of her thigh. She is going to be in pain for a bit but she will recover just fine."
Nodding, Mac thanked the man then turned to Taggert who had entered the area. "What happened?"
"Carly conned one of the bailiffs to let her in through the judge's door claiming to want to avoid the press. But that isn't why I am here. We ran the gun she had."
"Was it Morgan's?"
"No, it belonged to Tony Jones' brother. It was a police issue gun from when he lived at the Brownstone."
Monica came out of Jason's surgery and announced. "He is going to be a sick man for a couple of weeks but he will be fine. The bullet didn't hit anything important. Mac, here."
Taking a look at the bullet and recalling all that had gone on, he said. "I think that the bullets had to have been in the gun all this time. They misfired."
As night fell, AJ had talked Jason into allowing Leticia to bring Michael over to his new place and had stopped in to see his brother. He had even managed to be polite to Sonny Corinthos who was still reeling from hearing that Audrey Hardy had known about the guards.
Jason had tried discretion when asking about Maxie and more importantly about Elizabeth but had failed miserably. Monica had taken pity on her son in spite of being confused about the Michael situation, and told him the younger girl had been released and was home with her grandmother for the night.
"I thought she was staying at the mansion." he said with a frown.
"She does normally but unfortunately Edward overheard about Michael and got into an argument with AJ who was furious with his complaining about you in front of Michael. Elizabeth tends to avoid the arguments and spends those nights with Audrey." Monica loved having Jeff's daughter around and really hated when she wasn't there. Emily and she made her days and more of her nights with their antics and complaints about not finding love yet.
Francis watched through the picture window as Elizabeth and her grandmother spent most of the night talking, laughing and finally falling asleep at two in the morning. Calling his boss he gave him the update then asked. "What do you want me to do about Miss Benson?"
Jason thought about it then said. "Let the courts deal with her. Alexis is going to represent her, she said that she would do it whether or not I approved so I am staying out of it."
Waiting a few minutes, he finally asked. "Are you sure she is okay?"
"She is fine, Morgan." he said hanging up on his boss, turning to Johnny he said. "When is the earliest open day on the sheet?"
"September 1st, why?"
"Put me down, I think he isn't going to be able to keep hiding it that long." he replied. "The more important part is what do you think is going on with her?"
"She hasn't a clue." said Johnny laughing. "But I think there might be something there, just that she is so naive she doesn't have any idea what is really going on."
Emily was visiting Jason when she heard the quiet knock on the door. Letting in Robin, she said. "I have to go, but stop over to the house, I am sure that my parents would be glad to see you."
Robin smiled at the younger girl, she was hoping to talk to Jason, to explain that she now understood what the lies had been about. "How are you feeling?"
"Better, but why are you here, Robin?" he asked. "After testifying for Tony, what do you think I would forgive you."
"He made a terrible mistake. Really Jason, you know how Carly is, can't you see she drove him to do this."
"No, I don't see that. If he had kidnapped Carly, I would understand but Michael is an innocent victim."
"Seriously, I get why you lied, with what AJ was going through, but that is all over. We can get our lives back." she said sitting down. "Do you remember the last time you were in a hospital bed and I was at your bedside?"
Looking at her, he said. "Yes, I do. Amazing how much has changed since then. Robin, why don't you go check on Maxie, I believe we have already had this discussion once. I meant what I said then. We are done and I have feelings for someone else."
"Jason, you don't need to lie anymore. See I was paying attention. I know that Carly was the only woman in your life, that the only other females around have been Leticia and your sister and her friend. And I know you well enough to know that Leticia isn't someone you would be interested in."
Closing his eyes, he then opened then and said. "You were spying on me?"
"No, I mean, I asked around. Bobbie, your mother, even Alexis. They all said you weren't seeing anyone."
"Just because I haven't been seen publicly doesn't mean I am not seeing anyone, Robin. Now I suggest you head back to Paris, we are done and have been for over two years."
Standing at the door, she looked at him in disappointment before saying. "Someday, Jason Morgan, you are going to forgive yourself for the mistake you made with Carly and come looking for me, I might not be waiting if it takes too long."
When she had left, Jason thought about it then made a call. Telling Sonny what was going on, he asked if the Cuban was still talking to Brenda. "No, she didn't hear anything from me, she might be telling the truth. Remember those women saw her grow up, they like Robin and wouldn't see anything wrong with answering her questions."
It was now the beginning of September and Jason was recovered and living at Jake's. Watching Elizabeth leaving Kelly's, he saw her face and asked. "Are you okay?"
Thinking on the letter from her parents and their response to her question she was not in the mood to talk because she was afraid she would tell someone what had been written. "No, yes I don't know. I have to go."
Arriving at her grams, knowing Emily was busy with her grandfather that evening and Audrey was working, Elizabeth went up to the room kept ready for her and tossed the letter down on the bed then herself across it diagonally as she tried to figure out how to pay for college.
She had always believed that there was a trust fund set up for that, one from her paternal grandfather Webber only to be told it was only for if she studies medicine. Picking up the note, reading the last paragraph, she burned at the admonishments enclosed, the part where her mother told her she was ashamed for Elizabeth to be her daughter particularly hurting her.
No matter what she did or how much others might like her or even love her, it killed the young girl to know that her own mother believed her to be a waste of space. Standing, angry, she went to her closet and thought, they want ashamed, she would give them ashamed.
Walking into Jake's, she felt a shiver run down her spine but she was too angry too upset to care as she went to the bar and tried to order a drink from the bartender there. When he gave her the fruity concoction, she turned to look at the pool players and was relieved to see that Emily's brother wasn't there.
"Hello sweet cakes!" said the man at her side leering at her,. "Want to dance."
Looking him over, she sneered "No."
She missed seeing the man considering taking the blond up on her offer. It had been months since he had had sex and he was worried about his control around a certain young woman. At least having sex with the barfly would take the edge off somewhat. He heard the sound of a fight then turned to see Elizabeth dealing with one of the dockworkers.
"Well, I say we dance." he said grabbing Elizabeth's arm and trying to pull her out on the floor.
"Go away, go find some stupid blond bimbo and convince her to dance and then go home with you later, I am not interested." she said looking at him. "Now go away."
"You can't talk to me like that, do you know who I am?" he asked as he pressed up on her.
"The loser who is going to be eating from a tube in your throat if you don't back off." she said getting a thrill from picking the fight with this jerk.
Looking her up and down, then reaching out to touch her, the drunk felt his hand get crushed and turning he saw Jason Morgan and whimpered. "Sorry, I thought you had a thing for the blonds. I didn't know this one was your territory."
"Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" he asked his eyes never leaving her while the guy was now on his knees begging for mercy.
"I was dealing with this, just fine until you came along." she said then ordered him to let the man go. "We were having a calm discussion about his wanting to dance and my wanting to be left alone."
Looking at her doubtfully, he turned to the man and said. "Get out of here and don't come back."
When Elizabeth went to protest, he said. "Not a word out of you."
"Jason, I thought we were going upstairs..." said the whiny blond behind him.
Turning he looked at her and saw the disgust on Elizabeth face and thought to himself she was right. The bar fly had been his first chance in weeks to deal with the hunger the need he had for the young woman in front of him. But she was clearly little more than an unpaid hooker who under normal circumstances he might have tried to help instead of settling to screw her.
"Obviously, plans changed." he said only for the blond to glare at Elizabeth and then say "She looks like she belongs on Courtland Street."
Deciding if one fight wouldn't do another would work just as well, she said. "Well my guess is you know Courtland Street very well. So, what is the going rate for your mother anyhow?"
The blond gasped while Jason just closed his eyes wondering what was up with the usually sweet and kind Elizabeth Webber. "You tramp how dare you talk to me that way. I will have you know that I am about to graduate from Beauty College."
"Really, good for you. Maybe then the hookers won't have to do their own hair anymore. Was the rather misbegotten color on your head a mistake or is it supposed to be bleach blond."
"Elizabeth-" growled Jason in warning.
"What, I asked a simple question of the simple minded fool." she said only for Jason to growl enough.
"No, it's not enough. You had better say you are sorry." said the blond as she put her hands on her hips.
"Oh, okay. I am sorry that you made a mistake in class the day you learned how to color your hair, maybe next time you can ask for help on your assignment. Bozo the clown does a good reliable dye job." said Elizabeth then feeling herself being picked up and tossed over Jason's shoulder, she kicked at him and said. "Put me down."
Grunting when her knee connected with his chest bone, he slapped her rear and said. "No, now behave."
Walking out the door, he stood her next to his bike and forced his helmet on her head. "Be quiet until we are someplace where you can let this out. I don't know what is going on with you, but enough is enough."
When she went to protest, she found herself in front of him on the bike and he told her to behave or he would spill them. "Let me go."
Arriving out in the country, he stopped in the middle of no where and lifted her then himself off the bike. "What is going on with you and why are you dressed like that?"
Looking down at the tight leather pants and white lace shirt that showed more than it concealed she kicked at the dirt in her heels and said. "Do you ever wish you were never born, do you ever feel like you are nothing?"
Jason could hear the pain in her voice, the hurt that seemed to be driving her to hurt herself. "Yes, I have felt like nothing. When I woke up after my coma, there was this emptiness, then this anger. It was what led me to the mistakes I made afterwords."
Seeing her looking at him with interest, he continued. "I wrecked things, I train surfed, I went to work for Sonny out of a need to hurt myself. A need to feel something anything even pain. Who caused this?"
Seeing she wasn't going to answer, he pulled her into his arms and let her cry then said. "Talk to me Elizabeth."
Wiping her tears, and sniffling, she said. "My family, I was always the unwanted child, the bad seed. I just... I always wanted them to love me like they did Sarah or Steven. But that never happened.. I would work hard to get good grades in school then would be told well next year try to do better on your penmanship, after all Sarah had good grades and her writing is beautiful, or I would be told to behave better after all Sarah was a model of good behavior."
Hearing him snort on that one, she giggled at first then said soberly. "That was part of the problem, no matter how mean or rotten Sarah was, they never saw it. She would steal my stuff, tell lies about me, even ruin my homework but they never saw it. Now, this, now they ..."
As she held back the tears, he was vowing to make them pay then heard the next bit as she explained about the trust fund for school and how it was only for studying medicine. "I read the paperwork, when I received last year from Grandpa Lars attorney, I don't recall it saying anything about medical school but my dad is refusing to release it."
"Come with me." he said gently as he helped her back on the bike. Driving fast as they returned to Port Charles he could feel her arms wrapped tightly around him and worried he was scaring her slowed down only for her to ask shyly if he could speed up again, saying she had enjoyed the feeling of the wind in her face.
Chuckling he did as she requested then drove straight to the towers, hoping that Alexis didn't mind being woke up. "Come with me, there is someone I want you to talk to."
On the fifteenth floor, he knocked on the door for his old penthouse after grimacing as he realized it was almost eleven o'clock. "Jason, what is it?"
Seeing Alexis standing there, her hair on her head and a pencil sticking out, he said. "We need to talk."
The attorney looked between the teenager she knew her boss had feelings for and him then said. "I hope this isn't what I think it is."
Sitting down, he told Elizabeth to repeat what she had told him. The woman looked at Elizabeth then asked for her to bring over a copy of the paperwork the next day. "It doesn't matter."
"What do you mean?" asked Jason frowning.
"It's too late, I had to make my payment for classes today. I am almost certain my mother did this deliberately." she said choking as she admitted her family's secrets. "She hates me."
Wanting to assure her, that there was no way her mother hated her, Jason saw Alexis stopping him and let it go for now. "Why don't I run you home."
"No, I can call a cab, you have helped me enough." she said thanking Alexis then impulsively hugging Jason then kissing his cheek. "Thank you for trying though."
"Elizabeth, still bring the paperwork over, even if it isn't possible to get you enrolled this semester, I still should check it over so that you can attend next year."
"Alexis I can't afford your rates." she said blushing. "Thanks but I can just take it to a legal aid lawyer, Tammy down at the diner offered to recommend one before for something else."
"I will do it pro bono, I really don't like the way your parents did this, so for me, bring it over so that I don't have to go to the dusty basement of the courts and have them get me a copy from probate court."
Jason quietly followed Elizabeth out, insisting she let him give her a ride home. "Okay, but you better take to the Quartermaine's. Grams is probably at her house by now and if she sees this outfit, she will have a heart attack."
Finding his eyes once again drawn to the long legs that were very apparent as well as the white silky bra showing through the lace shirt, Jason swallowed and missed hearing what she was saying but panicked when he figured out what she wanted.
"Uh that is a very bad idea." he said then when she asked why, he tried to come up with a reason, but could only walk over to the bike and place the helmet he found there on her head while his mind answered the question with because I have a hard on and don't want to scare the crap out of you.
At the Hardy house, the next morning, Audrey went to see if Elizabeth had spent the night, instead she found clothes on it like she had changed there. Picking them up, folding them, she saw the letter from Carolyn. Curious, she read it then mildly swearing called Lee Baldwin. "I am sorry Audrey, but unless Jeff changes his mind, there is nothing I can do. However you are correct, when Lars wrote that it was not strictly for medical school."
Calling over to the Quartermaines, she asked to speak to Elizabeth only to be told that she had left with Alexis Davis who had shown up early that morning. Wondering what was up with that, then looking at the letter, Audrey decided to to head over to see the attorney after getting her address from Lila.
Meanwhile Jason had told Sonny what the Webbers had done and the mobster made a quick trip to PCU, an hour later, Elizabeth was ecstatic when she checked in at home and heard what the dean of students had told Emily. Shouting in excitement, she hugged Alexis and told her the good news. "I have a scholarship, I am all set. My parents can take this and well... you get the picture."
Sure that said scholarship came from Corinthos/Morgan, she just returned the excited teenagers hug then looked at the law clerk and taking the offered papers left. "Now what?"
"Oh my god, I have to get supplies and my books and well... figure out what to do about a studio. Then there is work, I have to talk to Bobbie. Well she knew I was going to school, but I still have to work out a schedule with her."
Hurrying home, she saw her grams and hugging her gave her the great news. "Anyhow, I have to meet Emily, you know how much she loves to shop."
When she had left, Audrey looked down at the paperwork in her hands and laughed deciding that she would arrange for the studio since Elizabeth didn't need the money she was going to give her. Still not happy, she placed a call to Jeff telling him to call her back immediately before leaving to see what was available that would work as an art studio for her young granddaughter.
Jason meanwhile had been talked to now by Alexis. "We have some legal business to go over but there is something else we need to talk about."
"Okay, work first." he said sure that the other was going to be yet another lecture on having feelings for Elizabeth Webber.
"Now that Michael is with AJ and Claire, what do you want to do with the cottage, I can end the lease anytime."
"Okay, let Brenda know. What else." he asked
"Carly, I have been representing her in regards to the shooting and she is going to be leaving Shadybrook soon. Bobbie wants to know about the apartment, if she can live there?"
Jason thought about it then said. "I don't care, at least not for my sake. But you might want to ask Sonny, when she was living here before she kept coming up here knocking, looking for me."
"She came to my door several times as well." she said ruefully not adding that it had been at all hours of the day and night. "What about supporting her, Bobbie did ask what she would do for money."
Jason thought about Elizabeth getting shot and said. "She needs to get a job, the apartment is covered, let her take care of herself otherwise. I promised AJ I wouldn't help her with custody either."
Swallowing her surprise, she asked. "One last thing, about Elizabeth..."
"I have heard it all before, we are only friends." he said wanting to forestall this conversation.
"I would say more than friends." she said softly "But that isn't what I am talking about. I found something in those files about the probated will of the Webber grandparents, I need to talk to Audrey about. Last time I saw her, she was ripping Sonny about where the guards were when Elizabeth was shot."
Grimacing as he remembered his partner's comments after that, he said. "She is very protective of Elizabeth, so tread lightly."
Stopping over at the Hardy house after verifying that Elizabeth was working that evening, Alexis asked the elderly woman for a minute of her time. "What may I do for you Miss Davis?"
Explaining what she had found, she saw the woman stand then pace before picking up the paperwork. "Oh dear, I wish you were wrong about this."
"So you think it is a possibility?" she asked.
"Jeff, while he is a brilliant doctor, he is very naive about women. The one thing I can assure you about, Heather isn't her mother. As for who really is, I haven't a clue. I do know that Jeff is her father though. It certainly explains a lot about Carolyn and her treatment of her."
"There is no justification for how she treated her stepdaughter." said Alexis hotly.
"I am not saying that it does." replied the older woman feeling her age. "I always had doubts about this being because of a lost fellowship. We tried to intervene over the years, then Elizabeth went through this wild stage. I finally understood what was behind that a few weeks after she was attacked in the park."
"What are you going to do about it?" asked Alexis.
"Find out the truth, I already made a call to Jeff. He will return my call, trying to placate me about the trust fund, so I can try and get answers then. By the way would you give Mr Corinthos my thanks for what he did for Elizabeth. At some point we all need to have a sit down with Mr. Morgan about a few things."
Shocked, Alexis looked up and saw Audrey's face and groaned. "He won't act on them."
"Which would be a shame, but I am hoping he has the sense to at least wait until she is halfway through college." Alexis stared, open mouthed at the person she thought would have a huge fit about Jason loving her granddaughter. "Close your mouth, dear. You are going to catch flies."
"I wouldn't think a fly would dare enter." she retorted humorously.
"Now as I was saying. I spent years of my life with others interfering in my love life, I saw Mr. Morgan I have seen him with my granddaughter. Do I wish she would fall in love with a nice young man, a nice lawyer or doctor, yes. But I see how she reacts to Jason, I know that when she finally figures it out that her feelings for him are more than friendship..."
"But I have seen nothing like that from her..." said Alexis.
"You just don't know where to look." said Audrey smiling. "See Elizabeth is the avoidance queen. I have seen her with Jason, I don't know how many times I have heard the words Emily's brother, my friend, pals, someone to talk to but strangely enough in spite of hearing her use very favorable words to describe every single other man she has ever met, not one for Jason."
"Really?" asked Alexis getting it. "She has never commented on his looks."
"Never." said the woman standing. "My granddaughter who is an artist talks about how she sees a pair of lips and wants to draw them, how Michael's eyes sparkle and how she wants to capture that. Mr. Corinthos dimples, Lila's smile, yet in spite of spending quite a bit of time with Jason, I have NEVER heard her mention him in that form."
"That doesn't mean much, after everything that has happened..."
"As someone who knows how everything she has truly ever had was taken from her until she came here it does. My granddaughter is avoiding it, at some point she is going to stop. Then I think we are going to have some interesting moments."
"And you are okay with this? With Jason?" asked Alexis.
"I have to be, because I refuse to be the one who gets between them." she replied.
Emily had been on the porch wanting to talk to Mrs. Hardy about her grandparents idea when she overheard what they were saying. As she walked down Maple, the limo she had arrived in slowly following, she worked it out in her own mind then with a smirk decided that it was perfect. This way Elizabeth would truly be her sister.
Calling Jason, she asked. "I have to do something but can you meet me at Kelly's before closing time."
When he agreed, she tried to figure out her next move when her phone rang. Listening, she agreed so quickly that Mac Scorpio wondered what was up as he offered to pick her up.
"No, that fine." she said. "I will be there in ten minutes."
Just too grateful to have a babysitter, he went to let the girls know then called Taggert to tell him he was on his way. "Emily Quartermaine is going to babysit for me."
Carly got out of the van, grateful she had talked her way out of being released a day early from Shadybrook. Looking around, she realized she was down by the docks and Kelly's so she decided to walk to the diner to use the phone so that Jason could come get her.
Plotting on how she was going to fix her life, she heard the motorcycle going down the street but it was gone before she could see if it was Jason. Worried about arriving at Kelly's before the night shift closed, she started to speed up just as the rain began to fall.
Ducking under an awning, she was considering just waiting until the rain stopped then using a pay phone when she soon realized the rain was slowing down to a mist.
Meanwhile at Kelly's, Elizabeth had flipped the chairs and mopped and swept while Tammy closed down the register before heading out. "Honey, do you need a ride?"
"No, I have one of the Quartermaine cars since I went shopping today right before work." she told the blond who soon left. Getting ready to dump the coffee and head out, she heard the sound of heavy footsteps and turned to see Jason entering quickly.
Grabbing a towel she walked over and quickly handed it to him to dry off while assuring Jimmie she would lock up on her way out. "Do you want some coffee, I can start a fresh pot."
"No, I was to meet Emily here and was worried that she was waiting on me." he replied then asked. "Do you have a way home?"
"Yes, actually an old car that belongs to the Q's." she said then told him to sit down. Grabbing some of the still hot chili and what was left of the coffee, she made him eat it to help warm him up. When the thunder and lightning started, she said. "I uh, I have to do this."
Turning on the jukebox, she hit various buttons trying to drown out the sound of the storm. "Sorry, but I love storms at home, but when I am out, I just get nervous."
"How about a distraction?" he asked. "How did things work out with school?"
Her face lit up as she told him about the scholarship then about going shopping with Emily, her only frown occurring as she explained about Edward insisting on buying her wardrobe and the fight she had won with the old crank. "He is just sooo stubborn."
As the storm seemed to let up a bit, Elizabeth was getting ready to pull the plug on the jukebox just as a strong lightning strike hit nearby, making her jump. Jason who was behind her, caught the younger girl as she tried to stop trembling. "I hate being scared of anything, even the music isn't distracting me."
As he held the young girl, he inhaled the soft scent clinging to her hair while she buried her head into his chest then started to chuckle. Pulling back Jason said. "What?"
"I was remembering the day I walked into you thinking you were the closed window."
Laughing quietly, he said. "Well your nose wasn't broken. Cute as ever."
That one made her smirk and say "It's the freckles. There is something about having just three freckles that gets everyone's attention."
Placing his finger on said nose, he moved in closer and said "I don't see any freckles, none."
Stunned to feel something, something she didn't understand, Elizabeth stood there the storm outside gone but the one inside of her now raging as she fought the sudden urge to wrap herself around Jason and never let go. "Elizabeth..."
"Um?" she said distractedly as she tried to concentrate on something other than how good Jason smelt. Hearing the song, she said "I love this song, it is so... something. The only thing that I agree with Luke Spencer on, our taste in music."
As the slow bluesy song played, Jason couldn't resist holding her close as they danced with one another, not saying a word. As the song ended, Jason couldn't help himself as he leaned down and kissed her softly on her nose.
From outside, the blond raged as she watched the man she had plans to marry kissing another woman. She couldn't see who it was, Jason's back was in the way, but she did see the dance, the kiss and then finally the tight hug as she left to keep from being seen. Obviously her plans to make him regret letting her go were going to need work. If he was getting sex elsewhere, he wouldn't be so easy to trap.
Storming off, she called her mother and then went to the nearest bar. Inside, she plotted and waited until she found the perfect man to help her. "What was your name again?"
"Zander, Zander Smith." said the drug dealer who worked for Sorrell as he took the blond home.
Meanwhile Elizabeth raised her eyes, looking into the maelstrom that was in Jason's eyes as he said "I-I" The phone rang before he could tell her what he felt. Walking over to answer it, Elizabeth felt regret that he didn't get to tell her all he was thinking. "Em-"
Hearing what the younger said, she grinned then said. "Jason is right here, let me get him for you."
Handing him the phone, she turned off the music then waited for the blond who feeling the moment had passed asked her if she wanted him to follow her home. A bit disappointed but not getting why, she said "Thanks, but maybe I should drive you home, since it is raining out."
Laughing, he hugged her again, before saying "Only you, Elizabeth Webber would worry about me being out in the rain."
At the Quartermaines Elizabeth waved to Jason as she pulled into the garage just as Mac Scorpio arrived to drop off Emily. As they entered, they heard the upheaval and saw Brenda and Robin along with their luggage.
After a few hugs, they were told they were in town on their way back to Paris. "Was that Jason's bike I heard?" Robin asked casually.
She had to tell him that she finally got that they weren't going to be together. In a way, she almost wished they had had a chance to consummate their relationship, it might make them ending hurt less but she was grateful for what they had had. Thinking on the brilliant young doctor she had met while in Pine Valley, she came back to the conversation as Elizabeth explained he had been meeting Emily at Kelly's then had followed her home to make sure she got there fine.
Deciding she would talk to him the next day before they left, Robin went upstairs while Emily and Elizabeth talked about what had happened at the Scorpio house. "So she just left? Without her girls?"
Meanwhile Carly had gone home with her mother and thought about it, she had seen that car parked behind Kelly's before and knew she had to figure out where it was.
Breakfast at the Quartermaine mansion was always a rowdy affair but that morning it was even more so since AJ and Claire had the boys with them at the mainhouse. After prying Michael away from Elizabeth's hair yet again, the attorney was telling them about her plans for the day while Edward was grinning like a cat that ate a canary while AJ was demanding to know why they were there.
"I have a surprise for two of my three favorite girls and wanted the family to be here." he said then handed Emily and then Elizabeth small presents. "Now neither one of you can take them back."
A bit warily, they opened the boxes and found the key ring with keys on them. "But Mr. Qu-"
"These are from both Lila and I, so how can you refuse it?" he asked his eyebrow raised at Elizabeth as she felt a very childish urge to stick her tongue out at the manipulative old man. Emily was squealing and dragging her friend to the garage where she pulled the bows holding both covers off the cars.
Elizabeth saw the license plate and then looked in shock at the woman in the wheelchair as the said that it was a gift for getting into art school and that Emily's was for her birthday. "But-"
AJ leaned over and said "Just give in, before you waste the whole day being made to feel like you are hurting their feelings. Just say Thank you so that we can go eat."
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine." she parroted then hugged Lila to whisper thank you. Emily and she hugged then were making plans to head over to show off their cars when she remembered. "Oh, I have to get my school stuff out of the old convertible."
After some help, they thanked Emily's grandparents yet again before making plans to drive over and see Audrey. Meanwhile Robin seeing the car, asked if she could borrow it for a while. Brenda knew she wanted to talk to Jason and when the Q's agreed, she asked AJ how things where going.
"Carly gets out today. That is our biggest worry. I doubt she is going to accept the court's orders via Michael."
"I still can't believe Jason lied for her." she said then added. "Though he is working for Sonny so lying is nothing new."
"Brenda, don't go there and Jason was doing what was best for Michael and you have no room to criticize anyone for anything involving Sonny. Or did you forget you were planning on marrying him?"
Shutting her mouth, the blond went back inside, thinking on what they had said.
Meanwhile Jason was dealing with Carly who had turned up at the warehouse first thing the next morning. After giving her the news that she could keep the apartment, he reminded her she needed a job then said that the money for Michael was being discontinued now that he was living with his biological father.
When she shrieked and started to complain that she hadn't given permission for that, he gave her the rest of the news that a judge had signed off on it and that she was going to have to go to court if she wanted contact with her son. Carly was cursing as she stormed out, shoving Robin as she went past her. Seeing the convertible, her eyes narrowed then waited a safe distance away until she saw the blond coming out with the girl. When he hugged her then the pain in Carly's rear drove off, Carly just added that to her plans.
Two days later when Zander had finished having sex with her, he gave her the news. "The woman you were talking about went back to Paris, are you sure?"
When she gnashed her teeth and said yes, he made a mental note to let his boss know they were wrong about the other girl. She really was just his sister's friend. Trying to figure out how to get to Robin, he took full advantage of the sexually starved blond then suggested she head home.
Standing, Carly was dressing when she saw the money hanging out of his pockets. Helping herself she grinned as she left his place. Arriving back at the towers, she hurried to her apartment showering then went upstairs to insist on Sonny telling Jason she was looking for him even as she counted the money she had stolen.
Happy to find that most of it was hundreds, she soon saw she had almost five thousand dollars.
School started, Elizabeth trying to work between classes and dealing with how Alexis seemed to be around a bit. Wondering about that, she mentioned it to her grams who said that it was good for her to have a maternal sort in her life. "Alexis Davis? She can't cook anymore than I can, sends her laundry out to be cleaned and has even more quirks than I do."
Hugging Elizabeth, Audrey thought back to her conversation with Jeff and just was grateful that the attorney seemed to be fulfilling this need both in herself and Elizabeth for this role. Jeff had admitted that he had cheated on his wife and that Elizabeth was the result of that affair, but he refused to divulge her mother saying he had made a promise to his wife to never mention her again.
Jason meanwhile had found he had a small problem when he tried to pick up the barflys, his body wouldn't cooperate. After reading some books and taking the problem in hand more than he wanted to, he found himself having a very awkward discussion with Sonny one night.
Carly meanwhile was sweating out what to do. Zander had turned up dead and she had since found out that her go to guy worked for Jason's enemies. While she wanted to go to him for help, she knew that if he caught one whiff of her sleeping with the drug dealer, any chance for a life with her family was at an end.
Two weeks after the body showed up in the harbor, Carly heard a knock on her door. Opening it, she saw Jason and tried to hug him. "Jason, what is wrong with you?"
"I talked to Alexis, then Bernie. I know what you tried to up. I know about the money." he said glaring at her.
Starting to talk, she spilled the whole affair only to see him looking at her with disgust when she shrieked. "This is all your fault, you were dancing with that tramp in Kelly's and I was upset. You did this to me, not me. Please, Jason, you have to understand, you know how I am."
"Yes I do and I came here to confront you about trying to send your bills to Bernie then trying to blackmail Alexis into representing you in regards to Michael, but now that makes the rest of this easier. We are done, you have seventy two hours to vacate this apartment. And if I see you anyplace near Elizabeth, or anyone in my family, I will make you wish you had stayed in Florida."
Blinking when she heard the name of Emily's teenage pal, she thought about the rumors she was living at the Q's and dismissed it as she vowed to make Jason and his little princess Robin pay for breaking her heart and helping AJ steal her son away.
As she plotted and planned, Carly moved into the brownstone which lasted two weeks before Lucas threatened to move to Tennessee where Tony was. Bobbie awkwardly asked her to move out and offered to help her get a place. Instead, Carly moved into a room above the diner, to keep an eye on Jason.
Audrey was looking forward to showing Elizabeth what she had found. As she led her granddaughter to the second floor, the young artist saw the door and asked. "What is behind there, Fort Knox?"
"No, that is your new studio." she announced as she unlocked the door and showed Elizabeth around.
"Grams, you shouldn't have..." she said hugging the elderly nurse. Seeing the sofa and the few other items she asked about them only to be told that they were only for late nights, otherwise she was expected to be either at the Q's or the Hardy house.
Showing Emily and others, she was leaving that evening when she saw Jason entering the building. "Did Emily tell you about my studio."
Teasing her he said. "No, actually your grandmother had Max and Francis make it secure for you. I knew about it all along."
"And you didn't tell me?" she asked pretending to be mad. "Why are you here, then?"
"Well I was hoping for an invite in." he said then showing her the box in his hand said "Happy Birthday."
As they entered the sparse studio, Elizabeth sat the heavy box down and ripped it open. Seeing the helmet, she turned excitedly and asked. "Can we go for a ride and since it is my birthday, can I drive."
"Yes and no." he said seeing her smile fade he said. "You are too small to hold up the bike, maybe on the way back when there will be less traffic, but I still have to help you steer."
As they pull off, Jason can feel the tight grip that Elizabeth usually has then he feels her loosen up before burying her head into the back of his jacket. An hour later, they are up at the old bridge, talking discussing what she has done for her birthday then she told him about how Emily had thrown her a party.
"It was strange, Nikolas Cassadine was there, I haven't seen much of him since what happened to Lucky. He kept flirting with me." she said with a sigh. "I mean, I don't like him but I don't know how to tell him that. I just feel bad because I know that Emily used to have a crush on him so I can't tell her and ask her for help."
"Do you want me to talk to him?" he asked from where he was leaning against the bridge.
With a sideways glance, she said "No, I will deal with it, I just wish I had a little more experience with boys. I mean I haven't even ever kissed anyone."
"What about the kid who took you to prom?" he asked not really wanting the answer.
Laughing, she said "Eddie wasn't interested in me that way. I was just the only girl in school he could talk to."
They stood there silent for a few minutes, both thinking their own thoughts then she asked "You, I mean you have had sex right. I mean it was what led to the mess with Carly, right?"
Wishing she wouldn't go there, he finally said "Yes, why?"
"Well, I mean, you know what you are doing. That night at Jake's, that girl wanted you pretty bad, so I mean, you..."
"Why don't you just tell me what you are really thinking?" he asked as she seemed to wander around something.
"Kiss me?" she asked moving closer to him. "Please?"
Jason felt his heart stop then whispered as he moved closer "Are you sure?"
"Yes." she answered as she closed her eyes. Feeling the softness of his lips on hers, Elizabeth waited for more but he seemed to have stopped. Opening her eyes, she saw how close he was and how his lips were again mere millimeters away from hers and stood on her tiptoes as she pressed her lips against his then breathed "Please, Jason."
Moaning, he pulled her into his arms, her body now pressed against his and deepened the kiss, taking her lips, making them mold to his as his hands flattened against her back trying to get her even closer. In the distance he could hear sound, but nothing, no noise was more important than the sound of Elizabeth' moaning his name.
As they separated trying to capture their breath, he looked down and said the first thing that came to mind. "I love you."
Her eyes widened as she stared at him just as headlights flooded them in bright white light. The occupant of the car could see the two bodies pressed together and it was clear exactly what was going on. "Jason, I-"
The engine was revved and Jason's bike was soon flattened as the enforcer grabbed her hand and said "Run."
TBC