A/N – Thanks for the reviews! I really appreciate the feedback. If you don't review, please consider doing so every once in awhile. After spending all the time writing, it something I look forward to. Thanks to all of you who take a moment every day. You're awesome!

Kikimoo – lol Hang in there re: Emily. Maryrose59 – Your welcome! Ilovedana53 - I'm almost done writing this one and I'm at 22 so probably no more than 25 chapters. Virgy15 – You know I'll create some kind of angst. Doralupin86 and lrobinson01 – Thanks!

Chapter 11 – Saying Goodbye

Jeffrey and Jason ventured into the study and sat down.

"So, you wish to court my daughter?" Jeffrey asked. It was quite amusing seeing someone with Jason's stature squirm.

"Yes sir. I know the distance will be an issue but I will write to her and try to visit as often as I can." Jason said laying out his plan.

"Prince Jason, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you how extraordinary my daughter is. She is very smart and has even studied medicine on her own. I see her as a force to be reckoned with. My only worry is that she will have to temper part of herself in order to be suited for life in this castle." He said carefully. He did not want to insult the young man, but he also knew the royal culture and his daughter's potential.

Jason nodded. "I understand your concerns. I have never wanted a woman that will just follow me around and not think for herself. I wouldn't want her to change a thing."

"I don't doubt that Prince Jason. But, what role could she possibly have here?" Jeffrey said grimly. The more he thought of their union the more he thought that maybe castle life would not suit his daughter.

"All I ask is for a chance. I know we can be happy together." Jason said earnestly.

Jeffrey sighed. "Alright. I guess at some point I will just have to trust my daughter's judgment. It's just hard to trust anyone with her heart."

Jason nodded. "I understand."

"You have my permission to court Elizabeth."

Jason smiled. "Thank you sir." He said standing up, extending his hand.

Jeffrey shook it and watched Jason walk out of the room.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth walked into Emily's room. She had refused to come out all day. Monica was sitting on her bed.

"Emily, please tell me what is wrong." Monica said stroking her hair.

Emily just stared vacantly. It was like she flipped off a switch and suddenly wasn't there.

Jason walked in behind her. "What's wrong?"

"It's Emily. She won't eat or talk."

Jason sighed. He walked over to the bed. "Emily?" He said softly. She didn't respond and he walked back out of the room pulling Liz with him.

"What's wrong?"

"Did she mention anything about Nikolas?"

"Yes. This morning, she said that he had left town and no one knew where he had gone."

Jason ran his hand through his hair. "I have to go. I'll be back later." He said hurrying off.

Confused, Liz turned and went back into the room.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason grabbed Johnny. "We have a problem."

"What?"

"I need you to try and find Nikolas."

"The one that likes Emily?"

Jason nodded. "He left town, and no one knows where he took off too."

"I'll get Francis on it."

"Tell Francis it's of the utmost importance. I have a really bad feeling about this." Jason said quietly.

Johnny nodded and took off.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Dinner was quiet. Everyone was thrown by Emily's disposition and Monica was beside herself with worry. And on the other side of the coin, Jason and Liz's constitutions were quite melancholy at the thought of having to leave each other.

Jeffrey looked around at all the somber faces and sighed. He almost felt bad for dragging Elizabeth off when Emily needed her, but they needed to get home.

Johnny stood in the doorway and got Jason's attention. He shook his head no as Jason sighed. The only way to help his sister would be to find Nikolas and he wasn't quite sure how to do that. And even if he found him and brought him to the castle, there was still a huge chance that his father would have him jailed.

They all finished eating and Jason and Liz slipped off to the garden.

"Talk to me." Liz said quietly. She had a bad feeling that Jason knew more than he had let on.

Jason sat down. "I think this is all my fault."

"What is your fault?"

"Nikolas leaving."

Liz shifted nervously. "Why do you say such a thing?"

"I approached him and told him that he should leave before their relationship destroyed Emily."

"Jason, you didn't."

"I know. But, if he had continued his pursuit, it would have ended in his death and Emily would be right where she is now." He said sinking his head into his hands.

Liz took a deep breath. "So did you arrange for him to leave?"

"No. I was going to but he left on his own accord."

Liz stood up. "You have to find him Jason. If Emily keeps refusing food, she is going to get really sick."

"But if I bring him back and father finds out, then what? You think Nikolas's dying is going to have a better result? He will not allow them to be together."

Liz felt like crying. It was an impossible situation. "We must change your father's mind."

"Elizabeth. That is not going to happen. He is who he is. There are rules."

"Forget the stupid rules." She yelled. "Emily's heart is broken Jason."

Jason watched the tears fall down Elizabeth's face. "Please don't cry." He said holding her into his arms. "I'm going to try and fix this. I promise."

Jason held her as he thought about what he had to do. He finally broke apart from her and led her over to a bench and pulled her onto his lap. "I am going to miss you so much." He said softly before devouring her mouth.

Elizabeth felt her body tremble. She ached for him and eagerly kissed him back.

They came up for air and Jason smiled. "I'm afraid your virtue is not safe around me presently."

Liz looked at him shyly. "Your kisses make me feel things I do not comprehend." She said quietly as she watched the want build in his eyes and she shuddered.

Jason kissed her neck as Liz gasped and his lips and tongue danced down the front of her chest as his hand moved upwards and then stopped right under her breast. He laid little kisses on the top of her cleavage as Liz started to come undone. She moaned softly and Jason's mouth quickly found hers again and her tongue sought his.

They pulled apart panting. It was like he had awakened something inside of her that was so passionate and primal that she couldn't even speak.

"I'm afraid we must part. Even though leaving you right now is the last thing on earth I want to do." Jason said quietly.

Liz knew he was right. One more kiss and she would be begging him to take her. "Okay." She said softly slipping from his lap. She walked a few feet and then turned and looked at him smiling coyly.

Jason smiled back. He had never wanted a woman so much in his life.