A/N – Thanks for the reviews! You know I have to throw some drama in there. Virgy15 asked for a 2nd chapter. Here you go.

Chapter 8 – Letting Go

Elizabeth sighed. "I know. I have issues. I went into this….whatever it is…..with my eyes open. He was gorgeous, and fun. I liked teaching him things. It was so freaking empowering. And now I feel like the tables are starting to turn."

"You've created a monster." She said grinning.

Liz nodded. "When he kissed me this morning and pushed me up against the refrigerator, I swear to God I thought I was going to come undone right there. It completely took me off guard because usually I'm the aggressor."

Kelly pretended to fan herself. "How does he feel about you?"

"I think he really likes me."

"So what is the problem?"

"Me. I'm the problem. Why can't I trust anyone with my heart?"

Kelly grabbed her hand. "Elizabeth. You know the answer to that. But, you can't punish Jason for something that happened to you in the past. You and Lucky have been done for two years. He cheated on you with Sarah but that doesn't mean that Jason would do that too."

"I know." She said sadly. It took a year before she had dated again. She went out with Pete and he was great but she ran from him because she just wasn't ready for anything serious. But if she were honest with herself, maybe it was really more about her being scared.

"Listen, Jason sounds like a good guy. Let yourself be vulnerable. You deserve to find happiness."

"Suppose we sleep together and then he decides that he wants to go sleep with other people because he wants to sow some wild oats or something?"

"Elizabeth, this all comes back to the cheating. You've got to let that shit go. Just because Lucky is an asshole doesn't mean that Jason is. I think you know that."

"I know. Jason is so different than Lucky. There is something so powerful and raw about him but then he totally has this softer side that he only lets me see. And my God, for a novice, he's already really good in bed. I can't even imagine how mind blowing actually having sex will be. He makes me feel like no one else exists in the world but me when we are together. And lying in his arms makes me feel so safe."

"Then why run from that? Honey, if I could have a quarter of what you just described, I'd be in it to win it."

Liz chuckled. "I'm crazy; absolutely certifiable."

"No you're not. You're human. You were hurt badly and just when you thought that you had everything under control, Jason happened. He dropped into your lap and now you need to make a choice. It's not fair to him if you are going to run. He's putting his heart out on the line too. Before you have sex with him, you need to make a decision whether you're in it or not. Do not make love to that poor man and then leave him. I think you would break him."

Liz nodded. Hurting Jason was the last thing that she wanted to do. "Okay."

"Now, you better get going before Epiphany sends out a search party. You have some thinking to do. Is holding out because of that asshole what you're going to do for the rest of your life, or do you take a chance on finding happiness with Jason? Your choice."

Liz bit her lip. Kelly almost made it seem ridiculous that she was even straddling the fence. She stood up. "Thank you for talking me down."

"You're welcome. And just to make it official, she handed Liz a few condoms and a pamphlet. There's no sex unless it's safe sex."

Liz grinned. "Is that your public service announcement for the day?"

Kelly grinned. "I know you're on the pill but if he's as huge as I think he is, than it never hurts to be safe."

Liz laughed and winked at her.

"I fucking knew it. He's hung like a horse isn't he?"

Liz chuckled and walked out the door.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

That evening, Liz wanted a little more time to think so she turned down Jason's dinner request. She went home and showered and then made some kraft macaroni and cheese and sat down in front of the television. She ate slowly and as she watched the screen all she could think about was Jason. Growling, she threw the bowl onto the coffee table.

Someone knocked on her door and she groaned. Pausing the television, she got up and flung it open. Jason was standing there with flowers and she sucked in a deep breath.

"Hi. Can we talk for a minute?"

Liz nodded. She let him walk in and he handed her the flowers. "Those are for you."

She smiled. "Thank You. They are beautiful."

It was a bouquet of lavender roses and baby's breath. She went into the kitchen and put them in some water and then placed it on the coffee table. "Have a seat." She said before grabbing her bowl and walking it back into the kitchen.

Jason sat down and wiped his hands on his jeans. He was beyond nervous.

Liz plopped down next to him. "What's up?"

"Well, I just wanted to tell you something."

Liz nodded. "Go ahead."

He took a deep breath, "Elizabeth, we have been spending a lot of time together and I really hope you've been enjoying it as much as I have."

"I have. You're a lot of fun."

"But, it's more than that. You are an incredible person and I've really enjoyed getting to know you."

Liz fidgeted a little. She wasn't sure if he was breaking up with her or about to say something that would freak her out.

Sensing her nervousness, he just blurted it out. "Elizabeth, I think I'm falling in love with you."

She gasped.

"I know it seems sudden but the last month has meant more to me than anything else that has happened in my life. But, I feel like you are pushing me away. And it's killing me."

Liz's eyes filled with tears.

"Talk to me." He said taking her hand. She was kind of scaring him with her silence. He had considered that maybe she didn't feel as strongly for him as he did her. But, he was convinced it was because she was putting up a wall.

"Jason….." She said pausing to think. "I really like you. And that's the problem."

He frowned.

"Maybe that didn't come out right. The last really serious relationship I was in ended because he cheated on me with my sister."

Jason sucked in his breath.

"And I haven't totally gotten over it. After it came out, they were really mean to me. They threw it in my face every chance they got and they would taunt me as well. This morning, I think I realized that I had more feelings for you than I had admitted to myself and yes, I ran from you. Suddenly, the big bad vixen felt like a scared little girl." She said emotionally. "I just got a little freaked out."

Jason cleared his throat. "I understand. We can go slowly if that's what you need. I don't expect you to be exactly where I am emotionally, but I do need to know if you think you can get there. I'm just as vulnerable as you are but in a different way. I need to know if you are still in this because I can't continue to see you if you think you can't take this any further. I'm already in too deep."

He watched her as he wondered if the ultimatum was too much.

A tear fell down her cheek and Jason brushed it away. "Talk to me baby." He said gently.

Just his tone made her shudder. To think that someone who did what Jason did for a living could be so gentle amazed her. She fell into his body and he pulled her onto his lap and held her. She cried and he whispered soothing words into her ear until she calmed down.

And then without warning she jumped up and went into her room to use the bathroom.

Jason was confused; not knowing if she was running or not. He got up and stood in the doorway of her bedroom and soon she came out and walked towards him.

She slipped her hands around his waist. "I want to see where this is going to go. I really like you Jason. I don't want to live in the past anymore. I never imagined that I'd find someone like you."

He nodded. "I feel the same way about you Elizabeth."

She smiled. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off of her heart.

They started kissing and clothes started coming off. By the time they backed into the bed, they were both in just their underwear.

Liz looked up at him. "Are you sure you want to do this? Because we can wait."

She really did want him to make love to her it would destroy her to hurt him at this point.

"I trust you." He said softly. Even though he was putting himself out on the line, he could tell by the look in her eyes and her body language that she was his.

Liz stepped out of her underwear and then undid her bra and let it fall to the floor. Jason followed her lead and took off his boxer shorts. They fell onto the bed, kissing and touching; needing to feel whole. Liz's body ached for him.

Jason kissed his way down her body and she knew just where he was headed.