AN:

I wanted to clear the whole Sonny/Emily/Jason thing. In my mind, at least for this fic, Sonny broke up with Emily because he didn't love her. The danger had nothing to do with it.

Now on to the good stuff. If you're paying attention you'll notice the new banner. That's right it's time for a new direction in the fic. The last few chapters have been about Elizabeth, Cam and Jason. Now we're moving on to the good stuff.

Note I kinda got lazy and "borrowed" from the actual show.

~Kelly~

PS

Thanks to Chyna the Energizer of Betas!! Thanks for not killing me yet!

Chapter Twelve

Jason stopped the bike in front of the coffee house. He had missed riding for all those years. What he missed the most however was riding with Elizabeth.

"I forgot how much I loved riding."

"I knew you only like me for my bike." Jason teased taking the helmet from Elizabeth. It had been an impulse to invite Elizabeth for a ride but he was happy he did.

"I like you for much more than your bike, Jason."

"That's good to know. So how are things?"

"The same." Elizabeth answered with a shrug. "How about you?"

Jason stuffed his hands into his pockets trying not to think about the stunt Emily had pulled two nights ago. He still couldn't understand why she thought Jason would take Sam back. "I'm fine Elizabeth."

Elizabeth didn't believe Jason for one minute. He rarely talked about himself but Elizabeth knew something was bothering him. "Okay but I'm here if you need me."

"How long has it been since you played pool?"

"Not long. The girls and I play some time when we go to Jake's."

"Up for a game?"

"With you? Always."

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The last place Elizabeth expected Jason to take her was back to his penthouse. It had changed so much since the first time she had been here. The one consent thing had always been the pool table.

"Expecting Jake's?" Jason asked when Elizabeth hesitated at the door.

"I guess so."

"Tonight... I don't want to deal with anyone else."

"That actually sounds really nice."

"I... I wish I could help you." Jason said suddenly. Ever since his talk with Sonny Jason couldn't get Elizabeth out of his mind.

"Let's just play pool." Elizabeth said changing the subject.

They had only being playing for a few minute when Jason started laughing. "I thought you said you could play."

"No I said I had played there's a big difference."

"Apparently. Let me show you." Jason said putting his arms around Elizabeth. They played like that for several games. He would always help Elizabeth with her shot.

"This is like old times." Elizabeth said when they stopped for a break.

"You ever wonder what if... you know, what it would've been like?" Jason didn't know where the question came from. But since it was out there, he desperately wanted an answer.

"There was a time when I let myself consider a future with you. At least, I would wonder what it would be like." Elizabeth said sitting the cue down. She moved to look out the open balcony doors. "I remember the night at Jake's when I thought Lucky was dead, and I was just so tired of missing him. I just... I just wanted to trash myself. Then you wouldn't let me. I remember you listened without judging, and ever since that night, I felt a special connection with you. Sometimes I thought there could be more than a connection. Then I slept with Zander."

"That was a long time ago."

"Yeah. But I'm not sorry, because that night gave me my little boy."

Jason ran a hand across his neck. He didn't want to think about Zander or the mistakes they made tonight. "You know, I've always liked how you do that, how you look back with no regrets."

"Well, when you first met me, all I did was look back and think of the 'what ifs.' But then you taught me how to live in the present, and that gave me hope for the future. It was an amazing gift, Jason. What about you?"

"Of course. I tried not to let myself. But I'd go to some church or some museum, and I would see this amazing painting, and I'd think of you."

"Well, they say timing is everything."

"Yeah, and ours really sucks."

"Big time." Elizabeth immediately agreed. It was hard to think with Jason standing so close to her. This night seemed to be opening up all those old feelings.

"I appreciate you in my life. I always have. And it's just, you know, bothered me that I wasn't able to express it because I just didn't know how to then, you know? And especially since the life I chose and the commitments I made were so completely opposite of everything that you wanted and who you are." Jason admitted sadly to Elizabeth. He wondered if bringing her here tonight was fair to either one of them. Carefully he reached out running a hand down Elizabeth's arm.

"No, you're wrong. You, your life, and the way you live it have always been a temptation for me. I don't think you ever knew just how much I fell in love with you. And unfortunately, you were just the chance that was just too big for me to take, which is kind of ironic if you think about it now. "

Jason never expected to hear Elizabeth say she loved him. There was a time he had wished for it however. That all ended with Sonny's fake death. Maybe they could finally get their timing right. "How?"

"Well, because, in a lot of ways, you're extremely safe."

"I don't think anyone's ever called me "safe" before." Jason said laughing from the idea.

"I mean emotionally. I have always trusted you. When we were at odds with each other, it was always because of somebody else. And no matter what our disagreement was, I always knew that I could count on you."

He could feel how sad Elizabeth was and Jason wanted to make it go away. "I know it's tough, but try not to think about it." He said closing the small space between them. Jason's fingers skimmed over Elizabeth's skin until he reached her hair. It had been teasing him all night. He tugged on the tie until her hair tumbled free.

"I don't want to think about anything tonight. I just want to be right here in this moment... with you."

Jason couldn't help himself he had to kiss Elizabeth. He had to see if the reality lived up to his memories.