A/N: This chapter will slightly go into the characters' back story but you'll learn more about them as the story goes along! Please review!

I do not own any of these characters, just borrowing them… thanks for reading!

Chapter 4 – A Special Woman

-- Red Velvet Café, Port Charles --

Elizabeth was meeting an old friend and editor in chief of the widely successful Crimson Magazine for lunch that day. The fashion guru had been instrumental to EW's success by featuring many original pieces through elegant editorials in her magazine which helped propel Elizabeth's career as a designer. She hadn't talked to her mentor since before the show and couldn't wait to hear what she had to say about her new collection.

"Kate! It's so good to see you. You look amazing!" The fashion editor was wearing perfectly tailored highwaisted brown pants over a silky beige blouse with a bow adorning her neck line.

"Thanks, so do you!"

The two ladies got seated inside the restaurant.

"How is my favorite designer doing?"

"Good, good." Elizabeth didn't wait a second before asking her mentor's opinion on her latest designs. "So tell me, what did you think about the show? Critics have been horrible, I really tried to show a different side of me but I guess they missed the point."

"Don't worry Elizabeth, you can't go by what they say, many of them are pathologic haters but what matters is that your clientele likes your work and they still do. I received a lot of very positive feedback."

"Really? You cannot believe how much I needed to hear that."

A waitress came up to the two ladies and took their orders. Both opted for a Mediterranean salad with balsamic vinaigrette on the side.

"So enough about me, how's Crimson? I hear numbers are up."

"Yes, we are really doing a great job right now. My partner, Jax has been of a great help."

"Jasper Jacks right? Tough business man… it's always good to have that on your side. What I know is how to make clothes, selling them is a whole other story." Elizabeth jokingly said.

"Yes it is, and actually Jax is looking into expending his investments in the fashion industry. Since Crimson, he has realized how much fashion sales and maybe I'll throw in a word or two about EW."

"You would do that? Thank you so much! With that last collection not getting enough positive reviews, I'm getting really nervous. I'll take all the help I can get."

"Good. So, are you going to tell me about your date with Jason Morgan or do I really have to ask?"

Elizabeth almost choked on a cherry tomato when she heard her friend's comment. How could she possibly know about that?

"How do you know about that?" Elizabeth asked the fashion guru while her face turned a light tint of red.

"I have my sources." The editor said with a devilish look. "Don't forget that my job is to know everything in the world of fashion and your date with a high profile eligible bachelor like Jason Morgan didn't go unnoticed."

"Wow… I am… surprised. Well, the date was ok; actually it wasn't a real date… I only went because my assistant Maxie managed to convince me it was a good idea and that it would cheer me up. But nothing will come out of this; he is not really… my type." She explained before giving her attention back to her salad.

"Not your type? I had no idea you weren't interested by tall, extremely handsome, well built and incredibly smart men…"

"That's not what I mean, Jason is very attractive, no question about that but just so full of himself! Sometimes I feel like reaching out and strangling him!" Elizabeth said thinking about Jason's overconfident grin.

"Well, maybe he's not your type but he can surely get a lot of reaction out of you." The editor said after noticing her friend's sudden rush of violent feeling. "Are you going to see him again?"

"What? Why are you asking me that?" Elizabeth replied in an attempt to avoid the question.

"Well, I am happy for you if you do because it's the first time you've been on a date since Lucky."

"I know, I know… but I don't think I am seriously ready to date yet; especially not a man who has all the female population of Port Charles ready to jump right on him at any minute. I just can't imagine going through what I did with Lucky again." She paused giving herself time to breathe in. "Putting my heart on the line and being cheated on. I just can't." Elizabeth said while reliving the painful events that put her last relationship to an end.

"What you went through is very difficult to get over, but you have to understand that all men are not like your ex. He was a poor excuse of a boyfriend and you are just better off without him. It was almost six months ago Elizabeth, it's time you put him completely behind, so you can move forward with your life and meet a great guy who will treat you right."

The younger woman forced a smile trying very hard to believe that what her friend was telling her was the truth and that there was another man for her out there who wouldn't make her go through what she did when Lucky decided to throw away a romance and friendship that had been going on since high school for a blonde and bustier colleague from the PCPD. Her mind even wondered if Jason Morgan could be that wonderful man Kate was describing but she quickly discarded the idea when she remembered how he invited her out the first time. She would go on that date without any expectations and if it was terrible, then she would just say thank you and goodbye and have him out of her hair for good this time.

-- Harbor view towers, Penthouse 2 –

Five days later…

"I need a signature from you to conclude the arrangements for the acquisition of Freight Co. Jill told me that you left the office early today… which I might add does not sound like you." Diane Miller, ruthless corporate lawyer told her client as she entered his penthouse.

"Thank you Diane." He grabbed the documents and quickly and mechanically printed his signature at the bottom of the three sheets of paper. "Anything else I need to review?"

"No, the deal is now officially finalized."

"Good." He said handing her the contract back. "Um… Is there something else?" Jason asked the red head who was now adamantly scrutinizing her employer.

"No, I'm just trying to pinpoint what it is that is different about you. I don't know; you seem… how can I say? Different." She contemplated.

"Should I take that as a compliment?"

The red head walked around Jason to get a better look. "No really, there must be something. Did you get a haircut? Oh I know, tanning lotion? No, there has to be something new because I doubt that the acquisition of a transportation company is what has you glowing."

"What are you talking about?"

"Of course!" She exclaimed snapping her finger in the air. "How come I didn't think about this earlier? It is the new flavor of the week! I must say I was surprised to read about your date with Elizabeth Webber in the This Week in Fashion column. I had no idea you had any interest in fashion and you certainly have no style!" The quirky lawyer threw at him then went on blabbing "She is what there is best today as a prêt a porter designer. And everyone is talking about her upcoming gown collection. You have no idea what I would give to obtain an original!"

"Ok, but what does the way I dress have to do with Elizabeth?" Jason asked his lawyer completely lost.

"Everything! Can't you see that she is an amazing up and coming stylist? She can't be seen with you unless you are perfectly polished and on top of your game!"

"Ok Diane, the time I'll need wardrobe advice I'll call you."

"Just so you know; any advice I give is billable, legal or other." The woman said with a pronounced smirk, but she was as serious as she could be. "And, because we are talking about your love life…"

"You are the one talking about it." Jason corrected her.

"… because I am talking about your love life, it might be about time you retire your playboy days. You might be surprised but a serious relationship has its advantages. Look at me and Max for example. Who would have thought that a romance could have been possible between me and this flexible stud from accounting? And he ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me!"

Jason was silently observing the eccentric lawyer offering him relationship guidance. That was not what he paid her for.

She picked up her briefcase ready to roll out. "This piece of wisdom was free… but do you think you could get me an EW original?"

"Diane…"

"Oh what… don't blame me for trying! I for myself am glad that you went for someone of substance for a change. So you better not mess things up by being your conceited self."

The fervent attorney left his penthouse without seeing the beam she had managed to craft on Jason's face. Diane was right, something was different in him, and it was Elizabeth. He liked every bit of her he had been privy of so far. A woman hadn't spiked that much interest in him in a long time and Jason couldn't help but smile while thinking about the feisty brunette.

That day, he was taking Elizabeth on their second date. He decided to try a new approach as she wasn't the kind to be easily impressed by fancy restaurants and expensive gifts. He needed to show her who he really was behind his proud shell.

Although that was how he appeared to the world, Jason was far from the cocky playboy who took everything in life as a game; he only entertained the myth because he realized long ago that it was good for business; he could virtually get anything and anyone he wanted with this attitude.

Jason wasn't afraid of commitment; au contraire, he dreamed of finding the one woman that he would build a life with, a woman that would like him for himself and not just his money. But until he found her, it was convenient for him to have trivial company. For years, the affluent man had been dating very attractive models and starlets just for the image it projected. He would get a great escort at his arm while they would get the publicity that came with being with him. That was why Jason was surprised the petite brunette hadn't jumped on the opportunity on their first date. But he was glad she hadn't; because it showed him how different she was form all the others.

Meeting Elizabeth had been incredible for him as she embodied what he had always been looking for in a woman. She was smart, funny, independent and had aspirations beyond the next piece of jewelry she would acquire and didn't only care about what he could do for her. Women usually loved to be courted by him no matter if feelings where involved or not and they usually weren't. But not Elizabeth; she didn't care about things. That special woman represented a challenge for him, one that he wouldn't turn his back on. Jason was now determined to show the fashion designer that there was more to the first impression she most probably got of him.

The load noise of someone barging into his living room interrupted his thoughts. Only one person he knew constantly entered his home without knocking. Ever.

"Carly! What do you want?"

"Is that a way to greet me? How about hi Carly, how are you doing today?" The blonde woman mimicked what she had wanted to hear from her best friend.

"How are you doing today?" The tall man automatically uttered taking she wasn't in a good mood.

"Not very good actually." Carly walked past Jason and sat on his comfortable sofa ready to tell him all about her problem du jour.

The blond looked at his watch trying to convey the message that this wasn't a good time but he was blatantly ignored.

"You would not believe what Jax has been up to! He spends all his time with this Kate Howard and unashamedly takes her to dinner right under my nose at the Metro Court! Can you believe that? Dinner!"

Jason was relieved it wasn't about Elizabeth as Carly had the unpleasant habit of commenting on his dates with mostly negative things to say. She obviously had been way too busy spying on Jax to worry about Jason's love life.

"Don't they work together?" Jason asked trying to be the supportive friend. Carly was an annoyance to him most of the time but she was still his friend and he knew that she would do anything for him.

"Yes they do, and that's my point! They spend all their time together and Jax is doing it all just to spite me!"

"Maybe you are just making a big deal out of nothing."

"No, I know I am right! You should have seen her, all over him, laughing and stroking his arm! If she touches him one more time I will make sure to destroy her!"

"Carly, please don't do anything stupid. But I have to go now."

The blond woman's eyes opened wide. She couldn't believe that her best friend didn't have time to listen to her problems. "Where?" She asked irritated.

"Doesn't concern you."

"Since when do you hide things from me?"

"Listen Carly, I can't tell you every little thing that happens in my life. And I really have to go now so please stay out of trouble."

"Sure…" The blonde woman replied pensively, wondering where he was heading to. This was not a business meeting as he was dressed in his casual attire of choice; black t-shirt and jeans. On top of which he threw in his leather jacket. Carly didn't know what it was, but something smelled fishy and she would find out what was up with Jason. Jax was already slipping away from her; there was no way her best friend would too.

--

A/N: Next chapter will be their second date! Any idea where Jason will take Elizabeth this time?