A/N: Thanks for the great reviews, it definitely keeps me fueled!!! I also just started a collection of short one shots, it's going to be mainly fluff so check it out if you get a chance! Now on to the story… I know, shorter chapter, but last week's was a long one! But don't worry, more will be coming really soon.

I do not own General Hospital… but you already knew that.

Chapter 13 – Making it Up

-- EW Offices, Elizabeth's Office --

It had been great seeing Jason at the benefit after missing him for a very long week. Unfortunately his very demanding position as head of Morgan Enterprises had come in their way and forced him to cut their impromptu limo date short. Jason had explained to the brunette that the management of a company he was in the process of acquiring back in Hong Kong wanted to reopen negotiations and this was the kind of deal he couldn't pass on. The brunette had reassured him that she was fine with the situation because it was getting late anyway and that they could simply pick up on their date another time. He then reluctantly had to drop Elizabeth home before rushing to his company's headquarters.

But this was another day and Elizabeth was now back at work when she received a surprise visitor.

"Kate is here to see you." Maxie announced through the phone.

"Let her in!" Elizabeth instructed her assistant wondering why Kate would take the time to come all the way to EW. She was an extremely busy woman and Elizabeth usually was the one who sought her out. Not the other way around.

"Elizabeth! It's so good to see you." The fashion editor exclaimed as she was greeted by the brunette with a warm embrace.

"You too!" The younger woman replied. "But what are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you today."

"Well, you are going to love this. I am here to offer you an amazing deal." The older woman said with a suspiciously high level of enthusiasm.

"Ok… I'm interested. Please sit down and let me know all about it." She told her mentor as both sat down facing each other in the designer's office.

"Elizabeth, how would you feel about tagging along with me for the next Parisian fashion week?"

"What?" The young woman let out incredulous.

"Yes, you heard me right. I'm talking about front row seats to all the shows, backstage access to meet the most talented haute couture designers of our time… Galliano, Valentino, Gaultier, Jacobs… and so many more. Then spend the evening walking down the Champs Elysees dining in five stars restaurants and visiting the most beautiful city in the world."

"Wait, am I dreaming or you're really offering me a free trip to Paris?"

"No you're not dreaming. This is exactly why I am here."

"Oh my god yes! Absolutely yes! She stood up and was about to jump up and down before catching herself promptly. "Wait… you said a deal? A deal usually goes two ways. What do you want from me? And judging from the reward it must be pretty bad."

"No, no… it's actually something really fun, and I am offering you to tag along because I think it would be a lot of fun to have you around." The fashion editor claimed.

"Alright, what do you need me for?" Elizabeth was growing apprehensive.

"I need you for a page in Crimson."

"Wait… My clothes in Crimson? Of course! That in itself would have been great!"

"Well, that's were it becomes a little tricky. See, it's not exactly your clothes I need here but you."

"I'm not sure I'm following…" Elizabeth said now greatly confused.

"Ok, we had a whole article planned for the next issue but it failed through last minute and now we're short of stories. But… someone had the brilliant idea of this subject about the faces behind your favorite styles and today's trendsetters. In other words the plan is to shoot a popular designer."

"To what? If I understand this well… you want me to pose for Crimson?"

"Yes pretty much, that's it. It will be very tasteful… and we just might throw one or two male models in there for you to play with."

"What? Kate… You know I'm not good at this kind of things… I'm not a model and the camera doesn't even like me." Elizabeth said afraid of possibly having to expose herself in front of a group of professionals. She worked with models all the time and knew how challenging it was to produce a good picture.

"What are you talking about Elizabeth? You have the most gorgeous skin I have ever seen. And think about the opportunity, it's a great publicity stunt for you and EW… and don't forget Paris." The editor added.

And no, she hadn't forgotten Paris. "Only because it's you Kate… and because of Paris."

"Great!" The taller woman said then promptly stood up from the chair facing Elizabeth's office. "I know its incredibly last minute but the shoot is happening in an hour. We didn't have time to book a studio so we'll do it at the Metro Court ok?"

"Alright… see you in a bit."

-- Metro Court Hotel, lobby --

In less than an hour, Kate had been able to transform the hotel lobby into a full photo studio with Jax's consent. The fashion editor had no idea if his soon to officially be ex wife was aware of the happenings and frankly she didn't care. To her, the woman was a real pain in the neck that Jax could have done without. She had never been able to understand what he had seen in her in the first place, but the man was always up for a challenge and Carly definitely represented one.

Elizabeth arrived on the made up set and was quickly greeted by Kate who once again thanked her for playing along and then hurried her to fitting and make-up. Elizabeth was definitely not used to actually being the one in front of the camera and would have to check her shyness at the door for this one. She had agreed to participate in this and would do the best she could.

The young designer was first dressed in a nicely fitting black blazer that she wore over a silky white tank and a black ankle length cigarette pair of pants. The stylist in charge of wardrobe let Elizabeth know that this first outfit was chosen to represent her business savvy persona and that she would later pose in a knee length silky tunic dress and finally a simple oversized white shirt over a dark pair of jeans to represent the artist at work.

Without as much as a second to breathe, she was hurried to hair and makeup. Elizabeth was now sitting still, eyes delicately shut while a very chatty makeup artist made his magic happen on her. When she opened her eyes, she saw her face already transformed in the mirror, as well as Jason who was entering the hotel, with a confidant walk and both hands buried deep in his pockets.

"What are you doing here?" She asked surprised to see the blond man walk straight up to her.

Jason, who was dressed in a white button down shirt over dark gray pants, pinched the bridge of his nose before answering. "I was looking for you and somehow found my way here."

"Let me see… only Maxie knew I was here so I know how you got that info."

"Well well, aren't you a smart cookie…"

His remark was received with a slight grimace which brought a smile on Jason's lips but horrified the young man who was still powdering Elizabeth's face.

The blond went on talking. "So what is all this about? Your assistant told me about a photo shoot… but I had no idea you were the one posing."

"Well I was as surprised as you I can tell you that. I'm doing this as a favor to Kate Howard, you know… chief editor of Crimson."

"Crimson?" The man asked completely clueless. He knew who Kate was through Carly but Crimson he had never heard off.

"Yes Crimson!" The young makeup artist who had been listening to their conversation couldn't help himself from jumping in as he observed Jason's blatant lack of knowledge in fashion.

"Oh… I see." Jason said, still not sure of what they were talking about.

Elizabeth let out an amused chuckle. "Yes, Crimson the fashion magazine. But it's the middle of the afternoon, don't you have more important things to do than hang around here?"

"No… I'm absolutely free for the rest of the day." The businessman had felt bad for the way he had to cut their escape short the day before so decided he would make it up to her by clearing his schedule that afternoon and spending some uninterrupted time with the woman he was developing strong feelings for.

"Well… that's interesting… And what do you plan of doing of this free time?"

"I don't know… maybe get to watch my first photo shoot."

"Oh, so you mean you're really going to stick around?" Elizabeth asked excitedly then saw him nod. "Well this is great because after this I am free too. But I'm so nervous… I hate being in front of the camera."

"You'll be great! You look beautiful and I don't think the camera can miss that."

*****

The photo shoot went very well and the photograph, who was one of Kate's good friends, commanded Elizabeth on her posing skills. According to him she knew how to find her light and could express and very wide range of emotions with her eyes only; which couldn't be said of many of the models he worked with. The man had been very pleased shooting the designer and said he would gladly do it again anytime.

And Jason had really stuck around. He sat quietly in the back, arms crossed, observing her very professionally pose with other models and offer her gorgeous smile to the camera. This woman was a true beauty and even if she was very attractive with the professional lighting and makeup, Jason thought she looked the best with misplaced hair after a bumpy motorcycle ride.

Elizabeth found Jason in the crowded lobby. "All done here! We can go… Sorry it took so long. I hope it didn't get too boring."

"No, it was really interesting actually. And you really looked great."

He caused a smile to take over her face. "Thank you. Do you have to go back to the office?"

"No, like I told you no work this afternoon. And I know exactly what we can do of this free time…" he said awaking her curiosity then added. "Are we ready?"

"Yes, let me just let Kate know that I am out of here then I am all yours."

A light grin appeared on Jason's face when he heard these words. "Alright, I'll be waiting in the car outside."

"I'll be right there." Elizabeth assured Jason then left to find her mentor.

Kate was in the middle of a heated discussion with no one else than Carly Jacks when Elizabeth found her at the other end of the lobby. The woman apparently hadn't been informed that her hotel would be used as a photo studio for the afternoon and didn't miss the occasion to make a scene.

"Carly, Jax gave us the green light for this shoot to happen here, so if you have any concerns, take it up to him!" Kate told the blonde woman, arms flying up in the air.

"Oh you bet I will, but first I want you and all your mess out of my hotel! If it was only up to me you would have been out looking for new offices for your crappy magazine already! Nobody needs your cold and bitchy self here!"

"Well, that's just like you…. You don't know what to say and you straight up result to insults. Grow up Carly!"

Elizabeth who walked in on the argument tried to support Kate against the louder woman who for some reason always seemed extremely angry.

"Hi… Carly right?" Elizabeth bravely interjected. "Listen, sorry if this whole thing was a surprise to you but maybe you should have this discussion with Jax. He's the one who authorized this shoot and if there is a problem, he is who you should be talking to."

"What the hell are you doing here and why are you even talking to me about what I should say or not say to my husband? You may have Jason under your thumb but me and Jax does not concern you by a long shot and if I were you I would definitely stay the hell out of my way or you'll seriously regret it!"

The woman snarled then swiftly turned on her shiny boots probably in search of a new receiver for her anger.

"I hate that woman with a passion!" Kate declared as she watched Carly enter the hotel elevator. "She is a real viper. I can't believe Jax was in love with her!"

"Well… people are interested in different things."

"I get that but come on… And she gets extremely jealous every time I am around Jax. I mean I work with him so of course we spend a lot of time together but she doesn't seem to grasp the idea and she is always pulling the most incredible stunts just to interrupt us."

"Talking about Jax… you know; you two would make a great couple." Elizabeth remarked.

"Oh… Elizabeth… not you too. Tabloids have been going crazy with rumors of us having an affair when we simply are partners and friends. And for some reason I think he's not completely over his wife."

"What if he was? Would you be interested?"

"Elizabeth… I've already found the love of my life. Crimson is all I live for. And besides… dating Jax would mean dealing with Carly on a regular basis and no one deserves this."

"You have a point. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I was leaving. Jason is here and…"

"Yes… I saw him; he was sitting quietly in the back, eyes locked on you the whole time. And I noticed him flinch a few times when we brought in the two hot male models you posed with." The editor let out accompanied with a light chuckle. "How are things going?"

Elizabeth welcomed her friend's comment with a full smile. "You know, actually everything has been great. I mean, I could never have imagined that he of all people could be such an amazing guy."

"Well I am happy for you. I knew it would be just a matter of time before you found Mr. Right." The editor said sporting a large grin. "Now I have to run back up to Crimson to make sure this story is ready for the next issue. Thank you again for landing your face. You did great."

"No problem. It was fun actually... and I can't wait for Paris!"

The two women hugged and the designer joined Jason outside the hotel. He was waiting for her in a shiny silver convertible Aston Martin. A doorman promptly held the door open for her to sit in the luxurious car and the couple took off for their next location.

--

A/N: Coming up next on A Fashion Affair: "On the Love Boat"