A/N: What? An update in less than a week? lol… Well now that I'm out of school I have more time in my hands and should be able to keep them coming without too much delay so here we go! I also wanted to say thank you for the feedback and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter! (And sorry for the Sam intrusion but no one else fit the skanky profile better than her…)

I do not own these characters or the show would look so much different right now...

Chapter 17 – Mixed Calls

-- Elizabeth's house --

Elizabeth had spent the whole night twisting and turning in bed, preoccupied by how a wonderful evening had turned into her worst nightmare. Who is this Sam McCall and what was she doing at Jason's? Is he really dating someone else? Was I only the latest addition to his harem? So many questions storming through her mind.

She couldn't believe it. Making love to Jason had been wonderful, extraordinary even. She had imagined many times how it would feel to be in his arms and he had surely exceeded all of her expectation. Sadly, a cheap looking woman had tarnished what should have been a great memory for them. Elizabeth couldn't live through that kind of pain again. She had promised herself that she would never be played for a fool again and felt as if she had been stupid to think that somehow Jason was different.

She had left Kate Howard's mansion earlier that morning, regaining her house to get ready for work. She had greatly appreciated her friend's consoling and wise words and before leaving had promised Kate she would sit on things and not act impulsively.

The designer was now on her way out when her cell phone rang; she read Jason's name on the screen of her blackberry. Ordinarily she would have hurried to answer the call, but that day Elizabeth let the phone ring once, twice, three times before finally answering. She was still very mad but followed Kate's advice and decided to hear him out.

"Hello?"

"Elizabeth? I am so glad to hear your voice. I wasn't sure you would pick up."

"I don't know why I did."

"Listen, what happened yesterday was a complete misunderstanding. I didn't lie to you or cheat on you. Like I was trying to explain before you left, I've last seen this girl months ago. She was just someone I met at a party, we got together a couple of times and it stopped there. It was never anything serious; I was as shocked as you when she barged in my apartment pretending we were more than what we are. And even if we used to see each other it was only physical and I haven't seen her since you and I have been together."

Elizabeth remained quiet.

"I am so sorry this had to happen on a night like the one we spent yesterday. And you can't go by anything she said; she was obviously trying to come between us. But I promise you I have absolutely no interest in that woman, you are the only one I want to be with."

Elizabeth was silent still.

"I know my reputation precedes me but I would never date two women at the same time; it's not me. And I would never do this to you; I care too much about you. Please say something, anything."

"I want to believe you. I really do." The young woman finally let out.

"I am telling you the truth Elizabeth. You have to trust me."

"I really want to, but everything that happened with Lucky flashed back in my head. I am not about to suffer the way I did, not again."

"I am really sorry all this made you relive very bad times. Hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do. I… I care so much about you Elizabeth. Please let's just leave this behind us."

She hesitated for a few seconds then finally replied. "I can't really talk right now; I'm going to be late for work. I'll call you later." She hastily hung up.

-- EW Offices –

As soon as Elizabeth entered EW's headquarters, Maxie presented her a list of tasks that needed to be done that day. But the young designer's mind was lost somewhere that had nothing to do with fashion.

"I can't believe you are late! Jax has been waiting for you for at least fifteen minutes! Remember? He's here about the PR budget and all… you know how important that is right?"

"Oh right… I completely forgot."

Maxie took in the nonchalant way her boss spoke these words. She had been extremely excited all week about the new PR campaign Jax was ready to finance. "Elizabeth, are you ok? You worry me right now."

"I'm fine. Is he still in my office?"

"Yes. But not very happy he had to wait."

The brunette quickly made her way to her office to meet Jasper Jacks.

"Elizabeth wait!" Maxie called out wanting to make sure everything was fine with her boss.

"Not now Maxie…" She said before entering her office.

-- EW, Elizabeth's office --

"Jax, sorry for the wait, a last minute thing held me up."

"It's ok, but I have other meetings today so let's get straight to work."

Elizabeth dropped her brown Gucci bag on her desk and sat down ready to listen to what would probably be extremely boring financial figures.

"Ok so the advertising firm called One PR is going to take care of the campaign, from interviews, magazines ads, billboards, editorials and custom made gowns for celebrities."

"Wow, that's a lot. I didn't realize it would be that extensive."

"Yes, but that's exactly the point, for everyone to eat and breathe EW!" Jax exclaimed excitedly. "And they are also talking about an Elizabeth Webber fragrance."

The designer only answered him with a half smile.

"What is it? You don't like the idea?"

"No, all this is great! I am so grateful for everything you are doing. I would never have thought about half these things. It's just that I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Oh I see. I hope everything's ok." The tall man said with a large smile. "Well, I was thinking we could meet up with the advertisers tonight over a few drinks. So we can all let loose and share ideas in a more casual and creative environment."

"Tonight? I don't know; I really don't feel like going out right now."

"Elizabeth, I'm not sure you realize how important that campaign is for EW."

"I do… And I'm sorry, you're right. Let's meet tonight and talk about all this in more details."

The last thing Elizabeth was feeling like doing was socializing over drinks as her mind was preoccupied by her situation with Jason and especially by the way she had reacted. As the day progressed, and after hearing his explanation, she felt as if she might have somewhat overreacted. But the best way to clear up her mind was to stop thinking about Jason for a few hours. She hoped everything would make sense again after and that she may then come up with solutions to her problems.

-- Metro Court, Bar and Restaurant --

Elizabeth arrived at the Metro Court later that day to meet with Jax. She had almost decided to push the meeting back but there was no way she would stop living because of a man. After her break up with Lucky, she had completely isolated herself which cost her many friendships and affected her work in a negative way, losing all inspiration and desire to draw… she wasn't about to make the same mistakes.

Elizabeth spotted Jax at the hotel bar and joined him.

"You look amazing! Is that an EW original?"

"Yes, the beauty of being a designer is that I can make my own clothes." Elizabeth was dressed of a nicely constructed dark turquoise bubble dress that she paired with white peep toe shoes. Her thick hair was held up in a loose bun, except for two tresses that fell on either sides of her face.

"We can tell, it fits you beautifully." He complimented her. "I'm sorry but I just got a call from the campaign director and she had to cancel last minute."

"What? Oh no… I actually had a few ideas that I was looking forward to share with her."

"Amelia sends her regrets, something urgent came up… a crisis with a celebrity I think… she talked about doing damage control."

"Oh well, that's really too bad."

"But why don't we stay, enjoy a few drinks. And if you want to talk I'm here to lend an ear." The gentleman offered.

"That's very nice of you Jax… And well why not stay for a drink?" She said, thinking that a good cocktail was exactly what she needed at the moment.

Jax directed Elizabeth towards a table on the terrace. The view was breathtaking and instantly reminded Elizabeth of her first date with Jason. He was so full of himself back then she thought, her lips curling up instinctively.

Her smile didn't go unnoticed by Jax. "Feeling better already… you're finally smiling."

He had no idea that what had her smiling was the same person that had her so preoccupied.

The two friends got sited and a waiter promptly came up to them. The corporate raider ordered a bottle of his best champagne that the young man hastily brought.

"Champagne?" Elizabeth asked. "What are we celebrating?"

"The success of EW, and simply our friendship." Jax said holding his flute up high.

Elizabeth was about to imitate him when she noticed his ex-wife making her way towards them with high speed. Elizabeth had forgotten all about that drama seeking woman when Jax had asked her to meet him at the Metro Court.

"Oh… you've got to be kidding me! She's still not over you?" Elizabeth asked an amused Jax.

"I don't think she'll ever be; that woman is clingier than a leech." He said in his delightful Aussie accent.

Elizabeth shook her head expressing her outrage as Carly got closer.

"Oh now this is just great!" The blond woman screeched, fists confidently resting on her hips.

Elizabeth spoke to Jax ignoring the blond woman. "You know what Jax, I am sorry but I can't deal with this right now. Thanks for the drink though."

"Elizabeth, I'm really sorry about that." The man expressed with sincerity.

Carly jumped in the conversation. "What do you mean you are sorry? Let me remind you that I still own part of this hotel and I have a say on who gets to set foot in here! You have to stop pushing my buttons Jax! You know I have my issues with her so of course you bring her here… and damn it, she disrespected me and you're going to sit here and sip champagne with her?"

Elizabeth was about to open her mouth to interrupt Carly's outburst but was promptly cut off with a hand up. "I am not talking to you right now so you can shut it!" She turned to face her ex husband once more. "It's one thing that you have to work with her and that Jason decides to shack up with her for god knows what reason, but I do not want to see her anywhere near my hotel!"

"Well let me make your evening better… I'm out of here." Elizabeth threw out standing up; she needed to get away before entering into another pointless argument.

The designer started walking towards the elevators but suddenly stopped in her tracks and turned to face a content Carly. "And by the way Carly, please just make all of our lives easier and simply let go of your obsession with Jax. I mean have a little respect for yourself and move on!" She let out, leaving Jax and his ex wife openmouthed. Elizabeth had tried very hard to be the better person and not react to Carly's baiting but she simply couldn't resist setting the woman straight.

Elizabeth noticed the 'oh no she didn't' look developing on the taller woman's face then tried to leave the scene with a firm intention of having the last words; but a harsh hand gripping her shoulder viciously spun her around. "Little Bitch! Who do you think you are talking to me like this? I'll show you who you…"

Jax who had been a simple spectator until then, jumped up from his chair and quickly held Carly by the waist to prevent her from doing further damage. "Carly, that's enough!"

Elizabeth sent one last attitude filled glare at Carly, then without a word, left the two ex lovers behind. She knew Carly would certainly not appreciate her little piece of advice but it was about time someone told her the truth, Elizabeth thought. Hopefully Jax was there to break what could easily have become a full out brawl between the two women.

*****

As she drove home, the brunette could only think about Jason. All night and day Elizabeth had tried to make sense out of what had happened and ended up thinking that maybe she had jumped to conclusion a little too fast. After all Jason had never done anything to make her doubt his commitment to her and his expression when all went down was conveying more surprise than guilt.

Maybe what he had told her on the phone was the truth and that this woman was just as spiteful as Carly and just couldn't accept that he had moved on with his life. Maybe it was as simple as that. So just for this time she would give him the benefit of the doubt. Elizabeth had almost reached her house when she suddenly made a U-turn and drove in the direction of Harborview Towers.

-- Harborview Towers, Penthouse 2 --

Jason heard his phone's ringtone echo in his penthouse. Could it be Elizabeth?

The day had been a long one, between constantly checking his phone for a call from the brunette and beating himself up for not having been able to clearly convince Elizabeth that Sam was nothing to him. He had tried to explain but no matter what he had said, the other woman's simple presence had made him guilty in Elizabeth's eyes. Hopefully she had finally been able to sit on the situation and realize that it was all a huge misinterpretation.

He hurriedly grabbed his cell phone and flipped it open ignoring the caller ID.

"Elizabeth?"

"No, it's Sam remember me?"

His face couldn't express more disappointment. "What do you want?" He harshly threw back at her.

"We parted on not so good terms last time so I thought I would call and we could talk." She said, trying very hard to sound genuine.

"You have a lot of nerves calling me after what you pulled yesterday."

"Oh come on, if she loves you she'll get past an ex coming by to say hello."

"My life would so much easier right now if I never met you."

"Ok… I could feel hurt by that." She said truly vexed. "Listen Jason, I know you're not a big fan of me right now but you have to hear me out. I called because I have something important to discuss with you."

"Sam, there is nothing I can or want to do for you."

"You don't understand, it actually concerns you, and I am afraid you don't have a choice but to hear what I have to tell you."

"Then talk!"

"Not on the phone, it's too important… You are a smart man Jason; you'll like the information I have for you."

"Stop wasting my time ok?" He said about to hang up.

"Oh… stupid me, I thought you would want to know what one of your main clients has been up to."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ah… now you wanna know?"

"Sam! Stop playing games and start talking now!"

"Well I only have four letters for you, R-I-C-O. Now are you sure you don't want to hear what I have to tell you?" She paused observing Jason's silence. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Meet me at the Metro Court and I'll tell you everything I know." She hung up the phone proud of her scheme.

--

A/N: Next: "A Picture Perfect Lie"