A/N – Thanks for the warm welcome! Glad you are liking the buildup. This one has several villains working together. * Guest – Sorry, it's already written. I can't leave people like Courtney and Sam out of every fic. I think I have more written without them then with. I don't think the next bigger fic has either of them in it through. If it fits my story, then I have to use them. * maryrose59 – Had to fit Toms River in there at some point since Steve usually visits the area.

Remember Jason is Jake.

Chapter 2 - Bonding

Jake's eyes flickered open. It was still dark. He must have fallen asleep. Liz shifted in his arms and he looked down. They had been watching a movie after a great make out session. He gazed down at her beautiful face and wondered how he could have ever gotten this lucky. In the span of a week she had captured his heart. He wanted to be with her every waking moment. Looking at the clock on the DVR, he noticed it was 1:00 a.m. Should he get up or stay? She felt so good pressed up against him that he made the easy decision. He would stay right where he was and enjoy it.

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Elizabeth's eyes blinked open and then she felt Jake kiss her head. "Holy shit." She said jumping up.

Jake grinned. "Good morning."

Liz was flummoxed for a moment. "Good morning."

"You okay?"

She nodded wondering how the hell he looked so good first thing in the morning. "I'll be right back."

Jake sat up and ran his fingers through his hair and then stretched. He hadn't slept that good in ages. He still had time to shower and get to work on time.

Liz walked into the kitchen and turned on the coffee pot. She still had an hour before she needed to get to work.

"Did you sleep okay?" He asked her.

"I did." She said smiling before sitting down next to him as he put on his boots.

"Me too. It was nice getting to hold you."

She blushed. "Sorry I ran out. I was just surprised."

"So, you're okay with it?" He asked making sure she wasn't feeling awkward.

She nodded. "I'm fine."

He gave her a quick peck. "I better go take a shower. Do you want to do dinner at my place?"

She smiled. "Sure."

"Alright, I'll see you later." He said taking one last look at her.

"See you later." She said smiling.

He left and she squealed and ran into her bedroom. She couldn't wait to tell Maggie what happened.

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Elizabeth sat in the break room with Maggie and Suzanne. They women were about the burst at the seams wondering what Liz was going to tell them about the hunk of burning love that they all lusted after.

"Okay, spill." Maggie said.

"We fell asleep on the couch last night." Liz said.

Suzanne grinned. "Did you freak out in the morning?"

Liz laughed. "You know me too well. Yes, but I recovered fast."

"He's such a hunk." Maggie said.

"I was here when they brought him in." Suzanne said quietly.

Liz's eyes grew big. "Really?"

She nodded. "He was really messed up."

"How so?"

"He was banged up pretty badly. He had broken ribs and didn't wake up for three days. Apparently, someone ran him off the road. His SUV rolled several times. They had to use the jaws of life to get him out of there." Suzanne explained.

"Wow." Maggie said.

"He had some deep bruises too. When he woke up and didn't know his name, we were all shocked. His hair was short and spiky back then by the way." She added.

Liz smiled. "I like his long hair."

"Gives you something to grab onto." Maggie said as they laughed.

"I'm only going to say this once." Suzanne said before taking a deep breath. "Be careful. Someone was clearly trying to hurt him. You have no idea who was and they could still be out there, not to mention that he could be married."

"Was he wearing a ring?" Liz asked.

"No but that doesn't really mean anything. I just don't want you to get hurt." Suzanne said. She liked Jake but she really didn't want to see Elizabeth killed because of him.

Liz sighed. "I know but honestly, I don't think I could stop seeing him. It was so different with Matt. He was sweet and kind but I don't know, I just wasn't where he was at. Jake is like walking sex. Oh my God, I have heart palpiltations every time I see him."

Maggie grinned.

"I swear it's like being in high school again. He doesn't remember so let's just say he's very eager to explore." She said blushing.

"Dear Lord you are a lucky woman." Suzanne said.

"Was he really cranky when he was in the hospital?" Liz asked.

"He hated it but he was never rude to anyone. Frank's wife Carol, his fiancé at the time, was volunteering and she helped Jake a lot. That's how Jake met Frank. They had an apartment above the garage and Frank offered it. As Jake got better, he hung out in the garage and ended up helping Frank and that is when he discovered he was a mechanic."

"But you don't think he is?" Liz asked.

Suzanne shook her head. "No. I've seen him move and how he takes in his surroundings. I'm not sure what to think but I can tell you that Carol said that him and Frank went hunting and Jake's shooting abilities were really impressive."

Liz took everything she was saying in and wondered who Jake was before. It was a dangerous place to go because she knew that if he remembered, she could potentially lose him. Shaking off the feeling of dread, she cleared her throat. "So, did they ever figure out why he doesn't remember?"

"I believe it was just brain trauma. They offered to operate but I think after being hurt for so long, Jake didn't want any part of it and just decided to settle down here."

Their pagers went off and they all looked at them. "Duty calls." Suzanne said.

Liz followed them out of the room wondering if she was biting off more than she could chew.

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Elizabeth looked out the window as Jake drove towards the beach.

"I thought maybe we'd go to the boardwalk." Jake said.

Liz smiled. "Sounds nice. I haven't been in a while."

Jake pulled into a parking lot.

"Suzanne, my boss, said that she was there when you were brought in."

Jake parked the car and looked over at her. "I didn't yell at her did I?"

Liz smiled. "No, she said you weren't happy to be there but you were never rude."

"Good."

He got out and came to get her and they started walking. "It was hard. I didn't know anyone or who I was. I was pretty quiet actually."

"I wish I was there for you." She said softly.

He kissed her on the top of her head. "Me too."

They walked onto the boardwalk.

"I want a henna tattoo." She said looking at a stand across the way.

Jake chuckled. "Really?"

She nodded. "Come on."

A teenager watched them walk towards them and barely paid attention to Elizabeth. Her eyes were solely on Jake. "How can I help you?"

Jake cleared his throat. "My girl would like a henna tattoo."

Liz smiled at the reference.

"Here are the books. Is there something you had in mind?" She asked pointing them out.

"Something for my ankle." Liz said.

The girl pulled out a book and flipped a couple of pages. "Look at these." She said before smiling up at Jake who looked at her suspiciously, not understanding why she was looking at him weirdly.

Liz chose a flower one and sat down. That is when she noticed that the girl and now a friend of hers were smiling and Jake who wasn't even paying attention to them. She had to admit, he looked really cute. He had on board shorts, a tee-shirt, and some vans. His hair had blonde highlights in them from the sun and he definitely looked like he belonged at the beach.

Jake watched as the girl cleaned Liz's ankle and then applied the henna. Liz was then given some instructions and Jake paid for it even though Liz protested.

"Bye." The girl said to Jake.

"Bye." Jake said taking Liz's hand as they walked away.

"They were so checking you out." She said.

He frowned. "I just thought they were extra friendly or something."

"They barely acknowledged my presence unless they had too." She said grinning.

"You have an overactive imagination." He said.

She laughed. "You're so oblivious."

"Me? What about you? Do you know how many men I've had to glare at since we've been here?" He asked incredulously.

Liz stopped walking. "What?"

Jake chuckled. "My girl is hot."

She grinned. "Well, my boy is pretty hot too."

He kissed her. "Want to go on the ferris wheel?"

"You just want to make out at the top." She said smiling, but when Jake seemed to consider that and gave her a wicked smile she knew she was in trouble. Laughing, she walked towards the ticket window with a big grin on her face.

A few minutes later, they were stuck at the top and Jake looked over at her. "Perhaps you can teach me proper ferris wheel making out techniques."

She smiled and pulled his head towards her. "Just go for it."

And he did. They were so caught up in the kiss that they didn't realize that they had started moving again until a few teenage boys started clapping and whistling.

Liz laughed. "I guess we put on quite the show."

"They have to learn somewhere." He said with a smirk on his face.

He kissed her again not even caring if anyone saw them.

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They got a few slices and sat down to eat.

"This pizza is so good." Liz said practically inhaling it.

Jake chuckled. He liked that she had a good appetite.

"It is good." He said before taking another bite.

They finished quickly and Liz smiled. "Do you know what this means?"

He looked at her curiously. "What?"

"It's time for dessert."

Jake grinned. "What would you like?"

"There is so much to choose from. I think I want an ice cream cone with chocolate sprinkles."

He stood. "Come on."

They went found a place they liked and Jake watched her eat it.

"We really need to work on your sweet tooth." She said.

He smiled. "Frank asked me over for dinner tomorrow night. He said I could bring a date."

She smiled back. "Did you need me to hook you up with someone?"

Jake's mouth dropped open for a second before he saw the mischievous look in her eye. "Very funny. Will you go with me?"

"Sure. I get off at four."

"I'll pick you up at six."

She smiled. The week had gone by quickly but she was excited that Jake wanted her to meet his friends.

They went over to the arcade and Jake won her a stuffed bear and they decided to head home.

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Jake was laying on his back on the couch and Liz was straddling him. They were totally clothed but neither remembered how they got into the position.

"I lose all focus when you're touching me." Elizabeth said with a smirk.

"Hey, you're the one on top of me." He said smiling.

"This time around." Liz said laughing.

Jake's hands dipped under her shirt and a shiver radiated through her body. Soon they were covering her bra and she smiled. "Smooth." She said.

"I'm just warming them up." Jake said smirking.

"Warmth is not something I'm having a problem with right now."

His thumb flickered over her nipple and Liz moaned causing Jake's eyes to connect with hers. With a groan, he pulled her down flush against him and speared her mouth with his tongue. They both knew they needed to stop if they were going too.

"I'm going to need a cold shower." Jake said breathlessly.

Liz chuckled. "Ditto."

They sat up and took a deep breath at the same time, making each other chuckle.

Noting what time it was Liz stood up. "I hate to kiss and run but I didn't realize what time it was."

"Sure….." Jake said standing up and hugging her. "I miss you already."

Liz bit her lip. "Me too."

They kissed again and then Jake walked her to her car. "Drive safe."

She smiled and got in and then caught a glimpse of her kiss swollen lips in the mirror and smiled. Life was good.

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Frank opened the door with a big smile on his face. "Jake, come in."

Jake let Liz go in first and followed.

"This man is single-handedly going to be responsible for my early retirement." Frank said as Jake chuckled. "You must be Elizabeth."

She held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I've seen your wife at the hospital."

Carolyn came out of the kitchen and walked towards them. "Ah, nurse Webber." She said smiling at Elizabeth. "It's about time you found someone to hang out with." She said winking at Jake.

Liz smiled. "It's nice to see you again."

"Jake has been a little shy. Lord knows we've tried to fix him up but he was always a no show."

Jake groaned. "I did fine on my own."

Carolyn chuckled. "That you did." She knew that Elizabeth was a nice girl and from the way Jake was looking at her, she could tell he was falling fast. "Let's sit down while the lasagna bakes."

They went into the living room and Frank handed Jake a beer.

"Liz, I was going to break in my margarita machine. You game?" Carolyn asked.

She nodded. "Definitely." She said before following her into the kitchen.

"You two definitely look good together." The older woman said.

Liz smiled. "He's a good man."

"That he is and all he was missing was a good woman."

"Well I'm glad that I could help him out with that." Liz said grinning.

"Me too." Carolyn said starting the machine up.

When it was finished she poured some into two glasses and then they went back into the living room with the guys.

"Elizabeth, I hear you're an artist." Frank said.

She smiled. "Yes. It's something I really enjoy."

"I would love to hire you to paint something for me. Can you use a picture as a reference?" Carolyn asked.

"Sure."

Carolyn pulled out her phone and showed her what she wanted.

"That's beautiful." Liz said.

"It's in Aruba."

Liz smiled. "If you're serious, I'd love to paint it for you. It might take me a little while because of work."

Carolyn held out her hand and they shook. "It's a deal."

Jake was proud of her.

They ate dinner and had a great time talking about the couple's honeymoon.

Before long, it was time to go. Carolyn gave Elizabeth a big hug. "You got yourself a keeper."

Liz smiled. "You too."

They walked to the car.

"I hope you had a good time." Jake said.

"I did." Liz said smiling. "They are very nice."

He leaned over and kissed her, happy that she was in his life. It gave him some peace for the first time since he had woke up from the coma.

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The next week went by quickly. Between being swamped at the shop and Liz having to work a couple of double shifts, they were both tired, but they spent every night together.

They went back to the diner to get some food.

Liz's phone buzzed in her pocket and she grabbed it. "Shit."

Jake frowned. "What's wrong?"

Liz sighed. "Well, my sister got engaged and they are having a party in two weeks."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

"Because she's a pain in my ass. Can you say bridezilla? They are expecting me to bring a date and that's a lot of pressure." Liz said.

Jake thought for a moment. "I'll go with you."

Liz was shocked. "Jake, we just met and I couldn't put you through that."

"I don't mind. As long as I'm with you, I'm good." He said firmly.

She smiled. "So you'd really be my date?" Liz asked making sure that he was serious.

He nodded. "I would. Do I have to dress up?"

"Yes. Do you have any suits?"

"I do." He had attended his bosses wedding so it was in his closet collecting dust.

"I don't know how I'll repay you for this." She said softly.

"Have dinner with me every night this week and we're even." He said smiling. "We have to get to know each other after all."

Liz chuckled. "I was already planning that."

"There's always third base." He quipped.

Liz laughed loudly. "You're insatiable."

"I can't help it. You bring it out in me."

Debbie watched them from across the room with a big smile on her face. She was so happy for Jake.

"Seriously, if you want to slide into home you could just cover yourself in chocolate and it would be a done deal." She said smirking.

Jake laughed. "You really shouldn't say things like that to me."

Liz grinned. "Yum." She said as Jake shook his head.

She always made him laugh. He was a quiet, introspective man and most of the time he could care less if he even spoke to other people. With her, he didn't feel like he needed to hide. He felt free.

A/N – Ah the calm before the storm….