A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – Why is Sarah a bitch?

Chapter 6 – New Beginnings

Elizabeth groaned. "I think I might need a drink." She said sitting down.

"Matt is a gentleman." Andrea said. "I'm sure it will be fine."

Sarah walked in followed by Matt.

"Hi." Jeff said smiling. "Welcome to the insane asylum."

Matt grinned. "Thanks."

"Your brother is in the kitchen." Jeff added.

Matt looked over at Elizabeth. "Hello."

"Hi." She said softly.

"Can I talk to you for a minute alone?" He asked.

Liz nodded and they went out to the porch.

Patrick and Jason walked back in the room after they had gone. "Where's Liz?" Patrick asked.

"She's on the porch with Matt." Sarah said.

Jason's eyes shot to Sarah's.

"Don't worry. She's totally into you." Sarah said to Jason who didn't say anything.

Audrey fought a chuckle. Jason looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Have a seat Jason. We promise not to bite."

He nodded and sat down and listened to the family banter back and forth while wondering what was going on outside.

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Elizabeth stood and watched Matt sit down. "So, this is an awkward coincidence."

Matt smirked. "You could say that again."

"I never realized your Patrick was Sarah's Patrick."

"I probably never explained that we had different last names." Matt said.

"True." Liz said.

"So, you and Jason huh?"

Liz nodded. "Yes. I'm sorry if that upsets you."

"I know you didn't do it to hurt me. You're a hard woman to get over." Matt said sadly.

"I don't know what to say or how to make this less awkward." She said.

"I'll deal. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. We've always had an easy vibe between us and I don't want that to change." Matt said sincerely. "I'm still in love with you Elizabeth and it's hard not to want you but I can't force you to want me back. I'll deal with my feelings and I do hope that someday we can be just friends. We are going to see each other from time to time and in the end, I just want you to be happy."

Liz wiped a tear away. She hated hurting him. She had cared deeply for Matt but it wasn't like what she felt for Jason. "I don't want to hurt you either. The truth is that I do miss our friendship."

They had a lot of fun together and moving was a hard thing for her to do but she needed to do what was right for her in the end.

Matt stood up and hugged her. "It's okay." He said hating to see her upset.

He pulled back and Liz wiped her face.

"You go in. I need a minute." She said.

He nodded and went inside. When Jason saw that Liz wasn't with Matt, he was a little worried.

"She's still on the porch." Matt said to Jason. "You might want to check on her."

Jason put his drink down and left the room.

"You okay?" Sarah asked.

Matt nodded. "I'm okay. We're good."

Andrea studied Matt wondering why her daughter didn't choose the man. He was handsome and a doctor and seemed really nice. How the hell Elizabeth ended up with a mob enforcer was something she just couldn't process. But, as long as her daughter was happy, she wouldn't interfere.

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Jason walked up behind Elizabeth. "You okay?"

She gasped and turned around. Jason could tell she had been crying.

"Yes." She said softly.

He pulled her into his arms. "You don't look okay."

She let out a shaky laugh. "It's hard knowing you're hurting someone you care about it."

"Were you in love with him Elizabeth?"

"I loved him but I don't think I was ever in love with him if that makes any sense. He was really good to me and we were close friends. I had a lot of fun with Matt but he wasn't the one for me so I got out. To him, I was the one for him. He still loves me and I'm sure it hurts for him to see me with you. I miss him, not as a lover but as a friend."

"That makes sense." Jason said.

"I was just blindsided by his presence and then I was overwhelmed with guilt which is crazy because I really didn't feel guilty when I moved to New Jersey. I knew it was the right thing." She said emotionally.

"It's hard seeing someone you care about hurt because of something that you did. It will take time." He said.

"Does him being here bother you?" She asked curiously.

"I will admit I'm a little jealous but it's not like I can say much considering Sam's existence. I trust you Elizabeth. I trust our feelings for each other. It would be different if I doubted that but I don't." He said firmly.

She kissed him gently. "Thank you for letting me feel the way I need to. It's nice to know I don't have to censure myself with you."

"That's how it should be. I always want us to be able to be honest about how we feel. It might hurt sometimes but that's okay." He said before kissing her deeply.

Liz blushed under his gaze. "I guess we better get back in there."

Jason nodded. "Okay."

"So, do you want to go to Carly's for dinner?"

"Do you think they'd let you out of here?" Jason asked.

Liz chuckled. "They don't get a say and it's the perfect excuse to escape."

She loved her family but with Matt being there she was ready to go. "Are you sure you're up for it?" She asked.

Jason shrugged. He was really curious about Sonny. "It would get it over with so yes. Then we'll ditch them and I can have you all to myself."

Liz grinned. "It's a deal."

They went back inside and Audrey spoke up. "Are you two staying for dinner?"

"No." Elizabeth said.

"Elizabeth." Andrea said. "I want to spend time with you."

"We already made plans. They are expecting us. I'll have lunch with you at the hotel tomorrow." Liz said.

Her mother pouted but then agreed.

Jeff hugged Elizabeth. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too daddy."

They all said goodbye. Jason even shook hands with Matt and then they went outside where Francis was waiting.

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Francis called ahead and let an excited Carly know they would be there in a few minutes.

"Is there anything I need to know?" Jason asked.

Francis looked in the rear view mirror. "No. They are pretty normal outside of the business. You should be fine."

Jason looked over at Elizabeth and squeezed her hand and soon they were pulling into the driveway and Jason wondered what he had agreed to when he saw a couple of guards with guns positioned outside.

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Carly looked up when the door opened. She was beyond happy that Jason was willing to come over. They walked inside and she stood up with Michael in her arms.

"Hey." She said. "Come in and make yourself comfortable. There's a beer on the coffee table for you." She said looking at Jason. "Elizabeth, what would you like to drink?"

"What are you having?" She asked eyeing Carly's glass.

"Some Pinot."

Liz smiled. "That will be perfect."

"Do you mind holding Michael?" She asked.

Liz smiled. "Not at all."

Michael smiled at her as he was passed off and then became engrossed with Liz's hair.

They sat down and Jason watched her interact with Michael.

Carly came back into the room and put the wine down. "If you put him down then make sure you grab your drinks. He'll put just about anything in his mouth. It's kind of disgusting."

Liz chuckled. "You're just an explorer right Michael?" She asked him as she tickled his belly and his laughter rippled throughout the room.

Emily burst into the room. "Carly, I need to borrow….." Her mouth dropped open at the sight of Jason. "Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting."

Jason looked over at her. "Emily right?"

Emily nodded and smiled. "Right."

"What did you need?" Carly asked.

"I have a date and I was wondering if I could borrow your small Prada purse. I looked everywhere and can't find mine." She explained.

Carly stood up. "Sure. I'll be right back."

Emily sat down. "How's it going?" She asked.

"We just escaped from my parents and co." Elizabeth said. "It was touch and go for a while."

Emily grinned. She liked Elizabeth. "Family can be a little daunting although I think the Quartermaine's would put your family to shame. They put the cray in crazy."

Liz chuckled.

"So, who are you dating?" Jason asked.

Emily looked over at him with surprise. "Um, his name is Jasper Jacks but everyone calls him Jax."

Jason made a face and Emily laughed.

"He and Sonny don't get along because they share an ex but I can't mention her in front of Carly because she'll blow a gasket." Emily whispered.

"Is he good to you?" Jason asked.

"Very. He treats me with respect and spoils me rotten. It's a win-win." Emily said smiling.

"Good." Jason said.

Carly came down with the purse. "Here you go."

Emily stood up and smiled. "Thanks Carly. I owe you one."

Carly smiled. "Don't mention it. Just have fun."

"Bye everyone." Emily said before running out.

"I like her." Liz said to no one in particular.

"Emily's great. We got closer while you were gone. I was glad for the company." Carly said.

Sonny walked into the room. "I hope everyone is hungry."

Michael squealed and everyone chuckled.

"I'm Sonny." He said to Elizabeth. "It's nice to meet you."

Liz smiled. "It's nice to meet you too."

Sonny's eyes moved over to Jason.

"I guess this is kind of weird for you." Jason said.

Sonny nodded. "It is but I was around the first time so I know the deal." He said.

Jason shook his hand. "Thanks for having us."

"Anytime. Let's go to the dining room."

Carly took Michael back and then they grabbed their drinks and headed to the table.

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Liz savored the bite she had just took. "Wow, this is incredible."

Sonny smiled. "Thanks. I like to cook. It relaxes me."

Jason took a sip of his beer. "It's really good."

"So Elizabeth, what do you do?" Sonny asked.

"I'm a nurse."

"And an artist." Jason added.

"What kind of artist?" Sonny asked.

"I paint and sketch." Liz said.

Carly smiled. "I wish I had some artistic talent."

"Does fashion count? Because God knows you know how to put together an outfit. My bank account can attest to that." Sonny said trying not to smile.

Liz chuckled as she watched Carly give Sonny a playful glare.

Jason just took them in as everyone chatted. He liked them. They were just being themselves and not trying to coddle him and he felt comfortable around them.

"You know, your bike is still at the penthouse where you lived. Johnny started it and took it out every once in a while."

Jason smiled. "I like motorcycles."

"Death machines…." Carly said. "You've had two accidents and I wanted to throw it off a cliff too many times to count." She said with a smirk. "You would disappear for hours on end. But nothing comes between you and that bike. So, watch it Liz, you have some competition."

Liz laughed. "He took me for a ride and it was a blast."

Carly rolled her eyes. "I'm so outnumbered. Michael help me out." She said to her son who was too busy chewing on a breadstick to care. "See?" She said throwing her hands up.

Jason smiled. "I take it you wouldn't get on it with me?"

Sonny grinned. "She did once and she was so scared by the time you brought her back that her knees buckled and I had to carry her into the house."

Jason chuckled. They finished up and retreated back to the dining room.

Sonny held up his glass. "To friendship."

They all toasted and drank. Carly put Michael to bed and re-joined them.

"We should probably go. It's been a long day." Jason said standing up.

And at that moment, Sam walked in and her mouth dropped open.

Jason and Sam stared at each other.

"Hi." She said softly.

"Hi." Jason said.

Carly and Liz looked at each other and Carly was surprised that Liz looked so composed.

"Sam, what's going on?" Carly asked breaking the silence.

"I just wanted to chat. I didn't realize that you had company." She said not taking her eyes off of Jason.

"We were just about to leave." Jason said looking down at Elizabeth.

She gave him a soft smile and Jason returned it.

"Jason, can we talk?" Sam asked tentatively.

Liz stood up. "I'm having lunch with my parents tomorrow. Why don't you have lunch with Sam?" Liz suggested. She knew that they needed to talk and they couldn't avoid it forever.

Jason looked at her to make sure she was really okay with it and Liz took his hand and squeezed it. "Okay."

"I'll let Johnny know where to bring you." Sam said.

Carly gave Liz a hug and then Jason and they left.

Sam sat down. "That was awkward."

"He was fine throughout dinner. I was surprised he agreed to come but it was nice spending some time with him." Carly said.

"I don't know what to do. They seem so close." Sam said looking down at her ring.

"You just need to give him some time. But Sam, if he doesn't get his memory back, you need to prepare yourself to let him go because I can tell he really cares about her; possibly loves her." Carly said.

Sam wiped a tear away. "I know. It's killing me. I'm scared."

Carly sat next to her and hugged her. "I'm sorry. I know how much you love Jason."

Sam pulled back. "I don't think I can let him go. I'm going to fight for him Carly. I have too. He's worth it."

Carly looked over at Sonny for a moment. This was going to get ugly and someone was going to get very hurt.

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Elizabeth and Jason walked back into the hotel room.

"What a day." She said before plopping onto the couch.

Jason sat down next to her. "Yeah."

"I think we handled it well all things considered."

Jason pulled her closer. "I don't know what to say to Sam."

"Just listen to what she has to say. You can't force yourself to feel when you don't remember. But I'm sure she misses you. I can tell that she's in love with you." Liz chuckled ironically. "This is a bizarre conversation."

Jason smiled. "It is."

"I just feel for her. If I had lost you like she did and suddenly you reappeared with someone else, it would kill me. I don't think she's going to bow out gracefully. She'll fight for you Jason. I know I would."

"I don't even know what to say to that." Jason said letting out a long sigh.

"I don't have all the answers. You'll know what you're dealing with more tomorrow." Liz said softly.

He felt her tense. "What's wrong?"

"Sam and I are just so different. She looks so confident and the way she dresses…I just can't help but wonder if you would still choose me if you gave her a chance." She said looking up at him.

"Elizabeth, I look at her and feel nothing. When I look at you…..it's everything." He said lovingly.

Her eyes started to water. "I know you believe that Jason but when or if you remember her, you will have feelings for her too. You are engaged."

Jason started to interrupt but Liz stopped him.

"It's okay. I'm a big girl. This sucks but it's the cards we've been dealt." She said standing up. "I'm going to go take a bath." She said walking away.

Jason sat there a long time. This is was a mess. Sure Sam was attractive but he didn't know her. He felt like his heart belonged to Elizabeth; it was made to love her. There was no way in hell he was willing to give that up.