A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked the lightness cause it's going to get serious very soon.
Chapter 6
Liz left the bathroom and listened as Jason went back and forth with someone in a heated phone conversation.
"What do you want me to do, Sonny? This guy's dangerous. He will find us."
Something about his tone made her shiver.
"We can't come back to Port Charles and we're putting them in danger by being here. He could be listening to this conversation."
Sonny sighed. "I just don't know where else to send you. Look, I don't think we'll be able to talk again. Protect her with your life Jason."
"You know I will."
"Do you have enough cash?"
"Yes. I have everything we need."
"Good luck."
Jason threw the phone to the side and then their eyes locked.
"What happened?"
"We know who shot your father."
She sat next to him. "Who is it?"
"His name is Gabriel Gray."
"Why do I know that name?"
"He is a billionaire."
Elizabeth thought back. "I think he's been to one of my galleries. It might have been Milan. Why is he after my father?"
"Because of Ava and Sonny believes that Gabriel had her killed."
"I see. So, what now?" She didn't really remember her aunt since they met when she was little.
"I protect you at all costs."
Liz closed her eyes. "So, we're going to be on the run for a while then?"
"Yes. Your father contacted your galleries and they have made arrangements to cover for you."
"And what about him? He's still out there in the open?"
"Carlos is handling his security and he has gone into hiding. There can be no communication."
Liz bit her lip. "How bad is this Jason?"
"Gabriel is sadistic and is pretty much a sociopath. From what our techs could tell, he's killed and done whatever he had to in order to get where he is today. He would use you to get what he wants and knows you are Julian's weakness."
Liz rolled her eyes. "Asshole…"
"I don't think we should stay here much longer. It will put Nathan and Ric in danger."
"It would kill me if they got hurt."
He reached over and held out his hand and Liz took it. "I know things have been tense between us, but promise me that you'll do what I say."
She swallowed thickly. "Why are you asking me that?"
"There might come a time where I need you to run."
"Without you?"
"Yes."
"I don't know if I can do that."
"You can and you will. If something happens to me, and I tell you to run, you need to do it and not look back. I'll give you credit cards and a passport and you need to always have them on you. I have a wig, put it on and throw on some sun glasses and get as far away as you can."
She blinked back a few tears. "I don't want you to give your life for mine." She didn't get it, how Jason could just sacrifice his life for hers like his didn't matter.
"It's my job."
"Well then, that's unacceptable," she said getting up and walking out of the room. This is getting out of control and she has no idea what to do about it.
Jason took a shower while Elizabeth grabbed her sketchbook and decided to start drawing Nathan. She needed to take her mind off what Jason had just said, because she couldn't accept his scenario. They are in this together and if he has her back, then she'll have his.
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Brenda came over and found Jason on the couch with his eyes closed. "Where is everybody?"
"Liz is in the bedroom drawing Nathan and Ric is at work."
"What's going on?" he asked as she plopped next to him.
"We need to go on the run. I'm trying to figure out where we're headed."
Brenda studied him. "She's in a lot of danger, isn't she?"
"Yes. It could get really bad."
"Can I do anything?"
"I don't want you involved. If he finds out that we were here, it could go south fast."
"What about Mark?"
Jason smirked. "Do you really want to know?" Mark is going to get a very rude surprise in the next couple of days.
"Forget I asked. I'm going to be sorry to see her go."
"I need you to stay away from here for a while. The party was probably a bad idea and if Gabriel accidentally sees a picture of us together, he will kill anyone who knew we were here."
Her mouth curved up. "You care what happens to me?"
"Jesus. Did you not hear what I just said?"
"I heard. I know I give you a lot shit, but I do care about you, Jason and I don't want to see you hurt."
"Thank you, Brenda."
When he didn't return the sentiment, she punched him in the arm.
"Ow."
"You could have at least said it back." She got up and he pulled her back down.
"Alright, I would be upset if you got hurt, but if they duct taped your mouth it would make me a very happy man."
She rolled her eyes. "Just come back in one piece."
"I'll try."
She leaned over and hugged him and Jason returned it. "I suppose this is enough mushiness for one day."
"Yeah."
They heard a noise and looked up to find Nathan taking a picture.
"Nathan!" she said bolting up.
"Sorry, Ric will never ever believe this. You two look downright cozy."
Liz chuckled.
"I've got to run an errand. I'll be back later," Nathan said before grabbing his keys.
Brenda sat with them for another half hour and then needed to leave too.
"How did your naked sketching go?"
"Very funny. Would you like to see it?"
His eyebrows rose, making her laugh.
"Relax Jason, he wasn't nude."
She grabbed the pad off the table and flipped to Nathan's picture. "Can you see it?"
It is difficult, but he can tell who it is. "Yes." It is weird what his brain wouldn't process.
"I would love it if you would let me draw you."
"Clothed?"
Her mouth turned up. "Whatever you prefer."
He stared at her curiously, considering the shift their relationship had taken. "When we leave here, you need to stick close to me and try to act normally."
"I'll try."
There is really no room for error.
"I know that you will do your best Jason and I need you to understand that it means a lot to me that you're willing to protect me."
The house phone rang and Jason grabbed it when he saw Ric's name on the display. "Hello?" He heard him softly crying and he knew something was terribly wrong.
"I—I need you."
"What happened?"
"It's Nathan. I'm at the hospital near my building. Some car ran him over…"
Jason's heart dropped. "We'll be right there."
"What happened?"
"Nathan has been in an accident."
Liz gasped.
"We're going, but we will have to disguise ourselves. It's not safe."
She touched his arm. "Do you think…"
He closed his eyes. Tension oozed from every pore as he considered the possibility that this wasn't an accident. "If Nathan was hurt because of Gabriel, I'll never forgive myself." He stood and walked towards the bedroom and made some quick arrangements. They needed to move.
Liz felt Jason's wall go back up and sighed, wondering if they were back to square one again. After a minute, she put on her game face and hurried to the bedroom so she could pack whatever she could fit into a small bag.
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Jason puts on a hat. His eyes are now brown and he is glad that he hadn't shaved. Hearing a noise, he turns and checks her out. Elizabeth is wearing a light brown wig. The hair was cut into a bob so it framed her jaw line. "Well?"
"It will do. Just make sure you wear some sunglasses."
"Okay." She is dressed very un-Elizabeth like. The jeans had holes in the knees with a simple white t-shirt.
She couldn't get over the eye color change as she checked him out. "Are you going to be okay wearing white?"
"It will do for now." He had grabbed one of Nathan's Nike shirts. "Don't let that duffle bag out of your sight. It has your passport in it and other documentation as well as credit cards."
"I won't."
He grabbed his bag. "Let's go."
They hurried downstairs and quickly caught a cab to the hospital. Neither spoke a word until they arrived.
"Stick close to me."
She went to swallow, but her mouth was dry. Jason noticed she looked scared and grabbed her free hand. "Relax Elizabeth. If you don't, a professional will notice." He felt her squeeze his hand as they quickly went into the ER. Ric didn't notice them at first, but he remembered the jean conversation with Brenda and followed them down a hallway. They ducked into a room.
"How is he?"
Ric sat down. "He's in a coma. I can't lose him, Jason. He's everything."
Jason moved forward and put a hand on Ric's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I know how much he means to you."
"There were witnesses."
"What did they say?"
Ric wiped his face. "It was a man. They got a license plate and the police are on it. He was crossing the street while I watched from the window in my office." He closed his eyes and Jason gripped his shoulder. "It was horrible."
Liz rushed towards Ric and he threw his arms around her. "I'm so sorry." After a few minutes, he pulled back and Jason handed him a tissue.
"Why are you guys undercover?"
Jason's shoulders slumped. "We're leaving. We don't—if we're the cause…." He couldn't even finish it. Nathan meant a lot to him.
Ric's mouth dropped open. "You think that the man that is after Elizabeth is responsible?"
"We don't know, but if that is the case I certainly won't endanger you further."
Ric stood. "We don't even if it's related. Don't—just don't go there." He hugged him briefly and when he saw the finality in Jason's eyes, he grabbed his arms. "If you need to leave, then I understand. Take care of her."
"I will."
"And who is going to take care of you?"
Liz cleared her throat. "I will. We're in this together."
Ric turned. "Good answer." He embraced her and then stepped back.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay here alone?" Liz asked.
"Brenda is on her way."
"Please tell Nathan that we'll check on him and that I'm praying for him." Liz said.
"I will."
Ric watched them leave with a heavy heart. Part of him wanted to scream don't leave, but he knew that he couldn't. Jason needs to make sure that Elizabeth is safe and Ric is willing to let him go. If he fails, he doesn't think that Jason will come back from it and that scares the crap out of him. He made his way out of the room and the nurse took him to see Nathan and then he texted Sonny on the way to let him know what happened.
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They swiftly moved down the street to the subway. Jason wanted to switch up their mode of transportation. They couldn't risk being followed. Slipping into the large hunk of metal, they found two seats together and held hands so it would look like they were together. He took a quick scan and then looked down.
"Young lady, you're shaking. Are you alright?"
Liz's eyes snapped up and locked with an older woman. "I'll be fine. I just got some bad news."
"Well, I hope everything works out for you."
"Thanks." She tried to smile but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
Jason leaned towards her. "Next stop."
She leaned her head on his arm, gathering her strength. The train clamored to a stop and the door slid open and they slipped outside. She struggled to keep up with Jason's pace as they ran up a flight of stairs and then strode down the street. Cutting down a dark and dingy alley, he stopped in front of a rusted looking door and pushed a button. His eyes scanned their surroundings, making sure no one else was around. When the door swung open, Elizabeth jumped. The man inside is covered with tattoos and his face is pierced on both cheeks. "Hurry up," he said stepping back.
Jason motioned for Liz to go first and they followed him down a slightly illuminated hallway. The paint is cracked and there are several black marks on the walls like someone had drug something big against it.
"Since you didn't give me much notice, I really wasn't prepared. There's some beer and water in the fridge and some leftover pizza. The microwave is in the office."
They are now in a bigger space which looks like a garage, but it is probably the most cluttered working area she has ever seen. He flung open a door. "The sheets are clean. You must be out by six, that's when my guys come in."
"No problem." Jason tried to hand him some money.
"Sonny will pay me later. Something tells me you're going to need that."
"Thanks."
He nodded. "I'm going to slip out the back. Follow me so you can lock the door." He avoided looking at Elizabeth. It didn't matter who she was and why she was there. The less he knew the better. It wasn't very often that the Corinthos organization visited, but they paid him to make sure the space was available when they needed it. Tonight, he was going to go kick back with some friends and hopefully, whatever trouble Jason was in wouldn't rub off. He showed Jason what code to enter to lock the door from the outside.
Liz paced back and forth while she waited for Jason to return.
"You okay?"
She was looking down so she nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of his voice.
He watched her lip quiver and then she started to cry and he cursed under his breath. It is probably the one thing that always makes him feel really uncomfortable because he isn't sure how to react.
"I'm sorry," she said trying to choke back her emotions. "Just give me a minute." She is on overload at this point. Nathan could be hurt because of her and now they were on the run. Every sound she had heard for the last hour had put her on edge and she felt like they were so exposed.
"What can I do?"
"Nothing—just—you're here and that's all that matters."
"Are you hungry?"
"No."
He heated up a slice of pizza. It was important that he get something into his stomach. They had a big day ahead of them. He grabbed a beer and used the edge of a dingy table to knock off the top and took a big swig. God, he needed that. Elizabeth had sat on a chair and was doing her best to calm down.
"You'll have to eat that other slice at one point. We can't afford for you to be sick and you'll need your strength tomorrow."
When she didn't respond, he continued to eat and then grabbed his duffel bag and went into the other room. There is a safe in the corner, one that was put there by his employee. After typing a code, it sprang open and he retrieved a bag. It has two wigs in it, some cash, a couple of t-shirts, and documentation. There is also a gun. He took it out and started to clean it, preparing it for battle. Once it was done to his liking, he flicked the safety on and sat it beside him. Reaching back in the safe, he pulled out some ammunition and shoved it into the bag.
Liz stood in the doorway. "I know how to shoot."
Jason angled his head, curious at her declaration. "How long?"
"How long did I train?"
"No. When was the last time you fired one?"
Her arms are crossed and she closes her eyes to think. "Maybe two years ago."
He got up. "This is the safety."
She watched where he pointed as he took her through the basics. "I remember."
"Let me see you hold it."
Her face wore a mixture of emotions as she took it from him and assumed a stance.
"Good."
He straightened her arms a little as he stood behind her. "Don't put your finger against the trigger unless you mean it."
Liz licked her lips. His body was only a fraction away from hers and the hairs on her arms are standing up.
"Elizabeth, if someone was after us and you had to shoot them, could you?"
She lowered the firearm and turned around to face him. "I don't want to die, so I'll do whatever is necessary to prevent that. I can do it. Will I like it? No, but I will do what I have to."
He took the gun from her outstretched hand and put it on the make shift nightstand. Jason could tell she is exhausted, so he turned down the bed. Elizabeth checked to make sure the sheets were clean and then sat. It isn't like it's the best environment.
Jason grabbed the burn phone from his bag and texted a code. It will be untraceable and no one would know the meaning of it if it was intercepted anyway. To Johnny, it meant they are safe for now. He figured Julian will be relieved.