Heya guys! All I am going to say is that i hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Keep the reviews coming! And to those of you who have been with me from the beginning: You're the best! This story has made me laugh and cry and occasionally take a cold shower. This chapter is one of those. Consider it a reward for the A&E fans who are still waiting for the slow build on the show. Christmas is coming in the next chapter and AJ deals with his first rival for Elizabeth's affections. Who will win the brunette beauty's heart? C'mon I thought that'd be obvious by now. It doesn't mean that it should be easy for him though.

As always, I do not own GH or any of the characters featured int his story some of the story lines and even some dialogue is property of ABC/Disney. But this story is mine and I hope you are all enjoying it. Please review to let me know how you are liking the obstacles being thrown our intrepid hero's path.

Michael and AJ walked around the old building in downtown Port Charles. It was close to the hospital and AJ couldn't help think about Elizabeth. He was falling so hard for her. She would enjoy this new project of Michael's. His son had been coming around in a big way ever since Thanksgiving. He was working full-time at ELQ. This new project of his was great. It would generate revenue and be a source of funding for local schools. The building needed a lot of work but he was sure that they would get it remodeled in no time. They had already started. They could be open by Valentine's Day. AJ was sure that Michael would find someone competent to run it.

"Do you have plans with Starr tonight?" AJ asked.

"We are going to dinner with mom and her dad." Michael said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Todd's an alright guy. I just don't know if I trust him yet. I know Starr doesn't, but she is giving him another chance."

"Well, I know what it means to have another chance and I am grateful to you for giving me one."

"Well the way I see it Dad didn't really give you a chance to begin with."

"That is true" AJ said.

"Look can we talk about something else?"

"Sure"

"How are things with you and Elizabeth?"

"They're good. Real good. We're having dinner tonight again. I have an idea. I might need your help. Do you think you could give you old man a hand in setting up a special dinner?" He said looking around the building.

"I think I know what you have in mind and yes I'd be glad to help."

The two walked around and made plans for AJ and Elizabeth's dinner date companionably. They talked about Elizabeth's kids and Starr. They talked about plans for ELQ and how they were both excited to see the Nurse's Ball happen they knew Tracey was scheming to take back control of the company but they were confident they could handle anything that came their way.

Elizabeth was excited about going out with AJ again. They had such a great time at dinner the other night. Granted things hadn't ended that great with Emma's disappearance. It was nice to see Sabrina stand up for herself for the first time. Brit had been giving them a wide berth at work. Elizabeth didn't trust it though. Women like Dr. Westbourne did not give up that easily. Elizabeth didn't want to think about her tonight though. Tonight was about AJ. He had requested only that she dress warmly tonight. So Elizabeth had carefully chosen a pair of soft stretch pants with a tunic style top of very soft cashmere. It was soft and pretty and she felt pretty in it. She was just putting the finishing touches on her make-up when the doorbell rang. She ran down the stairs to open the door expecting Steve and Olivia. They were taking the boys Christmas shopping and then home with them for the night so they could wrap presents and eat hot chocolate. Christmas was only three days away. She had spent her free time the day before getting all the decorations put up. She still had to give AJ and answer about Christmas. She had talked to Audrey about it earlier that day, when she brought the boys by for a visit.

Elizabeth was surprised to find AJ at the door. "You're early!" She said with a beautiful smile. AJ couldn't help but to smile back at her. He took her in his arms and kissed her hello. It was a soft gentle kiss but it still got Elizabeth all stirred up inside.

"Oh come on! Can't you just shut the door?"

"You leave your sister alone! She's a grown woman and I think it's sweet."

Elizabeth was laughing when she and AJ drew apart. She smiled up at him and he said a quiet hello. They turned to see the disgruntled look on Steve's face and the smile on Olivia's.

"Hi guys. You are right on time. I am however not. Cam and Aiden are upstairs in Cam's room. I still need to get some things together for Aiden. Do you mind waiting?"

"I'll come with you." Olivia said. , moving to follow Elizabeth up the stairs. When Steve made the move to follow, she turned him right around and whispered "Girl talk" in his ear. Knowing what that meant he took his coat off and shook AJ's hand and the two men sat down on the couch chatting comfortably. Steve asked about ELQ and AJ asked him about the hospital. When they heard the girls' voices drifting in from the baby monitor Elizabeth had accidentally left on by the flowers on the table by the door when she came running down to open the door, the conversation stopped. They could have gotten up and turned it off but they were by turns interested and disturbed to hear what was being said.

"Come on, girl, dish. What is goin' on with you and the hunk?"

"Olivia, come on; this is only our second date!"

"I know what that means, young lady. I have been on several dates myself and let me tell you your brother does not move slowly."

"Olivia…"

"Come on. If I am going to be watching Sponge Bob all night, I need something to get me by. How did your first date go?"

"It was…nice"

"Nice?! Nice? You are giving me breadcrumbs, doll"

"It was wonderful. We had a nice dinner at the Metro Court." The rest was muffled as Elizabeth moved around the room. "…And then we came home"

"Yeah and then what? Come on I'm dying here."

"It was amazing. He's just so…You know?"

"Oh I know. I know so what happened?"

"Nothing. Patrick called and asked us to help him find Emma who ran off after Dr. Westbourne said she was going to send her away."

"Poor Kid. She's alright though, right?"

"She'll be okay. She's only going to be staying with family, Sabrina or me for the time being. It's for the best."

"So are you going to pick up where you left off tonight?"

"Olivia. I don't know. I don't know if I am ready for that."

"Did you shave you legs?"

There was dead silence for a moment.

"Is that light supposed to be on?"

"What light? Oh my god!"

All sound from Aiden's room stopped as the other end of the monitor was shut off. AJ and Steve tried not to look at each other. Steve, because he had just learned way more than he wanted to about his baby sister's love life, and AJ because he had just heard his love life replayed to Elizabeth's brother and he couldn't stop thinking about the answer to Olivia's question about Elizabeth shaving her legs. The silence was broken by the sound of children's feet running down the steps. Cam caught sight of AJ and ran immediately to him talking of Christmas and Aiden and all the fun they were going to have with Uncle Steve and Aunt Olivia. Olivia and Elizabeth followed more slowly, Olivia carrying Aiden. AJ and Steve both stood up neither could meet the other's eyes. It was as if by silent agreement that neither would talk about the unintentional eavesdropping they had done. Olivia noticed this and whispered in Elizabeth's ear. If possible she turned even redder. Olivia and Steve packed up the boys with the promise of hot chocolate and popcorn after their excursion. They hustled out the door saying goodbyes. Cam and Aiden each giving their mom a kiss goodbye, promising to be good.

AJ turned to Elizabeth with a smile on his face. "What?" she asked when he said nothing.

"AJ. What?" He just shook his head and reached into his back pocket and pulled out a soft strip of black fabric.

"Do you trust me?"

"I can't believe you blindfolded me!" Elizabeth was saying as AJ drove along the streets of Port Charles. "Where are we going?"

AJ just smiled. "It's a surprise. If I told you, I wouldn't need the blind fold."

"Okay okay." They were silent for a few minutes. Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably in the seat. Being blindfolded stimulated her other senses. She could hear him breathing. The gentle way his hands moved on the steering wheel. She could smell his cologne and something else, something that was just AJ. She could feel the soft leather of the seat beneath her. It all combined to make an extremely sensual drive to wherever they were going. She needed to distract herself. "So how much exactly did you and Steve hear when Olivia and I were in Aiden's room?" She swore she could hear him smiling.

"Not much. It was pretty muffled."

"Muffled huh?"

"Yep"

"You didn't hear anything?"

AJ wasn't dumb enough to answer that question honestly instead, he asked a question of his own. "So did you?"

"Did I what?" Elizabeth asked with some trepidation. Please let him not have heard Olivia ask her about shaving her legs.

"Never mind." He hoped he would find out later but he didn't want to assume that was where their night was headed. "We're here." He said as he pulled the car to a gentle stop. "Wait here" He got out and ran around the car to help her out insisting that the blindfold remain. He led her gently through a doorway and around some what she assumed was debris.

"AJ," She laughed as he led her carefully along. "Where are you taking me?"

"Almost there….okay." He came in close behind her and slid the blindfold off gently. Elizabeth was amazed. He took her breath away. They were in an old building that looked like it was in the process of a remodel but AJ had transformed it. There were Casablanca lilies everywhere. The room was large and it was lit by candles. Soft light grazed surfaces that had been covered with white fabric. The room was warmed by heaters spaced around a table that had been set up for them. Candles adorned the center and there was one white rose sitting on a plate. There was food carefully placed on a cart beside the table. AJ pushed a button and music softly filled the room.

AJ wrapped his arms around her from behind and gently kissed the side of her neck. "Do you like it?" He was nervous. He needed her to enjoy this.

Elizabeth turned in his arms. She wrapped her own arms around his shoulders. "AJ this…This is amazing. It's beautiful. I don't know what to say. No one has done anything like this for me in a really long time."

"You deserve romance and flowers. I would give you the world if I could."

"I don't want the world." She said plainly looking up into his eyes. "I just want you." He gently laid his lips upon hers. The kiss was simple but no less powerful for its simplicity.

"Are you hungry?" He asked pulling away. There was more to come but he wanted to make sure they had a nice dinner first.

"Starved" She replied. They sat and AJ served her from the silver dishes on the cart beside the table. He said cook made it special for them.

"So what is this place?" She asked looking around as she tucked into her food. She sipped the sparkling water he set in front of her.

"It's ELQ's latest business venture." He said with a flourish to the room. "I can't take the credit though. This is Michael's project. He found the building and the contractors. They started working on it earlier this week. We should be able to have our grand opening on Valentine's Day."

"What is it going to be?" Elizabeth asked looking around with interest.

"I'll get to that later." AJ said with a smile.

"You are very secretive tonight." Elizabeth said with a smile.

AJ laughed. "I know. I am. And I promise you this: you will know everything by the end of the night."

"Well…okay then." Elizabeth smiled back at him and they finished their meal talking happily. He told her about ELQ and Michael. She told him about shopping for the boys for Christmas.

"About that..." AJ said. "Have you given any thought to my invitation? Mom would love to have you and the boys over. And Audrey as well."

Elizabeth smiled up at him. "I talked to Grams earlier today. And we'd love to join you and Monica for Christmas dinner."

"Well now, Tracey will be there too." AJ said as a warning.

"I think I can handle Tracey Quartermaine."

"I don't know. She's pretty tough." AJ said doubtfully.

"If my boys don't break her then I dare her to go toe to toe with my Grams." Elizabeth said and she and AJ joined in a laugh.

He watched them from the building across the street. The slut. Who did she think she was? She belonged to him. She would always belong to him. He knew it. Believed it with every breath in his body. And she would believe it too. In time. He watched them laughing. He watched the man pull out her chair and take her by the arm. He wanted to break that arm just because the man was touching it. It was tainted. She was tainted. But she would be clean again. He would wash her. Over and over again until the filth that covered her was off. Then he would cover her with his mark. He would make sure everyone knew that she belonged to him. Then he would punish her. Punish her for all he had suffered because of her. In time…

AJ helped Elizabeth out of her seat. "Are you ready for you surprise?"

"Another one? AJ this is too much."

"No it's not nearly enough for all you've given me."

"How do you mean?" She said turning in his arms.

"Isn't this the song we danced to at the Rib?" he asked her. She nodded her head yes still looking into his eyes as Peter Gabriel sang in the background.

Holding her close, his hand at her waist, his other holding hers closely, they began to sway to the music. "The day I 'died'" He paused for a moment. "The day I 'died'" He began again. "You came to my room to give me a sedative."

"You begged me not to!" Elizabeth was distraught. "I always blamed myself...I am so sorry"

"Don't be." AJ stopped her with a gentle finger tip to her lips. "You saved me. I was lost. Out of control. I was willing to do anything to get my son back even hurt innocent people. Carly was ready to kill me. I think she would have if you hadn't come in but you did. You were the last person I saw. It was your eyes." He gently brushed a finger over the crest of her cheek. "It wasn't just pity. There was no recrimination in your eyes. They were just beautiful. You made me feel like I could be...better. So when I woke up and saw my mom, you can imagine my surprise. I knew I had to get away. She knew it too.

Your brother helped me get to a clinic in Switzerland. He came to visit me when he could. I had to get better. For me. For my son. And for you. I know I sound crazy right now. Believe me I know I sound like some crazed stalker. But it's the truth. I want to be completely honest with you. Your brother would come to visit and I would ask him how you were doing. He told me things. Things maybe you'd rather he hadn't. I wanted to be here to help you. He moved to Port Charles and his visits were more infrequent but I was on the mend. It was only a matter of time before I was able to come back. I had to come back for Grandfather. When Mom told me he was sick, I knew I had to come home. The charges didn't matter. I had to see him. Tracey wasn't going to let me. Finally, at the last second she relented. I got to say goodbye to him. I got to tell him that I was alive and that I would do everything. Everything I could not to be the person that I was. He held my hand tightly and he said one word: 'Lila' The last thing he said was my grandmother's name. He loved her with everything he had and she loved him the same way. I will never be the person that I was and I can only hope to be half the man that my grandfather was. And I have been talking forever. Tell me to shut up. Or stop talking. Or start dancing."

Elizabeth leaned up and laid her lips softly to his. "Shut up" She gently kissed him again. "Stop talking." She kissed him a third time. "Start dancing." She laid her head on his shoulder and the two of them danced. He had told her so much. He had opened up a huge part of himself to her. She didn't know what to say. She was falling for AJ more and more everyday. He was good with her boys. He was good with her friends. He had come so far. He was becoming a great man much like Edward. She was honored to be a part of that for whatever reason. She held him tighter and he wrapped both arms around her. They swayed like that until Peter Gabriel had finished singing and Edwin McCain began to sing about being "a crying shoulder".

AJ pulled back and took her hands in his and told her she had one more surprise. "Close your eyes."

"No blindfold?" Elizabeth asked with a raised brow.

"I guess I'll have to trust you this time" He said with a smile.

He led her around a corner. She felt him reach around her to flick a switch. She sensed rather than saw lights come on around her. He stood beside her so he could see her face and told her to open her eyes. The look on her face said it all.

On the very white wall in front of them, lit up by special lighting, was the painting Elizabeth had given to Emily years ago. "Where did you? How did you? When?" She looked into his eyes searching for an explanation.

"Michael's project is to turn this building into an art gallery. There hasn't been one in Port Charles since the old one closed. And we would be honored if you would be our first featured artist."

"What? How? Where?"

He walked over to examine the painting on the wall. "It was Emily's. She sent it to me for my room in Switzerland."

"Emily knew?!" Elizabeth was shocked. Emily never said a word.

AJ walked over and took Elizabeth's hands. "Emily knew. She wanted to tell you but we couldn't. No one could know. I was paralyzed. I was recovering. I had to get better. Emily came to visit me once just once right before she died. She was happy. She wanted you to be happy. She loved you like a sister. Your friendship meant the world to her."

Elizabeth could only stare at the wall. The painting. She didn't see it though. There were tears glazing her eyes. She looked at AJ as a tear drop fell softly down her cheek.

"Emily always said what a brilliant artist you were. She always said you could be famous. That if you just got the chance that you could be the person you were meant to be. She thought it was sad that you gave up painting. She wanted so much for you to be happy. I looked at that painting everyday while I was recovering and it gave me hope. You don't have to decide now but will you at least think about it?"

Elizabeth nodded her head as tears poured quietly down her cheeks. AJ wrapped her up in her arms they held on to each other. After a few minutes they moved back into the other room and the light was shut off. The sat back down to enjoy cook's newest recipe for desert. Chocolate mousse with a hazelnut cream. It was delicious and when Elizabeth got a little on her lip AJ reached over to wipe it off. Despite the chill in the winter air the room grew hot. Elizabeth caught the tip of his finger with her lips and the sheer sensuality of it brought AJ to his knees. He leaned in closer to her and kissed her with the passion he had been holding at bay. Her lips opened for him and he dove in hungry for more of her. She tasted of the chocolate they were having for dessert. They kiss grew even more passionate and he drew her onto his lap. They kissed like they were never going to see each other again. They kissed like it was the last time. His hand captured her hair in a fierce grip as her hands tightened on his shoulders. They couldn't get enough of each other everywhere they touched a fire ignited. AJ's other hand drifted to Elizabeth's ankle and slightly under the stretch pants that ended at her mid calf. "So you did." He said with a smile. While she was kissing his neck. She breathed her laughter.

"Let's go back to my place." Elizabeth said leaning back and looking AJ in the eye. He agreed but she had to get off of him and give him a minute so he wouldn't drive them off of the road. They cleaned their dinner mess and blew out the candles. Hand in hand they walked to his car and headed for her home oblivious to the eyes that were watching them with crazed hatred.

Elizabeth opened the door and walked down into her living room while AJ shut and locked the door behind him. She took her coat off and threw it on the couch behind her. AJ stripped his off as well and moved quickly to Elizabeth taking her face gently in his hands. He kissed her with tremendous passion. She held on to his arms and when he swept her up in his arms she wrapped her arms around his neck as he moved to the stairs never breaking the kiss until they reached the top and then only to direct him to her bedroom. He set her on her feet and their kissing grew more impassioned. She began to unbutton his shirt, running her hands all over his body. His body that had been broken. He was well muscled from years of physical therapy and strength training. He groaned into her neck and pulled back suddenly taking her shirt over her head in one quick move. His hands were everywhere. Together they fell on the bed a tangle of arms and legs; kissing each other wherever they could reach. He reverently cupped the soft weight of her breasts in his hands. She was perfect. She felt perfect. AJ was kissing his way to the lacy pink edge of her bra and he could have sworn he heard bells ringing. It made him think of angels and the costume she wore on Halloween. He brought his weight down on her holding her tightly, claiming her mouth pressing into her intimately. The bells kept ringing though and they were getting insistent. It took them both a minute to realize that it was the doorbell.

Their passion quelled. They rested a moment knowing and regretting that their moment was at an end. The door had to be answered. It could be an emergency. Steve and Olivia knew she would be at home. It could be Patrick. All they knew was that whoever it was, they weren't going away. AJ stood up and told her he would get the door so she could dress and get her composure. He eased himself down the stairs the discomfort at the interruption prevalent. He opened the door to the crisp winter breeze to someone he hadn't expected.

"Elizabeth, Thank god I was starting to-"

He couldn't believe his eyes. He never expected that he would find AJ Quartermaine there. Hell, He thought AJ was dead like everyone else in Port Charles had. Obviously, his sister hadn't told him everything.

"Lucky?!" Both men turned at the sound of Elizabeth's voice full of shock from halfway down the stairs. It was then Lucky realized that he had just interrupted a very intimate moment between his ex and AJ Quartermaine.