A/N – Thanks for the comments! Bajangirlz – Glad I'm keeping you guessing! * Virgy15 – lol You'll pretty much be mad at me until chapter 13 is over at least. * Liasonisthebomb – Glad you liked the Alcazars! Thanks! * KLJLizFan, All Guests! – Thanks! * LiasonLuv – Good guess! * kikimoo – Thank you! * Catrina – Thank you so much! * ilovedana53 – You'll find out tomorrow for sure!

Chapter 10 – Casualties of War

Jason fired his gun towards the sound of the gunshots and guards appeared seemingly out of nowhere and surrounded them.

"Jason, you're bleeding." She said looking at his arm.

"Shit. We don't have time for this."

"Just lay there please. We need to stop the bleeding."

One of the guards handed her a handkerchief and she placed it on the wound. "It went through." She said checking the back of his arm.

Lorenzo ran up to them.

"He's shot, call a doctor."

He placed the call as Diego knelt down on the ground beside Jason. "Can you walk?"

Jason nodded.

A guard ran up. "Whoever it was is gone."

"Taggert." Jason said softly. "Did you find anything?"

Luis nodded. "He was across the street. It was a long-range sniper rifle. He probably ran through the woods which means he's still in the area. We need to get everyone in the house."

Lorenzo and Diego helped him to his feet and Diego walked him back to the house with Elizabeth sticking close by.

They sat him on his bed and Elizabeth went and got a wet washcloth and a towel. She carefully took off his shirt and then Jason laid back on the bed with the towel propped under his arm.

A doctor suddenly appeared and everyone but Elizabeth left the room. She recognized him as the one who had followed up with Sage.

"It went through so I'm just going to sew you up." He said preparing an injection of pain meds. Slightly turning his head, he looked at Elizabeth, "You'll need to change the bandages twice a day. I'll leave some antibiotics."

She nodded and took Jason's other hand as the man gave him the shot and then began to clean out the wound and then sew. He carefully finished and bandaged up Jason's arm.

"You need to rest okay? Try not to move that arm for at least the next twenty-four hours. I'll check on you tomorrow."

Elizabeth watched him walk out and then got starting cleaning up the room. She sat next to Jason and gently wiped his face and cleaned up his arm.

He was tired and the drugs were making him a little loopy. He felt her hand move his hair off his face and he lightly muttered something she couldn't understand.

"Sleep Jason. I won't leave you."

"I should have visited her and told her that I was sorry but I couldn't." He said softly.

"What would you have said?"

She watched his eyes flutter open as she rested her hand on his cheek.

"That I loved her and I never met for her to get hurt."

His eyes were full of tears and when Diego started to push the door open, she waved him off and he promptly shut it.

"What else."

"I miss her." He said gulping in some air. "I miss her so much."

Elizabeth laid on the other side of him and just held him the best that she could. God help her, she had to be there for him. She was inexplicably drawn to Jason. It wasn't just about his looks. His eyes were like the windows to his soul and she saw so much emotion in them. He seemed to awaken something inside of her that she couldn't even explain. But most of all, he challenged her and made her feel alive.

She wiped away a tear from his face and watched him fall asleep before finally succumbing herself.

When Sage came back from her date, they let her know what happened. She was shocked. Sonny walked to Jason's room and peeked inside and saw Elizabeth sleeping in his enforcer's arms and it angered him that she felt more comfortable with Jason then with him. He didn't want Jason anywhere near his child and would have to put a stop to whatever was going on between the two. There was no way he was going to let that happen.

Lorenzo watched him walk back into the room. The look on his face was not good.

"What's going on between Jason and my daughter?"

Sage frowned. "Nothing. Why would you ask that?"

"Because they seem close."

Diego shrugged. "She hasn't said anything and it's not like they hang out."

Luis sighed. "I think they are attracted to one another but neither has acted on it."

Sonny wiped his chin with his hand.

"You don't seem too happy about that." Lorenzo said. Sonny looked like he was about to come out of his skin.

"I'm not. Jason isn't good for her."

"Why not?" Sage asked.

"He's dangerous and angry most of the time."

Sage rolled her eyes. "The same could be said for you too you know."

Sonny avoided looking at her. "Jason's head is messed up right now."

"Again…." Sage said not finishing the sentence. "I mean no disrespect Sonny, but Elizabeth is an adult and she can make her own decisions. If she likes Jason, then there isn't a damn thing you can do about it."

"The hell I can." He said standing up.

Elizabeth walked towards them. "What is going on out here?"

Sonny turned towards her wondering how much she had heard.

"How is he?" Sonny asked.

"He's sleeping. I'm going to stay in his room tonight to take care of him."

"I don't know if that's a good idea."

She frowned at him. "Why?"

"It's better that you don't get to close to the person who's guarding you."

Liz rolled her eyes. "Look, I didn't ask your permission. I'm telling you that is what I'm going to do. I'm sorry if you don't like it but I'm not leaving him alone."

Sonny's jaw clenched.

"I'll bring you some dinner." Lorenzo said standing up.

"Thank you." She said softly.

Sage got up and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad that you're okay."

Liz smiled. "Me too."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Carly called Sonny. "How's it going?"

"Not that great."

She let out a breath. "Talk to me Sonny."

"She's trying but the whole situation is a mess and she's having a hard time coming to terms with it."

"What else?" She could hear something in his voice that told her something had happened. She knew her husband way to well.

"She's a little opinionated."

Carly laughed. "And why is that a bad thing?"

Sonny smirked. "Let's just say usually my words have the opposite effect on her."

"You'll get used to each other."

"There's something else."

"I knew it."

"Jason was shot today. We think it was Taggert."

Carly stood up. "Is he okay?"

"Relax, he's going to be fine. The bullet went through his left arm. Elizabeth was standing right next to him. I could have lost her."

"But you didn't and thank God Jason is okay."

Sonny didn't answer.

"Did you take your medicine?"

Carly didn't want to upset him but it was important.

"Yeah, I took it with dinner."

"Did you get the picture I sent?"

Sonny chuckled. "Carly, why did you let him get so messy?"

Carly laughed. "It was funny. It's just spaghetti sauce."

He shook his head. "I love you."

"I love you too. Please tell Jason that I'm thinking about him."

"I will."

Sonny walked to the window and looked out. They weren't safe here anymore. They needed to go home.

Lorenzo walked up to him. "I'm sorry this happened under my watch."

Sonny turned. "I don't blame you Lorenzo. I think I should take them back to Port Charles. I think I can protect them better there."

Lorenzo nodded. "Understood. We'll make sure the doctor signs off on Jason's condition tomorrow morning and it's okay for him to be moved. I can get a police escort to the airport."

"Thanks."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz woke up and immediately checked Jason's bandage to make sure he wasn't bleeding through it. It still looked fine so she left it alone. She studied him for a moment. He looked so peaceful. Unable to resist, she ran her hand over the muscles on his chest. She wanted to draw him so badly. His body was perfect. She let it rest on his abs and Jason's eyes flickered open. "Thirsty." He croaked.

She lifted his head and handed him the glass and he drank a little before she settled him back against the pillows.

His hand lightly traced her cheek. "Why are you awake?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine. Lay down."

She laid down and cuddled into his side.

"I know I've been difficult."

She started to object but he cut her off.

"No, I have been. It's just that my life has been complicated the last few months. I didn't think I'd even make it through."

And that was the truth. Jason had considered taking his life on two separate occasions. If it weren't for OB and Francis, he would have done it. That is how hopeless he had felt.

Elizabeth lifted up and looked into his eyes which were filled with tears. "Someday you are going to trust me enough to tell me what happened and I'm hoping you'll let me be there for you. I can't explain why I want to be the one to do that, but I just do. You're stuck with me Jason Morgan."

He closed his eyes, savoring her touch on his face. Somehow she had penetrated his resolve. He wanted to turn her away but he couldn't. There was this deep need for her inside his heart even though he didn't feel he deserved her. Opening his eyes back up he saw her give him a slight smile before laying her head on his chest. He couldn't help but wonder if she'd feel differently towards him once she knew what happened. Sighing, he closed his eyes and gave into the drugs that were still coursing through his body. He'd worry about that another day.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

The next morning, the doctor arrived and checked everything.

"It's starting to heal. Again, don't use the arm unless you have too."

Sonny was standing in the doorway. "Can he travel?"

Jason looked up at him.

"It should be fine. Just keep him hydrated and he should check with another doctor when you get there. He did lose a decent amount of blood. I just want to make sure his heart rate stays in a good range. So, if you can get him to rest that would be good."

Sonny nodded.

Elizabeth had gone to take a shower and once the doctor left, Sonny stepped into the room.

"I want to go back. I think we can protect her better back in Port Charles."

Jason nodded. "I agree."

"I'll get the jet fueled. You need help getting to the bathroom?"

Jason sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Taking a deep breath, he tried to stand and wobbled a little bit. Sonny stood next to him and steadied him as he walked. He was surprised that Jason was even allowing it.

There were no words said and Sonny quietly slipped out of the room and went to get his bag ready.

Lorenzo was planning things so they were safe at the airport. His men were going over the plane. Sonny had left a guard with it anyway to make sure no one tried to mess with it. He texted Carly to let her know that soon they'd be in the air.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth walked into Jason's room and groaned. "Jason, please let me help you." She said moving to his side. She took the shirt out of his hands and had him sit on the bed so she could help him into it. "You have to be one of the most stubborn men I've ever met." She said as she pulled it down.

He watched her get his things together and then take them out to the foyer. She came back for him and made him take his antibiotic and then helped him into the living room.

"I'm fine." He said softly.

"Whatever." She said ignoring him.

He smirked.

Sage smiled at him and arranged some pillows and Jason sat down.

"How was your date?" He asked her.

"It was nice."

"He didn't try anything funny did he?"

Sage chuckled. "Nope. He was the perfect gentleman. I think my dad said something to him before we left. He looked a little green when he got into the car."

Jason smiled and Sage realized that was the first time she had seen a genuine smile on his face since he had gotten there.

"Do you need anything?" She asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"Take care of her okay?"

Sage had definitely liked having Liz around. Usually, she was the only girl.

"I will." Jason said softly.

Diego walked over and hugged Elizabeth. "I'm going to miss you." He said before rattling off some Spanish.

Liz chuckled. "You're so smooth."

He grinned. "It's in the Alcazar bloodline."

Lorenzo smiled. "You got that right." He said moving to hug Elizabeth. "I hope you have a safe flight and enjoyed most of your time here. It's always open to you if you want to visit."

Liz smiled. "Thank you for having me and I really appreciate that."

"Where's Luis?" Jason asked.

"I don't know. He disappeared earlier." Diego said shrugging. "Maybe he wasn't having a good day."

Lorenzo had sent some guards to find him, but he had slipped away undetected. He just hoped he wasn't doing something crazy.