Disclaim any and all recognizable traits, features, characters, and settings recognizable in any way shape or form. This story and others in my collection are merely a way of showcasing my love for the genre, show, and all that may or may not lay in between those verified lines. Reviews are always appreciated and greatly welcomed in all forms as long as they prove to provide actual assistance in furthering the story's potential in every way possible. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read and, hopefully, review.

Believe in Me

She had to admit that she never would have guessed he'd take her to the Vista Point lounge to celebrate. They usually only saved going there for New Year's Eve, the fireworks always phenomenal from that spot, especially without most of Port Charles's residents to mess it up with her shouting and kissing sessions. Allowing him to order up their usual, Elizabeth found herself pondering the look in Jason's eyes. It was something she hadn't seen before.

"Now that you have the office space, what comes next?" she questions as they wait for their meals. "The bank's issues aside, of course."

"The next step would be getting started on my first project."

"Get out!" she exclaims in shock. "You already have a client lined up?"

"Not so much a client, per se..." he admits sheepishly. "Its Jax."

"Jax hired you to design one of his buildings?"

"He heard what I was trying to do and he approves." Jason explains. "He likes the idea of me branching away from the family to start up my own business."

"Can't argue with that logic."

"Its nothing big. I'm going to be designing the free clinic he's funding." Jason elaborates further. "If he likes the way it ends up, he's willing to float more business my way."

"This is huge, Jason!" she says seriously. "You're not even off the ground yet with your business and you could be looking at a regular client. That's amazing."

"Lets not go overboard." he reminds her. "He probably only hired me to get brownie points with you."

"Shut the front door!" she snaps, glaring at him. "I can't believe you'd even say that to me right now."

"I was just kidding." he says apologetically. "That's not why he offered the job."

"Obviously." she states before taking a deep breath and forcing herself to let it go. "In all seriousness, you have to see that this is a great start."

"Its just Jax." he counters. "Its not like Grandfather presented me with an offer."

"Still. Jax wouldn't hire just anybody. Even if its family." she points out the obvious. "For him to hire you...its huge."

"Okay, you win." he smiles slightly. "This is huge."

"Of course it is." she says with a bright smile on her face. "Definitely Vista Point worthy. I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks."

There it was again, that strange look in his eyes as they meet hers, a look she had never seen before. Before she could voice anything on it, their food is placed in front of them by the waitress. Thanking her and assuring that they'd call if they needed anything, the two enjoy their meal in a comfortable silence. Elizabeth pondering the look in his eyes all the while.

"Dance with me?"

"What?" she nearly blurts out as he holds his hand out to her. "What did you say?"

"Dance with me." he reiterates. "Come on. Its your favorite song."

"It is?" she goes quiet for a moment, trying to focus on the song playing, surprised that it is her favorite song. "That's...weird. The band never plays this kind of music."

"Maybe I requested it." he replies simply, rising to his feet, still holding his hand out to her. "Well?"

"I, uh, sure." she says as she tosses her napkin onto the table, straightening her outfit as she rises to her feet. "Okay."

Without hesitation, Jason pulls her into his arms, swaying with her to the slow melody playing through the restaurant. He could see the confusion in her eyes, but also the delight to making such a gesture. In spite of all the relationships they have suffered through, the kinds of heartache that they had allowed themselves to endure, Jason could always count on their friendship to pull him through. Elizabeth has pulled him through more life troubles than he cares to count and, before tonight is up, he will show her just how much it meant to have her by his side unconditionally.

"You're a really lucky man." Jax had said as their meeting came to an end. "I hope you know that."

"What do you mean?" Jason countered, unsure of where he was going with his train of thought. "How am I lucky?"

"To have someone like Elizabeth in your life." Jax elaborates. "A man can only hope to have someone like her to support him through life's endeavors."

"I'm fortunate to have her in my life." Jason agrees. "I could hardly fathom where I'd be now without her."

"She's certainly a rarity."

"Look, if this is some roundabout way to get me to put in a good word for you with Elizabeth..."

"I wouldn't dare attempt that." Jax assures him. "I only mean to say that you should appreciate that connection. As rare as it may be, life has a way of breaking even the strongest of connections."

"There's nothing life could throw us that our friendship won't overcome."

"I truly hope so."

After he left the meeting with Jax, he made a solemn promise to himself that Elizabeth would always know where she stood in his life. That she would always know how important she is and how grateful he will always be that she chose him as her best friend. No matter what life has thrown their way, they have overcome everything together, coming out stronger than ever before.

"Jason?" she voices softly, pulling away from his embrace to meet his eyes. "The song's over."

"I know." he smiles slightly, allowing her out of his embrace completely before slipping his hand into hers. "Dessert?"

"Sounds good."

Elizabeth continues to watch him for the rest of their dinner, truly curious as to what has changed within her best friend. Now that their lives were finally falling into place the way they want it to, she wonders if it has opened up new perspectives in her best friend that hadn't been present before. From the way he looks at her to everything that has happened tonight, she can't help if the changes will be something good for them or disastrous.

As the night comes to an end, Elizabeth closes her eyes as his lips come to rest upon her forehead, his usual parting gesture whenever they have to go their separate ways. Unlike any other time before, his lips linger upon her forehead a little longer, bringing up feelings inside of her that she had never felt in regard to him before.

Rubbing her lips slightly, she takes a deep breath before opening her eyes to meet his as he pulls away. Something's definitely changing between them, that much she's certain of, something huge. Standing there, staring into his beautiful blue eyes, she's not sure if she's happy about the change or terrified of what it could mean for them.

"See you for lunch tomorrow?"

"Sure." she shrugs. "Call me with the details?"

"Of course." he smiles slightly. "Goodnight, Elizabeth."

"Night, Jason."

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth opens the door to her house and walks inside, unable to stand on the porch to watch him leave this time. Doing her best to make her entrance a quiet one, Elizabeth couldn't help the groan that escaped her lips at the sight of her big brother sitting on the bottom step of the stairs.

"You're lucky I convinced father that I'd stay up in his place." Steven voices as he rises to his feet. "You owe me one."

"I think we're even." she counters as she kicks off her shoes. "Or are we forgetting your little weekend trip to the big city that resulted in your little dragon tattoo?"

"We swore to never speak of it." he counters as he glances up the steps to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "So, I take it you enjoyed your night?"

"For the most part." she admits, moving to sit down on the stairs. "I was more confused than anything."

"Confused about what?"

"Jason...us...I don't know." she sighs, running one hand through her hair. "Tonight felt more like a date than a dinner between best friends."

"What if it was?" he counters. "How do you feel about that?"

"Jason and I...we're great together as friends." she says seriously. "There's never been any confliction about where we stand with each other. We've always been each other's rock..."

"How would any of that change if you started dating?"

"I'm not saying it would." she sighs, shaking her head. "But there's still the risk it might..."

"Your connection with Jason is one of the strongest I've ever witnessed." Steven points out. "Admittedly, I would give anything for you to be with anyone else in the world, but I know a good thing when I see it."

"I don't like change." she counters. "You know that."

"Well, tough luck, sister because change is a part of life." Steven shrugs his shoulders. "You just have to ask yourself if what you have with Jason is important enough to stick around when the change happens."

Sliding over to the side, she allows her brother to make his way up the stairs to his bedroom to call it a night. For the first time in her life, she is uncertain of her future with Jason and that frightened her. Maybe tonight really wasn't what she perceived it to be or maybe it was, but either way it brought up the one question that she never wanted to have to ask herself. What will her place in Jason's life be once everything is said and done?

Will they ended up married and in love? The whole white picket fence kind of thing? Will they remain best friends and enjoy watching each other's families grow and prosper? Or will their connection grow to be too much for one of them and undoubtedly fall apart like many friendships have in this town? Accepting that no answers would be found in that moment, Elizabeth drags herself off the steps a couple hours later and heads to bed. Hoping to be blessed with a dreamless slumber at least for one night.