A/N – Thanks for the comments and compliments! I know this is hard to read but I needed to make them raw and hit rock bottom. * Guest: I see your comparison with Dylan/Jake etc. It's funny cause in this scenario Jason was Dylan personality and all. I hate Avery so hope that answers your question lol. Thanks! * ilovedana53 – It's funny because in the beginning, I did feel like Jason was choosing Liz. He stuck by her when every other word was Lucky. He asked her to leave with him, but after that it fell short. They both have good reasons why they didn't go all in. * sweetgirl23 – Thank you so much! Great points and I will touch on some of those. * Guest – lol There are things that Liz did that I would think should be unforgivable too then. If you love someone, it doesn't matter if the love making is slow or fast and hot, it's making love. It was not just sex for them. You act like Liz thought that through. It was emotional and spontaneous. They weren't thinking about anyone else. Also, again, Liz and Jake are not exclusive. Lol this is messy but glad you're hanging in there.

Chapter 12 - Twisted

Elizabeth slowly walked into her house. Thank God Cam was with Spencer again. Nikolas had insisted because of the rain. He didn't want to take them out on the launch.

She crawled onto the couch and that was where Jake found her about two hours later. He could tell that she had been crying. He picked her up and put her on his lap. "What happened?"

Her bottom lip trembled. "I can't tell you because you'll hate me." She couldn't believe she was in this situation again. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him.

Jake's heart dropped and he closed his eyes. "Is this about Jason? Did you choose him?"

"Not the way you think."

She pushed to get out of his arms but he wouldn't let her go.

"Please let me go. You won't want to touch me after I tell you what happened."

Jake felt like he couldn't breathe as he watched her get up and move away from him. She looked traumatized and panicked and deep down he knew and his eyes filled with tears.

"He's going to hurt himself and it will be my fault. I pretty much drove the car to the cliff and handed him the keys."

He could tell it was bad. "Maybe you should start from the beginning."

Tears were flowing down her face. "I went over to his house and he told me that he hated himself and he was so despondent. I made him promise me that he wouldn't hurt himself because I just don't think I could go through losing him again. We were hugging and then next thing I know…"

Jake put his head in his hand. "You made love to him didn't you?"

"I swear I didn't go over there to do that. I had no intention of taking it that far. And when we woke up, we both said things and I pushed it too far. He got mad because I brought up you and not wanting to hurt you and that he wasn't dealing with Sam. He got upset because he thought I wanted him to go back to Sam and it just got worse from there." She stopped to wipe her face and catch her breath. "He got upset that I didn't just choose him and he freaked and told me to leave. I was in shock and I said something really hurtful and he ended up running out. I'm scared that he's done something bad. He was at such a low point. It just came out. I shouldn't have—oh God, what have I done?"

Jake watched her sink to the floor and fall apart and he couldn't help it, no matter how disappointed he was that she slept with Jason, she was suffering and he couldn't turn his back on her. So, he got up and went to her and then held her until she calmed down.

"I could go look for him."

"I would never ask you to do that." She tried to quickly wipe her face.

Jake sighed. "I know that, but you won't be able to live with yourself if he dies."

"Why are you even speaking to me right now? You should hate me."

Jake closed his eyes for a long moment. "Do you hate yourself Elizabeth?"

She painfully nodded yes. "I hate that I'm in this type of situation again. I hate that I hurt him again. I just so tired of feeling like everything is out of control."

He let out a long breath. He hadn't realized how emotionally painful Elizabeth's life had been. There was so much he really didn't know about her. "Look, I understand. He was hurting and you love him and things happened. I don't hate you for being human. The only thing I hate is that it wasn't me you slept with." He pinned her with his stare. "I'm not going to lie. I'm not sure where our relationship stands at this point. I will not share you with another man and I am hurt that you didn't think about the consequences of your actions until after you made love to him." He watched her cringe. "But right now, I'm going to be a friend to you because you have always been one to me and I care about you. If you need me to find him, I will." He was losing her. Hell, he may have already lost her and he felt like he was going to be sick. At the same time, maybe he was a complete idiot, he just couldn't walk away. He had told her that he was going to fight for her and he had meant that. The only way he'd step back is if she slept with Jason again or she said the words. He was so frustrated. If she would just be willing to realize that her past relationship with Jason was toxic then maybe he would still have a chance.

Elizabeth wasn't even sure what to say. Jake was really important to her and she knew that she had hurt him with her admission and that this would probably end them. It was very possible that she had lost them both. She would do anything to stop what she had put into motion but it was too late for that.

"Let me call Milo."

He helped her up and she made the call.

"Hello?"

"Milo, it's Elizabeth. I need to know that Jason is okay."

Milo sighed. "Were you with him earlier?"

"Yes."

"Did you fight?"

"Yes."

"Sam found him lying on the docks. We took him to Carly's. He's safe."

Liz wiped a tear away. "Thank you for telling me Milo."

She put her phone on the table and turned around to face Jake. "He's safe."

"If you want to be with him, if you've chosen him, then you need to be honest with me."

"He scares me in so many different ways and you don't. But I realize asking you to wait will result in me hurting you more. I really don't want to do that."

"You can't handle easy can you?"

"I don't know if I can. I want to but—just give me a few days. I'll make a decision either way and there will be no kissing or anything else with either of you until then. Of course, if you just want to end it now, I'll understand."

"I can wait." He was probably the biggest fool on the planet but he just wasn't ready to give her up yet but he had a horrible feeling that no matter how much time passed, that it would always be Jason and he just needed to prepare himself for the inevitable. Tonight, he just couldn't hear her say goodbye nor could he say it. He knew that she had feelings for him but Jason just had a bigger piece of her heart.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason woke up and his eyes rested on Carly's face. She was knocked out. It had been a rough night. He kept having dreams when he shouldn't even have them in the first place. That was another thing that had changed since Helena had screwed around with his head. He needed a distraction and decided to go speak to Robin regarding something that he remembered. He sat up and rubbed his face and Carly stirred.

"Jason?"

"Carly, I have to go."

She stretched and then stood up. "Jason…."

He shut his eyes. "Please, I just can't talk about it right now."

She nodded. "Okay, your clothes are in the dryer. I'll be right back."

Jason watched her leave. He was glad that she was there for him. Elizabeth was haunting him again. He kept having these memories of their time together and it was overwhelming. Right now, he needed to focus on anything else then the person it seemed he could never have.

Morgan came storming through the door and was shocked to see Jason sitting there. Jason stood up and studied him.

"Hey. You're a lot bigger since the last time I saw you."

Morgan smirked. "You remember me?" Lots of people were talking about Jason and circumstances around his return.

"I do. How are you?"

Morgan shrugged. "Fine I guess."

"I hear you're fighting with your brother."

"It happens."

"Trust me, I know that story all too well, and as a result, AJ pissed his life away."

"I could care less what Michael does."

Jason sighed. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"I left your clothes in the bathroom—Morgan?" Carly said stopping in her tracks.

"Hey mom."

Jason walked to the bathroom and took a shower and got dressed. He wasn't going to get in the middle of the Morgan and Michael drama. He didn't have the patience for it nor did he know all the details. Besides, he had enough drama of his own. He finished up and then kissed Carly on the head and left. Milo took him to General Hospital so he could have a conversation with Robin.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

To say that Robin was shocked to see Jason at her lab was an understatement. "Hey."

"Hi."

"Is everything okay?"

Jason shook his head. "Look, I've been having these dreams about the lab and I think there may be more people there. Helena basically hinted to me that there was some big secrets left in order to get a reaction."

Robin sighed. "I'm pretty sure there are more victims or relatives there too, but the problem is that I don't know where the lab is and I don't think we could ever find it."

Jason's phone rang. "Hello?"

"Mr. Morgan, this is Victor Newman."

"Is Nikki okay?"

"She's fine. I'm calling about something else."

He couldn't imagine what Victor wanted. "Go ahead."

"I put some people on Victor Cassadine. I know where the lab is."

"What?"

"Can you get here today?"

"Yes." Jason figured that maybe it would take his mind of his predicament with Elizabeth.

"Will you be bringing anyone?"

Jason covered the phone with his hand. "Can you go on a trip with me to Chicago? Victor thinks that he found the lab."

"Of course."

"Yes, I'll be bringing Robin."

"Very well. There will be two tickets waiting for you at the airport. Be there in an hour."

"Done."

He put his phone in his pocket. "Thank you for going with me."

"We deserve to know the whole truth."

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Carly picked up her phone. "Jason?"

"Hey, listen I have to go out of town for the rest of the day so I'll be out of touch."

"Are you going by yourself?"

"No, Robin is with me."

"Robin?"

"I don't have time for this. I just didn't want you to worry. Just let everyone know that I'm okay."

"Okay. Be careful."

She hung up and then called Elizabeth.

"Hello?"

"Muffin, do you know why Jason is going out of town with Robin?"

Liz frowned. "No, for how long?"

"For the rest of the day."

"No, we had a fight and I haven't spoken to him since yesterday."

"Wait, you're the one that pushed him over the edge? Do you have any idea how fucked up he was?"

Liz wiped away a tear. "Yes, I do know. Do you really think any of this is easy for me?"

"Look, you need to make a damn decision so Jason can move on with or without you. For once in your pathetic life, go for what you really want and don't look back."

Liz heard the click and put her phone down. Could she really believe that she had a future with Jason? She wasn't even sure that he still wanted her at this point. Was she an idiot to even consider it when Jake was so good to her? She and Jason had never worked out before. There were good reasons for that. "Ughhh…," she screamed. Her head hurt thinking about it.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason landed in Genoa City and they walked up to a man that was holding up a sign with his name on in it.

"Mr. Morgan, please follow me."

They got into the car and were taken to the Newman Enterprises building. They got out and went up to Victor's office.

Robin and Jason sat down.

"Thanks for coming. I figured you want to see this information in person."

Jason was still skeptical of Victor. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because my wife is worried sick about you and I promised her that I would help you and Jake make sense of things. I think Helena Cassadine is a blight for what she did and no one hurts my family." Nikki had enough health issues and Victor didn't want her to return to drinking because she was worried about Dylan and Jason.

"Thank you."

Jason took the file that Victor handed him and perused it. "So, there are still some guards there and Victor C. has been back to visit recently."

"He has. I'm not sure what he is up to but I do know where he is staying and the address is in there as well. I had a contact create a satellite imagine of the building and there looks like there are three levels."

Robin frowned. "I was only aware of two."

"It's underground."

"They are hiding something," Robin said.

"It would be wise for you to take some gunmen with you. They are using a lot of technology to ascertain when someone is on the property. You'll have to figure out a way to disable it."

Jason was already thinking ahead. "I'll need to put Victor on ice before I make a move."

"Why don't you leave the Cassadines to me? I'll let you know when he's been handled. We can let him go when you decide that it's safe. Helena Cassadine is currently in Connecticut on a private estate and I want to handle her as well."

"Deal." With them contained, they wouldn't have to worry about being attacked or being hauled off to jail.

Nicholas barged into the office and was shocked to see Dylan. "Hey," he said with a smile. Jason stood up and they gave each other a half hug.

"How's my faux brother doing?"

Jason smirked. "I'm okay. It's been rough but I'm handling it."

"Faith really misses you."

"I miss her too," he said fondly.

"How long are you in town?"

Jason looked at Victor.

"Your plane leaves in three hours. I figured you'd want time to visit."

"Mom and Faith are at Crimson Lights."

Sharon had been running it for him since he had left.

"By the way, what are you going to do with the coffee shop?"

Jason shrugged. "I'll give it to Sharon if she wants it. It could be a way for her to start over. But since I used McAvoy money to buy it, I think I'll just give Jake the cash I used." It was pretty ironic that Jason had brought a coffee shop. He wondered if he did it unconsciously.

Nicholas nodded. "I think it would be good for Sharon to run the place. It would give her something to focus on."

"Nick, this is Robin Scorpio by the way."

Nick smiled and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you. Come on, I'll give you two a ride."

Victor watched them leave with a slight smile on his face and then made a few phone calls to secure his future hostages.

iIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Elizabeth went to visit Emily's grave. "I just don't know what to do. Jason has been in my heart so long, I don't know if I can give that up. Jake is so good to me. You would really like him, but I have so many things I regret. If I don't try to at least deal with the relationship I have with Jason, I don't think Jake and I would make it anyway. I just don't want to hurt either one of them, but I feel like that's all I'm doing."

Monica cleared her throat and walked towards her. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but that sounds like a big conundrum you're in."

Liz wiped away a tear. "It is."

"Back in the day, I remember being torn between Rick and Jeff. What a mess. I shouldn't have ever married Jeff. He was a good man but I wanted Rick. You need to really think about who you want. I think you already know, but you're scared to give up Jake for Jason when everything is such a mess. Love isn't always easy Elizabeth. Sometimes it's messy and painful, but you have to figure out if what you have with Jason is worth fighting for."

"You're right."

"Jake might get hurt if you choose Jason, but if he's not the man for you, it will hurt a whole hell of a lot worse later on down the line when things fall apart because you realize you wanted someone else."

Liz wiped her face. "I'm scared that I'm always attracted to something toxic, that I'm being stupid for giving up Jake when he is so good to me."

Monica sighed. "I get what you are saying but it seems like you'd be settling if you chose Jake. I'm not saying all of this because Jason is my son. I'm saying this because I lived this. I know what it's like to choose what is safe instead of going with what you truly want. People were hurt and I know hurting either one of them is the last thing that you want to do."

"True. Among other things, Jason's mad at me because I pushed him towards Sam. I didn't think he was dealing with his feelings for her."

"Maybe he's not, but he's pretty damn clear on how he feels about you. At some point, you are going to have to trust him and I think that comes back to your self-esteem and being let down. You feel like he'll never truly choose you. If you keep letting that dictate how you think, he won't. For once, stop putting everyone else in front of your relationship with Jason and let them worry about their own hearts. They are adults."

Liz swallowed thickly. "God that's so hard for me, but you're right. I pushed him towards Sam after I told him about Jake for many reasons, but I honestly did felt sorry for her at the time and thought he loved her more than me. I think I pushed him away before he could reject me."

Monica rubbed her arm. "Then it's time to stop it. You know what mistakes you made, so stop making them and have some faith for a change."

"I'll try."

"Good," she said giving Liz a big hug. "Come on inside. Is Cameron at home?"

"He's with Jake."

Monica walked her inside hoping that she had helped Elizabeth in some way, because none of them could go on like this.