A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you are still hanging with me. Seem to have lost a lot of people. Come back. Lol. Between cryogenics, the undead, and researching transcripts, this story is kicking my butt. But I'm having fun writing it.

I'm not totally happy with the Jason/AJ conversation because I hated that all of a sudden AJ was saying he missed Jason when he talked to Elizabeth on the show and that they had some great relationship before (which I never saw on my screen). It was like AJ had a Jason brain enema and all the hate was gone. Weird. When they had them both coming back from boarding school, AJ was drinking already and being a jerk to Jason. But I couldn't ignore what was said. Sigh.

I was so upset by reading what happened on the show yesterday. Liz will as usual be torn down by everyone, probably hated by Jason, and she'll lose in the end just like she always does—depressing. She's no different than the people who were selfish and hurt her. Will probably update this on Friday. Sorry, I'll do the best I can over the weekend to catch up.

Chapter 25 – Trust Issues

They finally agreed to the third house. It was large and roomy and just felt like it could be home. There was a warmth to it that appealed to Elizabeth. The master bedroom was to die for and there was a cottage and plenty of room for the kids to play. The rooms were pretty big and it wasn't far from the Quartermaine mansion. The basement had been converted already so Jason could use it as a man cave.

She quickly texted Diane who had predicted that it would be the one they'd choose. It was set back off the road and a fence surrounded the entire property which was about twenty-six acres.

"We're going to be a family."

Jason smiled. "It's all I've ever wanted. I think I realized I was in love you when you took care of me in the studio the first time."

She smiled. "Those were great memories."

"There were many times I wished we could go back there."

"Many times…."

He lifted her chin and kissed her gently. Elizabeth had been his dream and now he was finally going to get the family he always wanted.

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The next day, AJ was able to move his arms. He was still confused by what was going on in his head. It was like a battle between good and evil. There was a big part of him that wanted revenge. Aside from Sonny, he wasn't sure where it was coming from.

Patrick walked up to him. "How's everything moving?"

"A little better."

"Good. Your vitals are stable and we'll probably be able to get you up and walking in a few days."

"This is amazing and also disturbing at the same time."

Patrick grinned. "You can say that again."

"How is Jake?"

"He's stable. So far so good."

"Good. There's a lot of people that love him."

Liz walked in. "Hello."

"Hey."

Patrick checked on Jake and then left.

"I'm really happy for you."

Liz smiled. "I'm over the moon. I get another chance. I don't think I'm going to let him out of my sight."

AJ smiled. "You think Jason is up to talking with me?"

"I'm more worried about if you're ready."

"I'm fine. It's just—this conversation has been a long time coming."

"I can go get him if you're sure. He missed seeing Jake so I know he'd be up for it."

"Please."

She disappeared and about five minutes later, Jason appeared.

"Hello Jason."

"AJ."

They were staring and for a second, Jason could have sworn he saw bitter hatred in AJ's eyes but it went away so fast, he thought that he was just seeing things.

"I'm surprised you let them thaw me out."

"I would be lying if I told you I didn't think about not doing it."

"I know we don't have a stellar past."

"It wasn't that AJ. You always end up spiraling out of control and people get hurt."

AJ closed his eyes for a second. "I know. I was doing really well this last time. Michael and I were getting close and working together and then I lost ELQ and I was a train wreck."

"Why would you throw what you had with Michael away for that damn company?"

"I just wanted to prove myself."

"Maybe you need stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and stop trying to please them for once. You have it in your head that ELQ is some golden prize that will make everyone see that you can be successful and the perfect Quartermaine. There is no perfect Quartermaine. They are all a freaking mess."

AJ smirked. "Elizabeth told me that you went to my grave and apologized about Michael."

"I did. Nothing I thought I did for Michael in his best interest turned out right."

"That's not true. You took care of when he was a baby. You've always watched out for him a lot."

"And I made some bad calls as well. He and Morgan are repeating that whole brother against brother crap. I don't hate you anymore AJ. It's just hard to see you crash over and over."

"It's hard for me to keep getting behind the wheel. I don't hate you either Jason. I kind of miss when we were young, before I started acting like an asshole."

"Watch your mouth. My kid is in the room."

AJ smiled. "You finally have a son."

"I have three. Danny with Sam, and Jake and Cameron with Elizabeth."

"You always were good with kids. Can we call a truce?"

Jason let out a deep breath. "Yeah. I don't want to fight with you. There is too much collateral damage when we do."

"You seem different."

"Supposedly, I'm lighter."

AJ chuckled and Jason smiled.

"Well, that's probably enough confrontation for the day," Jason said. AJ looked tired.

"Thank you letting Robin wake me up. I think I'll take some of your advice and find something else to do besides ELQ."

Jason nodded and left the room.

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A few hours later, Elizabeth and Jason went into the chat room for what would probably be their last joint session.

"Hello," Kevin said smiling. "You look so excited to see me."

Elizabeth made a face and Kevin rubbed together his hands.

"For this session, I want to give Elizabeth a chance to get things off of her chest that are still bothering her. Jason, I just need you to listen for now. It might be painful but wait until she asks you something to respond."

"Okay."

Liz squeezed his hand. "I don't like to beat a dead horse but there are things that still bother me like you rebounding so fast with Courtney. I know you are literal and thought we were truly done and I get that you shut off your feelings easily, but it was really hard to watch. Later, when you covered for her and didn't tell me the truth about her involvement in the accident that left me blind, that stung. You came to me and pumped me for information. I mean I get that you loved her and I know she didn't mean to hurt me, but why didn't you tell me?"

Jason sighed, "I started to, but Ric interrupted and I didn't want to talk in front of him. After that, I was coward and Courtney came to you herself. I'm sorry. I hated that whole situation. I was in denial at first and couldn't believe she blacked it out and hit you; that she would do something like that. And I was concerned about you. I always cared even when it didn't seem like it."

"There are times when you were trying to save someone else, or when you completely shut me out, that I felt like you had no feelings for me whatsoever and it would hurt me so deeply. I just would think why can't he love me? What can't he be with me?" she said as her voice broke.

A tear rolled down Jason's face. Her pain was ripping him apart. "Feeling anything for you was so painful. Sometimes I did shut you out because I didn't know what else to do. I buried my feelings for you."

Now they were getting down to Elizabeth's true issue. "How do I know you won't do that again? When you chose Carly's kids over your own—when you left town to avoid dealing with your feelings for me— when you chose Sam after what she did—when you let Carly be nasty to me over and over—when you put Sonny first because of your loyalty was to him above all….. How do I know that if something happens to us because of your prior lifestyle that you will not run or push me away because you have done it time and time again? I want to trust you. I want to believe that you'll put us first."

"Elizabeth we have both done that to each other. But this time, we are on the same page. I won't run. I can't let you go. I know I've hurt you badly and I'm willing to risk you leaving me to stay and be the man that you deserve. Are you willing to do the same? Can you handle that we could be attacked? We both have a lot to lose emotionally but I sincerely believe that we have a lot more to gain if we can learn to trust each other."

Elizabeth started to sob and Jason pulled her onto his lap and held her.

"Elizabeth, tell him what you're feeling right now," Kevin said.

"I wanted that so badly in the past. I hear the words, but I'm so scared Jason. I'm not going anywhere but you have to understand where I'm at in my head. It's like my emotions are a broken record playing over and over. I have so much guilt, pain, and remorse. I hate how I hurt you and I know you have the right not to trust me too. I meant it when I said I'm not running. But you need to know that all of the pain is still haunting me."

"What can I do Elizabeth? I'll do anything for you."

"Just hold me and listen like you always do. I see you trying to make changes Jason and I appreciate that. You gave up Sonny and put Carly in her place and you helped Michael in a healthy way. I just have to find a way to let go of the past. I feel like I'm not making as many changes for you."

"I'm trying to let go too. I'm flawed and I've screwed up a lot but you have my heart. I don't think we're the same people as we were back then. Just by you giving me this chance, choosing a home with me for our family, and going to Diane to initiate the paperwork to change Jake's name. That is showing me that you want us to be together. You're having sessions with Kevin so that you can feel whole again. You just admitted how you felt and somewhere in your head, you trusted me not to run. Please don't think you're not doing anything because you are and I'm so thankful for it."

"Thank for you saying that."

He kissed her on the forehead. "I love you Elizabeth."

"I love you too, with all my heart."

"I know these sessions have been painful, but I think you both are communicating much healthier than before. I'm going to continue to work with Elizabeth so she can forgive herself and let the pain go. She's going to be writing letters to people so she can get her feelings out." Elizabeth didn't necessarily have to mail them, but Kevin wanted her to let it all out. "Just be patient with her Jason and Elizabeth, if he says or does something, don't assume it's the same behavior as before, ask. That goes for both of you. Keep the communication lines open and I think you'll be fine."

They ended the call and sat holding each other for a long while.

"That was brutal," Liz finally said. It had been hard to tell him all that, but she was glad that she did.

"Thank you for trusting me. If you need me to do another session later, I will."

She wiped her face. "I got you all wet."

"I don't mind because you let it all out and I'm so proud of you Elizabeth. You've been through so much. Sometimes, I just don't think people see that. Yet here you are still fighting for love and happiness. I think that's part of the reason I love you because you love so deeply."

She started to cry again.

"Don't cry baby. You are a good person Elizabeth, and if I have to tell that every day I will."

"You're a good person too."

"You always believed that."

"And I always will."

Jason kissed her lovingly.

"When we move into the house, we're not going to be in separate bedrooms."

He smirked. "Oh really?"

She slightly smiled. "I want everything with you. That's what I'm working towards. Thank you for being patient."

"I think Kevin deserves a bonus."

Liz laughed. "Maybe we can send him and Lucy on a cruise or something."

Jason smiled. "Done."

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Helena walked into Victor's room and sat in a chair. "AJ is awake. We need to make sure that our programming kicks in little by little. It will be less noticeable. He had a tendency to go off the handle, so we need to make sure we control it."

"I know. When he gets back to Port Charles, there will be visual stimuli that will propel him to take certain actions. It's all set up."

Helena smiled. "You were always very proficient."

"I like to think so," he said smiling.

"Everyone will be so distracted by everyone returning that it will be easy for AJ to sneak around. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of his mischief."

Victor nodded. They were almost there. It would take a while for AJ's body to fully recover and then he'd turn it up a notch.

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Jason answered his phone. "Victor?"

"Hello. How are things coming along?"

"All the patients are doing well. Jake hasn't woke up yet."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, it's a good thing. They are trying to wake him up slowly so it does less damage."

Victor sat down. "Well, our prayers are with him. Listen, Victor and Helena haven't made any moves."

"I think they are waiting us out and won't do anything until we get back to Port Charles."

"Well if they move, we'll be ready."

"Just be careful. Nikki would be upset if anything happened to you."

"Don't you worry about that, I have it under control."

"We scanned Georgie and Johnny's head and there is no sign of a microchip."

"Maybe she'll use another method. Never underestimate her. She might get creative because she knows we're on to her."

"True. Alright, I'll talk to you soon. Tell Nikki I said hello."

"I will do that. You be careful too."

Jason ended the call and walked out of the room and almost ran into Georgie. He grabbed her so she wouldn't fall. "You okay?"

She smiled. "I'm fine. I just need better brakes."

Jason smiled. "You're doing great Georgie. Don't let Johnny tell you any different."

She chuckled and kept walking.

Johnny walked by a few seconds later. "Can't talk, she's beating me."

"You're getting beat by a girl O'Brien. Slacker."

"She cheated and pushed me down at the starting line," he called out over his shoulder.

Jason shook his head and walked the other way. There was never a dull moment around there.

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Two days later, Jake started to show signs that he was waking up and everyone was on edge waiting to see his blue eyes.