Chapter 8
Warning: Language and sexual components.
Reviews & Thanks.
Notenoughlove-Finn will be mentioned in this and future chapters.
Trini12180-Thank you for your review. I wish your comments about Liz and Jason together permanently were actual. I'm glad you are enjoying the 2023 version.
Guest reviewer-Thank you. I'm glad you are enjoying both versions.
What if Jason didn't lie about Sonny being dead? OR What if Elizabeth also knew?
9/17/02-Sonny Fakes his death. After Sonny is shot and Brenda is a witness, she runs to the prone body lying in a pool of blood in pouring rain. Jason arrives and pulls a crying Brenda off the body. Sonny weakly orders Jason to take Brenda away. Jason calls the necessary contacts and then calls Carly to the church. Jason thinks, "Why did Brenda show up? She could screw up the plan. Now I have to babysit a woman who annoys me more than any other." Jason calls one of the guards and tells him to stay with Brenda until further notice.
Jason meets up with Sonny and Carly at another safe house. Sonny has removed his bulletproof vest and exits the shower, towel-drying himself. Carly gives a rundown of Taggert arriving and trying not to be an asshole but failing.
Sonny pulls Jason aside, "How is Brenda? Was she the woman on the boat? Is she okay? What does she know?"
Exasperated, Jason replies, "She doesn't know much except she thought Luis Alczar was helping her. She heard about the hit and went to warn you. She knows something is off. I think she knows you are not dead."
"Jason, just take care of her. Keep her safe and away for now."
"Sonny, I did what you asked. I got Brenda away, but you should talk to her. I want to tell Elizabeth you are alive. She can keep a secret."
Angrily, Sonny shouts, "You do not tell Elizabeth Webber anything. You do as you are told. Go to Brenda and make sure she is okay."
Jason throws Sonny against the wall. He yells, "I did what you ordered me to do about Brenda, a woman I strongly dislike. I did it because you asked and because we are trying to take down Alcazar. You should go to Brenda. You do not get to order me about what I say to Elizabeth!"
Carly says, "Jason, she doesn't understand your world. She might say something to Zander."
"Carly, she's seen what I do. She is at my Penthouse with Zander because of my world. She found me in the snow; a bomb was in her studio, and she was kidnapped and locked in a crypt. I trust her. She won't tell Zander anything. She understands and accepts what I do is different."
Sonny snarkily replies, "Just because a girl nurses you back from getting shot does not mean you should indulge her crush."
Jason throws Sonny to the floor. "I'm tired of being your little bitch. As I said, I will work with you on your faked death, but you stay the fuck away from Elizabeth and leave our relationship alone. Carly, go home; you need to play the grieving widow."
Jason leaves and places a call. "Elizabeth, could you get one of the guards to take you to your studio? I need to speak privately with you without Zander knowing."
Jason lets himself into the studio and waits for Elizabeth to arrive. He removes his wet jacket and towel-dries his hair. She enters, and Jason instructs the guard to wait outside. Once the door closes behind her, Jason embraces her and kisses her. "What did you tell Zander?"
"I told him I needed air and was going for a walk and later to paint. What is so secretive?"
Jason pulls out the bottle of tequila he snagged from Jake's and takes a swig before handing it to Elizabeth. "Last night, I told you there were parts of my business I couldn't tell you. I also said I would never hurt you on purpose."
Elizabeth takes a drink, "Sounds serious. Why would this hurt me?"
"I want to be honest with you. I can't tell you everything, but it concerns Alcazar and trying to take him down. Alcazar tried to take a hit out on Sonny, and we faked his death."
"We?"
"Carly knows; others do too, but I can't tell you who."
"Fair enough. What do you need from me? I don't trust Zander. I think he's faking his memory loss. Could he be working with Alcazar?"
"I don't know. I don't trust him either. Taggert is investigating the 'shooting' and is giving Carly a hard time. There will be a small service, and you have a part to play. You can't let on that you know Sonny is alive. Sonny and Carly are pissed that I told you, but I told them to go to hell. I'm trusting you, Elizabeth."
"Whew! Okay, I won't ask any questions, and you will tell me the rest when you want. Thank you for your trust. Sonny was my friend once, and I would be concerned that you lost one of your best friends. I'll show up, and if Taggert or anyone arrives, I'll act the part. What else do you want me to do?"
"Come here. We couldn't be alone last night because of Zander, but we can be together for an hour before I return to Carly." Jason removes Elizabeth's shirt, unbuttons her jeans, and she helps shrug off her pants. Jason pulls his t-shirt over his head and removes his jeans. He pulls her to him, and they fall backward, landing a humph on the couch. Elizabeth laughs, and Jason nibbles her shoulder. She moves her hands down his chest, kissing his stomach. He holds her arms above her head and enters her. She bites his shoulder to keep from screaming in ecstasy.
Jason dresses and kisses her. "I must leave. The news will break in the morning about Sonny. I won't be home for a few days. Don't tell Zander, and he is not welcome at the Wake. I'll see you soon." Elizabeth responds with more kisses, waits for Jason to leave, and gets dressed. She asks her guard to take her back to the Penthouse and passes Zander in the hall, saying she is tired and will see him in the morning.
What If: 2003 (Jason/Courtney/Elizabeth/Ric) What if the many instances of a right or left turn changed things?
July 2023
TBC
Elizabeth is cooking dinner when Jason calls to her, "There's movement in your house."
Elizabeth wipes her hands on a towel and joins Jason in the living area. The front door opens; Jake and Aiden enter. Jason's eyes widen, and he reaches for Elizabeth. She takes his hand and holds it. Jason sees Jake for the first time in over two years. Elizabeth brings two plates full of food and two water bottles.
Aiden opens the refrigerator. "Jake, it looks like Mom went shopping. How long will she be nursing for that private patient?"
"She didn't say how long, but she is reachable. I can make dinner, and we can call before you go to bed."
Jason watches in amazement at the two brothers working together, creating a meal. The bell rings, and Jake says, "I'll see who it is. Grandma Monica and Danny, my Mom isn't here. Do you want to join us for dinner? Are you checking up on us?"
Jason sees his mother interact with his sons and Aiden. "I arranged the private patient and told your mother I'd stop by. Laura and Bobbie are on-call, too. Dinner looks good."
Jason and Elizabeth watch as their family makes small talk. Jason asks, "Did you arrange for Monica to bring Danny?" Elizabeth shanks her head. "It's a surprise to me, but I'm happy for you."
The bell rings again, and Monica answers. "Finn, what brings you here? Did you get the message about Elizabeth?"
"Yes, but I tried calling her cell phone, but it goes straight to voice mail."
Using the informal tone away from the hospital, Monica replies, "I'm sure she's busy. She texted me that her patient was progressing. Do you need to reach her?"
"No, Portia, Terry, and I missed her for drinks the other night to celebrate her promotion. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll try texting her. Boys, enjoy your dinner."
Elizabeth gasps, "I forgot and turned off my phone. I wonder who else called. I'm waiting to hear from Cameron, too."
Jason replies, "Is that the doctor who thought he killed Peter August, and you asked for my help?"
Wistfully, she says, "Yes, it took a while before he died for good. I'm glad that wasn't the case with you."
Jason nervously says, "I thought you weren't in a relationship. Finn seems close to your boys. I feel jealous."
Elizabeth explains, "Finn and I have been dancing around something since the cover-up of Peter and a Fourth of July picnic. He was concerned about my fugue state and checked in with Cam and the boys when I was in Shadybrook. I know he wants something more, but I don't feel the same. It was his wife I accidentally pushed down the stairs when I was 14 before my parents programmed and drugged me before leaving me with neighbors in Boulder. He's been a good friend, but that's as far as it goes. I need a few minutes to return his calls before he calls out the National Guard." Elizabeth jokes.
Monica helps with the dishes and leaves with Danny, saying Sam and Dante await his return. She heads to her car and texts Elizabeth, saying she will stop by after the drop-off.
Elizabeth checks and replies to emails. She composes an email to Cam asking about soccer, Stanford, and his grades. She asks if he will be home for the summer. Jason takes care of the dishes and brings Elizabeth a glass of wine and a bottle of beer for himself.
Jason resumes his "research," occasionally asking Elizabeth for confirmation. She says, "At some point, we need to talk about Sonny and Carly and what's not online."
Monicca knocks and then lets herself in. She shakes her head at the beer, but Elizabeth explains Jason stopped his pain meds. Monica examines Jason and says, "You are responding to therapy. How is your memory?"
"It's getting better. I still have questions, but Elizabeth is helping. She set up cameras at her house, and I saw Danny, Jake, and Aiden. How is Michael?"
Willow and Michael got married. She gave birth to a daughter. She was diagnosed with Leukemia and is in remission. She started back at GH as a nurse. They are living at the Gatehouse. Elizabeth can answer more for you. I'll let you get your rest. Elizabeth, thank you."
Monica leaves.
Elizabeth shows Jason her other "box." She says I had my own lockbox containing a lot of memories of us. I hope they spark something for you. Franco had his, and I didn't look at it until a few months ago. Some letters are addressed to you. If you are up for it, we could review all the boxes tomorrow."
Jason watches the boys more before indicating he's ready for bed. Elizabeth offers her shoulder for support up the stairs. At the door to the bedroom, Jason says, "Elizabeth, I asked for you because I trust you, but also, I'm hoping for something more. I'll wait if that's what you want."
"Jason, I want something more, but it's been over two years, and we need to decide what comes next when you are ready to leave. There will be several people who won't accept us together."
"I'm aware. Jason leans in and kisses her softly. "Good Night."
What is in Elizabeth's box, Jason's box, and additional items in the gun safe?
TBC
