Chapt 15
Thank you to the guest reviewer who is enjoying the 2023 stuff. Regarding the "old" stuff, I needed to write it that way as it all leads to what happens later. I apologize for the redundancy. Per your suggestions, I am editing some unnecessary parts. The Aftermath is better, and the purpose of these "What if" changes each time because of Liason's many missed opportunities, but TPTB kept screwing them up. Thank you to Trini12180. I'm glad you are looking forward to the NOP. You may have to wait for the Carly/Elizabeth standoff…lol.
NOP AND The Aftermath
What If…
8/16-17
Jason returns to the penthouse, gutted by what he saw. Sure, they weren't together, but Ric? He is the worst. Jason throws a lamp across the room. He picks up a full bottle of tequila, removes the lid, and takes a swig.
Elizabeth replays the last images of her husband and Maxie screwing in her bed, defiantly telling Lucky that their marriage is over. The street lights are out, but she hopes the one person she has always been able to talk to without judgment is home. Elizabeth lets herself inside. The Towers are dark, except for a light blue glow from the emergency generators lining the stairwell and hallways. When she reaches Jason's door, her anger changes to despair and feeling betrayed. She knocks.
Jason opens her door; he stares at Elizabeth before she walks through, offering an apology. He replies, "Okay, what happened?"
"I've got nowhere else to go."
Jason pulls her to him, and she tearfully rests her head on his chest. He helps her to the couch, and she says, "I don't know what's wrong with me; I can't stop crying."
He finds a glass and pours the biting liquid into it. "Maybe this will help. I can see you are in pain, and you can tell me..or not."
"Lucky's having an affair with Maxie Jones." Jason pours them another shot.
"I'm sorry; I know how badly that can hurt."
"You can't possibly understand."
"Sam is sleeping with Ric."
"Wow! Sam and Ric? You win. Why do I fall into these traps of loving, damaged men?"
"Nothing's wrong with you. You didn't push Lucky into bed with Maxie."
"Well, you didn't…yeah, you pushed Sam away, but you didn't think she'd turn to Ric."
"Maybe I did. She warned me that breaking up was all Alexis's and my fault. She said if it took her last dying breath, she'd make Alexis pay. I think Alexis saw what happened, and Sam got her wish."
Elizabeth sips her drink. "I remember that night at Jake's when I thought Lucky was dead; I wanted to trash myself. But you wouldn't let me. You listened without judgment or pity. I felt a special connection with you since that night. Sometimes, I thought there was more of a connection, but I wrecked it by sleeping with Zander."
"That was a long time ago, and we made other mistakes, poor decisions. I pushed you away, and sometimes I regret doing that. I like how you look back with no regrets."
"Before I met you, that's all I did. I'd look back and think about the what-ifs. It started with my parents and continued when I thought Lucky had died. You taught me how to live in the present and gave me hope for the future. It was an incredible gift, Jason. I don't think you know just how much I fell in love with you that year. Then you left."
Jason breathes in and thinks, "Why didn't you say something?" instead, he says, "I came back."
"Yeah, but everything was different. Life has a funny way of coming between us."
Jason takes her arm and pulls her towards him.
They embrace and kiss, darting their tongues in each other's mouths. He removes her jacket, and she pulls his shirt over his head. Jason has his arm around her waist, and he pulls her to the floor.
They end up on the couch, and Jason kisses her neck and hands her bottled water. She smiles, "Thank you."
"You are so beautiful. You always were." Abash, Elizabeth smiles. "I never expected this."
She replies, "Neither did I, but I'm not sorry."
"I've wanted this since I walked out of your studio that winter in 1999."
"Jason, this can be the only night we spend together."
Jason cups her face, kisses her, and says, "Why? Sam and I are over. I can't forget or forgive, and I don't want you near a man who abuses you or takes advantage."
"There was a time when I let myself consider a future with you, I would wonder, but that all ended the moment I had Cameron."
"Of course, you want your son to be safe, but what is safe? Lucky's addicted to pills, which is dangerous. He's a cop, and his job is not safe. Elizabeth, love isn't safe."
Chuckling, "Oh, so you are throwing my words back at me?"
"No, I'm stating a point. I left Sam because of the danger. She wasn't protected because of miscommunication, her wanting revenge, and she was alone. My job can be dangerous, but I'd like to try if you are willing to accept protection."
"We could try."
"I'll always be grateful that you rescued me when I had nowhere to go."
"And I am really glad you found me."
"I should probably go."
Jason places his hands on her face, leans forward, and kisses her. "Only if you want to."
"I don't. Cameron is staying at my Grams tonight, and I can't go back there because I promised to work things out with Lucky. Maxie is probably still in my bed."
"You could stay with me." He pulls her on top of him, and they resume kissing. They make love again, and she lies in his arms.
Elizabeth says, "I'm not asking for any promises, Jason. I didn't even expect to sleep with you tonight. You always have a way of cutting through the clutter and helping me see things as they are."
"You do the same for me."
"Really?"
"You have come through for me every time I've needed you, especially recently. I appreciate you in my life. I always have. There's always been a part of me that has loved you. But the life I've chosen and the commitments have been completely opposite of what you want."
No, you are wrong, Jason. Your life and how you live have always been a temptation to me." Elizabeth describes her life when she came to Port Charles; she was a disaster waiting to happen. "Then disaster happened to me. After my rape, I went numb, and Lucky was there to help me through that fog. I instantly fell in love with him. Then he died, and you came along. After that, when Lucky returned, everyone, myself included, tried to reclaim who Lucky was before the fire. When we married, I tried to find that Lucky, but he was gone and became a Lucky who does drugs, cheats, and calls me a slut."
"And now?"
"I've always trusted you. I knew I could always count on you."
Jason kisses her ear and whispers, "Have you ever done it on a pool table?"
Elizabeth laughs, "You aren't serious. You love that table. Wouldn't it be uncomfortable?"
"We could get rid of the balls and the cue."
"You are hilarious."
Jason grins and extends his hand. Elizabeth shrugs and follows him.
They return to the couch, and Elizabeth jokes her back needed a good crack.
Jason asks, "Do you ever wonder what if? What it would have been like?"
"You mean if I hadn't run away? Or if I went with you when you left Port Charles the first time, and we actually made it to Italy?"
"Yeah."
"Yeah, I do. What about you?"
"Of course. I try not to let myself, but I'd go to some church or museum, and I'd see this amazing painting, and I would think of you."
"Well, they say timing is everything."
"Yeah, and ours sucks."
"Big time."
Jason offers to send her and Cam to Italy, even though he couldn't go. Elizabeth says, "Jason, I have a job. I can't just pick up and leave for a dream vacation." She thinks, "If I ever go, I want to go with you. I'll understand if that day doesn't come, but it won't be the same without you." Instead, she says, "Is this your way of getting rid of me?"
"No Way! I would miss you, though." Jason wraps her hair around his finger and places it behind her ear.
"I'm tempted, but I'd only be running away from my problems with Lucky. I can't do that. I've known for months that Lucky had a problem. It was getting worse, but I was in denial. I didn't want to admit he was addicted or turning to Maxie. My marriage didn't implode overnight. It's been deteriorating for the last few months."
"Are you going to leave him?" Jason thinks, "I hope you do."
"I don't know. What are you going to do about Sam?"
"I'm not sure. Nothing has changed since we broke up except that she trashed herself by screwing Lansing. I will be okay, but I'm not sure I would have if you hadn't shown up." Elizabeth holds his face and kisses him, and he plays with her hair.
He carries her upstairs. Jason kisses her shoulder and says, "Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I thought I'd wake up and regret it, but I don't."
"I don't either. He helps her get dressed. "Are you sure you want to leave Lucky/"
"I don't have a choice. All that is left is for me to go home and tell him. I'm going to move back with my Gram."
"Are you sure Lucky is going to want a divorce?"
"I caught him with Maxie. I doubt he's going to put up a fight. My husband is an addict. His pills are to blame for what he's done. He's hurt me so much I can't pretend like this didn't happen."
"Are you sure that's what you want?"
"Are you trying to talk me out of it?"
"No, but maybe hold it off." Jason grits his teeth. He wants this to be her choice. He doesn't want to influence her decision. "Perhaps you could give it a couple of weeks to think about it and see how you feel then."
"I would if it was only me. But I have a little boy to think about, and I can't let him live in a house with someone with a substance abuse problem. I've got to do what's best for us, and that's to end my marriage."
Jason walks Elizabeth to the door. "Let me know if you need anything, even if it's just needing someone to listen." They kiss and embrace goodbye.
What if Elizabeth confessed to Lucky she slept with Jason? What if Jason's response to Sam about her sleeping with Ric was different?
8/17-8/21
Lucky calls Emily, Nikolas, and Audrey, asking if they know where Elizabeth is. Audrey said, "Cameron is with me, but I told her to see you last night and try to resolve your problems. She never came back, so I thought she'd be with you. Maybe she's at the hospital." He called GH, and Elizabeth was not on the schedule. He even asked them to page Patrick Drake, but he was not on call. Lucky asks where Patrick was last night, and the floor nurse says she does not have that information.
Elizabeth arrives at the apartment; she says, "Did Maxie leave?"
"Yes, where the hell have you been? I've called everyone. Were you with Drake?"
"For the last time, I have never slept with Patrick Drake. Lucky, I was hurt. I saw you with Maxie twice, and you have been abusing your medication. I can't have you around my son if you are on drugs. I want to be more honest with you than you've been with me. After I left here last night, I drove to see Jason. He's listened to me and has been a friend to me. We comforted each other and slept together."
"You slut! So it wasn't Patrick you were screwing behind my back, it was your hero Jason. How long have you been fucking him, and does Sam know? Or was this revenge for Maxie and me?"
"God, Lucky! Get your head out of your ass. Jason and I did not have revenge sex. If it were, I would have sent you a ticket to watch. Jason and I are friends, and we wanted it. I did not sleep with him to get back at you. But I'm not sorry I did. We didn't use each other. I'm sorry if this hurts you. It doesn't change what I said last night. Our marriage is over. I want a divorce."
Lucky grabs her wrists and tightens his grip. "I'm not giving you one."
Elizabeth pulls away. Tears form in her eyes. "Lucky, you are addicted to drugs. You slept with a barely legal teenager at least twice. Once in our bed. Has she been feeding your habit? Are you scoring illegal drugs? All of this is grounds for divorce. Please don't fight me on this. I'm leaving; I have to be at GH in an hour. "
Sam returns to the penthouse. She confesses she slept with Ric, and Jason says, "I know. I saw you."
"You saw us? Why the fuck didn't you stop us."
"Because if I had, I might have killed him. I just walked away instead. I pushed you away, so I really have no right, but Ric? You know what he's done to Carly, Sonny, and Elizabeth."
"What happened later?"
"I returned here and started drinking. Elizabeth showed up, and she was hurting, too. She just found out that Lucky is having an affair with Maxie Jones. Lucky is addicted to painkillers. And Elizabeth had no place to go, and she stayed here. We slept together."
"How could you?"
"How could I, how could you?'
"You said you were just friends."
"We are, but we've had a close bond for several years."
"So this was about payback? A way to hurt me?"
"Sam, you know I don't play games and would never use Elizabeth."
"So Saint Elizabeth climbed 15 flights of stairs, and she used you instead. She fucked you to get back at her husband. You are a fool if you think she didn't intend this to happen."
"You are being cruel. Elizabeth is not like that. We didn't intend for it to happen. I instigated it, and we don't regret it. I'm not trying to hurt you, but I'm glad she showed up."
Sam cries, "That's it? I regret Ric. But you don't regret betraying me? Why don't you ask her to move in? You kicked me out; I'm sure she'll be happy to be your bed warmer."
"It's not like that. She may try to work things out with Lucky. But if she doesn't, I'm sure she will stay with her Grandmother."
"Fuck you. I stuck it to Alexis; maybe I'll stick it to Elizabeth by seducing Lucky. I've got better moves than Maxie."
"Sam, I hurt you, but if you do this, you will regret it. I don't care that you hurt Alexis, but I won't let you hurt Elizabeth."
"Well, maybe I'll find another way to hurt you."
Sam turns and leaves.
Later Elizabeth:
Elizabeth visits Jason.
Jason says, "I didn't expect you to come back. Is Lucky okay?"
Elizabeth rubs her wrists, slightly bruised. "That's why I'm here. I told Lucky everything. I got my suitcase; I was ready to pack."
Jason sees her wrists. He is furious. "Did Lucky do this to you?"
"After I told Lucky, he was pissed. He called me names, but by the time I was packed, he promised he was going to detox. I told him it didn't change anything. I was still filing for divorce. Luu arrived and begged me to help. She said I owed him. I told her I owed myself. I'm moving in with my Gram."
"I told Sam we slept together. It didn't go well with her either. She blames you. She thinks you seduced me, but I told her it was mutual. I don't know what she will do. She vowed revenge on Alexis, and Alexis saw them. She may go after Lucky and feed his insecurities,"
"Jason, I'm sorry. It was not my intent to hurt her. Can you forgive her for sleeping with Ric?"
"I don't know. Can you forgive Lucky?"
"Not right now. I want him to get clean, but I worry about how this will affect Cam."
"I told you I would be here for you, and I mean it."
"Thank you." Elizabeth hugs him, and he turns to kiss her. She says, "Not yet. I want resolution on both sides before we decide to move forward." He turns his head and kisses her cheek instead.
She walks out, and he softly says, "Bye."
RESET-Elizabeth never told Lucky about her night with Jason. Lucky is trying to get clean, yet she still confides in Jason. Lucky broke things off with Maxie, and she cornered Elizabeth to make excuses and place the blame on Elizabeth. She said Elizabeth wasn't paying attention to her husband and was flirting with Patrick. Maxie later scores more drugs, intending to get Lucky back.
What If-the pregnancy reveal
8/24-9/15
Elizabeth relaxes on a bench, looking at the water. She spent most of the night with Lucky while he was detoxing. Jason watches her. She is beautiful and dressed for summer. He takes the stairs and calls her name.
"You look tired." Jason wishes he could make things better for her.
"I've been with Lucky; he's struggling with detox. He wants to do this alone. I stayed with him most of the night and finally dozed off for a few hours. I wanted fresh air and a little caffeine. What about you? You look tired, too."
"There was a business thing that came up late last night."
"And it didn't go well?"
"No, it went perfectly, but the timing was off."
"Isn't it weird how it all comes down to timing? Your life, your future, who you are, who you love? It's all based on when something happens, like when Manny grabbed me, and Lucky hurt his back, and you rescued me. But that night, it changed everything, not just for Lucky but for you, me, and even Sam. "If Lucky hadn't hurt his back, he wouldn't be a drug addict. If Manny hadn't escaped, he wouldn't have shot Sam, and you wouldn't have pushed her away."
"Only if you think you are powerless."
"What do you mean?"
Jason sighs, "Obviously, things happen when they happen, but you still get to choose. I mean, Lucky chose to keep taking the pills. I chose to push Sam away; she chose to do what she did, and that night you came to see me, we chose to be together. I could say it was because of bad timing, because I was hurt because of what Sam did, or I was drunk, but I wasn't. I chose to be with you. I knew exactly what I was doing."
"So did I. I certainly don't regret anything that happened."
"Neither do I."
"Jason? Why didn't we talk like this when I left Ric the first time? I can't believe I chose to be with him again after what he did to Carly or me."
"I don't know. I guess with time and maturity."
"Okay. I should go."
"Elizabeth, about timing and choices, think about this another way. Carly chose to sleep with Sonny after seeing us dancing. I chose to leave after seeing them together after getting shot. If you hadn't found me in the snow and made the choice to get me to your studio, I would probably be dead. The timing was all wrong, but your choice changed both of our lives."
"Thank you. I understand a little better now."
A few days later, Elizabeth returns to the bench, thinking about Lucky's tortured dreams. Jason surprises her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm avoiding going home."
"Why?"
"Lucky. He's struggling and not exactly pleasant to be around. His sister has gotten into a situation that has him all fired up. She's pregnant by Dillon and wants an abortion, which Lucky is against."
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Lucky won't go to rehab to get the professional help he needs; he thinks he can quit on his own with my help, but I'm not qualified. I told him I would stick by him, and I will unless he relapses and starts to use again. I won't put myself or my child through that again."
Thanks to overhearing a confrontation between Edward Quartermaine and LuLu, Elizabeth discovers that the condoms LuLu and Dillon used were an ELQ brand. Elizabeth panics and goes to the penthouse to check the brand Jason uses. She sighs when she discovers it's the same brand. She makes up an excuse when Jason finds her. Elizabeth takes an EPT test, revealing she is pregnant. She gets confirmation from Dr. Kelly Leely, the OB at GH.
9/16-30:
Lucky started using again and got caught in bed with Maxie by his brother Nikolas. Elizabeth packs her bags, ready to go to Gram's house, when Lucky bursts through the door. He is high.
"Did you leave a note?"
"Lucky, I told you if you started using again, I would leave you."
"You are overreacting."
"Don't lie to me; I found them."
"You found a few. I had a bad day. I'm upset because LuLu is getting an abortion tonight. I needed something to get through that. But I can quit now. You can help me."
"No, I can't. You can't keep making excuses. Lucky, it is LuLu's choice.
"Only a bitch would leave her husband when he needs her!"
Elizabeth pulls her ring off her finger and throws it at her husband. "I'm not going to be making you any more promises."
He finds the ring and tries giving it back to Elizabeth. She smacks it out of his hand. She picks up her duffle bag. Elizabeth says, "Please don't make this any harder."
He yells, "Put the bag down!"
"Lucky, I don't want to talk. Please let me leave."
Lucky throws the bag across the room. "You are not going anywhere until you give me a chance to explain." He grabs Elizabeth's shoulders, and she can feel his nails digging into her arms. She fears for her life. He says, "There's no way I'll ever let you leave me."
Elizabeth pulls away, and Lucky releases his grip as she falls to the floor. Lucky reaches her. She cries out, "Don't touch me."
Nikolas opens the door and sees Elizabeth crumpled up on the floor. He pushes Lucky away. Lucky says, "It was an accident; she fell. She'll be okay."
Lucky helps her up, and Elizabeth shrugs his hands away from her. "Leave me alone."
Nikolas yells, "Do you have any idea what you've done? Okay, we are going to the hospital."
Lucky replies, "She fell; it was an accident; she said she's fine."
Nikolas gathers Elizabeth's packed belongings. "Don't even go there, Lucky!"
"I would never hurt her."
Elizabeth says, "Just stop, okay? I fell; whether it was an accident or not, it happened because you are on drugs. Your habit is ruining our lives. If you do not do something about it, I will."
"I can do this if you are by my side. I can't do this without you!"
"Figure it out because I'm done." Nikolas helps her leave.
Elizabeth tells her Gram about Lucky, his dependency, and abuse. Audrey says she can stay with her. Elizabeth follows up with a lawyer she asked to file divorce papers for her. Elizabeth wants to tell Jason she is pregnant and he might be the father. There never seems to be the right time.
Lucky continues to abuse drugs and wants back on the force. He thinks if he can make a big bust, Mac will reinstate him. He steals drugs out of lock-up. He's going to make Mac proud. He calls Jason to the pier, throws a bag of cocaine on the ground, and says he's going to arrest him. Jason says it will never stick.
Lucky waves his gun toward Jason, and when he hears a noise, he shoots the gun in that direction. Jason knocks the gun away as Elizabeth falls to the ground. Jason rushes to her. "Are you hit?"
"No. I'm okay." To Lucky, she says, "What were you thinking? You just fired a gun at me!"
"I thought it was an ambush!"
"An ambush? God Lucky, how stoned are you? Do you even look before you shoot?"
"Elizabeth, I didn't hurt you."
"You could have hurt the baby! I'm pregnant!"
Lucky asks, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was afraid you were on drugs and sleeping with Maxie."
"I ended it with Maxie."
"I don't want to hear it. I want to know why you were holding a gun on Jason." Elizabeth sees the drugs and knows Jason doesn't do drugs and asks if Lucky is trying to frame him.
"I was trying to make a bust."
"You aren't on the force anymore."
"It doesn't matter because we are having a baby."
"No, I am having a baby, and you won't have anything to do with it."
"You don't mean that." Lucky walks to her, but Jason tells him to back off and give her room.
Lucky says, "I know you are angry with me."
"Beyond angry. And since I've been pregnant, I've had two hard falls because of you and your addiction."
"I promise I will quit."
"You have made too many promises you have failed to keep. I can't have you in my life anymore. Jason, can you take me to the hospital?"
Jason walks her to his car and does the math. He asks, "Could I be the father?"
"Yes. I've tried to tell you several times, but something or someone always stopped me."
"Are you okay?"
"I hope so. In a few weeks, I can take a paternity test."
Dr. Lee examines her and says she is fine. Jason offers to take her to Audreys, but she needs to pick up some papers at the apartment first. Lucky waits for her to arrive and says he is going to rehab.
"I'm going to get clean and sober so I can be ready to be a father to our child."
"I'm relieved you are getting help, but I won't wait for you when you get out."
"You can't give up on me now. Not when we have a baby on the way."
"Lucky, our marriage is over. This baby doesn't change anything. Your going to rehab doesn't change that."
"It changes everything."
"No, you need to get better for yourself. I can not be part of your recovery."
"You are all of it. You and this baby we made, we will always be part of both of us."
Lucky, you didn't get better for Cameron or me, but you want to get better for this baby? You can't. Get better for yourself because this baby may not be yours."
"What? You said you didn't sleep with Patrick."
"I didn't."
"Then who?" The lightbulb finally goes on in Lucky's brain. "Jason? You and Jason? Why? Was it because of Maxie?"
Jason says, "Lucky, please give her space. I just found out myself. If you are the father, you need to get clean. If you are not, you still need to get clean because I won't let you near my child if you are abusing drugs. Elizabeth, are you ready to leave?" Elizabeth nods.
"Lucky, I didn't want you to find out this way, but I don't want you going into rehab on a lie. Good Luck."
Jason helps Elizabeth to the car. "Do you need some time before seeing your Grandmother? Because I would love to talk."
"Yes, I think a talk is overdue. I'm sorry."
"I guess I didn't make it easy for you. I'm not the most perceptive guy."
Elizabeth laughs, "That's an understatement."
Jason drives to the Overlook and gets a blanket from the trunk. They walk to the small bridge near the park and watch the falling leaves in the crisp air. Jason wraps the blanket around Elizabeth.
Elizabeth says, "Do you know what you want to do if this baby is yours?
"I worry about the danger. I think about what happened to Sam, how she wants to try for another baby, and when I raised Michael before I understood the danger he would face."
"Michael and Morgan seem to be stable and happy children."
"Yeah, they are great kids, and I try to protect them, and Sonny and Carly are willing to assume the risks, and that's their right. But if I'm the father, even if I could accept the danger, could you?"
"There are other ways to put a child in danger. Look at Lucky. His addiction has turned Cameron's life upside down. Cam has been living with my Gram since the first week in August. I moved in mid-September, which means it's been over a month since I've been with my son. I put Lucky's needs above my child, and I will never do that again."
Jason places his arm around her, sitting them down on the ground. "What if Lucky gets clean?"
"If. That's a really big if. Do you know the statistics on dependency? Lucky could relapse. I don't know if I could put Cameron through that again. I'm bitter and angry."
"What can I do?"
"Hold me a little longer; listen as you always do." She rests her head on his shoulder.
"I want you to listen. If I'm the father or not, you, Cameron, and the baby will be okay." He kisses her head. "I should take you home."
October 2006-January 2007
What if Elizabeth handled the results/differently each time she had the chance to tell Jason?
August/September 2023, Cont.
Jason says, "Thanks, Mom, I'll be okay with Sam. Later, I want to see Michael." Monica leaves.
Sam says, "Did you just say, Mom?"
Jason chuckles, "Yes, it was an agreement that I call her Mom until I'm ready to re-enter society. That's ending soon, but I'm getting used to it. Yes, I'm alive. It's a long story."
Sam hugs him and says, I'm glad. I want to hear what happened. A lot has happened in my life."
Jason updates her on the events from when Nikolas discovered him. He tells her more than he revealed to Sonny and Carly. He says, "I'm afraid Carly has an agenda regarding me."
Sam laughs, "Carly always has an agenda. But you shouldn't worry. Carly is in love with Drew. She is concerned for him in Pentonville. Carly hasn't changed; she will always want you to put her first. I take it someone else in your life is first now. It's Elizabeth, isn't it? Is she the one who cared for you during your recovery?"
"Yes, but first, it was the staff in Greece, then Switzerland, and then Monica. Patrick Drake performed surgeries and followed up with my recovery. When Monica moved me to a hospital in Rochester, she hired Epipany. Epiphany followed me to a safe house near Port Charles. After she died, Monica helped and then recruited Elizabeth. Elizabeth has been helping with my therapy since July."
"Are you in love with her?"
"Yes. A lot has changed since my return. I have changed. We didn't end things on good terms before my demise, but I hear you are happy with Dante. I want that for you. I would like to see Danny again on your terms. I want a gathering with Danny and Elizabeth's boys."
"He would like that. Can I prepare him first?"
"Of course. I want another day until I show my face unless Sonny or Carly spills it first."
"Thank you. Good luck. You deserve happiness."
Sam leaves, and Jason calls Monica to send Michael in.
Michael enters, and Jason says, "Hi!"
"Jason, you are alive?"
"Yes, Are you okay?"
"Yes, a lot has happened, and I'm a new dad! Her name is Amelia."
"Congratulations!"
Jason listens as Michael tells him about his wife and children. Jason tells Michael the story of his return. Michael asks him to join his family for dinner soon, and Jason promises to check his schedule.
I didn't want to get into a Michael storyline as, for this story, it does not serve a purpose, and I'm not following much, but I wanted to acknowledge their relationship.
Jason calls Mario and tells him he's leaving the Quartermaines and wants to ensure he's not followed by anyone else. Jason texts Elizabeth he is heading to the safe house. He wants to see her if she is available and wants Francis to take her via the Cliff Roads. Jason waits for her reply. She agrees and says, "I wish there were a way to see you without worrying about Sonny or Carly following. I'll be there by 7:00 pm."
Jason calls Monica, and she returns to the boathouse. "Thank you for setting up the area for me to see Sam and Michael."
"Are you going back to the safe house? Will Elizabeth be there?"
"Yes, I'm leaving now. Thanks, Mom."
"Anytime you need anything, I am here. Cook made extra; since you will see Elizabeth, you don't need to prepare anything."
"I'm going to appear at GH in a few days, and soon everyone will know I'm back."
"If your Grandfather were alive, he'd take out a front-page ad."
Jason laughs, "I wish I had given him more credit while he was alive."
"He could be ruthless, but he loved you, and his heart was in the right place."
"Thank you. I will be in touch; I promise."
"Goodbye, Jason."
Jason leaves and notices a tail. He calls Mario and asks if that is him.
Mario replies, "No, I'm a few cars away. It looks like one of Sonny's cars."
Jason sighs. He calls Johnny on his other phone. "I've got a tail. It's one of Sonny's cars and people. I need help losing him. Francis is with Elizabeth. We need to bring in more people if you want to stay hidden. Mario is an unknown, and I don't want to tip our hands."
Johnny replies, "Got it, Jason. I'm working on a few more favors." Johnny tracks Jason's car and has hacked into the NAV systems, following Jason. "Did you check your vehicle for a tracker before you left the Q's?"
"Yes, but do you see something else?"
"No, I wanted to be sure. Do you think you can lose them if I create a traffic jam?"
Jason laughs, "Of course. It would be easier if I had my bike, but I'll manage. Thanks!"
Jason loses the tail and arrives at the safe house before Elizabeth. He sets the table, opens a bottle of wine, and places the meals in the oven to keep warm.
Jason reads more of Elizabeth's journal. Her last entry was her getting ready for the Valentine's Day Dance. There is not another entry for three weeks. "I'm wrecked. I haven't been able to describe what happened to me the night of the dance. I was raped in the park, and Lucky found me crawling out of the bushes. He took me back to his parent's house, and I begged him not to tell anyone. I couldn't admit what happened, but he knew. He brought his Aunt Bobbie from GH to treat my wounds. Bobbie was kind and gentle, and I knew I had disappointed her by showering the evidence away, but she said she would honor my wishes and not call my Gram. She gave me what she called the morning-after pill if I wanted to take it. I still hadn't admitted to anything, but she gave me the option.
I finally told my Gram last week, and she barely registered what I said. It was as if I didn't say the "R" word; it didn't happen. I confessed to Bobbie that Gram's reaction hurt me. Bobbie didn't understand since my Gram is a nurse; she would know what to say. Bobbie encouraged me to get an exam and an HIV test. It came back negative, but I need to get re-tested again in six months. I spoke to the cops yesterday. I gave my statement to Detective Garcia and DA Dara Jensen. Lucky was by my side the whole time."
Jason hears the car and places the journal aside. He opens the door; Francis hands Elizabeth a bag, waves, and drives away. Jason smiles, "Are you staying the night?"
"Yes, but I must leave early in the morning as Cam and Emma return to Stanford tomorrow afternoon. Patrick, Robin, and Noah leave for Berkeley on Friday."
Jason removes the meal prepared by the Quartermaine Cook from the oven and fills Elizabeth's plate. They discuss their day, and he shares his conversation with Sam. "Sam says Carly's interest is not wanting me back, but wanting me to put her first."
Elizabeth says, "That is not surprising. Carly has always wanted to be first in your life."
"When I saw Sonny and Carly, that was my perception. It all started with Robin. When I was with Robin, Carly tried to get between us. When Robin went to Paris, Carly would assume since I didn't go with Robin, she could stake her claim on me. I'd tell her I wasn't interested in her that way anymore, and she would pout and throw tantrums. When Robin returned after Michael was born, Carly used him to get close to me because I loved that little boy. Carly went to get help for her postpartum depression, and Robin helped me for a few months. When Carly got well, she moved into the cottage and started pushing Robin away. It didn't work at first, but eventually, Robin had enough of Carly interfering in our lives, and she told AJ the truth. That was the final straw, the breaking point with Robin. Carly got her wish. Robin left town, and Carly dreamed of a life with me. She married AJ to be with Michael due to custody. She still went running to me, wanting to be first. Around that time, I saw you again.
"I don't know if I ever told you about Carly's conversation while you recovered in my studio that winter. She told me I could play nursemaid and provide shelter, but she got rid of one little angel and would get rid of me, too. I laughed and said I was nobody's little angel and left. I could hear her shouting, "He loves me, Elizabeth, he loves me!""
Jason scoffs, "Carly and I were over months before that. She was married to AJ and sleeping with Sonny."
"Jason, before you were shot, before Carly saw us dancing, she was friendly to me. I was a waitress in her mother's diner. In Bobbie's mind, because of Lucky, I was considered family. I wasn't a threat to Carly. Our relationship forever changed when Carly discovered I was hiding you in my studio."
"I'm sorry you were on Carly's radar for so many years, and I'm sorry I didn't stand up to her more often."
Elizabeth kisses Jason, "People mature with age. Carly and I co-exist for the children. I have no issues with her unless she comes after my children or starts her accusations again."
Jason wraps his arms around Elizabeth. He kisses her neck and says, "No more Carly talk tonight. If you are spending the night, I'd rather do other things with you." He carries her up to bed.
Elizabeth laughs, "Stop, put me down. You are still recovering from your injuries."
"I'm doing better, and you are so light."
Jason tosses Elizabeth on the bed, and he removes his shirt. Elizabeth's hands trace his body and chest; her fingers linger gently on his scars. Jason pulls her shirt over her head, reaches behind her, and unclasps her bra. Elizabeth removes her shoes and jeans. Jason follows suit. He eases her back on the bed. "You are so beautiful. I love you."
"You are sexy, and I love you too; now shut up."
"So demanding, I love it. Shutting up now."
They explore each other's bodies, releasing over 15 years of pent-up frustration of lost time.
Jason kisses her neck and whispers, "Wake up sleepy head. You want to get home to the boys before Cam returns to Stanford. Sam will let me know about Danny; when she does, I want to arrange something with Jake and Aiden, too."
Elizabeth rolls over and wraps her arms around Jason's neck. She pulls him to her and wraps her legs around his waist. "I have 20 minutes before I leave; five will be in the shower. What do you suggest we do with the other 15?" Jason quickly removes their shirts.
TBC
The next few days