Chapter 8

The Test of Friendship

A/N: Sorry guys- I finished this chapter at 3:45 am and then proceeded to fall asleep at my desk- oops! Here you go! :)

After Jason had left Elizabeth's house, Jason had tried to get a hold of Carly but she wasn't answering. So he decided to go stay at the Quartermaine's and get a hold of his thoughts until the next morning when he finally got a message back from Carly saying to meet her at the Metro-Court.

"Carly, there you are. I've been trying to get in touch with you all night." Jason spoke as he walked into the Metro-Court looking for the blonde, seeing her writing in a notebook at the bar.

Carly glanced up from what she was writing as she saw her best friend coming towards her and smiled. No matter what the circumstances were, she would always be grateful that she could continue seeing his face all the time.

"I need to talk to you about Elizabeth, I went to see her yesterday after the hospital." Jason said as he approached the counter. He had been itching to talk to her all day, so he could go back and talk to Elizabeth. He knew there was more to what was going on with Elizabeth than the could see. She was irrational, angry, and kept switching her emotions. He knew her, this was a cover for something. As much as he wanted to push the issue, he knew it wasn't the right time. He needed to give her time to cool off, and in the meantime maybe his blonde friend could enlighten him a little.

"What about the muffin?" Carly groaned inwardly. She wanted to stay out of this. After their conversation last night, both Sonny and Carly had agreed that they needed to stay out of it, but that wasn't in her nature.

"Carly, I told you back during the days of Deception not to call her that." Jason said exasperated and grinned as he waited for what he just said to sink in.

"Days of Deception...wait...you remember don't you.? Carly asked as she clasped her hands together, trying hard not to jump up and down in excitement.

"What do you think?" He teased and laughed as she squealed and crossed around the counter to hug him. "Oh, Jason this is amazing news! Wait till I tell Sonny"

"Actually, I need you to hold off on that for a little while. I don't want anyone else to know just yet.

"Why not?" She asked

"Its because I need your help and I need you to listen."

"I'm all ears," she motioned for them to sit down at a table. "How can I help?"

"For starters, I remember everything. Elizabeth, the boys. Sam and Danny, You and Sonny and the kids. I also remember the Quartermaine's. Everyone and everyone I forgot. That being said, I also remember all the crap you've given me over the last few years about Elizabeth and Sam. So I am only going to ask this once . What makes one better than the other and as my friend who I love and trust, who do you think I should be with? He asked earnestly.

Of all the questions he could have asked, Carly was not expecting that. Staring dumbfounded at her best friend, Carly could honestly say she was speechless. Thinking on what he had asked, she realized she had two options. Tell him what she wanted to see him do or try and honor their friendship, by staying out of it. Neither one was going to be easy.

Jason clenched his fists as he waited for Carly to respond. He did have his memories back now and he did remember all the times Carly was there for him. He also knew that back when Carly didn't know who he was that they became friends and that was the friendship he wanted to have. It was clear to see that Carly had changed in the time that he had been "gone," he got to witness that first hand. However once she found out who he was, it was if what he wanted didn't matter to her anymore. So he needed to know, was his friend really there or was that just someone she made up in the time being till she got him back?

"I can't answer that." Carly finally spoke.

"Wait, what?" Jason wasn't expecting that. He honestly believed she would just continue to push him and Sam together. "Why?"

"Why? Because it wouldn't be a fair answer."

"You want to explain why that is?"

"Jason, after we thought you had died. I prayed over and over again, that if I ever got you back. I would try to be a better friend to you. So no Jason I can't answer that, because what I want for you and what I think you need is probably very different than what you want or what you need. Am I right? Carly asked.

Jason nodded his head and smirked, "so how did that taste coming out of your mouth?"

"Like vinegar, now shut up." Carly grimaced. "So did that answer your question?"

"Well in a way, but I really need you to answer the question but I'll rephrase it. Without putting in your two sense about who I should be with, why do you not like Elizabeth and why do you like Sam?" That was probably the easiest way he could have asked that.

Carly thought for a moment on both women. She knew what her answer was. Actually she had known for a long time, she just could never actually say it out loud she thought as she took a drink of water to clear her head.

"Okay, I'll tell you but you have to be patient with me while I say this okay?"

"Deal" He could keep quiet while Carly talked. That was easy.

"Alright, look it's no secret that the muffin and I don't get along and Sam and I do. Sam wasn't supposed to be in your life in the beginning Jason, you only met her because of Sonny. You tried to protect her and baby Lila because that's who you are. You are compassionate and noble and you always try to do right by everyone else. Even if it might be at the cost of your own happiness. So when Lila, died, it was after that when I think you really started to fall for her. Then you two were inseparable. She got you Jason, she got your life and she accepted it without ever challenging it. I think that was why I liked her. She respected the boundaries that the business creates. I truly thought you were happier with her than you were with Elizabeth.

"As for Elizabeth?" He said quietly.

Carly ran her hands through her hair. This was harder than she thought.

"Elizabeth was this little girl who hadn't fully matured and she captured your heart easily. You pushed people aside for her. You always came to her rescue even when she didn't want you too, but you want to know the moment I realized that you loved her more than you could ever admit.?

"When?"

"When Elizabeth was locked in the crypt and you went to Taggert and the Quartermaine's to try to get them to help you find Elizabeth."

Thinking back on that moment Jason remembered how desperate he was to find her that he had gone to Taggert and Edward. Not like they were any help really though.

"I realized then that what I thought you and I had, would never compare to what you had with her. You went to Edward Jason and you hated him then. That desperation...I only see that in you when Elizabeth is in trouble like when Manny held her hostage, when the Metro-Court was under attack, when the TMK was on the loose at the Black and White Ball. The desperation and fear you have in your eyes is only there for her. I don't see that on your face when Sam is in danger or missing."

"Carly," Jason tried to interrupt.

"Let me finish Jase, I started to realize that Elizabeth had the power to hurt you more than anyone ever could including me and Sonny and you don't seem to realize it or care. That's why I hate her. She could hurt you, hell she has hurt you and yet you still love her don't you?"

It was a rhetorical question and they both knew it. Jason looked into her eyes and he could see that she was telling him the truth. Even though she probably hated it and for that he was grateful. Which is why he felt comfortable pushing the subject of Elizabeth.

"Carly," he took her hands in his. "You will always be one of my best friends, but I need you to put aside your personal feelings for once and just help me."

"I thought that's what I just did."

He shook his head, "Yes but there is more."

"Such as?"

"I told you I went to see Elizabeth yesterday remember?"

"Yes"

"Well something's wrong. She's not acting like herself. Her emotions were all over the place when I was talking to her. Screaming, crying, sounding defeated. She couldn't have cared less that my memories were back. That's not like her."

"Wait, your memories came back while you were with Elizabeth?" As much as she hated it, even Carly could see the significance of that statement.

"Yeah. She was really upset and I just heard her voice in my head. The same tone of voice, just the words were different.

"What do you think is wrong?" Carly knew but she couldn't tell him. She wanted too but it wasn't her place. Jason needed to hear it from Elizabeth not her. Keeping quiet was the one thing that she could do right now.

"I think that it has to do with whatever Patrick told her. I know she is throwing up her walls again and normally I would push but she just seemed really on edge yesterday. I didn't want to make things worse."

"Probably a smart idea." Carly glanced down at her hands.

"You know something?" Jason questioned.

"What? No, I don't."

"Carly you were a really bad liar before and you still are. Please I can see it all over your face." Jason could see that she knew something. Her nose always crinkled when she was trying to hide something.

"Look Jason, you really need to talk to Elizabeth. You remember her. That is what is important right now. You need to push her to talk. You can't get anywhere by fighting with her. Just try and be patient. Elizabeth probably feels like she can't trust you. You need to get her to open up to you."

"Why are you suddenly pushing me to talk to Elizabeth. What Do You Know?"

Carly stood up from the table. "Jase, I love you but don't ask me to tell you. I told you I wanted to be a better friend and doing that means staying out of it." She turned to face him pleadingly.

"Alright, I'll back off for now," he stood up too. "Don't for one minute think that I am letting this go. If I find out that something major has happened to her, and you are deliberately keeping it from me. I will be back to confront you." Jason said as he turned and walked away.

"I just hope you can forgive me when you do." Carly murmured as she sent a text. It was time to talk to Elizabeth. She had a lot that she needed to say to the young woman. Things that had been a long time coming.

A/N: Surprised? I told you not to count Carly out just yet. R&R please :)