Chapter 22

February 2000

Summary:

Carly and Gia plot against Laura and Elizabeth. Carly bribes Lucky.

Elizabeth makes a decision.

Sonny learns he has a traitor in his organization. Sonny and Jason make plans.

Lucky explains to Luke why he's no longer concerned about Helena exercising mind control over him. Gail assures Luke that his son seems perfectly normal again, though Luke overhears Helena talking about the magnitude of mind control she used on Lucky. Jason visits Lila, and she greets him warmly. Monica and Alan walk in. They say they don't hold him responsible for Emily's choices.

2/1/200

Carly sees proofs from Elizabeth's photo shoot. She is very disparaging except for some, where Elizabeth looks more relaxed. She realizes Lucky took those pictures. Carly offers Lucky $1,500 to photograph Gia. He doesn't want to do it because he feels it is disloyal to Elizabeth. They finally reached an agreement for $2,000.00. Laura discovers Carly's plot and chastizes Lucky for taking pictures for money. He says he'll make it up to Elizabeth and take additional photos of her.

2/2-10/2000

Jason hides in the closet, hearing someone at the door, but it is Elizabeth with some lunch.

She tells him she could be the next supermodel or a failure. She explains how Laura and Lucky roped her into this modeling competition, which was stressful.

"I thought things were better with Lucky out of Helena's control."

"They are. Once Lucky stopped pushing me to Nikolas, I thought things could 'finally' go back to how they used to be. But I found out I loved Lucky the boy, not Lucky the man, who is controlling. He gave up on his control for me to be with Nikolas, but now he wants to control my life. Take this modeling thing. Deception is looking for a new 'Face.' Laura wants me, and Carly wants Gia Campbell. It's been aggravating. Either I engage and get into her face or leave rather than get confrontational. Carly is worse. I wish I could be like you, keep quiet, and not let Carly or Gia get to me."

"That's fine because you are never one to back down, especially to Carly. I don't know who Gia is, but you never need to hold back on your feelings."

"My photo shoot was extremely uncomfortable with everyone touching me and putting make-up on to make me look pretty."

"Wasn't the guy who attacked you a photographer? His name was Tom?"

Elizabeth sighs, "Yeah, I felt like he was watching me. You seem to be the only one to remember that."

"What do you want?"

"I want to make Laura happy. She's been good to me. God, I just heard what I said. I want to make her happy, just like I wanted to make Lucky happy with this photo shoot." Jason stares at her, waiting for her to continue. "What I want is to feel good about saying no. Carly calls me 'muffin-face,' and giving up the job to Gia means I agree with Carly, and I never want to agree with Carly on anything", Elizabeth laughs.

Jason reaches his hand to Elizabeth's face and says, "Carly will never want to admit you are beautiful." He leans in and kisses her forehead. Elizabeth blushes. "If you want to model, you would be great, but you don't need to prove anything to anyone else. Do what is best for you and not for Laura or Lucky."

"Thank you. Did you know Emily moved into Kelly's? Lucky's with her right now."

"You should be with her instead of being here with me."

"I'll see her later. I may bunk with her tonight. She'd want to see you."

"I don't want anyone to know I'm here. I wish you didn't have to know. Why would you stay with Emily?"

Elizabeth laughs, "Jason, you are sleeping in my bed. I have crashed at my Dad's place for the last two nights. I told him my paint fumes were getting to me, and I was airing out the place."

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I can find another place."

"No, I want to do this for you. You matter to me. We're clear on that, right? You helped me discover the Wind."

Jason's heart skips, "You painted a picture of it."

"Not a very good one."

"Best one I've ever seen."

"Thank you."

Jason meets with Sonny and tells him that Carlos and Sorel were in town specifically to kill him. Sonny replies that a traitor is working with Sorel and Carlos in his organization. They devise a plan to trap him.

At the PH, Carly said she would stage a coup; Gia Campbell would be the next face of Deception, and she would gain creative control over the whole company. Sonny shakes his head but knows it's a losing argument for him, and he hopes Laura can survive.

Sorel planned Sonny's demise on Valentine's Day.

2/11-15/2020

Elizabeth enters the studio, her eyes red-rimmed. Jason jumps up from the couch. "What's wrong?"

Elizabeth shakes her head, "Nothing really. I told Laura and Lucky I was dropping out of the competition. Laura was more understanding than Lucky. Carly and Gia gloated, saying I knew when to cut my losses. I blasted Lucky in private, saying that I didn't like all those people touching me and that it reminded me of what happened with Tom. I told him I was angry that he didn't remember what that was like for me. He accused me of letting his mother down and letting Carly win. I asked him why he would take Carly's money to take pictures of Gia if he was so concerned about her winning. I left before he could give me an answer." Jason embraces her. "I'm sorry, I was so angry at Lucky I forgot to pick up your lunch order."

"Forget about it, I'm fine."

"No, I need some fresh air.

Jason calls Sonny, "I have a huge favor to ask."

"Name it."

"It's for Elizabeth, but I'll tell you what I need after we've handled Sorel and who betrayed us."

Elizabeth finds Jason stretching her canvas to prevent her from getting more splinters. "How are things with with Lucky?"

"Lucky was at Kelly's with a white rose and an apology for taking Gia's picture without telling me. He asked me to dinner, but I declined. He was crushed, but I told him I was upset about letting Carly manipulate him and playing dirty. I said it didn't matter anymore since I quit. He wasn't honest with me, but I haven't been entirely honest with him regarding you. I have no right to judge."

Sonny came to see Jason at the studio, telling him it was time to move on Sorel. He said Valentine's Day seemed appropriate. Jason said he would be ready; he had a clear view of the warehouse from where he was.

2/13-15/2000

Rick, Carly's bodyguard, is the leak in Sonny's organization. Rick is working with Sorel; he confirmed that Sonny would have the meeting at his warehouse.

Jason looks out the window when Elizabeth stops by with a food order. His heart skips when she enters her studio. "You are supposed to be staying away."

"Disappointed? I thought you might be hungry. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and I'm worried Lucky might have something planned. A year after my rape, Lucky, Emily, and Nikolas planned something special to help erase that awful day. But instead, I volunteered at a rape crisis center. He said he understood, but I knew I ruined his plans. Last year, I did the same thing. It helps me heal to answer phones and counsel women who have been assaulted. What about you? Other than staring out my window, do you have plans for the 14th?"

Jason shows her what he is looking at from her window. She realizes he has a clear view of Sonny's warehouse. "So that's why you wanted to stay in my studio; it's because of the warehouse."

Jason glances into her eyes; as his heart skips, he softly says, "That is one of the reasons." He looks away. He can't tell her because he wants to be near her. He changes the subject and confesses that he left to gather information on Sorel. "He's responsible for the shooting after the hospital Christmas party that almost killed Sonny and could have killed my sister. Sonny told me Sorel threatened you, too, as well."

She pulls from her bag a box of her homemade fudge. "It's my Valentine's Day fudge. I hope you like it."

"Thank you. I have something for you." Jason pulls out a beautiful red glass. Jason explained that he had found it when he was in Italy." Elizabeth protests, thinking he should keep it. It's important to him, but he says, "It's not a ruby; it's a hunk of glass. I want you to have it. Happy Valentine's Day." They look at the glass in the sky's light, and neither has the words they genuinely want to express. Jason brushes his hands on her shoulders. Her hair smells like vanilla. Elizabeth sets the glass on a shelf where she can see it when she paints. Behind them is a loud explosion, and they look outside.

"Oh my god, Jason. The warehouse is on fire!"

"Elizabeth, call 911!" Elizabeth calls while Jason prays for Sonny to exit the building. Elizabeth gives the address to the operator, and Jason rushes outside towards the fire. She locks up behind her and follows. The crowd grows, watching the fire, and a few men exit the building. Lucky startles Elizabeth from behind and presents her with a dozen white roses. She barely acknowledges them, watching Jason rush into the fire to save his best friend.

Lucky tries pulling Elizabeth away. "I gave her flowers; why does she care about Morgan? It's Valentine's Day; I had it all planned out," he laments. "She should forgive me."

Through the smoke appear two figures. Carly runs to Sonny, and they embrace. Jason looks into the crowd…searching. He locks eyes with Elizabeth; relief flushes over her. The roses fall from her arms, dropping into the ground. Lucky reaches to pick them up, and without looking behind her, she walks to Jason and helps him up from the snow. Jason spies Rick in the shadows, talking to Sorel and Carlos.

Jason wraps his arm around Elizabeth, and they return to her studio. Lucky holds the five roses he picked up, shouting out Elizabeth's name, but the fire engines and water dousing out the flames muffle the sound of his voice.

Elizabeth removes Jason's jacket in the studio and helps him out of his t-shirt. She hands him towels and shows him where the soap and shampoo are in the shower. He exits wearing only a towel. Elizabeth inwardly gasps, "You clean up nice. I think there's a shirt you left behind from last year."

"Thank you for everything. I have the information I need. You can have your studio back, but can I make it up to you?"

"You don't owe me anything."

"I'd like to take you to dinner once I finish some business. That is unless you want to be with Lucky. I saw him holding white roses."

"No, I don't want to be with Lucky. But can I tell Emily you are home if the danger is over?" Jason nods, and Elizabeth leaves for Kelly's. Jason dresses and calls Sonny. He moves his things to Jake's.

Elizabeth tells Emily that her brother is back in town and played hero during the warehouse fire. Elizabeth volunteers again, ignoring Lucky's voicemails.

Sonny instructs Jason to make Carly's bodyguard pay for his betrayal. Johnny assists with getting rid of Carlos and Rick. Sorel is made an example of and tied to a pole on the pier for the cops to find. Zander is notified he can testify against Sorel now that the man is back in police custody.

2/16-28/2000

Jason helps Elizabeth off the motorcycle after dinner at the No Name. Lucky arrives and shoves Jason, telling him to stay away from Elizabeth. Emily walks by and hugs Jason, telling him she loves him and understands why he couldn't tell her he was back sooner. Lucky continued to harass Jason, telling him he was a danger to Elizabeth and his sister. Elizabeth and Emily told Lucky to Go the Fuck Away.

Jason walks her to her door. She grabs his hand and invites him in. Jason pulls her to him. He leans in and kisses her gently. Elizabeth responds, sinking into him. She leads Jason to the couch, and he pulls her sweater over her head. Their lips never parted. She deftly unclasps her bra with one hand. He pulls off his jeans as she removes hers. Before he can pull her back down to the couch, she lunges for the door to ensure it is locked. She returns to join him, straddling him; she falls forward, kissing him. He lifts her and flips position with him on top. They explore each other's bodies with their eyes and hands.

Staring into her eyes, Jason asks, "Elizabeth, are you sure?" She bites her lower lips and nods. Embarrassed, she reaches into a drawer and pulls out a condom. In rhythm, they climax together.

Laughing, Elizabeth traces Jason's face with her finger. He follows her finger as it runs down his chest towards his waist. "Since I've known you, I've seen every part of your body except for that…until now. It was worth the wait."

He chuckles, "No regrets?"

"Uh uh, none. You?"

"Nope!" he grins.

Curled up against Jason, Elizabeth relaxes for the first time in months.

Elizabeth props herself up to face Jason. "What's next?"

"Well, I hope you know this isn't a one-time thing; at least, I don't want it to be."

Elizabeth blushes, "I don't either."

Jason kisses her neck, "Elizabeth, there are things I won't be able to tell you, and there will be times I must leave, and you can't ask me where or why. Most importantly, when I tell you to leave, you listen. Can you do that?"

"I'll try."

He sighs. "I don't want to leave, but I should check on Carly and Sonny. I will try to get my PH back, but until then, I have a room above Jake's."

"I must shower and check on a course I'm taking. Will I see you later?" Elizabeth raises her eyebrows in question.

Jason pecks her lips, "I look forward to it." He dresses and leaves. Elizabeth showers and sneaks out, hoping Lucky isn't lurking somewhere. She heads to PCU for classes.

Elizabeth walks into Jake's, hoping to find Jason. She smiles, "Hi!"

"Hi, how is your day?"

"Good, you?" Elizabeth snags a fry off Jason's plate.

"I'm great. Are you hungry? Do you want my fries?"

She takes another fry and replies, "No, the food here is terrible."

Jason grins as she continues to eat off his plate. "How was your class?"

"I have an assignment to sketch a figure in motion. Suggestions?" Elizabeth looks around the room and lands on an idea. "Can I sketch you playing pool?" She coyly asks.

Jason is unable to say no to the beautiful artist. After getting the basics on paper and filling in the lines, Jason says, "Take a break and join me in a game."

"I don't know how to play."

"Come here. I'll show you." Jason shows her the table and helps her line up a shot. He wraps his arms around her, holding her arms, and as she pulls back the cue, he gets a whiff of her scented shampoo. He breathes deeply. Elizabeth gets excited as she sinks the ball into its pocket. Neither Jason nor Elizabeth notices Lucky glaring at them from the bar. After another ball lands in the pocket, Lucky approaches and says, "I thought I told you to stay away from Jason."

"Lucky! You have no cause to be obsessive! I am not your property. I will hang around Jason as long as he wants me to."

"I also told Jason to keep away from you. He doesn't deserve you."

Jason ignores Lucky and asks, "Elizabeth, do you want to go for a ride?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

They stop, and she asks where they are. "On the road to nowhere."

"That's poetic."

"No, really. There was a house out here, but it burned down, and now the state owns it. Maybe one day, they'll put it up for auction. All that's left is this bridge over that gorge. They bulldozed everything, and all that is left is some benches and statues." He describes the statues, and she asks if he can show them to her. "It's dark, and I don't know if I can find them tonight, but maybe we can come out another time."

"I'd like that." She stands on her toes, wraps her arms around his neck, and kisses him.

"I like riding with you. I like the way you yell when we ride fast. I like the way you think of things in pictures and try to explain them to me."

"I am so glad to know that it meant as much to you as it did to me. I loved being free."

He walks over to the bike and asks if she wants to go on the Cliff road or the straight road. She says, "Cliff Road. I like the turns."

"I know." Elizabeth gets on the back of the bike and puts her arms around him. Jason drops her off in the back of Kelly's.

She removes the helmet, thanks him for the ride, and turns to walk away. Jason pulls her back to him on the arm and kisses her. She asks about the statues again. "I don't have classes tomorrow, and my shift at Kelly's ends at 4:00; if you're free, you can show it to me."

Emily rushed out the door and said that she heard the motorcycle and thought it was Jason. Elizabeth said goodbye and left. Emily looked at her brother and knew that there was more going on than just friendship. "Did you go riding with Elizabeth? I know you stayed with Elizabeth, and I can see you are close."

Jason laughs, "You want to know if we had sex?"

"I know that's rude and none of my business."

"But you still want to know." He doesn't confirm or deny her unsaid question.

"I want you to be happy. I know Lucky wants Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth makes me happy. I will do what I want, and Elizabeth will do what she wants to do. I won't turn her away if she wants to be with me.

Jason meets with Sonny and updates him on the Sorel situation and Zander's testimony. Jason asks, "Is it taken care of?"

"Yes, nothing will be tied to us. It will look like a prison riot. Elizabeth won't have to worry about Tom ever again."

"Thank you."

March 2000