Chapter 4
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A/N: Jason sends regular postcards to Emily and his family. Instead of using the SAT phone, he places collect calls to PC when they replenish supplies in the city. He lets his hair grow long.
May-August 1994
Sarvejo, Bosnia
Jason blushes and stammers, "That was you? I remember. You were my first kiss, too." Elizabeth drops her hands. "Did you ever return?"
"When I was 12. Gramps said your family was on vacation in France, I think. When I was 15, you were at soccer camp."
Jason thinks, "Wow, I missed out on opportunities with her." Instead, he says, "I'd like to get to know you now."
"Well, you are paired with me for the first week. After that, you can decide how you want to proceed."
Sarah bursts in, yelling, "Lizzie, why didn't you tell me Jason Quartermaine was here?"
"Uhh, Sarah, say hello to Jason Quartermaine."
Jason smiles politely, "Nice to meet you, Sarah."
Sarah pushes Elizabeth aside, "Jason, I'm pre-med like you. I think you'd be better off shadowing me. My Dad put you with Lizzie because he felt sorry for her. I'm more qualified."
"Lizzie?" Jason asks Elizabeth.
"My sister refuses to call me Elizabeth or Liz. The only one I let call me Lizzy is my brother Steven."
"I'll remember that. Sarah, I appreciate your interest, but I have already told Elizabeth I'd follow her around the first week." He thinks, "Sarah is a little bitchy."
Sarah says, "Elizabeth, it's your turn to start dinner. I can keep Jason company."
Elizabeth grits her teeth and walks to the kitchen. Jason follows her. "Would you like some help?"
Elizabeth shrugs, "Sure." She smiles, "Are you sure you don't want to hear chapter and verse about how wonderful Sarah is? My Mom will arrive to sing her praises."
"No, I'd rather help you." Jason touches her hand as he reaches for a bell pepper. Elizabeth hands him a knife.
She starts the water for the rice. She cooks and seasons the hamburger. Steven walks in and reaches to grab a piece of meat. Elizabeth smacks his hand. "Steven, please set the table." Jason helps Elizabeth finish the cooking. He brings the food to the table. Jeff introduces himself and Carolyn.
Sarah and Steven wash the dishes while Elizabeth leads Jason outside. She grabs one of her brother's jackets and offers it to Jason. She brings the Rakija, takes a swig, and hands it to Jason. He tries it and starts coughing. Elizabeth laughs and apologizes. "I'm sorry, I should have warned you. Tomorrow is a full day. We will leave before the others. I hope you are okay riding on the back of a street bike. It's easier to travel to the more remote areas."
"I'm nervous and excited. What should I expect?"
Tomorrow is a wellness check day. We will check in on those who don't like going to the doctor and follow up on those taking medications. Dress warm, and I'll see you in the morning."
Over the next week, Jason assists Elizabeth in her duties in the various villages.
Jason has decided to stay working alongside Elizabeth, much to Sarah's dismay. After long days, they cook together, having a unique rhythm, and after dinner, they'd go outside, and he'd watch her sketch. He'd tell her tales of home, and she'd tell him what it was like growing up in Boulder. As the weeks turned into two and three months, Jason was head over heels in love with Elizabeth. Elizabeth was smitten, too. He grew to like the taste of Rakija. She taught him how to drive the street bike himself. The months quickly pass.
Jason would accompany Jeff on trips to the hospital and update him on his father, Steve. Jeff grew to like the young man and could see the attraction growing between Jason and his daughter. Jeff knew Sarah was scheming against her sister and was trying to get closer to Jason. Jason was always polite, but it made Sarah more determined. Jeff said on one of the drives back, "Jason, you and Elizabeth are adults. Whatever happens between you is up to you and Elizabeth."
"I appreciate your saying that."
"My concern is Sarah. She likes to compete with Elizabeth. I love both of my daughters, but Sarah loves to go after anything Elizabeth wants or tries to one-up, get digs in, and go to the extreme. I guess I'm saying that if you are interested in Sarah, don't lead Elizabeth on. Make a choice and stick with it."
"I am not interested in Sarah. Elizabeth is important to me. I don't know what will happen in three months when my semester abroad is up, but I want Elizabeth to move to PC when her year is up. She told me she committed to DWB for one year, and then she could move on to wherever she wanted. I want her to choose PC over Boulder or someplace else."
"Thank you. I want you to know that you are one of the most dedicated med school volunteers I've seen over the years."
Jeff parks in the lot, and Jason helps him carry bags of food and supplies. Elizabeth is waiting and helps bring in more bags. Steven offers to help his father and give Jason and Elizabeth some alone time.
Jason takes Elizabeth's hand, and they walk around the village. "I had a conversation with your father."
"Oh, no. What did he say to you?"
"Mainly, he was concerned I'd fall for your sister's machinations. I assured him I only had eyes for you. We also discussed wanting you to come to PC when your year ends." Jason pulls her to him and claims her lips. Elizabeth wraps her arms around him and kisses him back. "Elizabeth, I'm serious. I want you to move to PC. You told me your Grandfather said a job was waiting for you if you wanted it. Your Grandmother is the head nurse there, and everyone loves Mrs. Hardy. My mother has high regard for her." Jason kisses her again, "Please consider it. I don't want to leave without knowing your answer."
Elizabeth places a hand against his face, "Jason, I want to move to PC when I'm done here." She kisses him.
"Whew! Because if you were to say you were returning to Colorado, I'd start filling out paperwork to transfer to CU Medical School."
Elizabeth laughs, "Colorado's not a bad place to live, but the only person I'd miss in Colorado would be my best friend Terry. PC has my Gramps, Gram, and you."
Jason takes her hand, and they walk back to the housing units.
Days later, Steven, Jason, and Elizabeth go into the city to go to the nightclub. Elizabeth and Steven get on the dance floor. Jason watches them swinging and dancing and remembers watching his parents do that at the GH parties. He even has memories of his grandparents dancing before his Grandmother was confined to a wheelchair. He walks to Steven and says, "Mind if I cut in?" Steven steps aside, and Elizabeth takes Jason's hand. Jason says, "I'm sorry, I'm not like Steven. I've watched my parents dance but never got the hang of it myself."
"I'm a good teacher. Follow my lead. Jason picks up the moves quickly, and when the music changes to a slow rhythm, Jason pulls Elizabeth to him, and she rests her head on his chest.
Jason says, "I don't want this to end."
Tears form in Elizabeth's eyes. She sniffles, "I don't either."
Steve appears and says, "We need to get back, or I could leave you here and retrieve you in the morning."
Jason stammers, "I don't know. Elizabeth, do you want to stay?"
Elizabeth blushes and says, "I don't think my parents would miss me. We could dance, drink, or talk."
Steven smirks, "Yeah, talk. You two should talk. Here's your room key. Talk…or…"
Jason looks stunned at the boldness of Elizabeth's brother. Elizabeth's eyes dance at her favorite sibling's sneakiness.
"Relax, there are two beds if you change your mind. I'll return after breakfast. Goodnight." He kisses Elizabeth's cheek.
Jason clears his throat. "Is your brother always this bold and frank?"
Elizabeth laughs, "Yes, but he means well. If you want to leave, there's still time to catch up to him."
Jason takes her hand, "Steven is wise, and I would like to, umm, talk." They walk to the motel.
Jason opens the door. The room is sparse but clean. They sit on the bed, and Jason says, "Umm, you should know I'm a virgin."
Elizabeth sighs, "Me too, but relax, Jason. I'm a nurse; I know how things work."
Jason laughs, "I'm in med school. I think I know how things work, too. But there's one issue…."
"My brother is sneaky and came prepared." Elizabeth reaches into her pocket and reveals three condoms.
Jason unbuttons her blouse, and she unzips his jeans. They wordlessly undress each other. He slowly kisses her body down to her navel. He returns to her lips and whispers, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, more sure than I've ever been."
They bask in their lovemaking, and Elizabeth lies in Jeson's arms with a sheet wrapped around them. Elizabeth exhales, "That…was…incredible."
Jason chuckles, "My words exactly." They fall asleep in each other's arms and awaken to explore their bodies again. Early in the morning, Jason says, "Let's not waste that third condom; I don't want to disappoint your brother."
Elizabeth laughs, "He's growing on you, isn't he?"
They leave to have breakfast and find Steven waiting for them. "Are you hungry?" He smirks. "I know I am."
"Steven Lars Webber, you are evil." Elizabeth laughs.
They return to the housing units, and Jeff welcomes back his daughter and Jason. Carolyn grabs Elizabeth's arms and drags her away. Sarah cries, "How could you, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth snaps her arm away from her mother. "Don't you dare touch me like that again. I am 19 years old. I don't answer to you regarding my personal life. Steven told you where we were; I wasn't in danger and didn't break any laws. I agreed to come to Sarevejo because I wanted to help people. I agreed to a one-year commitment. I did not agree to being treated like crap from my own mother. I deserve respect, yet you and Sarah undermined me every chance you got. I will stay for another three months, and then I will move to Port Charles. I already sent a letter of request to Gramps."
Jason can hear arguments down the hall and walks to intervene. Jeff stops him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Jason, this is a family issue. Stay with Steven or go for a walk." Jason storms out.
Jeff finds his wife, and Elizabeth walks to her room to confront her sister. Jeff says, "Carolyn, whatever is happening between Jason and Elizabeth has nothing to do with his volunteering. You coddle Sarah. You are punishing Elizabeth because Jason chooses to be with her over Sarah. They are adults. You do not get to insert yourself into our children's love lives."
Elizabeth finds Sarah and says, "You have got to let this go, Sarah. I didn't do anything to you."
Sarah says, "You met him first. If he had met me before you, maybe I'd have gotten a chance."
Elizabeth sits beside her sister and gently says, "Are you sure that would be true?"
Sarah sniffles and laughs. "No, I'm not. Mom likes to pit us against each other, doesn't she? I've been lonely and jealous of you. The villagers liked you more, and when Jason arrived, I was hoping he'd like me. Mom encouraged me and told me I was better suited since you were only a nurse. I know what I said was cruel. Nurses are important. Like I said, I was jealous and listened to Mom. Go find Jason; I'll be okay. Maybe the next volunteer will be into me. "
Elizabeth finds Jason. He says, "Are you okay?"
She laughs, "I'll survive. I actually had a good conversation with Sarah."
"Elizabeth, I wish you come back with me."
Elizabeth presses her hand in his. "I've made a commitment to these people. My replacement won't be here for another two months. I must train them before I leave."
September 1994
Serevjo Bosnia
Jason has three weeks before he's due back in PC. They celebrate his 20th birthday. Elizabeth presents him with a sketch of him on her bike.
September 23, 1994
Elizabeth borrows the jeep, drives Jason to the city, and rents a motel room for the night. After dinner, they go drinking and dancing. They return to the room and make love. In the morning, Elizabeth takes him to the airport. Jason hands her his SAT phone, telling her to call if there is an emergency.
Jason kisses her with tears in his eyes, "When can you return?"
"My replacement will be here sometime next week. I'll train them for a month; I should be able to return the first week of December."
Jason kisses her again as they call his flight. "I love you."
Elizabeth wipes a tear from her face, "I love you, too."
Jason gathers his bags and walks to the gate, looking behind him before he boards the plane. Elizabeth gets to the jeep, climbs inside, and sobs. She collects herself before picking up supplies and food and returns to the housing.
Steven waits for her and unloads everything. Elizabeth runs to her room and slams the door. Sarah follows, knocks, enters, and embraces her sister.
September 24. 1994
London
Jason arrives and stays the night before flying out the next day. He calls his family, thanking them for sending the Quartermaine Jet. He spends 30 minutes under the shower in the London Hotel branch of ELQ Industries. He wishes Elizabeth would be sharing the shower with him and sleep in the 350-thread count sheet and plush bed.
Jason flies out of London and settles in on the plane. Due to the time difference, he'll land in PC at 5 a.m.