Chapter 13

1996

January:

PC, NY

Jason had been back for almost three weeks. Robin extended her vacation to monitor Sonny's moods. She returned to Paris on 1/20/1996. Max had been shadowing Jason, learning the ropes. Jason vetted and hired three additional guards, Francis, Pete, and Mario, to add to Johnny and Renaldo. Milo requested to be Elizabeth's guard, and Jason agreed. Elizabeth confirmed that she would arrive with Milo on 1/26.

Jason met with Sonny about Maximus's idea of a legitimate business in PC. Maximus had his winery in Italy, and Sonny should find his niche. Sonny wanted something that would appeal to both businesses and be a product people could use at home. Jason said he'd research ideas and get back to Sonny.

Jason moved Justus, Sonny's lawyer, to PH4 on the 14th floor. Jason moved his meager things into PH2, across from Sonny. He made the entryway more secure and added bulletproof windows and a security guard to deny or allow access to the other floors. Individuals needed an access card or be buzzed in to enter.

Jason ordered a modest bedroom set, living room set, basic kitchen needs, and a splurge of a pool table for delivery.

He'd call Elizabeth in the afternoon to speak with her before she went to bed in Italy. Jason invited Steven to his new PH at the Towers to prepare him for changes when Elizabeth returns.

"Jason, I don't think Lizzy will like this. She is very independent. Has she told you she wants to live in the studio that you got her before your accident? She only agreed to stay with Gramps and Gram for the first month. I'm looking for an apartment next month. My Dad's divorce from Carolyn was finalized in November, and Gramps wants him to work at GH again. Elizabeth intends to return to GH in February. Have you considered what effect assigning a guard to Elizabeth will have on the people in her life? My grandparents and father won't understand why Elizabeth needs a guard. They read the papers. Gram is very stubborn, and when she finds out that Elizabeth and you have reconnected, the wallpaper will melt off the walls."

"Yeah, Elizabeth is a little pissed about that. She is fighting me on the terms of her return. Milo and Maximus are preparing her for what to expect. She was nearly invisible in Milan. Those who did know her knew she was under Giambatti's protection. Port Charles is smaller, and Elizabeth will be more visible. I suggested she move into the Towers with me, but she wants independence."

"That's my sister. You wouldn't remember her mother, Carolyn, but she was a first-class bitch. Lizzy would stand up to Carolyn when pushed."

January

Milan, Italy

Elizabeth is frustrated. Having guests don't bother her. Having guests bombard her all day with training sessions, shooting ranges, and self-awareness courses drove her insane. She's had self-defense courses and kickboxing classes, but personal safety awareness is entirely different. Maximus told her she couldn't leave Italy without passing it. (A/N: Personal safety awareness is about being aware of your surroundings and trusting your instincts to identify potential threats.)

Elizabeth notified Nikolas of her plans to leave the villa. From her art sales, she gave the staff a generous bonus. Elizabeth packed and crated her remaining paintings and sketches. She shipped them to her grandparent's house with a note for Steven to take to her studio. She removed the canvas from the frame of her painting of 'The Wind,' rolled it up, and placed it in a tube for rolled canvas paintings. She wrote in big letters, "For Jason."

Elizabeth said goodbye to the clinic staff. They handed her cards from former patients and a picture they took of her and Jason on her bike without their knowledge. Elizabeth smiles, knowing Jason would hate his picture taken without realizing it.

Elizabeth leaves the villa and spends the last two days with Maximus and Francesca. She calls Jason to give him her and Milo's itinerary.

1/26/1996

Francesca hugs Elizabeth and Milo goodbye with promises to visit. Maximus kisses Elizabeth's cheeks and instructs Milo to guard Bella as if his life depended on it. They board the Giambetti jet with a flight plan to Port Charles, New York.

Port Charles, NY

Eager to deplane, Elizabeth is disappointed when Steven waits for her instead of Jason.

"Lizzy, don't be upset. Jason is busy in meetings. I wanted Gramps and Gram to meet Milo since he will be around more often. We'll get you settled into your old room, and then I'll bring you and Milo to the Towers. Besides, Gramps and Gram are excited to see you."

Steven pulls into the driveway of 453 Maple Ave. Steve and Audrey Hardy wait on the stoop for their grandchildren to arrive. Elizabeth bounds out of the car and runs to embrace them. Milo and Steven exited, removing all the suitcases and bags from Steven's car.

Elizabeth and Steven introduce Milo to their grandparents. Milo gently explains what his role will be for Elizabeth. Audrey doesn't like that her grandaughter needs a bodyguard. "Elizabeth, sweetheart, I've heard the rumors about Mr. Morgan and his associate, Mr. Corothinos. Why couldn't you fall for that nice Cassidine boy? You lived in his villa for almost a year."

"Audrey, let Elizabeth make her own decisions. Be glad someone cares about her to keep her safe," Steve says.

Milo assures them he'll look after Elizabeth as he would his sister. Elizabeth drops her bag in her room and grabs the canister holding the painting. She kisses her grandparents and promises to return after seeing Jason.

Steven drives to the towers. Max and Johnny are at the front desk. Max introduces everyone to Johnny and welcomes his brother to PC. Max hands everyone their own key card to enter the Towers. Steven thanks Max and tells Elizabeth he has found an apartment and will see her later. Max directs Elizabeth to the 15th floor PH2. He takes the other elevator to show Milo their apartment.

Elizabeth taps her foot incessantly for 15 floors. She takes her purse and the tube, exiting the elevator. Jason stands at the door of PH 2, and she runs and jumps into his arms, knocking him back to the floor laughing. He pulls her up from the floor, and she shoves him inside, pushing him against the door, and begins undressing him. A deep voice clears his throat, stopping her. Jason helps Elizabeth up again, and she turns red to see another person in the room.

Jason says, "Elizabeth, please meet Sonny Corothinos."

Elizabeth raises her head high and extends her hand. "Please to meet you, Sonny. Can I call you Sonny?"

Sonny nods and returns the handshake. "It's nice to finally meet you, Elizabeth. I've heard your praises from Maximus, Max, and Jason. Please join us for dinner this week."

Jason says he has plans with Elizabeth but will return later. On their way out, he introduces Francis and Renaldo.

Jason shows Elizabeth his bike, which is much larger than the one she had in Italy. The ride is brief, but she loves the crisp air on her face. He brings Elizabeth to the studio. He's filled it with flowers, and he lights the candles. He guides her to the sofa bed already pulled out. "I believe we were interrupted by you undressing me. We are alone, so let's pick up where we left off."

Elizabeth removes her coat and clothes, and Jason removes his jacket and quickly disrobes. They fall back on the couch and make love. Jason wraps the blanket around her as he gets up and turns up the heat. He rejoins her in bed. He brushes her hair aside and kisses her face and over to claim her lips. "I've missed you. I've missed this. Sorry I wasn't there to pick you up. I had business."

"I admit I was disappointed it was Steven and not you, but then I realized there will be days I'm unavailable when I start working at GH." She hands him his painting. He tells her to keep it at the studio. He doesn't have a place for it at his PH yet.

Jason kisses her again and asks if she is hungry. She nods and he dresses to get food from Kelly's. Elizabeth dresses while Jason picks up the order. She blows out the candles and remakes the bed. Jason returns with a couple of bacon cheeseburgers and a bowl of chili. "I don't know if you had a chance to try Kelly's Diner's food the last time you were in PC, but Ruby's chili is very good."

Jason brings Elizabeth home and tells her he will remain busy with security and training for the next two weeks. He spends evenings with Elizabeth riding when the streets aren't icy or at the studio, making love before returning to the Hardy Home. Elizabeth spends the next several weeks training at GH. She rotates the specialties and enjoys trauma with her brother, helping at the Nurse's Floor's Desk's areas.

Elizabeth spends time with her family and with Jason. Steve and Jason took her to Jake's, and Jason was impressed with her pool playing. Elizabeth laughs and explains she spent a lot of time practicing in Maximus's game room.

March

Jason presents ideas for a legitimate business for them. He suggests using coffee from Puerto Rico and creating their own personal blend. He explains that this may be the simplest route to manufacturing. He mentions electronics and cell phones, but ELQ has the market on competition. The third option would be plastics, but the overhead would be expensive to start up and require more manufacturing. Sonny thanked him and said he would review the information and make a decision.

April

Carly calls Bobbie a bitch who can't hold onto a husband and pushes Tony to file for full custody. Carly has another fight with Tony. Tony says she pushed it too far with Bobbie. Carly storms out and calls AJ.

Bobbie turns to Damien Smith, an old prep school friend of Ned. He is revealed to be Frank Smith's son.

AJ and Carly meet in a suite at the PC Hotel. After sex, she confesses her fight with Tony and how she broke up the Jones's marriage. AJ is pissed she kept it from him. "Carly, I don't condone what you've done, but I won't leave you homeless. I'll cover your expenses in the suite for the next three months. I'll help you find a job in the hotel or send you to one of our hotels in the city."

Carly screeches, "You are ending things with me because of the high and mighty Bobbie Jones? It's not like her shite doesn't stink, either. She has a sordid history."

"Bobbie's past is common knowledge. She's earned everyone's respect."

Carly slams the door after AJ. She gets in the shower and screams. "I'm not leaving PC. I'm not through ruining my mother's life yet." She thinks she'll have to smile and agree to work at the hotel until she finds other sources of income. She changes into a sexy dress, applies her make-up, and heads to the bar in the hotel.

Sonny has another meltdown, worrying about the safety of those he's loved and lost. He thinks about Lily and his unborn child. He ditches his guards and heads to the PC Grille, mourning the loss of Lily and sending Brenda away. He starts drinking at the bar. Carly joins Sonny, and he buys her drinks. Sonny gets trashed, and Carly takes him to bed in her new suite.

Jason picks up Elizabeth from GH and tells Milo to take the night off and have fun. After a ride, they end up at the studio. As they lie in bed, Jason's phone rings. "Morgan. What do you mean you lost him? Do all the cars have trackers on them? Well, where the fuck is he? Call me when you find him!"

Elizabeth is already dressed and tying her shoes when Jason says, "Sonny skipped his detail, and we don't know where he is. Milo will come to take you home. I must find Sonny and ensure he hasn't gone dark again. Sonny hasn't forgiven himself about Lily or Brenda. He drinks and gets into these moods. He doesn't trust many people. Robin is living in Paris now, and I'm the only other person who can keep him calm."

"Jason, Sonny needs help. I know enough that Soony can't be perceived as weak, but you have a life, too."

Jason's phone rings again. "Morgan. You tracked his car to the PC Hotel parking lot? So you questioned the bartender, and he went up with a blonde woman? No, leave him alone. Find out if you can track the owner of the room. Get someone to take him home when he exits the room. I'll detox him. Thanks, I'm not blaming anyone. Sonny knows how to ditch a guard. I'll have to double his guards in the future."

Jason hands up the phone in frustration. "Elizabeth, I'm sorry. Our riding plans must be put on hold. I love you."

Milo knocks on the door and helps Elizabeth into the leather jacket Jason bought for her. She walks out with Milo without saying goodbye. Jason cleans up and rides to the PH, moving the liquor from Sonny's to his PH and locking it in a cabinet.

Milo says, "Bella, are you okay?"

"No, I want to go to Jake's. Will you take me?"

"Sure, whatever you need." They play a few games of pool before he takes her home. "When are you leaving your grandparents and into the studio permanently?"

"Next week."

"That will give me time to prepare the studio next to yours. Max's priority is for Sonny. You are my priority; don't ever forget that." Elizabeth kisses his cheek before exiting his car, and he waits until she enters her grandparent's home.

Johnny discovers who leased the hotel suite and tells Jason. Jason says, "Holy Shit, AJ. What did your girlfriend get herself into?"

April 2026

Jeff returns to PC and starts work at GH.