Chapter 1
~ Jason ~

He had been back In Port Charles for all most two weeks now and still had not told anyone of his return. He wanted to observe things for himself before he injected himself into their lives. If Sonny and Carly were having problems the last thing they needed was a visit from him. Emily and Michael were as he thought them to be safe happy and loved, what more could he ask for them? That only left Elizabeth. Since his return he saw he a couple of times, although he never approached her. He saw her with Lucky and a few friends and he stayed in the background watching he smile and hearing her laughter. But something didn’t seem right and he wanted to go to her but he stopped. Liz seemed happy and that was all the mattered. Then other times he would see her standing alone deep in thought, and he wondered if staying away from her was a good idea. Once while visiting the boxcar he sensed her nearby. Upon seeing her he noticed her crying and was ready to go to her when Lucky approached her from behind. They spoke in low voices so Jason was unsure of what was wrong but he knew soon Liz would need his strength so he readied himself. He saw he again on the bridge he took her once and she seemed to be in such pain, but before he could go to her she turned and left. That day he promised himself that the next time he saw her, whether she be alone or not he would make his presence back in Port Charles known. And he would offer his shoulder if ever she needed.

~Elizabeth~

Something had to give. Every time she tried to talk to Lucky about how she felt he would lay the guilt trip on her and she would lose her nerve. And because of this she had become so depressed by how things were going. She was slowly losing interest in all things that were important to her at one time. Trying to gain a little happiness she found herself thinking more and more of Jason. She even started wearing the leather jacket he gave her and going to the places that reminded her most of him. But when she went to the boxcar she could not keep from crying thinking of Jason lying in the snow bleeding. Lucky came up behind her and she played it off as memories of them before bringing her pain. When she went to the bridge she felt as close to him as she had in a long time. Tears came again to her and she couldn’t deal with the pain of Jason not being there. She was missing Jason more and more each day and she did not know what to do.

Liz busied herself trying to get her drawing of the bridge perfect. After Jason took her there thoughts of the bridge never strayed far from her. And after revisiting it the other night she knew she would soon be drawing it. As Lucky knocked at her door and she quickly covered her drawing.

Liz- [waving for him to come in] Hey Lucky come in, it’s not locked.
Lucky- Hey Liz wasn’t sure you’d be here.
Liz- Yeah had the day off from Kelly’s and decided to try and get a little painting in before it get to be late.
Lucky- That’s good, cause lately it seems you haven’t been in the mood much for painting.
Liz- I know I’ve been blocked for some lately. Couldn’t put anything on paper that looked good to me.
Lucky- Well, I’m happy you got out of that rut.
Liz- I wouldn’t say I’m out of it yet, but here’s hoping.
Lucky- [ sighing heavily as he walked toward the window]Yeah, let’s hope…
Liz- [putting down her drawing pad] Lucky what’s wrong?
Lucky- Just been thinking that’s all, and staring out the window.
Liz- About what?
Lucky- [softly]Things…
Liz- Things?
Lucky- Yeah things, you know you, me, us. That and why you’ve been so distant lately.
Liz- It wasn’t on purpose Lucky. If I was distant, I’m sorry. I hadn’t noticed though. Lucky- [turning to look at her]You hadn’t noticed?”
Liz- No…
Lucky- Liz every time I’m around you, you got this sad look on your face. I mean you look so sad. Did I do something…
Liz- No Lucky, you didn’t do anything wrong…It’s just…
Lucky-What is it Liz? I mean you’ve been acting differently.
Liz- Differently?
Lucky- Yeah, you don’t seem happy…
Liz- I am happy…
Lucky- Just not with me?
Liz- I didn’t say that…it’s just…
Lucky-It’s what?
Liz- I don’t know, ok maybe I have been a little sad, but I’m ok really.
Lucky- Liz you were crying when I came and found you at the boxcar.
Liz- I told you why I was crying…
Lucky- I know, but…
Liz- But what?
Lucky- I didn’t believe you, I mean we’ve gone to that boxcar a lot since I got back and it didn’t make you cry then, why this time?
Liz- Lucky…
Lucky- Liz…why are you so sad?
Liz- [lowering her head]I…I…
Lucky- You can tell me Liz. I don’t like to see you hurting. I will do whatever you want me to. As long as I can put a smile back on your face.
Liz- Lucky, I swear to you. I’m ok, I mean I’ll be fine. I was just a little sad.
Lucky- Why, was it something I did?
Liz- No, it has nothing to do with you. I just have had some things on my mind and they got to me.
Lucky-Elizabeth, I love you and I want you to know that I will do whatever I can to make things right between us and for you.
Liz- I know Lucky…
Lucky- I don’t want to see you cry anymore.
Liz- [quietly]I’m trying not to…
Lucky- Liz, you are my world and I will give you everything that I have…
Liz-I know you will Lucky, but you can’t fix this.
Lucky- Why?
Liz-Because…this has nothing to do with you. This is my pain and I am the only one who can stop it. I’m the only one who can fix it.
Lucky- If you let me, I can help you…
Liz-You can’t help me…nothing you do can change this.
Lucky- Change what Liz?
Liz- I’m sorry…

Elizabeth ran out of her studio before Lucky could ask another question not sure of where she was going. She needed time to think. She wanted to tell Lucky that her feelings for him had changed. That although she still loved him she felt it would be best if they were apart. But when he looked at her with pleading eyes pledging his undying love she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t break his heart and crush all the hopes, dreams, and plans he still held for them. Liz walked aimlessly for sometime trying to collect herself. She knew she would have to gather the courage and tell Lucky how she really felt. After walking for some time she found herself at the docks contemplating her next move. She stood watching the ships come in and out of port and imagined how she wished her life to be. When thoughts and scenes of Jason got to be too much to bear she turned and started toward her studio. She heard a faint noise from behind her and thinking it was Lucky she turned to tell him she was fine. But instead she found a laughing Jason say “We really need to stop meeting like this…”

Chapter 2
~ The Docks ~

Jason- We really need to stop meeting like this…
Liz- Oh my God! Jason… [she screamed as she again ran to Jason’s waiting arms]
Jason- [smiling] Ok, I missed you too.
Liz- I’m so happy to see you! You left without saying goodbye the last time and I thought…
Jason- I know, it was a last minute thing and I barely had time to do anything. I did leave a goodbye…rather I’ll see you later with Emily. Didn’t she tell you?
Liz- If she did I don’t remember… [she hugs him tightly] I missed you so much.
Jason- [smiling] Good cause I missed you too.
Liz- Uhh, how long have you been back? How long are you staying this time? Who else have you seen? Did you…
Jason- Whoa, whoa, whoa…one question at a time. [they both laugh as they sit on the nearby bench] I’ve been back in Port Charles for about two weeks now.
Liz- [trying to hide her disappointment] And you’re just coming to see me?
Jason- Well…you are the only person who knows I’m back…
Liz- Huh?
Jason- I needed to make some important decisions so I came back to Port Charles to think. I thought about coming back here to stay and I needed to see if this is the right place for me.
Liz- Why wouldn’t it be. I mean your family and friends are here.
Jason- I know, but sometimes that’s not enough.
Liz- What do you mean?
Jason- Well, it’s true that my family and friends are here but I don’t know if I should still be.
Liz- I don’t understand…
Jason- Sonny, Carly and Michael are happy together and I wouldn’t want to me that up…
Liz- You wouldn’t…
Jason- You never know with Carly…but anyway Emily is fine and she doesn’t need me. What else is there for me here?
Liz- [blurts out] Me…[looking away] I mean maybe I don’t play a roll in you staying…Port Charles is definitely a better place when you are here.
Jason- [smiling] Thank you…but I uh have thought about you and about my staying in Port Charles and…
Liz- [whispering as she looked back at Jason] And…
Jason- And you and Lucky are together now and I saw how my being here affected that the last time and I wouldn’t want to do anything that might damage that.
Liz- You couldn’t [fighting the urge to tell him the truth but instead continues] but don’t not stay in Port Charles because of me and Lucky. Besides if you leave this time I just might have to follow you. I missed too much this last time. [She smiles and hugs Jason again]
Jason- [smiling over Liz’s admission that she missed him as much as he missed her] Aww you didn’t miss me…you missed my bike. [They both laugh again enjoying the moment together] You know I’ve seen you.
Liz- Seen me when?
Jason- At the boxcar and the bridge…
Liz- Really, why…why didn’t you come and speak to me then?
Jason- Well Lucky came to the boxcar after you and I didn’t want to interrupt. And when you were at the bridge you left before I could come to you.
Liz- Oh…
Jason- Are you ok?
Liz- Yeah…just had a few things I had to think about too.
Jason- You wanna talk about them?
Liz- Well… [she stops as another of Jason’s surprised friends interrupts them]
Sonny- [surprised] Jason…Jason is that you?
Jason- [standing Jason and Sonny hug] Sonny! I’ve been meaning to come and see you. How’s the family?
Liz- [rising to stand next to Jason] Hi Sonny
Sonny- [smiling] Hello Elizabeth
Liz- Jason I’m gonna go and let you and Sonny catch up. I’m glad you decided to say something today. I’ll see you ok…
Jason- You don’t have to leave…
Liz- I know, but I’ll let you two talk in private.
Jason- You sure?
Liz- Yeah. [She kissed Jason on the cheek and hugged him one last time as she whispered] I’m so glad you are back. See you soon ok. [She turned to walk away and felt Sonny and Jason still looking at her departing form so she turned back to wave one last time before disappearing around the corner.]
Sonny- [hugging him again] It’s good to see you.
Jason- Yeah it’s good to be seen.
Sonny- What was all that about?
Jason- Well Liz was the first person I ran into and we were just catching up.
Sonny- How long have you been here?
Jason- About two weeks…
Sonny- Two weeks, where have you been hiding?
Jason- [smiling] I’ve been at Jake’s…had a few things I had to think about. I needed to make some decisions before I could let everyone know I was back.
Sonny- Did you figure everything out?
Jason- I thought I had, but now I’m not too sure.
Sonny- Well if there’s anything I can help you with… [Jason gestures to the bench he and Liz were just sitting at and he and Sonny sit down and continue to chat]
Jason- There is…how are Michael and Carly…better yet how are you and Carly?
Sonny- Good man, I mean I’m happy for once and I think Carly is too so…
Jason- That’s good, I knew you two would make it.
Sonny- [they laugh] Well you were about the only one, it’s been hard but…. So you staying for a while or just passing through.
Jason- [thinking about Elizabeth Jason smiles] I think I’ll stay for a little while; see what comes to me.

They sit and talk about the business and how things are now calm. Sonny’s fractured relationship with his father and how he is slowly rebuilding it. And most importantly, why Jason stayed away for the extra two weeks and what he hopes for now that others will know he’s back.