Chapter 13
Jake’s
~Lucky~

She had been gone for hours and still no word from her. Things had changed between he and Liz but he still thought she would have called by now. He was beginning to worry and he had to do something to distract his wandering thoughts. The thought of Deanna and she brought a slight smile to his lips. Something told him that meeting her again was going to bring something to him that he had long been missing. But what he wasn’t exactly sure. He paced the room thinking over he and Liz’s relationship for the past couple of months. As much as he hated to admit it their “love” just wasn’t the same. Maybe too much time had passed between when they were first together until them now, or maybe they changed too much to go back to how they once were. For the longest she did not seem happy and there was nothing he could do that would put a smile back on her face. That is until Jason returned. After he came back Liz’s whole demeanor changed. She was the Liz of old he remembered. A smile never leaving her face, laughing and joking as if they had been transported back in time. She lit up at the mere talk and/or sight of Jason and as much as he tried to fight it, it secretly angered him. Though she never came out and said it she was choosing Jason over him and it hurt. He knew Liz stayed because out of obligation but he still was not sure he would be able to let her go, no matter how many mysterious strangers he met. The ringing of the phone interrupted his thoughts.

Lucky- Hello…
Nikolas- Lucky, it’s Nikolas. Have you spoken to Liz yet?
Lucky- No she hasn’t called or came home yet. I’m hoping to hear from her soon though.
Nikolas- So you are not sure if she’s with Jason or not?
Lucky- Well that’s what Gia said.
Nikolas- But you know how Gia is… she likes to start trouble especially with Liz.
Lucky- [pausing] Yeah I noticed. So you don’t think she’s with Jason then?
Nikolas- We won’t know until she returns.
Lucky- [sighing] Yeah I guess you’re right.
Nikolas- I’ll call you later, or better yet call me back if you hear something from Liz.
Lucky- Nikolas…can you do something for me?
Nikolas- Anything…I mean whatever you want.
Lucky- Tell me about Jason and Liz’s relationship when I was away.
Nikolas- Why? I thought you and Liz talked all that out.
Lucky- We had but…
Nikolas- But what?
Lucky- [frowning] I don’t know. Tell me what do you think about Jason.
Nikolas- Tell you what about Jason, you know him better than me.
Lucky- I know but like me he’s changed and…
Nikolas- And what? You think he’s after Liz or something?
Lucky- No…but I see Liz whenever he’s around and she lights up. And I see how he looks at her when he thinks no one notices. It just got me to thinking that’s all.
Nikolas- Thinking about what?
Lucky- [sighing] That’s just it…I don’t know. It’s just that sometime I think…nevermind. I’ll call you if and when I hear something from her.
Nikolas- You sure?
Lucky- Yeah…
Nikolas- [trying to sound reassuring] Well you know I’m always here…
Lucky- I know and thanks, bye.
Nikolas- No problem, bye Lucky. [Shaking his head over his brother’s problems he is hit by a pillow from behind. He turns trying to cover his smile] Hey what was that for?
Gia- What did you mean, “you know how Gia is”?
Nikolas- [smiling] I’m sorry…he just kept going on and on, I had to think of something.
Gia- [frowning as she turned her back on him] So you put the blame on me?
Nikolas- Aww baby, I’m sorry. If I had known it would hurt you like this…
Gia- [whispering] It did hurt…
Nikolas- [kissing the back of her neck] I’m sorry I said it. I never meant to hurt you or your feelings.
Gia- [slowly turning to face him, trying to take the hurt out of her eyes] Are we ever gonna tell people about us?
Nikolas- [softly smiling] Yes, if I could I would yell it for the world to hear, but you know have to keep it quiet for now.
Gia- [smiling because of Nikolas’s words] Do you think Lucky and the rest will accept me?
Nikolas- [softly touching the side of her face] I’m sure they will…
Gia- But…
Nikolas- I don’t care if they don’t, I love you and no one can or will make me stop.
Gia- [whispering as she kissed him] I love you too Nikolas.
Nikolas- [smiling with a devilish grin] Really…prove it… [Laughter erupts as they show just how much they love each other]

Chapter 14
Cupid’s End

Jason- [as they finished eating] I can call back and get someone else to come and get us.
Liz- How long do you think it will take them to get here?
Jason- Good question. We were riding for a long time on a full tank of gas. There’s no telling how far we are from Port Charles. But I’ll call again if you want me to.
Liz- Well, it’s all ready late and if they haven’t made it here by now it doesn’t make sense to try and call someone else.
Jason- So what do you suggest?
Liz- Well…the waitress said we can rent some rooms for the night if we needed to.
Jason- You want to stay the night?
Liz- Yeah…I mean we could stay and you can fix the bike in the morning yourself and then we can head home then.
Jason- Are you sure, cause I can…
Liz- [nodding] I’m sure.
Jason- Ok, let me pay the bill and we can see about those rooms then.
Liz- [smiling] I already paid for the food. My payment for the ride. So all we need to do is find us a couple of beds for the night.

Despite himself Jason could not help but smile at Elizabeth. She knew how everyone would react once they returned to Port Charles in the morning but still she wanted to stay. For a momentary second he let himself believe she was staying because she wanted to spend more time with him. he signaled Gianna over to the table.

Jason- I heard we might be able to rent a room or two for the night.
Gianna- [smiling] Yes, if you would like to I can go and talk to my manager and I’ll bring you back the keys.
Jason- [he looked at Liz once more and after she nodded her head she smiled back at Gianna] Ok. [They sat in silence both lost in their own thoughts and feelings. Wen the silence got to be too loud Jason asked] Is there anyone…um do you need to call someone to tell them what’s going on?
Liz- I’ll call them once I get to my room.
Jason- Ok…
[As Gianna returned to the table with a troubled look on her face] Liz- What’s wrong?
Gianna- Well…I just talked to my manager and um…you can stay the night if you want to...
Jason- But…
Gianna- We only have one room available. It…it seems my manager rented the few rooms before I came to talked to him. He had this one put aside but if you want to stay here tonight he’ll give it to you.
Jason- One room…[looking at Liz] uh maybe we shouldn’t…
Liz- We…we’ll take it.
Jason- You sure?
Liz- Yeah…bring us the keys.
Gianna- Ok, I’ll be right back.
Jason- [waiting until Gianna left he leaned forward] Are you sure, because like I said I can call and get someone else to come for us.
Liz- [softly smiling] Yes, I’m sure. It’s only for one night…nothing’s… nothing’s gonna happen.
Jason- Ok, but if you change your mind anytime let me know and I’ll get on the phone and start calling people. Just say the word…
Liz- [softly smiling] I’m not worried about anything, but thank you for making sure though.
Jason- Ok, I just…I just don’t want you to be uncomfortable.
Liz- [gently touching his hand] I know and thank you.

Jason turns his hand beneath her so that his palm is now face up. He slowly intertwines their fingers as he looks up at her.

Jason- [whispering] You’re welcomed. It’s just…I’d never want to do anything that…
Liz- Jason, I know you are looking out for my feelings and I know you would never do anything that would hurt me, so stop worrying. I’m cool with everything.
Jason- [tightening his grip] Ok.

Gianna returned to the table with their room key and slowly led them to their room for the night.