Chapter 17
Room 508

Jason slowly pushed open the door unsure of what he would see. Liz stood over by the window her back now to him.

Jason- Liz are you ok?
Liz- [speaking quietly] I’m fine…
Jason- Were you able to get through to anyone?
Liz- Yeah I talked to Lucky…he wasn’t too happy though.
Jason- You wanna talk about it?
Liz- No
Jason- I’m sorry…
Liz- [with tears silently rolling] It’s not your fault. Lucky and me are growing apart and there’s nothing either one of us can do to change or stop it.

Jason knew Liz was softly crying yet he had no idea what he could to stop her tears.

Jason- Liz...
Liz- I’m ok…
Jason- No you’re not, look at me. [after she did not respond to his first plea] Please.

Liz slowly turned to Jason ashamed of her tears. She lowered her head for fear of what she might read on his face. She never wanted anyone to pity her, lest of all Jason. This was her problem and she was dealing it the best way she knew how. Hot tears again stung her face as they slowly rolled down her cheeks. Jason reached out and softly touched her cheek, lifting her face so that they are again face to face. He gently wiped away her tears smiling softly as he looked at her.

Jason- [whispering] Liz…don’t cry baby…
Liz- But I…
Jason- You have no reason to cry. If Lucky does not see that he is the luckiest person in the world by having you part of his life then he is a fool. It is his lost…
Liz- [whispering trying to hold back her tears] But…without Lucky…I’ll be alone.
Jason- No you won’t…the right person for you will come along. You are too beautiful inside and outside not to be loved… As long as I am here you will never be alone.
Liz- [asking hesitantly] You think I’m beautiful?
Jason- Yes I do.
Liz- [confused by what she saw in his eyes quickly looked away] I…I don’t know what to say…
Jason- [speaking softly] You don’t have to say anything…I wanted to say that for a long time.

She looks up at Jason again and it is her turn to tenderly touch his face. They stare into each other’s eyes reading what they other wanted so badly to say. Reading what they other felt but had not the nerve to say. Tears well in her eyes and a single tear slowly rolls down her cheek. Jason carefully leaned in and tenderly kissed her cheek to stop the trail of the tear.

Jason- [whispering] Please don’t cry. I promise you as long as I am here; I will never let you cry again. [He enclosed her in his arms and silently held her until her tears finally subsided.]
Liz- Thank you.
Jason- For what? I didn’t do anything special…
Liz- Yes you did…thank you for being you. [pausing] I know I shouldn’t ask you this but…
Jason- Ask me what?
Liz- [looking away suddenly feeling guilty] Never mind…
Jason- Liz look at me…you can ask me anything you want to. I will not be offended in any way unless of course you choose not to ask me.
Liz- But it’s wrong…
Jason- If it’s something you want it can’t be wrong.
Liz- [trying to keep her tears from coming again] I just…I just want to let go of this pain. I just…
Jason- What do you want me to do?
Liz- Can you just hold me? I know I shouldn’t ask you but…
Jason- Liz, are you sure that’s what you want?
Liz- [in a small voice] Jason, I just don’t want to hurt anymore. I want to feel your arms around me and I will know everything will be ok.
Jason- Liz...
Liz- Jason, you give me so much strength when you are with me and I think I can face almost anything. But tonight I don’t want to be strong. I want to lay in your arms and cry out the pain that I feel…I know it’s wrong for me to ask you but…
Jason- Liz if you want me to hold you, I will…I just want you to be sure that this is what you truly want.
Liz- [softly] I am…

As Jason kissed her on the cheek he took Liz’s hand and led her to the huge canopy bed in the middle of the room. He sat on the edge of the bed and paused as he looked at Liz one last time. She softly touched the side of his face and gently nodded telling him she was fine with what they were doing. He released her hand and quickly moved to the center of the bed. Sitting back on his knees he looked down collecting his thoughts the best he could. He as looked at Liz he offered her his hand welcoming her in. With slight trepidation she took his hand and joined him on the bed. As they both sat back on their knees they looked at each other once again. She softly touched the side of his face smiling softly at the numerous acts of kindness he has shown her. She knew Jason would never do anything to hurt or harm her she took a deep breath and slowly laid down on the bed. Jason could feel his heart beating as if it was outside his body. He knew he was falling in love with Liz and holding her in his arms was something he had long dreamed of, but he had to collect himself because he did not want to do anything that would add to the pain Liz was obviously carrying. As he lay down behind Liz wrapping her softly in his arms he could feel he softly crying. He gently stroked her hair not speaking but trying his best to soothe the pain. They lay there in that position the most of the night never speaking. Jason there to collect the tears she needed to get out and Liz there to finally let go of the pain and disappointment of love lost. Liz fell asleep to the gentle and constant lullaby of Jason’s heartbeat. Jason felt as Liz finally drifted to sleep yet he did not move for fear she would wake and again be in pain. He gently kissed her forehead and soon joined her in dreamland. Liz woke the next morning still held in Jason’s arms. Holding her in the spoon position cupping her body with his Liz held tighter to his arms that wrapped around her. She could never tire of Jason’s arms around her. She gently turned in his arms so that she now faced him. Jason was still sleeping so she took the opportunity to study the lines of his face. She had always thought him to be handsome, but as she watched him sleep she could honestly say he was beautiful. She smiled softly as she studied his lips, those same lips that kissed her, as she had never been kissed. The same lips she longed to feel again. His lips pressed to hers, his hands on her face. The thought alone sent a million shivers down her spine as a soft chuckle erupted from her throat. The sound of her laughter woke Jason and he smiled down at her once more. Embarrassed to be found staring at Jason she quickly covered her face.

Jason- [smiling as he closed his eyes once again] That’s ok, if you don’t tell I wont tell.
Liz- Tell what?
Jason- Tell how the other looked in the morning.
Liz- [laughing as she playfully hit at him] Whatever…[pausing until their laughter subsided] You think we ought to check out and go and get your bike?
Jason- [tightening his hold on Liz] Give me a second or two…
Liz- [smiling] Thank you…
Jason- No, thank you…
Liz- For what?
Jason- [smiling] For being you [Liz softly begins to smile] You know I have been waiting for the longest time to say that.
Liz- [whispering] I’m glad I was the one you said it to.
Jason- So am I.

She tightened her hug of Jason and they lay in silence several more hours until they could stay in the bed no longer.

Jason- [smiling] Ok…let’s go…before we’re here a couple more hours.
Liz- [laughing] I know, I know…

They quickly freshen up before they paid for the room and to check on Jason’s bike. Surprisingly the bike was finished and they were able to return home then. Leaving a huge tip for both the mechanic and Gianna their friendly waitress. Before they mounted the bike Jason and Elizabeth looked at each other knowing that once they returned to Port Charles things would never be the same. Trying to savor one last memory of them Liz softly touched his face and gently kissed him on the lips. Jason wrapped her in his arms and they stood lost in the moment not ready to give it up.

Liz- [whispering softly in his ear] Let’s go…

He tightened his hold briefly kissing the side of her neck. He released her and they mounted the bike and headed home.

Chapter 18
Outside Deanna Apt.
~Lucky~

They had a lot to talk about when she finally got home. He couldn’t stop her from being friends with Jason but something had to give. They had been gone all night and other than that brief phone conversation he had heard little else from her. True much of what he said he regretted but he felt they needed to be said. He didn’t know how much more of their ‘friendship’ he could take. One second she and Jason were merely friends; but the next second he was hearing stories from others telling of how they saw them embracing and in otherwise intimate moments. It was too the point where he didn’t know who to the trust. Liz had always told him the truth but when Jason came around and he saw her reaction to him he had doubts. Sooner or later someone who have to step to the front and tell the truth, tell what they are really thinking, make a commitment on way or the other. He knew all the blame for their failing relationship was not all Liz’s part. They both changed a lot over the year he was away and he didn’t open his heart as he once was but…

Deanna- Deep in thought huh?
Lucky- [smiling] Something like that.
Deanna- Still trying to figure out if all of my changes were natural?
Lucky- Well weren’t they?
Deanna- [smiling] You’ll have to take my word on it.
Lucky- Ok, I’ll do that… you ready to go?
Deanna- You sure you wanna do this? I mean you don’t have to if you don’t want to.
Lucky- [smiling] I want to do this. Besides all I’m really doing is reintroducing a few old friends and new ones together.
Deanna- Wow…all of that huh? You got anything else planned?
Lucky- [laughing] You’ll just have to wait and see.
Deanna- [smiling] Ok then…let’s go.

They quickly walk to Kelly’s laughing as they relived some of their exploits from school. Though they were friends through Sarah he realized that he missed spending time with her. She always had the ability to make him feel at ease. He didn’t have to worry about fitting into some image she had of him and he liked that. Stopping outside of Kelly’s he looked through the window to see if the gang was all there.

Lucky- Come on, it looks like everyone [not seeing Liz] well almost everyone is here. I can introduce…reintroduce you to them now.
Deanna- Ok, but you gotta promise me something though…
Lucky- What?
Deanna- [smiling] When everyone leaves and we are all alone you gotta get me some dirt on everyone. I gotta to know who I’m dealing with.
Lucky- [laughing] Ok I promise.

They enter Kelly’s and are greeted by the curious faces of the gang. Gia’s face instantly had a smirk thinking they were catching Lucky doing something with someone other than Liz. Just who was his new "companion" and just what was their relationship she wondered.

Gia- [smirking] Well Lucky…I didn’t know you had it in you…
Lucky- Had what?
Gia- Where’s little Lizzie when you need her?
Nikolas- [acting as if he was annoyed by Gia’s comments] Hello…[nodding at Deanna] who…who’s your friend?
Deanna- [smiling] What you don’t remember me either?
Nikolas- I know you?
Deanna- Yes…yes you do.
Nikolas- [noticing Gia’s changing expression] I’m sorry you must be mistaken…
Deanna- It’s ok Nikolas; I don’t blame you for not remembering me. It has been some time since we hung.
Gia- Well Nikolas…do you know her?
Nikolas- [looking from Deanna and back to Gia] I…I…
Deanna- [smiling] It’ll come back to you eventually…[turning to look at Emily] hey Emily.
Emily- Don’t tell me you know me too…
Deanna- [smiling] Yep…I sure do.
Gia- [annoyed by this ‘new’ girl] Now all we need is for her to say she knows you too Juan and then you all can have one heck of a reunion going.
Juan- I don’t know her.
Gia- Well I guess we are in the same boat then huh?
Juan- I guess…
Deanna- [looking at Gia] Are you always like this?
Gia- Who me? [paused] No I’m normally morning sunshine…[Nikolas quickly tried to cover his laugh as Gia looked at him angrily before she continued looking back at Deanna] but today for some reason…
Deanna- Maybe it’s the coffee...
Gia- Maybe…but then again…
Emily- Ok, ok you guys…back to what’s important….how do you know us…me?
Deanna- Well…we all went to school together.
Emily- School?
Deanna- [smiling looking at Emily] Yeah…Port Charles High, we didn’t have a class together but…
Emily- What’s your name?
Deanna- You’ll never guess…
Nikolas- I went to Port Charles High for less than a semester so there no way you could possibly remember me nor I you.
Deanna- [smiling] Well I do…but it might be more because of your girlfriend at the time.
Gia- Who was your girlfriend back then Nikolas?
Nikolas- My girlfriend…
Emily- Hey come on…it’s too early in the morning for me to be thinking…you gotta tell me your name.
Deanna- That’s ok if you don’t remember…I’m Deanna Taylor.
Lucky- [smiling at Deanna] Hey, that’s my job.
Emily- [standing to hug Deanna] Oh my goodness… you look so good!
Deanna- [smiling] Thank you.
Nikolas- Deanna…
Deanna- [smiling turning back to Nikolas] Yeah, I was friends with Sarah…
Gia- [curious to know how this girl knew Nikolas] Sarah?
Nikolas- [trying to drown out Gia’s question, not ready to explain about him and Liz’s sister] How are you?
Deanna- Fine now that I’m finally settling back in Port Charles lifestyle. I was gone for some time but I decided to come back and go to PCU.
Emily- That’s cool…we should spend some time catching up.
Gia- [speaking louder] Sarah…I’ve heard that name before. Who is she exactly?
Deanna- Sarah…that’s Liz’s sister. Nikolas used to date her that’s how I know him.
Gia- [looking at Nikolas unable to hide her shock] You used to date Elizabeth’s sister?
Nikolas- [speaking softly] Yes…a long time ago.
Gia- Her sister…but I thought…
Nikolas- Gia…
Emily- What’s the big deal? Why are you concerned anyway Gia?
Nikolas- Nothing…
Gia- [angered] Nothing? Oh I understand now…
[Sensing a change between Nikolas and Gia and knowing Deanna’s admission about Sarah was the cause Lucky tried to change the subject and divert the focus] Lucky- Well Deanna let me introduce you to the rest of the people I’m sure you will be seeing a lot of…
Gia- [mumbling] I doubt it…
Lucky- This…this is Juan Santiago…Emily’s boyfriend
Deanna- [smiling] Hello Juan…it’s nice to meet you.
Juan- [smiling as he shook her hand] It’s nice to meet you too.
Deanna- Juan Santiago…you wouldn’t be the singer I’ve been hearing so much about would you?
Emily- [smiling] Yep that’s him…what have you heard about him?
Deanna- [smiling] Only good things…
Juan- [laughing] Well that’s good to hear.
Lucky- And this is our little own morning sunshine is Ms. Gia Campbell.
Deanna- [smiling] Hello Gia…and who are you attached to in this little group?
Gia- No one…just a hanger on it seems…
Nikolas- Gia…
Gia- [looking at Nikolas trying to conceal her hurt and anger] Nikolas…
Deanna- [noticing their reactions] Where’s…where’s Liz? I would love to see her too, I would love to know how Sarah’s doing. [noticing the expressions on everyone’s face] Did I say something wrong?
Lucky- No…it’s just…

Lucky’s explanation was cut off as the doors to Kelly’s slowly opened.