Chapter 25
Jake’s ~ Lucky’s Apartment

~~ After walking around for about 30 minutes Lucky went home to think about what just happened at Liz’s studio. The silence started to get the better of him and he needed someone to talk to. He called Nikolas up to tell him what went down.~~

Lucky- I um talked to Liz.
Nikolas- What does that mean?
Lucky- We just had it out…
Nikolas- Had it out?
Lucky- Argued…yelled…screamed…
Nikolas- Over what?
Lucky- What…rather who else…Jason.
Nikolas- And her reaction?
Lucky- I think I messed up.
Nikolas- What do you mean?
Lucky-[taking a deep breath] I accused her of sleeping with him.
Nikolas- Lucky…
Lucky- It gets worse…she asked me if I loved her and I…I…
Nikolas- You what?
Lucky- I told her what difference would it make.
Nikolas- What would you say that Lucky?
Lucky- Because I’m sick of seeing Jason’s hands on her.
Nikolas- Did something else happen?
Lucky- I went by Kelly’s to talk to Liz and I could see Jason touching her and smiling at her from the window outside.
Nikolas- Ok…Jason is not my favorite person but so…
Lucky- So…I asked her about it and she said he only stopped to say hello and he touched her arm because he was concerned about her…
Nikolas- Lucky you have to calm down.
Lucky- I know…I think I really hurt Liz this time…
Nikolas- Did you say something else to her?
Lucky-[slowly] Yes…
Nikolas- What did you say?
Lucky- I gave her an ultimatum…
Nikolas- About what?
Lucky- Either she stop seeing Jason or it’s over between us.
Nikolas- Lucky why would you do that? You don’t really mean that do you?
Lucky- I don’t know…sometimes it feels like I’m playing second fiddle to Jason with my own girlfriend and I don’t like it.
Nikolas- Are you gonna talk to her again tonight?
Lucky- No…I told her to take a long look at herself and decide what she wanted and I l left.
Nikolas- Do you want me to call her or go over there to make sure she’s ok?
Lucky- No Liz needs to think about some of the things I said and I have to think about what she said.
Nikolas- Ok…but let me know if you change your mind…I can drive you.
Lucky- I’m sure…besides spend some time with Gia before someone else can take it away.
Nikolas- Are you sure that you are ok?
Lucky- Yeah…Nikolas…I didn’t tell you this…
Nikolas- What?
Lucky-[taking a deep breath and talking quietly] Liz asked me if I hated her and I just walked out on her.
Nikolas- Lucky…no. You need to go and talk to her.
Lucky- I know I should but I can’t…
Nikolas- Then let someone else do it…
Lucky- I’ll think about it… Tell Gia I’m sorry for disturbing you both.
Nikolas- [looking at Gia as she sat on the couch] Umm she’s not really talking to me, but I’ll try and rely the message…
Lucky- She’s not talking to you…What did you do?
Nikolas- She’s still upset over how we ambushed Liz in the park. She said we purposely set out to hurt Liz’s feelings and that we were wrong.
Lucky- But you two are still staying together right?
Nikolas- Yes…
Lucky- It must be pretty hard to be in the same house and her not talking to you.
Nikolas- Yes it’s driving me crazy…[Gia looked over at him] I want to tell her that I love her and I never meant to hurt her or Liz with my actions…
Lucky- Nikolas…
Nikolas- I want to tell her that I miss the sound of her voice and the way she smiles at me…
Lucky- Nikolas you’re not talking to me anymore are you?
Nikolas- I want to tell that I sometimes go and watch her sleep because I miss her lying next to me and showing me what love is.
Lucky- Nik…
Nikolas- I want to tell her I miss all her crazy antics and all the crazy things she do because I love them about her too.
Lucky- Keep telling her…
Nikolas- I want to tell her that I’m sorry and that I sometimes fight with myself to keep from going to her and asking for her forgiveness because I know she asked for space.
Lucky-[realizing Gia was sitting next to Nikolas] What else do you want to tell her…
Nikolas- I want to tell her I miss having her in my arms, feeling her next to me, holding my hand…
Lucky- Keep talking…
Nikolas- But more importantly I want to tell her that I will put up with anything and give her all the space she needs as long as she still loves me.
Gia-[ slowly coming over to him] I love you Nikolas
Nikolas- I love you too Gia…and I’m sorry…
Gia- You don’t have to apologize again…
Nikolas- Yes I do because I don’t ever want you to not talk to me again and if that’s what it takes…
Gia- All you have to do is tell me you love me again…
Nikolas- I love you
[He softly touched her face and gently began to kiss her all the while still holding the phone with Lucky on the other end.] Lucky-[listening to Nikolas and Gia kiss] Bye Nikolas…

Nikolas hangs up the phone without another word to Lucky. Gia was back in his arms and that was all that mattered to him at that time. Lucky was happy that his brother finally found someone who made him spout loving words at the drop of the hat. Smiling to himself he left his apartment wanting to walk around to work of some off the tension he still felt from his conversation with Liz. If only their problems could be worked out with a few loving words. But he knew some of the things he told to Liz tonight was harsh but that was the only way he could think to get his feelings across. Maybe she could see that he was serious about them. Maybe she would be able to see that they still belonged together…or did they…

Chapter 26
~Jason~

Jason knew Liz was avoiding him and he understood, because in his own way he was avoiding her too. That night at "Cupid’s End" confused him more than he wanted to admit. He blatantly lied to her just to spend more time with in her presence. But when he held her in his arms every lie seemed worthwhile. That night his feelings began to change and whether it was love… Love he had not thought about love since Robin walked out of his life. Could he really be feeling this for Elizabeth? Whatever he was feeling for her it deepened that night. Lately he found himself looking at Liz when she did not know. He wanted to go up and talk to her but he knew Lucky was not happy about their friendship. And the last thing he wanted to do was cause her any pain or problems. He had come to the decision to leave Port Charles again to keep from interfering in her and Lucky’s relationship until he saw her in Kelly’s. Just seeing her smile and hearing the melody of her laughter changed his mind. And when he softly touched her arm his heart beat faster and he had to fight the urge to take her in his arms and kiss her passionately. During their brief encounter at Kelly’s earlier Liz left her day planner on the counter and he volunteered to drop it off on his way to the warehouse to meet Sonny [private conversations did not happen with Carly around]. As he neared Liz’s studio memories rushed back to him. Liz helping him when he needed her most, no questions asked…just there for him when he needed her. His chest tightened as he neared Liz’s door, something didn’t feel right and he knew instantly this time he would be helping her.

Her door sat open yet there was no movement in the room. At first he did not see her sitting on the couch. She was huddled over, hands over her face quietly crying. He wanted to rush by her side and tell her everything would be fine. But he knew whatever was causing her pain needed gentle handling. He closed the door behind him as he slowly walked over to her. He kneeled before her and gently touched her knees as he softly spoke to her.

Jason-[speaking softly] Liz, are you ok?
Liz- No…
Jason- Are you hurt…are you in pain? Do I need to go and get somebody for you?
Liz- [clutching his hand] No don’t leave me…
Jason- Ok…I’m not going anywhere…who did this to you? What happened?
Liz- Lucky…
Jason- You and Lucky had a fight? You want me to go and get Lucky?
Liz- No…
Jason- Ok…[as he started to get up she tightened her grasp of his hand] I’m just going to lock the door. I don’t want anyone or anything to come in here and hurt you.
Liz- Ok…

Jason quickly pulled the shade and locked the door. As he turned to look back at Liz she stretched her arms out to him. He rushed back to her and enclosed her in the safety of his arms. They stood silent, Jason unsure of what was causing her pain and Liz still reeling over the things Lucky said to her. Jason- You want to tell me what has made you so sad?
Liz- [whispering as she lowered her head] You…me…the truth…
Jason-[stepping away to look at her] Liz what are you talking about?
Liz- [speaking softly] Remember when I told you that I thought Lucky didn’t love me and you told me that I was wrong. Well it turns out I was actually right this time…he hates me.
Jason-[becoming angry thinking Lucky purposely hurting her] Did he tell you that?
Liz- In so many words…
Jason- What happened?
Liz- We had an argument and he started accusing me of so many things…
Jason- What things?
Liz- And when I didn’t do anything to deny and defend myself he just kept on. And when I asked him if he loved me he told me it didn’t matter if he did or didn’t.
Jason- Liz…
Liz- Which only hurt me more. So I asked him if he hated me and he just looked at me and walked out.
Jason- Liz I’m sorry.
Liz- It’s not your fault…it’s mine.
Jason- How…
Liz- Because the things he was saying held merit…
Jason- What?
Liz- [looking away] I mean I want the things he was accusing me of.
[Jason softly touched the side of her face and lifted it so that he could again look into her eyes.] Jason- Whether you want them or not, that still does not give him the right to hurt you like this.
Liz- Maybe they do…
Jason- Liz how could you do anything that would make you deserve any of this pain?
Liz- I…I want…
Jason- What do you want Liz? And why should Lucky be upset over it?
Liz- Because the thing I want is you…
Jason-[asking incredulously] Me? [She quickly looked away surprised that she actually admitted what was in her heart and what she felt for Jason. Jason was equally surprised by what Liz had just said and he was barely able to whisper.]What do you mean you want me?
Liz- [muttering as her head was still loweredI’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that…
Jason-Liz look at me…please… [As Liz slowly looked back at Jason she was moved by the soft look of longing in his eyes] What do you mean you want me?
Liz- I…sometimes…[pausing as she took a deep breath] when I’m with you my heart beats so fast and I feel alive… I don’t want that feeling to end.
Jason- I feel the same thing when I’m with you.
Liz- I know this is wrong but…
Jason-It’s not wrong…
Liz- [whispering] I don’t want to hurt anymore...
Jason-I won’t let you… [he whispered in response as he leaned in and kissed her still moist face tasting the saltiness of the tears she just cried]
Liz- Jason…
Jason-I know…[He kisses trailed to her mouth relishing in the softness of her lips. Liz pulled away quickly afraid of the sudden feeling that rushed to her] I’m sorry…

She looked at Jason once more and she slowly joined her lips to his. Kissing him tenderly as she wrapped her arms around him to pull him closer to her. As their kiss deepened Jason cupped her face kissing her passionately showing her how much he wanted her. Their first kiss at "Cupid’s End" was new and gentle showing the growing feelings they had for each other. But this kiss…this kiss betrayed all the hidden looks and secret thoughts. It told of the attraction and passion that they felt. This kiss yelled loudly that they wanted each other. Jason moved his hands from her face and slowly began to unbutton her shirt as she removed his leather jacket and pulled his T-shirt from his pants. He softly kissed her exposed right shoulder as she shrugged out of her half-removed shirt. She pushed up his shirt as she felt along his muscled stomach reveling in each chiseled ab. In one swift motion he stood before her bare chested ready for her hands to roam. He gently touched her arms and shoulders amazed at their softness as he pulled her back to him. He devoured her mouth again kissing he as if this was his last. Clumsily they moved backwards until they came into contact with the couch. In unison they fell back lending cushion to their cushion. Liz straddled him slowly kissing his eyelids, cheeks, and mouth. Enjoying the power over him she pressed against him making a soft moan escape his lips. He hands found her back slowly stroking the length and lines of her. Regaining control Liz took his hands and stretched his arms across the width of the couch.

Liz- [breathlessly] Don’t move…

She slowly began her exploration of him again, leaving a kiss on every muscle she caressed. With her exploration near complete it was Jason’s turn to caress and kiss her. He entangled his hands in her hair as he trailed whisper soft kisses from her mouth down her neck across the width of her shoulders. Moving up to kiss her mouth again he removed her from his lap and laid her back on the couch gently covering her careful not to put his full weight on her. She caressed his back acquainting herself with the muscles of his back. He started a new trail of kisses from her mouth to her stomach kissing her slowly and softly to increase the pleasure. He unbuttoned her pants kissing her from the top of her pants back to her mouth. As she reached to unbutton his pants Jason covered her hands and stopped her.