Chapter 45
~ Mt. Hebron Baptist Church ~

Liz sat on one the stone benches situated in front of Mount Hebron Baptist Church thinking about "life". When Lucky first “died” these benches became her only solace. Many days she would sit here and imagine how their lives would have been. She could almost feel him there with her and that would be what kept her going. That is until Jason came into her life. Jason made her feel alive again. He gave her life, laughter, and to some extent love whereas with Lucky all she had was fantasies and forgotten dreams. The rustling of fallen leaves alerted her to the fact that she was no longer alone. Elizabeth knew that somehow Jason had found her but she knew not what to say to him.

[Speaking softly as he slowly came to stand behind Elizabeth] Jason- Liz…
Liz- [looking down] Jason…
Jason- I want to explain…
Liz- How did you find me? How did you know where to look?
Jason- You told me about this place a long time ago and after I searched every other place that had some importance to you I came here.
Liz- You…you remembered me telling you about this place?
Jason- [softly] I remember everything you’ve ever told me.
Liz- [softly] Jason I…
Jason- Why did you come here?
Liz- [whispering] This is the place I said goodbye to Lucky and though he came back the Lucky I knew never did. I was sitting here wondering if I had to say goodbye to someone else would I have the strength to.
[Hearing the heartache in her voice] Jason- Liz I want to tell you…
Liz- [slowly shaking her head] Jason I understand if you’ve found someone else. [taking a deep breath] I know it wasn’t right to string you along while I’m still with Lucky…
[Lightly touching her shoulder]Jason- Liz…I haven’t found anyone else.
Liz- But Brittany…
Jason- I don’t know who Brittany is. I never saw her before tonight.
Liz- Then Luke’s…
Jason- It was a setup, or a mistake, or whatever…I don’t know. All I know is the only person I want to hold and kiss is you.
Liz- [looking down] Jason…
[Jason slowly walked around Elizabeth and kneeled in front of her. Gently taking her hand in his he lifted her chin and looked into her eyes]Jason- Elizabeth listen to me. No matter the things Brittany said or the things she did, the only person I would ever want is you. When I hold you in my arms I know everything is how it’s supposed…how it should be.
Liz- [softly] But…
Jason- [softly smiling] I told you before no buts…the only person I have and want is right here in front of me.
Liz- Bu…even if that were true Jason it’s still wrong for me to be stringing you along…
Jason- [shaking his head] You’re not stringing me along Elizabeth. I’m her because I lo…I’m here because I want to be.
Liz- Jason it’s not right. I realized that tonight. Until I am free from Lucky I shouldn’t expect you to sit passively by and wait for me. Besides who am I…
Jason- You’re the person I want to be with. Regardless to how many Brittany’s parade into Luke’s claiming something that isn’t true does not matter. All that matters to me is that I’m still the one putting a smile on your face. And that I’m still the one wiping away the tears you happen to cry.
Liz- [looking away she spoke softly] I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve…
Jason- [angrily] You don’t deserve to be put through what you went through tonight.
Liz- [looking back at Jason with questioning eyes] Why would anyone do that to me? Why would someone be so cruel as to hurt me like that?
Jason- I don’t know…but I intend to find out.
Liz- [shaking her head] You don’t have to Jason. Knowing that you want me…
Jason- [smiling softly as he caressed the side of her face] Only you.
Liz- [smiling] Knowing that you still want me even though I believed the things I saw tonight is all that matters to me.
Jason- [softly cupping her face as he stared into her eyes] Elizabeth, you never have to question how I feel about you. After the first night in Jake’s you’ve been all that I’ve thought about. All I will ever think about. You matter to me so when you feel pain and doubt I feel it too. And knowing that in some way because of me that is what you are feeling right now.
Liz- [softly] That’s not how I feel…
Jason- [continuing] Elizabeth I’m willing to do everything within my power to prove and restore your trust in me.
Liz- [wiping at unshed tears that threatened to spill over] I do trust you Jason.
Jason- Then let me do this. Let me show you that you never have to worry again.
Liz- What…what are you gonna do?
Jason- I’m gonna find and talk with Brittany to find out who’s behind all of this.
Liz- You don’t have to…
Jason- I do…this is something I have to do or else whoever did this will think they got away with hurting you and I won’t stand for that.
Liz- Jason…
Jason- Liz I have to do this.
Liz- [shaking her head as a soft smile played on her lips] I wasn’t going to tell you not to do it.
Jason- Then what were you about to say?
Liz- [shyly looking down] I was going to tell you to kiss me and that way I will know everything is all right.
Jason- [smiling] I can do that…
Liz- [smiling] Good…

Jason slowly brought his lips to Liz’s as they shared a tender kiss. Standing he wrapped her in his arms vowing silently to never let her go. To see Liz hurt also hurt him and he could not sit idly by and do nothing. He wanted badly to tell her that he loved her but if he had told her then they wouldn’t seem sincere. When he finally told her that he loved her he wanted the moment to be right, he wanted her to remember it always. Soon…soon he would tell her and hopefully she will feel the same for him.

Jason- [smiling as he spoke still hugging Elizabeth ] I got another way to show you that everything is ok.
Liz- [smiling] Really…and what is that?
Jason- [laughing softly] I can’t show you here…we need uh a little more privacy.
Liz- Then we better find someplace private huh?
Jason- [suddenly serious] Elizabeth…
Liz- Yes?
Jason- I want you to know I was serious when I said that I cared about you.
Liz- [softly] I know…
Jason- And I will never let anyone or anything come between what we are building together.
Liz- [softly] Neither will I.
Jason- [tightening his grasp of Elizabeth’s hand as they headed toward Kelly’s] Good…
Liz- [softly] Good…

Chapter 46
~ Luke’s ~

Luke’s was dark and thankfully everyone was gone by the time she returned. Now no one would be able to link her to the events of tonight. It was for the best…it may hurt now but eventually everything would return to how it should be. The sound of approaching footsteps moved her into action. She moved deeper into the darkness behind Luke’s making sure she was well hidden from sight. Straining she heard the hushed and hurried conversation.

Lucky- Wow! You were great…
Brittany- It wasn’t too hard of a job.
Lucky- Yeah…but still you were amazing.
Brittany- Thanks…[in no mood to make small talk] I was told you would be paying me.
Lucky- Yeah that’s right. How much do I owe you?
Brittany- They told me at least $1500.00, more if you really liked the job.
Lucky- I did…but $1500.00…that’s pretty steep isn’t it?
Brittany- You got what you wanted didn’t you?
Lucky- [smiling] I most certainly did.
Brittany- [sighing] Well…
Lucky- [smiling] This was definitely money well spent…
Brittany- If you say so… [Pausing as she looked directly at Lucky. She had to admit he wasn’t that bad looking and her curiosity got the better of her.] Can I ask you a question?
Lucky- Yeah what is it?
Brittany- Who was that girl to you… [pausing] I mean why all this trouble?
Lucky- She was…she is my girlfriend.
Brittany- [shocked] Your girlfriend…and you did this to her?
Lucky- [quietly] It was a means to an end…
Brittany- What end? I mean how does this guy Jason play into all of this?
Lucky- Long story…all that matters now is that he is no longer an option.
Brittany- [shaking her head thinking back to Jason and Liz obvious closeness by the bathroom] I don’t know…if you would have seen them by the bathroom when I rounded that corner…
Lucky- But you took care of that right? You told Elizabeth something that made her understand exactly what was supposedly going on between you and Jason right?
Brittany- Yeah I said what was suggested to me when I was first approached about this.
Lucky- Good…good… that’s all I needed to hear.
Brittany- [shrugging her shoulders] I hope all of this was worth it.
Lucky- What do you mean?
Brittany- [cocking her head to the side as she spoke to Lucky] You went through a whole lot of trouble to hurt someone you claim is your girlfriend. I hope the pain you caused her gets what you want.
Lucky- [softly] It will…
Brittany- If you say so…
Lucky- You said $1500.00 right?
Brittany- Yeah…
Lucky- What if I double it?
Brittany- What do I have to do?
Lucky- Forget you ever saw my face. If Jason comes around, which I’m sure he will, act like you never saw him before. Do you think you can do that?
Brittany- For $3000.00 I’ll pretend whatever you want me to.
Lucky- [shaking his head] Just make sure when Jason comes around you make yourself scarce. And if by chance he does corner you and get you to talk make sure you forget my name.
Brittany- [smiling] I already have.
Lucky- Good… [handing Brittany the envelope full of money] here’s to not seeing you again at Luke’s.
Brittany- Never heard of the place.
Lucky- Thought so…goodbye Brittany.
Brittany- Actually it’s Gabrielle but who’s counting?
Lucky- Gabrielle…Brittany…I hope I don’t hear or see from you again.
Brittany- [smiling as she patted her payday] You won’t… [smiling she turned and quickly left]

Lucky waited until Brittany/Gabrielle was completely out of sight before her called to her.

Lucky- [yelling] You can come out now…(he waited knowing she lurking somewhere in the darkness) She’s gone…no one will see you… [still no response] You got what you wanted didn’t you?
[Emerging from the shadows]Carly- Not really…there’s no guarantees…
Lucky- We got what we paid for.
Carly- We…
Lucky- You were more that happy to supply the money when I came to you.
Carlyy- If it gets the little tramp away from Jason…
Lucky- Carly…
Carly- Why did you give her $3000.00?
Lucky- To keep her mouth shut. [handing Carly another envelope]Be glad I didn’t give her the whole five grand.
Carly- Sonny’s gonna wonder…
Lucky- [smiling] I’m sure you’ll come up with something…
Carly- This better work.
Lucky- Look Carly I want Elizabeth away from Jason as much as you do so if this doesn’t work then I’ll just have to come up with something else.
Carly- [smirking] You’re definitely determined…
Lucky- I gotta be…
Carly- I know…
Lucky- Where did you find her?
Carly- I learned a thing or two being around Sonny.
Lucky- Well I’m glad you did. Thanks for the money Carly.
Carly- [smirking] That’s what cousins are for…
Lucky- I guess… You should get back to Sonny before he figures something out.
Carly- I got Sonny under control…it’s covered. Do you need a lift somewhere?
Lucky- No…I’m not going home. I got someplace else I need to be.
Carly- [looking at Lucky laughing] This is really so sad…
Lucky- [confused] What is?
Carly- That in the end our little Lizzie is going to be used up and alone.
Lucky- Carly…
Carly- Well it couldn’t happen to a more deserving person. Be glad you’re rid of her.
Lucky- Goodbye Carly…
Carly- Bye Lucky… [smiling] I think you just made my day…night…hell you just made my week.
Lucky- [sarcastically] Well I’m glad you are happy Carly…
Carly- You should be too cousin…you don’t have to deal with that tramp anymore.

After Carly had gone Lucky stood thinking about what he did tonight. Brittany’s words slowly began to haunt him. Was Elizabeth’s pain worth it? Would this really make her finally stay away from Jason? And if not what would he have to do next? Using his key he entered Deanna’s apartment and silently watched as she slept.