Chapter 47
~ Kelly’s ~

Jason had been gone for at least a week. His quest to find Brittany turning out to be more difficult than either of them thought. Still he would call her every night to wish her a good night’s sleep ending up on the phone until the both of them were fast asleep. It became a night ritual during his time away and she was starting to miss him more and more. The lunch crowd had thinned which left Elizabeth with free time on her hands. Nothing left to do she stood thinking back to when Jason last held her in his arms and how safe she felt.

Lucky- [smiling as he walked up with Gia and Nikolas] What does a person have to do to get some coffee around here?
Liz- [smiling] All you have to do is ask. Hey Gia…hey Nikolas.
Lucky- [smiling] What I don’t get a hello?
Liz- [leaning forward and kissing his offered cheek] Of course you do…hello Lucky.
Lucky [smiling] That’s better…
Gia- Hey Liz…you ok today?
Liz- [smiling knowing Gia was asking about more than how she was feeling after she explained everything to her on the phone last night] I’m great…I’m feeling tremendous.
Gia- [smiling realizing Liz had spoken to Jason] That’s good to hear…
Liz- [smiling] It’s good to say.
Nikolas- [coming to hug Gia around the waist] Why do I get the feeling that you all are talking about more than how Liz is feeling this morning.
Gia- [smiling as she touched his hand on her waist] That’s because we probably are.
Nikolas- [smiling] Well…when do I get to find out what you are talking about?
Gia- [smiling] Aww sweetie…you don’t.
Nikolas- [grinning] I bet there is a way I can get you to tell me.
Gia I bet you can’t…[Nikolas whispered something in her ear that made her squeal in shock and laughter] promises, promises…
Nikolas- [laughing] Wait until tonight…
Gia- Ok…we’ll see...
[Quickly kissing her on the lips] Nikolas I’ll know before I finish getting it off of you.
Lucky- [laughing at how his brother was carrying on] Ok I don’t want to know what you are talking about but I bet it’s sick.
Nikolas- [smiling as he looked at Gia with raised eyebrows] It’s an acquired taste…
Lucky- [laughing] Ok enough about your sex life…
Liz/Gia- [in unison laughing] Lucky…
Lucky- [] Hey somebody had to say it.
Nikolas- [grinning] Whatever…you’re just jealous I haven’t filled you in on a family secret.
Lucky- Well that’s one secret you can keep.
Nikolas- [hugging Gia again] Ok…let me know if you change your mind.
Lucky- [laughing] Ok… but I won’t.

Emily quickly came in the door breezing past everyone in a rush to talk to Elizabeth.

Emily- [oblivious to everyone’s hellos] Elizabeth have you seen or talked to Jason lately?
Elizabeth Why? What’s wrong Emily?
Nikolas- Yeah what’s wrong?
Emily- Nothing…it’s just that I haven’t talked to him since…I haven’t talked to him in over a week and that’s not like Jason to just disappear without saying something.
Nikolas- When was the last time you talked to him?
Emily [looking away from Liz] Umm…the last time I spoke to Jason was the night we all went to Luke’s…
Nikolas- Did you talk to him before or after you left?
Emily- Before…when I left Luke’s Juan and I went elsewhere and thoughts of Jason slipped my mind.
Gia- [mumbling] I just bet they did.
Emily- [staring daggers at Gia as usual] The last time I saw him that Brittany girl was draped all over him. [Lucky turned to Elizabeth trying to gage her reaction to the mention of Brittany and Jason together.]
Liz [never flinching knowing Lucky was looking at her strangely] He umm…he went to talk with Brittany to find out why everything that went down did.
Emily- Oh ok…I was worried when I called his room and no one answered and when I tried going over there he never answered his door.
Liz- Oh…he’s been gone for about a week now…as a matter of fact he left that same night.
Emily- [sighing] Ok cool…I was just worried when I didn’t hear from him.
Liz- I understand completely…
Lucky- Why is he looking for this girl anyway? It’s obvious by the way they were acting by the bar that they knew each other very well.
Liz- Well he said he didn’t so…
Lucky- [angrily] Why do you care anyway about what goes on in Jason’s life?
Nikolas- Lucky not this early in the day… come on man…
Lucky- What are you talking about?
Nikolas- You know what I’m talking about…
Liz- Why are you getting so upset…it’s not like you had something to do with that night.
Lucky- [angrily] Where did that come from? What has Jason been feeding you?
Nikolas- Lucky…
Lucky- No…he has her so snowed…
Liz- Lucky I have not mentioned anything that should have you this upset. Calm down…I just told Emily where her brother was. Let it go…
Lucky- [shaking his head] I can’t because if I do let it go we’ll never get you from under his spell.
Liz- His what?
Lucky- [fanning his hand at her] You know what I’m trying to say. Jason has you so believing in the crap he’s feeding you, you are even starting to believe him over the people who actually care about you.
Liz- Lucky calm down. It’s not like someone I accusing you of anything…goodness…Hell to get it out of the way so you can get all of this out of your system… Did you have anything to do with that chick that was as Emily put it so nicely put it…"draped all over Jason"?
Lucky- No I did not. How could you even accuse me of doing something like that.
Liz- Ok…I’m sorry to bring up a sore spot.
Lucky- What kind of lines are Jason feeding you to make you stop trusting your own friends.
Liz- Lighten up Lucky…the question wasn’t even a real one…no need to get to defensive…especially over something this foolish.
Lucky- [angrily] I can get defensive over anything I want to get defensive about.
Liz- [shaking her head] Ok…whatever…
Lucky- I don’t have time for this…I’m outta here…
Liz/Nikolas- [in unison calling after him] Lucky…Lucky…
Gia- [looking at a confused Nikolas] Whoa…what was all of that?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] You’re asking the wrong one…but somebody that defensive over something so trivial…
Gia- [softly] You don’t really think…
Liz- That he set the whole thing up…[looking towards the door Lucky just stormed out] I hope not…
[Coming into Kelly’s rubbing his shoulder] Juan- Man…
Emily- What’s wrong with you?
Juan- [still rubbing his shoulder] I just literally bumped into Lucky and he knocked me out of the way and just kept going.
Emily- Are you serious?
Juan- Yes…just ask my shoulder if I’m serious…What has him so upset?
Emily- [looking over at Liz] Long story…

Lucky left Kelly’s in a rush knowing they were close to discovering his part in the Luke’s deception. Not that it mattered to him one way or the other but now he would have to come up with some other way to pry Elizabeth from Jason’s ever tightening hold.

Chapter 48
Syracuse, NY

This is harder than he thought it would be. It seemed as if Brittany had disappeared into thin air. He got a lead on her being in this area but everywhere he asked about her no one seemed to know who she was. He was running out of leads but he had to find her and bring her back to Elizabeth so she could finally know that truth and know that the only person he wanted and loved was she. Jason had an idea who was behind all of this but he couldn’t tell her that Lucky was the one without actually proof. Tired he lowered his head and closed his eyes for a brief second watching moments that he and Liz shared together dance in his mind.

[A gruff voice interrupting his thoughts] Bartender- Hey buddy…there’s the girl you’ve been talking...
Jason- [turning to the direction the man was pointing as he stood to approach Brittany] Thanks…
Bartender- No problem…[collecting the money and tip Jason put on the counter of the bar] Thanks.
Jason- No thank you…[quickly going to stand behind Brittany as she stood talking to another man] Don’t I even get a kiss…me being your boyfriend and all. [looking at the man] I hope this is not who you are two-timing me with. [Recognizing his voice she froze unable to turn around] What I don’t even rate a hello either?
Man- [seeing Jason’s expression] Hey I’m sorry I didn’t know…
Jason- [smiling] Don’t worry about it…this isn’t the first time is it sweetie?
Man- Still I’m sorry…
Jason- [shaking his head] That’s ok…I would like some time with her though.
Man- [quickly departing] I understand. I’ll see you lat…uh see ya.
Jason- Well….don’t I even get a hello?
Brittany- I don’t know who you are…
Jason- Turn around and look at me and you might remember me.
Brittany- Leave me alone please.
Jason- [turning her to face him] No. I want some answers and I’m not leaving here until I get them.
Brittany- Look…I don’t know…
Jason- [taking her by the arm as he led her outside] You’re going to answer my questions whether you want to or not.
[Seeing the scene unfold] Bartender- Is everything all right?
Jason- Yes…[looking at Brittany] isn’t it sweetie?
Brittany- [nodding her head] Yes….everything’s cool Gary.
Gary- [still feeling uneasy about what he saw] Ok…but call me if you need anything Gabby.
Gabrielle- I will.
[Once outside] Jason- Gabby?
Gabrielle- That’s my name…my real name…Gabrielle…Gabby for short.
Jason- Gabby…Gabrielle…Brittany. I don’t care what your name is I want to know why you singled me out that night.
Gabrielle- I saw a nice looking man and I thought I’d try and go after him. What’s so wrong about that?
Jason- You insinuated something else to someone else.
Gabrielle- What is she to you? What should it matter what I told her?
Jason- Because I don’t like being lied to or on.
Gabrielle- I’m sorry if I ended things between you and your…you never did tell me what she was to you.
Jason- That’s not your concern. You’re lying and we both know it. Who put you up to that?
Gabrielle- [beginning to walk away] I don’t know what you are talking about.
Jason- [grabbing her by the arm] You do and you’re gonna tell me who set up me up and had you do this.
Gabrielle- [snatching her arm away from his grasp] I’m sorry I wish I could help you but…
Jason- [taking her arm again] You don’t have much of a choice.
Gabrielle- You wanna bet… [she attempted to call out to Gary when she noticed the glint on Jason’s eyes and the hardening of his eyes] Look even if I could help you I can’t…I don’t even know his name.
Jason- How much did he pay you?
Gabrielle- I don’t know what you are talking about.
Jason- You know…how much did he pay you to forget his name?
Gabrielle- [realizing lying would not work] $1500.00...
Jason- [taking two envelopes of money out of his inside jacket pocket] $1500.00 huh? Here’s double that…what’s his name?
Gabrielle- [shaking her head] I can’t…I can’t help you.
Jason- [offering more money] Fine…here’s $5000.00 I want his name.
Gabrielle- But he…
Jason- Look…I will not allow whoever was behind this to destroy my life. I don’t care how much money I have to give you I want his name.
Gabrielle- Look I’m really sorry. I felt bad after what I did that night and even what they…
Jason- They?
Gabrielle- Even what they paid me could not appease my guilt. I needed the money and that’s the only reason I did it.
Jason- I need a name…any name.
Gabrielle- [shaking her head] I can’t…
Jason- You can and you will…
Gabrielle- [becoming defensive] You can’t bully me into telling you.
Jason- [defeated he slowly shook his head] I know and I’m sorry. Look if I was the only one involved…if only my feelings were at stake I wouldn’t have come after you. But I’m not the only one involved here…
Gabrielle- [softly] Elizabeth?
Jason- How do you know her name?
Gabrielle- [quickly covering her tracks] I…I heard you say it at Luke’s. What’s going on between the two of you?
Jason- [not believing her] You don’t have to be worried with that. All I need from you is a name.
Gabrielle- Jason I’m sorry…
Jason- Gabrielle please…if it’s money you need I have plenty. Money is not an issue but I need to know…
Gabrielle- It means that much to you?
Jason- Yes.
Gabrielle- I… I can’t be involved in this…
Jason- You already are.
Gabrielle- Jason if I had known someone would have been hurt by what I did…
Jason- No one was hurt…I just need to know why someone would go to that extreme to get at me.
Gabrielle- [without thinking] It wasn’t about you…
Jason- What?
Gabrielle- [realizing she had said too much] I’m sorry...
Jason- Who was it about?
Gabrielle- Jason I can’t…
Jason- [handing her both envelopes] Look this $10,000.00 if need be I will get more. I need to know who put you up to this.
Gabrielle- [shaking her head] Jason I don’t want your money…
Jason- A name…that’s all I want…
Gabrielle- [sighing tired of lying she finally relented] He told me…he told me his name was Lorenzo.
Jason- Lorenzo? You said they…was someone else involved?
Gabrielle- The first person I talked to was a woman…
Jason- What was her name?
Gabrielle- She wouldn’t tell me at first…but when she finally did she said her name was Robin I think.
Jason- [slowly nodding his head] Robin huh? Did you see Robin that night?
Gabrielle- [shaking her head] I never saw Robin I only spoke with her on the phone. I did see Lorenzo though…
Jason- Yeah when he paid you off right?
Gabrielle- No at the club that night. He was there the whole time… I didn’t know he was the one until I saw him later that night.
Jason- He was there? Do you remember how he looked?
Gabrielle- He was the guy sitting with Elizabeth. That’s the one who paid me that night.
Jason- He was with Elizabeth that night…she was sitting with more than one person.
Gabrielle- The one with the blond hair…the one that was kissing all over her.
Jason- I thought so… I need…I need you to tell Elizabeth what you just told me.
Gabrielle- [looking around] Is she here?
Jason- No…you have to come back to Port Charles with me.
Gabrielle- I can’t…that $3000.00 was my ticket out of there. And I refuse to go back on the chance I might get stuck in that flea bitten God-forsaken place again.
Jason- I have enough money to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Gabrielle- I don’t want your money Jason.
Jason- Look…I understand you not wanting to go back to Port Charles but I…you have no other choice. I can’t tell Elizabeth that Lucky…
Gabrielle- I told you his name was Lorenzo…
Jason- He goes by Lucky…I can’t tell her Lucky was behind this without proof.
Gabrielle- I just gave it to you…
Jason- It has to come from you…or else it’ll look…
Gabrielle- It’ll look like you are setting Lucky up.
Jason- Exactly. [pausing] Look I promise you that the second after you tell Elizabeth everything there is to know I’ll put you on a chartered plane and I’ll fly you wherever you need or want to go.
Gabrielle- Jason…
Jason- Please…
Gabrielle- [sighing still feeling the guilt over what she did] When do we leave?
Jason- Now…come on…I drove my bike here…
Gabrielle- [shaking her head] I’m not getting on a bike…
Jason- I didn’t ask you to. We are going to fly there and I’ll just have my bike sent to me.
Gabrielle- Fine…but you got to promise me something…
Jason- What?
Gabrielle- That as soon as I tell Elizabeth everything I know you’ll get me out of Port Charles.
Jason- That I’ll promise you.
Gabrielle- Ok…then let’s go before I change my mind.
Jason- Ok then…let’s go.

Telling Elizabeth and having to help her deal with her disappointment was not something he looked forward to. As much as he wanted Elizabeth to himself he didn’t want the pain he partially caused to be the reason behind it. Lucky and Carly, purposely set out to hurt their relationship before it even started and he would not stand for that. From the moment he heard Gabrielle say the female voice was going by the name Robin he knew that it was Carly…that was her sick way of casting the blame on someone else and taking it off herself. When finally they reached Elizabeth’s studio he was met with another shock. Somehow Elizabeth had figured Lucky was behind the incident at Luke’s and Gabrielle’s recounting of her meeting with Lucky only strengthened her resolve to end things with Lucky. After Gabrielle left, with the money he offered her secretly slipped into her bag, he suggested to Elizabeth that she not face Lucky alone but it was something she insisted on doing and he could only hope that things went the way she said they would.