Chapter 57
~ The docks ~

This would be hard. Having said his good-byes and knowing that very possibly this would be his last time in Port Charles Jason sat on his bike rethinking and reliving the most important events of his life that happened here. Robin…Sonny…Carly…Michael…The Q’s…Elizabeth. Each had taught him about life and love and because of them he would never be the same. Despite himself sadness overwashed him as his thoughts came to Elizabeth. He did not want to leave her but he felt this was the only way. Her being with him would only bring her more pain. Loving him made her life difficult and that was the last thing he ever wanted to do to her. Lucky would destroy her and he would be the cause. He could still feel the tears she cried when he told her he was leaving. He wished he could take her with him, away from the pain and ridicule she was facing because of her choice to be with him but he knew that that too would cause her pain. Revving his engine he slowly he shook his head saddened again that he never took the time to tell her he loved her.

Jason was leaving and she would be alone again. Lucky, Carly, and everyone else who objected finally got their wish and he was out of her life. Who could she turn to now? Who would hold her through the night and love her when no one else seemed to? How did things lead to this? She was finally free of her guilt and free of Lucky and she and Jason were finally together for the entire world to see. For once in a long time she was able to shout her love aloud for the world to hear yet it did not last. If only she had ended things with Lucky sooner. If only her "friends" were happy for her and accepted her and Jason’s love…did Jason really love her? She had never taken the time to tell him of her love for him. Could it be possible that maybe just maybe he felt the same for her. Maybe if she took the chance and told him that she loved him he would stay. Maybe… Elizabeth quickly grabbed her bag and ran towards the docks in hopes of catching Jason before he rode out of her life forever.

Looking around one last time at the only place he had ever called home Jason revved his bike one more time and slowly began to drive away…

Chapter 58
~ The docks ~

Liz could see Jason slowly driving away and her chance to tell him that she loved him was nearly gone. She couldn’t lose him…she couldn’t let him leave with out at least saying it to him…she couldn’t be alone again…

Liz- [yelling] Jason…Jason wait!
[Hearing Liz call his name Jason stopped and turned to see Liz running towards him] Jason- Liz what’s wrong? Liz- [panting out of breath] I…I…I couldn’t let you leave without…I want to tell you something.
Jason- What is it Liz?
Liz- I…Jason…I love you.
Jason- [speaking softly] I know…and that’s part of the reason I have to leave.
Liz- [near tears] You know?
Jason- Yeah…I’ve known for some time.
Liz- Was I the only one feeling this way? I mean do you feel anything for me? I’m not trying to put you on the spot but…tell me I’m not crazy. Tell me I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.
[He softly smiled as he tenderly reached out to touch her face. Leaning in he placed feather soft kisses on her lips]Jason- No you weren’t…I love you too Liz. I loved you from the first night I saw you in Jake’s and I will love you until the day I die.
Liz- [speaking softly] Then why can’t you stay with me? Why won’t you stay and love me?
Jason- Because it couldn’t work…
Liz- Why?
Jason- Because no matter what we do, no matter where we go things here would end up keeping us apart…
[Grabbing his hand holding it tightly to her chest as she cried]Liz- Please Jason…please don’t leave me. I…I can’t…I won’t make it here without you…
Jason- [slowly wiping away her tears as he whispered] You’ll make it…you’re strong…
Liz- No I’m not…
Jason- You’re strongest person I have ever known.
Liz- [lowered head as she softly asked] Are you coming back?
Jason- No…this time I won’t…this might be the last time for a long time that I see Port Charles.
Liz- Why?
Jason- It’s for the best…
Liz- For the best….how can you say that?
Jason- [softly speaking] Because too many things have been said and done…I love…I don’t want to keep hurting the people around me.
Liz- But you don’t hurt me…I only hurt when you are away from me.
Jason- [he softly touched her face again] Liz…it’ll be better if I go…
Liz- But how…how will I talk to you when I need you the most? How will I know you are ok?
Jason- You’ll know…
Liz- How?
Jason- Because you are in my heart and I’m in yours. And that’s how I will know if you need me, and you heart will tell you when I need you.
Liz- [whispered] You won’t need me…
Jason- [softly smiles as he touches her face again] I will…but if ever the time comes when we need each other we will feel it and you will come to me or I will come to you then.
Liz- I won’t know where you are…how will I find you?
Jason- Your…our hearts will know.
[She touched her heart and placed her other hand over his heart and whispered] Liz- Our hearts will know… [She lowers her head again as she tried to hide the tears that would not stop] Goodbye Jason…
[As Jason tenderly lifted her chin he softly smiled and whispered] Jason- No…see you later…

Jason kissed her lightly on the lips and as he started to break away Liz pulled him closer not ready to let go. Getting off the bike Jason stood in front of Liz and enclosed her in his arms as he whispered.

Jason- This in not forever…

Liz softly nodded her head as she tried still to stop the tears that continued to fall. Jason softly cupped her face and gently stroked the side of her face as he did when they danced. Trying best to remember every line, every detail, every shape of her face. He slowly leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips one last time. He slowly released her holding still only her hand as he mounts his bike once again.

Liz- [squeezing his hand as she softly smiled] Thank you…
Jason- For what?
Liz- For showing me the wind again…
Jason- [softly smiling in return] I guess I should thank you too then…
Liz- For what?
Jason- You showed it to me too… [smiling] I only saw the wind when I was with you.

They gazed longingly at each other the things they want to say lost. Liz looked away to keep her tears from starting again. Jason knew that leaving would hurt Liz almost as much as it hurt him to leave but he knew he had to go. If ever there were a chance for him and Liz being together it would have to be if she came to him. Free from Lucky, Nikolas, and all of the other drama she would be sure to face if he were to stay in Port Charles and they became a couple then. He softly touched her face trying to remember even the softness of her face when he touched her.

Liz- I’ll miss you…
Jason- [nodding his head] I’ll miss you too…remember whenever you need me…
Liz- I know

Liz softly covered his hand on her face and revels in the feeling it gave her. He removed their hands from her face he pulled her closer to him as they joined lips and softly kissed one last time.

Jason- [whispering] Don’t forget me Liz…
Liz- How can I forget the person who showed me how to love again?
Jason- I love you…
Liz- I love you too…

Jason revved his bike as he touched her face once again and slowly drove away. Liz stood watching as Jason slowly disappeared into the waiting darkness fighting the urge to run after him. Jason was gone and once again she was alone. Tears came to her again but this time she had not the strength to stop them. She had many battles ahead of her that she would have to fight by herself and she had to find the strength from somewhere. Liz collapsed on the bench nearby as she buried her face in her hands sobbing quietly as she tried to figure out how she would make it. Scenes and moments spent in Jason’s arms, him loving her and making her feel beautiful, flashed through her mind as she tried to wipe way her tears. She knew that in the coming days he memories would be her only company…her only friend.