Chapter 7
Kelly’s

Emily and Juan were seated at a table oblivious to those around them. After nearly losing him because of Zander Emily engrossed herself back into their relationship. Not having Juan in her life was something she never wanted to experience again.
Emily- [laughing] Come on, you can’t tell me you didn’t like that.
Juan- It was all right…
Emily- You loved it!
Juan- [laughing] Ok…I did…
Emily- [laughing] I knew it!
Lucky- [rounding the corner] Hey guys…have either of you see Elizabeth today?
Juan- No, we just came from the movies, so I have not seen her…
Emily- Yeah, me either. Did she even have to work today?
Lucky- I thought she did, at least that’s what I think she told me.
Juan- Sorry…
Lucky- That’s ok…
Nikolas- [coming from the opposite direction Lucky came] Hey guys, what’s going on here?
Lucky- Just looking for Liz…
Nikolas- Haven’t seen her sorry…
Lucky- That’s ok; our signals must be crossed today.
Nikolas- Is something wrong?
Lucky- No, just was trying to see what she wanted to do tonight.
Nikolas- What do you have planned?
Lucky- Nothing that’s why I was looking for her.
Gia- [slowly coming from the same direction as Nikolas] Anyone looking for sweet little Lizzie?
Nikolas- [looking at Gia as to warn he not to start any trouble] Gia…
Gia- [returning his stare with a devilish glint in her eye] Nikolas. [pausing as she looked around at everyone] Was I right, are you looking for Miss Congeniality?
[Not wanting to hear Gia’s ranting about Liz] Lucky- I’ll catch you guys later. I’m gonna see if she’s at her grandmother’s house.
Gia- You won’t find her there. [Everyone turned to Gia with annoyed expressions and she knew she was getting to them, she smiled and continued] I just saw her…
Lucky- Where?
Gia- On the docks, hugged up with some cutie. [she smiled as she looked from Nikolas to Lucky] I guess you two have been replaced.
Lucky- [turning to leave] I don’t have time for your lies Gia. I’ll see the rest of you later.
Gia- Oh yeah, she rather he told me his name. I believe he said Jason.
Lucky/Nikolas- [in unison] Jason?
Gia- [smiling enjoying their obvious discomfort] Yes, Jason. They looked like they were having a ‘real’ good time.
Lucky- Where were they…I think I need to put an end to this…
Gia- The docks [as Lucky turned to leave again she added] But you wont find them there. They left on a bike the second I told them I was leaving.
Lucky- Dammit!!!
Emily- Lucky calm down. You know they are just friends…
Gia- They didn’t look like just friends to me.
Emily- Shut up Gia. Lucky you know they go for rides on his bike all the time. And that’s it…
Gia- That’s not what I saw…[as Nikolas and Emily shot her another look she shrugged her shoulders and said] Ok, ok what do I know…
Emily- [looking at Gia rolling her eyes] Nothing…
Gia- [shaking he head in response to Emily feigning intimidation] Oh…I’m scared…
Emily- Look Lucky don’t jump to conclusions because of what someone claims to have seen. Jason and Liz are friends, you know it’s you that she loves.
Lucky- I’m gonna head home and wait for her to call or come back. [He waves and leaves before someone can stop him again]
Gia- Such devotion…
Emily- I can’t take her anymore. Come on Juan let’s go. Nikolas…[she kisses him on the cheek looks at Gia and back at him and whispers] Good luck…
Juan- [smiling] Bye Nikolas…Gia
Gia- At least someone has some manners [as she sits at the now vacant table] That girl…
Nikolas- Are you done yet?
Gia- What?
Nikolas- Liz… Jason…Lucky…Emily…
Gia- Hey I just call them how I see them.
Nikolas- Whatever you say…
Gia- [laughing] Why would I lie?
Nikolas [smiles at her as he sits down at the table with her. He takes her hand in his as he says] You tell me… [Gia smiles at him in response]

Chapter 8
Open Road
~Jason~

As Jason wrapped his arms tightly around Liz he secretly smiled relishing in the feel of her for once in his arms. He liked spending time with her. She was one of the few things that made him smile and he liked the feeling. He had to admit; he liked when she steered the bike. For once someone was in control. He hugged her tighter and yelled for her to go faster and she laughed in response quickly increasing the speed. Where their ‘friendship’ was headed he wasn’t sure, but for the first time in a long time he looked forward to finding out. The sputtering and jerking of the bike instantly brought him out of his thoughts. Something wasn’t right; the bike needed service but what exactly he did not know.

Liz- [yelling] Something’s wrong!
Jason- [yelling] Pull over to the side so I can check it out!

Liz slows and steers them off the road finally coming to a stop by a heavily wooded area.

Liz- What’s wrong with the bike?
Jason- I don’t know. The bike was fine this morning…[pausing then softly beginning to laugh] I guess that’s what I get for letting you steer the bike…
Liz- [laughing as she playfully hitting at him] Stop it… [suddenly concerned] Wait…did I really mess up the bike?
Jason- Well… [he smiled then continued when he saw the expression on her face] no. I think the bike just needs a tune-up. I just have not gotten around to it yet.
Liz- Well do you think you can fix it?
Jason- Yeah…I just need to take a good look at it.
Liz- Then come on…
Jason- Are you in a rush?
Liz- No but…I…uh…
Jason- Need to get back?
Liz- [smiling] No…I…um have not finished driving the bike yet.
Jason- [laughing] Yeah right. There isn’t enough light so I can’t really see here, but there should be a gas station or something a little ways up ahead.
Liz- Cool, how are we gonna get there? I think the last sign said we got a couple of miles before we get there.
Jason- Walk…we gotta walk.
Liz- [trying best to hide her disappointment] Walk?
Jason- [laughing] I was only kidding, the bike should get us there and I’ll try and fix it then.
Liz- [smiling as she held her hand out] Good…give me back the keys.
Jason- Here we go…
Liz- Come on…stop being such a baby about your bike. I have everything under control.
Jason- Baby?
Liz- [laughing] Ok, I’m sorry…[clutching her stomach because she is laughing so hard] you should have seen your expression when I called you that. [Despite himself Jason could not help but laugh with Liz. Her face lit up when she laughed and he had to admit he like that he was the reason she laughed.]
Jason- [smiling] Ok…are you done yet?
Liz- [trying to stop laughing] Yeah…I’m sorry…that look on your face…it was just too funny... [Liz erupted into another fit of laughter as Jason stood there smiling waiting for it to pass] ok ok…do I get to drive or not?
Jason- [smiling] I guess so…I mean we wouldn’t want you to have another fit would we?
Liz- {smiling broadly] Whatever…

They mount the bike and ride for miles until a gas/service station is finally found. They weren’t exactly sure where they were. When they set out from Port Charles the only thing they were thinking about was the open road. Liz lost all thought of Lucky, Gia and the rest of her ever growing problems the instant she felt Jason’s arms around her waist. Jason reveling in the feeling of having Liz in his arms and momentarily to himself. So thoughts of where they were headed never crossed their mind. Jason pointed in the direction of the gas/service station when one finally came into view.

Jason- [yelling] Over there…

Slowing to a stop they parked the bike on the side of the station where the most light was located so Jason could see what was exactly wrong. As he was checking the bike Liz searched the area they were in hoping to find something to drink.

Liz- [coming back to stand by Jason] So…what’s wrong with it?
Jason- I’m not sure. It looks like the belt is about to pop. I need to replace it and then we can head back.
Liz- Ok, but where are you gonna get the belt from? While you were checking the bike I went to buy something to snack on and the service station is closed.
Jason- Closed? What time is it?
Liz- [shrugging her shoulders] Well whatever time it is this station is closed. Do you think we can make it home without it?
Jason- [shaking his head] No, I don’t know how much longer the belt is gonna last and when the belt finally does pop the bike can’t run without it. I don’t think we should chance it.
Liz- So what are we gonna do?
Jason- Well…we can either find a restaurant where we can stay until we can get someone here to pick us up or…
Liz- Or what?
Jason- [smiling] We can try and hitchhike our way back to Port Charles.
Liz- Very funny…What about your bike?
Jason- I’ll have to leave it here at the station and come back to get it tomorrow.
Liz- Are you sure?
Jason- Well yeah…besides we don’t have much of a choice.
Liz- Ok…let’s hurry up and find that restaurant cause I’m starving.
Jason- [smiling] Then I guess we better start looking…we can’t have you going hungry can we? [Liz smiled at him relieved that he was taking everything in stride] Come on…

Jason took her hand as they searched for to find someplace they could eat and make the necessary calls they had to make. It looked as though they were in a ghost town. There was no one in sight and it looked as if everything was closed up tight for the night.

Liz- [whispering] Looks like we might be in trouble…everything looks closed.
Jason- I see…[he looks around hoping to find some form of life] Wait a minute…there’s a place open over there. [he points to the only place any life seemed to going on] Let’s go.

As they quickly approached "Cupid’s End" the faint sounds of music and laughter came from inside.

Liz- Cute name…
Jason- Let’s just hope they’re still open and serving food…

The smells of food greet their senses and welcome them in as they open the door to the bar and grill. As they entered all eyes turned and looked at them with curious observations.

Liz- [whispering] I guess this is where everyone is.
Waitress- Can I help you two?
Jason- Yeah, we were hoping to get something to eat if that’s possible.
Waitress- Certainly, you two can sit anywhere. My name is Gianna and I’ll be over to help you in a second.
Liz/Jason- Thank you...
They found an open table and walked over to it still hand in hand. After Jason helped Liz into her chair he sat down opposite her.

Liz- Who are you gonna call to come after us?
Jason- Good question, Sonny and Carly are supposedly headed out of town to deal with this whole Mike situation; Johnny will be going with Sonny of course. I’m gonna step outside for a second to call Benny. When they come to take our orders you know what to get me right?
Liz- [smiling] Soup.
Jason- [laughing] Anything but soup.
Liz- [smiling] I know.

Jason goes outside not really to call anyone but more so to think. He knew all along all he had to do was pick up the phone and they would have a way home instantly. But something was keeping him from making that call. He suddenly began to feel guilty. He could easily fix the bike as well, but something about the way Liz smiled at him… He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. He knew he should get her back to Port Charles, but for now he wanted to savor the little time, however they came about it, they had together.