Timeline & Inspiration

This was an episode tag for a show that aired in November 2002, after Elizabeth had moved out of the penthouse. I was doing a series where if Courtney was in a scene, I replaced her with Elizabeth. So at the beginning of this story, the line spoken by Carly was spoken on the show, and I think Courtney overheard it. Instead, it’s Elizabeth.

Song is The Rose by Bette Midler. I’ve embedded the YouTube video below.

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The elevators were open before Carly finished her statement but she didn’t pay attention.

“Why can’t you just admit that you like Courtney?”

But Jason wasn’t looking at Carly anymore—he was looking over her shoulder. Carly frowned and turned around.

“What do you want?” Carly demanded.

Elizabeth pulled the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder and folded her arms across her chest. “I forgot one of my jackets here,” she said quietly.

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed. 

Carly smirked and took a step towards her. “I hope that’s all you’re here for because that’s all you’re getting. Jason’s moved on, little girl—”

“Carly.”

Carly turned to glare at her friend. “What? Just because you won’t admit it—”

“Go home, Carly,” Jason said firmly.

“And leave you alone with this twit?” Carly said, her eyes wide. “Hell, no.”

“He’s a big boy now, Carly,” Elizabeth said, keeping her tone light and even. “He doesn’t need a babysitter.”

“You stay out of this.” Carly turned back to Jason. “Jase—”

“Go home,” Jason repeated. Carly glared at the brunette before stalking past her and slamming her door shut.

Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower, and you it’s only seed. 

Elizabeth bit her lip and gestured towards the door. “Can I get my jacket?”

Jason nodded wordlessly and moved to open the door. Elizabeth passed him and entered. She stopped at seeing the suitcases in the living room. She turned to him. “You going somewhere?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. Had she heard about the marriage? “Um, no. Brenda’s moving out.”

She frowned. “You’re getting a divorce?”

“Yeah,” Jason replied.

“Oh.” Elizabeth looked away. “Well, I’d better get my jacket.” She headed up the stairs, leaving Jason standing in the entrance of the penthouse staring at the stack of the suitcases.

It’s the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance.
It’s the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes a chance.

She reappeared on the landing a few minutes later, her leather jacket over her arm. “I think I’ve gotten everything,” she said quietly. She made her down the steps and started past him.

“Wait,” he said.

She turned, trying to keep her face from lighting up. “Yeah?”

“When I see you…am I supposed to pretend that I don’t…that I don’t know you?” he asked.

She bit her lip and looked down at the jacket. “I was very angry the day I said you were a stranger. I’ve been meaning to apologize for some of the things I said…but I haven’t seen you.”

“I’ve been busy,” Jason said. He put his hands in his back pockets.

“Yeah.” She looked up at him. “Not that it’s any of my business…but is what Carly said true?” She met his eyes. “Have you moved on?”

It’s the one who won’t be taken, who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dyin’, that never learns to live.

“She thinks I’m interested in Courtney.” Slightly encouraged by her question, he went on, “I’m not.”

“I’ve missed you,” Elizabeth admitted. “The way we used to be before it all got complicated.”

“I’ve missed it, too,” Jason said. “It seems like all we do these days is fight or not talk at all.”

“I don’t like that.” Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t like it all. And I don’t want to keep doing it.”

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong,

“Me either,” Jason agreed. He eyed the suitcases and then looked back up at her. “You wanna go somewhere?”

Her eyes lit up a little. “Sure.” She gave him a little smile. “Can we take the bike?”

“Is that what you want?” he asked, amused by the way she lit up at the thought.

“Definitely,” she agreed with a nod of her head. “But only if I get to drive.”

“You are not driving my bike.”

“Oh, why not?”

“Because it’s been too long,” Jason replied.

She took his hand and started leading him to the door. “Far too long,” she agreed.

Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes The Rose.