May 1, 2014

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the Come On Eileen

Timeline

This is set in the era of 2006 GH, but isn’t tied to any specific storyline. It takes place vaguely after the spring, but before Sam got shot and Lucky’s drug addiction.

Inspiration

I wanted to write fluff. I wrote about half of this back in 2006, and then let it sit until finishing it in 2019. I recommend the YouTube playlist for this because it’s basically an ode to eighties music.

Banner Here

July 2006

Kelly’s: Courtyard

If you’re blue and you don’t know where to go to
Why don’t you go where fashion sits
Puttin’ on the ritz

“Absolutely not.” Robin Scorpio leaned forward and switched off the CD player. “No one even likes that song.”

Brenda Barrett stuck her finger in the air and wagged it at her friend. “If no one liked that song, how did it become a hit?”

“It was the eighties,” Robin sighed. “They were all high.”

“You’re thinking of the sixties,” Elizabeth Webber corrected. She pressed the skip button on the CD player a few times. “What about this one?”

If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says
15 miles to the Love Shack!

Love Shack, yeah

“It’s predictable,” Brenda vetoed. She started to flip through her stack of CDs.

“Exactly. We’re not picking music we like,” Elizabeth reminded her. “We’re picking music that’ll appeal to the masses.”

Brenda snorted. “The masses of Port Charles have no taste.” She noted it down anyway for the play list. “We have to get serious about this or we’re going to find ourselves at the Metro Court with no music and a lot of bored people. Not the way to raise money for the Stone Cates Foundation if you ask me.”

“Okay, okay,” Robin consulted the list of songs on the current CD. “We’ve got ten, that’s not a bad start. Liz and I have another fifteen minutes before we have to get back to work and you have to go check on the caterer.”

Brenda leaned towards Elizabeth. “You’d think I’d never planned a party before. Chica keeps forgetting that I am the original party girl. Hello!”

“How about this?” Elizabeth pressed play.

Poor old Johnny Ray
Sounded sad upon the radio
He moved a million hearts in mono
Our mothers cried and sang along and who’d blame them

“Hell yeah!” Brenda leapt to her feet and pulled Robin up with her. “I love this song!”

“Brenda—“ Robin laughed as her friend pulled her into a dance.

Now you’re grown, so grown, now I must say more than ever
Go toora loora toora loo rye aye
And we can sing just like our fathers

“Girl can still move!” Brenda bumped butts with Robin before launching into some kind of weird combination that had both her co-hostesses laughing. Robin pressed a hand to her mouth, trying to control herself.

Come on Eileen, well I swear (what he means)
At this moment you mean everything

“Come on, Liz!” Brenda tugged the nurse to her feet and dragged her into their dance. “Get down with your bad self, you’re way too young to look so sad!”

With you in that dress my thoughts I confess
Verge on dirty
Ah come on Eileen

Robin laughed as Brenda tried to dip Elizabeth, forgetting that all three of them were basically the same height. Elizabeth was laughing to hard to keep her own balance and slipped, pulling Brenda down with her.

“You—guys—look—so—ridiculous!” Robin managed to choke out between the giggles.

Brenda and Elizabeth looked up at the doctor from their positions on the ground and each reached out to grasp Robin’s ankles and yanked her down to the ground with them.

These people round here wear beaten down eyes
Sunk in smoke dried faces
They’re so resigned to what their fate is

“You are horrible!” Robin gasped as she rolled her to her knees. She tried to be mad but just started giggling again. “It’s no wonder this benefit is next week and we’re still not getting anywhere.”

“Yeah, we totally can’t work together anymore,” Elizabeth sighed with a snorting giggle. She hoisted herself to her feet.

But not us, no—

She switched off the song and plopped back down in the chair. “Come on, we’ve only got another ten minutes before we have to get back.”

Brenda sighed. “Yes, ma’am.” She saluted. “What’s the next song?” She and Robin sat back down.

“Well, we probably need a ballad,” Elizabeth said. “Some people do bring dates to these things.” She snorted. “Can’t imagine why. Men suck.”

“I hear that,” Brenda sighed heavily.

“They’re the root of all evil,” Robin agreed. She glanced over the list of songs. “How come no one’s ever written a song called Men Are Pigs?”

“Probably have but there’s no commercial success in that,” Brenda sipped her soda with a loud slurp. “Everyone wants happy sappy songs or unbearably angsty breakup songs. You know—I love you girl, I screwed up girl, I want you back girl. They just don’t write the song—I’m sorry I screwed your best friend girl, I’m sorry I left you at the altar or in the rain—”

“I’m sorry that I refused to adopt your son and blamed you for the death of your partner,” Elizabeth chimed in.

“I’m sorry I’m a rotten lying cheating man whore who needs to sleep with every trashy blonde that comes my way,” Robin added dryly.

“Well, there is always the country music genre,” Brenda perked up. “Goodbye Earl is one of my personal favorites. Give the old man a what for and all that.”

“Anyway, angsty ballads, cue—” Robin pressed play.

All alone on a Sunday morning
Outside I see the rain is falling
Inside I’m slowly dying
But the rain will hide my crying

Elizabeth snapped it off. “Okay, that’s enough angsty goodness. We’ll just okay it and then I’ll duck out of the room when it plays.” She noted the title and song down, “Next?”

Turn around
Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you’re never coming round.
Turn around
Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears.

Robin grimaced. “I hate the eighties.” She pressed stop. “Let’s go for a love song, eh? It’s gotta be better than angst.”

I can’t fight this feeling any longer
And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

Elizabeth switched off the CD player. “And on that note, I’m going back to work. Brenda—”

“Caterer, yes, yes,” Brenda started shoving the CDs and notes into her bag and both Robin and Elizabeth watched in horror as all their hard work disappeared into the abyss of Brenda’s tote. “Chill, chicas. I have a system.”

“Dear God,” Robin moaned. She hit her forehead with her palm. “Brenda, just remember—we’re feeding the masses, not Brenda Barrett.”

“Chill out,” Brenda rolled her eyes. “Look, sweetie, I’m all about pining away for the guy—do you remember my post Sonny days when he married Lily?”

Robin snorted. “There’s pining and there’s stalking, Brenda.”

“Details,” Brenda sniffed. “Anyway, it’s been two months since you caught Doc Hot in a tryst with the bottle blonde from hell. Move on, already.” She turned to Elizabeth, “And you—”

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Yes, oh wise one?”

“Lucky is an ass. Go find a hottie in a bar and boink his brains out.” She frowned. “Just not Robin’s hottie, understood?” She stood and tossed her tote over her shoulder. “Now if you don’t mind, I have a charity benefit to finish planning.”

“You know, I’m glad she’s back home,” Robin said after a long moment. “Even if she could take lessons in subtlety.”

“Nah,” Elizabeth finished her soda. “I prefer the bluntness. Too many people never tell the truth anymore.” She eyed Robin warily. “Don’t you have a consult with Patrick scheduled when we get back?”

“Don’t remind me,” Robin pursed her lips. “I’d really rather not think about him if I don’t have to.” She tossed her cup in a nearby trash and stood. “Don’t you have a meeting with Justus after work?”

Elizabeth grimaced. “Don’t remind me. The next time I want to get to married, just smack me.”

“Not a problem.” The duo headed for the parking lot. “So, are you bringing a date next week?”

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Oh, definitely. I blackmailed Jason into taking me. I figure he can’t sit around in that penthouse any longer. He’s got to get up and move on with his life. So what if his ex-fiancé went totally all stalker psycho on her birth mother and then left him to rot in jail because he didn’t agree with her?” She slid a sly glance to Robin. “And you, my fellow loser in love?”

“I have a fabulous escort, I must confess,” Robin said breezily. She unlocked her car door. “He’s a perfect gentleman and he’s adorable to boot.”

Elizabeth frowned at her. “Have I met this paragon?”

“Unfortunately yes,” Robin sighed. “Ned’s taking me. How much of a loser am I? You at least get someone who’s…well…” she pursed her lips. “Well, you’re actually right there with me on the loser scale. I’m taking one of my oldest friends and you’re taking one of your oldest friends and I believe we both had to blackmail them into doing that, so…” she stuck her tongue out at Elizabeth.

General Hospital: Fourth Floor Nurse’s Station

“How was the planning lunch?” Emily asked as Elizabeth stepped up at the nurse’s station to scan her patient’s charts.

“It was okay—we settled about on about five more songs, so it’s an improvement.” Elizabeth flashed a smile at her oldest friend. “Brenda’s meeting with the caterer, Robin’s finalizing the Metro Court with Jax later tonight and I’m supposed to meet the party designer there after work.” She reached for a chart only to find that someone else wanted it.

“Sorry,” Elizabeth muttered, releasing the folder like it had scalded her hands. Dr. Patrick Drake sighed heavily.

“How long is the deep freeze going to last?” he asked pointedly. “I didn’t even do anything to you.”

Elizabeth sniffed. “That’s a matter of opinion. I happen to be very loyal to my friends.” She picked up a different folder and walked away.

“She’s not really mad at you,” Emily offered. “Well—that’s probably not true.” She laughed and tucked her hair behind her ears. “The divorce is not going well and she’s just taking it out on you.”

“So everyone who knows Robin is going through a tough time and just taking it out on me?” Patrick asked, resigned. “That’s fine. I probably deserve it.”

Emily snorted. “Probably? More like definitely and absolutely but hey, that’s just my opinion.”

Metro Court: Banquet Hall

“Okay, look, I know what you’re trying to tell me,” Elizabeth said, frustrated. “But bright clashing colors and balloons and streamers is what we’re going for.”

“It’s just unseemly, Mrs. Spencer,” Elton said with a sniff. “It’s garish and unappealing—”

“So was most of the eighties which is the decade we’re shooting for.” Elizabeth tossed Elton’s proposed colors of silver and blue aside and reached for the material book again. “And when it comes down to it, the client gets what they want, remember?”

“It’s the designer’s job to inform them when they’re making a ghastly mistake,” Elton replied. He yanked the book from her grasp. “After all we know better.”

“Hey, if you want me to take my money elsewhere,” Elizabeth said.

“Well, as I understand it, Mrs. Spencer, it’s not your money,” Elton corrected. “It’s Ms. Barrett’s and she has impeccable taste.”

“Oh, I highly doubt that,” Carly drawled from behind her. “Elton, we already went over this remember?”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth demanded. “What do you have to do with this?”

“Elton brought his concerns to me and while I agree in theory, classy and elegant isn’t the theme,” Carly shrugged. “I remember the eighties and I’ve seen all the movies. It was not a fun time for fashion and matching colors. It was almost as bad as the seventies.” She patted Elton’s shoulder. “Now someone who hopes to have our customers referred to him on a consistent basis should know that the customer is always right.”

“Fine,” Elton sighed. “I will find a way to make this room as garish as necessary.” He gathered up his materials and left the room in a snit.

“Good grief,” Elizabeth muttered. “Thanks for the help—apparently, a divorced nurse’s opinion doesn’t count for much in this town.”

“And apparently a divorced reformed con artist and town tramp’s opinion does,” Carly remarked wryly. “It’s a strange world. Jax called—he had to cancel his meeting with Robin and sent me.”

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“That’s what I told him. So I knew you were still here and maybe you’d want to play referee so I don’t go for her hair and she doesn’t try to kick me in the knees as midgets are inclined to do.”

“You know, one day, Carly—you and Robin are going to find you have something in common,” Elizabeth replied. “I hope I’m there to see it.”

“We do have something in common—utter loathing for each other.” Carly sat down at the table across from Elizabeth. “So I asked Jason if he was coming—he always supports these AIDS benefits and he told me that you had talked him into it.”

“I needed a date, and he needs to leave that penthouse every once in a while,” Elizabeth replied. “Besides, there’s nothing that’ll piss Lucky off more.” Elizabeth started to shred a piece of paper into pieces. “Not that it’s totally why I asked Jason but it is a nice side benefit.”

“Oh, no I totally agree that Jason needs to start moving on with his life. He’s just been shut in since Sam left him in jail and then took off to—” Carly faked quotes in the air using her hands, “find herself.” She snorted. “And then with the Sonny and Emily implosion —which I totally predicted—he’s not talking to Sonny now.” She exhaled in a huff. “I swear, he just needs one night out where his life doesn’t suck.”

“Don’t we all,” Elizabeth muttered. “I met with Justus about the divorce and can you believe Lucky’s trying to go for custody of Cameron?”

“Men,” Carly sighed. “Can’t live with them and can’t shoot ‘em.” She snorted. “But apparently, they can shoot you.”

General Hospital : Fourth Floor Nurse’s Station

Robin stomped up to the desk and slapped a medical chart on the counter, muttering to herself. “Arrogant, self-centered, egotistical…”

“I don’t need a crystal ball to tell me who you’re talking about,” Emily said, with a sympathetic gaze. “The consult went badly?”

“I don’t even know why the parents even bothered with me. They had all but decided on surgery and then Patrick just had to tell them I haven’t had much success with my trials.” Robin huffed. “How am I supposed to get any kind of progress in my research if he never lets me have a patient?”

“Well, you know, we could always do what my mother did with a doctor that pissed her off once. He sued her for sexual harassment, remember?”

“Dr. Dorman,” Robin nodded. “Another man who thought he’s was God’s gift to the female race. I remember that because Jason stopped her. Probably should have let her put a bullet between his eyes.

“Yeah, well he was a worthless human being. I’m not advocating the killing part of it, but I wouldn’t mind shoving Patrick Drake into a supply closet and leaving him there to starve for a few days,” Emily said.

“There’s an idea I could get behind,” Robin sighed, “Unfortunately, I have to go meet Jax about the benefit—”

“Oh, he called and left a message. He had to cancel and you’ll have to meet with Carly,” Emily said, braced for Robin’s reaction.

“Yep, that’s just the way the day’s been going,” Robin muttered. She finished making her notes and shoved the chart away. “I’m going to go get changed,” she told Emily and turned away—smacking into the object of her annoyance. “Watch where you’re going,” she snarled.

Patrick steadied her on her feet before taking a step back. “I’m sorry if you’re pissed because I told the kid’s parents the truth but they deserve to know all the options.”

“No, you mean that you just wanted to slice his head open and the only way to make sure to do that is to badmouth my research every time we have a consult,” Robin retorted. “That’s fine—because the only place where you’re actually as good as you think you are is in the operating room.” She stalked away.

“Hey, she complimented you,” Emily said, a little surprised. “That’s new.”

“Only Robin Scorpio could compliment someone while telling them exactly what she thinks of them.” Patrick rubbed his eyes. “Does she hold grudges for a long time?”

“Have you seen Robin with Carly?” Emily asked seriously.

“So the answer would be yes.” Patrick grimaced. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

Metro Court: Ball Room

I never meant to be so bad to you
One thing I said that I would never do

“I’m going,” Jason said immediately after entering the garishly decorated room. He made a face and started to turn.

“Hey, hey, remember the part about my complete and utter humiliation as the dumped divorcee?” Elizabeth demanded, catching his arm. “We made a deal.”

“And what do I get in return for this?” Jason sighed, allowing himself to be led towards one of the front tables.

“My undying devotion,” Elizabeth replied perkily. She grinned up at him and Jason reluctantly decided inwardly that if his being here was going to make her smile like that, then he would stay until the bitter end or die trying.

Unfortunately, he was pretty sure it was going to be the latter.

One look from you and I would fall from grace
And that would wipe this smile right from my face

“She actually managed to drag Jason here,” Ned Ashton remarked, highly impressed. Robin smiled brightly and started to lead him to the same table.

“There is very little that man won’t do for her. If I still believed in fairy tales and happily ever after, I’d think they were in love.” She scowled at seeing Patrick enter the ballroom solo. “Luckily, I know that’s all a load of crap.”

“Ah, there’s my sweet and sentimental Robin.”

Do you remember when we used to dance
And incidence arose from circumstance

“My girls!” Brenda proclaimed as they all reached the table. “My fabulous chicas! We did such an amazing job, didn’t we?” She rounded the table and hugged an irritated Jason. “How’s my favorite ex-husband?”

“Considering I’m the only legal one you have, I’ll take that for what it’s worth,” Jason said dryly. Brenda pinched him. “Ow! Hey!”

Elizabeth flicked Brenda in her bare upper arm. “Hey! What did I tell you about bugging Jason tonight?”

“To make sure to do it out of your sight?” Brenda asked innocently.

“Right,” Elizabeth nodded.

“Duly noted. Let’s get this party rolling!” Brenda grabbed the other two women by the arms and all but dragged them to the stage erected at the front of the room. She made a motion to the DJ to cut the music. “Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the best eighties bash ever held in Port Charles!”

There was smattering of applause and several catcalls as Brenda twirled in a circle, showing off her skimpy silver grown. “Before we get this party started, we need to be serious for a moment and remember why we’re here.”

She cleared her throat and smiled at Robin before turning her attention back to the crowd. “Ten years ago last November, we lost a very special person. Most of you knew him and I’m sure you would all agree—he would have had a blast tonight. Stone Cates meant a lot to all of us, and tonight, we honor him with the first benefit held by the Stone Cates Foundation. To explain a bit more about this organization, I’d like to introduce its founder and one of my fabulous co-hostesses, Robin Scorpio.” Brenda handed the microphone to her friend and stepped back next to Elizabeth.

“Before I talk about the Foundation, I want to thank Brenda and Elizabeth Webber for all their help and support in getting tonight ready. I couldn’t have done it without you guys,” Robin remarked. “Stone Cates died due to complications of the AIDs virus. In the ten years since his death, we’ve raised so much money right here in Port Charles for research and we have one of the country’s most prestigious outpatient care facilities at Genera lHospital, donated by Sonny Corinthos. We’ve come a long way and prolonged so many lives, including my own. If not for the research that led to development of the cocktail I currently take, my HIV might have developed into AIDs years ago and I might not be here today.”

“Unfortunately, there is still no cure in sight and until that day, we have to continue the fight, both here and around the world. So in memory of Stone, I ask you to donate all that you can, even if it’s just a few dollars. Every bit helps.” She handed the microphone to Elizabeth.

“Before I hand the reins back to Brenda, we wanted to take a moment to single out some of the donations we have already received.” She held up a paper. “First and foremost, a million dollars has been donated from each Sonny Corinthos, Jason Morgan and Jasper Jacks. Due to the generosity of Jasper Jacks and Carly Corinthos, the use of the MetroCourt was given to the foundation tonight free of charge and the Quartermaine family has graciously underwritten the rest of tonight’s expenses.” She paused for a moment. “Nikolas Cassadine has pledged three hundred thousand dollars, Michael and Morgan Corinthos have each donated what I’m told is their entire life savings—three hundred dollars.” Elizabeth smiled. “And Cameron Webber, with the help of Audrey Hardy, has donated fifty dollars he was saving for a Chuggin’ Charlie train.” She flicked her eyes to Patrick. “And fifty thousand dollars from Dr. Patrick Drake.”

“Let’s hear a round of applause for the generous donations so far,” Brenda called, clapping her hands. “Port Charles has the best citizens—with the exception of Carly.”

“Hey!” came the outraged cry from the back the room.

“I’m kidding!” Brenda grinned. “Mostly.” She threw her hands up. “Let’s party! Play some music!”

If you see a faded sign by the side of the road that says
15 miles to the… Love Shack! Love Shack yeah

“Thanks, Jason,” Robin said. “That was a very generous donation.”

“No problem,” Jason replied. He eyed the people on the dance floor warily before looking at Elizabeth. “You’re not going to make me dance are you?”

“Make you do something you despise?” Elizabeth sniffed. “As if I would ever do that!”

“I think it would be great to see Jason dance to the Love Shack!” Brenda declared. She wiggled her hips. “Love Shack, baby!”

“Please, I beg you,” Ned winced. “Don’t sing.”

“I have an amazingly melodic voice!” Brenda said, scandalized.

“If the definition of melodic is nails on a chalk board,” Jason muttered. Ned broke into laughter.

“That’s exactly what it sounds like!”

“I’m going to go where I’m appreciated,” Brenda flounced off to flirt with Jax and drive Carly insane.

“Sometimes I’m almost sure I missed her,” Ned remarked.

“And then she opens her mouth,” Jason finished.

“If you’re going to keep badmouthing Brenda, I’m going to go flirt with some cute doctor,” Elizabeth warned her date.

“I’d hate to break his legs,” Jason replied simply. “But if it comes to that—”

“Come on, Ned,” Robin tugged her old friend to his feet. “Let’s go show all these people why the women used to throw their underwear at you.”

Hop in my Chrysler,

It’s as big as a whale
And it’s about to set sail!

“She’s only flirting with him to make me jealous,” Patrick told Emily confidently. Emily raised her eyebrow.

“Yeah, okay, Captain Delusional,” she rolled her eyes. “Do you think you can pay attention to me? Remember? Your date?”

“I remember. I also remember that you keep making googly eyes at the Cassadine over there so don’t be a hypocrite,” Patrick replied.

“Jerk,” Emily muttered. “I was not making googly eyes.”

“You so were.” Patrick narrowed his eyes when Ned wrapped one hand around Robin’s waist and started to twirl her. “Show off.”

“I thought you didn’t do jealous,” Emily teased.

“I’m not jealous,” Patrick denied. “I’m…perturbed.”

“Uh huh.”

“I never get jealous.”

“Right.”

“Jealous is for guys who haven’t been given the deep freeze.”

“I’m not arguing.”

Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Love Shack, baby Love Shack!

As the song transitioned into the next one, Brenda abandoned Jax to saunter over to Jason and Elizabeth. “You are too young to be a wallflower,” she told the younger woman as she took Elizabeth’s hand and all but dragged her to the dance floor.

Some boys take a beautiful girl
And hide her away from the rest of the world

Elizabeth rolled her eyes but Brenda’s enthusiasm was contagious as she shimmied and sang the words in her incredibly off-key voice. “Come on!” she declared, snagging Robin as she and Ned tried to sneak past Elizabeth and Brenda.

“I want to be the one to walk in the sun!” Brenda wailed as she twirled Robin.

Oh girls, they wanna have fun
Oh girls just wanna have
That’s all they really want

Ned was still laughing as he found Jason grimacing back at his table. “It’s nice to see Robin smiling and laughing,” he told his cousin. “And Elizabeth, too. Emily told me she’s been down since she left Lucky.”

“Yeah,” Jason said as he watched the trio of women dancing and singing to one another. “Nothing is ever boring when Brenda is involved.”

Some fun
When the working day is done
Oh girls, they wanna have fun

Robin was still laughing as the song ended and Nikolas caught her hand before she could leave the dance floor.

“Have some time for an old friend?” he asked as he pulled into a dance.

“I haven’t seen you around lately,” she said with a smile. “I’m glad to see you getting back into the swing of things.”

“Having Spencer helps,” Nikolas told her. “Thanks for convincing Jax to tell me.” He grimaced, catching the blond Australian heading back towards Carly. “Who knows how long he would have kept that secret.”

We’ve known each other for so long
Your heart’s been aching but you’re too shy to say it

“Why does he have to hold her so close?” Patrick muttered as he finished his drink. Sitting next to him, Emily folded her arms and rolled her eyes.

“Patrick.”

“What?” he asked after she repeated his name. “What?”

“Why exactly did you and Robin break up if she’s all you can think about?”

Patrick scowled and glared at his date. “She is not all I can think about.”

“Sure, because that’s why we’re currently sitting here while you glare at every dance partner.” Emily got to her feet. “Listen, when you graduate high school and can admit you like a girl a lot, maybe we can be friends. But I really don’t have time for this.”

She stalked off.

Inside we both know what’s been going on
We know the game and we’re gonna play it
I just wanna tell you how I’m feeling

Elizabeth sighed and put her head on her chin as she watched her best friend storm out of the ballroom. “How much longer do you think you and Emily are going to be fighting?”

“We’re not fighting,” Jason said, almost defensively. “She doesn’t talk to me.”

“I’m glad you took a stand against that Sonny crap,” Ned declared. “So was Grandfather.” He got up and went to go annoy Alexis across the room where she stood with Ric.

Elizabeth snickered as Jason glared at her. “It’s nice to see you agreeing with the Quartermaines. Next thing you know, you’ll be throwing chicken wings at their annual Fourth of July food fight.”

Gotta make you understand
Never gonna give you up

Jason arched a brow at her. “You think that’s funny?”

“I think it’s hysterical.” Even as her lips continued to twitch, she swallowed a giggle. “Seriously. She and Sonny have broken up. You were right. He broke her heart. Would it kill you to offer the olive branch? You know Emily never will.”

“She doesn’t want to hear from me,” Jason muttered as he looked down at the table. Elizabeth reached over to touch his hand.

Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you

“She does, but she’ll never admit it—” Elizabeth blinked as she watched Patrick stalk across the dance floor towards Robin and Nikolas. “Oh…that’s not good.”

Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

“I’ll take the next dance, Cassadine. Thanks,” Patrick said as he smoothly cut between the friends, took Robin’s hand and tugged her away from the prince.

Robin scowled up at him. “You know, it’s the twenty-first century, Gronk. You could have asked.”

I believe it’s meant to be, darling

I watch you when you are sleeping

“You would have said no.”

“Oh, so that makes it okay?”

“See, this is why we broke up. You have to argue with every little thing I say—”

You belong with me
Do you feel the same?

“I thought we broke up because I was getting too attached,” Robin snarled. She shoved him back and stormed out. “Isn’t that what you said after I found you feeling up that nurse?”

“Second woman in ten minutes,” his father quipped as he twirled Bobbie Spencer past him. “You’re losing your touch.”

Patrick all but growled at his father as he chased after Robin.

Am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame?

Jason set down another soda for Elizabeth, then sat in a different seat than he had before he’d gone over to the bar. Elizabeth smiled at him.

“You know, I saw Lucky and Maxie when they came in. You don’t have to block my view of them,” she told him as she gestured at her ex-husband and the woman he’d left her for. They were intertwined on the dance floor, with her stepfather and his sister glaring at them.

“I just didn’t want anything to ruin your night,” Jason told her. “You worked too hard on this.”

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling

“First of all,” Patrick declared as he caught up to Robin outside of the ballroom. He took her elbow and spun her around to face him. “I wasn’t feeling up the nurse. I was talking to her.”

“You were doing that thing your eyes!” Robin retorted, jabbing her finger in his face. “You were looking at her.”

“Because she was in front of me! How else am I supposed to interact with the human race?” He threw his hands up. “You were so ready for me to cheat on you, you decided looking at another woman was enough!”

Do you feel my heart beating
Do you understand?

“Well—” Robin huffed. “That’s just…It’s not true. If you weren’t sleeping with her, you would have—”

Patrick forced himself to take a deep breath. “I get that you’ve been hurt before. I get that your father turned out to be an idiot, that your first love died, and Jason was also a dick—”

“That has nothing to do with it!”

Do you feel the same
Am I only dreaming
Is this burning an eternal flame?

“We’ve separated four months ago,” Elizabeth said with a shrug of her shoulder. “Our divorce is finalized. It turns out…for once…it was really easy to let go of Lucky Spencer.” She smiled at him. “He can’t ruin my night. Not anymore.”

She held out her hand. “Dance with me.”

Jason sighed, but took her hand and allowed her to lead him onto the dance floor—far away from Lucky and Maxie.

Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling

“The way I see it, Robin, we could either make each other’s lives miserable the way we have for the last few weeks,” Patrick told her, “or we could knock it off and just—” He shook his head. “Stop running away.”

Robin’s heart pounded as she shook her head. “I’m not running away—”

“You were literally running away five minutes ago. I care about you, Robin. I’ve missed you. If you don’t feel the same—”

When she just stared up at him, his shoulders slumped. “I get it. Fine. I’ll see you around—”

She grabbed his arm to stop him from going back into the ballroom, fisted her hand in his white dress shirt, and tugged him down to kiss him.

Do you feel my heart beating
Do you understand?
Do you feel the same

“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” Elizabeth said looking up at Jason. “Even if I did have to blackmail you.”

“Do you think I’d really be here if I didn’t want to be?” he asked her, with that old sweet look in his eyes. She grinned.

Am I only dreaming, ah

“No. But it was nice of you to let me think I could make you do something.” She smoothed her hand down the lapel of his suit jacket. “If only you’d agreed to the lime-green blazer.”

“I have my limits.”

“There’s always next year,” she threatened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “I’ll figure out how to get you to dress for the theme. Did I mention Brenda’s already planning it?” She giggled as he grimaced, but neither of them remarked on her assumption they’d be attending next year together.

Is this burning an eternal flame?
Close your eyes, give me your hand, darling

“Thank you, Port Charles!” Brenda declared several hours later as she stood in the center of the stage solo. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at her co-hostesses who remained in the audience. “It’s always nice when we can get together without explosions or mayhem!”

“Night’s still young!” Lulu Spencer called out.

“Haha. Very funny. Thanks for your generosity and we’ll see you back next year!” She turned to their DJ. “Play one more for the road!”

Because I’ve had the time of my life
No, I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you

April 10, 2014

Inspiration

I wrote a lot of episode tags and shorts back in 2003, so for a lot of these stories, I don’t have any inspiration that’s deeper than the show ended and I wanted to see what would happen next. This is the first of a few Jason/Brenda stories (one of which has been lost to the sands of time) in which I’ve written it as a script rather than a traditional short story.

Timeline

This is set in February of 2003. On the eve of Jax and Brenda’s wedding, Sonny and Brenda kissed. I know that Jax saw it, and I think Carly became aware of it at some point. Brenda and Sonny both realized they were happier with their current partners and that their time had passed, but they didn’t tell Jax or Carly. Jax decided to wait until Brenda got all the way down the aisle, then humiliated her by refusing to marry her and confronting her. In case anyone missed it, Jax had always been trash considering he knew what Brenda had gone through after the humiliation of Sonny standing her up.

Anyway. This is set after that.

Banner

After Brenda left the hotel and after Sonny left Jason at Carly’s.

(Brenda is sitting on the docks, staring into space. Jason comes down the steps.)

Jason: (frowns) I thought you were getting married.

Brenda: (faintly) So did I.

Jason: (sighs and sits next to her) What happened?

Brenda: Please…don’t act like you care. I can’t handle someone else pretending they care.

Jason: I never liked that idiot.

Brenda: You were never his favorite person either. (softly) You know…they say once you find love, you’re supposed to hold to it. Cherish it. Protect it. (she wipes her eyes and looks at him) They lied.

Jason: (quietly, now concerned) What happened?

Brenda: He waited for me to come down the aisle. He waited for me to say my vows—he even said his own. He waited for me to promise my life to him. And then he said no.

Jason: (stunned) He said what?

Brenda: He said no. He left me at the altar. (shakes head) I should have known. You know, the only wedding I ever had that was both legal and actually happened…was to you. Can you believe the irony?

Jason: Do you know why he did it?

Brenda: He found out that I made a mistake. A mistake that I can’t take back—one that I didn’t tell him about. He found out I kissed Sonny.

Jason: Yeah…I already knew about that. Carly found out. She thought Sonny was leaving her.

Brenda: It was a goodbye kiss…a kind of test to make sure you know, that I was ready to let go. Ready to move on. And you know what? I was. I was right. I love Jax, he’s who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. And he left me at the altar.

Jason: I’m sorry it had to happen that way, Brenda.

Brenda: I’m not. Because I could have spent my life with him and never saw him for who he was. I’m glad it happened this way. I saw who he really was and I realized that I can’t be with someone like him.

Jason: (sits back and stares into space for a few moments) At least you saw it before it was too late.

Brenda: Have you ever loved someone so much…that losing them just…it just breaks you? It makes it impossible for you to breathe, to function, to make rational decisions?

Jason: (after a beat) Yeah.

Brenda: (surprised) Oh. Wow. Really? (sniffles) Did you fix it? Did you learn how to live without them?

Jason: No. I…I’m still working on that.

Brenda: (disappointed) Oh. Does the pain go way, though? I mean, do you eventually…can you breathe without wanting to cry? Can you go somewhere where you used to go with them…and not want to destroy the place?

Jason: There’s almost no where I can go…that I didn’t with her.

Brenda: (softly) Who are you talking about? Is it Robin?

Jason: No. It’s not Robin.

Brenda: You know…this is the first real conversation we ever had. Too bad I’m leaving.

Jason: You’re leaving?

Brenda: I can’t stay here. Something needs to change in my life. And nothing’s going to change if I stay.

Jason: Sometimes it doesn’t change if you go, either.

Brenda: Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.

Jason: I left once. Tried to sort out my life. Didn’t really work. I came back when I thought I was ready and found out that I’d messed up. I’d waited too long to make up my mind.

Brenda: If I stay, I have to see Jax. And the thought of seeing him…I can’t handle it, Jason. I can’t do it. I have to go.

Jason: If you need anything…

Brenda: Be careful. I might take you up on that.

Jason: I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.

Brenda: Yeah. I know. That’s one of your good points. Goodbye, Jason. (stands)

Jason: (stands) Goodbye.

Brenda: You’ll give me a call if you ever figure it out? How to make the pain go away?

Jason: Yeah.

Brenda: Good. I think I’m gonna need it. (impulsively she hugs him) Good luck, Jason. And find a way to be happy. You’re the only person I think I really want to be happy in this godforsaken town.

Jason: (lightly hugs her back) Yeah, okay. I’ll try.

Brenda: (pulling away) Don’t try. Do it. Find out what makes you happy and go for it. I did that. Kind of back fired on me, but at least I went after what I wanted. You’ll never have any regrets that way.

(She smiles at him and walks away. Jason watches her climb the stairs for a moment and stares after her even when she’s gone. He hears sounds from behind him. He turns, it’s Elizabeth.)

Elizabeth: (hesitantly) Hi.

Brenda: (Voiceover) Find what out what makes you happy and go for it.

Jason: Hey. (pause) You want to go for a ride?

Elizabeth: (surprised) Really?

Jason: Yeah.

Elizabeth: Sure.

Inspiration

As with What Makes You Happy, this is another Jason/Brenda story that is in written in script form. There was definitely a first part of this story that I can’t find anywhere in which Jason and Brenda went to the Dominican Republic to get a quick divorce. On the show, they went through with it, and in my first story, I had them deciding not to. Either someone asked for a follow-up or I just decided to write one on my own.

Timeline

This is set in either late January or early February 2003. After Jason and Brenda were cleared of Luis Alcazar’s murder (thanks to learning Alexis had carried out the deed), they flew to the Dominican Republic to end their marriage. They had married earlier that fall for unrelated reasons and had remained married to avoid testifying against one another. On the show, they went through with it and returned to Port Charles. In the first part of this story (that’s lost to time), they decided to remain married and return to Port Charles to pursue a traditional divorce. They talked over their issues and decided to help each other out.

Banner

Scene One
(The Morgan Penthouse. Brenda drops her suitcase and collapses on the sofa. Jason sets his bag on the desk and stares at her.)

Brenda: (her eyes closed) Stop it.

Jason: Stop what?

Brenda: Looking at me.

Jason: I’m not.

Brenda: Ha. (groans) I hate planes.

Jason: I’ve changed my mind.

Brenda: About what?

Jason: This whole thing. This is a bad idea.

Brenda: (opens her eyes and sits up) It is not. It’s a good idea. I know what I’m doing. I can help, Jason. Honest. Come on, let me help.

Jason: I just don’t want this getting screwed up more than it already is.

Brenda: (smirks) I don’t think that’s possible. All right, take a seat.

Jason: I’ll stand.

Brenda: Suit yourself. All right, first part of the plan. Extricate yourself from Snow White.

Jason: Brenda.

Brenda: Right, right. No name calling. Okay, well, the simplest way to do this is to make seem like her idea.

Jason: How in the hell am I supposed to do that?

Brenda: I forgot who I’m talking to. Okay, you need to not be a good boyfriend. Shouldn’t be too hard. Start avoiding her, find excuses not to be around her. You know, the same way you got Elizabeth to walk out.

Jason: Brenda—

Brenda: I’m sorry, I forgot—that’s a sensitive subject, but you get my drift? Don’t act so damn interested in her.

Jason: And that’s not going to hurt her?

Brenda: No. It’ll probably sting a little, but you could always say you’ve got to work or something. Use your job.

Jason: And all you’re going to be doing is giving me advice right?

Brenda: (grins) Are you kidding? I am going to be totally hands on!

Jason: I was afraid of that.

Brenda: You go…do whatever it is you need to do. Just don’t see the little—er, Courtney. Leave her a message or something. No, wait don’t even do that. I’m going to do some reconnaissance.

Jason: Reconnaissance?

Brenda: I’ll be paying a visit to your little girlfriend. The other one.

Jason: (suspiciously) Why?

Brenda: (rolls eyes) Duh. I have to see how much groveling you’re going to need to do. Plus, I need to drop some hints.

Jason: I don’t grovel.

Brenda: Whatever. (stands) Let’s get this started.

Jason: (muttering) I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

Scene Two
(Kelly’s. Elizabeth is working. Brenda slides into stool in front of her)

Brenda: (brightly) Hi!

Elizabeth: Hello. What can I get you?

Brenda: A soda and some conversation if you’ve got time.

Elizabeth: (eyes her warily) All right.

Brenda: (accepts the soda Elizabeth hands her) So, Elizabeth Webber.

Elizabeth: (amused) Brenda Barrett—or should I say Brenda Morgan?

Brenda: Oooh…I detect a note of jealousy in your voice. Could you be the mystery woman my darling husband refuses to talk about?

Elizabeth: (shortly) No.

Brenda: No? Not even a little bit? Because I know something’s up with him. I can get him to talk about Snow White, but he just totally shuts down when I bring up the chick he’s really in love with.

Elizabeth: Who’s Snow White?

Brenda: (leans forward and whispers conspiratorially) Well, it’s kind of confidential. Can I trust you?

Elizabeth: Sure.

Brenda: Sonny’s sister.

Elizabeth: Oh. Well, I already knew that.

Brenda: Oh. So, any ideas who the mystery woman is?

Elizabeth: How do you know it’s not Snow White?

Brenda: Well, you see, there’s this look Jase gets on his face when he discusses the blonde one and it ain’t the look he gets when he discusses the mystery woman.

Elizabeth: (curiously) What kind of look?

Brenda: (with a small triumphant smile) Oh, when he talks about the other girl, his eyes kind of light up, he sort of smiles and looks away like he’s thinking of something really really great.

Elizabeth: And when it’s the blonde one?

Brenda: He looks like a little kid being forced to eat vegetables.

Elizabeth: (laughs) Okay, so who do you think the mystery woman is?

Brenda: I don’t know. See, I thought it might be you since the only other woman ever associated with Jason other than Robin, Carly or me…is you.

Elizabeth: Me?

Brenda: Yup. A couple of people were under the assumption the two of you were an item.

Elizabeth: They’re mistaken.

Brenda: But are you two friends?

Elizabeth: (hesitantly) We were.

Brenda: What happened?

Elizabeth: It doesn’t matter.

Brenda: Oh…you’ve got to be the mystery woman.

Elizabeth: Why do you say that?

Brenda: Because the only person I’ve ever heard say that is Jason.

Elizabeth: So?

Brenda: He says that when I ask what happened between him and the mystery woman.

Elizabeth: It’s not me.

Brenda: How can you be so sure?

Elizabeth: Look, Brenda. You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me or what happened with Jason—

Brenda: Methinks you protest too much.

Elizabeth: Jason’s moved on, I’m working on it. Why don’t you just let things be?

Brenda: Not in my nature.

Elizabeth: I need to get back to work.

Scene Three
(Morgan Penthouse. That evening. Jason comes in to see Brenda sitting on the couch eating pizza.)

Brenda: There’s more in the kitchen if you’re hungry.

Jason: Okay. (heads for the kitchen)

Brenda: Good news. She’s still in love with you.

Jason: (stops and turns to look at her) What?

Brenda: Elizabeth. She’s still in love with you.

Jason: (after a beat) H-How do you know that?

Brenda: Just the way she looked during the entire conversation and the way she answered my questions. I told her that there was a mystery woman you were in love with and kept trying to get her to admit it was her. You’ve got her trained.

Jason: Trained?

Brenda: Yup. Told me it didn’t matter. (giggles) Thought I was talking to you for a minute.

Jason: That’s not funny.

Brenda: Honestly, Jason—the situation doesn’t look that bad. She hasn’t moved on. She said she was working on it, but if it hasn’t happened yet, it won’t for a little while, giving us just enough time to fix this.

Jason: Maybe…maybe we should just leave it alone. Elizabeth is better off without me.

Brenda: If that’s the kind of attitude you had around her, no wonder she walked out.

Jason: Knock it off.

Brenda: No, I’m serious. Jesus, stop being such wuss.

Jason: A what?

Brenda: A wuss. Be a man. Stand up for yourself. You want Elizabeth, you need to admit that to yourself. Stop hiding behind your job, and everything else. The only person who gets decide that Elizabeth is better off without you is Elizabeth, don’t forget that. (stands and pokes Jason in the chest) Don’t make me waste my time trying to help you if you’re just to screw it all up in the end.

Jason: I—

Brenda: Because, I swear to God, if I get you what you want and you screw it up, I’ll kill you myself. (puts her hands on her hips) So, what’s it going to be? Snow White or Elizabeth?

Jason: What the hell has crawled up your ass?

Brenda: You didn’t answer my question. You want to stay with Courtney because it’s easy for you or do you want me to help you get Elizabeth back?

Jason: I knew this was a bad idea. Let’s just forget the whole thing. We’ll file for an annulment tomorrow.

Brenda: Are you scared? Is that it? You afraid that you might really love someone?

Jason: I’m going out. (he turns to leave but Brenda grabs his arm)

Brenda: Why is it so hard for you to just go after what you want?

Jason: You’re living in a dream world, Brenda. Things don’t work out like that in reality. You don’t always get what you want.

Brenda: Yeah, well if you can’t even admit what you want, of course you’re not going to get it! You can’t even say it.

Jason: (defensive) Just stop it.

Brenda: Is it so hard for you to just say it? You haven’t once said out loud that you love her or that you want her back—

Jason: What good would that do?

Brenda: Once you say it, it becomes real and I think that’s what scares you.

Jason: (he just stares at her)

FLASHBACK

(Jason and Elizabeth are at the park.)

Elizabeth: Why do even like me? I mean, I give you mixed signals for months, I jerk you around, I make you say things that I’m sure you didn’t even want to say—

Jason: I, I wouldn’t, I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t want to. I mean, until now I wasn’t sure that you wanted to know how I feel.

Elizabeth: I think I was afraid to hear it. You know, when you say it, it becomes real. You can’t hide from it anymore or pretend it doesn’t exist. Believe me, I know, I’ve tried. I’ve come up with a million excuses for the way you make me feel. But excuses can’t change the truth. I want more than a friendship too.

Jason: It’s not wrong to trust what you feel.

END FLASHBACK

Brenda: (frowning) Jason? Jason?

Jason: (shaking his head) What did you say?

Brenda: Where’d you go?

Jason: I…

Brenda: (curiously) Are you okay?

Jason: Elizabeth said that to me once. (He sits on the couch and runs his hands through his hair) It was about two years ago. She was still dating Lucky…but I don’t know—they were having problems and she started…I’d been attracted to her for a while and we were kind of dancing around each other.

Brenda: (completely absorbed) What happened?

Jason: She and Lucky had this complicated history—she’s got an incredible sense of loyalty. She was really torn up about it—Lucky wasn’t the same, she was miserable and I just seemed to making it worse. She finally came out and asked me if I wanted more.

(We can hear the following dialogue over the scene)

Jason: What do you want me to do?

Elizabeth: Tell me how you feel. I, I think I know. I could be wrong. Are we just friends, or do you want something more from me?

Jason: Yeah I do.

Jason: (continuing) I told her yeah and then she said she was afraid to hear it. Because when you say it, it becomes real. You can’t hide from it or pretend it doesn’t exist. And then she told me she felt the same.

Brenda: But she wouldn’t leave Lucky.

Jason: He was her first love—and I don’t think she was at a point where she was ready to give up on him.

Brenda: She’s young, Jase. It can be hard to admit when something’s not working.

Jason: It’s…just…it’s like we’ve come full circle. Two years ago, she didn’t want admit what was happening between us. And now…I can’t admit how I feel about her.

Brenda: You guys have been dancing around each other for too long. Isn’t it time to knock it off and just do something already?

Jason: Yeah. You’re right. It is time to stop. (he looks at her)I need her. I need her in my life.

Brenda: That’s a start. So, are we done with this running and let’s forget about it crap? Are you ready to fix this?

(As if on cue, the phone in the penthouse starts to ring.)

Brenda: Let the machine get it.

Jason: Machine?

Brenda: Yeah, I got an answering machine when I decided to avoid calls from the press.

Jason: I thought this was a private line.

Brenda: (snorts) Since when does that bother the press?

Courtney: (over the machine) Jason? I probably shouldn’t be calling, but…well…Elizabeth was talking to Penny about how Brenda came in to see her and I guess since Brenda’s back…you are, too. You haven’t been by to see me. Is anything wrong? (waits a beat) All right. Call me when you get this.

(The machine clicks off. Jason and Brenda stare at it)

Brenda: Is that the kind of person you want to spend the rest of your life with? Someone who seems…so clingy?

Jason: Brenda—

Brenda: For once, I’m really not trying to insult the girl. I just…look, I’m sure she’d make some other unsuspecting person happy, but she is definitely not the girl for you. Plus, she’s too tall for you.

Jason: Too tall for me.

Brenda: Right. See, you need a small petite kind of girl.

Jason: That’s an awfully shallow observation.

Brenda: (shrugs) Whatever. You didn’t answer my question.

Jason: What was the question?

Brenda: Are you still willing to fix this?

Jason: (after a beat) Yeah. But—

Brenda: (groaning) But what?

Jason: I need to do this my way.

Brenda: Your way. (a beat) You have a way?

Jason: I’m going to be honest with Courtney.

Brenda: You do realize that honesty might backfire.

Jason: If Sonny finds out, then…oh, well. He’ll just have to deal with the fact that he can’t control everyone.

Brenda: (stunned) Wow. When you grow a backbone, you really go all the way.

Jason: Very funny.

Brenda: No, no. I’m serious. This is good. This is the Jason Morgan I remember. Okay, honesty with Courtney. What else?

Jason: I need to sit down with Elizabeth and talk to her. Really talk to her. We haven’t…we haven’t done that for so long.

Brenda: What if she lashes out again? Are you going to walk away?

Jason: No. I’m going to actually listen to what she’s saying and find out what she really means. Elizabeth is good at pretending—at putting on an act. I used…I used to know when she was lying or saying things to deliberately hurt people.

Brenda: But it’s different when she’s doing all those things to you, huh?

Jason: Yeah. It is.

Brenda: Good. I’m proud of you, Jason. You’re making the right decision. Is there anything I can do?

Jason: (standing) If Courtney calls before I get back, tell her I’m on my way to see her.

(He leaves. Brenda stares after him)

Brenda: Huh. Well, I’ll be damned. He’s not Sonny’s bitch after all.

Scene Four
(The Loft. Courtney is sitting on the couch when Jason enters. She jumps up to go hug him, but he holds up a hand, warding her off.)

Courtney: Jason? (confused) What’s wrong?

Jason: We need to talk.

Courtney: About what?

Jason: Us. And why this isn’t going to work.

Courtney: What do you mean? I don’t understand.

Jason: (takes a deep breath) I’m not in love with you Courtney. And I never could be. I’m sorry.

Courtney: Hold on, I don’t understand. Before you left, things were fine. What happened? What’s going on?

Jason: Just what I said. It’s not fair to you for me to be with you and not be in this relationship completely. I’m not.

Courtney: Is it Brenda?

Jason: No.

Courtney: (eyes suddenly narrow) Is it Elizabeth?

Jason: Courtney this has nothing to do with anyone else. It’s me.

Courtney: It’s Elizabeth. I should have known—what was I thinking? That stupid—

Jason: Stop it. You can’t blame this on anyone but me. I’m the one who thought this would work and I was the one who was wrong.

Courtney: Get out.

Jason: I’m sorry—

Courtney: (yelling) Get out!

(Jason leaves.)

Scene Five
(The Morgan penthouse. Brenda looks up as Jason enters.)

Brenda: How’d it go?

Jason: As expected.

Brenda: Now don’t you feel better?

Jason: Not especially. I hurt her.

Brenda: Think about how much it hurt Elizabeth to see you two together.

Jason: I’m going to bed.

Brenda: What about Elizabeth?

Jason: I’m going to see her tomorrow. I think I deserve a little break, don’t you?

Brenda: Fine, fine. You want me to visit her first, prep her?

Jason: No. I can handle this myself.

Brenda: (pleased) Nice to know you still have a backbone.

Jason: Are you done?

Brenda: Do you listen to me any way?

Jason: No.

Brenda: Then what’s the difference if I’m done or not?

Jason: (shakes his head) Sometimes I just want to throttle you.

Brenda: (giggles) You know you love me.

Jason: I’d rather take a gun to my head.

Brenda: That’s so mean, I can’t believe after everything I’ve done for you…I gave you advice, a shoulder to cry on—

Jason: (speaking over her) A shoulder to cry on? Are you nuts?

Brenda: (continuing) I helped you with Snow White, with Elizabeth and this is the thanks I get?

Jason: Yeah, okay.

Brenda: You’re so mean to me, Jason. I mean would a thank you kill you?

Jason: Probably.

Brenda: You’re infuriating.

Jason: So are you.

Brenda: Go to sleep.

Jason: I don’t need your permission.

Brenda: Nope. You don’t need anyone’s permission to do anything. Except maybe Sonny.

Jason: Sonny doesn’t run my life.

Brenda: I don’t know—for a while it felt like he was.

Jason: Good night.

Brenda: (as he goes up the stairs) Was that a pleasantry from the big bad Jason Morgan?

Jason: (calls back to her) Shut up.

Brenda: (grinning) I think I’m growing on him.

Scene Six
(Elizabeth’s studio. Early the next morning. There’s knocking at the door. Elizabeth goes to answer it.)

Elizabeth: (sleepily) Hold on. I’m coming. (unlocks the door and pulls it open) Jason?

Jason: Can we talk?

Elizabeth: That depends. What’s the subject?

Jason: Us.

Elizabeth: (rolls eyes) Ha. You’ve made it abundantly clear that us doesn’t exist anymore. Go back to Courtney.

Jason: Elizabeth—

Elizabeth: You know what? This is my day off and I was planning on catching up on some sleep, so just walk away. You can do that, Jase. You’re good at it.

Jason: You either talk to me now or I’ll sit outside your door until you do.

Elizabeth: Yeah. Until Sonny calls, you mean.

Jason: I turned my phone off.

Elizabeth: I wasn’t even aware you knew how to do that.

Jason: Are you done being sarcastic? Because I really would like to talk to you.

Elizabeth: (shrugs) Fine. Whatever. Come on in if you must.

(Jason enters and Elizabeth shuts the door.)

Jason: I went to the Dominican Republic to get an annulment with Brenda and somehow she got me talking about you.

Elizabeth: (surprised) Me?

Jason: Yeah. I still don’t know how she managed to pry it out of me, but she did. And she kind of forced me to see where you were coming from with the whole Sonny thing.

Elizabeth: Somehow I doubt Brenda had any clue what was going through my head.

Jason: Well, she said that you must have felt kind of foolish when you found he was alive. She figured you might have been worried about me and she knew that I rarely went home or called anyone while I was guarding her.

Elizabeth: Well, I’ve got to hand it to your wife. She does have part of it.

Jason: Part of it?

Elizabeth: Oh, what? Now you want to know what I was thinking? Sorry. You’re a little late for that.

Jason: Damn it. Why can’t we just talk about this?

Elizabeth: Because that won’t solve anything.

Jason: I think it will. I think if we’re honest with each other, it might solve a lot.

Elizabeth: (surprised) Where is this coming from?

Jason: You can thank Brenda. She forced me to remember something you said to me once. That when you say it, it becomes real. And I’ve been avoiding that since you left.

Elizabeth: Avoiding what?

Jason: Telling you how I feel.

Elizabeth: And I suppose you’re going to tell me now.

Jason: If you want to know right now, I will tell you. But I’d rather we talk first.

Elizabeth: Well, I’m not talking until I know what you want from me.

Jason: (after a beat) I want to be able to walk into Kelly’s and have you smile at me like you used to. I want to be able to ask you to go for a ride. I want to be able to watch you paint or listen to you talk. How’s that?

Elizabeth: (slightly stunned) I…I suppose that’s a start.

Jason: Will you please talk to me, Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: (takes a deep breath) I left because I didn’t feel like I fit in your life. That your loyalty to Sonny and Carly would always take precedence over me and that was a possibility I wasn’t ready to handle. I left because I didn’t think I mattered to you.

Jason: And I’m sorry I ever made you feel that way. It wasn’t my intention—I never wanted to hurt you.

Elizabeth: Then why didn’t you come home or even call? Why did you ignore me when you did come to the penthouse?

Jason: Because I knew the more I heard your voice and saw your face, the less likely I was going to be able to keep the secret. Because I knew you’d know in an instant that something was off.

Elizabeth: So you avoided me so you wouldn’t want to tell me the truth

Jason: I know it sounds bad and in retrospect, it wasn’t one of my more intelligent decisions. I’m sorry, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Okay, so, why didn’t you come after me? Why did you start dating Courtney and making all these sacrifices for her?

Jason: Because with Courtney, there wasn’t anything at stake. I didn’t have to worry about her face changing because she didn’t know me to begin with. The only thing Courtney ever needed me for was to rescue her. And you never needed me like that. Not really.

Elizabeth: So what you want is a girl you can spend your entire life rescuing. (sarcastically) Well, that’s wonderful.

Jason: It gets old after a while, Elizabeth. I don’t want to be depended on to fix people’s messes or bail them out of trouble or rescue them from situations they get themselves into. I get enough of that with Carly and Sonny, and I realized that’s not what I want from a relationship.

Elizabeth: Then what do you want?

Jason: I want you. Like we used to be. When we would sit in Kelly’s after closing and talk or go for rides or you would explain your paintings to me. I don’t want someone who only needs me when they’re in trouble. I want someone who wants me around even in the good times.

Elizabeth: (hesitates) So you’re kind of here to ask for another chance.

Jason: I guess I am.

Elizabeth: What about Courtney?

Jason: I already broke up with her. Yesterday.

Elizabeth: (slowly) Okay, so are you going to tell me how you feel now?

Jason: All right. (after a moment) I love you.

Elizabeth: (finally) Could you…would you please repeat that?

Jason: I love you.

Elizabeth: (faintly) That’s what I thought you said. (pause)Um….I’m not…I don’t… (she shakes her head) I can’t believe this.

Jason: I just…I guess I thought you should know. I know I didn’t fight you before—I know that I just let you walk away and I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that.

Elizabeth: (mutters) Damn right.

Jason: Look…I know I can’t…that I shouldn’t expect anything from you. I’ve done nothing but hurt you these last few months. But—

Elizabeth: You know, most normal people would remind me that I’m not completely innocent.

Jason: What do you mean?

Elizabeth: I mean that I spent most of the entire summer hurting you. Not to mention the last time you were in town—and I guess telling you to go to hell wasn’t fun to hear.

Jason: No. I never held any of that against you. You dealt with the situation the best you could.

Elizabeth: I know. It’s not easy being in love with two men at the same time. I was nineteen—I didn’t know how not to hurt anyone and I did my best not to…but it happened anyway.(takes a deep breath) You didn’t want to hurt me. I know you that much.

Jason: Where does that leave us?

Elizabeth: Honestly? I don’t know. I’m not…I’m not ready to jump right back in, okay? I’ve been burned twice this last year and I’m not in any hurry to have it happen again.

Jason: I understand. I—

Elizabeth: I know you wouldn’t mean to, but right now…I am not ready for a relationship. I need time. Time to just be by myself, y’know? Figure out what I want from life.

Jason: If you need time, that’s fine.

Elizabeth: I still want you around. Maybe…maybe we could be friends again. (hopefully) Like we used to be. We could go for rides, hang out at Kelly’s after closing…all the things we used to do.

Jason: I’d like that.

Elizabeth: Besides….we’ve both changed these last few months. I think we need to get to know each other again.

Jason: That sounds fine. Do you…want to go for a ride?

Elizabeth: (smiles) I thought you’d never ask.

Scene Seven
(The Morgan Penthouse. Brenda is stuffing things into a bag when Jason enters.)

Brenda: Hey. It’s been hours since you left. (grins) I guess you got lucky.

Jason: You better not mean what I think you mean.

Brenda: (wiggling her eyebrows) Oh, I do mean that.

Jason: (gestures towards her bag) What’s that?

Brenda: Oh. (guiltily) I’m fleeing the country.

Jason: (resigned) What did you do this time?

Brenda: (defensively) Nothing. I…just…I’m trying to avoid Jax and he’s kind of on his way over here. See, I haven’t exactly told him you and I are still married.

Jason: Why not?

Brenda: Because you know him. He’ll assume it means I want to be married to you because I need to be connected to Sonny or because I’m actually in love with you. And since we both know the second’s not true and I’m pretty sure the first one isn’t either, I’m just not in the mood to explain to him again why I want to take this slow. He never listens to me—he always get jealous right away…you know, it’s almost like he’s Sonny.

Jason: Why are you still with him?

Brenda: Force of habit, I suppose. No, look, I really do love him. Even if it can be exhausting.

Jason: It’s your life.

Brenda: Yep. So if you didn’t get lucky, where have you been all day?

Jason: I don’t really want to talk about this.

Brenda: Oh, come on. I’m the reason you made it this far. The least you can do is tell me if she threw you out or at least let you talk.

Jason: She let me talk.

Brenda: And?

Jason: (sighs) You’re not going to let this go are you?

Brenda: Damn right.

Jason: Fine. I talked to her. She listened. I told her I loved her, we agreed to start over as friends. She needs time…she’d just broken up with her ex-boyfriend when I got back in town. He’d slept with her sister. Adding on everything else that happened…

Brenda: She’s a little skittish about jumping back in the saddle.

Jason: Yeah, I guess.

Brenda: Smart girl.

Jason: I agreed with her. I want to make this right for her.

Brenda: Makes sense. You’re not half bad, Jase. (takes a deep breath) I called Alexis. We can start the annulment proceedings tomorrow if you want.

Jason: I thought you were fleeing the country.

Brenda: I’ve rethought my position. I’m going to calmly explain to Jax how I feel.

Jason: And when he doesn’t listen?

Brenda: He won’t have a choice. Think you can loan me a guard or two? I need to tie him up and tape his mouth shut.

Jason: (smirking) I can arrange that.

Brenda: Wow, really? I was just kidding, but now that I know it’s a possibility, it doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

(There’s a knock on the door.)

Jason: You worry me sometimes.

(He opens the door. It’s Elizabeth.)

Elizabeth: Um, hi. I just…I needed to tell you something I just realized that I didn’t before.

Jason: Sure. Come on in. (after the door is closed) You know my wife from hell.

Brenda: Hey! I thought you said no name calling!

Jason: I said you couldn’t call anyone names. I never said I couldn’t.

Brenda: Ugh. Men. Hello, Elizabeth. I suppose you’d like me to leave.

Elizabeth: Yes.

Brenda: (grinning) Oooh…I like this one. I’ll just go upstairs. If Jax comes by, tell him I’m having hot wild sex with one of the guards.

(She goes upstairs.)

Elizabeth: She’s…strange.

Jason: That’s one way to put it.

Elizabeth: Um, I guess I should tell you what I came here to tell you. (takes a deep breath) I want you to know that what I said originally is still true. I still need time.

Jason: Right.

Elizabeth: But you know…you were really good enough to tell me how you felt so I figured I should like return the favor. I love you.

Jason: (just stares at her for a minute before answering) Oh.

Elizabeth: (flushes) Yeah…so I thought you should know. I’m going to go. Bye.

(She’s gone before Jason can recover enough to say anything.)

Brenda: (from upstairs) I told you so!

Jason: Go away!

Brenda: You know you love me.

Jason: Let’s not start that again.

January 30, 2014

Inspiration

I’m a huge Law & Order fan (the OG, not SVU), and I always love to watch the trial scenes in movies and tv shows. I wanted to write the trial in a way that would reunite Jason and Elizabeth. It ended up being, uh, kind of insane. I definitely wrote it as I went without any plans. It ended up being more of a comedy than a drama which is a bit unusual for me and Brenda is way more whacky than she actually is. I do tend to write Brenda a bit more quirkier than she probably is, but it’s my favorite aspect of her character.

Timeline

This story is set in January 2003 and it was written at that time. In November of 2002, Luis Alcazar was murdered, and Jason and Brenda were the primary suspects. They had already gotten married for other reasons and elected to remain married to avoid having to testify against one another. Brenda was dating Jax on the side, while Jason had started seeing Courtney in December. Elizabeth was in the very early stages of dating Ric.

I think I started writing this before the trial actually began so it has Alexis and Ric as both Jason and Brenda’s lawyers, but what I remember happening on screen was that Alexis had to bow out and Ric took over. Jason and Brenda were convicted, but it was overturned when it was revealed that Alexis had actually murdered Luis (he had set the bomb that killed Kristina in August). This story rewrites the trial.

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