Tag Archives: jason/elizabeth

November 29, 2014

alleweare

We won’t say our goodbyes
You know it’s better that way
We won’t break, we won’t die
It’s just a moment of change

Inspiration

After I rewrote Poisonous Dreams as A Few Words Too Many, I eliminated the marriage of convenience angle. It’s a concept I like reading in general because there’s a vast difference between developing a relationship outside of marriage and then making it work once you’re in one. So I started to think how I could do that concept again. What would make Jason and Elizabeth take that step? Spousal privilege, of course.

And from there, I looked at different time periods until I found my favorite one: Summer 2006. My God, the amount of story I’ve planned that uses this as a jumping off point is legion. I loved 2006 so much.

Timeline

So, this begins in October 2006. All of the events of the summer have happened through the point Lucky leaves for rehab in mid-September after throwing Elizabeth to the floor. Ric has taken over as DA for Alexis due to her cancer. Elizabeth has told Jason about the paternity issue, but rather than running the test at GH, she had it done at Mercy for more secrecy. I haven’t changed much except for the Jason and Sam relationship. There’s been no real movement to getting back together. Also, while Sam and Carly are aware of the NOP, only Sonny knows about the paternity test.

2017 Update: I hadn’t really watched the 2006 scenes as closely as I should have before writing this and I completely forgot that Emily did know about the paternity and blackout night. I also forgot just how supportive of Elizabeth she ended up being. I also kind of flubbed the Sam stuff in this story. I didn’t want to deal with her, so I really didn’t. And I feel bad about it. Not bad enough to rewrite, but just note that I didn’t really stick as close to GH canon as I thought I had.

Media

+ Soundtrack, Volume 1: Mood Music
+ Soundtrack, Volume 2: Songs From the Story

Characters

elizabeth Jason Morgan ric
robin patrick diane
emily lucky nikolas carly
sam jax epiphany

Chapters

  • Chapter One
  • Chapter Two
  • Chapter Three
  • Chapter Four
  • Chapter Five
  • Chapter Six
  • Chapter Seven
  • Chapter Eight
  • Chapter Nine
  • Chapter Ten
  • Chapter Eleven
  • Chapter Twelve
  • Chapter Thirteen
  • Chapter Fourteen
  • Chapter Fifteen
  • Chapter Sixteen
  • Chapter Seventeen
  • Epilogue

    • November 22, 2014


    I just want you for my own
    More than you could ever know
    Make my wish come true
    All I want for Christmas is you
     

    Inspiration

    So as a rule, I don’t tend to do a ton of holiday stories. There are a few reasons, but usually it’s because I’m so bogged down with writing projects that the thought of doing one more is insane, so the few Christmas projects that are on ths site are short stories or longer stories with Christmas celebrations.

    However, this year I wanted to do something fun and light-hearted (for the most part) because so much of what I’m working on at the moment is either really complex or just angsty and dark with mental illness, domestic abuse, and whatnot. Plus I almost never write alternate universe — General Hospital canon is just so complex and filled with incredible characters and history that I get distracted for that. So AU is another challenge for me.

    Timeline

    All I Want is an alternate universe, so here’s my disclaimer. The Jason Morgan in this story has a characterization that’s closer to a blend of Jason Morgan and Jason Quartermaine, raised within the Quartermaine family but rejected by his stepmother, Monica, for the most part. Because there’s no accident and no mob, it makes sense that his character would not be as stoic or constrained as JM on screen.

    Really, all you need to know is the short-hand abbrievations I use for the ELQ corporate structure, since ELQ is pretty important. Jason is the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) and AJ is the COO (Chief Operations Officer). They both report to Ned as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer). Emily is the corporate events planner, and Elizabeth is her admistrative assistant. All other things will be set up in the story. So to speak.

    Trivia: Creating this story page led me to realize that there were no character images for Ned and Alan yet, which means I don’t write about them often enough. Challenge to myself in 2015: Write more for the characters I don’t use often enough. I…have rambled enough.

    Media

    Characters

    Elizabeth Webber Ned Ashton

    Chapters

  • Part One
  • Part Two
  • Part Three
  • Part Four
  • Part Five
  • Part Six
  • Part Seven
  • Part Eight & Epilogue
  • Second Epilogue

    • 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

    Timeline

    This takes place in 2010, but it’s part of the Hand Me Down universe, so you should read If I Don’t Try With You first. I haven’t really worked on the HMD universe in a long time, but it begins after Michael’s shooting. Michael ended up dying, and Sonny died after going after Johnny. Jason and Elizabeth stayed together. That’s basically what you need to know.

    Inspiration

    This was definitely inspired by a challenge to write about a GH holiday with some fluff, but I only know that because of the topic of the story and the fact that I found the OG file in my Challenge response folder on my computer when I brought back the site in 2014.

    Banner Here

    July 4, 2010

    The annual Fourth of July picnic was one of the few days of the year when the citizens of Port Charles gathered and managed to remain civil to one another for at least three hours. That particular record had been set by the Quartermaines themselves in the early nineties. They had been within fifteen minutes of three and a half hours, but Edward had blustered about something that Alan had taken offense to and somehow, the mayor had ended up with mashed potatoes in his hair.

    Each year, the celebration had grown in attendance until one couldn’t go to the park on that day and not tread over a picnic blanket, a table or in the case of more well-to-do residents – an entire tent.

    On this particular day, the tent in question belonged to Jason Morgan. He was there with his wife, their two boys and their newborn daughter, Juliet. He had invited his best friend Carly, her husband Jax and their two children. It was a bittersweet celebration as neither Jason nor Carly were completely adjusted to spending this holiday without Carly’s ex-husband Sonny Corinthos and son Michael. Both had died just two years earlier.

    They had endeavored to move on with their lives and both had done so with the birth of subsequent children. Each had solid marriages to their spouses and if life wasn’t exactly perfect, it was as close as either of them had ever been.

    Despite the shade the tent offered, the day was steaming hot and sweat dripped from Jason’s adopted six-year-old son Cameron’s face. Cam had been chasing Carly’s son Morgan in a circle and both were red-faced and panting from the heat.

    His wife, Elizabeth, bit down on her lower lip. “Maybe I should take them back to the car. Sit in the air conditioning for a while.” She adjusted her two month old daughter in the portable crib that had been set up and studied Cameron and their three-year-old Jake, who didn’t look much cooler. “It’s hotter than it was supposed to be.”

    Carly gripped the front of her sweat-soaked cherry red tank top and pulled it away from her chest. “Well, it is summer,” she said with a smirk. “I’d be surprised if it was chilly.”

    Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Anyway,” she said, directing her remarks to Jason. “Maybe we should feed the kids and take them home. We can bring them back for the fireworks.”

    “No!” Cameron argued. He shook his head. “I want to stay!”

    “It’s too hot out here.” Elizabeth reached for a napkin, dipped it into a glass of iced water and started to wipe down her son’s face. Cameron squirmed.

    “Come on, Mom!” he complained, twisting away. “I’m not a baby!”

    “Which is why I didn’t spit on it first.” She sighed and released him. “Fine. Go. Run. Get heatstroke.”

    “Thanks, Mom!” Cameron immediately tagged Morgan. “You’re it!” he crowed and took off.

    “I’m taking Jules back to the car,” Elizabeth told Jason. She reached down and picked up the infant. “I can take Cece if you want.”

    Carly glanced over to her fourteen month old daughter who was chattering away to her daddy about a ladybug she’d seen crawling on her arm. “I think she’s okay for now. I’ll make sure the boys don’t keel over from too much sun.” She glanced over at them and narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me. My kid is wandering too close to the Quartermaine tent. Nothing good comes from that.” She made a quick exit to grab head off Cameron and Morgan.

    “We can all go back to the house,” Jason offered. He rubbed the back of his neck. “I mean, I’m okay, but if you think the kids are going to get too sick—”

    “No, no,” Elizabeth shook her head. She smiled. “It’s the first year we’ve all been together as a family. Last year Carly and Jax were visiting Lady Jane,     and I know Cam’s having a good time with Morgan.” She brushed her hand over Juliet’s almost existent fluff of blonde hair. “I just don’t think it’s good for Jules.”

    “I wasn’t able to stop Edward from coming over to see his great-grandchildren,” Carly huffed, hauling both boys back, a hand wrapped around each one of their arms. “What did we say about wandering away from the tent?” she demanded.

    “To stay away from Robin Drake,” Morgan said with an impish smile.

    “And the Zacchara tent,” Cameron added dutifully. He grinned, revealing his dimples.

    “I’m pretty sure that’s not what I said,” Carly muttered.

    “And I’m almost positive that I said not to leave the immediate area,” Elizabeth said, arching an eyebrow. “Isn’t that right?”

    “Possibly,” Morgan nodded. “But Cam was gonna tackle me and the last time he did that, I ate dirt.” He shook his head. “So not interested in repeating that experience, Aunt Liz. I think you can get what I’m saying.”

    “I can get that you didn’t follow my instructions or your mother’s,” Elizabeth remarked. She grinned. “Because I’m pretty sure we both said to stay away from the Quartermaine tent.”

    “That is…” Cameron paused. “Entirely possible.”

    “Mayday,” Carly hissed to Elizabeth. “Incoming. Quartermaine at ten o’clock.”

    “You think if I hide Jake under the table, he won’t notice him?” Elizabeth asked. “The last time we took the kids over, Edward was trying to convince us it was time for Cam to go away to boarding school.”

    “I told you visiting Edward was a mistake,” Jason shook his head. “But you insisted.”

    “To be fair, I took them to see Monica,” Elizabeth reminded him. She pasted a smile on her face as Jason’s grandfather joined them. “Mr. Quartermaine,” she greed politely.

    Edward rubbed his hands together, looking uncharacteristically harmless in a pair of khakis and a polo shirt. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if she’d ever seen him out of a suit. “Now, now, my dear, I’ve told you to call me Edward.” He smiled charmingly. “Or Grandfather.”

    “Right, Mr. Quartermaine,” Elizabeth nodded. She turned to Jason. “I think I should take the kids to the car for the air conditioning. They need a break from the heat.”

    “Oh, but I’ve just arrived.” Edward leaned closer trying to get a closer look at Juliet. “And I’ve hardly had time to meet my great-granddaughter.”

    “Will you try to enroll her in college before she can walk?” Jason asked, a little resigned.

    “It’s never too early to plan for the future,” Edward advised firmly. “If you have a firm idea now, you will be able to execute it without a flaw later. It’s solid parenting advice that Lila and I followed for our children and it worked. Alan was a splendid doctor and Tracy is well…” he paused. “She had great potential at one time. I can’t quite fathom her marital choices, but she’s not bad at business.”

    Elizabeth glanced at her husband, looking for some direction. Jason just shrugged. When it came to Edward, it was best to let him have his say and avoid conflict. “That’s very nice advice, Mr. Quartermaine,” she said. “Jason and I appreciate it.”

    “Don’t patronize me, young lady,” Edward said sternly. “It’s not my fault that they were both incapable of raising their own children. Lila and I did a fine job but our entire crop of grandchildren was worthless. Except for Emily, of course. She was a fine girl who is still missed greatly.”

    “Of course,” Elizabeth replied, softening. She held out her daughter. “Would you like to hold Juliet for a moment? It’s a bit warm out here for her so I’m going to take her into some air for a while, but I’m sure she’d like to meet her great-grandfather first.”

    Edward’s eyes lit up as she placed the infant in his arms. “That’s very kind of you, my dear.” He cradled Juliet in his embrace and smiled down at her. “I was very pleased when Monica told me Jason was marrying you, you know.”

    Jason shook his head, knowing that Elizabeth was a lost cause now. She’d insist Edward have regular visits from now on, she’d feel obligated to both the old man and his sister. His wife had always been a soft touch.

    “You were always so good to Emily,” Edward continued, “and you had such a good work ethic and a strong moral compass. You are the exactly the right woman for my grandson and for the mother of his children. He is very lucky you chose him.”

    He handed the baby back to her. “You get that child out of the sun,” he cautioned. He looked to Jason. “You have a very nice family. Don’t screw it up.”

    Edward ambled back over to his tent where Monica and Tracy were arguing, Dillon was attempting to hide behind Alice and Ned was ignoring everyone and speaking to his daughter, Brook Lynn. Another day at the Quartermaines.

    “I give them five minutes before Tracy throws water in her face,” Carly nodded.

    “Ten before the ribs goes flying,” Elizabeth replied.

    “I doubt they’ll hold out that long,” Jax joined them. “I can see Monica eyeing up the hot dogs.”

    “You’re all wrong,” Jason surprised them by speaking up. “Tracy’s hand is inching towards the chicken wings.”

    Sure enough, a moment later, Tracy flung the first chicken wing at her sister-in-law. Monica retaliated with a hot dog and Dillon ducked in the picnic table entirely to avoid the ribs that flew a moment later.

    “They’re going to need that water,” Carly remarked. “To cool down and to clean up.”

    Elizabeth laughed and reached up to kiss Jason’s cheek. “I think I can take Jules back to the car now. I’m glad I didn’t miss the annual food fight. It’s just not the Fourth of July without it.”

    April 29, 2014


    But remember the time I told you the way that I felt
    That I’d be lost without you and never find myself
    Let’s hold onto each other above everything else

    Inspiration

    This story has changed so much since I originally envisioned it in 2004. Lila Quartermaine had just died, and I found myself wondering how Port Charles would handle Audrey’s death. So I began writing based on that idea, and had six or seven chapters written before a computer crash killed them all. Almost ten years later, I returned to it, and changed it around so that there are very few aspects of that old story that remained: really just the title and the way I deal with Jason changing Sam’s paternity results.

    Timeline

    For the most part, the major backstory will be explained in the first few chapters. I’ve changed only a few things. I pick up the show about May 2004 (or whenever Jason changed the paternity results), and go from there. So from that period on, only what’s in my story is what happened. Basically — just how Sonny and Jason deal with his changing the results. Elizabeth does not come home in June 2004 and enroll the nursing program. Emily and Nikolas are together, after he comes back from the dead. None of the Mary Bishop going insane stuff happens. Not that it’s important, but I liked Mary so…pfft.

    Steven Webber is played by Shaun Benson, rather than Scott Reeves, simply because I never really watched Scott as Steven, but I really liked Shaun’s portrayal back then. A note about Steven as a character: John Durant is not a factor in this story, so he’s just a normal doctor at General Hospital, having moved to Port Charles over the summer.

    Carly is played by Tamara Braun because she was playing her in 2004 and her characterization drives Carly’s motives, rather than LW or SBr.

    Thanks to Cora for her incredible help during the outlining stage, and then for her skills as a beta 🙂

    Author’s Note

    Sonny is going to struggle with mental illness in this story, particularly a type of bipolar disorder with mixed episodes. This basically means his mood swings occur much more rapidly, and even occasionally simultaneously. I don’t know anyone personally with this disorder–everything I know comes from hours of research.  People who have this disorder are not innately violent, so I want to make that disclaimer. I just tried to adapt the disorder to someone with Sonny’s specific characteristics. I hope I do this illness justice and make Sonny less of a caricature and feel more like a living, breathing man struggling with a difficult illness.

    If you have any experience with this, please contact me to let me know if I’m making this work or if I’m messing it up. I don’t want this to be a soap opera disease where I make it up as I go along.

    Media


    Characters

    Elizabeth Webber
    Lucky Spencer

    Chapters

  • Chapter One
  • Chapter Two
  • Chapter Three
  • Chapter Four
  • Chapter Five
  • Chapter Six
  • Chapter Seven
  • Chapter Eight
  • Chapter Nine
  • Chapter Ten
  • Chapter Eleven
  • Chapter Twelve
  • Chapter Thirteen
  • Chapter Fourteen
  • Chapter Fifteen
  • Chapter Sixteen
  • Chapter Seventeen
  • Chapter Eighteen
  • Chapter Nineteen
  • Chapter Twenty
  • Chapter Twenty-One
  • Chapter Twenty-Two
  • Chapter Twenty-Three
  • Chapter Twenty-Four
  • Chapter Twenty-Five
  • Chapter Twenty-Six
  • Chapter Twenty-Seven
  • Chapter Twenty-Eight
  • Chapter Twenty-Nine
  • Chapter Thirty
  • Chapter Thirty-One
  • Chapter Thirty-Two
  • Chapter Thirty-Three
  • Chapter Thirty-Four

    • Continues in The Next Best Thing

    April 12, 2014

    In 2003, the ABC writers decided to let fans play with the storylines. That’s all I remember about the idea for this story. I think I decided to switch roles or just…I don’t know…go insane, because there’s a Sonny/Skye pairing in here that makes no damn sense to me, but eh, such is life. I can’t really explain what this is about.

    Segment One: Scene One

    Jason Morgan stands at the window and looks out over the harbor. His hands are in the pockets of his black dress pants and his expression is thoughtful, bordering on the distracted.

    He hears a sound behind him and glances towards it. He allows a small smile to cross his face as his wife slides an arm around his waist and leans into his side. “You know you’re overreacting,” she murmurs. Her other hand traces the lines of his abdomen through his black button down shirt.

    He wraps an arm around her shoulders and shakes his head. “Maybe,” he allows. “But it doesn’t change anything.”

    She sighs and tilts her head up to look at him. “He’s your best friend, Jason. And she’s your sister. You don’t want them happy?”

    “It’s not that,” Jason denies. “It’s–” he stops and shakes his head. “I can’t explain it. You’ll just have to trust me.”

    She shakes her head and pulls away from him, wrapping her arms around her upper body. “How would you like it if my brother had said it to you?” she asks softly. She stares out the window. “Would you have listened?”

    “You don’t have a brother,” Jason reminds her. She rolls her eyes.

    “Don’t be so literal,” she snaps. Her blue eyes meet his. “Do you know how many people told me that you were too dangerous, that you would only hurt me?”

    Jason closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Elizabeth, please don’t.”

    “I lost count of people warning me about you,” Elizabeth continues. “And I didn’t list to one of them. Because nobody tells me how to live and who to love.”

    “You don’t get it–”

    “No. You’re right. I don’t,” Elizabeth replies. She shakes her head again and heads for the doorway. “I’m going out.”

    “Wait.” Jason turns and watches her pull her coat and flip her hair over the black collar. “Elizabeth”

    Elizabeth bites her lip and looks away, pulling the lapels of her jacket tight around her. “I love you, Jason. I am always going to love you. But right now–I don’t like you very much.”

    She pulls the door open and it clicks softly shut behind her, but the sound is like a gunshot in the suddenly empty and cold penthouse.

    Segment One: Scene Two

    Skye Chandler paces the docks nervously, her eyes darting to the left set of the stairs and when finding them empty, she turned her attention to the right set. Where was he?

    It’d been a hellish few days. Since her brother had found out about her relationship with his enforcer, he’d been giving her the silent treatment. Elizabeth had been sympathetic and promised to talk to Jason, but their marriage was troubled enough these days, Skye knew that. She didn’t want to add to the trouble.

    Not to mention that she was almost positive she was about to get her heart broken. She knew her brotherknew him almost better than he knew himself. And Jason had double standards. It was fine and dandy for him to have Elizabeth in his life, but the second Sonny wanted someone for himself, problems came up.

    Okay, that wasn’t being fair to Jason. After all, Sonny wasn’t involved with just anyone. He was involved with the boss’s sister. A major no-no. She knew in other organizations, men could be shot for less. If anything, Sonny was extremely lucky to still be breathing, but it didn’t make it any easier to accept.

    She hears footsteps behind her and turns to face Sonny Corinthos as he comes down the stairs.

    He stops a few feet from her. “Hey.”

    “Hey.” She hates the way her voice sounds. Low and breathy with just a hint of tears. “Did-did you talk to Jason?”

    Sonny exhales slowly and looks away. “Yeah. I did.”

    “Oh.” Skye looks away. “It didn’t go well, I guess.”

    “No.” Sonny chuckles a little, bitterly. “No, it didn’t at all.”

    She blinks away the sudden tears. “What happened?” she asks softly. She knows how difficult it was for Sonny to even go against Jason in the slightest.

    “He’s right,” Sonny says suddenly. “You don’t belong with me. You’d be better off with someone else.”

    “No,” Skye says firmly. She shakes her head. “No,” she repeats. “That’s not true and even if it were, it is not your decision to make. It is not my brother’s either. It ismy decision.” She takes a deep breath and meets Sonny’s eyes. “Now, if you want to end this because your feelings have changed, if you don’t love me anymore, that’s fine. But do not hide behind your job or my brother.”

    “Skye,” Sonny begins. “You know how much I love you.” He steps towards her and touches her face. She closes her eyes and leans into his touch. She jerks her eyes open when he pulls away abruptly. “But it’s over.”

    Skye glared at him. She took a step back. “Fine,” she said in a short, clipped tone. “If that’s what you want.” She stares at him for a beat before turning on her heel and stalking away.

    Sonny stares after her as she walks up the stairs and turns a corner, walking out of his life.

    Segment One: Scene Three

    Emily Quartermaine-Smith sips her hot chocolate and eyes her sister-in-law across the table at Kelly’s.

    Elizabeth keeps her eyes trained on the wooden grain of the table, but she can feel her friend’s eyes on her.

    “You need to talk to him,” Emily says finally.

    Elizabeth shrugs and looks away. “I try,” she replies. “But he doesn’t listen to me anymore.”

    “He loves you.”

    “And I love him,” Elizabeth says. She twists her small gold wedding band around her finger. “But it doesn’t seem to be enough anymore.” She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders and looks up. “How are you feeling?”

    Emily smiles, absently rubbing her growing tummy. “I’m feeling great right now,” she replies. “Zander is being over protective as always. I was lucky he even let me come here alone.”

    “I can’t believe you’ll be a mother in three months,” Elizabeth mused. “I’m so excited for you.”

    “You’ll do a mural for the nursery, right?” Emily asked.

    “Sure,” Elizabeth agreed, her eyes sparkling at the opportunity to do some painting. “I’ll start some sketches and–”

    “When was the last time you painted?” Emily cut in. Elizabeth sighed and looked away.

    “Em–can we just not talk about this anymore?” she asks. “Let’s just accept that I’m miserable, okay?”

    “Why?” Emily presses. “You have exactly what you always wanted. You’re married to Jason, the person you told me you couldn’t live without. You told me that you loved him more than anyone else in your life and that as long as you were with him, you would be happy.”

    “I was young and I was nave,” Elizabeth replies bitterly. Her eyes are distant and cold. “He’s shut me out. He doesn’t talk to me anymore. He tells me to trust him–that as long as I trust him, he doesn’t need to explain the things he does.”

    “Is this about his job?” Emily asks hesitantly.

    “No. This has nothing to do with the way he’s chosen to live his life. It has to do with the way Jason treats me. Like I’m a fragile doll that needs to be set on a shelf. Never played with, never touched. Just there for show.”

    Segment One: Scene Four

    Carly Quartermaine enters the kitchen of their cottage and stops just inside the room as she observes her husband and their six-year-old son eating breakfast. AJ is reading the newspaper and is in the process of explaining the finer points of the Dilbert comic strip to Michael.

    Michael is giggling, his round face messy from eating scrambled eggs dipped in ketchup. She smiles softly and wonders how they managed to get to this place in their lives.

    AJ glances up and catches her eye. “Hey.”

    Michael looks up and grins. “Mommy!”

    “Hey,” Carly greets them. She crosses the room and leans over to kiss Michael on the forehead. She wipes his face with a napkin and tousles his red hair. She moves to kiss her husband good morning but AJ surprises her by wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her into his lap.

    “Morning,” he says quietly, smiling at her.

    His smile is infectious and she can her own spreading across her face. “Morning,” she repeats softly. She leans forward and brushes her lips across his.

    “Ewww…Mommy and Daddy are kissing!” Michael squeals. Carly breaks away and laughs.

    “That’s because I love Mommy,” AJ explained to Michael. “You’ll find out what that means when you meet a girl as great as her.”

    “Ick, girls suck,” Michael said grimacing. He pushes his chair away from the table and starts to run towards the living room. “I’m watchin’ Scooby Doo!” he calls back to them.

    Carly wraps her arms around AJ’s neck. “So what are your plans for today?”

    “Other than watching a large cartoon dog?” AJ asks, grinning. “I’ve got to go into work for a few hours. After that?” he shrugs.

    “I’ve got something to tell you,” Carly says hesitantly. She searches his eyes for a second.

    “What is it?” AJ asks, curiously. He tightens his hands at her waist.

    Carly bites her lip, trying to contain her smile. “It’s good news,” she tells him. “Really good news.”

    “Well, tell me,” AJ urges.

    “I’m pregnant!” she announces gleefully.

    Segment Two: Scene One

    Skye stalks into the penthouse to find her brother standing at the window. “Are you happy?” she demands harshly.

    Jason sighs and shakes his head without turning in her direction. “I don’t want you to be unhappy.”

    She laughs bitterly. “You could have fooled me. You’ve got a great lapdog in Sonny, I hope you know that.”

    His shoulders slump and he sighs. Against her better judgment, Skye comes closer to him. Her voice is a little softer when she speaks. “Where’s Elizabeth?”

    “She went out,” Jason replies. He turns then and meets his sister’s eyes. “She’s not happy about this.”

    “Please. She hasn’t been happy in a long time,” Skye replies stiffly.

    “Yeah. I know that.” Jason shakes his head again. “Do you love him, Skye?”

    “More than anything in this world,” Skye replies quietly. “Make me understand, Jason. Why is it not okay for me and Sonny?”

    He pulls out a chair and motions for her to sit. Skye does so and he takes a seat across from her.

    “We’ve been taking care of each other for a long time,” Jason begins, clasping his hands and keeping his eyes trained on them. “You’ve seen me through a lot of bad times and I like to think I’ve been good to you.”

    “You have,” Skye assures him. She reaches across the table and covers his hands with one of her own. “You’ve done everything in the world possible to make sure I have everything I want. That’s why I don’t understand.”

    “You helped me to see that I loved Elizabeth and that I needed her. She’s in my life because you wouldn’t let me kick her out. I don’t know if I ever told you, but–”

    “Jason, I know of all of this,” Skye cuts in.

    “These last few months…things have changed around here,” Jason continues. “Ever since Alcazar–”

    “You’ve been shut inside yourself, I know,” Skye replies. “Elizabeth knows it, too.”

    “And I haven’t been treating Sonny like the brother he’s always been,” Jason tells her. “Skye, the reason I am opposed to the two of you together…it’s a selfish one. It’s irrational and it’s not fair to you. Either of you.”

    “Then tell me,” Skye pleaded. “Tell me and we’ll fix it.”

    Segment Two: Scene Two

    Sonny sits in Jake’s, sipping a beer and staring into space. He hears footsteps behind him and turns.

    Elizabeth Morgan is standing there, her hands deep in her pockets. “Hey,” she greets him.

    “Liz,” Sonny states. She slides onto the stool next to him and orders a beer. “Are you here to give me the lecture?”

    “No,” Elizabeth replies. She sips her beer and sighs. “I’m here to commiserate. I think Skye’s at the penthouse pleading your case again.”

    Sonny shakes his head. “I don’t think it’s going to work.”

    “Don’t be so sure,” Elizabeth says. “If anyone can change his mind, it’s Skye. He loves her.”

    “After everything I’ve done–” Sonny sighs.

    “This has been hard on Jason,” Elizabeth says, trying to defend her husband. “He–”

    “Save it, Liz,” Sonny cut in. “He got what he wanted. I broke up with Skye and now she hates me. So why don’t you go home to your happy life and leave me the hell alone?”

    Stung, Elizabeth pulls out a few bills and lays them on the counter. She stands, and hesitates for a moment before turning around and walking away.

    Segment Two: Scene Three

    Emily enters her apartment and smiles when she sees the door to the guest room. She can see Zander making a vain attempt to put the crib together.

    “Hey you,” she says, grinning. “How goes it?”

    “Damn thing sucks,” Zander grumbles, consulting the instructions again. “They say Leg B goes into Slot C and I’ll be damned if I can get it anywhere near Slot C.”

    She giggles. “I could always call AJ,” she offers.

    Zander snorts. “AJ wouldn’t know a crib from a table. He wasn’t around when Michael was born.”

    “AJ’s always been good at putting things together,” Emily replies. She sighs. “I could call Jason.”

    “No, no. I’ll get this figured out if it kills me,” he replies. He stands and crosses to her, kissing her cheek. “How was breakfast with Liz?”

    “It was fine. She’s going to do the mural for the nursery.” Emily hesitates, her hand making slow circles around her abdomen.

    “That’s great. You know, the last few times I’ve stopped by the gallery, her wall is kind of bare.”

    “Yeah, she hasn’t been painting a lot lately,” Emily tells him. “It’s too bad. Pretty much everything else is going well. She’s got this great art gallery, she’s going to be an aunt–” Emily stops. “Okay, so those are really the only things going well.”

    “What’s wrong with her?” Zander asks.

    “Nothing substantial, I don’t think. I think it’s just this whole Skye and Sonny thing,” Emily replies. “I think it’s wearing on Jason and in turn, not helping Elizabeth. I’m going to try and keep her mind off it.”

    Zander leans forward and brushes a kiss on her nose. “You’re such good friend. That’s why I love you.”

    Emily raises her eyebrows. “That’s the only reason?” she asks.

    He grins. “Okay. So it’s not the only reason.”

    Segment Two: Scene Four

    AJ grins. “You’re pregnant?” he repeats. “Seriously?”

    Carly nods, excitedly. “Completely and totally serious.” She laughs as AJ pulls them both to their feet and spins her in a circle

    Michael, hearing the commotion, runs into the kitchen and starts jumping up and down, excited. “What’s going on?” he asks, happily.

    “You’re going to have a little brother or sister!” AJ announces swooping Michael up into his arms and hugging him.

    Michael’s face creases. “This is good news?” he asks.

    Carly tousles Michael’s hair. “This is extremely good news,” she tells her son.

    Michael shakes his head. “Uh uh. I’m the baby,” he states clearly.

    “No, you’re a big boy,” AJ corrects.

    “No, I’m the baby.”

    “Big boy.”

    “Baby.”

    “Big boy.”

    Michael squirms out of his father’s hold and takes off down the hall towards the stairs, screaming. “I don’t want another baby!”

    Carly looks at AJ, stricken. “What are we going to do?” she asks.

    AJ sighs and presses a kiss to Carly’s forehead before heading towards the stairs. “I’ll talk to him,” he promises.

    Segment Three: Scene One

    Jason sighs and looks away. “I’ve seen what living this life has done to Elizabeth,” he tells his sister. “I know that you’ve grown up with it and that you can handle it,” he assures Skye before she can rip into him. “But it’s one thing to be my sister and another to be with Sonny.”

    “I don’t understand,” Skye replies. “Jason–”

    “In the past three years that we’ve been married, Elizabeth has become withdrawn and quiet. I know you see it.”

    “Yeah,” Skye admits. “But I’m not Elizabeth and Sonny isn’t you. We’re not like you. We don’t hide from our problems. We scream and yell at each other until we’re done. We don’t pretend everything’s great.”

    “Is that what you think Elizabeth and I do?” Jason asks, stung.

    “Jase, you and Elizabeth are the masters of hiding behind walls and that’s what you’ve been doing since the day you got married.” Skye sighs and pushes her hair behind her shoulders. “She’s terrified of losing you and you’re terrified she’ll leave you. So you both have erected these high walls to keep the other out and neither of you can see it’s killing the other person.”

    Jason sits back and stares ahead. “Maybe you’re right.”

    “I know I’m right.” She shifts in her seat. “Is that why you don’t want me with Sonny? Because you think what’s happened to Elizabeth will happen to me?”

    “I just don’t want to see someone else I love destroyed by this life.”

    “You haven’t destroyed Elizabeth,” Skye says firmly. “She loves you. She wants nothing more than to be with you. You just have to let her, Jason.”

    “I want you to be happy,” Jason tells his sister. “And I know you’re going to do what you want anyway.”

    “So, me and Sonny?” Skye asks, hopefully.

    “If that’s what you want,” Jason replies. “I can talk to Sonny about it.”

    Skye throws her arms around her brother and hugs him fiercely. “It means so much to me that you approve,” she says softly.

    Jason hugs her back. “And I’m glad you found someone who can make you happy.”

    Skye pulls away and studies him. “Are you going to talk to Elizabeth about this?”

    Segment Three: Scene Two

    Elizabeth sits on the bench at Vista Point and pulls her knees into her chest. When did her life get soout of control? It seemed like just yesterday she’d been happy. She closes her eyes and sighs.

    When winter comes in summer
    When there’s no more forever
    That’s when I’ll stop loving you

    “I love you,” Elizabeth whispers, touching Jason’s face. He stares at her for a moment, swallows hard and gives her tremulous smile.

    “I love you, too,” he replies.

    That’s when I’ll stop loving you
    I’m sure you’ve heard these words before
    And I know it’s hard for you to trust them once more
    You’re afraid it all might end

    “Oh, you two are ridiculous,” Skye says, rolling her eyes. She puts her hands on her hips and glares at the two of them who’d just come in from a ride. “It’s so obvious!”

    Elizabeth frowns. “I’m sorry–you’ve lost me.”

    “You’re in love with each other. Now stop making the rest of us sick and get it over with,” Skye replies, waving her hands. She pushes past them and walks out of the penthouse.

    In a broken heart it’s scared of breaking again
    Cause you gotta believe me
    I’ll never leave you
    You’ll never cry as long as I’m am there
    And I will always be there
    You will never be without, no

    Elizabeth folds her arms across her chest and takes a deep breath. “Okay.”

    “Okay, what?” Jason asks, amused.

    “Okay–kiss me,” she tells him.

    “Kiss you,” he repeats slowly. He frowns. “Are you sure?”

    “Jason,” Elizabeth says rolling her eyes. “Don’t be so difficult. If I wasn’t sure, then I–”

    He grasps her elbows and pulls her toward him to kiss her.

    When winter comes in summer
    When there’s no more forever
    When lies become the truth
    Well you’ll know then baby
    That’s when I’ll stop loving
    That’s when I’ll stop loving you

    She opens the velvet box and her eyes dart up to meet his. “Jason. You–this is–” She takes a deep breath. “Oh…wow…”

    He takes the box from her and pulls out a small gold ring with an average-sized diamond in it. “I love you,” he tells her. “More than I thought I could ever love anyone. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He swallows hard. “Will you marry me?”

    “Yes,” she says the second he’s finished speaking. “Yes, yes, yes–” She stops abruptly and kisses him hard.

    That’s when I’ll stop loving you, yeah
    As long as sunlight lights the sky
    The light of love will be found in these eyes of mine
    (These eyes of mine)
    And I will shine that light for you
    You’re the only one I’ll ever give this heart to
    What I’m trying to say is nothing will change this
    Loving on time you will find there
    Cause I will always be there
    You will always have all my love

    “I, Elizabeth Webber, take you, Jason Morgan, to be my lawfully wedded husband,” she says in a trembling voice. “To love and to cherish, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, forsaking all others, all the days of my life.”

    Jason clears his throat and stares into her glossy sapphire eyes. “I, Jason Morgan, take you, Elizabeth Webber, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To love and to cherish, to have and to hold, in sickness and in healthy, for richer and for poorer, forsaking all others, all the days of my life.”

    When winter comes in summer
    When there’s no more forever
    When lies become the truth
    Well you’ll know then baby
    That’s when I’ll stop loving
    That’s when I’ll stop loving you

    Segment Three: Scene Three

    Emily twirls the phone cord around her fingers. “Yes, Mom,” she replies. “Uh huh. Yeah. I’ve been going to–right, Mom. Okay–definitely–I’m eating well–tell Grandfather over my dead body. Right. Okay. Bye–Okay, yeah. Right. Bye.” She hangs it up and leans back to let out a loud frustrated groan. “What is it with my family?” she asks.

    Zander enters the room with a plate of salad. He hands it to his wife, before taking a seat next to her. “What’s wrong?” he asks.

    Emily sighs. “Well, Mom wanted to know if I was seeing a doctor and to let me know that any time I wanted to come home I could.”

    Zander frowns. “They do realize that we’re married, right?”

    “I sure hope so. Who paid for the wedding otherwise?” Emily asks. “Not to mention that Grandfather is pushing for me to drop the Smith entirely so that the baby will be the Quartermaine heir.”

    “What happened to Michael?” Zander asks.

    Emily shrugs. “I think AJ finally made them realize he’s a grown man and will do whatever he pleases with his children. Including keeping Michael away from Grandfather.”

    “How long do you think it will be before they realize you have that right, too?” Zander asks.

    “A good ten years,” she says dryly. She gasps suddenly. “Oh!”

    “What’s wrong?” he asks, leaning forward. He studies her. “Em?”

    “The baby kicked,” she breathes. She takes one of his hands and presses it against her abdomen. “Can you feel it?”

    Zander waits and then a grin breaks out on his face. “Oh my God. I can feel it! We’ve got one hell of a soccer player here!”

    “Oh my God, I’m so excited!” Emily squeals. “The baby is kicking!”

    He brings his other hand up to brush hair away from her face. “I love you,” he murmurs, leaning in for a kiss.

    Segment Three: Scene Four

    AJ pushes Michael’s bedroom open. “Hey, buddy,” he murmurs, taking in the sight of his small son sitting on his bed, his arms tightly crossed and his mouth set in a firm scowl.

    “Go away.”

    AJ sits next to him and is amused when Michael moves down the bed. He certainly had Carly’s stubborn streak.

    “You know how much I love you,” AJ begins. “Your mother and I both love you.”

    “Then what do you need another baby for?” Michael demands gruffly. Or as gruff as a six-year-old could be.

    “Because your mother and I love each other. And we want more children,” AJ tries to explain. “We aren’t trying to replace you with another baby.”

    “I’m the baby,” Michael tells him, seriously.

    “You’re a big boy,” AJ corrected him. “Big boys get to go to the park and swing on the swings. Big boys get to go to work with me and help Mommy cook.”

    Michael eyes him. “And big boys get to visit Uncle Jason?” he asks hopefully.

    AJ tries to control his instinct to scowl. “Sure. But babies don’t get to do those things. Babies have to sleep in cribs and lay around all day. They can’t watch television or walk around.”

    Michael’s noses wrinkles up. “Being a baby sucks.”

    “Well, it doesn’t suck,” AJ says, grinning. “It’s just not a lot of fun. Besides, you get to be a big brother.”

    “What does a big brother do?” Michael asks, intrigued.

    “Well, a big brother looks out for their little brother or sister. They take care of them, make sure no one else messes with them.”

    “Can I order them around?” Michael asks eagerly.

    AJ grins. “Within reason, I guess. Hell, what’s the fun of having siblings if you can’t mess with them a little.” He reaches over and tousles Michael’s hair. “So, you read to go back downstairs and congratulate your mother?”

    Michael heaves a big sigh. “Yeah. I guess.”

    Segment Four: Scene One

    Elizabeth opens the door to the penthouse to find Jason still in the same place as when she’d left. She closes the door quietly and clears her throat.

    He turns and a look of relief crosses his face. “Elizabeth.”

    “We need to talk,” she says softly. She makes no move to cross to him and he stays where he is. “We can’t go on like this.”

    “I know,” he admits. “I talked to Skye earlier. I gave her my blessing.”

    “You did?” she asks, surprised. “But I thought you–”

    “It comes to mind that I was doing it for the wrong reasons,” he replies. “I wasn’t happy about it because I didn’t want Skye hurt. And even though I knew Sonny would cut off his right hand before he hurt her–I didn’t want them to be like us.”

    “Us,” Elizabeth repeats.

    Jason shoves his hands in pockets and sighs. “We’ve been walking around here these past few monthsthe last year or so especiallylike strangers. And I hate it.”

    “I hate it, too,” Elizabeth tells him.

    He holds his hand out to her and she crosses the room to take it. The second her hand is in his, he pulls her to him and wraps his arms around her. She slides her arms around his waist and looks up at him.

    “I love you,” he says. “But I still think you’re going to see me for who I am–and your face will change and you’ll leave.”

    “Don’t you get it?” she asks. “I love you, Jason. I’m not leaving. Ever. I know who you are and I love you. I know what you do…my face isn’t going to change,” she swears.

    “I know that most of the time. But–” he stops and shrugs a little. “Sometimes I think about it. And I think about what my life would be like if you did…leave.”

    “When you walk out that door,” she begins in a quiet voice, “some days, I am so terrified that you won’t come back. I try not to show it because I want to be better than that, I want to be the strong wife that you need, but some days it’s worse than others and I can’t…I can’t deal with the idea.”

    He rests his forehead against hers and sighs. “We’re a mess,” he murmurs. “Skye was right. We’re both so scared the other is going to leave….that we’re not even seeing what our fears are doing to the other person.”

    “I don’t want to be like that anymore,” she tells him, closing her eyes. “I don’t want to be scared that you’re going to leave and I don’t want you to think that there’s ever a day that’s going to come when I’m not going to love you and that I’m not going to be here.”

    “I guess we’re just going to have to trust each other.” He moves his face and presses it into her soft brown curls.

    “I can do that,” she replies, tightening her arms. “How about you?”

    “I can try.”

    Segment Four    : Scene Two

    Skye takes a deep breath and knocks on Sonny’s door at Jake’s briskly. She waits a few minutes, hearing some shuffling noises from inside. When it becomes apparent that he isn’t going to answer, she pushes the door open.

    Sonny is slumped in a chair, a beer bottle in his hand. He frowns. “Skye.”

    She enters the room and closes the door behind her. “Sonny.”

    He takes a sip of the beer. “What’re you doing here?” he asks bluntly.

    “I talked to my brother,” Skye replies. “And I know why he was against us.”

    Sonny shakes his head. “I know why. Because I’m nothing but a killer–”

    “No!” Skye stalks towards him and takes the bottle from him. “That’s not it, and you’re not a killer!”

    “We’ve had this discussion,” Sonny says, sighing. “You know what I do for your brother–”

    “Yes, I know that!” Skye snaps. “But to say that you are nothing but one is just ridiculous. I would never have fallen in love with you otherwise!”

    “Skye, the point is–”

    “The point is that Jason never had a problem with you!” Skye retorts. He stares at her for a second.

    “Then what?”

    Skye sighs and sits down on the bed. “It’s no secret that Jason and Elizabeth haven’t been…wellthat they’ve been having problems these last few months.”

    “Yeah” Sonny sighs. “I saw her, today. Snapped at her pretty badly.”

    “I think it hit an all-time low today. She walked out of the penthouse and I know Jason was worried she wouldn’t come back. See, he’s always been worried that she’s going to leave him. So scared he’ll lose her…he shut her out. And Elizabeth has been withdrawn and quiet…she shut him out, too.”

    “What does that have to do with us?” Sonny demands. “Was he taking his frustrations out on us?”

    “No directly. He was worried about me,” Skye confides. “Worried that what happened to Elizabeth–would happen to me.”

    “That’s stupid,” Sonny cuts in. “I’m not Jason and you’re not Liz.”

    Skye sighs. “I know. But he was worried about me. I talked to him about it–and it’s done. He’s finished with it. He’s going to talk to Liz.” Skye stands. “And he’s stopped objecting to our relationship.”

    Sonny eyes her warily. “Are you sure?”

    Skye nods. “He wants me to be happy.” She smiles tremulously. “And you make me happy.”

    Sonny stands and crosses her to her. “I know you were disappointed when I chose to end our relationship instead of losing my job–”

    “I was,” Skye interrupts. “But I understood. Jason’s not just a job to you. He’s your best friend.” She takes his hands in hers. “I love you, Sonny. And I don’t want to go through life without you.”

    He pulls a hand free and touches her face. “I love you, too,” he tells her softly.

    Segment Four: Scene Three

    Emily giggles. “Come on. Just give me the ice cream already!”

    Zander shakes his head and holds it away from her. “Nope. You’ve had enough.”

    “Maybe,” Emily allows. She smiles. “But little Zander, Jr. doesn’t think so.”

    He glares at her mockingly. “Not fair, bringing the tyke into this.” He hands the carton back to her.

    “You can’t refuse me anything,” Emily teases, digging into the Rocky Road.

    Zander studies her for a moment. “Em?”

    “Yeah?” Emily asks, her words muffled by the ice cream.

    “We haven’t really discussed names,” he says, “but I was wondering…if maybe for a boy, we could” he shrugs. “Peter?” he suggests.

    Emily’s eyes soften and she sets the carton down on the coffee table. She touches Zander’s cheek. “I think that would be a great name,” she tells him. “And what about Paige for a girl?”

    Zander covers her hand with his own, holding it to his face. “You’ve got it,” he promises, leaning over to kiss his wife.

    Segment Four: Scene Four

    Carly is sitting on the couch. She stands up quickly hearing her husband and son’s footsteps on the stairs. “Hey,” she says.

    “Now, Michael,” AJ says, shoving the boy forward. “Don’t you have something to say to Mommy?”

    Michael sighs. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.

    “And?” AJ prompts.

    “And I’m happy about the baby.”

    Carly kneels in front of him. “You know that this baby could neverever replace you in my heart,” she tells him softly. Michael shrugs and looks away. Carly grips his chin her fingers and forces him to look at her. “You are my first baby, the love of my life.”

    “Hey,” AJ grumbles from behind them.

    “What if it’s a girl?” Michael asks stubbornly.

    “Then you’ll have a big job ahead of you,” Carly says firmly. “Because it’s going to be your job to make sure that she’s safe and happy. That no one hurts her.”

    “But you’ll still love me?” he asks, hopefully.

    Carly pulls him into a tight embrace. “Nothing could ever change how I feel about you,” she swears. “I love you so much.”

    Segment Five

    When the road gets dark
    And you can no longer see
    Just let my love throw a spark baby
    And have a little faith in me
    And when the tears you cry
    Are all you can believe
    Just give these lovin’ arms a try baby
    And have a little faith in me

    Jason and Elizabeth are sitting on the couch in the penthouse, his arms tightly wrapped around her. She leans against his chest, her eyes closed.

    “Maybe we need to move,” she murmurs.

    “Move?” he echoes.

    “Yeah. We could pretend we’re almost normal. Like with a house or something. With a backyard.” She shifts, snuggling deeper into his embrace. “And a front lawn where we can have a mailbox.”

    “A mailbox,” Jason repeats, highly amused.

    “Mmm-hmmm…I can plant a garden and the yard would have to be big enough for a swing set.”

    Curious, “A swing set?”

    She opens her eyes and tilts her head to the side so that she can look at him. “Oh. Right. I didn’t tell you.”

    A smile begins to tug at the corners of his mouth. “No, I guess you didn’t.”

    “Well…about six months after Emily’s kid is bornhe or she is gonna have a cousin,” Elizabeth reports.

    Instead of answering her, he tilts her face further and leans down to kiss her.

    Have a little faith in me
    Have a little faith in me
    Have a little faith in me
    Have a little faith in me

    Skye opens her eyes, and rests her chin on Sonny’s chest. “I love you,” she tells him again.

    “I love you, too,” Sonny replies. He runs his fingers through her dark red hair. “Marry me,” he says suddenly.

    She raises her eyebrows. “Marry you.”

    He nods. “See, I love you, you love me-why not?”

    “Why not, indeed,” Skye smirks. “That’s the most romantic proposal I’ve ever heard in my life.”

    “So I’m not the hearts and flowers type,” Sonny shrugs. “I can deal with it if you can.”

    “I suppose if I must,” Skye replies, sighing. “Sure, why not?”

    He grins. “That’s the most half-hearted acceptance of a proposal I’ve heard,” he teases.

    When your secret heart
    Cannot speak so easily
    Come here darlin’
    From a whisper start
    Have a little faith in me When your back’s against the wall
    Just turn around, you will see
    I will catch you, I will catch your fall
    Just have a little faith in me

    “Okay, we’ve decided,” Emily declares. “Paige Lila for a girl and Peter Alexander for a boy.”

    Zander wrinkles his nose. “Not to be picky, but Lila Paige kind of flows better.”

    Emily repeats both names. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Hey, what if we have twins?”

    Zander shudders. “Lord, don’t even joke about that. I barely survived one crib!”

    Emily grins evilly. “Or triplets.”

    “I can’t hear this!” Zander cries, clamping his hands over his ears. “We’re having one kid at a time.”

    “Must be nice to think you have a choice,” Emily cracks. “But I’m pretty sure it doesn’t work that way.”

    “It will,” he says fiercely. “I just won’t accept anything else.”

    Emily rolls her eyes. “Honestly, sometimes you’re such a baby.”

    Well, I’ve been loving you for such a long, long time baby
    Expecting nothing in return
    Just for you to have a little faith in me
    You see time, time is our friend
    For you and me there is no end
    And all you gotta do is have a little faith in me

    Carly shuts off Michael’s light and closes the door. “I think that went rather well,” she remarks to AJ as they head for their bed room.

    AJ groans. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one that had to explain where babies come from. You’re taking the next kid.”

    Carly opens her dresser and pulls out a nightgown. “It wasn’t that bad.”

    AJ heads for the bathroom. “Uh huh. So when Michael asked you why boys were different from girls, you didn’t pretend to have morning sickness?”

    Carly scowls. “I was not pretending,” she said indignantly. She pulls the nightgown over her head. “I did have morning sickness.”

    “Pretty convenient timing,” he teases. He stares at his face in the mirror of the bathroom. “Maybe I should grow a beard.”

    “Maybe you can sleep in the guest room.”

    AJ digs out his shaving cream. “Too hot for a beard,” he grumbles.

    She appears in the doorway and leans against the door jamb. “I love you,” she says. “I just wanted you to know that.”

    He sets the shaving cream aside and pulls her into his arms. “I love you, too.”

    I said I will hold you up, I will hold you up
    Your strength is enough
    So have a little faith in me
    I said hey baby oh baby
    All you gotta do is have a little faith in me
    All you gotta do is have a little faith in me

    Song: Have A Little Faith In Me by Jewel

     

    Inspiration & Timeline

    This is one of the stories that I found when I was looking at older version of my site in the Internet Wayback Machine. I actually have very little memory of writing this — in fact, I have no memory of this. It’s a very strange story that takes a bit of a turn about 3/4 of the way through. It’s one of my earliest short stories, so it’s worth reading for that.

    It picks up the day Elizabeth learns Sonny is alive and is at the penthouse waiting for him. This is also the day Carly learned about Brenda. It was a real banner day for honesty in the Corinthos-Morgan organization.

    Left Behind

    October 6, 2002

    — Harborview Towers —

    Carly Corinthos jabbed the button of the elevator viciously and turned to Scott Baldwin. “Will you go away?” she snarled.

    “Well, I’m headed to the police station anyway,” Scott replied, smiling his trademark smirk. “Might as well give me a ride, eh, Carly?”

    “That’s Mrs. Corinthos to you.”

    The doors opened and Carly ran right into Elizabeth Webber, fresh from her shift at Kelly’s.

    “Whoa, Carly,” Elizabeth said, holding her hands up. “Is everything okay?”

    Carly hesitated. “I have to go to the police station,” she said, loathing to be the one to tell Jason’s girlfriend he’d spent the last three weeks lying to her.

    Elizabeth’s eyes widened in fear. “The police station?” she said softly. “What happened? Is Jason okay?”

    “Jason’s just fine,” Scott jumped in. Carly threw him a nasty look. “In fact, I bet he’s just great, you know since, his boss is alive and everything.”

    Elizabeth frowned and glanced at Carly. “What is he talking about?”

    “Sonny’s alive,” Carly said, irritated with being held up. “Look, come with me and I’ll explain on the way.” She pushed the brunette back into the elevator and the doors shut before the district attorney could get in, too.

    — Port Charles Police Department —

    Jason Morgan leaned against the table in the interrogation room, his arms crossed. “How much longer are we going to be in here?”

    “Long enough for those idiots to realize that we haven’t broken any laws,” Sonny muttered. He rested his hands on her hips and squinted through the blinds outside the window. “I think we’ve got a problem.”

    “What?” Jason asked. He straightened. “What is it?”

    “Carly and Brenda just saw each other,” Sonny murmured. “Not good.”

    Jason peered through the blinds and exhaled slowly seeing the petite brunette behind Carly. “What is Elizabeth doing here?”

    “Came with Carly, probably,” Sonny replied. He eyed Jason from the corner of his eye. “She’ll understand, Jason.”

    “I doubt it,” Jason said under his breath.

    It was another fifteen minutes before Taggart kicked Jason out of the room to question Sonny. Instructing the enforcer not to leave, he closed the door. Jason turned and stepped hesitantly towards Elizabeth.

    “Elizabeth–”

    “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” she murmured, keeping an eye on the snarling women in front of her. Part of her knew she should pull Carly aside, but a larger and angrier part wanted Brenda to kick the blonde’s ass, wanting Carly to feel some pain for the mortification Elizabeth was feeling right now.

    “I–”

    “I said that we’ll talk about it later,” Elizabeth snapped, finally looking at him, her eyes cold and angry. “Because you do not want everyone around us to hear what I have to say.”

    Jason nodded and rubbed the back of his neck, knowing this night was going to get worse before it got better.

    Finally, Mac Scorpio stepped in and announced that Sonny and Jason were to go home but to be careful not to leave town. They hadn’t broken any laws that night–but Sonny was going to be fully investigated for shooting Luis Alcazar.

    — Limo —

    The limo was cloaked in silence as Elizabeth sat next to Jason and pointedly ignored him. Carly wasn’t speaking to Sonny currently, pissed about Brenda’s return from the dead.

    “After all that talk about honesty,” Carly muttered. “After making me promise not to keep secrets.”

    “Carly–” Sonny began, his tone patient and indulgent.

    “Do not start with me, Sonny Corinthos. You had no right to keep this from me!” Carly yelled.

    “I knew it would just upset you–”

    “You’re damn right it upsets me!” she raged. “You lied to me!”

    Elizabeth snorted and shook her head. The hypocrisy level in this car was going to choke her.

    “Did you know?” she asked, suddenly, interrupting Carly’s tirade.

    Carly paused and looked at her guiltily. “Yeah.”

    Elizabeth stared at her for a moment and closed her eyes. “That’s what I thought.”

    “Elizabeth,” Sonny began, seeing a battle he thought he could win. “This wasn’t kept from you to hurt you.”

    “Sonny–” Jason tried to cut in.

    “We couldn’t just trust anyone,” Sonny continued, sure that Elizabeth would understand.

    Carly groaned and rolled her eyes, sensing that Elizabeth’s outrage was going to take over in about five seconds.

    Jason shifted, uncomfortably. Sonny’s choice of words hadn’t been good and he could feel the waves of hurt and anger coming from the woman beside him.

    “Right,” Elizabeth drawled. “Because, hell, who am I, right?”

    Sonny winced. “Okay, that’s not what I meant–”

    “I’m just the girl that’s been cooped up in the penthouse, who’s been kidnapped and shot at twice just because I happen to know you and Jason. But hey, we can’t just tell anyone the plan right?” Elizabeth said sarcastically. “We can tell your wife, who turned you in the government, but not the girl who’s risked her life several times for Jason, right?”

    “Hey,” Carly protested. “That’s not fair.”

    “Elizabeth, that didn’t come out right,” Sonny tried again. Jason chose to stay silent for the moment, knowing his friend wouldn’t shut up until he had nothing left to say. “What I meant was it was completely necessary that this secret was kept.”

    “Sonny, just shut up,” Carly advised.

    “Of course,” Elizabeth said, sweetly. She narrowed her eyes. “Because God knows I couldn’t keep a secret to save my life right? I mean, completely excusing the fact that I trashed my reputation and let people think I was sleeping with Jason so they wouldn’t know he was shot or that I lied to everyone I knew and hid Jason in my studio, why the hell should you trust me?”

    Sonny frowned. “Elizabeth, this wasn’t about you.”

    “You’re right,” she said softly, the fire draining from her. She stared out the window. “I don’t matter at all.”

    Sonny opened his mouth again, but Carly elbowed him in the ribs. “You’re just making it worse,” she muttered.

    “Elizabeth,” Jason quietly. “You know that’s not true.”

    She turned to look at him, her eyes full of tears. “Do I?”

    The limo pulled into the underground parking garage of the towers. Elizabeth shoved the door open and stalked towards the elevators, not waiting for the trio behind her.

    Jason watched the elevator doors shut behind her, a pained expression etched onto his face.

    “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” Sonny said, firmly. “She’ll come around.”

    Carly rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay. Let’s just go upstairs.” She looked at Jason and touched his arm. “Look, she’s angry right now. Very angry. And she has every right to be. So, just let her vent. Let her yell and scream at you. Do not try and defend yourself because we both know it was wrong not to include her. But whatever you do, do not let her leave you. Because I’m willing to bet that will be her first instinct.”

    “Actually, Jason, I need you to come over to the penthouse,” Sonny cut in. “We have some things to work out.”

    Carly stared at him. “Are you insane?” she asked incredulously. “He cannot come over right now–”

    “Damn it, this is more important,” Sonny interrupted angrily.

    Carly felt Jason tense beneath her hand. “I’ll go talk to her,” she promised him. “You get this thing figured out with Sonny.”

    “Fine,” Jason said shortly.

    — Jason’s Penthouse —

    Carly pushed the door open silently and saw Zander zipping up his bag. “Hey.”

    He glanced at her. “Hey.”

    “Going somewhere?” she asked, gesturing towards the bag.

    “Elizabeth told me that Sonny is alive. She advised me to leave,” Zander replied. “She’s right. After we both risked our lives for him and then to be lied to…I don’t trust any of you to keep me safe. I’ll take care of myself.” He lifted the bag. “She’s upstairs packing now.”

    He left, slamming the door behind him. Carly sighed and waited for the other woman to come downstairs.

    She could hear her slamming around above her and winced every time a drawer slammed shut. For such a tiny girl, she sure packed a lot of violence.

    Before Elizabeth came down, the door behind her pushed open and Jason entered, his face ashen.

    “Is everything okay?” Carly asked, worried.

    He hesitated a moment before speaking. “Sonny’s taking everyone to the island,” Jason told her.

    She frowned. “Wait, what?”

    “Tagliatti–” Jason’s jaw clenched. “He got caught laundering money and he’s going to make a deal with the DA.”

    “A deal?” Carly asked softly. “What kind of deal?”

    “He’s turning on Sonny,” Jason replied. “We have to leave now before the arrest warrants are issued.”

    “Okay.” Carly tried to smile. “Well, at least Elizabeth won’t be able to leave you if she’s stuck on the island.”

    Jason looked towards the stairs. “I’m not–I’m not taking her.” He looked back to Carly. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone and I can’t ask her to give up her life here.”

    “You can’t just leave–” Carly shook her head. “Jason–”

    “You’d better go pack,” Jason told her quietly. “We’re leaving tonight.”

    Carly sighed and left, cursing Tagliatti and Jason mentally.

    It was a few more moments before Elizabeth descended the stairs, dragging a suitcase behind her.

    She stopped in front of Jason. “I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me,” Elizabeth said softly.

    “I understand.”

    She waited. Waited for him to stop herto say something, to say anything. When he didn’t–when he only stared at her sadly, she clenched her jaw.

    “Fine.”

    — Hallway —

    “You packed quickly,” Johnny mused, as Elizabeth dragged her suitcase towards the elevator. She stopped and stared him, irritated. “But didn’t Jason tell you? We’re not leaving for another hour.”

    She frowned. “What are you talking about?”

    “The plane doesn’t leave for another hour,” Johnny clarified. When the confusion didn’t clear from his eyes, he narrowed his eyes. “Didn’t Jason tell you?”

    “Tell me what?” Elizabeth asked quietly.

    “We’re going to the island–someone turned on Sonny and Jason,” Johnny explained. “We have to leave before the arrest warrants are issued.”

    Elizabeth glanced towards the door of the penthouse. He hadn’t said a word. Hadn’t even told her he’d be leaving town. He’d just said he understood and let her leave. He hadn’t even cared enough to ask her to go with him.

    She looked back at Johnny and sighed. “He didn’t tell me anything. I’m going home to my studio,” she said. “I was leaving him.” She hesitated. “I am leaving him.”

    Johnny shook his head. “Wait, Miss Webber, we can’t not take you. You…you’ve been living with Jason, everyone knows the two of you are together. It’s not safe to leave you here by yourself.”

    “That’s funny, Johnny,” Elizabeth said, pushing the button for the elevator. “Because if anyone knew anything, they’d know I mean nothing to anyone who lives on this floor.”

    “Now that’s not true either,” Johnny argued. “Miss Webber–”

    The doors opened and Elizabeth pulled her suitcase into the elevator. “Call me Elizabeth, Johnny. There’s no reason to pretend anymore.”

    The doors shut on those words and he just stared at the closed doors.

    November 18, 2002

    — Sonny’s Island —

    Jason stared out over the water from the deck of the large home adjacent to the casino. He could see Carly and Michael playing on the beach from where he stood.

    “Did you get the reports?” he asked Johnny quietly.

    “Yeah.” Johnny folded his arms across the suit he still wore. He was the only member of the inner circle still able to travel back and forth between Port Charles and the island, the only person that hadn’t been charged with racketeering and a host of other crimes.

    He went back to check on the progress of the caseto let them know when it might be safe to return. He also went back for reports on members of the family they’d left behind. Courtney. Mike. Bobbie.

    Elizabeth.

    Courtney had barely noticed her estranged older brother had left town. Mike missed Sonny, but was still angry with his son for making him mourn for nothing. Bobbie missed Carly sorely and was working her charm on Scott, trying to get the charges dropped.

    Elizabeth had moved back into her studio and was working at Kelly’s again. She almost seemed normal, but anyone who knew her knew that she was miserable.

    Johnny had tried to convince Jason to let him bring Elizabeth back to the island, knowing the girl would jump at the chance to have any indication that he still cared. But Jason had refused, not wanting to disrupt her life.

    Johnny strode forward, putting himself in Jason’s line of sight. Jason frowned, taking in the other man’s bruises. “What the hell happened to you?” he asked.

    “One of Alcazar’s men paid me a visit,” Johnny replied. “Just a warning. Also left me with this.” He shoved a picture at Jason, not caring that he probably wouldn’t make most of it out.

    Jason stared down at the black and white photo. “What is it?”

    “It’s a picture,” Johnny snarled. “Of the girl you won’t let me bring here. Seems Alcazar is curious about her…curious why you left her behind.”

    Jason narrowed his eyes. “He’s watching Elizabeth?” he demanded.

    “Yep,” Johnny drawled. “Satisfied now?”

    “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

    “You tried to do the right thing by letting her leave, trying to pretend that she isn’t in deep enough to matter. But if you want my opinion, Jason, there ain’t a man in the organization or in the families who doesn’t know Elizabeth Webber. Everyone knows about that bomb Sorel put in her studio, about the kidnapping, about her hiding you in her studio twice–it was fucking stupid to think you could her alone in Port Charles and pretend that none of that happened.”

    “You done?” Jason demanded.

    “Yeah.”

    “Good.” Jason tossed the picture back at him. “Get the plane ready.”

    “I’ll bring her–”

    “I’m going to go get her,” Jason cut in. “Tell Sonny where I went. Tell him that I’m just going to get her and I’m bringing her back. I don’t have time to make the rounds, so he’ll have to deal.”

    “You can’t go to Port Charles,” Johnny reminded him as he followed Jason into the spacious front room. Jason headed for the steps. “Taggart will have you thrown in jail.”

    “Then he’ll have to throw me in jail,” Jason said. “Because I’m going to get Elizabeth.”

    November 19, 2002

    — Kelly’s —

    Elizabeth closed the door to the diner behind her, making sure it was firmly locked. She sighed and tucked the key in her purse before stepping away to walk home to her studio.

    She was halfway across the docks when she felt someone grab her arm and pull her underneath the dock stairs. She opened her mouth to scream, but a hand covered her mouth.

    “Don’t scream,” Jason told her. “It’s just me.” He let his hand fall away.

    “What are you doing here?” Elizabeth whispered. “You’re supposed to be on the island.”

    “You know where I’ve been?” Jason asked in surprise. “How?”

    “Johnny told me the night I left,” she replied. “The cops have been asking everyone if we’ve heard from you or Sonny. There are even charges against Carly aiding and abetting–”

    “We know all of that,” Jason interrupted.

    “Then why are you here?” she demanded. “You’re going to get caught–”

    “I need you to come with me.”

    She blinked. “What?”

    “You have to pack a bag and come back with me,” Jason told her.

    “Are you crazy?” she hissed. “It’s been a month since you left. A month. Why now? Why not the night you left?”

    “Because I thought you’d be safer here,” Jason answered. “Because I didn’t realize how much I’d miss you.”

    She frowned. “Okay. So what’s the real reason?”

    “Alcazar’s watching you,” Jason said without hesitation. “I’m worried he’s going to make a move.”

    “You came back here, risked prosecution and possible jail time to get me?” she asked softly.

    “I’m sorry for what happened…and I’m sorry that I let you walk away without a word, but you have to believe me that I do care about you and–”

    “Let’s go,” Elizabeth interrupted. “We’d better get out of sight anyway. Cops patrol these docks like crazy now.”

    “You’re going to come with me?” he asked, skeptically. “Without any argument?”

    “Do you want me to waste time and argue?”

    “No.”

    “Then let’s go.”

    The End

    I’ll be home for Christmas

    Elizabeth Morgan set the last present under the tree and shifted the telephone to her other ear. “You’ve never missed Christmas before,” she sighed.

    “Yeah, I know. I’m sorry,” her husband Jason apologized. “I thought I was gonna be home but the planes are all grounded–“

    “I just…it’s her first Christmas, Jason. We should be together.” Elizabeth pushed her hair out of her face. “I’ll see you when you do manage to get home.”

    You can plan on me

    Jason hung up his cell phone and slid it back into the pocket of his leather jacket. He should have refused this assignment but the chance to finally nail mob kingpin Sonny Corinthos had been too tempting and he’d flown off after Thanksgiving.

    The job had been done but now Jason would miss his daughter’s very first Christmas. He glanced at the clock on the wall and then to the car rental counter. Maybe not.

    Please have snow and mistletoe

    Elizabeth tucked their six-month-old daughter Noelle into her crib and set her stuffed teddy bear next to her. She smoothed her hand over the soft blonde downy hair and sighed. “Don’t worry, honey, next year you won’t even remember that Daddy wasn’t home,” she promised.

    And presents on the tree

    “You’ll be home in time for Christmas right?” Elizabeth asked as she watched Jason pack to for the South America trip from her seated position on the edge of the bed.

    He nodded. “They don’t think it’ll take more than two weeks to get this case wrapped up.” He zipped his duffle bag and kneeled in front of her.  “I know I promised I’d be on vacation this month but I’ve been working the Corinthos file for three years.”

    “You don’t have to explain it to me–just promise me you’ll be here.”

    He kissed her forehead. “I promise.”

    Christmas Eve will find me

    Jason leaned towards the windowshield, eyeing the thickly falling snow. The roads were dark and he was almost worried he’d get lost.

    He was almost three hours from home–his last plane had gotten held up in Delaware. But he’d never missed a Christmas with his wife since the day they’d met and he wasn’t going to start now.

    Where the love light gleams

    “Oh…was I supposed to get you a present?” Jason laughed as she looked at him with a glare in her eyes. “You didn’t mention that.”

    “Oh–dont be such a guy,” Elizabeth huffed. “You know very well that it’s Christmas and it’s also our four month anniversary so just…stop playing around and give me my present.”

    “I’m serious, Elizabeth, I don’t have anything.”

    She slugged him in the arm. “After I went through God knows how many applications to get approved so I could buy you that stupid gun you were always drooling…” her tirade was cut off abruptly when he finally handed her the department store wrapped jewelry case. “Well, then…that’s better.”

    I’ll be home for Christmas

    Elizabeth stood on their sun porch–safely glassed in and climate controlled–and watched the snow falling. God this didn’t seem fair. His stupid job had disappointed her again.

    She should have known better after he missed Noelle’s birth.

    If only in my dreams

    “I’ll be there for the next one.”

    Elizabeth sniffled, her hormones still out of whack. “But she’s our first born, Jason. You knew the labor was near–and you took the assignment anyway.”

    “We had a lead about Corinthos–”

    “Oh screw Sonny Corinthos.”

    I’ll be home for Christmas

    The car ran out of gas an hour away. A mere hour. He slammed his fist on the steering wheel and sat back in the seat, defeated. He’d done all he could to get home.

    Except stay home like he’d promised in the first place. Now that the Corinthos case was closed, he get promoted to a desk job and he’d never have to leave home again.

    Not that it would really help his case tonight.

    You can plan on me

    It was almost four in the morning when the phone roused her from her sleep. She came out from a pile of covers and grabbed it. “Yeah?” she asked sleepily.

    “I’m outside the state line. I tried–I tried to get there, I really did, but the car–“

    “Jason?” Elizabeth sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. “Where are you now?”

    Please have snow and mistletoe

    “About an hour from home. I rented a car and now I’m stuck just outside of the state line in Jersey. I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I tried to get there but the car ran out of gas and I can’t see four feet in front of my face in this snow.”

    She curled up in her bed and brought his pillow to her face, breathing in his scent. “It’s okay.”

    “No, it’s not.”

    And presents on the tree

    “It really is,” she assured him. “I know how important this case was to you–”

    “You and Noelle are more important and I should have sent someone else in–“

    “But you closed the case and after three years, you deserved to be the one to arrest him. It’s okay, Jason. I mean–yes, I’m angry but I forgave you six months ago, this is no big deal.”

    Christmas Eve will find me

    “They’re promoting me.” He stared down at the bracelet hed bought her in Brazil. In the sunlight, light streamed through the prism-like stones and reflected all kinds of colors. Exactly the type of gift she’d adore.

    “Thats great news,” she smiled.

    “A desk job. In PC.”

    Elizabeth hesitated. The part Jason had loved most about his job was the investigations, the intrigue, the places he’d go. Depending on the type of case, she used to go with him sometimes.

    He’d hate being chained to a desk.

    Where the love light gleams

    “You don’t have to take it though, right?” she asked.

    “Elizabeth, I’ll be home all the time–we can spend more time together, I won’t miss anymore of Noelle’s major milestones or any holidays–“

    “But you’ll be miserable at your job and I don’t want that either.” She fingered the edge of the comforter. “I understand it takes a lot of time and patience to do what you do and it might not always seem like it, but I’m proud of you Jason, and I want you to be happy.”

    I’ll be home for Christmas

    Marveling at the wonderful woman he’d married, Jason shook his head. “God, I wish I were there right now.”

    “I do, too,” she sighed. She closed her eyes. “But you’re here when it counts so its okay.”

    “I love you, Elizabeth. I’ll be home tomorrow.”

    “I love you, too.”

    If only in my dream

    Inspiration

    At the Liason Underground, we had a few rounds of a Picture Fiction Challenge. Someone would post a picture, then we’d have 6o minutes to write. The prompt for this challenge was an old, ornate key.

    Timeline

    This was set in the fall of 2002 after Elizabeth had left Jason’s penthouse.  Jason hasn’t really gotten involved with Courtney yet, so we’re talking mid October.

    Banner

    “You collect keys.”

    Elizabeth Webber frowned and pulled the large shoebox out of Lucky Spencer’s hands. “It’s not that pathetic,” she defended.

    He raised an eyebrow. “After all these years, how is it possible that I didn’t know?”

    Elizabeth shrugged. “Never came up, I guess.”

    Lucky nodded. “All right fair enough.” He surveyed the studio. “I think we’re about done for this morning, don’t you think?”

    Elizabeth bit her lip and shoved a box to the side with the tip of her foot. “Yeah, I guess. I really appreciate you helping me pack.”

    Lucky sighed. “I’m gonna miss you.”

    She hugged him lightly. “It’s only for six months. And when I get back, I’m going to find a good apartment.” Her eyes lit up. “Maybe I’ll even have enough money for a house.”

    He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t doubt it. The paintings you shipped to San Francisco were fantastic.”

    Elizabeth grabbed her purse. “Come on, I’ll treat you to lunch at Kelly’s.”

    “Good. You can tell me why you collect keys,” Lucky told her, snagging the shoebox from the couch.

    “Okay, where’s this one from?”

    Elizabeth set her soda on the table and rolled her eyes. “Lucky, I can’t remember where each and every single key is from.”

    He scowled. “What’s the point of having them?”

    “They’re pretty and they got these really awesome intricate designs,” Elizabeth told him. She dug around for a particularly ornate key with a piece of faded red ribbon attached. “I remember this one, though. It was my grandmother’s on my mother’s side. It was for her jewelry box.”

    “You’ve never mentioned her before,” Lucky said, taking a bite from his cheeseburger.

    “She died when I was really young. About six,” Elizabeth replied. “I don’t remember much about her except she always wore jasmine-scented perfume.” Her smile turned soft. “I’ve seen pictures of her. She’s the only family member I looked like.”

    “So, how excited are you about San Francisco?” Lucky asked, raising his voice a little.

    “I’m excited,” Elizabeth confirmed. “I’ve already arranged for an apartment overlooking the harbor. Can you believe the museum is paying for it?”

    “Well, you’re a talented artist, Elizabeth. Your time was gonna come,” Lucky declared, his voice still a few decibels too loud.

    “Thanks,” Elizabeth murmured, narrowing her eyes.

    “So, are all the paintings you sent for sale, or did you just loan some for exhibit?” Lucky asked.

    “They’re all for sale, except a few,” Elizabeth replied. She raised an eyebrow. “Why are you talking like that?”

    “Which ones did you just loan?”

    “All right,” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “We’ll play this game. I loaned the one I did for your parents wedding–you know, the one I never gave them. I’m saving that for when she’s better.”

    “I appreciate that,” Lucky told her, squeezing her hand.

    “And I’m loaning the Wind,” Elizabeth said softly. She looked down at the table. “I thought about selling it–even came close to listing it as for sale.”

    “So why didn’t you?” Lucky asked.

    “It’s not mine to sell,” Elizabeth answered simply. “I guess it doesn’t matter since I doubt the owner even remembers the damn thing anymore.” She snorted and lifted her glass to her lips. “Doubt he even remembers me,” she muttered before taking a sip.

    Lucky smirked. “Oh. He remembers both, I’m willing to bet.”

    Elizabeth frowned. “You know, you’re acting odd. Even for you.”

    Lucky leaned forward and lowered his voice to almost a whisper. “Elizabeth, do me one last favor in the memory of our friendship.”

    “Memory? You say that like it’s dead.”

    “Details. Anyway, I want you to get up, go into the courtyard and say goodbye to Jason.”

    Elizabeth sat back in her seat and twisted immediately to look out the door. Jason was standing there, looking away towards the far side of the courtyard. “How long has he been there?” she asked softly.

    “Since he walked out of here.”

    Elizabeth turned back to look at her ex-boyfriend. “When was that?”

    “Right after you said you doubted the owner remembered the painting.” Lucky grinned. “You gonna grant me this favor?”

    Elizabeth stood, grabbed the shoebox and glared at him. “I’m only doing it because I–” she stopped, at a loss for an explanation.

    Lucky sobered. “Look, Elizabeth, you’re about to embark on the adventure of your life. A museum across the country wants you for six months. They’re doing an exhibit, asking you to teach a class, paying for your living expenses. You cannot leave Port Charles still thinking about Jason Morgan.”

    “I am not thinking about Jason Morgan,” Elizabeth hissed.

    “You are, and you know it. Say goodbye to him.” He studied her. “And this time, I want you to mean it. Because you walked away from him. And you’ve kept going. You’ve both been walking away in opposite directions, but neither of you has taken the chance to permanently end it. And as long as that loose end is still dangling, you will never move on.”

    She scowled. “I hate when you make sense.”

    Lucky shrugged. “Take advantage of it when it happens.” He grinned. “It only occurs so often these days. Go, babe. I’ve got the check.”

    “Damn right,” Elizabeth muttered as she headed towards the door.

    “Jason,” she said hesitantly. He turned and looked at her.

    “Hey,” he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

    She bit her lip, cursing Lucky with every breath she took. Damn idiot he was. “I–I wanted to tell you” You can do it, Webber. “I’m moving to San Francisco for six months. And I guess…I just wanted to say…”

    She couldn’t do it.

    She set the shoebox full of keys on one of the tables and ran a hand through her hair. “They want me for six months, an exhibit of my own. They want me teach a class there.” She snorted. “I hate school and this museum…they sponsor art classes for underprivileged kids–they want me teach them.”

    “You’ll do great,” Jason told her firmly and honestly, taking a hesitant step towards her.

    “I sent the Wind to be put on display,” Elizabeth told him in a rush of breath. “I probably should have asked you first since it’s yours, but I still feel like it’s the best work I’ve ever done.” She bit her lip. “I’m not selling it…it’s on loan” She looked away from him, looked at the ground.

    “I overheard Lucky and you talking about it,” Jason admitted. “I do remember it, Elizabeth.”

    “I know. I was just…in a rotten mood,” Elizabeth replied. “I’m packing up my studio and you know I’ve lived there for over three yearsthere’s so much.”

    “You’re not coming back?” Jason asked quickly, stricken.

    “I am–I just can’t afford the rent on the studio while I’m gone,” Elizabeth replied. “I’m not getting paid for the class out there. They’re paying for the rent and everything. I’m hoping I sell enough paintings to put a down payment on a house or something when I come home.” She sighed. “Lucky told me I should come out here and say goodbye.” She met his eyes. “But I can’t do it. I guess it’s a curse or something.”

    “What do you mean?” Jason asked, taking another step towards her.

    “I can say it in my head,” she told him softly. “I can even say it when I’m alone and no one’s there to hear. Because, believe me, I’ve been practicing it. I thought–you know, if I could say it to myself, it would mean the same thing.” She sighed. “We’ve never said it, you know? Not even when I thought you attacked Lucky. Or when you left town the first time. Or when I walked out of the penthouse. We’ve never said it, not even in passing.”

    “I don’t see why we have to say it at all,” he said suddenly. She frowned and looked at him. “You’re just going away for a while. You’ll be back.” He shrugged. “And maybe…we can go for a ride when that happens.”

    “Can it really be as easy as that?” she softly.

    “Not everything has to be complicated to work,” Jason told her. The corners of her mouth quirked up as she recalled the night he broke the window in Kelly’s when she’d locked herself out.

    “No, I guess it doesn’t,” she replied, smiling.

    “When do you leave?” he asked.

    “Tomorrow,” Elizabeth said. “I still have so much to do. Lucky kind of got exhausted while we were packing up my studio, so I had to bring him for lunch. I’d better go and make him get back to work.” She grabbed her shoebox and headed for the door.

    “Elizabeth.”

    She turned when he called out. “Yeah?”

    “When the exhibit opens,” Jason said, “let me know. I’ll come out and see it.”

    She smiled. “I’ll do that. See you later.”

    April 10, 2014

    Inspiration & Timeline

    Set in December 2002 after Jason slept with Courtney. I wrote this in December 2002, using the song Come Away With Me by Norah Jones before it became LiRic’s theme song. YouTube video embedded below.

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    Come away with me in the night
    Come away with me
    And I will write you a song

    Brownies. What made him think of that? What had made him tell Brenda to make brownies.

    The only food Elizabeth could cook without burning them. He’d found a box of the mix in one of the cabinets after she’d walked out. He’d tried to make them, but they hadn’t tasted like hers.

    He was running on autopilot now. After leaving Brenda at the penthouse, he’d just had to be by himself for a while. So many of his actions seemed strange and peculiar to him.

    He’d slept with Courtney. With Sonny’s little sister. With Elizabeth’s friend. He’d slept with her.

    He was no better than Lucky.

    Come away with me on a bus
    Come away where they can’t tempt us
    With their lies

    She knew she should turn around the second she saw him sitting on the bench. She remembered sitting there with him, three years ago, when he told her he was leaving. She’d cried for days and missed, but now she wished he’d never come back.

    At least then she’d have their perfect friendship instead of the broken relationship.

    There was something about him right now—something lost and vulnerable. Something she couldn’t turn her back on, no matter how much she wanted to.

    “Hey.”

    I want to walk with you
    On a cloudy day
    In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
    So won’t you try to come

    He looked up at the sound of her voice to find her standing a few feet from him. Her eyes were concerned, caring. He frowned, wondering why she was talking to him. Why she hadn’t walked away.

    “Hey,” he replied.

    “You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders,” Elizabeth said quietly, taking a seat next to him.

    He shrugged, not really knowing what to say. How could he explain to her that he had to stay married to a woman he hated, that she had to stay in the penthouse where Jason resented her presence, because as far as he was concerned, the only woman who belonged there was Elizabeth.

    How was he supposed to explain that he’d made a mistake and slept with Courtney and somehow managed to lead her on, thinking they had a chance. He’d let himself believe he could be with Courtney, and be happy.

    He’d been lying to himself, he could see that now. That the only person he’d ever be happy with was sitting next to him and she wanted nothing to do with him.

    He sat back on the bench and looked at her. Her gaze was unwavering and strong. Like she’d finally made a decision.

    And he decided to trust her. “Have you ever done something you wished you could take back as soon as it happened, but somehow you ended up making it worse?”

    The question startled Elizabeth, but she nodded. “Yeah. I have…” She looked down at her hands. “When I slept with Zander.”

    Come away with me and we’ll kiss
    On a mountaintop
    Come away with me
    And I’ll never stop loving you

    “I did that yesterday,” Jason told her. “And you’ll probably never forgive me for it.”

    She bit her lip and looked away. She’d seen Courtney today—she already had a pretty good idea what he’d done.

    She’d been hurt at first, but she’d put it into perspective. He hadn’t done anything that she hadn’t. She’d slept with Zander, let him believe he had a chance. And Jason had slept with Courtney, and she obviously believed that they had a chance.

    “Try me,” she said quietly.

    He looked up. “I slept with Courtney.”

    And I want to wake up with the rain
    Falling on a tin roof

    “I know.” She shifted on the bench and stared out over water. “She told me.”

    He frowned. “And you…still sat down and talked to me. I thought—”

    Elizabeth looked back at him. “You never turned me away after Zander. I made a lot of mistakes, Jason. But the biggest one was walking away from our friendship.” Her eyes softened. “We were friends before we were anything else, and that friendship has always meant the world to me.”

    He reached for her hand. “It’s meant the world to me, too,” he admitted.

    While I’m safe there in your arms
    So all I ask is for you

    “I miss it,” she confessed. “I miss talking with you, and going for rides and…just being around you. I understand that you’re married to Brenda and with what’s happening with the Alcazar murder, I’m guessing that’s going to last a little longer than you thought, huh?”

    “Yeah,” Jason admitted. “We have to stay married so we can’t testify against each other.”

    “And what about Courtney?” Elizabeth asked quietly. She looked down at their hands, watched his thumb move in small circles across her skin.

    To come away with me in the night

    “I’m going to have to explain that I’m in love with the most wonderful woman in the world,” he said softly.

    She looked up, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I love you, too,” she breathed.

    He stood up, using their joined hands to pull her up with him. Suddenly not caring who was watching, whether it was the PCPD or Scott Baldwin or Courtney, he pulled her to him and kissed her.

    He’d waited too long to care about anyone else.

    When he pulled away, she smiled up at him. “So, speaking of rides…”

    Come away with me