Tag Archives: set-2003

April 12, 2014

Inspiration

I have so many problems with the hit and run storyline. I don’t even know where to start. LeaB wrote an AMAZING rendition of this story, Through the Looking Glass, but I’ve always been tempted to go back and try my own hand at it. I did for a hot minute, with The Blind Spot, but I lost interested in it and gave it to Joy, continued it with an interesting twist but it remains unfinished.

Timeline

In September 2003, Elizabeth was injured in a hit and run with a few suspects. It could have been Faith, Ric, or Courtney. Courtney, at the time, was experience a very quick blink and you’ll miss it drug addiction storyline so she was high. She hit Elizabeth and fled the scene. Carly, with Lorenzo Alcazar’s help, got rid of the car. Jason learned the truth, but, uh, nothing happened. I’m not even lying. Everyone moved on.

The only purpose to the story was to end Courtney’s addiction and to shove LiRic back together. (Liz got her sight back after Ric pushed her to the ground. I shit you not.)

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It was early when he came to see her. He’d been up all night at the police department trying to get the charges against Courtney dropped. Finally, their lawyer had found a technicality and she was free to go.

But he went to see Elizabeth anyway. She was sitting up in her hospital bed, wide awake. She was eating breakfasta Kelly’s special instead of regular hospital food. Being the granddaughter of Steve and Audrey Hardy afforded her special privileges.

He stood in the open doorway, watching her fumble with her knife and fork. She kept missing her scrambled eggs and her hand was always just missing her glass of orange juice. But she stubbornly kept eating.

“Who’s there?” she asked sharply, suddenly becoming aware of another presence. She frowned. “If that’s you Ric, you can just turn around and leave.”

“It’s not Ric.”

“Jason?” she asked. Her face brightened for a moment before it settled into a blank expression, her lips thinned. “It’s kind of ironic that you’re here since Mac Scorpio just left.”

She knew. He could tell without even asking her. “Elizabeth”

“He told me that there was no doubt that Courtney hit me but that you spent all night trying to set her free and now she is. On a technicality.”

“She didn’t”

“She did,” Elizabeth said. She sighed. “I can understand why you did it though. I mean, she’s your fiance. You didn’t want her to go to jail.” She hesitated. “Did you know before she was arrested?”

“What do you mean?” Jason asked.

“I mean did you know that she hit me before she was arrested?” Elizabeth asked.

He didn’t answer for a moment and it was in that moment that she got her answer.

And then he lied.

“No, I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Elizabeth.”

She nodded. “Thank you for demonstrating exactly how little I mean to you. You can leave the same way you came in.”

He shook his head a littleit didn’t occur to him that she could no longer see him. “I don’t understand.”

“I think you do understand. I think you understand completely.” She picked her fork up and stabbed at some eggs. Her fork missed the plate again and scraped against the side of the dish. “I know we haven’t talked a lot this past year, but I thoughtI don’t know but I was stupid enough to think at least we were friends.”

“We are”

“Then why lie?” she asked coldly.

“I’m not lying.”

“That’s three, you want to go for four?” she demanded. “You want to tell me that you weren’t going to help her cover it up?” She laugheda self-deprecating sound that sent chills down his spine. “Of course, it explains her late night visit now. Finding out what I remembered, telling me not to call the police. It explains so much.”

“Three what?”

“Three lies,” she said shortly. “One, Sonny’s dead. Two, you didn’t know. Three, you’re not lying. Of course, if you want tack on the lies from that night in the penthouse, we’re up to six.”

“Okay, yes I knew,” he replied. “I found out late last night.”

“Were you going to cover it up?” she demanded.

“Do you mean was I going to let Courtney go to jail?” Jason retorted. “No.”

“No, were you going to cover it up?” Her eyes narrowed. “Were you not going to tell me? Were you going to let me spend the rest of my life in darkness without telling me who it was that took away my sight? My ability to paint, to work, to have any kind if life?”

“She wasn’t herself,” Jason said, instead of trying to answer her question. “She was going through a bad timeshe’d miscarried and we found out she can’t have children. She started taking pills”

“So, she was high?” Elizabeth demanded shrilly. “And that makes it okay? It makes it okay that she’ll get away with it? That I’m going to have to move in my grandmother now? That it will be months, maybe years before I can live on my own? I’m blind, Jason. I can’t see.”

“Look, it’s not the best situation but”

“No, there’s no but about it.” She shoved the tray of food away, sent it slightly swinging away from the bed. She sat up straighter and her eyes were glaring in his direction. He couldn’t look at herthe more he looked at her and saw the way she couldn’t really tell where he waswhere to look, the more he realized how much Courtney had stolen from her.

“You of all people should know that it’s no excuse,” she whispered, the fight suddenly gone from her voice. “Your accident happened because AJ was drinking.”

“It’s not the same thing,” Jason said, startled at the comparison of Courtney and AJ. “AJ is a drunk”

“Was a drunk,” Elizabeth corrected sharply, “and your fiance is an addict. It doesn’t matter why they startedit was a choice. They chose to take the drink or the pills and they chose to get into the car. It was a choice. And once, you would have understood why the thought of Courtney getting away with it just because she’s Sonny’s sister makes me ill.”

And she was right. If this had happened last yearhe would have had the same reaction. Courtney would have been cut off from both their liveshe would have seen to it that she paid for what she’d done to Elizabeth. He would have seen it the way Elizabeth did. Another addict destroying a life.

And God help him, he hadn’t seen that parallel until this second.

He cleared his throat. “You’re right. It’s not fair that she’ll get away with it.”

She frowned, her expression wary. “What?”

“I hated it when the Quartermaines covered for AJ and what I was going to do for Courtney would be no different.” He sat down in the chair and shook his head. “I’m sorry. For lying.”

“You never used to do that,” she said quietly. “Even if it made things betteryou never used to lie.”

“I never used to do a lot of things,” he said, regretfully. “I thought the blindness was temporary,” he said, changing the subject.

“They’re not sure anymore,” Elizabeth said quietly. “I started therapy last night.”

“Has Ric been bothering you?” he asked. “When I came in, you sounded like you expected him.”

“I think he’s practically living here. He comes by every hour on the hour as if I’m magically going to forget everything he did.”

“I can put someone on the doorto make sure he stays away,” Jason offered.

“You don’t have to do this,” Elizabeth told him.

“Look, I know it’s been a tense year but I was hoping we could put it behind us.”

She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’d like that,” she said quietly. “Thanks.”

“Any time.”

Inspiration

As I said, I was writing a lot of episode tags back in 2003, so there’s really not a lot of inspiration here.

Timeline

Back in April of 2003, the Ric storyline started to really heat up. Elizabeth was dating him, but literally everyone else knew he was complete trash. Jason had confronted her a few times on the topic of Ric, but she’d brushed him off. Ric kidnapped Courtney, and Jason was trying to find her. He told Elizabeth about what happened to Carly a few months earlier (he took advantage of her drugged state and made them think they’d slept together). This scene happened at the Corinthos penthouse, leaving off with Jason demanding Elizabeth tell him everything about Ric.

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April 23, 2003

Elizabeth shook her head. “I’m not telling you anything.” She glared at Jason and started to stalk towards the door. Jason grabbed her arm and spun her back around.

“If you don’t tell me, he’ll kill Courtney, is that what you want?” Jason demanded.

Elizabeth yanked her arm out of his grasp. “Go to hell,” she spat.

“Wait a second,” Carly cut in. Her brown eyes were panicked. “What about Courtney, where is she?”

“Ric knocked me out and took her,” Jason reported, ignoring Elizabeth’s scoff. “Sonny’s on his way to meet him, but Ric told him he put Courtney somewhere else.” He glared at Elizabeth. “Where would he take her?”

“Why should I believe a word either one of you say?” Elizabeth demanded. “Neither one of you would know the truth if it bit you in the ass.”

Carly took a deep breath. “Elizabeth, I know it’s difficult to believe this right now, but Ric is not the man he obviously led you to believe he was.”

“Stop it!” Elizabeth cried. “Why are you saying these things?”

“Because they’re true,” Jason snapped, impatiently. “Damn it, Elizabeth. You’re smarter than this.”

She whirled around and glared at him. “Don’t you dare presume to tell me what is and what is not true, do you understand me? I don’t believe a damn word you say!”

“I have never lied to you before,” Jason shot back. “So–”

“That’s a load of shit and you know it!” Elizabeth retorted. “You lied to me about Sonny and you lied to me about Courtney, so don’t try and act betrayed when I have a little trouble trusting you.”

Carly rolled her eyes. “Oh, do not tell me you’re still clinging to the idea that Jason was cheating on you. Grow up.”

Elizabeth glared at her. “Yeah? So why don’t you tell me why they were always together, claming to be friends and then poof, they’re sleeping together? Tell me how that one happened.”

“You think I was seeing Courtney behind your back?” Jason sputtered. “When in the hell would I have found time for that?”

Elizabeth’s eyes burned with tears. “I wouldn’t know. I never saw you.” She took a deep breath and looked at Carly. “All right. I’m going to ask you straight out and I want an honest answer. Do you honestly believe that Ric raped you?”

“Yes,” Carly said immediately. “Yes, I do, Elizabeth. I am sorry you got mixed up with–”

Elizabeth held up a hand. “Spare me the apologies. We both know you don’t mean it.” She folded her arms tightly. “Offhand, I can’t think of anywhere he’d take her, but he, ah, probably would have taken her some place that you can’t get to easily, but in plain site. You know, since he hasn’t lived here long.” She frowned and bit her lip. “There’s a construction site down the street from his apartment. Maybe there’s something there.”

“Thank you.” Jason left without another word.

Elizabeth wiped her tears away and turned to Carly. “I’m sorry for calling you a liar, but this isn’t easy for me,” she whispered. She started towards the door.

“Elizabeth, wait.” Carly took a step towards her and ran her hand through her hair, placing her other hand on her hip. “I hope you believe me when I tell you that I am sorry you got mixed with Ric.”

“If what you’re saying is true, then he’s either really good at lying or I’m just a schmuck,” Elizabeth murmured. “You’d think I’d learn to spot a liar by now, but apparently not.”

“Jason didn’t start seeing Courtney until after you left him,” Carly said quickly, not sure why she was telling this girl anything, but feeling the need to make her feel better in some way. She’d been dealt with a harsh dose of reality today and Carly didn’t feel right about her leaving like this.

“He probably didn’t,” Elizabeth allowed. “But I think she factored into why he decided I didn’t exist anymore. I can’t remember the last time we talked without yelling at each other or me blowing up. One day, we were together and the next I wasn’t even a blip on his radar,” she said softly.

“Have you ever tried to talk to him about it?” Carly asked, trying to suppress the sympathy she felt. Elizabeth had walked out on him, after all.

“He doesn’t understand,” Elizabeth said. “He thinks this was because he lied to me, and yeah, that’s part of it. But–” she stopped and shook her head. “I don’t know I’m telling you any of this.”

“Could you stay here?” Carly found herself asking. “Just until I hear from Sonny or Jason. Because I swear, just sitting here by myself is going to drive me up the wall.”

“Why would you want me to stay?” Elizabeth asked, surprised.

“Because the only friend I have this world other than Sonny and Jason has been kidnapped,” Carly remarked dryly. “And you’re about all that’s left.”

Elizabeth sat down and sighed. “Must be nice.”

Carly frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Having friends who’d do anything for you. Having friends to worry about when they’re gone, who worry about you when something’s wrong.”

Carly sank into the seat next to her on the couch. “Oh, please. Don’t play this with me. You have got tons of friends.”

“I used to.” Elizabeth glanced at her. “How did Sonny take it?”

“Take what?” Carly asked.

“The…thing about Ric.”

Carly shrugged. “He’s been good about it. I didn’t expect him to believe me, but I was thankful when did. I thought he’d think I was dirty at first, but he loves me just the same.”

“That’s good,” Elizabeth replied. She stared at her hands. “It’s good that you’ve got your friends around you. You’re gonna need them. Especially Sonny. I know after it happened to me…” she trailed off and shook her head. “I didn’t sleep for almost a week. Every time I closed my eyes…”

“If you don’t mind me asking…how long has it been?” Carly asked.

“Six years,” Elizabeth murmured.

“S-six?” Carly echoed. She did some mental math. “Jesus, you were only what? Fourteen?”

“Fifteen. It was a few months after my fifteenth birthday,” Elizabeth replied quietly. “Sometimes it feels like it’s been decades. And other days, it feels like–” She stopped.

“Feels like what?” Carly asked softly.

“It still feels like I’ve just crawled out of the snow,” Elizabeth breathed. She swiped at her eyes again. “There are some details that will stay with you, no matter how much you try to forget. The texture of the bench I was sitting on, the damp snow, the cold ground…”

“The smell of the sheets, the shag carpet and the yellow sink,” Carly said shakily. “I don’t know what’s worse, not remembering or remembering everything.” She rubbed her hands together. “On the one hand, you can remember it and your nightmares will replay it in your mind.”

“And on the other hand, you’re left wondering what happened. You have no idea what he did to you,” Elizabeth finished. She took a deep breath. “God, I hope I don’t have a nightmare about it tonight.”

“Does it happen often?”

“Not anymore,” Elizabeth replied. “But if I think about it or the anniversary is approaching–”

“It must be horrible, living like that.” Carly shook her head. “I don’t know what I’d do.”

“You get used to it after a while. It becomes a part of your life, something that it’s in your history, part of who you are.”

“I am sorry that it happened to you Elizabeth,” Carly told her sincerely. “I can’t imagine being that young and dealing with it as well as you apparently have.”

Elizabeth smirked. “You should have seen me in the year or so afterwards. I was scared of shadows, scared of everyone I knew. If someone sneaked up on me, I’d scream.” She frowned a little. “I was scared of Jason, too.”

“Scared of him?” Carly repeated. “Why?”

“I didn’t know him that well. He’s so…big, you know? And you hear things about him.” Elizabeth shrugged. “But I was scared of pretty much every guy that wasn’t Lucky, Luke or Nikolas. It’s kind of what happens when you have no idea who did it.”

“Did they ever find him?” Carly asked curiously.

“I found him by accident,” Elizabeth replied. “I was helping Emily find out who was blackmailing her and they turned out to be the same guy. He’s in jail for what he did to her.”

“How’d you meet Ric?” Carly asked suddenly.

Elizabeth frowned and looked at her. “What?”

“I’m just curious. How did you meet him?”

“I was at Luke’s” Elizabeth smiled a little. “It was the night Alcazar was killed, actually. I was waiting with Lucky to meet with Luke’s psychiatrist and I went up to get our drinks. Ric was at the bar…” she trailed off. “He was watching Sonny and you, probably.”

“Probably,” Carly replied. “I remember that night. I don’t remember Ric offhand, but it makes sense that he was around then.”

“He was looking inside the windows of Kelly’s later that night. He was pretty rude at the time, but I guess eventually–” Elizabeth looked away. “Oh my God…”

“What?” Carly asked.

“He didn’t startacting remotely interested in me until after I told him that I knew Sonny. Up until then, he’d been a jackass, really.” Elizabeth sighed and bit her nail. “He used me.”

“More than likely,” Carly replied. “Hey, I bought his act, too. Right up until Valentine’s Day.”

“Valentine’s Day?” Elizabeth asked. She frowned. “That’s when it happened?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I–” Elizabeth shook her head. “It’s just a strange coincidence, that’s all. I–I was–it happened on Valentine’s Day for me.”

“Huh,” Carly murmured. “That is strange.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “You’re not as awful as I thought you were.”

“You either.” Elizabeth smiled weakly at her.

The penthouse door flew open and Courtney and Jason came in. Courtney glared at Elizabeth. “What are you doing here?” she snarled.

Elizabeth stood. “I suppose that’s my cue to leave.” She looked at Carly. “Thanks for the conversation. It was interesting.”

Carly stood. “Maybe we could talk some more?” she suggested.

“I’d like that,” Elizabeth said softly. She turned to the duo. “I’m glad you’re all right, Courtney–”

“Save it,” Courtney cut in. “You helped Ric get away, you’re the reason any of this is happening!”

Elizabeth sighed and started past her. Courtney grabbed her arm, stopping her. “Will you let me go?” Elizabeth asked, tiredly.

“Courtney,” Jason said, putting a hand on her arm. “Just stop it. I wouldn’t have found you if it weren’t for her.”

“I bet Elizabeth was part of the plan,” Courtney said, ignoring Jason. “Isn’t that right?”

“You’re just being ridiculous now,” Elizabeth sighed. She arched her eyebrows. “You gonna let me go now?”

“God, Elizabeth, do you hate Jason that much that you’d try to set him up?” Courtney cried.

“Wait, what?” Elizabeth asked, frowning. “Are you delusional?”

“Courtney, just stop it,” Carly said. “Elizabeth wasn’t in on any of this–”

“I mean, you did tell Jason exactly where Ric shoved me, didn’t you?” Courtney accused.

“I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t,” Elizabeth replied, irritated. She yanked her arm away. “Can I go now?”

“Who is Ric and what does he want from my brother?” Courtney demanded.

“Believe, at this point, if I knew, I’d tell you,” Elizabeth replied. “I just hope he gets what he deserves and if I ever see him again, it’ll be too soon.”

“Oh, sure, Elizabeth, play the innocent victim,” Courtney snarled. “But I think we all know the truth.”

“What, that you’re a paranoid delusional nitwit? Yeah, I think we’re getting that,” Elizabeth retorted. “You know what, Courtney? I’m sick of this. I’m sick of your accusations, I’m sick of your petty little comments about how much Jason loves you, I’m just plain sick of it all. When you grow up and start acting your age rather than your shoe-size, maybe then–” she shook her head and chuckled bitterly. “You know, even then, stay the hell away from me.”

She glared at the blonde for a moment before stalking out of the penthouse.

Courtney rolled her eyes. “My God, what a drama queen.” She turned to see Jason and Carly staring at her. “What?”

April 10, 2014

Inspiration

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

Timeline

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

Anyway. This is set after that.

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

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

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

Brenda: (faintly) So did I.

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

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

Jason: I never liked that idiot.

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

Jason: (quietly, now concerned) What happened?

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

Jason: (stunned) He said what?

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

Jason: Do you know why he did it?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: (after a beat) Yeah.

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: No. It’s not Robin.

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

Jason: You’re leaving?

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

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

Brenda: Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.

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

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

Jason: If you need anything…

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

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

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

Jason: (stands) Goodbye.

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

Jason: Yeah.

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

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

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

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

Elizabeth: (hesitantly) Hi.

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

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

Elizabeth: (surprised) Really?

Jason: Yeah.

Elizabeth: Sure.

Inspiration

Back in 2002/03, there were a lot of Jason and Courtney scenes that easily could have been Elizabeth if the writing had been different. I collected these into a group of rewrites that I called Replacing the Twit (aren’t I clever?). Some of them have been lost, and I honestly don’t remember much about any of them because they were so short and I turned out many of them.

Timeline

This is set in February of 2003. After Jason and Brenda were acquitted of Alcazar’s murder, they filed for divorce and went their separate ways. Jason and Courtney were still hiding their relationship from Sonny, however. They get into a car accident on the way to a weekend trip (I think), and their relationship is exposed. Sonny goes to General Hospital to see Jason and tells him he doesn’t want Jason with his sister because Jason is a killer. (I shit you fucking not. I WAS LIVID AND I AM ANGRY ALL OVER AGAIN–)

Obviously, Jason/Emily/Sonny revisited a lot of these same beats, but it was a better told story with Jason being the aggrieved brother because we all knoew Sonny was trash. Anyway. Elizabeth was also at GH — she actually did try to see Jason, but Carly turned her away. (Blocking my goal as always for her agenda.)

This story supposes that Elizabeth doesn’t listen to Carly.

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Elizabeth scanned the hallways as she hurried towards ICU. Carly Corinthos was not going to stop her this time. She was determined to see for herself that Jason was okay.

She didn’t necessarily need to talk to him—or even have a conversation with him. She just…she need to make sure he was okay.

Elizabeth stopped outside of his door and was about to knock when Sonny’s voice drifted out.

“You’re a killer, Jason. And as much as I love you…I can’t let you be around my sister.”

Elizabeth stared at the door in shock, her hand raised. Had Sonny…had he really just…said that?

Jason’s reply was too low for Elizabeth to hear but whatever it was, it was propelling Sonny towards the door. Elizabeth realized she needed to move but she couldn’t propel her body to do anything.

Sonny had just called Jason a killer. Sonny. Jason’s best friend. Jason’s brother. The man Jason would lay his life down for…had just…he’d just…

The door swung open before Elizabeth’s brain could communicate to her body that she needed to step away.

And she came to face to face with Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny was taken aback. “Elizabeth. W-what are you doing here?”

Elizabeth’s hand fell to her side and she glared at the older man. “Dr. Quartermaine told me I could see Jason.”

“Jason isn’t up for any visitors,” Sonny told her, firmly.

“Yeah, that’s what Carly told me,” Elizabeth replied. She raised her eyebrows. “And as you can see, I didn’t listen to her either.”

Sonny hesitated. “All right. Just don’t stay long.” He brushed past her and Elizabeth entered the room.

“Elizabeth?” Jason asked, surprised. He tried to shift higher on the bed and winced.

“Ooh, don’t move too much,” Elizabeth said, grimacing at the pain on his face. “How do you feel?”

“Why are you here?” Jason asked, ignoring her question.

She looked down. “Oh. I—I didn’t…I’m sorry. I guess I should have listened to Carly.” She turned to go.

“What did Carly say?” Jason asked before she could leave.

Elizabeth turned and flashed him an embarrassed smile. “That you didn’t want to see me. I thought she was just being her usual self, but—”

“It’s not that,” Jason assured her. “I’m just…surprised.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Elizabeth told him. “Are you?”

“I’ve been better,” Jason admitted.

“I actually…I came to apologize,” Elizabeth said hesitantly. “I…” She sighed and looked away. “I don’t even know where to start.” She draped her coat over the back of one of the chairs and ran her hands through her hair. “First of all, I’m going to start with the smallest apology and just work my way up.”

“Elizabeth—you don’t—”

“I need to do this for my own sanity, okay?” Elizabeth cut in. “I’m sorry about the way I left the penthouse. I wasn’t clear enough on my reasons and it led to a lot of misunderstandings.”

He frowned. “Why did you leave then?”

She braced her hands on the back of the chair and looked down. “It wasn’t all because you lied to me about Sonny. I mean—it had something to do with it, but that wasn’t it. I…I guess I just got tired of coming last in your life, of feeling like I didn’t matter…” she trailed off. “Jason, I just don’t understand. I hid you in my studio twice. I’d had a bomb in my studio, been locked in a crypt, gotten shot at…and I wasn’t trusted. But Carly turned Sonny into the feds and…” Elizabeth stopped and shook her head. “I’m not going to rehash all of that. It doesn’t matter anymore. I just wanted to apologize for how I went about it.”

“Elizabeth—”

“I’m also sorry for slapping Courtney and that entire scene in Kelly’s. Just because I was hurt…I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” She tried to smile but failed. “I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy. I just didn’t handle it well.”

Jason shifted again. “Elizabeth—” he tried again.

“And I’m sorry that I accidentally heard what Sonny just said to you,” Elizabeth said softly. Her eyes fell on his face. “I wish I hadn’t.”

Jason’s jaw clenched and he averted his eyes to look down. “What exactly did you hear?”

“I heard Sonny tell you that you were a killer and that as much as he loved you, you couldn’t be around Courtney,” Elizabeth admitted.

“He’s right,” Jason said, stiffly. “I have no business being with anyone.”

Elizabeth just shook her head. “He’s wrong, Jason.”

“No, he’s not,” Jason argued. “I am what I am, Elizabeth. I should have known it was going to be like this. I—” he stopped.

“So, Sonny gets to have the perfect family and you don’t?” Elizabeth asked. She put her hands on her hips. “I’d say that was a bit unfair, don’t you think?”

“Courtney would hate me if she found out who I really am,” Jason said, ignoring her question. “Her face would change and I can’t deal with that happening to me. Again.”

Elizabeth winced and looked away. Direct hit. “My face didn’t change because of what you do,” she told him. “I know what you do, Jason. I always have. I know that you have a gun, that you’ve used it and that you do more than work in a warehouse. I know that. My face changed because of the way I was treated and I’m sorry I didn’t make you realize that before.”

“It doesn’t change the fact that it happened,” Jason said shortly. “I’m tired of watching the people I love bleed. I did it with Robin…” he stopped and looked away. “I did it with you and I just…I wanted it to be different.”

Elizabeth’s chest tightened. “I know. But you’re forgetting something, Jason. I’ve watched you bleed and I hated it. But I never let it change my feelings.” She took a deep breath and forced herself to say the words. “If you love Courtney, if you really do…be honest with her. Do not push her away because of what you think might happen. Let her make her own decisions.”

Jason stared at her for a moment. “Why…why are you telling me this?”

“Because I speak from experience. I have spent my whole life letting people make decisions for me…I’ve said what was expected…I’ve let other people control me and it’s no way to live. And nothing…nothing hurts more…cuts more deeply…when the person you love does it to you. When they treat you like a small child who doesn’t deserve respect and doesn’t deserve the chance to decide for herself who she wants to be with.” Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. “It sucks, Jason and I don’t want you to do it to someone else.”

“I did that to you?” Jason asked, a little wide-eyed. “I made you feel like that?”

“Every single time you told me it was too dangerous,” Elizabeth told him firmly. She looked away. “I should go. I’ve probably been here too long.” She reached for her jacket. “I’m glad you’re okay, Jason. I—I know we haven’t been close for the last few months, but I’ll always care about you.”

Her hand was on the door handle when his voice stopped her. “I’m breaking up with her.”

Elizabeth turned around and cleared her throat. “Why?”

“Because she doesn’t know who I am,” Jason said simply. “If anything, the conversation with Sonny made me realize it.”

“Sonny’s a jackass,” Elizabeth remarked shortly. “I wouldn’t listen to a damn word that came out of his mouth. You’re his best friend—how can he not want you to be with Courtney? Doesn’t he realize that’s the safest place for her? That you would die before you let anything happen to her—”

“I told her I loved her,” Jason cut her off. Elizabeth’s face paled and she swallowed. Hard.

“Oh. That’s…I’m…I’m glad.” Elizabeth looked away. At least I think I am.

“But I don’t think I was talking to her,” Jason continued. Elizabeth’s eyes darted back to his face. “I don’t…I don’t remember a lot of what happened while we were waiting for someone to find us. I was drifting in and out a lot…but I thought I saw you. And I thought I saw your face and heard your voice.”

Elizabeth blinked. “I don’t understand. Jason, I—”

“I told Sonny I loved her because she’s his sister and it seemed like the right thing to do. I lied to him,” Jason went on. “And I realize I’ve been doing a lot of that these past few months.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Jason, I—”

“When I get out of here…will you go for a ride with me?” Jason asked.

“Can I drive?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“I don’t know—aren’t you a little out of practice?” Jason teased.

She smiled, her eyes full of tears. “Probably. I guess that means we’ll have to go on a lot of rides.”

“I guess so,” Jason replied.

“I’d better go. You need to rest,” Elizabeth told him.

“Will you come back?” Jason asked.

“I’ll come back,” she promised.

It started out that way. When Jason got out of the hospital, he took Elizabeth’s advice. He was honest with Courtney.

Completely honest.

It didn’t go well.

He told Sonny that it was over between him and Courtney—not because it was what Sonny had wanted, but because it wasn’t right for Jason.

Jason and Brenda got their annulment. And Brenda left town in the middle of the night. She left no trace of where she could be found—but Elizabeth had a feeling that Jason knew exactly where she was.

And Jason and Elizabeth finally went on that ride.

Inspiration

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

Timeline

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

Banner

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

Brenda: (her eyes closed) Stop it.

Jason: Stop what?

Brenda: Looking at me.

Jason: I’m not.

Brenda: Ha. (groans) I hate planes.

Jason: I’ve changed my mind.

Brenda: About what?

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

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

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

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

Jason: I’ll stand.

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

Jason: Brenda.

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

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

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

Jason: Brenda—

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: I was afraid of that.

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

Jason: Reconnaissance?

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

Jason: (suspiciously) Why?

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

Jason: I don’t grovel.

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

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

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

Brenda: (brightly) Hi!

Elizabeth: Hello. What can I get you?

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

Elizabeth: (eyes her warily) All right.

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

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

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

Elizabeth: (shortly) No.

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

Elizabeth: Who’s Snow White?

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

Elizabeth: Sure.

Brenda: Sonny’s sister.

Elizabeth: Oh. Well, I already knew that.

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

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

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

Elizabeth: (curiously) What kind of look?

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

Elizabeth: And when it’s the blonde one?

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

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

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

Elizabeth: Me?

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

Elizabeth: They’re mistaken.

Brenda: But are you two friends?

Elizabeth: (hesitantly) We were.

Brenda: What happened?

Elizabeth: It doesn’t matter.

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

Elizabeth: Why do you say that?

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

Elizabeth: So?

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

Elizabeth: It’s not me.

Brenda: How can you be so sure?

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

Brenda: Methinks you protest too much.

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

Brenda: Not in my nature.

Elizabeth: I need to get back to work.

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

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

Jason: Okay. (heads for the kitchen)

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: Trained?

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

Jason: That’s not funny.

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

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

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

Jason: Knock it off.

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

Jason: A what?

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

Jason: I—

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

Jason: What the hell has crawled up your ass?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: (defensive) Just stop it.

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

Jason: What good would that do?

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

Jason: (he just stares at her)

FLASHBACK

(Jason and Elizabeth are at the park.)

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

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

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

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

END FLASHBACK

Brenda: (frowning) Jason? Jason?

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

Brenda: Where’d you go?

Jason: I…

Brenda: (curiously) Are you okay?

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

Brenda: (completely absorbed) What happened?

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

(We can hear the following dialogue over the scene)

Jason: What do you want me to do?

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

Jason: Yeah I do.

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

Brenda: But she wouldn’t leave Lucky.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brenda: Let the machine get it.

Jason: Machine?

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

Jason: I thought this was a private line.

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

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

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

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

Jason: Brenda—

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

Jason: Too tall for me.

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

Jason: That’s an awfully shallow observation.

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

Jason: What was the question?

Brenda: Are you still willing to fix this?

Jason: (after a beat) Yeah. But—

Brenda: (groaning) But what?

Jason: I need to do this my way.

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

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

Brenda: You do realize that honesty might backfire.

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

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

Jason: Very funny.

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: Yeah. It is.

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

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

(He leaves. Brenda stares after him)

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

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

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

Jason: We need to talk.

Courtney: About what?

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

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

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

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

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

Courtney: Is it Brenda?

Jason: No.

Courtney: (eyes suddenly narrow) Is it Elizabeth?

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

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

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

Courtney: Get out.

Jason: I’m sorry—

Courtney: (yelling) Get out!

(Jason leaves.)

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

Brenda: How’d it go?

Jason: As expected.

Brenda: Now don’t you feel better?

Jason: Not especially. I hurt her.

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

Jason: I’m going to bed.

Brenda: What about Elizabeth?

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

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

Jason: No. I can handle this myself.

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

Jason: Are you done?

Brenda: Do you listen to me any way?

Jason: No.

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

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

Brenda: (giggles) You know you love me.

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

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

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

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

Jason: Yeah, okay.

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

Jason: Probably.

Brenda: You’re infuriating.

Jason: So are you.

Brenda: Go to sleep.

Jason: I don’t need your permission.

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

Jason: Sonny doesn’t run my life.

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

Jason: Good night.

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

Jason: (calls back to her) Shut up.

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

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

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

Jason: Can we talk?

Elizabeth: That depends. What’s the subject?

Jason: Us.

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

Jason: Elizabeth—

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

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

Elizabeth: Yeah. Until Sonny calls, you mean.

Jason: I turned my phone off.

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

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

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

(Jason enters and Elizabeth shuts the door.)

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

Elizabeth: (surprised) Me?

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

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

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

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

Jason: Part of it?

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

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

Elizabeth: Because that won’t solve anything.

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

Elizabeth: (surprised) Where is this coming from?

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

Elizabeth: Avoiding what?

Jason: Telling you how I feel.

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: Will you please talk to me, Elizabeth?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elizabeth: Then what do you want?

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

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

Jason: I guess I am.

Elizabeth: What about Courtney?

Jason: I already broke up with her. Yesterday.

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

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

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

Jason: I love you.

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

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

Elizabeth: (mutters) Damn right.

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

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

Jason: What do you mean?

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

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

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

Jason: Where does that leave us?

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

Jason: I understand. I—

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

Jason: If you need time, that’s fine.

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

Jason: I’d like that.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jason: Why not?

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

Jason: Why are you still with him?

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

Jason: It’s your life.

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

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

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

Jason: She let me talk.

Brenda: And?

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

Brenda: Damn right.

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

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

Jason: Yeah, I guess.

Brenda: Smart girl.

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

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

Jason: I thought you were fleeing the country.

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

Jason: And when he doesn’t listen?

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

Jason: (smirking) I can arrange that.

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

(There’s a knock on the door.)

Jason: You worry me sometimes.

(He opens the door. It’s Elizabeth.)

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

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

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

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

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

Elizabeth: Yes.

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

(She goes upstairs.)

Elizabeth: She’s…strange.

Jason: That’s one way to put it.

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

Jason: Right.

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

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

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

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

Brenda: (from upstairs) I told you so!

Jason: Go away!

Brenda: You know you love me.

Jason: Let’s not start that again.

Inspiration

If you follow my writing, you know the last time I was obsessed with the GH teen scene was back in 2003 when Scott Clifton joined Lindze Letherman (Georgie) and Robyn Richards (Maxie) as Dillon Quartermaine. I fell in immediate love with Dillon. He’s one of my four ride or die favs (AJ, Patrick, Dillon, and Elizabeth can do no wrong). I also had a huge crush on CJ Thomason and Andrew St. John who played Lucas Jones and Kyle Radcliffe.

I wrote quite a few GQ episode tags back then (Dillon & Georgie), but a lot of them were lost in when my computer crashed in July 2003. This story was meant to be part of a series, but the second story is lost. The title was retained, lol — It was going to be The Sweetest Thing with several stand alone stories. This was the first.

Timeline

This is set in the spring of 2003, probably late April, early May. Dillon has arrived in Port Charles, and Georgie has a huge crush on Lucas. Elizabeth is working at Kelly’s.

Banner

I can do this. I’m strong. I’m independent. I’m a woman.

Okay, I’m fourteen.

But I’m still all of the above.

With those thoughts in mind, Georgie Jones took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and reached for the door handle to Kelly’s.

She pulled the door open and entered the small diner. You can do this, she chanted mentally. It’s not like you’re asking for much. You just want a job application.

She spied Elizabeth Webber working quietly behind the counter and after glancing around the diner, she determined that the manager, Bobbie Spencer, was not there. So, she’d deal with the only waitress she saw.

Besides, the way Georgie figured, Elizabeth Webber practically ran the diner. She was always there, always keeping everything calm. If a fight broke out, Elizabeth solved it. If a waitress called out sick, Elizabeth covered the shift.

Elizabeth Webber, Georgie decided, was one of the best people she knew. Although technically Georgie didn’t know Elizabeth all that well…but hell, everyone knew Elizabeth in some way.

“Um, excuse me,” Georgie said. She nervously tugged at the sleeve of her soft pink button down sweater. Pink, Georgie had decided, looked good on her. It complimented her dark blonde hair and lightened her brown eyes. Pink made her feel professional.

“Hey, Georgie,” Elizabeth greeted. “Can I get you anything?”

Georgie chewed her lip and took a deep breath. “A job application?”

Elizabeth widened her eyes. “A job application? You want to work here?”

“Um, yeah,” Georgie replied. She smoothed a hand over her light brown cords. Light brown, Georgie had decided, went well with a pink sweater and by not wearing jeans, she’d shed her teenage image and hopefully looked older.

At least sixteen.

Elizabeth looked around, hunted underneath the counter. “That’s great!” she said. “You know, I started working here when I was fourteen. God, I was such a horrible waitress. Spent far too much time looking at Lucky Spencer and too little time paying attention to what people ordered.” Elizabeth pulled a piece of paper out and handed it to her. “If you want you can fill it out now and I can give it to Bobbie when I drop off the night’s receipts later.”

“Sure,” Georgie replied. She slid onto a stool and opened her small purse. Small purses, Georgie had decided, looked more professional than big clunky ones. She fished out a blue Bic pen and uncapped it. “So, are you guys hiring?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “We’re always losing someone to college or better jobs.” She smirked. “I’m personally hoping we lose someone soon.”

Georgie grinned. “Courtney?” She regretted her word almost immediately when she saw Elizabeth’s face close off. Great, she offended the best chance she had at getting this job. Damage control. “I only say that because…well…um, you know…you hear things.”

Elizabeth folded her arms. “What kind of things?” Her tone had gone as cold as ice and Georgie was now miserable. She set her pen down. There went this job.

“Well…just that two of you don’t like each other,” she replied, dully. “I mean…she’s dating your ex-boyfriend and my sister told me that he broke up with you for her.” Georgie sighed and pushed the application away. “I’m sorry. I…I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Elizabeth sighed and the tension drained from her body. “No, look, don’t worry about it. You’re right, we don’t like each other but it’s not because she’s dating Jason.”

Georgie must have looked skeptical because Elizabeth continued. “I just don’t appreciate the way she constantly runs out on her shifts and calls out sick.”

“Oh.” Georgie shifted. “I still shouldn’t have said anything. I mean, I don’t want to remind of you…anything. Because, you know, I really admire you.”

That surprised Elizabeth and she smiled. “Really? Why?”

Georgie shrugged. “Everyone does,” she replied easily. “My sister thought you were great, the way you handle that Lucky thing last summer and I remember Roy DiLucca talking about how brave you were when Jason shot you last summer.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Jason did not shoot me. Zander did and it was a complete accident. Besides, the bullet didn’t really hit me.”

“It didn’t?” Georgie asked.

“No. Jason and Roy were fighting, and Zander, being the completely moronic hothead that he is, picked up a gun. Then Jason and Zander were fighting over the gun and the trigger was pulled.” Elizabeth slid the sleeve of her cornflower-blue shirt up to reveal a light pink scar on her upper left arm. “See? The bullet just grazed me.”

“Oh. Did it hurt?” Georgie asked, cringing as soon as she realized how stupid the question was.

“Well, I didn’t feel anything at first,” Elizabeth replied. “I think I was a little shocked. But it kicked in and I almost passed out. Jason caught me and he managed to bandage it.” She smiled and leaned forward a little bit, lowering her voice. “I’ll tell you a secret.”

Georgie, feeling much better about this right now, leaned forward eagerly. Being confided in by Elizabeth Webber! Take that, Maxie, she thought smugly.

“I didn’t feel anything until I got to the hospital because I was too busy looking at Jason,” Elizabeth told her, smiling.

“He is cute,” Georgie agreed.

“Uh huh. And it was just really easy to get lost in his eyes, you know?” Elizabeth said. “They’re an incredible shade of blue.” Her cheeks flushed and she leaned back. “But none of that really matters now. Anyway, go ahead and fill out that application. I’ll put in a good word for you.”

Georgie watched as Elizabeth headed onto the main floor to take care of a customer. She then turned in her attention back to her application.

“Whatcha doin’?”

Irritated, she looked up at the interruption. “I’m filling out a job application, Lucas,” she told him.

Lucas Jones frowned. “For Kelly’s?”

“Yeah. Why not?” Georgie asked, defensively.

Lucas smirked. “Why would you want to work here?”

“Because I like this place,” Georgie replied. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing. I just thought you had higher hopes than being another Elizabeth Webber.”

Georgie narrowed her eyes. She might like Lucas, but no one insulted her idol. “And what’s wrong with that?”

“Come on. She’s nice and all, but she’s twenty-one and still working in the same place as when we were kids.”

“Maybe she likes it here. Maybe she enjoys her job,” Georgie said hotly.

“And maybe she’s got no place else to go,” Lucas said pointedly.

“Can I get you anything Lucas?” Elizabeth asked from behind him. He spun on the stool to look at the unhappy waitress.

“Elizabeth.” Lucas swallowed. “I, uh…”

“For the record, I work here because I enjoy my job,” Elizabeth told him. “I like seeing the people I care about on a daily basis. It pays well and I have a flexible schedule so I can go to school and work on my art. I’m sorry if people think I’m pathetic because I have worked in the same place for the past five years, but I can’t be responsible for small-minded people. Now, I’ll ask you again. Can I get you anything?”

“I was just stopping by,” Lucas said quickly. He slid off the stool and passed her, his head ducked down.

“Sorry about him,” Georgie apologized as she signed her name and completed the application. “He thinks he knows what’s best for me and tries to tell me.”

“It’s fine,” Elizabeth replied, smiling briefly. “You get used to it after a while.” She took the application from the young girl and perused. “I’ll drop this off with Bobbie and I’ll call you when she makes a decision.”

“Thanks, Elizabeth,” Georgie said, sliding down from the stool. She put the pen away and smiled one last time at the waitress before leaving.

….

Elizabeth handed Bobbie the receipts and the day’s earnings so that Bobbie could drop it off at the bank on her way to the hospital the next morning.

“Georgie Jones dropped off a job application,” Elizabeth reported as Bobbie examined the receipts.

“Hmm…do we need another waitress?” Bobbie asked, making a note in the account book.

“We could use the help,” Elizabeth said honestly. “One of the waitresses tends to be slightly unreliable, so I’m sure Georgie will come in handy.”

“Which waitress?” Bobbie asked, even though she already knew.

“Courtney,” Elizabeth said. “But it has nothing to do with my personal feelings towards her, I just—”

“Elizabeth, it’s okay. I’ve had the other girls complain as well,” Bobbie interrupted. “Actually, there’s something I wanted to speak with you about.”

“What?” Elizabeth asked warily.

“I’m rarely at the diner these days between the hospital and Lucas, so I was wondering if you’d like to come on as assistant manager,” Bobbie suggested.

“Really?” Elizabeth asked. “Are you serious?”

“Definitely. So you can make decisions like this and not worry about me. I trust you, Elizabeth. You’ve been working there longer than anyone and you really understand the way it works.”

“Wow, I’d love to,” Elizabeth replied, smiling. “Thanks, Bobbie.”

“So, I’ll let you make the final decision concerning Georgie and Courtney. I’ll see you tomorrow, same time?”

“Sure,” Elizabeth replied. She picked up the receipts, intent on calling Georgie Jones first thing in the morning.

March 14, 2014


Just a few words too many/In my head
A few words too many/In this bed
A few words too many/Left unsaid
Oh, I wish that we were strangers/We could start again

Inspiration

A Few Words is the rewritten version of Poisonous Dreams, written in 2003-04. It’s based a spoiler that began to circulate in April 2003 that Elizabeth was going to become pregnant with Ric’s child. At the time, I could not conceive a way Elizabeth and Ric would reunite in the wake of his kidnapping Courtney, pretending to sleep with Carly, and all that other nonsense. Instead, I decided to write what I thought was the logical conclusion to the Ric storyline. It seemed like they were setting Ric up to be mostly psychotic, but then they changed his character. Rick Hearst is so amazing that I’ve learned to forget most of 2003.

Background

This story begins in April 2003, but nothing that happened in 2003 happened the way it did on the show, particularly Ric’s storyline. So, just assume that Ric has done nothing beyond date Elizabeth, pretend to sleep with Carly and work for her at the club, and defend Jason and Brenda (along with Alexis) during the Alcazar trial in January 2003. Sonny never fired Jason (because dude, stupid) but Jason and Courtney are dating. That asinine confrontation in Kelly’s between the three of them did not happen because…well…no. Emily returned in March as scheduled, but she doesn’t have cancer.

This story is now completed. Thanks to Cora for proofing the last four chapters.

Media

Characters

elizabeth2002 Jason Morgan
faith

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

    • February 7, 2014

    Inspiration

    If you’ve been around me for a hot minute, you know that I have four ride or die characters: Elizabeth, Patrick, Dillon (only Scott Clifton), and AJ. They can do no wrong. I will worship them for life. When Emily was suffering from her cancer in August of 2003, AJ was completely absent from the story. From the second Bob Guza had taken over in 2002, Billy Warlock was systematically diminished on the show until he completely disappeared just before his ridiculous exit that fall when he embezzled from ELQ. (I have rage thoughts.)

    Timeline

    In August 2003, Emily’s breast cancer took a turn for the worse, and it appeared as if she was going to die from an infection.

    He made it to the elevator almost a dozen times but he could never push the button for her floor. He knew she must wonder where he was—wondered if he even gave a damn.

    His sister had always been so full of life, so vivacious and spunky. He couldn’t imagine what she’d look like in a hospital bed, connected to tubes. It wasn’t like that April when they’d thought it was a drug overdose. Drugs…they could fight that, change it. Cancer. He couldn’t even begin to think how to fight that.

    But when his mother had told him about the bacterial meningitis…he knew he couldn’t put it off any longer. He couldn’t avoid it to make himself feel better.

    It was dark when he slipped into her room—well past visiting hours. He wore the yellow scrubs over his clothes and sat at her bedside.

    Her eyes were sunken, she had dark circles and her skin nearly blended in with her sheets. His eyes watered and he reached for her hand.

    “I’m so sorry,” he whispered brokenly. “I should—I should have been here for you. I should have…” He bowed his head and started to cry.

    He felt her other hand in his hair and he lifted his head. “Emily…”

    “AJ…” Emily breathed. She managed a weak smile. “Hey…”

    He sat up and wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here, Em.”

    She shook her head. “Don’t…don’t worry about it.”

    “But I do,” he protested. “You’re my sister, Emily. God, I remember you when you were so young and you came into our family…God, you’re the best of us, Em. You really are.”

    “AJ…you’re my favorite, you know that?” she breathed. Her eyes were closing—she was falling asleep.

    “I thought that was Jason,” AJ replied.

    She shook her head, her eyes closed again. “No. I mean…I love him…but you’re my favorite. The way you keep…fighting, keep living…you’re so strong. And you quit drinking, too. You’re doing so well…I’m proud of you AJ. I really am.”

    “I love you so much, Em.” He kissed her forehead. “And I promise…if you think you’re proud of me now…just you wait.”

    “You promise?” she said softly.

    “Yeah. I promise.” He listened to her breathing even out and he knew she was asleep then. He smoothed her hair away from her face and sat back in his chair to wait for morning.

    Inspiration

    It was spring 2003 and nineteen-year-old me was OBSESSED with Dillon and Georgie. There’s nothing else to say.

    Timeline

    Set in May 2003. Dillon is crushing hard on Georgie who is, for some reason, lusting after her cousin-by-adoption, Lucas. (Tony and Frisco, their dads, are brothers). This was before Lucas came out as gay and when he was being played by the VERY pretty CJ Thomason.

    Banner

    May 2003

    Dillon was shaking his head as he entered Kelly’s. Living in that house was enough to make a sane person go nuts. Every time he turned around, there was another family emergency or someone else was getting taken out in ambulance or God forbid a family meeting. They seemed to have meetings to announce everything, from Emily’s return from the trip to rehab to whether Alan and Monica were going to be home for dinner.

    He spied Georgie sitting in the corner of the diner, a plate of fries in front of her and a book in her face. He smiled involuntarily and crossed the room. “Hey, I thought you were grounded.”

    She glanced up at him, narrowed her eyes and then returned her attention to the book. She reached one of her hands out and gripped her iced tea and brought the straw to her lips, took a sip and put it back in its original position without ever taking her eyes off the page.

    “So, you’re not speaking to me?” Dillon asked, raising his eyebrows. She didn’t answer and just turned the page instead. “You’re mad at me,” he concluded. He shrugged and pulled the chair out to sit down. “That’s fine. At least when you’re angry with me, you don’t pull me into a family meeting to discuss my behavior. I think that’s the worst thing about living with the Quartermaines—they think everything is their business.”

    Georgie remained stubbornly silent and chewed slowly on a fry. A waitress came over and took Dillon’s order. He reached into his textbook and took the course selection catalog for Port Charles High. He flipped through it, looking for the right electives to take.

    The waitress brought Dillon’s food and they ate in silence. Finally, Georgie sighed and set her book down. “You had no right to say what you did.”

    He nodded. “You’re right. I was out of line. I’m sorry.”

    “You don’t know me that well and you don’t like Lucas anyway, so you—” she stopped. “What did you say?”

    “I said that I’m sorry,” Dillon repeated. “Just because I think Lucas is an idiot and you could do better, it doesn’t mean you have to think so, too.”

    She glared at him. “You don’t have to be so agreeable, either.”

    “So you don’t want me to argue about Lucas but you don’t want me to stop either?” Dillon asked amused.

    “I’m not trying to be funny,” Georgie fumed. “I’ve made up my mind to be mad at you and no amount of you apologizing is going to change that.”

    “That’s fine,” Dillon replied. “Hey, what you recommend? Study hall or journalism?”

    “You just don’t get it do you?” she demanded.

    “Apparently there’s a lot of things I don’t get about you,” Dillon replied. He grinned. “But I’m looking forward to finding out.”

    She smiled despite herself and flushed a little. “How do you do that?”

    “Do what?”

    “You just…I don’t know.” Georgie shrugged and looked away. “I know Lucas is into Maxie, but that doesn’t mean I should give up on my dream, right?”

    “Right,” Dillon replied. “But, hey dreams change all the time. When I was ten, all I wanted to do was meet the Quartermaines.”

    Georgie laughed. “How’s that working out for you?”

    He grimaced. “One more family meeting and I’m turning myself into the police.”

    “What’d you do?”

    “I’ll make something up.”

    Inspiration

    I never liked Ric Lansing, but I loved Rick Hearst. He and Becky had MAD chemistry that almost made you forget that he tried to kill her repeatedly. He’s also the only pairing she’s ever had that was obsessive about her, LOL. So it was kind of nice. Anyway. I was intrigued by their break up and wrote this piece. I actually posted it on a LiRic board.

    Timeline

    Set in early May 2003. Elizabeth has just learned the extent of Ric’s crimes against Carly and Courtney, and has broken up with him. This is before the pregnancy later that month. (What a plot device to force her to give him another chance. The disrespect.)

    Banner

    May 3, 2003

    It shouldn’t surprise him really. He hadn’t expected her to stay around once she knew the truth.

    He’d hoped. He’d prayed.

    But he can’t blame her for walking out.

    What reason had he given her to stay?

    He could have told her the truth. Told her how he’d dreamed of ruining Sonny’s life from the very moment he’d discovered his existence. He could stopped this at any time—given up as soon as he’d fallen for her.

    But he hadn’t. He’d gone ahead and made Carly believe they’d slept together. He’d blackmailed her, he’d kidnapped Courtney, he’d partnered with Faith…he’d lied to Elizabeth at every turn.

    He’d never expected anything to happen with her—given the way they’d met. She’d always seemed too suspicious of him—always seemed aloof.

    He’d been drawn to her, drawn to the smile she wore, to the sparkle in her eyes, to the infectious laugh.

    But he’d reminded himself of his goal in Port Charles and it had worked.

    Until he’d danced with that day in Kelly’s and he’d kissed her. He’d then tried to tell himself that he could have both. He could destroy Sonny and still salvage his relationship with Elizabeth.

    But he’d come to the conclusion long ago—on the day that they’d made love for the first time—that he would lose her.

    He’d just never expected it to hurt so much.

    He stands outside Kelly’s and watches her at the counter. This is what his revenge had cost him. His hatred for the brother he’d never known has cost him the only pure and good emotion he’d known.

    He loves her. She is the first thing he thinks about when he woke up, his last thought before he falls asleep. She consumes his every waking thought now that the truth is out.

    He touches the glass and contemplates going inside. He thinks about sitting at the counter where she will be forced to wait on him. He thinks about trying to talk to her—trying to make her understand.

    But he knows better than that. He knew she was too good for him—he’d known it all along.

    He listens to that message on his machine over and over again. Hearing her say “I love you” was a bitter victory for him. She’d loved him, but inevitably, he’d destroyed all of that. There was no going back, there was no saving this.

    He’d loved her and he’d lost her.

    She looks up then and her eyes catch sight of him. He tries to keep the contact but her gaze is angry and cold and no matter how much he deserves it, he can’t take it anymore.

    He tears his eyes away and walks away.

     

     

    She walks quickly to the stairs, anxious to get back to her studio and sleep, trying to forget the memory of Ric looking at her through the window that day.

    “Elizabeth!”

    She falters, her hand gripping the rail and she turns to see him standing a few feet away on the docks. “I have nothing to say to you.”

    “Just please listen,” Ric pleads. “Elizabeth, I should have stopped this a long time ago, I should have realized you were more important than some stupid vendetta—”

    “But you didn’t,” Elizabeth breaks in coldly. “You didn’t. I told you many times that if you couldn’t be honest with me, that you should walk away. And you didn’t. You led me to believe that you were someone you aren’t.”

    “I know and I’m sorry,” Ric tells her. “Just…just please give me another chance—”

    “Are you joking?” she says in disbelief. “What planet do you live on that you think I should give you even five seconds of my time?”

    “I know I don’t deserve it—”

    “You’re right,” Elizabeth cuts in. “You don’t deserve one.” She turns back to the stairs.

    “I love you.”

    She stops for a moment and closes her eyes. “If you love me, then let me go,” she whispers.

    Ric swallows hard. She’s right—he knows she’s right.

    “All right,” he says finally. “All right.”

    She waits another moment, listens to the sound of the water lapping against the pilings, to the sound of his breathing, to the distant sounds of the cars.

    “Goodbye,” she says softly.

    She walks up the stairs, and disappears around a corner.

    Ric lets out a breath and walks in the opposite direction.