"Great news, boys! We can stay after all!" Trisha exclaimed, stepping between the two men and flashing a dangerous smile.

Elizabeth was not good at saying no, especially not to her overly-excited best friend. She took in a deep breath. This was going to be an adventure.

Jason distanced himself from Trisha, when she tried to latch onto his arm, picking up the plans he and Sonny had been going over instead.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Could he be any more of a jerk?

"That's terrific! Would you like a tour of the property?" Sonny asked, looking between the two beauties.

Trisha beamed.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, shyly looked at the ground. She wasn’t used to being called a beauty. She wasn’t used to compliments at all, unless Lucky’s false come-ons counted—which, they didn’t.

But how could they turn that offer down? Elizabeth was anxious to see any part of the property she had yet to venture onto. And having a tour guide to point out anything she might have missed along the way sounded great.

Sonny just had a way of making a person feel like they were the most important person ever when he talked. His smile was almost always present and his laugh was soft and genuine, never forced.

Trisha latched onto Sonny’s outstretched elbow, while Elizabeth chose to trail a short distance behind the pair.

She watched the distinguished, darker man leading them down a long path on the grounds. He was a definite contrast to Jason. Where Jason was fair-haired, Sonny was dark-headed with tiny curls that lay tucked behind his ears. Jason was blank and cold, but Sonny was warm and friendly. A little shorter and not as built, Sonny made Elizabeth feel at ease, unlike Jason, who made her nervous and cautious.

Jason didn't come with them while they explored the great expanse of land. He simply watched the trio stroll away from the house, talking animatedly.

Sonny explained to Trisha and Elizabeth all the history that came with the property.

There were many statues. There was a stone horse on the outskirts of a group of bald poplars. A cracked fountain in the courtyard, split, he’d said, by a bolt of lightning when it hit the metal rod supporting the structure in the middle. Lastly, there was a statue of a girl with a long dress and expressive eyes. Those were her favorites. Then there were the ruins by the bridge—a house Sonny said once stood tall over the field. It looked like it had been a big house, maybe even a beautiful house, but most of the foundation had been bulldozed and Elizabeth had to use her imagination to picture it.

He showed them the church where the Priests delivered Sunday service. Although small, with its wooden insides and stained glass windows, it was still a wonderful sight.

While Sonny and Trisha talked the morning away Elizabeth remained relatively quiet, just relishing in the beauty of the place. There was so much to see and she took note of the places she would come back to later, alone.

When they returned full circle and came back to the house, Jason was nowhere in sight.

Elizabeth didn't know whether that made her happy or not.

"Why don't the two of you stay for lunch?" Sonny offered, pleased to have the company.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea!" Trisha raved. "Liz?"

"Sure, why not." Elizabeth gave her best smile and followed them into the house.

It was a nice place, warm and inviting. She really hadn't noticed the day before, being too hungry and too nervous to care. The kitchen was large, with all the appliances any professional chef would be obliged to have. There was a small table in the corner with a few chairs and the morning paper was still unfolded where someone had been reading.

The colors were warm, deep green and sage coated the walls and trim. Stepping into the dinning room, she was now aware of the elegance and glamour. It wasn't flashy or gaudy but tactfully decorated. Trisha commented on it and Sonny smiled, brushing off the compliment.

"Sonny, is it all right if I use the bathroom? I remember where it is from yesterday," Elizabeth asked, feeling her bladder take precedence over watching Trisha to make sure she didn't act--well, like Trisha.

"Sure, sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks," Elizabeth tossed over her shoulder and made her way down the hall and towards the bathroom.

Stepping into the bathroom, she did her business. Washing her hands, she spared a quick glance at herself. The wind had wreaked havoc on her hair and she tried her best to straighten it. Pulling lipstick from her purse, she reapplied a thin layer and meshed her lips together in an exaggerated pop. Satisfied that she looked half-decent, she smiled to herself. But soon, that smile changed into a confused smirk.

Why they heck was she going to so much trouble? Deep in the back of her brain, she knew it had everything to do with a certain blonde, muscle bound hunk who, at present, was nowhere to be seen. And, in the off-chance she should run into him, she would need to look her best, if for no other reason than to make him notice her.

Not that she wanted to be noticed. Of course not. The thought was ludicrous. The last thing in the world she needed was to get the attention of Jason Morgan, right?

Lost in thought, Elizabeth sauntered down the hallway, making her way back to what she thought was the dinning room. She supposed she'd taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way when the hallway abruptly ended and she was left standing in front of a wall. Turning back around, she tried to retrace her steps but ended up in some other room she supposed was the study, if the tall shelves of books were any indication. Standing in place, she went over the trail she had taken in her head. If she could make it back to the bathroom, she was pretty sure she could find her way back. The only problem with that she'd lost track of where said bathroom actually was. The house was a lot bigger and more confusing than she’d originally thought. At least that was her ongoing conclusion.

Stepping backwards, her foot crunched down on something behind her. Something she was almost positive was another, much larger, foot. She turned slowly, her face streaked red in embarrassment. Standing in front of her was Jason.

She took a step backward at the exact time he took one forward. She tried to move out of the way, to the side, to the front, backwards, mimicking his movements while they did an obscure dance trying to get out of each other’s way. Forward, backward, sideways… Everything got jumbled and Elizabeth found herself losing her balance in the process. She could feel herself falling. She was tumbling forward with her arms stretched out to brace herself. All sense of direction was lost and she was falling…falling right into Jason Morgan.

His skin was hot and moist, slick under her fingers. Her eyes were fixated on his chest… a naked chest…a chest that was rock solid and glistening fresh from a shower. He smelled soapy and clean and she tried her damnedest not to breathe him in. It was a battle easily lost. Frankly, it wasn’t much of a battle. Her tongue slid out to wet her lips. God, she wanted…

His hands automatically wrapped around her to steady her, locking her in his embrace. Her chin brushed his warm flesh and it made the butterflies in her tummy flutter with glee. She was very aware of his breath cascading down her neck and his hands on her hips. They seemed so much bigger now that she actually had the pleasure of feeling them against her. He was massive against her and his tight muscles rippled and flexed while he held her.

That's when she became aware of the light blue towel that encircled his waist and kept him from being fully naked. Wickedly impure thoughts sprang to her mind and she knew if she just pulled slightly the towel would drop to the floor and she would see his “little Morgan.” But, taking a quick glance down, she suspected there would be nothing little about that part of his anatomy. Just as quickly as the thought came to her mind she pushed it out and closed her eyes, now unable to even look his way, fearing he could read her thoughts…her dirty, unadulterated thoughts.

Taking a deep breath she said the first thing that came to her mind, "I got lost."

She closed her eyes. Could she have said anything less eloquent? She might as well have just said that she “just went potty.” She opened her eyes and found his ice blue ones staring right back at her.

Hands. His hands were still on her. And the thing that got to her most was that she hadn't yet moved away.

For once his eyes weren't empty when he looked at her. She saw something very real, very surprising, and it sparked a fire in her that radiated through her whole body making her hum with excitement.

She saw concern. At least, that’s how she interpreted it…

And then it was gone.

He dropped his hands to his side and let her go, shaking his head as if ashamed.

Liz took a few steps back, actually needing the distance to clear her head.

"I...you...um, could you show me the way back to the dinning room?" she finally managed to get out after doing everything humanly possible to forget how amazing he looked in that piece of fabric that normal people called a towel.

One thing was clear, she would never be able to use a blue towel again without picturing him standing so perfectly still like a sculpture, and having all the details necessary to qualify as one helluva piece of art. God, even Michelangelo would be jealous of her now.

Jason looked at her and his gaze was intense. She squirmed under his stare and bit her lip self-consciously.

"Look, how 'bout this - I'll wait here while you change and then you can help me find my way back to the dinning room. Then you won't have to deal with me anymore. Sound like a plan?"

He watched her a moment longer before nodding and retreating to some other part of the house to get dressed.

Elizabeth leaned against the wall closing her eyes and letting out the breath she had been holding. If ever she needed a cold shower, it was now. The man was all muscle and smelled so good she had been tempted to stick out her tongue to see how he tasted.

She had her eyes closed for a while before she heard him rustling in front of her, tucking in his T-shirt.

"That was fast," Elizabeth said lamely, having nothing else to say.

He started walking down the hall and she followed. It wasn't until they were at the threshold to the dinning room that she realized she had left her purse in the bathroom. Without realizing it, she tugged on his arm.

"I forgot my purse. I'm sure I left it in the bathroom. Go on without me. I'll be back in a minute."

He looked down at her skeptically before moving back towards the bathroom, turning once to make sure she was following. He walked into the bathroom, grabbed her purse, gave it to her and then headed back to the dinning room without so much as a glance down at her. He took his usual seat and she took the one she had occupied the night before…far away from him.

Trisha decided to sit right beside Jason, and Liz guessed it wasn't an accident when she grazed his hand reaching for the salt. For the most part she tried to avoid even looking up from her food just in case Jason happened to be looking up at the same time. She couldn't place what it was about Jason that unnerved her and didn't particularly want to find out.

Trisha smiled and chatted away happily with no clue about the underlying tension between Jason and Elizabeth.

"So, Jason, it must be pretty hard to ask women out when you don't speak. How exactly do you get around that?"

Jason nearly choked on his water and began coughing and didn't stop until Sonny hit him hard on the back.

"Uh, Jason doesn't exactly date," Sonny explained.

"Doesn't date? I find that hard to believe. I mean look at you! You're hot and you look like you work out." Harper scanned his physique, readjusting her chair so she could look directly at him.

Jason was squirming in his chair and although Liz found it funny, she still felt bad for him - but just a little.

"Mmm, I'll tell you something. I think we could change that no dating thing real fast, you and me. Is it because you have high standards? Even Liz dates occasionally and her standards are really high."

Jason hardly acknowledged her, darted a quick look up and then continued to eat, so Trisha moved on to her next victim, although she still kept Jason in her sights.

"What about you, Sonny? Any special lady in your life?"

"No. I was married once, had a family, but that's all over now," Sonny said sadly, not elaborating.

He didn't owe Trisha anything and the table where they were eating a meal was not the place to air ones dirty laundry.

"Wait a minute...the two of you aren't... you know, together, are you?" Trisha questioned.

It was Sonny's turn to choke. He sputtered red wine onto the table when Jason returned the favor and slapped him on the back with a slight grin.

"Trisha!" Liz exclaimed, embarrassed by her friend's question and even more embarrassed that Harper saw nothing wrong with asking it. "That's an invasion of privacy. What Sonny and Jason are to each other is none of our business!"

Okay, so Liz knew that they weren't gay; couldn't see how they could possibly be, but was playing along for reasons she didn't know.

"Jason and I? Lord no! We're not-We’re not gay." Sonny brought his napkin to his mouth, wiping off the wine from his tie also.

"I knew that!" Trisha announced with a triumphant smile. "I'm sorry, it was only a joke. You should have seen the look on your faces."

When both Jason and Sonny turned to Liz for help, she just shrugged her shoulders. "She gets her kicks out of doing things like this. She's like a three-year-old who can't control her impulses. We've tried medication - failed miserably - now we just let her do what she wants and deal with the consequences later. Really, guys, she didn't mean to offend you," Elizabeth apologized.

"No harm done," Sonny said apprehensively.

"Okay, so what's the real reason neither one of you have a pile of women fighting over you? Bad break-ups, broken hearts...."

The wine must have been getting to Elizabeth because she found herself just as eagerly waiting for them to answer. Well, technically she was waiting for Sonny to answer for both of them.

"I lost my wife, end of story," Sonny explained.

"And what's your story, Jase?" Harper put her hand on his forearm and looked into his eyes. "I'll bet no woman has ever resisted you."

To her surprise Jason's eyes flashed to Elizabeth. He cleared his throat, disentangled himself from Trisha and left the table.

"What did I say?" Harper asked, turning her attention on Sonny.

"It's not my place to speak about Jason's personal life. If he wants people to know things, he'll tell them in his own way, but the way he just left, I think that means this is not a subject he's willing to elaborate on. Don't be offended, he's just private," Sonny said with a grin and began to clear the dishes, leaving Elizabeth and Trisha alone.

"I don't know about you, but the less people want you to know about something, the more curious that makes me. I'll bet Jason has broken quite a few hearts in his day. What do you think?"

"Maybe it's just the opposite. Maybe something...someone broke his heart," Elizabeth said quietly, biting her lip while she thought about it.

When the women left, Sonny was more than gracious and gave them a plate of food each to take home with them. The entire walk back to Liz's studio Trisha would not shut up about Jason Morgan. Questions, comments, and declarations, none of which were tactful or even remotely appropriate, sprang from Harper’s mouth until Liz finally told her to be quiet because she was getting a headache.

They departed on the street corner, Liz going up to her studio and Trisha scouting out the mall for the latest love of her life.

When Elizabeth was finally in the quiet sanctity of her home, she let out a strained breath. All she could think about was Jason and the way he left the table with that cool dormant expression in his eyes. It begged her to wonder about what he was thinking or feeling.

She wanted to know more. Period.

She knew she was getting in too deep.

___________

Elizabeth couldn't sleep. It was already three in the morning and the more she closed her eyes the more she thought of Jason Morgan. The more she thought of Jason, the more restless she became. Finally fed up, she threw the covers off and stepped out of bed. Pulling her coat over her pajamas, Elizabeth grabbed her sketch book and headed out the door.

Walking quickly in the dead of nigh, she knew where she was going even if she didn't want to. It was a compulsion. She had to go.

Stepping into the dim church, Elizabeth was shocked to find Jason Morgan sitting in the second row before the altar. Head bent, hands folded in front of him, Jason appeared to be praying. Quietly she eased into the last row and took out her sketch pad.

Maybe it was wrong to sketch him this way while he thought he was alone, but she couldn't help herself. He'd probably come here to be alone; thought he could sit and think by himself. She was invading his space. Invading his privacy and even though she knew it, she couldn't stop her hands from making the lines on the blank white sheet of paper.

She wasn't even aware when he stood and turned, eyes fixed on her. Nor when he walked toward her and stopped just in front of her. Not until his hand reached down and took the book from her hands did she realize she'd been caught.

Startled, she looked up and met his angry gaze. His eyes were hard and dark blue and that same fear began to well up inside her.

"I'm sorry," she told him meekly. "I-I wasn't spying." Elizabeth's voice was shaky and tinted with anxiety. "At least, I didn't mean to. I only came here--see, I couldn't sleep and then I thought of coming here, because I saw the windows this afternoon and thought they'd make nice sketches. But then you were here and you looked…and I just thought… I'm sorry."

She bowed her head and willed the tears that sprang to her eyes not to fall. It didn't make sense to her that she was so upset, but then again nothing ever really made sense in her life.

Jason shook his head, sensing her fear. Did she really think he could hurt her? Maybe she did and that made him sick. Just the thought of it had the bile rising in his stomach, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. What had her life been like that had her so scared now?

Jason stepped forward and didn't miss the way she flinched when he did. The scowl left his face and a look of regret passed his features, and even though Elizabeth refused to look at him, he hoped she knew she was safe with him even if he couldn't tell her that. Gently, he rested the sketches on her lap and turned towards the door.

Closing her eyes, Elizabeth let the tears roll down her cheek. It became clear to her why Jason unsettled her so much. She couldn't pretend with him. He saw through her; knew she was hiding herself most of the time. Knew that she wasn't really so perky, or even happy. That her secrets weren't buried as deep as she'd liked when he was around, because sooner or later, she knew he'd draw them out and that scared her more than anything.

She sat there for a long time, just staring at the pictures she'd drawn and wondering to herself what had made her come to this place at all. By morning she hoped everything would be forgotten.

_________

Elizabeth found herself wandering down the path that had now become familiar to her. She saw Jason and Sonny in the distance putting up wood to cover the windows for the upcoming winter.

"Sonny! Hi! This is beginning to become a habit for me." She laughed nervously, ignoring Jason on purpose.

She wasn't sure she could face him. It had taken her an eternity to get dressed that morning and even longer to pull together enough strength to leave the house. She'd gotten back late that morning and was still unclear about her actions from the night before. Running on next to no sleep, she just wanted an outlet to pour out her thoughts; to forget reality.

"If you wouldn't mind...I mean, if it would be alright, do you think I could draw this place again?"

"Miss Webber, you are more than welcome to come here anytime you like. We enjoy having you around. Don't we, Jason?" Sonny smiled and struck Jason playfully in the chest.

Jason grunted in response and picked up the hammer by his side, turned and once again began to nail boards against the windows.

"Don't mind him." Sonny frowned. "He's just as happy to have you here, but will never admit it."

Jason banged the hammer hard in response and both Sonny and Liz stared at him.

"Nice try, Mr. C, but I think Jason would be happy if I never came here again." She smiled. "Too bad for him, I won't do that."

Jason turned, glared at her for a moment and then went back to work.

"I really should be paying you for this though. I know I must be an inconvenience. Not to mention all the times you've fed me." She laughed.

"Believe it or not, Elizabeth, but I've actually really enjoyed your visits."

"I like coming here." She smiled and it was genuine. The truth was, there was just something about the place that made her feel relaxed, really relaxed. She didn't have to fake anything or act like someone else. She could just be, because she was allowed to.

"Sonny?"

"Yes?"

"This time I was thinking that after I finished drawing some of the landscape that maybe..." she hesitated, adverted her eyes.

"What is it, Elizabeth?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"It's kind of silly," she said, "I want to draw you."

"Me?" he asked gesturing to his chest. He laughed and his face grew slightly red. "Well, I can't say I've ever had anyone make that kind of request before. Why would you want to draw me?"

"Do I have to have a reason?" she countered, amused. "Maybe while you're cooking or something… I think that would make a nice picture, don't you?"

Sonny was beaming. He had already come to adore Liz as if she was his kid sister and he barely knew her. "I think that would be fine. Maybe you should see if Jason would pose for you too."

"Oh no, that's alright." It was her turn to blush. If Sonny only knew about the dozen or so drawings she had already sketched of the silent wonder...

"I'll be back in an hour or so," she said, smiling, and walked down the path to sit on a bench and think out her next sketch.

Elizabeth watched Jason from the corner of her eye. He was hard at work nailing boards to the windows and making sure the house was secure. Winter was coming and to prevent damage from the storms that were sure to come with it they needed to protect the older house.

Pulling out her sketchbook, Elizabeth focused her attention away from Jason and tried to look for a subject. She found a tree with leaves that were constantly falling with the wind. Soon it would be barren and be a shadow of its former self. She decided it would make a fine subject. Hopefully she would be able to capture the sadness of it and prove to Dr. Sharpy that she was worthy.

An hour later, Elizabeth looked from her picture to the tree. It was a fine resemblance, but not much else. "Some artist you are, Webber," she scolded herself aloud.

Picking up her things, she headed to the house. Sonny was just coming down the stairs when she entered the front door. The weird thing was that she hadn't even thought about knocking, she felt that comfortable, but now wondered if she was being rude. "I'm sorry I didn't knock, I just figured..."

"It's fine," Sonny cut in, readjusting his clothes.

"You changed," she pointed out with a slight smirk on her face.

Sonny looked himself over. He wanted to look his best when Elizabeth sketched him and had spent half-an-hour trying on different things to wear. He didn't know why it was important but it seemed to have made sense at the time. "Oh, I just thought this would be better... I could go change back," he said, gesturing to the stairwell that led to his bedroom.

"No, no, it's alright. You look very handsome," she complimented.

He wore grey slacks and a burgundy dress shirt, his hair was combed back and slightly slick from styling mouse.

"Thank you. Now where should I stand?" Sonny looked around the kitchen, gesturing to places that might be best.

Elizabeth walked over to the man she now considered a friend and put her hands on his forearms. "Sonny, relax."

He looked down at her and gave a nervous smile.

"First of all, let's undo these buttons. You look like you're choking," she said, laughing, and reached for the collar of his shirt.

Jason watched from the doorway of the kitchen. His arms were folded in front of his massive chest and he leaned his shoulder into the frame of the entryway.

Elizabeth's small fingers undid the top two buttons of Sonny's shirt and then smoothed down the rest of it. She handed him his usual apron and watched while he put it on. "See now. There. That's the Sonny I know. Now just be yourself. Go about doing what you would normally do." She walked backward towards the kitchen table where she had left her pencils and paper.

Jason cleared his throat and came into the room, darting his eyes between the two.

"Hey, Jason. Elizabeth is going to draw me." Sonny beamed. He took out a large frying pan from the cupboard below the sink.

Jason nodded his head with little interest.

"I told her she should ask you to model for her, too."

Jason turned, fixed his gaze on Liz and it gave her chills.

"I told you that's okay, Sonny. I don't want to bother Jason." Looking down at her paper, Elizabeth began to make Sonny's outline not daring to look at Jason's reaction to her refusal to ask him for help. She knew they were both thinking the same thing. That she had drawn him against his will and hadn't told Sonny about their little incident.

Jason shrugged his shoulders and sat in the chair across from her, picking up a travel book and putting an end to the subject.

Sonny took out the bundle of pork chops he'd gotten fresh from the market in the afternoon and began to slice them butterfly-style so he could stuff them with herbs and spices.

Elizabeth licked her lips, unconsciously, thinking how great dinner was going to be. It was assumed, of course, that she would be staying.

Jason watched Elizabeth concentrate on drawing his best friend and stifled a groan when her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. He couldn't believe his luck. The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen was falling for Sonny. Jason scoffed and went back to reading about Egypt.

"What was that for?" Elizabeth shot daggers at Jason. Even though he never said a word, she was beginning to be able to read his moods and right now, she could tell something was wrong. Jason looked up at her and shrugged.

"Don't give me that! You obviously have a problem with me being here."

Sonny put down the mallet he was holding and wiped his hands on his apron. "Of course Jason wants you here," he soothed.

"No, he doesn't. He always looks at me like I don't belong. Like I shouldn't be here and I'm starting to think he's right. You're my friend Sonny and I like being here, but I can't stand him looking at me like that for another minute! Maybe I should just leave and never come back," Elizabeth stated, willing control over her emotions.

She hated the fact that Jason could barely stand to have her around and that every time she was there he stayed away. Sonny was always telling her what a great guy he was, but she had yet to see it.

Jason had to keep his jaw from dropping. He gritted his teeth and kept his eyes blank. He didn't mean to look at her the way he did, but dammit he was jealous. It was always Sonny that women wanted. Sonny was normal and knew how to talk to ladies. Jason - when he was talking - was awkward and always came out sounding stupid. At least, that's what he thought.

So, yes, he looked at Elizabeth, but not out of contempt, but out of envy. Sometimes he even saw parts of himself behind her haunted eyes…knew that if anyone could understand him, it would be her.

"You know, I think you two just got off on the wrong foot. Why don't you shake on it and start over?" Sonny suggested, knowing very well that Jason never intended to hurt the young lady and probably liked having her around much more than he would ever let on.

"Elizabeth? Jason?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath and swallowed her pride. "I'm willing, if he is."

"I guess it's up to you now, Jason. What'dya say?"

Jason presented his hand and Elizabeth accepted, immediately feeling the jolt of energy that went through her. She stared up at him and he caught her eyes and wouldn't let go. His hand was warm and she felt the same surge of excitement she had the other day when she ran into him in the hallway.

There was something about him that made her lose herself and it scared her. She pulled her hand away and turned her gaze. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and she picked up her sketchpad to distract herself.

Time ticked by and before long dinner had long been eaten, dessert had been served and the dishes were done.

The trio sat around sipping hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.

"Well, it's getting late. I better head home," Elizabeth announced gathering her supplies. She threw her scarf around her neck and took her coat off the back of the couch. "Thanks for having me."

"It's no problem at all." Sonny stood and helped her put her coat on. "Will you be coming by tomorrow?"

Elizabeth laughed softly. "I'm not sure. I have been making it a habit lately though, haven't I? I'll see what happens. Goodnight, Sonny."

She gave him a swift hug and walked towards the door. Turning, she smiled at Jason.

"Goodnight, Jason."

Elizabeth turned back around and was out the door before she had a chance to see the red rise on Jason's cheeks.

"You'll see that she gets home okay?" Sonny asked Jason without much thought, knowing he would.

Jason nodded nonetheless and grabbed his coat. He was out the door and out of earshot to hear Sonny's light chuckle.

Elizabeth walked fast, fighting against the wind that strained against her small frame. She tried to ignore the footsteps she heard behind her, but they got closer, louder. She quickened her pace. Unable to decide whether to run or hide, Elizabeth turned around just in time to slam right into Jason, only she was blinded by the mass of his chest and only knew that someone, a much larger person than her, was against her.

"Get away from me!" she screamed, pounding her fists into his broad chest.

Jason grabbed her wrists and held them apart so she would stop hitting him and that's when she brought her knee up and connected full force with his groin.

Breathing hard Elizabeth finally looked up long enough to see that it was Jason she was with.

"You asshole!" she cursed, giving him one last slap when he let her go. "You scared me half to death!"

Jason could see the fear and shock in her eyes turn to shame… And he could still feel the force of her knee as he struggled for composure.

She hadn't just been afraid, she was terrified. And that scared him. What had happened to her? Why was her first instinct to lash out at him? And now, watching the play of emotions draw tight lines across her face, he knew at that moment he had been right even the first day he met her. This woman had secrets buried deep inside her soul. He could feel the loneliness and the bitter sting of pain that so often penetrated his own world radiating off of her.

He took a step back and eyed the ground, breathing hard.

"Did Sonny tell you to follow me?" she asked, looking at his bent head and sagging shoulders.

"I suppose he did," she commented to herself. "Shit! I must have got you good." She sighed and then smiled a bit too much.

Relief gave way to anger. Her mask was back on and any emotions she'd let slip out were back behind those tightly guarded walls she'd erected.

"That's what you get for sneaking up on people. Now, if you had just given me a warning of some kind-"

Jason's head shot up and he scowled at her, before staring back at the ground.

"Oh, right, the no-talking thing. Look, are you alright?"

She crouched down and tried to get him to look at her.

He wouldn’t.

"Come on, it's freezing out here and I would like to get home before I turn into a human popsicle."

Elizabeth began to move and he caught up quickly despite the pain in his most private of regions.

"Men!" she sighed under her breath.

The walk to her place seemed to go by slowly and Liz felt the chill even through her winter jacket and sweater. She had long ago put on her mittens and wrapped the scarf tighter around her neck. Jason seemed content in just a T-shirt and his leather jacket, as usual.

She caught him a few times grimacing and cupping his injured member and she truly did feel guilty. Elizabeth knew he must be in pain after all the times she had done the same thing to her older brother…and Lucky, when he was really, really getting on her nerves. Of course with them she held back, but tonight she really let Jason have it without mercy.

"Are you okay?” she finally asked, when they were at her apartment door.

Jason wouldn't look at her. He turned to leave.

"Jason just--just wait a minute! I'm going to be the bigger person here and apologize. Even though you never would have gotten hurt had you not been acting like a total creep and following me--even if Sonny said to do it--so I will forgive you. So do you forgive me? I don't just mean for… I mean, for everything."

He stared at her for what seemed like forever before he finally nodded his head slowly.

"I like Sonny and I like coming to the monastery. I'm hoping we can be friends, too. I really do want to start over."

She took off her gloves and presented her tiny hand to him. "Truce, okay?"

Against his better judgment and the non-too-pleasant pain in his groin, he took her hand and immediately felt that undeniable connection again. Her fingers were soft and cool against his and he sank into the contrast. He'd never felt more at peace than he did at that moment. She was fiery and wild and probably more than a little reckless, but her touch was a comfort he'd never known. He wanted to memorize it so that he could somehow dredge up the feeling when he felt the loneliness that usually enveloped him and just make it go away for one second.

Elizabeth was scared. She hadn't felt alive for such a long time and just by taking Jason's hand she felt things waking up inside. There was still something about him that made her uneasy though, and she withdrew her hand more abruptly than she had planned.

He stared at her with unblinking eyes, turned and left without so much as a wave goodbye.

Elizabeth unlocked her door and threw her keys on the table before she walked over to the couch. She slung her jacket over the back of it and relaxed against the soft cushions. Closing her eyes she struggled to find an image other than Jason’s face to decorate her dreams.

It was going to be a long night.