Chapter One

~ . ~

Not So Fresh Starts

~ . ~

Autumn leaves crunch beneath her feet as she makes her way through the small town of Port Charles, New York. Even with her many layers of clothing, the cold wind sends chills down her spine, putting her on edge as she makes the venture to her rundown studio on the Elm Street Pier. She wasn't too sure what made her move there after being granted emancipation from her parents, but she didn't question it much.

Though she is estranged from most of her family, she still has a decent relationship with her grandfather and she surmises that she just wanted to have that while she navigated her new found freedom. Sitting in that court room with only her parents' lawyer present in place of her parents, the judge didn't even need to hear her reason for wanting to be emancipated. A hearing that usually took some time to sift through only took the span of ten minutes to conclude. Majority of that was the judge signing the papers.

Quietly making her way down the steps of the pier, Elizabeth was surprised when a pair of blue eyes locked with hers, almost certain that she hadn't made any noise. The man looked at her for no longer than a few seconds before he rose from his seat and walked away. Stuck frozen to the spot, she takes a deep breath and sinks down onto the steps. He was a stranger, completely, and yet it seemed like he could see her worth or lack thereof in the span of a few seconds. So much for a fresh start.

~ . ~

Anger surges through him as he sits there on the Elm Street Pier trying to figure out what his next step would be from here. He knows that he couldn't have seen this coming, but he hates himself for not seeing it. This life is all he has and he needs to be able to live it how he sees fit. She knew that. She knew how much his choice meant to him after everything that happened with the Quartermaines. How could she think that loving him gave her the right to take that away from him like she did? And what if he didn't figure out the reason Sonny was firing him? Could she really have lived a life with him while that betrayal hung over them like that?

He sat there for what seemed like hours before something made him turn to look at the staircase leading to the street. It had been a strange kind of pull that had him turning to the stairs where a girl stood frozen to the spot at the sight of him. For a split second he had forgotten all about the pain and betrayal Robin had caused him. For a split second he almost let himself move forward. Then reality hit him as it always does and he spins on his heels to get him away from there. Away from any possibility that those deep blue eyes could present him. Though her lips were more tempting than any bar fight or tequila shot, Jason Morgan forces himself to walk away, ignoring any pull that calls to him in the process.

~ . ~

Lost in thought and self pity she made no attempt to rise to her feet and complete the venture to her new abode. Her mind seemed to be racing with a million different thoughts as she pondered her next move. Should she leave this place and start anew somewhere else or stick it out and see where it gets her? Maybe the look on that man's face had nothing to do with her. Maybe he was late for something and was already leaving when he looked her way.

"Or maybe you're just that pathetic." she groaned to herself. "One look and they dissappear."

"I doubt that's true." a voice sounds off from beside her, causing her to look up at who had entered her space. " I've met my fair share of pathetic people and you don't have the look."

"Pretty sure you're bias, Zander." Elizabeth replies as he lowers himself down onto the steps beside her.

"Bias...maybe, but I don't lie." he says simply, smirking at the look she gives him. "Not to you, at least."

"What are you even doing in Port Charles?" she counters. "Last I heard, you were heading to some no name town in the middle of nowhere for a job."

"Exactly." he chuckles. "Welcome to No Name Town, USA."

"Jerk." she punches his arm.

"Nice." he shakes his head as he rubs his arm. "Way to treat your only friend in the world. Not to mention your best one."

"In order for you to be the best there would have to be a worst." she counters. "And like you said...you're the only one."

"Technicalities." he shrugs before rising to his feet. "Let's grab some grub. It's time to celebrate."

"Celebrate what, exactly?" she questions, letting him help her up from the ground.

"Your new found freedom, of course!" he says as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You celebrated mine with me. Time for you to finally see just what the world has to offer."

Staring into his eyes for a moment longer, Elizabeth let out a soft sigh before taking his hand and allowing him to show her this new glorious world he seems to think so highly about. After everything she has been through, she really wants to believe that this world holds more for her than heartache and pain. There has to be more than this numbness that has taken hold of her in the deepest parts of her soul. There just had to be.

~ . ~

Straddling his bike, Jason takes off down the back streets of the town, needing the freedom that his bike always brings to his life from day one. He isn't sure when Sonny is going to return or how long it'll take to convince him to give him his job back, but he's damn sure going to make it happen. Rise or fall he will do it on his terms till then end. Nothing and no one will take his choice away ever again. He doesn't ask much from the people in his life. Only two things. Never lie. And never take away his right to choose. He doesn't presume to know what's best for any of them and he requires the same respect from them.

"Morgan." he states into the phone once he pulls over to the side of the road.

"Your presence is needed at the warehouse." Benny, their accountant, voiced through the phone. "There's much that needs handling."

"On my way." Jason states. "Get everything set."

"Understood."

Ending the call, Jason flips a U and heads straight for the warehouse, determined to keep things running until Sonny's return. Regardless of the lies he spewed, firing him with all the crap going wrong in the business is the worst decision he has ever made. So, regardless of what Sonny wants at this point, Jason will ensure that he has a business to return to.

~ . ~

Sitting in the local diner she finds herself doing the one thing she hasn't done in such a long time, laughing. She can distinctly remember the last time she was ever able to just let it all go and laugh like she had no care in the world. Coincidentally it had been with same goofball she finds herself with now. Zander can sure be a clown when the need arises. Seeing the way she had been feeling, how she must have looked in that moment, he's on silly overdrive. She had been so close to fully letting herself go when an idiot entered the mix.

"Can't get a clue, Smith?" the guy snapped at Zander, putting her on the defense. "You're not welcome here."

"It's a free country, Lucky." Zander replies plainly. "I'm allowed wherever I please."

"Not here you aren't!" Lucky stated. "This is my family's diner!"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Zander states when Lucky moves to grab his arm.

"Think I'm afraid of you?" Lucky says, grabbing his arm. "You're leaving, even if I have to make you."

The moment the guy took hold of Zander's arm, you snapped, unable to help yourself. Grabbing the guy's other arm, you yank it backwards and slam him down onto the table. No one touches Zander without him deserving it. If Zander throws a punch, he better damn well be able to back his own ass up. Pick on him without provocation and Elizabeth will make damn sure it never happens again.

"What the hell?!" Luky exclaims.

"Never touch him." she states firmly. "Yell all you want, but you never touch him. Understood?"

"Let me go!" Lucky snaps.

"In time." Elizabeth says plainly. "Say you're sorry."

"Like hell!" Lucky glares at Zander. "Tell your girlfriend to release me."

"Lucky?" a soft voice came from behind Zander, a look of concern displayed on her face.

"You attacked him without cause." Elizabeth said, tightening her grip. "Apologize."

"Zander!" the girl voices with concern. "Please!"

Elizabeth watched as Zander took in a sharp breath before rising to his feet. Clearly this girl has some affect on her friend and it was clearly the reason behind this guy Lucky's problem with him. Meeting his eyes, Elizabeth watches as he move to stand beside her, clearly over the situation.

"Let's go." Zander says simply.

"You've gotten your reprieve this time." Elizabeth says to Lucky before releasing him. "Steer clear of him because I promise you it won't happen again."

"Who the hell do you think you are, man?" Lucky snaps. "He's nothing but trouble."

"He's not perfect. Doesn't make him less than you:" Elizabeth states before turning to the girl. "Do yourself a favor and keep him at bay. Last thing you need is to have him arrested for harassment."

"Zander?" the girl voices when Zander turns towards the door.

"You made your choice, Emily." Zander states. "Liz."

Without another word, the two of them walk out of the diner, leaving the other two speechless. It's been a while since she and Zander have been together, clearly long enough for him to catch feelings for this girl. Strong enough feelings to rid him of his goofy nature while in her presence. Once they get far enough away, Elizabeth stops him from walking further, too curious to not ask.

"What's with you and the girl?"

"Don't."

"Don't what?" Elizabeth counters. "You obviously feel something for her...dare I say love?"

"It's too long a story for right now." Zander states. "And I'm too sober."

"Fine. It's tabled...for now." Elizabeth accepts."I should get home and unpack anyway. School in the morning and all."

"I'll check you after." Zander replies, easing back into his goofy self. "I have work in the morning."

"Ah...the tortures of freedom." she chuckles. "Soon to be my reality."

"You'll live." he laughs as he shakes his head. "Later kid."

"Later old timer." she counters before walking their separate ways.

Making her way through the town, Elizabeth thinks back on the day's events, believing for the first time that this could actually work out. She has one year of school left and then a few months after that to turn 18. She hadn't expected Zander to be in town, but she finds that she's glad he is. Though certain people in this town clearly need a wake up call, she's starting to feel at home in this town and she can't wait to see what else awaits her in this No Name Town, USA.

Note: Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed. The next few chapters will have subtle time jumps until we get to the part in the timeline where Jason and Elizabeth enter each other's orbit for real.