Disclaimer: I do not own these characters! Also, this is my first story so please be kind:)

It is the day after the B&W ball and everyone is still recovering and trying to figure out what happened. The ball happened as it did on the show with the exception that Emily has not died and Zacharra escaped. When Jason and Liz were on the ledge Johnny came and saved them, distracting Zacharra.

Chapter 1

So much had happened and changed in the last 24 hours. She left Spoon Island on the second boat, the first boat took Leyla, Sonny, Rick and Luke since they were most in need of medical attention. By the time the first boat arrived to the island Anthony Zacharra was no where to be found. Jason had stayed behind to wait for Mac to arrive to go over what had happened that night. He knew they had much to talk about and told her to call him when she was ready.

Emily knew that she would be needed at the hospital so she rode back with Liz along with Patrick and Robin. The first few minutes of the ride was quiet, everyone still trying to figure out why all this had happened. Liz looked over to Robin and Patrick who were sitting together, Robin leaning into Patrick, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know, if I didn't know any better this night has changed everything between you two."

"I don't know about that, it just makes you realize that life is short. It is unpredictable and so much is out of your control. The way I feel about Patrick has not and will not change but after tonight my perspective has." She looked at Patrick, he was blurred by the tears sitting in her eyes. Robin turned back to Liz and Emily in the seat across from her and continued "After what happened earlier this year at the Metrocourt and tonight, I don't know about you guys but I plan on seriously looking at what I want out of life…" looking back to Patrick "… or who I want."

"I know what I want, I am going to marry my prince the first chance I get." Emily stated decisively.

Liz sat in silence, Robin's words running through her mind. 'Who I want'. That was easy, she knew she wanted him and he wanted her but it was not that easy. Her mind flashed back to the conversation she had with Jason in the stables and the events with Zacharra and Jason on the ledge. It was clear what they both wanted but were they "willing to take the risk". Liz did not realize the last part of her thoughts had escaped her lips.

Looking over to Liz, Emily was about to speak when they pulled up to the docks. They stood on the docks, Patrick took Robin's hand "I'm escorting you home, we don't know where Zacharra is and I am not taking any chances." He turned back to Emily and Liz "Can I help….." Before he could finish his sentence Max walked up.

"Jason called, the phones are working. He asked me to come see you both home safely."

Robin whispered that she would see Emily and Liz at the hospital and Patrick simply nodded to them, they turned and walked away.

"Are you ladies OK?" they both shrugged their shoulders and Liz looked back over the harbor.

"Its been a long night, I think we both need a long shower and a warm bed. Can you take me to the Quartermaines? I need to shower and take a nap before I head to the hospital"

"I have my car here, I will be fine to…" Liz was interrupted by Max.

"No, no, I have been given exact orders that I am to see you both home. You can get your car later, we do not know where Zacharra disappeared to." Liz did not have the energy to fight.

"Fine but we need to stop by my Grams to get the boys before you take me home."

Max dropped Emily off first. Liz got out of the car to hug Emily, she started to walk away but turned back to Liz, "I know you two love each other. The fact that Jake is Jason's is a risk in itself but you must know and I am sure he has told you this, he will risk his life and do everything in his power to protect you, Jake and Cam. I don't think it is the safety issue that has you scared. I think you are afraid of everything but security, You are afraid of what everyone will say, what they will think, what if he hurts you, what if you hurt him. I was scared to take Nicolas back and look at me now. No second thoughts, I just followed my heart. So I am going to stop pushing the issue and give you one piece of advice… If you don't take the chance with this, you and Jason… I don't think either of you can handle it, going back to being just friends… Everything you have with Jason, you will lose him." Liz simply nodded, tears running down her face. Emily pulled her into another hug "I love you."

"I love you too Em, thank you"

Liz climbed back into the car and as they were pulling away from the Quartermaine mansion Max called someone and told them that Emily was home safe and had a guard on her. They went to pick up the boys. After spending a few minutes with the boys Liz let Audrey talk her into leaving the boys there for a few more hours so she could go home and rest. She gave the boys each one more hug and kiss and reluctantly left.

She climbed back into the car, Max was on the phone and Liz caught enough of the conversation to hear that another guard was on their way here too. "The boys are going to stay here for a while so I can rest so you can just take me home, I got a house. It is on…"

"I know where you live." He interrupted.

Liz looked at him puzzled. "How do you know, I just moved there."

"Jason had us check security when he found out you were moving there…" he made an awkward face "… and you've had a guard on you since before Jake was born."

Liz had expected this, although would feel better not knowing because she thought it was weird that someone knew her every move. At the same time it comforted her that no matter what happened she knew Jason would take care of her and the boys. Em was right, she is not scared for the boys safety, she is scared of everything else. Robin was right too, life is unpredictable and there are a lot of things beyond our control. She sat in silence till they pulled onto her street "Max?"

"Yes"

"I know you have talked to Jason, is he still at on the island?" At that exact moment Max's phone rang. Liz caught enough of Max's side of the conversation to know that it was Jason and he was still there. Max hung up the phone as he pulled into Liz's driveway.

"That was Jason, he is just finishing up there."

"Max, I'm going to run inside and pick up a change of clothes, will you take me to the Penthouse instead?"

Max did not reply, he simply nodded. They made it to the penthouse, he helped her inside and offered to stay till Jason got home. "I'll be OK, I'm just going to rest on the couch, I am sure you have plenty of work to do." Max excused himself and when he reached the garage called Jason to inform him of his visitor.

Liz changed into her sweats and plopped down on the couch. Her body began to ache as the exhaustion started to overcome her. Pulling the blanket over her body she caught a familiar scent. Memories of this couch, that night, the night that started everything, and changed everything rushed through her mind. She smiled at the thoughts. She knew what had to be said when he returned and was sure in her decision. Cuddling up in the blanket she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Jason arrived home to find Liz sound asleep on his couch. He knew she had been through hell and did not want to disturb her. He walked to the side of the couch, placed a light kiss on her forehead, sat in the chair and was quickly asleep himself.

Hours later Liz awoke to a light buzzing sound. Looking over she saw Jason sound asleep in the chair. The buzzing sound continued and she remembered she grabbed her phone when she stopped home. It must've been on vibrate. She checked out the caller ID and ran into the next room with it so she did not wake Jason. "Hey Grams… Yes….Yes I am…. Are you sure… Ok, if he wants to stay for another night that's fine, give Cam and Jake a kiss for me and tell them I will be there early tomorrow morning because I miss them…. Ok, I will see you in the morning, bye."

Walking back into the living room Liz stopped next to the chair admiring the calmness of Jason's sleeping form. He was beautiful and she could not resist reaching down and brushing his hair from his face. His eyes flashed open as he took in a deep breath and stretched his aching muscles. "What time is it?"

"I have no idea, late. We slept all day. When did you get home, why didn't you wake me up?"

"I got home not long after you got here and I think you needed sleep as much as I did. Why did you come here? Not that I mind, when Max told me you were here I was glad."

She smiled that he liked the idea of coming home to her "Ummm, well I didn't want to go home to my empty house… and I wanted to see you, talk to you. I think I know, well I have known what I want to do, but I made a decision." She sat on the coffee table in front of Jason.

He looked as though he was mentally preparing himself for her to tell him that she couldn't do it, that she was too scared no matter how much she loved him. He leaned forward and took in a deep breath. "Ok."

She looked into his eyes, although all day she had thought so much about it, she could not find the words. She knew what she wanted and wanted to tell him, to scream that it was him, he was what she wanted, to raise their family together… but now that the moment was here, looking into his eyes, she was speechless. She had to say something. Jason's eyes were heavy with tears, he was nervous, something he was not used to. She had to take control, needed him to know she chose him, finally after all these years it was him… and he did know the moment her lips came crashing into his.