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Title- Open Your Eyes
Author- Luisa (lulu1221)
Summary- Alternate History Fic. This story starts off when Courtney ran over Elizabeth. Jason and Courtney are engaged and Elizabeth has been spending time with A.J. Jason and Elizabeth were engaged to be married for a while but Jason cheated with Courtney at Jakes after a night of heavy drinking and sulking. Prompting everything to go down hill from there.
Rating- PG 13 for most of it ...
Dis-Claimer- I DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS. They are property of General Hospital and ABC. I'm merely borrowing them.
Authors Note- This fic popped in my head one day and wouldn't leave so I decided to write it and post it. Tell me what you think. I originally posted this story a while ago on another message board but I decided to fix certain things I disliked about it. So in essence this is the new and improved Open Your Eyes.

Prologue

He entered the room as quietly as he could manage. She looked so small in the hospital bed, so pale. She didn't belong here, didn't deserve what happened but things didn't always turn out the way they were supposed to. If they did he would be married by now, to the woman of his dreams raising a child together, but no, he was with Courtney. He was engaged to his boss's sister, he didn't get to choose now. He had to take care of his betrothed, she needed him. It was his fault she was an addict. His fault she drove that night, his fault that his ex was now in the hospital. How was he supposed to leave her, follow his heart and leave the woman who depended on him for the woman that he couldn't help but hurt over and over again. Courtney needed him and Elizabeth deserved better. Those where his reasons for staying away. The night in her studio was a surprise to them both, but he was engaged and she didn't deserve the trouble that came from his life. So he made a decision, now Courtney was home going through detox, and Elizabeth was hospitalized.

"Jason?" said Elizabeth with a hoarse voice.

"Elizabeth, how are you feeling?" his voice full of concern

"Like you care, what are you doing here?" her voice full of spite.

"Elizabeth? How can you say that, I care about you so much, it hurts me seeing you here, in pain. It's not how it should be."

"Jason! Damnit this doesn't help. You, here, saying things like that, they make ME hurt. You made your choice now stick with it. You decided to throw us, me, away like yesterdays garbage, now live with the consequences. I'm not one of your pitiful obligations that you HAVE to watch over. I don't need or want your help. Go back to Courtney and stay the hell away from me."

"Elizabeth, I'm so sorr..."

"No. You don't get to say sorry not after what you've done. Nothing you say can ever justify it. I don't care if you loved me, or if I loved you, we are through, no more friendship and no more than friendship, it's done. You don't get to cheat on me and make me the bad guy. You don't get to promise friendship then turn around and lie to my face. The worst part was I let that stupid night happen, why? I knew you where going to regret it the next morning but again I settled. I settled for your touch, and your company but in the morning you treated me like some whore you found on the street and if that wasn't enough you … oh god you… I get nauseous just thinking of it."

"I don't understand..." he started but was interrupted.

"Yes you do, the look on your face, tells me you do, you're just hoping I don't understand. Understand that you helped her get away with almost killing me. You're afraid I'll turn her in... "

He didn't respond, just stood there staring. How could she possibly know?

"I'm leaving Port Charles as soon as I get discharged. I thought telling you would ensure no one came after me to 'keep me quiet.' Now I want you to leave, don't contact me, don't look for me and don't check up on me. We tried to stay away from each other once and it didn't work because we both still had residual feelings, I don't anymore. Not unless you count pure unadulterated anger and disgust as residual feelings. Goodbye Jason, I hope I never see you again." He could see her hold back tears, she never did learn how to control her emotions in front of him.

"Goodbye Elizabeth." He said as he made his way out of the room. "I love you."

___________________________________________________________________

As she watched him leave a part of her died, she could feel the flame in her dim a bit. He had covered up his lovers hit-n-run, the same one that almost killed her. When A.J. first told her what he had done, she didn't want to believe it, she couldn't. Jason, her Jason, had been part of the 'accident' that almost ended her life. Not only hers but her... no their child.

What Jason would never know was the night of her accident she was on her way to his Pent House. She was going to tell him that they where expecting. That their night together, the fateful night filled with passion and longing had produced a miracle. A little boy or girl that deserved its parents love, no matter its father's obligations, but she never made it to his place, she was run down and left for dead. Her saving grace being the fact that AJ Quartermaine was passing by, and able to get her to the hospital in time.

"Elizabeth?" called the voice from the doorway.

Elizabeth stopped her ministrations of massaging her still small abdomen and looked up to find A.J. at the door.

"Hey."

"Elizabeth, I wanted to talk about your plan to leave Port Charles."

"It's not up for debate. I am leaving no matter what, A.J., nothing you or Emily say will change my mind."

"I want to go with you."

"What?"

"I want to go with you, I want to help you. No matter what Liz, we're family now. That life you're carrying is my niece or nephew and its not fair that it has to grow up without a family because its father is an idiot."

"A.J. I couldn't possibly," Liz started

"You can and you will, I want to be there Elizabeth. I want to help you raise your child. Either it be as a concerned uncle or even a father figure. I could help financially and emotionally. Elizabeth please just take me with you."

--------------------------------

Chapter One
(5 years later)

"Hello dear it's nice to see you again." said Edward from his place at his desk.

"Hello Edward, how are you doing?" responded Liz.

"As well as can be expected." said Edward looking away. "Where's A.J.?"

"Oh he's showing Jake his old room, you know how A.J. is, now that he's finally back he's going to show little Jake the 'wonders' of growing up in Port Charles."

"Well it has been a while since he's been home. Can you blame him for wanting to take advantage of being back?" he said with a smile

"I guess I can't. I feel guilty that you guys had to travel all the way out there to visit, but I just couldn't risk coming out here, I wasn't ready."

"Are you ready now?" Edward said studying her closely.

Elizabeth avoided his gaze long enough to think of a change of topic. "I was thinking of renting a room at the Port Charles Hotel..." Liz started but was interrupted

"Nonsense my child, you'll stay here among family, exactly where you belong." He stated looking her in the eyes. Before she could respond the sound of little footsteps echoed through the halls.

"Grandpa!!" called the small boy as he ran to his great-grandfather.

"Alan Jacob Quartermaine, what have I told you about running in doors." the toddler's mother scolded.

"Sorry Mommy, but I was too happy so see grandpa, I couldn't wait to just walk to him" he said with a smile. The smile he knew would break his mothers will. It always did.

"I hate it when he does that." Elizabeth said with a laugh, "He knows what that smile does to me."

"Yeah and that's why I tell you to get tougher on him, you let him get away with too much. All because of 'that' smile." teased A.J. as he walked in the room.

"Yeah I guess your right." she said looking down.

"Hello A.J." Edward greeted his grandson coldly.

"Hello Grandfather, how have you been?" A.J. said, his voice laced with remorse

"I don't see why people keep asking me 'how I've been' I'd think it would be pretty obvious how I've been, don't you think? Or sometimes they try reassuring me that 'it's' going to be okay'. When it won't be." he responded with a change in tone.

A.J. was caught of guard with his grandfathers sudden change. Then he realized the old man hadn't let himself grieve yet. Alan had spoken to him about his inability to get a reaction from Edward. The old man had shown no emotion since it happened. Edward had to let it all out somehow.

"As if lying to me will make a difference." he continued, "As if me pretending you care will make the hurt go away. But it doesn't, it doesn't get better, it won't ever be 'better.' The love of my life is gone; do you know how that feels? I don't want or need your pity, what I need is to have her back in my arms. If you can't make that happen don't attempt to placate me, and YOU," he said facing in A.J's direction. "Sure as hell don't get to ask me how the hell I'm doing, considering your role in disappointing her." yelled Edward.

"Grandfather!" A.J. yelled back worried that his grandfather was going too far with his anger. This wasn't about them... or at least he didn't want it to turn into a problem between them. His grandfather knew things. Some things that would surely make him lose everything.

Without hesitation Elizabeth went to the old man and embraced him. Jake followed suit and quietly whispered, "It's okay to be angry grandpa, I miss her too. She was the bestest and her leaving us, wasn't fair. But like mommy said, she's with the angels now. She is happy."

Without warning Edward's knees gave out and tears streamed from his eyes. Elizabeth slowly lowered him to the floor. She sat next to him, holding him. Jake wrapped his arms around the old man as best he could as his mother whispered some words of comfort. "Although you don't want to here it right now, where here for you, you're not alone in this Edward. We're here. Your family loves you and will help you get through this anyway we possibly can."
___________________________________________________________________


After Edward's breakdown Elizabeth and Jake stayed with him on the floor huddled together. A.J. stood there watching as his grandfather wept into the arms of the woman he so often referred to as 'Little Lila.'

As A.J. looked on Alan and Monica entered the room. Alan rushed to his father and lifted him off the floor and led him to his room. "You need to rest father, you've had a long day."

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm fine..." Edward said as he tried to compose himself.

"Father..."

"Leave it alone Alan, It was a brief slip it won't happen again."

"Edward..." started Monica.

"I said leave it alone." demanded Edward. He moved back to his desk and sat down with a family photo album. "Monica didn't ... Li... Lila leave something for Elizabeth? Would you give her the envelope please?"

"Of course, follow me dear." said Monica leading Liz out of the room. Alan followed close behind.

"Daddy?" said Jake as he tapped A.J. thus knocking him out of his trance. "Can we go get a snack, I'm hungry."

"Sure thing kiddo, I'll be right back grandfather." A.J. called to his grandfather as he led Jake out of the room.

Edward sat at the desk and stared at the cover of the photo album. Lila had wanted to get her mind off of her condition and decided to organize a few photo albums. She had sent for copies to be made of certain photos and organized them in different albums. He carefully opened the album only to be met by a photo of Lila staring up at him. "Oh my dear, how you despised the idea of keeping the secret. But you being the ever so loyal friend stood by her decision and supported her whenever she needed it. Even though I know you wanted her to tell him. You believed that he had the right to know, even after everything he did."

"Edward?"

Edward looked up to find the man leaning against the door. 'Speak of the devil' he thought. "Jason, what brings you here?"

"I brought someone to see you." said Jason coaxing Michael out of hiding.

"Hello grandfather." said Michael as he finally stepped out from behind the door and walked forward to his great-grandfather.

"My you have grown, a chip off the old block if..." his false vibrato interrupted by the scurry of small footsteps heading toward the study. 'NO' but before Edward could do anything about it Jake had already crashed into Jason's leg and fell to the plush carpet, dropping his sandwich on his way down.

"Ouch, who put that wall there." said the 5 year old. As he got a good look at the man Jacob addressed him. "I'm sorry Mr..."

"Jacob what did your mother tell you about running... oh crap..." said A.J. as he came into the study and caught sight of Jason. "What are you..." Started A.J. but was distracted by what he thought was a flash of red hair. "Michael?"

*************************************************
Chapter 2
Quartermaine Mansion

"Uncle Jason do you know this guy?" said Michael as he hid behind his uncle.

But Jason didn't respond he was too entranced with the little boy on the floor. He had short blond hair. Blue eyes that seemed vaguely familiar and a smile that could awe; he watched as the little boy stood and dusted himself off.

"JASON!" called Michael, "I asked if you know this guy?" said Michael as he pointed at A.J.

But before Jason got to answer the little boy spoke up. "My mommy says it's rude to point." says Jake as he makes his way to his fathers side.

"It is Jakey, very rude, it just goes to show you that it does matter who we let raise our children. Or in my case, who we get bullied by. Right Jason?" said A.J. with a smirk making his brother stiffen.

"A.J. not in front of the boys." warns Edward

"Your right grandfather, we can talk about this later."

"What are you doing here A.J.? Emily said you wouldn't be able to make it."

"Well my baby sister got that all wrong. You see she hoped we wouldn't make it, but I finally convinced my lovely wife to come back to Port Charles."

"What are you..."

"Daddy you know him?" asked Jake quietly

"Oh where are my manners today, Jason Morgan this is my son Alan Jacob Quartermaine. Jake this is... a former acquaintance of mine and your mother's, Jason Morgan."

"You mean the guy that showed mommy the wind?" asked Jake innocently. Earning him a glare from A.J. and look of absolute shock and horror from Jason.

"No." said Jason "A.J. you didn't"

The only response he got in return was a smirk.
_______________________________________________

Elizabeth sat on the bed of the quest room in a little black dress. Her eyes swollen from crying. How she would miss the old woman. Even with her health condition the matriarch of the Quartermaine family still managed to pay her family a visit. The letter the older woman left her said exactly what she had said in life.

No matter what he did, no one deserves what we were doing. I know in my heart darling, you and Jason will always love each other no matter what, A.J. might think his intentions are true and his love is pure but it is tainted with hate and resentment and I fear one day when it is too late you'll realize it and won't have time to get away.

After setting the letter down Elizabeth made her way to the bathroom and washed her face. Whipping away any trace of tears, the family needed her to be strong right now, and she wouldn't let them down. Not after everything they'd done to help her.

"Get it together Elizabeth." she spoke to the mirror. "Once the funeral is over you'll be back home and away from this god-awful place, Away from all the memories."

She left the room and headed for the Edwards study.
_______________________________________________________

"What's wrong Jason it looks like you saw a ghost." said A.J. smugly all the while pulling Jake closer to him.

"A.J. that's enough." warned Edward.

"Why should I spare his feelings? He stole my son, he stole my ex-wife even though he had a fiancé at the time. I think him hearing this from me is almost worth the trouble. I mean I did after all come out on top didn't I, I have a wife and a son, and he... he has nothing. My brother has no wife, not anymore at least. He has no family, all because he was stupid enough to betray the woman he was supposed to love. Karma... you gotta love it. He took my son from me and I..."

"A.J.!" yelled Edward. "Shut your mouth before you say something you regret."

"Daddy... you're scaring me."

That is when the men heard footsteps heading their way. Heeled footsteps, A.J.'s smile grew as he realized who it must be.

"Jakey honey, are you in here?" called Elizabeth as she made her way to Edward's office.

All the while Jason didn't take his eyes off the door. He recognized that voice. No, it couldn't be. A.J. had to have been lying. She left Port Charles years ago. But it didn't matter what he told himself nothing cold stop his eyes from confirming the identity of the woman that walked in the room. The one woman that had slipped away, Elizabeth Webber, had returned to Port Charles.