Elizabeth had come to his penthouse without expectation. She had a vague idea of the reason they were within this safe haven, but all of that became distant thought as he brought her into his arms. She moved up to the tips of toes, reaching and wrapping her arms around his neck. The solemn air hung over the living room like storm clouds, neither brave enough to speak for the time being. Words could not have broken the silence, nor would they have offered any insight to the circumstances. She simply melted against his arms, the constant pain of threatening tears forming a knot in her throat. A singular tear fell against his shoulder near the spot her chin rested, and he felt the warm moisture seep through the cotton of his shirt. With quick movement, he lifted her lithe form from the floor, carrying her gently with on his way to the couch. He came to rest near the corner, sinking into the cushion with her directly in his lap. Her embrace tightened against his shoulders as a light sob raked through her spine, and he felt the walls fall down.

His hands worked to stroke her back, comforting her while allowing her the chance to get out the discomfort of the tears that needed to fall. He felt his own tears welling within crystalline eyes, and he sniffed them back as though they had no meaning. He felt adrift in time as he tried to console her, while avoiding his feelings with careful steps. If he broke down, they would become puddles on the living room floor with no resemblance of strength. The world stopped for just a moment, and she took a shaky breath while his fingers moved to wipe the fallen tears. He sought her gaze, assuring her with eye contact that he would take care of her, at the very least for this evening. As her tears came to an end, she brought trembling fingers through curled lengths of brunette hair, a clear attempt to regain her composure.

"I'm sorry, Jase. I just sort of lost it…" She trailed off, pearled tips nibbling at her bottom lip.

"Elizabeth, it's okay. You needed to get that out." He offered her the skeleton of a smile.

"Thanks. What about you?" She questioned, concerned for his well being.

"I'll be fine. If you stay with me…" He paused, studying her eyes, "I'll be fine." He repeated the words as though doing so would convince her to stay.

Though his heart ached in a slight manner, he put that to the corner of his mind. He was done thinking about anything remotely serious for the evening. That could wait for another day, perhaps one less rattled with emotion. For now, he was focused on cheering her up. He wanted to have at least one more moment of dignity. He moved her carefully from his lap, setting her on the opposite side of the couch as he rose from the cushions. She watched with interest as he strode into the nook where the pool table stood, searching the bookcase for an object of some sort. There, he plucked a small rendition of a globe from the shelf and made his way back to the couch. He held the small item in the palm of his hand, offering it to her. She brought the globe into her hands, studying the continents with curiosity.

"Pick a place." He urged.

"What?" She looked up from the globe, curious as to why he asked her to do so.

"Just pick somewhere, anywhere." He pointed at the globe, signifying her to follow.

She twirled the globe, eyeing each continent with careful consideration. Her interest was caught when she reached the European continents. She began nibbling nervously on her lip as she mulled over the prospects. She really wasn't sure what he was getting at, but she didn't want to pick just any place. Her eyes lit up when she eyed a certain location she had always dreamt of seeing and with the tip of her finger, she singled out a portion of the globe. He peeked over the tips of her fingers, realizing her choice had been a location in France and near a place he vaguely knew of. He quickly stole the globe back from her, making his way over to the shelves once again. A world atlas came to rest on the pool table, and he compared it with the globe. After a moment of study, she watched him pull a cellular phone from his pocket. The phone was flicked open and he pressed a number in, holding the phone to his ear.

"Hey. Get the jet ready, I'll be going to Beaujolais for a week or two." He told the person on the line. "Yeah, actually, just find a nice room." He paused again, apparently listening quite intently. "Sure. Thanks." And the phone was returned to his pocket.

"Jason!" Her eyes were wide, and she was about to protest his sudden vacation plans, when he interrupted her.

"It will clear your mind, Elizabeth. I don't really want to go alone." He wasn't going to beg, but he gave her a good explanation.

"What will I tell—" She began, but was interrupted again.

"Does it matter?" He was before her, giving her a look that simply said 'You can't resist.' His behaviour was a little far from the Jason she was used to, but he was the kind to take off on a moments notice. Perhaps that was a good way of dealing with things? Again, had she been less wrapped up in emotion, she might have thought better of the idea. Since she wanted nothing more than to spend uninterrupted time with him all of a sudden, she decided to do just that.

"I don't have any clothes." She remembered.

"I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry about any of the details, just leave that to me." He gave her the best smile he could muster.

"Okay. When do we leave?" She asked, trying to hide the excitement swelling in her.

"Now." He grabbed her hand, helping her up from the couch. "Just wait here for a minute." He disappeared upstairs, and she heard something unzip and several drawers come open. Not five minutes later, he came down the stairs with a small suitcase where she guessed he packed sufficient clothing for himself. He grabbed a coat and small box from the closet, tucking the box into his suitcase a second later. "Ready?" He opened the door and looked toward her.

"As I'll ever be." She nodded, and joined him at the door. He brought her through the opening with his free arm, closing the door after he cleared it. He motioned to one of the guards outside the door and the guard summoned the elevator for them. Once the elevator arrived, they found themselves in the company of the guard, who rode down to the bottom floor with them.

Once outside, he showed them to a small town car, where he put Jason's bag into the trunk and opened the rear door for the couple. Since taking over the business, Jason was still getting accustomed to having the full extent of services at his beck and call. Not that Sonny had deprived him in any way, but usually he preferred to do things on his lonesome. Then he realized he was somewhat acting as Sonny had so many times, but he shrugged the idea from his mind. Despite the discomfort, he climbed into the back seat after Elizabeth and watched the guard slip into the driver's side door.

"Airport, right?" The guard asked.

"Yeah." Jason answered simply.

The guard started the car, and they began the short trip to the airport where the jet awaited their arrival. The emotions in the backseat were riding on high between both Jason and Elizabeth. Jason wasn't entirely sure where this sudden idea had come from, nor was he entirely sure it was the best of ideas, but he was fed up with thinking everything through until there wasn't anything left.

Elizabeth glanced up at Jason, wondering nearly the same things. She wasn't usually such the impulsive traveler, but something in his eyes when he asked her to pick a place on that little globe just had her weak. He brought his closed hand over hers, his eyes asking her to open her hand. She obliged, and waited as he placed that very same globe in the palm of her hand. She clutched her fingers around the round item, coming to cherish it as she did.

"Thanks again, Jason. I'm going to owe you for the rest of my life." She laughed faintly at the revelation. He merely shook his head.

"I should thank you for coming along." He watched as she tucked the globe away in the pocket of her coat and brought her eyes back to his. For the first time all evening, she displayed that familiar, radiant smile on plush lips. He couldn't help but lose himself when she smiled; she always had such an enticing smile. His hand cupped her cheek and he brought her face close to his, his lips brushing hers for the second time that evening.

This time, she turned the soft contact into a sweet kiss that lasted a short time, before her head rested against his chest. He was beginning to thank God that he had run into her on the docks, she was successfully stealing his attention from anything else that happened to be going on in the world.

After a short time, the car came to a halt near the airport and the guard opened the door for the two. Jason stepped out, and helped Elizabeth out behind him. Once the guard had taken his suitcase to the private jet, he glanced back at her one last time before boarding the small flight of stairs leading into the passenger area of the small plane. Without a second thought, she boarded the jet behind him. She left her thoughts and worries on the ground as the jet moved forward down the runway. She didn't know where the journey would lead, she only knew that now there would be no turning back. They were in this to see exactly where it would go. Such a mystery baffled her mind as they began into the night sky, but she was sure she'd learn what she needed to know in a matter of days.

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A bit short, but that is the second chapter to this little fiction. I just really adore these two, and though their interactions are becoming more frequent, I really wish they would begin a new storyline together. Jase is sort of following some impulses with the sudden trip, but he's done that whole "get away" thing a time or two. I couldn't help it, it seems like a grand adventure! Elizabeth is also following this impulsive idea, and for those who might have questions about Lucky and Cameron, that will be addressed in the future. Cam is with Lucky, though :D Though, when they get home… there will be a lot to deal with!

So, what do you think of the second installment? Shall I continue?