A/N - The accident with AJ never happened. Jason has been running ELQ for 5 years, but he's miserable. I see him as 29. He has been lashing out, drinking, and fighting because he feels lost and empty. He buys a motorcycle and gets in an accident and hits his head which causes brain damage.

Liz is a nurse (she's 24). She has no kids. The rape happened but Lucky didn't help her get over it. She reported it and put the guy in jail with her testimony. She fought to get herself back together and had to fight her family along the way to do it.

Carly never had Michael. She is single. Jason and Carly became friends over the last year commiserating at Jakes. They never slept together.

Jason had a serious relationship with Robin. They are not presently together.

In this story, Jason is a little bit Jason Q. and a little bit Jason M.

Chapter 1 - Awakenings

Jason struggled to open his eyes. The light was blinding. He blinked a few times and sounds began to permeate his ears. At first it was whispering, and then he heard someone yell, "He's awake." Shapes started getting clearer and his eyes linked with the most beautiful pair of blue eyes. He couldn't look away.

"It's okay, don't panic. Just relax. You're in the hospital." Liz said softly.

Jason nodded and then finally tore his eyes from her and looked around the room. There were all these people standing around staring at him.

"Jason, oh my god I can't believe that you're awake." A woman said crying.

Jason gripped his sheets. "Who are you?" He said starting to feel panicked.

"Oh honey, I'm so happy right now. You came back to us." Monica said moving towards Jason who put up his hand out to stop her." Monica froze. "Don't you know who I am? I'm your mother." She said staring at Jason's blank expression.

Alan stepped in front of Monica. "Son? Are you okay?"

Elizabeth could see the terror in Jason's eyes build and told everyone to leave the room.

"You can't kick me out." Carly whined.

Elizabeth got in her face. "Try me. He is upset. You need to leave now." She demanded.

"Fine." Carly said stomping out the room.

Monica and Alan followed her and then Liz turned to look at him. "Better?"

Jason nodded.

"I'll have your doctor come in and take a look." She said turning to leave.

"Don't leave me." He said hoarsely.

Liz smiled. "I promise I'll be right back."

Jason let out the breath he was holding. His head was throbbing and he really wanted some water. Every time he moved pain shot through his entire body.

The door opened and Patrick and Elizabeth walked in.

"Jason, it's good to see you." Patrick said walking towards the bed.

"Do I know you?"

"Yes. I'm going to check your eyes for a second." Patrick flashed the light in Jason's eyes and did some other tests.

"What's wrong with me?" Jason asked softly.

Patrick looked down at him. "You were in a motorcycle accident. You fractured your skull and you've been in a coma for a week. We think the swelling and trauma in your brain may be affecting your long term memory."

Jason frowned. "Will I get it back?"

Patrick sighed. "We don't know. It could come back tomorrow or…."

"Or never." Jason added.

"That is a possibility."

"Why does it hurt so bad to move?" Jason said grimacing. It felt like he had been run over by a truck.

"Your hips and thighs as well as your left side are deeply bruised. You were lucky that you didn't break anything but a few ribs. So, it's going to be a while until you're fully functional."

"I'm stuck here then?"

Patrick nodded. "For the immediate future. You're going to need physical therapy and lots of rest. We'll see what happens during the next week and go from there. Do you have any questions?"

"There were a lot of people here to see me. Can I stop them from coming in here tonight?" Jason asked. He just didn't have the strength to deal with all of the strangers.

Patrick was surprised. "Yes, but Jason they are your family."

"But, I don't know them."

"For now, I will allow your request. But Jason, you're going to have to face them sooner or later."

Patrick looked at Liz and then walked out.

Elizabeth poured some water in a cup and put a straw in it. "This is going to hurt." She said adjusting the bed angle.

Jason grimaced and was glad when she stopped. He watched her put the straw near his mouth and he drank. It felt so good on his sore throat.

"Small sips." She said softly watching him. He had long hair which kind of surprised her. He could pull it off, that was for sure. But, the Quartermaine's were a little more conservative.

He finished and she put it down.

"Do I know you?" He asked.

"Not really. I've said hello to you once or twice, but that's about it."

"What is your name?"

"Elizabeth or you can call me Liz if you want."

Jason nodded.

"I have to finish making my rounds, but I get off in an hour. Do you want me to stop back and see you before I leave?" She felt bad for Jason and wanted to make sure that he was okay. For some reason, she felt drawn to him.

"Yes." Jason wasn't even sure why he said yes. He just felt the need to be around her. She was the only one he felt comfortable with.

She smiled at him and left.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

"Liz." Carly said. "How is he?"

Elizabeth was surrounded by the Quartermaines and she suddenly felt nervous. "He's calm but overwhelmed. He just wants to be left alone for now while he processes everything." Liz said trying to be diplomatic.

"But he needs us." Carly said trying to not cry.

"There's nothing I can do. It's his decision."

Monica wiped away a few tears and Liz felt horrible.

"Look, he asked me stop by and check on him when I'm done my rounds. I'll try to keep an eye on him for you." She said touching Monica's arm.

Carly's jaw clenched. "Why would he want to see you and not his friends and family?"

"Carly, I can't explain why Jason feels the way he feels. Maybe he doesn't feel any pressure from me." Liz said as nicely as she could.

Alan stepped forward. "Thank you for being there for our son. We do appreciate it."

Liz nodded and walked away. She was grateful to be done with the conversation. Her rounds went quickly and she went into the locker room and changed. She took her hair down and then grabbed her purse and headed to Jason's room.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

"What are we going to do?" Monica said to Alan. "He doesn't remember us."

Alan shook his head. "I don't know. He's been spiraling out of control for the last year. I just don't know how to help him."

Tracy looked over at them. "You need to give him some space."

Alan growled. "That's easy for you to say. If it were Dillon or Ned lying there, would you feel the same way?"

Tracy glared at her brother. "Alan, he has been pushing you guys away and if you push back too hard, you are going to lose him for good this time." She said loudly. Everyone assumed Tracy was an ice queen, but she and Jason had some long talks and she understood his restlessness. He didn't feel like he had a purpose. Everything he had done in his life was dictated by his family. He had lost someone really important to him, and it had eaten Jason up inside. She totally got him.

"What do you know Tracy? It's not like you and Jason were close. You don't even know him like we do." Monica said.

Tracy ignored her. She didn't want them to know that she was close with Jason. They would just try to use it to their advantage anyway. "Fine, keep doing what you've been doing for the last year then. Cause it's been working out so well for you." Tracy said walking out of the room.

"She's right." Edward said softly. "Our boy is lost and he needs to find his own way. Everything I've done for him was out of love, but in the end, it smothered him."

They looked up as Carly strode into the room. "How are we going to get Jason back?" She yelled.

A/N - Let me know what you think! I appreciate feedback! This story is really about relationships.