A/N – Thanks for the comments! You guys crack me up already trying to push Johnny towards someone else so you get your Liason faster lol. Sorry, it will be quite a while.

Chapter 4

Roy removed the blanket. "Alright, we got it."

"It feels a lot lighter," she said after taking a deep breath. The weight of the beam and other things that had fallen on them had made it hard to breathe deeply. Jason, she could handle. She blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the light. "How are you going to move Jason?"

"Very carefully. We'll stabilize his neck so it doesn't move and then carefully guide him onto a board. From there we'll put him in a stretcher basket and he'll be lifted up via helicopter." Several men would have to move him to make sure his head and spine remained stable and they didn't do further damage to his leg.

"Why do you think that he passed out?"

"It could have been the blood loss combined with the brain injury. Jason's body is probably in shock. We'll take good care of him."

A few men dropped into the space and started working on Jason. It was difficult, due to his position, but they managed to secure him and then move him to the backboard. Elizabeth immediately felt more relief.

"Don't move. We have to make sure that you are okay too."

Her neck was stabilized and then she was put on a backboard as well.

Jason was lifted out as cheers filled the air. A helicopter flew above and a rope dropped down. They secured it to the basket and after a few minutes, someone hoisted it inside. They went a short distance and landed.

Patrick rushed towards the copter with a gurney and Jason was carefully placed on it and quickly moved into the elevator. Patrick straddled his body and worked on him from above as he was pushed towards the OR.

Back outside, Liz was waiting for her ride. It was surreal. The sky looked beautiful and she tried to focus on it instead of the devastation around her.

"It was nice meeting you Elizabeth. I'll keep you and Jason in my prayers."

"Thank you so much. You kept me sane."

The helicopter hovered above and Liz was lifted up and then pulled inside. The ride was a little scary, but she kept her wits about her. When they landed on the roof, Jeff was waiting with the other staff.

"I'm so glad to see you," he said emotionally.

"I never thought it would happen."

She was pushed into the elevator and Leyla slipped a heart monitor onto her finger.

"Daddy, do you know if Jason is in surgery already?"

"He was on his way. The nurses were prepping him."

She was covered in dirt, so she knew that would be a chore to get off. "I'd kill for a shower."

"Let's get you checked out and we'll see what kind of condition you are in."

Liz closed her eyes. Exhaustion was setting in now that her adrenaline was slacking off. "So tired."

"Try to stay awake." They pushed her into an exam room where several nurses were waiting and they cleaned her up the best they could and accessed her injuries.

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Johnny was going nuts. He was so happy she was okay, but he really wanted to see her. Jeff walked towards him. "How is she?"

"She's dehydrated, emotionally and physically drained, and she has a sprained ankle and wrist. There is some deep bruising on various parts of her body and she had a cut on her head which the plastic surgeon is stitching up."

"That's it?" He was expecting far worse.

"It's a miracle. Jason, I'm afraid, didn't fare as well."

Francis rushed in. "How are they?" Jeff gave him an update.

"What will they have to do to his leg?" Francis knew that Jason didn't do well with down time.

"They will use intramedullary nailing in order to keep the bones in the proper position during healing. We're talking at least four months of recuperation. He's young and strong, so hopefully it won't be for six months or longer. He'll probably be in the hospital for at least a week due to his multiple injuries. He also has broken ribs and his back is badly bruised. He's lucky it didn't break."

"Jesus."

"Patrick is on the surgical team as well. He's doing some brain testing and tending to the rather large bump on the back of Jason's head. He'll drain it if necessary. When he wakes up, we'll see if he still doesn't remember who he is."

"And if he doesn't?"

"It's a waiting game. Patrick can determine if there was brain damage. There is a chance that it will take several months for the swelling to go down, so he can get his memory back. Typically, it really depends on which area of the brain was affected. He may remember how to do construction, but not know simple things like right versus wrong or saying sorry."

"So your saying it's possibly he won't have a filter?"

Jeff nodded. "That's a way to put it. He will have to learn some things all over. I need to go see a patient. Jason will probably be in surgery for another hour."

"Thanks Dr. Webber." They shook hands and Jeff walked away.

Johnny turned to his friend. "I'm sorry."

"I'm worried about him. He doesn't have anybody and he's going to need help."

Monica cleared his throat. "He has us. We'll help."

"No disrespect, but Jason wanted nothing to do with you. You can't take advantage of his state of mind like that."

"I'm not trying to do that. We are his family and yes I know it's been a bumpy ride, but he has never given us chance. He can't just go home by himself right now. We have Alice who helps take care of Lila who Jason is close too. Emily will be there as well. He cares for both of them. I won't lie to him about anything. Once he's able, he can go home, but how in the world can he navigate the steps at Jake's right now?"

Francis sighed. "You have a point about Jake's. Look, it's Jason's choice. I think you should give him a few days to process before you approach him about this."

"Okay. I need you to know that we are not the enemy. Emily signed off on the surgery. He gave her the power to do that."

Francis had no problem with that. He just wanted to have Jason's back.

"If you have any questions, please ask."

"I will."

She walked away and Johnny and Francis sat.

"I don't know Jason, but I can tell you have gotten close to him," Johnny said.

"As close as he let me. The man has some serious trust issues, but he is a good leader and all the guys like him. I consider him a friend."

"Doesn't sound like he's going to be happy about all the down time."

Francis made a face. "Hell no. I was thinking that maybe after a month, I could get him in a wheel chair and let him boss everyone around."

"That would probably be good for him, if he remembers. I can't even imagine not remembering my life. Is it wrong that I'm happy it's not Elizabeth?"

"No. I'm glad it wasn't her too. Jason is strong and healthy. He heals fast."

Katherine walked towards them.

"How is she?"

"She has a mild concussion and a sprained wrist and ankle. They sewed up the laceration, but they want her to stay in the hospital a few days so they can monitor her. They are worried about swelling and dizziness."

"I'm glad she's going to be okay."

"Me too."

"Francis, this is Katherine. A tree fell on her daughter while they were driving."

"Wow. I'm glad that you're both okay."

"I think I have gray hair now, but at least we both survived."

She sat next to them. "How is your girlfriend?"

"She's going to be okay. She got lucky. Jason basically sacrificed his body to save her. I'm very grateful. I'll be right back."

She looked over at Francis. "Are you friends with his girlfriend?"

"Not really. I like her a lot though. I'm friends with Johnny and the man who saved Elizabeth."

"I'm sorry."

"Thanks."

"Have you eaten?"

Francis was handsome, but he looked really tired. "No. I've been preoccupied."

"You should get some water and some food. You'll be no good to them if you wear yourself to thin."

"You're right. How long do you have to wait for your daughter?"

"They said they'd move her in a half hour. She should be awake by then."

He stood. "Come on, we can make it. You need to eat too, my treat."

She smiled. "Thanks."

He walked by Johnny. "We're going to cafeteria. Can I bring you something or do you want to go with us?"

"Um, they are moving Liz to a room now. Can you bring me some coffee?"

"You got it."

"Thanks."

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Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open.

"Welcome back," Stefan said. He was a general doctor at the hospital. While his family owned a major coffee conglomerate, medicine was his passion. So, he went against his rather overbearing mother and chose to follow his heart. She then managed to wiggle her way onto the board of the hospital in order to monitor him.

"Stefan."

"Well, I'm glad you recognize me."

"Very funny."

He did a few tests and then Jolene gave her some water.

"Thank you."

"No problem. Are you in pain?"

She slightly moved. "Ow."

"I'll take that as a yes." He put the morphine drip button in her hand. "Press on that when needed."

"Am I okay?"

"You've certainly seen better days. You're battered and have a sprained wrist and ankle as well as some bruised ribs. Leo used his magic hands to suture your cut and you have a mild concussion. We're going to keep you in here for another day, just to make sure you're okay. You gave everyone quite the scare."

"Jason?"

"He's still in surgery. I should know more in another half hour. I'll get word to you."

"Thanks."

"You need to rest and let your body heal."

Her mother rushed in. "Elizabeth."

"Mom."

Andrea gently kissed her cheek and then pushed her hair back. "I'm so happy that you're going to be okay."

"I was so scared. When Jason passed out at the end, I was all alone. Roy was wonderful."

"We'll have to hunt him down and spoil him a bit."

"Definitely."

Jeff walked in. "That won't be necessary. Mr. Deluca is right here."

Roy sheepishly walked around him. "Hello Elizabeth."

She smiled. "Thank you so much for helping me. You kept me sane."

"Well, I'm glad we got you out of there."

"I don't remember seeing you around town."

"I just moved here."

"Well, then I am very lucky."

He was a little bashful which Elizabeth thought was cute.

"I don't want to keep you. I just couldn't leave until I knew that you were stable."

"We really appreciate it. I hope that you're willing to give us your number so that we can contact you later and perhaps invite you to dinner," Andrea said.

Bobbie walked around them. "You should take them up on it. Their cook is fabulous."

Roy smiled. "Sure."

Jeff followed him out and got his number and then joined his wife and daughter.

"How bad is the damage to the wing?"

"It's pretty bad. We'll have to do a structural test on what is left. Maybe there is a small hope you don't have to totally start from scratch, but it's not looking good."

Her eyes began to tear and her dad took her hand.

"Don't worry about that right now. We just need you to get better."

"Will you at least have Diane come visit me tomorrow?"

"I already did. I know you. She is biting at the bit and will start to prepare the lawsuit."

"Good."

Johnny stood in the doorway and her parents looked at each other.

"We have to go help. The emergency room is brimming with people. We'll come back later."

"Okay."

"Love you," Jeff said.

"Love you too daddy."

Andrea cleared her throat, making Liz smiled. She was always a daddy's girl.

"I love you too mom."

"I love you."

They said hi to Johnny as they left and then he slowly entered the room.

"Hey," she said softly.

He touched the bed and felt her toes. "Just making sure they are all there."

Their eyes were locked. His were stormy and hers were tired.

He wearily sat down and took her hand. "I was so worried about you."

"Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I hate that you're in here and I want to beat the crap out of Ric Lansing."

"Get in line."

"Talk to me."

Her eyes welled up. "I'm fine."

"You are so not fine."

"I just can't talk about it right now." She was struggling to maintain her composure. The minute she saw him she wanted to break down, but she was forcing herself not to go to that place.

He kissed the back of her hand. "Okay. Just know that I am here if you want to."

"Thanks."

Johnny knew that the experience probably had changed Elizabeth forever, but it was hard to see her so closed off.

"I'm so tired. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep? I'm scared to close my eyes."

"I'll be right here. Just rest."

Liz quickly dozed off. Johnny watched her breath even out and then closed his eyes. He would sleep when she slept.

An hour later, he jumped a mile high when her scream pierced the air.

"Jason!"

"Elizabeth. Wake up."

She whimpered. "Don't move. You can't move." She muttered a couple of sentences as Jolene rushed into the room.

"She's having a nightmare."

"I can't imagine what she went through."

"Me either."

Elizabeth's eyes snapped open.

"It's okay. You're okay. It was just a dream."

Her eyes displayed the terror she felt as she tried to catch her breath.

"Deep breaths Elizabeth," Jolene said.

Liz tried, but she was already in full panic mode. Quickly, Epiphany rushed inside with some medicine and injected it in her I.V.

"That will help you sleep." It only took a minute for the medicine to work and Liz was out cold.

Francis stood in the doorway. "Johnny."

He walked into the hallway. "What's up?"

"When she wakes up, let her know that Jason is resting in his room. He's knocked out. They want to keep him still all night.

"I will."

"You should have them move a bed into the room."

Jolene rushed by. "I'm on it."

"Get some rest."

He nodded and watched him walk away. "What room is Jason in?"

"He's down at the end of the hall, last door on the right."

"Thanks."

Johnny walked down there and slowly entered the room. Jason's leg was raised and he had a bandage around his head. He looked like shit.

"It looks bad, but they say he will get better," Emily said quietly.

Johnny's eyes locked with hers. "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was in here."

She stood and walked towards him. "Emily."

"I'm Johnny."

"How do you know my brother?"

"I don't. Elizabeth, who he saved, is my girlfriend."

"How is she?"

"They just gave her a sedative. She was having a nightmare."

Emily gazed at her brother. "I can't imagine what they must have gone through."

"We'll just have to be there for them."

"Definitely."

"It was nice meeting you. I'll check on him tomorrow."

Emily sat back down on the bed and gazed at her brother. He was a mess, but as long as his heart was beating, she would be there for him. It had been difficult getting to know him. One weekend, she went to visit him and he was sick. She took care of him and they got to know each other better. Because Emily was younger than him, Jason started watching out for her. And that is how their bond began. She loved him and looked forward to spending time with him. It was more difficult because of her schedule, but they tried to at least have one meal together a week. She needed him to remember, because she couldn't imagine her life without him.