A/N – Thanks for the comments! Kikimoo, ilovedana53 – I wasn't really trying to give off the vibe that they were never connected to their fiancés. But when something really bad happens to most people, they disconnect. It's a coping mechanism. So they were in love with Ric and Gina. But right now, they just feel disconnected from everyone but each other. And we all have our traits that drive the other crazy. So knowing, for example, that Ric is overbearing when right now you need space would be overwhelming. Their whole world turned upside so they aren't really themselves right now.
Ilovedana53, dreamlover22 – Seriously didn't mean to imply anything between Ric/Sarah. Also, Dana, mentioned in chapter 4 that Sarah/Liz had good relationship. And also have shown they are very worried about how their fiances will handle them. * Liason4220 – Thank you! * ghfan51184 – I agree!
Chapter 7 – Separation Anxiety
A few hours later, a woman walked into their room.
"Hello, I'm Carol Heldings. I'm a crisis manager for AirValue Jet."
They both looked at each other and then back to the woman.
"We didn't realize they were going to keep you this long, or I would have approached you sooner. First, on behalf of AirValue Jet, I want to let you know that we will make sure that all of your needs are covered. If you want to speak to a counselor, we will pay for it. Your hospital bills will be taken care as well as the replacement of any materials you lost during the crash. I know I sound officious, but truly we are glad that you survived. We take safety very seriously as well as the loss of so many lives. I personally was praying for you and cheering when you were found. I can't imagine how horrible it must have been and we are truly sorry that you had to go through such a harrowing and life changing event," she said before stopping to breathe.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said softly. "I don't think either one of us really knows what we need right now. We've just been concentrating on resting."
"I can bring a counselor in if you liked to speak to someone today."
"I'm not ready for that right now, but thank you. I just need a few days to process."
Jason agreed. "I feel the same way."
The woman nodded. "I gave a card to your guard in case you need to get in touch with me. Please do not hesitate to call."
"Have they found the black box yet?" Jason asked.
"Yes. It's being analyzed as we speak."
Jason wanted to know why the plane had crashed. It just didn't make sense to him.
"Have you recovered most of the bodies?" Elizabeth asked.
"Mostly yes."
Liz could tell by the look on her face that it must have been bad.
"I do have something for you." She walked out to the hallway and took a bag from a man and then returned, handing it to Elizabeth. "We did find your purse at the scene. It at least has your wallet in it."
Liz smiled for the first time. "Thanks."
"I'll leave you to rest. I'm glad you are both on the mend," she said before leaving.
Elizabeth opened the bag and retrieved her tattered purse and unzipped it. "This has definitely seen better days," she said before pulling out her wallet and smiling. "I had some pictures in there of my family. I'm glad I got them back."
She took one out and handed it to Jason.
He smiled as looked at a younger Liz. "You were cute."
"We used to go on a camping trip every summer. I loved it. I would meet new friends and we'd explore everywhere. It was so much fun."
Jason watched her relive the memory with a smile on her face.
"Well, there is good news after all."
"What?"
"I don't have to stand in the line at the DMV."
Jason chuckled.
"Although, I could use a new picture. I look a little bitchy in this one."
Jason took it from her and grinned. "You do seem to have a little attitude in this one."
"Have you ever been to the DMV? That clerk who took it was totally throwing me shade. I know she waited to take the picture until I made that face. They live to take bad photos. I'm sure they have weekly contests to see who can come up with the worst one."
"Interesting theory," he said, amused by the look on her face.
"Ask anyone, a mug shot would probably turn out better."
"Well, let's hope that you never have to get one."
The doctor came back and checked them out and left. Everything was looking good, so they would be able to leave in the morning as planned.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Johnny brought them dinner and they spent the rest of the evening chatting. The nurse came in and gave them each some medicine to help them sleep and they both lay on their side facing each other.
"It's going to be a circus tomorrow," Jason said softly.
"I know," she said before reaching out her hand.
Jason took it and absently began to rub his thumb over the back of it.
"I want to draw you," she said as her eyes started to close.
"Why?"
Liz smiled as she started to fall asleep. "Your eyes are the windows to your soul. Sometimes, when you look at me, I can see so many emotions in them. I want to capture that; the Jason that you don't let everyone see."
Jason didn't know what to say to that, but it didn't matter because she had fallen asleep and he was left to wonder how this tiny woman had managed to get under his skin in such a short period of time.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
The doctor returned after they woke up. "Good morning. I hope you slept well."
They nodded.
"I'm already processing the release papers. I'm going to prescribe some sleeping pills for you. Please take them for the next few nights at least. Your bodies are trying to recover. Elizabeth, I'm giving you a few anxiety pills for the plane ride as well. Any questions?"'
They shook their heads no. "Well, I'm very glad that you two are still with us and hope you have a safe trip home."
They watched him leave.
"I just realized that we have nothing to wear," Liz said.
Johnny walked in with some bags. "So, are we blowing this pop stand?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I brought you some clothes. I had the nurse get the sizes from the ones you came in with. I told them to burn those."
Liz smiled.
"So, hopefully, I did okay. I avoided the clear heels and bikini aisle."
Liz chuckled. "I like you Johnny."
Johnny smiled, "See Jason, I told you, I'm irresistible. "
Jason rolled his eyes and then got up and grabbed his bag and left to take a shower.
"My boss told me that your fiancé will be meeting us at the airport."
Liz sighed. "Okay."
He studied her. "You don't look too happy about that."
"Honestly Johnny, going home is overwhelming me right now. hey won't understand how I feel and frankly, I don't feel like thinking about it. Ric tends to dote on me and the thought of that is making me cringe. And then there's the guilt to contend with for feeling that way in the first place."
Johnny nodded. "You're not happy about leaving Jason are you?"
She shook her head. "He's been my lifeline. The last night, he was attacked by a mountain lion. It was beyond scary. I already couldn't sleep already and that was the last thing I needed. Then I swore we were going to fall while I was in that stupid basket. I was so terrified. Maybe it's completely irrational, but I just feel safer when he's near me. When we get back home, that will be it. We will go our separate ways," she said, wiping a tear away.
Johnny felt really bad for her. "I can't imagine what you went through. Maybe you could convince Ric to stay in town for a few days, that way you could see Jason, but after that, you can always just call. Rochester isn't that far."
She nodded. "I just don't want to interfere with his life. He has a fiancé and family to deal with. I'm just going to have to learn to get through it on my own."
Johnny didn't say anything. He would have a talk with Jason about checking up on her.
Jason soon emerged from the bathroom. "All yours."
She smiled and then grabbed the bag and went inside. A shower sounded so good to her after not having one for a while.
Johnny waited until he heard the water start running and then he walked over to Jason. "She's hurting right now."
"I know."
Jason just wasn't sure what to do about it. They both were kind of lost.
"And if she's hurting you probably are too."
Jason didn't say anything.
"I just had a conversation with her. She needs you but she's too proud to ask. I tried to convince her to stay a few days longer so she could be closer to you but she's scared of intruding. I think you should try to keep in touch with her, that way, you two can talk and help each other learn to live with what happened."
Jason nodded. "Okay."
Johnny headed outside and Jason sat there thinking about what Johnny had said. He had already offered to be there for Elizabeth so he wasn't sure what else he could say to assure her that it was okay for her to reach out to him.
She came out looking refreshed and he smiled.
"I feel so much better."
"Me too."
They waited until the nurse finally came in. "Your paperwork is signed and you're free to go. Your friends went to get the car and will meet you around back. The police will walk you there. There are less reporters at that entrance."
They looked at each other with surprise, not yet truly processing the enormity of their popularity.
"Good luck to you both. We all prayed for your rescue."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said softly.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Ric sat in his hotel room at the Metro Court watching Elizabeth and Jason get into a car. He noticed that Jason seemed very protective of her and he wasn't sure what to think. He grabbed his keys and headed downstairs to a conference room where family members of Elizabeth and Jason were meeting with some representatives of the FAA and AirValue Jet.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Carly and Emily watched Jason disappear into the car.
"He had a cut on his head."
"He had some bruising and cuts on his arms too," Carly said.
Sonny cleared his throat. "We need to go ladies," he said before opening the door.
They went out to the car and headed to the meeting.
When they got there, the Quartermaines and Elizabeth's family were already there.
Everyone sat quietly as the CEO of AirValue Jet stepped up to the podium. "I wanted to fill you in on the latest information about the crash and what happens next. Please accept my sincerest apologies that your loved ones had to experience such a horrifying event. I take safety very seriously and I will help the FAA find out what caused this tragedy to occur. We can now confirm that Jason and Elizabeth are the only two survivors. They are on the way to the airport to fly back here and some lawyers will be contacting them tomorrow about paying for any counseling or medical needs that might arise. Now, I will turn over the mic to Darlene Wright. She is going to talk to you about how to handle the survivors.
A woman stood and took a deep breath before speaking. "Jason and Elizabeth have been through a traumatizing experience. It's something that most of us cannot even fathom or relate to. They are going to need space, acceptance, love, and encouragement. Listen to them when they tell you what they need from you. The worst thing either one of them can do is be silent. There is a chance that they can develop PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder and is considered to be an anxiety disorder. They will carry around guilt that they survived instead of someone else as well as having problems sleeping due to nightmares. Their feelings are raw right now and they may be on edge."
"Jason isn't much of a talker to begin with," Edward said.
She nodded. "It might be helpful for him to talk to Elizabeth or another survivor. They are going to need each other's support through this. Plane crash survivors are a small group of people which is why they end up feeling so isolated."
Everyone was really quiet, letting her words sink in.
"We were supposed to get married next month. I'm wondering if that will be too much pressure," Ric said.
"It might be too soon for that. You'll know more where she is at emotionally when you see her. It's important to keep her stress levels down."
Ric nodded sadly as Gina wiped some tears from her face. She and Jason were supposed to get married the next month too and she had spent so much time and effort on it that she hated to have to cancel everything.
"Should I insist that Jason take a break from working?" Sonny asked.
"Let me him set the pace, but if you see he's hiding behind it, I suggest you try to talk to him."
Carly wiped her face and sighed. Now, she was really worried because Edward was right, Jason tended to hold everything in and in this situation, that wouldn't be a good thing.
"Do you have any other questions for me?"
"Will you be available after this?" Ric asked.
"I will hand out my card. It has all my information on it."
"Thank you."
Right as the meeting ended, they got a message that Jason and Elizabeth were boarding the jet.
