A/N – Thanks for the comments! I appreciate it that you take the time. Lots of drama to come. The ball is tomorrow.

Chapter 9

Francis came back and handed Liz the water.

"Thank you, Francis. I'm sorry if I worried you."

"It's not a problem." He glanced over at Jason before leaving.

"Why were you upset?" Jason asked. She looked really pale.

"I wanted to see where we were trapped and I guess I just wasn't prepared."

Jason understood.

"Do you dream about it?"

"A few times I was startled when I woke up. I felt like I was trapped," he said.

"I just have to be stronger."

"Maybe it's okay if you're not strong all the time."

"I just need to get through this weekend. I don't have time to break down."

Jason suddenly sucked in a harsh breath.

"Jason?" She jumped up and moved to the bed. "Jason!"

His jaw was clenched and his eyes were squeezed shut.

She pressed the call button.

Felix answered. "How can I help you, Jason?"

"I think he's having a seizure."

"Be right there."

She held his head. "Jason, if you can hear me, you need to breath. Concentrate on your breathing."

Stefan ran into the room with two nurses and Liz stepped backwards.

She watched them work on him for ten minutes before Stefan addressed her.

"You okay?"

She nodded.

"Can you sit down please?"

Stefan was scared she was going to pass out. Her coloring didn't look right.

"I'm fine," she said before sitting on the bed.

"You're not fine. You don't look good."

"Is he going to be alright?"

"Yes. He suffered a big blow to the head. His body is healing, so he had a seizure."

He grabbed her water bottle and unscrewed the cap. "Drink."

She took a long swig. "Is this an isolated incident?"

"There's no way to predict that, but usually it happens the first few days after the trauma occurs."

"Okay."

"He's stable. I'll check on him later."

"Thank you."

Everyone cleared out and Elizabeth stood and went over to the bed. He seemed like he was sleeping peacefully. Slowly, she reached out and touched his hand.

"Elizabeth," he whispered. "Scared."

"It's okay. You're fine. Your brain is just healing."

She wiped a tear away.

"What happened?"

She jumped at the sound of Johnny's voice and let go of Jason's hand. "He had a seizure. It was scary."

He embraced her and kissed her head. "And earlier?"

"I had a freak out. I'm fine now. Did Felix call you?"

"Actually, it was Patrick. Everyone is worried about you."

She pulled back. "I'm okay now."

"Elizabeth….."

"Johnny, I promise after this week, I'll take a break."

He kissed her gently.

"I'm sorry you came all the way here for nothing."

"It's okay. I don't mind."

"Thanks for the hug. I'm going to lie down for a while and then go to my office." He tucked her in. "I'll call you later."

"Okay."

He left and Elizabeth closed her eyes and fell asleep.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jeff watched his wife walk into his office and sit. She had been distant lately and he wondered if he should be worried.

"Our daughter is falling apart."

He sighed. "I heard."

"I really think we should push back the ball."

"She won't agree to that."

"She is so emotional. I don't want her to lose it up there."

"Are you scared she'll say something she shouldn't?" Jeff asked, annoyed at Andrea's attitude.

"Don't take that tone with me. People wouldn't understand."

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Maybe if the truth came out, she wouldn't be so tightly wound."

"If it comes out, everyone will judge us when we were just trying to do the right thing."

"For who exactly?"

She stood. "Don't even act like you weren't on board."

"Dammit Andrea. What is wrong with you? Our daughter is a mess."

"Talk to her. She'll listen to you. Make her see that it would be better to have construction started before the ball takes place."

Jeff stood. "No. Do it yourself."

Sarah walked away from the door after only hearing the last part of the conversation. She wasn't sure what was going on with her parents or what they were talking about, but she didn't think Elizabeth was that bad. She decided to go see her sister for herself.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Patrick crept behind a tree. "What the hell?" He had followed Epiphany to see if he could figure out what was going on with her. When he saw her pull into the parking lot at Mercy Hospital, he was stunned. Was she interviewing? She didn't seem like herself lately and maybe that was why. She had only been inside the building for a few minutes when she came out with a bag. He could tell she was singing. "I'm going to find out your secret if it's the last thing I do."

An oblivious Epiphany drove off.

Patrick made his way back to his car and took out his notebook and scribbled in it. "She has lost at least twenty-five pounds in the last few months. It could be closer to thirty. She was absent at least five days. Losing weight wasn't a crime, but for Piph, taking off from work was. The woman never used sick days. If there was something seriously wrong with his best friend, he wanted to be there for her. Epiphany was too damned stubborn for words.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Liz got up and used the bathroom. Jason was still sleeping. She had almost cleared the doorway when she her name. "Jason?"

"Tired."

She made her way back to the bed. "I know. You should rest. I'm going to go to lunch with my dad. I'll come back and see you before I leave."

"Okay."

She squeezed his hand and then left the room and then headed upstairs to meet with Brooklyn first.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jeff and Elizabeth found a table in the cafeteria.

"Alright, give me the run down," Jeff said before taking a sip of his water.

"There's not much too tell. I went back to the site and had a little freak out earlier and I've spent most of the time after that watching Jason have a seizure and taking a nap."

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah. They think it's to be expected."

"And what about you?"

"I'm a little stressed right now. I'm scared for Jason and nervous about the ball."

"I take it there is no talking you out of pushing it back?"

"Nope. People have already made plans. It's too late to cancel."

"I just worry about you."

"I'll be fine. I just need to time to process everything."

They ate in silence for a moment.

"Maybe you should try painting again."

"Why?"

"It might help you get some of your feelings out."

"I just don't have time right now, but maybe after things settle down."

"Just take time for yourself. You work too hard."

"And where did I get that from?"

Jeff smiled. "You can have Diane sue us for genetic cruelty."

"Trust me, I already gave her a list."

"Like what?"

"Stubbornness, rambling, blushing… You name it and it's on there."

He chuckled. "Rambling? I don't ramble."

"Please…."

"Everything that comes out of my mouth is precise and to the point."

Liz laughed. "You are just hilarious."

"I know. I'm sure you get that from me too."

She shook her head and then took a bite of her sandwich.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Brenda walked into Jason's room making him groan. "Relax. I come in peace." She handed him a bag.

"What's that?"

"A steak sandwich. You liked red meat."

He sniffed it and relished the smell. "Thanks." He unwrapped it and took a bite. It was the best thing he had ever tasted.

She smiled as she watched him devour it.

"That was really good."

"I heard you had a scare."

"Yeah."

She sighed. "Look, I'm sorry if we got off to a bad start."

"Can I ask you some questions?"

"Shoot."

"What was I like?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Well, you could be stubborn and moody, but you had a softer side."

"I don't seem like your type."

"You're not. You were a drunken dare."

He wasn't expecting her to be that honest. "Go on."

"You took me to your room and put me to sleep and didn't try anything. I was shocked."

"So am I. Was I drunk?"

"No. We had breakfast together the next day. You mostly listen to me ramble, but you really listened to me. Later that day we ran into each other and I asked you out to dinner and the rest was history."

"Why did we break up?"

"The sex was insane, but I travel a lot and had to go back to Italy. Honestly, I think I was a little bit much for you to handle."

His left eyebrow rose. "You think?"

"Don't be mean. We were getting along so well."

"I guess you're not that bad."

"Give me an hour. I took a valium so I wouldn't get on your nerves."

He smirked. "I appreciate that."

"You should rest. I'm going to go bug Robin." She started to leave.

"Brenda."

"Yeah."

"Thanks again."

"No problem.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Emily grimaced at the sight of the bandage she had just taken off her patient.

"You sure you have the stomach for this?" Steven asked.

She quickly disposed of it. "Positive. It's in my blood."

When she turned to turned around, she heard Jolene gag. The patient had gotten sick and Emily almost up chucked when she looked down at the front of her lab coat.

"That is foul," Steven said. "Well, you two can handle this. Get him cleaned up and see if we can get a rush on his test results."

Jolene put on a mask. "If we do it together, it will go faster."

They cleaned him up as quickly as possible and Emily took off her coat and went into the locker room to change.

"You reek," Dante said.

"Tell me about it. I'm going to have nightmares."

"Well, if you want, we're going to Jake's after work. I'll buy you a drink."

Dante was a physical therapist.

"You're on."

He smiled and then shut his locker. "Later."

Emily watched him walk away. He was cute and she wouldn't mind getting to know him better. Things were definitely looking up.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Steven pulled his truck up to the door and then got up and helped Kyle and Katherine get inside.

"Wow. We're up high."

"I don't think I could drive this," Katherine said.

Steven shut the door. "It's not that bad."

They buckled up and he started the engine.

"You get to pick the channel."

Kylie grinned and fiddled with the radio for a second. "I love this song." She was so happy to be going home.

"So do I."

She laughed. "I bet you don't know the words."

He started singing it and she was cracking up. Before long, they were singing together and Katherine couldn't stop smiling. Her girl was definitely back to herself and she couldn't be happier.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jeff walked up to Patrick with a woman. "Patrick, I want to introduce you to our newest colleague."

Patrick turned around. The woman was hot. "Hello."

"This is Amelia Shepherd."

"Welcome aboard. I hear you're my competition."

Jeff grimaced.

"What do you mean?"

"Amelia is a neurosurgeon. She trained at John Hopkins."

Patrick was stunned.

Amelia could feel the air get thicker. "I'm sure there is room for both of us. Maybe I can even teach you a thing or too."

Epiphany bit her lip. Patrick looked green. She was going to enjoy this new rivalry immensely.

"I have to go see a patient."

"It wouldn't be Jason Morgan, would it? I would love to accompany you."

Patrick looked at Jeff like he wanted to throttle him.

"Why don't you take her with you. Jason's case is unique. Maybe she'll have some suggestions regarding his amnesia."

"Fine. Follow me."

He walked one step ahead of her. Amelia was used to the cold shoulder. In fact, she took it as a challenge.

They entered Jason's room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better."

Patrick looked over at Amelia. "Jason had a seizure today."

Amelia moved closer. "Hi, I'm Dr. Shepherd. It's nice to meet you."

Jason thought she was pretty. "Hi."

Patrick rattled off the details and she watched them interact.

"Mind if I do a few tests?"

Patrick stepped back.

Amelia did a few visual exercises with Jason. "His accommodation is a little off."

"It's actually better now than it was in the beginning," Patrick said defensively.

"Convergence is good though."

"He took a severe blow."

"What's accommodation?" Jason asked.

"Your eyes are a little slow changing focus when looking at different distances."

She slightly squeezed his arm. "Don't worry. Your body is healing nicely."

Patrick opened Jason's gown and examined his rib cage. "I want to try and sit him up."

Amelia nodded and moved the bed up slowly until Jason sucked in a breath. She let it back down. "Nice rainbow."

Jason smirked. "Patrick did it."

She laughed.

"Very funny."

His pager went off and he left the room to make a call.

"He doesn't look too happy," Jason said.

"Yeah, you can blame me for that." She slightly pushed on different areas on his torso."

"You think I can get out of here on Sunday?"

"It's possible. If you're not having seizures and you can move around better, there's a good chance. You might be able to get out of the cast in a few weeks and into a boot."

"That would be great."

Patrick walked back into the room. "Alright, I'll come check on you later."

Amelia said goodbye and they left.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth laughed as Epiphany described the look on Patrick's face when he realized that Amelia was his competition. "I wish I had a picture."

"I was just shocked that someone had momentarily shut him up."

"Piph, you look tired. Are you sleeping?"

"I'm fine. You are the one I'm worried about."

"Don't change the subject."

"You don't have to worry about me. Are you ready for the ball?"

"Almost. I'm really nervous."

"You'll be fine. Is it the speech?"

"Partly."

"Just speak from the heart."

Liz sighed.

"Talk to me."

"I just feel like I'm all over the place right now. I'm having trouble focusing."

"Then use a cue card. Elizabeth, you have done this before. I know you can do it. If you feel like you're losing it, take a deep breath and gather your thoughts. I have no doubt that you won't nail that speech. People will be throwing checks at you left and right."

"I hope you're right."

"I know I am. You can even practice it in front of me if you want."

"Thanks Epiphany."

"That's what friends are for."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next few days were hectic for Elizabeth. She barely saw Johnny or anyone else for that matter. The day of the ball was here and she was still putting together some last minute entertainment.

"You're going to run yourself ragged," Jeff said.

"Hi daddy."

"I can't wait to see you up on that stage working your magic."

Liz groaned. "I barely slept last night. I feel like I'm running on fumes."

"That's why I bought you this." He put the cup of coffee on her desk.

"Thank you so much." She sipped on it. "Very good."

"Francis did a great job clearing out some of the mess."

"He's a god-send. I don't know what I would have done without him."

"You really should go get dressed."

"I know. I'm cutting it close."

"I'll give you a ride and change at your house. I brought my tux with me."

Liz smiled. He always calmed her down. "Let's go."