A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – Not annoying at all. I love the convo. I think it's easier to dismiss Jason's suffering or feelings because he's so stoic, but he lives with his raw deal in life every day. He's able to compartmentalize and just internalize better, and while that might help him keep moving forward, it doesn't change the fact it hurts, and he chose a difficult life. Even when he didn't get called out, he still suffered for it. I've always felt very sad for him and how stuck he seemed to be. He's kind of a lonely person that a lot of people use, and he takes scraps because I truly believe that's all he thinks he can get or deserves. This is more Brenda's POV. Jason tends to always blame himself. Liz can be like that too. I honestly don't even know if Liz was in touch with herself enough to understand all the damage caused by some of the choices she made. They both did some damage to each other, it's just most people could care less about the damage to Jason because they blame him for everything.

Extra Chapter today

Chapter 14

When Carly and Jax arrived, it's mayhem. There are reporters trying to get over to Jason and security is trying to get them off the floor.

Jason is standing with Monica looking despondent and Patrick is holding a very distraught Robin as Elizabeth and Ewen observe. Across the room, Sam is trying to stay hidden, waiting to see if the woman who had trashed her life will make it.

They moved closer.

"Why are you here?" Robin asked Carly.

"I'm here for Jason and Jax wanted to know how Brenda is."

She is about to yell at Carly but then thinks twice because of Jason. "She coded again in the ambulance and they got her back."

"Do they need donors?"

Epiphany answered. "We're always in need. If you're interested, follow me." Jax and a few other people that had gathered follow her.

Leo strode towards them. "Patrick and Elizabeth, can you scrub in?"

She handed her purse to Ewen. "Which room?"

"OR 2."

Patrick and Elizabeth hurried off and Monica made Jason sit before he collapses. He has Brenda's blood all over him, so she tells a nurse to go get some scrubs and then her attention goes back to her son.

"Jason, I'll keep tabs on her during the surgery. What do you need?"

"I need her back."

The look in his eyes breaks Monica's heart.

"Leo is the best and she has Patrick in there too. She has a fighting chance."

Jason nodded.

Carly sat next to him and held his hand. "I know I've been a shitty friend sometimes, but this is me trying." Brenda could die, and she's determined to do anything she can so Jason won't be next.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked.

"Sonny wanted her to leave with him. He was pointing a gun when I walked up. He wanted to know if she was sleeping with you and she said, "What do you think?"

"Go on."

"I asked him if he wants to go to jail for this and he got mad and couldn't believe I was defending her. He was calling her names and wanted me to convince her to come with him, but I told him I couldn't. Then he told me that he was taking her and I can't say anything, but I refused to cover for him. God, the next I know, Maxie screamed, and he jumped and the gun went off and I fell to the floor."

"You did the right thing."

"I laid there and then I saw the blood and kept thinking is that what happened with Michael? Was it everywhere?"

Jax moved towards them as Jason squeezed her hand.

"Jax, I think she's in shock. You should take her home. I have people here."

"No, please don't make me leave. I'm scared I'll lose you."

He gazed into her eyes, understanding the implications and had to look away.

"Tell me you won't hurt yourself if—"

"Don't say it!"

Robin wiped a tear away. "I won't leave him. I promise. If I have to follow him to the bathroom, I will."

"I'm not going anywhere either," Monica said.

Carly, who is shaking a little, stood, still holding his hand. "Can you stand, please?"

He rose in front of her with tears in his eyes, realizing just how much disappearing had hurt everyone.

She embraced him as she cried and when Jax saw a single tear roll down Jason's face, he rescued him.

"Carly, come on. You need some rest." No one knew it yet, but she's pregnant. They had just found out.

"Where is Morgan?" Jason asked.

"He's with my mom. I had an emergency, so I figured I'd handle it and then take her back with me. She wanted to see you before she met up with us."

He walked them a little way. "Carly, you should go to Australia with Jax. Morgan needs you."

She got a little dizzy and Jax steadied her.

"Should you have a doctor check her out?"

Jax leaned closer. "She's fine, Jason, we're pregnant."

"I was going to tell you, but I didn't get a chance," she said.

Jason is floored. "Did Sonny know?"

"No. It's early so we haven't told anyone. I felt bad because of Michael."

"Carly, you need to get away from here and give yourself permission to be happy. You're under too much stress. I know you're scared I'll hurt myself, but she's going to pull through, she has to and if—" It was so hard for him to finish the sentence. "I still need to be a father to Jake. I don't want to let him down again."

She embraced him. "I'm so glad you want to be a father to him. You'll be the best."

"So, you'll go with Jax?"

"Yes. Will you have someone call me when she is out of danger?"

"I will. I promise."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Jax shook his hand. "Thank you."

"Take care of her."

"Always." Jax will never understand their relationship, but he has been scared for his baby because Carly has been under so much stress, so he's relieved that Jason was able to reassure her.

Jason made his way back to the waiting area and Robin sat next to him. "Your mom went to see if she could get an update. She's a fighter, Jason. You know that."

He squeezed her hand and she convinced him to go get changed and he put on the scrubs. Earlier, they had been talking about their future and now, they may not have one all because of Sonny Corinthos who he hopes is suffering. Either way, he's a dead man.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Ewen plopped next to Robin. It had been three hours since Brenda went into surgery. The bullet had damaged her spleen and they were trying to repair it.

"I'll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom."

She left, leaving the men by themselves.

Ewen took out his phone and then handed to Jason who stares at his son who is looking more like him every day.

"He's a good kid who really loves his mommy. Flick to the left."

Jason slightly smiled at the picture of Cameron and Jake chasing Elizabeth. "He looks happy."

"He is, but I think when he finds out you're his father, he'll be accepting. He's quiet but has a big heart."

"I don't even know how to explain it to someone his age."

"Just let him express his feelings and reassure him you'll be there for now on. Believe it or not, kids that age don't dwell on things."

"Thank you for taking care of him." From what he can, Ewen seems like a good guy.

"They are easy to love, but you know that."

"I do."

"Elizabeth will always love you. It's something I'm coming to terms with. Talk to her. I don't think you'll be disappointed."

Jason nodded and handed the phone back.

"I'll be happy to forward them to you."

Jason gave him his number just as Robin, who is glad the men seem cordial, returns.

Monica moved towards them and Jason stood.

"They are closing up. She lost a lot of blood, so her body is traumatized. They had to partially remove her spleen which means we'll have to wait and see how her body reacts to it."

"What else?"

"Her body has been through a lot. They had to bring her back a few times, so again, it's a wait and see kind of thing. The bullet was removed and had hit an artery which is why she bled so much, but Patrick was able to repair it. She probably won't wake up until tomorrow, but Jason, with the trauma she has suffered, it might take longer."

Elizabeth and Patrick moved towards them and Jason pulled Liz into his arms.

"Thank you."

She sighed. "She's a fighter, just like you."

"I—I gave up. She's stronger than me."

"I don't believe that because you're standing in front of me. You just hit rock bottom, that's all, and she was there for you. I'm glad you had someone."

He nodded. "Ewen sent me some pictures of Jake. He's so big."

She eyed her man for a second, happy he had made an effort. "He is and looks like you."

"Yeah."

"We'll talk soon, okay. You just need to concentrate on Brenda. She'll need your strength."

She moved into Ewen's arms.

"She's in recovery. They'll be able to take you back really soon."

"Okay."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

A half hour later, Jason slowly entered the ICU room. It hurts his heart to see her lying there looking so fragile. She has a vent and is so still.

"Her coloring doesn't look right."

"She lost a lot of blood, but it will return," Monica said. "Touch her, Jason."

He gently picked up her hand. "Brenda, I'm here. You have to fight."

Monica moved a chair behind him and he sat and then kissed her hand and put it against his face.

"I'll come to check on you in a bit."

Once he could no longer hear her footsteps, he cried.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny watched Jason from the doorway. He had fallen asleep with his head on the bed. It has been a week and still, Brenda hasn't woken up.

Jason hasn't been eating right and Monica had to threaten to give him a feeding tube to get him to eat. Felix and Siobhan will arrive in the next few days. The longer she stays in this state, the harder it's going to be when she wakes up. No one wanted to consider that she might not. They had taken her off the vent and she is breathing on her own, but Patrick has no logical explanation that she hasn't responded.

Elizabeth made her way into the room and checked the machines. Unfortunately, there is no change. She stood next to Jason and put her hand on his shoulder. "She looks so peaceful."

"Yeah."

"Why don't you go for a walk with me?"

"I can't leave her."

"Johnny will sit with her. Jason, you need to get out of this room. Just walk with me to the park next door for ten minutes and I won't bother you again for a few days. Please."

He sighed. "Fine." He knows he's not being healthy, but he's so scared she won't come back to him.

They went outside.

"After Michael got shot, I used to sneak in late at night and watch him. I knew he was gone. I can't explain it, but she doesn't feel the same way."

"I get it. Come this way," she said taking his hand and pulling him towards some bushes. When they cleared them, he is stunned to see Ewen, Cameron, and Jake.

"Jason!" Cam said. "I remember you." He ran at Jason full speed, who managed to catch him when the boy launched himself.

"Hello, Cam. It's good to see you."

Cam went on and on about his day, making Jason smile for the first time since the shooting.

"Come sit, we're having sandwiches."

"Hello, Jason," Ewen said.

"Hi."

Jason sat on the blanket and Jake smiled.

"Hello, Jake."

"Hi." Jake studied him curiously and then stood and moved in front of him. "Jake's eyes," he said pointing.

Jason couldn't speak he felt so emotional.

The three-year-old plopped next to Jason. "Motorcycle," he said with a slight baby accent.

"Jason has a motorcycle," Cam explained. "Right?"

"I do and I used to take your mommy on it."

Cam's eyes got big. "I want to go!"

Jake mimicked his big brother making Jason smile again.

They chased each other around the blanket and Jason's gaze met Elizabeth's.

"Thank you."

Liz smiled and handed him a sandwich.

"I can't believe that you tricked me to eat."

She laughed. "And I'd do it again."

He watched the boys play for a half hour before he said goodbye.

Elizabeth walked him back. "I suppose we need to talk."

He nodded. "Yeah."

They sat on a bench.

"You know I always wished you could be a father to him and, yes, I was scared of the danger. It could have been Jake that died instead of Michael."

"I think about that every day."

"I'm sorry I hurt you."

"I'm sorry too."

Their hands entwined.

"We did the best we could. I'm still scared. What if you decide to go back to Italy or you're hurt? Jake will be devastated if you leave once he gets to know you. Are you going to leave, Jason?"

"No. I mean, I'd love it if we could all live in Italy, but you have a life here and friends."

"I do, but living abroad would be incredible. Maybe there's a way we could work it out that we could spend half the year in each place."

"You'd be willing to consider that?"

She grins at his surprised expression. "Maybe. You know Italy has always had a special place in my heart. Ewen and I can work anywhere. We're going to get married in the fall."

"Congratulations."

"He asked me last night and I said yes. He's a good man and father. Do you think you could co-parent with him?"

"You're really willing to let me?"

She gripped his hand. "I will always love you and I know you have always loved me and your son. So yes, Jason. Brenda was rather convincing. She is fighting for you like I never did."

"There were times that you tried."

"You too, but we were running scared."

"I didn't fight either. Our timing sucks, but I will always love you. Brenda came out of nowhere, but we're good together and I fell in love with her."

"I can see that. So, we'll work out the details later, but I want you to start seeing him more, so he can get used to you and once Brenda is better, we'll tell him together."

"That sounds like a good plan. She told off Sam."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I wasn't there but ask Johnny. He'll tell you all the gossip."

Liz grinned. "I will. I almost feel jealous."

Sam, who followed them, can't take it anymore and hurried towards them. "So, I didn't expect to find you together. Have you given up on Brenda already?"

Jason stood, and Liz grabbed his arm.

"She's not worth it," Liz whispered.

His guard texted the PCPD before turning his attention back to the unstable woman. It wasn't normal to call the police, but given that Sam's crimes had been widely televised, he figured they could deal with her.

"Saint Elizabeth, always better than the rest of us."

"Sam, shut up! What do you want? I need to get back to the hospital."

She pulled out a gun.

"What the fuck? Has everyone gone crazy?" Jason said as he pushed Elizabeth behind him.

His guard lined up a shot.

"Sam, put the damn gun down. There has been enough violence lately. Do you ever stop and think before you act?"

Her bottom lip quivers. "You're coming with me, Jason. We are meant to be."

"For Christ sakes," Jason muttered as they are suddenly surrounded by cops.

"Sam, what are you doing?" Lucky asked.

"I need to talk to Jason, alone."

"That's not going to happen." Jason was slowly backing up and when he was far enough away, he pushed Elizabeth into the arms of a cop who is standing behind a tree.

Sam's hand is shaking. "I've lost everything. That bitch, Brenda, ruined my life."

"You ruined your own life. Now, I'm going to turn and go."

She raised the gun higher. "Don't move."

"Are you going to take her out or wait for her to shoot me?" Jason asked.

"Sam, please put down the gun," Lucky said.

"If I can't have Jason, then nobody can."

She pulled the trigger as Jason dove to the ground and six cops unloaded their bullets into her as her body recoiled and then crashed to the ground.