Chapter 21

"We have a DOA. Female, early 20s, GSW to the chest. The morgue is expecting her."

"Okay, you know where it is."

Jason couldn't believe what was happening. He was in the ambulance and they never stopped working on her the whole way over. The monitors never deviated from the steady tone that translated into death.

The others followed in their respective cars, no one saying anything because there were no words.

Jason was alone when the others met saw him in the yellow chairs. It wasn't the Jason everybody knew. They already knew what the news would be. Courtney slowly took a seat next to Jason. Liz and Lucky held eachother as they took a seat. Carly and Sonny did the same, working through their own grief and knowing that Jason would never be the same. Nikolas slid down the wall into a heap on the floor. No one could comfort eachother.

Jason slowly got up as the doctor approached.

"Are you family?"

"Yes."

"I'm Doctor Logan. I'm sorry for your loss. The nurse will show you when you're ready."

Jason didn't have any more tears to cry. Sorry for my loss? When you lose something, there's a chance to find it again. Emily is gone. Forever. She was taken. Not lost.

Jason had signed the necessary papers. The staff had contacted the rest of the family and informed them of the misfortune. Jason didn't want to be there when they came. Sonny, Carly, and Courtney took Jason back to the Penthouse. Nikolas had to just get out of the hospital. He couldn't breath there. Liz and Lucky opted to stay to fill in the Quartermaines when they arrived.

"Hey, it's me, Logan. Everything went as planned. Yeah, meet me in a half-hour. The docks… Alright, the pier. Fine. See you then. Bring your part of the deal."

Chapter 22

The ride back to Harbor view was a silent one. As the four stepped off the elevator, Jason headed towards Sonny's. Sonny attempted to stop him.

"Jase? I don't think you should do this man."

"I agree Jase. It won't do you any good."

"I need to Courtney. I know you guys are just trying to help. But it's something I need to do."

The four walked through the door, Jason being the last. He stopped as he saw the small pool of blood. Sonny, Carly, and Courtney took note and began to give him some space. Jason wasn't ready. He tried to treat it as any other scene, but couldn't. He tore out of the penthouse and to the elevator. Courtney followed him out.

"Jason, let…"

"I just need some time by myself Court. I love you. I'll be back." And with that, Jason welcomed the darkness and greeted it with a fierce motorcycle ride.

Carly just finished washing up. She was coming down the stairs when she saw Sonny staring at the spot near the door. Noticing her presence, Sonny didn't take his eyes off of his focus while he began to talk.

"Just the other day we had her back. She was healing and the light was returning to her eyes. She was going back to school, leaving the penthouse. She was gonna be a doctor, live her dream. And now…" Sonny's voice began to break. "And now she's dead. A sweet, innocent girl is laying cold on a piece of metal like an animal." Tears began to silently fall from both Sonny and Carly. "I should've done more. I didn't protect her. I loved her."

Carly made her way towards Sonny. "We all did baby. We all did. You did everything you could. You and Jase will find out what happened. It'll be okay." Carly pulled Sonny into an embrace.

Sonny broke from the hug. "But it won't bring her back. She's gone. Dead. She didn't deserve to die."

"I know. I know." The two sat together saying nothing. Tears falling for a young woman's future that would never be.

Jason stopped at the bridge. I'm sorry Em. I'm so sorry. I should've been there. I promise, I won't stop until I kill whoever did this. Never. Jason got back on his bike and made his way back to Harborview Towers.

It was the middle of the night when Jason returned and Courtney was waiting up for him. She knew he needed space, and she was going to give it to him, but she was gonna be there no matter what. She decided to let him make the first move.

It was just that. No words for awhile. He sat on the couch and laid in her lap. An hour passed until either spoke.

"It was her birthday Court. She left this world the same day she entered it. It was supposed to be happy. I could never imagine my world without her. I still can't."

At that moment the tears came back. Lids became heavy and sleep overtook them both.