Chapter Twenty-One

The swelling had finally come down, it had taken a few extra day's seeing as how the damage was quite extensive, but it had come down enough that they could begin surgery.

Dr. Cleary took extra special care of the little wisp of a woman, not only because she was Jason Morgan's soon to be wife and had heard what the man was capable of, but also because he had taken an instant liking to her.

Even in as much pain as she was obviously in, she never complained once. When he had first met her, she spoke not of herself, but about how this was affecting Jason, because he blamed himself for what had happened.

That first day he knew he liked her, but couldn't pinpoint on single thing that would cause him to want to take extra special care of her. Nevertheless, the very next afternoon, he knew exactly what it was, she was the very essence of what he wanted in a daughter. When he thought back to his younger days, he had wanted a little girl, but he and his wife were blessed with four sons instead, he was proud of them, but it he could ever have chosen a woman for one of them, it would have been her, there was something very special about her.

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Jason now took the time to really contemplate who could have possibly done this, Carly's phone a few days before began to play over in his mind. He wondered what exactly Sam and Lucky were doing together, something about that pairing didn't make sense. Was it possible that one of them could have done this to Elizabeth. He had seen Sam be volatile when need be, but he could honestly not think that she could do something so heinous.

Who else did that leave, Ric was six feet under, so really he was no threat. Lorenzo was still in a vegetative state. Jason had spoken to his doctors the other day, they said conclusively that whatever harm Lorenzo once had been capable of, was no longer possible, he was brain dead, nothing could be done for him. They only reason he was still having life saving actions taken, is because they had not been able to find Skye and get her to sign the forms.

He and Sonny had many enemies, but none that would go to the length's that was taken with Liz. They had families of their own, so a retaliation against one family would only cause more, so it was in agreement that no family member, who was not in the business would be harmed in anyway. Those who were foolish enough to become part of the business took their lives in their own hands.

So who could that leave, the world was not a kind place anymore, there were still acts of kindness, but they seemed very far and few between. Jason constantly came back to Lucky, he had claimed to love Elizabeth, but after everything had happened recently, it seemed the man had more rage than brains, it also didn't help that his addiction was ruining whatever brain cells he had left.

Jason sat beside the empty bed, waiting for Elizabeth to return. To him, it seemed like things were taking an unusually long time. But what did he really know of reconstructive surgery.

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Dr. Cleary was pleased with the work he had been able to do, what at first looked to be a difficult job, turned out to be easier than he would have thought. Her cheek needed more surgery than her nose, her nose just needed to be set, who ever had punched her, had done so at a moderate angle, as far as he could tell, because the bones were not smashed, just merely misaligned. Her cheek had needed to be reconstructed, some of the small bones had been shattered and the ones that hadn't, needed more attention so as to assure they would heal properly.

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Liz was brought back to the room later that evening, but Jason was assured that she would most likely sleep through the night. She was given a strong sedative and painkiller, the longer she could sleep the better.

Carly had stayed when everyone else had left, her best friend was trapped in his own mind, continually going over scenarios, on how he could have prevented this. It was just like Jason to take the blame or the guilt for everything.

While she sat and watched him wage an inner war with himself, she heard the telltale rumblings of his stomach. "Jason, you need to eat, you have been sitting here for two day's, you need to keep your strength up, if not for yourself, then for your family. You go grab something to eat, clean up and come back, I will keep watch of Elizabeth, I promise you no one will get near her to do her harm!" Carly said passionately.

Jason contemplated arguing, but at the last moment decided against it. Most arguments with Carly were fruitless, he rarely won them, so instead of risking waking Elizabeth, he gave in. "Okay Carly, you win, but please take care of her, she is my life."

"You know I will." Carly responded, a twang of regret momentarily sparking her jealousy, but momentary was all it was.

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Some homeless man called in a report of a body in the water's off the docks, the police thought it a prank, but followed it up nonetheless, to not do so would be looked frowned upon.

Detective Rodriguez was the first officer on the scene. He had hoped it was going to be a prank, but when he saw the still form floating upside down in the harbor, all hopes that the night was going to be slow evaporated. He called for forensics and backup.

And while he was positive the person was dead, he couldn't leave it to chance. So he did the only thing he could do and jumped in, the cold water momentarily stealing his breath. Once his body adjusted to the water, he quickly swam to the body, flipping it over. Yes, there really wasn't a doubt that the woman was dead, but it threw him when he discovered who it was. Skye Quartermaine.

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Jason grabbed a quick bite to eat and decided that he could use a shower, he went home and was struck by the silence of the house. Since they had moved in, there had been a short supply of silence. He didn't care for it anymore, he loved the noises of the children and the way Elizabeth hummed, or sung under her breath when she painted or did any cleaning. He had become accustomed to the noises of a family, he wanted that back.

His shower was quick and to the point, but after he was done, he was assaulted with memories of making love to Liz, right here in the shower, and the weeks of teasing that they had submitted each other to, while she had been on restrictions. Before he even knew what was happening, his body was wracked by sobs, he fell to his knees, his grief cascading on him like a tidal wave.

Once he got himself under control, he washed his face with cold water, trying to banish the sight of his tears. So many tears had been shed already, now was the time for action, well tomorrow was, tonight he planned on spending some time with his kids and then return to Elizabeth, it hurt his heart to be away from her. Everything seemed so perfect, but what Liz said once kept repeating in his mind, "Happiness is fleeting." He understood that he could never stop something that was ordained to happen, but he would fight with his very life to keep his family safe and with him. Because now there was no turning back, without his soulmate, he would cease to exist.

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