A/N – Thanks for all of the reviews and well wishes! It's good to be back.
Chapter 37 – Wide Awake
The next day, Jason walked towards Johnny O's hospital room. Slowly, he turned the corner and moved inside. Most of the machines were gone and Johnny is lying very still. As he got closer, the Irishman's eyes flashed open.
Jason smiled. "Heard you were back from the dead."
Johnny swallowed and spoke softly, "So they tell me."
"How you feel?"
"Like a truck ran over me."
"Well, let's feel lucky that the truck didn't finish you off." Jason touched his arm.
"Was Liz hurt?" Johnny asked.
Jason averted his gaze. Johnny could tell that the answer was not going to be good. "I tried to get to her."
"It's not your fault. I know you tried. I'm just glad to have you back."
Johnny nodded slowly.
"Liz was taken by Jerry Jacks. It has been four days."
Johnny becomes a bit agitated. Just the thought of her hurt somewhere is eating him up inside. "We have to find her."
"We are looking," Francis said walking into the room, "but he has covered his tracks well."
Johnny closed his eyes. He would never forgive himself if they didn't get her back.
Jason observed his expressions, knowing that Johnny is in the same hell as he is.
"Johnny, I can't have you in a bad place right not. You need to focus on getting better."
He opened his eyes. "How can I think of anything else? I remember that I didn't like where I was positioned. Liz had insisted that we stay towards the back, but ignored her request and sat up front." He stopped to steady his breathing. "I heard the explosion and started to run to her and then that's it."
Jason touched his arm again. "There was nothing you could have done."
"I should have stood behind her. I should have…" he stopped as his voice caught.
Francis glanced at Jason, who nodded and then approached the bed. "Johnny, beating ourselves up will not help us save Elizabeth. We need you to get your rest, do your rehab, and help us think. Can you do that?"
Johnny nodded.
"Good. We have to go look at a safe house where Anthony was staying. We'll fill you in when we get back."
"Okay."
Jason and Francis left the room and headed out. As he passed by a room, he spotted Robin who lifted her hand and slightly waved and he moved towards her.
"Hi, how are you?"
Robin smiled. "Healing..."
"How's your back?"
"I can wiggle my toes, so that's a good sign. I'm still waiting for the swelling to go down."
He grabbed her hand. "I'm really happy for you. You gave us all a big scare."
"Thanks for helping to rescue me and for staying. I know your mind was somewhere else."
Jason nodded. "It felt good to help out."
Robin saw the pain in his eyes. "Are you eating, Jason?"
He frowned like she was talking another language and then smiled. "Now you sound like Carly."
Robin rolled her eyes. "You need to keep up your strength. Please tell me that you'll try to remember. You can't afford to get sick."
Francis smiled. He is glad to Robin on his side. It had been a bitch to get Jason to eat lately.
"I promise."
Francis spoke up. "We're on our way out but I'll go through a drive-thru and get him a burger or something."
Robin smiled. "Keep me updated, Francis."
Jason shook his head, but it's good to see her smile. "I have to go, but know that I have been checking on you. You need to be up and running for Elizabeth's homecoming party."
"That sounds like a plan."
He squeezed her hand and they left.
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Liz brushed her teeth and then held the toothpaste in her mouth and leaned over the toilet and pretended to throw up and went back to her room holding her stomach, and then laid on the bed. About five minutes later, Jerry showed up with some toast on a tray and some juice.
"How are you feeling?" He placed it on the nightstand.
Liz turned over. "Stomach is just a little queasy."
He touched her forehead. "Sit up."
She did as she was told and Jerry put the tray on her lap. "Eat that and then when you're ready, come downstairs and we'll talk."
Her eyes trailed him and when he disappeared into the hallway, she took a bite of the toast, knowing that she needs to be very convincing if she is going to keep up this ruse. Jerry is being nice, but he is still every bit as dangerous as he was before.
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Jason finished his burger just as they pulled into the safe house. When they walked inside, it literally took his breath away. The living room is empty and there are pictures of Liz from ceiling to floor. He started perusing at them, noticing that on the pictures of Liz with Johnny, Anthony had put red xs on Liz's face. He stayed for a bit longer, but seeing her face plastered everywhere and knowing Anthony's intentions is killing him. For the first time in his life, he feels totally helpless. He called John to see if he had any news.
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Liz slowly went down the stairs and into the sitting room. Jerry glanced at her and then closed his book and smiled.
"You look much better." He patted the space next to him.
She sat and held his gaze.
"I don't know how long you will be here, but I'll do the best I can to make sure you get your vitamins and such. Other than that, my hands are tied."
"Jerry, why are you doing all of this?"
He sighed. "Sometimes, you have to fight for family. That is what I am doing."
Liz stared at him for a moment. "Is this about Jax?"
He turned his head and contemplated her question for a moment. He really isn't prepared to have such a deep conversation with her, he patted her leg and stood. "Let's have this conversation another time."
Liz nodded. "What are you reading?" Her eyes fixed on the thick book in his hand.
Jerry smiled. "The Brothers Karamozov. I'm a sucker for Russian Literature."
"I've never read it."
"It's very good. I'm almost finished, so you're welcome to read it once I'm done. It will give us something to discuss."
Liz chuckled. "Our own book club?"
Jerry laughed. "Yes. It will keep us busy."
He placed it on the table and headed towards the door. "I have something I need to take care of. I'll be right back."
She nodded and watched until he disappeared on the path. It is weird to hate someone, but then depend on them at the same time especially since he's a dead man walking. Jason will never let him live after this. She sighed and picked up the book and started reading the first chapter.