Notes --
Sorry for the delay in between lately. But I finally figured out where I'm going with this. Lesson learned: Stories should start with an outline. :p
I don't own GH or the characters, just my little story.
Making A Memory
Chapter 52
The section of the Port Charles pier around Warehouse 5 was filled with firefighters and other rescue personnel. Bystanders had also begun to file in to see what was going on and were quickly herded behind barricades to keep them from interfering in the rescue and investigation.
The explosion was loud and shook the docks in the early hours, waking people living nearby and drawing some of the workers who were just starting their shifts. From what could be filtered from pieced together information some gathered that the local mob boss and some of his men had been injured and taken to the hospital.
The locals were probably not as shocked at that as they might have been. The mob presence in Port Charles was not often overt, but always present. The local boss was as infamous as celebrities are famous. Sonny Corinthos was known for being immune to prosecution, and the PCPD for failing to build a case against him. It seemed only a matter of time though until things caught up with him, and apparently one of his own ilk had done the honors.
Now he was a victim and the police were charged with bringing him justice. Many wondered exactly how high that would be on their list of priorities, especially with Corinthos' brother Ric Lansing as the D.A.
Jason unbeknownst to the milling crowd was checking out the area; his faith in Lansing and the cops even lower than theirs. He was trying to find Marco without being recognized. His death might be of more use than he'd thought right now.
After scanning faces and shifting direction a few times to avoid police, who had his every feature and crime filed in a mental database, he saw the guard leaning against a brick wall. His clothes were singed and torn, face covered with smoke. One of the cops was grilling him, despite the fact that he looked like he'd literally walked through hell and could drop any minute.
Jason walked along the perimeter of the crowd to another wall adjacent to Marco's line of vision. He waited until the guard looked up, occasionally panning his gaze over the faces around him, and made a gesture he hoped would catch the single man's attention. He saw the eyes slightly widen after landing on him. Jason jerked his head toward an alley close behind him and ducked into it once sure he was understood.
About five minutes later he was standing before him.
"It's good to see you man," Marco said a bit out of breath. "We thought … Never mind. I guess we should know better by now than to underestimate you."
"I had a few doubts there for a minute myself." Jason looked up when he heard a voice that was too close for comfort. He pulled Marco a little further into the alley behind a dumpster. "Tell me what happened."
"The boss got a call he said, about one of the shipments coming in. We all came down here … the boss, me, Carl, and Jimmy. Carl and Jimmy went first like always, the boss behind 'em. I was a little back to check the perimeter … then bam. The place went up like a roman candle. Happened so fast it knocked me back. It took a minute for me to come to; when I did the boss was lying on the ground. He was burned some, but breathing. I called 911, told 'em to send firefighters and EMT's. I knew they wouldn't get here in time though, so I tried to get to Carl and Jimmy … but the fire was too hot, too much smoke. There was no way they could've survived that blast Jason."
He could see the guard was feeling he hadn't done enough somehow. "You did all you could Marco. And you made sure Sonny got help. He'd probably be dead too if you hadn't." Jason rubbed a hand over his forehead, his mind racing.
"It had to be Zacarra, right? Who else would be crazy enough to pull some shit like this?" Marco covered his mouth and wheezed to keep from coughing and revealing their location.
"I don't know. As far as he knows I'm out of the way. That would give him a direct path to Sonny and an opportunity to take over. It just seems rushed and sloppy."
"Like I said, he's off his nut. That could affect his ability to strategize. He was determined to get rid of us all at the meeting. Maybe he was in too much of a hurry and it showed."
"It's possible." Jason was willing to consider it, but it didn't take away the feeling that he was missing something. "How was Sonny when they took him?"
"He was pretty banged up, burned, still unconscious. I don't know what his exact condition is. First Mike, now this." Marco shook his head sadly.
"I had Max send some guards over to the hospital to keep an eye on Sonny and I'm going back to his house to tell Carly and Skye what's happening. The only ones who know what went on with me are my wife, Carly, Skye, you, Max and Milo. I'm gonna tell Francis and Joel too in case I need their help to check out Zacarra. Anybody else asks about me, just say you don't know where I am."
"You got it. What can I do?"
"You can go to the hospital and get checked out." He could see the man was about to argue with him. "That's an order."
Marco nodded, knowing that with Mr. Corinthos out of commission, Jason was in charge. He went towards the front entrance of the alley as Jason went toward the back.
Jason found his way to the car he'd come in and drove back to Sonny's.
When he arrived Max let him in and he was assaulted as soon as he came through the door.
"Jason! Thank God you're okay!"
He put his arms around the blonde currently trying to cut off his airway. "I'm fine Carly." He tried to gently get her to release him and she finally let go. "Thanks for helping Elizabeth and taking care of the boys." He gave her a kiss on the forehead and led her to the couch. He knew she'd better sit down for what he was about to tell her.
"You know I'd do anything for you. I just wanted you to be okay." She ran a hand over the back of his neck as she sat down. "You're sure you're okay?"
"Elizabeth took good care of me. Saved my life, again."
Carly smirked at him. "I'll admit it. I underestimated her. She's tougher than she looks."
Jason smiled only a second before it faded. "Where are she and Skye?"
"Upstairs. The babies started fussing and they went to check on them. I started to get Jake and ran into Elizabeth. She told me she found you and you were alright. I actually hugged her Jason." She turned her nose up. "It was scary."
"You'll survive."
"Yeah, well … she said you went out to check on something, and you'd tell me yourself when you got back. She and Skye gave each other this look. You know I hate being the last to know stuff."
"This couldn't be helped." He was glad Elizabeth had left it to him to tell Carly. When it came to Sonny, even she was never quite sure how she'd react. He took her hand and held it. "There was an explosion at one of the warehouses. Sonny was hurt." He felt the inhalation of her breath.
"Wh … How is he?"
"I'm not sure. They took him to the hospital and he was still unconscious. Marco was with him and said he has some burns."
"Oh God Jason," she whispered, her eyes closed. "I need to go see him. And the boys," she sighed. "I just had to break the news about Mike … and now Sonny? I have to figure out what to tell them."
"Why don't you see Sonny first, find out how he is, then tell the boys the truth. Their Dad got hurt and the doctors are doing everything they can to make him better. He'll make it Carly." She nodded. He could see she was trying to convince herself he was right. "One more thing. Skye's going to the hospital too." He saw her eyes widen and knew an objection was coming. A hand went up to stop it. "Please, don't get in a battle with her over Sonny. I know how territorial you can be when it comes to him. But now isn't the time for it. She cares a lot about him Carly. Can you just get along with her for Sonny's sake?"
He could almost hear her gnashing her teeth.
"Fine," she said throwing up her hands. "I'm the new, improved, friendly Carly who gets along with all wives and girlfriends no matter how much they bug the hell out of me. Happy?" She stood and looked down at him on the couch.
"Thank you," he said; deciding to ignore the sarcasm.
She headed for the stairs to get her purse and coat from the room she'd been staying in while looking after Cam and Jake. "I won't start anything with her. But if she starts with me … all bets are off."
Jason rested his head in one hand, hoping there would be no confrontations over Sonny's hospital bed. He would have gone to check on him, but right now his unknown presence would be more of a help to Sonny, at least where Zacarra was concerned. He had the element of surprise still on his side.
Elizabeth came downstairs after a couple of minutes holding Jake in her arms. Jason stood and smiled at the sight of his son. The gurgling laugh he got in return lightened his mood. He took off Milo's jacket and tossed it on the arm of the couch, just hoping the outside world would come off with it for the time being.
Elizabeth kissed her husband, relieved to see him back, even as she could feel that he'd be gone again before she knew it. She handed their son to Jason and he held him close, feeling his soft blonde hair against his cheek.
Elizabeth ran a hand over Jason's back and looked at him carefully. He'd looked worried when she started downstairs, but seeing Jake seemed to help. She felt like she could breathe again when Carly told her he was back. It was all she could do to walk instead of run downstairs. Only having Jake with her kept her at a sedate pace. She knew she couldn't start being scared every time he left her sight. But so many things had happened to them lately, she gave herself a break for the increased anxiety.
"Cam still asleep?"
She nodded with a small smile. "It's still pretty early. He should be up in a couple hours. But this one didn't want to miss the action." She rubbed Jake's back and felt comforted by his warmth. Jason she was sure was getting the same bit of calm from him she had at first picking him up after being away.
Jason kissed Jake's head and sat on the couch. The baby relaxed onto his father's shoulder. Elizabeth went to his other side and carefully curled into his outstretched arm, knowing it was still painful for him. The three of them sat in a comfortable, and most likely temporary, silence. Peaceful and content for whatever time they'd be allowed.
Jason breathed them in, taking the small bit of normalcy and considering himself lucky to have it. Soon enough he'd have to give it up again and go back to the darkness of the other half of his life. He tried to push it from his mind and stay in the present.
He looked down and saw the baby's little eyelashes fluttering between wakefulness and sleep. It was amazing how children could trust you to keep them safe and relax in your presence. He wanted nothing more than for his family to never be afraid and to know he'd do anything for them.
Carly and Skye came down soon after. Both looked somber and like they were bracing themselves for what they'd be faced with at the hospital.
"Thanks for taking care of Lila. I don't really want to take her with me. I feel like she'd be better off here."
Elizabeth sat up a little when Skye addressed her. "Of course. I'm sure Sonny's going to be okay." She understood how the other woman was feeling; to want to be with the man you love and wanting your child to be safe too.
Skye gave her a wan smile and headed to the door behind Carly. A car was waiting outside for them.
Elizabeth looked at Jason once they were gone. "He will be okay, won't he?"
"I hope so." He winced a bit as he pulled his arm back and patted Jake who'd wriggled at the sound of voices.
Her eyes canted off to the side. "Until he is … you're in charge, aren't you?" The realization had just come to her, and all that it implied.
"Yeah."
Jason saw her eyes close and hated that she might be picturing him in Sonny's place. She'd just kept him from bleeding to death from a gunshot and now had to worry about him being the main target for anyone looking to take over.
About now would be the time he'd start gearing up for another speech on how she'd be safer away from him. Elizabeth felt her stomach knotting in anticipation of it.
He could feel her breathing speed up and wondered what had her agitated all of a sudden. "Elizabeth, look at me." After a second she opened her eyes and he could see tears building. "Talk to me. If there's something worrying you, tell me."
"You don't have anything to tell me right now?"
He seemed confused for a moment and then it hit him what she was expecting. It was really a blessing sometimes that they could read each other so well.
"Not this time." He watched her eyes widen in surprise. He couldn't tell if it was because of his reading her mind or his answer. "You told me we're in this together. So unless you've changed your mind …"
Elizabeth felt an involuntary giggle bubble up amidst her threatening tears. "No," she said with a shake of her head.
"Okay then." He grabbed her hand and kissed where her wedding ring lay, lacing their fingers together. "No more back and forth, no more uncertainty. Just this … us … always."
She shifted and put her head on his chest a sigh of relief almost leaving her breathless. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." He leaned his cheek against the crown of her head. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you or the boys. You trust me?" He felt her nod under him and give an emphatic yes. "Then that's all I need." He kissed her hair, causing her to bring her head up, and then kissed her lips softly. "To do that, I have to go."
Elizabeth bravely kept the sadness out of her eyes, holding on to the fact that they'd never truly be apart again; no matter what happened. "I know."
"I'll be back," he replied with certainty.
"I know," she said with equal certainty.
They smiled at one another, with lips and eyes. Their love was a palpable thing, surrounding them with a shield of protection from all things outside of it.
He kissed her again and whispered to her, "Let's go wake up Cam."
Elizabeth nodded at his suggestion and they went upstairs. Crawling onto the big bed together, he handed Jake to her and tickled Cam lightly under the chin until he opened his eyes.
"Jason," he said with a sleepy grin. "I missed you." He stretched his arms up and was lifted into Jason's larger ones.
"I missed you too buddy." He kissed his son's cheek and hugged him close.
He sat with his family huddled around him and soaked in their love. It made him feel human and like he had everything to live for. His world was still dangerous and dark, but they were the ray of light that kept it from smothering him. They saved him.
Until he had to go back to the reality of his work, he enjoyed the peace they gave him. Morning would come soon enough.
To be continued …
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