Jake knocked on the door of the guest bedroom. "I made coffee," he said. "I can make you a cup." After months of staying with Allison in Texas he knew exactly how she liked it. The two hadn't talked much after leaving the hospital. He wasn't sure what he could say that would make the situation better. Jake wasn't at all surprised that Jason didn't jump at the chance to reconcile with his mother. Allison didn't realize how deep the wounds she left on her son actually were. He wanted to believe that eventually Jason would come around, but he also wasn't sure how long that would take or if Allison would be able to be patient enough to allow it to happen organically. "I'll leave a cup on the counter for you. I want to grab a shower before we head to the hospital this morning to check on Jason."

Allison listened as the sound of Jake's footsteps disappeared down the hall. She had slept very little, if at all, last night. Her conversation with Jason playing again and again in her mind. She desperately wanted to see her son, but that thought of facing him once more was unnerving. What was she supposed to say to him? Were there even any words to make him understand? Jake said to give it time, that she needed to show Jason with her actions, not her words. She wanted to do that but, in all honesty, Allison had no clue if she actually could. How was she supposed to after all these years change her way of thinking? How was she supposed to sit back and watch Jason climb behind the wheel of another racecar? She knew in her heart that would be exactly what he would do as soon as the doctors cleared him. He was just like his father in that way. Could she really sit idly by and watch as her son played so fast and loose with his life? Deep down she didn't believe she could, but the alternative was also something she didn't think she could live with either. So, there she stood between a rock and hard place knowing no matter the direction she took, she might lose.

Melanie looked at the clock on the wall, fifteen minutes until visiting hours were to begin. She expected Leo to walk through the door any minute. When she came on duty the night nurse made Melanie well aware of the fact that Leo Jorgenson called repeated times throughout the night for updates on Jason. She was shocked that she hadn't found him sitting outside of Jason's room as she did morning rounds, and maybe a bit relieved. She wasn't certain she was ready to come face to face with Leo just yet. The kiss her gave her after hearing Dr. Bennett tell them Jason was going to be alright was still ever present on her lips. In fact, she spent the better part of last night reliving the moment much to her chagrin. Melanie knew that everyone's emotions had been heightened and she was planning to chalk the kiss up to the relief Leo felt about Jason's condition, yet there was a part of her that could no longer deny the attraction she felt for the tall blonde NASCAR driver and Liz's life long friend.

Melanie shook her head at the thought of Liz. Man, how she was going to be loving this. She was sure that her friend would take every opportunity she could to tell her she told her so and how she always knew that she and Leo would make the perfect couple. Melanie quickly pumped the breaks on those thoughts. She knew she was most definitely getting ahead of herself, sure Leo flirted with her on occasion and had even kissed her before but none of that equated to the ideas bouncing around in her head.

"Hey, how's Jason today? Have you seen him?" Leo's presence startled her. She had been so deep in thought about him, none the less, that she hadn't even heard him approach, but it was the way he rested his hand gently on her forearm that quickened her pulse.

"No, I haven't. Not yet," she said hoping that he didn't hear the quiver in her voice.

"He's still okay, right?"

"Of course."

"Okay, good," Leo let out a quick sigh of relief. "I kept calling last night for updates, but no one would tell me anything."

"Yeah, I heard about that. Seems you made quite the pest of yourself," she grinned sheepishly bumping her shoulder with his. Leo looked away and she sensed his sudden uneasiness. "Hey, I'm sorry," she stated awkwardly.

"I just needed to be sure he was okay. I've seen too many drivers who were told they'd be fine, end up not being. If you know what I mean?" Leo didn't dare say the word dead, and Melanie didn't need him to. She totally understood. She had worked as a nurse long enough to know that a patient's condition could turn on a dime.

She reached for Leo's hand and laced her fingers through his. "He's really going to be fine," she assured him.

"I know. I've just never had a friendship with another driver, like the one I have with Jason. And yesterday, well it terrified me. And I've seen my fair share of wrecks on the track, but this was different."

"I get it. Jason isn't just your teammate he's your friend."

"Best friend," Leo added.

"Yesterday was frightening for all of us." Melanie was about to do something she never expected or ever did for that matter. She was about to show her hand. Still holding his hand, Melanie led him to one of the plastic benches that lined the corridor. "I can't get the image of crash out of my head. I close my eyes sometime and it's all I see. I've always known the dangers that come along with NASCAR but this was the first time it hit so close to home. All I kept thinking about was that could have as easily been you instead of Jason."

"I know," he agreed. "I've had my fair share of mishaps out on the track over the years but nothing like I watched yesterday." The thought of it still sent a chill down Leo's spine.

"I'm so glad that you are okay," Melanie hugged him.

The unexpected embraced startled him, but Leo easily returned the hug wrapping his arms tightly around her. The urge to kiss her as he had last night over took him and easily his lips found their way to hers. Willingly, Melanie return the kiss knowing full well that there was no coming back from her actions.

Leo finally pulled back and looked at her curiously startled by her reaction. She wasn't making a hasty exit as she had done in the past, in fact she was still sitting there her hand cupped in his. Neither of them knew what to say next, so there they sat in silence holding hands until finally Melanie found her voice.

"I know what you are thinking," she began.

"You do?" Leo was anxious to hear her thoughts because he himself wasn't sure what he was thinking.

"Yeah, you are probably thinking this girl is a complete nut case," Melanie looked down as she spoke.

"Hardly," Leo said pivoting her chin so their eyes met. "I'm just a little surprised,"

"So am I," she added before he could continue.

"Exactly what is happening here?" Leo asked. He needed her to tell him what was on her mind. He knew how he felt about her, but the last thing he wanted to do was scare her off by saying it out loud.

"I honestly am not sure. I just know yesterday when I saw that crash the first thing I did was scan the track for your car. My heart was in my throat the entire time thinking that could have been you and I might have missed my chance."

"Chance at what?"

"Seeing where this, you and me, might go," Melanie whispered. Now that the words had left her lips there was no taking them back and that scared the hell out of her. Leo's momentary silence had Melanie searching for a quick exit. She had read the signs wrong, Leo didn't feel the same way about her. What a fool she was. "I got to go," she uttered rising swiftly from the bench.

"Wait," Leo said never letting go of her hand. "Where are you going?"

"Anywhere but here," she stated trying to contain her tears of embarrassment.

"Stop," Leo instructed. This was the typical Melanie reaction, the one he had grown accustomed to. The one where she would cut and run. "Please don't go," he said. "Stay."

Melanie fidgeted uncomfortably before him unsure what he was about to tell her. "I'd like to see where this could go too," he said. Melanie exhaled totally unaware she had been holding her breath.

"I'd like that too," she said with a shy smile.

"How long do you think we can keep this from Liz?" Leo asked. "I don't know about you but I so don't want to watch her gloat or hear her say she knew it all along."

"For a little while maybe. Her mind is totally focused on Jason for right now. But eventually we're going to have to deal with her," she groaned. "Speaking of Elizabeth and Jason, you ready to go check in on him?"

"Definitely," Leo said as he stood keeping Melanie's hand firmly placed in his own. He figured the sooner they told Liz about them the better. And he had no intention of hiding how he felt about Melanie King any longer no matter how much ribbing he had to withstand from Elizabeth.

The soft morning light filtered through the blinds as Jason's eyes began to open. For a moment his surroundings confused him, but it wasn't until he attempted to move that the events of the previous day assaulted him. The intense pain that shot through his side was a fierce reminder of his accident. He bit the inside of his mouth focusing on one pain versus the other as he waited for the throbbing to subside.

Turning his head slowly hoping to avoid any jarring movements, Jason saw Elizabeth curled up in the chair beside his bed. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her. The stiff white blanket was pulled up around her neck and her head rested on her shoulder. Jason continued to watch her sleeping, memorizing every single one of her features. He was in awe of the fact that she was part of his life. He hadn't ever expected to find someone like Elizabeth Ryan much less fall in love with her.

"Hey," Elizabeth said opening her eyes to find Jason starring at her.

"Hey," he returned.

Elizabeth let the blanket slip to the floor as she rolled her shoulders and wiped the sleep from her eyes. "How's the pain this morning?" she asked.

"Manageable."

Elizabeth was less than convinced. She could tell he was trying to hide his discomfort from her. "Really?"

"Yes, really," he said reaching for Elizabeth's hand. "I am fine." He tried to reassure her but he knew though if roles were reversed and she was the one lying in a hospital bed he'd be treating her the same way.

"Oh my god!" Elizabeth suddenly gasped.

"What, what's wrong?" Jason asked with confusion in his tone.

"I look like hell," Elizabeth said looking at herself in the mirror across the room. She began running her fingers through her chestnut mane trying to tame her unruly curls.

Jason tried not to laugh at her exasperation for no other reason than it hurt too much yet he couldn't help himself. "You look beautiful," he declared.

"Not only do you have a concussion but I think we need to have your eyes examined," Elizabeth huffed.

"Come here." He motioned for her to join him on the bed. "Would you stop?" he said as he reached for her hands as she was still trying to subdue her thick curls. Elizabeth did as Jason asked and allowed him to clasp her delicate hands inside his larger ones. "I love you," he announced. "Bedhead or no bedhead," he laughed.

If he hadn't been already injured Elizabeth would have smacked him, but instead all she could do was lean in and kiss him gently. "I love you too, Jason."

"Feeling better I see," Leo's booming voice startled the pair who were slow to part.

"Getting there," Jason said lacing his fingers through Elizabeth's.

"Don't let him fool you, he's still in a lot of pain. He just won't admit it," Elizabeth countered.

"Dr. Bennett should be in soon," Melanie mentioned as she was reading Jason's chart.

"Good. Hopefully, I can get out of here today," Jason said.

"I wouldn't count on that," Elizabeth contradicted. "It's not even been 24 hours yet. Don't hold your breath for him releasing you today." Elizabeth saw Jason's expression darken. She knew being tied to a hospital bed was the last thing he wanted. "One more day in the hospital isn't such a big deal. The rest will do you good."

"I can rest at home," Jason said with a pout hoping to win Elizabeth over to his way of thinking.

"I have to agree with Liz, there is no way that Dr. Bennett will release you today," Melanie chimed in.

"I think the girls are right, you aren't going home today," Leo concurred. He had seen the mangled remains of Jason's racecar and he knew how lucky his friend was to have come out of that accident without more serious injuries or worse.

"You're supposed to be on my side," Jason grumbled.

"He's exactly on the side he's meant to be, mine," Elizabeth laughed.

"Sounds like there's a party going on in here," Jake announced as he pushed the door open. Allison awkwardly followed behind Jake as he made his way deeper into the room and those standing around Jason's bed. "How are you feeling this morning, son?" Jake asked.

"Better. That was until I found out I'm probably not going home today."

Allison bit her tongue. She instantly wanted to raise her concerns but instead remained quiet. Trying to accept her son and the life he had chosen for himself was going be a hell of a lot more difficult than evenbut she expected.

"Good morning, Mr. Morgan," Dr. Bennett had slipped into the room quietly while everyone was talking. "You are looking a bit better today."

"I feel good," Jason said.

"How's your pain tolerance?" Dr. Bennett asked as he shined a light across Jason's clear blue eyes.

"It's good."

"So, on a scale of 1 to 10, where do you think your pain falls?" the doctor asked hoping to get a clearer picture of just how much pain his patient was actually in.

"I'd say 5, okay maybe 7 if I try to move," Jason relented when he looked at Elizabeth's cocked brow. She wasn't believing a word he said.

"I'd like to do another set of x-rays and run another CT scan,"

"Is that really necessary?" Jason asked. "I really do feel fine."

"Boy, let the doc do his job," Jake scolded.

Jason looked around the room at the five pairs of eyes starring at him. None of them were about to cut him any slack. "Fine," he relented. Elizabeth leaned in and kissed his cheek.

"I will go get those tests scheduled," the doctor said before leaving the room.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said.

"For what?" Jason questioned.

"For not putting up too much of a fight."

"It wasn't like I was going to win," he announced.

"True," she agreed.

"I have to get back to work. I'll be in to check on you later," Melanie said as she headed for the door.

"I need to head out too. I'll check in with you tomorrow. So glad you're okay," Leo stated as he hurried after Melanie, slipping his hand in hers.

Elizabeth and Jason smiled and nodded at one another. It seemed as though something had certainly changed between their two friends.

"Well, we'll let you get some rest," Jake declared. "We just wanted to check in. I'll be at my place if you need anything," he said. Jake had decided that it was time to return to North Carolina. The little bit of rehab he had to complete could certainly be done there. It was time for him to come home.

"Thanks, Jake. Mom, could you stay?" Jason asked much to Allison's surprise.

"Of course," she whispered suddenly petrified by what her son might have to say.

"I'll be right outside," Jake said.

"Me too," Elizabeth announced.

"No, I'd really like you to stay," Jason disclosed.

Just as yesterday, Elizabeth knew that she needed to leave mother and son alone, but today she understood that Jason wanted her there. "Okay," she agreed perching herself on the edge of Jason's bed. Allison immediately felt overwhelmed as she watched the pair staring back at her. Elizabeth sensed Jason's mother's apprehension and maybe her being there for this discussion wasn't the right thing after all. "Maybe it would be better if I left you to talk in private," she said.

"No, stay," Jason reached for her arm as she stood up.

"Jason, if Elizabeth thinks she should leave us," Allison began.

"We wouldn't even be having this conversation if it wasn't for her," Jason countered. "She stays or you can go." Jason heard the tenor in his voice and that wasn't how he intended to start this conversation but as always, his mother found a way to bring out the worst in him. "You asked me yesterday if I could give you a second chance," Jason stated. "In all honesty, I don't know. What I do know is neither of us can change the past, but I am willing to work on our future."

Allison wasn't sure what to say. This wasn't at all what she was expecting him to say. She was truly stunned. "I'd like that," she finally eked out.

"You have to know that I am not going to stop racing. This what I do, who I am. If that's really something that you can't handle then I don't know what sort of relationship we can have." Jason decided it was best to put all his cards on the table.

"I know," she said. "I want to tell you that I am fine with it, you racing, but I'd be lying to you and myself if I said that the thought of you getting into another racecar doesn't scare the hell out of me. But I know that if I want to know my son, I have to come to terms with my fears."

Elizabeth was quite impressed with Jason's mother. She knew what it took for the older woman to say that. She just wondered how Jason might respond.

"I hope you can. I would like to have my mother back in my life."

"I'd like that too," Allison said as tears of joy pooled in her eyes.

Before their conversation could continue, an attendant from radiology entered the room to take Jason for the tests that Dr. Bennett ordered earlier.

"Play nice," Elizabeth said as she blew Jason a kiss as he was being wheeled down the hallway. "I'll see you after you're finished."

"Thank you," Allison Morgan said reaching for Elizabeth's hand. "I don't know what you said to him, but thank you."

"There is no need to thank me. I just told him that yesterday I got a mere glimpse of what your life had to have been like the night that his dad died. And that I couldn't imagine my life without him in it or how I would react if I lost him. He came up with the rest on his own."

"I love my son."

"I know you do. Just understand that this is your last shot. Don't blow it."