Chapter 3
Lila closed her eyes as the soothing rays of the sun kissed her face. Perhaps with a nap she would find peace. But peace was not to come. As her all knowing eyes fluttered shut, Lila saw a horrifying image in detail. "Oh no Jason." She whispered in a pained tone. "Please don't leave us."
Jason could hear and feel her. If anyone could pull him back from the brink, her calming presence of steel wrapped in lace would do it. I will survive grandmother, he thought. He wasn't doing it for himself, but for her, for Emily, and even for V Ardanowski. Jason knew that Lila and V were the reason he was still alive, for some reason they had anchored themselves to him with a tenacity that only the people that tried to control him had in his past. Though he didn't know why, he was allowing them to name the course of his life.
Even though V knew that Jason was unconscious, she could tell that he was having some sort of internal debate. There was something about the way his eyes flickered from beneath their lashes. "Jason I hope you're all right." She said as she squeezed his hand. When she felt the gentle pressure in return, she had to smile. "I'm here Jason. I won't leave you."
She was here, Jason thought. She would get him to safety so that he could see Carly again. With that last thought, Jason succumbed to the darkness that had been clawing at him.
~*~
"Lila my dear?" The octogenarian heard her husband's concerned tone before she saw him. Her mind had been filled with Jason lying prone in a pool of blood, with that young woman officer nearby. Lila knew he was nearby just as clearly as she knew he was injured.
Edward looked at his wife in concern. The tracks of her tears were still visible on her cheeks and she looked as if she was in deep distress. "Lila what is it?" Edward sank to his knees in a gesture of grace that belied his years. "What is it my dear. What is troubling you?" When Edward clasped his wife's hands, he became very alarmed. Her hands were clammy and cold and she was trembling all over.
"Hospital Edward." Lila's voice was shaking but it gained strength as she breathed deeply. "We have to go to the hospital."
"What is it? Are you hurt? Do you need an ambulance?" He fired the questions at her quickly as he scrutinized his wife carefully. She looked distressed but not in pain.
"On no Edward, nothing like that." Lila was quick to assure. "But we have an emergency and are needed there."
Edward was perplexed. He looked around for the phone and when he found none, he shrugged. "Lila why?" He asked simply. He would wait to see what his wife had to say before asking any more questions.
"Because Jason will be there." She said simply. In that moment Edward knew that Lila's sixth sense had kicked in once again.
Lila reached for her husband s hand and wondered what he was thinking. These visions had been a part of her life even before their marriage and though Edward never really understood them, he had come to peace with the fact that she had them.
Edward studied his wife for a long moment before asking what he needed to know. He had always held a special spot for Jason and the thought that the boy may have ended his life with the dangerous choices he made, make the man heartsick. Jason had always been the shining star in his life and the fact that the boy had shunned the family still cut him with bitter hurt. He cleared his throat, trying to gain control of his emotions. "What did you see?"
Lila could tell that her husband's heart was in his throat. She patted Edward's hand gently. "It is serious, but I think he will live. We must get there though Edward. He needs me."
Edward nodded before calling for Reginald. "Alan and Monica are already on duty there. I pray we can get news to them before they see. We'll need to contact Emily though. She has always had a soft spot for the boy."
"We can contact her from the hospital." The undertone in Lila's voice was that of urgency. "But we must go now. Jason needs me and I will not let him down."
~*~
"OK." Carly agreed tearfully. "But what do we do. Can we go down there? I have to see him Sonny, please. I have to know how bad it is."
"You didn't think we were goin' there?" Sonny asked. When Carly shook her head, he wondered how much Emily'' visit had effected her. "Let's give Em and Johnny some time o get out of here. Then we'll go Carly, and I promise you we'll help him fight."
Carly sniffed and nodded as she wiped her nose. She quietly made the same circuit around the apartment that she had earlier, when Jason had been a silent sentry. As she looked around a small chill raised goosebumps on her flesh. As she rubbed her arms, she turned back to Sonny. "You know, I felt him here earlier. When we were eating. It was the strangest thing."
Sonny looked at Carly thoughtfully as he debated pouring a drink. He wanted oblivion but he owed it to Carly, to Jason, to be clearheaded no matter how bad it was. As he considered her words he nodded as a sad smile appeared on his face. "Maybe he was Carly. Maybe he was trying to say good bye just in case..."
"Don't you say that Sonny. Don't you dare say that." Her whisper was devoid of her usual fire. She felt empty drained of everything. She needed to see Jason even though she couldn't handle another conflict. "Can we go there now please. We can stay out of the way and just see how he is. I just want to be close to him Sonny. I have to be close to him."
Sonny nodded and moved to Carly, holding her close. She clung to him as if he was her life preserver and in her arms he felt some hope as well. Jason would be ok and they would somehow make things up to him. "We'll make it better Carly. We have to." Sonny whispered into her hair. He couldn't help wondering if helping Jason meant losing Carly.
~*~
As soon as the door was closed, he gathered her in his secure embrace. "I'm not leaving you. Together we'll give him a reason to fight."
Johnny kept his arm around Emily as he left her to the elevator. "Jason will be all right." He said even though he knew that it was serious from the stress between Carly and Sonny.
Emily turned to look at him and let out a soft sigh. "Please can we just get there and don't let go of me." She sagged against his strong chest as she looked for strength where she had none. He was as strong as her brother, with a presence that was both calming and gentle without being too domineering. Even though Emily wasn't friends with the guard she found herself trusting him s much as she relaxed with him. "You're good for me." Her whisper was quiet and heartfelt as it permeated the elevator.
"I don't know about that" Johnny's reply was as hushed as hers. He tried to tell himself that the inherent sense of protectiveness he felt was merely for her position as Jason's sister, even as he tried to beat down his desire for her. How could he feel this way? She was so much younger and not his usual type. He had always been told that he was not supposed to date above his station so why was he, a mere guard, fantasizing about holding her all day?
"Well I do." Emily's voice sharpened as she settled more tightly against him. "You're my lifeline. You have to help me through this."
"And who will help me?" Johnny whispered, his thoughts on his fate instead of Jason's for the moment.
"I will." Emily said simply. Of course he was upset. He cared for her brother very much too.
With her gentle words Johnny was lost. "I hope we'll all survive this."
~*~
"Ma'am?" A paramedic approached V. "We're transporting the gentleman to the hospital now."
V's head snapped up as she studied the man's eyes. "How is he? Will he make it?"
The man gave her a hopeful smile. "We're doing our best ma'am. Are you family?"
Family, V thought. They always got to ride in the ambulance with the injured person. Jason needed someone and what harm would it do for her to say yes. Everything would be straightened out at the hospital anyway when Jason woke up.
"Yes yes I am." V said squelching her protests. Sure, her schemes usually ended in disaster but this would be different. "I'm his wife."
Chapter 4
Sonny nodded and moved to Carly, holding her close. She clung to him as if he was her life preserver and in her arms he felt some hope as well. Jason would be ok and they would somehow make things up to him. "We'll make it better Carly. We have to." Sonny whispered into her hair. He couldn't help wondering if helping Jason meant losing Carly.
"We have to Sonny." Carly replied after a few quiet minutes. "We have so much to make up for. He was so hurt by our actions. And on the night he was shot too..." She trailed off and wiped a hand under her lower eyelid. Sonny watched her and tried to detach himself from her pain before procuring a handkerchief and wiping at the melted mascara and eyeshadow that was collecting under her eyes.
Carly reached for the piece of cotton and dabbed the colored powder away, before starting to hand it back. "It's all dirty now." She said with a small forlorn laugh. She fiddled with the square if fabric nervously as she switched from foot to foot.
Sonny pulled her close again. He had to hold her. Without her in his arms, the emptiness threatened to overwhelm him and the darkness would take over his soul. She was so much to him right now and he well knew it. "It can be cleaned Carly. Don't worry."
She let out a huge sob as she rested her head against his shoulder. Sonny's arms promised security and warmth, love and compassion. She was happy with him now. They had made their life together and even through the baby's death, they had stayed together. Jason didn't want her anyway, Carly tried to convince herself.
Sonny looked down at her, wondering what was on her mind. She looked as if she was deep in thought and he didn't want that. She needed to stay with him, or the self-destructiveness would destroy what there was left of them. Sonny didn't often feel the lack of control and security he had felt since hearing about Jason's accident. He didn't know the extent of her feelings for Jason, his for her or weather they had any illusions of a future together. Sonny sighed and held Carly closer. He loved Jason like a younger brother and mentored him almost like a father to a son, but he wished that the other man wasn't threatening his fragile happiness.
After Brenda , Sonny had never thought to meet his equal, but then abrasive and insecure Carly had strolled into his life and heart. Living without her and Michael was inconceivable. However, it was a very possible reality that her feelings for Jason would rear their head, leading her away from the home they had made and onto the back of Jason's motorcycle.
"What is it?" Carly asked as she tilted her head to the side to look at Sonny. "That look on your face, its not just Jason." She said as she studied his expression.
Sonny shook his head and turned his gaze to focus out the window. "I'm just worried about him Carly. That's all." But that wasn't all and they both knew it.
Carly tightened her arms around him, as if she could force him to be with her emotionally by the strength in her hug. "Don't go there Sonny. I need you. Michael needs you." She hoped that their love could keep the darkness from invading his soul. If he turned self destructive, she didn't know if they'd make it.
"The only place I'm goin' is the hospital." Sonny replied as he cleared his throat. Action would banish the thoughts he was having. "You coming?"
~*~
The ambulance ride passed in mere moments to V. She was riveted; watching the paramedics working on Jason held a fascination for her. She stroked his hand all the while and tried to stay out of their way. In a few minutes they had arrived at General Hospital. V ran after the stretcher and skidded to a stop outside of the exam room.
"Monica and Alan Quartermaine to exam 1" V heard the public address system as it blared the message over and over again. What had she gotten herself into, she wondered? She would have to deal with his family. Could she and should she keep up the charade?
Monica Quartermaine rushed to the ER as the pages began. She had been having a quiet day, checking up on patients and doing a few surgeries. When the page had come from the ER, her doctor's instincts had been raised. She hoped that the case would be challenging enough to brighten up her day without resulting in a bad outcome for the patient. But why was Alan being called, she wondered. She met her husband on the elevator.
"Any idea what this case is about?" Monica asked as the elevator doors started to close.
"No idea." Alan replied as he hugged his wife briefly. "But we hardly ever do cases together so we might as well enjoy it."
As the elevator doors opened, both were mildly surprised to see V Ardanowski pacing outside the exam room. She wore an expression of nervousness coupled with guilt and Alan and Monica found themselves wondering which of the Port Charles residents was behind the curtain.
V watched Jason's parents as they made their way to the exam room. She had to warn them somehow of Jason's condition. While she knew that he wasn't close to his family, everyone in town knew that the Quartermaines had wanted to lure Jason back into their fold. While his parents hadn't been the best influence upon him, V knew that they loved him in their own way. She had to soften the blow somehow.
"Hello." She said awkwardly as she stepped into their paths. "Before you go in, I have to talk to you."
Monica and Alan shared a look before turning their attention to the redhead. "What is it?" Monica asked the younger woman.
Alan knew what had happened immediately from the expression upon V's face. "How bad?" he choked out as he tried to discern V's relationship to his son.
V reached for both of their hands. "It was a motorcycle accident. I don't know how bad it is yet." As she gave their hands a reassuring squeeze, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Yes?" V asked as she turned.
"Mrs. Morgan?" Amy Vining asked. For the moment her curiosity about the newest piece of gossip would wait. "You're Jason wife aren't you?" Amy qualified when V didn't immediately answer her.
V flushed as she waited one long moment before answering. This was already spiraling out of control. Sonny's words to her upon hiring her were running through her head. He had told her to protect Jason at any cost. This would be protection, wouldn't it? She could act in his best interests and his best interests alone. But how could she lie on this level? Wouldn't Jason hate her? "Yes I am." She whispered.
~*~
Johnny had kept his promise to Emily. Driving from Harborview Towers to General Hospital one handed wasn't exactly in his job description but it was hardly the hardest job he had done. He pulled Emily tighter against his chest as he steered with his left hand.
"How are you doing?" Johnny's voice was a soft caress that wafted over Emily.
"Nervous." She admitted as she snuggled closer. "Scared and anxious too. I'm so glad that you're here."
"Me too." Johnny echoed as he tried to put his feelings for the beautiful woman aside. While she was leaning against him for comfort, he was reveling in the way it felt so right to have her in his arms.
"I don't want Sonny and Carly there." Emily admitted as she concentrated on breathing deeply.
Johnny agreed with her on some level. He had always been friendly to Jason and when Sonny and Carly had gotten together, it had been impossible to miss Jason's distress and betrayal at the state of events. Even though Johnny felt that Carly was the best woman for Sonny, he knew that there were easier ways for the relationship to have gone, and he despaired for Jason's pain.
"They love him Emily, despite the fact that they hurt him, they are as much family to him as you are." Johnny pointed out.
"I know." Emily said with a shuddery sigh. "I guess I just want to protect him." She admitted in a sad tone. "Everyone who loves him hurts him. AJ, my family, Carly, Sonny."
"But not you." Johnny pointed out as they arrived at the hospital. He opened the door quickly and kept her steady as they rushed into the ER.
"Not yet anyway." Emily replied. They rushed over too the tight cluster of people waiting outside an exam room. Amy Vining was there as well as her parents and who was the redhead, Emily wondered. "How is he?" She asked in a rush.
"We don't know yet." Monica replied in a sharp tone. "Jason's wife was about to give us an update."
Chapter 5
"Not yet anyway." Emily replied. They rushed over too the tight cluster of people waiting outside an exam room. Amy Vining was there as well as her parents and who was the redhead, Emily wondered. "How is he?" She asked in a rush.
"We don't know yet." Monica replied in a sharp tone. "Jason's wife was about to give us an update."
"Jason's what?" Emily turned to V and watched her carefully. "Tell us then you and I are talking." She said in a stern tone. Someone needed to protect her brother and that someone was she.
V nodded and bit her lip. "Well...um.... he was driving back to town on his bike and I was following in my car. He was in an accident. He'll be ok. He has to be." She winced, her voice sounding uncertain to her ears. "He has a head injury, that much I know, but after the accident he was responding to me."
"Responding how?" The tension has sharpened Monica's voice and her tone was quite shrill. She shook her head as Alan reached to support her and focused all of her attention on V. "How bad was it and how was he responding. Tell us."
"He was squeezing my hand, responding to my words" V said in a rush. That at least was truth. She felt so horrible for deceiving these people. When Jason was conscious they'd sort it all out and, she hoped, have a good laugh about it.
"And his head." Alan spoke in an oddly choked voice. "How bad?"
V shook her head. She was dangerously close to tears; the emotional roller coaster was taking its toll upon her. "I just don't know. He was bleeding a lot."
Amy Vining stepped closer to the doctors. "We've paged Tony. He'll be down any moment and the portable Xray is running now. We'll help him." Amy assured with a gentle smile. "Do you want to see him?"
Monica and Alan met each other's eyes; years of silent communication passing between them in one long look. Could they see their son? Would they be able to handle it? "Yes we would." Alan said as he slipped an arm around his wife. "Thank you Amy. Emily, do you want to..." he trailed off, unable to ask the young woman that vital question.
"Not yet." She said as she leaned against Johnny's comforting warmth. She was barely aware of the stern look Alan gave her new friend as she turned to V. Emily took a deep breath to steady herself, studying the cinnamon of V's eyes for a brief moment. "Johnny can you stay here. I think V needs some coffee. Have me paged if anything at all happens. We'll only be five or ten minutes anyway." She sighed heavily, wondering if she should leave, then moved to the examining room. "Jason you hang on." She whispered before turning to V.
"I'll page you for anything." Johnny assured. The old protectiveness was welling up inside him and he pulled her close for a brief moment." And you page me if you need anything."
"I will." Emily smiled up at him. The bodyguard was proving to be the bright spot in a very dark day. She turned to V. "Come on you could use a break. It must have been terrible seeing Jason like that."
"It was." V admitted as she fell into step with the younger woman. "There's nothing quite so helpless about seeing someone you care about...."
"Please don't do this." Emily pleaded. She pulled the other woman into a small waiting area and sank down on one of the chairs. "You and Jason aren't married. Why are you lying to everyone?"
V flushed and stared at the ground. She was a horrible liar; of course she couldn't carry this scheme! "How did you know?" She whispered.
Emily reached out to pat V's hand. The woman's expression was haunting and Emily found herself wondering just how bonded V and her brother were. "Jason wrote me awhile back and he mentioned how you tail him. He thought you were amusing."
"Oh No! He wasn't supposed to know!" V wrung her hands. "Sonny will kill me."
Emily wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulder. "No he won't. You were trying to help my brother. No one will fault you for that. If I thought you were trying to hurt him, I would have exposed you in front of my family. So why did you do it?"
"Well, I guess it was because I was holding his hand and begging him to live for so long and when they wanted to bring him here...." She trailed off. Sometimes she was so bad at expressing her feelings. "I just felt like I had to be with him to encourage him to fight."
Emily digested V's words for a few moments. "I think I understand," She spoke finally. "And I'll keep your secret because Jason may very well only have you and I when he comes to. He doesn't let my family in and I can't really blame him. But V, when he regains consciousness it's up to him if he wants to keep or spill it ok?"
"That's fine with me." V replied with a nervous smile. "Do you want me to stay out of your way while you r family visits?"
"God no." Emily giggled. "Your presence is enough to keep the heat off me arriving with Sonny's bodyguard. And anyway, as far as anyone else knows, you are family."
~*~
Carly tightened her arms around him, as if she could force him to be with her emotionally by the strength in her hug. "Don't go there Sonny. I need you. Michael needs you." She hoped that their love could keep the darkness from invading his soul. If he turned self destructive, she didn't know if they'd make it.
"The only place I'm goin' is the hospital." Sonny replied as he cleared his throat. Action would banish the thoughts he was having. "You coming?"
Sonny looked at Carly as he cleared his mind of the negative thoughts. He had to hang on here for her and for Michael, not to mention for Jason. They all needed him to be even-tempered and unclouded by the madness that imprisoned his soul.
"Of course I'm coming." Carly assured as she pressed closer in desperation. "Don't you go leaving me Sonny. I mean it. I love you. Michael loves you." She gasped in shock as she realized that she had said the words out loud. She had thought them many a time but it was so much easier to tell him she needed him. That she relied on him. There was something about letting any man, especially this man, know that she cared. It would inevitably lead to her downfall. Carly knew all of these things, yet she couldn't take back the words that hung in the air between them. As they faded away, his dark eyes met hers and she stiffened, waiting for scorn or laughter.
Sonny looked down at Carly. The play of emotions in her face and body language astounded him. She truly looked fearful that she had said too much. "Don't worry." He said low into her ear. "I'm here and I love you too." The words sounded foreign to his ears. He had loved before and every time he had been hurt. Brenda, Lily....Jason they had all left him. He shook his head violently, ridding himself of those disturbing thoughts. "Come on" he said simply and stepped away.
Carly stared after him for an interminable moment. What had changed between them? All of a sudden, she felt very off balance. "Sonny...." She started, biting her lip.
"What is it?" He turned to look at her curiously.
She shook her head for a moment and bit her lip. He looked so serious yet the light of hope gleamed in his eyes.
"This." Carly said tearfully. As her lips met his, the world stopped for a moment. She sought comfort from his gentle mouth seeking, delving deeper.
Sonny moaned in need as he crushed her to his chest. Their kiss was at first brutal in its need, but as they settled into one another the pressure of their lips softened.
"Wow." Carly whispered as Sonny stepped back. She slowly traced a fingertip over his lower lip.
"Yeah that was wow all right." Her fingers had not yet stilled upon his lips so he gently licked a fingertip. "I hate to say this Carly, but we have to go now. We have to check on Jason."
"Jason." Carly echoed and nodded. "Let's do it Sonny. He needs us."
And I need you, Sonny thought. They had reached a breakthrough just now and he was anxious to see where they could go with their newfound knowledge.
Lila closed her eyes as the soothing rays of the sun kissed her face. Perhaps with a nap she would find peace. But peace was not to come. As her all knowing eyes fluttered shut, Lila saw a horrifying image in detail. "Oh no Jason." She whispered in a pained tone. "Please don't leave us."
Jason could hear and feel her. If anyone could pull him back from the brink, her calming presence of steel wrapped in lace would do it. I will survive grandmother, he thought. He wasn't doing it for himself, but for her, for Emily, and even for V Ardanowski. Jason knew that Lila and V were the reason he was still alive, for some reason they had anchored themselves to him with a tenacity that only the people that tried to control him had in his past. Though he didn't know why, he was allowing them to name the course of his life.
Even though V knew that Jason was unconscious, she could tell that he was having some sort of internal debate. There was something about the way his eyes flickered from beneath their lashes. "Jason I hope you're all right." She said as she squeezed his hand. When she felt the gentle pressure in return, she had to smile. "I'm here Jason. I won't leave you."
She was here, Jason thought. She would get him to safety so that he could see Carly again. With that last thought, Jason succumbed to the darkness that had been clawing at him.
~*~
"Lila my dear?" The octogenarian heard her husband's concerned tone before she saw him. Her mind had been filled with Jason lying prone in a pool of blood, with that young woman officer nearby. Lila knew he was nearby just as clearly as she knew he was injured.
Edward looked at his wife in concern. The tracks of her tears were still visible on her cheeks and she looked as if she was in deep distress. "Lila what is it?" Edward sank to his knees in a gesture of grace that belied his years. "What is it my dear. What is troubling you?" When Edward clasped his wife's hands, he became very alarmed. Her hands were clammy and cold and she was trembling all over.
"Hospital Edward." Lila's voice was shaking but it gained strength as she breathed deeply. "We have to go to the hospital."
"What is it? Are you hurt? Do you need an ambulance?" He fired the questions at her quickly as he scrutinized his wife carefully. She looked distressed but not in pain.
"On no Edward, nothing like that." Lila was quick to assure. "But we have an emergency and are needed there."
Edward was perplexed. He looked around for the phone and when he found none, he shrugged. "Lila why?" He asked simply. He would wait to see what his wife had to say before asking any more questions.
"Because Jason will be there." She said simply. In that moment Edward knew that Lila's sixth sense had kicked in once again.
Lila reached for her husband s hand and wondered what he was thinking. These visions had been a part of her life even before their marriage and though Edward never really understood them, he had come to peace with the fact that she had them.
Edward studied his wife for a long moment before asking what he needed to know. He had always held a special spot for Jason and the thought that the boy may have ended his life with the dangerous choices he made, make the man heartsick. Jason had always been the shining star in his life and the fact that the boy had shunned the family still cut him with bitter hurt. He cleared his throat, trying to gain control of his emotions. "What did you see?"
Lila could tell that her husband's heart was in his throat. She patted Edward's hand gently. "It is serious, but I think he will live. We must get there though Edward. He needs me."
Edward nodded before calling for Reginald. "Alan and Monica are already on duty there. I pray we can get news to them before they see. We'll need to contact Emily though. She has always had a soft spot for the boy."
"We can contact her from the hospital." The undertone in Lila's voice was that of urgency. "But we must go now. Jason needs me and I will not let him down."
~*~
"OK." Carly agreed tearfully. "But what do we do. Can we go down there? I have to see him Sonny, please. I have to know how bad it is."
"You didn't think we were goin' there?" Sonny asked. When Carly shook her head, he wondered how much Emily'' visit had effected her. "Let's give Em and Johnny some time o get out of here. Then we'll go Carly, and I promise you we'll help him fight."
Carly sniffed and nodded as she wiped her nose. She quietly made the same circuit around the apartment that she had earlier, when Jason had been a silent sentry. As she looked around a small chill raised goosebumps on her flesh. As she rubbed her arms, she turned back to Sonny. "You know, I felt him here earlier. When we were eating. It was the strangest thing."
Sonny looked at Carly thoughtfully as he debated pouring a drink. He wanted oblivion but he owed it to Carly, to Jason, to be clearheaded no matter how bad it was. As he considered her words he nodded as a sad smile appeared on his face. "Maybe he was Carly. Maybe he was trying to say good bye just in case..."
"Don't you say that Sonny. Don't you dare say that." Her whisper was devoid of her usual fire. She felt empty drained of everything. She needed to see Jason even though she couldn't handle another conflict. "Can we go there now please. We can stay out of the way and just see how he is. I just want to be close to him Sonny. I have to be close to him."
Sonny nodded and moved to Carly, holding her close. She clung to him as if he was her life preserver and in her arms he felt some hope as well. Jason would be ok and they would somehow make things up to him. "We'll make it better Carly. We have to." Sonny whispered into her hair. He couldn't help wondering if helping Jason meant losing Carly.
~*~
As soon as the door was closed, he gathered her in his secure embrace. "I'm not leaving you. Together we'll give him a reason to fight."
Johnny kept his arm around Emily as he left her to the elevator. "Jason will be all right." He said even though he knew that it was serious from the stress between Carly and Sonny.
Emily turned to look at him and let out a soft sigh. "Please can we just get there and don't let go of me." She sagged against his strong chest as she looked for strength where she had none. He was as strong as her brother, with a presence that was both calming and gentle without being too domineering. Even though Emily wasn't friends with the guard she found herself trusting him s much as she relaxed with him. "You're good for me." Her whisper was quiet and heartfelt as it permeated the elevator.
"I don't know about that" Johnny's reply was as hushed as hers. He tried to tell himself that the inherent sense of protectiveness he felt was merely for her position as Jason's sister, even as he tried to beat down his desire for her. How could he feel this way? She was so much younger and not his usual type. He had always been told that he was not supposed to date above his station so why was he, a mere guard, fantasizing about holding her all day?
"Well I do." Emily's voice sharpened as she settled more tightly against him. "You're my lifeline. You have to help me through this."
"And who will help me?" Johnny whispered, his thoughts on his fate instead of Jason's for the moment.
"I will." Emily said simply. Of course he was upset. He cared for her brother very much too.
With her gentle words Johnny was lost. "I hope we'll all survive this."
~*~
"Ma'am?" A paramedic approached V. "We're transporting the gentleman to the hospital now."
V's head snapped up as she studied the man's eyes. "How is he? Will he make it?"
The man gave her a hopeful smile. "We're doing our best ma'am. Are you family?"
Family, V thought. They always got to ride in the ambulance with the injured person. Jason needed someone and what harm would it do for her to say yes. Everything would be straightened out at the hospital anyway when Jason woke up.
"Yes yes I am." V said squelching her protests. Sure, her schemes usually ended in disaster but this would be different. "I'm his wife."
Chapter 4
Sonny nodded and moved to Carly, holding her close. She clung to him as if he was her life preserver and in her arms he felt some hope as well. Jason would be ok and they would somehow make things up to him. "We'll make it better Carly. We have to." Sonny whispered into her hair. He couldn't help wondering if helping Jason meant losing Carly.
"We have to Sonny." Carly replied after a few quiet minutes. "We have so much to make up for. He was so hurt by our actions. And on the night he was shot too..." She trailed off and wiped a hand under her lower eyelid. Sonny watched her and tried to detach himself from her pain before procuring a handkerchief and wiping at the melted mascara and eyeshadow that was collecting under her eyes.
Carly reached for the piece of cotton and dabbed the colored powder away, before starting to hand it back. "It's all dirty now." She said with a small forlorn laugh. She fiddled with the square if fabric nervously as she switched from foot to foot.
Sonny pulled her close again. He had to hold her. Without her in his arms, the emptiness threatened to overwhelm him and the darkness would take over his soul. She was so much to him right now and he well knew it. "It can be cleaned Carly. Don't worry."
She let out a huge sob as she rested her head against his shoulder. Sonny's arms promised security and warmth, love and compassion. She was happy with him now. They had made their life together and even through the baby's death, they had stayed together. Jason didn't want her anyway, Carly tried to convince herself.
Sonny looked down at her, wondering what was on her mind. She looked as if she was deep in thought and he didn't want that. She needed to stay with him, or the self-destructiveness would destroy what there was left of them. Sonny didn't often feel the lack of control and security he had felt since hearing about Jason's accident. He didn't know the extent of her feelings for Jason, his for her or weather they had any illusions of a future together. Sonny sighed and held Carly closer. He loved Jason like a younger brother and mentored him almost like a father to a son, but he wished that the other man wasn't threatening his fragile happiness.
After Brenda , Sonny had never thought to meet his equal, but then abrasive and insecure Carly had strolled into his life and heart. Living without her and Michael was inconceivable. However, it was a very possible reality that her feelings for Jason would rear their head, leading her away from the home they had made and onto the back of Jason's motorcycle.
"What is it?" Carly asked as she tilted her head to the side to look at Sonny. "That look on your face, its not just Jason." She said as she studied his expression.
Sonny shook his head and turned his gaze to focus out the window. "I'm just worried about him Carly. That's all." But that wasn't all and they both knew it.
Carly tightened her arms around him, as if she could force him to be with her emotionally by the strength in her hug. "Don't go there Sonny. I need you. Michael needs you." She hoped that their love could keep the darkness from invading his soul. If he turned self destructive, she didn't know if they'd make it.
"The only place I'm goin' is the hospital." Sonny replied as he cleared his throat. Action would banish the thoughts he was having. "You coming?"
~*~
The ambulance ride passed in mere moments to V. She was riveted; watching the paramedics working on Jason held a fascination for her. She stroked his hand all the while and tried to stay out of their way. In a few minutes they had arrived at General Hospital. V ran after the stretcher and skidded to a stop outside of the exam room.
"Monica and Alan Quartermaine to exam 1" V heard the public address system as it blared the message over and over again. What had she gotten herself into, she wondered? She would have to deal with his family. Could she and should she keep up the charade?
Monica Quartermaine rushed to the ER as the pages began. She had been having a quiet day, checking up on patients and doing a few surgeries. When the page had come from the ER, her doctor's instincts had been raised. She hoped that the case would be challenging enough to brighten up her day without resulting in a bad outcome for the patient. But why was Alan being called, she wondered. She met her husband on the elevator.
"Any idea what this case is about?" Monica asked as the elevator doors started to close.
"No idea." Alan replied as he hugged his wife briefly. "But we hardly ever do cases together so we might as well enjoy it."
As the elevator doors opened, both were mildly surprised to see V Ardanowski pacing outside the exam room. She wore an expression of nervousness coupled with guilt and Alan and Monica found themselves wondering which of the Port Charles residents was behind the curtain.
V watched Jason's parents as they made their way to the exam room. She had to warn them somehow of Jason's condition. While she knew that he wasn't close to his family, everyone in town knew that the Quartermaines had wanted to lure Jason back into their fold. While his parents hadn't been the best influence upon him, V knew that they loved him in their own way. She had to soften the blow somehow.
"Hello." She said awkwardly as she stepped into their paths. "Before you go in, I have to talk to you."
Monica and Alan shared a look before turning their attention to the redhead. "What is it?" Monica asked the younger woman.
Alan knew what had happened immediately from the expression upon V's face. "How bad?" he choked out as he tried to discern V's relationship to his son.
V reached for both of their hands. "It was a motorcycle accident. I don't know how bad it is yet." As she gave their hands a reassuring squeeze, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Yes?" V asked as she turned.
"Mrs. Morgan?" Amy Vining asked. For the moment her curiosity about the newest piece of gossip would wait. "You're Jason wife aren't you?" Amy qualified when V didn't immediately answer her.
V flushed as she waited one long moment before answering. This was already spiraling out of control. Sonny's words to her upon hiring her were running through her head. He had told her to protect Jason at any cost. This would be protection, wouldn't it? She could act in his best interests and his best interests alone. But how could she lie on this level? Wouldn't Jason hate her? "Yes I am." She whispered.
~*~
Johnny had kept his promise to Emily. Driving from Harborview Towers to General Hospital one handed wasn't exactly in his job description but it was hardly the hardest job he had done. He pulled Emily tighter against his chest as he steered with his left hand.
"How are you doing?" Johnny's voice was a soft caress that wafted over Emily.
"Nervous." She admitted as she snuggled closer. "Scared and anxious too. I'm so glad that you're here."
"Me too." Johnny echoed as he tried to put his feelings for the beautiful woman aside. While she was leaning against him for comfort, he was reveling in the way it felt so right to have her in his arms.
"I don't want Sonny and Carly there." Emily admitted as she concentrated on breathing deeply.
Johnny agreed with her on some level. He had always been friendly to Jason and when Sonny and Carly had gotten together, it had been impossible to miss Jason's distress and betrayal at the state of events. Even though Johnny felt that Carly was the best woman for Sonny, he knew that there were easier ways for the relationship to have gone, and he despaired for Jason's pain.
"They love him Emily, despite the fact that they hurt him, they are as much family to him as you are." Johnny pointed out.
"I know." Emily said with a shuddery sigh. "I guess I just want to protect him." She admitted in a sad tone. "Everyone who loves him hurts him. AJ, my family, Carly, Sonny."
"But not you." Johnny pointed out as they arrived at the hospital. He opened the door quickly and kept her steady as they rushed into the ER.
"Not yet anyway." Emily replied. They rushed over too the tight cluster of people waiting outside an exam room. Amy Vining was there as well as her parents and who was the redhead, Emily wondered. "How is he?" She asked in a rush.
"We don't know yet." Monica replied in a sharp tone. "Jason's wife was about to give us an update."
Chapter 5
"Not yet anyway." Emily replied. They rushed over too the tight cluster of people waiting outside an exam room. Amy Vining was there as well as her parents and who was the redhead, Emily wondered. "How is he?" She asked in a rush.
"We don't know yet." Monica replied in a sharp tone. "Jason's wife was about to give us an update."
"Jason's what?" Emily turned to V and watched her carefully. "Tell us then you and I are talking." She said in a stern tone. Someone needed to protect her brother and that someone was she.
V nodded and bit her lip. "Well...um.... he was driving back to town on his bike and I was following in my car. He was in an accident. He'll be ok. He has to be." She winced, her voice sounding uncertain to her ears. "He has a head injury, that much I know, but after the accident he was responding to me."
"Responding how?" The tension has sharpened Monica's voice and her tone was quite shrill. She shook her head as Alan reached to support her and focused all of her attention on V. "How bad was it and how was he responding. Tell us."
"He was squeezing my hand, responding to my words" V said in a rush. That at least was truth. She felt so horrible for deceiving these people. When Jason was conscious they'd sort it all out and, she hoped, have a good laugh about it.
"And his head." Alan spoke in an oddly choked voice. "How bad?"
V shook her head. She was dangerously close to tears; the emotional roller coaster was taking its toll upon her. "I just don't know. He was bleeding a lot."
Amy Vining stepped closer to the doctors. "We've paged Tony. He'll be down any moment and the portable Xray is running now. We'll help him." Amy assured with a gentle smile. "Do you want to see him?"
Monica and Alan met each other's eyes; years of silent communication passing between them in one long look. Could they see their son? Would they be able to handle it? "Yes we would." Alan said as he slipped an arm around his wife. "Thank you Amy. Emily, do you want to..." he trailed off, unable to ask the young woman that vital question.
"Not yet." She said as she leaned against Johnny's comforting warmth. She was barely aware of the stern look Alan gave her new friend as she turned to V. Emily took a deep breath to steady herself, studying the cinnamon of V's eyes for a brief moment. "Johnny can you stay here. I think V needs some coffee. Have me paged if anything at all happens. We'll only be five or ten minutes anyway." She sighed heavily, wondering if she should leave, then moved to the examining room. "Jason you hang on." She whispered before turning to V.
"I'll page you for anything." Johnny assured. The old protectiveness was welling up inside him and he pulled her close for a brief moment." And you page me if you need anything."
"I will." Emily smiled up at him. The bodyguard was proving to be the bright spot in a very dark day. She turned to V. "Come on you could use a break. It must have been terrible seeing Jason like that."
"It was." V admitted as she fell into step with the younger woman. "There's nothing quite so helpless about seeing someone you care about...."
"Please don't do this." Emily pleaded. She pulled the other woman into a small waiting area and sank down on one of the chairs. "You and Jason aren't married. Why are you lying to everyone?"
V flushed and stared at the ground. She was a horrible liar; of course she couldn't carry this scheme! "How did you know?" She whispered.
Emily reached out to pat V's hand. The woman's expression was haunting and Emily found herself wondering just how bonded V and her brother were. "Jason wrote me awhile back and he mentioned how you tail him. He thought you were amusing."
"Oh No! He wasn't supposed to know!" V wrung her hands. "Sonny will kill me."
Emily wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulder. "No he won't. You were trying to help my brother. No one will fault you for that. If I thought you were trying to hurt him, I would have exposed you in front of my family. So why did you do it?"
"Well, I guess it was because I was holding his hand and begging him to live for so long and when they wanted to bring him here...." She trailed off. Sometimes she was so bad at expressing her feelings. "I just felt like I had to be with him to encourage him to fight."
Emily digested V's words for a few moments. "I think I understand," She spoke finally. "And I'll keep your secret because Jason may very well only have you and I when he comes to. He doesn't let my family in and I can't really blame him. But V, when he regains consciousness it's up to him if he wants to keep or spill it ok?"
"That's fine with me." V replied with a nervous smile. "Do you want me to stay out of your way while you r family visits?"
"God no." Emily giggled. "Your presence is enough to keep the heat off me arriving with Sonny's bodyguard. And anyway, as far as anyone else knows, you are family."
~*~
Carly tightened her arms around him, as if she could force him to be with her emotionally by the strength in her hug. "Don't go there Sonny. I need you. Michael needs you." She hoped that their love could keep the darkness from invading his soul. If he turned self destructive, she didn't know if they'd make it.
"The only place I'm goin' is the hospital." Sonny replied as he cleared his throat. Action would banish the thoughts he was having. "You coming?"
Sonny looked at Carly as he cleared his mind of the negative thoughts. He had to hang on here for her and for Michael, not to mention for Jason. They all needed him to be even-tempered and unclouded by the madness that imprisoned his soul.
"Of course I'm coming." Carly assured as she pressed closer in desperation. "Don't you go leaving me Sonny. I mean it. I love you. Michael loves you." She gasped in shock as she realized that she had said the words out loud. She had thought them many a time but it was so much easier to tell him she needed him. That she relied on him. There was something about letting any man, especially this man, know that she cared. It would inevitably lead to her downfall. Carly knew all of these things, yet she couldn't take back the words that hung in the air between them. As they faded away, his dark eyes met hers and she stiffened, waiting for scorn or laughter.
Sonny looked down at Carly. The play of emotions in her face and body language astounded him. She truly looked fearful that she had said too much. "Don't worry." He said low into her ear. "I'm here and I love you too." The words sounded foreign to his ears. He had loved before and every time he had been hurt. Brenda, Lily....Jason they had all left him. He shook his head violently, ridding himself of those disturbing thoughts. "Come on" he said simply and stepped away.
Carly stared after him for an interminable moment. What had changed between them? All of a sudden, she felt very off balance. "Sonny...." She started, biting her lip.
"What is it?" He turned to look at her curiously.
She shook her head for a moment and bit her lip. He looked so serious yet the light of hope gleamed in his eyes.
"This." Carly said tearfully. As her lips met his, the world stopped for a moment. She sought comfort from his gentle mouth seeking, delving deeper.
Sonny moaned in need as he crushed her to his chest. Their kiss was at first brutal in its need, but as they settled into one another the pressure of their lips softened.
"Wow." Carly whispered as Sonny stepped back. She slowly traced a fingertip over his lower lip.
"Yeah that was wow all right." Her fingers had not yet stilled upon his lips so he gently licked a fingertip. "I hate to say this Carly, but we have to go now. We have to check on Jason."
"Jason." Carly echoed and nodded. "Let's do it Sonny. He needs us."
And I need you, Sonny thought. They had reached a breakthrough just now and he was anxious to see where they could go with their newfound knowledge.