Part Fifteen

Author's Note: This chapter contains medical information.  It may not be correct and I apologize for this.

            "AJ, get the hell out of here." Jason told him.  "You're not allowed anywhere near Carly's club."

            "That's right, I am not allowed near here." AJ came into the doorway.  "I am not allowed in here because you and Sonny SAY SO.  Isn't that right?"

            "Just get out." Jason said.

            "You and Sonny both think that you have the right to tell me what to do.  You think you have the right to tell me to stay away from here…to stay away from my son." AJ said as he walked into the room.  "You and Sonny think you are the boss of me.  News flash Jason…YOU'RE NOT!"  His voice echoed through the tiny room.  "I am sick and tired of you telling me what to do Jason.  I want to take it all back.  I want my life back…I want to be able to walk where I want to walk.  I want to be able to talk to anyone I want to, like Gia.  I want to be able to see my son, Michael."

            Jason felt anger rise in him when he mentioned Gia and Michael.  "That's never going to happen.  You had your chance and you blew it…by drinking!" He said.  "Just like you did before you came over here."

            "I am getting another chance." AJ declared.  "At yours and Sonny's expense of course.  I am taking the chance for myself." He quickly pulled out a gun.

            Jason knew he had to act fast.  He would only have one chance to get that gun from AJ.  He knew that he couldn't talk him out of shooting him.  He lunged forward hoping that AJ's drunken state would slow him.

            AJ reacted just as quick.  The gun went off, sending Jason back to the floor.  AJ looked down at the man who was his little brother.  Blood was leaking out of his side, forming a pool under him. 

            AJ was silent for a moment.  Then he began to laugh.  His laughter echoed through the room.  He had done it.  He had proved that he was the better man.  He felt so good.  Until he heard the scream…

            He turned to see Gia standing there.  Her eyes were wide…he could read the pain and fear in them.  Then it hit him…he had shot a man.  It was like the sound of Gia's scream had grounded him.  "Oh God…" He muttered.

            Gia's first instinct was to run to Jason but she was stopped short by the thought of AJ holding a gun.  Would he shoot her as well for trying to help Jason?  She wanted to help him so badly.

            "I shot him."

            Gia heard AJ mumble.  She knew by the look of him that he was in shock.  "AJ…" She said in a quiet voice.

            He looked up and she could read the regret in his eyes.  "I didn't want to hurt him.  I just wanted to show him that he can't run my life."

            Gia carefully stepped forward, watching the gun in his hand closely.  She looked over at Jason.  His eyes were closed and he was getting paler.  Was he dead already?  She choked back a sob and looked at AJ.  "I know you didn't want to hurt him."  Gia told him in a soothing voice.  "You didn't mean to do it.  I don't think this is your fault."

            AJ nodded.  He felt tears streaming down his face.

            "Why don't you give me the gun, AJ?" Gia asked, holding out her hand.  "That way you can't accidentally hurt anyone else."  She was afraid that he might shoot her or worse, shoot Jason in the head before she got a chance to see if he was alive. 

            AJ thought for a moment.  He had just wanted to show Jason up…he didn't want to hurt him.  He extended his hand with the gun and let Gia take it from him.  "I'm really sorry."

            Gia held the cold gun in her hand and felt some relief flood into her. AJ reached out and pulled her into a hug before she could react. 

            "I am really sorry, Gia." AJ whispered.  "I wanted to show him that I wasn't going to play by his rules anymore."

            Gia realized that AJ was either in shock at what he had done, or he had lost it.  She rubbed his back with her free hand.  "It's okay." She said looking over at Jason.  Her heart leaped when she saw that he was still breathing.  "When the police come I'll tell them that you didn't mean to do it."

            AJ pulled back.  "Police!"

            Gia realized she had said the wrong thing.  She was going to tell him that she didn't mean it but he reacted faster.  He pushed her away, sending her flying with the gun in her hand.  She landed hard between boxes of her stuff.  Her head bounced off the corner of a chair.  Everything went black…

            ****

            Danny looked at his watch.  It was exactly an hour later.  He noticed that Mr. Morgan's car was still there with the trunk open so he and Miss Campbell must still be loading their stuff.  He decided to lend a hand so they could get out of there before the other employees arrived to set up for that night's crowd.

            "Mr. Morgan." He called as he walked towards the storage room.  He didn't get an answer.  "Miss Campbell." His voice was louder this time.  Still no answer.  He walked to the open door and glanced inside.  He thought he was going to loose his supper. 

            Jason Morgan was lying in a pool of blood. He was deathly pale. 

            Gia Campbell was amongst some boxes, her eyes closed.  He could see a little blood next to her head and there was a gun lying next to her right hand. 

            He didn't have time to try and figure out what happened.  He checked Gia's pulse first.  She had a strong beat and was breathing.  He then went to Jason.  He reached to take his pulse and was afraid of what he might find.  It was a miracle when he found a weak pulse.  He felt Jason's blood soak into his own clothing.  He didn't have time to care.  He reached into the nearest box and pulled out a blue t-shirt.  Given the circumstances he didn't think that Gia would mind.  He searched for the source and finally found it in Jason's left side.  He pressed the shirt to the wound in an attempt to slow down the blood loss.  He had already lost so much.  He then got out his cell phone and made the call to 911.

            ****

            Carly sat down onto the couch.  She was feeling a little lightheaded.  She hadn't eaten much at dinner and Sonny was working on supper.  She was really hungry. She glanced up when she saw Sonny coming out with plates to set the table.  He had gotten home an hour ago and told Carly to prepare herself for a romantic dinner.  He had fed the children and then sent them upstairs with Leticia.

            "Hey!" Carly sat up straight. "I didn't tell you about Jason and Gia! You were busy with the kids.  You were right…they realized that they want to be together on their own.  They are moving the rest of Gia's stuff into the penthouse now."

            "I like it when you admit you were wrong." Sonny teased.  He pulled out a chair.  "Supper is served, my dear."

            "You're such a gentleman." Carly gushed sitting into the chair.  "What will we be dining on tonight?"

            "Roast chicken, baby potatoes and a medley of vegetables." Sonny informed her.

            "Delicious." Carly said, looking down at her plate. 

            The phone rang and Carly gave Sonny a look.  "This is a romantic night between us…it's probably Benny." She reached out and grabbed his hand.  "Just let it ring."

            Sonny hesitated and then sighed.  "Alright." After six rings, it stopped.  Carly grinned and then frowned again when it started to ring right away.  Sonny pulled away. "It might be important."  He picked up the phone.  "Hey Bobbie." Carly stood up, thinking her mother wanted her.  Then she noticed the look on Sonny's face.  His whole body language changed.  It couldn't be good.  "We'll be right there."   He hung up the phone.  "Get your coat and tell Leticia to watch the kids."

            Carly complied and came back downstairs to see Sonny holding the door open.  "What happened?"

            "Bobbie heard two ambulances are on their way to GH." He told her taking her hand.  "It's Jason and Gia…"

            Carly turned pale.  She felt herself go dizzy.  Sonny put his arm around to support her. "How bad?"

            "Bobbie said all she knew was that they were to prepare for a gun shot wound." Sonny told her.  "She said she didn't know which one."

            Just then Carly's cell phone rang.  She pulled it out of her pocket.  "Danny!" She said when she heard her employee's voice.  "What?" She cried grabbing onto Sonny tightly.  "Tell the police that I'll be at the hospital.  If they need to speak to me they can come there."  She hung up the phone.

            "Jason was shot." She told Sonny as they boarded the elevator.  "Gia hit her head on something.  The paramedics couldn't wake her when they arrived."

            "How do you know this?" Sonny asked.

            "Because it happened in the storage room of my club." Carly cried as they crawled into the car.  "Danny found them when he came back to get the key from Jason." 

            "Did he see who did it?" Sonny asked. 

            "No…he said whoever it was long gone." Carly explained.  "The cops are on it.  They might show up at the hospital to ask me some questions." 

            "Are you worried about your club?" Sonny asked knowing how much Carly put into Club 101.

            "I am more worried about Jason and Gia right now."

            ****

            Bobbie bit her lip as she saw Alan Quartermaine come running.  He was all ready to go to work on the emergency.  "Alan!"

            "Bobbie, is the GSW here yet?" Alan asked the red headed nurse.

            She shook her head.  "Alan, I hate to be the one to tell you this…but the victim might be Jason."

            Alan felt like someone knocked the wind out of him.  He sank down in the nearest chair.

            "Are you sure?" Alan asked in a quiet voice.

            "The victims are Jason and Gia Campbell.  We don't know which one of them is the GSW yet.  We tried to radio out to ask them but they were busy with them.  Alan, maybe you shouldn't be the one to look after this.  The GSW victim is in pretty bad shape." Bobbie placed her hand on Alan's shoulder.  She was scared as well.  She knew how much Carly and Sonny thought of Jason and Gia. 

            The doors burst open and the paramedics rolled in Gia.  Alan stood up and walked over.  He knew right away that Jason was the one shot.  He took a deep breath and asked the nearest paramedic for the information on Gia.

            "Took a hit to back of her skull…there is a gash in her head but we managed to stop the bleeding.  She hasn't woken up yet or responded in any way.  She could have a severe concussion."

            Alan leaned down.  He opened one of Gia's eyes and didn't like what he saw.  "Gia, come on.  We need you to wake it." He was worried that she could slip into a coma if she didn't soon wake up. 

            The other stretcher rolled in.  Alan rushed over.  He knew it was bad before he even asked for the vitals.  Jason was so pale.  He stuttered out a few instructions before he felt Bobbie pull him away. 

            "You can't do this." She informed him.  "You look after Gia.  I have already paged another doctor."

            Alan nodded.  Bobbie was right.  He knew he couldn't be the one to try to save his son.  He walked back to the exam room where Gia was.  He looked out when Jason's stretcher was rushed off.  He knew that they were headed towards the OR.  After they stabilized Gia he would have to call home. 

            He would have to prepare his family for the possibility that Jason might not make it.