I don't usually babble before the story but I wanted to answer a few
questions. First most of the Proverbs come from the NIV or New
International Version translation unless it is marked JKV, King James
Version. The reason for the two different ones is that some times on
translation just fits better.
It you would like to find the KJV you can go to www.proverbs.com
Also I was asked why I based my story on Proverb. Well I was doing a Bible study and saw the following verse.
For the lips of an adulteress drip with honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edge sword. (Prov. 5:3-4)
It made me think of Courtney. LOL. I thought about what my great grandmother said "that you can find any thing you need in Proverbs." So I started searching for other verses that reminded me of the story on GH. Funny the Proverb that started it will not be used in the story because Courtney is not my focus. However: the verse you will find in the last chapter was my second inspiration.
Also I think this is going to go to 12 chapters instead of the original plan of 10 because chapter 5 got split in half and chapter 7 is to long to combine with 6. So without further a do.
Please leave your comments they mean a lot to me.
Prov.Ch6
Rescue those being led away to death; Hold back those staggering toward slaughter. (Prov. 24:11)
Jason laid still for what felt like hours. He had not been aware of the men leaving, but the approaching sound of sirens had brought him back to focus on where he was. His body was overcome with a tired, weak feeling. However, his mind coached him through what needed to be done. He inched his way over to the crumpled mass, motionless on the dark pavement. Barely able to get to his feet while clutching at the tears in his abdomen, he reached down and found a faint pulse on the other victim's body. The squealing, offensive noise was nearing. Jason searched the ground for his weapon, grabbed it. He made his way to the wall of the building, using it for both cover and support as he made his escape. He ignored the searing pain and focused only on the safety of Elizabeth's studio. He tried desperately to keep pressure on the seeping holes. Having to stop at each landing, the ascent up the three flights of stairs to the studio turned into a monumental task in his condition. The heavy metal door lie only steps away. He willed his feet forward, blackness starting to envelope him. Three steps...two step. He had made it, but couldn't remember why he was there. Confusion, uncertainty. Vague recognition of the door in front of him. Just as he raised his hand to strike the door, his strength finally failed and he dropped to the floor.
Elizabeth sighed as she lowered the heavy boxes on to the charity stack near the door. Just then, she thought she heard a thud in the hallway on the other side. She was the only one left on her floor and thought it odd. "Hello?" she called toward the closed door. She moved closer and leaned her ear toward the large gray rectangle. She thought she heard something move and cautiously put her hand on the door handle. "Is someone there?" she called again. She strained and thought she heard her name, barely whispered. She pulled hard on the heavy door. Her eyes feel to the lump of darkly clothed flesh resting against her door. "Oh my God," a prayer rested on her lips, "Jason." She knelt down beside the still man. "Jason!" she repeated his name, forceful and loud this time. As she push the door wide he slid the rest of the way down to lay on the floor. She placed her hand behind his head, bringing it to rest gently. She began to survey the damage. His hands were covered in rich splashes of red. His black cotton shirt clung to him, soaked in the sticky fluid. She moved to cradle his head and shoulders on her lap as she continued to try and awaken him. She reached down and pulled the wet garment up exposing the gaping flesh. She could feel panic well-up in her throat, and she closed her eyes and forced a hard breath down to swallow it. She quickly swept her eyes through the studio and saw her laundry basket just at arms length. She pulled it toward them and grabbed a t-shirt, hastily pressed it to the wound. The force of the pressure created a response in her patient. He flinched, and his eyes flickered open.
"Elizabeth," breathless, he tried to move.
"Shh, Jason, don't move. I'm going to help you."
"Elizabeth," he reached up. His fingers streaking her linen cheek red. "I...I'm..."
"Don't try to talk." His fingers trailed over her loose, falling curls before they fell back to the floor. He had slipped into unconsciousness again. Elizabeth didn't have time to think; she just acted. She kept applying unmerciful pressure while she search his jacket pockets for his cell phone. When she pulled on the jacket she revealed the handle of a gun. Without even thinking, she grabbed it, tossing it into the laundry basket. She was not sure if she was concealing evidence or not. 'It was better to be safe,' she thought. She reached in the other jacket pocket and found the small phone. Quickly she dialed the hospital. She told the operator that she had to speak to Dr. Quartermain. When asked which one she almost screamed that it was an emergency and didn't matter. She had been talking to a motionless Jason when she heard the calm female voice come over the line.
"Dr. Quartermain"
"Oh thank God! Jason is hurt!" Elizabeth bellowed into the small phone.
"Wait, slow down. Who is this?" Her words now rushed
"It's Elizabeth Webber. Jason is here. Looks like he has been stabbed or something." She knew from experience that the opening did not look like the gunshot wound she had mended three years before.
"Is he consciousness?"
"No. He was, but he is not now."
"Where are you? I'm going to have an ambulance dispatched to you."
"We are at my studio, but Jason wouldn't want to go to the.."
"Elizabeth, he could bleed to death. If a major organ has been compromised he will surely die, and soon. You have to try and stop the bleeding. Keep pressure on the wound."
"I'm doing that." The doctor's instructions were helping to keep her focused and kept her from crying. "Keep talking to him and see if you can't get him to wake up. Hold on a moment." There was a long pause and Elizabeth tried talking to him again. "Elizabeth, you there?"
"Yes, yes, I'm here," fear showing in her voice now.
"Ok, I dispatched an ambulance."
"Jason would not want to go the hospital." Elizabeth tried to protest again.
"We have to get him here so we can treat him. I have to go. I will meet you in the emergency room. Hang in there. Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'll do what I can."
"You are doing great, Elizabeth. I'll see you in just a bit." With that the phone went dead, and Elizabeth turned her attention back to Jason. She kept trying to encourage him to open his eyes. He never did. When the EMTs arrived, they pushed her aside so they could work. She heard them say there was a faint pulse, but he had lost a lot of blood.
The medical personal put in an IV and strapped him to the gurney. Elizabeth hurried after the group down the stairs and out into the frigid night air. It had taken a bit of begging to get them to let her ride with him to the hospital. She held his hand and continued to encourage him. All of the sudden, a loud, monotone squeal filled the racing ambulance. The medic pushed her aside. She fell back onto the bench type seat as the two attendants exposed Jason's blood smeared chest.
"One-and-two-and-three-and-four-and-five-and, breathe!" one of them yelled.
Her mind raced. 'What was happening?' She was too scared to speak and only stared, stunned at the men's anxious work.
"One-and-two-and-three-and-..." she heard again. Jason's body moved rhythmically on the small bed. All three of them watched the small screen, holding their collective breaths, until the green line stared to move up and down on its own again.
Elizabeth found her way back to his side and gently took his hand. It was cold, and she had a flash, remembering holding her grandmothers hand for the last time. All at once, every emotion she had ever had involving Jason leap forward in her awareness. Fear, desperation, longing, anger, worry and love all clung to her raw heart. Just as she started to lean down toward his cheek, the vehicle stopped. The back doors flew open, and all the occupants hurried out. Elizabeth followed the speeding gurney through the double doors of the emergency room. She saw both Dr. Quartermains along with several other hospital personnel waiting there.
Once inside the emergency room she found herself alone, feeling abandoned. She started her way down the hall to where they had speed Jason off to. She tried to look through the small window, but she was too short. All she could make out were people in green scrubs. A nurse came out, and she tried to ask her a question, but she rushed by too fast. In this moment, history had no meaning. Waiting to find out Jason's fate kept her heart beating wildly. Finally, Dr. Alan Quartermain exited the room.
"What is going on? Is he Ok?" Elizabeth was starting to give in to the panic.
"Elizabeth," the doctor's eyes fell on hers. "He is stable right now. They are about to take him up to surgery." Before she could ask another question he had walked away from her. She started to go after him when the doors swung open and people were yelling for her to move out of the way. She tried to push through the professionals and just managed to get a quick hold of Jason's hand. She gave it a tight squeeze before he was rushed into the elevator. She stared at the closing doors in bewildered helplessness.
Unsure of what to do, she slowly walked over and found a simple plastic chair to collapse into. She closed her eyes and just tried to concentrate on breathing for a moment. Calming herself with the thoughts that Jason was in good hands, knowing that his parents would never let anything happen to him no matter what animosity there was in the family. She opened her eyes when she heard a familiar voice from across the room. She looked over to the nurses' desk and saw Bobbie Jones speaking with the attendant there. In that instant, their gazes met. Elizabeth sat frozen when Bobbie started to walk over to her; afraid she had news on Jason. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?"
"I came in with Jason."
"Jason? Did something happen?" She realized that was a stupid question when her eyes made their way over the petite woman. Her clothes were splattered with blood, and there were streaks on her face. "Are you ok?" Seeing the blood the nurse was not sure that if some of it was not the young girl's own.
"I'm not hurt. If that is what you mean. But I think Jason was stabbed. He is in surgery now." Elizabeth watched as the woman's solemn expression dropped even more.
"Seeing you for a moment I thought I had gotten lucky."
"Lucky? How's that?"
"I just thought you could help with something, but I won't ask you, not now."
"Help you with what?" Her mind for a moment on something other than Jason. "If I can do something, just tell me."
Bobbie studied her for a second. She saw the sincerity in her eyes. Elizabeth looked as if she was almost pleading. "Well, earlier we had a gunshot victim brought in. He lost a lot of blood. Well, when I saw you, I thought you were our answered prayer."
"An answered prayer," she repeated softly. "What do you mean?"
"Your blood type is AB- just like our patient. I was hoping you could give us some blood, but I don't think you are up for it." She watched for Elizabeth's reaction. Then added, "Jason will probably be in surgery for awhile."
Elizabeth's mind calmed, "If I can help, I will."
"I tell you what, I will find out how Jason is doing and meet you in the surgical waiting area when you are done." Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "You know where to go?"
"Yes," Elizabeth tried to offer her a little smile. As she made her way to the blood bank, she felt like she was in a tunnel, but the walls kept getting closer the further in she walked.
Elizabeth made her way through the various corridors to the hematology lab. The technician looked at her strangely and told her that emergency was on the first floor. When she tried to explain she was there to give blood, he told her to stay there and left the room for a moment. He returned and handed her a set of green folded cotton items. Then he told her she could go down the hall to the restroom and change her clothes. Then he handed her a red plastic bag marked Hazardous Materials and told her she could put the soiled clothes in it.
She moved slowly to the small room. She was horrified when she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were sunken and ringed with dark circles. There was scarlet streaks down her right cheek. She brought her hand up and placed it over the blood, Jason's blood. She closed her eyes and imagined his weak touch that had deposited the blood there. She offered up another prayer for his life before she opened her eyes again. She gave into the notion that she had to clean the blood off and turned on the hot water. With the first splash of the warmth wetting her cheek and running back into the sink, she somehow feared she was washing a part of him away. It took some scrubbing to remove the large amount of dried blood from her hands. Then she striped off the stained clothes and put them in the bag. Finished with the task, she left the room and went back down the hall to the lab.
Once the technician was finished filling the bag with her blood, he told her they would run a few test. Then it would be processed. All things she knew from the many times she had given in the past. She thanked him, gathered the bag with her clothes, and headed to the surgical waiting area.
Arriving at the drab looking space, she was not surprised to see Sonny, Carly and Courtney waiting there. She assumed that they had found out about Jason and had come to find out what had happened. They sure seemed a bit shocked to see her though. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" Sonny stood up as she approached the small group.
She did not get a chance to answer before Bobbie called out to her, "Elizabeth." She turned toward the nurse as Carly and Courtney got up and moved beside her. Elizabeth hugged the plastic bag to her chest, ignoring the starring faces and focused on Bobbie. "I don't have any real news for you yet. All I know is that Jason is still in surgery and..."
"What! Wait, Jason is in surgery?" Carly interrupted her mother. "What happened?" She glared at Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn't answer, but let Bobbie finish for her.
"There were at least three stab wounds, and the damage is pretty bad. I know he lost a lot of blood, but I heard Monica say you did a good job keeping the bleeding down and that he probably got to the hospital in time. It will be a few hours before he is out of surgery. Then we will know more."
"Thank you, Bobbie," Elizabeth tried to offer her a small smile. Just then the nurse's pager went off. She checked it, and before any one could ask her anything else, she excused herself saying she would be right back.
"What is she talking about?" Carly immediately jumped on Elizabeth and started berating her with questions and tirades. Then Courtney joined in. Elizabeth felt like she could not breathe, and half dazed, she moved to sit down. Finally, Sonny stopped the girls and told them to sit down and to leave Elizabeth alone. With the women sent to their corners, Sonny positioned himself between them and Elizabeth. He gently took her hand in his and started to speak to her in a calm, mild tone.
"Elizabeth, can you please tell me what happen?"
She brought her eyes to meet with his, and she felt as if the tears she had constrained through the events were going to all rush out at once. She nodded slowly, took a sluggish breath gathering strength, and began. "I don't really know much. I was at my studio packing when I heard something outside my door. When I opened it, there was Jason, half on the floor, half leaning against the door. When I realized he was bleeding, I pulled up his shirt." The image of him lying there and the torn flesh rushed her mind's eye. She could not hold back any more, and a deep sob escaped her body. Sonny pulled her towards him. Wrapping his arms around her, her body shook with the release of the emotions. He gently rocked her, whispering soothing words in her ear, calming her enough for her to continue. "I put as much pressure on the wounds as I could and called the hospital. I talked to Dr. Quartermain, and she called the ambulance."
"Is that all?" He studied her intensely. "You don't know where he was, who he was with?" She shook her head, no. "Did he say anything?" She thought for a moment, remembering the way he had said her name, now reverberating in her memory. He had not sounded desperate, like someone in need of help, but gentle and sweet. Her name was almost a longing on his lips. She closed her eyes to keep it safe in her mind and offered them only another shake, no.
Courtney was on her feet making her way to Sonny when Elizabeth realized that they had been shocked to hear about Jason. If they hadn't known already, why were they at the hospital? She was about to ask Sonny when Bobbie returned to the waiting area. They all jumped to their feet and huddled around the woman. "I just got word from a friend that Mike is in really bad shape, and some of his organs have shut down. One of his kidneys was so damaged that they had to remove it."
"Wait, what happened to Mike?" Elizabeth was stunned.
"He was shot. In fact, he is the one I told you about down in the ER." the nurse answered her.
"He is the one I gave blood for?"
"You gave Mike blood?" Carly's questioning tone surprised the group. Elizabeth didn't have to answer; Bobbie did it for her.
"She is AB-, same as Mike. Lucky thing too because there was only one pint in the bank when Mike came in." Bobbie smiled slightly at Elizabeth. "I have to go now, but I will try and keep you updated on Mike and Jason the best I can." She gave Carly a quick hug before exiting the waiting area.
Hearing both Jason and Mike's names in the same sentence made Elizabeth and Sonny's minds kick start. They spoke their assumption at the same time. "Were they together?" When she realized that Sonny had no idea what Jason had been up to that night, she glared at Courtney. The junior female had retreated a bit from the group and was bighting her lower lip. Courtney saw the look of confusion in her brother's face, but it was Elizabeth's expression that had made her recoil. Elizabeth stepped toward the blond. Her piercing gaze hastened the retreat.
"Courtney, do you know anything about where Jason was tonight and what is going on?" Elizabeth keep her voice steady. Carly studied the two women and began to comprehend that Elizabeth knew about Jason and Courtney's relationship. Carly decided it was best to keep silent.
"Courtney?" Sonny stepped up, following Elizabeth's lead.
She knew she had to explain. Doing her best to tell them about Mike's gambling debt and that she had asked Jason to help. It was when she mentioned Tagliatti's name that Sonny hit the roof. Carly tried to calm him, telling him his tirades were not going to help either Mike or Jason at the moment. Finally, his eyes turned a bit glassy when he looked back to his sister. "Why didn't you or Jason tell me?"
Courtney swallowed hard and could not bring herself to look him in the eyes. "I asked Jason not to tell you."
"What?" The harsh vibrations of the word echoed in the small room. "Why?"
"Because I knew you would be disappointed in Mike, and I want you two to work things out. I knew if you knew, you would be mad at Dad again."
Sonny fought to regain control of his anger. He took a slow breath before addressing her again. "Courtney, do you know who or what Tagliatti is?"
"I know he is your enemy," she interrupted.
"You can't even guess what is going on, and the situation with Tagliatti's organization is a powder keg at best." He turned from her.
Carly muttered under her breath, "Looks like it just blew."
He turned to study Courtney again. "I don't understand. Jason knows better than this."
"He wanted to tell you, Sonny, but I begged him not to."
Elizabeth suddenly remembered when she asked Jason to spare Zander. How it had really hurt things between them, but made her understand how much he cared for her. Enough to go against Sonny's orders. Elizabeth wanted to pull the girl's hair out. Getting Jason injured like that. She was stupid, and Jason could have been killed. Courtney began to cry. Carly moved to comfort her.
The situation slowly settled. Carly, Sonny and Courtney finally sat down. The room fell into silence as Elizabeth moved to sit alone on the other side of the room. They all just sat, waiting. The long night was taking its toll on all of them, and Sonny had recommended that Carly go home to rest. She refused to leave until both the men were out of surgery. The hours ticked by, and Elizabeth finally saw Dr. Allan Quartermain's figure appear down the hall. She got up from her seat and started toward him. The others had not taken much interest in her movement across the room. He was at the nurses station by the time she reached him.
"Dr. Quartermain?" she timidly touched his elbow.
"Elizabeth," he slid his arm around her and squeezed her gently. "Thank you for taking care of Jason."
She tried to smile. "How is he doing?"
"He is going to be ok. The worst of it was his liver. It was pierced and one of his lungs was punctured. He would have died had you not controlled the bleeding and got him here."
"Is he still in surgery?"
"No, he is in recovery." Anticipating her next question, "No one can see him. Anyway, he is sedated, and he won't be awake until late in the afternoon, I think." He studied the small woman under his arm and thought about the fact that they had just buried her grandmother less than a week ago. "Elizabeth, would you like me to take you home? You should get some rest."
She smiled up at the doctor's caring offer. "I think I will head home, but you need to stay here with your son. I'll get a cab." Just as she said it, she remembered she didn't have her purse. Sonny had walked up behind them overhearing the report on Jason.
"I'll get my driver to take her home." He offered. She nodded in appreciation of his gesture, and he led her out to his car. They did not speak to each other until just before she got in the car. "I would like to also thank you for taking care of Jason. You know he trust you. He always turns to you when he needs help."
"I doubt it was like that, Sonny. My place was probably just convenient."
"You underestimate what Jason feels for you." Elizabeth could not bring herself to meet his eyes. Then he changed the subject. "How did you know Courtney knew what was going on?"
Now she looked at him. "You need to talk to Jason and Courtney. I think they can answer that better than I can." She moved to get into the black car.
"Wait a minute. You said something to me a while ago about Jason, and that something was going on with him."
"Yes, and I told you then to talk to him. Now, Sonny, I'm really tired, and I have to move tomm...today." She got in the open door and sank into the deep leather seat.
It was barely predawn. She stared out the window. The dark sky a stark contrast against the Milky Way. She thought about standing with Jason looking up at those same stars. Then, they had seemed magic. Now, the stardust seemed to be just the remnants of yesterdays dreams.
It you would like to find the KJV you can go to www.proverbs.com
Also I was asked why I based my story on Proverb. Well I was doing a Bible study and saw the following verse.
For the lips of an adulteress drip with honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edge sword. (Prov. 5:3-4)
It made me think of Courtney. LOL. I thought about what my great grandmother said "that you can find any thing you need in Proverbs." So I started searching for other verses that reminded me of the story on GH. Funny the Proverb that started it will not be used in the story because Courtney is not my focus. However: the verse you will find in the last chapter was my second inspiration.
Also I think this is going to go to 12 chapters instead of the original plan of 10 because chapter 5 got split in half and chapter 7 is to long to combine with 6. So without further a do.
Please leave your comments they mean a lot to me.
Prov.Ch6
Rescue those being led away to death; Hold back those staggering toward slaughter. (Prov. 24:11)
Jason laid still for what felt like hours. He had not been aware of the men leaving, but the approaching sound of sirens had brought him back to focus on where he was. His body was overcome with a tired, weak feeling. However, his mind coached him through what needed to be done. He inched his way over to the crumpled mass, motionless on the dark pavement. Barely able to get to his feet while clutching at the tears in his abdomen, he reached down and found a faint pulse on the other victim's body. The squealing, offensive noise was nearing. Jason searched the ground for his weapon, grabbed it. He made his way to the wall of the building, using it for both cover and support as he made his escape. He ignored the searing pain and focused only on the safety of Elizabeth's studio. He tried desperately to keep pressure on the seeping holes. Having to stop at each landing, the ascent up the three flights of stairs to the studio turned into a monumental task in his condition. The heavy metal door lie only steps away. He willed his feet forward, blackness starting to envelope him. Three steps...two step. He had made it, but couldn't remember why he was there. Confusion, uncertainty. Vague recognition of the door in front of him. Just as he raised his hand to strike the door, his strength finally failed and he dropped to the floor.
Elizabeth sighed as she lowered the heavy boxes on to the charity stack near the door. Just then, she thought she heard a thud in the hallway on the other side. She was the only one left on her floor and thought it odd. "Hello?" she called toward the closed door. She moved closer and leaned her ear toward the large gray rectangle. She thought she heard something move and cautiously put her hand on the door handle. "Is someone there?" she called again. She strained and thought she heard her name, barely whispered. She pulled hard on the heavy door. Her eyes feel to the lump of darkly clothed flesh resting against her door. "Oh my God," a prayer rested on her lips, "Jason." She knelt down beside the still man. "Jason!" she repeated his name, forceful and loud this time. As she push the door wide he slid the rest of the way down to lay on the floor. She placed her hand behind his head, bringing it to rest gently. She began to survey the damage. His hands were covered in rich splashes of red. His black cotton shirt clung to him, soaked in the sticky fluid. She moved to cradle his head and shoulders on her lap as she continued to try and awaken him. She reached down and pulled the wet garment up exposing the gaping flesh. She could feel panic well-up in her throat, and she closed her eyes and forced a hard breath down to swallow it. She quickly swept her eyes through the studio and saw her laundry basket just at arms length. She pulled it toward them and grabbed a t-shirt, hastily pressed it to the wound. The force of the pressure created a response in her patient. He flinched, and his eyes flickered open.
"Elizabeth," breathless, he tried to move.
"Shh, Jason, don't move. I'm going to help you."
"Elizabeth," he reached up. His fingers streaking her linen cheek red. "I...I'm..."
"Don't try to talk." His fingers trailed over her loose, falling curls before they fell back to the floor. He had slipped into unconsciousness again. Elizabeth didn't have time to think; she just acted. She kept applying unmerciful pressure while she search his jacket pockets for his cell phone. When she pulled on the jacket she revealed the handle of a gun. Without even thinking, she grabbed it, tossing it into the laundry basket. She was not sure if she was concealing evidence or not. 'It was better to be safe,' she thought. She reached in the other jacket pocket and found the small phone. Quickly she dialed the hospital. She told the operator that she had to speak to Dr. Quartermain. When asked which one she almost screamed that it was an emergency and didn't matter. She had been talking to a motionless Jason when she heard the calm female voice come over the line.
"Dr. Quartermain"
"Oh thank God! Jason is hurt!" Elizabeth bellowed into the small phone.
"Wait, slow down. Who is this?" Her words now rushed
"It's Elizabeth Webber. Jason is here. Looks like he has been stabbed or something." She knew from experience that the opening did not look like the gunshot wound she had mended three years before.
"Is he consciousness?"
"No. He was, but he is not now."
"Where are you? I'm going to have an ambulance dispatched to you."
"We are at my studio, but Jason wouldn't want to go to the.."
"Elizabeth, he could bleed to death. If a major organ has been compromised he will surely die, and soon. You have to try and stop the bleeding. Keep pressure on the wound."
"I'm doing that." The doctor's instructions were helping to keep her focused and kept her from crying. "Keep talking to him and see if you can't get him to wake up. Hold on a moment." There was a long pause and Elizabeth tried talking to him again. "Elizabeth, you there?"
"Yes, yes, I'm here," fear showing in her voice now.
"Ok, I dispatched an ambulance."
"Jason would not want to go the hospital." Elizabeth tried to protest again.
"We have to get him here so we can treat him. I have to go. I will meet you in the emergency room. Hang in there. Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'll do what I can."
"You are doing great, Elizabeth. I'll see you in just a bit." With that the phone went dead, and Elizabeth turned her attention back to Jason. She kept trying to encourage him to open his eyes. He never did. When the EMTs arrived, they pushed her aside so they could work. She heard them say there was a faint pulse, but he had lost a lot of blood.
The medical personal put in an IV and strapped him to the gurney. Elizabeth hurried after the group down the stairs and out into the frigid night air. It had taken a bit of begging to get them to let her ride with him to the hospital. She held his hand and continued to encourage him. All of the sudden, a loud, monotone squeal filled the racing ambulance. The medic pushed her aside. She fell back onto the bench type seat as the two attendants exposed Jason's blood smeared chest.
"One-and-two-and-three-and-four-and-five-and, breathe!" one of them yelled.
Her mind raced. 'What was happening?' She was too scared to speak and only stared, stunned at the men's anxious work.
"One-and-two-and-three-and-..." she heard again. Jason's body moved rhythmically on the small bed. All three of them watched the small screen, holding their collective breaths, until the green line stared to move up and down on its own again.
Elizabeth found her way back to his side and gently took his hand. It was cold, and she had a flash, remembering holding her grandmothers hand for the last time. All at once, every emotion she had ever had involving Jason leap forward in her awareness. Fear, desperation, longing, anger, worry and love all clung to her raw heart. Just as she started to lean down toward his cheek, the vehicle stopped. The back doors flew open, and all the occupants hurried out. Elizabeth followed the speeding gurney through the double doors of the emergency room. She saw both Dr. Quartermains along with several other hospital personnel waiting there.
Once inside the emergency room she found herself alone, feeling abandoned. She started her way down the hall to where they had speed Jason off to. She tried to look through the small window, but she was too short. All she could make out were people in green scrubs. A nurse came out, and she tried to ask her a question, but she rushed by too fast. In this moment, history had no meaning. Waiting to find out Jason's fate kept her heart beating wildly. Finally, Dr. Alan Quartermain exited the room.
"What is going on? Is he Ok?" Elizabeth was starting to give in to the panic.
"Elizabeth," the doctor's eyes fell on hers. "He is stable right now. They are about to take him up to surgery." Before she could ask another question he had walked away from her. She started to go after him when the doors swung open and people were yelling for her to move out of the way. She tried to push through the professionals and just managed to get a quick hold of Jason's hand. She gave it a tight squeeze before he was rushed into the elevator. She stared at the closing doors in bewildered helplessness.
Unsure of what to do, she slowly walked over and found a simple plastic chair to collapse into. She closed her eyes and just tried to concentrate on breathing for a moment. Calming herself with the thoughts that Jason was in good hands, knowing that his parents would never let anything happen to him no matter what animosity there was in the family. She opened her eyes when she heard a familiar voice from across the room. She looked over to the nurses' desk and saw Bobbie Jones speaking with the attendant there. In that instant, their gazes met. Elizabeth sat frozen when Bobbie started to walk over to her; afraid she had news on Jason. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?"
"I came in with Jason."
"Jason? Did something happen?" She realized that was a stupid question when her eyes made their way over the petite woman. Her clothes were splattered with blood, and there were streaks on her face. "Are you ok?" Seeing the blood the nurse was not sure that if some of it was not the young girl's own.
"I'm not hurt. If that is what you mean. But I think Jason was stabbed. He is in surgery now." Elizabeth watched as the woman's solemn expression dropped even more.
"Seeing you for a moment I thought I had gotten lucky."
"Lucky? How's that?"
"I just thought you could help with something, but I won't ask you, not now."
"Help you with what?" Her mind for a moment on something other than Jason. "If I can do something, just tell me."
Bobbie studied her for a second. She saw the sincerity in her eyes. Elizabeth looked as if she was almost pleading. "Well, earlier we had a gunshot victim brought in. He lost a lot of blood. Well, when I saw you, I thought you were our answered prayer."
"An answered prayer," she repeated softly. "What do you mean?"
"Your blood type is AB- just like our patient. I was hoping you could give us some blood, but I don't think you are up for it." She watched for Elizabeth's reaction. Then added, "Jason will probably be in surgery for awhile."
Elizabeth's mind calmed, "If I can help, I will."
"I tell you what, I will find out how Jason is doing and meet you in the surgical waiting area when you are done." Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "You know where to go?"
"Yes," Elizabeth tried to offer her a little smile. As she made her way to the blood bank, she felt like she was in a tunnel, but the walls kept getting closer the further in she walked.
Elizabeth made her way through the various corridors to the hematology lab. The technician looked at her strangely and told her that emergency was on the first floor. When she tried to explain she was there to give blood, he told her to stay there and left the room for a moment. He returned and handed her a set of green folded cotton items. Then he told her she could go down the hall to the restroom and change her clothes. Then he handed her a red plastic bag marked Hazardous Materials and told her she could put the soiled clothes in it.
She moved slowly to the small room. She was horrified when she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were sunken and ringed with dark circles. There was scarlet streaks down her right cheek. She brought her hand up and placed it over the blood, Jason's blood. She closed her eyes and imagined his weak touch that had deposited the blood there. She offered up another prayer for his life before she opened her eyes again. She gave into the notion that she had to clean the blood off and turned on the hot water. With the first splash of the warmth wetting her cheek and running back into the sink, she somehow feared she was washing a part of him away. It took some scrubbing to remove the large amount of dried blood from her hands. Then she striped off the stained clothes and put them in the bag. Finished with the task, she left the room and went back down the hall to the lab.
Once the technician was finished filling the bag with her blood, he told her they would run a few test. Then it would be processed. All things she knew from the many times she had given in the past. She thanked him, gathered the bag with her clothes, and headed to the surgical waiting area.
Arriving at the drab looking space, she was not surprised to see Sonny, Carly and Courtney waiting there. She assumed that they had found out about Jason and had come to find out what had happened. They sure seemed a bit shocked to see her though. "Elizabeth, what are you doing here?" Sonny stood up as she approached the small group.
She did not get a chance to answer before Bobbie called out to her, "Elizabeth." She turned toward the nurse as Carly and Courtney got up and moved beside her. Elizabeth hugged the plastic bag to her chest, ignoring the starring faces and focused on Bobbie. "I don't have any real news for you yet. All I know is that Jason is still in surgery and..."
"What! Wait, Jason is in surgery?" Carly interrupted her mother. "What happened?" She glared at Elizabeth. Elizabeth didn't answer, but let Bobbie finish for her.
"There were at least three stab wounds, and the damage is pretty bad. I know he lost a lot of blood, but I heard Monica say you did a good job keeping the bleeding down and that he probably got to the hospital in time. It will be a few hours before he is out of surgery. Then we will know more."
"Thank you, Bobbie," Elizabeth tried to offer her a small smile. Just then the nurse's pager went off. She checked it, and before any one could ask her anything else, she excused herself saying she would be right back.
"What is she talking about?" Carly immediately jumped on Elizabeth and started berating her with questions and tirades. Then Courtney joined in. Elizabeth felt like she could not breathe, and half dazed, she moved to sit down. Finally, Sonny stopped the girls and told them to sit down and to leave Elizabeth alone. With the women sent to their corners, Sonny positioned himself between them and Elizabeth. He gently took her hand in his and started to speak to her in a calm, mild tone.
"Elizabeth, can you please tell me what happen?"
She brought her eyes to meet with his, and she felt as if the tears she had constrained through the events were going to all rush out at once. She nodded slowly, took a sluggish breath gathering strength, and began. "I don't really know much. I was at my studio packing when I heard something outside my door. When I opened it, there was Jason, half on the floor, half leaning against the door. When I realized he was bleeding, I pulled up his shirt." The image of him lying there and the torn flesh rushed her mind's eye. She could not hold back any more, and a deep sob escaped her body. Sonny pulled her towards him. Wrapping his arms around her, her body shook with the release of the emotions. He gently rocked her, whispering soothing words in her ear, calming her enough for her to continue. "I put as much pressure on the wounds as I could and called the hospital. I talked to Dr. Quartermain, and she called the ambulance."
"Is that all?" He studied her intensely. "You don't know where he was, who he was with?" She shook her head, no. "Did he say anything?" She thought for a moment, remembering the way he had said her name, now reverberating in her memory. He had not sounded desperate, like someone in need of help, but gentle and sweet. Her name was almost a longing on his lips. She closed her eyes to keep it safe in her mind and offered them only another shake, no.
Courtney was on her feet making her way to Sonny when Elizabeth realized that they had been shocked to hear about Jason. If they hadn't known already, why were they at the hospital? She was about to ask Sonny when Bobbie returned to the waiting area. They all jumped to their feet and huddled around the woman. "I just got word from a friend that Mike is in really bad shape, and some of his organs have shut down. One of his kidneys was so damaged that they had to remove it."
"Wait, what happened to Mike?" Elizabeth was stunned.
"He was shot. In fact, he is the one I told you about down in the ER." the nurse answered her.
"He is the one I gave blood for?"
"You gave Mike blood?" Carly's questioning tone surprised the group. Elizabeth didn't have to answer; Bobbie did it for her.
"She is AB-, same as Mike. Lucky thing too because there was only one pint in the bank when Mike came in." Bobbie smiled slightly at Elizabeth. "I have to go now, but I will try and keep you updated on Mike and Jason the best I can." She gave Carly a quick hug before exiting the waiting area.
Hearing both Jason and Mike's names in the same sentence made Elizabeth and Sonny's minds kick start. They spoke their assumption at the same time. "Were they together?" When she realized that Sonny had no idea what Jason had been up to that night, she glared at Courtney. The junior female had retreated a bit from the group and was bighting her lower lip. Courtney saw the look of confusion in her brother's face, but it was Elizabeth's expression that had made her recoil. Elizabeth stepped toward the blond. Her piercing gaze hastened the retreat.
"Courtney, do you know anything about where Jason was tonight and what is going on?" Elizabeth keep her voice steady. Carly studied the two women and began to comprehend that Elizabeth knew about Jason and Courtney's relationship. Carly decided it was best to keep silent.
"Courtney?" Sonny stepped up, following Elizabeth's lead.
She knew she had to explain. Doing her best to tell them about Mike's gambling debt and that she had asked Jason to help. It was when she mentioned Tagliatti's name that Sonny hit the roof. Carly tried to calm him, telling him his tirades were not going to help either Mike or Jason at the moment. Finally, his eyes turned a bit glassy when he looked back to his sister. "Why didn't you or Jason tell me?"
Courtney swallowed hard and could not bring herself to look him in the eyes. "I asked Jason not to tell you."
"What?" The harsh vibrations of the word echoed in the small room. "Why?"
"Because I knew you would be disappointed in Mike, and I want you two to work things out. I knew if you knew, you would be mad at Dad again."
Sonny fought to regain control of his anger. He took a slow breath before addressing her again. "Courtney, do you know who or what Tagliatti is?"
"I know he is your enemy," she interrupted.
"You can't even guess what is going on, and the situation with Tagliatti's organization is a powder keg at best." He turned from her.
Carly muttered under her breath, "Looks like it just blew."
He turned to study Courtney again. "I don't understand. Jason knows better than this."
"He wanted to tell you, Sonny, but I begged him not to."
Elizabeth suddenly remembered when she asked Jason to spare Zander. How it had really hurt things between them, but made her understand how much he cared for her. Enough to go against Sonny's orders. Elizabeth wanted to pull the girl's hair out. Getting Jason injured like that. She was stupid, and Jason could have been killed. Courtney began to cry. Carly moved to comfort her.
The situation slowly settled. Carly, Sonny and Courtney finally sat down. The room fell into silence as Elizabeth moved to sit alone on the other side of the room. They all just sat, waiting. The long night was taking its toll on all of them, and Sonny had recommended that Carly go home to rest. She refused to leave until both the men were out of surgery. The hours ticked by, and Elizabeth finally saw Dr. Allan Quartermain's figure appear down the hall. She got up from her seat and started toward him. The others had not taken much interest in her movement across the room. He was at the nurses station by the time she reached him.
"Dr. Quartermain?" she timidly touched his elbow.
"Elizabeth," he slid his arm around her and squeezed her gently. "Thank you for taking care of Jason."
She tried to smile. "How is he doing?"
"He is going to be ok. The worst of it was his liver. It was pierced and one of his lungs was punctured. He would have died had you not controlled the bleeding and got him here."
"Is he still in surgery?"
"No, he is in recovery." Anticipating her next question, "No one can see him. Anyway, he is sedated, and he won't be awake until late in the afternoon, I think." He studied the small woman under his arm and thought about the fact that they had just buried her grandmother less than a week ago. "Elizabeth, would you like me to take you home? You should get some rest."
She smiled up at the doctor's caring offer. "I think I will head home, but you need to stay here with your son. I'll get a cab." Just as she said it, she remembered she didn't have her purse. Sonny had walked up behind them overhearing the report on Jason.
"I'll get my driver to take her home." He offered. She nodded in appreciation of his gesture, and he led her out to his car. They did not speak to each other until just before she got in the car. "I would like to also thank you for taking care of Jason. You know he trust you. He always turns to you when he needs help."
"I doubt it was like that, Sonny. My place was probably just convenient."
"You underestimate what Jason feels for you." Elizabeth could not bring herself to meet his eyes. Then he changed the subject. "How did you know Courtney knew what was going on?"
Now she looked at him. "You need to talk to Jason and Courtney. I think they can answer that better than I can." She moved to get into the black car.
"Wait a minute. You said something to me a while ago about Jason, and that something was going on with him."
"Yes, and I told you then to talk to him. Now, Sonny, I'm really tired, and I have to move tomm...today." She got in the open door and sank into the deep leather seat.
It was barely predawn. She stared out the window. The dark sky a stark contrast against the Milky Way. She thought about standing with Jason looking up at those same stars. Then, they had seemed magic. Now, the stardust seemed to be just the remnants of yesterdays dreams.
