Chapter Sixty Five
Elizabeth felt like she'd been sitting in the waiting room for hours. When she thought she couldn't take anymore, she strolled down the hallways looking for anything to occupy her time. Elizabeth searched out several different vending machines for something to snack on while she waited. She realized that it was the morning of the next day and she hadn't even had breakfast yet and she was actually hungry.
When she returned to the waiting room, Elizabeth continued pacing back and forth, almost certainly wearing a groove in the floor. Just as she was about to take a trip in the elevator to the third floor Monica arrived with news about Jaime's condition. "How is she Monica?" Elizabeth asked, wringing her hands for some news.
The surgeon looked sympathetically at Elizabeth. "She's stable," Monica nodded, raising the corners of her mouth in a relieved smile.
Jaime had regained consciousness. They had discovered a slight concussion from hitting her head on the stairs when she fell, but Monica explained that she was stable enough to be moved into recovery.
Elizabeth felt all the energy that had sustained her since that night drain out of her as if the news had actually been bad. She couldn't focus and her left hand searched behind her for something solid to grab a hold of. Monica must have noticed because before Elizabeth realized it, Jason's mom was shining a bright light into her eyes and taking her pulse. As Monica spoke, Elizabeth tried to concentrate on what the woman was saying, but no sound was registering with her.
Elizabeth wasn't quite sure what was wrong. She felt out of touch and in a daze. Elizabeth was unable to focus on where she was and could hear herself repeating Jaime's name and the phrase, 'she's all right,' over and over again, as if someone else was speaking. Finally sound returned to her ears and she heard Monica order a few nurses to lead Elizabeth to an empty bed.
~ * ~
When Elizabeth woke up, she found Monica and her Grams standing over her. "What happened?" she asked tiredly.
Monica was the first to speak. "I think the whole trauma of Jaime's shooting finally caught up to you and when you found out that she was okay, your body finally gave you permission to shut down for a while. You need a couple more hours of sleep, but you'll be fine," said Monica as she scribbled something down in a grey metallic chart.
"But I'm fine now," Elizabeth protested. "I need to go see Jaime."
Audrey pushed her back into the uncomfortable hospital bed. "Now Elizabeth, you've been through a lot in the past several hours. You need to sleep," she lectured. "Jaime will be there when you wake up."
Elizabeth's eyes were widened in dismay. "You can't keep me here," she cried. "I promised Jaime I'd be there when she wakes up."
Monica shook her head. "She'll sleep through the early morning. Her body needs to recover from the shock of the shooting and now the surgery."
Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and gritted her teeth in frustration. "I told Jason I'd keep an eye on her."
Monica frowned. "Where is Jason? I didn't expect him to leave without hearing how Jaime was."
Elizabeth pursed her lips weighing the decision of whether to upset Monica with Taggert's decision to question Jason at the station. An experience Elizabeth was sure Monica would have had before. Just as she was about to tell Monica about Taggert, Elizabeth remembered that she had planned on phoning Sonny.
Elizabeth looked around the room in search for her purse. Her gaze fell upon the nightstand beside her bed. She grabbed the small black handbag and rifled through its contents. Finally she found what she was looking for, a card with Sonny's phone number.
"Do we have a phone in here?" Elizabeth asked.
Audrey nodded and motioned to the beige dial-out phone sitting behind the plastic plant on the nightstand. "Who are you phoning?" she asked.
Elizabeth looked at Monica and then Audrey. "I just forgot I needed to phone someone," said Elizabeth as she sidestepped the question.
"Is something wrong?" Monica pressed worriedly. "Is it about Jason?"
Elizabeth laid the receiver back down on the hook and sighed. "Jason is being questioned by Taggert at the police station," she admitted after leaving Sonny a message to get down to the station.
Monica frowned. "Is he being charged with this?" the female doctor asked incredulously.
Elizabeth shook her head fervently. "No," Elizabeth smiled. "But you know Taggert, anything to get under Sonny and Jason's skin."
Monica looked skeptical. "Are you sure?" she asked.
The look on Monica's face was one of worry and frustration. Elizabeth knew how much Monica loved Jason and understood how worried she must be for him. She wished she could have said something to comfort her, but instead Elizabeth smiled reassuringly and did the next best thing. "I'm sure it's just a statement. Jason didn't give one because he was in a rush to get to the hospital."
Elizabeth then turned her focus back to the phone. As she waited while the phone rang on the other end of the receiver, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder what was happening at the police station. Finally as the phone rang for the umpteenth time, Elizabeth gave up and set the receiver back down on its cradle.
As she dejectedly set the phone back on the nightstand, Elizabeth prayed that everything would be all right. She hoped Jason had called Sonny and let him know what had happened and where he was. Elizabeth prayed that no answer at Sonny's penthouse meat that he was already at the station sorting things out.
Suddenly Elizabeth remembered that Monica and Audrey were still in the room and realized that they were watching her closely. "Um, I'm sure everything's fine," she smiled weakly. "Don't worry about him or me."
Audrey scoffed and looked at her disapprovingly. "I'm not worried about Mr. Morgan. I just wish that you'd stay away from them." The older woman reached out and touched Monica's shoulder. "No offense meant Monica."
Monica nodded quietly and sighed. "I can't blame you. The business Jason is in worries me too."
Elizabeth shrugged and plastered a smile on her face. "There's not much more I can tell you Dr. Quartermaine. I just know that Taggert's trying to find out what happened on the docks."
Monica pursed her lips and brushed the bangs out her eyes. She looked upset, but she seemed satisfied with Elizabeth's half-truths. Taggert had only taken Jason I for statements, but Elizabeth knew that a lot more would be drudged out in the process. She waited until Monica and Grams left the room before sliding back under the stiff white sheets that covered her.
What had they gotten themselves into? And would Jason get out of it unscathed? Elizabeth closed her eyes as she began to feel sleep overtake her once more.
***
Rosco sat silently in the small interrogation room while waiting for the detective to pounce on him next. He couldn't believe he had gotten himself in this position. Rosco had definitely lost his edge. In the past, Rosco would never have let his future hang in the balance at the mercy of Corinthos' enforcer and Nam's vengeful hands. He'd been slipping.
He peered out of the glass window, which looked out into the busy station. Jason was sitting stone-faced as the detective was leaning smugly in front of him, perched on a desk. He seemed to be asking question, though Rosco couldn't hear what the words.
Rosco couldn't be charged with kidnapping in Port Charles, even if Nam could prove it. They would have to extradite him to Italy, and be tried there. Rosco was almost sure of it, but that didn't make him less edgy.
Suddenly Rosco locked gazes with Jason. Morgan's eyes bore into Rosco's with a cold intensity. But it was interrupted as Taggert leaned over on the desk and got in Morgan's face about something.
Rosco rose from the wooden chair and began to pace back and forth irritably. His plan had gone to hell in Italy when he allowed himself to feel something for his captive. He couldn't trick her into marrying him.
'Since when did you grow a conscious?' an irritable voice sounded through his head.
Once more, Rosco peered out into the station. What was taking so long? Rosco swallowed and straightened his tie that he'd pulled loose while waiting for news about Jaime.
He had to get a grip on himself. He had to forget about Jaime and concentrate on getting himself out of this mess and straight on out of Port Charles. Rosco had had enough of this town.
***
Jason glanced over at Nam who had been talking to an officer in the corner of the room, while Taggert continued to get into his face. As he listened to the detective, Jason couldn't help wonder how Jaime was doing. Jason wasn't too worried about the situation here because he didn't do anything wrong, but he also knew Taggert still hadn't let up on desire to see him put in jail, or even made uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
"Are we done yet?" Jason asked.
Taggert laughed. "Are you kidding? Do you think I believe a word that Mr. Nam has said? He could be a poor innocent father who has been threatened into lying for you."
Jason rolled his eyes. "When are you going sing another tune Taggert?" The black detective leaned over and tried to stare Jason down, asserting his non-existent control over the situation. "If you're done now, I'd like for you to get your finger out of my face. I'm going back to the hospital."
As he rose from the chair, Taggert shoved him back down into the chair. "You're not going anywhere yet Morgan."
Jason sat quietly as he eavesdropped on Nam's statement to the uniformed officer. "So your man here thought Rosco was going to kidnap your daughter again?" a blonde, blue-eyed officer asked, while taking notes. "Why did you think that?"
Nam's voice was calm and collected. "He had taken my daughter hostage, do you not think I had something to worry about?" he challenged.
"Well, I suppose, sir."
That was the last the uniformed officer said, when Jason saw out of the corner of his eye, Taggert looming in for the kill. "So Mr. Nam, this Rosco character kidnapped your daughter? Why is he here in the States? And why didn't you turn him in?"
Jason rested his elbows on the armrest and closed his eyes, hoping this would work out. They could have Jaime collaborate their story, except they weren't sure when she'd wake up and how much she'd remember. Jason didn't think she'd have a huge problem with their story, with the exception that Nam really didn't believe she was in danger and that the gun accidentally went off.
He studied Nam's right hand man, Lien, whose shot had hit Jaime instead of the intended target. Lien seemed like he was taking this pretty well. His expression was stone-faced. Apparently Nam had informed him that he would take the responsibility of shooting Jaime and face the consequences. It wasn't a heavy a price as the enforcer could have paid for making a mistake like that.
"That is all I have to say, now I would like to know if you're going to press charges against that man?" Nam asked, pointing to Rosco, who had been staring out of the window in the interrogation room.
All eyes turned to Rosco. Jason hoped he rot in jail. He was getting what he deserved all along.
Jason shook his head and stood up. "Well, if we're done here?" he asked confidently.
Taggert frowned as he approached Jason. "I don't think…"
The Commissioner then interrupted the detective. "What's going on?" Mac asked as he motioned to the station full of civilians.
Jason then saw Sonny and Alexis, who had obviously heard from a stubborn brunette that he had been taken downtown. "I'd like to know the same thing," Sonny exclaimed.
Jason watched as Taggert motioned for Mac to hear him out. "There was a shooting at the docks," he overhead Taggert explain. "Morgan was there as were Ms. Webber and the guy in the booth." Both Mac and Taggert glanced over to Rosco whose back was now turned away from the three-ring circus show in the police station.
"So who was the shooter?" Mac asked curiously.
Taggert tilted his head back. "The Asian dude in the black suit," he answered. "But I think that Morgan had a lot more to do with this shooting than he lets on." Taggert leaned in closer to Mac. "He must have had a beef with this Rosco guy. I mean he was Sorel's enforcer at one time. And plus, if it happened the way they said it happened, it doesn't explain why Mr. Nam and his men left in such a hurry. They didn't leave a trace of evidence behind."
Mac frowned. "Who's Mr. Nam?"
Taggert pointed to the short elderly Asian man who was on his cell phone speaking in Korean. "He's the victim's father. But he said that this Rosco guy kidnapped his daughter in Italy and got away. Now he shows up at the docks and Nam thinks that he's going to kidnap her again. So his body guard takes a shot."
Jason watched as Mac worked through the large amount of information. Meanwhile Sonny crept up beside him and whispered, "What happened?"
As Sonny and Jason locked gazes, an understanding passed between them. "It was an accident," Jason sighed. "It shouldn't take long to sort out, but how did you guys know I was here?"
Sonny glanced over at Mac, and answered him distractedly. "Liz left a message on my machine."
Jason shook his head. "She never listens," he mumbled. Finally Jason looked over at Alexis who was listening intently on the several conversations occurring in the station. "Do you think I can leave? I tried before, but Taggert wouldn't allow it."
Alexis smiled and nodded. She walked towards the conference between Taggert and Mac and interrupted the whispers. "Uh, I'm just letting you know that my client is leaving," she informed. "And since you already have a statement, I believe you don't have any legal right to hold him here, since he did voluntarily come down to the station."
Taggert opened his mouth to protest, but Mac rested his hand on Taggert's shoulder. "I don't know. There are a few minor things I would like cleared up," he objected quietly.
Alexis smiled and tilted her head and then made a face at the Commissioner. "Listen Mac," she said, as Jason watched Alexis begin her legal footwork. "Jason has a friend in the hospital, which he's very worried about. Now he's been very amiable about this whole thing, and I think that you should maybe sort this out later. It's way too early in the morning and I'm sure all of us haven't even had our first cup of coffee."
"Now you have his statement and you're not going to hear anything different from him. Jason's told you everything he knows. And also, it's not like he's an actual suspect, right? Not that there really is one, since it was an accident."
Mac seemed to weigh his options with Taggert mumbling his protest. "Well, I can't see getting anywhere this early I the morning," he finally said wearily. "Ms. Davis your client may go, but see he doesn't leave town for the moment. But I'd like for Mr. Nam and his associates to stay for a moment. There are a few things that we need to talk about."
Mr. Nam didn't look pleased. Jason felt sorry for him. He was sure that he was quite worried about his daughter. Jason made a mental note to phone him as soon as he got to the hospital.
Jason watched with relief when Alexis returned with a satisfied smirk on his face. "You owe me one buddy," she pointed out. He nodded, in a hurry to return to the hospital. "Thank you," he replied.
"I'm billing you for extra hours mister," Alexis warned Sonny. "Getting up at all hours of the night for one of your employees…"
Jason tuned out Alexis' tirade to Sonny and anxiously headed over to the hospital.
~ * ~
When Jason arrived at the hospital he stopped at the nurses desk to find out if there had been any change in Jaime's condition. They apologized and told him that they didn't have any word on her. Apparently their shifts had just changed and a new set of nurses was on duty at that time. Jason sighed and went to the waiting area to look for Elizabeth.
He frowned when he arrived at the nearly empty waiting area, with only a couple huddled in the corner, whispering quietly to each other. Jason ran through all the possibilities of Elizabeth's absence. She could be in the washroom. Or Elizabeth could have been wandering around the hallways. Jason knew how anxious and restless she could get.
Just as he was about to look for Monica, Jason turned around to find Audrey, Elizabeth's grandmother standing before him. "Uh, hi Mrs. Hardy, have you seen Monica or Elizabeth?"
The senior R.N. looked sternly at Jason as if she were about to lecture a ten year old. "Mr. Morgan, I see you've gotten out of another situation with the police," she said sarcastically. "Maybe next time, you might not want to drag my granddaughter into the mix."
"I've warned you Mr. Morgan, that Elizabeth is a naïve girl and she doesn't realize how dangerous it is to be around you. I don't want you putting her into situations like this again!"
Jason frowned. He wasn't sure what put Audrey in this mood, but he knew it couldn't have been just because Elizabeth found Jaime shot. "I'm not sure what you're talking about Mrs. Hardy. Elizabeth wasn't with me when Jaime was shot," Jason explained.
"Well, the stress alone of finding her was enough Mr. Morgan."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Well Elizabeth passed out, no thanks to you and Sonny's goons. I want you to stay away from Elizabeth," Audrey demanded.
Just as Jason was about to tell Audrey that Elizabeth was a strong woman, Monica appeared from around the corner. "Jason!" she cried happily. "You're all right?"
He felt her arms wrap around his neck. Jason pulled away stiffly. "Yeah. I'm fine. But what's wrong with Elizabeth?" Jason asked anxiously.
Monica shook her head and smiled. "The shock and trauma of everything just seemed to overwhelm her for a moment. She's resting comfortably in one of our rooms."
Jason felt his heart skip a beat. He never even gave thought to how Elizabeth was handling Jaime's shooting. Jason couldn't believe how insensitive he was. He had been so wrapped up in how to explain the shooting he'd missed how pale Elizabeth had actually been at the docks. "Can I go see her?" Jason asked.
Monica nodded. Then as Jason turned to visit Elizabeth, he remembered to ask about Jaime. "Will she be all right?"
His mother frowned. "Elizabeth? Or Jaime?"
"Jaime," he replied.
"She's in recovery now. She's still too weak to have any visitors, but you can go visit her with Elizabeth later this afternoon."
Jason nodded. Everything was fine. The whole night had been a crisis of mass proportions. He'd never thought Rosco would return to Port Charles. It was the stupidest move he could have ever done.
Jason sighed as he reached Elizabeth's room. Now Jaime was recovering from a bullet and Elizabeth was lying in the room behind that door trying to sleep off the shock and trauma of finding Jaime in a pool of blood. What else could have possibly gone wrong?
***
Elizabeth sat up slowly as she heard the door open. She'd been tossing and turning the entire morning. There had been no way she'd been able to sleep.
Her heart leaped to her throat when she saw Jason standing in the doorway, hand resting on the door handle. "Jason," she exclaimed. "You're back!"
Jason smiled a lazy smile. "And you're in a hospital bed," he stated.
Elizabeth shrugged. "I guess I didn't know how stressed I was until you left." Elizabeth was so glad to have Jason standing in front of her. She had imagined the worst possible scenarios, all of which had him end up in jail. "Jaime's okay," she offered, as she watched him pull a chair beside her bed.
Jason nodded. "I know. Monica told me."
Elizabeth smiled half-heartedly. "I was so happy when she told me that, but now, I don't know. I mean there could be still so many complications."
"She should be fine. She's in great hands, " Jason reassured.
An image of Jason lying pale and ashen on her couch studio flashed before her. "It has to be better than depending on an art student and a nurse," she sighed.
"I don't know about that," Jason smiled. "I'm still alive and breathing aren't I?"
Elizabeth smiled softly. "You know I was worried about you," she chided. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. I think so," he answered wary. "I'm pretty sure Lien will get off with a slap on the wrist, if Jaime doesn't press charges."
Elizabeth frowned. "Lien was the guy who shot Jaime?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah. I don't know if they'll stick any kidnapping charges on Rosco though. They have no proof that it even happened, except on the testimony of a father and a mobster."
Elizabeth couldn't believe that Rosco would get away with kidnapping Jaime. She wished that they hadn't listened to Jaime and forgotten about Rosco. If Jason had looked for Rosco the day they'd found Jaime, he probably could have tracked him down before all this happened.
Suddenly she felt a strong warm hand squeeze hers. "Are you okay?" Jason asked worriedly.
Elizabeth smiled. "I'll be fine." Unexpectedly, she yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I really didn't sleep much while I was here. Grams peeked in a couple of times, but I was pretending to sleep," Elizabeth admitted.
"Well, why don't you rest for a bit? Monica said we couldn't probably see Jaime for another few hours," he explained.
Elizabeth nodded. She imagined she would be able to sleep now that she knew Jason was not going to jail, yet anyway. Elizabeth snuggled down into the starched white sheets and closed her eyes. Just as she was about to fall asleep, Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked at Jason. "You're going to stay aren't you?" she asked.
Jason nodded. "Yeah. I'll stay."
With that, Elizabeth fell fast asleep, never waking from a bad dream.