I thought that perhaps he had gotten a phone call and had to rush away
without an explanation. I just went hope assuming that I would eventually
run into him an get an explanation. Suffice to say, that never happened.
I started back to my studio in silence, the cold night air making me regret only taking with me this morning my light fleece jacket. I struggled with the zipper on the fleece, it having decided to get caught up in the material.
I put down the flowers on the bench and my purse lay slung on my shoulder.
As I looked at the zipper trying my hardest to get it loose so I could zip up the fleece, a man jumped out of the shadows behind me. He put his hand over my mouth and started to pry my purse out of my hand. I considered just letting him take it and be on his way, but there were a few things inside that I dare not part with. Our motions could have been construed as some odd tug of war.
I tried to fight back and had a small success when I got his hand off my mouth.
I screamed, "FIRE!" Having been taught in my self-defense class that a stranger would come running more often if they heard the word 'fire' rather than 'help'.
He got his hand back over my mouth and dragged me out of the light further back into the darkness. I was not going to allow anyone to ever hurt me again, and that included this petty thief.
I tried to wrestle with the man to keep a firm grip on my purse. He wouldn't allow it and slapped me hard on the face. It knocked me back, but my hand still clutched the purse.
I hit him in the groin with my knee and for a moment he staggered backwards himself. But he did not let go of my purse and I quickly tried to position my knee to attack again but he tripped me and I fell hard to the ground. He took my purse and before he left felt obligated to kick me multiple times on my back.
I yelled out in pain but my cries went to deaf ears. I tried to move but every bone in my body throbbed in pain. I could feel the blood trickling down my face from when he had slapped me.
I cried out into the night air, "FIRE!" but no one came to rescue me. I gave up the charade and yelled, "HELP!" but still no one came.
I closed my eyes and let sleep be my release.
The next thing I hear is the murmur of voices in the distance. The light of the morning sun takes my eyes by surprise but my body aches too much to raise a hand to cover my eyes.
My throat is dry and my voice comes out like an unrecognizable throaty whisper.
"I expected him to stay longer." A man started.
I could feel the dock shake and hear the footsteps as the two approached.
"Oh my . . . Elizabeth?" A voice I recognize as Sonny begins, then rushes over.
Heavier footsteps follow and I open my eyes slightly and I can see Marco, already on the phone.
"The ambulance will take too long." Marco chimed in as Sonny looked over me in shock.
Marco put the phone away and I felt Sonny's arms on me as he picked me up. I remember the feel of the seats and I remember how Sonny eyes as he watched over me, so filled with concern.
The next time I open my eyes I'm in his arms once again. He's carrying me through the emergency doors of the hospital.
"Bobbie!" He calls, and I hear her swallow her shock.
"Page Dr. Quatermaine!" She calls to someone whom I cannot see.
I look into her eyes and she finally realizes that it's me. "Elizabeth . . ." She whispers, and she puts a comforting hand on my arm.
"Somebody call Audrey Hardy!" She yells, and I see a random orderly run towards the phone.
"You're going to be okay." Bobbie whispered to calm me down.
When I come to, I'm am lying in a hospital bed. Audrey is at my bedside and has her hands tightly hanging onto mine.
"Elizabeth!" She says ecstatic, looking very weathered.
I remember in that moment that Sonny had found me. He had most likely already alerted Jason and I imagined him standing outside waiting until Audrey left. I imagined him coming in and holding my hand. He would have sheer determination in his eyes as he plotted to find the man whom had done this.
"Thank goodness! I was worried to death." She muttered.
I just then noticed her hand in my own and I gave it a slight squeeze to reassure her. She smiled.
"There are a few friends here to see you. I'll come back after their visits." She said, letting go from my grip.
"Grams?" I called in a weak voice I barely recognized.
She turned back towards me, "Yes, dear?"
"Thank you for staying here."
She smiled, "Be sure and get some rest after your visitors leave."
Lucky and Nikolas came in together, both looking far older than they were. Lucky surrounded me in a gentle hug.
"What happened?" Lucky asked, concerned, especially given our past.
"I was mugged." I answered, staring at Nikolas who remained in the corner of the room.
I had not spoken to him since I found out about him concealing the truth about Gia driving the car the night of the accident.
"You're lucky Sonny found you." Lucky added.
"Yeah, I guess I owe him again." I mumbled just loud enough for Lucky to hear.
But Nikolas heard it as well, "You don't owe that man anything."
I scowled as Lucky scolded him, "Not now, Nikolas!"
"Lucky, could I talk to him alone?" I asked.
Lucky left without hesitation, perhaps Sarah was waiting outside. I tried to push these jealous thoughts out of my mind, but it was difficult. I secretly counted the seconds until Jason's arrival. I knew that he would help me forget.
"I'm sorry." Nikolas apologized for his earlier snide comment.
"It's okay, you're entitled. But he did help me, and no one is going to stop me for being greatful to him."
"I'm greatful that he found you, I was worried."
Despite our lack of a relationship recently, I did not think that he didn't care, and felt good knowing that he worried. I didn't know just what to say so I remained quiet.
"Lucky told me what happened with Sarah. I went to go find you, thinking you'd need a friend, and I got the call from Lucky. His voice . . . it reminded me of the way he talks when he flashes back to when you were raped. I thought the worst . . ."
I held out my hand, despite the pain I felt, in a sort-of peace offering.
He took it.
"I know you worry, and I appreciate that. But I still haven't forgiven you for lying, and it is going to take a while, but I want to forgive you. I miss you."
"I miss you too." I offered.
For the first time in a long while, we made eachother smile.
A nurse came in a little while later insisting that I desperately needed sleep and that visiting hours were over. I felt disappointed when I didn't get to see Jason. I knew that he was most-likely still waiting outside and would sneak in when he desired.
But he never came.
Mad thoughts starting running through my head. . . the night he disappeared, if he did a job for Sonny, did he get hurt? Was he somewhere in this hospital or still waiting for help?
The door started to open, interrupting my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat, believing it to be Jason. But it went back to its normal pace when I met his brown eyes.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, concerned.
"I've been better. . ." I started, trying to lighten the mood, "I guess I owe you another 'thank you'.
He smiled, showing his heart-stopping dimples. Luckily, I was in love with another man and their spell had no effect.
"No thank you needed." He offered, courteously.
"Maybe when I get out I'll bake you some brownies?"
He answered as he sat down next to me, "I'm not so sure, if they are just around the penthouse Carly might substitute them for meals. And then I'd have none left for myself."
"If you told her I made them, I doubt she'd go near them."
"I'm not too sure . . . chocolate skews Carly's judgement at times."
I decided to skip the banter and ask him the one question I was dying to know the answer to, "Where's Jason?"
Sonny looked surprised, "You don't already know?"
My heart stopped again. I managed out a near-whispered "What?"
"He left town."
"Wh. . . was it for business, for you?" I asked, knowing that it must have been important for him not to say goodbye.
"No. He just said he needed to leave, that he was just causing problems."
I couldn't believe it. How could he leave? After what we had just gone through? The moment I felt we had a chance, he leaves?
I turned away from Sonny, knowing that it was my fault Jason left.
"He'll come back, he always does." Sonny offered.
But who knows how long that will be?
At that moment I felt as if Sonny could see right through me, "I know him, and I know that he will come back to you. Jason is not one that leaves important unfinished business with no intention of coming back."
I thanked him simply with a smile and then he squeezed my hand reassuringly. He snuck out just as he had come and I felt more alone then I had before he came. And my heart seemed to be giving me the most pain, not my body.
I woke up the next morning after only a few hours of sleep. The only reason I fell back asleep was because I had over-worked my brain trying to figure out the reason he left. Sonny's explanation did not provide me with much reassurance that I was not in some way responsible.
"Elizabeth?" Bobbie started, interrupting my thoughts.
"Hi Bobbie, I guess you already know I won't be at work today."
"Don't even worry about the diner, how are you doing?" She asked, sitting down next to my bed.
"Just sore all over." I said,
"What happened?" She asked, curious.
"I was walking home after my shift. It was later than usual because I stayed to talk things out with Lucky. Then I had been looking around for Jason. As I was walking on Pier 52, he jumped at me from behind. All he wanted was my purse."
She causally took hold of my hand, "I know you must have been frightened."
I could see the parallel she was eluding too, this attack and my rape.
"It wasn't scared. I just . . . I couldn't let him get away with it. Strangers that go bump in the night have already taken too much from me, and I didn't want them to win again."
She could tell this was a touché subject and thus tried to change the subject, "So, everything worked out with Lucky?"
"We talked everything out. We both know where we stand. But we've decided that whatever we use to have is gone and there is no way we can get it back."
"I'm sorry, dear." She offered, sincerely.
"We had more love than most in a lifetime. We just burned too bright for too short a time. I'm not regretful. I'm happy that we had the chance to share the memories together."
She smiled, "What about Jason?"
I looked away briefly.
She called me back, "Elizabeth?"
"Last night there were sterling roses waiting for me when I was done my shift . . ." I started, causing Bobbie to smile.
". . . but Jason was no where in sight. I thought that he might have been called away by Sonny. When Sonny came to visit me yesterday, to see how I was doing since he'd found me, he told me that Jason had left."
"Left town?" Inquired Bobbie.
"Yes."
"When is he coming back?" She asked.
"I'm not sure that he is. Sonny's not even sure. He said that Jason always comes back but something about his voice didn't seem right."
She thought for a moment, "Maybe he told Carly. I could talk to her and ask if you want."
"No, that's okay. She wouldn't do it anyway if she knew it was for me. And besides, he has always come back before." I said, more to reassure myself than her.
She smiled and went on her way. I only hope that I'm right.
I started back to my studio in silence, the cold night air making me regret only taking with me this morning my light fleece jacket. I struggled with the zipper on the fleece, it having decided to get caught up in the material.
I put down the flowers on the bench and my purse lay slung on my shoulder.
As I looked at the zipper trying my hardest to get it loose so I could zip up the fleece, a man jumped out of the shadows behind me. He put his hand over my mouth and started to pry my purse out of my hand. I considered just letting him take it and be on his way, but there were a few things inside that I dare not part with. Our motions could have been construed as some odd tug of war.
I tried to fight back and had a small success when I got his hand off my mouth.
I screamed, "FIRE!" Having been taught in my self-defense class that a stranger would come running more often if they heard the word 'fire' rather than 'help'.
He got his hand back over my mouth and dragged me out of the light further back into the darkness. I was not going to allow anyone to ever hurt me again, and that included this petty thief.
I tried to wrestle with the man to keep a firm grip on my purse. He wouldn't allow it and slapped me hard on the face. It knocked me back, but my hand still clutched the purse.
I hit him in the groin with my knee and for a moment he staggered backwards himself. But he did not let go of my purse and I quickly tried to position my knee to attack again but he tripped me and I fell hard to the ground. He took my purse and before he left felt obligated to kick me multiple times on my back.
I yelled out in pain but my cries went to deaf ears. I tried to move but every bone in my body throbbed in pain. I could feel the blood trickling down my face from when he had slapped me.
I cried out into the night air, "FIRE!" but no one came to rescue me. I gave up the charade and yelled, "HELP!" but still no one came.
I closed my eyes and let sleep be my release.
The next thing I hear is the murmur of voices in the distance. The light of the morning sun takes my eyes by surprise but my body aches too much to raise a hand to cover my eyes.
My throat is dry and my voice comes out like an unrecognizable throaty whisper.
"I expected him to stay longer." A man started.
I could feel the dock shake and hear the footsteps as the two approached.
"Oh my . . . Elizabeth?" A voice I recognize as Sonny begins, then rushes over.
Heavier footsteps follow and I open my eyes slightly and I can see Marco, already on the phone.
"The ambulance will take too long." Marco chimed in as Sonny looked over me in shock.
Marco put the phone away and I felt Sonny's arms on me as he picked me up. I remember the feel of the seats and I remember how Sonny eyes as he watched over me, so filled with concern.
The next time I open my eyes I'm in his arms once again. He's carrying me through the emergency doors of the hospital.
"Bobbie!" He calls, and I hear her swallow her shock.
"Page Dr. Quatermaine!" She calls to someone whom I cannot see.
I look into her eyes and she finally realizes that it's me. "Elizabeth . . ." She whispers, and she puts a comforting hand on my arm.
"Somebody call Audrey Hardy!" She yells, and I see a random orderly run towards the phone.
"You're going to be okay." Bobbie whispered to calm me down.
When I come to, I'm am lying in a hospital bed. Audrey is at my bedside and has her hands tightly hanging onto mine.
"Elizabeth!" She says ecstatic, looking very weathered.
I remember in that moment that Sonny had found me. He had most likely already alerted Jason and I imagined him standing outside waiting until Audrey left. I imagined him coming in and holding my hand. He would have sheer determination in his eyes as he plotted to find the man whom had done this.
"Thank goodness! I was worried to death." She muttered.
I just then noticed her hand in my own and I gave it a slight squeeze to reassure her. She smiled.
"There are a few friends here to see you. I'll come back after their visits." She said, letting go from my grip.
"Grams?" I called in a weak voice I barely recognized.
She turned back towards me, "Yes, dear?"
"Thank you for staying here."
She smiled, "Be sure and get some rest after your visitors leave."
Lucky and Nikolas came in together, both looking far older than they were. Lucky surrounded me in a gentle hug.
"What happened?" Lucky asked, concerned, especially given our past.
"I was mugged." I answered, staring at Nikolas who remained in the corner of the room.
I had not spoken to him since I found out about him concealing the truth about Gia driving the car the night of the accident.
"You're lucky Sonny found you." Lucky added.
"Yeah, I guess I owe him again." I mumbled just loud enough for Lucky to hear.
But Nikolas heard it as well, "You don't owe that man anything."
I scowled as Lucky scolded him, "Not now, Nikolas!"
"Lucky, could I talk to him alone?" I asked.
Lucky left without hesitation, perhaps Sarah was waiting outside. I tried to push these jealous thoughts out of my mind, but it was difficult. I secretly counted the seconds until Jason's arrival. I knew that he would help me forget.
"I'm sorry." Nikolas apologized for his earlier snide comment.
"It's okay, you're entitled. But he did help me, and no one is going to stop me for being greatful to him."
"I'm greatful that he found you, I was worried."
Despite our lack of a relationship recently, I did not think that he didn't care, and felt good knowing that he worried. I didn't know just what to say so I remained quiet.
"Lucky told me what happened with Sarah. I went to go find you, thinking you'd need a friend, and I got the call from Lucky. His voice . . . it reminded me of the way he talks when he flashes back to when you were raped. I thought the worst . . ."
I held out my hand, despite the pain I felt, in a sort-of peace offering.
He took it.
"I know you worry, and I appreciate that. But I still haven't forgiven you for lying, and it is going to take a while, but I want to forgive you. I miss you."
"I miss you too." I offered.
For the first time in a long while, we made eachother smile.
A nurse came in a little while later insisting that I desperately needed sleep and that visiting hours were over. I felt disappointed when I didn't get to see Jason. I knew that he was most-likely still waiting outside and would sneak in when he desired.
But he never came.
Mad thoughts starting running through my head. . . the night he disappeared, if he did a job for Sonny, did he get hurt? Was he somewhere in this hospital or still waiting for help?
The door started to open, interrupting my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat, believing it to be Jason. But it went back to its normal pace when I met his brown eyes.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, concerned.
"I've been better. . ." I started, trying to lighten the mood, "I guess I owe you another 'thank you'.
He smiled, showing his heart-stopping dimples. Luckily, I was in love with another man and their spell had no effect.
"No thank you needed." He offered, courteously.
"Maybe when I get out I'll bake you some brownies?"
He answered as he sat down next to me, "I'm not so sure, if they are just around the penthouse Carly might substitute them for meals. And then I'd have none left for myself."
"If you told her I made them, I doubt she'd go near them."
"I'm not too sure . . . chocolate skews Carly's judgement at times."
I decided to skip the banter and ask him the one question I was dying to know the answer to, "Where's Jason?"
Sonny looked surprised, "You don't already know?"
My heart stopped again. I managed out a near-whispered "What?"
"He left town."
"Wh. . . was it for business, for you?" I asked, knowing that it must have been important for him not to say goodbye.
"No. He just said he needed to leave, that he was just causing problems."
I couldn't believe it. How could he leave? After what we had just gone through? The moment I felt we had a chance, he leaves?
I turned away from Sonny, knowing that it was my fault Jason left.
"He'll come back, he always does." Sonny offered.
But who knows how long that will be?
At that moment I felt as if Sonny could see right through me, "I know him, and I know that he will come back to you. Jason is not one that leaves important unfinished business with no intention of coming back."
I thanked him simply with a smile and then he squeezed my hand reassuringly. He snuck out just as he had come and I felt more alone then I had before he came. And my heart seemed to be giving me the most pain, not my body.
I woke up the next morning after only a few hours of sleep. The only reason I fell back asleep was because I had over-worked my brain trying to figure out the reason he left. Sonny's explanation did not provide me with much reassurance that I was not in some way responsible.
"Elizabeth?" Bobbie started, interrupting my thoughts.
"Hi Bobbie, I guess you already know I won't be at work today."
"Don't even worry about the diner, how are you doing?" She asked, sitting down next to my bed.
"Just sore all over." I said,
"What happened?" She asked, curious.
"I was walking home after my shift. It was later than usual because I stayed to talk things out with Lucky. Then I had been looking around for Jason. As I was walking on Pier 52, he jumped at me from behind. All he wanted was my purse."
She causally took hold of my hand, "I know you must have been frightened."
I could see the parallel she was eluding too, this attack and my rape.
"It wasn't scared. I just . . . I couldn't let him get away with it. Strangers that go bump in the night have already taken too much from me, and I didn't want them to win again."
She could tell this was a touché subject and thus tried to change the subject, "So, everything worked out with Lucky?"
"We talked everything out. We both know where we stand. But we've decided that whatever we use to have is gone and there is no way we can get it back."
"I'm sorry, dear." She offered, sincerely.
"We had more love than most in a lifetime. We just burned too bright for too short a time. I'm not regretful. I'm happy that we had the chance to share the memories together."
She smiled, "What about Jason?"
I looked away briefly.
She called me back, "Elizabeth?"
"Last night there were sterling roses waiting for me when I was done my shift . . ." I started, causing Bobbie to smile.
". . . but Jason was no where in sight. I thought that he might have been called away by Sonny. When Sonny came to visit me yesterday, to see how I was doing since he'd found me, he told me that Jason had left."
"Left town?" Inquired Bobbie.
"Yes."
"When is he coming back?" She asked.
"I'm not sure that he is. Sonny's not even sure. He said that Jason always comes back but something about his voice didn't seem right."
She thought for a moment, "Maybe he told Carly. I could talk to her and ask if you want."
"No, that's okay. She wouldn't do it anyway if she knew it was for me. And besides, he has always come back before." I said, more to reassure myself than her.
She smiled and went on her way. I only hope that I'm right.