Disclaimer: I don't own the characters TIIC of GH do. They just choose not to use them in an interesting way.

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What If…

Chapter 25

~GH Hallway~

"So do you think we should check on them?" Carly was beginning to get tired of staring at tile.

Sonny was leaning against the wall beside her. "Bored?"

"How can I be bored when I'm with my amazing husband?"

He looked over at her at that remark. "So you're bored."

"Pathetically so," she admitted with a grin.

"Let's check on them, and depending on how she is, maybe we'll go home."

"Sounds like a plan," her hand began to wander up his chest. "But there is no maybe about it." She had just begun to kiss him when someone cleared their throat behind them.

"Excuse me, Mr. Corinthos." Francis broke up the clinch, keeping his eyes on a spot over their left shoulder.

"Jesus Francis have you ever heard of timing," Carly groused turning her head to glare at him.

"Sorry but its important."

Sonny let go of her and looked at his guard, reading the serious expression on his face, he sighed and looked back at his volatile wife. "Give me a minute."

Carly huffed out a breath and stalked down the hall.

Although she didn't say anything Sonny could feel the displeasure and anger coming off of her in waves, and he knew he'd hear about it later on. "What Francis?"

"I just heard from Cal, I left him at Jake's in case the guy I saw came back."

"And?"

"Well someone did show up, but unfortunately we don't know who, because Cal didn't see them." Francis kept his expression neutral although he wanted to find Cal and beat some sense into him. The idiot had waited behind the door inside the room, instead of picking a spot where he could have full view of the door.

Sonny resisted the urge to groan. "What happened?"

"He got knocked out, he didn't see who it was. I'm guessing it was probably the same man I saw though. No one at Jake's saw or heard anything of course, he came to and called me."

Sonny frowned he knew Francis was probably leaving stuff out, more than likely stuff that Cal had done wrong. Cal was Benny's nephew so he was given a lot of slack. But his patience with Cal was beginning to come to an end. "So we lost our chance to get a line on the guy?"

"Probably," he hated to admit it, but the guy looked professional enough that he wouldn't come back a third time.

"Okay, double the guards on the Penthouses, also put a guard in the office at the warehouse. I don't want anyone to make a move near us without me knowing about it ahead of time."

Francis nodded. "I heard back from the sweepers, both the warehouse and the Penthouses are clean, they are doing the cars now."

"Good," he nodded in dismissal. "Francis if Cal messes up again let me know, helping a friend only goes so far."

Francis nodded a little relieved that his boss had seen the problem. He didn't have anything against Cal, but some people weren't cut out for this kind of work, you had to weed them out quick before they cost someone their life. He spoke briefly with Johnny then headed outside to make the calls.

"Am I allowed to come back now?"

Sonny winced at her tone, she was definitely pissed. "Yes, Carly."

She walked towards him, then past him heading for the door. "Carly wait."

"What Sonny? I'm not asking questions, I'm not complaining, I'm just going to go see Jason," she kept her back to him. What had happened to Rory was making her unreasonably angry and she knew it. But she also knew from Sonny's behavior that what had happened wasn't an accident. She knew that the life she had with Sonny was dangerous, but knowing that and seeing it were two different things.

She had seen the hurt on Jason's face when he was waiting to find out about Rory, and even though it was horrible, and even as much as she did love Jason, she was relieved that it was him worrying about Rory, and not her worrying about Sonny. She realized that wasn't very nice or very big of her, but the thought of losing Sonny terrified her and blinded her to almost everything else. Now that she knew Rory was going to be okay she felt guilty, and that of course made her mad, and Sonny was an easy target to take it out on.

She jolted when Sonny slipped an arm around her waist. "It's okay to be relieved," his voice was next to her ear.

"What do you mean?"

"In the middle of all this craziness, one thought was constant in my head. Thank god Carly wasn't in the car."

She sagged against him in relief, both at his words, and the fact he felt the same way she did. "I've called and checked on Michael three times since I've heard."

"I've done it twice."

She shifted so she could peer through the window at Jason and Rory on the bed. "Do you feel guilty too?"

"A little," he admitted.

"It's not that I wanted this to happen to her. But I can't help feeling…" she trailed off.

"I know I feel it too. But that doesn't mean we don't care about them," he kissed her neck lightly. "It just means we're human."

"Ready?" she took his hand.

"Yes," he pushed the door open.

Jason heard the door and opened his eyes to check who was coming in. He could read the worry and guilt in Carly's eyes and too wide smile, and a reflection of it in Sonny's face as well. He just smiled and tried to let them know that it was okay.

"How is she?" Sonny whispered. "Is she calm now?"

"She was calm the whole time. She was faking to get rid of Taggert," he explained with a shake of his head.

Carly's smile turned genuine, she had to admit that would have been a stunt she would have pulled. Of course she would have probably messed it up, but she would definitely do it.

Jason looked so comfortable that Sonny hated to disturb him, but he needed to know what was going on. His eyes met Jason's and he jerked his head to the door.

Jason nodded. "Carly can you sit with her for awhile? I need to talk to Sonny and I don't want her to wake up alone."

"Of course," she headed for the chair by the bed.

Jason moved slowly, easing Rory's head and shoulder off his chest and back on the pillow, being careful not to jar her sore shoulder. Soon he was standing by the bed, their only connection, her grip on his shirt, which hadn't relaxed even in her slumber. He gently uncurled her fingers and eased her hand down. He bent down close to her ear, "I'll be back soon Rory, just sleep." He kissed her cheek and moved from the bed, pausing in front of Carly.

"Go on Jase," Carly gave him a hug. "I promise she won't be alone."

"Thank you," he hugged her back before heading out of the room.

~4th Floor~

"I found out where they moved her," Emily headed back towards Nikolas. "I'll go wait by her room and if I see Lucky I'll head him off. Why don't you check around here, then check Kelly's he might have left another way."

Nikolas frowned at her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, there's no need for both of us to wait by her room, and Jason would rather see me then you," she headed for the elevator not waiting for his agreement.

He caught her arm before she could get on the elevator and turned her to face him.

"Nikolas…" it felt like his touch was branding her and she tried to pull away.

"Emily," he spoke quickly cutting off her protest. "I will go for now and find Lucky. But later on we are going to finish this."

"There's nothing to finish Nikolas," she slipped free and stepped on the elevator.

Strangely enough he smiled at her remark, causing her insides to twist.

"Then we'll start something," he told her as the doors closed.

~Garage~

"Sonny why did we have to come all the way down here to talk?" Jason trailed him to the limo.

"Because we need to talk alone," he looked over at the driver. "Is it clean Max?"

"Yes," Max opened the door for them.

Sonny waited until Jason was settled before speaking. "I found some things out."

"About Rory's accident?"

"Yes about Rory," he hedged, then decided to be blunt, knowing Jason would prefer that. "It wasn't an accident."

Jason's eyes, which had been half-closed, opened at that remark and focused on Sonny. It wasn't an accident those four words seem to repeat in his head over and over again. They were four words that could change his life if he let them.

"We heard from one of our people at PCPD, the head tech there Whitey is telling Taggert that someone deliberately pushed her car over that cliff. As soon as the report is finished we'll get a copy." He noticed Jason had clenched his fists but that was the only outward response to his words.

"So who's making a move? Someone from Puerto Rico or a new player here?" Jason asked after a minute.

"I told you its been quiet here," Sonny sighed before going on. "I don't think we were the target, I think it was Rory."

"What the hell are you saying Sonny?"

"I don't have anything concrete yet, but let me tell you what I've found and what I think," he held up his hand when Jason started to speak. "You can decide how we move from there."

"Okay," he already knew he wasn't going to like what Sonny had to say. Sonny's instincts were normally on target, so there was a good chance that someone had deliberately tried to kill Rory because of her, and not him. He should have been relieved that he wasn't the reason she was hurt, but he wasn't. If he had been the cause, it would be easy enough for him to find out who did it and eliminate them. But if Rory was the target, he would have a harder time trying to identify the threat, and he didn't like that. She meant more to him then anyone, and he wasn't about to see her hurt again.

~Room 617~

Carly was filing her nails when she felt eyes on her. She looked up and met Rory's gaze. "Hi."

Her mouth was so dry it was hard to speak, but she wasn't hurting as bad. "D-drink?"

Carly quickly poured her some water from a pitcher, she moved closer and helped Rory sit up and take a drink. "There ought to be a straw. What kind of place doesn't give you a straw?"

"I ought to sue," Rory eased her head back against the pillows, it was easier to speak now. "Where is Jason?"

"Man talk," Carly rolled her eyes. "In other words they are talking about you and we are just too delicate to hear."

"It sounds like you've been through this before."

"Oh yes, for awhile Sonny's favorite phrase was go upstairs Carly and since he wasn't coming with me, upstairs was no fun."

Rory snorted then immediately regretted it. "Don't make me laugh."

Instantly contrite Carly moved closer. "Sorry."

"It's okay," she closed her eyes to focus herself. "Can you give me a rundown on my injuries?"

"I don't think…"

"Carly I need to know and I'd like to find out before Jason comes back, so I know what to expect."

Carly thought about it for a minute then pressed the nurse's call button. "I'll let them explain it."

"How is Jason?" the memory of the bandage on his head came back to her.

"He's fine he's just with Sonny."

"How did he get hurt?" She needed answers so she would start with the important ones.

"Apparently some bags fell on him at work. I don't think it was anything serious." Carly tried to downplay the incident. She had a feeling there was more to it than that but she didn't want to upset Rory.

"How are we doing Rory?" Nurse Amy Vining entered the room, smiling brightly and moved to the chart at the end of the bed.

"I don't know how "we" are but I'm just peachy." Why did nurses insist on speaking like that?

Amy looked up from the chart with a frown. "You did call for a nurse didn't you?"

"Yes I wanted to know what was wrong with we, I mean me."

Carly grinned at the look on Amy's face, her and the blonde gossip box had never gotten along, so this was entertaining for her.

"I'm just doing my job here." Amy frowned at Carly, knowing that it must be her influence to make Rory act this way. She had just wanted to get a close-up look at the ghost, so she could see if the story was true before she repeated it. She didn't expect to get attitude for it.

"Sorry I would just like to know the status of my injuries," Rory shifted slowly on the bed. "You can start with why my arm is in a sling."

"Your shoulder was separated, we set it, and are using the sling to immobilize it. You should only have to wear it for a week," she looked at the chart again. "As for your head, you sustained a concussion and some memory loss, we are going to keep you overnight to monitor you."

"Just tonight right?"

"Yes unless you have a setback, other than that you have bruises and minor lacerations on your back and primarily your left side. All in all you are very fortunate," she moved over and checked the IV. "Do you need another shot?"

"Will it make me sleep?" She was hurting but wanted to stay alert as well.

"Probably."

"Then no, I'll be fine," she didn't want to sleep anymore. She'd rather have pain then a foggy brain.

"Okay if you change your mind, press the call button." Amy headed for the door, not even sparing Carly a glance. She couldn't wait to spread the news, Rory was definitely a ringer for Elizabeth Webber, in fact she had almost become a dead ringer.

"Doesn't she just give you a warm fuzzy feeling right here?" Carly pointed to her stomach. "Kind of like a gag reflex."

Rory laughed again. "Stop that."

"Well I notice that Amy didn't say anything about your charming personality changing so I'm assuming we'll be stuck with that."

"Ha-ha," Rory looked at her. "You want to go and find me some food? I'm starved."

"I don't know, I don't want to leave you…"

"Ahh will you miss me Blondie?" she put a hand over her heart. "I'm so touched."

"Not hardly shortey," Carly shot back. "Jason doesn't want you to be alone."

"Carly I just need a few minutes to myself," her voice was serious. "I need to process some things before he comes back."

"You know you don't have to do that. Jason's a great guy, he wants to be here for you," her dark eyes were serious. "You should let him in."

"There's no way I could keep him out," she admitted softly. "I just need some time alone."

"I'll be back with some food then," she got to her feet hoping she wouldn't regret it.

"Thanks," Rory forced a smile when Carly paused in the door and turned back to look at her. "I'm fine. Now leave before I start to think you actually like me."

"As if," Carly retorted, she walked outside and paused in front of Francis. "Keep an eye on her."

Rory closed her eyes as soon as Carly left. She began to move slowly taking stock of her body, trying to find out what didn't hurt. Unfortunately there wasn't much. She opened her eyes, she had a nagging feeling that she should remember something, something to do with Jason. He had been talking to her, and holding her before she fell asleep, but she couldn't remember what he'd said. She wished she could because she had a feeling it was important.

No one had said anything, but she knew she had almost died. She could read that much in Jason's eyes. That realization was what prompted the need to be alone. She knew that she was in love with Jason, that she had been in love with him for months now. But she didn't realize how much she really did love him until she almost lost him.

"I love Jason."

It was the first time she had said the words aloud. She wondered if she would ever have enough courage to say the words to him. Her own insecurities about love and permanence held her back every time she went to tell him. She frowned then, besides it wasn't like he was chomping at the bit to tell her he loved her. So who was to say that he did love her? She knew he cared, and sometimes she believed he did love her, but she didn't know for sure. And she wasn't willing to lay her heart on the line and find out. Because she truly did not know what she would do if he didn't love her back. She shook her head, sending off a wave of dizziness, besides kill him that is.

"God these drugs are making me loopy," she wished he'd come back and hold her again.

~Hallway~

"Hi Francis," Emily called getting the guard's attention before moving closer.

"Ms. Quartermaine," he nodded at her.

"Is Jason inside?" she gestured to the door.

"No, Ms. Nichols is alone, Jason went with Mr. Corinthos."

"Okay, I'll wait inside if that's okay?"

"Sure," he was reaching to open the door, when she put a hand on his arm stopping him. "Yes?"

"Do you know Lucky Spencer?"

"Yes," he knew him and had explicit instructions about him too. Namely he wasn't allowed anywhere near Rory.

"If he shows up, will you tell me, and I'll get him out of here?" she didn't see a reaction to her request and pressed on. "Please Francis, don't hurt him, just tell me and I'll make him leave."

"I'll tell you if he shows up," it was the only concession he could give her. He knew she wanted to protect her friend, but the mere fact she was worried about what would happen if he showed up here, told him that Lucky wasn't behaving rationally.

"I guess I'll have to settle for that," she smiled and stepped inside the room.

"That was quick. What did you do swipe another patient's tray?" Rory spoke when the door opened but kept her eyes closed.

"What?" Emily headed for the bed.

"Sorry, I thought you were Carly."

"I have to admit no one's ever accused me of being Carly before," Emily shrugged out of her jacket and sat in the chair. "So how are you?"

"I'm okay in fact I hope I look better than you," Rory studied her. "You look like you should be in this bed and not me."

Emily automatically put a hand to her face. "That's a great ego boost."

"Sorry, I haven't been fed yet, so I tend to get cranky."

"And here I thought it was a by-product of going over a cliff," Emily retorted without thinking.

"I went over a cliff?" her eyes were wide. "I didn't know New York had cliffs."

"I thought you knew," Emily touched her hand to offer comfort and immediately started kicking herself for mentioning it.

"No there's some things I don't remember," she tried to joke off her uneasiness. "I guess I need to practice my cliff diving before I go to Hawaii."

That's the way she handles things, she cracks jokes, teases, anything to draw the attention off of what she's really feeling. Her sense of humor is her defense mechanism. Jason's words came back to Emily and she saw the truth in them. She decided not to make a big deal out of it. "So I take it Carly went for food?"

"Yeah I'm hoping for Mexican," her head was a lot clearer then it had been, but her body was beginning to radiate pain again.

"Well had you met me, we would have had Mexican," Emily replied.

"Met you?" She trailed off a faint memory coming to her. "You called, was that this morning?"

"Yes I called you this morning, we were going to meet."

She pushed past the pain and tried to remember more but came up blank. She groaned in pain.

"Are you okay? Do you need a nurse?" Emily was already reaching for the call button.

"No, I'm just trying to remember. God it's frustrating," she moved the bed up so she was sitting up, feeling a little dizzy when she did so.

"Well don't push it, just forget about it. Trust me there are some mornings that I would love to block out."

Rory tilted her head to study her. "Like this morning?"

"No as awful as this morning was at times, I want to remember it." The memory of waking up in Nikolas' arms was one she would treasure forever. She could have lived without hearing Gia on the phone, but for a minute it was perfect.

"Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? What happened this morning?"

"I guess, also I wanted to finish our talk about Zander," she shook her head. "But there's no need to go into that now."

"Why not, I'm not going anywhere," Rory could tell that she really needed to unload, and at the moment she seemed to be a captive audience.

"Are you sure?" Emily wanted to talk to her but she did just have a car accident.

"Yeah talk to me Em."

God how many times had she heard that? From Nikolas, from Lucky, from Jason, even Lila. Looking into Rory's battered face, she realized she was ready to talk. "It's about Zander, me and…"

"Mr. Cassadine is here to see you Ms. Quartermaine," Francis interrupted her from the doorway.

"Let him in," Rory called. Who knew they had doormen in hospitals? She had definitely been in the wrong ones.

Nikolas walked in the room his eyes automatically searching for Emily. She met his eyes for a second and then nervously got to her feet, shifting slightly to look at him. "I'm glad you are doing better Rory," he finally looked at her. "I was sorry to hear about your accident."

"I'll be fine," Rory observed with interest the way Nikolas' eyes kept drifting from her to a suddenly nervous Emily who was looking everywhere but at him. "I'm touched you wanted to check on me, but I have a feeling you're here for another reason."

"Actually yes," his voice was apologetic. He had been concerned about her, but she was not the primary reason for him to be here. "I just wanted to let Emily know that the friend we were looking for is at home."

That caused Emily to look at him. "Is he okay?"

"Yes."

Emily sighed in relief, then immediately went tense again. "Thank you for letting me know."

Nikolas frowned at her dismissive tone, he was getting tired of her trying to avoid him. "If you're ready I thought we would finish our talk now."

"I already told you there is nothing to finish," Emily retorted eyeing him warily.

Rory was fascinated more by what they weren't saying then what they were. Headache or not, it was easy to read the tension between the two. And even though Emily may be snapping at him, she had a feeling anger wasn't motivating it. His hands, which had been resting at the foot of the bed were now gripping the board there tightly. Emily had been twisting the blanket in her hands, once her eyes met his, her movements stopped.

"You are mistaken about that," Nikolas corrected.

Emily couldn't help the shiver that went through her at his words, but she fought the sensation back, and concentrated on the task at hand, which was getting rid of him. "Fine I don't want to fight with you, but as you can see I'm here with Rory and I'm not going to leave her. We will have to talk another time."

He had forgotten for a minute where he was, he glanced at Rory who smiled back at him. Emily had been making him so angry lately that he was acting out of character. How had that happened? "I am sorry if I have disturbed you Rory."

"You haven't this has all been fascinating, in fact if you need to talk to Emily," she broke off when Emily turned her panicked eyes on her. There was no way to ignore the plea in them. "Do you mind waiting until tomorrow? I really would like her to stay until Jason comes back."

"Of course," Nikolas backed off immediately. "I'll talk to you later tonight Emily."

"Or tomorrow, after all you don't want to keep Gia waiting," Emily reminded him sweetly.

Nikolas paled, he hadn't thought of Gia, since her phone call had interrupted them this morning. "I hope you feel better Rory," he told her in goodbye as he headed for the door.

Emily stared after him for a long minute after the door closed.

"So," Rory spoke up, tired of the sadness on Emily's face, she tried to lighten the mood. "Is he really a prince?"

"Yeah he's a real prince," Emily answered softly, and in more ways than one.

"So is he one of the things you wanted to talk about?"

Emily sank in the chair. "What makes you ask that?"

"Emily I have a head injury, but I'm not blind. You two were saying a lot more with your eyes then you were with your words," she straightened the blanket Emily had twisted. "In fact I can't wait for the next show."

"God when did my life become so complicated?" Emily collapsed back in the chair.

"Puberty?" Rory offered with a smile.

"I can't deal with Nikolas right now, not with everything else that is going on. But he seems determined to make me talk to him."

"Emily…"

"I return triumphant," Carly entered the room carrying a bag. "Emily," her smile dimmed a bit when she saw her.

"Carly."

"What did you bring me?" Rory demanded. Whatever it was it smelled good enough to make her stomach growl.

"Subs, I didn't know what you'd like so I got a variety, I figured we could palm the rest off someone." Carly set the bag on the table and rolled it up towards Rory. "So is the truce on today?" She asked Emily.

"As far as I'm concerned it is, I don't feel like arguing today." Emily replied smiling slightly. Relations between her and Carly seemed to vary every time they saw each other. But she didn't want to fight today.

"Good then dig in before shortey here eats it all," Carly gestured to Rory who was already eating. "Don't let her size fool you she packs it away."

"That's right Blondie pick on the injured," Rory snapped.

~Hallway~

"So are you going to tell Rory?" Sonny paused a few feet down the hall from her room.

"Yes."

Surprised Sonny looked at him. "Are you sure that is wise?"

"We don't keep secrets Sonny," Jason rubbed at the back of his neck. "Especially not when it's this big and it involves her. Besides she'd pick up on the fact that I was holding something back."

Sonny considered that, he had already seen that Jason's relationship with Rory was different than what he had with Carly, but he couldn't help but feel that women should be protected from the ugliness. Even if that ugliness was the truth. "Maybe you should wait until she's out of the hospital," he saw Jason's face and hurried on. "Besides by that time we should have the report on the accident and might have a better idea of what were dealing with."

Jason sighed he could see the truth in what Sonny was saying, and he didn't want to upset Rory anymore than he had too. But he also knew her, she didn't like to be kept in the dark. She understood when it was his work, but if it was about her, he knew she wouldn't.

"Just think about it," Sonny finished before crossing to Francis. "Any problems?"

"No Emily Quartermaine is in there along with Mrs. Corinthos, and Nikolas Cassadine came by briefly. The only other visitor she had was a nurse."

"Good," Jason stuck out his hand. "It's good to see you again Francis." He was glad that he was here at the door. Next to Johnny he had the most faith in him.

Francis allowed himself to smile. "You too Jason." He had always liked Jason. He had been with Mr. Corinthos longer than Jason but he didn't resent the younger man who had so quickly climbed the ranks and became his successor. In fact he didn't even have a problem with it. He was happy in his own niche in the organization. Sometimes he guarded people, but the rest of the time he was the resident electronics/explosives expert and that suited him just fine.

Jason walked inside the room and the first thing he heard was her laugh, and he couldn't help but smile in relief when he did. He knew then that she would be okay.

"Jason thank god you're here," Rory cried her eyes lighting up when she saw him.

"Is something wrong?" He crossed to her in concern, he saw a half eaten sandwich on the tray in front of her and wondered if she was ill.

"No," she waved off his concern. "Apparently I went cliff diving and that's why I'm here they," she glared at Carly and Emily. "Won't tell me what happened to my car."

Jason was quiet he should have known that would be one of her first questions. Looking into her eyes, he could see the pain and curiosity in them, and he just couldn't tell her.

"Jason?" Rory prompted him.

Sonny glanced at Jason, not understanding his unwillingness to answer her question. "I'm afraid your car is gone Rory."

Jason flinched and Rory turned her questioning eyes on Sonny. "What do you mean gone?"

Sonny heard the anger in her tone and was puzzled, it was only a car, why was she getting upset? "Rory honey its at the bottom of Crystal Lake right now."

Jason braced himself for the explosion.

Rory stared at Sonny, her mouth dropping open in surprise before she bowed her head, into her good hand.

"Rory it's just a car," Jason crouched by the bed when he saw her shoulders begin to shake. "It can always be replaced."

Rory shook even harder, finally raising her head and letting her laughter out. "It's not…" she gasped. "That," she paused again to laugh. "Owww…" she clutched her head in pain but kept laughing.

Carly was eyeing her cautiously was she losing it?

"Oww," even though it hurt she couldn't stop laughing.

"Rory calm down," Jason took her hand in concern.

"It's just, I'm dating Jason," she paused and tried to calm herself. "And there's a Crystal Lake nearby."

Carly was the first to figure it out, she looked from Rory's face that was contorted in laughter and pain, and Jason's who looked confused, and let out a laugh. In that instant she realized that Rory was in fact perfect for him.

Sonny looked at her in surprise.

"I wouldn't worry Rory," Carly said when she caught her breath. "Not unless he takes up hockey."

That was enough for Emily to figure it out and she began to giggle.

Sonny and Jason exchanged glances, both wondering if they had lost their minds.

Emily covered her mouth and tried to calm down, when she saw the look on her brother's face. It wasn't that funny, but god she had needed a laugh.

"Please calm down Rory," Jason asked softly. "You're going to hurt yourself."

"What is so funny? I could hear you all the way in the hall." Dr. Tony Jones demanded shoving the door open with a bang.

Instantly the laughter died, and tension and hostility entered the room instead.

"There are far too many people in this room. She has had a major head trauma. She needs quiet and rest, not a party. You are all going to have to leave."

"Now look here Tony," Carly snarled.

"Carly," Sonny interrupted her. "Let's just leave. He's right Rory needs to rest."

"And that certainly won't happen with you around Carly. In fact you will be a hindrance to her recovery, so leave," Tony muttered opening the chart.

Sonny squeezed her hand to keep her quiet and moved closer to Tony. "My gratitude for what you did for Stone only goes so far. If you disrespect my wife again, it will be gone." His voice was soft but his eyes carried the threat.

Tony tried to show no reaction and quickly turned back to the chart, but the chart in his hands was shaking.

"Rory, Jason we'll see you later," Sonny addressed them, before turning to Emily. "Do you need a ride?"

"Oh my god," Rory suddenly went pale and reached for Jason. "Is my car really in the lake?"

"Yes."

"My picture. God Jason the photo was in the car," her eyes started to feel with tears. "It's gone."

"No," he sat on the bed instantly recognizing her fear. "You brought that suitcase in last night, it wasn't in the car."

"It wasn't?" she asked shakily. "But what if I put it back in the car. Then it's gone. Jason it can't be gone," her tears started to fall.

"No Rory, I'm sure it's not gone. I doubt you took the suitcase back to the car." He tried to reassure her.

"But you don't know that. Our room was so crowded I could've taken it back to the car. What if it's gone?" her eyes were begging him to tell her it wasn't.

"I'll go find it," he told her brushing the tears from her face.

She clutched his hand in relief. "You will?"

"Yeah, I'll go right now," he squeezed her hand. "But you have to calm down for me, okay?"

She nodded quickly and tried to take a breath. "Okay just find it please."

"I will," he kissed her briefly and turned away from the bed, hesitating when he saw Tony.

"I'll stay with her," Emily piped up quickly.

"Thanks," Jason gave her a hug while leveling another warning look at Tony, who wisely held his tongue.

"Hurry Jason," she tried to keep the plea from her voice but she knew he heard it. She didn't know what she would do if she lost the photo. It was true that she had long since memorized it and could picture it in her head if she wanted too, but that wasn't enough. The photo was one of the few tangible links she had to her parents and she had carried it with her everywhere since she was five. If she were to lose it, it would be like losing her parents all over again. She tried to smile, "and shower before you come back. You know I hate coffee."

"Emily I need to examine her, can you wait outside?" Tony asked.

She nodded and followed Jason and the others out of the room.

~Hallway~

"What photo?" Carly demanded as soon as they were in the hall. Rory hadn't even showed that she was bothered by her injuries and now she had almost lost if over a photo.

"It's one of her parents, in fact it's the only she has of them." Jason explained wearily. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew she wouldn't rest until he found it.

"The only one?" Sonny asked in surprise.

"They died in a fire when she was five, she doesn't have very much from them. But she has that photo, and where she goes it goes." He frowned. He had to find it for her, it meant too much to her for him not too.

~Kelly's~

Lucky scowled at his computer it had been awhile since he hacked into something. But the security that the hospital used was a joke. It had taken him less than a half an hour to install a program that automatically sent any information regarding Rory Nichols to his computer. Now all he had to do was wait for the nurses to input the information.

He ignored his phone when it began to ring an concentrated on the computer instead willing it to start typing. He sipped at a root beer and absently listened to Emily's message. He would have to get back to her later.

~Dr. Jones' Office~

Eliza frowned at the latest file that her boss had shoved at her. He seemed to have forgotten that she had to leave early today for her son's birthday party. He forgot a lot of things lately. Name of patient, she opened her file and typed Rory Nichols.

~Kelly's~

Lucky dropped the football he was flipping around when his computer beeped and information started rolling across his screen. "Finally."