A/N – Thanks for the comments and hanging in there with me! I appreciate it.
Chapter 18
A few minutes later, Taggert and Mac entered the room.
"Jason…" Mac said.
"We need you to come—"
His words are cut off by Diane.
"Jason is right where he belongs. Ask him what you want to now."
Her gaze locked with Jason's, and then he nodded.
"How did you find her?" Taggert asked.
"I remembered that we used to go to Vista Point and one day, we found an abandoned house and a statue of an angel. We thought that Faith probably didn't go far, so I was trying to remember places that were special to us." He hates talking to them and Taggert is shocked that he's being forthcoming.
"How would Faith know that?" Mac asked.
"Elizabeth and I were talking about it at Kelly's around the time she moved in with Jason," Emily said.
"Then what?" Taggert asked finding the whole thing a little convenient.
"We gathered everyone together and searched the house and found a control room with a monitor. We saw Liz and tried to locate a basement."
Taggert scribbled that down. "Where was it?"
"Behind the house," Johnny said.
"We went in, and she was laying on a cot. You know the rest," Jason said.
"Do you know who did this?" Mac asked.
"No," Johnny said.
Taggert sighed. "I think you're lying."
Diane rolled her eyes. "There is your statement. I think you're done here."
Taggert started to object, but Mac pulled him away.
"If they come back after searching that house, don't say anything without me," Diane said.
"Thank you," Jason said.
"No problem. I hope that she's okay."
She left and then there was arguing heard in the hallway.
Jason muttered under his breath and then almost tore the door off the hinges. "What do you want?"
Ric jerked away from Cooper and then straightened his jacket. "How is she?"
Jason shrugged.
Ric rolled his eyes. "I just want to know if she's okay."
"She's alive, but barely. That is all you need to know. Don't come back here. She doesn't want you near her," Emily said as she moved next to her brother.
"You can't keep me away."
"Yes, I can. I have her power of attorney," Jason said.
Audrey stood. "And I am her nearest relative."
Diane had rushed back.
"I am her husband!"
"Not as of noon. The divorce is final. If you persist in lurking around, I will slap a restraining order on you so fast your head will spin," Diane said.
Ric is livid. "Fine…" He has his way of finding out what is going on and will check on her later. There is always a resident with bills that need to be paid off.
Jason made a motion with his head so Cooper would radio to someone to follow Ric.
They went back into the room and waited to hear from the doctor.
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Sonny sat next to Jason. Emily and Audrey had gone to light a candle. "I'm sorry."
Jason didn't answer.
"I know I've been selfish. I never wanted anything to happen to her."
Jason sighed. "You need to decide whether you can live with me killing Ric."
Sonny didn't say a word.
"Even if he had nothing to do with Faith taking her, he is a part of what is fueling Faith's actions. He has done horrible things and I'm not looking the other way anymore. He may be your blood, but I have been more of a brother to you than he ever has."
"I know."
"Will you retaliate?"
"Jason…"
"Don't act like that's not a fair question."
Sonny rubbed his face. "No." He can't imagine hurting Jason especially after all the younger man has done for him.
Jason is glad that he hadn't hesitated.
"There are rules, Jason. We can't just kill him because he's an asshole." The five families could retaliate or place restrictions on them they wouldn't be able to recover from.
"Watch me."
The door opened and Monica stepped inside along with Leo and Kelly.
Kelly eyed Jason who looks worse for wear. "She is stable. The baby is alive, but we won't know for a while if there will be any lasting effects. I stopped the labor and now, we just wait. We didn't do a transfusion, but it's borderline at this point."
"We are warming her body. There was a good-sized knot on her head, so she must have fallen. She's not waking up, but if she was forced to stay awake, then she is probably exhausted."
Jason moved so Audrey, who had been listening, could sit.
"When do you think she'll be more stable?" Jason asked.
"We'll see what happens tomorrow."
"Is she in the ICU?"
"Yes, because the baby is at risk. Her blood pressure is high and with everything else going on, she needs critical care."
The only good thing about that is that her visitors will be limited, and it will be harder for Ric to bypass that.
Once they left, Audrey's eyes narrowed.
"What is going on in that head of yours?"
"I'm wondering the same thing," Monica said.
"I want to kidnap her."
Johnny, who had been leaning against the wall smirked while Sonny eyed him curiously.
"If she stays here, Ric or Faith can get to her. I want her away from here. We don't have to go very far, but I think it's for the best. She needs to heal and not be afraid."
Monica sighed. "I don't know how fast we can move her."
"I think you are right though. Ric looked determined," Audrey said.
Monica made a call and ten minutes later, Alan and Edward joined them.
"What's going on?" Edward demanded. "Is she okay?"
"She's struggling but is stable for now. I need something from you."
Edward frowned. "What?"
Jason stood. "First, thank you for what you did for her. I don't know how I can repay you."
Edward studied him. It's easy to let Jason make his blood pressure go through the roof, but he's trying to quell his disagreeable nature. "You are family. There is no need, now, does someone want to tell me why you all look like you're scheming?"
Audrey fought a smile.
"I want to kidnap Elizabeth."
Edward grinned. "Whether you want to admit it or not, you are a true Quartermaine through and through. Did you need a getaway driver? Alice and I are available."
Johnny laughed as Alan almost choked.
Jason couldn't hide the amusement in his eyes. "No. I have that covered. I need somewhere to hide out where we can arrange for medical equipment."
Edward began to pace. "I can call in a few favors. Canada?"
"We could do that."
"Why can't you use the island?" Sonny asked. "There are plenty of guards."
"They'll expect that," Jason said. "It's just too dangerous." Ric is going to get desperate when he realizes Liz is gone.
Edward sighed. "I could rent something anywhere under an assumed name, but I think you'll need extra privacy. A close associate has a four-bedroom house in Bermuda on an island. There's a private beach and dock. You can take a helicopter from the airport, and I'll arrange for someone to take the luggage via boat which is only a ten-minute ride from the town center. I took Lila once many years ago. It's private but still not remote, and I believe he added a small house several years back that you could use as well." He whipped out his phone.
"Who do you want to take with you?"
"I'd love to have Emily come along, but I want her here because needs to be near her doctor. I'd probably take Francis and Cody." Johnny can take over for him and he trusts him to watch out for Emily.
"Does that mean I get to come?" Audrey said.
"If you can, I would like that. I want Elizabeth to be comfortable."
"How long do you think you'll have to stay?" Monica asked.
"I don't know. That depends on her. It could be three weeks or more."
Monica eyed her husband who nodded. "I'm in. I can stay for a couple of weeks. If things are still stable by tomorrow night, as long as there is a clinic close by, we should be fine. I can take some supplies."
"Thank you."
She touched his arm. "Audrey and I will take turns watching over her for as long as is needed."
"What about her mental health?" Sonny asked. "From what you said, she might have trouble sleeping and be a bit traumatized."
"I can arrange for face-visit," Alan said. "She can use a phone or computer."
"Thank you," Jason said.
Epiphany entered the room. "What's going on?"
"We need to sneak Elizabeth out of the hospital tomorrow night," Monica said.
Piph smirked. "I'm in."
"Good. We're leaving her in the ICU tomorrow, as long as we don't have a person come in that is more critical. We'll use the patient elevator there to take her to the roof. I'll arrange for a med flight."
"Can I go with her?" Jason asked.
"No, because there won't be enough room. I'll fly with the pilot and paramedic."
"Okay. We'll meet you at the plane," Jason said. They'll leave here and take a different helicopter to make sure that they arrive at the airport around the same time. It's about a two-and-a-half-hour flight to Bermuda.
"I'll go make the plane arrangements," Sonny said before leaving.
"We may need a distraction if Ric shows up."
"You leave that to me," Piph said.
Jason nodded.
Audrey is glad to get Liz away from Ric and Faith. She needs a place she can heal without fear. "I'm going to go pack because Elizabeth will need me here tomorrow."
"You can bring your suitcase with you in the morning, and we'll take care of it," Jason said.
"Thank you."
Monica hugged Jason. "You should try to sleep tonight. We put her in a larger room and there is a couch that turns into a bed. I knew you wouldn't want to leave."
"Thanks."
"You probably should run home now and get your clothes together and then you can use your father's office to shower. It's small, but it will work." It's one of the perks of being chief of staff.
"Thank you."
"Alright, I'll go pack too."
She left and he turned to Emily. "How are you feeling about all of this."
"I'm going to miss you both, but I understand. I wish I could go, but it's probably better for me to stay."
He hugged her. "Johnny will take good care of you."
"I know. Can you give me regular updates? She can call me anytime she wants to."
"I'm sure she knows that, and yes, I will."
"I better go." She feels a bit run down from all of the excitement."
Johnny pushed off the wall. "I'll drive."
"Thanks."
Epiphany opened the door. "Ready to see her?"
"Please…"
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Jason wasn't mentally prepared to see the tubes and the paleness of her skin. Scared to touch her, his fingers barely glanced at her arm as he moved toward the head of the bed.
"She'll sleep all night," Piph said.
"I know she won't wake up for a while. It took a toll on her."
Her belly caught his eyes, and he laid his hand on it and is pleased when a minute goes by, and he feels a slight kick.
Piph smiled. "The baby moving around is a good sign."
"Yeah…"
She glances at a machine. "Stats are good for both of them."
"Is she paler from the blood loss?"
"Probably, but she'll look better every day. You saved her in time, Jason. Let them know you are here," she said before patting his back and leaving him there.
A guard is sitting in the hallway, which isn't the norm, but in this case, Alan had made an exception.
His hand stroked her belly trying to send the baby his love. "Elizabeth, I know you're tired. I'm here. I'm sorry that I didn't protect you better, but going forward, I will die before I let anyone touch you again." He stroked her hair. "Rest… I'm right here."
For a long time, he stayed there, whispering to her, and touching her in some way, hoping that she feels his presence before finally laying down and falling into an exhausted sleep.
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The next morning, Jason got up when the nurse came into the room to check on Liz who has not stirred.
"Is she okay?"
Leyla nodded. "She's still the same." Her vitals are mostly stable, but the longer she stays asleep the more worried they'll be. At least her core temperature is within normal. Her blood pressure still needs to come down a bit. "We need to do a CT scan this morning. The transport will be here soon."
"I'll go take a shower once they arrive."
"She'll be gone for up to an hour, so take your time."
About fifteen minutes later, they had taken her as her guard followed and Jason went to his father's office. There are other guards in the CT scan area, so while he hates leaving her side, she is well protected.
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Alan entered his office as Jason was drying his hair. After placing a container on the desk, he eyed his son. "Did you sleep?"
"A little bit…" He is geared to be acutely aware, so the din of the hospital makes him on edge.
"You need to eat, so Cook made you some eggs, bacon, potatoes, and toast."
"Thanks."
Jason put the towel back in the bathroom and then sat across from his father.
"What happens when we get her there?"
"She'll have a saline drip, so she doesn't get dehydrated. For now, we'll leave the catheter in until she can get up and go on her own. Her blood pressure will be monitored closely. It's slightly elevated but much better than when she first arrived. The CT scan will tell us if there is a problem with where her head hit. Monica also wants her on a fetal monitor, so it will be there by this afternoon."
"When do you think she'll awake?"
"I'm guessing tomorrow."
Jason sighed. "It's torture."
Alan nodded. "Ric was here already."
Jason stopped chewing.
"He was turned away but seemed determined to come back."
"He'll be planning something. We may have to leave earlier than expected. Is she capable of it?"
"As long as the scan turns out okay and everything else remains the same, we'll be okay."
Jason finished. "I better get back there."
"I'll walk you."
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When they got to the room, Elizabeth was already there.
"I think I'll go find Noah and review the scans with him."
"Thanks."
"I'll be back soon."
A lot is riding on this scan. If everything is okay, he'll meet with the doctors and then make arrangements to leave in the early afternoon.
