A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest who doesn't care about Evangeline. Oh well, she's in it a lot for the ongoing chapters so, guess you can just skip over it. I have shown her supporting our couple and she loves Johnny and has been a great friend to Liz, so not sure why you don't, but it's your prerogative.

Sorry that I'm so late. I've working crazy hours. Sunday I worked from noon until 11 pm. I'm exhausted.

Chapter 13

Four hours later, Jason started to come around.

Robin grinned. "His brainwaves are getting stronger. He's coming back."

Monica smiled at Carly who is beaming.

"Talk to him," Monica said.

"Jason, the surgery went well. Your mom is right here. We won't leave you."

He can barely hear her. The fog surrounding his head is thick and he doesn't think he has the strength to open his eyes.

"Fight, Jason. Elizabeth and Eva need you."

That got his attention as he struggled to remember. When it finally clicked that they are missing, he started to struggle.

"I think his hand just twitched," Carly said excitedly.

"That will happen. It's still going to take some time," Patrick said solemnly. They have no idea if there is any permanent damage, but he hopes for their sake that it's minimal.

"Party pooper…"

An hour later, his eyes blink open. Robin is standing the closest because Carly had just used the bathroom.

"Jason! You came back to me."

He still has the vent in and she starts to pepper his face with kisses and then is immediately jerked backward and almost lost her balance.

"Are you crazy?"

Carly fought the urge to smack her. "Keep your hands to yourself. Are you trying to scare him?"

Robin blinked rapidly. "He isn't scared of me. What is your problem? Are you jealous?"

Carly laughed. "You think I'm jealous of you?"

Robin crossed her arms in front of her while Alan and Monica assessed Jason to see if he's strong enough to take the vent out.

"I know you are because Jason and I are going to be together."

"After what you did regarding Michael, Jason doesn't want anything to do with you. Besides, unless you plan on moving to Utah and converting to Mormonism, I don't think your little plan will work.

"What are you talking about?"

Monica shook her head, knowing Carly is enjoying this.

"Jason, we have to test you before we can take the vent out."

"How long?" Carly asked.

"It takes about an hour."

"I think I'll save my good news until Jason can chime in and back me up."

Robin rolled her eyes.

"Blink twice for yes," Alan said. "Are you aware of where you are?"

Jason slowly blinked twice.

"Good job. Could you hear us this whole time?"

He blinked twice again and is shocked that it takes so much effort.

"Elizabeth suspected that. Well, then you know what is going on. There are no updates. I'll let Johnny know that you are awake."

Epiphany squeezed his other hand. "Hang in there. I know that is uncomfortable, but you were paralyzed. Taking you off the vent right away could endanger your life."

While he understands, he hates it.

"I think we should give him the protocol first. He's stable. It will help his muscles to start functioning again," Monica said.

Robin went to retrieve it.

"I love you so much. I always loved those blue eyes and I'm so happy to see them," Carly said emotionally.

He stared at her as if she is a lifeline.

"Try not to panic, your blood pressure is up," Epiphany said. "He likes it when you rub his scalp. Just avoid the wound area."

Carly gently scratched it, making Jason's eyes close.

Once Robin injected the protocol, they waited patiently and two hours passed by before he was able to slightly squeeze Monica's hand.

"Good job! I'm so proud of you right now."

Tears sprang into Alan's eyes. "Your eyes always remind me of Lila and I'm so glad you're back with us. You're doing so well."

Jason slightly squeezed his father's hand, garnering a smile.

"So, we'll see how you are doing in an hour. I know you hate that vent, but it keeps you alive right now. You just have to be patient a little longer."

Sure enough, an hour later, he was able to slightly move his head and his legs.

They kicked everyone out and did the necessary tests and slowly removed the vent.

Alan helped him sip a little water. "You can't have a lot."

"Liz…"

"Johnny is on his way," Epiphany said.

Carly and Robin moved back into the room. "Jase…"

"Hi Carly," he said with a little bit of difficulty.

"Hi," she said as she tried to choke back her tears.

Robin wiped hers away. "I'm so happy that you're back. I lo—"

"Now hold it right there, didn't we have this conversation before?"

Robin rolled her eyes. "What is it that you want to say? Just spit it out!"

"You will never be with Jason. He doesn't want you and hasn't since he broke up with you. Do you want to know why?"

Robin shook her head. "You are such a know-it-all. Just say it so I can go hold my man."

"You're lucky Muffin didn't hear you say that."

"What does Elizabeth, who hates that you call her that, have to do with this?"

Carly grinned as Jason watched them raptly. "You see, Jason is married to Elizabeth and surprise, they have twin boys."

Robin's mouth dropped open. "This is low even for you. How could you lie about something like that just because you don't like me?" Her gaze went to Jason. "Do you see what she does?"

"Truth," he said hoarsely.

"What do you mean?"

Monica sighed. "Robin, everything Carly said is true. Jason is deeply in love with his wife and has a family. I'm not sure why you thought you had a chance when you and Jason have never discussed reuniting."

Robin's face contorted. "I just hoped—God, I'm such an idiot." She rushed into the hallway as Carly rolled her eyes.

"Feel better?" Jason asked. He'll have a conversation with Robin later.

Carly smugly smiled. "I do. Besides, Alexis did the same thing to me, so I thought I'd pay it forward."

"Sleepy."

"Your body has been through a lot and it heals the most when you sleep."

"Johnny…"

"Will you promise you'll rest after he's gone?"

"Yes."

Johnny rushed inside. "You're awake."

"Hi."

A grin lit up Johnny's face; a first since all the drama had gone down, but it quickly faded.

"News?"

Johnny shook his head. "No. We've been scouring the area. I've called in so many favors that I've lost track. We'll find them, Jason. I won't stop until I do."

"You sleep?"

"No."

Jason's gaze went to the bed that Elizabeth usually occupies and then back at him.

"Jason…" He watched as his best friend's attention went to Piph.

"Make him."

Epiphany smirked. "I could lay on him."

Jason's eyes lit with amusement. "Like to see that…"

"My girl would kick your ass," Johnny said as he moved towards the bed as Piph chuckled.

"Your girl is beautiful," Jason said with some difficulty.

Johnny smiled. "I know, but so is yours. Eva loves you, Jason. She did everything she could save and protect you."

"Grateful."

"I'll let you give her one hug, but that's it."

"No hug for you."

Johnny grinned. "I've already hugged Elizabeth." His friend's eyes narrowed.

"Save all those hot looks for your wife," Piph said before adjusting Jason's blanket. "Now sleep, before I lay on you."

He touched her hand. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Eva spent another sleepless night. This time, they had dropped something in the hole with her that she couldn't see and thinking they were spiders, she screamed until she was hoarse and that is when James realizes that she is losing it.

"What do you want to do next?"

James drank some coffee. "I'm going to go see Elizabeth."

"I sent the video to your phone."

"Perfect…

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Elizabeth jumped when the door flew open.

"Good morning, Elizabeth."

He received a glare and chuckled as he moved into the room. "I hope you were comfortable."

She still wouldn't speak to him.

"Maybe if you are nicer to me, I'll be nicer to your darling friend."

"Where is she?"

"That's better. She is in a whole lot of trouble." He laughed at his joke. "Seriously, that was funny."

Liz rolled her eyes.

"Be nice or you'll find yourself in a hole as well."

Liz's stomach flipped. "You put her in a hole?"

"Yes, I did. She was exceptionally rude the last time I saw her, so I returned it in kind."

"Is she alive?"

"For now, but she's a little frazzled, to say the least." He held up a tablet and pushed play and Liz is horrified to hear Eva screaming and hurting herself to try to get what she thinks is spiders off of her. Noticing that she's half-naked, Liz wonders if they touched her inappropriately. "She probably won't last much longer. I gave her an out, but I don't know if she'll take it. I guess we'll see."

She's scared to ask him to elaborate.

"Are you going to let us go?"

"That depends on Sonny. I'm going to let Eva simmer for a few more days and then I'll reach out to him. As long as you behave, I don't plan on harming you, but If Sonny doesn't play my game, you'll all die."

"I'll tell you where Alexis is if you let us go."

He laughed heartily. "I'm afraid you are probably too late. I will be shocked if she is still alive. I don't need Alexis anymore because I have you and your friend. There are books on the shelf. Feel free to peruse them. You have nothing else better to do."

He left and Elizabeth began to cry for her friend. She just hopes Eva can survive whatever James has planned.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason is feeling a little better but his body is not moving as fast as he would like it to.

Robin moved into the room. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Why didn't she tell me?"

"She was protecting her family. She isn't even supposed to be here. Johnny was the only one who knew until right before this happened. I had told Sonny so they'd be protected. Robin…"

"I know."

"Do you? Why would you assume that I would want a relationship again?"

"Wishful thinking…"

"I don't think you understand how much you hurt me back then."

"But what you did to AJ…"

"I know what I did and why. Would I do it now? No, but at the time, I thought it was the best for Michael. AJ did a lot of things to himself."

"That's where I think you are wrong because usually when everyone thinks you're going to screw up, you prove them right. I'm not saying that AJ shouldn't be held responsible for his actions, but don't pretend that everything Carly put in motion didn't help him crash that train."

"I wouldn't. Now, I'd let him sink or swim on his own so he wouldn't use my actions as an excuse. After all, I've been through, I could have used the accident as an excuse for everything I've ever done, an accident AJ caused, but I don't. I whine about my brain damage. I did what it took to get past it and try to make a life for myself against all odds. Anyway, we're talking about you. I forgave you, but Robin that doesn't mean I forgot."

She gave him a watery smile. "I know. You never got back with Carly either. I guess I'm just one of the many people who have hurt you. I just hated that they made you lie when you always say you don't."

"No one forced me. I didn't like lying either. That whole situation cost me a lot more than you know. Elizabeth is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Ouch…"

"It's not a contest. You taught me a lot and I'd like to think that I helped you too."

"You did, maybe that's why you are so hard to leave behind."

"I have to believe that everything happened for a reason. We were so young and had so much to learn. I thank God every day that he gave me the family I have always wanted. The boys are so incredible."

"How old are they?"

"They are almost nine months now. I miss them so much. I'm scared they won't remember me."

"They will. If I know you, reading to them was probably on the top of your list, so they know your voice."

"Can you be happy for me?"

She wiped away a tear. "I'll try. I'm sorry if I went a little nutty. I guess I was just lonely and seeing you so helpless—you were easy to love."

He nodded.

"I'd like to meet them."

"I hope you get a chance to. Maybe you should stay away. It could get more dangerous. They could take you too."

She deeply inhaled. "No. I want to stay and help. I told Liz I wouldn't let anything happen to you and I meant it." She started to leave but stopped. "By the way, you owe me a set of new tires."

He couldn't help it and grinned.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

An hour later, Alan entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Like an old man…"

Alan chuckled. "It's going to be that way for a while. We're hoping the protocol will help, but you still will need some physical therapy."

Jason groaned and then got serious. "I heard everything you said to me."

Alan averted his gaze. "I figured as much."

"You stuck by me and tried to help. Maybe it's time we try to leave the past behind."

"I would love that chance. I won't let you down this time."

"I won't either."

"Do you need anything? I can get you some travel books."

"I have a feeling I'm going to be sleeping the next few days away."

Alan nodded. "It will help get you back on your feet faster."

"That's the only reason I'm doing it."

"Johnny is a wreck."

"I was asleep when he left."

"Monica threatened him and made him eat."

"Good."

Monica entered the room. "Did I hear my name?"

"Yes. I was mentioning Johnny."

Monica scowled. "He's a hot mess. I made him go home and shower."

Sonny moved into the room. "Welcome back."

"Thanks."

Monica and Alan left to give them some privacy.

"Any news?"

"No. Helena is torturing Alexis as we speak."

Jason's brow rose. "I'm surprised that she's still alive."

"I think Helena is really into torture."

"That doesn't surprise me. How is Kristina?"

"She cries, but I got her to play with me today."

"She'll come around. I'm glad you fought for her."

Sonny sighed. "I just hope I don't screw her up."

"That's your choice. Take your meds and think before you act and you'll be fine."

"You sound like you don't plan to be around."

"I don't. I'm taking my family home and that is where I'm staying."

Sonny nodded. "I figured as much."

"I think you knew it was coming."

"I did. That doesn't mean I like it."

"I'm not being rude, but I don't give a shit. Maybe if you had treated Alexis better and didn't throw her under the bus for Carly, things would have turned out better. You have Kristina now, so you have to make better choices. Although Alexis is a neurotic psycho, so she may have reacted the same anyway, but Kristina is going to be watching and learning from you. Just—think."

"Okay. Is the lecture over?"

"Yeah."

"Your wife—she's something else."

Jason slightly smiled. "She's incredible. That's why we need to do anything we can to get her back."

Frisco moved into the room. "That's where I come in."

Jason's brow furrowed.

"My daughter called me and I was the one that got her and your kids out of here. Imagine my surprise when I did some digging and found out you were the person she was protecting."

"Why are you here?"

"Always the conversationalist—lucky for you, she called in an emergency and told me the situation. James Craig is a very dangerous man. I hate that my daughter is mixed up in this mess and I want her out of it."

"What are you going to do?" Johnny asked from the doorway.

"I'm going to help find them. We have some leads we're chasing down and we're looking in remote places. I don't think he went that far."

"What do you want from us?

"Stay out of my way."

"No. The woman I love could be getting tortured. One of us should be there when you find them. They need to feel safe. I'm it.

Frisco rolled his eyes. "Fine, but you need to come with me now."

Johnny eyed Jason.

"Go. Bring our girls back, Johnny."

"I will."

They left and Sonny sat next to the bed. "I didn't see that coming."

"Me either, but I'm grateful. It's hard sitting here doing nothing when the woman I love is in danger."

"The only good thing is that Frisco wants Georgie away from us so he won't stop." Sonny rubbed the back of his neck. "Where are you going to recover?"

"I don't know. I don't think I could take a trip to Italy at this point."

"Maybe you and Liz can go where the kids are and stay for a week or two until you can travel further."

Jason nodded. "That just depends on where they are."

"Frisco didn't tell us."

Jason shook his head but hopes that they are someplace nice. The great thing about his boys is that they adapt pretty easily.