A/N – Thanks for the comments! Hope everyone in US had a safe holiday. It was weird having it in the middle of the week. Well, I can't repair that USB drive unless I pay almost 500.00, so I'm sucking it up and counting it as a painful loss. I only needed a couple files off it because the rest was backed up. Oh well. Unfortunately, that will set me back, so not sure how that will affect my posting. Worst come to worse, might have to drop one posting over the next few weeks because work is also going to be hectic. We'll see.
By the way, I posted a story to liason-stecky site in the mystery fic section. It will only appear there.
Chapter 7
As soon as he crossed the threshold of the door, Jason groaned loudly, making Johnny grin.
"What's up loser?"
"How did you get in here?"
"I was invited."
Sarah led him to the couch where he got comfortable.
"You're staring at me, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"I'll be fine."
"I'm just thinking of things I can do to terrorize you."
Johnny grinned. "You know you love me."
Sarah motioned for her sister to follow her.
"We may have to separate them," Liz said.
"Jason can probably out run him."
"You okay?"
"Yeah. I'm just tired. I'll go to bed early because I have a morning shift."
"Me too. I guess that means no staying up late and doing each other's makeup."
Sarah smiled fondly. "I miss that even though you made me look demented."
"Well…maybe it's because you are."
"Very funny."
Audrey breezed into the room. "Ladies…"
"Hey Grams," Sarah said before hugging her.
"I just changed the sheets in the rooms. I guilted Jason into staying one more night."
"Like you had to try hard," Liz said.
Sarah's eyes narrowed. "Is he trying to steal her?"
"Yup."
There is a knock, so Liz runs to get it.
"Hello," she said stepping back.
"Hello, my dear. How are you?"
"I'm great."
"And Jason?"
"He needs to go."
Lila's head tilted. "What did he do?"
"He's charming Gram out of her recipes which me and Sarah have never been successful at."
She giggled. "And she is probably loving it too."
Audrey smiled and gave her a hug. "How is my favorite person?"
"I'm wonderful."
"Come this way."
Lila followed her into the den where Jason is very happy to see her.
"Hello, grandmother."
She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Are you feeling better?"
"Yup. Audrey and Elizabeth are taking good care of me."
"Good. Johnny, may I have a hug."
"Always…"
Jason rolled his eyes.
She touched Johnny's face. "I worry about you."
"I'll be fine."
"I really hope so."
"It's nothing a Lila hug can't cure."
"Now, I'm really going to be sick," Jason said as Lila giggled and gave Johnny a big hug. Liz is loving that the tables have been turned.
"Is everyone hungry?" Audrey asked.
"Yes!" came a chorus of replies.
"What did you make?" Lila asked.
"Beef stew. I figured it was easy, so I put it in the crock pot earlier this morning. However, if that's too hard for Johnny, I have some meatloaf ready to go."
"I want to try to eat the stew. I'll just have to get used to it." His mouth is watering.
"Alright."
Everyone gathered at the table and Sarah helped Johnny get seated and then got him a bottled water, that way if he knocked it over reaching for it, then it wouldn't be a big deal.
"This looks delicious," Lila said as Audrey scooped some into each bowl.
"Thank you, Lila."
"Now be careful," she said to Johnny. "It's hot and I don't want you to burn your mouth."
"Okay."
Jason could tell that Johnny is on edge. "We won't be staring at you because we'll be too busy eating."
"Good to know."
Sarah slightly tapped her finger on the table to let him know she is about to touch him and then slipped her hand under the table and held his hand. They had worked out a system in advance.
As everyone started to eat, Johnny waited patiently, only distracted by listening to a story Lila is telling which she did on purpose to draw everyone's attention to her and away from him.
He felt around for his fork and then moved it where he thinks the bowl is and Sarah shifted her finger a little to left against his jeans and he adjusted and moved it down spearing a piece of meat. Slowly, he raised it and then Sarah squeezed his thigh to make him stop and he blew on it before finding his mouth.
Audrey smiled at his success and then sipped some water.
Johnny swallowed and let out a sigh of relief which everyone noticed, but didn't comment on. With Sarah's help, he did well, only dropping it once.
"Johnny, the broth is delicious. If you want to pick the bowl up, it might be easier."
"I'll tell you when to stop," Sarah said.
"Okay."
Liz asked Lila a few questions as Johnny continued and Sarah halted him and he found the edge of the bowl and then drank some.
"That's really good."
"I'm glad you like it."
Everyone is happy that he did well.
When they were finished, Audrey brought out a cake and surprising her, Johnny let Sarah feed it to him. She rewarded him with a kiss after every bite.
For Liz and Audrey, it's odd to see her with someone, so they are mesmerized by the pair.
When they excused themselves, so that Johnny could go rest, Audrey fixed her attention on Elizabeth.
"They seem very close already."
Liz nodded. "Yeah."
"He's a good man," Lila said, not sure if Audrey is going to object to the relationship.
"I just worry about her. She's vulnerable and has already gotten hurt badly." Both girls had taken to the men in their lives very quickly.
"I know, but sometimes you have to let go and let them find their own way."
Jason met Liz's gaze and moved his head in the direction of the den, so they headed there.
"It's hard letting go. They are my heart."
Lila slightly smiled. "I know the feeling. It would have been easy for me to do what everyone else did after Jason's accident and not let him make his own choices, but pulling back and just being there for him and accepting him as the new person he had become ended up being the best choice.
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Johnny smiled as he waited for Sarah to say something. "What? Are you staring at me?"
Oh, she more than staring. The word lust came to mind. "You want a kiss?"
"Yes, please."
She slowly edged towards him and then laid several soft kisses on his lips.
"Sarah…"
"Hmmm."
"You turn me on so much."
She slightly smiled. "Good to know."
He fisted her hair and kissed her thoroughly before pulling back and flopping against the pillows.
"You need to rest."
"I need you in my arms."
She kicked off her shoes and climbed next to him. "Better?"
"Yes." They had spent a lot of time talking and getting to know each other in the hospital. He likes her spirit and insightfulness. If someone had told him that he'd meet someone so special at a dive bar, he would have laughed. Despite his current condition, he is feeling grateful.
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Elizabeth and Jason are watching a travel show.
"I can't wait to go to Italy."
"It's one of my favorite places."
She turns to look at him. "Tell me all about it."
"I really like the vibe and there is so much tradition. After the accident, I would just take off and go places, until my family cut off my trust fund."
Her eyes grew wide.
"They reinstated it after I got myself together, but it was a point of contention for a while. At first, I didn't want anything from them and then, I just wanted to treat them badly so they'd leave me be. Anyway, I ended up in the Tuscany area and I loved it. The food is very good and I actually got a job at a repair shop, but Edward ended up having me kidnapped. That was right before I met Johnny."
She let the kidnapping slide for now. "Can you speak Italian?"
"Enough to get by."
She smiled. "You've led a very interesting life."
"Yeah."
She sat up and faced him before crossing her legs. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Anything."
"Why have you stayed single? I know you were with Robin at one point."
"I guess I hadn't met the right person. I'm pretty closed off from the world. I fight fires and I go back to my place and chill. Sometimes, Johnny makes me go to Jake's. We're a team and that means socializing with each other occasionally. It helps because you get to know one another and how everyone thinks. When you're in a fire, you have to trust each other and know how we react and interact. I'm quiet, but in a fire, I can be bossy."
She smiled. "What's it like when you know you have to run into a burning building."
"It's hard to explain. There are a million things running through your mind. You have to put your trust in your training and equipment. We have a sense of obligation and loyalty to each other and you don't want to do something stupid to endanger their lives or any civilians. My job and being the best that I can be mean everything to me. I never run into a building thinking that I won't come out."
"That seems like a lot of responsibility."
He shrugged. "It's just my job."
"Are you ever scared?"
"Most of the time, I'm not. My adrenaline is pumping and I'm like a machine. I get in and out if there are people trapped. I try to think like the fire, but sometimes, it is a monster and yes, I've been scared, I just don't sit in that fear. I keep moving and focus."
"Has anyone you've worked with died?"
"No, not since I've been on the job. We've just had injuries. There has been a string of fires that have been bad and we think they are purposely being set."
Liz swallows hard. "So, someone is trying to kill firemen?"
"Possibly, but we're not saying much about it because we don't want to clue anyone in. There are some federal investigators sniffing around."
"I won't say anything."
"Thank you. I really like you, Elizabeth."
She smiled. "I like you a lot too."
"Can I have a ride in the morning? Noah wants me in early because he has a couple of surgeries. Once I'm cleared, I'll head to the station."
"Are you up for it?"
"Yes. I don't have any headaches or anything."
"Okay."
Sarah entered the rooms with some pillows and blankets. "Hope I'm not interrupting."
"You're fine," Jason said.
She spread out a sheet on the floor and threw two pillows down.
"You want me to walk you upstairs?" Liz asked.
Jason nodded. "Goodnight."
Sarah smiled. "Goodnight."
Once they made it up to the room, Jason went to the bathroom and then Elizabeth tucked him in.
"I'm getting used to this service."
"I kind of like having you in my bed."
He grinned. "It's not the same without you in it."
"True."
"Are you going to read me a story?"
She tapped her lip a few times. "There once was a very hot—I mean smoking hot, fireman that all the ladies lusted after."
"What happened to him? And does this involve a really hot nurse?"
She chuckled. "Hold your horses. As I was saying, the scorching hot fireman lit a fire under the hot nurse when he walked into Jake's. His eyes were as blue as the ocean and she wondered how soft his lips are."
"I'm sure he'd be willing to show her."
"She sauntered up to him and sized him up." Elizabeth leaned closer. "After crooking her finger a few times to urge him to closer…"
After a minute, he frowned when she didn't continue. "What happened?"
Liz shrugged. "I don't remember."
He grabbed her and started tickling and she squealed before he took her mouth. After a few minutes of passion, she pulled back to catch her breath.
"Well?"
"They are very soft. Yum." Quickly darting away, she waved. "Goodnight, Jason."
"Goodnight, beautiful."
With that, she headed downstairs.
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Sarah smiled and patted the space next to her. "It has been a long time since we've hung out like this."
Liz laid next to her. "I know. It was nice having the day off."
"I agree. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Do you think I'm crazy for waiting to have sex?"
"No. You did what you had to do. Are you questioning it?"
"Johnny kind of makes me question everything."
Liz grinned. "That good?"
"Yeah. I really like him."
"I'm happy for you. Just take your time and do what you think is right for you." She reached up and turned off the light.
"Do you ever think about Patrick?"
"I did for a long time, but I finally let that go."
"I like Jason better."
Liz smiled. "Yeah, me too."
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The next morning, Sarah helped Johnny get downstairs and then Audrey took over. After feeding everyone, she said goodbye to Jason.
"You know, you're welcome here anytime."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hardy. That means a lot to me."
"Don't overdo it."
He slightly smiled. "I'll try not to."
"Good." She watched him follow her granddaughters out of the house and then returned to the den. "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine," Johnny said.
"When is your doctor's appointment?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"Alright, here is the remote and a bell. You know what to do."
He smiled. "Thank you."
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Jason moved inside the fire station and let out the breath he was holding.
"Hey man!" Max said before patting him on the back. "What are you doing here?"
"You know I couldn't stay away. How is your brother?"
"He's being spoiled. How is Johnny?"
"The same… Audrey Hardy is probably fattening him up as we speak."
Sonny approached them and gave Jason a hug. "You look good."
"I feel a lot better."
"Good food and women will do that to you."
"I can't disagree with that."
Francis hurried to his side. "It's good to see you. Have you killed Johnny yet?"
"Sarah would have probably clawed my eyes out if I had tried."
"I never saw that coming."
"They are close."
Francis moved him towards a chair.
"I'm not tired."
"Yeah, well, too bad."
Jason sat and everyone pulled up a chair. "Has the investigator been back?"
Max shook his head. "No."
"Any new suspicious fires?"
"Nothing yet," Francis said. They are all on high alert.
"Make sure you have a partner if you go inside, I'm not sure why this person is doing this, but until we figure it out, we're all in danger."
Francis cleared his throat. "I've been thinking. Our station has been involved in most of the suspicious fires which makes me think we are definitely being targeted."
"We have to figure this out."
A couple of cars pull up and several men get out. They watch as the other shift moves inside.
"You're early," Sonny said before standing and greeting them.
"We thought you could use a hand," Brian said.
"Hey," Logan said as he shook Jason's hand. "It's good to see you."
"Thanks."
"That was a close call," Cooper said. "I'm glad to see you're back."
"He's not officially working. I want a doctor's note," Sonny said.
Jason groaned.
Ric smiled. "I forgot how much you hate hospitals."
"Yeah."
"Maybe you should stop conjuring up excuses to see Epiphany," Nathan said.
Jason chuckled. "You got me. It's all about Piph."
"We were thinking of asking her if she wanted to come over to the hot side," Logan said.
"She could look at the fire and scare it away," Max said.
They laughed until they turned and jumped because Epiphany was standing in the doorway.
"Don't make me take back this food."
Jason grinned. "Piph, I missed you."
She shook her head. "I will find a dunk tank right now."
When she moved closer, Jason's eyes lit up when he saw Elizabeth and a few other nurses carrying various containers.
"Wow, you guys really went out of your way," Ric said.
"Well, we want to thank you for all your hard work," Piph said.
Francis grabbed a brownie. "Holy crap these are good."
"Thanks," Elizabeth said.
"You made these?" Jason asked.
"Yup. I couldn't sleep last night, so I baked and Sarah kept me company."
He took a bite. "They are really good."
She blushed.
Everyone moved into the kitchen to put things away.
Diane yelled, "Anyone home?"
Francis hurried towards her. "Hello."
"Hi. I have some friends with me that I picked up in the driveway." She stepped to the side and several kids moved forward. "They drew some get well cards for everyone that was injured."
"Well, that is very, very nice."
Their mothers hovered in the background.
"Is Mr. Johnny going to get better?" a little girl asked.
"We think so."
"Good, cause he gave us a ride on the truck last week," a little boy said.
Francis grinned. "I know. I was driving. Guess what?"
"What?"
"Jason got hurt, but he's here today."
Their eyes grew bigger.
Jason moved towards them. "Hey guys."
"Hi, Jason," they said in chorus.
"I saw Johnny this morning and he sees the doctors tomorrow, but he's doing okay."
The kids handed him some cards.
"Can you give him one? You can keep one too."
"Sure and Max can make sure Milo gets one."
"Cool!"
The moms and dads corralled them back outside.
Jason studied the top card. "Well, they got one thing right."
"What's that?" Diane asked as she peaked around him.
"Johnny's head is really big."
Max cracked up. "It is ginaormous. I don't know how he holds it up."
"You would think it would bobble," Logan added.
They mimicked a bobble head as everyone laughed.
"You know you miss the big lug," Sonny said.
"That, I seriously doubt," Cooper said. Johnny was always playing jokes on them.
Sonny pulled Diane around a corner and kissed her passionately. "Hey."
She grinned. "Hey." Seeing her handsome man always makes her smile.
