A/N – Thanks for the comments! They are always appreciated!
Chapter 17
Elizabeth sadly stared at the two pictures propped on easels as the service came to an end. Zander had his whole life ahead of him and it's so sad that it was so violently taken from him. Cook—he could never really be replaced in the hearts of the Quartermaines who he had been so loyal too. The man had become part of the family and the many tears shed by them is an indication of how much he was valued.
Lost in thought, Jason remembered the first time that his gaze had met with Zander's. The fear, desperation, and a flicker of hope that he might make it when there was so much death and devastation all around him were evident. No matter how hard he tried, the image of the man pinned under that ceiling is one he'll never forget.
Liz squeezed his hand and they slowly stood. As people walked by Jason, who is sitting on the aisle, they touched his arm or whispered their thanks for his service. He is barely able to quell the tears and is relieved when they finally slipped into the aisle and made their way to a tent.
Cameron had attended and when Elizabeth neared him, she rushed into his arms and hugged him.
"I am so sorry for your loss," she said warmly.
"It has been difficult knowing I can't call or interact with him anymore."
"Tell me about him."
Cameron slightly smiled. "He was pig-headed and determined. I can't tell you how many times he got detention or skipped school, but once he graduated, he seemed to focus more and wanted to be a better person. Finally, he had turned his life around and was taking college courses and had hope for the future which was shaken away from him that day. I'm trying not to be bitter, but it's hard."
Jason averted his gaze, not sure what to say, but his heart aching none the less.
"Jason, thank you again for giving me time to say goodbye. He died knowing how proud of him I am and that he is loved. I wasn't always good with words, but I made sure that he knew and regret that I didn't say it more before it was too late."
"You said it when it counted. He was so brave and strong. I wish we could have gotten to him sooner."
Cameron gripped Jason's right shoulder. "You're a hero, Jason. My son thought so as well as everyone here. You did the best you could, and it mattered. It's never easy to lose someone you love, but at least I had time with him. Don't be too hard yourself."
Jason looked him in the eyes. "I won't if you won't."
"How about we both try?"
"Deal."
Liz sighed with relief. Hopefully, the talk will help Jason grieve. "I don't know about you two, but I need chocolate."
They followed her gaze to a dessert table.
"What kind of pie is that?" Cameron asked.
"I think there is apple and peach cobbler."
His mouth watered. "I'll race you over there."
Liz chuckled. "Oh, who's that?" She pointed and the men turned their head and she made a dash for it.
Cameron smirked. "She played us."
Jason smiled. "Get used to it."
A few hours later, after everyone but the family had left, Jason held up a glass. "To Zander and Cook. May they rest in peace knowing that they were loved."
Everyone drank and then they headed into the mansion.
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Anthony slams down his phone. Five lawsuits have already been filed and the enormity of the situation finally starts to sink in. This can financially ruin him. All his hard work could go up in smoke.
There's a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The P.I. he hired enters the room.
"Mr. Zacchara, here are some pictures from last night. Your daughter was at Jake's."
Anthony is livid when he sees Johnny. "Did they leave together?"
"No. He left with another girl. Her name is Sarah Webber."
"Is this it?"
"Yes. He told her to call him if she wants to talk. That's the only thing I could overhear."
"Keep following her."
He left and Anthony briskly rubbed his hands over his face. If Johnny doesn't stay away from his daughter, he's going to be in big trouble.
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Elizabeth side as she looked at her watch for the twentieth time. Her shift is almost over and she can't wait to get to the firehouse. The time had come for the charity pictures the guys had promised to do after the carnival. They had thought about putting it off for a little while longer because of the quake, but the decided a little fun might cheer everyone up.
Sarah smiled as she handed her sister a file. They had been relocated, so they tried to keep things organized as much as possible." Are you as excited as I am?"
Liz nod. "Oh yeah…"
Kelly breezed by. "Ten minutes…"
They grinned.
"Will there be anyone left on staff?" Liz said.
Epiphany stepped into the hub. "I sure as hell won't be. I have plans for our man."
Sarah giggled.
Epiphany's eyes narrowed. "Something is different about you."
Sarah made a face. "You think?"
"She did have an extra pep in her step today," Robin said.
"This has to be the longest day of the year," Kelly said as he walked by again. "I'm going to go sweet talk the tech guy into fast forwarding or something." She froze and turned around and then perused Sarah up and down. "Oh—my—God! You did it, didn't you?"
Everyone is staring at her as she turns beet red.
"Hell has frozen over," Epiphany said.
Kelly grabs Sarah's hand and they all move to a quiet corner.
"How was it?" Kelly asked.
"Did you like it?" Robin asked.
"Did he rock your world?" Epiphany added.
Liz hushed them. "Let her talk." She pinned her sister with a glare. "Well?"
Sarah stopped biting her lip and then the most mischievous smile lit up her face. "It hurt at first and then it was freaking fabulous. I never wanted to stop. Of course if I didn't, I'd probably be walking funny, but damn it was good."
Kelly grinned. "You go girl…"
"He told me he would have waited as long as I needed. Everything out of his mouth made me swoon."
There is a chorus of ahs.
"I'm really happy for you," Epiphany said.
"It's about time," Robin said. "Did you scream his name?"
"Over and over…"
Epiphany's eyes grew wide and finally Sarah noticed.
"Oh, God, is he standing behind me?"
Slowly she turned on her heel and is stunned to see her Grams whose head is tilted.
"Exactly whose name were you screaming, Sarah and why?"
Kelly thought Sarah was going to pass out. She kept stuttering and finally, Epiphany couldn't stand it and busted out laughing and Kelly and Robin joined her.
"This isn't funny!" Sarah said rushing away.
Audrey started to chuckle, making Liz's eyes widen.
"Grams, why did you mess with her like that?"
"It was too easy."
Liz shook her head and they got back to work, hoping it would make the time go faster. When the clock finally said 3:30 P.M., they made a mad dash to the locker room to get changed and then headed out.
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Epiphany rolled her eyes. "Jason, I know you're in there. It's your turn."
"I'm not coming out, not like this."
"Oh, come on! Do it for the kids," Kelly yelled.
"Nope…"
Liz chuckled into her hand as the women turned to look at her. "Don't look at me."
"Go get him!" Robin said.
"If I walk into that room, I might not come out for another hour." There is a huge possibility that her man is half naked and no one could resist that.
Kelly rolled her eyes. "Damn sated women." Johnny and Sarah are making out in the corner. "They are like freaking bunnies." She is sure that Sarah will probably be knocked up in a matter of weeks if she wasn't already.
"Jason Morgan!" Piph yelled. "If I have to come in there, you're going to be sorry."
A string of muffled curse words left his lips and then everyone gasped as he stepped out of the dressing area.
"Holy shit," Kelly muttered.
Elizabeth licked her lips as her body involuntarily shuddered.
"You are the luckiest woman on earth," Piph said.
Robin pretended to fan herself as an indignant Jason moved forward, his bottom half only covered with a short, makeshift towel made of a reflective fire blanket looking kind of like Tarzan.
"If he only he had long, porn hair," Kelly whispered.
"You're killing me," Epiphany muttered.
Max snorted and Milo cracked up at the look on Jason's face.
His icy glare shut them up and then he stared down Piph who is slightly perspiring. "Can we get this over with, please?"
The photographer moved towards him. "Um, stand over there." She is feeling hot under the collar too. Jason's body is magnificent and she is sure that his glare is perfect for the shot she wants.
He humored her even though he wanted to run screaming from the building.
His upper torso is oiled and the lights were bright, making it hard for him to see, but he figured that might be a good thing.
She began shouting out directions and taking pictures, having him move the position of his hands and arms. He looked away, gazed down, closed his eyes, and looked up until he was ready to smash the camera into pieces.
Frustrated, the woman gave him a brief break and he chugged some water and then right before it was time to start again, a hand settled on his back and he instantly knew it was her. Candace, the photographer, had pleaded with Liz to try and get Jason to look more comfortable. Finally, she stepped around him and met his fiery gaze. "You look so damn hot. I want to rip that off and take you into my mouth so badly."
His eyes narrowed as he considered that.
"When you're gazing into that camera, think about taking off my clothes and fucking me senseless. Imagine me screaming your name, because later, I will over and over." Her finger made a trail down his chest and then she sashayed back to the girls.
"What did you say to him?" Piph asked.
"I'll never tell."
Kelly chuckled. "You go girl."
The gleam in Jason's eyes made all the girls suck in a breath and Candace started snapping.
"Sex on a stick," Piph sighed.
"He has to be huge," Kelly added.
"No comment," Robin said.
Max, Milo, and Francis quickly headed in the opposite direction, not wanting to know.
"That's good, baby," Elizabeth called out, making his eyes narrow.
Candace grinned. This is going to be a best seller.
"So good," Kelly yelled.
Liz smacked her on the arm.
"What? You know it is."
Johnny and Sarah broke apart for a second and glanced over the group, wondering what all the commotion is and Johnny is stunned.
"What the hell is he wearing?"
Sarah grinned. "I don't know, but he looks hot as hell."
His mouth drops open as his attention is drawn back to her. "You think Jason is hot?"
She rolled her eyes. "Me and most of the female population, but the man standing in front of me is even hotter."
He smiled. "Good answer." They began to snog again, letting everything around them fade away.
Finally, Jason was allowed to change into his protective pants and some suspenders and they all gathered for the group shot. Once that was done, Piph handed them some shirts. "Put them on."
"Gladly," they said at once.
A few kids filed into the room.
"These are kids who have affected by local fires or the earthquake. They were saved due to your efforts."
The guys didn't know what to say. They got on their knees and the kids went up to them and gave them presents. Jason got a stuffed dog and a hug, which was captured on film. There would be a collage of the guys with the kids on the back of the calendar. It just put everything in perspective and the men felt so humbled. Some of the kids had been burned badly, but they are survivors. Their parents stepped forward and shook hands with the men and thanked them.
Once the meet and greet was finished, Liz strode to her man and gave him a kiss. "I'm so proud of you."
Jason slightly blushed. "I love you."
Liz threw her arms around his neck. "I love you so much."
Piph grinned. "Did you get that shot?"
Candace nodded. "Yup, I'll email it to her."
"Thanks."
Jason and Liz's smiles practically lit up the room they were so happy. Jason is so head over heels in love that he can barely focus on anything else.
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One Week Later
Elizabeth waited for her sister to process what she told her about Patrick.
"Wow. I mean—that's horrible."
"I know. I feel so bad for him. He gets headaches that are quite debilitating."
"Is there any way to relieve them?"
"They are trying some experimental medication, but so far none have done the trick."
Sarah pulls her sister into her arms. "I'm sorry. I know you still care about him."
"I do and I don't want him to go through this alone."
"And where does Jason fit into this scenario?"
"He trusts me."
"Do you trust yourself?"
Liz makes a strangled noise. "If you're asking me if I could fall back in love with Patrick, the answer is no because my heart is full of Jason and I'm not willing to let him go."
Sarah smile. "That's exactly what I want to hear. Just be careful, because Patrick will probably use to this to get you back."
"He knows where my heart lies."
"That won't stop him from trying. Jason might be a patient man, but there's only so much a person can take."
Liz started to pace. "I know. He's been great, but I try not to push it."
"Patrick was at G.H. last night doing a consult. He was flirting as much as he used to."
"I think he's trying to prove to me that he has changed. He still insists that he didn't cheat and apologized for all the flirting."
Sarah rolled her eyes.
"How is it going with Johnny?"
"He is absolutely yummy. I'm really tempted to go back to the place we got busted at."
Liz's eyes widened. "Seriously?"
"Oh yeah. I've been doing a lot of research on the internet. I want to get some handcuffs and edible stuff—oh, and some crotchless underwear."
Liz's mouth dropped open. "Who are you and what have you done to my sister?"
Sarah laughed. "Haven't you ever wanted to experiment?"
Liz smirked. "When do you want to go?"
"We're off tonight since our men are on duty."
"Let's go around 10:30."
"Deal."
