A/N – Thanks so much for the comments! * kcke2pen – Andrea is very complicated. A lot of people don't seek out therapy and just shove everything down. This will be a wakeup call for her. * kikimoo – so true re: trauma! * arcoiris0502 – lol hint hint…already written my dear J. Patience. In fact, you guys will have to have a lot of patience because it will be quite a while before Liason fully happens.
Chapter 14
Emily returned, and Dante helped Jason sit up so he could take a few sips.
"I have to go, but I'll see you the next time I have some time off," she said.
"See you next year."
Emily grinned. "It's not that bad, hopefully, it will just be a couple of days."
"Later."
She left and Dante finished up. After he left, Johnny entered the room.
"Can I get you anything?"
"No. Emily got me some water, I'm fine. Why are you home?"
"Elizabeth was delayed and she didn't want to leave you by yourself."
"I'm fine."
"You're still having debilitating headaches. It's not safe."
"Well, if you need to leave, I can call Alice. She left me her number."
Johnny turned to leave. "Okay."
"I offered to go."
Slowly Johnny faced him. "And?"
"Elizabeth is having a hard time right now."
Johnny bristled underneath the surface. "I know."
"I agreed to stay a little while longer, until she gets her bearings."
"You know Jason, I don't hate you. You were a victim as much as she was. I just hate this situation, but if you being here is what she needs to heal, then I'll deal."
"If there is anything I can do for you, let me know."
"You could put in a good word with your grandfather. I've been trying to get into ELQ," he said half seriously.
Jason's right brow went up. "You're probably lucky I don't have my memory back yet."
Johnny slightly smiled.
"Done."
"Jason…."
"No. It's okay. I'll talk to him. From what I understand, he owes me one."
"Thanks."
He left and Jason got out his phone and texted Monica.
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Epiphany walked into Jeff's office and shut the door. "Alright, spill."
"Is it that obvious?"
She shot him a look. "You yelled at two of my nurses and managed to piss off several doctors. Before they put a hit out on you, I figured that I better intervene."
He put his head in his hands. "I'm sorry. I had it out with my wife yesterday."
"I'm listening."
"She said she didn't sleep with him."
"Do you believe her?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. She's kind of in your face. It's probably true, but it doesn't make me feel any better."
"Did you kick her out."
A slow smirk graced his face. "Yes."
Epiphany chuckled. "It felt good didn't it?"
"Yes and no. I don't know what to do. Should it matter that she didn't sleep with him even though it was clearly her intent?"
"That can either still be considered a deal breaker or a wake-up call."
"If I go back, things will have to be a lot different."
"And what if she can't be the person you hope she can be?"
He threw up his hands. "Then we're done."
"You know, you don't have to rush this decision. Talk to her."
"Maybe I don't want her to talk me out of it."
"There's always marriage counseling."
He groaned.
"It's not for everyone, but I know you. If you don't do your due diligence, you won't be able to move on." She got how his brain worked.
"You're right."
"You two fell in love and thirty years is a long time to be together. You've been going through a rough patch. In the end, you both need to figure out if divorcing is the answer."
"Breaking commitments is hard for me. If she would just let me in, I think we might stand a chance."
"We all deserve to be happy."
"But, you're not. Are you?"
She smiled. "You're very observant."
"You are not that hard to read. I will try not to be so snippy."
"You might want to consider going home, because she'll be here in two hours for her shift."
Jeff cursed under his breath.
"I looked at the schedule and you don't have another surgery until tomorrow. Get out of here and do something to take your mind off things."
He looked dumfounded, making her shake her head.
"Fine. We'll go out to lunch then."
"Deal."
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Elizabeth walked into Jason's room to find the bed empty. "Jason?"
"I'm in the bathroom. Can you help me?" Washing up was harder than he thought it would be.
She walked into the doorway and found a shirtless Jason sitting on the toilet. "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to wash up. Can you do my back?"
Johnny had a great body, but he was really lean. Jason was thicker and his chest was to die for.
"Okay."
She took the washcloth out of his hand and rinsed it and then put some soap on it. Dante had given him a grabbing device which helped him pull his shorts on. It was quite handy, but it still took some maneuvering. Carefully, she moved around his leg and gasped.
"What?"
"Your back is black and blue."
"It doesn't hurt much."
Gently, she washed and then rinsed it and then wiped his leg and foot. Jason closed his eyes and tried not to think about the fact she was touching him.
"Thanks."
"No problem." She helped him get into a fresh shirt and that was the only time she heard him groan because of the pain.
Afterwards, she grabbed his crutches and helped him get back into bed.
"I'm never going to want to be in a bed again."
She laughed. "I'm sure you can find some fun things to do in it that will change your mind.
He looked at her devilishly and she laughed harder.
"I like it when you smile."
"Ditto."
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Edward nervously stood outside the doors of the penthouse. He figured that Jason wanted answers and he really wasn't looking forward to giving them to him given his part in all of it. Normally, he wouldn't have come because of his pride, but he knew that if he told Lila, she'd be really disappointed with him. Tentatively, he knocked.
Elizabeth opened the door and was quite shock. "Mr. Quartermaine."
"That's Edward, my dear. How are you?"
"Fine." She looked thoroughly confused, making Edward chuckled. "Are you here to see Jason?"
"Yes. He arranged it."
Now she really didn't know what to think. "Well, come in."
He followed her to Jason's bedroom.
"Um, Edward Quartermaine is here to see you." Her eyes were wide and she clearly was perplexed.
Jason slightly smiled. "Send him in."
Edward pushed past her. "Thank you."
Liz pointed to a chair and then stepped into the hallway.
Edward looked at Jason's leg which was propped up on a large wedge. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay."
"Do you remember?"
"No."
"Then why?"
Jason waited for him to get settled. "From what I understand, you more than owe me one."
"Go on."
"First, apparently you gave my mother some money to disappear without my father's knowledge."
"That's correct."
"Why?"
"She had caused a lot of trouble blackmailing us. I was trying to protect my family."
"Aren't I your family?"
"I honestly didn't believe that she was even pregnant. She had lied to us so much that I thought she was playing us again."
"So instead of waiting to find out the truth or making her take a test, you deprived me of my father and vice versa."
Edward sighed. "Clearly, I was reacting out of emotion and I was wrong. I can't go back Jason. I had good reasons not to believe a word that came out of her mouth. When she brought you back and the test was conclusive, we were all shocked. After that, you didn't want anything to do with us and then we found out she was dying. I paid for her hospital bills and the funeral. It was the least I could do."
Jason didn't even know what to say to that. "I'm not making any decision regarding you until I have my memory back, but I need a favor."
"What? Do you need money?"
"No. That's not it. Look, Elizabeth and Johnny have taken care of me. I want you to hear him out on his business proposal. I'm not saying that you have to say yes to it, because I don't pretend to know anything about it. Do you think you could meet with him and give him a fair chance?"
Edward was aware that Johnny wanted a meeting. "I'm pretty set in my ways. I don't really understand all the new high tech gadgetry. I've partly put him off because I feel like what we have is working."
"Well, just like technology evolves, so do the people trying to steal from you. Hear him out. Have someone in the meeting with you that does understand. It can't hurt."
Edward studied his grandson. He was so smart. If only Jason would have been willing to learn how to run the company. He would have been good at it. "It means that much to you?"
"Yes. I don't know how to explain it, let's just say that if I were in Johnny's shoes, I don't think I would be okay with another man moving in with his girlfriend. I feel like I owe him."
"Alright, I'll agree with the meeting. Tell him to call my secretary."
"Thank you."
Jason's head started pounding and his jaw clenched.
"Elizabeth!" Edward yelled.
She ran into the room and went to Jason's side. "Jason?"
Pictures fluttered into his head and then everything just went black.
She grabbed her phone and called Patrick.
"Elizabeth?"
"Jason passed out. His jaw was clenched and I could see his eyes moving rapidly under his lids."
"Take his pulse." Patrick put his hand over the phone and ran towards Epiphany. "I need to make a house call. I'll be right back."
"Jason?"
"Yes."
"It's a little fast," Liz said.
"And his breathing?"
"Pretty even."
"I'm on my way."
She ended the call. "Patrick is on his way over here."
"What can I do?"
"Can you wet a wash cloth in the bathroom?"
Edward got up quickly.
"Jason. You have to wake up. I need to know that you're okay."
Edward handed it to her and watched as Elizabeth wiped the sweat off his brow.
"You care a lot about my grandson, don't you?"
"Yes. He saved my life. We're friends."
"Are you sure that's it?"
She glanced at him. "I'm with Johnny."
"I know, but sometimes things happen that defy explanation. You both were in an extreme situation. Those usually tear you apart or bring you closer together."
"He keeps me sane and I hope I do the same for him."
Jason's started to come to. "Elizabeth?"
"I'm right here."
"Remembered something."
Her mouth dropped open.
"Mom. I remembered my mom."
Liz smiled. "Was it a good memory."
His eyes were full of tears. "Yes."
"I called Patrick. He's on his way over here."
"Can I speak to Edward alone again?"
"Okay." She really didn't want to leave him, but left anyway.
"What is it?"
Jason took a deep breath. "I didn't remember everything, but I do know that they said there was insurance that covered the funeral."
"I asked them to lie to you because I knew you wouldn't accept anything from me. I'm sorry. I didn't want you saddled with debt."
"I understand."
"Do you really?"
"I don't like what you did. I get you were trying to protect your family, but in the process, you hurt me badly. I don't know how to get past that. I'm sure that once I remember everything, I'm not going to be happy with you at all. I guess we'll have to hash it out. I can't predict how I'm going to react."
"Okay. That is fair enough. Family is very important to me. Sometimes, I make mistakes. All parents do. I'm just hoping that we can settle this once and for all. I would like nothing more than to get to know you and I know my son feels the same way."
Edward walked out and passed Elizabeth on his way out. "Thank you for taking such good care of my grandson."
"Tell Lila I said hello."
"I will."
Liz hurried into the bedroom. "What the heck was that all about?"
Jason smiled. "I called him to get Johnny an interview."
She looked at him incredulously.
"I figured that I owed him one."
"That was very nice."
"Can I borrow your phone to call him?"
Liz dialed the number.
"Hey beautiful."
She smiled. "Hi. Jason wants to talk to you."
"Okay."
Jason took the phone. "Hey Johnny. I met with Edward and he is willing to meet with you. Just give his secretary a call."
Johnny grinned. "Wow. You work fast. Thank you, Jason."
"You're welcome."
Liz took the phone back. "Will you be joining us for dinner?"
"Unfortunately, not tonight. I have a dinner meeting."
"Okay. Call when you get home."
"I will."
She ended the call and then ran to the door where Patrick was standing.
"How is he?"
"Coherent. He remembered something."
Patrick followed behind her. "Hey. I understand that brain of yours kicked in a little."
Jason nodded. "I remembered my mom."
Patrick did some eye tests. "A lot?"
"It was like a bunch of pictures going through my head and then when I woke up, I did remember some conversations and information. It was the time period after she moved us here."
"Okay. Tell me about when you passed out."
"I got a blinding headache, like a stabbing pain on my right temple. I couldn't move. It was like everything in my body clenched. Then I saw the pictures and blacked out."
"Well, I'll be seeing you soon for a scan. Are you in pain now?"
"It's a dull ache."
"I don't think you'll black out every time, but it's a hard thing to predict. There is so much about the brain we don't know. Every person is different. Your heart rate sounds good and you're not slurring. I don't think you need to go to the hospital."
"Okay."
Patrick put his things away. "Alright, hang in there. I'm glad you're starting to remember."
"Me too." He had been scared that he wouldn't remember his mom. If he didn't remember anything else, at least he had that.
Liz walked Patrick out. "He scared the crap out of me."
"I'm glad you were here."
"Are you sure he'll be okay?"
"Yes. If you need anything, you know you can call."
She gave him a hug and he left.
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A few days later, Johnny knocked on Liz's door and when she opened it, she was twirled around.
"What in the world has gotten into you?"
"We have a hot date tonight."
"Really?"
"Edward is willing to let me access his security software. When I point out the holes, because there always is, he won't hesitate to buy my product."
"Congratulations."
He kissed her reverently. "So, can we go out on a date?"
"Well, I'll need to find someone to sit with Jason."
"I've gotten that taken care of too. Go get dressed."
She smiled at his exuberance. "Alright."
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. "Hey."
Kelly smiled. "Hi."
"Come in."
"This is a very nice place."
"Yeah. She did a great job decorating it."
"Where is the patient?"
"Follow me."
He led her to the room and Jason smiled when he saw her. "Hello."
"Hi."
"I'm taking Elizabeth out to dinner. I ran into Kelly at the hospital and thought maybe she'd like to hang out."
Jason was surprised. "So you are my babysitter?"
"Yes and you better not be bad or no dessert."
Jason smiled. "Very funny."
Johnny left and went into Elizabeth's room who had just pulled on a dress.
"Can you zipper me up?"
"Sure."
"How do I look."
"Gorgeous as always. I hope you're hungry."
"Let me ask Jason if he wants us to bring something back."
"It's okay. I already ordered. Kelly will handle it."
"Kelly?"
"Yeah. I ran into her and she was asking about him."
Liz walked into the bathroom to check her makeup and fiddle with her hair.
"Are you mad?"
"No. It's fine." It had taken her a little off guard. "Let me just grab a little purse."
He watched her switch items from her larger purse to the smaller one and then she took his hand and he led her out.
