A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked the memorial! Liz is not running away from anything. It's not negative. She just needs some resolution and wanted to do it on her own terms. It has nothing to do with Jason.

Chapter 62

Andrea listened intently as Jason filled them in. "She could be anywhere."

"And you said that she was fine this morning?"

"Yes."

"I spoke to her at the hospital, and she said she was getting over a bug, but felt a lot better," Jeff said.

"She's been sick, but she was feeling better today," Jason explained.

The door burst open and Sarah, Francis, and Trevor strode towards them.

"Have you heard anything?" Sarah asked.

Jason shook his head. "No."

"Well she didn't just disappear." She whipped out her phone and waited for someone to pick up. "Spinelli? We need your help. Elizabeth has disappeared and we can't find her. Can you check and see if she used a plane, bus, or train to get out of here? Her car is still in the garage."

Spinelli agreed and she hung up the phone.

"If anyone can find her, it will be him.

Andrea noted that Jason looked like he was about to lose it. She grabbed his arm and made him sit. "We will leave for Audrey's in a few minutes. Until then, everyone needs to put on their thinking cap. Where would she go?"

That was the million-dollar question.

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John ran into the airport. A few flights had just left and when he didn't see her, he made a call to his computer geek. He plopped into a chair and then a thought popped into his head and suddenly, he just knew. It had to be it. He ran to a counter and tried to purchase any ticket he could going West. Finally, they found a seat for him and he quickly bought it and went to the security line. His flight left in a half hour so they rushed him through. By the time he got to the gate, they were about to close the doors, so he just made it. Elizabeth had about an hour jump on him. He just hoped his instincts were right. Dialing his phone, he left a message for Jason. The reception was spotty and he wasn't sure he would get through, but he left one anyway and then put his phone on airplane mode.

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When everyone got to Audrey's, they realized that John hadn't shown up. Jason checked his messages, but couldn't understand it.

Steven listened as Jason put his phone in speaker mode. "I can't make it out either."

"I think he's flying somewhere," Audrey said.

"Dammit!" Jason said loudly.

Sarah got back on the phone and gave Spinelli the information and about ten minutes later, he called back. "John bought a ticket to Los Angeles, CA. Why would she go there?"

Jeff wiped his hands over his face while his wife sat beside him at a loss of words.

"Does she have friends there?" Jason asked.

Jeff sighed. "It's not that."

"Then what?"

"Sophie is buried there," Andrea said softly.

Jason stood and called Edward. "I need to get to California. Please, can you help me? Elizabeth is in trouble."

Edward was surprised, but quickly recovered. "Okay. I'll call the pilot and call you right back."

"Thank you."

Jason paced back and forth as he waited.

"Maybe it's a good thing that John will beat us there. He's the one person that might be able to help her," Audrey said.

"I just don't understand why she would all of a sudden freak out and need to go there," Steven said.

Sarah gasped. "Oh—my—God."

"What?" Francis asked.

"Maybe she's pregnant."

Everyone was silent as they processed that possibility. Jason looked pale as he started to realize how serious the situation was.

"Why didn't she come to me?" Jason asked. He was starting to get upset that Elizabeth would run off.

"Maybe she panicked," Sarah said.

"Jason, Elizabeth was really traumatized by what happened back then and she carried that heartache with her for a long time. If she is pregnant, then maybe she's worried that she will lose this baby too. She loves you. I really don't have any doubt about that, but right now she just needs some space to come to terms with it. Leaving you a note shows that she doesn't intend to shut you out or run."

"If you're asking me not to go after her, I don't think I have it in me to do that."

"I'm not asking that at all. She'll be there a few hours ahead of you, so by the time you arrive hopefully, she'll be ready to open up to you."

His shoulders relaxed a little. "Okay."

"Just try not to be too mad. We don't always make the right decision when we're emotionally upset and this isn't about your relationship. It's about Elizabeth healing and letting go."

Jason understood that. He had taken off himself, in the past, and had everyone worried. "I just need to be near her." He answered his phone.

"Be at the airport in half an hour," Edward said.

"Thank you."

"How many people are coming with you?"

"Hold on." Jason looked around. "Are any of you coming with me?"

California was far and most of them had commitments at the hospital.

"I'll go. Let me just throw some clothes in a suitcase," Audrey said.

Jason didn't care. He would buy something to wear when he got there.

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No matter how hard Elizabeth tried, she couldn't sleep. All she could think about was the baby growing in her belly. She dissected her first pregnancy over and over and wondered if she could have done something differently to prevent Sophie's death.

The stewardess handed her several packets of crackers. "Here you go."

"Thank you so much." She had gotten sick once already and confided in the woman who had gotten her some ginger ale and doted on her, making sure she drank water too. Since her flight was at the last minute, she had scored a first class seat for free.

"If you need me, just press the button."

Elizabeth munched on a cracker and prayed it would help her stomach settle. How was she going to tell Jason? They hadn't really discussed having kids anytime soon and she didn't want to overwhelm him. A baby would change everything. Her eyes began to tear. It was like every fear she had was haunting her and she couldn't dial it back. She tried to take some deep breaths as the stewardess watched her intently, wondering if the passenger would survive the flight without completely breaking down. A few minutes later, Liz rushed into the bathroom and started to sob. She tried to be as quiet as she could, but she needed to let it out. When she was done, she washed her face and stared at herself in the mirror. "You have to get it together," she whispered as she rubbed her stomach. After a few minutes, she made her way back to her seat and buckled herself in. They still had a long way to go.

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Jason was surprised to find Lila waiting on the plane. "What are you doing here?"

"I didn't want you to go alone. Why is she in trouble?"

Audrey greeted Lila with a hug before looking for a seat.

"Take that one," Lila said as she pointed. "It reclines."

"Thank you."

Jason bucked himself in. "We think she is pregnant and freaked out about it."

Lila was so stunned that she didn't speak for a while. "Why California?"

"That is where her first baby, Sophie, was buried."

Lila grabbed his hand and held it. "She must be so scared."

"Yeah."

"I think Elizabeth is going to need your reassurance. Are you okay with this?"

Jason let out a harsh breath. "I'm scared to death that I won't be a good father and if anything happens and Elizabeth loses the baby, I don't think she'll recover."

"Elizabeth is strong and so are you. In fact, I think your pasts will help you be a thoughtful parent and you won't be alone. We'll all be here for you."

He squeezed her hand. "Thank you. It's just so unexpected. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it."

"So is she, but I think after she visits Sophie, things will be a lot better. Elizabeth is not only scared, but maybe a little guilty too. When a parent loses a child, it's natural to feel that way."

"I need to hold her and take care of her. She's everything to me."

The plane started to move and Lila said a little prayer for their safety and for Elizabeth and her great grandchild.

"All you need to do when you see her is tell her that. It's probably killing her that she left like she did. We just need to calm her and love on her until she's ready to talk."

"I can do that."

"Good."

Audrey slightly smiled. Jason was going to make a wonderful father and she couldn't wait to see him holding his son or daughter.

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Elizabeth got off the plane. She was exhausted and wasn't sure how she was even standing. The stress was taking its toll, but she shouldered on and took a cab to the cemetery. When they finally got there, she paid the driver and grabbed her small suitcase and headed for the area Sophie would be in. It had been a very long time since she had seen it. When she finally reached her destination, she sat down in the grass and stared at it for a moment. It was a little chilly, but the sun felt nice against her skin. Removing her coat, she put it over her shoulders and then touched the headstone and started to cry. "Sophie, I'm so sorry that mommy hasn't visited you, but you are always in my heart and in my thoughts. I don't know what to do. I'm pregnant and I'm so scared that the baby won't make it. I just needed to be here with you. Maybe in a way, I feel like I need your permission to let you go, not that you could give it to me now." Her lip quivered as she brushed some tears away. "I never wanted to leave you here, but mom and dad thought that it was better. They were scared I would spend so much time grieving that I'd forget to live. They were probably right, but I never forgot you. I had your picture right over my heart." She closed her eyes and talked to Sophie for quite a long time, telling her about the family and Jason. In fact, she didn't even hear John walk up to her.

"Elizabeth…"

She jumped and her head jerked towards him. "John?"

"I'm so glad that you are alright."

She stood and he hugged her tightly.

"We were all so worried."

He took a moment to study her face. "You look exhausted. Have you slept?"

She shook her head. "I couldn't."

"It's not healthy. You need to take care of yourself.

"I know. I just—I can't explain it, but I had to be here."

"Are you pregnant?"

She was surprised that he'd guess that. "Yes and I'm so scared. It's probably irrational, but it just came out of nowhere and I guess I wasn't prepared for the shock of it."

He looked down at the grave and swallowed thickly.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him down to the grass. "Sophie, this is your daddy."

Tears sprang into John's eyes. "Hi Sophie. I think I love you and I never even met you."

Liz leaned against his arm. "Is Jason mad?"

"He's just worried sick about you."

"I wasn't trying to hurt him."

"He knows that and I'll warn you that he's probably on the way."

She closed her eyes and after a few minutes of silence, she kind of slumped more and he became alarmed.

"Elizabeth?"

When she didn't answer and started to fall forward, he grabbed her and placed her on her back. "Elizabeth!" he yelled. Looking around, he saw a maintenance guy and waved his arms.

The man ran towards them. "What's wrong?"

"She passed out. Can you call an ambulance? She's pregnant."

He nodded and dialed his phone and gave some instructions. "Can you carry her?"

"Yes."

"I'll get her bag. My truck is right there. We can meet them at the entrance."

John gently picked her up and followed him as he prayed the entire time.

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John paced in the waiting room and then his phone rang and he scrambled to answer it. "Hello?"

"We're in a town car. Where are we going?"

"Cedar Sinai Hospital."

"What!" Jason said so loudly, Lila and Audrey's gaze jerked towards him.

"She passed out at the gravesite. I think she's probably dehydrated and she probably hadn't slept."

"We'll be right there."

Jason gave directions to the driver and then explained things to the very worried women sitting on either side of him.

By the time they made it to the hospital, he was a nervous wreck. "John. Have you heard anything?"

"They should have an update soon."

Audrey gave him a hug. "Thank you for taking care of her."

"Always."

Everyone but Jason sat, he just couldn't keep still. Finally, a doctor approached them.

"How is she?"

"Her blood pressure is through the roof. She is slightly dehydrated and she hasn't regained consciousness. We're doing some blood work to confirm, but I understand that she's pregnant."

"Yes," Jason said. "I'm her boyfriend and that is her grandmother."

"For what I was told, she hasn't slept, so I don't think there are any complications, just that she's suffering from exhaustion. I want to keep her here until she is stable, which means she might be staying overnight."

"We think she just found out about the pregnancy, so she hasn't seen a doctor," Audrey said.

"I'll be able to tell you for sure once the blood work comes back. Any other questions?"

"Can we see her?"

"Two at a time," the doctor said.

Audrey took Jason's hand. "Come on."

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Jason stood back as Audrey softly spoke to Elizabeth and then kissed her forehead.

"She needs to know you are here," Audrey said grabbing a chair for Jason to sit.

He slipped onto it and then took her hand. "Elizabeth, I'm here and I'm not mad. I just need to see those beautiful blue eyes."

She was knocked out.

"Jason, Edward arranged for a couple of rooms at the hotel nearby. John didn't bring any clothes, so we're going to go get him some and then check in. What size are you?"

He rattled of a few numbers and Audrey wrote them down.

"We'll be back soon. Text me what the doctor's say. We won't be far."

"I will."

A nurse walked in. "Excuse me, we're going to admit her and take her to her room. The doctor wants her to stay overnight."

"Was there something wrong?"

"He just wants to monitor her to play it safe. Your grandmother arranged for a private room and there will be a bed you can lay on."

"Thank you." There was no way he was leaving her.

He got up and went into the hallway and called Jeff who was greatly concerned. Jason assured him that they were handling everything.

"She's fragile right now."

"I know. I'll take care of her. I love her."

Jeff slightly smiled. "I know. You don't hide it."

Jason smirked. "I'll call you when she wakes up."

"Okay. Take care."

He ended the call and when they were ready to transport, he followed them to her room.