Chapter Twenty-Three

Elizabeth watched in horror as the gurney Jason was lying on pushed passed the emergency room doors, causing havoc within the hospital. Everything was happening so fast but yet she felt like she was living in slow motion.

They weren't helping him fast enough, she thought to herself, frantic with worry.

Ever since Jason passed out on his bed, his face contorted with pain, Elizabeth had felt like she couldn't breathe, like she was helpless. All she could do was call nine-one-one and wait until the ambulance came.

They had arrived within minutes but she felt like it had taken hours. The entire time she waited her hands never left his face, stroking his cheek, his hair, begging him to wake up.

When he finally did wake up, it was to scream out in pain as the ambulance jostled its way to General Hospital. Tears had gathered in eyes, closing her throat as she watched the paramedics restrain Jason against his own strength. She wanted to tell them to leave him alone, to let him do whatever he needed to relieve the pain, but she had kept quiet.

Knowing it wouldn't have helped.

Now, as doctors and nurses rushed to Jason's aid, Elizabeth wished she was on duty so she could be one of those nurses helping him. Instead, she was a bystander, watching in fear as someone she cared about, really, truly cared about, was in danger of… she didn't even know.

All she knew was that it had something to do with his headaches from his memory loss.

Could this be it? she feared. Could this be the final headache that ended his life?

No, she screamed within. Jason was going to be ok. He had to be. She couldn't lose him, not now. Not after everything they had been through. Not after he was finally getting his life back in order.

Tony Jones made his way to Jason, rushing past the occupants of the ER area. He reached in his pocket for his flashlight pen as he reached Jason's side. Elizabeth clutched her hands tightly to her chest, watching as the doctor examined Jason.

She flinched when Jason jerked on the gurney as the light touched his sensitive eyes. She wanted so much to walk over to him and take away his pain, but she couldn't. The only thing she could do was watch as he writhed in pain.

Tony snapped his penlight off, placing it in his pocket. "Take him to Exam Room Three," he said to one nurse. Turning to another, he ran a hand through his unruly hair. "Prep the OR room, there's a chance we'll have to operate."

Elizabeth felt her breath catch in her throat as the nurse nodded and ran off to do her job. As two orderlies wheeled Jason away, she approached Dr. Jones. "Is he going to be ok?" she asked, hating how small her voice sounded.

"I don't know," he shrugged apologetically. "I'm going to run a couple of tests on him but I'm pretty sure we'll have to operate."

"I want to be with him," she stated with conviction, standing tall.

"Elizabeth, you know…"

"Please." She could feel her eyes watering, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I need to be with him. I promise I won't get in the way."

Sighing, Dr. Jones gave in. "Ok, but only for a little while. When he's being tested, you'll have to wait outside."

"Ok," she nodded in quick agreement, already making her way to Jason. "Thank you!" she called over her shoulder.

She made it to his room quickly, opening the doors quietly, not wanting to disturb him. The nurse just finished setting up his IV when Elizabeth entered, leaving to update Dr. Jones.

Jason's hands were covering his face, the heels of his palms pushing against his eyelids. Elizabeth walked slowly to his bedside, fighting tears at the sight of him. He was in so much pain and she couldn't do anything for him.

She stopped by the side of his bed, her hand reaching out before she could think. Her fingertips grazed the side of his face gently before running slowly through his hair. He lowered his hands to his sides, opening his eyes slowly. They only opened to slits, but she could still see the beautiful blue of his eyes.

"Hey," she whispered, a gentle smile touching her lips.

He cleared his throat, wincing, "Hi."

Her hand continued to explore his hair, running through the flyaway hairs that stuck against his sweaty forehead. "You scared me," she scolded lightly.

His eyes opened wider as his hand reached for hers. He grasped it lightly, weightlessly as though he had no strength. Fresh tears gathered at the corner of her eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"Shh," she murmured as she shook her head. "I just need you to be ok."

Squeezing her hand gently, Jason did his best to hide his wince, but she still saw it. "I'm ok."

"Jason, you're in pain."

"I'm going to be ok."

Giving him a watery smile, Elizabeth stroked the back of his hand with her thumb. "You better." She dashed away a tear. Even in pain, even when his life was in danger, Jason always found a way to reassure her when it should have been the other way around. "You are going to be ok. You're strong and you're going to fight through this."

"Thank you."

She watched as his eyelids drooped, showing his exhaustion.

"Elizabeth?" Tony called from behind her, making her turn around. "We need you to step outside."

Nodding, Elizabeth looked down at Jason one last time, smiling, trying the only way she could to give him encouragement. It hurt her so much to see him in such pain, to see him struggling like he was in that moment. Jason had always been bigger than life to her, stronger than anyone she had ever known.

She never wanted to see him this weak.

"I'll be right outside." He didn't respond in words, only nodded once, closing his eyes.

She lingered for as long as she could. With one last caress of her hand, Elizabeth left the room, hoping she left some of her strength with him.

She stepped out into the hallway and immediately went to the window to look in as Tony examined Jason. Her bottom lip began to hurt as she continued to bite down on it, but she couldn't stop. Her body wanted her to move, to pace the halls, but she couldn't look away. She feared that if she didn't see him, see that he was ok, something would happen.

"What happened?"

Elizabeth cringed at the sound of the voice behind her. Then she got mad.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, not turning around.

"I heard that Jason was brought to the hospital," Sam said as she approached the window to stand beside Elizabeth, looking in.

Turning, Elizabeth gave the other woman a narrowed eyed look. "How did you hear?"

"I just did."

"Are you following him?" Elizabeth asked as the hairs at the back of her neck began to stand.

Sam turned, placing her hands on her hips as she faced Elizabeth. "Are you kidding me? I—"

"How did you hear?" Elizabeth asked forcefully, not at all in the mood to listen to Sam's excuses and cutting remarks.

"That's none of your business," Sam snarled. "Besides," she shrugged her shoulders, a smug look appearing on her face, "Jason would want me here; I am pregnant with his baby."

"You are such a liar."

"Excuse me?"

"I know about you and Lucky," Elizabeth snapped, disgust lacing her words and marring her features. "Jason isn't the father, is he? Lucky is."

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

Her worry for Jason took the fight out of Elizabeth. She knew this wasn't the time or the place to get in a fight with Sam. All Elizabeth knew was that she was not going to allow Sam anywhere near Jason. "Go home, Sam."

Sam took a step closer to Elizabeth, pointing a finger in her face. "Do not tell me what to do. Jason loves me, he needs me."

"Were you thinking about Jason and his need for you when you were sleeping with Lucky?" Elizabeth blurted, unable to control herself. She didn't back down from Sam, but stood her ground, ignoring the annoying finger that was close to poking her.

"Is that true?"

Both women turned at the sound of Sonny's voice. Elizabeth didn't know whether to be relieved or uncomfortable to see him standing there, obliviously hearing what the two of them were fighting about.

He stepped closer to her and Sam, his expression serious. "Are you sleeping with Lucky Spencer?" he addressed his question to Sam.

"That is none of your business."

"It is when you claim to be pregnant with my best friend's child."

"I am."

"So you didn't sleep with Lucky?" Sonny continued with his interrogation.

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, daring the other woman to lie. Instead, Sam looked away and when her eyes connected with Sonny's there were tears threatening to spill.

Sam looked towards the ceiling, sniffing. "I was lonely. But Jason is the father."

"Really, Sam?" Elizabeth cut in. "When did you conceive this child with Jason?" She paused for a moment then cut in, not wanting to hear anymore lies. "See, you told Lucky that you and Jason were together before he broke up with you… after he lost his memory. And then you told Jason that the two of you were together before his memory loss.

"Which one is it?" A second went by before Elizabeth went on. "Let me answer that for you. Neither. Jason isn't the father, Lucky is." Elizabeth spoke to Sonny.

Sam made a lunge for Elizabeth. Sonny stopped her by grabbing her by the arm. "Watch it," he spoke softly, lethally. "You're pregnant."

"She doesn't know what she's talking about!" Sam screamed.

"You know—"

"Shut up!" Sam cut Elizabeth off, wrenching her arm out of Sonny's grasp. She turned to look up at Sonny, her hands clasped together in front of her chest. Elizabeth could see Sam's chin wobble and she rolled her eyes.

She hoped Sonny wasn't stupid enough to buy this.

"I wouldn't use a child to get to Jason, Sonny. Not after what happened to our daughter."

"Do not use our child." He moved closer to Sam, lowering his head and voice. Elizabeth wanted to applaud him but didn't. "I will find out the truth," his lips curled. "Do not lie to me. Get out of here."

Sam continued to look at Sonny for a moment before she turned a deadly look at Elizabeth. "I hate you." She seethed and then walked away.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, focusing her attention back on Jason's room. She hated herself in that moment, too. Instead of worrying about Jason she was fighting with Sam.

She felt Sonny stand beside her and place his hand on her shoulder. "He has to be ok," she whispered brokenly, glancing at Sonny. "He has to be."

Nodding, Sonny looked away, clearing his throat. "He will be. He's strong."

Elizabeth smiled, leaning closer to Sonny, finding it hard to stay standing. It had been a while since she was able to stand in the same room with Sonny and not be angry with him. But now, watching as Dr. Jones examined Jason, Elizabeth saw all of the anger and resentment for Sonny from the past wash away. It seemed foolish now, not worth her time.

Jason needed both of them.

"That's what I told him," she spoke after a long, silent moment. "That he was strong and he'd fight through whatever was happening."

"You have to believe that."

"I just…" bowing her head, Elizabeth let a few tears slide past her tightly closed lids. She swiped them away with the back of her hands, feeling Sonny slide his arm around her. "I can't lose him. Not after everything…"

Sonny held her as they watched through the window, the open blinds giving them only a partial view. His hand was running up and down her arm, soothing her.

Finally, he spoke, "He cares a lot about you."

Lifting her head from his shoulder, Elizabeth pulled out of his hold to look up at him. Confused, her forehead creased in a frown.

"You're the only friend that Jason's trusted completely since his memory loss."

She shook her head. "He trusts you."

"Not completely," he said sadly and Elizabeth felt sorry for him. She knew how close Jason and Sonny were and she also knew that this had to be hard on him. Sonny continued. "From the start you've been the only one who hasn't pushed him. He's been able to count on you. I just wanted to thank you for that."

"You don't have to thank me," her voice was low as she blushed slightly. "I was just helping a friend."

Before Sonny could respond, Tony stepped outside Jason's room. "Elizabeth, Jason's asking for you."

Breathing deeply, Elizabeth glanced at Sonny who nodded once. She moved past Tony, walking into Jason's room and moving quickly to the side of his bed. He watched her since the moment she stepped into his view. It didn't unnerve her like it should have. His stare made her steps sure, confident.

She opened her mouth to say something, anything, but she couldn't bring herself to ask. She was too afraid.

"I have to have surgery," he spoke gently, as if he knew she dreaded his words.

"There's no other way?"

He shook his head.

In that moment, Elizabeth wanted to throw herself in his arms, cry and never let him go. She knew how dangerous the surgery was, how he might not wake up from it. The drugs were supposed to work for him so he wouldn't have to have the surgery. It wasn't fair.

"Hey," Jason cut into her thoughts, grabbing her hand and pulling her down until she sat at the edge of his bed. One hand held onto hers as his other caressed her cheek, the backs of his fingers moving gently against her skin. "I'm going to be ok."

Her free hand moved to hold his hand against her cheek as she fought off\ the never ending tears. "You have to be."

Wrapping his hand around the back of her neck, Jason tugged her close so that her forehead rested against his. "I will. I have something to fight for."

His words cut through to her core, branding themselves against her heart, her soul. Lifting her head slightly, Elizabeth leaned forward and placed her lips where her forehead had just been resting. She lingered, giving him a gentle kiss before pulling back. "Sonny's outside."

"I'd like to see him."

Giving him one last kiss against his forehead, Elizabeth pulled back, smiling gently. "I'll go get him."

Once Elizabeth's back was turned, Jason tried his best to sit straighter in bed, not wanting Sonny to see him in such a venerable position. The throbbing in his head didn't stop but had eased since he got to the hospital earlier.

He hissed as he tried to lift his head but continued to sit up. He got as far as he could, leaning back against his pillow, breathing heavily.

Sonny walked in. "Hey, man," he said, approaching Jason slowly.

"I need to ask you a favor," Jason spoke immediately, knowing he didn't have much time before they got him ready for surgery.

"Anything."

Clearing his throat, Jason looked Sonny in the eye, knowing it was now or never. He hoped the older man would agree, knowing what he was about to ask wasn't fair of him. But he needed to ask.

"I have to go through with the surgery," he began. "Dr. Jones said there's a chance I might not wake up."

"Don't think about that."

"I have to," he spoke with force, needing Sonny to hear him out. "I have to think about all the possibilities. I don't want to be a vegetable, Sonny." Jason waited. When Sonny nodded, he continued. "If something happens and I don't wake up, I want you to make sure I don't live."

"No."

"Then I won't have the surgery."

"Damn it!" Sonny yelled, walking away from Jason's side. He paced the length of the room and when his eyes focused on Jason, he could see tears lingering. "I can't do that."

"I can't live like a vegetable… I won't. Please, as my friend, as someone I trust, promise me Sonny."

Jason felt his chest harden, making it hard to breathe. He could see the torture Sonny was going through and he hated himself. But he had to do this. There was no other option but to have the surgery, Tony had informed him. If he didn't go through with it, then he would die within days.

But, if he did go through with it, there was a chance he would spend the rest of his life lying in a hospital bed. Unresponsive, unable to move, unable to do anything on his own.

He would rather die then have that happen. If that did happen, he needed Sonny's promise that he would end it there.

There would be no reason for Jason to live.

"Ok," Sonny whispered hoarsely. Jason felt his own eyes burn as he watched Sonny wipe his eyes, pressing his fingers into his lids.

Sonny approached the bed. Reaching one hand out, Sonny grasped Jason's shoulder. "Fight this, man. Make it through the surgery."

Jason closed his eyes against a sharp pain deep in his skull. When darkness should have greeted him, a blurry vision of Sonny stood before him. He was younger, and just like in the hospital room, there were tears in his eyes.

"Don't you die on me," Sonny wheezed, rubbing at his face as he stared at Jason.

"Don't you die on me," Jason retorted jokingly to cover up the pain he felt. He was leaving town and he was saying goodbye. He felt a sense of betrayal as he looked at Sonny, like he was betraying the older man by leaving him. But he couldn't let that show because he knew he had to go. People's lives were at stake.

As suddenly as the vision appeared, it vanished, bringing Jason back to his hospital room, Sonny looking at him with concern. When his eyes connected with his friend's, he knew how much their friendship had meant to him before.

It was beginning to mean that much to him now, too.

"Thank you," Jason spoke quietly, "for being there for me."

Sonny didn't speak, maybe because he couldn't, maybe because he had nothing to say. The only acknowledgement he gave Jason's words was by grasping his shoulder tighter, squeezing then pulling away.

Sonny was making his way to the door when Jason called out to him.

"One more favor." Sonny turned. "Watch out for Elizabeth if anything happens to me."

"I will," Sonny promised.

And then he was gone.

Elizabeth stood in the hallway outside of Jason's room. Sonny was with her, though neither of them spoke. She was wringing her hands, watching as the nurses prepped Jason for surgery. For the second time that day she wished she could be on duty, taking care of him.

She glanced at Sonny, itching to ask him what he and Jason spoke about but knowing she wouldn't. She didn't like the solemn look on his face, like he was giving up. "He'll be ok," she whispered to herself and to Sonny, he didn't look at her.

The orderlies entered his room, ready to take him to the operating room. When they wheeled his bed into the hall, Elizabeth rushed to his side, making them stop.

Jason grabbed her hand.

"I'll be here when you get out of surgery," she assured him, squeezing his hand.

He gave her a small smile, just a tilt of the corner of his lips. The orderlies began to move the bed, causing them to break their contact.

She continued to watch Jason being wheeled down the hall, feeling her stomach turn as bile rose to the back of her throat.

It was in that moment that Elizabeth finally listened to what her heart had been trying to tell her mind for a while now.

She was in love with him.