A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 54

Doctors had been circling around Jason all morning, and they finally decided to take out the vent and he's so relieved.

Elizabeth gazed through the window of the room and pressed her hand against it prompting his attention to go to her before they closed the curtain.

After fifteen long minutes, Barry emerged.

"You can see him now."

She is so happy.

Alan is still not letting her do too much, but promised that next week, she can start walking more—just no lifting anything heavy or bending to lift.

He pushed her into the room and Jason's eyes lit up.

"Hey."

"Hi," His raspy voice is music to her ears. "Does your throat hurt?"

He nodded.

"It will feel better soon."

"You and Lily okay?"

She nodded and then stood.

"Hey son," Alan said.

"Dad…"

"Lila sends her love."

"Love her…"

Elizabeth showed him some pictures of his family and Sam holding the baby.

"Sam?"

"Do you remember anything?"

He searched his memories. "I remember some of the torture but I was so far gone, unless they wanted me to feel more pain. Carly was there, but it's not clear in my head."

Alan is paged and quickly left.

"Where is she?"

Liz looked around to make sure they were alone before sitting and holding his hand. "Sam found her sitting on you and kissing you."

"What?"

"She thinks that Carly was trying to have sex with you."

"I was barely conscious and in pain."

"Trust me, I would love to have a swing at her. Anyway, they fought and Sam," she made a slash motion across her throat, "her and the doctor."

"Sam?"

"Yup. You owe her some pizza."

He groaned, making Liz laugh.

"I missed that," he said softly.

"Me too. So much has happened, but I don't want to overwhelm you."

"But you also know it will drive me crazy if I don't know."

Sonny moved into the room looking solemn. "You're supposed to take it easy."

"Not going anywhere."

"It's good to see you."

"You too. What's wrong?"

"Just got some news and I'm not sure how to feel about it."

Liz motioned for him to grab the other chair, so Sonny got comfortable.

"Ric is dead."

Jason frowned. "How?"

"He tripped and fell down some stairs."

Jason wants to smile so badly. He can't help but feel relieved and can tell Liz is because she seems more relaxed.

"I know he hurt you," he said to Elizabeth. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Maybe it is because I didn't deal with him."

"We've all made mistakes, but we need to forgive ourselves and move on. Life is too short, and we almost lost so much."

"You're very wise."

"I've been trying to tell everyone that."

Sonny smiled. "Thank you for helping me breathe easier."

Jason figures it must have been Ryan who did it.

"I just told him about Carly."

"I haven't told the kids yet."

Monica moved in further. "Maybe you should bring them over to the house and that way they'll have a lot of family around them. Bobby can be there too."

"Thank you. I'll give her another day and then approach her." He's sure that she'll want to see the kids.

"You're welcome."

"Is there anyone left standing?" Jason asked.

"Not really… I'll have Ryan stop by before he leaves tomorrow."

Jason is pleased. "Johnny?"

"He's doing well," Liz said. "He'll probably be gone another week."

"Surprised his mom will let him leave." He yawned signaling that the conversation is over.

Sonny stood. "I'll let you rest. Sam is going to stop by later."

"Okay."

Monica gave Jason a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so glad you're alive."

"Me too."

She focused on Elizabeth. "Lunch is in two hours. If you want something special, you know Cook will make it."

"Thank you."

"Tracy just sent me a picture of her holding the baby. Maybe you should get Lily another guard."

Liz chuckled. "You think Tracy is going to hurt her?"

"Her bad countenance could rub off."

Jason smirked. When Monica left, he eyed his wife one more time before falling asleep. "Are you staying with them?"

"About that…um, I sort of agreed that we'll stay there during our recovery."

He groaned. "I'll just stay here."

"Jason! They are not that bad."

"I almost lost my life, woman, and you want me to recover in a crazy house."

She chuckled. "They love us and have taken such good care of your family. You'll survive."

"I think you might owe me."

Her jaw dropped. He doesn't usually say such things. "I popped out a baby for you, almost in a warzone, so I think that covered owing anything to you—infinity."

His eyes slowly closed. "Is that right?"

"Yup. Deal with it, Morgan. It's like a push present."

His brow furrowed but his eyes stayed shut. "Do I want to know? Should I know what that is?"

"You know I don't care about that kind of stuff.

"Beside the point… Love you," he said before drifting off.

She watched him sleep for an hour and even cried several times thinking about how she almost lost him.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Sam slowly entered the room. Elizabeth had just left.

"Hey."

Jason opened his hand. "Hey."

She squeezed it and then sat. "You look awful, but I'm so glad you're awake." He's pale and looks thinner.

"Thank you. I think."

She smiled.

"Wear it well."

She can tell he is tired. "Thank you. It's nice to smile again and mean it."

"Tell me what happened."

She quickly went through the story and then waited for him to speak.

"Are you sure that you're okay?" Killing someone is otherworldly and traumatic for normal people.

"Yes. I have no regrets."

"Thank you for saving me." He can't believe the lengths that Carly had gone. It means she had been working with Helena and that is just the ultimate betrayal. He's sure this will all hit Sam later, regardless of her hatred for Carly.

"I had help. Ryan is like your twin." He had amazed her once she Sonny explained all his plans.

Jason likes the compliment. "He may be more devious."

"Maybe…"

He almost pouted making her head tilt. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't get to kill anyone." He had wanted to take out Ric with his bare hands, making him suffer first. He would have relished killing Helena too after how much she hurt Elizabeth. Nikolas would have been icing on the cake. Ridding the world of Tom would be a bonus too. While it was his idea to drug the man, it's not as satisfying as doing it himself.

She laughed. "We'll find someone for you to end when you get out."

Ryan shook his head as he strode into the room. "Slacker…" It was good to hear that Jason hadn't lost his edge.

"God, does it run in the family?"

Ryan grinned. "You mean good looks and an earth-shattering personality?"

"I meant that mouth."

Sam giggled as she stood. "I'll come see you tomorrow."

"Thanks again. Liz said I owe you a pizza, but Sam, I don't have it in me."

She cracked up. "Duly noted."

Ryan plopped onto a chair. "Your family loves you a lot."

"I know."

"I don't think you really do. Edward basically asked me to put a hit on Ric and Tom." He has someone sweep the room several times a day.

"He what?"

"I let him know it was handled."

Jason slightly shook his head. "Family…"

"I hope you're not upset that I decided to clean house."

"It's okay. I need Elizabeth to feel safe."

"I think she does. I accelerated some of your ideas and came up with some of my own. I think Helena's empire has fully crumbled. I'm still checking out a few more leads, but it will be safe for Emily to return when my brother is better."

"Thank you."

"I offered to take out Taggert, but Sonny said he's yours."

Jason smirked. "What happened to Ric?"

Ryan explained and Jason was pleased.

"And Nikolas and Helena?" He listened raptly as Ryan told him the story Francis told about that and Elizabeth going into labor, and then he explained about blowing up the island.

"Damn. Was I asleep forever?"

"Seemed like it. Once you're healthy, if you and Liz want to visit, you're always welcome. My ma will love on that baby."

"I may never get her back." He can't wait to hold her.

"True…"

Siobhan walked in. "If you're finished gossiping, I'm starving."

Jason is shocked.

Ryan pulled her onto his lap.

"Hi, Jason. I'd say you look good, but I'd be lyin'. You still have those shifty blue eyes though."

Jason smirked. "You missed me?"

"Aye… like an infection."

He forgot himself and chuckled, immediately regretting it.

She jumped up and moved to his side. "Should I get the nurse."

"No. Sucks…"

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He squeezed her hand. "You still look the same."

They hadn't seen each other in ages. "I will take that as a compliment."

When her stomach grumbled, Ryan chuckled. "Come on Red, let's go."

She patted Jason's hand. "Take care of yourself and that family. They are precious."

"Definitely…"

"Later, slacker," Ryan said before leaving.

Jason closed his eyes. It's a lot to process, but soon there will be no threat left and he is happy for that.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

For the next few days, Liz and Jason grew stronger and now, it was time to see if Jason could walk.

Epiphany grabbed his arm to steady him. "Slow…"

"I don't think I could move fast anyway," Jason said before sucking in his breath. He's still on pain meds, but his body doesn't feel anything like it did before.

When he finally straightened, he let out a long breath.

"You okay?"

He nodded.

"Liar," Liz said.

He glanced at her. "Wishful thinking…"

"Come to me."

He willed his leg to move and after pausing for a bit, he was able to take a step, but muttered under his breath.

"Your body is going to take 6 weeks to heal and then you can go back to being a superhero," Epiphany said.

"That may seem like forever."

She chuckled. "You have no patience whatsoever."

"True," Liz said.

It took him a ridiculous amount of time, but he made it and was rewarded with a gentle hug.

"Feels nice," he said before smelling her hair.

"It does, but you need to move before you tire out."

He sighed heavily and then slowly moved around the room before Piph helped him sit in a chair.

Once he was situated, she put his legs up.

"Alright, you stay there for a while and then I'll feed you."

He's disappointed that he crapped out so fast.

Noting his mood, Piph spoke. "You did well. When you can make it down the hallway and back, they'll let you go. We'll take the catheter out after lunch and as long as you're urinating and walking on your own, you should be good."

"Okay."

When she left, he focused on Liz who is sitting next to him. "How am I going to get into a car?" He can barely lift his feet.

"Well, your family already thought of that. They rented a van so that both of us can be in a wheelchair and use a lift."

His brow rose. "My rep is ruined."

She grinned. "The fact that you survived what you did will make you a legend."

"Sure…"

Liz's phone buzzed. She glanced at it. "It's Emily." She answered. "Hey, Em!"

"Hi."

"How's he doing?"

"Ask him yourself."

She turned the phone around.

Emily studied her brother for a moment, and he let her, not surprised when she began to cry.

"It's good to see you too," he said softly.

"Sorry, it's just that I was so worried about you."

"I'm going to be okay."

Johnny grabbed the phone and frowned. "I actually look better than you, right now."

"And look what it took for that to happen," Jason quipped making Johnny grin.

"Miss me?"

"Who are you again?"

Johnny pouted making Jason roll his eyes.

"Seriously though, how are you feeling?"

Liz had mentioned to Jason that Johnny is feeling a lot of guilt.

"Like a bus hit me. I can't wait to get out of here."

"I know the feeling."

"Your mother is going to slap you upside the head."

Johnny grinned as his mother moved into view.

"If I thought it would do any good, I'd smack him a few times."

Jason smiled as she perused him.

She's not impressed with Jason's pallor. "Do I need to come there?"

"No. I'm good. I have to stay with my family though."

She giggled due to his pathetic expression. "They can't be that bad." The look of fear in his eyes made her burst with laughter.

Jason eyed Liz. "She thinks I'm kidding."

Liz clucked her tongue. "They are fine and are taking very good care of me. He's just not use to their brand of craziness."

"Yet, he always seems to attract it," Johnny said.

"Johnny?" Jason asked.

"Yes, Jason?"

"You're fired."

Johnny scowled. "You would be nothing without me. I am the batman to your robin."

"I think you got that backward."

"Nope."

Jason sighed. "Maggie?"

"Yes?"

"Make that five smacks, please."

She grinned. "You've got it."

"Ma!"

Emily grabbed the phone. "After Johnny is cleared by the doctor to travel, I'm coming home."

"It should be safe by then, but just know I paid the doctor off, and he won't be cleared for another year."

"I heard that!" Johnny said.

Jason smiled. "I love you, Emily."

She grinned. "I love you too. I hope I'll be able to hug you."

"We'll make it work."

"Liz, text me when you're settled."

"Okay."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason closed his eyes as the wind brushed across his skin. He is free at last. After staying in the hospital for one more day, he was able to leave, and he is so glad to get out. Ryan had gotten back home the previous day, and Emily had texted that Maggie yelled at him for taking so many chances and then wouldn't let him go.

Piph chuckled. "Savor that freedom. Quartermaines, here you come."

A groan left his lips. "You couldn't have given me another minute?"

"I'm trying to toughen you up. I think you got soft in there."

Francis grinned. Piph is the best.

Jason shook his head as the van door opened. He had made Elizabeth stay home with the baby, so it's just him, Francis, the driver, and of all people, Tracy.

She smirked. "You getting in or do you want an engraved invitation?"

Jason muttered something under his breath as the driver got him in position and then turned on the lift.

Once he was securely inside, he glanced at his aunt.

"Forced?"

She shook her head. "Nope. I volunteered."

"Why?"

"Because I knew it would make you uncomfortable and I live for that."

He rolled his eyes as she chuckled.

"I thought we'd have time to draw the lines."

"You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours."

Her brow raised. "This family has been through a lot where you are concerned. Try not to get so testy like you usually do. We're loud and brash, but we stand up for our own." The last dinner hadn't ended in disaster, but she felt like he was close to bolting.

He sighed.

"I'm not sure why you continue to have an attitude, but it just brings out the worst in me. I'll try if you do. Elizabeth and that baby are being loved on and this family loves you even though it's hard for you to accept that."

"You know why."

"But Jason, things are different now. You don't want us to treat you like who you were before the accident, yet you still judge us for what happened after; like you're expecting the worse. Don't be so sensitive. We're not trying to drive you away. Everyone is so excited that you'll be there. Just try to engage a little bit. I'm not asking you not to be you. Just don't assume the worst in us."

"Okay."

She studied him for a moment. "Thank you." Her hand reached out and touched his forehead.

He can tell she didn't do it to be funny because of her worried expression. "I'm fine."

"I don't believe it, but I'm sure your parents will check you out."

Another sigh left his lips.

"I don't want you to walk on eggshells. I'm hoping that will change as time goes by."

"I don't like feeling that way. You think you can try to not be so snippy?"

She rolled her shoulders. "Now, you're asking me not to be me. I'll try, but it might only last for five minutes."

Francis grinned as Jason tried not to crack a smile.

"Deal." He'll take what he can get.