Chapter 4

As Jason stepped into the hospital he decided to call Emily to check on Carly first so that he could go and find out what was happening with Liz. Reaching into his pocket he realized that his cell phone was gone.

Damn it, I left it on the charger, he thought with a groan… He was beyond tired, so his only excuse for his forgetfulness was exhaustion…

Knocking on the door, he called into Elizabeth's room before he entered.

"Hey daddy! Look who's here to visit Jacob… I've been trying to call you."

Jason smiled at the picture in front of him. Elizabeth was beautiful, but his son was amazing…

"Jacob?"

"Well, we had both said we liked the name Jacob before, so… I named him Jacob Alan, if that's ok with you." Elizabeth batted her eyes and smiled shyly at Jason.

"Yeah… that's great. Um, since everyone knows I'm his dad, he can have my last name right?" Jason asked as he carefully took the little bundle from his mother's arms.

Elizabeth pouted prettily, "I don't know, Cam and I are both Spencers'… it wouldn't be right for his to be different."

This wasn't a conversation Jason was anywhere near ready to have, but he knew if he didn't let his feelings be known now, he might cave later.

"I want him to have my last name. I am his father… there's no reason to hide it or deny it… I want my son." Jason finished rather firmly.

"Well, it's not that easy. I am his mother and legally Lucky is his father in the eyes of the court… and what do you mean you want your son? Are you going to try and take him from me?"

"No… no, of course not… hey, don't cry Elizabeth. We'll work something out." Jason promised.

"It's just Lucky took off and I'm alone… I'm supposed to take the baby home tomorrow…" Elizabeth sniffled daintily.

"Look, you aren't alone. I promise. I'm not going anywhere." Jason kissed Jacob on the head and handed him back to his mother.

"Did Lucky say anything about why he was leaving?" Jason asked nonchalantly.

"Only something about having to clear his head because he had screwed up… why?"

"We'll talk later ok. I'm going to come tomorrow and take you and little Jake home… just call Emily if you need me before then ok, she'll know how to reach me."

"Emily? What's going on Jason? Why can't I just call your cell phone?"

"I left it at home… ok. Just take care of the little guy and get some rest ok." Jason smiled and quickly headed to the other side of the hospital. Hopefully, Emily would agree to keep Lucky shooting Carly a secret for the time being.

"Jason!" Emily jumped up and rushed to her brother's side.

"What happened?" Panic hit Jason like a ton of bricks.

"It's Carly…" Emily began to explain what had happened when Jax walked up.

"How in the hell did my wife get shot in your penthouse? Is this how you repay her loyalty, by getting her killed?" Jax grabbed Jason by the collar.

"What? What's going on, dammit? Where's Carly?" Jason growled as he pushed the angry Aussie away.

"There were complications and she might die, is that what you want to know? I can't do anything to help her… Even standing right next to her and holding her hand, she wouldn't calm down… she wanted you… and I couldn't do anything." Jax walked away leaving a silent Emily and Jason standing in his wake.

"Is that true? Did she call for me?" Jason turned and asked Emily his eyes stinging with tears.

"I don't know… I wasn't there…"

Jason did say a word, his mouth opened but quickly shut as he fought the urge to scream in frustration.

Taking a deep breath he rubbed his jaw and wishing he had never left her in the first place.

"Jax?" Monica walked out into the waiting area, the look on her face showed that she was concerned.

"Monica? How's my wife?" The Aussie asked, his face a mask of dread.

"There's no easy way to say this… Carly has an infection in her heart, she has slipped into a coma…" Monica looked at her son and seeing the stricken look on his face she longed to wrap her arms around him and make things ok.

"Now, Jason, if you remember how it was with her head injury you'll understand what we are facing. If she wakes up in the next 48 to 72 hours I would say her chances of a complete recovery are good, but the longer she stays in a coma the more her body will start to shut down."

"Can't you do something?" Jax asked his eyes red with unshed tears.

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to determine what kind of infection is attacking her heart and where it came from… so the best we can do is use a general antibiotic and pray it works."

Jax wiped the moisture from his eyes and turned to leave.

Concerned Emily rushed to his side, "Jax, where are you going? Maybe you should sit down."

"I have to… I have to go… think. Just call me if there are any changes…" Jax walked off without another word looking tired and defeated.

"Jason?" Monica stood watching her son and not knowing what he was thinking, she took a chance and gave him a hug.

When he didn't reject her embrace she grew hopeful, "I don't need to tell you that sometimes the body goes into a coma to give the person a chance to heal…"

"You don't get it… I wasn't here. When Alan died I wasn't here… now, when she needed me… Can I go sit with her?"

Monica ushered Jason back to Carly's temporary room. Monitors beeped and wires and IV tubes seemed to becoming from every direction.

"Robin is doing some tests, maybe she can narrow down the infection enough to make the treatment more effective… you can't give up Jason, she wouldn't give up on you…" Monica placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I'm the infection… I broke her heart… I did this…" Jason slowly pulled a chair over to Carly's bed and laid his head across her lap. Monica quietly left even though she wanted to stay and offer her support.

After a few minutes Jason looked up and took Carly's hand.

"Do you know how many times we've beat the odds? We can do it again, just take whatever time you need… just come back to me, to us… how can I raise a child without your expertise? Who's going to plan his first birthday party? His christening… come on Liz probably has good taste, but you… you are the only person I trust to make it perfect. I know I haven't been the best of friends lately. I kept a secret from you… I hurt you… please come back to me." Kissing her hand he laid his head back down and let the steady rise and fall of her chest lull him to sleep.