When he awoke Jason was aware of nothing but the searing pain in his back. He tried to sit up, to escape the pain, but strong hands were placed on his chest and he was forced to lie back down. He struggled but it was no use, whoever it was that was hurting him, was much stronger.

"Mr. Scott! Please we are trying to help you!"

"No, leave me alone," it was all that he could strangle out as the pain intensified. Then there was a sharp prick, followed immediately by a cool, calming sensation.

"Mr. Scott? Mr. Scott?" The voice slowly faded away as the effect of the drug started to take hold of his system, but Jason fought to keep his eyes open, trained upon the blinding lights above him…..but he slipped into the darkness as the lights melted away.

----------

Tommy stood motionless by the window, a cup of untouched coffee help firmly between his hands in a death grip.

"Tommy," said Kat tugging at his jacket, "it's been over five hours since the surgery, why can't we see him?"

He tried to think of something to say, something that would reassure her and calm her ever-growing fears, but his mind came up blank. Perhaps they were allowing him to rest before being bombarded by visitors, or maybe the doctors were just erring on the side of caution and waiting until he was stable enough to move him to a less intensive ward before allowing visitors…or maybe things were worse than the doctor had initially let on…thought after terrifying thought came unbidden to Tommy, each more bewildering and frightening that the first.

"Tommy?"

He shook his head to clear it of the nightmares forming there and took the vacant seat beside Kat.

"You know doctors Kat; they take their sweet time getting things done. I'm sure that Jase is fine."

A small smile flittered across her pretty features but vanished as quickly as it had appeared, as a dark, unreadable look took its place.

Tommy gave her a smile and a small nudge with his elbow, but she continued to stare blankly at the floor. He looked towards Billy for help, but his friend only shrugged, the look in his eyes understandable: women.

But truth be told, Tommy was beginning to get worried too. The doctor should have at least informed them of any complications or delays that had occurred so that they wouldn't be sitting clueless and worried in the waiting room, but then again, that was what hospitals were best at. Frustrated, Tommy stood and returned to the window. Staring out over the smaller buildings he could make out the airport, and the coliseum beyond that. Funny how all those people were walking around, oblivious that there was a murderous mad man on the loose somewhere down there in the city with them. He could be anyone: the guy standing next to them in the checkout line, behind them in the bank, or even the scary looking man that sits on the subway and stares until you get off. Sighing, Tommy turned around to speak to Kat again but his eyes were drawn to an approaching figure.

"Mr. Oliver? Mr. Cranston?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"How's Jason," asked Tommy.

"Can we see him," said Kat.

The doctor held up his hands to stop the barrage of questions. "Your friend is critical but stable, and yes, you can see him now. Please follow me, but only two at a time are allowed in the room."

"Right Tommy, you and Kat go first."

Tommy nodded and followed the white clad doctor down the hallway to Jason's room. At the doorway he took a deep, stealing breath to prepare himself for the worst.

The room itself was dark save for the florescent lights that glowed dimly above the bed, and Tommy didn't immediately recognize his friend. Jason's face was a mass of lacerations and bruises with tubes running from him to every conceivable corner of the room. He was almost lost amid the sea of machines that surrounded him.

Kat covered her mouth with her right hand," Oh my God," she whispered, approaching the bed with caution.

"Jason?"

Slowly, painfully, Jason's eyes flickered open.

"Kat? Tommy?"

"We're here buddy," said Tommy coming to stand by Kat.

"Tommy," Jason repeated softly as if every breath cost him dearly.

"What is it Jase?"

Jason reached toward Tommy but quickly dropped his hand in exhaustion. Tommy moved forward, making sure that he didn't trip over any of Jason's vital wires, and leaned over the bed to better hear his friend speak.

"What," he asked again.

"Scared bro….I….don't….wanna…..die…"

"You're gonna be fine Jason. The doctors are going to take real good care of you and you'll be out of here in no time."

"Yeah, Tommy's right Jason, everything is going to be ok," offered Kat with a weak smile.

"Jason," asked Tommy as his friend closed his eyes. "Jase you ok? Jase?" Tommy ran to the door as the monitors and machines started beeping frantically.

"DOCTOR!"

Soon the room was flooded with hospital personnel and Tommy and Kat were shoved violently into the hall. He heard them yelling back and forth, terminology and codes that he didn't know, but there was no mistaking the doctors' last words before the door was slammed in his and Kat's faces.

"NO, DO IT NOW OR WE ARE GOING TO LOSE HIM!"