Chapter 2

The next few days were tough for everyone. It was unbearable for Jason to see Carly in so much pain. She wasn't just grieving for her husband; she was grieving for her son all over again. The loss of Jax reminded her of how much she missed Michael and how she was losing everyone she loved.

After the funeral was over, Jason took Carly home. Bobbie had been taking care of Morgan for the last few days while Jason was taking care of Carly.

"Did Morgan seem okay when he left?" she asked.

"He's a little confused as to why Jax wasn't there, but other than that, he seemed okay."

"I just hope that he knows that I love him, but I couldn't take care of him tonight."

"He knows, Carly, he knows."

"I know that everyone was just trying to be helpful, but I'm happy just to get away from everyone. I hate when people ask me how I'm doing. What am I supposed to say? I'm doing just great- my husband was just killed and my son is in a coma," she said sarcastically.

"No one knows what to say. They just want to make some conversation to make sure they know they're there."

"I just want them all to leave me alone. Except you. You're the only one I need." She laid her head on his shoulder and he put his arm around her.

"You know, your fridge is full of food, mostly casseroles. You should eat."

"I don't want casseroles."

"I think there's some frozen pizza in there, too. And I know there's a pie. I'll put the pizza in the oven while you go change clothes."

"Junk food won't make me feel better."

"Carly, do this for me. I'm asking you to eat, and I know you love junk more than anything."

"Okay, but I'm only doing it because you asked me."

Jason put the pizza in the oven, and when it was ready, he yelled for her. When she didn't respond, he yelled again. "Carly, come eat before it gets cold." No response.

He went upstairs to her room, but she wasn't there. "Carly!" he yelled. He found her in the spare bedroom, lying on the floor with just her underwear on, holding her wedding dress and crying. Jason grabbed the robe that was handing on the door and wrapped it around her, and he picked her up and sat her on the bed.

"Tell me what happened," he said.

"All my pajamas were in here, so I came in here to change, and I saw my wedding dress. I'm sorry, Jason, I know I shouldn't be falling apart."

"Don't be sorry."

"I should be strong, but it's so hard to after everything."

He put his hand in hers. "I know, but you are strong. Just think of your little boy. Morgan needs you so much. You can put all of your energy into loving him, and that might take some of the pain away."

"And I can love you," she said.

"I'm trying to comfort you here, and somehow you make me feel better. I love you, too," he said.

"I want to see Michael. Will you take me tomorrow?"

"Carly, I don't know if that's such a good idea."

"Please, I need to see my boy. I need to tell him about Jax, and I just need to see him."

"Are you sure you can handle it?"

"I'll be fine."

"I'm working tomorrow, but if you need anything, just call me."

"Do you know who shot Jax yet?"

"We're working on it."

"Was he the target?"

Jason was reluctant to answer because he didn't know anything for sure. "We don't know."

"Jason, please, tell me."

"Sonny thinks it was Karpov, but I don't think it was. I'll know more after tomorrow. I promise that when I know, I will tell you. And you and Morgan are perfectly safe."

"I thought Jax was safe, too."

"I've got tons of guards posted outside and then you'll have guards follow you wherever you go. No one will hurt you or your son."

He took a long look at her and he knew she needed to sleep. Her eyes were puffy from crying and her whole body looked exhausted. He pulled out some pills that Monica had given to him to give to Carly if she needed them.

"Here," he said, giving her a pill. "Monica gave me these sleeping pills to give to you in case you needed them. You really need to sleep, especially if you're going to go to Manhattan tomorrow."

Carly reluctantly took the pill. "Will you be here when I wake up?"

"Yeah. I'll stay until you leave." He gave her a hug and kissed her forehead, and then he walked her to her own bedroom. He helped her climb into bed and watched her fall fast asleep.

The next day, Jason went to work after Carly left to go see Michael. He was worried about her and was planning on going to see her later that night. Not long after he got to the office, Ric Lansing walked in.

"What do you want, Lansing?"

"I'd think you'd be a little nicer to someone that was coming to help out."

"What are you talking about?"

"Anthony Zacharra shot Jax."

"How do you know."

"He told me."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "He told you, just like that? Why should I believe you?"

"I caught him out of his wheelchair, cleaning his rifle. He figured since I saw him walking, he would tell me truth about the shooting. Well, I figured it out and then he told me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Believe it or not, Jason, I didn't want to see Jax killed. I know that you're probably worried about Carly. Zacchara thinks that I'm on his side still, but I wanted you to know so that you could stop him."

"Stop him from what?"

"From going after Carly next."

Jason stopped working on what he was doing, and listened to Ric. "Are you saying that he meant to shoot Jax?"

"Yeah. He said that he's going after everything that's dear to Sonny. He thought by going after Jax first, everyone would be so preoccupied that they wouldn't pay attention. Then he could go after Carly, then Kate. By that time, Zacchara thought that you and Sonny would be at war, and he could destroy the business."

"He told you all of this?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry; I'm still not following. Why did you decide to tell me?"

"I've done some terrible things in my life, the worst probably being to Carly. I thought I could redeem myself."

Jason rolled his eyes. "You'll never redeem yourself for all the awful things you did to Carly."

"Okay, but when Zacchara shoots Carly, don't say I didn't warn you."

He got up to leave, but Jason stopped him. "Zacchara doesn't know that you're telling me this?"

"No, he thinks I'm still loyal and just going along with his plan."

Later that day, Carly called Jason. "Hello?"

"Jase, it's me." He could tell she had been crying and was upset. "I need you."

"Carly, calm down. Where are you?"

"I'm at the park with Morgan. Please, can you come get us?"

"Don't move. I'll be right there."

"Hurry," she said, a sob escaping her voice.

He didn't know what was wrong, but with what Zacchara was planning, he wasn't going to risk anything. No one was going to hurt Carly.