A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you like the story. I just couldn't skip over fire drama and you're probably going to hate me after this chapter, but oh well. My muse changed so much as I got past the first two chapters, but it just felt right, so I went with it.

I will be posting the remaining two chapters on Wed., and Friday. Next week, I should be able to start posting the new longer fic, but you'll have to play it by ear. My audit starts on Monday, so I doubt I'll be able to post it at the beginning of the week.

Chapter 4

When Liz entered the room, they had taken off Jason's protective gear and he was down to his boxers. Robin was wiping him down and another nurse was monitoring his O2 levels.

Jason's face is red, but there is no blistering.

"Can you help me?" Robin asked.

Liz nodded.

"He just has so much soot in his hair."

They carefully got him cleaned up as they waited for test results. For now, he is stable and they hope he will wake up soon.

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Johnny stood when he saw Leo and Alan walk towards him as did Milo, Max, and Francis. Exhaustion oozed from them and Alan is surprised they are still functioning.

"Sonny—I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but the burns were too bad and he didn't make it," Leo said.

The men looked stunned and then Johnny dropped to his knees. He was physically and emotionally spent and barely holding on. Sarah did her best to comfort him. Sonny was like a dad to all of them. He was family.

Francis walked away and went into the stairwell and the muffled sound of him screaming, "No!" filled the air.

Mac closed his eyes. Sonny was their leader, the man that held the battalion together. He couldn't be replaced.

"And Jason?" Milo asked.

"He's stable," Alan said. He hadn't even been able to visit his son due to the number of injured.

"Why isn't he awake?" Johnny asked.

"He has smoke inhalation, but he was also struck in the head by a beam. Francis said Sonny was covering him, like he had pushed him down and he and the other man took the brunt of the damage. His mask got knocked slightly off, so he inhaled smoke. Thank God you got to him as quickly as you did. Basically, we intubated him and he is in a coma which sounds worse than it is because his body is trying to heal. It's for the best."

"You guys should go home and get some rest and tomorrow you can check up on Jason," Alan said.

"I can't do that. In our hearts, he's our brother. We can't leave him," Francis explained as he placed his hand on Johnny's shoulder.

Alan's features softened. "What if I agree to call you if there is a change? Jason would want you to rest. You've all had a bad night."

"He's right. Go home on my orders," Mac said.

One by one, the conflicted men filed out of the room.

Sarah stopped Johnny. "I'm coming with you, just let me get my purse."

He sat in a chair and waited, needing her comfort more than he wanted to admit because he didn't want to break down in front of the other guys.

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The next morning, Liz frequently checked on Jason to see if he was conscious. Apparently, he had briefly opened his eyes a few times and then fell back asleep. The smoke had taken a huge toll on his body, but at least he was showing signs of life and he was breathing well enough that they took the tube out.

Edward cleared his throat as he entered the room, making Liz drop Jason's hand. "Don't mind me."

"Sorry."

"No, no. Don't leave on my account. And who might you be?"

"I'm Elizabeth Webber."

Edward smiled. "Audrey's Elizabeth?"

"Yes, sir."

He made a sound as he grabbed his chin. "You can call me Edward. I'm Jason's grandfather. How is he doing?"

"He's resting and stable."

Edward perused Jason as he sat in a chair. "Good. I wasn't happy when he decided to be a firefighter, but he loves it and, well, Jason tends to like dangerous things."

"Does he get that from you?"

Edward grinned. "I do like to take chances on the stock market, but these days, that's as far as I get."

She smiled.

Lila entered the room. "There you are. Have you been flirting with the nurses again?"

"This is a special nurse."

Lila's smiled and held out her hand. "I'm Lila Quartermaine and you look familiar."

"My Grams says you are as thick as thieves."

Lila chuckled and gave her a hug. "I know that I'm late, but welcome to Port Charles, Elizabeth."

"Thank you."

"How is my grandson?"

"He hasn't spoken yet, but he woke up twice."

"Are you and Jason dating?" Lila was never one to mince words.

Liz blushed, making Edward chuckle.

"Ah, young love."

This is a very interesting development and Lila couldn't help but press forward. "How long?"

"We were supposed to go on our first date tonight."

"I see."

Kelly walked in as she gazed at a chart. "I heard the hunk stayed at your house last night."

Liz gasped and Kelly's eyes shot up, not realizing they had company. "Sorry."

Lila bit her tongue as she watched Elizabeth turn the shade of a tomato.

"It wasn't like that. He was just being nice and watching over me. A bunch of us went out last night."

"You don't have to explain. If you make Jason happy, then who am I to argue?" Lila said.

Liz snuck a dirty look to Kelly from behind their backs. "I have to finish checking on my patients, but I'll be back."

"It was nice meeting you," Edward said as Liz fled the room.

Lila smirked. "Perhaps you would like to tell me what is going on between Liz and Jason."

Kelly grinned. "I was hoping it was scandalous, but it looks like they are taking it slowly."

"That's good actually. What else?"

"I know they like each other. Jason barely took his eyes off of her last night."

"Well that is good news indeed."

"I have to go, but for love, I'm willing to be your spy."

Lila chuckled. "Deal."

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Sarah watched as Johnny slept. He was a wreck the night before and not much better in the morning. Losing Sonny and not hearing any word regarding Jason was hard on him. When his cell started to ring, she grabbed it. "Hello?"

"This is Alan calling from General Hospital."

"Alan, it's Sarah. How is he?"

"He's awake. They are doing tests, but things are starting to look up."

"That's excellent news. I will let Johnny know."

She ended the call and Johnny fought the fog in his head and opened his eyes.

"Hey."

She smiled. "He's awake."

His body jolted as he sat up. "We have to get there."

"Jump in the shower and by the time we get there, his tests should be finished."

After he stretched, he pulled her up against him. "Thank you for staying with me."

"That's what friends are for. I'll make you some coffee."

He kissed her forehead and then rushed into the bathroom, eager to see his best friend.

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It had been an hour since Jason had tried to talk. Elizabeth waited patiently at the ICU desk, but it was like an endless stream of family was already ahead of her. She was relieved to see her sister and Johnny walk in and ran to them and embraced Sarah.

"How are you holding up?" Sarah asked.

"I'm fine, just worried." She hugged Johnny. "You look tired.

"I am, but I will rest better when I know he's out of the woods." They just couldn't lose two of their men.

About a half hour later, Johnny walked into the room and their eyes locked. When Johnny went to speak, he had to lower his eyes to keep his emotions in check.

"Johnny…" Jason's raspy voice was slightly above a whisper.

Sarah rubbed Johnny's back, encouraging him to move closer.

After sitting in the chair, he wearily rubbed his face. "You don't know how good it is to see that you're awake."

Briefly, Johnny squeezed Jason's hand and then pulled back.

"They said you're going to be okay, that your airway was not injured and only your hard head got messed up."

"Hurts."

"Don't be an idiot and refuse the pain meds. I know you don't like them, but it's necessary."

"How are the guys?" Jason coughed a few times, the ache in his head making his eyes fill with tears.

"They are worried about you."

Jason slightly frowned. "How is Sonny?"

Johnny buried his face in his hands as a slight sob left his lips and Jason is stunned by the implication.

"No…"

His monitors started to go off and Liz ran into the room.

"Jason, you need to calm down."

He was trying to get out of the bed, not believing Johnny. Sonny had to be waiting to see him in the hallway.

"Look at me dammit!"

Her harsh tone made his eyes snap to her and then she placed her hands on his face. "You need to try and breathe deeper or you're going to pass out. Do you understand?"

He slightly nodded, trying to reign in his anger, but he just couldn't. One of his hands briefly tightened around her arm as he fought to stay present, but it was a losing battle.

Doctors rushed into the room and Sarah dragged a distraught Johnny into the hallway.

Once they determined he was stable, Elizabeth was ordered to stay by his side and his door was closed to visitors. About a half hour later, he woke up slightly agitated and she smoothed her hands over his hair as she spoke to him softly.

"You need to stay calm if you want to get out of here in a few days."

He is so tired he can't even talk. His eyes pleaded with her to tell him that Johnny was wrong and she could tell what he wanted to know. She never thought that he would ever look so desperate.

"I'm sorry about Sonny."

A tear spilled down Jason's face.

"But, I'm not sorry that he saved you."

Jason's eyes grew wide.

"He did what I hear he always does and took care of you. He'll always be looking out for you now."

His eyes closed as her fingers raked against his scalp.

"He loved you like a brother and nothing can ever change that. I know your heart is breaking right now, but I need you to take deeper breaths."

He tried and only managed to hack for a few minutes as a result. Calmly, she put the mask over his face. "Go to sleep. Your body is so tired. I won't leave you."

There gaze held for several long seconds before Jason finally gave in and drifted off.

About a half hour later, Audrey slipped into the room.

"How is he?"

A tear ran down Elizabeth's face. "Heartbroken and tired. I never want to see him look so devastated again."

Audrey pulled up a chair and held her hand. "You know, the way Lila talked about him, I felt like I already knew him. I know you were miserable when you came to town, but slowly your light is coming back and it's good to see. I was so worried about you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you and I want all my grandchildren to be happy. The two of you have been hurting for a long time. Sarah turned something that happened to her and the fact your parents are serial cheaters into some hideous plot to never give me grandchildren."

Liz smirked.

"And you are so compassionate and giving. I just want someone to spoil you rotten."

"Thank you for loving me, Grams."

"Always."

A gasp was heard from the doorway. "Elizabeth?"

Her head jerked up. "Patrick. What are you doing here?"

Startled by the emotion in her voice, Jason's eyes popped open and his gaze went from Patrick to her and he had a sinking feeling.

"Edward Quartermaine called in a favor. He wants me to look over Jason's test results and make sure that he is okay. It's so good to see you. I really miss you and I'm sorry you got the wrong idea. I never cheated on you."

Audrey observed Jason watching them and really hopes he doesn't get the impression that Elizabeth wants Patrick. She couldn't quite read him.

"Not here."

They went into the hallway and then into the empty room next door.

"You didn't know I was here?"

His eyes raked up and down her body. "No."

"So, what's her name?"

"Who?"

"The person you are involved with now that you didn't cheat on me with."

His gaze dropped to the floor. "I haven't slept with anyone since you left. I kept hoping you'd come back."

She is totally taken aback. "That has got to be some kind of record for you."

He smirked. "Very funny, but now that you're here, there is something I need to ask you." Slowly, he lowered down to one knee.

"Are you proposing?" She asked before smacking her hand across her mouth, knowing she was loud.

In the other room, Jason closed his eyes. After already losing Sonny, now he had to watch her walk away too? It was too much. It had been a very long time since he had let someone in and frankly, it took being attracted to Elizabeth to make him realize that he is lonely and needs to make some changes.

"Whatever you are thinking, stop."

His gaze went to Audrey who looked very serious.

"She won't say yes."

"How do you know that?"

"Because he hurt her and—Elizabeth is tired of not being able to trust men. Even if Patrick didn't cheat, he's a flirt and women always came on to him and he encouraged it. He's like an overgrown child. She wants someone who respects her and that she feels safe with. You might be handsome, and I'm sure that girls come on to you, but I can't ever see you being that way, especially if you know it will hurt her."

"I wouldn't do that."

"Seeing Patrick threw her off guard, but trust me, that fire in her eyes was not passion by any means. It was anger."

In the next room, Patrick grabbed her hand.

"Take the ring back and marry me."

"You have the ring with you?"

"No. It's at home. Please Elizabeth, I'll change my ways—"

She shook her head quickly like she was trying to wake up from a bad dream. "No."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I said no. Does your over-inflated brain not comprehend that? I can't be with you and if you would be honest with yourself, you'd realize I'm not the right girl for you."

"How can you say that? I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

She rolled her eyes. "I think you thought you could get over on poor, dumb, Elizabeth. Were you just going to cheat on me here and there, thinking that I'd forgive you? I'm not a doormat."

He stood in a huff. "I didn't cheat."

"In my book, having eye sex with someone who is not your fiancé is cheating. Undressing another woman with your eyes is cheating! Now, I don't have time for this. Get back into the room and help him. His friend and colleague died saving him. Can you focus on something other than a woman for once in your pathetic life?"

Now, he is pissed. "Don't ever insinuate that I am not professional. You're the one yelling in a hospital sick ward. Wait. Are you dating him?"

"My personal life is none of your business."

"I'll take that as a yes." He turned on his heel and walked out of the room and Elizabeth took a minute to compose herself before joining him.

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Patrick finished examining Jason's cold eyes. He swore if looks could kill, he'd be six feet under. "You got lucky. You have a moderate concussion, but other than that, there are no blood clots or major swelling."

"What about the headaches?"

"That's combination of the smoke inhalation and the head injury. They should die down in a few days."

"How long do I have to stay in here?"

"At least another day so that you can be monitored. In your field, it can get worse in 48 to 72 hours after you've been exposed. Make it through tomorrow and I'll sign off on it as long as you have someone to watch over you."

"He has me," Audrey said.

Liz and Jason's gaze snapped to where she stood. "Grams?"

"I still have off and I can do it. Lila has two charity functions and I don't think Jason will go to the Quartermaines to stay, so that leaves me. I can teach him a few breakfast recipes and he can rest and watch soap operas with me."

Liz chuckled at the look on Jason's face. "What do you say?"

He really didn't want to go to his parent's house. "Deal."

"Well then, I have some visiting to do."

Patrick was not a happy man. "If you have any questions, let the nurse know. I have to do a consult."

He left and Liz sat next to the bed.

"Sorry about the drama. You really don't need that right now," Liz said.

"Are you okay?" He held his hand up and she quickly grabbed it.

"Yeah. I don't want him back. I hope you believe that."

"I trust you."

She slightly smiled. "Thank you. I don't know why, but I trust you too."

"You're safe with me."

"Ditto."

"Can you get Johnny for me?"

"I'll find him."

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Elizabeth tracked them down on the roof. Johnny left to go back to the room and she pulled her sister aside. "Patrick is here."

"What!"

"I know. He proposed again and swore that he didn't cheat."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Asshole."

"Exactly. Jason overheard a little bit of the conversation, but I set him straight."

"Good. Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I don't want to waste another minute dwelling on Patrick."

Sarah hugged her sister.

"Now, please tell me that you had hot sex with Johnny." She is kidding and the shade of red on her sister's face was worth every syllable.

"Elizabeth!"

"What? You are way past due."

"We didn't have sex."

"Then why is your face so red?"

Sarah groaned. "Before he stopped, he made me…"

Liz's eyes grew big. "You had an orgasm?" She couldn't believe her sister could get any redder, but she had.

Sarah nodded.

"Was it good?"

Sarah sighed. "It was everything."

Liz laughed.

"He wants to take me out on a date."

"I'm happy for you, Sarah. Maybe we've finally found the right match."

"I hope so. I'm feeling flush just thinking about him."

"Come on you little hussy. Let's go check on our men."