A/N - Thanks for the comments! * Wendi – Jason couldn't have killed Gabriel. He's trapped inside with Alan. You'll get more details. The people who blew up the lobby (Gabriel's enemies) killed Gabriel.

Chapter 17

The hospital is on high alert. They really don't know what they are dealing with considering the damage that was done to the structure and the type of injuries. Some of the hotel guests had been shaken up and fell or were in shock. And of course, the more critical ones are filling up the OR.

Monica needs surgery. Despite being one big bruise, she also has a mild concussion, broken wrist, and a ruptured spleen. Edward has several cuts and a bruised back. He is in a lot of pain and his blood pressure is through the roof.

Nikolas was cut up pretty badly and has a head injury. A big piece of glass had lodged into his leg and they will have to operate to get it out. Lulu has a concussion and her foot was cut open from flying shrapnel as well as some first degree burns on her left outer leg. In fact, all the victims had small cuts everywhere, so the nurses had to pick metal out of wounds which is an excruciating task. The ones that are in the lobby longer are also dealing with varying degrees of smoke inhalation.

Carly has a broken ankle, is bruised, and has a head injury as well. Francis has a broken ankle too and it will require surgery and pins. The rest of his body is banged up pretty badly and he has some deep bruises on his thigh and hip. Diane is anxiously waiting to see him. Anna has a bruised hip, some deep cuts, and some minor burns on her leg.

As a precaution, there are officers scattered everywhere inside and outside of the building. Several of their colleagues had been critically injured. The mood is grim. The victims that are awake are also complaining about their hearing. Luckily, none of them had been burned severely. After piecing together the details with the other agencies, Mac came to the conclusion that whoever was after Gabriel had blown up the lobby and shot him when he escaped serious injury. They are long gone.

Edward watched Epiphany approach. "Any word on my son and Jason?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Quartermaine, they haven't been admitted." Epiphany wished she could assure him that they would be okay, but it was looking bleak. Time is running out.

"I don't think I could take losing them both," he said solemnly.

"Would you like me to pray with you Mr. Quartermaine?"

"It's Edward and I would love that."

They bowed their heads and Epiphany said a prayer which Edward added too. "Lila, please watch over them. It's not their time." His voice broke and Epiphany took his hand and hoped that he'd get his family back safe and sound.

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Alan started to stir. Everything hurt. He isn't sure what is wrong with him, but he can't move. "Help!" he yelled before breaking into a coughing fit.

Johnny stopped. "Did you hear that?"

Quickly several men started lifting debris up until Alan's voice is heard stronger.

"Mr. Quartermaine?"

"Yes. I'm hurt. My son is unconscious."

"We're almost to you. Hang on."

They moved as fast as they could, knowing they didn't have much time. They ignored the creaks and sounds of things falling and continued on, finally seeing part of his body.

"This might hurt, but we're going to lift the table off of you."

They hoisted it and chucked it to the side. Alan couldn't breathe deeply as his body let him know it is under duress.

The EMT knelt down. "Talk to me."

"Can't breathe..."

"We'll get you some oxygen shortly."

"My heart is beating too fast."

"We're going to roll you over okay?"

"Just do it." He cried out right before they rolled him onto the backboard. "Save him." They carried him outside as everyone cheered.

Another EMT checked out Jason. "He has a pulse, but it's weak."

"He was shot, but he had Kevlar on," Johnny said.

"Let's slide him onto the board."

A few men hoisted him onto it and then they heard a loud cracking sound.

"Move!" Mac yelled.

They rushed through the shattered doors and had just made it out when the rest of the roof started caving in. Jason is placed on a gurney and Liz rushes to his side. "Jason!" she yelled.

"Sorry ma'am we need to get him to the hospital."

"Can I ride with him?"

"I'm afraid we don't have any room." They are also transporting an injured officer too.

She touched Jason's hand and then turned to Milo. "Please take me to the hospital." Jason is covered in dust and dried blood. She is so scared for him.

"Okay."

They ran back to the car. Jim and Doreen slipped out of theirs and hugged her.

"Are you holding up?"

"Not really. They just brought him out and he doesn't look good. He was unconscious."

"He'll fight for you. I don't think he's going anywhere."

"Can you follow us?"

Jim nodded. "Of course." They rushed back to their car and then followed Milo to the hospital.

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When Alan and Jason are brought in, everyone rushes to assist them. They are taken into two different bays and Epiphany cut off Jason's shirt and wrenched open the vest. A huge bruise had formed over his traumatized skin. "He could have internal bleeding."

Patrick felt around his head for any bumps. "There's a knot on the back." He pulled his hand out and there is blood covering it. "Shit."

"He's crashing," one of the nurses said loudly.

Epiphany and Patrick work in tandem, using the crash cart to get him back.

"He needs a scan so we know what we're dealing with." It could be a combination of the smoke inhalation and the chest injury from being shot at close range.

"I already sent for the portable unit," Epiphany said as they worked to get the vest off. Finally, Jason is freed of it and they can access the damage more easily.

"I think he has lost a lot of blood." There is some shrapnel lodged in his arms and with the head bleed and trauma to the chest, Patrick isn't sure where to start.

A nurse rushes the equipment inside and Patrick begins the scan of his chest and then does one of his head as Epiphany held it up. Afterwards, they gave him some saline and cleaned him up as Patrick analyzed the results.

"He has a blood clot. I probably can relieve the pressure by draining it. There is deep bruising on his chest which is causing him to breathe irregularly, but I don't think there was any damage to his lungs. Get a team ready for the OR. I'll need a few nurses to help take out the shrapnel afterwards."

"I'll get the staff together," Epiphany said rushing out of the room. Time is crucial.

In the next bay, Leo is examining Alan. "You might need a pacemaker."

Alan groaned.

"I know it sucks, but you're going to have a heart attack if we don't put it in."

"Alright, how are my wife, son, and father?"

Leo gave him an update and Alan is scared.

"She is stable. I just checked on her," Bobby said.

"If I don't make it, tell them I love them."

Bobby's hand brushed against his hair. "You can tell them yourself when you wake up."

Alan closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. They had to make it.

They prepped him and took him to the OR.

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Elizabeth ran into the ER waiting room with Milo, Jim, and Doreen. "Can you tell me how Jason Morgan is?"

Sabrina looked up at her. "Are you family?"

"I'm his girlfriend. Please. I had to stand there and watch a building almost collapse on him. I have to know or I'll go crazy."

Doreen snaked her arm around Elizabeth's waist, trying to keep her steady.

"He coded, but they got him back. Right now, he's in the OR. He has a brain bleed which they are trying to drain and a deep bruise on his chest from the gunshot. They are doing everything they can for him. You look very pale. When is the last time you ate or drank anything?"

Liz tried to think. "Yesterday, I think."

Jim muttered under his breath. "Which way is the cafeteria?"

Sabrina gave him directions.

"Do you drink coffee?" Jim asked.

"Not a lot, but I'll have some," Liz said.

"I'll bring you a sandwich."

"Why don't we all go? I'm sure Jason will be in surgery for a while," Doreen said.

Sabrina nodded. "It will probably be at least another hour and then they have to remove the shrapnel."

Liz cringed. "Okay."

They started to walk away and then Julian walked towards them.

"Daddy!" she said emotionally as she ran towards him and they embraced. She is shaking as she cries, so relieved to see him.

"How's my girl?"

"I'm so scared. He's in surgery."

He kissed her forehead. "Jason is a fighter and has been through far worse."

"So you are okay with us being together?"

"Not really, but it's your life. I'll respect your wishes because I love you."

Doreen slightly smiled.

"Elizabeth. Who are your friends?"

She pulled back. "This is Jim and Doreen. We stayed with them and they protected us."

He reached out his hand. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter. She means everything to me."

They shook hands.

"She's a great person and we're glad to call her a friend," Doreen said.

"We were just going to cafeteria. Elizabeth hasn't eaten since yesterday," Jim said.

Julian frowned.

"Why don't you come with us?" Doreen suggested.

"Sounds good."

They went to cafeteria and tried to distract themselves from the seriousness of the situation by talking about their adventures.

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Monica made it out of surgery and is in the recovery room in stable condition. They had to remove her spleen, but luckily were able to use a more non-evasive procedure so she would only require a few days stay in the hospital.

Carly is hurting and still coughing a little bit, but her wrist is set and she is trying to rest. Every time she closes her eyes, she is back in that lobby and she jumps and wakes herself up.

Julian quietly approaches her bed and takes in her appearance. She has some cuts and a bandage on her forehead as well as the cast. There are bruises on her arms and face. "How are you feeling?"

She is happy to see him. "I'm exhausted. Any word on Jason?"

"He's still in surgery. Patrick is done draining the clot and right now they are removing the shrapnel."

"Thank God I was asleep for that." Her arms are a little sore, but she figures the worst is over. "And Elizabeth?"

"She's here and safe. We both are having problems with our guilt," he said before pulling a chair beside the bed.

"Don't. That man was crazy and I honestly don't think he was planning on letting us all go."

"You're probably right about that. The reason I wouldn't give him what he truly wanted, which was a disk, was because he was supplying some foreign countries with weapon technology. He was a terrorist really and they were being used against our military. His name was Gabriel and he was a billionaire who got rich off of insider trader tips and selling his technology to the highest bidder."

Carly made a face. "What an asshole."

Julian slightly smiled. "Yes. How long do you have to stay?"

"Just overnight, I think they just want to make sure that I'm stable."

"I can hang out later once we know Jason is settled."

She smiled. "I would like that."

"Where is your son?"

"Mercedes, my nanny, has him. The nurse called for me and she said she can keep him."

"That's good. Can I bring you anything?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm good."

He grabbed her hand and lightly squeezed it. "I'll see you soon."

She watched him leave, hoping that something good would come out of all the chaos and they'd be able to go out on a date when she is able.

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Elizabeth walked into Edward's room. His eyes are closed and he slowly opened them when he heard her move.

"Hi," Elizabeth said softly.

Edward blinked a few times to clear his head. "You must be Elizabeth."

"Yes. How are you feeling?"

She had stopped her forward progression and is nervously shifting, wondering if the man will hold all of this against her.

"I'm sore, but that's what medicine is for. You can come closer. I won't bite."

She awkwardly moved forward. "I'm sorry that you and your family were hurt."

"Me too, but if you think that I blame you, don't. You were a victim in all of this mess. He was going to kill you to get to your father. From what I've heard, he was a very bad man and some of our soldiers have died because of him." He watched her curiously. She is pretty and seems nice. "I hear you are an artist."

Liz sat down. "Yes and I run some galleries."

"My wife Lila was a patron of the arts. You would have gotten along famously."

Liz slightly smiled. "Jason was quite fond of her."

"That's because they had a special relationship. That boy could do no wrong in her eyes."

"She sounds like a special lady."

"Oh, she was the love of my life. I miss her every moment that I'm awake. I hope that you and Jason find that kind of love."

"Thank you. At first, I didn't think I was going to like him. He was a little moody."

Edward's eyebrow rose. "A little?"

She chuckled. "But after awhile, we just clicked and we couldn't deny how we felt any longer. I got to see who he was as a person and saw how special he is. Jason is a very protective and caring person. He tries to hide it, but he cares for the people he loves deeply."

"They said he couldn't."

"They were wrong," she said with such conviction that Edward smiled. He had no doubt that Elizabeth is the one for his grandson. Hopefully, she will change his life in ways that Jason could never imagine.

A nurse came into check on him and let Elizabeth know that Jason is in recovery and she can probably see him in a half hour or so.

"Please tell him that I love him. I don't say it often enough and I tended to be one of his critics, but I was wrong. He's family and he handled the accident situation the best way that he could, even if it wasn't the way I would have preferred."

Liz warmly smiled. "I know he'll be glad to hear that. Jason may not remember you from before, but he does feel the connection. It's just that he doesn't know what to do with that. Hopefully, we can be patient and show him. If you have his back and encourage him, I'm sure he'll respond in kind."

Edward returned her smile. "That is something my Lila would have said. I was just too stubborn to listen. It won't happen again."

"Goodbye, Mr. Quartermaine. It was lovely meeting you."

"I feel the same and please, call me Edward."

She nodded and left, feeling a lot better that Jason is going to make it.