A/N – Thanks for the comments and birthday wishes! I'm really glad you liked the action sequences. * Guest – You know, I have never seen the Notebook. I just somehow never got around to it.

You'll find out a little more about the Jerome family.

Chapter 42

Doreen helped her get out of the dress and underwear and then put her arm around Elizabeth's waist and let her lean on her as she walked. Once Liz was inside the shower and situated, Doreen leaned against the counter and cried. She hated seeing her friends in so much pain. After letting it out, she took a deep breath and washed her face.

Elizabeth stood under the hot spray and let the tears flow. After a few minutes, she scrubbed and then turned it off. Doreen handed her a towel and helped her dry off and then got her into her clothes.

"Thanks," Liz said. It was a little awkward, but she is too tired to care."

"Jim!"

Jim came in and picked her up and put her on the bed. "I just checked on Jason. The guys are moving him up here now."

"He saved my life."

"Which makes me like him even more."

Her lip trembled and Jim held her tight.

"Let it out sweetie. I'll hold you."

She started to sob and Doreen rubbed her back as her husband watched a tear roll down her face.

"We can put off the trip."

Liz pulled back. "No!"

Doreen handed her a tissue.

"You two need to go away. The danger is gone now. Please go. You were looking forward to it and you promised to bring me back that danish."

Jim grinned. "Alright, we'll go."

"Thank you."

They heard a noise and saw the guys carrying Jason in. Doreen pulled back the comforter and they put a barely conscious Jason on the sheets."

Liz moved towards him and Jason whispered her name. "I'm right here. I won't leave you."

Jason let out a breath. His eyes were already closed and Liz knew he had probably fallen asleep.

"We'll stop by in the morning to change his bandages. I want him to stay in bed tomorrow except to use the bathroom and then we'll see about Monday," Monica said firmly.

"Okay."

"I gave him an antibiotic injection. I'll drop some pills off tomorrow." She kissed Jason on the forehead. "Get some sleep. Are you in pain?"

Liz bit her lip.

"She is in pain. I could tell," Doreen said.

Alan went into his bag and got out a pain pill. "I'll leave two. Take one now, and if you need to, take one tomorrow."

"Okay," she said as she sat up.

Georgie handed her a water bottle and Liz swallowed the pill and water.

The Q's left and everyone started to file out of the room.

"Text me tomorrow," Doreen said.

Georgie nodded. "We'll swap numbers and I'll do it."

The ladies went downstairs and Jim kissed Elizabeth on the head and touched Jason's arm and left.

Brenda grabbed a blanket from the closet and laid on Elizabeth's lounge chair. "I'm staying here."

"Alright, I'll get a ride to the hotel and come back in the morning," Felix said.

Julian walked over to the bed and kissed Elizabeth on the cheek and then turned out the light and shut the door. When he started to move, he saw Carly walking towards him. She rushed into his arms and held him tightly. "You okay?" she asked as she pulled back.

"No."

Johnny ran upstairs. "I'll get everyone home."

"Thank you."

He left and Julian grabbed her hand and led her to his bedroom. Once they got inside, he sat on a chair and put his head in his hands and broke down. Carly held him against her and waited until he calmed. She handed him a tissue and then knelt down in front of him. "Talk to me."

"I shot my sister."

"You did it to protect your daughter."

"I know that I had no other choice, but…I just feel like I failed her."

Carly waited for him to explain more.

"I knew our father was an asshole. He treated her horribly, beating her and emotionally abusing her. It was her punishment for not being a boy. As Ava got older, she pushed me away and went off the deep end. She was cruel and did things to destroy the family. There was just no reasoning with her, so I gave up and tried to protect the business. That pitted us against each other. My father died in an accident. I have always felt that Ava caused it. She disappeared for a while and every time that she'd show up, something bad happened because of her choices, so I told her that I didn't want her around Elizabeth or me if she wouldn't agree to get help and when she didn't, we parted ways."

"Tonight, she blamed you for not protecting her, didn't she?"

"Yes."

"Don't let her mess with your head like that. She said it on purpose because she knew it would eat you alive. She forced your hand."

"I almost lost Elizabeth. I watched her go over that ledge and it was one of the worst moments of my life."

Carly wiped a tear off his face. "I can't even imagine."

"Can you stay? I don't want to be alone."

"Yes. Michael is at my mother's house. Can I run you a bath?"

He nodded.

She disappeared into the bathroom to turn the water on and then came back and took off his shoes and socks and slowly undressed him, happy that he is letting her take care of him. They walked to the bathroom hand in hand and then he slipped into the tub and watched with hooded eyes as Carly stripped in front of him. She stepped into the water and sat in front of him and washed his face and chest. Julian's body started to come alive and she smirked as she pumped it with the wash cloth.

"He doesn't care that I'm upset and this is probably an inappropriate time to make love to you."

"Clearly, but I don't mind taking you away from your incessant inner dialogue."

He moaned as she threw aside the washcloth and then pumped him harder before mounting him. Slowly she made love to him, working him up into a frenzy before they both exploded.

"Thank you for making me feel a little better."

"Anytime."

They relaxed for a while longer and then got out. Julian got Carly a t-shirt to wear and then they went to bed. It took a while for Julian to fall asleep. Ava was weighing heavy on his mind. Somehow, he needed to let go of his guilt.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next morning, Jason woke up first. He moved a little and then groaned when he felt pain shooting through his stomach.

Brenda jumped up. "What's wrong?"

Jason's jaw was clenched so she just took his hand and waited for him to breathe deeply.

"Your mom sewed you up last night. They'll be here soon to check your bandages."

"Why are you in my room?"

"Don't be mean. I was worried."

"Sorry—Habit. I need to use the bathroom."

"I'll get Milo."

She disappeared for a minute and returned with help.

"Okay. I need you to put your arms around my neck and let me pull you up."

Jason lifted his arms. "Damn. I'm beyond sore."

"It was from holding her up."

He groaned as Milo lifted him into a sitting position. It hurt like a bitch. "I think I ache in places I never knew about."

Milo smirked. "Now, keep your arms there and let me do the work."

Jason nodded and Milo pulled him up and then put his arm around him. "Slow."

"I don't think I could move fast if you paid me."

"I'm sure you'd find a way if you had to get to Elizabeth."

"True."

They got into the bathroom and Milo got him a wash cloth and put his toothbrush and paste next to it. "Call me if you need me."

"Thanks."

Elizabeth stretched and her hand went to find Jason and when she didn't feel him, she shot up."

"Relax. He's in the bathroom."

Liz focused in on her. "You slept here?"

Brenda had lain down again. "Yup."

"Thank you."

"You two were knocked out."

"I needed it." She got out of bed and yelped when she tried to walk. Milo was there in a flash.

"Your body is sore. You need to take it easy."

"Sorry. I wasn't thinking."

"Where were you going?"

"To the bathroom next door."

She took two more steps, making all kind of painful noises and Milo couldn't stand it, so he picked her up and took her to the other room.

"You saved me, Milo, and I don't know how to repay you."

"Never dangle off a cliff again and that will be a perfect start."

She slightly smiled. "Trust me. I don't ever plan to be in that situation ever again."

"Milo!" Jason yelled.

Brenda got up. "Sorry, he's with Liz next door. What do you need?"

"My bag is in the closet. I need underwear and some sweatpants."

"You'll have to take off the pants when you're mom comes. You sure you want to deal with that pain?"

Milo heard them. "I think I have some shorts in the car that will fit him. I'll be right back."

Brenda got his underwear from the bag and then opened the door and tossed them without looking. "Black, why am I surprised?"

"Shut it."

She closed the door and sat and then Milo rushed in and gave him the shorts. He had managed to get his underwear on, but Milo had to help him with the rest.

"That shouldn't have been so exhausting."

"Boss, you're out of shape. That's what happens when you quit working out with me."

Jason grunted as Milo led him out.

"How's Max?"

"Sore, but the Kevlar did what it was supposed to do."

"Good."

Millie appeared and grabbed a few more pillows from the closet and stacked them so Jason could sit up comfortably.

Milo went to get Liz and then placed her beside Jason.

"Are you okay?" Jason asked.

"Yes. I'm just sore. What about you?"

"Same."

Their hands linked and Jason just stared at her, so grateful that she is okay.

Millie propped her up and then everyone left the room to let them talk.

"I thought I was going to die, and the only thing I had was that I could look into your eyes and try not to panic. Then I realized they could be the last thing that I saw." Her eyes watered and Jason tried to squelch his emotions.

"You were slipping. I didn't think I could hold on much longer. If I had dropped you..." He paused for a moment. "I wouldn't have lasted another day."

She understood the implications of his words and a tear slid down her cheek. "I'm here and we made it. You and Milo saved me."

"I'm so glad you held on."

"When I went over, I tried to lurch forward and my hands somehow found that ledge. I could hear her body hit below and I was so scared."

He felt her shiver. "You saved yourself, Elizabeth. I think my heart broke in a million pieces when you started to fall and then when I saw you were still there, I just lunged forward like an idiot. Thank God Johnny dove onto my legs to stop my momentum. All I knew is that I had to get to you."

She moved so she could hug him and feel his warmth.

"Maybe it's good that I got hurt because I don't think I can let you out of my sight for a while."

"I feel the same way. I made Doreen and Jim go on vacation."

"Good. They needed to get away."

"Are you upset they didn't leave Chloe with you?"

"Yes and no. I understood. We had a lot going on and they didn't want to impose."

"Yeah."

"I was thinking about getting a dog."

She smiled. "Really? Were you thinking of a Chihuahua or a bulldog—wait, what about a cute yorkie?"

Jason chuckled. "That's some imagination you have there. No, I was thinking of a Newfie."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. Would you be okay with that?"

She was quiet for a moment, making Jason fret a little. "Well, I would prefer less slobber, but they are beautiful dogs and I can understand why you like them."

"Was that a blessing?"

"Yeah," she said.

"That didn't sound enthusiastic."

"I'll buy some stock in a paper towel company."

He laughed and instantly regretted it.

"Sorry."

He took a deep breath. "One more thing."

"What? You want to drive a big truck?"

"No. I'll leave that to the professionals. If I'm going to get a Newfie, I'm going to need a house."

"True."

"Would you help me pick it out?"

Her head rose. "Jason, it's your house. You should get what you want."

"Eventually, you are going to be living there, so I think you get a say. I want you to be a big part of it. If you don't like it, then I don't like it."

She smiled and snuggled against him again. "Okay. I would love to help."

"Good. Diane will help too."

"I'll text her." She groaned. "My phone is at the office."

"We can send someone over there to get it for you."

Monica entered the room. "How are my patients?"

"We hurt," Jason said.

She fought a smile. It wasn't right to laugh at his pathetic expression, but he looked so cute. "I'm going to change your bandages."

She checked out his stomach and put some antibiotic ointment on it. "Your dad is going to drop off some meds and then he has to go to work."

Jason sucked in a breath as she pressed around it.

"It's healing. In a few days, you'll feel a lot better."

She finished up and then checked his cut. It was miserable trying to get the bandage off. She ended up having to cut some of his hair so that she could get it off which hurt him. "Sorry."

He couldn't even talk it hurt so bad.

"This one isn't going to take as long to heal. It looks good."

"No more band aids."

"I can shave a little area around it. It will get itchy when the hair grows back, but I need it covered for at least another day."

He groaned when Milo handed her a wet wash clothing and a razor.

She carefully cleared a space around the cut and then put a bandage on it. "There." She touched his forehead. "No fever. That is good."

Alan entered the room. "How are the patients?"

"Grumpy and grumpier."

He chuckled. "That was to be expected." He walked around the other side of the bed and checked Liz's leg and then felt her head. "You're going to be just fine. I had to practically restrain Edward to keep him from coming over here. Alice even threatened to sit on him."

"Milo can get you some heavy duty rope and handcuffs."

Alan grinned. "I will keep that in mind. I have to go. I left a few pain meds and sleeping pills. Make sure Jason takes the antibiotic twice a day until it runs out."

"I will."

"If you can't sleep, take a pill." Alan is worried that Liz would have nightmares.

"Okay."

He left and Monica touched Jason's arm. "I worry about you all the time."

"I'm fine."

"I know that you can take care of yourself, but Jason, you're still human and can break. I would like you around for a while and hopefully, you'll have a few grandkids for me to dote on eventually."

He slightly smiled. "That's the plan."

"He's getting a dog."

Monica's eyes grew big. "Please tell me you aren't getting another Chloe."

Jason smiled.

Monica pursed her lips. "I'm not a slobber fan, but anything that can make you smile like that I can deal with."

"Thanks, mom."

Monica would never tire of hearing him call her that. "We'll just get her a Q bib."

Liz chuckled.

"I'm going to leave, but I need you to promise me that you will stay in one piece until I visit tomorrow. I swear I had more gray hair this morning."

"I promise."

"If you don't, I'm sending Alice over here."

"As long as it's not Tracy, I can deal."

Monica squeezed his hand. "See ya tomorrow."

She left and Elizabeth started to fall asleep again.