Author's Note: Okay so not entirely satisfied with this chapter, I couldn't seem to get this one moving and ended up combining a couple chapters into this one. Not much to say about it, except that I hope you all like the end of this chapter. Originally the ending scene didn't happen for a few more chapters, but I thought eh why keep the suspense going?
Shoutouts: Ghostwriter: Jason and Tommy are my favorite characters to write when it comes to banter. I just love their bromance on screen. And now that I'm starting to write Anna into the story more and more I just love her quirky sense of humor, which is very similar to my own... hmmm didn't intentionally do that but it works LOL
Shievi- You're very right Jason won't give up on Kat, no matter what. Good thing he has Lilly and Tommy to help him through everything.
sz2000- I just love your detailed reviews. It always give me something to think about. Tommy and that silly mug... that bit is based on me. I have a mug that I am very protective over, and no one is allowed to use it or touch it if I can help it. Sadly though, my baby nephew was sitting on my lap and knocked it off the table and it broke :( Guess I gotta buy a new one. Anyway... off subject. Thanks! Here's the next part.
brankel1- Glad you liked the last chapter, I just love Tommy and Jason together. They're awesome. And Anna... Gotta love a woman who's not afraid to poke fun at her man. Hope you like the next chapter.
Jeremy Shane- Here's more for ya!
Chapter 32
"Daddy!" Lilly cried as she came running into Jason's room on Thursday morning. "Daddy wake up right now!"
"Lilly, what's wrong baby?" Jason asked sleepily as he sat up in bed.
"Uh, Jase... you might want to see this." Tommy said from behind Lilly.
"See what?" Jason asked as he climbed out of his nice comfortable bed. "It's only five in the morning, you better have a good reason for getting me up."
"Trust me, you'll want to see this." Tommy replied. Jason groaned and rolled his eyes as he followed his daughter and best friend down the stairs. Lilly stood by the front door and pointed out the window next to the door. Jason moved next to his daughter and drew back the lacy curtain.
"What the... Shit!" Jason stammered as he took in the sight of news vans, cameras, and nosy reporters. "Someone blabbed about Kat being moved."
"One of the nurses from the ICU called a little while ago. They're swarming the hospital trying to grab a statement from anyone that works there." Tommy shook his head.
"So now what?" Jason groaned.
"The hospital administrator thinks it best if no one comes to see Katherine until they get a handle on the reporters." Tommy said sadly. "That includes family."
"So Kat has to sit all alone at the hospital because some low life scavengers can't seem to keep their noses out of our business?" Jason seethed.
"I'm afraid so." Tommy nodded.
"Tommy!" Anna shrieked from the kitchen.
"What? What's wrong Anna?" Tommy called as he and Jason rushed into the kitchen. Through the window above the sink, Jason spotted a couple photographers, obviously hoping to snag a couple pictures of him.
"This is too much." Jason's eyes narrowed. He opened the patio door and walked outside, he was bare chested and barefoot, wearing only a pair of sweatpants, but he didn't care. "Get off my property!"
"Just a quick statement." one of the men grinned at him.
"I'll give you one." Jason glared at the man. "You're trespassing."
"Fair enough." The man shrugged he and the other photographer dashed out of Jason's backyard through the open gate. Jason followed them and made sure the gate was secure before heading back inside. "No one is going anywhere today."
"What about school Daddy?"
"Not today Lilly-pad. I'll call your teacher." Jason shook his head. He picked up the handset to dial Lilly's school just as the phone began to ring. Jason reluctantly answered it. "Hello?"
"Jason, it's a zoo at the station. There's reporters from just about every major newspaper, magazine, and television network camped out in the parking lot waiting for an interview with you, or me! The chief called and told me to stay home today." Tom exclaimed on the other end of the line.
"They're here at my house too, and at the hospital." Jason replied angrily. "This is going too far."
"They're at your house?"
"I just chased a couple out of my backyard."
"I'll ask the chief to send a squad car down to break it up around your house. We might have to have a patrol unit there to watch out for you."
"I don't need a babysitter Tom." Jason shook his head. "But then again it would be nice to have my yard clear."
"Someone will be there soon. I'll ask the chief what we can do about the hospital, but I'm not sure there's much we can do."
"We might just have to make a press announcement so that they have their stupid bone." Jason groaned. He hated the idea of playing twenty questions with the press, but if he got them off his back and let him get back to normal, he do it.
"I was starting to think the same thing."
"I'll call Russ and see what he thinks. With Kat down, he's technically in charge right now."
"Alright, I'll call the chief and you call Russ. Call me later with details."
"Thanks Tom." Jason replied before hanging up his end. Tommy, in the meantime, had pulled all the curtains on every window on the downstairs that was open. Anna sat at the kitchen table, visibly shaken by the spectacle.
"What's going on?" John asked as he walked into the kitchen, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Press." Jason snorted before he dashed up the stairs to retrieve his cell phone. Russ' number was programmed into it.
"Huh? What?" John looked around.
"Someone leaked out Kat's current location and the press swarmed here to get a statement on her condition and speak with the local Lieutenants that helped to take down the 'Angel Killer'." Tommy explained.
"So now what?"
"Jason's trying to figure that out now."
"Kevin's supposed to arrive tonight." John commented as he sank into a seat at the table. "I hate this early morning crap."
"I'll make some coffee." Anna suggested.
"Thank Anna." John grinned. "You have yourself a great woman there Tommy."
"Glad that I have your approval John." Tommy teased.
"Come on, that's gotta be something considering Kat's my sister!" John retorted.
"Your only saying it cause she's offering to make you coffee." Tommy laughed.
"True, any woman offering me coffee is the best woman in the world." John gave Tommy a goofy grin.
"Does Heather know you think that way?"
"Sure she does, that's why she gets up before me most mornings and has coffee ready so I don't have to stop at a coffee shop on the way to work and flirt with the pretty little waitress'."
"You're incorrigible." Anna laughed. "Heather still sleeping?"
"Yeah she's not adjusting well to the time change." John shrugged. "I'd still be in bed if not or the ruckus out here."
"Sorry that we woke you John." Jason said as he came back into the kitchen, his phone already to his ear waiting for an answer. Finally Russ answered. "Hey Russ, it's Jason Scott."
"Hey Jason, how's Kat?"
"Kat's about the same." Jason replied. "I was actually calling to ask your thoughts on a press conference."
"Why the hell would you want to do that? We already had one to inform the public that the 'Angel Killer' is no longer a threat."
"Well you see, the fact is that they're camping out in Angel Grove, waiting to talk to me or Tom, or to get a statement on Kat's condition. Someone, somewhere leaked the information that Kat was moved here."
"Well shit." Russ huffed. "Sounds like I'll have to come there and do some damage control."
"We're trying to do that as best we can right now. They're blocking my house, hoping to get a statement from me. It's bad enough at the hospital that the administrator has asked all of us to refrain from seeing Kat until this blows over."
"Dammit... Okay well... I'll be on the first flight I can manage, but it'll probably take me a couple days to get things in order. We'll hold a conference with Q & A for the press when I get there. We can go over what you can talk about later."
"Thanks Russ, I owe you one."
"We'll call it square, you saved the boss lady, so I guess I owe you."
"Thanks. Let me know when you'll be getting in."
"Oh trust me, you'll know when I get in." Russ laughed.
"See ya then." Jason hung up and sank heavily into a chair.
"You okay there mate?" John asked.
"Just a bit unnerved by all of this." Jason replied. "This situation is horrible."
"I told you, it's going to get worse." Lilly said quietly as she climbed onto her father's lap.
"I know baby, you did say that." Jason pressed a small kiss into the back of Lilly's head before running his fingers through her dark blonde hair. "We'll be okay."
"What if Kat wakes up today and you're not there Daddy?" Lilly asked, almost horrified.
"I don't think she'll wake up today Lilly-pad." Jason replied sadly. "Kat's in pretty bad shape, it might be a long time before she wakes up."
"Kind of like Sleeping Beauty?" Lilly asked innocently causing Jason to chuckle slightly.
"A little bit."
"So kiss her and wake her up." Ah, the simple thoughts of a child, if only it were that simple.
"I wish that worked Lilly-pad." Jason sighed. "Kat was hurt, it's not a spell like Sleeping Beauty. She needs to get better before she can wake up."
Lilly stayed quiet for a minutes before speaking again. "I still think that you if kiss her, she'll wake up." Jason couldn't do anything but laugh at his daughter. He hugged her tight to him.
"I wish you were right Lilly."
XXXXXXXXXX
Russ arrived in Angel Grove at nearly three in the afternoon on Sunday morning, already calling ahead to schedule a press conference in front of the hospital, since that was where most of the reporters were camped out at. Jason and Tom, both dressed in their blues, were already waiting for him as he pulled up at the hospital.
"Scott, Dunham." Russ nodded to them as he shook their hands. "How's the arm Jason?"
"Holding up." Jason replied. "It's been a rough few days though. I haven't even been able to cheek on Kat, her parents and brothers are going crazy not being able to get updates about her."
"Get rid of the reporters at your house?"
"Yeah, but we had to set up a patrol car in the driveway. It's like being under house arrest or something. I haven't left the house for anything including groceries, Lilly's been home from school this whole week, and Kat's brothers are interrogating me at every turn." Jason shook his head.
"At least they're not pounding down my door." Tom grinned. "Though they were asking around the station for me. Not sure how they found Jason's house and not mine."
"Because you were smart and live in an apartment building." Jason laughed.
"They're more interested in you anyway." Tom teased. "One of the female reporters kept asking about your relationship with Agent Hillard."
"That is something we will not discuss at this conference." Russ warned. "You can reveal how you discovered the identity of the 'Angel Killer', and even that it was Rachel who was indirectly involved, but no more than that about her. You can also answer questions about the take down of Tyler Jacobson, AKA the 'Angel Killer'."
"Jason gets to tell how he stupidly stopped a bullet with his arm." Tom grinned.
"Dunham." Jason groaned. "How often do I have to tell you to shut it?"
"Come on Jase, chicks dig guys with scars. Especially if the story is awesome to how they got it. Being shot by one of the most dangerous serial killers is pretty awesome."
"Tom." Jason rolled his eyes again.
"Show time boys." Russ cut in. He led Jason and Tom up in front of the podium. "Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, I'm special Agent Russel Thomas. We're here today to answer some questions about the involvement of Angel Grove PD Lieutenants Jason Scott and Thomas Dunham in the 'Angel Killer' case. By now, no doubt, there have been many rumor circulated as to how involved they were. I'll turn this over to Scott and Dunham." Russ stepped away from podium leaving Jason and Tom fully exposed to the press.
"I'm Lieutenant Jason Lee Scott." Jason started. "Lieutenant Dunham and I became involved when we were called in to investigate a crime scene back in August. The scene fit the MO of a serial killer the FBI had dubbed the 'Angel Killer'. In the span of four months there were two more murders by the 'Angel Killer' right here in Angel Grove..."
A dark haired woman in the front row shot her hand up in the air, cutting off Jason's train of thought. He quickly nodded to her to allow her to speak. "Is it true that one of those victims was your own ex-wife?"
"Unfortunately that is true. My ex-wife Elizabeth Scott was his last victim just before Christmas of last year." Jason replied. A man shot his hand up to ask his question, to which Jason called on him.
"Rumors are circulating that you have a relationship with Special Agent Katherine Hillard. Any truth to that?"
"I..." Jason cleared his throat and looked over to Russ, who shook his head. "I have known Katherine since high school as we both graduated from Angel Grove High. We were close friends then, so it's only natural that we got along during this investigation." Jason was pleased with his diplomatic answer. He neither confirmed nor denied his relationship with Kat.
"Reports state that it you and Lieutenant Dunham who discovered the identity of the 'Angel Killer'. How did you do that?" another female questioned.
"A vague tip left by Agent Dawson led us to Jacobson." Tom shrugged.
"How is Agent Rachel Dawson involved with the 'Angel Killer'? We know she's being held on charges in New York, relating to this case." a male asked from somewhere near the middle.
Russ moved back in front of the podium to answer that question. "Rachel Dawson is being held on charges of accessory after the fact. She is the lost sibling of Tyler Jacobson, aka the 'Angel Killer'. Dawson allegedly hid his identity after discovering it during our investigation here in Angel Grove. We can't say much more at this time, pending a trial for Ms. Dawson."
"Can you give us a statement on Katherine Hillard's condition? We are aware that the 'Angel Killer' abducted her and attempted to murder her, but her actual condition has been held from us since."
Russ gestured for Jason to answer that, since he knew more than anyone else. Jason took a deep breath before beginning. "Truthfully, Katherine is in rough shape. She suffered major blood loss and severe hypothermia. Knowing Katherine, the reason she is alive right now is her strong will and stubbornness to do the impossible, but I have been unable to check up on her due to... unforeseen circumstances."
The conference lasted nearly twenty minutes. Jason and Tom answered nearly every question asked of them. Only a couple had to go unanswered since they were related to Rachel. At the end of it, the press knew just about everything from how Jason and Tom had gotten involved, to how they found the clue Rachel left behind, to Jason getting shot and finding Katherine. It didn't take long for the press to scatter once Russ called the conference closed. Jason sighed in relief, hoping that they would chew on their fresh bone for a while, leaving him alone to focus on Lilly and Kat.
"Good job gentleman." Russ pat them both on the back. "You were both smooth, very smooth. I might just have to make you guys my official conference speakers."
"Hell no." Tom backed away from the FBI agent quickly. "I hate speaking to the press. You can use Mr silver tongue over there, but leave me out of it."
"I'm going to decline too Russ." Jason chuckled. "I just want things to go back to normal."
"I hear ya. Kat usually handle the press for me, but I guess I'm not too bad at it." Russ chuckled as well. "Speaking of Kat, since I'm here, I'm going to check on her."
"I'll go with you, I haven't been here since Wednesday. Tommy and Anna are watching Lilly, so I can stay for a while." Jason said.
"I'm heading home." Tom shook his head. "See ya later."
"Bye Tom." Jason waved at his partner as he disappeared into the parking lot. Russ and Jason walked into the hospital and rode the elevator up to the fourth floor. Jason called back to the desk to be buzzed in.
As they walked in a nurse came up to Jason with a large smile. "I think we have a big surprise for you Jason."
"Is she getting better?" Jason asked as hope filled his chest.
"You tell me." she grinned as she stepped aside to let the men into Kat's room. Kat half sat, half lay in the bed. Her eyes open and her breathing tube gone, although she had an oxygen mask still on.
"Kat!" Jason exclaimed and rushed over to her side. "You're awake! Oh my... You're awake!" Tears threatened to fall as he placed his hands on either side on her face and kissed her forehead over and over. He still held her face as he looked up at the ceiling as the first tear slid down his face. "Thank you." He whispered to whatever higher power had listened to his prayers.
"She woke up a couple days ago." The nurse grinned. "She's asked for you more than once."
"I've missed you so much Kat." Jason whispered before he kissed her forehead again.
"You never fail to amaze me boss lady." Russ smirked as he moved to her other side. Kat's eyes slowly moved over to Russ and a small smile pulled at her lips, although she didn't make any other movement.
Russ and Jason sat talking to Kat, filling her in on the parts of the case that she had missed. They both could see the sadness in her eyes at the news of Rachel's involvement. Jason could see the betrayal etched across her face.
"I'm glad to see you starting to get better Katherine." Russ stood and pat her leg gently. "I'll pass along the good news to HQ. Everyone there is worried about you. I'll try to come check on you again, but I've got a plane to catch back to New York."
Kat gave a small nod, the best she could manage, toward him. He offered her a warm smile before leaving the room. Kat let her head turn to the side to look at Jason. He met her gaze and stood from the chair, kissing her forehead again. She slowly slid her hand toward him, which she still had in a fist. Jason watched as she turned her hand over, with much effort, to reveal his power coin.
With a smile he took it from her open hand. "I don't know what made me give you this, or if it's the reason you're getting better, but whatever happened I'm just so happy... Oh shoot! I've got to call your parents and Tommy, and well... everyone else. I'll be right back Snowflake."
Kat felt a flutter in her stomach at her nickname. She honestly never thought she'd hear it again. She wanted so badly to hug Jason back and tell him that she loved him, but her arms just wouldn't work and her tongue seemed heavy and useless. Although she took comfort in the knowledge that she'd get stronger and her voice would return after her throat healed from the breathing tube.
Jason left the ICU unit and turned his cell phone back on. He quickly dialed his parents number. His mother answered and he quickly asked for Sophia. It wasn't long before Sophia picked up the line.
"Hello Jason dear, your mother said you asked for me."
"How fast can you and Mr. Hillard get to the hospital?" Jason asked.
"A few minutes. Why? Is something wrong?"
"No! No there's nothing wrong. Quite the opposite actually." Jason was practically bouncing on his toes from the excitement coursing through him. "She's awake."
Jason heard a thud on the other end of the line as he heard rushed footsteps fading away from the phone, just before he heard Sophia scream. "Micheal get your coat! She's awake! Oh Lordy! She's awake!"
"Katherine's awake?" Linda asked after she picked up the dropped phone.
"Yes!" Jason exclaimed.
"Oh praise the Lord!" Linda cried on her end.
"She's not out of the woods yet, but we're getting there Mom. I'm sure she's gonna be okay now."
"How is she?"
"She can't speak and has hardly any strength at all, but she's got her eyes open and she's responding to conversations."
"I'm so glad. Your father and I might swing by at a later time to see her."
"I think she'd like that." Jason replied. "but I've been informed that we have to be careful to not overstimulate her."
"I understand that dear. I said 'later'." Linda laughed. "Give her our love."
"I will Mom. I've gotta call Tommy. I'm sure he wants to know that she's awake."
"Alright Hun, love you."
"Love you too Mom. Bye." Jason hung up the phone and quickly pulled up Tommy's number.
"Have fun at your press conference Jason?" Tommy asked.
"Oh yeah, tons." Jason rolled his eyes at the memory from just an hour ago. "But I have some news that everyone at the house will be thrilled to hear."
"What's that?"
"Kat's awake!"
"Seriously?... I mean... I know you wouldn't joke about that... she's really awake?"
"Yeah, I came to check on her after the press conference and she was awake. She's awfully weak, but her eyes are open and she's responding."
"Damn good! I'll tell everyone here! I'm sure John and Kevin will want to head to hospital." Tommy exclaimed.
"Would you mind calling everyone else, I want to get back in there with Kat until her parents get here."
"Of course! I'll make the calls as soon as I tell John. See you later Jase."
"Thank Tommy." Jason replied before he ended the call. He turned off the cell phone once again and called back to be buzzed in so he could join Kat. There seemed to be nothing that could bring down his mood. In the back of his mind he wondered if maybe the worst was over and in his heart he hoped that was true.