Jason knew she was there before he opened his eyes. He had dozed off again though he had tried to stay awake and wait for them to arrive. Lena had run away both crying and laughing, exclaiming she had to make a call and Dr Roberts came in shortly after to ask him questions about his memory and identity. They had found a digital spell board which allowed Jason to communicate via swiping his fingers on a small touch pad, his words showing on a screen above his bed. Even though it was now easier and faster to "talk", Jason quickly tired. Now that he knew what really happened, the shock sank in anew and it was difficult to dodge the questions about his involvement. He did not know any details about the story, Lena had told the hospital stuff. In the end, he kept pretending that he still lacked memories about the most recent events which seemed perfectly plausible.
Neri was the first face he saw. She tried to smile but worry and grief had drawn deep lines. Her eyes had sunk deeply into the sockets. Her cheeks looked hollow and Jason could see some traces of water withdrawal on her skin. He moved his hand and realized, she was already holding it, sitting on his right bedside. One by one, he noticed them: Diane on his left bedside, his father and Brett at his feet, Mera, Shalamorn and Lena closer to the door. They all looked exhausted. Their faces were pale and their statue seemed sunk, like they had given up. Jason saw desperate hope in their expressions, as they did not believe it was him quite yet – with the exception of Neri. She knew.
He must look terrible to them. The beeping machines, the bandages, his swollen face, black and blue all over. Still, he was alive and pure miracle of it suddenly sunk in. He was alive and his family was with him. Tears of relief shot into his eyes and he couldn't help them running down his face. His body started trembling at the turmoil in his guts. He didn't care if he looked weak. His family had wept over him, so now, it was on him to weep over his sorry state, over the shock of what happened to him. He cried out of self-pity, out of relief and out of anger. Whoever did this, he hated them for their cruelty, for what they did to him and his family. They had almost taken his future from him and took many futures from too many people.
His tears broke the tension in the room. Diane broke into tears as well and sobbed at his shoulder, still careful not to touch the injured parts. Paul put an arm around Brett and comforted him, while trembling himself. Mera, Shalamorn and Lena didn't move but kept watching the scene with shiny eyes. Neri didn't cry. Jason guessed she just had no water to spent anymore but maybe she was simply done with weeping.
Dr Roberts entered the scene, looked around and hesitated one second as if not sure to disturb them. Behind him was Rebecca. She took one look and started sobbing loudly. Dr Roberts frowned and turned around.
"Rebecca," he scolded. "Put yourself together, please."
"I can't help it," Rebecca sniveled. "I'm so happy."
She sounded so adorable that Jason's crying turned into laughing. It hurt terribly but it was worth it. He didn't know what Dr Roberts and Lena had told his family about Rebecca but they must have said something because Neri got up, walked straight towards her and pulled her into a hug.
This new high and low of emotions took its toll. Jason quickly felt exhausted. He had fought a really hard fight to stay alive and now, that he was saved, he let his family take over it. He deserved a break and knew, his family would be there, when he woke up again. He didn't know how much time passed by as he slipped in and out of sleep. He still caught glimpses of what was going on around him, how Shalamorn and Diane fought with Dr Roberts for the right to transfer him back to O.R.C.A., discussing if Jason was stable enough, if they had the necessary equipment and skilled stuff to take care of him. They probably had also put him under some medication again. There was this heavy darkness lingering, he was so familiar with by now. He heard the engine sounds of the helicopter, felt some pressure changes, smelt salt water and saw familiar ceilings and lights. He was back on O.R.C.A.. He was finally home.