SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA. JULY 2025.

Jake's days were filled with mainly Olivia visiting. Shortly after, Jax and Sophie had to fly back out to American for their respective commitments, leaving Olivia the only person there.

His parents had called him and his dad explained the driving situation to him, Jake had come to terms with it. Maybe this was for the best, he just needed a rest and reset before coming back stronger.

He had various messages from people in the F1 community, all the drivers in the grid sent him messages wishing him a speedy and successful recovery and Jake appreciated them all.

Social media was also alight for support for him, everyone seemed to be happy that Jake was seemingly on the road to making a successful recovery.

It was all good but the sterile, white walls of the hospital room had started to feel like a prison to Jake. Days seemed to drag on forever, each moment blending into the next.

"Hey," Olivia's voice snapped him out of his thoughts from the doorway, "I brought you some food."

Jake beckoned her over as she handed him a sandwich. "Thank you Liv, I can't stand this hospital food."

She laughed. "I know, that's why I went and got you some stuff."

She placed her shopping bag of snacks next to Jake before perching on the side of his bed.

"Come here." Jake said, gesturing for Liv to lie next to him. Once she did, he had an arm around her and held her close - like if he let her go he'd lose her.

Liv appreciated it, this was a constant reminder that she was lucky enough to still have Jake with her. She had never felt so deeply about anyone before and she couldn't - despite how cliché it sounded - bear the thought of living without him.

The doctors wanted to make sure everything was ok with Jake before they discharged him and they were planning on keeping him for at least another week. They were constantly monitoring his internals - such as the broken rib that narrowly missed puncturing his lungs - and they had already put his broken leg in a cast, elevated by pillows. He had suffered some minor neck and back injuries too but they were already on the road to being fully recovered. 

As for Thierry, he had a broken arm and his neck was currently in a brace. He was projected a quicker recovery than Jake and his father wanted him racing before the season ended.

Despite the discomfort, the most unbearable part was the boredom.

"Oh!" Olivia said in epiphany. "I just remembered."

She got back up and made her way to the snack bag and rumbled through it, starting to pull out various items. "I figured you might be getting a little bored, so I brought a few things to cheer you up."

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh yeah? What did you bring?"

She pulled out a portable DVD player and a stack of his favourite movies. "Movie marathon, for starters. I know how much you love these."

Jake's eyes lit up. "You brought Back to the Future and Rush? Nice!"

Olivia grinned. "Of course. And every single Harry Potter film! But that's not all," she reached back into the bag and pulled out a deck of cards, "we can play some card games. Remember how competitive we used to get with Go Fish?"

Jake chuckled, the sound a welcome relief from the monotony of the hospital noises. "Yeah, I remember. You always won."

"Not always," Olivia corrected with a playful smile, "just most of the time."

They spent the next few hours watching movies and playing cards, the room filled with laughter and light-hearted banter. For a while, Jake forgot about the pain and discomfort, losing himself in the simple joy of his girlfriend's company.

As the day wore on, Olivia noticed Jake starting to fidget. "Getting restless again?"

Jake sighed. "A little. I just feel so...caged up here."

Olivia took his hand, her touch gentle and soothing. "I know, Jake. But you need to rest and heal. This is just temporary."

"I know," Jake replied, his frustration evident, "it's just hard. I'm used to being on the move, doing things. Sitting here all day, it's driving me nuts."

Olivia thought for a moment, then her face lit up with an idea. "I have one more thing that might help."

She pulled out a small, travel-sized chess set from her bag. "How about a game of chess? It'll keep your mind sharp and help pass the time."

Jake's eyes sparkled with interest. "You know I can never say no to a good chess game."

They set up the board on the bedside table, and Olivia made the first move. The game progressed slowly, each of them deep in thought, their focus on the board providing a welcome distraction from the reality around them.

As Olivia captured one of Jake's knights, she looked up and caught his eye. "I have to leave soon, Jake. My flight's in a few hours."

Jake's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of sadness. "I know. I'm going to miss you."

Olivia reached across the board and took his hand. "I'll miss you too. But I'll call every day, and as soon as you're better, you can come join me on tour. We'll have our own little adventures."

Jake squeezed her hand, finding comfort in her words. "I'll hold you to that."

They continued their game, savouring the last moments together before Olivia had to leave. When the time came for her to go, she leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Make sure you look after yourself babe," she whispered, "I'll see you soon."

Jake nodded, his eyes filled with love. "You too, Liv. You're going to be amazing. I love you."

"I love you so much."

As Olivia left the room, Jake felt a pang of loneliness, her time with him had reminded him of the world beyond the hospital walls, a world he was determined to return to. For now, he would focus on healing, taking each day as it came, with the knowledge that he had something wonderful to look forward to.

With a small smile, he turned his attention back to the chessboard, replaying their game in his mind. It wasn't the racetrack, but it was a start. And realistically, there was nothing better he could do.

Days passed and it was the same routine for Jake. Stay trapped in a hospital room, run some tests, speak to some doctors, call Olivia, mindlessly scroll through social media. It wasn't until one day, something - or rather someone - broke his monotonous schedule.

He was lying back on his bed, his leg propped up in a cast, feeling the dull ache in his broken rib and the lingering soreness in his neck and spine. The TV murmured softly in the background, but his attention was elsewhere. The door creaked open, and Jake's heart momentarily stopped when he saw Thierry standing there, looking hesitant.

Thierry had a broken right arm encased in a cast, a neck brace supporting his injured neck, and other signs of the crash evident on his battered body. The room seemed to grow colder, the tension thickening the air.

"Can I come in?" Thierry asked, his voice subdued.

Jake's initial instinct was to shut him out, but he remembered Sophie's words and took a deep breath. "Yeah, ok then."

Thierry stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. He hesitated, then took a seat in the chair by Jake's bed. For a few moments, the silence between them was awkward, each one wrestling with their thoughts and emotions.

Thierry broke the silence, his voice cracking. "Jake, I know you probably don't want to see me right now, but I needed to come. I needed to apologise."

Jake's expression was guarded, his eyes cold. "Go on."

Thierry took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words. "I was reckless and stupid. I let my anger and pride get the better of me, and I almost got us both killed. Sabrina...she manipulated me. I didn't see it until it was too late. There was so much...my dad had such high expectations of me...I let it all get to me. I know that doesn't excuse what I did, but I want you to know that I'm truly sorry."

Jake's gaze softened slightly, but his guard remained up. "Sophie told me about Sabrina. I had my suspicions, but it still doesn't change what happened. You put our lives at risk."

"I know," Thierry said, his voice filled with regret, "and I can't take that back. But I want to make things right. I don't expect you to forgive me immediately, or maybe even ever, but I want to try. We've been friends for so long, Jake. I don't want to lose that because of my mistakes."

Jake stared at Thierry, the anger and hurt warring with his desire to salvage their friendship. "It's not going to be easy, Thierry. What you did...it was dangerous and fucking stupid, and it broke a lot of trust. But you're right - we've been through too much together to throw it all away."

Thierry nodded, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust. I just want you to know that I'm committed to making amends."

Jake sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "We can try to rebuild. You deserve to have a chance at least."

Thierry looked down, then back at Jake, his eyes earnest. "I appreciate that, Jake. Thank you."

The two sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their words hanging in the air. Despite the pain and the anger, there was a flicker of hope - a chance for healing and redemption.

"I'm sorry too," Jake said, breaking the silence, "for Canada."

There was a pause.

"I wasn't proud of my defending but I let my emotions get the best of me."

Thierry nodded. "I can imagine I haven't been the easiest to put up with this season."

Jake let out a wry laugh, what an understatement.

There was another silence before he extended his left hand slowly, and Thierry took it, a tentative but significant gesture.

"Let's take it one step at a time." Jake said, his voice firm but with a hint of warmth.

Thierry nodded, gripping Jake's hand. "One step at a time."

It wasn't an immediate resolution, but it was a start. They had a long road ahead of them, but for the first time since the crash, there was a sense of possibility, a chance to rebuild what had been broken.

When Thierry finally stood to leave, he paused at the door, turning back to Jake. "I'll see you soon, Jake. Take care."

"You too, Thierry," Jake replied, "and thanks for coming."

Jake's room felt strangely quiet after Thierry left. The conversation had been emotionally exhausting, yet it also left him with a glimmer of hope. The road to mending their friendship would be long, but at least they were on it. He stared at the ceiling, processing everything that had happened. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, he had been in a coma, teetering on the edge of life and death.

A week passed and Jake was dying from the boredom. A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. A nurse poked her head in, smiling warmly.

"How are you feeling today, Jake?"

Jake managed a small smile. "I'm okay, thanks. Just...thinking."

"Well, I've got some good news," she said, stepping into the room, "your latest tests came back, and your recovery is going well. The doctors are optimistic that you'll be able to start physical therapy sooner than planned. It'll still take around a month and a half for your leg to heal enough for you to be off crutches but you should be able to walk around assisted soon."

Jake's spirits lifted. "That's great to hear. I can't wait to get out of this bed."

The nurse nodded. "I can imagine. You're making excellent progress. Just keep it up, and you'll be back on your feet in no time. And remember to keep on taking your meds for your internals."

Jake nodded, he was going to tackle his recovery with everything he had. Racing might be out of the question for the rest of the season, but he would make sure he was ready for the next one. The thought of getting back behind the wheel, of feeling the thrill of the race, motivated him greatly.

A few hours later, as Jake was about to doze off, the door opened again. To his surprise, it was Sophie and Jaxon. Sophie had a look of cautious optimism, while Jaxon wore his usual easy-going smile.

"What are you guys doing here?" Jake asked out of pure surprise. He had been messaging them often and to the best of his knowledge, they were both busy.

"We both had some time off," Sophie explained, "obviously Jax is in the off-season right now and for me, filming for Dune is over."

"We both decided we wanted to see you, with Liv gone and everything we wanted to check up and make sure...well you haven't killed yourself from boredom." Jax said. "How's it going?"

Jake smiled. "Better now that you two are here. What's up?"

Sophie sat down on the edge of the bed. "We just wanted to check in on you. And, well, there's something we need to talk about."

Jake raised an eyebrow, sceptical of what was happening. "What is it?"

Jaxon exchanged a glance with Sophie before speaking. "We've been talking, and we think it might be good for you to take a break from everything. Not just because of your injuries, but to really clear your head. Maybe get away for a while, somewhere peaceful."

Jake frowned, unsure. "You mean like a vacation?"

"Exactly," Sophie said, "you've been through a lot, Jake. Physically and emotionally. A change of scenery could do wonders. And it's not like you'd be missing out on racing right now."

Jake considered their suggestion. The idea of escaping the hospital, of finding some tranquility, was appealing. "Where would I even go?"

Sophie smiled. "How about a cabin up in the mountains, I found one on AirBnB? It's quiet, isolated, and perfect for some serious rest and relaxation."

Jake's eyes lit up. It sounded like a place where he could disconnect from the world and reconnect with himself. "That actually sounds amazing."

Jaxon nodded. "Great. We can arrange everything. And don't worry, we'll be there, we're not just sending you up into the mountains on your own."

"Thanks, guys," Jake said, feeling a surge of gratitude, "I really appreciate it. This could be exactly what I need."

As they talked more about the details, Jake felt a growing sense of relief. The idea of escaping to the mountains, of finding peace and clarity. His mental health had taken a severe hit from all the events and he thought some time away with his best friends could help him find himself again.

The selfless part of Jake did feel guilt that it seemed like Thierry wasn't part of this plans - it almost felt wrong that the three were hanging out without him.

It was like Sophie read his mind. "Did you want Thierry to come?"

Jake sighed. "It feels wrong to go without him...I don't know..."

"We can ask him if you want, but only if you're comfortable." Jax told him.

"Let me think about it."

The drive up to the cabin was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement. Jake sat in the back seat of Jaxon's rented SUV, his leg carefully propped up, while Sophie rode in the front, chatting and playing music to keep the mood light. The journey through winding mountain roads and past lush forests was a welcome change from the sterile environment of the hospital.

Jacob had decided in the end to invite Thierry, however he wasn't able to make it. There was mixed emotion in Jake, he was glad he asked but he was also glad he could still have some time away from Thierry. He feared that potentially being around Thierry could ruin this much needed time away.

As they arrived, the cabin was nestled among tall trees. Sophie helped Jake out of the car, and Jax quickly unpacked the bags. The cool mountain air was refreshing, and the sounds of nature were a soothing backdrop as they settled in. Jake took a deep breath, feeling a bit of the tension melt away.

"Welcome to paradise." Jaxon said with a grin, helping Jake to a comfortable chair on the porch.

For the next few days, the group settled into a peaceful routine. They spent mornings on the porch, enjoying coffee and the breathtaking view, and afternoons exploring the surrounding trails, always mindful of Jake's physical limitations. Evenings were filled with laughter, board games, and conversations by the fire.

One crisp morning, Sophie found Jake sitting alone on the porch, staring out at the mountains. She joined him, wrapping a blanket around both of them to ward off the chill.

"Hey," she said softly, "how are you feeling?"

Jake sighed, looking down at his leg. "Better, I guess. Physically, at least - I'm glad I can walk again even if on crutches. Mentally...it's still a struggle."

Sophie nodded. "That's completely normal, Jake. You went through something pretty traumatic. It's going to take time to heal, in more ways than one."

Jake was silent for a moment, then spoke. "Sophie, I've been thinking a lot about what you said...about Thierry and the whole situation. I want to forgive him, but it's hard. Every time I close my eyes, I see the crash."

"I know it's hard. And it's okay to feel that way. But you're already taking steps towards healing by even considering forgiveness. That's huge."

Jake nodded, taking comfort in her words. "I'm trying. I really am."

One afternoon, Jaxon suggested they take a short hike to a nearby lake. Jake hesitated at first, but with their encouragement, he agreed. With Jaxon's support, they made their way along the trail, the sounds of the forest enveloping them. When they reached the lake, the sight took Jake's breath away - a clear, tranquil expanse of water reflecting the surrounding mountains.

"This is perfect." he said softly. "Exactly what I needed."

There was a small boat there waiting for the group and with the assistance of his two friends, Jake managed to get himself seated with his leg propped up. The views were breathtaking and Jake felt at peace just drifting around in the lake.

As they made their way back to the cabin, Jake felt lighter, more hopeful. He needed help with his walking and required crutches which was demoralising for him and every now and then there was a sharp pain in his chest. However, the time in the mountains was beginning to work its magic, helping him find a sense of balance and clarity - plus the pain medication obviously helped.

That evening, as the sun set and painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Jake gathered his friends around the fire.

"I just want to say thank you," he began, "for being here, for helping me through this. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

Sophie and Jaxon smiled, their eyes reflecting the firelight and their unconditional support.

"You don't have to thank us, Jake," Jaxon said, "we'll always be here for you. We're family."

Jake smiled. "Yeah we are."

Despite all their different paths, their friendship which spanned over the majority of their lives was still going strong.