Summary: This story picks up in the middle of the 07/03/03 eppy. This is the night that Carly's club opened and Faith's hired gun shot at Sonny and Carly. This story begins right when Courtney is getting ready to leave the loft, before Jason comes back to find her.
Ch. 1
Courtney turned from the loft -their loft- and slowly made her way to the door. Her stiletto boots echoed against the cold floor, growing silent as she paused in front of the picture she had broken. She stood there, still, her eyes glued to the photo that was littered with shards of glass. Her heart led her mind through memories she had been trying to forget. They had been so happy.
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They were only beginning. Nothing could dampen their excitement for each other.
A smile touched Courtney's lips as Jason and she entered the loft for the first time. Her heart knew instantly that this apartment was what they were looking for. She turned, glancing at Jason, trying to interpret the emotions that silently ran through his intense blue gaze.
She walked through the room, her voice edged with nervous anticipation. "Oh, my god. Look at this space. It's incredible, don't you think?" Her matching blue stare returned to Jason, her smile communicating more than words ever could.
Jason's eyes momentarily scanned the space, and then returned to Courtney. He watched the emotions play across her features. He could tell she was excited, and knowing that he shared her excitement brought an unfamiliar feeling into the pit of his stomach… happiness. "Yeah, it's cool."
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Courtney sighed and a single tear fell from her eye and landed on the photo. Her mind returned to bleak reality as she bent down and retrieved the picture from the desolation of the broken frame. She tucked it safely in her bag, unable to leave it behind. She reached for the door, turning for one last look at their loft. It seemed cold now- dark and forlorn, as if it knew that its usefulness had come to an end. Her heart begged her to stay and fight for love a little while longer. But her mind knew better. She had told Jason she would never give up, but she couldn't subject herself to this pain any longer. She would always love him. She just wasn't strong enough to fight this battle alone. Slowly she stepped over the threshold and gently closed the door behind her. She pressed the button for the elevator, not daring to look back at the loft incase her resolve to leave crumbled.
The door to PH4 slammed with a resounding thud in his face. Sonny had fired him. The words rang through his ears and he was unable to fully appreciate their meaning. Sonny, his friend, his mentor, his brother had simply thrown him aside. He leaned back against the cool wall, thankful there was no guard to break the solitude of the hallway. The desperation of his situation flooded his senses. He gently leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. Unexpectedly a grin broke the bleakness of his features. He had chosen Courtney, and he knew that was the right choice- the only choice. Pushing away from the corridor he eagerly waited for the elevator to arrive.
Jason couldn't wait to see her angelic face again, to feel her soft lips beneath his, her warm body wrapped in his embrace. He knew the past few weeks had been hard on her. He knew it had been an eternity since her smile had lit her eyes. He had been watching her from the shadows. He didn't want to approach her, though he couldn't stand to be away from her. He was afraid to let the darkness of his life touch her. But now he realized that her light destroyed whatever demons followed at his heels. She was his redemption, his heart, his soul.
Courtney's car was parked in front of the apartment building. Jason noticed it right away. A smile touched his lips as he urgently waited for the elevator to arrive. She was still here, in their loft, waiting for him. He became impatient knowing that she was so close and still in pain. He wanted to quiet her protests with his kiss, to apologize for the heartache he had inflicted on them both. Where words fell short, his gentle touch would communicate his love.
Unable to wait any longer, Jason threw one last glance at the elevator and reached for the door to the stairwell. Just as it echoed closed behind him, the elevator opened and Courtney stepped out.