Decisions

The world was a complex place, always moving, always fast-pace, but in Port Charles, everything was simple. In the park, the children chased the last rays of sunshine while trying to ignore the dark rain clouds that loomed nearby. People were getting ready to leave work and go home for the weekend, getting into cabs, putting on their coats and getting their umbrellas out for just in case.

Outside Kelly's Restaurant, Jason Morgan took off his helmet and parked his motorcycle in the alleyway. He glanced up to the sky just as a drop of rain hit the ground. It was going to pour. He had that tingly feeling, the hairs on his skin seemed to be standing up as the air suddenly shifted from cold to hot and back again. He made his way inside Kelly's, his eyes immediately moving to the counter.

Courtney Matthews looked up at the door just as Jason walked in. She smiled at him. He smiled back and took a seat by the door. It was almost like another language for them that only they understood, that secret smile.

The world was a complex place, always moving, always fast-pace, but in Port Charles, everything was simple.

Or so it seemed.

*

Jason had ordered his usual and had left Kelly's hours ago. Courtney had said hi, taken his order, nothing out the ordinary. As she had given him his check, he brushed his fingers against hers. That was enough to make her want to blow their cover. She resisted the urge to kiss him and walked away.

Courtney finished closing the restaurant and put on her coat. She stepped outside into the pouring rain. She wanted to get to the loft as soon as possible, hoping Jason was there. Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her into the alleyway. She looked up into a pair of blue eyes, felt the leather coat. She smiled as Jason lowered his face and pulled her close into a long kiss.

*

In the loft, they snuggled in each other's arms in bed as they dried off near the fireplace.

"You didn't have to wait for me in the rain," Courtney said. "You might have caught a cold."

Jason smiled. "I'll be fine."

They laid together in silence, both content with it. Jason ran his fingers through her blond hair. Courtney closed her eyes, her head on Jason's chest, listening very closely to his beating heart.

*

In her apartment, Courtney fed Rosie and got ready for bed. She was already missing Jason. She looked outside her window to see that it was still raining. An hour had passed and she was still wide awake in bed. There were so many thoughts running through her mind. She reached for the pad of paper and pen in her drawer. She picked up her pen and started to write.

Dear Jason…

*

Sonny Corinthos was glad to see the sun in the sky once again. Last night's rainstorm had made Michael crawl into bed with him and Carly. Sonny looked down at his watch and frowned. Jason was supposed to be at the penthouse ten minutes ago. Just then, the door opened and Jason walked in.

"Where were you?" Sonny asked.

"There was a construction site," Jason said. "It backed up traffic for awhile."

"You should have called to tell me you were going to be late," Sonny said.

Jason nodded and took out his coat. "It won't happen again."

"I got news about Brenda and Jax," Sonny said.

"Did they make it to Europe?" Jason said.

Sonny went to make himself a drink. "They're fine. Now that the Alcazar thing is over, you and Brenda, your divorce should be final as soon as you sign the papers."

"Don't worry," Jason said. "My signature has been there since day one."

"Do you have the papers on you?" Sonny asked.

"In my coat pocket," said Jason.

"Jason!" Carly walked down the stairs. "Oh, sorry, am I interrupting something?"

"What is it, Carly?" Jason said.

"Well, nice to see you too." Carly smiled. "Michael thought he heard you down here. He's watching a video upstairs. Wanna come up and say hi?"

Jason followed Carly upstairs. Sonny picked up Jason's coat and looked inside his pocket. He took out a folded piece of paper and opened it.

Dear Jason, he read, these last couple of weeks have been the best in my life. I know we agreed to keep things slow, make sure this was something we both wanted, but now I'm not afraid to admit it, I'm sure. Sure of what? I'm sure that this isn't a mistake. I'm sure we can get through anything, AJ, Sonny, anyone and anything. I'm sure this is the right thing to do. I'm sure of our feelings. I want to make love again. The first time might have been too soon, but this time is right. I know this is something I want. I'm sure of it. Courtney

Sonny heard Jason and Carly coming back downstairs. He quickly put the note back and grabbed the other folded piece of paper. He opened it to see the divorce documents.

Jason sneezed as he and Carly walked back into the living room. "Are you catching a cold, Jason?" Carly asked.

"Papers look good," Sonny said to Jason.

"Thank God you're not going to be married to that witch anymore, Jase," Carly said, rolling her eyes.

Sonny sighed.

Carly threw up her hands. "Sorry, women are to be seen, not heard. I'll shut up now."

"I'll get these papers mailed to Brenda and everything should be fine," Sonny said.

Jason nodded and put on his coat.

"And Jason…" Sonny said.

Jason looked up at him.

"Nothing." Sonny watched Jason leave and turned to Carly. He tried to hide his anger, but Carly could sense it.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

Sonny didn't answer her. He grabbed his coat and suddenly left the penthouse.

*

Jason read the note from Courtney over again. He sat in the loft with the piece of paper in his hands. Outside the sun was setting. Courtney should be out of work soon. This morning, they had met for a moment at the loft, before she had to go to work, before he had to meet Sonny. She was hard to walk away from. It had caused him to be late with his meeting with Sonny. But once he had her in his arms, she was hard to let go. And once they started kissing, it was hard to stop. Before he had left, Courtney had placed a note in his coat pocket, asking him to read it later when he was alone. He had been reading it all day, almost memorizing it word for word.

Just then, the door opened and Courtney walked in. "Hey," she said softly.

Jason got on his feet and reached for her. He placed his hands on her face and looked into her bright blue eyes. They both seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for the other to say something, so something. Jason kissed her gently on her forehead, then the top of her nose, then her lips.

"Jason…" Courtney said breathlessly.

He continued to stare into her blue eyes. "I'm sure too." He picked Courtney off her feet and carried her to the bed.

*

The night sky was clear. Millions of stars lighted up the dark. Sonny looked out at to the waters as he stood on the docks. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, deep in thought. He could have confronted Jason right there in the penthouse this morning, but he held back. For once in his life, he thought before he reacted. Sonny couldn't get the image of Jason and Courtney out of his hear. His best friend and his little sister. Not only were they seeing each other secretly, but they have also slept together. Jason knew better than to get personal with Courtney, to include her in his dangerous life. And Courtney had been so against Sonny's life since she arrived to Port Charles. Why would she accept it now with Jason?

He sighed, not happy with the decision that he had to make, or rather the decision Courtney had to make.

*

Courtney watched the red and orange flames dance before her in the fireplace. She was warm, not from the fire, but because Jason had his arms wrapped tightly around her in bed. She felt his breath on her skin. Her whole body was still lingering in their lovemaking. "Jason?" she said.

"Hmmm…" He nuzzled his face in her neck.

She shifted her body to face him. "Can it be like this forever?"

He kissed her and brushed the hair from her eyes. "Yeah, it can."

*

Courtney reached for her apartment keys and gasped at who was standing outside her door. "Hi, Sonny."

Her brother smiled at her. "Hey. Can I come in for a minute?"

"Sure." Courtney opened the door as they walked in. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"No, thanks." Sonny looked Courtney over, wondering if she had just come from seeing Jason. "How have you been?"

"Good." Courtney was getting suspicious of her brother's unexpected visit. "Why are you here, Sonny?"

"What? I can't visit my little sister?"

Courtney raised an eyebrow, not believing him.

Sonny sighed. "I know about you and Jason."

"Me and Jason?" Courtney asked innocently.

This time it was Sonny who raised an eyebrow. "I saw the note, Courtney."

"You what?" Courtney's eyes filled with anger. "Did you read it?"

"I didn't mean to," Sonny said. "I--"

"How did you--" Courtney ran her hands through her hair. "No, you know what, I don't care if you read it. Yes, Jason and I are together and no one can stop us from seeing each other, not you, or AJ--"

"What about you and Jason?" said Sonny.

Courtney waited for her brother to continue.

"I need you to stop seeing Jason," he said.

Courtney laughed. "Sonny Corinthos is making a request, a demand. It's not going to be that easy."

"Listen to me, Courtney. Whatever you're feeling for Jason, let it go. Let him go. I could go to Jason instead and ask him to stop seeing you."

"He wouldn't," Courtney said softly.

"Oh, yeah?" Sonny put his hands on his hips. "Jason is my right hand man. He's worked for me for long time now. He's my best friend. I know about his loyalty."

Courtney knew it was true. Jason was very loyal to Sonny. He had even married Brenda for Sonny. Jason would never go against Sonny. If Sonny had asked Jason to stop seeing her, he probably would. Courtney turned her eyes away as the tears appeared.

"Courtney, I want you to be safe," Sonny said. "And I want Jason in my business. I don't know how you and Jason feel--"

"You're right!" Courtney wiped her tears away. "You don't know anything about me and Jason! We care about each other, Sonny! After what I had to go through with AJ, why can't you let me happy?"

"I want you safe," Sonny said again. "And the only way you can be is away from Jason. He needs to know that you don't care about him."

"You want me to lie to him?"

"I want you to make him believe you're telling the truth."

Courtney wrapped her arms around herself.

"Can you do that, Courtney?" Sonny asked.

She slowly nodded.

*

There was a knock on Courtney's apartment door that night. She opened it to see Jason on the other side.

"Are you okay?" he asked walking in.

"Yeah. Why?"

"I waited at the loft for you," he said. "Why didn't you show up?"

Courtney shrugged. "I was tired. I had a long day at Kelly's and--"

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Jason said with concern.

Courtney started to pace. "I don't know how to tell you this, Jason, but I don't think I can keep doing this. Last night, was, I don't know, it confused me."

"It confused you?"

"I thought we were going to take it slow. I know I wrote you that note, but the truth is, I wasn't ready, I wasn't sure, and I don't think I ever will be."

"What are you trying to tell me?" Jason asked.

Courtney held back her tears. "I can't see you anymore."

"You can't or you won't?"

"Jason, you and I got together because we were both hurt. We were trying to find some comfort. I mean, I needed someone to make me forget about AJ and you and Liz--"

"You weren't rebound."

Courtney was silent.

"Was I a rebound? Is that it?" Jason said. "I was just a distraction from AJ?"

"Jason--"

"I don't believe you, Courtney. I don't know why you're doing this, but--"

"Believe it, Jason! Go back to your world of guns and secrets! But I'm not going with you!"

Jason stared at her, trying to figure her out, see the true meaning behind her anger, but it was useless. All he could see was pain. "Fine. If that's what you want, we're done." He slammed the door on his way out.

Courtney collapsed to the ground and finally let the tears out. "I'm sorry, Jason."

*

Was it all worth it?

Courtney's heart was breaking, yet she continued to go to work, walk Rosie in the park, and bake cookies. She continued to have small talk with Penny and Liz at Kelly's. She smiled and laughed with the costumers, but inside, all she felt was emptiness. She saw Jason coming out of Kelly's one day as she was going to work. She wanted to yell out his name. She wanted him to turn around and smile and hug her. But, she let him walk away.

Was it all worth it?

*

"I promise I'll always say good-bye."

"Jason." Courtney looked up at him as he came out of the shadows outside Kelly's. "What are you doing out here?"

"I didn't say good-bye," he said.

"What?"

"I promised you that I would always say good-bye whenever I left."

"I remember," Courtney said softly.

Jason took her hands into his. "I'm not going to say good-bye because I'm not leaving you."

"Don't this." Courtney's voice was filled with longing. "Please, don't."

Jason pulled her close and kissed her. She pushed him away, letting go of his hands. "Good-bye, Jason." She turned from him and walked into the darkness.

*

Sonny opened the penthouse door letting Jason in. "Is everything okay?" Sonny asked.

"Did you go talk to Courtney?" Jason said.

"Courtney? What is this about?"

"I don't know how you found out, but you had no right to ask Courtney to choose."

"Jason, Courtney's my sister. I was just looking out for her. It's bad enough that she's connected with me, but I don't want her to be associated with you too."

"She's safe with me."

"Is she?" Sonny looked Jason in the eye. "Can you promise me that no one will try to kidnap her, shoot her? Can you promise me any of that?"

Jason didn't answer.

"I live everyday knowing that Carly and Michael will never be 100 percent safe," Sonny said. "Do you want that for Courtney too?" He rubbed his jaw. "It's just better this way."

*

Sonny walked into Kelly's and sat down at a table. Courtney approached him. "Is it Jason?"

Sonny gestured to the seat across from him. "I want to talk to you."

Courtney sat down. "Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's right," he said. "It must have been hard for you to pretend that you didn't care for Jason."

"I didn't do it for you," Courtney said coldly. "I did it for Jason."

Sonny nodded. "That's good. Remember that, okay?" He got up from his seat and left.

*

"Didn't I tell you that a married man would only bring you trouble?"

Courtney handed the key to the loft to the landlady.

The woman took the key and sighed. "I have to admit you two looked very much in love. It's always in the eyes. I've seen couples come and go in this building, but I thought I saw something special with you and him so I was very surprised when he came to turn in his key earlier."

"Wait," Courtney said, "He already turned in his key?"

The woman nodded. "This morning."

"Oh." Courtney felt a wave of disappointment flow through her body.

"Do you believe in love?"

The landlady's question caught Courtney off guard. "Uh, yeah, I do."

The woman smiled. "Then, I'm sure you'll find it again."

*

The dark haired man sat in the car across the street. "There she is."

The other man in the passenger's seat sat up and took notice of the young blonde haired woman leaving the building. "Wow, that's Corinthos's little sister?"

The driver grinned. "And Morgan's girlfriend."

END DECISIONS