Title: I'll Always Be Right There
Author: AbayJ aka Ashley Marie
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nada, song belongs too Michelle Branch.
Genre: Drama/Angst/AU/Romance/Songfic
Fandom: Journey
Summery: Nothing could bring her back, at least that was she believed, but that was before she read the headline.
Author's Note: Okay, my newest two or three-shot. Idea came to me from spoilers I read, so this contains spoilers. Also, Courtney never died, she left town with Spencer (his name is also not Spencer in this story.) to get away from Jax and Nikolas. Also, in this story, Courtney's son is 3, not 2 as he is on the show. That is all you need to know. Enjoy.
Part One: I'll Always Be Right There
When you're all alone,
And you need a light,
Someone to guide you through the night,
I looked at my son with a smile as we began to disembark the plane. My hand tight around his hand as we walked down the steps. It was his first plane ride he could remember. Now turning 3, he was already walking and his mouth was forming more and more words then even before. I was so proud of him. Once we finished walking, we followed the rest of the passengers into Port Charles airport and a rush of memories flooded me. Taking a breath, I almost laughed. Port Charles smelt the same as it did 3 years ago when I left. When I had promised everyone I loved that I would never, never be back. They had all caused me to much pain, from Sonny shutting me out of his life, Jason moving on with Sam, Jax tearing me apart, and Nikolas choosing Emily. All of it had been so much to deal with and little Marky deserved more than that. More than that from me.
My heals clicked and as I picked up my pace, I wrapped my arms around my son and hefted him onto my hip. Deciding with the sea of people, all going for the same place, it would be to easy for him to get lost in the shuffle. I saw the sign of my ride, the limo I had hired. After all, I was a multi-millionaire, thanks to smart investments made, I had doubled, if not tripled the money I had been given after the fire. I would admit, most of the money went on my son and the other children of the foundation, but I was never in need of anything. The driver comes towards me and Marky and smile. "I have your things Miss Matthews." He mummers and I give him a nod. Following him outside.
I look down at Marky, he hadn't seen any of the people in Port Charles since he was a baby. He knew of them, I was sure, more then once he had seen and heard Carly and I speaking over the phone. But now a days, our conversations were becoming shorter and shorter. The less we saw each other, the less we had to talk about. I was no longer part of the Port Charles scene. No longer part of their lives, neither was Marky. And as much as I wanted to deny it, I didn't like it. I had lost the connection to my family. Lost connection to the people I loved.
Shaking my thoughts away though, I look down at my son, and slide into the limo once the driver opens the door. I place Marky in the seat that was provided and buckle him up so he was safe. Then leaned back against the seat myself. Crossing my legs over one another and felt the limo begin to drive. He already knew where I was going. That probably shocked me the most. I was going to see a man that probably still owned part of my heart after all these years. He needed me, or at least, that was what I wanted to think. He was going to through the toughest part of his life, he may loose the use of his livelihood. The one thing that made him, him. I bite my lip and look down at Marky. He was smiling, and clapping his hand as he saw the building pass by and I just look out the window as well.
If I hadn't seen the paper, I probably would have never knew the truth. I doubted anyone would call me, including Carly, Sonny, or Elizabeth. The woman who was rumored to be with Jason once more. My gag reflexes jerked and I shook my head. He deserved better then me, Elizabeth, or Sam. I mentally shake those thoughts again and dig into my bag and pull out Marky's sippy cup and hand it to him. He smiles and quickly takes a sip as I just watch him. Getting lost him as I did so many times before.
Just remember that I am here,
To hold you close and dry your tears.
Oh-ooh
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
When the limo came to the stop, I grabbed my over sized purse which doubled as diaper bag for my son, though he was nearly potty trained, I liked to be ready. Hooking it over my shoulder, I step out of the limo and then lift Marky from the booster seat and hooked him on my hip again. Walking through the double doors. No one knew of my arrival yet, which gave me the element of surprise which I enjoyed. They weren't expecting me, no time to give anyone a warning. Once we walked through the double doors, I looked to see if I recognized anyone and I didn't. Thankfully and I walked to the elevator and press the up button. Remembering for my years here, where his room would be located. Thanks to the phone call the night before.
Once I hit it, it opened and no one was in, so without waiting Marky and I stepped in and I hit the fifth floor button and listened to the cheesy music as my son smiled at me. "Momma, what are we doing here?" He asked and I just placed a kiss on the tip of his nose.
"Mommy's here to see an old friend..." I whispered. And old friend and an old broken heart. Memories floated in and out of my head when I thought of him. The love of my life, Jason Morgan, the man who had 'gotten' away. I nearly laugh at that, knowing it had been my fault and when I realized that, it had been to late. To late to win his back.
"Okay Momma." He whispered and buried his head in my neck and I smiled. Kissing the top of his head and when the elevator doors opened, my courage nearly failed me. Carly and Elizabeth were standing there with a little boy, Sam, Lucky, and Sonny. Arguing about something. Deciding that I could go unnoticed, I quickly walked away from the group, walking the back hallway and then look at the numbers. His room was three down from where I was and with my overly high heels, I quickly clicked my way there.
When you're all alone,
And you need a friend,
Someone to help you to the end,
Looking inside, I saw that he was alone but awake, his deep blue eyes staring at his hand with a look of pain and I took a breath myself. My heart breaking for the man. He looked so sad and alone, like he had been the day I walked away from him. Biting my lip, I quietly open the door and he quickly looks up. Expecting to see anyone but me I was sure.
"Courtney?" He asks shocked and I find a smile, my eyes glazing with tears. He was as beautiful as ever and it made me want to run over to him and take him in my arms but I lost that right.
"Yeah, Jase, it's me." I mummer and me and Marky walked farther into the room. I look down at my son, seeing he had fallen asleep and I slowly sit him in the chair. Dropping my bag next to him. Feeling his eyes on my every movement as he looked at me in shock. I smirk to myself and make sure Marky was situated before I turn around again and cross my arms. My hands feeling awkward, as if they didn't know where to go.
"What are you doing here?" He asked after a few minutes of awkward silence and I shrug. Walking closer until I was standing at the foot of his bed. My causal suit out of place here, but thankfully my hair was pull back in a pony tail that worked anywhere. He looked the same while I looked older, and I hated that. And when I don't answer his question right away, my eyes are drawn back to his while his lips move. "Who told you I was here?"
I just give him another smile and bite my lip. Taking a step and sitting on the edge of his bed. "I figured you needed a friend. I read it in the paper what happened, but if you want to leave I can. I just wanted to make sure you were okay Jason." I whispered and reached to touch his hand but stop myself, knowing his wouldn't feel it, so instead, I place it on his for-arm, giving it a squeeze and I could see the pained expression. "It's going to be alright." I mummer.
He gave me a cold smirk, something that was so unusual for Jason, I winced. "How Courtney?" He asked and looked me in the eyes and I saw the tears. Jason, the man I had only seen cried a few times. It killed every time and before I thought better of it, I wrapped my arms around his shoulder. Holding him close. I knew it was bold, I knew it was wrong, but he would always hold a place in my heart. He would always be a friend.
When you need someone to catch you when you fall,
I'll be there through it all.
Oh-oh
After a few moments, he pulled back. All signs of emotion free from him face. I tilt my head and give him another smile. "I'm sorry, but Jason, you have to have faith." I whispered and once again move my to his forearm, wanting him to know I was here.
"Is that Marky?" He asked, changing the subject. I knew he had went behind the mask again and I nodded. I had lost any chance I had to get through to him and I knew I wouldn't. Not for a while, so I just crossed my arms with a sigh.
"Yeah, it is. He's getting so big." I mummer and he nodded, leaning back. I stand up again, deciding he needed time. Needed time away from me, time away from anyone that made him think of the past, so walked over to Marky, but not before i left him with my card that had my cell phone on it. "If you need me Jase, there is my phone number." He nodded and took the card but put it on the table next to his bed.
Picking up Marky, I hooked him on my waist. Grabbing my bag and hooking that over the opposite shoulder, Marky's head finding a place in the crook of my neck. "I mean it Jason, if you need me, call me. I'll be here for a while." Once again he nodded and I went for the door, opening it and looking over my shoulder and giving him another smile.
"Thanks Courtney." He mummers and I nod. Walking out of the door and headed towards the way I came but I think better of and decide to take the long way and double back to the front, even with my son in my arms. I wasn't ready to see my family just yet. That would come later, when I wasn't tired and when I sure Marky wouldn't be whiny. Once I get to the elevator, the driver drove us to the Metro Court and our new home away from home.
Just when you thought you were losing,
But you know I'll always be right there.
I'll be there through the good times,
And the bad,
And we'll be there for each other,
You're the best friend I ever had.
Oh-oooh
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and I lift my head from some files. I glanced over where Marky was watching the latest episode of Word World and I stood up. Digging out the slim phone, I see an unknown number but I flip it open anyway, my assistant Sarah always had a knack for getting a new phone number because one to many ex-boyfriends had it. "Sarah, if that is you..." I mutter with a shake of my head but the deep voice stops me in my tracks. I hadn't been expecting him to call, not really anyway. He had seemed so closed off just a few days ago.
"Um, no, it's me but if it is a bad time..." He sounded so unsure, it frighten me. This wasn't the Jason I had loved for so many years. He was a different man and that scared me.
"No...no...no, not at all, I was just surprised." I mummer and walked towards the window that overload the city. I still hadn't contacted Sonny, Carly, or my father. Not even Nikolas, the father of my son. Instead I hadn't left the Metro Court. Ordering movies and room service. Holding myself up in here until I was ready to face Port Charles.
"Yeah, I didn't think I would be either." He says in complete honesty and I can't help but smile and shake my head. We had always had honesty and I new that was what we would always have. We had learned our lessons about lies and how they could destroy even the strongest of relationships. "I...I just need someone to talk to, though." He admits and I smile to myself, feeling a sort of joy that I shouldn't have felt but did anyway.
"Okay, well if you want to meet me at the Metro Court...I'm in room 568." I mummer quietly and feel Marky's eyes on me. I give him a smile and he smiles back and gets up and walks over to me.
"Momma, I'm hungry..." He says a bit loudly and I blush, knowing Jason probably heard that. I must have gotten lost in the documents and forgotten about lunch. It was the only reason I had a nanny. Most of the time, I skipped meals, but Marky was a growing boy and ate every time he had the chance.
"Um, I could grab Kelly's before I come." He says and I could hear the smile in his voice and a sort of euphoria came over me, knowing I had gave him that smile. Me and Marky that was.
"That would be great..." I say and felt my blush deepening and after a quick goodbye, we both hanged up. Stooping done, I pinch Marky's chubby cheeks. "You're just to outspoken sometimes." I say with a teasing smile and pull him into my arms. Then Lifting him up and going to get us both ready.
And just when you thought you were falling,
But you know I'll always be right there.
Oh-oooh whenever you need me,
I'll always be right there.
I'll always be right there...