DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters.

Chapter Ten

Jason turned at the door with a cold hard stare when she opened it. She didn't bother giving him an excuse or even making any comment. She wanted him to be the first to speak.

"Where have you been?" he asked.

"Where's Stella?" she asked.

"Lulu and Spinelli took her to the park. She was scared when she woke up and wanted to know where you were at."

Brenda hung her head. She had hated leaving her there but things needed to be done.

"I'm here now. So stop worrying," she said.

"I'm not worried. I never worry about you. Miss independent. Doesn't need help. Doesn't care."

"Where is all this coming from? I went for a walk to clear my head. I did some work. I ran into Sonny and we talked. Nothing happened to me. I'm fine."

Brenda headed up the stairs and Jason stopped her when she entered the bedroom.

"You made this my responsibility. You can't just change your mind every day about what you want and what you don't," he said.

"Well, I'm sorry for asking for your help. Again. Listen, here's the thing," Brenda said turning to face him. He was standing closer than she thought he would be but there he was. "I got a suite at the Metro Court, despite the fact that Carly owns it. I put my apartment back on the market. I'm staying in Port Charles until I find another place for Stella and me to stay. But we can't stay here anymore and I can't keep having you rescue me. Ty's out of the picture. I'm sure you made sure of that. So you and I both know there's no way he's going to come after me again." She sighed and took a step back from him. "I need to get back to work. We're not your responsibility."

"And when the truth comes out?" he asked.

"Hopefully it won't."

"It's either one of the other. If my name remains on that birth certificate you're stuck with me. Take it off and we're finished here."

"We never even started," Brenda said before slamming the bathroom door at him.

She paced inside the room, secluded and unsure as to what her next move should be. She sat down on the edge of the bath tub and rubbed her eyes as her phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Barrett?"

"Yes."

"Hello. This is Kate Howard."

"Hi. Call me Brenda," she said standing up and pacing again.

"Okay, Brenda. I thought over what you proposed and wanted to know if we could meet."

"Yes, of course. I am actually about to relocate to the Metro Court. Can you meet me there in an hour?" Brenda asked.

"I'll be there," Kate said before hanging up the phone.

Brenda looked in the mirror. She had a lot of fixing to do if she was going to be presentable for a business meeting.

---

Jason was sitting at his desk attempting to go over paperwork when she walked back downstairs. One of the few things she brought that was actually business attire, simple straight tan slacks, a black button up sheer blouse, and black heels. She's curled her hair and touched up her make. The bruise and cut were still visible but slightly less noticeable than before.

She carried the bags they had brought with them and dropped them by the door.

"Do you mind if Milo drives me over to the hotel? I don't want to break a heel," Brenda commented as she went about gathering the miscellaneous toys Stella had around the penthouse.

He mumbled something but she couldn't hear.

"I'll take that as a yes. I need to get going," Brenda stood there looking at him but he made no move that he heard a word she'd said. "Okay, then."

Brenda opened the door and smiled at Milo. "Can you take my bags out to the car and pull it around? We're going to the Metro Court," Brenda said.

"Of course," he said before moving to the elevator.

Brenda closed the door loudly which caused Jason to jump.

"Do you mind?" he asked.

"Not really. Do you?" she asked putting her hands into her pockets and looking at him. "We've been in worse situations than this one. Why can't you just let it be?" she asked.

"You're the one who's living with a lie. I don't go to bed guilty."

"You don't go to bed at all," Brenda said. "You stay up all night playing pool and pacing your living room floor."

"We're not talking about me. I used to sleep fine until someone took over my bedroom. Now with you gone, I get sleep in my own bed."

"You had no problem sleeping in it the first night when you claimed I had a nightmare."

Jason glared at her.

"See. Taking advantage of an injured helpless woman. That's your role right. Save the damsel in distress. Doesn't matter who she is or what she needs. Makes you feel more like a man, that you haven't had two failed marriages under your belt and all terrible relationships. It makes you feel better knowing that even for a little while you were someone's hero," Brenda said. "I have to go."

She went to move past him but he stopped her.

"What?" she asked looking at him. He was angry, she could tell that much. But apparently he'd had lots of practice hiding his feelings. Brenda rolled her eyes when he didn't respond and opened the front door. He turned and slammed it shut before she could walk through it and pinned her against the door without actually touching her, each hand on the door, framing her face. He could see the flash of fear in her eyes. When she opened her mouth to speak he kissed her. It was quick and hard and more full of passion and frustration and anger than she'd felt from anyone, including Sonny.

She stood there motionless for a few seconds after he stepped away from her before reaching behind and opening the door. She didn't speak. She just walked out of the penthouse, closing the door behind herself.

Jason had done the one thing she never expected him to do, but had missed since they were in high school.