Chapter 25

A/N: Wow. Twice in one week? Oh, yes. This is my Get Out of Jail Free cardfor all of you Update Police out there. Enjoy. Oh, and thanks for the reviews. Highly appreciated.

Carly followed closely behind Courtney into the bathroom where the blonde promptly opened the medicine cabinet and retrieved a bottle of aspirin. She swallowed two, shrugged then swallowed three more.

"If you're talking about what I think you're talking about then you need stop knocking back pills and talk," Carly said. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Do you think … you're pregnant?"

Courtney laughed as she felt her eyes beginning to burn. Great. Now she was crying. "Oh, who knows?" she said nonchalantly as she laughed again trying her hardest to blink back tears.

Carly stared at her in disbelief. A look of shock on her face. "Wait. I thought Dr. Meadows said-"

"Oh, who cares what Dr. Meadows said!" Courtney yelled wiping her eyes. Her tone had startled even her and Carly took a step back at it. "She told me that I would have problems conceiving if it is really that important to you. But, as we all know, anything can happen. But, what matters is that I made a choice and now I'm paying for it so just drop it, okay? I should have never said anything."

She clicked the light off and led the way out of the bathroom. She crawled back under the covers and turned towards the window, her back to Carly.

"You can't just sit in bed and ignore this," Carly said. "You need answers, Courtney."

"I don't want any help," she said, pulling away.

"Well, you're getting it whether you like it or not," Carly retorted. She sighed trying to calm herself down. "Listen-"

"No, you listen!" Courtney shot up. "I said to drop it, Carly. I just need to be alone and think. I don't want this to be anyone's problem but mine. Not yours, not my father's, not Jas-"

She had to give it to herself. She tried to refrain from saying his name but her efforts were unsuccessful.

Carly nodded her head slowly. She gave her a sympathetic grin. "Exactly what I was afraid of," she whispered. "How could you Courtney?"

"What are you talking about?" Courtney asked rubbing a hand over her face. She tried to look unfazed but Carly knew her better than that.

"Okay, don't you dare try and brush this off. I heard what you said or what you were gonna say," Carly said, practically screaming. "You were about to say Jason's name. I'm not stupid or deaf, Courtney."

"I didn't say you were," was all she offered reaching over for a glass of water that sat on her nightstand.

Carly shook her head then stood up. She put a hand to her hip and began pacing the room. "We have to get you a pregnancy test."

"We don't have to do anything," Courtney replied. "But you can stay out of it."

"Courtney, I'm trying to be a friend here."

"Well, if you were my friend, you'd listen to me," Courtney sighed. "I mean it, Carly. You don't get to make choices on this one. Nothing has been confirmed yet. So just leave it at that."

"Fine."

"Fine."

Carly muttered something under her breath and began walking towards the door. She stopped halfway then turned back around, making her way back to the bed room. She bent down and picked up the tea packet. "I don't lend rude people my Green tea," she said before leaving.

Courtney rolled her eyes and turned back over, praying for sleep.

It was pitch black outside when she finally woke up. Her eyes fluttered open but her body felt paralyzed. She felt suffocated by the sheets which were soaking wet along with her pajamas. Damp strands of her were pressed against her forehead and she suddenly wondered if the heat was turned up extra high.

But in her uncomfortable state, she felt like smiling. Maybe she really was coming down with something. The weather in Port Charles wasn't exactly something to run through the sprinkler in while the weather in Florida nearly weighed you down with exhaustion, it was so damn hot. Yes, that was it. The trip was taking its toll on her. The sudden atmosphere change. Besides, waking up hot as hell couldn't nearly be considered a symptom of pregnancy.

She removed her shirt and her pants then caught a glimpse of her pink bra and panties in the mirror. It was funny how certain colors could give you a completely different image. The black lingerie she often wore in Jason's presence made her feel somewhat empowered. It wasn't prissy or pure … it was black lingerie. Normally pink would give off the same vibe as white –charming, naïve, and maybe even innocent but she knew better. The innocent card had been played too many times. It had been dead for awhile now.

Courtney slipped on a short, silk robe and made her way to the kitchen in the dark then suddenly thought of Carly. She was positive she still wasn't upset at her. They would just sit and talk over a bowl of ice cream, turn on a sappy movie and it would all be forgotten.

She told herself this as she walked towards the door, suddenly more optimistic than she had been in awhile. But her mood was suddenly changed when she opened the door, only to see Jason.

"Well, look who decided to come out of hiding," she said quietly, half joking, half pissed off.

"I've been busy," he said trying to walk around her. Courtney placed a hand on his chest. "Let's go in the hall." The last thing she needed was to be alone, in the dark, in her apartment, with Jason.

She followed him out and closed the door behind her. She placed herself on the floor and stretched out her legs, touching her toes.

"You're not gonna sit down? Come on," Courtney patted a place beside her.

Jason laughed off the request. "No thanks. I can't stay long anyway."

"Oh, that's right. Gotta make it in time for dinner. Tell me, what is Mrs. Morgan cooking tonight?" Courtney said playing with the hem on the end of her robe.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Courtney looked up. "Exactly what I said. What's Sam cooking tonight?"

"You didn't mean it like that, Courtney," Jason said. "You know what you're doing."

"And you know what you're doing too," she replied standing up. "Instead of working like your wife seems to think, you're with your mistress. And that only happens when it's convenient for you."

Jason went to speak but stopped himself. Instead he clinched his fist in frustration.

"That is what I am right?" Courtney asked quietly. "Your mistress … mistress …"

"Stop it, Courtney."

"Why? I'm only speaking the truth, Jason. Unless you have some sort of problem with that word. I don't why you would though."

"Look, I don't know what's going on with you, so I'm just gonna leave," Jason said turning to walk away.

"Thanks for stopping by," she yelled after him. She turned around and walked back into the loft, slamming the door behind her. Well that was fun. She sat on the floor for a minute before another knock came.

Groaning, she got up and went to answer it. "What?" she yelled pulling the knob back.

"Whoa whoa whoa," Carly said walking in. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Courtney answered. She looked curiously at Carly who stood with both hands behind her back. "What are you hiding?"

Carly closed her eyes. "Promise you won't get mad, okay?"

"Just tell me what you have," Courtney said tightly.

"Promise!"

"Alright, Carly, I promise!"

Carly slowly released her hands, dangling a small brown paper bag in front of Courtney's face. "For you."

Courtney snatched it from her, opening it up. "A pregnancy test? I thought I told you to stay out of this!"

"Oh, come on, Courtney. You need an answer so you can take the next step and deal with this," Carly cried as she followed Courtney towards the back. "Just go take it, okay?"

"If it would get you off my back then fine," Courtney sighed.

"Great!" said Carly realizing she sounded a little too enthusiastic. "I mean, lets get this over with."

She opened up the small box and handed the thin application to Courtney. She unfolded the directions. "Step one; Make sure the urine sample and unopened pregnancy test are at room temperature prior to administering the test. Step two-"

"Carly, I think I can handle this," Courtney laughed. "Set the timer on the stove and I'll be out in a minute."

The two waited for what seemed like forever. As the last of only five minutes winded down, Courtney got up. "I can't sit any longer." She walked into the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of ice water. As she raised the glass to her mouth, the clock buzzed. She stood in silence as Carly turned around to face her.

"Aren't you going to come over here?" Carly asked.

Courtney shook her head. "Just … just read me the results. I don't wanna look at it."

Carly shrugged and reluctantly picked up the cassette. She squinted then held it away from her eyes. "Oh, wow. I really do need glasses, you know."

"Just read the results!"

"Okay, okay." She looked at Courtney, who had begun to tear up. "Oh my God, Courtney," she almost whispered. "This test is positive."