A New Enemy

"I want to turn myself in" Courtney whispered.

Jason felt his emotions freeze and Courtney saw the look, the one that left everyone with the impression he was just Sonny's drone. Pushing herself further up, despite the pain, Courtney attempted to reach for Jason. She blinked back tears, as he pulled away rising from her bedside and walking to look out the window. Dusk had begun to settle on the desert like state, crickets beginning to make noise from their hiding places, as if they were awaiting the moon's overtaking of the sun. Sighing Courtney fell back against the pillows sinking deeper into the lumpy mattress. Turning her back on Jason, she could feel the stinging of tears, finally letting the salty droplets slowly fall down her cheeks. She could feel her heart begin to tear, for the first time in her life she had reached a crossroad, no matter which road she took her life and Jason's would never be the same. Courtney knew she deserved to pay for Skye's murder, giving up Jason would be part of the decision, one she knew she could never willingly make. Jason watched as the deserted road darkened the few dried shrubs creating a shadow against the sand. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding. Courtney lay quiet across the room and he attempted to push her words aside, labeling them as delusional ramblings caused by the fear of coming so close to death. Glancing behind him, he saw Courtney slowly turn in her sleep the moonlight highlighting her pale figure. Tear stains left paths on her cheeks and Jason felt his heart tighten slightly with regret. He had pulled away, gone cold, with the only person who tried to see beyond the façade. Hesitating slightly he finally made his way towards the bed climbing in beside her.

"I'm sorry" Courtney mumbled half asleep, turning around. Jason stayed silent pulling the blonde-haired woman to him, letting her headrest against his chest. He lay awake listening as Courtney's breathing became more even, he counted every intake of breath and every exhale, pledging to make sure it was not her last.

PC- Harbor view towers

Faith watched as Carly's scowl slipped from her features, replaced by a faltering fear that was close to the surface. Stepping further into the penthouse without an invitation, Faith let her eyes roam over the interior, a calculating gaze once again falling upon Sonny's visibly shaken wife. Carly tried to ignore the woman's presence brushing past her and going towards the wet bar. Turning her back on Faith, she attempted to hide the tears that had begun to cloud her eyes.

"I wanted to see Sonny, to tell him of Courtney's shooting in person, but you'll do as a messenger" Ms. Roscoe stated flippantly, her gaze burning into the dark blonde's back. Carly closed her eyes pushing back the sting of tears as the fear and grief collided, her heart breaking. Anger quickly replaced the other emotions, realizing how easily the woman behind her could announce a familial death, as if it had just been a squirrel run over on the highway.  Trying to quell the urge to kill Faith, Carly poured herself a drink ignoring her shaky hands as they caused some liquor to spill over. Taking a slow sip, Carly let the alcohol slip down her throat, pausing as the burning feeling gave way to calming warmth.

"Courtney isn't dead by the way, not even mortally injured, kind of sad to think of all the good bullets wasted…." Carly's glass slipped to the ground shattering against the floor as she used her free hand to slap the arrogant smile from Faith's face. The mob widow was taken aback by the other woman's aggression, gripping her purse tighter she prepared to pull her gun from its hiding spot. Her eyes connected with Carly's a warning displayed visibly, to back off.  Faith advanced menacingly watching the dark blonde before her hesitate visibly, before reaching into the back of the bar. The shaking consumed her entire being as she gripped the gun, raising it to point directly at the unwanted guest.

"You don't have the guts" Faith stated watching as Carly's fingers hovered over trigger. The dark blonde's breath came out ragged, the anger made her fingers itch in anticipation, only one pull of the trigger, thought Carly. Faith could feel her nails begin to dig into the leather material of her purse, the fear more of a reaction then a genuine emotion, her eyes remained cold as proof.  

" Maybe I can't pull the trigger but Sonny and Jason will be able to, and trust me they won't make it an easy death for you" Carly commented softly, letting the gun drop to her side, the cool metal still heavy in her hand. Faith did not hide her satisfied smile as she observed Carly weaken, her spirit beginning to break. Walking towards the door the widow paused inside the doorway, turning back to face Carly as she spoke.

"Sonny and Jason might not have a chance to get to me, not if they want to keep their precious girls safe".

Carly stared at the door trying to decipher the difference between the fear and seething hatred, that begun to well up inside her. In disgust, she threw a vase at the door,picturing the glass shards embedding themselves in Faith's body.

Somewhere in Arizona

Courtney sipped her water slowly accepting the pills from Jason's outstretched hand. The two waited in silence until dawn pierced the sky and their journey could continue. Courtney leaned against Jason's shoulder, the pair making their way towards the checkout desk.

"Well you are sure looking better," The owner, stated smiling as she eyed the walking and very alert blonde woman to Jason's side.

"I here your responsible for my recovery, thank you" Courtney replied, taking the woman by surprise when she enveloped her in a hug.

"Well your welcome, but I have to tell you, the sheriff in the next town has an eye for detail and I don't think you two will make it far with that motorcycle" Jessie commented, her gaze sweeping over the bike from behind the glass windows. Sighing, Jason paused, his eyes focused on their only means of transportation, suddenly regretting he had not found a car instead.

"What do you suggest we do?" Courtney asked when Jason became too involved in his own thoughts to do so. 

" I have a pick up truck, I'll trade you, it's not much but you'll fit in a hole lot better with it, plus its better for sleeping then the back of that bike" Jessie pointed towards the bike's limited space for emphasis.

"We'll take it, how much do you want?" Jason pulled an envelope of cash from his jacket pocket, preparing to sift through the bills to match the owner's price. Courtney placed a hand on his elbow, pulling him out of the other woman's earshot.

"You can't do this, it's your bike" The blonde looked into Jason's eyes seeing the pull between holding on to his prized possession or letting go.

"You're worth it" The simple statement left Courtney at a loss for words, while Jason returned to the counter, beginning to bargaining with the woman.

"I don't want your money, Lord knows you kids have been through a lot over the past few days, take the pick-up" Jessie watched with a smile until she saw Jason's hesitation fade. Shaking Jason's hand and hugging Courtney one last time, the owner watched the couple as they climbed into the truck and sped forward. Clutching the cross around her neck tightly, she prayed for their well- being, observing the truck as it disappeared further down the road, leaving a cloud of dust in it's wake. The motel owner closed her eyes focusing on praying, never hearing the lone man enter from the back and pull the gun from his pocket. The bullet barely made a sound as it hit the woman right on target, causing her to slump to the ground with a thud, blood pooling around her.

"Ya boss it's done" The stranger stated into his cell phone.

"Good job, you can come home now" The red head stated, placing the phone back on its stand. She let her eyes peer passed the screen doors, towards the simplistic scenery in front of her. She always loved the lake.  

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