The Ties That Bound

On the road

Courtney yawned, her eyes fluttering open, only to be closed when the sun's harsh rays invaded them. Shifting, the blonde attempted to become more comfortable in the sticky material seat of the pickup. Jason kept his gaze glued to the road ahead, sparing quick glances to his side, observing silently as Courtney became aware of her surroundings.

"How long was I asleep for?" She inquired, running a hand through her hair before slumping back against the seat.

"24 hours" Jason replied, allowing his gaze to connect with Courtney's for a brief second before turning it back onto the road.

"I can't believe I was out that long"

"You needed the rest"

"I am so hungry" Courtney stated, trying to remember the last time she had eaten a meal.

"There is a diner up ahead, we can make a quick stop" Jason responded, watching from the corner of his eye as Courtney smiled warmly, settling back into her seat and looking out the window.

PC

Sonny watched Carly's sleeping form silently. She turned, hair sliding from behind her ear and creating a blanket over her face. Sonny pushed the hair back his fingertips lingering on her cheek, a hint of warmth still existed. Sighing, he rose and began pacing the length of the carpet, never tearing his gaze from his fit fully sleeping wife. The memories of how he found her haunted him, his worst fears becoming more of a reality.

Carly looked up towards the door, hearing the click of the lock and the sudden gush of air that was let in as Sonny entered. Carly hesitated, contemplating rushing into her husband's arms, allowing him to quell her nerves. She chose to stay on the floor, wrapping the blanket tighter around her arms and watching the fire's flames crackle, attempting to heat her body. Sonny removed his coat, hanging it up silently before he finally laid eyes on his wife huddled by the fire unmoving and eerily silent.

"Carly" He asked gently, awaiting a response that didn't come. He could see her shiver slightly, never showing any evidence she even knew he was there.  Sighing Sonny ran a hand through his hair walking towards his wife.

"Carly?"

"She said you couldn't protect us, is she right?" Carly asked, almost whispering as she finally looked up and into Sonny's eyes. He stood still his form freezing as he contemplated the severity of her question.

"I will never let anyone hurt you or Michael" Sonny replied, crouching In front of Carly's fragile figure. She turned her head, their gazes connecting before she launched herself into his arms, her tears falling freely.

"Sonny I'm scared… I'm scared our families going to be ripped apart" The dark blonde choked out through sobs, feeling his arms tighten around her.

"That will never happen"

Sonny rubbed a hand over his face, his gaze darkening as he looked out the balcony window. The penthouse door opened, the sound of Marco announcing Benny coming from the doorway.

"What is it?" Sonny inquired, his tone coming out harsher then he first intended.

"We have trouble, there's a new enemy to worry about"

On the road

Courtney smiled when the diner finally came into sight, the thought of food making her stomach growl. Pulling the truck to a stop, Jason put a hand on Courtney's arm before she could get out. She looked towards him, following his gaze that was fixed on the police car parked in a space up ahead. Shifting nervously, the blonde observed the doorway of the diner, two cops making their way from it and towards the patrol car.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she watched the car pull away from the lot and onto the open road.     

"Were lucky, we should get something to go and keep driving" Jason stated, his gaze fixing on the woman beside him.

"Your right, maybe I should drive next though, you like kind of tired" Courtney looked over Jason's face, dark circles settling beneath his eyes.

"No way, I heard what type of driver you are from Sonny" He replied, getting out of the truck only to receive a whack on the arm.

"I only got a ticket that one time"

"Sonny said you decided to yell at the cop and kick him in the shin. You then got arrested" Jason added, looking out the corner of his eye to see Courtney smiling sheepishly. Opening the door, he let her walk in first, his body stiffening, as he observed the counter top and booths

Courtney stepped towards the cash smiling towards the middle-aged waitress.

"What can I get you?" The woman inquired, pulling a pad of paper from her apron.

 "Umm… a cheeseburger with fries and a cup of coffee… and a piece of pie" Courtney looked towards Jason, his gaze refocusing on the menu.

"Just a coffee" He stated flatly, looking towards the doorway once again.

Sighing, Courtney turned back to the waitress.

"Get him a coffee and a hamburger, everything to go please" The woman nodded shortly, walking to the kitchen area.

"All I wanted was a coffee" Jason stated.

"You have to eat an actual meal, or you will pass out from hunger. Most likely while driving and next thing you know we'll be in a ditch and you will be thinking, I wish I had listened to Courtney and eaten that hamburger" Courtney ranted, letting out a much needed breath, looking over at Jason who was trying to hold in his laughter.

"How long did it take you to come up with that scenario?"

"Not long, why did it not sound convincing" Courtney asked, trying to appear worried.

"No, actually you had me completely believing it, up until the whole me thinking I should have listened to you" Smiling Jason, grabbed Courtney's wrists in a loose grip before she could smack him. Pulling her to him, the two melted into fits of laughter, ignoring the skeptical gazes of the diner's customers. Courtney rested her head against Jason's shoulder, her laughter fading, replaced by a warm feeling in her heart. The smile on her lips slowly faded with the sound of a news reporter on the television announcing a breaking report.

"A.J Quartermaine, the husband of the recently on the run Courtney Matthews, was found dead today in an alley way located in Port Charles. Police say he most likely died of alcohol poisoning. They also say that they are not ruling out the possibility of foul play. In other news…"

Courtney felt the room beginning to spin as the news sunk in. Jason latched onto her arm holding her upright as he watched her face pale visibly. Grabbing the food from the counter top, he threw a few bills down, walking into the outdoors, while letting Courtney lean against him.

"Skye she said it was a trade, one life for another" She muttered, once they were safely in the car once again. A puzzled Jason grabbed her hand, placing a finger beneath her chin and drawing her face upwards.

"It's not your fault A.J got drunk and probably passed out" Jason could see the tears begin to well up in Courtney's eyes, a few slipping down her cheeks before she could stop them.

"Its not that… I wanted him dead… after all the things he did to me" The whispered words caused Courtney to break down, her whole form shaking, painful sobs escaping her lips. Jason pulled Courtney close his arm wrapping around her shoulders while her head rested against his chest.

"We have to go back to Port Charles, Jason we need to fix this" Courtney chocked out through tears, seeing Jason's jaw clench his eyes hardening.

"I won't let you go to jail Courtney"

"I know and I won't let you either"

"I can get Sonny's plane to meet us at the nearest airstrip, is this really what you want?" Jason looked at Courtney, his gaze locking with hers, observing as she nodded her head silently. Jason placed a kiss on her forehead watching her eyes close in exhaustion. Taking hold of the steering wheel, he guided the truck onto the darkening road, preparing to meet the plane.

The black limo glided effortlessly through the city streets. The car stopped in front of the cemetery gates, the driver helping a woman from the back seat. Pausing briefly the red head pulled a pair of sunglasses from her purse, closing the black bag once again before setting off. The large iron gates parted easily at her push leaving, a field of green grass littered with tombstones lying ahead. The woman walked on, her heels crushing the odd stone, her gaze focused ahead. Reaching her destination the woman dropped onto her knees in front of the tombstone. Running her fingers over the chiseled letters, she sat back, brushing her skirt absently.

"Don't worry I will make sure he pays for what he did" She whispered to thin air, placing a single white rose on top of the marble headstone. She sat unmoving for several minutes', the silence broken by the driver coming to stand behind her.

"Mrs. Sanders we should get back before someone sees you" he spoke in a hushed tone. Nodding, the woman rose from the ground, brushing back a strand of her shoulder length hair.

"Goodbye father" She mouthed, letting the man at her side guide her back towards the car.

PC Warehouse

Faith Watched as Tagliati tried to appear nonchalant about his failed attempt at killing Jason and Courtney.

Growing bored with the display, she rose grabbing a magazine to flip through.

"Mrs. Roscoe we have news" The guard stated walking further into the room. Faith sat up in her chair her eyes wandering over the mans' serious expression.

"What is it?" Tagliati asked impatiently, positioning himself on the edge of his desk.

"Does the name Olivia Sanders ring a bell?" The guard inquired, seeing Tagliati shake his head, urging him to explain the names importance.

"She is said to be a new boss and the families are all worried about her presence, plus no one has ever seen her"

"I have" Faith broke her silence looking up at the rooms occupants, who appeared intrigued by her words.

"Well then who is she?" Tagliati asked, as Faith fell back into silence.

"She's my daughter"