Chapter Twelve: The Fine Line between Reality and Imaginary
Jason stood at the foot of the stairs and called, "Courtney! C'mon! Sonny already has breakfast on the table!"
Courtney appeared at the top of the stairs. She smiled apprehensively as she met Jason's gaze. She couldn't shake the thought of him kissing her that morning. Trying to keep the mood light, she gave a small grin, "Well, aren't we Mr. Impatient."
Jason shrugged, "Just hungry, C."
Realizing what he had just said, Courtney stopped. Her nickname from him was C. She never figured out why he had called her that when they were younger, but she always liked the name. Her eyes met his and she smiled meekly, "The past sure is coming alive this morning."
Jason nodded guiltily. He couldn't believe that he had kissed her, and then calling her CT. He was asking for a death wish. Bravely, and little harshly, he said, "It was a mistake what happened in your room earlier."
Courtney gazed upon him tearfully. She knew he was right; she had been telling herself that all morning since it happened. But somehow, it just hurt worse to hear the admittance out loud; it was reality now, and she wanted to hold on the imaginary for as long as possible.
But how could it be wrong? It felt so right. It felt so right to be with him and kiss him, so how could it be wrong? Feeling so right, yet so wrong, Courtney nodded silently. She bowed her head to hide her tear-filled eyes.
Turning his back on her, once again, Jason made his way to the door, "C'mon. Breakfast is probably getting cold."
Courtney wiped away one of her tears silently and said, "Alright."
~*~
Sonny set the platter of sausage down on the table and looked at his watch, "Carly, do you think he's coming this morning?"
Carly nodded while she sat lazily on the couch reading a magazine, "Yeah, sweetie. Jason never misses the opportunity to pass up food."
Just then the door to the penthouse opened and in walked Jason. Nodding towards Carly, he smiled, "G'morning."
Carly put down her magazine and started to say hello when she say Courtney standing behind Jason. Her eyes lit up and she smiled widely, "Courtney!!"
Courtney looked up silently. She definitely did not want to deal with Carly's interrogation this time in the morning. Carly saw the look on Courtney's face and decided to wait to ask what had gone on. If it was one thing Carly knew, she knew her best friend.
Sonny, however, was a different story. Looking suspiciously at the two, he walked out of the eating area, "What are you doing with Jason, Courtney?"
Carly shook her head and rolled her eyes. Sometimes Sonny could be so bull headed. She watched as Courtney glanced towards Jason and then gazed at Sonny. She had not answered him. Her stare returned to Sonny, who seemed to be growing angrier by the second. Carly put her hand on Sonny's shoulder to calm him, but he only pulled away.
Asking again, this time more urgently, he asked, "What are you doing with Jason?"
Courtney rolled her eyes at Sonny's impatience. Sarcastically, she snapped, "Having a cup of tea."
Carly couldn't stifle her laugh. Sometimes she thought Courtney would drive Sonny wild with her spunky attitude. She stopped suddenly at Sonny's glare.
Jason just watched Courtney hold her own. He wasn't going to explain for her; he just waited until she was going to tell Sonny. He watched as Courtney's eyes darted to his. That earned a reassuring nod from him.
Courtney drew in her breath. She just needed Jason's reassurance and now she was ready. Quietly, she made her way to the cushy couch and sat down. She patted the seat next to her for Sonny to join her. Sonny followed her motions. Looking in his chocolate eyes, she started from the beginning, "Yesterday, Jason came into Kelly's because we needed to work out some problems. He told me that he wanted to put the past behind and start over. as friends." She glanced up at Jason and then returned her eyes to Sonny. Taking a steadying breath, she continued, "We went to the park on my break and AJ found us there."
Sonny's blood pressure rose at the sound of that terd's name; however, he didn't say anything because he knew she was married to him.
Courtney continued, "AJ was so angry that I was with Jason. He accused me of sleeping with him and basically called me a lying whore. He told me that he didn't love me and that he only asked me to marry him to get back at you. he said he could never love anyone connected to Sonny Corinthos. He even told me he was cheating on me the whole time. with Elizabeth Webber-,"
"Bitch," Carly mumbled and rolled her eyes at the mention of Elizabeth's name.
Sonny looked over at Carly and chuckled a bit, but quickly turned back to Courtney. She was handling this with amazing grace and strength that he had never seen before. Brushing a piece of her hair out of her eyes, he stared into them. There were unshed tears hiding behind her invisible brick wall that was standing; the wall that she took everywhere and never once let it down to people she didn't trust. She was crumbling inside and he could see. "What did you do?" He asked softly.
"I left him," Courtney said simply. "I stayed with Jason last night because I didn't want to face the truth with you yet. I didn't want to explain anything; I just wanted to forget about it for a little bit. Jason and I were close at one point and Jason probably knows the most about me, so I trusted him to talk to. I want a divorce with him, Sonny. Can we get that soon please?"
Sonny nodded. He pulled Courtney into a reassuring hug after she poured her heart out into him. Kissing the top of her head, he felt her tears finally drop from her eyes onto his silk shirt.
Carly watched the scene with tears in her eyes. How could AJ do something like that to Courtney? This sweet girl in front of her in her husband's arms had been used and brainwashed. Luckily, she had family around her, and healing was always better with family. She glanced over at Jason. She saw that he was hurting for her. She grinned to herself as she still saw the love in Jason's eyes. Jason still loved Courtney and she knew it. She wouldn't let him live this one down until he admitted to it.
~*~
"Hey Jase, you want to help me clear off the table while Courtney and Sonny talk on the couch?" Carly asked as she picked up her empty plate in front of her.
Jason nodded, "Sure." He grabbed the empty egg platter and headed after Carly.
Carly stood washing the dishes off as he entered. She heard him behind her and in a singsong voice, she said, "Jason loves Courtney."
Jason stopped dead in his tracks and turned to Carly, "What did you say?"
"I said, 'Jason loves Courtney'," Carly smirked at Jason as she fronted him.
Jason rolled his eyes and turned away from Carly. Putting a carton of milk away in the fridge, he shook his head, "Don't go there, Carly."
Carly scoffed, "You know it's true." She went back to washing dishes. Her nosy side getting the better of her, she asked, "What exactly happened between you two?"
"What do you mean?" Jason asked, avoiding the question.
Carly rolled her eyes as she finished the dishes. She gave Jason a you-know- what-I-mean-look and wiped her hands on the dishtowel. Placing them on her hips, she said, "You know damn right what I'm asking."
Jason shrugged, "Courtney and I were together and then we broke up, end of story."
Carly shook her head, "But you two were so in love! Why did you break it off?"
Jason ignored her and went back to putting the cold items in the refrigerator.
Carly watched him and each second she grew more and more annoyed. "C'mon Jason. I'm Carly, you're best friend! Remember me! You can tell me!"
Jason stopped and looked at her, "No, I can't." He brushed by her to wash his hands in the sink.
"Jason!" Carly whined.
Jason was starting to get fed up. Turning around, he grabbed the dishtowel and wiped furiously at his hands. "You want to know why? Because I was in way over my head with Courtney! We were barely in college and I was falling so in love with this woman that I had to get out! I was confused and wondered how anyone could love someone that much and it scared me! I got the job from Sonny, knew it would be dangerous for me to drag Courtney into the business and broke it off with her. I had to get out, Carly. It scared me that I loved her so much; it was almost as dangerous as the love you and Sonny have."
Carly put on hand on top of Jason's. She turned sad eyes to him and whispered, "You really love her, don't you?"
Jason didn't look up at her; just stared at his hands. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he mumbled, "Yeah, I do."
Carly lifted his chin with her finger so he could meet her eyes. Looking up into his baby blues, she said softly, "Then fight, Jason. Fight with everything you have to get her back."
Jason stood at the foot of the stairs and called, "Courtney! C'mon! Sonny already has breakfast on the table!"
Courtney appeared at the top of the stairs. She smiled apprehensively as she met Jason's gaze. She couldn't shake the thought of him kissing her that morning. Trying to keep the mood light, she gave a small grin, "Well, aren't we Mr. Impatient."
Jason shrugged, "Just hungry, C."
Realizing what he had just said, Courtney stopped. Her nickname from him was C. She never figured out why he had called her that when they were younger, but she always liked the name. Her eyes met his and she smiled meekly, "The past sure is coming alive this morning."
Jason nodded guiltily. He couldn't believe that he had kissed her, and then calling her CT. He was asking for a death wish. Bravely, and little harshly, he said, "It was a mistake what happened in your room earlier."
Courtney gazed upon him tearfully. She knew he was right; she had been telling herself that all morning since it happened. But somehow, it just hurt worse to hear the admittance out loud; it was reality now, and she wanted to hold on the imaginary for as long as possible.
But how could it be wrong? It felt so right. It felt so right to be with him and kiss him, so how could it be wrong? Feeling so right, yet so wrong, Courtney nodded silently. She bowed her head to hide her tear-filled eyes.
Turning his back on her, once again, Jason made his way to the door, "C'mon. Breakfast is probably getting cold."
Courtney wiped away one of her tears silently and said, "Alright."
~*~
Sonny set the platter of sausage down on the table and looked at his watch, "Carly, do you think he's coming this morning?"
Carly nodded while she sat lazily on the couch reading a magazine, "Yeah, sweetie. Jason never misses the opportunity to pass up food."
Just then the door to the penthouse opened and in walked Jason. Nodding towards Carly, he smiled, "G'morning."
Carly put down her magazine and started to say hello when she say Courtney standing behind Jason. Her eyes lit up and she smiled widely, "Courtney!!"
Courtney looked up silently. She definitely did not want to deal with Carly's interrogation this time in the morning. Carly saw the look on Courtney's face and decided to wait to ask what had gone on. If it was one thing Carly knew, she knew her best friend.
Sonny, however, was a different story. Looking suspiciously at the two, he walked out of the eating area, "What are you doing with Jason, Courtney?"
Carly shook her head and rolled her eyes. Sometimes Sonny could be so bull headed. She watched as Courtney glanced towards Jason and then gazed at Sonny. She had not answered him. Her stare returned to Sonny, who seemed to be growing angrier by the second. Carly put her hand on Sonny's shoulder to calm him, but he only pulled away.
Asking again, this time more urgently, he asked, "What are you doing with Jason?"
Courtney rolled her eyes at Sonny's impatience. Sarcastically, she snapped, "Having a cup of tea."
Carly couldn't stifle her laugh. Sometimes she thought Courtney would drive Sonny wild with her spunky attitude. She stopped suddenly at Sonny's glare.
Jason just watched Courtney hold her own. He wasn't going to explain for her; he just waited until she was going to tell Sonny. He watched as Courtney's eyes darted to his. That earned a reassuring nod from him.
Courtney drew in her breath. She just needed Jason's reassurance and now she was ready. Quietly, she made her way to the cushy couch and sat down. She patted the seat next to her for Sonny to join her. Sonny followed her motions. Looking in his chocolate eyes, she started from the beginning, "Yesterday, Jason came into Kelly's because we needed to work out some problems. He told me that he wanted to put the past behind and start over. as friends." She glanced up at Jason and then returned her eyes to Sonny. Taking a steadying breath, she continued, "We went to the park on my break and AJ found us there."
Sonny's blood pressure rose at the sound of that terd's name; however, he didn't say anything because he knew she was married to him.
Courtney continued, "AJ was so angry that I was with Jason. He accused me of sleeping with him and basically called me a lying whore. He told me that he didn't love me and that he only asked me to marry him to get back at you. he said he could never love anyone connected to Sonny Corinthos. He even told me he was cheating on me the whole time. with Elizabeth Webber-,"
"Bitch," Carly mumbled and rolled her eyes at the mention of Elizabeth's name.
Sonny looked over at Carly and chuckled a bit, but quickly turned back to Courtney. She was handling this with amazing grace and strength that he had never seen before. Brushing a piece of her hair out of her eyes, he stared into them. There were unshed tears hiding behind her invisible brick wall that was standing; the wall that she took everywhere and never once let it down to people she didn't trust. She was crumbling inside and he could see. "What did you do?" He asked softly.
"I left him," Courtney said simply. "I stayed with Jason last night because I didn't want to face the truth with you yet. I didn't want to explain anything; I just wanted to forget about it for a little bit. Jason and I were close at one point and Jason probably knows the most about me, so I trusted him to talk to. I want a divorce with him, Sonny. Can we get that soon please?"
Sonny nodded. He pulled Courtney into a reassuring hug after she poured her heart out into him. Kissing the top of her head, he felt her tears finally drop from her eyes onto his silk shirt.
Carly watched the scene with tears in her eyes. How could AJ do something like that to Courtney? This sweet girl in front of her in her husband's arms had been used and brainwashed. Luckily, she had family around her, and healing was always better with family. She glanced over at Jason. She saw that he was hurting for her. She grinned to herself as she still saw the love in Jason's eyes. Jason still loved Courtney and she knew it. She wouldn't let him live this one down until he admitted to it.
~*~
"Hey Jase, you want to help me clear off the table while Courtney and Sonny talk on the couch?" Carly asked as she picked up her empty plate in front of her.
Jason nodded, "Sure." He grabbed the empty egg platter and headed after Carly.
Carly stood washing the dishes off as he entered. She heard him behind her and in a singsong voice, she said, "Jason loves Courtney."
Jason stopped dead in his tracks and turned to Carly, "What did you say?"
"I said, 'Jason loves Courtney'," Carly smirked at Jason as she fronted him.
Jason rolled his eyes and turned away from Carly. Putting a carton of milk away in the fridge, he shook his head, "Don't go there, Carly."
Carly scoffed, "You know it's true." She went back to washing dishes. Her nosy side getting the better of her, she asked, "What exactly happened between you two?"
"What do you mean?" Jason asked, avoiding the question.
Carly rolled her eyes as she finished the dishes. She gave Jason a you-know- what-I-mean-look and wiped her hands on the dishtowel. Placing them on her hips, she said, "You know damn right what I'm asking."
Jason shrugged, "Courtney and I were together and then we broke up, end of story."
Carly shook her head, "But you two were so in love! Why did you break it off?"
Jason ignored her and went back to putting the cold items in the refrigerator.
Carly watched him and each second she grew more and more annoyed. "C'mon Jason. I'm Carly, you're best friend! Remember me! You can tell me!"
Jason stopped and looked at her, "No, I can't." He brushed by her to wash his hands in the sink.
"Jason!" Carly whined.
Jason was starting to get fed up. Turning around, he grabbed the dishtowel and wiped furiously at his hands. "You want to know why? Because I was in way over my head with Courtney! We were barely in college and I was falling so in love with this woman that I had to get out! I was confused and wondered how anyone could love someone that much and it scared me! I got the job from Sonny, knew it would be dangerous for me to drag Courtney into the business and broke it off with her. I had to get out, Carly. It scared me that I loved her so much; it was almost as dangerous as the love you and Sonny have."
Carly put on hand on top of Jason's. She turned sad eyes to him and whispered, "You really love her, don't you?"
Jason didn't look up at her; just stared at his hands. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he mumbled, "Yeah, I do."
Carly lifted his chin with her finger so he could meet her eyes. Looking up into his baby blues, she said softly, "Then fight, Jason. Fight with everything you have to get her back."