Chapter Three: Is this Bonding?

Jason stood across from his best friend as they huddled over the map that Rick had given them. They had been staring at the same group of lines for over an hour now and they were no step closer to finding Courtney. Jason ran his hand through hair roughly. "This is ridiculous! We already know that he hasn't been anywhere near these compounds. We're just wasting time sending people in."

"Not if we find someone who is willing to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Someone might know Alcazar's preferred place to dock. I mean Rick was an enemy. Luis didn't trust him and Lorenzo blames him for killing his brother but he still managed to find out things. Now if we can get to someone that Lorenzo trusts, one of his guards perhaps, then we might find out where he's keeping Courtney." He stated. He watched Jason shake his head and walk to the fireplace. He stared into the empty cavern as though he were thoroughly transfixed. "I know how you feel. I've been there. But do you remember what you said to me when we were looking for Carly? You promised me that we would find her. and I am promising you that we will get Courtney back. I won't rest until we do." He replied.

The Yacht.

Doing round kicks continuously she kept her breathing steady. It was the only thing keeping her mind off of the idea that she was stuck here. Not to mention that it was good practice for when the opportunity arose for her to get off of the boat. She knew that Jason would do everything that he could to find her. but she wasn't about to let a viable opportunity pass her by if it should arise. She wasn't some pathetic damsel in distress needing to be rescued. She was a lot stronger then most people gave her credit for. Of course the continuous storm didn't make things look too good. Brushing her hair out of her face she went back to practicing her kicks. She could see Lorenzo's face in place of where her heel connected to air in a silent swish.

He watched her from the doorway. He was almost captivated by her stamina. Truth be told he was becoming captivated with everything about her. He didn't know what it was about the women in the Corinthos' men lives but for some reason he found them intriguing. Perhaps it was their passion or their relentless efforts to set themselves free. whatever it was it was definitely something that held his interest. He was about to back out unnoticed when she stopped suddenly grabbing her side in pain.

"Courtney?" He asked with raised eyebrows as he covered the space of the room in a matter of seconds. "What is it?" He said taking one of her hands as she bent over in agony.

"Just. a cramp. It happens sometimes when I work out." She gritted. She wished that this was a trick because this would have been the perfect opportunity to elbow him in the stomach and make a run for it. but just her luck she really had cramped up. Leading her over to the bed he sat her down.

"What do you need?"

"Just. water." She mumbled.

He nodded reaching for a fresh bottle set on the desk. Untwisting the cap he was about to pour the contents into a cup when she grabbed it from him giving him a small smile of gratitude before drinking deeply. The pain began to ease but was far from gone as she finally came up for air. "Thanks."

"I really don't think that you're helping yourself right now by adding extra stress to your body. Perhaps you should lay off of the kicks and whatnot."

"You know what's causing me stress? Being locked up here away from my family! If you really want to help then why don't you let me go?"

He sighed. "Don't ask questions so mundane as that. You know the reason why I can't let you go." She rolled her eyes and took a stand slowly. He watched her with weary eyes. "What are you doing?" He said standing up to walk beside her.

"Walking it off. The two 'W's, water and walking. It gets rid of the cramp faster." She stated beginning to limp as she coped with the pain in her side.

Reaching out he touched her arm but she pulled away. "You certainly can't walk around here like you are. Now let me help you and stop being so damn stubborn." He shot back hotly.

She stared him down with defiant eyes. He stared back at her his temper flaring. This time when he reached out for her she didn't pull away. Draping her arm around his neck they began to slowly pace the length of the room. After about the third lap he sighed. "Okay this isn't working."

She looked over at him with questionable eyes. "What are you talking about? It's fine. It is working." She remarked looking up into his eyes.

He stared down at her and for just a moment got caught up in something that he wasn't prepared for. Maybe it was because he hadn't seen Carly in over two days or perhaps it was the raging of the storm that continued outside but he couldn't deny that he felt a spark as he stared down into her baby blues. It was as if her eyes were so deep that he could drown in them. They seemed to go on forever. He shook himself mentally. "What I mean is wouldn't you like to get out of here? The room. is too small. Come on." He said leading her toward the door.

She hesitated. "I thought. I wasn't allowed to leave the room. I thought my privileges weren't the same as Carly's."

"That's because you were a flight risk."

"I still am." She shot back.

He stepped away slightly and saw her stumble a little. "Not from where I'm standing. You can barely walk on your own let alone run somewhere. And you are also in my presence and I am sure that you remember well what transpired the last time you ran for the door." He jutted his chin at the solid bullet holes in the wood. "Now would you like to take a walk along the lower deck or would you rather continue the laps around this room?" He asked.

She rolled her eyes. "This must make you feel real good. Thinking that someone needs you. Someone might depend on you."

"I don't find needy women very appealing if you must know. As should have been transparent seeing the kind of woman that I'm attracted to."

"Whatever. are we going or what?" She asked motioning toward the door.

He gave her a half-smile before leading her outside onto the lower deck.

They walked along the corridors as she leaned into him to keep herself from falling. Finally they stopped at a door and he pushed it open. Walking inside he flipped a switch and the room was covered in light. She noted the lack of flickering and realized that the storm must be breaking. Looking around she raised her eyebrows. There was nothing but maps covering every wall. Globes decorated desks and there were numerous compasses scattered with an organized air around the cabin. "Sailor syndrome?" She asked as he led her inside.

He sighed as he stepped over to the far wall. Standing in front of a huge map she waited for an explanation. "When I was a kid I had a obsession for traveling. I wanted to go all the way to the end of the Earth and all around the world. My favorite book was 'Around the World in Eighty Days'." He stated with a small reminiscent smile.

"What's so great about traveling around the world? What's so appealing to you?"

Leading her over to a chair he set her down as he leaned into the corner of the desk across from her. Folding his arms across his chest he thought about her question. "Perhaps it was all the exotic places that I had never seen and could only imagine. or maybe it was because I was so poor that I feared that I'd never see anything beyond the end of city-street that I lived on." Resting most of his weight on the backs of his hands he sighed. "I felt very trapped as a child and I promised myself that I would never feel that way when I grew up."

She raised her eyebrows. "Kind of ironic."

"What?"

"Your biggest fear was being trapped. so instead you trap others. Subjecting others to your own insecurities. that's twisted." She stated.

He sighed. "Typical. but noteworthy. I shall remember not to attempt to share information with you about myself. I can see that it's not appreciated."

"Oh I'm sorry. Was this the part in which we bond over our mutual crappie childhood lives? Perhaps we should have some kind of herbal substance and whatnot to set the scene?" She shot back.

"Now I am starting to remember."

"What?"

"Why I denied you what I so willingly offered to Mrs. Corinthos. She knew how to appreciate a man's generosity and kindness, something that you so blatantly lack."

"You're obsessed with her. The same way that your brother was obsessed with Brenda Barrette and you're going to end up the same way that he did." She let the meaning hang in the air between them.

He stood across from her not sure of how he got her sarcasm confused with something that might have been appealing. "You are an ungrateful girl who has much to learn about when to hold your tongue and when to speak."

"And you're a twisted, horrible, excuse for a man that is so desperate to have love that he would rather try and steal someone else's family because he can't have one of his own!" She shot back jumping up and crossing her arms across her chest.

"Careful Courtney. you forget your place and your worth. Which if I remember correctly is rather small and unmentionable."

"It's worth enough to you if you want your product distributed and want to keep breathing! Because if I die. you're as good as gone. If my brother doesn't kill you. Jason won't rest until he does."

"The same Jason that jumped out of a window and left you with me. He doesn't seem very devoted to you. Of course perhaps he would be if he knew about the life you held within you. assuming that it's his."

He barely had the words out of his mouth when she reached up and connected her fist to his cheek. She didn't even have time to pull her hand back before he grabbed her wrist roughly. His eyes held hers. The fury that emanated between them was enough to spark a flame strong enough to burn down the very boat and light up the sky with bright orange flames. His breathing was ragged as he felt his skin throb from her accurately directed punch. Strands of blond hair covered her face where her own cheeks burned with anger. "No woman. has ever laid a hand on me you will be the first and the last. Product distribution or not. if this should occur again I shall cut my losses and remove you from Sonny's life permanently." He whispered harshly before releasing her. "Carlos!" A moment later a guard appeared in the doorway. "Take Miss Matthews back to her room." Turning to look at her he continued. "If she should cause trouble. shoot her."

She barely flinched at the order but inside she felt her stomach churn. She barely felt the guard grab her arm and lead her away. By the time she regained control of her own emotions she was already standing in front of her door and being ushered inside. Once locked away she turned back to the door and kicked it with everything that she had. "YOU CAN"T KEEP ME IN HERE FOREVER! SONNY AND JASON ARE GOING TO FIND ME! AND WHEN THEY DO. YOU'RE A DEAD MAN!"