A/N: Hey sorry I haven't updated lately. My house has been really hectic that I was lucky to find a single moment to myself. With school starting up and all the birthdays last week. I'm pooped and as soon as I had time I knew I had to up. So I hope you like the chapter. Let me know what you think! Thanks!!~Morgan~
Disclaimer: I don't own GH, ABC, nor Disney.
Chapter 20
After kicking Carly out of his penthouse Jason went straight back to the guest room. He stood in the doorframe staring at her until he finally got the courage to go into the room.
"Hey, I can't believe that you're still asleep. And that I'm here talking to you," he giggled, "Well when you decide to wake you're going to tell me how that bruise got on your face. And if AJ laid a hand on you I'll kill him. You don't have t worry about that he will be a dead man. You don't touch a woman, I don't care why you did it. You're not a woman who trying to be treated like one of the guys, you're just a beautiful woman who loves her husband. You know I'll never understand why you love that bastard, but you know what I say the heart doesn't let you choose who you want."
"Do you really say that?" a groggy voice asked.
"Well good afternoon sleeping beauty. I'm glad to see you awake," Jason smiled.
"Why what time is it?"
"It's 3:00 in the afternoon. You've been asleep all day."
"Look, I'm sorry I even came here last night you must think I'm crazy. Which is probably true," she said as she started to get out of bed.
"You're not crazy and I'm glad that you came here. And don't you even think about leaving until you answer a few questions for me. Starting with how did you get that bruise on your face?" Jason told her as he pointed to the bruise on her face. As his hand touched the bruise she flinched.
'I thought I covered that last night before I came here,' Courtney said to herself.
"Huh?" he asked.
She looked in his eyes and knew she had to tell the truth. She couldn't hide anything from Jason. "Um.. AJ." she said as Jason was about to protest, "Jason, before you do something or say anything I need you to listen to me okay? Yesterday after I talked with Bobbie at Kelly's I realized that I had something that I needed to do. The truth was it was something that had been right in front of my face for awhile and I just didn't want to see. As I was going to my apartment I realized that this whole dilemma I had in my head wasn't what I thought it was. There was this battle where I had to choose my marriage or love. And I chose love, well not at first." Courtney stopped not sure if she should continue.
"Listen you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'll understand and you know I'll be here when you need someone. I'll always be here for you no matter what. You know that right?" Jason tried to reassure her.
"Leave it to you to care about me and my feelings when my own husband didn't," Courtney began to cry.
Jason hated to see her like this. He never wanted her to cry. He loved to her smile and how it would shine straight to her eyes. "What do you mean by didn't Courtney?"
She sniffled, "It's over. I want to believe in love, and I can't be in a marriage where there's no love. Love is based on trust and that's something that we don't have. The truth was I thought I could make it work you know grow to love. That what my head kept telling me. And I didn't want to become my mom and that was the biggest battle. Learning that if it didn't work with me and AJ that I wouldn't become my mom. God look at me I'm babbling and crying like an idiot. You must think I'm stupid."
"I could never think of you as stupid. And you could never be your mother. I could tell by the way you acted. I remember all the stories you have told me about your mom. I know that you love her, but you can also admit to her flaws and realize that that's not how you want to live. You go out of your way to make sure that your not like her," Jason said as he rubbed her arm.
"Thanks, thank you. You know that's not what AJ said. Well as I walk up into the building there was a little drizzle outside and I realized that the marriage wasn't worth it. I'm Courtney Michelle Matthews, not Janine Alison Matthews. And I wasn't afraid of becoming her because I wasn't. So I went into the apartment and AJ wasn't home so I started to pack and he came in and saw. And he asked what I was doing. I told him that it was over. Than once again he said this is about Jason. I'm not good enough for you. Is it the fact that he gets arrested every other day that gets you wanting to jump him. I told him that you had nothing to do with this split and than he said really and asked me about the jacket. He saw the leather jacket…and he umm started to call me a slut. Saying that I wanted you and every time we had sex that it was you I picture instead of him. And I went to hit him after he called me a slut but he got to me first. Why did I marry him? Why did he have to be attracted to me? I didn't love him, but I didn't want to face the truth. I only married him to get back at Sonny and Mike for everything. Mike for leaving and Sonny for trying to take control of me and tell me how to live like I was a child. And than I tricked myself into believing that this thing with AJ was love. And I became determine to make it last. And it took my feelings for someone else… I mean my feelings toward others. I like Carly better than I like AJ. And I was married to AJ and Carly just a sister to me. You know you were there for me. You were there for and after AJ hit me and called me a bunch of names, I knew that you would be here for me. And I thank you for being such a good friend and not wanting anything in return or having some hidden agenda. Look at me. I took your friendship and the security I feel when you hold me and used it," Courtney sobbed without realizing what she said.
As Jason listened to her he couldn't believe what he heard. She, Courtney the girl he could never had felt secure in his arms. He wanted to hold her right now and than realized that he couldn't he couldn't tell her he was in love with her just yet.
"Courtney what do you mean you used it?" he asked.
"I used your friendship when I came her last night and just believed that you wouldn't have anything to do. Like you wanted to deal with me and my problems."
"You had every right to come here. You and I are friends and nothing can stand in the way of that. Nothing. And if you're hurt you can come her anytime you want because I care about you and your problems matter to me if they matter to you."
"You really mean that don't you?"
"Courtney I never say anything I don't mean," Jason grabbed her chin so she looked into his eyes. Courtney sniffled and tried to look down. Jason than pulled her into a hug. "So how much do you want to bet that you're hunger? Huh Courtney what do you say to something to eat. I can almost bet that you haven't eaten anything all day."
Courtney giggled, "How'd you guess that I was hungry? Is it that you know me so well or that I've been sleeping all day?"
"Well I'll go and order something because lord knows that there's nothing in my fridge. You want anything in particular? And I hope you know that you'll be staying here again tonight. And I'm not taking no an answer."
"Jason, I have nothing to wear and I can't stay in these clothes," Courtney told him as she got out of the bed.
Jason thought about what she had said for a moment. "Um… you can wear one of my old tee-shirts, and… and a pair of sweatpants or boxers or something."
"Are you serious Jason?" she laughed.
"Well, I was serious. Courtney all you have to do is roll up the pants."
"Okay. But I prefer boxers over the sweatpants. It's kind of hot in here."
"I'll be back in a second and than I'll go and order some take out from Kelly's. How does that sound?"
"That's sounds great," Courtney smiled. She couldn't help but wonder what the hell was she doing. She couldn't stay with Jason not with these feelings but it's not like she could tell him. She couldn't let Jason think that she left AJ for a chance with him or that she wanted him to be the rebound. The truth was Courtney didn't wasn't ready for a relationship just yet because if she were to have one it would have to be like a secret relationship. And she couldn't do that. Especially to Jason.
Courtney's thoughts were interrupted, "Here you go. Um… what do you want at Kelly's."
"I'll have whatever your having. I'm not that picky," she replied when he turned to leave, "Jason!"
"Yeah?" he asked as he turned around.
God how she wanted to tell him that she thinks she's falling for him. But she wouldn't allow herself to. "Thanks for the clothes and…and everything you know letting me stay here and just being you. Thanks I'm really grateful for everything."
"You're welcome."
Jason than left to go downstairs and Courtney just stood there. What the hell am I doing? Was all her thoughts would say. 'I can't stay here. Not with him right around the corner. Oh what the fuck have you gotten yourself into Courtney," she told herself before she started to change.
***********
Jason walked into Kelly's and grabbed a seat at the counter while he waited for his order. All of his thoughts kept running back to Earlier that day when she was asleep and he told her everything. God how he wished she had heard what he said. But she did look so peaceful in her sleep and content as well. And Jason wished he knew what she dreamt about. It would be great to be in her dreams he thought.
"Hey you!" a voice spoke. "Hello, Jason Morgan are you in there? I know who it is?"
Jason finally came from his thoughts. "You know who what is, Carly?"
"Well I can't tell. You see this really good friend of mine made me promise not to bring it up and me being the good friend that I am not going to bring it up," she smiled. Carly than hoped in the seat next to him. "So what are you doing here?"
"I'm getting food. I always thought that was what Kelly's serve. Because if they don't make food than what was all that stuff I put into my body."
"Haha very funny Jason. I just meant I don't usually see you sitting up at the counter without a coffee unless you're meeting someone."
"Not that it's any of your business, but I ordered some take out."
"You order take out. Where are you going? I mean you Jason Morgan never order take-out unless your going somewhere. You know taking it to someone. So the two of you could eat."
"I thought you weren't going to bring up you mystery girlfriend theory again. I told you there's no mystery girlfriend and I meant it."
"Well I said nothing about a mystery girl. You brought her up for all I know is it's for you and Marco. And I don't think that Marco is your mystery girl. He wouldn't look to good in a dress or heels. And I don't think you want to wake up next to Marco. Don't take this the wrong way but Sonny probably frowns upon inter office dating," she giggled.
"To tell you the truth I'm just going back to the penthouse after my order's up. I'm not sneaking off to a cabin to be with this supposed girlfriend that doesn't exist. Ok?"
"Jason, your order's up," Penny called.
"Thank you!" Jason said as he went into his jacket pocket to get money. That's when he felt something. It was the Daisy he found at the cliff last night. And a smile spread across his face. While he was getting his money Carly looked at the bill to see what he order. Jason paid Penny and left.
"Penny, did you see what Jason order. That was enough for like two people," Carly said.
"I wonder if he found her yesterday. He was looking for her and that husband of hers was looking rather pissed when I saw him on my way to work," Penny said.
Carly asked herself who is this girl? And how come Penny knows and I don't? that's when it hit her. Somehow Jason had been seeing Courtney. But why? And how did this whole relationship occur?
"Are Courtney and Jason you know Courtney and Jason in the biblical sense?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, but last night he came in here looking for her and he was going to tell her everything about the feelings he's been having. And I know Courtney and him have gotten a lot closer since a little after she and AJ got in that car accident when he was really drunk. But I don't know how? You know. Courtney had told me of the accident but that was it. And soon after she started another job at the bank. And she became different sort of more reserved. And Jason started coming here more when she worked and they would talk. And her eyes shined and Jason smiled. They were some what secretive as well like they were hiding something. But they never seemed like more than friends. They were basically friends who had crushes on one and other. Both were trying to hide it."
"I don't understand, how they could do this right under my nose. I knew Jason had gotten some mystery girl. But he kept saying there was no mystery 'girlfriend'. Look, I need to figure this out. This relationship of theirs is leaving me with so many questions and I want them answered," Carly said. "And I know just how to do it. But I need your help so they don't catch on."
"Carly, I don't know if I want to help you. Look Courtney and I are friends. I'm sure she'll tell me when she ready," Penny said hoping to get out of helping Carly.
"Me and Courtney are friends too. And I know that their relationship is bound to come out. I just want to get these questions answered and I have the resources only I'll need some help. All you'll have to do is ask questions."
"Fine, I'll help you. But all I'm doing is asking questions. But I refuse to ask them like I'm a cop interrogating her. And when you get the answer you have to tell. Is that understood?"
"Penny, I wouldn't leave you out of my findings. After all I wouldn't have the answer if I didn't have your help."
Disclaimer: I don't own GH, ABC, nor Disney.
Chapter 20
After kicking Carly out of his penthouse Jason went straight back to the guest room. He stood in the doorframe staring at her until he finally got the courage to go into the room.
"Hey, I can't believe that you're still asleep. And that I'm here talking to you," he giggled, "Well when you decide to wake you're going to tell me how that bruise got on your face. And if AJ laid a hand on you I'll kill him. You don't have t worry about that he will be a dead man. You don't touch a woman, I don't care why you did it. You're not a woman who trying to be treated like one of the guys, you're just a beautiful woman who loves her husband. You know I'll never understand why you love that bastard, but you know what I say the heart doesn't let you choose who you want."
"Do you really say that?" a groggy voice asked.
"Well good afternoon sleeping beauty. I'm glad to see you awake," Jason smiled.
"Why what time is it?"
"It's 3:00 in the afternoon. You've been asleep all day."
"Look, I'm sorry I even came here last night you must think I'm crazy. Which is probably true," she said as she started to get out of bed.
"You're not crazy and I'm glad that you came here. And don't you even think about leaving until you answer a few questions for me. Starting with how did you get that bruise on your face?" Jason told her as he pointed to the bruise on her face. As his hand touched the bruise she flinched.
'I thought I covered that last night before I came here,' Courtney said to herself.
"Huh?" he asked.
She looked in his eyes and knew she had to tell the truth. She couldn't hide anything from Jason. "Um.. AJ." she said as Jason was about to protest, "Jason, before you do something or say anything I need you to listen to me okay? Yesterday after I talked with Bobbie at Kelly's I realized that I had something that I needed to do. The truth was it was something that had been right in front of my face for awhile and I just didn't want to see. As I was going to my apartment I realized that this whole dilemma I had in my head wasn't what I thought it was. There was this battle where I had to choose my marriage or love. And I chose love, well not at first." Courtney stopped not sure if she should continue.
"Listen you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'll understand and you know I'll be here when you need someone. I'll always be here for you no matter what. You know that right?" Jason tried to reassure her.
"Leave it to you to care about me and my feelings when my own husband didn't," Courtney began to cry.
Jason hated to see her like this. He never wanted her to cry. He loved to her smile and how it would shine straight to her eyes. "What do you mean by didn't Courtney?"
She sniffled, "It's over. I want to believe in love, and I can't be in a marriage where there's no love. Love is based on trust and that's something that we don't have. The truth was I thought I could make it work you know grow to love. That what my head kept telling me. And I didn't want to become my mom and that was the biggest battle. Learning that if it didn't work with me and AJ that I wouldn't become my mom. God look at me I'm babbling and crying like an idiot. You must think I'm stupid."
"I could never think of you as stupid. And you could never be your mother. I could tell by the way you acted. I remember all the stories you have told me about your mom. I know that you love her, but you can also admit to her flaws and realize that that's not how you want to live. You go out of your way to make sure that your not like her," Jason said as he rubbed her arm.
"Thanks, thank you. You know that's not what AJ said. Well as I walk up into the building there was a little drizzle outside and I realized that the marriage wasn't worth it. I'm Courtney Michelle Matthews, not Janine Alison Matthews. And I wasn't afraid of becoming her because I wasn't. So I went into the apartment and AJ wasn't home so I started to pack and he came in and saw. And he asked what I was doing. I told him that it was over. Than once again he said this is about Jason. I'm not good enough for you. Is it the fact that he gets arrested every other day that gets you wanting to jump him. I told him that you had nothing to do with this split and than he said really and asked me about the jacket. He saw the leather jacket…and he umm started to call me a slut. Saying that I wanted you and every time we had sex that it was you I picture instead of him. And I went to hit him after he called me a slut but he got to me first. Why did I marry him? Why did he have to be attracted to me? I didn't love him, but I didn't want to face the truth. I only married him to get back at Sonny and Mike for everything. Mike for leaving and Sonny for trying to take control of me and tell me how to live like I was a child. And than I tricked myself into believing that this thing with AJ was love. And I became determine to make it last. And it took my feelings for someone else… I mean my feelings toward others. I like Carly better than I like AJ. And I was married to AJ and Carly just a sister to me. You know you were there for me. You were there for and after AJ hit me and called me a bunch of names, I knew that you would be here for me. And I thank you for being such a good friend and not wanting anything in return or having some hidden agenda. Look at me. I took your friendship and the security I feel when you hold me and used it," Courtney sobbed without realizing what she said.
As Jason listened to her he couldn't believe what he heard. She, Courtney the girl he could never had felt secure in his arms. He wanted to hold her right now and than realized that he couldn't he couldn't tell her he was in love with her just yet.
"Courtney what do you mean you used it?" he asked.
"I used your friendship when I came her last night and just believed that you wouldn't have anything to do. Like you wanted to deal with me and my problems."
"You had every right to come here. You and I are friends and nothing can stand in the way of that. Nothing. And if you're hurt you can come her anytime you want because I care about you and your problems matter to me if they matter to you."
"You really mean that don't you?"
"Courtney I never say anything I don't mean," Jason grabbed her chin so she looked into his eyes. Courtney sniffled and tried to look down. Jason than pulled her into a hug. "So how much do you want to bet that you're hunger? Huh Courtney what do you say to something to eat. I can almost bet that you haven't eaten anything all day."
Courtney giggled, "How'd you guess that I was hungry? Is it that you know me so well or that I've been sleeping all day?"
"Well I'll go and order something because lord knows that there's nothing in my fridge. You want anything in particular? And I hope you know that you'll be staying here again tonight. And I'm not taking no an answer."
"Jason, I have nothing to wear and I can't stay in these clothes," Courtney told him as she got out of the bed.
Jason thought about what she had said for a moment. "Um… you can wear one of my old tee-shirts, and… and a pair of sweatpants or boxers or something."
"Are you serious Jason?" she laughed.
"Well, I was serious. Courtney all you have to do is roll up the pants."
"Okay. But I prefer boxers over the sweatpants. It's kind of hot in here."
"I'll be back in a second and than I'll go and order some take out from Kelly's. How does that sound?"
"That's sounds great," Courtney smiled. She couldn't help but wonder what the hell was she doing. She couldn't stay with Jason not with these feelings but it's not like she could tell him. She couldn't let Jason think that she left AJ for a chance with him or that she wanted him to be the rebound. The truth was Courtney didn't wasn't ready for a relationship just yet because if she were to have one it would have to be like a secret relationship. And she couldn't do that. Especially to Jason.
Courtney's thoughts were interrupted, "Here you go. Um… what do you want at Kelly's."
"I'll have whatever your having. I'm not that picky," she replied when he turned to leave, "Jason!"
"Yeah?" he asked as he turned around.
God how she wanted to tell him that she thinks she's falling for him. But she wouldn't allow herself to. "Thanks for the clothes and…and everything you know letting me stay here and just being you. Thanks I'm really grateful for everything."
"You're welcome."
Jason than left to go downstairs and Courtney just stood there. What the hell am I doing? Was all her thoughts would say. 'I can't stay here. Not with him right around the corner. Oh what the fuck have you gotten yourself into Courtney," she told herself before she started to change.
***********
Jason walked into Kelly's and grabbed a seat at the counter while he waited for his order. All of his thoughts kept running back to Earlier that day when she was asleep and he told her everything. God how he wished she had heard what he said. But she did look so peaceful in her sleep and content as well. And Jason wished he knew what she dreamt about. It would be great to be in her dreams he thought.
"Hey you!" a voice spoke. "Hello, Jason Morgan are you in there? I know who it is?"
Jason finally came from his thoughts. "You know who what is, Carly?"
"Well I can't tell. You see this really good friend of mine made me promise not to bring it up and me being the good friend that I am not going to bring it up," she smiled. Carly than hoped in the seat next to him. "So what are you doing here?"
"I'm getting food. I always thought that was what Kelly's serve. Because if they don't make food than what was all that stuff I put into my body."
"Haha very funny Jason. I just meant I don't usually see you sitting up at the counter without a coffee unless you're meeting someone."
"Not that it's any of your business, but I ordered some take out."
"You order take out. Where are you going? I mean you Jason Morgan never order take-out unless your going somewhere. You know taking it to someone. So the two of you could eat."
"I thought you weren't going to bring up you mystery girlfriend theory again. I told you there's no mystery girlfriend and I meant it."
"Well I said nothing about a mystery girl. You brought her up for all I know is it's for you and Marco. And I don't think that Marco is your mystery girl. He wouldn't look to good in a dress or heels. And I don't think you want to wake up next to Marco. Don't take this the wrong way but Sonny probably frowns upon inter office dating," she giggled.
"To tell you the truth I'm just going back to the penthouse after my order's up. I'm not sneaking off to a cabin to be with this supposed girlfriend that doesn't exist. Ok?"
"Jason, your order's up," Penny called.
"Thank you!" Jason said as he went into his jacket pocket to get money. That's when he felt something. It was the Daisy he found at the cliff last night. And a smile spread across his face. While he was getting his money Carly looked at the bill to see what he order. Jason paid Penny and left.
"Penny, did you see what Jason order. That was enough for like two people," Carly said.
"I wonder if he found her yesterday. He was looking for her and that husband of hers was looking rather pissed when I saw him on my way to work," Penny said.
Carly asked herself who is this girl? And how come Penny knows and I don't? that's when it hit her. Somehow Jason had been seeing Courtney. But why? And how did this whole relationship occur?
"Are Courtney and Jason you know Courtney and Jason in the biblical sense?" she asked.
"I'm not sure, but last night he came in here looking for her and he was going to tell her everything about the feelings he's been having. And I know Courtney and him have gotten a lot closer since a little after she and AJ got in that car accident when he was really drunk. But I don't know how? You know. Courtney had told me of the accident but that was it. And soon after she started another job at the bank. And she became different sort of more reserved. And Jason started coming here more when she worked and they would talk. And her eyes shined and Jason smiled. They were some what secretive as well like they were hiding something. But they never seemed like more than friends. They were basically friends who had crushes on one and other. Both were trying to hide it."
"I don't understand, how they could do this right under my nose. I knew Jason had gotten some mystery girl. But he kept saying there was no mystery 'girlfriend'. Look, I need to figure this out. This relationship of theirs is leaving me with so many questions and I want them answered," Carly said. "And I know just how to do it. But I need your help so they don't catch on."
"Carly, I don't know if I want to help you. Look Courtney and I are friends. I'm sure she'll tell me when she ready," Penny said hoping to get out of helping Carly.
"Me and Courtney are friends too. And I know that their relationship is bound to come out. I just want to get these questions answered and I have the resources only I'll need some help. All you'll have to do is ask questions."
"Fine, I'll help you. But all I'm doing is asking questions. But I refuse to ask them like I'm a cop interrogating her. And when you get the answer you have to tell. Is that understood?"
"Penny, I wouldn't leave you out of my findings. After all I wouldn't have the answer if I didn't have your help."