Wow, thanks for the reviews. Sorry it took so long to update. =)

*

Courtney quietly opened the front door to the penthouse and sat her packed suitcases outside. She cast one last glance around the living room before moving out into the hallway and closing the door behind her.

"Courtney?"

She turned around to find Carly moving out of the elevator. Carly's eyes dropped to the suitcases. Her eyebrow raised as she stood in front of her best friend, her hands on her hips, her designer top stretching tightly across her swollen belly.

"Carly," Courtney was surprised. Carly was never up this early. She had hoped she could leave unnoticed by anyone, even the guards.

"Hey, what's going on?" Carly pointed at the suitcases.

"Um, what are you doing up so early?"

"I had an early appointment with Dr. Meadows, now what's with the suitcases?"

"I just, I need to be alone for a while. I got my old apartment back, and I'm going to move in there."

"What? What did Jason say about this?"

"Actually, he doesn't know," Courtney sighed "I just need to get away for a while Carly. I have all of these emotions and thoughts, I just, I have to get things straight."

"Courtney, I know how losing the baby hurt you," Carly rubbed her friend's shoulder sympathetically "But you have a man who loves you more than anything and a wonderful future with him...Who's to say you can't have more children? Doctors don't always know everything."

"I know," Courtney smiled, trying to act interested and affected by Carly's kind words "I know that. I'll be ok, I just need a break."

"Well, I think you should tell Jason."

"Um, why don't you tell him?"

Courtney pushed the button for the elevator and anxiously waited for it. Carly stared at her with confusion.

"Did something else happen?"

"No," Courtney shook her head "Nothing why?"

"I don't know, it just seems like something else is going on..."

Courtney knew she shouldn't tell Carly about Brenda but she was going to find out eventually, she needed to be dually warned.

"Brenda is in Port Charles," she said in a low voice, avoiding Carly's eyes.

"What?" Carly asked sharply.

"Yeah, she um, she interrupted mine and Jason's dinner last night."

"What is she doing back?" Carly raised her voice.

"I don't know," Courtney shook her head "And right now, I could care less."

The elevator doors opened and she moved her suitcases inside it. She smiled at Carly, as the doors closed shut.

"This is just great," Carly fumed as she headed into the penthouse and slammed the door.

*



"Jason!" a familiar voice called from the hallway, tiny fists pounding on the door. He rushed down the stairs and opened it as quickly as he could. Brenda was on the other side.

"What's the matter with you?" Jason sighed, "People are trying to sleep around here."

"It's noon Jason," she shook her head as she moved into the apartment "Whoa, who's your decorator?"

"Courtney did it."

"Hm, well her taste is questionable."

Jason shot Brenda a downward glance.

"I'm kidding," she smiled; What a lie that was.

"What do you need?"

"What makes you think I need something?"

"I don't know, past experience with you."

"Actually, I was wondering if *you* needed anything. How's Courtney?"

"I don't know," he shrugged "She was asleep when I got home and she was gone when I woke up."

"I'm sorry," Brenda sighed.

"I understand now, she needs her space, so I'm going to give it to her."

"She'll talk to you when she's ready," Brenda assured him.

"Yeah, I hope so," he nodded "You uh, you need anything else?"

"Why, are you busy or something?"

"Some of us actually have work to do," Jason kidded with a smirk on his lips.

"Hey, I've had jobs," Brenda laughed "Granted, not many of them, but I know what it's like to work, to have responsibilities..."

"Yeah, yeah," Jason waved her off "I have to go."

"Oh, well, where are you going?"

"Does it matter?" Jason looked confused.

"Ok," Brenda sighed "The Quartermaines are all busy, and well to be honest I did *miss* you, but just a little bit," she smiled "I just thought maybe we could spend some time together. Maybe I can help you with Courtney."

"I don't know," Jason shook his head as he scratched the back of his neck "You and me?"

"Yeah."





*



"So, that was our almost wedding," Jason shook his head, as he took another sip of his coffee.

Brenda had convinced him to have lunch with her at Kelly's.

"Sounds almost as bad as ours," Brenda smiled "...But I'm glad Carly's ok."

"Yeah, I just, I wish I could have married Courtney that day. Now it seems like, she doesn't even want to get married anymore."

"I doubt that," she shook her head "She's just confused right now."

"Well, I wish she would make up her mind," Jason sighed.

"Sounds like, maybe, you're having second thoughts," Brenda suggested.

"No," he shook his head "...I don't know..."

"Well," Brenda decided to try and change the subject "I told Lila I saw you last night and she said you hadn't visited her in a long time."

"Yeah, I've been busy."

"The Quartermaines are having a formal dinner tonight, to celebrate Emily's recovery," Brenda raised an eyebrow "Think maybe you might want to come?"

"With you?" he pretended to be disgusted with the idea.

"Well, no, just to see your grandmother and support your sister. Besides, it might be good for you."

"Anytime that I have to be in the same room with Edward is not good for me."

Brenda gave him a disappointed frown and began searching for her wallet in her purse.

"I've got it," Jason pulled out some money and tossed it on the table.

"So, you'll think about it?" she grinned.

He let out a deep sigh. He knew he was going to regret this, but he needed to go for Emily. She was far more important than Edward, and AJ, and all the other members of his family that he despised.

"I'll go, but...I can't promise anything. If Edward starts..."

"He won't," Brenda shook her head "I promise."

*

"He didn't ask where I was?" Courtney asked Carly on her cellphone.

"No, I don't know where he is. He talked to Sonny earlier, but apparently he didn't..."

"He doesn't even care that I'm gone," Courtney sighed, as she turned the corner and headed for the front door of Kelly's.

"Of course he does Courtney. Maybe he just wants to let you have your time alone..."

Courtney froze as she looked through the window of the restaurant and saw Brenda and Jason sitting at their table.

"Courtney? Are you there?"

"I think *he* just wants time alone...with Brenda."