Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot

Summary: Courtney and Jax left Port Charles over 16 years ago, but what happens when a tragic event forces Courtney to come home and face the mess she left behind?

"Starting over, cold turkey. Washing your heart of everything that's dirty; seal your heart of every crack"

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Courtney surveyed the outside perimeter of the place that she had called home for the past fifteen years. It was over. She was leaving behind her fairy tale life to face a much more gruesome real world. It was time for her to go back home; back to Port Charles. The name of the town brought a shiver down her spine as she recalled the place that had once meant the world to her. The inhabitants were all her family and she had turned her back on every last one of them.

Sonny had never quite forgiven her for leaving to marry Jax. And as for Carly, while beside the occasional phone call, her best friend was no longer involved her life. She knew very little about her nephews; just that Micheal was now twenty-one and was attending NYU and Morgan, now eighteen, was graduating high school in the spring. Their family that Sonny had tried so hard to perserve was perfect and Courtney was happy for them, if not a little jealous.

Jason, the person who once meant everything to her, was now a stranger. She had no idea if he had a family of his own or even if he was still married to Sam. It had been years since she spoken to him and even longer since she'd seen him. A small smile played on her lips as she remembered their last interaction. It was the night before he was set to marry Sam and to this day she will never understand what brought her to his penthouse that night.

Flashback

"Hey," he answered the door with a surprise look on his face. Surely, she was the last person he thought he would receive a visit from on the night before his wedding. Courtney couldn't say anything; she was caught frozen in his stare. She acted on impulse, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him into a sensual kiss. His body stiffened in hesitation, but he quickly resisted to her kiss and guided her inside, closing the door behind them.

Neither of them thought of the consequences as their clothes were being strewn about the sleek living room. Their bodies lay intertwined on the cool leather sofa, an uncomfortable silence filled the air.

"I'm sorry," she whispered pushing herself away from him and off the couch. She noticed the surprise mixed with understanding that filled his cold blue eyes. He watched as she quickly grabbed her clothes and fumbled to get dress.

"Say the word and I won't do it, Courtney," his voice came out as a hoarse whisper. She wanted so badly to scream and yell at him for giving her the power to decide his fate, but instead she just shook her head.

"I shouldn't have come here," was all she could get out before rushing out the door.

End Flashback

Sam and Jason had gotten married the next day without a hitch and Courtney left Port Charles within the month. She and Jason never spoke of that night, nor did they tell anyone. It was their own little secret that was not to be shared with the world.

"Mom, you okay?" Jay asked coming up from behind her. It amazed her everyday how much her son's actions mirrored Jason; always taking care of the people he loves before himself.

"I'm fine, kiddo," she offered with a smile.

"Who are you calling kiddo? I'm almost seventeen years old." He scoffed with a smirk on his face. His blue eyes lit up in amusement.

"You'll always be a kid to me." She returned and was met with a roll of his eyes. "Are you sure that you are ok with leaving?" The light mood suddenly turned serious.

"If going to Port Charles makes you happy then it makes me happy," he answered. He surprised her with his maturity. He was willing to leave behind his friends, school, and the only home he ever knew for her. "Don't worry, Ma. I'll be fine. I'm a very adaptable young man." He added with a sarcastic air.

"Your so much more than that. I love you. " Courtney whispered reaching up to give him a kiss on the cheek.

The drive to Port Charles was longer than Courtney had anticipated and it was close to midnight when they finally arrived at their destination. She pulled the car into the newly renovated Port Charles hotel and looked to find Jay asleep in the passenger seat. Careful not to disturb him, she quietly opened the car door and headed into the lobby in hopes of finding a vacancy.

"Hello. How can I be of assistance tonight?" A young man that looked to be the same age as Jay greeted her.

"I was wondering if you have an open room?" Courtney inquired.

"We sure do."

"Great." Courtney replied handing over her credit card.

"Courtney?" She felt her heart begin to pound at the sound of his unmistakable voice. She had hoped to avoid all reminders of her past until at least the morning, but apparently her irrepressible bad luck was raring it's ugle head, again.

"Sonny," she replied turning to face her brother.