Author's Note: Long wait, my apologies. I've been having computer problems and playing magical computers plus my weekends will not be my own until after the first of the year. No Journey this chapter. Incredibly disappointing, I know. This chapter is short, but the next one is longer and mostly written, so I'll post it probably Monday, not too long a wait :D

Samara: Thanks for a great review :D Glad you like who I write everything. Sonny and Courtney are fun, and I love writing those Journey scenes :)

starbright: Thanks!

chicpinay: Aw, it's so sweet of you to stop by and say you like this story even though you don't particularly like Journey. Jason is a sweetheart. A very dangerous sweetheart, but a sweetheart just the same! Thanks so much!

light*hope: Well, there just might be a first kiss soon enough ;) I could never have forgotten the "just you" line...I've had that one in my head since I first had them meet on the docks. I'll be doing stuff with Sonny/Mike/Courtney...you'll see ;) I want to make longer chapters. It makes me feel weird to do short chapters when my other story's are anywhere from 9 to 14 pages. Can't wait to see your plot twist in GC! Love Luke, always have, always will :D Thanks for reading :)

theblondeone07: Thank for reading :D Glad you like!

jasencourt4ever: Thanks so much. Your hope just may become reality ;)

Journey4eva: Jason is sweet...we've been over this but why not repeat? Sorry you had a bad day...but happy last chapter made you smile :) I have plenty in store for Journey and their family, don't worry, lol

abc: I am completely positive that Journey will be okay. I heard it from Jafreen, and she heard it from Steve Burton, so we're good :D Glad you like this twist and thanks for reading!

tydavislover; LOL, I like my stories too. Journey is always number one in my heart in them, even if sometimes it doesn't feel that way on the show these days :p I didn't exactly continue soon...but this time I will because I'm not exactly leaving you guys a decent ending/cliffhanger :p

Reflection

Chapter Nine ~ Hey

The next morning, Courtney found herself once again racing the clock to be on time for work. It was like a repeat experience of the day before, except worse. She'd slept well, just not long enough, but somehow long enough to get stuck two back in line for the shower. By the time she'd pulled on a sweater and jeans, the restaurant has already been open for five minutes. She pulled her hair into a wet ponytail and dashed downstairs.

"Sorry I'm late. Long line for the shower," she apologized to Elizabeth.

"Get up earlier," Elizabeth hissed, turning to walk into the kitchen.

Courtney raised her eyebrows at this. So much for being nice. But Bobbie just smiled at her as she shrugged into her coat and wrapped a scarf around her neck. "Don't worry about it, honey. Now, I have to get to General Hospital. If you need any help, ask Elizabeth."

Like that would happen. "Okay. See you later." She waved as Bobbie left and then picked up the coffeepot to fill the early riser's mugs.

And thus the morning shift began, just as busy if not more so than yesterday's. Elizabeth and Courtney hardly exchanged a word, attending to their respective tables and smiling at their respective customers.

Courtney was tucking money into the cash register after wishing a harried woman with two young children a pleasant day when a voice came across the counter to her.

"Good morning!"

Courtney looked up to see Emily perched on a stool. "Hey, Emily! How are things?"

Emily peeled her hat and gloves off, flashing an infectious smile. "Things are good."

"Would you like some coffee?"

"I could never turn down a cup of coffee," Emily said. Courtney laughed, as she grabbed a mug went to pour it. Emily thanked her and breathed in the refreshing aroma deeply. "Mmm...this smells good, but that's not why I'm here. I came to apologize for last night. It was supposed to be fun, and you ended up being dragged down to the police station."

Courtney shrugged it off. "It's okay, really. Besides, it wasn't as if I was dragged. I asked Sonny and Carly to let me go with them."

"No, it's not okay, but just so you know, the police in this town are always arresting my brother."

Courtney pushed a lose strand of hair off her face. "Whoa, hold on a second. Jason's your brother?"

"Oh, yeah. Not by blood, since I'm adopted, but in every way that counts."

"Well, I'm glad. You're lucky to have a brother like him."

"Yeah, I know," Emily said, practically beaming. "He's the best guy I know. That kind of clashes with what I said about him being arrested all the time, doesn't it?"

Courtney waved a hand. "No, it's okay. I know it's because of who he works for and all that."

"Well, you seem to understand that what Jason does or doesn't do isn't who he is, but I hope you won't judge him."

Courtney laughed to herself at the irony in that one. "I wouldn't dream of it. I mean, it'd be kind of hypocritical, seeing as though his boss is my brother."

Emily's eyebrows shot straight up. "Excuse me? Did I hear that right? You and Sonny are related?"

"Yeah, not much of a resemblance, is there? We just found out last night. I came to town looking for my dad, and I found him, and I found this whole family I knew nothing about." In an attempt to cover up her sadness, she reached for the sugar container and grabbed the bag to refill it.

"Wow. That must have been a...a shock," Emily said, searching for a word and coming up with the biggest understatement in the world.

"For both of us. But I always wanted a family. And now I have one. I really hope that we can work things out." The grains of sugar fell into the glass jar as if it was sand going through an hourglass. How much time did she have to fix things? Or was it already too late?

The bells on the door rang, and Emily looked behind her. "Hmm, well, it looks like you have a chance to get started on that."

Courtney raised her eyebrows, about to ask what Emily meant when she saw someone over her shoulder. She swallowed. She was going to have to deal with this sooner or later, and it was never good to put things off. "Excuse me," she whispered, putting the sugar bag down and walking around the counter.

"Sure," Emily said, taking a sip of her coffee as Elizabeth emerged from the kitchen.

Elizabeth grabbed the sugar bag and put it under the coffee. "What, are you and Courtney glued to each other all of a sudden?" she asked. Emily heard the disdain under Elizabeth's attempt at sounding casual.

"It seems like she really needs a friend right now," Emily replied honestly. "And if I can help, I will."

Elizabeth cocked an eyebrow. "Jason seems to be giving her more help than she needs."

"You really don't like Courtney, do you." It wasn't a question. Elizabeth walked back into the kitchen without offering a response.

Courtney took a deep breath, standing before the table her brother had seated himself at. What was she supposed to say? She settled for the all-purpose greeting. "Hey."

"Hey."

P.S. Short, I know. But, like I think I said, next 2 are longer, and they're both mostly written. Who knows? Maybe the mistletoe will get to my head even though it's just after Halloween in this story? How lame is that, it's like begging you guys to stay tuned, lol! But thanks for the marvelous feedback, and I swear the next chapter will be up Monday if not sooner. Let's hope I haven't put my foot in my mouth.