Chapter 3

Jax waited with Courtney asleep in his arms as the elevator climbed. It was going painfully slow. Courtney needed a doctor. Now. He sighed when the elevator dinged and the door opened.

He stepped out and saw Max hurry over to them, "Oh God, Courtney," he said when he spotted her.

"Hurry up, Max. Open the door," Jax demanded as he shifted Courtney's weight.

Max nodded quickly and knocked twice on the door before opening it. Sonny and Jason looked up from the couch when they heard the knock and sprung to their feet when they saw Jax carry Courtney inside.

"What the hell happened?" Sonny demanded hurry over with Jason right behind him.

Jax walked past them and gently laid Courtney on the couch. "I was waiting for her at the loft and when she came home she was like this. She said Mike's bookie was mad about...about some bet he lost and they attacked her. Sonny she needs a doctor," Jax explained staring down at Courtney. He stroked her hair back from her forehead.

"Okay, okay, Jason have Max call the doctor," he said.

"I'm on it," Jason said and left the penthouse. "Why'd you bring her here? If you despise me so much why'd you come here?" Sonny asked.

Jax stood and walked over to Sonny when he knew Courtney was fine, "One of the guys tried to rape her...and she killed him. We were barely out of that door when three men went barging in. I came because no matter how much I 'despise' you I knew you'd keep her safe and you'll keep Lansing from sending her to jail," he said.

Courtney waking up interrupted them. "Jax, Jax," Courtney called out to him and tried to sit up but couldn't.

Jax quickly went and sat down next to her. "Easy, it's okay. I'm right here," he said softly trying easing her back down on the couch.

"I thought you were gone. They could try and hurt you, too. Please don't leave, Jax. Please," she said frantically. She winced as the pain increased from trying to sit up.

"Hey, we're safe. I'm not going anywhere and we're at Sonny's okay? We're safe," he said again.

"Sonny," she repeated and looked around the room to see her brother standing next to the desk, watching the scene.

Sonny smiled at Courtney when he saw her look at him, "You're safe Courtney. I won't let anything happen to you," he told her.

"And Jax?" she asked.

"Yeah," Sonny said looking at Jax, "Nothing will happen to Jax either."

"See? We're both fine. Just lean back and rest. A doctor's on his way to check you out," he eased.

Courtney nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay, okay," she said. Jax moved and sat down beside her and she laid her head on his lap. Just then Jason came in and saw Jax lean down and kiss her forehead. He stroked her hair as he spoke to her softly,

"Everything's okay. You're safe, I'm safe. Nobody's going to hurt you again, I promise," he said. Courtney closed her eyes and fell asleep to Jax's soothing words and caresses.

Sonny and Jason looked on as Jax comforted Courtney. Jason could see something in Jax's eyes. He might not know it yet but he was in love with her.

And the way Courtney responded to Jax's voice and touch she was on her way to being in love with him also. Jason was surprised by the fact that it didn't hurt or make him jealous.

He'd felt guilty before about his feelings he was starting to have for Sam but now that he knew she was happy and okay and had moved on he could finally let her go.

There was a knock on the door and Jason turned and answered it. The doctor stepped inside with his medical bag in hand. "There is a young lady who is in need of a doctor?" he asked in a thick Spanish accent.

"Yeah, she's over here," Sonny led the doctor to the couch.

Jax got up from the couch and stood back so the doctor could look over Courtney. After a thorough examination the doctor left a sleeping Courtney on the couch and walked over to the three men standing near the desk. "She's asleep now. I suggest she sleeps as much as possible. I put a cast on her arm and she has a few broken ribs as well and a mild concussion. The bruise on her eye should be iced. Here is a perscription for the pain," he held out a piece of paper and Jax took it.

"Okay, thanks," Sonny handed him an envelope full of money and walked the doctor to the door. "If there's a promblem contact me or bring her to the ER," the doctor said and left.

Sonny turned to Jax and watched as he sat next to Courtney and stroked her hair back. He didn't care much for Jax but he'd tolerate him, for his little sister. She was happy with Jax and that's all she wanted for him.

Sonny stood in front of the couch and Jax looked up at him, "We're going to set up a safe house for you and Courtney," Sonny explained. "Then we'll stop Mickey from coming after her and make sure she doesn't go to jail for killing that guy," Sonny finished.

"Thanks," Jax said and turned his attention back to Courtney. She mumbled in her sleep and grabbed Jax's hand and he squeezed gently, telling her he was there.