A/N: I may slow down with the updates after this, or I may have no self control and just keep updating anyway. I don't know, decisions aren't exactly my thing. I've had some awesome review and it's great to know that you all love the story.

luvthemorgans- I don't know if your aware of this, but you forgot to use the appropriate number of periods in that review! I read it all as one big sentance in my head and it made me realize just how into my story you are. Wow you can rant! But it's a good thing. I love knowing that you love it.

Seth Cohen's girlfriend- I'm glad you review quickly. It makes me happy. Keep reading and I'm sorry that you live in a dull place. Kinda makes you wish you lived in PC, doesn't it! ; )

emmalee05- Thanks for the review. You accidently typed "How can they even charge Jason when he was with Courtney the entire time in a different Courtney?" instead of "a different country". I just wanted to point it out because I think typos like that are so funny. Someone's obssesed with Journey! j/k, thanks for loving my story.

Dee-Thank you for all of those really sweet compliments. One of the beststories you've everread, wow, that's awesome! Thanks again.

tydavislover- Thanks for the reviews. I'm so glad that you like it, and yes, Durant should be fired.

anon14-Thanks for the review. I'm so happy that you're enjoying my story.

jordananne- It's great to have new readers. Here's your update, right NOW! Lol, it'sgreat to see you so into it.

Chapter 14- Justus Ward: Bearer of Bad News

Courtney and Jason's child was still a secret to everyone but Emily, Monica, and Courtney; although two weeks had passed since she had found out about her baby. She hadn't been permitted to see Jason, and in fact, the only person who was allowed to was Justus. Jason had been moved back to prison after a few days, and his trial was set to continue that day. Of course, the new charges were added.

Courtney couldn't help but think about those charges as she got dressed. She knew that Jason didn't kill her, because the two of them were on the island together. Of course, that left the lingering question- who did kill her? Courtney grabbed her purse and got into the car that Sonny had waiting for her downstairs. She had refused to go to the trial in the company of Sonny and Carly; she was still far too angry at the both of them. Yet she wasn't about to argue when he wanted to get her a car and driver; if only because Courtney wanted to protect her and Jason's baby. She had an extremely high risk pregnancy, and though she had yet to see Dr. Meadows, Monica had been more than helpful.
Courtney arrived at the courthouse and tried to hold her head up high. She was eager to see Jason; after all, it had been two weeks since she even got to look at her husband's face, unless you counted the millions of pictures she had been looking at. Courtney saw that Sonny and Carly were already there, and they both smiled at her, but Courtney turned her head away. She saw Sonny look very disappointed. She knew that she shouldn't be pushing away her family, especially with this new baby on the way. But how could she stand to be around people who believed that Jason was capable of rape. Courtney was determined to not go over to the two of them, but than Justus walked over and started talking in a hushed voice. Worry was etched on both his and Sonny's faces, and Carly clamped one hand to her mouth and looked to be in shock. Forgetting her vendetta for a second, Courtney walked over to the group.

"Is Jason ok?" she asked. "What's going on?" she demanded.

"Courtney, maybe I should just finish telling Sonny and Carly, and then they can tell you" said Justus.

"Justus, I am his wife. I deserve to know even before the two of them. Now tell me whatever the hell you were telling them" she snapped, anger evident in her voice and eyes.

"Durant is going to ask for the death penalty. And there is a very good chance that he's going to get it"

"No! That's impossible, Jason didn't do anything. He didn't rape her, and he certainly didn't kill her!"

"Courtney, he hasn't exactly made himself look like an innocent man. He escaped from prison. He ran off to some private island, and then tried to escape again when the police narrowed down on him"

"Jason can't be executed. I wont let him" she said, one hand unconsciously going to her stomach.

Luckily, the action was unnoticed by Carly, Sonny, and Justus. Justus excused himself to go and talk to Jason who would be brought in soon, and Courtney brushed off Sonny and Carly's comforting words and walked over to Emily and Monica. She told them what Justus had told them and she accepted their comfort. Unfortunately, she was interrupted by Jax.

"How are you holding up baby?" he asked.

"Never call me baby again" she demanded. "And I'm holding up just fine thank you, because my husband didn't do anything wrong"

"Courtney, don't dilute yourself-"

"Jax, you're going to have to go" said Monica, standing up and leading him away.

"I don't know what I would do without you and Monica" said Courtney to Emily.

"I know that it must have been hard to be on your own. But you're not anymore. You have me, and my mom, and this baby" said Emily with a reassuring smile.

"I just wish I had him" she said, wiping away a tear that had started to fall down her face.

Emily put her arms around Courtney and the two girls hugged. They heard the sound of a door opening, and Courtney quickly pulled away and wiped away her tears. She knew that Jason was being led in, and the last thing he needed was to see her upset. Courtney glanced up at him and got up, determined to at least talk to him for a second before the trial. Any weight he had gained back on the island was gone and he looked sickly again. His eyes looked sunken and hollow, and his face looked pale and devoid of its color. The suit he was wearing looked too big on him with all the weight that he lost, and for the first time since Courtney had met him, he looked vulnerable and weak. Courtney strode purposely over to him and just threw her arms around his neck without even saying anything. Jason wasn't expecting the action, but he was pleased to receive her hug. He lifted up his handcuffed arms and embraced her back, burying his face into her hair. A guard went to separate the two of them, but Justus said something to the man and he backed off.

"Are you ok" she asked once they had broken away, one comforting hand on his cheek.

"I'll be fine" he said. "I just have to get out of here. I can't stay in prison anymore" he said, his voice slightly cracking.

"I know, I know, and Justus will get you out" said Courtney, trying to reassure him, but still unsure of herself.

Courtney contemplated letting him know about their baby, if only to brighten his day a little bit. But then, she decided that when he was brought back to prison and was unable to hold her in his arms and talk to their baby, he would be even more miserable, so she just kissed him and hugged him and told him everything was going to be alright.

It was soon time for the trial to begin, and Courtney took her seat next to Emily and Monica. If the first day of the trial was damaging, the second was an atomic bomb. Durant was easily able to prove the rape evidence. The semen, the skin cells, the hair follicle- it was all there. The murder was more difficult, but not impossible. Jason had already escaped from prison at the time of the murder, ballistics proved it was his bullet, and his alibi could only be backed up by his own wife.

The trial went on for a few more days, but it was finally time for closing statements. Justus went first.

"Jason Morgan is a man who is respectful of women. His wife, sister, and female friends can all attest to this. He would never touch a woman in any inappropriate way. He is in a committed relationship with a wife that he truly loves. He would never do anything to hurt his wife or any other woman for that matter. Jason Morgan did not rape Carmen Pareña. He has a strict code not to hurt woman. He has had to deal with rape in the past, and seeing the people he loves in pain from this terrible crime, he would never inflict that pain on others. On top of that, Mr. Morgan would never kill Ms. Pareña. Her death was a tragedy, but perhaps it was a set up. Mr. Morgan is not this town's favorite person. He has been accused of many a crime that he did not commit. It is John Durant and the PCPD who are eager to get him locked up. But they picked the wrong crime to accuse him of. Jason Morgan would never harm a woman, and I am asking you, members of the jury, to give a good hard look at this man. And then look at his wife. These two have been gazing lovingly at each other since the beginning of this trial. Yes, he escaped from prison, but only to be with Mrs. Morgan. These are two people who are desperately in love. And I am asking you to question whether you think Mr. Morgan would do anything that would ever hurt Mrs. Morgan? Would he ever commit adultery, let alone rape anyone? If you have even the slightest doubt that he could hurt his wife, than don't convict him of this crime. Believe in love ladies and gentleman. Thank you" said Justus, sitting down.

"Oh he's good" whispered Emily to Courtney and Monica, and the three girls smiled. Justus certainly knew how to manipulate a crowd. Especially a crowd filled with predominantly woman.

Next it was Durant's turn to make his closing statements. Getting up, he looked over the jury, and then cast his eyes onto Jason.

"Mr. Ward wants you to believe in the power of love. But love is a fickle thing. Love gives way to moments of anger, where one really wants to hurt the one they love. Love makes way for extremes. So sure, Jason Morgan loves his wife. But Carmen Pareña was a beautiful woman, may she rest in peace. And Jason Morgan saw something that he wanted. His marriage to Courtney hasn't always been smooth riding. He was angry, and he used that moment to his advantage. He knowingly stole Ms. Pareña's innocence and integrity, and then he stole her life. He wanted to cover up his mess because he got caught. We're not out to get Mr. Morgan. The PCPD is not involved in some great conspiracy theory. We simply want to get the bad people off of the streets. If someone you loved was raped and then brutally murdered, would you want their attacker to be allowed to walk free simply because he loved his wife? No, of course you wouldn't. Don't base your decision on a few looks or embraces shared by the Morgan's. For all we know, the two are excellent actors. Base your answer on the cold hard facts. All of the evidence points to Jason Morgan's guilt. May I remind you that his semen was found in her? Carmen Pareña was an innocent young woman. She didn't believe in hurting others so far to the point that the woman was a vegetarian! She gave to the poor, and the needy, and she believed in helping people. This woman was a saint, and she was taken from us too soon. Jason Morgan took away Carmen Pareña's right to choose that night that he raped her, and then later when he killed her. But don't let him take away your right to chose ladies and gentleman of the jury. Don't let his act with Courtney Morgan take away your choice to protect other woman of the world from his disgusting crimes. Do it for your daughters, and sisters, and nieces, and wives. Do it for the woman that you love. Because they could be next. They could be the next victims. Thank you all for helping to protect the people we love. That makes you the heroes" said Durant, sitting down.

"That was pretty manipulative too" said Courtney to Emily.

"We can't worry about it, it'll be ok" Emily whispered back.

The judge dismissed the jurors and then the bailiff led Jason away. Courtney blew him a kiss as he walked away, and he twisted around, trying to keep his eyes on her for as long as he could.

Emily insisted that Courtney spend the night at her house. She was worried about her and the baby. Courtney tried to convince Emily that she was fine, but Emily wouldn't hear anything of it. Eventually, she was given the choice between the Quartermaine's and the Cassadine's. A hard choice if one ever existed. But Courtney had a better idea. There was someplace she wanted to go even more and she convinced Emily to spend the night away from Nikolas and go there with her. Emily had no idea where Courtney was leading her. Courtney reached into her purse and pulled out a bunch of keys on a ring. She put one in the lock and opened up the door.

"Oh Courtney, not here" said Emily.

"I thought I sold this place a week before I was supposed to marry Jax. I had no idea who bought it. But it was Jason. Jason bought our loft. He told me that he didn't have the heart to imagine someone else living here. He wanted to preserve our memories" she said, walking around the loft.

"Courtney, you can't stay here. You need to go someplace relaxing for the baby's sake"

"Em, this place is relaxing. Please let me stay. I'll take the couch and everything" she begged.

"You won't take the couch. You'll take the bed you and Jason shared. You will get some sleep, and you will try not to worry. If you cant do all of that, than you and I will be spending the night at Windemere. Got it?" asked Emily.

"Got it" said Courtney.

She was exhausted, and she soon fell asleep, her mind on Jason. Tomorrow his fate would be decided. Tonight just may be his last night before becoming a condemned man.

Jason was awake in his cell, mind on Courtney. He didn't want to leave her. He didn't want to be taken from her. He wanted to be there to give her the life that she deserved. He wanted to wake up every morning with her in his arms, just like on the island. He had no idea that he could miss a person this much. But Courtney did that to him. He lay there, thinking of how he was dragged away from her twice. Twice he was taken from her. He could only hope that he wasn't taken from her for good. He needed to receive a not-guilty verdict. Courtney depended on it.
A/N: I'm thinking about being evil and trying something new here. I want ten reviews at least for this chapter. The most I've ever gotten per a chapter is 9, andI'd like to change that. I want 10 meaningful reviews. So no update until I get ten reviews. Let's see if this works, or if I cave. Hmm... I kinda have a feeling I'll cave. But I'm going to try really really hard not to.