A/N: Sorry its been forever on this story. I got sucked into a major edit fest of Spiral and me and betty rewrote the next couple of chapter about 5 times to get it where we want. on top of that school's been driving me crazy! that's what I get for having AP classes. anyway, I'm here now and that's what's important now, right? coughkillsamcough sorry I think I have a little cold...

Ch. 8 Carve Your Heart Out Yourself

He found himself outside of her loft. He was surprised by a slight pang deep in his chest at the thought. It was theirs. Now it was hers. Pushing the feeling aside he continued on until he was outside the door that kept in so many memories. He gently knocked and waited. After a few seconds he knocked again, this time louder. Still no answer.

"Courtney." he called knocking again. "It's me, it's Jason."

He pulled away, ready to bust the door down when it finally cracked open. He could see a blue eye peering through the crack before she pulled it all the way open.

"What do you want?' she asked tiredly.

"I saw you on the pier."

"I know."

"You looked upset, I wanted to see if you're ok."

"That's the question of the day isn't it" she replied.

"I know this isn't easy for you. But I want you to know I'm doing what I can to fix this. But to that I'm going to need to know what happened. Everything."

"How many times do I have to say this" she began. "You are not responsible for me. You don't have to fix anything."

"I want to help."

"But it's not your problem."

"I" he began and stopped at the sound of a ringing phone. For once, it wasn't his phone that was interrupting them. He waited for her to answer it, but she didn't move. "Are you going to get it"

"No. Probably more reporters. Even if it's not I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now." he nodded his head, taking the small hint he sensed in her statement. He turned to leave when her answering machine clicked on.

"Courtney it's Justus, if you're there you need to pick up. I just got out of a meeting at the PCPD. There's a trial date. It's scheduled for the 16th. Do you understand what I'm saying? A week from tomorrow. It's crucial that you call me as soon as you hear this."

The message ended and the small machine beeped. Jason looked at the woman in front of him and tried to read her face, when she turned to look back at him. She seemed to not be phased at all by the news of the coming event. He wished he could say the same. It was too soon. There had barely been anytime for him to do anything. Jason couldn't believe how fast everything was happening. He needed to do something. And he needed to do it now.

"Start packing." he blurted out.

"Start packing? What are you talking about" she asked.

He opened the closet and pulled out a suitcase, placing it on her mattress. Jason began pulling clothes out and stuffing them into the carrier.

"What are you doing"

"Packing."

"I can see that."

He ignored her and continued tucking away various articles of clothing. As he put them in, Courtney would pull them out.

"Why are you packing my clothes" Upon the question he stopped and looked at her.

"You're right." he said simply, and grabbed her hand. Pulling her behind him, he traveled across the living space and headed for the door. "We'll get you everything you need when we get there."

"Get where? Jason, stop." she planted her feet and pulled her hand out of his. "Do you want to tell me what's going on"

"I'm getting you out of here. Until everything is taken care of."

"Jason, I'm not going anywhere."

"Yes, you are. Come on." he reached for her hand again but she pulled back. "Don't do this."

"I'm not doing anything. If you want to go somewhere, go. But I'm not."

"Now is not the time to be stubborn." he said, trying to keep his cool. "Actually, it's the worst time."

"Jason, just go. You never know when sonny might need you."

She watched him shake his head the slightest bit, the way he did when he was disappointed, and then turn and close the door loudly.

Jason stood in the hallway and kept his eyes on the door. He left figuring he could come back in a while and talk to her.

A/N: I'm not sure but this seems shorter than the others. if it is: I'm sorry. if it's not: forget I said anything.