Ch. 26 Adding To The Noise

The ringing sound rose from inside his jacket pocket. he quickly pulled it out and answered it.

"Morgan." he greeted as usual.

"It's me." Sonny said hoping to be heard over the ruckus. "Where are you right now?"

"Just down the road from the penthouse." he spoke struggling to hear the man over the noise in the background. "What's going on?"

"Turn around, go somewhere else for a while." he suggested, walking into the hallway.

"Why? Sonny, what's going on?"

"Janine's here." he answered.

"How long do you think you'll need?"

"I don't know, Carly's giving her a piece or two of her mind right now."

"Ok, I'll give it some time."

"Alright." Sonny said before hanging up.

Even in the hall the shouts could be heard. The penthouse door doing barely anything to muffle the sounds. Sighing, Sonny walked over to the door and opened it.

"I will take my foot and-" he immediately shut the door again, slightly drowning out his wife.

He looked at Max and received a shrug of his shoulders from the man. Shaking his head, he opened the door and entered. While the door was open, Max got a small earful of the rant.

"...bring you a hell like you've never-"

The door closed and cut her off once more, and Max looked amusingly towards the penthouse admiring the bravery his boss had for willingly returning to the war zone. He knew Mrs. Corinthos had a temper to be reckoned with and it wasn't he saw himself intentionally facing anytime soon.

"You haven't seen the last of me. I won't let you keep me from my daughter." she threatened walking towards the elevator.

"No, we wouldn't dream of it. God knows you would do whatever it takes to be a mother. You would never put yourself before her or be selfish in anyway." Carly said sarcastically.

"You watch your mouth you little twit. I can't for the life of me figure out why Courtney chooses to associate herself with you. I'm her mother, and she needs me right now."

"Are you even trying to comprehend what's going on?"

"Of course. I know exactly what's going on. She's as blank as that borg she lives with!" she announced then turned to Sonny. "I meant what I said. I hold you responsible for this."

"You sure you want to take the stairs? You said you were tired."

"The elevator is taking forever, and the sooner we get going the sooner I can lay down and put today behind me."

Jason looked at her questioningly, wondering what exactly happened that she was trying to put away. He knew something was off at the park, he wished she would tell him. For the moment, he could let it go and let her rest.

"Alright, we'll take the stairs." he said opening the door to the stairwell for her.

She entered, re-thinking her last statement and hoping he hadn't thought anything of what she'd said. She didn't want to talk about whatever it was she felt earlier, one reason being because she had no idea how to explain it, or what it meant. Then her mind refocused to the stairs ahead of her. There was still a lot she couldn't do well, and stairs were definitely still an obstacle. Shaking her head, she felt an animosity towards herself for her inferiority. She turned around and walked back out into the hallway.

"Never mind, we'll wait for the elevator."

"You did not just try to blame my husband for this." she warned.

"Come on. Your hubby here is the cause of most of my daughters problems. Other than you and that thug of course."

"Are you dense? You think you were some flawless mother figure?"

"You would know about bad parenting now, wouldn't you?"

At the insult, Carly lunged at the woman. Sonny barely held her back as she began a repeat of her thunderous verbal attack.

The doors slid open at they stepped inside. Jason pushed the button and sighed when nothing happened. The day had begun looking good, it seemed things were quickly falling downhill. First at the park, then Janine showing up. He could only hope that they had been gone long enough for Sonny to get rid of her. Now on top of everything the elevator wasn't working. He looked at the other occupant of the elevator, she was lost in deep thought. He could tell by the way she furrowed her brow, it was one of her many habits that he'd grown to know and understand.

Suddenly, the machine started with a rough jolt. The movement caught them off guard and Jason felt Courtney stumble into him, catching her before she could completely lose balance.

"Thanks." she said softly, looking into his eyes from her place in his arms.

"No problem." he spoke back, unable to look away or let go of her. She stayed in his hold, feeling a strange sense of comfort radiate from his touch.

The bell rang, and the odd peace she felt began to fade away. Before the doors had even opened, chaotic shouts could be heard. Courtney closed her eyes, realizing he still hadn't let go, she tried to get that feeling again. Whatever it was, it was the best she'd felt since she woke up those few days ago. She wanted to feel it again; no such luck.

"Get your hands off her!" a voice screeched.