Ch. 32 While The City's Still Dark

"Ex-husband?" she repeated. " I have an ex-husband?"

"Yes."

"And he's your brother?"

"Yes." he said again. He was glad that something had come to her, but now he would have to explain about A.J.

"Who is he? I mean, maybe if I talk to him-"

"No." Jason interrupted.

"No?" she said. "But-"

"Courtney, it's not a good idea." he told her. He knew A.J. and this would be the perfect chance for his brother to manipulate her once again. Another flash of lightning tore through the sky. He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the wet mess on top of his head. "We should get inside."

"Jason, what's the problem?" she asked, not moving. "Why can't I just talk to this A.J. guy?"

"Because..." he began."...Because he's not a good person."

"I-"

"Courtney." he said sternly, surprising her." Please let's just get you inside and out of the cold."

She saw the seriousness his features had taken on so she decided to let it go for now. He extended his hand and she took it, allowing him to lead her to his car. Once inside the black SUV, Jason looked at her. She didn't look back at him, just out the window as the drops slid down the glass.

"I'm sorry for snapping." he said softly. "It's just A.J...he did some bad things, a lot of them to you. He used you and manipulated you just for starters. He wouldn't think twice about taking advantage of this situation, and that's what he will do. I don't want you to be hurt anymore."

She listened to what he said. This A.J., his brother, was apparently bad news. But she felt herself getting angry, realizing the hidden meaning in his worries. He was afraid to let her near him because he'd try to take advantage of her. And he thought she was weak enough to let it happen.

"Do you understand?" he asked her.

"Yeah." she answered. "I understand."

He started the car and began the drive back home. Every so often, he glanced over at her. She just stared out the window as they rode in silence. He wished he knew what was going through her mind. He didn't know if he could call what happened a memory or simply an involuntary reflex. It began to rain down harder, and the wipers swayed from side to side as fast as they could, but it didn't seem to do any good.

"Can you see anything?" she asked, noticing the drastic change in the weather.

"Yeah, don't worry, it's fine."

"If you say so. I'd just prefer not to get lost." she said. Hearing her say that, Jason was reminded of their wreck in the snow. Driving to Sonny's cabin that night in the blizzard. It was a night that changed both of their lives.

"Don't think of it as lost." he said, smiling as he remembered the words he said to her that night. "It's an adventure."

"An adventure? What kind of-" she stopped mid-sentence as a piercing pain tore through her skull. Her hands flew to her head, as if they could stop it. Her ears began to ring and she felt another large nail pound into her brain. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing it to stop. But instead of the darkness that usually came when her eyes closed, she saw images.

They were driving. It was snowing.

"Ok, no street lights, no cabin lights. It's official...we're lost." she heard a voice say. It sounded like hers.

"No, it's an adventure." Jason said, smiling at her.

It hurt. The pain in her head was intensifying with each second.

Jason saw Courtney's reaction to his comment. Immediately she had his full attention.

"Courtney. Courtney, what's wrong? What's happening?" he asked, fear for her the only thing on his mind.

"It hurts!" she said, speaking through clenched teeth. Jason took a hand off the wheel and placed it under her chin. He turned her face towards him and she opened her eyes. "Jason?"

"Yeah. I'm here." he said, keeping his eyes on her.

"Watch out!" she shouted, hurting her head more with the sudden outburst.

Jason turned back to the windshield to see they had swerved into the other lane and directly into the path of an oncoming car. Putting both hands on the steering wheel, he veered out of its way. As he did, a loud bang rocked the car as a front tire blew out. Jason did his best to regain control of the machine on the slick asphalt. The breaks screeched against the pavement as the car swayed along the road.

"Hang on!" he shouted, realizing that he couldn't stop what was about to happen. He heard Courtney's scream as the car tumbled over the railing and down the hill.