A/N: I like updates! maybe i should do more! um...yeah...i think so.

Ch. 31 Pushes And Shoves

He stood in the elevator as it took him up to the penthouse. In the silent space, Jason raised his hand and examined the metallic band on his finger. She hadn't expected him to still hold on to it. But he had, and only moments ago she put it back on his finger. Once she had, it felt like he'd finally come up for air after spending hours underwater.

The disappointment of the odd ceremony was that he couldn't do the same for her. Jason promised her that the moment she was out, they could have a real wedding. He would put the ring on her finger. But all that mattered right now was they were married. Though he didn't need a piece of paper to tell him they were man and wife. He knew in his heart she was the only one that ever was or ever could be his wife, whether it was legal or not. The bell rang, bringing him out of his thoughts.

He stepped off the elevator and stood for a moment in the hall. He looked towards the door labeled PH4. He knew they would want to know, but at the same time he knew they were just getting through a rough patch and needed time for each other. So Jason decided he would tell them tomorrow. He entered his penthouse and sat on the couch. He took a look around and came to the realization that the place was empty. He had a few things here and there; but it didn't come close to even resembling a home to him.

After rising from the couch, Jason went upstairs to the bedroom. Once he entered, he immediately went to the dresser and opened the top drawer. He lifted a few shirts until the silver frame was revealed at the bottom. For a moment he only looked at it, as if afraid to touch it. He took in the still image the frame held; their wedding picture. The glass had a large crack and was missing several small shards.

A result of his anger after he'd signed the divorce papers, and shoved her out of his life. He'd stomped over to his apartment and began smashing and throwing everything he saw. It was only when he saw the heave, metal object crash against the wall that he stopped. He had regretted it immediately and put it away for protection in the even of any other outburst he might have. Shaking the memory away, he lifted the frame from the drawer to see what he'd kept under it.

Jason picked up the small, shining object and went back downstairs. She probably thought he'd gotten rid of it. But for some reason he didn't. He pulled out his key ring and attached it, allowing it to hang with the others. It always belonged there. It was a key to the happiest memories of his life. In all logical thinking, he probably should have tossed it or given to Courtney when he found out she bought the loft for herself. But he couldn't let himself part with it. Then as quickly as he'd come, he left again.

"We need to talk." the man said.

He waited for her response, but none came. He sighed and looked into the small area where he could see her. She was laying with her back to him on the mattress. She was ignoring him.

"This is serious. Come on, I know you're awake." he told her. Again she said nothing to him.

Justus suppressed the urge to shout. Usually he was good at keeping calm, but it got different when he had a near impossible case to face, not to mention an uncooperative client. He didn't favor the possibility that she was going to return to the silent treatment. Square one was not the place they needed to be so close to the trial. So he decided he was not going to leave until he got her speaking to him.

She heard him, but Courtney remained still. She didn't want to talk to him. He was there to talk about the case3 and it didn't appeal to her. He was going to ask her questions. Mainly one: What happened? She didn't want to think about it, let alone talk about it. But when he started talking about the headlines and all the stories he read in the paper, she figured he wasn't going to leave until she spoke to him or he talked her to death. Sighing, she rolled over and got up.

"What do you want?" she asked, knowing the answer he would give.

"We have to discuss your defense." he announced.

"What's there to discuss?" she asked, sarcastically. "I shot Ric."

Justus looked at her with brief surprise before returning to what she assumed was his courtroom face. He was the first person other than Jason she'd told that to.

"Ok. Tell me what happened." he ordered.

"I told you. I shot Ric." she said again. "I pulled the trigger and I stood there and watched him die in front of me. End of story. What else matters?"

"A lot." he answered, his frustration beginning to show in his voice. "It all matters, ok? Everything. The tiniest detail can be the difference between a life of freedom or a life in prison."

"The only thing that matters is that I am guilty."

"Guilty?" he repeated. "Alright, let's look at this; at what you're guilty of."

"Murder, Justus." she stated. "Murder."

"Ok. Did you go to Ric's planning to kill him?"

"No."

"Did you bring the weapon with you to his place?"

"No."

"Were you in a clear state of mind?"

"I was drinking." she answered ashamed at the confession.

"Were you defending yourself?" he asked, relieved that he was getting some information from her. She looked towards the floor, not answering his question. "Did you shoot Ric in self-defense?"

"I'm tired." she said suddenly. "We can finish this later."

"Wait-" he began, not ready to have her back down now.

"Goodnight, Justus." she interrupted, turning to make it easier to ignore him.

"Courtney." he said trying to get her attention back on him. He reached through the bars and grabbed her arm to turn her back around. The woman quickly jerked herself away from his touch and out of his reach. "Courtney, did Ric hurt you?"