A/N: Hey all, sorry this chapter is kinda short, but I'd rather it be short and update while I have the chance than to make you wait for all of eternity. So, here it is, this is all I've got written so far, so bear with me if the next post takes a while. I've got a vacation from HS coming up soon, so maybe I'll get some writing done. Let me know how you like the fic so far. much love all! Thanks for your reviews and support!

Sonny's lead enforcer slipped out of the little chapel, no more than a wisp of a shadow in the bustle of the hospital. The stairway to the roof beckoned him to its comforting escape to the air above. He answered its call and trudged wearily up the stairs, sighing gratefully when the cool wind hit his face. The outside, he inhaled deeply the scent of summer's fade and fall's approach. Autumn was coming early this year. In his t-shirt he suppressed the chilled shiver that ran down his spine. He didn't have his jacket, it was sitting in his apartment, where'd he'd left it after the man monitoring Courtney's apartment had called him. Jason ignored the bite of cold against his paled flesh and watched the city lights twinkling in the growing darkness. The view over Port Charles from here was amazing at night, everything aglow with life and light and mystique. The city held hidden darknesses and hidden lights, some that even the more observational of people might never see. Jason wondered what the city hid from him, what terrors and joys hid in the shadows.

Jason squeezed his eyes shut and stretched forward, leaning his forehead on the cool stone of the roof's retaining wall, for a moment considering never going back down. The notion quickly faded at a flash of Courtney's bright smile in his mind. No. He couldn't stay. She needed him still, even if she couldn't say it. Just a few minutes more, he thought as he sat upon a bench on the roof, leaning his head against the wall and closing his eyes.

Jason, a voice called to him faintly. Jason.

"Courtney?" Jason eyes flashed around the rooftop, grinding to a dead halt as a wispy figure cloaked in light and fog stepped forward. Blonde hair swirled past brilliant blue eyes. "Are you? No. You can't be-."

No, I'm not dead, my love. Courtney's voice floated toward him as if on an unfelt breeze. You may not feel it, but I am holding on to you with everything I've got. You keep me here, Jason. You.

"Why are you here? Are you dying? I need to be with you!" Jason leapt from his seat, but felt invisible hands restraining him.

I am still with you. Was her simple reply. But I'm scared. Jason noticed that, for the first time, her alabaster skin was stretched in lines of fear. Sometimes I can feel myself slipping away. I don't want to slip away, Jason. I'm trying so hard not to.

"Courtney…" Jason couldn't find words. What was going on here? He couldn't possibly be seeing her. Things like this only happened on TV and in fairy tales.

Hold on to me Jason…Hold on to me… Courtney's ethereal voice faded as did her ghostly visage.

"Courtney! No, don't leave! Come back!" Jason shouted, running after her paling glow.

I'm still with you, Jase. Hold on to me… And she was gone, nothing more than spots in his vision.

"COURTNEY!" He shouted, waking with a jolt from his slumped over position on the bench. His eyes flew open and searched wildly for a sign of his unnerving encounter. Just a dream, he told himself, rubbing his face with shaking hands. He blew out a shuddering breath and shoved his hands into his pockets and heading for the door back inside. With once last glance around, he laid his hand on the knob. "I'm holdin', Courtney. I'm holding." He whispered and disappeared into the stairwell.

Carly leaned against Sonny's chest, resting her head in the curve of his shoulder. She sighed and he slid an arm around her waist and laid a hand on her leg. Carly tilted her head and looked up into his shadowed eyes. He kissed her temple lightly and leaned his forehead against hers. It was a marvelous display of affection considering the location and lack of privacy. They were, after all, seated in General Hospital's waiting room anxiously awaiting updates on his sister's condition.

"Jason," she sat up quickly as the enforcer walked into the little side area. She embraced him tightly. "Where did you go? I was getting worried."

I'm fine. I just needed to take a walk, you know, take a step back." Carly nodded in understanding and released him. "Any news on Courtney?"

Carly shook her head no and Jason sighed and resigned himself to semi-patient chair sitting. "This sucks," he snapped quietly, soft voice startling the others around him.

"Yeah, Jase," Carly rubbed his knee gently. "It really does."

Jason leaned his head on his hands and sighed, fighting the desire to kick something in frustration. Jax, perhaps? That could prove amusing. He smiled slightly at the thought before banishing it regretfully. Jax was a rich, pompous, egomaniacal piece of flesh but he had been rather respectfully of the others' space through this whole thing; knowing when to back off when necessary. For that, Jason was thankful.

"Jason?" The enforcer's head snapped up at the sound of Monica's voice. He almost leaped from his chair and strode forward to meet her. She smiled slightly and he waited with baited breath, knowing that that gesture could be interpreted two ways, one of hope, on of something sad that she wished she didn't have to tell them. He hoped with all of his heart that it was the former rather than the latter. "I've got news about Courtney."

TO BE CONTINUED...