Disclaimer: I don't own a damn thing
Summary: So here's the deal, everything that has happened on the show up until April 15, 2004 has happened. But instead of staying in Port Charles, Courtney leaves. She hasn't talked to anyone from PC, except for Carly, but Carly isn't even sure where she is. The story picks up about 2 years after Courtney left.
A.N.: Ok, I really appreciate all the ideas and I think I have found a way to incorporate a lot of them, but unfortunately not in this chapter. I'm going to save the wedding for the next chapter, or possibly the one after that. I'm going to focus on Jason and Courtney's friendship right now, and then couple it with romance in later chapters. Also, I'm thinking more angry Mike and possibly a Jasper "Jax" Jacks cameo, but I'm not quite sure, yet.
Last Train Home Ch. 9:
Courtney watched a very upset Liz slam the door to Jason's penthouse and rush out of Harborview Towers in a huff. It's none of your business, her mind reminded her as she stared longingly at the dark mahogany door. "I'll just go and make sure he's alright. He looked after me last night. I owe him," she convinced herself. Her petite hand was raised to knock when the door flew opened, forcing her to stumble back in surprise. His strong arms encircled her waist before she could fall hard on her bottom.
"You okay?" Jason asked trying to suppress a laugh at her disarray state.
"I'm fine," she whispered. It felt good to be in his arms again, it brought her a comfort that she had been missing for the last two years. She wanted so badly to lean in and lay her head on his chest, but knew that would be crossing the line.
"You couldn't even wait a few days?" Liz's voice was laced with disgust. Courtney immediately pulled away from Jason, who seemed annoyed by his ex girlfriend's reappearance. "Oh please, don't let me interrupt. I just forgot my purse," she pushed past the other woman, slamming her hard in the shoulder on her way into Jason's penthouse. The anger that had been built up from the morning finally reached its boiling point as Courtney followed the brunette. She felt Jason grab hold of her arm to stop her trek, but she forcefully shook it off. She entered the living room to find Liz searching for the missing purse.
"Do you have a problem?" The dark blonde stood with her hands placed defiantly across her chest. She watched the brunette drop the pillow that was in her hands and turn to face her.
"I don't know why I'm surprised. I always saw you for your true colors, even if no one else did." Liz let out in annoyance.
"Enlighten me…what are my true colors?" Courtney asked with fake interest.
"You're a slut." The brunette answered simply. "You couldn't wait for me to leave, so you could swoop in and try to get Jason back."
"You're paranoid, you know that?" Courtney muttered through clenched teeth. "Jason and I are friends and I'm not sure why you have such a hard time accepting that, but it's the truth."
"Bullshit," Liz growled. "You have wanted him back since the day you returned. Well you know what? You can have him, because I'm done." She grabbed her purse and headed out of the Penthouse leaving a shocked Courtney in her wake.
"I'm sorry. She's kind of crazy sometimes," Jason offered moving in from his perch at the entranceway. Courtney nodded, but didn't offer a response. There was an unsettling tension that began to fill the room, threatening to strangle both occupants. "Why did you come here?"
"Oh, umm…I saw Liz leaving and wanted to make sure you were alright," she stumbled through her explanation feeling quite embarrassed. "I didn't mean to –you know—start any trouble."
"It's not your fault, she's just a little upset," Jason assured. He looked around his Penthouse uncomfortably and she noticed the look of confinement in his eyes.
"Do you want to go get a cup of coffee, or something?" She asked. "I do kind of owe you for taking care of me last night." His once solemn features brightened considerably.
"Oh please, the pleasure was all mine," he grinned which elicited a snort from his counterpart.
"Whatever, let's just go." She muttered heading towards the exit with Jason hot on her heels.
"Do you hear yelling?" Carly asked Sonny with a raised eyebrow. They had been enjoying a quiet evening on the sofa when the noise began.
"I'm sure it's none of your business, sweetheart." Sonny replied not even bothering to look up from the paper. He felt his fiancée shoot up from her position next to him and head over to the door. She was on the tips of her toes squinting through the peephole.
"Oh! I think Jase finally took my advice and broke it off with that evil whore," she called excitedly.
"Carly, that's Jason's personal life not yours," her ex husband/fiancée tried, but Carly was far to enthralled by the scene that was unfolding in the hall.
"She just slammed into Courtney, that little twit." The brunette was about to open the door, when Sonny's voice boomed.
"Leave it, Carly! My sister is an adult and I think she can handle the situation just fine."
"They went into his apartment," Carly appeared crestfallen but did not move from her post. Her counterpart rolled his eyes and went back to studying the evening news. "You know, I just don't get why Elizabeth can act however she wants and Jason doesn't call her on it."
"That's Jason's decision," Sonny appeared unaffected by the rant that Carly was sure to go off on. He had learned long ago not to mess with a raging Caroline Benson. She would eventually wind herself.
"Oh! Liz is leaving. I don't see any marks, but I do notice a few tears," Carly's mouth turned into an evil smile.
"You do know that it's not right to take pleasure in other's misfortune..." The woman rolled her eyes annoyed, but another smile soon lit up her face.
"Jason and Courtney are leaving together!"
"Why do you get so swept up in other people's relationship? I mean you would think that ours has enough angst to keep you occupied…" Sonny laughed as his fiancée kicked him soft in the leg on her way back to her seat.
"Yeah, well we got old and boring."
"Hmm…Maybe I could do something to entertain you," he wiggled his eyebrows, which caused Carly to break out in hysterics.
"The boys are right upstairs," she replied.
"So, we'll be quiet." His lips encompassed hers' in an impassioned kiss, but she pushed him away softly.
"Later, I promise." She whispered holding up her hand as if to take an oath. He nodded but did not move from his place. "Can you believe we are getting married, again?"
"Well, fourth time is a charm."
"I thought that was supposed to be the third time," she asked quizzically.
"Not for us," he explained. "Although, the third time wasn't so bad until we screwed it up."
"You screwed it up," her tone was harsh and light at the same time.
"I don't think so…"
"Need I remember a little hussy named Sam McCall?" She pulled away from him in annoyance.
"Need I remember a drug lord named Lorenzo Alcazar?" He shot back and Carly glared at him.
"And please tell me why I ever fell for Lorenzo?" She growled. "I think it was because my loving husband shot me in the head!" Sonny was taken aback by her comment. They hadn't discussed their past indiscretions in a long time and he was hoping that it would stay that way, but apparently not. He could see the fire blazing in her almond shaped eyes and knew that the best thing to do at this point was to walk away, but he couldn't.
"How many times do I have to apologize for that?"
"You almost killed me!" She was pacing the room now.
"And how many times has one of your little schemes almost gotten me killed, Carly?" His voice was rising, but low enough not to disturb the boys upstairs.
"All my "little schemes" were done to help you," she replied.
"Help me get shot?"
"You know that I would never…" her voice was laced with hurt. "Plus, you do just fine getting shot at without my intervention." A thick silence enveloped the room.
"Death would be a welcomed vacation from this," he gestured to the space between them and watched a few tears spill down Carly's cheeks. She quickly swiped them away before pushing past him and grabbing her purse off the desk. "Oh come on, where are you going?" He hadn't meant for the comment to come our as harsh as it did.
"Screw you, Sonny." Her voice was cold as she barged out the door.
"So, Derek Jeter?" Jason asked in an amused tone. They had been strolling through Port Charles Park for the past half an hour. Both were keeping to safe topics, wanting to ignore the obvious electricity that was emanating between them.
"Yeah, he stopped into the coffee shop I was working in last year. I thought of Michael and asked for the autography," she explained simply. "He almost didn't do it when he noticed my Nomar jersey."
"Nomar? You leave town for a few years and turn into a Sox fan?" He tried to contain the surprise in his voice at the sudden revelation.
"You back off of my Red Sox! We are going make it to the World Series," she protested.
"Yeah, someday…" he shot back with a laugh, but the Courtney just rolled her eyes.
"I'm not even going to argue with you, because I have faith that they will make it." She finished.
"All the faith in the world isn't going to bring a baseball title to Boston."
"And since when do you know so much about baseball?" She asked. Jason had never really been one for sports; it was always her that got into the games.
"Just because I don't watch the games religiously, doesn't mean that I don't follow the teams. Plus, Sonny and I took Michael to a few of the games." She nodded and a comfortable silence fell between them as they continued on their trek. "I really shouldn't be surprised that you're a Sox fan."
"And why is that?"
"You always did have hope for the impossible," his voice was low and she tried to ignore the complete meaning of the statement.
"It's only impossible if you don't believe in the cause," she shot back. He nodded but didn't say anything. The conversation had turned way too personal, which always seem to happen to them. They could never sit down and have a light hearted talk without it turning down a more intimate road; it was one of the things he loved and hated about their relationship. There was always something just below the surface that one comment could dig up; it sure did make things interesting. He was about to speak when a soft crying peaked his hearing.
"You hear that?" He asked. Courtney nodded and pointed to the bench a few feet away, where Carly sat by herself. A look of worry flashed in Jason's eyes. His long strides had him to the bench in no time. Courtney followed taking a seat next to her best friend.
"You alright, babe?" Courtney's voice was soft as she wrapped an arm around Carly's shoulders.
"I'm done," she whispered through her tears. "The wedding's off!"
"No it's not," Jason was calm as Carly shook her head vehemently.
"Yes it is. He's an insensitive jerk."
"Carly, the ceremony is two days away," Jason reminded her, but she was unwilling to listen to reason.
"Jase, why don't you go and –you know—talk to Sonny, while me and Carly hang out here," Courtney was trying her best to stay calm and logical.
"You're not going to get me to change my mind," Carly muttered.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Courtney replied nodding her head for Jason to leave.
"Thank you," he whispered quietly in his ex wife's ear before departing.
"What happened?" Courtney asked once Jason was out of hearing distance. She waited for her friend to respond, but she didn't. Quiet sobs were the only noises coming from her. They both knew that the wedding was going to occur, but she understood Carly's need to threaten to cancel it. No matter how many times you get married, there are always cold feet and this was the brunette's way of dealing with hers. "Everything is going to be fine. Sonny loves you no matter what bonehead remark he made." A few sniffles informed Courtney that Carly was indeed listening to her.
"I'm sorry that I ruined your time with Jason," Carly offered and now it was Courtney's turn to enthusiastically shake her head.
"You didn't ruin anything. We were just walking around." Courtney explained, but noticed the glint in her best friend's swollen eyes. The tears had subsided and been replaced with curiosity. It made the other woman laugh slightly; only Carly could go from complete hysterics to matchmaking in two point five seconds flat. "Please don't start, Carly. Not right now." It was a last ditch plea and the brunette nodded.
"Okay, but I'm happy to see that he finally got rid of Lizzy."
"None of my business," Courtney replied with a roll of her eyes. "So, what can we do to lift your spirits?" Carly's features turned mischevious and Courtney quickly retracted the statement. "Besides anything involving me and Jason getting back together." The brunette's face fell in mock disappointment.
"I'll just have to settle for some ice cream, then."
"Ice cream? Okay I can handle that, but you have to promise not to tell the boys I took you or they'll get mad at me," Courtney laughed as did her companion.
"I won't say a word," Carly pushed herself up off the bench and waited for the other woman to join her side. "So, what were you guys talking about before I interrupted?"
"Baseball," Courtney answered simply falling into step with her best friend.
"That's it?" Carly asked innocently, which elicited a glare from the other woman.
"You promised…"
"Fine, but you can blame a girl for trying." Carly reasoned, but Courtney shook her head.
"Someday you're going to realize that Jason and I work better as friends than spouses," the dark blonde whispered trying to keep the emotion from entangling her voice.
"Someday you are going to realize that the love you two share is too precious to turn your back on," Carly replied and Courtney had no response.
Jason entered Harborview Towers and headed straight to Sonny's Penthouse. He had no doubt in his mind that Courtney would calm down Carly and the wedding would take place. He noticed Johnny standing guard outside the door of Penthouse four; he nodded to his boss before allowing him access. Sonny was standing by the bar, whiskey in hand.
"She okay?" The older man asked somberly.
"I think so. Courtney is with her right now." Jason replied. "What happened?"
"Who knows?" Sonny was concentrating hard on the amber colored liquid in his left hand. "Why is it that you hurt the people you love most? I know how overused that term is, but it's true. I've put Carly through more shit than anyone else in my life and for what? To prove to myself that she will keep coming back for more?" Jason had no response and Sonny wasn't really looking for one. "She means the world to me, but for some reason I can't treat her the way she deserves to be treated."
"Hey, I would have never left Carly in your hands if I didn't think you would take care of her," Jason assured him, but the other man shook his. "Look around Sonny. You two have a great life together. So what if you fight? Every couple does…"
"I shot her in the head, Jason! What kind of husband shoots his own wife in the head?"
"That was a mistake and Carly knows that."
"Does she?"
"Do you think she would stick around if she thought that you truly meant to hurt her?" Jason reasoned and Sonny nodded. "It's just cold feet, buddy. Everyone gets them."
"Even if it's the fourth time marrying the same woman?" The older man laughed, which eased the gloominess in the room.
"Yup. A wedding is a wedding no matter what number it is." Jason reasoned as poured himself a glass of scotch.
"So, what happened with Elizabeth?" Sonny watched his companion's face twitch slightly. "Carly heard the yelling."
"Oh you know, it was just Liz being Liz," Jason replied with annoyance.
"Are you guys done –you know—for good?"
"I hope so. She's been unbearable since Courtney came back," Jason explained. "I feel bad, you know? I never wanted to hurt her."
"It sounds like she hurt herself by being so paranoid," Sonny offered, but the other man shook his head.
"She had every right to be paranoid," the younger man whispered. Just as Sonny was about to prod the door opened and in walked his sister and ex wife/fiancée. He eyed up Carly who seemed in better spirits then when she left earlier.
"We come bearing gifts," Courtney grinned nudging her best friend towards her brother.
"Strawberry frozen yogurt with chocolate sprinkles," Carly mumbled handing over the ice cream cone to her fiancée.
"Thanks," he muttered surprised by the gesture. The brunette nodded and offered him a small smile. "You owe me," she whispered softly in his ear.
"I love you," he replied quietly.
"I know," she nodded. Courtney and Jason watched in silence as their best friends made there way upstairs. The remaining couple looked at each other in amusement.
"They're never going to change," Courtney laughed and Jason nodded in agreement. "I got you something." She rifled through the brown paper bag in her hand finally coming up victorious with a lidded Styrofoam cup. "Vanilla with rainbow sprinkles." The man laughed accepting the ice cream in her outstretched hand.
"Thanks," he whispered and she nodded.
"I had fun tonight. Well you know, before the whole Carly fiasco." She let a smile come across her face.
"Yeah I did too." He replied with a toothy grin. They both stood in complete silence, their matching blue eyes locked on one another. The intensity of the moment was not lost on either person as they gravitated closer towards one another. Courtney tilted her head slightly and she watched Jason lean closer in as if to kiss her. They're lips were brushing when a high pitched laugh rang out from upstairs. Thanks Carly. Courtney thought bitterly as Jason quickly retreated. "I should be going," he mumbled gesturing to the door and moving quickly towards the exit.
She waited until the door shut softly to collapse on the couch. It's a good thing, she tried to convince herself. It would have only complicated things. Or would it? Why do I even care? I'm so over him. I am over him, right?
A/N: I couldn't resist using a Red Sox analogy. After all, I got to rep the home team. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Oh yeah and a special thanks to Lucy for the idea to elaborate on the baseball.
