"Hey." Courtney reached out and touched Jason's shoulder tentatively. He jumped and a smile graced her face briefly. "Imagine that, I scared the big bad Jason Morgan. And here I thought you always watched your back."

He shrugged. "I'm surprised you came." He touched her elbow briefly, motioning for her to follow him around the corner to the back of the building.

"It's not as though I was given much choice," she retorted as she stuffed her hands into her coat pockets. "Don't think I didn't see the men waiting to follow me after my class ended. I don't appreciate being watched, by the way."

Jason laughed soundlessly. "I had to be sure you showed up. I never can tell with you, you know. So, how has your day been so far? It's good to see you're going to classes again, I know you've missed a few this week." He eyed her knowingly. "Maybe living with Carly is a bad influence on you?" he suggested. "I bet AJ doesn't like it too much either, does he?"

"Why am I here Jason?" she asked abruptly. "What's the big secret that couldn't wait? Was so important that only I could hear it, and it had to be here and not at the club, where I'm sure you'll be later tonight." She took a deep breath and folded her arms against her chest. "What is it Jason? Come on, tell--"

"You killed Bobby." He turned and faced her directly. She was instantly chilled by the smile on his face. It was calm and threatening all at the same time. Instinctively she backed up, only to find herself against the cement brick of the building.

"You know." Her eyes closed and she didn't know what was worse, the fact that he knew or the fact that she was relieved that the truth was finally known. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes again, leveling them against his. Despite the gravity of the situation she couldn't help but notice the blueness of his eyes. She wasn't blind, she had noticed them before, but now, the coldness in them only made them that much more striking and she was mesmerized for a moment.

"Of course I know. Did you think I wouldn't?" He took another step closer, invading her personal space but she was still up against the wall so there was nowhere to go. "Don't tell me you didn't think I'd find out, or that I didn't already know." Another step closer. "Silly girl." She could feel his breath on her cheek as he spoke.

Courtney glanced sideways in both directions but she knew there was no use in running. Jason was just as fast, and faster, than she was. "So now what?" she asked shakily. She closed her eyes again, bracing herself for the inevitable answer.

Courtney wasn't ready for what happened next and before she knew what was happening his mouth was on hers in a kiss so searing it literally made her lose her footing and she had to grab onto him to stay standing. Jason stepped back and she stared at him curiously, raising her fingers to her lips.

"I wish it didn't have to happen this way." She watched as he pulled the gun out of his pocket and attached a silencer to the end of it. Her tears fell freely as she heard the sickening sound of the hammer being pulled back. "Forgive me, Courtney."

Courtney flew into an upright position, gasping as she turned to look at the alarm clock next to the bed. 4:42 am. She leaned her head back against the headboard and held her hands to her chest as her heart resumed beating normally again.

"Hey." AJ's voice next to her caused her to jump again and he looked at her worriedly. "It's just me," he said, raising himself up and touching her arm. "Are you okay? Did you have another nightmare?"

She nodded, not trusting her voice. She was sure the moment she started talking she would tell AJ everything, including the fact that she was supposed to meet Jason later on this afternoon. She watched as he threw the covers back and got out of bed, returning moments later with a glass of water that he handed to her.

"Thanks," she whispered, clutching the glass. She took a sip before placing it on the nightstand next to the clock. AJ pulled her back down on the bed, wrapping an arm around her.

"That's the fifth nightmare you've had this week," he said, brushing her hair from her shoulder and smoothing it back. "I don't like this Courtney, I wish you could just get passed everything. It's in the past, the only people that know are you, me and Carly, and none of us are going to say anything."

She pulled out of his embrace and rolled over onto her side, facing away from him. "I guess it's easier to forget anything ever happened when you're not the one who killed someone," she said bitterly. "Good night AJ."

AJ tried for a few minutes to get her to talk but gave up as she pretended to fall back asleep. Once she heard his breathing even out she opened her eyes again and stared at the clock as the minutes ticked slowly by.

It was true, she had been having bad dreams more frequently as the weeks went on, but generally, there was nothing this specific. She chalked up the nightmares to feeling guilty and being scared which was pretty logical in her mind, but tonight's dream had been different. Never before had Jason invaded her dreams and never had she dreamt about kissing him. She had no idea where that came from, other than Carly's constant speculations that he was interested in her.

One thing was for sure, she decided, focusing her gaze on the red numbers until they blurred together as she drifted back to sleep. This afternoon was going to be interesting.

Jason walked into the main foyer of Adella's house to the sounds of Faith berating one of the maids. He smiled sympathetically at another maid, who took his coat from him and hung it in the closet. "Thanks Amelia," he said with another smile, before heading towards the living room just in time to hear the tail end of Faith's rant.

"Now, I understand that you are a simple minded house girl, but for god sakes, when I say I need my outfit pressed for lunch, I mean twelve noon, not three-fifteen." She smiled condescendingly. "Surely you can get that right tomorrow, can't you Julie?" She nodded as the petite woman nodded furiously at her. "Splendid. That's all."

"Faith," Jason stepped further into the room and alerted her to his presence.

"Jason!" Faith smiled brightly at him as she turned from the bar. "Mojito?" she offered, holding out a glass in his direction. He declined with a shake of his head and she shrugged. "More for me." She draped herself over one of the leather couches and waited for him to sit down. "Any idea why Adella called this little pow-wow in the middle of the afternoon?"

"I heard Lorenzo Alcazar and Jax Jacks were seen around town, so I'm thinking she's planning on calling for a meeting of the families," Jason guessed. "With them here already, it would be easy to call in the Moreno and Corolla families from New York and finally restore some of the trust that's been lost over the last six months.

"All I know is we better be done fast, I have things to do this afternoon still."

"And who is it this week Faith?" Jason asked. "The pool boy? A bellboy at the Port Charles Hotel?"

"I hear it's the gardener." They both looked up as Sonny came into the room. He nodded at Jason before sitting down next to his wife. "And how are you today, my ever-faithful wife?"

"Just peachy, my dear, sweet husband, absolutely perfect." Her voice was as sweet as honey as she smiled at him over the rim of her glass. "I would offer you a drink, but judging by the empty whiskey decanter, my guess is you're all set."

"Oh good, everyone's here." Adella came in from her office adjoining the living room and took her place. "Thank you for being so prompt, I know I didn't give you much notice." She smiled at Amelia, who handed her a cup of tea and waited for her to leave the room again. "There's a few things we should discuss today, but I want to begin with my news first. As you may have heard, Lorenzo Alcazar is in town and he's approached me with a very interesting proposition."

"No Mama," Sonny interrupted, ignoring the glare from his mother. "You know better than to listen to anything Alcazar spits your way. No business with him."

"Well now, if you had taken the meeting with him like I asked, you would have had the opportunity to decline his offer, but as I recall, you weren't in the mood to go," Adella responded. "Now, as I was saying, Lorenzo has offered us a big incentive should we choose to begin using some of his warehouses and ships for exporting."

"No," Sonny repeated. "We're not doing it."

"I think it's in our best interest at the moment, to do business with his family," Adella went on, ignoring her eldest son. "After what Bobby did to his shipment in Montreal, we've opened ourselves up to retaliation and this could be the stepping stone towards another alliance between the Corinthos and Alcazar families, and I for one, think it's past time we put our grudge behind us."

"My father would never forgive you for this," Sonny argued.

"Your father would be disgraced at how you're speaking to me," Adella answered sharply. She looked at him again, daring him to talk back. When she was satisfied he wasn't going to she began speaking again. "Faith, I want you to pay a visit to Lorenzo, either this evening or tomorrow morning, and personally invite him and his wife to dinner here tomorrow night, where we will ink out the deal."

"Yes Adella," Faith said obediently. She hesitated, as recognition flickered over her features. "Luis isn't in town with his family is he?" she asked, a small glint in her eyes.

"Now Faith," Adella chided. "Remember, it's because of me you're not married to Luis Alcazar, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't torture the young man."

Faith nodded, taking a drink from her glass. "I'll behave," she said.

"And now that that's settled, let's move on," Adella said briskly. "Jason, I know you've said you've needed time, but honestly, if I don't hear anything positive from you today, I won't hesitate to bring in the Corolla family, as Fredrico has already offered me the best of his private investigators from New York for as long as I need them." She paused and took a sip of her tea. "So tell me, what do you know?"

"Nothing specific," Jason admitted. "But I've got my eye on someone."

"In more ways than one," Sonny interjected, causing the other three to turn and look at him. He shrugged. "You can't tell me there isn't anything going on with you and that blonde. It's okay, you're entitled to a girl, and hell, congratulations on bagging your brother's girl."

"There's nothing between Courtney and I," Jason said, staring down Sonny a moment before turning back to Adella. "If I had to guess right now? Carly Roberts knows more than she's letting on, which in turn means that Courtney Mathews does as well."

"But did either of them kill Bobby?" Adella persisted. "Or are you wasting everyone's time chasing around a pretty little skirt?"

"Like I said, Carly is involved somehow," Jason repeated, ignoring the snort from Faith. "Twenty-four hours Adella, that's all I'm asking for." He smiled at her, knowing she couldn't resist his charm. "One more day?"

"One more day," Adella said with a shake of her head. "That's all you get Jason, if this isn't taken care of by tomorrow night, I'm calling Corolla."

"Thank you 'Della." Jason rose and went over to her, kissing her cheek. "Is there anything else to discuss, or can I leave?"

"Go on," she said, patting his knee affectionately. "We're done here, just check in with me in the morning with your progress, okay?"

"Of course." He stood up, and on cue, Amelia showed up with his jacket. "Thank you," he said as he took it from her and turned towards Sonny and Faith. "I'll see you both later, Faith, have fun with the Alcazar's tomorrow." He smiled once more at Adella and then left.

"Well, now that he's gone." Sonny rose from his char and walked over to the bar to pour himself a drink as he spoke. "There's no need to call in the Corolla family Mama, I know who killed Bobby and we can have them dealt with tonight."

"You know?" Adella rose from her chair. "Why are you just now telling me? I've just sent Jason on a wild goose chase when I could use him back in California as soon as possible."

Sonny shook his head. "Jason's on the right track Mama," he said. "Here." He pulled a bulky envelope out of the desk drawer and handed it to her.

"What's this?" She opened the envelope. "A cell phone?"

"That cell phone was found with Bobby. It was nearly destroyed, but I had some friends in Washington DC take a look at it and they were able to pull some information from it."

"Way to go Sonny." Faith looked pleased. "You know you're sexy when you go all mafia on me," she purred, but he brushed her aside.

"What information?" Adella asked impatiently.

"A phone call was made the night Bobby disappeared. To AJ Quartermaine." Sonny took a drink of the dark liquid in his glass.

"AJ Quartermaine. You think Carly called him after she killed Bobby?" Adella asked eagerly as she sat up a little straighter.

"That's one possibility, except for one small problem." Sonny paused to take another drink. "The phone belongs to Courtney Mathews."

"Well that's certainly an interesting turn of events," Faith murmured. "You can't expect Jason to take care of that now, you should probably call in Corolla, or, if you don't want to wait, you can send me."

"Jason can do it," Sonny argued. "Jason should do it. This has been his job, he'll be the one to see it through. He said so himself, there's nothing between the two of him."

"And you believe him?" Faith scoffed. "Have you seen her? There's definitely something there."

"It doesn't matter." Adella spoke up matter-of-factly. "If there was anything between them, it's done now, and if there wasn't, well there never will be. Jason knows where his loyalties lie, and that's with the family." She reached for the phone. "He'll deal with this tonight."

It was ten minutes to five when Courtney arrived at the Pizza Shack and she was relieved to see that she was the first one there. She almost hadn't shown up, and unlike her dream, there hadn't been any guards waiting for her after class, but knowing he would have only found her later if she hadn't, here she was, sitting at a picnic table, drinking a soda and waiting for Jason. She didn't have to wait long, not two minutes later he lowered himself into the seat across from her. Off in the distance she could hear a low rumble of thunder and it looked as though the storm that had been threatening all day was going to break soon.

"So what's up?" She asked, leaning her elbows on the table.

He reached over to take a drink from her soda before speaking. "I'm leaving tomorrow," he said finally.

"Leaving?" she echoed. "Why?"

He smiled slightly. "What, are you going to miss me or something?"

She rolled her eyes. "I just know that you really want to solve this thing and that you didn't want to leave until it was done." She bit down on her lower lip. "Is it done?" she asked hesitantly.

Jason nodded then. "It's done. Well, it will be tonight," he amended.

Courtney stared at him. "Well, who is it?" she asked, keeping her voice as neutral as she could. Her heart was up in her throat and her mind racing at a million miles a minute as she tried to decipher the look in his eyes.

"It wasn't who I thought it was," he admitted. "But it doesn't matter as long as justice is served, right?"

"I guess." A hint of skepticism crept into her voice before she could stop it. "So, you're leaving. Back to California?" He merely nodded and the silence was a little much for Courtney. "Well, I know you love it there, or really, anywhere that's not here, so you must be pretty happy." He nodded again. "Jason, what's wrong?" she asked finally.

"Nothing," he said abruptly, standing up. "I want to show you something, come with me."

"Jason, I don't know," Courtney faltered. "I really need to get home, I have a ton of homework to do, and besides, what could you possibly have to show me?" She shivered as the wind picked up and again, she could hear thunder in the distance, closer than before.

"Come with me," he repeated. He sighed. "Look, remember last week how I told you about my favorite place in California and how I didn't think I'd find a place anything like that here?"

Courtney nodded, remembering back on their conversation. The more she thought about it, she realized she had learned quite a lot about Jason since he had gotten to town. She knew more about him than she knew about Carly actually, and still, there was everything she didn't know about him, and wouldn't have the chance to learn.

"Well, I found that place," he continued. "And I want to show it to you tonight." He looked up at the sky. "Now, before it rains." He looked at her again and half-smiled. "Look, it'll be the last time you have to deal with me, okay?"

"Well if you put it that way." Courtney sighed and stood up from the table. "Okay, let's go."