Chapter 5

Jason told Carly, "We're...everything. But you can't expect me to watch you marry him."

"Why? I watched you marry Courtney. Do you think I didn't want to be in her place? We don't always get what we want, Jason. You taught me that."

"Bitterness doesn't suit you, Carly."

"Then stop doing things to make me bitter."

His voice rose, "What have I done but love you?"

She screamed "You don't get to say you love me and then marry someone else!"

Even louder Jason said, "Do you really think I can marry Sam now? After tonight? When I love you..."

Sam heard the last few lines of their conversation. Her heart constricted in her chest. She took off her necklace and flung it into the elevator shaft.

Jason and Carly heard a clanking sound.

"What was that?" asked Carly "Is the elevator going to fall?"

"No, we're fine. It sounded like someone dropped something."

In the blackness they could not see the door on the top of the elevator was still open.

Jax came back down the hall, carrying a flashlight, and saw Sam visually shaking and sobbing.

"Did the elevator fall?" he cried

"Worse." Sam said "The wedding is off."

"Yours or mine?"

"Both, Jax. You were right. We got ditched."

At that moment he couldn't understand what she was saying. He believed, he had to believe, that she was overreacting.

Jax screamed down the shaft, "Carly, I'm coming down for you."

"NO!" Jason and Carly screamed in unison

Jax looked at Sam. "Damn it, what the hell happened while I was gone."

"Just listen." Sam whispered

Jax put on his repelling gear and started climbing down.

Carly moved close to Jason. Her hand found his face and cupped his cheek.

"You aren't marrying Sam ?You love me, Jase? Still? Again?"

"Did you have a doubt about that? After what just happened between us? You think I would make love to you and be able to go back to Sam. I knew I was through with her the moment we kissed."

"Jase." Carly said, smiling

"So I can't be your best person."

"I forgive you." she said and then kissed him. "Say the word and my wedding to Jax is off."

"Word."

She laughed. "I love you so damn much."

"I love you too much, Carly. That's why this ...it could kill me to lose you again."

"I'm yours, Jase, forever."

At the same time Carly said those words, Jax stuck his head through the roof of the car. "Carly..." he said, his voice filled with hurt.

The beam of Jax's flashlight swept over the car. Jason and Carly moved away from each other

"Who is coming up first?" he asked "Are would you two rather be alone?"

"I'm sorry you found out this way, Jax." Carly said

"Not now, Carly. I will not discuss this in front of him."

The lights came back on.

Jason hit the stop button on the elevator so it would not rise with Jax on the roof.

Jax gave them a disgusted look and climbed back up.

"I'm clear!" Jax called down

Sam said, "What happened? What did they say?"

"You were right. It looks like this blackout cost us everything, Sam."

Sam let out of breath, "No..."

The elevator doors opened and Jason and Carly stepped off.

"Is it true?" Sam cried "You're leaving me for her?"

Sam didn't wait for an answer she turned to Carly and spat out "You nasty whore."

Jason stepped in front of Carly. "That was uncalled for, Sam. I thought you had more class than that. We need to go somewhere private and talk."

Jason gave Carly one last look and then left with Sam.

Jax said, "I'll say what I have to here and now." He looked at Carly "You tell our guests why the ceremony is off. I won't be around. I'm flying out as soon as I can get my jet fueled."

"To where?"

"Anywhere but where I have to see you."

"I didn't plan to hurt you. I really thought I could be with you and somehow not wish you were Jason."

Jax sighed, he ran his hand through his hair. His eyes flashed with pain as he said, " I knew you could go back to him at some point. He was obviously the most important man in your life. I just hoped you wouldn't. I choose to believe I meant more to you than him. Crazy, huh?"

He waited for an answer but when one didn't come he shook his head, once, and then turned and walked away.

It was then that Carly realized she didn't even have his ring to give back to him because Jason had taken it from her.

Author's Note- One Chapter to go in this fic! It should be posted within a few days.