Title: I'll Always Be Right There
Author: AbayJ aka Ashley Marie
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own nada, song belongs too Plumb.
Genre: Drama/Angst/AU/Romance/Songfic
Fandom: Journey
Summery: Nothing could bring her back, at least that was she believed but that was before she read the headline.
Author's Note: Okay, so I am REALLY behind. I've gotten sick recently more times then I really want to mention, I'm so sorry. Being allergic to bees is killer. Really. But I'm working on getting the chapters updated and correcting them. Here is the next chapter in this story though. I was lucky to have this one done, and though not beta, I liked it. Tell me what you think.

Part Two: In My Arms

The knock came 15 minutes later and I quickly zipped up Marky's pool over. "Ready?" I ask in a soft tone. He nods and runs for the door. Taking a breath, I stand up and follow his short steps. He was outside the door, waiting for me to answer, with food for me and my son. It really isn't a big deal, I remind myself, but it feels like one. Taking one more breath, I open the door, pulling Marky close to me so he couldn't run out, or jump on Jason.

"Hey." He says to both of us and I look over at Max. He was holding the bags of food from Kelly's I guessed and he looked surprised to see me. I bite my lip. He had always been infatuated with Carly but this time I was hopping he wouldn't mention seeing me to my best friend.

"Mrs. M, I mean Ms. Matthews, I didn't know you were back in town." He says once he was able to form words and I blush. It was wrong, I know, but I still hadn't called or made an effort to see my family. It was to soon, I had no idea what to say or what I was even doing after this. Until I made those decisions, I decided it would be better no to involve anyone. Except Jason.

"Max, leave and pretend you didn't see Courtney." Jason said and grasped the bag tightly. I knew he hadn't regained feeling but when I checked on Jason, pretending to be his wife, they had mention he was doing physical therapy to use his hands. Feeling or no feeling.

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your Curly Que's
Your contagious smile

Max gave me a nod and smile to Marky and quickly went off. I pull the door opened wider, and with my hand on Marky's chest, I make room for Jason to come through. He gives me a smile and comes in. Putting the bag on the nearest table and flex his hands. "How are you doing?" I ask, closing the door and leading Marky towards the coffee table. "I'll get your food sweetie."

I tell him before Jason says anything and cross back to him on the small table. He looks up and shrugs. "Still no feeling...but I'm learning to use them." I nod and open the bag, pulling out the plastic containers, seeing three Kelly burgers. Two with french fries, one with a side salad. There was also drinks, cola for me and him, chocolate milk for Marky, and 3 slices of Apple Pie.

"I didn't really know what Marky liked, so I got him Morgan's favorite." He says, sounding unsure again and I lift my head. Giving him a big smile, I reach out to squeeze his forearm.

And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight
Knowing

"No, it's perfect. What boy doesn't like cheese burgers and french fries? And apple pie happens to be his favorite." He gives me a smile and I drop my hand. Pulling out a knife, I cut the burger into four so Marky could pick it up without making a mess. Also putting some ketchup to the side for his fries. Crossing the floor, I put his food and chocolate milk, sans apple pie, in front of him. Letting him watch Arthur while I went to sit with Jason.

He was already setting up our food on the table, though leaving the apple pie in the bag for later eating. I sit down, tucking my legs beneath me. "Thank you by the way, for this. I sometime forget meals, which why I have a nanny back in London."

He just smiles and sits across from me. Opening his plastic container. "He looks happy though, so I doubt you're doing anything wrong." He says and smiles again. The feeling comes over me, knowing that I made him smile.

Then again, Elizabeth or Sam could have made him smile too. Reality had a way of taking any joy you had away. Shaking my head, I bite into my burger and sigh.

"How's everyone, I mean, I haven't talked to anyone since last Christmas. I still send the boy's gifts and pictures, I...I just have nothing in common with them anymore." I whisper and he looks up at me and reaches for my hand in an gesture that was both unexpected and known. When ever I had been sad before, he would reach for my hand and I felt some relief, knowing I wasn't alone.

"I know." He says simply and I nod. Knowing he did. If anyone was an outsider just like I was, it was him. Not because he didn't have the connections with the people I used too, but because no matter how strong the connections were, Jason never felt like everyone else. He felt, but after the accident, it was different. Taking a breath, I look down at my food. Our hands still clasped together, taking a bite with my free hand, I try and ignore the feelings that were shooting up my arm from his touch. Like sparks. Sparks that never seemed to die between us.

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

I bite my lip and look back up him. Hopping I didn't give any signs about what was going on with my body. Hopping he couldn't tell I was dying for his touch in other places besides my hand. It had been so long since I'd been with a man, since I'd been with Jason. "I know you do." I only whisper and he smiles.

He let go of my hand and I almost gasp at the loss of his touch, but I hold it in. Putting my fork down, I push my food away. "I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't that hungry."

He only nods and does the same as I do. Pushing his plate away, and standing up. I was afraid he was going to leave. Afraid he was going to walk out the door, and knowing it would hurt. Just like it had the first time, the second time, and just like every other time he had walked away from me. I was foolish, but I still loved Jason. Shaking my head, I stand up as well.

"I need to go take care of something, but..." He shakes his head, not finishing the sentence. Walking over to Marky, he ruffles the boy's hair awkwardly with his unfeeling hands. Then walks back over to me. "I should go. It's dangerous for me to be here."

He says. He stares at me for a moment and in that stare I knew everything he wanted to say. Our connection making me feel what he felt and letting him feel what I felt. He turned, breaking the connection. I once again want to gasp at the lost of the feeling. He walked towards the door and before I could stop myself, I followed. When his hand reached the knob, I put my hand over his. Not sure if it was to help or stop him.

Story books
Are full of fairy-tales
Of kings and queens
And the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You'll someday see
The truth for lies

"Don't go." I whisper, knowing it was the latter now. If Jason left, it wouldn't feel the same. I wouldn't feel the same. It would be as if half of me was gone again. It was foolish but it was the truth. I look up at him. Blue meets blue and I felt his head dipping towards me. I felt me go on my tip toes. The pull was so strong. I was sure Marky could hear the crackle of intensity between us. It didn't matter. Everything went away when I felt his lips on mine.

My lips parted instantly, his tongue swiped my full bottom lip before entering my mouth. My tongue found his and as if we had never missed a beat, the kiss took us back. My other hand reached up, curling around his neck and pushing my body closer to his. Feeling the heat. Feeling the passion.

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

"Mommy." A voice broke into our clouded minds. I took a step back, breaking the kiss. My chest heaving. My pupils dilated. Just like his. I turn my head to face Marky.

"Y...Yes baby?" I hope he didn't notice that my voice was breathy or that I sounded like I just ran a mile.

"Can I have dessert?" He asked and I turned my head to Jason but he was turning the knob. I bit my lip. I knew I couldn't ask him to stay, not after this. Not right now.

"I have to go. I'll..." He started but I stopped him. Just nodding. Not needing an explanation or maybe I didn't want one. He nodded as well and left. My heart cracked and tears raced to the back of my eyes. I swallowed tightly and tried to control myself.

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
Cause you are never all alone
Cause I will always
Always love you

Marky couldn't see me cry. I had to be strong. I had to be a mother first and a woman later. When he was in bed, I could deal with this emotion, these feelings. Turning to face my son, I gave him a big smile. "Sure baby. Let's go get some apple pie and watch another Arthur."

Reaching down, I swung him into my arms and kissed his head. Breathing in his innocents and pure heart. Comfort enveloping me.

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms
In my arms