DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters.

Chapter Ten

Jason glanced at Brenda in the elevator. She hadn't said a word since they left the Ritz in New York City, which was the last thing he expected when she is probably the most vocal person he knows. She left the elevator as soon as she good and Max opened the penthouse door for her.

"I have to go take care of something. She doesn't leave and no one goes in," Jason told him, no questions asked.

"Of course," Max said closing the door after Brenda as Jason stepped back onto the elevator.

Brenda glanced around the apartment. Jason must have sent the rest of her boxes to the Metro Court because the living room was clear. She didn't want to be there or anywhere else. She was in limbo. She poured herself another drink and walked upstairs to the master bathroom where she drew a hot bath in hopes of relaxing finally.

---

Jason walked into the police station as Sonny was walking out.

"Where's she at?"

"The penthouse," Jason said.

"And what'd you find out?"

"Not a whole lot. She hasn't talked in hours. But she came back which may or may not mean something." Jason glanced at the interrogation room where Elizabeth was with Diane. "What's going on in there?"

"Diane talked to Mac and she's trying to work something out. Lucky is demanding another paternity test. There's no way of knowing how this is going to turn out," Sonny told him.

"Where's Jake?"

"With Audrey. You might want to keep some distance until this whole thing blows over. It won't look good if it seems like Elizabeth is protecting you and if you are seen with her Zacchara might start to target them."

Jason nodded.

"Go back to the penthouse and talk to Brenda. Get something from her."

"It could be a lost cause tonight. She's been drinking."

"Brenda's not a big drinker," Sonny said.

"Well, she is now." Jason turned to leave.

"I'll stop by tomorrow and talk with her. She just might not want to talk to you because of the divorce and everything," Sonny suggested. Jason only nodded as she walked out.

His phone rang as he got outside.

"What is it Max?" Jason asked.

"Ms. Barrett needed some things from her hotel room. Clothes and stuff. We're on our way there now."

"I told you not to let her leave the house," Jason said rushing to his bike.

"Quick trip. I told her ten minutes tops."

"I'm coming over there," Jason said and hung up the phone. She was really trying to drive him crazy in every way possible.

He walked into the Metro Court within ten minutes and scanned the room. He was about to go up to her room when he saw Max sitting in one of the arm chairs in the lobby reading a magazine.

"What are you doing?" Jason asked trying to keep his voice down.

"Waiting."

"You are not supposed to let her out of your sight. She could be anywhere."

"She could be, but she's not. She's over at the bar talking to Jerry Jacks," Max pointed out. Jason looked across the room. Brenda was leaning against the bar, drink in hand, talking and laughing with Jerry as if nothing was wrong.

"Remember that time in London when we got lost after the concert …" Brenda started.

"And it was four in the morning and it started to rain," Jerry finished.

Brenda smiled at him.

"We had some good times, didn't we?" Brenda asked finishing her drink.

"I'll say. What are you doing back here anyways?" Jerry asked motioning for the bartender to pour her another drink.

"Julia left California just as my bags were arriving and they got transferred here. So I came to pick them up. But with Jules off somewhere doing busy company work, I'm in limbo waiting for her to get back so I can get into the house."

"There have been some rumors floating around," he said.

"I know."

"What can you tell me?" he asked.

She smiled at him, but it quickly faded when she saw Jason stomping his way over.

"Company," she whispered as Jason walked up to them.

"Time to go," he said, taking the drink out of her hand and glaring at Jerry.

"We were just talking," Brenda said.

"It's never just talking with Jerry. Let's get your stuff," Jason said wrapping his hand around her bicep and nearly dragging her away from Jerry.

"You know where to find me," Brenda told him with a wink.

"Do you have any idea what Jerry has done?" Jason asked as he dragged her over to the elevators.

"I'm not stupid, Jason."

"That doesn't answer the question. He held a bunch of people hostage including a pregnant woman, and shot Robin, before blowing up the Metro Court."

"Looks fine to me so it didn't do too much damage," Brenda commented as the elevator doors opened. She knew he was having a hard time containing the anger she was causing, and couldn't help but smile.

"First Johnny and now Jerry. Who's next? Is there another Alcazar brother hanging around somewhere?" Jason asked.

At the name Alcazar, Brenda's smile faded and she became very quiet.

"What? Did I hit a nerve? Maybe that's where I need to start. Luis and Lorenzo. Who else?"

Brenda didn't say anything.

"Silent treatment. That's better than hearing you talk non-stop. We're making this a very quick trip. Grab only what you need. You're not moving back in," he said as they arrived at her suite.

She moved quicker than he thought she would. All he wanted to do was get her back to the penthouse and out of sight. Carly and Jax would both be wandering around. And then there was Sam.

Brenda dropped a leather bag at his feet, breaking him out of his thoughts. When he looked at her, all he saw was a vacant look in her eyes. She had changed from being alive when she was talking to Jerry, to being void of feeling when she was with him. Until he found out more, he was going to assume this was part of the game and nothing more than a way for Zacchara to get to them.

Jason figured they would be really lucky to get out of the Metro Court without anyone else seeing them. Of course he doesn't have that kind of luck. From a distance he could see Carly standing at the bar talking to Jerry, who most likely gave her the news that Brenda was back in town. Carly would most likely try to hide it from Jax for fear that maybe he was still in love with Brenda and would try to reconcile, which wouldn't happen ever. As far as he could tell Brenda had no contact with Jax since the day she left Port Charles and had no desire to now that she was back.

Carly made a bee-line for Jason the second she saw him walk out of the elevator with Brenda. She was mad, that was for sure. She hated when he kept these things from her.

"Jason, what the hell is she doing here?" Carly asked. Brenda didn't say a word but just looked at her.

"Can't talk about it now Carly," Jason said trying to move past her and keep his grip on Brenda. He knew the second he let go so would probably bolt.

"Then tell me why you kept Jake a secret from me, your best friend?"

With that Brenda looked at him with question.

"I can't talk about that either. Max, come here," Jason called. "Take her to the car and back to the penthouse. Do not leave for any reason," Jason said.

He nodded and Brenda didn't put up a fight when Max ushered her out of the hotel.

"What is going on?" Carly asked, softening her tone.

"Brenda showed up out of nowhere. She might be connected to Zacchara. You need to keep your mouth shut and stay away from her until this whole thing blows over."

"How long is she staying?" Carly asked.

"I don't know, but she won't be going near Jax," Jason told her.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked.

"Because from what I know so far, she wants absolutely nothing to do with him."

"Did she tell you that?"

"She hasn't told me anything. Research."

"I'm not convinced. This is the woman who came after both Jax and Sonny last time she was in town until one of them took her back."

"One thing I learned from Lulu, is it doesn't hurt to pick up a fashion magazine every once in awhile. Like the latest Vogue," Jason told her. "I have to go. I need to meet with Sonny."

"Fine. But we're not finished here," she said.

"I'm not surprised," Jason commented before leaving the hotel.