2 weeks after AS

"Courtney! Come in, long time no see." Bridgette happily greeted Courtney and gave her a hug, as brunette was walking into her apartment. It's been 2 weeks since last season ended and Courtney was still not sure how she should proceed. She barely got over her near-death experience in that balloon and needed someone, preferably her friend, to talk to and have a shoulder to cry on. Luckily for Courtney, the blonde surfer was just that person. Bridgette in many ways was the complete opposite of Courtney; she was very empathetic to the point that some might call her a telepath, patient and never held grudges. Yet Bridgette and Courtney managed to become friends after competing in season 1, despite their differences. It's like their strengths and weaknesses complemented each other perfectly. Strong-willed, competitive, bossy and stubborn Courtney was the perfect counter to chill, empathetic surfer girl. She might have been the only person Courtney called a friend. And that honor didn't come easy for the CIT. She wasn't the most socially adept person, even if she would never publicly admit it, and never really had any friends, until Bridgette at least.

"Thanks for having me over, Bridge!"

"No problem, always happy to see my girl, Courtney!"

"Is Geoff here?" Courtney asked.

"No, I let him go to the party, we really need some girl time tonight," Blonde surfer said as she gestured Courtney to the kitchen.

"You didn't really need to skip that party just for me, Bridgette." Courtney said apologetically.

"Nah, more than 1 party a week is way too much for me. Geoff though is another story." And besides, I would never let my friend go unheard, especially when she needs me. I mean you almost died just 2 weeks ago because of Chris!"

"Thanks for the kind words, not sure if I deserve them."

"Don't beat yourself over what happened this season, I can't imagine what you went through. Chris and his hijinx seem to get worse each time. I'm surprised they even let him out of prison after all he's done!" Bridgette said as she opened a bottle of wine and poured 2 glasses for them.

"Chris doesn't get better, that's for sure. Would you be happy to hear I beat him up 2 weeks ago?" Courtney asked with a grin on her face.

"You know I'm usually against violence, but…" Blonde couldn't hold her laugh anymore as she imagined Courtney beating that self-obsessed TV host. Her friend was surprisingly strong, especially when she got angry. And Courtney had a tendency to get angry quite often. Bridgette knew it from first-hand experience, since they went to the gym together, and she was Courtney's sparring partner. Bridgette got hit a lot, since Courtney knew martial arts and could hold her own against much bigger opponents. "It's Chris, so well done! Is there any footage, so I can laugh at it, Courtney?"

"No, it wouldn't be a good look for a future lawyer to be seen beating another human, even if it's Chris McLean," she laughed.

"So does it mean you're done with Total Drama for good?" Blonde asked her.

"If I never see Chris again and step my foot on his new set, it will be too soon, Bridge!" Courtney said with a stern look.

"A toast then, to no more Chris in our lives," Bridgette said as she raised her glass.

"I'll drink to that!" Courtney raised the glass too with a happy smile.

"So how are you and Geoff?" Courtney asked, as she drank some wine out of her glass.

"Good, there's never a dull moment with that party dude. He's so fun and kind, I think he might be the one."

"Wow, it must be nice to have a good relationship with a sensible boyfriend who'll do anything for you, Bridge," Courtney sighed.

"C'mon Court, let's talk about your situation," the surfer said with an upbeat tone as she poured another glass of wine and put out some snacks. "What happened to you in the finale?"

"Well, they put us all in those balloons and let them float into the sky. It felt like I was floating there for more than a day. I thought I was going to die there, Bridge, and all I could think about the whole time was Duncan, of all people!"

"Why am I not surprised, Courtney? You were always crazy for him, despite the fact that you both always were a bit…" she almost caught herself saying - insane -. But she took so long to finish the sentence, Courtney interrupted her thoughts.

"A bit what?" she asked with a frowned look.

"Abnormal, Court. Think about it, you fell for his bad boy charm, and started dating because he woke up your hidden dark side."

"What dark side? I don't have a dark side", Courtney protested her friend's comment.

"Seriously Court? I saw that episode, you said it yourself, you liked breaking the rules and doing something "bad" with him."

"Well, it was taken out of context. I don't have a dark side, and Duncan totally didn't awaken something in me."

"Again with this denial miss CIT? I'm your friend and I will always be straight and honest with you. I've seen the way you acted around him back then. You were so in this puppy love state in season 1, I mean anyone who had eyes saw it back then, even Noah! Just admit you liked him nudging you to do something bad," the surfer girl told her friend.

Courtney rolled her eyes, but she knew Bridgette was right, even if she didn't want to admit it. "Fine," she scoffed. "I liked breaking rules with Duncan back then, Bridge."

"See, that wasn't hard to admit," she said to her friend, but she knew just how hard it was for the brunette to say it out loud.

"But what does it have to do with him being on my mind in that balloon?" Courtney asked, already knowing the answer to the question herself. But she wanted someone else to say it out loud.

"Isn't it obvious? You still have feelings for him, miss CIT!"

"Yes, I do Bridgette. But why? I can't understand it. He betrayed me, cheated on me, humiliated me. Why do I still love him after all this?"

"Courtney, I never really understood why he cheated, I mean you 2 always had a complex relationship, but you were perfect for each other. Like you balanced each other out, his free spirit and your stubbornness, his jerkish attitude vs your high and mighty CIT…"

"What do you mean, high and mighty? I'm not like this Bridge!" She scoffed again, despite knowing this was the truth.

"Again with denial?' Blonde said with an annoyed tone, as she took a sip of wine. "Why do you always have to deny the obvious things, Court? As long as I knew you, you always did this. You just can't accept and admit that you aren't perfect. Newsflash: nobody is perfect, you included!"

"Well, fine. I'm not a perfect person, Bridge. I know that deep inside, but I just can't admit it to others, even my best friend." Courtney said as she finished her glass and poured another one.

"It's ok, I know you're a perfectionist by nature, stubborn and very prideful, that's why you can't admit your faults. But you saying it out loud is a good first step, CIT."

"And here I thought we would have a nice and supportive girl talk."

"We are having this good girl talk now, Court. Not everything has to be super positive. Look, I cherish you a lot, but sometimes you make it very hard to be your friend."

"What do you mean Bridgette?"

"I mean you're just so hard to get through sometimes. And don't even get me started on your constant need to win at everything. You'll walk over anyone to get what you want Courtney. Just remember how you were during Action. I saw it from the Aftermath studio, the way you were back then. Your competitive nature took you over completely. Did you even talk to someone back then just for a casual chat?"

Courtney was surprised about Bridgette's honest outburst. Would she really walk over anyone to get what she wants? Would she walk over Duncan? Surprising even herself, the answer was yes.

"Ok, you're right, Bridge" she said. "I can't control myself sometimes, especially when there's a competition! But what does it have to do with Duncan?"

"Don't you see it, CIT? You put him as an afterthought back then, and sure he wasn't entirely innocent either, but still. Your priorities were wrong Courtney!"

"Ok, maybe I can see where you're going with this. You're saying I acted a bit irrational and wasn't the greatest girlfriend back then?"

Bridgette knew, when her brunette friend was somewhat able to admit her faults, she had to take what she could get. But this time she decided to push Courtney even more.

"Yes, and that letter you wrote him wasn't a great look for you either!"

"I know Bridge, I opened my "never open again Duncan box" after the season and I found that letter and shredded it. I don't know what I was thinking back when I wrote it in the first place. I… I was just so afraid we wouldn't last. I had to do something. And instead of being honest with Duncan, I gave him homework," Courtney said as she started sobbing.

"Oh, c'mon Court, we are all afraid, that's what makes us human. You think I was never afraid with Geoff? Of course there were times when I wasn't sure we would last, but just be honest with him, and it will all work out." Bridgette gave her friend a box of tissues and poured another glass of wine.

"Thanks for being here for me, I don't know what I would do without your friendship Bridge," Courtney said as she hugged the blonde surfer.

"That's what friends are for, girl!"

"You do know you're my first real friend?"

"Of course, nobody else would be able to take your stubborn and bossy personality for that long," she laughed.

Even though Courtney never liked being reminded of her faults and mistakes, this time it felt different for some reason. It's almost like she wanted Bridgette to tell her the truth. But before Courtney could say something else, the doorbell rang.

"It must be the pizza I ordered," Bridgette said as she was walking to the front door. "Hold that thought CIT."

She came back a couple of minutes later with 3 boxes of pizza, all vegetarian. But Courtney knew her friends' eating habits and got accustomed to them quickly back in season 1. She would always avoid meat when the surfer girl was around, just to support her, even if Courtney wasn't a vegetarian herself.

"Sorry for the distraction, where did we stop?" Bridgette said as she opened the box and took 2 slices out for herself and her friend.

"So, what do you think about my situation with Duncan? Should I forgive him and give him another chance, if he even wants me back?" CIT asked as she started eating the slice her friend gave her.

"Court, what he did was terrible, cheating on you was the worst thing he has ever done, and I think even Duncan understands it by now. Before you make any rash decisions, you need to clear your head and maybe use some good therapist's help.

"So, you are saying I shouldn't visit him in prison now?"

"Not in your current state. I don't think you're mentally prepared to have that talk with him. I mean you almost died just 2 weeks ago! But I might have an idea who could help you here Courtney."

"You don't mean Geoff, do you? I don't think it's good…"

She was interrupted by Bridgette: "It's the best idea we have, Geoff is Duncan's friend; he was going to visit him in prison anyway, to see how he's holding up."

"But won't he just blab to Duncan about me asking about him?"

"I'll make sure Geoff stays quiet about your involvement, Courtney."

"Can you do that? He's not the most subtle guy."

"I know how to keep Geoff from spilling the beans, don't worry." Blonde confidently said as she was taking out another slice of pizza.

"If you say so," Courtney mumbled, as she took another sip from her glass. "But do you think I should forgive Duncan?"

"Court, you clearly still love him, despite all that he did. But listen to your heart, if it tells you it's ok to give him another shot, you should try forgiving him, despite how hard it might be," the surfer replied.

"Hard would be an understatement," brunette scoffed. "You know what's so weird, is that after that balloon, I feel a bit different, not just about Duncan, but everything. After I beat up Chris, I broke down and talked to Chef about everything. Surprisingly he was very sympathetic to me. Didn't know he had it in him."

"Seriously? Chef? Wow, that balloon really did mess you up CIT. I think after what you've experienced, your mind is finally trying to let you be free of your perfectionism and not be so hard on yourself, and be more honest with yourself and others. Slowly but surely. Look, just how many times you've admitted your true thoughts and feelings to me today Courtney. It's not your usual MO."

Courtney thought to herself could it be true? Did that near-death experience affect her that much? And if it did, was it a good thing? Bridgette certainly thought it was.

"Maybe you're right, and it has affected me more than I originally thought," the brunette said with a faint smile.

"I think it would be a good place to start with your therapist Court. You do plan on seeing a therapist after what happened, right?"

"Yeah, I think this requires professional help. I'm not even sure how I feel about this new change in me."

"Well, you know, another glass of wine wouldn't hurt while you ask this question, CIT," Bridgette said with a snarky tone as she was clearly becoming tipsy.

"Sure, blondie, pour me another one!" Courtney replied as she laughed at her friend's suggestion. It was already past midnight as 2 friends were still laughing while getting more drunk with every passing hour.

The next morning

Courtney woke up with a hangover, which was unusual for her, since she rarely got drunk and headache didn't help at all. As she looked around she noticed she was lying on the sofa in Bridgettes living room in her pajamas. She looked around, and noticed her friend sleeping on the second couch. She saw 3 empty wine bottles on the floor and an open box of pizza. As the brunette got up she heard the front door opening.

"Hey dudettes, are you up yet?" The voice called, as Courtney recognized it was Geoff. He walked into the living room and Courtney didn't have enough time to cover herself with a blanket.

"Hi Geoff, sorry about the mess," Courtney said as he walked in.

"Good morning, Courtney," he said in his usually upbeat tone, before he noticed that he walked in at the wrong moment. "Oh, sorry I didn't know you haven't dressed yet," he said as he was trying to look at another part of the room to not notice her standing half naked in front of him.

"Oops, sorry Geoff, I just woke up and with a terrible hangover," Courtney said, as she blushed, noticing how uncomfortable she made Geoff. "Give me a few minutes to change, and I'll be back in the kitchen with you. Can you make me a cup of coffee while you're there as well?"

"Oh, sure thing. I've just came back from the coffee shop. I'll put it in the kitchen," he said as he was walking out of the room. "Did my babe wake up yet?"

"No, I think she still needs some beauty sleep," the brunette replied.

"Cool, been there, done that. Morning hangovers are a pain in the ass."

"What time is it anyway?" She asked Geoff.

"About noon," he replied as he started cooking something in the kitchen. "How long did the 2 of you stay up? Judging by the empty bottles, it seems long enough."

"I honestly can't remember Geoff, but we had a good girls night," Courtney replied as she was putting her capris on. "How was your party by the way?"

"Awesome dude! Stayed with my bud Brody for the night to give you ladies some space."

"Sorry if I caused any trouble," she said.

"No probs Courtney, Bridge needs her personal time and space too."

As Courtney finally put on her sweater and walked into the kitchen she noticed what Geoff has been doing all this time. He made them an omelette for breakfast. He gestured to her to take a seat.

"Here's chef Geoffmaeister's signature omelette, dudette, try it. It helps cure the hangover," he smiled at the brunette.

"Seriously?" she asked as she took a bite. "Omph, it's amazing Geoff, where did you learn to cook so well?"

"That is chef's secret, dudette," he winked. "Nah, I'm just messing with you Court. DJ taught me a few recipes. Now that guy is an amazing chef!"

"Yeah, he really is," Courtney nodded her head in agreement, as she was eating the omelette and taking a sip of her black coffee.

"So, how are you holding up Courtney? I heard about what happened last season. You almost dying was so not cool of Chris!"

"Yeah, he's the opposite of cool," she said as she was eating. "But I think that balloon gave me a new perspective on life, Geoff. It's like part of me died up there, and not the best part."

"Wow, that's like a very smart thought, Court. But you always had smart thoughts, more than the rest of us on the island combined!" He tried to compliment the brunette.

"Thanks, I'll take this as a complement," Courtney smiled, as she finished her breakfast. She felt her hangover slowly going away. "This omelette really is something special, I'm feeling better already Geoff!"

"See, told you so girl!" he proudly said.

"Geoff, I actually wanted to ask you something. Bridge and I talked about it last night. But you have to promise not to tell anybody else!"

"Sure, dudette, ask away," the party guy replied.

"So, what happened to me, made me realize that I still have feelings for Duncan, and want him back. But I want to have an honest conversation with him before making any decision about our future." Courtney said with a heavy breath.

"Dude, really? I knew it! I told Bridge like 100 times that you 2 would get back together soon!" Geoff happily yelled as he tossed his cowboy hat in the air.

"Geoff, we're not getting back together, at least yet," Courtney replied with a surprised tone. "But I think I want to get him back."

"That's like the first and very important step, dude!"

"I get it, but I still don't know if I'm ready to forgive him for cheating," she said with a sad tone.

"Well, Court, as someone who's been in your position before, all I can say is if you truly love him, there's nothing that will stop you from giving him another shot! And forgiveness will soon follow."

"Wow, that's oddly profound of you, dude," Courtney said as she nudged Geoff in the arm.

"Yeah, you know I've always been a romantic. How can you not be with a girl like my Bridge?"

"Yeah, thank you for making her happy, dude! She's my best friend, and it means a lot to me that you take good care of her!" Courtney hugged Geoff, when she noticed that she started using his favorite word way too often in the last 5 minutes.

"No worries Court, anything for the friend of my babe," the party dude replied cheerfully. "So what did you want to ask me about?"

"Well, Bridgette told me you wanted to visit Duncan in prison soon. He's your friend after all. Can you nudge him about me a bit? Like, don't make it the main topic of conversation, but if the moment comes up, just lead the conversation into that direction, ok?" brunette asked.

"Sure dudette, anything to help my 2 friends reunite," he winked at Courtney.

"But don't tell him I asked you to ask him, deal?"

"Got it, Courtney!"

They both suddenly heard loud noises from the living room, as Bridgette was waking up after last night.

"I better go check on her," Geoff said to Courtney. "But don't worry dude, I'll ask Duncan about you discretely."

But Courtney was worried if the party dude would be able to keep that info to himself...