Title: A Future to Live For
Author: Jules
Feedback: JewlP@aol.com
Rating: PG
Category: Long
Type: Episode Re-write
Summary: How I want the storyline to continue picking up from Journey's 7/23 fight.

OK, everyone, this is my first fanfic so stay with me please! Sorry if I use a few similar lines to the ones they use in the show.

CHAPTER 1
***********
What if he falls into a trap? Is he really going to see Carly? I wish I knew! Wait, Courtney, you're not allowed to know.

Courtney was interrupted from her thoughts by the door opening.

"Um, hi. Where's Sonny?" Jason asked. Courtney could tell he was trying not to bring up the subject that was on both their minds.

"Alcazar arranged for him to see Carly. He just left." Courtney's voice was cold, colder then she expected it to be.

"Do you know where he went? Was he alone?" Jason was confused. How come Sonny didn't call him?

Courtney decided that this was the perfect time to start up their fight again. But she didn't care. She had to understand why Jason was so mean earlier.
"I don't know anything. I'm not supposed to."

Jason sighed. Why did she have to do this? He couldn't make her understand how she made him feel. "Yeah, I…I guess you're right."

Courtney wasn't going to give up this easily. "Jason, Ric could give us important information about Carly. I didn't want you to kill him! Do you think I wanted you convicted of murder, and sent to jail, with me all alone?"

"No, Courtney! You didn't trust me! Why did you have to question Ric before me?"

"I DO trust you! God!" She turned away and sighed. How could he think she didn't trust him? She swung around and stared at him. "I thought I was helping. Jason, I want to have a future with you. Isn't that what you want? To get married, have kids - we can't do that if you're in prison! I'm sorry if I made you feel stupid-"

Jason turned his bright blue eyes right to hers. "Not stupid, Courtney. You acted as if I was damaged. I know I am. There is something wrong with me. I will fight someone who tries to go against me, even if I love them."

Courtney just stared at him. "Jason, I would never treat you like you're damaged! I love you! I just…I just needed to understand."

Jason sighed. "OK, then…then-that's it."

"No, it's not. You need to believe that I trust you. With all my heart." Please, please believe me!

"I know you do. I love you, Courtney." Jason's eyes softened as he pulled Courtney into a hug.

*******
Feedback would be appreciated please! How did I do? Don't worry, there's lots more left and it gets better! :)

I didn't receive any feedback for Chapter 1 yet (because it's not posted) but I'm going to continue anyway. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER 2
***********
"Sonny!" Carly jumped up from the bed and ran into Sonny's arms.

"Hey, hey -- how's the baby?" Sonny was so happy. He was holding his wife for the first time in weeks. He turned to Alcazar. "I know you arranged this meeting and all, but could you please give us a moment alone?"

Alcazar nodded and shut the door. Carly told Sonny about everything -- from the night Ric took her to the day before when she was taken onto Alcazar's private jet many miles away to his yacht. Sonny just listened, hate growing inside of him for his brother. If, that is, he could still call Ric his brother. What brother would do something like this?

"What a sick bastard. I saw the room he kept you in -- dark, no fresh air or windows...and those monitors! You saw Jason and I every time we went in there. He tortured you." Sonny couldn't wait to get his hands on Ric.

"Please, just tell me how Michael is?" Carly was so scared for her little boy. She couldn't talk to him because she didn't have a good enough story to tell him why she can't come home.

"He's...he's questioning me about you, and he misses you like crazy but he'll be OK." Sonny didn't tell her about the tantrums and sleepless nights filled with nightmares her son had been experiencing. "Courtney and Jason are there, they're taking care of him. They've been really good through this whole thing. They miss you so much. We all do."

"Oh God! Courtney and Jason. . . their wedding. I completely ruined it." Carly remembered the night she was kidnapped - their would-be wedding.

Sonny could tell she was beginning to feel guilty. "You have nothing to be sorry about. It was that bastard Ric. Courtney and Jason are fine, their main focus is finding you. As soon as you come home they'll have their wedding, and we'll all be there."

Carly started to cry. All these weeks of loneliness, she was finally starting to see that she was going to go back to her friends, family, and home. Neither Sonny nor Carly noticed Alcazar enter the room. "Time's up."
***********

CHAPTER 3
***********
Sonny walked back into the penthouse to see Courtney and Jason sitting on the couch, waiting for him. Ric was sitting there, also, but not as comfortably. He was tied to the chair. Jason jumped up first. "Did you see her? How is she?"

"She's fine, she's fine," Sonny replied, his eyes never leaving Ric. He walked in front of him and ripped the tape that was over his mouth. "I can't see how she can be, after all this slime--" he put his hand on Ric's shoulder. "--did to her."
He untied Ric's legs from the chair and called out to Max.

"Get him in the car. I'll be down in 5 minutes." Sonny bore his eyes into Ric's as he was being manhandled out the door. Courtney stood up.

"Sonny, don't -- don't do this. Ric - he's your brother. Well, at least he's your mother's son. You'll -- you'll regret this." Courtney was so worried for her brother. Would he be able to live with himself if he killed the son of the woman he thought was a saint?

"I know what I'm doing. Please - you two, stay with Michael." With that he turned and walked out the door.

***********

"Courtney - don't even start. Sonny's doing what he thinks is right." Jason didn't want to hear her tell him everything that was wrong with Sonny's plan.

Courtney didn't see how she could make Jason understand. "Please, Jason, please. You know it will happen. Do you want Ric dead so much that you'll see Sonny hate himself for the rest of his life?"

Jason took a minute to think it over. She did have a point. Sonny always had something for family, even if Ric was complete scum and deserved anything that he or Sonny could serve up to him. He would love to see him dead, but knew Sonny would live with guilt. "Let's go. Tell Leticia to watch Michael, we'll be back soon. I know where Sonny would take Ric."
***********

CHAPTER 4
***********

Sonny threw Ric against the side of the house in Martha's Vineyard while he opened the door. "Get inside." He shoved Ric into the house and grabbed his arm, pulling him up the stairs. Ric knew what was coming.

"Please, Sonny, no...I - I'm sorry..." he was so scared for his life. Even if he didn't have much left.

"'Sorry' isn't gonna get you out of here, Ric! These are the stairs my mother accidently fell down when she was pregnant with you. Unfortunately, you didn't die. But if you wanted to come back years later just to get back at me because my mother chose me instead of you, torture my wife, keep her prisoner in that room...you've made a mistake." With one push Ric tumbled down the stairs. He walked back down to him. He had a new cut on his forehead but Sonny wasn't satisfied. "Oh, no, Ric, you're not dead. Let's try again." He pulled Ric up the stairs again and grabbed hold of him.

"Sonny, don't!" Jason and Courtney ran in just in time to stop Sonny from pushing an already beat-up Ric down the stairs.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sonny was angry. How could Jason bring Courtney here, and then try to stop him from hurting this piece of slime who tried to steal his baby and kill his wife?

Courtney spoke out. "Sonny, please don't do this. Ric is your mother's son. You won't be able to live with yourself if you kill him. He deserves it, but Carly and Michael don't deserve to have to live with you if your life is full of guilt and regret."

Everything seemed to stop for a minute. Sonny looked hard at Courtney, then back to Ric. "You owe my sister your life." He kicked him in the ribs, then walked down the stairs to Courtney. He hugged her and whispered "Thank you" in her ear. Then he turned to Jason. "Take him to the safehouse. We won't kill him, but we'll keep him there and see if he likes being held prisoner." He lead Courtney out of the house as Jason grabbed Ric and drove off with him to the safehouse.

************

Courtney and Sonny walked into the penthouse. Sonny went upstairs to check on Michael. When he came back down, Courtney got up from the couch and walked over to him. "Sonny, thank you for not killing Ric. I know you hate him, but you did the right thing. Well, I think so."

"I did it for you, and Carly and Michael. You were right, they don't deserve to live with me if I'm full of guilt, which I would be. My mother would not want Ric to do what he did to my wife, but I just...can't kill her son. She was such a loving person and...and I just can't do that to her."

Jason walked in and took off his jacket. He nodded to Sonny. "He's in the safehouse, tied up, with Max and Johnny guarding him."

Sonny nodded. "Thank you. And, the shipment for Alcazar should land by the end of the week. Carly will be coming home."

Courtney smiled. "Well, I'm tired so I'm gonna head home. I'll see you tomorrow." She hugged Sonny and walked out of the penthouse. Jason looked after her.

"Does she seem...I don't know...different to you? She's been tired and acting strange the past few days...I don't know." Jason's eyes were full of concern.

"No, she seems fine to me. But, I'm going to check on Michael, but I'll catch up with you tomorrow. And thanks for helping me out today."

"It was no problem." Jason picked up his jacket and walked across the hall to Courtney.
***********

CHAPTER 5
***********
Jason walked in and poured himself a glass of water. He sat down and sighed. It had been a long day.

"Jason?" Courtney was at the landing of the stairs. She looked pale.

"Courtney--are you OK?" He ran up to her.

"I'm OK, I- I just got sick. Help me sit down...I've been feeling kinda weird the past few days." Jason helped her down the stairs and sat her on the couch.

"Do you need anything...do you think you have the flu or something?"

"No, no - I don't--" she stopped short and stared at Jason. "Unless..."

"Unless what? What's the matter?" Jason was panicking.

"No...nevermind. I'm just tired. I've been through a lot the past few days. I just need some good rest!" She tried to perk up. She stood up and slowly made her way to the stairs. "Are you coming to bed soon?"

"I'm right behind you."

Courtney lye awake that night. Could I be...? My period isn't for another two weeks, though. She decided to figure it out tomorrow.
************

This is where it starts to get good! Please stay with me! :)

CHAPTER 6
***********
Courtney woke up the next morning with a heavy head. Well, at least I slept well. Oh, here we go...

Sickness overcame her and she ran into the bathroom. Oh, my God - I really must be pregnant. I've got to go check it out. But no home pregnancy test - I need to be absolutely sure.

"Jason! Are you home?" Courtney came downstairs, ready to go to the hospital. Jason came out of the kitchen.

"Good morning!" he smiled when he looked at her. He loved her so much. How did he get this lucky?

"I'm going to run out and get some things...I'll be back soon," she lied. She picked up her purse and started to head out.

"Wait! You know, I was thinking - since Carly was kidnapped, we haven't really spent much time together - since we're supposed to be married by now and everything. Um, how about we have breakfast at Kelly's then I'll go and get whatever you...uh...need with you?"

Courtney felt so bad. How could she say no to that? Plus, if she was pregnant, she wouldn't want to have coffee...or too much of it, anyway. If she got checked out first, then she could tell him at breakfast. "How about I get what I need to first, then I'll meet you at Kelly's? Trust me, you wouldn't want to go...I need to get some...uh...things."

Jason understood that. "Oh, OK - call me when you're done. I love you."

"I love you too." Courtney walked out of the penthouse and sighed. She better get it over with now so she wouldn't have to keep lying like that.

**********

Courtney sat impatiently in the waiting room. I'm not ready to be a mother! Jason's so good with Michael, but how will he react to me being pregnant? Will he be overprotective, or worse...leave me? No, no, Jason wouldn't do that. God, WHERE ARE THE RESULTS?

"Courtney? We have your test results." Dr. Meadows walked over to her and handed her a folder. "Congratulations. You are pregnant!"

***********

It's OK, he'll...he'll be happy. And, when Carly comes home, we can go crazy planning all the little details and buying baby things...Carly's pregnant, too! That will be fun...but how will Sonny react? Courtney's mind was so full on the way to Kelly's that she didn't notice when she bumped right into A.J.

"Well, well, well, aren't we in a bit of a hurry? Going to meet your boyfriend? Such a shame that Carly disappeared on your wedding night. But maybe it gave Golden Boy a chance to reconsider. He may get over you." Courtney was so fed up with all of his snide remarks.

"OK, you know what A.J.? Here's the deal. You leave me, Jason and everyone else I love alone. Jason and I love each other, and he wouldn't reconsider marrying me. He also wouldn't stalk me or lie to me. Which is more than I can say for you. Much more." She turned and walked away as quickly as she had come.

**********

Jason walked into Kelly's to see Courtney at a table in the corner by herself. She seemed lost in thought as she stared into her milk. Milk? Where's the usual 2 tons of coffee?

"Hey." Courtney looked up to see Jason walk over and sit down.

"Hi. Um, yea. So..." she was so nervous and jumpy. Did he notice?

"So...what are you getting?" Jason wasn't good with light conversation.

"Jason, forget that. I really need to talk to you." Courtney decided to just say it. "Like I told you, for the past few days, I've felt weird. Dizzy spells, being nauseous and tired...I finally decided to go to the hospital and check it out."

"The hospital? Why didn't you tell me if it was that serious?" Jason was confused.

"Well, I wanted to handle it alone and if I found out it wasn't that serious I didn't want to worry you for nothing." Just say it, Court.

"And...?" Jason was very anxious at this point.

"Jason...I'm...I'm pregnant." The words came out slow. She just looked up at him.

He couldn't even speak. "P-pregnant...?"

"Yes, pregnant...like, with our child."

"Wow...I don't know what to say. Did you just come from the hospital?"

"Yes, no one knows yet. Well, obviously except for you and I."

"Courtney, are you OK with this? It just seems really sudden...I know I shouldn't be that surprised, but..."

"No, Jase, I was just as surprised. I guess I'm OK with it. I don't know if I'm going to be a good mother. I didn't know if you'd be angry," it all just started to spill out of her. "I figured that it'd be fun, Carly and I pregnant at the same time but then I realized how Sonny would react and I...just don't think I'll be a good mother."

Realization came over Jason. "Courtney, listen. I love you so much. And this baby. I could never be angry. You are going to be a great mother, and we will raise this child together. Don't worry about Sonny. It's our baby."

Courtney smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Duh, Court. You actually thought this great guy would leave you? "Well, we better get married soon...I don't want to be big at my wedding! Please...as soon as Carly comes home? That is, if you still want to get married."

Jason couldn't believe what he just heard. "Of course I still want to get married. What made you think I wouldn't?"

"Well, I...I bumped into A.J.--" Jason cut her off.

"Don't listen to A.J. He's still jealous, but just ignore him." He kissed her forehead. "Excuse, me, waitress?"

***********

When they got home, Courtney went to take a nap on the couch. Jason sat with her head in his lap. Wow, a baby, he thought. Will I be a good father? He thought Courtney was asleep, so he put his hand on her stomach.

"Hey, baby, I'm pretty sure you can hear me. I just wanted to tell you that even though you're, obviously, really small, I still love you a lot. And I love your momma so much. She is beautiful. She doesn't think she'll be a good mother, but I know she will. I'm just worried that I won't be a good father. I wanted to let you know that I will always protect you, and your momma. I love you both so much."

Courtney was awake. God, she loved Jason so much. She didn't want to embarass him, though, so she kept quiet. She heard the door open and Sonny walk in.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be loud..." he felt bad.

"That's OK. Jason said.

Courtney stirred, pretending she was waking up. "Oh...hi, Sonny."

"Hi. I'm glad you're awake. The shipment came in. Carly is coming home tomorrow."

Courtney and Jason smiled. "That's wonderful," Courtney said.

"Yea, it is," Sonny said. "I was wondering if you two wanted to come with Michael and I to pick her up at the pier tomorrow."

"Absolutely," Jason said.

"Great...I'll see you two tomorrow." Sonny turned around and walked out.

"Jason, can we please tell them all tomorrow? When Carly comes home?" Courtney asked.

"Fine by me. I love you."

"I love you, too."
*************

Here we go!

CHAPTER 7
***********

"Courtney, are you ready to go? We're only going to get Carly! You don't need to look beautiful!" Jason yelled up the stairs. Women always take so long to get ready.

"Jason Morgan, are you telling me that I'm not beautiful unless I make myself?" Courtney loved to play around with him like this.

"You know I wasn't saying that! You already are beautiful. Now let's get going, I know Sonny and Michael are practically exploding with excitement." Jason himself was, also.

***********

Sonny kept glancing at his watch. He was pacing back and forth, so anxious.

"Rock, paper, scissors, shoot -- I win again! Aunt Courtney, you're not very good at this game!" he heard Michael's voice in the backround. Jason walked over to him.

"What are we going to do if the police find the drugs?"

Sonny hadn't thought about that. The only thing that seemed to matter was getting Carly back. "Well, we'll just need to get rid of it--" A sudden thought entered his mind. "If we can't kill Ric, we could at least set him up, to look like he has the drugs, even if they're in my territory."

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Daddy! Uncle Jason! There's a boat! Is that Mommy?" Michael ran up and tugged on his father's hand.

Courtney came up and put her hand in Jason's. "I'm so excited, Jase. Everything is starting to work out."

Sonny was talking to Michael. "Yep, I think it is! Mommy's home!"

They all stood back as the boat pulled up to the dock. Alcazar got out. "I hear the shipment came through." He bent down to Michael. "Your Mommy is here and she's very excited to see you." He stood up, nodded to Jason and Courtney, and walked away.

"Wow, what a welcoming crowd!" Carly stepped off the boat.

"Mommy! Mommy!" Michael ran into his mother's arms. She couldn't let go of him. Finally, she picked him up and walked over to Sonny, kissing him and handing Michael off to him. She went over to Jason and pulled him into a huge hug.

"I missed you so much!" he said.

"I missed you more! Courtney!" she turned to her sister-in-law, hugging her tightly. She turned around and picked Michael up again. "Well, I'm home now! Let's go celebrate!" The five of them turned and walked to the waiting car, all so happy they couldn't even speak.
*********

My story still isn't posted (but obviously it is now if you're reading this), but I'm going to risk it and continue anyway, even if you don't like it! Enjoy :o)
A Future to Live For
CHAPTER 8
***********
"So, where should we go to celebrate?" Sonny asked. They were all sitting in the limo. Michael was still hugging his mommy and Courtney and Jason were sitting together next to Sonny.

"How about we go to Mommy's club?" Michael had always loved the cool decorations at The Cellar.

"Sounds good to me, maybe I'll see some familiar faces," Carly replied.

Sonny didn't know about that. "Are you sure you want to go there now? We might make a big scene."

"I love to make a big scene!" Carly replied, laughing.

They all laughed as the car took off towards The Cellar.
***********

As if all five of them walking down the stairs at the same time didn't cause some people to look up, a few people's jaws were dropped to the floor at the sight of Carly. A 'few people' like Scotty Baldwin, Emily, and Zander.

"Carly!" Scotty looked genuinely surprised. No sarcastic remarks, anyway. "Good to see you're finally back. You want to give me a statement, file a report?"

Jason was already getting a headache. "Maybe we should go somewhere else...?"

"No, no, it's OK," Carly replied, as she turned to Scotty. "I wish I could say that I'm glad to see you. But since you apparently didn't want to help find me, I have nothing to say to you." They all walked away and sat down at an empty table. Emily and Zander walked up to them.

"Carly! I'm glad to see you're back. We've all been worried about you," Emily said.

Carly thought Emily was so sweet. "It's good to be back, Emily. Hey, Zander."

"Hey, I'm glad you're back." Carly nodded and smiled and they both walked away.

"OK, Anthony? Can we order some drinks over here please?" Carly waved over the bartender, who came right over.

"Hey, Mrs. Corinthos! Glad to see you're back. What can I get for you guys?"

"Michael will have a shirley temple, and we'll just have three glasses of champagne, and just some sparkling champagne for me, no alcohol." Carly loved being in charge again. Anthony walked away, and Carly turned to Courtney and Jason. "So, what's new, you two? What about the wedding? Have you changed anything? I'm so sorry, I ruined it."

Courtney couldn't bear to see Carly try to take the blame for what Ric did. "Carly, it wasn't your fault. But, no, we haven't really talked about it much. We were all just worried about you. But, we don't want to make any changes--right?" She turned to Jason.

"Yea, I'm fine with the way it was planned." Jason was going along until Courtney decided to break the big news.

The drinks arrived. "Ooh, a cherry!" Michael exclaimed. They all laughed.

Sonny raised his glass. "To my wife, who we are all so happy to be home with!"

"Cheers!" They all exclaimed. Courtney took the tiniest sip out of her glass. Too bad Carly noticed.

"Come on, Court! Why aren't you drinking it?"

Jason looked at Courtney and nodded. "We have something to tell you." Apparently Carly already figured it out, and her eyes widened.

Courtney decided to say it. "I'm pregnant." Just like that. They all stared at her, until Carly broke the silence with a little shriek.

"Aahh! When are you due? How far along are you? This is so great! We can go shopping together, and...Oh, my God! Congratulations!" She jumped up to gave Courtney a hug.

Sonny still couldn't believe what he had just heard. But when Jason looked at him, he could tell that he wanted a good reaction. "Congratulations, you two! I'm so happy for you!"

Courtney smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Good, now that's over, we can get down to business! "I'm 5 weeks along. I'm due in early April."
**************

A Future to Live For
CHAPTER 9
***********
"I can't believe Courtney is pregnant." Sonny and Carly sat on the couch in their penthouse that night after they had tucked Michael in, which took a while since Michael didn't want to let his Mommy go.

"Well, believe it. I think it's great. You do, too, right?" For once, Carly couldn't tell what her husband was thinking.

"Yea, yea. But I also think it's great that you're back." He leaned over and kissed her.

************

"Well, Sonny took it better than I thought he would." Courtney was brushing her teeth in the bathroom. Jason replied from the bedroom.

"How did you think he would take it?"

She walked into the bedroom and sat on the bed. "I don't know. I just thought he'd think it was too soon," she turned to him. "Do you think it is?"

"Well, I think it's a little surprising, we didn't mean to have a baby, but now we do, and...I think it's great."

"Jason Morgan, are you saying that our baby is an accident?"

"Of course not! Or did we make love by accident...?" he started laughing.

"Shut up, you!" Courtney laughed and hit him playfully on the chest. "I love you so much. And this baby is going to have the best father in the world."

"And the best mother."

Yea, I hope so, Courtney thought.
***********

Here we go! Sorry that this is a shorter chapter! Enjoy :)

CHAPTER 10
************

"I'll be back in 4 hours exactly. Don't worry, I'm under heavy guard, and I'll be with Courtney and her entourage also." Carly was rushing around the penthouse, getting her purse and money. "God, it feels good to be back at home and in my own clothes again!"

"Speaking of, shouldn't you stay here a little longer and just get back to normal?" Sonny asked. "You did just get home two days ago."

"Sonny, the last thing I want to do is stay in another room for a while. I want to breathe fresh air," Carly replied, and with a good point.

"Yeah, I guess - I just never want you out of my sight again."

"For safety purposes, or just for your entertainment?" Carly asked with a smile.

"Mmm...both," he replied with a smile as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"Oh, ha, ha. But we both know some shopping will do me good."

"OK, but be careful. I love you."

"Love you, too." Carly walked across the hall to get Courtney, where a similar scene was taking place.

***********

"You sound exactly like Sonny did when he found out that Carly was pregnant," Courtney told Jason.

"Ouch," he replied. "I just don't want you getting hurt -- you're, like, two people now."

"Oh, so before this it wasn't a big deal but now this baby is more protected than me?" She was just kidding, but Jason didn't know that.

"No, no, but you're more --" he was cut off by Carly walking in. "Vulnerable. Hey, Carly."

"Hey, Jase," she replied.

Courtney looked from him to Carly. "Vulnerable? With her? And my fifty bodyguards? HA." She gave him a kiss and left with Carly.

***********

"This is so adorable. Buy it!" Courtney told Carly.

"Why don't you? I've already got way too much stuff."

"Well, you're so sure that your baby is a boy, and I'm not far along enough to tell what mine is. This is for a boy, so you get it." She didn't mean to sound so cranky.

"Maybe I will buy it. Oh, and what the hell is wrong with you, Court?" Carly asked.

"It's just . . . mood swings," she lied. Or tried to.

"Don't try to get out of it. What's bothering you?"

"It's Jason. He's being so overprotective. If he could, he'd put me under house arrest."

"Get used to it, hon. He most likely gets it from Sonny."

"Yeah, but it seems like he doesn't trust me to be by myself. Does he think I'll throw myself down the stairs?"

Carly winced at that.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." Courtney's voice trailed off.

"Of course he trusts you," Carly said. "He just doesn't trust one of his or Sonny's enemies. He doesn't want what happened to me to happen to you."

"I know, I know."

"OK, then, let's keep on shopping. There's a really cute little shop down the road."
**********