Jason sat on the couch alone listening to the clock on the wall tick. Courtney had retired to their room half an hour ago, but Jason couldn’t get the predicament that they were in out of his mind. He had told Sonny of their plan and Sonny thought it was logical, but that still didn’t take the worry off of Jason’s mind. This was the hardest thing he’d ever gone through and one of his greatest fears.  Jason sighed and stood up from the couch.  He knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep but he also knew that his wife needed him to be there.

When Jason went into their bedroom, Courtney lifted her head from the pillow and looked at him silently. Her face showing all the fear, gloom, and sorrow that was filling her entire soul.

Gently, Jason sat down next to Courtney. She raised herself up and propped against the wall. “Hey,” he said, “How are you holding up?”

Courtney kind of shrugged. “I don’t really know. I mean sometimes it seems unreal and yet other times it hits me like a rock.”

Jason nodded and softly pulled her closer. “I’m not used to feeling when there’s a task at hand,” he murmured, beginning to let his feelings out, “Usually, I just put emotions aside and get the job done. But now, I can’t.  It’s too painful.” Jason felt tears begin to form in his eyes.

“Jason.” Courtney began, unsure of her question, “Do you think she’s still alive?”

Jason turned his head and looked directly into her crystal eyes. “Yeah, I do,” He said honestly.

Even though the response was quiet and reserved, Courtney knew that Jason was telling her what he really felt.  It was just the way he looked at her. Putting his barrier aside and really letting her see what he believed.

“So do I.” She finally answered, “I can feel it in my heart.”

“You should try and get some rest now.” Jason stated.

“Are you going to stay here?” Courtney asked.

He nodded and then lightly kissed her lips. “Good night now.”

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

After meeting with Jason, Ric went directly to a small, insignificant yacht docked in the harbor. Quietly he opened the trap door that led below the ship.  What normally would have been storage had been transformed into small but comfortable living quarters. There was a small kitchenette, bathroom, hide-a-bed, and a cradle.

A dark haired man was sitting on the bed rocking a small, upset, bundle. When he heard Ric come in he looked up and complained, “This baby won’t stop crying. Anything I try just makes her more and more upset. How come I get stuck with the Mommy job and you get to go off gallivanting around leaving me here with this thing.” The man kept rambling on until Ric finally interrupted.

“AJ, would you just shut-up and listen for a minute.” Ric yelled. “I’ve come up with a plan.” He said more quietly, “I met with Jason and told him that if he would confess to the attempted murder on Capelli than I would let him in on who has kidnapped his kid.”

“What are you talking about?” AJ demanded, “Are you going to turn me in?”

“Of course not.  When he agrees to my terms than I’ll tell him Tracy stole his child. Sonny will go after Tracy and as he’s doing that, you take Mykayla to Courtney and say you found out that Tracy took her and stole her back.  Jason is out of the picture and you can have Courtney all to yourself.” Ric explained.

“That just might work.” AJ replied. “But what happens if Jason doesn’t comply with your wishes?”

“Oh he will,” Ric answered confidently, “His family’s life is on the line. The one weakness that Jason has is his family.”

AJ smiled wickedly and Mykayla began to fuss again, almost as if she knew something wasn’t right.

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

The Next Morning

Courtney woke up to the sound of rain pounding on the roof.  As she looked over to the bassinet beside her bed, the previous night’s events all came back. She crawled out of bed and made her way downstairs. She could hear Jason in the kitchen and she went to join him. 

He was standing against the counter looking out the window in deep thought. She walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder.

“Hey,” he said as he turned around to look at her. “I’m glad you got some sleep.”

“Yeah, I can see you didn’t.” Courtney commented, seeing the exhaustion about his face.  

“While you were awake did you come up with any ideas?”

“Well, no not really,” Jason said, “But today I’m sending all Sonny’s men out to look and maybe we’ll get a lead. The person who stole her can’t be out of Port Charles yet.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Courtney asked. “I mean usually I just sit and wait but I’m tired of that and I don’t think I can do that this time.”

Jason sighed, “Courtney, I know how tough it is, but we need someone to stay here in case any information comes up.  Plus, I want you to go and see how Carly’s holding up. She’s taking this pretty hard.”

“And I’m not.” Courtney retorted, “I’m sorry.” She said more calmly. “It’s just the situations so hard and the last thing I want to be doing is sitting around and waiting.”

Jason tenderly touched her cheek, “I know, but right now Carly and the boys need you more.” He leaned down and kissed her delicately on the mouth. “I’ve got to go now. I’ll let you know if I find anything.”  He grabbed his coat and headed out the door, leaving Courtney in the kitchen staring after him.

Disgruntled, she headed back upstairs to get ready for what she was sure was going to be along day.

Twenty minutes later she was heading out the door of her penthouse to go see what Carly was up to. She knocked on the door and then opened it up and went in. Carly was sitting on the couch feeding Morgan while Michael played with some trucks. Looking at this perfect family Courtney felt a pang of sadness.

“Hey,” Carly said when she saw that Courtney had come in. “Is there any word yet?”

“Word on what?” Michael asked now interested in the conversation.

“Oh just some information that Uncle Jason’s supposed to be getting.” Carly explained to her young son, not wanting him to have to deal with knowing his cousin was gone.

“Oh, okay,” Michael said obviously satisfied with the answer. But then a look of confusion came over his face as he looked around the room. “Hey Aunt Courtney, where’s Mykayla?”

Courtney glanced over at Carly, they both knew that Michael had to know about this.

“Michael why don’t you come sit on the couch.” Carly said.

The little boy got up from the floor and sat beside his mother in puzzlement not knowing why they were being so serious.

“You see Michael,” Courtney began to explain, “last night while your Mom was watching Mykayla she was taken from the penthouse and right now we don’t know where she is.”

“But she’s just a little girl.” Michael said, “Why would any one want to take her away from her family.”

Courtney sighed, “Well, we don’t know why. But right now Jason is out there looking for her and eventually he’ll come up with some answers.”

Michael sat there beside Carly, silent. Then he looked up at Carly and spoke. “Will I ever be taken away?” He was truly worried.

“Oh honey, no.” Carly answered. “This is a rare incident and we won’t be as careless ever again. Max or Marco will always be outside our door from now on. You’re safe here.” Carly reassured. “Now Michael why don’t you go upstairs and start on your homework so I can talk to your Aunt Courtney.”

“Okay,” Michael said and took off up the stairs.

“So you haven’t heard anything since last night?” Carly asked once Michael was upstairs.

“No, I hope Jason’s finds something today because the longer she’s out there the more chance she has of being in danger.”

“You know, I’m really sorry any of this had to happen.” Carly apologized.

“Carly, the same thing could have happened in our own home.” Courtney explained, “It’s not your wrongdoing.”

“I know, but I still can’t help feeling accountable.” Carly said, “I guess it’s just human nature.”

“Yeah,” Courtney agreed.

“So, I was wondering if you would like to go get something to eat?” Carly asked, “It will help take your mind off it.”

“Sure, that sound great. I don’t know if it will help but anything’s better than being cooped up here.” Courtney replied.

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

6 Hours later at Penthouse 2

Courtney was sitting on the couch reading a magazine while waiting for Jason to get home. The day had been busy. After they had gone out for lunch they went to the park with the Michael and Morgan for a while. Finally, Courtney decided that she had better go home in case any information had come in. She had been home for two hours now and there still had been no new news.

She jumped up when she heard a key in the door.

Jason came in looking defeated and drained. He threw his keys on the desk and hung up his coat on the hook before going to over to Courtney. “I’m sorry, I didn’t find anything,” he said. He opened his arms and she went into them quietly.

“Is there anything else we can do?” She asked.

“Our only lead is what Ric told you.” Jason stated, “Sonny and I are both thinking that’s the only way to go.”

Courtney pulled out of his arms. “No, I don’t want you to go to jail.” She cried.

“I won’t.” Jason explained. “We have a plan so that I won’t go to jail but we’ll get out daughter back.”

“What is it?” Courtney asked.

Jason shook his head. “I can’t tell you. If I do than if the police question you you’ll have to lie and I don’t want that. I want you to stay as far away from this situation as you can.”

“Jason, she’s my daughter and you’re my husband. I’m already in the middle of this.” Courtney declared.

Jason raised his voice trying to get his point across. “I know. But if I end up going to jail and the police find out that you were trying to help me get out of it then Mykayla is left with no one. It would just make the situation a whole lot better if you knew nothing more about this.”

Courtney nodded and wiped the tears from her cheeks that had begun to fall. “I’m just worried that in the end I’ll be left with no one.” Courtney said.

“I understand.” Jason softy spoke. “Why don’t you go take a nice relaxing bath” Jason suggested.

“Yeah I think I’ll do that.” Courtney kissed Jason on the cheek and headed upstairs.

Jason picked up the phone and dialed Sonny’s number. “Tomorrow I’ll talk to Ric.” He said.