Title: What the Heart does Speak

Author: The Peesh

Feedback: soapy_nut@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13

Category: WIP

Chapters: 3

Courtney didn’t rise the next morning until the sun began to dance on her face. Slowly she stretched and then looked around at where she was. For a moment, everything that happened last night seemed like a dream…then she looked at her arms and the painful truth hit her like a fist to the stomach. “Ughhhhhh,” she moaned as she sat up. She was stiff and sore.

There was a light knock on the door, which was part open. “Courtney?” Jason called out.

“Yeah, come on in,” she said, running her fingers in her hair. ‘I wonder how terrible I really do look,’ she wondered to herself.

Jason came strolling in and stopped short. He gazed upon the half sleep goddess before him. After being up half the night sorting through his feelings for her, seeing her again looking so pure was enough to stop his heart. Her hair was slightly tussled from her sleep and she was snuggled up in his bed. “Uh, sleep, um, ok?” He stammered to find some words to break the silence.

Courtney smiled softly and lowered her head down slightly. “Ok would have to be the word. This bed is wonderfully comfortable, but I never fell into a deep enough slumber to fight off all the…memories of what happened with AJ last night.” She said quietly. Jason gave a small nod of his head in understanding and sat at the foot of the bed.

“There are a few things, that we need to figure out. Um, first of all, you need clothes.” He said with a boyish grin.

“What? My pajamas won’t do?” She teased.

“Hey, they’re fine with me. There’s something about that flying pig on your tank top that’s simply charming,” he teased back.

Courtney giggled, feeling grateful that some normality was seeping back into her head. All of the sudden, she gasped. “Oh no!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Rosie! I never grabbed Rosie last night!” She exclaimed. “Oh no, what if AJ did something to her? Like let her loose to get back at me?”

“If he did, we’ll find her,” Jason comforted her. “Well, ok, that settles it then.”

“Settles what?”

“I’ll go back to your place and get you some clothes, grab Rosie and her dish and I’ll be back. And um, Sonny and Carly want you to come over. Sonny wants to discuss…options.”

“Options? That makes this whole ordeal sound so business-like,” she said. “Jason? Can you promise me something?” She asked. Her face was so trusting, so child-like that all he could do was nod, yet again. “Please, don’t let Sonny kill AJ. I’m not going to go back to him. I’m not.” She took off her ring and handed it over to Jason. “I was going to ask you to leave this at the apartment too. I’m going to file for divorce as soon as possible. I’m NOT getting caught up in a cycle. But I don’t want AJ to die because Sonny thinks that’s what has to happen to people that hurt his family. No, I just want to end this with a clean cut. And I don’t want to live the rest of my life knowing that a man died because of me.” She looked over at him and touched his shoulder. “I know that may be a lot to ask of you, with my brother being your boss, but he may listen to you more. Please.”

Jason looked over at her. Her touch made him feel warm inside, a feeling still unknown to him. It made him nervous, too. He stood up. “I will tell him, Courtney. And I promise you I won’t kill him. As much as I want to, I won’t. But what Sonny tells his other men without consulting in me first I have no control over. But you telling him also, well, could help.”

“So Sonny is going to kill him then, isn’t he?” She asked, voice getting firmer.

“I don’t know. It was never talked about. He may not. But obviously you have figured out how Sonny thinks, and there could be a chance.” Jason responded somberly. “ But I will do what I can, I promise you.”

Courtney smiled at him. “I know, Jason. You keep your word. You always do.”

They sat there, looking at each other for a moment until they heard a small knock and the front door open. Sonny’s voice came through, “Jason? Courtney?”

Jason stood up. “I f you feel more comfortable you can slip one of my shirts on over your, um, flying pig,” he smiled.

She grinned back. “Thanks.” Jason turned and walked out to meet Sonny.

“Hey, where’s Courtney?” Sonny asked, slightly wandering around.

“She’s getting ready. I’m headed over to the apartment to get her some clothes and Rosie…the dog.” He explained at Sonny’s confused look.

“Dog? Ok, I guess that would work. Wont’ bite Michael, I’m guessing?”

“No, it’s one good dog. Keeps her happy, that’s for sure.” He commented, looked back at the door. Sonny watched him curiously.

“What are you going to do if you spot our little “problem” still back at her place?” Sonny asked and scratched the back of his head.

“Deal with it later. She wants him living. She gave me this,” he showed Sonny the wedding ring Courtney gave to him. “She wants me to leave it at the apartment. She said she’s filing for divorce soon.” Jason glanced back at the room. Courtney came out wearing one of his back tee-shirts, and smiled at them as she entered.

“Hi Sonny.” She said simply.

“I’ll be back soon,” Jason said and gave a half smile to Courtney again. He walked out with Sonny giving his back puzzling looks. Sonny turned back to Courtney and smiled at her. There was some slight tension still in the room, and they both felt and fought it.

“Um, I took it upon myself to call Mike and let him know just the basics. What’s going on. You know, in case he calls your old place.” Courtney nodded, “Thanks.”

“Yeah, no problem. Mike and I also both agree it would be best for you to stay with me and Carly and Michael,” Sonny started. Courtney raised her eyebrows and started to say something.

“No no, just wait…wait a second,” he said, catching her before she could protest. “Mike thinks you living on your own is not safe, and I agree. It’s not. And also, you living here with Jason, well, is not exactly suitable for a recently separated young woman. To move in with the brother of her ex. You follow?”

Courtney took a deep breath. “Why is it all right for you and dad to decide what happens in my life? Come on Sonny, I’m leaving AJ, not my common sense or my ability to live my life.”

“Well, we’re just, looking out for you.”

“I know, I do appreciate it. And believe it or not, I agree with you and dad. I hate burdening Jason like this. And besides, he has a wife. How does that exactly look, right?” she smiled. “By the way, where is Brenda? I didn’t see her, and Jason slept on the couch last night.”

Sonny shifted. “Um, I’ll take that as you being ok to stay with us. Come on over for breakfast, wait for Jason to bring your stuff and I will inform you on what exactly happened with Jason’s marriage.” He extended his arm and she led the way out the door.

Jason walked up to the door and stopped in front of it. He knew it wasn’t looked. No one is AJ’s state of mind last night has enough sense to lock up. He opened the door and walked in, nearing tripping over something. He looked down…it was AJ! Jason bent down and checked for pulse in his neck. Yes, he was still living. The closer Jason got to AJ the stronger he smelt liquor. Passed out cold drunk was the accurate conclusion he came to. Jason stepped over his body and went into the bedroom. Rosie gave a quiet whimper, still locked in the cargo cage.

”Sorry girl, you’ve had it rough too, hey,” he said to the panting pooch. “Just a little while longer and you can get out.” Jason walked over the dresser and pulled open a drawer, looking for Courtney’s clothes. He pulled out a lacy blue bra and felt his cheeks warm, thinking how damn good she would look in it.

“She looks incredible in blue…really makes her eyes stand out,” he heard a croaking voice say. He turned quickly as AJ was leaning in the doorway. “But if you’re looking for a good show, Jas, her Daisy stuff is in a box on the closet. You would really like that.”

“Shut up, AJ, before…”

“Before what? Before you kill me? Well don’t do me any favors. I seem to be doing a good job myself, hey?”

Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out the wedding ring and handed it over to AJ. He stared at him disbelievingly. “How did you get her to give you that?”

“She gave it to me more than willingly. It’s over, AJ, it really is. Come near her again and I just WILL kill you.”

AJ took the ring set and slunk down to the floor. “You just did, Jason. You just did.” He brought his knees up and put his face down on them.

Jason shook his head and grabbed some clothes and looked around for a bag of some sorts. He spotted one with some of AJ’s belongings in it. He tossed them out and put Courtney’s inside. He closed it up and took Rosie out. AJ never flinched. He leashed the dog and made his way for the door.

“I will have her again, Jason, before you do.” AJ yelled back, with an edge of possessiveness in his voice. Jason just kept on walking.

CHAPTER 4 coming SOON!