Rain and Rooftops Chapters 3-6

Chapter Three: The Promises that we Make

A few hours later_

Courtney emerged from the elevator carrying a few bags and a broad smile. She saw the bodyguard at the door and sighed. "Did Jason_ I mean is he_." She stammered trying to get the words out.

"It's okay Ms. Quartermaine. Mr. Morgan said that you would be coming back shortly. Go right in." He opened the door for her and she smiled.

"Thanks." She whispered as she passed through into the penthouse. She struggled briefly with the bags as she made her way into the kitchen. She set the bags down on the counter and began to unpack them when she heard to door open. She emerged from the kitchen with a wider grin.

"Hey Jason I was wondering if I could talk to you_." She trailed off when she saw that it wasn't Jason but Brenda. "Sorry." She muttered. "I just thought that you were Jason because_ well he said that he would be here when I got back and I just_" She sighed trying to regroup.

"It's okay. I've seen you before haven't I?" Brenda asked.

"Yeah_ once. I was at Jasper Jax's wedding. We met outside, kinda." She replied.

Brenda nodded her head. "Yeah. Well, I'm Brenda Barrette." She offered out her hand.

Courtney took it with a furrowed brow. Courtney." She replied not offering a last name.

"That's right you're A.J.'s wife right? I remember you. So what are you doing here?" She asked.

"Uh_ well I'm going to be staying here for a little while until I get my own place_. You don't use Morgan?" She asked bluntly the thought nagging her.

Brenda blinked. "Well you know I figure that most people know that I'm married to Jason so_ I figure I just give them my maiden name and they can just add the Morgan." She recovered with a nervous laugh.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I don't mean to intrude but I didn't have any place else to go and Jason just offered his home_ your home to me and I mean if it's going to be a problem I can find some place else." She said in a rush.

"No it's fine! Really, Why wouldn't it be? You and Jason are friends right?"

"Yeah_ yeah we are." She said.

"And I think that Jason can use all the friends he can get." She remarked sarcastically. Taking a seat on the couch she patted the seat beside her and Courtney sat down. "So how did you guys meet?"

"Well, he was sent to watch out for me by orders from my brother_ I don't know if you know him. His name is Sonny. Sonny Corinthos." She replied.

Brenda simply sat there for a moment. Sonny, her Sonny, had a baby sister. Why didn't she see it before? They had the same smile. No wonder she had been drawn to the girl at the church_ it was the blood in her veins that led her to her. The same blood that coursed through his veins. She bowed her head. `Let him go.' She told herself silently.

"Are you okay?" She asked when Brenda grew silent.

"Yeah_ Yeah I just think it's ironic."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just nothing." She laughed. She stood up needing some air. "I'm going to go. I will see you later." She replied.

"Did you_ do you want me to tell Jason anything?" She asked.

"No." She replied.

"Well, I was going to make dinner to thank you guys."

"There's food in the kitchen?" She questioned.

"I went out and bought a few things."

"Save me something okay?" She smiled.

She shook her head. "Okay, I'll do that. It was really nice meeting you Brenda."

"You too Courtney." She replied really meaning it. She waved and then was gone. Courtney simply stood there not sure of what to do. She rubbed her forehead tiredly feeling a headache coming on and sighed. "What are you doing Courtney?" She asked herself softly before going back into the kitchen.

About an hour later_

The aroma floated under the door and across the hall peaking, Sonny's interest as he got off the elevator. He looked at Marco with questions written in his eyes. "Ms. Quartermaine sir. She's been cooking."

Sonny raised his eyebrows. "Ms. Quartermaine? My sister?" He asked and the bodyguard nodded. "Open the door." He ordered and strolled in.

Courtney emerged from the kitchen and smiled at her brother. "Hey." She said.

"What happened? What are you doing here?" He asked and she sighed.

She sat down on the couch. "Would you_ I mean will you come and sit with me please?" She asked. He did and waited for her to explain. She took a deep breath. "I need you to promise me something before I tell you anything." She said.

"I'll try."

"You have to promise me that you won't hurt anyone when I tell you why I'm here, especially A.J." She stated.

"Did he hurt you?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Promise me." She said again.

He nodded. "I promise."

"Remember when Jason told you that someone was stalking me and we thought that we had caught him_ You know Coleman?" She asked and he nodded. "Well, he told me and Jason that it was A.J. He told us that A.J. had paid him to come after me and of course we didn't believe him_ I mean at least I didn't. I thought that he was lying. He wasn't." She said feeling her stomach twist and turn with repulsion.

"Wait! Wait a minute. Are you telling me that A.J. paid that punk at the Oasis to stalk you?" He asked and this time she nodded. "And you're telling me that he didn't hurt you? He terrorized you for months. He had you scared to walk out of your own building. He drove you into shooting Coleman." He threw out letting the anger just fuel his words.

"I know_ I know. You can say I told you all you want all right!" She said frustrated and angry with herself.

"No. That's not what this is about. I don't want to tell you that." He sighed needing a moment. "Listen I wish to God that I had been wrong about A.J."

"Oh come on you hate A.J."

"I do. I'm not going to lie about that. But I also knew that he made you happy and that's all I wanted. I wanted to be wrong. I really did." He stated taking her hand in his. "I just didn't want you to get hurt."

She nodded. "I know that now." She took in a deep breath before continuing. "Well, I guess Jason didn't believe A.J. so he checked into Coleman's story and he found out that A.J. had bought all this equipment. He had set up the cameras in my apartment. He's the one that had been making the phone calls. And do you know why? Because he wanted me to need him." She whispered harshly fighting with her tears. "He wanted me to need him and depend on him. I guess loving him wasn't enough." She said absently.

He sighed, his heart breaking at the sight of her hurting this way. If only he hadn't promised. But then again he didn't have to lay a hand on A.J. to make sure that he was hurt. But he would tend to that later. He wanted to hug her but wasn't sure where the relationship stood.

She swallowed hard looking down at his hand holding hers and then looked up into his eyes. Suddenly she reached out and grabbed him and hugged him fiercely. He returned the hug gratefully laughing a little.

She pulled back just as quickly and looked at him. "I'm sorry_ it's just that_ Well I've been wanting to do that since the moment in the police station when I found out that you weren't dead. I just didn't know when the right time was." She whispered brushing away her tears.

"It's okay. I don't mind. In fact anytime that you want to hug me is okay with me." He reached out and kissed her forehead and she smiled.

"Thanks_ so what now?"

"Well that's up to you. What do you want to do?" He looked around the apartment. "Are these yours?" He motioned to boxes.

"Yeah."

"Well, we could move these into my place and get you a room set-up. How's that?"

She hesitated. "Actually, I think I'm going to stay here."

"Are you sure? I mean is that what you want?"

She nodded. "I don't want you to take this personally but uh_ well I know how you are_ I mean how it would be if I moved in. I'm a very independent person and I really just want to be on my own and do things for me and I don't think that you would let me do that. I want to pay rent and pull my weight and you would just try and take care of me. I don't want to be taken care of right now. I want to take care of myself." She smiled.

He sighed. "You're probably right. I don't want you here. I would rather you be under my roof but I know that other then my place there is no place safer then here. So if you want to stay then okay. But that whole rent thing, I don't think that Jason is going to go for it." He replied.

"See that's why I'm making dinner. I figure I'll butter him up." She stopped when he laughed. "Yeah I know Jason isn't really the buttering type but I went all out."

"Really what did you make? I smell something cooking. Looks like you inherited that knack from Mike."

She smiled. "I think so. Do you cook?"

"Do I cook? What I do in the kitchen is create. I invent entrées." He smiled proudly.

"Good then you can help me." She grabbed his hand and led him into the kitchen.

Chapter Four: The Real Cook in the Family

He heard the laughing from within and shook his head. He opened the door and found Courtney and Sonny sitting on the couch with books spread out across the table. "Can you really make that?" She questioned her brother with a laugh.

"Can I make it? I invented it. I am the king of pasta!" Laughing he turned the page.

"Yeah? I can't believe this. Do you collect cook books and then just start cooking things?" She questioned tossing her hair behind her shoulder and looking up to see Jason standing there with a smile. "Jason? Hey I didn't hear you_ Sonny and I were just_" She stammered.

"It's okay Courtney. Don't let me interrupt." He said taking a seat in a chair and looking at them. Sonny was sitting on the couch, his smile so broad and genuine that Jason couldn't help but stare. It had been a long time since he saw him smile that way.

"My little sister here cooked dinner. You know I really didn't know she was such a pro in the kitchen. She's impressive man. Wait until you try her Alfredo sauce." He got up and stretched a little. "Well, let me get out of here. I'll talk to you guys later." He said walking toward the door.

"Sonny you don't want to stay? We can have dinner." Jason offered.

Sonny turned to his sister and smiled. "No. My sister and I have our own dinner date tomorrow night right?" You and me and a cook-a-thon?" He asked and she smiled.

"You can count on it." She smiled.

"See you guys later. Try the sauce." He told Jason and then was off.

Courtney turned to Jason and smiled. "Are you ready to eat?" She asked.

"I don't know_ is it any good?" He smiled when she put her hands on her hips.

"I'm going to make you regret that you ever asked that question. Did you not hear my brother?" She asked.

"Yeah well he could be biased. I mean you are his sister and all." He retorted.

"You just have so many jokes today." She remarked grabbing his hand. "Let's go. Even if you don't like it you're going to eat it." She ordered leading him into the kitchen.

He laughed as he followed. This should be interesting.

A little while later they found themselves in the living room sitting across from one another playing checkers. She smiled as she took another one of his pieces.

"I'm going to win_"

He laughed. "I can't believe this. I still think that you're cheating."

"No, you just can't stand the fact that I'm beating you. You may be the king of pool but I am the queen of checkers." She replied as he contemplated his next move. "You know I'm really glad that I picked these up on my way home." She said softly.

He smiled. "Me too." He reached out and made a move. "I hopped you." He said and she laughed.

"Jumped_ you jumped me." She corrected removing her piece and handing it to him. Their fingers brushed one another intimately. She felt her breath get caught in her throat and looked up into his eyes. He was staring back at her and she almost wanted to believe that she saw desire. He wanted her? Could it be?

"Hey honey I'm home!" Brenda sang as she walked through the door. Courtney quickly pulled back and Jason let his head fall forward. How is it that Brenda always picked the wrong time? He let out a frustrated breath and looked over his shoulder as she walked over to the table.

"What are you guys doing?" She asked.

"Playing checkers. Do you want to play?" She asked trying to shrug off her guilt.

"Oohh checkers! I loved this game when I was growing up. Julia and I would play all the time. Whomever won would get to have control of the big TV downstairs_" She laughed sitting down in front of the small end of the table. "So who's winning?"

"Me." She stated proudly with a wide grin looking over at Jason.

"She cheats." He said simply.

"I do not!" She refuted his playful accusations. She turned to Brenda. "You know I cooked. There's still plenty on the stove if you're hungry." She offered.

"Yeah, I'm starved." She said about to get up.

"No. Stay here, I'll get it."

"You don't have to do that." She stated.

"No I don't mind. It's no big deal. You sit here and enjoy the evening. I'm going to get you something to eat and then I'm going to go upstairs." She left before anyone could argue. Jason watched her exit, only turning back when she was out of view.

He stared at Brenda who had a wide grin on her face. "What?" He asked.

"Nothing." She shrugged. "Just that you have a thing for Sonny's sister, that's all."

"What did you say?"

"You heard me. You are checking her out right in front of your wife no less. That's not very nice."

"And you tempting Jax and staring after Sonny is?"

"Yeah well at least I'm honest about my feelings."

"To who? You lie to Jax; you lie to Sonny. You love a man that you can't have and so you walk around acting as if he doesn't matter to you! How is that being honest with your feelings?" He questioned tired of her charade.

She sighed. "You know what, you're right. I do pretend but I don't lie to myself. I know what I feel for the man that I love and you may know it too. And I may lie to him and say things that hurt him because I know that he's married and I'm dying but at night, when I'm alone, I don't lie. I'm not afraid of who I want to be with, but I know that he can't be with me." She stated softly. "But you're not in the position that I'm in. If you want to be with Courtney then go for it." She saw him about to brush her off. "Listen to me okay? I know how important it is to live and to love and to be with the person that does more for you by just existing then anything anyone else could ever do for you. Even if you're not with them, to know that they are alive, is everything in the world to you." Her voice cracked and her eyes watered. "I would give anything to be with him the way it was. I would give anything to have him hold me and love me. I wish to God every day that I could wake up next to him and know that I would always look into his eyes and know exactly who he is. But I don't have that luxury and I don't have a lot of time. But you do_ so don't waste it. That's all I'm saying." She finished.

Courtney came back in and saw that she walked in on something intense. She handed Brenda the plate and sighed. "I'm going to go out for a little while. I'll see you guys later." She said grabbing her coat now that it was night it was cooler out.

Slipping into it she smiled. "I hope you like it." She said.

"Courtney where are you headed?" Brenda asked.

"Just out for a little while. I like to walk at this time of the year and Rosie is a stickler for the cold weather. It's beautiful outside." She shrugged as she put her hat on.

"You know Jason was just talking about going for a walk too. Isn't that funny? You two must be reading each other's minds." She turned and smiled at Jason. "Why don't you go for a walk with Courtney and Rosie, honey?" She said mockingly sweet.

"Don't you guys want some time alone?"

"Us? No! Take him away. Keep him as long as you need to!" She replied thrusting her fork into the pasta and picking up a forkful. Placing it in her mouth she smiled. "Just like your brother_ perfection." She whispered looking up at Courtney.

Jason sighed as he got up and went to the door with Courtney. He grabbed his leather jacket from the closet and opened the door for them. Courtney smiled apprehensively. "Are you sure?"

"Positive!" She replied.

Courtney exited not seeing the look Jason gave Brenda as he went out. She smiled and waved. He shook his head rolled his eyes. "Don't do anything stupid" He said before leaving.

Stepping out into the hallway he saw Courtney staring at him. "You don't have to do this. If you want to go back in there and be with Brenda by all means go for it. I don't want to be someone that you feel you have to watch all the time. I don't need a baby-sitter." She remarked.

"Do you not want me to come?" He asked with a half-smile.

"Of course I want you to come, but only if you really want to. I don't want you to think that you have to take care of me." She stated firmly.

"I don't. Trust me there is no place that I would rather be then right here." His voice was soft as he stared into her and she swore once again that that desire was back but she brushed the thought aside. She had been fooled too many times in this life to go on some random notion in her heart. She turned back to the elevator and waited. They stood side by side both just waiting_

Chapter Five: Quality Time is Well Spent

Brenda sat alone in the penthouse with her dinner sort of wishing that she hadn't let them leave. Jason could go wherever he please but Courtney was a refreshing sight and a nice person to have around. She sighed trying not to think of the real reason she wanted Courtney around. Just then there was a knock at the door and a moment later he entered. She stared at him trying to seem unaffected.

"Hey is Courtney here?" He asked.

She shook her head. "You know what's the point of knocking if you're just going to come right in?" She asked.

He raised his eyebrows at her questioningly. "Did I do something that I'm not aware of?" He asked bewildered.

She sighed. "No. I was just_ she went on a walk with Jason." She replied at that he raised his eyebrows.

"They went by themselves?" He asked. She nodded. "Why? Were you not feeling well?"

"I'm feeling fine Sonny." She remarked not understanding. "I just didn't want to go. I mean there they are two lovebirds about to embark on_ well whatever it is that they are about to embark on and I didn't want to get in the way of that."

"What are you talking about? What lovebirds? Jason is watching out for Courtney like I asked him to that's all. He doesn't feel that way about her and Courtney is about to get a divorce from that punk A.J. Do you know he hired some guy to stalk her?" He asked bitterly.

"Are you serious?" She questioned.

"Yeah. He wanted her to depend on him. He wanted her to need him. That bastard had her too scared to walk out of her house. She never knew when someone would be watching her. And he just sat back and watched and then at the last minute he tried to ride in and be the hero! I swear if I could I would take him apart."

"But_ you promised Courtney that you wouldn't!" She said already knowing. She nodded. "I'm glad that she made you promise. I don't want you to go after A.J. He's not worth it Sonny." She stated softly.

He looked up at her and smiled. "So what are you going to do here?" He asked looking down at the Checkers board and the half eaten pasta. "I see that you like my sister's cooking!" He smiled loving that phrase. `My sister_'

She nodded. "She has your gift." He shrugged.

"We'll see. She's coming over tomorrow and we're going to have a cook-a-thon." He laughed and she smiled seeing him so happy had always been contagious.

"That's great."

"So are you planning on playing this game solo or can anyone join in?" He asked taking a seat on the floor opposite of her.

She smiled. "Sure. I can always go for a round of whooping your butt."

"I don't know. I was pretty good at this game! I may teach you a few things before the night is over." He said with a dimpled grin. He took off his jacket settling himself in for a night.

They must have walked all over Port Charles not saying much, not really needing to. They finally stopped in a movie theater parking lot. "End of the line." She said looking around. There was no one in sight, there weren't even any cars. She turned to look at him. "I would treat you to a movie but I think we're too late." She stated. She shoved her hands in her pockets as a cold wind whipped across her face. Her eyes watered from the cold and her cheeks were flushed but at least she wasn't crying and that made her feel oh so good.

She smiled up at him and he laughed. "What?" She asked.

He shook his head. "You're freezing."

She nodded. "Yeah and you act like you don't feel a thing. Why is that?"

"Because I don't. I don't feel the cold. A couple of years back I got into an accident and I lost my memory and the ability to know what certain things felt like. Like when it's really hot outside I don't feel it, just like the cold. I may be cold but because it's not something that I can see or touch I don't really know what it is and therefore I don't feel it. I don't react to it."

"Is that with everything?" She asked.

"No, just some stuff. Like I know what it feels like to hurt inside. I can't touch it. I can't see it but I can feel it. I know what it feels like to miss someone you know or hate someone."

"Or love someone." She said with a smile.

How did it always come back to that? Everything about her was so pure and innocent.

"Yeah_" He trailed off not knowing where this was going to lead but unable to stop himself. He wanted to know what she was thinking.

She sighed. "Do you ever think about things and how they could have been? You know if you had done this differently, or said something sooner?"

"Sometimes_" He replied. If he were honest he would tell her that he had been doing that a lot lately with her.

She nodded. "I do it all the time. I mean when I first came to Port Charles and I found out about my father. I used to think about what could have been if he had never went away. I wondered how my life would have been different if I had grown up with my brother. I wondered if he would have taught me things about guys and football and cars." She laughed slightly.

"I don't see Sonny as a mechanic."

"Well yeah not now. But you know if we had been a family and had that kind of life. I just wonder sometimes_ But then again I think about all the things that I would have never known if that had taken place. I wouldn't have gotten married to A.J. I never would have had to strip to keep him out of prison_ I never would have met you." She said looking up into his eyes. "I'm so glad that I met you Jason." She smiled when he reached out for her she fell into his arms.

"Me too." He whispered into her hair not sure if she had heard him. He was getting way too close here. He had to pull back and let her go. He couldn't be with her. He couldn't have her this way. She was still hurting from her marriage and the way it ended. He was still married to Brenda with a promise hanging over his head. There was so much keeping them apart and yet still here they were together against the odds they were still standing in each other's arms.

They returned to the penthouse close to eleven and could hear laughter coming from the apartment. Upon entering they found Sonny and Brenda engaged in an intense game of checkers.

"You're cheating! You cannot take your hand off the piece and then come right back and try and jump me." He said trying to grab his piece away from her.

"No. You can't take it back." She laughed fighting him as they struggled back and forth across the table with the checkers piece. "Stop being a sore loser Sonny!" She said as she tried to yank the piece back her brown tendrils flying in her face.

"Cheater!" He threw out smiling.

They both looked up when they noticed that they were being watched. "Hey." Sonny said looking up at them.

Brenda swallowed hard trying to get her feelings back under control. The way he affected her was mind-boggling.

"Are you guys playing checkers?" Courtney asked staring at them with a huge grin.

"Trying. She's a cheater!"

"I'm not! He's just a sore loser." Brenda said staring at him with giggly eyes.

"I think that you both need some sleep." Jason remarked knowing that this shouldn't go to far. And yet there was a part of him that saw the bigger picture. Sonny was happy. He was laughing and carefree and he was happy. Why was he trying to stop him from that? He swallowed hard. He had made a promise to Carly. He gave his word that he would keep Sonny and Brenda apart and that he would protect Brenda and he had been neglecting both of those things because of his own interests in a woman that he kept torturing himself with. He had to stop this. He had to let her be and not do anymore damage.

Sonny stood up and picked up his jacket. "I just came by to set-up a time for us tomorrow. I was thinking six."

"That's good." Courtney said hanging up her coat and walking toward him. She reached out and hugged him. "I just love doing that." She whispered into his ear before walking him out. Once gone she turned back to the couple and sighed. "Good night." She said before exiting up the stairs.

He sighed watching her retreat upstairs. He felt a piece of him go with her. He turned back to Brenda. "Stay away from Sonny." He ordered.

"Who's going to make me? You can't order me around! You're not my keeper and you don't tell me what to do Jason. I can hang out with Sonny if I want to."

"No you can't! You're not good for him. All you're going to do is hurt him. He has a family and a wife and he doesn't need you messing that up!"

She shook her head. "Did you even see him with me? He was happy Jason. I make him happy. I make him smile. I make him laugh! I do that."

"So does Carly!" He shot back.

"It's not the same! I make his heart beat. I know that I do. You may want to keep me away and Sonny may try to ignore it and Carly may think that he's in love with her, but it's me that he sees at night. It's my face that he dreams about in the dark. It's my laugh he hears and my skin he feels. It's all me and you can think that I'm bad for him all you want but it's not going to change the truth Jason. Sonny will always want me in the end. I am the love his life. I am his soul mate! It's not convenient and it doesn't make anything easier but it's the truth! Love doesn't always come wrapped in neat little packages. Sometimes it just appears on your doorstep unwrapped and all messy! You can either walk away from it or take it and work with it. Guess which one I'm choosing!" She stated defiantly before exiting up the stairs.

He stood there not sure of whether to go up after her and let her know that this wasn't an option or just let it be. He sighed not having the energy. He went over and turned off the light so the room was blanketed in complete darkness. He flopped down on the couch and leaned his head back into the cushion. He turned over onto his side and took in a deep breath before falling into slumber.

Chapter Six: A Secret Confession

There was a flash of lightening in the sky that lit up the entire living room; turning over he looked around and realized that he was still on the couch. He sat up and rubbed the kink in is neck. He jumped slightly when he saw her sitting in the armchair beside the couch. She was watching him sleep. She smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Courtney_ what are you doing down here?"

"I couldn't sleep. I guess because of the new apartment and the storm_" She trailed off slowly.

He nodded. "What time is it?"

"A little after three-thirty. I came down here to sit and saw that you were sleeping. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't." He cleared his throat looking over at her. Saw in her posture that something was on her mind. "What's wrong?" She shook her head.

"It's stupid." She stated meekly.

"It's not stupid. Go ahead."

She shrugged and rolled her eyes. "I guess I was just_ scared. I've always been scared of rain storms at night. I don't know why. I just always have been, ever since I was little."

"That's not stupid. It's fear Courtney. There's nothing stupid about fear." He said softly.

She smiled. "Yeah I know. When I was a little girl, and it would storm like this, my mom would come into my room and crawl into my bed and we would just lay there all night listening to the storm. It was less scary when she was there. Sometimes I really miss her. Like now." She whispered.

He patted the seat next to him. "Come here." She came to him willingly and sat beside him. He reached out and took her in his arms and held her as she wrapped her arms around his midsection. "I know I'm not your mom but_"

"It's great Jason. It really is." She whispered inhaling his scent and feeling her eyes begin to drift close as she listened to the beating of his heart and taking in the rhythm of his breathing. It was all so soothing. The relentless pounding of the rain and the cracks of booming thunder and flashes of lightening didn't even bother her as much. She settled herself into the curve of his body and felt her body relax. `Brenda Barrett was definitely a lucky girl.' She thought right before she drifted off to sleep.

He felt as her breathing became deeper and felt as her muscles relaxed still holding him. He could smell the apples in her hair and the faint scent of some shower gel_ she was all so comforting to him. She made him feel so good inside. It was so damn surreal. It had been a long time since he had known this feeling. This intense affection and attraction for anyone hadn't happened in years. He didn't think that it would ever happen again but here it was practically knocking him over. The way her fingertips lay gently on his back. The feel of her breath tickling the skin right beneath his chin. The weight of her body against his as he leaned them back into the sofa. It was all there again. That pleasurable agony of_. What? It couldn't be love. It couldn't be_ It was too soon. Wasn't it?