The Things You Do For Love

Chapter One:  The Letter  

“Here.  You give Jason the note,” Carly reasoned as she attempted to slip the ill-fated note into Marco’s pocket. 

Marco, in turn, made a move deter Carly.  The odd pair was stepping into the elevators of Harbor View Towers, dreading what they were about to do to their best friend and boss.   

“I do not want to argue you with right now, Mrs. Corinthos.  You’re going to have that baby soon and I am under strict orders from Mr. Corinthos to make sure that you are under no stress!”  The bodyguard replied, attempting to play hot potato with the note once again.   

“Marco…” Carly whined in frustration.  “My name is C-A-R-L-Y.  Carly – got that?”  Carly ordered, attempting to assert herself in the situation… and intimidate Marco into giving Jason the note. 

No luck.  Marco simply shook his head in response.   

“Ms. Mathews intended for you to give Mr. Morgan the note, C-A-R-L-Y.”  Marco reiterated much to the chagrin of Carly Corinthos. 

“Marco, keep this up and you will be F-I-R-E-D,” she snapped back. 

Marco gave Carly a heartfelt look.  The two had had their fair share of problems over the years, but had established a friendly rapport nonetheless.  His heart went out to her; what Courtney asked of her wasn’t easy.   

He cleared his throat, locking eyes with the blonde before speaking gently.  “Ms. Mathews’ gave the note to you, specifically. She knows you will be there for Mr. Morgan.  She trusts you.” 

Marco gave Carly a small, friendly pat on the shoulder, making her smile a little. 

“You know… if Courtney actually thought about it… She would have given it to you,” Carly joked, making one final attempt. 

~ ~ ~ *** ~ ~ ~

Jason’s Penthouse

“Carly!  What are you doing here so late?” Jason questioned his best friend as he opened the door to his home.   

“Nice to see you too Jason… Uh… Um… Whatcha doin?” Carly stuttered as she walked into the Penthouse, doing her best to keep it together in front of Jason.  Carly knew that Jason could read her like a book, and didn’t want him to see too much.  The news of Courtney leaving should come from Courtney’s letter, not from her. 

But Jason seemed to be completely unaware of Carly’s uneasiness, smiling sheepishly before answering.   

“I am cooking dinner for Courtney,” Jason beamed.  “I haven’t seen her in a couple of days because I have been swamped with work.  I wanted to surprise her.”  Jason finished.   

Carly smiled slightly.  “Jason Morgan… Known Mob Enforcer slash chef” she kidded. 

It was then that Jason took inventory of his friend.  Something wasn’t right with her.

“Carly, is everything alright?  You seem a little… off?”

“Jason, I need to tell you something,” Carly whispered, almost inaudibly. 

A look of concern passed over Jason’s stern face but he remained silent.   

“Courtney wanted me to give you this…” Carly cried as she held out the note.   

The enforcer’s hands uncharacteristically shook as he took the letter, his mind reeling, wondering about its contents.  Things were going well for he and Courtney; they reunited with Sonny’s blessing, they were happy and even thinking of moving in together.  But somehow Jason knew the note would end all that.  For a brief instant he wanted to rip the note up before reading it, after all ignorance is bliss right? 

My Dearest Jason,

This is perhaps the most difficult letter I have ever had to write.  I need to say good-bye.  I am truly sorry that I am too big of a coward to tell you in person, but my heart is broken and I couldn’t stand seeing the hurt look in your eyes. 

Thank you…  for everything you have done for me and for everything you are.   After the disaster with A.J I was scared and ready to turn my back on love.  Then I met you and you showed me what true love really is.  You are all that is good and true in this world.  Thank you for making me feel, for the first time in my life, truly loved.  I will never forget that.

I am leaving because I have become a liability to you and am putting you and everyone else I love in danger.  I would not be doing this unless I thought it was absolutely necessary.  Two nights ago, I discovered that Faith Roscoe is working with Ric Lancing to bring Sonny and you down.  Faith is aware that I know her dirty little secret and has threatened me and everyone else I love if I reveal what I know.

That is why by the time you are reading this I have left the country.  I will call Carly to let her know that I am okay, but she will not know where I am and I will not tell her.  Don’t try to find me, please.  Let us end, in the note.  You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and if things were different than maybe… I don’t know.  Please forget about me.  Find another woman to love and to make you happy.  Live the life I desperately want to share with you. 

All my love and tears,

Courtney

 Jason stood by the counter for what seemed like an eternity.  Just ten minutes earlier he was cooking for the love of his life, eagerly anticipating her arrival.  Now he didn’t know when or if he was going to see her again.  Carly went to Jason, wanting to take his pain away. 

“She didn’t want to go, Jason.  You need to understand that!” Carly informed, desperately trying to prevent the emotional block she could see forming around her best friend.       

Jason went into the kitchen and turned off the stove, blowing out candles on his way. 

Everything was eerily silent.

“Jason… Talk to me, please!” Carly pleaded. 

Jason shook his head, his eyes on the verge of tears, all blurry and fazed.  He couldn’t wrap his head around what had just happened.  It was like a weird dream that he wanted to wake up from, but couldn’t. 

“Just go,” were the only words he could muster. 

Silently, Carly retreated out the door.  Passing Marco, she gave him a weary look.  Before Marco could respond a loud crash was heard from Jason’s Penthouse.  Her immediate reaction was to run back to Jason but Marco stopped her.   

“Let him be alone,” was all the tall, dark-haired man said.  “I’ll keep an eye on him!”

Carly nodded and finished her journey across the hall, to her home.  Home … A place for family.  Carly’s heart ached for her best friends… What if they never found their way back to one another? What if they never became a family?