Jason & Courtney #3  February 5 - April 14, 2003 - 8 hr original edit

When Sonny and Carly arrive at the Speakeasy, Sonny asks Ric if Ric called Jason to handle the problem first, since Jason might be back from the Dominican Republic by now. When Ric admits that he knew that Jason was back but didn't call Jason because Ric figured Sonny would want to handle it himself, Sonny blasts Ric for breaking in on Sonny's quiet time with his wife. As Sonny angrily criticizes Ric's choices, a bristling Elizabeth angrily defends Ric to Sonny and lets slip that Jason left town again with Courtney. And, Liz adds, it looked to Liz like Jason and Courtney were eloping!

Ric tells Sonny that he hasn't found out where Jason and Courtney went but admits he does know where Courtney and Jason met secretly and gives him the address. Sonny takes off. Sonny goes to the secret apartment and finds a picture of Jason and Courtney that looks quite intimate as well as a sexy negligee in one of her dresser drawers. Meanwhile at the accident site, Jason tries to hide how seriously injured he is from Courtney. He coughs up blood and he admits that he has been coughing up blood since the accident happened. Courtney tries to leave the car and go run for help so he can get to a hospital immediately. Jason stops her and tells her that he needs her to stay and give him her body heat and to keep talking to him to keep him awake. Courtney tells him a fantasy story of them going away together some place romantic and sailing on a nice boat. Jason tries hard to stay awake and tells her he loves her. Courtney tells him that Sonny will probably be angry with them for being together. Jason tells her it doesn't matter how Sonny feels. Jason passes out and a desperate Courtney tries to wake him up and beeps the car horn to get attention from other drivers. She pleads with Jason not to leave her now and that they have so many plans to make to be together for her to lose him now. A driver hears her horn, and comes and helps them. Jason is rushed to GH. It is determined by Tony, Monica, and Alan that Jason needs emergency surgery. Courtney tries to go in and be with Jason but the doctors tell her she needs to get medical attention herself.

Carly tries to reach Sonny and get him to look at things from Courtney's point of view and that she isn't going to just give up Jason for him because he asks her to and he will only risk alienating her again like he did when she was with A. J. Sonny refuses to see Courtney being with Jason as a good idea and insists that with Jason comes danger and he doesn't want his sister involved with him because of it. Max comes back to tell Sonny and Carly that Courtney and Jason were in a car accident and Jason isn't doing too good but Courtney came out of it o.k. They head to the hospital. The doctors make them wait outside the OR and inform them he is going into emergency surgery and can't talk. Tony tells them that he is keeping Courtney overnight for observation and later tells them that Jason came out of surgery fine and is in recovery right now. Carly goes to see Courtney in her hospital room. Courtney tells her that they were driving up to see her and Sonny at their cabin to tell them about their relationship when Jason swerved to avoid hitting a deer and they crashed the car. Carly tells her it won't be as easy to tell Sonny as she thinks. Carly went to Courtney's hospital room and told her that Sonny had not taken the news of her relationship with Jason very well. A defiant Courtney told Carly that Sonny couldn't pick whom she goes with. Carly agreed but reminded Courtney that he was only trying to protect her.

Meanwhile, Sonny sits by Jason's hospital bed while he regains consciousness. Jason calls out Courtney's name. Sonny tells him she is doing fine. Jason tells him about his relationship with Courtney, not aware that Sonny already knows the truth. Sonny tells him he understands that he is concerned for Courtney but that as far as him being with Courtney in a relationship, it has to end now. Jason looks at him seriously in reaction. Sonny visited Jason in his hospital room. He told Jason that for Courtney's sake as well as Jason's he must stop their relationship. He pointed out to Jason that Courtney was still young and innocent despite all she had been through, and that she couldn't possibly comprehend Jason's full role in the organization. He told Jason that Courtney couldn't possibly love him if she knew all about his life. Sonny also described to Jason the horror of Lily's death and living with the guilt. He told Jason that not only did he not want to see Courtney in danger, but he also wouldn't want to see Jason go through what he had. Jason told Sonny that he loved Courtney enough to let her make her own decisions, but Sonny wouldn't back off from convincing Jason that ending it was the right thing to do.

Brenda then went to see Courtney. She told her she was glad she was okay. Courtney asked if Brenda minded her and Jason being together, and Brenda laughed it off. Brenda told Courtney that although Jason deserved to be happy, he lived a very dangerous life and that Courtney should re-consider being a part of it. She told Courtney that she reminded her of herself when she was with Sonny. Courtney insisted that she loved Jason more than Brenda had loved Sonny because she would never give up no matter what.

Tears in his eyes, Jason told Courtney that they couldn't be together anymore. She demanded that he not give in to Sonny's orders, but Jason insisted that Sonny was correct, that it was in her best interest and told her goodbye. Jason returned to the penthouse, devastated. Brenda was there, and she tried to get him to open up about what was wrong, but Jason just asked her what she wanted. She explained how Jax was pushing hard for the annulment and that he was scaring her. Jason told Brenda that she should tell Jax that. He also said that she was the only person standing in her way. Jax appeared at the door asking for Jason to sign the annulment. He began to say that he wasn't up to it, but a pensive Brenda agreed that she was standing in the way of her own happiness and that she was ready to take a chance on love. Jason signed the papers. Brenda asked Jax to wait outside for her. Brenda asked Jason if he had broken up with Courtney, if that was why he appeared so hurt. Before leaving she told him that he was free to choose a new life, that he could leave his lifestyle and have a life with Courtney. Courtney was rushing to check herself out of the hospital when Carly appeared there. Carly again tried to convince Courtney that Sonny was only doing what he thought was right, trying to protect her, but Courtney was furious and asked Carly to stop trying to talk her out of being with Jason. She explained that they loved each other and deserved to be together. Unable to argue with that, Carly told Courtney she should fight for Jason with everything she has. Courtney packed up and went to the penthouse to confront Sonny. She hollered at him for ordering Jason to break up with her, but Sonny told her that Jason made his own choices based on what was right, not what he told him to do. He told Courtney that if she loved Jason, she would let him go. Courtney blew up and accused Sonny of being selfish and controlling, acting only in his best interest. Although she insisted that she was not as young and innocent as he believed and that she had always taken care of herself, Sonny would not be swayed.Jason went to the loft to pack up his things. When he returned home, he could hear Courtney yelling at Sonny in the penthouse. He listened for a moment, then shook his head and took off on his motorcycle.

Jason arrives and announces to Sonny that Jason is ready to get back to work. Sonny informs Jason about the fake shooting at the Speakeasy that was a warning from Faith and orders Jason to give Faith a warning that Sonny will retaliate if there are any more incidents like that. Elizabeth and Ric are surprised when Courtney reports for work at Kelly's. Liz tries to offer Courtney some sympathy and reminds Courtney that Jason offered the same reasons for breaking up with Liz. But Courtney curtly orders Liz to leave her alone and bolts out of Kelly's. Later, at the apartment she shared with Jason, Courtney calls Jason and leaves a message for him. Courtney is surprised when Sonny stops by and announces to Courtney that he wants her to be happy and that he wants to give her a new life. Courtney snaps back that Courtney is not going to forget the man she loves in six months or a year just by moving somewhere else. Courtney demands to know if Sonny believes that no one else can love forever except Sonny. Sonny angrily warns Courtney that getting involved with Jason will ruin her life. But Courtney orders her brother to get out and stay out of her life!

Faith meets with Jason on the docks and dismisses her bodyguard while she speaks to Sonny's enforcer. Jason warns Faith that there will be no more trouble at Carly's Club or any other place in Sonny's territory. Jason warns Faith that one more show of disrespect and Sonny will strike back with full force. But Faith retorts that full force is the way that Faith likes it. Jason warns Faith that IF she does not back off, she will pay the price! Faith asks Jason if he would actually kill her. Jason suddenly grabs Faith and coldly states that he has nothing to lose, then turns her loose. Later, Jason returns to the apartment he shared with Courtney and is surprised when he finds that Courtney is there. Courtney tells Jason that she knew he would return. But Jason announces that he just came by to get his things. Then Jason tells Courtney that she can stay in the apartment because Jason has already paid the rent. Courtney asks Jason if he wants to never see her again, but Jason makes no answer and just walks out.

Jason shows up to meet Brenda at her request on the morning of her wedding to Jax. She looks incredibly beautiful. This is cute as he dashes in expecting her to ask him to get her out of there! He asks if she has had second thoughts and seems ready to help her escape getting married to Jax. She assures him she wants to go through with it and that isn't why she wanted to see him. She thanks him for helping her and teases him that he married her because he really likes her. She tells him that she respects Sonny's marriage as he will respect hers and that Jax is the best thing that ever happened to her. He thanks her for the invite to her wedding but can't stay. He tells her that he is happy for her and they hug.

At the club, Sonny told Jason that something must be wrong for Carly to run off like she did. While they tried to figure out where she went, Courtney walked about and blasted Sonny for kissing Brenda. Jason ordered the club closed and asked Courtney to leave so he could speak to Sonny alone. When Sonny admitted to kissing Brenda, Jason criticized him for hurting Carly after Jason had reassured her over the years as to how much Sonny loved her. Sonny insisted that he did love Carly, that he and Brenda were saying goodbye. He left to find her. Courtney went back to the club and tried to reach Jason, but he continued to push her away despite her best efforts.

Carly called Jason to come meet her at the dock. Jason was with Sonny when he got the call. On Sonny's demands, Jason told Sonny where Carly was so he could meet her himself. Courtney defended Jason to Elizabeth, who insisted that Jason was dangerous and capable of hurting Rick. Later, Faith went to the club and made indirect threats to Courtney, who asked her to leave. Brenda went to Jason's apartment. When he arrived and saw her there, he expressed his condolences for her and Jax's failed wedding. Brenda asked him to help her get to Europe.

In the Speakeasy, Faith warns Courtney that, eventually all mighty empires fall. Jason enters and orders Faith to leave. Jason then warns Courtney that she needs to leave town for a while. When Courtney learns that Jason would not be going with her, she refuses to even consider leaving. As Jason warns Courtney that Faith might try to use Courtney to get to Sonny, Mike arrives and demands a few moments to speak to his daughter alone! After Jason leaves, Mike tells Courtney that Mike realizes that Courtney has been seeing Jason. When Courtney insists that she loves Jason and cannot bear to be separated from him, Mike tells Courtney that Courtney reminds Mike of Sonny's mother - Adela. Mike confides that all of Adela's family and friends warned Adela that Mike's first love was gambling and Adela would always come in second in Mike's priorities but Adela insisted that love would be enough to carry them through the rough patches. Mike observes that, sadly, Adela's family was right and Mike's addiction to gambling ruined all of Adela's plans for happiness. Mike warns Courtney that Jason is addicted to Jason's job with Sonny and nothing would ever be more important to Jason than the work that Jason does for Sonny! Mike reminds Courtney that Jason was little Michael's father for the first year of that boy's life. But Jason still stepped back and turned both Michael and Carly over to Sonny when Sonny wanted them! Mike warns Courtney that Courtney will never come first in Jason's life!

Jason arrives, Brenda tells Jax to take his money and donate it to a battered women's shelter, so Jax could find a new damsel to rescue. After Jax leaves, Jason also offers Brenda a safe Swiss bank account, insisting that Sonny has nothing to do with that money. Jason insists it is only a loan and Brenda agrees to use the account only if she can pay Jason back. Then Brenda breaks down and cries on Jason's shoulder. Jason takes Brenda to the airport and waits with her for her flight. As Brenda complains that she always has these really bad wedding days, Jason suggests that the next time Brenda should think about doing it the way Brenda and Jason did in Las Vegas minus the wedding! When Jason leaves, he tells Brenda to call him if she needs anything. Brenda tells Jason that he needs to fight to be with Courtney if Courtney is truly the great love of Jason's life! Brenda tells him that out of everyone she has ever met he is the one who most deserves to be happy! When Jason returns to his Penthouse, he finds Courtney waiting for him. Courtney explains that she waited until after Sonny and Carly left for the Club. Then Courtney tells Jason about Mike's theory that Jason is addicted to Jason's job for Sonny. However, Jason insists that he is only worried that the fallout from Jason's work for Sonny would prove dangerous to Courtney. Courtney once again refuses to listen to Jason's warnings!

Jason watches outside Kelly's as Coleman approaches Courtney at the counter. He isn't pleased to see it but doesn't go inside and stop him either. A. J. comes around and sees Jason standing outside looking into Kelly's. In a funny moment, he teases Jason that Coleman is talking to Jason's woman and Jason better go in there and beat Coleman up. AJ keeps needling Jason till he has enough and starts beating AJ up. Ned comes outside and stops the fight. He sends A. J. on his way and then asks Jason if what A. J. said was true about Sonny ordering him to dump Courtney. Jason doesn't deny it. Ned offers him a job at ELQ if he ever decides he has had enough with Sonny's organization. Jason thanks him for his concern and warns Ned to stop his vendetta against Sonny before he gets hurt. Jason goes into Kelly's and sits at a table. Courtney approaches him but he turns her away and asks for another waitress. Later, he leaves a tip and pays his check. Courtney tells him that love conquers all and she hopes he felt the same way. Meanwhile, Faith sits at Kelly's and watches Courtney and makes arrangements to use her to get to Sonny and Jason.

Courtney finishes her shift at Kelly's. As she is zipping her coat up outside of Kelly's, two thugs kidnap her and send her to a cabin in the woods and blindfold and tie her up. Jason gets a call notifying him that they have his "girlfriend". Later, he gets a call from Coleman, who uses a device to disguise his voice to tell him where Courtney is. Jason finds her at the cabin and unties her. He gives her is coat to warm up with and goes to search the area around the cabin. He comes back to inform her that the tracks lead away from the cabin toward the highway and that his tires were now. Jason and Courtney realize they have been set up to look like they planned this rendezvous to be together. Sonny is also notified by Coleman, in a disguised voice that they are at a cabin together. It turns out Faith Roscoe was behind the whole set up. Courtney tells Jason that this kind of rendezvous would have been perfect for them under different circumstances. Jason rejects them ever being a couple in the future. Courtney asked Jason if he really had loved her. At first Jason resisted, but eventually he could not hide how he felt. Worn down, Jason admitted that he loved her and that being apart was killing him. They shared a tender kiss just as Sonny and his guards burst through the door. Sonny ordered the guards to go outside and check the grounds. Jason told him that Courtney had been kidnapped and that he received a mystery call telling him her whereabouts. Sonny yelled at Courtney, telling her that this was exactly why he wanted her away from Jason. He demanded to know why Courtney had not told him about Faith's threats. Jason came to her defense and reminded Sonny that Faith had created the situation, not Courtney. Sonny told Jason that he was going to get his sister killed. Jason took Courtney home to the apartment. She told him how much it meant to her for him to defend her to Sonny. Jason told her he needed something from her in return.

At the apartment they share, Jason tells Courtney that he could never live with himself if Courtney were ever harmed because of Jason. Jason begs Courtney to go away to college and start her life over away from Jason! Courtney demands to know if Jason just wants her to go far away so that it will be easier for Jason to forget her, but Jason refuses to answer Courtney's question and announces that he is finished and walks out the door without looking back. Courtney watches Jason's retreating back and breaks down into sobs. When Jason arrives at the Speakeasy, Carly quickly perceives that Jason has had some kind of argument with Courtney and Carly announces that she plans to visit Courtney to make sure Courtney is okay. After Carly leaves, Jason reports to Sonny that Jason encouraged Courtney to go away to college and forget about Jason and that Jason believes that Courtney finally understands that Jason will not be coming back to her. However, when Carly arrives at Courtney's apartment, Carly tells Courtney that Carly believes that Courtney should hang on to her love for Jason. Sonny confides to Jason that Sonny is convinced that Faith was behind Courtney's kidnapping and that Faith definitely does plan to use Courtney to get to Sonny. Jason angrily points out that he did tell Courtney to leave town and really can not guarantee what action Courtney will eventually decide to take. Sonny and Jason are interrupted when Ric arrives to announce that Scott arrested Alexis for Alcazar's murder. Sonny tells Ric that he appreciates the update, then orders Ric to leave. After Ric leaves, Jason wonders why Ric keeps taking Sonny's guff. But Sonny replies: "I have something he wants and, when I know what it is, I'll know how to proceed!" Sonny observes that Ric is a good lawyer almost as good as Alexis! Sonny tells Jason that he does not blame Alexis for whacking Alcazar. Later, Ric stops by Courtney's apartment with the college applications. Although Courtney initially tells Ric that she is not interested, Ric begs Courtney to at least take the applications and look them over so Ric will be able to tell Sonny that Ric did do what Sonny asked him to do. Courtney relents and, as Courtney takes the college applications from Ric, Courtney demands to know why Ric puts up with all of Sonny's guff. Courtney then informs Ric that Sonny is a controlling jerk who uses peoplpeople and plays on their emotions at the same time that Sonny does whatever Sonny pleases. When Ric observes Courtney's attitude, he urges Courtney to stick to her guns where Jason is concerned, but Courtney suspiciously observes that it seems odd that Ric would be encouraging Courtney to defy Sonny!

(Note: In the Fan Feb episode, I only included the very few moments that Jason was in, if your a Sonny fan at all and missed this episode it is a must have). As Sonny stands on the Docks, Jason warns Sonny not to stand out in the open. But, as Sonny refuses to take Jason's advice, hidden gunmen open fire and Sonny is shot! As Jason desperately calls 9-1-1, Sonny takes off for the Pearly Gates. Luke takes Sonny to Sonny's Penthouse and reminds Sonny that he is supposed to do what he is told! Sonny discovers that Jason is now the Mob King Pin and Sonny is Jason's Enforcer (this is a great scene as Steve does an amazing Sonny impression, he has Maurice's mannerisms down!). Jason decides to wipe out some of the competition, but Sonny disagrees. As soon as Sonny refuses to take orders from Jason and starts barking out orders instead, Luke again appears and announces that Sonny has just failed his second test. After Luke leaves, Jason arrives again and again warns Sonny that the mob boss should not be standing out in the open on the Docks. This time, Sonny takes Jason's advice and leaves the waterfront before anyone can open fire. End of episode.

Jason meets with Courtney on the docks. He tells her he didn't call her to get back together with her but to ask her to identify one of Faith Roscoe's men to see if one of them in particular grabbed her the other day. She tries to get him to listen to her about not throwing away what they have together but Jason refuses to listen. He makes her hide in the corner while he waits for Faith's goon to show up like he usually does that time of day. Sure enough Fowler shows up and Courtney identifies him as one of the guys. Jason tells her to leave right now and let him handle things. Courtney doesn't listen and ends up staying around and watching Jason confront the goon. Jason warns the man to stay out of Sonny's business. The goon doesn't listen and provokes Jason by making a remark about if Jason doesn't want Courtney than he'll take her for him instead. Jason hits him in the face and then in the stomach. Courtney rushes out to stop Jason from killing the guy. Taggert and a cop happened to see Jason attacking the guy and go to arrest him. Courtney explains that Jason's not the only one involved and that they don't know the true story about what is going on. When Taggert goes to elaborate, Jason gives her a look to be quiet and Courtney stays quiet while Jason is arrested.Taggert recognizes that the man Jason attacked is one of Faith's men but makes him come in to the station to file charges against Jason. Courtney rushes off to the penthouse where Sonny returned. She tells them what happened. Sonny doesn't like that Courtney interfered and tells her to stay out of it and that she should have let Jason handle things alone. Courtney doesn't like it and ends up talking to Carly about her feelings for Jason. Sonny is reluctant about hiring Ric to act as Jason's lawyer again but Carly persuades him to let her call him in to help. Sonny goes to the station to help get Jason out of jail. Jason gets upset with Sonny for asking him not to protect Courtney all the time and let him handle things. Jason tells him that he did what he asked and dumped Courtney and asks him what more he wants him to do. When Ric shows up, Jason doesn't want him to represent him as his lawyer since he doesn't trust him. Sonny tells him that Ric will do a good job for him and to let him help. Jason isn't too happy about it but agrees. Ric tells Jason that he will have him released in about 5 minutes after he asks Jason if there was anyone else who witnessed what happened and Jason tells him it was only the two of them fighting when the cops showed up. Rick talks to Faith's goon in the other room and reminds him that Sonny will go after him if he finds out that he actually went after Carly the other night and drugged her.

Jason gets upset with Sonny about what is expected of him after he already gave up Courtney for him. Ric comes out to tell Jason that he is free to go and that he just has to sign a release. Jason doesn't like not knowing what Ric did to get him released. Ric tells Sonny that he made it clear to Faith's goon, Fowler that pressing assault charges against Jason and having Sonny go after him would not be wise since the cops are already breathing down his neck. Sonny surprises Jason by thanking Ric for his help. Jason tells him that he can't trust Ric and that Rick probably threatened him with something they don't know about and is setting something up. Sonny tells him that he has a way of finding out about things no one wants him to know, including what Ric is doing. Jason thinks he is talking about him and asks him what he is trying to get at with him. Sonny tells him that he doesn't need to worry about Rick and tells him he can stay at the police station and be booked if he wants or he can let Rick get him released. Jason reluctantly agrees to go home. Carly encourages Courtney to speak her mind and tell Sonny how she feels about Jason and what she plans to do to fight for him. Carly tells her she is on both of their sides and wants her to speak her mind. Courtney stays around and waits for Sonny to return home. He returns home with Jason. Courtney comes out of the kitchen and sees Jason. She uses the opportunity to tell them both how she feels and that she is going to fight for Jason and no matter what he does, he can't get rid of her. Sonny listens to her but interrupts her and tells her that Jason and he are trying to keep her safe. Jason listens but doesn't say anything. Courtney leaves. Sonny tells Carly that he listened to her but he doesn't agree with what she said and isn't going to change his mind. Sonny leaves the room. Carly is disgusted with Jason for not going after Courtney. She accuses him of being a hypocrite for not allowing Courtney to make her own decisions about her life after he used to let people make their own decisions like he did after his accident when he told the Quartermaines he was going to live his life on his terms. Jason leaves and goes and watches Courtney from outside Kelly's. He looks at her in longing and is heartbroken.

Jason warned Sonny of a hit that had been issued while Carly planned a memorial service for Catherine at The Cellar. Upstairs at Kelley's, Carly told Courtney that she might be pregnant. Ric almost overheard, but Carly managed to divert the conversation. Ric told Courtney that he had scheduled some college interviews for her, but Courtney and Carly both told Ric that Courtney wasn't going anywhere. Later, Courtney arrived at The Cellar to work. Sonny commented on her revealing outfit, but Courtney just brushed his comments aside. Jason arrived and tried to avoid Courtney, who told him that her feelings wouldn't change. Jason told Sonny that the hitman was a mysterious Sam that nobody had ever seen, but that he didn't know who had hired him.

At the Penthouse, Jason reports to Sonny that a 'hit man' named Sam is reported to be in town, but no one has ever seen the shooter and that Jason has learned that Sam is extremely expensive to hire for a hit. Sonny reminds Jason that Ned wants nothing to do with murder and suggests that Faith may have inherited a bundle from her grandmother. Sonny orders Jason to have Benny check out Faith's inheritance. As Sonny stresses the importance of keeping tight security around his family, Sonny lets slip to Jason that he believes Carly might be pregnant. Faith meets with "Sam" and is shocked that Sam is now asking double her regular rate to whack Sonny. But Samantha argues that she believes that, after Sonny is gone, Sonny's enforcer, Jason Morgan, will probably come after Sam to hunt her down in retaliation and that Sam will probably have to take Jason out as well so Sam wants to be paid in advance for eliminating Jason. Faith assures Sam that she will be able to meet Sam's demands because Faith's grandmother left a large estate.

When Carly arrives at the Speakeasy, she is angry when she finds that Bobbie sent Elizabeth down to borrow some of Carly's glasses for Kelly's. As Carly and Liz argue on the stairs, Carly suddenly becomes dizzy and sits down on the stairs. Carly tries to claim that she just lost her balance, but Liz becomes suspicious of Carly's secretiveness. Upstairs later, Liz suggests that Courtney check on Courtney's New Best Friend Carly, because Carly almost fell down the stairs. Later, when Carly comes upstairs with Courtney, Liz starts to pour some coffee for Mrs. Corinthos, but Carly turns the coffee down and asks for herbal tea instead. Carly confides to Courtney that she believes she is pregnant and Sonny is also aware of Carly's news. Carly lets Courtney know that Carly suspects something is going on in Sonny's business just now. Carly swears Courtney to secrecy, but after Carly leaves, Liz asks Courtney point-blank if Carly is pregnant. When Courtney obviously evades the question, Liz tries to learn why Carly would want to keep great baby news a secret. Courtney blasts Liz for snooping in to the Corinthos family business.

Sonny and Carly discuss the importance of neutralizing the hitman. Carly arrives home and asks Jason to pick Michael up from the park to give her and Sonny some time alone .When Jason arrives at the park and discovers that Courtney is walking Rosie and has stopped to talk with Leticia, Max and Michael. Jason tells Leticia and Max that they can go on home. While Michael plays with Rosie, Courtney takes the opportunity to bring up her fractured romance with Jason. But Jason affirms to Courtney that he truly believes he is doing what is right for Courtney and for himself in the long run. But Courtney contends that the relationship between Jason and Courtney does not have to be the way Sonny wants it to be! When Michael returns, he notices that Courtney is crying and asks Jason to take back whatever it was that Jason said to make Courtney cry. When Courtney gets ready to leave, Michael insists that Jason kiss her good-bye. When Michael and Jason return to the Penthouse, Michael asks Jason if he is in love with Courtney, but Jason ducks the question. Later, at Carly's Club, Sonny and Carly confirm their good news to Courtney.

Jason shows up at Carly's club expecting to see Carly. He sees Courtney there working. He asks her where Carly is and she tells him she will be around soon. Jason runs into Carly coming down the stairs after he tells Courtney that he can't be with her. Courtney tells him that she loves him and that it shouldn't be Sonny's business what Jason decides to do with his life. Jason confronts Carly about setting up this meeting. Carly doesn't deny she set it up and tells him he needs to stop listening to what Sonny wants and do what he wants with his life. Courtney gets tired of listening to them fight as if she isn't in the room. Carly leaves them alone to talk. Courtney tells him that she won't stop loving him and that she wished he would consider what she wants in her life and not just what Sonny or he wants for a change. Jason listens to her but doesn't really respond and leaves. Carly apologizes to her for interfering in her life. Courtney tells her that she appreciates her support. A. J. shows up and suggests that she get back at Sonny and Jason by teaming up with him. Courtney is disgusted with his idea and slaps him in the face.

Jason comes over to see Sonny. Sonny starts to tell him that he needs to find out who is putting a hit on him and soon. Jason tells him that he can't do this anymore. He explains that he just ran into Courtney and that he still loves her and can't hurt her anymore. Sonny doesn't like what Jason is trying to say. He tells him that he did it to protect Courtney and Jason needs to leave it be. Meanwhile, Ric finds A. J. at the Port Charles Grille. He sits down and talks to him about Carly. A. J. tells him to watch out for Carly and tells him that Carly's falling down the stairs that time was an accident. Ric makes a remark about why they haven't tried to have a child since then.

Jason tells Sonny that he tried to stop seeing Courtney but he can't do that anymore. He suggests to Sonny that he can protect Courtney as well as him. Sonny disagrees with him and insists that Courtney is not safe as long as she is with him. Jason disagrees. Sonny makes him choose between Courtney and his job. Jason chooses to go back to Courtney. Sonny tells him he is fired. Jason tries to get him to listen to reason and persuades him to allow him to keep him safe right now with a hit out on him. Sonny refuses to allow Jason to protect him and kicks him out of the penthouse. Courtney tells A. J. off when he suggests she go to bed with him to make Jason jealous and come rescue her. She tells him that Jason has shown her more about love even if they aren't together. Later, she gets a visit at her apartment by Liz. Liz tells her she just came by to drop off her paycheck so that Bobbie can record the withdrawal from her books. Courtney doesn't buy her excuse and accuses her of coming over, hoping that Jason was there so she can get back with him. Liz denies she came over to start trouble and points out that Jason left her because Sonny ordered him too. Courtney gets very upset and kicks Liz out of her apartment. Courtney packs her bags and is on her way to leave town, when Jason arrives. He asks her to listen to him before she leaves. He tells her that he tried to stop loving her and that he saw how much he was hurting her. He told her that he could try to stop the hurt but he couldn't stop loving her. He tells her that he would understand if she wanted to kick him out. Courtney approaches him and embraces him. The two reconcile and start to make love.

Courtney and Jason made love. Courtney asked Jason why he came back to her, and Jason replied that he loved her and that he had to let her make her own choices. Jason's cell phone rang, and Benny told him to get over to the Cellar. At the Cellar, the hitwoman opened fire. Sam missed Sonny and instead shot Ric. Jason gets a call and Jason and Courtney head to GH. Elizabeth told Jason that he should have been hit, not Ric. Jason sent Courtney to the Grill, where she would be surrounded by people, to wait for a guard to take her to a safe place. Jason went to the Cellar, where he searched the premises and found tape in the women's restroom where Sam had hidden her weapon. Jason overheard Lucky telling Taggert that the only person he had seen was a woman running up the stairs on his way down. Pulling Lucky aside, Jason confided that the shooter could be a woman and asked Lucky for more details. Lucky told him that he had seen a young, African-American woman race up the stairs.

Faith met up with Sam at the Grill's bar and was surprisingly calm despite the failed hit. Sam told her that she knew a crowded bar was no place for a hit, and that it would have been successful had she been permitted to do it her way. Faith paid her the money regardless, and ordered Sam a glass of wine. After drinking the wine, Sam collapsed on the floor. Courtney, sitting nearby, ran to her aide. Jason walked in and pulled Courtney in the next room, grabbing Sam's purse. Courtney asked what he was doing, and Jason pulled a gun out of Sam's purse. He told Courtney that Sam was the shooter.

Scott grilled Courtney about being at the Grill when Sam collapsed, implying that she was somehow involved in the death of her brother's would-be killer. Jason came to her defense and told Scott to back off. When the autopsy report came in declaring Sam's death due to natural causes, Scott had no choice but to let them leave. Jason went to the Cellar to tell Sonny that Faith had hired the shooter. Sonny asked Jason if he was still with Courtney. When Jason replied that he was, Sonny reminded him that he no longer worked for him. Jason refused to leave Sonny unprotected, but Sonny told him that he had taught him everything he knew and had survived before Jason came around. Jason insisted that he was not being disloyal by loving Courtney and that he could keep them all safe, but Sonny became more angry and told him to leave. Courtney went to the hospital and, seeing Ric through the window of his room, became emotional thinking it could have been Jason. Carly arrived and told Courtney that she couldn't think that way and live full of fear. Carly told her about how she had turned Sonny into the FBI trying to get him out of the business. Courtney was surprised to hear that Sonny had been able to forgive such a thing. Jason arrived back at Courtney's apartment to find her baking cookies. He laughed that he had always told Brenda to make herself useful and bake some cookies when she was living with him during their marriage. Courtney said she thought Brenda hadn't minded being married to him as much as she pretended to. Jason told Courtney that he had made his own choice, but that actually Brenda had told him to go back to her. They shared a tender hug. Jason told Courtney that Sonny had fired him for getting back together with her.

Jason assures Courtney that Sonny can not order Jason to stay away from Courtney. But, when Courtney asks if Jason plans to end his career as a mob hit man now that Sonny has turned his back on Jason, Jason announces that he will never do that! As Jason explains to Courtney that he once tried to quit the business, but discovered that Sonny's business was the only life that Jason knew, Jason receives a desperate call from Benny, who announces that he needs to meet with Jason immediately at Kelly's, because Sonny is out of control!

At Kelly's, Benny reports to Jason that Sonny is out of control - that Sonny went after Faith in the mob-widow's own hotel room and Sonny's visit to Faith would be recorded on surveillance cameras all over the hotel. Benny warns Jason that Sonny's judgment is VERY bad right now and that Sonny is taking a lot of reckless chances and will not listen to anybody. Jason promises Benny that Jason will try to keep Sonny safe while keeping his distance, but there is nothing that Jason can do now to get through to Sonny. Explaining that Sonny will not even talk to Jason, Jason instructs Benny not to bring anything to Sonny except absolutely necessary business. Jason informs Benny that Faith probably ws behind the shoot-out, but it would be a disaster if Sonny tried to go after Faith on his own! Jason tells Benny that Benny can call Jason if Benny notices Sonny taking any more risks especially where Faith is concerned!

At the Nurse's Station, Elizabeth spots Courtney arriving with cookies to see Ric and Liz demands to know if Courtney plans to show her gratitude to Ric by hopping in bed with Ric the same way that Courtney hopped into bed with Jason. As Liz and Courtney argue about Courtney's intentions where Ric is concerned, Liz accidentally knocks the cookies out of Courtney's hand and Bobbie splits the angry women up before their argument gets out of control. As Courtney picks up the cookies, Edward shows up and urges Courtney to consider convincing Jason to visit his family from time to time. But Courtney just walks away. Later, when Courtney returns home, she fills Jason in on Liz's suspicions and Edward's opinions.

Courtney and Jason share an intimate moment when she shaves his face in the bathroom. This leads to them making love. Carly interrupts them by banging on the door. Jason answers the door. Carly apologizes for barging in but tells Jason that Sonny sent Benny alone to the meeting of the five families. Jason becomes very concerned since under more normal circumstances he would be going to the meeting to represent Sonny. He calls Sonny and tells him that Carly told him that he sent Benny alone to the meeting. He tells him he is going to go to the meeting for him instead. Sonny tells him he can as long as he is no longer with Courtney and plans to break it off again. Jason tells him he can't do that but still wants to help Sonny. Jason finds Benny collapsed from a heart attack and tries to comfort him. Benny tells him that Sonny is in trouble and needs his help. Benny dies in his arms just as Sonny shows up. Jason angrily tells Sonny that he shouldn't have sent him alone and he is to blame. Sonny is speechless. Sonny and Jason deal with the death of Benny. Jason questions Sonny as to why he sent Benny to the meeting alone. Sonny doesn't have a reasonable answer. Jason suggests they work together before something else happens. An angry Sonny lashes out at Jason and suggests maybe next time it could be Carly or Courtney that dies. Taggert shows up at the warehouse. He questions them about Benny's death and how suspicious it looks since not only did Faith's grandmother just die but the hitwoman that was hired to kill Sonny. Sonny insists that Benny had a heart condition and died from natural causes. Taggert tells them they can answer his questions there or go to the station and answer them. He tells them that Faith went to Scott and asked for police protection claiming that Sonny threatened her life. Sonny refuses to answer any more questions from him. Ric shows up and overhears the conversation. He had just come from meeting with Faith about how they could destroy Sonny by taking advantage of Benny's death and the estrangement between Jason and Sonny. He plays lawyer and asks Taggert if he has an arrest warrant for Sonny or Jason. Taggert tells him he is only questioning them not arresting them. Taggert leaves when he realizes they aren't going to tell him more.

Meanwhile, Courtney heads to Kelly's. She asks Liz if Ric is in his room. Liz makes a sarcastic remark about her bringing some cookies in to impress him and get him to protect her too. Courtney ignores her and sits with Carly. Carly tells her that Ric is not to be trusted and that Sonny doesn't trust him totally either. Courtney notices a change in her attitude towards Ric. She asks her why. Carly decides to confide in her and tells her that Ric has something on her and is blackmailing her into persuading Sonny to hire him to work for his organization. Carly tells her that she slept with Ric the night that she found Sonny kissing Brenda on the docks and how she only had a couple of drinks and woke up in a motel with Ric in bed with her and how she doesn't remember anything. Courtney asks her if she is afraid that Ric could be the father of her baby. Carly tells her she doesn't try to think about that night or that possibility. Sonny's bodyguard, Max shows up to tell them that he has to head to the warehouse and that something happened and Jason and Sonny are there. They go with him. When they get there, Sonny and Jason tell them that Benny is dead. Ric tries to suck up to Sonny but no one is impressed. Ric leaves them alone to talk. Sonny blames Jason for Benny's death since he wasn't around to go to the meeting like he would have if he had followed his orders. Courtney steps in and defends Jason. Sonny tells her that he is doing this to protect her life. Courtney reminds him that she is a big girl and can take care of herself. He turns on her and blames her for Benny's death also since she couldn't accept Jason's decision and started going after him until he caved in and took her back. Jason yells at Sonny and tells him to leave her alone and not talk to her like that. Jason explains that he still wants to protect him and help him. Sonny accuses him of being disloyal and not knowing the meaning of the word loyal. Jason approaches Sonny with a hurt and angry look.

At the apartment, Courtney told Jason that she didn't want her love for him to ruin his life. Jason reassured her that he wanted to be with her no matter what. Courtney denied Jason's offer to accompany him to Benny's memorial service, stating that it was not the time for a confrontation with Sonny. At the service, Sonny promised Benny's widow financial support, but she said that Jason had already taken care of it. Sonny told Jason that Benny would not have wanted them at an impasse, Jason reminded him that it didn't have to be that way. Unchanged in his position, Sonny asked Jason to come by and visit Michael and told him that he would not be around when he came.

Mike arrives at the apartment Jason shares with Courtney and urges his daughter to give up her obsession with Jason in order to protect Sonny! But Courtney agues that if Sonny does get hurt, it will be because Sonny brought it on himself. After Mike leaves, Carly arrives and asks Courtney's help in defusing Ric, but Courtney urges Carly to take away Ric's power by telling Sonny the truth. Carly tearfully confides that she believes Sonny would divorce her if he knew about Carly's liaison with Ric.

Courtney advised Carly to tell Sonny the truth about Ric even though it would hurt him. Carly went home and started to tell him, but when Sonny told her how much he worries about the baby, she could not bring herself to do it. Later at Kelley's, Carly ran into Rick. He begged her to spare his life and not tell Sonny that they had slept together. Sonny went to Courtney's apartment and asked her to give up Jason. He told her that the safety of Carly and the baby depended on Courtney freeing Jason so that he could return to work protecting Sonny. Courtney refused to give in to Sonny's guilt trip about her endangering everyone by holding on to Jason. She told him that he, not her, was keeping Jason from doing his job. Jason walked in and asked Sonny what he was doing there. Sonny told him that he was asking Courtney to walk away so that Jason could do his job. Jason reminded Sonny that he had no problem working for Sonny, but that he was not going to give up Courtney to do so. Carly arrived and surprisingly did not criticize Sonny for his verbal assault on Courtney. Sonny told Carly that it was not safe for her and the baby to be around Jason, that Jason was a target whether he was working for Sonny or not. When Carly realized how upset Sonny was, she told him he was right about not being safe there and persuaded him to leave with her. Courtney asked Jason why he and Carly had allowed Sonny to continue his tirade. Jason explained that Sonny was his own worst enemy, that nothing one says can get through to him when he's in such a state. They were interrupted by Jason's cell phone. Jason met on of Sonny's men on the docks and was concerned to hear that people both inside and outside the organization were beginning to doubt Sonny. Jason told him that Sonny was in control and to call Jason right away if anything happened. Jason went back to the apartment, and Courtney told him that she was thinking of attending school locally. Jason offered to help her pay for college. His phone rang again, and this time it was Faith calling from a room across the street with Ric and a gunman. She told Jason he must help her take over Sonny's organization or she would order the sniper aimed at Courtney to fire. Jason threw Courtney to the ground just as the first shots broke through the window.

From her hiding place, Faith calls Jason and informs him that his girlfriend is in the cross-hairs of a sniper's rifle. As the sniper fires, Jason pulls Courtney out of the line of fire and warns Faith that she is done! Faith tells Jason that she wants to work with him and the shot was just to get Jason's attention. After the sniper leaves, Ric warns Faith that she just cut her own throat and urges Faith to learn a little patience if she wants to exact some serious vengeance where Sonny is concerned. Faith smugly announces that she believes that, no matter which way Sonny jumps, the shooting will merely serve to solidify the estrangement between Jason and Sonny, now that Jason has been the reason for Sonny's sister to be in danger! However, Ric warns Faith that she is on her own if she ends up in trouble because of this caper. Then Ric slips away from Faith's hiding place. Jason convinces Courtney to move immediately to his Penthouse with him, although Courtney argues that Sonny will hate the very idea. Courtney is proved right when Sonny spots them moving back into Jason's Penthouse. At first, Jason and Sonny begin to compare notes, speculating about Faith's silent partner. But, when Sonny points out that this incident just proves Sonny's point and Jason would give up his relationship with Courtney if Jason were sincere in Jason's concerns for Courtney's safety! While Sonny and Jason talk, Courtney slips across the hall and complains to Carly about Sonny's interference in her life. While Carly and Courtney talk, Ric arrives with some contracts for Sonny and learns from Courtney that someone took a shot at her. Later, Jason reassures Courtney that he WILL be able to keep her safe! Carly feels Sonny is getting worse and goes across the hall to talk to Jason and get his help. She finds him talking to one of Sonny's men. Jason reassures her he is doing everything he can to help Sonny without his knowledge. Carly fills him in on Sonny's increasingly erratic behavior. She almost tells him about the baby possibly being Ric's when he gets a phone call that interrupts them.

At Kelly's, Ric had mentioned to Courtney that maybe she should take a leave of absence from hosting for Carly since she has been shot at already. Courtney thinks he is firing her so she tells him she quit. Sonny sees one of his bodyguards standing outside of Kelly's. He asks him what he is doing there since he has been looking for him everywhere. Max tells Sonny that Jason asked him to watch over Courtney while she works at Kelly's. Sonny gets upset and goes into Kelly's. He embarrasses Courtney by grabbing her arm while she is taking a customer's order to ask her what she is doing working at Kelly's after she has been shot at. Courtney tells him she has no plans to hide in fear because of his business. This makes him more angry and he tells her she has to go back to the penthouse where she will be safe. Courtney refuses to leave with Max and tells him she has a job to do and if he doesn't leave her alone, she will call the police on him. Sonny really blows his cool and starts to talk to the customers about his reputation of being a tough guy you don't want to mess with and how his little sister isn't afraid of him and talks back to him like this. He tells her he has had it with her and storms off. Faith barges into Kelly's and gets past Max. She congratulates Courtney in being a little spitfire and not letting a death threat stop her from working and being out in public. Courtney tells her that Sonny and Jason will bring her down and she should watch out that her head doesn't get blown off instead. Faith tells her to watch her back because she will get rid of her soon. Max throws Faith out of Kelly's.

At Carly's club, Sonny breaks a wine bottle and takes the sharp end and hold it near Jax's throat, and threatens to stab him with it. One of Sonny's men calls Jason. Carly answers the phone and tells Jason what is going on. They take off for the club to stop Sonny. By then, Sonny is talking crazy. Jason pulls Sonny off of Jax. He tells Jax to leave Sonny alone and go. Sonny tells Jason to leave him alone and accuses him of betraying him by trying to take over his business and turn his people against him. Jason is hurt by Sonny's words but listens. Sonny tries to throw a punch at Jason but Carly steps in and stops and reminds them they need to stop fighting and act like a family. Faith witnesses Sonny's tirade against Jason. Later, Jason and Courtney realize the role Ric played in helping to fuel the fire between Jason and Sonny.

Jason told Courtney how much she meant to him and offered to let her redecorate the penthouse to make it more comfortable for her. Carly burst in and begged Jason and Courtney to help her in a plan to help Sonny. Jason refused, telling Carly that her plans always end disastrously, but Carly insisted that Sonny was mishandling business and trusting Ric to help with the Faith situation. Reluctantly, Jason agreed to participate. Carly told Courtney that she would be involved, too. Courtney and Jason burst through the door of Kelly's, apparently fighting. Faith, Ric, and Elizabeth all observed while Courtney and Jason yelled at each other. Courtney told Jason that she had been wrong about him and never wanted to see him again. Jason kicked a table before storming out. Faith followed Jason back to the loft. She entered and found him smashing things with a bat. Faith pressed Jason to join forces in taking down Sonny. Jason told her he would.

Sonny got a call from Jason telling him to meet him on the docks. Carly ran into Courtney and Michael at the park. Carly told Courtney that however difficult Sonny could be, that he was even harder on himself. She promised Courtney that in time Courtney would see a different side of Sonny. Michael walked out onto the frozen pond, and the ice began to crack. Carly went to him and walked him to safety but fell in herself just before making it to dry ground. Jason pressed Faith to tell him who her silent partner was. Faith told Jason to prove their new alliance by killing Sonny, promising that she would arrange a meeting with her partner and Jason. Jason met Sonny at the docks. Sonny was shocked and angry to see Faith there, too. Jason pulled a gun on Sonny, and they argued for some time. When Faith impatiently pulled out a gun to shoot Sonny herself, Jason turned the gun on her and demanded the name of her partner. Ric approached and shot Faith from the alley. Jason ran off in search of the shooter while Sonny asked a wounded Faith to tell him who had shot her.

The following aired during the 2 hour 40th Anniversary: Sonny and Jason realize that Faith's silent partner had to be the one who tried to kill her. Faith is taken to the hospital. Back at the park, Leticia and Courtney frantically manage to pull Carly out of the icy water. Sonny and Jason go to the hospital where they find Courtney and she explains what happened to Carly. Monica and Allen are in the ER with Carly where she is diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure. Sonny rushes in upset and tries to get to Carly. He almost fights with Allen who attempts to calm him down. Ric shows up and wants to do anything he can to help Sonny, but Sonny just pushes him away. Monica tells Sonny he will have to make the decision to give Carly the medication she needs in order to lower her blood pressure. She tells him the Carly is at risk of stroke, brain damage or death. However, the medication will kill their baby. Later, Ric sneaks into Faith's room and reminds her that "bad things happen to people in hospitals". Faith looks very nervous and scared. Before Ric can turn off Faith's IV, Jason comes into the room. Tony finds Jason and Ric with Faith and orders them to stay away from his patient. Jason heads to the ER, where he assures Sonny of his support.

Monica tells Sonny that they need a quick decision on whether or not to give pressure medication that might endanger the baby's life. Sonny wrestles with his decision and begs Carly to wake up to help him make the decision. But, when there is still no response from Carly, Sonny reluctantly gives Monica the go-ahead. Jason comes in and says he will make the decision, he will give the okay to give Carly the medication (so Sonny doesn't have to bear the guilt of losing his child). Before Monica can give the drug to Carly, Carly regains consciousness and Monica notices that Carly's blood pressure begins to drop as soon as Sonny assures Carly that he is nearby.

Later, when Faith is wheeled out of surgery, Jason is waiting for her, demanding to know the name of Faith's partner. But Faith sees Ric hovering outside the recovery room and tells Jason that there never was a partner. However, when Ric later asks if Jason believes Faith, Jason replies: "No!" End of anniversary episodes. Emily finds Jason at GH. Jason is happy to see her. Emily guesses that he looks like a man in love after he mentions that there have been some changes in his life since she saw him last. He tells her about Courtney and how it is complicated because she is Sonny's sister. Then over at Kelly's, Emily waits for Courtney to come out and asks her if she is who she thinks she is. Courtney tells her name. Emily introduces herself and the two of them hit it off. Emily surprises Courtney by thanking her for making Jason so happy. Liz is dismayed to see them hitting it off. She pours Emily some more coffee and makes a sarcastic remark about Courtney getting Emily's seal of sister approval. Liz walks off. Courtney tells Em that Liz hates her because she is with Jason. Em tells her that she got that impression and that not to blame Liz since Jason is a hard man to let go of.

Jason pays Carly and Sonny a visit. Sonny was being overprotective of her and the baby and insisted on getting her some more juice. Jason talks to Carly and assures her he is helping Sonny out. Later, Jason and Sonny talk in the waiting area. Sonny asks Jason to come back and work for him and that he plans to take Carly away to the island if the baby doesn't make it or maybe take her away until the baby arrives. Jason tells him he will come back and work for him. Ric shows up at GH and overhears them talking. He tells Sonny that he has some business things to discuss with him and asks him how Carly is and if the baby is o.k. He had already asked Courtney at Kelly's about Carly's condition and she told him to stay out of their personal business and walked off. Liz asked him on a date but he couldn't go since he had to stop by and talk to Sonny about business. Sonny informs Ric that any business concerns can be brought to Jason's attention right now and that Jason is working for him again. Sonny leaves them alone to talk. Ric is reluctant to discuss business with Jason and to handle the matter on his own but Jason insists he tells him everything that is going on before making any decisions. He warns Ric that if anything bad happens to Sonny or his family he will take care of him himself. Sonny later told Jason that Carly wanted to name the baby Morgan Corinthos after him.

Courtney visits Carly. Carly thanks her for saving her life and the baby's life like she did. Courtney tells her that no thanks are needed and that she is thankful herself that Carly and the baby are fine now. Courtney tells her that Sonny asked Jason to come back and work for him but hasn't really approved of her being with Jason still. Carly is happy by this news and tells Courtney that she needs to give Sonny time to adjust to them as a couple and he will eventually accept them and even be thankful to her for making Jason so happy. Courtney doesn't expect that to happy anytime soon but realizes it will take time with Sonny. Sonny voices his displeasure that Jason is still with Courtney but doesn't tell him he can't be with her but that he needs to know that if anything happens to Courtney it will be on his head. Jason tells him he can handle taking care of Courtney and the family for him as well. Sonny isn't so sure he can but he gives him the chance to prove it someday.

Sonny and Jason go to Carly's room. Sonny thanks Courtney for saving Carly and their baby's life. He also tells her that he won't stop her from being with Jason, even if he prefer that she go away to college at his expense. She tells him she wants to be with Jason. Jason and Carly run into Ric out in the hallway later. Ric tells them he came to see Carly. Courtney tells him Carly doesn't want to see him right now and that she is with Sonny in her room. Ric makes a remark about them all getting what they want and he leaves with a smug look on his face. Courtney tells Jason that she doesn't like Ric and that he gives her the creeps. Jason concurs that he is up to something and it isn't good. Sonny and Carly discuss the baby. As Sonny is hugging Carly, he sees Faith looking into Carly's room through the window in her door. He pays Faith a visit at her room and warns her to stay away from Carly's room and that she should be careful since she won't be living very long if he has his way.

Courtney redecorated Jason's penthouse. Jason was surprised to see the changes but warmly told Courtney he wanted her to be comfortable there. Courtney reluctantly canceled her shift at Kelley's when Jason told her she had to lay low for a while until things were safer. Jason went to see Sonny and told him he was working on identifying Faith's partner. Meanwhile Carly went to visit Courtney. Courtney vowed to show Jason and Sonny that they weren't the vulnerable damsels in distress they treated them as. Courtney and Jason were playfully kissing on the sofa when Sonny burst in without knocking and ordered Jason across the hall. Courtney was furious at his rudeness but understood when Jason had to go. Jason encountered Ric at Sonny's. Sonny explained that Ric had found a paper trail to Faith's partner. Jason refused to discuss business in front of Ric, so Sonny ordered Ric to wait out in the hall to appease Jason. Sonny ordered Jason to take care of Jax, but Jason expressed doubt that Ric was correct in accusing Jax. Sonny because angry and asked Jason if he would take care of it or not. Jason agreed.

Jason intercepted Jax on the docks and warned him to confess to funding Faith or face death. Jax convinced Jason that it wasn't him, saying that when he came after Sonny he wouldn't hide behind someone else. Jason was convinced it wasn't Jax and began to consider who else would benefit from Faith's involvement. Jason went straight to the Quartermaines and accused Edward of funding the hit on Sonny. Edward stammered under Jason's fierce interrogation but did not admit to the alliance.

Courtney went to Sonny to demand he respect her and Jason's privacy, but before she could say a word Sonny verbally attacked her, calling her spoiled and selfish for putting her desire for Jason ahead of everyone's safety. Courtney became irate and told him he was acting irrationally. Sonny grabbed her and threw her out into the hallway. Courtney pushed her way back in demanding to be heard, but the phone rang. It was Bobbie telling Sonny that she had seen Carly enter the elevator without her bodyguard with Faith close behind. Sonny snapped and threw the phone off the desk. When Courtney asked what was wrong, Sonny loaded a gun from his desk and told Courtney she was about to become a part of his world just like she wanted. Sonny became paranoid, thinking Faith had hurt Carly and now was coming to get him. His madness was only worsened when the power went out suddenly. Courtney pleaded with him to put the gun down, that the outage had been caused by the storm, but Sonny threw her to the floor when she tried to stop him. He opened the door and pointed the gun toward the hallway just as Carly stepped off the elevator.

At the Quartermaine Mansion, Jason chokes his grandfather and demands that the old man confess that he financed Faith's hired hit-woman. Edward begs his grandson to spare his life and reluctantly insists that Edward merely hired Faith to help Edward teach Ned a lesson. Jason demands that Edward help Jason learn who Faith's other partner is. When Edward pleads that Faith is seriously unbalanced, Jason threatens Edward again, and Emily walks in and hears the latest threat. When Edward appeals to Emily for support, Emily merely suggests that Edward probably deserves Jason's angry threats. Before Jason and Emily have much of a chance to talk, Jason receives an emergency call on his cell phone and leaves.

On the docks, Jax 'bumps' into Faith. The wily mob widow drops a large envelope at Jax's feet, and then asks Jax if the package is his. Jacks picks up the envelope and looks at it as he hands the envelope back to Faith. All the while, Ric watches from a hidden corner and snaps still photos of Jax handing the envelope to Faith. At the same time, at the Penthouse, Sonny frightens Courtney when he pulls out a gun and yells that Faith is coming after him. As Sonny heads to the elevator with the gun in hand, Courtney tries to grab the gun away from Sonny, but Sonny shoves Courtney to the floor and orders her to stay down for her own safety. However, when the elevator door opens and Sonny trains his gun on the occupant, he realizes almost too late that it is Carly in the elevator! Courtney and Carly convince a shaken Sonny to put down the gun and return to the Penthouse. Carly sends Courtney to put the gun away upstairs and Max rushes in to find out what is wrong. Carly sends Max away. Carly tries to comfort Sonny, he suddenly demands to know WHY Carly didn't call, because she had promised that she WOULD call. Carly claims she used the stair when she left the Hospital and the cell phone didn't work in the stairwell, but Sonny accuses Carly of lying. Sonny insists that someone cut off the electricity in the Penthouse on purpose. When Courtney tries to remind Sonny that Carly is on Sonny's side, Sonny angrily orders Courtney to leave and pours another drink for himself. Courtney puts an emergency call through to Jason and alerts Jason that there is something seriously wrong going on with Sonny.

When Jason arrives at the Penthouse, Sonny morosely confesses that he nearly shot his own wife! Sonny orders Jason to stop anyone who might hurt Carly, Michael OR the baby even if it is Sonny himself that Jason has to stop! Jason reassures Sonny that the guards are all in place, and leaves. Outside Sonny's Penthouse, Jason spots Ric, who proclaims that he is arriving with "proof" that Jax is in cahoots with Faith! Sonny hears the commotion outside and comes out to investigate, and Ric thrusts the photographs into Sonny's hands, complaining that Jason is trying to keep vital information out of Sonny's hands! Sonny instructs Carly to go next door and visit Courtney while Jason, Ric and Sonny return to Sonny's Penthouse. Jason points out that it is suspicious that Ric just 'happened' to be the one who found the paper trail linking Jax and Faith and now it is Ric who just 'happened' to be the one who conveniently turns up with photographs of a meeting between Jax and Faith! But Ric insists that he has had a tail on Jax ever since Ric discovered the paper trail between Jax and Faith. Jason accuses Ric of lying, but Sonny accepts Ric's theory that Faith's partner is Jax. Jason argues that Jax works with money and corporations, not guns. But Ric suggests that, maybe, Jax just ran out of patience in Jax's quest to destroy Sonny! Sonny orders Jason to get rid of Jax. However, when Jason tries to advise Sonny not to leap to conclusions about Faith's silent partner, Sonny refuses to listen! Ric reminds Jason that Sonny gave Jason an order and implies that Jason is not wise to question Sonny's orders then Ric storms out of the Penthouse. After Ric leaves, Jason again tries to convince Sonny not to leap to conclusions in tying Faith to Jax solely on evidence conveniently produced by Ric! Jason implores Sonny to wait until Jason brings Sonny proof about Faith's partner before ordering a hit on Jax. But Sonny accuses Jason of doing a lot of 'strange' things lately such as telling Sonny what to do in front of other people! Sonny orders Jason to leave!

Across the hall, Carly urges Courtney to try to understand Sonny and reassures Courtney that Sonny's condition is not Courtney's fault. When Jason arrives, Jason reports to Carly and Courtney that Ric has done his best to stir up Sonny's growing paranoia. Jason instructs Carly to keep Sonny's thoughts focused on Carly, Michael and the baby. After Carly leaves, Courtney confesses that Sonny frightened her. But Jason is suddenly called away by Carly arguing with Max. When Jason investigates, he learns that Sonny left alone! As Jason rushes to alert Marco to keep Sonny in the car, Sonny is in his limousine, loading his gun!

Sonny waits at the warehouse after calling Jax and threatening his life and dares him to meet him at the warehouse for a shootout. Taggert heads over to the alley that Jax was supposed to go to to confront Sonny (after Jax tells Taggert the situation). Jason gets there first after he hears from Carly that Sonny took his gun and took off to some alley with Marcos driving for him. Jason gets there and calms Sonny down and gets him to give him his gun. Taggert calls for backup when no one answers him from the warehouse. Taggert yells for Sonny to come out of the building with his hands up. Sonny shoots the gun up into the ceiling a few times. Jason gets the gun from him and wipes off the prints. Sonny doesn't want him to take the wrap for him but Jason helps him see reason that Carly needs him to be safe for her and the baby. Jason brings Sonny home to the relief of Carly and Courtney. Jason is relieved he could stop Sonny from making a huge mistake by trying to kill Jax. He comforts Courtney and the two start to make love.

Jason finds Jax on the docks and confronts him about lying to him about not being in collusion with Faith. Jax insists he will go after Sonny without hiding behind a woman like Faith to do it. Jax shows him the pictures Sonny was given. Jax explains that he bumped into Faith on the docks one day and that she had a package she dropped on the ground and he picked it up and handed it to her and that picture makes it look like he handed her an envelope as some sort of payment when it was really quite innocent. Jason believes him and warns him that he is more involved in this than he should be and that his life could be in danger. Michael goes to Jason's apartment to look for Jason but Courtney tells him he isn't home yet. Michael confides in her his feelings of fear for Sonny. He thinks that Sonny's problems are his fault and that maybe he should go away so he can get better. Courtney assures him that he isn't at fault for anything and that Sonny is having a rough time with his business right now.

Michael leaves and goes back to his apartment. Jason returns home and sees Michael go back into the penthouse. Jason asks Courtney if he is o.k. She tell him that Michael knows that something is wrong with Sonny but doesn't know what it really is and is blaming himself. Courtney surprises Jason by telling him that what Michael told her made her think a little about what is going on with Sonny and suggests that they break up.

Jason tried to reassure Sonny that his family was safe, but Sonny could not shake his feeling of impending doom. Jason asked Sonny to let him take over for him like he did last time, until Sonny was well enough to take it back. Sonny agreed to let Jason take charge for a while. While Jason was out, Courtney wrote him a letter explaining why she was leaving. She packed her bags and went to their loft. Jason returned and, upset after reading her letter, went to the loft. Courtney told him she wrote the letter because she wouldn't have had the strength to tell him in person, but Jason insisted that she would have to tell him face to face. Courtney explained that she loved him but couldn't be with him at Sonny's expense. Jason tried to convince Courtney that Sonny's state had nothing to do with her and had happened before, but Courtney's mind was made up. She affirmed that she wanted to stay apart until Sonny was better. He painfully respected her wishes and told her he would make it easier by staying away. They shared a passionate, tearful goodbye.

**The End**