"This is the final boarding call for Delta flight 1033 non-stop to London."
"I guess that�s me." Brenda stood up slowly and hefted her carry-on onto her shoulder. She turned to look at the man who had brought her to the airport and stayed with her, even though she had insisted she�d be all right waiting on her own.
"You sure you want to do this?" Jason asked with uncharacteristic tenderness. He knew he should be somewhat relieved that Brenda had chosen to go back to Europe after her non-wedding to Jax. It would be best for everyone, he kept telling himself. Most of the women in Port Charles would be thrilled by the absence of this spitfire�s presence. So then why did he feel so reluctant to say goodbye?
"Yeah, I think so. It would be too hard to stay. Jason . . ." she stopped, taking in the appearance of her ex-husband. Signs of the previous week�s accident were still evident.
"If Jax is the problem . . ."
Brenda cut him off. "No." She shook her head, not willing to explain. It was better to let him think that Jax was her reason for leaving Port Charles. She smiled sadly while wondering how Jason had managed to get so deep under her skin. No, she was going to do what was best for him. She was getting on the plane.
"Call me if you need anything." He tried to shake off the emptiness he felt forming in the pit of his stomach. Something didn�t feel right.
She nodded and reached out to give him a quick hug, instructing herself to ignore the pain piercing her heart. With one last sad smile aimed in his direction, she turned on her heel and headed for the gate. Jason stood rooted to the floor - watching her back disappear. She didn�t even turn around for one last wave. His mind instructed him to turn around and leave the airport - after all, Courtney was waiting for him. They were going to face down Sonny tonight. But somehow . . . somehow that didn�t seem as important right now. His legs carried him over to the large glass window and he stared down at the plane.
After what seemed like an eternity, the plane roared to life and began backing up. He watched as it taxied down the runway. Faster and faster . . . the plane began it�s ascent into the clouds. Jason stared until he could no longer see even a speck . . . Brenda was gone.
Brenda leaned against the seat, her eyes tightly shut, choking back the sobs that wanted to take over her body. She was doing the right thing, she told herself. God, she hoped she was doing the right thing. Her mind drifted back to the night that Jason had signed the annulment papers. He had been in so much pain . . . not just physical. She could see in his eyes that his heart was breaking over the loss of Courtney. Yet he still waited to sign those damn papers until he was absolutely sure that she was okay with it. She hadn�t been. She wanted to scream at him not to sign. Tear them up! Instead, she remained silent, knowing that she would do anything she could to help him be happy. And if Courtney made him happy, then that�s what she wanted for him. It hurt that she wouldn�t be able to see that happiness come into effect. But when Jax had decided not to marry her . . .Brenda knew she had to leave town. If she stayed, Jason would feel forever bound to protect her until she was married to someone else. And knowing how she felt about him now . . . she didn�t want to rush into any kind of relationship. Yes, she was doing the right thing.
"You didn�t want to leave, did you?" a familiar female voice startled Brenda out of her thoughts. She had thought she had these two seats to herself. She didn�t remember seeing anyone sitting down beside her. She must have been far, far away.
"No, but it�s for the best." She replied, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to stop the dam from opening.
"Jason�s a hard man to let go of." the voice said wistfully. Brenda�s eyes flew open and her head turned to face the voice. There sitting next to her was . . . Courtney!?!