"Courtney, I want you to stay away from Jax." Sonny's voice was quiet, yet vehement and as Carly looked at his younger sister's face, she was well aware that Courtney -- despite only knowing him for a few months -- must know that he meant every word he said. Carly had already given the blonde a brief history about the animosity regarding the two. With a slightly frosty look Courtney’s way, Carly decided that, quite frankly, if Sonny's hatred for her Australian partner, kept the young girl away from Jax, that was fine by her. She was much too much disconcertingly similar to Chloe Morgan, in attitude (if not looks, although she did have the wholesome blond/blue-eyed thing going) for Jax not to have taken notice of her.

Why that bothered Carly, she simply ignored.

“Look, Courtney, I know that Jax is handsome, and rich and charming and every girl’s dream,” Carly turned briefly to her ex-husband and met his slightly narrowing eyes with a bland smile, “but, really, I have to agree with Sonny here. Jax is not … he is not what you should be concerning yourself with right now.”

”Jax is my friend,” Courtney whined, her big blue eyes widening in a way that would have most men (no doubt, including the Knight in Shining Armor that Jasper Jax so aspired to be) falling at her feet in an effort to make her day. “I don’t see why my relationship,” and again, Carly felt that tightening of annoyance – the fact that it clearly and obviously deserved the name ‘jealousy,’ she chose also to ignore – at that specific choice of word, “with Jax should have anything to do with ancient history between him and Sonny. Besides,” she turned to Sonny, moving closer, a long blond wave of hair falling against him in a self-conscious action designed to endear him to her with her innocence, “Jax treats me well. He’s nice and he’s sweet and –“

“— oh, please, you don’t actually believe that you’re special to him,” Carly interjected. “He treats every female on the planet that way … hell, he’s even nice to Skye Quartermaine. That oughta clear up any misconceptions you may have about his devotion to you,” and her voice was withering. She hadn’t quite realized it before, but my God, Courtney was nearly as bad as Saint Robin and Little Lizzie. Lord save her from simpering ‘innocents.’

“Why do you care so much if Courtney spends time with Candy Boy?” Sonny asked, his attention fully focused on his ex now. “After all, you’re just … partners, right? You have no intention of adding Jasper Jax to your list of rich men." And there was just enough of a hint of menacing jealousy to reveal to Carly that Sonny still had feelings for her.

Why, she asked herself, did that not send a thrill of elation through her? Instead, she felt a vague sense of annoyance that she might have to deal with his inability to let go. She certainly had. And a radiant smile lit her face. She had let go.

“Oh, my God!” Courtney’s gasp broke into her private epiphany. “You like Jax!? But, but … Jax would never be interested in you. You’re Sonny’s ex-wife and you’re –“

”I’m what?” Carly demanded, ice and fire melding nicely in her voice and so seething was she, that the slight sound of the door opening didn’t even begin to penetrate. Taking a step closer, with hand on hip and the other pointing in the young child’s direction, she continued before Courtney could respond. “Listen, honey, if I wanted Jasper Jax, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“Really?” came a voice, heavily amused and accented enough to show his Australian background. Carly relaxed her stance and couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips. Turning around, she met those twinkling blue eyes (and easily dismissed Alexis – who stood beside him – from her mind) and couldn’t deny the sheer pleasure the very presence of Jasper Jacks generated within her.

“Really.” She replied, her smile stretching to a grin, and then lying through her teeth, she added lightly, “not that I want you.” Pausing, she took in his raised eyebrow and that damn smile that had enough charm to steal honey right from underneath the queen bee’s nose, and added. “I don’t.” Turning away, she met the quietly simmering antagonism from Sonny and the loudly simpering adoration from Courtney, both sent Jax’s way. “And now I have to go.”

Heading towards the door, she gave Alexis a chilly look, while sending a breezy one her partner’s way. “Goodbye.” And with that less than graceful exit, she slipped past both of them and walked out of the penthouse, the devastating smile blatant and knowing upon the face of the blond Adonis.

Jax stood still for a moment, a measuring glance upon his face as Carly swept past him and out of the penthouse. “Alexis,” he looked down at his friend, “I’ll get back to you later.”

“Where – where, I thought we were going to discuss …” she trailed off.

“I have to talk to Carly,” he paused, “about something. I’ll call you later tonight.” He turned his attention to the brother and sister, both watching him intently, no doubt for very different reasons. "Sonny," his voice held just the hint of a smirk, "Courtney," and nothing more than friendliness laced her name. Ignoring the consternation on the faces of all three in the room, he swung around and walked out of the door, calling out Carly's name as she stepped into the elevator. "Hey ..."

She paused, a slight flush lighting her face. Watching him as he walked towards her, she thought of a lion, golden and imposing, stalking its prey ... and she realized with a giddy start that she liked it. Liked the idea of Jax wanting her, showing that passionate, intense side that only came out in brief glimpses.

Without a word, she eased into the elevator, Jax moving in beside her. Both were quiet as the doors closed.

"Jax." She finally spoke.

"Carly." He responded, the hint of a smile in his voice.

Looking to the side, she felt a smile curve her lips, and the beginning of a laugh fall from her throat. "I don't want you."

"Okay." And that damn smirk was in his voice.

"I was just ... Courtney," and she couldn't keep the irritation out of her voice, "was being so ... ugh. Jax, she's a child!" She burst out.

"She's cute," he offered.

And she fought the urge to hit him.

"Carly," his voice was soft and she felt a slow, soft, melting sensation slip and slide through her body. Moving towards her, he leaned in, his arm reaching across to the panel of buttons by her side. "Are you going down?"

Tilting her head up to meet his eyes, her tongue lit out to lightly lick her upper lip and a hot gleam filled her dark eyes. "Only if you want me to."

And his gaze burned into her, the heat of his body enveloping her and she thought of how big he was, how safe and warm and comforting and yet now, she thought of his bigness as exciting, thrilling, and his unpredictability shot through her mind. With every other man she had ever known, she could predict their movements with remarkable accuracy ... even Sonny, especially Sonny.

But Jax ... oh, with Jax, she never knew. He was a mystery, a surprise, a delight and at this very moment, sexy as hell.

He moved in closer, his breath whispering against her face, her name coming out on a shaky sigh and she found that she suddenly couldn't breathe. Her lips parted slightly and she was arrested by his eyes, the blue of oceans normally calm, now turbulent and dark with passion. Leaning into him, she felt time stop as ...

... the jerking sound of the elevator doors jarred the timeless air and Jax eased back slightly, a disappointed breath escaping from him. Carly swallowed deeply, equal disappointment flodding through her body. Turning towards the hallway, she met the shocked gazes of Sonny and Alexis, anger brimming in Sonny, displeasure in Alexis.

Jax straightened up and turned a smile towards Alexis, "great, we can talk now." And he stepped out of the elevator.

"I thought you needed to," and she paused, Carly grimacing at the innuendo in her voice, "talk to Carly."

Ignoring Sonny, he curved a hand about Alexis' elbow, "we're done," and then he looked straight into Carly's eyes, "for now." And he didn't smile when he looked at her, instead that same passionate intensity that had held her breath suspended moments before hooded his expression.

Letting out a shuddery breath of want, Carly looked away and paused before hitting the ground floor button. Glancing at Sonny, she asked, her voice shaking only slightly, "are you getting in?"

With teeth clenched, Sonny shook his head, "I was walking Alexis out."

Nodding, Carly, pushed the 'G' button, "okay. I'll see you later then. Goodbye, Sonny."

He bit out her name, but the doors were closing and her mind was already racing, moving quickly past her ex-husband's concerns and onto her own immediate ones about Jasper Jacks.

"Momma, you home?!" Carly called out as she stepped into the brownstone. Washing her hands on a dishrag, Bobbie appeared from the kitchen, a welcoming smile on her face. Carly almost asked if hell had frozen over. Then she shook her head, {be nice, Caroline!} she warned inwardly. "Hi," she and Bobbie met halfway and hugged briefly and Carly felt a moment of contentment in being in her mother's arms ... knowing that she had her to come to right now.

"What's up?" Bobbie questioned as she pulled away and settled down on the sofa.

Running her finger idly on the couch's edge, she murmured, "nothing much." And then flashed a quick smile Bobbie's way.

"Caaaarly," and she dragged her name out as she always did when something was indeed 'up' with her daughter. "What's going on? Is this about Sonny?"

Flinging herself from the sofa, she moved around the room, a restless energy filling her. ""No, it has nothing to do with Sonny. It's -- it's ..." and she paused again, not sure she actually wanted to put this into words. Meeting Bobbie's curious gaze, she decided to go for it. "It's someone else. I mean, a man, yes. And ... God, he has me all flustered and it's so stupid and I should not like him like that, but I do!"

Walking over to Bobbie, she sat down before her, "I can't help it. I mean, he's arrogant, and he's annoyingly perfect and he has this smile and I do NOT want to become yet another woman to fall under his spell. I mean, come on. And I know myself, I know that, number one," and she held up her pointer finger, "I'll screw it up. I always do. I couldn't even get it right with Jason and he had the patience of a saint with me. And number two: Oh, God ... it's gonna get Sonny; it's just gonna get him where it hurts and that is a small part of it for me." Sighing, she leaned back against the couch, "but it's not nearly a big enough part. If it was all about Sonny, or even half or a quarter, then I could justify feeling this way because I'm selfish and vindictive. Oh, but it's not. It's just a really, really tiny part that is seeming to matter less and less and today, in the elevator ... he almost kissed me."

Bobbie leaned forward, "Okay, Carly, who --" but her daughter cut her off.

"And Sonny saw it. The elevator doors opened and he was right there, standing over me, his lips -- God, he has beautiful lips, but anyway, he was gonna kiss me. And Sonny had pushed the button. Sonny was standing there and momma, I didn't even care. I just wanted him gone, I wanted the doors to close back up so that I could get that kiss!

"But I can't like him. I just can't. I can't. I won't. I don't. I can't." She let out a huge exhalation and sent another radiant smile her mother's way, "but I do. And I just know that that little twit doesn't stand a chance. He didn't stay there talking to her, reassuring her that she was special. No, he went running after me. I know he likes me. I mean, he likes me, of course. We're friends. "Friends is good, right?" She looked at Bobbie, waiting for agreement, but rushed on even as she was opening her mouth to speak. "But this ... I think he like likes me. I do. I really do. I think, after all this time, he's ready to open up and give his heart completely and fully ... to me. Me! Can you imagine? And the irony of it, of all people. But it has nothing to do with Brenda. I know Sonny won't buy that." She paused, her voice lowering as she spoke almost to herself, "not that there's anything to buy yet. Because we're just friends ... just friends."

"But I like him and he likes me. I think he likes me. What do you think?"

Bobbie shook her head, shock still spread across her features. "You said Brenda?"

"Yeah, Brenda. So?" Carly bit back a groan of impatience. She wanted feedback, she wanted to know what Bobbie thought. She knew Jax, she was going to be his sister-in-law after all once upon a time. And that reminder sent a whole new wave of unease through her -- ugh, Jerry. {Later} she told herself, {think about it later.}

"You're talking about Jax, aren't you?"

"Yes, of course I'm talking about Jax! Who did you think I was talking about? Taggert?" Standing up, Carly began circling the room again, the tension and wonder working overtime on her again.

"Carly! You walk in here, going on and on, a mile a minute about some guy you 'like' and don't say a name. But then you said Brenda, and everything else fell into place. So," she paused, and a soft smile lit her face, "Jax, huh? You like Jax."

Biting her lip, a small grin playing about her lips, Carly responded giddily, "yeah." And then she let out a giggle; she couldn't help it. The man made her feel like a schoolgirl.

"Well, you could do a lot worse," and then underneath her breath, "you have." Standing up, she moved over to where Carly was restlessly fidgeting and put her hands upon her shoulders. "You really like him. And it's REALLY not about Sonny?"

Carly nodded, "yes, I really like him. And yes, it's really not about Sonny."

"Do you really think he cares about you, and it's not that he's just being the charmer that affects all women in a 50 mile radius?" And her eyes shone with concern and love for her daughter and Carly felt that moment of contentment that had been there earlier return and blossom into happiness.

"Yes, I'm sure. I know charming Jax ... and it's more, it's real with me." And the radiant smile returned.

"Okay then," Bobbie pulled her daughter to her in a hug, speaking into ear, "do something you have yet to do in a potential relationship: Be honest and be upfront. Jax is a good man. And I think he and you will both do well by each other. If it's real."

Squeezing Bobbie tightly, Carly couldn't let go of the smile if her life depended on it, "it's real."

To Be Continued ...