It Happened in Vegas….."Nite Husband"

Brenda couldn't believe she was even in this mess. They were supposed to be getting their marriage annulled. He had only agreed to marry her, because he thought she was dying. But Luis lied, and Jax's wife, Skye, knew it and chose to keep it a secret. The secret got out and Jax left Skye. Brenda finally thought she would have her chance at happiness, but one night changed everything. Someone had killed Luis, and she was seen coming out of his hotel room, just minutes before. Jason had somehow ended up at the hotel too, and now they were both facing murder charges. And on top of that, they were forced to stay married, so that they wouldn't have to testify against each other.

Brenda looked around, she couldn't believe she would actually be forced to live here. Although they were married, they never actually lived together. She lived at the Quartermaine mansion, and then later moved into the cottage. No one even knew they were married, until after Luis was killed. They had planned on keeping it a secret, because the whole purpose, was for Jason to be able to make decisions, once she was too sick to care for herself. But until then, Brenda insisted on living by herself. Jason didn't like it, because he didn't trust Luis. Brenda wasn't worried, because she knew, he would never do anything to harm her. Jason eventually gave in, as long as she agreed to have guards.

Brenda continued to take in her surroundings. (This place is hideous.) There were no pictures on the walls. There was just a couch, a couple of chairs, a coffee table, a pool table, and a TV.

She sighed. "Well at least it's clean."

She looked up and saw Jason coming down the stairs.

"Brenda, why are you just standing there?! You know….you could help!"

"I could, but I'm not going to. I don't want to live here, Jason."

Jason struggled to pick up the rest of her bags. "It's not what you want, or what I want, it's just how it has to be. You can't keep living in that cottage, when you are supposed to be married to me."

"I don't want to live here! Look at this place!"

"You have heat, lights, food, and water. You don't need anything else."

He headed up the stairs, with Brenda following. "This apt sucks! How can you live here? It's like living in a warehouse."

"It looks fine to me."

"You would think so."

Jason headed into one of the bedrooms. "This is where you'll be sleeping." He sat her bags down.

Brenda followed him in, and her mouth fell open. "It looks like a prison cell, only bigger."

"And that's exactly where you are going to be, if you don't shut up and cooperate!"

Brenda knew Jason was right. She had to live here, or else she could end up in jail, for murder. And Jason was doing everything in his power, to make sure that didn't happen. "Ok, but this room needs a makeover."

"I don't care, do what you want, but you are stuck here until the trial is over."

"Do you have any idea how long that will be?"

"It will be at least Spring before the trial starts."

"Jason, it's November."

"I don't like it either, But this is how it has to be, unless I can prove our innocence before then."

Brenda ran her fingers through her curly hair, and looked around. "Well, I'm going to need some money."

"For what?"

"Because I'm broke, and I need to buy some things, to make this room, and this place livable."

Jason pulled his wallet out of his back pocket, flipped it open, and handed her a card. "Don't lose it!"

She smiled. "I won't."

"And don't touch my pool table."

"You know you shouldn't have a pool table in that spot, it's supposed to be the dining area."

"I don't care what it's supposed to be!" He looked at his watch. "I have to go. I'll be back. There are guards outside. Don't leave."

"Yes daddy."

He rolled his eyes and left.

Brenda smiled, and looked down at the black card. She decided to call Monica, and get the name of a decorator. She didn't have one, but Lila did. They gave Brenda the number. She called the decorator, and because she was a Quartermaine, the decorator dropped everything to assist her. Brenda tried to describe the apt, as best she could, but thank God for the internet. The decorator was able to go on the building's site, and look at the layout.

They were on the phone for a couple hours, going over each room. Brenda knew this was short notice, and knew it would be difficult to get the things she wanted. But at this point, anything would be better than what they had in this apt.

By the end of the call, Brenda had ordered an apt full of furniture. She didn't bother the furniture in Jason's room, but she did order new linen for his bed, as well as other decorative items. The decorator and her team, would be arriving around one the next day, which gave Brenda plenty of time to get rid of the other furniture.

She ended up calling the Salvation Army, and donating all of Jason's old furniture. She scheduled a pick up, for first thing in the morning. She had one problem, she had to figure out a way, to get Jason out of the apt...

It's the next morning, and Brenda is up early. She showered, and threw on a tank and sweats. She opened her door, and peeked out, but didn't hear anything. She walked across the hall and knocked on Jason's door. *nothing* She opened the door.

"Jason?" The bed was empty. She decided to go in.

She walked over to the bathroom door, and put her ear up against it. *nothing* She knocked. "Jason?" (Maybe he's gone?) She left and headed downstairs.

He wasn't in the living room. She went into the kitchen. She still didn't see him. She walked out of the kitchen, headed over to the door, and opened it. There was a guard in front of the elevator.

"Hey, Where's Jason?"

"He left."

She smiled. "Good."

"You are not supposed to leave."

"I don't want to." She closed the door and smiled. "Time to get to work."

Brenda made herself a cup of coffee, and cooked a omelet. She decided to make the guard breakfast too.

She opened the door. "Are you hungry?"

He looked around. "Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I wouldn't dare eat anything you cooked. I haven't forgotten about that vase."

Brenda had no idea what he was talking about. "Vase?"

"You know the one, that ended up hitting me in the head?"

"Oh, right…that one. Your name is Max right?"

He smiled. "Yes, Maam."

"I'm sorry about that. I was really mad at Jason….not you. I apologize. And I just thought you'd be hungry. It's not poisoned, I promise."

"How do I know that?"

"Look." She sipped the coffee. "See."

She sat it on the table next to Jason's door. She took a bite of the omelet. "See, everything is fine."

She sat the plate on the table. He walked over, and picked up the coffee cup, and sipped it. "Thanks."

"You're welcome." She was about to go back inside, when she stopped. "Oh, and I'll be decorating today, so you might see a couple of people coming and going. Jason knows about it."

"Yes, Maam."

Brenda went back inside.

Max ran his fingers through his hair. "That is one good looking woman." He picked up the fork and started eating the omelet.

Sonny walked out into the hall. He saw Max standing there sipping coffee, and eating what looked to be an omelet.

"What are you doing?"

Max jumped. "Miss...Barrett, um I meant Mrs. Morgan, cooked me breakfast."

"Is it poisoned?"

"No."

"How do you know that Max?"

"Because she ate some."

Sonny shook his head, and walked across the hall. He knocked on the door.

Brenda was just about to head upstairs, when she heard someone knocking. She looked at her watch. (Maybe they're early?)

She rushed over to the door, opened it, and saw Sonny standing there.

"Sonny? Jason's not here."

"I know. What are you up to? "

"Nothing, why do you ask?"

"Why are you cooking Max breakfast?"

"I was trying to be nice! Can't I be nice?!"

"Yeah…" He flashed a dimpled smile. "Did you poison it?"

"Of course not."

The elevator bell went off, and a couple of men exited. Max stopped them.

Brenda looked over Sonny's shoulder, and looked at the names on their shirts. "It's fine Max, they are with the Salvation Army."

Sonny turned and looked at them, then back at her. "What are they doing here?"

"I have some things I want to donate. Now move please. Come on in guys."

The men walked passed Sonny and into the apt. Brenda smiled at Sonny and Max, and slammed the door.

Sonny shrugged, and headed over to the elevator. He boarded, then pressed the button. "Just keep an eye on her."

"I will boss."

Sonny looked over at the plate, sitting on the table. "After you've finished your breakfast of course."

The doors closed...

Jason sat at the table in Kelly's, sipping his coffee. His eyes following the blonde, as she went from table to table, glancing at him as she moved about. After the rush was over, she walked over and sat across from him.

"Sorry, it took so long."

"It's...ok. I didn't mind waiting. How is everything?"

Courtney smiled. "It's fine. How is everything with you?" She looked down at the ring on his left hand.

He noticed and moved it up under the table. "It's going...good."

"Brenda?"

"She's...fine."

"Where is she?"

"She's home...sleeping, I think."

"You think?"

"I know."

"Oh." It was tearing Courtney up inside. Yes, she was married to AJ, who happened to be Jason's brother, but she didn't love him, not anymore. She was in love with Jason, and she thought he felt the same. Well, until he ran off and married Brenda.

"Courtney, are you ok?"

"Oh...yes...of course."

Jason wanted to tell Courtney the truth, but he couldn't. He could not risk his or Brenda's freedom.

"So, has your life changed a lot?"

Jason sipped his coffee. "You have no idea..."

Brenda watched as everything started to take shape. The decorator had a wonderful team, and they were extremely professional. She had no idea if she would even like the stuff, but as it turns out, she loved it. The new couch was so comfortable, but stylish at the same time. The plain tables were replaced with dark wood ones. There were also two big comfortable chairs, and a pretty flower arrangement on the table, which also had a stack of coasters, for Jason and his beer bottles. She looked down at the huge rug, that pulled everything together. It was beautiful. Her bedroom was done, and it was perfect. The walls were a pale pink, and she had a huge king sized bed, that was filled with an array of pillows. Since her room was so large, they brought a small sofa, a couple of chairs, and tables to fill the space.

She walked across the hall, and peeked in as they were finishing Jason's room. It looked so much better. They didn't touch his furniture, but the room looked totally different. There was new linen on the bed, pictures on the wall, new lamps, and a huge rug. It was nice, but masculine at the same time.

Brenda walked down the stairs. Everything really looked nice. And it only took them approximately five hours to put everything in it's place.

Brenda told the decorator to bring plenty of help, because she needed everything to be done and quick. And she would pay extra.

Four men came and put everything in its place. And then the decorating team went to work. There were five in all, and they worked fast.

After they left, Brenda collapsed on the sofa. She was so tired. Not physically, because she hadn't done anything. But she was emotionally exhausted, because she was so worried Jason would show up, and put everyone out. But he never did.

Her cell phone rung. She looked down at it, smiled, and answered.

"Jax!"

"Hey, how is everything?"

"I feel like I'm in prison, and I miss you so much." After Jax had broke things off with Skye, he and Brenda started back seeing each other. But as quickly as it started, it had to stop, because of the murder charges.

"Me too, maybe I'll come by."

"You can't. Jason will kill you and me. Remember we have to stick to the plan."

"I know, but I still need to see you."

Brenda heard some fumbling, and then the door opened.

Jason's blue eyes scanned the room.

"Ahh...Jax, I'll have to call you back." She disconnected the call.

Jason walked in, and closed the door. "Where is my couch?"

"I...donated it."

"To who?"

"The...Salvation...Army. But the pool table is still there."

Jason looked around. He could not believe it was the same place. "What is that smell?!"

"Flowers."

"Flowers…." Jason sighed. He just shook his head, and headed into the kitchen. And the kitchen looked different too. It had a table, and other decorations. He opened the fridge, and grabbed a beer. He walked out into the living room, and sat down on the sofa. And surprisingly it was actually comfortable. Brenda stared at him, waiting for him to get mad.

He looked over at her. "What?"

"You're not mad?"

He shrugged. "At least you didn't touch the pool table."

He reached for the remote, and sat the beer on the coffee table.

Brenda looked down at it. She reached over, grabbed a coaster, pick up the beer, and placed it on top. Jason just looked at her.

"It is...a coaster."

"Brenda, I know what it is."

"Well, use it...ok. It keeps the table looking nice."

Jason sighed and stood up. "I'm going upstairs."

"O...k."

He grabbed his beer, and walked up the stairs. Brenda started biting her lip. Seconds later, she heard him coming back down the stairs.

"Brenda! What did you do to my room?!"

"Made it look better?"

"Made it look better?!"

"Jason, trust me I did you a favor."

"You didn't do me a favor, because I paid for it!"

"I'm your wife, you're supposed to."

Jason sighed, and took a deep breath, and slowly blew it out. "This is going to be the longest seven or eight months of my life."

"You don't like what I did?"

"I liked my apt the way it was!"

"Jason, it looked like a warehouse, you should be thanking me!"

"For what?! I….paid…for…it!"

"So, but I made the calls."

Jason drunk the rest of his beer, and sat the bottle on the desk by the door. Brenda jumped up, and rushed over.

"Use a coaster Jason! Better yet, throw it away! Are you not done?"

Jason glared at her. "Brenda, why are you treating me like a guest in my own home?"

"Because it is our home, at least for the time being. And I want you to treat it with respect."

"It is a desk."

"So and we must take care of it, Jason."

Jason shook his head, walked passed her, and sat back down on the sofa. She followed him, still holding his beer bottle. She sat down and faced him. He just stared straight ahead. "I know you don't want me here, and trust me I don't want to be here either. But we have to find away to get along."

Jason looked over at her. "I agree. Just keep your hands off of my things."

"Technically I didn't touch your things."

Jason rolled his eyes. "And why were you talking to Jax?"

"I can't see him, I should be able to talk to him."

"I don't want Baldwin looking at your phone records, and seeing his number. Stop it."

"What if he uses a prepaid phone or something?"

"I don't care, as long as it isn't his direct line."

"Ok, I'll tell him. And we have to go to the Quartermaine's for Thanksgiving."

"I'm not going."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I am not."

"Jason, we are supposed to be a married couple. It would look really good if we went, and together. Scotty Baldwin has been watching us like a hawk, we have to make this look real."

Jason sighed. She did have a point. "Ok."

She smiled. "Good. Now, what would you like for dinner?"

Jason smiled. "You're going to cook me dinner?"

"No, I was going to order takeout."

Jason laughed and shook his head. "I'll cook."

"You can't cook."

"Brenda, I can cook. I've been living by myself for years, how do you think I eat?"

She shrugged. "I always thought you drunk motor oil."

Jason ignored her. "We can order take out. After that comment, I don't want to cook for you."

Brenda grinned. "It's because you can't."

"I have some menus in the kitchen in the drawer, it's the one closet to the refrigerator. Just pick one and order something."

"What would you like?"

"I don't care."

Brenda got up and went into the kitchen.

*knock on the door*

Jason got up, walked over, and answered it. It was Sonny. "Hey." Jason turned and walked back over to the sofa.

Sonny walked in and looked around. "What happened in here?"

"Brenda."

He walked over and sat down, in one of the chairs. "It looks good."

Jason just looked at him, and turned his attention back to the TV.

Sonny could tell Jason was aggravated. He and Brenda never really got along. "It really looks good in here. It feels like a real home."

Jason didn't respond.

Sonny had a glass of wine in his hand. He sat it down on the table. Jason reached over, grabbed one of the coasters, and sat the glass on top of it.

Sonny laughed.

Jason leaned back. "Trust me you do not want to hear her mouth."

"Is it that bad?"

"Worse. She gave all my furniture away…..to the Salvation Army."

"Oh, so that's what she was donating. I was outside earlier…when they arrived."

"And she bought me a comforter set. Sorry my mistake, I bought it. She made the calls."

Sonny laughed.

Jason did not think it was funny. "She is driving me insane."

"Where is Brenda?"

"In the kitchen, ordering food."

Sonny stood up. "Who knows you might enjoy having her around." He grabbed his glass, and headed over to the door.

Jason got up and followed him. "I doubt that. She talks too much."

"Yeah, but after awhile you will come to appreciate it."

Sonny opened the door.

"Who could appreciate that screaming?"

Sonny laughed, and headed back over to his apt. Jason closed the door.

Brenda walked out. "Who was that?"

"Sonny."

"Oh. What did he want?"

Jason looked puzzled. "Actually, I don't even know. He never said."

"Oh, well anyway, I ordered the food."

Jason walked back over to the couch, and sat down. "Good."

"It will be here in a minute. I'll be back I want to go and shower, before the food gets here." Brenda ran up the stairs…...

Jason was watching TV, when he heard the doorbell ring. Most people knocked, so it had to be the delivery guy. He opened the door, and he was right. He grabbed the food, sat it on the desk, and walked back over to pay him. He heard Brenda come down the stairs. Jason noticed the change on the guy's face. He looked behind him. Brenda was wearing the shortest shorts he had ever seen.

He turned his attention, back to the delivery guy. "What are you looking at?"

"No-thing."

He pushed the money into his hand, and slammed the door.

"Brenda, what are you wearing?!"

"Clothes."

"You almost gave the delivery guy a heart attack. Go upstairs and put some clothes on."

"Who died and made you the boss of me? This is my home too, and I want to be as comfortable as possible. And this is how I normally dress, when I'm at home. And since this is my new home, I'm going to treat it as such."

Jason shook his head, grabbed the bags, walked over to the sofa, and sat down.

He took one of the boxes out of the bag, and opened it. He closed it, then opened the other one. "Brenda, what is this?"

"Grilled chicken salads."

Jason closed his eyes, in attempt at gathering himself. "And what am I supposed to do with this?"

"Eat it." She walked over and sat down next to him. "It's good for you."

"I need real food."

"Not tonight. And I'm going to make you a doctor's appointment."

"I don't need to see a doctor, I'm fine."

"When was the last time you seen a doctor? And I don't mean when you got shot, that doesn't count."

Jason didn't say anything.

"Exactly."

Jason looked down at the salad. Brenda grabbed the salad dressing, and poured it all over his salad. Jason picked up the fork, and started eating it.

Brenda watched him eat. "See, it isn't that bad, is it?"

Jason didn't respond. It wasn't horrible, but he would not give her the satisfaction of knowing it….

After they finished eating, Jason took the boxes into the kitchen.

Brenda yawned and cut the TV off. Jason returned and turned off the lights, and they both headed up the stairs.

Jason opened his door. Brenda was about to go into her room, but she stopped and turned.

"Nite husband."

Jason didn't even look her way, he just slammed the door. She grinned and went into her room…...