Skye: So, AJ, tell me. When, when did you know that Courtney was, was it?
AJ: I realized that I was in love with Courtney the day I stood in the family living room and had to choose between her and Grandfather.
Skye: One of your better decisions.
AJ: The best. I mean, on one hand there was Grandfather, whose approval I spent my entire life trying to earn, and on the other hand there was Courtney. No power, no money. Just a woman who, who looked at me and saw...
Skye: A warm, smart, wonderful, lovable person.
AJ: I never really thought of myself that way. And then suddenly it hit me, you know? I realized I could actually be that guy that, that she saw. So that was it. I, I picked Courtney.
Skye: And you just knew in that instant?
AJ: Before that, I don't even know if I was in love. And maybe I would have never figured it out had I not been forced to choose. I might still be lying to Courtney, and myself.
Skye: You told Courtney the truth? About how you used her in the beginning and then changed your mind and fell in love?
AJ: No way. How can I look into the eyes of a person who loves me with all their heart and confess that I lied?
Skye: Well, she believes in you. I mean, maybe she'd understand.
AJ: And say what, Skye, huh? "Oh, Courtney, I was faking when I first made love to you, and a few dozen times after that. But the good news is I'm not faking anymore, so you can trust me now." Come on.
Skye: I, I see your point.
AJ: I have wanted to tell her the truth so many times, just so she could see that I've changed, you know?
Skye: Come on, there's got to be a way.
AJ: Not without breaking her heart. She trusted me and defended me when everyone around her was telling her she was a fool for wanting to be with me. Telling her the truth is like stabbing her in the heart.
Skye: What if she finds out by accident?
AJ: She won't.
Skye: But if she does, wouldn't it be better if she found out from you first?
AJ: I love her, more than I thought I could ever love anyone. And that's the way I want us to stay, ok? And what do you think the chances are if she finds out that this whole thing started off as a trick, as a way for me to get my son back, huh?
Skye: So you're happy and in love. Aren't you afraid that's all about to vanish?
AJ: Every day. But, hey, fear can be a great thing, you know. I washed my hands of Grandfather because I was afraid of losing Courtney.
Skye: Cutting ties with Grandfather took a lot of bravery, AJ. Certainly more than I've got.
AJ: Hey. Skye, you are one of the bravest people I know.
Skye: Not when it comes to love.
AJ: You're engaged to Jax. Isn't that what you want?
Skye: How do I make it last?
AJ: By believing it will.
Skye: See, that's the problem. You know, my whole life I've spent searching for love and happiness and acceptance, and then, I mean, this person comes along, Jax comes along and gives me all of that. I mean, it's astonishing, you know? I am so in love with this person that I just, I got to pinch myself to try to believe that it's real.
AJ: I don't see a problem.
Skye: Things like that don't happen to people like me, AJ.
AJ: I'm people like you, remember?
Skye: You've changed.
AJ: So have you. You finally have someone in your life who sees only the good things.
Skye: Yeah, but what if the bad things catch up with me first?
AJ: Ah. You see, now, that is the beauty of your situation. Jax has already seen you at your worst. There's nothing he can find out that he doesn't already know.
[Later]
Roy: You know, you obviously have a gift for managing a club.
Skye: Well, thank you.
Roy: You're welcome. Jax is still the owner, isn't he?
Skye: I do the work, and Jax does the approving.
Roy: Huh. I'm surprised he would take such an interest in the club, corporate raiding being the full-time work it is and all. Or is he mostly involved with family business these days?
Skye: Why the sudden interest in Jax?
Roy: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought, I thought the whole town knew by now.
Skye: Knew what?
Roy: That Jax and I have a common enemy.
