Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 25

THUD. THUD. THUD.

The pounding in his head awoke Jason Quartermaine. The sunshine streaming into his room sent another shock of pain to his brain when he opened his eyes. His tongue felt like cotton, sticking to the roof of his mouth. His stomach warned him of impending disaster if not handled properly.

He slowly pieced together why he felt so wretched. The fight with AJ, the drinking binge at Luke's, the one-night stand with ... Reese. Yeah, that was her name. Reese Marshall. He remembered the blonde wig, and the feelings it stirred when he imagined Reese to be Carly. She was way better than the young gold-digger Brenda said her to be when she first married AJ.

AJ ... Jason wondered how he was this morning after the well-deserved ass-kicking. He couldn't wait to see him totally defeated, his CEO face unrecognizable in bruises. He let out a loud belch, then got up slowly and shuffled into the bathroom.

* * *

John Durant, Ric Lansing, Mac Scorpio, Scott Baldwin, Marcus Taggert, Linc Murphy, Andy Capelli and Justus Ward sat around a conference table at the PCPD headquarters.

Justus was in the middle of a rotation as a public defender. He had drawn Cordell Parker's case.

“My client's a first-time offender and you're charging him as an adult?” Justus said. “That's pretty strong. There's something more to this.”

“There is,” Ric said, and filled him in on Cordell's suspected connection with the gangs trying to take over and make way for the mob's return to town.

“We're willing to deal, and get him charged as a juvenile, if he cooperates and pleads out,” Ric said. “But if not, then we're going for adult charges.”

“A judge would knock him back to juvenile court,” Justus began.

“That may happen,” Ric said. “We're willing to take that chance. Not only do we have him on committing a violent felony, we've also got him with a lot of pot in his possession. A judge may not look to kindly on him.”

“So what are you going to try and do in there?” Justus asked.

“Hopefully, knock that smirk off his face and some sense into his head,” Marcus said. “His mother's going to be there. We're hoping she can make him see the light – that the road he's heading down is going to only lead to death or prison. As you said, Justus, this is his first offense. We set him straight, he's got a chance in life. He goes on this way, he's writing his own obituary.”

Justus nodded. “Okay,” he said. “I'll try and get him to take a deal and cooperate. But he's my client, and I have to put his interests first. If he says no deal, I have to fight for him. Sorry, guys. I know you want to stop this gang stuff, and I'll do everything I ethically can to help. But I can't put your goals ahead of serving my client.”

“Fair enough,” John said. “Thanks for listening, Justus. Hopefully we can get this kid turned around.”

* * *

Nikolas Cassadine stepped off the boat and onto the Port Charles docks. Emily had left Wyndemere earlier in the morning. She was going to do some shopping for fall clothes, then meet him at their Nurses' Ball rehearsal that afternoon.

He hadn't told Emily of his plans for the morning. Nikolas did not want to frighten her with any mention of Helena. He knew he couldn't take this matter to Stefan or Alexis. Stefan had already tried to control him in the matter of his relationship with Emily, so he couldn't be trusted. And he couldn't bring himself to bring the terror of Helena back to Alexis' happy life with Cameron and Kristina.

After thinking it over last night, he came to a solution – Luke Spencer. Luke had a vested interest in Helena through Laura. And he knew the ins and outs of international crime and intrigue. He also knew how to keep a secret.

Nikolas walked over to Vagabond. It was closest, and maybe Luke would be in a meeting with Lucky there. If not, maybe Lucky would know where to find Luke.

When he got to Vagabond, he could see Lucky behind the bar, taking bottles out of boxes. He knocked on the door. Lucky looked up and grinned.

“Hey, brother,” Lucky said as he opened the door. “Long time no see.”

“How've you been?” Nikolas asked.

“Okay,” Lucky replied. “You missed a great camping trip.”

“Well, I had a pretty good trip of my own,” Nikolas said. Lucky stopped smiling for a moment.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “How's Emily doing?”

“She's great,” Nikolas said. “The vacation was just what she needed after all the drama.”

“Sorry, bro, I can't feel too sorry for her,” Lucky said. “She created most of the drama, and the rest of us had to deal with the fallout.”

Nikolas' face clouded. He was hoping everyone would just get over it, but apparently not.

“How were you involved?” Nikolas asked.

“I was the one who found Zander totally plastered outside in the alley after he left the party,” Lucky said. “Karen, Brian Beck and I took care of him that night and it wasn't pretty. You and Emily did a real number on him, Nikolas. It was rotten thing to do, and don't think people are just going to forget it.”

“So what am I supposed to do, put on a scarlet letter? Maybe don a sackcloth and ashes?”

“Full speed into the drama there, Nikolas,” Lucky said in exasperation. “How about just thinking of others? You both have families who were hurt by what happened. I think you two owe Alan and Monica a huge apology for wrecking their party.”

Nikolas looked away.

“Yeah, you're probably right there,” he said. “We didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. Maybe it'll get them off Emily's back. But going over what happened isn't why I'm here. I'm looking for your father. Do you know where I could find him right now?”

“Dad? What on earth do you want with Dad?”

“Cassadine business,” Nikolas said. “Sorry, Brother, but I can't say anything beyond that right now. If things work out, I'll tell you when I can.”

“He was supposed to pick Mom and Lulu up at the airport about an hour ago,” Lucky said. “Then they're going home. Dad'll have lunch with them, then he's heading over to the Haunted Star for the afternoon.”

“Okay, thanks,” Nikolas said. “I'll call Mother later. Maybe Emily and I can go visit tomorrow.”

* * *

After a long, hot shower, Jason dressed and went downstairs to breakfast. Alan, Monica and Carly were there.

“Hi,” he said, wincing as the vibrations from speaking set off more throbbing in his head. Carly looked up, gave him a faint smile, and nodded.

“Good morning,” Monica said gently. “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty rough,” Jason said. “Hope I didn't bother you last night when I came in.”

“No,” Monica said. “I heard you coming up the stairs and peeked out. I saw you were walking a bit ... unsteadily. Where did you go?”

“Luke's. I left my car there,” Jason replied. He wasn't going to mention anything about what happened after he left there. “Didn't think I should drive. Along those lines, where's AJ this morning?”

Carly made a Herculean effort and bit back the angry thought that rushed to her mind. She knew Jason wanted to gloat over his handiwork.

“He left a while ago for his Sunday meeting,” Alan said. “I say that because Carly wouldn't know, would she?”

Carly was stung by Alan's bitter words and tone. He knew she had slept in the guest room.

“You're right, Alan, I didn't know,” she snarked back. “Thanks so much for telling me.”

“You should have known, Carly,” Alan said. “If you'd been where you were supposed to be, with your husband, you would have.”

Carly's nostrils were flaring, something Monica knew was a dangerous sign.

“Sorry for not being the good, submissive wife,” Carly said. “But I'm not getting a lobotomy to make you happy.” She flung down her napkin and stomped out of the dining room.

“Back off, Dad!” Jason jumped in. “I'm surprised Carly's stuck around that whiny loser as long as she has! I hope she leaves him!”

Monica turned red with anger.

“Don't interfere in something you know nothing about, Jason!” she said. “AJ and Carly love each other, even though they don't always live up to it.”

“When has AJ lived up to anything?” Jason shot back.

“He got sober, he's done his best to make amends to us, and he's been the best son, husband and father he can be,” Alan said. “I'm sorry if that's not enough for you right now, Jason, but your mother and I are satisfied.”

“How can you say that?” Jason cried. “How could you forgive him after what he did to me?”

“He's our son, too!” Monica said. “Do you think we just forgave him the next day and went on like nothing had happened? We went through hell, thinking we were going to lose you, and knowing AJ was responsible! What AJ did nearly tore this family apart! It took a long time for AJ to prove himself, and to earn our forgiveness. And I'm glad we gave him a chance to earn it! I won't apologize for loving both my sons no matter what!”

Jason was furious over Alan and Monica's continued backing of AJ.

“He ruined my life, doesn't that count for anything?” he demanded.

“You're alive, you're healthy and you have a lot of life and opportunities ahead of you, Jason, your life isn't ruined,” Alan said. “You lost a lot, yes. That can't be changed or wished away. And we do grieve for that. But we're too grateful that we have you with us again to let what you and we lost poison the future. We can't turn back the clock and be angry at AJ all over again. We were able to get through it and forgive him. I'm sorry if that makes you unhappy. But asking us to go back to that horrible time just to give you some kind of vengeful satisfaction is too much to ask.”

“What about supporting me?” Jason asked sullenly.

“We do support you, Jason,” Monica said. “We're here to listen, and we do understand some of what you're feeling. We'll help you all we can. But, like your father said, we won't unforgive AJ. And we won't tolerate violent behavior like your's yesterday.”

Jason stared.

“I can't believe it,” he said. “You're actually taking his side!”

“We're on both your sides!” Alan said. “We want to help you through this, Son, so you can go on and have a happy life. And we want to help AJ through this, too. We're not going to chose sides.”

The headache was returning with a vengeance. Jason got up and left without another word. Alan and Monica looked at each other in despair.

“That went well,” Monica said grimly. Alan squeezed her hand.

“We did the right thing with him, Monica,” Alan said. “We can't coddle him and let him think that violence and rage are going to make him feel better. We have to support and guide him. Maybe we can't make him forgive AJ, but we can demand that he conduct himself like a civilized human being instead of a hoodlum.”

“You better get to the hospital,” Monica said. “Your meeting with Lesley's in less than an hour.”

Alan stood up, leaned over and kissed her forehead.

“Call me if you need me,” he said.

* * *

Nikolas killed some time by walking around the Waterfront District. He stopped in one shop and bought Emily a stunning halter gown in emerald green velvet. At the jewelry store, he picked her up some diamond drop earrings to go with it. He then found some gold high-heeled strappy sandals.

The driver picked him up outside the shoe store. Nikolas put the bags in the car and had the driver take him to the Haunted Star.

Luke was at the bar. He looked up in surprise when Nikolas walked in.

“Greetings, Prince,” Luke said. “What brings you here? If you're looking for Laura, she's at home.”

“We may go see her tomorrow,” Nikolas said. “I'm here to see you. Any place we can talk privately?”

“Sure,” Luke said, curious as to what was on Nikolas' mind. “Let's go to my office.”

Luke led him down to the office, then closed the door behind them. “Drink?” he offered.

“No, thanks,” Nikolas said. “Emily and I have Nurses' Ball rehearsal later.”

Luke settled in behind his desk and looked keenly at Nikolas. Something was scaring him, Luke could see that.

“So, what's going on?” Luke asked.

“This,” Nikolas said, pulling the papers Lydia Karenin had faxed him out of his pocket and handing them to Luke. “I've had someone digging up all of Grandmother's holdings. Every account has been inactive since she died. Except this one.”

Luke raised an eyebrow. “You're not thinking...”

“I have to consider the possibility that she's somehow alive,” Nikolas said. “At least to rule it out. If she is dead, then someone's using her money, likely for something illegal. If she's alive, she's a threat to everyone I love, and everyone you love.”

Luke looked over the papers.

“A million a year,” he said. “That's barely enough to keep her in Chanel and Miss Clairol. Unless she's got something stashed elsewhere that hasn't been found yet, no way could she be living on this.”

“I want to dig deeper,” Nikolas said. “I want to find out who is getting this money, if not Helena, and why. If it's something criminal, I want it shut down. You're the one with the international contacts in this line. Do you think it can be done?”

Luke lit a cigar and looked at the paperwork again, thinking.

“Yeah, I think it can be done,” he said. “Two rules. First, I take it from here. You do nothing, because your digging could arouse suspicion. Carry on like Sargent Schultz – you know nothzing. I'll keep you informed. Second, you tell no one. Not Emily, not Laura, not Lucky, not Vlad, no one. I'm not going to frighten Laura with the possibility that Helena's alive until we know something more. Can you do that?”

“Absolutely,” Nikolas said firmly. “And any Cassadine resources are at your disposal. Just say the word. Thank you, Luke. Now, I'll go call Mother and see if she's free for a visit tomorrow.”

They shook hands.

“Be careful,” Nikolas said as he walked out.

After Nikolas left, Luke sat thinking for a while. Then he got on his cell phone and made three phone calls, arranging a meeting that night. He leaned back in his chair and took a puff of his cigar. He remembered Helena's cold eyes, her reptilian smile, her venomous soul.

“Helena, my charming little cobra, you've been holding out on me,” he whispered whimsically.

* * *

“Okay, everyone ready?” Ric asked. Linc, Marcus and Andy nodded. Evangeline Parker was already in the interrogation room with Cordell and Justus. Scott had prepped her as best he could. Everyone hoped she would play her part.

Marcus, the most intimidating glare on his face, led the way into the interrogation room. John Durant watched through the one-way glass.

Cordell Parker looked up and smirked at Marcus. Big mistake. Marcus bent down and sneered in Cordell's face.

“Your luck's run out, punk,” he said. Cordell tried to put on a brave face.

“You can't touch me,” Cordell said. “I'm a kid.”

“Guess again,” Ric said. “You're old enough to be charged as an adult. And we're going to do just that.”

Cordell lost some of his bravado. He turned to Justus.

“They serious?” he asked. “Do something!”

“Do what?” Justus said. “They have every right to try and charge you as an adult. I can fight it, but I can't guarantee we'll win.”

“We've got you good,” Andy said. “You and your partner used a gun in committing your crime – that makes it a violent one. And all that weed on you ... a judge won't be seeing a poor, misguided youth when he looks at you.”

“Nope, he's going to see another punk with a bad attitude,” Linc said. “Especially if you go in with that puss on your face. Any inclination he may have had to help you will vanish in a puff of smoke.”

Watching from the window, John could see Cordell was getting scared. Come on, boys, he thought. Move in for the kill.

“That pout's gonna make you the star bitch in your cell block,” Marcus said.

“Oh, yeah,” Linc said. “Learn to hold onto the soap, pretty boy. The last thing you're gonna want to do is drop it.”

Evangeline was turning whiter and whiter. She was seeing what was ahead for Cordell if he didn't cooperate.

“Stop!” she cried. “He's just a boy! He can't go to prison!”

I hope I'm convincing, she thought.

“Yes, he can, Miss Parker,” Ric said. “Whether or not that happens is entirely up to him.”

“What do you mean?” Evangeline asked. She clasped her hands to stop them from trembling. Cordell looked over at her pale face and terrified eyes, and felt a flash of remorse.

“I mean, he helps us out, we'll help him out,” Ric said. “He tells us about his associates and their activities, and behaves himself, we agree to let him plead out as a juvenile. That means he'll be out, with a clean record, when he's 21 at the latest.”

“What would he have to do?” Justus asked.

“Tell us everything he knows,” Ric said. “We want who, what, when, where and how. And we want the truth. We won't lift a finger for him until what he says checks out. He tries to play us, the deal's off.”

“Who said there's gonna be a deal?” Cordell said. “I ain't no ratfink! Even if I wanted to help you out, I'm as good as dead!”

“No one would know, unless you open your mouth,” Ric said. “Any help you give wouldn't be traced back to you. We'll make it look like a judge knocked your case down to juvenile court, and we worked out a plea deal. If you take the plea, it'll look like you wanted this to go away before we made you talk.”

“No!” Cordell shouted. “No way! No deal! I'm not stabbing my boys in the back!”

“You'll just stab me in the heart, instead!” Evangeline shouted back, jumping to her feet. “I've worked my tail off to keep a roof over your head, food in your belly and clothes on your back! I did it all so you and your sister had a chance to do better in life! And you're going to spit in my face to protect a bunch of damn thugs who've done nothing good for you?”

“Mom, you don't understand...”

“Damn right, I don't!” she cried, slapping the palm of her hand on the table. “I don't understand how you justify sticking a gun in someone's face! For a delivery truck! I don't understand how you can sell drugs after your father got hooked and left us! I don't understand how you can throw away your future for a bunch of hoods who'll all either be dead or in prison in the next five years! I don't understand how you'd abandon me and your sister to protect that scum!”

Evangeline sat back down, her body quaking with sobs. Marcus silently passed her a box of Kleenex.

“Proud of yourself, boy?” he hissed at Cordell. “Making your mother cry like that make you feel like a big man?”

Cordell wouldn't look up. He chewed his lip.

“All right, we'll deal,” he said. “What do you want to know?”

Behind the glass, John Durant pumped his fist.

* * *

Jason walked the grounds for a while, stopping and resting sometimes as his headache abated.

Everything felt so upside-down.

He wanted to get back into his dream. Not because he wanted to kill people for Sonny Corinthos – all the stories he'd heard about Sonny had forever poisoned Jason's dream memories of him – but because in his dream, he was always right and everyone knew it. Alan and Monica would have tossed aside AJ without a backwards glance for one of Jason's nods of approval. And Carly wouldn't have stayed married to him. She'd be free.

Jason's walk led him to the pool area. He stopped with a sharp breath when he saw Carly sitting on the edge of one of the chaises, staring into the woods.

Carly knew Jason was there, but didn't let on by moving a millimeter. Wait and reel him in, she thought. It worked. Jason walked slowly up to where she was sitting and touched her shoulder. Carly pretended to be startled out of a reverie.

“Hey,” she said. “How're you feeling?”

“A little better,” Jason said. “Took some aspirin, got some fresh air. How about you. Sorry about Dad this morning. He was way out of line.”

Carly shrugged.

“It's okay,” she said. “We've dished out worse to each other over the years.”

“You shouldn't have to put up with it,” Jason said. “And you shouldn't have to put up with AJ, either.”

Carly looked down, fighting back a vicious retort. Jason mistook her looking away for sad agreement.

“Why do you stay with him, Carly?” Jason asked gently. “Is it the boys? Is it the lifestyle? Are you afraid he'd take the boys away from you? Has he threatened you with that?”

“Where the hell did you get those ideas?” Carly flared up. “AJ can be messed up, he's definitely not perfect. But he's not Darth Vader. Geez!”

“Sorry,” Jason said. “I just don't get it.”

“Yeah,” Carly said. “You don't.”

She got up. Jason stood, too.

“I'm really sorry, Carly,” Jason said. “I didn't mean to hurt you.”

Carly kissed his cheek.

“I know,” she whispered. “Thanks for being on my side.” She turned and went in the house. Jason sat back down on the chaise, feeling a slight head rush from the kiss.

* * *

Dr. Lesley Webber knocked on Alan's office door and entered when he said, “Come in.”

“Hi, Alan,” she said. “You look pretty beat. Everything okay?”

Alan shrugged his shoulders.

“Jason's at AJ's throat 24-7, Carly's lashing out, and Emily can't be bothered to come see us after getting home,” Alan said. “Yeah, I'm just ducky.”

Lesley looked sympathetic as he gave a bitter laugh.

“I'm so sorry,” she said gently.

“Thanks,” he said. “But we'll muddle through somehow. Times like this, I miss Mother more than ever. I think she'd help Jason through his anger, and AJ through his guilt.”

“She was an amazing woman,” Lesley said. “I remember feeling so comforted when she came to see me after I was rescued from Helena. I felt like I could actually live again after talking with her. Before, it had been so scary and confusing.”

“That was Mother,” Alan said. “She was this beacon of light in our dark times. But, time to get to work. I have the list of this fall's interns.”

He handed Lesley a file. She read through them.

“Very impressive,” she said. “A couple of Yalies in here, one from Cornell...”

“One name should be familiar to you,” Alan said with a twinkle.

“Which one?” Lesley puzzled as she read through the files. “Oh, my! Is this who I think it is?” She held up one intern's file.

“Yep, Dr. Gordon Drake,” Alan said. “Son of Dr. Noah Drake. How time flies!”

“My goodness!” Lesley said. “Noah's son! He looks so much like him! I wonder if Noah will come to see his son while he's here.”

“And if he did, what Bobbie would think,” Alan said thoughtfully.

“Oh, yes, that's right,” Lesley said. “I think I'd better give her the heads-up before the interns come, so she's not unprepared when she sees Gordon. Or if Noah shows up.”

“It's something how old loves can unsettle you,” Alan said. “I never thought I'd see Rae Cummings again, and now, we're soon to be parents of the bride. Monica's been putting on a gracious face, but I know Rae's presence can still get to her.”

“I think it was my being away so long, and alone, that I was able to put Rick behind me as easily as I did,” Lesley said. “Sometimes, I'll see his name in a medical journal and I remember so much. But it seems like it was another life.”

“What about your life now, Lesley?” Alan asked. Lesley smiled. She knew what Alan was getting at.

“It's pretty good,” she said. “I have Laura, Luke and the children. And Amy. And my friends. And my work. If I find love, that's just the cherry on the sundae. I'm open to it, but it just hasn't happened yet.”

* * *

After the Nurses' Ball rehearsal, Nikolas dropped Emily off in the Waterfront District so she could do some more shopping. He headed back to Wyndemere to catch up on work.

Emily wandered the stores for several hours. Soon, she got hungry. She decided to walk over to Vagabond for a quick early supper instead of interrupting Nikolas' work.

She peeked in the window at Vagabond. The painted logo hid much of her from view, but she could see inside. There, at a large table, were all her friends ... and Zander. She saw Gia talking animatedly, Robin laughing, Karen high-fiving some other girl ... was that Sam McCall? Elizabeth giggled into her martini glass. Lucky came over and handed a glass of wine to Karen. A woman with curly brown hair ... oh, yeah, Mary Bishop ... leaned in to whisper something to Zander, which made him laugh. No one seemed to miss her.

Just then, Emily felt her arm being grabbed. She was yanked away from the window.

* * *

A group of five people sat around Luke's round conference table inside his office suite on the Haunted Star. But a game of cards was the last thing on their minds. They were dealing with much bigger stakes.

Felicia Jones-Scorpio sat next to Luke. Jasper Jax and his brother Jerry were on the other side. Lorenzo Alcazar sat across from Luke.

“What's going on?” Felicia asked. “I can't imagine what would have you out on Laura's first night home.”

“This would, pardner,” Luke said, pulling the papers Nikolas had given him out of a manila envelope. He gave them a brief rundown of what Nikolas had told him.

“What I'm looking for from you guys is any information on this bank,” he said. “And I'm looking for you guys to keep this quiet. I don't want to upset people, like my wife or sister, and I don't want anyone finding out that I'm snooping around here. Felicia, you deal in investigating. Lorenzo, you grew up outside the U.S. Jax and Jerry, you do international business. What do you know?”

Felicia looked at the papers and furrowed her brow. “Never heard of them,” she said, handing them over to Jax. He and Jerry gave a peek and their eyes widened. Jax handed it to Lorenzo, who gave a nod of recognition.

“You fellas know something,” Luke said.

“Yeah,” Jax said. “This is known as First National Bank of Bad Guys. I don't know about Al Qaida, but this is the bank of choice for some other terrorist groups. This bank tends to only have branches in countries with ... accommodating governments.”

“We had a customer once that sent us a check from this bank,” Jerry said. “Scared the pants off us. We alerted the WSB. Never heard from that customer again.”

Lorenzo looked thoughtfully at the papers, which stirred up some unpleasant memories.

“Luis had an account here,” he said. “A pretty substantial one. An orphanage for children with AIDS in South Africa is enjoying the fruits of Luis' labors now.”

After Luis' death, Lorenzo was his sole surviving relative, and thus, his heir. After several governments had seized assets belonging to Luis that they could prove were used for illegal purposes, or were illegally gained, there was still a small fortune. Lorenzo wouldn't take one red cent of it. He sold every asset, liquidated every account, and scattered the money to charities around the globe. The aforementioned AIDS orphanage, schools in Lorenzo's native South America, and a relief organization in Asia that went on to be a major player in assisting tsunami survivors were some of the beneficiaries.

“So, we're dealing with a bank whose clients tend to be terrorists and international mobsters,” Luke said. “Helena would fit in fine with them. Hell, she'd be prom queen.”

“Do you really think she could still be alive, Luke?” Felicia asked.

“As the Prince said, we have to consider the possibility, if only to rule it out,” Luke replied.

“But all her other accounts were inactive from the time she died,” Felicia said. “And $1 million a year wouldn't be enough to tip her cabana boys.”

“Ew,” Jax said. He remembered Helena trying to be flirtatious with him. He'd replied that he'd rather cut off his privates with a rusty grapefruit spoon, which earned him her enmity.

“I don't think she's alive,” Luke said. “We would have heard from her long before this. But I can't take that chance. If it's not her, someone's still doing her dirty work, and that has to be stopped. This is a job for the big boys. I'll be calling your ex tonight, Felicia. Any message?”

“Yeah, tell him to come home sometime in the next five years,” Felicia said snarkily. “His daughters might want to remember what he looks like.”

* * *

Emily felt herself being spun around. Before her vision cleared, terror rose in her throat. Then, everything settled before her eyes, and there before her was Brenda.

“Feeling a bit left out?” Brenda said coldly.

“Brenda!” Emily gasped. “My God, you scared me!”

“You should be scared,” Brenda said.

“What do you mean?” Emily demanded with a puzzled look.

“If you knew or cared what was going on outside your's and Nikolas' little self-absorbed bubble, you'd know what I mean,” Brenda retorted. “Come on, we have to talk.”

She grabbed Emily's arm again and pulled her to an outside table at Heather Webber's dessert shop.

“What's your damage, Brenda?” Emily asked after they sat down. “Are you going to harp on me about the party, too?”

Brenda rolled her eyes.

“Not everything's about you, Emily,” she said. “My god, when did you become so self-centered? Lila's got to be whirling in her grave right now.”

Emily clenched her jaw and glared at Brenda.

“You could say the same thing to my family,” Emily snapped. “I called the other day to let them know I was home and no one bothered to so much as call back!”

“Maybe because they've got bigger things to deal with than kissing your butt right now,” Brenda shot back. “While you were off with Nikolas, your family's been falling apart.”

Emily turned pale. “What's going on?” she asked.

Brenda told her about Jason's explosive anger at AJ, culminating in yesterday's beating, Jason accidentally hitting Skye, and last night's bender. She told how Carly and AJ had fought, and had slept in separate rooms.

“You can imagine how AJ's feeling right now,” Brenda said. “He's hanging by a thread, Emily. And Jason's all over the map emotionally. Alan and Monica are at their wits' end. They're terrified Jason's going to destroy himself and AJ with this anger.”

Tears filled Emily's eyes. “Oh, God ...” she whispered.

“And what about everyone else?” Brenda pressed on. “Do you know that Gia's seeing Linc Murphy, and is estranged from her brother because of it? Do you know that Elizabeth has started dating Ric Lansing? Do you know that Jax and I are planning to adopt a child? Or that we're building a new home here? Do you know that Skye and Lorenzo have set a wedding date? Robin called me this morning and told me her mother's dating Nikolas' uncle. She's having to grieve for her dad all over again. Everyone's been there for each other, except for you and Nikolas.”

Emily felt more alone than she had in years ... since those lonely weeks in Outward Bound. She looked away from Brenda and tried to keep her composure.

“Emily, you can't shut everyone out and expect us to like it,” Brenda said. “You treated a lot of people – Zander leading the parade – like crap. You have a lot of fences to mend if you want to be truly back in our lives.”

With that, Brenda stood up and walked away. Emily sat for a few more minutes, shaking.

* * *

The next day, Linc, Marcus, Andy, Ric, Mac and John conferred at police headquarters.

“So, it sounds like Cordell Parker was an apprentice of sorts,” Marcus said. “He gets recruited, gets a mentor, does low-level dirty work to prove himself. Eventually, he would move up.”

“This guy he gave us could be a good lead,” Andy said. “He was the one who assigned Cordell to his 'mentor.' All Cordell knew was his nickname – T-Bone. But he was able to pick him out of some mug shots. Real name, Trent Bonham. Here's the guy's rap sheet – about a half-dozen drug-related charges, some B&E, and two assault charges. Sounds like a real prince.”

“So, we tail him, see who his associates are and where he goes,” Linc said.

“We'll get some plainclothes in to help with that,” Mac said.

“You guys did good,” Ric said. “Sounds like Cordell's partner in crime bought your act this morning hook, line and sinker. He heard everything you and Dara said outside the interrogation room. I heard he passed along everything as gospel truth to one of his friends in lockup. They think we lost in front of a judge and Cordell's going to be charged as a juvenile.”

“Made him more arrogant than ever,” Andy said. “He grinned at us like a cheshire cat and wouldn't answer any questions. We didn't want to dig very deep and tip our hand. So he's back in his cell now thinking he beat The Man.”

“Let him keep thinking that,” Ric said. “That arrogance is just the break we need.”

* * *

Stefan saw Courtney early that morning, as she brought Rosie in from her walk. Rosie strained at the leash, running to greet Stefan.

“Hello, Rosie!” he said, giving the pug some well-loved scritches on the head.

“Heading off to work?” Courtney asked.

“Yes, in a few minutes,” Stefan said. “How've you been, Courtney? Will I be seeing you at the Nurses' Ball this weekend?”

“That you will,” she said.

“And what will you be wearing?” he asked.

“I don't know yet,” she said.

“Something white, I take it,” Stefan said. Courtney heard a tone of displeasure in his voice.

“Why do you ask?”

“I was hoping you wouldn't,” he said. “Courtney, we're friends now and I feel I can speak frankly with you. The white thing is getting ridiculous. You're making yourself a caricature, and it may impede your work.”

Courtney flushed. “Has anyone said this?” she asked, the stylish Anna Devane popping into her head.

“No, I've felt it for a while,” Stefan said. “But I hesitated at speaking out. I understand why you do it – to disassociate yourself from your brother. But, Courtney, how long are you going to let Sonny rule your life even to what you wear?”

Courtney looked away.

“It's the one way I could show the world up front that I'm totally different from Sonny,” she said.

“You don't have to do that anymore,” Stefan said gently. “I know something about breaking free from your family. You need to make your own mark, something totally free from Sonny's influence. It's the only way you'll ever be free of him. Think about it.”

With that, Stefan left. Courtney stood there for several minutes, fighting embarrassment and fear. Could she make such a drastic change? Could she break Sonny's grip on her?

She took Rosie upstairs and filled her water and food dishes. She took several garbage bags out from under the sink and walked into her closet. Two hours later, she had four bags filled.

Courtney dropped them off at a charity drop box a few blocks away. She checked her purse for her American Express and Visa cards, and pointed her car towards Wyndham's Department Store.

* * *

Laura, Lulu, Emily and Nikolas sat in the sunny living room of Luke's and Laura's home. Laura had poured out tea.

Emily handed Laura a rectangular package. “We picked this up for you in Paris,” she said. Laura opened it.

“La Maison du Chocolat!” she said. “My favorite!”

“Woo-hoo!” Lulu said, reaching into the box and pulling out a chocolate filled with almond ganache. “You guys brought the good stuff!”

“Paris was so lovely,” Emily said. “And everything before was ... oh, so beautiful!”

“I'm glad you had a good vacation, Emily,” Laura said. “You were working pretty hard in school.”

“The sunshine was brilliant,” Emily went on. “And the balcony off the master suite had this view of the water, and distant islands, and the fragrance of the flowers in the garden wafted upward...”

Laura's smile grew tighter.

“The master suite had the loveliest bed,” Emily said. “Exquisitely carved, so big and soft, with the finest linens! I loved roaming the gardens, and going down to the water.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed it,” Laura said through a clenched smile. Only Lulu noticed the color draining from her face.

“We'd have dinner on the terrace,” Emily continued. “The moon made a pretty path on the water.”

“It was very romantic,” Nikolas said.

“Oh, and the parlor, with all those exquisite antiques and art pieces!” Emily said.

“Excuse me, I'm going to make a fresh pot,” Laura said, and hurried from the room. Nikolas heard the lid of the teapot rattle, and saw her hand trembling as she gripped the pot tightly.

“I'll be right back,” he said to Emily and Lulu.

Emily sat smiling as she remembered her vacation.

“Nice going, Nimrod,” Lulu said.

“Excuse me?” Emily asked.

“How the hell did you get into med school being this dense?” Lulu asked.

Laura filled the kettle and set it on the stove. Her hands gripping the countertop so hard her knuckles were white, she stared out the window. But she didn't see her pretty yard and garden.

Emily's prattle had brought back memories she'd long thought shut away. While Emily looked on the Cassadine island as a place of rest and romance, it was Laura's prison and place of torment. Nightmares still happened, but had lessened with time.

The terrace off the master suite – how many times had she thought of hurling herself off it onto the rocks below? The parlor, where she was forced to sit with Stavros, Stefan and Helena, as Helena and Stavros made future plans for Nikolas that terrified and sickened Laura. The garden, where she met with Stefan and dreamed of freedom. The beach, where she'd stand and scan the horizon, silently begging for the next boat seen to be Luke and Robert, coming to save her. The moonlight on the water, beckoning her to follow its path home to everyone she loved.

And the bed ... Laura shuddered and felt sick at those memories. Emily didn't need to mention the carvings. She knew every leaf, every petal, every vine, every insipid cherub of those carvings. She stared intently at them as Stavros lay beside her, or ... was on top of her. Anything to block out the ugliness of what was happening to her. The exquisitely carved wood, the luxurious linens, the heaps of down pillows, they were simply gildings on her cage. Even in bed, she couldn't seek comfort in tears. That would only make Stavros angry ... and Stavros angry was the last thing Laura wanted.

Nikolas watched his mother from the doorway. Her suffering was a knife to his gut. When she eased her grip on the countertop, he walked over to her.

“Are you all right, Mother?” he asked gently. Laura turned her pale face to him and took a deep breath.

“I'm doing better, thank you, sweetie,” Laura said. “I'm sorry, it got to be a bit much.”

Nikolas embraced her silently for a few minutes.

“I'm sorry if we hurt you, Mother,” he said, looking down into her eyes.

“I'm all right now,” Laura said, smiling up at him. “It's just ... that place ... was my prison and almost all my memories of it are horrible.”

“I'm surprised you can look at me and not see that,” Nikolas said. “Having me must have been a nightmare for you.”

“Absolutely not!” Laura said vehemently. “Nikolas, you were my salvation. If I didn't have you, I might have been driven to the edge by Stavros and Helena, and gone over. So many times, before I had you, I was tempted to just end it all in some way, and try to take Helena and Stavros with me. But when you came, I had a reason to fight, to try and get free. When my chance to escape came, I was sure I could come back for you. My deepest regret is not trusting Luke to tell him about you right away. He and Robert Scorpio could have gotten you away. But when Helena led me to believe she'd killed your grandmother, I was terrified into silence. I pictured her doing the same thing to Luke, to Amy, to everyone I loved. You, Nikolas, are the reason I survived, why I have Lucky and Lulu, why your grandmother is back with us, why your uncle and Alexis were able to break free from your grandmother and be happy. I've never regretted you for an instant.”

“I've always wondered,” Nikolas said. “How was it that you were able to forgive Luke for what he did, but the memories of my father and grandmother can do this to you?”

“Part of it was me, part of it was that they were totally different,” Laura said. “Luke never knew he had that kind of darkness in him. It came out when he knew Frank Smith was sending him on a job where he would be killed. He'd just made something for himself – he had the Campus Disco, he and Bobbie had built new lives, he had friends, he'd fallen in love with me. And suddenly he was staring at what he knew was certain doom. He felt cheated, but at the same time felt he was unworthy of his dreams for me and a better life. Combined with the fact he was drunk, it drove him to do something terrible. He regretted it the instant he'd done it. And every day since, he's tried to redeem himself for that night. It's why he did so many things – taking down Frank Smith, fighting to save Port Charles from your grandfather and great-uncles, becoming mayor. Also, I loved him, I see now, even before that night. Because of that, I was able to compartmentalize it, shove it to one side. It came back after Elizabeth was raped, you remember. Luke and I fought our way through it, and I had to forgive him, truly and fully, this time. Otherwise, we wouldn't have stayed together.”

Nikolas looked at her thoughtfully.

“Your father and grandmother, however, reveled in the darkness,” Laura went on. “Your grandmother poisoned your father, but he was the kind that wanted the poison. Stefan and Alexis were raised in the same house, but they didn't turn out like your father. Stavros and Helena never felt remorse, or true responsibility to others. Whatever they wanted, they took. Whatever they did, it was for their own advantage. Their capacity for cruelty still astonishes me, even after surviving it. Only in the final moments of his life did your father realize a bit of what he had done and what he had become. I hope that repentance earned him forgiveness from God. I haven't gotten to that point yet, Nikolas, and I may never be able to forgive him. Helena is beyond forgiving.”

“For me, too,” Nikolas said, thinking of the bank account. “Her evil is something that can poison people to this day.”

“Nikolas, as much as I love you, please understand I can never go back to the island,” Laura said. “It will never be anything but a prison for me. I'd lay down my life for you, my sweet son, but not even for you can I go to that place.”

“I understand, Mother, and I would never ask you to go,” Nikolas said, kissing her cheek.

“I guess we better get back out there,” Laura said. “Let me pour the water in the teapot.”

Laura and Nikolas went back into the living room. Emily was pale. Lulu had set her straight.

“Laura,” Emily said penitently, holding out her hand, “I'm so sorry. I can't believe I was that thoughtless. Please forgive me.”

Laura took Emily's hand and squeezed it.

“I'm all right, Emily,” she said with a gentle smile. “After I got over the memories, I was glad about what you said. You and Nikolas filled that place with love and happiness, something Helena and Stavros could never comprehend. You're being there, happy, drives their evil out. And I hope it's the setting for many more joyous times for you. It's a beautiful place, and deserves better than the taint of Stavros and Helena. But, as I told Nikolas, I can never go back there. I've pretty much driven the ghosts of Stavros and Helena out of my life, but there ... it would be too much.”

“What's this about the Dragon Lady?” Luke asked, entering the house.

“Nikolas and Emily were telling us about their vacation,” Laura said. “And I was saying how good it is that they're able to make happy memories there, free from those two.”

Luke leaned down and kissed Laura's forehead. He looked over at Nikolas, who was looking lovingly at Laura. Luke knew that Nikolas would keep their secret.

* * *

Puffy clouds dotted the brilliant summer sky as Jason drove to the lighthouse for a session with Kevin Collins.

He was glad he had continued therapy. He didn't care about what his anger did to AJ, but at times feared being consumed by it himself. And he didn't want to do anything that would drive Carly away.

Kevin was on the deck when Jason pulled up. He was painting where the woods met the water, just down the rocky shore. He was so absorbed that he didn't hear Jason approach. Jason knew a little about art, and was impressed with Kevin's work. It caught the wild, slightly dangerous, beauty of the scene.

“Wow,” Jason said, bringing Kevin back to Earth. “Kevin, that's just amazing.”

Kevin turned. A smidge of dark green paint, used to create the tall pines, was on his cheek.

“Thanks, Jason,” he said. “What is it about the painting that impresses you?”

Jason looked at it.

“Well, technically, the way you created light and shadow is great,” Jason said. “But there's more to it. A lot of artists when they paint nature, they somehow tame it into being sweet and cozy. They Disney-fy it. But you show the wildness, the bit of menace and unfriendliness of nature.”

Kevin nodded.

“You like that, the danger and menace lurking underneath?” he asked, going to the little sink on the side of the lighthouse to clean his brushes and wash his hands.

“Yeah,” Jason said. “It's honest, at least.”

Kevin set his brushes to dry on a small table topped with newspaper. He scraped the palette, hung the easel on a wall hook, and picked up the painting. Jason followed him into the house. They settled in the living room.

Jason poured out the story of his beating AJ, and accidentally hitting Skye, the other day. Years of practice kept any alarm off Kevin's face as he imagined the scene. Jason went on to tell of going out to Luke's, getting drunk, and going home with Reese.

“Please, God, tell me you used protection,” Kevin said. Jason nodded.

“Yeah, Hutch must've slipped some into my pockets when we left, so I was covered – literally and figuratively,” Jason said. “Robin taught me well.”

Jason continued his story, bringing up the blonde wig. He quite naturally segued to AJ's and Carly's fight, and his talk with Carly the following day. Kevin caught the connection.

“Going back to your dream,” Kevin said. “Tell me about your relationship with Carly there.”

So Jason told of how they'd met and hooked up one night, how Carly had fallen for him, but he had fallen in love with Robin. He told of that rivalry, of how Carly had given him Michael when she left town to deal with her post-partum depression. He told of how he and Carly built a friendship, and how they kept AJ's paternity of Michael a secret until Robin betrayed him. He spoke of coming close to loving Carly, but finding out she'd slept with Sonny. He told of his deep loyalty to Sonny and Carly, and how brave and strong she was, how she loved with her whole heart. He talked of Sonny's and Carly's ups and downs – the fights, the betrayals, the dangers that mob life brought. He talked of how he knew Carly inside and out – he could tell when she was lying, when she was dreaming, when she was cooking up some scheme, when she was veering towards self-destructive behavior.

“Do you think that's why you're so focused on Carly right now?” Kevin asked.

“I don't know what you mean,” Jason said.

“You're very interested in building a relationship with her outside of AJ,” Kevin said.

“Yeah, I am,” Jason said. “She needs someone, especially being married to that whiny loser. I don't know why she stays with AJ. In my dream, she never would have put up with that crap.”

“You're kidding, right?” Kevin said. “Play back what you told me about her relationship with Sonny. She put up with him chasing – and sleeping with – other women. She meekly took him throwing barware at her, calling her all sorts of horrible names like 'whore.' She let her children be put in danger because of Sonny's criminal lifestyle. Sonny was so obsessed with his own fears he shot her in the head while she was giving birth to his child. He treated her like dirt, and she went back time and again for more abuse. Jason, that's a million times worse than anything she's had to deal with from AJ. AJ got sober and stayed sober, and grew up a whole lot, in no small part because of her and the children. In your dream, did Sonny ever try to change or improve himself to be worthy of Carly's love?”

“No, of course not,” Jason scoffed. “That's what was so great about Carly. She accepted Sonny and me, and our work, without question.”

“Then why do you have such a hard time with her accepting and loving AJ?”

The question hit Jason like a lightning strike. He was paralyzed for a moment as it sunk in.

“It's different,” he said.

“How?”

“Sonny and I, we did what we did to make a good life for ourselves, and the people we cared about,” Jason said. “We protected them.”

“Sonny was a mobster and you were a hitman, be honest about it, Jason,” Kevin said. “The people you cared about wouldn't have needed protection if Sonny owned a car dealership and you were a car salesman. And let's talk about your protection – how many times were Carly, the kids, your other loved ones, in danger from gunfire, bombs and kidnappings? You told me the story of how Faith Rosco kidnapped all three of Sonny's children – one of them taken right from his own home! You couldn't keep anyone safe, no matter how much Carly and your women praised and fluffed you.”

Jason felt himself growing deflated.

“It doesn't matter,” Jason said. “Carly needs someone now, with AJ being such a brat. I have to be there for her.”

“Why you, Jason? And how is AJ being such a brat?”

“All that 'amends' talk, and expecting me to just forgive and forget,” Jason snapped.

“Is he really expecting that, or is that your anger talking?” Kevin asked.

“How the hell do I ever forgive him, Kevin?” Jason cried. “I lost everything while he got everything!”

“You lost a lot, Jason, but you didn't lose everything,” Kevin replied. “Any time you doubt that, I'll take you over to the occupational therapy area at GH. You'll see people who came out of comas much shorter than your's struggling to walk, talk, eat, do any of the basic things you take for granted.”

Jason felt ashamed.

“You're right, Kevin,” he said. “Mom and Dad said something similar this morning. It's just ... when I see everyone nine years ahead of me in terms of their lives, all I can see is what I lost. Keesha. My dreams of becoming a doctor. Those last years with Grandmother and Grandfather. Watching Emily, Brooke Lynn and Dillon grow up. Time with my friends. So, so much.”

Tears spilled out of his eyes, making them a more brilliant blue.

“I know, Jason,” Kevin said gently. “You have to really grieve it and accept the loss. If you keep nursing it to you, using it to stoke your anger against AJ, all it's going to do is keep you from living the life you have now.”

Jason put his head in his hands and sobbed for ten minutes straight. Kevin sat silently, letting him cry and not trying to stop it with backpats or words of sympathy.

“Feel a little better?” Kevin asked after the sobs had subsided and Jason got his breath back.

“Yeah,” Jason said. “Thanks, Kevin. I think I better go. I'll see you in a few days.”

* * *

Courtney stood in the middle of a sea of shopping bags. It had been quite a productive day for her.

She'd given away almost all her clothes, just keeping a few white staples and favorites. It was exciting, but unsettling, to see her closet look like a rainbow rather than a pristine field of snow. She thought about the gown she'd purchased for the Nurses' Ball. It was at the store, getting some alterations. I don't think Stefan will find fault with it, she thought with a grin.

A whimper from Rosie made Courtney look at the clock. Time for her walk. Maybe she'd go out to dinner tonight, too. It was a lovely night for dining al fresco. She looked at the white yoga pants and cotton sweater she was wearing. With a defiant smile, she undressed and began picking through her new clothes for something to wear.

Jeremy Logan had to do a double-take when he saw Courtney about an hour later in the park. He hadn't noticed her far off – usually the flash of white clothes was her calling card. She was wearing a denim blazer, a hot pink halter top, low-rise khakis, and a pair of hot pink sandals. Her earrings were dangly pink and orange stones on a slender silver chain. She'd also painted her toes silver, and put a deep rose lipstick on.

For the first time, Jeremy noticed how shiny her hair was. Her eyes sparkled, her skin glowed. What a difference appearances made, he thought. Maybe it was time for a little makeover for himself.

Jeremy's face lit up as she recognized him and waved. Rosie, sensing some more scritches, led the way over to him.

“Wow!” Jeremy said. “What brought this on? Courtney, you look amazing!”

Such a delighted reaction was the best thing Courtney could have heard. She flushed under the praise.

“I decided it was time to stop letting Sonny have any say in my life,” she said. “I want the world to see Courtney Matthews, not Sonny Corinthos' kid sister desperately trying to get away from him. This is me – how do you like?”

“I like,” Jeremy said, squatting and looking up at her as he sent Rosie over the moon with his petting. “I'm really happy for you, Courtney.”

“What brings you out here today?”

“It was so nice, I couldn't stay inside,” he said. “TJ and Aunt Audrey were off visiting TJ's mom, so I decided to get out and enjoy the sunshine. After being in Seattle all those years, it's still a novelty.”

Courtney laughed. “I can see what you mean,” she said. “But be warned. Winters can get pretty gloomy here, if you don't remember.”

“Yeah, but this makes up for that,” Jeremy said. “Are you going to the Nurses' Ball?”

“Yes,” she said. “I'm sure Lucy seated me far away from the Quartermaines. Will you be there? Hope to see you.”

“I'll be looking for you,” Jeremy said.

* * *

Emily was silent during the ride back to the docks from Laura's house. As the boat chugged towards Spoon Island, she spoke up.

“Nikolas, I have to go be with my family,” she said.

“That's fine, my princess,” he said. “We can go tomorrow if you like.”

“I don't mean for a visit,” she said. “I have to go back there to live ... just for a little while.”

Nikolas blanched.

“What – or who – made you decide that?” he demanded.

“I decided it for myself, Nikolas,” she said. She told of her run-in with Brenda the day before, and everything that was going on. “My family needs me, Nikolas,” she said.

“How can you make things all better?” he asked. “You're only one person.”

“I can't do everything for everyone,” she said. “But I should be there to help my parents. They need support. Maybe I can help Jason get over some of his anger and buck up AJ a little. The boys need someone, too. Nikolas, I didn't think about any of them at all when we were on vacation. This is my family, the people who loved me and gave me a home and a place to belong when I had nothing, and I blew them off.”

“You're being too hard on yourself, my princess,” Nikolas said gently.

“No, I'm not,” Emily said. “I've been so wrapped up in myself and my own happiness with you that I've neglected everyone and everything else. And so, my love, have you.”

“I?!” Nikolas said.

“Have you talked to Alexis since you came home?” she asked. “What about Stefan, and starting to mend your relationship with him? Did you know that he's seeing Anna Devane?”

“He can come to me,” Nikolas said haughtily. “He should be the one to ask for forgiveness for his intrusion into our lives.”

“Blah, blah, crap!” Emily cried. Nikolas goggled at her. “Stefan was right, Nikolas! We were selfish, and wrong, for doing what we did to Zander. I should have broken up with him the minute I knew I loved you. But we put our own petty wants ahead of what was right to do. It blew up in our faces and ended up hurting not only Zander, but our families, our friends, and us.”

“Did Brenda put this in your head, too?” Nikolas asked.

“No, God! Nikolas!” Emily said in exasperation. “I don't have to be brainwashed to disagree with you! I knew what we were doing to Zander was wrong all along, but I let you talk me out of doing the right thing because it was easier that way. We tried to take the easy way out, play things to our advantage, and it bit us on the butt. We've been selfish and self-absorbed. It's time for us to face that and try to make things right.”

Nikolas remembered his conversations with Lucky and Laura. He turned an abashed face to Emily.

“You're right, Darling,” he said. “But do you have to leave me to make things right?”

Emily turned to him with her sweetest, most loving smile.

“I'm not leaving you, my prince,” she said, stroking his cheek. “I'm just going to be living with my family for a while. We'll still have lots of time to be together, I guarantee that. I'll come and spend the night a lot. We'll be able to go out on real dates – that'll be fun! We can do things with our friends. And you'll come see me – my parents have to agree to that or I won't stay there no matter how much they need me. They have to accept that we're together, we're in love, and that's never going to change.”

Nikolas felt better seeing her emphatic expression. His secret fear had been that the Quartermaines would try and turn Emily against him and their true love. He kissed her hand.

“How long will you be away from me?” he asked after the reached their suite.

“I want to stay just through Christmas,” she said. “I can help the family with AJ and Jason, and be settled while I go back to school. Also, Skye and Lorenzo are getting married right before Christmas, and I want to be there for that. The day after Christmas, I promise I will be back here for good.”

Nikolas looked deeply into her eyes. She gazed back steadily, adoringly.

“Oh, God, Nikolas,” she breathed. “When you look at me like that ...”

Nikolas put his hands on her face, caressing it. His hands moved slowly lower, down her neck, past her shoulders ... Emily gasped with delight. Nikolas kept slowly, gently stroking her. Soon, her eyes were glazed with desire.

“Make love to me, my prince,” she whispered. “Please ... love me.”

So he did. Several hours later, they lay under the black satiny sheets. The purple light cast its magic glow.

“I'm going to miss that so much,” Emily moaned. Nikolas reached under the covers to caress her some more.

“Me, too,” he whispered, they kissed long and deep. Soon, Emily was writhing in delight under his touch.

“Hope you're ready for this again, soon,” she said. He smiled.

“I'm ready whenever you want me,” he said.

“I want you,” she breathed. That was all it took for Nikolas.

* * *

The next afternoon, as Alan and Monica sipped a cup of tea in the parlor after a day at the hospital, they heard the front door open. They heard the thud of heavy things being dropped, and looked at each other in puzzlement. Their expression changed to amazement when Emily appeared on the threshold.

“Mom, Dad, I'm home,” she said with a smile. Tears rushed to Monica's eyes, she held out her arms and Emily ran into them. Laughter mingled with tears as the three embraced.

“I'm so sorry for the way I've treated you,” Emily said. “Not just at the party, but before, and after. I should have been here for you.”

She ended up sitting on Alan's lap as Monica held her hand.

“You're here now, Emily,” Monica said. “That's all that matters.”

“I hope it's not awkward to ask,” Alan said, with a kiss on her cheek. “Is everything the same with you and Nikolas? I just want to know so I don't say anything stupid.”

Emily looked in his eyes, and turned serious.

“I'm still with Nikolas, Dad,” she said. “Our true love hasn't changed, only gotten better and deeper. He supports me coming home for the family. We had a good, long talk yesterday, and realized just how wrapped up we'd been in ourselves, and how that had hurt people we love. I have to lay down one rule for coming home – Nikolas is welcome here. I'll respect your rule about no 'hanky-panky' here. But he has to be invited to family dinners and such.”

Monica and Alan looked at each other.

“We can live with that,” Monica said. “It'll give us a chance to get to know him in a new way.”

Emily hugged her parents.

“I love you guys so much,” she said. “Now let's talk about my brothers ...”