chapter1
I have always enjoyed writing, even started writing a novel once, but because of my love for Zander & Emily I thought I would take a crack at writing fanfics. So please be kind to this first time fanfic writer...

General Hospital character names within this fanfiction are owned and copyrighted to ABC

~Background~

Zander has gone out to California to rescue Emily from St. Katherines School for Girls and they have returned safe and sound back to Port Charles. Zander was arrested for jumping bail and had many other charges pending against him. Alexis worked a deal with prosecutors for Zander to be released with time served and a probationary period of 2 years. Zander still needs to testify against Sorel to seal the deal he had made prior to jumping bail.

Chapter 1

As the morning sun peeked through the clouds over Port Charles, Emily had made her way down to Kelly's to get a bite to eat before heading to school. It had been weeks since she saw Zander, Alexis had made arrangements for him to be released with time served and a probationary period of 2 years. Emily had tried to tow the straight and narrow with her family since her return from California. She didn't want anyone getting suspicious that she had seen Zander before his trial. Evidently Alexis thought it best he keep his distance, but that didn't stop him from calling her on the cell every night before she drifted off the sleep.

She had thought of how things could of been for her and Zander. What if he didn't kidnap her 8 months ago, and what if he hadn't worked for Sorel...and what if...where would she be...she certainly would be here without Zander. Things certainly happen for a reason and neither of them regret how they met, neither are sorry for deeply caring about each other. She saw someone who was willing to put his life on the line for her, someone who would protect her from harm, and someone who cared about her. Her feelings were growing stronger everyday for Zander, and she believed he felt the same way about her. Nobody was going to keep them apart, not her family, not her friends....nobody. Their love was strong enough to survive.

Emily walked into Kelly's and noticed Elizabeth behind the counter waiting on a customer. She hung her coat and scarf on the coat rack by the door and made her way towards the counter. Elizabeth placed a cup and saucer on the counter and filled it with black coffee.

"I figured you needed one of these.." Elizabeth said as Emily sat down on the stool. "Yeah I do, thanks." "I'll be right back..." Elizabeth said as she noticed a customer come in and sit down at one of the tables near the door.


Emily knew that Elizabeth would be the one to talk to about what had been going on with Zander, and she knew that Elizabeth would support her in her decision that she was about to make. Elizabeth returned as she was writing down an order on her pad that she kept in her apron.

"So how are things at home?" Liz asked as she gave Emily a menu. "Let's just say it isn't good.." Em replied as she put down the coffee cup. "That bad...huh?"


Emily knew this was her chance to really talk to someone about this, and she knew she had to tell someone.

"Do you have a few minutes for us to talk?"...Emily asked as she looked around Kelly's, noticing that it was not very busy. "Sure, I got a few minutes." ..."we can sit over here." Emily grabbed her cup of coffee and slipped off the stool. Elizabeth sat down at the closest table and watched as Emily sat down in disgust.
"What's on your mind, Emily?" Elizabeth asked. "Zander.." "What about him?"..Liz asked sounding a little confused that Emily would even have him on her mind. "Elizabeth, I have these feelings..." "For Zander?!...Emily he kidnapped you, took you away from your family and got you shot at!...How could you have feelings for him?" Elizabeth said as she remembered how much he put them through over the last couple of months. "I know, but these are strong feelings and I can't seem to push them away..I don't know what to do?" "Well first thing you need to do is stay away from him"... "It's a small town, I am running into him at every corner..." Emily replied as the door of Kelly's opened and the guy who they have been discussing walks in...

"Zander..." Emily whispered as her eyes met his from across the room.

Knowing how Elizabeth felt about him, Zander tried to keep his distance from Kelly's but Alexis had this notion that he might be hungry, so she sent him down to get his daily protein. And actually he was kinda hungry...popcorn just doesn't cut it for breakfast.


"Speak of the devil himself.." Elizabeth said as Zander approached the table where they were sitting. "Now be nice.." Emily said with a grin.

"Hey.." Zander said with his eyes fixated on Emily. "How have you been.." "Alright, I guess considering my family is impossible.." Emily replied as Zander pulled out the chair to sit down.

"You want something while your here.." Elizabeth said to Zander as she got up and reached for Emily's empty coffee cup.

"Uh, yeah...a cup of coffee and some eggs are fine..thanks"

Emily knew that it was a difficult situation between them, and she needed to tell him about her feelings. She needed for him to know how she felt, and what her life was like without him. Her family had been putting the pressure on her to stay away from Zander, and she really didn't like to disrepect or lie to her parents, but she had no choice. She needed to hear his voice, she needed to see his smile...she needed him.


"So, still staying at Alexis's, huh?" Emily asked as Zander took off his coat. "Yeah, for now...at least till the trial is over.." "When is the trial?" Emily asked. "It starts next week and from what Alexis tells me, there is enough evidence with my testimony to put Sorel away for a long time.."


The tension between them was obvious...not quite knowing what to say, not sure how to react to seeing each other again after weeks of being apart. They had spent so much time together, spent so much time finding things out about each other, she felt like she lost her best friend when Zander went back to jail. She had fought her feelings for so long and he had done the same, knowing that everyone who was anyone would disapprove of this relationship. They had been apart for so long, he just needed to hold her in his arms, to feel her heart beat with his and feel the softness of her skin...like he used to.

"I don't have much time to sit and talk, cause I gotta get to school, but..." Emily said as Zander reached for her hand. "But, what?.." he asked.. "But I wanted to talk to you about something...something important.." Emily said as Elizabeth came back with the coffee.
"Okay, well it looks like this conversation is for two, and I need to get back to work...oh, and your breakfast will be out in a minute..." Elizabeth said trying to be polite as she turned and walked away.

"So what did you want to talk about that is so important.." Zander asked as they held hands on top of the table. "Us..." Emily replied as she noticed Zander was caressing her hand. Stunned by what she said..."Us....what about us?" he asked. "Well there are some things that I need to tell you and but I don't want to do it here..." Emily said. As she looked around thinking that this is the wrong place for her to tell him what she is feeling. Puzzled Zander really didn't know what to say, thinking the worst thoughts that could happen to the relationship. He knew that this was a situation that he never would of guessed would happen but it has, and he feels so connected to her even after being apart.

"I'll be right back.." Emily said as she got up from the table and walked over to the counter.

"Elizabeth..." Emily said in a whisper..."Elizabeth!"..."What?!"...She replied...also in a whisper. "Do you think I could use your studio for about an hour this afternoon?" Emily asked with a grin. "I am not even gonna ask you why.." Elizabeth said as she handed Emily the keys. "Good, cause you probably wouldn't like the reason..." Emily said kiddingly. "Thanks Elizabeth.." Emily said reassurringly as she turned back around and walked towards Zander.

"So, what's the deal?" Zander asked... "Well, I gotta get to school, but will you meet me at Elizabeth's studio about 3 o'clock this afternoon?.." Emily asked hesitantly cause she knew if she ever got caught with Zander, her family would sure ship her off somewhere again. "Uh, sure I guess so..." he replied confused about her request.

As Emily walked to get her coat...Elizabeth brought Zander's breakfast to the table and slipped his check under Emily's coffee cup.
"Well, I will see you both later...gotta get to school before they send out the National Guard.." Emily said jokingly as she zipped up her coat. "Remember...3 o'clock..." She said to Zander... "I'll be there..don't worry..." he replied as he watched her go out the door. "I'm not gonna say a word...." Elizabeth said as she turned and walked away.
As soon as he was finished with his protein meal for the day and had emptied his cup of coffee, Zander got up and grabbed for his coat. He placed money on the table enough to cover the check and a tip for Elizabeth and walked out the door of Kelly's. He stood and admired the beautiful day that had become of the rainy weather they had had days prior. He was so glad to be free from prison, the smell of the fresh morning air was alot better then the musty, moldy stench of a jail cell. He was glad to be alive, and he had Emily to thank for that...she has brought so much into his life since they met 8 months ago, he still has to pinch himself sometimes to make sure he isn't dreaming. Maybe this was a good omen...that the situation between him and Emily could be what is should be. He had fallen head over heals for her and today was the day he was finally gonna tell her.
"3 o'clock.." he said to himself as he turned and headed back to the penthouse.
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As the sun peeked through the clouds, Alan and Monica came down the spiral staircase and headed for the living room for breakfast.

"Has anyone seen Emily this morning?..." Alan asked as he grabbed for the sterling silver coffee pot.

"I did, she said she was heading to Kelly's to see Elizabeth before school.." replied Reginald. "She said she would be home in time for dinner and not to worry.."

"That'll be the day that we as her parents don't worry about her..." replied Alan "Especially since Zander is out and walking about Port Charles..."

"Can we not discuss that topic this morning..." Monica said as she filled her plate with some fruit preserves. "I would like to eat my breakfast in peace..."

"So, what is on your schedule for the day Monica.." asked Alan as he sat down on the large sofa that was centered in the room.

"I have plenty of patients to see this morning, with all of this going on with Emily, the patients haven't seen much of me lately.." she replied.

"Well good, I got paperwork to do at the hospital..I'll come with you." Alan said as he sipped his coffee.

"Good morning family..everyone sleep well last night..." Edward bellowed as he walked into the room. " I know I didn't with that deviant roaming the streets!..."

"I don't want to hear it, Edward.." Monica snapped back in reply.

"If you are going to bring up Zander, Monica and I are going to the hospital.." Alan said.

"Well, fine if you don't want to know where your daughter is this morning.." replied Edward.

"We already know where she is...and that she left early this morning.." Monica said as she got up from the table and walked past him.

"There isn't much that goes on in this house, that we don't know about...father." Alan said as he put his coffee cup down on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

As Alan and Monica were headed for the door, the phone rang...

"Who could that be so dang early this morning..." Edward said as he reached for the phone...

"Good morning Quartermaine residence..." he said..."and I even have to answer my own phone..what do we have servants for?..." he said as he coved the receiver of the phone.

"Yes, hello...." Edward snapped.

"Yes, she is here..it's for you Monica..." he said as he handed Monica the phone. " It's the hospital"...

A worried look overcame her face as she listened to the caller.

"I'll be right there..." she replied in a panic..

As she hung up the phone..."Is it Emily....what's wrong?" asked Alan as Monica stared at him.

"Oh, no it's not about Emily..one of my patients in ICU had problems last night..." she replied as Alan released the breath he had been holding.

"Well, then let's get to the hospital..." he said as he followed her out of the living room.

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As Emily sat on a bench outside Elizabeth's studio thinking about what she was going to say to Zander, she was early and she thought 3 o'clock couldn't come fast enough for her. She had been waiting for weeks since they got back from California to tell him how she feels about him. She has been confused for weeks about these feelings that come over her when Zander even walked into a room. She has never felt like this before about anyone she has ever met. He brings out feelings in her she never knew she had. It was scary feeling this way, it was unknown territory for both her and Zander.

Their connection was so strong and had grown over quite a few months of being together. She believed so much in him and he in her. She couldn't believe how her parents were reacting to the situation. They could never see what she sees in him, and how strong their feelings for each other really are. They wouldn't even give him a second chance even if when all the charges were dropped, they were such hypocrites..were do they get off telling me what to do and where to go...Emily thought as she sat on the wooden bench on the docks.

Emily wouldn't have this any other way, and she would do it all over again if she was given the chance. She didn't expect to have strong feelings for her "kidnapper", it just happened that way, she can't help the way she feels and no one is gonna take that away from her...not even her parents.

**************************************************************************************

As she sat thinking about him...she heard someone come down the stairs and approach her...
"Emily..." said the voice that stood beside her...

"Juan, what are you doing here?"...Emily replied thinking oh please don't let Zander be early...if he sees her with Juan he would not be happy.

"I saw you sitting here and...well, we need to talk.." Juan replied.

"Talk about what?" she said..."There is nothing more to talk about..it's over, we're over..."

"To you maybe..." Juan said as he sat down on the bench beside her.

"Juan, how many times do I have tell you...I'm not..." she started to say as he cut her off saying..

"You're not what?...interested?...it's Zander agian ain't it.." replied Juan.

"Yes..for one hundredth time...I have strong feelings for him, Juan.." she said as she looked around the docks for any sign of Zander.

"You meeting him here...?" replied Juan..
"No, huh what made you say that?" she asked.

"I don't know, it is kinda obvious that you are waiting for someone..." Juan replied as Lucky came around the corner.

"Yeah I am..I'm..huh..waiting for Lucky"...Emily said surprised to see Lucky and thanked God for small favors.

"Huh, yeah...Emily called me and said she needed to talk about something.." Lucky said as he approached them. "So, why don't you take off...Juan..it looks to me that you are not wanted around here anymore.." .

"Fine...I just wanted to let Emily know that I am leaving tomorrow for a 6 month tour...and.."

"And what...I am supposed to care... if I didn't see you around town anymore" replied Emily as she got up from the wooden bench..."not likely.." she mumbled under her breath.

"Well, I just thought...you might want to know..that's all....Juan replied and turned and walked away.

"What was that all about?..." Lucky asked as he watched Juan walk down the pier.

"Juan being Juan...he thinks that he still has a chance..." she replied.

"I thought you two were over.." Lucky said as he sat down on the bench.

"We are..he just doesn't realize we are..." replied Emily as she flipped her hair.

"I don't think I want to know what you are doing down here on the docks by yourself...do I?" asked Lucky.

"No probably not...I'm waiting for..." Emily started to say as she saw Zander coming towareds them.

"Don't tell me...uh, Zander?..." he replied...not knowing that Zander was closer then he thought.

"Hey.." Zander said as he stepped closer to the two of them.

Emily knew how much her friends cared about her and how much they didn't want to see her with Zander...but she couldn't help herself. He made her heart beat faster, her mind race, and she felt so safe in his arms. She needed him.


"Well, I gotta go pick up Elizabeth...we're going to the movies tonight as I promised.." Lucky said as he got up from the bench.

"Hey, thanks for....ya know..earlier.." Emily replied. " Yeah no problem..." replied Lucky as he turned and went up the steps towards Kelly's.

"So, what was that all about...?" Zander asked as he sat down beside her on the bench.

"Nothing...Lucky saved me from a conversation with Juan...that's all.." Emily replied not knowing if she should of told him or not.

"Juan was here with you..." Zander said "What for?"....

"Yeah, he wanted to tell me that he was leaving on a tour and wouldn't be around...like I'd care?" she replied.

Knowing that he didn't want to hear anymore about Juan, and just wanted to be alone with Emily, Zander reached for her hand. Emily was getting lost in his deep brown eyes, and really had not been paying attention to the conversation since he sat down beside her. She always got lost in his eyes, they were deep, brown and the gateway to his soul. He had such feelings in his eyes, you could tell what he was thinking just by looking at him. His eyes spoke for him, no words were needed.


"So, you wanted to talk about us..or something.." Zander said as he put his arm on the back of the wooden bench.

"Oh, yeah...I thought we could use Elizabeth's studio for some privacy...it's just up there.." she replied as she pointed in the direction of the building that sat behind them.

"You got the keys?.." Zander said as he walked up the stairs toward the door of the of the studio.

"Yeah, here in my backpack..." she replied as she ruffled through her black back pack she had draped over her shoulder.

Both of them noticing the tension building before Emily even unlocked the door. They need to clear the air before the trial started and both of them needed to tell the other about how they felt about each other. Things have been tense between Emily and her family since Zander dropped her off before he went to turn himself in. And that was the last she had seen of him till after his release a few weeks ago. The most important thing in her life was ripped away from her by her family, and she will never forgive them for that, but for the time being she needed to play nice for her to stay in Port Charles. Any friction will cause her parents to do something rash again and she didn't want that...she needed to stay close to Zander. He needed her. She needed him.

As Zander opened the door to the studio and turned on the lights, Emily noticed someone coming down the hall. She hurried him inside and shut the door behind them.

"What?....what's the matter.." he said. "Nothing..there was someone coming..I didn't want anyone to..."
"..to what....see you with me."

"No that's not it..." she replied..."Oh, I don't know..."

The tension was becoming great and they knew that as they walked towards each other. It has been so long that they have been kept apart....Not knowing what was about to happen, he reached for her hand and drew her close to him. As they stood so close together, he could feel her heartbeating faster and faster. She knew she found what she has been waiting for, for all her life. As quickly as he drew her near, he wrapped his arms around her....she was now safe, safe from the world that was so against them being together. In that moment time stood still...they were together, and would never let anyone to separate them again.

Emily looked up at him as if to say something and he cupped his hand along her face...her skin so soft to the touch, he forgotten what she felt like and was longing for her touch. As they stared into each other's eyes, longing for just one kiss...Zander bent down and softly brushed her lips with his. It was something that Emily wanted to feel in such a long time, it left her breatheless. Her heart pounding as the kiss turned more tender and passionate. He knew just how she felt because he felt the same way, he missed her...he missed the way she laughed, the way she held his hand...they way she loved him.

They stood there within each others arms for only a few moments, but it felt like forever. The feelings all came rushing back to each of them, there was no denying the feelings no longer. It was obvious that each had to tell the other how they felt. Zander released the kiss and looked into her eyes, so deep and loving eyes. He could not resist her, he needed her so much in his life, he wouldn't know what he would do with out her.

"Emily, I have to tell you something"....Zander said as he released his embrace of her..." I need to tell you something too.." she replied. "I should of told you this a long time ago, but I guess I was afraid you didn't feel the same way about me..."
"Zander there is nothing you have to be afraid of...I am here and I will always be here for you.

"Emily...I have these feelings for you that I cannot describe, they over come my whole being when I am with you..."

"I know, me too...Zander, I feel them too..."

"I don't know what I would do without you, Emily...you saved my life, you have changed my life, you are the reason for my being...I really have no other words to describe what you have done for me..."



Emily not knowing what to say in response to his sentiments about her, she had been taken back. She was so proud of him for taking the stand against Sorel, and she was grateful to him for saving her life more then once. She took him by the hand and led him to sit down with her on the sofa. She knew she needed to tell him...tell him everything.


"Zander, I have felt this way for a while now, and I am just beginning to sort through my feelings about you. I am not sure what they are or where they came from...all I know is that I have them...and they're not leaving. I feel this way when you walk into the room or you look into my eyes....Zander, I am afraid that if I walk out that door, I am never going to feel this way again, like I feel when I'm with you. You have to be the best thing that has ever happened to me..."
Zander moved closer to her as she spoke those last words and she had never looked more beautiful to him then she did at this moment in time. He brought his hand up to her face and glided his hand across her jawline and wiped a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. He knew what she had felt, cause he had felt it to...his feelings ran deep into his soul and he knew then and there that he loved her. She looked deep in his eyes and knew in her heart and in her soul that she loved him too. Neither saying the words, but both knowing just the same.

Zander moved closer to her kissing her lightly on her sweet lips...she felt his passion and his tenderness from just one kiss. She knew that he was real and that he would love her till the end of time. His hands following the curvature of her body, and she felt the kiss deepen as he held her closer. He wondered if she was feeling the same emotions that he was, the feeling of desire and longing to feel her skin against his...he knew he had to speak those words, just to tell her how much he loved her. Zander broke the moment and caught his breath for only a second...

"Emily...." he whispered so lightly against her skin...."I..I..I love you so much.."


Not really knowing or understanding if he said what she thought he said, she pulled back from their moment of passion...

"Did you say what I think you said...?"
"Yeah...I love you, Emily...from now to eternity" he said as he kissed her softly once again.
"Zander...I..I..I love you too...I love you so much that I don't ever want to let go, please don't let me go tonight..." she replied as she touched his clean shaven skin. "Please take me in your arms and never let me go."
Both had felt the release of so much tension, finally saying the words of how they felt about each other. She never thought she could feel like this, he was everything that she wanted. She knew now that they have declared their love and have opened their hearts to each other, it was only a matter of time before they could no longer deny they desires to be with each other. Even for one night.


"Zander, I need to make a phone call..."
"Who are you calling..." he replied as Emily stood up and went for her cell phone.
"I need to call Elizabeth and then call my parents to tell them I won't be home tonight.."
"Wait, you're not going home tonight, but..."
"Yeah, I'll tell them I'm staying with Elizabeth tonight, they won't be none the wiser that I'll be here with you..."
Emily quickly dialed Elizabeth's phone number so she could set the plan into motion...
"Elizabeth...it's me..."
"Yeah everything is fine..listen could you do me a huge favor..."
"I'm gonna need your studio a little longer then I thought...how long?"
"well, till tomorrow morning..."
From the look on Emily's face, Elizabeth had approved of this rendezvous that was about to take place. Zander walked behind Emily and placed his hands around her waist and kissed her gently on the nape of her neck. He knew he had found something special and he was not about to give it up without a fight. They were so much in love, and now they knew their true feelings...there was nothing anyone could do stop this now.


"Okay, I'll meet you for breakfast at 7 and return your keys...and Elizabeth..thanks.."
"So things are okay with Elizabeth.." Zander asked.
"Yeah things are great..." Emily said as she kissed him quickly...
"Now I have to make one more phone call...so be quiet and stop that..." she said as Zander had been giving her his sweet kisses on her neck.
"We have to do this right the first time, cause if not...my parents are going to become suspicious..."
Emily had hung up with Elizabeth and redialed her phone number hoping reach one of her parents.


"Hello..Reginald...it's me..Emily, are my parents home yet.."
"Could I speak with one of them please...thanks..."
"Their eating dinner...Reginald is getting one of them to the phone..shhh!"
"Mom...it's me...listen I didn't want you to worry, but I'm gonna stay at Elizabeth's tonight..okay?...I thought I'd call and let you know so you don't worry...I'll be home after breakfast."
"K...see you tomorrow morning then...alright I'll behave...I always do don't I?"
"bye"...

"We are so good to go ... see how easy that was?...piece of cake.."

Zander couldn't believe she pulled this off...she was so excited about the snow job she had given her parents, she practically jumped into his arms and kissed him with the most passionate kiss he could ever imagine. Tonight was gonna be special...he was going to make sure of that.

Chapter 2