Title: Whatever it Takes

Genre/Rating: Drama, Romance, Action & Adventure; PG-13/R

Summary: Nikolas Cassadine and Emily Quartermaine have not seen each other in years. When they meet again after Emily is the victim of a violent crime, it will be up to Nikolas to protect her, whatever it takes.

Background: Okay, so I'm going a little AU here, so I just wanted to give some background information. In this story, Nikolas is 28 and Emily is 26. They have never been together romantically. Nikolas did help Emily through her cancer, but the first round of chemo worked and she was never on her deathbed. She never even told Zander the truth about her illness. While the pair did develop feelings for each other, they never expressed them (translation: she spent the night at Wyndemere, but they never kissed on the bluffs or any of that). When Nikolas refused to marry Lydia, the Cassadine Empire and Cassadine Industries fell apart and drove Stefan to commit suicide. Meanwhile, Emily decided to return to Stanford and pursue a career in medicine. She finished college and med school in California and then returned to Port Charles to complete her residency.

Prologue

June 16, 2003

"You really didn't have to bring me to the airport, Nikolas," Emily said as she and Nikolas walked into the concourse of JFK Airport. "I could have just asked the Quartermaine driver to bring me."

"I know," Nikolas responded, reaching down and taking Emily's carry-on bag from her hand as they made their way towards the terminal. "But I wanted to. Besides, I thought you might want my company over that of the Quartermaine's driver or someone."

"Mmm…true," Emily said with a smile. "I'd take my best friend and source of strength over a stranger anyday."

"You know I'm always there for you, right?" Nikolas asked her as they continued to walk.

Emily gave him a sideways look. "Well if I didn't before, you certainly proved it over the past few months. But I always knew that you'd be there for me, Nikolas. That's why I came to you when I got sick."

The pair came to a halt in front of Emily's terminal. Nikolas turned and looked Emily in the eye. "I'm honored that you trusted me and came to me," he said sincerely. "And I'm glad that I could help."

"You did more than just help me, Nikolas. You saved me. When I came home from Stanford, I was convinced that I was going to die. All I wanted to do was protect the person I thought loved me from having to watch me die, and I was successful with that. The plan worked exactly as I had hoped it would. And now that I survived…"

"It's not your fault that Zander was stupid enough to give up on you, Emily. You didn't force him to turn to Gia."

"Really? Because I think I was pretty convincing being in love with you," Emily said with sadness and a hint of anger, not with Nikolas, but with herself and the situation.

They looked at each other silently, trying to communicate with their eyes what they were both too scared to say out loud.

"We both were," Nikolas said softly.

Emily nodded, clearing her throat as she continued. "Yeah. But my point was, when Zander ended things between us, it was just another blow to my will to survive. But you wouldn't let me give up. You wouldn't let me die. And in the end, it was you who gave me the strength to beat this, Nikolas. I hope you know how much that means to me, how much you've done for me."

"Well, my motives weren't entirely selfless, Emily. You mean so much to me. I was not going to lose you." He smiled. "I still want to know you when I'm 73."

Emily laughed, a look of sadness coming to her face. "Well, the feeling is mutual, so you better take care of yourself." She sighed. "God, I can't believe you're joining the Marines."

Nikolas shrugged. "There's nothing left for me in Cassadine Industries. I'm not going to marry Lydia to save the family. My uncle is dead because of it. My whole family has been destroyed because of the business. Alexis wants nothing to do with it, which leave me and my grandmother, and frankly I don't care what happens to her. I need to start over."

"But why the Marines? Why leave Port Charles?"

Nikolas looked at her. "I have no reason to stay."

Emily looked away, unable to meet his gaze. "Nikolas…"

At that moment, her flight was called. She continued to stare at the ground, tears filling her eyes. There was so much she wanted to say, but she didn't know how to get the words out. Finally, she looked at him. "Thank you so much. For everything." Tears began to make their way down her cheeks. "I know 'thank you' is so inadequate, but I-"

Nikolas cut her off, pulling her into a tight embrace. Emily clutched at the back of his shirt, sobbing. "Be happy," he murmured in her ear, his face buried in her hair. "That's all I ever wanted for you."

Emily could only nod. "I will."

He pulled back and wiped the tears from her face. "Go and study and become a doctor and make your dreams come true." He held her by the shoulders, trying to control his own emotions. "Okay?"

Emily nodded again. "Be careful, Nikolas." I don't know what I would do without you, she added silently.

Nikolas managed a smile. "I will." He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger for a moment. "Go on," he whispered.

She picked up her carry-on bag and, with one last look, turned and walked towards the terminal. Nikolas turned away, a tear trickling down his cheek. He turned back to call out to her, to tell her everything he was feeling inside, how much he loved her, but when he did, Emily was already gone.