AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is based off several other characters as well as their storylines from ABC's "General Hospital," yet the "history" has been changed somewhat to suit the purposes of this story.

Also, I'd like to note that I do not own ABC's "General Hospital" or the characters and I will NOT be receiving any payment whatsoever for writing this story. It is intended for entertainment purposes only.

~*o*~

Ethan stood on the docks, still in a state of shock after having found his wife Maya in bed with another man. It was true they had married for convenience, but still he had cared very deeply for her and he had thought Maya had feelings for him, too. Sadly, he had discovered that Maya really hadn't cared at all. Now that the divorce was finalized, it was time for Ethan to go on with his life as it was obvious that Maya now had.

Now that Maya and him were no longer married, his friends and family had been trying to cheer him up and push him into finding someone else. Ethan didn't feel ready for the dating scene. There was only one lady he had been spending time with lately, the only person who had really been there for him since Maya cheated and he had gotten the divorce - Kristina Davis, but now it seemed Kristina had became extremely infatuated with him, even more so than she had when she was younger and had told him, "I'm going to marry you someday." Now Kristina seemed to follow him around wherever he went as though she couldn't get enough of his presense.

Sonny had threatened Ethan, telling him that he was a dead man if he as much as laid a hand upon his daughter. He knew Ethan was a con-man and worked for Johnny Zaccarra as his henchmen, plus Ethan was too old for his little girl (or so Sonny claimed). The age factor was debatable to Ethan as Kristina had just turned 19, so it wouldn't be so strange if she dated a guy just a few years older than herself.

Ethan liked having Kristina nearby. Over the years, they had become great friends. They had been through a lot, considering he had been the one to have saved her when her ex-boyfriend Kieffer had abused her, beating her so badly she had to be hospitalized. And when Kristina accused Ethan of having been the one who had beat her to protect Kieffer, Ethan had forgiven her for her lies. He thought the world of Kristina and would have done anything for her. She was the only one who truly listened to him and understood him, especially when it came to everything about Maya. And now he had to tell her good-bye. It was killing him...

But it was either that or suffer Sonny's wrath. Ethan couldn't take it anymore. When they were alone recently, Kristina had dared Ethan to kiss her. Ethan hesitated at first...

But then he just couldn't stop himself. He'd never forget how it felt to hold Kristina and have her in his arms. But it was torture for him, because he could never have her. He wasn't supposed to feel anything at all for her. And now today he would have to end it forever- before anyone got hurt.

Kristina was thinking about the kiss, the one that she had dared Ethan to give her. It made her feel giddy as she had always wanted him. If only she could convince him though. She fell back against her pillows, letting out a happy sigh, Maybe she'd see him today and finally get him to realize that they belonged together.

"Ohhh hell," Ethan hissed, knowing he just had to get it over with. He had hesitated long enough. It was time to tell Kristina just how it had to be. Withdrawing his cell phone from his pocket, he gave her a call.

"Kristina, meet me at the docks," he said when he had her on the phone, his voice sounding almost cold and harsh to his ears. "We gotta talk."

Kristina frowned; she didn't like the way his voice sounded. He didn't sound happy at all. "Sure, I'll see you in a few," she replied as she got up to change so she could meet up with Ethan.

Ethan stood there on the docks, slowly pacing as he awaited Kristina's arrival. There was no way to break it to her gently. She'd never accept it if he was "too nice." This was gonna get ugly, and he hated it.

"Kristina, we have to talk about us... and that... that kiss," he said when she approached him, looking beautiful as always.

Kristina was relieved when he wanted to talk about them and the kiss. "That was the most amazing kiss I've ever had in my life!" Kristina exclaimed. "I think we'd be so perfect together, Ethan."

Ethan shook his head, just staring at Krissy. Why was this woman so determined? True, their kiss HAD been amazing, but Ethan would never let her know it. He had to stay firm and strong, so he could make Krissy see they would never be a couple.

"I thought it was awkward," Ethan said, speaking of the kiss. "Kristina, this infatuation you have for me has gotta stop. Didn't you hear your dad? He said he would KILL me if I so much as touch you. We CAN'T be together. Even if your dad was Father of the Year and not a mobster, I still couldn't date you. You're far too young for me. I need a woman, not a child."

Saying those words, Ethan knew he was lying through his teeth. He had LOVED the kiss and he wanted to spend time with Kristina. It was torture having her near him, because he wanted more than just her friendship. Yet, saying these things to her was torture as well. But he had to do it. It would never work between them; it was just too complicated. It was best to end it now.

Kristina felt like a knife had been plunged into her chest. She was struggling for words. "You- You don't mean that," she finally said. "You're lying! You wanted that kiss as much as I did."

Ethan sighed, looking greatly annoyed at Kristina's outburst. She sure was a fiery little thing; he had to give her that much. He just shook his head, denying everything. "Sorry, I wasn't as moved by that kiss as you were," he flat-out lied. "Look, I wanna be your friend, but if you keep continuing to push the romance on me, I won't be able to hang out with you anymore..."

"You're the best friend I've ever had, Kristina, and I don't want to lose you," Ethan spoke. "When Maya cheated on me, you were there for me when no one else was. We need each other..."

"But we can't be lovers. Do you understand?" Ethan insisted, looking into her dark eyes. He HAD to make her understand, because the next time she threw herself on him, he might not be able to stop himself. As each day went by, it seemed he only wanted her more.

"You're a liar," Kristina said coldly. "No other woman will ever be there for you like I am," she said. Tossing those words over her shoulder, she turned to walk away from him. She didn't want to hear any more of his stupid lies.

Ethan felt like crap after their argument, but he knew that it had been what he had to do. Sighing heavily, he looked out at the water as he stood on the docks. His heart was hurting, because what he really wanted was to be with Kristina.

Anthony Zacharra was walking along the docks when he ran right into a beautiful young woman. "Well, if it isn't little Miss Kristina Corinthos," he sneered with an evil smirk.