Chapter Nine
"Thank you." Elizabeth said smiling as Nikolas pulled out her chair. When he suggested lunch, she expected Kelly's. Instead, she found herself at a small restaurant on the edge of town. "I've never been here before."
"That is the point," he said sitting across the table from the brunette. "I wanted to find a place where no one would bother me."
"Don't you have a whole island for that?" she asked him her voice taking on a light teasing tone.
"I suppose I do. However, the launch takes 20 minutes each way. Not exactly convenient."
"Yeah. It's even worse in the winter."
"I will have to take your word for it." Nikolas said as the waitress approached their table. After giving her their orders he said, "Other than the privacy I do not get why anyone would want to live on an island."
"Habit, mostly, I guess. The other you grew up on an island in Greece. Stefan picked the place out when they first moved to Port Charles."
Nikolas took a moment to think about what Elizabeth had told him. It was clear she knew things only a close friend would. "I thought you said the two of you weren't close."
"We weren't at least not anymore."
"May I ask why?"
"It's complicated."
"Only if you make it so.," he countered almost immediately. He couldn't understand why so many people answered his question with that statement. However, Nikolas did know he wasn't going to accept it any longer.
"You know about Emily and the fact they were dating?" Nikolas nodded secretly pleased that Elizabeth wasn't hedging his question. "She used to date Zander."
"Cameron's father." he supplied remembering Elizabeth talking briefly about the man.
"Yeah. They were even married for awhile."
That certainly got his attention. From everything, he had seen Emily was very much in love with him. "What happened?"
"Nikolas. He and Emily secretly hooked up and..." Elizabeth paused not sure what to say or even how to say it. "Everything fell apart."
"Including his friendship with you?" he pressed despite the feeling that he shouldn't. Nikolas didn't like the far away look on her face.
"And Emily. Zander was my friend too. I didn't want to feel like I had to pick sides."
"Can I ask you one more thing?"
Elizabeth shrugged before replying, "I suppose. I've already told you more than I should have."
"Was..." Nikolas started than paused, took a deep breath and started again. "Was Emily married when things started?"
"No but she married Zander knowing she had feeling for Nikolas."
"Why?"
"Because she was confused, mostly. At least I think so. No one really talked about it much."
"What did Lucky think of all this?" he asking curious about his reaction.
"Well he never liked Zander but beyond that I have no clue."
"Thank you."
"For what?" Elizabeth asked slightly confused.
"Being honest. Everyone else has managed avoid my questions."
"That's because we're not supposed tell you anything." Elizabeth whispered the teasing back in her voice. Nikolas immediately relaxed so much he wasn't even that annoyed with her next question. "Speaking of which how are you feeling?"
"I thought we agreed you were no longer my nurse?"
"That doesn't mean I'm not concerned for you."
Suddenly Nikolas had to get away from Elizabeth. "It's getting late. I... I should walk you home."
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Emily walked hurried though the street on her way to the restaurant. She hated this part of town and wondered why the luncheon had to take place there. The Port Charles Grille was so much nicer not to mention it was closer to General Hospital.
She was nearly to her destination when Emily heard laughter. For a moment, she was envious of the woman but it was only for a moment. Emily recognized that laugh and that of the man as well.
The pair was leaving the restaurant looking very close. Emily did not even know that Elizabeth and Nikolas were interacting again let alone this close. It almost looked like a date. It couldn't be possible, she thought. Nikolas would never see Elizabeth that way. Would he?
********************
"Thank you for dinner. I had a good time." Elizabeth said as they neared her door. Once again, Nikolas had insisted on walking her home.
"Me too." he admitted easily. Nikolas found being around Elizabeth relaxing. She didn't appear to have an agenda the way most people did. However, he couldn't help but think there was something more to it. Something he wanted to understand. "We should do it again."
"That sound nice." she agreed suddenly nervous. Elizabeth pushed it aside mentally laughing. She had no reason to be nervous of Nikolas. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "I have the next two days off."
He smiled despite not knowing why. The thought of seeing Elizabeth again especially so soon excited him. "Maybe I could convince you to join me at Wyndemere."
"Maybe," she teased causing them both to laugh nervously. There was a brief awkward moment before the door opened.
Steven blinked barely able to contain his shock. When he had gotten curious about the voices and couldn't help investigating. However, he didn't expect to find Elizabeth on a date with Nikolas. At least it looked like a date. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not." Elizabeth promised blushing at being interrupted. For some reason it reminded her of the times Audrey had caught her with Lucky. She immediately brushed the idea off as ridiculous. Nikolas didn't see her that way at least she didn't think so. "How is Cam?" she asked hoping to change the subject.
"He was good but I can't seem to get him asleep. I think he is trying to wait for you."
Elizabeth smiled at the imagine of her son stubbornly waiting up for her. "I'm sorry Nikolas I have to go."
"It's fine really. I'll call you about tomorrow."
"That would be great." Elizabeth said rushing off to her son.
As the younger man turned to leave, Steven spoke up. "So you and my sister."
Nikolas paused and turned. He took a moment to study the older man. "What about us?"
"She's been through a lot and I don't want to see her hurt." Steven said calmly. He had no interest in fighting with Nikolas but he worried too much about Lizzie not to do, to say something.
"Me either." Was all Nikolas could say in response.
"Good. Then we won't have a problem." he said firmly before closing the door.
Nikolas stood alone for a moment trying to process what just happened. He could find no reason Steven would almost hostile towards him. The other man was clearly trying to tell him something but what. Glancing at his watch Nikolas decided to figure it out in the morning. After all, he had a feeling the situation wasn't going anywhere.
********************
Lucky did not know what to make of Emily's call. He was slightly ashamed to admit they hadn't really talked the last few weeks. Most of his time was spent either at work or with Nikolas. This was the most likely reason Emily had called.
He knew Emily had hoped to reconnect with him. That however did not seem to be the case. Except for a few encounters, Nikolas had avoided her. Emily was never one to take being ignored well. Hopefully Lucky could talk her down.
Emily rushed into Kelly's cursing the fact she was late. At least she knew Lucky would still be there. They had been best friends for so long she could predict his every move -- most of the time any ways. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's fine Emily really. You sounded stressed. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah I guess it's just..."
"You miss Nikolas?" Lucky guessed knowing that had something to do with their meeting.
"That's part of it. I never realized what a big part of my life he was. But -- but that's not why I called."
"I'm not going to push Nikolas into meeting with you," he said hoping Emily wouldn't try something like this. He wouldn't ruin Nikolas's trust to make her feel better he couldn't.
"I know not that I hadn't thought about asking you. The thing is I saw Nikolas tonight and he wasn't alone."
"Tell me he didn't see you," he said in a pleading voice. Damage control was not on his agenda for tomorrow.
"What? No of course not."
"Good because if he thinks you're following him I don't know how Nikolas is going to act."
"Don't you want to know who he was with?" Emily asked in a huff. She knew how not to be caught she was a Quartermaine after all.
"No. Why would I care?"
"You're kidding me! How could you not want to know?"
"Because what Nikolas does in none of my business."
"Even if he is with Elizabeth?" Emily asked counting on the fact Lucky still had feelings for their friend.
"Yeah Emily. Even then."
"I don't believe you. I know you still want Elizabeth."
Lucky shook his head at the idea. He had let it go long ago around the time Elizabeth caught him in bed with Sarah. "They're friends. I'm not gonna..."
"Friends? Ha! Since when is Nikolas speaking to anyone besides you?"
"I don't know but if he feels comfortable with Elizabeth than good for him."
"Comfortable? Lucky they were on a date!" she shouted causing several people to glare at them.
"Now you're over reacting."
"I am not overreacting. I know how Nikolas acts when he is interested in someone. I watched him for years."
"Maybe that's the problem."
