There Will Always Be an Us Chapter 10: Between Our Rise and Fall 2 of 6, a general hospital fanfic

#2: Right There All Along

Late May 2009

I was stupid

Never knew you were right here all along

(Destination – Kalan Porter)

They don't talk about what is going on between them; they don't discuss the ramifications or consequences. When they are together, all they do is feel in a way that makes them more whole than they have been in years.

It felt right, the slow walks on the beach, stolen kisses in the tunnels that ran through Wyndamere, and play dates with their boys. They didn't need labels, or for everyone to be in their business because they had this, together.

Their eyes met as soon as he came off the elevator. Thursdays meant board meetings, and it meant he was there making all the hair on her body stand on end. She hadn't seen him in two days since a business trip took him out of town, and she almost wasn't prepared for how much she missed him.

"Liz" he murmured his name falling off of her lips.

She didn't know why it sounds different now, but it makes her heart speed a little faster in her chest, "Nikolas"

For a moment they just stand there nervously, her lip pulled between her teeth only imaging his taste on her lips. They make small talk until the student nurses scamper away and then he leans in, "Can I see you tonight?"

Crimson creeps up her neck, her cheeks growing hot as she looked up under her dark lashes, "What time?"

His smile upturned his lips slightly, "Is seven okay?"

"Perfect"

"I'll see you then" he said picking up his file folder.

Epiphany walked up and Elizabeth picked up her charts and smiled, "You're going to the boardroom Mr. Cassadine?"

"Yes, I am"

"Well it just so happens, I am heading that way so we can share an elevator"

The older woman raised her eyebrow at them but didn't say anything as they walked towards the elevator. It was empty but they stood at opposite ends but as soon as it closed they both rushed towards it each other dropping the charts and files on the floor as his hands came to her face and her arms snaked around him.

It was a frenzied kiss, filled with the hunger and desire that had been growing between them. This was as far as they had allowed it to go, but both knew the day was fast approaching when kisses wouldn't merely be enough to sate the flames that danced between them.

"God, I've missed you" he murmured resting his forehead against hers.

"Me too" she says before touching her lips against his again.

This isn't filled with hunger, but a tenderness that he has always shown her…one that makes her feel strong, safe, loved.

As the elevator starts to slow they pull apart picking up files and smoothing out clothing. Fingertips touch her swollen lips and she can't help but smile as he steps off the elevator and looks at her one more time with want in his eyes.

OoO

Edward drones on and all he can think about is the way her tongue feels on his lips. She always tastes like some fruity lip-gloss, sweet, slick, wet and waiting for him to rid her pink pout of it.

Sometimes he wonders how he waited that long to taste her, to hold her, to love the way her smooth skin feels under his palm. They knew each other for years and besides a brief crush, he had never really known what was there, what they could have.

Her kisses intoxicated him, making the blood course through his veins like she was some drug he was addicted to but she didn't make him crazy. Not in the way that made him forget about living, but in ways that made him feel alive again. First it was her friendship, her time, a shoulder to cry on, understanding eyes…but now, now it was her mouth, and her hands, and her body pressed against his. They hadn't gone further than kisses even though he had wanted too…because when they made love; he wanted her to know that she was the only one he wanted in his bed.

OoO

Standing in front of the mirror she holds up dresses to her body throwing each one down on her bed until she comes to the last. It's a deep navy silk with a thin gauze overlay. The A-line hugged under her bust and dipped between the valley of her breasts. Pulling it on she bit her lip and gently let her hair tumble over her bare shoulders. She had gone to have dinner with Nikolas at least hundreds of times, but this time was different and it gave her butterflies.

OoO

The patio was lit by thousands of candles, the table set for two, light jazz playing in the background. Leaning against the wall he waited for the moment she rounded that corner; for the moment she took his breath away.

There she was, his best friend, the woman he had known for most of his life who had become a revelation.

"You look amazing"

A smile lit her eyes, "Thank you" she said nervously before looking around, "This is beautiful"

Reaching out his hand he took her smaller one in his, "I'm glad you like it"

Looking up at him she wondered if he knew the affect he had over a woman. She doubted it; he was too much of the handsome Prince to ever be as arrogant to notice himself. He was intoxicating, and he swept her up in one approving gaze.

"Sit" he asked pulling out her chair.

There was a tentativeness that had never been before, awkward silences where they simply stared at each other. Waiters scurried around them serving stuff she could hardly pronounce.

"Where's Spencer?" she asked trying to find some normalcy after desert was served

His eyes lit up at the mention of his son, "Lesley required some Grandmother time. Since Spencer has started school she complains he studies too much and needs to have 'Good old fashioned American fun'" he mocked.

Laughing she shook her head, "Oh the Prince coming to play with the commoners" she teased.

Could this be the road?

Is this everything that I've been searching for?

'Cause every voice in my head keeps tellin' me

That I might be close

A bright smile came to his face, "I can assure you Elizabeth Webber, you are anything but common"

You're just a step away

Am I wasting far too many days?

Facing love up there twenty floors above

With the ground so close

Heat rushed through her body as she picked at her crème brule. He stood up and held out his hand, "Dance with me"

Seemed like I was sure

Someday I'd be growing up to save the world

At this place now I'm only savin' face

But I came so close

Nodding she let him lead her under the twinkle of candles as the music started to get louder, "You have a lot of perks as a prince" she whispered smiling.

Here I stand at this destination

Now I see you with my eyes wide open

I don't want to let you go

'Cause everything I know tells me

You're where I belong

Placing his hand on her hip he gently swayed her to the song. She healed him; all those jagged pieces stopped piercing at him every time she was there. Her in his arms had begun to piece them back together. It was like coming home in a way, to find this in someone he adored, he knew, who knew him…who loved him for who he was and not his last name, or money.