A/N: Alright, so it's beena whole month. I am SOOOOOOOO sorry! After finals summer school started, big projects, got in a car accident... not such a great start to summer! Anyways... hated to leave those of you wonderful people who faithfully review, so thought I'd spit something out. Not a very action packed chapter, as I have to get back in the swing of things. Just wait till the next one...
Chapter 18
The next few days seemed to go by slowly, everyone not sure what to anticipate next or what to do from there. The only one that had given any real thought to the situation was Jason. Sure Nikolas and even Sonny wanted to end this once and for all, and Emily wanted things to go back before she met Patrick, but Nikolas and Sonny wanted Emily to be okay first, and Emily just wanted to 'enjoy' the calm before the storm. Jason was happy that Emily was staying with him; able to monitor and protect her himself. As the days came and went he had time to ponder what to do next. He had discreetly been following several leads to Patrick's connections, but all ended before they even began, and Jason was growing restless.
Emily had slept most of the time while she was with Jason, feeling a sense of comfort and ease that she hadn't felt in a long time. She had almost forgotten how much a good night's (and day's) sleep could effect the rest of the day, considering a peaceful sleep a luxury. Though she wanted nothing more than for things to continue this way, she knew she had to face reality. No matter how happy she was now, she had to protect those around her. While she knew Jason was more than capable of handling himself, she knew better than to risk anything when Patrick was involved. She still didn't know what exactly Patrick intended to with her, or how he would carry out his threat to harm her family and friends, but she knew she didn't want to push him or give him a motive to execute his 'promises.' She was the one to get into the mess - - she just wish she had an easy way to get out.
Knowing she couldn't just simply return 'home,' Emily began to wonder what would happen next. Jason would probably try and find out more about Patrick. Whether or not there was something more, Patrick would end up dead when Jason and Sonny had no more use for him. She didn't want Jason or Sonny to kill someone for her. She couldn't bear them getting caught and ending up in jail for her stupid choices. Engulfed in her thoughts she failed to hear someone knock on the door, making Jason come down to answer it.
"Hey, how is she?"
"I'm good and right here. And you Nikolas?" Jason shut the door after Nikolas entered and took a seat next to Emily.
"I can't believe you didn't hear him knocking. Were you sleep?"
"No, just thinking." Emily quickly remembered that Nikolas had tried to help her. "Um Jase… do you think you can give us a minute?"
"Yeah. I'll be across the hall. And Johnny's outside, so just in case…"
"We'll be fine Jase, thanks. I think you made this into enough of a fortress that Sonny couldn't even get in if you didn't want him to." With that Jason smirked and went upstairs, leaving Emily and Nikolas alone, not sure if that was such a good idea…
"So how is she?"
"She seems fine. Hasn't really eaten anything, but she's working on it. She sleeps most of the time. I think she needs it."
"Is there anything we can do for her?" Carly continued. "Tell her whatever she needs, we'll do. Just ask."
"I'm sure she'll appreciate it Carly. Thanks. Right now she's not really talking to anybody. Nikolas was the first person she's spoken to. Liz and Lucky decided to give her space, but they call to check up on her everyday. The family has no idea. She wants to keep it that way."
"I don't blame her. With a family like that…"
"Yeah. Is Courtney here?"
"No, she went to the store. I think she's gonna cook for Emily tonight."
"How do you know?"
"We were talking about it yesterday. Her birthday is tomorrow right?"
"Yeah. I don't think she's up for a big celebration though."
"Our sentiments exactly. The Quartermaine's are probably going to throw her some huge party, oblivious to the life Emily is going through. A nice little dinner with just us and maybe her friends if she wants to would be mellow. You can ask her. If she's not ready than don't push. We could do it some other time."
"She might like that. She likes to pretend everything is normal. It might help if we go along with it for awhile. We'll see how it goes."
"Sounds good. Leticia will watch the boys."
"Emily would probably want them there. It would seem less pressured."
"True. Second thought, we'll all be there."
"So, how are Liz and Lucky and Lulu?"
"They're good. You know, happy and still best of friends. Everything is getting back to normal finally. Everyone is just happy."
Emily looked down at her hands. She wasn't happy. But it wasn't fair to inflict her unhappiness on those around her. Before she could plaster another smile on her face, Nikolas sensed her uneasiness.
"Sorry Em, I didn't mean to…"
"It's okay. It'll just take some time that's all. And I am happy. Happier than I've been in a long time. I just don't know what to do now."
Grabbing her hand, Nikolas tried to assure her. "You don't have to do it alone. I'm here. Jason's here. Everyone is. Just tell us what you need."
A moment or two passed before Emily spoke. "I need to learn how to make better choices. I need to fix things myself. I need to be okay and I need a normal life. I need to just… just… I don't know anymore Nikolas. I just don't know."
"It's okay. You don't have to figure out everything today."
"How do you know what to say all the time. Did they teach you that in one of your grooming classes?"
"No, it's one of my inherent abilities. Want to go get some ice cream?"
"Only if you pay."
"Do we do it any other way?" The two laughed and embraced. Remembering the last time he attempted to do so, he pulled away quickly, afraid he was going to hurt her."
"I'm okay Nikolas. I used to do this all the time, remember? A couple more days and I won't even feel them. I'm gonna change okay? Don't worry about it. I'm fine. Be right back."
With that Emily went upstairs to change, trying to hide the pain that spread through every part of her as she took each step.
"Are we ready for the next line of action?"
"Yes uncle. With phase two finished, the last one to take them down is in the works. She hasn't come back to the apartment yet, which means she's still with Jason."
"Good. Very good. What is your next move?"
"Jason will come to look for me. He already has, but we sent him a little message. I've been laying low, since the moment he lays eyes on me he'll attempt to kill me. I've taken the necessary precautions. This all might be over in a matter of days."
"Wonderful. Keep me updated. You're dismissed."
"Uncle James," Patrick nodded.
"Patrick," Morales nodded as he excused his nephew.
Just a few days Patrick thought as he made his way back to his safe house. Then I'll be able to live like the man I deserve to be, with the position I deserve. As Patrick passed the alley, he spotted two figures coming in the opposite direction. Hiding behind the dumpster, Patrick waited until the two people with ice cream passed, making them out to be Nikolas and Emily. I knew she wasn't worth anything. Already on to the next one. Too bad it won't last. Nothing in your life will. I'll make sure of that.
A/N: a (), cinder106, pdhtgal: thanks a bunch! reviews mean ALOT!
Kaya 333: thanks for understanding. how did urs and the MCAS go? hope ur feeling better!
