Luke cursed under his breath as he turned the corner and saw Emily
standing alone and crying. "Hey beautiful, what are you doing out here at
this time of night", Luke called as he approached her. "Wondering why I
have such bad luck with dates", Emily said with a small laugh. "Can I give
you a ride home darling", Luke asked as he wrapped his coat around her
shoulders. "Anything but that", Emily pleaded. "I just don't want to
listen to the I told you's tonight", Emily continued as the pair began
walking. "How about some hot chocolate at Kelly's then", Luke asked.
"Best offer I've had all evening", Emily said with a smile.
"Do I need to go beat someone up for you", Luke asked after he had her seated at a table in the dinner. "No, I'm sure Lucky will take care of that when he shows up at the party without me", Emily said as wrapped her hands around her hot chocolate. "And what about Prince Nicky", Luke asked with a twinkle in his eyes. "He's back to not noticing me these days", Emily commented, as she willed herself not to cry. "Mr. Spencer, you don't have to stay with me", Emily said as she stared into her cup. "How many times do I have to tell you it's Luke and it would be a crime to leave such a beautiful lady alone tonight", Luke said as he got a smile out of Emily.
"Robin are you sure this is what you want", Jason asked as they walked toward the brownstone. "Chickening out already", Robin said as snuggled closer to his side. "No, you always said the holidays were suppose to be happy, I don't know how happy this is going to make your family", Jason asked as he stopped walking. "It doesn't matter Jason, I can't live for anyone else anymore, and if you really want someone that approves we could always go see Lila", Robin said with laugh. "I might be willing to give you a little reprieve though", Robin said as she ran ahead of him. "And that is", Jason asked as he saw the twinkling in her eyes. "Race you to Kelley's for hot chocolate", she said as she took off. He caught up to her in the courtyard where he lifted her up and spun her around, their laughter ringing through the night.
"I think you're out of luck on the hot chocolate", Jason said as he pointed to the closed sign. "But the lights are on", Robin pointed out and said, "and I have pull with the owners", as she knocked on the door. Emily was so lost in her own world wondering what would have been if Katherine hadn't been living at the mansion THAT night, she didn't hear Luke's cell phone ring or Robin knocking at the door.
Luke flipped open his cell phone and barked, "What", as he went to open the door. Hearing his stepsons voice on the other end led to a grimace on Luke's face, as Robin entered the diner. Luke pointed to Emily as he stepped outside to take the call. Seeing the look on Luke's face Jason decided to stay outside with him to find out if there was trouble and ask what Emily was doing at the diner.
"Hey Em", Robin said as she sat next to her. "Robin", Emily exclaimed in surprise as she reached over and hugged her friend. "I didn't know you were coming home", Emily said. "I didn't know myself till this morning", Robin replied. "Do I have to ask why you're all dressed up, sharing hot chocolate with Luke", Robin continued. "It's not important", Emily said as she once again looked at her cup. "You know my Mom used to bring me here for a milkshake and piece of pie when I was having guy trouble", Robin said as she remembered those times fondly. Emily just looked at Robin as she added, "It's true". "I thought you were always with Stone", Emily said quietly. "He was the first one I loved, but he definitely wasn't my first crush", Robin said with a smile. "Who was", Emily asked as she prepared for some serious girl talk. "That will cost you", Robin replied. "What", Emily asked with trepidation. "You tell me who you're more mad at Zander for dumping you or Nicholas for still being oblivious", Robin asked already knowing the answer. "Nicholas", both girls said in unison.
"What are you doing calling me", Luke barked into his cell phone, as Jason watched. "Lucky gave me this number in case of emergencies", Nicholas replied. "Is he all right", Luke quickly asked. "Lucky is fine, I'm calling about Emily", Nicholas replied. "What about her", Luke asked. "Zander was suppose to bring her to the party, he showed up without her. When I confronted him, he said he dropped her off about a block from your club. I was hoping she went there and isn't wondering around on the docks", Nicholas said through clenched teeth. "What concern is it of yours", Luke asked. "She's a friend and I care about her, if that's all right with you", Nicholas responded in exasperation. "Tell me where you are and we'll go look for her together", Luke snapped. "I don't", Nicholas began. "Now", Luke ordered. Nicholas gave him the address of the party and hung up.
"Is everything okay", Jason asked Luke. "Yeah", Luke replied tiredly. "Can you take care of Emily for me, I'm going to see if I can't scare some sense into Prince Nicky", Luke asked. "Anything I need to know about", Jason questioned. "Her date dropped her off in front of the club and took off", Luke responded. "You don't have to worry about it, Nicholas already took care of the problem", Luke continued as Jason began to tense up. "Is she all right", Jason asked as he looked through the window. "She's fine", Luke said, "I offered to take her back to the mansion but she didn't want to go". "Robin and I were heading for the brownstone, we'll take her with us if she still doesn't want to face the family", Jason said. "Just lock up when you leave", Luke called over his shoulder as he headed back to the club for his car.
"So who was he", Emily asked. "His name doesn't matter. He was an older guy", Robin began. "I think I fell for him the first time I saw him. He was gorgeous. And he had all these beautiful girlfriends. It was enough to make you want to scratch their eyes out," Robin added. "So what did you do", Emily asked so engrossed in the conversation she never noticed Jason enter the diner. "What any self respecting woman would do. I became friends with his girlfriends hoping that if he dumped them he would turn to me for comfort", Robin said on a laugh. "Didn't work out to well, huh", Emily responded. "No, so I moved on to trying to share the same interests, in fact that's when I first had the idea to study medicine. He was going to be a doctor. That didn't work either, all that did was make sure he saw me as a friend and that really sucked". Robin said with a grimace. "Don't I know it", Emily said. "So how did you get over it", Emily asked after a moment of silence.
"I never really did", Robin answered. "I met Stone and he became a friend of his and he fell in love with a friend of mine and we both changed a lot", Robin said as she remembered that last summer with Stone. "Did you ever tell him", asked Emily. "She just did", Jason said as he sat down. "I didn't hear you come in", Robin said as she swatted at Jason. "How come you never told me that story", Jason asked as he looked at Robin. "You never asked", Robin replied. "The truth is Emily, I noticed her, I just didn't think she wanted anything other than friendship and besides back then I wouldn't have dared cross the Police Commissioner", Jason added as he leaned across the table to kiss Robin. "You're back together", Emily squealed, never even realizing what Jason had just said. As Robin looked at him questioningly, he whispered in her ear that they would talk later. "So you see Emily, there's still hope", Robin said after carefully looking at Jason for a moment.
"We were on our way to the brownstone, did you want to join us", Robin asked. "I don't want to intrude", Emily stammered. "Your family. You couldn't possibly intrude", Robin responded. "It's either that or we take you to the mansion", Jason added. "I'll go with you, if you're sure", Emily quickly replied, as they exited the diner.
"Luke don't you think it would be faster if we split up to look for her", Nicholas asked as he got in the car. "I know where she is. We're going to have a little talk", Luke said after the car was once again in motion. After driving in silence for a few minutes Nicholas asked, "Kidnapping me", Luke. "No after our conversation your free to go", Luke replied as he parked the car.
Luke held onto Nicholas's arm and guided him to a secluded part of the docks that had an excellent view of Wyndemere. After staring at the gothic monstrosity on the island for a few minutes, Luke turned to Nicholas and asked, "what do you feel when you look at that place". "Luke", Nicholas responded. "Just answer the damn question Nicky and we both can get out of here", Luke said as he lit a cigar. " I don't know, fear loneliness, abandonment", Nicholas finally admitted. "Are those the reason's you don't tell Emily how you really feel", Luke asked as he looked out over the water. "Emily and I are none of your damn business", Nicholas snapped. "If anyone treated Lu like you've treated Emily, I would kill them. No, I wouldn't have the chance because you and Lucky would have the body dismembered and buried in the tunnels under that place before I even found out about it", Luke said and added, "Tell me I'm wrong and we can leave now". "I can't", Nicholas said as he sank down on a bench.
"Is this where you tell me to stay away form Emily", Nicholas asked as he looked up at Luke. "No this is where I try to get you to come to your senses where that girl is concerned. She loves you Nicholas, why I don't know, but she does and I consider her family, hell I'm starting to consider you family, so I would like to save you both a lot of heartache", Luke said as he sank to the bench in defeat after his last remark. "So tell me what to do", Nicholas said. "That I can't do. I can tell you what not to do, but the choice ultimately is yours", Luke responded. "Stefan and I share one thing in common. Your mother is the love of both of our lives. And neither of us handled the situation well", Luke began. "When Laura came back from Greece, if she would have told me about her life with Stefan, I would like to think that I loved her enough to let her go back especially after Stavros was dead. Or if Stefan had enough of a backbone to defy Helena and come after her himself. I'm not sorry he didn't, because if either of those had happened I wouldn't have Lucky and Lulu and I wouldn't trade them for anything, but Laura didn't tell me and the lies built between us", Luke said with sadness in his voice. "What does this have to do with anything", Nicholas asked distinctly uncomfortable with this kind of honesty from Luke. "Stefan didn't come after Laura because he knew what the Cassadines would do to her if she returned, just like Helena has threatened to do to any of the girls you've even considered dating", Luke said as he looked at Nicholas and dared him to tell him something else. "I don't want to drag Emily into this mess", Nicholas admitted as he looked down at his shoes, "She deserves so much more". "She deserves the man who makes her world complete, and contrary to things I may have said in the past you deserve to be happy Nicholas", Luke grudgingly admitted.
"Nicholas, if you don't go for this now, while she is still willing to give you a chance, you will regret it for the rest of your life", Luke said as he stood and walked to the railing. "Do you want to end up like Stefan, alone and unable to find someone who lives up to the fantasy of perfection you created in your youth, or worse give in and accept Helena running your life and marry a vapid blond of her choice", Luke continued. "Would that be so bad, at least Emily would be safe", Nicholas asked. "Do you really want to wake up in 20 years next to a woman you don't know, and children who have been raised by Helena, hating yourself for what you've become", Luke asked. When Nicholas didn't answer he continued, "That situation leads to desperation. So maybe you track down Emily and propose an affair that won't touch you but will destroy any family she has because you need to see what could have been. Or worse you don't see a way out so you take what you need because it's a last ditch effort to save yourself regardless of what she wants." "Like I did to Laura", Luke quietly adds at the end.
"If you're even implying that I would do that to Emily", Nicholas sputtered as he stood. "No, I'm not", Luke interrupted, "I know both you and the Cowboy are stronger than that". "Then what", Nicholas demanded. "I threw away 20 years with Laura because I couldn't accept she was trying to protect me and herself from mistakes that we all had a part in. I would just like you to have a chance to make different choices in 20 years with the woman you love. Don't let Helena or her family, keep you to apart. Ask Stefan if you don't believe me on this we agree. Strange as that may sound", Luke said as he dropped his cigar into the water. "And I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is one thing that Stefan and I could actually work together on, keeping Helena out of your life with Emily", Luke added as he got ready to walk back to the car. "That still isn't a guarantee", Nicholas said as he looked out at Wyndemere. "Life doesn't come with a money back guarantee", Luke said as he gestured for Nicholas to precede him back to the car. "You said you knew where she was", Nicholas tentatively asked as they approached the car. "Brownstone", want a lift Luke asked as Nicholas got in the car.
As Jason, Robin and Emily left Kelly's courtyard, Emily looked up at Jason and asked, "So how long have the two of you been back together". Robin burst into giggles as Jason consulted his watch and solemnly proclaimed, "one hour and fourteen minutes". Emily looked at her brother and the love of his life and wondered if she would ever be that happy, and if it would be with Nicholas.
"Are you to sure you want me tagging along than", Emily asked once Robin had stopped laughing. "Emily, don't worry about it", Jason said. "We could take her back to the Quartermaines if she doesn't want to do this", Robin said with a mischievous smile. "Em, I'm begging you just come with us, because if we take you back there, she's going to make me go in, and she'll actually enjoy it", Jason said as he placed his hands on Emily's shoulders and turned her to face him. "If you're that sure you want to go home", Emily started to say. "I knew you would see it my way", Jason interrupted. "I was going to say you could take me home", Emily finished. At the look on Jason's face, both girls once again dissolved into laughter. After they finished laughing, Emily reached up and kissed Jason's cheek as she whispered, "I'm glad you two found each other again". With that, the three of them finished the walk to the brownstone in companionable silence.
The small group paused at the foot of the steps and Robin took a deep breath. Jason pulled her close and whispered, "Are you sure you want to do this". "It's the only way", Robin said as they went up the steps and she knocked on the door.
"Do I need to go beat someone up for you", Luke asked after he had her seated at a table in the dinner. "No, I'm sure Lucky will take care of that when he shows up at the party without me", Emily said as wrapped her hands around her hot chocolate. "And what about Prince Nicky", Luke asked with a twinkle in his eyes. "He's back to not noticing me these days", Emily commented, as she willed herself not to cry. "Mr. Spencer, you don't have to stay with me", Emily said as she stared into her cup. "How many times do I have to tell you it's Luke and it would be a crime to leave such a beautiful lady alone tonight", Luke said as he got a smile out of Emily.
"Robin are you sure this is what you want", Jason asked as they walked toward the brownstone. "Chickening out already", Robin said as snuggled closer to his side. "No, you always said the holidays were suppose to be happy, I don't know how happy this is going to make your family", Jason asked as he stopped walking. "It doesn't matter Jason, I can't live for anyone else anymore, and if you really want someone that approves we could always go see Lila", Robin said with laugh. "I might be willing to give you a little reprieve though", Robin said as she ran ahead of him. "And that is", Jason asked as he saw the twinkling in her eyes. "Race you to Kelley's for hot chocolate", she said as she took off. He caught up to her in the courtyard where he lifted her up and spun her around, their laughter ringing through the night.
"I think you're out of luck on the hot chocolate", Jason said as he pointed to the closed sign. "But the lights are on", Robin pointed out and said, "and I have pull with the owners", as she knocked on the door. Emily was so lost in her own world wondering what would have been if Katherine hadn't been living at the mansion THAT night, she didn't hear Luke's cell phone ring or Robin knocking at the door.
Luke flipped open his cell phone and barked, "What", as he went to open the door. Hearing his stepsons voice on the other end led to a grimace on Luke's face, as Robin entered the diner. Luke pointed to Emily as he stepped outside to take the call. Seeing the look on Luke's face Jason decided to stay outside with him to find out if there was trouble and ask what Emily was doing at the diner.
"Hey Em", Robin said as she sat next to her. "Robin", Emily exclaimed in surprise as she reached over and hugged her friend. "I didn't know you were coming home", Emily said. "I didn't know myself till this morning", Robin replied. "Do I have to ask why you're all dressed up, sharing hot chocolate with Luke", Robin continued. "It's not important", Emily said as she once again looked at her cup. "You know my Mom used to bring me here for a milkshake and piece of pie when I was having guy trouble", Robin said as she remembered those times fondly. Emily just looked at Robin as she added, "It's true". "I thought you were always with Stone", Emily said quietly. "He was the first one I loved, but he definitely wasn't my first crush", Robin said with a smile. "Who was", Emily asked as she prepared for some serious girl talk. "That will cost you", Robin replied. "What", Emily asked with trepidation. "You tell me who you're more mad at Zander for dumping you or Nicholas for still being oblivious", Robin asked already knowing the answer. "Nicholas", both girls said in unison.
"What are you doing calling me", Luke barked into his cell phone, as Jason watched. "Lucky gave me this number in case of emergencies", Nicholas replied. "Is he all right", Luke quickly asked. "Lucky is fine, I'm calling about Emily", Nicholas replied. "What about her", Luke asked. "Zander was suppose to bring her to the party, he showed up without her. When I confronted him, he said he dropped her off about a block from your club. I was hoping she went there and isn't wondering around on the docks", Nicholas said through clenched teeth. "What concern is it of yours", Luke asked. "She's a friend and I care about her, if that's all right with you", Nicholas responded in exasperation. "Tell me where you are and we'll go look for her together", Luke snapped. "I don't", Nicholas began. "Now", Luke ordered. Nicholas gave him the address of the party and hung up.
"Is everything okay", Jason asked Luke. "Yeah", Luke replied tiredly. "Can you take care of Emily for me, I'm going to see if I can't scare some sense into Prince Nicky", Luke asked. "Anything I need to know about", Jason questioned. "Her date dropped her off in front of the club and took off", Luke responded. "You don't have to worry about it, Nicholas already took care of the problem", Luke continued as Jason began to tense up. "Is she all right", Jason asked as he looked through the window. "She's fine", Luke said, "I offered to take her back to the mansion but she didn't want to go". "Robin and I were heading for the brownstone, we'll take her with us if she still doesn't want to face the family", Jason said. "Just lock up when you leave", Luke called over his shoulder as he headed back to the club for his car.
"So who was he", Emily asked. "His name doesn't matter. He was an older guy", Robin began. "I think I fell for him the first time I saw him. He was gorgeous. And he had all these beautiful girlfriends. It was enough to make you want to scratch their eyes out," Robin added. "So what did you do", Emily asked so engrossed in the conversation she never noticed Jason enter the diner. "What any self respecting woman would do. I became friends with his girlfriends hoping that if he dumped them he would turn to me for comfort", Robin said on a laugh. "Didn't work out to well, huh", Emily responded. "No, so I moved on to trying to share the same interests, in fact that's when I first had the idea to study medicine. He was going to be a doctor. That didn't work either, all that did was make sure he saw me as a friend and that really sucked". Robin said with a grimace. "Don't I know it", Emily said. "So how did you get over it", Emily asked after a moment of silence.
"I never really did", Robin answered. "I met Stone and he became a friend of his and he fell in love with a friend of mine and we both changed a lot", Robin said as she remembered that last summer with Stone. "Did you ever tell him", asked Emily. "She just did", Jason said as he sat down. "I didn't hear you come in", Robin said as she swatted at Jason. "How come you never told me that story", Jason asked as he looked at Robin. "You never asked", Robin replied. "The truth is Emily, I noticed her, I just didn't think she wanted anything other than friendship and besides back then I wouldn't have dared cross the Police Commissioner", Jason added as he leaned across the table to kiss Robin. "You're back together", Emily squealed, never even realizing what Jason had just said. As Robin looked at him questioningly, he whispered in her ear that they would talk later. "So you see Emily, there's still hope", Robin said after carefully looking at Jason for a moment.
"We were on our way to the brownstone, did you want to join us", Robin asked. "I don't want to intrude", Emily stammered. "Your family. You couldn't possibly intrude", Robin responded. "It's either that or we take you to the mansion", Jason added. "I'll go with you, if you're sure", Emily quickly replied, as they exited the diner.
"Luke don't you think it would be faster if we split up to look for her", Nicholas asked as he got in the car. "I know where she is. We're going to have a little talk", Luke said after the car was once again in motion. After driving in silence for a few minutes Nicholas asked, "Kidnapping me", Luke. "No after our conversation your free to go", Luke replied as he parked the car.
Luke held onto Nicholas's arm and guided him to a secluded part of the docks that had an excellent view of Wyndemere. After staring at the gothic monstrosity on the island for a few minutes, Luke turned to Nicholas and asked, "what do you feel when you look at that place". "Luke", Nicholas responded. "Just answer the damn question Nicky and we both can get out of here", Luke said as he lit a cigar. " I don't know, fear loneliness, abandonment", Nicholas finally admitted. "Are those the reason's you don't tell Emily how you really feel", Luke asked as he looked out over the water. "Emily and I are none of your damn business", Nicholas snapped. "If anyone treated Lu like you've treated Emily, I would kill them. No, I wouldn't have the chance because you and Lucky would have the body dismembered and buried in the tunnels under that place before I even found out about it", Luke said and added, "Tell me I'm wrong and we can leave now". "I can't", Nicholas said as he sank down on a bench.
"Is this where you tell me to stay away form Emily", Nicholas asked as he looked up at Luke. "No this is where I try to get you to come to your senses where that girl is concerned. She loves you Nicholas, why I don't know, but she does and I consider her family, hell I'm starting to consider you family, so I would like to save you both a lot of heartache", Luke said as he sank to the bench in defeat after his last remark. "So tell me what to do", Nicholas said. "That I can't do. I can tell you what not to do, but the choice ultimately is yours", Luke responded. "Stefan and I share one thing in common. Your mother is the love of both of our lives. And neither of us handled the situation well", Luke began. "When Laura came back from Greece, if she would have told me about her life with Stefan, I would like to think that I loved her enough to let her go back especially after Stavros was dead. Or if Stefan had enough of a backbone to defy Helena and come after her himself. I'm not sorry he didn't, because if either of those had happened I wouldn't have Lucky and Lulu and I wouldn't trade them for anything, but Laura didn't tell me and the lies built between us", Luke said with sadness in his voice. "What does this have to do with anything", Nicholas asked distinctly uncomfortable with this kind of honesty from Luke. "Stefan didn't come after Laura because he knew what the Cassadines would do to her if she returned, just like Helena has threatened to do to any of the girls you've even considered dating", Luke said as he looked at Nicholas and dared him to tell him something else. "I don't want to drag Emily into this mess", Nicholas admitted as he looked down at his shoes, "She deserves so much more". "She deserves the man who makes her world complete, and contrary to things I may have said in the past you deserve to be happy Nicholas", Luke grudgingly admitted.
"Nicholas, if you don't go for this now, while she is still willing to give you a chance, you will regret it for the rest of your life", Luke said as he stood and walked to the railing. "Do you want to end up like Stefan, alone and unable to find someone who lives up to the fantasy of perfection you created in your youth, or worse give in and accept Helena running your life and marry a vapid blond of her choice", Luke continued. "Would that be so bad, at least Emily would be safe", Nicholas asked. "Do you really want to wake up in 20 years next to a woman you don't know, and children who have been raised by Helena, hating yourself for what you've become", Luke asked. When Nicholas didn't answer he continued, "That situation leads to desperation. So maybe you track down Emily and propose an affair that won't touch you but will destroy any family she has because you need to see what could have been. Or worse you don't see a way out so you take what you need because it's a last ditch effort to save yourself regardless of what she wants." "Like I did to Laura", Luke quietly adds at the end.
"If you're even implying that I would do that to Emily", Nicholas sputtered as he stood. "No, I'm not", Luke interrupted, "I know both you and the Cowboy are stronger than that". "Then what", Nicholas demanded. "I threw away 20 years with Laura because I couldn't accept she was trying to protect me and herself from mistakes that we all had a part in. I would just like you to have a chance to make different choices in 20 years with the woman you love. Don't let Helena or her family, keep you to apart. Ask Stefan if you don't believe me on this we agree. Strange as that may sound", Luke said as he dropped his cigar into the water. "And I can't believe I'm saying this, but this is one thing that Stefan and I could actually work together on, keeping Helena out of your life with Emily", Luke added as he got ready to walk back to the car. "That still isn't a guarantee", Nicholas said as he looked out at Wyndemere. "Life doesn't come with a money back guarantee", Luke said as he gestured for Nicholas to precede him back to the car. "You said you knew where she was", Nicholas tentatively asked as they approached the car. "Brownstone", want a lift Luke asked as Nicholas got in the car.
As Jason, Robin and Emily left Kelly's courtyard, Emily looked up at Jason and asked, "So how long have the two of you been back together". Robin burst into giggles as Jason consulted his watch and solemnly proclaimed, "one hour and fourteen minutes". Emily looked at her brother and the love of his life and wondered if she would ever be that happy, and if it would be with Nicholas.
"Are you to sure you want me tagging along than", Emily asked once Robin had stopped laughing. "Emily, don't worry about it", Jason said. "We could take her back to the Quartermaines if she doesn't want to do this", Robin said with a mischievous smile. "Em, I'm begging you just come with us, because if we take you back there, she's going to make me go in, and she'll actually enjoy it", Jason said as he placed his hands on Emily's shoulders and turned her to face him. "If you're that sure you want to go home", Emily started to say. "I knew you would see it my way", Jason interrupted. "I was going to say you could take me home", Emily finished. At the look on Jason's face, both girls once again dissolved into laughter. After they finished laughing, Emily reached up and kissed Jason's cheek as she whispered, "I'm glad you two found each other again". With that, the three of them finished the walk to the brownstone in companionable silence.
The small group paused at the foot of the steps and Robin took a deep breath. Jason pulled her close and whispered, "Are you sure you want to do this". "It's the only way", Robin said as they went up the steps and she knocked on the door.