"You sure you're ok? You seem a little upset." he said seeming a little concerned. "I'm fine...It's just...I don't know the Jax last night wasn't the Jax I married..." she sighed. "Nikolas...I...I need to be alone right now..." Nikolas nodded in agreement. Courtney didn't know what to do. didn't know how to feel or anything because she was so confused. It was plain as day that Nikolas loved her. She wasn't blind or stupid she had a good thing staring her in the face but she needed to think things through. So many things were happening to her in her life at one time that it was just overwhelming as she felt someone softly grab her arm. Jax.
"What--what are you?" "I'm sorry I want to apologize." "You just did now I'll be on my way." "He's here isn't he?" Jax asked calmly."Yeah he is...Look I need to get going really..." "I'll see you home tonight won't I?" "I--Jax I gotta go." she couldn't take his questions and his fake lies and promises. Courtney decided to head back to Nikolas only to find him there with Emily...Kissing. She swallowed hard as she headed towards them. Maybe just maybe there was a reasonable explanation for this."Nikolas?" she asked as her voice shaked almost uncontrollably. "What's going on?" "Courtney..." He started as Courtney seen the look of smugness and content on Emily's face as it seemed she had gotten the last laugh.
"I--uh--I'll talk to you later Nikolas..." She couldn't focus at that moment everything was a blur. Nikolas chased after her and garbbed both of her arms slightly as tears of anger and frustration ran down her eyes as she fought to get free. "Let me go Nikolas!" "Look at me..." He said softly as she continued to fight he twisted her around and took her into his arms. She hit him as tears washed down her face hysterically. She couldn't loose him she didn't want to. "Courtney please..." "How could you!" Courtney demanded angrily through her steadily flowing tears. "I didn't...Court..." "God Nikolas!" She broke down to her knees as he held her moving to his knees as well as she cried into his arms. Nikolas couldn't believe he had cause her this much pain and made her cry this many tears. That night Courtney slept in the guestroom again as she cried herself to sleep she had decided to talk to Nikolas the next day like he asked. Nikolas couldn't sleep he was too worked up too angry at himself for hurting the one woman who was standing by his side. It seemed that "Stand By Your Man" took on a whole brand new meaning.
The next morning Courtney walked out with Jax asleep just as always. Nikolas had requested her presence at the ballroom at Wyndemere. Courtney dressed casual as she arrived without the normal smile upon her face. "This way madam..." said the butler. Courtney followed to find ballroom music playing, The Waltz to be exact, and red, pink, and white rose petals showered all over the floor of the ballroom. However, Where was Nikolas? Just then her question was answered. A well dressed Nikolas in a tuxedo walked out with a single red rose in his hands as he handed it to her and kissed her hand softly. "May I have this Dance?" He asked softly holding his hands out. After a few moments of hesitation and looking down at her rose she took his hands in hers as they began to dance. "Nik--" "No, please" he interupted politely. "Please just let me explain..." he began as he looked into her blue eyes. "I never EVER meant to hurt you...Emily planned that...she pulled me in and It was just a reflex action Courtney..." She didn't want to give him any more time to say anything as the tears welled in her eyes she kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck as she drew back and rested her forhead on his.
"I believe you..." He sighed thankfully that he hadn't lost his one solid foundation. "Courtney--I Love you..." "I love you too..." she replied back almost in a low silent whisper. She really didn't want to loose him. He smiled at her as she loosened up. "I just...the sight of the two of you kissing just hurt me...I didn't realize how much I cared about you until I seen her kiss you...I swear I wanted to punch her..." "Shhhhh" Nikolas smiled at her fiestiness. Only moments before had she been the vulnerable woman that he had hurt but she had bounced back from that rather quickly. Courtney leaned against him as he held her swaying to the music. God he was such a good dancer. The only thing she couldn't stop wondering was if the saying "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was true. Nikolas was her rose. Could he be lying? did he love her? There wasn't a doubt about it but were there feelings still left lingering for Emily. Nahhhhhhhh there couldn't be. She turned around in his arms and kissed him not wanting to ever let him go. Nikolas brushed the strand of hair out of her eyes and smiled his adoring smile. "I'm glad you came..." "So am I." She smiled back as she kissed him once more.