Sorry again for the lack of update. It's end of the quarter and I have last minute assignments and finals. Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed and to those who have just given the story a chance reading. It's not the best and I have read better but for all of you thanks. EM

Chapter 10

Elizabeth Spencer was coming around the corner when she spotted her best friend leaving the administrators office. Her eyes lit up and she crossed her fingers hoping that it meant what she thought. She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice as she called out.

"Em?"

The other woman turned to at the sound of her friend's voice. "Hey Liz."

"Well?" Elizabeth asked tipping her head in the direction the door to their left.

"Well what?" Emily grinned wanting to have a little fun with the other woman's impatience. She didn't have long to wait.

Elizabeth's shoulders sunk down as she released a breath and lifted her eyes to the ceiling. "Just cut to the chase Cassadine are you in or out?"

"Cut to the chase Cassadine?" Emily lifted an eyebrow. "You and Lucky haven't been married a month and already you are beginning to sound like a Spencer," she knew better than to say which one and decided to go ahead and tell her. "I start back tomorrow."

Elizabeth gave her friend and excited hug and stepped back. "It will be so good to see you back around here. So they didn't give you any hassle?"

The women started down the corridor.

"No, they were pretty understanding actually. Also it seems that both Ric and Alexis sent in letters of gratitude for the way I helped them under the circumstances. I was quick to remind them though that it was Robin Scorpio that really did the most important part when it counted the most."

"Stop it Em." Elizabeth said, trying to think of a way to change the subject. "Have you seen Nikolas?"

Emily leaned slightly sideways. "No. He's a little preoccupied these days. Remember?"

"Yeah but Emily you know he still cares. What about the way you two connected at mine and Lucky's wedding? It was magic."

"Liz?" She stopped to look at her longtime friend.

"What?" She looked back. "Everyone knows how much you two love each other. Courtney can never replace the life you shared."

Emily closed her eye's knowing that there was no other way to break it to her friend but to be as honest with her as she had come to be with herself. "Elizabeth he's not coming back I've accepted it and I wish you would too."

"Well I won't," she said suddenly sounding like an impetuous little girl instead of the grown woman she was, "and I can't believe you are too. She regretted her outburst as soon as the words were out of her mouth when she saw the sadness in her friend's eyes. Both knew what had happened to bring all of this about and how much Emily and even Nikolas had suffered already because of it. She reached out to her friend. "I'm sorry Em."

Emily smiled. "It's ok. If anyone has a right to an opinion in this it's you. If I had only listened to you about the counseling, if I would have…"

Elizabeth finished for her. "Then maybe things would have still gone the way it has. The most important thing is that you are picking up the pieces and trying to go forward and as your friend I should," she smiled and squeezed her friends hand, "no, I am proud of you."

"Oh Liz," Emily hugged her friend and pulled away wiping her eyes, "it's been so hard."

Before the other woman could respond they were interrupted by a familiar voice to them both.

"Well if it isn't my two of my favorite girls," Lucky Spencer said rolling up in a wheelchair, looking back and forth between the two women. If he noticed the anything out of the ordinary he didn't comment. Instead he decided to lighten the mood.

"Please tell me you've convinced my lovely wife to spring me from this place. I deserve a decent bed and not to mention an edible meal." Winking at his childhood friend. "That reminds me, do you know where we can get a decent chef forcheap Em?" Laughing as he leaned away from his wife's backhand motion.

Emily looked at the other woman. "I could pull some strings and get them to find some excuse to keep him longer. Just say the word Liz it's up to you."

Lucky looked back and forth suddenly feeling a little nervous.

Taking a deep breath and she put her hands to her husband's forehead. "I don't know he feels a little warm to me. Do you think we should?"

"Now wait a minute you two," Lucky started talking fast, " I feel fine and honey you really are the best cook I really was only thinking about you needing a break what with Cameron and all…."