Zander had no recollection of how he'd ended up on the Santa Barbara pier, but there he stood staring out into the waters, feeling as at any moment the ocean's breeze would swallow him whole and truthfully in that moment, he wishit would carry him away because the waves represented something he wasn't… constant and strong.

He'd tried calling Alexis only to have her service pick up, the second call he'd made was to Sonny, but he too was absent… his last call had even surprised him.

"Jake's."

Zander had hesitated; tightening his hold on the receiver he contemplated hanging up, until he heard the gruff voice again," It's your dime, spill it."

"Mr. … Mr. O'Brien? Uh… it's Zander…Zander Smith."

The voice changed on the other side, " you find her yet?"

Moving the receiver down to his chin, Zander hesitated before answering, " I haven't talked to her yet… I was just calling to apologize for running out like that… you gave me a chance and I've already gone back on my word."

"Love can do that sometimes… you okay, you need anything?"

Zander closed his eyes; he needed to know so many things, likewhy his Father had abandoned him.

"Zander, you there?" Jake's voice had asked on the other end, " you in some kind of trouble?"

"I'm silent for what… two seconds and so you naturally assume I've broken the law?"

"Son, I don't know you well enough to accuse of you anything, it was just as question."

"Well, I don't need your concern!"

The voice on the other end had sighed, " look kid, here's some of advice, you can take it or you can toss it away it's up to you… but, if she's that special, if you love her that much… go to her and tell her justher that. But there's going to come a time when you have to decide whose happiness your fighting for."

"In other words you think I'm selfish for wanting to be with her?"

"Sometimes being selfish is worth it… just make sure your being selfish for the both of you."

"I don't get it… why are you helping me?"

"I've been there… letting go, well it's one of the toughest decisions in your life, but sometimes other's happiness becomes more important than you own."

Zander nodded, " I get what your saying, Thanks Mr. O'Brien."

"Jake, remember?"

"Okay… well, I gotta go."

Zander had walked after that, going over what his Father had said, until he'd ended up on the pier. He wished with all his might that Emily would embrace him with open arms when he stepped into her new world… reaching into his pocket, he looked down at the small package and smiled, replacing it, he turned away from the ocean and headed back to the hotel to prepare for the night of their lives.

Harrison Manor

Emily stood in front of the full-length mirror; the guests would be arriving now and in a few short minutes the lies would begin to mount against Daniel and herself. He'd given her a way out, but she'd balked at the idea.

Glancing down at the picture she held in her hand, she smiled sadly and then looked again to her reflection. She only wished people understood what she really was… a fraud.

She began to hum, it was an old song, something Daniel had sang to her the night they'd become engaged, it had been a beautiful starlit night on the beach as they'd strolled hand in hand down the sand, the waves lapping against the rocks, the only sound to be heard as they'd strolled along in silence, he'd began to sing, she'd found herself smiling at his helpless act at romance.

Emily, Emily, Emily
Has the murmuring sound of May
All silver bells, coral shells, carousels
And the laughter of children at play

Say Emily, Emily, Emily
And we fade to a marvelous view
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Seeing images in the firelight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily

(And we fade to a marvelous view)
Two lovers alone and out of sight
Seeing images in the firelight
As my eyes visualize a family
They see Emily, Emily
Too

"What are you up too?" Emily had asked suspiciously.

Clutching his heart he fell back a few steps, "you wound me."

Emily laughed, "I've never met anyone like you before."

"A goofball?"

"No…" Emily had cast her eyes down to her feet and then back up at him, "A man with such a generous heart."

"I'm sure you…"

Emily had placed her finger to his lips, " No… not like you Daniel."

They remained silent; he'd gently reached up and taken her hand away from his mouth, "that day, when you came barreling into me with that load of library books…"

"Hey, hey wait one minute there… You ran into me!" Emily argued, pushing her finger into his chest.

"No you don't… if you hadn't been running to your next class you wouldn't have knocked me over… do you know I still have the scar, right there on my forehead, you gave me that." Daniel said pointing to his forehead in mock agitation.

"Yes…Yes… I know all about your Hockey scar! Don't think I didn't get the truth from Victor, you used that scar to blackmail me!"

Daniel straightened his shoulders…" I was going somewhere with this Emily… before you so rudely interrupted me."

Emily rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "I'm so sorry, do continue."

"That day changed my life, you made me laugh again."

Emily gently took his hand and squeezed it, " we did that for each other, before I met you Daniel I was searching for something and I found it with you that day."

"I found it too." Daniel had leaned down and kissed her cheek softly, "I want to hold onto these moments with you forever… I don't ever want to forget."

"Me either."

"Marry me."

Emily had lost her voice, when she tried to speak she'd began to fumble, "But, I thou… you said… are you sure?"

"You're my best friend Emily and I cherish what we have… so I'll ask again, will you be my wife?"

Emily had taken a moment, her eyes filled with tears before she wrapped her arms around him, "yes, Daniel James Harrison, I'll marry you!"

Emily was so lost in thought she didn't hear Skye's voice calling out to her, it wasn't until her sister approached that she was caught off guard.

"Oh Emily, what have you done!"

On The Outside Looking In

Zander scaled the wall of Harrison manner, and dropped down onto the ground, the sky was darkening, the only lights to be seen where the ones coming from the house.

It was large and extravagant, nothing like Zander had seen before, the lawns manicured and polished, he imagined the Quartermaine's must be pretty impressed with their future son-in-law, after all he was everything Zander would never be.

He looked down at his clothes and momentarily regretted not changing into the tuxedo Skye had rented for him… in the end he'd balked at the idea of dressing up and decided to come as he was, Emily wouldn't care what he wore, she'd be searching his heart like she always had, to see the truth that had always been there… he still loved her and she him.

Daniel and Alan were fast approaching, giving Zander little time to duck into the shadows.

Stepping out onto the patio, the younger man prepared them each a drink.

"Daniel, I know it was Emily's decision to have a quiet engagement… but you have to understand we love Emily very much the entire family, they would want to be sharing in this celebration."

Daniel Harrison smiled warmly at Alan, " I do understand Mr. Quartermaine, I really do and if it makes you feel any better, my Father was just as displeased with the sudden announcement."

"I don't understand all the secrecy?" Alan insisted, " Emily told us she had a boyfriend, but she never let on it was this serious."

Daniel put an arm around Alan's shoulder and turned his to face the house, " Emily and I were selfish, we know that… but when you're in love…well sometimes it makes you do things that aren't necessarily fair to others." Daniel stopped, glancing over his shoulder, and then returned his focus on Alan, " I love your daughter, you never have to doubt that Mr. Quartermaine, she's a special woman."

"I can say this young man… I think my daughter is very lucky to have found someone who can give her the love she so deserves."

Zander hands clenched into fists, what he really meant was Daniel Harrison could give her the life Zander couldn't. They hadn't been selfish, Emily was miserable; Zander reasoned with himself… she couldn't be as Happy as Daniel let on.

"You have a lovely home Daniel," Monica compliment stepping out to join the men, "will you and Emily be calling this home?"

"Right to the point as always dear." Alan said dryly.

Daniel laughed heartily, " not a problem, I understand your curiosity… actually this is my Father's summer home, he resides back east… as for myself, I only moved to California when I accepted a position at UCLA medical."

"That's right, Emily did mention you were a doctor."

Alan snorted, "he's not only a doctor Monica, he's the head of Oncology."

"Oncology? Very impressive for such a young man." Monica smiled agreeably, " any reason you chose that field of study?"

Daniel looked away momentarily, and then gave a small smile, " I had a friend as a teenager who succumbed to Cancer… I made it my life's goal to find a cure."

Monica and Alan smiled warmly, "Shall we go entertain the guests?"

The three of them stepped into the house, beginning to mingle with the crowd, the house was abuzz with music and conversation. Servants spread out thickly throughout the room, offering champagne. Everything seemed perfect… the night was still young."

Meantime in Another Town Another Manor

Courtney sat in the Quartermaine living room, reading the real estate ads, she was determined as ever to get AJ and herself as far away from the Q's as possible.

Sauntering into the room, Carly sat down next to her and leaned over rifling through the rest of the paper laying on the coffee table, she sucked on a lollipop annoyingly, when she found nothing of her interest, she grabbed the corner of Courtney's paper to see what it was.

"Do you mind?" Courtney asked, pulling back the paper only to have it rip.

Carly made a face and reached down to look through the papers again, not finding anything to her liking, she pulled a magazine out from underneath and began thumbing through it, pausing she sat the magazine down, and plucked the lollipop from her mouth.

"You know we might as well try and be friends."

Courtney, who'd had the newspaper planted firmly in front of her face, pulled a corner down and gave her counterpart a look of irritation, "why?"

"Well, I see it like this… we're both disliked by Edward, we've both been married to AJ, we're both from the wrong side of the tracks and if we work together we could give the Q's a run for their money."

"You know from the stories AJ's told me about you, your nothing like he described you."

"Why, thank you."

"It's not a compliment," Courtney replied, folding the paper in half and dropping it onto the end table, "you sounded much smarter in his stories."

"Why you little idiot!"

"I'm the idiot? While your trying to conspire with his wife, who happens to love him."

"If you knew half the things…"

"Oh, but I do, AJ told me every dirty secret he's done… see he loves me enough to come clean, something you'd know nothing about."

"Get out of my sight!"

"Gladly," Courtney replied, " and Carly the next time you try to align yourself with a family member make sure they're as slimy as you."

Carly threw down her magazine and crosser her arms; Ned stood watching from the doorway.

AJ had been watching as well from the patio, when Courtney appeared, he held back watching her as she tried to let go of the anger, " you know you don't have to defend me to Carly."

Courtney turned surprised, she began to blush, " You saw?"

"I did… and your good, " AJ grinned, "but you don't have to fight my battles for me."

"I'm not…AJ you're my husband, I won't stand by and let someone rake you over the coals."

"Even if it's your brother?"

"My brother… how'd he get into this conversation?"

"Court, sooner of later we have to deal with him."

"How about later?" Courtney retorted, scrunching her nose, "Just for a little while longer…"

AJ looked down and then up again, "I love you… you know that right?"

"How can I forget, when you show me everysingle day," Courtney hooked her arms around his neck and leaned in for a kiss, "and I happen tolove you too."

Carly watched jealously from the French doors, as Ned approached from behind her, "You chose sex with me, over love with Jason… remember that was your decision, not mine."

Glancing over her shoulder, she narrowed her eyes, " Don't make me regret it, prove to me that your as ruthless as you say you are."

"I'll not only prove it… I'll show you." Ned grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a heated kiss.

Edward watched from the foyer and muttered an expletive as Reginald wheeled in Lila, "I think I've died and gone straight to Hades."

Harrison Manor… Uninvited Guests

Sonny and Alexis arrived at the Harrison estate in a rush; Alexis pushed the doorbell frantically, while Sonny stood back calmly.

"I think once is enough, Alexis."

"That's apparent."

"I was talking about the doorbell."

Alexis gave him a look, " don't stand there so calmly, you're just as worried as I am."

"I know that and you know that, but do we need to share it with the Quartermaine's? What if they don't know Zander's here?"

"You're right, your right, I know your right and I hate you for it."

"That's not what you said during the limo ride over."

"You disgust me."

Sonny chuckled under his breath and his smiled deepened when she glared his way.

The door opened slowly, " May I help you?

Losing her voice, Sonny stepped in, " We're guests of the bride."

Graves looked them up and down in curiosity. Cocking his head to the side, Sonny clicked his tongue, " our flight got in late, we came straight from the airport… I'm sure this will compensate any troubles that might arise." Sonny stuffed a crisp one hundred bill into the pocket and pulled Alexis into the house and straight for the ballroom.

"That's what you call inconspicuous, bribing the help?" Alexis asked under her breath.

"It got us in the door didn't it?"

"Yeah, until he calls the cops and has us carted away."

Monica and Alan stood chatting with a group of guests, it was Monica who noticed they're new guests.

Alan was deep in conversation it took the constant tugging at his sleeve to finally take notice of his wife, " what is it Monica?"

Staring straight ahead, she seethed through clenched teeth, " we've got company."

Alan followed her gaze, his eyes falling upon Sonny and Alexis entering the room, excusing himself abruptly, he strode toward the couple, " What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you again Mr. Q… we're here as guests of the bride."

"Like hell you are Corinthos, anytime you two come within five feet of my daughter, that heathen is nearby."

"Charming Alan, " Alexis said sarcastically, " oh, there's Skye, I think I'll go say hello."

Alexis walked off leaving Sonny to deal with Alan, "If he's here I'll make sure he never sees tomorrow"

Sonny scratched his chin, "Hmmm, you ever think of changing professions Alan?"

Alan strode off, causing Sonny to chuckle, but he grew serious quickly; scanning the room he began his search for Zander.

Skye ran hurriedly down the stairs unaware that Alexis was approaching until she cut her off, "Where's Zander?"

Skye was surprised and a little confused, "Alexis?"

"That's right the one and only… now tell me where he is, before I wring your neck."

"I have to…I've got to find him before…oh my…"

"Skye, what's going on… is it Emily, what's happened?"

"I made a terrible mistake… I've got to stop him." Skye began to leave, only to be stopped by Monica.

"So you're working with Corinthos and company now?" Monica asked snidely, " I should've known… you've never cared a thing about my family, it's always been what's in it for you."

" I don't have time for another one of your outbursts Monica."

"What have you done this time Skye?" Monica asked becoming increasingly agitated, " and why are you here Alexis, you don't care about my daughter, if you had you would've never let Zander Smith into her life!"

Alexis eyed Monica, " Zander's misunderstood."

"Misunderstood… he should've gone to prison for what he did, but no he had you and your mobster boyfriend to help him!"

"And that's got a great deal to do with Emily… she believed in him."

"She was a naïve child."

"She loved him."

"You said the magic word Alexis… loved, she loved him…past tense!" Monica implored, " she loves Daniel now, and she doesn't need any of you, trying to take away from her happiness!"

"Who's happiness are you really looking out for Monica… yours or your daughters?"

Emily's Dress

Skye's Dress

The Song Daniel sang to Emily is an old song that has been sung by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett... just in case you want to take a listen.