Emily snuck downstairs through the servant's quarters as a means of steering clear of the storm that was brewing undoubtedly in the ball room, she covered her tracks so well, it had taken a mere slip up to tip off her sister… what was she going to do now?

Servants've busied themselves around the kitchen; in and out of the doors they went carrying trays of food for the expectant guests. Who had they invited? She remembered so little now, it had been put together in such haste, Emily only hoped she'd recognize someone's face.

Then she felt him, his presence was near and it chilled her, wrapping her arms around herself she turned toward the back door which stood ajar, she willed herself to move, as she began to edge closer to the door, she wondered what she would say, what would her reaction be?

Suddenly a deliveryman came bursting through the door with a case of champagne, which left Emily gaping in surprise, she stepped back to make room for him, and sighed in relief.

Straightening her shoulders, Emily exited the kitchen and entered the foyer, from there she began to mill through the house, plastic smiles and needless chatter, what she really wanted was to grab Daniel by the hand and run as far away as their feet could carry them.

It had been so perfect up until this point, Daniel's warnings had gone unwarranted, she'd been insistent that everything would work out as planned… but, there was one slight chink in her planning and that had been Skye, her unexpected arrival and sudden change of heart toward Zander had left Emily reeling.

"What are you gaining my befriending Zander?"

Emily's thoughts were soon scattered, as she heard the sound of raised voices coming from the front of the house, the next thing she saw was Daniel approaching with a look of concern.

"What's happened?" Emily asked anxiously, the panic beginning to set in.

Daniel took her hand in his, " We have some uninvited guests… your parent's are quite upset."

Her heart was in her throat, "Who's here Daniel?" when he hesitated she squeezed his hand, "tell me!"

"I didn't get the gentlemen's name, but I heard your sister calling the woman, Alexis."

That was all Emily needed, she weaved her way throughout the crowd, willing herself to be strong, she got to them just as the security guards took hold of Sonny.

"I want these two escorted out at once, they're trespassing on what happens to be private party." Alan declared sternly.

"And while you're at it, escort her out as well." Monica added, glaring at Skye.

"Get real Monica, " Skye rolled her eyes, but looked panicked when the security guard took her arm," Father tell her."

Alan remained silent, and Monica smiled smugly, "Skye, you've gone to far this time… I told you if you tried to ruin this for Emily you'd be sorry."

"Empty threats Monica, you're a world class champ when it comes to those."

Monica's face grew red, she approached Skye and stuck a finger in her face, "You better watch yourself Skye, when it comes to my family I will do whatever it is to protect them from a gold digger like you."

"Takes one to know one Mon." Skye replied bitingly.

"You little…"

"Mom stop!" Emily exclaimed, raising her hands in a halting manner, "please let go of my guests."

Monica and Alan turned to her in surprise, "Em, you don't need to protect them anymore."

"Do you hear yourselves? You're still treating me as if I'm a child."

"All we've ever wanted was to see you happy, which is far more than I can say for these three." Alan argued.

"Dad, these are my guests, I'm not asking you to like them, but I am asking you to respect my wishes enough to be cordial for one night."

Monica and Alan looked at one another and then back to Emily, " It wasn't our intent to upset you Darling, we just want what's best for you."

Emily smiled tiredly, " I know, and I love you both for it."

Her parent's embraced her and slowly walked away and into the crowd, as thing began to fade into the distance, Skye pulled her arm away from the guard and straightened her dress, her sisters apprehensive expression worried her.

"Emily?"

"You didn't say anything did you?"

Skye was hurt and it showed, " whatever you might think of me… well, most of it's probably true, but you're my sister Emily and I love you… but you've got know that the longer you keep this to yourself the harder it's going to be…"

Emily nodded, " I appreciate your concern Skye, but I've been dealing with this a lot longer than you've known… uh, do you mind if I have a minute with Sonny and Alexis?"

Skye still looked unsure but nodded and walked toward Daniel who stood off to the side.

Emily watched Sonny and Alexis from afar, the two people that had once been her and Zander's saving grace. They stood at the bar, deep in conversation, Sonny's hand gently held Alexis', she squeezed it for reassurance and Emily smiled when he leaned over to kiss Alexis on the cheek.

"Well, this is a surprise." Emily smiled fondly as she approached them.

Turning toward the younger woman, Alexis held out her arms, " it's so good to see you!"

Emily smiled and shut her eyes and embraced her friend, "it's good to see you, whether or not you were invited."

Sonny winked and wrapped his arms around her, "it's hard to believe you're the same little Emily, you've grown into a beautiful young lady."

"Thank you, things do change don't they?"

"They certainly do," Alexis muttered under her breath.

"Don't mind Alexis, the hormones tend to make her moody, " Sonny said teasingly, wincing when he was rewarded with a pinch, "Hey!"

"Blame it on the hormones dear."

Emily grinned amused by their banter, " I'm glad to see the two of you haven't changed… minus one or two surprises."

Alexis turned toward the oncoming servant and accepted the glass of ginger ale she's asked for, "So you like living in California?"

"It was an adjustment… but, yeah I like it here."

"Do you ever miss Port Charles… miss the people in it?"

"Subtle Alexis." Sonny murmured under his breath.

Emily sighed, " He's here isn't he?"

Alexis who was about to say something, looked surprised and shut her mouth, "I was hoping you could tell me."

Emily turned on her heel, catching Skye's eye she motioned her to come over, her sister approached with caution, "Em, let me just say…"

Emily held up her hand, " we don't have time for apologies or excuses… I need to know one thing, is he here?"

At any other time Skye would've defended herself, but she felt to guilty, " I … I haven't been able to reach him… I tried his room and his cell phone, it's as if he's disappeared."

"He's waiting for me."

"What do you mean?" Sonny asked.

Emily smiled sadly, " he's here… I can feel him."

Alexis nodded, " I know."

"You feel it too don't you?"

Alexis' eyes grew misty, "the question is are you going to go to him?"

Daniel who'd approached them from behind, gently touched Emily's arm, " Can I have a word with you Emily… alone?"

Emily looked uncomfortably around the three expectant faces and then back to her fiancé, "If you'll excuse me."

Daniel took her by the arm and escorted her out onto the patio, leaving Skye, Alexis and Sonny alone.

"What's your agenda Skye?" Sonny asked accusingly, his eyes narrowed in suspicion, " I'll be damned if your going to use Zander in it!"

Skye crossed her arms, " When did you resume the job of Zander's supposed protector, wasn't it a few short months ago you wished him for dead?"

Alexis got in between the two of them; " look we don't have time for this right now… Skye I agreed to help you in your case against Ned and the Quartermaine's, but so help me if I find out you used Zander in some sick quest to hurt Emily, I will leave you dangling in the wind."

Skye shook her head, " I can't catch a break, I make a few minor mistakes in my life…"

"Minor?" Sonny snorted

"Minor compared to your track record Corinthos, "Skye shot back, then turned toward Alexis, "look… I thought I was doing Zander a favor and Emily too… I didn't know…"

"Didn't know what?"

Skye looked away, " I'm not at liberty to tell… I promised Emily."

"Great!" Sonny exclaimed throwing up his hands, " Now she gets a conscious."

Outside Harrison Manor

Daniel and Emily stood alone on the patio; she stood with her back to him, he sighed heavily and put his hands on her shoulders, " Turned out to be a great night, huh?"

"You warned me." Emily replied softly, "but I wouldn't hear it… I was so sure I could pull of this grand façade."

Daniel smiled sympathetically, " so that's the couple you spoke about, the ones that helped you and Zander all those years ago?"

Nodding Emily turned to face him, "except they weren't a couple then…they were just friends… I never expected to see them together with a baby on the way…"

"Funny how life does that," Daniel said smiling down at her, "we were friends too, we never expected to be here either."

"But I can't give…"

"Shhh," Daniel shushed her, placing a feathery kiss to her temple, " you give me everything I need."

"He's here, you know that." Emily whispered."

"Yes," Daniel hooked a finger under her chin, " I know."

With that he left her alone, the sky bright with stars as she looked up to the heavens for an answer, closing her eyes, she opened them slowly as they traveled down and were placed squarely on her past.

"Emily."

"Zander."

"Yes, "Daniel hooked his finger under her chin, "I know."