Chapter 1
It was a cold November afternoon in Port Charles. The sun was shining brightly and the snow was falling lightly all around him. Walking through the park, he could hear children caroling from afar, even though Christmas was still almost two months away. It was moments like this when he really enjoyed his life. Even though his life was a wreck right now, it was times like these when he felt nothing but complete relaxation. This is exactly why he loved this season; this holiday. The time of joy, the time when family got together to spend happiness with each other. The time when miracles happen, when the most beautiful things in life take place. The time when old friends who have drifted apart, reunite and the bond becomes stronger than ever.
'Where did that come from?' He thought to himself. He knew exactly where it came from. He had seen Emily at school that day and she looked so beautiful. Smiling brightly, with the light of life shining through her eyes, he hadn't realized how far they had drifted apart, and how much he missed her. Tis the season, he was determined to get their friendship back... and maybe more this time.
Who was he kidding? He had always wanted more with Emily. Ever since the first time he saw her when she nearly knocked him over in the hallway at Port Charles Middle School 6 years earlier. He had forgotten his crush for a while, while he spent time with her and just focused on being her friend. She had been through far too much in her young life and he knew it was hard for her. They used to be best friends... what happened? HE used to be the one she would run too when she couldn't handle her family. HE used to be the one she would run too when she was having a problem and needed someone to talk to. HE used to be the one she used to run too when she was in trouble.
He desperately missed the closeness they once shared. Of course with everything that's been happening in his life lately he hasn't had time to hang out with her. Between Katherine's death, Stefan's depression, Stefan's obsession with prepping him to take over the family business, his uncle's constant hovering and badgering him about getting a tutor and taking over the family business instead of being a normal 18 year old boy and going to public school with his friends, and getting through school, he's barley been able to have time to think about Emily let alone try to figure out a way to whisk her off of her feet. Not that he hasn't thought about her. He thinks about her constantly, even when he doesn't see her. He's tried to catch her at school but she was always busy. Always working on school projects, charity events, social events, ECT. Always doing things to make other people happy. Typical Emily. That was one of the things he admired most about her.
He always tried to hide from his feelings for her. Try to hide by denying that he thought of her as anything but a friend, a little sister even. Sure he would date. Try to find what he knew he could have with Emily with someone else. Sarah Webber, the woman he claimed to love, is nothing compared to Emily and he knew it. He also knew that Sarah won't make him happy. Not the happiness he longed for. Not the love and compassion he never had growing up. He knew that she wasn't the woman he was supposed to be with and he was starting to think that she knew that too. Vice versa.
So lost in his thoughts, he didn't even realize he wasn't in the park anymore but at the docks. He slowed his pace when he heard a familiar voice.
"Julian, I understand. I know how important work is too you. I would never stand in the way of your career."
His heart started pumping rapidly when he heard her voice. Only two questions came to mind. Who was Julian and what did he want with Emily? He tip-toed behind the wall and clenched his jaw when he saw Julian take her in his arms.
"I know you do Em, you always do. God I love that about you." Julian whispered the last part and he could just make out what was said.
The green beast within came out full force as he watched Julian lean down and kiss her softly. He abruptly came down the stairs, interrupting the couple. He couldn't help the anger that was boiling his blood. He knew that he had no right to be angry. It wasn't like she was cheating on him. They weren't even together. She had absolutely no idea how he felt about her. How nervous he got when he was around her, or how his heart fluttered when she would flash one of those award winning smiles at him. To her he was just her best friend, nothing more. The anger inside of him vanished almost immediately when he saw her face as he approached them.
Emily's face lit up when she saw him. It seemed like forever since the last time they spoke. God how she had missed him. She was a bit startled when he stormed down the stairs and noticed how Julian had tensed up at the sight of him. Why would her boyfriend tense up in the presence of her best friend? Did he think that he was a threat to him? Did he feel out of place since they had known each other for years? The question flew from her mind when she saw him smile. "Nikolas!"
"Hey Em." God she looked beautiful, even with that leech attached to her side. Nikolas already hated this Julian guy with a passion, and he didn't even know him.
Julian held Emily even closer and, remembering that Julian was there and they had never been properly introduced, she quickly did the introductions. "Nikolas, this is Julian, Julian, this is my friend Nikolas." She said as she gestured her hands back and forth from them.
'Her friend. Just her friend' Nikolas thought bitterly. He stretched his hand to Julian and after a moment's hesitation, he took it. He was relieved with Julian's words.
"Well Em, I better get going. I'll see you tonight?" He asked, finally tearing his glare from Nikolas to gaze at her. At her nod he quickly kissed her on the lips and left.
After Julian was out of sight, Nikolas smiled brightly and embraced her. "It's been forever since we've seen each other."
Emily hugged him back, fiercely. "I know! I've missed you." She pulled back and playfully punched him in the arm. "Why haven't you been by? Is the Prince too busy for me?" She teased with a playful pout.
Nikolas smiled at her innocence. He loved it when she teased him. Although, he would never let her know that. "Of course not, and I'm sorry I haven't been around lately, I've been really…" What was the word to describe what he was going through? "Preoccupied." Not the word he would have used but it will suffice.
She nodded in understanding. "I know how ya feel." She sighed.
"How about I make it up to you?" He proposed. She perked up at his words then eyed him curiously.
"What do you have in mind Mr. Cassadine?" She smiled.
A long romantic weekend getaway with just you and me and no interruptions. He told himself silently. "Well what are you doing tomorrow night?"
"Actually I'm having dinner with my parents' tomorrow night." She paused for a second at his frown. "Trust me I would gladly cancel with them to go to dinner with you, because god knows I hate dining with my parents, but my dad is going out of town for 2 weeks so I have to." She reassured.
He smiled at her attempt to make him feel better. "Ok, well what about tomorrow afternoon? Like around... lunch time?" He smirked.
"Free."
"Ok then it's settled. We're having lunch tomorrow." They locked eyes for a moment, but was interrupted when her cell phone rang. Reluctantly breaking their gaze, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. "Excuse me a sec." He nodded and she flipped her phone up. "Hello?... What's wrong?... She what!... Oh my god, Lucky... Ok, I'll be right there." She hung the phone up and turned back to Nikolas. "Listen I got to go, your brother is really upset."
He noted how worried she was. "Oh, is there anything I can do?"
"I don't think so. He just needs someone to talk to."
He nodded in understandment. He could tell that she was worried about Lucky and as usual she was there for his rescue.
As if she was reading his mind she said, "I'll call you if I need anything though." Oh, how she knew him.
"Ok. You know I'm here."
She nodded. "I do."
"Ok, how about you just meet me at Kelly's tomorrow at 12?" He asked hopeful.
"Of course. I'll be there." She gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and left Nikolas staring after her.
