She ran, ran as fast as her legs on heels would take her. She didn't know where to go and didn't want to risk getting stuck at the launch where someone could catch up. For some reason she veered left and ran towards an old cobblestone pathway. She hadn't the faintest idea where she was going, but her legs seemed to know. When the rain started to pour down from the sky she ditched the high heels; not even feeling the rocks kicking upon her feet.

He stood there in the middle of the ballroom, and he looked to Maxie…he had never meant to hurt her, but Courtney…and he turned and ran out after her. He thought she would go to the launch, but when he got there the boat was still on the other side of the docks…and suddenly he knew exactly where she would go.

Flashback

"What is this place?" she asked walking into the small cottage house that shared space with the island.

"It is a cottage" he said smiling.

She turned to him and rolled her eyes, "yes, I see that…what is it here for?"

"I think it was old servant's quarters…but Stefan had it redone for Chloe…and after she died; he couldn't bear to come in here"

Courtney nodded, it's beautiful…but it could really be livened up with some color" she said laughing at the dark tarp covering the furniture.

After that day they had started renovating the small cottage. They did the nursery first in greens, blues and yellows…colors that reminded her of the sea. After she had died; he couldn't bear to stop and he kept up the transformation. He had even had Liz come and paint the mural on the wall of the nursery. The bedroom was done in all birch wood and creams and tans…it just seemed to fit. He and Matthew went there often…and he had a feeling that she would go there too.

She came into the small cottage…the living room was beautiful. It had dark cherry wood furniture with dark green and blue plaids padding the chairs and sofa. She walked towards the back into the bedroom. It was light and sunny, and she instantly felt a connection to it…like it suited her tastes…the last door she opened had a sunny picture window pointing out towards the sea. Everything about the room mirrored the sea and on the wall adjacent to the window was a mural of just that…upon closer inspection she saw the rocks that surrounded Spoon Island, and a lone mermaid with flowing blond hair and blue eyes. It was…

"It's you" she heard from a familiar voice standing in the doorway.

She ran her fingers along the painting before turning around.

She looked at him intently when she did; her blue eyes boring holes into his brown ones.

"How" was the only word that escaped his throat.

The tears came almost instantly as she shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know…I woke up one morning on a beach where people were speaking a language I didn't understand…I was taken to a clinic in Spain, and the doctors are trying to figure out why I can't remember…and that is where Patrick and Elizabeth found me…and they brought me home…here" she told him.

He nodded like he was understanding the whole thing, but a million things were running through his head. But the one thing that struck out the most he whispered as he walked towards her.

"You look beautiful" he said coming upon her and placing a palm against her cheek.

She felt the pull; felt herself melt into his touch.

"I…I remembered your eyes" she said which made the tears come into his.

He didn't know what else to do but he leaned in and kissed her. It was soft, and their lips barely touched both tentative on the feelings that were feeling.

It was then he started to melt into the kiss…his body knew hers and he pulled her tighter to him; his hands wound tightly in her hair. Their bodies reacted to each other, and her hands came to his wet coat jacket and began to peel it away from his skin. At the same time his hands found the straps of her gown, and slid them off her shoulders and down her body. She stood in front of him in panties, and he began to strip the rest of his clothing off; her hands anything but idle. When he was down to his underwear he practically attacked her and in one glorious sweep he took her into his strong arms.

He took her to the bed he had never slept in, and he laid her down. He looked at her face; into those deep blue eyes, and this was right…lying in this bed with her was right. And as they made love his body reacted in a way it had never done with another before her, and would never with another after her. Their bodies were made for each other.

She didn't know how she got herself so wrapped up in the moment, but when he took her to the bedroom she forgot about reality and all she wanted to do was make to this man…and as he looked at her…she knew it was right.

They lay in the post coital afterglow his arms wrapped protectively around her body when they heard a loud boom, followed by harried footsteps.

"Court!" came from a familiar voice bounding into the room.

When Carly took in the scene she covered her eyes, "Oh God, um, yeah sorry" she said walking out still covering her eyes.

Courtney got up and began to look for her clothes only finding one undergarment. Nikolas got up and walked to the dresser and pulled out a pair of his workout shorts and a tee.

"They are kind of big, but" he started to say but she cut him off.

"Thanks" she said throwing them on.

When she walked out Carly was waiting there, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…" she said flustered.

Courtney just nodded, "can you take me back to the hotel?" she asked and Carly nodded but felt confused.

Nikolas heard her tell Carly to take her back and he wondered what was going on, but she came and smiled at him, "I should go…you have your ball and I…"

"Court" he said grabbing her arm.

She shook her head; "I can't do this right now" is all she let out.

And then she left…he put back on his now wet rumpled tux and headed to the house. When he walked into the door surprisingly the house was empty except Alexis sitting on the couch.

"Where" he started.

She patted her seat for him to sit, "are you okay?" she asked.

He turned his head and a tear came from his eye and she took him into her arms, "it is all going to be okay" she said kissing atop his head.

The next morning he met with Liz for breakfast, and she told him the whole story…he couldn't believe it…and yet it made sense…he would have known if she was gone.

Courtney slept in the next morning, and she knew what she had to go do…she had to go see Nikolas.

When Nikolas walked up to Wyndamere he saw the young blond woman waiting. He didn't know what to say to her, but it seemed as if she knew instead.

"Hey" he managed to sputter out.

She smiled, "hey…um, Dillon and Lucas already moved some of my boxes back today…and the rest of the stuff, I will get, okay?" she asked.

He made a move to protest but she placed her fingers to his lips, "don't…this, what we had…it was incredible Nikolas Cassadine…and you changed my life; for the good…but I never had any qualms that I wasn't your first choice…she is, and she is back…I don't know how she is…but you deserve your second chance…so go for it" she said tears in her pretty eyes.

"You know…I cared about you, right" he asked the puppy dog eyes making an appearance.

She placed a hand to his cheek, "Yes" she told him before breaking contact.

He watched her walk way, but she returned to him. She looked deep into his eyes, "goodbye Nikolas" she said before bringing her lips to his in a final kiss.

Courtney took the launch over and prepared herself to talk to Nikolas, and that is when she saw them…he was kissing her…and she guessed she got her answer right there.

A/N: I totally made up the thing about a cottage and Chloe for effect…so don't quote me because that was fabricated! Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and I know more angst…but could we have it any other way? So thanks for the reads and reviews are appreciated more than you know!