Author's note- this is slightly AU or rather I should have found the time six months ago to write this…

Elizabeth drove across Port Charles from Scott's office. He had been terribly upset and apologetic to give her the final divorce decree. They had tried to stop him but Franco/Drew had their marriage dissolved and moved to San Diego with Kim. Elizabeth couldn't believe she had once considered the woman a friend. Now she was stuck telling the boys that they were on their own again.

Cameron was supposed to be at Jax's with Joss helping her set up a volleyball court in the backyard. Elizabeth wished he hadn't had to be the man of the family for most of his life. What a mess she had made with Zander, Rick, Lucky, Jason, Nikolas, Drew and now Franco. It was a wonder he was such a good boy and unlike her at that age.

Elizabeth decided to swing by Jax's to pick him up first. Elizabeth blotted her eyes with a tissue when she pulled in the driveway and took a deep breath. At the front door, no one answered the doorbell or her knock. Elizabeth decided to go around to the back where the kids were probably still outside.

Nikolas sat down outside on a chaise lounge glad to be out of the house. Joss and Cameron had gone over to recruit Max and Milo's help with the volleyball net. He was going stir crazy in the house. Seeing how adult Cam had become made him miss Spencer all the more. Soon, he promised himself. He would be reunited with his entire family. He closed his eyes to imagine the event.

Suddenly he heard a woman gasp. Opening his eyes, he saw Elizabeth on the patio.

"Who are you? Where's Cameron? Hayden, Jax!" Elizabeth crossed to the sliding doors appearing to believe she had seen a ghost or a newly unfrozen Cassadine villain.

Jax and Hayden came running into the living room as Elizabeth entered. Nikolas was one step behind her. He reached out to touch her arm and missed causing her purse to fall to the ground spilling the divorce papers and everything else on the marble floor. "Nikolas, hasn't Jax told you often enough to stay out of sight?" Hayden snapped. "Now, look what happened."

"It is you? You're here. It's true. Is this some kind of trick? Is Helena alive too?" Elizabeth could feel her voice take on a hysterical quality.

"No, no. It's just me. You are a sight for sore eyes. I've missed you." Nikolas's manners were as impeccable as always. He knelt down to pick up the items on the floor.

"I, I" Elizabeth was at a loss for words as a mist appeared in front of her.

"We can explain," Hayden started.

Hearing her sister's voice seemed to clear the mist surrounding Elizabeth. "You can explain. I'd love to hear it, dear sister. You can explain why Nikolas's family and I thought he was dead, but he's not? You let us grieve for him for three years for no reason. I thought I could understand why you kept Violet from Finn, but I was wrong. Maybe you are simply a bitch who takes pleasure in lying to those who are supposed to be closest to her."

"Elizabeth," Hayden struggled to find words.

"You know how much I've been struggling with Franco, and you continued to hide that my best friend was alive, but you can explain. Maybe one day but right now I wish you would just get the hell away from me."

"I live here," Hayden argued, but stopped when she saw Jax shake his head and motion for her to leave. Giving an aggrieved sigh, she pivoted and left the room.

Nikolas had been gathering up the contents of her purse. He looked down at the papers. "What is this, Liz? Why are there divorce papers for you and Franco?"

"After you faked your death, the first time," Elizabeth hissed, "I was a pariah in this town. No one except Franco would have anything to do with me. We fell in love and got married. At a wedding where I didn't have a single musketeer by my side because you and Emily were dead. What, are you going to tell me that Rebecca really is Emily and you two have been living happily ever after while I mourned you? Does Lucky know?" The fight seemed to leave Elizabeth as she sank to the couch. It wasn't possible that Emily was alive and that Lucky had been keeping the secret from her.

"Emily isn't alive. All I can say is that I had my reasons, and please let me explain." Nikolas sat down on the couch next to her and reached for her hand.

"Nikolas, I can't. Not right now. Too much has gone on today." Elizabeth knotted her hands in the strap of her purse.

"Please, Liz," Nikolas stopped as he heard a noise outside. "I have to go but can you give me a hug?" Elizabeth shook her head but as he moved to embrace her, her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Quickly, he kissed her on the cheek. "I've missed you, my friend." Before she could respond, he left the room.

Elizabeth watched him leave, suddenly exhausted. Jax came around the couch. "I'm sorry. This whole thing keeps snowballing. I don't know what to say."

"I thought you were my friend. Why would you keep this from me? From Laura and Spencer?"

"I thought this would be a week, two max. It wasn't supposed to be like this."

There was a long silence as Elizabeth sat there stunned. Finally, Jax thought of something that might help. "Let me give you tonight to process this. I'll tell Cameron that you were called into the hospital, and I'll get you a suite at the Metro Court. You can order room service, have a bubble bath, and let everything settle before you have to talk to anyone."

"I probably should refuse but I would appreciate it."

"I'll have it all set up by the time you arrive. And Elizabeth, I truly am sorry about this and about Franco."

"Thank you."

Jax shut the door behind Elizabeth. He sent Carly a quick text to request a room. A thought occurred to him, and he placed the call before he could second guess himself.

"Crimson, hello?" Nina answered her phone.

"Hi, it's Jax. How are you doing today?"

"Good. To what do I owe this call?"

"I wanted to ask you a favor. Elizabeth Webber is going to be spending the night at the hotel, and I wondered if Crimson could loan her a few changes of clothing."

"You and Elizabeth? I didn't know you two were that kind of friends."

"No, no, no. It's not like that at all. She came over to pick up Cameron and visit Hayden to tell her that the divorce is final today. It was a big mess. I offered to let her stay in the Metro Court before she had to face her boys."

"You really are a knight in shining armor, aren't you?"

"As compared to Valentin?"

"Okay, I'll have Maxie pull something. What's the room number"

Elizabeth is probably a little out of control here, but I think she would be emotional if she had confirmation Franco had left and that Nikolas was back in the same day. While she and Hayden have been getting along recently, when push came to shove, I think she would give Nikolas the benefit of the doubt over Hayden.