Thank you to everyone who has reviewed/followed/favorited so far. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I hope you like this next update. I don't own GH.

ilovedana53: Thanks for the review! That's what I thought everyone would say regarding AJ. He's going too far in his quest to keep Elizabeth. Nikolas will be in Chapter 9 and we'll see how it goes.

Bryke13: Thanks for the review! My apologies on the long delay regarding the update. I'm so glad you enjoyed the update and I appreciate the fact that you love this story!

Sashahailee: Thanks for the review! You are very right that AJ is going psycho. He will start becoming more unhinged as the chapters go. AJ is a determined guy who will not let Liz go w/o a fight and he can't stand the fact that his enemy won. I was a Quiz fan as well and I completely agree that those comments about Jake were unforgivable. I don't care how drunk he was, he does NOT say that especially considering how sad she still is. Thanks for reading this story. I appreciate you taking the time to review. BTW, I am in the process of writing another dark story like 'because of you' with Liason and Lucky, but this time, it'll be a lot longer. When it's finally finished, I hope you will consider reading/reviewing so I know what you think. I know you said you were interested in reading another dark story I wrote. hehe.

Guest: I'm sorry you feel that way towards the character of Nikolas. If you are not a fan of the character or my story, then why are you reading? It's obvious how you feel so if you don't care, please be respectful to the other people who do like the character/story. Thank you.

Becca1: Thanks so much for the review! I'm so glad you liked the update! You're so welcome for the response. You take the time to review so of course I want you to know I appreciate it. I appreciate you telling me what you think of each update. I do my best to keep my readers happy while writing how I feel the story should go. I'm glad you agreed with the way the chapter went. Obviously with the swearing involved the writers would never have Liz say that, but it means a lot that you felt it still should have been said. I liked the character of AJ until he said those nasty things about Jake to her. I don't care how upset/drunk he was, he should never have said that. To be honest, I never really cared for Carly/AJ together, but I do respect the writers/actors/the show/ other fans who want them together or for their portrayals of the characters. I'm not mad at all you liked them together. Everyone has their preference. I wasn't too happy with how things went with Niz years ago as well but oh well. I thought they were hot and the actors did well with portraying that. I am a diehard fan of GH. I admit I sometimes fast-forward the parts that don't interest me, but I've faithfully watched the show since 1998 when Liz came to town. I have nothing against the character of Ric as I do like him, but I want my Niz. lol. Spinelli is coming back to the show, but not sure for how long and don't know if he's bringing Georgie with but I would think he will. I have nothing against Maxie/Spinelli/Ellie but I liked him with both ladies. I know not everyone will agree with me and that's fine. It was a tossup between the two. Never apologize for writing a lot, girl. I like hearing your thoughts, so you're fine. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens between Spixie when Spinelli comes back.

Reina: Thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the update.

Chapter 9

(Elizabeth was pacing around her living room. She was so relieved the boys weren't at home as she honestly couldn't handle it if they were. As much as she feared for her safety, she knew AJ would never hurt Cameron and Jake. No matter what was going on between her and her now ex, she knew he would never hurt children. In the past, she knew AJ wouldn't hurt her, but after tonight's events, she honestly didn't know anymore. She wanted to believe more than anything he wouldn't hurt her, but it's like she didn't know him anymore. She came to the realization that AJ was no longer a kind, generous, loving man, but was now a tempered, angry, and dangerous man. She was hoping this complete change in attitude was just a onetime thing, but deep down, she knew she was a fool if she honestly believed that)

(She knew it took time for Nikolas to get to her house, but she felt like it was taking forever. Damn, she thought to herself, get here Nikolas. She struggled to take deep breaths as she couldn't help but wonder where AJ was. Could he be at a bar drowning his sorrows? Could he be someplace tearing apart the scene? Or maybe if he was lucky, he was at the Quartermaine mansion cooling off and better yet, Monica was talking some sense into him. But she immediately knew with AJ's mood, it would take a miracle for him to cool off. Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief as she has never seen this side of AJ before. Sure, he's been mad before, but nothing like this. She knew it was partly her fault because of her confession, but she knew it wouldn't have been right if she kept her feelings bottled up. It wouldn't have been fair to AJ and wouldn't have been fair to Nikolas. She knew coming to the realization that she loved Nikolas and not AJ would hurt someone, but it honestly wasn't her intention to hurt anyone)

(She knew she cared for AJ, but she didn't love him. She did have feelings for him, but they were nowhere near what she felt for her true love. She wasn't sure if AJ had any real feelings for her or if he only thought he was in love with her. She knew it was possible for someone to instantly fall in love, meaning love at first sight, but she wasn't sure if that was the case with AJ)

(Elizabeth sighed as she remembered AJ's face when she made her confession. He was pissed off, but she honestly thought he had some idea where her heart was leaning towards. But then again, at one point, even she didn't know so she had to admit if she didn't know, how could AJ? Well, he certainly knew it tonight)

(Elizabeth had a moment of panic when she heard a knock at the front door. She hoped to god it was Nikolas. She swallowed hard in fear when she knew it could be AJ as well. As she walked slowly to the front door, she heard another knock)

Liz: (stutters scaredly) "W-Who is it? W-Who's t-there?"

Nikolas: "Elizabeth, it's me, Nikolas. It's okay, honey, I'm here. You can open the door."

(Elizabeth briefly sighed in relief before she runs to the door and unlocks in, opening the door. She flies into Nikolas' arms and they hold one another in a tight embrace. After a minute, he lets go of her)

Nikolas: "Let me shut the door and lock it, then I'll hold you as long as you want me to."

(She lets go, but it's obvious she's still shaken. She watches as he goes to the door and shuts it and then locks it before returning to her. He leads her to the couch where they sit down as it's obvious to him she is still pretty shaken up)

Nikolas: "Come here, baby."

(He takes her in his arms where she cries softly. He whispers soothing words to her and gently rubs her back until she is ready to face him. She breaks free and they face each other)

Nikolas: "I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. It felt like forever before I landed in Port Charles."

Liz: (chuckles slightly) "It felt like forever before you got here, too."

(Nikolas comforts her by gently rubbing his hand against her cheek. He places a soft kiss on her cheek before facing her again)

Nikolas: "Can you talk?"

(Elizabeth nods. When he first arrived, she was a nervous wreck, but thanks to his gentle cares, she felt a lot better. She sighs deeply before speaking)

Liz: "I don't remember being that scared in a long time." (shakes her head) "I have never seen him like he was tonight, Nikolas. The way he flew into a fit of rage and his vow that he would never give me up."

Nikolas: "Yeah, unfortunately, I've witnessed his outbursts. It wasn't pretty. He vowed he would never give you up. The way he looked in that moment, I knew it was more of an obsession than 'love' as he called it."

Liz: (puzzled) "When did he approach you?"

Nikolas: "A little while back. I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't say anything. But, of course, he thought I was just using it to my advantage."

(Elizabeth looks at him weirdly before shaking her head)

Liz: "You would never do that."

Nikolas: (shakes his head) "No, I wouldn't." (smiles) "Thank you for believing in me."

(Elizabeth tilts her head as she places her hand on his cheek and smiles)

Liz: "I always will, my sweet prince."

Nikolas: (smiles) "I love you."

Liz: "I love you, too."

(They lean forward and share a tender kiss before pulling apart. He looks at her cautiously)

Nikolas: "What else happened?"

Liz: (raises her eyebrows) "Are you sure you want to know everything?"

(Nikolas looks at her sweetly with love in his eyes)

Nikolas: "Hey, I'm always here for you, baby. Never forget that. When you're sad, I'm sad. Please talk to me."

(Elizabeth nods, feeling better after his comforting words as well as the love in his eyes. She briefly smiles before speaking)

Liz: "He, uh, he accused me of sleeping with you the entire time he and I were together."

Nikolas: (scoffs lightly) "Really?" (shakes his head) "Man, that guy, he gets lots of ideas into his mind, but this one takes the cake."

(Nikolas shakes his head with a guilty look)

Nikolas: "I made the mistake of going after you when you were still with Lucky. That's my fault and I knew it was wrong." (shakes his head in determination) "But I vowed to myself that I would not do it again and wreck another relationship." (sighs) "Even thought I have wanted you for so long, I didn't want to do the same thing to AJ that I did to Lucky." (sincerely) "All I have ever wanted, Elizabeth, was to be with you forever, but I would have accepted it and moved on if you truly wanted to be with AJ."

(Elizabeth sighs deeply as she could tell he was genuinely torn. She knew he would have let her go in the end if that's what she indeed wanted. She takes his hands into hers and makes sure he is looking at her)

Liz: "First off, you weren't the only one who went after what you wanted, even though we both knew it was wrong. If you want to blame yourself, then I need to blame myself too." (sighs) "Nikolas, you're not the only one who made mistakes back then. I will never forgive myself for hurting Lucky. We let our feelings get in the way." (smiles briefly) "I know even though AJ feels you took me away from him, you didn't. I know what kind of a man you truly are, Nikolas Cassadine." (shakes her head) "You're not bad, no matter what AJ thinks."

(Elizabeth smiles as she rests both her hands on each side of his cheek)

Liz: "I love you, Nikolas Cassadine. Nothing could ever change that. I can't imagine being with anyone else...ever."

(She places a sweet kiss on his lips before looking at him happily)

Liz: "I love you. Now and forever."

(Nikolas can't help the smile that appears on his face and rests his hands on hers)

Nikolas: "You will forever have my heart. Nothing will ever change that."

(Elizabeth looks at her prince charming with such happiness, she thought she could burst)

Liz: "Nothing will keep us apart. I can't wait until the world knows how we truly feel about each other."

(Meanwhile, on the pier by the docks, AJ is standing next to a mystery person who he shakes hands with)

AJ: "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Person: (chuckles softly) "I was surprised to hear from you, of all people."

(AJ tilts his head slightly and narrows his eyes, looking at the person seriously)

AJ: "I have a proposition for you."

I hope you enjoyed the update. I am so curious on your thought regarding this chapter. LOL. I apologize for the delay. I hope you won't hold it against me and that you will consider leaving feedback. Thank you to those who review/follow/favorite! Until next time!