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Chapter 12

(At General Hospital, Elizabeth reaches the Nurse's Station. As she dives into her paperwork, she can't help but think of her dashing prince of a boyfriend. A smile appears at how caring he was towards her safety and the boys' safety. She knew he loved Cameron and Aiden, but when Nikolas made it clear he loved them like his own, it made her love the prince even more. Her thoughts are dashed when Sabrina comes around the corner and playfully nudges her friend)

Sabrina: "Someone is in a good mood."

(Sabrina grabs her files and stops next to Elizabeth, who can't stop smiling)

Liz: "I didn't think it was possible to love Nikolas as much as I do."

Sabrina: (chuckles) "Did he do anything in particular?"

Liz: "I knew he loved the boys, but when he made it clear he considers them his, it melted my heart."

Sabrina: "Aw!" (giggles) "He certainly is your prince charming."

Liz: (nods) "That he is."

Sabrina: (winces) "How's the situation with AJ?"

Liz: (sighs) "I will always care about him, but I'm just not in love with him. He has it in his head that if Nikolas wasn't in the picture, I'd still be with him."

Sabrina: (shakes her head) "You can't control who you fall in love with, Elizabeth."

Liz: (raises her eyebrows) "Try telling AJ that." (sighs) "Sabrina, it was never my intention to hurt AJ, but I didn't want to lead him on. If I would've stayed with him, that's what would've happened."

Sabrina: "There are rumors going around that AJ is going back to his dark ways."

Liz: "I know Monica won't be pleased about that."

Sabrina: "Well, no one is perfect. She needs to know that."

Liz: "On my break, I'm going to her office and talk with her on the situation with AJ."

(The two nurses are interrupted by Monica's voice, who stops at the Nurse's Station)

Monica: "Elizabeth, can I see you in my office, please?"

Liz: (nods) "Yes, ma'am."

(Elizabeth knew what the conversation would be about and was dreading it. She was nervous Monica would blame her for everything. While the nurse always felt Monica was fair in judgment, she wasn't sure in her AJ's case. Sabrina whispers 'good luck' to her friend before Elizabeth follows the Chief-of-Staff to her office. When they finally reach their destination, Monica has the young nurse sit across from her. They attempt to get comfortable before Monica speaks)

Monica: "Do you know why I asked to speak with you in private?"

Liz: (nods) "I think so." (nervously) "AJ, right?"

Monica: (nods) "Yes."

(Monica leans forward and places her arms on her desk, folding her hands)

Monica: "We have always had a good relationship, you and I. No one is perfect, however, I feel you always try to be fair even in the worse situations."

Liz: (nods) "Yes, ma'am." (sighs) "Sometimes, I admit, I fear I don't make the best decisions or right ones, for that matter."

Monica: (sighs) "I have heard my son's side of the story regarding your relationship with him and how it ended." (nods) "Now, obviously when someone is hurt, sometimes they spin the truth around. I'm not saying AJ would do that or that you would do that. I would like to hear your side of things."

(Elizabeth nods appreciatively at her boss. She folds her hands on her lap before speaking)

Liz: "I will always care about AJ. But when my relationship or affair with Nikolas ended awhile back, those feelings never went away. I knew they were wrong as I was still with Lucky. After Lucky left town, I decided to give things with AJ a chance." (smiles a little) "He was a great guy..." (sighs softly) "...but in the end, he didn't hold my heart. I tried to fight my feelings for Nikolas, but they just kept getting stronger. When I realized that my feelings for him grew to love, I tried to do the right thing and go to AJ and tell him how I feel."

Monica: (nods) "He felt you led him on and didn't give him a real chance."

Liz: "As soon as I knew about my feelings, I did my best at being honest. It was never my intention to hurt him Monica."

Monica: "Did Nikolas try come between you two?"

Liz: (shakes her head) "He only tried to get me to admit my feelings for him as well as for AJ. I was confused until I finally opened up my eyes."

(Elizabeth briefly closes her eyes and sighs)

Liz: "I don't know if he mentioned how the night ended."

(Monica looks at Elizabeth with slight concern)

Monica: "What do you mean?"

Liz: "He threatened me. He vowed to do what it takes to get me back." (sighs scaredly) "Monica, I'm worried AJ will do something he will regret. The look in his eyes...I've never seen him so angry. I called Nikolas afterwards and he insisted on putting a guard on me as well as the boys."

Monica: (wide eyed) "I didn't know it had gotten that serious."

Liz: "I planned on telling you all this on my break, but you beat me to the punch." (chuckles slightly)

Monica: (sighs) "I know normally I wouldn't like anyone around my nurses at work. However, in this case, I will make an exception." (nods) "I'm sorry my son has made you this worried. Please be assured I will be having a talk with him when I get home to find out what the hell is going on."

Liz: (nods appreciatively) "Thank you, Monica."

Monica: "For what it's worth, I'm sorry he's making you feel this way."

Liz: (shakes her head) "You don't control his actions, Monica. I just wish it wouldn't have come this far."

Monica: "When is Nikolas putting a guard on you and the boys?"

Liz: "He's meeting with them today to see if they're available."

(Monica tells Elizabeth she's excused. The young nurse goes back to work. Meanwhile, at Elizabeth's place, Nikolas hears a knock at the front door. He opens, letting the three potential guards in. They are Siobhan McKenna, Dante Falconeri, and Nathan West. Nikolas sits on the chair and has the three of them sit on the couch. After they all get comfortable, Nikolas gets down to business)

Nikolas: "Thank you all for coming here today."

Siobhan: (nods) "You mentioned a few days ago we may be needed."

Nikolas: (nods) "That's right." (seriously) "Now, before we go any further, I need to know...have any of you had contact with my grandmother, Helena?"

Dante: (shakes his head) "No, sir."

Nathan: "She is not aware we are all here."

Siobhan: (scoffs) "Ever since she pretty much wrote me off because I'm a woman, I made the decision not to associate with her anymore." (shrugs) "She has tried to contact me once, but I wrote her off. If she doesn't feel I can do the job, I vowed to find someone who believed I would...meaning you." (smiles appreciatively) "You have always been kind, so my loyalty is now to you."

Nikolas: (nods & smiles) "Thank you, Siobhan. It means a lot you feel that way." (to Dante & Nathan) "Do you have any plans in the future to associate with Helena?"

Nathan: "No, Mr. Cassadine."

Dante: "We believe Miss McKenna said it best. You believe in us versus Miss Cassadine didn't."

Siobhan: "Whatever you need from us, sir, we're happy to do."

Nikolas: "There is a man named AJ Quartermaine who I believe is a danger to the woman I love and her two sons. Her name is Elizabeth Webber and her boys are Cameron and Aiden. AJ and Elizabeth used to date; however, she chose to be with me and ended things with him. He turned vengeful and threatened her life as well as mine."

Nathan: "He sounds like an arrogant S.O.B."

Nikolas: "He wasn't at first. He was actually decent until he showed his true colors." (sighs) "What I'm hoping from all three of you is to be a bodyguard to Elizabeth and her sons. I would assign each of you someone. What I need to know is if you accept my offer. If you have other obligations, I will understand and looks for someone else."

(Siobhan, Dante, and Nathan all nod to the prince)

Dante: "I would be honored, sir."

Nathan: "I accept."

Siobhan: "Just let me know when you want us to start."

Nikolas: "Tomorrow if possible. I will be with Elizabeth and the boys today. So, starting tomorrow morning, I would like you to start. I will give you the rest of the day to do what you need to be before your assignment starts. Siobhan, I would like you to guard Elizabeth. Dante and Nathan, you will be with Cameron and Aiden as they will not be together. Cameron is in school and Aiden in daycare."

Dante: (nods) "No problem."

Nathan: "I'm guessing we will be out of the way so no one is alarmed by our presence?"

Nikolas: "Correct." (to Siobhan) "I thought Elizabeth may be less nervous at the thought of a woman guarding her."

Siobhan: "I know some people would think it's not as safe for a woman guard to protect a female."

Nikolas: (chuckles) "My mother and Elizabeth were slightly concerned until I told them you showed my grandmother what you were capable of."

Siobhan: (smirks) "I will never forget the expression on her face when she saw me take care of her personal guards."

Nikolas: (laughs) "You definitely showed her."

(Things get serious between all of them again)

Nikolas: "Do any of you have any questions?"

Dante: "Will anyone be guarding your son, Spencer?"

Nikolas: "He has tutors, so he is not in school. His nanny is both a guard and someone who looks out for him. I will be with him a lot, as well. Elizabeth gets off of work tonight and has tomorrow off so I will have you meet her and the boys then."

Siobhan: (nods) "No problem, Mr. Cassadine."

(They all get up and Nikolas shakes hands with all three of the guards before Siobhan, Dante, and Nathan leave. Nikolas sighs deeply as a smile creeps up on his lips)

Nikolas: "Now that all that is taken care of...time for me to prepare my evening with the woman I love. Mom was nice to take the boys. I just hope I give her the evening she deserves."

(On the pier, AJ is waiting on the docks for Jerry Jacks to arrive. AJ growls in frustration as he was losing his patience. When Jerry finally arrives, AJ scoffs)

AJ: "Took you long enough to get here."

Jerry: "You seem to forget I have other commitments besides you."

AJ: (raises his eyebrows) "So, I guess you don't need the twenty million you requested after all, huh?"

Jerry: "I didn't say that." (smirks evilly) "Money is always a good thing to have."

AJ: (glares at Jerry) "Then be on time at our next meeting or I will find someone else who would be more than happy to accept my offer."

Jerry: (sighs deeply) "I'm here, aren't I? Now..." (clears his throat) "...what did you have in mind?"

AJ: "I'm sure by now Cassadine will have guards on Elizabeth and the boys. He may think he can handle me himself without any guards. Well, he will be in for a rude awakening."

Jerry: "Sounds like you already have a plan in motion."

AJ: (nods) "I do."

(AJ hands Jerry a black box)

Jerry: "What's in it?"

AJ: "A gun. The day after tomorrow when the idiot is here on the docks, there will be a surprise for him."

Jerry: (confused) "And just how do you know Cassadine will be on the docks?"

AJ: (shrugs innocently) "Maybe he'll receive a 'blocked' call about a loved one being in danger, here and being he's so 'noble', he will rush down here..." (smiles evilly) "...and find himself all alone at the mercy of a gun."

Jerry: "Any specific time you want this done?"

AJ: "Afternoon as Elizabeth will be at work."

Jerry: (chuckles) "You know Miss Webber's work schedule now?"

AJ: (shakes his head) "No, but I did ask my mom about the next couple of days. She didn't sound worried about it, so I'm guessing Elizabeth didn't tell her about my so called behavior yet."

Jerry: "If she doesn't want you, why continue to go after her?"

AJ: (angrily) "Because that asshole Cassadine got in between us. If it wasn't for him, she and I would still be together."

Jerry: (shrugs) "You seen very sure of yourself."

AJ: "I know she loved me even though she said she didn't. Cassadine will soon realize he shouldn't have gotten in my way."

Chapter 12 Done

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