Chapter 5 Emily and Jeremy left the mansion to wonder in the park. They sat down and Jeremy placed his coat on Emily who took it and his hand gladly. Jeremy wrapped his arms around her, “So… you read my letter?” Emily nodded wrapping her arms around his waist looking up at the sky, “Yep." "Everything?” Jeremy asked remembering the last line, 'P.S. I know your someone I could have loved. In fact… I'm pretty sure I already do.' "Every word.” Emily teased still avoiding his eyes. "And?” Jeremy wanted her to say something good about it. Emily smiled to herself and looked at him, “I feel the same way." Jeremy grinned, “Really?” "Really.” Emily confirmed with a wide smile. Jeremy didn't want to ruin anything so he changed the subject, “Did anything interesting happen while I was gone? I mean besides you trying to kill yourself which by the way is not interesting it's disturbing." When he asked the question Emily thought of Nikolas for the first time all night. If Jeremy was back would Nikolas' decision about whether or not he wanted their friendship to change matter? Would she care if he wanted her as more than a friend? Would his decision make everything more confusing than before? Emily thoughts ran wild with the one question. "Emily?” Jeremy saw her distant look. She shook her head and the thoughts disappeared, “Yea?” "You seemed a million miles away. Are you ok?” Emily laughed nervously, “Of course. Nothing happened while you were gone." Jeremy unwrapped his arms from around her, “If you say that I believe you." Emily shrugged, “I know.” She wrapped her arms around herself, “I'd like to go home. I'm sort of tired. I had a long couple of days.” She smiled trying to wash away his worries. "Then let's get you home.” Jeremy told her and walked her home. The whole time Emily seemed really nervous and wouldn't tell him anything more about the past two days. Jeremy knew something had happened and he wanted to know what it was. Since Emily wouldn't tell him he'd just have to find out from someone else and he knew just the right person. After dropping Emily off at her house Jeremy realized it might be late to bother someone but he couldn't help it. He went to Spoon Island and into Wyndemere. He wanted to know right now what the heck had happened while he was gone. Nikolas was told Jeremy was waiting for him downstairs and ran down immediately, “What are you doing here?” Nikolas asked, “Is it Emily? Is she ok?” "I think she's ok but I'm not sure. That's why I came here.” Jeremy replied. "What?” Nikolas frowned. Did Jeremy know about what had happened this morning? Did he know Nikolas was suppose to make a decision about Emily? "Yea, I was with Emily tonight and we were having a great time until I asked her if anything had happened with I was gone.” Jeremy added. "But… what did she say?” Nikolas questioned crossing his arms. "She said nothing had happened.” Jeremy answered observing Nikolas' uneasy moves. "And you came here to find out what? The definition of 'Nothing'? Ok, Nothing is when…" Nikolas began to explain. "Very funny, Nikolas.” Jeremy cut him off, “I want to know what happened. I know Emily and I can tell just by the way she acted that something happened. Good or bad I want to know about it." "Jeremy, if she wanted you to know she'd tell you." "Nikolas, what the hell happened while I was gone? I know about the attempted suicide. I mean she's…" Jeremy stopped himself before saying something else. "She's what?” Nikolas saw Jeremy's look and his eyes widened, “She what?!” Jeremy sighed, “This isn't the first time." "You mean she's done this before?!” Nikolas shouted and wanted to kill Jeremy, “And you knew about it?! The whole time, you knew about it?!” "She wanted me to keep it a secret.” Jeremy defended himself and then got even angrier, “This isn't about me!” "I can't believe you didn't tell anyone!” Nikolas yelled. "I thought she would be ok!” "What are you? A natural born doctor?!” "Shut up! This isn't about me I got one thing to tell you!” "So do I!” Nikolas snapped back angrily. "Stay away from Emily!!!” They screamed in unison and both stepped back when they realized they had said the same thing. Jeremy stormed out wishing he hadn't even came because he got no closer to the truth and now he hated Nikolas even more. Emily couldn't sleep that night. The thoughts of confusion surrounding her feelings for Jeremy and Nikolas kept her wide-awake. Tossing and turning Emily tried to get comfortable as the wind howled outside and she was too hot to close the window. She ran her hands through her hair as she sat up and looked at the window. The dark navy blue sky peeked through the parted green leaves and there was a loud whistle in the trees that echoed through out the room. Emily stretched and got out of bed. She walked out of the room and downstairs to get a glass of water. When she was finished she went back to her room and opened the door after checking on her grandmother and Monica. She walked into the still dark room and decided not to turn on the lights since she knew her way in the room. She closed the door behind herself. She looked up and gasped when she saw someone sitting on her bed. She tried to scream but it was in a bubble caught in her throat. She took a step toward the person and realized who it was, “Nikolas!” Emily exclaimed then lowered her voice to a soft whisper, “What are you doing here?” Emily asked not disliking the fact he was there but just surprised. "We have to talk.” Nikolas whispered back. "Ok. What about?” Emily wrapped her arms around herself suddenly feeling a chill run up her spine. "Us.” Nikolas replied. "Nikolas, about that…" Emily began but couldn't finish. She struggled to say something more but Nikolas stopped her when he stood. "I made a decision.” Nikolas said with a smile. "Yea, well, I have to.” Emily stated and finally got the courage to tell him what she felt, “I am not going to wait around for you, Nikolas Cassadine. You either decide you want me or you don't. I can't wait any longer for an answer and I know we said we'd wait but that's just not possible. I got an unexpected surprise that changed all that. So, right now, Nikolas. Do you want me or not?” "That's exactly why I came here.” Nikolas responded and she felt her heart sink. What was he going to say? "Oh.” Emily took a deep breath, “Should I sit down?” Nikolas slightly laughed, “Can't hurt." Emily walked past him and sat on the end of the bed, “Alright, just give it to me straight." "What?” Nikolas said with a hint of confusion in his voice. "Just tell me!” Emily exclaimed and let out a sigh of frustration as she closed her eyes waiting for him to tell her. Nikolas knelt before her and took her hands in his, “Emily." Emily winced in fear, “What?” Nikolas laughed slightly, “Open your eyes.” Emily shook her head negatively and Nikolas placed his hand on her face, “Emily, open your eyes." Emily reluctantly opened her eyes, “What? It's bad news isn't it?” Nikolas smiled sweetly, “I just wanted to be looking into your eyes when I told you my decision." Emily stared at him feeling her heart pound, “Which is?” "I think, “Nikolas paused and stroked her cheek, “We're connected." "Yea, and?” Emily asked and looked away. Nikolas turned her face back to him, “And I want us to… take our friendship to the next level." "Which is?” Emily tried to hold back her grin but it began to creep out. "Well, I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure it starts with a date.” Nikolas felt overjoyed when he saw Emily's face light up before she embraced him. "I was hoping you'd say that.” Emily whispered holding him tightly and thanking god for giving him to her finally. She kept her eyes close and could feel him pulling away but stopped him when she said, “Don't. I just want you to hold me.” Emily said hopefully and he did. Nikolas wanted to bring up Jeremy but he wasn't really up for ruining the moment. After a few moments of just holding each other Emily pulled away with a big smile, “You should probably go." "You don't want me here?” Nikolas questioned with a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Of course I do! I just don't want Grandfather to come in here and have you beheaded before we even go on our first day.” Emily laughed and kissed his cheek, “Goodnight, Nikolas." Nikolas loved the sensation of her soft lips on his cheek and he couldn't wait to feel her lips on his. He stood and placed his hands on her face. Emily looked at him with her heart skipping every other beat as Nikolas pulled her into a brief soft kiss and whispering, “Goodnight, Emily." Emily bit her lower lip while watching him leave. She collapsed onto her bed and was asleep before her head could even hit the pillow. Tonight turned out to be better than she ever expected. The sun beamed down brightly on Emily's face signaling her to wake up. Emily slightly moaned as her eyes fluttered open and the new day greeted her. She slowly sat up taking a moment to realize what had happened last nigh. She was wide-awake when she remembered Nikolas had told her his decision the night before. She slipped out from under the covers and quickly dressed in a silky black shirt and white jeans. She pulled her up and clipped it before checking her face in the mirror and rushing downstairs. She stopped rushing she realized that as usual her family had disappeared for the morning without warning. Emily was a little disappointed but her smile stayed wide when she remembered how nothing could bring her down from her good mood. She took a sip of her orange juice before the phone rang and her heart stopped Maybe it was Nikolas she thought. Emily hurried over to the phone and answered, “Hello?” "Hi, sweety. I just wanted to make sure you were up.” Monica greeted. Emily's shoulders slumped, “Yea, mom, I'm up." "Listen, I wanted to tell you that I have a meeting tonight and I might not be home until late tonight.” Monica warned. Emily nodded to herself sadly, “I'll know not to expect you." "I love you, Emily.” Monica reminded cheerfully. "I love you too, mom.” Emily responded before hanging up the phone. She was a little down now that Nikolas wasn't the one to call and Emily was once again left at home alone. She opened up the doors and walked out onto the terrace taking a deep breath of the fresh air. The wind was still blowing but softer than last night. Almost comforting along with the sun still warming her skin. Emily was beginning to feel her happy mood overwhelm her again until she felt a hand on her shoulder suddenly, “Ahh!” Emily screamed spinning around in shock. "Emily! Relax, it's just me.” Jeremy grinned with a slight laugh. "Jeremy!” Emily exclaimed, “You scared me." "I figured as much.” Jeremy shook his head, “You'd think you trust me a little more by now." "I do trust you.” Emily assured him feeling worry rush through her veins. "Emily,” Jeremy took her hands in his, “I have to ask you something." Emily shrugged, “Ok." "I want to know what happened between you and Nikolas while I was gone.” Jeremy demanded trying to keep calm. Emily's heart sank with his words. How was she going to tell him she was with Nikolas? "She doesn't have to.” They heard someone say. Emily and Jeremy let go of each other’s hands and saw Nikolas standing there, “I will."