Chapter 9

Mario and Emily had just arrived at the mansion.  They had spent most of the day 
together after lingering over lunch with Sly and Lark.  Emily had been right. As 
soon as the two of them started talking about the guys had started to get along 
a little better. She practically had to drag Mario out of Kelly’s after he and 
Sly had spent at least an hour going over the merits of Alfredo sauce.

Emily played with her house keys. She was tingling with excitement.  Though 
Mario hadn’t kissed her since they were in the rehearsal studio earlier, she 
could tell that he was going to do it again.  She could feel it. And she 
couldn’t wait.

“Are you going to shimmy tonight?”  Mario’s voice cut into her thoughts.

“What?”  She turned around. Mario grinned at her.

“You know, up your terrace?”  He made a little climbing gesture and Emily smiled 
at his cuteness.

“Oh…” Emily shook her head.  “I don’t think so.  Why do you want to see me do my 
monkey act up a terrace?”

“Because you are so determined for me not to.”  Mario confided. Emily rolled her 
eyes and reached for his hand.

“You want to see it so badly, come with me.”  She led him around the mansion, 
nodding at the various guards who she was on friendly terms with.  Finally they 
came to a stop.  Emily pointed at a white lattice that climbed up the side of 
the house.

“Here’s where I shimmy.” She pointed up to a dark window. “And that’s my room.”

Mario stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “So that’s your room… 
maybe I’ll do one of your numbers and drop in unexpectedly.”

Emily giggled as he nuzzled her neck.  “I’d like to see you try. How would you 
get past the guards?”

“Oh, the Vega charm is legendary, so don’t you worry about that. I guess I won’t 
be seeing any shimmying tonight, huh?”

“Uh-uh. Unless you’re the one doing the shimmying.” Emily shook her head. She 
snuggled into Mario’s arms and sighed. “I kinda just charged in and took over 
your day, huh?”

“I didn’t mind much.”  He murmured into her ear and Emily smiled.

“So I didn’t totally ruin your day?”

“No, in fact, I think this, spending the day with you, was the highlight of my 
whole week.”

“Even with me dragging you into shop after shop?” Emily had taken Mario with her 
on mission to find a new costume to compliment the changes in their skit.

Mario nodded. “Even that.”

Emily grinned and turned in his arms. She placed her hands on his shoulders. 
“Then just you wait, cause it only gets better.”

“This, I can’t wait to see.” Mario started to kiss her but out of the corner of 
his eye he spotted one of the guards strolling by on patrol. “Maybe we can go 
somewhere a little private?” He muttered.

Emily looked around and stifled a laugh when she saw the guard. “Hey, Larry!” 
She waved. Larry tipped his hat in response.

“This is Mario, he’s okay. You see him on the grounds, do not shoot!” Larry 
laughed and continued with his patrol. He liked that Quartermaine kid. She was 
always so full of life.

“Wow, I’m okay with Larry.  I feel so honored. And he won’t shoot me either, 
double wow.”  Mario muttered. Emily couldn’t help but giggle as he dragged her 
along to the front of the house.

“Some of the guards are pretty cool once you get to know them and after awhile 
they just fade into the background. You don’t even know that they’re there.” 
Emily advised. They stopped by his motorcycle.

“Well, I noticed them and I felt a little funny about doing anything in front of 
them.”  He took her back in his arms. Emily slid her arms around his neck.

“And just what shouldn’t they be seeing?” She murmured. She already had a 
feeling what his answer would be.

“Well there are so many things.” He said as his mouth descended to capture hers 
in a soft lingering kiss. Emily sighed after he ended the kiss. She slid her 
hands down to his shoulders. “Now I really should be going…”

Emily pouted and Mario gave her a quick kiss. “I will see you soon.” He 
promised.

“You have the schedule for the rest of the rehearsals, right? It’s not like you 
need them though, *Mr. Astaire*. ” Emily smirked slightly. “And we’ll do our 
final dress rehearsal right after everybody else’s since I want it to be a 
surprise.”

“I think you’re thrilled to be shocking Port Charles society.”

“A girl’s gotta get her kicks somewhere.”  Emily grinned wickedly.

“You have my number right?” Mario asked.

Emily nodded.  “Is that a hint?  No more unexpected drop-ins?”

Mario rubbed her arms. “I’m starting to like your surprise visits. I just want 
you to know you can call me anytime if you need to. If this whole Nurses Ball 
thing starts to drive you crazy or you just need to talk, you can call me. 
Anytime.”

“That’s comforting to know.”  Emily smiled.  “All right you better go so you can 
get back what’s left of your life.” She kissed him goodbye and watched as he got 
back on his bike and started it up. She waved after him as he roared down the 
drive.  She let out a heartfelt sigh and floated towards the door.

She was walking up the staircase in a daze when she heard her name being called 
in an angry voice. “Emily Bowen-Quartermaine! Get back down here!”

Emily turned in the direction of the voice in shock.  She was used to hearing 
Edward yell at her in that tone of voice and it didn’t faze her. She would just 
down, listen to whatever Grandfather was bellowing about and then just do what 
she wanted anyway. However it did stun her when Alan used it. He rarely raised 
his voice with her.  “Dad?”

Alan was standing in the foyer frowning at her.  “What is this I hear about some 
man groping you today?”

“Groping me? What?”  Emily asked in confusion as she came down the stairs.

“Today in the rehearsal hall.” Alan clarified.  “Lucy said there was some man 
all over you. And vice versa.  What did you think you were doing?”

Emily finally connected it all.  She grimaced. Darn Lucy and her big mouth. I 
should have made Amy Vining her dresser after all. Would have served her right!  
Emily was beginning to get angry at the fact that a private moment had been 
spread around like gossip.

“I think that I was minding my own business and that maybe Lucy should too.” 
Emily muttered.

“Just tell me that Lucy was wrong.  I would like to think that we’ve raised you 
to know better.”

“How about we just forget about all of this?”  Emily suggested. She was getting 
angry and she didn’t want to get into a fight with her father about this.

“Tell me what really happened. I will not hear about my daughter acting like a 
common hooker.”  The words flew out of Alan’s mouth before he could stop them.

Emily was immediately on the defense.  How could her father say such a thing? 
“Is that what you think Dad?  That I’m just out there being a slut or something? 
You don’t trust me? Did you set me up with Lucy so that you could have someone 
watching me to make sure I don’t embarrass the family?”

Alan gaped at her. This was not the response he had been expecting.  He had 
become worried sick when Lucy had told him some guy had been almost attacking 
Emily today.  Luckily he realized that she had to be exaggerating and he got her 
to admit that they were just groping each other but still.  And now Emily was 
accusing him of not trusting her.

“Emily, you do not talk to me in that way.” He said quietly.

“You don’t know the whole story and you’re already accusing me of sleeping 
around!”  Emily threw her hands in the air as she went over the edge. “You want 
to the know the full story?  Here it is, the guy’s name is Mario, Mario Vega. 
He’s a really special friend who’s helping me out with the Nurses Ball since 
Lucky sprained his ankle. And he’s my only *sane* outlet when I need to get away 
from this *insane* family who accuse people of things without knowing the 
facts!”

“Emily, I said to not talk to me in that manner!” Alan gritted out.

“Why not?  I’m just acting like everyone else does. And guess what else?  We 
*were* groping each other. He kissed me and I kissed him back and I liked it. I 
liked it a lot!  And it’s going to happen again and again and maybe, hopefully 
we’ll do a lot more than that!”  Emily shouted back.

“Young lady…” Alan was close to losing his temper.

“I’m outta here.”  Emily stormed up the staircase.  She couldn’t believe this!

Alan shouted behind her. “You come back here right now! Young lady, you are 
grounded!”

Emily ignored him and slammed into her room.  She was enraged and she couldn’t 
stay here. She locked the door behind and grabbed her book bag from her closet.  
She grabbed a few articles of clothing, not even really looking at what she 
picked. She just made sure she had enough for a few days. She ran into her 
bathroom and grabbed a few essentials.

She snatched up her diary, her phone book, and all the information she needed 
for the Nurses Ball.  She ducked threw one leg out over the windowsill then 
paused.  She sighed and ducked back in. She quickly sketched out a short terse 
note:

“I need some time to chill. I’ll be back. Don’t worry. Emily.” She left it on 
her pillow and climbed out the window.  She hoped she could get the guard at the 
gate to call her a cab. She needed to get as far away from here as possible.

~*~*~

Lark and Sly were sitting together on her couch talking about their day.  When 
they’d arrived at her house, it was for once empty.  Lark had been ecstatic when 
she found the note from Frank saying he, Joe, Courtney, and Neil had went to the 
movies.  They had the place all to themselves. Lark couldn’t believe it. So she 
had invited Sly to stay awhile and they ordered pizza.

“So the manger says I can start Monday.”  Sly told her.  After lunch with Mario 
and Emily, the two of them had gone over to Mario’s.  Lark had to go to work and 
Sly went to interview with the manager. Lark had put in a good word and it 
obviously did the trick.

“That’s great.”  Lark beamed.

“I know. So… what do you think about that Mario guy Em’s friends with?” Sly 
asked.

Lark shrugged. “He’s seems cool. Emily likes him a lot so that’s a definite 
plus. You didn’t like him?”

“Not very much at first but then we started talking about food…”

“And now you’re best buds.”  She laughed. She checked her watch. “Speaking of 
your favorite obsession, the pizza should here soon.”

Emily climbed out of the cab that she had got before her family could discover 
that she was gone. She shifted the book bag on her back and walked up to the 
door. She knocked on the door with hope.

Lark answered the door with a smile and a fist full of cash. “Thanks… Emily?”

Emily smiled weakly. “Wasn’t expecting me, huh?”

Lark frowned. “I’m just surprised to see you here.  Come in.” Lark stepped 
aside. “You don’t looks so good.”

“Yeah well I don’t feel so good.”  Emily said.

Sly looked up and waved to her from the couch. “Hey Em.”

Emily stepped back. “Oh, you have company. I’m sorry, I’ll go.” She started to 
turn but Lark grabbed her arm.

“No, that’s okay. Let’s go in the kitchen and talk.  Sly, here’s the money.” She 
tossed the cash to him and dragged her out of the room. “Okay, so what’s wrong?”

“I was wondering if I could possibly spend the night?” Emily asked hopefully.

Lark nodded. “Yeah sure.  This place is like the new Port Charles Hotel. Our 
motto is we always have room for one more.”

“Thanks.”  Emily smiled gratefully. “I just… I just needed some place to go.  I 
would have gone to Jason but he lives in that creeped out cottage and…” Emily 
shuddered.

Lark nodded. “Hey, it’s okay.  But what’s wrong?”

“I got into a fight with my father about Mario. I admit that I was wrong to 
overreact. I sort of realized it on the cab ride over but I can’t go back there 
tonight and you were like my only hope.”

Lark smiled. “Thanks, I think.”

Emily scratched the back of her neck. “Could I ask you another favor? Can I use 
your phone? I kinda need to talk to Mario.”

“Sure, sure.”  Lark pointed it out to her.  “I’ll just go… check on the pizza.” 
She left the kitchen.

Sly looked up. “Is something wrong with Emily? Should I go?”

Lark shook her head quickly. “No, no, Emily’s just spending the night.  Don’t 
worry about her, I’ve got the feeling she’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

~*~

“Mario?” Emily said in a small voice.

“Baby girl?”  Mario asked. He had just left her and now she was calling him. He 
sat up in bed. “Is there something wrong?”

“I, uh, just got into a really stupid fight with my father and I’m over at 
Lark’s.”

“You want me to come over and get you?”  Mario had gotten out of bed and was 
reaching for his jeans. He slid into them and put the phone between his ear and 
shoulder while he zipped up.

“No, I’ll be fine.”  Emily assured him.

Mario drew on a shirt. “Are you sure? Because I can come right over.” He 
offered.

Emily had to smile. “That’s sweet of you but I just kinda wanted to hear your 
voice tonight.”

Mario settled back on the bed. “Okay… so what was the argument with your father 
about?”

Emily sighed heavily. She leaned against the kitchen counter. “It was just 
really… really stupid. Not even worth mentioning. I don’t know how I’m going to 
face him tomorrow.”

“Is there anything that I can do to help you or something?” Mario asked.

“No, but thanks for listening though.” Emily paused.

“I’ll be by in the morning to pick you up, alright?”

“You don’t have to, I’ll just get a cab.” She declined.

“No, give me the address and I’ll pick you.”  Mario pressed firmly and Emily 
knew she couldn’t hold out for long.

She quickly gave him the address.  “Happy now?”

“Slightly.”  Mario admitted.  “Get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Alright. Good night Mario.” Emily hung up the phone and went into the living 
room where Lark and Sly were gorging themselves on pizza.

“Hey, you want a slice?”  Sly held up a piece.  Emily shook her head.

She glanced at Lark. “I don’t want to spoil the party so I’m just going to go to 
bed now.”

Lark immediately jumped up. “You’re not spoiling anything but if you really want 
to, I’ll show you to my room and everything.”  She led Emily up the stairs.  
They paused outside of her door.  “Thanks.” She whispered.

“You just go out there and get him.”  Emily whispered back.

Lark nodded determinedly. She saucily saluted Emily.  “Will do!”

Just then there was the sound of the door being opened.  “You think he’s 
leaving?” Lark’s eyes widened in disbelief. She started for the stairs, Emily 
close behind her.

“Lark!  We’re home!” Frank’s amused voice came floating up to them. Neil’s 
enthusiastic greeting, “Hey Loverboy”, followed.

Lark groaned.  “Oh, man, why can’t things just go right for once?”

~*~*~

Emily squared her shoulders, took a deep breath and climbed off Mario’s 
motorcycle. Mario had been true to his word and showed up bright and early to 
get her. Emily had thanked Lark and her family for their hospitality. Then she 
had called home and let Reginald know that she was on her way. They hadn’t said 
a word to each other throughout the whole ride.

Now Mario touched her arm and asked quietly. “Do you want me to go in with you?”

Emily shook her head. “Thanks but no thanks. I know you mean well but my family 
would eat you alive in there.  I was the one who acted like a hothead; I’m the 
one who should face the consequences. Thank you bringing me home though.”

Mario cupped her face. “You call me, all right?”

Emily nodded. “I’ll try.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Thanks again.”  She 
headed into the house, fully aware that they were waiting for her in the hall.

They were. Edward and Alan were standing with their arms folded, twin 
expressions of fury on their faces.  Monica was pacing back and forth.  Emily 
dropped her bag on the floor and muttered. “Hi.”

“Emily!”  Monica grabbed her into a fierce hug. “We were so worried! Where were 
you?”

“I’ll tell you where she was. She was out with that hoodlum with the 
motorcycle!”  Edward pointed out the window where Mario was roaring away.

Emily brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I wasn’t with Mario.  I was at a 
friend’s.”

“You, little missy, have entirely too much freedom if you think you can just 
waltz in here and just say you were at a friend’s.” Edward countered.

“Where were you?”  Monica asked again.  “We called everyone we could think of.”

“I was safe, I was with my friend Lark.” Emily clarified. “I’m sorry you guys 
were worried.”

“You also owe your father an apology.”  Monica folded her arms.

This was the part Emily hated the most.  She looked down at her shoes and 
mumbled, “Sorry Dad.”

“Speak so he can hear you.”  Edward thundered.  “And try to at least fake some 
sincerity.”

Emily grimaced. She had came in ready to accept the fact that she was wrong but 
they just ruined her mood. She hadn’t felt what she had done was that bad 
obviously they did. She hated this, this being punished in front of everybody. 
She could only guess at how many servants were standing around the corner 
listening in.

She said loudly. “I’m *sorry*, Dad.”  Not really, she thought.

Alan took his time thinking over her apology. She gritted her teeth. Finally 
Alan said. “All right… go to your room.”

Emily arched her eyebrow. That’s it? That’s all?  She picked up her book bag. 
“Okay.” She started to head for the stairs when Monica’s voice stopped her.

“Oh, you’re not getting off that easily. You still have to be punished.  You’re 
grounded for two weeks.”

Emily’s mouth dropped down. “What?”

“One week for yelling at your father and another for sneaking out. The only time 
you are out of this house is if it’s Nurses Ball related. You are to see no one 
and no one is to see you. That means no visitors.”

“Especially that thug on the motorcycle.”  Edward added.

This Emily objected to.  She knew if she needed to get out of the house, all she 
had to do was climb out her window so that didn’t worry her. “You can’t tell me 
not to see Mario.”

“I believe we just did.”  Edward nodded.

“I will see Mario whether you like it or not, okay?  He’s my friend. You can’t 
tell me who I can and can’t see.” Emily said.

That got Edward started. “Yes, we can.  We are your elders, little girl. *We* 
are the adults, not you. We tell you what to do and you do it.”

Emily snorted. “Nice theory.”

Monica stepped in to stop the argument that was about to erupt. “Edward, that is 
enough! Emily, you want to keep seeing this boy? Then we want to meet him.”

Emily gasped. “I’m not bringing him here. I *like* him.  You guys will scare him 
away! Haven’t I been punished enough?”  She ran up the stairs to her room 
without waiting for their answer.