Chapter 02

After spending the rest of the day with Liz and Lucky, Nikolas and Emily went 
back home to Wyndemere. Emily had been completely oblivious to Nikolas' staring 
and she had continued to treat him like the friend she had grown use to. Nikolas 
was beginning to remember exactly why he felt right before she left Port 
Charles. They stepped off the launch and headed up the path to Wyndemere. Emily 
casually held Nikolas' hand not thinking twice and observing her surroundings, 
“I missed this place.” She whispered. 

"I still don't really understand why you left.” Nikolas said sadly noticing her 
slightly shiver, “Are you cold?” 

"A little.” Emily nodded while her teeth chattered playfully, “I wore this 
sweater thinking I'd actually stay warm but that's apparently not true."

Nikolas began to take off his coat, “Here…"

"No, you don't! I'm not going to let you freeze just because I'm cold.” She 
wrapped her arms around Nikolas waist and he wrapped half of his coat around 
her, “See, now we're both warm.” Nikolas nodded swallowing hard more nervous 
than before. They entered Wyndemere and Emily finally took her other bag from 
Nikolas’ other arm. Nikolas directed her to her and Emily loved the way the old 
antique bed and scenery in the room, “Oooo, I really love this room.” She placed 
her bag down by the dresser and fell onto the bed. Nikolas looked away quickly 
when Emily's sweater lifted revealing her waist. The sight of Emily's bare skin 
just made him want to kiss and show her that they were more than friends. Emily 
sat up a little and smiled sweetly, “I could get use to this you know?” 

Nikolas laughed nervously looking back at her and shrugged, “That's ok. This 
room is always available to you. Whenever you need anything from me whether it's 
money, this room, or whatever you come to me, ok?” Nikolas questioned with a 
sincere smile.

Emily got up off of the bed and walked over to him, “I know, Nik.” Emily 
whispered hugging him tightly, “I can always count on you."

Nikolas gave her a stern nod as she pulled away, “Right."

Emily looked over at the time realizing it was only ten, “Nikolas, I know it's 
early but can we talk more tomorrow? I have had virtually no sleep within the 
past two days and I am soooo tired.” She pouted and Nikolas' smile widened.

"Me either. I was so excited about you coming back I forgot to sleep.” He joked 
and she laughed slightly, “I'll see you tomorrow.” He placed his hands on her 
cheeks and placed a gentle kiss on her head as he had done so many times before, 
“Goodnight, Emily."

Emily grinned at him innocently before kissing his cheek, “Goodnight, Nikolas.” 
She spoke softly into his ear before he left the room. Nikolas exited the room 
with his heart pounding from the sound of her face and feel of her lips on his 
cheek. Emily turned around to her bag and got ready for bed. Before going to bed 
she did her daily workout and showered.


Later on that night…

Nikolas couldn't sleep at all. He was thinking about Emily as usual but now it 
was worse considering she was in a room just down the hall. He got out of his 
bed and walked into the hall. He could hear Emily's music seeping the crack the 
she left door to have so she could spot the hall light and know she was ok. 
Nikolas bit his lower lip and hesitantly went see her. He was sure he just 
needed one more look at Emily to get through the rest of the night. 

Nikolas went to her room and the door creaked a little as he opened it to go in. 
He closed it back to the way it was before walking the rest of the way. Music 
from Emily's radio filling the air. Nikolas laughed at her bad habit she 
couldn't sleep without it on all night. She had two candles that she lit and the 
vanilla aroma seemed to fill the air as he circled her bed. She must have been 
hot when she went to bed because she left the window open and didn't bother to 
slip under the covers. 

He went around to the side of the bed Emily seemed to be crowding the most and 
stared at her with a sad smile. He brushed a few strands of hair out of her face 
and he regretted all the past mistakes he had made. She could have been his. She 
could have stayed in Port Charles. Who knows? If he had just noticed her a long 
time ago he could have with her what his brother and Liz had. As the thought 
pasted in his mind Emily's eyes fluttered open, “Nikolas?” She whispered rolling 
over on her back, “What's wrong?” 

Nikolas hated the awkwardness of the whole situation. He cleared his throat 
nervously, “I was just…"

Emily cut him off and sighed, “Couldn't sleep, huh?” She questioned covering her 
mouth with the back of her hand as she yawned.

"Um… no. I had a bad dream.” Nikolas lied hoping that he'd get off the hook.

Emily made a temporary puppy dog face, “Aww… poor baby.” She said 
sympathetically.

"Yea.” He responded rubbing the back of his neck, “I'm sorry I bothered you…"

Emily cut him off, “Don't be silly, Nikolas. It's fine, really.” She scooted 
over to the left side of the bed and patted the available space next to her, “Do 
you want to sleep with me?” 

Nikolas' eyes widened with reaction to the question, “Um…"Then he realized what 
she was suggesting was completely innocent.

Emily smiled in amusement by his clueless look, “Nikolas, we're friends it's no 
biggie. I promise I won't put the moves on you.” She joked and pulled at his 
arm. Nikolas nodded slightly and laid down next to her. Emily let go of his arm 
and turned on her side to face him, “Better?” 

Nikolas was so nervous he couldn't respond. She took his hand in hers, “Poor 
guy. That dream must have really spooked you.” She took his hand and placed her 
other hand over the other, “Just remember it was just a nightmare and I'm right 
here, ok?” 

Nikolas turned his head to her and nodded again remaining silent as she held his 
hand to her chest and kept it there for support. She rested her head on his 
shoulder and he rested his head close to her so that her forehead pressed 
against the side of his. She slowly drifted back into a deep sleep. Nikolas 
stared at her and actually fell asleep next to her comfortably after knowing she 
wasn't going anywhere until he was with her.

Nikolas could feel the sun beating in on his face and warming his skin. He 
inhaled deeply before slowly opening his eyes to see Emily. She was lying on her 
back with Nikolas hand still in hers and placed against her chest. He loved the 
way she supported him. Every single possible way she could. She moaned slightly 
and stirred but didn't wake up. Nikolas admired her as long as possible. 

Then the thought hit him… if he had played his cards right would every morning 
have been as wonderful as this one. He wasn't sure but he wish he knew what 
could've happen. He wanted to tell her what he was thinking but every time he 
tried something happened. Something interrupted them and he was left there to 
think about what the consequences would be and ultimately saying nothing, 
“Nikolas?” Emily questioned as she used one of her hands to rub her eyes, “Hey.” 
She smiled seeing his angelic face.

"Hi.” Nikolas said acting as though he had just awoken.

"How are you?” Emily asked in concern and used her elbows to lift the top half 
her body.

"I'm better now.” Nikolas nodded and sat up letting go of her hand. Nikolas got 
out of bed and Emily sat up pulling her knees to her chest, “Ooooo, Nikolas, 
thank you. You've given me a story to tell all the girls at the dorm.” She 
joked, “Yes, my best looking best friend, Nikolas Cassadine and I slept 
together… literally."

Nikolas grinned sarcastically, “Do you know you're not funny?” 

"Nope, you wanna tell me?” Emily questioned giving him a warning look.

Nikolas shook his head negatively, “Nah, I think things are fine the way they 
are."

Emily nodded, “Good.” She crawled out of bed and went to the dresser to get 
something out of her drawer, “I wanted to give you something."

Nikolas frowned and turned to her, “What?” 

She pulled a box out of the drawer and walked back to him, “I wanted you to know 
that…" She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes, “You're everything to 
me, Nikolas. My friend, my confident, and any other possible thing that could 
matter to me is in you and I got this for you.” She said and handed the small 
box to him.

He smiled thankfully and opened it to see first a note, which he read before 
looking at the content inside, “To my Nikolas, Love Emily.” Nikolas said aloud 
with an even wider smile and looked to see a ring inside. He pulled it out his 
smile faded and he read the inscription, “Friendship Always.” Nikolas read and 
looked at her happily, “You mean everything to me too, Emily."

She smiled at him with a sense of fulfillment, “I know."

Nikolas slipped the ring his right ring finger and laughed, “Fits like a charm."

Emily tilted her head, “Was there ever any doubt?” She grinned slightly and 
pulled him into a hug, “I love you, Nikolas.” She said easily closing her eyes.

"I love you, too, Em.” Nikolas replied knowing she didn't know he meant what he 
said in every sense of the word. He knew then that Emily would never know the 
truth unless he made it crystal clear. The only question was… how could he tell 
her?