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Emily sat waiting in the family room. Mrs.Lansbery contacted Emily earlier that day informing her that Stefan would like to schedule a visit.
Emily chuckled to herself despite the knots in her stomach. 'Schedule a visit' you wouldn't have thought it was only two short months ago Nikolas and Emily were running around the castle having a sword fight with Stefan's gargoyle candlesticks like a couple five year olds.
"Nikolas…STOP! AHH!! STOP IT!!!" Emily screamed as she jumped over the back of the couch just out of Nikolas's reach. "This isn't fair!" Emily pouted.
Nikolas slowed down for a second, "Why isn't it fair? What because you're a girl?"
Emily took the chance to wipe the sweat off her face and push the loose strands of hair off of her face, "No, I mean it's not fair because you have fenced your whole life, while I had one lesson in gym class two years ago, I really wouldn't call this a fair fight."
Nikolas leaped over the couch and caught Emily off guard, but she managed to recover and swerve out of his way a second before he almost jabbed her.
"…And by the way, Prince Nikky, girls can do things just as well as guys, and I would never use that as an excuse for me losing to you." Emily gasped through short breaths.
"Oh, yeah? Does that mean that you are planning on losing to me?" Nikolas asked smugly.
Just then Stefan walked in and upon seeing Emily standing on his couch and both of them holding family heirlooms, Stefan looked form Nikolas to Emily and back before shaking his head and leaving the room without uttering a single word. As Nikolas watched Stefan go, Emily took the opportunity to leap at him and grab the gargoyle out of his hand, knocking him over in the process. She stood above him a look of triumph on her face;
"…me lose to you, Nikky?" Emily said smugly and threw the candlestick down at him, "not in this lifetime."
Emily smiled at the memory, just two days after that her life changed completely. Nikolas and Emily had finally put all there past differences aside. The whole Katherine fiasco and Emily had finally come to terms with her feeling for Nikolas. Although she knew she would always feel something for him, she also faced the fact that he would never feel anything for her.
It seemed that things had finally gotten on track, she and Nikolas were actually friends, he wasn't using her to see Katherine and she wasn't secretly hoping he would fall madly in love with her.
Emily slouched down farther into her chair, just as they got their friendship back on track; it was ripped apart again. Emily leaned her head against the cool back of the chair and closed her eyes, trying to remember the last time they were together, forcing the memory to stay with her just a little longer. Normally she didn't miss Nikolas, there was always something or someone keeping her busy, keeping her from being able to relax and remember. Oh, but when she did think about him, it was caused her entire body pain, she missed him, so much it hurt.
Emily sat up and reached her hand across the table until she felt the phone, she picked it up and ran her hand over the dials. She wanted to talk to him, just to hear his voice. She wondered if he felt the same way she did right now…she slammed the phone down. Of course he didn't feel the same way,
'Don't be stupid' she scolded herself, if he did he would have called her, made some kind of contact, but no, he did nothing. Emily wiped her hand over her face, apparently not seeing Nikolas in the past couple weeks…more like months, had turned her worry for him into bitterness.
She pushed the hair out of her face and let out a long breath.
'No more thinking of the past, what's done is done' she told herself 'and what friends you once had-'
Emily stopped, she couldn't say it. She straightened up in her chair and forced herself to think of something else…anything else. She picked up her tea and stirred it lazily, 'hey, pretty good' she thought to herself, normally when she would reach for her drink and nine out of ten times she would spill it. 'Well, at least Reginald is working for his money-'
"Emily" Reginald cut into her thoughts, "Mr. Cassadine is here to see you."
She heard Reginald begin to leave, but he turned back and added, "I'll go pull all the shades and hide the mirrors."
Emily couldn't help but laugh, Reginald had a way of making her laugh, even when she felt like nervousness would consume her.
Jason stormed into the ELQ offices and practically ran up to the receptionist. Sonny had caught up to Jason and talked him into calming down and waiting a couple days to calm down. But Jason had waited, 'too long' he thought. He had spent the last two days in his Penthouse trying everything he could to calm down, Sonny even placed Johnny outside his door with strict orders not to let Jason leave under any cercumastances. It had taken Jason two days to finally convince Sonny that he was okay and promised he wouldn't do anything rash, a promise he had no intention of keeping.
"I need to see AJ Quartermaine"
The secretary looked at Jason, but didn't move,
"…NOW!" he screamed slamming his fist onto the desk.
The secretary looked scared, but at this point Jason didn't care who he was frightening, all he cared about was getting his hands around the little rodent's neck."Um, I'm sorry, Mr.--"
"Morgan, Jason Morgan, and don't be sorry, just be quick about it." He quipped.
"Mr. Morgan, Mr. Quartermaine is not in right now, would you like to speak with Edward Quartermaine?" she asked while reaching for the phone, but Jason grabbed her hand,
"Where did he go?" he spat out. When the secretary didn't answer he let go of her hand and began again, much more polite and in a softer tone, "I'm sorry, I'm just in a hurry, I need to see AJ Quartermaine…it's an emergency, please tell me where he went."
When the secretary still refuse to answer he closed his eyes and made himself speak, "I'm his brother." He added quickly. Just saying those words made Jason cringe.
"Oh, well, since you're his brother, I guess I can tell you. I believe he went home, to have lunch with is wife."
Before she even finished her sentence Jason was already on the way out the door…on his way the Quartermaines.
The man glanced back at the girl sitting on the couch, staring at the phone. His heart went out to her. Ever since she was eleven and was adopted by the Quartermaines, he was taking care of her. He was quite certain that if it weren't for the women of the house, he would have quit (or been fired) long ago. He was never in a serious relationship long enough to even think about the prospect of marriage, so he never had children of his own. But helping to take care of Emily and now Michael was just as fullfilling. He adored these two - which is why her situation made his heart heavy.
Weeks ago, when Jason had come over, he had made him a promise to let Emily do things on her own.
"Don't let her grow dependent, Reginald." He had warned.
The butler would normally nod at Jason Morgan's requests and carry on as usual - whether it meant following them or not. But under these circumstances, he understood that Jason was only looking after his little sister, and was speaking from past experiences. It was either fear or instinct that kept him watching over Emily, however. He always wanted to warn her, pointing out a step here or a crack in the walk there. But before he could, her cane would find it and she would maneuver around it with ease. She was doing wonderfully and Reginald was as proud of her as anyone.
These thoughts took only a minute to cover, and sensing that he was still there, Emily questioned him.
"Just wondering if you needed anything before I send him in."
She shook her head and stirred her tea once more. Reginald turned away and went to show Stefan Cassadine inside.
The woman sat back in the leather chair and read over the file once more. It had been a few days since the therapy sessions began, and she could most definately see progress. But the girl said very little to her during the two-hour periods, and she often wondered what was going on inside her mind.
A knock on the door took her away from her thoughts. The woman looked up and set the file on her desk.
"Come in."
The door opened and a familiar face walked in.
"You wanted to see me, Elizabeth?"
The woman nodded. "I wanted to talk to you about Emily."
The doctor nodded and sat across from her.
"I know that her blindness is due to an accident, Joe, but she seldom says anytihng during therapy. She'll be starting school again next month and although I believe she's ready as far as using the cane goes, she might not be emotionally."
Dr. Scanlon leaned back in his chair and thought this over. "You know that I can't tell you anything she has said to me, Elizabeth-"
"Off the record." she assured him.
Joe nodded and sighed. "She was in a car accident - a bad one. It was raining out and a friend of hers was driving. They went off the road and down into the embankment where only a guardrail on the highway below stopped them. From what I've been told, the car was pretty banged up, but they could have gotten out of there safely." He paused and glanced at Elizabeth, who nodded for him to go on.
"There was a gas leak and something sparked. Her friend had time to get her out of the car, but not out of the way of the dangers of fire. She had a concussion and was in a coma for a few days with minor burns. It was her eyes, though. They moved her down to me and at first it was hard to make a diagnosis. But we ran some tests and it was confirmed that her blindness was only temporary when she told me about seeing the shadows."
Elizabeth shook her head slightly. "A fire - I never knew...What about her friend?"
"He was brought here with an injury to his leg - just a minor cut." He watched the woman in front of her before leaning forward. "Let me tell you something, Elizabeth. That girl has had a lot to deal with in the past years and there is no doubt that she is having a hard time with this. If you suggest that she talk with Gayle, then I'm certain that her family will comply."
Elizabeth sighed as she nodded. "With something as life-changing as this, I think it would be best. I'll speak with Gayle and her family in the morning."
Her co-worker and friend nodded and stood, preparing to leave.
"Joe, one more question before you go..."
The doctor turned around.
"Has she talked to this friend since the accident?" She asked.
But Dr. Scanlon shook his head unknowingly. "She hasn't mentioned him since she came in." Elizabeth nodded her thanks and Joe smiled. "She's strong, Elizabeth, but she has her breaking points too. She just needs some time."
Elizabeth watched as the door clicked softly behind the doctor before leaning back in her chair. Her eyes fell to the folder which lay open on her desk, and she tapped her pen thoughtfully, "perhaps time can't heal these wounds..."
Emily sat waiting at the table, she twisted the napkin in her lap trying to think of what Stefan Cassadine would want to talk to her about. She couldn't stand Stefan, her mind wandered back to before the accident, the way he would look at her, like she wasn't good enough to be Nikolas's friend, and after the accident, the way he talked to her, like she was a problem. He had gone to see her several days after the accident, Emily twisted the napkin, he had told her he wanted her to stay away from Nikolas, she twisted the napkin harder, and adding to her guilt he told her that because Nikolas had done her a favor that night and drove her home he could have been the one hurt, and that he just couldn't let that happen.
''Ms. Quartermaine,'' Stefan said upon entering the room, Emily's head snapped her head up and she loosened her grip, ''it's a pleasure top see you.''
By the tone in his voice Emily was certain it was anything but.
''Welcome, Mr.Cassadine, have a seat'' she said as she motioned towards a chair. ''What can I do for you?''
Stefan sat down slowly and cleared his voice, ''I am here on behalf of my son Nikolas''
At the sound of his name Emily ceased all movement, did Nikolas send him?
''As you know, I want only what is best for my s- my nephew'' Stefan quickly corrected himself and Emily sensed a sadness in his voice, but remained quiet, getting a sense of satisfaction out of his pain. ''I feel Nikolas still holds himself responsible for your accident-'
' Emily cut him off, ''Mr.Cassadine, I don't know what Nikolas does or doesn't feel. I haven't seen him since the accident, so if you are trying to ask me how he is doing…'' Emily sighed, ''…I have no idea.'' She said sadly.
''Ms. Quartermaine, that's not why I came here, I came here to ask you to speak to Nikolas.''
For a second Emily thought she was hallucinating, why on earth would Stefan ask her to talk to Nikolas, after the accident Stefan had made it perfectly clear she was to have no contact with him, she didn't understand.
''You want me to speak to Nikolas?'' the idea sounding even more ridiculous when she said it. ''I don't understand, speak to him about what?''
This just keeps getting weirder and weirder Emily thought.
''As I was saying,'' Stefan said harshly scolding her for cutting him off before, ''Nikolas holds himself responsible, and if you could speak to him…let him know that you have no hard feelings towards him, he might be able to put this whole mess behind him.''
Emily sat straight up in her chair. This whole mess?! Hospitality be damned she thought,
''This whole mess?'' she said angrily, ''I'm sorry that my little accident put a crimp in your bonding time with Nikolas, but that just tough!'' She spat, Stefan was a bout to speak, but Emily cut him off, months of bottled up anger at Stefan Cassadine finally overflowing ''and by the way Mr.Cassadine however Nikolas feels about what happened that night is his business, and I'm sure he'd be less than thrilled that you are here right now.'' Emily warned, Nikolas would have never allowed Stefan to see her and he would be furious if he found out, and they both knew it.
''Is that a threat, Ms. Quartermaine?'' he snarled.
Emily chuckled and leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her knees, ''oh, come on Stefan, your related to Helena Cassadine, I'm sure you know a threat when you hear one…'' she straightened back up in the chair and crossed her legs, ''…you could just call this…a warning.'' She stated very casually, ''Now, if you don't mind I'm going to have to ask you to leave.''
She could hear Stefan breathing heavily, she knew she had been mean, but she also knew that Stefan deserved it, Nikolas could run his own life. She heard Stefan get up very casually, but he didn't fool her, he was anything but calm,
''Well, Ms. Quartermaine, it's seems I have underestimated you…'' he leaned down so she could feel his breath on her neck, ''I figured someone with your…incompasitation would realize that threats could seriously anger someone, and in your condition, it would really be a pity to see someone have no way to protect herself.''
Emily breathed in deeply trying not to show Stefan her fear,
''I'll just show myself out, it was nice seeing you again…Ms.Quartermaine.''
She heard him turn and leave. A tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away angrily. She needed to get some air; she stood and reached for her cane.
Now Everything Is Everything
What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually
I wrote these words
For everyone who struggles in their youth
Who won't accept deception,
in--instead of what is truth
It seems we lose the game
Before we even start to play
Who made these rules?
We're so confused
Easily led astray
Let me tell ya that...
Jason ran towards the house, his lungs burning, his minding racing. Thinking about how it would feel to finally confront AJ, 'and possibly kill him', Jason added to himself. He would kill him, kill him for breaking into the warehouse and kill him stealing files connecting him to the organization.
He ran up the step and rang the bell, he couldn't stand waiting,
''Dammit Reginald!'' he yelled.
Two seconds later the door opened and Reginald stood before him.
''Where's AJ?'' Jason asked quickly.
Reginald, having a sarcastic answer ready quickly closed his mouth when he looked at Jason's expression and realized he didn't want to drive to the hospital today.
''Well, Jason, he is having lunch with Carly at-''
''yeah, I know that, where?'' Jason cut in a demanded.
''In the living room.'' Reginald responded and Jason pushed past him and took off down the hallway. Reginald looked after him and again thanked God he was not born into this family.
AJ and Carly sat quietly eating their lunch. AJ was trying to make pleasant conversation, but Carly, as always, could have cared less.
''…So anyway, I tell the union leader that it was my final offer and if he didn't take it, I'd see him on the picket lines, and well'' AJ chuckled impressed with himself, ''…let's just say there won't be a strike anytime soon.''
Carly smiled at him, rolling her eyes when he looked away. He was about as interesting as Carrotop movie. She heard the doorbell and WISHED for the first time in her life she didn't have a butler, at least she would have been able to get away from AJ to answer the door.
Carly shuddered, 'huh, me being jealous of the help' she thought, 'how pathetic.'
Just as AJ was about to boast about not needing Ned to do his job, Jason burst into the room.
Jason burst into he room, ran across the room and grabbed AJ out of his chair by his collar and threw him against the wall.
''You little Son of a-''
''Jason, '' AJ tried to speak but Jason moved his arm so it was across his neck and began to restrict the intake of air.
''Listen to me AJ, I want the papers.''
''Wha-'' AJ gasped for air, trying to speak, ''what paper, I don't know what your talking about''
Jason let AJ go and back up, but just as AJ breathed a sigh of relief Jason lunged at him, grabbed him by the shirt and threw him across the room.
''Don't mess with me AJ, I want those papers, and if you don't give them to me, I'll destroy you.''
AJ pulled himself up and pretended to wipe dust off his shirt, and chuckled, ''You'll destroy me Jason?'' he said mocking him, ''what are ya gonna do, huh? What? Kill me.'' Jason began to walk towards him, but AJ held up his hand, ''Ok, Ok, '' he stammered, ''fine, I can see that's what you'd like to do. But it wouldn't be to smart.' AJ added gathering strength, ''Come on, Jase! We both know you don't have too much upstairs-''
''and whose fault is that?'' Carly cut in.
Jason looked over at her, finally realizing she was even in the room.
''Shut-up Carly! Just stay out of this, now be a good little wife and run along.'' Carly was about to protest when AJ added quickly and threateningly, ''our son needs his mother.''
With that Carly stomped out of the room.
''OK, Jason, you want to kill me, go ahead…but think about it, Reginald saw you come in along with Carly and I'm sure many other people on the grounds, and your in my home, no judge could be bribed in a case like this.''
''Oh, come on AJ'' Jason finally spoke, ''this is Monica's house.'' He added smiling despite the urge to jump over the table AJ was cowering behind and wring his neck.
Emily was on her way to her room when she heard someone running down the hall, she could tell it was Carly by the way she stomped up the stairs.
'I wonder why she's so upset' Emily thought to herself, she cocked her head to the side as if in deep thought, 'actually, no, I really don't'. Emily smiled to herself and began up the stairs when she heard a large crash. Could Cook have caught Edward in the kitchen again?Finally curiosity got the better of her and she turned around and began to walk down the hall where the noise came from, as she got closer she could hear AJ yelling, and was that, Jason? She moved closer to the door and leaned her shoulder against the doorway; the door was open so she had no problem of hearing what was going on. She knew she shouldn't be listening but considering the day she had had, she needed to know someone was having one a lot worse.
''AJ, you have a choice, you can either give me the papers and I'll walk out that door…or, I can kill you and find the papers on my own, make a choice.'
' AJ began walking towards Jason, ''Really, Jason, what are these papers that you are so upset about? What could they be, seeing how you are a completely legal businessman, right?'' AJ stood in font of him now, a smirk on his face.
Jason had his hands at his side clenching and unclenching his fists imagining how easy it would be to just reach out and snap his neck like a twig. But he kept them at his sides.
''AJ, like I said, make a choice, or I make it for you.'' What little patience Jason had was wearing thin.
''Oh, Oh, right, you mean the papers connecting you to Moreno.'' AJ snapped his fingers, ''OK, I got it now, you know Jason, I was surprised, someone as smart as you, leaving a paper trail…tisk, tisk, not a smart thing to do.'' AJ started circling Jason and Jason had to fight for whatever control he had left. ''I mean, anyone with a grudge against you, could just sneak in there and get enough evidence to get you and your partner in crime thrown in jail, for, wow, at least, I don't know, You're the crime lord, how long would these papers get you? 15? 20 years?'' AJ stepped directly in front of Jason, not backing down, ''but as I said before, someone as smart as you would never make that evidence so accessible, would he?''
Jason knew he wouldn't be able to get AJ to hand over the papers, at least not now he thought. AJ's on his own turf, of course he wouldn't feel threatened…I'll just have to wait until he's on mine. Jason smiled,
''OK, AJ, that's fine, we can play your little games, we'll see just how far you are willing to go.''
And with that Jason turned and walked out of the room.
Hearing Jason leaving Emily felt her way along the wall and slipped around the corner before he saw her. She turned back to the room in time to hear AJ mutter,
''As far as necessary.''
Sometimes it seems
We'll touch that dream
But things come slow or not at all
And the ones on top, won't make it stop
So convinced that they might fall
Let's love ourselves and we can't fail
To make a better situation
Tomorrow, our seeds will grow
All we need is dedication
Let me tell ya that...
General Hospital's Friendship Forever