Chapter 3 Emily yawned and was grateful that for once she had some time alone. Ever since last night there'd been an endless stream of visitors coming in and out. First AJ & Jason, then Ned and Lois and many more. Keesha had been the worst. She was all fidgety and nervous, she wished aloud that AJ was there and didn't even realize it. And then she started going on and on about some trip she and AJ were going on. For some reason Keesha had turned into a bimbo after marrying AJ. Thank goodness Bobbie Cassadine had come in and got rid of her. Emily just wished they'd all go away and leave her alone. I just can't take anymore, she thought. I'd be, a lot of people would be better off if I wasn't around. A tear rolled down her cheek as she let herself sink further into the wave of dark feelings that were always threatening to take over her. A knock sounded on the door and Emily hastily wiped away the tears. Nik stepped in. "Good, you're alone." "For once." Emily muttered. "What is it?" "Don't be rude. I had to come to see you because…" "Because you had to see for yourself that I was okay, that I would get better, yadda, yadda, yadda. Nik, since I already know what you're going to say before you do, how about you leave and I carry on the conversation by myself?" Nikolas reached out and grabbed a nearby chair. He dragged it close to the bed and sat down. "I think that this is going to be an excellent conversation, so if it's alright with you, I'll stick around." Emily rolled her eyes. "Come on, come on. What am I going to say next??" Emily decided to play along. "You say, `I don't understand this but I want to know why you did this.' I say, `I can't explain right now.' You say, `Okay I can wait.' But in your mind you're thinking I'll just wear her down today or tomorrow." "Hmmm." Nikolas stroked his chin and pretended to think it over. "No, no. I wouldn't say that. Well at least not in that way. I would have used bigger words." Emily crossed her arms and tried not to laugh. For just a little while, talking to Nikolas kept the dark feelings at bay. "So tell me. How would you say it?" At that moment Nik decided not to get into the same conversation that everyone had been getting into with Emily. It wasn't doing her any good. "How about we save that for tomorrow, hmmm?" Was he leaving? Emily suddenly didn't want him to go. For some reason he was the only person she could stand around her at the moment. "You're not leaving? Are you?" "You want me to stay?" Nik cocked an eyebrow. "Well." Emily played with her blanket and looked down at her hands. "You can stay if you want. I'm not *forcing* you…" "I'll stay. Em. I wasn't leaving anyway. But it was nice of you to ask." "Oh." Great. I look like a fool on top of everything. Why do I care what he thinks? Maybe I should tell him to leave. But then I'd be alone. Emily was being too quiet for too long. Nik was afraid she'd changed her mind. He tried distracting her. "Who brought the radio in for you?" He gestured towards the radio sitting next to Emily's bed. "Lois. So I wouldn't be lonely. I haven't had a chance to use it." Emily sighed. "There's always someone here." "Emily, they only…" Emily finished for him again. "Care about me and worry about me. I know." Emily gave him a small smile. At the sight of that smile Nik couldn't help smiling himself. Little by little, he'd get the old Emily back. "You want to listen to some music?" "Sure." Nik reached over and flicked on the radio. Music filled the room. ~~ The strands in you eyes that color them wonderful Stop me and steal my breath Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky Never revealing their depth And tell me that we belong together Dress it up with the trappings of love I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above. ~~ "Oh, I love this song." Emily told him. "It's nice." Nikolas said flatly. "Nice? Just nice? This song is so beautiful! It always makes me want to cry." Nikolas enjoyed seeing Em get all worked up but he couldn't understand how she'd work herself into a lather about a song but be so blase about throwing her own life away. ~~ I'll be your crying shoulder I'll be love suicide I'll be better when I'm older I'll be the greatest fan of your life ~~ "Why?" "Why what?" Emily was confused. “Why does it make you want to cry? Explain.” "It just touches me deep inside… Listen to the song." Emily couldn't explain. ~~ Rain falls angry on the tin roof As we lie awake in my bed You're my survival, you're my living proof My love is alive and not dead And tell me that we belong together Dress it up with the trappings of love I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above ~~ Emily arched an eyebrow in a silent question. Nik held his finger to his lips to indicate that she should stay silent. ~~ I'll be your crying shoulder I'll be love suicide I'll be better when I'm older I'll be the greatest fan of your life I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead I tuned in, I turned on, remembered the things that you said I'll be your crying shoulder I'll be love suicide I'll be better when I'm older I'll be the greatest fan of your life (the greatest fan of your life) ~~ "Well?" Emily waited in anticipation. "I must admit it, Em. It was very… nice." Nikolas said, trying to hide his grin. "Very nice? Oh, you!" Emily threw her pillow at him. Nikolas laughed as he ducked. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Carly said from the doorway. She was standing there holding Michael's hand. "Hi, Carly. Hi, Michael. What are you doing here?" Emily asked as Nikolas passed her the tossed pillow. "Michael woke up today babbling about seeing his Aunt Emily and you know I can't help but indulge my little man. And I wanted to see you. I remember how you used to visit me at Ferncliff and tell me about Michael. It really helped me." Nik clicked off the radio and stood. "I'm going to get out of here." "You don't have to leave so soon." Emily protested. "I'll see you tomorrow, huh?" "Yeah. Okay." Nikolas paused in the doorway. "I thought children weren't allowed. How did you sneak Michael through?" Carly sat in the chair Nik had just vacated and settle Michael on her lap. "Nicky, I don't have to *sneak* Michael anywhere. My mother is the Head Nurse, Michael's grandmother is Chief of Staff and Step-daddy owns the hospital. You gotta learn how to use your connections." Carly winked and flashed a brilliant smile at Emily. Nikolas just shook his head. Living with Carly Spencer you learned something new everyday. He left the room and Emily watched him go. "Emily? Hey Em?" Carly tried to get her attention. "What?" "Michael's been trying to tell you all about the trip here, aren't you honey?" Carly narrowed her eyes and looked ever at the doorway Nik had exited through then looked back at Emily. Hmm, could be interesting, she thought. And filed the information away for future use. "Auntie Em! Auntie Em!" Michael shouted. Carly laughed. "I should have warned you. We watched the Wizard of Oz the other night." Emily smiled. "Oh, it's okay." "Well you better get used to it. He's been saying it for days." Carly laughed again. Suddenly she got the feeling that someone was watching her. She looked up and in the doorway stood Jason with a small smile. *Note* the song is "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain