Emily is sitting on her window seat gazing out as Zander wakes from the bed and slowly sits up. She runs over to him and they kiss and cuddle.
Emily: Hey.
Zander: Hey. How long have you been up?
Emily: Just a little while.
Zander: Did you sleep well?
Emily: The best I have since the last time you spent the night. I'm so glad you stayed.
Zander: I don't know why I wouldn't. I'm glad you told me that we can make love.
Emily: Oh, Zander, I was being selfish. I wanted to feel alive, the way only you make me. But now I'm thinking that maybe just spending the night in your arms and waking up beside you is the best medicine of all.
They are kissing and he's stroking her hair.
Zander: That's good because I was about to ask how would you feel --
Emily: Huh?
Zander: About making this asleep/awake thing a little more permanent?
Nikolas is standing at his desk, reading papers when Lydia comes down the stairs dress in her nightie and robe. She comes over ot him and tries to get close. He shrugs her off and goes to sit on the couch.
Lydia: You, my personal prince, are an amazing lover.
Nikolas: Good morning, Lydia.
Lydia finds her bra and dangles it up for Nikolas to see.
Lydia: And it is, too. Oh, look. I was wondering where this got to. I'm surprised it didn't end up on the ceiling or dangling from a lampshade. I hope you realize now what you've been denying us all this time.
Lydia sits with Nikolas and tries to cuddle as he reads his papers.
Nikolas: What?
Lydia: You're not listening.
Nikolas: It's just I'm right in the middle of something right now.
Stefan comes down the stairs and is a little taken aback.
Stefan: Oh, I'm sorry. I need the Singapore numbers, Nikolas. I tried to get them last night, but someone had bolted the door.
Nikolas: I did. I was in a private meeting and didn't want to be disturbed.
Nikolas shot a look at Lydia as she pulls out her bra and dangles it some more for Stefan to see.
Lydia: Very private.
Stefan looks a little shocked but pleased.
Emily and Zander are still sitting on the bed.
Emily: I'm not sure what you mean. Permanent how?
Zander: Permanent like moving in together.
Emily: You and me?
Zander: No, the couple that lives across the street. Yes, of course you and me.
Emily: Okay, well, where would we live?
Zander: Well, I -- I’ve given this a little bit of thought, and -- who am I kidding? I've been thinking about this night and day. Look, okay, okay, Jake’s doesn't work because it's too small and it's too noisy. And although your family, I'm sure, would love to see me every morning at breakfast time, you know, I think we need to get something all new, just for us.
Emily: Oh, you're serious.
Zander: Yeah. What do you think?
Emily: Uh --
There is a knock on the door. It's Ned. Emily and Zander try to be quiet and play it off as the camera pans back between them and Ned on the opposite side of the door.
Zander: Tell them to go away.
Emily: Who is it?
Ned: It's Ned. I just wanted to remind you that Brooke Lynn’s coming today and there's a family dinner tonight.
Emily: Brooke Lynn is Ned’s daughter.
Zander: Yeah, I know.
Emily: Okay.
Ned: Emily?
Emily: I heard you. I'll be right there.
Ned: No need. I just wanted to make sure you knew. Oh, and, Zander, you might want to show up at the office sometime today. We don't want work to pile up. Bye, kids.
Zander: See what I’m talking about? It's impossible.
Emily: Oh, okay. Privacy is at a definite premium around here.
Zander: Come on, Em, it'd be great. We'd be the last faces we see before we fall asleep together every night, the first faces we wake up to. I don't know about you, but that would be just about the most amazing way for me to start my day.
Emily: Oh, that sounds wonderful, Zander, but --
Zander: Okay, okay, just hear me out.
Emily: Okay.
Zander: I know your family will probably flip out in the next week, but after so much time, you know, I think I’ve figured out how to handle them. We don't have to move far, you know. Move someplace right by the hospital and -- and -- Em, I swear to you, I'll take the best care of you.
Emily: Oh, Zander, I know. You already do.
Zander: Okay. Let me do it all the time. Let me be that dose of medicine that makes you feel so alive.
Emily: Okay.
Zander: Really?
Emily: I'd love to live with you. Oh. They kiss and cuddle.
Zander: You won't be sorry.
Emily: Not a chance.
Nikolas gets up and hands Stefan the papers. Lydia looks a little apprehensive.
Nikolas: This is the first half of the Singapore report. The rest is in the library. I'll go get it.
Stefan: Oh, no rush.
Nikolas: That's not how it sounded when you came in.
Nikolas leaves and Stefan goes and pours himself coffee. Lydia hops up from the couch and goes over to speak with Stefan.
Stefan: Well, I'm accustomed to going anywhere I please in this house. Now, with the addition of your lovely presence, I suppose I'll have to check that instinct. Forgive me if I've interrupted.
Nikolas: You didn't. I'll go get it.
Lydia: Who'd have thought it? He's shy.
Stefan: "Discreet" would be more accurate.
Lydia: Well, aren't you going to congratulate me?
Stefan: I think I'll hold off until you've actually accomplished something other than a night Nikolas looks back on with regret.
Lydia: Relax. Men don't just settle for one night with me. Nikolas is hooked.
Stefan: You're quite sure of yourself, aren't you?
Lydia: It's not arrogance if it's justified.
Lydia bounces out of the room and Stefan goes over to sit at his desk. He picks up the phone and dials out.
Stefan: Alexis. I'm ready to move on that matter we discussed concerning Nikolas.
Nikolas is sitting at a table in Kelly's with his back to the door when Lydia comes up. She puts her hands over his eyes and then goes and sits down while Nikolas looks through his papers.
Lydia: Here's a hint. It rhymes with Lydia.
Nikolas: Are you following me?
Lydia: Looking for you. There's a difference. I didn't realize you were leaving the island today.
Nikolas: Yeah, I do that sometimes.
Lydia: I wish you'd said something. I had a whole day planned.
Nikolas: Some of us actually work, Lydia, or try to.
Lydia: Well, you have a wedding coming up that will bring you so much money, you'll never have to work again.
Nikolas: That may be your idea of a good time, but it's not mine.
Lydia: Oh, stop being so grumpy and come with me today. We can meet with the wedding coordinator, visit some churches, have a late lunch.
Nikolas gives Lydia the look. Okay. Better yet, we'll skip lunch altogether, and we can go back to Wyndemere and pick up where we left up. I happen to remember the exact place.
Nikolas: That's not a good idea.
Lydia: You're right. Secret passageways, well-meaning uncles, nosy servants. Plan B -- we'll take a long drive in the country, and we'll find a cozy, private spot all to ourselves.
Nikolas: No, no, Lydia. How many different ways do I have to say it? I don't want to.
Nikolas is vehement in his words. He's being slightly mean. WHOO!
Lydia: What on earth is wrong with you? Last night, you were so hot for me, we didn't even make it out of the study. And you want me now.
Nikolas: You know what the problem is, Lydia? You. You're not Emily. I had sex with you because I couldn't make love to her. Is that clear enough for you?
Lydia: Why are you being so cruel?
The audience hears the door open and close as Nikolas talks to Lydia. Papers shuffle.
Nikolas: I'm just being honest. Okay, I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings, but you need to know where I stand with this. I may be marrying you, but Emily has my heart. Always will. Lydia looks dejected and then looks over his shoulder.
Lydia: And enter Ophelia.
Nikolas' head whips around and Emily is standing there, wringing her hands in shock.
Stefan is flipping through papers in the drawing room with Alexis. They are walking around and talking. Alexis I'm not proud of that.
Stefan: Well, take comfort in the fact that it was necessary. You've given me everything I need to ensure that Nikolas won't ruin this family with an impetuous heart. Alexis God forbid. I hate doing this behind his back.
Stefan: Your objection is duly noted. Alexis Have you noticed that the blood in your veins has turned to ice?
Stefan: Somebody around here has to be ruled by pragmatism. Alexis It's absolutely seamless. Unbelievable. You can now manipulate Nikolas without any effort showing at all.
Stefan: I'm making a choice that he would eventually make for himself. There's no time to allow him to process his way to the same conclusion. Alexis What if you're wrong? What if, left to his own devices, Nikolas would choose happiness over his almighty family?
Stefan: Well, we'll never know, will we Alexis I know you love him, so why are you forcing him to break his own heart?
Stefan: Of all people, I shouldn't have to remind you that when it comes to family, desperate times call for desperate measures. Isn't that why you've been impersonating a butler, why you asked for my help in regaining custody of your daughter? Alexis That doesn't mean that I approve of any of this. And by the way, I do not want a repeat of what happened to Summer done in the name of my daughter.
Stefan: If you don't have the stomach for the way I get results, don't come to me for help. Now, I promise you will have Kristina, but I need the freedom to act. I don't want any breast-beating or 11th hour regrets from you. If you can't promise me that you're committed one hundred percent, I need to know now.
Emily is in shock and runs out of Kelly's. Nikolas gets up but Lydia stops him and he rubs his hand over his forehead as Lydia starts to talk.
Nikolas: Emily.
Lydia: Let her go, Nikolas.
Nikolas: You stay out of this
Lydia: Will you just think it through? You catch up with Emily, and then what? You bend to one knee and ask her to marry you? Are you prepared to pay the consequences? I mean that literally, Nikolas. Billions of dollars gone. I'm broke, your family's ruined. But, hey, by all means, if it makes you feel better, go bare your soul. But be prepared to have your heart stomped.
Emily is standing outside of Kelly's, in shock and wonder. She is rubbing her head as Gia comes upon her.
Gia: Emily, what's wrong?
Emily: I -- I just -- I can't believe it.
Gia: What happened?
Emily: I just -- I just heard Nikolas tell his fiancée that he has feelings for me.
Gia: Nikolas has always loved you.
Emily: Yeah, as a friend or as a little sister, but this was different, Gia.
Gia: Well, what about you? Do you have feelings for Nikolas?
Emily: I love Zander.
Gia: That's not what I asked. What do you feel for Nikolas?
Emily: Too much.
Emily can't believe and she rushes off leaving Gia to slowly stroll after her.
Gia is sitting at a table at Kelly's as Zander comes in and sits with down with her. He has a newspaper with him.
Zander: Hey.
Gia: Hey.
Zander: What do you know about Bayberry Street?
Gia: It's on the west side. Why?
Zander: Well, there's an apartment in here that looks pretty good. The rent's even doable.
Gia: You're moving? I thought you liked it at Jake’s.
Zander: Yeah, but it's not really Emily’s style.
Gia: Emily?
Zander: The crazy girl agreed to move in with me.
Gia: She did?
Zander: Yeah.
Gia: When?
Zander: This morning. We're meeting here, and we're going to take a look at some places today.
Gia: Emily's gone.
Zander: What do you mean, she's gone? She was here?
Gia: I shouldn't have said anything. Surprise. I've got a big mouth.
Zander: Gia, something obviously happened. Tell me what.
Gia: Look, ask Emily, okay?
Zander: No, Gia, I’m asking you.
Gia: Zander, look, this should be between you and your girlfriend. I really don't want to be in the middle, okay?
Zander: Gia, please, please, as a friend, okay? Tell me what you know.
Emily is sitting at her window seat when there is a knock on the door.
Emily: Who is it?
Nikolas: It's me.
Emily gets up and goes to open the door, we see Nikolas on the other side. She stands with the door partially open as she and Nikolas start to talk softly.
Nikolas: You heard what I said to Lydia.
Emily: I have your heart? Is it true?
Lydia walks into the drawing room at Wyndemere where Stefan is sitting with papers. She sits down and starts to talk to him.
Lydia: I was wrong. This isn't going to work after all.
Stefan: Of course it will.
Lydia: I have been humiliated enough, thank you. I have no desire to be left standing at the altar like some bad cliché.
Stefan: That won't happen.
Stefan rises and walks over to the desk. He picks up a file folder and they both walk over to the bar.
Lydia: You can't predict what Nikolas will do. I don't even think he can. Nikolas is head over heels for that tiresome, boring girl. His feelings run so deep, he slept with me just to vent them.
Stefan: Don't worry. Nikolas has a tender streak. He gets it from his mother. Fortunately, Laura didn't raise him. You see, Nikolas has been steeped in Cassadine tradition. He understands family and honor. And once you're married, that foundation will overrule any crush he has on Emily.
Lydia: You'd better be right. I'm betting my whole life on this.
Stefan: Well, the only thing that's changed is the timeline. We can't wait until November. You and Nikolas must be married as soon as possible. Here's how.
Stefan hands Lydia the folder and she starts to read.
Emily shuts the door and Nikolas is trying to make excuses. He has the nervous laugh and he's looking at the floor and making excuses.
Nikolas: I'm really -- I'm really sorry, Em. I didn't think there was any way you'd overhear what I said to Lydia.
Emily: Why'd you say it?
Nikolas: Because -- because she was getting on my nerves, you know, and I just -- I wanted my space. I wanted her away from me. It could've been anyone's name, you know? Just fill in the blank. It just -- it happened to be yours.
Emily: Yeah. I don't believe you.
Nikolas looks up at Emily but he stares at the floor some more.
Nikolas: Emily, you love Zander. You're finally back together. You need to protect that.
Emily: No, Nikolas, that's why we're in this situation -- because I was trying to protect Zander. Now I just want the truth.
Nikolas: Okay. I think you already know.
Nikolas raises his head and meets Emily's look straight on.
Gia and Zander are still at Kelly's. Gia is hesitant to tell Zander what happened but he is insistent.
Gia: I never should have promised Emily I’d stay beside you when she was off doing her far-far-better thing with Nikolas. What did it get me, anyway?
Zander: Gia, I realize that3, okay? But please tell me what happened.
Gia: Okay. You're not going to like it.
Zander: Yeah, I get that.
Gia: Emily heard Nikolas tell that Lydia person that he has feelings for her.
Zander: What was her reaction?
Gia: From what I could tell, she was surprised.
Zander: Well, did you talk to her?
Gia: A little.
Zander: What's your read? What did she say? Did she say anything?
Gia: I think Emily might have feelings for Nikolas, too.