Nikolas: I'm not going to the hospital.
Elizabeth: Nikolas, you look awful.
Nikolas: Look, you -- you're pregnant. I don't want you exposed to the flu. You shouldn't even be here.
Elizabeth: Oh, please, I work with sick people all day long. I'm going to call G.H. and let them know that you're coming in, okay?
Nikolas: I'm not going to the hospital.
Elizabeth: Well, then, will you at least let Emily look at you when she gets home?
Nikolas: No, no. I don't want her to know that I'm sick.
Elizabeth: Here.
Nikolas: Thanks.
Lucky: So have you recovered from your grueling ordeal? I got it.
Nikolas: Uh, no, apparently not. Uh -- I'm not feeling too well. I just think I need to get some sleep.
Lucky: No kidding, you look awful. What, painting with the peasants was a little much for you, was it?
Nikolas: No, I just don't think I'm accustomed to manual labor, that's all.
Lucky: Well, you were fine a few hours ago. I'm sure if Emily realized that, you know, you weren't --
Emily: If I had realized what? Hi.
Nikolas: Oh, nothing. I just -- I think I just came down with a little something. You shouldn't -- I'm fine.
Emily: Nikolas, you've been pushing yourself too hard.
Nikolas: I'm fine.
Emily: No, you're pale, but -- you see? But you don't seem to have a fever. Are you in pain? You have a headache, body ache?
Nikolas: I didn't say I was dying. I just said I wasn't feeling well.
Emily: Which is why I'm trying to help you.
Elizabeth: You know, when Cameron gets cranky, it means he needs to eat.
Nikolas: So now I'm being compared to a toddler? Great.
Emily: Oh -- okay. Time to pour the wine. Uh -- Nikolas, you want to do the honors? I told Alfred that Elizabeth and Lucky were coming over for dinner, so I think we'll all feel better --
Nikolas: Could you -- could you ask me first before you just invite people over for dinner?
Emily: We had such a great time painting this afternoon, I just wanted to keep things going, you know? It was like old times -- lunch from Eli's and then we all came back here for dinner?
Nikolas: To discuss wedding plans, no doubt.
Emily: Sure. Yeah, for Lucky and Elizabeth.
Nikolas: Of course it would start out that way, then one of you would say something about me marrying Emily and then I'd have to stand up and insist that Emily and I be married in some spectacular ceremony by the end of the year and I -- I have to tell you, I -- I don't like being manipulated in that way. I just want to go to sleep.
Lucky: Okay, just dial it down a notch.
Elizabeth: I think it's a little inappropriate for you to assume that we're going to --
Nikolas: Don't -- please don't tell me what you think is appropriate and inappropriate.
Emily: Nikolas, please.
Nikolas: Well, are you denying that you expect me to marry you?
Elizabeth: Nobody's trying to tell anybody who to marry.
Nikolas: Of course you are. Come on, we're always, always interfering in each other's lives. Elizabeth, look, please don't -- don't misunderstand me. I'm -- I am thrilled that you and Lucky have decided to reconcile yet again. I just, I -- I just -- I just want to go to sleep.
Emily: Just because they're getting married, Nikolas, doesn't mean that we are.
Nikolas: Please, don't -- don't tell me what it all means here, okay? We were barely reconciled when Spencer was kidnapped and -- and everything that happened at the Metro Court, and I'm -- I don't -- I don't mean to mislead you, but I may never get married again.
Lucky: You really must be sick because you sound delusional.
Emily: No, no, it's all right.
Lucky: Em --
Emily: Nikolas, I understand why you would feel pressured. It was certainly not my intention.
Lucky: Emily, he's not making sense.
Emily: I think it might be better if Nikolas and I take a break.
Nikolas: Yeah. A little space couldn't hurt, right?
Emily: Okay. Well, then, uh -- good night.
Lucky: You know what? Why don't you take that aspirin and get so sleep, and when you wake up tomorrow realizing that you were an ass, I'll help you smooth things overith Emily.
Nikolas: Did you hear anything I just said?
Elizabeth: Your brother needs a little room.
Nikolas: Thank you.
Elizabeth: We're going.
Nikolas: Thank you.
James: What was the point of that little performance?
Nikolas: Look, I may be your pawn for the moment, but I'll refuse to allow you to threaten Emily.
Nikolas: You don't think things through particularly well, do you? That's why you made such a mess of what was supposed to be a five-minute robbery at the Metro Court.
James: Well, all things considered, I thought I handled it rather well. True, I failed to achieve the ultimate objective, but, you see, these are the hazards of my chosen profession.
Nikolas: That's fine, but you need to understand something. I will gladly die before I allow you to harm anyone in my life, and that includes anyone in this house, my family, Elizabeth, and especially Emily. You understand?
James: Which would explain that petulant show of bad manners you just put on, and it's a wonder Emily didn't leave in tears. After all the love and support she gave you during that hostage crisis -- I mean, it's appalling to see that you've turned into a self-centered pig. Honestly, Intern Emily deserves way better.
Nikolas: It'll keep her away from you for now.
James chuckles.
James: Unfortunately, you see, you may need Emily's medical abilities. She does seem to be very competent. It may come in handy if you are ever slow responding to the counteragent.
Nikolas: Really? Well, if I die, where does that leave you, hmm?
James: In the awkward position of having to start the process all over again with a more cooperative subject. And rest assured, if you stir up more trouble, I will kill sweet Emily -- and Elizabeth for good measure -- before I move on. You know me, Nightmare Nikolas. You know I can be reasonable when I get cooperation, but most unpleasant if I don't.
Nikolas: Fine. So let's get started, shall we?
James: Why don't you send flowers to Emily? Apologize, invite her to the castle for a romantic dinner.
Nikolas: No, no, no, let's --
James: Yes.
Nikolas: Let's grasp what's really going to happen here. You'll get what you want if you keep Emily out of it.
Monica: Em?
Emily: Yeah?
Monica: I saw you come in.
Emily: Yeah, I --
Monica: Is everything okay?
Emily: I've decided to move back in for a while.
Monica: You want to talk about it?
Emily: Um, Nikolas and I are taking a break -- it's mutual.
Monica: What, I -- I thought things were going pretty well with you two.
Emily: Yeah, well, we were moving a little too fast, and, you know, we've both been through a lot of emotional upheaval. So we're just going to take some time and decide what we both want.
Monica: Well, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you two are having problems, but, selfishly, I'm -- I'm glad you're back.
Emily: So am I.
Monica: Are you sure you're okay?
Emily: Mom, I'm fine, really. You go. You need some sleep.
Monica: I love you, you know.
Emily: I love you, too.
Nikolas: Your life depends on me obtaining you a new identity. You've taken great risk to make that happen. Why throw it all away just because I won't allow you to include Emily? You need this to happen quickly, you need this to happen quietly. The fewer people that know the better, correct?
James: Table the discussion, shall we? I can always bring Emily into the project at a later date when the need presents itself. In the meantime, we have work to do. So why don't you call your little friends in Moscow and find a suitable birth certificate for me? Step one in making me a brand-new man, Nikolas.