Chapter 21
The cottage

She said nothing to him the entire ride home. He knew she was angry and had every right to be but her silent treatment was still getting to him. He kept trying to start a conversation but she refused to play along. He should have told her earlier but he was a coward and never found the courage to say the things he should have said. She unlocked the door and started up the stairs until he stopped her.

Nikolas- Gia please…can we talk?
Gia- There’s nothing to talk about.
Nikolas- [extending his hand to hers] Please I want to explain…
[She took his hand as he led to her to the couch to sit. Sitting in front of her on the coffee table he began to explain as best he could why he kept his relationship with Sarah a secret.] <> Gia- [her hurt evident in her voice] How could you not tell me you dated Elizabeth’s sister?
Nikolas- [lying] I didn’t think it made much difference.
Gia- "It didn’t make a difference"… are you crazy?
Nikolas- I don’t understand…why should it matter?
Gia- "Why should it matter…" Tell me this if it was so unimportant why didn’t you tell me? Why did I have to find out from some girl I don’t even know?
Nikolas- Ok…I dated Elizabeth’s sister at one time a long time ago. Why does it even matter to you?
Gia- It matters because you purposely didn’t tell me. It matters because you would have never told me you dated Liz’s sister. It matters because you didn’t want me to know.
Nikolas- I didn’t tell you for this reason…I didn’t tell you because I knew it might hurt you. Hell I didn’t tell you because I knew you would react this way.
Gia- And why am I reacting this way Nikolas?
Nikolas- I don’t know…
Gia- This is why I did not want to have this conversation… This is why I didn’t want to…
Nikolas- You didn’t want to what? [Gia looked away from him trying to hide the hurt she was still feeling] Tell me why this bothers you so much.
Gia- Because…
Nikolas- Because why…
Gia- Because…in the back of my head I’ll never measure up. Because no matter how hard I try not to I still wonder if you could would you be with Liz.
Nikolas- Gia that’s ridiculous…
Gia- Is it? From the moment I came into contact with all of you I always knew you had feelings for Elizabeth. I could see it in the way you looked at her, the way you were around her and I knew you loved her and I was jealous.
Nikolas- [quietly] Jealous?
Gia- Because all I ever wanted was for someone to love me that way. And for you to feel that way about Elizabeth…
Nikolas- I knew a long time ago that Liz and I could never be anything other than friends.
Gia- That doesn’t matter…
Nikolas- What does this have to do with her sister?
Gia- It concerns her sister because…
Nikolas- Because what? I do not understand you.
Gia- Nikolas…it’s not about her sister…it’s not even about Elizabeth…it’s about me.
Nikolas- You? Gia…I love you like I have never loved anyone before.
Gia- - I love you too Nikolas.
Nikolas- And nothing or no one could ever make me stop. [softly smiling as he took her face gently in his hands] Before you…I thought I had it all planned out… I just knew love would come to me in this nice neat little package and I would be set for life. But from the moment you came into view my "plan" was shot. I saw you and I wanted to know more about you…hell I wanted you. Blackmailer or not you had me thinking of you day and night…it was to the point I didn’t care if I was paying you or not I just wanted you by my side.
Gia- Then why? I don’t understand…
Nikolas- I didn’t tell you about Sarah because I could see how the thought of Liz and I effected you and I didn’t want to add that the knowledge that I once dated her sister. But you have to know it was over a long, long time ago. And as far as any feeling I may or may not have had for Elizabeth they were gone after we first kissed. I mean after you kissed me I knew the only person I wanted to kiss again was you.
Gia- I kissed you…
Nikolas- [smiling as he nodded his head] Yeah…don’t you remember? You not wanting Taggert to see you at Kelly’s you grabbed me and attached yourself to me at the mouth.
Gia- [laughing] Very funny Nikolas…
Nikolas- Gia what I am trying to tell you is that I am sorry…I know I should have told you. But you are the first person that I have truly loved who loved me back in return. You love me for me and it has nothing to do with who I am or what I could give you in return.
Gia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- I know I should have told you about Sarah and I will apologize to you for not telling you about her until you are tired of me saying it.
Gia- You don’t have to keep apologizing…
Nikolas- I just want you to know that 1000 Sarah’s and 1000 Elizabeth’s... Gia- Please spare me the thought…I barely tolerate this one…
Nikolas- [laughing] However many there are could walk past me now and that would not matter because I am holding you in my arms now. And loving you and you are loving me back…
Gia- [whispering] I always will.
Nikolas- And I will always love you. It’s sorta good to know because I’m sure we will be needing each other now that we…now that our relationship will be out in the open for everyone to see.
Gia- Nikolas…
Nikolas- Gia I love you and I want everyone to know it. Helena or no Helena I want to show everyone…I want them to know who is making me smile like I have never smiled before. I want to show everyone how lucky I am because you love me.
Gia- [speaking softly] I’m lucky too…because you love me.
Nikolas- [smiling] I’m luckier… I mean it’s not everyday you find your friend, your lover, your destiny in some alley.
Gia- If I remember correctly it wasn’t exactly the friendliest of meetings. You and your brother were rather forceful. I had bruises for days.
Nikolas- Well yeah…I didn’t have the chance to kiss away the bruises we put on you then. But…
Gia- [smiling brightly] But what?
Nikolas- [smiling as he raised his eyebrows] If you want…I could do it now…
Gia- Well…
Nikolas- Of course you would have to tell me where those bruises were seeing that I wasn’t privy to your body then.
Gia- [smiling] You want me to tell you where you need to kiss to make it all better?
Nikolas- [smiling] Yeah so I can make it all better…
Gia- Well if that’s the case come here…
[Gia whispered something in his ear that made him blush. Looking at her he smiled devilishly as he replied] Nikolas- Well I didn’t know we hit you there but…
Gia- You said to tell you someplace that was bruised and you promised you would kiss it and make it all better.
Nikolas- That I did…
Gia- And after last night’s workout it is gonna need a whole lot of kissing.
Nikolas- [laughing] Well if that’s the case… [sitting next to her on the couch as he quickly removed his shirt] we better get started.
Gia- I’ll race you upstairs…
Nikolas- [Unbuttoning and removing her shirt] Upstairs? I’m thinking of doing it right here…
Gia- Here? What if someone comes…
[Slowly kissing her neck as he unzipped her pants] Nikolas- So…
Gia- So…there’s no shades or curtains…[pausing as he quickly slipped his hand inside her underwear] anyone…anyone would be able to see what we would doing.
Nikolas- [smiling devilishly as he slowly began to explore the inner parts of her] And…
Gia- And…[trying to catch her breath as his fingers began their exploration] I…
Nikolas- [kissing her unable to hide his excitement] Don’t tell me your shy?
Gia- No…[as his caressing started to take effect]I…I just wanted to spare you any embarrassment…
Nikolas- I won’t have anything to be embarrassed about. [lying her completely down on the couch] I’m just trying to show my girlfriend how much I love her.
Gia [lifting her hips so he could completely remove her pants] Well now that you say it like that…
Nikolas- You sure…[pausing as he removed the remainder of their clothes] because we can always stop and go upstairs.
Gia- [pulling him closer to her as he entered her] I…I like it…[Nikolas slowly began to move in and out of her] it’s good…it’s good right here.
Nikolas- [breathing heavily] Gia…Gia I love you…
Gia- [as they climaxed together]I love you too…

Chapter 22
The park

~~Two weeks have passed Lucky apologized to Liz for walking out on her and Nikolas and Gia’s relationship is out in the open.~~

Liz- Emily I am so glad you asked me to hang with you today. I really needed a break.
Emily- Well I missed you, we really haven’t seen much of each other lately.
Liz- I know and I’m sorry. Between Kelly’s, Chloe and school I’ve been swamped.
Emily- Have you seen Jason lately?
Liz- Yeah…[softly smiling] he took me for a ride last night.
Emily- Really…
Liz- Yeah I ran into him outside of my studio carrying a ton of books and he must’ve seen I needed to let loose.
Emily- [smiling] Where did you go?

Liz sat quietly as she thought about her and Jason last night. How he took her to the bridge to watch the stars. How they sat side by side not really touching or talking yet she felt so close to him. She had missed Jason in the two weeks since “Cupid’s End”. Jason told her that he decided to keep his distance to let things settle between her and Lucky. He felt that since he was the cause of their latest problems, it would be best if he stayed away. But everyday he stayed away the more she missed him. She wanted to tell him that if he had not come to her she would have gone to him herself. Somehow Lucky put whatever ill feelings from her weekend with Jason aside and things were back to normal. He reintroduced her to Deanna and somehow things between them improved even more. He even told her that if she wanted to be friends with Jason he would try his best to understand. So whatever time she got to spend with him she cherished even more.

Emily- Liz did you hear me? Where did you go last night with Jason?
Liz- Oh I’m sorry…no where in particular. We just sorta rode around for a while. [She could not believe she just lied to Emily about Jason, but she was not ready to share ever growing and confusing feelings for Jason until she was sure of what they were]
Emily- [looking at her watch for the third time] That’s cool…
Liz- Is everything ok? I’m not keeping you from anything am I?
Emily- No…just checking the time that’s all.
Liz- Oh ok…I only asked because that’s about your third or fourth time looking at your watch in the last five minutes.
Emily- I’m sorry…
Liz- [smiling] Nothing to apologize for…it’s just that I know I miss not spending time with you, so being able to do so now is sorta cool. But the way you kept looking at you watch I thought I might be keeping you from something and I was starting to feel a little guilty.
Emily- [suddenly felling guilty] Liz I gotta tell you something…
Liz- Hey Em…what’s wrong?
Emily- Well…Lucky asked me to…
Nikolas- [as he and Gia approached them] Hello Emily…Elizabeth.
Emily- [sounding unhappy that she saw them] Nikolas…
Liz- Hey Nikolas, hey Gia.
Gia- [surprised that Liz spoke to her] Hi Elizabeth…
Lucky- [smiling as he walked up with Deanna] Hey can we join this party too?
Liz- [standing to hug and kiss Lucky] Hey sweetie…hey Deanna. What’s up?
Lucky- That’s what I would like to know…
Liz- [noting the change in his voice] What are you talking about?
Nikolas- We haven’t seen much of you lately.
Liz- [sensing a change in Nikolas’s and Lucky’s demeanor she slowly sat down] Yeah, between work and school I don’t have much free time.
Lucky- But you have enough time to spend with Jason right?
Liz- Where is this coming from?
Lucky- Last night…weren’t you and Jason together?
Liz- Yeah so…
Lucky- I thought you were too busy.
Liz- He took me riding after I got off of work.
Nikolas- Liz why are you spending time with Jason?
Liz- Why shouldn’t I?
Nikolas- Lucky is back now…
Liz- What has that got to do with anything?
Nikolas- You have no reason to see Jason now.
Liz- [angrily] Says who…and besides who are you to tell me who I should and should not see?
Nikolas- A friend…you and Jason have nothing in common and hanging with him will only get you hurt in the end.
Emily- Jason wouldn’t hurt Liz…
Nikolas- Look Emily I know Jason is your brother but you can’t promise that.
Emily- Yes I can…Jason protects the people he cares about and…
Lucky- Emily…I know you think what you are saying is right and true but nothing you say will make me believe that Jason would keep Liz safe.
Emily- Lucky when you told me to bring Liz to the park you never told me that this is what you had in mind…
Liz- [looking at Emily] Lucky told you…
Emily- I’m not going to let you stand there and down talk my brother.
Nikolas- Em…your view of your brother is slighted, you can’t see him for what he really is.
Liz- [looking at Emily] How could you?
Emily- [softly] I’m sorry…I thought...
Nikolas- You didn’t see how Jason treated her the first time…
Liz- How he treated me…
Nikolas- He had you doing things you wouldn’t normally do.
Liz- [angrily] You have no idea what you are talking about.
Nikolas- Yes I do…you compromised yourself and the people around you to be with him and he did nothing but bring you down.
Liz- [yelling] Don’t you dare tell me what Jason did or did not do to me…
Nikolas- I will continue to tell you because you still don’t see that Jason is using you.
Liz- Using me…using me how?
Lucky- You tell me…
Liz- Do not…
Lucky- I don’t know about the first time you and Jason "hung out" but the second time…I…
Liz- The second time…Lucky things were so crazy at that time and Jason was the only thing that kept me going.
Lucky- Elizabeth that is ridiculous. I was there for you, Nikolas…Emily…
Liz- [pointing at Lucky] No you weren’t everyone was so wrapped up in the whole Zander mess, which I can understand, but Jason was the only person who cared about what I thought and what I felt.
Lucky- Oh please…that’s an excuse. No matter what you or Jason say he was and still is after you.
Liz- So you are saying I don’t know what I’m talking about.
Nikolas- Jason has you so blinded by what he’s telling you.
Liz- What is he supposedly telling me?
Nikolas- Who knows…whatever it is it has you turning your back on everyone else.
Liz- I can’t believe this…
Gia- Hey guys…maybe this was not a good idea.
Nikolas- Gia you don’t…
Gia- I don’t what? This is wrong.
Nikolas- What’s wrong is the way Jason has Liz acting…
Liz- [slowly looking at everyone surrounding her] How can any of you come here and tell me what wrong I’m supposedly doing? [looking at Lucky] If I want to spend time with Jason then I will. I say nothing about all the time you are spending with Deanna.
Deanna- I…I have nothing to do with this. I saw Lucky walking toward the park and he asked me to join him.
Lucky- That does not matter…me and Deanna are just friends…
Liz- That’s all me and Jason are. How are you two any different?
Lucky- Because me being friends with Deanna won’t get me killed.
Nikolas- Liz can’t you see…
Liz- Why can’t you all trust me to know what I’m doing?
Nikolas- Because Jason manipulates…
Liz- Jason is one of the few friends…he is the only friend that I have that lets me be me. He doesn’t come at me telling me what I should and shouldn’t change.
Nikolas- Liz listen…
Liz- [yelling and pointing at Nikolas and Lucky] No you listen…none of you have the right to tell me who I can call a friend. This is my life.
Nikolas- And we’re are just trying to make sure you keep it…
Liz- [yelling] Stop it…just stop it. I don’t want to hear anymore of this…
Nikolas- Liz this is for your own good…
Liz- My own good huh…you know what I think is good for me? All of you with your opinions and accusations to just leave me the hell alone.
Emily- Liz…I’m sorry…
Liz- No I’m sorry…I’m sorry that you all think that I don’t know right from wrong and that I would allow myself to be put in danger.
Nikolas- Jason has you so…
Gia- Nikolas that’s enough.
Nikolas- [turning to look at Gia] No, not until she sees what we see…
Gia- Who are you to decide what’s right for her?
Nikolas- A friend…for God’s sake Lucky is her boyfriend…
Liz- [angrily] Then he should act like it.
Lucky- What is that supposed to mean?
Gia- This is wrong.
Nikolas- Gia…
Gia- Nikolas… Liz I’m sorry that…I’m sorry they did this to you. If I had known…
Liz- It’s not your fault Gia…
Gia- I know but still I’m sorry.
Nikolas- [upset] Don’t apologize for this…Liz need to hear this.
Liz- [fighting back tears] I want you all to leave.
Nikolas- No you need…
Liz- Fine then I’ll leave. [she stands and quickly walks away as her tears begin to fall].
Emily- Liz don’t go…[she tries to go after her but Lucky pulls her by the arm]
Lucky- No let her go. She needs to think about the things we said.
Deanna- She’s hurt…
Nikolas- That wasn’t our plan but…
Gia- There are no buts…I can’t believe you.
Nikolas- Gia you don’t understand…
Gia- And I don’t want to. [As she turned and walked away Nikolas threw up his arms in disgust].
Deanna- Lucky don’t you think you should go after Liz?
Lucky- [sitting on the bench] No…
Emily- [pleading] Nikolas…
Nikolas- I’m sorry Em…but no.
Emily- I can’t believe this. I gotta explain.
Nikolas- You can’t Em…
Emily- But he’s my brother…
Lucky- We know but he’s not putting your life in danger.
Emily- He wouldn’t let anything happen to Liz…he’s not even in the business anymore.
Nikolas- That’s beside the point.
Emily- He wouldn’t let anything happen to her…
Nikolas- I’m sure he didn’t want anything to happen to Robin…
Emily- Nikolas you can’t…
Lucky- And you can’t promise that nothing will happen.
Emily- They’re just friends…
Nikolas- That doesn’t matter…
Deanna- Is he really that bad?
Emily- No…
Nikolas- Yes…Emily we’re just trying to look out for Liz that’s all. I have nothing against Jason, but I love Liz and I want her to be safe.
Emily- [as her voice trails off] I know but…
Nikolas- Let me take you home…everything will be fine in the morning.