Coming Home

By ZanderBabeKer

2:31

Emily was suddenly paranoid. He could tell by her body language. She was constantly looking over her shoulder, checking to make sure she wasn't being followed. She kept her back to every wall she possibly could. Her vigilance made following her extremely difficult. She went from the Quartermaine mansion to the hospital. It was Spring Break-he never did understand spring break in the middle of winter-so she wasn't even going to classes at PCU.

Watching her at the mansion was easy. For aII their money, the Quartermarines knew nothing
about security. Watching her at the hospital was more difficult because so many people there knew his face. At least if she had been going to class, he could have blended into the crowds of students. The only place he didn't follow her to was the prison when she went to visit Nikolas. Although she didn't go there anymore anyway.

The lights were on in the Quartermaine Iiving room. He rubbed his hands together for warmth and watched through the glass door. He knew she was home, and from the routine he'd witnessed over the last week, he knew Emily would be down to read a book on the sofa any time how. Within minutes she appeared, book in hand and crawled under the blanket on the couch. He tried the handle. It was unlocked. He eased the door open and stepped into the room.

''Em? ''She looked up at him, startled and disbelieving. "I swear I'm not a ghost."

''Zander?''

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief the way they used to. ''Hey, Em.''

''But... I saw you. I saw you die."

''Yeah, the Feds are pretty good at making it look real. Ric Lansing didn't even know what was going on. I'm sorry I had to lie to you." His voice was quiet but it sounded to her like the sweetest of memories.

She smiled. ''I can't believe you're standing there. Alive! on my God!'' She tossed the book aside and hesitated only a second before throwing herself into his arms. It was the first time she voluntarily let herself be touched since the rape.

"I read about Nikolas in the paper."

Emily backed away from him. The mere mention of Nikolas' name conjured up the image of his
face. She shivered. Her rapist had her husband's face. It wasn't Nikolai fault but he was suffering the consequences anyway. Their divorce papers were being served to him tomorrow at the prison.
''I don't want to talk about him." She said, determination written all over her face.

But Zander read something else there as well. "Do you want to tell me about what else happened? I know you shot the guy who looked like Nikolas. The one who was supposed to be helping you lure Nik's grandmother out of hiding"

"How did you know all that?"

"My handler got ahold of the police files. They filled in whatever the Herald left out." He explained nonchalantly, realizing of course that she had avoided the question. ''I heard about Lucky getting shot. I'm sorry. Lucky was always pretty cool to me.''

''The doctors say they're going to release him next week." She smiled for the first time in days. ''Not bad for a guy who spent a couple of weeks in a coma."

He smiled back. They stood silent for a moment; comfortable just being in each other's presence.

"So why are you here?" Emily finally asked.

''I wanted to see my son in person.'' Zander said and ran his hand through his hair. It was long again, the way it had been when they first met. ''The pictures I was getting just weren't cutting it. I'm glad Elizabeth named him after my dad. It was nice. Classic Elizabeth.'' He paused and looked her straight in the eye. ''And I came to see you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Emily sat down on the couch and covered herself with the blanket. ''He raped me, Zander." He was the first person she had said those words to. ''I invited Connor Bishop into my life because he looked like Nikolas and we needed his help. Connor used that to his advantage to get close to me. And when that didn't work... he attacked me. ''

Telling her the rape wasn't her fault was useless. She would have to come to that in her own time. It would take counseling, a lot of it, time, support, and love, All of which, he could give her.

''I can take you with me.'' He whispered as he sat down, taking great care to give her space. "I have a little house in North Carolina with a cute back yard and a swing on the front porch. The Feds would set you up with a desk job somewhere. You might even be able to finish medical school.''

''You really have been keeping up.''

''I still love you, Em. I never stopped. I knew you wouldn't leave with me when the Feds came and told me they wanted my testimony.'' He only hesitated for a moment. ''But now, En? It could be our chance to start over."

For a moment Emily felt like she couldn't breathe.''What about Elizabeth or Cameron?''

Zander sighed and spoke from his heart even though the words nearly killed him. ''I don't know if Elizabeth and I ever had a chance to be happy. I think she always had Jason on the brain. But now... she's got a real chance with Lucky. I saw them at the hospital.. Cameron would have a good life with Lucky as his dad. And he wouldn't have to spend his life under an assumed name.''

''What's your name in North Carolina? ''She asked, ignoring everything else he'd said.

''Christopher.''

Emily laughed. ''I could see calling you Chris. What would my name be?''

''Whatever you want. You could be Katie or Hayley or Danielle. It would be a simple life, my house is nothing like this one. But it could be a new start for you. What do you say?''

She smiled. ''I think I'd like to be Katie. Chris and Katie...''

''Parker.'' He gently took her hand. ''Chris and Katie Parker.''

''I need to write my parents a letter. And one to Lucky and Elizabeth. Then I'll be all set to go, Chris.''

''I love you, Katie. And I'll do everything lean to help you learn to love again. To feel safe and comfortable and happy again."

3:38