Lucky visits with Emily and Lydia follows. He tells Lydia to leave. Lydia refuses, gives Emily her sympathies and begs Emily to give her marriage to Nikolas a chance. Emily tells both Lucky and Lydia that this has nothing to do with Nikolas or Emily and everything to do with just the two of them. Liz visits Emily and Liz talks about Ric, while Emily talks about Nikolas. Dara knocks on the door needing a moment with Liz. She tells Liz that Ric has asked to her to be his defense lawyer and she feels that his only chance is with Liz. Liz tells her that she doesn't think that she can testify.

Nikolas arrives at Jake's bar (Coleman called him when Zander gets toasted). Zander tells him that Emily's condition has gotten worse. Nikolas begins to drink and Zander punches him. Zander and Nikolas continue to fight, blaming each other for what each did with Emily. Afterwards, they drink and toast to Emily. Lucky and Lydia walk in to take them home. Drunk and bruised, Nikolas and Zander walk into Emily's room, which makes Emily laugh. After they leave, Lucky stays behind and tells Emily that he found them at Jake's fighting over her. He tells her that she needs to choose.

Stefan approaches Nikolas at GH as he is talking to Alan about Emily's condition. Stefan offers his sympathy for Emily and offers to help in any way he can for her. Alan thanks him and leaves. Nikolas learns from Alan that Emily's immune system is not bouncing back like they expected it to after her chemotherapy was stopped. Nikolas is surprised by Stefan's gesture of sympathy and asks him what brought that on. Stefan tells him that even though he never thought she was suited for him, he is sorry she is ill and doesn't wish her any harm. Nikolas tells him to stop following him around and checking up on him. Stefan tells him that he needs to let Zander and Emily's family worry about her and spend more time and attention to his wife. before. Emily complains about having a severe headache. Zander tells her she should let the doctor know so he can give her something for it. Emily tells him she doesn't want them to run more tests on her right now and would rather suffer the headache right now instead. She starts to feel cold and Zander offers to turn the thermostat in the room up for her. Emily's doctor comes in to check on her and notices she is shivering. He asks Zander to step out of the room for a minute so he can examine her. Zander walks out of the room and runs into Monica. Monica asks him if Emily is o.k. right now and if she is running a fever. Zander doesn't know.

Emily's doctor comes out of her room and tells Monica that he needs to run some tests on Emily immediately and that he is going to order a lumbar puncture. Monica agrees that is the best course and gives the o.k. Zander gets nervous and asks her what a lumbar puncture is. Monica explains that it is a spinal tap. Zander asks her if that is serious. Monica tells him it isn't good news. She calls Jason and tells him that Emily is getting worse and that she wants to see him immediately. Emily is moved to ICU. Zander comes over to Alan and Nikolas later and tells them that Emily has been moved to ICU and that they are going to perform a spinal tap on her. Alan tells them that if she ends up having bacterial meningitis, she could die. Monica shows up later to tell the family and everyone that Emily does have meningitis and has been put on antibiotics. Zander goes to see her again. Alan and Monica are there to see her first and try to act upbeat and encouraging for Emily. They leave Zander with her. Zander starts blaming himself for taking her out to places and exposing her to all these viruses and infections. Emily tells him it wasn't his fault since she wanted to go to the carnival and that this infection was hibernating in her system already probably and that her immune system is too weak to fight it off.

Jason shows up to see her. She asks Zander to leave them alone to talk. Jason starts to get choked up when he sees her. Emily tells him that she needs to know how to die and that she wants to make this better for those she loves and is scared. Jason asks her if she thinks she is dying. She tells him she does. He tells her that she needs to use this time as if it is a gift to her and to tell everyone she loves what she needs to tell them before she dies and not to leave things unsaid. Jason leaves and goes to see the family. He tells them that Emily didn't discuss with him how she is feeling physically but asked to talk to Nikolas right now. Zander wonders what she has to say to Nikolas that is so important and follows him and watches them from outside ICU Emily has a hard time telling him how she feels and is having a hard time breathing. She is about to tell him how she feels when she starts going into a seizure. Nikolas calls out to Zander to get some help and watches her helplessly.

Emily has seizures. Alan and Monica give her medicine to reduce the seizures as Nikolas and Zander watch on. Monica tells them that Emily's condition has stabilized, but that her immune system has suffered and that the worst case scenario is that Emily will die. Monica speaks to an unconscious Emily and urges her to fight. Nikolas and Zander ask if they could do the same. Zander sits down next to her and begins to cry. He tells her that she looks peaceful and that she will wake up. He plans on what they are going to do when she wakes up and he thought of the carnival. He begins to dream of swinging her on the swing, but then Nikolas picks her up in a tuxedo and begins to sway her around for a dance, then kisses her and tells her that he loves her. Nikolas is sitting next to her bed and tells her that almost losing her made him realize that nothing else matters. He asks if she can hear him and Emily answers in her head that yes she can. Nikolas tells her that he just needs one chance to be able to tell her that he loves her. Zander interrupts and tells Nikolas that he would like to sit with her for a while. He tells her that her hands are warm, as if she was really here or maybe it was because Nikolas was holding them. He tells her that she has to wake up because they have a lot to look forward to.

Suddenly, Emily's hand moves. He tells her that he felt her and he asks her to squeeze his hand and that he would bring her back to him, but he begins to feel her pull away from him. Zander tells her that it doesn't matter if he came back to him or not, but she has got to fight. He kisses her, turns out the lights and leaves. The door opens and Stefan is in the room. He tells her that it would have been easier if she would have died. Nikolas comes into the room and asks him what he is doing there. Stefan tells him that he was waiting for Nikolas to tell him about the run in with the collectors. Nikolas asks if it was the same guys as before and Stefan tells him that he had staged that to get his sympathy. Nikolas tells him that he doesn't care anymore about any of their family problems and he plans on asking Emily to marry him. Stefan tells him that if he leaves Lydia for Emily, the collectors will kill him. Liz approaches Lucky and Lydia. Lucky tells Liz that Emily has meningitis and has suffered a seizure. Liz and Lucky embrace, while they promise to spend more time together when all of this is over as Lydia watches.

Stefan continues to tell Nikolas of the risks of proposing to Emily. Nikolas tells Stefan that when Emily wakes up, he will propose to her. Stefan says that he hopes she never wakens. Nikolas tells him to get out and to never come near him. Stefan leaves, while Nikolas sits next to Emily, holding her hand. The doctor arrives and begins to tell him that unless her fever goes down, but he interrupts him and says that it will. The doctor leaves and Nikolas tells Emily that he loves her and how she needs to come back to him. He tells her that he needs to have just one person to love him back and does not break their promises. Crying, he tells her to stay with him. He lays his head down on her and Emily puts her hand on his head and says his name. Her fever breaks and she wakes up. Nikolas tells her that he is having his marriage to Lydia annulled. Nikolas proposes to Emily and she refuses. She tells him that when the seizure hit, all she wanted to see was Zander and that she loves him.

The doctor brings the good news to Monica, Zander, Liz and Lucky. Zander goes to see her, while Liz and Lucky embrace again. Zander tells Emily to save her strength because he has plenty of things planned. He tells her that he realized that because of what happened, he should always do right for the person that you love. Emily agreed and says she always will. When Emily wakes up in her Hospital room, frightened by a nightmare, she finds Zander beside her. Emily encourages Zander to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. At Wyndemere, Lydia brings breakfast to Nikolas, but Nikolas rushes off on an errand instead. Later, Nikolas meets Jason on the Docks, announcing that Nikolas has some business to discuss with Jason. Jason is surprised that Nikolas is not with Emily and Nikolas reports that Emily told Nikolas that Zander is the one who makes Emily happy and that Nikolas is willing to accept Emily's decision. Jason urges Nikolas to go to Emily and proclaim his love one more time. Nikolas arrives at the Hospital and begs Emily to be honest about her feelings for him. Nikolas suddenly guesses that Emily overheard Stefan's report that Nikolas' life was in danger from the Cassadine family creditors. However, Emily continues to insist that it is Zander whom she loves and asks Nikolas to leave! Zander arrives and insists that Nikolas respect Emily's request. Nikolas assures Zander that all he wants is for Emily to be happy. After Nikolas leaves, Monica reports to Zander that the antibiotics they believed would save Emily's life are not working, and breaks down in Zander's arms. Monica tearfully confides that Emily is close to reaching a point where Emily's organs will begin shutting down! Zander returns to Emily's room to deliver the bad news.

When Zander returns to Emily's hospital room, Zander lets Emily know that the antibiotics are not working. But, instead of warning Emily that her organs might soon begin shutting down, Zander instead suggests that Emily and Zander should get married right away and Emily agrees. Nikolas returns to Wyndemere and tells Lydia about his most recent meeting with Emily. As Nikolas confides that he believes that Emily is saying she wants to be with Zander because Emily believes that Nikolas' life is in danger, Lydia blasts Nikolas for continuing to hang on to the fantasy of Emily. Angrily reminding her continued declarations of love for Emily, Lydia slaps Nikolas. As Nikolas walks away, Lydia grabs his arm. When Nikolas pulls away from Lydia, Lydia falls and strikes her head. At the same time, the tape with Stefan's confession falls out of Lydia's purse! Nikolas checks to make sure Lydia is okay after she hits her head on the coffee table after they argue. She comes to and tells him she is fine. Nikolas finds her tape recorder laying on the floor. He asks her what she has it for and thinks she taped his conversations. They sit on the floor and Nikolas holds the taper recorder out of her reach and asks her what she is up to. Lydia asks him to give it back to her and admits that Stefan's voice is on the tape. Stefan comes in and wonders why they are sitting on the floor.

Nikolas and Lydia stand up. Lydia makes up some story about how her accountant likes to send her audiotapes of their meetings on the phone. Stefan buys the story. Nikolas still has the tape recorder. Nikolas decides to make her suffer a little and asks her why she is so scared of him having the tape recorder. She explains that she needs the tape recorder back now for important reasons. Nikolas hands her it back. Stefan asks her if she is o.k. Lydia tells him that she hit her head on the coffee table. Nikolas suggests that she have her head checked at GH. Lydia tells them she is fine after Stefan offers to have one of his servants bring her there. Lydia leaves the room. Stefan asks Nikolas what they were doing on the floor but Nikolas changes the subject and distracts him. Stefan tells him that he needs his help with something. Nikolas asks him what he needs from him. Stefan tells him that he caught Lucky snooping around Wyndemere again and that he was trying to persuade Lydia into helping him find Summer's murderer. He tells Nikolas that he needs him to get Lucky to back off and leave Lydia and the family alone. Nikolas isn't surprised by this and doesn't know how to get Lucky to back off but will talk to him.

Zander asks Emily to marry him. She tells him that they should only get married out of love not obligation. Zander tells her that he loves her and wants to marry her. Emily accepts his proposal. Zander tells her that he will go make the plans for a justice of the peace and have the wedding right there in her hospital room in ICU He leaves. Lydia runs into Zander at GH as she goes to check on Emily's condition. Zander tells her that he and Emily are getting married right there in ICU Zander explains that Emily is still very sick but they are getting married anyway. Lydia is thrilled with the news that Emily won't be a threat to her marriage anymore. She watches Emily from afar. Monica comes by and asks her if Zander left already. Lydia tells her she doesn't know. Monica goes in to talk to Emily. She talks to her about her infection getting worse and realizes that Zander never told Emily about the antibiotics not working well enough. Emily realizes Zander knew this information but didn't tell her. Emily realizes she may be dying and tells Monica that she loves her and the family but asks to be alone for a while. She tells her that she has known from the beginning that she may die and that is why she came home to be near the family. Monica tells her not to give up and plans to help her fight this illness. Monica leaves her room. Nikolas shows up to see her. Emily tells him that she is most likely on her deathbed and explains about the antibiotics not working. He tells her that he will talk to Monica about bringing in another specialist. Emily tells him to leave it be and asks him to promise to go on with his life and try to have a happy marriage and kids with Lydia when she is gone. She tries to cheer him up when he is crying by making jokes and gets him to promise to be happy. He tells her he could never deny her anything and tells her he loves her. She tells him she loves him too. Nikolas gets into bed with Emily and holds her tight.

Zander returns to Emily's room and tells her all the wedding plans he made for them on short notice. Emily confronts him about knowing she was getting worse but not telling her. She asks him if he just proposed to her because he felt sorry for her and wanted to give her one last gift. Zander tells her that he loves her and wants to marry her. Emily looks at him and tells him that she can't marry him. Zander proposes to Emily again and shows her the ring that he kept from the last time he proposed to her. He convinces her that he loves her enough to marry her even if they don't have much time left together. Emily accepts his proposal and Zander hurries up to make last minute arrangements to marry her later that day. He runs into Gia in the hallway at GH. She asks him if she can go in and see Emily. Zander tells her she can and announces that he is marrying Emily later that day and invites her. She notices that he hasn't shaved and is dressed in casual clothes he plans to get married in. She tells him that she is going to get him a nice tie and for him to go home and change into his best suit. She returns with him and fixes his tie for him.

Elizabeth shows up at Emily's room with a garment bag with her. She shows her a nice lace nightgown she got her to wear as a wedding dress as well as something borrowed, new and blue. She asks Emily if she is all right about marrying Zander. Emily tells her that she is sure about it. Nikolas shows up at Lucky' and confronts him about the tape Lydia gave him that has Stefan's voice on it. Lucky tells him that he is afraid to give him the tape because he knows that he will feel obligated to protect his uncle. Lucky tells him that the tape is the only evidence they have to clear his father and implicate Stefan for Summer's murder. Nikolas tells him that he loves Stefan, but if his uncle is responsible for trying to kill Emily, he will take care of it himself and that Lucky will have to trust him as his brother. Lucky reluctantly allows it. Nikolas goes back to Wyndemere to talk to Stefan. Lydia listens in as Nikolas confronts Stefan about Summer's murder. He tells Stefan that he will do his best to help his uncle but that he needs him to tell him the truth, did he try to kill Emily and Summer died instead. Stefan lies to Nikolas and tells him he would never lift a hand to harm Emily and that he is only guilty of trying to get him to marry Lydia and forget Emily so he could protect him from the men he got the hefty loan from. Nikolas realizes that Stefan doesn't know how to be truthful to him. Stefan tells him that he believes that Nikolas is his son in his heart. Nikolas tells him that he loves him as a father and walks off. He sees that Lydia is listening and motions for her to stay still and not talk.

A police detective shows with a warrant to arrest Stefan for Summer's murder. Stefan tells him that Lucky has no real evidence against him and asks to know on what basis he is being arrested for. The cop explains that they have an audiotape with his voice, confessing to the murder of Summer. Stefan assumes it is Lucky that brought it to the police and claims that the tape could have been tampered with by Lucky. The cop surprises Stefan and Alexis, when he announces that it wasn't Lucky that brought them the tape, but his nephew Nikolas instead. Stefan is in shock.

Emily and Zander get married with Elizabeth, Lucky, and Gia as witnesses. Nikolas watches from afar as Emily and Zander exchange rings and vows. Emily sees Nikolas through the window during the marriage ceremony. She says her wedding vows to Zander as Liz, Lucky and Gia look on. Nikolas walks away as Zander kisses his bride. After the ceremony, Emily thanks Gia for being a friend to Zander. She tells Liz and Lucky that she feels that they were a family in another life. Outside of the hospital room, Nikolas congratulates Zander. Emily sees him and calls out to him. Nikolas enters her room, Emily begins to cry and tells him that whatever her words are to him would be inadequate. Zander interrupts and tells her that she needs to rest. Lucky, Liz and Gia begin to blow bubbles all around her, which makes Emily happy. She sees a saddened Nikolas walk away. The others leave the room, leaving Zander behind. He tells Emily that they should thank their friends by throwing a party when all of this is over.

Afterwards, a doctor informs Monica, Alan and Zander that Emily's fever is up again. He tells them that they should prepare for the worst. They walk into Emily's room and she tells Monica that she owes her an apology for cheating her out of every mother's dream by not having her at the wedding. mother dreams of her daughter's happiness, so she wasn't cheated out of anything. Emily tells Monica and Alan how much she loves them both for giving her a family and unconditional love. Jason arrives. Emily tells Jason how lucky she is for having a brother like him. She thanks him for always telling her the truth, even if she didn't want to hear it. He tells her that he is a better person because of Emily. She asks if Courtney makes him happy and he says yes. She tells him that this is it, she is at the rest of her life and she promised it to Zander, but she could only think of Nikolas. She asks if this makes her an awful person and Jason tells her that we can't help who we love. She tells Jason that she is scared for Nikolas because he is in a lot of trouble. She tells him that there are people who want to kill him and she asks Jason to help him. Jason tells her that he will handle it, he promises her that he will find out and that Nikolas will stay alive. Jason tells her to get some rest, but she tells him that she is afraid to close her eyes, because she might never wake up. She tells him that she is not afraid anymore. They tell each other they love one another. Zander comes into the room and Jason kisses her on the forehead and leaves. Zander lays next to Emily on the bed as they spend their wedding night together. He tells her that everything he learned about love, he learned from Emily.

In the chapel, Jason prays for Emily. He asks for Emily's fear to be taken away. He can't imagine this world without Emily. He asks for help for it to be okay for Emily to go. Liz puts her hand on his shoulder. Liz sits next to Jason and tells him how beautiful and heartbreaking the wedding was. Liz tells Jason that she can't imagine life without Emily. Jason puts a comforting arm around Liz as she lays her head on his shoulder. Emily dreams of Nikolas, at the same time he dreams of her. They call out for each other and appear dressed in wedding attire. Nikolas and Emily exchange wedding vows and kiss. As Alan and Monica share their grief about Emily's deteriorating condition, Emily and Nikolas simultaneously dream that Nikolas searches for Emily and finds Emily dressed in a wedding gown, lying on her Hospital bed. As Nikolas kisses Emily and begs her to stay with him, Emily suddenly revives. When Nikolas kisses her, Emily is startled awake and discovers that she is strong enough to stand. As Emily awakens from her dream, Emily finds that it is Zander who is holding her hand. Emily's family and friends gather around when they realize that Emily seems to be on the mend.

Monica wakens Nikolas. As Nikolas rushes to Emily's room, Nikolas hears Emily describing her dream to Zander. When Zander assumes that it was Zander who kissed Emily in her dream, and Emily agrees with Zander, Nikolas leaves without speaking to Emily. Later, Emily confides to Georgie, Maxie and Dillon that she had wanted to go to Venice for her honeymoon. Zander, Georgie, Maxie and Dillon leave when Jason arrives. When Emily gets a chance to speak alone with Jason, Emily tells Jason that it was Nikolas who kissed Emily in her dream! Emily again asks Jason to keep Nikolas from ever learning that Emily saw Nikolas in her dream and to keep Nikolas safe. Emily explains that Stefan borrowed heavily and Stefan's creditors have threatened to kill Nikolas if they did not get their money back! Jason assures his sister that he will take care of Stefan's threatening creditors. But, Jason asks Emily, where Emily will be once Jason gets the threatening creditors to leave since Nikolas would then be free to annul his marriage to Emily but Emily would still be married to Zander! Emily and Jason are surprised when AJ arrives to see Emily. Emily insists that Jason and AJ at least speak to each other and her brothers oblige Emily by exchanging a few civil words with each other. Later, Edward returns with Zander to Emily's room and officially welcomes Zander to the Quartermaine family. In his welcoming speech, Edward tells Emily that Edward believes that it was Zander who helped save Emily's life. After Edward leaves, Georgie, Maxie and Dillon arrive with a gurney made up to look like a gondola and insist that Zander and Emily get ready for their honeymoon in Venice. As Dillon 'sings' his version of 'romantic Italian love songs,' the troop accompany Zander and Emily through the halls and deposit them in the hospital's luxury suite. Emily and Zander are surprised when they see that the suite is decorated with Mediterranean art and Georgie confesses that they raided the high school's drama department props to produce their mini version of Venice. After the others leave, Zander and Emily kiss and Zander welcomes Mrs. Smith to her honeymoon!

Nikolas started accusing Lydia of possibly setting up Stefan and trying to kill Emily herself. Lucky interferes in their argument and tells Nikolas to leave Lydia alone and confronts him about always protecting his uncle in the end no matter what he learns about him. Lucky tells him the tape is real and that Stefan should pay for what happened to Summer. Nikolas brings up Luke being just like his uncle. Lucky tells him that Luke at least is honest enough to tell him to his face. Lucky accuses Nikolas of using an excuse to try and end his marriage to Lydia so he can be with Emily. Nikolas agrees with Lucky eventually and apologizes to Lydia for accusing her of trying to kill Emily. Emily tries to keep her feelings for Nikolas from showing when Zander mentions how he was in her dream and his kiss helped her come back to him and the family. After Zander leaves, Nikolas shows up and gives her a bracelet that is a family heirloom. He tells her who it belonged to in his family. Nikolas told Emily that he loved her after giving her the bracelet. Nikolas comes home and tells Lydia that she can stay in the marriage or not. She tells him she wants to stay in the marriage. He agrees to give it a try.

Alexis shows up at GH to see Emily. She tells her that she needs to ask her some more questions about the time she was engaged to Nikolas. She asks her if Stefan was against her engagement to Nikolas. Emily tells her he was very much against it. Alexis notices the bracelet Emily is wearing and asks to get a closer look at it. Alexis recognizes it as a Cassadine family heirloom. She asks Emily when she got the bracelet. She tells Alexis that Nikolas came by and gave it to her as a wedding gift. Alexis is surprised and tells her that this particular piece of jewelry is given by a person who has given his heart to the recipient forever. Emily tells Nikolas that it has to end, starting with returning the bracelet that he gave her. She tells him that Alexis explained the legend behind the bracelet and that it means too much for her to keep. She asked Nikolas if he was pledging his heart to her forever. He tells her that 200 years ago, another Nikolas gave this bracelet to his wife before he went to war. She tells him that she wants to wear the bracelet, but it would be unfair to him. Nikolas nods. She tells him that she is married and promised her life to Zander and it doesn't matter what she feels. She won't be unfaithful to the vows she gave, therefore she can't wear the bracelet and secretly treasure what it means. She gives the bracelet back to him. He apologizes and tells her that it was inappropriate to have given her the bracelet. She tells him that if things were different, she would have been honored to wear it.

Nikolas brings Emily into Liz's room (she has been blinded after being hit by Courtney). Nikolas, Emily and Lucky rally around Elizabeth. Alone with Nikolas, Elizabeth voices her belief that he and Emily are in love with each other and that Emily's marriage will fail. Nikolas is pained when he sees Emily and Zander kissing. As Bobbie accompanies Emily on her walk around the Hospital, they hear Elizabeth cry out. When they rush to assist Elizabeth, they find Liz crumpled on the floor. Liz tearfully reports that she cannot see!

Nikolas and Lydia arrive at G.H. Lydia is nervous about her appointment with Dr. Meadows. Nikolas asks her if there is any reason why she couldn't have children. Lydia tells him that she doesn't think so. Emily approaches them. Nikolas goes over to see how she is doing. Lydia asks her what she is doing out of bed. Bobbie comes over to inform Lydia that the doctor is ready for her. She leaves them alone to talk. Emily tells him that she is going home today. Nikolas hugs her and tells her that he is happy she is getting out of the hospital. They talk about Lydia's appointment. Nikolas tells her about Lydia's appointment with Dr. Meadows to see if she is able to get pregnant. Emily tells him that she will eventually have to have her cancer treated again.

Lydia sees Emily signing her release papers to go home. Lydia asks her where Nikolas is. She tells her that he went to go visit Elizabeth in her room. She asks her what is wrong with Elizabeth. Emily becomes impatient with Lydia's questions. She tells her that he is still visiting with Elizabeth and will be out soon. Lydia tells her that Dr. Meadows gave her a clean bill of health and that she can get pregnant as soon as possible. Emily tries to pretend that is good news but can't quite show much enthusiasm. Lydia apologizes to Emily and assumes that Emily may not be able to have children because of her chemotherapy. Emily tries to ignore her but Lydia continues to try and rub it in that she is with Nikolas now. Emily tells her that she may be able to get pregnant but there is no love in her marriage. Lydia asks her what she means by that. Emily tells her that she should be thanking her since if she hadn't given him up to protect him he would be back with her. Lydia asks her if Nikolas wasn't in danger would she drop Zander and go back to Nikolas. She wonders what Zander would think if he knew this. Zander overhears the tail end of the conversation between the two women. He asks them what he needs to know. Lydia says they were talking about honeymoon destinations. Zander mentions that Em's cousin brought Venice to her in her room. Lydia suggests some faraway place for a honeymoon. She also brings up the fact that Zander is responsible for bringing Emily out of her coma. Emily continues with that lie and agrees that he saved her. Lydia leaves them alone. Zander picks up on the fact that Emily doesn't like Lydia very much. Emily dismisses her. Zander tells her that he has a surprise for her. He carries her over the threshold of their new home. He tells her he got a loan from Ned to rent the cottage. Emily loves the place. Lydia and Nikolas return home. Lydia finds Nikolas in his bedroom reading a book. She sits down next to him and tells him about her checkup. She tells him that she can have a baby anytime. Nikolas kisses her.

Emily and Zander return home from a late moonlight walk. They begin to plan their home together and Emily asks why he chose that house, since Nikolas used to live there. He tells that he rented the house for various reasons, like the rent and location and that it doesn't matter that Nikolas used to live there. The house is perfect for the two of them. The phone rings and Zander answers, he tells the other person that they sound terrible and asked what was wrong. Nikolas and Lydia run into Alexis at Kelly's. He asks Alexis if she found anything, but Nikolas can see the answers on her face. She tells him that guilt or innocence had nothing to do with it and Nikolas tells Lydia that what Alexis means is that she will see to Stefan's freedom whether she thinks he is a murderer or not. Lydia asks her to hold back as a lawyer if she thinks that Stefan is guilty and Alexis tells her that this situation doesn't really concern her. She tells her that if Stefan gets out of jail, she is going to be his next target. Alexis tells her that she is doing this for personal reasons and Lydia deciphers it to mean that Stefan is using something against her, just like he does to everybody else. Nikolas tells her that they are her family too and if Stefan is threatening her, he can help, but his hands are tied until she tells him what's going on. She tells him that she has her reasons and he tells her that she has always had a set of principles and if she hands that over to Stefan, she wouldn't be able to face herself in the mirror and she would have to answer to him.

Zander arrives at Kelly's to meet with Alexis. She tells him that they are not having this conversation. She continues with telling him that Ned has been set up by Stefan because she asked him to help her get her daughter back. But now she doesn't have the stomach for what Stefan has planned and she can't tell Ned because Stefan has set her up. She gives Cindy's information to Zander and asks him to help her tie Cindy to Stefan. Zander agrees to help Alexis and Ned. She tells Zander about Stefan's plan to murder Emily. The power goes out at the cottage, and Emily calls Nik. They bundle up with a blanket and Nikolas starts a fire to help heat up the house. Thunder rumbles, knocks the power out again and startles Emily almost into Nikolas' arms while a stranger outside the window takes a few pictures. Emily asks Nikolas to wait out the power failure with her. He takes off his wet clothes and Emily hands him a glass of wine. Emily confesses that she lied to Zander about him bringing her back to life and that it was really Nikolas. He tells her that he had the same dream. He asks her is she sees how connected they really are and they share a passionate kiss while someone outside the window snaps a few more shots. After Lydia runs in to Zander at Kelly's and informs Zander that Nikolas went scooting off to help Emily out when Nikolas learned that the electricity went off at the cottage, Zander confidently reassures Lydia that, since Emily knows that she is in love with Zander, Zander has nothing to worry about, even if Zander's wife is alone in a dark, romantic cottage with Lydia's husband!

Emily confesses to Nikolas that it was Nikolas whom Emily dreamed had kissed her in the vision Emily had when Emily pulled through her latest medical crisis. Nikolas and Emily soon find themselves in a steamy embrace. But Nikolas and Emily pull out of the steamy embrace and agree that they must arrange never to be alone again. Officer Capelli stands outside the cottage, snapping revealing photographs of Emily and Nikolas ! Later, Capelli rushes the film to his boss Lorenzo Alcazar! After Nikolas leaves the cottage, Emily flashes back to the time she spent alone with Nikolas. Zander tries to get chummy with Cindy to get info (she has falsely accused Ned of rape). Zander gives Cindy the number for his cell phone, just as Nikolas arrives at Kelly's and spots the exchange. After Cindy leaves, Nikolas jumps all over Zander for speaking to Cindy, but Zander retorts that Nikolas' lonely wife, Lydia, has just informed Zander that Nikolas went scooting right over to the cottage to fix the electricity as soon as Emily called. Zander confidently reminds Nikolas that Emily loves Zander and that Nikolas will never be able to come between Zander and Emily. Nikolas agrees that Emily is over Nikolas but Nikolas warns Zander that Nikolas is a Cassadine and if Zander does anything to hurt Emily, Nikolas will wreck Zander because the Cassadines have developed revenge into a high art form!

Emily writes about her encounter with Nikolas in her diary, admitting that they were close to hopping in bed together. Then Emily throws the page into the fireplace where the page fails to burn! After Zander leaves Kelly's, Lydia meets Nikolas and wonders why it took her husband longer than ten minutes to check the fuse box at the cottage. Nikolas blasts Lydia for feeding her suspicions about Emily's relationship with Nikolas to Zander. When Zander returns home, Zander is pleasantly impressed when he discovers the romantic dinner that Emily had planned for them. Emily immediately tells Zander that she called Nikolas to check the electricity and Zander assures Emily that he does not have a problem with the fact that Nikolas was at the cottage. Zander informs Emily that he was late in returning because he met with Alexis. Lydia reminds Nikolas that Nikolas's own condition for their marriage was the stipulation that neither of the spouses would conduct any clandestine affairs, and asks Nikolas how long he will be able to keep his raging passion for Emily under control. When Nikolas brushes off Lydia's questions, Lydia confides her dwindling hope that she and Nikolas might one day come to respect and even love each other. Lydia predicts that, once Zander emerges from his state of denial and realizes that Emily and Nikolas still have a grand passion for each other, Zander will be devastated! Lydia promises Nikolas that, in spite of Nikolas' cold, callous unconcern for her, Lydia plans to fight to preserve their marriage. At the same time, at the cottage, Zander suggests that maybe they should move out of the cottage because it is so remote, but Emily argues that she loves the seclusion and wants to continue living at the cottage!

Emily and Nikolas run into each other on the docks. They try to say hi and goodbye to each other but they can't pretend that they don't matter to each other and decide to talk about it. They end up reminiscing about when they kissed for the first time and how embarrassed Emily was about coming on to him a few years back. Nikolas doesn't know how they can go on like this and just be friends and not more. Emily suggests that they try to be friends without being lovers and take it from there. They try again and say goodbye to each other. Nikolas heads onto the docks and is greeted by two burly men who start to beat him up. Emily shows up on the docks and hears someone groaning down in the corner. She finds Nikolas laying there with a blooding lip and he is holding his ribs. She brings him to the hospital for treatment. Lydia shows up after finding out about Nikolas. She isn't too happy that Emily brought him but acts polite to her and thanks her but dismisses her. After a doctor brings Nikolas into the ER, Lydia asks Emily to stay away from Nikolas and says that he was beaten because of her. Emily doesn't understand. Lydia explains to her that the creditors that they owe money to are the ones who beat up Nikolas and shows her the pictures of them together at her house. Emily talks to Jason when she sees him at GH. She tells him about Nikolas getting beaten and asks needs him to protect Nikolas.

Jason apologizes for not protecting him better but promises to help more and that he knows who the creditors are and how to help him now. Lydia checks on Nikolas and tells him that he needs to be admitted and to not argue with her. She shows him the pictures of him with Emily that she received and tells him that is why he was beat up and that they need to produce an heir soon in order to get the money to pay the creditors back. Detective Andy overhears Nikolas ask Lydia for an annulment because he can't go on pretending this marriage will work. (Detective Andy turns out be a dirty cop who Alcazar has paid off to help him). She pleads with Nikolas to stay with her otherwise the creditors will kill him. He asks her why she is fighting him on this decision and she tells him that their marriage can make her happy if he would just give her and their marriage a chance. She tells Nikolas that she knows that he is risking his life and everything just to be with Emily and he tells her that she is right, Nikolas does want to be with Emily.

Jason finds out where Nikolas is being treated. He tells him that Emily sent for him to help. Nikolas tells him he was beaten up by the creditors because he isn't producing an heir fast enough in order to get the money they want. Jason tells him that he knows who is behind this, Lorenzo Alcazar and that he needs him to help him bring him down. Emily looks for Zander at Kelly's and finds Gia. She asks Emily what is so important and she tells Gia about the pictures of her and Nikolas together. She wants to find Zander and tell him before he hears it from someone else. Emily tells her that she and Nikolas came close to making love, but they stopped and agreed to never be alone with one another again. Gia tells her that Emily has always protected Nikolas, but what about Zander?

Zander goes to the hospital looking for Emily and runs into Lydia. She tells him that she is also looking for Emily so she could tell her exactly what she thinks of her. He asks her what she is talking about. She tells him about Nikolas ending the marriage and shows him the pictures of Emily and Nikolas. In a rage, Zander runs to Nikolas' room and begins to punch him. Emily enters and tells him to stop. Nikolas explains to Emily that ending his marriage was part of a plan that he and Jason worked up against Lorenzo, since he is the one who Stefan owes money to. Nikolas tells Emily that she is in danger, Lorenzo may come after Emily through Nikolas. He tells Zander to take Emily to a hiding spot on the island. Zander pulls Emily out of his room.

On the docks, Zander tells Emily that he knows that she is lying to him, keeping secrets from him, all the while protecting Nikolas. He tells her that he knows that she slept with Nikolas, he saw the pictures. She tells him that things got out of hand, but she did not sleep with Nikolas. Zander asks her if she married him to protect Nikolas. He asks her if it has always been about Nikolas. Zander demands Emily to choose between him and Nikolas. Zander asks Emily to choose between him and Zander. He asks her who she loves, she tells him that she loves him with all of her heart, but she loves Nikolas also. He asks her how he is supposed to handle that and why she married him. She tells him that she married him because he asked and because she loves him. Zander wonders if Emily thought about her feelings for Nikolas getting in the way of their marriage and she says that she didn't think that far and 'til death do us part was all that she could see. Zander realizes that Emily only married him because she thought that she was going to die. He asks her what if she knew that she was going to live, would she have married him anyway. Emily can't answer, because she doesn't know what would have been if she wasn't ill. Zander tells her that her sickness never changed how he felt about her. She tells him that if she wasn't sick, maybe she wouldn't have come home, but what she would have done over was to ask Nikolas to help her protect him from the agony of watching her die. But since she can't take it back, the only thing she can do is to apologize for what happened with Nikolas and to promise that it will never happen again. Zander tells Emily that what if he can't stay married to a woman who keeps another man in her heart? He has seen the pictures of the two of them together and it will take a long time to get those images out of his head. In the meantime, he decides not take Emily to the island. He tells her that he can protect her in their home. Zander walks away and Emily follows.

Detective Capelli tells Lorenzo what he overheard and asked him what he wants to do. Lorenzo tells him that he always collects what is owed to him. At the hospital and with the lights off, Detective Capelli aims the gun at a sleeping Nikolas but Carly turns the light on, wakes up Nikolas and they both ask what Capelli is doing there. He tells Nikolas that he was there to check on his security and that he will be placing guards outside of his door. Capelli leaves and Carly asks what happened to him. He tells her that he was attacked and asks her what she is doing there. Carly tells him that she was bored and decided to take a walk. She asks him if he thinks that he was beaten up on Lorenzo's orders, but before he could answer, Jason comes in and asks her what she is doing leaving her room. She tells them both that when she was in Lorenzo's apartment, she saw a document with Nikolas' name and she thought that maybe it had something to do with his attack. Jason tells her that it is none of her business and that she should not be involved. He tells Carly to leave and Jason asks Nikolas if Lorenzo has seen the pictures of him and Emily together. Nikolas tells him that the pictures will not be a problem, but Jason thinks they may be a problem to Emily. He tells Nikolas that he is protecting him because Emily asked, but he will not do it at Emily's expense. Nikolas tells him that the pictures were sent to Lydia. Jason tells him that she should have brought the pictures directly to him as soon as she received them. He tells Nikolas that anything in regard to the situation needs to be brought to his immediate attention. Nikolas tells him that he loves Emily and intends to marry her as soon as Lorenzo is out of the picture. With this motivation, he does not plan to make any mistakes.

Back at the cottage, Zander tells Emily to make sure that the windows are locked. She suggests Zander to light a fire, but he doesn't want to because it will remind him of her and Nikolas. She asks if he will be able to get past all of this and he tells her that he doesn't know, but he will try, only it won't be tonight. Later on that night, Emily sees how hurt Zander is as he stands by the fireplace holding his wedding ring with tears in his eyes. The next day, Cameron shows up on Emily's doorstep at the Cottage, with Kristina in tow and asks for Emily's help! Cameron admits to Emily that he lives in an adults~only building, so he needs to go to work, get some baby supplies and go looking for a new apartment. Cameron asks Emily to baby~sit until Cameron can find a new apartment. Emily quickly agrees. After Cameron leaves, Emily finds herself thrilled to be holding a baby. As Emily flashes back to her last night with Nikolas, Zander returns home and discovers that they are baby~sitting Kristina. Emily and Zander have fun holding Kristina and begin to bond over the baby. Later, Emily gets ready to leave the cottage to pick up some food for Kristina.

At GH, Nikolas dismisses his guards, then meets with Jason to plot a way to get Alcazar to pull a gun on Nikolas. Jason suggests that Nikolas offer to make a partial payment to Alcazar on the Cassadine debt, but arrange for Alcazar to personally collect the payment at Wyndemere. Officer Andy Capelli reports to Lorenzo that Carly walked in on him before he could get rid of the Cassadine prince, but that Nikolas will be released today and be open for a new attack. When Nikolas returns to Wyndemere, he is surprised to find Lydia all packed and ready to leave. Lydia tells Nikolas that she is finished with the charade of their marriage and Nikolas can go ahead and get his annulment. Before she leaves, Lydia makes one more plea to Nikolas to save his own life by sticking with the marriage, producing an heir and satisfying the Cassadine family creditors that way. Nikolas promises Lydia that he will get out of this predicament alive. Lydia admits that she has fallen in love with Nikolas and begs Nikolas to think before continuing to risk his life. Lydia suggests that if Emily truly loved Nikolas, Emily would feel the same way and would want Nikolas to stay alive, even if it meant convincing the creditors that Lydia and Nikolas were going to become the model married couple and parents! Lydia argues that, surely, saving Nikolas' life would be reason enough for Emily to be able to wait for the time when Nikolas and Emily could be together. But Nikolas confides to Lydia that he already has a plan for saving his own life that does not involve continuing their marriage. Lydia angrily walks out.

Nikolas meets with Lorenzo at Alcazar's Penthouse and informs the drug lord that Nikolas is prepared to make a partial payment on the Cassadine debt, but Lorenzo will need to pick the money up personally at Wyndemere. Nikolas meets with Jason to discuss their trap for Alcazar. Officer Capelli assures Alcazar that Andy will take care of Nikolas and bring the money back to Lorenzo. Alcazar surprises Capelli when Alcazar announces that he plans to take care of Nikolas Cassadine himself. Jason tells Nikolas that, when Lorenzo pulls his gun to kill Nikolas, Jason will appear from hiding and kill Alcazar. Then Jason will be able to claim self-defense and, once Alcazar is dead, Lorenzo will not be around to contradict their story! As Lorenzo and Nikolas meet in the study at Wyndemere, Jason waits in hiding and keeps his gun trained on Alcazar. When Lorenzo picks up the briefcase full of cash, Alcazar tells Nikolas that they will not be doing business like this again and reaches inside his jacket pocket. As Emily walks past the docks on her way home with groceries for Kristina, Emily is grabbed from behind by Cappelli! Capelli covers her mouth to keep her from screaming. He warns her that if Nikolas doesn't pay Alcazar back soon, they will come after her next time.

Jason watches from the corner of the hallway as Nikolas meets with Alcazar at Wyndemere. Nikolas gives him $100,000 and tries to make a deal with him to pay him back in more installments. Alcazar puts his hand inside his jacket pocket and Jason gets his gun ready to shoot Alcazar if he tries to kill Nikolas. Alcazar takes a slip of paper from his pocket and hands it to Nikolas. Alcazar takes one of the figurines belonging to the Cassadines as collateral. He leaves. Jason asks him why he blocked his view from shooting Alcazar. Nikolas tells him that he realized that Alcazar wasn't going to shoot him and he didn't want Jason to shoot him by accident. Jason finds it suspicious that Alcazar didn't kill him and they realize that Emily may be vulnerable at this moment. Nikolas tells him that Zander is with her right now. Jason asks him if he is sure of this and Nikolas suggests checking on them at the cottage. When they get there they find Zander alone with the baby and no sign of Emily. Jason tells him that he shouldn't have left Emily alone for a second and that she is in danger.

Zander isn't too happy about Nikolas' problems putting her in danger. Nikolas explains about his creditors and that Alcazar is behind the debt. Jason calls one of Sonny's men to find Emily as Nikolas makes his own phone call. Emily walks in the door, quite shaken up. Jason sighs in relief when he sees she isn't harmed. Emily realizes something is wrong if Nikolas and Jason are there. They explain what is going on. She tells them about being grabbed on the docks and that she couldn't see the person who grabbed her because he threatened to harm her if she turned around and looked at him. Jason decides to put some guards on her outside her house to protect her. Nikolas agrees to not stick around and come by anymore if it means he is putting her in danger. Jason asks to speak to Emily alone outside. She comes outside with him while Zander grills Nikolas on what kind of danger he got her into again. Jason asks her what is going on with her marriage to Zander and why she is staying married to him. She explains that she couldn't live with her self and like herself if she broke her vows with Zander and broke off with him to be with Nikolas. Emily suggest to Nikolas that he try to make a baby with Lydia and get the inheritance to pay back Alcazar. Nikolas tells her he can't do that anymore. Nikolas asks Jason if he can borrow the money from him. Jason agrees to let him borrow the money since he has a vested interest in bringing down Alcazar himself. Jason and Nikolas leave the cottage.

Emily brings in the groceries from the car. She tells Zander that she wants to be married to him and chose him. Zander reluctantly trusts her and they embrace. Nikolas gets home to find Stefan has been released from jail. He asks him why he is home when he was denied bail until trial. Stefan explains that he has a new lawyer who found a loophole and that because of Alexis' failure to defend him properly he was in jail longer than he should have been. Nikolas tells him that she believes like him that he killed Summer. Stefan denies he hired someone to kill Emily. Nikolas doesn't believe him and asks him why he tried to kill Emily when he knew how much Nikolas loves her. He asks if it was because he only wanted Nikolas to love him only and no one else. Stefan denies trying to harm Emily and that anything he did was to protect him from getting himself killed by the creditors. Nikolas realizes that Stefan doesn't have a clue to what is going on. Nikolas explains to Stefan that he paid the creditors $100,000 and that he will get more money to pay off the rest of what they owe. Stefan asks him where he got the money from to pay them back. Nikolas tells him he got the money from Jason. Stefan is not happy with that and asks him why he would borrow from Jason, a known felon who almost got him killed before because he was standing next to him one time. Nikolas explains that he at least knows who he is borrowing from unlike Stefan. He asks Stefan if he knows who is backing the creditors they owe. Stefan tells him it is some French financier. Nikolas tells him that is not true and that the man behind him getting beaten up and all the other problems is none other than Lorenzo Alcazar.

Stefan shows up at Sonny's penthouse to talk to him. He tells Sonny and Jason that he will not accept their loan to pay off Alcazar since his nephew can't afford to do business with men like them. Sonny asks him where he thinks he will get the money to pay back Alcazar when he is supposed to be broke. Stefan tells them he will find a way to help himself and to keep Nikolas safe. Sonny tells him that it is up to Nikolas to make that decision and that he came to them and that Jason is doing a favor to him because of his friendship to Emily. Stefan refuses to take any more money from them and that he will return the money Nikolas already owes them. Stefan leaves. Sonny asks Jason what that was all about with Stefan. Jason doesn't know.

Stefan returns home to find Nikolas there. Nikolas looked again at the photos of him kissing Emily in a compromising position and puts them in the fire to burn. When Stefan arrives, Nikolas asks him where he has been. Stefan tells him he went to see Sonny and Jason and to cancel his deal with them involving the money he borrowed. Nikolas resents his interference and tells him to butt out of his business. Stefan tells him he did what he did to protect him. Nikolas doesn't buy that story. Nikolas meets with Jason on the docks. Nikolas doesn't want Alcazar dead if he can keep paying off the debt himself. Jason explains that Emily is still a target and that their best course of action at this moment is to eliminate the threat, Alcazar. Nikolas goes along with it.

Nikolas questions Stefan of his whereabouts. He tells Nikolas that he canceled a debt, by killing Lorenzo. Nikolas tells Stefan that he had already arranged to pay Lorenzo for the loan. Stefan tells him that he simply took care of the problem at the source. Nikolas tells him that what he did was commit murder. Stefan tells him that he did it for his own good. Nikolas tells him that he is tired of hearing that from Stefan and tells him that he is no longer Stefan's reason for anything. He tells Nikolas that he did this all because he loves Nikolas. He tells Stefan that he doesn't love him, he just uses him to justify every terrible thing that Stefan has done. Nikolas tells him that everything that Stefan has done has hurt him and decides to cut off all ties with Stefan. He removes Stefan from any of the Cassadine property, access to any accounts. He tells Stefan that he is nothing to him.

At the cottage, Emily and Zander struggle to keep Kristina from crying. Skye arrives to help with Kristina. She is able to put Kristina to sleep. Zander goes upstairs to put Kristina's doll in her crib with her, leaving Skye and Emily alone. She tells Emily that she hasn't forgotten about the favor she asked Skye to do when she was in the hospital. She tells Skye that she still wants to dazzle Nikolas and Zander overhears through the baby monitor.

At Wyndemere, Jason tells Nikolas that someone killed Lorenzo, but it wasn't him. Nikolas tells him that he knows. Stefan tells him that Nikolas wasn't involved in Lorenzo's murder, but Jason realizes that Stefan did. Stan calls Jason to let him know that Lorenzo is still alive. Jason tells Nikolas that as a show of good faith, he is going to turn Stefan in. Nikolas tells him that he cannot do that. Jason tells Nikolas that Stefan needs to die, since he tried to kill Lorenzo and failed, he is as good as dead anyway. Nikolas tells Jason that he cannot kill his uncle. Jason asks Nikolas, if Stefan attempted to murder Emily, the woman he claims to love, why is he working so hard to protect Stefan? He asks Jason for 24 hours to handle the situation and he agrees. Afterwards, if things aren't handled, he would turn Stefan over to Jason. He tells Stefan that he must go to the police and tell them all about Lorenzo, Emily, Summer and plead guilty, so he can go to prison and stay alive. Nikolas tells Stefan that his choices are to go to the police or die. He tells Nikolas that he risked his life for him and that he should not dismiss him. Nikolas tells him to go to hell, which provokes Stefan to punch him. They throw a few punches. Lucky and Lydia break up their fight. Lucky asks Nikolas if he wants to place Stefan behind bars for assault. Stefan tells him that their difficulties should be a private matter. Nikolas tells Lucky that he wants to press charges.

Emily continues to talk about her crush on Nikolas with Skye as Zander overhears through the baby monitor. Emily tells her that she needs to focus on Zander, the man that she wants to be with. But Zander turns off the monitor and doesn't hear her tell Skye how lucky she is having Zander in her life. Skye tells her how wise she is for realizing that the perfect man can be the wrong one for her and she compares her relationship with Jax. Nikolas shows up at Kelly's with a written message. He finds Emily at Kelly's with an identical message to meet at Kelly's. Zander shows up as well as Lydia and Alexis shows up last. Alexis asks them what they all have in common. Alexis, Lydia, Nikolas, Emily, and Zander show up at the warehouse. Emily had insisted on going with them all to the warehouse since she felt it concerned her as well. She asks Lydia what she is doing getting a message and not Lucky. Lydia explains that she moved in with Lucky since she didn't have a place to live. Alexis assumes that because Lucky is a cop now, Luke didn't want him involved in this. Alexis finds a videotape in the warehouse as well as a t.v. monitor and tape player. She puts the tape in to play. Luke's face appears on the tape thanking them for coming and that they have been invited to stay for the trial and to eat the food. Alexis doesn't like where this is heading after she gets a feeling about what Luke is going to do. She goes to leave but Luke anticipates she is going to try and leave and locks the door on them. He tells her to stay. Luke shows up later with a tied up Stefan who he drags into the warehouse and into a chair. Luke explains that they have been invited to watch the trial of Stefan Cassadine and the charge is murder in the first. He bangs his own style of gavel against the podium that is in the room. Everyone else looks on in surprise.

Luke takes the gag off a tied up Stefan. Stefan sees that everyone involved in what has been going on is sitting as an audience as Luke spouts off about true justice for his crimes. Alexis tries to convince Luke to let Stefan go before he ends up in jail. Luke ignores her and reveals to everyone that he has a live feed going through the televisions in town. Kelly's is one place that Luke's live show is airing on the television. Mac and Scott watch from the counter there. Mac can't believe it and thinks Luke is a madman. Luke catches Dillon spying on the show from outside and drags him in. Georgie sees Dillon on camera and wonders what is going on. Mac asks her if Dillon is helping Luke with his crazy scheme. Georgie reminds him that Luke dragged Dillon into the building and now he is making him operate the handheld camera. Scott and Mac are disgusted but can't manage to stop watching the t.v. screen. Lucky comes downstairs from his room to see what is going on. He starts to worry about his father getting arrested. Scott isn't ready to call the show over and wants to watch more. Luke has Nikolas testify about Stefan's bad deeds. Nikolas doesn't try to defend Stefan's actions and tells him he feels nothing but cold emptiness towards Stefan now that he knows he tried to kill the woman he loves. Luke calls Emily over to testify against Stefan in his mock trial. She tells the camera that Stefan was very rude and cold to her when she first arrived in town and visited Nikolas. She explains about how Lydia came to town and was supposed to marry Nikolas and produce an heir so the Cassadines could get her inheritance. She tells them that Stefan was opposed to her relationship to Nikolas and never made it a secret. Stefan still denies trying to have her killed. Luke questions Alexis from where she is sitting. She admits that she use to be the first to defend Stefan's actions since she loved him as her brother and protector. She tells him that she did love him once and saw the good in him at one time. Stefan refuses to believe her and accuses her of only loving him when it was convenient for her and she needed his help. Alexis tells Luke that she believes Stefan tried to kill Emily and Summer died instead.

Back at Kelly's Bobbie shows up and isn't pleased with Scott's attitude. Lucky wants to go stop his father from getting into more trouble. He points out to Scott that it wouldn't be good for his career if anyone sees this "trial" on t.v. and decides that he was incompetent in bringing Summer's death to justice. Scott tells him and Mac to go find Luke and stop this. Lucky and Mac leave Kelly's. Mac tells Lucky he is going to get the car and bring it around to pick him up. Bobbie stops Lucky and tells him she thinks she knows where Luke is but didn't want Scott to know. She tells him about some warehouse that Sorrell once kept her in and Roy found her in and tells him where it is. Lucky shows up at the warehouse to find Luke and his audience and Stefan tied up in a chair. He tells Luke that the case has been dismissed and is ready to stop the "trial" from continuing. Luke isn't too pleased with Lucky's interference and says so on camera about how Lucky's friend's the cops and the D.A. weren't willing to find out who killed Summer and bring him to justice so he is doing it for her. Lucky can't argue with that. He looks over at Stefan and surprises Luke by telling him to nail Stefan. Luke invites him to take a chair and join the rest of his witnesses. Luke allows Lydia to sit and testify against Stefan. Lydia explains that she kept quiet for a while since Stefan threatened her life if she told anyone what she overheard. She tells everyone that what she got on tape of Stefan admitting he tried to have Emily killed was a legitimate tape even if it was inadmissible in a real court of law. Stefan tells them that there is no evidence that proves he did anything.

Luke asks him if he thinks everyone else is lying but him. Stefan tells him they are misinformed. Nikolas finally speaks out against Stefan again. Stefan finally breaks down and cries. He tells everyone that everything he has ever done was to protect Nikolas, who is the one bright thing in his whole miserable life. He also blames Helena for putting them into debt to begin with and making him have to go through such desperate measures to keep the Cassadine future secure for Nikolas. He tells Emily that if she had just stayed away from Nikolas, she would have been fine but that he had to make a choice between protecting Nikolas and keeping her away from Nikolas, he would always choose Nikolas' protection. Zander tries to stop Stefan from talking about Emily that way. Luke shoots him down and tells him to sit down. Everyone at Kelly's and the hospital hears Stefan ask everyone if they ever loved someone so much that they would do anything including killing someone to protect the one they loved. When the trial is concluded Stefan is taken to the PCPD and arrested. He is released on bail, but is immediately told by Nikolas that he never wants to see him again. Capelli goes to Wyndemere determined to kill Stefan, who escapes when a fire erupts and his face is badly burned.

Zander admits to Emily that while she was in California, he and Carly came very close to having a close encounter of the intimate kind. Stefan, wearing a mask to conceal his burned face, rifles through Nikolas's desk at Wyndemere. But, when Nikolas suddenly arrives, Stefan hides in the tunnels. When Nikolas realizes that his desk has been rifled, Nikolas begins to investigate, but is interrupted by Lydia. Lydia makes another plea for Nikolas to consummate their marriage and make it possible for them to claim Lydia's inheritance. But Nikolas coldly informs Lydia that he wants no part of any of his uncle's plans for his life and that includes Nikolas' marriage to Lydia! After Nikolas leaves, Stefan materializes from the shadows, grabs Lydia and hustles Lydia into the tunnels. Shortly afterward, Luke arrives in the library with a blazing torch and begins dousing everything with alcohol. When Nikolas surprises Luke before Luke can set fire to Wyndemere, Nikolas points out that a lot of innocent people, such as Lydia and the Cassadine family servants, could be hurt by Luke's fire. As Luke tries to defend his rationale for burning Wyndemere to the ground, Nikolas's guards suddenly show up and hustle Luke off the premises. In the tunnels, Stefan shocks Lydia by bluntly announcing that Nikolas is not the only Cassadine capable of producing a Cassadine heir and suggests that Lydia hit the sheets with Stefan. As Stefan argues that Nikolas would never abandon a child who was a blood relative, even Stefan's offspring, and that Lydia could have a child, her fortune and respect and possibly even affection from Nikolas, Lydia angrily rejects Stefan's latest plan. Lydia hastily returns to the library and tries to tell Nikolas about her recent encounter with Stefan. But Nikolas refuses to listen to Lydia and walks away. Meanwhile, Stefan continues to watch from the shadows of the tunnels.

Lydia comes down the stairs at Kelly's and finds Zander sitting at the counter having coffee. She asks him if he knows where his wife is. She informs him that Nikolas filed for divorce from her and that he is probably with Emily right now. Zander tells her that she shouldn't be surprised that Nikolas filed from divorce since he never made it a secret that he wasn't happy being married to her. Emily comes in and overhears her. Emily grabs her by the arm and tells her to leave Zander alone. Lydia accuses Emily of enjoying having two men in love with her. Zander asks Lydia to go home and leave Emily alone. Lydia leaves but warns Zander to be careful about trusting Emily. Emily is surprised when Zander asks her if what Lydia said was true, is she waiting for Nikolas to try and take her away from him. Emily tries to reassure him that she is married to him and loves him. Zander doesn't really know whether to believe her and asks her if she wants to be with Nikolas now that he will be free soon. Zander accuses her of trying to sabotage their marriage by being upset about him hooking up with Elizabeth and Carly when she was gone. He points out that she had dumped him and that he may have cared about Elizabeth and Carly, he has only ever loved her. He tells her that she may have loved him once but she only cares about him now. She cries and tells him he was her first love. Zander tells her that he believed that at one time but he doesn't believe it and that she has been waiting for her prince, Nikolas, who was her real first love. He tells her he can't do this anymore and that their marriage is over. Emily sits at Kelly's. Nikolas finds her there. She tells him she knows about his divorce from Lydia and asks him if he plans for them to be together. He tells her that he filed for divorce when he realized he couldn't be married to Lydia when it was what his uncle wanted. Nikolas points out to her that she is the only one who is confused about what she wants. She tells him that she was planning to tell Zander that the doctor won't proceed with the chemotherapy until her immune system is stronger. Zander walks into Kelly's to find Emily being held by Nikolas.

Zander isn't too pleased to find Emily in Nikolas' arms at Kelly's. He goes back out the door at Kelly's and they follow behind to explain. Nikolas tells him that Emily has something important to tell him. Nikolas leaves them alone to talk. Emily is about to tell him about her cancer treatment when he interrupts her to ask her who will be filing for divorce, her or him. Emily tries to reassure him she loves him and wants to be married to him. Zander doesn't believe her and confronts her about whether she told him the truth when she said she saw him in her dream. He asks her if it was really Nikolas or him. She doesn't answer him but tries to get him to give them the second chance he talked about before. He tells her that he believed they had a second chance because he was an idiot. He accuses her of wanting to be the center of attention and not caring which one of them got hurt by her indecision. He walks away without hearing about her news. Emily goes to the hospital to have her blood checked for a white blood cell count to see if she can start her chemotherapy. She is nervous about the outcome and worries that her white blood cell count won't be high enough for her to start her chemotherapy. Monica believes she is doing very well and that her blood cell count will be fine. Nikolas shows up to lend his support and is surprised Zander isn't by her side. She informs him that she never got a chance to tell Zander about her treatment and that he got upset with her when he found out he wasn't the one she dreamed about and that she married him because she thought she was dying. Nikolas thinks that Zander should have still came with her to the hospital. Emily understands and doesn't blame Zander for being hurt. Monica comes over to tell Emily that they are ready for her.

Monica and Nikolas have a heart-to-heart talk about Emily. Nikolas tells her that he has filed for divorce and that Emily and Zander are having marriage problems too. Monica wonders why Nikolas isn't happier about that since he is in love with her. Nikolas worries about Emily's loyalty to Zander. Monica admits she wasn't happy about it when Emily first started seeing Zander a few years ago but now she thinks he has been good for her. She tells Nikolas that it is important more than ever that Emily gets the support she needs when she goes through chemotherapy again. Nikolas tells her not to worry about that. Emily returns all excited and announces her white blood cell count is good and she can start chemotherapy tomorrow. Monica urges her to go home and rest up for tomorrow. Emily promises she will go home later and rest but now she wants to have some fun. Nikolas and she get on the elevator to head out to celebrate. They end up kissing passionately while alone on the elevator. Nikolas is disappointed when Emily tells him that she cannot marry him right away because she believes that she needs to fully resolve the situation with Zander before she makes a new commitment to Nikolas!

Nikolas finds out where Stefan is hiding on the island and tells him he has to leave by that evening. Stefan tries to get him to forgive him and maybe someday let part of his heart let him back in. Nikolas tells him that isn't going to happen. Stefan goes back to his hiding place where it is revealed that he has Lydia all tied up. Later, Luke arrives at Wyndemere. Luke confronts Stefan on the cliffs outside the Wyndemere tunnels. Stefan and Luke end up struggling for the knife and Luke accidentally pierces Stefan a little in the chest with the knife. Stefan grabs hold of the knife that is in him a little and uses his strength to drive the knife further into his chest. He leans into Luke's body and pushes the knife further into himself and tells Luke that his life is over as well as his and falls backward with the knife in him. Luke leaves the wounded Stefan on the beach. Nikolas receives a cell phone call from Lucky, who informs Nikolas that his Uncle Stefan is dead. When Scott arrives at the crime scene, Lucky reports Stefan's dying declaration that it was Luke who killed him. When Nikolas and Emily arrive at Wyndemere, Nikolas rushes to Stefan's side, even though Scott objects that Nikolas will mess up the crime scene. Although Nikolas declares that he no longer could care for Stefan because Stefan plotted to murder Emily, Lucky and Emily realize that Nik is actually deeply shaken by his uncle's death.

Nikolas tries to get Stefan's body released for burial and Lydia arrives to offer Nikolas help in making funeral arrangements. After Nikolas turns down Lydia's offer, Lydia leaves. However, as Lydia leaves, she spots Emily arriving to offer her sympathy to Nikolas. Nikolas and Emily inform Alexis of Stefan's death. While Nikolas and Alexis talk about Stefan, Emily informs Cameron that Zander has thrown in the towel on their marriage. Emily urges Cameron to remember that Zander's heart is probably breaking and that Zander will be needing his father's support. Disguised as a doctor, Luke overhears Alexis and Nikolas making plans for Stefan's memorial service that very evening. At Stefan's memorial, Alexis shows up with Cameron. She hugs Nikolas and tells him she changed her mind and that she is here to mourn the brother that once loved and cared about her today. Scott shows up with Ric to look for Luke to show up at Stefan's memorial service. Skye walks in with a woman dressed in all black with a veil covering "her" face. Everyone stares at "her and wonders if it is Luke in disguise. Scott also comes over to talk to Skye to ask her who the person is. Skye pretends not to know. Scott is about to go over and pull the veil up to catch Luke, who he thinks is under it. However, everyone is surprised when none other than Helena Cassadine shows up. She of course shows no remorse for Stefan's death. She mingles with everyone after Nikolas ends up allowing her to stay for just the ceremony. Everyone sat down to listen to the priest talk and pray for Stefan. He asks if anyone would like to stand up and say a few words about Stefan before the burial. No one wants to say anything. Helena stands up and starts to put Stefan down for being her weaker son and how she is glad he is gone. Nikolas stops her from going on and tells everyone that his uncle lived his life in devotion to him and making a better life for him and that he became desperate and made terrible decisions but he knows he was loved by him. After the ceremony Scott approaches the veiled figure and pulls the veil off to reveal not Luke, but Dillon. Scott asks him what he is doing there. Dillon tells him he wanted to videotape the ceremony for a movie idea. He denies he is working for Luke and that he is only a curious film-maker. Scott lets him go. Everyone leaves the cemetery but Luke shows up after watching things from the woods. He is dressed like a grave-digger and comes in with a shovel. He opens Stefan's casket and probes him with the handle of the shovel to make sure he is really dead before burying him. Nikolas shows up to find Luke there.

Luke and Nikolas talk at the cemetery. Nikolas tells Luke that he isn't going to turn Luke in for killing his uncle and informs him that as far as he is concerned, the war between the families died along with his uncle. Luke isn't so sure it is over since Helena is back in town and will want to get revenge even if she didn't love Stefan. Nikolas tells Luke that Stefan was never an evil man until he came into the picture and they feuded. He feels that Stefan did everything for him even if was wrong. Luke feels that Stefan was never a good man and deserved what came to him. Helena shows up and disagrees with Nikolas about being naive enough to believe the war between the Cassadine’s and Spencer’s is over now. She tells Nikolas that she loves him and that he is the prince and the future. Nikolas rejects her and tells her that he will banish her from existence if he has to. He leaves her alone with Luke. Luke and Helena banter back and forth. Luke grabs her by the throat and threatens her. She tells him that his life is empty now that he doesn't have Stefan to go to war with and that he has lost everything. Luke tells her there would be no fun if he killed her. He tells her she won't be lasting long hanging around Port Charles and should leave. Nikolas goes to GH to pick up Emily. Emily runs into Zander at the hospital and notices his hand is all bandaged up. He tells her he got into a fight the night before. He asks her if she is there to visit her parents. She tells him she is there to start her chemotherapy. He is surprised by this. She tells him she tried to tell him but he took off upset. Zander sees her later with Nikolas. Nikolas tells Emily about his run-in with both Luke and Helena at the cemetery. Emily listens and realizes that Luke and Helena are going to try and pull him into another war and reminds him he is free to start a new life.

Emily gets good news from Monica about her last chemotherapy session. Emily hugs Monica. Nikolas hands Lydia divorce papers. Lydia realizes he means business. He leaves. Zander overhears their conversation and that Nikolas is now free to pursue Emily now that they broke up too. Nikolas goes to GH on business and runs into Emily, who tells him the good news about her chemotherapy. Emily consults with her doctor. He tells her that she is responding very well to this new chemotherapy regimen she is on. Nikolas offers to give her a ride home. Emily tells him she has her car with her. He offers to walk her to her car. They end up kissing passionately in the deserted hallway. He tells her while kissing her that he wants to go somewhere where they can be alone. She agrees. He tells her he will be at her place to pick her up in a few minutes and they will decide where to go then. Emily is surprised when she gets home at the Quartermaine mansion and finds Zander there waiting for her. He tells her that he did some thinking and realized he can't live without her and wants to give their marriage a second chance. Emily is about to respond when Nikolas comes into the room suddenly and announces he found an inn they can stay in for a couple of days.

Zander isn't too pleased to see him and makes a remark about going after Emily when she isn't even divorced yet. Nikolas tells him that he doesn't feel guilty since he walked out on Emily. Emily tells them to stop fighting and that she won't be with either of them right now. Emily listens as Zander and Nikolas fight over her. She tells him she can't choose between them and that right now she doesn't want to be with either of them and storms out. Zander and Nikolas end up running into each other at Kelly's later. Zander tells him that he can't always get what he wants just because he is some prince. He tells Nikolas that he and Emily beat the odds before and stayed together and they will do it again. Emily visits Monica. Monica senses something is going on with Emily in her personal life. Monica gives her great news, her cancer is in complete remission. Emily is ecstatic and hugs Monica. She later calls Zander and Nikolas over to the hospital to tell them about her cancer being in remission. She also announces that she is going to go to med school and that she is registering for pre-med classes at P. C. U. She tells them that she couldn't have gotten through her cancer without their love or support and that she loves them both.

Emily runs into Zander outside of Kelly's. She explains that the big bag she is carrying contains food that is going to be donated for the charity they are funding for the masquerade ball that night. Zander asks her to be his date that night. She tells him she can't go with him because she agreed to go with Lucky tonight. She promises to save him a dance later that night though. She goes to the Port Charles Hotel to help Skye and Monica with the decorations. Nikolas shows up to volunteer to help. He helps Emily with the decorations and asks her to be his date for the night. She turns him down and explains that she is going with Lucky to the ball. Later, Zander runs into Monica and Alan. They tell him Emily isn't there yet. He tells them he knows and that Emily is coming with Lucky to the ball. Nikolas shows up dressed like a pirate and says hi to Monica and Alan. Monica mentions how he was a hero during the storm when he saved a woman from drowning. Nikolas acts modest and tells them anyone would have done the same in his shoes. Zander just rolls his eyes at Nikolas' modesty. Emily and Lucky show up. Emily goes over and hugs her parents. Lucky advises Zander and Nikolas to give Emily her space and that is why she agreed to go with him tonight instead of one of them because he is a mutual friend who can be more objective. He tells them to back off of Emily.

At the ball, Emily is dressed as princess, Nik a pirate. Nik is quite the sexy pirate (ala Johnny Depp in "Pirates of the Caribbean"). Emily ends up dancing with Zander. Nikolas watches them dance. Lydia comes over and tells Nikolas to give it up and realize that Emily is in love with Zander. Nikolas cuts in on the dance. Nikolas and Emily end up leaving the room to be alone and kiss. Emily tells him she can't lie to herself and him anymore and admits that she is in love with him. He tells her he loves her too. She takes off though. He finds her later at the cottage. He tells her that he is now free to love her because his divorce was finalized today and takes off his wedding ring. Zander is dismayed to find that both Emily and Nikolas disappeared together from the party. Monica doesn't know where she went. Zander gets the shock of his life when he walks into his cottage and finds Emily making love to Nikolas. She realizes that Nikolas is the only man for her and Zander immediately washes his hands of her. Devastated, Zander runs into Liz. They end up sleeping together. Emily and Nikolas share some pillow talking in front of the fire. They affirm their love, Emily expresses some regret for hurting Zander, and she finishes off by comparing her love for Zander as first love and her love for Nikolas as "forever" love.

Afterward, Liz immediately calls Emily to meet with her. Elizabeth meets up with Emily and confesses her sex session with Zander. Though shocked that the world no longer revolves around her, Emily lets Elizabeth off the hook by revealing that she had just slept with Nikolas and was in no position to judge. Emily responded by saying she hoped their decision didn't come back to hurt them. Zander returns to Jake's, he finds Emily waiting for him. Emily tries to apologize to Zander but Zander tells Emily that she killed all of his hope. Zander hands his ring back to Emily, declaring that he does not know her at all! On the Docks, Nikolas and Emily pledge undying love to one another. They feel great about being able to kiss in public if they want and not sneak around anymore. Two of Faith's goons grab him and throw him against the wall. He thinks they work for Alcazar and informs them that his debt against Alcazar has been paid off for this month by Jason Morgan. One of the men tells him that Jason Morgan's money isn't good anymore. Nikolas and Emily show up at the hospital and find Alcazar and question him about what he is up with the debt he owed him. Alcazar informs them that someone bought the debt from him and that it is their problem now. Nikolas asks him who the debt belongs to now. He tells him it is Faith's now.

Nikolas and Emily go to the Cellar to find Faith. Faith tells Nikolas that he owes her now and that Jason's money isn't worth anything to her. She tells him that she wants to use his new ship to transport her product in exchange for the debt he owes her. He tells her he refuses to be involved in the selling of drugs. She tells him he will agree to let her use his ship or she will kill him. She brings Zander in who has the gun she gave him. Emily asks Zander not to do anything against Nikolas out of anger or he will one day regret it. Zander ignores her and approaches Nikolas and holds his gun toward him. Later at the docks Nikolas assures Emily that neither Faith nor anyone else can ever take his away his future from being with her.

Emily finds a suicide note left by Stefan, which could very easily clear Luke of murder charges. Nikolas shows the letter to Luke. Luke angrily claims that Stefan's "suicide note" is a forgery and refuses to use Stefan's note to get off the hook for Stefan's murder. Nikolas and Skye try to convince Luke to use the letter to save himself, but Luke continues to refuse. Later at Wyndemere, Nikolas talks to Emily about Stefan's suicide note. Nikolas returns with Stefan's suicide note and turns the note over to Scott. Luke sees Nikolas with Scott and urges Scott to rip Stefan's note up and throw it away. Luke argues with Scott and Nikolas about the letter from Stefan that supposedly exonerates Luke of murder. Luke accuses Nikolas of being up to something and that Scott is in on it. Scott tells him that forensics analyzed the letter and said that the handwriting on the letter matched with some written record signed by Stefan. Forensics also reported that Stefan's fingerprints were found on the letter as well. Luke thinks Nikolas somehow forged the letter for some reason. Nikolas tells him that as far as he is concerned the war between the Cassadines and the Spencers is over. Scott tells Luke that since he wants to be convicted of murder he doesn't want to give him what he wants. He also tells Luke that the letter shows a shadow of a doubt if it is presented at trial and he doesn't want to try a case if he knows there will be doubt in the juror's minds. Luke grumbles about being released and storms off. Skye listens to the whole thing and can't believe that Scott and Nikolas are allowing Luke to just walk off and not care about whether he goes to hurt himself.