Can You Hear Me

Senior Prom Night

May 2000

Port Charles High

Sly Eckart stood on one side of the room. He was alone for now, his date Jodi had gone off to find her boyfriend. It was a crazy situation. One mainly seen on those Saturday morning TV shows about teens. Sly was with Jodi, while Jodi’s boyfriend Derek was with his best friend Carla. It was a tangled web, but it made Sly feel better to be with his best friend then with a girl that would want something later one. Especially since most of his evening had been spent staring across the room at Emily Bowen-Quartermaine.

Emily’s brown hair rests softly on her shoulders. Her rose colored dress seemed made for her, and her alone. Then again, her cousin Chloe did design it for her. The evening was half over, she was with her boyfriend Juan Santiago. Though, she had a feeling he was planning what most guys are stereo-typed to plan. She made a mental note to make sure they never watched American pie together again. She looked around the room and she saw Sly. Good, old Sly, one of her first friend in Port Charles, and whenever she really needed him. He was there for her.

Sittin' in my room starin' at the ceilin'
Nothing I do can't shake this feelin'
What have you done to me
I never thought I would be
Sittin' in my room starin' at the ceilin'
I wish I could say that I'm doin' fine
But I can't seem to get you off my mind

Sly heard the song start to fill the room. His heart breaking. She would never know how he felt about her. She was so wrapped up in that Juan guy. He just freaked Sly out, the way he was so touchy with Emily, and how he just got that look in his eyes whenever another guy said hello to Emily. Even if it was Nikolas or Jason.

Sly took a deep breath and walked over to Emily. Slowly he raised his hand and tapped her on the shoulder. He quickly removed it before she looked back. When she saw him, her smile grew. "Hey Sly."

"Hi Em, I was wondering if you’d like to dance, I’ve noticed you’ve been a wallflower the last few songs."

"I’d love to." She said standing up and taking Sly’s hand. Juan was about to protest when Nikolas shot him a very dirty look, which seemed to say, ‘break it up, and you’ll be dead’.

They moved onto the dance floor and Sly took her in his arms, holding her close to him. He knew deep in his heart this was the only time he would be able to hold her, breath in her scent. This was the moment he had dreamed of for years.

Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
With all of my heart I've been trying to
Send you my love just in case it's true
You feel the same way that I do
Can you hear me thinking 'bout you

Emily’s heart raced from being so close to Sly. She wasn’t exactly sure why. Perhaps it was being in someone’s arms and knowing they didn’t expect to go all the way. That wasn’t it though, his arms felt so wonderful. As though this was the moment she had spent her entire high school career waiting for.

She pulled her head away from his shoulder and rested it against his chest. Sly couldn’t help but smile at her closeness, the closeness he had been too nervous to even ask for before this evening. His face was semi-buried in her hair and he whispered softly, "I love you Emily." He wasn’t sure if he had said it enough.

I close my eyes praying for the power
Then my heart starts beating a million miles an hour
Until the message is loud and clear
Well baby I'll be right here
Closing my eyes praying for the power
I only hope I can get it right
And find my way into your dreams tonight

Emily had heard Sly, but hadn’t allowed him to know. He had said the one thing she had wanted to hear, but never knew she wanted it. She held on to him tighter, softly crying, and hoping he wouldn’t know. If he did she knew he would feel guilty, even if her tears – were tears of joy.

Elizabeth jabbed Nikolas in the arm and he looked up and saw Emily and Sly. He let out a sigh of relife and Liz looked at him curiously. "What’s that about Nikolas?"

"As long as she’s away from you-know-who we don’t have to worry about me, or Jason killing him."

"You’re a good friend, you know that right Nikolas?"

He smiled and said, "Well I learned from some of the best."

Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
With all of my heart I've been trying to
Send you my love just in case it's true
You feel the same way that I do
Can you hear me wishin' I was
All you've ever been dreamin' of
I know that I will and I'm willing because
This feeling I feel must be true
Can you hear me thinking 'bout you

Emily finally looked up at Sly and wiped her tears away. "Emily, I’m sorry if I upset you." He said as they moved to the music.

"You didn’t upset me, you’ve made me happy. I’ve waited so long to hear you say that Sly." She said as a smile grew on her face.

He pulled way and picked her up and spun her in the air. "Your actually happy that I’m in love with you?"

"Yes," she paused as she looked into his eyes. "I’m in love with you to Sly."

"Really?" He asked.

She nodded before she threw her arms around him and kissed him.

Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
With all of my heart I've been trying to
Send you my love just in case it's true
You feel the same way that I do
Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
Oh yeah

Liz looked over to Emily and Sly again and almost choked on the soda she had been drinking.

"Liz, what’s wrong?" Nikolas asked her.

"Nothing, nothing at all. I think we’re finally rid of the pest."

Nikolas turned to where she was looking and his jaw dropped. "Good thing Jason’s men are around ya know."

"Yeah, of course they would never let Juan lay a hand on her."

"Yeah."

Juan had watched the entire exchange between Emily and Sly. He walked over to them and pulled Emily away. "Come on Emily, we’re leaving."

"I’m not leaving with you Juan." Emily told him.

"You’re my girlfriend!" He whined.

"Not anymore. We’re over Juan, we never really began."

"But – but, what changed?"

"The man I love finally spoke up." Emily wrapped her arms around Sly.

Juan started to whine uncontrollably and some guy came from a corner and dragged him away.

Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
Can you hear me thinking 'bout you
(fade...)