Emily and Zander divorce and Nikolas proposes to a joyful Emily. Some of Emily's family object in part because he has lost his family fortune. When Alexis attempts to sell Wyndemere, Emily buys it for Nikolas. Not knowing who the buyer was, he buys Emily's engagement ring and they exchange their gifts on Christmas Eve. They meet Sam McCall, a shipwreck salvager who tells the couple about a treasure on the sunken ship "The Courage", belonging to the Cassadines. She salvages the treasure, and Emily and Nikolas put it up for auction at the Port Charles Hotel. Mob boss Lorenzo Alcazar is the highest bidder, but the treasure is stolen shortly before a fire breaks out at the hotel. When Nikolas gives his seat to Emily on the last helicopter evacuating guests, he is presumed dead when an explosion appears to kill him and Jason. Wandering around Wyndemere mourning Nikolas, Emily can't quite believe he's gone when he returns to find Emily sitting at his desk. Zander is also presumed dead. Ric Lansing believes Nikolas is responsible, but Elizabeth believes she is the culprit after fighting with Zander about custody of their son, Cameron. When Emily goes to the home she shared with Zander, he reveals he is alive. Zander, who lost his father in the fire, has become mentally unstable and attempts to get Emily to run away with him again. She refuses, and he takes her hostage. When the police surround the cottage, Zander leads Emily outside. He pushes her to safety, and reaches into his pocket, pretending to have a gun. The police shoot Zander, who dies in Emily's arms.