Chapter's 11-20

CHAPTER ELEVEN

*Note, Liz is wearing the third dress she tried on Feb 9 1999 (purple and grey)
Sarah is wearing a pink dress
Emily is wearing her birthday dress
Lucky is wearing what he wore on Sept 15.
Nikolas is wearing his normal clothes

It was homecoming night and Liz heard the doorbell ring.
“Nikolas. Oh, um, Sarah’s at Deenie’s. She’s getting ready there, I thought you knew since you were picking her up.”
“I’m not going to the dance.” He said walking in.
“Then what are you doing here?” she closed the door.
“Audrey asked me to house sit.”
“Why?”
“Maybe you should ask her.”
“Well, you just sit, and well, do your job. My date will be here soon….. Why aren’t you taking Sarah to the dance?”
“We had a fight. Lucky’s taking her.”
“I’m not surprised.” Liz said. Nikolas looked at her and knew that it bothered her,
“Are you okay with this? You know, I wasn’t too keen on the idea of my brother going to the dance with my girlfriend.”
“Well, things are just different because Lucky is not my boyfriend.”
The doorbell rang and Liz opened the door.
“Marc, hi.” She said letting him in, “Nikolas, this is Marc, Marc, this is Nikolas Cassadine.”
The guys nodded at each other, and Liz said, “I’ll be out in a sec.”
When Marc left, Liz picked up her purse and turned to Nikolas,
“You and Lucky found out about me and he chose not to be my friend because eof that. I’m going to go now.”
She left leaving Nikolas wondering what she was talking about.

Have ever loved somebody so much
It makes you cry
Have you ever needed something so hard
You can't sleep at night
Have ever tried to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, Have you ever

Have you ever been in love
Been in love so bad
You'd do anything to make them understand
Have you ever had someone steal your heart away
You'd give anything to make them feel the same
Have you ever searched for words to get you in their heart
But you don't know what to say
And you don't know where to start

Lucky looked up and saw at the entrance of the gym; Elizabeth and her date walk in. She looked beautiful, and he silently wished
that he had taken her instead, as they joined them on the dance floor.

Have you ever found the one
You've dreamed of all your life
You'd do anything to look into their eyes
Have you finally found the one you've given your heart
Only to find that one won't give their heart to you
Have you ever closed your eyes and
Dreamed that they were there
And all you can do is wait for that day when they will care

Elizabeth caught Lucky looking at her. What was his problem? Did he not like it that she was having a good time and not thinking
of the rape? Marc’s arms held on tighter, pulling her closer. She never had a guy this close to her, other than Lucky. She took a
deep breath and started to pretend that she was dancing with Lucky.

What do I gotta do to get you in my arms baby
What do I gotta do to get your heart
To make you understand how I need you next to me
Gotta get you in my world
'Coz baby I can't sleep

Lucky watched as Liz danced with Marc. She closed her eyes, and smiled. Lucky’s heart fell a thousand times more. Suddenly,
their eyes locked and none of them could look away. As the music played and the two couples danced, Lucky and Elizabeth
stared at each other, not wanting to look away, and pretended that they were dancing with each other.

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~

Nikolas sat in the Hardy living room staring at the stairs. He contemplated on going to Liz’s room to find out what she was talking about. He ran up to her room and found on her desk, a letter written by Ruby. Underneath it, was another, so Nikolas sat down to read it.

Dear Ruby,
I know you will never get this letter, but it doesn’t mean I can’t try. I hope you read this somehow and send help my
way. It’s been a long time since you died and so much has happened. I became friends with Lucky, and even worse, I’m
falling in love with him all over again. The first time I did, he fell for my sister; I can’t be hurt like that again.

Oh Ruby, my biggest fear came. He found out about Valentine’s Day, about my rape and dropped our friendship in a
second. I thought you said that he was good. Well, I thought a lot of things --- I hate him. I hate someone that I can’t
help but love. I’m going to have to get out of here Ruby. I ran away from Colorado, I can get out of here too. I’m
telling you this, because I thought you should know. Maybe an angeL can pick me up along the way, like you did.

I miss you,
Elizabeth

Nikolas sat there shocked. Only then did he see bags in her room. She really was planning on leaving. He had to tell Lucky. He
had to tell Lucky before she left him without ever knowing that he loved her too.

CHAPTER TWELVE

As Sarah left to the bathroom, Lucky quickly scanned the gym to find Elizabeth alone. As a song came on, he made his way to her.
“Elizabeth.... may I have this dance?”
Liz nodded slowly, letting him lead her to the middle of the dance floor.

Turn to me with frozen lips
Your hands are icy cold
Your eyes burn bright
Against the frost bit sky
You never seemed more lovely than you do tonight

Pale on the horizon
Like leaves frozen in the snow
Two bodies merging seperately
Will time stands still
If its pierced with cold

Lucky took Elizabeth’s hand in his and held her firmly, not wanting to
let her go. He played with her dress material on her back, then let her
hand free to pull her closer.

The more I hear
The more I know
What's simple is true
And I love you

Theres a warmth in my heart
It haunts me when you're gone
Mend me to your side
And never let go
Time knows nothing
We'll never grow cold

Elizabeth tensed up as Lucky held her closer. What was he trying to
do? After a while, she didn’t care anymore and let herself be in synch
with Lucky.

The more I hear
The more I know
What's simple is true
And I love you

The twilight descends
On our sillouhettes
How soon Spring comes
How soon Spring forgets
I wanna hold time
Say "It'll never begin"
Old Man Winter be our friend
Old Man Winter be our friend

The two danced as though they were the only ones on the dance floor.
Elizabeth pulled away and stared straight into Lucky’s blue eyes. Tears
formed in her own eyes but she couldn’t look away from him.

The more I hear
The more I know
What's simple is true
And I love you

The song finished finally and Liz walked away. He was going to go after her, but was stopped by an announcer,
“And now we will announce this year’s Port Charles High King.” he said opening an envelope. “Lucky Spencer.”
As Lucky went on stage, crowds of people cheered and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Marc with Elizabeth.
“And the queen is.... Sarah Webber.”
Sarah gladly came on stage and kissed Lucky.
From the audience, Elizabeth felt uncomfortable and was glad when Marc said, “You wanna leave?”
She nodded and left the gym.

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~

Nikolas walked into the gym as calmly as he could but when he saw Sarah and Lucky he made a mad dash towards them,
“Lucky, we need to talk.”
“Nikolas, I can’t believe you’re jealous of me and Lucky after you walked out of my house.” Sarah said
“Sarah, this isn’t about you. It’s about Elizabeth.”
Lucky stopped dancing.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Lucky, did you ever find out about what happened last Valentine’s Day?”
Sarah looked from one brother to the other.
“No, do you know?” Lucky asked.
“Yeah.... It turns out, Elizabeth was raped that night.”
Lucky’s world stopped. Everything froze, including himself. He couldn’t believe it.
“Wait Lucky, Nikolas, didn’t you know this already? She told me that you both knew. That night in the hospital.” Sarah said.
Lucky thought for a moment, putting pieces together. When he realized what had happened, he said,
“I have to go see her. I have to talk to her.”
“Elizabeth left with Mark.” Sarah said.
Lucky looked around and turned to a guy, “Adam, where did Mark take Elizabeth?”
“Oh, he took her back to his place. Special treat, his parent aren’t home and he’s putting the moves on her as we speak... I can’t wait to hear about this tomorrow.”
Panic crossed Lucky’s face.
“Lucky, you have to get her. Marc.... if she doesn’t do what he says then he’ll.....” Sarah said.
“Take my car.” Nikolas said, then watched as Lucky disappeared and left.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Elizabeth stood looking at the c.d. collection in Marc’s room. From behind her, he pulled out a c.d. and played it,
“I’m sorry I pulled you away from the dance so early. We didn’t get to have the last dance.” he said pulling her into his arms. They swayed softly to the music and then Marc started to kiss her. As his kiss deepened, her body and mind went numb. His hands touched her bare shoulders and Liz immediately started to pull away,
“Marc...... no......”
“Hey, it’s okay. My folks aren’t home and won’t be all night.” he said then started to kiss her neck. He pulled down the straps of her dress.
“Marc, stop.” she said.
He looked surprised, “ What’s the matter with you Liz? I thought you would want this. C’mon, I’ve heard about you at school. Don’t be surprised that I want to too.” he said unzipping the back of her dress.
Liz was trapped. All she could feel was the coldness of the snow back in that night. They were on the bed now, and she could feel his hands grab at her.
“Please, stop.” she said pleadingly.
Suddenly a crash came from downstairs and the loud footsteps brought Liz back to life. After having Marc thrown off her, she looked to see who had done it.
“Lucky.” she said but he didn’t hear her. All he wanted to do was kill Marc because he hurt Elizabeth. When Lucky did look up, he saw that Liz was running away. Immediately he dropped Marc and ran after her.
“Elizabeth! Wait!” he called as he followed her out the open door.
Liz ran as fast as she could, but tripped and fell on the driveway.
Lucky reached out to help her, “Elizabeth--”
“Don’t touch me!!” she screamed. Her cries hardened, “Don’t touch me.” she softly sobbed.

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~

Nikolas found Emily sitting outside in the front of the school.
“Em? The dance is over. Aren’t you going to the after party?” he asked her.
She looked up and shook her head, “Decided not to.”
Nikolas sat down with her, “Where’s Sarah, I thought she’d be with you.” she said.
“She went to the party.”
“Oh.”
“...... Emily, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” she said turning to him.
“Can you be in love with someone and then realize that this person isn’t right for you? I mean, can you know all along and have something just click to make you realize?”
Emily paused and answered slowly, “I.... I guess it’s possible. I mean, I know for sure that you can have this person in your life that can just be a person, and then all of a sudden have something make you realize that you’re in love with him or her. And when you think about it, all the things that you did make sense to the feelings you have. If that can happen then, yes. You can not love a person but not realize it sooner.”
Nikolas nodded,
“Nikolas, can I....? I mean, I just, I was just curious. Is this about Sarah?”
“It’s like now everything that she says, or what she does doesn’t make me feel anything for her.”
“Oh. Well, I hope you work things out.”
“Thanks...... hey, do you need a ride?”
“Sure.”
“Great.” he said offering her his arm.
“Let’s go.”
“Em?”
“Yeah?”
“You look great tonight.”
“Thanks.”

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~

“Elizabeth, please let me help you.” Lucky said.
“Get away from me.” she told him, but he helped her up anyway.
He carefully zipped the back of her dress. Liz closed her eyes and remembered his hands on her, forcing himself on her, she quickly stepped away from Lucky.
“Let me take care of you.”
“No, No Lucky. You... you don’t have a right to just take order.” Liz said in-between tears. She swayed a bit, “I’m going home by myself.”
“Elizabeth--”
“No, leave me alone Lucky.”
“No. No Elizabeth, I can’t! I won’t! You need me to take care of you. And I care too much to turn you away!”
“Please Lucky. If you care for me, then you’ll do just one thing. Leave me alone. I don’t need you right now, and I never will.”
Just then Nikolas drove up in his car.
“Nikolas.” Lucky said.
“Are you guys okay?”
“He was just leaving.” Liz said, “And so was I.”
“Elizabeth--” Lucky started, then shot a look to Nikolas,
“Liz, why don’t I take you home.”
“Elizabeth?” Emily said walking towards them.
“We’re going to take Liz home.” Nikolas told Emily.
“Okay then, let’s go.” Emily said understanding Nikolas. Both he and Emily led Liz to the car, leaving Lucky all alone.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Elizabeth stacked up the dishes, and made her way towards the kitchen at Kelly's.
"Liz? Do you need any help?" a voice asked,
"Emily. Oh, uh, sure."
They both walked to the back of Kelly's and Liz caught Emily looking at her,
"What, is there food on my face."
"No, you're fine. I just need to ask you something."
"okay..."
"Sarah and Nikolas..... are they broken up? Or is Sarah still pining for him?"
"Sarah has been pining over Lucky actually. She hasn't mentioned Nikolas at all."
"Has Nikolas mentioned me?" Emily timidly asked.
"I haven't seen him. Not since.... well, if you want to know, shouldn't you be talking to someone closer to him? Lucky? Or maybe even Nikolas himself?"
"I don't know. I know that Nikolas is my friend, but if it's something more, I don't know."
"You should go talk to him then."
They exchanged a smile and Emily asked,
"Do you want me to take over your shift? You look really tired."
"I am and thanks.... if you're sure."
"Yeah, I don't mind."
Elizabeth untied her apron and gave it to Emily.
"Emily?"
"Yeah?"
"About the other night, the prom....."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for not asking about it." Emily smiled, then left to do the work.

Later that afternoon, Lucky and Sarah came into Kelly's. When he saw Emily working, he went up to her,
"Em? Hey, why are you working here?"
"I'm doing Liz a favour. She wasn't feeling well, so I sent her home."
Emily glanced behind Lucky, "You're here with Sarah."
"Yeah, listen Em, did Elizabeth go home by herself?"
"By herself..... yeah she did. Why Lucky?"
"No, no reason."
"Look Lucky.... my break is in five minutes, I need to talk to you."
"Okay, I'll stick around." Lucky made his way back to Sarah, "Do you mind going home by yourself? Emily needs to talk, so I'm staying."
"Okay, there's some stuff I have to do anyway. Bye." she kissed his cheek and left.
Lucky sat down and waited til Emily finally came,"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"The other night. I didn't ask Elizabeth, because, well... I didn't know her too well, which is why I'm asking you. What happened?"
"Nothing, really."
"Look. It's not nothing because since Ruby died, you and Liz have been close and suddenly you can't even drive her home? And you take Sarah to the prom? What was that?"
"She asked me."
"Lucky, you're not making this easy. When you get into a fight with your best friend and then take out her sister, who happens to be your brother's ex, well, you're asking for trouble, don't you think? Did you go out with Sarah to make Liz feel jealous?"
"Emily, I would never make Elizabeth feel something she wouldn't want to."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. It's just... ever since that night, I've been around Liz, and I see that she avoids you, and that you avoid her, and Lucky, you have been my good friend for the longest time so....."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're too nosy?"
Emily laughed, "Go, get out of here. Let me words of wisdom sink in your head. And make sure you don't lose your friend."
Lucky stood up, "See, that's just the thing Em, Elizabeth is so much more than my friend."

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*

Lucky ran up the stairs two at a time, after Audrey left, letting Lucky in. He opened Liz's door and found her on her bed packing her clothes.
"Elizabeth."
"Lucky, what are you doing here?" Liz jumped up from the bed,
"We need to talk and this time, there are no stops, we need to finish this once and for all."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Lucky, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please, I think you should go.”
“No. There is no way you’re getting out of this conversation Elizabeth.” He said. Then looked carefully at what she was doing, “What are you doing?”
“I’m packing.”
“I can see that. So you were planning on just leaving? Or were you going to tell someone.”
“Lucky, you have no right to know everything about me.”
He ignored her and picked up the envelope on her desk.
“This is addressed to me.” He said.
“Lucky---” she stepped forward but Lucky tore the envelope open and started to read the letter out loud.
“Dear Lucky, when you read this, I’ll be long gone. And you won’t see me. Forever maybe. Give my love to your family. Tell your mother that I’m grateful for her generosity. Send LuLu hugs and kisses from me and tell her that she’s the princess of the world, but don’t let it get to her head…” Lucky paused, “And tell yourself over and over again that you are my one and only best friend. That you were the one who made me feel special and happy; who made me smile. And to know how it was like to be loved, and to love back.” Lucky looked at Liz who looked away. Wiping a tear away, he continued, “I’m leaving because after all the things you taught me, I have to save you. It’s just that simple Lucky. I have to save you from me. From my life, my secrets and most important…. My love. Be happy, stay strong, Love Elizabeth.”
Lucky let go of the paper and silence came over the room, as the paper fell to the floor.
“You were leaving me.”
“I was leaving Port Charles. Not you.”
“Me, my family and everything else comes with it Elizabeth!” Lucky said almost yelling.
Tears fell down Liz’s eyes, as her face turned fearful, but Lucky calmed down and said,
“You were just going to leave?”
“There’s nothing keeping me here.”
“Me. What about me, Elizabeth?”
Liz looked at him, “You, are wonderful, but I can’t stay here. Too much has happened.”
“You mean with the rape.” Lucky said emotionless.
Liz paused. It was the first time that he said it to her face.
“Yeah, and the fact that you hated me after you found out.”
“Elizabeth, I hated myself when I found out.”
Liz sat down on her bed, pushing the bag down to the floor.
“Why?”
Lucky sat down with her, “Because that night…… I could have taken you. I could have brought you to the dance instead of Sarah, and you…. You wouldn’t have been raped. Also, because when I found out, I knew that the fight we had at the hospital was about the rape. But I didn’t know that then.”
“But you read Ruby’s letter.”
“I knew something happened, but I just didn’t know what.”
You didn’t know that I was raped.” Liz said sighing a bit, “And I got mad at you when you wanted to talk…. I am so sorry Lucky.”
“Stop it. You are not going to apologize. I was…..”
“Too nosy?” Liz said starting to smile.
“Yeah.” Lucky smiled.
“Lucky, then what was is that you wanted to talk to be about, in the hospital.”
“I—I, uh, I was so afraid that I could lose you again, that I wanted to tell you that I love you.”
Liz opened her mouth, Afraid of what she wold say, Lucky said, “Don’t say anything about it yet. I just want you to know how it is to be loved by me.”
“But I know Lucky.”
“But that was when I didn’t plan anything.”
“Oh no. Lucky, what did you do?”
He stood up and with one quick motion, he swept her off her feet.
“Lucky! Lucky, put me down!”
“Sorry, this is apart of my plan.”
He went downstairs and buckled her into the seat of his car.
“Where are you taking me”
“That’s for me to know, and for you to find out. It’s a surprise Elizabeth. And after today, you will always remember to know that my surprises are the best.” He said, then started the car.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"Okay, here we are." Lucky said.
Elizabeth reached for the door, but Lucky stopped her and said, "Don't you know that guys are suppose to carry you out of the car?"
"Maybe in your dream world Spencer. Here, they offer their hand, at the most."
"What a world." He said, then got of the car, and walked over to Liz's side. He offered his hand in which she gladly took.
"So, are you hungry? It's dinnertime."
"Lucky, are we even in Port Charles?"
"Yes….. well…… sort of."
Liz raised an eyebrow,
"Let's eat." He said and took her inside the diner. To her surprise, it was empty but filled with streamers, balloons, and decorations.
"Lucky?"
"Yeah?"
"What made you so sure I would come with you?"
"I hope pretty hard. Do you like it?"
"It definitely is a surprise."
"It's a dance. Forget the Valentine's Dance, or the Prom…... where everything went wrong…… This is the day, June 11, that the first Lucky and Elizabeth dance will take place."
"I like the sound of that."
"Good. The juke box is in the corner and I'll go see if the food is ready." She nodded as he left.
When he came back, he had two plates of pasta in his hands. He placed them down on a table and asked her, "Elizabeth, would you like to dance with me?"
She nodded and watched as he went to the jukebox to pick a song.

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see

As the song came on, Lucky took Liz in his arms, and led her to the middle of the clear floor.

No I won't be afraid
Oh I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

He bent down and kissed her bare shoulder, then spun her around. As she let out a laugh, he smiled.

So darlin' darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me

He took her in his arms again, and held her closer than before. She rested her head on his shoulder, not wanting to let go.

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
Or the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin' darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Whoa stand now, stand by me, stand by me

Darlin' darlin' stand by me
Oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me

Whenever you're in trouble just stand by me
Oh stand by me
Whoa stand now, oh stand, stand by me

After the song ended, neither of them wanted to let go. They stood in each other's arms for five minutes, and then Lucky finally let her go.
"So what's for dinner?" Liz asked.
Lucky smiled and led her to the table, "Pasta." He said and sat her down.
He watched as she ate, and when Liz realized that he was looking at her, she said, "What?"
"Nothing. Do you like the food?"
"Oh, it's wonderful. Everything is wonderful…… thank you." She paused,
"What?" he asked her,
"It's just that I'm not used to all this attention. All my life, it's always been about Sarah, never me. And even after the rape, when Sarah and Gram were hovering over me like crazy, it didn't feel like love, it felt like, 'that's what I have to do, not because I want to', you know?"
"Yeah, maybe it'd be hard for me to relate, but I can understand."
Liz smiled, but then a thought came to her, "How long are we going to be here Lucky, because Gram might worry…."
"Don't worry, I called her, she knows you're with me."
"Okay. I'm glad."
Happily, they finished their pasta and spent the whole night dancing and talking.

pride can stand, a thousand trials
the strong will never fail
but watching stars without you
my soul cried

The last song on the jukebox came on, and it was nearly one. Liz was practically falling asleep in Lucky's arms,
"Elizabeth? Elizabeth?"
"Yeah?"
"You wanna go?"
"After this song, kay?"
Lucky nodded, and held her tighter.

heaving heart is full of pain
oh,oh, the aching
'cause i'm kissing you, oh
i'm kissing you

The candles in the room, were almost all burnt out, and the outside night was dark and gloomy.
"Elizabeth, you know I love you right? And you won't try to leave? And that when you're feeling bad about something, you'll come talk to me about it? Elizabeth?"

touch me deep, pure and true
gift to me forever
'cause i'm kissing you
i'm kissing you oh

He waited for her response, but soon realized that she was asleep. Slowly, after picking her up, he grabbed their coats, and blew
out the candles, and left.

where are you now
where are you now
'cause i'm kissing you
i'm kissing you

(the songs were, "Stand By Me" by Ben E King, and "Kissing You" by Des'ree.)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lucky woke up at three am in the morning, to find that Elizabeth wasn't sleeping in his bed. After the dinner, he drove them back to his house because he knew that his family went to see his grandmother.
"Elizabeth?" he called out in the darkness, but he got no response. He began to worry. The door was wide open, and he began to believe that she had left him. He grabbed his coat and his shoes and ran out the front door as fast as he could.

He looked through the park, at Kelly's, at school, and even her own bedroom, but Lucky couldn't find Elizabeth. He slowly made his way to the docks. There he saw a girl on the benches. He ran to where she was, knowing that it was Elizabeth…
"Elizabeth!" he said.
She jumped back from his voice and he realized that he had scared her,
"Hey…" his voice softened, "Hey, it's Lucky."
"Lucky…"
"Yeah." He sat down with her, and wrapped his arms around her hoping that she wouldn't resist. She didn't.
"I thought you left. Stupid me, but I thought you took off. I woke up and you weren't there and I was so scared…."
"I had a dream Lucky. Like I always do and---"
"And you go to docks when you wake up. Yeah, I heard you talking to Sarah, remember?"
"Uh huh. No one bothers me here, they all leave me alone because they think I'm insane…"
She sighed, "But then of course, it is three in the morning."
Lucky slowly rubbed her bare arm and calmed himself down.
"I love you Lucky." Liz said quietly.
"What?" he asked.
"I love you. I mean, you're the only one that I can talk to, and I care so much about you that it hurts to think of living without you. And maybe you didn't want to know, but I had to tell you, in case…… in case maybe I had a brief thought of leaving here."
"No, Elizabeth, don't leave. Please. If you can't live without me and I can't live without you…. How will we survive? I love you Elizabeth and you have my heart. Always."
"I'm sorry I left in the night, I kind of forgot where I was."
"It's okay. You're forgiven." The both stood up and he gave Liz his jacket, "Come on, let's go, and catch some sleep."
Together, they went back to Lucky's house and fell asleep in each other's arms.

Early the next morning, Luke, Laura and LuLu came home.
"Lucky?" Luke called, but got no answer. So LuLu tried,
"Luckeeee!!!" she screamed, and Laura told her, "Baby, Lucky could be sleeping you know."
"On a Saturday morning? No way, cartoons are on!" she said running to the couch to watch t.v.
Luke and Laura made their way upstairs and found Lucky and Liz asleep on his bed.
"Oh, I think that Lucky and Elizabeth are finally together." Laura said, walking back downstairs,
"We won't know until we see them…… awake." Luke said.

At ten, Lucky and Liz came down holding hands and found his family watching cartoons with LuLu.
" Lizabeth!" LuLu cried running to her, urging her to pick her up,
"Hey baby girl." Lucky said,
"Lucky, I am not a baby."
"Sorry." He said and kissed her head.
"Come watch with me. Mommy and daddy don't laugh at the jokes."
"Maybe it's because they're too old." Lucky said only loud enough for LuLu and Liz to hear.
LuLu sat the couple down and they spent the morning watching t.v.
At lunchtime, Liz told Lucky, "I have to go… Gram's expecting me home. We're going to lunch, so…."
"I'll walk you." Lucky said. She smiled, and said goodbye to the Spencer's.

As they got to her house, Liz was surprised to find it empty, "Gram? Sarah?" she called out.
"Maybe they left a message." Lucky said.
"Something's not right Lucky. They should be here."
Suddenly the phone rang and Liz picked it up, "Hello? Hello?" she asked, but no one answered.
As she placed the phone back down, they heard a window break and suddenly, gunshots fired into the Hardy living room.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

As Lucky slowly woke up, he slowly remembered the gun shots,
“Elizabeth!” he tried to call, but it didn’t come out. He swallowed slowly, and got up, but his head and arm was hurting too much. He searched the room for Elizabeth,
“Elizabeth?” he called out, “Elizabeth?” he got no answer.
He looked behind the couch, and found Liz n ear the phone. Lucky gasped at all the blood.
He knelt down beside her, “Elizabeth… Elizabeth….” He called to her softly, cringing at his own pain.
Her eyes opened, but then closed,
“Elizabeth, no, don’t close your eyes, sweetie, look at me…look at me.”
She opened her eyes fully and concentrated on Lucky, “You’re bleeding.”
She finally spoke. Her voice was full of worriness, and fear.
“I’m okay, I’m okay…” he told her. He knew that he was bleeding. A bullet grazed his arm, but he knew that Liz was in worse condition,
“I’m okay, “he repeated, “But you aren’t. I’m going to call 911, they’re going to help you.”
“Don’t let me go, please Lucky, don’t let me go.”
Fighting back tears, Lucky said, “I won’t, I’ve got you right here, baby, I’ve got you.”
He called for the ambulance and when he looked at Liz again, her eyes were closed,
“Wake up. Elizabeth, wake up. Help is on the way.

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~

Nikolas was on his way to the Hardy house to see Sarah, when he heard and saw an ambulance near the house. He quickly raced in the house, before the ambulance arrived and saw both Lucky and Liz on the floor,
“Lucky!” he called.
“Elizabeth, she’s not waking up.”
Nikolas went up to them and said, “The ambulance should be here any moment…. What happened?”
“Elizabeth’s hurt, she can’t die Nikolas, she can’t!”
Nikolas’ voice softened, “She won’t Lucky, she won’t leave you.” He took a moment then said, “Lucky, you’re hurt too.”
Suddenly the ambulance came, and the people placed Liz on a stretcher.
They decided to put Lucky in a different ambulance, so Nikolas went with him.

As they entered the emergency room, Lucky, Liz and Nikolas were immediately separated, because Liz had to go into surgery.
Nikolas stayed with Lucky as a nurse bandaged him up,
“Who do you want me to call Lucky, tell me.”
“Call my mom. She’ll come with my dad, and call Jason. I need to talk to Jason.”
Nikolas nodded and left to go to the phone, as Lucky waited for news from the doctors about Elizabeth. After what seemed like ages, Luke, Laura, Jason, Sonny, and Emily arrived. Laura immediately took Lucky into her arms, holding him like she would never let go.
“What happened?” Jason asked as they sat down.
“I brought Elizabeth home because she had lunch with Audrey and Sarah, but they weren’t there. The phone rang, and she picked up. No one was there and right when she hung up, there were gunshots, and the next thing I know I wake up and she’s hurt.”
“So where is Audrey and Sarah?” Sonny asked.
“Nikolas tried calling them, but they’ve disappeared. No one knows where they are.”
“And what about Elizabeth. How is she doing?”
Lucky took a deep breath, “I don’t know. They haven’t told me anything.”
Just then Bobbie came up to them and Lucky was the first one up, “How’s Elizabeth? How is she?”
“She’s stable, but she needs to go into another surgery. I’ll need someone to sign her forms. Is Audrey here?” Lucky shook his head,
“I’ll sign them.” Laura said, and left with Bobbie.
“Lucky, do you want the three of us to start searching for Sarah and Audrey?” Jason asked.
“And who took the shot at us.”
Sonny nodded, and took off with Jason. Luke placed his hand on his son’s shoulder, “When the lady wakes up, send her my love.” He said then left with Sonny and Jason.

Emily rushed to Lucky’s side as soon as the adults left, hoping she could comfort him,
“How long does the surgery take?” She asked as Bobbie came back,
“At the most, two hours, if more, then… Then she might not make it. I’m sorry, but we should all pray for the best.” Bobbie said, then left but not before giving her nephew a squeeze on the shoulder.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Lucky slipped away from his family and friends and left to go the hospital chapel. He slowly went in and knelt down at the altar,
“Dear God,” he started in a whisper, “Don’t take her away from me. Please.”
He sighed and began to speak louder, “You must have made me and her meet for a special reason. We must have a reason for you to be here together. I lover her so much, but how can I love her and cherish her if I can'’ even be with her?! If she dies and leaves me? What do I do then?! Ever since I met Elizabeth, my life changed. In the most perfect way possible. She keeps me sane and it’s like she knows this part of me that no one else does. When I hold her, we fit so perfectly together; that it feels like nothing can tear us apart. Don’t tear us apart God, not after all the stuff we’ve been through to get here.”
“Lucky?” a timid voice asked. It was Lesley Lu.
She ran up beside her brother and said, “Lucky what are you doing?”
“I’m praying.” He told her.
“To help ‘Lizabeth?”
“Yeah, to help her.”
“I want to help.”
“Okay.”
LuLu squeezed into the space of his arms, in-between the rail and his chest, and then she closed her eyes and prayed.

~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*~%*

Two hours were almost up and Nikolas began wondering where his brother and sister were. The two detectives were waiting for Lucky to return for his statement on what happened. When V. Ardonowski saw Lucky and LuLu she told Taggert to leave and that she would do this. He nodded and silently left. LuLu ran to Laura’s arms as Nikolas sat beside Emily.
“Is Elizabeth…. Has she come out yet?”
Laura shook her head, as Lucky sighed in sadness.
“Mr. Spencer.” V said stepping in, “I need to get a statement from you. I held it out for as long as I could.”
“Okay.”
“Good. Tell me what happened. Tell me everything.”
“Well, Elizabeth had spent the night at my house. We spent the morning watching TV with LuLu then Elizabeth had to leave to go to lunch with Audrey and Sarah.”
“They’re reported missing.” V said.
“They weren’t home when we got there. The phone rang and she went to pick it up. No one was there, and when she hung up, the exact moment, there were gunshots. I woke up first, maybe because I wasn’t hit badly, but she was. She was hit in the stomach and there was so much blood. Nikolas came before the ambulance called. I tried keeping her awake, but she fell unconscious. The rest….”
“Yeah, I know. Did you see anyone following you? On your way to her house, did you hear any noises?”
“No, but then again, I wasn’t really paying attention. Everything was basically focused on her.”
“Okay, one more thing….” Bobbie then interrupted V.
“Lucky, I have some news.”
“Aunt Bobbie, please tell me she’s okay.”
“She’s out of surgery and is fine. After an hour or so, you can go see her. Until then, I think that you should get something to eat, and it’s also time for you to take your medicine for your arm…” Just then her beeper went off and a cloud of panic washed over her face,

“Bobbie, what is it?” Laura asked stepping behind Lucky.
“It’s Elizabeth, I have to go…” she said running back into the ER
Lucky took a second to sink this in, then left racing after Bobbie.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Luke found Lucky in front of the surgery room. Bobbie had just told him to stay out for the best, and Luke knew that Liz was in trouble.
“Hey cowboy, why don’t we just go back and get something to eat like Barbara Jean said we should.”
“I don’t want to.” Lucky said stubbornly.”
“Now look, Lizzie wouldn’t want you to starve yourself on her behalf. You still have to take your medicine.”
“What did you find out dad, about the shooting and the disappearance?”
Lucky asked ignoring Luke’s last comment.
“Sarah and Audrey have been reported and the police are looking into them. As for the gun shots…. Well, cowboy, it was done professionally, that’s for sure. But whether this person who shot you did it himself, or chose someone too, I don’t know. Benny, the guard I sent after you two, told me that, yes, he saw a man in black, but that he was hit on the back of the head, before the shooting. I’m sorry cowboy, that’s all we have.”
Just then Bobbie came out and Lucky and Luke immediately stood up from the floor,
“How’s Elizabeth? Tell me what happened?”
“The surgery did work, unfortunately, Elizabeth has slipped into a coma. We’re moving her to her own room, and you can be with her in a half-hour or so. If she wakes up Lucky, she’ll be fine. She’ll have a normal recovery and will be out of this hospital in no time.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Luke asked,
“If she doesn’t wake up in 36 hours…. Then she’ll be permanently brain damaged.”
Bobbie walked Lucky and Luke back to the waiting area and said, “Take your medicine Lucky and I’ll call you when you can see Liz.”

Lucky sighed and took the medicine bottle from Emily; he took the pill and sat back down with his family and friends.
“Lucky, we went back to the Hardy house and where the window broke, we found this envelope.” Luke said.
“I don’t understand. The police checked the area, how come we never found it?” V asked.
“I guess it came after.” Luke replied handing it to Lucky. Lucky opened the envelope that was addressed to Elizabeth and gasped,
“Lucky. Lucky, what does it say? Lucky?”
“Never hang up on me bitch. In big black bold letters.” Lucky said handing it to V.
“I don’t understand. This doesn’t make sense.” Emily said.
“There was a phone call before the shooting and Elizabeth picked it up. No one answered on the other end so she hung up. And then the gunshots came and….”
“Cowboy, whoever sent you this knew what he was doing. He was probably watching you every second…. And that won’t stop him from watching you now.”
Lucky quickly looked around, “So he’s following me and Elizabeth. Why?”
“Well, was there someone that you both did something to by accident, or something?” V asked.
“There was Mark. He took Elizabeth to the prom and… things got bad when I found him and Liz at his house.”
“What happened?” V asked.
“He was trying to force himself on her. I knocked him out, but I haven’t seen him since.”
“Okay, so he’s one possibility. I’ll check him as soon as I could.” Luke said, then got a look from V.
“Legally. I do everything legally.” He told her.
Just then Laura saw her sister in law, “Bobbie.”
Lucky stood up and said, “I can see her?”
Bobbie nodded and took him down the hall.
“She’s right in there Lucky.” She said then kissed his forehead.
Lucky slowly went in and nearly cried at the sight of all those machines hooked up to Elizabeth.
“Hey beautiful.” He said sitting beside her. He took her hand, “I don’t know if you can hear me or not, but I think you can. I want you to know that I love you. I love so much, more than anything else in this world. You mean that much to me. Please fight whatever is keeping you from me and come back home, please. I’ll stay here as long as you’d like, I promise, I’ll never leave you. Just come back to me.” He said, then broke off crying.