CHAPTER ONE

    The whole town of Port Charles stood in St. Timothy's church for the funeral of Ruby Anderson.  All of the Spencers were lined up in the front pews, while the rest of the town scattered behind them.  They were the first to leave, the Spencers, they had to be the first ones at the diner anyway, to prepare the celebration for their beloved Ruby.  They needed to celebrate her presence, and her wonderful memories.  The whole town was invited to go, but of course, only a few did.  The Quartermaines ended up going, knowing very well that the next funeral could easily be Lila's.  The Scorpios went, as did the Baldwins.  Robin and Jason arrived later, along with Jax and V.

     Bobbie was happily married to Jerry and everyone in the family wondered how long it would last.  But Lucky knew.  He knew that his Aunt Bobbie was happy, and would be for a long time.   He knew she would be happy for Lucas' sake, and for Jerry, because he truly did love her.  The world that was Tony had disappeared when he disappeared and the town could not have been happier.  Carly had moved into the Quartermaine mansion when she told AJ the truth about Michael, and Emily moved out of
the mansion because it was too hectic for her.

 "Lucky, I want to tell you I'm sorry I haven't been around much." she had said that night, "I've been too busy with packing and moving, I seemed to have forgotten where I placed my head.  Oh, and by the way, Nikolas was looking for you." she said looking around Kelly's, then walked away.
Nikolas and Lucky had seemed to become closer in the past months. So much has happened, since the secret of Nikolas' parentage blew up in his face, he turned to Lucky for comfort.  But ultimately, Lucky had no one to turn to for comfort, so he had to step out of town for a while.   Nikolas had him, and had Sarah, and Lucky was just by himself.

"Elizabeth, you don't have to be here you know." Lucky said as he saw the bored girl.
"Well I was invited, are you telling me you don't want me here?"
"No, I--"
"Cause if you want I could just go." she began to pick up her stuff,
"No, Elizabeth, I didn't mean that.  You just looked bored, that's all."
"So in telling me to go, you thought you were doing me a favor?"
"Elizabeth, I didn't ask you to go.  I don't want you to go.  Look, I know you work here, and Ruby was probably nice to you.  I know it wouldn't have killed her to see you here have fun."
"Well, I don't know if that was a compliment, since I don't know you, I can't tell.  Thanks though, for trying.  You don't know me, and so I guess you weren't doing such a good job." she said, then picked up her stuff, and walked out the door.
 

CHAPTER TWO

 Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Webber were never close.  They were nethertheless(does that make sense?), superficial friends.   Lucky thought of her as Sarah's younger sister, and Liz's crush on him from the previous year had passed.  But ever since Ruby's funeral, and watching Elizabeth walk out of the diner, Lucky thought a lot about
her.  He kept hoping that they would run into each other, so he'd get a chance to talk to her.  But every time he'd see her, their conversation would be nothing but short, and would always leave him watching her back walk away from him.
"Sarah, what's up with your sister?"
"Who, Elizabeth?  Why are you so interested in her?   She does nothing but get into trouble.  Trust me, you hang out with that girl and you'll be spending time."
"I don't think Elizabeth is that bad.  I've seen her around your house." Nikolas said.
"She lives there remember?  I'm just saying, Lizzie's not your type. You don't know her like I do.  Stay away from her."  Sarah advised.
"Okay, thanks for that tip.  I'm going to go.  I think you two want to be alone." Lucky said then left the two lovebirds in the park.   He walked to the docks, and there he saw none other than Elizabeth Webber.

"Can I sit here?" he asked her pointing to the empty seat beside her.
"Sure, go ahead." she said, looking at him, then turned back to staring at the water.
"I don't want to be rude, but I was wondering if we could talk."
Liz looked at him sideways, "Why would that be rude?"
"I don't know, you might not want to be bothered.   I know I don't sometimes.,” he said.
"Well, what could we possibly talk about?"
"Whatever we have in common."
"I have nothing in common with you Lucky.  Why don't you just tell me how your day was."
"You do too have stuff in common with me.... okay, fine.   I woke up and had lunch with Sarah and Nikolas."
"Did you have a good time?"
"Good enough, but then leaving the two lovebirds was probably my best idea today."
Elizabeth looked over to Lucky and said, "You look like you're scared of me."
"I.... well, I'm not."
"You've been talking to Sarah, haven't you.  What did she tell you?"
"To stay away from you.  But obviously I didn't listen because here I am with you."
"So you're here to get noticed from Sarah."
"No, Elizabeth, look...."
"I tried to listen to Ruby, in what she had to say about you, that you weren't like any other person, or guy.  I tried to believe her, but now I know she was lying.  And that's the last think I need Lucky.  Bye."
"No, no, wait-- Elizabeth, don't go." he watched as she left and nearly kicked himself for what he did.  Every time the two of them talked, it would always end with her leaving.  Always.  And Lucky was determined to change that.  He wanted some kind of ground with Elizabeth and he was going to get it.

 Elizabeth ran as fast as she could, back to her house.  Well, her gram's house, she remembered when she saw Audrey.
"Oh, Elizabeth darling.  There's mail for you.  Also, I'm making you an appointment with Gail no matter what you say."
Liz nodded, tired of arguing with her.  Picking up her letter, she sat on the front porch.  She recognized the writing, but couldn't quite place it.   She flipped the envelope to the other side and saw the return address.   Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat.  It was from Ruby.

CHAPTER THREE
 

Dearest Elizabeth,

 If you get this letter, then that means that I've died and some person went through my things and decided to be a good
soul to mail it to you.  I hope you don't cry for me Elizabeth.  I mean, I wouldn't give you a beer the first day you came
into Kelly's.  But of course, I gave you a job, and you always told me that that evened things out.

 Ever since you came to me Elizabeth, you became like my own daughter.  I never did tell you that did I?  I treated you
like I would treat Bobbie or Laura, except you were much more different.  It was like I was actually taking care of you.  I
know that you thought of me as an aunt, or maybe even a mother, so I just wanted to tell you that.

 I want you to get to know Lucky.   That's my one wish Elizabeth, my death wish, I guess.  I love him and that family more
than anything.  I love you too, and for all of you to come together would be great.  You know, I do know that you like
Lucky.  I know that you two were supposed to be together on Valentine's Day.  We never did talk about that day
Elizabeth.  the day it happened.  It did happen on Valentine's Day, didn't it?  You never told me when exactly it happened,
but now that I sit and think about it, it makes perfect sense.   I know you had your reasons for not telling me and I respect
you completely, but sometimes knowing about you, and when it happened, has hope for your recovery that is happening.
It is there Elizabeth.  I see it.  I see it everyday when I see that smile of yours grow bigger.  When I see that, I truly know
in my heart that you're getting to a better place.  A place where you'll start believing in good again, and I am so happy
for you.  Now, keep smiling, serve the tables and remember that I'll never forget your beautiful face.  Give Lucky and my
family a chance, hon.  They may surprise you and could be, the family you're looking for.

With Love,
Ruby.

Elizabeth let out a sob.  All of the emotions kept inside her for weeks had now all come out.  She let herself cry, and continued to,
even when she heard a voice call to her,
"Elizabeth?" It was Lucky.  He sat beside her and soon found her in his arms crying,
"Lucky." she sobbed out.

 

CHAPTER FOUR

“Are you okay, now?  Do you want me to take you anywhere?”
“Lucky, you don’t even know why I’m crying.” Liz said untangling herself from Lucky’s arms.
He grabbed her waist as she tried to get away,
“Maybe you can tell me.  I’ve held you, and the sun has set, maybe it’s time I should know.”
“I got a letter.  From Ruby.”
“Do you want to tell me what she said?”
“No.” Liz replied quickly.
“How about this.  Why don’t I take you to my house.”
“But my house is right here.”
“But your grandmother isn’t home, and I know that my mom is home.”
“What does your mom have to do with this?”
“You’ll like her Elizabeth.  Come on.” he said taking her hand.  he pulled her up and led her to his house.
 

 Lucky watched as Liz’s face lit up as she entered his home,
“Luck-ee!!!!  You’re home for dinner!  Mama made this thing, and it looks like it’s moving!”  the little girl said running into Lucky’s arms.
“LuLu, you know better than to do nothing but eat mom’s food.”
LuLu smiled, “Who’s she?  She’s pretty.”
“Hi, I’m Laura Spencer, Lucky’s mom.” Laura said walking to them.
“Hi, Mrs. Spencer.” Liz said then looked at LuLu, “I’m Lesley Lu.” the little girl said.
“I’m Elizabeth Webber.” Liz said with a smile.
“Hi honey, are you going to join us for dinner?  I can assure you that it is not moving.” Laura said eyeing LuLu.
“Oh, good.” Lucky said, “Stay, please.  Your grandmother’s not going to be home and I know for a fact that Sarah is out with Nikolas.  I’d rather you eat here than out of the freezer.”
“I would not eat out of the freezer, Lucky.  I’d probably go to Kelly’s Ruby would always-- oh.” Liz said looking down at her letter, “Maybe I should just eat of the freezer.”
“No way.  Luke will be home any minute, and we’ll all sit for dinner.
Come Liz, help me set the table.” Laura said taking her into the kitchen.
LuLu looked up at Lucky and motioned for him to come closer,
“Is she your girlfriend?  Like Sarah is to Nikki?”
“No, she’s a friend.  Just a friend.”
“Okay.” she replied smiling.
“What are you thinking?” Lucky asked,
“Not telling.  I’m only going to tell ‘Lizabeth.” she said then ran off into the kitchen.

 Lucky had never felt so at ease during dinner.  He had his family; his parents, his younger sister, and then there was Elizabeth.  A mysterious girl who was well at walking away from him.  And it was catching on to him, and getting to him, wanting to go to her more.  Despite Sarah’s warnings, he knew that Elizabeth was the person he was meant to be in his life.  He knew that if he was with her for longer times, everyday, that he’d soon be, falling in love with her.
 

CHAPTER FIVE

 Elizabeth never had the time to sit and think about what happened to her anymore.  She was too busy with Lucky, afraid he was going to find out, than not be her friend anymore.  That’s what Lucky was to her.  A good friend that she couldn’t bear to lose.  The thought occurred to her during school, and it scared her.  She took of from school, hoping to be by herself, but found herself at Lucky’s home.
“Elizabeth, hi.  Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“The teachers won’t know I’m gone.  I wanted to talk to you.”
“I knew you would.  I knew since Lucky brought you home.   Come inside.” she led Liz to the couch,
“Ruby said you were nice people, I guess I’m finally believing it.”
“You miss her a lot, don’t you.”
“I miss her the most when I think about it.  Just like I do most things, with my parents especially.  I never had any friends, so I couldn’t miss them.”
“Lucky didn’t have much friends growing up either.   He grew up on the run so we would leave a lot.”
“In a way, I think I grew up on the run too.  I spent most of my life running away from all the families my parents dumped me in.  He’s pretty close with Emily Quartermaine though.  And Nikolas, and Sarah.”
“And then there’s you.”
“So, how much does your sons talk about my sister?”
“Nikolas does, since they are together.  But Lucky doesn’t.   He keeps, well, talking about you.”
“Oh, well, I hope he doesn’t say anything bad because you can’t believe everything Sarah says.  And I don’t think I would want to lose this family.  You’re kind of like what Ruby said you would be.  A family I was looking for.”
Laura touched her cheek, “You are such a wonderful girl.”
“I better go.  Maybe I could catch the end of school.”

 Lucky walked out of school and went straight to Kelly’s.  He knew Elizabeth bailed out of school, and wanted to know where she was.  he was really worried about her.  Kelly’s was empty when he went inside, except for Liz at the counter.  he was going to go over to her, but Sarah went to her first.  From the distance, Lucky could hear what they were saying.
“You know, gram doesn’t like it when she walks into your room at midnight to find you gone.”  Sarah said.
“Yeah, well, she doesn’t like many things I do.”
“Where do you go anyway?”
“I think it’s none of your business.”
“Wee, it has to be somebody’s.  You won’t let mom and dad help you.”
“I don’t need them , I never did.”
“Elizabeth, don’t say that about them.”
“Why.  Give me one reason why I can’t hate them, and I won’t.”
“They love you.”
“No they don’t.” Liz said looking down.
“You’re spending a lot of time with Lucky and his family.   Nikolas has even seen more of you.”
“I’m not going to steal Nikolas away from you.”
“What about Lucky?  What about him?”
“He’s my friend!  Does it bother you that maybe someone can make me smile?!”
“No!  No Elizabeth.  I’d rather that you smile and be happy then.... then cry yourself to sleep.”
Elizabeth looked at her alarmed, “How do you know I cry to sleep Sarah?”
“Sometimes I can’t sleep and need a drink of water--”
“Okay, I think we should just go.  Jessica’s in the back.  tell her I’m leaving.”
Sarah nodded and left.
Liz untied her apron and looked up to see Lucky.
“Lucky!  Oh, you’re back from school.... was I suppose to meet you?”
He didn’t answer her,
“Lucky, are you okay?”
He looked straight into her eyes and said, “Elizabeth, we need to talk.”

CHAPTER SIX

"Talk about what?" Liz asked.
Lucky led her to a booth, "We've been friends for a long time now, and I need a favor of you."
"You heard me and Sarah?"
"Yeah, I heard you talking.  Not on purpose, I mean-"
"No, no, no, it's okay.  What's the favor?" Liz said trying to hide her nervousness.
"Tell me.  Please Elizabeth, tell me what you're hiding."
"Lucky, what makes you think I'm hiding something?" Liz asked.
"Elizabeth, have you made that doctor's appointment yet?" Sarah said walking in.
"A doctor's appointment?"  Lucky looked at Elizabeth.
"Oh." Sarah said realizing that Lucky was there.
"I gotta go Lucky." Liz said and stood up from the booth.   She dropped her purse, and started to pick up the contents, nervously.
"Oh I'm sorry." Liz said, "Bye Lucky.  I'll see you later." She then left with Sarah.
Lucky noticed a letter left behind on the floor.  He picked it up and saw that it was from Ruby.  He remembered the day that she got it and how hard she was crying.
He sat down in the booth and decided to read it.
 

"Elizabeth, you are not going to be sick, I promise.  I just don't get why you won't do it at GH." Sarah said walking down the road.
"Because people might see.  Look, I went here the last time, so I might as well just go here again."
"I think you should call mom and tell her."
"Well, you think a lot of things.  Doesn't mean that they're right."
"Lizzie, I'm helping you here!"
"No, gram sent you here to look after me and make sure I actually do this."
"Liz, back to our conversation earlier-"
No.  I don't want you to talk about it.  Ever.  Look, Lucky listened to our talk and I don't want him to find out."
"Okay, okay.  I won't mention it in public, but Liz I thought we were alone."
"I just don't want anyone else to know, okay?
"Okay."

Lucky opened the envelope and took out the letter:

Dearest Elizabeth,

 If you get this letter, then that means that I've died and some person
went through my things and decided to be a good soul to mail it to you.
I hope you don't cry for me Elizabeth.  I mean, I wouldn't give you a
beer the first day you came into Kelly's.  But of course, I gave you a
job, and you always told me that that evened things out.

 Ever since you came to me Elizabeth, you became like my own daughter.
I never did tell you that did I?  I treated you like I would treat
Bobbie or Laura, except you were much more different.  It was like I was
actually taking care of you.  I know that you thought of me as an aunt,
or maybe even a mother, so I just wanted to tell you that.

 I want you to get to know Lucky.   That's my one wish Elizabeth, my
death wish, I guess.  I love him and that family more than anything.  I
love you too, and for all of you to come together would be great.   You
know, I do know that you like Lucky.  I know that you two were supposed
to be together on Valentine's Day.  We never did talk about that day
Elizabeth.  the day it happened.  It did happen on Valentine's Day,
didn't it?  You never told me when exactly it happened, but now that I
sit and think about it, it makes perfect sense.  I know you had your
reasons for not telling me and I respect you completely, but sometimes
knowing about you, and when it happened, has hope for your recovery that
is happening.  It is there Elizabeth.  I see it.   I see it everyday when
I see that smile of yours grow bigger.  When I see that, I truly know in
my heart that you're getting to a better place.  A place where you'll
start believing in good again and I am so happy for you.   Now, keep
smiling, serve the tables and remember that I'll never forget your
beautiful face.  Give Lucky and my family a chance, hon. They may
surprise you and could be, the family you're looking for.

With Love,
Ruby.

He put the paper down, as though he was in disbelief at what he had just read.  Elizabeth liked him last year.  But that seemed so long ago.  And he wondered how she felt about him now.  He knew that he liked her a lot.  He wished that his aunt Ruby had told him last Valentine's…… Lucky started to think about that.  What had happened to Elizabeth that day, that would take her this long to recover from?  He was more confused than ever.
"Lucky?  Is it all right if I join you?"
Lucky looked up, "Sure Mrs. Hardy."
She smiled and sat down,
"Mrs. Hardy, can I ask you a question?"
"About Sarah?"
"About Elizabeth."
"Oh, okay.  What is it?"
"What happened to her last Valentine's Day?"
 
 

CHAPTER SEVEN

Lucky's question caught Audrey off guard.
"What do you mean Lucky?" Audrey asked carefully.
"I'm sorry if that seemed blunt." He apologized.
"Lucky, I've noticed that you and Elizabeth are much closer.   I must admit, with Elizabeth, it does seem a bit too much.  But then, I like knowing that you think about her."
"I do.  I think about her all the time." Lucky confessed, "When I saw her at Ruby's funeral, it was only then where it hit me hard that Elizabeth was something waiting to be discovered - in a good way.  The past year has been rough for me, you can ask my brother, or my family, but now that that's all over, I feel like the only important thing in my life is her.  Does that sound strange?"
"Not at all.  You two are best friends; you probably see more of her than I do.  She smiles coming home, after you drop her off and that's so good for her."
"Mrs. Hardy, I feel like I don't know her sometimes.  Even being with her for months, I still feel like she's a stranger, a secret."
"I've lived with her for over a year now, I feel the same way.   Give her time.  She might open up to you more easily than she does with me."
"Which is why I need to ask you, what happened on Valentine's Day?"
"Lucky, didn't you take Elizabeth to the dance?"
 
 

"Sarah, I have a bad feeling.  What if the test comes out bad?"
"You won't know for sure.  You can't control it, so stop worrying. Besides, you're fine." Sarah said.
Elizabeth gave her a look, "That's what you said when I got Scarlet Fever."
"Elizabeth Webber?" the secretary called.
Liz entered the doctor's office, leaving Sarah alone in the waiting room.  Sarah sat, flipping through magazines.  Finally, Liz came out.
"I'll call you with the results."
Both sisters nodded, and left.
"How do you feel?" Sarah asked.
"Okay.  I just want to go home, and sleep."
Sarah nodded, understanding, "Well, Nikolas is suppose to pick me up.
We're spending time at his mother's.  He can drive you home."
"Actually, I want to walk…. What did you tell Nikolas about me?"
"That you were ill, nothing more.  Call the Spencer's when you get home?"
"Can I call Nikolas' cell phone instead?"
Sarah hesitated, "Sure.  I'll see you later." Sarah said as Nikolas pulled up.  Sarah got in, and Liz watched as they drove away.
 

"The Valentine's Dance?" Lucky asked.
"Yes.  The one you went with my granddaughter."
"I went with Sarah…… she and Nikolas weren't doing too well then, so she asked me.  I never saw her at the dance." He said, not wanting to tell Audrey that he was suppose to meet her there.
Audrey looked surprised, then relaxed, "Oh, well, I guess Elizabeth just made up a wonderful Story.  It seems like her, I should have known.   Well, I am sorry Lucky;
I have to get back to work.  If you see Elizabeth, or Sarah, tell them to call me."
"Alright."
Lucky watched as she left then took out the envelope that Liz had dropped.  He thought for a moment, then left to look for Elizabeth.

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

Liz clutched her stomach as she entered the park.  Too many memories that she kept trying to leave kept turning in on her.   Out of the corner
of her eye, she saw the fountain, and suddenly Liz couldn't breathe.
 

Lucky walked silently, but quickly around the park, he was desperately looking for Elizabeth, looking for answers.  He caught glimpse of a
figure on the ground, crying.
"Who's there?" he asked cautiously.  When he realized whom it was he called out her name,
"Elizabeth?"
He helped her up, but she quickly stepped away from him,
"Hey, it's okay.  It's only me.  It's Lucky."
Liz looked up and took a deep breath.
"Hey…… are you okay?  Did something happen?"
"No." Liz said almost too quickly, "I just don't feel well."
"Well, you do look pale." Lucky said softly stroking her cheek.
"Lucky, you have to help me……  I need you to help me, I can't take it anymore." Elizabeth said in almost a whisper.
"Name it.  Tell me, whatever you need, I'll take care of it.  I swear it." He said pulling her closer, and wiping her tears.  Liz grew silent.
"Hey, you can tell me."
Liz looked up into his eyes and only then did Lucky notice their closeness.  He suddenly had an urge to kiss her.
 

CHAPTER EIGHT
 

Liz’s face trembled and she held on to Lucky to keep from falling.
“Lucky...” she said softly as he soothed her hair back.
His face inched closer and Liz knew that he wanted to kiss her.   She stepped back, away from him and said, “I need to get home.”
After Lucky recovered he said, “Sure, I’ll take you.   Come on.”
He started to walk but Liz pulled his arm.
“Wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I... thanks Lucky.” she said and kissed him softly on the forehead.  He smiled and took her home, his hand never leaving her waist.
When they got to her house, he led her upstairs and ordered her to bed.
“You need to get rest Elizabeth.”
“I’m fine Lucky.”
“No, you’re not.  You are pale, and well, in honest truth, you don’t look too good.”
“Thanks, hand me the phone?” she asked, climbing on to her bed.
“What, I’m your servant now?”
“For now.” Liz said.  He handed her the phone, and she dialed Nikolas’ number,
“I hope that’s the doctor you’re calling.”   Lucky commented.
“Shhh..... hello?  Nikolas?  Yeah, it’s Elizabeth.  Look, Sarah told me to call, is she around?”
“You’re talking to Nikolas?”
Liz gave him a look, “Well, then can you tell her to pick up some aspirin?  Okay, bye.”  she hung up and looked at Lucky.
“I still don’t believe you’re brothers with this guy.” Liz said.
“You don’t like him?”
“He doesn’t like me.” Liz corrected.
Lucky picked up a teddy bear from the bed, “That’s Boris, “ Liz said taking it.
“So, who’s taking you to the homecoming?”  Lucky asked.
“Ahh..... No one.  No one’s asked me, maybe it’s because of my beware sign.”
“Your sign?  Have you done something, anything, you should tell me before I continue being your friend.”
“Very funny Lucky.  I just don’t like the people at school.  Their standards, I can’t live up to.”
“Well, who cares about standards.”
“How about you, who are you taking?”
“As of this moment...... you.”
“No way Lucky.”
“Why not?”
“Homecoming is for people not like me.  I’m sure, well, I know for a fact that the members of your fanclub are waiting for a call.”
“Aren’t you apart of that club.”
“No, I quit.  Look, I’m just a person on the sideline, okay?”
“No you’re not.  You’re my best friend and you know that.”
“Yeah, well, best friend, I think your hero duties are over.   You can go home now.”
“And leave you here?  No way.”
Liz closed her eyes, “If I see you here when I open my eyes, I’ll see it myself that your fanclub demolishes.”
“Who cares?  I don’t need a fanclub..... I have you.”
Liz opened her eyes and said, “Lucky, you are sucking up too much, what gives?”
Lucky’s face softened, as well as his voice, “I have this letter that I found.  It was at Kelly’s after you left in a hurry.  It was the one from Ruby.” he said.
“You have that?!”
“Yeah, it was on the floor Elizabeth.”
“Please tell me you didn’t read it.  Please.”
“Look Elizabeth, we need to talk.”
“You read it, I can’t believe you read it!!  That letter was very personal to me, you have no right to just take it and read it!!”
“Elizabeth --”
“No.  No, get out of my house Lucky.  I- -I can’t see you right now.”
“But--”
“Please Lucky, please!”
Lucky stood up and after giving one last look, he left. Elizabeth burst into tears and grabbed the phone.
“Hello?..... Nikolas?.... It’s Liz....... I need to talk to Sarah.”
On the other line, Nikolas held the phone out for Sarah, “Sarah, it’s Liz..... she’s crying.”
Sarah grabbed the phone, “Lizzie, are you okay?  Do you need a doctor?” she asked immediately.
“Lucky knows.” Liz said, crawling out of bed and standing out of her room, where Lucky had left her.
 

CHAPTER NINE

Sarah ran straight into the Hardy hose with Nikolas close behind.
“Liz!  Liz!” she called.
She ran up the stairs and found Elizabeth under a wall unit.
“Elizabeth!” she cried, “Nikolas!  Nikolas call 911, something’s happened!” Sarah called.  Minutes later, Nikolas came up,
“Sarah, what’s going --- oh, my god.”
“Nikolas, we have to help her.  I think she’ll run out of air with this thing over her.
“Okay, okay.  I’ll pull this up and you take her out as fast as you can.” he said.
He slowly lifted the unit a bit, then let it down after Liz was in safety.
“She’s not breathing, Nikolas, she’s not breathing!”
“Is there a pulse?  Check for a pulse.”
“There is one..... soft and faint, but there.”
As the sirens grew closer, Nikolas left to let them in, and they took Liz into the ambulance.
“I’ll be right behind you.” he told Sarah.
He got into his car and started driving but saw Lucky walking towards the house.  He pulled over and rolled down the window,
“Hey Lucky, Liz isn’t home.”
“Yes, she is, I just left her there.”
“Well, I guess you should have looked back.  She’s in emergency at GH.”
“What?!”
“Get in, I’m on my way there.”
Lucky got in and told himself that he had to tell her how he felt about her, no matter what.

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

“Grams, when can we see her?  Dr. Quartermaine said that she was stable and awake.” Sarah said.
“She’s in and out of sleep.” Audrey said, “And I don’t see why not.”
“Actually Mrs. Hardy, can I see her first?  There’s something I kinda need to tell her.” Lucky said.
“All right.” she agreed.
He slowly walked down the hall and entered the right room.   There he saw her sleeping peacefully.  He pulled up a chair and silently took her hand in his.  His brain thought of what he would say when she would wake up, but when she did, he lost it all by looking in her eyes.
“Hey.” he said softly.
“Lucky?  What are you doing here?  Where am I?” she asked.
“You’re in the hospital.”
“Right.... I remember.  I thought I sent you home.”
“I don’t like fighting with you Elizabeth.”
Her face softened, “I don’t either.”
“So, I need to talk to you.”
“No, I know what you’re going to say, and I don’t want to hear it. Can’t we just be friends and never bring this up?”
“Elizabeth, I think we should talk about this.”
“No Lucky, please.  Please don’t make me.  I don’t want to, and that’s my decision.”
“But this involves me too Elizabeth!  You can’t make up your mind about what happens and what doesn’t, things happen!”
“I think you should go Lucky, I..... I need you to go.”
Lucky looked at her, then stood up and left.  He couldn’t believe that she knew about his feelings for her and turned him down like that.
“Lucky, is Elizabeth sleeping?”
“No, she’s up.”
She nodded, and went into the room.
“Hey bro.  Did you get into a fight?”
“What makes you say that?”
“You look like you just lost your best friend.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How can you go on knowing the person doesn’t love you back.”
“You gradually get over it.  Why?  Are you in love with someone?”
Lucky turned away,
“With Elizabeth?!”
“What’s so bad about her?  Everyone assumes the worst about her.  Sarah thinks that she’ll break my heart, her grandmother thinks she’s a misguided child and half the school thought she was a slut last year, but I know that she’s none of those things!”
“Lucky, man, I never said anything bad about Elizabeth.   It just surprised me that’s all.  If you’re in love with her, I’m behind you.”
“Thank you.  I’m going to go home.  It’s been a long day.  Has Sarah asked you to the homecoming yet?”
“No, but she probably will.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.”
Lucky left, and Sarah stepped out the room,
“Hey Nikolas.  Did Lucky just leave?”
“Yeah, Sarah, do you mind if I visit Liz?”
“Go a head, but what for?”
“I have to do Lucky a favour.”
“With Liz?”
Nikolas kissed her cheek and left her standing clueless and wondering what he meant.
 

CHAPTER TEN

"Nikolas, what are you still doing here?"
"I came to talk to you."
"Why?"
"Because I'm worried." he simply said.
"Well as you can see, I'm fine and the doctor said that I'll be out by..... what day is it?"
"Friday."
"I'll be out by Monday and at the dance by Friday.  You happy?"
"I'm not worried about your health, well, I was, but now....." Liz raised an eyebrow.
"I'm worried about Lucky."
"Then you should go talk to him."
"No, I'm worried about you, and Lucky."
"Well, for your information, there is no me and Lucky, therefore you won't have to worry and can leave me alone."
"Liz look--"
"No you look Nikolas.  Me and Lucky's business is none of yours, my business is none of his.  Obviously, Lucky told you about me and if he did, fine.  But let me tell you, I never really liked you Nikolas, I don't know why my sister would date you, but that does not mean you become a part of my family and go through my life!"
"All right, if that's how it is.  I'll go, I'll see you."
Liz held her breath and the minute he left, she burst out into tears, crying herself to sleep.  An hour later, Sarah woke her up to tell her that she was leaving.
"They know Sarah.  Both of them.  Lucky and Nikolas both know that I was raped."

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

"You did what?!"
"I wanted to see things from her way and they're a bit on the angry side."
"it doesn't make any sense."
"What, that she doesn't love you, or that she's angry."
"Both."
"Lucky, you know things don't always go your way."
"Yeah, but why couldn't this?"
"What are you boys talking about?" Laura said.
The two looked up from their conversation and saw their mother.
"Elizabeth." Lucky said.
"Is she out of the hospital?"
"Yeah, she got out yesterday."
"Well, why don't we go see her?  LuLu is at Bobbie's since it's a Tuesday."
"Mom, I don't think we should," Lucky told her.
"Why not?  Lucky, what happened?"
"Lucky and Liz had a fight." Nikolas said.
"It's what caused the accident in the first place."
"Lucky, that's not true." Both Nikolas and Laura replied.
"No, Sarah told me.  Elizabeth was crying so hard that it was hard for her to breathe.  She bumped into the wall, which caused the wall unit to collapse on her.  It's my fault.  I'm the one who made her cry."
"How... tell me how."
"I read the letter that Aunt Ruby sent her.  She got really mad at me. Then at the hospital, I was going to tell her that I loved her, but she fought me off before I could.  It was bad mom."
"Well, I'm going over there right now---"
"No mom don't." Nikolas said.
"Why not?"
Nikolas looked at Lucky, "She's a bit on the angry side." Lucky said.
"I just want to help my baby." she told Lucky.
"I know mom, I know."

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

The next day, Nikolas went over to Sarah's house to tell her about Lucky and Elizabeth.
"He loves her?" she said in surprise.
"Yeah."
"Oh, what did he get himself into?  All Liz is going to do is hurt him so much and let him down all the time."
"I don't agree.  I'm behind Lucky on this."
"You want Liz to be with your brother?  Look, if you want what's best for Lucky, Liz is not the answer."
"Lucky loves her---"
"He deserves so much more!"
"How can you say something like that about your own sister?"
"Because I know.  Because she is my sister."
"Or maybe you don't want her to be happy, especially with Lucky."
"That is not true."
"Maybe you're too selfish to let her have what she wants, what she deserves!"
"Get out of my house.  And don't even think about coming back until you figured out who Liz really is."
"Well then, I guess I'm never coming back.  Because I know who Elizabeth is.  Lucky has told me."
Sarah slammed the door after Nikolas left and immediately phoned Lucky,
"Hey Lucky?"
"Oh hi Sarah, Nikolas hasn't come over yet, so....."
"I was looking for you actually.  I was kinda hoping that you'd take me to the homecoming.  You know, the queen with the king?"
"Sarah--"
"Look, you know that you're nominated and I know you'll win.   I'm sure I will too, so it's be a lot easier if we go together.  Pick me up at
six?"
"Sure Sarah." he sighed, "Sure."