5
Two days has gone by since Elizabeth’s return to Port Charles and
it was the third day that she gathered the courage to step out of her room and
step down into the crowded restaurant, hoping that she didn’t run into anyone
she knew. So far so good. No one she knew well was there so she got a table and
took a seat.
"Hey Liz. I was wondering if you were ever going to come out
of that room," Katie approached her table with a pad. "Lucky’s been
by a couple of times asking about you."
"Anyone else?" Elizabeth asked curiously.
"Nope. Just Lucky."
"He’s a great friend," Elizabeth sighed. "I don’t
know what I would have done without him."
"Hey…if you want him back, you have a pretty good chance. He still loves
you you know," Katie seriously nodded. "The look in his eyes when he
hears your name…"
"You really think I have a chance of getting him back?"
"Do you want him back?"
Elizabeth sighed sadly. "I don’t know what I want right now. I just wish I
hadn’t made all the stupid decisions I did. They costed me everything. My
boyfriend, my family, my friends…"
"Hey you still have friends here. And as for the boyfriend
part…all you have to do is ask and Lucky will be yours again in a flash,"
Katie patted her shoulder. "Listen, let me treat you to breakfast. A
western omelet with toast and orange juice. Sound good?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Sure. Thanks. I’ll pay you back I
swear."
"Hey don’t worry about it. Consider it a favor to Lucky. I
promised him I’d take care of you," Katie grinned heading back for the
counter.
Elizabeth smiled and goes back to examining her hands, wondering
if today was the right day to make her presence known in Port Charles. She
didn’t notice Emily and Zander enter until Emily was right upon her.
"Liz?" Emily looked at her friend excitedly, because she
knew that where Liz was Jason was sure to be close behind.
"Emily?" Elizabeth turned and stood up.
"Hey girl!" Emily pulled Elizabeth into a hug. "Wow
it’s been so long! What are you doing back and why didn’t you call me?! Jason
is going to hear from me about this!"
"Hi Emily," Elizabeth forced a smiled at the mention of
Jason. "It’s been a long time. I’ve missed you."
"Not as much as I missed you. P.C. has not been the same
without you."
"So I’ve heard," Elizabeth smiled, taking her seat
again.
"So tell me, how did you like Europe? Is it as romantic as
everyone says it is? Did Jason show you a great time? Are you back in town to
stay?"
"For now I am I guess," Elizabeth shrugged. "Europe
was great. I’ve just got back from Italy. So how is everything with you? You
and Zander are still together I see."
"Of course. Mom and dad finally came around," Emily rolled her eyes.
"Well that’s great. So is there going to be a wedding?"
"Of course and you’re going to be the maiden of honor. I was going to have
Sonny get in contact with Jason and ask you, but now that you’re here I can ask
you in person," Emily smiled, looking around the restaurant for her brother.
"So where is Jason anyway? Sleeping in?"
Elizabeth sighed and glanced at the table. This was going to be
the first person besides Lucky that she was explaining things too.
"Elizabeth?" Emily frowned, getting a bad feeling. What
if Jason was dead? What if Sorel got to him? She could never see him again!
"Is Jason alright?"
"He’s fine Em. He’s perfectly happy and in love."
"Of course. You two were so happy when you left town,"
Emily frowned, her gut instincts screaming.
"Not with me Em. With Robin. He’s in Paris with Robin
Scorpio," For the first time it’s happened, Elizabeth felt hot tears
pouring from her eyes. "He didn’t even tell me in person that he was
leaving! He left a note! No money to get home on or pay the rent! No money for
food! Only a note saying he was leaving me for Robin!"
"Oh my God…How did you get home?" Emily turned pale,
unable to believe that the brother she thought to be so loving stable did this
to her best friend.
"…Lucky. I remembered him giving me his cellphone number
before we left. I meant to throw it away right afterwards, but I didn’t. Thank
God I didn’t or I’d be stuck! He wired me the money to get back home on, then
he sat me up in his old room here at Kelly’s. He’s been so wonderful and
understanding…after all I’ve done to hurt him when he needed me the most!"
Emily nodded. Of course Lucky would help her. He’d never turn
Elizabeth away, no matter how hurt he was. "I’m so sorry Elizabeth. I’m so
sorry," Emily pulled Elizabeth into a hug and letted her best friend cry
on her shoulder. She could kill Jason for causing Elizabeth this much pain.
First he convinced her to leave her family and friends, and now he just dumped
her broke and alone in a strange country. If it wasn’t for Lucky, she’d still
be Italy, probably on the streets. "You know, you could have called
me."
Elizabeth just smiled and shrugged. "Lucky was the first
person to come to mind Em. I don’t know why, but he was. And he came through.
Like he always has. I have to make things right with him Em. I just have
too."
"Just give him time Elizabeth. He still loves you, but he
needs to rebuild his trust. You understand?" Emily asked.
Elizabeth nodded, wiping away her tears. "Of course. I don’t
even know what I want to do right now, a relationship with Lucky beyond friendship
is the furthest thing from my mind right now. And I don’t even deserve that
much from him. I know that."
"Well he obviously thinks you do or he wouldn’t have helped
you as much as he did. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be friends
again?"
Elizabeth sadly smiled. "It would, but from what I saw of
Nikolas I wouldn’t bet on it."
"Here you go," Katie returned with Elizabeth’s order.
"Enjoy. Oh hi Em. Zander."
"Hey Katie. You met Elizabeth?" Emily asked.
Katie nodded. "Yeah. She’s my new neighbor. Plus we have a
mutual friend. Lucky. Well I wish I could stay and talk, but I have work to
do."
"Bye," Zander waved as Katie disappeared back into the
kitchen.
"She is so nice. I can’t believe she’s Gia’s cousin,"
Emily smiled.
Elizabeth smiled, just as Nikolas came in. He frowned at seeing
Elizabeth with Emily.
"You still here? I was hoping you changed your mind and left
town for good," Nikolas crossed his arms.
"Well I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m going
nowhere."
"Nowhere with my brother that is. You’ve hurt him once
Elizabeth. I’m not going to set by and let you hurt him again."
"Nikolas stop it! That’s the past!" Emily spoke up.
"Elizabeth made a mistake, that’s it."
"Yeah. Cool down," Zander nodded.
"Listen Nikolas, no matter what you believe, I’m not going to
hurt Lucky. Not now, not ever again. I’m sorry for last time, I wasn’t thinking
straight, but now things have changed."
"Yeah Jason dumped you. Now you think you can just slip back
by Lucky’s side like nothing’s happened. Lucky may be able to forgive you but I
can’t. And I’m surprised Em can, but then again, it was her brother you left
with. I saw how your departure tore my brother’s life apart! It left him
vulnerable to Helena! It nearly destroyed him! It took me, Laura and Luke to
pull him away from Helena, but we did! We vanquished Helena’s programming
without your help! Lucky beated her without your help! He didn’t need you then
and he doesn’t need you now! Leave my brother alone!"
"Nikolas that is enough!" Emily stood up to defend her
friend. "Sure Lucky got through the programming without Elizabeth! But
don’t stand there blaming her for what Helena did to him! It wasn’t her fault!
It was Helena’s!"
"And Jason’s and Elizabeth’s!" Nikolas growled.
"Doesn’t surprise me that you take Jason’s side anyway. Where were you Em
when Lucky needed you? Out encouraging Elizabeth to leave him for Jason that’s
where!"
"I never thought you could be so cold and heartless
Nikolas," Emily looked at Nikolas as if he was a stranger, shaking her
head.
"Only when it comes to protecting my family," Nikolas
coldly replied. "Stay away from Lucky. The both of you." That said,
Nikolas went up to the counter.
"He sure does hate me," Elizabeth sighed. "Can’t
say I blame him. He’s right. I did leave Lucky open for Helena. There’s no
getting around that. I don’t deserve Lucky’s friendship, or anything
else."
"But you have it. Don’t let Nikolas get in the way of
that," Emily squeezed Liz’s hand. "And if you do want to get back
what you had with Lucky, don’t let Nik get in the way of that either."
"What are you two talking about?" Lucky suddenly
appeared behind Zander.
"Nikolas. He was over here warning Liz to stay away from his
brother," Emily crossed her arms.
"Em…" Elizabeth growled. She didn’t want to cause trouble
between Lucky and Nikolas. They had worked so hard to become real brothers and
she didn’t want to get in the way of that.
Lucky rolled his eyes. "I’m going to have a long talk with my
brother."
"Lucky no. I don’t want to cause trouble between you two.
You’ve worked so hard to become brothers…"
"That gives him no right to order my friends away,"
Lucky shook his head.
"He’s just concerned. And I don’t blame him. I did hurt you
pretty bad and since I’m sure he played the concerned, understanding brother,
he just wants to protect you."
"Well I don’t need his protection and it’s time that he faced
up to that," Lucky sighed.
"It’s too bad that Nikolas feels the way he does," Emily
sighed. "You two used to be such good friends."
"I’m sorry Lucky. I really am sorry for deserting you the way
I did. You needed me and I let you down and what I had with Jason wasn’t even
worth it. He didn’t even love me."
Lucky took her hand. "Elizabeth it’s alright. We all make
mistakes and like I said before, it was better that you weren’t here."
"I just wish…I just wish I hadn’t broken your heart."
"Well you did," Nikolas reappeared, standing behind
Lucky. "And I’m not going to stand by and watch you do the same thing
again."
"Nikolas why don’t you just lay off Liz?" Zander got to
his feet.
"Why don’t you stay out of this? Don’t you have anymore girls
to take hostage?"
"Nikolas stop," Emily crossed her arms.
"That was uncalled for man," Zander glared at the
Cassadine Prince.
"Nikolas what my relationship with Liz is right now is none
of your business," Lucky faced his brother. "I appreciate the
concern, but stop glowering at Liz and do what the rest of us has done. Move
on."
"Yeah Nikky. Move on," Zander crossed his arms.
Nikolas only glared over at Liz and back at Lucky. "I’m sorry
Lucky, but I was there when you were broken up over her leaving with Jason. I
was your shoulder to cry on and ear to listen to. I cannot stand by and let you
make the same mistake again. I’m sorry. Listen, I’ll see you later at the
cottage. See ya," Nikolas glared one more time at Liz and left.
"He’s really mad at me," Elizabeth uncomfortably shifted
in her seat.
"And like I said, he’ll eventually get over it," Lucky
crossed his arms before glancing at the watch. "I better get out of here.
Both mom and Gia will have my hide if I’m late for that shoot."
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. "Laura is still in charge of
deception?"
Lucky nodded. "She’s made it a big success and I’m one of the
top photographers. Do you want come check it out. It’s changed a lot since you
left."
"I’d love too," Elizabeth grabbed her purse as she got
to her feet. "Huh…Em we’ll get together later ok?"
"Sure. Have fun," Emily waved to her friend as Lucky
lead the way out of the restaurant.
"Your brother was a jerk doing that to her," Zander
shook his head.
"Jason makes mistakes too Zander. It’s just a matter of time
before he realizes what a mistake he made leaving Liz like that. I just hope
Lucky doesn’t get his heart broken again."
"With Nikolas around, I doubt he will," Zander snorted.
"The man’s a guard dog when it comes to Lucky."
"Well I can’t fault Nikolas for that either. They’ve both gone through a
lot in the past couple of years. Well enough talk about Elizabeth’s love life,
let’s talk about our future."
"Now I like that train of thought," Zander smiled taking
Emily’s hand in his.
*
Lucky and Elizabeth found Laura at her desk pouring over some
proofs from last weeks photo shoots. Lucky cleared his throat to get her
attention.
"Mom."
Laura glanced up and her eyes widened as she saw Elizabeth
standing next to Lucky.
"Elizabeth...," She got to her feet.
"Hello Laura," Elizabeth allowed herself to be enfolded
into a warm hug.
"I’m surprised to see you. I thought you were in Italy."
"Oh I was. But things didn’t work out so I came home."
"Oh. I’m sorry to hear that. That things didn’t work out with
Jason that is," Laura cleared her throat. "You gave up a lot for that
man."
Elizabeth bowed her head, knowing how Laura must blame her for
leaving the way she did. "I’m sorry Laura. I know how much I disappointed
you leaving with Jason like that…I thought…I…I don’t know what I thought. He
was offering the world when things with Lucky got rough and I got going…"
"Elizabeth stop," Lucky interrupted. "You have
nothing to apologize for."
"Lucky’s right Elizabeth. Besides, I’m the last person that
could pass judgement on anyone. Look what I did to Scotty when I met Luke. At
least you didn’t marry Jason and have children with him. That in itself is a blessing,"
Laura nodded.
"So mom, is Gia ready? Or do I have to set on the set for
another hour or so?" Lucky crossed his arms.
"She’s waiting in the studio. Say wait a minute…Liz…where are
you working?"
"Uh…well…I’m kind of unemployed at the moment."
"How would you like to work for me?" Laura placed her
finger under her chin, deep in thought.
"Laura, that’s very good of you. But modeling isn’t my
thing."
"Not modeling. Designing. The Face of Deception needs a whole
new look for the direction I want to go in and I have found nothing in the
stores and catalogs. So I was thinking, I need a custom designer. Designs made
especially for us…so what do you think? Are you up for the job?"
"Wow," Lucky smiled. "Liz, that’s right up your alley."
"…I don’t know what to say," Elizabeth stammered.
"…I…I…do. I mean I accept. When do I start?"
"Immediately," Laura grinned happy that the dilemma of
finding a designer was over. What I want you to do for today is go to the shoot
with Lucky. Study Gia. Decide what the best look for her would be. And then
tomorrow, come in at eight sharp and we’ll go over your ideas."
"Ok," Elizabeth nodded, ready to get to work. For the first time
since being left by Jason in Italy, things were starting to look up.
Gia was pacing the floor when Lucky and Elizabeth arrived at the
studio. She was not in the best of moods and seeing Elizabeth walk in with her
photographer only dampened her mood further.
"It’s about time you got here!" Gia glared at Lucky.
"And what is she doing here?"
"I had a conference with my mother and this is Liz’s first
day on the job," Lucky shrugged, heading for his equipment.
"What?" Gia crossed her arms. "You’ve just confused
me here."
"Well let me make this simple for you Gia. I’m your new
designer. Assignment number one, observe your style and come up with ideas. I’m
only here to watch."
"My designer! You have got to be kidding me! Just because
we’ve lost Chloe Morgan doesn’t mean I have to settle for…this! Designing
shirts for the Nurses Ball does not compute talent, nor experience!"
"If you have a problem Gia, take it up with Laura. I’m here
to do a job, not fight with you," Elizabeth took a small notepad out of
her purse and took a seat next to Lucky, who was focusing the camera.
"Ok, let’s began," Lucky nodded at the supermodel.
Elizabeth was amazed by Gia’s transformation of being a huffy model to a serene
and smiling beauty. Ideas came streaming towards her and by the end of the day
she had ten pages of ideas to run by Laura the next day.
"Good job Gia," Lucky grinned and hugged his future
sister in law. "The camera really does love you. I’ll be right back. I
just have to drop these off in the darkroom and then I’ll walk you home,"
Lucky turned to Elizabeth.
"Ok," Elizabeth smiled, watching him leave.
Gia watched and noticed the instant spark. She knew then that
there was a good chance that Lucky and Liz would get back together. She just
hoped that Liz would have the good sense to realize she was blessed to get a
second chance and not blow it this time. "You better not break his heart
again or you’ll have to answer to me."
"Who are you? His bodyguard?" Elizabeth crossed her arms, wondering
where Gia got off threatening her about Lucky.
"His best friend. I was here to watch Nikolas pick up the
pieces Liz. When you walked out of his life it almost destroyed him. He became
more vulnerable to Psychogranny because of you and Jason. I just don’t want to
see Lucky get hurt in that way again."
"Well you have nothing to worry about."
"I hope not. You’re getting something that most of us don’t have the
luxury to have. A second chance with a great guy. Take my advice. Don’t blow
it," with that said Gia headed for her dressing room, not looking back at
an annoyed Elizabeth.
"The nerve of her," Elizabeth grumbled.
"What?" Lucky came out of the dark room, his hands in
his pockets.
"Gia. She said I better not break your heart or I’ll have to
answer to her."
"Really?" Lucky laughed.
"What’s so funny?"
"Gia…she can be quite a mother hen when she wants to
be," Lucky stiffled his laughter. "I didn’t know she cared."
"Well she said that you were her best friend, so I guess she
does," Elizabeth crossed her arms, walking away from Lucky. She was still
angry and she was getting pretty miffed at Lucky for thinking it was funny.
"Elizabeth!" Lucky ran to catch up with her.
"Elizabeth wait, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. I’ll talk to Gia if
that’s what you want."
Elizabeth stopped and sighed. "You don’t have to do that
Lucky. She was just protecting you. I’m just…people are assuming the worst of
me and I’m so tired of it."
"Who’s assuming the worse?" Lucky asked, now walking
side by side with her.
"Nikolas…Gia. I mean it’s not like they never made mistakes.
To tell the truth…I’m surprised that you’re not assuming the worse. Can I ask
why?" They stop in front of Kelly’s.
Lucky sighed. He wanted to tell her that he didn’t assume the
worse because he loved her so much, but he was afraid that if he told her
that…it’d open up a can of worms that really didn’t need to be opened.
I keep on fallin'
In and out of love
With you
Sometimes I love ya
Sometimes you make me blue
Sometimes I feel good
At times I feel used
Lovin you darlin'
Makes me so confused
I keep on
Fallin'
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
"I’ve always had faith in you Elizabeth. I guess I never
stopped," Lucky sighed, sticking his hands in his pocket.
She didn’t deserve him, she knew that. But She couldn’t help
feeling the need to bury herself in his arms and forgetting the world outside.
Just like she used to do before the fire. Why was she so stupid to think that
Jason could love her more than Lucky?
Oh, oh, I never felt this way
How do you give me so much pleasure
And cause me so much pain
Just when I think
Ive taken more than would a fool
I start fallin' back in love with you
I keep on
Fallin'
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
Much to her own surprise, she made a move that she wasn’t
expecting to make. But she couldn’t resist, his blue eyes drew her to him like
a magnet. She stepped closer and placed her lips to his in a gentle kiss. Lucky
at first was surprised at the move, but soon enough he had moved closer and his
arms were around her, holding her so close that their hearts beat together.
Oh baby
I, I, I, I'm fallin'
I, I, I, I'm fallin'
Fall
I keep on
Fallin'
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
Realizing what they were doing, they simultaniously moved away
from one another and just looked at each other. Both are at a loss of what to
say. Finally it’s Lucky who broke the silence.
"I-I better go. Early day tomorrow."
"Yeah…I have to meet Laura with these ideas," Elizabeth
bit her lip, her emotions were swirling around in a haze right now. She
couldn’t even bring herself to look at Lucky.
Lucky tenderly touched her cheek, making her look up into his
face, which also revealed conflicting emotions. "Do you want me to walk
you tomorrow?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I’ll be ok. Thanks anyway."
Lucky only nodded before walking away, his hands in his pocket,
his eyes to the ground. Both wondered what had just happened and if the kiss
had meant anything at all. That subject was something they would address
someday, but not now. Right now, everything was still sort of raw and both
needed distance and time to think.
I'm fallin'
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
I'm fallin'
In and out of love with you
I never loved someone
The way that I love you
What?
Fallin’-Alicia Keys