Liz sunk down upon the couch, awaiting his arrival. Awaiting the moment he'd walk through her front door, ready to walk her to Kelly's. Ready to start this horrendous day all over again.

How was she supposed to do this? How was she supposed to open the door and let him in, like nothing had ever happened? Like he was just Lucky and she was just Liz and the last eight months had just never occured. He'd never died in a fire. The fire had never happened. How was she supposed to act normal? How was she supposed to go to work and pretend that she hadn't been through this day before? Pretend she didn't know how this day was supposed to end and pretend she knew the first thing about how to change it.

Her stomach was in knots. Hearing his voice on the phone had been the most beautiful sound her ears had ever encountered and almost too much to bare at the same time. She was quite sure that he knew something was wrong. He had to have heard it in her voice, but he had just said he'd be over in an hour to walk her to work. That he and Nikolas were taking LuLu inline skating this afternoon. Of course that bit of knowledge, she already knew. She shook her head now as she realized how completely unbelievable this situation really was.

The phone had somehow hung itself up, or at least that was what it had felt like. She couldn't seem to feel herself do anything this morning. She had taken a shower, gotten dressed, and done her hair in a haze. She couldn't remember doing any of it. Yet now as she sat on her couch, she knew it all had been accomplished. Somehow. She had done it all before. Same order. Same time of day. It had been the exact same phone call. The only thing different: her reaction to the voice on the other end.

She looked up suddenly, staring at the front door as the doorbell rang and rang again. How long had it been ringing? Her legs felt as if cement were attached to her feet. She willed herself to move and to speak. "Co - coming.." She said stuttering as she braced herself against the armrest of the couch and propelled herself forwards towards the door. She felt as if she might be sick at any moment. Her heart beat deafeningly in her own ears, seemingly having taken up residence in her throat.

Her hand shook as she pressed against the brass handle, opening it slowly. It was him. As sure as she was standing there, so was he. Lucky. As beautiful as ever. The same exact way he'd been that day. The same way he'd always been. His blue eyes sparkling, his face lighting up as he saw her. The same green shirt. The shirt that only yesterday had hung in her closet as her only reminder of him. How was this happening? Even the birds chirping outside seemed familiar.

Elizabeth stood there. Silently, unmoving as he smiled at her. She dared not even breathe. Afraid that even the smallest movement would send him away. That she'd lose him forever once again.

"Hi," he said quietly reaching out to brush against the free hand at her side.

Her entire body jumped at his touch. A rush of air escaping her mouth. Her lips began to tremble as she stumbled slightly backwards into the house.

"Elizabeth?" he asked, his voice full of concern as he walked into the house, closing the door behind him. His eyes completely focused on hers. "Elizabeth what's the matter?"

"It's you," she whispered almost inaudibly, as her hand found it's way to cover her trembling mouth. "It's really you."

Lucky licked his lips nervously. Not understanding what was happening. Why she was so upset. Of course it was him. Who else would it be? "Sweetie...what's wrong?" He asked again. Not aware of his own use of the term of endearment.

"Sweetie?" She whispered, instantly transported to that night. The real night. The night that he'd kissed her at her window. The very first time he'd called her anything other than her God given name.

"Elizabeth," he said, realizing what he said. He quickly corrected himself. "I...I'm sorry...I don't have to call you that if you don't li - "

"No," she said then, shaking her head. "It's ok...I like it..." One thing changed. How many to go?

Lucky brows furrowed, not understanding what it was that was making her so upset. He moved closer to her. "Elizabeth...what is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Her smile broadened widely as she pressed her palms against her cheeks, wiping away at the now quick in coming tears. This was actually happening. He was actually here in her house. His voice was so clear. So unbelievably beautiful. The muscles in her face were beginning to hurt, she was smiling so hard. Yet she couldn't stop. Nor could she stop her tears. "I think I have," she whispered to herself. She laughed then, inexplicably. She couldn't stop laughing.

"What?" He asked, in confusion. "Elizabeth you're starting to scare me here....what's going on? Did something happen?" He asked, completely bewildered by her erratic behavior. Her tears and her laughter. Lucky bridged the gap between them taking her hands in his. "Elizabeth....you're shaking..."

She looked down at her hands in his. In HIS hands. Yes, indeed they were shaking. SHE was shaking. From head to toe, but she didn't care. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to kiss him until her lips hurt. Until she couldn't breathe anymore. But she knew she couldn't yet. She had to explain things.

But God, I can't explain anything to him.... She thought to herself, looking down at her feet. That's the one thing he said I couldn't do right?....Ugh!

She knew she was scaring him, but there was no way for her to explain this. There was no way she could explain why she was so desperate to hold him. So desperate to keep him with her forever. God how do I do this? She thought to herself, looking into his blue eyes. Those amazing blue eyes. She suddenly didn't feel like thinking anymore. About anything. All she wanted to do was hold him.

She withdrew her hands from his and threw her arms around his neck quickly, burying her head against his shoulder. She felt his arms wrap around her waist and she sighed, closing her eyes. She'd never felt anything so profoundly wonderful in her life. If this was really just a dream, she had no desire to wake up. Ever.

Lucky eyes scanned the room worriedly as she clung to him. Almost desperate to hold him in her arms. Was someone here? Had something terrible happened? "Elizabeth.." He said again, rubbing his hand up down her back as she wrapped her arms even tighter around his neck. "Elizabeth what's wro - "

His words were cut off as her lips crashed down upon his. Aching to taste him after so long. Yearning for this to be reality in deed. Elizabeth's hands wove through his soft hair as she pulled him closer, her mouth pressing against his with a force neither of them had felt before. Lucky's eyes squeezed closed as her mouth opened against his and her tongue slowly danced with his. He'd never felt anything like this before. Even in New York her kiss hadn't been like this. He groaned slightly and pulled her closer, as his hands clutched at the material covering her lower back, leaving it severly wrinkled. One hand traveled upwards, landing at the nape of her neck as her silken strands hung lose, massaging the back of his hand. He never wanted her to stop. But he had to. Something was wrong here.

Lucky backed away, having to gently push her away as well, as she clung to him. Holding on to his neck. He hesitantly removed her hands and held them in his at their sides. His eyes searched hers. Something had changed. The previous panic was not there. She seemed almost at peace."Elizabeth...," he said slowly. "Is there something you want to tell me..."

"I love you," she smiled. "I just wanna tell you, I love you."

He looked at her and smiled, complete confusion lacing his features. "I love you too........but, Elizabeth...you're sure there's not something wrong?....You were so upset.."

"I'm fine now," she said, nodding her head vigorously. "I'm fine now....I just.." Her voice trailed off as she tried to think of a story to tell him. Something he'd buy. He knew her so well he'd know in an instant that she was lying. "I just had this really bad dream...that's all."

"Tom?" he asked, praying that it wasn't. She hadn't had one of those dreams in so long.

"No," she said quietly. Her eyes dipping towards the floor. "It was just really bad...I....I don't really remember what it was about though.....but now that I know you're ok. That you're safe....I'm fine."

She had to be fine. She had to pull herself together and make this work. Realize how to change whatever it was that would make this day end the way it should have ended all those months ago. With Lucky alive and breathing and in her arms.

Lucky licked his lips and nodded his head. Still unconvinced. Still perplexed by everything that had happened in the last few minutes. "Ok," he said simply, kissing her on the forehead. Once again he felt her shudder slightly at his touch. "You ready to go to work?"

"Yeah," she said nodding her head."Let's go."