~~ You don’t hold any mystery for me darling…you don’t. There isn’t a part of you that I don’t know, remember, and want. ~~ Noel Coward

(***) Indicates flashback

Elizabeth sighed and drifted into daydream, as she stood by the window. Remembering that night over a week ago at the boxcar. When Lucky had thought her crazy, but had promised that he would help her anyway. Keep her safe.

He’d said he would find her, and a few hours later - he had.

***

"Oh my God!" Elizabeth said. Nearly jumping out of her skin as Lucky emerged from behind the tall evergreen.

"Oh Sweetie…I’m sorry," he said quickly. Nearing her. "I didn’t mean to scare you…I tried to get your attention before, but you didn’t hear me…you seemed sorta lost in your thoughts there for a few minutes."

"I must have conjured you up then," she sighed. Smiling a bit as he grinned at her. He was so beautiful in the setting sun. The last rays of daylight playing through the golden flecks in his hair and causing them to shimmer with. "I was thinking about you," she finished.

Lucky took her hands in his and led her closer to the lake just beyond the trees. "I thought this would be the safest place for now…until I get a better handle on the grounds and where everything is."

Elizabeth ran a hand through her hair. Still not sure that this was the best idea in the world. What if he got caught? What if…

"Would you like me to get you a map or something?" She asked then. Trying to starve the growing knot of doubt in her stomach. Alex has got tons of blueprints laying around, due to the renovations and everything….and they’re nearly done. I’m sure he won’t miss any of them."

"No," Lucky said shaking his head a bit. The truth was he didn’t want ANYTHING from Alex. "I’m perfectly capable of finding my way around here. Don’t worry."

"I wasn’t worried," Elizabeth responded softly. Brushing her fingers over the muscles in his arm. He was tense. Pretty soon he’d probably be as knotted up as she was whenever she was here. Ugh…what had she gotten him into?

She tried smiling and letting her fingers drift along that same taut muscle. "I know perfectly well what you’re capable of…and it’s more than just finding your way around here."

The suggestiveness in her tone, lightened his mood a bit. "I’m sorry I snapped at you…I’m just –

"Tense…I know."

Taking a deep breath, Lucky turned to sit in the grass. "So how did it go when you got home?"

She felt his flesh jump when she pressed her fingers into his shoulders, to knead out all of the knots and kinks under his skin. "It went ok…I think he actually bought that I’d gone to see Gram."

"He wasn’t angry with you for leaving in the middle of the night?"

The question sounded idiotic to his ears, but Alex was idiotic. Who knew what would set him off?

"He didn’t even realize I HAD left in the middle of the night. He thought I just took off very early in the morning…which leads me to believe that –

"He’s called off the stalker, slash private investigator that he had tailing you."

"Right," she said. Nodding as he finished her sentence. "Which means he really believes that this is going to happen…that we…" She allowed the words to travel into oblivion when she felt the stiffness return to his shoulders.

"Where are you going to sleep tonight?" Elizabeth asked. Laying her head against his firm back as she settled against lush grass behind him. He reached backwards to pull her arms around his waist.

"Hmm…that depends. Where are YOU sleeping?"

"Lucky," she sighed. Moving her head back and forth against his flannel covered back. He had on lots of layers…obviously prepared for any event. Typical Lucky.

He chuckled a bit, but she could tell there wasn’t any true humor in his tone. "Alright, alright…I had to give it a shot.

"I’m not sure yet," he continued. "But even when I do know…I don’t think I’ll be able to tell you."

Leaning away, she shot up to her knees and around him to look at his face. "Why not?!"

Something about the last remnants of sun playing against her eyes rendered him speechless for a moment as she appeared in front of him.

"Because," he finally whispered, finding his voice. He brushed a few errant strands of hair from her eyes. "If somehow…something happens and he finds out about me being here…

"Lucky –

"Elizabeth, I don’t want you in any more danger than you already are. As long as you have no idea where I REALLY am on this property, you can legitimately say that you don’t………I think we’ve already established that lying isn’t your strong suit."

A weak tug pulled at the corner of her mouth.

"Besides," he whispered pulling her close. "I’ll like surprising you…wherever and WHENEVER…I might show up," he finished. Kissing her seductively as he drew his fingers along the nape of her neck.

Elizabeth yielded to his touch and shivered. A moan emanating from the back of her throat as her lowered her to the grass beneath them.

If she allowed herself she could kiss him like this forever.

As if hearing her thoughts, Lucky pulled away to gaze into her eyes for a moment. Looking for the cue to continue or the cue to stop. He found the latter.

Certainly, her eyes were already glassy with desire and a passion so strong he could feel it in her every move…but there was also a question there. A doubt.

He pressed his lips to the side of her neck and lay there for a moment. Feeling her pulse beat warmly and wildly against his mouth. He knew her blood pressure reflected his own. "Elizabeth, I want you so bad."

She fidgeted beneath him, and let the back of her calf slide up the length of his. "I want you too…"

"But," he added. Pushing himself up to his elbows. "I know."

"I’m sorry," she said. The beginnings of tears in her eyes.

"No…no, it’s ok," he said. Shushing her as he trailed his fingers lightly through the length of chestnut strands that lay in contrast to the green grass. "I understand…I know you want to wait…I know that."

She made a move to get up, and he moved off of her. "And I know you understand…but that still doesn’t make it fair to you…

"I can’t believe I’m putting you through this," she said. Nearly under her breath. "You’ve been waiting for me forever…and this is what you get in retur –

"Hey," he said cutting her off. His finger pressed tenderly to her lips. "Let’s put this all perspective here, ok…if I was waiting for you for the past 3 years…it was no one’s fault but my own. Don’t sit here and try to put that on your own shoulders, because it doesn’t belong there…and I won’t let you."

Elizabeth swallowed and looked away. "It’s Helena’s fault…that’s who’s fault it is. SHE kept us apart…I swear if she wasn’t already dead, I’d –

"You’d have to get in line………and besides – she’s very, very dead. I made sure of that."

The look of shock that registered and settled in her wide eyes caused him to take a deep breath. Realizing they’d yet to really discuss this at any length.

"She needed her meds…she’d been getting sicker and sicker…but I guess I never really believed she would die. I thought she was too evil to die. I certainly didn’t think my luck was that good."

"It was a heart attack though…you said so."

"Yes," Lucky nodded. "It was a heart attack…but I never lifted a finger to help her.

"She’d fallen," Lucky continued. His eyes traveling back to a time he rarely stopped to visit in. "And there her medication was…right there on the desk………I could have easily just opened the bottle and given her one…but I didn’t.

"Her hands…God, she just kept reaching out and reaching out…with these white, skeleton like hands…and I just stood there. I stood there and watched like I was frozen………I don’t even remember making a conscious choice NOT to help her….

"Then you didn’t KILL her Lucky," Elizabeth interjected. "Like you said – you were frozen…You were probably in shock."

"But that almost makes it worse," he said. Turning to her.

"What?"

"Don’t you see it makes me even WEAKER?…There she was holding the key to my freedom…my LIFE in her hands…and I didn’t even DECIDE to take it and run. I just stood there, and somehow………I don’t know – maybe divine intervention stepped in and made it impossible for me to help."

"Lucky," Elizabeth sighed. Taking his hands in hers. "You didn’t kill her, because you’re not a killer. You simply couldn’t just decide to take someone else’s life."

Shaking his head silently, he glanced up at the mansion in the distance. "I think you’re wrong…in fact I know you’re wrong………because I could kill him with my bare hands every time I see him."

"But you don’t...and you won’t."

"Maybe it’s just a matter of time."

The fear that ricocheted through her eyes made his own breath catch in his throat. "I’m sorry Elizabeth…I just –

"You don’t have to apologize…I feel that way all the time."

Lucky closed his eyes and brought her hand up to his mouth. Kissing the back of it and leaving his lips there against the softness of her skin for a long moment before brushing his cheek against it. "I hate this…I hate the thought of you turning around and walking into that house right now…I can’t even tell you how much."

"I know," she sighed. Rubbing his other cheek with her free hand. "I know…but it won’t be that long I promise…I’m going to try and find out about the painting tonight and –

"Elizabeth, don’t set him off."

"I won’t…I’ll be careful – I promise……Besides – you’re here, right?" She added. Kissing his soft forehead.

He closed his eyes and nodded. "Yeah," he said sighing. "I’m here.

"Alright," he added a moment later. "You better get out of here, it’s getting dark…Don’t worry – I’ll find a place to sleep," he said before she could ask. "AND, I’ll be catching up with you first thing in the morning."

Standing slowly, she bent at the waist to kiss him where he sat. "I love you."

"I love you too…now, get out of here before I refuse to let you go."

Elizabeth stepped backwards. Pulling her hands from his. "I love you."

"I love you," he whispered once more. Trying not to touch her. "I’m serious Elizabeth…ya gotta go," he repeated. Nearly pleading when she came back to kiss his lips once more.

Mumbling against his lips, she pulled her lower body away from him. "I love you."

"Go…" he said his lips covered by hers. "I love you."

"I love you," she said again. This time blowing a kiss as she moved away.

He caught it, kissed his palm and threw it back. "I love you…get out of here."

"Good night," she smiled. Catching it.

"Good night…"

"Good night…" she called again. Her voice receding through the trees.

"Good night," he whispered in the growing darkness. "I love you."

***

Still staring out the window now, Elizabeth absently piled another slice of tomato onto her sandwich. Eyeing it suspiciously when she looked down. It didn’t look quite as good as when she’d dreamt it up earlier.

Of course, the eggs benedict that Maria had prepared for breakfast at actual breakfast TIME, hadn’t been what she’d wanted either – so who could be sure?

She’d slept through breakfast and now lunch was getting off to a rocky start as she glared out of the window, wondering where Lucky was today.

She wondered if he’d eaten.

He’d been stealing food from the kitchen for almost a week and a half now and had so far been lucky enough not to be caught.

‘It’s not luck…it’s SKILL,’ she thought proudly. Popping a tomato into her mouth.

He’d also been changing his location every night since he’d begun his stay on the premises. Never letting her know exactly where he’d be on any given evening. It was warmer at night now though…at least there was that.

‘Lucky can take care of himself,’ she reminded herself quickly. ‘He slept in that boxcar for MONTHS…just calm down…You know he’s fine.’

But she wished he would tell her where he was some nights…just in case…

‘Just in case of what, Webber? In case you feel like seeking out like in the old days and falling asleep in his arms?…You have to stop this. You’re never gonna get through this, if you’re constantly wanting him…it’s especially not fair of you to give him mixed signals.’

Every night it’d been the same thing…She’d go to bed thinking about him. Fantasizing about what it would be like to take him in her arms – into her bed at night. It became more and more difficult not to seek him in the darkness…go searching the grounds.

If Alex found her walking around at night, she could always explain that she was going for a walk, right? It wouldn’t have been that out of the ordinary. She’d often taken walks in the garden in the past when she couldn’t sleep. If she was caught strolling down the corridors she could say she was getting a snack…or something….

God, she just wanted to get out of here and get on with her life, but Alex was not about to let that happen. And more than anything, getting on with life meant telling Lucky everything there was to tell. Like she said she would. Like she thought about doing every single day. It’d been weighing on her mind even more heavily since he’d decided to stay at the house.

He was doing all of this to be with her…to protect her…and what if –

‘What if what Webber?’ She asked herself quickly. ‘He’s not going to leave…he isn’t! You know damn well that Lucky loves you more than anything…it’s going to kill him…you know that because it kills you every single day…but he’s not going to leave. He wouldn’t ever do that again…

‘He won’t think it’s your fault…that was just a line of bull that Alex sold you once, right? Right?’

"Morning Sunshine,"

Alex’s voice permeated through the thick haze that enveloped her mind and she looked down at her hands before muttering something unintelligible under her breath. "It was until now."

"What?"

Clearing her throat, she turned from the countertop and flashed a smile at Alex. Realizing she had no hope of pulling this off if she kept mumbling like that. This charade was quickly becoming too much for her to handle.

"I said I was starving until now," Elizabeth corrected, taking a big hunk out of her sandwich and swallowing it down with a sour expression that she couldn’t hide.

"It doesn’t look like that sandwich is exactly hitting the spot Honey…where’s Maria? Why didn’t she save you any breakfast?"

With a shrug, she turned around in order to roll her eyes at the lame attempt at an endearment. Funny how polite he’d become in the past few days. Amazing how people could change when they thought they were really going to get what it was that they desperately wanted.

Even when they WEREN’T.

Lifting a silver dome from a tray that sit on the counter next to the oven, Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the sight of chocolate chip cookies. This was all the breakfast she needed…Maria had been holding out.

Why hadn’t she checked under there before?

‘Too busy thinking about Lucky,’ she thought dreamily.

Popping one into her mouth, she mumbled around the sweet treat. "I sent her home for the day," she answered. Mumbling around her food. "She’s been working really hard these last few days with the Gala coming up…I wanted to give her some time off – I hope you don’t mind."

Alex shrugged, and stepped closer. Letting his hands wind around her waist. "Mind? Why would I mind if my wife wants to send the staff home?…That just means I get you all to myself."

Forcing a smile, Elizabeth glanced down at the floor with mock embarrassment and shook her head. "I have to go into work for awhile….and don’t you have a meeting to get to this afternoon?"

"It’s not for an hour or so," Alex contested. Grinning from ear to ear as he bent to kiss her neck and pull her closer from the waist. She couldn’t contain the flinch that jolted through her body when she felt his against her, but she played it off as surprise…as excitement – and he bought it. Of course.

He’d been buying it for days.

He continued talking as she nearly gagged on her cookies. "I wish I could have slept in with YOU this morning…"

"Ah-ah-ah," she giggled, pushing him back with a little more force than a playful gesture would have had. "Remember…we’re waiting."

And oddly enough how easy THIS waiting came for her.

"Just because we’re waiting doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun until then," Alex grinned.

She nearly laughed out loud. Who WAS this guy? Alexander Hart had never been one for ‘foreplay.’ His entire concept of that word was taking off your clothes. That was it. Yet now…now he wanted more from her?

Of course, it made total sense. Only now was she able to see Alex’s mindset from the very beginning. He’d known all along that she didn’t love him – felt that she couldn’t love him. Therefore, sex had always been something that was strictly for his benefit.

He’d never cared whether or not it was good for her because he’d known that she had never cared. And he’d hated her for not caring so why treat her to any sort of real pleasure?

As if he could have anyway.

But now…now everything was different. He honestly thought that she was willing to give their marriage a shot. To give a go of something that was never meant to be in the first place. Never meant to be anything more than a farce or a complete sham. Whichever con, was being run at any particular point in time.

So now he was willing to be the caring husband. The man who actually thought of pleasing his wife, both emotionally and sexually.

Thinking quickly, Elizabeth pushed at his chest once more. Softer, more flirtatiously and whispered that she may not be able to stop if they ‘had any fun,’ and then of course – where would they be.

His sly smile made her skin crawl. The way he looked at her – as if he knew something. As if he knew that she was going to be his and that was all there was too it. Boy did she have news for him.

He wouldn’t know what hit him.

Pulling away, Alex grinned once more and nodded. Willing to take the rebuff once more, when he put it all into perspective. In a matter of just a few days he would have her again. His wife – in his bed.

Her voice woke him from the lustful thoughts of a torrid night between the sheets…It had been so long for them.

"So, who are you meeting with this afternoon?"

Taken slightly aback by the question, Alex’ rose and eyebrow. "Why are you asking me about work?…You never as –

"Shouldn’t a wife try and know a LITTLE about her husband’s job? Her husband’s DAY?…I mean I figure if I’m going to try and make this marriage a success I should know about the man that I’m married to. Like who he sees…what he does with his days," she finished, fluttering her lashes madly. "Should I be jealous?"

"Actually," Alex began. Sighing loudly as he slouched back against the counter opposite of her. He didn’t seem to notice how she straightened out her clothing and seemed to brush him off of her, like you would an insect that you’d found crawling on you. "I’m meeting with a few financial experts…I’m interviewing – so to speak."

Letting the news penetrate for a moment, Elizabeth’s brow furrowed together. "Why? Doesn’t…Leopold usually handle the finances and –

"I’m looking for someone new," Alex interjected quickly. Immediately regretting the cavalier way in which he’d delivered the news. "I’m sorry," he said. Gauging her reaction. "I know you and Leopold have grown close over the years…but if truth be told – he’s getting on in years and he’s starting to make mistakes…I’m just considering some of my options."

"Are you letting him go?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"Well no…I’m not. I just – Like I said, I’m considering my options. No one is letting anyone go just yet," he finished smiling. "No need to worry."

He was lying. She knew that like she knew that his touch made her queasy. Leopold still had a mind like a steel trap. Alex had never complained about him making any mistakes before…Why now?

In spite of the fact that Alex had told her that Leopold had been the one to divulge the secret about why Lucky had left all those years ago, something inside her still held a soft spot for the old man. He’d held her hand through a lot of rough hours at one point in her life. Even when she was too out of it to really appreciate it – she could still feel the tender creases of his palm wrapped around hers. If she closed her eyes real hard she could probably hear the sound of his voice as well…but she wouldn’t do that. Not now.

Nodding, she turned to place the silver dome atop the cookies once more. Just another excuse to turn away from his lying, egotistical glare. When he came up behind her to kiss her shoulder, she flinched once more.

"Well, I guess I should be going," he began. "I’ll be back in a few hours…"

"Ok," she smiled, pecking him lightly on the cheek. "I’ll be here."

The peck didn’t work. Not when what he wanted was a real life, goodbye kiss from his wife. Alex smothered her lips with his. Holding her face in place while he kissed her in away that felt more like a threat than a promise of things to come.

Felt almost sinister.

The question in her head came with a shiver as he exited the kitchen. The same question that always entered her mind after he kissed her…‘Does he know?…

But how could he possibly? He couldn’t. She’d been careful…she’d been convincing.

‘But what if he does? What if he knows and he’s just waiting…just planning the same way you are? What if…God, there’s no way he’s going to let you get away with this Elizabeth. No way he’s going to sit back and let himself be made a fool of…You idiot! You’ve put yourself AND Lucky in more danger than you ever could have ima –

"Hey…"

Even in it’s softness, his greeting broke through her maudlin thoughts. Putting a weak smile on her face. "Hey," she returned.

In the past few days she’d begun to recognize the look on his face well. It was anger…mixed with complete agony.

"I’m sorry," she said aloud. Nearing him as he crossed the threshold into the kitchen.

He shook his head and flexed his hand. Not worried about himself. "Are you ok?"

She nodded as his hand came up to her face. "Oh my God, Lucky…What happened to your hand?!" She exclaimed. Taking it in hers. Her voice an anxious whisper when she caught sight of what he’d done to the inside of his palm.

The blood red marks that his own short fingernails had engrained in his flesh looked painful and her face contorted as she took a better look. He bit his lip as she grasped his hand and pulled him closer to inspect it.

He hadn’t realized he’d been making a fist that tightly. It was just a tension thing that happened whenever he was forced to watch them from around some corner or closet. It wasn’t the first time he’d drawn blood.

Although it wasn’t his blood he wanted…it was someone else’s. The same someone who had just walked out of this room.

"I’m sorry," she whispered again. Pressing a kiss to his fingertips before she led him towards the sink.

Lucky closed his eyes as the soft caress of both the cool water and her flesh washed over him. Her hands could cure him of anything. Even the sickness that was spreading like a disease in his gut every time Alex touched her…looked at her when she wasn’t looking…

"I think I’m going to kill him," he whispered. Not thinking about the words as they came out. He’d said it before of course…but over the past week, each time he said it, it sounded a bit more honest to his own ears. To hers.

Elizabeth knew this had to end before he really did.

Her hands stilled for a moment on his forearm "I’m sor -"

"Like I said before…don’t apologize for that…besides it’s me who needs to be sorry for putting you through this." She said, pulling away to look him in the eye.

"Elizabeth -

"No Lucky, I’m serious…I should have known. I mean, I think about it as much as you do…I think about killing him all the time."

Something in her eyes, told him that she did, and he was quickly reminded of what she’d said a few nights prior in the box car. How’d she been adamant about making him pay. How he hadn’t been completely convinced that finding out the truth about him was what she’d meant.

"You think about it all the –

The words fizzled and than vanished into thin air, as Lucky did when he slid stealthy into the pantry. The sound of footsteps sending him into hiding in an instant.

"Liz, Charles wanted to know if you’d be needing the car this afternoon? Will you be going into the office?"

A gesture of Lucky’s head behind the wooden slats of the pantry door, caught Elizabeth’s attention as she opened her mouth to speak.

He’d nodded yes. Had he found something out?

Elizabeth quickly found her voice. "Um…yes…thank you Frank…Tell Charles, to get the car ready…I’ll be around the front drive in just a bit….Thank you."

"Yes Ma’m," Frank nodded quickly. The butler, disappearing around the corner in the same quiet manner that he’d appeared.

Lucky inhaled deeply and let it out slowly through his nose as he emerged from the small space.

"That was close," Elizabeth sighed. Moving towards him. "Lucky…we have to be more careful. I don’t want you to –

The kiss caught her by surprise and nearly sent her reeling backwards. Her knees, now the same as the jelly that stood on the shelves of the open pantry. She could only respond by wrapping her hands tentatively around his waist as he moved closer. Slipping his tongue inside and electrifying the kiss.

Lucky felt her stumble and cupped the back of her head more firmly. Wanting to show her that he didn’t care about anything at all, except being there – with her. Making sure she was safe…and if that meant hiding in kitchen cupboards…and digging his nails into his own flesh, so be it.

"Get caught," she finished dreamily. Her breathing and voice thready at best when he finally pulled away.

"I’m not gonna get caught," he answered soberly. Smoothing the back of his knuckles down her cheek. She shivered a little and he suddenly wanted her in a way that almost prompted him to throw her atop the counter and proceed to rip her clothes away from her body…but he didn’t.

She was right about being more careful…he had to keep his wits about him, if they were going to pull any of this off. And making love to her right this moment, would definitely not keep him sane.

"So what am I going to be needing the car for?" She asked. Her voice breaking through his thoughts.

Lucky slipped a hand behind him and into his back pocket, pulling out a small golden key. "I need you to make a copy of this for me…only not here in Evergreen…Take a ride into Manhattan to get it done at the locksmith near the gallery…and if anyone asks it’s for one of your jewelry boxes or something, ok?"

Elizabeth nodded silently. "What’s it really for?"

"I have no clue," he said. Shrugging a bit. "But I found it in your library today when Alex was in his office on that call……that guy’s on the phone a lot isn’t he?"

"Wait, wait, wait," Elizabeth said, backtracking. "You found this in the library? Where?"

"Under the top shelf on the wall adjacent to Alex’s office…I went in there to try and listen to his conversation, and I started feeling around…that’s what I found…………You don’t have any idea what it goes to?"

"No," she whispered. Turning the tiny key over in her hand. "I’ve never seen it before…but I don’t think you’re far off about the jewelry box thing…it’s too small to be used for a door."

Lucky nodded as she continued. "Speaking of doors……were you able to get into the office yet?" She asked, lowering her voice significantly.

"Last night," he sighed. "I didn’t find much…

"I did some checking to see if the anonymous note I received was typed on any of the computers in this house too……no luck with that."

Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded. It had been a long shot, but they’d discussed the possibility that maybe one of the staff had sent the note to Lucky. It was a common fact that none of the servants particularly cared for Alex, and Elizabeth had gotten friendly with most of them…so maybe one of them had wanted to protect her?

But now it didn’t seem as if that would be the case.

"After you went to bed last night, I did a lot of snooping and I found the time clock where all the servants check in…all I have to do is get a hold of a tally of hours from last week and I can see who was on during the hours that the letter had to have been delivered to my apartment…then I’ll start checking the home computers of all the people that weren’t here….which shouldn’t be too difficult considering, Alex hardly ever gives anybody a day off around here, from what I can see….

"What?" He asked suddenly. Halting his speech when he noticed how her mouth hung open. "What’s wrong?"

"Lucky, do you realize you’re talking about breaking into people’s homes?"

"Elizabeth, I’m gonna do what I have to do…you know that."

The look of worry that passed through her eyes brought him nearer. Prompted his hands to caress her cheeks – his lips to press against her forehead. "Everything’s gonna be fine…what I need for you to do now is go get that key made."

Closing her eyes, she nodded. "Ok…is there anything else that you need?"

"No," he said shaking his head. "I’m gonna take another sweep through Alex’s office just to make sure I didn’t miss anything…hurry back – I’d like to spend some time with you today."

Smiling a bit sadly, she wrapped her arms around her neck and lay her head against his chest. Inhaling his scent. "Be careful ok…please?" She added, looking up.

"I always am."

"Can we meet?" She said quickly. Disengaging herself from his arms before she got too comfortable. "Alex shouldn’t be back for hours…and it shouldn’t take me long at all to get the key made and get back…could we maybe –

"The guest house is going to be done this afternoon…"

"How did you know that?" She asked, grinning widely.

"Like I said…Alex talks on the phone a lot…it’s just usually never anything useful…" Lucky paused a moment.

"BUT…how ‘bout we meet by our tree by the lake…then we’ll take a stroll down to the guest house and check it out."

Elizabeth sighed, and took a chance on getting closer to him once more. "Have I told you today that I love you?"

"Not today, no…"

And her mouth uttered no words now…only the actions of love, as her lips moved against his. Telling him wordlessly that she appreciated the risk he was taking. Appreciated his love more than she could say.

"There’s more where that came from later," she said softly. Stepping backwards.

"I’m gonna hold you to that," Lucky mumbled. Biting his lip.

~~~~~~~

Stephan watched as his nephew followed him onto the boarding deck of the luxurious yacht. Holding his hand out for his girlfriend as she climbed up the ramp. Although he would have rather Nikolas have left her at home, he realized that the boy and the Quartermaine girl were now attached at the hip.

Especially since the legacy had been stolen.

Nikolas hadn’t shown it, but Stephan knew that the absence of something that had been long promised to him had upset him. Yet of course he’d handled it like the true royalty that he was at the party. He’d handled it in a way that even Stephan couldn’t manage.

Without the brooding or the bitterness. He’d simply gotten on with his life. He assumed the Quartermaine girl was a big part of that ability. For that alone he was grateful to her.

Stepping into this place, Stephan felt the curse of his mother boil upwards in his stomach like a vile poison. He’d been so exquisitely content during the past few months. His mother dead and buried. Six feet under the ground and there to stay. But of course she’d managed to get the last laugh. As she always had. He had no idea why he’d ever doubted the depths of her hatred.

Perhaps because he never would have thought she would have taken it out on Nikolas. And never in such a manner. She’d always talked about how important Nikolas was to her, and how one day he would take his rightful place as head of the family…but now…

Something had changed. All of those years of her going on and on about how Stephan wasn’t fit to shine Nikolas’ shoes, hadn’t been for show. She’d been serious each and every time. She was evil to the core, but Stephan had always believed that somewhere deep down she loved Nikolas.

But, maybe…just maybe, the fact that he’d held Laura’s blood in his veins for all of these years had finally gotten to her. Had finally succeeding in turning her love for him, rotten.

No…there had to be more.

Who was this mysterious individual who was more deserving of the Cassidine fortune? There was no one.

He and Alexis had gone over the family records with a fine toothed comb. Enlisting help from relatives they hadn’t seen or spoken to in years. There weren’t many Cassidines left, so the list had been short. It had been short and fruitless.

There were no ‘anonymous’ Cassidines. All of the skeletons in the closet had been excavated and surprisingly enough, Natasha had been the only illegitimate child that had turned up. Although, with the families homicidal tendencies, that didn’t mean much. There could be tons out there. Each of them having waited just long enough to get a piece of the pie.

"So what are we hoping to find?" Emily asked suddenly, as Nikolas tightened his hold on her hand.

"Pretty much anything that’s going to lead us to who the new ‘head’ of the Cassidine family is."

"YOU are the new head of the Cassidine family," Stephan asserted quickly. Turning to his nephew in earnest. "There has never been another."

"Well, you’ll have to forgive me for being a bit skeptical about that right now Uncle," Nikolas returned.

Emily shot Stephan an encouraging glance. Even if Nikolas saw it as false hope, Stephan had been trying to make him feel better about the situation. Which had to be equally difficult for him.

Stephan, reached into his pocket and retracted a key. "Here," he said. Addressing Nikolas. "You open it."

Nikolas took the key a bit grudgingly and inserted it into the lock of the door to the galley. Jiggling it a bit, it finally swung open.

"Oh my God."

Emily’s voice emerged in a shocked whisper as the sight of opulence in sheer disarray met with her gaze. Tables turned over, chairs lying on their backs. Antiques that she was sure had stood the test of time, completely ransacked…

Who would have done this?

"Has Spencer been here?" Stephan asked. His voice filled with menace when he turned to his nephew.

"Lucky wouldn’t have done this, Uncle...He’s not to keen about the idea of coming on this boat…and aside from that he isn’t this sloppy."

"What about his father?"

"No. That’s……" Nikolas thought for a moment. It wouldn’t have been THAT crazy. "What reason would he have?"

"He’s still upset that he wasn’t around when his son needed him. Wasn’t man enough to –

"Uncle," Nikolas said. Interceding quickly when he caught the look of pure disgust that crossed Emily’s face. "Luke Spencer would have no desire to even BE on this boat after what Grandmother did…She’d dead and gone – there’s no reason for him to have come here."

Stephan smoothed a hand over his goatee. He wouldn’t admit to it, but his nephew had a valid point. Spencer had been visibly absent from his life sense Helena had made her descent into the underworld. Maybe this wasn’t his handiwork, but the work of someone else…someone who had reason to want to protect something here.

But whom…and what would they have been protecting.

"You don’t really think this is the work of Luke Spencer anyway," Nikolas announced perceptively. Reading his uncle’s thoughts. "You think this is the same worthy individual who stole my inheritance, don’t you?"

Stephan pulled open one barren drawer. "Possibly…but the question is, what were they looking for?"

Emily unfastened a tiny gold hook that bound the doors of a cherry armoire. It was only another piece of barren furniture. "Better yet…did they find what they were looking for."

~~~~~~~

Lucky pulled the small, brown bottle from his satchel once more. Examining the worn label again. He could barely make out most of the type. A long, unpronounceable medical word that had been nearly widdled away by the sands of time.

Time indeed.

The prescription – whatever it was, had been filled over 3 years prior. The date, just about the only thing legible. But why would Alex keep a medicine bottle in his desk when it obviously hadn’t been opened or refilled in eons?

It was empty of course. So whatever had been in the bottle, had been ingested. But the mere fact that it was old had been what convinced Lucky to take it with him.

He’d found it in the very bottom drawer. Which meant Alex cared enough to hide it, or that he’d forgotten about it long ago. Checking a few medical records would divulge the answer to that question.

‘It was probably some prescription for insanity,’ Lucky thought bitterly. Tossing the bottle up in the air and catching it with the same hand as he strolled towards the huge tree where he was to meet Elizabeth. ‘He was obviously doin’ something to fool her all those years ago.’

"What’s that?"

"Oh jeez!" Lucky nearly shouted. Jumping away from her when she emerged from behind the tree. He hadn’t even heard her come up beside him.

She giggled and kissed him on the cheek. "Haha…I got you back."

"Yes you did," he mumbled quickly. His lips moving against hers as he kissed her. Unable to stay away from them right then.

Elizabeth hummed in pleasure, and stepped away. "So what is that?"

"I’m not exactly sure," Lucky admitted. Perusing the label once more. Even his name had been worn away. "But I found it in Alex’s office…in the bottom drawer."

Removing it from his fingers, Elizabeth scanned the empty bottle. "Hmm…I’ve never seen this before."

"You’re sure?" Lucky said, his eyes squinting a bit in the waning sunlight behind her. "It’s old……Maybe you just don’t remember it?…Was Alex ever on any prescriptions that you know of?"

Shaking her head, she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "He’s as healthy as a horse, unfortunately………I’ve barely even seen him take aspirin….

"Were you able to find anything in there about Nikolas?" She asked, the bottle seeming a bit inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Lucky shook his head and placed the bottle back inside his satchel. "No…I’m hoping Nikolas had some luck today on Helena’s yacht."

Elizabeth rose one eyebrow. "Nikolas went to Helena’s yacht today?…Hmm, interesting. Is he…HELPING you perhaps?"

"Nooooo," Lucky said, shaking his head like a child as she mocked him. "He just wants his inheritance that’s all…and he’s willing to do whatever he has to do."

"Mmhmm," she said nodding.

"Elizabeth, I didn’t ASK him to help."

"I’m sure you didn’t."

"He insisted."

"I’m sure he did."

"I’m capable of doing all of this on my own."

"Oh I have no doubt about that."

"You know what," he sighed. Nearing her. He licked his lips. "You’re really askin’ for it."

Backing away, Elizabeth licked her lips as well. "You gonna give it to me?"

"If you’d let me," Lucky grinned seductively, before capturing her around the waist.

Giggling, she turned around so that her back was to his chest and walked further into the clearing near the lake, with his legs entwined with hers. They nearly stumbled a few times along the way, and laughed each time.

Lucky tightened his hold on her as they came to a halt in front of the water. "Were you able to get that key made?"

"Yes sir," she smiled. Pulling it from her pocket. "This one is for you…I’ll put the other one back."

"I don’t think so," Lucky said quickly. Drawing out the word ‘I’ with sarcasm. As he reached into her other pocket, she clamped her hand over his. Trapping him before he could get his fingers around it.

"That’s for me! I’m gonna do it, Lucky!" She said. Laughing out loud as she tried to move away and he kept his hands around her.

"Elizabeth, I’M putting the key back…I don’t want you getting caught."

"Oh so now you’re the only one who knows how to snoop?!…I’m insulted!"

"Nope, I didn’t say that…I’m just the only one who knows how to not get caught!"

"Oh!" Elizabeth said. Her mouth hanging open as she socked him the arm. "I’ll have you know Lucky Spencer that I was VERY good at snooping around before I even MET you…I always knew what I was getting for my birthdays, for Christmas, for –

"I’ve heard this story before…but yes, I do remember you also getting caught." Lucky laughed. Tackling her before she made it to the next tree.

"So," Elizabeth said pouting. As she leaned breathless against a tree. "So what?"

"So…" Lucky said. Panting a bit as he positioned him self in front of her. One arm braced against one side of the tree. His other arm coming to meet her cheek. "So what if I don’t want you to get caught…that a crime?"

God, she loved it when he stood that way in front of her…trapping her with his eyes. His voice had gotten all soft too. Buttery…the consistency of her knees at that point.

"No…"

"No what?" He asked. His lips mere centimeters from hers.

"No, it’s not a crime if you don’t want me to get caught…but Lucky I –

"Be quiet," He whispered. "I wanna kiss you."

Elizabeth did as he bid her and felt just about ready to slide down the bark of that tree, when his large hands wrapped around her face and his lips slipped gently across hers.

The kiss was soft and sultry. Like the sun that slid behind the trees and twinkled between the leaves. Covering everything in that silent wash of glitter that made the world sparkle like something enchanted.

His lips were magically wondrous and she felt like falling into them forever.

"Let’s go," he whispered softly as he finally pulled away.

"Where are we going?" She smiled. Although at that moment she would have gone anywhere and done anything with him.

It was like falling in love all over again.

"How quickly they forget," he mumbled. Tugging her behind him as he started to walk. "Remember we were gonna take a look at the guesthouse."

"Oh that’s right," she smiled. "But what if –

"I’ll have you back before Alex is back…I heard Maria talking about holding dinner anyway, so he must have called and said he’d be home late from that meeting."

Elizabeth stopped in her tracks for a moment. "You’re amazing."

"Actually it’s not me…your COOK is amazing."

Laughing, Elizabeth laced her fingers through his and began walking again. "Yeah, she’s really awesome…but Lucky, she’s gonna notice you’re stealing food soon – it’s only a matter of time."

"Oh, I know…we had a long talk about that."

He grinned widely, when she halted once more in mid-stride.

"Excuse me?"

Chuckling at the look on her face couldn’t be helped. "She’s already seen me…but she was cool about it."

"Again I say…excuse me?"

"Did you like those cookies this morning?" He asked smiling. "They were sort of a gift…I asked her to make those for you."

"Lucky!"

"Look…we talked, and Maria and I are cool…She’s actually gonna get me that schedule I needed of which servants worked when, last week."

Elizabeth was flabbergasted. "Oh my God…you are truly amazing…ok, but wait." She added after a moment. "What is she getting in return for this?"

Lucky shrugged his shoulders. "Nuthin…I just listened to her go on about her ass of a boyfriend the other day."

"That’s it?"

"What? There has to be REASON to help me?"

Elizabeth let her eyes travel over his body. The white t-shirt that fit him to a T. The blue jeans that were just snug enough to see that the good Lord had blessed him.

"When you look like THAT?…Yes."

Lucky’s eyebrows shot upwards at the remark. "Well now……I do believe I’m being hit on."

"Can you handle it?"

"Can you?"

Had her toes just curled at the sound of that? There’d definitely been some kind of weird twitch in her shoes. She bit her lip as he continued.

"I’ve got a bit of a surprise waiting for you…that’s why I’m kinda anxious to get to the guesthouse."

"Another surprise…not cookies?!" She asked. Nearly giddy.

Lucky bit his lip at the way her face lit up. He only hoped it would stay lit like that when she saw his surprise. Maybe he’d pumped it up a bit too much just now. It wasn’t much…

He just wanted to spend some real time with her again. Like she was his girlfriend and he was her boyfriend again…Like the old days again.

In fact it was nearly silly, but these days even silly things meant the world to him. "Not cookies," he sighed quietly.

"Cookies or no cookies…I can’t wait! Let’s go!"

She was giggling loudly. Running towards the newly built home that sat in the clearing to the side of the lake as if knew the best thing in the world would be there.

Her hair gleamed in the sunlight as it trailed behind her and his heart skipped a beat.

"Wait up."

Lyrics from "When I Fall In Love With You" – various artists (written by: Edward Heyman and Victor Young)