"Wake up angel. I'm right here...come on Elizabeth," Lucky begged, rubbing circles on her limp hand continuously.

Her head rolled back and forth across the cool cotton pillows, her eyelids fighting the fitful sleep that enveloped her. She mumbled his name once again, asking him not to leave her.

"Elizabeth I'm right here...I'm not goin' anywhere," Lucky wispered, placing kiss after kiss on her hand.

He looked up at her face, as her eyelids finally fluttered open and she gasped at what she saw. She was quiet for a moment. The room completely still, then Elizabeth shook her head back and forth slowly, unshed tears immediately filling her eyes to the brim. "No..." she wispered, not believing her own eyes. "You...you aren't here. You aren't real."

Lucky blinked back his own tears as he realized what was happening. She must've thought their meeting on the docks had been a dream. Something that happened while she was unconcious. He moved closer to her, tentatively so as not to frighten her. "I'm here Elizabeth," he managed around the hard lump in his throat. "You're not dreaming...I'm alive."

Liz continued to shake her head, scrunching her eyes closed tightly to block the vision of his face. 'Just another figment of your imagination,' she thought. "Go away," she said aloud, her voice thick with emotion. "Please...just leave me alone Lucky...I can't take it anymore...I'm losing my mind here...just leave me alone."

Lucky was taken aback by her outburst. The sound of her voice, the desperation on her face, her begging him to leave her. It was breaking his heart. He sniffed back his tears and tightened his grip on her hand, not giving up. "No, Elizabeth...I'm not leaving you alone ever again. It's me, it's Lucky...please sweetie open your eyes. I swear to you, you're not dreaming...this is the real thing, "Lucky rambled trying to think of anything to convince her.

"A man named Cesar Faison kidnapped me and..." Lucky's voice trailed off, knowing that she wasn't comprehending anything he was saying. She woudn't even open her eyes. It was all too much to process, especially in the state she was in. There was only one way.

He moved out of his chair, and leaned over her, placing his palms on either side of her angelic face. The face he had missed so much. She opened her eyes only briefly before their lips touched and their souls connected for the second time that night. It all came rushing back to her then, as his lips pressed firmly into hers. The fog, the smell of the sea air, the fireworks, that kiss. Everything came back. He pulled her face closer, deepening the current that ran between them and erasing any shadow of a doubt that he was alive, convincing every cell in her body that something inside of her had been ressurected as well.

Lucky pulled away slightly, only enough to look into her blue eyes that now overflowed with tears. While one hand remained enraptured with her cheek, the other palm glided over her lips, evoking a sob from the deepest recesses of her body. "Oh my God," she managed, almost inaudibly through her tears. "How..."

Lucky smiled through his own fast in falling tears. She knew he was really there. She finally believed it. Lucky sighed and sat down on the edge of her bed, taking both of her trembling hands in his. "A man named Cesar Faison kidnapped me...it was all a set up Elizabeth....he wanted to get to my dad....the fire - it wasn't real...none of it was real...ugh, there's so much I need to say to you..." Lucky's voice trailed off once again, this time interrupted by Elizabeth's hand coming up to caress his cheek. He held it there with his own and leaned into it. He had longed for her touch for months. He closed his eyes and the tears escaped freely as her thumb stroked his face.

Liz eyes averted from his beautiful face as the door swung open to reveal Dr. Monica Quartermaine. She stepped in slowly. She'd been told that Lucky was alive, but the mere information had not been enough of a warning for seeing him when he turned around, wiping his tears.

"My God," she sighed aloud, walking further into the room. She smiled widely at him, taking him in. He looked exactly the same. The same handsome boy that had taken her daughter on the run all those years ago. Only now his hair was a bit longer and he seemed MILES taller. "Wait'll I tell Emily who I ran into tonight," she chuckled.

Lucky grinned, thankful to whomever had told Monica the news. Thankful he wouldn't have to recount any of the details. 'Em,' he thought. 'Gosh, I wonder how she's doing.'

Dr. Quartermaine interrupted Lucky's thoughts as she came to stand next to Elizabeth, surveying various fluid levels that hung from clear bags around her. Lucky stood up, moving a small distance from the bed, as not to stand in the way. He looked down at Elizabeth, and licked his lips nervously when he saw the fear that raced through her eyes. He mouthed the words "It's ok," to her. 'What is she afraid of?' He thought. 'The doctor?....I've never known her to be afraid of doctors before.'

"Lucky," Monica said, getting his attention. "I need to examine Elizabeth...would you mind leaving us alone for a few minutes - "

"No!" Liz shouted, sitting up in bed. Her eyes frantically flew back to him. "Lucky, please don't leave me!"

Lucky walked swiftly back to her bedside, wondering what in the world was going on. Dr. Quatermaine was taken aback by her outburst. "Elizabeth, what's the matter?" Lucky asked, his voice soft.

"You can't leave me," Elizabeth wimpered, fresh tears coming to the surface. "Please...Lucky, please don't leave me."

The realization that Elizabeth was desperately afraid of losing him again suddenly dawned on him. "Ssh - ssh," Lucky wispered placing a finger gently to her lips. He had to think of something to say. Something to reassure her that he wasn't going anywhere. "Sweetie, I'm not going anywhere...I'm gonna be right outside that door ok? Right outside - I swear. I won't move from that spot. And when Dr. Quartermaine is finished, she's gonna come and get me...isn't that right Dr. Quartermaine?" Lucky asked, never looking anywhere but into Elizabeths' fearful eyes.

"Yes, Elizabeth," Dr. Quartermaine answered from over Luckys' shoulder. "I will bring him back to you immediately," she finished, flashing a comforting smile.

After a long moment, Liz nodded in silence. Lucky took that as his cue, rising from the bed and walking backwards towards the door. He blew a kiss, right before walking out.

~~~~~~~~~~

Luke placed a hand on his son's shoulder from behind, immediately regretting the action as Lucky whirled around, ready to strike.

"I - I'm sorry," Luke stammered.

"No, no...I'm sorry," Lucky said, swallowing hard as he turned back to the window that saw into Liz's room, regardless of the fact that the blinds were drawn. 'Stop jumpin' like a scared little kid,' Lucky thought, berating himself.

"Son," Luke began quietly. "Jason and Sonny have located Faison...we're gonna move in on him - "

"I want in on this!" Lucky said, turning around and interrupting his father. There is was no way he was going to 'rise above' getting revenge on this man. His dad would not be able to keep him out of this.

Luke nodded. He hated this, but he knew he wouldn't be able to stop Lucky. Though, he hoped his timeing would. "Ok," Luke said quietly. "But we have to strike now....Faison thinks he's free and clear...it's now or never."

Lucky took a deep breath and turned back around, facing the window. 'Oh God,' he thought. 'There's no way I can leave now....I have to be here for her...she needs me right now....I need her.'

"Lucky?" Luke said, interrupting his thoughts. "I'll understand if you need to stay here." He finished motioning slightly to the window in front of them.

Lucky looked straight ahead into the glass. "Keep me posted on what's going on."

"Ok son, ok."

 ~~~~~~~~~~

"Luke!" Laura called, running after him as he made his way towards the elevator. "Luke!"

Luke turned around, seeing his wife's worried face. "What is it Laura?...Don't try and stop this."

"You think I would try and stop you?" Laura asked, taken aback. "Luke...I'd come with you if I thought you'd let me....you do what you have to do."

Luke looked into her beautiful eyes and knew that she was serious. Never had she condoned his actions before, but this was different. This animal had kept their son a prisoner for months. Luke nodded and began to leave.

"Luke!" Laura called again, causing him to turn around. "Just be careful."

Luke smiled weakly, touched that she still cared. "I will darlin'. I will."

Chapter 20

Nikolas walked slowly into the huge family room that he'd spent so much time in before he'd found his own place. Before, that was, Lucky had found it for him. Lucky had done so much for him, yet as he approached his father at his reading desk, he didn't feel grateful, or even joyful. He felt a loss. As if someone had died, when the exact opposite had just occurred.

Stephan looked up from his book, surveying the melancholy expression on his son's face. "Nikolas?" he asked, removing his glasses. "What's troubling you? You seem distracted."

Nikolas swallowed dryly, and looked up from the floor in which his eyes had been glued. His eyes traveled over to the dining table. 'She looked so beautiful that night,' Nikolas thought as he remembered Christmas Day and how he'd spent it admiring Elizabeth. He took a deep breath and turned his glance towards Stephan. "Father...you'll never believe...Lu - Lucky...he's alive."

Stephan's eyes widened and he breathed deeply through his nose, reacting to the blow he had just been dealt. He wasn't shocked that Lucky was alive. Of course, he had known that, but he was indeed shocked that Nikolas knew. He silently leaned back against the plush velvet cushioning of the chair.

Nikolas continued, realizing his father must have been too shocked for words. "He...he was kidnapped father...by a man named Cesar Faison..and father, Lucky says that grandmother was in some way involved with this as well....father, you have to to tell me that you played no part in this - "

Stephan stood silently, quickly gathering his thoughts. "Nikolas! Do you think I could do something like this?! Kidnap Lucky Spencer and arrange his death as a hoax?!...Nikolas I know how important the boy was to you. I would never be that cruel or deceive you in such a manner."

Nikolas shook his head, ashamed of himself for the second time in the past few hours. "I - I'm sorry father. I just...it's been quite a long evening," he sighed, looking down again.

"It's alright son," Stephan smiled slightly, placing a hand on Nikolas' shoulder. "Where is Lucky now? How were you made aware of this?"

Sighing yet again, Nikolas sat down on the couch. "Elizabeth was in an accident...I wound up finding her in the hospital...father, I - I thought I was dreaming...there was Lucky standing right there in front of me...he looked exactly the same."

After a moment, Stephan nodded, realizing exactly what this meant for his son. It was everything he had hoped to prevent by keeping Lucky's whereabouts hidden. "And the Webber girl...Nikolas, is she well?"

"She'll be fine," Nikolas wispered solemnly.

"Son...I know how much you care for the young woman...do not let your endeavors be thrawted by this turn of events."

'Turn of events?!' Nikolas thought. 'My brother is back from the dead, and he calls it a Turn of events?'

Stephan reached down then, interrupting Nikolas' thoughts as he placed a gentle hand on his back. "Unfortunately, I have some business that must be attended to in my study. If you want to stay here for the evening your welcome to. I can have Mrs. Landsbury arrange your room - "

"No," Nikolas whispered, shaking his head. "I need to be alone tonight father...I'll speak with you soon."

 ~~~~~~~~~

Liz stared up into Lucky's stunningly blue eyes as his hand continuously stroked a soft trail over her face, moving from her cheek to her lips and then across her nose and over her eyelids. He had followed this path at least six times already.

"So?" He asked, absently as he seemingly relearned her every feature. "Tell me what you've done in the past eight months," he wispered. "I wanna know everything...don't leave anything out."

Elizabeth's smile faded as she tried to come up with something. Anything she could share with Lucky. There was so much. So many feelings inside of her that she was so terribly afraid to express. She was so ashamed of things she had done, the way she had treated people. Would Lucky be ashamed of her too? She couldn't take the chance. 'Oh God,' Liz thought. 'Why is this so hard?...I don't want this to be hard! I just want to love Lucky...that's all I want to do.'

"Not much," Liz said finally, plastering on a smile."I enrolled in PCU...um...you know...just school stuff."

Lucky nodded slowly, knowing that she was keeping something from him. Something big. Yet, he sensed that now was not the time to press the issue. He asked tentatively, taking her hand in his. "Did - did you...um...the Art Academy?"

"Oh," Liz said, catching his drift. "No...no I - I didn't get accepted," she finished looking down.

There was no way she could meet his eyes. She was lying. Pure and Simple. She has turned THEM down. TWICE. But how could she tell him that. How could she possibly tell him that he was the reason she hadn't gone to New York City? It would kill him.

"How is that possible?" Lucky asked astounded. "Are they complete idiots?"

Elizabeth shrugged slightly and smiled. "I don't know...but I have you and that's all that matters."

Lucky smiled and slowly bent over her, placing a lingering kiss upon her welcoming lips.

"Uh-UMM!" Detective Taggert said, clearing his throat as he entered the room. Lucky turned around immediately, staring at the man in recognition. He grinned slightly.

The smile proved contagious as Taggert's face lit up as well. "Lucky Spencer," he began. "Well...I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself..." he finished, his voice trailing off. He felt the strong desire to reach out and hug the boy, but would that have been appropriate? 'Probably not,' Taggert thought to himself. 'It's not like we were friends.'

"How are you son?" he asked, as he narrowed the space between them, hesitantly placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Good...fine," Lucky answered, solemnly.

Taggert looked down at Elizabeth, lying in the small hospital bed. "How are you Ms. Webber?" He asked, smiling. He hated what he was about to do. He hadn't seen the girl this happy in months.

"Better now," she smiled weaving her fingers through Lucky's as he stood above her.

"Good," Taggert grinned in reply. "Ms. Webber, I hate to do this now, but I have a few questions I need to ask you."

"About what?" Liz asked, her voice barely audible. Lucky took a seat next to her on the bed.

"Um...your car was found in a ditch off of BayView Drive...about a half a mile from the pier..you do own a black '99 Volkswagen, correct?"

"Yes," Liz answered, in the smallest of voices.

"Well, I'm gonna have to ask a few questions about your accident...the report here says that when you were admitted into the hospital your blood-alcohol level was way over the legal limit - "

"Do we have to do this now?" Lucky asked, standing up swiftly. This was the last thing she needed.

"I'm sorry you two...I just wanted to question Elizabeth about this while it was still fresh in her mind...that's all," he explained apologetically. "Listen, Elizabeth...you're underage...this accident of yours is gonna have to be dealt with...but, I guess for now...I guess I can wait until your back home to do this...it doesn't seem as if you're a flight risk or anything anyway," Taggert added smiling at the couple before him, as their hands continued to tangle. "OK..." he finished. "I'll be in contact."

Taggert walked out of the room and Lucky sat down, staring at the side of Elizabeth's face as she lay turned towards the wall. "Elizabeth?" he whispered, brushing her hair away from her face and neck. "Elizabeth...what happened tonight?"

Liz turned to him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She couldn't tell him yet. She couldn't let him know how she'd fallen apart without him. What she had almost done that night, in particular. "Lucky...I don't want to talk about it right now," she whispered. "Can you please just hold me?"

Lucky inhaled deeply and nodded, blinking back his own burgeoning tears. "Come 'ere," he said softly as he lay down next to her, enveloping her in his arms.

They lay their in each other's arms as the sun came up on another day, both of them giving in to sleep. It was the start of a new year. The start of their new lives together. Whatever it had in store.