Manhattan, New York
Penthouse 7

Lucky watched her as they stepped out of the elevator. Her eyes still as wide as they’d been when the New York skyline first came into view. The sunrise shining bright orange over her face.

He’d watched that face as she slept. Torn over whether or not to wake her as the city emerged. But she’d waken on her own. Picking her head up from it’s comfy spot on his shoulder. A shoulder that had so loved the company, that it hated to see the softness of her brunette mane leave it.

But the smile of wonder that slid across her lips, making it’s way up to her eyes was more than a comparable replacement. The orange glow from the window shimmering against the sapphire glow that was her eyes.

Yes, he’d watched the entire time. Not sleeping the entire flight. Too wound up. Too overjoyed to have her coming with him. Have her LIVING with him. Even if the relationship was to be ‘platonic,’ at first.

‘At first,’ Lucky had repeated to himself silently during the hours that passed. ‘At first.’

She had said that she wanted to start things slow. But ‘start,’ had been the operative word right? She didn’t want to just stagnate there. She simply wanted to START slow. And THAT, Lucky had decided, was do-able.

Resisting the urge to grin at the wonderment of her face as she stilled and then crossed the threshold of the elevator…was NOT do-able.

"You ok?" Lucky asked. Smiling even larger as he placed a hand on her back. "Sorry about that cabbie."

Elizabeth blinked a few times and turned towards him, her mouth still hanging open. "Wh – what?"

"The cab ride over?…It was a little rough. You look a little green around the gills."

Her jaw dropped open even wider. "Oh – oh…no, I just – the cab ride was fi – you…You actually LIVE here?" She said finally.

Looking down sheepishly, Lucky nodded towards the door to his penthouse. "Yeah…I actually live here."

She waited while he fiddled with the key to unlock the door, trying not to scream out loud. It was just a building for God’s sake in a city just like any other. It wasn’t like he’d taken her to the White House or something.

‘Get a grip Webber,’ she thought quickly. Straightening the sweatshirt and jeans she’d changed into on the plane. ‘He’s gonna think you grew up in a barn or something.’

"Oh my God…" Elizabeth sighed, the door swinging open in front of her. ‘Yeah, Webber…way to be cool.’

Lucky took a deep breath before ushering her inside, taking in her shocked expression.

This would be the moment of truth. She’d either completely flip out like some women did and gush about things that were in his opinion completely ungushworthy, or she’d act completely unimpressed like other women did. Women that were used to going to a different rich guy’s apartment every weekend.

She didn’t say a word…She just…stood there.

"Elizabeth?" Lucky asked again. Placing a hand on the small of her back.

"You – you live here?" She asked again. Her eyes darting around as her feet stayed cemented to the hard wood floor of the front entrance. To the right of her stood a good sized kitchen of stainless steel décor, and to the front of her was huge room with a big couch, love seat, and rather large ottoman, situated in what she assumed was a living room.

"Not just me," Lucky sighed, smiling. Taking her duffel bag from her to sit it down on the table right next to the door. "You live here too."

And thus begun the tour. Lucky having to pull her along as he made his way through the kitchen. "This," he began. "Is where I make all my culinary masterpieces."

Elizabeth watched in silence as he stood behind the sink and picked up a remote control that lay on the countertop. "And as you can see," he continued. As the wall across from them suddenly split in two, giving way to a big screen television. "If I aim this straight ahead…Emeril and I can communicate like this while I cook."

She laughed.

‘Score,’ Lucky thought. Smiling back at her.

He wanted so badly for her to feel like she belonged. To know that this was her home too. Since hopefully it would be…for a long time.

"Now," he began. "On to the living room."

Biting her bottom lip, Elizabeth allowed her self to be pulled through the kitchen, stepping down into the living room.

"Of course you’ve already seen my favorite part," Lucky grinned, pointing towards the television. He gestured towards the drawers that had been exposed by the opening of the wall as well. "But this madam," he said bowing. "Is where we keep the controls…I advise you to know where they are – since the first Games Tournament WILL be held in your honor tomorrow night."

Elizabeth laughed again and sighed as he dragged her onward. "Lucky, you didn’t have to plan anything for me."

"I haven’t done anything yet," he said, pushing out his bottom lip. "But I’m gonna…And besides – it’s not just for you, you know?…Don’t get to thinkin’ you own the place now just becau -

"Oh my God…"

Lucky’s voice quieted and he followed her eyes towards the reason for her outburst. It was the exact same reason he’d chosen this apartment…and his heart flip-flopped over the fact that she’d had the very same reaction to it.

"I know…" he sighed, nodding.

Her feet moved slowly and she paused for an instant when she got to it. Reaching out to touch the window lightly with her fingertips. A window that began at the ceiling and ended at the floor. Seemingly a wall of magic that looked out over the entire city.

"This is pretty much why I moved in," Lucky whispered.

"Lucky," Elizabeth sighed quietly. "That has to be the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen."

From his eyes perspective, that was no longer true. "It used to be."

"What?" Elizabeth said, turning towards him. Too caught up in every possible angle of the city, to notice that he wasn’t even looking out of the window.

Lucky stammered quickly, averting his eyes. "Um – nothing…Why don’t we finish looking around. You’ll have plenty of time to stare out of this window later," he chuckled a bit nervously. "Follow me"

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth followed closely behind Lucky. Stopping in her tracks again after only a second. There was so much to see.

"What – what’s that?"

Stopping mid-stride, Lucky followed her gaze. "Oh, that’s just my little office," he laughed. "It’s more like a closet, really."

The sliding door was open, and the windows around the room piqued Elizabeth’s curiosity. She could already tell that her curiosity quotient was going to be sky high for the next few weeks. Or however long it took to roam around this city. "May I?"

Lucky ran a hand through his hair and nodded. The desert sun having sizzled it blonde in a few places, after only a few days. "Sure."

It was a small, messy little room. Books on top of books, stacked more on his desk than on the shelves. Tons and tons of books…

Smiling to herself she let her fingers drift across a few titles. She’d left all her books behind…this would be…heaven.

Lucky scratched the back of his head as he leaned against the door jam behind her. "See it only LOOKS like a mess…it’s actually a very complex filing system."

Elizabeth turned and smiled. "I like your system…………You’ve got so many books," she sighed. Starting to peruse the titles on the shelves.

One eyebrow wiggled on Lucky’s forehead. "It’s mostly just computer stuff…nothing really interesting."

"Who says computer stuff can’t be interesting?"

He bit his lip and let his head fall against the doorframe when she turned away from him. Ah, there was so much more to learn about this woman. And it’d be the best learning experience he’d ever had, that’s for sure.

"What are these?"

The reverie that had him entranced as he watched her loosened its hold at the sound of her voice. "What’s what?"

"These," she repeated. Pointing from one award to the next. A plaque here, a trophy there.

She began reading various inscriptions. "Best Video Game of the Year…Most Advanced Computer Design…Best Creative CGI of the Year…my God," she sighed.

"And what do we have here –

"Ah, Elizabe –

She turned around and grinned widely at him. Her finger tapping happily against the glass covered magazine. The cover plastered with his beautiful mug. Elizabeth cleared her throat to read the title of the cover story. "Ahem…Lucky Spencer, Hottest Techie of Email Generation…

"Oh my God!" Elizabeth squealed. "Am I living with the Hottest Techie of the Email Generation?!"

Lucky rolled his eyes and stepped out of the office. "Shut up."

Elizabeth followed him out and jumped up and down. "Oooh Goody! Wait till I tell my friends!"

He bit his lip and shook his head. "Look missy, don’t make me sorry I invited you here."

At her immediate stoic expression, Lucky felt the guilt rise in his chest and take hold of his heart. He bent his knees to meet her eyes. "Elizabeth, I was only kidding…REALLY."

Elizabeth shrugged. She was being too sensitive. She was the one who had the issues…not him. She was the one who still couldn’t believe she was here. Didn’t know how she’d ever manage to pay even a quarter of the rent on this place.

"I know…I’m just – I sorry. I think I have jet lag."

Lucky took a relieved breath. "Well then, why don’t I show you you’re room and you can take a nap…follow me."

Once again, Elizabeth trailed behind him. Her eyes drifting over the countless pictures of friends and family that hung in the hallway. Even in the short time it took them to reach the bedroom, she could feel the love that radiated from every photo. Beautiful images from special occasions, and trips. Pictures of him and a gorgeous dark haired girl that she could only imagine was the sister he had talked about. A picture of he and his cherry red dream…Mary the Mercury.

"Your budois madam," Lucky said, opening the door with the flourish of a doorman. "Well," he amended when she stepped over the threshold. "It WILL be - once I clean up all my crap."

"Lucky – no"

"Elizabeth, we already talked about this on the flight."

"And I said no then too."

"Well where the heck do you think you’re gonna sleep, on the roof?"

She opened her mouth to protest and then turned to gesture down the hall. "I can sleep on that huge sofa you’ve got out there!"

He shook his head. "It Is a pull-out, yes…but that’ll be my home until we figure something else out…Elizabeth, I’m not compromising on this one…You wanna be here – you sleep in my bed."

There eyes locked for one awkward moment and Elizabeth looked down, shifting her weight from one foot to another.

"That’s not how I meant it. I –

"I KNOW what you meant," Elizabeth smiled. Looking back up at him to break the tension. But nothing she saw there made the tension go away. Instead, it only intensified. Growing stronger like the blue of his eyes when he was thinking about kissing her.

Even with the few lip locks they’d shared, she already knew that look. Already knew that she started to fidget when he did that.

Sighing, she quickly moved past him into the room. Pushing non-existent strands of hair behind her ears.

It wasn’t much tidier than his office had been, but a bit. A few pairs of pants were on the carpet…but everything else seemed orderly and neat. And even though it had been lacking its occupant for the last few days, it smelled like him.

Her eyes seemed to instantly travel to the bed, and she suddenly realized how close he was to her, standing inside the room. She pushed herself closer to the bed and laughed nervously. "Who sleeps in there? Big Foot?"

Lucky grinned and looked at his bed. It was a huge king size. "Nope, just me and my dog…….Oh! Speaking of…" he added abruptly.

Elizabeth watched him whirl around and head back down the corridor as she followed.

"I have to pick Foster up from Linda - my neighbor down the hall. Sometimes I leave him with my parents, but since I was only gonna be gone for a few days I figured there was no sense in –

He realized he was rambling and just turned to smile. "I’ll be right back ok?"

"Ok," Elizabeth nodded, standing in the kitchen now. The air having become a bit clearer now that they were out of the bedroom. She inhaled deeply.

Lucky inhaled at the same time and smiled once more. God, she was beautiful.

‘You can do this Spencer…you can DO this platonic thing,’ Lucky thought, looking for the leash behind the door. ‘Oh really Spencer,’ an inner voice countered. ‘Is that why you keep having to take a deep breath every time you get a few inches away from her…SURE, this is gonna work out JUST FINE…Go get your damn dog before you start growling at her.’

"Ok," he said again. To no one in particular as he turned to open the front door.

"Lucky," Elizabeth called, reaching out to still his arm.

"Yeah?"

"I’m – I’m glad I’m here," she sighed.

Without thinking, Lucky leaned in quickly to press his lips to her forehead. Leaving them there for a few seconds before pulling back as if he’d been burned.

‘Rule number 2…broken,’ he thought. Silently chiding himself as he backed away.

"I’m glad you’re here too……….Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back."

Elizabeth breathed in through her mouth and pressed her fingers to her forehead when he slipped out the door. "Make myself comfortable," she said aloud to herself. "Right…right…he might as well have said make myself invisble."

How the Hell was she supposed to do this?

‘What Webber?…You mean take things slow? Be…’platonic’?…HA! Well you chose it…now – live with it.’

~~~~~~~

~~ 15 minutes later ~~

"Foster! Foster!" Lucky yelled quickly, running up to pull the huge canine off of Elizabeth. His head practically larger than her entire body.

"It’s ok," Elizabeth giggled as the dog commenced to licking her knees and then her hands again. Leaving wet, sloppy trails all over her skin. "Hey boy," she smiled. Getting down on the floor to pet the huge animal. "Oh that’s a good boy….that’s a good boy."

Foster quickly lay down. Placing his huge head in the girl’s lap, to stare up at her.

When Elizabeth looked up, she met Lucky’s wide-eyed gaze. "What’s wrong?"

He stood near the barstools, completely stunned. "I have never…EVER seen him react that way to anybody."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth said, scratching the dog’s head as she leaned down to kiss his cranium. "Sweet doggy…look at you…."

"I mean he HATES pretty much everybody that comes into this apartment," Lucky admitted. Shaking his head. What the Hell was happening here?

Elizabeth rose one eyebrow. "You mean you brought me to live in an apartment with a viscous animal that you thought would despise me on sight?"

Lucky grinned. "Well, I - I was hoping pretty hard that you two would get along."

"Hmm…well my history of dating dogs does give me a lot of insight into their pysche."

"You’re funny," Lucky sighed. Smiling only slightly.

"I think so."

Lucky began shaking his head. "Seriously though…Foster usually either wants nothing to do with my friends, or growls at them when they first walk in the door – he even still growls at my dad!…But with you – man oh man…look at him…cloud 9."

Elizabeth leaned over to kiss his wet nose. "Maybe I smell like kibble…Do I? Huh poochie?"

Lucky grinned widely at that cutesy little doggie voice she was doing. "You definitely don’t smell like kibble. Believe me I know what you smell like."

Her hand stilled against Foster’s head and she stayed riveted to his eyes for a moment. Dying to ask what she smelled like. What HE thought she smelled like…

‘Ah one of THOSE moments again Spencer?’ Lucky thought, quickly licking his dry lips. ‘You know the dog may not need a muzzle, but you might try investing in one of those for yourself.’

Clearing her throat, Elizabeth stood up. Quickly followed by Foster. She had to dissolve the situation here.

"Is he hungry?…Maybe he thinks I’m a milk bone."

Lucky swallowed back the comment he wanted to make in response to that one. Giving himself an imaginary pat on the back for being able to restrain himself this time. He’d actually kept quiet!

"No, he actually ate over at Linda’s…but I on the other hand could use a big, giant burger right about now."

Elizabeth smiled and clapped her hands together. "Well hey! Why don’t you let me make you lunch!? You’ve got this GREAT kitchen, and -

"Are you kidding me?" Lucky demanded. Putting his hands on his hips. "Elizabeth Webber…this is your first day in the city. If you aren’t planning on napping, I say we hit the TOWN!"

"Lucky don’t you want to talk to some your friends? Hang out with them or something…or - I mean – you’re bound to have something for work that you need to do, or –

"Nope," Lucky said shaking his head. "Like I said – we’re hosting a Games Tournament tomorrow night – you can meet my friends then. And as for work……they’ve done fine without me up until now, a few more hours won’t kill ‘em."

Elizabeth bit down on her lip. "You don’t mind?…I mean playing tour guide and all?"

"Come on Elizabeth…you think I brought you down here to hang out in the apartment all day long?"

He could see in her eyes that she was trying very hard to contain her giddiness over the idea of learning a little bit about New York City. "Come on," he said again, encouraging her.

A smile erupted on her face and she nodded vehemently. Ok!…I’ll be right back – I’ll just put on my tennis shoes – the only other pair of shoes, I brought I might add!…So we can’t like – go dancing or anything!" She called, running down the hall.

Lucky rolled his eyes sarcastically. It was mid afternoon and the girl was already talking about dancing. "Oh darn…we can’t?"

~~~~~~~

~~ A Few Hours Later ~~

Elizabeth groaned aloud and made a show of shaking her head as she eyed the garment bag at Lucky’s side once again. Silently reminding her self that it was her fault and not Lucky’s. After all she’d been the one to give in right? She’d been the one to finally say ‘yes,’ to him buying that dress for her after his incessant prodding.

But she shouldn’t have given in. She was already going to be freeloading until she found a job.

"Would you stop?!" Lucky groaned back following the remorseful gaze of her eyes. He bit off another huge mouthful of his burger. "You never know when you might need a new dress alright?"

"Lucky, I agreed to let you buy me necessities – like a toothbrush, underwear – that kinda thing. Not a formal EVENING gown!…It’s too much!"

"Well, not that buying you underwear wasn’t a highlight of my day – much higher up there than visiting the Statue of Liberty – but who says an evening gown is not a necessity?"

He bit off another portion of his burger and tried to swallow his food while remaining a gentleman at the same time by not chewing with his mouth open. He was just so hungry that he couldn’t resist eating. "Maybe something will come up where you’ll need one," he muttered.

Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth bit into her burger. She couldn’t think of any reason that she might need a dress like THAT. She’d never even tried on a dress like that, let alone bought one. But when he’d practically pushed her into Saks Fifth Avenue, it wasn’t like any sane woman could really resist ogling a slinky, black dress.

Especially when he kept telling her to ‘try it on…try it on.’ She’d felt like a fairy princess in it.

Her quiet mutter came reluctantly..."Thank you."

"What’s that?" Lucky asked. Trying to suppress a grin. "I couldn’t hear you."

"I said THANK YOU," Elizabeth growled around her food. "But that’s it Lucky! That’s all – you don’t get to buy me anything else ok? First thing tomorrow, I’m gonna start looking for a job, and you won’t have to worry about pulling my weight."

Lucky sighed and placed his burger down in the red basket in which it came. "Elizabeth I’m not the one who’s worried about whether or not you can pull your weight – you are……I KNOW you will…ok?"

"And how exactly do you KNOW that?"

"I have faith in you."

The words slipped so easily from his mouth. Five words that she’d never even felt in regards to herself or what she was capable of doing in this life had sprung so carelessly from his lips. As if he’d known her all his life. As if he had no doubt whatsoever in her ability to make an entirely new start, in an entirely new city…and do it successfully.

"Be that as it may, I still have to earn my keep."

Lucky nodded. He wasn’t going to win this battle. "Fine."

"Fine," Elizabeth smiled in return.

"I wouldn’t call that fine…He obviously doesn’t have a problem spending money on you…Why don’t you let him?"

The voice had come out of nowhere, but for Lucky it was unmistakable. He nearly choked on his food before looking up into Stephanie’s ice blue eyes.

"Steph," He managed, swallowing the remnants of food in his mouth. And slowly breathing in through his nose. "What are you doing here?"

His tone had sounded rude, and he knew it…but he didn’t care. Why of all days had she chosen to come here for lunch? She never, EVER came to this restaurant. She’d come here exactly ONCE with him, and she HATED IT. HATED IT from the moment they’d walked in. She’d dissed everything from the wooden chairs to the less than gourmet food.

But of course today she’d had to make an appearance…of course.

If Wallace had let her know that he was back in town, his ass was grass.

Stephanie smiled sweetly and then turned towards the little brown-haired mouse of girl sitting across from Lucky. The smile, having chilled considerably in that half a second. "Having lunch of course…just like you two……Care to introduce me to your friend Lucky?"

Immediate discomfort radiated up Elizabeth’s spine as the girl addressed Lucky, yet stared at her the entire time.

‘Not really,’ Lucky thought. Already irritated. How the heck was he supposed to do this anyway? One thing he and Elizabeth hadn’t discussed in great depth was Stephanie.

And the even bigger question: What was he supposed to introduce Elizabeth as?

‘Girlfriend?’ Lucky thought quickly. ‘Nope…you’re platonic remember? Just a FRIEND…God, that doesn’t seem strong enough…Fiancé…oooh – Stephanie would FLIP out! That would be awes - Just skip it Spencer…don’t give anyone a ‘title’.’

Lucky licked his lips and prayed that she would leave after quick introductions. "Stephanie this is Elizabeth, Elizabeth this is Stephanie."

"Aah," Stephanie said, nodding quietly. "H – how do you two know each other?"

‘Shit,’ Lucky thought. ‘So much for leaving after quick introductions.’

"We’re friends," Elizabeth interjected with a smile. Catching the way Lucky shifted nervously in his chair. And the way the girl looked at her. As if she wanted a plunge a fork straight through her heart and keep going until she hit air.

One of Stephanie’s finely sculpted eyebrows rose to attention and she nodded towards Elizabeth. "Well it’s very nice to meet you……and hey, I’d advise you to keep the little token," she paused, motioning towards the garment bag. "They won’t come very often…

"Ta, Lucky."

Lucky sighed and looked down as she walked away. Shaking his head in apology when he looked up to see the ‘What the Hell was that?’ expression all over Elizabeth’s face.

"The ‘x’?" She asked, picking up her hamburger again as she watched Stephanie walk out of the restaurant. She hadn’t even been eating here, so she must’ve spotted him through the window and decided to take a trip inside.

He rolled his eyes. "How’d you guess?"

"She was giving me the x-girlfriend glare of death…it’s pretty hard to miss."

Biting down on his lip, he sighed. "I’m sorry about that…she just –

"Hey," Elizabeth interrupted with a wave of her hand. "No apology needed…She obviously isn’t over yet."

"Ha! You’re kidding right?" Lucky laughed. "That girl was over me by the second date…I don’t know why the Hell she holds on."

Elizabeth smiled weakly as Lucky took a long gulp of his Dr. Pepper as if drowning his sorrows. How the Hell could ANYBODY get over him?

"So…ya didn’t buy her anything huh? Poor girl…I could tell by her Gucci pumps that she’s just hurting all the way down to her toes."

Lucky guffawed and nearly spit his soda out through the straw. "Yeah…she’s hurting alright," he began shaking his head. "The woman COMES from money. I think maybe her family even INVENTED money, yet she walks around whining about what she doesn’t have all the time…

"You know it’s really evil," Lucky paused. Lowering his voice conspiratorially as he leaned forward. "But sometimes I would purposely NOT buy her something even when I knew she really wanted it…just to spite her."

A grin widened over Elizabeth’s mouth. "You bastard."

"I know…I’m ashamed…deeply," Lucky deadpanned, shoving a handful of fries into his mouth.

Elizabeth grimaced in what was a cross between disgust and amazement. "You inhale food like a vacuum."

"I’m a growing boy, I need my nourishment."

She sipped at her Cherry Coke. "But where the Hell does it all go?"

"Hey, I work out for this body missy…We can’t all be naturally fit, like Wonder Woman."

A gale of laughter came from her this time and several people turned to look in the happy couple’s direction. Such an attractive looking duo, and obviously so in love.

"Well Wonder Woman runs 2 miles everyday."

"Really?" Lucky said. Pretending to be impressed for a moment as he pondered that announcement. "I’m at 2 and a half myself." He finished, bragging.

"Oooh," Elizabeth sighed leaning back. "Stamina."

Lucky popped a fry into his mouth and leaned back as well. "Oh I got plenty a stamina…even Wonder Woman might be impressed."

Complete silence ensued with that little remark. Marking, the end of playful banter and return of sexual tension. An intensity that had been building for days…in spite of any pact for a platonic relationship.

Apparently their bodies weren’t aware of this pact. Nor their hearts. Each of them pumping a lot faster right at that moment.

Elizabeth faked a yawn to break the thickness of tension that surrounded them and Lucky grinned. "You can’t possibly be tired."

"Why can’t I be?" She smiled picking up a fry. "I’ve got every right to have jet lag."

"Not if we’re going to see a Broadway show tonight."

The fry she had picked up from her basket dropped right back down into it. Her mouth dropping open in shock. It took her a moment to process and respond, what he’d just said.

"What?"

Grinning, Lucky reached into her basket and pulled out the fry she’d just dropped. He held it in front of her lips, and she took a bite. Chewing as her eyes stayed trained on his.

Her eyes were beautiful. He quietly and quickly spoke directly to them.

"8 o’clock – The Palace Theatre."

Elizabeth shook her head and swallowed the fry that she couldn’t even taste around her shock. "H – how?…You’ve been with me all day long and you didn’t say any – I –

Lucky smiled widely. She was tongue-tied. She was happy – exactly the reaction he was hoping for.

"I made a call from Linda’s apartment when I was picking up Foster," he explained. His smile growing as her eyes continued to widen. "See, I have this friend…well he’s – yeah, I guess he’s a friend," Lucky backtracked. "His name’s Jack, you’ll meet him tomorrow night…Anyway, he used to go out with this girl, and this girl happens to be in the show. She’s constantly saying how we should give her a call – get passes – whatever. So in honor of your first night in town," Lucky smiled. "I decided to take her up on the offer."

Her silence panicked him a bit. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all? Maybe she wasn’t as happy as he’d thought she’d be?

"This is…this is ok, right?…Because if it’s not, we can just –

"Are you kidding me?" Elizabeth asked. Her mouth, dropping wider as she shook her head again. She lifted herself out of her chair a moment later and walked around to his side of the table to throw her arms around his neck. "Of COURSE it’s ok…Thank you so much…God, you don’t even –

Her voice caught and Lucky immediately smoothed a hand along her back…Was she crying?

"You don’t even know what this means to me," she finished. "Thank you…so, so much."

Ever since she was a little girl she’d dreamt of seeing a show on Broadway. Never believing it would actually happen. And here she was…

It had been the most surreal day of her life. Moving to New York City, living with a man who quite honestly was unlike any person she’d ever met in her entire life – any person she’d ever dreamt existed really. And now she was going to a Broadway show.

A dream. It all had to be a dream that she would wake up from very soon…but God she didn’t want it to end. Not ever.

"Thank you," Elizabeth whispered again, trying not to give into the tears that threatened.

The breathiness of her voice felt so soft against his skin that Lucky was unable to fight the urge to wrap both arms around her. His fingers laced together at her back. But it wasn’t just her voice that was soft…SHE was soft – everywhere.

"You’re welcome," he sighed. Not wanting to let go.

Elizabeth pushed gently against his chest after a quiet moment and broke away. Sinking back into her chair reluctantly. "You are so…ugh…

There weren’t any words to describe him. "I can’t wait," she finished with a smile.

"I can’t wait to see you in that dress."

She smiled.

What was she doing? Why had she thought she could do this? Be with him and be nothing more than good friends?

"Alrighty…well," Lucky said. Wiping his mouth on a napkin as he tore his eyes painstakingly away from hers. "Why don’t we get you home so you can FINALLY get a nap…and then we’ll paint the town."

~~~~~~~

She looked…magnificent. Maybe that was why Lucky found it hard to concentrate on the French saga that was unfolding onstage. The thin straps of rhinestones that held up the black dress that she wore shimmered against her eyes as they moved with every action of the plot. Her deep blue orbs simply enraptured by every turn. Every change in song.

Own my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me

Elizabeth hadn’t taken her eyes off of the stage once, but he – he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. From the moment she’d emerged from his bedroom in her gown, he’d had to make every mental effort not to touch her. Not to kiss her. Not so say ‘Platonic, Shmonic – I want you on the sofa now!’

And here she was sitting next to him…so close and in the dark.

But this platonic thing had only been an idea, right? A way to keep each other from moving too fast with this relationship, right? It wasn’t going to last forever, right? And he wasn’t about to do something asinine like pretending to stretch in order to drape his arm around her shoulders, right?…Right.

No, no…he had to think of something a bit smoother than that. A bit more eloquent. A bit less contrived.

‘Oh yeah…you’re worried about being contrived…that’s why you’re sitting here basically plotting out HOW to put the moves on her…Great…You’re a dumbass Spencer.’

Elizabeth tried to hold back her tears as Eponine cried over the man she loved. But it was so beautiful, so poignant, how could anyone not cry? And this woman – this actress on stage…it was if her heart simply bled up there.

She bit her lip and tried not to embarrass herself. No one else in the balcony seat was blubbering.

It seemed she was the only dope in the theatre.

‘Was that a sniffle?’ Lucky thought, turning towards her. ‘It was,’ he quickly surmised. Even though she wouldn’t look at him. Wouldn’t dare take her eyes away from that stage for all the money in the world.

Especially not now. Especially not when she was about to cry.

He could see the beginnings of tears in her eyes. The rhinestones at her shoulders, sparkling against the light sheen that out lined her bottom lids. Lucky quickly averted his eyes - maybe if he wasn’t looking, she’d go ahead and do it for God’s Sake.

Lucky reached out and took her hand on the armrest. Lacing his fingers through hers without even looking. Not because it was the ‘smooth’ thing to do, or because he was trying to make a move. It was simply to let her know that it was ok to express herself. Ok to feel what she was feeling.

Maybe he’d be able to reassure himself that it was ok for him to feel what he was feeling as well.

God, his heart was so full right then that he couldn’t even breathe. Couldn’t imagine how he could feel this way about someone so quickly. Couldn’t imagine how he could go ON feeling this way, without being able to touch her or hold her in his arms as more than a really good friend.

He wondered how long he could legitimately keep this up. How long he could force himself not to try and kiss her. Not to tell her that he loved her every 2 seconds.

His fingers clasped the inside of her palm and he felt her respond to it. Clutching his hand more tightly as well as she went ahead and gave into the urge to cry.

And as he held her hand without looking at it - only feeling the softness of her beautiful skin - Lucky started to cry as well. But not because of the beauty of the song or the sentimentality of the production. He cried simply because he was sharing that beauty with someone he loved.

Finally he knew…he loved. And even if she never ever let him say the words, or returned them. He knew it, and he would hold on to that forever.

~~~~~~~

~~ Hours Later ~~

Elizabeth sat in bed. The super sized comforter surrounding her limbs. The sheets a perfect contrast to it’s warmth with their cool, snowy whiteness. It was the softest bed she’d ever felt in her life. Lucky had said it was made out of goose down, and it felt like pure heaven to her aching calves. Her legs having taken a beating after a day of sight seeing in New York.

And there was still so much to do. Still so much to see.

But tonight, she thought staring up at the beautiful gown that hung from a knob on Lucky’s dresser across. Tonight, she’s seen New York City lit up like a Christmas tree. Tonight she’d been to a Broadway show and been shown the town by someone who…

‘Someone who absolutely makes your toes curl?’ Elizabeth thought. Flopping down into the cushiony soft pillow and stretching from her fingers to said toes like a happy kitten. A smile that she didn’t know how to control spread over her entire body and she flailed her arms around as if she were really in snow.

She bit down on her lip and stared up at the ceiling. Sleepy but far too wired and excited to drift off. The light stayed lit next to her bed. She couldn’t even seem to close her eyes without replaying the entire day in her head. It had been so incredibly amazing.

There she lay in his bed…sleeping in his shirt. The thought of it enlarged her smile. But it was ONLY for tonight she reminded herself quickly. Before she got too accustomed to the idea of sleeping in his clothes.

Since they’d forgotten to buy her pajamas today. They’d agreed that she’d use the sparse amount of money she had in her account to help out with the rent and things like utilities for now. And Lucky would help her out with other things that she needed.

They’d also had to have one of her neighbors, send over some of her things from her apartment in Vegas.

But she didn’t care. She couldn’t make herself worry about details right now when everything was so damn wonderful that she wanted to scream.

‘In fact,’ Elizabeth thought, unable to hold back the impulse as she pressed a pillow to her mouth and let it rip. ‘I think I will!’

She screamed twice into the thick pillow and then pulled it away. Still grinning like a maniac. What had she done to deserve this in life?

"Did you say something?"

Elizabeth looked up. Her eyes wide and startled when Lucky appeared in the doorway. It took every resistant force in her body not to scream again at the sight he presented.

"N – n…

A pair of black boxerbriefs…that – that was it. That…that was all. Nothing…nothing else…nothing at all.

‘I may never be able to say ANYTHING again in my life Lucky…’

"Are you ok?" He asked, moving through the doorframe and into the room. His eyes wide with concern.

‘Oh dear God…don’t do that…don’t come any closer…don’t…shit…shit….No, no…I don’t believe I am ok!’ she thought frantically. Trying very hard to find her voice somewhere in the thick haze of lust that enveloped her.

"I thought I heard noises," Lucky continued. Sitting now on the bed.

‘Oh GOD! It was probably the sound of my HEART giving out with a really large THUD!’ Elizabeth thought, her eyes wide. She drew her legs back immediately under the sheets so that they weren’t anywhere near that body of his.

Not anywhere near those firm thighs or intricately designed six-pack of abs or that finely sculpted chest…

"Elizabeth, are you ok?"

"F – fu– fine…I’m fine – how bout you?"

Lucky smiled. She sounded like a teller at the bank. "I’m good thanks," he answered in the same business like tone. "May I help you with anything?"

‘Removing those underwear would help GREATLY,’ Elizabeth thought. Her eyes straying from his face and down to his Calvin Klein waistband. That looked…tight. That looked…

"I think," Elizabeth said. Brushing a few non-existent strands of hair behind her ears. "I think I’m going to go to sex – SLEEP now."

Lucky’s eyebrows rose to startled attention. "You’re going to sex now?"

"SLEEP!" She repeated loudly. An irritated frown creasing her forehead. "I said SLEEP...now."

Elizabeth gulped down her embarrassment as Lucky chuckled. "Ok."

He gave a little tug on the waistband of his boxerbriefs as he rose. "I think I’m gonna go to sex now too…goodnight."

Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed at his joke and she hurled her pillow at him. Lucky laughed hard when he caught it against his chest.

"Sorry," he grinned. Apologizing as he strolled back towards the bed and slipped the pillow beneath her head. He stared into her eyes for a long moment as she lay there. Her head nestled in his sheets.

His fingers reached out on their own accord, slipping a few strands of hair away from her face. "You sure do look good in my shirt."

A small grin tugged at the corner of her lips and she tried to see if she could hold her breath and talk at once. His fingers were still touching her cheek. "Thank you…thank you for letting me borrow it."

"You’re welcome," he sighed.

Lucky leaned in. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Good night Elizabeth."

"Good night," Elizabeth sighed as he stood to full height and switched off the lamp next to her.

She watched his silhouette move half way out of the room, and saw him halt at the door. "Dreams of Gold Elizabeth."

~~~~~~~

~~A Few Hours Later~~

Lucky shoved his hands under his head restlessly. Completely unable to fall asleep.

‘It’s just that you’re not in your own bed,’ he thought. Tossing over on his side once again. ‘It’s got nothing to do with the fact that she’s in there lying in it…with nothing on but your dress shirt…it’s got absolutely nothing to do with that at all.

‘You gotta get some sleep!’ Lucky told himself. Forcing him self to close his eyes. If he weren’t in the office tomorrow morning they’d have his hide.

But Hell all the days he’d missed had been worth it. Every single, solitary moment of these last few days had been…amazing.

He had somebody now that understood him. Somebody that he could talk to and know was really listening. Somebody who laughed at his jokes, and somebody that would be waiting for him when he came home every evening.

"Somebody besides you boy," Lucky grinned as Foster walked up and laid his head on the side of the bed as if reading his owner’s thoughts. He huffed in indignation. "Don’t worry boy you aren’t bein’ replaced…but you gotta admit she’s a lot better lookin’ than you are."

The dog sighed again as if to admit it was sad but true.

Lucky patted his head. "Are you pissed you got kicked out of your bed, boy?…You know, Foster I’d say go in there…but Elizabeth isn’t used to sleeping with huge canine’s yet."

‘Or maybe she was,’ Lucky thought blandly. Thinking back to her earlier comment about dogs and men. The one he hadn’t found so amusing. He had plenty of time to find out what she’d meant by that though. Plenty.

"Sorry boy, but she’s more used to sleeping with stuffed anim – oh shit," Lucky thought, shooting upwards on the pullout bed. Foster’s head leapt to attention as well.

"I didn’t give her a chance to get her stuffed animals out of her apartment before we left Foster…God, she loves those bears…We’re gonna have to rectify that, aren’t we boy?" Lucky said, patting his head again.

Lucky bit down on his lip. "Until then I’ve got a plan that could benefit all of us…especially you Foster…She needs somethin’ cuddly to sleep with…and I’m thinkin you just might fit the bill…Go on in there boy…Go on."

Foster looked up at him with sad puppy dog eyes. "Oh come on Foster…you know you want on that bed anyway…it works out for you too."

The dog seemed to mull it over for a moment. Glancing down the corridor and then back to Lucky. He licked Lucky’s hand twice and trotted off …It was a deal.

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth blinked hard when she felt the mattress jolt and then the huge dip as Foster came bounding up next to her. "Hey boy," she said quietly. Scratching his belly as he immediately lay down beside her. "What brings you in here?"

She wrapped her arms around Foster’s huge body and brought him closer. Ah, this was better. Maybe she could finally close her eyes now.

She’d never realized she was this much of a baby – not being able to sleep without a teddy bear in her arms – but apparently she was.

Foster was bigger than any bear she’d ever had. But he felt just right. "You here to keep me company pal?" She whispered.

"Thank you…Goodnight doggy."

Lucky folded his arms over his chest and listened quietly from the hallway. A smile spreading over his lips. Everything was cool…THIS was gonna be GREAT.

Maybe now he could get some sleep.