Chapter 15

"So anyway...Chloe says my dress should be done by tomorrow...I am SO beyond excited!" Emily squealed, jumping up and down from her sitting position on Liz's bed. She looked at her friend, and suddenly stopped jumping.

Liz looked as if someone had just stolen her best set of paints. Emily immediately realized what the problem was and she felt like a complete idiot. She had once again stuck her foot in her mouth. Lucky and Elizabeth weren't even going to get to go their own prom. Pretending to be 'broken up' meant no hand holding, no kissing, no staring, and definitely...NO PROMS.

"Ugh..I'm SO sorry Elizabeth..gosh, I'm such a dork. I should have thought before opening my big, fat mouth........ugh, jeez is there any chocolate in here?" She sighed, standing up to search her friends dresser.

Liz smiled sadly. "It's ok Em, really..........it's not like it's the end of the world, you know?....Lucky and I will have other dances....I don't need the prom."

Emily turned around, facing her friend who's face betrayed her words. She had to try and cheer her up. "That's right," she said walking over to her and grabbing her hands. "You will have other dances.....like at your wedding......your anniversary..."

That did it. Elizabeth smiled. It was the dreamy kind of smile that only true happiness could create. "That's a nice image," she sighed.

Emily couldn't help but become a little sad by her own idea. "I won't get to see it," she whispered to herself. "I won't get to see your wedding."

"Em...of course you will," Elizabeth countered, refusing to believe that her best friend would not see her and Lucky tie the knot, whenever the day came. "Lucky and I aren't getting married anytime soon........AND we're not going to be gone forever, Em."

"You're not?" Emily asked, still not completely believing her friend. "Elizabeth, you and Lucky HAVE to come back at some point....you guys are the best friends I've ever had, you know?"

Elizabeth stood up and silently hugged her friend. "You too," she finally said. "That's why I HAVE to come back here when I get married........I mean, who else is gonna be my Made of Honor, huh?"

Emily's mouth dropped open, and quickly formed into a smile. "Oh Elizabeth...don't even tease me like that! Do you think I could be?! Oh my God...ok, how cool would that be!?"

Elizabeth laughed out loud at Emily. She didn't know what her future held. She may have actually just lied to her best friend. Would she and Lucky ever come back to Port Charles? She didn't know. All she knew was that she would miss the girl in front of her tremendously.

A horn outside shook her from her thoughts. "Ugh...That's Reginald," Emily said, quickly lifting her purse from the bed. "Alrighty.....Call me tomorrow, ok? I know we have some last minute shopping to do before you leave on your little.....trip," she laughed.

Elizabeth shushed her as they walked to her bedroom door. "Em...be quiet!...Jeesh, you want my parents to hear you?...............Oh, and remember we are BARGAIN shopping, Quartermaine....I need clothes ala cheapo....nothing that's gonna put a dent in the emergency fund, ok?"

"Got it," Emily smiled mischievously. "See ya."

Elizabeth sank down on her bed, thinking of all the plans she and Lucky still had to make, and how everything seemed to be moving so quickly. When she'd gotten Lucky's note about new clothes the other day, she'd thought he'd lost his mind. They didn't have money to be spending on new wardrobes. But Nikolas had quickly explained that it was all part of Lucky's plan. New clothes meant that her parents wouldn't look in her closet and see clothes missing. The longer they thought she hadn't run away...the better.

She sighed as she laid back on her bed. 'Lucky........constantly thinking.'

~~~~~~~~~~~

Nikolas stood outside Elizabeth's door, unable to actually knock yet. He still wasn't quite sure how he was going to persuade Elizabeth to go to the prom with him. Lucky had spent some time giving Nikolas some things to say and Nikolas was appreciative, but part of him wanted to punch his little brother.

Why did he have to make everything so difficult sometimes? All Nikolas really HAD to do was tell Elizabeth that going to the prom together was for appearances sake only, and that Lucky really had something special planned for her.....but NO! That would be too easy. Lucky insisted that it be a surprise for Elizabeth. Nikolas took a deep breath and shook his head, "Lucky is going to owe me big time for this."

Elizabeth darted down the stairs to answer the door, part of her hoping it would be Lucky, even though she KNEW there was no way he'd come to her door in the middle of the day. She rolled her eyes at her ridiculous thought as she reached for the handle.

"Oh, hey Nikolas," Elizabeth said, hoping she didn't sound disappointed.

"Hey Liz.......are you alone?" Nikolas asked, looking past her, hoping that he wouldn't have to deal with speaking to Audrey or her parents.

Liz shook her head. "No, Gram is working and Mom and Dad went to a movie....thank God," she said smiling, "come on in."

Nikolas moved past her, taking off his coat. He decided to come right out with it. "Ok, Liz, about this whole prom thing..."

"Oh that," Liz said, cutting him off. "Look, it's cool Nikolas, I know you just said that to get Ross Sherman to back off. I don't really expect you to take me to the prom", she finished, almost laughing. She wondered if that was why Nikolas looked so worried.

"Ok, Liz.....but...um...you know what though?...I think it would be a good idea for us to go to the prom and Lucky thinks so too."

Liz was taken back. "Huh?" Elizabeth asked. She wasn't sure she had heard Nikolas right "Lucky thinks....what?"

Nikolas awkwardly repeated himself. "Lucky wants us," pointing to himself and then her. "To go to the prom together."

Elizabeth tilted her head to the side in disbelief. "Wait...he actually wants me to go to OUR prom with someone else? No, I don't believe that," she said, with a slight edge to her voice as she moved past him and took a seat on the couch.

'Ok, Nikolas, get yourself together. Lucky told you Liz would be pissed at first. Think Think Think.' He took another deep breathe and started again.

"But, see Liz, Lucky DID say that he thinks it would be a good idea. He made me come right over here to tell you. He thinks......he thinks that Tammy and Bobbie are getting suspicious."

Liz's eyes shot right up, "Oh My God, what happened?"

'Bingo. Score one for the Cassadine,' Nikolas thought, quickly covering his tracks.

"Well, it's okay, I mean, they don't know....but Lucky said that both of them were really questioning him about the breakup and he's just a little concerned and wants to take extra precautions," Nik said, hoping that Elizabeth was really buying this.

Liz looked skeptical. Tammy and Bobbie hadn't questioned her at all. Elizabeth had thought all her misery at not being able to see Lucky was very convincing. But obviously Lucky hadn't gotten the same impression.

"And he thinks that me going to the prom is just an extra precaution we need to take? But why? I mean, we could easily have another fight out in public or - "

"Yes, you could Liz," Nikolas said, interrupting. "But what's better then seeing you with someone else? You two have fought and you've told everyone why you can't be together and that you have to move on....now, show them that you really did."

Nikolas saw that Elizabeth still wasn't completely convinced.

"Come on Liz....it's a lot better than having to fight with Lucky in public...I mean that's gotta be kinda painful, right?" He watched her nodded her head slightly. She seemed as if she were finally coming around. "Besides, it won't be too bad. We'll go for a little while, make an appearance and then I'll take you home. It really won't be that big of a deal....... Hey, I wouldn't be here if Lucky didn't ask me to be," he said, praying he wouldn't have to do any further convincing.

'Man, you owe me SO big Spencer...'

Liz took a deep breathe. "I don't like this at all. You tell Lucky that................... but..ok. If he really thinks it's important, I'll go."

A small smile tugged at Nikolas' lips. 'Damn..I actually did it,' he thought to himself. "Ok...then I guess I'll be going.........I'll call you soon ok."

He watched her nod, sullenly. He suddenly remembered something in his pocket that would cheer her up. "Oh...and before I leave...Lucky told me to give this to you," he said, pulling a piece of folded white paper from his jacket pocket. He handed it to Liz.

She barely heard Nikolas say good-bye as she rushed to her bed, unfolding the slip of paper. She felt like she hadn't heard Lucky's voice in days. Her life seemed to revolve around getting these little notes from him.

Dear Elizabeth,

I know you're probably upset with me right now for springing this on you, but I'm really hoping that you're letting Nikolas take you to the prom. I wanted so much to be able to take you, but if we want to pull this thing off...I can't. I'm so sorry for that.

So, I'm asking you to go with my brother and to have a good time. When I saw Sherman ask you at Kelly's the other day I nearly lost it. So, I told Nikolas to ask you. I know I can trust him with my beautiful girl. Wow..did I just say I trust a Cassidine? Must be a full moon tonight or something.

I hope you consider what I have said and go out and buy something stunning to wear at that dance. (Don't worry about the extra expense....I've got everything under control.) You're going to be the most beautiful girl there. Take lots of pictures for me, ok?

I love you and I miss you,

Lucky

Elizabeth sighed as she refolded the small piece of white paper, holding it to her chest as she lay down on her bed. She smiled as she stared at the ceiling. This was obviously something Lucky really wanted. "Ok, Lucky.....I love you too."

Chapter 16

Elizabeth stared blankly out of the car window. Her eyes seemingly hypnotized by the passing blur of trees, houses and other cars on the road.

Nikolas glanced her way quickly, and turned back to the road, knowing what she was thinking about. Or rather, WHO she was thinking about. Wishing she were going to her prom with Lucky. 'You'll get your wish soon enough Elizabeth,' he thought, a slight grin pulling at his lips.

"Hey Liz," he said suddenly, trying to wake her from the trancelike state that she had been in since they'd left Audrey's house.

Maybe it had been the blinding white flash of Jeff and Susan's cameras that had caused her to go catatonic. Or maybe it had been the sickeningly sweet sugar in their voices as they wished them the best time in the world. 'Have a good time kids,' that's what her mother had said after the countless photos. When they'd finally made it to the door. Nikolas still couldn't believe how receptive her parents had been to him. Especially her father. He couldn't fathom how these people could be the same people that supposedly loathed Lucky so much.

His voice had failed to penetrate her daydream. "Hey! Earth to Webber," he said again.

She turned towards him, startled by the intrusion upon her thoughts of dancing with Lucky. Of what it would have been like to be in his arms tonight, as they danced their last dance in Port Charles. "Oh..I'm sorry Nikolas...I'm just a little spacey tonight."

"Just a little," Nikolas stated with a lopsided grin. He watched as she shifted anxiously in her seat again, her mind once again traveling to someplace far away. "You know Liz....I think I forgot to tell you that you look halfway decent tonight."

Elizabeth's mouth gaped open at his remark and her hand balled into a fist, socking him in the shoulder. "Ugh...well, thank you!...You certainly are charming aren't you!"

Nikolas chuckled and shrugged away from her, as she looked down, smoothing her powder blue dress. "Well, at least I got you to speak! I feel like I'm in this car by myself! I mean...here you are...getting to ride in the Jag and you clam up! Elizabeth I'm shocked.......You know, I could have had just as good a time at home discussing 18th Century Russian philosophers with my father tonight, but - "

"I'm sorry," Elizabeth said, cutting him off. "You know I appreciate everything you've done Nikolas, I just......"

Elizabeth's voice trailed off as she saw Nikolas take a left turn when he most assuredly should have taken a right. "Has it been that long since you've been to our high school Cassadine?" She asked bluntly.

"Huh?" He asked, playing innocent.

"You were supposed to make a right on Pine."

"Damn....yeah, I always get confused right there," he muttered quickly. "So...did I get the right corsage?" He asked, blatantly changing the subject.

Elizabeth looked down at her wrist, taken aback by the question. They were white roses. Lucky had definitely schooled Nikolas well. "Ugh....Yeah........Nikolas aren't you gonna turn around?"

"Oh yeah...I will, as soon as I get to the next light........So, who do you think Ross Sherman is going to take to the prom?....I mean after you so brutally turned him down?"

Elizabeth laughed as she thought about the look on Sherman's face when Nikolas had asked her to the prom right in front of him. "Oh God...I don't know. I still kinda feel bad about that, you know? He...

Nikolas smiled to himself. 'Damn your good Cassadine.........Spencer, you owe me like a million.'

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lucky looked around for the 30th time in the last 4 minutes. He didn't want to admit that he was nervous, but he was. He wanted everything to be perfect for Elizabeth tonight. He knew Elizabeth would be thrilled just to be together, but Lucky knew how much the prom meant to her.

She had even designed the exact dress she wanted and had been searching for for all the right fabrics for months. That search stopped abruptly when her parents came back to town. Along with everything else Elizabeth had planned for the two of them. That hurt Lucky more then anything. Knowing how unhappy Elizabeth was. How she had been dealing with her parents alone. Not having him to talk to day in and day out. He not only wanted this night for them to be together, but also so Elizabeth could forget everything else that was going on right now. Just for tonight, they would have no parent problems. She would be happy. Lucky was going to make sure of that.

The sound of a car shook Lucky from his daze. He took one last look around and inhaled deeply. He ducked into a corner, making himself scarce.

************

Elizabeth probably never would have noticed they had turned off the main road if not for the darkness that rolled in between the trees.

"Uh, Nikolas?"

"Yeah," he said a little too quickly. He was hoping she would give him 5 more minutes before she noticed where they were.

"Umm...not that I mind being late for the prom, but couldn't you have just picked me up later rather then take me for a scenic tour of Port Charles?" She said with humor in her voice.

Nikolas laughed nervously. "Well, I made a wrong turn somewhere back on Elm so I'm just trying to get myself back there," he said, his voice sounding a little jumpy.

"Oh......and you thought you'd get there quicker if you took dirt roads where there are no lights and signs?" Elizabeth said, a fake smile plastered on her face. What the heck was going on here?

Nikolas thought about what to do next, they were right where they needed to be. Now how was he supposed to get Elizabeth out of the car on a dark road without her thinking something was up. Nikolas rolled his eyes. How could he possibly pull this off?

He felt Elizabeth's eyes on him, knowing she was waiting for an answer. But he ignored her. Instead, he brought the car to a stop, turned off the engine and stepped out. He walked away without so much as a second glance in Elizabeth's direction.

Elizabeth called his name, but he never turned back. This was all too bizarre for words.

Elizabeth glanced around at her surroundings. Trees, dirt...she'd been here before. It wasn't quite dark outside, but the shadows of the trees made it seem as if it was. "Calm down," she whispered to herself. "There's got to be a perfectly logical explanation for this...he ran out of gas, he had to take a leak, he's lost his FRIGGIN' MIND!", she said, the last words being screamed out the window.

'What is going on here?' She thought, craning her neck to get a better look of her outside environment. 'Why would Nikolas just stop the car and walk away? And why was he acting so weird to begin with?'

She didn't think that Nikolas would leave her there, but then again, she didn't really think he would stop his car and take off leaving her alone either. "Ugh!.....what a great prom night! My boyfriend can't take me and his brother decides to go psycho!" Finally, Elizabeth took off her seat belt and opened the door. She climbed out and started to head in the direction Nikolas was walking.

"Nikolas?....hey Nikolas, you know, you can take me to Canada for all I care...I was just kidding about the direction you were taking!" She hollered, hoping he would hear. "If you don't come back I'm gonna take your Jag!!! Just try me Nikolas!"

Elizabeth stopped mid-stride and threw her arms up in frustration when she realized that Nikolas was nowhere to be seen. "Ugh!!!" She grunted, whirling around. She'd go back to the car and lean on the horn.

She stopped in her tracks when she realized where Nikolas had taken her. Where she was meant to be. "Oh My God," she whispered, tears immediately welling in her eyes at the sight before her. At the trail of white roses that lay at her feet, leading to the one place she had always felt safe and loved. The boxcar.

Elizabeth followed the trail gingerly, picking up the thornless roses that led to the luminescent glow of the boxcar. It looked the way she'd always pictured it in her dreams. The way it looked whenever she painted it. As if all the light in the world radiated from inside of it.

When she neared the door her heart lept into her throat and caught there. Enabling her speech. Light flickered against every wall, all the images she'd painted for him glowing in a wash of candlelight. Before she could find her voice, he was there.

He was so beautiful, so handsome that she could barely understand the request to take his hand as he helped her up into the boxcar. Into her fantasy come true.

"You look...." Lucky's voice trailed off as he once again could not put words to the reality that stood in soft blue before him. The candlight danced through her hair and she looked like an angel.

"Me?" She asked, the first word that had slipped from her lips since her arrival. How could he comment on the way *she* looked. When this room...and him. Oh God, him. He looked even better than he had on New Years Eve. His tux finely tailored. Every ounce of him sculpted into the black material. "You look...great," she said, swallowing her words.

Elizabeth looked around the room, still partially stunned. "Lucky...what is this?" She asked, in true wonder of the world he had created for them.

More roses beneath her. Everywhere. They filled the boxcar with the sent of pure bliss. Candles at every turn. The silver domed plates that sat on a table in the corner...When had he had the time to do all of this?

Lucky licked his lips nervously. He hadn't been this anxious since their vows on Valentines Day. He just wanted everything to be perfect. "I just thought...that we needed one more night here, you know? One more time to be together in this place. A place that was home for me - "

"And me," she finished, looking lovingly into his eyes. He gently took her hands in his.

"I fell in love with you here Elizabeth," he said, his voice soft. His eyes showing the first signs of tears unshed. "I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens in these next few weeks, or months, or however long it takes....and whatever happens....that that will never change. Ever."

Elizabeth's bottom lip began to tremble, unable to comprehend how any one person could be so loving and so perfect. She reached up to brush a strand of hair behind his ear. "Every time I think I couldn't possibly love you any more....you prove me wrong."

He smiled as a lone tear ran down his cheek. "Well, that's the general plan.......that, and of course.....making sure you have the BEST promnight anyone could ever have!" He said, with a shake of his head.

Elizabeth's smile darkened a bit. "Lucky you know we can't go to the Prom. If my mom and dad fi - "

Lucky placed a finger to her lips tenderly, letting it linger there for a few moments as he interrupted her. "That's why I brought the prom to you....well, not really the prom," he added, looking around. "But something that's just ours."

She became entranced by his eyes as he continued. "This boxcar...this night...it belongs to us...Elizabeth, for the next few hours...we're not gonna talk about leaving, or your parents or my parents or anything......just us.....just us being together."

Elizabeth's hands gravitated to his face seemingly on their own. Her fingers smoothing up the sides of his face and bringing him closer to her as she placed her lips against his. Lucky sighed as her full mouth melted on to his. His hands wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer. It had been so long since he'd kissed her like this. Kissed her without the fear of being caught, or getting her into trouble. This was their place, and the only one who cared to know about it had just started the engine in his jag.

Lucky pulled away reluctantly as their lips parted ways. He turned around and walked over to the CD player in the corner, hitting the play button.

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat once again when he turned around. The light flickered against his eyes and they looked bluer than ever when he spoke."May I have this dance?"