**
Whatever happened to
The life that we once knew?
Always made me feel so free.

Free as a bird.
It's the next best thing to be.
Free as a bird.
Free as a bird.
Free as a bird.
(Beatles: Anthology 1; "Free As A Bird")
**




Liz woke to the sun shining in her eyes and a tender kiss on her lips. Her eyes opened slowly to see Lucky's face shining down at her.

"Good morning," he greeted her. He backed off, giving her some space and a chance to take him in. He wore a crisp white shirt with olive colored slacks.

"I take it we're going for a good impression today?" Liz mused over a yawn.

"Uh huh." Lucky went for the bedroom door. "Get up. We'll leave in twenty minutes." He was pulling the door to, when Liz mumbled, "Give a girl some time to primp."

Lucky shook his head and wandered into the living room with the intention of finding Kendrick.

Liz pulled herself out of bed. She walked into the bathroom and leaned on the counter. In her reflection her hands were red and pink, not to mention bruised. She lifted them into her line of vision. Blistered and scratched, that's what they were.

"At least they're healing," Liz murmured to herself. "At least you don't have to have someone dressing you." Liz forced a smile in the mirror and went about her shower.

**

Twenty minutes later, Liz and Lucky were trying to get to the front door. Mr. and Mrs. J and Kendrick were blocking their paths. Mr. J settled for a handshake from each of them. Mrs. J was not to be pacified so easily. She hugged Liz tightly, tears running down her face. Lucky was next. He rolled his eyes to Liz over Mrs. J's shoulder. Liz stifled her giggles. Kendrick stuck out his hand for Liz to shake, but she surprised him by getting close and giving him a tentative hug. He smiled gently at her and turned to Lucky. Liz moved close to the door and settled in to watch Lucky say goodbye.

He started with a "manly" hug for Kendrick: he put an arm around him and slapped his back a few times, then stepped back. Lucky ran a hand through his hair.

"You're not telling us where you're headed?" Mrs. J prodded for the last time.

"Sorry," Lucky said, not sounding apologetic. He grinned roguishly. "Can't have you telling the parents and spoiling our fun, now can I?"

Mrs. J patted his shoulder. "I understand."

"You will give them a call later on, won't you?" Lucky asked. He hefted the two bags and joined Liz by the door.

"Of course," Mr. J assured with a bob of his head. "We'll let them know you're fine."

Lucky nodded and opened the door. "Then I guess it's goodbye."

Liz echoed his "goodbye". There was a chorus of "Bye"s from the J family, and Lucky shut the door. He inhaled deeply.

"Ah, freedom!" he exulted on his way to the elevator. Liz simply smiled at his back and followed him.

**

The sign outside the store read: "Bill's Courier Service; If we can't handle it, no one can."

Lucky pointed to the sign. "Could that be any tackier?"

"Um, no."

Liz stepped closer to Lucky as they walked inside. A fat, balding man of about forty rose from a barstool behind a paper-littered counter.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely.

"I hope so," Lucky answered for the both of them. "I'm looking for Bill."

"Well, ya just found him," the fat man replied, extending a hand. "*I'm* Bill."

Lucky shook the man's hand. "I'm Lucky Spencer." He paused, the man showed no sign of recognition. "We spoke on the phone?"

Liz shifted uncomfortably.

"Oh, you must be that kid dad was talking about," the fat man told the pair. He pushed a button that was miraculously uncovered on the desk. A second later, a gruff voice aksed, "Yes?" over an intercom. Liz wondered where exactly the intercom was. "Kid here for you, boss," Bill said into thin air.

"Send him in," the voice came back. Bill pointed to a door a few feet away.

"In there," he said. Lucky grabbed Liz's hand and pulled her with him. They entered through the door.

"And you are?" a voice from behind a tall leather chair came.

"Lucky."

The chair swiveled.

"Well, you sure are."

---

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