**
Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on


I can see it's hurting you
I can feel the pain
It's hard to see the sunshine through the rain, oh
I know sometimes it seems as if
It's never gonna end
But you'll get through it
Just don't give in cause you can


Count on me through thick and thin
A friendship that will never end
When you are weak, I will be strong
Helping you to carry on
Call on me, I will be there
Don't be afraid
Please believe me when I say
Count on, You can count on me
(Oh, yes you can)


I know sometimes it seems as if
We're standing all alone
But we'll get through it
Cause love won't let us fall


Chorus


There's a place inside of all of us
Where our faith in love begins
You should reach to find the truth in love
The answer's there within, oh
I know that life can make you feel
It's much harder than it really is
But we'll get through it
Just don't give in

Chorus
(Whitney Houston from the Waiting To Exhale Soundtrack; "Count On Me")
**




"Well, you sure are."

Lucky's brows furrowed. "Excuse me?"

The man in the leather chair -- who was 60-65 with a full head of white hair and twinkling blue eyes -- nodded to Liz.

"She's quite a prize," he said. His hands formed a steeple in front of his body.

"I'm 'quite' my own person, as well," Liz inserted sweetly, her eyes flashing blue fire. Lucky's half open mouth and surprised eyes said everything.

The old man chuckled. He stood and rounded the desk, one hand extended toward Liz.

"I'm Bill," he said with a charming smile. "Senior," he added idly.

Liz shook his hand politely. "Elizabeth," she said.

Bill Sr. turned to Lucky. "And you are a very lucky young man to have her."

"Actually, that's my name," Lucky inserted. "Lucky. Lucky Spencer. We spoke on the phone?"

Bill Sr. nodded and walked back around his desk. He waved absently to two plush chairs. "Sit," he commanded. Lucky sat. Liz took her time. She perched attentively on the edge of her seat. Bill. Sr. motioned to a couple of cans of soda on the edge of his desk. Lucky nodded his thanks and picked one up. He popped the top.

"You're a little younger than I expected," Bill Sr. said gravely, leaning forward as he spoke.

"I know, sir, but we *are* very responsible," Lucky hastened to inform him.

"Oh, you are?" A hint of sarcasm tinged Bill Sr.'s voice. "Then tell me what you're running from."

Lucky stiffened. "We're not-"

"Don't lie to me, young man," Bill Sr. snapped. "I don't like it. In fact, I don't know if I can trust a liar-"

"We're running from my rapist," Liz broke in softly.

She looked down at her hands, played with her cuffs. Lucky reached over and touched her shoulder. Bill Sr. cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"I'm sorry. I didn't even think-"

"I didn't tell you to make you feel guilty and give us the job," Liz cut in again. She looked up and straight into Bill's eyes. Her voice was strong and clear. "But I wanted you to know we have a reason for running. It might not be a *great* reason, but it's good enough for me, and evidently it's good enough for my boyfriend."

Lucky almost choked on his coke when Liz said the last. He set his can down on the desk with a bang and gulped his mouthful of pop, sending fire down his throat. Liz shot him a concerned glance.

Liz went on. "I trust Lucky with my life. He'd never to *anything* to endanger me. That's probably not something you want to hear, but that doesn't matter. He's the rock in my life."

Bill Sr. was in the process of deciding he liked Liz's attitude. He picked up a pen from his desk and idly tapped it between his hands. "You know," he said dryly. "I admire you." His gaze was fixed on Liz. "You've suffered in life, and you still go on. You're sweet and kind and spunky instead of bitter and closed off. And your eyes tell me you keep your word. I'll hire you," he switched his gaze to Lucky. "And I'm hiring you as her bodyguard."

Liz fought a losing battle not to giggle. Lucky raised one eyebrow at her.

"What? The image of me pretending to be a six foot giant weightlifter appeals to you?"

Liz doubled over laughing. Bill Sr. watched the two teens. They had obviously forgotten he was in the room. Lucky wore a goofy pleased grin, Liz was glowing at him without realizing it. Her eyes sparkled and danced. Lucky felt a tug at his heart.

If only it could always be like this, he thought. Liz's laughter faded as she sensed Lucky's sudden seriousness.

"What's up?" she asked worriedly.

Lucky pasted a smile on his face. "Nothing. Just thinking about how pretty you are." It was amazing how easily the lie rolled off his tongue.

"Lucky Spencer, where do you get off lying to me?!" Liz came back quickly.

Lucky's mouth snapped closed. He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry?"

Liz glared at him.

"I'll make it up to you?" Lucky offered.

"K, but it'd better be good," Liz accepted. She smiled sweetly.

Bill Sr. cleared his throat. The couple looked up at him.

"Sorry about that," Liz murmured.

"No problem. I *do* remember being a teen, you know. Can we get down to business now?"

"Of course," Liz said, flashing him a smile.

---

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