Chapter thirty! Wow! I was going to surprise you with a double chapter, so I hope it works. I almost made 2000 words for this chapter (1954 if we're being exact). And send that feedback my way. Thanks!

**
There's been times, I'm so confused
All my roads, they lead to you
I just can't turn and walk away
It's hard to say what it is I see in you
Wonder if I'll always be with you
But words can't say, and I can't do
Enough to prove, it's all for you
(chorus of: "All For You" by Sister Hazel)
**


Liz had insisted that Lucky let her clean up the kitchen, and after a full five minutes of protesting, he'd taken Liz up on her offer and walked out of the kitchen.

Now she was finished. She stood before the sink, her hands covered in dishsoap suds, staring out the window. She shook herself out of her mini-daze and wiped her hands on a dishcloth. She was unaware of Lucky's presence in the doorway behind her.

Liz, still intensely confused about Lucky's earlier state, wandered over to the glass door that separated the kitchen from the porch outside. Liz wavered, thinking that she probably needed to go find Lucky, but soon she was out on the porch. The sound of the rain pouring down on the roof created a soothing pattern. Lucky moved to the window, his eyes glued to Liz. Liz moved to the edge of the porch, her eyes searching the beach for the crabs that so irritated her. None were in sight. She deduced that they must have gone to find shelter from the rain.

Liz held one hand out, palm up, past the porches protection. The rain hit her arm, but it didn't hurt at all. Liz stepped completely off of the porch, her feet bare, immediately drenching herself. She spread her arms wide and lifted her face to the Heavens. Liz laughed aloud, her joy and wonder bubbling to the surface. Even her worries over Lucky couldn't spoil this perfect moment for her. She looked out to the ocean and suddenly had an unexplainable urge to be closer. Liz bolted for the water's edge, about 150 feet away.

Lucky, having seen her start running and not knowing why, darted from the house, out directly into the rain. He flinched when the buckets of water hit him for the first time. His breath was snatched away. His gaze followed Liz's form.

He was out in the open now; Liz had a perfect view of him, if she chose to turn around. But now if he went inside and changed, she'd know something was up. Lucky was rooted to the spot, indecision flickering across his face, when Liz turned around and spotted him.

"Lucky!" she yelled out happily, forgetting for an instant her concern.

Lucky hesitantly started toward her, slowly at first, but gaining speed as he went. His chest was locked tight with emotion. Why did he feel like he was losing Liz? Surely nothing could tear them apart.

Liz noted the near-desperation in Lucky's movements. She pushed away the dread that immediately sprung to the forefront of her consciousness.

Lucky was running now, the need to touch Liz fueling him forward. Liz took two steps toward him before he reached her. He picked her completely up off the ground, and spun in a slow circle. Liz rested against him, allowing him to hold her so tightly, the edges of her vision were going black.

"Lucky," she wheezed after a long while. "I can't breath."

Lucky's grasp quickly loosened. He began to turn away, to shut Liz out. She reached out and caught his shoulder.

"Lucky. Don't turn away from me. Please."

Lucky seemed to think about it, his features betraying his uncertainty. Liz seized his face in her hands and tugged him down to her level. She placed a searing kiss on his mouth, then pulled back, begging him with her eyes not to clam up. Lucky visibly softened, reaching up and trying to get Liz's hair out of her eyes. The rain didn't help at all. He laughed at his failed efforts and Liz responded with a warm, wide smile. She lifted her face to the sky again, closed her eyes and washed her confusion away.

Lucky watched the rapture on her face. He'd always loved trying to decipher her expression. There was the really smiley one she got whenever he was near; that was his favorite. Then there was her special look, reserved for Lulu, or little kids. But this one, this total joy, was a new one to Lucky.

Slowly Liz's eyes opened. She flushed at Lucky's concentration on her face. Feeling a little silly, Liz smiled awkwardly. She suddenly broke away, turning back to the ocean.

"Look at it!" she cried out.

Lucky strained to hear her, he moved closer. Liz reached out with her foot and touched the lapping waves.

"Aren't you going in?" Lucky asked, from directly behind her. Liz sent him a smile over her shoulder.

"I'm not wearing a bathing suit!"

Lucky chuckled. "Like it makes much difference now."

Liz laughed with him.

"Or we could always go skinny dipping."

Liz froze. Lucky reached out for her and just barely touched her arm. "Elizabeth, I was kidding. I wasn't thinking. That just slipped out before I could stop it-"

Liz turned to him, her eyes smiling.

"Lucky, I thought you had more manners than that."

Lucky grinned sheepishly. He looked like he was going to say something, but changed his mind. He pointed to the water behind Liz. "Is it cold?"

Liz shook her head. "No. Not really."

Lucky stepped into the water, it rose to his ankles. He reached out for Liz's hand. She gave it to him instantly. He pulled her into the waves beside him. She squealed and tried to pull away from him. He kept ahold of her hand, and began walking up the beach, taking Liz with him.

Liz felt the sand shift under her feet and somehow got off balance. She took a double step, splashing water up onto Lucky. Not that it made any difference, since he was soaked to the bone, but he complained loudly.

"Hey!"

Liz shot him an apologetic glance, which was quickly replaced with one of shock when he kicked the water, and it shot in a perfect arc, straight into Liz. She shrieked and a full fledged water fight started.

A half hour later, the soggy couple looked up into the sky. The clouds were clearing. On the far horizon, a rainbow glistened. Liz gasped. Lucky looked to her.

"I've never seen a rainbow before," Liz explained her awe.

"Never?!" Lucky asked incredulously.

"Never." Liz couldn't take her eyes away from the awe-inspiring sight.

Lucky was slightly behind Liz. He gently slipped his arms around her waist. Liz leaned back into him. He exhaled.

Liz felt a thrill go through her. She rested her head against Lucky's shoulder. His breath warmed her ear.

Lucky tried to distance himself from Liz. He was finding it very difficult. Why do I get myself in these positions? he asked himself. He leaned his cheek on the top of Liz's head. She was breathing deeply. He could hear each of her breaths, and didn't even realize it when he started breathing with her. He struggled to keep his brain working.

As soon as the rainbow dissipated, Lucky turned to the cottage. Liz followed suit.

She sucked in a lungful of air. Crabs covered the beach. Liz groaned. Lucky looked down at her bare feet. He moved in closer, invading her personal space.

"Here, let me pick you up," he offered sweetly.

"The cottage is too far away, Lucky, you'll break your back carrying my weight."

"I'm strong enough! Haven't you ever seen the Rocky movies? He carried Adrian all the way home."

Lucky's reference to wife had Liz blushing. She tried to cover it with a comeback. "But you're no Rocky Balboa."

Lucky's male ego kicked in. "I can do it, Elizabeth. C'mere." Liz obliged, only because she didn't want her feet pinched and bruised. Or Lucky's delicate ego. Lucky lifted her easily into his arms. She put an arm around his shoulders.

The sun had come out. It beat down on the teens and had their skin dry in minutes. Their clothes were still wet, though, and sent shivers through them along with the drips that rolled down their skin. Liz breathed in deeply of Lucky. All she could smell was the rain. Lucky stepped carefully, enjoying the feeling of Liz in his arms.

They neared the house at last. Lucky set Liz on her feet on the porch. She smiled gratefully at him.

"Thanks," she said softly, staring into his eyes.

He found himself leaning forward until their lips brushed. Lucky didn't push the kiss. It was Liz who moved closer. She touched Lucky's collar and immediately jerked away. She laughed lightly at herself.

"We're sopping wet," she commented. She turned to the house, beckoning for Lucky to come inside too. He rubbed his knuckles across his lips, the memory of Liz's kiss still etching itself into his mind.

Liz got one step inside the kitchen and her skin got all tingly. She looked down and realized she had goosebumps. Lucky nearly bowled her over on his way in. He questioned her with his eyes.

"It's freezing!" Liz exclaimed, making a dash for her bedroom. Lucky shrugged to himself and walked to his room. His sudden urge to whistle made him blink.

**

Several minutes later, Liz was toweling her hair dry on the way to Lucky's room. She knocked lightly, and pushed the door open. Lucky turned to her. He was shirtless, but held a black t in his hands. He was wearing jeans, and his feet were bare.

Liz swallowed. Her heart thudded against her ribcage. She tried forming a coherent sentence. Her mouth hung open.

Lucky grinned roguishly and stepped toward Liz. Her startled eyes and ragged breathing told him something was up. He pulled on his shirt. Liz's tense shoulders lost some of their stiffness. Lucky reached out for her. He pulled her into a hug.

She completely lost it then. She sobbed into his neck, mentally kicking herself for breaking down after all this time. Lucky stroked her hair, placed a gentle kiss on top of her head.

"Baby, baby, it's ok. It's ok." Lucky's voice had a lulling quality and soon Liz was quiet.

"You know, I just got dry, and then you have to go and get me all wet again," Lucky teased. He waited for some sort of reaction from Liz, but got none. "Liz, honey, you ok?"

Liz nodded slowly. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to do this to you again. I - just - I don't know, seeing you - but that wasn't it - I don't know..."

"You *did* barge right in," he pointed out, not unkindly. His voice was tender and soothing.

"I know," Liz hiccoughed. She hid her face in Lucky's chest.

He pulled back and gently tilted her chin upward, bringing her eyes with it. "It's not your fault, Elizabeth."

"I know," Liz replied dutifully. "But what happens when it is my fault? When he's not the one who makes me break down?"

Lucky gulped. He didn't know what to say to that. "I - I don't know."

Liz sighed. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, scooting out of Lucky's arms. "I didn't mean to bother you with my deep thoughts."

Lucky walked around her, to where she had to look at him. "Elizabeth, listen to me. You aren't bothering me. You can talk to me whenever you want to. I'm here to listen, to lend a supporting shoulder. You can tell me everything."

"Then why can't you tell me what's been wrong with you today?"

---

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