**

You've been so kind and generous
I don't know if I can give it
for your kindness, I'm in debt to you
for your selflessness, my admiration
for everything you've done, you know I'm bound
I'm bound to thank you for it


You've been so kind and generous
I don't know if I can keep on giving
for your kindness I'm in debt to you
and I never could have come this far without you
for everything you've done you know I'm bound
I'm bound to thank you for it


I want to thank you for so many gifts you gave with love and tenderness
I want to thank you

I want to thank you for your generosity, the love and the honesty that you
gave me

I want to thank and show my gratitude, my love and my respect for you
I want to thank you

I want to thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank
you.........
(Natalie Merchant; "Kind and Generous")
**



"I - I couldn't take losing you. It would kill me." Lucky's words echoed in her head, a hollow feeling overtaking her stomach. Liz wrapped her arm around Lucky's waist, involuntarily squeezing him tighter.

"But I don't understand..." Liz said softly, her eyes darkening with her confusion. "I - ah - How do you plan on losing me? As far as I could tell, we were doing just fine until today."

"I..."

"You're not in trouble with the cops, are you?"

"No, I..." After Lucky trailed off for the second time, Liz clammed up and decided to wait.

Lucky began again. "I..."

Liz's eyes softened. "You can tell me, Lucky. I won't bite. Well, maybe only a little." Her dry attempt at humor fell flat, as Lucky was oblivious to it. He stared at the wall, deep in thought. Liz nudged him.

"I'm trying to decide how to phrase this," he told her, turning his head to look at her upturned face. Her lashes were matted together with tears, her face shiny without any makeup on it, and blotchy from crying. Her eyes shone with moistness, and her hair was in desperate need of a brush. "You're so beautiful," he murmured.

Liz smiled slowly, fully enjoying his attentions. Her smile turned slightly seductive, reminiscent of the "old days" back in Port Charles.

"Don't change the subject," Liz whispered, edging away a tiny bit. Lucky didn't stop her.

"I just - Elizabeth - I don't know how to say this."

"Well, say it anyway. I know how eloquent you can be on the spur of the moment."

"I'll try." He paused for a brief moment, then went on. "When I'm with you, the world stops spinning on its axis and starts revolving around you. You make my sun rise and set, that's how much I rely on you."

Liz started to protest; Lucky silenced her with a quick kiss.

"It's true, Elizabeth, I do rely on you." He slid his hand under hers, resting on the couch, and picked it up. He placed a kiss on each knuckle. "And then, I think to myself: 'She's so strong.' I feel like you could do anything you wanted without me. I *know* you have reserves of strength that even I haven't seen."

Liz fidgetted. His thumb was making circles on her palm. It was tickling her, and nearly had her squirming. But the seriousness in Lucky's voice brought her attention back to him.

"And yes, I want you to depend on me, I thrive on being your Protector, your Light, your Knight on a white horse."

Liz grinned. She had always thought of Lucky as her Knight in shining armor. He'd ridden to her rescue countless times. And he wore chivalry as a cloak so well... Liz struggled to tune back in. Much more of this, and she'd be a puddle on the floor soon.

"And then, I have this urge to let you go."

Liz felt Lucky tense up beside her. His voice cracked a little. Her heart thudded so loudly, she was sure he could hear it.

"So you aren't tied down. So you don't feel obligated to stay with me. Because you deserve to be free to make your own choices. You should be free to have those choices, not because I was the first one to be there for you...after. Or because I was your first kiss...after. I don't want you to think you *have* to stay with me-"

When Liz could take no more, she placed the fingers of her free hand over Lucky's lips. He stopped speaking, his eyes showing his surprise.

Liz ignored the tears cascading down her cheeks, she was focused so intensely on Lucky, she didn't even notice them.

"Would you please stop beating yourself over the head?" Her voice seemed to be coming out in a weird tone. All high-pitched and everything.

"Lucky Spencer, a girl would be crazy not to want you. Even I - I'm not *that* mentally challenged. You're kind and generous, and warmhearted and tender, and protective, even to the point where it's annoying, but a burden you're not."

Lucky's mouth opened; he was about to say something, but Liz turned his own tactics back on him, and kissed him firmly on the mouth. Neither pulled back this time.

A knock on the door startled them off of the couch. Liz tugged at her clothes, fighting against imaginary wrinkles. Lucky went for the door. He had it half way open when Liz freaked. She shrieked his name.

---

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