**
"Rain falls...angry on the tin roof...you're my survival, you're my living proof, my love is alive and not dead..."
**


**** "Are you okay?" he asked me again, searching my face. He moved closer to me, and I noticed he was still shaking with the cold.

"Lucky, I'm fine, but you need to get warm," I said, seriously. I couldn't tell if my voice betrayed my concern.****




The wind rattled the walls. Rain continued its never-ending dance, falling on the roof, the trees, the ground.

Liz sat as near the fire as she could get without catching herself on fire. She found herself only inches away from Lucky's frame, staring into his handsome face. He was sopping wet.

Lucky heard her words without comprehending them. He was so lost in Liz's eyes, the playhouse could be crashing down around his ears, and he wouldn't notice. She said something else, and Lucky fought to release himself from his thoughts.

"What?" he asked, flushing slightly.

Liz shook her head, amusement lightening her eyes.

"Are you ignoring me on purpose?"

Lucky shook his head vehemently. "No, I just-"

Liz placed her hand on Lucky's arm. He jumped, but tried not to show it.

"Lucky," she said, drawing his eyes to hers. "Just take your shirt off."

He swallowed loudly. "What?!" His breathing sounded loud, even to himself.

Liz couldn't help giggling at his evident shock. "You really didn't hear me the first time, did you?"

Lucky pretended extreme guiltiness. "You caught me."

Liz rolled her eyes and patted Lucky's arm. "Well, I said: You should take your shirt off, you'll get hypothermia from being so wet. At least let it dry out some, by the fire." Liz felt a blush creeping up her neck and into her face.

Lucky fumbled for a grin. It was a little weak when it arrived on his lips.

"Okay..." he said softly, drawing the word out. He looked uncomfortable, to say the least. And it wasn't because of the cold. "If you're sure that it won't bother you. I mean, I don't want to-"

Liz cut him off by placing her palm against his chest. There were tears pooling in her eyes. Lucky placed his hand over hers and rubbed little circles on her wrist.

"Baby..." he whispered, pain in his voice.

"Yes, I'm fine." She answered his unspoken question. "I was just wondering how I got so Lucky." Her voice quivered. "Now would you please take your shirt off?"

Lucky fidgeted, hesitating to break this spell that Liz had weaved around them. Finally she pushed him away lightly, and averted her eyes, staring into the fire. Lucky knew she was telling him it was now or never.

He pulled his dripping t-shirt over his head. When the cool air hit his skin, instant goosebumps. Liz turned to him, her eyes flickering briefly over his upper body, and enveloped him in a hug. He rested his chin on her head. His arms naturally found their way around her waist.

Liz closed her eyes, her face buried in Lucky's neck, and tried her best to stay perfectly still in his arms. She could feel his shivers abating, and she could feel his tension. She supposed he was trying not to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Lucky," she murmured, her voice muffled.

Lucky tried to mumble something, but somewhere along the lines, his words got caught and he had to clear his throat. His voice was low when he answered her.

"Yeah?"

"You don't have to be -" Liz caught herself. She had almost said 'nervous'. She changed her mind. "Be uncomfortable. I'm not. This is just like the hundred other times we've hugged."

"But this time-"

"What? You're half naked?"

Lucky gulped.

"Lucky, it's no big deal," Liz insisted lightly. Lucky shivered suddenly. "You're still cold?" Liz asked worriedly.

"No," Lucky said, his voice squeaking the tiniest bit. "Uh, you're - when you talk, it tickles me..."

"Oh." Liz tried holding her breath. Her lashes fluttered closed again.

Lucky shifted, taking Liz with him. She sucked air in through her teeth when her foot brushed against a rock. Lucky instantly tensed.

Liz couldn't ignore the throbbing in her foot. But it didn't come anywhere near Lucky on a priority scale.

"Yes, I'm fine," she murmured, her voice betraying her pain. "It's my foot. I don't suppose you have an pain-killer in that Mary Poppins backpack of yours...?"

Lucky chuckled. "Actually, I think I do. Here," he scooted away from Liz and dove into the pack yet again. He pulled out a plastic baggie with six white pills inside. "It's aspirin," he informed Liz, handing the baggie to her. She got two out and swallowed them, then placed the baggie in Lucky's hands.

He sat back, after zipping the pack back up, and then leaned over Liz's ankle.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"For now."

He looked up. She smiled shyly and wrapped her arms around her body, even the fire's warmth not enough to keep her warm for long.

"Cold?" Lucky asked, belatedly.

"A little," Liz admitted, stealing a glance at him.

"Well, do you want-"

"Yeah."

Lucky pulled her close, settling her right next to him. Her head lolled on his shoulder. He swallowed roughly.

---

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