**
See previous chapter for song.
**


His heart thudded painfully in his chest. The optimist in him rebelled and refused to accept that. Lucky rolled over heavily. He faced away from Liz, and didn't see her raise her hand to her face to wipe at the tears trickling down her cheeks.

She pressed the back of her wrist into each of her eye sockets in turn. Her thoughts swirled, until she actually began to feel dizzy and put a stop to them. Her sigh slipped silently into the night. She rolled away from Lucky, not wanting him to see her tears.

She acutely felt the distance of the abyss she had created. Lucky closed his eyes, in desperation vowing to change things in the morning.

**

Lucky awoke in a cold sweat. The strands of his nightmare still lingered on in his mind, the voices shouting, the thunder rolling in the background. He tried blanking out his brain, but that didn't work. He rolled onto his back, breathing noisily.

The slight form sleeping beside him stirred, and slurred something incoherent. Liz brushed her hand along his arm in her sleep, and tucked herself against his side.

Lucky held his breath, praying she wouldn't awaken, then placed a light kiss on her hair. His eyes fluttered closed and visions of her filled the rest of his dreams.

**

Liz woke slowly, enjoying the arms that held her and the rhythm of the breathing that she followed so closely. Her body was curled next to Lucky's, his arms were around her tightly. She snuggled deeper into his embrace until her brain flipped the "on" switch and she remembered the events of last night.

She pulled away, both emotionally and physically. His arms gave way too easily. She knew he was awake. Her eyes went to his face. His eyes were half-cracked, watching her, measuring her. His countenance wore a frown, and his eyes were sad.

"Good morning," he said softly, forcing a smile. It didn't quite reach his eyes. He didn't protest when Liz pulled fully out of his arms, nor when she slid to the edge of the bed, away from him.

"'Morning," Liz replied dutifully. She returned Lucky's forced smile, and moved to stand up.

"Let me help you!" Lucky hurried to offer, sitting up immediately and moving towards Liz's edge of the bed. She froze.

"If you -- if you don't mind," Lucky added, mentally retreating when she remained frozen in place.

Liz faked another smile, and reached for Lucky's arm. "Of course I don't mind," she lied cheerily, not missing his startled but happy look.

He scooted off the bed and came around beside her. He'd leaned in, and now their heads were close together. Liz could hear his breath, feel it on her cheek. Her own breath seemed loud to her ears. Her sudden urge to steal a kiss, just one, began to override her senses. She turned her head towards Lucky's; he helped turn her body, still half on, half off the bed, to him. She melted into his arms. Her face tipped up to his before she could think.

His lips were warm and gentle on hers, his kiss tender and probing. Lucky pulled back, panting, and Liz was forced to open her eyes. His beautiful face in such close proximity with hers sent her stomach flip-flopping. She leaned into him, almost toppling the both of them when her foot gave out, but he righted them at the last moment. She found her mouth within millimeters of his, and without a word, reached up and kissed him again.

Lucky surrendered to her hungry kiss, getting a pretty good grasp on her wants, for the moment. He still felt that their connection was missing, and it hurt him. His eyes came open when she finally needed air, and pulled back. He saw her dulled expression and knew that it was his closeness that had sparked her kisses, knew that it was far from over. In a split second, he made up his mind.

He brought his mouth down on hers, inserting a slightly more demanding manner. He moved his kisses from her mouth to her ear and back again, then up her cheek to her forehead and back to her mouth. His kisses were exploratory, but he carefully controlled his hands, knowing that if he went too far, she would never forgive him.

When she was a puddle of mush, her eyes glazed over and her body limp in his grasp, he pulled away, letting his mouth hover enticingly over hers.

"Baby," he whispered, watching her react to his words. She managed to get her eyes half-open, to stare trustingly at him. "Baby, talk to me." A soft murmur escaped Liz's lips. She leaned forward, reaching for his lips, but Lucky drew away, teasing her. "Why don't you tell me what's wrong?" Lucky asked, his voice a tender whisper. He planted a small kiss at the corner of Liz's lips. "Hmm, baby? Please?"

Liz's eyes snapped at him when he pulled away again. She settled her hands on his chest and pushed, knocking his embrace away.

"Elizabeth, wait-"

She half hopped, half stumbled her way to the bathroom and closed the door in his face, ignoring his pleas.

"Elizabeth!"

"Go away," she mumbled into her hands, as the tears seeped through her fingers.

---

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