**
I've been on the road too long
and I've been stuck inside a song
and you know our love has been
through rougher weather
but our passion's like a rose
the seasons tell it how it grows
and not much compares
to the times we've shared together

'cause love heals everything
we're no exception to the rule
you mean everything to me
so if there is anything at all
all you've got to do is call
and you know that I would
drive 10,000 miles
just to show you that I care
just to kiss your honey hair
and pull you close and hold you
like a child

love heals everything
we're no exception to that rule
you mean everything
you mean everything
you mean everything to me
("You Mean Everything to Me" By Shawn Mullins from Soul's Core. Much thanks to Kim for sending it to me...it's fits just right, don't you think?)
**


The lights in the kitchen were blindingly bright when she flipped them on. She squinted and stepped into the room. She was limping painfully as she made her way to the cabinet. One hand was pressed to her forehead. Her joints popped loudly in the silence of the cottage.

Liz found the bottle of painkillers that her doctor had left for her and tried to open them. Her hands trembled so badly, it was impossible. She leaned up against the counter for support.

"Need some help there?"

Lucky's voice from behind her startled her. She dropped the bottle onto the counter, it rolled to the floor. She turned slowly to shoot a glance at Lucky and bent to pick the pills up.

Lucky stood in the doorway, one hand on the jam for support, the other hung limply at his side. His hair was in tangles, his t-shirt was wrinkled, his pajama bottoms were too.

"Sorry."

Liz laughed shortly, at herself.

"It's not your fault," she said softly, dropping her chin, her gaze going to her hands, while she fiddled with the cap on the bottle again. "I still get freaked, don't I?"

Lucky padded into the room, flinching once when his steps jarred his ribs.

"Are you okay?" Liz asked worriedly.

Lucky nodded, and approached her, stopping within inches and reaching for the bottle she held in her suddenly numb fingers. His hands lingered on hers for a few seconds before he slipped the bottle away.

"Here," he said, handing her back the open bottle after only a second.

"Thanks." Her voice was sleep dulled. She coughed, trying to clear it.

"Is it your ankle?" The concern in his voice was a matching companion to the look on his face.

"Yeah," Liz answered lightly. "But I'll live. How are you feeling? What are you doing up? You're supposed to be sleeping."

Lucky had the good grace to look abashed. He spoke sheepishly: "I woke up when you left the...the bed." He blushed furiously. "Light sleeper, I guess," he excused himself. "And I couldn't get back to sleep, so..."

"You came all the way in here to see what I was doing." Liz smiled tenderly.

Lucky grinned. "Aren't you going to take one of those?" he asked, nodding to the pills Liz still held.

She looked down and noticed the bottle again. "Right," she said slowly, downing one quickly. She looked back up at Lucky, closing the bottle absently and setting it on the counter.

"You sure you're okay?" she asked him. "You look kind of pale."

"I'm fine. Just a little out of it, I think. Is it warm in here?"

Liz reached up for his face, gently pressing her fingers to his cheek on one of the unbruised parts.

"You feel a little warm. I wouldn't be surprised if you have a light fever, after tonight."

Lucky rolled his eyes. "You're not going to go Nurse on me, are you? I saw the doctor, remember?"

Liz shifted her feet. "I know."

"But?"

"But I can still worry, can't I? Let's get you back to bed."

Lucky smiled, fully willing to let Liz take care of him, for now. "Right. Bed." He was turning to the door when a dizzy spell hit him full force. "Whoa." He froze to the spot. Liz stepped to his side and placed her hand on his arm.

"Lucky?"

"I'm okay," he muttered, remaining still.

"Sure you are. Come here," Liz slipped her arm around his waist. She accidentally brushed against his ribs; he winced. "Sorry," she apologized immediately.

"It's okay."

They made it into the hallway and almost to the bedroom, when Lucky's legs suddenly gave way. Liz struggled to keep the both of them standing. She ended up lurching backwards, into the wall, landing with a thump. Lucky was able to prop himself up with his arms. Liz was breathing hard, pinned between him and the plaster of the wall.

"Ok, this is going to be a little trickier than I thought."

Liz rolled her eyes.

"Tiny understatement?" Lucky asked.

"Major."

Lucky's breath fanned Liz's face. She felt her face heat up.

"You're blushing."

Liz looked up, jutting out her chin in the process.

"Your point?"

"*Why* are you blushing?"

Liz shook her head negatively. "I don't know." Without a thought, she reached up and kissed his lips.

"That was a nice subject change," Lucky said moments later, when the kiss had ended.

Liz didn't reply, only gave him a somewhat shy grin and shifted slightly.

"Am I hurting you?"

"No. But we need to get you into bed anyway."

Lucky sucked in a deep breath. "Quick. Let's go for it."

Liz pushed them away from the wall and darted into the room, taking Lucky with her. They fell in a tumble on the bed, breathless and flushed.

"We made it," Lucky said, a teasing tone to his voice.

Liz smiled, adjusting her position slightly. Lucky rolled half way over, flopping onto his back. Liz edged closer to him, gently touched his waist.

"Is this okay?" she asked, afraid that she might hurt him.

"You're fine," Lucky said over a yawn.

They were drifting off, together, when Lucky whispered sleepily:

"We made it."

---

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