**
Well I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down, as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well the good ol' days, may not return
And the rocks might melt & the sea may burn
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
Well some say life will beat you down, break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out, for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there
I'm learning to fly, around the clouds,
But what goes up must come down
I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing
(Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers: "Learning To Fly")
**
The stiff wind tossed Liz's hair and tried to rearrange her bulky sweater. It cut through her jeans like a knife. She crossed her arms over her chest and continued to step gingerly over the crabs that littered her path. Lucky hobbled along beside her, doing his best not to wince with every step.
Liz shuddered involuntarily from the cool wind and rubbed her arms idly.
"You cold?" Lucky asked immediately, dropping one arm over her shoulder and leaning slightly into her.
"I'm okay," Liz returned with a laugh.
"Oh." Lucky left his arm where it was. "Well, then, let me just hold onto you so I don't fall over."
Liz stopped walking and turned to him, catching him around the waist. She lifted her face to view his.
"I told you we should call Mrs. Sweeney and get her to give us a ride," Liz scolded gently.
"And I said I was fine, which I am."
Liz wrinkled her nose at him. "Then why did you just say-"
Lucky stopped her words with a duck of his head and a quick brush of his lips. Liz looked up at him, curls framing her face, her eyes glowing with tenderness.
"Ooooh," she murmured sweetly, lifting her chin for another kiss. Lucky chuckled, and moved to accommodate her. She shuffled closer to him, pressed as close as she could get. He gave a muffled groan against her mouth and pulled away quickly. He was clutching at his ribs on the left side, bending almost double in pain.
"Lucky?" Liz asked, confused.
He sucked air through his teeth. "I'm okay, I'm okay."
"Did I just -- do that ... hurt you?"
"I think you just touched one of my bruises. It's okay, just give me a minu-" Lucky flinched away when Liz tried to place her hand on his shoulder.
"Oh! I'm sorry!"
He backed a step away. "It's not you, baby, I'm just in a little pain today."
Liz stuffed her hands in her jeans pockets, anxiously shifting from one foot to the other. Tears pooled in her eyes, she blinked them away.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, managing to keep her voice steady. Barely.
Lucky slowly straightened. He turned to her, a smile forming on his face. It faded when he caught sight of her expression. He groaned again and reached for her. His hands cupped her face; she stood perfectly still.
"*I'm* sorry," he said quietly, rubbing tiny circles on her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. "Here you are, worried about the police station and the creep who..." he stopped and took a calming breath. "And I have to go and make you feel guilty. Honey, I'm not hurting that bad, nothing's permanent, and I'd rather suffer through the little pain I have, than not have your touch. Okay?"
Liz lost control of one of her tears, and it slid down her cheek. She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, trying to force her tears away, and giving Lucky and unadulterated view of her face. He watched the single tear trace its path down her smooth cheek, to the corner of her mouth. He lowered his head and softly kissed it away, taking Liz by surprise. Her eyes flew open, and her lips parted slightly. Lucky's eyes were drawn to her lips, as he drew slightly away. Liz allowed them to curl up in a little smile, purposely tempting him.
"Are you trying to kill me?" Lucky asked without thinking.
Liz's heart stopped. She knew her face had fallen.
"Great one, Spencer," Lucky said, half to himself. "That was brilliant. I'm so sor-"
Liz cut him off with a shake of her head and a sad smile.
"I think we've had enough apologizing for one day. Would you just kiss me and get it over with?"
Lucky found a nervous grin somewhere and flashed it at Liz. She stretched up a tad and met his lips. The kiss grew deeper than she was prepared for quickly. She felt her knees do that familiar jelly "thing", and was hard pressed to keep herself from clutching Lucky to stay upright. He took her hands and placed them lightly on his shoulders. She felt the friction of his flannel shirt against her palms and leaned even more into the kiss. She began to get dizzy, partly from lack of air, and partly because she was so close to Lucky. She balled her hands into fists, fighting off the urge to throw herself at him, then forcibly unclenched her fingers and flattened her hands on his shoulders.
Lucky pulled away from the kiss reluctantly.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly. Liz shyly lifted her eyes to his.
"Nothing."
"Uh huh. Seriously, what is it?"
"I need something to hold onto," Liz admitted shakily. "You make me weak in the knees." She gave a weak laugh.
Lucky grinned. "So hold onto me."
She shot him a Look. "Last time, that didn't work so well. I don't want to hurt you."
"I don't care." He shrugged indifferently when she glared at him. "I don't. But if it makes you feel better, I'll just hold onto you."
Liz questioned him with her eyes.
"Just be still, that's all."
Lucky folded her into his arms, gripping her tightly, squeezing the air from her lungs.
"Okay..." Liz wheezed. "That's not gonna work either."
Lucky released her, but kept an arm around her waist. "Let's just go in, then." He turned to his immediate left and greeted the impressive brick facade of the Police Dept. Headquarters. Liz shivered.
"I don't think I want to."
"I don't think we have a choice," Lucky replied, squeezing her gently. "I'm right here, just remember that. Just like last time, only this time, we've got the guy who's been harassing you."
Liz smiled over at him, her face still wearing a look of uncertainty. "I can do this," she whispered to herself.
"*We* can, baby, we can."
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