Thanks to Blu for providing the webpage, and thanks to
Maria for telling me about Windows on the World, although I placed the
bathrooms to my own liking. :-))

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

World Trade Center Elevator

Lucky and Liz stared at their blurred reflections in the silver metal. Lucky
squeezed Liz's hand tighter. He glanced over at her tense face. "You okay?"
he asked her quietly, but it sounded like a yell in the cavernous elevator.

Liz looked up at him, and gave him a tight smile. "I'll be okay, I guess I
should've mentioned my fear of heights."

Lucky looked at her with a puzzled expression. "But we climbed all the way to
the top of the Statue of Liberty, and that didn't bother you?"

Liz shook her head "Climbed is the operative word here Lucky. My fear isn't
really of the heights, it's more about the elevator crashing to the ground."
She paused and forced a laugh. "Ever seen the movie Speed?"

Lucky tried to stifle his laughter and failed. "Liz I don't think that Dennis
Hopper is going to be blowing up the elevator cables tonight." He lost
control and laughed loudly at the indignation in her eyes.

"Fine, then when Keanu Reeves comes to rescue us, I'll make sure he leaves you
behind." Liz then burst into laughter with Lucky. "I know it's silly, but
ever since I saw that movie I've been terrified of elevators."

Lucky got himself under control and looked at her seriously. "Well, how do
you feel about buses?" He lost his battle to keep a straight face and fell
into a fit of laughter again. Liz lightly punched his arm and shushed him as
the elevator doors opened.

Lucky composed himself and offered Liz his arm as they stepped off of the
elevator, into a room surrounded by glass and the velvet black sky. The
Maitre d' looked up from his reservation book and smiled at the young couple.
"May I help you?" he asked in a pleasant tone.

Lucky stepped forward, relieved not to have to deal with another snobby Maitre
d' "Yes sir, I believe that you should have a reservation for 'Spencer'."

The Maitre d' looked down at his book and made a note. Smiling he picked up
two leather-bound menus and beckoned the young couple forward "Right this way
please, did you enjoy the play?" he asked.

Liz glanced over at Lucky, alarmed that the Maitre d' had known where they
came from. Lucky just smiled at her. "Yes sir. It was wonderful."

The Maitre d' nodded and stopped at a small table for two, right next to the
window. "Here we are Mr. Spencer, is this table satisfactory?"

Lucky smiled at Liz's stunned reaction and held her chair out for her. "Yes
sir. Thank you." Lucky seated himself and took the two menu's that were
being offered to him.

The Maitre d' smiled and said, "Justin, your waiter, should be right with you,
is there anything I can get you before he does?"

Lucky shook his head and motioned to the view displayed below them, "Thank
you, no, we'll just enjoy the view."

As soon as the Maitre d' departed Liz leaned across the table and whispered
fiercely. "How did he know we came from the theater and why was he being so
nice?"

Lucky just laughed and picked up her hand, that had been resting on the table.
"Well, I'm sure part of the giveaway about the Theater, was the bag you had in
your hand." He laughed at Liz's expression "Also, Jason might have mentioned
that we would be coming from the Theater when he made the reservation."

A look of understanding came into Liz's eyes. "And the last would probably be
the reason he was so nice as well?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

Lucky blushed faintly "I thought we might get a better table if the request
came from Jason Morgan. And I wanted you to get a great view."

Liz's eyes never left Lucky's face as she said. "I do have a great view."

Lucky and Liz were so lost in each other's eyes, that they didn't notice
Justin's arrival, he had been standing there for several moments before he
decided that he'd better say something, or these two lovebirds might never
notice him. "Ahem." Justin just shook his head in amazement when they still
didn't notice him. "Excuse me? Can I get you something to drink?" But he
understood the reason for the young man's interest in the young woman when she
looked up at him. In fact, he didn't even hear what she said, he was so
entranced. It wasn't even that she was conventionally 'beautiful' but there
was definitely something about her....a mixture of sexy and vulnerable. The
deep chestnut hair, the sparkling eyes, that he imagined changed color with
her moods. He finally jerked himself out of his reverie as she asked him for
the third time, if he was okay. "Oh, Miss, I'm sorry." Justin struggled to
come up with a coherent reason for his staring. "It's just that you remind me
of someone a great deal" he said, and then thought to himself "yeah, someone I
want to have in my bed."

Liz smiled easily and glanced over at Lucky, surprised to see that his jaw was
tense and anger lurked in his eyes. Liz squeezed his hand, "Honey, what do
you want to drink?"

Lucky seemed to come into focus and smiled at her before turning to Justin.
"We'd like two iced teas." He said curtly.

Justin, who had now regained control of himself nodded and turned away to get
their drinks, but not before recognizing the vibe of 'keep away' being given
off by the young man. "I bet I'm not the first guy he's caught staring at
her." Justin thought to himself with an evil grin, "I bet he has to keep her
on a leash, if she flirts with ever guy like she just did with me."

Lucky watched carefully as Justin walked towards the beautiful mahogany bar in
the center of the restaurant. When he was sure that he was out of earshot, he
questioned Liz. "Are you okay?"

"Of course," Liz looked puzzled. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Lucky glanced back in the direction of the bar, "I just know that it sometimes
unnerves you to be stared at."

"Oh" Liz waved her hand. "That was nothing, he said that I reminded him of
someone, besides, I know that you wouldn't let anything hurt me." Liz smiled
tenderly at him, before letting go of his hand to pick up her menu. "So, what
looks good?"

Lucky smiled at her, relieved. A month ago, someone staring at her would have
sent her reeling, sure that it was either the guy that raped her, or that they
somehow knew that she had been raped. "Maybe she really is going to be able
to heal now." He thought with a smile, picking up his menu as well.

They still had not made up their minds when Justin returned. Lucky noticed
that Justin made a point of smiling at Liz, leaning over her menu to point out
certain items that he especially liked. Liz smiled at him and thanked him for
being so helpful. Once Justin had their order, Chicken for Lucky and Salmon
for Liz, he left them to their own company.

Liz turned to look out the window. "Lucky, I can't believe this view, it's
amazing." The twinkling lights of New York City stretched out below them.
"Marco was right, this is breathtaking."

Lucky leered teasingly at her. "I can think of other things that I'd rather
have taking my breath away." His gazed focused on her lips for a second
before lifting to her eyes, leaving no room to mistake his meaning.

Liz blushed prettily and smiled. "Well, that will just have to wait until
after dinner." She said quietly.

"Elizabeth, I'm not pushing you, you know that right?" Lucky questioned her
anxiously. "I'm just teasing."

"Lucky, it's okay." Liz smiled winningly at him. "I'm rather enjoying your
teasing," Her eyes moved down to his full lips. "I enjoy that almost as much
as I enjoyed the actual payoff." Liz giggled.

"Well, Miss Webber, perhaps we can work on that after dinner, I noticed on the
way up here that the observation deck is open until the restaurant closes."
Lucky shrugged. "Would you like to go up there when we get through here? We
could even take the stairs. It's only one flight up." Lucky grinned at her.

Liz nodded smiling. "That sound perfect, Mr. Spencer. A great way to end the
perfect date."

Lucky was suddenly concerned. "This has been a really long day, are you
allright?"

"I'm fine. I've never been happier in my life." Liz stated with passion.
"In fact, I wish this day would never end."

"Well," Lucky said, looking unsure. "It's gonna be really late by the time
we get home, we could just call Audrey and see if she would mind us staying
over for tonight?" Lucky was having difficulty reading Liz's expression. "I
mean, it's not like we've never shared a room before, and I'm sure Jason
wouldn't mind if we stayed at the suite."

Liz was staring contemplatively out the window. "I'm just not sure how Gram
will react." Liz said. "I wouldn't want to ruin this day by getting in a
fight with her."

Lucky nodded understandingly. "It's okay Elizabeth. I understand if you just
want to get home."

"But that's just it Lucky." Liz interjected. "I don't WANT to get home. I
love the idea of waking up in New York City. With you." Liz nodded
decisively. "We'll call her when we get back to the suite. You're right, it
would be really late by the time we got home, and we'd be safer just staying
here and leaving tomorrow." Liz smiled at Lucky with a little spark in her
eye. "That sounds like a good angle to use on Gram."

Lucky laughed, thrilled to see a flash of the old Elizabeth. "It's actually
the truth though. I really wasn't looking forward to getting back so late
tonight." The conversation drew to a halt as Justin returned with their meals.

"Is there anything else you need?" Justin asked looking directly at Liz.
"Like me?" he thought, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Liz, however was looking at Lucky, waiting for him to answer. Lucky turned to
Justin and said a curt "No thank you."

Justin's smile faded and he nodded at Lucky before turning away. "He is so
blind." Justin thought as he walked away. "Can't he see what a little tease
she is? Hot one minute and cold the next. I bet I could teach her a lesson."

Lucky followed him with his eyes, unnerved by him. "Something just doesn't
seem right with him." Lucky noted to himself. He turned back to Liz, and
immediately his mood brightened. He was ecstatic that she had agreed to stay
the night in NYC. The thought of once again sleeping in the same room with
her, of being able to watch over her sleep, of being so close to her, brought
him no small amount of joy. He watched her rearrange her food on her plate
and grinned at her actions. "What are you doing?" he asked her.

Liz looked up quickly and a faint blush covered her cheeks at being caught in
the act. "I, uh.....I just didn't like where they put everything." She said,
defensively.

Lucky held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, whatever floats your boat."
He glanced down at his plate, smiling to realize that he had just discovered
another of Elizabeth's "quirks".

They ate their meal with the usual dinner small talk, discussing the play, the
view, their unusual Cabby. As they neared the end, Liz realized that she
hadn't offered Lucky a bite of her dinner, in her family, everyone *always*
had to try what everyone else had. "Hey Lucky, do you want a bite before I
finish it?" Liz said, motioning to her salmon.

Lucky smiled at her and shook his head. "I'm not really crazy about salmon,
but you're welcome to a bite of my chicken." Lucky offered his fork to her,
with a small piece of chicken already impaled.

Liz shook her head. "I know you hate that, It's okay."

"Hate what?" Lucky questioned, unsure of what she meant.

"When people eat off your plate." Liz said with a sad laugh.

"What are you talking about, no I don't." Lucky said, confused. "Where did
you get that idea?"

"Do you remember how Sarah used to always pick off your plate when you two
would be in Kelly's?" Liz asked. "You would always push your food away after
she had eaten off your plate." Liz smiled at the bittersweet memory. "I used
to laugh because she never even noticed, but I knew, it seemed like I knew you
so much better than she did."

"You did Elizabeth, I'm so sorry I never noticed, that I was so blind." Lucky
said sadly, shocked to realize that Liz knew something about him that he had
never really realized himself. It bothered him when people ate off his plate.

Liz laughed, waving the sad memory aside. "No, no Lucky, lets not go there,
but that's the reason I know you don't like people eating off your plate."

"Okay, well maybe that is true with most people, but not with you," Lucky
said holding up his fork. "Now try this, it's great."

Liz took the bite of chicken offered to her, and Lucky smiled at her rapturous
expression as she chewed, until her was distracted by the return of Justin.
"Would you care for anything else tonight?" Justin asked. "We have a
marvelous chocolate cake for dessert, it simply melts in your mouth." As
Justin said this, he glanced at Liz, thinking about how he would like to melt
her with his mouth.

Lucky smiled at Liz, ignoring his feeling of unease about Justin. "Elizabeth,
would you like dessert?"

"No, really, I couldn't eat another bite." Liz protested, smiling sweetly up
at Justin. "Thank you though."

Justin nodded and laid a small leather book on the table, "I'll just take that
whenever you're ready." He started to walk away, but Lucky stopped him.

"I'll just take care of it now." Lucky said, pulling out his wallet.

"Lucky, I need to use the ladies room," Liz said, getting up. "I'll be right
back." She looked at Justin. "Could you point me in the right direction?

"It's straight back, go past the bar, it's to the right." Justin said, a plan
already forming. Then he turned to Lucky to take the small leather folder.
"Thanks, I'll be right back with your change."

Liz smiled at Lucky and headed in the direction Justin had pointed out, her
mind preoccupied with the wonderful day she had been having. She didn't
notice that Justin was only a few feet behind her as she entered the deserted
ladies room.

Lucky turned around for what seemed like the tenth time. "What is taking her
so long?" Lucky thought, standing up to see better. Suddenly he was struck
with another thought. Where was Justin with his change? Lucky felt a chill
as he started running towards the back of the restaurant. "Why didn't I watch
him closer when he left." Lucky thought, berating himself. As he neared the
ladies room, he could already hear the raised voices, looking around he
realized that all the tables near the restrooms were deserted. Lucky got to
the door and he could hear Justin's voice saying, "C'mon you've been flirting
with me every time I came to the table."

Lucky burst through the door with fire in his veins. Rage had clouded his
vision, but not so much so that he couldn't see that Liz was pinned against
the wall, Justin holding her arms at her side. Not so much that he couldn't
see Liz's tears and her efforts to struggle away from Justin.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" He yelled as he grabbed Justin
by the shoulder, spinning him and slamming him against the wall. Lucky took
advantage of Justin's surprise by ramming his fist into Justin's gut. Justin
doubled over and sank to the floor, as Lucky gathered Liz up in his arms.

"Elizabeth, sweetheart, are you okay?" Lucky asked her....only to hear
uncontrollable sobs. Lucky glared down at Justin, "You bastard! I could kill
you for this."

Justin only smirked up at Lucky. "I was only giving her what she has been
asking for all night." Justin said snidely. "The girl couldn't keep her eyes
off me. Why else do you think she asked me to point out the restrooms to
her."

Liz suddenly stiffened in Lucky's arms and before Lucky was even aware that
she moved, she reached out and kicked the still sitting Justin, right between
his legs. "Because I had to use the bathroom you bastard," Liz wiped her
eyes, and smiled evilly down at Justin, doubled over on the floor. "Something
you're going to have trouble doing for a while." And with that, Liz stalked
out of the bathroom, leaving Lucky staring after her.

Lucky felt an incredible joy rise within him, and he glanced down at the
waiter writhing in agony on the floor. "Keep the change." He said with a
laugh as he followed the girl who held his heart.

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