Leather Snow
Starring: Liason
Disclaimer: Do Not Own Anything Recognizable

Opening Note: Thank you all for the interest you showed in this story. I appreciate your willingness to read another one of my stories. I was going to wait to post this, but your interest made me feel confident enough to post it now. I hope you enjoy this one and let me know what you think. - Amber

The day began like any other day as she woke up to pack a bag for her boyfriend who now lived in an abandoned boxcar in the middle of practically nowhere. Once she has packed all the things she's certain he'll need, Elizabeth takes the same path she always takes to get to the place he calls home. Though he's the reason she ventures to that particular part of town, deep down she feels an indescribable pull to be there, even when she knows he's not there. Something about that place calls to her. Beckons her. Pulls her in and leaves her feeling at home. Sometimes she even finds herself wondering what it'd be like if she were the one living out there, away from the world, from all the expectations that weigh her down daily.

"Knock. Knock." she verbalizes, not at all willing to knock on the boxcar itself, nearly bruising her hand the last time she tried to make it loud enough to be heard. Fragile hands a good knocker makes not. "Lucky?"

"Hey, Liz." Lucky replies, gripping the side of the door before extending a hand to her, helping her up into the boxcar. "I see you don't come empty handed."

"When do I ever?" Elizabeth counters with a soft smile, handing over the bag she had packed for him. "Just a few provisions to see you through the night."

"You're too good to me." Lucky says as he plops down onto the bench to go through the bag of things she brought. "Thanks, Liz."

"You're welcome." she says with a broad smile, his gratitude always lending warmth to her heart, knowing he appreciated her efforts. "As great as all this is, however, with the coming winter..."

"A real place would be preferable, I know." Lucky sighs, zipping up the bag before putting it to the side. "I'll look into it, I promise."

"I just worry for you, Lucky." Elizabeth says honestly, gesturing to their surroundings. "I love this place, I do, but its not going to do you any good when it starts to snow."

Admittedly, they have had this conversation quite a few times this last month, bringing out a feeling in her that she wasn't all that fond of, in a sense. The more she pushes, the more she is forced into such conversations, the more she feels like his mother rather than his girlfriend. She knows that he's going through tough times, he's suffering in ways she couldn't possibly imagine, but there has to come a turning point. A point in his life where he takes control of it and moves past the betrayal. A betrayal that happened far before his years. Regardless of her feelings, however, she'll accept his choices and hope that one day he'll see that he didn't have to feel what he's feeling.

"Hey, anybody home?" a voice sounds off from outside, causing both their attentions to be drawn to the doorway, surprised to have a visitor.

"Yeah, we're in here." Lucky calls out, rising to his feet when Jason steps up into the boxcar.

The moment his feet are firmly planted on the floor of the boxcar, Jason's eyes are drawn to Elizabeth like a moth to a flame, intrigued by the look that flashes in her eyes at the sight of him. For a moment, his words cease to form, their eyes holding each other's for a long moment before the connection is broken by her dropping her gaze and his glancing around the small room. It was different than he remembers, the paintings on the walls lend comfort to a bare place. He wonders if he'd have stayed there longer had it looked like this when he was staying here.

"Liz, this is Jason." Lucky introduces nonchalantly, clearly missing the look that had been exchanged between the two moments ago. "Jason, this is my girlfriend, Elizabeth."

"We kinda met before...at the nurses' ball." Elizabeth voices, her eyes trying not to meet his again, uncertain of the feeling that had bubbled up within her at the simple connection.

"I remember." Jason smiles slightly, remembering the very moment, having to play referee between them and his sister. "Was a tough night."

"It was." Elizabeth agrees, having wished it wouldn't have ended the way it did. "Anyway, what brings you by?"

Jason explains himself, his retirement and Lucky's resulting job loss, handing over his severance pay as he finishes off his explanation. Elizabeth can't help the immediate instinct to call Jason out on Lucky's place in it all, the possible danger that looms over him because of his job with him, something she felt stupid for bringing up. She thinks he'll belittle her worries, but he doesn't. Jason explains the lack of danger with Lucky's low profile position, promising Elizabeth that he was in no danger and, in connection, neither was she.

"I could see how that might be troubling for you, but you have nothing to worry about." Jason says to Elizabeth, watching as relief spreads over her features. "I wouldn't let anything happen to either of you."

"Thanks." Elizabeth replies softly. "I really appreciate that."

"No problem." Jason assures before turning to Lucky. "If you're still interested in a job, I could use the help with the shop. Same pay. You'd just be helping me keep parts in stock and help keep things running as smoothly as possible."

"You really need someone or you just making up a job to help me out?" Lucky counters, uncertain of the purpose to the offer.

"I'm bound to hire someone, why not you?" Jason replies simply, checking his watch and noting the time. "Look, you have time to think about it, I don't start at the shop for a couple weeks. Just let me know before then."

"Sure, okay." Lucky shakes his head, lifting up the wad of money Jason gave him. "Thanks for this."

"You earned it." Jason says simply, turning to Elizabeth as he's about to leave. "It was nice to meet you, Elizabeth."

"You, too, Jason." Elizabeth replies sincerely.

They hold each other's gaze for a brief moment before Jason turns and walks out of the boxcar, leaving the two of them to their own accord. The moment he's out of sight, the strange feeling that had overcome her moments ago was now gone, making her feel like it was just a bout of nerves. It had to be that. Shaking her head, she delves into a conversation with Lucky in regard to the job offer, agreeing to have dinner with him at Eli's to celebrate the bonus he received. She tried to insist he save it, but Lucky was a man with driven passion and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Its not every day that he gets to treat her and he wants to now that he's capable of doing so.

"So, I'll see you tonight then?" Elizabeth voices as Lucky helps her down from the boxcar, smiling softly as his lips meet hers.

"See you tonight." he says, their eyes connecting for a brief moment before he stands up.

Securing her jacket around her, she takes one last look at him before silently making her way through the trees back to civilization. Though she doesn't like to be alone all that much in such secluded places, Elizabeth finds herself walking slowly through the trees, enjoying the peace that surrounds her in that moment. Autumn had to be her most favorite season, a sense of renewing could be felt, as old leaves fall to make room for new ones when Spring arrives. The thought of shedding away old skin to make way for something new has her feeling almost tempted to renew herself, as well. To let go of the fear and the pain, to just start over from a better place, it was truly tempting.

Closing Note: Thank you for making it to the end of the official first chapter of this story. Feel free to review in the review box or message me in a direct message to express your feelings and thoughts on this chapter. Thank you all for the support you continue to show me with each chapter. I wish you the best, always. - Amber