Rating: PG
Title: Now & Forever
Disclaimer:
I own nothing related to or affiliated with Disney, ABC Daytime, or General Hospital. Characters are not mine; they are merely being borrowed.
AN:
Thanks for all the positive feedback for my other fic. I thought I would go ahead and post this new one. My plans are to maybe post one more new fic.
This really is a LiRic fic. It may not seem like it but I promise it is. Enjoy!
Background:
The first two chapters are really long and are mostly flashbacks. They explain the story. I hope. They also jump around. I'm pretty sure you will be able to recognize the scenes. If you have any questions don't ask.
Only Love
Chapter One
Ric sat at his desk reading files for his next case. This was one of his biggest cases since coming to Port Charles and he did not want to lose it. His mind however just would not focus. Ric glanced up and his eyes landed on Elizabeth's picture. She like always was the reason why. They had been through so much since they met but Ric would not change anything. Even the really bad times.
Ric stood there with Elizabeth in her studio. He had just brought over an art book for her. He loved the way her face lit up at the simple gift. That gift however led to talking about Sonny. The one thing Ric wanted to avoid. "Don't worry about me."
"Too late. I already do." Elizabeth said smiling as she walked away from him. She stopped in front the window. The sunlight made her look even more beautiful.
Ric followed her across the room. When Ric stopped behind her he, reach out the touch her hair. The strands felt like silk in his hands. "You know you are a good person, Elizabeth. If I was half as good as you are I would walk away from you right now." he said calmly. Ric leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to the back of Elizabeth's head. He buried his nose in her hair enjoying the soft sent of her shampoo.
Elizabeth smiled at the statement. "Well what if being left alone is the last thing I want?" Ric placed several more kisses to her hair before Elizabeth turned around. Elizabeth placed her hands on his face pulling him down to her lips. The kiss was gentle but filled with anticipation. One of Ric's hands cupped her face. The other pulled her body closer. Her soft curves felt so good against his had body. It was getting more difficult to stay away. To remember all the reasons why he should. Just as things began to heat up between them, his cell phone rang. They both groaned as they pulled apart. Ric knew it was for the best. He did not want to hurt Elizabeth and that's exactly what was going to happen.
"Excuse me." Ric said regretfully before kissing her once more. "Yeah. Ric Lancing."
"We need to meet. Now." the deep voice on the other end said.
Ric sighed. He hated this part. Sometimes having partners sucked. "Where?"
"The same place as last time. Say half an hour?" The man said almost immediately.
Ric knew there was no chance of talking his way out of the meeting not with Elizabeth standing a few feet away. "Yeah. I'll see you then."
"You have to go." Elizabeth said when he hung up the phone.
"I'm sorry. It's work," he explained quickly.
"Work for Sonny? I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." Elizabeth said walked back over the art book he just gave her. He could tell how affected she was by the phone call.
"You can ask me anything." Ric assured her. "It doesn't mean I can give you an answer."
"I hate all this secrecy." Elizabeth said softly.
Ric shook his head. The guilt was back. It was a new emotion for him and he was not sure how to handle it. "I don't want you getting mixed up in this. Can I take you to dinner later?" Ric asked hoping to distract her.
"I'd like that." Elizabeth said after a moment. Ric smiled and kissed her once more.
"I'll see you later then."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Why do you have a gun?" The simple question kept replaying in his head. Ric had seen the fear in her eyes and he hated it. Almost as much as he hated lying to her.
"You seem distracted," his contact, pointed out when he noticed Ric was not listening.
"Things have gotten... complicated." Ric admitted his voice full of frustration.
His words immediately got the other man's attention. "Did Sonny figure out what you're up to?"
Ric shook his head. "No. He's too self involved. I... I met someone."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. She's amazing." Ric said softly. The man laughed at Ric's behavior. "What's so funny?" he snapped.
"You really like this woman." he said pointing out the obvious.
"Unfortunately." Ric grumbled.
"Explain."
"She's not part of the plan."
"Ric, you can't plan everything." The man said barely containing the urge not to laugh again. In all the years, he met Ric nothing had ever made him lose focus. He immediately wanted to know more. "Is she involved with Corinthos or Morgan?"
"No. Not really." Ric said with a shake of his head.
"Good. Then what's the problem?"
"She... Elizabeth saw me with the gun. She freaked out and started asking all these questions."
"What did you tell her?" he asked cautiously.
"Nothing really. Half-truths. She actually asked me if I was a federal agent," he admitted with a smirk.
He was surprised some girl had come that close to Ric's secret. Especially when Morgan and Corinthos didn't have a clue. "This Elizabeth sounds smart."
"She is. I don't want to screw up with her." Ric stated as he started t pace the small room.
"I can't believe this." The man said no even tying to hide the amusement in his voice.
"I'm glad you find this amusing." Ric snapped. He hated that his friend was enjoying his frustration and confusion. Elizabeth affected him in ways no one else ever had.
"I do. Ric this the first woman you have more than a passing interest in... well ever."
Ric couldn't argue with that. So instead, he pointed one of his biggest worries. "And she could ruin everything I'm trying to do."
"Maybe but it'll all be over soon."
"You're right I hope. I have to go," he said after a quick glance at the clock.
"To see Elizabeth?" the man asked with a smirk.
"You're enjoying this too much." Ric said shaking his head.
"You're right I am. Sorry about interrupting before. Next time don't answer the phone."
"It was better I did before things went too far."
He was surprised to hear how serious things were with this Elizabeth. "This is serious."
"When she finds out I'm lying to her and the things I have planned she's going to hate me." Ric admitted his heart aching with the knowledge.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ric watched Elizabeth move around Kelly's as she waited on the customers. Elizabeth moved so gracefully that made her even more beautiful. He never expected to find someone like her. She made him feel things he never knew possible. Ric knew he was falling in love with her. The realization both terrified and thrilled him.
His plans were going so well. Especially since, he took that bullet for Sonny. Finally, Sonny trusted him enough to allow him inside the business. Now all Ric had to do was follow his plan and he would have everything he wanted. Namely his brother's destruction.
Elizabeth was the one thing Ric could not plan for. She just came into his life from nowhere. Ric was discovering things about himself everyday. Like the fact he could love and be loved in return. He knew without a doubt that Elizabeth cared deeply about him. A woman like her just didn't fall in to bed with anyone. When they made love, it was so amazing Ric never wanted to let her go. They fit together perfectly.
Later when they were lying in his bed, Ric had the sudden impulse to push her away. And it worked. Elizabeth had been on her way out the door when Ric stopped her. He just couldn't let her go. However, no matter how he tried to explain he only made things worse. Finally, Ric gave in and accepted what was happening between him and Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled as soon as he saw Ric. "Hey you."
They shared a quick kiss that them both wanting more. "Hey. Guess what?"
"I'm not even going to try." Elizabeth told him with a shake of her head.
"I found a place and I'm moving in today." Ric said smiling at the news. Things were starting to pick up. The only way to keep Elizabeth in the dark was to move away from Kelly's.
"Really? I'm going to miss you being here." She said frowning slightly.
"Me too." Ric admitted as he caressed her cheek. "But this is a good thing. I... want you to see it. Will you come by later?"
"Of course." Elizabeth said blushing at the implied suggestion.
Ric smirked at the pink that colored her cheeks. He loved seeing the effect the he had on her. "Here's the address. When you get off work come by."
"Okay. I'll see you later."
"Later." Ric said kissing again before going up to his room to pack.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Elizabeth was suspicious of him. Ric couldn't blame her. After all, he had done nothing but lie since they met. When she suddenly rushed to leave Ric knew something was wrong. Elizabeth had heard him on the phone. So he lied to her again. When things came to a head Ric knew without a doubt Elizabeth would hate him.
Ric kept trying to let her go but he couldn't. The thought of her not in his life anymore shook him. When Elizabeth asked him if he would let her walk away, he said no almost without thinking. The word just slipped out. Her eyes light up at the admission. Ric wanted to destroy everyone who made her feel less than treasured. He was determined to make her see how truly special she was. Until he lost her because Ric knew, he would.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ric was about to get everything he wanted. In a matter of hours, Sonny and Jason's lives would be destroyed. He should be happy but all he felt was the pain of losing Elizabeth. He knew it would happen. Elizabeth was too good too special for the way he treated her.
He was so focused on the water that the sound of footsteps on the wooden dock took him by surprise. He turned to see Elizabeth hurrying down the stairs. Even though he knew, he should leave her alone he couldn't Ric moved to block her way.
"Excuse me." Elizabeth said cold as she hurried past him.
Ric couldn't help himself. He needed some sort of reaction from her beside indifference. "It must be nice if it's that easy for you."
Elizabeth immediately turned to face him. Ric could see the anger in her eyes as she brushed the hair from her face. "What did you say?"
"I mean you were able to walk away. You know. No turning back. No giving us a second thought. How do you do that? Can you give me any tips? Because I cannot seem to let you go, Elizabeth. I love you. Please give me the chance to prove it to you."
"What do you want another chance to do Ric? Lie to me some more? Maybe get me into bed a few more times? So you can feel real good about your macho self." Elizabeth spat angrily.
"That's not me and you know it." Ric snapped back. They had been talking less then a minute and already they were fighting. This was not how Ric wanted things to go.
"No. I don't and that is the point. I don't know you or anything about you. I fell in love with a complete act."
"No. Not true. All right? I was honest with you, Elizabeth."
"Oh please." Elizabeth said rolling her eyes at him.
"I was. I told you from the very beginning that I had an agenda that had to do with Sonny. Many times, I told you. I told you it could be dangerous," he quickly pointed out.
"And that's your justification for harming innocent people? You said it might happen? You know what Courtney and Carly may be obnoxious but they don't deserve to be blackmailed, held hostage, or for god sakes Ric rape."
"I did not rape Carly alright. You ask her even she knows."
"And now I'm supposed to believe you?"
"Ask her! I swear to you it's true. there's a witness and everything." Ric pleaded in his defense. If he could just get her to believe him about that then maybe he could win her trust back eventually.
"Oh witnesses?" Elizabeth said rolling her eyes.
"Yes Coleman. He was there all right. He looked though the window and he saw us. Look he knows the truth and he finally came forward."
"Carly still had to go through the pain." Elizabeth told him softly.
"Alright. I know it was unspeakable. I made a mistake."
"Mistakes? Mistakes? Ric, what you call mistakes most people conceder crimes. You tormented two women. I am so not interested in what you have to say."
Elizabeth turned to leave and Ric panicked. Things between them were no better in fact he thought they might be worse. "Look. Listen to me. I grew up alone. I am not making excuses here. But I grew up thinking that I lack whatever it takes for a person to look at you with love. And that affected me. I'm not proud of it but that's what happened. And then all of a sudden I find out it was not me. That somebody else is responsible for the emptiness in my life."
"Sonny and you had to find him and make him pay?" She asked spinning back around to face him.
"Yes." Ric said quickly. The anger and hate he felt for Sonny was still too close to the surface for him to brush it aside.
"And to hell with anybody who had the good fortune to get in your way right?" She spat back at him.
"Forget about Sonny because he's managed to avenge himself. He tried to kill me. Maybe one day he will. You know I may have come to town with less than noble intention towards my brother but I never meant to murder him."
"What do you want me to believe Ric? That this big vendetta in now finished? That you don't want revenge against Sonny anymore?"
"That I love you more than I need to hurt my brother. If I thought there was any hope of a future with you may past wouldn't matter." Ric said desperately. He wanted, no needed her to understand.
"Yes it would." Elizabeth disagreed.
"No. Nothing, no one is more important than what we could share. Just give me a sign. Something. The tiniest bit of encouragement and I will. I'll turn my life on a dime that's how much I want you."
"Ric please it's too late." Elizabeth begged. He could see she was slowly giving in. All he had to do was figure out a way to show her he was telling the truth.
"No. No, it's not. Not if you still love me." Ric disagreed shaking his head.
"I don't know you, Ric. How can I possibly love you?"
"You know my heart. Please Elizabeth. All I'm asking for is a chance."
"Will you answer one question for me?" She requested after a few seconds of silence.
"Anything."
"Why do you hate Sonny so much?"
"I... I hate that he's the reason my mother left me. Maybe she jut knew I wasn't worth it." Ric said turning away from Elizabeth, self-disgust filling his voice.
Elizabeth's heart broke for Ric. She knew exactly as what he was feeling. No one should know that kind of pain. Not even Ric. "That's not true Ric."
"Look at the things I've done Elizabeth. How can you defend me?"
"Because I care about you. I don't know why but I do." Elizabeth admitted softly turning away from Ric.
Ric knew if he had ever had a chance with Elizabeth there could be no more lies or secrets. "Sonny and Jason are about to be arrested."
Elizabeth's eyes filled with horror, as she looked at Ric the full realization of what she was hearing sank in. "What? Why?" Part of her wanted to throw something at his head. She was so pissed at him. He did not seem to grasp that he had tricked Carly in to thinking she had been raped. He did not seem to understand that throwing Courtney down a well was not okay. She looked straight at him took a deep breathe and said, "What happens if I don't believe you? Will you hurt me to?"
Ric stared back in horror as he started to sputter. "Never. I would never hurt you."
"You already did." She accused coldly.
"It's minor charges." Ric continued as if she had not spoken "They probably won't serve more than a year. The guy who is arresting them he's an old friend. I've been helping him collect evidence."
Elizabeth stared back at him her eyes flints of steel and she said, "So that makes everything ok that you did? Why are you even telling me this?"
"I don't want anymore lies between us. I want to earn your trust... your love. I decided to help him because of you."
"What?" Elizabeth gasped stunned by everything Ric was saying.
"Being with you makes me want to be a better man." He said gently.
"So your now saying you can trick Carly and throw Courtney in a well but your some how better then Jason and Sonny? That you did this for me?"
"In part. Mostly I just finally saw what I had missed all those years hating my brother."
"I want to trust you. But I don't know if I can. My heart's been broken so much."
"Let me fix it, please. One chance. Have dinner with me. I will tell you anything you want to know. Anything. Please." Ric begged hoping that if he just kept asking he could wear her down.
"You will answer any question I ask? Really answer it."
"Yes."
"Tell me about Faith." She said looking directly in to his brown eyes.
"It should have never happened. I was hurting so much over losing you and there she was. I don't know to explain it. Haven't you ever had a self-destructive moment? One where you thought you lost the best thing you ever had. And you did something stupid to punish yourself. I screwed up I know that. And maybe you will never be able to forgive me but I am not letting you go without a fight. I'm going to keep fighting for us until you at least give me a second chance." Ric started letting her know that he was willing to do anything to win her back.
"You're not leaving?" Elizabeth asked slowly.
"No. I'm staying in Port Charles."
"Because of me?"
He nodded in agreement. "Yeah. The woman I love is here. Why would I want to leave?"
"Dinner sounds nice." Elizabeth relented suddenly.
"You'll go out with me?" Ric asked unsure if he had heard correctly.
"I'm not promising you anything."
"I just want this chance." Ric said hopefully.
Elizabeth smiled as she moved closer to Ric. She ran her hands up his chest looking him in the eye. "I want to leave me alone." She said just before pushing hard against his chest. Her actions caught Ric off guard as he fell backwards in to the harbor. Elizabeth turned on her heel and walked off ignoring Ric completely.