"What's the word on your new cat?" Elizabeth looks up and sees Felicia, a fellow Kelly's waitress and boarder, leaning on the diner's counter.

"My new cat? I'll let you know when I know," Elizabeth answers while counting her tips, she made $5.00 today. That's not to shabby. She can buy the Gouache supplies she's been wanting for awhile.

"Stop playing possum, you spent hours with him here last night. Everyone's talking about it. What's his name, rank, and serial number?"

Elizabeth grabs her knitted poncho and replies coyly as she leaves Kelly's Diner, "His name is Nikolas Cassadine, he's a Lieutenant, and perhaps I'll find out this evening."

Elizabeth loves taking the subway by herself. Many consider it unsafe but she finds it liberating. It takes her where ever she wants to go when ever she wants to go. As she climbs out of the subway terminal at her destination she sees her Lieutenant waiting for her. His back is towards her as he looks out at the beach.

She pauses on the stairs thinking, "When did he become my Lieutenant? We've only spent a couple of hours together."

Nikolas turns and seeing her a smile creases his chiseled face. Elizabeth's heart skips a beat at the site of it. She hurries to meet him, attempting to look calm while doing it.

"Hey you," she greets him with a smile of her own.

"You're sure this is where you want to spend the evening?" He asks, looking around Steeplechase Park. "I can take you anywhere in New York, just name the place."

"Don't wimp out now soldier boy," Elizabeth grabs his hand and starts walking towards the crowds. "I love people watching."

Noticing that she is still holding his hand, she starts and attempts to let it go. He doesn't let her. He takes her arm and wends it through his own, pulling her closer into his side as they walk.

"Some of the best music is played here. Cats bring their instruments and just play what comes to them. It's authentic."

She guides him towards the beach, where fires were lit in pits and people sat around talking, laughing, or playing music.

"I love the scent of the sea," she says, her face turned into the breeze. "It's full of possibility, boundless."

"You think a lot about authenticity," he says.

"I'm sorry, am I boring you?"

"No, I can listen to you talk forever."

Having stopped walking Elizabeth removes her arm from the comforting embrace of his. Their hands touch and Nikolas grabs hers, holding it lightly as if needing a physical connection.

"Really? You might think differently after I say this. I did some numerology work on your name Nikolas Cassadine."

Nikolas turns her towards him, "And what did you discover Miss Nancy Drew?"

Elizabeth laughs, "I never would have thought of you as dork enough to know about Nancy Drew. They have that in Greece?"

"I'm fully briefed in all things American. That classical education remember. Now tell me. What did you discover?"

"Well, your numbers don't really fit your current life style. At least everything but your inner dream number. That is a seven, a recluse, a teacher, someone who loves the opportunity to read and study. Your expression is three. Which might be why you find me so fascinating."

"Tell me more."

He pulls her in closer still.

Elizabeth is getting distracted by his nearness, "Well, um, three's strive for creative expression, you know, singing, dancing, acting."

Nikolas's hands are running up and down Elizabeth's arms.

"Now your soul urge number is a five. Meaning you want freedom, love to travel and try new things."

"I can see that about myself," Nikolas murmurs before swooping down to take her lips in a long, deep, kiss.

"Oh my," Elizabeth says when he releases her. "You certainly know how to communicate what you want."

"Come to my place tonight," Nikolas demands. His eyes sparkle as he says, "I need more time to study...you."

"Okay, but first I'm hungry. There's a hot dog stand over there and you did promise to feed me."

*************
History Notes:
Coney Island's Steeplechase Park closed in 1964 due to bad weather, gang fights, and the unsafe subways. I've taken the liberty of keeping it open one more year.
Gouache is a type of paint made of pigment, water and another element, sometimes chalk.
Nancy Drew is a popular young adult fictional mystery sleuth. The series began during the 1930s. Starting in 1959 the books were edited to remove racial slurs and reprinted. They were very popular in the 60s but some people feel that Nancy lost most of her fire and spark in the rewrites.