"I have a surprise for you," Nikolas says their last week together.
"Another new car? A second vineyard? I know...you bought me Rodeo Drive."
"If you want it, it's yours. It's nothing like that. Your friend Taggert is in the army. He decided to join and have a say in what he did rather than wait to be drafted."
"He willingly signed away his freedom to the white establishment. I don't believe it. Is he here in California? I've missed the New York crowd."
"Not only is he here but I used my political clout to make him my Sergeant. I watched him at Fort Bragg, he's excellent at what he does. It took some doing but he's here and will stay with me throughout the war if I have any say in it."
"Will I get to see him or any of the men in your unit before you go?"
"You and I will go to the Officers Ball of course and I thought we could host an event for the men."
"I like that idea. We could do a Maine fish boil on the beach by Fisherman's Warf."
"Excellent, I'm sure you and Alfred will plan a wonderful event," he says which makes Elizabeth swat at him, just as he knew she would do.
Tomorrow Nikolas leaves. Today Elizabeth and Robin help Alfred with the last minute preparations for the fish boil.
"This is a groovy set-up Jeeves," Robin teases Alfred. "Elizabeth, it's so cool of you to invite me and P."
"I'm glad you were willing to attend. Not many people want to be seen around soldiers right now."
"P and I will go wherever the party is, besides we kind of dig you and the stiff. I think P is going to miss him when he's gone."
Elizabeth leaves Robin to turn the radio on as a familiar looking man walks towards her.
"Mrs. Cassadine, it's great to see you again."
Excited to hear a New York accent, Elizabeth gives him a great big hug and babbles, "It's Elizabeth to you. How are you? How's everyone back home? When were you last there? It's so fab to see you."
"As far as I know everyone is fine. It's been awhile since I've spoken to any of the old crowd. Maxie and Coleman were still doing well the last time I was at the club. It's always busy."
"Was she still hanging with that guy Spin?"
"I think so, Elizabeth. He did a reading my last night there."
Elizabeth drags Taggert over to the boiling kettle of fish and announces to everyone, "Please take some food and feel free to pig out. We've got plenty."
Elizabeth enjoys the afternoon with Nikolas and his men. They sit and talk, some toss a ball around, most are very willing to talk about home and family but reticent to bring up Vietnam. Even Robin and P have a great time. Elizabeth watches Nikolas and Taggert together. They have an easy rapport. Elizabeth can tell that the men respect Taggert and because of that she thinks they are more willing to be open and friendly with Nikolas. The respect for rank is there but they also all get along.
At the end of the party Robin comes over to Elizabeth. "He's going to be fine you know." Both women look towards Nikolas who is talking with Taggert and P. "That Taggert is a real gone cat and he looks to respect your old man. They'll take care of each other."
"Thanks Robin. Thanks for being such a good friend. I'm proud of Nikolas you know, but at the same time, I'm worried and maybe I'm still a little angry with him."
"Feeling abandoned?"
"Perhaps. I knew he was a soldier when I married him, I just couldn't help hoping he'd never have to leave." Nikolas looks over and catches Elizabeth eyes. "I love him very much. In such a short time he's become a very necessary part of my life. I don't know what I'll do without him."
"Tonight you party with the brass, tomorrow you say goodbye and then you wake-up and face the day everyday, just like you do now."
"Just live huh, I might be able to handle that."
"You can always party with us, we'll take you and I insist that you keep painting. In fact, I demand it because I want to do a Webber art show."
Elizabeth squeals in excitement and gives her a hug, "You do. Oh, thank you."
"No thank you, I can't keep your paintings in the shop. How do you think I've been paying my bills. The tourists love them, especially after I point out a real live princess painted them."
"No Robin you didn't, you don't tell people that do you?"
"Of course not, although I should. We could charge more for your paintings."
The next morning Elizabeth says goodbye to Nikolas. He insists that she not see him off. Tearfully she watches him drive away from their home. A home where they lived just a few brief months together. She walks through the house, it already feels so empty. Pausing in her studio she looks at an incomplete painting, a portrait of Nikolas. It will take many more hours before the portrait is complete.
Elizabeth makes a quick decision, "Alfred, I'm going out for awhile." She races to Liberty and backs out quickly. Desperate she honks her horn at all the cars, weaving in and out of traffic. She spots Nikolas's car ahead of her. She presses down on the gas and gains on him. She passes and cuts him off, stepping on the breaks forcing him to stop.
Nikolas jumps out of his car, runs to her and pulls her out of Liberty. "Elizabeth what are you doing?"
She cups his face in her hands and pulls his forehead down to hers. She talks quickly and rambles, "Something Robin said yesterday...I can't let you go without saying this...I love you. I miss you already. I don't want you worrying about me while your gone. I'm fine and I'm going to be fine. I'll keep painting, I'll go to parties and worry Alfred. I'll even learn how to run The Bohemian. You just take care of you and your men. You come home to me, healthy and strong in both body and mind. I'll take care of me."
"I will Elizabeth, I will come home to you, my Bohemian. I promise." Nikolas ignores the traffic jam around him and kisses his wife goodbye.
**************
History Notes:
There's a lot involved with becoming a Special Forces officer in the U.S. Army you can read about it here.