Heart
A/N: Originally posted on Liasonites Gathering Online for the Anniversary Blitz. Thought I'd post it here for everyone to enjoy. Thank you all for your continued support and kind words. Knowing you all are okay and staying safe means a lot to me. Thank you. We're all truly in this together. Take care and know you're always in my thoughts.
Another back to back shift at Kelly's and Elizabeth was ready to get home to spend some quality time with her sketchbook. With her assignment looming over her, she wants to get started as soon as possible, knowing all the detail she usually tries to put into each piece that she creates. Thankfully, her friends have decided to keep her company while she's working. Talk of weekend plans are thrown around as they try to figure out how to blow off steam from the week. So far they have it narrowed down to either game night or a day at the park. Heck, maybe both.
"Lucky," the surprise in Emily's voice catches her attention as she turns to look at the person that walked into the diner, her friend glancing back at her before returning her gaze to him. "I didn't know you were back in town."
"Hey, Em," Lucky smiles softly, his gaze turning to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth..."
Elizabeth didn't know what to say or do, so, instead of confronting him in that moment, she turns around and walks into the kitchen. He tries to go after her, but Emily takes hold of his arm, stopping him from pursuing her. She knows that things had been rough on him, but it had been damn near torture for Elizabeth and he just needed to give her time. Accepting that he had to be careful in his approach, he accepts Emily's offer to join them for lunch, giving Elizabeth some time to adjust.
"Hey," Johnny's voice catches her by surprise as she exits the diner into the break area. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," Elizabeth states as she drops down onto one of the chairs. "Why do you ask?"
"Other than knowing you?" Johnny counters, taking a seat across from her. "Saw Spencer Junior walk into the diner."
"Right," Elizabeth shakes her head. "I just needed to take a breather. I'll be fine. It was a long time ago."
"Well, if you change your mind," Johnny says simply. "You know where to find me."
"Thanks, John, really," Elizabeth gives his hand a gentle squeeze. "Want a refill before you go back to the front?"
"Sure," Johnny smiles slightly. "Sounds good."
Taking his cup from him, Elizabeth walks back into the kitchen to grab him a refill before handing it back to him, thanking him for checking up on her before she goes back inside. Thankful that he doesn't call Jason unless it's absolutely necessary. The last thing she needed was for him to show up and face Lucky for her. That would be too easy and she needs to stand on her own. She doesn't know what Lucky wants or why he's decided to pop back into her life all of a sudden, but she knows there's no running from it. There was just no point in that. The past will always be there and this town will always be home to both of them. Might as well get this over with and move on.
"Hey," Emily walks up to her as she's about to walk out of the kitchen. "You okay? Nikolas and I can get him out of here if you don't want to see him."
"It's fine, Em, really," Elizabeth shakes her head. "It was a long time ago and he wasn't in control of himself back then."
"Still," Emily says, remembering how hard it was for Elizabeth to let go of the past. "Him showing up right now...it's not fair to you."
"I'll be okay," Elizabeth assures her. "Besides, Johnny's right outside if I need him."
"Right...okay," Emily shakes her head. "Do you want us to stay?"
"No," Elizabeth declines. "You and Nikolas have an early morning at the hospital. I'll be okay."
"Call me if you need me, okay?" Emily says as she hugs Elizabeth. "We're here for you."
"I know," Elizabeth assures. "Thanks, Em."
Watching Emily walk over to Nikolas, telling him that she's okay with them leaving, Nikolas gives her a nod of understanding before walking out of the diner with Emily. Every part of her wants to walk away from him, to ignore him and to just continue with her night, but she knows that it's not fair to either of them. She needs to face him, hear him out and go from there. It's the least she could do given their history. Holding up a hand to stop him from hugging her, Elizabeth gestures for them to take a seat, being sure to keep her distance.
"I don't blame you for not trusting me," Lucky says carefully, leaving his hands on his lap to avoid scaring her. "After everything I did, it's only fair for you to be cautious."
"Why are you here, Lucky?" Elizabeth looks at him seriously. "I thought we agreed that we shouldn't be around each other."
"I know, I know," Lucky sighs. "I hurt you, I know that, and I have no right expecting forgiveness from you, but I truly am sorry for everything that happened."
"I know you are," Elizabeth replies with a heavy heart. "I don't blame you for what happened."
"But you still can't trust me, I get it," Lucky shakes his head. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm okay now. I've taken the steps to fix what Helena did. She no longer has control over me."
"That's good," Elizabeth smiles slightly. "I'm happy for you."
"Happy enough to consider giving me another chance?"
"Lucky..."
"Don't give me an answer now," Lucky says quickly, seeing the look in her eyes. "Just...think about it, please? I swear, Elizabeth, I'm not that guy anymore and I just need you to give me one chance to prove that to you."
"I gave up that part of me a long time ago, Lucky," Elizabeth replies honestly. "There's just nothing left for us anymore."
"Okay, that's fair," Lucky says with a heavy heart. "Maybe a chance to be friends then...something...anything. Elizabeth, please, just take some time to think about it. I can't lose you in my life for good."
"I..." Elizabeth sighs, seeing the desperation in his eyes. "O-okay, Lucky, I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask."
"I make no promises," Elizabeth says seriously. "After everything...I just..."
"You're thinking about it," Lucky says with an understanding smile. "That's more than I thought possible. Thank you."
Dropping her head into her hands once he leaves, Elizabeth lets out a deep breath, frustration taking her over, unable to wrap her head around what just happened. When she walked away from Lucky, she made it clear to him that she was done with him. Whether he fixed himself up or not, she was done trying to save him, something she meant at the time. Something she still feels adamant about now, but it didn't stop Lucky's words from seeping through her walls. Seeing him like this, like the old him, Elizabeth just wasn't sure if she could really cut him out of her life completely.