Oy Vey- I've moved, to LA (gasp), bought a car, bought a phone, had a job interview, and still managed to put a chapter together (and one for "Mistakes" too). Of course, the house I've moved into has no internet for little me, so that's why my updates will probably be in bulk all summer. But don't think you can get away with only reviewing once for all of the updates, you hear? I live for these things, so don't give me a reason to end it all.
Anyway, I haven't had a chance to re-read this, so there may be mistakes. Really I need to enlist (or force at gunpoint) someone to beta these things so you don't have to deal with mistakes. I hope you like it.
Naturally I own nothing. SOB
Chapter Thirteen
Ric stared at her. She was so beautiful. He missed her so much. And she hated him. And now she was asking him to tell her the truth about something he wished she would never have to remember. He opened his mouth, hating what he had to do.
"Yes.
She recoiled. Elizabeth had expected the word, but it still hurt to hear it. Ric opened the door wider, stepping to the side. "Look, you had better come in." She hesitated. "I know you don't want to, but this isn't something we can talk about in the hallway." At this obvious truth she edged in, careful not to touch him. As soon as she was inside, Ric closed the door behind her, leaning his head on it briefly, taking a breath, and trying to prepare for what was likely to be an ugly conversation. Before he was ready, she interrupted.
"Why did I kill him, Ric, can you tell me that?
He turned to face her, "No. You didn't say. I walked in on you standing above the body, and you said, "I killed him." So I covered it up. Only a few people know about this, so for God sakes keep it to yourself.
"But I wanted to put it in the paper. It's something I'm proud of, afterall." She flung back, sarcasm heavy.
"TouchŽ." Ric sat down. "Is there anything else you need, Elizabeth? Because I have a lot of work to do." He picked up some papers and pretended to examine them.
"Yes, Ric. I would like to know why you covered up my so called crime. Aren't you the D.A. now? Isn't that against the law? Oh wait, I guess that's never stopped you before, has it?
He sighed. "No. It didn't. I did it because I loved you. Because our baby needed you. I'm Sorry you're in pain right now, but you don't know me anymore. You don't know who we are.
Elizabeth was enraged. Who was he to tell her that she didn't understand. She understood. He had locked a pregnant woman in a room, chained to a wall. He had lied to her for months and placed her life in jeopardy. He had let her defend him time and time again, and made he the object of pity to all. She understood. In her pain, she lashed out, the words spilling out of her mouth.
"It's not our baby, Ric! You're not the father. Jason is." He paled, but did not look surprised. In the end, it was she who was stunned. "You knew." It was a statement. He may have claimed to have changed, but she could still read him.
"That is wasn't my baby? Yes. I didn't know it was Jason's, but I suspected it." His voice was tired, and a flash of sympathy went through her. Maybe he had changed. She wouldn't love him again if he hadn't, right? She wondered how she would feel if the man she loved come suddenly didn't anymore. If Jason.. her mind grinded to a halt as that thought processed. Whoa. Jason? She loved Jason? Like love-loved? She mentally groaned. Only she would realize she loved another man while discussing a murder cover up with her ex.. current.. husband. She looked at Ric.
"You were willing to accept another man's child as your own, not even knowing whose it was?
He replied softly, "I love you, Elizabeth. I love everything that's apart of you. And that includes our.. your baby.
"Well, that's very noble. Of course, you could be lying through your teeth, as usual, and I wouldn't have any idea." Elizabeth didn't say it accusingly, it was just the truth, as far as she was concerned.
He sighed. "Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, I have to tell you, even though you confessed to killing Zander, I always wondered if you weren't lying yourself.
"Why would I do that?" She asked, confused, but willing to hope that she in fact hadn't killed a friend.
"Only you would know, Liz. Be sure and take care of yourself." He opened the door, pointedly hinting that she go.
She started to, before turning and gazing at his face, confusion and sorrow etched on to her features. She saw a reflection of her feelings on his, and replied, "You too, Ric." Before walking away.
TBC