It's an update. I realize it is criminally short, but there's a good reason. Several actually. First, I couldn't think of how to switch scenes again gracefully within the chapter, and I'm nothing if not obsessed with the state of grace. (hmmm, but what does that MEAN?), second, I really wanted the next part to be self contained. And third, the next bit isn't written yet, and I'm somewhat nervous around it, and I need lots of idea's and encouragement. What, specifically, do you think ought to happen?

So I hope you like what small offering there is.

Chapter Sixteen

When Jason knocked on Lucky Spencer's door, he had no idea he was about to enter into the worst night of his life. He waited patiently for a response, and vowed to be polite to Elizabeth's friend. The door swung open, and Lucky stood before him.

"Morgan." His voice was cool.

"Spencer." Jason responded in kind. "Is Elizabeth here?"

Lucky sighed. "No. She remembered everything. She went to Ric's." He did not look thrilled about it, but it was nothing compared to Jason's reaction. He felt as if someone had slugged him full across the face.

"What?" It was a whisper.

Despite himself, Lucky felt sorry for the other man. "Look, I'm sure she'll make sure you're part of the child's life." He offered.

Jason paled. He hadn't even thought that far along. All he could think was that he had lost her, again. He knew she was too honorable to separate him from his child, but the thought of watching her and Ric together for 18 years was more than he could bear. Hell, the thought of Ric anywhere near his child was more than he could bear. "Sure." Jason turned and walked away in a daze. His throat felt like there was a tennis ball lodged in it, and his eyes burned as he again faced a path in his life alone. He had stupidly let himself believe that she would walk alongside him. But she appeared to have other plans. He climbed on his bike, and cranked it up as high as it would go. If he couldn't outrun his pain, he would die trying. Jason contemplated that thought with a grim smile, only half joking.

O O O

When Ric opened his door, the last person he expected to see was his wife. And the last thing he expected her to do was throw herself into his arms.

"Ric, Ric, Ric." She chanted. His breath rushed from him as he realized she had remembered.

"God, Elizabeth. I've missed you so much." He kissed her, trying to erase the horrible days past. She kissed him back, but even as he reveled in it, he could tell something had changed. "Elizabeth?" He held her as he said it, speaking into her hair.

"I'm sorry Ric." She, likewise, maintained the embrace, speaking into his chest.

Ric knew he was crying because he could feel the wetness on his cheek. His voice broke as he asked, "Why are you sorry?"

"Because I can't come back to you." They broke apart. Ric looked into her eyes, and admitted to the feeling that had been plaguing him since her accident.

"I know. I suspected it the minute you woke up and hated me." She made as if to speak. "It's okay. I know you don't now. I'm glad for that. But I think I always knew it was too good to be true. I knew that you didn't love me like you used to. I was a habit. And you needed me. Because of the baby. And it meant so much to me that you trusted me with your child. And I loved you. I love you. I know it's selfish, but I was going to take what I could get. But I think I always suspected it wasn't going to last, but when you came by the other day, and told me it was Jason's baby, I knew for sure then." He hesitated. "Just tell me this. Does he love you?"

She nodded. "He does. And I love him. I have to go tell him why I hid the truth. It was so wrong of me, and he never even hinted that he was angry with me." She hugged him again. "Thank you for giving me an easy way out." She whispered in his ear, "When you want to be, Ric, you're a good man." She kissed him goodbye. "See you around.

"Yeah," He said hoarsely, "See you around."