SO, I noticed a HUGE continuity error in the first chapter, which was that Liz gravestone still listed mother, when I've dropped Cameron like a hot potato, so duly note that she is not a mother, and I am an idiot. So I have to pepost it, but i'm too lazy right now, so just know that Cam is a non-entity.

And Thoughts Of Youth Are Long, Long Thoughts

"I never understood wishing for things, really. I mean, I get it. I've done it. But logically, there's no point. We can't change the past, and wishing wont make things true in the future. If you want something to happen, you have to work for it, not wish for it." Jason said musingly.

"I think people confuse wishing and dreaming. Like, I wish I would win the lottery, but I dream of being a famous artist. And yeah, there's not really any point to wishing the lottery. Even if I buy a ticket, it's not likely to ever happen. But my dream, that's something, that if I really try, I might be about to make happen. Or," she went on, "Maybe wishes should be for little things. Stuff that isn't true, but they should be. Like... that it should always be sunny, or that you, Jason, should always be happy." She smiled at him merrily.

Her words disquieted him, though he couldn't have said why. They had finished dinner, and were walking through the park, deeply involved in the conversation that had continued, non-stop, since their evening started. He shook off the feeling, saying, "I think it's you who should always be happy."

They stopped walking, eyes locked. Jason leaned in, and Elizabeth leaned up.

"Liz!"

They jerked apart, almost guiltily.

"Lucky." Her tone was slightly flat.

He jogged up to them. "Sorry. I just wanted to let you know that Lulu has a ballet recital coming up, and she asked if you would be there."

"Of course. Let her know I'm looking forward to it."

"Okay, great. Sorry to have interrupted." Lucky fled.

"Hmmm." Liz looked at Jason. "Do we let him live?"

"I don't think so. If I recall, he interrupted the last time I tried to kiss you in the park too."

She laughed. "Oh my god, that's right! I'd forgotten about that."

"I hadn't. There's not one missed kiss I don't remember." His voice was unexpectedly tender, and she felt her insides melt.

"Jason." She whispered, moved.

"I think this park is cursed."

"You do?"

"Uh huh. And I think the only way to break it is to kiss you."

"Well," she said, leaning in, "if that's what we've gotta do, then I suppose we should just get it over with."

"Whatever you say."

This time, not even the arrival of a passel of nuns could have stopped them. The first touch of his lips to hers was so gentle, but it quickly deepened. She twined her arms around his neck, rising to her toes. They stood, foreheads touching, even after the kissed had died away.

"I'm really happy you asked me out tonight Jason."

"I'm really happy you said yes." He smiled down at her.

Just then a huge gust of wind gusted through the park. Their coats whipped about them, and Liz laughingly tried to contain her hair. As suddenly as the wind had come up, it died away. Taking Elizabeth's smile with it. Her face became frozen, and her eyes downcast, and she shivered.

"Elizabeth." Jason was swept with an intense unease.

"Jason." She looked up at him, her eyes huge. "I felt... I felt so cold. I never felt cold like that before."

"It's nothing." He pulled her into his arms, rubbing his hands up and down her back to warm her. "It's nothing." He said again, more softly, to himself. She clung to him, and he could feel tremors running though her.

After a moment he shifted her, so that they were arm and arm, and they began to walk back to her apartment. When they reached her door, he felt a return of the forbodding that had haunted him.

"Are you sure you're alright?" He couldn't help asking again.

"Yeah!" she said, her voice rueful. "Sorry. I must seem so silly; just a goose walking over my grave. I think it's October. I always thought it was a creepy month. I know it's silly but I've just... well, to quote you... had a bad feeling about it since forever." She shrugged, as if to add, 'go figure.'

Her words, far from helping, gnawed at him. It was just a dream, he yelled at himself. Nothing more. They stood, the silence bizarrely tense.

"Well." She laughed awkwardly. "Goodnight, Jason." Before he could say anything, she had kissed his cheek and ducked inside, closing the door behind her.

TBC