Lightning – It burns

Elizabeth folds and places the last of Aiden's clothing into the luggage. She hesitates to close the bag and pulls out all the clothing again, frustrated she stuffs it back in, without any regard to the potential wrinkles. She slams the luggage shut, zipping and locking it.

Sarah asks from the doorway, " Are you sure you want to go back to Port Charles? They can always use good nurses in Palo Alto. You could stay here."

"That sounds wonderful but I can't. I'd just be running away from my problems and I can't do that anymore. It's not fair to me or my kids. I hurt Lucky and Nikolas because I wasn't brave enough to choose between them. I let fate decide things for me and then I pouted and was unhappy at the result. Lainey asked me what started the affair and why I kept having it. I never really answered her question, I couldn't. The answer to the question has been nagging me for awhile and I think I know the answer. I'm ready to let go, to move on from Lucky. I was ready a year ago but I let fear of the unknown control my actions. I wasn't using Nikolas to destroy my relationship with Lucky, I was using Lucky to protect me from my feelings for Nikolas."

"So why the hesitation about leaving?"

"I'm still afraid, afraid he doesn't love me … like that. That maybe I don't love him like that. I felt so much passion for him and the sex was wonderful. What if all it was, was scratching an itch? I'm afraid that perhaps I am just a replacement for Emily. That I'm not enough, not good enough, that I don't fit in his world."

"Lizzy you are good enough and you can fit in any world. Just have confidence in yourself. Confidence enough to ask for the answers you want. You won't find the answers here."

"I know. I thought I was ready to see him again but the closer we get to the flight the less I want to get on it. I know I need to and I will, it's time."

Sarah gives her little sister a hug, "I love you. Call me if you need anything."

Hours later Steve picks Elizabeth and the boys up from the Port Charles airport.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asks as he stops the car near the peer.

"Yes, I need to see him, to talk to him," Elizabeth answers.

"Maybe you should call him first."

"I might lose my courage. Love you. There are bottles in the thermal bag for Aiden. I'll call and let you know when to expect me. That's my rented launch, I have to go."

The wind begins to pick up as the launch heads towards Spoon Island.

"This storm is blowing in fast, miss. Are you sure you don't want to turn around? I'll have to leave right away; I won't be able to stay and take you back," the launch captain tells her.

The captains offer tempts Elizabeth. She could turn around, go home and risk nothing. Her relationship with Nikolas wouldn't change. She grabs her jacket and pulls it tight around herself and with a brave smile answers, "I'm sure, go on."

As the launch reaches the island peer Elizabeth's heart begins to race. She's moments away from seeing Nikolas, from holding him. She waves the launch captain off and runs toward the house. As she nears the stables the rain falls in torrents, the wind whips at her, and lightening streaks the sky. Elizabeth decides it's safer to go to the stables and call the house.

She enters the stables and freezes at the sound of female laughter. She walks forward deciding that it must be Kristina and hopeful that Nikolas would be with her. Rounding the corner and about to say hello she freezes.

Standing before her is a young woman who looks vaguely familiar, kind of like an older version of Ned Ashton's daughter, Brook Lyn, and Nikolas. The young woman is close to him, her eyes are shiny with laughter, her hand plays with the top button of his shirt.

Elizabeth hears the girl say, "You know this wasn't the sort of ride I had in mind," and sees the girl claim Nikolas' lips.

Elizabeth freezes in place, shocked she sees Nikolas pull the girl closer to himself. He deepens the kiss. Elizabeth finds the will power to move, she backs out of the stables, her hand clutching at her heart. She debates running in and claiming Nikolas in a jealous fit or leaving gracefully and making her way to the house, coming up with a good excuse for coming over to the island in a storm.

With her heart aching she leaves the shelter of the stables and flees into the storm's tempest. She runs, not looking back. She doesn't hear the lightning as it strikes the stable, she doesn't see the fire.