AN:

I have no love for Sucky. As this chapter shows it.

Kelly

Chapter Four

The next two days Elizabeth was in a daze. She stayed hidden away in her apartment. The only person who she didn't try to shut out was Cameron. Elizabeth's heart broke when she thought about her little boy. He didn't understand what was going on. It was almost impossible to explain to Cameron where Lucky was and why he wasn't ever coming back.

Elizabeth sat listening to the people speak at Lucky's funeral. The whole thing seemed surreal. She was vaguely reminded of the first funeral she attended for Lucky. At the time she thought her life was over. She nearly destroyed herself before realizing that wasn't true. Now eight years later she felt the same sense of loss and grief but she also felt a bit of relief. She and Lucky had been having problems for so long Elizabeth was almost grateful, which of course made her feel guilty that she could ever think such a thing.

"Are you sure you don't need anything?" Nikolas asked yet again as he looked at her with trepidation.

"I'm okay Nikolas. Really." Elizabeth quickly assured him, just wanting to be left alone, just her and her son.

"You keep saying that but I'm worried about you." Nikolas responded as he studied her closely. She had huge bags under her eyes and you could already tell that she had lost weight that she really didn't have to lose.

"I know you are. And it means so much to me. It's difficult but I'll be okay. I don't have any other choice. How are you?" she asked softly as she reached out and touched his hand gently.

"It's just hard to accept he's really gone." Nikolas gasped as his eyes filled with tears.

"I know Cam still keeps expecting him to come home." Elizabeth said in a low voice.

"This must be so confusing for him." he replied as he reached up and wiped his eyes.

"Yeah. I hate that he's hurting so much." she admitted with a sigh.

"I can't imagine. If you ever need a break you know I'd be more than happy to take him. I know." Nikolas offered.

"Hey there Darling. Can we chat?" Luke called as he walked over to his daughter in law.

"Sure, Luke." Elizabeth smiled as she looked at Lucky's father.

"I'm sure you won't be shocked but I thought I'd tell you anyways. I'm leaving town for awhile." Luke explained as he held her hands with his.

"You're right I'm not shocked. What about Lulu?" Elizabeth asked her voice full of concern for her sister in law.

"I was hoping you could keep an eye on her." Luke replied.

"No problem. You know she's like a little sister to me. When are you leaving?" she asked.

"Tonight."

"I guess this is goodbye then." Elizabeth said with a slight smile.

"It is." Luke agreed.

"Luke? I'm so sorry about Lucky." Elizabeth said as she started to cry again.

"Me too, Darling. Me too." he whispered and then leaned down and kissed her cheek gently before walking away just like he had always done.

Elizabeth had wondered down to the docks after everyone had left. Audrey had insisted on watching Cam so she was all alone. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Jason coming down the stairs until she heard his voice. "Elizabeth? Are you okay?" he asked softly as he walked up and joined her.

"I'm getting there. How's your hand?" she answered, avoiding his eyes because she knew he could read the truth in them if he looked close enough.

"Better. I started therapy yesterday." Jason replied as he looked at her closely.

"That's good. I know this must be frustrating for you." Elizabeth said as she looked out over the water.

"I'll manage. What about you? Em, told me Lucky's funeral was today." Jason said putting his hand in his pocket to keep himself from reaching out and touching her.

"Yeah. It was." she sighed.

"And?" he prompted gently.

"It's hard to believe he's gone but at the same time..." she started to say and then suddenly stopped.

"What?" Jason asked as he finally gave it up and reached out and lifted her face up with his finger so that he could see her eyes.

"Part of me feels relieved. Does that make me a horrible person?" she asked in an almost silent whisper, tears shimmering in her dark blue eyes.

"No. Not at all. You and Lucky were having problems for awhile now. Maybe you're just relieved things between you are over." Jason tried to assure her, all the time feeling a need to pull her into his arms, even if he didn't understand where exactly the need was coming from.

"That sounds even worse. He was my husband, Jason. You remember how I was when we all thought he was dead years ago?" Elizabeth frowned as she turned and started to pace back and forth in front of him.

"I remember. It's how we became friends." Jason gently reminded her.

"I was such a brat that night. My point is the grief nearly destroyed me. This time... it hurts but not nearly like it should." she admitted ashamed of herself for feeling this way but, unable to stop.

"Do you remember what I told you that night? How no one should tell you what to feel? That's still true. You have the right to feel how ever you want." Jason tried to assure her. He knew that she was beating herself up because that's what Elizabeth always did. She always thought she had to take care of everybody else and she never took care of herself. He didn't understand exactly why, but, somewhere down deep, he knew that he wanted to take care of her. He wanted to be there for whenever she needed him.

"Thank you. You're such a good friend." Elizabeth said with a slight smile as she stopped pacing and stood in front of him.

"What's going on here?" Nikolas demanded as he walked up to what looked like a very intimate moment between Jason and Elizabeth.

"Nothing. We were just talking." Elizabeth rushed to assure him.

"You shouldn't be out on the docks alone. It's not safe." he scolded as he glared at Jason.

"Nikolas..."

"I'm just worried about you." Nikolas interrupted.

"I know but I'm okay. Jason and I..." she tried once again to explain.

"He's dangerous, Elizabeth." Nikolas warned heatedly.

"Not this again. Would you rather I sit on the docks alone?" Elizabeth snapped rolling her eyes in frustration.

"No but..."

"But nothing. You don't run my life Nikolas. I... I can't do this now. Jason, thank you for everything." Elizabeth said totally spent, her emotions all over the place.

"Anytime." Jason said with a smile as Elizabeth walked up the stairs and away.

"Stay away from her." Nikolas ordered as he watched Jason watch Elizabeth until she was no longer visible.

"Elizabeth is my friend and she's hurting. If listening to her helps then who are you try and take that away from her?" Jason asked coldly.

"I'm not going let you take advantage of her like last time." Nikolas spat furiously.

"What goes on between me and Elizabeth is none of your business." Jason said calmly than walked away leaving the prince all alone and furiously angry.