AN:

This fic is one of those trust me I have a plan fic. So trust me I have a plan. A nearly 100 chapter plan.

~Kelly~

PS

Thanks to Chyna the energizer bunny of betas.

Chapter Sixteen

Nikolas hesitantly knocked on Elizabeth's door. It had been a week since Maxie's confession. In that time Nikolas had gotten the answers to most of his questions. The only one left would never be answered.

"Nikolas what are you doing here?"

"I can't come by to check on my friend?" Nikolas acted offended at what Elizabeth said. He knew she wasn't going to like what he had to say.

"Sure you can. However you've never come here for no reason. So why don't you just tell me what it is?"

"Maxie came to me last week and..." He paused and took a deep breath before continuing, "apparently she and Lucky were having an affair. You don't look shocked." Nikolas said when Elizabeth barely reacted to his news.

Elizabeth shrugged not sure what to say. She never intended to tell anyone else about the drugs in Lucky's system. However Nikolas' news changed all that. "Lucky had to have been getting the drugs from somewhere."

"Drugs? What drugs? What are you talking about Elizabeth?" The prince immediately demanded to know.

"The toxicology report said there was a lot of Hydrocodone in Lucky's system."

"Of course there was Hydrocodone in his system. I mean Lucky broke his back."

She shook her head sadly before speaking. "His prescription ran out a long time ago."

"Did your doctor boyfriend fix that for you? Or maybe it was Jason? It's not like he's opposed to breaking the law."

"I can't believe you..."

"How long did you wait Elizabeth? A day? A week? Or were you cheating on my brother with both of them?"

"I did not cheat on Lucky. I loved him."

"If you loved him so much why are you sleeping with Jason? Did you think I wouldn't figure it out? That hickey isn't subtle."

"I don't have to answer to you. Now get out."

"What's the matter Elizabeth can't handle the truth? I didn't want to believe the things Maxie was saying but now I have to wonder."

"You'd believe Maxie Jones over me?"

"I might believe the woman carrying my brother's child first."

"So that's why you're here. I'm not surprised. Just... just leave."

"There's one more thing. Maxie... she should get Lucky's money."

"Are you insane? Lucky was my husband and Cameron's father."

"Like you gave a damn about Lucky."

"I loved Lucky."

"You used him. The way you always used him. He was convenient to fall back on."

"Get out!" Elizabeth demanded in a furious tone. When Nikolas made no move she added, "Now!"

Nikolas gave Elizabeth a cold look, shook his head, and walked out.

Elizabeth stared at the door for several minutes. She couldn't believe what had just happened, well parts of it anyway. It came as no surprise to her Lucky had cheated. After all he had slept with Sarah all those years ago. Even the fact it was Maxie didn't really surprise Elizabeth. No what shocked Elizabeth was Nikolas' attitude.

Nikolas had always been her one constant. Somehow they had managed to remain friends no matter what else was going on. That's why Elizabeth couldn't quite understand what was going on. She had never seen the prince be deliberately cruel before.

None of that mattered now Elizabeth decided because she was late for work.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Epiphany Johnson was a tough boss. In her experience she had to be. The young nurses in her charge could be a flighty bunch. However Elizabeth Spencer was never one of her problem nurses. If anything Elizabeth worked too much especially in the last few months.

That's why Epiphany knew something was wrong with the young woman. Elizabeth seemed to lack her usual professionalism. "Nurse Spencer..."

"Webber." Elizabeth practically snapped. She didn't want to be reminded of Lucky ever again.

"Alright Nurse Webber is there something going on I need to be aware of?"

"No. No. Of course not."
Epiphany was clearly unconvinced by Elizabeth's denial because she pressed Elizabeth further. "Really? Because something seems to be affecting your work."

"I am sorry."

"I don't want you sorry I want you to do your job."

"I know. It.. it's just been a long couple of months. I guess it's just catching up with me."

"I tell you what go home. It's a slow night and you're useless to me right now anyways."

"You don't have to send me home. I'm just having an off night." Elizabeth immediately protested. She didn't want to think about all the things going on in her life.

"That's why you need a break. You've had a rough time lately. Maybe you just need a few days to process."

"Maybe." Elizabeth reluctantly admitted. She hated that Epiphany had noticed something was wrong. However going home did have a certain appeal. "Okay for tonight."