by Jera
Same time at the docks...................
(The man stares at Liz, Lucky stands in front of Liz facing the man, Liz peeks out from behind Lucky, no one moves.)
Lucky: What do you think you are doing? Her name is not Sabrina. And you stay where you are, if you take one more step near her, don't blame me for what happens next.
Man:( still does not move, stares at Liz, finally shifts his gaze back on Lucky) Quite a protector aren't you? ( shifts his gaze back on Liz) don't worry, I am not going to do anything. You look like someone I knew......that's all...
Lucky: Well, she is not her. Now I am gonna have to ask you again: what were you doing hiding and spying on us?
Man: ( still keeps his gaze on Liz) I hate to tell you, as sweet as those kisses and hugs were, I have had my own share of moments under the stars, I am not interested in spying on anyone for that. (looks at Lucky, but his eyes keep going back to Liz) But if you must know, I was here before you, I just didn't get a chance to get out of the way before you two love birds get started, plus....(grins) if I had showed myself when you got here, it would have ruined the mood wouldn't it?
Liz: Lucky.......
Man: Lucky? ( looks at Lucky, laughs) well, you are that. ( Looks back at Liz) And you are definitely not who I thought you were. Sabrina was taller, blonder.....( starts to walk away) and much more beautiful.....
Lucky: I think you owe the lady an apology. That was very rude.
Man: (stops walking, silent for a moment) I guess I do. ( turns to look at Liz) sorry about that, lady.
Liz:( Looks at the man) That's....all right.
Man: No, it wasn't. I was rude to have said that, and I apologize for that.
Liz: Apology accepted.
Lucky: If you are ever rude to her again, you will have me to deal with.
Man: I won't, ( shifts his gaze to Lucky ) But it's not because of you. (he walks away)
Lucky: ( watches the man walking away, turns to Liz) You OK?
Liz: yeah, I am all right....who was that?
Lucky: I have never seen him before, certainly not around here. If he is ever rude to you again, you let me know.
Liz: I don't think you will have to worry about that....I don't think he will be.....
Lucky: what makes you so sure?
Liz: I don't know....but....whoever he thought I was must have been someone very important to him....he looked.....so sad when he was staring at me.....
Lucky: ( smiles at Liz affectionately ) you are a softie aren't you?
Liz: ( smiles, a little embarrassed) Well, it's just that...he had a very painful look in his eyes like....like....when I think of the possibility of you with someone else....
Lucky: You won't ever have to worry about that, Elizabeth. ( puts his arms around her waist) Not ever. I am yours to keep.
Liz: ( looks up at Lucky, smiles ) And I am yours.
( they kiss.........without knowing that the man was watching them from afar......)
A few days later, at Ruby's.....
(Liz wipes a table, the door opens, the man that was at the docks walks in, Liz looks up, sees him, stops wiping. )
Man: (walks over to a table near by Liz, sits down) Is this the kind of service I am to expect here? Being stared like I am an endangered species?
Liz: ( raises her brows ) May I help you?
Man: I would certainly hope so. Can I get some coffee?
Liz: Of course. Be right back....sir.
Man: The name is Nolan. Nolan O' Connor. Nobody calls me sir before I am 70.
Liz:( walks over to the counter, brings back the coffee) Here you are....Mr. O'Conner. (pours the coffee in the cup on the table) You need cream with that?
Nolan:( looks up at Liz) No.( waits a beat ) And what would your name be?
Liz: Do you always ask for your waitress' names?
Nolan: ( Grins ) How else would I ask for my favorite waitress when I come back?
Liz: I am the only waitress here besides the owner, so you don't have much of a choice. ( silent for a second) But the name, is Elizabeth. Elizabeth Webber.
Nolan: Well, then, Elizabeth, nice to see you again.
Liz: Can I get you anything else?
Nolan: No, thanks. Just the coffee. ( picks up the cup and takes a drink while his eyes stay on Liz)
( Liz walks behind the counter, starts to clean up, looks up from time to time, finds Nolan staring at her, keeps cleaning )
Liz: ( finally puts down the towel ) Could you please stop staring at me? I am not an endangered species either.
Nolan: I am sorry....I guess you look more like Sabrina than I decided the other night.
Liz: ( Picks the towel back up) Boy, I would love to meet her and see what all this fuss is all about.
Nolan: ( turns his gaze away ) I would love to see her again too, but .......unless I decide to abandon the living world or someone decides it for me, it would be hard.
Liz: ( stops cleaning again ) I....I am sorry, I didn't know.....I am really sorry.
Nolan: ( picks up the coffee cup, drinks, puts it down ) Don't worry about it. You couldn't have known.
Liz: Still....I am sorry, ( silent for a moment) She was very important to you, wasn't she?
Nolan: ( looks at Liz for a moment, turns away ) She was my life. She was everything that mattered to me.
Liz: I am so sorry....it must have been devastating.....I.....( stops talking)
Nolan: ( turns to look at Liz) Yes, she was everything to me, and I killed her.
Liz: ( takes in a sharp breath ) What?
Nolan: ( Turns away ) That's right, I killed her. I was the one that took her on that bike, and I was the one that killed her.....and I was the one that dare lived!
Liz: ( puts her hands over her mouth, whispers ) Oh, my god.....
( Lucky opens the door, walks in the door, smiles at Liz first, sees Nolan, Lucky's face turns grim)
Lucky: What are you doing here? I told you not to bother her!
Nolan: ( looks at Lucky ) Why is it that every time I see you I have to remind you that we are in a public place which means anyone can be here, including me.
Lucky: And I am sure you are just here to get a cup of coffee! ( starts toward Nolan )
Liz: ( rushes out from behind the counter ) It's OK, Lucky! He is just here for a cup of coffee, he's not doing anything to bother me.
Lucky: ( stops ) Are you sure?
Liz: Yes, I am sure. It's all right.
Nolan: ( stands up, takes out a $10 bill, puts it on the table ) Thank you for the wonderful service, I think I will be going now. ( walks to the door, opens it, turns around to look at Liz ) See you around, Elizabeth. ( walks out )
Lucky: ( turns to look at Liz ) How does he know your name?
Liz: I told him. After he told me his.
Lucky: ( lifts his brows ) And what would that be?
Liz: Nolan O'Conner. (waits a beat) Lucky, remember that night at the docks I said that he looked sad?
Lucky: What about it?
Liz: I just found out why he looked so sad. The girl that he thought I looked like? Apparently, she was the most important person to him, and I think they had an accident when they were on a motorcycle......she died. And he is blaming himself for killing her.
Lucky: He told you all these?
Liz: Not in so many words...but enough for me to figure that much out.
Lucky: Elizabeth, you know he could have made that up, right?
Liz: I don't think so, Lucky. I have been through the pain of losing something important to me....he was not faking it. I think you would have seen it too if you were here, you have been through that same pain as well.
Lucky: ( silent for a moment ) I guess so. But, remember, if he keeps bothering you, I don't care what pain he is going through, you have to let me know, all right?
Liz: ( Looks up at Lucky, smiles ) Who else would I tell it to? ( smile fades) Lucky, all these has made me think about what would happen if something like that happens to us....I don't think I would be able to live through that!
Lucky: ( embraces Liz) It won't happen. I will make sure of it.
Liz: ( enjoying being in Lucky's arms ) You know, it's amazing how much has changed.....I didn't want anyone including you to be near any where near 20 inches of me, and now...... (Looks up at Lucky, smiles) now the place I love the most is right here....I can't get close enough to you .....
Lucky: ( smiles ) Well, glad to hear that......because I certainly have wanted to do this all day......( leans down, kisses Liz deeply)
Liz: ( a little breathless ) I think I believe you.....
(outside of Ruby's, Nolan watches Lucky and Liz kiss, smile at each other, joke around, he takes a pictures out of his pocket, looks at it painfully, looks back at Lucky and Liz, close up of the picture in his hand shows a girl about his age, looks exactly like Liz, except with blond hair, inside of Ruby's Lucky and Liz clean up together, smile at each other...........)
TO BE CONTINUED.................
