Valentine
by Jera
Same time at the Hardy house
( Nolan holds Liz in his arms, Liz does not know what to do, she freezes, Nolan does not say a word, does not move, just holds Liz, he finally lets go of Liz.......)
Nolan: ( turns away from Liz ) I think I am going out of my mind.....I am sorry, I don't know what I was doing here. ( turns to face Liz) I am sorry if I scared you...again....
Liz: ( stares at Nolan for a moment ) You are following me,aren't you?
Nolan: ( Looks up the sky ) I guess there is no point denying that now...yes, I have been following you..( looks at Liz) But please believe me, I don't mean any harm. I just.....( turns away) I just want to see you and know that you are safe. That probably sounds weird to you...I am sorry, I am going now.
Liz: Wait.....( looks at Nolan with sympathetic eyes) It's because I look like Sabrina, isn't it?
Nolan: ( silent, finally sighs ) I suppose that is pretty obvious too, huh?
Liz: yeah....do you...do you want to talk about it?
Nolan: ( looks at Liz surprisingly ) With you? Why aren't you kicking me out of here, or....even calling the police? Why??
Liz: ( chews on her bottom lip ) I don't know...I guess I believe you when you said that you don't mean any harm.
Nolan: You certainly are trusting....
Liz: ( smiles a little ) Not always...and not at all for a long time. If it weren't for Lucky...( stops) so, would you like to talk about her? Maybe that would help you ease all these pain...
Nolan: Pain? I deserve to die! I killed her!
Liz: It was an accident...you can't blame yourself for that.
Nolan: Why not? It is my fault!! I should have gone back home to get the second helmet!! I shouldn't have let her on that bike without it!! I killed her!
Liz: You didn't know! You didn't force her on that bike, did you? It wasn't your fault.
Nolan: It doesn't matter!! I shouldn't have let her on! I should have made her wear my helmet! Then she would be alive now! But no....( tears in his eyes) I had to let her on that bike because she said she wanted to feel the wind in her hair.....she had the most beautiful golden hair......( closes his eyes)
Liz: Nolan....it's not your fault...you have to stop blaming yourself and start to live again....she wouldn't want to see you like this....
Nolan: ( looks at Liz ) No....she wouldn't....she is...was....the most vibrant person I know. She takes life head on, with no fear....she thinks we are all going to die anyway, so we should make the best out of life while we can.....
Liz: She sounds wonderful....
Nolan: She was......( takes out a picture) you said you wanted to meet her and see what is all the fuss about? Here, judge for yourself.
Liz:( takes the picture, looks at it, takes in a breath ) Oh, my god....no wonder you can't stop staring at me! I mean they say there are 2 other people in the world that look like you...but this is.....this is....
Nolan: I am really sorry if I scared you earlier.....I know you are not her. But I somehow feel better knowing that you are safe, alive, and.......
Liz: It's all right....but I really don't think you should be following me around any more...I don't like that...and Lucky would peel your skin for a belt if he finds out.
Nolan: ( laughs ) I imagine he would....he is very protective of you, isn't he?
Liz: ( smiles ) He is.....among other things.
Nolan: ( silent for a moment ) You know, I haven't been able to talk to anyone about this since Sabrina.....( looks at Liz) It felt right to talk to you about her.....I don't know why...well, I guess I do...but it's more than the fact that you look like her. It's that you seem to really understand it.
Liz: If you mean understand what it's like to lose something that is precious to you and you can never have it back....yes, I do. I had a lot of help to get me where I am today. Living, once again. ( stops for a beat) And with a little help, you will be too.
Nolan: I would like to believe that...but....look at me! I am stalking a girl simply because she looks like Sabrina!
Liz: Well, like I said, that's gotta stop. But you are welcome to call, or visit as a friend if you want to.
Nolan: Are you sure you are not out of your mind?
Liz: Now you sound just like Lucky! No, I am not. I just want to help. Besides, it's better for me to know that you are not going to follow me around!
Nolan: What about Lucky? He is not exactly crazy about me.
Liz: And there is a possibility that he might never be. But he is a reasonable person....for the most part. And he is a lot of help for someone that is in pain---trust me, I know. I am going to talk to him. He will understand. He always does.
Nolan: It must be nice to trust someone so much...You really love him, don't you?
Liz: ( smiles ) Love is an understatement when it comes to describe how I feel about Lucky...
Nolan: ( smiles ) He is definitely " Lucky ". I guess he feels the same about you?
Liz: ( smiles ) Well, we have never actually said " I love you " to each other...but I know he feels the same.
Nolan: Never said "I love you "? What are you waiting for?
Liz: ( eyes get big, smiles ) You are right. What AM I waiting for? ( turns around, runs towards the house, remembers, turns around to yell at Nolan) There is a dance at the docks tomorrow at 7, we'll be there. Join us if you like..good night, and....go home! ( runs into the house)
Right after Liz runs into the house......
(Liz picks up her phone, dials, Lucky's phone rings, he picks it up)
Lucky: Yes?
Liz: Lucky! It's me. ( a little breathless )
Lucky: ( sits up ) Elizabeth! What's the matter? You sound like you've been running...
Liz: I have......
Lucky: Dame it! I knew it! That creep! Where are you? I'll be right there!
Liz: I am at my house, Lucky......( dial tone from the phone) Lucky? Lucky!
A little later at the Hardy house......
(Lucky knocks on Liz's window, Liz opens the window to let him in )
Lucky: ( holds Liz in his arms ) I am here, it's all right! ( pulls away a little to look at Liz) Are you OK? What happened? What did he do?
Liz: I am OK, Lucky, calm down....he didn't do anything..we talked it over....
Lucky: Talked it over?! What do you mean you talked it over? He was here?
Liz: Sort of...he was in front of the house.....
Lucky: What!! Where is he now! I am gonna go kill that.....
Liz: LUCKY! Would you listen to me!
Lucky: Elizabeth, I have to find him and make sure he stops this...
Liz: He is not going to follow me any more, Lucky. We talked... he told me about Sabrina, and I told him that he can't follow me anymore.
Lucky: He's not gonna listen to you....
Liz: Lucky, he's not gonna stalk me any more. I told him that he can call or visit as long as he lets me know...lets us know...
Lucky: WHAT! Are you out of your mind?
Liz: You two sound like a broken record...no, I am not out of my mind. I just want to be able to help him. And I need your help on that.
Lucky: Elizabeth, I can't even stand the sight of him...
Liz: That was because he was following me. That's gonna change now. Lucky, he needs someone. Someone who understands what he is going through. And we do. Can we just try to be friends with him? You don't have to like him right away, but help me help him.....I want to do this. I want to know that I can do this, I can help someone. I haven't been able to help anyone except myself, this will be a step in the right direction for me.
Lucky: Elizabeth, you've helped me plenty....( sighs) but if you really, I mean, really want to do this crazy thing...I suppose I am going to be there.
Liz: ( smiles ) I knew you would. Even if it's just because you don't want me to be alone with him. We are going to do this together.
Lucky: ( Nods his head as if thinking " I am gonna regret this " ) So was that why you called me?
Liz: Part of it. I didn't mean for you to come over though.....( smiles) but I am glad you did. I should say this to you in person instead of on the phone.
Lucky: What is it?
Liz: Lucky, you know how I feel about you. You are not just a boyfriend, you are everything to me. You have been my angel, my rock, my body guard, and...my chef at times...but I never really said this to you....
Lucky: Elizabeth.....
Liz: I love you, Lucky. ( tears in her eyes, smiles )
Lucky: ( could not speak for a second ) Oh, Elizabeth, I wanted to be the one to tell you first... ( tears in his eyes) I love you, Elizabeth. I know you probably know this, but I wanted to tell you....I love you, with everything that I have, everything that I am.
Liz: Lucky....... I will love you till the day I die....and even then, I will still love you...
( they embrace, Lucky takes Liz's face in his hands, kisses her deeply, passionately, the scene fades out with them kissing like that.....)
To Be Continued.............