When I See You Again

Part 1

Picked this one out of the suggestion box. Set around Tango in the Night.

~

The engine had been turned off for some time now, but Lindsey remained sitting in his car, staring at the beautiful mansion in front of him. He wondered to himself, how many nights he'd spent there over the years? How many calls he'd gotten from Stevie, begging him to come see her? Sometimes he was the one, desperate to be with her, too. He could never truly know what to expect. They'd talked, cried, argued, fought, laughed and loved in this house. Yet, he still wasn't sure, what was going to happen, when they're face to face again.

Taking a deep breath, Lindsey opened the car door and stepped out. It was already dark outside, when he left his home. His girlfriend didn't bother asking and he wouldn't have known how to explain anyway.

Lindsey was reaching to ring the bell, when the door opened and he was slightly taken aback by Stevie's appearance. Layers upon layers, she hid herself from his stare as she smiled shyly and allowed him to come in. For a second, Lindsey wondered if she looked better before checking herself into rehab.

"Thank you for coming." Stevie spoke up, her voice sounded hoarse. She had either been sleeping or drinking.

"Well, you asked." Lindsey shrugged, following her to one of the many rooms to take a seat. "How are you doing?" He questioned, when she didn't say anything else.

"Getting used to not hiding a gram of coke in my boot." Stevie sighed and reached for a glass she'd left behind. He guessed, it was brandy. "It sucks being sober, but... A doctor prescribed me these pills if I feel like all's getting to be a little too much."

"Be careful with that." Lindsey warned, with a 50/50 chance of starting an argument.

"I haven't taken any yet." Stevie shrugged. "Would you like some?" She asked, pointing to her glass. 

Shaking his head, Lindsey declined. "I'm driving."

"A glass won't do you any harm." 

Thinking for a second, he gave in. He was a bit nervous. "Just the one."

Stevie got back up on her feet and went to grab another glass. They stayed quiet, the short moment, while she poured him a drink. However, she felt his eyes on her and she immediately felt self-conscious. The time she'd spent in rehab was difficult emotionally and physically, the last thing she felt was beautiful. She always wanted to look beautiful in his eyes. 

"Thanks." Lindsey took the glass of brandy from Stevie and she sat down beside him. "So... is there a particular reason, why you wanted to see me?"

"I've missed you."

Cocking his head back, Lindsey stared up at the ceiling for a moment, he then turned to face her. "Stevie, I know exactly where 'I've missed you' leads to. I thought, we both understood each other the last time."

"It's not about that." Stevie argued, shaking her head. "I've been recording, then touring, then I went to rehab... we haven't seen each other in some time."

"Well, we would have if you'd come in the studio with the rest of the band."

"Please, Linds." Stevie shook her head. "I promise, I'll come and do my part if we stop talking about this." She then added. "And if you still need me." She took a sip, looking away. 

"Of course, we need you, Stevie." Lindsey mindlessly reached for her hand, sighing heavily. "It's not the same without you."

A small smile crossed her lips. "Do you think I'm still beautiful, Linds?" 

Her question came out of nowhere and it stunned Lindsey for a second. He stared into her hopeful eyes, which suddenly brimmed with tears and he found himself to be speechless.

"Always have been, always will be." Lindsey replied at last. "You might not feel it right now, but you are, Stevie. You're a beautiful person, too."

"Thank you for saying that." She said, somewhat sadly.

His heart stung. A little hesitant, Lindsey hugged Stevie around the shoulders and pulled her in closer. They stayed that way for some time, without a word shared between them. Neither of the two could remember, when they could sit together and feel comfortable in each other's presence.

"Are you expected at home soon?" Stevie asked the question, which she had on the tip of her tongue for a long moment now.

"Steph..." Lindsey trailed off, but he didn't let her go.

"Please, I swear, I'm not up to anything. I just want you to stay a while longer." She tilted her chin up, looking at him, waiting.

~

The dates in general are real, but not completely for the sake of the story. I hope you like it ♥