Let Me Help You

You're so good to me

"I don't expect to hear it back, Stevie. I simply want you to know that even if I'm the only one, there is someone who loves you for who you are and not for what you can give."

"Are you saying you're single?"

"Not exactly." Lindsey answered, noticing how her face fell. "It's nothing serious. I'm going to tell her it's over, I just need some time."

"So, what? You're going to bring me home, while you also have a girlfriend?"

"I'm going to break things off with her and I'm not saying you have to move in with me permanently, just until you get back on your feet."

"Lindsey, that is not going to happen. I've tried it already and I ended up here. What am I going to do this time? Be a waitress again, where I'll be groped by old fat men anyway? No, thank you."

"Well, then you're going to live with me, you can be my cleaning lady." He said, jokingly. "And I'll feed you and let you stay with me."

"This is absurd."

"It's better than what you have to do right now. I'm not going to ask you for sexual favors first, to give you a plate of food for diner."

"Why are you doing this?"

"I think I already told you that." He half smiled, then was taken aback slightly when she approached him and asked to be hugged.

They stood holding each other, neither one saying anything. She was basically naked and he was fully clothed, it took them a moment to become aware of that. He breathed in her scent deeply, the palms of his hands traveling down the length of her arms, when he backed off. He stopped, still having her close, and she looked up, with her big stunning brown eyes. God, he wanted to kiss her... On the other hand, he didn't want to make her feel like she was supposed to oblige because of where they were. After all, she didn't tell him back that she loved him too.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

Stevie nodded. "I'll go with you. I feel... I feel safe with you."

"How do we get you out then?"

"Oh, it's no problem. I'll simply tell Jane downstairs that I'm assisting you to the car."

"And she'll buy it?"

"You would be surprised what these men want sometimes, Lindsey..." Stevie put her nightie on and Lindsey handed her her silk robe. She took a look in the mirror, to make sure there were no traces of tears. "You should give me your hand."

"Why?"

"We don't want to raise suspicions, do we?"

"We don't." Lindsey shook his head and took a hold of her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles for a second, thinking how soft her skin was.

Stevie breathed a sigh of relief, when she found nobody in the foyer. Lindsey opened the door and held it for her, but she wasn't quick enough to disappear through it.

"Steph, baby?"

Her breathing quickened and Lindsey instantly got angry inside, he used to be the only one to call her that. "Yes, Frank?"

"Are you with a guest?"

"I... Yes, um... We used up almost all of our time, but he still wanted me to walk with him to his car." She tried her best to smile at her boss and act calm.

"In that case, have fun, buddy!" Frank told Lindsey, obviously not recognizing him. Lindsey had changed quite a lot since the Fleetwood Mac days. "Stephanie is my best girl."

"Thanks." Lindsey replied through gritted teeth and urged Stevie to go outside. He didn't say anything, nearly dragging her to his car. She jumped in and he quickly did too. He was about to start the engine, but she stopped him. "What?"

"Give it a few minutes. I know Frank's watching."

"Is he the asshole?" Stevie nodded. "I just can't believe all of this is happening. I have to practically kidnap you!" She didn't reply to that and they sat in silence for less than five minutes. "Can we go now?"

"Please."

The ride to Lindsey's place was silent. Stevie couldn't remember the last time she was out of the hell she had signed up for. When the car stopped, she looked ahead of her and instantly felt sad. Why couldn't have she succeeded? Was it so much to ask for a fan base, who would want to buy her records and see her performing on stage? She was happy for Lindsey that at least his dreams came true, but she couldn't help being jealous too.

Lindsey reached for his jacket on the backseat and put it around Stevie's shoulders, to cover her up even if a little bit. "Thanks." She smiled sadly and then he insisted for her to wait so he could open the door for her.

He unlocked and pushed the front door open, letting Stevie go in first. "Feel at home. You're going to be staying here for a while."

"I'm not sure what home is anymore." She said weakly, standing in the hallway, handing Lindsey his jacket. She couldn't hold back the tears anymore and finally broke down.

Lindsey pulled her in his embrace, soothing her with his voice. "Hey... It's alright, all is going to be okay. Why are you crying?"

"It's just... You're so good to me. You let me into your beautiful home... I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't need your help."

"Stevie, you can't change what happened. You can be fragile and sad, and you can ask for help. It won't change the fact what a strong woman you are. Even you are sometimes allowed to fall." He smiled down at her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I'm sorry but you'll have to spend today like this, tomorrow I'll take you shopping."

"How will I repay you?"

"Like I said, you're my new cleaning lady." For the first time Stevie laughed softly, holding onto Lindsey just a little too tightly. "Are you hungry? Want a drink?"

"Actually, I haven't eaten anything since yesterday..." She said, somewhat ashamed to admit it. "I wasn't feeling too good in the morning, I couldn't force anything down."

"You're better now?"

"Yes, a lot."

"Well, then. I'll go fix something up for you and if you want, you can go lie down. The last room on the right upstairs is the guest room and it's where you'll be staying."

"You cook?"

"I've improved since we were together."

"And I can actually eat what you make?" Stevie teased and Lindsey just stared at her fondly. "Third one on the right, yes?"

"Correct."

Stevie was slightly surprised by the lack of a female presence around the house. Lindsey said he was seeing someone, but maybe it wasn't that serious. The door to the bedroom was open and she couldn't resist a peek, only there seeing some of what could have been Lindsey's girlfriend's belongings.

Shortly after, Lindsey brought small lunch to Stevie in her new room and they chatted while she ate. He didn't hear half the things she told him, because he was too busy admiring her. Their conversation was interrupted some time later, with a slam of the door downstairs and a high pitched voice.

"Lindsey, honey! Where are you? I have some fantastic news!"