Sacrifice

More than you know

Mick was holding the phone in his hand, staring at it, trying to convince himself that what he just heard wasn't real, he was dreaming. Well, having a nightmare... Regaining his senses, he redialed the number, but he waited and waited and nobody picked up. He tried a couple more times, no answer. 

The first person on his mind was of course Lindsey, so that's who he called next, anxiously waiting again.

"What's up, Mick?"

"Oh thank God, Lindsey!"

"Hey, why do you sound, so..."

"Like the world is falling apart?! Yeah, because that's happening, mate!"

"Slow down and please, explain?"

"Have you talked to Stevie?"

"No, the last we spoke was before parting ways at the airport. Why? Is she okay?"

"I'm almost wishing she's using again..."

"What the fuck, Mick? You don't say things like that!"

"I know, I know, but..."

"So, what happened? Did you talk to her?"

"Yes, she called me, told me something and hung up, now I can't reach her."

"Told you something? Just what exactly was it?"

"She said she quits."

"Quits? Quits what?"

"The band, Lindsey!"

Silence.

"Are you there?"

"I don't know what to say. Something had to happen. This is... I mean, Stevie Nicks does not just quit Fleetwood Mac!"

"What do we do now, Lindsey?"

"I don't know about you, but I'm going to see her right now."

"Lindsey, wait! Maybe..."

But he had already hung up.

Lindsey was seething with anger. He knew Stevie and he knew she loved the band more than anything. He also knew that it had to be Robert's fault. The two never saw eye to eye. Lindsey never understand what Stevie saw in that man, she had changed a lot after meeting him as well. It was only natural for her to become more family orientated, but it didn't mean she had to do everything the way Robert wanted her to. 

"Who was that?" Kristen asked, as Lindsey stormed past her and upstairs to get changed. 

"Mick!" He said loud enough for her to hear.

She followed him into the bedroom, leaning against the doorway. "What did he say to get you so mad?"

"It's Stevie."

"Oh. I should have known..."

"It's a lot more serious than whatever you're thinking." Lindsey hurried down the stairs, grabbing his things and ran out the door and into his car.

They lived only under twenty minutes away from each other and the way Lindsey was speeding, he got there a lot faster than usual. Partly, he wanted Robert to be there too, so he could kick his ass, but on the other hand, if it was just Stevie, he knew this way it would be a lot easier to get the answer from her.

Lindsey was ringing the bell without stopping, until Stevie opened the door and he invited himself in. "What makes you think you can barge in like this?!"

"What the fuck, Stevie!" He shouted. "You would never leave Fleetwood Mac!"

"It was time." She said lamely. 

"Time my ass! We both know it's a lie!"

"Lindsey, you can think what you will, but..."

"No, Stevie. Just no." He held up his hand. "I can accept your decision, but only if the next thing coming out of your mouth is not a lie."

"Why do I even have to explain myself to you? This is none of your business!"

"Oh, it isn't? Do you realize what you've done? You know as well as anyone that it doesn't fucking matter how amazing Fleetwood Mac is, it can't exist without you! You're gone - it's all over. We'd be lucky if we got to play clubs right now! Jesus Christ, Stevie!" 

"I'm sorry it had to end this way, but there was no other option." 

"Unlike you, some of us don't have thriving solo careers. You can survive, you can quit music altogether and still lead this lavish lifestyle of yours, but not us."

"You can't make me feel guilty about this, Lindsey."

"But you should! It is your fault."

"I'm sorry if I'm trying to save my marriage!"

"Oh..." He sighed, shaking his head. "I fucking knew it. I was sure he decided for you."

"No, he didn't. He made me choose and I did." 

"What's so wrong about you being in the band?" 

"Everything. I should have seen it myself. The band is keeping us apart."

"Stop covering up and lying for that asshole."

"Do not call my husband that!"

"Well, then tell me it's not true? I don't know how I kept it to myself for so long, but I honestly never understood what you saw in him. He's selfish and he thinks of you as his property, Stevie. Who the hell does he think he is, telling you to choose between your marriage and our band? It's what you do! I get it, it would be very convenient for him if you were his quite pretty housewife, but you're not that person. You could never be, not with him, not with me. What happened to your freedom? What makes him so perfect that you're throwing your whole life away?"

"Robert is my husband of twenty years. I love him."

"Are you in love with him still?" Lindsey just kept pushing. "Or are you just used to being with him? You depend on him, because you can't remember what it's like being without him? Is there more than attachment?" 

"I want you to leave." Stevie fought back her tears, but not for long. "This has absolutely nothing to do with you, you don't know anything what's going on in our lives. You have no right to storm into my home and question my feelings for the man I vowed to be there for no matter what struggles we come across."

"Please, think about this. Think about what you're doing, because your decision affects many innocent people."

"Why does it matter so much to you, Lindsey? I thought we were complicated, wouldn't me leaving make your life so much easier?

"No." He disagreed. "You mean to me so much more than you could ever know, Stephanie. I couldn't see you go." 

"What..." She gasped, first of all, because he hadn't opened up as much to her in ages and secondly, because she hadn't heard him call her that since forever too.

"Think about it, okay? Please, don't act on impulse. This is not set in stone yet." 

"Lindsey, wait!"

But he didn't, almost literally running out.