Return to me

Part 4: A plan

Stevie slowly slid in to Karen's car, sunglasses on, leaning her head back in to the seat. "I want you to take me to Ken's studio."

Christine and Lindsey had been using Ken Caillet's studio off and on for months, their material being hidden away in one of the rooms as Stevie felt an awful urge to hear it.

Karen obliged and took the route in to Santa Monica, pulling up in front of the studio as Stevie stepped out. "You are more than welcome to come in but I want to be alone with the music," as Stevie then closed the door, taking off her sunglasses as she entered the studio.

"Stevie," Ken said as he heard her walk in, opening his arms to her. "It's so good to see you."

"Oh, Ken, I am so afraid," breaking down in to his arms as he consoled her.

"It's okay, Stevie, Lindsey may act like a little pussy at times but he is strong."

That made Stevie laugh, knowing that Ken was right, plus the fact he was joking. She did need a good laugh after all she's been through these last few days. "I just feel as if I lost him, you know?"

"I know," hands on her shoulders. "I set up the music for you, all you have to do is press the play button. You know, the little button that is green?" cracking another joke as she elbowed him, thanking him once more as she made her way down the hall.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she let the quiet consume her, sitting down in the exact chair that Lindsey had been using. For a second she let herself breathe, not having heard any of these new tracks, pressing play as acoustic guitar rang through the speakers.

Only when Lindsey's voice began to sing, it broke Stevie's stance. The song was beautiful, as usual, very technical but simple, listening to him sing about a broken heart and a woman that left him moons ago. "I am so sorry," whispered Stevie, tears in her eyes as she shook her head. "I know how much you've loved me but I still acted a fool."

Right next to her, at her right side, Lindsey's spirit resided. "And I am sorry... I'm as every bit a fool,"  hovering a hand to the side of her face. "I would take you in my arms and kiss you right now if I could."

The music continued to play, Stevie leaning back in to the chair as she closed her eyes, tears streaming down the sides of her face as she realized that she'd made an awfully big mistake by not joining them in this studio. She could actually find herself adding things to these songs, thinking that maybe it would be a nice gift for Lindsey once he recovered. Or would he?

From that moment, Stevie made a pact, she would add her own harmony and vocals to these songs as a gift for him. IF he never woke up from his coma, if he died instead of healed, she would do this in his honor.

"I really hope that you like them, Stevie,"  staring up in to her face as she stared across the sound board. "You really did break my heart when you declined to work with me; when you didn't call me back at all..."  looking in to her eyes, "...I thought I'd never see you sitting here now."

Feeling overwhelmed, for a moment having forgotten he was in a coma, she lost herself once more. Stevie turned off the music and got up from the chair, laying down across the couch as she let her tired body rest.

"Don't wear yourself down over me, Steph, you know I wouldn't want you to,"  watching her chest rise and fall. "I want you to fight the pain because I won't stop fighting in return,"  bringing his lips towards her ear. "You are every piece of me and my heart is beating for you. Stevie, you are keeping me alive."

Letting her eyes fall, she drifted off in to a slumber, not having received enough rest from the night before.

Lindsey stayed with her the entire time, glancing over at the sound board, wishing he could turn it on. There had to be some way to get her attention, wasn't there?