Reaching Lindsey's apartment, he only let go of Stevie to unlock and open the door. "This is home," Lindsey gestured toward the apartment.
"Woah! You've certainly gone up in the world since our minute place!" Stevie looked around in wonder at the roomy apartment
"Hey, I loved our apartment!" Lindsey squeezed her shoulder gently
"Yeah, I did too...." Stevie said sadly, looking down.
"Hey, that's in the past now, right?" Lindsey shrugged, trying to lighten the mood,
"Right," Stevie nodded, wiping away tears that threatened to fall
"Come on, let's get you showered, changed, and fed...when did you last eat?" Lindsey asked knowing full well he probably didn't want to know the answer
"About three days ago..."
"Steph," Lindsey gasped, tears welling in his eyes.
"I couldn't make it to the shelters in time for the meals. Everything was gone by the time I got there," Stevie explained
Lindsey led her into the bathroom. He remember how much she loved to take baths before they moved in together. "Wanna take a bath?" He smiled softly.
"I'd love that."
"Okay go wait in the bathroom and I'll run the bath for you" Lindsey leaned in and kissed her forehead
"Thank you for doing this" Stevie said nervously
"Please don't ever thank me...it's my pleasure"
Stevie went into the bedroom and waited for Lindsey, he came out and he saw she was just standing there
"Honey why aren't you sitting?" He gestured to the bed
"I...I didn't think you'd want me to dirty your sheets up..."
"Don't worry about a little thing like that. Sheets can always been changed." Lindsey placed his hand on her shoulders and sat her on the bed. "I'm going to run your bath, I will be right back," disappearing into the bathroom.
Stevie didn't know what to do, she just sat there awkwardly, playing with the material of her dress
"I can't let him do this, it's to much" Stevie said quietly
Checking the bathroom door she got up and snuck to the door that would let her from the bedroom, she had to leave...
Just as she was about to open the door see heard Lindsey speak from behind her
"What are you doing?" Lindsey called out
Stevie stopped dead in her tracks, "Leaving."
"Why?"
"I don't have a way to pay you back for anything-any of this."
"You think I care about that? Stephanie, I made a promise to take care of you and that's exactly what I intend to do. Now get your ass in that bathroom and let me help you."
Stevie looked at him for a second before walking towards him and engulfing him in a hug
"Thank you!" She said looking up into his face
"You are so welcome" Lindsey looked back at her and moved some hair from her face
It was the type of moment that would have led to a kiss, but Stevie couldn't bring herself to do it.
"I'm ready for that bath," she smiled softly.
"Of course, right this way."
Lindsey led her into the bathroom and helped her take of her stained, sticky dress. He had to refrain from gasping at the sight of Stevie's body, she was extremely skinny.
