(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 1

Another early morning. Another day of work for Stevie. Standing in the small kitchen of her and Lindsey's flat, she was falling asleep more than drinking her coffee. All she wanted was to rest, to go back to bed and have a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep. 

Stevie thought they had finally made it. To her and Lindsey, Buckingham Nicks was a flawless record. It was their baby, they worked hard to create it, putting all of their heart into making it. The people, the fans, they thought they had, however, disagreed. The album sold, but not very well and the record label dropped them. They were back at the beginning; Stevie working to support herself and Lindsey, while Lindsey continued working on their music.

Stevie didn't even notice, when the cup she was holding slipped from her hands and fell to the floor shattering everywhere. She couldn't help it, tears filling her eyes as she stared at the mess.

"What happened?" Lindsey appeared in a moment, looking still very much asleep, his hair every which way.

"Nothing. Go back to bed." Stevie replied, wiping her tears away quickly. 

"Leave it, I'll clean it up." 

Stevie scoffed. "Right. I've heard that too many times." She wasn't being mean intentionally, she was simply tired. Tired of living like this.

"What's up with you first thing in the morning?" Lindsey frowned, leaning against the doorway. 

"Just... just go, Lindsey."

"I can clean up the mess you made, you know." He was suddenly awake, arms crossed over his chest.

"Wouldn't want you to go to such trouble, honey. Your precious hands shouldn't do any kind of work. Save them for playing guitar all day, working on our music."

"What's your problem, huh? I know you're leaving for work, I simply offered to help!" Lindsey raised his voice.

"I don't need it. I've got enough time before I leave. Why don't you go back to being Mr. Useless? That's what you're best at." As soon as the words left Stevie's mouth, she regretted them. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to take my frustration out on you. I really didn't mean it."

Throwing his arms up in the air, Lindsey turned around, going back to the bedroom. "Whatever!"

Stevie was terrified. Fights out of nowhere like the one they just had, had become a lot more frequent. They still managed to patch things up in the end, kiss and say, I love you, to each other, but what if they couldn't keep doing it for much longer? What if they don't make up? What if they go to bed angry, wake up still angry, stop talking, start resenting each other? 

Shaking herself mentally, Stevie knew she couldn't dwell on it. She was at work. It wasn't time or place to think about her and Lindsey's problems. 

Going to her first table of the day, Stevie wrote down the order, smiling at the costumers, pretending like everything in her life was perfectly fine. That was exactly how the rest and every day of work went for her. She understood that if she appeared moody and rude, nobody would keep her and she most definitely needed the money. Whatever little she got. 

At least today there weren't that many people coming in through the door. Stevie could allow herself a short break. Going outside, she took a pack of cigarettes from the pocket of her uniform and searched for a lighter, which she couldn't find.

"Damn it!" She cursed aloud, stomping her foot. 

"I can help you with that." A British accent reached her ears and Stevie tilted her chin up, looking at the man in front of her. A very tall and thin man. He held out his lighter and Stevie leaned in slightly, lighting up the cigarette. Lindsey didn't like this particular habit of hers, but she didn't seem to care much. 

"Thank you."

"Not a problem." The man nodded his head once and Stevie was ready for him to move along, but he didn't. "Say, have we met before? You seem familiar."

"I don't think we have." Shaking her head, Stevie blew out smoke.

"Are you sure? I swear-" Realization hit him and he snapped his fingers. "You're from some sort of a duo, aren't you? I heard a song at the studio from your album, it was called something Love."

"Frozen Love." Stevie corrected.

"So, it is you!" The man beamed and stuck his hand out. "Mick Fleetwood."

"I'm surprised someone recognized me." Hesitantly, Stevie shook Mick's hand. "Stevie Nicks."

"Yes! Buckingham Nicks, right?" Mick appeared to be very excited. "I can't believe my luck. Could we have a little chat?"

"I'm not sure about that. I'm working."

"Here?" Mick tipped his head towards the diner and Stevie nodded. "I could eat." Mick said more to himself. Seeing that Stevie was finished with her cigarette he opened the door for her and followed after her inside. 

What a weirdo, Stevie thought to herself.

Approaching the table where Mick sat down, Stevie sighed heavily, putting on a smile on her face. "What can I get for you?"

"I play in a band, Fleetwood Mac. Ever heard of us?"

"Can't say I have." Stevie shook her head. "A drink for starters maybe?"

But Mick ignored her question. "That's fine. We're bigger in the UK anyway. You see, we want to make it big in the States as well and we thought we could bring someone new in. I must say, when I heard that song of yours, my God, the harmonies! Although, if I'm completely honest, all I could hear was you."

"What would you like to order?" Stevie pressed on, not really paying attention. 

"The thing is, I don't think we need another man in our band. There's three of us already and we've got Christine McVie. I think you two would really like each other."

"I'm sorry, Mick, but I can't stand here all day."

"Right, right. Well, bring me whatever." He said and Stevie went away before he could get another word in.

Returning with Mick's order a short while later, Stevie put the plate down in front of him and tried to escape, but she wasn't that lucky.

"You've got a really great look, too."

"A look?" Stevie raised her eyebrow at Mick. "I'm in my uniform."

"Well, I meant in general. I do believe you were naked on the cover." He smirked and Stevie said. 

"I was hiding behind my boyfriend. You can't see anything."

"Would you like to give it a try?" Mick asked. "Meet me and the rest of the guys for a practice?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think so. If that will be all..." Stevie trailed off, hoping Mick would stop talking.

"Why? It won't do anyone any harm, will it? If there's no chemistry, we'll just part ways and that's all."

Breathing out heavily, Stevie declined again. "I've got to get back to work." She said, already moving away from Mick.

"I'll find you and prove you wrong, don't doubt it!" Mick called after Stevie. 

"There really is no reason for that. My answer will still be a no." Stevie told Mick, looking at him over her shoulder.

She didn't need to join some band she had never heard of it. She didn't know when, but she believed that she and Lindsey were going to make it on their own.

~

Hey! As promised, I will be writing a story around The Dance or Say You Will, but I've been wanting to write a story around  the time Buckingham Nicks got that life changing offer for a while now, so I'm starting with that. I hope you enjoy!