(Don't) Leave Me Behind

Part 7

"What's up with you lately?" Christine nudge Stevie as they were sitting side by side at the end of another long day. "You don't seem yourself."

Sighing, Stevie brought her glass up to her lips and finished the last of what she had been drinking for the past few hours. "It's Lindsey."

"Yeah and what about him?" Chris reached for a pack of cigarettes, took one out and offered it to Stevie, before retrieving one more. 

"He's been gone for over a week, staying at his mother's house." The older blonde scuffed, then took a long drag of her cigarette. "I know. Apparently, I don't have any time for him since I joined the band. I stay here with you all too long. He asked me what could we possibly be working on already?"

"Well, what does he expect? That we're just going to sit around and wait for something? Whatever that something is. We're about to start recording!"

"I think he does. So he just left and told me he needs to be away from me for a while. We haven't spoken at all recently."

"Don't let him get you down. He's probably just pissed because you were asked to join Fleetwood Mac and he wasn't." Christine shrugged, finishing off her wine as well. "Enjoy yourself. He'll sulk for a bit and come crawling back. You see me and Johnny all day everyday. We fight, but then we still return to our home, tell each other, I love you, and go to sleep in the same bed. Same shit, different day."

"I wish I could enjoy myself while my boyfriend ran back to his Mommy like a little boy." Stevie set her empty glass on the table and got up on her feet, fixing her dress in the process. "I'll be right back."

"Don't be too long. We're going out and you're joining us." Christine said, not giving Stevie a choice. "You need to have some fun."

Her initial thought was to say no, but really, what did she have in that old flat waiting for her? Instead, she went to the bathroom to freshen up her makeup and run a brush through her hair, taking a look at herself in the mirror to make sure she looked alright.

Opening the door, Stevie nearly hit Mick, who jumped back clutching his chest. "Jesus Christ, Nicks! What did I ever do to you? Don't kill me!" 

Stevie giggled at his theatrics, with a shrug of her shoulders and a halfhearted, sorry, she returned to the rest of the band, waiting for Mick to rejoin them. Soon enough, the five of them were on their way to a bar for some drinks, which Stevie knew by now that some meant too much.

"I'm sorry to have eavesdropped, but you're still having problems, huh?" Rick leaned in closer to Stevie due to music playing loudly. 

"Yeah, but I don't want to spoil the night by talking about it." Stevie replied. "I'll be fine." With a smile on her face she reassured him. "It's getting really crowd- is that Don Henley?!" Stevie stared at the man, who had just walked through the entrance. 

Rick turned his head, then faced Stevie again. "The one and only. What, you're a fan?"

"Who isn't?" Stevie gave Rick a look as if asking, are you serious? She couldn't look away and the next thing she knew, Don himself winked at her, before moving to the bar to order. "Oh, Lord! I think I need some fresh air." She giggled, standing up. When they arrived, Stevie wasn't exactly sober and the drink in her hand right now wasn't the first she was having either. To say the least, she was tipsy.

"Where are you going?" Stevie felt a tug on her hand. Glancing over her shoulder she saw it was Christine.

"Outside for a few minutes." Chris just nodded and Stevie was on her way out.

It didn't go unnoticed by Christine, Don's eyes following Stevie. A moment later, he got up from his seat and left as well. "That sleazy bastard." Chris muttered to herself and went to rescue her friend. Don Henley had a reputation, he easily charmed any woman he wanted and the current state Stevie was in, Christine guessed, Stevie wouldn't be able to say no most likely.

The fresh air was a welcome change, when Christine went outside. Her eyes immediately caught sight of Don chatting Stevie up, who was girlishly giggling at something he told her. Stevie had seemingly forgotten all about Lindsey, when Don reached to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and she closed her eyes momentarily. 

However, the moment was short lived. 

"Get your dirty hands off her!" Christine demanded and the pair turned to look at her. "She's got a boyfriend."

"If only you knew how many women I've been with had a boyfriend." Don laughed and Chris was ready to slap him.

"Well, Stevie's off limits." Approaching the two, she grabbed Stevie by the hand and dragged her back inside. "Do not, you hear me, do not give in! There's plenty of Don Henley's hanging around on every corner. You've got your Lindsey, remember? Don't make a stupid mistake you're going to regret."

"Yes, mother." Stevie rolled her eyes and slumped down next to Rick, her arms folded, her mood clearly dampened. 

From that point, Stevie zoned out. She was having one drink after another, not saying a word to anyone. She knew Chris was right, but she wasn't thinking of leaving with Don. She was a little starstruck and he paid attention to her. He might have tried kissing her... But that was all!

"I think I'll be leaving." Rick announced some time later.

"Would you mind taking Stevie home? We'll probably stay a while longer and I don't want her trying to find her way home alone." Mick asked and Rick happily said, yes.

No more than fifteen minutes later, Rick was helping Stevie into the backseat of the hired car, following after her. She was barely awake, her head falling on his shoulder as she snuggled up to his side. Rick stiffened up, he should have pushed her away, but... His arm wrapped around her shoulders and the stayed like that the whole ride. 

"Stevie? Wake up." Rick nudged her and she mumbled something incoherent. "You're home, Stevie." She let out another sound and Rick sighed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out enough money to cover the ride, then got out of the car and hoisted Stevie up into his arms. She was light as a feather, so it was no problem carrying her all the way to her flat. He carefully lowered her to the ground. "Give me your keys, Stevie." She lifted her hand up and made some kind of gesture, then let if fall by her side. Rick couldn't help but laugh lightly, shaking his head. He'd certainly been there himself. "I'm going to take them myself, okay? I'm not trying to cop a feel or anything." 

Soon Rick retrieved the keys from Stevie's purse and unlocked the door. His arm firmly around her waist, he guided her inside and kicked the door shut with his foot. "A few more steps, Stevie, stay with me. Where's your bedroom?" She pointed straight ahead - that much Rick could have guessed.

The journey to the bedroom took a lot longer than it should have and when Rick opened the door to the bedroom, he stilled. 

Lindsey had returned.