Love Takes Time

Lindsey POV

Lindsey takes the box holding the engagement ring and puts it back in his pocket. He stands up feeling very confused. The acid in his stomach threatenes to choke him as he asks her

"Your engaged? Your seeing someone else?"

"I don't understand Steph, what is going on?"

He watches as the tears continue to flow down her face. After what feels like minutes but is actually only a few seconds she begins to tell him about what transpired in Mick's office. Lindsey can't believe what he's hearing. He can plainly see Stevie is scared to death, she is standing there shaking. He takes a step closer and envelops her with his long arms. She wraps her arms around his waist and buries her face into his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears. Eventually she manages to say

"What are we going to do?"

Lindsey gently lifts her chin so he can look her in the eye. He then says

"I'm not going to let him take you away from me!"

"I see two options and neither is you marrying Fleetwood."

Lindsey takes a cigarette out of Stevie's pack on the table and lights it. After inhaling the smoke he hands it to her and says

"We either stay here and fight this thing or run."

"We both know he has had this so called evidence altered some way, maybe we can find out how."

"Or we just run, take the kids and head for whatever warm place you want to go."

Lindsey watches Stevie smoke the rest of the cigerette in silence, thinking about his words. Finally she looks up at him and says

"We can't do either Linds, I can't risk losing my babies."

"They deserve to have a stable childhood with their mother closeby and not in jail or on the run all the time."

Lindsey feels his knees weaken. He shakes his head not accepting what she is saying, the meaning behind them. His voice croaks with emotion as he says

"No.....no......you can't Stevie....don't leave me this way!"

His voice softens as he speaks searching her eyes with his

"We're in love, you are what my whole life is about now.....I can't lose you."

He sees the sadness in her eyes as she tells him

"Baby if I don't do this you will end up just like Bette, I'd rather love you and know you out there somewhere in the world loving me than have you dead."

That's all he can handle, he falls to his knees. The anger with Mick, the outrage of losing Stevie and the knowing in his heart he can't change her mind is too much. He looks up at her and takes her hand with his and begs

"Please Angel we can't be parted now we just found each other!"

He suddenly feels her small but strong hands grasp his with suprising strength and help him to his feet. She whispers in his ear

"Go now my love and I will come to you later at your place."

He examines her facial features and sees determination there. He gives in and nods. He turns to walk away only to feel her grab his hand again and turn him around. Her lips softly meet his letting him feel the affection she has for him. She just as quickly disengages from him and runs to her room, shutting and locking the door.

He turns and walks out the door believing her words knowing, or maybe just hoping she will seek him later. In the mean time he has other business. It's time he goes and finds Mick Fleetwood. Lindsey feels the need to to convince him throughly he's made a big mistake!