Down All Your Darkest Roads

Chapter Twenty

A/N: This chapter contains a physically violent scene between Lindsey and Stevie that allegedly occurred in real life. There are differing variations so I tried to write this as sensitively and respectfully as I could. I don't mean to depict anyone in a slanderous light, I can only assume the event was frightening and painful for all parties involved. – Ava

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Christine once prided herself as a woman with nerves of steel. She liked to operate under the mantra that every problem had a solution and focused on rectifying mistakes rather than unnecessarily fretting over them. But trying to give equal time to Stevie's tapering problems, Fleetwood Mac's upcoming tour, and her own career ambitions were difficult. In short, Christine was drowning.

The band relented to Lindsey's demands for a ten-week tour and the venues and dates were booked and confirmed. There was no backing out, rehearsals were set to begin, but Lindsey remained distant and uncommunicative. No one had spoken to him directly in two weeks and the clipped messages he conveyed via his manager set off alarm bells for Christine and Mick.

"Should we say something?" She asked Mick and John over the phone while Stevie listened in. "Why is he speaking to us through his manager? It's so frustrating when people do that, we've been together for 12 years for crying out loud, where's the respect?"

"I agree," Mick said. "The five of us need to meet together without the middle men and sort out whatever the hell is going on once and for all."

"He wants out." Stevie interjected. "Trust me, he wants out. He's done."

Christine frowned at her. "Do you really think so?"

"You're forgetting I've known the guy since high school and I was with him for five years so I'm attuned to his whacky moods." Stevie explained dryly. "When he's being a passive aggressive dick it's because he's unhappy and is over whatever he's doing. All I'm saying is expect the resignation papers soon."

Christine absent-mindedly rubbed Stevie's back while they devised a plan. She sensed that despite her matter of fact tone, Stevie was anxious over the prospect of Lindsey exiting the band without her. The pair had entered Fleetwood Mac as a two-for-one deal after all.

A day later and before they could even make the first phone call, Lindsey's manager informed them he wanted to arrange a meeting to discuss 'Lindsey's future' and 'his happiness and overall creative needs'. Christine firmly delivered the band's conditions and after some back and forth resistance, Lindsey finally agreed to meet them at her house without anyone else present.

"I can't believe we've come to this," Stevie expressed to Christine while they lay in bed, both of them too agitated to sleep. "Remember the days when we used to fight and scream but it was all honest and without the bullshit formalities? This is so fucked."

"It is fucked." Christine echoed with a defeated sigh, unable to voice any meaningful words of comfort.

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Stevie took Rosie and Layla to her assistant's house as the boys started trickling in. Mick arrived first and tried to 'strategise' while John suggested they take a more laidback, conversational approach. Christine agreed, but when Lindsey made his much awaited entrance, it was clear from the chilly energy he brought with him that the conversation would be anything but casual.

"How have you been, Linds?" John asked as they sat down in the living room.

Lindsey ignored the question and looked at Christine. "Where's Stevie?"

"She took the dogs to Ginny's so they won't be a distraction, she'll be back soon."

"Right."