Just as I Begin to Fade

Thirty Six. Moving On

Curled up to Lindsey, clinging to him in her sleep, did Stevie have her face in his chest.

He stroked her hair and he glanced at his watch since it was early. He just knew he had to get up and go to work regardless of what was happening.

Although the plan had been to look for Gwen the night before, he decided he shouldn't leave Stevie alone as she was a wreck, but he also knew Gwen would know him and skip town before being found. It was a battle of wits when it came to the teacher and the teen; they were prepared for each other's movements.

"Stevie, I gotta get up, sweetie," he whispered into her hair and he slowly moved his body out from under hers.

In her hungover state, she didn't really hear him, and her body just conformed to wherever he was putting her.

Once he was out of bed, he covered her with the blankets, tucking her in before moving amongst the room in order to get ready to go to work.

It was into his later movements, when he was rummaging around for his keys and wallet that he finally grabbed her attention.

She rolled over and she opened one of her eyes. "Where are you going?" she wondered.

"I have to go to work."

"Now?" she pushed herself up from the bed. "Wait a minute, what time is it?" she searched for a clock.

"Ten after seven," he paused. "There might be a chance she'll go to school, I should be there."

"She's not going to be in school today," she said with a practical eye roll. "She's probably at Derek's and if not there, at her father's. You never left last night, did you?"

"No, I didn't go looking for her like planned. I thought we should just let her cool down---we were both drinking last night and she didn't need that, plus me chasing after her."

She sort of nodded and then started to gather back what was happening the night before. Tears formed easily and she just let them fall once more.

"Stevie, are you going to be okay?" he walked back over and he pressed his knee into the bed, getting behind her, just to embrace her and kiss her shoulder.

"What am I supposed to do now? She's so angry, Lindsey... I've never seen her this angry ever in my life."

"You stay here and you relax. Let me try to track her down through some of her friends at school."

"Which friends?"

"She has a couple that are from the school and the college; Donna, Bobby... They're all pretty close."

"I've heard of Donna---I've never met her," she sighed, again realizing how out of her daughter's world she was.

"I'm gonna see if she knows anything..."

"She has been on the phone with her more. She talks to her more than she talks to Derek," she sighed. "She might know something."

"I'm hoping so," he nodded and then he watched the blonde carefully; she looked so shut down. "Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"

She shook her head. "I think I might just go home. I need a drink and a hot bath," she explained and then tried to halt her sentence when she realized what she said out loud.

"I'm not going to say anything," he rubbed her shoulder. "Just don't drive after that, I'll come over after work."

She nodded and the turned to face him. She then leaned forward and she kissed him heavily.