Scott smiled to himself as he pulled off the highway and onto the road Grace’s house was on. She didn’t know he was coming, and he liked it that way. He wanted to surprise her, and couldn’t wait to see her. He pulled into the drive and shut the engine off, stretching once he got out of the car. He walked up the path to her door and knocked. No answer. He knocked again, harder this time, but still no answer. An uneasy feeling grew in the pit of his stomach, and fear overtook him.
“Grace?” he called, pounding on the door. “Grace, are you here?” Silence. He tried the doorknob, and it was unlocked. His eyes darted around the room, searching for her. He slowly walked down the hall and found the bathroom light on. “Grace?” Silence. He tapped on the bathroom door, but got no answer. “Grace, baby, are you in there?” He gently pushed on the door and it swung open. The breath was knocked out of him when he saw her, lying in the floor, covered in blood. “Oh God, Grace,” he whispered, collapsing into the floor. She stirred, and slowly lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were glassy, and her skin was cold and pale. He stood and ran to the phone, his fingers shaking as he called 9-1-1. “The ambulance is on the way, baby,” he said, taking the razor from her fingers and tossing it into the trashcan. “You’re gonna be okay,” he told her, pulling her into his arms. She leaned into him, feeling his trembles.
“I’m sorry, Scott.” He shushed her. “I love you,” she said, her voice weak.
“No, baby, you have to hold on,” he said, tears beginning to stream down his face. “You have to fight for me.” She smiled up at him and strained to kiss him. Her body went limp, and the sobs overtook as he tried to revive her. He heard the siren in the distance, and prayed she would make it. The EMTs ran inside and took her away, and he followed them in a trance to the hospital.

***

“Mr. Stapp?” Scott looked up from the couch at the doctor. Hope filled his eyes and mixed with the tears as he stood. “She’s going to be okay. She didn’t hit any major arteries, but she lost a lot of blood. You were lucky to find her when you did. You can see her now,” he reported, leading Scott to her room. Scott took a deep breath and entered the room, slowly sitting beside the bed and taking her hand.
“Gracie?” She stirred and turned to face him, a small smile making its way to her lips. “How you doing?” She nodded and squeezed his hand.
“I’m going back to the center, aren’t I?” she asked, her voice weak. He nodded slowly, gently stroking her hand. She sighed and nodded. “I guess it’s for the best, huh?” He smiled again.
“Grace, you have to promise me you won’t do this anymore,” he said, his eyes pleading with her. She smiled.
“I can’t promise that,” she said. “I’ll tell you now I don’t want to, but I can’t predict the future.” His eyes fell, but she squeezed his hand, and he looked into her eyes again. “I’m going to get through this, Scott.” He nodded. “Go back to work, okay? Tell everyone I’m fine and I’ll get through this.”
“When are you going back to the center?” he asked as he stood.
“A week,” she answered. He nodded and turned to go. “Hey—” he turned back around to face her. “Will you go with me? Take me there?” He smiled and nodded, kissed her forehead, and was gone.

***

Scott sighed to himself as he pulled into the parking lot of the center. He opened the trunk of the car and lifted Grace’s bags out. His eyes fell on her; she was once again in a trance, her eyes darting around. She looked at him, and her features softened.
“You ready?” he asked, saddened. She nodded and shifted her backpack. They got her checked in, and she walked him out to his car. He leaned down and gently kissed her, then turned to get in the car.
“Scott.” She put a hand on his arm, stopping him. He turned to her, and she sighed. “I don’t know how to say this. Um…” Her eyes searched his, and he had a confused look on his face. “Scott, I can’t deal with this. With us.” His eyes fell, and he nodded. She sighed and took his hand. “Scott, I love you, and I always will, but I can’t deal with this right now.”
“I understand, baby,” he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She smiled.
“Don’t worry about me,” she said.
“I’ll always worry about you, Grace.”
“Don’t,” she said firmly. “I’ll be fine.” He smiled.
“I know you will.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then was gone.

***

“Aw, you cheat,” Scott said, laughing. Tremonti wiggled his eyebrows and grinned evilly, spiking the ping-pong ball and winning the game. Mark did a little victory dance, and Scott laughed at him, hysterical, not noticing that the door to the greenroom had swung open. He heard someone clear their throat and turned, his eyes widening. He smiled and ran to her, picking her up and spinning her around.
“Hey, Grace,” Mark said, smiling. “How you doin’?” She smiled at him, smoothing her dark hair.
“I’m doing a lot better now, thanks.” She embraced him, then took Stapp’s hand and gave in a squeeze. “The center discharged me, and I’m doing fine now,” she said proudly.
“Hey, guys?” They turned to see a stage manager stick his head in the room. “Time for soundcheck,” he reported. They nodded, and everyone stood to follow him, leaving Scott with Grace.
“I missed you,” she said, running her fingers through his hair. He smiled down at her.
“I missed you, too.” He leaned down, their lips meeting in a gentle, romantic kiss. She smiled against him, glad to be sane, and in his arms again.
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