Lisa found herself not sure what to do with her hands. Being a little hot she didn't really want to stick them in her pockets. Bob's hands didn't seem to have that dilemma and just sat by his side patiently. If she hadn't heard it herself she wouldn't have known that he had practically confessed his feelings to her. What had compelled her to ask him how he felt she didn't know. Part of her knew she was stalling, that she would give anything to not have to tell him what she had to. Unable to articulate exactly how she felt she slipped her hand in his.

Bob gave a start but didn't pull away. Afraid he might try to take if further Lisa turned away, hand still in his.

"I'm scared Bob. I'm so scared that once you hear what I have to say you'll leave me. None of the little school girl crushes I had felt like this."

"If I knew what to say to reassure you I would. Lisa, please just know, no matter what you might or might not have done I will stay with you." Bob laughed softly. "I'm not exactly someone who has any right to judge someone else. The only reason I'm not still in prison is because of Springfield's faulty system."

"Can you promise me something first"

"Anything." Lisa turned to face Bob so she could see how sincere his promise was.

"Promise that you will not go after the person who hurt me. That no matter what happens you will not lay a hand on them."

"…Lisa. I…," the emotions played over Bob's face. Anger mixed with hurt and pity.

"Promise me. No cleaver wordplay to get out of it either. You say you care about me and if you do you'll promise me this." For a moment she thought he might bail, that asking him to make such a promise might have been asking too much.

"Very well Lisa. If that is what will prove to you how I feel, I promise."

It was difficult to find a good beginning to start.

"Do you recall the boy named Milhouse?"

"I believe so. He was a friend of . . . Bart's right?"

"Closer to a lackey, but yes. Milhouse always had a thing for me, and back in elementary school it was just annoying and sometimes a little weird. No one thought anything bad of it though, just a harmless crush. As we got older though he became more insistent and still wouldn't take no for an answer. I'd receive random gifts, and it got to the point he drove other guys away."

"He isn't the one who left that bruise is he?" Lisa could tell Bob was anxious to get his answer, but she had to continue.

"Please, this is hard enough as it is."

"… Sorry."

"Everyone thought we were dating in middle school. They all thought it was 'cute' that'd I'd deny we were. Apparently though Milhouse got tired of being denied. Someone told him he could find me in the tree house one day." A slight squeezing on her hand told her she had stopped talking. Talking a deep breath she started again. "Milhouse surprised me. He decided that he wouldn't take no for an answer anymore and that I didn't know what I wanted." Bob squeezed her hand a bit tightly, as he tried to calm his breathing. "I was able to eventually push him off, but when I did he fell out of the tree house. He didn't die, but he hurt his spine and had to be in a wheelchair after that. No one wanted to believe that he would try to … force himself on me. After the testimony of a certain someone everyone found it was easier that we had simply had a 'lovers spat' and I had pushed him. My credibility had already been shot by that point. No charges were filed against me, and Milhouse moved away. After that though no one wanted to believe anything I said."

Bob didn't look at Lisa, but his hand still continued to grip hers. He finally asked the question she dreaded.

"Who was this certain someone? Or do I not need to ask?"

"Bart was the one who told Milhouse that I secretly wanted him, and then testified against me."

Her hand was suddenly cold as Bob pulled his hand away. Not knowing what else to do Lisa continued talking.

"Even before then Bart would constantly undermine me. He'd find ways to make me look like a liar. As the years have passed he has gotten worse, but especially after what I did to Milhouse no one wants to believe me. The few that know Bart is the one that hurts me think I deserve it. For being a know it all, liar and as they see it, egging him on." After all this Bob might not want to have anything to do with her Lisa thought to herself. Against her will her eyes began to mist up at that thought. Without warning Bob wrapped his arms around Lisa.

"I'm so sorry you've had to endure such things Lisa. I understand why you had been so hesitant to tell me the truth, and as much as I want to. . ." his voice lowered," kill Bart Simpson. I will keep my promise to you." Lisa sniffed into his shirt, a wave of relief washing over her. "You can't go back though Lisa." A familiar note rose in bob's voice. "I can't allow Bart to hurt you anymore." Pulling back he faced her. He tried to hold back his anger, but some still leaked through.

"It's my home though."

"Please Lisa, you have no idea how hard it is for me to not rush off and plot Bart's murder right now. If I sent you back I might not be able to keep my promise. At the very least let me protect you."

"You don't still live in the motel room do you?" Bob laughed out loud at the absurdity of the question and their situation.

"No Lisa. I have a nice little apartment. With a comfy couch this time too."

Lisa laughed at that. There was no telling what would happen tomorrow, or how they would deal with what was to come, but at the least she had someone there for her. For now that was enough.