Lisa leaned back in the passenger seat of Bob's car. For the first time she felt like a great weight had been lifted and she could finally breathe. Driving with a huge grin on his face was Bob, probably thinking the same thing. Maybe all those books that claimed love was the answer to everything weren't lying. At least not completely.

Of course it was never as easy as simply leaving. Lisa was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday and she didn't have anything else. Even though Bob had clothes he didn't have anything to pack them in. Picking what books he could take with was a chore; there just wasn't enough room for everything. In the end they grabbed what they could and headed off to the mall. At the very least Lisa needed some new clothes, and they both needed some suit cases.

Lisa didn't even worry about her brother. As long as they stayed in a public place together they would be fine. Not even Bart would attack them with witnesses around.

It was strange to pick out clothes with Bob there. Sometimes he would adamantly suggest something and compliment her even as she blushed. Then would change to blushing himself while muttering how he didn't know. After a single pair of pants and two shirts Lisa had tried to stop, it felt odd to have someone willingly spend money on her and she didn't want to ask for too much. Bob simply ran his hand over her hair tenderly and told her not to worry. Being smart with money had never been a problem of his, besides he owed her for her birthday at least. Eventually she had given in it wasn't like she wasn't having fun.

They passed the electronics on the way out. If there was one thing Springfielders loved, it was their TV. The display was as gaudy as it had always been, with TVs from the floor to the ceiling. What was on each one stopped Lisa dead. Her parents stood next to a newscaster, her father looking sullen and her mother was a downright wreck. Without thinking it through Lisa walked over to one of the TVs so she could hear. In her mind she told herself it didn't matter what they said, for once she had to do what was good for herself. No matter who it hurt. Bob followed her silently, though the worry showed on his face.

". . . We just want our baby back." Tears flowed freely down her mother's face. Even though her father didn't say anything he at least had the decency to look sad.

"You going to be okay Lisa?" She had almost forgotten Bob was there until he spoke up.

"Yeah. I just never thought they would actually make such a big deal out of it. It doesn't change anything though. Let's go." At that moment though a photo was enlarged on the screen. Lisa heart stopped.

"Here is a photo of the missing girl," the reporter said, "if anyone has any information call the number at the bottom of the screen."

"Oh my God. It's Maggie." How could that be? Bob glanced at her, looking mildly confused. It made no sense, Maggie would never run away from home. Their mother doted on her and when she had learned to talk even her father spent time with her. Despite her quite demeanor it could be said she was the favorite even compared to their brother. "Bart. . ." At the very mention of his name fear fell into the pit of her stomach heavy like lead. For a moment Bob continued to stare at her, confused then the realization dawned on him. If Maggie had simply run away or something worse had happened Lisa didn't know. All she knew for certain was somehow it was Bart's fault.

"Maggie is. . . your baby sister right?"

"Yeah. I hadn't given her a second thought though." Guilt welled up, making it hard to breath. "Being with you sort of pushed everything else out of my mind. What have I done? I abandoned her at the mercy of a monster." Bob wrapped an arm around Lisa, but even that did little to settle her nerves.

"What do you want to do Lisa?" There was an edge of hopelessness to his voice, like he was afraid of the answer.

"I'm not going back Bob, but we have to find her." In response he pulled her into a tight embrace and gave her a light kiss on the head.

"Okay Lisa. We'll find her."

What they would do then, she wasn't sure. Thankfully Bob didn't push the issue and ask the question either.