I do not own the song "Background". It is written, played, and owned by the members of Third Eye Blind. I know that I have seriously neglected Bruce in this fic, but he should come in later chapters. The timing just hasn't been right for his character to come in yet. Besides its 2:30 in the morning and after countless revisions, I am to tired to think of a good plotline for him. Maybe next time. Now on to chapter four!!!



Chapter Four: Little Girl Lost

Everthing is quiet, when your not around,

And I live in the numbness now,

In the Background

I do the things we did before, I walk Haight Street to the store,

And they say where's that crazy girl, you don't get drunk on red wine and fight no more,

Cause I don't see you anymore, since the hospital....





The sun was peaking above the trees when the Gray family piled into their cars and headed back to the house. It was a warm spring day, the smell of grass after the previous days rain filled the air. Lauren sat at the kitchen table, eating her cereal when they burst through the backdoor. A smile spread across her face, she immediatly rose from her seat and ran to greet them.

"Uncle Vincent! Why are you here?"

" Hey munchkin!" he knelt down and hugged her. I missed you. Have you been a good girl while I was gone?"

" Sure. Even though mommy still yells at me sometimes. I don't think she understands some stuff. She's just to old. Where is mommy? She never came home last night, and everybody's here....so where is she?"



But the plans I make, still have you in them, as you come swimming into view,

And Im hanging on the words, like I always used to do, the words they say so lightly,

I only feel for you,

I only know because I carry you around, in the background,

I'm in the background



"Sweetie, come on and sit down. I need to talk to you." Maxine ushered her to the living room couch.

" Lauren, something happened yesterday..... while your mom was at work."

" I just wanna know where she's at! Why won't anybody tell me?! I'm seven, can handle it." Lauren interupted before Maxine could finish.

"Honey, you're mom's in the hospital. There was an accident in court, while she was trying to help someone."

Lauren's eyes welled up with tears and she inched closer to Maxine's arms. "Is she gonna be okay? My soccer game is on Friday and I don't want her to miss it. She can't miss my soccer game!"

" I'm sorry, but I don't think she's going to be able to make your game, I think that she'll be in the hospital for awhile."



Words they come and memories all repeat,

I lift your head while they change the hospital sheets,

I would never lie to you no, I would never lie to you no,

I felt you long after we were through, we were through



"Grandma? Is mommy gonna die?" the little girl asked burrowing her head into Maxine's lap. It was a question that she wasn't prepared to answer and didn't really know how too.

" I don't know sweetie. She was hurt pretty bad, but you know what I think would make her feel better?"

"What grandma?"

"A visit from her favorite daughter."

"Silly. I'm her only daughter."

"I know Lauren, I know." she said as she gently stroked Lauren's long brown hair.

"I don't want mommy to die. I really don't" her tear stained face looked up, her eyes pleading for hope.

"Neither do I sweetie, Neither do I."



The plans I make still have you in them as you come swimming into view,

And i'm hanging on words like I always used to do, the words they use so lightly,

I only feel for you,

I know because I carry you around, in the background

I'm in the background

End of chapter 4

Please, review, review, review. I want feedback!