~A few months later~
Stephanie noticed how quiet it was on the street. She didn't like this kind of silence, it was eerie and almost deadly. Something was happening, she knew it, and she didn't like it. She noticed a man driving down the street in a Jeep, and she waved for him to stop.
"What's going on?" Stephanie asked the man.
"Everyone's evacuating."
"Evacuating, but why?" Stephanie asked confused, she hadn't heard of any evacuations.
"WCW troops are invading Tampa."
"Invading Tampa! But this can't be, I thought they would never get here!"
"Well, they're here, and we're evacuating, so you're going to want to get going," the man told her before driving off.
Stephanie looked panicked as she ran back into the house at full speed. She would go to Greenwich. She knew that everything would be okay if she just got to Greenwich. Of course she would have to bring Lita with her, pregnant or not, she didn't have a choice.
Stephanie ran upstairs and started gathering things and putting them into her suitcases. She didn't have much time, so she just kept stuffing things into her bags without thinking. Suddenly, she heard a moan coming from Lita's room, it sounded like a moan of pain. Stephanie stopped and listened more intently. It sounded as if Lita was calling for her. She raced across the hall and threw open the door.
"What is it Lita?" Stephanie asked impatiently. Lita looked over at her, her face drenched in sweat.
"The baby, it's coming," she managed to say, before another contraction wracked her body.
"But-but, how long has this been going on?" Stephanie managed to stutter out.
"Since this morning, I didn't want to bother you, you've been so busy," Lita whispered, obviously in pain.
"How could you not tell me? What am I supposed to do? All the doctors are at the hospital and that's too far away, and I don't have a car."
"I'm sorry Stephanie."
"Sorry, this is not time for sorry," Stephanie thought for a moment, "I know! There's a make shift hospital just a few blocks away. I'll go there and see if I can get one of the doctors to come here."
"Ok," Lita said, before lying down again.
Stephanie raced down the stairs and out of the house. Hopefully they wouldn't be to busy down at the hospital and she could get someone to come tend to Lita. Damn this evacuation, otherwise she knew that she could find someone to help her. She began to walk briskly down the empty street, not wanting to run and waste all her energy.
She reached the hospital, and was overwhelmed by the sight in front of her. There were bodies everywhere. Lying down in the streets, nothing under them but cold concrete and roads. They were screaming out in agony, and she just stood in horror.
How could this have happened? How could this many men be injured? She walked around aimlessly trying to ignore the pleas of these men. She finally found J.R. and she walked quickly to him.
"J.R.!" She yelled to get his attention.
"Stephanie, thank God you're here, we need all the help we can get," he said relieved. Stephanie's eyes grew wide.
"No, no, you have to come with me," she pulled on his arm, "Lita's having the baby, and we need your help."
"Bah Gawd Stephanie, look around you, these men are dying and we don't have enough doctors or nurses to tend to them. I can't go off with you and deliver a baby."
"But...you have to come."
"I can't!" he calmed down for a moment, "Delivering a baby isn't that hard Stephanie."
"But I'm not a doctor!" she cried.
"I'll explain it to you," he said, gesturing for her to follow him. She listened intently as he explained it to her.
******
Stephanie walked desolately back to the house. She was going to have to go this alone, by herself. Stephanie couldn't believe that this was happening. It was like the world was crashing down on her. She was going to have to deliver Lita and Hunter's baby.
She came up to the house, and took a deep breath before entering. She could hear Lita's groans already, and the walked to the room. She didn't know what she would find on the other side, and she was scared to fine out. She opened the door and saw Lita writhing in pain on the bed.
"Oh Steph, you're back, I'm so glad, did you get the doctor?"
"There's no one coming Lita, it'll just be me," Stephanie said blandly, walking to the side of the bed.
"What?" Lita's eyes grew wide.
"You don't want to know what I had to see today Lita," Stephanie shook her head, "It was awful. But J.R. told me everything about delivery, so hopefully we'll be ok."
"Ok," breathed Lita, "I trust you."
********
Several hours later, Lita was still in labor. Night was starting to fall, and darkness was casting shadows all over the room. Stephanie sat by Lita's side, clutching her hand in support. Lita's labor had been progressing slowly, and Stephanie knew that she was in a tremendous amount of pain. She didn't have any painkillers or anything though, besides your basic Tylenol, so Lita had to endure it all. And endure she did, she barely complained of the pain, which irritated Stephanie a little.
"You can scream if you want to Lita, there's no one around to hear it," Stephanie told her. Lita turned to her with soft eyes.
"My poor Stephanie, if you weren't here you'd be home with your Mother wouldn't you?"
"Maybe, who knows?" Stephanie said glumly. Another contraction hit Lita, and she grasped Stephanie's hand tightly. After it passed, Lita looked at Stephanie seriously.
"Stephanie, I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"If I don't make it, I want you to take my baby."
"Oh, don't talk like that Lita, you'll be just fine, do you hear me? Just fine," Stephanie said firmly, not showing just how scared she really was. Fear was for the weak.
"No, Stephanie I need you to promise me, please," Lita said pleadingly.
"Fine," Stephanie finally consented. But there was no way that she was going to let Lita die. She had promised Hunter that she would take care of her, and take care of her she would.
******
Another couple hours passed, and Lita had finally given birth to a baby boy. Lita was exhausted after the labor, and was now sleeping as Stephanie cared for the small baby boy. She was still worried for Lita, as the other woman had used practically all her strength, and seemed really weak.
She laid the baby in a bassinet, and resumed packing. She didn't know how she was going to get to Greenwich, she didn't have a car, and she knew that all the buses and trains were being used by the armies fighting.
She thought of ways that she could get back home, and her mind suddenly came up with an idea. She would find Jericho, and he would be sure to help them. She checked on both Lita and the baby, and she left in search of him.
She knew immediately where he would be. She had heard many rumors about Chris Jericho, and while she had thought they were just to deter her from him, she had found out that they were mostly true. She made her way to Chyna's, and prepared to get Jericho to help her.
She went up to the door and knocked loudly. A lady, scantily clad, answered the door, and Stephanie scowled at her appearance, before talking to her.
"I'd like to see Mr. Jericho."
"Um, I think he's playing cards in the back," the girl told her.
"Well, I'd like to see him," Stephanie said assertively. The girl nodded, and disappeared into the house for a little while. After a few minutes, Jericho himself came to the door, a smirk planted on his face.
"Mrs. Martin, to what do I owe the pleasure," he said smugly.
"Shut up Jericho, you have no idea the day I've had," Stephanie snapped at him, annoyed.
"Well, what kind of day have you had then?"
"I had to deliver Lita's baby all by myself."
"What?!?" He asked in shock.
"There was nobody else, I had to, and it was horrible."
"My God, is she okay?"
"She's really weak, but for the most part she's okay, the baby's ok too."
"Good," he looked down at her, "Now why are you here?"
"I want to go home."
"Home? To Greenwich?"
"Yes, and I don't have a car, and I know you do, and I want to go home," she repeated.
"I'm sorry sweetie, but my car was taken by the army, so you can't go home." Stephanie had a stricken look on her face, "And besides, all the roads are probably blocked, they been fighting around Greenwich it's not safe."
"But I want to go home! My mother needs me, and Daddy too! They need me! I don't care what it takes, I'm going home," she yelled, tears starting to fall from her eyes. Jericho took her in his arms, and she sobbed into his chest, seeking comfort from him.
"Shh, shh, it'll be ok, I promise," he said soothingly, stroking her long brown hair, "You go home, and pack, and I'll be by in a bit with a car ok?" Stephanie pulled away from him, wiping her eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course, now dry your eyes, you look like a silly little girl," he said chuckling. She glared at him and walked away. Why did for every nice thing he did, he had to be twice the cad afterwards.
**********
Jericho drove up to Stephanie's house and got out of the car. He walked up the front walk, and was practically bombarded by Stephanie.
"Come on, we have to go," she said pulling him upstairs, "We have to get Lita."
They walked upstairs, and into Lita's room. She was lying down on the bed, barely awake. Jericho could tell just by looking at her that she was in pretty bad shape. She looked so pale and sickly it was almost shocking.
"Can you get her?" Stephanie asked him. He nodded and walked over to the bed, leaning over Lita.
"Can you put your arms around me?" He asked, looking down at the pale redhead.
"I think so," Lita said weakly, trying to sit up. She failed, and collapsed on the bed.
"It's ok," Chris moved to pick her up in his arms. She moaned a little, and he tried to be as gentle as possible. He looked towards Stephanie, only to find her taking the newborn into her arms.
"Let's go," he told Stephanie, and she nodded to him.
They made their way to the car, and Jericho gently put Lita into the backseat Stephanie gently put the baby into Lita's waiting arms, and then climbed into the front seat. Jericho got in, and started the car, driving off into the night.
"This was the best you could do?" Stephanie said, looking at the old junker that Jericho was currently driving.
"Does it not live up to your standards Queen Stephanie?" Jericho answered snidely.
"Well, as long as it'll get to Greenwich, I guess I really can't complain can I?"
"No."
Stephanie sat looking out the window when all of a sudden she saw a blazing red ball in the distance. She tried to figure out what it was, but was having trouble.
"Chris, what is that?" She pointed in the general direction.
"I'm thinking that's what's left of the train station, and all the trains. So we can't go that way, I'll try to take the back roads."
**********
Jericho and Stephanie were driving slowly out of Tampa, on the one road that was still open. The traffic was horrible, and all around them the remnants of their army could be seen. It was truly a depressing sight.
"You might want to look around Stephanie, this is history in the making."
"I don't want to look at them, they disgust me, they're the ones who got us into this mess in the first place. You should be proud that you didn't listen to them, proud that you were smarter than they were, and didn't get involved in all of this."
"Funny thing is," Jericho said quietly, "I'm not so proud."
************
"Let's stop for a while, I think I see a gas station up ahead," Jericho turned to Stephanie.
"Good idea."
"Lita, are you all right?" Jericho said, turning to look in the back seat.
"I think she fell asleep," Stephanie told him.
"That's better for her, she needs her rest."
They pulled into the gas station, and Jericho quickly got gas. Stephanie got out of the car to stretch her legs for a bit. They were somewhere in North Carolina, and they still had a ways to go to reach Greenwich.
"Stephanie, are you still determined to get home?"
"Yes, I'm sure that we can make it."
"Not we Princess...you."
"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked confused.
"I mean that I'm leaving you," Jericho said with a smirk.
"What? Don't joke around with me Chris Jericho," Stephanie snorted.
"I'm not joking Stephanie, I'm leaving you here."
"Wh-what?" Stephanie sputtered, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go fight with the valiant WWF."
"Oh, now you must be joking."
"I'm not...Now come over here and say goodbye to me," Jericho said pulling Stephanie away from the car.
"Jericho how can you leave me alone and helpless like this?"
"You? Helpless? Heaven help WCW if they capture you."
"How can you do this to me? I'll never forgive you if you leave me."
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness Stephanie. I'll never forgive myself. And if God forbid, I die, I'll laugh at myself for being a jackass. But I do know one thing Steph, and that is that I love you. In spite of the whole world falling down around us, I love you. We have too much in common not to be right for each other. We're both heels, selfish and egotistical, but able to tell the truth," Jericho took Stephanie into his arms and held her close.
"Don't hold me like this," Stephanie said trying to pull out of his grasp. He just held her tighter in retaliation.
"Stephanie, I've loved you more than I've loved any woman I've ever been with, and I've waited for you for a hell of a lot longer," he said running his fingers through her hair. She squirmed in his arms.
"God, would you just leave me the hell alone Jericho," Stephanie said angrily. Jericho ignored her and continued.
"There's a soldier who loves you Stephanie. And I'll think of you always. It doesn't matter if you love me, I'll love you in spite of that. Kiss me Stephanie, kiss me just this once," Jericho said before pulling Stephanie to him, and pressing his lips against hers.
Stephanie at first struggled against him, but then felt this strange tingle run through her body. She relaxed in his arms and let him kiss her. He was really a great kisser, and she couldn't help but like it just a little.
Her mind came back to her, and she realized who was kissing her, and she pulled away suddenly. She glared at him, and slapped him soundly across the face. Jericho just smirked at her, his eyes laughing.
"How dare you! They were all right, you are a cad, I hope you die, I hope a bomb falls right on you and you're blown to bits!"
"A fine sentiment Stephanie, but it's time for me to go," Jericho said before leaving down the road. Stephanie stood watching him until he disappeared from her sight.
She turned back to her car and cried. She was alone.
But she was going home. No matter what.
Stephanie noticed how quiet it was on the street. She didn't like this kind of silence, it was eerie and almost deadly. Something was happening, she knew it, and she didn't like it. She noticed a man driving down the street in a Jeep, and she waved for him to stop.
"What's going on?" Stephanie asked the man.
"Everyone's evacuating."
"Evacuating, but why?" Stephanie asked confused, she hadn't heard of any evacuations.
"WCW troops are invading Tampa."
"Invading Tampa! But this can't be, I thought they would never get here!"
"Well, they're here, and we're evacuating, so you're going to want to get going," the man told her before driving off.
Stephanie looked panicked as she ran back into the house at full speed. She would go to Greenwich. She knew that everything would be okay if she just got to Greenwich. Of course she would have to bring Lita with her, pregnant or not, she didn't have a choice.
Stephanie ran upstairs and started gathering things and putting them into her suitcases. She didn't have much time, so she just kept stuffing things into her bags without thinking. Suddenly, she heard a moan coming from Lita's room, it sounded like a moan of pain. Stephanie stopped and listened more intently. It sounded as if Lita was calling for her. She raced across the hall and threw open the door.
"What is it Lita?" Stephanie asked impatiently. Lita looked over at her, her face drenched in sweat.
"The baby, it's coming," she managed to say, before another contraction wracked her body.
"But-but, how long has this been going on?" Stephanie managed to stutter out.
"Since this morning, I didn't want to bother you, you've been so busy," Lita whispered, obviously in pain.
"How could you not tell me? What am I supposed to do? All the doctors are at the hospital and that's too far away, and I don't have a car."
"I'm sorry Stephanie."
"Sorry, this is not time for sorry," Stephanie thought for a moment, "I know! There's a make shift hospital just a few blocks away. I'll go there and see if I can get one of the doctors to come here."
"Ok," Lita said, before lying down again.
Stephanie raced down the stairs and out of the house. Hopefully they wouldn't be to busy down at the hospital and she could get someone to come tend to Lita. Damn this evacuation, otherwise she knew that she could find someone to help her. She began to walk briskly down the empty street, not wanting to run and waste all her energy.
She reached the hospital, and was overwhelmed by the sight in front of her. There were bodies everywhere. Lying down in the streets, nothing under them but cold concrete and roads. They were screaming out in agony, and she just stood in horror.
How could this have happened? How could this many men be injured? She walked around aimlessly trying to ignore the pleas of these men. She finally found J.R. and she walked quickly to him.
"J.R.!" She yelled to get his attention.
"Stephanie, thank God you're here, we need all the help we can get," he said relieved. Stephanie's eyes grew wide.
"No, no, you have to come with me," she pulled on his arm, "Lita's having the baby, and we need your help."
"Bah Gawd Stephanie, look around you, these men are dying and we don't have enough doctors or nurses to tend to them. I can't go off with you and deliver a baby."
"But...you have to come."
"I can't!" he calmed down for a moment, "Delivering a baby isn't that hard Stephanie."
"But I'm not a doctor!" she cried.
"I'll explain it to you," he said, gesturing for her to follow him. She listened intently as he explained it to her.
******
Stephanie walked desolately back to the house. She was going to have to go this alone, by herself. Stephanie couldn't believe that this was happening. It was like the world was crashing down on her. She was going to have to deliver Lita and Hunter's baby.
She came up to the house, and took a deep breath before entering. She could hear Lita's groans already, and the walked to the room. She didn't know what she would find on the other side, and she was scared to fine out. She opened the door and saw Lita writhing in pain on the bed.
"Oh Steph, you're back, I'm so glad, did you get the doctor?"
"There's no one coming Lita, it'll just be me," Stephanie said blandly, walking to the side of the bed.
"What?" Lita's eyes grew wide.
"You don't want to know what I had to see today Lita," Stephanie shook her head, "It was awful. But J.R. told me everything about delivery, so hopefully we'll be ok."
"Ok," breathed Lita, "I trust you."
********
Several hours later, Lita was still in labor. Night was starting to fall, and darkness was casting shadows all over the room. Stephanie sat by Lita's side, clutching her hand in support. Lita's labor had been progressing slowly, and Stephanie knew that she was in a tremendous amount of pain. She didn't have any painkillers or anything though, besides your basic Tylenol, so Lita had to endure it all. And endure she did, she barely complained of the pain, which irritated Stephanie a little.
"You can scream if you want to Lita, there's no one around to hear it," Stephanie told her. Lita turned to her with soft eyes.
"My poor Stephanie, if you weren't here you'd be home with your Mother wouldn't you?"
"Maybe, who knows?" Stephanie said glumly. Another contraction hit Lita, and she grasped Stephanie's hand tightly. After it passed, Lita looked at Stephanie seriously.
"Stephanie, I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"If I don't make it, I want you to take my baby."
"Oh, don't talk like that Lita, you'll be just fine, do you hear me? Just fine," Stephanie said firmly, not showing just how scared she really was. Fear was for the weak.
"No, Stephanie I need you to promise me, please," Lita said pleadingly.
"Fine," Stephanie finally consented. But there was no way that she was going to let Lita die. She had promised Hunter that she would take care of her, and take care of her she would.
******
Another couple hours passed, and Lita had finally given birth to a baby boy. Lita was exhausted after the labor, and was now sleeping as Stephanie cared for the small baby boy. She was still worried for Lita, as the other woman had used practically all her strength, and seemed really weak.
She laid the baby in a bassinet, and resumed packing. She didn't know how she was going to get to Greenwich, she didn't have a car, and she knew that all the buses and trains were being used by the armies fighting.
She thought of ways that she could get back home, and her mind suddenly came up with an idea. She would find Jericho, and he would be sure to help them. She checked on both Lita and the baby, and she left in search of him.
She knew immediately where he would be. She had heard many rumors about Chris Jericho, and while she had thought they were just to deter her from him, she had found out that they were mostly true. She made her way to Chyna's, and prepared to get Jericho to help her.
She went up to the door and knocked loudly. A lady, scantily clad, answered the door, and Stephanie scowled at her appearance, before talking to her.
"I'd like to see Mr. Jericho."
"Um, I think he's playing cards in the back," the girl told her.
"Well, I'd like to see him," Stephanie said assertively. The girl nodded, and disappeared into the house for a little while. After a few minutes, Jericho himself came to the door, a smirk planted on his face.
"Mrs. Martin, to what do I owe the pleasure," he said smugly.
"Shut up Jericho, you have no idea the day I've had," Stephanie snapped at him, annoyed.
"Well, what kind of day have you had then?"
"I had to deliver Lita's baby all by myself."
"What?!?" He asked in shock.
"There was nobody else, I had to, and it was horrible."
"My God, is she okay?"
"She's really weak, but for the most part she's okay, the baby's ok too."
"Good," he looked down at her, "Now why are you here?"
"I want to go home."
"Home? To Greenwich?"
"Yes, and I don't have a car, and I know you do, and I want to go home," she repeated.
"I'm sorry sweetie, but my car was taken by the army, so you can't go home." Stephanie had a stricken look on her face, "And besides, all the roads are probably blocked, they been fighting around Greenwich it's not safe."
"But I want to go home! My mother needs me, and Daddy too! They need me! I don't care what it takes, I'm going home," she yelled, tears starting to fall from her eyes. Jericho took her in his arms, and she sobbed into his chest, seeking comfort from him.
"Shh, shh, it'll be ok, I promise," he said soothingly, stroking her long brown hair, "You go home, and pack, and I'll be by in a bit with a car ok?" Stephanie pulled away from him, wiping her eyes.
"Really?"
"Of course, now dry your eyes, you look like a silly little girl," he said chuckling. She glared at him and walked away. Why did for every nice thing he did, he had to be twice the cad afterwards.
**********
Jericho drove up to Stephanie's house and got out of the car. He walked up the front walk, and was practically bombarded by Stephanie.
"Come on, we have to go," she said pulling him upstairs, "We have to get Lita."
They walked upstairs, and into Lita's room. She was lying down on the bed, barely awake. Jericho could tell just by looking at her that she was in pretty bad shape. She looked so pale and sickly it was almost shocking.
"Can you get her?" Stephanie asked him. He nodded and walked over to the bed, leaning over Lita.
"Can you put your arms around me?" He asked, looking down at the pale redhead.
"I think so," Lita said weakly, trying to sit up. She failed, and collapsed on the bed.
"It's ok," Chris moved to pick her up in his arms. She moaned a little, and he tried to be as gentle as possible. He looked towards Stephanie, only to find her taking the newborn into her arms.
"Let's go," he told Stephanie, and she nodded to him.
They made their way to the car, and Jericho gently put Lita into the backseat Stephanie gently put the baby into Lita's waiting arms, and then climbed into the front seat. Jericho got in, and started the car, driving off into the night.
"This was the best you could do?" Stephanie said, looking at the old junker that Jericho was currently driving.
"Does it not live up to your standards Queen Stephanie?" Jericho answered snidely.
"Well, as long as it'll get to Greenwich, I guess I really can't complain can I?"
"No."
Stephanie sat looking out the window when all of a sudden she saw a blazing red ball in the distance. She tried to figure out what it was, but was having trouble.
"Chris, what is that?" She pointed in the general direction.
"I'm thinking that's what's left of the train station, and all the trains. So we can't go that way, I'll try to take the back roads."
**********
Jericho and Stephanie were driving slowly out of Tampa, on the one road that was still open. The traffic was horrible, and all around them the remnants of their army could be seen. It was truly a depressing sight.
"You might want to look around Stephanie, this is history in the making."
"I don't want to look at them, they disgust me, they're the ones who got us into this mess in the first place. You should be proud that you didn't listen to them, proud that you were smarter than they were, and didn't get involved in all of this."
"Funny thing is," Jericho said quietly, "I'm not so proud."
************
"Let's stop for a while, I think I see a gas station up ahead," Jericho turned to Stephanie.
"Good idea."
"Lita, are you all right?" Jericho said, turning to look in the back seat.
"I think she fell asleep," Stephanie told him.
"That's better for her, she needs her rest."
They pulled into the gas station, and Jericho quickly got gas. Stephanie got out of the car to stretch her legs for a bit. They were somewhere in North Carolina, and they still had a ways to go to reach Greenwich.
"Stephanie, are you still determined to get home?"
"Yes, I'm sure that we can make it."
"Not we Princess...you."
"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked confused.
"I mean that I'm leaving you," Jericho said with a smirk.
"What? Don't joke around with me Chris Jericho," Stephanie snorted.
"I'm not joking Stephanie, I'm leaving you here."
"Wh-what?" Stephanie sputtered, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go fight with the valiant WWF."
"Oh, now you must be joking."
"I'm not...Now come over here and say goodbye to me," Jericho said pulling Stephanie away from the car.
"Jericho how can you leave me alone and helpless like this?"
"You? Helpless? Heaven help WCW if they capture you."
"How can you do this to me? I'll never forgive you if you leave me."
"I'm not asking for your forgiveness Stephanie. I'll never forgive myself. And if God forbid, I die, I'll laugh at myself for being a jackass. But I do know one thing Steph, and that is that I love you. In spite of the whole world falling down around us, I love you. We have too much in common not to be right for each other. We're both heels, selfish and egotistical, but able to tell the truth," Jericho took Stephanie into his arms and held her close.
"Don't hold me like this," Stephanie said trying to pull out of his grasp. He just held her tighter in retaliation.
"Stephanie, I've loved you more than I've loved any woman I've ever been with, and I've waited for you for a hell of a lot longer," he said running his fingers through her hair. She squirmed in his arms.
"God, would you just leave me the hell alone Jericho," Stephanie said angrily. Jericho ignored her and continued.
"There's a soldier who loves you Stephanie. And I'll think of you always. It doesn't matter if you love me, I'll love you in spite of that. Kiss me Stephanie, kiss me just this once," Jericho said before pulling Stephanie to him, and pressing his lips against hers.
Stephanie at first struggled against him, but then felt this strange tingle run through her body. She relaxed in his arms and let him kiss her. He was really a great kisser, and she couldn't help but like it just a little.
Her mind came back to her, and she realized who was kissing her, and she pulled away suddenly. She glared at him, and slapped him soundly across the face. Jericho just smirked at her, his eyes laughing.
"How dare you! They were all right, you are a cad, I hope you die, I hope a bomb falls right on you and you're blown to bits!"
"A fine sentiment Stephanie, but it's time for me to go," Jericho said before leaving down the road. Stephanie stood watching him until he disappeared from her sight.
She turned back to her car and cried. She was alone.
But she was going home. No matter what.