A/N: Standard disclaimers apply.

She hoped it would be enough to disappear successfully. She also knew the consequences she would face when she returned. The guys hated when she gave them the slip. No time for that kind of thinking. Denial City, here I come.

Chapter 4: Tear My Stillhouse Down

"HOLY MOTHER!" Stephanie hoarsely screamed between bouts of coughing, sputtering and gasping for breath. "What the hell is that?!"

When her truck hadn't started, the local, "local" being 45 minutes away, mechanic came and picked it up promising to have it ready for her within a few days, which thankfully was ready earlier today. They had walked no more than a quarter mile through the woods behind to diner to get to where Ray was staying. Ray graciously hosted her for the last three days since she had been stuck. It had been really enjoyable. It felt so safe, not her usual denial-safe but actual comfort, which was a welcome change. They were becoming fast friends considering they were strangers to each other. It was odd but then again her friendship with Lula had an odder and more tragic start. The house was a small, one story brick ranch from the front but when you walked down the slight hill to the back of the house, there was a full basement taking advantage of the slope. There was a nice sized patio with a makeshift fire pit, table and chairs, lawn chairs and a few lounge chairs. They were currently working on the marshmallow part of their s'mores along with the alcohol and spilling their heartaches of RJ (what's with Southerners and their weird names?), Ray's lost love, and Henry, the fitting alias for her 'professor'. Chocolate and homemade, 150 proof, illegal libation: the temporary cure to their woes.

"That, my dear, is White Lightening. Welcome to the Appalachian Mountains," Ray said in her twang which was in stark contrast to Stephanie's equally as distinctive accent.

"Again, what the hell is that?" she said, wiping tears from her eyes and snot from her nose.

"White Lightening? You know, moonshine."

"Moonshine is real? I thought that was a myth or a cautionary tale to keep people from drinking for fear of going blind. Oh my god! Am I going to go blind?!" She was beginning to panic as she could feel the alcohol already starting to work its way through her system.

"Hold on, Jersey. You are fine. This is a good batch. People almost never go blind anymore anyhow," Ray said with a teasing glint in her eye. Stephanie just looked at her wide-eyed and tried to focus on the fire pit in front of her and not the fire in her throat.

Stephanie's first conscious thought was ouch. The sun was unforgivingly bright even though she hadn't opened her eyes yet. Her head hurt so much. This was the hangover from hell. She had suffered many terrible hangovers in her time but this one put them all to shame. Everything ached. She would have been content to stay where she was but she swore she smelled fries. No way could that be true. She cracked open an eye and saw Ray wincing and standing there with a McDonald's bag and cup.

"How'd you know? Are you an angel?" she croaked out.

"You told me last night. Don't you remember? It was all you could talk about for ten minutes. 'The magical cure' for all hangover ailments: Mickey D's fries and an ice cold Coke. You weren't awake yet so I showered and ran out for it. Maybe it is time to get up? Or at least dressed."

Stephanie looked down and saw she was covered with a blanket. She peeked under it to find herself naked. She let out a cross between a scream and a squeal. She was completely naked. Oh god! What happened last night?! She clutched the blanket to her in a death grip.

"Umm…," she ventured before stalling out. She had so many questions and so few memories of last night, not to mention a killer headache.

"You decided you didn't need clothes after skinny dippin'. You were, and I quote, 'at one with nature' in the woods since you thought drinkin' Moonshine made you a bona fide country girl," adding the last part with a more enunciated drawl.

Stephanie looked stunned and fish-like with her mouth opening and closing. Ray took mercy upon her and suggested she partake in the cure before showering.

Stephanie downed the fries and most of the Coke right there in bed before tightly wrapping herself in the blanket and shuffling to the bathroom. She jumped in the shower and let the extra hot water work its magic.

Stephanie climbed out feeling more human and less hung over. She dried and dressed before heading to the mirror to tackle her hair. That's when she saw her face. She had an enormous bruise the size of Montana on her check, eye and forehead. Oh, and no eyebrows. She gasped. She had noticed a few small bruises and scratches on her body that made her curious what she had done last night but this was too much. She gelled her hair and ran her fingers through it before going to find Ray.

She found her in the kitchen scrambling some eggs. Stephanie sat down on one of the two bar stools at the counter. She pointed to her face and said, "Tell me I didn't take on Rocky Balboa last night."

"Nope, just a raccoon," Ray replied barely holding in her laughter.

"What?! Umm, I don't remember that. Actually, I don't remember anything after finishing our s'mores."

Ray laughed. "After s'mores, we cranked the music and danced."

"Okay, I vaguely remember that," Stephanie said.

"Dancin' went well until a toad landed on your foot, you screamed an' dropped the moonshine… in the fire," pausing dramatically before looking to Stephanie for confirmation that she remembered. When she looked at her terrified and shook her head indicating she didn't, Ray continued, "You lost your eyebrows in the explosion. You seemed to think if you washed off your face, maybe your eyebrows wouldn't look so bad. I figured a jump in the lake down the hill was in order but it was YOUR idea to skinny dip." At this point, Stephanie looked mortified.

Ray continued, "It was just the two of us and Bruce. No reason to be embarrassed. It was fun. I haven't had a night to let go in so long."

"Bruce?!" Stephanie chocked out.

"Oh man, you don't even remember Bruce? Wow," she just shook her head before turning to yell to the other room. "Bruce, breakfast!" Great, more embarrassment! Please, dear God, don't let him be hot.

A giant, black German shepherd bounded in the room. He ran straight to Ray who was filling a bowl full of dog food. Thank god.

Amused by the relief registering on Stephanie's face, Ray continued. "Rosie dropped him off last night; she took him with her while she was out of town because she feels safer. Don't worry she is already gone this morning. Anyway, we walked back up to the house to find a raccoon stealing our marshmallows. You spun around screamin' that you were Wonder Woman before runnin' after it pretendin' to throw the Lasso of Truth. 'Cause you felt he had to confess his sins, an' make sure there were no other accomplices we should be aware of. I've heard of people not holding their liquor but you take that to a new level. It seems as though wadin' in the lake didn't really sober you up though because you tripped and smashed your face real good on a rock. The raccoon took up the tree once Bruce came bounding up from the lake. Afterwards, we just sat around in blankets swappin' our heartaches. I have to say, it was nice to have someone to talk to, like really talk to, ya know?" Ray opened her mouth and let out a contagious belly laugh adding, "Even if you can't handle 'shine and don't remember most of it." No kidding. How much had she shared last night? And, why was she so drawn to Ray? Talking to her was easier than talking to Mary Lou and she barely knew this chick.

Ray dished up the scrambled eggs and toast with apple butter with a couple of Advils each and they ate in companionable silence. Once they were done, she helped Ray throw the dishes in the dishwasher. Ray grabbed two waters from the fridge and a tennis ball. "Let's go sit outside for a while," Ray said directing them outside. Now that her headache was under control, she enjoyed the morning sun. It felt warm and comforting. For a city girl, she found herself actually liking being outside. They strolled the short way to the lake before taking up two chairs left out under a tree. Ray threw the ball in the lake for Bruce while they lounged.

"I hope you don't mind me sayin' 'Liza," Ray drawled, "but I don't think runnin' is the answer. I think clearin' your head a spell is cathartic. I just know long term, it isn't the answer."

Stephanie sat in silence for a few moments before she responded. "I think I know that. I was just so sad and scared of losing the one person that means the most to me. Even if he makes it back," her voice caught, "things are changing. It won't be the same. I felt it the last time I saw him. I can't lose him."

"If there was a way to find RJ, I would do nearly anythin' for another chance. Bein' scared is kind of a lousy reason to ditch out. Ya know?" Ray looked at her hoping her unsolicited advice would be well received.

"Ray, do you mind a personal question?" When she gestured for her to continue, she asked, "What is it that you want from life, aside from finding him or at least figuring out why he never sought you out?"

"I guess I want to get outta here and find a place to belong. I want a job other than waitressin', something I enjoy. I want to feel like I help or make a difference to someone. I want the kind of friends that are a family. Mostly, I want to stop runnin'. I don't have anythin' to go back home to but maybe I can find somewhere that feels like what home should," she replied before asking the same question.

Stephanie watched Bruce finally collapse at their feet, completely worn out from the running and swimming, as she thought about it.

"I want a committed relationship. I don't think I even need a ring, although I might like that, but I need a real commitment. Eventually, I might want kids but I don't know. Mostly, I want an honest conversation with," hesitating slightly before saying, "Henry. He sets up these rules for his life. I think they are just so he can protect himself. I want to know what he wants in plain English. I want to know if any of it is possible. And if none of it is possible with him, I guess I have to find a way to be happy with someone else." Whoa. That was a lot to say to a stranger. Especially for not having even admitted any of that to myself. Geez Steph, get a grip. She is going to think you are crazy.

Ray stopped that train of thought as if she read her mind. "I know we don't know each other well but I appreciate your willin'ness to share this with me. It feels good to hope through y'all, even if I can't for myself."

"Do you know what I do?" Stephanie said suddenly.

"Excuse me?"

"For a job. Do you know what I do?" she clarified.

"Sure," she paused like she was trying to decide what to say. "You said you work in your cousin's bonds office. You occasionally work with a bunch of security guys at," she paused ever so slightly before continuing, "Henry's company. Why?" Ray questioned.

"It is literally my job to find people. People that are hiding, actually. I am good at it, really good. I could find RJ. We could get answers. You said you planned to leave in a few days. Were you serious?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, I have the basement through the weekend but I am motivated to leave in the next two days. I, uh, wanna be outta here by Sunday monrin'. I have to fill in for a few hours during the lunch shift this afternoon at the restaurant but then I am done. I planned to clean and pack up. I saved enough money to get a car so I could move on since I have been borrowing Rosie's extra truck. I still need to figure that part out though."

"What if you came with me? How about a road trip?" she asked with a mischievous grin.

"Umm…"

"Seriously, you can crash with me until you decided what you want to do but in the meantime, we'll find some answers for you. What do you say?" Was she ready to go back? She had purpose, a mission. Was that enough though? What the hell.

"This is crazy."

"Last night was—apparently—crazy, this is only slightly … odd," Stephanie rationed with a grin.

Ray took a deep breath. "I am in."

Stephanie laughed out loud. For the first time since Grandma died, she was excited about something. She also had a distraction which she would need in order to keep her occupied in Ranger's absence. In addition, they decided that they would take a week or two to get back to Trenton for take some time out for a beach stay.

The next 36 hours went by quickly. Stephanie had walked back to the diner with Ray. They ate lunch before Ray went to work deciding against driving her crappy truck. She kept getting lost when she drove the back roads and it was much longer to get there without walking through the woods anyway.

Stephanie spent the afternoon cleaning the house—voluntarily! When Ray got home, they packed most her things. Like Stephanie, Ray didn't have much to take with her. She was used to traveling light since she was basically a nomad. The following morning, the local church had agreed to take anything left for their rummage sale coming up. Once they helped load it up, they were planning to take off up the coast. They planned to spend several days on each of the beach towns they had mapped out on the way back to Trenton.

Once they had finished cleaning and packing, they loaded everything but the bare essentials in the truck before grabbing beers and enjoying the rest of the night around the fire. Bruce was chasing fireflies until he lost interest and curled up on one of the long, reclining lawn chairs with Stephanie to doze. Eventually, they headed off to bed, ready for new possibilities.