Flame and Leah

Hurrying into the waiting room of the hospital, Flame and Leah held each other’s hands tightly, with Leah’s parents following them closely. Looking around, Leah saw Anthony, Devon and Phil sitting together in a corner. On the other side of the room, Callie’s mother was talking to a nurse. She turned around and saw Leah.

“Oh, thank God you’re here, Leah,” Callie’s mother said, bounding over to her. She was still in her waitressing uniform, and she had big black mascara marks under her eyes from crying. Leah let go of Flame’s hand and approached the woman, hugging her.

“How’s Callie?” Leah asked anxiously.

Wiping her tear-stained cheeks, Callie’s mother shook her head. “Physically, she’s okay. She jammed her shoulder and got a nice smack on the side of the head, but the doctor says she’ll be fine.” Her eyes filled up with tears again. “But she’s not herself at all. She won’t let me near her; she just keeps crying. Maybe you can talk to her?”

Feeling overwhelming sympathy for the woman in front of her, Leah nodded. “Of course,” she said, taking her hands. Callie’s mother was young, only thirty-four, but the hard life she had lived showed on her face. “Where is she?”

After Callie’s mother told her the room, Leah turned to Flame. “I’m going to go check on Callie,” she told him. “You should keep trying to reach Chuck’s parents.” Flame just nodded and headed outside, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.

Knocking on the door, Leah looked into the room. She didn’t see Callie at first, but as she turned to go, she heard a whimper come from a corner. Callie was sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall with her legs drawn up and her head buried in her knees.

“Cal?” Leah said gently, and Callie looked up at her. She had a big bandage on the side of her head, and her arm was in a sling. She looked very small and pale to Leah.

“Leah?” Callie sniffled. “Oh God, Leah,” she then cried, rising. Leah ran to her and carefully wrapped her arms around her. “Leah, they don’t know if he’s going to be okay,” she said, her breathing broken.

“Shh, you have to calm down,” Leah told her, pushing hair back off Callie’s face. “You’re going to make yourself hyperventilate.” Quietly, she led Callie to the bed, and they both took a seat on its edge.

Looking up at Leah, Callie’s face was wet and blotchy, but she seemed to be calming down some. “They don’t know if he’s going to be okay,” she repeated sadly.

Not knowing what to say, Leah took Callie’s hand. “Chuck’s strong,” Leah finally said. “If anyone can make it, he can.”

Smiling a little, Callie nodded. “He is strong,” she agreed, and then her face crumbled once again. “I just… I love him so much, Leah. I haven’t ever… ever…” But she couldn’t finish her sentence. She just dissolved into sobs, and Leah held her, tears streaming down her own face.

“I’m so sorry this happened,” Leah told Callie, rubbing her head gently. She rocked Callie until she began to calm down again.

“Hey, am I interrupting?” Flame asked from the doorway. Callie looked at him, and shook her head as she stood up. Flame crossed the room to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Poor thing,” he whispered.

Pulling back, Callie sat down on the bed again. “Have you heard anything?” she asked Flame. “They won’t let me see him.”

Shaking his head in regret, Flame admitted he had not heard any more about Chuck. “I did speak to his parents, though. They were out of town, and they just got in before I called them.” He gave Callie a sympathetic smile. “They’ll be here soon.”

The rest of the band slowly made it into Callie’s room, everyone sharing looks of pain and confusion. They didn’t say much; they just all seemed more comfortable together. They took turns getting coffee and taking smoke breaks.

When Chuck’s parents arrived at the hospital, the band all rushed to them, hugging them and offering sympathy. They looked shell-shocked, but pleased to see their son’s friends. Chuck’s mother made her way to Callie.

“So you’re the one my son is always talking about,” she said with a small smile that Callie returned. “You know, he might not admit this, but he calls me a lot.” She put her hand on Callie’s shoulder. “And whenever he calls, he can’t stop talking about you. He’s very much in love with you.”

Tears spilling down again, Callie rose and hugged Chuck’s mother. “Thank you,” she said, trying to put her arms around the woman despite her dislocated shoulder. “I love him so much.”

-----

Callie had fallen asleep on the bed, curled up in the fetal position. Anthony and Phil were watching television from a couple chairs, and Devon sat on the floor looking through a magazine.

On the other side of the room, Flame was sitting on the floor, leaning against a wall and holding Leah in his arms. Her head rested against his shoulder, and they didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, Leah glanced up at him. She studied his eyes, which were staring off into space.

“Are you okay?” Leah finally whispered. Flame seemed surprised to hear Leah’s voice. He looked down, a confused expression on his face.

“Me?” he asked, seemingly thrown by the question. “Yeah, I’m okay.” He paused. “Actually, I could use a cigarette.”

“Me too,” Leah nodded, rising. They went outside, past chairs filled with Leah’s parents, Chuck’s parents and Callie’s mom. Her father was the only person awake, looking at a magazine, but he just smiled at her as she and Flame passed.

“Oh, it’s cold,” Leah said as they went outside. “No, I didn’t mean that,” she protested as Flame took off his mechanic’s jacket and slipped it around her.

“Let me, please,” Flame said pleadingly, looking very sad. Leah nodded, pulling the jacket around her shoulders. She pulled a cigarette and lighter from her bag and watched Flame as he lit his own.

“You’ve been really quiet all night,” Leah said gently, examining his expression as he stared up at the stars.

Sighing, Flame looked at Leah. “I guess I’ve just been thinking… thinking how unfair this all is. Chuck’s such a fucking amazing person… He just doesn’t deserve this.” His eyes were filled with tears, and Leah moved toward him, putting her arms around his waist. Flame hugged her, crying hard. “I just don’t get it,” he choked out. “I don’t understand.”

Leah’s heart broke feeling Flame’s pain as his chest heaved against her. He continued, his voice getting caught in his throat. “With all the fucked up shit in the world… why Chuck?” Not having an answer, Leah silently held Flame as he worked through his pain. As his sobbing subsided, Leah led him over to a bench and sat down next to him.

“I’m sorry,” Flame smiled with embarrassment after he calmed down. “Chuck would be making fun of me so bad if he saw me right now.” Letting himself smile, he looked at Leah. “You know, he’s the one that convinced me to tell you the truth. And about that… thank you for helping me through this. I know we’re not even really friends right now…”

“Flame,” Leah said sadly, unsure how to word what she wanted to tell him. She took his hands and looked into his eyes. “I’m sorry about last night – about telling you I wasn’t ready to be your friend.” She blinked back more tears. “I didn’t mean it. I want to, if you still do.”

Wrapping his arms around Leah, Flame kissed the top of her head. “I love you, Leah,” he told her sincerely. “However I can have you in my life, I’ll take it.”

With her head buried under his chin, Leah replied in kind. “I love you, too, Flame.”

They headed back into the hospital and into Callie’s room. They weren’t in there ten minutes when Leah’s mother knocked on the door, accompanied by Callie’s mother. “Good news,” Leah’s mother said with a smile. “Chuck’s awake, although still very weak.”

Callie had woken up just in time to hear the news, and tears started pouring down her face again. “Now, Callie, none of that,” her mother said to her. “He’s asking for you, and you can’t have him see you crying like that.”

Jumping out of the bed immediately, Callie ran to her mother. “I want to see him,” she begged earnestly.

“Of course,” she replied, putting her arm around Callie’s shoulder and leading her down the hall.

“Everyone in here alright?” Leah’s mom asked. The band all grumbled one version of yes or another. “Okay, well then, since the worst is past, everyone should probably head home. They’re not going to let anyone else see Chuck tonight, so you might as well rest up so you have energy when you visit tomorrow. Leah, are you ready?”

Looking over her shoulder towards Flame, Leah reached for his hand, and he took it tentatively. “I don’t think so,” she told her mother. “I think I’ll go back with Flame and the guys, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine,” her mother said, giving her a smile. “Call me in the morning, okay?”

“Okay,” Leah said. She then turned to Flame. “I hope that’s okay,” she said nervously. “Me staying over, I mean.”

Pulling her to him again, Flame wrapped his arms around Leah tightly. “Nothing would make me happier tonight,” he whispered into her hair.

-----

Everyone was exhausted by the time they got back to the house. Leah followed Flame up the stairs, like she had so many times before. His room was a mess, and Leah had to giggle. “Haven’t been bringing too many girls back here?” she asked, pointing at the clutter, but stopped laughing when she saw Flame’s sad expression.

“I haven’t touched… I haven’t even looked at another girl since… since we broke up,” Flame told her, his voice thick with remorse. “I don’t want anyone else,” he said steadily. “But don’t worry, I don’t think that because of tonight… don’t worry that I think everything’s the way it was between us. Just having you as my friend is more than I’ve hoped for in a while.”

Leah crossed the room and looked up at Flame. Slowly, she reached her arms up around his neck and lifted her body onto her toes until her lips could meet his, closing her eyes slowly as she did. She felt Flame’s surprise; his kiss was soft and nervous at first. But as Leah pressed against him, licking his bottom lip and sucking on it, Flame sunk into her. His mouth opened slightly, and Leah’s tongue slid in to meet his. The kiss lasted for several minutes, although it didn’t get too intense. Instead, it was more of a reintroduction. As Leah hesitantly pulled back, she looked up at Flame to see what he was thinking.

Blinking a few times, Flame studied Leah’s face. “So… what was… what does this mean?” he asked hesitantly.

“This means that I forgive you about Jodi, if you forgive me for taking so long to forgive you,” Leah told him with a small smirk.

“And this isn’t just because of tonight?” Flame asked fretfully. “I mean, emotions are running high, I understand that. But I don’t want to get my hopes up-”

“No,” Leah interrupted. “Tonight just made me realize that it’s stupid to not be with the person you love if you have that choice. I love you too much to be holding some dumb grudge for so long.”

“I am sorry,” Flame told her sincerely. “I really am. You are all I want, I promise.”

“And you, me,” Leah said. Taking off her jeans, Leah climbed into the bed in her t-shirt and underwear. Flame removed his own pants and climbed next to her, wrapping his body around her innocently, as he had the first night that they had spent together.

-----

Leah woke up to see Flame, propped up on one elbow and his head resting in his hand, staring at her. “Morning,” she said tiredly.

“You know, I never thought I’d get to see you like this again,” Flame said emotionally.

“How?” Leah asked with a smirk. “With bed-head and big puffy eyes?”

“No,” Flame smiled. “Waking up next to me. Just… here.”

“I’m so sorry for putting you through all that,” Leah apologized.

“No, don’t,” Flame insisted. “I don’t know why I did what I did, but it was wrong. And I will never take a chance of losing you… or even hurting you again.”

Nodding, Leah believed him wholeheartedly. “You know, we should get and go see Chuck and Callie,” she told him.

“Yeah,” Flame smiled. “Let’s do that.”

-----

“Knock, knock,” Leah said, holding onto Flame’s hand as they entered Chuck’s room. He’d been moved from ICU to a regular patient room, which was a good sign.

“Hey,” Chuck said, a smile crossing his face. Despite the warmth in his expression, he looked pretty banged up. His left arm was in a cast, as was his left leg. He had cuts along the side of his face and a bandage wrapped around his head. But his eyes were still welcoming as he greeted his friends.

“Hey, Killer,” Flame smiled. He glanced over at Callie, curled up in a chair asleep, covered by a blanket. “Wouldn’t leave your side last night, huh?” he asked Chuck, looking admiringly at her.

“Nope,” Chuck said, glancing adoringly at his girlfriend. “The nurses tried to throw her out, but she gave them hell.” He laughed. “That’s my girl.”

“How are you feeling?” Leah asked gently as they approached the bed.

“Like I’ve got the world’s worst hangover,” he grinned. “Really, that’s the only way to explain it. They’ve got me on all these painkillers – not too bad, really – so I don’t feel my body too much. But I’ve still got a fucking screaming headache, and I don’t remember much about last night.”

Nodding sympathetically, Leah tilted her head. “So, then, you’re going to be okay?” she asked hopefully.

“Well,” Chuck paused before he answered. “I won’t be playing drums for a couple months, which sucks big time. And I might have some short-term memory shit; they don’t know yet. But my memory is fucked anyway, so I’m not too worried.” He laughed quickly. “Overall, they think I’ll be fine.”

“I’m so happy to hear that,” Leah gave him a huge grin.

“And I’m happy to hear that you two are back together.” He looked at them. “You are, aren’t you?”

“Yep,” Flame smiled. “All it took was for you to almost kick it.”

“Well, you should have told me that weeks ago!” Chuck chuckled.

Just then, Callie began to stir. “Hey guys,” she smiled at them.

“And how are you feeling?” Flame asked her.

Rising and taking Chuck’s hand, Callie smiled, her eyes glassy. “Fucking awesome,” she said, causing everyone to laugh. “Hey, I could really use a cigarette,” she said to Leah.

“Me, too,” Chuck grumbled. “But for some reason, they won’t let people smoke in hospitals.”

“Don’t worry,” Flame told him. “I’ll check at the front desk when we leave and see if they can get you a wheelchair. That way, Callie can take you out for smoke breaks.”

Callie walked over towards Leah, and threw her good arm over her shoulder. “Come on,” she said. “Before Flame finds more jobs for me to do for my gimp boyfriend.” She looked over her shoulder. “Love you,” she added with a smile as the girls headed out the door.

“God, I’m so glad he’s okay,” Callie admitted as they went outside. Leah handed her a cigarette, which she gratefully accepted. “I was so scared last night,” she confessed, her eyes filling with tears.

“I know,” Leah told her sympathetically. “But the worst is over now.”

“Yeah,” Callie smiled and stood silently for a moment. “So,” she continued, her expression changing to one of curiosity. “You and Flame?”

“Yeah,” Leah admitted happily. “Totally.”

“Awesome,” Callie grinned. “So at least one good thing came from this shitty incident.”

-----

The next few months passed in a blur. The band put off touring, despite major arguments with the label. They all agreed that they would not play with anyone besides Chuck. But they kept recording in the studio, getting ready for when Chuck’s casts came off.

Leah and Dylan graduated. Callie, despite major attempts to avoid it, went to summer school so that she would have her diploma by August. Knowing that the three of them would be separating – Leah to Maryland, Dylan to Syracuse (with Kathy), and Callie being forced by Chuck to sign up for the local community college – was very sad, and they spent much of their free time in the summer together.

Knowing Flame was going to be going on tour in September anyway made it easier for Leah to take in the fact that she was leaving the only home she had ever known. She knew she’d see him as frequently in Maryland as she would have in North Carolina. But it still hurt, knowing she wouldn’t have time with Flame like she had now.

“I don’t want this to end,” Leah told Flame late one night in bed. They’d just had their last party in the band’s house. Their lease was up September 1st, and they didn’t see a reason to keep the added expense when they’d only be home a few weeks at a time for the next year.

Dylan had come with Kathy; they seemed very happy together. Leah and Flame had played quarters with Callie and Chuck, the latter of whom had gotten his casts off earlier in the week. There had been tons of people, a keg, and everyone had had a great time.

Rolling onto his side, Flame ran his hand over Leah’s arm. “What do you mean?” he asked gently.

“This,” Leah said, moving closer to Flame. “This past year – hell, not even a year yet. It’s been the most incredible time of my life.” She paused to nestle her head against his chest. “I remember the night we met…”

“So do I,” Flame said softly. “God, I was so pissed when someone knocked into me and made me spill my beer.” He kissed her hair lightly. “But then I turned around, and I saw the most amazing pair of green eyes, and I was hooked.”

Tears were stinging Leah’s eyes, and she was willing them back. “And I remember the next night, when you asked me to stay, and I told you… that I was a virgin.” She chuckled softly. “I was so scared that you’d be like, ‘Well, nice knowing you,’ but… you weren’t.”

“I couldn’t,” Flame corrected Leah, sliding his finger under her chin and making her look into his eyes. “Like I said, the first time I saw you, I was hooked.” Leah’s eyes were all glassy, making Flame smile sadly. “And I was right to feel that way. Leah, you have made my life… complete. That simple. I wasn’t whole without you.”

Leah stared at the blurry vision in front of her. Flame had brought Leah so much since she had met him. She felt things now that she never knew before, good and bad: love, fear, excitement, desire, betrayal, ecstasy, hope. “I just don’t want to let go,” Leah said, tears running over her cheeks.

“Baby,” Flame replied, kissing her tears. “No, you’re not letting go. We’re not.” He paused to rest his forehead against hers. “Do you remember our first time together? Remember how scary it was?” Leah nodded, blushing at the memory. “But that turned out pretty good, right? I mean, it turned out to be something so wonderful…” Leah laughed a little, encouraging Flame to continue. “That’s all this is. Something scary and different and new. But something that is going to be so fucking awesome, because we’re in it together.”

Trying to swallow the lump in her throat, Leah looked at Flame with admiration. “A year ago I didn’t know you,” she said softly.

Kissing Leah gently, Flame replied, “And now, you’re all I know.”

------

AND THAT\'S ALL SHE WROTE, KIDS. WHEN I STARTED WRITING THIS CHAPTER, I DIDN\'T KNOW IT WOULD BE THE LAST ONE, BUT AS THE WORDS STARTED TO FLOW, IT JUST FELT RIGHT. THIS WAS THE FIRST FICTION I\'VE EVER POSTED ANYWHERE, AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED IT FOR ME. IT WAS A SCARY ENDEAVOR, BUT I\'VE CERTAINLY ENJOYED IT. I HOPE YOU LIKED THE STORY. I\'D REALLY LOVE TO KNOW WHAT ANYONE AND EVERYONE WHO HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POINT THINKS. THANK YOU!

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ADDITIONAL NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THIS FIC, AS IT WAS MY FIRST AND IT IS A STARTING POINT FOR ANY OTHERS. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOOD- AND WHAT WAS BAD! THANK YOU!