AN: Sorry for the wait, as always, thank you very much for the reviews. I hope you readers will enjoy the new chapter!

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

When asked by the press, I said my recovery time was "undetermined". To keep them excited for my return, that's what George and Rick reasoned. In reality, the doctors predicted somewhere close to two years. I had several procedures, months of bed rest and therapy to go through during that time. So I didn't mind using that word: undetermined. It gave me a false sense of security. I clung to it like a motto of hope.

I was sent home to Illinois where I stayed with Cindy and her husband. They had taken over our family house and were pleased to accommodate me during my recovery. The first few months were the worst. I spent half my time doped up on pain medication and all of my time restricted to my bed. Even the shortest drive across a room could cause intense pain to flare up in my engine. Gradually, I was able to make my way around the house in short intervals.

It was around the six month mark of my stay when Cindy had her first daughter, Lucy. She was a tiny thing, mint green with a '64 Newport frame. Her bright green eyes mimicked those of the young Cindy which I had grown up beside. But as I watched her age, I realized her temperament was different than her mother's. While she was sweet and quiet, she held herself with more confidence and behaved more adventurously. I wondered if Cindy might have been the same way if she hadn't been forced through such a dreary childhood. Regardless, Lucy served as my entertainment and motivation as the days dragged by. When I looked at Lucy I saw the whole world lying out before her. Similarly, my time wasn't up either; I still had a chance to return to glory.

After a year and a half I had regained most of my strength. I was able to leave the house and was merely awaiting my doctor's approval to begin training again. In the meantime, I spent my time caring for Lucy while Cindy and her husband worked. One day, I decided to drive with Lucy to my public school. It wasn't too far of a drive and she would have the chance to burn off some of her afternoon energy.

When we arrived I noticed that there was an unusual amount of children already racing around the schoolyard. I parked beneath the shade of a tree in the middle of the lot and allowed Lucy to go join them. I surveyed the old brick building, noting how much smaller it seemed to me now. Memories came back to me in a sort of fog.

Suddenly, I caught sight of a pale pink car at the edge of the property. Two small cars bumped at her tires until she nodded for them to leave her side. I watched curiously as she drove slowly across the yard, calling out to other children in the group. She drew closer, approaching my spot under the tree.

"Hello, Doc," she greeted me calmly.

It wasn't until I locked eyes with her that I recognized it was Bonnie. I was speechless. I'd lost all my awe for her long ago but even I could see the aching tiredness in the heaviness of her eyes and the drawl of her voice.

She motioned towards the group of children. "One of them yours?"

"No, just a niece."

She nodded quietly and gazed out into the yard. "Been a while, hasn't it?" she asked.

"Sure has. How are you keeping?" I asked to be polite.

"Well enough," she responded. But I caught sight of a dent in her right fender and knew she wasn't well at all. The mark looked as though it had been caused by the tire of another car.

"You married now?"

"I was," she said. "Just left him last month." There was a tremble in her voice.

I nodded and we were silent for moment. I marvelled at the way life could be so cruel to us all.

"Sorry to hear about your wife. Donna, was it?"

"Yes." My body had stiffened at her name. I was fighting again to hold everything in. Bonnie noticed my reaction at once and stared for a minute.

"I forgot you were one to keep all your grief inside," she said casually, as if the words meant nothing at all.

Her words had cut into me though. I wanted to scream out, But I'm not! You changed that about me, Bonnie! Only I knew she was right. There was a time when I'd been able to express those things. With her. With Donna. I guess that was the special thing about love.

I saw Lucy break from the group and she tore across the yard to me. She looked timidly over at Bonnie before stopping near my side.

"I'm tired," Lucy whispered.

I smiled and touched her fender gently. "Let's get some fuel and go home," I said, guiding her away from the tree and Bonnie. "Nice seeing you," I nodded at Bonnie as we drove past.

"Nice seeing you too," she replied, sending her pity like blades into my back.

AN: Considering this story is pretty dark I've decided I should probably move the rating up to T. The upcoming chapters shouldn't be as heavy though! Anyways, thank you for reading and please review :)