Over the next three days, Michael never left Elizabeth's side. The police located Jimmy and two of the men who helped him with the assault. She was worried that Jimmy was going to find her before they found her, but she felt relief wash over her as he was charged and arrested.

Elizabeth had been doing better physically, but still needed to use crutches or a wheelchair when walking. After she and Michael got over the initial awkwardness, they got along well. They grew fond of each other, telling jokes, watching movies, sharing small secrets.

It was the day Elizabeth was going to be discharged from the hospital, but put on bed rest for weeks.

"Where are you going to go when you get discharged?" Michael asked, sharing ice cream with her.

"I'll probably fly out to stay with my parents across the state."

"Do they know about your situation?"

"Pfft, no. I haven't spoken to them in years." She said, looking at him.

"Well, how do you know you'll have a place to stay?" He looked at her seriously.

She shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't plan that far ahead."

"Well, I think it would be a good idea for you to stay with me. At my home, in California."

"Michael, that's too far from here. How am I going to get back when I feel better?"

"Well, we can figure that out when we get there. Please just come with me? I have a small cottage on my property. You can have it all to yourself."

"Why do you want me to come with you?" She asked, curiously. She definitely wasn't saying no, but she wanted to know why he was being so kind to her.

"Because I feel guilty about this situation and nothing matters more to me than your safety right now." He said, taking her small hand in his.

"Why? Do you want something from me in return?"

"No, Elizabeth. Not at all. I just want to help you. One of the men is still missing, and I don't want you in any position to run into him." Michael looked at her painfully scared.

"Okay, well, all I've got is the one packed bag you found, so I guess I'm ready to go when they discharge me." Elizabeth said, trying not to show just how relieved she was that someone would be helping her.

"Great. We'll leave tonight then. Is there anything you need to do before we leave?"

"Nope. I was as ready as ever the night you found me."

-

Before being discharged, the doctors prescribed a few months worth of pain medication and gave her crutches and a wheelchair. She chose to use the crutches out of the humiliation of the wheelchair.

After boarding the plane, Michael and Elizabeth began to talk about arrangements between them. Michael was about to start recording an album, and Elizabeth opened up about her musical career. Michael was shocked and excited to help her with it, but she declined any help from him. She didn't want to leech off of him anymore than she already felt she was. This man was about to let her live with him, rent free, protecting her.

"I respect you, so I won't push too hard, but I've definitely got the hook up. And I will hook you up sooner or later." Michael said, grinning.

"I've always been independent. I've never really known another artist, let alone you, Michael."

"And yet, you're not starstruck or acting crazy. Why is that?"

"I only fear and worship God. And my father." Elizabeth said, looking out the plane window.

"I'm impressed. That must feel great."

"I mean, I acknowledge all of the people who have achieved great things. I respect them so much for their hard work and dedication. There's no doubt about that whatsoever. I just don't see a point in dehumanizing them."

"Girl, where have you been all my life? I've needed people like you in my life for ages now." Michael said, lightly nudging her with his arm.

"I've been living in trailer parks, sleeping on floors, and working the worst possible jobs you could ever imagine."

"I'm sorry, but you never will again. Not as long as I'm in your life. Are you leaving anyone behind?"

"Not anyone who wouldn't leave me behind." She said, looking at Michael now.

They held eye contact and her heart fluttered. She looked away quickly, shaken at the feeling that she just experienced. It had been so long since she felt that way about someone. It had been since she was a teenager. She wouldn't allow herself to believe she felt it. She pushed all thoughts of that feeling out of her head before they manifested into something real.