"You're sure you can do this?" the doctor asked as the nurse helped Stevi dress behind the curtain. "I don't want to release her into your care if you're not willing to put in the work." 

"I think we can manage," Malcolm said.

"We?"

"The band shares a house," Malcolm explained. "For now, at least. Cheaper than livin' apart an' our music hasn't picked up yet." He coughed.

"I see..." the doctor nodded, narrowing his eyes. Images of a typical bachelor pad came to his mind. "You sure you boys can do this?" he asked again. "Not that I don't think you lot can take care of yourselves-"

"Ah, we'll be fine," Malcolm assured with a smile. "We'll jus' need to clean up an' find a place for her to sleep, ya' know..." Malcolm's smile faltered as it dawned on him how much work this  endeavor would prove to be. Cleaning up and sleeping arrangements were a start but this would require patience and a safe, calm environment. Guests were not uncommon in that house, especially the female kind. But perhaps it was wise to protect Stevi from anything that might upset her. especially her first few weeks there.

"How does the rest of your band feel?" the doctor asked. "Have you talked this over with them?"

"Sure, yeah, sure," Malcolm said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Course, ya' know, they're alright with it." Before the doctor could question him further, Stevi stepped out from behind the curtain, the nurse helping her with her crutches. Only now remembering the blue floral dress he found her in, Malcolm admired her new, healthy appearance. Cheeks full and full of life, a bit of color, and blue eyes sparkling. Her brown hair had grown a bit longer too. The doctor, seeing how lost Malcolm was, patted him on the shoulder muttering, "Good luck."

**********

"Ya' got it?" Stevi nodded, using her crutches to get through the front door of the band's house. Bon spent his time vacuuming the living room while Mark did some laundry. Phil was out getting food and Angus was...Malcolm wasn't too sure but if he had to guess he'd say he was on a date with Alice from the waiting room. Convenient time to be busy, Malcolm thought. Bon shut the vacuum off, wiping his hands off on his jeans, greeting Stevi at the door.

"Hey, gorgeous," he said, helping Stevi get situated on the couch. He plucked a soda can from the couch cushions. "Don't mind the mess, we're uh...we're workin' on it."

"Get the air mattress all set up?" Malcolm asked and Bon didn't look too pleased.

"Bad news, speakin' of," he said. "Mark found a hole in it. Trashed it." Malcolm scoffed.

"So where am I supposed to sleep?" he asked. Malcolm decided early on that Stevi would be sleeping on his bed while he took the air mattress.

"The couch," Bon said patting it. "Got it all nice an' hoovered for ya'. Might be some snacks if ya' look hard enough." Stevi tugged Malcolm's sleeve and shook her head, eyes pleading. "Think she wants you to have your own bed."

"Don't worry about me, Stevi, I've spent many a night on one of these," Malcolm said. "Hey, Bon, have ya' seen Ang?"

"He's out," was all Bon said before heading to the kitchen.

**********

"There, we can keep these here where you can reach 'em," Malcolm said, resting her crutches against the wall. "An' you can still walk short distances, right?" Stevi nodded, sitting on Malcolm's bed. "Well, toilet's down the hall. Doctor said ya' got the hang of that pretty well. Uh, kitchen's always open whenever ya' need it. We got soda, beer, ya' know..." He shrugged taking a seat next to her. "Welcome home."

At the mention of the word 'home' Stevi's face fell. She tugged on Malcolm's sleeve again and leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around her and held her close.

"Don't worry, love," he said. "We'll figure it out." Being alone gave the two a sense of comfort, a sense of peace. Nobody to come barging in to say it was time to eat or go for a walk. They could do whatever they wanted. Stevi looked deep into Malcolm's eyes, which she noticed were rather pleasant to look at. Closer and closer they moved until finally their lips connected. His arms worked their way around her waist, pulling her closer, Stevi steadying herself by placing one hand on his leg. Stevi had never been this close to anyone before but she felt herself getting lost in Malcolm's safety and trust. Malcolm reached one hand up to comb through Stevi's hair when the bedroom door swung open. 

"Mal, I need your-" Stevi and Malcolm pulled apart immediately to see Angus at the door. "Sorry," he muttered, slamming it shut. 

So much for no one barging in...

"Angus-" Malcolm stood from the bed, stepping on a shoe he left lying out then kicking it aside. "Stay right there, Stevi, I'll be right back." Angus was a quick little man and had already left the house by the time Malcolm got to the living room. He opened the front door and nearly threw Phil and the groceries aside getting past him.

"The house on fire, Mal?" Phil asked, shrugging when Malcolm ignored him, assuming the house was fine. Angus was on his way down the street, lighting a cigarette. 

"Angus, we need to talk," Malcolm called and Angus stopped walking just long enough for Malcolm to catch up. "I was thinkin' we could stop a minute."

"I've got somewhere to be," Angus muttered. Malcolm grabbed Angus from behind, pinning his arms down and wrestling him to the ground. "Get the fuck off me!" he yelled.

Panting, Malcolm held Angus down by his wrists. Angus kicked his feet out, hoping to get Malcolm's jaw but only hitting his chest. "We'll do this the easy way or the hard way, Ang," Malcolm said, ignoring the pain and smiling at Angus' inherited feisty behavior. "Ya' want me to get Phil? I'm sure he'd love an excuse to get out of puttin' food away."

"Get the fuck off me!" Angus repeated, successfully kicking Malcolm off. Malcolm steadied himself so he didn't land hard on his shoulder, some sharp rocks a foot away. He stood up. Angus sighed at his fallen cigarette lying next to some leaves and begrudgingly accepted the hand Malcolm offered him. 

"Now we gonna talk, or what?" Malcolm asked. "What's eatin' ya'?"

"Nothin'," Angus dismissed.

"Bullshit," Malcolm said. "I know ever since we found Stevi you've been treatin' her like rubbish an' it's bleedin' over to us." Worry crossed Angus' face. 

"Have I really?" he asked. "Fuckin' hell, Mal, ya' know I never meant to..."

"I know ya' didn't but ya' did anyway," Malcolm said. Angus stepped on the fallen cigarette and pulled out another one. "She thinks she's this burden when all I wanna do is help."

Angus closed his eyes, taking a deep breath; pain in his expression. "I can still see her, Mal," he muttered. "Jus'...jus' lyin' there..."

"I can too," Malcolm said. Angus pulled away from his comforting hand. "I know how you feel, Ang."

"No, you don't," Angus spat. "No ya' fuckin' don't, no human should ever-no one is supposed to-" Angus couldn't get the words out.

"I found her, remember?" Malcolm said. "I saw the same thing you did." Angus wiped his face of the sudden shower of rain. Forgetting where he had to be in such a hurry he followed Malcolm back to the house. Without another word the two went home, the rain washing away their row.