Tim was sitting on the front steps when Dena returned. Something wasn't right, the car was gone and he sat with his head on his knees, his arms folded underneath.

She walked over, sitting beside him "what's wrong, sweetie" she asked, noticing the worried look on his face.

"Everything, momma, everything " he answered solemnly.

"Did you and Caroline have an argument" she asked quietly.

"No, momma...that would be fixable...I can't fix this" he replied.

Tim continued to explain everything they had learned from their meeting,  what Topher had done for them, and how Caroline had left, now almost 3 hours ago.

Dena was also trying to wrap her head around everything he had just shared. If it was this difficult for her,  she could only imagine what Caroline was going through.

"Did she say where she was going" Dena asked.

"No, only that she needed to be alone. Momma, there was nothing for me to do. She didn't want comforting, she's filled with so much anger, she pushed me away in the office. And I understand that, I'm angry too. Angry for what they did, what they put her through and now what they've left her with to handle. Momma, I'm afraid of what all this is going to do to her. And I can't fix it" he told her as he started to cry.

"I know, I know " she told him, putting an arm around his shoulders.

****

Caroline drove for miles, not even sure where she was going, but had enough sense to at least stay on the major highway. Tears constantly flowing, she played over and over in her mind what Bobby had told her. Finally realizing she needed gas, she pulled into a convience store gas station. She filled the tank then headed inside to grab a drink and pay.  The woman behind the counter noticed her red swollen eyes as she sat the drink on the counter.

"You ok, sweetie" she asked as she rang up the total.

Caroline looked up at her, saying nothing, only nodding her head.  Caroline handed her the money before taking her drink and heading out the door. The woman placed her apron on the counter as she followed Caroline out the door.

"Miss, miss" she said, causing Caroline to turn towards her as she opened the car door.

"You sure you're ok? I don't mean to pry, but you seem a bit upset, and I know you're not from around these parts. Whatever it is, you know sometimes talking to a stranger helps" she smiled.

"Ma'am, you wouldn't believe it if I did tell you. Hell, I can't even believe it" Caroline told her as she got in her car.

"Try me" the woman smiled as she stood next to the open passenger side window.

"Damn, you're persistent" Caroline said as she opened her drink. Taking a sip she decided why not.  Neither of them knew each other and would never encounter each other again. Caroline proceeded to tell this stranger everything...everything...the tumor diagnosis, the assault, the entire mess she just found out about...

"Well, I must say that is more than any one person should ever have to deal with" the woman responded.

"Ya think" Caroline said sarcastically but then apologized "I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect ma'am "

"I understand. So, why are you here?" she asked.

"I had to get as far away as possible. I can't handle this or what its doing to my fiance" Caroline replied finishing her drink.

"I see" the woman replied "may I say something?"

Caroline nodded.

"Look at what you've dealt with..your diagnosis, you're now well....the assault, you survived...what I see is an extremely strong young woman who has dealt with some of the worst unimaginable circumstances anyone could ever have thrown at them. Stop running, face it head on" she told her.

Caroline looked at the woman, " but what if he can't handle it. He's been through hell already "

The woman replied " sweetie, has he not been with you this whole time? Loving you, caring for you, protecting you?" she asked.

A tear escaped Caroline's eye as she realized what the woman was saying was true. Out of everything, Tim was the one person that she could rely on, he was the one constant throughout it all. He hadn't given up, he hadn't ran off when everything fell apart.

"Thank you" Caroline told the woman.

The woman smiled " be careful driving back to that young man. You're his life, you know" she told her.

Caroline started the car then decided to head back inside to thank the woman again. She went to the counter where a young man now stood. "Could I please speak to the older woman who was here a few moments ago. I need to give her something".

The young man said "Uh...ma'am...I'm the only one who works here....there isn't any older woman here".

****

It had been nearly 6 hours since Caroline left, Tim couldn't stand it anymore, he had to find her. He called Bobby to explain how she left after their meeting and to give him the information on the rental car, asking to please look for her. He went to the kitchen to grab the keys to his truck and tell his mom he was heading out to find her.

"Be careful, Tim. It's nearly dusk and will be hard to see" she advised him.

"All the more reason why I shouldn't have waited so long to go after her. How could I be so thoughtless " he stated running his hands through his hair before heading towards the barn.

Just as he started down the driveway, Caroline returned.  They both jumped out of their vehicles, running towards each other. Tim grabbed her into his arms, "Thank God you're home".