A/N: As usual, I would recommend putting the video on loop.

Several days had gone by; Lee had counted them. He watched the sunrise and sunset, and he knew that a week had passed. Not all of that time he had been outside. After about four days, things finally quieted down at the house. Lee hadn't been able to listen into the conversations that occurred inside, and none of them took place in the backyard.

After police had arrived to the scene, they had checked out back to make sure that no one was hiding. Thankfully, they missed him in the azaleas. The next day, detectives checked the backyard again, but that was it. Again, he remained undiscovered.

When he did go to enter the house, the backdoor was locked. He would've been able to lockpick the door had he the proper tools. So, he proceeded to break the lock. It had been night outside, and there was no one else around. Lee entered in with no problem and closed the door after him.

The building was quiet except for the occasional groan due to age. What bothered him was entering the dining room and seeing the entrance area. Everything was left how it had been. There was warning tape around the various spots, and the blood hadn't been cleaned up. For a moment, he just had stared at the crimson on the floor. That was (f/n)'s. He was worried that the scene he was looking at had become that of a murder.

His fists clenched, and he was frightened for (f/n). Was she dead; was that why she wasn't back yet? If he still had a heart, it'd be beating terribly. He wished to leave the café and chase down Anita and utterly destroy her, but he didn't want to leave either. (F/n) might come back, and he wished to be present to greet her. If she was alive, he couldn't have her come back to an empty building; he told her that he'd be there for her. And if he wasn't stuck in a mannequin's body, he'd go to the hospital to stay by her side.

Eventually, he did leave that area of the building and go upstairs. Her room felt cold and lifeless, which scared him all the more. It seemed ages ago when he had been ignorant of Anita's plans himself and had targeted (f/n) for his own sick amusement. Yes, he regretted that, and he'd be forever grateful that she had given him another chance and that he had allowed himself to agree to her plan. But, he wished that she didn't have to be seriously wounded because of it. He should've watched Anita more closely so that he could warn (f/n) better and prevent her from getting stabbed by that horrendous woman.

Slowly, he left the room after he grabbed a towel and headed into the storage space to clean his clothes, using the washing machine and dryer. With the towel wrapped around his hips, he headed back upstairs and into the bathroom to wipe off any blood from his plastic body. Lee continued to wear the towel until his clothes were dry to wear again.

For the remaining days until the week passed, he watched and waited in case he needed to hide. Luckily, he didn't. No one came, which worried him even more. He would've thought that maybe her parents would stop by if she was alive but recovering in the hospital. That way, they could grab her a change of clothes. Perhaps, though, they were keeping their distance in case Anita came back. Lee did catch sight of a police car outside on the fifth day. Probably checking up on the house. Thankfully, the officer didn't see him.

Now, though, he was sitting on the edge of her bed. It was early in the evening, but, soon, it'd be over a week. His hands pressed into the maroon comforter, and he wished that the color didn't remind him of blood so much, but it was better than seeing (f/n)'s actual blood dried up on the floor.

Never did he think that blood would bother him so much. And, he felt that he would've cried many times this past week if he could have. Lee felt so utterly weak and drained. After all these years, he might lose someone he truly cared about again. He thought that he had grown stronger after his grandparents killed his father, but, maybe, that was an illusion. Then again, he didn't mind being weak if it meant that (f/n) would come back to him; she gave him a new meaning to living.

Without her, things going back to how they were seemed awful. Yes, he'd go after Anita and make sure that she paid, but what then? (F/n) would still be gone, and killing Anita unfortunately wouldn't bring her back. And as much as he wanted, he didn't want her to be stuck in a mannequin like he was. He'd be no better than Anita if he forced that upon her.

All he wanted in that moment was to hold her in his arms and hear her breathe peacefully. Just to know that she was alive and that she could live out her future. His head now rested in his hands. And, he found himself once again muttering for her safety.

Over the course of that week, however, Lee hadn't known that (f/n) was recovering. Her parents had arrived several hours after she had spoken with the detectives. She had been asleep at the time, but she had woken in the morning to the sight of them sleeping on chairs by her bedside. The sight had warmed her heart, and she had found herself crying since she finally could tell them what she had been holding back from them. And when they woke up shortly after her and had exchanged careful hugs and loving words, she had told them.

Before they had been able to contact Anita's family, the detectives already had, and Anita's parents gave their deepest apologies for the actions of their daughter. They offered their help in whatever way they could. Already, they had contributed towards her hospital bill, and her parents were grateful; however, they remained worried about Anita not having been found yet.

Neither even went to Café Rose Tea because they were scared of her returning there and attacking. So, they bought (f/n) supplies from the hospital and nearby stores. (F/n) was happy to have her parents with her and help her with all of the planning for the follow-up care for her injury. She was also relieved that they didn't press her too much about her actions. Instead, they told her to come to them next time and to trust that they'd help her, but they hoped that there wouldn't be a next time; (f/n) hoped for that to be the case too.

On the fifth day, though, Anita had been found and arrested. She had been found at the airport a couple hours from town trying to purchase a plane ticket. That hadn't been the only news. Apparently, Kaleb even had called the hospital, but (f/n)'s parents took the call. From what they told her, he had been apologizing immensely and said that his family would help pay for the physical damage Anita had caused and would help with any legal fees. (F/n) knew that he wasn't being sincere; he simply wanted to maintain his image, and his parents probably had forced him into calling and apologizing. Even Tristan had called and offered the same help from his family. Her parents accepted, but they also made it quite clear that neither family should expect anything in return other than a simple thank you.

With Anita caught, there was evident relief among her parents and her. (F/n) didn't have to worry about her for the time being, and she could look all the more forward to seeing Lee again, especially since her parents were fine with her returning to the café on her own to pack her things and get everything there settled. There remained the matter of the rest of the staff, but they were fine with waiting a bit after she was discharged from the hospital.

All of them did visit her, though, and apologized for not noticing that something was wrong sooner. (F/n) explained that it wasn't their fault. They didn't know what had been going on, and she had left them out of the loop since she didn't want them to get involved with the whole mess. She thanked them for all of their help with the café and the chocolates that Scarlett had made for her. Hal, Blaise and Cassidy even put together a bouquet of flowers for her along with a gift certificate to The Iron Clipper. It was incredibly thoughtful, and she was happy that she had good memories of the bar still thanks to Scott.

Her stay in the hospital coming to a close, though, she became all the more eager to get back to the café. Already, her parents reserved a room in the hotel while she got everything organized back at the café. It'd take awhile, but she'd drive back to her hometown with them. She'd start a new business and get her own place. Through the whole process, Lee would be with her.

Paperwork completed, it was time for her to head out. It was early in the evening. Her left shoulder remained sore, and she'd need to be mindful of it for awhile. And, she was to report any new pains or discomfort in her shoulder too in case issues with the stent came up later. Hopefully, there would be none.

It didn't take long for her to reach the café once she was able to leave. Her parents dropped her off and reminded her to be careful, which she reassured them that she would be. They took off once she unlocked the door and entered. Behind her, she closed and locked the door. Out of instinct, she tensed when she saw the remnants of the scene from last Thursday. Tomorrow, it'd be tended to, and she'd be able to have the place looking back to normal. For now, though, she forced herself not to remain focused on the sight before her. Instead, she glanced around for him.

Having heard the door open and close, Lee didn't know what to expect. With hope, he cautiously got up and listened. That was when he heard it. His name was called. Softly at first. But then louder. With no more hesitation, he ran until he got to the railing. Tightly, his hands clutched the wood, and he looked down to the entrance area. If he could cry, tears would be rolling down his cheeks out of happiness. There she was. (F/n). She was alive.