Title: Midnight Shift: Chapter Twenty-four, Heart of Stone
Rating: PG-13 [language]

Summary: Summer faces the charred remains of her former life. The future is all she has now.

Author's note: Not that anyone cares, but this story is now 300 pages long.






Though he knew he had no say in the matter, Jimmy was not at all pleased with the turn of events. Summer requested to see the charred remains of her life and so Robert had to do so. Jimmy merely did not care that Robert was the one taking care of her. It should have been him. It always should be him. Until Summer was free from Robert, it could not be him however. And he had promised Bonzo that he would bide his time, let Summer be – not that he really intended to keep that particular promise. It was given during the drunken hours of the night; perhaps the drummer would not remember. Despite all of this, he was not the least bit pleased now.

But his heart stopped as she breezed out onto the deck. Saying not a word, she sat next to him. His dark eyes went to the door, expecting Robert or Bonzo to follow her out. When the door did not open again, he finally looked back at the petite blond next to him. Her crystalline eyes met his with a smile.

“Are you going to be okay here?” she asked innocently.

His brows knitted, “Why would I not be?”

“Robert is taking me upstate today,” Summer declared.

“I know. And while I shall miss you, I do believe I can handle a few hours without you,” Jimmy responded.

“With Bonzo?” she teased.

His shoulders slumped though he smiled, “That may prove to be difficult.”

Biting her bottom lip, she pushed his knee teasingly, “But seriously, I don’t know when we’ll be back.”

Jimmy leaned over and spoke softly, his eyes holding hers, “Princess, this is something you need to do for yourself. I am aware of that. It is not something I am to be a part of. Besides someone must care for your dog while you are gone.”

Her eyes widened slightly, “But I thought you hated Queenie!”

He smirked, leaning back, “She certainly has a way about her…”

She quickly flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, “You are amazing, James Page. You know that, right?”

He remained silent, merely enjoying their uninterrupted time together. It was fleeting and he was certain she would be swept away from him before long. But there was something very nice at hearing her tell him he was amazing. It seemed to light his soul more than anyone else’s words. Where had this angel come from?

“Summer?” Robert stepped out on the deck, breaking the perfect moment. “All ready to go? Benji’s here with the car.”

Nodding she got to her feet, “Jimmy’s going to take care of Queenie too. So least Bonzo won’t be completely responsible.”

The singer glanced at the guitarist, “You sure about that, Pagey?”

“I shall be fine, Percy. You just take care of Summer.”



The knot in her stomach began to turn and twist. She knew from that alone, they were near the compound, or at least the charred remains of it. Slowly Summer moved closer to the window, peering out at land familiar. The car came to a halt where the entrance to the compound had once been and the young girl struggled to not gasp or cry out. Instead, her fingers went to the handle and she quickly released herself from the car. Robert stumbled out after her, surprised she would jump out.

Her bare feet did not pick her steps carefully, but did instantly notice the change in texture beneath her toes. Her eyes did not have to leave the blackened trees to understand the crumbling heat she walked upon still smoldered ever so slightly. It merely added to the experience, along with the acrid scent of recently snuffed flames. Her eyes could easily see down what had once been a long dirt road to the compound, as the greenery was completely charred. She could see the skeletons of buildings, of her childhood. It was all gone, all burned up. What did she have to show for anything anymore?

Instinctively she continued forward, until a yellow ribbon pulled tight about her abdomen, barring her from entry. Without even considering it, her fingers wrapped around the ribbon and tugged it loose. Before Robert could mutter anything, she continued forward.

A police officer instantly approached the couple, his mouth open to shout after Summer. Robert shook his head, holding up his hand to intersect the cop.

“My girlfriend used to live here. It’s her life that went up in flames.”

The uniformed man looked at Robert for a minute, “You Robert Plant?”

He nodded.

“I was informed of your impending arrival. The girl is Summer Davis, no?”

He nodded again.

“You better stay with her. The grounds are not safe and I really am not supposed to allow anyone to cross this line,” he stated. “I won’t force her back. But you should bring her back.”

Nodding a third time, Robert trotted after Summer. He did not like the idea of her wandering closer to the center of the compound, to where the fire started and burned hottest. And he certainly did not like the idea of her walking barefoot in this instance at all.

“Summer, baby,” his fingers reached for hers, “we shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe.”

“I need to, Robert. I need to see it, to feel it. My mother died here. I need to see it,” she proclaimed, pausing to meet his eyes.

“The ground is still hot. I do not want you to burn your feet.”

“I feel nothing.”

“Summer,” he retorted, eyes on hers, “it isn’t safe.”

“I just… I just need to see one thing, Robert. Then we can leave. I promise.”

He sighed, “But your feet…”

“I’ll be fine.”

He sighed again, “Summer, I don’t…”

“I know. I need to do this, Robert.”

Nodding, he gave in and trailed closely behind her as she stepped carefully closer and closer to the compound. Rather than approach any of the remnants of buildings like those that he expected, she turned before it, leading him into what had once likely been an open field. Robert watched and listened to her carefully, fully intending to pick her up should she make any indication of her feet hurting.

They stopped a few feet from a blackened creek. Summer’s eyes cast about, looking for something Robert himself could never identify. She gasped and hurried to a large round boulder, crashing to her knees in front of it. He watched her hands touch the stone before snatching back as if it were a hot plate. Her eyes spun to his expectantly. Though he did not know what she wanted, he quickly joined her, kneeling beside where she knelt, feeling the heat of the charred earth seep through his jeans.

“Summer?”

“I need your help,” she declared. “I need to move this.”

His blue eyes went to the rock, “Why, baby?”

“Please, Robert?” she pleaded, tears in her eyes.

Nodding, his hands went to the boulder. Summer’s slapped to the stone next to his. Though heat nearly made him snap his hands back, he could not let Summer down. Therefore, his arms flexed and slowly they began to work the rock away from the blackened ground. The young woman pressed her shoulder against it as it started to move, her bare toes seeking footing in the newly exposed dirt. Once they had moved, the boulder adequately far enough, Summer collapsed onto her knees and began to dig in the wet earth with her fingers. Though he did not understand what she was digging for, Robert instantly began to dig along with her.

“Oh god, please… please…” Summer muttered as they continued to dig.

“Baby, what are we looking for?”

“Just… keep… oh god, please,” she mumbled.

Figuring his answer would be found in the discovery of whatever they searched for, he scooped large handfuls of dirt out of the increasing hole. After a couple minutes of this, his fingertips collided with something solid. Summer’s did a moment later and she squealed in relief. Robert focused on unearthing whatever the treasure was. A minute later, he brushed wet dirt from a coffee can before Summer snatched it from his grasp.

“Baby?”

“We can leave now,” she stated, getting to her feet, clutching the dirty can to her chest.

Nodding, he too stood, making a feeble attempt to clean him off, “Summer, what is it?”

“I don’t know. My mother… my mother… I’ll explain later,” she breathed, tiptoeing back towards the road.

Noticing her careful steps, Robert did not hesitate and swept her up into his arms. She resisted not, her legs curving around his arm, her cheek pressed to his shoulder. Her fingers clutched the coffee can as if it was the most precious thing in the whole world; to her it was. He kissed her forehead as he made his way back to the yellow tape where the officer stood.

“You cannot take that from the grounds. Its evid–”

“Bloody try and take it from her and I swear you will not be able to so much as write the report,” Robert growled, his eyes focused upon the man.

The driver of their car opened the door for the couple, allowing Robert to slip the dirty girl into the backseat. He closed the door and turned back to the police officer. For a moment, the two men stared at each other.

“Whatever is in that can will not help any investigation. It is something her mother left behind for her. Would you really strip the last connection to her family she has?” he challenged.

“I… I… Mr. Plant, I cannot just let you walk off with something from the site. That could cost me my jo–”

“She lost her family. I believe that is a bit larger than you possibly losing employment. Besides you cannot lose your job over something you know nothing about,” he stated.

“I–”

“Please forget you ever saw it. Please,” Robert said.

The officer sighed, “Fine, all right. But if it does happen to be something that could help this investigation…”

“We will turn it over to the FBI in LA,” he offered.

“Fine. I didn’t see you,” he stated, turning away. “Please tell Miss Davis I am sorry for her tragic loss.”

Climbing into the back of the car a minute later, his eyes went to Summer. Her large blue eyes wavered on his, her fingers tight on the top of the coffee can.

“I can’t… I can’t open it, Robert.”

“We’ll get it open when we get back to the house. I’m sure we can use a can opener on it,” he assured her, his arm slipping around her shoulder and pulling her close. “We’ll get it open, baby.”



Before the door even opened, the puppy bolted to it, yipping and barking. Fearful it could be some unexpected visitor who would then let Summer’s precious dog out, Jimmy jumped up and hurried to the door in order to catch the pooch. He barely scooped up Queenie before the door opened and in stepped Summer. Her arms instantly flung around Jimmy and the dog, a metal can clanging into his back. Instantly concerned and worried, he stepped away from the door, bringing both her and the dog with him.

“Summer, sweetie, what is it?” he asked as he wiggled free of her arms and let the puppy down.

“I can’t get it open, Jimmy,” she held out the coffee can.

His eyes flicked to Robert as he closed the door, “What is it?”

“I don’t know. Open it?”

His gaze remained on the singer, “I’m sure we can find something in the kitchen that will open it.”

The three of them and the dog headed into the kitchen. Jimmy instantly began to pull open drawers, looking for something to bust open the can for Summer. Robert swept the girl off her feet and deposited her on the counter. Before she could object, he ran a washcloth under water and began to delicately wipe the caked on dirt from her hands and feet. Though he himself had cleaned the dirt off earlier, she would not allow it, would not relinquish the can to Robert even for a minute to wash her hands in the airport. Her bottom lip trembled even then as he wiped her skin clean. Concern touched his face as he turned her feet up to his eyes for inspection.

Jimmy turned to the couple in that moment, his eyes drawn to the blisters on her feet, “My god, Summer. What happened to your feet?”

“Fuck,” Robert muttered. “Baby, someone needs to look at these.”

“I don’t care. Open the can, Jimmy?”

He looked to Robert before complying with Summer’s request. As one end had been sealed some way, he flipped to the bottom of the can to fasten the opener. Slowly cranking the silver handle, the slight sound of metal cutting sounded in the silent kitchen. Digging the jagged circle from the can, Jimmy set it and the can opener upon the counter. Without a word, he handed the opened container to Summer.

Her fingers instantly darted into it. Both men watched as she pulled out a mess of papers and set them aside. Her hand disappeared into the dented silver cylinder once more. This time she pulled out something much smaller as she closed her hand around it before holding it to her chest. Both men stared at her for a moment, before looking to each other.

Robert was the first to speak, “What is it, baby?”

Her fingers unfolded and exposed the small object. A perfectly smooth, heart-shaped stone rested upon her palm, nearly taking up the entire width of it. Veins of blue and green criss-crossed across the shape with flecks of golden sparkles intermixed. For all they could tell, it was naturally shaped, not carved at all. Summer’s hand folded back around it, once more pressing it to her chest.

“And those?” Jimmy pointed to the papers.

Summer shrugged, “I don’t know.”

He reached for the uppermost one and carefully unfolded it. His dark eyes skimmed the words and he nodded.

“Princess, these are letters from your… mother… to your father,” he stated.

“Really?” she looked at the one he held out, though her hand remained clutched to her chest.

He nodded, “At least this one is.”

“Maybe… maybe they all aren’t?” she breathed, a touch of hope in her voice.

Jimmy quickly went through the pile, scanning each folded letter, “Most of them are. They talk about you growing up. But wait, this one… this one is to you.”

“I don’t want to read it now,” Summer instantly claimed. “Has my dad left for New York yet?”

“I’ll ring him and see,” the guitarist answered before turning away.

“Call the doctor too, Pagey. Someone has to look at her feet.”



Curled up in Robert’s lap on the deck two hours later, both feet wrapped in gauze and the stone heart still clutched in her fingers which still showed traces of the dirt, Summer sighed. Without thought, Robert kissed her forehead and cuddled her closer. The letters from her mother sat on the nearby table, still untouched, but close in the event she wished to suddenly read it. Bob had already left so the collection of letters for him had been sealed in an envelope and stored in Robert’s suitcase, to be delivered at a later time. For now though, the couple remained alone, silently communicating things no one else would understand. Even Bonzo did not stray out of the house, in part because Jimmy had threatened him.

“Robert?” she breathed.

“Yes, baby.”

“Will you read it to me?”

He nodded and shifted her in his lap to reach for it. His lips kissed her temple once more as his other arm snaked around to unfold the paper. Turning it right side up, he cleared his throat.

“My dearest Summer,

I wish not to leave you, ever my darling. You are the heart and soul of me. But if it has come to the point where you have unearthed these letters, then I fear for the worst. Promise me that you will not look back and wonder what you could have done differently. We all have our own roles in this story to play out.

There are many things I wish I could have told you, many things even now I am unable to share. I trust that you will seek out your father and that he will welcome you with the same loving arms that once held me. He is a good and honorable man and my greatest regret in this life is stealing away in the darkness of night from him. Every woman and man deserves to be loved completely and truly. That is how your father felt for me. I did not understand until it was too late, far too late. Go to him. He will not turn away a child of his heart.

You truly are the child of my heart. My only hope is that I have managed to prepare you enough for a life outside of this. I fear that every day, that I have not taught you to love the world, to embrace its everything, well enough to prepare you for it. But I also have faith in something bigger that someone, whether it be your father or perhaps your knight in white shining armor, will teach you what I cannot, will love you when I cannot, will protect you when I cannot.

I love you more than words can say. This heart I found along the creek stream the very day you were born. I held it in my hand as I birthed you and knew without a doubt it was special, you were special. Seek it when you need to feel my love once more, for all of my love for you I have poured into this stone.

I love you, my darling daughter. I wish you nothing but the greatest of happiness, the greatest of love. You are my most precious gift and always will be.

Love forever,

Mom”

She covered the stone with both hands and pressed it to her chest. Squeezing her eyes closed, she played Robert’s recital over in her mind. Her pain was slightly easier to bear in the moment, but also more poignant. Her mother had seen it was coming, prepared her farewell ahead of time. Being without her mother’s arms embracing her or sitting with the knowledge that Adele had seen her own death battled for supremacy of feeling in her heart. But she knew she could not let her mother down. She would carry on and she was certainly loved and protected – not only be Robert but by many.

One hand left its clutch of the stone, reaching up to touch Robert’s cheek, “Thank you.”

He leaned down and kissed her gently, “I love you, Summer. I will always be here for you, to protect and love you.”

Her teary eyes searched his for a moment before she stated, “No. You won’t.”

“What?”

If she could have, Summer would have pulled out of his lap. But due to her feet, she was stuck exactly where she was. Instead, she squirmed until she faced him properly.

“You’re married, Robert. I am just… the other woman. You will not always be here for me. You’re going to go back to your wife and I will be left with nothing, absolutely nothing,” she stated.

“Whoa, where did this come from?”

“It’s always been there, Robert. You can’t fully love me like I deserve to be loved as long as you are with her,” she stated. “I don’t want to be… I shouldn’t have to be… the other woman.”

He blinked, “I… I don’t understand.”

“I deserve to be the only one you love,” Summer proclaimed.

Though he did not really understand how they had shifted from her mother’s letter to this topic, he was not about to let it go or take the easy way out – especially since she was right. Every woman deserved to be loved exclusively. His Summer certainly did and he would do just that.

“You are. And I will prove it to you,” he stated. “I will get on a plane tomorrow and end it with Maureen.”



Descending the steps early in the morning with his suitcase, Robert made his way to the front door, knowing the car would arrive shortly. He was going to keep his promise to Summer, already arranged the flight and appointment with a lawyer upon returning. The only one who had any idea about the trip was Bonzo, merely because he had walked in while Robert was making the plans on the phone with Benji. However as he set his suitcase down, the strike of a match nearly made him jump.

“Where are you sneaking off to, Percy?” Jimmy’s cool voice spoke.

Eyes fastening on the glowing cigarette, he nearly flicked on the light to blind the guitarist, “England.”

The darkness concealed Jimmy’s emotions, “Oh?”

“To prove something to Summer.”

“What? That everyone important in her life abandons her? Good thinking, Percy.”

“No. I’m going to go and divorce Maureen.”

Silence settled in the darkness for a minute, enough that both men heard the car pull up outside the beach house.

“Did you tell her or are you merely slipping out in the wee hours of the morning and hoping she doesn’t notice?”

Robert smirked, “She knows. Bonzo knows. Now you know. I hope to be back soon. Until then I trust you will let Bonzo take care of Summer.”

“Summer will be well cared for. You have nothing to worry.”

“That is not what I worry about,” he responded, eyes snapping to the door at the knock. “I have to go. Leave Summer alone.”

Saying nothing more, Jimmy watched Robert head out of the beach house. Waiting until he heard the car pull away, he slowly got to his feet. His dark eyes glanced up the stairs as he finished his cigarette and ground it out. Though he was not particularly tired, Jimmy suddenly did not think sitting in the living room in complete darkness was a good idea. Summer would likely wake before long and was not to be walking upon her burned feet. Even if Bonzo was charged with her care, he likely drunk himself to sleep and would not stir in time for Summer’s awakening. Jimmy felt it ever important to be near her in her time of need.

He ascended the steps two at a time, pausing outside the cracked door where Summer slept alone. Glancing in, he confirmed she still slept, the puppy not even stirring as he looked in. Nodding to himself, Jimmy continued to his room, though he really did not intend to sleep. He would merely doze on his bed, his own door cracked. Without a doubt, he would hear her wake – though he was not certain why he knew that. Two steps from her door, he turned back around. They had slept together before. It would not be that unheard of for him to slip back into her bed, to protect her.

Therefore, he slipped out of his shoes and silently approached her bed. The puppy looked up at him but quickly decided he was no threat and laid her head back on her paws. Quietly Jimmy crawled into the bed behind Summer, his arm protectively sliding over her waist. She instantly snuggled back against him, making the guitarist wish there was not a blanket and sheet between them. Nevertheless, her trust was paramount to his desires.

“Jimmy?” she muttered softly.

“Shhh, go back to sleep, princess.”

“Did he leave?”

“He did.”

She turned over in the bed to face him, “Do you think he’ll come back to me?”

Jimmy reached up and touched her face gently, his thumb running over her bottom lip, “I do not know, princess. He faces a very big decision: the one he has been with for a very long time has built a history with opposed to the one he is so very well matched with. I cannot predict what he will choose any more than you. Regardless, you will never be alone. I will always… always be here for you. Forever.”