Heath drives Katarina north out of St. Louis through rain and sleet after helping her leave the hospital. Both are quiet during the trip, holding hands as they had years earlier, while Heath keeps checking that Katarina does not lose consciousness because of her concussion. As they near the house, Katarina finally realizes that going home may mean facing Lee, but she tells herself she has as much right to the property as he does.

When they arrive, the house appears abandoned. Lee’s truck is gone, the windows are dark, and there are no recent tracks in the snow. Heath searches the property first, then returns to say Lee is not there, the power is off, and the house is freezing. Although Heath urges Katarina to stay in a hotel for the night, Katarina insists on remaining in the house, preferring it to leave again.

Inside, the neglected home feels cold and empty, and Katarina briefly imagines that something terrible may have happened to Lee. Heath reassures her that he checked every room, the stable, and the beach, and that they are alone. He wraps Katarina in his coat, gives her more painkillers, and builds a fire in the parlor until the room is warm enough for her to rest.

As the pain medication eases Katarina’s suffering, the emotional distance between them also softens. Katarina reflects on how quickly their lives have shifted from competing for national and Olympic spots to returning injured to their childhood home, uncertain whether she will ever skate at full strength again. When Heath begins to speak, Katarina stops him, unwilling to break the fragile peace with explanations or blame. Instead, she kisses him and asks him to keep her awake, turning the night into a moment of homecoming, intimacy, and renewed connection.