Hey! So, this is a two shot that I thought was a pretty awesome idea. It's pretty AU, but I love the song that it's based off of, and it's really a great song that many of you probably already know. Check it out if you haven't, it's called Bruises by Train and it's really just a great song that a lot of people can relate it. And it makes me want to write about Austin and Ally. So, here is the first half, and I hope you like it.

Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Ally balanced two small sandwiches and juice boxes in one hand, while holding the tiny hand of her eldest child in the other. She glanced down toward him, where he was pulling the toddling girl along with him. She took a deep breath as they neared the check out cashier at the rest stop, knowing she was working on borrowed time. Neither of her small children had taken a nap, and this had been the first rest stop in over fifty miles. Her kids were hungry and cranky.

"Momma," the little boy—Cameron whined, tugging on her arm. "I'm tired, Momma. Are we almost home?"

Flashes of their belongings stuffed into the back of her SUV came to mind. Baby, we don't have a home right now, she thought miserably, but instead smiled down at the blond haired boy. "Of course, Sweetie. Not too long now." The little voice in her head chanted liar, liar as she handed the person the money for the food. She glanced in her wallet. Only a few hundred left, and in all honesty, they were no where near Miami. She was tired, too and stopping for a hotel meant more money spent.

Her entire being hurt. She was supposed to provide for her too children, five year old Cameron and three year old Lilly, but she couldn't do that for much longer. As if on cue, the little girl began to cry. The clerk handed her the change, and she practically ran back to where her car was parked, quickly situating her exhausted children in their car seats. She gave her son one of the sandwiches and then separated the other half of hers, giving it to Lilly. After that, she popped the juice boxes in the hole next to the seat and took her own in the front. The gas gave her time to bide, but everything else was near empty.

"Cause if you never take a shot, you're never gonna win, so find a way somehow."

Ally halted in her seat, blinking at the radio. His voice just as absolutely captivating as it was the first time she'd heard it in the practice room. Ten years ago. Turning it off, she buried her head in her hands, trying to piece together the next few days in her life.

Ten Years Earlier

"I suppose it's not too bad," Ally commented, staring at the small house before her. The wind blew then, sending the smell of flowers her way. Her parents smiled widely, both of them, as if the house was the answer to their problems. Selling Sonic Boom and moving across country hardly seemed like a solution to marital problems, but what did she know. She was sixteen, almost seventeen, and dumb in her parents eyes.

"You're going to love it, AllyGator."

She rolled her eyes, shoving her hands toward her chest. "I love my friends in Miami."

"You'll forget about them, Ally! Make new ones here."

"I don't have Trish here," she reminded him. He just waved her off, as if it didn't mean anything.

He'd been right, much to her dismay. No one replaced Trish, Dez, or Austin, but she did make a few new friends at her new school in Seattle, Washington. They were all nice and made her feel good in the new town, but it still wasn't the same. Still, after a few weeks, Ally found herself smiling again, enjoying herself. Going out to movies on the weekends, spending rest of the time cheering on the football team.

She'd even met a guy. He was a stereotypical jock in looks, but she'd fallen head over heels for his romantic quips. He was tall, muscular but lean and had a smile that she felt herself go weak over. His name was Bryant and within a few short months, she was head over heels for the guy. She could remember telling all her new friends, and they cheered her on. She told Trish too, and even her far away best friend seemed to approve.

They went to prom together, they enjoyed several summers together on his parent's lake. Everything about him at first was wonderful. Little by little though, things changed.

First, it was Trish. She was too bossy, too rude. And then it was Dez. "Why do you still talk to that weirdo anyway? If I had a chance to dumb that dork, I would too." Then, it was Austin. That one hurt the most, but he got inside her head. "He's off on tour, do you think he even remembers you?" It made sense. The phone calls from Miami soon diminished and she assumed it was because Bryant was right. Her old friends didn't care.

She got pregnant at twenty-one and he convinced her to drop out of her classes. It seemed like a great idea at first, because she was tired all the time, and she needed to work for a living for her soon to be born child. Bryant, of course, was on the state football team and on scholarship, so he couldn't work. It was understandable. So, she quit school. Her parents were outraged though and insisted that she reconsider what she was doing. She tried time and time again to explain that she had a baby to worry about and that she needed to provide for her soon to be family.

Bryant proposed to her a few weeks after they welcomed Cameron into the world.

Her parents calmed down after that. After all, they had a baby to coo over now, and they got to see him all the time. Since Ally worked, she needed a babysitter. They never objected. Once again, she seemed to be doing well in the small town where they now lived, with her soon to be husband and her growing family. Sure, she didn't see any of her friends from high school anymore (they're all caught up in drinking and partying anyway, why would she want to do any of that?) and her time spent out of the house was limited to grocery shopping and on rare occasion, Bryant's games, but it didn't matter. Cameron was her priority.

Then, she got pregnant when Cameron was just a little over a year old. Ally had been terrified; they were barely making ends meet with the first baby, and her part time job. Her parents helped out a lot and so did his, but it didn't mean she wanted to be that burden. She'd begged Bryant to help somehow, maybe take a small part time job on the weekends so that they'd lessen the blow to their parents.

He'd come home drunk that night. She had to replace their new dish set.

Lilly came into the world less than a year later. Her parents were less than thrilled this time, and voiced their opinion to their son in law. He brushed them off, and when they left that night, told Ally that they weren't welcome back in his apartment. She'd made the trip back and forth to her parent's house, which was nearly an hour away for nearly five months, dropping the kids off each morning, picking them up late that night. When she'd arrive home, dinner had to be ready within the hour because Bryant had practice again and if he didn't have a good night, the next day would be hell.

It wasn't easy. Ally thought it was just how it worked though and eventually, it would all work out. After all, she loved Bryant. He was the love of her life, the guy she fell so hard for in high school, with his sweet words and attractive smile. He would graduate from his school soon, and maybe even make professional. They'd be fine! The money would be pouring in. Ally could go back to school, pursue music.

When she suggested that, he didn't return until late that night, stumbling and waking up the babies.

By their third anniversary, Ally hardly saw her parents. Bryant thought she was wasting gas by driving so far every day and insisted upon paying a babysitter at the apartment. She agreed, and even got to take on more hours at work since she didn't have to travel back and forth anymore. The money wasn't great, but it was more than they'd been making in several years. She was so excited to come home that night, ask the babysitter to take the kids for a few hours, and have a little anniversary dinner. She was going to the market to get a fresh, thick steak for her husband, and picked up expensive champagne for them to share. Ally hadn't been more excited in years, and drove home excitedly to see his car already in the spot.

She didn't think anything of it and raced up the stairs, thinking she could convince him to go out with a few of the guys until dinner was ready, only to find the babysitter already gone, Cameron crying and Lilly smelling like she hadn't been changed in a few hours. Bryant was ignoring both of them and sitting in front of the TV, a beer in his hand. His eyes were slightly glossed over and she worried for both her children and her husband.

She quickly picked up the screaming Cameron, placed him with some toys, and tended to her younger child. Then, she walked over to where her husband was staring at the TV and touched his shoulder. He didn't move at first. "Baby, is everything okay?" she finally pressed.

He growled back at her. "It's nearly five. Why isn't dinner ready? You get home early now, you would think you'd have enough sense to make sure it was done!"

"You don't usually get home until about seven," she reminded him. "Why are you home early?"

"Why do you ask so many questions?" he snapped back, red eyes glaring back at her. She realized he was drunk.

"I was just concerned," she assured him. Her great idea for dinner now seemed ruined. "I'll start dinner now. It won't be long."

"Good," he spat, glaring again. "And do something with that kid. He won't stop screaming."

Ally bit her lip and walked back into the kitchen, satisfying both children with their own dinners in a few minutes. She quickly cooked the steak, made some mashed potatoes, and prepared a salad. By the time she was done, she noticed he seemed to be in a better mood. The children were placed in the play area, and she opened the bottle.

"Happy Anniversary, baby," she whispered, holding up the glass. "Three years today."

He blinked up from stuffing his face, his expression nearly empty. "What?"

Her smile faltered a little, but she still added, "Today is our third anniversary, remember?"

"Oh," he muttered. "Great. Now it's another day shit on by fucking assholes."

"What?"

"I lost my scholarship," he said simply. "Fucking coaches said that I drink too much and that I'm a liability to the team."

Ally's food suddenly seemed disgusting as she blinked back at him. If he lost his scholarship, that meant he couldn't pay for school. And if he couldn't pay for school, he could never become a professional football player. They would be screwed. "Is there anyway for you to get it back?" she proposed, her voice rising in fear. "Maybe talk to someone above your coach?"

"No," he growled. "God, why are you such an idiot?"

Ally just looked down at her food. "I don't know."

He slammed his hands down on the table. "This is your fault! If you didn't put so much on me, I wouldn't have to drink! God, Ally! When did the woman I married become such a fucking retard?!"

Ally tried to blink back tears.

Present Day

"Momma, why are you crying?"

Ally shot up, forgetting where she was and stared at her son. She rubbed her eyes, shaking her head and started the car. "I'm not, baby, it's just been a long day. We're going to get back on the road now, we should be home soon." She prayed to God to forgive her for her lies and hoped for some sort of help from somewhere. They were somewhere in Tennessee and far from home.

She drove for almost eight more hours before the kids got antsy again and she needed more caffeine. It was selfish to stop for herself, but a two dollar cup of coffee was less money than having to find a hotel. They were almost to Florida now and a part of her was relieved. Miami was still another eight hour drive away, but she was close. She was almost home.

Her parents had moved back there several years back. She didn't know exactly when, but when she'd driven past their house and saw it was for sale, she'd asked the neighbors. They said they couldn't work out their differences. Her father was living in an apartment in the city and her mother was aboard studying for her job. She was eager that they'd help her, tell her what to do.

Ally yawned, pulling into another rest stop. Eight hours and she'd be there. A smile finally graced her face and she looked down at an old picture of her life before Bryant. Sure, her kids weren't a part of that but there was still good memories. She missed those days the most sometimes and wondered where her life would have led had she not moved across the country that year.

Ally picked up her drink and started back onto the road. She'd be there soon.

By dusk of that night, she'd reached the outskirts of the city. She had just over a hundred dollars left and knew that she couldn't make it any longer. She checked into a less than desirable hotel and had her kids asleep within a few minutes. While they did that, she took a shower, the first one in almost three days, and just closed her eyes. Everything came flooding back to her and it hurt like hell. The past two years hadn't been easy, but two weeks ago everything had finally fallen apart. It was hard to work a part time job and care for two children on your own. Her landlord was no longer lenient and had her evicted, leaving her with just the SUV and whatever she could fit inside.

This brought her back east. She didn't know who she'd find first, but amends were needed. She'd destroyed all her life outside of her family for a man who was not loyal, who did not truly love her. For a man who left her alone, without a single reason other than his own selfishness. A part of her wondered if he even cared what happened to his kids. Ally couldn't do it on her own anymore, and while she knew that her parents would be the first to allow her to apologize, they were not the first on her list. After all, they'd still been in her life until about five years before. Her best friends, who she practically threw aside almost a decade ago, needed her attention right away.

This was why she was headed to Trish's place. She'd googled her friend's name and found out she was working at a managing firm, managing stars for a label of musicians. She'd bought herself a house on the salary and even managed to live quite well. Ally was proud. While Trish had worked many jobs in high school, she knew she could work hard when she wanted. She only hoped her best friend still loved her somewhere deep down.

When she found the house the next morning, she stayed parked outside of it for nearly an hour. She probably wouldn't have even gotten out had it not been for who exited the house. It wasn't Trish much to her surprise. But yet another familiar face, a redheaded, lean man who somehow managed to become quite handsome as the years went by. In a simple pair of bright green pants and a plain white dress shirt, she saw he somehow was still the person she remembered. Her eyes welled with tears, watching him fight with a sprinkler alarm, kicking it and then glaring at it.

Finally, she opened the door, and made herself known. He turned around and had she a camera to film his reaction, she would have. He simply dropped the machine in his hand, and his mouth opened wide. Ally smiled, tears blurring her eyes. "Hi, Dez."

He just stood there, then finally, in typical Dez fashion, yelled out, "TRISH!"

She was slow, just as Ally remembered. She heard her first, screaming a 'what' back at the redhead, until she came to the door. Ally nearly fell over when she saw her best friend's arms around a tiny baby who bubbled with excitement in her mother's arms.

The redhead pointed, directly at her, and Ally prayed that Trish wouldn't drop what she could only assume was her and Dez's child. She was so overcome with joy and pride for them both that she forgot she hadn't seen them in ten years. Trish, simply handed the baby to the still shocked Dez, and ran the distance to where Ally stood.

The girls hugged and for the first time in ten years, Ally remembered what it felt like to have someone actually care about you. She began to sob, hard and painfully into the girl's shoulder, blubbering apologies and words that she wasn't sure made sense.

"Ally Dawson," Trish finally said. She eyed the SUV, where two wide eyed and scared children stared back at her. "Are they yours?"

Ally nodded, wiping her face and reassuring her kids that it was okay. "That's Cameron and that's Lilly."

Trish pointed to the bouncy child. "That's Liam. Who would have thought we'd have kids?"

Ally laughed, "Who would have thought you married Dez?"

She scoffed, "Like you didn't guess it would happen." The girl's smile faded. "Ally, what are you doing here?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "It's a long story. Can I come in?"

And that was when she knew somehow, things would have to be alright.

"I'm so sorry for everything," she said almost two hours later, watching Dez take Cameron on his back, carrying him through the house and making noises that had the five year old screaming in laughter. She smiled at them both. She always knew that he'd make a great father someday. Liam and Lilly were seated near the TV, both playing with toys.

"I wish you would have just contacted me earlier," she answered. "I could have helped."

"I didn't think you'd ever want to talk to me again. I did some seriously bad things," she reminded her.

"No, you were a victim."

"Don't say it that way," she muttered.

Trish shrugged. "I'm sorry."

Ally glanced up, looking at her best friend, who despite being ten years older was still as stunning as she was the day she said she was moving. "I have a question for you."

"I was wondering when you were going to bring him up."

Ally blinked, "What?"

"Austin—you're going to ask about Austin, aren't you?"

Her blush deepened.

"Ally, if it's one thing I know, and that Dez knows too, is that you two always had something that was going on. It never got to develop before you left, but it was definitely there. I bet if you would have stayed, you two would have been a force that couldn't be stopped."

"I don't know."

"I do. I know you."

"Knew me," she said quietly. "I'm not sure if I'm the same girl anymore."

"Well, you're a woman now," Trish agreed, smiling. "But you're still the same old Ally. A strong, beautiful person who always puts others first. I can see that."

"I missed you so much," she whispered.

"Me too, Ally. But about Austin."

"I know some. I did watch the news. He's been firing up the charts in the last decade. I knew he could do it without me."

"But he couldn't," she disagreed, shaking her head. "He couldn't for a long time. He couldn't write a song, and he refused to work with anyone else but you. Eventually, he found the inspiration to write his own. They weren't the best, and he often grew frustrated. Then, he wrote a song called Breakeven and it took the charts. It's been a ride up ever since, but it hasn't been easy."

"He's done well though," she insisted. "He's doing well. He's a star. Just like he wanted."

Trish smiled. "Yeah, something like that."

"I need your help."

"You want me to tell you where he is right now," she confirmed.

"Yes."

"Well, here's the problem. He's on tour right now, Ally."

She groaned, "Great."

"I have a great idea though," Trish commented. "I'm off for the next week. I'll take your kids and me and Dez will watch them. I'll give you his tour schedule, and you're going to find him and tell him all that you've told me."

"I'm not sure I can do that. Not everyone is as nice as you."

"Did you just say that I'm nice?" Trish scoffed.

"Well, you're my best friend."

The other girl smiled, shaking her head. "God, it's so good to hear you say that."

Dez came up beside her. "Ally, let me tell you something. Austin will love to see you. He still talks about you and still wonders where you are and if you're happy. For both your sanity and his, please go find him. We'll call his manager, tell him you're coming. He won't know, but everyone else will. It'll be fine."

Trish went to pull up his schedule a few minutes later and she saw he was in Virginia for the next two nights. Ally was pulled out of her seat and money was thrown into her hands. "Pack your bags, Ally. Well, unpack some, and take some. You're going to the land of lovers."