A/N: For Lisas PikAss

I'm a mess I don't know why this took so long but better late than never!

XO3

The Invitation

Chapter Two- Flashback Friday

One Week Until Departure

"Why did it take us so long to have this lunch?" Rhys asked.

Ollie smirked, and stole a piece of salmon off his plate. "Between this best selling author's schedule," Ollie said pointing at Tara who smiled coyly, "And Abigail being Abigail," Ollie grinned when Abigail playfully glared at him. "We're lucky we're getting this chance at all." The foursome were seated on the patio of Abigail's favorite restaurant having brunch.

It was a good morning for Tara, the media blitz from her final book had finally stopped. She had her life back, she was going to be the best maid-of-honor a bride could want and after the wedding-well she didn't exactly have that worked out yet. She forked up another piece of her spring vegetable frittata and tuned back into the conversation. Abigail and Ollie were gossiping about their newest choreographer.

"I heard he sleeps in a coffin." Ollie said and Rhys laughed in response. They were both having smoked salmon toast. Tara loved the couple, they were truly inseparable. Tara admired Rhys, when he and Ollie got serious he had begun taking smaller roles in independent movies just so he wouldn't be away from Ollie for too long.

"Don't believe that rubbish but he is insane." Abigail rolled her eyes and stabbed at her maple-citrus coconut salad.

"Easy there Abs," Ollie said before Tara could stop him.

"Easy there?" Abigail said. She kicked her chair back and stood up with her hands on her waist.

"That stupid waiter forgot I asked for dressing on the side. I'm going to have a word with her." She stormed into the restaurant and Tara chewed her inner cheek as Ollie and Rhys looked to her for an explanation.

"Something I said? Or was she way more Abigail than she usually is?" Ollie said.

Tara hid her chuckle behind her hand.

"She's just cranky because she's only been eating salads and smoothies part of her wedding body diet. I think she's finally snapped."

Ollie and Rhys laughed while Tara got up to make sure Abigail didn't commit murder before her wedding. She couldn't find her in the restaurant, just busy waiters and occupied tables. She went to the bathroom and found Abigail reapplying her pink lip-gloss.

"There you are, I thought you were coming to make that waitress cry?" Tara said. She realized Abigail didn't look upset at all.

Abigail screwed the cap back unto the lip-gloss with a smile.

"Nope," Abigail smiled, "Just wanted to get you inside for a bit and it worked like a charm."

Tara's brows knitted together. "Me? What for?"

Abigail took her hand and led her back outside.

"You'll see."

Tara couldn't believe what her eyes were seeing. The person's back was facing Tara but Tara would recognize that blonde ponytail anywhere.

"Kat?"

Kat spun around with a smile. "In the flesh!"

They screamed and embraced each other immediately. Tara couldn't believe it. Kat was here, in Australia, in front of her. She felt like laughing and crying but couldn't decide which. She missed her so much. Years of friendship came flooding back to her and she didn't want to let go of the blonde.

They had chatted online every now and again but it had been two years since she last saw her friend in person.

"I missed you so much T." Kat said though it was muffled by how tightly they hugged.

They finally pulled away and Tara looked at her friend properly. Her blonde hair was cut shorter, just at her shoulder blades and she wore make up, more than Tara had ever seen her wear before. She was more beautiful than ever. Still perky and bubbly, her personality was contagious, no wonder all of Hollywood wanted a piece of her.

"How long have you been in Australia?" Tara said.

Kat grinned and pulled out a chair to sit. "Two days, Abigail and I were thinking up the perfect way to surprise you."

Tara sat down and stared dumbfounded at the others at the table.
"You all knew about this? I hate all of you." Tara joked

Ollie and Rhys nodded with mischievous grins.

"I couldn't miss dear Abigail's wedding now could I?"

Abigail smiled at that and met eyes with Tara. The two didn't need to speak to communicate any more.

"So T, where are we going after this? We need to catch up, I need to let everyone know that Katarina Valentine is back in Sydney."

Tara pressed her lips together. "Actually Abigail and I have plans but tonight I'm free."

Ollie and Rhys both dodged the gazes of the women at the table. It had gotten very awkward very quick.

"Ohh, I'm sure I can find something to do in the mean time." Kat said nonchalantly. The entire table could tell that there was a shift however.

It was more than just Tara turning down Kat for plans, it was Tara choosing Abigail over Kat.

The unspoken tension made everyone finish their meals with idle conversations. Tara listened to all the amazing Kat had done, and was going to do. She just didn't fit into that world anymore. She would have broken down and cry if she were that naive academy student but instead she looked over at her best friend for strength and Abigail sent her a reassuring smile.

"Christian?" Christian looked up and realized he had been in a daze.

"Hmm?" He hummed in response.

"What did you think?" his student asked, Chanel or something he couldn't remember her name. Nor did he register anything that had been happening for the last ten minutes. He had caught a snippet of Tara's interview before he came down to class and it had been all he could think about. Those pretty brown eyes, that endearing coy smile.

"Umm yeah, yeah, it's good." He squeezed the bridge between his eyes and images of Tara came flooding to his mind again. He knew he couldn't continue class this way.

"Okay guys, class dismissed."

The room erupted in cheers and quiet chatter about what they were going to do with the rest of their day.

"Don't get used to it," Christian said as the students filled out of the studio. Left alone in the studio, Samuel's studio. He remembered the last time he and Tara were together six months ago.

He was about to leave for the night when he saw the light on. She was at the bar, small hands gripped around the wooden bar tightly and looking up at the ceiling. Dressed in a black leotard with her hair in a messy bun, she was always beautiful to him but that night there was something different. A fire in her eyes he only saw when she was lost in a dance.

"Tara?" She looked at him and smiled when he said her name.

"Hey," She released the bar and walked over to him.

"What are you doing here?" he said.

She shrugged. "I don't even know. I guess I just felt like being here."

She spun around the room. "You can take the girl out of the academy but-"

He grinned at that and nodded in understanding. Crazy stuff like that only ever came out of Tara's mouth.

Tara laughed. "Me and the academy are one and the same. You know it doesn't even feel like we left. Maybe that's cause I write about it all the time." she said looking at him. Christian had this feeling she wasn't saying what she really wanted to say.

"Maybe," Christian said. He searched her eyes for the answer, for something he wasn't sure he wanted to find. He was in a constant flux with Tara. He loved her more than life itself, that was consistent but he was torn with being selfish, being with her although he knew he was destined to hurt her like had done in the past.

Silence enveloped them and a new song began to play on Tara's playlist. Christian didn't know it but Tara's eyes lit up when she heard it.

"Dance with me," she said taking his hand. He had every intention to resist but when her hand touched his he let his messenger bag slide off his shoulder and allowed her to pull him to the middle of the studio. The song was slow and contemporary, she put her arms around his neck and Christian realized when she said dance she didn't meant ballet, she just meant dance. He placed his arms around her waist and slowly rocked them to the music.

"How are classes?" she said softly into his ear.

"Good, very good. Some talented kids, amazing dancers."

"Reminds you of us?" she said. Christian found that her soft tone made the conversation feel more intimate than it was.

Christian spun her around, looking at her as he did. "Not at all, no one is like us." He didn't know what he was talking about at this point. Her hands, winded around his neck and her fingers raked over the skin at the back of his neck. It was making coherent thought very hard on his part but he didn't want her to stop.

Tara chuckled a bit. This was by far the most intimate thing they had done since leaving the academy. Christian didn't know what sparked it on, he wasn't upset about it either.

"All this writing, has me reliving the past." she said. One of her hands slid down to his chest.

"Mhm," he hummed and then dipped her. When he brought her back up to eye level she halted their swaying.

"Do you think we're same people we were back then?" It was a simple question but it held so much depth, so did her eyes. He just couldn't answer, because honestly he didn't know.

He didn't realize what weight that question had, he simply shrugged. She had left shortly after that saying she had some writing to do. That was all it was.

Christian went up to his office, picked up his phone and dialed her number. The only life worth living was a life where he was with her.

"Why didn't you tell Kat that our 'plans' was my final dress fitting?" Abigail asked from behind the silk red curtain.

"Why would I?" Tara said absentmindedly, she was more focused on whether or not she should finish the glass of champagne in her hands.

The dressing room of the bridal boutique was nicer than her bedroom. Plush white carpeting, two white and gold tufted chairs around an ornate glass table, a pedestal in the middle of the room and full length mirrors lined the walls.

"I'm just saying," Abigail begun and Tara heard the zipping of the dress," she would have been more understanding that you blew her off for something as important as my final dress fitting." Abigail took a deep breath. Sounded like she was breaking a sweat getting into the dress to Tara.

"Why would it bother her, I'll see her later." Tara was genuinely puzzled. Kat obviously had to know that they couldn't just pick up where they left off and be best friends again.

Tara was about to verbalize that when Abigail squealed.

"Are you ready?" Abigail said.

Tara stood up from the chair and set her glass down. Abigail emerged moments later in an off-white mermaid cut dress. Tara thought it was stunning with lace sleeves and pearls along the sweetheart neckline. She stepped unto the pedestal and looked at herself in the mirror.

"Abigail-"

Abigail turned around to get another view of her dress, the mirrored dressing room showed her the gorgeous gown from all angels.

"You look so beautiful." Tara said. She saw it so vividly in her head, Abigail walking down the aisle in that dress, all smiles, West waiting for her. Before she knew it, tears pricked at her eyes.

Abigail spun around, her veil trailing behind her and stared at Tara incredulously.

"Really Tara, you have a slightly better fashion sense but you're still that emotional girl from the Academy."

Abigail stepped off the pedestal and Tara hugged her tightly. Abigail didn't hug back but Tara held on tight.

"Okay that's enough, save the tears for my actual wedding." Abigail said. When Tara finally let go Abigail sighed.

"Let me get out of this dress before you get tears on it, between you and my mother my dress will be ruined before I make it down the aisle."

"Where is your mom by the way, wasn't she meant to be here?" Tara said.

Abigail disappeared behind the curtains to take off the dress.

"Paige has been puking chunks all day, they think it's a bug. I told her not to worry, I had you here. Besides she's seen the dress already."

Tara dug into her bag for a tissue to dry her eyes and realized she had missed a call, she froze when she realized who the call was from, Christian. What did he want? Was he even coming to the wedding? She wanted to call him back immediately but her heart felt like it was going to hammer out of her chest. She needed to calm down and finish her champagne before she could handle a conversation with Christian. Even a conversation about the weather between two of them was more intense than most things.

With only the light from the television lighting her face, all of her deviltry was invisible. Ben thought to himself as he rubbed Grace's feet while they watched XFactor. She was balancing a pint of ice cream on her tummy and was mostly focused on the show. When she was like this, Ben loved it, actually he loved her. He had for a while, Tara had ping ponged his heart enough in the Academy and he had enough time to get over it before he realized another girl had snaked her way into his heart. He wondered now if he had simply turned her away that night, how many things would be different.

She had messaged him that she would be in the States and he had talked her into coming to Austin. It was all his doing. They had kept in touch habitually but sometimes Grace's new passion, travel blogging, sometimes kept her away for weeks at a time. Ben didn't know what it was about Grace, he finally understood songs like 'Witchy Woman' there was something irresistibly sexy about a woman who didn't care, who didn't play by the rules.

"Benjamin!" She had greeted him, arms up ready to be hugged. Her eyes were full of life, as he scooped her up and spun her around.

"Disgrace," he teased as he set her back down. He knew she was no longer that vindictive person but looking at her, he could tell that something dark still lingered just below the surface. That was the appeal maybe.

"You were amazing...almost made me miss dancing."

His eyes brightened but she shook her head before he could jump to conclusions.

"I said almost." She smiled and looked around at the mass of people backstage.

"Is there any where we can talk?" she asked.

"I have to change but we'll get out of here right after that."

He had taken her to a barn themed bar, it wasn't much for ambiance but the alcohol they served did make up for it. Grace watched astonished as Ben finished another pitcher of beer.

"Benster, take it easy, these country folk are turning you into one of their own."

Ben grinned, he was so happy to see her. Sitting across from her, knees almost touching. He wondered how he lived without her so long. She looked the same, her blonde hair was a little longer but it was the same crazy girl he fell for all those years back.

At one point during the Academy he thought Tara was the only girl he would ever love, by third year he was questioning everything.

"So," she placed her own beer back unto the table, "has any country girl stolen your heart yet?" she said using her best fake southern accent.

Ben blushed under the dim light of the bar and shook his head. Sure there had been dates here and there but nothing he would coin serious.

"Nope, it still belongs to one person." he said and if she was ever confused who he was talking about his eyes bored into hers to drive his point home. Her intense gaze matched his and that was all it took.

They stumbled into Ben's small flat half an hour later, a tangled mess of uncoordinated limbs and arms scrambling to undress. Neither registered more than heavy breathing and fingers grasping for bare skin. She tasted like molten lava to him. He had never tasted anything so sweet and electric. She continued to pour lightning into his mouth with her kisses as he gripped her closer to him. He vaguely remembered throwing down a vase on their way up stairs as he back her up the stairs. He almost took her on the steps because her dress made it easy to get her panties down. With her underwear pooled around one of her ankles Ben began shedding his layers until he was left in only his slacks. His back hit the door to his bedroom and he pulled his lips away from hers before they continued.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Shut up." That was Grace talk for absolutely.

If he had to be honest, it was totally worth it. He didn't remember much but what he did remember feeling connected to someone in a way he had never felt during sex before.

He shifted on the couch and adjusted the duvet over Grace who had fallen asleep. He took the ice cream off her stomach and placed it on the table in front of them.

He had thought it was the beginning of a new relationship but she left the States two days later. He had beat himself up about it, another woman leaving him, he had to be the problem, he was doing something wrong. The good guys finished last he guessed.

Kat toyed with a menu on the nightstand in her hotel room. How pathetic she thought. She had gotten the warm welcome she wanted but it only lasted for a few moments. Life had went back to normal moments after. It was amazing how everyone got along without her. Her mother was enjoying retirement with her step-dad and Ethan was off choreographing around the world. And Tara, well Tara had found a new best friend in Abigail. She supposed she shouldn't be upset and actually grateful that her friends and family were doing fine without her, but there was a selfish part of that made her hope they missed her too much to move on.

Her cellphone buzzing on her nightstand tore her away from her self-loathing. It was her agent calling, no doubt calling her about another acting part that was to die for. She didn't want that anymore, she wanted to reconnect with her friends and family. Starting with Tara.

She ignored the call and dialed Tara's number.

"Hey are you guys done with your thing?" she asked.

There was a slight pause and she heard somebody talking in the background.

"Uh-sure, just about."

"Okay good, how does a sleepover sound? It'll be just like old times, my hotel room in half an hour yeah?"

"Sure, why not, sounds good."

Kat got off the phone already feeling like she was on the way to mending bridges. She got up from the bed and picked up the landline phone, she was going to need a few things to truly make it like old times.

Grace stirred awake and slowly realized she wasn't in bed, she was asleep on Ben's chest. She thought about waking him but he looked peaceful and not miserable. He always looked miserable when he was awake and she knew that was a direct result of her being in his life again. That didn't make her feel good, she knew deep down he probably didn't want the baby but she was so scared of doing this alone that she couldn't bare to leave him. She remembered the crippling fear she felt when she found out she was pregnant.

Grace was in Dubai at the time. She didn't understand why her stomach was in knots. She had eaten from that restaurant the whole week and suddenly her stomach wasn't agreeing with her. She ran through the streets looking for somewhere to puke, when she finally found a vacant spot in a flea market and the contents of her stomach came out violently. She gagged and retched until nothing else came out.

"You're with child," a voice said behind her. Grace jumped at the sudden intrusion. She spun around and an old woman with graying hair held a rag out for her. Grace took it and wiped at the sides of her mouth.

"Thank you." Grace said. The woman was standing under a tent that sold scarves and tunics.

"You're with child." she repeated.

Grace almost laughed aloud. That was ridiculous, there was no way- wait did she and Ben use protection that night?

"Oh I don't-"

The woman silenced her with a raised hand.

"I know these things. You should tell him the good news." she said before turning around and attending to her customer.

Grace left the flea market gripping the rag so tightly her knuckles began to ache. There was no way she was taking the word of a crazy old lady but she couldn't get the words out of her head nor the feeling that there was life growing inside her.

She bought herself five pregnancy tests before heading back to her hotel.

She sat on the closed toilet seat later that day crying her eyes out at the expanse of results around her. This couldn't be happening. She wasn't ready for anything like this, not alone anyway.

She had flown back to the States the next week. Her stomach was in her hands when she waited for Ben outside the studio where he rehearsed. He ran to her when he saw her and the moment his arms were around her she broke down crying. She sobbed and sobbed into his shoulder and soaked through his white t-shirt. In true Ben fashion he didn't rush her or beg her to explain, he just held her.

His arms made everything okay.

They still made everything okay, she loved him, and she didn't want to bring her child into this world where his or her father only tolerated their mother. She wanted him to love her back.

"Love me back." she said aloud. He shot awake and her heart sank but he was so disorientated he didn't seem to hear or understand what she said.

"Nothing go back to sleep." she said quietly and lulled him back to sleep. Melville Island would be her chance, Ben would love her again.

Abigail was laughing uncontrollably at the way Ollie mocked a fellow dancer. The two were early for rehearsal and stretching in the studio. Well, more gossiping than stretching. She was holding her sides laughing so hard she was crying when her phone rang in her gym bag. She meant to take it off but when she saw who was requesting a video call with her she answered.

"Ethan," she said excitedly. Ollie rose an eyebrow at her from behind her phone but she ignored him while he sat down in the middle of the studio intent on listening to the conversation.

"Congrats on the wedding." Ethan said, Abigail's smile fell when she realized he wasn't smiling back. Ethan looked down and she realized this wasn't the conversation she thought it was going to be. She quickly got up and went outside away from Ollie's prying ears.

"You don't seem to happy about that." Abigail said. She waited until he turned back to the camera and he plastered on a fake smile.

"Why wouldn't I be? You two have me to thank don't you?"

"Ethan-"

"I'll see you in a few days Abs." The phone clicked off and left Abigail feeling unsettled. How strange was that? She went back into the studio and Ollie was looking at her like she had been caught stealing cookies. She glared back.

"What?"

Ollie shrugged. "Nothing, how's the ex?"

"He's not my ex." she said getting into a split.

"That's not what I hear." Ollie flashed her a look before the other dancer filed into the studio.

Tara marveled at the size of the hotel room.

"This is amazing!"

"Starstruck by a hotel room, same old T."

Tara shrugged and set down her bag. Tara just stood in the middle of the room unsure of what to do with herself. It was weird being in the same room with Kat alone, awkward even.

"Come on T, let's dance!" Kat said. She pressed something on the remote twice then music came on. Tame Impala 'the less I know' came on and before she knew it Kat was pulling on her arms and dancing around her. In true Kat fashion she didn't stop until Tara was dancing along.

In those few carefree minutes it felt like they were still at the academy, the only things missing was Abigail yelling at them to stop acting like children and that whole in her chest only one person could fill.

When the song ended the tension returned.

"So-"

"One sec Kat I have to make a call." Tara interrupted. She went over to the small sitting area and called Christian. The phone rang and rang until the voicemail operator came on. Tara sighed. It was never the right time with them. They always missed each other and suddenly she was crying over a missed phone call. More than that, she was crying over the life they missed together. She just couldn't seem to be with the man she loved.

"T?" Tara tried to wipe at her eyes when Kat took notice of her sobbing.

"What's wrong?" Kat stooped down to be at eye level with Tara.

"It's nothing." Tara said. She dried her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Christian?" Tara froze when Kat said the name. How could she possibly know that after so long.

"Are you kidding T? He's the only one who can do this to you." Kat said. Tara hugged her friend and she knew in that moment that there was hope, that they could rekindle the relationship they once had.

An hour later, once Tara had finished crying they laid on the king size bed eating strawberries and vanilla ice cream.

"You know T, you and Christian can't keep doing this. I think you need to go to Abigail's wedding with a gorgeous guy on your arm."

"You think?" Tara said. It would be awkward if Christian did show up but, she didn't want to feel this way any more.

"Oh I know. What do you say?" Kat turned to her with a small smile.

"I say, I have to find me a date!"