A/N: A little longer wait on this, but I wanted it to be a great chapter. I was recently called a Rossome writer and I really don't want to disappoint you guys. I got some amazing feedback and I feel much more confident with the direction this story is headed so thank you all my lovelies!
Disclaimer: I do not own Austin and Ally. I barely own the clothes on my back.
Chapter 3
Austin and Ally slipped out of his apartment building, where Austin had told her he'd had a car waiting.
He didn't, however, mention that the car would be bright yellow.
And no, not a bright yellow sports car. A bright yellow minivan.
"What the hell," she muttered under her breath, convinced that he intended to have her hiding amongst the clowns of some faraway circus for her own protection.
He looked down at her and smiled widely, clearly proud of his bright yellow piece of crap. While Ally didn't profess to be anything of an expert in cars, she certainly knew enough to know that this four-wheeled contraption was not one of which most men would gladly profess ownership. The front headlight dangled over the bumper, taking the idea of attached to the car very literally, and the car's bumper was doing a much better job of keeping a low profile than they were as it was nowhere to be seen.
"Isn't it awesome?" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up and his tone reminiscent to that of a little kid showing his friends whatever cool toy he'd received for Christmas that year. It would have been endearing if she hadn't been wracking her brain for positive things to say about his vehicle of choice.
Despite her best efforts, she could only smile weakly and reply, "It certainly is very… err… yellow."
His smile somehow widened, threatening to split his face in half, as he proclaimed proudly, "I know. It's my favorite color."
"Well that's nice and I'm no expert, but shouldn't we be trying to blend in?" she asked, unsure.
He scoffed and answered, "I know that. I'm not a complete idiot. I paid the neighbor to drive that around for a while. We're going to be taking a bus to a place where a less obvious car is waiting for us. I just wanted to see your expression and gauge had bad you were at lying."
"You're sure I'll be safe around all of those people?" she asked tentatively, the crowd-induce anxiety dwarfing any irritation she might have felt at his little joke.
He looped her arm through the crook of his and started walking before answering, "He's not going to make a move on you when you're surrounded by people. Just stay close to me, okay?"
Ally nodded and tightened her grip on his arm as she followed his lead. She tried to appear calm, but there was a noticeable tremor in her hands and she couldn't keep herself from scanning the face of everyone they passed for any sight of a threat.
She must have appeared as manic as she felt because before long Austin let out a sigh and pulled her to the edge of the sidewalk in-between two buildings. He turned her to face him and gripped her shoulders strongly, strength radiating from him in waves.
"Ally, I need you to calm down. You're fine. You're safe," he whispered urgently, attempting to pacify her with his sincerity.
"I don't feel safe," she muttered, sounding like a child.
Austin put his finger under Ally's chin to tilt it so that she was forced to look him in the eye. She was surprised at the seriousness she saw there.
"I won't let anything happen to you, Ally," he whispered. The air around her seemed to be buzzing as he looked at her and she couldn't remember the last time anyone had really looked at her. She was almost convinced it was a good thing no one ever had, as she wasn't sure she'd be able to keep from choking on tension as thick as this.
Ally gulped and nodded to keep herself from revealing how much he affected her.
"Okay," she answered, trying to limit herself to one word answers only as an attempt to put a cap on how much of her anxiety was showing.
His lips split into a grin and they resumed their places on the sidewalk, this time with Ally significantly more in control of her outward appearance. She couldn't quite manage calm, but she would accept appearing only slightly more alert than the average person. It helped that Austin kept her close and ran his thumb soothingly across her hand, setting her firmly a few steps closer towards feeling safe.
They made it to the bus without incident and the bus ride was likewise uneventful. They sat close to each other and Austin kept his arm around her the entire time. It was too noisy to talk, so they sat in silence and they were both distracted anyway. Austin's focus rested on the scenery they passed on their way while Ally's landed firmly on her attractive protector.
She watched his gaze flick lazily around their surroundings and was tempted to dismiss it as boredom. But on closer look, it became clear that it wasn't lazy. He was studiously observing their surroundings with an air of nonchalance so as to not appear suspicious. In fact, nearly everything about him seemed calculated to some extent. He sat by the window with one hand draped across her shoulders and the other resting on his leg. It would be easy for him to reach his gun and pull her out of the way if the need should arise. And while they were in no way a couple, he occasionally did things that showed affection like they were, which was probably to help them blend in amongst the other commuters.
Maybe he's better at this than I thought, Ally mused.
This boy was foreign to her in more ways than just his profession. She'd dated before and had a handful of male friends, but none were like him. He was open and confident and funny. He put her at ease instantly even when every bone in her body was begging her to lose her mind. He was just so different from -
Dallas.
Just the thought of him made her want to vomit. How could she not have seen? How could she have been so stupid? How could she have loved him?
Thinking back on it, it seemed more than obvious.
He had always been cold and calculating. His ability to manipulate any situation so that it was one in which she was insecure and he was in power was actually impressive. He clearly hadn't loved Ally. He didn't love anyone. She was just a toy for him to play with and she had been weak enough to let him.
Ally shuddered, her thoughts of her icy fiance eliciting a physical reaction, and gained Austin's attention instantly. She felt his careful eyes assessing her carefully and his arm tightened around her. He sent her a look that clearly asked if she was okay.
She felt tears prick the corner of her eyes and forced herself to avert her gaze from his much warmer one. Instead of answering, she leaned her head against his shoulder and told herself to breath. The weight of his head on top of hers was her indication that he'd shifted closer to her.
"We're almost there," he whispered, his voice almost too soft for her to hear, before pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She was tempted to read more into the gesture, but she quickly suppressed the urge. Surely he was just sticking true to the relationship he'd established as their cover.
Still, it felt nice to lean on someone. She hadn't done that in a long time, so it was a welcome comfort. They remained liked that for the rest of the long bus ride.
After what felt like forever, the bus rolled to a stop and the driver called out, "Last stop. Time to get off, love birds."
Austin grabbed his bags and stood to leave with Ally close behind. When they stepped off, she looped her arm round the crook of his and followed his lead, determined to remain much cooler. There was little Austin could do to help her if she refused to help herself.
They'd been dropped off at a street she was unfamiliar with. It was a crowded area, so Ally pressed herself close to Austin as he weaved through the people with purpose, mildly disturbed with how easily she followed his lead. Finally, he turned into a nearly empty parking lot and approached a red car that appeared to have been well past its prime.
She pursed her lips at the hideous car and resisted the urge to comment on his penchant for fixer-uppers.
Evidently this move was a mere formality on her part, as one glance at her expression had Austin defending, "Hey! I don't make a lot of money!"
Ally had no control over the laugh that broke from her lips and watched as Austin walked to the passenger's side to open the door for her. She obliged and slid into the leather seat. After shoving his bag and guitar case into the trunk, he took his position in the driver's seat and revved the engine.
"Where are we going?" Ally asked as they pulled out of the parking lot.
"Tampa," he replied nonchalantly.
A/N: I'm really nervous that this is a little dull, but I swear that this is gonna pick up steam. Sorry. It's going to get better I think. Reviews would be awesome please!
