Disclaimer: I do not own Austin and Ally, nor do I own anything you may recognize.


Ally's POV

Austin and I planned to hang out in his room today. He suggested we watch a movie or something together. A little help from Jenny to get into my wheelchair and I got to his room with ease. The movements I made to propel myself forward was like second nature now. When I get out of this wheelchair, I'm pretty sure my arms are going to be really strong.

I knocked on the door, "Hey, Austin? It's Ally."

"Come in!"

The door swung open to reveal no nurse this time, but just Austin crouched before an open cabinet. As I rolled myself closer, I could see he was browsing through a collection of DVDs. A small pile of DVDs had already compiled on his right. He was looking thoroughly, brow furrowed in concentration.

"What are you looking for?" I asked.

Distractedly, he scanned the cover of one DVD and said, "Movies we can watch."

The vast amount of DVDs in his cabinet rivaled that of the Teen Lounge's (which he had shown to me on our tour). There was like half a dozen of DVDs in the approved pile. "You have a lot."

He shrugged. "I have lots of time here."

With a hum of finality, Austin turned to me and spread out the ones he picked in a fan like shape. "Any movie, take a pick!"

The movies before me were comedies, action movies, and a couple of musical ones. Not a bad range to choose from. I chose a comedy that I haven't watched and handed it to him.

"Not a bad choice," he chirped, " one of my favourites!"

He inserted the disc and we assumed our spots. Austin sat on an armchair he pulled up right in front of the television. And me? I sat in my wheelchair. The movie began with a funny monologue from the main character, which Austin and I both got really good laughs out of. It was familiar to see the high school life, however exaggerated it was in the movie. There were petty fights, gossip, and just plain old stereotypes. Of course, it got really boring really quickly.

"Wanna do something else?" I asked the blond, who didn't really seem all that into it anyway. I wondered if he watched it just because I chose it. Or maybe he had watched it too many times? Either way, we were both disinterested.

"Yup!"

"Let's play, uh..."

He was quick to suggest something. "Twenty-one questions!"

'How original.'

"Okay," I agreed. It was a pretty good idea, actually. I didn't know too much about him from the small talk or the dancing. "Twenty-one questions it is."

"I'll start, then! Favourite food?"

"Pickles." I said it with little to no hesitation. "How about you?"

"Pancakes! What's your hobbies or talents?"

"Cloud watching, calligraphy, and," I hesitated. "writing songs. I like music. You?"

"Me too! Except, I'm not good at like, writing the songs." Austin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"I could help out sometime," I offered, "we could write a song together..."

"That sounds great!"

These simple questions went back and forth, and we learned more about each other. But there was still the question that has been bothering me since yesterday's conversation with Jenny. So I asked him.

"Why are you here?" His reply was a blank look.

"This is...my room?"

"No, I meant," I paused, unsure how to phrase the question, "why are you here...in a hospital?"

"I'm sick."

"Care to elaborate?"

"I have a disease that's genetic. It's called cystic fibrosis and," Austin coughed into a closed fist, "as you can see, it messes up my breathing. Not exactly dangerous, but I could die."

Austin looked up and gazed out the window, emotions I could not decipher flickering in those eyes. 'He could die? That's pretty dangerous to me.' I was afraid I had hurt him or gotten too personal with that question when he spoke again.

"Remember that person yesterday? She's my respiratory therapist and she loosens up secretions or something. Otherwise," he gave a bitter laugh, "I wouldn't be able to breathe. I'm part of a research program that tries to know more about it, and that's why I'm always here."

"I'm so sorry."

The corner of his lip twitched up, "It's okay. My family and friends help."

Not knowing what to really say or do, I reached over and grasped his hand in a show of support.

"Come on," he smiled softly, "I forgot to show you the best place in this hospital."

"So the tour's still not over?"

"The tour is never over!"

I followed him to the elevator where he pressed the button for our destination. The elevator went so far up that nobody was in there except us when it dinged. Elevator doors slid open to reveal...another door? Austin opened it and gestured to what was outside.

"Welcome to the rooftop."

I could see why he found this place his favourite. The fenced in area overlooked the city of Miami and I felt like I was a flying bird from the view. A cool breeze swept through my hair as I breathed in the fresh air. Today, the sky was a clear blue and the sun's rays shined through fluffy clouds. I felt absolutely free.

Austin leisurely walked to the fence. I joined him in silence. There was something about the way he looked out into the city that made him seem at peace. He looked absolutely content being just there.

"I like to think here," he stated, "there's usually no one here to bother me, and I can forget about being in a hospital altogether."

We stayed there for a long time. Each of us was deep in our own thoughts.

He murmured quietly. "You know...I've always wanted to be a singer."

My mind flashed back to when I first saw him, performing to those children. "I can see that happening."

"Yeah, but with my disease it's impossible to even leave this place. Anyway, my dad has always said that I have a bazillion to one chance in making it."

"Really?" I gaped at him. "That's exactly what my dad says too!"

He looked as astonished as I was, but then his gaze softened. "Looks like we're even more alike than we thought."

Maybe it was just the moment, maybe not. However, when my eyes met with his, something clicked.

His face grew nearer and nearer to mine. I saw the golden specks in his hazel eyes, closer than ever. The distance between us shortened slowly- but I knew-surely, that it would disappear. Still, I did nothing to stop it.

But he did.

Austin, at the last second, snapped his head back and turned away to his side. An empty feeling filled me but another different one soon replaced it as Austin doubled over.

The terrible coughs I heard yesterday wracked his entire body. He seemed to crumble to the ground while he covered his mouth. It sounded like he was choking on something deep within him.

"Austin! What's happening?"

The blond just shook his head, still coughing. He looked up at me with wide eyes full of panic. Austin tried to say something, but the coughing got even worse and he was now struggling to get oxygen in short inhales. My mind flashing back to the First Aid I learned in school, I encouraged him to cough. But there wasn't anything I could do right now. I know it wasn't just any ordinary object lodged in his throat, and I can't do anything without risking hurting him.

"Hang on, okay?" I said desperately, the terror in me rising. "I'm going to go get help!"

I pushed as fast as I could.

'Stupid wheelchair!'

'Faster!'

I could die, he had said.

'No!' I tried to push that thought away.

I won't let him.


Cliffhanger! At least you sort of know what's up with Austin now, eh?
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It's a much later update than usual, sorry about that.

As always, I cannot thank you guys enough! The amount of feedback I got is astounding.