Austin's P.O.V.

He was going to be sick. His line of sight travelled back to the clasped hands of Ally and the other male, before racing back up to meet Ally's eyes again. She was different in real life. The pictures he had seen her post on Instagram and Twitter and such made her differences less harsh. But in the light of day they were unmistakable to Austin. He could no longer pretend that they were just for photoshoots.

Her once dark hair was dyed an ugly blonde colour which was considered 'In Style' for females. But on her it just made her appear washed out. Her lips were painted a gaudy red, and her eyes were covered in sparkly lashes that near tickled her cheekbones they were so long. But worst of all, a nose piercing jumped from her pale flesh.

Austin hated nose rings.

Although she was thirty-two, Austin could see why she attracted fans of all age groups. Even though her music was mature, she could've still easily been mistaken as a twenty year old by the way she dressed. It made Austin curl his lip in distaste. Her white crop top exposed her (Also pierced, much to his dismay) navel, and hung low in the front. He didn't even know why she bothered to put a shirt on, seeing as how the material was also so thin that anyone could make out the lacey material of her push-up underneath.

And don't even get him started on her skirt.

While Austin always thought Ally had the curves to show, it didn't necesarily mean that she should show them. And yet the red leather pencil skirt hugged her butt before flaring and cutting out abruptly above her thighs. Thighs which were definitely tanned out of a bottle. And tying her entire outfit together were black five inch heels, that nearly brought her to Austin's height.

It was all just so wrong.

Austin didn't know what to think. It was like she was going to a brothel, not to work.

But, even with her horrible fashion statements, and poorly coloured hair, beneath all of that, she was still the most beautiful girl Austin had ever seen. Because her eyes were still innocent. No matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise, those brown doe-eyes betrayed to Austin just how much she hadn't truly changed.

And they gave him hope.

Hope which was then squashed when she turned to Jimmy with fear and hate in her eyes.

"What," She hissed the word, "Is he doing here?"

"Me?" The harsh whisper left Austin's throat in a growl, years of sadness drowned out by the rage of pain she uncovered within him. "What- Who's this?"

"Hey, hey," Jimmy's deep voice stepped between the two. Austin only then realized that he at some point had moved to his feet and located himself mere inches away from her, hands clenched at his sides. As the rest of the room faded back into focus, he realized everyone was staring at the two ofthem like they might explode. Austin thought they might just be right.

"Jimmy?" Ally prompted again, her eyes never wavering from Austin's. He tried to pick out the onslaught of emotions rolling from her. Anger. Pain. Betrayal - although he suspected that one was more directed towards Jimmy than himself. And strangely enough, sadness. Austin wanted to scoff at that one.

"Look Ally," Jimmy placed he free hand on her shoulder. "We all know that you and Austin have a bit of a history. That was why we didn't tell you. But this is for the betterment of the company. Everyone in this room has already signed contracts saying you will work together. So the sooner we produce this album, the sooner you can all go on your seperate ways. Understand?"

Ally finally broke her stare at Austin just long enough to glare daggers at Jimmy. He wouldn't be alone. Austin was planning on chewing Ronny out for this later on. "Understood," She finally grumbled, and Austin didn't miss the way her hand tightened around the other guy's.

Jimmy smiled and stepped back, as though all the tension in the room had diffused. It hadn't. "Great. Introductions then. Austin and Ally, you obviously know eachother. This is Gavin," Jimmy gestured to the male holding Ally's hand, giving Austin a 'Play Nice' glare, "And that's Sienna," He gestured over to where Sienna was staring at them. She gave a little wave, to which Ally offered a soft smile. "Now that that's out of the way," He walked towards the door, "I have other business to attend to. So I'll leave you guys to be friendly."

Before anyone could protest, Jimmy was gone. Austin heard the distinct click of the door shutting. A thick silence settled in the room and threatened to drown them as they all shifted uncomfortably.

"So," Sienna offered an awkward smile as Ally and Gavin took a seat. "It's really nice to meet you guys. I'm a big fan. Didn't realize you were dating though. When did that happen?" She tried for small talk. Austin really wished that the younger writer didn't.

"Thanks," Gavin spoke up, and Austin almost keeled over and died. He had always found his voice irritating when Elise was into him, but in real life it was about a thousand times worse. His (Fake) country accent grated on Austin's ears, and rubbed salt down his nerves. He fought the urge to physically cringe. "We've only been going out for a week, but we haven't gone public with it yet. Taking our time," He smiled in a sickening way at Ally.

Austin scoffed.

Out loud.

He bit back another as all eyes turned to him. "Sorry," He pretended to cough. "Cold going around."

Gavin, being the idiot that Austin had deemed him, smiled sympathetically while Ally just narrowed her eyes, not believing Austin for a second. Austin was the one to avert his gaze this time. It was hard staring at her. For the most part, he wanted to kill her in any humane (And inhumane) way possible. Not just for leaving him without an explanation, but for leaving the kids. The bag full of spray paint, and most likely drugs come to think of it, was proof enough of what she did to Peter.

But there was this other part of him, a really small part which was tucked away from sunlight, that wanted to cry, and beg her for answers. To hug her and kiss her, and never let her go, because she belonged with him. It was supposed to be Austin and Ally. It was the same part of himself that played make-believe and read Percy Jackson. The part of him that Ally had discovered all those years ago.

Unfortunately, the majority was winning out over the minority. So bitter anger and sarcasm it was.

His phone vibrated in his hand. He almost forgot it was there.

Absentmindedly, he tapped the screen and opened the message.

"You know," Ally's voice made his fingers hover to a pause over his keyboard, although he didn't dare look up. "It's rude to be on your phone when in the company of others. We're supposed to be getting to know eachother."

"You know," Austin raised his voice in a poor mimick of Ally's while he continued texting. Kainoah could be an idiot sometimes. "It's also considered rude to leave someone at the freaking alter on their wedding day," Although he tried for a light tone, it came out bitter and sharp. He sighed. Oh well.

At his words the tension in the atmosphere seemed to thicken. He was fairly aware of Ally shifting uncomfortably in her seat, but he didn't care. She deserved far more than just some discomfort for what she did.

"I had my reasons," Ally cleared her throat and continued after a minute more. Austin had to stop and take a deep breath, the muscle in his jaw twitching. It took all of his self-control not to huck his phone at her head for pursuing that conversation. "I no longer loved you, and I didn't want to subject either of us to that life style."

Austin let out a laugh, clutching his phone so tight the screen threatened to crack, and the buttons nearly popped off. "That's complete bull," He snarled.

"Who are you to decide that?" Ally's voice was high in scorn, and Austin could pretty much see the stone walls forming around her.

"Oh, I don't know," Austin feigned ignorance before coming in with a scathing remark himself. "Perhaps the bestfriend you left behind?"

"You're not my best friend," Ally retort was just as bitter.

Austin let out another cruel laugh. "That's right. You left her too."

"Hey!" Gavin spoke up, finally cutting the both of them off. "Clearly, the two of you need a few minutes to sort some stuff out. When you're ready, Sienna and I will be downstairs in the Bistro, working on ideas for the sound of the album, okay?"

"Fine," A strangled noise finally emitted from Ally's throat after a pause, before she sent another fiery glare at Austin. "We won't need more than a minute."

Cue another scoff from Austin. He went back to texting his son.

Gavin and Sienna left silently. Just in time for Austin's phone to ding with an email. His heart sunk, pain and sadness replacing his anger as he read the message from Thalia.

Couldn't find him soon enough, Sorry. Down on Forty-Third, as usual. But they need your signature to pick him up this time. Something about it being his third offense in a month or something like that. Have to go to work, but I already posted bail so he should be ready when you swing by. Sorry again for the inconvenience. Love Thals.

P.S. Did you know that he's been using? I'm calling a family meeting tonight. Things have gone way too far. And I'm not just referring to Peter.

Wonderful. The last thing he wanted to deal with right now was this. But he knew better to say no to Thalia. He started sending her a quick confirmation text, when Ally started speaking again.

"Look, Austin, I know I left without any warning, and that was bad on my part," He watched as she bit her lip, a nervous tick he guessed she never kicked. "But we need to move forward with our lives now. Not live in the past. I think that working on this album will be good. It'll allow us to cut away any loose strings," She said rather definitely with a nod of her head, not meeting his eyes. He scowled as he bent to pick up Peter's bag.

"Whatever you say," He brushed past her rudely, pocketing his phone and heading out the door. He heard her move, quick to follow.

"Where are you going?" Ally's question echoed in the wide hall, as he turned to the nearest window. He opened it without looking at her, before climbing out onto the fire escape. The scent of exhaust was thick in the air, and he inhaled deeply, glad to be smelling anything but her overly strong perfume.

"Moving forward," He returned sarcastically, as he started to scale down the tall building precariously. She made no move to follow, but he could tell that she was still at the window, shouting down at him.

"The Bistro's the other way, and besides, why are you going this way?" Her question made Austin pause, he looked up a flight to the window where she was at, and he couldn't help the defeated air which surrounded him.

"Because I'm not going to the Bistro," Austin rolled his eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And I'd rather not be followed by the Papparazzi to where I'm going."

"Why?" Ally retorted, crossing her arms. "Are you gonna go cry in a corner now because you got turned down?"

"No," Austin ground his teeth, before continuing his climb down.

"Then why?" Her voice was getting softer behind him. He didn't even bother to look back as he shouted over his shoulder.

"Because I have to go bail Peter, my son, out of jail. Not all of us move in a positive direction when pushed forward, Ally," The last of his sentence faded into the noise of traffic, but he finished it anyways, mostly for himself. "You would've known that, had you been here."

BLAH! Sorry, this chapter was a nuisance to write. I've changed the characters so much from the ones I've created, that sometimes it's hard to figure out what they're going to do, even for me. Hope you all liked it though :)

Q. Does this have anything to do with the amnesia Ally got in my previous story?

A. No. Austin probably wishes it does, but unfortunately no.

Q. Will the kids find out?

A. Eventually, yes. In fact, some stuff might be mentioned at the family meeting next chapter.

Q. Will Austin and Ally get back together, and will that help Peter with his depression?

A. I don't know. About the Peter thing I mean. Although I haven't quite decided yet if Austin and Ally will get a happy ending either. All in good time, my friends. All in good time.

That's all for this week! Anyone else DYING for R5's new album? THREE DAYS! Also, ROSS IS 19! Craziness. I've been following them since he was 15, right around the sametime Austin and Ally came out I think. Speaking of... season 4 in less than a month! Soooooooooooo excited :)

I'm also extremely glad that so many of you like Thomas and Annabeth. I do to :)