A/N: Thanks for all the very thoughtful and detailed reviews for the last chapter! I love all the feedback, especially about the letter she wrote-which may have been part a letter I wrote someone once upon a time, long ago, so at least it was not completely for vain. This is another flashback Raura, maybe it will raise some questions about the future. Thanks to lastsummerwemet, Jackie is Grey, and everyone else who regularly reviews, I love the comments, makes me want to write more. In fact, there may be a one shot in everyone future soon.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, not the show, not the characters, not the songs, especially not Apple, Coffee Bean or Nordstrom. I am not affiliated with nor have met anyone depicted in this fictional story. Song credits to One Direction and the Postal Service.

Rating: M for mature scenes and language

Times Like These

10: they don't know about us

I want to take you far from the cynics in this town
and kiss you on the mouth
We'll cut our bodies free, from the tethers of this scene
Start a brand new colony
Where everything will change, we'll give ourselves new names
Identities erased
The sun will heat the grounds, under our bare feet,
in this brand new colony
Brand new colony-the Postal Service

He just wanted to hold her hand. That's all he wanted. It was funny, he never took the opportunity when they were alone in private, but when he couldn't do it in public, he wanted it more than anything.

Thanksgiving, also coincidentally her birthday this year, had been a few days before, and they were both at home, in the same place for once. He'd been gone the past few weeks playing shows, so they'd decided that they'd brave the crowds just to be together with what little time they had. They'd picked a good spot. The Grove was full of people bustling around trying to get the best holiday deals; there were so many people, it was the perfect place to blend in seamlessly. They still tried to be incognito, she wore her glasses and he wore sunglasses and a nondescript hoodie. To anyone they looked like a random teenaged couple walking around, enjoying the holiday festivities.

He played the role of the dutiful boyfriend, holding her bags as she rushed through each store, buying things left and right. In contrast, he'd just made one stop, at the Apple store, buying everyone in his family something practical that they'd need. It was pretty easy. She, on the other hand, had to pick the perfect gift for everyone, and girl had a lot of friends for whom she had to shop. He didn't mind though. Any moment with her was fine with him. He was getting antsy though, he had something he'd wanted to ask her, and he was about to burst.

He handed her his Coffee Bean drink as she collapsed on a park bench just in front of a fountain. Behind them, spouts of water danced to the beat of a Christmas song as she watched the hustle and bustle of seasoned shoppers pass them.

She wrinkled her nose as she sipped at his coffee. "I think that was the last thing. So glad to be done with shopping. I feel like I really waited until the last moment this year."

"You still have like a month," he pointed out.

"Do I, Ross? Do I?" she asked, pursing her lips.

"Yes, fact." He gave her a peck on the nose as he drew her in close. She sighed contentedly, looking up at the holiday lights that wrapped the palm trees. Girls walked by in their Ugg boots and sweaters even though it was 80 degrees and sunny. It was a little ridiculous, but it was such an LA thing, and she loved it.

"Well, we still have two episodes to shoot and then we're going on winter hiatus, and that's barely enough time to get things done. Are you done, do we need to get anything else?" she questioned.

He shook his head. "No, I think we're good." He paused, grabbing her hand. Every time he did that, a twinkle appeared in her eyes, and he bet he was the only one who ever noticed. "Actually, there is one thing."

"For who? We can go back to Nordstrom," her eyes danced with excitement.

"Nope, I think I've spent enough time there for the rest of my life, thanks." She wrinkled her nose at him. "It's actually for you. And I've already got it. But before I give it to you, I have to ask you something."

"For me? Ooh, I love presents, where is it?" she looked around excitedly at the bags at his feet.

He laughed, "Happy belated birthday." He whipped out small velvet box from his pocket.

Her eyes bugged out as she stared at the box in his hand.

"Laura," he hesitated as her breath hitched, her eyes panicking. "Will you go on tour with me?"

She still looked stricken as he opened the box to reveal a gold chain with a tiny delicate treble clef charm nestled inside.

She let out the breath she had been holding. "Oh my god, I thought that was going to go a lot differently for a second there."

"What?" he asked confoundedly.

She sheepishly confessed, "I thought that was a proposal."

"What? You thought I was going to ask you to marry me?" It was his turn to panic a little inside. They were only 18! Well, she was 19 now, but still! Was she really thinking about that? He could imagine her, wearing a white dress, walking down the aisle…

She burst out in a fit of laughs, breaking his reverie. "Well, you are crazy, I don't know, velvet box, important question? Just so you know, I am sooo not ready for that."

He exhaled deeply. "Well thank God. But back to my important question…" he added, gently reminding her that he did ask something. He took her glasses off her face, exposing her to the world. Laura had this weird Clark Kent/Superman thing with fans; they somehow never recognized her with her glasses. She was pretty with or without them, but he wanted to see her entire face bared to him.

"Will I go on tour with you?" she repeated, hypnotized by his proximity.

He shrugged. "Yeah. I figure, we'll be done with the show. You're not going to be in school yet. What better way to pass the time than exploring exotic locations such as Oklahoma City with your boyfriend?"

She thought about it for a second, should she tell him? No, she didn't want to ruin the moment, and she probably wasn't going to get the audition anyway. He was asking her to go on tour with him, this was a huge deal and a big step in their relationship. She nodded vigorously. "Of course I'll go, as long as it's okay with the rest of the band. I don't want to be considered the Yoko."

"You won't be considered the Yoko. I'm pretty sure they like you more than they like me."

"Well, if you weren't so much treble, maybe they would," she joked, tapping the velvet box, a big grin spreading on her face.

"Did you just…" he shook his head as she let out a high-pitched squeak at her own corny pun. "I'm about to leave you here," he joked, kissing her on the cheek.

She stared up at him with adoration. "Seriously though, you shouldn't have."

"Okay, I'll take it back." He reached for the box, but she slapped his hand.

"No, mine! It's beautiful." She slipped the delicate chain out and examined it.

"Well it tries, but you blow it out of the water."

"Aww. Now who's being corny?" She puckered her lips to tease him, but he pecked her back with his lips.

"Here, let me put it on." She held her hair back as he slipped the chain around her neck, letting his fingers linger over her skin. She flushed. She gave him a kiss on the lips, not caring who saw or who was around. His hands started to roam freely before she stopped him.

"We're in public," she warned.

"Okay, let's go somewhere private and continue this then," he raised his eyebrows, standing up and offering his hand.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed it. "I knew you were treble when you walked in."

"Oh my god. Can I have my necklace back?" he laughed as they both walked hand in hand towards the parking structure, oblivious to the fans that snapped dozens of shots on their phones.

She could be heard giggling all the way down the hall as he chased her into her dressing room. He smacked her playfully on the ass as she shut the door behind the both of them.

He leaned down and picked her up, her legs wrapping around his waist. He tilted his chin up to meet her in a heated kiss. She played with his hair and stared into his eyes, smiling so widely the entire time.

He carried her over to the couch and let her down gently before climbing atop her. He pushed her shirt up to reveal the pale skin of her taut stomach, kissing his way down.

"Ross! Stop, that tickles." He commenced walking his fingers all along her bare waist, drawing his favorite sound in the world, her laughter.

A sharp knock sounded on her door and they both stopped, looking at each other then looking at the door. Laura straightened, adjusting her shirt as Ross moved to the other side of the couch. She opened the door to reveal two people he hadn't particularly wanted to see.

Kevin and Heath.

"Hey guys, can we come in?" Heath asked, looking at Ross, then at Laura.

"Sure, what's up?" Laura asked in her normal sunny disposition. She was nervous though, he could tell as her voice got higher.

"So, how's it going?" Kevin started.

"Good, how's it going with you?" Ross answered, knowing exactly why this visit was taking place.

"Good," Heath finished. The two men awkwardly looked at each other, not knowing exactly how to broach the subject with their two stars. They took seats opposite the two on chairs, and Ross had a sense an interrogation was about to commence.

"Okay," Ross replied in a sing-song voice. "Do you guys want to come out and say something? I mean, we're not hiding anything from anyone." Laura gave him a look.

"And we appreciate that, Ross. We're just concerned that's all, are you guys doing okay with the attention? Obviously unwanted, you hadn't come out as a couple, right?" Kevin spoke softly, broaching the somewhat sensitive topic.

He shrugged, having prepared himself to face the music. Pictures of their little outing had blown up on the internet and now everyone knew. Ross was actually relieved. This way he didn't have to sneak around or hide anything. Laura hadn't been quite as convinced, but she was slowly coming around. "Yeah, it's not like we were keeping it a secret, we just didn't think it was anyone else's business."

"I get it, Ross. We're not coming after you or anything. You're both adults. You're free to be with anyone you want to be with."

"Yeah, we know. Are talks with your kids this awkward?" Ross asked petulantly, drawing another stern look from Laura. He crossed his arms while she just stared at the ground. He had increasingly become more displeased with people telling him how he had to be, who he was, what he could do.

"It won't affect the work, if that's what you're worried about," she interjected softly. She was embarrassed, her face beet red. She hated disappointing people, and even though this wasn't a disappointment, she felt like she'd done something wrong.

"No, we're not worried about that. You guys always do a great job. And I promise, we're not worried about you, but we've seen it all. We just don't want some of the same things we've seen happen to you."

"I don't think you have to worry about that either," Ross stated confidently.

"Well, as a warning, the lack of privacy puts a lot of pressure on people. Austin and Ally is going to be a closed set for the remainder of the show, which is only two weeks, but we don't want any unneeded issues with the media," Heath stated.

Laura nodded meekly.

Another knock sounded as one of their PAs popped her head into the room. "Laura, we need you in hair."

"Sure, thanks." She gave a quick glance at Ross before leaving. "See you all later."

"Laura, heard about the audition, awesome job!" Heath congratulated.

She turned and bashfully looked at Ross. "Oh, umm, yeah, thanks." Ross gave her a quizzical look before she darted out the door. What audition?

"Look Ross, I know you don't want to hear this. And we know, we have no bearing on your life decisions, but like I said, we've seen stuff go down," Kevin hedged.

Heath added, "She's a good one, Ross. You know that. I don't want to see either of you hurt."

"Are you implying that I'll hurt her?" he asked, a little wounded.

"No, but I think she's more fragile than you think she is. We get it, you guys obviously care a lot for each other."

"We do," Ross smiled, it should be clear to everyone else how they felt about each other.

"The way you guys look at each other, there's a reason why the chemistry has always worked. But you need to know how much she is willing to give up for you."

"I know. I'm willing to do the same."

"We don't want to see anything to happen to either of you. We're not telling you this stuff in vain, the show is almost over, we only have a few more episodes to shoot. We're telling you this stuff because we care."

"Especially seeing the road people can go down. Look, you're talented, you're blowing up right now, you are going to have a long career, but there are going to be a lot of obstacles," Heath warned.

Kevin continued advising, "People will always be around you, telling you you're a big star and you're the best and whatever. You keep your family close, don't push them away, they have your best interest at heart. You be wary of anyone who comes in and tries to change you. Keep your head clear and your nose clean, man. We want you and Laura to succeed in the long run, but you have to work at it. It's going to be a tough road, and there will be people out to get you both. This business is rough, don't let yourself become a statistic. Protect each other, be there for each other."

He thought about what they said. He'd heard it a million times.

"See you later. Good job today, man." The three men stood up as Kevin gave Ross a pat on the back.

"You know we're proud of you both, and we wish you both happiness and whatever it is you want in this world. Don't take this as us criticizing you or trying to knock you down."

"I know. I appreciate it."

"See you, Ross." The two walked out the door and he soon followed, thinking about their words of wisdom. He knew it came from a good place. He walked through the set. People were busy hustling around, setting up the shot. Soon it would all be over, the studio would be empty, the sets would be torn down. This had been a big part of his formative years, and it was coming to an end. He had been happy about it, wanting to expand his horizons, focus more on music, but seeing it like it was felt bittersweet. Everything was about to change.

It's funny how life worked. Just when you thought you wanted something, you learned that maybe you actually wanted things to stay the same.

He walked into their hair and makeup room and stood at the doorway, admiring the way her reflection shone in the vanity. Their glam team bustled around her, spraying and teasing her hair, laughing as they cracked jokes. He'd miss this.

He knew this had been the opportunity of a lifetime. One with people who were unparalleled in the way they gave and cared and loved. He would miss everyone. He would miss seeing her everyday, sitting in her makeup chair. She caught his eyes in the mirror and gave him a sad smile. She was likely thinking the same thing he was. It was eerie how their minds sometimes felt like one.

He hated how no one was giving them a chance. There was a lot of fan support, but then a lot of haters at the same time, predicting and anxiously awaiting their demise. It felt like no one believed in them. No one knew what was said and done behind closed doors, no one knew their relationship. He loved her. She loved him. It was simple.

Often times when he was alone with her, he wanted to sweep her away and take her far, to somewhere that was just theirs. He tried to escape privately with her any chance he could get. Away from their family and friends, away from the prying eyes of the public. There would be no expectation, no pressure from anything. He could protect her. And they could just be together as it was meant to be.

A/N: Questions? Concerns? Feelings? Review! And re-reading Everlong yesterday (I sometimes forget what I've written), how were more of you not pissed at that ending? I was kind of pissed, and I wrote the damn thing. I promise I won't do the Epilogue thing in this one, you have my word.