A/N – I don't do this often, but just a reminder that ALL words in this chapter are mine. That includes the lyrics, so there is no copying or using as your own. I'm not really worried, but I thought I should put a disclaimer out there just in case. Anyway, on to the chapter. Please leave a review!

Chapter 9 – An Inspired Song

Johnny keyed into the old club and looked around for Lulu, but she wasn't there yet. He assumed she was just still at work, but a part of him wondered if she would actually show up. They hadn't met in a week and when Lulu finally contacted him it had been by text only. Things were definitely going to be awkward if she did come. His question to her the last time they were together still hung in the air.

Then why did you kiss me back?

He still wanted the answer. But he knew he couldn't push her or he might lose the opportunity to work with her altogether which was the last thing he wanted. She had been a great asset to him and his music and he wasn't ready to let that go.

The door opened behind him again and Lulu stopped short for a moment. She regained her composure and walked by him quickly as she headed toward the stage. Johnny shook his head, wondering exactly how this was all going to work out.

"Sorry it's been so long," Lulu said, turning to face him. "This week was one of those crazy paperwork weeks and at one point I thought I would never see daylight again."

"If you're too busy for this, I understand," Johnny replied.

"No, it's just been...I had a busy week," Lulu stammered. "Plus, I wasn't sure you would want to see me at first."

"I'm not upset or anything," Johnny muttered. "It was...you know...whatever."

"I feel like we should-" Lulu tried.

"No, we shouldn't," Johnny cut in. "It's embarrassing enough as it is."

"Why?" Lulu asked.

"Rejection is often embarrassing," Johnny laughed.

"Right," Lulu nodded. "I'm really sorry."

"No, you shouldn't be sorry, I'm sorry," Johnny offered. "And an idiot, why would you...it's over now, let's just...wow, this is awkward."

"Are you upset with me?" Lulu wondered after a few moments.

"Of course not," Johnny answered. "Why would I be?"

"I sort of ran out and it was really...unprofessional," Lulu explained.

"Unprofessional," Johnny said softly. "That's not how I would describe it."

"How would you describe it?" Lulu questioned.

"I have no idea," Johnny sighed. "I understand though, so we really...we really should just put it behind us."

"How can you understand?" Lulu asked.

"It wasn't that hard to figure out," Johnny replied. "There's pretty much only one reason you would have done it. I get it. I think we should just try to get on with things."

"Right," Lulu muttered. "I really am sorry."

"Can you stop apologizing?" Johnny requested.

"Yeah, I'm...right," Lulu laughed.

"If you don't want to work with me today-" Johnny began.

"No, that's why I'm here," Lulu interjected. "I want everything to be okay with us...not that there is an us, ugh. You know what I'm saying. I just want to help with your music and if you still think I can, then I'm here."

"I think that you can," Johnny said, offering her a small smile. "Actually, I have something I came up with, if you want to hear it."

"Of course," Lulu said enthusiastically. "I didn't know that you were getting close to writing again. The last time we talked, you said you didn't have anything."

"It all sort of came at once," Johnny admitted. "I wasn't expecting it, but...I just got the tune and the words came and-"

"There are words, too?" Lulu jumped in excitedly.

"Yeah, it's a verse and a chorus," Johnny nodded.

"That's so exciting," Lulu said, smiling widely. "Well, come up here."

She waved him toward the stage and he laughed. He walked slowly and was careful not to walk too close to her as he made his way to the piano. She seemed to notice his distance and he hoped it wasn't going to make things worse between them. He honestly had no idea how to deal with the situation he found himself in with Lulu.

"So, you want me to just play it?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah," Lulu answered. "I'll just listen."

"I'm a littler nervous," Johnny muttered, placing his hands on the keys.

"Don't be," Lulu replied. "It's just me."

Johnny smiled at her and looked down to the keys. If only she knew that she had inspired his song, then maybe she would understand. He pressed down on the keys and the melody rang out through the almost empty club. When it came time, he added the words to the song.

Wanna continue with a heart that's black

Not really caring about the things I lack

But one look in your eyes and I can't go back

Back to my life without love

I was a train running out of track

Then you came along and sealed my cracks

I'm so thankful I don't have to go back

Back to my life without love

My life without love was my life without you

Never knowing emotion that was real or true

Feeling this way is something I was afraid of

But now I'm only scared of my life without love

He finished the melody that he had so far and stopped, smiling to himself before looking up to Lulu. Her eyes were glassy with tears and she had a hand pressed over her heart as she smiled at him. He took a deep, nervous breath and she shook her head, wiping underneath her eyes as she tried to think of what to say.

"I don't know if the tears are good or bad," Johnny chuckled.

"Good," Lulu said softly. "Really good."

"So...you liked it?" Johnny asked cautiously.

"It was amazing," Lulu smiled. "I can't even...it was just more than I expected."

"Thanks, I guess," Johnny muttered.

"Not that I didn't think you were talented," Lulu said quickly. "But that...it was so beautiful. And it still had that honest feel, which is what makes you so unique. I loved it."

"Yeah?" Johnny questioned.

"Yes," Lulu nodded. "I don't think you need me after all."

"No, I do," Johnny replied.

"You wrote this song all on your own," Lulu pointed out.

"But I would never have been in a place where I could write it if it wasn't for you," Johnny continued. "I had forgotten all my happy memories and..."

"And?" Lulu wondered.

Johnny considered mentioning he had forgotten how good life could be, but that was going too far. Giving her credit for that might lead to more questions he couldn't answer from her. Not when she didn't have the same feelings for him as he did for her.

"And how to write happy music," Johnny lied.

"I don't know, I still feel pretty useless," Lulu muttered. "We worked pretty much every day for a while and nothing. Then you don't see me for a week and you come up with this."

"Coincidence," Johnny shrugged.

"Maybe," Lulu said softly. "There's just..."

"What?" Johnny asked.

"There's something bugging me about the song," Lulu admitted.

"I thought you liked it," Johnny said in disappointment.

"I did, I loved it, but the timing of it...it makes me curious," Lulu explained.

"What do you mean?" Johnny wondered.

"All of your music has always been inspired," Lulu replied. "What inspired this song?"