I Rally4ever DON'T OWN RFR, BUT I AM PROUD TO OWN THIS STORY.

SHOUTING OUT ONCE AGAIN TO:

All those wonderful people who took time out to review this here story…

paceyjoeytruelove: Thanks for the awesome review, and for the good points about the DC. Which is now on the-n. My fav. Seasons were one and two… went downhill after that… LOL. But you act. Make me 'almost' believe in 'true' love of the p.j. variety… True it did get too much back and forth. ENOUGH WITH THE DRAMA ALREADY!

He he… the 'drama' has just begin in my story though…

Criminal Insanity: I know I would've gone insane… well 'more' insane' without your support and your reviews… You've been a real pal. It's been a pleasure to know you. You're skills are masterful… Not only as a writer but as a reader, you are attentive to detail, which makes me putting detail into my story… all the more worth-while… worth the effort… it's truly rewarding to a writer. I appreciate 'that' you, more than you know. I hope your life is going great, You deserve that and more! As always it's a pleasure to see your name… I look forward to it.

Machina Deus: Any name you go by… Of course I remember you. Yet another observant reader… gosh you guys make me feel like I don't have to try so hard… to paint the picture… You guys see it for what it's worth. YOU READER/REVIEWERS are Brilliful to me… God I love it when in true-Ray form … words are brought together… You read my stories… you know how I do love 'that'. LOl. And I love that 'moment'.. you know the one. It's on my play-that-one again list… when it's RFR tape time.

lilyflowr33: Liz my gurl, I MISSED YOU! OF COURSE I TOLD YOU SO LAST NIGHT… HEY, It's YOU… he he… THAT IS ALL THE INTRO YOU NEED GURL,

IT'S ALWAYS ENOUGH. ESP. FOR A FRIEND. A SISTER AT ARMS. SHE ANSWERED THE CALL YA'LL…

ShweetAngel2486: Always glad to meet a fellow kindred spirit a Rilly at heart. What can I say? Hey, I too thrive off of the stuff… I hope this 'interaction' is good 4 ya… It was good for me … cause I sure loved writing it!

niikii: I noticed the attention: Mission Accomplished… as you well know… AND THANK YOU! I couldn't seem to say it enough when I mailed you… but… hey, REALLY THANKS. You have no idea what it meant to open up my inbox and know someone still was interested… Believe me… It was appreciated… It really moved me… Lol… Well, I'm updating aren't I?

(I must say I expect much screaming/ omg by the end of this chapter here)..SO… DOWN TO BUSNIESS… AS 'PER REQUEST'….

"Really Ray, I'm glad you liked it... Everyone did… "You Belong to Someone Else" was a huge hit at SOUND WAVE... I wouldn't be surprised if "NO MAN'S LAND" had gigs lined up for months... This could be the start of "GREAT" things for us Ray...

Ray loosed the orange monstrosity around his neck and chillaxed back on the couch, and mused to himself, 'She's being so stubborn. She's being herself. She isn't gonna make this easy for either of us. We both already know why we're here, we just need to say it out-loud. Some things just need to be heard. Well, go ahead Lily Randall because I'm not going anywhere; I've got plenty of time...

I'll let you off the hook for now... But not for long.'

Lily babbles on about everything and nothing at all really.

"Yeah, Parker she's an awesome guitarist and Meghan is the same way on drums, we deserve a shot.
We're a lot better than a lot of other no name bands out there..."

Ray shakes his head and says, "Um hum, Lil."

"Oh and I'm finally getting it together in school... Physics is coming along..."

Ray observes to himself, 'She just had to throw 'Physics' in there huh, man she must be desperately nervous or
desperately avoidant, possibly both.'

But he was too 'determined' now, to be put off by that…

"That's good to know Lil, but can we talk about something other than school?"

"Like what, Ray?"

"Something… Important."

"Well, school is important Ray," Lily tries to cover.

"Not as important as 'us', and what we're both doing here right now."

"What do you mean Ray?"

"Well, it didn't escape my notice that I'm still wet, while you're dry as a bone. Funny, you must
have been here longer than you're letting on, to miss out on that lovely storm.
It came in so fast and only built up stronger. It's still pouring outside."

"Yeah, darn I must have just missed it, really." Lily states bitingly.

"Lily, I'd thought you'd want to talk about something real."

"Want to talk about something real Ray, other than the weather? Why don't we talk about Grace?" Lily states with
her back still turned and her arms folded.

"Okay, lets..." Ray is on the edge of his seat now, with his elbows on his knees.

'Now we're getting somewhere,' he thinks eagerly.

"Oh since we're not talking about the 'weather', I guess shouldn't state that if you were running from the storm,
there's no way you could've gotten 'that' wet. Because the storm started out pretty lightly..."

"You're right Lil, but for now let's get back to Grace. What do you want to know?"

"Where is she now? Does she even know you're here?"

"She doesn't know because she's at home of course. Like the gentleman I am, I dropped her off after Sound Wave.
I didn't even know I was coming here til 'a little' later."

"Did she like my performance? You two seemed to have left together in a hurry, too quickly
to catch the 'ending' really..."

"Oh Yeah, of course Grace just loved it. Who wouldn't?" Ray sincerely informs her.

"I'm so happy, now my night is complete," Lily states with just a hint of sarcasm.

"Lil you're so talented. You were Great up there and you know it! Hey, we only hurried off because well after the screaming crowd started swarming around you and applauding, there wasn't much to be heard over all that 'noise'... You know?" Ray struggles, not quite sure how to word it so his 'hint' could be pulled off. He prays she 'gets' it.

"Thanks anyway, Ray. For saying I was 'Great'... And I am glad she liked it," Lily states.

Humm, maybe... she didn't 'get' it after all, just yet...
Drastic measures might have to be taken; he always has to do it the hard way doesn't he?
Is there any other?

He decides to try and open up some communication, with a 'simple' enough question...
"What's your beef with Grace, Lil?"

"Nothing, it's just... Do you think you can still be her boyfriend and my best friend at the same time? Can you balance 'that'?
Will she be okay with me in your life, Is there any room at all left for me?" Lily blurts most of the questions she's afraid of, save one.

"Gracie's a good girl, Lil. She's nice, sweet, charming, pretty, and smart because she has enough sense to laugh at my jokes."

"Oh. Well, Ray. Like I said in my song, if it's 'GO TIME…' I can respect you enough to stand aside and let you live your own life.
It is what Best Friends do for each other, I want you happy, above all else Ray..." Lily states saddened deeply, but trying her best
not to show it.

Those were the hardest words she'd ever had to utter...
Admitting she'd want him happy, even if that meant without her.

Ray continues on almost as if Lily hadn't even said her 'happy' comment at all...

"She's good to talk to, she really listens... I can only hope she'll understand...
She'll just have to understand."

"You 'only hope she'll understand' what Ray?" Lily hears his movements as he rises off the couch. The blanket drops
from around his shoulders; she hears 'that' too as it falls to the ground, while he takes steps in her direction.

He's behind her now, she doesn't know what to make of 'this'…
And she can't seem to will her heart to slow…

She feels his hands on the top of her arms, as they gently force her to
turn around and face him.

"Well, I hope Grace will understand that... I belong to you."