This is it! Last chapter before the epilogue. I'd like to thank Trinity Everett for checking over a lot of this entire thing. She keeps me sane and on my toes and everyone should thank her for all the inspiration she gives me.

Hope everyone has enjoyed the mass that is this story. I'm glad it's about over and also disappointed since you guys really seemed to like it. I can't say there won't be one-shots inspired by this cause there was a lot I had ideas for that I had to cut. So it won't go away totally, heh.

Enough of the teary eyed stuff. Here it is.

The song they are recording is "What Have You Done Now?" by Within Temptation.

The song Tony plays for Michelle is "Everything" by Lifehouse.

PG


One year later

"No, he has to sign the contract before we can push out the first single. I know he's worried but just, reassure him we don't take over the rights to any of his work."

Michelle pulled her car up to the studio and parked in front of the double glass doors. Running a music label turned out to be more trouble than she thought she could handle. And yet, she loved every minute of it. Tony had only one rule when he asked her if she wanted the job; no corporate games. He wanted this to be a way to help people more than making money and she'd done everything she could think of to stay true to his wishes. It kept her on her toes, as did he. Never once had he overruled her but that didn't mean they didn't argue over some of her decisions. Still, it meant a lot to her that he trusted her enough to do things her way.

A lot had changed in a year. Just like they thought he would, Carlos attempted to sue Tony over his firing. That was where Bill stepped in. As their manager, he had drafted everything they signed, but Tony had set up the structure for the contracts and well, he wasn't stupid. It was swift and quiet and didn't cause near the trouble Carlos was expecting. There was no backlash, no bad press. He had nothing to do with them anymore. Tony was more than generous in the settlement and it seemed like his brother took the money and left them alone.

The empty spot in the band wasn't an issue while Tony was recovering but it soon became their number one priority. It was Michelle who had actually gave Tony the idea to ask John if he wanted to return. The band he was in was doing well and he loved playing with them, but he'd be going back to the people he grew up with. John didn't take more than a few seconds to say yes. No one could argue the fact that John was the better singer, Tony the better guitar player. They were matched quite well and it gave Tony the opportunity to take it easier on stage. Everything had worked out perfect and the new band's tour schedule started in a week.

Michelle grabbed her bag and locked her car, pushing her way into the studio. With a new tour comes a new album and they had been busy recording for over a month now. She made her way down the hall, waving at the few people she met on the way. The red sign indicating if they were currently "in progress" was off so she shuffled inside quickly. Rodney McKay was sitting at the console, furiously flicking switches and sliding his chair down the long bank of knobs. McKay was the best sound man on the west coast, no matter how annoying he was. He also happened to be John's best friend.

"Hey Rodney, how's it going?" Michelle glanced through the glass dividers. Tony was adjusting some equipment inside the sound booth while Jack and Chase switched out pieces of Jack's drum set. John and a blonde woman were flipping through the pages of a document.

"They never listen to me. Isn't it my job to make sure things sound perfect? Yes? Then why don't they listen to me?" He never looked up from his controls and Michelle couldn't help but smile. He just kept going. "I've spliced in your part already. We just have to go through the vocals on this song again because Sheppard is being an ass."

A snort sounded from behind them and Michelle turned around. "Dr. Weir? What are you doing here? Is everything ok?" Michelle's gaze cut back to Tony worriedly and the other woman reached out to reassure her.

"Everything is fine. I'm not here for Tony. John...he invited me."

Michelle just blinked at her until the slow pink flush on Elizabeth's face made her catch on. "Oh! I'm sorry, I just assumed...have you ever watched a recording before?" Relief spread through her as the other woman accepted her change of subject. John was one of her best friends, but he'd never mentioned an interest in Tony's doctor before. That alone made Michelle giddy beyond words. If John kept something to himself, chances were it was very important.

Elizabeth smiled at her. "Actually no, I've never seen anything like this." They walked up closer to the glass as the band looked to be setting back up.

"Is that Laura Cadman?" Michelle looked back at Rodney.

"Yeah that's her. She's here for that movie track. The uh..." He snapped his fingers quickly. "The one with the vampires and such."

"I didn't know they were working on that one today." She turned back to the glass and spoke to Elizabeth. "You came on a good day. This song is pretty moving. John is a really good singer."

"I've been impressed with what I've seen so far. I don't have a musical bone in my body." Michelle laughed. "Everyone has been amazing. I knew who Tony was but I don't follow this kind of music closely."

"Ok ladies, time to get back to work." They both turned to glare at Rodney and he looked around timidly. "Please?"

They got comfortable in front of the divider as Rodney spoke to everyone over the intercom. "Ok we are gonna try "What Have You Done?" Let's try and get this the first time ok?"

As everyone got into place Tony noticed Michelle through the window and he smirked, giving her a small wave. She grinned and waved back, just catching John winking at Elizabeth next to her. She snuck a glance to the side and saw the pink flush again. Oh yeah, she had a lot to ask John.

"Are you all done now lovebirds? Can we get on with it?"

"Shut up Rodney." John leaned over to say something to Tony and they both laughed.

Everyone was ready. John, Tony and Laura standing in front of their microphones. Tony would only be playing the guitar and singing backup. He had wrote the song but felt it was better suited for John. It was Rodney's idea to bring in a female co-lead since it was for a movie soundtrack. The more names the better.

Tony started the intro guitar riff and John kicked off the song, Laura joining in with him half way through the first verse.

I know I'd better stop trying

You know that there's no denying

I won't show mercy on you now

I know I should stop believing

I know that there's no retrieving

It's over now

What have you done?

Michelle watched them all sing and it never got old. John had grabbed his mic and was practically singing with his entire body. Tony never played poorly and this was no exception. The addition of Laura's voice was pure genius. She sounded perfect blending in with the smoothness of John's vocal register. It was haunting and it would fit the movie exactly how they wanted it to.

She couldn't help but chance a look at Elizabeth. Michelle had always thought Tony's doctor was beautiful. Her hair was long, reaching just beyond her shoulders and falling in slight curls; a rich brown. Elizabeth had an air about her; elegant and graceful. The first thing Michelle had noticed were her eyes. They were a striking green color that gave the hint of piercing. They were so different from John's eyes which were soft and inviting. Just the idea of John and Elizabeth together made Michelle confused and yet at the same time, there seemed to be something there only they understood.

The song finished up and Rodney called out the all clear. The rest of the afternoon wrapped up and someone suggested they all go out.

"We can't. I'm taking Elizabeth to that new place on Clark that just opened up." John wrapped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and pulled her closer. As they went around the room, everyone seemed to have something to do.

Tony grabbed Michelle by the waist and pulled her into him, nuzzling her neck. "Guess it's just you and me baby."

"I've got no problem with that." She ran her nails up the back of his head and he groaned.

"Jesus Christ you people. Is there something in the water around here?" Rodney pushed his way between them all and out the door.


Tony had told her to go on ahead to the restaurant since he had offered to drop Laura off.

Michelle pulled up to the building and got out. On her way to the door, she glanced around noticing there were no cars in the parking lot. She checked the sign again and made sure she was in the right place. The door opened behind her and she turned to see Bill beaming back at her.

"Bill?" She looked around again, confused. "What's going on?"

"Why don't you come in and see for yourself?" His grin was infectious and she smiled back, even though she had no idea what was happening. She approached the door timidly and slipped past Bill.

It was dark and smoky inside and one table was set up in the middle of the room, right in front of a stage. Bill shut the door behind her and moved off somewhere she couldn't see. Turning back around she watched as John, Chase, Jack and surprisingly her Aunt Karen took up places on the stage. The lights popped on but were dim and subtle. No one said anything to her as she moved forward, coming closer to the table but not sitting. Each of them set up and waited. A lone acoustic guitar was left near the center microphone and then Tony was making his way from behind the stage to the front position. His clothes were dark; jeans and a deep blue shirt. Leaning his cane against one of the back stands, he then swung the guitar over his shoulder. Michelle opened her mouth to speak but stopped at the look in his eyes. His gaze was smoldering and she barely had enough time to blush before he started playing; Karen's violin accompanying him.

Find Me Here

Speak To Me

I want to feel you

I need to hear you

You are the light

That's leading me

To the place where I find peace again.

You are the strength, that keeps me walking.

You are the hope, that keeps me trusting.

You are the light to my soul.

You are my purpose...you're everything.

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

Michelle lifted one hand and held onto the top of the chair nearest her for balance. The tears in her eyes were making it hard to see and she swiped at them with her other hand. Tony had never, in all the times she'd seem him perform, sang anything like this. She didn't need to ask him, she knew he'd written this for her and only her. Her hands started shaking and she couldn't help but bite her lip and touch her lips, fidgeting as he continued to sing to her, his voice soft and sensual.

You calm the storms, and you give me rest.

You hold me in your hands, you won't let me fall.

You steal my heart, and you take my breath away.

Would you take me in? Take me deeper now?

How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

She could feel a crescendo coming and her breath moved with the flow of it as it all suddenly erupted and he lifted his voice, pouring out his soul to her.

Cause you're all I want, You're all I need

You're everything,everything

You're all I want your all I need

You're everything, everything.

You're all I want you're all I need.

You're everything, everything

You're all I want you're all I need, you're everything, everything.

They never took their eyes off each other and as the song came to it's slow conclusion, she started moving toward the stage. Tony slid the guitar off and stepped off the front of the stage. Everyone else, grinning uncontrollably, moved off towards the back but not out of watching distance.

Once he got close enough, Tony pulled Michelle into him smirking at her tears and wiping a few away with his thumb.

"I didn't mean to make ya cry." He pushed a few of her curls from her face. "I got somethin' I need to ask you."

Michelle held her breath as he reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out a ring...an engagement ring. The flood lights from the stage were still on and there was no mistaking the diamond. The band was a silver color and she could make out small etchings on the sides.

Tony held the ring up in the small space between them and pulled her tighter against him, dropping his head to nuzzle under her hair near her ear. "Marry me Michelle."

She let out the breath she'd been holding slowly and reached up to wrap her arms around the back of his neck, turning her face into his and answering him quietly. "Yes."