AN: Sorry, that my updates are so few and far between. In my defense I have an apology/warning on my profile. Anyway, I'm really bogged down with school work so I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up. Hopefully this will be enough for now. As usual a HUGE thanks to my reviewers, and please keep the inspiring reviews coming.

Disclaimer: If I owned Camp Rock … well I don't so I guess it doesn't really matter.

Repercussions

It was the afternoon after Ali returned from New York, she had the day off of work to "adjust to west coast time" as her boss had put it. In all honesty Ali missed the kids and was excited about going back to work. Nate had been right, that was her niche. However, Monday morning arrived and Ali welcomed the thought of sleeping in. She had unpacked and skimmed all of the pictures from her trip. By the looks of it her camera had been passed around more than she had originally thought. The only way to tell who had taken many of them was to see who wasn't in the shot. Note to self, she thought laughing, tell Shane to keep his finger out from in front of the lens. She enjoyed her time alone but by the afternoon she welcomed the phone call announcing that Rory and Monique were coming over to get details.

"I'm picking up Coco and I'll see you in a few." Rory announced after a quick greeting, "You're not busy are you?" She said as an after though.

Ali laughed, "I'll see you when you get here."

Now the girls were admiring all of the pictures Ali had already gone through. They were floored by the video shoot pictures and the down time in the hotel. Ali knew they would flip when she showed them the pictures she had snapped during the photo shoot. So far their favorites were of Ali and Jason in the recording studio. Ali was showing them a video that Nate had taken in their common room when her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and answered after seeing Will's name.

"Hey Will," she answered.

"Hi, go to and check out the gossip." He sounded upset; a mix of angry and something else, maybe hurt. But there was something else in his voice that reminded her of when he had called to tell her bad news about her former favorite boy band. It automatically made Ali nervous.

Ali opened up her internet and went through her many homepage tabs. "Oh. My. God." She stated each word as a sentence. She didn't use that expression often, gosh was a more preferred exclamation but she felt that this ranked. "Will, I have to call Jason."

"Of course you do," he sounded bitter. Apparently he was hurt by the fact that she hadn't told him the whole story about her weekend vacation.

"I'll tell you everything later, I promise. Please, I can only handle one drama at a time. Thanks for letting me know."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Seriously Will, please don't be mad. Thank you so much for letting me know."

"I know you have some one to call. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

Ali heard the phone go dead on the other end. Her friends watched curiously as she hung up the phone.

"What's going on?" They inquired looking at Ali's disbelieving face. She turned the laptop towards them and pointed to a headline. "Jason Walker and Mystery Girl in Love in New York?" Below it was a picture of them walking arm in arm in the park, smiling.

"How?" Ali asked, still in shock of seeing her picture.

"Wow," Rory said, clicking on the link for the full story, there were more pictures; one of them on their way into the theater and another of their embrace at the airport. The article was nothing but speculation, the author clearly trying to get noticed, despite their lack of so much as a name for the "mystery girl".

"This is not good," Ali repeated to herself multiple times. Just then her phone went off, playing "Hello Beautiful." That could only be one person. "Hi Jason I was just about to call you."

"Ali I'm so sorry," he said quickly.

"So you saw."

"Yeah, and I'm really sorry," he sounded slightly distressed.

"It's not your fault," she reasoned.

"Jasper says it's not big enough news to make the tabloids on the newsstands."

"Jason, seriously don't worry about me. I just don't want you getting pelted with questions." Ali's head was spinning, she had to convince Jason that it wasn't a huge deal (which she hoped it wasn't), reason with Will, and figure out what the pictures meant for her own life.

There was a beat of silence. Rory and Monique were writing notes back and forth, not wanting to distract or let Ali in on their conversation.

How cute they are both worried about the other one…

Yeah, but this could get bad if people find out who Ali is

I don't think anyone will let that happen

If you say so

"Well what are you going to say? The interviewers are bound to ask. I know the fans will want to know. I remember reading the message boards about you and Peggy when all of you recorded that song together." It was true, the rumors ranged from them being engaged to the thought that she was using him to get to Nate. The truth of the matter was that they were acquaintances, plain and simple.

"I plan on telling the truth. You're a friend that I had come for a visit for your birthday." Jason explained. "How are you're friends handling it?"

"Rory and Monique are reading the article as we speak, Will was the one that called me and told me to look it up. He wasn't to thrilled that I didn't tell him that I was spending the weekend with you. I actually have some damage control to do after this."

"Really? What did I do?" Jason was slightly confused.

"Nothing, I think it's just that he doesn't know you very well. He's just looking out for me. Well, that and he kind of strongly dislikes your music." And the band she thought, but kept it to herself, "mostly it's because he found out from the online gossip before he heard it from me."

"Oh, well good luck? Do you think having your picture out like this will cause any big stuff for you?"

"I highly doubt it, I work with kindergarteners. They usually aren't too concerned with celebrity gossip." Ali joked, they laughed and the mood lightened significantly.

"Good point. But what about school?"

"I don't think many college students will have the guts to come up to me and ask, mostly because that would be outwardly admitting that they are Connect 3 fans. They tend to try to avoid that."

"You didn't," he pointed out.

"Well what can I say, I'm defective," she quipped and changed the topic, "Oh, we have a project going on in the class. All of the kids are bringing in cereal boxes. We are going to make birdhouses out of cardboard."

"Sounds like fun." Ali's answers had appeased him and her distraction had worked.

Just then Ali's mom returned home from grocery shopping, "I could use some help," she called from the garage.

"Mom's home, I have to go. But I'll talk to you later ok?"

"K, bye Ali."

"Bye."

- - - - -

"I can't believe this is happening!" Jason exclaimed. He had wanted to keep her out of the press so much. It was true that they were just friends, but if they became anything more than that the press would be so much worse because of this. He knew inviting her to New York was asking for trouble. But at the time he hadn't cared.

"Look at it this way: would you rather she hadn't come to visit?" Nate asked.

"Are you kidding me?" Jason asked rhetorically.

"Then we'll just deal with it. I wouldn't worry about Ali. She seems like she can handle it, laugh it off or something."

"Yeah man, don't worry about it. You act too much like me sometimes," Shane said simply, walking in from the other room with a bowl in his hand. "There's only room for one over dramatic pop star around here."

Jason seemed to take that into consideration. He quickly accepted it and moved on, "Oh, she told me that her kids are making birdhouses this week."

Shane nearly choked on the cereal he was eating, "Since when does she have kids?"

Jason rolled his eyes dramatically, "Not her biologicalkids. The children in the school she works at. Duh."

"Ohh, ok, that makes more sense." Shane nodded. The conversation continued from there, all of the drama dropped for the time being.

- - - - -

Back at Ali's house she had hung up with Jason and tried to call Will.

"Come on Will, pick up," she muttered into the ringing phone. She got his voice mail, again. "argh!" she nearly growled in frustration. She decided to leave a message this time. "I'm so so so sorry Will. I don't know what else to say. There's no excuse, but in my defense I never lied to you. Anyway, you obviously don't want to talk to me, but when you do, which I'm hoping is soon. Call me, bye."

"He seriously won't pick up the phone?" Coco asked after listening to Ali leave the message.

"Nope. He's ticked. He'll calm down, eventually. I don't really know what to do other than give him some space." She looked helplessly at the phone and played with the necklace she hadn't taken off yet. She hated having people mad at her.

"It's for the best. Now, for a happier topic… you promised a photo shoot." Rory distracted. Ali gave her a half smile and directed them to folder on her desktop. "And where is that necklace from."

Ali's grin spread across her face and she went into detail about her stay in New York, or at least the parts she hadn't talked about yet.

- - - - -

The next day Ali was sitting in the library looking at the article again. She had printed it up as a souvenir. She had decided that the press was not necessarily a bad thing, it could be worse. There could be some kind of scandal involved. At least they don't know who I am.

"Hey 'mystery girl'," said a voice right next to her headphone. Ali jumped nearly a foot out of her seat. She hadn't heard anyone come up behind her; she'd been listening to her CD.

"Geez Will! You startled me." She put her hand over her heart, it was beating much too fast. Well at least he's talking to me.

He just laughed.

"Think of it as payback." Will didn't sound upset, but not joking either; just stating a fact.

"I'm guessing you are referring to the trip to New York?" She wasn't sure how to handle this. He was one of her best friends and she wanted to share it with him. On one hand, she loved to talk about her trip. On the other hand, Will really didn't like Connect 3 very much.

"The one you said you were going on with your mother? Yes, that would be it," Will specified, any humor that was in his voice was gone now.

"I did go with my mom, ask her yourself. She spent Saturday with her friends and the rest of the time with me."

"You and…" he let the sentence hang, waiting for her to fill in the blank.

"Connect 3. There I said it, happy now?"

"Well, being you still look shaken from my ninja attack, maybe a little."

"You are evil," she proclaimed as he took a seat next to her.

"So what did you do with 'the teen pop sensations that are sweeping the nation'?"

Ali rolled her eyes at the ridiculous phrasing. "Stuff," she shrugged, laughing when he huffed and folded his arms, "You look like a five year old."

She could have sworn that she had heard him mumble something about Jason having the intelligence of a five year old, but she let it slide, at least the specifics. She really didn't want to get in to a fight about Jason, but she wanted him to get past his issue with Connect 3.

"Dude, what's the problem? What do you find so offensive about the guys?"

"They're just too popular, there is too much screaming, and the music really isn't my thing. That and they wear chick pants, spend too much time on their hair…" He paused, "Wait, 'the guys' are you an honorary member or something?"

"No, well," she glanced at her laptop and the open music player, "That's a longer story. It involves headphones."

"I've got time," Will replied, arms still crossed. Ali looked around the library before pulling the CD case out of her bag.

"The Fourth Connection?" he read aloud.

"You must admit it's catchy." Ali pointed out, Will swiveled his head in a motion of a non-committal answer. He turned it over and looked at the playlist.

"So the Elvis wannabe got you to sing in a studio?" Will loved that his friend had gotten that experience. He knew that was a dream of hers. But did it have to be with them?

Ali slapped his arm lightly, "He's not an 'Elvis wannabe'. And yeah, I have a few solo songs on there. But I tend to skip them when I listen."

"So what else did you do this weekend? Or am I going to have to read about that on the message boards?" He asked reaching for one of her headphones and restarting the CD.

"Will please. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was just really busy, and then Rory and Coco were over." She was exasperated, and at a total loss at what else to do. "I told you I would tell you everything. Now is your chance. You want to know about my weekend? Ask away."

- - - - - -

Due to Ali's and Jason's schedules it was two days before they could actually have a conversation.

Brdhouse67: How was the first day?

Almost2normal: At work? I was wrong about the little kids; I'm the coolest person in the place now. And they all want me to send you pictures of them with their birdhouses when they are finished.

Brdhouse67: Awesome, I can't wait. How did they find out?

Jason was honestly curious. How would a five year old figure out that their classroom help was in the internet gossip.

Almost2normal: I have no idea. But how about you? I have it easy. You have fans that know everything.

Brdhouse67: It'll be fine. I'll tell the truth and leave your name out of it.

Almost2normal: That's very sensible.

Brdhouse67: Well I'm a sensible guy… ok maybe not, but I know people who are.

Ali rolled her eyes. He wasn't always the brightest guy around, but he didn't give himself nearly enough credit.

Brdhouse67: Did you get things sorted out with Will?

Almost2normal: Yeah, I think everything has settled on that front. Everyone here loves my CD by the way. I didn't know it was physically possible to listen to an album this many times. I've got to say that "Across the Universe" is one of my favorites.

Brdhouse67: Thanks, but I don't think you've broken my record yet. I still have the bird inspired mix CD in my computer. It drives the guys crazy. Oh, and I hope you don't mind but I have a copy of your CD too.

Almost2normal: It's fine with me. But why on earth would you want to listen to that?

Brdhouse67: Well it just happens to be that it is an awesome CD with my best friends on it.

Ali smiled at his words, and then remembered something she had read online.

Almost2normal: I've been checking out the message boards and there are all kinds of theories about us.

Brdhouse67: Really? Anything good?

Almost2normal: So far I think my favorite is that we eloped on Saturday and I'm pregnant with your child. Well, that one or the theory that I'm you're long lost half sister. Though it also says that I'm Nate's half sister too; which doesn't make much sense if you know the history of the band.

Brdhouse67: Wow, I can use those in interviews. Now I have a good answer for when they ask "What's the craziest rumor…"

Almost2normal: Glad I could help. Uh-oh, I didn't realize it was so late. I have a test tomorrow; I'll talk to you later. G'night Jason.

Brdhouse67: sweet dreams Ali.

She logged off, but kept the window open. She found something very comforting about the words "sweet dreams" at least coming from him. She had adjusted very easily to being around him over the weekend. Having that closing to a conversation just felt right.

- - - - - -

Weeks passed and Ali watched as the gossip blogs and news stories faded. But she was also very aware of the fact that she was still a hot topic on the message boards and fan forums. She and Jason talked as much as ever. Their conversations had remained more or less the same, though they were a little more playful now. Friends on both sides said that the two were obviously flirting. Ali maintained that she didn't flirt. At least not that she was aware of, or on purpose. There was affection on both sides but neither one of them acknowledged it outwardly.

Ali was sitting in her living room watching TV with her sister when her phone rang; it was a call from Jason. Wow, this must be something big Ali thought, neither of them called the other very often.

"Hi," she greeted brightly.

"Guess what?"

"Nate is writing a new song?" Ali guessed. She had no idea why Jason had called, but she had a good chance of being with right with that assumption.

She could almost hear Jason rolling his eyes, "Well yeah, but that's not why I called. We are doing a benefit concert in San Diego. We just got the news and I wanted to let you know before it got out. Would you like to come backstage and everything? Shane's bringing Mitchie out and I think she's bringing Caitlyn. You can bring someone if you want."

"That sounds great Jason. When is the concert?"

"The last week in April, we don't have the date yet."

"That's fine, spring break is at a weird time this year so that works perfectly."

"Great, we will probably hang out for a while after the concert. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, and I would have come to the concert anyway, regardless of school." Ali knew herself well enough to know that she would have gone to school on one hour of sleep the next day if it was necessary.

"Come on dude, I'm hungry," Ali heard Shane shout.

"Uh-oh, some one's cranky. I'd better let you go before Shane starts destroying things."

"Yeah," He laughed.

"Bye Jason."

"Bye."

Ali went upstairs to look at her calendar. The concert really wasn't that far away, not even two months, it would give her something to look forward to. She saw that she had written down that her sister and Monique were both out of town that week. What are the odds of that? Ali wondered. It certainly made choosing some one to bring to the concert simpler. She logged onto her instant messenger. Rory was already signed on.

Almost2normal: Hi, are you doing anything in the last week of April?

AceOrAlice: hi and I don't think so –checks calendar- nope, not yet.

Almost2normal: would you be interested in coming to a Connect 3 concert with me? Backstage and most likely decent seats included.

AceOrAlice: Are you serious?

Almost2normal: yep

Ali's phone rang. The instant she said hello there was babbling and squeaking on the other end.

"OMG how did you get tickets? Where is the show? Who did you sell your soul to? What about Christine? Shouldn't you take Monique..." Finally Rory had to pause to breathe, giving Ali a chance to stop laughing and answer some of the questions.

"I haven't sold my soul to anybody. The tickets haven't gone on sale yet. It's going to be in San Diego, in late April, and I don't have anymore details than that. Monique and Chrisy are both out of town that week. Meaning you are destined to be my concert buddy." Ali waited while her friend took all of the information in.

"Wait, I'm not sure if I want to be a part of your courtship with Mr. Pop/rock star."

"What are you talking about?" Ali rolled her eyes.

"Come on Ali, seriously. He flew you and your mom out to New York for three days for your birthday; he seems to remember every word you've ever said to him. I saw how you two were at Christmas, I've seen the chat logs from some of those conversations. Face it, he likes you."

Ali had thought of all of that, but refused to accept that he liked her. If she did that she would get her hopes up. Then if it turned out to just be Jason being Jason she would be crushed. That was a feeling Ali could live without.

"So do you want to come with me to the concert or not?" Ali asked, ignoring her friend's rant.

"I'm in," she replied simply as if the last part of the conversation hadn't happened, "but I'm telling you, something's going down at the concert."

"Whatever you say Alice," Ali joked. Rory had acquired the nickname as a running joke from them both reading the Twilight books.

- - - -

"What are you doing Jason?" Nate asked warily. He had come in to find the guitarist sitting on the floor surrounded by lyrics to their songs and the set list in his hand.

"You know… stuff," Jason answered. His friend looked at him suspiciously but didn't push for answers.

"So Shane says Mitchie is definitely coming," Nate informed Jason, who was still staring at lyrics. "And she is bringing someone, but Shane didn't say who."

"Caitlyn," Jason stated matter-of-factly, still preoccupied.

"Really?" Nate asked, surprised.

"Yep, oh and Ali's bringing somebody with her too."

"Cool, that's all the seats we have," Nate was pleased to hear that Ali was helping fill their last free seat, it took the pressure off him of trying to figure out who to invite. It would be nice to have her around again too. Plus, Caitlyn was coming, that was a friendship he wanted to rekindle. They hadn't spoken in years.

- - - - -

Two weeks later the tickets for the show went on sale and Will was the first to ask if she was going. They were sitting at a table in a café at school.

"I don't need to get tickets. Didn't I tell you? I have tickets and backstage passes already." Ali said nonchalantly sipping her smoothie, secretly hoping Will wouldn't be too bothered by her withholding information. It's not like he wants to go Ali thought.

"Ah, another Jason invite?" Will questioned, taking a gulp of his coffee. He seemed to be getting more neutral towards Jason. It was probably because Ali didn't bring him up much in her conversations. She was fairly sure that Will would be sick of his name if she did.

"Yeah, is that a problem?" She was playing around.

Will shook his head, "But what if it was?"

"I would ask why."

"Maybe he's not good enough for you," Will said, giving her a "so there" look.

"How does that have anything to do with anything? It's not like we're dating," Ali defended. To the untrained ear Will's answers sounded like jealousy, but Ali knew he was just trying to get a rise out of her.

"Come on, it's obvious," Will insisted. Did she honestly not see it? I barely know him but I can figure that out.

"Not that obvious," she mumbled. Will sighed and changed topics.

- - - - -

AN: The last part of this chapter was actually a part of the next one, but it was getting to long and this one was too short… hence the mildly abrupt ending. So here you go.