AN: Hello! I think this chapter is a little late so I'm so sorry! BTW thankyou to Blaze for your comment and suggestion. I'm starting a new story and it should be up fairly soon (I'm not making any promises XD) so hopefully you'll enjoy that one.

ALSO this chapter jumps forward a lot and I just wanted to skip all the incredibly pointless, boring stuff so for that to happen, it needed to be pushed forward.

An Airport can Also Be And Enemy

Once we were finally back to the hotel, everyone was about to fall asleep. Quickly, I bid goodnight to everyone and slipped Andy a small kiss. As soon as I entered the bedroom I shared with Sophie and Lauren, I flopped down onto the bed, ignoring the fact that I was still wearing my sweaty gross clothes, and closed my eyes. Soon after, I was on the verge of sleep and wakefulness, listening to Soph and Lauren climb into their beds. Ten minutes later, the door opened and Bradie's voice filled the darkness.

"Sophie?" He whispered.

"Bradie?" Soph mumbled, sitting up on her elbows.

"Can I sleep with you? Andy is being scary…" In a second, I was sitting up and stumbling to the door.

"I'll go sort him out," I said quietly, grinning. Because Casper was on the couch and Rianna and Sam shared another hotel room, Shaun had his own bedroom and Andy and Bradie had to share. So did we girls. It took me some time to find Andy's room in the dark, but eventually, I did find it and ducked through the door. From the tiny amount of light coming through the curtains, I could just make out the shape of the double bed and made my way over to it, sliding in next to Andy.

"Hang on a second," he laughed. "You don't feel like Bradie…" He took hold of my hand and pulled me into his arms.

"I'd certainly hope not," I giggled, snuggling into his chest as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Slowly, Andy reached down and kissed me softly.

"You don't kiss like him either," he said thoughtfully.

"I would pray you haven't got something to back that statement up," I whispered.

"Don't worry, I don't."

"Good." I paused. "By the way I smell terrible once more so we should probably keep some distance between each other," I warned, shuffling away. Andy pulled me back to him and made a point of holding me close.

"I don't care how shit you smell," he told me. "I probably smell ten times worse at most times."

"Good point," I admitted, grinning.

"You weren't really supposed to agree with that," Andy said, sounding appalled. I laughed.

"It's a bit late for that, don't you think?" I felt his chest shake as he chuckled, and I tried – and failed – to keep myself steady. After a moment, I rolled over and put my back to him.

"Aww what's wrong?" he whispered, breath tickling my neck.

"I don't like it when my head is bounced up and down," I replied.

"I promise I won't."

"I don't believe you." At this point, I was trying so hard not to laugh that it was hurting my stomach. I felt Andy's arm loop around my waist and pull me to him so my back was against his chest.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, pressing his lips against the skin at the bottom of my neck.

"Forgiven," I whispered, twining my fingers with his and leaning my head back against his chest. I yawned quietly and in a matter of moments, was drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

As I slowly woke, I could still feel Andy's arms around me, his head tucked between my neck and shoulder. After a couple of seconds, I noticed that he was awake, breathing steady against my shoulder. I closed my eyes again, letting the sunlight that filtered through the window behind us wash over my head and neck. After a couple of minutes, a voice sounded softly in my ear.

"I know you're awake," Andy whispered, his lips brushing my skin. My mouth pulled up mischievously.

"How'd you figure it out?" There was a light chuckle and I felt his hot breath tickle my neck.

"I know you too well." He kissed my cheek and tightened his arms around me, head resting in the space between my shoulder and neck. My eyes closed instinctively and I felt Andy's breathing grow slower. Way to ruin a moment; falling asleep. As much as I'd wanted to stay in that bed all day, I knew that at some stage, I'd have to go to the bathroom and eat. Gently, I placed my hands awkwardly under his head and lift it off of my shoulder before quickly ducking forward, letting him flop down onto the pillow. I struggled to unlatch his arms from around me, but when I did and clambered off the bed, he groaned and reached for me, pulling me back down to him.

"It's cold now," he said, touching his lips to my neck.

"It's only because you don't have the doona," I pointed out, reaching down and gripping the duvet, I dragged it over us.

"All better now," Andy murmured, rolling me over so I was facing him.

"Of course it is," I laughed.

"Mmhmm…" He reached down and pressed his lips to mine, his arms winding around my waist gently. I placed both hands around Andy's neck, fingers twining into his hair. There was a moment where I could feel a change in the way Andy was holding me and I knew I had to slow down. I reduce the movement of my lips against his and pulled away a little bit. Andy grinned at me, understanding, and kissed me once more before releasing me.

"Go! Before I keep you here," he said, moving away a little. The doona sagged with the space and I rolled onto the floor, stretching and glancing back down at an almost drooling Andy.

"Don't look at me like that," I mock-reprimanded, narrowing my eyes. Yet he kept looking at me like 'that'. I shook my head and laughed, slipping out the door and into the corridor. I crept to the end, careful not to wake anyone else up. Just as I reached the mouth, I heard a voice talking lowly and oddly flirtatiously.

"I miss you too," the voice said. I peeked round the corner, about to get a look at the person when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I jumped ten feet in the air and spun around, squealing loudly. Sophie clamped a hand over my mouth and made a 'shh' sign with her finger. My heart – which was beating in an unusual pattern – had started to slow very gradually.

"What are you doing?" Soph mouthed.

"What are you doing?" I hissed back.

"I heard someone come down the hall and I came to see who it was," she whispered.

"Well I'm doing the same," I lied. "Just hush for a moment, okay?" I poked my head back around the corner and sought out the person of interest. I pulled back as I comprehended who it was.

"Lauren…" I mouthed. Sophie's eyes widened ten times like Mr. Halleren's nostrils in The Shining. Dragging her forward, I made sure she was looking properly.

"I know," Lauren sighed. "I just don't know how we can keep doing this without anyone finding out. I love you so much…" I pulled Soph back down the hall after me.

"She's cheating on Shaun!" I hiss-exclaimed.

"I bags not telling him!" I gave her a withering look.

"It's not about who is telling him. Lauren has hooked up with another guy and didn't tell us! Doesn't that bother you?"

"A little…"

"Well we can't let her know we know okay?"

"Okay. So we just walk in there like we didn't hear anything?" I nodded doubtfully. So, with a deep breath, we strode into the living room as casually as we could just as Lauren was pressing 'end' on her mobile.

"What are you guys doing up so early?" Lauren asked, looking up from her phone.

"Andy was crushing me," I piped up.

"And Bradie was snoring," Sophie said.

"See? I told you he snored!" I exclaimed, trying to make the conversation less awkward.

"Anyway," Sophie rolled her eyes. "Who were you talking to?"

"Oh – uh – my cousin, Kate," she stammered, averting our gazes.

"Cool," Soph replied. I heard my phone ring from inside my bedroom and I muttered an apology, running to answer it. Bursting into my room, waking Andy, I dived for my phone and snatched it up, ignoring the Called ID.

"Hello?" I was a little out of breath and waited for the other person to reply.

"Ashli?"

"What do you want?" I asked my mother, sitting down heavily on the bed. Andy grabbed my free hand and dragged me over to him, forcing me to lie down.

"They found her. They found my Jayme," she gushed. Relief crashed over me like a tsunami and I closed my eyes with the sheer emotion.

"Where? How?"

"A lady found her wandering along the street and brought her to the police station. It's all alright now." Ecstatic, I said goodbye quickly, tossed my phone to the floor and crushed my lips to Andy's. When we came up for air, Andy grinned approvingly.

"What's with the sudden change of mood?" he asked.

"They found Jayme. A nice lady found her and brought her to the police station," I smiled.

"I told you so…"

"I know." I kissed him again, softer this time, and sighed contentedly. After a moment I pulled away and hugged him. After a split second's hesitation, he wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"For what?" I asked incredulously.

"For all that shit with Rianna." I paused before answering.

"All of that stuff wasn't your fault." I shifted so I was looking him in the eyes. "Okay?" He smiled the tiniest bit before planting a kiss on my forehead.

"Okay."

As the curtains closed on our very last show in Perth a day later, a knot of despair tightened in my stomach. We trooped back to the dressing room, tired and sweating. Rianna and Casper were already in there, lounging about, looking all clean and dry. I envied them so much at that moment.

"That was by far the best concert we've played," Shaun grinned, flopping down onto the couch.

"Nah…the one in Sydney was better…" Bradie said, grabbing a bottle of water from the bench. I tuned out the 'great debate' and closed my eyes. In a matter of hours I would be separated from all of this, back in a world where I didn't belong or like one bit.

"Hey, are you okay?" Lauren asked quietly, nudging my shoulder. I forced myself to smile.

"Yeah, I'm all good. Just tired," I replied. She smiled and went back to annoying Sophie – a daily habit that (as entertaining as it was) was something no one wanted to put up with.

The next morning, I was awoken by Andy who was already fully clothed and looming over me like a tower.

"Ashli?" he whispered. I moaned and turned over, burying my head in the doona. "Ashli!"

"What?"

"We're leaving now." I closed my eyes tight and bit my lip.

"I don't want to leave," I whispered, my voice cracking.

"Why not? You get to go home…"

"Exactly! I have to go home. And leave you." There was a second where the sheets rustled and I felt Andy's arms close around my middle. I fell back against him and breathed slowly.

"We can still talk you know," he told me, kissing my cheek.

"I know but it's not the same as being with you."

"We will see each other," he promised. "We'll organise to meet up okay?" I nodded silently and felt the knot of despair loosen the smallest amount.

"I have to get up now don't I?" I sighed and even before Andy responded, I sat up slowly, watching as he rolled off the bed. He held out his hands to me and I took them, letting him pull me to my feet. He smiled once before turning to the call of Bradie who was demanding where Andy put his straightener. Andy jogged out the door to his stepbrother and I took it as a sign to start packing. Because all of my belongings I didn't have to shove much back into the suitcase. Hurriedly, I changed into a pair of red tartan tights, a black tunic dress and my favourite marching band jacket, complete with brass buttons. Shoving my pyjamas back into the case, I jammed my black Converse onto my feet and dragged myself out the door, suitcase and all. Everyone was congregated in the lounge already; bags propped up against the wall. I wheeled mine next to the row and dropped onto the couch next to Soph.

"Sophie?" She turned towards me, not looking entirely ecstatic.

"Hi," she replied.

"Uh…can I…stay with you for a bit?" I asked tentatively.

"Like, at my house?" I nodded. "Sure." A fleck of happiness glittered in her eyes and I was proud that I could at least brighten someone's day.

"Hey, Ashli?" Casper appeared in front of me, looking down at me with trepidation.

"Hi."

"Can I…can I talk to you?" I shrugged and stood up, following him out to the hallway.

"What is it?" I wasn't exactly in the mood for niceties.

"I'm not going back to Melbourne."

"Wh…what?"

"I'm not coming back to Melbourne with you."

"Why not?!" I shrieked, eyes growing wide.

"I'm going back to Sydney with the guys. I'm going to live with Sonny…"

"You're not coming back with us?" Casper shook his head. I bit my lip and threw my arms around his neck, tears silently rolling down my cheeks. "Why are you going?"

"Sonny and I organised that he would get me a job. I'm not getting anywhere while I'm in Melbourne," he told me softly, arms wrapped around me.

"I'll miss you," I whispered.

"I know," he replied. "I'll miss you too." I pulled away and smiled shakily at him, wiping away all traces of my tears.

"I think Sam was going to give us a speech," I said. "We better go back inside." With another hug, I followed Casper back into the room. Sure enough, Sam was standing in front of the couch, about to start talking.

"Ah! Get over here. We're running late!" He commanded, jabbing a finger at the couch. We took our places on the soft, plush sofa and sat back. "Now! During this tour some events have taken place that were either disrupting," – he shot a glare towards me – "private," – his eyes drifted towards Bradie – "or just plain excellent." Sam's eyes stopped on Rianna and I swear I saw his lips twitch into a kissing motion. My stomach dropped instantly when he looked at Bradie and I remembered the night I'd confronted him about it.

"What's this all about?" Shaun piped up. "We have to be on a plane in two hours. We kind of have to get going."

"I'm nearly finished!" Sam snapped. "As I was saying, these events are not to be taken outside of this tour and onto the Internet. Understood?" We all nodded our heads uncertainly, hopefully satisfying whatever he wanted.

"Can we go now?" Bradie asked after a second of silence, clearly looking uncomfortable.

"Down to the van," Sam instructed, moving for the door. We all followed, picking up our interments and bags on the way out.

After checking out of the hotel room, we piled into the van for the last time. The ride to the airport was silent as it was tense. No one spoke in fear of provoking tears. Through the ride though, Andy's fingers were twined with mine and never once let go. When we arrived at the airport, we went through the usual procedures. Turn in the hired van, put our bags through the luggage check etc etc. But one thing was different. When it came time to go to our respected terminals, it was another one of those moments when no one spoke. Yet after a second, Lauren bound forward and crushed her lips to Shaun's, breaking the spell of no movement. Bradie and Sophie moved to each other quickly, arms wound so tight around the other that I feared one of them would pass out. I wandered my eyes over to Andy who looked like he was struggling to keep still. I tilted my lips up slowly and watched as he stepped forward and pulled me into an embrace that was both comforting and sad. He pulled away minutely and pressed his lips to mine softly. That, of course, was when my tears appeared again. They rolled down my cheeks, accompanied by soft sobs, which rocked through my body so violently that I relied on Andy's arms to keep me upright. After I pulled away, I buried my face into the nook between Andy's shoulder and neck for the last time. We stood like that for what seemed like hours until I felt a tugging on my arm.

"Ashli." Sophie's voice cracked as she spoke my name softly. "We have to go." Tears rolled down her cheeks and she didn't seem to even care that everyone was watching her cry. I struggled to swallow the lump in my throat and looked Andy in the eyes.

"I'll miss you," I whispered.

"I'll miss you too," Andy replied, reaching down and kissing my cheek softly. Closing my eyes, I tried to keep the feel of his lips on my skin embedded in my mind. After a second, I reopened them and did a one eighty, quickly giving Casper a hug.

"If you come back to Melbourne," I told him hurriedly. "Call me, okay?" I felt him nod. Pulling back, I smiled at him once before kissing Andy once more, quickly, and took a deep shaky breath. "You'll miss me right?" I murmured, trying to smile through my tears. Andy leaned in to my ear.

"Everyday," he whispered. I bit my lip and stepped away, squeezing my eyes shut. Someone tugged my arm again, and I stepped away once more.

"I love you," I said softly. I'd always imagined that saying those words to someone would be so difficult yet I had no trouble speaking those three syllables. When there was no reply, I cracked open my eyes. The first thing I saw was Andy's chest. He reached down and touched his lips to my cheek.

"I love you too." That was all I needed to hear and I let Sophie drag me away.

Slowly, we found our way to the terminal waiting area and sat down heavily in the seats. It gradually dawned on me that we were missing someone.

"Lauren?" My voice had climbed two octaves higher in that one word. She faced me mutely. "Where's Rianna?" Her head turned and she scanned her eyes over the room before glancing back at me and shrugging.

"She met up with her mother apparently," Lauren whispered.

"Her mother?"

"Yeah."

"We're in Perth, Lauren," I pointed out. She was silent for a split second but then sighed heavily.

"Ah shit," she moaned. "She probably got a flight to Sydney with…"

"The guys." My eyes closed and sleep pulled at me instantly. Yet no matter how tempting or comforting it seemed, I had to keep myself awake. In the back of my mind, I knew that my dream would be the first of many to bring tears.

AN: Well there you have it.

This update I'm changing it :O I'll be giving you two songs instead of a band. SO:

Red Flag (by Billy Talent)

Tiny Dancer (by Elton John)