Blindsided Chapter 21: The Me That You Don't See

. . .

The blaring of a siren woke Austin from his light sleep and then abruptly stopped. He blinked at the darkness of the dank basement around him and registered the faint flash of red and blue coming in the small window above him and reflecting off the walls. He tried to shift and sit up but was restrained and he remembered that he was tied up. His hands throbbed and the rough itchy rope had rubbed a spot raw on his arm just above the tape on his wrists. His feet were going numb and his body hurt from being held in one position. He wanted to move and stretch so badly.

And strangle Tilly. Yeah. Strangling Tilly was a really good idea.

Austin's head was foggy but he focused on the lights again. Police. They were close by. Heavy footsteps and a loud knock resounded above him. It was the first noise he'd noticed in the building he was underneath since he arrived.

"Hey!" Austin's voice croaked out. He cleared his throat and tried again, this time his voice came out strong. "Hello! HELP! I'm in the basement!"

He heard voices above him. The low rumble of a man was met by a higher, softer voice.

"HEY! DOWNSTAIRS! HELP!"

The voices stopped and Austin began to yell loudly. "AUSTIN MOON IN THE BASEMENT. HELP ME!"

The voices began again, slightly louder and the footsteps spread over the floor above Austin's head. He heard a few girlish screams as the sounds moved away from him. He was still yelling when the door to the basement clicked and opened. Tilly and her two friends slipped into the room and shut the door again, leaving the lights off.

"Keep him quiet!" Tilly hissed and Johnny pulled out his duct tape again. He tore off a piece and slapped it over Austin's mouth.

"Don't let anyone in." Tilly instructed and the boys stayed by the door while she pulled a chair close to Austin's cot. She leaned in and murmured to him in a soothing voice. "It's okay Austin I won't let them take you away. We'll leave soon and everything will be fine, just like I promised." She reached out to him and he pulled back as far as he could, wide eyed and angry.

He bucked hard against his bonds and managed to kick a pipe on the wall behind him though it pulled the rope against his wrists ripping his skin. He got a few good kicks in making the pipe ring and clank loudly, causing Tilly to yell out in surprise, before Johnny came and put Austin in a wrestler's hold to keep him still. Then the basement was quiet and still again as the four waited with baited breath to see if Austin was heard. Austin screwed his eyes shut and said a silent prayer to be found. Footsteps and voices were heard spreading throughout the building above them. Another siren sounded once and stopped, and Austin opened his eyes to see the flashing light illuminating the room intensified and his hopes rose. Voices called out, Austin thought he heard the word 'basement' and then, finally, there was yelling outside the window about a side door.

A loud knock sounded on the basement door and Tilly jumped to her feet, pressing herself against the back wall near Austin's head as the boys pushed against the door but were flung aside and two men in dark uniforms came into the room. A flashlight beam rocketed around the room and the light switch was flipped, blinding Austin for a second. Then, in a heartbeat the cops had guns drawn on Tilly and the boys, cornering them away from Austin and one of them shouted for backup.

The small room filled momentarily while the captors were handcuffed and led out by several officers. Then one of them started freeing Austin from the rope and tape. Austin bit back a yell when the tape was ripped from his face but then he quickly thanked the officer.

"Officer Grey." The man supplied.

"I'm so glad you are here. How did you find me?" Austin asked, finally sitting up and stomping his feet as the blood began to flow again in painful tingles.

"Your friend Dez called us from a party on the other side of campus just before midnight. He told us you'd had problems with a stalker and pointed someone out before you went outside. He followed, saw the car driving away and memorized the license plate number. It took us a little while to locate the vehicle here." Officer Grey explained.

"What time is it?" Austin asked.

"Just after 4 am."

"Where are we?"

"A sorority house. I'm afraid we woke all the girls up but your phone was tracked here and when the car was here also we decided to move in and check it out." The officer said.

Austin ran his hands over his face and took a breath. The officer watched him with concern.

"Are you alright Mr. Moon?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think so. As long as you don't let Tilly go."

"Let's go outside and you can start your statement for us." Officer Grey suggested.

Austin nodded and realized that he wanted nothing more in this moment than to get out of that dark little room. He got to his feet, ignoring the pain as he hurried up the stairs into fresh cool night air. He took some deep breaths and heard someone yell his name. Then in a blur of red with purple polka dots Dez was running to him and hugged him.

"Dez."

"I'm so glad you are okay buddy. I was totally freaking out for a while there." Dez said.

"Me too." Austin said and his headache spiked.

Officer Grey pointed someone with a camera down into the basement and then led Austin toward the police cars in front of the large house. Three police cars and an ambulance were parked haphazardly on the street in front of the house. He glanced around to see girls in pajamas filling the doorway and windows. Other people were out on the street, drawn by the noise and lights as well. He heard the whispers when he was recognized and then the worst sound imaginable: Tilly's voice rose above the rest.

"Austin! You have to tell them! We are meant to be together! I love you!" she yelled as an officer urged her into the backseat of a police car and closed the door.

Austin cringed and turned away from her frantic gestures and continued yelling inside the vehicle. The guys were quieter, Johnny silently getting into another car and Travis speaking quietly with an officer across the yard.

Meanwhile Officer Grey waved over en EMT from the ambulance. She asked Austin a few questions, gave him a bottle of water, and tended to his bruised wrists and the rope burn. When she finished Austin thanked her and she went back to her vehicle. He drank half of the water bottle in one go. Dez patted Austin on the back and Officer Grey drew his attention again.

"I know you've been through a lot tonight Mr. Moon but I need you to give me a brief statement. We can go over the details later today after you've rested a bit." He said.

"It's okay. I'll tell you anything you need to know, and I have a file at home you'll want to see with threats from Tilly." Austin said.

"Dez told us about that. Yes, we'll check it out later. For now, can you please tell me exactly what happened tonight?" Officer Grey asked, pen and paper at the ready.

Austin quickly described the sequence of events. He was just finishing up when another car drove up fast and parked at the edge of the police line. Mimi and Mike Moon spilled out of the car and called out to their son. He waved them over and they crushed him in a hug.

"Dez called us after he called the police. We've been so worried." Mimi cried into his shoulder.

"I'm okay mom." He assured her but he kept an arm around each of his parents as he finished talking to Officer Grey.

"Oh, Tilly took my phone last night. Can I get that back?" Austin asked.

"Of course. I'll see if it's been located." Officer Grey excused himself and Mike pulled Austin into another hug.

"I'm glad you're okay son." He patted Austin's back.

"I'm just glad this is over." Austin said.

Dawn was breaking, and the sky was white and pale with early morning light. Austin glanced past the comforting bubble of his family and friend to see more people gathering outside the police line. Several had their cell phones out and were filming and taking pictures.

So much for not making the news today, Austin thought.

. . .

"Ally! Wake up!" Trish demanded. "You have to come hear this!"

"What time is it?" Ally sat up in her improvised bed on Trish's floor. She had stayed the night after being up late to ring in the New Year.

"9:00am. I know I'd rather be asleep too but my brother was making noise and when I went down to teach him a lesson the news was on and you won't believe what happened last night." Trish said.

"Okay, I'm coming." She stretched and stood up, allowing Trish to lead her downstairs and into the kitchen and family room. Trish sat Ally on the couch, picked up the remote and hit play. She had rewound the news on her dvr and cued it up.

"Listen to this." Trish said.

"I'm listening." Ally said and yawned widely.

"Bizarre news coming out of Miami on the first day of this New Year. Several amateur videos are popping up online coming from college students at the University of Miami as a story involving popular singer Austin Moon is taking shape this morning." A female reporter said.

Ally sat up. "Austin?"

"Just wait." Trish said as the news story continued.

"The footage reveals the capture of an apparent stalker by police who attempted to abduct the singer from a party last night." The reporter said and crazed muffled yelling was heard on screen.

"It shows three cop cars outside a big old house and some blonde chick is yelling." Trish narrated for Ally. "Austin looks a little messed up but it shows him talking to cops and Dez is there." The newscast picked up again.

"Austin Moon could not be reached for comment but his label Star Records issued a statement this morning that the singer is now home recuperating with loved ones. The statement goes on to reveal that Austin Moon has been plagued by the stalker for several months, ever since he returned from his wildly successful European tour with songwriter and then girlfriend Ally Dawson last August. Threats and messages sent to Moon during that time culminated in his abduction not long before midnight at a New Years Eve party just off the college campus where he is currently enrolled. Police discovered his location 4 hours later in the basement of a sorority house across campus. Three students have been arrested in association with the abduction but their names have not yet been released."

"Oh no." Ally breathed.

"Crazy right?" Trish said as she stopped the newscast again.

"Poor Austin. Do you think he's okay?" Ally asked.

"They said he was home."

"Oh my goodness, this explains everything Trish! He's been acting weird since we got home, he pushed me away and bought a house with security guards. It was all because of the stalker." Ally stood up. "Where is my phone?"

"Upstairs. Wait a second okay? Dez was with him last night." Trish said. She dialed Dez's number on her cell and it was answered after two rings.

"Trish?" Dez answered his phone.

"Ally and I just saw the news about Austin. Do you know what happened?" she asked and set the phone to speaker so Ally could hear.

"Yeah. I was there for all of it. I gave the cops the license plate of the car Austin was taken in and they let me come along when they busted down the doors of the sorority and everything!"

"What? Is Austin okay?" Ally asked.

"He's okay. I'm at his house now. His parents are here too, not willing to be away from him right now." Dez said.

"Well, can you blame them?" Trish asked.

"Dez, is he really okay? What's he doing?" Ally asked.

"He's sleeping now. He was tied up most of the night and he said the cot they put him on was terrible."

"Austin." Ally groaned and began to cry.

"Ally, he loves you." Dez said gently. "The stalker threatened both of you so he tried to stay away to protect you."

Ally cried harder and Trish hugged her tight.

"Listen Dez, can you have him call us later, if he's up to it?" Trish asked.

"Yeah. Just go easy on the guy okay?" Dez said.

"I knew there was something wrong but he wouldn't talk about it when I asked." Ally said in a tear-filled voice.

"He couldn't tell anyone. That was part of the threats. She knew to target you in order to control Austin. He would do anything for you." Dez told them.

"I'm a terrible girlfriend. I should have stuck by him anyway." Ally said.

"No. He broke up with you to try and get the stalker to leave you alone. He beat himself up for it after but he didn't know what else to do. He was a mess without you Ally." Dez said. "I know he'll want to see you later if you let him."

"Let him?" Ally choked on another sob. "Can we come over there? Do you think he'd mind?"

"There's nothing he'd want more." Dez said.

"Okay. We'll get dressed and come over." Trish said.

"I'll tell security you are coming. They've locked down on any visitors for Austin. See you soon." Dez said.

"Yeah." Trish said and hung up the phone and looked at her friend who was falling to pieces next to her.

"Well, we aren't doing Austin any good sitting here crying, so let's go get dressed and go over to his house so he can see you when he wakes up." Trish suggested.

"Your right. Sorry." Ally said.

"You don't have to apologize. This whole thing is messed up." Trish said and ushered Ally back upstairs.

. . .

An hour later Trish and Ally walked into Austin's house after being greeted by the security guard at the gate. Ally was holding onto Trish as they walked in, her cane left unused in her purse since she didn't feel very steady on her feet. She didn't think she could feel normal again until she saw Austin well and whole . Dez was watching for them and motioned them into the front room where he was watching tv. Mimi hurried over to Ally and pulled her into a hug.

"How is he?" Ally asked quietly into her ear.

"He's a little beat up, but he's safe now. He will be so glad to see you." Mimi said. She pulled back and smoothed Ally's hair affectionately.

"I hope so." Ally said.

"I know so." A deep voice said from the bottom of the stairs.

"Austin!" Ally cried turning toward the sound of his voice.

"Forgive me, beautiful?" he asked.

"Just come here." Ally opened her arms and he rushed into them, holding her tight. The others went into the kitchen to start on some pancakes for Austin and give the couple a little bit of privacy.

"I'm so sorry." he whispered in her ear.

"Don't. Just hold me and forget everything else." Ally said.

"Okay." Austin gave in without further argument.

Ally clutched his shoulders tightly, feeling a slight dampness from his hair. He smelled clean and freshly showered which she imagined was a relief after what he went through the night before.

"I listened to the news." Ally whispered. "I can't believe what happened."

"Ally, you have to know I only broke up with you because you were in danger."

"I know. Dez explained a little and figured a lot out from the news of the stalker. You can tell me all about it later. Right now I just want to feel you." she tightened her grip around his neck and his arms tightened around her body. She breathed deep relishing in the feel of his body flush against hers: the way he curled around her and rested his head on her shoulder, his breath gusting softly against her neck.

Austin moaned lightly. "I missed you so much Ally. But I couldn't let anything happen to you. It was bad enough she was getting to me and when she threatened to hurt you I was so angry and it made me sick to think of anyone. . . and the photos she took of us together in your apartment. . . she got too close."

"Shhh." Ally soothed him as his shoulders began to shake and his breathing sped up. "She's gone now. We're going to be okay."

"I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I'm right here." Ally said.

Ally heard footsteps in the hallway behind her and then Dez cleared his throat.

"Hey guys, sorry to break this up, but we have pancakes and Mimi's worried because Austin hasn't eaten since yesterday, so. . ." Dez said.

"Thanks Dez." Austin said. "I'm starving."

He took Ally's hand and led her back to his kitchen which smelled of pancakes and maple syrup. He thought that he just might be in Heaven while he ate and Ally sat close beside him lightly scratching and rubbing his back. Trish and Dez got into an argument, his dad flipped pancakes while his mom hovered making sure everyone had something to eat and juice to drink. Mimi urged Austin to eat some fruit along with his stack of pancakes and he just smiled at how normal and perfect everything was before leaning over to kiss Ally's cheek.

. . .

After the pancakes they all sat around Austin's living room and he finally told them the whole story from the beginning regarding Tilly. He showed the file to them and Ally listened, cringing at times, from her spot at Austin's side. Since she'd arrived he hadn't let her go, making sure they were holding hands or touching in some way. It kept him grounded in the moment, sure that he was safe at home. He answered questions, no matter how painful and explained his behavior over the last few months.

Everyone stuck around after that, except for a quick trip Mike made to pick up several pizzas. After dinner they watched a movie and as it got later and no one wanted to leave it was agreed that everyone could stay the night.

Austin took his parents upstairs to the guest room to get them settled and Dez went out to the garage to get the sleeping bag he used last time.

The girls called their parents to update them on what was going on and Trish rolled her eyes when she heard Ally assuring her mom that Mr. and Mrs. Moon were present and supervising them.

"Seriously Ally, you are an adult and have been living on your own for a while now. They don't need to monitor your behavior like that." Trish said.

"They care and being protective is how they show it." Ally responded.

"Yeah, well I'm doing the math here and figuring I'm going to be on the floor because there is no way I'm sleeping cramped up on that love seat and I know the guys will insist you get the couch and I'll agree with them and where does that leave me? Oh that's right, on the floor." Trish ranted.

"I can sleep on the floor Trish." Ally said.

Austin returned to the front room carrying a pile of blankets which he set on the couch.

"Here you go Trish. Do you need any help setting up the couch?" Austin asked.

Dez returned then and started rolling out his sleeping bag. Austin tossed him a pillow he'd brought along with the blankets.

"What about . . .?" Trish looked at Ally as Austin took her hand.

"Come on." Austin said quietly, moving toward the stairs and bringing her along with him.

Dez froze in fluffing his pillow to stare at the couple before exchanging a look with Trish. He looked at Austin and raised an eyebrow. Austin shook his head and grinned at them.

"Calm down guys. It's just sleeping." he said.

Ally silently followed him up the stairs and into his bedroom, her mind racing. She heard the door close with a soft click and Ally's stomach filled with butterflies.

"Austin?" she asked in a small voice.

"Stay with me tonight. I don't want to be alone." Austin said.

"We've fallen asleep together before. This is no different, right?" she tried to sound casual but caught her breath when Austin took her hand again, intertwining his fingers with hers.

"My parents are in the next room, Ally. I'm not going to try anything tonight. And I. . . when I think about falling asleep, I think about waking up in that little room with Tilly and her crazy plans. I want you here so I can know that isn't happening, because everything is better when you are with me."

Ally nodded her head, not trusting her voice. Austin left her for a moment and she listened to his muffled steps on the soft carpet. When he returned he pressed something soft into her hands.

"Here's one of my shirts to sleep in if you want. I figure it will be more comfortable than your clothes." he explained.

"Thanks." Ally said but found herself blushing furiously. She was going to change her clothes and be in something of Austin's and then sleep in the same bed. She knew she shouldn't be so nervous since he didn't expect anything else tonight, but she still felt jittery.

"You can change in my bathroom." Austin led her a few steps and placed her hand on the doorknob. "You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine." Ally said and went inside. Behind the closed door she took a deep breath. This is Austin, she reminded herself. I know and trust him and he's never pushed the physical part of our relationship too far because he knows I'm not ready. We're just going to sleep. She took another deep breath.

She felt the counter next to her and set the shirt down. She undressed, carefully folding her pants and shirt and slipping her bra between them after a short debate with herself. Sleeping in a bra was not comfortable and she needed to be comfortable right now. She pulled the soft shirt over her head, relieved to find that the v-neck dipped to just above her breasts but no lower, and it reached down to mid thigh on her so she was covered enough. She really was tiny compared to Austin. When she was done in the bathroom Ally picked up her small pile of clothes and held them to her chest with one hand and opened the door with the other.

"Austin? I don't know my way around your room." she said.

He appeared by her side, gently taking her free hand. "About 6 steps straight ahead is a low bench at the foot of the bed. You can put your clothes there." he instructed her and he led her forward. She let go of him and set her things down and then turned to the left, trailing her fingers along the edge of the bed.

"There is a bedside table ahead of you." his voice sounded quietly behind her as she felt her way and she stopped just short of hitting it, touching the pillows and pulling down the blanket and sheets. She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her bare legs up under the blankets.

"I'll be right back." he said, still at the foot of the bed, and then went into the bathroom himself.

Ally lay down, snuggling into the sheets of the queen sized bed and tried to breathe normally. Today had been a whirlwind of emotions and after staying up late the night before she was physically and emotionally exhausted. She closed her eyes and let herself relax. A short time later she heard Austin come out of the bathroom and the bed shifted as he climbed in next to her. He hadn't tried to touch her yet.

"Ally?" he whispered.

"Yes?"

"This may be a weird time to ask, but will you be my girlfriend again? Or are you with Elliott now?"

Ally turned her face toward him. "I only want to be with you Austin."

"Good." he said and finally reached for her, shifting so he leaned over her slightly. He tenderly caressed her cheek and kissed her for the first time since their awful breakup.

"I love you Ally. I always will." he told her.

"I love you too." Ally lifted a hand to his chest and laughed softly. "You had to go shirtless, didn't you?"

"I always sleep this way." Austin said.

"Mhmmm."

"Goodnight." Austin whispered and gave her one last kiss.

"Goodnight." Ally said. She rolled to her right side and Austin slid his right arm under her pillow, wrapping his left around her waist and snuggling up behind her. Ally's right hand slid under pillow and she intertwined her fingers with his. Austin's head settled behind hers and soon she heard his breathing deepen and slow in sleep. She drifted off peacefully as well.

In the morning Austin woke up slowly to sunlight streaming in his window. He sighed in relief at the feeling of his own bed beneath him and the sight the familiar walls. He was lying on his back and Ally was curled up beside him; her head rested on his shoulder her right hand curled under her chin. He smiled widely before giving her a light squeeze with his right arm and a kiss on top of her head. A light knock sounded on his door and Austin lifted his head as his dad popped his head in.

"Mom is going down to start breakfast son." he froze when he saw Ally in the bed with Austin. "Oh."

"I'll be right down." Austin said and his dad closed the door again.

Austin shifted, gently pulling his arm from underneath the beauty sleeping at his side. He rolled out of bed and looked down at her while he stretched. He hadn't said anything to her, but he liked how she looked in his shirt. And how she looked in his bed, face peaceful and relaxed in sleep, her hair splayed across the pillow. He could definitely get used to waking up to this. Reluctantly he turned away and grabbed a t-shirt from his drawer which he pulled over his head before slipping quietly out the door.

"Austin! What do you think you are doing?" his mom's voice hissed behind him and he whirled around on the landing at the top of the stairs.

"What?"

"Did you sleep with Ally last night? Austin she is a sweet girl and I don't want you messing her up." Mimi said.

Mike nodded behind her."We taught you to respect women."

"Whoa! Slow down okay?" Austin said holding his hands up in a defensive gesture and trying to quiet his parents. "I do respect Ally and there was nowhere else for her sleep."

"That's a convenient excuse." Mimi looked very upset.

"Okay, you guys are jumping to conclusions and I need you to calm down. We were just sleeping." Austin said.

Mike placed a hand on his shoulder. "I remember being young and in love but there's a time and place for. . ."

"We didn't have sex!" Austin blurted and then flushed red. He ran his hands through his messy hair and exhaled loudly. "Did you stop to think that maybe I was afraid to be alone last night and needed some comfort? I love Ally, more than anything. And you know what? When we do sleep together it sure isn't going to be in a house full of people like this, it's going to be on our wedding night, so just get off my back!" he ranted.

Movement caught Austin's eye and he saw Trish and Dez standing at the bottom of the stairs staring up at him. Dez's mouth was open and Trish looked rumpled and grumpy about being woken up with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Austin turned to his mom again but her eyes were trained on something behind him and he turned to see Ally in the doorway to his bedroom, half hidden by the door.

"Ally." he said in surprise.

"Well, now that it's been established that Austin and I haven't ever had sex can we eat some breakfast?" she asked. "Or is it tradition to yell in the hallway for a while first? I don't know what mornings are like in a Moon household."

Austin and his parents stared at Ally while Trish burst out laughing down below.

"Okay, that made it all worth getting woken up." she declared and the tension was broken.

"I knew I liked her." Mike chuckled and shook his head as he and Mimi went downstairs. Dez and Trish disappeared back into the front room. Ally took a step back and started to close the door but Austin put his hand up to stop it.

"Ally, I'm so sorry."

The slight smirk on her face softened into a smile. "For what? Announcing your wedding night plans to everyone?"

Austin laughed. "Yeah. Let's go with that."

"It's okay, I don't mind really. I mean, it's no big mystery what couples do on their wedding night, so you didn't really drop a big secret or anything. And it's good to know we'll go the traditional route." she said and took another step back from the door and turned around. He followed her into the room.

"We, huh?" he asked in a teasing voice.

"You said it first." Ally took a few more steps to the bench at the foot of the bed.

"But you're admitting that we'll get married. And sleep together." he placed his hands on her hips and stepped close to her.

"I've told you before: the only man I will sleep with will be my husband." Ally said, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"I'll just have to make sure that's me then." Austin leaned in and kissed her.

Ally pulled away after a few seconds. "I need to get dressed and you better go down there before people start accusing us of things again."

"Fine." Austin grumbled. He watched Ally pick up her clothes and carefully make her way to the bathroom before he left the room.

Dez and Trish were sitting at the table while his parents made scrambled eggs and toast when Austin walked into the kitchen. He sank into a chair next to Dez.

"Well, I'd ask how your night was buddy, but clearly nothing exciting happened." Dez said. Austin rolled his eyes, expecting a few jokes at his expense.

"At least we know Ally can keep him in his place and doesn't let him get away with anything." Mike said from his station by the toaster.

"You better not mess things up with her again." Mimi warned.

"I don't plan on it mom." Austin said.

Ally appeared then, sliding her hand lightly along the wall till she reached the doorway. She remembered from her last visit here that there was a straight hallway alongside the staircase that led to the kitchen. Her cane was still in her purse, wherever Trish had put that when they arrived the day before. Ally hadn't thought too much about missing it since Austin hadn't left her side the day before at all. Now she was left to her old methods to get around and she felt awkward and clumsy but she didn't want to show it too much.

"It smells good in here: I'm hungry." she said.

"The table is straight ahead." Trish called out. "Just walk toward the sound of my grumbling stomach."

Ally laughed and walked slowly forward until her hands met the back of a chair. She pulled it out and sat down next to Austin. He grabbed her hand when she set it on the table and kissed her fingers before resting their hands on the table together.

"Breakfast is served." Mimi said and brought a large plate of scrambled eggs to the table while Mike carried over a plate of toast and bowl of fruit.

. . .

A/N: So I'm curious: what was your favorite part of the chapter?