A/N: Thanks to all of the awesome reviews I got on the last chapter, especially Adelyn Roselle who gave me some awesome criticisms and HollywoodHeightsLuver who was just painfully sweet to me. You guys really are the best readers a girl could ask for. Only one more chapter after this, and then this story is done. I'll be starting up with my next story pretty instantly after this is done, so be on the lookout for that if you want to continue to read my Auslly stories! Anywho, onto the chapter!

Disclaimer: Holy Guacamole, Batman! I don't own Austin and Ally… or anything related to Batman or the DC Universe! (Anyone who can name that Robin earns my instant and unrelenting respect)

Chapter 28

Ally was completely sure of very few things in her life.

That made sense actually, since Ally was constantly second-guessing herself and her decisions. She was also genuinely nervous, so she typically prepared for the worst and was never sure of what the actual outcome would be.

She was sure that music was her life.

She was sure that she was in love with Austin Moon.

And she was sure that no one was going to save her this time.

"Dallas is in jail," Ally muttered numbly, her mind still reeling from the possibility that Dallas was still haunting her from behind bars.

The assassin laughed again cruelly, clearly finding her reaction amusing, and replied, "I'd assume so, considering the fact that you're still alive. He hired me before he was sent to prison with the guarantee that if the only witness against him was killed, then he'd be set free and would be able to pay me."

"I can pay you," Ally blurted out, her mind searching for any way out of this.

She'd dropped her keys, a possible weapon, and was otherwise unarmed. She had no hope of running or signaling for help, so her best strategy would have to lie in distraction or possibly manipulation.

"Not as much as Dallas can, sweetheart. Time for you to die."

He cocked the gun at her, a satisfied smile gracing his lips, and Ally knew that she this was it. She was going to die.

But somehow, without her having planned it, a vicious cackle sounded from her lips.

The assassin raised his eyebrows at her in surprise, although no one was more surprised than she was.

"What's so funny?" he asked, his jaw clenching in irritation at having been robbed of the satisfaction of her terror.

Deciding to follow the instincts that had kept her alive thus far, Ally explained, "You're not going to get your money."

The assassin forced himself to smile, but his eyes still glowered with rage as he asked, "And why is that?"

The reason for her laugh became clear to her as a plan formulated in her mind. A brilliant plan at that. Had the situation been less dangerous, Ally would have patted herself on the back.

Using every ounce of acting skill she possessed, Ally asked, "You really think that Dallas is going to be dumb enough to let a liability like you survive upon his release? You clearly don't know my fiancée as well as I do."

The assassin snorted indignantly and retorted, "I'm a professional, sweetheart. I think I can handle it."

Ally rolled her eyes dramatically and argued, "Do you have any idea how clever and cunning this man is? He hid the fact that he was a murderer from me for months without me noticing; he escaped the police; he hid successfully from the police for months; he abducted my father, who probably was surrounded by bodyguards; he made a phone call to me without being traced and left an indecipherable clue; he outsmarted the police station's brightest worker and led one of his goons right to me; forced me to give myself up to him; and only ended up losing by a fluke. And even that loss isn't a real loss because he was smart enough to hire you to finish the job. He won't let anything come between him and what he wants."

The assassin eyed her for a moment suspiciously, so Ally added, "Or anyone."

There was a second of hesitation on the assassin's face and he lowered his gun a fraction of an inch. That was all that Ally needed.

Quickly, she dropped to the ground, picked up her keys and rolled over to assassin. Without hesitation, she drove one of her keys into his leg, earning herself a bloodcurdling scream of rage. Ally didn't stop there though. Using a technique Austin taught her, Ally sloppily swept the man's legs out from underneath him, forcing him to the ground and the gun to slide across the floor of her apartment.

She and the assassin both lunged for the gun at the same time as Ally's front door was broken down. Ally didn't stop to check on who'd arrived though, fully aware that one mistake could mean life or death.

They both reached the gun at the same time as well and instantly began to struggle over it. That was a fight Ally knew she would lose due to brute strength alone. Her mind instantly began searching for a plan B.

She didn't need one though.

The person who'd entered her apartment rushed over to the scuffling pair and brought his foot down hard on the assassin's arm, breaking it with a sickening crack. He released his hold on the gun and Ally squirmed away to put as much distance as she could between her and the assassin.

When she was a safe enough distance away, she rose to her feet and aimed the gun in the assassin's general direction.

She didn't need the gun either.

The man who'd entered her apartment was restraining the man and placing handcuffs around his wrists.

The man was Austin.

Ally felt her rigid posture relax as the realization sunk in. She was safe. Austin was here. She was safe.

Austin didn't offer her a glance as he pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and dialed 911, keeping his eyes on the assassin.

After a moment of silence, Austin said, "Hello. I'm Officer Austin Moon and I just stopped an assassin from killing Ally Dawson," he paused, "Yes, the same one. I have him restrained here, but I'm going to take Ally to a safe location until he's behind bars and officers determine whether or not he's the only one Dallas hired. Send a police car to her address and arrest him, then have Dez give me a call."

He hung up the phone and let out a breath before turning to face her, finally. They made eye contact at comfort surged through her body as the adrenaline calmed down. She was safe.

She loved him more than ever, standing before her like a knight in shining armor. She could fight the longing that filled her body as the image of his arms around her danced through her mind. Happiness occupied each and every one of her cells as she realized that he came back for her.

That happiness was quickly replaced by anger.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped in irritation.

Austin's brow furrowed in confusion and he replied, "What?"

"You heard me, Austin," she retorted, anger soaking her voice.

His jaw set in frustration and he answered, "I just saved your life and you're mad at me?"

Angry at the implication that she needed to be rescued, Ally bristled, "I didn't need your help. I had it perfectly under control before you arrived."

Austin rolled his eyes and sarcastically quipped, "Sure looked like it."

"I am not some damsel in distress who needs a big and strong Austin Moon to come and save me," she cried, feeling far angrier than was merited.

His jaw dropped and he instantly exclaimed, "I never claimed that you were!"

She opened her mouth to argue with him more, but was cut off by a harsh sigh and Austin's command.

"Whatever. Let's go. We can talk about this later."

Ally was tempted to argue him on that point too, but a soft groan from the assassin quickly told her that her defiance was best saved for another time and she followed him.

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Austin took her back to his apartment, much as he had the night they met.

She was struck by a feeling of deja vu as the familiarity of the situation dawned on her.

The ride to his house was wordless as he tried to sort out his confusion and she tried to sort out her anger. Neither of them was really sure about the reason they'd fought.

He shut the door behind them and leaned against it exhaustedly. He looked far older than his years dictated and Ally guessed that he hadn't been sleeping. Neither had she.

He appraised her, studiously avoiding her fierce glance until he was sure that she was unharmed. Even when he did find her eyes, he inquired sheepishly, "Are you hurt?"

Trying not to let the simple question anger, Ally shook her head. Austin nodded slowly, before looking down at his shoes, probably out of awkwardness. Neither of them was sure what should come next.

Ally's curiosity taking the forefront, Ally asked, "What were you doing at my apartment?"

"Why were you so mad at me for being there?" he replied, his eyebrow lifting in curiosity.

"I asked first," Ally answered defensively.

Austin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked into her eyes for a moment, as if searching for something. For what he was searching though, she couldn't be sure, but she couldn't bear to break the eye contact.

Finally, Austin replied, "I quit my job."

Ally's jaw dropped. She had not been expecting that from him.

"W-why?"

"I want to be with you, Ally, despite my actions to the contrary. I'm an idiot and I love you. I need you and I need to be with you. If I'm a police officer like Dez, I can be home more often. Then I can be with you. That's why I quit my job and that's what I came to your apartment to tell you," he replied breathlessly, like the words required no effort to escape his mouth.

Ally's eyes widened and she was pretty sure that her jaw was hitting the floor at that point. Out of nowhere, she started to laugh hysterically, only attempting to calm down when she saw the look on his face.

"I'm sorry. It's just that," she let out another laugh as her joy returned, "I was mad because you hadn't said that yet."

His mouth turned into a crooked smile as his eyes lit up. In two long steps, he was in front of her and she was in his arms.

Leaning down until their lips were mere centimeters apart, Austin whispered, "I'm done being an idiot."

And he kissed her fiercely, his relief and love pouring into that very kiss.

And she returned it just as fiercely, glad to be done pretending that they were anything but inevitable.

A/N: Happy Easter! Sorry for the longish update wait. Hope this chapter wasn't too sappy for you guys. It is the second to last chapter, so if I'm being honest, that was inevitable. Last chapter will be up soon. As always, review please! Criticisms are fantastic! As are any reviews! :3