YAY! Almost 5,000 words long without the authors note! WOO! I did write this last night at like 3 am and it was over 5,000 words long but most of it didn't make sense so I had to read through it and re-do it. So yeah. Here we are.

Also, reviews... again. I don't know if it's because Americans have gone back to school (as I know most of my readers are Americans) or because the majority of you are too lazy to tell your opinion but c'mon... 5 people out of the 18 people who follow this story. That's a little bit ridiculous. But whatever.

Hope you enjoy this chapter!


Disclaimer: I do not own R5, The Vamps or 5SOS, all rights go to Hollywood, Mercury/Island & Capitol Records!


Chapter 29
Back To December

"I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL HIM!"

Luke sighed, chasing after Ashton as he was on a murder spree looking for Ross "Ash, calm down. I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation for doing it." He said, as they were approaching the outdoor canteen at the base.

Ashton and Luke were both sorting out the armory, putting things back where they belong, refilling weapons, fixing broken ones when Will comes in and asks Ashton:

Why did you, Ross and Brad pull out of going to Afghanistan?

Ashton told Will he never and then Will told Ashton that Ross came to him this morning telling him that himself, Ashton and Brad didn't want to go any more. Luke knew Ashton never went to Will and said that, but in a way Luke was really relieved Ross did that. He doesn't know why. Ashton on the other hand, doesn't like it one bit and Luke would not like to be Ross when Ashton gets his hands on him.

Luke tried to keep up behind Ashton as they speed walked through the indoor canteen. Ashton swung the doors open, leading to outside, where Ross was sat at a near by table with Brad and Rocky and Ashton stormed over to him "Alright, why'd you do it?" Ashton asked.

Ross looked up at Ashton, pretending to be confused "Why did I do what?" He asked. Ross was not feeling or looking to good today, and people had noticed. He looked like he'd been dragged through hell or saw something he would never be able to unsee. Which in a way is true.

Ashton smiled, trying to contain himself and stay calm "Pull my name off the list of going over to Afghanistan in March, as well as yours and Brad's?" He asked.

"Ohh..." Ross said, like it all made sense. He looked down and started playing with his food, and he looked back up to Ashton and shrugged "I er... I don't know. I figured you didn't want to go anymore."

Ashton took a deep breath, sitting down next to Ross even though Luke didn't like the idea of it as he was convinced Ashton was gonna punch him in the face "What made you think that? Everyone's going. You were going, Brad was going, Luke's going, Rocky's going and I was supposed to be going. If I didn't go I would have been left on my own and the only guard who said no to going."

Ross shrugged "Well, me and Brad aren't going now. So you're not gonna be on your own."

Ashton went to go say something else but Luke put his hand on his shoulder "Ashton... calm down. It's fine," he said "I-I was thinking about pulling out of it anyway. Besides, I think it's a good idea if you don't go—I mean we." Luke shook his head, not seeing where that came from.

"What?" Rocky asked, looking shocked "so that means I'm going on my own?! Brad, why did you pull out?"

Brad shrugged "I don't know. Ross told me this morning he was pulling out of it and it got me thinking about if I really wanted to go and risk my life like that. So I told him to take my name off the list too whilst he was at it," Brad moved with uncertainty "I don't know.. it just hit me this morning."

Rocky sighed in frustration, picking up his tray "Gosh, I better go take my name off it then. I'm not being the only one going out of us five!" he said before quickly taking off back inside the base.

After watching Rocky run off, Ashton turned his head to Ross giving him an unimpressed and pissed look. "What?" Ross asked, getting irritated by how Ashton kept on looking at him "I did it for your own good."

Ashton sighed "It's not about that. I can make my own decisions, I don't need you making them for me. I've had that my whole life from my family. Why do you think I chose to come here to the USA and do this? So I could be free and do my own thing. But you just completely went behind my back and did that, just like they would have," Ashton said, beginning to make Ross feel bad. Ashton shook his head, patting Ross's back giving him a small smile "It's okay though. That's the only part that annoys me. I was kinda getting a bad feeling about going over there myself anyway. You know what I mean?"

Ross looked at him with a smile, that was mixed with pain and fake happiness. He nodded with a quick pace "Oh, yeah, I know what you mean."

Ashton smiled "So, thanks... I guess."

Ross nodded, giving him a smile back "No problem."

Luke sighed "Right, okay. C'mon, Ash. We need to go and do some things now." he said.

"Yep, you kids go have 'fun' but not too much fun." Ross called as Luke and Ashton walked away, teasing.

Ashton turned around, looking confused and nervous as to what he meant by that "What...?"

"Nothing."

Brad waited till Luke and Ashton had gone back inside before sliding closer to Ross on the bench "Are you okay?" Brad asked, concerned.

Ross turned to him "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I don't know," Brad shrugged "you just... don't seem like yourself. Has something happened that I don't know about?" he asked.

Ross looked down at his plate, grinning slightly but finding it sad at the same time "Eh... something like that I suppose." Ross got up from the bench and began walking away from Brad and the table.

Brad watched, puzzled, as Ross walked off "Now where are you going?" He asked, loudly so Ross could hear him.

Ross turned round and faced Brad "Going on a little trip."

This made Brad even more puzzled "A trip to where?" he asked.

"I'm going to see some old friends."

Rydel walked down the side walk making her way slowly home from another day of work. She'd just told Martha that she would fix and do up her old truck in the back in the garage with James and Maia until James leaves with Taylor. Mainly because she wanted to spend as much time as she could with James and Taylor before they left to Utah and so she could spend as much time as she possibly could away from her home.

She was lost deep in thought as she wondered down the street. Lost in thought about the really weird, vivid dream she had. It was strange. She can barely remember it, but she knows what it was about. It was about some zombie apocalypse, and it scared her for some reason and she was with these four guys. Two brown haired and the other two blonde. But one of the blonde ones stuck out to her the most. When she woke up this morning and saw Taylor she felt so happy and relieved to see her that she scooped her up in her arms and started hugging and kissing her face like there was no tomorrow.

Weird right?

She even got that feeling this morning when she saw Maia and Martha. But she never hugged or kissed them. She just acted more happier and grateful to have them around and in her life.

Rydel's weird behaviour had definitely been noticed by people though. Maia, Martha and even her Dad. But she didn't care for him.

It was the middle of January. And it was so cold that she was beginning to wish she had brought a jacket. But she was going to James' now to go pick up Taylor.

At least she thought she was because she jumped out of her skin when she heard a loud car horn and a familiar car pull up beside her. She turned where she saw James roll his window down and smile at her. She stared blankly at him, going to tell him that he had to stop beeping his horn at her every time he pulled up beside her but she never. James looked on at Rydel in confusement at how she was looking at him, so he turned off the engine and got out the car "Are alright?" James asked.

Rydel nodded. Her mouth twitched as she tried not to smile but the next thing she knew, she threw herself into James's arms and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go of him. James never felt more confused in his entire life. He hugged back slowly "Um... why are you acting like you haven't seen me in years...?" he asked.

Rydel continued to hug James but soon came into realisation. She quickly pulled away "S-sorry. I um...I don't know. I'm just happy to see you." She said with a small smile, not understanding why either. She even felt like crying.

James laughed "I can tell. Now c'mon, get in the car." He said.

Rydel walked round to the passenger side whilst James got in the drivers seat. She grabbed her seat belt and buckled herself in, turning round and expecting to see Taylor sat in the back but she wasn't. Normally she would have panicked because that meant she was with her Dad. But something inside of her told her to calm down and it would be okay. "Who's Taylor with?" Rydel asked calmly.

James was shocked at how calm Rydel was "She's with my Mom," he said, starting up the car and beginning to drive again "don't worry. I didn't leave her with your Dad. I wouldn't put her in that kind of danger."

"Okay," Rydel smiled, slouching in her seat. They drove in a little bit of silence but the silence was cut off by James's phone ringing. "I got it," Rydel said, leaning over to the dashboard and getting his phone. She grabbed the phone and looked at the caller ID "it's your Mom," Rydel clicked the answer button "Hey. It's Rydel. James broke his tongue so I'm talking." she joked.

James furrowed his brow "Can you even break your tongue?"

"Give me a pair of scissors and we'll put it to the test."

"Oh..."

"Oh."

Rydel went back to the phone call with James's mom. "Rydel, I am so, so, so sorry..." James Mom said, sounding worried and panicked, almost like she was crying.

Rydel felt the pace of her heart beginning to speed up, she sat up in the car seat and her face fell "Why? What are you sorry for?" Rydel asked, nervously. Something inside Rydel was telling her to calm down and everything would be okay. Was that weird?

"Rydel. Put her on speaker." James said, starting to get a little bit worried by Rydel's nervousness.

Rydel did as she was told and put the phone on speaker, holding it between herself and James so they could both hear clearly. "I w-went to the park with Taylor... and um... for some reason your dad was there." She said.

"Mom!" James raised his voice "don't tell me you gave our daughter to that fucking ass hole!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Turn around," Rydel said "turn the fucking car around James!" Rydel shouted, not even giving James to react to it.

James obeyed Rydel and stopped the car, quickly turning it around. Rydel hung up the phone on James's Mom and looked out the window, like she was looking for something and she didn't know why. Why was she doing this for? "Where are we going?" James asked.

"Just keep on driving." Rydel snapped, looking out the window carefully. She did want to freak out at the fact her daughter was in the hands of her Dad now, but it was like there was a voice inside her head telling her to stop freaking out.

It was strange.

Rydel looked out at James's side and turned back to her window when they turned the corner where she saw a police car on the far side of the road. Rydel expected to see an ambulance for some reason. It's sirens were flashing and there was a police man stood away from the police car holding hands with a little girl. "James! There!" Rydel said, seeing the little girl was Taylor.

James looked where he saw Taylor with the police man and he pulled as close as he could before he and Rydel jumped out of the car. Rydel ran down the street over to the police man with Taylor "Taylor!" She said, Taylor turned around and let go of the police man, running over to her Mom and hugging her tightly. Rydel hugged her back and picked her up, she looked at the officer "W-what's going on officer?" she asked, nervously.

"Are the child's mother?" he asked.

Rydel nodded "And dad," she said as James caught up "why?" she asked.

"Right okay," the officer said "we received a phone call about fifteen minutes ago, from a boy and I'm taking it, it was you," he looked at James, but James became confused "about your father. Telling us about all the drug and alcohol addiction as well as the abuse he did towards his daughter, which I'm taking is you, and that you were too scared to call or report him for it. And he said he'd been following your father with your daughter and he looked like he was about to do something that would cause danger to her, so we followed him, and caught him being rough to her. Way too rough. So we're taking him in."

Rydel turned around and faced James "I told you I didn't want anything doing about it!" she yelled.

James held up his hands in defence "It wasn't me! I wouldn't do that to you, Rydel!"

Rydel looked at him confused "What do you mean? You're the only person who knows what my Dad is capable of! Who else have I told?!" she asked, raising her voice and becoming more angry and confused. James shrugged.

"Ma'am," The police officer interrupted "I don't know who it was, but just try to be thankful for him doing it. Okay?" he asked, Rydel nodded taking a deep breath "alright. Now we're going to take him away and we'll be in touch later. Do you mind if we take a number?" he asked, taking out a note pad and pen.

Rydel shook her head and handed Taylor to James. She took the pen and quickly scribbled her number on the piece of paper. The police man nodded to her "Thank you. Have a nice day." he said, getting into the car with the other police man he was with.

Rydel watched as the police car drove off with her Dad in it. On one hand she was absolutely relieved that it appeared she was free from her Dad now, but confused at who else knew. She went to go face James again, but somebody caught her eye.

Down the street she saw a boy about 17, with blonde hair leaning against a brick wall with his hands in his coat pockets watching Rydel, James and Taylor. Rydel looked at him suspiciously as she could have sworn she recognised him from somewhere. He continued staring back at her, waiting to know if she was okay and safe now. And she was. And that's all he wanted.

For some reason Rydel felt immediately drawn and attached to him. She lunged forwards and started going towards him. As soon as the blonde saw Rydel move towards him, he came off the wall and began to walk off in the opposite direction.

Rydel picked up her speed "Wait!" Rydel called, beginning to run a little with James following her in confusement with Taylor. He walked round the corner and disappeared which meant Rydel had to run. When she got to the corner, she turned round quickly expecting to see him there "Wait w-" Rydel stopped when she saw a crowd of people walking around the town and the blonde haired boy was nowhere to be seen, she stood there. Looking confused.

James walked up behind Rydel "Are you okay?" he asked.

Rydel sighed, still looking around confused and slightly hurt she couldn't see or find him. She nodded "Y-yeah... I'm fine." she turned around and forced a smile.

Ashton coughed, watching as smoke poured from the top of the base roof from the fire. Not from all of the base but from the science department. He and Luke were on guard duty when suddenly the roof blew off and the whole department exploded, hence why there's a lot of fire engines. He, Luke, Brad and Rocky all stood outside watching as they tried to put the fire out. "Oh dear," Brad said, trying not to cough as the smoke was getting bigger and stretching further out "wonder what they did."

Rocky shrugged, coughing "Probably something stupid as always. Fuck, that smoke is thick." he put his arm across his mouth. It wasn't going to help though. He didn't have his coat on so it was his bare arm.

"They always do this sort of thing on the most randomest days," Brad said "the last time something like this happened was October, 2012 last year. Now it's March... I mean, this has to be some sort of record right? I mean, what's the date anyway?" he asked.

"25th March, 2013." Ashton answered. Ashton turned around from where he stood, about a metre in front, and saw Luke, Brad and Rocky all staring at him. That frightened him a little, he gave them a confused look "What? Did I say something I shouldn't have?" he asked.

Luke shook his head "No.. it's... I don't know. The date. 25th March... I feel like it's a certain day I'm forgetting about. Do you ever get that on random days?" He asked, looking at them all.

Ashton nodded, still taking note on how the three boys were staring at him "Alright... but it still doesn't explain why you're all looking at me like you've just witnessed my death..." Ashton said slightly confused.

Luke, Brad and Rocky all glanced at each other as soon as Ashton finished the sentence. They were all so confused right now. Why were they getting so hung up on a date for? What was so special about this date anyway? Nothing bad or good happened on it... did it?

Suddenly out of nowhere Luke just felt this massive rush of happiness when he looked back at Ashton and he went up to him and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let go and he felt like crying too. Out of sadness and happiness. Ashton didn't know how to react to that, he looked at Brad and Rocky confused – more confused than ever. "Are... er... are you alright, Luke?" Ashton asked, not knowing whether to hug him back or not.

Luke realised what he was doing and pulled away "I er... sorry, yeah."

Ashton cocked his head "You're crying... why are you crying...?"

Luke wiped his eyes and looked at his hands where there were tears "I don't know... I'm crying..." he said as more tears began to randomly fall down his face. He turned to Brad and Rocky "Why am I crying?" he asked, feeling more tears "it's... I don't know what it's out of... it feels like it's out of sadness but then goes straight to happiness when I look at Ashton."

Rocky laughed "Gay much," he said, receiving a glare off the three boys "sorry. Force of habit."

Brad sighed, looking around "Where's Ross?" he asked, turning his head suddenly realising he wasn't there "he's done it again. He's disappeared. He did this back in January! He's been gone all day!" Brad doesn't know why he suddenly had that realisation.

As Rocky went to respond they heard footsteps coming from behind Rocky and Brad, they turned around where they all saw Ross running towards them all in panic "What's going on?!" Ross asked, panicking "why's the base smoking?!" he asked, stopping when he got in between Rocky and Brad. Now he really was panicking because the hard work he had put in these past few months to make sure everybody's life was fine including Riker, Rydel and Ellington's better not have paid off for nothing only for the apocalypse to start all over again. Even though it's not time for him to go see Ellington and Riker yet. That's next week.

"Nothing. The science department blew up," Brad said, laughing a little "don't worry it's not the end of the world," again Brad became confused "I don't know why I just said that..."

There was a lot of confusement going on lately. Ever since December. Ross sighed in relief "Phew. I thought it was something bad for a second." he said, never being more relieved in his life, he looked over to Luke and saw that he had tears coming down his face "why are you crying?" he asked.

Luke shrugged "I don't know. I can't stop," he said, wiping his eyes "it's annoying. It's been happening ever since Ashton told me the date."

"What's the date?" Ross asked.

"25th March, 2013." Ashton told him.

Luke punched Ashton in the arm "Stop it!"

"Oh..." Ross said, knowing why he was crying.

March 25th is the date Ashton died. And Luke was feeling the same emotions he felt when it happened. Honestly, Ross is feeling what he felt that day when he was shot down and Ashton died. Pain. A lot of pain.

"Where've you been?" Rocky asked, giving him a suspicious look.

Ross shrugged "Some time to myself."

"Funny," Brad chimed in "you had the same time to yourself back in January."

"And?"

As Brad went to go add to that he was cut off by Will walking over to them and speaking "Alright guys," he said, giving them all a smile "good to see you, Ross. Where have you been all day?" he asked.

"Nowhere," Ross said "I just wanted to be alone. Everyone has those days. Then I came back and found the base having smoke pouring out from the roofs, so er... what's going on?" he asked.

"Oh," Will said, he let out a soft laugh "you know that Epoch machine they have?" he asked, all of them nodded "it blew up. Spectacularly as you can see and they don't know why. Mainly because all the scientists are either dead or badly injured from the explosion and fire. So there goes all their hard work out the window. And it could take at least 3 years to rebuild and get everything back running back to normal in that department with all the damage."

"Oh dear," Rocky said, not really bothered. In fact, he found it funny. Was that bad? "So what... this base no longer has a science department?"

"Well, only for a few years. I'm sure we'll get it back up and running again."

"Eh, I think the world would be safer without it." Rocky admitted, watching as the flames were finally dying down but the smoke wasn't.

He'd fucked up.

Ellington had never fucked up so badly in his whole entire life. He'd lost Tristan and Connor as friends and not to mention Riker. All because he's a stupid low life who couldn't let a one night stand he had go. Well, he was afraid that if he let it go things still wouldn't go back to normal. Riker was quite happy to forget about it and move on, but oh no. Ellington wasn't. So what did he do?

He ignored Riker.

For two solid months he had been ignoring Riker.

And when Tristan and Connor found out after walking in on him yelling at Mrs Hayes about it, they wanted nothing to do with him. Not because they had anything against it, but for the fact Ellington basically turned around and told them he doesn't trust them.

Good one Ellington Lee Ratliff, telling your two best friends you've known since you were 2 years old you don't trust them. Well done, slow claps for you.

From February, all the way through to the beginning of April he's had to live without them for. That is why, after all those months of suffering without Riker, Tristan and Connor... he was finally going to make up with them.

He doesn't know if it's because Laura gave him a good lecture yesterday about or if it had something to do with the weird dream he had last night that he can barely remember. Probably not the dream because he's pretty sure he got killed at the end of it by some blonde dude he's never seen before in his life. But Riker was there, and two other people. Then these two other guys showed up later on. God it was a confusing dream.

That's why he chooses to forget it.

The dream didn't matter anyway, it wasn't important. What was important was that he got to Tristan, Connor and Riker's house to apologise for being the worlds biggest douche of the century.

He walked down the street, with his hands in his pockets but took them out as he came to the road. The empty road he was about to cross. Ellington shrugged and began to cross it.

Then the sound of screeching tyres alerted his ears coming from far down the street.

Ellington stopped when he heard them, he turned around where he saw a car coming at him at like 100mph. Straight away he knew he was a gonner because he couldn't move out of the way fast enough, but suddenly some guy swooped out of nowhere and dragged him out of the way and the car sped past them both.

Ellington breathed heavily, feeling his heart beginning to beat out of his chest "Holy shit," He said, taking deep breaths and bending over "that... that was way to close for comfort! Holy crap!" he stood back up straight "thanks man." he said, patting the blonde on the shoulder that dragged him out of the way.

"No problem." the blonde responded with.

When the blonde spoke, Ellington looked at his face as he thought he recognised him. He gave him a strange look, not being sure what to make of him. He didn't know how to respond to him. "W-who are you?" Ellington asked, not knowing whether to be grateful to see him, surprised or happy.

Who are you. Them words stung the blonde and you could see it in his face, especially by the way he looked tired and worn out with bags under his eyes. All he could do was sigh and smile weakly and sadly "Nobody important." He said before turning round and beginning to make his way away from the place.

Ellington watched as the blonde walked off, being really intrigued by him "But... you saved my life."

"Ellington!"

Ellington turned around at the sound of his voice being called, and he saw Riker crossing the road and coming towards him. "What's wrong?" Riker asked, coming towards him "some guy told me you wanted to meet me here for something important," he became slightly worried at Ellington's face, he looked like he didn't know where he was "what's wrong?" he asked. He looked down the street where he saw the back of the blonde walking down the street "That was him!" Riker said pointing at him. He dropped his hand and looked at Ellington confused "who is he?"

Ellington shrugged, watching as he walked away "I er... I don't know..."


EEEP! Next ones the final chapter for this story asdfghjkl. I can't wait. Idk why. I'll try make it my best as possible like I did with Going In Circles, but lets face it nothing's going to top that story \o/

Anyway thanks for reading & I'll C&P what I said at the beginning here about reviews

Also, reviews... again. I don't know if it's because Americans have gone back to school (as I know most of my readers are Americans) or because the majority of you are too lazy to tell your opinion but c'mon... 5 people out of the 18 people who follow this story. That's a little bit ridiculous. But whatever.

7 REVIEWS OR MORE IF YOU WANT THE NEXT ONE.