Again, post concert depression is the fault here. I ended up going to another concert on the Loud tour, getting VIP, and meeting R5 again. Clifton Park, NY. It was perfect. It was much less rushed than Long Island, and while a drive for me, it was so worth it. I made them all bears that looked like them, got to talk to Rocky for a few minutes, and when I went to ask Rocky for a hug, Rydel told the band to group hug me and I was stuck in the middle of R5. Pressed against Rocky's chest. I was so happy I can't even put it into words. I also had VIP for Taylor Mathews (he plays Rydel's boyfriend in this) and he kissed me on the cheek and hugged me more times than I can remember. He also called me wonderful and I bought a ton of his merch and he sang to me and a few others who had VIP. I honestly hope a lot of you got the chance to see the tour. It was so wonderful and the band is so great live and they're just awesome to meet as well and I wanted to cry when it was over.

This chapter is a bit of a mess again, as the next chapter describes their first concert and leading up to that there were a few things that needed to be explained and such. I'm excited for the concert chapter and what comes after it. Some real interesting things for the Auslly and Rilly shippers. ;)

Please let me know what you think. Enjoy!

They got to the shelter and it didn't take long for Austin to cut himself off from everyone, going into the room and closing the door. Trish watched this happen and sighed, her anger and frustration distracting her from trying to piece together what to do. She knew her boss was angry, and had already placed several calls, including one to Stormie, who didn't answer. They didn't know what to do.

"This is a disaster," she snapped once alone in the office with the adults. "We're down an adult; I've got paperwork up to my ceiling, and now this. The state hasn't even called me back about the new stay in!"

Ally didn't know how to help. She was at a loss on how to help Austin, and wasn't going to attempt something she knew she'd fail. She also knew watching her boss panic would do little for herself, or the group in the other rooms, and wondered how she could better make use of her time. Slipping out of the room, she snuck down the hallway and stopped short at the sight in the rec room. Riker and Dez were playing cards. You would have never known they were, had she not seen the flash of red hair. Between Riker's lack of vocals and Dez's jumpiness, no one could hear a thing.

But Dez looked calmer than he had since arriving and she didn't want to mess with that.

"Hey, Ally!" Rydel was giggling from her doorway. She was dressed as if she was ready to go out and from the looks of it; she guessed it was with Taylor. "Taylor is picking me up to go see a concert. His friend David is apparently doing a show and he invited me. Did you know he plays music too?"

"Does he?"

"Yeah, he sings. He's got this really nice voice. I heard him singing the other day on the way home. I think he's shy about it."

"Well, have a good time."

She continued down the hallway, noticing Rocky was on his bed, hunched over a notebook, probably writing a song. It was peaceful in the shelter, despite the problems that were surrounding them. The concert was barely two weeks away, and Ally hoped it stayed this way. They had so much to work towards, so much going for them as a group and as individuals. Thinking back to how they all were months ago, and the images she had of each of them now; pride was the only emotion she could put a name to.

She couldn't wait to see what they could do on that stage.

"Ally!" Dez's voice was quite the shock, his head peeking out from behind the rec room door. He waved his warm her direction. "Come play cards with us. Riker is a cheater!"

Ally laughed at the look on his face, shaking her head, but agreeing to his request. When she walked in, Riker started to shake his own head, glaring playfully at his old friend. The three sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Ally missed this about not only Riker, but Dez too. She had forgotten how close they had been before Dez's departure and was glad to see the quiet boy had a friend again, one who was just as quiet as he was.

"I've missed this place," he admitted, as if to read her mind. Riker's eyes shot up at this, he smiled warmly and then looked back down. Ally had to smile too. He was far from happy, but hearing words like that from a boy who was so hurt, meant progress was happening. She knew he had been spending time with Ryland, talking one on one. A lot of them did, and she had to admit, it seemed to help them.

"We've missed you."

"I think I'm going to see this concert that Riker was telling me about."

"Oh, yeah?" Ally grinned at him. "You could totally film it."

His face reddened at the request she gave and for a second, she thought maybe she pushed him too far. But then he glanced at his friend and Riker nodded and he shrugged. "Maybe. I'll think about it." One of Dez's greatest talents happened to be filming and she had seen some of the work he did in the past. She thought he was great.

"You would do a great job," she added, before continuing their game.

The next day came quickly, much to everyone's surprise. Trish hadn't left her office much, constantly on the phone with lawyers, the state, and Mark. She hadn't gotten very far, but she wouldn't give up on what had happened the day before. She loved this about her boss. She was a strong woman, with loyalty to those in the shelter. And she didn't give up on anybody.

Rydel had not stopped gushing about her date with Taylor, and had spent the last half hour in the rec room, telling Dez and Riker all about it. They hardly seemed amused, but she had to laugh at the fact they hadn't left the room.

Rocky and Ellington were working on a song in the corner, quietly plucking and strumming on the guitars in front of them.

Austin's room remained closed. He'd come into the kitchen for breakfast, only to retreat back into there with the one wish 'please, just leave me alone'. He didn't say it with any harsh tones; he honestly just wanted to be to himself.

"We need to practice," Rocky declared suddenly. He stood from where he sat, looking toward the blond's door. He knew the pain of what Austin was feeling, probably wondering if he should go over there, or let him be. But with Austin singing most of the songs, they needed their lead, and without him, they couldn't move forward.

He looked to Ally. "What should we do? We need him."

Ally was at a loss. "I don't know."

"You're supposed to!" he muttered. "Isn't that what you're here for?"

She felt helpless when he said that, feeling like she wasn't doing her job. But what had she said to Jackson not too long ago?

"I can't help him if he doesn't want to be helped," she replied defensively. "I'm sorry he's not up to practicing, but forcing him to isn't going to make for a very productive practice." She stood up, pulling Rocky to the side. She gave him a look the others couldn't see and added lowly, "You know that better than anyone."

His face immediately cast toward the ground. He rubbed the back of his neck, sighed, and also nodded. "You're right. But he can't just sit around in his room and feel sorry for himself." He looked up with knowing eyes. "I also know that better than anyone."

"Maybe you should talk to him," she said softly.

Rocky laughed. "And say what? The world is fucked up and it doesn't get any easier?"

"No, Rocky."

"I didn't mean that," he added. "I mean, I did. I just don't know how anything that will help him. I can't say there are words that fix things like that. There just aren't."

"You understand what he's going through, though. You understand him." Ally leaned closer, noticing the others were trying to listen in. "Sometimes, you don't have to talk. Sometimes you can just be there."

"Sometimes, company is enough," he agreed with a sad smile.

Rocky didn't succeed into getting Austin out for practice that day. Unfortunately for the group, no one got to enjoy playing a song or two, but Ally did notice that Austin left his room that night. He didn't say much to anyone, but he left the room. He made eye contact with those around him. He didn't have to talk, but he listened.

And sometimes, company could really be enough.

Austin had this thing where he would just pretend things didn't happen. The day after that, he left the room and nearly tackled Ally into a hug, tickling her the moment she hit the ground. Confused, but not willing to ask, she chased him through the shelter until they reached the rec room, where they both collapsed on the couch from exhaustion.

"What was that for?" she finally giggled.

"Just missed you," he said simply.

That was that. He didn't say anything else, but went back into his room and grabbed his guitar. He played for a while, nothing really a song, but just melody for them to both enjoy. They enjoyed each other's company in a way she couldn't quite put words to. He, despite his worries, had a grace to him that no one else did. When he was happy, those around him were. She liked that. Maybe that was why Rocky was happier when he was around.

"The show is really soon," he said suddenly.

"I know. I'm excited to see what you guys can do."

"I'm excited too." He paused, looking at his guitar. "You're going to watch from the crowd, right?"

"What difference does that make?" she honestly wondered. "I thought watching from the stage would be more fun."

"No," he insisted. "It's not. I want to see you in the crowd. It's something… how do I explain it? It's like… I feel like you're the reason we're here. We're doing this. It makes sense, I swear it does. I just… I wish I could make you understand how much I appreciate you… we appreciate you. You don't hear it, but the others agree with me. We can't wait to show you what we can do."

"I'm proud of all of you."

There was a knock on the door, which ruined the moment, but Ally didn't mind. She didn't want to get emotional in front of Austin, because she honestly couldn't put into words how proud she was of them. She stood with an apologetic smile and walked toward the entrance, opening it without second thought. The person on the other side of the door made her stomach flip.

"Dallas," she spit out, her smile fading instantly. "What are you doing here?"

He still looked terrible. It might have been a bad trip, or detoxing, she wasn't sure which. But he looked like he had the night he had been arrested. He didn't say anything, but stared at her like she was the most interesting thing he'd seen in weeks. She repeated herself, annoyed that he had the nerve to come to a place like her job, especially when he didn't have a reason to.

"I need to talk to you."

"I have no words for you." She went to close the door, but he stopped it with his foot. Ally hated to admit it, but she was afraid of her ex boyfriend. He looked up again, his eyes pleading with her. At this point in time in the past, this would be where she could cave, let him in and let him cry about how much he messed up, how he was sorry, and that he needed to be forgiven. But when he did what he did, that all went away.

"Hear me out?" He was past desperate.

"No. Get off the property before I call the police and have you arrested."

"I need help. Please don't drop me when I need you the most."

This set her off, and she slammed the door from behind her. There was no need for anyone in the house to hear what she was going to say to him. It was private, and it was time for Dallas to understand what she thought of him. "Don't you dare give me that crap about when you need me the most!" she said, shoving him backwards. He almost stumbled down the steps. "You had more than one chance to fix the mistakes you've made, Dallas. I thought you did, honestly. I watched you go off to California, thinking you were finally okay, finally the guy I met back in high school. You seemed happy."

He seemed afraid. She liked that. He needed to realize what he'd done.

"I thought about you a lot, when you first left. I was so proud of you, doing what you did. Getting clean, getting yourself together. Proud that I stood by you through thick and thin and despite the break up, that we were still friends. Maybe the distance, maybe the time was what pushed us apart, but maybe it wasn't either of those. Maybe you never really changed. I know that I thought highly of you still."

"And then your brother gets a job here, and I'm thinking about again, how well you were doing. I was happy to hear you were doing well and maybe even a little excited that you were coming home soon. It wouldn't hurt to catch up, maybe eat dinner. I was upset when you told me you still loved me. I knew I didn't feel that way anymore, and it scared me to think that maybe I should still, but maybe that was just the future warning me about what you were going to become. I loved you more than anything, Dallas. You were my first everything… love, heartbreak… and everything in between. We had something special, and I can't doubt that."

He looked confused, but didn't say a word.

"And despite how you treated my friend in the mall, I would still bend over backwards to make sure you were okay, as you can see by what happened a few days ago. I was so concerned when the past was slamming me in the face again, forced to go down and relive what happened when you fucked up the first time."

"It was a mistake."

"No, it wasn't. You can't put a mistake on something like this."

"Ally, you have to understand what happened."

"Don't bother. You and Jackson are the same that you don't take no for an answer. You don't even realize just how much he's willing to give to keep your ass out of jail. And he almost died because of it. Think about that. You shot the only person who still gives a damn. You can cry all you want, you can beg me until the sun goes down, but my answer isn't going to change. I have way too much going on in my life to be burdened with you. I don't want you to come back here."

"But… you said you loved me."

"You got the words right." Ally smiled at him one last time before slipping back into the house and closing the door. She watched him stand there for a while, staring at where she once stood before he finally gave up and walked down the street. Despite meaning every word she said to him, there was still the feeling of heartbreak in her chest. She couldn't doubt that she once cared for him more than words could say. But that was gone, and left instead was the dull ache of something that was once good turned sour.

"Are you okay?"

Ryland was standing there of all people. "I'm fine," she said, but answered too quickly for it to sound true. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. It needed to be said."

He smiled back at her. "Okay. Well, the others are looking for you."

Another week passed. No developments were made for Austin's case, but it had been long forgotten by everyone it seemed. At least for the group, as they were all too excited for the concert that was five days away. Practices were being held every day, and Rydel was working with Kelly on outfits for the day. They wanted to match in color, and that meant shopping. The girls had just finished up a trip, and the boys were trying on clothes.

"I don't think I like this shirt," Rocky whined, looking in the mirror. "It looks funny."

"It looks fine," Rydel growled playfully, but laughed after she said it.

"Ally, tell Rydel I look stupid!"

"Ally, tell Rocky he's always looked stupid!"

"Ally, tell both of them to shut up!" Austin yelled from the other side of the room.

She just laughed. "Would you all calm down? There are plenty more clothes here. We can all find something for you to wear. I promise."

"Rocky is more like a girl than any girl I've ever met," Rydel disagreed. "Everything I've shown him so far he's complained about."

While the group was excited like she mentioned, the show being so close also meant everyone was starting to get nervous. Things like this were happening more and more each day.

"Well, maybe you should stop dressing me like a girl, then!"

"Both of you shut up," Austin said again, pushing them. "I think the shirt is fine."

"Ally, can you help me with something?" Ratliff asked, smiling at her. She followed him to the corner of the room, away from Kelly and the others. "I want to perform a song for Kelly at the show, and Rocky knows about it, but I'm not sure which one I should sing. There is a song she likes, but I don't know all the words well, but when we were walking back from the movies the other night, she said her favorite song of all time is Sunday Morning. I know that one well. I can't decide though. Which one?"

Ally looked over the two songs, finally deciding on Sunday Morning. "It's more romantic. The other song is a bit too upbeat if you're trying to impress her."

He smiled gratefully. "I thought so, but I wasn't sure." He paused, looking around him. "Can I say thanks, quickly? You've always been nice and helpful to me even when I don't deserve it."

"No need to thank me," she whispered back, knowing he was embarrassed about the others hearing.

He smiled at her one more time before darting over to Rocky and telling him what he'd be playing.

"Alright, so the concert is five days away. We need a name."

The words made everyone look up and turn to Rocky, who looked around him. Everyone went silent and started to think of ideas, mumbling suggestions only for each to shake their head. Much to everyone's surprise, Riker came to the center of the room and held up several words. Ally grabbed the paper from him and read, "At Nerves End."

Rocky grinned first. All followed. Words began to mix together as they talked about the idea, finally settling down with all eyes on Riker.

"We like it," Austin said first. "I think everyone agrees on that, right?"

"What about you, Ally?"

"I like it too," she agreed with a smile. "It fits."

"Alright! So, the band is together and we have a name." Austin smiled. "We're a band. A real band."