A/N: My lovely readers, how I've missed you. I'm so sorry this took so long. I've been dealing with some things and when I was finally ready to give you this chapter my computer died… twice. Long story short I came incredibly close to putting this story on indefinite hiatus. I noticed that I've gained some new readers despite my lack of updates. Hello and welcome. I love you all for sticking around and reading my fiction.

Disclaimer: I don't own Camp Rock.

Previously: After a separation and rough patch, Ali and Jason are together again. Meanwhile Ali's parents have decided to get a divorce.

Separate Separations

The next few weeks flew by. Ali and Jason continued to see each other and talk on the phone. She made a habit of spending the weekends in L.A., sleeping at the Torres's place, she even tried to bring Christine with her once or twice. It was an escape from her usual reality. Today was one of those lovely do-nothing days.

Ali was sitting at the house with her friends, being lazy and just having a good time.

"This is amazing. How long are you guys in town for?"

Jason thought for a moment, "I think the next time we are gone for more than a month is when we go on tour."

"So we get the summer together?" Ali asked, getting excited.

Jason nodded, "Yep, I'm all yours."

"All mine huh?" she asked.

"Except for studio time," Shane interjected. Jason and Ali both nodded.

"And working with the band on our label," Nate added. The couple nodded again.

"And the guest appearance at Camp Rock," Mitchie reminded them.

Ali giggled and looked over at Caitlyn, "Do you have anything else to add?"

She smile, "Nope, I think they got it all."

"Good," Ali wrapped her arms around Jason, "Other than that you are all mine."

Just then Jason remembered what he had meant to ask her weeks ago.

"Remember when you offered for me to come visit you classroom?"

"Yeah."

"You think I could do that?"

"I think you mean 'we' ," Nate corrected, "We would love to come in and spend an afternoon with the kids. If that's ok with the school and everything."

"That sounds great. I'll talk with the administration tomorrow."

"Ok, boys and girls, Ms Ali has a treat for us." The teacher announced the class of preschool and kindergarten children.

"That's right. Remember I've told some of you stories about my friend Jason? Well since it's the end of the school year I asked him and his friends to come and visit. I've told them a lot about you and you probably know a little bit about them already." She saw a handful of eager students nod their heads, "They are going to be here for the rest of the day so when they come in I need you to stay in your seats. If you have any questions for them you can raise your hand or wait until we can get up and you can ask them yourself."

Paul raised his hand, "What are their names again?"

"Mr. Nate, Mr. Shane, and Mr. Jason. Connect 3," she smiled as the room erupted into excited whispers and giggles. "They are right outside the door, so when you are quiet and ready for them. I'll bring them in." Almost instantly the room fell silent. Ali walked over to the door and poked her head into the hall looking for her friends. She spotted them looking at the racks of lunchboxes, several of which had their faces on them.

"If you are done admiring yourselves there is a room full of very excited children that would love to meet you." She told them coming into the hallway and putting her hands on her hips.

Jason was the first to reach her. He checked to see if the hall was clear before pecking her cheek and stepping into the classroom. Ali heard the students gasp and chuckled lightly as she held the door open for Nate and Shane.

It wasn't long until the boys were seated in different areas of the playground as the children ran around. A small shy little girl came walking up to Nate with her arms crossed and looking down.

"Hi there," Nate smiled, "What's your name?"

The little girl just shook her head but she looked up at him.

"Not going to tell me huh? How old are you?"

She shook her head again and then held up four fingers.

"Ok, well I'm Nate," he put his hand out, "Nice to meet you."

She smile a little and shook his hand, revealing that she was wearing a Connect 3 shirt.

"I like your shirt," he commented. She smiled at him.

"Who is your favorite?"

She pointed to his picture.

"Well thank you very much. That is very nice of you."

She smiled and surprised him by speaking.

"Can I sit in your lap?" She asked. Nate's smile grew.

"Of course." He scooped her up and sat her in his lap. Out of habit he began to hum one of the songs he was working on.

Ali saw him from her seat on a bench next to Jason. "Is there anything he isn't naturally good at?" She had a little girl in her lap as well.

"You didn't see him in the early days of our dance class. There's a reason we aren't a synchronized boy band." He watched the little girl as she played with his hand and examined the bracelet Ali had made him the day they met. He never left the house without it.

"I like your bracelet."

"Thank you. Ms Ali made it for me."

The little girl looked at her teacher in awe.

Ali smiled and nodded.

"Wow."

"I think so too." Jason agreed and winked at Ali. The young girl relaxed back against Ali and the couple continued to watch the playground. For all the noise there was a certain peace to it. Five minutes later the teacher rang the bell and all of the students went running for the door, excited about going home. All except for the little girl Nate was humming to. Ali laughed as she watched the usually serious musician being dragged by the hand across the sandbox by a little girl half his size. She didn't let go until she was in her mother's arms.

"I think you have an admirer," Ali joked as the last child went home.

"How do you ever say no to these kids? They are so cute," Nate asked.

"I know. It's not easy." She smiled at how happy Nate seemed to be around the kids, "How was your afternoon Shane?"

He looked defeated and slightly ridiculous sitting slumped in a kindergarten sized chair.

"Today I lost at basketball to a bunch of five year olds."

Ali giggled, "Well I did warn you not to underestimate them."

Nate smirked, "Would you feel better if you lost to someone your own size?"

Shane brightened, "Is that a challenge?"

Nate looked around to check for teachers and declared, "I'll race you to the basketball court!"

Ali looked blankly after them as they took off running. "I think I broke Nate."

Jason just smiled, "Maybe he'll wear himself out like the kids do. Or maybe he's been acting older than his age for so long that it backfired… or maybe he was abducted by aliens and they sent down a Nate clone. "

Ali shrugged and they walked hand in hand out of the classroom. She could hide the smirk at his last suggestion.

"It felt like old times today Songbird," Jason told her, leading her towards the swings on the deserted playground.

"What do you mean?' She sat on the swing, swaying back and forth slightly.

"You and the kids. It reminded me of last summer."

"Are you upset about not going back this summer?"

Jason shrugged. "We have a lot going on this summer, and we are going to go up there for a couple of weeks anyway, remember. Besides, you are going to be working at the bookshop and camp wouldn't be the same without you." He pushed her on the swing.

"You were at camp before you met me. We met on the last day of my first summer there."

"Well that was before I knew what I was missing."

"That's sweet," Ali smiled, "Cheesy, but sweet."

"What I'm saying is that I don't regret not going. It'll be simpler this way."

They stayed at the swings for a while, until Nate and Shane joined them.

"So are you coming home with us?"Nate asked, "The girls are coming over for a movie night."

"I can't. It's Dad's last night in the house. I want to hang with him. We are having our own movie night."

"Ok, let us know if you need anything," Nate offered as her swing came to a stop. He turned to help Shane put away some of the hula hoops the kids had left out. Jason stood in front of Ali's swing, holding on to the chains. He looked her directly in the eyes.

"We mean that Songbird. Call me if you need anything."

Ali almost got lost in his eyes, there were so many emotions there, love, worry, understanding. He smiled gently and took her hands. "Promise you'll call me tomorrow?

She nodded, "I promise."

Harry was packing the last of his boxes into his pick-up when Ali came out of her room. She had accidently slept in. They had stayed up late watching movies.

"Hey Angel, want to help me with these last boxes?"

"Sure," she picked up the last box that was sitting by the door and followed him outside. She watched him pack them into the truck and closed the back. "You could have woken me up. I would have helped more."

"It's ok. There wasn't much to do. Plus you seemed really tired last night."

"I wanted to make sure we spent some time together. I don't know if you've noticed, but Alabama and southern California are very far apart." She was trying her best to joke around and block out the reality of the situation. Her father was leaving and moving half way across the country.

"Come and stay with me anytime," he said and hugged her. Ali managed a half smile and nodded. She watched her father climb into his truck, piled high with things and memories.

"Bye Daddy." She stood at the end of the driveway and waved until he was out of sight.

I didn't think it would feel this bad she thought, watching Harry drive away. Knowing he wouldn't be coming home was a strange feeling. She thought she had dealt with it in her own, quiet way. She wasn't expecting the prickle of tears in her eyes. She blinked to clear her vision and pulled her phone out of her pocket. She knew that there was no way that she would be staying home feeling this way.

"Hey Jason, you told me to call," she fought to keep the emotion out of her voice, "Are you busy today?"

"Nope, want to do something?"

"Could you meet me at the Open Book?"

"Sure Songbird. Anything you want me to pick up on the way?"

"No, just you."

"Ok, I'll see you there."

"Thanks baby. I love you.

"I love you too."

Ali hung up, took a deep breath and went back into the house. "Mom, I'm going out for a while."

"Ok," she saw her daughter's face, "Are you ok sweetie?"

"Yeah Mom," she half lied. "I'll be fine. I just want to get out of the house. I'm going to meet Jason and hang out for a while."

Elizabeth nodded, "Do you think you'll be home for dinner?"

Ali shook her head, "I doubt it."

"Well your sister will be home soon. I was hoping we could all have dinner together."

"Mom, usually I would, but I really need to get out of here."

"You know he's just a …"

"Mom," Ali interrupted, " I really don't want to talk about it. I'll see you later." Ali knew that her father was only 'a phone call away' but it wasn't the same and it wasn't something she wanted to hear.

Elizabeth didn't push this time, "Ok sweetie. Tell Jason I say hi."

"I will."

Jason was at the book show within minutes. He knew it would take Ali a while to get up there, but he couldn't just sit around the house. The bell over the door rang as he entered and he was met with smiles when the owners looked up.

"Hi Jason. Meeting Ali?" Mia asked.

"That's the plan," he gave Mia a half hug and shook Frank's hand; their usual greeting.

"We are supposed to close early today," Frank reminded Mia kindly.

"Oh, well I guess we could go back to the house. I'm not sure who is there right now but,"

"Nonsense! You and Ali are welcome as long as you like. We are only closing for inventory and organizing anyway. How do you feel about pizza? That's the plan for dinner tonight. I know pineapple is Ali's favorite."

"Sounds awesome," Jason nodded. "But could you not mention closing to Ali? She'll feel awful about putting you out."

Mia shook her head, "You're absolutely right. It doesn't matter how many times we tell her she belongs here as much as we do, she's still is so afraid that she gets in the way."

"Why are you meeting her here anyway?" Frank asked. It was usually a tossup if they would meet at the house or at the shop. The shop was generally if they wanted to be alone. The house almost always had people talking and playing music.

"She asked to meet me here. I think she wants to do some serious talking, I'm hoping anyway. Her dad moved out today."

"Poor girl. Her and Harry were so close when she was younger. He actually brought her here when she was little," Frank remembered. Mia jumped in.

"That's right. She was how old? Four? She wandered the place, dancing and singing to herself. Harry was helping build some of the newer shelves," she turned to Jason, "She thinks she found this place herself. She doesn't remember that."

Jason nodded and smiled at the mental image of a toddler version of his Songbird. They were all quiet for a while.

"And thank you for taking such good care of her," Mia said softly. Frank nodded. "She plays it strong, but I could see it in her eyes from time to time. She was crumbling inside. It's almost like she's held together with a smile."

"She used to sing a song like that, when she came here to get away."

"Like she could hold everything in, hide it from everyone, and keep herself together as long as she kept smiling."

Jason's expression was pained. He knew that song and it broke his heart that Ali ever felt that way.

Frank looked at Mia, "But I haven't seen her like that in a while now." He looked over at Jason, "I think that has something to do with you."

Inside Jason was beaming, hearing that he was actually helping felt great. He shrugged, "we talk."

"She told me, and I've never seen her as at ease with anyone as she is with you."

Jason had spent a lot of time trying to figure out how they were the way they were, he still didn't really know.

"I guess we just kind of clicked that first day. She didn't treat me any certain way, or attack me like a crazy fan."

"I think I remember her talking about you before Camp Rock," Mia thought for a moment. "She used to read the magazines all the time. She would come and sit on the floor in front of the rack and pick up anything with Connect 3 on it. I listened to her do her fair share of ranting about the paparazzi. Anyway, I shouldn't say any more, she'd be mortified. But you'll have to ask her about it sometime," Mia smiled. Their conversation continued easily until a car pulled up, drawing their attention to the front window.

Ali wiped her eyes as she slammed the car door shut. Jason frowned.

"I hate it when she cries, I feel so helpless," he admitted.

"I can tell," Mia told him. She could see the heartbreak in his face as he watched Ali, "But I think you help more than you realize." She could see all of the love in his eyes.

"I hope so," was all he could think to say. As soon as the shop door closed behind her she was enveloped in Jason's arms. He held onto him as if life depended on it and buried her head against his neck, breathing deeply. Just keep calm, come on you can do this she told herself. For a moment all she could feel was Jason, his arms around her, smell his scent, it was enough to keep her from falling apart. Frank and Mia looked on in silence. Both were very thankful that Ali had found someone that cared about her so deeply.

When Ali looked p from Jason Mia spoke up, "Why don't you two go ahead back. Stay as long as you want."

Jason and Ali nodded simultaneously. She pulled away and looked at Jason.

"Jace I…" She couldn't finish her sentence. He nodded in understanding and interlaced their fingers, leading her back to their usual love seat hidden amongst the book shelves.

"I don't even know where to start," she told him as they sat on the couch, "Seeing Daddy, I mean my dad, drive away today. I guess it made everything more real. My sister wasn't even there. I don't know if she's in denial, or what is going on with her." She shook her head, "There is just too much. There were issues earlier this week with the school, my dad, my sister is having an especially hard time in school, I should be helping her. Gosh no wonder I'm a mess. If I have her stay with me that will be completely my responsibility. Mom's going to be in the house all alone. She said she's ok with it, but what if it makes her feel worse…" She continued in her downward spiral, voice cracking, tears forming, until Jason placed a hand on either side of her face.

"It's ok," he told her, staring in to her eyes. Then he pulled her onto his lap. She tried to protest.

"Don't even think about saying that you are squishing me," he warned, already knowing what she was going to say. Instead he wrapped his arms around her, "If you have to cry, go ahead. I've got you. You're safe here. I'm not going anywhere."

With his last sentence Ali broke down and buried her head in his chest, her voice cracked as she squeaked out "Thank you." It started slow but then she sobbed and shook. Jason just rocked her, holding her tight.

"You're alright. Just let it out. I've got you." At that moment he knew that he was where he was meant to be. He truly loved Ali with all his heart and if there was anything more he could do for he would, but at the moment he knew she just needed be comforted an held.

Eventually Ali stilled, sniffed, and pulled away from Jason's chest.

"Better?" he asked gently. She nodded slowly, "Do you need anything?"

She gave it a moment's thought, "Water?"

"Sure," he slid her off his lap, "Let me get it."

Ali didn't bother fighting him on it, "Mia usually keeps bottles behind the counter up front." She rubbed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair, hoping she looked better than she felt. Jason got up and brushed his fingers across her cheek.

"I'll be right back," he assured her. Ali nodded and tried to give him a smile. When he got back she had managed to pull herself together a little more. He handed her the bottle before resuming his place next to her.

"Thanks," she smiled more genuinely and took the bottle from his hand, drinking nearly half of it.

"Want to just sit for while?" he asked, already knowing the answer. He had a strong feeling that Ali was quite ready to talk about anything just yet.

"You read my mind." Ali laid her head down on Jason's lap, draping her legs over the other end of the loveseat. "You always seem to know just what to say. When did you get so smart?"

Jason only shrugged.

"I know you think I should talk about it."

Jason didn't say a word.

"And as soon as my headache goes away we will."

They sat in silence, Jason running his fingers through her hair. Ali closed her eyes trying to just enjoy the moment. She sighed, perfectly content. When Jason stopped she opened her eyes and saw that he was gazing down at her, as slight frown on his face.

"You're right, let's talk." Jason's frown disappeared and he helped her sit up. "This whole thing just makes me feel so ridiculous."

"How?"

"Well I have so much to be thankful for. So many people go through this and so much worse. I'm an adult, there's no reason for me to get all upset like this."

"Have you ever had anything to do with a divorce before?"

"No."

"Then who are you to judge what you should be feeling? This is new, and probably scary. Your family is close. I don't think you should feel a certain way about feeling anything about something whether it is nothing or not."

Ali smirked at his last sentence, "You know, you were starting to sound like Nate until that last bit."

Jason smiled, "But you know what I meant right?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't make things any easier. I'm having a hard time thinking about all of these times through my life and how none of them are what I thought they were. It's just really weird," her voice cracked and Jason wrapped an arm around her. She curled into his chest thanking God for his comfort. Jason listened as she told him stories about when she was little and what she saw in them in hindsight.

While Ali was out with Jason, Christine came home early because her friend that she was with got sick. She wasn't ready to see the guest room empty. Her father had been staying there for a while and now it showed no sign that anyone had been there at all.

"I'm not ready for this," she muttered to herself as she looked around for something to get her mind off things. She pulled out her phone and went through the contacts. She saw Nate's name and paused. "Sure, why not." She pressed send and listened to it ring.

"Hello?"

She heard his voice and nearly hung up.

"Hello?" he asked again. Chrissy snapped out of it.

"Hi, this is Christine, Ali's sister."

"Hi Christine. What's up? Are you ok?" He knew that Jason had left to console Ali.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just kind of needed someone to talk to. At first I didn't want to take you up on it because I thought it would be weird. But my sister reminded me the other day how much you are there for her."

"We are here for you too. Ali is our family and you're her family. So that makes you a part of our family too." The way Nate made it sound like a fact surprised Christine.

"That easy?"

"Of course. So you wanted to talk about your dad?"

"Yeah," Christine marveled at what Nate had said, specific, but not harsh. "I just wasn't ready for the reality of it I guess."

"That makes sense."

They were on the phone for hours. Christine was amazed at how he always knew the right thing to say. They hadn't lingered on her dad. Once Nate felt that she was feeling better he started to ask questions. Ali had told him that she and her sister were polar opposites. He wanted to see how true that was.

As it turned out it was very true. Christine's sense of humor was different. She was much louder and outgoing. Ali hardly talked on the phone to anyone but Jason. Christine told him that she most days she was on the phone for most of the hours she was awake and not in school. When they started talking about music she got more reserved.

"Don't close up on me now," he joked, "We are just getting to the good stuff."

"Well this is where things start to get embarrassing for me."

"And why is that?"

"Honestly? Because now I'm starting to remember that you are the same guy with the voice that I have as a ringtone."

Nate chuckled lightly, "That's very flattering. But don't let that worry you. I'm just a normal guy. So, other than that awful ringtone," he laughed a little, "What do you listen to?"

They talked for a long while before Nate confessed that he had to go.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to get off the phone pretty soon."

Christine nodded on her end, "Of course. Thanks for talking with me for so long"

"It was fun." His voice became serious, "Are you ok though?"

"Yeah, it' just a new page I guess."

"That's a great way to think about it. Don't hesitate to call if you want to talk."

"Ok, maybe I'll be in better shape next time."

"Maybe I'll call you. Just to check up on things. Don't be a stranger."

"I won't. Bye."

"Bye." Nate smiled as he hung up. It looked like he might be gaining another sister.

Days passed. Ali spent most of her time deciding what she needed to take with her and packing up boxes for her move up to LA, mostly while avoiding her mother. Christine talked to Nate on the phone nearly every other day.

Ali was relaxing in her room, reading, when she heard her mother's car horn in the driveway. She dreaded going down stairs. Just because they were getting a divorce didn't mean that Ali wanted to hear all about all of her father's faults, despite what her mother's reasoning of "You're old enough to know what a real relationship should be." She was tired of her mother saying that she hadn't set a good example of what a marriage is like. In a way Ali loved that she could be there for her mother and support her now that she saw what was going on, but on the other hand the new information made her question everything she thought she knew. Days like that she thought about what she and Jason had.

She took the whole thing in stride know things that she was moving out at the end of the month. From her new apartment she would be able to walk to the Open Book, be close to the university in the fall, she wouldn't have to worry about the stress in her house, and on top of all that she would be closer to Jason. A smile graced her face at the thought. Until her mother's horn honked again. Ali sighed and headed for the garage, allowing the smile to slip back into place as she thought of Jason. It had only been a week since the last time she saw him, but she missed him.

When she got to the kitchen she saw her mother loaded down with groceries.

"Hi sweetheart, it would save me a trip if you could get the rest of the food out of the car. Oh, and I'm going to need your help with dinner tonight. We are having someone over."

Ali nodded as she slipped on a pair of flip-flops and headed for the car.

"Me helping with dinner. That's new and different," she grumbled to herself as she walked out the door, glaring at her feet. "I probably should've asked who was coming over for dinner."

"I think that would be me," a voice said from the other side of her mother's car. Ali's gaze shot up from her shoes. Jason peeked around the side of the car as Ali squealed and ran out to him. She wrapped her arms around him and he spun her around.

"Yay, hug!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly once her feet were on the ground. She pulled away smiling and moved toward the bags of food still in the trunk. "Wait." Jason didn't let her pull away. Instead he pulled her into a kiss. She giggled into the kiss and moved her lips with his.

"That's not how groceries get unpacked," Elizabeth called from the doorway. Ali pulled away and blushed.

"Oops," Jason mumbled, embarrassed about being caught.

"No worries love, I've got this," Ali told him and ruffled his curls, "But we should probably do what she asks." Together they brought the rest of the bags into the house and Ali helped her mother put away the groceries.

"Ali, could I talk to you for a minute?" Elizabeth asked once they were done. Ali nodded.

"Where's Jacob?"Jason asked, the dog was usually running around like the cartoon Tasmanian devil, but he hadn't been spotted since Jason came in.

"The mutt is in the backyard if you want to play with him," Ali told him, knowing that Jason mostly wanted to give her and Elizabeth some privacy.

As soon as he was out of the room Elizabeth turned to her daughter. "I know things have been strange around here and that there are a lot of changes going on. So I thought I would invite Jason over, sort of as a thank you for helping me out the past weeks."

Ali hugged her mother. She knew Elizabeth was having a tough time.. It was rough on everyone. Ali had never been so thankful for her understanding friends. Right now she was extremely thankful for her apparently understanding mother.

"Thanks Mom."

"You're welcome. Why don't you get Jason and you both can set the table."

Normally Ali would comment about having a guest help with the meal, but it was understood that he was a part of the family.

"Ok." Ali went to go get him from the backyard.

Elizabeth smiled as she watched her daughter sneak up behind her boyfriend and wrap him in a hug. It was a moment before he spun around and wrapped his arms around her.

"She might just be ok." Elizabeth noted to herself, watching the playfulness between the pair in the backyard. Just then Christine came down the stairs.

"Have you been on the phone this whole time?"

Christine nodded, "Nate was telling me about a book he's reading. It sounds pretty good. He said he'll lend it to me when he's done."

Elizabeth stared at her daughter. "I've tried every possible plan to get you to read and you won't, but then a guy tells you about a book and you become an avid reader? How is that right?"

"It's Nate, Mom."

Elizabeth sighed, "That's fair enough I guess. How are your grades holding up?"

"Mom, don't start. I've got it."

"I don't think you do or I wouldn't have to sign your school agenda every two weeks."

Their discussion was interrupted by Ali and Jason coming back into the house.

"Hey Christine," Ali greeted her sister, looking to see if her Bluetooth was in, "Good you're off the phone there was something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Hi Chrissy."Jason said, waving. She smiled and waved back.

"What's up?"

Ali smiled, hoping this would go well, "I talked to mom. And she said that if you want you can stay with me for the summer."

A grin broke out over Christine's face, "Really?"

"Yeah."Ali had expected more of a conversation, joking or arguing or something, not blind acceptance. She must be closer with Nate than I thought.

"Well there is one condition," Elizabeth explained as they all sat down at the table, "You need to keep your grades up through the end of the school year."

"But Mom, all I have left is finals."

"Then it shouldn't be too hard."

Christine sighed and crossed her arms.

"Don't worry," Ali told her, "I'm sure Nate won't mind helping you study."

She brightened. "You're right."

The rest of the dinner went off without a problem and all too soon Ali was kissing Jason goodnight at the front door.

AN2: Thoughts? Feelings? Did you hate it? Did you love it? Did any of you actually make it all the way to the end to read this note? Let me know. R&R. Thanks.