Hello :)

This chapter is the shortest chapter of this story, but that's because I still have no idea where I am going with it, lmao.

But, it is a good chapter (if I do say so myself).

I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: not edited / I don't own anything you may recognize

"An amazing hit by #4, Austin Moon!"

Ally screamed to the top of her lungs along with the rest of the team as the ball that Austin hit flew over the barricade and into the crowd. And as he ran the bases, hitting his fist to his chest three times before pointing to the sky, Ally felt tears fill her eyes.

She had never known the amount of pride one could feel for another person, that one could feel so full by watching a loved one accomplishing something completely and utterly amazing. And as her chest bloomed with a mixture of emotion, Ally knew she would never tire of this feeling; of watching Austin living his dreams, no matter what they were.

"We only need one more point," Mitchell whispered from beside her, his thumb nail in his mouth as he stared at the score board.

Ally removed her gaze from Austin and wiped her tear stained cheeks with a sniffle. She glanced at the current batter, who happened to be West, and closed her eyes, praying silently. It was the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and Miami needed one more point to win it all.

To say Ally was on the brink of a heart attack would be an understatement.

A ding ran out, and Ally's eyes flew open to see the ball on the ground, traveling right through the hole between the short stop and third at a merciless speed, but it only allowed West a single.

Ally covered her mouth as she waited for Matt to take place in the batter's box, and she had never been more thankful that the last inning fell in the middle of their batting line up – the power hitters.

"Do you think he can hit a homerun," Mitchell croaked, visibly jumping when Matt watched a pitch go straight down the middle without swinging.

Strike.

Matt Williams had hit at least one homerun per game of the season so far. His stats were neck and neck with Austin's and Ally prayed, for once, that it stayed like that.

"He hasn't hit one this game so far. Maybe Austin's will motivate him."

Mitchell didn't get a chance to respond, and Ally held her breath as Matt swung – dropping his shoulder and cutting deep, Matt's back foot dug into the clay as his elbows extended at the perfect moment. His bat connected with the underside of the ball.

And Ally knew then it would be high, meaning one of two things would happen. It would go over the barricade, or, it would be caught in the air resulting in an out, ending the game. Unless the player missed, but that was highly unlikely.

An audible gasp sounded in unison from every person in Omaha, Nebraska's stadium, and not a single breath was taken – until the ball disappeared into the crowd.

A deafening round of cheers and applause rang out as the University of Miami's baseball team flooded the field. Some players from each team dropped to their knees, some in victory and defeat. Yells and screams were exchanged, as well as hugs, between the players. And Ally choked out a laugh when a large tub of orange gatorade saturated the head coach; who took it with the brightest smile on his face.

A breathtaking energy buzzed from every corner.

But when Ally's eyes connected with Austin's, everything faded. Ally wanted to memorize the look on his face in that moment; and she focused on solidifying it to memory. Tears filled his hazel-green eyes; his smile so wide that non-before seen wrinkles adorned the corners of his lips and eyes.

Ally's feet carried her to him unintentionally, and once she reached him, she launched herself into his arms; her legs wrapping tightly around his waist while her hands found his blonde locks. His hands gripped her thighs, hoisting her up just as she leaned down to capture his lips in a feverish, passionate kiss.

Their tears mixed, each of them tasting the others on their tongue.

Austin was the first to pull away.

"I want to play pro," Austin exclaimed over the celebrations. "If they draft me, I'll go."

Ally's eyes widened before her bottom lip trembled, more tears falling as she brought a hand down to cup his jaw, running her thumb over his cheek. She leaned down to kiss him again, allowing him to feel all the emotions she couldn't put into words.

/

"I never imagined Nebraska to be so beautiful," Ally spoke, her head tilted back as she looked up at the city's skyline.

Austin pulled Ally into his side as they walked alongside the Missouri river, taking in the sights of Omaha. But when Ally turned her eyes to the river, the way the city lights reflected off the water was somehow prettier that the city lights against the night sky.

"Me either," Austin mumbled, staring down at her before kissing her head. He held onto her tightly, breathing her vanilla scented locks through his nose. Then she finally looked up at him.

"Today," she whispered, her eyes falling the river again. "What I felt," she sighed before shaking her head. "It was unreal."

Austin's arm fell from her shoulders, but Ally kept walking before Austin's hand stretched to grip hers. And when she turned, he felt his heart land somewhere in his stomach – she stood before him without a stich of makeup, her naturally wavy hair flying behind her in the wind, along with her knitted, peach cardigan that swallowed her thin figure.

The city lights casted an angelic glow around her natural beauty, and when her lips curled into a sweet, curious smile, it brightened.

"I love you."

The words flowed from his lips before he could stop them, and as soon as they did, fear wrapped its dirty hands around his vocal cords; his eyes widened, and he dropped her hand.

Shit.

He hadn't meant to say that.

"And I know you may never love me like Elliot."

Ally's eyes met her hairline and her mouth popped open on a gasp. She took a step back as if Austin had hit her, and Austin could only imagine what she was thinking.

Austin swallowed, feeling as if shards of glass were coating his throat as he scrambled for words. He was royally screwing this up; this hadn't been how he wanted to tell her. He sure as hell hadn't wanted to bring Elliot up whenever he did, but his damn insecurities created the world's worst case of word vomit.

"It's just, you had to have loved him like crazy to stay with him after he hit you."

He was going to throw up.

Did I really just say that?

Ally's eyes enlarged comically, her jaw unhinged itself, falling open further as she stared at Austin incredulously. Any other time, her expression might would have been laughable, but neither of them found this moment to be funny.

Austin ran his hands through his hair, gripping the strands harshly, but pain never registered as he continued to stare at his stunned girlfriend; if he could even still call her that.

"Fuck," Austin growled, turning away from her as he began pacing back and forth. His fingers stayed in his hair, pulling so much to the point that he wouldn't be surprised if there were bald spots in the morning – that was if he didn't throw himself in the river before the night was over.

He was panicking; the rushing river, car horns and traffic, sounds of businesses nearby all faded to be replaced with his quickening heartbeat. His eyes scanned his surroundings, looking for anything to focus on before he lost his shit entirely.

"Austin?"

Austin froze at the sound of Ally's voice and a hand on his elbow; he squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't face her.

"Talk to me."

Her calm, soothing voice eased his nerves enough for him to turn an face her. He still hadn't opened his eyes. He didn't want to see her reaction. Who the hell told someone they loved them like that? Who the hell had a mental breakdown when telling someone they loved them?

"Austin, please."

Austin exhaled, opening his eyes slowly. He expected to find resentment, but to his surprise, her face was filled with nothing but worry.

"Ally, I'm so sorry," he sighed, hanging his head.

Ally simply ran her hand down his arm, threading their fingers together before leading them to a nearby bench.

"Will you tell me what's going on," Ally whispered, staring down at their hands in her lap as he fiddled with his fingers.

She looked up at him when he took in a large breath, but he turned his head, choosing to focus on the blinking cross walk.

"I wanted to tell you I loved you after your graduation," Austin admitted, worrying his lip between his teeth, still unable to look at her.

"Why didn't you?"

He faced her again, his emotions breaking through the façade he had been wearing since that day.

"Because," Austin groaned, removing his hand from Ally's to cradle his head. "Because Elliot texted, then we had that conversation in my truck about how much you loved him, and I don't know," he trailed off, debating his next words.

"Ally, I just can't wrap my head around how much you had to of loved him for you to stay in that condition. I know that I don't get it, that I'll never understand, that there is more to it than that, but after that text, seeing a tiny ounce of hold that he had over you – ,"

"You think I still love him."

Her tone made Austin cringe. It may have sounded like an innocent question to a by-passer, but she wasn't asking; because she already knew the answer. And when Austin said nothing, he felt Ally tense next to him.

"He called me."

Austin's eyes were instantly on hers, his neck whipping up quick enough to cause whiplash. But Ally didn't give him time to react.

"He called me, admitted he wanted me back, told me that you would let me go once you got tired of me being a good fuck."

Everything in Austin clenched; a fire igniting in the pit of his belly, rising like a volcano up his chest and throat.

"Yes, he was my first love. I loved him with everything in me. I loved the person I thought he was. The person he led me to believe he was in the beginning," Ally spoke, her eyes connecting with his, a fire of her own burning behind those chocolate orbs. "But I didn't stay because I loved him, and I don't react the way I do at the mention of him because I still love him."

She let out a bitter laugh.

"Do you know what people think of women that stay with a man that hits on her," she asked quietly, turning away from him. "Because I do. I used to never understand why a woman would stay with a man that laid anything that a loving hand on her. Then I became one"

Her voice became monotonous.

"People think that they are weak. I mean, how hard is it to walk out of the door when he is away or sleeping?"

She turned to face him again, but her eyes didn't connect with his.

"Guys like Elliot. In the beginning, they make you fall in love with them, make your heart beat for only them, lead you to believe that they are the only thing in the world that matters; draw you from family and friends so that they are the only thing in your world." There was a pause, her eyes becoming distance, and Austin assumed memories were dancing through her mind. "But then, day by day, their words become harsher, their touches rougher, and before you know it, your body reacts to anything and everything that they demand of you. And you believe them when they tell you that you are nothing, that they only hit you because they love you, that nobody will ever want you again after they've laid their hands on you." Her voice caught.

"And through it all, your heart doesn't want to let them go because the pain of that would be nothing compared to the beating you take every day."

Then her eyes connected with his again. And for the first time, Austin could see her mental scars just as clearly as he could hear physical ones; he could see her fighting through the lingering pain of each one every single day – unknowing of how long they would take to heal; only for them to still be visible in the end.

"But once I came to my senses, once I realized that I could have a life out from under him," she began, "I'll never want him back. And yes, I reacted the way I did out of habit, and the fact that I was taken by surprise." She gave him a pointed look. "But I told him the other day that I wanted nothing to do with him, that as far as I was concerned, he never existed to me."

Austin felt a small smile of pride began to take over his face, but she stared talking once more.

"And because of you." A small smile covered her face. "I know what it feels like to, not only be loved, but cherished," She reached to cup his cheek. "I don't love him, Austin. And I wish you would've told me that this was what was bothering you sooner. You can come to me; you can ask me anything."

Austin sighed, guilt consuming him. "I know, I should have, but I didn't want you thinking I was insecure about someone like Elliot," Austin admitted, his face scrunching in distaste. "And I'm so sorry that, that, was how I told you. I wanted it to be romantic," he sighed, "and then I panicked."

Ally laughed with a nod. "At least I'll never forget it."

Austin groaned, pulling away from her and covering his face with his hands, which only caused Ally to laugh louder. Then, she moved his hands from his face. She leaned in, kissing him softly before resting her forehead against his.

"And just so you know, I have never loved him the way I love you."

And she sealed that promise with a kiss.

Later that night, Ally laid curled into Austin's side, her head resting on his shoulder as his fingers stroked her locks. Her breaths were soft as the tip of her index finger trailed the outline of his defined pecks.

"How come you didn't tell me Elliot called you," Austin asked curiously; his tone light and calm, breaking the silence for the first in half an hour.

Ally shifted her head to look up at him.

"How come you didn't tell me how you were feeling?"

Her tone matched his, and a smile peaked on both of their faces.

"To protect you," they said to one another in unison before falling in a light bout of laughter.

"You didn't need to protect me," Austin said, shifting his head against the pillows to connect his eyes with hers. "I wish you would've told me."

Ally sighed, propping herself on her elbow. "And you didn't need to protect me, if anything, you should've come to me about what you were feeling." She rested her forearms and chin on his chest. "I wish you would've come to me. I was beginning to think…"

Her voice faded and her eyes moved from his to the headboard.

"You were beginning to think what," Austin questioned, running his fingers down the silky skin of her back.

"I thought that maybe Elliot texting me was too much for you, that maybe you didn't want to deal with me or my past anymore," she admitted quietly, "I knew something was bothering you, but you wouldn't talk to me, so, when he called, I kept it from you because I thought you would have left."

Concern covered Austin's face immediately. "Ally, no, I would never think that," he whispered, moving his fingers up to massage the crown of her head. "I should've come to you about what I was feeling, that was my bad, I'm sorry."

Ally gave him a one sided, closed lipped smile. "We both should've come to one another."

Austin agreed with a soft smile, leaning into to kiss her gently. "God, I love you so much."

Ally giggled, rolling on top of him, running her fingers down his chest as she rolled her hips. He stifled a groan, reaching to grip her hips, but didn't still her movements. She leaned down, placing soft kisses up and down his neck.

"And I love you," she murmured, "and I plan to show you just how much."

/

Ally hummed quietly to herself, her fingers tapping quickly over the keyboard of her desktop. Rain and wind wreaked havoc on the field house from the tropical depression that was covering majority of South, Florida, but besides that, the field house was quiet; almost eerily so.

Sighing, Ally looked at her watch. It was a little past noon, and she was waiting for Mitchell to bring lunch back for the both of them.

Things had slowed down since the championship game. Her workday had become sufficiently shorter; it only consisting of writing up reports and shadowing certain players that would come in for their scheduled work outs or stretches. She found that the off season consisted of a lot less work, which she didn't complain about.

Her phone rang, and she glanced down at the caller ID to find Mitchell's name.

"Hello?"

Hey, I'm gonna be a little longer than I thought. They are a little busier than I expected.

"That's okay," she assured him, "just please don't forget my bread pudding."

Mitchell chuckled before swearing that he wouldn't before hanging up – they were ordering from a little dinner in the middle of downtown that served the best bread pudding; according to Ally.

Right as she hung up, a thunderous boom came down the hall that sounded a lot like a door slamming, and Ally jumped to her feet. She stood for a moment before rounding her desk and peaking her head out of the door.

The narrow hallway was dark, the light having blown a few days that they had yet to replace. A slim ray of light flooded in from the windows embedded in the double doored exit; but that didn't offer much considering it was storming outside.

Suddenly, the left side of the door flew open; revealing a million droplets of rain falling at a slant, leaves and limbs ripping from trees while bending to the point of touching the ground. It slammed shut a second later, the sound following it louder than the one before.

And although she saw it coming, she still jumped.

Laughing at herself, she began making her way down the hall to lock the doors.

"I've missed you."

Ally froze, gripping the door handle to keep her knees from buckling.

"Why are you here?"

Pins and needles erupted from the beginning of her hair strands to the ends of her toes at the sound of the laugh that came from behind her. It was dark and psychotic, and every ounce of crazy that existed in the man behind her showed in that single sound.

"Ally." He clicked his tongue. "You didn't really think I would just let you go. Did you?"

Ally closed her eyes, forcing herself to remain calm and focused. All she had to do was throw open the door and run, her car wasn't far.

"Elliot," she began, "I told you, we are over."

Another laugh.

"You are stupider than I thought."

Footsteps inched closer, and Ally slammed her hands against the door handle.

Panic surged through her when she realized it was jammed. She slammed her hands against at a bruising force; once, twice, and before she could do it a third time, arms encircled her waist. A scream ripping from her as she began thrashing; tears that she hadn't realized formed streaming down her cheeks.

Elliot placed his lips against her ear, shushing her as he moved her away from the door.

Ally stilled when feeling his warm breath brushing against her ear, an involuntary shiver wracking her body. She felt him smirk.

"Your body still reacts to me," he mused, sprawling his fingers across her torso before trailing one finger underneath the hem of her shirt.

Ally choked on a sob.

"Elliot, please." She croaked. "Can we just talk about this?"

"Sure, baby, sure." Elliot sung, kissing beneath of ear. "We can talk."

Ally nodded frantically, swallowing back a cry. "Okay, okay. Can you just sit me down, and we can talk? You can talk, I'll listen."

Elliot hummed and seemed to tighten his grip around her. "It seems you and I can talk perfectly fine like this." He turned her quickly to face him, and she wavered, the sudden moment making her dizzy. "Besides, I haven't touched you in so long."

He nuzzled his nose into her neck before pulling back, locking his eyes with hers.

Those green eyes that haunted her dreams each night danced with lust as they roamed her face, her lips, and finally her body.

"Elliot," she whimpered, "please let me go."

That lust was replaced with anger, and Ally didn't have time to feel dread before he hurled her body to the floor.

Any air that managed to fill her lungs was knocked out of her. Her knees and elbows took most of the impact, but when face hit the floor, Ally knew immediately that her nose was pouring blood.

"You want me to let you go," Elliot growled, and Ally screamed when his foot connected with her ribs. "There you go, bitch!"

Ally hastily began crawling away from him, but he caught her ankle, yanking her backward. The side of her head hit the cold tile harshly, and black spots invaded Ally's vision. But despite the pain, she twisted, kicking the leg free of his hold towards his groin as hard as she could.

And he doubled over, gripping the area with both hands as he fell to his knees.

Not wasting a moment, Ally scrambled to her feet, bolting down the hall. As she reached her office, she remembered it didn't have a lock, but Mitchell's did. She didn't bother to look behind her as she ran the rest of the way down the pitch-black hallway. If she were luckily, Elliot wouldn't be able to see her once she got far enough.

She reached Mitchell's hallway in seconds, throwing the door closed behind her and locking it as soon as she forced her fingers to stop shaking long enough to grasp the lock. As soon as she heard it click, she gripped the back of a chair before sliding it under the knob.

Then she backed away, staring at the door for a second, gripping her chest as she heaved. A sound between a sob and a gag escaped her throat. She fought to calm herself and gather her bearings.

She rushed to Mitchell's desk phone, but as soon as she heard the dreadful sound of a disconnected line, another sob escaped her; one that she didn't fight. She sunk to the floor, curling underneath Mitchell's desk, slapping a hand over her mouth to quiet the shattering cries.

There wasn't a doubt in her mind that if Elliot found her, that he would kill her.

Bringing her knees to her chest, she wiped the blood from her nose, and she wondered if she could ride it out until Mitchell arrived.

What did you guys think? ;)

-Meg