Rewriting the Stars
Endgame: Liason

Signing autographs at the meet and greet, Juan couldn't help but feel bittersweet about it all, knowing that Elizabeth was out in the world dealing with a world of hurt on her own. Every time he wanted to give up, feeling like he was a raindrop in the ocean of music, she was there to snap him out of it. Reminding him that every voice stands for something and if he can make a difference in the life of even one person it'll all have been worth it. When he imagined doing this, having this dream come true, he always imagined she'd by his side to share in it all.

"Congrats on the concert," Emily says to him as the crowd slowly dwindles. "You were amazing on the stage tonight."

"Thanks," Juan smiles slightly, glancing at Zander for a moment. "I appreciate you saying so."

"We should celebrate," Emily suggests. "You deserve it."

"Look, I appreciate you coming out to support me, it means a lot," Juan says sincerely. "But celebrating this with you...I can't. Sorry."

"I..." Emily starts to say when Juan shakes his head and walks off. "I didn't mean to upset him."

"It's not you, Em," Zander sighs, watching his friend get into his car and drive away. "It's just this whole situation. Juan's loyal to his core. With Liz taking off, Juan can't let himself celebrate with you in her place, it would feel too much like a betrayal."

"I get it," Emily replies sincerely. "Replacing her was never my intention. I just know how hard he's worked to get here and he deserves to be celebrated for his accomplishments."

"I know and I love you for that," Zander says gently. "If circumstances were different, I know Juan would have loved it, as well."

"But circumstances aren't different," Emily accepts. "You should go check on him. I'll catch a ride home with Lois."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely," Emily assures. "Your friend needs you. I'll see you later."

"I love you, you know?" Zander says before kissing her gently.

"I know," Emily smiles softly. "Love you, too."

Heading out, Zander climbs into his car and drives off, making his way to the Elm Street Pier, knowing that Juan would be there. Getting to the pier, Zander makes his way down the steps, finding Juan exactly where he thought he'd be, sitting on the pier with his feet in the water. Something all three of them have in common is the need to be near the water when emotions are running high. Something about the water crashing against the pier puts them in a tranquil state, relieving whatever turmoil is raging within them.

"Talk to me, man," Zander voices as he sits crisscross facing him. "What's eating at you?"

"Ms. Barrett says that the tour has been finalized," Juan says as he stares out at the water. "I'm set to fly out tomorrow night."

"That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Zander questions. "You've worked your whole life to get here."

"No different than Elizabeth and her art," Juan counters. "Even with physical therapy, there's a real chance that she'll never regain full mobility, meaning no more art. How can I enjoy all of this knowing she may never get to fulfill her dreams?"

"You enjoy it because it's what she wanted for you," Zander says seriously. "What's happening with Liz is beyond messed up, but that's life. It's messy and unapologetically cruel at times. That's why we have to enjoy the good while it lasts. You have worked tirelessly to get here and Elizabeth would be the first to tell you to live in the moment. Be proud of yourself because you know that we are."

"She should be here with us," Juan states, finally turning to meet Zander's gaze, tears frozen in his eyes. "This wasn't supposed to be our lives."

"I know, man, trust me, I know," Zander replies wholeheartedly. "But it's where we are. You deserve to live out your dreams, man, you deserve to enjoy it."

"Elizabeth..."

"Look, let me put this another way, okay," Zander cuts him off, truly wishing Elizabeth were here to help break through to Juan, knowing she was the only one that could when he sinks into this space mentally. "I know that odds against Elizabeth scares you, the odds weren't exactly in your favor, at times it felt impossible, but we held out faith that you could make it and you did, man...you made it. As impossible as it may seem now, we just have to do the same for Liz and keep the faith that she will find a way to get there, too. You hear me?"

"I hear you," Juan smiles slightly. "You know...you almost sounded like Liz there."

"Not even close, but whatever works," Zander smiles slightly. "Elizabeth never gave up on you, don't start giving up on her."

"Thanks, man," Juan says before turning his gaze out to the water. "Liz wasn't kidding when she said that this was a summer of change. I just hope it's a change for the better."

"You and me both," Zander agrees, turning his gaze to the water, as well. "One thing I know for sure, no matter what changes are coming for us, we will always have each other. As long as that stands true, life can do its worst, there's nothing we can't overcome."

This summer has proven to test them in ways none of them could have seen coming, twisting and turning them beyond belief, and it's barely halfway over. Whatever life has in store for them, they know in their hearts that their connection will be what helps them through, no matter how far apart they may be. Allowing the silence to fall over them, the two stare out at the water, giving each other the chance to come to terms with the reality set before them.

"Hey," Emily voices when she finds Zander sitting on her front steps the next morning, lowering herself to sit next to him. "Why didn't you let me know you were here?"

"I just needed a few minutes," Zander explains. "There's something I have to do...I just needed to figure out a way to tell you."

"Just say what you need to say," Emily says gently. "There's nothing you can't tell me, you know that."

"I know," Zander replies, smiling sadly as he turns his head to look at her. "With Elizabeth taking off, Juan's in a hard place right now."

"So are you," Emily reminds him. "You've been beating yourself up ever since she was taken. I just wish you'd hear me when I tell you that it's not your fault."

"I hear you," Zander says gently. "Doesn't stop me from wanting to be there for Elizabeth, but that's not possible right now. I can, however, be there for Juan."

"Now I understand what you're trying to say," Emily voices, seeing it clear in his eyes. "You're going on tour with him."

"That's the plan," Zander admits. "Leaving you isn't something I do lightly, you know that, but..."

"Juan needs you," Emily says simply. "I know. I hate it, but I understand."

"If things were different..."

"But they aren't," Emily replies, seeing his struggle. "My parents have been trying to convince me to finish my schooling abroad to help liven up my college applications. I guess, if you're not going to be around, I'll take them up on that. Could be a good experience for me."

"Yeah, it definitely could be," Zander voices softly. "I really wish things were different, Em..."

"Me, too," Emily says wholeheartedly. "It'll be hard, but we'll make it work. We have our whole lives ahead of us, Zander, if it takes being apart for the moment, so be it. We're forever, remember?"

"I remember," Zander smiles slightly. "Thank you for understanding why I need to do this."

"I love you, Zander, everything about you," Emily says wholeheartedly. "Just promise that you will take the time to take care of yourself while you're taking care of Juan. Your hurt matters just as much as his. I don't want you neglecting that."

"I promise," Zander assures. "I love you, Emily."

"I know," Emily whispers. "Do what you gotta do and then come back to me."

Leaving her isn't a choice that he ever saw himself making, but sometimes the choice is just out of his hands. With all the changes being forced upon them, all that they have suffered, Juan needs Zander and - in all honesty - Zander needs Juan just as much. They need each other to see them through all that's happened. Pouring his all into the kiss goodbye, Zander makes a solemn promise that he will come back for her, taking each painful step away from her.

"You're sure about this?" Lois asks Zander when he lays his cards out on the table for her. "What about Emily?"

"She's going to study abroad," Zander replies simply. "She understands that I need to do this."

"Okay," Lois says, setting the employment packet down in front of him. "Fill this out and I'll file it with personnel. For whatever it's worth, I hope this is the right choice for you."

"Thanks," Zander says as he takes a seat to fill out the paperwork. "I appreciate you doing this for me."

"I may not know what's going on exactly, but I can see that Juan's going through something heavy," Lois says simply. "If having you join the tour will keep his spirits up, I'm all for it."

Filling out the paperwork, Zander hands it to her, thanking her once more before making his way to his apartment to pack. Leaving town wasn't in his plans, the place is home and he just never felt the drive to leave, but Juan and Elizabeth would drop everything to be there for him if the need called for it. Elizabeth isn't an option, she's got to walk the path on her own, but Juan is and he intends to do whatever it takes to be there for his friend.

"Hey, man," Juan greets Zander when he gets to the airport. "I didn't think you'd show. I know how much you hate goodbyes."

"It's a good thing I'm not saying goodbye," Zander says simply, holding up his boarding pass. "I'm going with you."

"What?" Juan looks at him in disbelief. "That's insane. What about Emily?"

"I worked it out with her already," Zander assures him. "She's going to study abroad while I go on tour with you. Believe it or not, I even managed to score a job out of it."

"Seriously?" Juan questions when Zander holds up his tour badge that says crew on it. "I don't know what to say. You love this town, man, how can I let you just up and leave like this?"

"It's not going anywhere," Zander points out. "We need each other right now, man. Let me do this."

"If you're sure..."

"I am," Zander assures. "Let's party the hell out of this tour in Liz's honor. What do you say?"

"For Liz," Juan smiles slightly. "Let's do it."

Author's Note: Can't wait to hear from you guys on this one. Take care and know you're appreciated always. A million virtual hugs to you all. Thanks.