Hey, everyone! This is a bit of a shorter chapter but felt that it was important to me that they resolve their fight and also give a bit of a flashback to that date y'all have probably been wondering about (told you it would be important!). Just a quick side note: I don't own the song lyrics used here. If you haven't listened to "Do it Again" by R5, go do it because it becomes important later in the chapter! Thanks love you guys! :) -Erika

eight: concerts & chaos

Ally paced the length of the hotel room for what was probably the thousandth time, her mind racing. She couldn't help but feel bad for what she'd said to Austin. Trish came out of the bathroom a few minutes later and sighed.

"What are you so nervous about? You've performed hundreds of times!" she said. Trish knew that this might be about more than just performing, but wanted to coax it out of her best friend as gently as possible. "In other words... suck it up, you've got a show tonight!"

Ally stopped, shooting a glare in Trish's direction. "No, it's not that. I think I messed up with Austin this morning."

"Oh God, what now?" she mumbled, sitting down on the bed.

"Well, before you woke up and when Dez was downstairs getting breakfast, we kinda... sorta..."

"You didn't have..." Trish raised her eyebrows, "did you?"

"No, of course not," Ally said quickly. "But things were getting pretty heated and I'm fairly certain we would have if I didn't stop him."

Trish sighed again. "I knew we'd be having this conversation at some point, I just didn't know it'd be so soon. Here, come sit." She patted the covers next to her. Ally reluctantly took a seat next to her best friend. Her hands were fiddling with one another— she couldn't keep still. Whether it was the coffee she'd had just minutes before or her nerves running high, she couldn't tell. Maybe it was both.

"I know that you and Austin just got back together and you can't seem to get enough of each other, but it's important to set boundaries and communicate with each other. How was Austin supposed to know that you weren't ready if you didn't tell him?"

"That's the thing...he does know because we talked about it at his Miami show. But I also brought it up after breakfast and at first, I really felt like the conversation was going somewhere. But after a while it didn't seem like he was taking me seriously, so I forced him back into his room." Ally ran her hands through her hair. "How could I be so stupid?"

Trish put her hand on Ally's shoulder. "You're not stupid, trust me. Knowing Austin, he probably wasn't taking you seriously. He hasn't been able to keep his hands off you since you reunited!" she paused. "The best thing you can do is apologize. You guys have never been able to stay mad at each other for long. I mean, you're Austin and Ally, the world's greatest power couple!"

Ally smiled slightly. "According to who?"

"I saw it on the cover of Cheetah Beat the day after the Helen Show," Trish admitted with a smile. "But don't take it from some stupid magazine, take it from me."

Ally looked down at her hands again. "You really think we're a great couple?"

"Of course, I do! Auslly all the way," Trish giggled, which sent Ally into a fit of laughter.

"What would I do without you?" Ally asked.

Trish thought for a moment. "I don't know. But you definitely wouldn't have a boyfriend." Ally pulled her into a hug, but it was cut short when they heard Dez screaming Austin's name next door.

"AUSTINNN!"

"WHAT?" they heard Austin yell back.

Trish rolled her eyes. "I wonder what his problem is now." Both girls hopped off the bed and opened the connecting door to Austin and Dez's room to find the contents of Dez's suitcase strewn all over the floor.

"What's going on in here?" Trish asked, walking over to the suitcase. Ally followed cautiously in fear of there being awkwardness between her and Austin.

"I can't find my lucky shirt!" Dez yelled.

Ally sighed. "You have a lucky shirt?"

"Duh! It goes with my"—

"Lucky pants," Ally finished. "I get the idea." Dez whined and sat on the bed, sticking out his upper lip.

"What makes it so lucky, anyway?" Austin piped up, emerging from the bathroom. For a second they locked eyes, but Ally immediately looked away.

"It just...is." It was obvious to the other three that Dez didn't have an answer.

"Well, pick out a different shirt. We have to be at the venue in an hour, and there's probably traffic," Trish said, turning her attention to Austin and Ally, who were trying desperately to avoid each other's gaze. "I'll meet you guys at the tour bus in fifteen minutes." She grabbed Ally's arm and dragged her back to their room to finish getting ready.

After Ally and Trish left through the connecting door, Austin sighed and sat down on the bed.

"Why the long face?" Dez asked, wearing a long face himself.

"Ally and I had a fight this morning," Austin said. "Things got a little...steamy...and she didn't want us to go that far, but I forgot that she had told me that, so I tried to make up for it by calling her pretty."

Dez grimaced. "Wrong move, buddy."

Austin shot him a look. "I didn't even intend to go that far, but things just escalated so quickly. We were alone, low on sleep, and still reeling from the beginning of tour, it just kinda ...happened."

Dez sighed. "I knew we'd be having this conversation at some point, I just didn't know it'd be so soon."

Austin shot him a look. Dez calmly patted the bed next to him. "Come sit next to me, my little golden toes."

"Don't call me that...like ever again."

Dez ignored him. "I've had my fair share of lady problems in the past few years, and something that always works is apologizing. Even if you don't know what you did, that always makes things better."

Austin glanced down at the bed. "I don't know if that will cut it this time."

"Then you can always spring for the big, romantic gesture to show how much you care about her... like serenading her with a song during rehearsal— one that's meaningful to both of you."

Austin bit his lip, trying to think of the perfect song. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. "I have the perfect one. Thanks, Dez."

"No problem, buddy." They did their signature handshake and Austin sprung off the bed excitedly, packing what he needed for the day into his backpack.If what I have planned doesn't make up for our fight, nothing will.

A/N: If you haven't listened to Do It Again by R5 yet, this is your reminder :) k thanks besties love you bye

three months earlier

Austin shut the door of his car, unable to fight the smile that was forming on his face. It had taken a bit of convincing to assure Ally he wasn't kidnapping her. He knew that once she saw where he was taking them, she'd forget she ever thought that.

He started the ignition, backed out of the parking lot, and headed toward the beach. Little did she know that he was going to take her on the best date they'd ever had. On the way there, she questioned him over and over, but he shut her down again and again. If he gave away the destination, that would ruin the surprise and make it less fun. It took everything Austin had not to reach over and take the bandana off of her forehead, though. He managed to restrain himself, thinking, It'll all be worth it. Just keep driving.

Around five minutes later, Austin pulled into a parking space near the beach and put the car in park. His hands had suddenly become clammy and his heart started racing. Why am I so nervous? It's just Ally.He took his phone out and plugged it into the aux cord of his car, then cleared his throat.

"Uh, you can take the bandana off now." Ally pulled the cloth bandana over her eyes and tried not to make it obvious that her smile was fake when she saw the beach in front of them.

"You brought me to...the beach?"

"Not quite...well, yes, but no."

Ally frowned. "What do you mean?"

Austin sighed. "When you were at college, I released a song called "Do it Again." It was about how much I missed you, and what my dream date would be like if we got back together. I don't know if you remember it, but..." He pulled up the song on his phone and pressed play.

"Oh yeah, I think I remember this one," she said, grinning. "I remember really liking it."

"Really?"

"Yeah...when I would get sad in college and was missing you, I'd play your music. 'Steal your heart' was always my go-to, but I played this one a lot, too."

Austin smiled. "I did the same thing." The two of them listened to the song until it got to the chorus. After about a minute, Ally asked, "So, let me guess... we're gonna do all the stuff you sing about?"

"Yup! You're so smart. Just one of the many things I love about you." He leaned over and kissed her forehead. Ally blushed, soaking in the silence as the two of them listened to the song, wishing this moment would never end.

"I'll pick you up at eight and we can drive around

Take you to the beach and we can head downtown

While you hold my hand

We'll park and lay down on the hood of my car

Listen to the airplanes as we count the stars

Tonight, I'll be your man

And tomorrow we can do it again."

"So, I suppose we should head over to the beach?" she asked after the song had ended.

"We're not just going to the beach. Look to the left." Ally glanced in the direction he was pointing and smiled.

"You know, the lyrics don't say 'take you to the pier and we can head downtown,' but since I'm still not that fond of the beach, this'll do." They both got out of the car and walked hand-in-hand toward the pier, which was being lit up by the shining lights on the giant Ferris wheel.

"This is really sweet of you, Austin," Ally finally said after a few minutes of silence. "I don't really know what I expected, but whatever it was, this is way better."

Austin grinned. "Yeah, I know." He paused, taking in the sights and sounds of the boardwalk, the smell of fair food like corndogs and cheese curds hanging in the air. Little kids walked hand-in-hand with their parents and high schoolers traveled in groups of five or six. There were some street musicians with open instrument cases and signs that read "TIPS APPRECIATED" playing their instruments, and Austin and Ally had stopped multiple times to drop a few dollars into their cases. "It feels good to give back to other musicians," Ally had said, dropping $20 into the case of a young guitarist, who smiled brightly, immediately stopped playing, and picked up the money as if it was a piece of treasure.

"Thanks!" the musician called after them. His cheeks had turned bright red and he'd stopped playing, just looking up and staring at them as they walked by, waving back at him.

After a few seconds, Austin turned to his girlfriend. "Hey, do you wanna ride the ferris wheel?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Ally replied. "I think the entrance is up here." She pointed straight ahead and then looked back at him. "Last one there buys the tickets!"

"Oh no, you don't!" Austin chased his girlfriend down the pier, weaving in and out of vendors, tourists, and the occasional dog, trying not to run over anybody. Ally reached the ticket stand first and stuck her tongue out playfully.

Austin rolled his eyes. "Joke's on you, I was planning to buy the tickets, anyway!"

"Mmmhm, sure!"

Austin laughed as he approached the ticket stand. "Two for the Ferris wheel, please."

The attendant nodded. "Ten dollars, please." Austin handed him the money, grabbed the tickets with one hand and Ally's hand with the other, and they made their way up the ramp. The bright lights of the Ferris wheel nearly blinded them as they got closer, but once they were in the car, it didn't matter. After they were both buckled and the attendant put the bar across their laps, Austin put his arm around Ally and she leaned into his shoulder. As they ascended, she listened to the faint sound of his heartbeat beneath his shirt and gazed up at the horizon, where the sun had started its descent. She had no idea where he was taking her when they left the music factory, but now, there was no place she'd rather be.

back to present

The entire ride to the venue was awkward, to say the least. Trish and Dez exchanged concerned glances as Austin and Ally fought to avoid making eye contact, their bodies turned away from each other and arms crossed. When they got to the arena, Austin sped off the bus, but Dez ran after him.

"Dude, what are you doing? I thought you were gonna apologize," Dez said.

"I will, Dez. Trust me. I just want us to be alone when I do it." Austin turned and continued walking toward the backstage door that a crew member was holding open for them.

Back at the bus, Trish was having a similar conversation with Ally. "I know it's hard, and I'm not saying what he did was okay, but this tour is going to be miserable if all you guys do is fight! Where will that leave me and Dez?"

"I'm gonna do it, Trish. I want it to be just us two when I do, though." Ally grabbed her backpack and headed into the stadium to start getting ready.

Backstage, Austin was in his dressing room putting product in his hair. He stood in front of his mirror, remembering how he and Ally had stood in front of the mirror at the Helen show— the day they decided to be a duo. He sighed and put his hands on the back of the chair in front of him, then grabbed his guitar and made his way onto the stage. Ally was already out there, directing the crew on where to put the equipment. She didn't even look his way as he connected his guitar to the amp and adjusted the microphone.

"Can I get a mic check, please?" he asked the sound attendant, who nodded from the booth. He sang a few notes and Ally gave him a weird look. What's he doing? The official sound check isn't for another few hours.

"Perfect, thanks." He moved the microphone so he could sing facing his girlfriend. She continued to run around and give instructions, not noticing what he was doing until he strummed the first few chords.

"There you are, standing with all your friends, so I wait until you're alone again,

and the minutes feel like eternity."

Ally stopped in her tracks, put down the ride cymbal she'd been holding, and looked over toward him. She fought back a smile when she realized it was "the song."

"All these words buried inside my heart

every step feels like the hardest part

but the last six feet are gonna kill me..."

Austin locked eyes with her, and for the first time since their fight, she saw real sincerity in them. She knew this was his way of apologizing, and boy, was he making it hard not to forgive him.

"So just take this chance... I've got it all planned..."

Ally started to walk slowly towards him, quietly humming the chorus. When she was right in front of him, she gave way to the smile that was so desperately begging to show itself, and interrupted his singing by leaning up and planting a sincere, desperate kiss on his lips. As they felt themselves fall deeper into it, they heard Dez and Trish cheering from backstage. Ally pulled away and they both chuckled, still holding each other and not wanting to let go.

"So, does this mean you forgive me?" Austin asked breathlessly. Ally could still smell the pancakes on his breath.

She smiled. "Austin Monica Moon, you know I can't stay mad at you for long." Austin grinned and pulled her into a side hug, moving his guitar to the left side of his body.

"We still have a lot to talk about, but I think for now we should just rock the stage tonight and give it our all. Let's worry about everything else later." They both smiled and continued to get the band's equipment set in place for that night's performance.

three months prior

Austin and Ally's car rose higher into the air, and they were silent as they stared up at the technicolor sunset in front of them. From what seemed like out of nowhere, Ally asked, "How many rooms?"

"What?"

She giggled. "How many rooms will our future house have?" They gazed into each other's eyes. "Have you thought about it?"

"As a matter of fact, I have," he responded. "five or six."

She nodded. "That seems like a good amount. Not too excessive, and that way Dez and Trish will have somewhere to stay when they visit." Austin let out a chuckle.

"Yeah. That's what I thought, too." They stayed silent for the rest of the ride, listening to the squeaks the cars made when they swung back and forth and the sound of each other's breathing. They'd have time to worry about the future later. For right now, all they wanted was to soak in the moment and both wished time would stop.

present

"Thank you, and goodnight, Jacksonville!" Austin yelled out at the sold-out crowd after another successful show that night. A few hours later, after meet and greets, interviews, and assisting with teardown, Austin, Ally, Dez, and Trish headed back to the hotel. Trish collapsed on her bed almost immediately, and Dez sat on his phone for a while, probably texting Carrie, Ally guessed.

After Ally had changed into her pajamas, she went over to Austin and Dez's room without knocking and found Austin lying in bed. All the lights were off except the lamp in the corner. She crept quietly into the room and lay beside him, gently rubbing his back. He grunted and turned toward her, smiling.

"Hey," he mumbled.

"Hey," she said back, snuggling closer.

"I hope you're not expecting to talk about earlier, cuz I don't have the energy for it," he stated.

She let out a slight chuckle. "No, don't be silly. I just wanted to cuddle."

"Ah, okay." Ally pulled the covers over her and leaned closer into him until her head was resting on his chest. They heard Dez, who was probably too tired to notice or care that Ally had entered the room, get up and shut off the lamp. A few seconds later, the light from his phone went out, too.

"Goodnight, Austin."

"'Night, Ally."

"Love you."

"Love you, too."

They made up! One thing I love about Auslly is that they can't seem to stay mad at each other for long. In a way, that's what makes it enjoyable to write them. Anyways I love you all sm and thanks for your continued support of this fanfic! I definitely didn't expect it to blow up like it did. Keep reading and drop a review, favorite, or follow while you're at it! :) -ej