Disclaimer: I own nothing you may or may not recognize. Characters are from RFR; I don't own them.

Rating: PG13, just in case

Pairing: Travis/Lily eventually

A/N: We are definitely in the home stretch now folks! Tired of reading it yet?

Because I Know You

Chapter Nineteen: Homecoming

Lily's nagging feeling of unfulfillment waned somewhat after Travis became a stand-in DJ at his uncle's club. She had a mission now. All her free time went into discovering new music and recruiting skeptical musicians to record snippets of music or singular strong notes to play against the backbeats of Travis' creations. He, in turn, would send her CDs of his latest mixes and she would critique them or put them into categories for him so he would know whether to use a particular song to liven a crowd or not. Her mother had been complaining loud and often about the noise until Lily had walked in on her dancing while cleaning the apartment with Travis' music playing loudly in the background. That had given Lily the upper hand and nothing more had been said.

At least all the activity on Travis' behalf kept her busy while waiting for her visit to Roscoe at the end of summer. In her excitement she had packed a week ahead of time. Only the fact that Travis would not be able to join in the reunion dampened her spirit. She vowed to email often and call as many times as her father would allow. She hoped that Ray was right and that she would return to Julliard refreshed and without the lingering doubt.

For all the commotion prior to her departure to New York there was certainly no fan fare for her return home. She felt slightly neglected but the hug she received from her father at the airport more than made up for it. It was hard being separated from her family. They spent the drive into Roscoe talking as most families did, about everything and nothing. As they pulled into the drive to their house, Lily felt something inside her release as if stretching out once finding such a comfortable niche. Even after her dad had shut off the car she sat still and quietly gazed up at her house. When she caught him staring she smiled softly, "I've missed it."

He returned her smile with a sad and wistful one of his own, "I can think of something I missed more." He reached over and patted her hand to shake off the sentimental mood. "Ray said he wanted to meet you here; he has a special surprise waiting for you under your tree."

A childlike grin overtook her. "Really?" Maybe she wasn't so neglected after all.

Her parents headed inside and she went directly around the house and headed for the tree. She froze at the sight before her. Ray was in front of the tree with a picnic laid out. It looked much like the romantic one he had prepared for their "Book of Firsts." He was not dressed any differently; faded jeans and a T-shirt, but time and genetics had graced him with height and an athletic frame. She could mark just how long she'd been gone by the physical changes in Ray. If it had not been for the solid footprint of friendship in the foundation of their years together she would have fallen in love at first sight.

"Hey Lily."

Her thinking process was jumpstarted at the sound of his voice. His soft tone, the pleading look, and the romantic setting and all she could think was. Oh no, not again. I can't do this; I can't hurt him again.

At that very moment a camera flashed and Ray doubled over laughing. It was the annoying one that made her want to hit him in places more tender than his arm. She was utterly confused until she saw Robbie and Audrey peer out from behind the tree and several of her other classmates and friends walking toward her from the other side of the house shouting "Welcome home!" Her parents came out of the house setting up tables and chairs for the additional guests.

Ray came toward her wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "Woooo, that was priceless. Shoulda seen your face, Lily!" At her continued glare he draped his arm across her shoulders and put on his best pout, "Aw, come on, Lily, it was just a little prank, a spoof on our history so to speak." She stared, fascinated at the changes in him and found it hard to believe there had been no "tweaking" in Ray's life. To cover her confusion she put her fist solidly into his abdomen, soft with unawareness. This time when he doubled over she smiled and strode forward to give Robbie a hug.

Robbie had changed as well but at least there was always the trademark hairstyle. She wondered if there would be graduation photos and wedding videos with the same style. "Hey Robbie, how have you been?"

He nodded his head toward Ray, "Just trying to keep this guy in line."

"And you couldn't have seen fit to keep this from happening?" She gestured to the picnic blanket and romantic luncheon spread beneath them.

Ray interrupted, "I'll have you know, it was all his doing. He's even got the camera behind his back. And why'd you have to look so horrified anyway?"

Lily could see Robbie was now slyly trying to pass the camera to a giggling Audrey behind his back. He tried to deter the inevitable. "I had to get you back for that pink hair photo; it seems to turn up every time I have a crush on a new girl." She glared playfully and brought her hand up and cracked a knuckle. "C'mon, Lily, we're even now." Robbie wasted not a second further and took off at a sprint with Lily on his heels.

The evening was grand as she reacquainted herself with her friends, classmates, and her own family. Her parents had planned the whole affair and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The guys were in heaven and made it their personal quest to ensure that there were no leftovers. Lily was able to catch up with everyone and was somewhat surprised to find out that Audrey had just recently stepped in as a part-time conspirator at RFR. She was now the new female presence to keep the testosterone in check. Robbie said it was working out just great and that Audrey had her own little following of fans.

After the crowd had left, the trio was sitting under the great tree with Lily sitting between them. They chatted about everything from Lily's activities in New York and Travis' latest achievement in London to the latest news in Roscoe. When Robbie and Ray shifted the conversation to skits and intros for RFR's upcoming school year they caught Lily smiling wistfully.

Robbie bumped her shoulder with his. "Wanna go see the old station?"

She looked at him, so grateful that he could always tap into the heart of the matter. "Absolutely."

When they got to the warehouse, Robbie handed her the key. She looked down at the metal object letting her fingernail skip down the jagged edge. She jabbed the key in and simultaneously twisted while giving the door the sideways yank that always allowed the bolt to slide free. She stepped into the darkened studio and felt like she had crossed into that magic realm always foretold in children's books. If she had felt nostalgia for her house earlier it increased tenfold for this hidden trove of memories. She went to her chair and lifted her headphones. "So I guess Audrey wears these now?"

Ray answered her, "Actually, Robbie runs the booth, I sit in his old spot and she sits in mine." As if sensing her mood he instead went to his old chair. Lily sat down with a smile and Robbie joined them at the table.

The old chair groaned as Ray leaned back with a sigh, "There's only one thing missing."

Lily smiled sadly, "Travis."

Ray grinned at her, "Snacks. I was thinking of snacks, you know a bag of chips or maybe…OW! That hurts!" He tossed the "edit button" ball back to her with a grin and without thinking she began to rub her finger along the label that was still stuck to the table in front of her chair. It read "Lily's Place."

Robbie laughed heartily at their old antics, "Well, let's just call him."

Lily looked at Robbie like he was insane. "It's about two in the morning there!"

Ray dropped his chair back to all fours, "Duh, Lily. They run a night club, they ought to be awake."

Lily swung her incredulous look towards Ray, "Well, it may be Travis' night off and he's catching up on his sleep."

Robbie went to the booth to grab the phone and switch on the power for the board so they could all listen on their headphones. He was already dialing numbers and dodging Lily's attempt to steal the phone as he laid out his justification. "Look, if anyone other than Travis answers, we can just hang up. It's not like this is a listed number." He shoved the receiver in her direction and at the violent shake of her head he stressed his words through clenched teeth, "It's ringing."

She snatched the receiver with a glare, her heart hammering wildly as the phone continued to ring. She willed her breathing to slow and was about to give up when she heard the click of an open connection.

"H'Lo?" She knew it was Travis. If his falling-asleep-voice had made her feel warm, his soft and inviting slur upon waking sent a white hot shot of electricity down her spine and she felt a flush rise up her neck to her cheeks.

"Travis? It's Lily. Did I wake you? I'm so sorry." She said this while firing the "edit button" ball at the side of Ray's head. While he had the cat-like reflexes to duck the projectile, his co-ordination skills were not enough to keep his leaning chair from giving way under the sudden movement and he went down with a crash.

"Oh, it's O.K. Lily, I just dozed off. I was attempting to wait up for my uncle. What's that noise? Are you O.K.?"

"Actually, I'm good. I'm at the RFR station with the guys. Is it O.K. if we switch on the board and all of us can listen?" She had wanted to alert him of their mixed company before anything embarrassing could be said.

At his assent she nodded at Robbie. He flipped the switch and they donned their headphones.

Ever the impatient one, Ray shouted out first, "YO! Swami! How's life at da club?"

Robbie continued on that train of thought, "Yeah, I'll bet you've got the doors busting off their hinges trying to fit in all the new fans."

"Basically, no, we're running about the same. Pulling in a small profit but not really making a dent in the competition. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out how to improve our status."

Lily was confused. "They don't like your new music?"

Travis' voice lowered to a shy and uncertain tone. "I wouldn't say that. I just haven't played too many of the new ones; I'm kind of feeling them out. The regulars seem to like them, but that's just it, everyone is a regular. There's no new business."

Ray jumped in once more, "What do you mean you haven't played too many? That stuff is great! You gotta take risks to get profits."

Robbie argued, "Just do it to be heard, man! Don't worry about the numbers."

"This is not about me. I'm not worried about the numbers or the profits. I just want my uncle to be happy." Travis sighed as he heard Robbie and Ray continue to bicker about the best method for improving attendance.

Lily heard the exasperation in Travis' sigh. "Don't worry too much about it, Travis. They just don't know the best DJ from RFR like we do."

"Lily, nobody knew I was a DJ at RFR." She heard his chuckle. "You can tell those two to shut it or they'll argue all night."

"Travis! That's IT!" All heads snapped in her direction.

"What's it?"

"You have to be Smog, Travis." Lily was squirming with excitement.

"I am Smog, not that it does me a lot of good."

Robbie was catching on now and started to stand but sat quickly when he reached the end of his headphone tether. "She means you have to be the unknown X factor. People will clamor to know who you really are, kind of like they did for RFR! Lily, you're a genius!"

Travis was silent for a beat. "That is a good idea but I'm already known. I've been playing for a while now."

Ray's confusion finally lifted and he joined in on the brainstorm. "Ah, but you're young and part-time at that. It would be easy to understand the need for a new DJ. Problem is, even incognito you'd still be a part-timer."

"Not really. I've taken some courses throughout the summer and will be done with my studies in a couple of months. I can graduate early."

Lily was beside herself with excitement, she hadn't felt this kind of rush in a very long time. "So how would you remain anonymous in a club full of people?"

Robbie and Ray were in stereo, "Pitch control!"

Travis chimed in. "We could tint the booth or change the glass! This could work guys!"

Lily could almost envision Travis narrowing his eyes and nodding his head with enthusiasm. "Travis, it already has! Now it's not just a small-town idea, it's a global concept!"

"Lily, you really are a genius. I'm going to ask Barty tonight. Wish me luck."

Both Robbie and Ray did so, but Lily responded differently, "You don't need luck, Travis, just faith in your abilities."

Travis couldn't really respond like he wanted with so many ears listening so he simply said, "Yeah."

Robbie sensing the end of the conversation was near stated boldly, "Count us down one more time, Smog."

"Five, four, three, two, one…."

Robbie changed the line-up and started out, "This is Radio…" and pointed to Ray.

"Free."

"Roscoe…This is Shady Lane saying Goodnight London."

Laughter went around the room. And softer Lily added, "Sweet dreams, Smog."

"You too, Lily…you too."

She disconnected and leaned back with a proud and happy grin. As Robbie and Ray went on animatedly making more plans for Travis, she caught sight of the label on the table once again. "Lily's place." With a sigh, she began to wonder exactly where that was.

A/N: Just little old me. Asking nicely like my momma taught me. Please, pretty please, might you be so kind as to leave a little something in a review? I would be so grateful. Recommendations? Opinions? Inane comments that have absolutely nothing to do with this story? I don't care, put something in that little box. It's a lovely gift you know…a little bouquet of words.