A/N: Yay! Almost 100 Reviews! Heh. You guys really made my day! =) THANK YOU!

A/N 2: In one of my past reviews, Swimmerkitti brought to my attention that Katie's journal entries were not in italics which is weird because they should be. So if the format gets weird or something, I'm sorry for any inconvenience.

Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own the song Stairway To Heaven or the movie School of Rock or Led Zeppelin. =(

CH 6 – An Angel's Voice

Katie was lying down on her bed, staring at the ceiling, just drowning in thoughts of her dad. Usually when one of her deranged friends was so-called 'depressed', she'd just tell them to get over it. But she knew she never really could. It feels like I lost half of me, she thought. She was no longer crying, but her eyes were stinging like crazy.

And then just as she was about to start crying all over again, she heard some sweet music coming from downstairs. Even though she was all the way up in her room, she could hear the guitar strings perfectly and clearly. She smiled, Johnathan's probably playing.

She jumped off the bed and went downstairs into the garage where the Jones had made it their 'music' room. Freddy's drum set was off to one corner, and two guitars were placed on their stands. Next to Sarah's keyboard, she saw her bass and suddenly she remembered, How could I forget my bass?

To another corner, on a stool, was Johnathan Jones playing his twelve-string guitar to the tune of 'Stairway To Heaven'. Stairway to Heaven was Katie's and her dad's song. Her dad had told her that when she was a baby and she cried, all he had to do was pick up his guitar and play and sing 'Stairway To Heaven' and she would calm down.

Johnathan opened his eyes and saw Katie, "I knew you'd come down."

"Thanks for playing it. Sure made me a lot happier," Katie said and sat down on another stool and sighed deeply, "Brings back plenty of memories."

"Yeah, I figured. You know Katie," Johanthan started putting his guitar aside, "I remember when you were just a little toddler, you use to sing a lot. Almost every second of the day. And then you just kind of…stopped. Stopped music, stopped everything. Except for that song. And then fifth grade came, and that wonderful man Dewey, brought music back into your life. Why'd you stop?"

"I don't think I was aware that I stopped, but," she shrugged, "I honestly don't have any idea. I don't remember."

"Dad?" a voice was yelling, "Dad?"

"In here!" Johnathan shouted. Soon enough Freddy opened the garage door, "How did your date go?"

"Fine. A little…worrying, but fine," Freddy grabbed another stool and joined them, "So what did you two do?"

"Jam. Well sort of," Johnathan said, "We were just talking about how much Katie loved to sing."

"I never heard you sing," Freddy turned to Katie.

"You just don't remember, but that's okay cause I don't remember too," Katie laughed.

"I got a groovy idea. Freddy go call your mom and then the four of us can play Stairway To Heaven," Johnathan said retrieving his guitar.

Freddy stepped out of the garage to get his mom, but before he left he mentioned, "Dad, it's not the 70's anymore. Just so you know."

Katie laughed, but then got serious, "But there isn't a bass line to it."

"Who said you were gonna play the bass? You're going to sing," Johnathan said and handed her a mic and turned on the speakers.

"Oh, I really don't –"

"Come on Katie. It'll be fun. You know the words to it right?"

Katie nodded, still not taking the mic, "Well yeah."

"Then it's settled," Johnathan said and shoved the mic into her hands.

"I hear we're having a mini band session?" Sarah walked in and got behind the keyboards while Freddy took his place behind the drums.

"But Dad, there isn't a bass line," Freddy said gathering his drumsticks, "At least I don't think there is."

"Katie's not going to play the bass. She's going to sing," Johnathan smiled and looked at Katie who looked like she just got sentenced to the electric chair. She's going to sing? Freddy thought and laughed at the thought of Katie singing, This is going to be interesting.

And then Freddy's thoughts were interrupted by the smooth, clear sounds his father was making on the guitar. Soon enough, his mother joined his dad, and the two sounds blended into one perfect harmony.

Then Katie opened her mouth…and Freddy's eyes widened in shock. Quiet Katie had a beautiful, remarkable voice. All that Freddy heard was sweet, angelic sounds coming from her mouth. She sang like an angel. She hit every note and not once did she forget any words or got out of tune. To Freddy, she was better then Tomika and even Whitney Houstin herself.

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold

And she's buying a stairway to heaven.

When she gets there she knows if the stores are all closed

With a word she can get what she came for

Ooh Ooh

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure

Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings

In a tree by the brook there's a songbird who sings

Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven

Freddy watched her as she closed her eyes drowning into the melody of the song. Freddy couldn't take his eyes off her…he had never expected her to sing this well and to be so in touch with the melody. He didn't know what he expected from her, but hell, he didn't expect it to be this good.

Ooh it makes me wonder

Ooh it makes me wonder

There's a feeling I get when I look to the West

And my spirit is crying for leaving

In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees

And the voices of those who stand looking

Ooh it makes me wonder

Ooh it really makes me wonder

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune

Then the piper will lead us to reason

And a new day will dawn for those who stand long

And the forests will echo with laughter

If you didn't know any better, it would seem like Freddy was in a trance. Mouth hanging open, eyes wide, body frozen just staring at one thing and one thing only – Katie. In fact he was concentrating so much on her sweet voice that he almost missed the part where the drums kicked in.

If there's a bustle in your hedge-row don't be alarmed now

It's just a spring clean for the May Queen

Yes there are two paths you can go by but in the long run

There's still time to change the road you're on

And it makes me wonder

Your head is humming and it won't go in case you don't know

The piper's calling you to join him

Dear lady can you hear the wind blow

And did you know

Your stairway lies on the whispering wind

Then Katie's voice faded out as Johnathan shredded the guitar with the solo that sounded as if Jimmy Page himself was playing. Katie took a deep breath as she prepared for the high notes that she was sure she was going to mess up on.

And as we wind down the road

Our shadows taller then our soul

There walks a lady we all know

Who shines white light and wants it show

How everything still turns to gold

And if you listen very hard

The tune will you come at last

And when all are one and one is all

To be a rock and not to roll

Ohh…

"And she's buying a stairway to heaven," Katie ended the song and opened her eyes.

"Katie! That was amazing!" Sarah said walking out from behind the keyboards, "You could challenge Robert Plant himself!"

"I knew you still had the voice," Johnathan smiled and gave her a pat on the back, "You so rock dude!"

"Yeah Katie. Dang you got some nice pipes there! Why didn't you become one of our singers?" Freddy asked finally out of his trance.

"Because I wanted to play the bass," Katie said and felt herself turning red like a tomato from the compliment.

"Well don't tell Tomika this, but I think your way better then her," Freddy laughed.

"Thanks," Katie smiled.

"Well time for dinner. And Freddy you still have to eat even though you already ate outside with Natalie tonight. Besides, we're having pizza!" Sarah said and went to the kitchen, her husband following her which left Katie and Freddy alone – again.

"But seriously Katie, that was awesome. No offense, but I just…never really thought you had a good singing voice, but dang was I wrong! You had me in complete shock over there man," Freddy said excitedly, "I can't believe I never heard you sing before!" He still couldn't believe that it was Katie…the Katie who he had known practically his entire life who that beautiful voice belonged to!

"Freddy, I'm not that good," Katie laughed and tried to cover her face.

"Oh you know you are. And is that a little blushing I see?" Freddy pinched her cheeks. And the two continued on laughing.

Freddy knocked on Katie's door, "Katie?" No answer came, so Freddy slowly opened the door and saw Katie sleeping peacefully. She looks so vulnerable, Freddy thought tracing her lips softly with the tips of his fingers, wait, what am I doing? Freddy snatched his hands back and whispered, "Katie? Katie wake up."

She budged, but not that much. Freddy shook her a little more. Slowly, her eyelids opened up and she yawned, "What?"

"Get dressed. Natalie's coming over for dinner," Freddy said standing up from the floor.

"She's what?!" Katie stood up completely.

"I said, Natalie is coming over for dinner."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hmm…I thought I did, well anyway just get dressed. She'll be here any minute. And what does it matter? Do you not like her or something?"

"I have no problems. I just wish you could've told me earlier," Katie got up and scooted him out the door, "Now out. I need to change." Not that Katie really changed. She had only been wearing an oversized shirt and some black sweats when she fell asleep. The only thing she really did was wash her face and tie her hair.

Katie came downstairs just when the doorbell rang, "I'll get it!" Katie opened the door and there stood Natalie, fashionable as always.

"Hi Natalie. Uh…come in!" Katie smiled welcomingly. Natalie just looked at her with a sour face and didn't respond. Just because I feel sorry for what happened doesn't mean I have to like her, Natalie said to herself and stared at Katie up and down, Shirt and sweats. How quaint.

"Nat!" Freddy came in from the living room, arms open and gave his girlfriend a hug and a light kiss, "I see you've seen Katie."

"Yeah," Natalie said not looking at Katie, but just walked on into the kitchen where Mrs. Jones greeted her.

"Is she okay?" Katie whispered to Freddy.

"Yeah, why?"

"Uh…nothing. Nevermind," Katie said taking a seat next to Sarah down at the dinner table.

As soon as they all took a seat and started eating, Freddy's dad immediately started popping questions, "So what kind of music you listen to Natalie?"

Natalie placed down her fork and put her hands in her lap, "I'm not really much of a music kind of person Mr. Jones, but I use to be in the school orchestra."

"Oh call me John. I hate it to sound old," Johnathan laughed taking another bite of his baked potato, "So what do you enjoy doing?"

"I guess…shopping. But that's what every girl likes isn't it?" She giggled.

"Yeah every girl except our little Katie over here," Johnathan playfully slapped Katie on the shoulder, "Hates shopping. Thinks it's a waste of time. And personally, I agree. Except it's for video games, or CD's or stuff like that."

All Katie did was nod and eat silently waiting for someone to say something. "Hey, why don't you and Katie go shopping together one time Natalie?" Sarah suggested, "It'll give you some time to get to know each other."

"Yeah, good idea honey," Johnathan said and looked at Natalie and Katie who were staring at each other awkwardly, "What do you two think?"

"Shopping…isn't really my thing," Katie said secretly praying that Sarah was just kidding.

"Yeah, I mean, if Katie doesn't want to, I don't think we should force her too," Natalie said trying to sound like the nice one.

"Just go," Freddy nudged Natalie, "It should be fun. I mean you like shopping and you usually like picking out clothes for other people."

Natalie glared at Freddy, "Yeah…okay."

After dinner, Sarah and Johnathan had gone to wash the dishes while Freddy went to the bathroom – which left Katie and Natalie to talk outside on the porch. Natalie, being the dominant, demanding girl she was faced Katie head on and directly. "Look, I know your living with Freddy and all and I know that you are really close to his family, but do anything inappropriate with him and I will make your life at school a living hell," she threatened.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about. He and I…just always looked at each other like siblings! Anything like that would be…just…gross," Katie said firmly looking at Natalie like she was the craziest person in the world.

"Yeah well the only reason why I'm even taking you shopping is for Freddy so don't get use to it," she said coldly.

"Look, I don't know what your problem is because I've never done anything to you," Katie confronted her, "If you don't like me, you don't have to pretend you do in front of everybody else. And it's not like I want to go shopping either. For all I care, we could just say we did."

"Okay, fine, you're right. I don't like you. Not one bit. But cross the line with Freddy and I'll convince him to not like you either," Natalie said sourly and smirked at Katie.

"You can't control him," Katie said, "I think Freddy can speak for himself."

"Oh can't I? I have him wrapped around my finger," Natalie smiled, but suddenly sent death glares to Katie, "But just – back off."

"Hey ladies," Freddy opened the front door and joined them outside on the porch, "Socializing eh?"

"Yeah, I think I'm going to go turn in," Katie got up from the swinging bench and entered the house leaving Natalie cuddling up to Freddy with his arm around her.

"Freddy, do you love me?" Natalie sighed into his chest and drank in his scent of vanilla.

"Of course I do," Freddy said but regretted it. At least I think I do…

"Good," Natalie said and held her head up to give him a kiss.

From her window, Katie stared at the couple feeling her heart being slowly cut into pieces. "I'm not jealous," Katie told herself and turned away from the window to her bed and to her leather brown journal.

Friday, July 16, 2004

Natalie came over for dinner tonight. She was being such a bitch. I don't know what her problem is, but she seems to think that I want Freddy. As if! Gross man. That's just…EWWW….

But then I can't deny that sometimes I look at Freddy and feel this tug at my heart and I start to blush uncontrollably and I start feeling happy…and such an in explainable feeling. I don't think I like him in that way…I think I'm just happy that he's there for me. And he's taken such good care of me lately; I can't help but feel like he's some sort of savior of mine.

Is it wrong how I'm feeling? I feel guilty and awful. I…just can't stand it. Make it go away.

Katie shut the book, shut the lights and went into a deep slumber.

"Today's band practice," Freddy reminded her the next morning during breakfast.

"Oh yeah. I...forgot. Hey Freddy, could you tell Dewey that I'll just take a temporary break? I just don't feel like coming back just yet," Katie said, "I'll probably be back before school starts though."

"Sure, no problem. Take all the rest you need," Freddy said, "Well I told Zack I'd be there extra early today. I'll catch ya later."

Freddy stepped out the door and got into his silver Mini Cooper – a birthday gift from his parents. He drove down to Dewey's apartment and saw Ned and Dewey playing cards.

"Hey watcha guys playing?" Freddy asked and pulled out a soda from the fridge.

"BS," Ned said.

"Aha! You said BS! Okay man, you lose!" Dewey laughed victoriously.

"Dewey!" Ned laughed, "No fair!"

"All is fair in games and war," Dewey winked and turned to Freddy, "So why you here early today man?"

"Zack told me to come early. Said he wanted me to check out some of his lyrics. Oh and Katie said she won't be coming today or for a while actually. She'll be back before September 1st though," Freddy said taking a seat down at the table.

"How is she doing?" Ned asked, "I heard what happened. Must suck."

"She's doing fine, I guess. Not crying as much," Freddy sighed in relief, "Thank God too. I was afraid she'd like pass out from loss of water or something."

"Give her some time. She'll get better. Everyone knows how close she was to Mike an' all," Dewey said, "But in the meantime we'll have to get a temporary substitute bass player. Ned, would you like to do the honors?"

"Sorry Dewey, I can't. I'm just too busy. Along with my substitute job, I also have to teach those little kids how to play the guitar, and I also have to keep working at my relationship. Pam's starting to complain that I don't care about her or some crap like that," Ned said, "Says all I focus on is work."

"Well at least it's not Patty dude," Dewey said, "She was one wicked witch. I still get chills from the spine thinking about her."

"Yeah, well speaking of which, I have a date with Pam today, so I best get ready," Ned said and left the kitchen.

"Hmmm…bass player, bass player…where can we find one?" Dewey looked at the ceiling as if the answer would be written on it.

"How about me?" a squeaky voice said and stepped into the room.

"Hey Freddy," Natalie cooed and gave him a light kiss on the lips, "Hi Dewey."

"You? You know how to play bass?" Freddy and Dewey asked astonished.

"Well when I was in fourth grade, I did play the bass. The orchestra kind of bass, you know, with the bow and everything. Shouldn't be too hard since a bass guitar and a bass are related in a sense," Natalie said.

"Well, you have been coming and watching us lately…" Dewey considered, "And you have heard most of the bass solos Katie had. Sure, why not? Come with me, and we'll work something out." Dewey got up and Natalie followed him.

Pretty soon, Zack came in, greeted Dewey and Natalie and came into the kitchen where he saw Freddy's face flat against the table. "Freddy?" Zack stepped up to him and eyed him closely, "Are you dead?"

"No."

"Then what's wrong?" Zack took a seat opposite him.

"Close the door," Freddy said.

"Whoa, this is gonna be juicy," Zack smiled at the thought and shut the door, "Now tell me what's up."

"Katie."

"Is something wrong? What happened?" Zack asked worriedly.

"No, nothing like that. She's doing fine exactly. It's something…different," Freddy moaned, "And it's driving me nuts."

"Ah," Zack grinned, "Matters of the heart. Don't worry Spazzy cause you are talking to the master of love."

"You know, just because your relationship with Summer has been going on for about two years now – ever since high school started, doesn't make you know everything about love," Freddy said, "But go ahead, give it a shot. Ease my pain."

"First I need to hear some things from you. How do you feel about her?"

"That's the problem! I don't know how I feel about her. One minute, she's my bestest friend in the whole world, another minute she's my little sister, another minute she's my older sister, another minute she's the sexiest girl alive, and another minute she's like…my air. Something I can't live without," Freddy groaned and rubbed his face, "I'm going insane!"

"Go on," Zack said listening carefully.

"Well it's like this. Remember that day you came over and saw us sleeping together? Well right then half of me felt like she was my little sister, something I needed to take care of and make sure was safe – away from pain. But the other half of me enjoyed me being next to her, hugging her, etc.

"And there are other times when I feel like that when she's sad, I'm sad or when she's happy, I'm happy. Then I feel like I can't live without her. And I find myself thinking what if she was home the day her father died? Then wouldn't she have died too? And I just couldn't stand the thought of losing her.

"And yesterday when I went to go wake her up, I found myself distracted, just sitting there staring at her, thinking things I shouldn't be thinking! For crying out loud, I have a girlfriend."

"Interesting. And what does Natalie mean to you?" Zack eyed him.

"She's great! She's gorgeous, she's smart, she's everything I always hoped for or wanted, but I mean, she does have her flaws –"

"Well what about Katie?" Zack interrupted, "Doesn't she have flaws too?"

"Well yeah, I guess. But I don't notice…"

"So in other words, you see past all Katie's flaws…so you would say she's perfect?"

"I guess…yeah."

"Sounds to me like you like Katie more then you do Natalie," Zack said, "And it sounds like you may even love Katie."

Freddy put his arms on the table and just dropped his head on them and groaned, "Why must life hate me? WHY ME?!"

A/N: I know it definitely isn't July 16, 2004 today, but I just needed to keep the story flowing like it. Well please review! THANK YOU!

Shout Outs:

Asphodel Oakburt

Tmrwspromise
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Sandy-Pandy
jamie-marie33

Miss Mills
pauLine
RKOandLEGS
Pineapple Cube
iluvmyface
Wiseoldman
nanners-77

Blueheaven79
The Good Girl

Katemmalestrange: yeah, same here. People like Natalie bug me too. Actually Natalie is based on a person in my school who I just do not like.

SarahLou: So do i. Despite that blonde thing, I don't think anyone can really be that stupid.

Swimmerkitti: yeah I explained this already in my A/N before the story. I'd like to thank you for pointing that out.

SiennaR79: yes yes! It is your duty to review and mine to update! Lol

Lover Del Dragon: Wow, everybody keeps saying that Freddy is cute. He's okay I guess, but I just write these fics cause I think that Freddy and Katie are the best couple out of the whole gang.

=Kristi=: oh thanks! That's always nice to hear. =)

InAnMMMBop: Yeah I know what you mean. For me, when I'm bored I just pick any fic, but then they usually turn out good, so don't worry; I'm not offended.