All characters that are from the TWILIGHT saga by Stephanie Meyer belong to Stephanie Meyer. All others belong to me. I do not receive profit for these stories except for the joyous enjoyment of reviews.

This story follows right after When I'm Gone: Third Installment to GONE Saga, so if you haven't read that one or the two before, please do.

The timeline of the story will coincide with Gabriel Michael Laskaris' growing up years, starting at Seth and Rosa's wedding day, April 12th and will progress from there.

AN: Another update? So soon? Well, I expect something in return -lots and lots of reviews! If I do get them, I just might up my updates to two a weekend.

Gaby -look forward to your two reviews. love you like crazy girl and I thank you for introducing me to the song used here, which reminds me. Disclosure: the song here, titled "Give Into Me" is by Garrett Hedlund but I've claimed it as Lian's. Look it up -it's beautiful and if you listen to it as you read the chapter, you'll be amazed at how amazing it turns out.

Ses -I miss you like the desert misses the rain.

Moani, Chelsea, Lette, DripDrop -darlings, I love getting reviews from you. Keep 'em coming!

As always, enjoy as you read and please review...the more reviews, the more chapters.

Chapter Twenty-Six

First week of July
Interstate 160 into Arizona
Destination: Grand Canyon National Park

He stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankles as he stuck his pick between his teeth to pull the pencil from the spine of his worn leather journal, crossing out a couple of words before writing on the line underneath.

Tapping the pencil a couple of times against the opened journal on his lap, he hummed as he thought over the lyrics, placing a couple of extra chords over the new lyrics before slipping the pencil back into the spine.

Taking his pick, he leaned into his guitar, the strings softly humming as he moved from chord to chord, singing under his breath.

The tour bus rocked a bit as it ate up the miles, the long stretch of road passing by in a blur.

"What are you working on?"

He looked up from his journal, smiling as Julie walked down the narrow alleyway towards the side couch where he sat, the denim shorts she wore displaying the longest legs he'd ever seen.

"A song that's been in my head for a couple of days now," he moved his guitar to the side, holding out his hand to her, his fingers closing over hers as he pulled her down to sit beside him, "I think it'll be better as a duet. Want to give it a try?"

Julie nodded, tucking her legs under her as he moved the guitar to rest on his left thigh, effectively surrounding her from all sides.

Lifting his right foot to rest the heel of his boot on the leather seat, he pointed at the pages of the journal as she set it on her lap, "These marked parts would be you…but feel free to add your voice wherever you feel it would work."

She looked up at him with a smile, her breath stuttering slightly as she realized how close his face was to hers.

Staring into her wide purple eyes, Lian worked hard to get his heart under control, pulling her in closer to reach the neck of his guitar before he began to softly strum the opening chords.

His voice was low and somewhat rough, his lips near her ear causing a shiver to make its way down her back as goosebumps broke along her skin.

I'm gonna wear you down
I'm gonna make you see
I'm gonna get to you
You're gonna give into me

Julie tried to take a deep breath without being too obvious, her hand trembling as she kept the journal open on her lap, his heart beating hard against her shoulder blade:

I'm gonna start a fire
You're gonna feel the heat
I'm gonna burn for you
You're gonna melt for me

Without thinking, she looked up at him, his lips brushing her temple as they both sang the chorus:

Come on, come on
Into my arms
Come on, come on
Give into me

Lian's fingers moved over the neck of the guitar, his heart beating faster as she stared into his eyes, their noses occasionally brushing against each other as she sang the words he had written with her in mind:

You're gonna take my hand
Whisper the sweetest words
And if you're ever sad
I'll make you laugh
I'll chase the hurt

The unity of their voices was absolute as they stared into each others' eyes, their foreheads touching, their mouths only inches away:

My heart is set on you
I don't want no one else
And if you don't want me
I guess I'll be all by myself

Come on, come on
Into my arms
Come on, (come on), Come on
Give into me

Julie placed a trembling hand against his jaw, her fingers moving over his face as she softly sang the last verse:

I'll use my eyes to draw you in
Until I'm under your skin
I'll use my lips, I'll use my arms
Come on, come on, come on
Give into me

A slight tilt of his head had her lips brushing against his as she closed her eyes, the last words softly disappearing into a kiss:

Give into me
Give into me

Julie moved her hand to the back of his neck, a soft moan sounding deep in her throat as the kiss deepened; the taste of it was so sweet and addictive.

Placing the guitar on the seat behind him without breaking the kiss, Lian wrapped his arms around her, their tongues moving together in a slow dance as he pulled her into his lap.

A sudden jerk of the tour bus had them pulling apart as Mitch –one of Lian's guitarists –yelled from the front of the bus, "That's my song!"

He was driving the bus, Micah –Lian's drummer –keeping him company.

The speakers crackled, Bon Jovi's voice filling the tour bus as it jerked again, the journal in Julie's lap tumbling down to the floor.

"Mitch," Lian yelled towards the front of the bus, "Keep your hands on the damn wheel!"

The curtain that separated the front cab was pulled back as Mitch leaned into view to give Lian a big grin, "Whatever you say hoss!"

"Eyes on the road, Mitch!"

He laughed as he pulled the curtain close; Lian shook his head as he looked down into Julie's flushed face, "Sorry about that."

She gave him a shy smile, moving off his lap to sit next to him, leaning down and picking up his journal, "It's alright. I too get excited when Bon Jovi is played on the radio."

Lian laughed as he took the journal, setting it aside before reaching to nudge her chin up so he could look into her eyes, "Do you like the song?"

A blush stole across her cheekbones but she didn't look away, this time working hard to keep the fear from overwhelming her, "It's beautiful."

"I have a friend in Phoenix with a studio…we could record it…after we do the video for the other one."

The vulnerable look in his eyes squeezed her heart as she took in a deep breath, reaching up to touch a finger to his chin as she nodded, "Sounds good…you have a chin dimple."

Lian's smile was lopsided as he took the thick braid down her back to lay it over her shoulder, "My cousin called it a butt chin."

"Your cousin's stupid."

He laughed, leaning forward until their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling as he whispered, "You have no idea…how stupid he is."

Her giggle was low, her lips blooming open as his mouth moved over hers, her fingers moving over his jaw as the tip of his tongue touched her bottom lip.

"Yo hoss!"

Mitch's voice over the speakers had them pulling apart again, Lian letting out a breath of frustration as he yelled towards the cab, "What!"

"Did you tell your girl about the swap offer?"

Julie couldn't help laughing, her arms wrapping around her stomach as she bend forward, Lian watching her in complete fascination as her face turned red.

After a few minutes, she finally got control of herself, sitting back into the couch, Lian's arm settling around her back.

"Sorry," Julie reached up to tuck a loose curl behind her ear, "That just sounded…so wrong."

"And you laugh at things that sound wrong," he teased as he crossed his ankles, pulling her in closer until she was leaning against his chest, the top of her head brushing his chin as she looked up at him.

"No, it's just…we were kissing and…" she giggled as he cocked an eyebrow at her, "Forget it. What offer is he talking about?"

"Have you found a guitarist to replace –"

"No," she shook her head, not wanting to hear his name –the whole humiliating episode still caused her more than just embarrassment, "I'm planning on auditions after we get back to New York."

"I have a proposition for you, then."

Julie looked into his dark brown eyes as he took her hand, a small shudder running down her back at the small circles his thumb was drawing against her bare shoulder.

"Mitch would like to play with your band –he's got amazing skill –"

"He's your best guitarist, Lian," she interrupted him, the confusion in her purple eyes evident to him, "Quite frankly, he should have been first choice over Adam when we first recorded, I just…"

Lian pressed a kiss against her temple as he rubbed his thumb over the knuckles of the hand he was holding, "He's an amazing guitarist, yes, but he much prefers your genre of music over mine. He's dedicated, has good vocals if you need them and most importantly, he'll show you nothing but respect."

Julie bit her bottom lip as she looked up from their joined hands, a slight blush spreading over her high cheekbones, "Because he thinks I'm your girl?"

Lian raised her hand to press a kiss against her knuckles, his dark brown eyes never leaving hers, "Because he thinks you're my girl."

Her blush deepened and Lian couldn't help leaning in to press a kiss on her lips, her bottom lip plum between his.

Letting out a soft sigh, she pulled back, reaching up to touch her finger to his bottom lip, "What about you? You need a guitarist."

"Micah has a brother trying to make it in Nashville," Lian's nose brushed the tip of hers before tracing a line up and over her eyebrow, "I'm flying him up for an audition but since I've heard his demo…"

Julie nodded, giving him a smile before she leaned in to kiss him, "Thank you Julian."

He smiled, leaning in the few centimeters separating them to kiss her mouth, burying his fingers into her hair, his thumb rubbing small circles behind her ear.

Julie moved closer, her heart beating a fast tempo that harmonized with his, the kiss slowly building on the new foundation of trust and friendship that had solidified between them.

Julie buried her fingers into his hair, tilting her head back, giving him better access to her mouth.

The bus jerked again as AC/DC's 'Shook Me All Night Long' blared over the speakers, Julie chuckling at the look on Lian's face as they broke apart.

"Dammit, Mitch," Lian hollered as Julie buried her face into his chest, "I'm going to take your driving privileges away!"

Mitch's boisterous laugh floated back to them as he yelled, "You can try –but I don't recommend it!"


Last week of July
Phoenix, AZ

She finished tying the front laces of her corset style top, picking up the silver buckled belt and sliding it through the loops of her jeans.

As soon as she was done with the belt, she moved into the bathroom, applying her make-up with an expert hand.

A knock at the door had her stop for a second, lip gloss wand in hand.

Applying it quickly, she screwed the tube close and tossed it into her bag before heading across the room to open the door.

Lian's mouth dropped open as his eyes slowly moved over her face, down her body and back, "Wow. You look…amazing."

"Thank you," Julie's husky voice made him swallow back a groan as she stepped back to let him into the room.

"Are you going somewhere," Lian stuffed his hands into his jeans' pockets as he looked around the adobe style hotel room –anything to keep him from staring at her in open mouthed awe.

"I'm meeting some friends," Julie closed the door, moving to sit on the edge of the bed and pull on her black cowboy boots, "At Graham Central Station. Would you like to come with me?"

Lian's lips lifted into a smile, "Sure. Do I need to change?"

She looked him over, biting the inside of her lip as the thought of him being drop dead gorgeous in worn out jeans, tight black t-shirt with a worn out leather belt and equally worn boots slipped through her defenses, "No. You'll fit right in."

The ten miles to Tempe went by fast as they talked, Julie telling him about her friends and how they met at a music camp in Idaho.

Pulling into the packed parking lot, Lian found a far off spot, the rental car beeping as he engaged the alarm.

Taking Julie's hand in his, they made their way towards the building, still talking with ease.

As soon as Lian opened the door, a hostess in a white t-shirt with a black skirt greeted them, a clipboard in one hand.

Julie gave her name, the girl looking at the list before giving them a bright smile, "Your private party is in the Rockin' Rodeo room down the hall, second door to your left."

Julie gave her a smile, "Thank you."

She nodded, biting her lip as they started down the hallway, "Excuse me?"

They stopped, Julie cocking her head to the side, "Yes?"

"I'm sorry, it's just…" she cleared her throat before taking a piece of blank paper from under the VIP list, "My daughter is such a big fan of yours. Would you…I mean, may I have an autograph? For her?"

Julie smiled as she took the paper, Lian handing her a felt tip pen, "Of course. What's your daughter's name?"

"Savannah. She loves to sing –wants to be a famous music star like you."

Julie blushed as she placed the sheet of paper against Lian's chest, his chuckles making it hard to keep her writing straight.

Signing her name at the bottom, she handed the paper back to the hostess who thanked her with a big smile.

"You're welcome."

They continued their way down the hall, Julie smirking up at Lian as she handed him his pen, "You always carry a pen with you?"

"Always be prepared," Lian plucked the pen from her fingers with a smile, slipping it into the back pocket of his jeans, "I was a good boy scout…well, I would have been had I not grown up in the reservation."

Julie laughed as Lian opened the door into the party room, a surprised yelp escaping her as she got slammed, Lian keeping her from falling to the ground, "You're here!"

"Are you insane," Julie de-tangled herself, Lian's big hands on her waist keeping her in place; "You shouldn't be doing that!"

"Oh, shush," Daisy smiled up at her, tugging at the hem of her denim jacket, "I'm pregnant not terminally ill."

"Six months pregnant," Julie grinned as she placed both hands on Daisy's round stomach, "This is my first godchild –you have to be more careful."

"I'm keeping you away from Brandon," Daisy sniffed, looking over her shoulder as a shout sounded across the large room, "He's driving me crazy enough on his own, and I don't need you to help him."

Julie laughed, her head snapping up as she heard her name, "Jules!"

Unable to help herself, she ran across the room, jumping into his arms and holding tight as he swung her around.

"It's been too long," Derek squeezed her before placing her back on her feet, reaching up to frame her face with both hands, "You haven't called me."

"Phone works both ways," Julie lightly slapped his chest, "And I haven't seen your number on my caller ID."

"Well, sorry," Derek dropped his hands, tipping his cowboy hat back; "I have a wife that is insanely jealous of you."

"Oh, shut up," Susie pushed him aside, pulling Julie into her arms for a tight hug, "Don't you listen to him. He doesn't think before speaking."

"You ought to curb that," Julie teased her as they pulled apart, tossing her long curls over her shoulder, "People hold you responsible for him."

"I'm a blessing is what I am," Derek pulled Susie into his arms, kissing her cheek before resting his chin on top of her head, "Who did you bring with you?"

Julie smiled as she turned to look at Lian –he and Daisy had joined their small reunion by the edge of the dance floor, "This is Lian."

"No way," Derek opened his eyes really wide, "The Lian Young! Oh my God!"

They all laughed as Susie elbowed him in the gut, "Stop being an ass. I'm sorry for his behavior –he's still sober."

Lian chuckled, placing his arm around Julie's waist as she moved to stand next to him, "Not a problem."

Julie introduced her three friends, giving Derek a look that had him closing his mouth on what he was about to say.

"We have a surprise for you," Daisy took her hand as Derek placed two fingers in his mouth and let out a high pitch whistle.

Julie's mouth dropped open as the Idaho band came out from the back, the stage lights blinking on as the house lights dimmed, the dance floor lighted under the spinning disco ball, "How did you do this?"

"Easy," Derek grinned as he grabbed Julie's hand, "There's a teacher conference going on this weekend so I told the guys you would be here and they all hopped onto the back of my truck. Now that I've explained –yo Keith! Play our song!"

Lian watched as Derek and Julie moved onto the dance floor, the band on stage seamlessly going into Kid Rock's 'All Summer Long.'

"Impressive, aren't they," Susie asked Lian as she moved to stand next to him, watching as Derek spun Julie around the floor.

"Yeah," Lian's awe rang true as he admired the way she moved, her steps sure as she followed Derek, hands crossing and uncrossing, feet occasionally leaving the wooden floor as he picked her up and swung her around, "They've done this before."

"Yep," Daisy tapped her toe as she looked down at her watch –Brandon had offered to pick up three more guests from the airport for tonight, "The kids at camp loved watching them."

"I can understand why."

Susie looked up at him, studying his face for a few seconds before blurting out, "Lyn says you're in love with Julie."

Lian's lips stretched into a smile as the song came to an end, "That's true."

Susie and Daisy nodded with a smile, both speaking in unison as Derek and Julie returned to join them, "Good."

Taking Julie's hand as another song began to play, he gave Derek a cocky smile, "My turn."


"I'm surprised you haven't broken his nose yet," Lance gestured towards the dance floor with his chin, picking up his glass of water as he watched Julie dancing with Lian, the two of them laughing and enjoying themselves.

"Three more beers," Derek slouched in his chair, his arm stretched over the back of Susie's chair, "And I won't be legally responsible in case he decides to sue me. A guy like that should have his face insured, right?"

Susie shook her head as she bounced her leg, her two year old niece Abigail giggling as she held on to her hands, "I'm sure he's not that conceited. Do me a favor and wait until Mattie and Lance take Abby back to the hotel –I don't want her getting scared of her Uncle Derek. Right Abby?"

The little girl giggled, wrinkling her nose when Derek blew her a kiss, green eyes bright as she turned to look for her Daddy, "There you go, picking Daddy over your Uncle. Am I not cute enough for you?"

Abby laughed, shaking her head before she climbed down from Susie's lap to run around the table and climb into her father's.

"Sorry Deek," Lance used the nickname he had come up with back when Susie started dating her husband, "This little girl loves one man and one man only. Right baby girl?"

Abby giggled, her curls tumbling around her small face as she nodded, snuggling into her father's side as Lian and Julie came to their table.

"Mattie," Julie exclaimed in pleasure as soon as she caught sight of her friend, "I had no idea you were coming!"

Mattie laughed as she stood up, the two of them hugging before pulling back, "We were coming down anyway so we thought why not stop to see you."

Lance kissed Julie's cheek, Abby hiding her face into his neck as Julie looked her way, "She's beautiful. Pictures do her no justice."

"They don't," Lance agreed as he shifted her in his arms, sitting back in his chair, "But Rose sure tries whenever she comes by for a visit."

Julie sat down beside Lian, his arm stretched over the back of her chair, "So what did you guys come down here for?"

"We're picking up our foster kids," Mattie picked up her soda can to take a sip, "They're from Seattle but ran away from their last foster home. They were assigned to us and we decided it would be best to come in person to pick them up ourselves."

"They're ten and fourteen, brother and sister," Lance reached out to place his hand on Mattie's thigh, "They have no family. They're mother died in a car crash last year and they've been through four foster homes already. The boy is autistic so it makes them more of a challenge."

"One you're well prepared for," Julie turned to Lian as she explained, "Lance is a prosecutor for the city of Seattle but teaches rock climbing during the summers at Camp Away. Mattie's a social worker at the camp and most of their campers have some form Asperger's or Down syndrome –they're all special needs with amazing talents."

"Don't knock yourself out, Jules," Derek picked up his half-empty beer bottle, pointing the neck towards her, "She's been instrumental to the musical growth of quite a few prodigies. Ever heard of Kimberly Tate?"

"I own all her CDs," Lian said as an answer, turning to look at Julie in awe as Derek kept talking, "Jules was her first music teacher."

"I didn't know you played the saxophone," he had his hand on her shoulder, his fingers playing with her hair.

"She doesn't play it," Derek finished his beer, looking over his shoulder to signal the bartender for another before looking at Lian; "She owns it. One down –two to go."

"What are you talking about," Daisy asked, a bit out of breath from dancing with Brandon.

"Two more beers, sis."

"Oh, God," Daisy shook her head as Brandon sat in a chair, pulling her to sit on his lap, his hands locked over her round belly.

"Do you have too," Julie gave Derek a pleading look, Lian's eyebrow cocking as Derek looked their way, "He's all touchy feely with you so yes, I have too. Plus, he's got it coming what with all the crap he tossed your way."

"Derek, I'm past all that."

"And I will be too," Derek finished his beer, "Once I break his nose. Another beer!"

Julie grimaced as she looked at Lian, "I'm sorry, I can't stop him."

"It's alright," Lian gave her a smile before leaning in to whisper into her ear, "You'll take care of me afterwards, right?"

A giggle slipped past Julie's lips as she touched her fingertips to his chin, a look of tenderness entering her eyes as she whispered back, "Just like you took care of me."

"Okay, let's go," Derek placed his empty beer bottle on the table, shoving his chair back to stand up, "Outside Young."

Lian's lips quirked into a smile as he stood up, gently squeezing the back of Julie's neck, "Nothing against you but I won't be able to just stand in place and take it."

"No problem, you can dish it back," Derek shrugged as they made their way towards the exit, "Just don't hit me in the face. I have a presentation to do tomorrow for the conference."

Julie stared after them, flabbergasted as their conversation continued amiably and with ease all the way out the door.

"Why are guys so strange," she asked as she looked back at the ones still at the table, Lance shrugging as he repositioned his daughter so she could be more comfortable –she had fallen asleep despite the band still playing, "Beats me. Brandon and I –we're lovers not haters."

"That's why we end up with all the girls," Brandon added, laughing when Daisy gave him an arched look.

"Well, one thing's for sure," Susie sipped her soda as she gave Julie a wink, "Lian's looking forward to you nursing his wounds."

They all laughed at the way her face lit up, all of them seeing what Julie had yet to admit to herself.

She was head over heels in love with Lian Young.