Authors note: I am going to make everything up concerning the place of employment for the characters, I am not sure about the entire correct lingo, and activities places like these entail so I apologize before hand. And my timeline might be off too. Well hope you enjoy.

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse.

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you loose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream, down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I..

Tears stream, down your face
I promise you I will learn from the mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

Cold Play (Fix You)

Present Time…

Anyone who knew Grace Manning knew she always strived to be the best. Everything she did had to be perfect, everyone liked to think that she had everything under control that she was the picture of composure. Too bad that was not the case.

Grace liked to play it cool but inside she was a mess, a neurotic one at that.

She overworked at school and now at work it never seemed to end for Grace. Grace had attended the University of Chicago and double majored in English and Journalism and graduated with top honors, her parents and Rick were so proud always telling her they expected nothing else and she felt she had to always out do herself . After graduation she had landed a job at a recording label as a music publisher, she was one of the youngest employees there and she felt like she had to prove something to the board members to show them that they did not make a mistake in hiring an inexperienced collage grad. That still baffled her as to why they would hire her, she was just a recent graduate with no music experience, she had worked for the school newspaper and other odd jobs but that was about it. They told her they needed someone fresh and of her caliber, whatever that meant. In addition, she had excellent reference and now a year later she was one of the top music publishers, it had all do to with the fact that she always took on a lot of work and was willing to give up her free time for Vinyl Universe Records. It was easier for her to give up her time so willingly than other employees she didn't have a family to go home to now that she was on her own.

It was great at first working here, entering the music industry; it was something that made her feel like she had this bond with him, maybe that is why she had accepted the work enthusiastically at first. She had entered a line of work that he appreciated and respected. Now it felt different, something was missing and she didn't know what. Grace guessed she was being melodramatic she had a great apartment overlooking the river a supportive family and a wonderful and understanding boyfriend but for the past five years after he left there has been a feeling of emptiness inside of her. She still worked hard at everything she did but that fire and passion she felt was no longer burning brightly, she felt like all she was doing was going with the motion, things had become routine. If only he was here she thought things would be different he always brought something out in her not always positive but it was always different.

It has been years now since that night in the kitchen and things were different. He and Grace had developed and understanding of sorts it took time but they got there and became good friends. They knew that if either one had a problem they could depend on one another for support, still years later she yearn for that.

He lived in Los Angeles and they tried to keep in touch as regularly as possible with phone calls and emails but it was hard they had very busy lives and after a few months after he left the contact became fewer and fewer and then almost non existent. Grace had felt hurt at first but she knew he had a lot going on trying to better him self so she didn't really take it against him, almost. He not coming home for holidays was tough on her well on everyone else to she supposed since were all family after all. Nevertheless, she couldn't help be a little selfish when it came to him.

Sighing Grace sinks further into her chair and looks around her office. The office she recently acquired is rather big and still has a lot of empty space to be filled. She doesn't want to be attached and make it homey not with what she plans to do in a few months if everything go as plan. With that thought, she opens and looks at her left bottom drawer and sees the forms and letters of acceptance from different graduate schools on the east coast. She hadn't told anyone about her submitting applications to schools but she wanted to keep something to herself everything else about her was always so open she felt she needed something that was just for her. Nevertheless, did she have an obligation to tell her family and her boyfriend about her plans? Well that was if Grace actually when through with it, she hadn't even been able to choose a school yet and the deadline for all of them were approaching. Another thing to stress about she thought. Sometimes she felt like screaming and real load too. Grace put that thought in the back of her head for now and looks at the desk in front of her and sees all the papers spread out on her desk, she never remembered being so disorganized.

They had a board meeting today where they would meet the new music producer for the band they had recently discovered. She had printed several transcriptions of musical works in order to prevent any copyright infringements with this new band. She had worked so hard on this and had to cross-reference so may other music she only got about three hours of sleep before she found herself back here at work. She put her elbows on the desk and cradled her face in her hands. She was so tired, and sometimes just sometimes, she wished she had another life where she was carefree and could just focus on writing again with no stress factors interfering with her life. Of course, that was impossible but it didn't hurt to wish.

There was a knock on her door. "Come in," Grace announces.

It was her assistant Emily. Emily was a petite bodacious and vivacious girl. Her hair was black and cut in a short bob she only wore red lipstick and mascara, the essentials she liked to say. Her way of dress was very eccentric but Grace wouldn't have her any other way, she had learned to appreciate her corkyness always managed to bring a smile to her face. Her bluntness was a breath of fresh air that she always appreciated.

"Hey, pumpkin," she giggled knowing how much Grace disliked that nickname that her boyfriend had given her.

She had always dislike nicknames, there was Gracie and now pumpkin, she had no idea were her boyfriend had gotten that nickname. Did she look like a pumpkin? Every time she would ask him about where he had gotten that nickname from he would laugh it of and giver her one of their "Hollywood kisses" like he called them. It was were he would gather her in his arms and dip her low, very theatrical and kiss her passionately, that sometimes annoyed her but she knew that he found joy in it so she continued to allow him to dip her all over Chicago it seemed like.

Nevertheless, she guessed she would be lying if she said she disliked all nicknames there was this one nickname that she didn't mind hearing from a particular set of lips. There she was again letting her mind stray from reality to what might have been. Grace refocused her attention to the other person in her office.

"Ha, Ha, Ha very funny, Em," Grace said shaking her head slightly.

"Aww, what is the matter pumpkin, had a long night?" Emily takes a closer look at Grace, and all playfulness leaves her voice. Suddenly Emily felt protective over Grace and couldn't hold back. "Boy, you did have a long night, Grace when are you going to learn not to overwork yourself half to death or at least ask for my assistance that is why I'm here after all, and why do you feel you have to out do yourself for these bastards anyhow?"

"I know, I know, but I didn't want to bother you and well you know how I am, and their not that bad," Grace tries to look at Emily and smile but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"Not that bad, not that bad she says, incredible, they take advantage of you Grace, and you let them," Emily said as she made her way to Grace and was now standing on her side leaning on the desk.

Grace sighed once again; she really didn't need this right now and could already feel the pressure building in her temples. "Emily, I work here, I need to provide adequate work and I have a very important position to uphold, can you understand that? And for the record no one can take advantage of me you know that, stop worrying" Grace says a little rattled getting up form her chair and starts pacing around her office.

"I mean I know you are just saying that because you care, but I promise you things wont be like this for very long" she stops and faces Emily who is still by her desk and is now staring at her in a look of confession.

Emily feels the need to ask, "What do you mean things wont be like this for much longer."

"I can't really say anything right now because well, I'm not to sure of the plans myself but when I have something concrete I will let you know".

"Are you living Vinyl?"

"I don't know, I honestly don't, not yet, and I believe a change would do me good, I need a change." Even to Grace it sounds like she is trying to convince herself.

"Just do what ever makes you happy Grace, everyone needs that, happiness. It is okay to be selfish you know."

Grace smiles up at Emily bringing her hands to her temples to message them, she has been getting migraines regularly lately. If she could just go home and sleep, remembering that Emily was still here and probably needed something she asked.

"Was there something you needed Em?"

Emily was going to ask Grace if she was feeling okay but she let it go Emily knew Grace would only get more upset if she kept badgering her about work or health for that matter.

"Right, just to remind you the meeting with all the crew working with the new band is in 20 minutes."

"20 minutes, seriously." Sighting once again Grace looked over at her desk and just looking at all that clutter makes her want to run or maybe cry she doesn't know which but the latter seems like a more plausible option since she can leave now. Moreover, she had a special interest in going to that meeting she knew who that new producer was and she couldn't wait to see him.

"Hey Emily, do you think you could help me gather the portfolio together and make several copies?"

"Of course that is my job after all" she smiles at Grace while she said this.

Grace only nods and together huddle over her desk and try to put the final additions to her work.

"I heard that the new producer is a real looker, might be fun to have someone new here at work," Emily asked after coming back with the copies of the portfolio.

"You have no idea." Grace responds.

Grace new who was coming she had known who was going to be the new producer for a week now, maybe that is why she couldn't stop thinking about him lately and to be honest he was never far from her mind.

"Oh my, you know who it is don't you, you do." Emily clicks her tongue and shakes her head standing across from Grace.

"Come on, you have to tell me all about him, I can't believe you kept it a secret from me"

Grace lifts and eyebrow at Emily and smirks "Maybe later, look at the time I have to head to the board room, so everything seemed in place with the portfolio right"?

"Aww, Grace don't be like that, you have to tell me."

"By Em, see you later" Grace waved at Emily and heads down the hall with her arms holding all the portfolios.

The walk to the boardroom is torture; there is a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. The anticipation of finally seeing him is overwhelming, five years is a long time. People change.

She was afraid that he changed and everything that made him well him would no longer be there.

As Grace enters the boardroom, she sets the booklets down and tries to look around, searching for him. Yet, her eyes are franticly looking around trying to take everything in and find him but all she sees are her co-workers. Their gathered around the ridiculously long table and getting everything ready for the meeting.

Suddenly Grace feels this presence behind her, later she will reflect back on this day and still won't be able to explain that feeling that descended upon her. Unwillingly she closes her eyes and everything fades away. The only thing she feels is that manifestation that has just made the hairs from the nape of her hair stand. A heat around her has just made her heart beat erratically it feels like it might just pump out of her chest any minute. She intakes a long breath of air trying to relax her body and automatically recognizes a scent, THE scent that she hasn't smelled in a long time, it smelled like home.

There are two strong hands holding her upper arms and a whisper in her ear.

"You're looking good Bright Eyes."

That was all she needed to hear to know who it was. In a speed, she did not know was in her she turned around, enveloped him in a tight hug, and felt him reciprocate. Grace instantly buried her face in his chest taking him in. Moreover, for the first time in like what felt like years she felt content.

Finally, Grace smiled to herself because things might be okay after all.