A/N: So ff dot net is still acting weird about the line breaks, so i'm just going to stop using them, and will put two dot to indicate a line break.

Chapter 2

It was eight thirty, and Dez had started setting the table outside on the balcony. Ally was cooking, and Trish had assigned herself to making the salad, occasionally sneaking a crouton into her mouth. Ally looked worriedly at the stove top clock, hoping that Austin would make it in at nine.

"That really smells good Ally." Trish told her as she put plastic wrap over the salad.

"Thanks." She gave her friend a weak smile.

"What's wrong? Has Austin been drinking again?" Trish questioned in a whisper, as if afraid to even mention it.

"Not anymore than usual, and I think having Dez around will even cause him to cut back. Of course in order for that to work, he'd have to have enough time to spend with him."

"Well don't look at me! I didn't know Dez was coming when I got him that interview and spot on GMA."

"I know, I guess…Austin just told me something, and I think maybe if everything works out he'll be a little happier."

Trish rested a comforting hand on Ally's shoulder. "He's happy, if he weren't then he wouldn't be working as hard as he does."

"But he hardly has any time for himself, or privacy and then he dri—"

"He knew what he was signing up for, he knew from the time he was fifteen. Yeah, it's stressful for him, and his outlet isn't the healthiest, but it could be worse."

"What could be worse?" Dez questioned cheerfully poking his head between the two girls and intruding on their conversation.

"Trish's salad!" Ally blurted out, which earned her a glare from her Latino friend.

The redhead looked at the salad. "Well she didn't put any tomatoes or cheese on it, but it doesn't look like it'll be too bad." He patted Trish's arm. "You did your best."

The curly haired brunette swatted his hand away. "I have you know that I make really delicious salads, just wait until you taste it!"

"Well I hope Austin gets to taste it," Dez said absentmindedly as he looked at the clock, which read eight forty-five.

"I'm sure he will, and then he'll confirm how delicious it is. I didn't work in fifty restaurants and not learn how to make a salad."

Ally turned off the stove, after one last stir of her sauce. The bow-tie pasta was already waiting, perfectly tender and drained. She mixed everything together in a serving bowl.

"Do we have dinner rolls?" Trish questioned.

"There still heating up in the oven, I put them in a little late." Ally said apologetically. Just then the sound of someone fumbling with the door handle echoed throughout the penthouse. Ally leaned over the kitchen bar to get a better view of the front door.

Once it finally opened, it did so slowly and the sound of footsteps were accompanied by the sound of creaking plastic.

"Did you guys start eating yet? It smells good." Austin's voice echoed from behind the door. Ally grinned and so did Trish. Dez stepped out of the kitchen to greet his friend.

"Whoa man, what happened to you?" The redhead took hurried steps toward his friend, who was leaning heavily on a pair of crutches.

"Oh, I just sprained my ankle, while doing the last dance routine for the music video." Austin said his voice clear and happy, no sign of pain.

"I think we should move the dinner into the living room, so Austin can put his ankle up." Ally announced as she went to fix plates to bring into the living room, and cut of the stove to take out a roll.

Trish stacked two pillows on the coffee table, as Dez helped Austin sit down. "Wow, I should sprain my ankle more often if I get this kind of treatment from you guys." He laughed.

"Will you be able to perform on Good Morning America?" Trish questioned, while watching Dez lift Austin's leg onto the pillows.

"Yeah, no problem, it's just a little sprain. I won't be able to do any dancing, hope that won't disappoint the fans."

"I think they can forgive you." Ally said and handed him a plate of food. "I made you guys some plates too, they're on the counter." Dez and Trish nodded and went to get their own food.

"Are you going to be ok?"

"Yeah Ally, it really isn't that bad. They just suggested I use crushes so I won't put too much weight on it, I just look worse than the situation warrants."

"Are you…are you going to tell Dez before you leave tomorrow?" She whispered.

Austin went completely still, and looked at his food with unfocused eyes. "What's the point? I can just tell him after I get back, it's not like I have anything else to do after GMA."

"Ok…" Ally didn't know if she believed her friend would confess after he got back, but it was true that Austin wouldn't be leaving the house once his performance was over. He'd have to rest his ankle, and besides that their break would be starting. She wondered how Dez's schedule was, how long the redhead planed on staying. Hopefully it would be long enough for Austin to speak to him, and for them to work everything out. It was good that Dez wasn't currently dating anyone, but she –much like Austin—didn't know if he preferred women, or men. She just prayed, for Austin's sake, that everything would work out. The blond deserved someone to love, and she knew Dez wouldn't take advantage of him.

Trish and Dez came out of the kitchen, plates in hand. Dez was carrying a wine bottle, and Trish was holding four glasses. She gave Ally an apologetic look, and the song writer understood. Dez had probably suggested the drink, and Trish hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of saying no. Ally trusted that Austin wouldn't over do it.

However when Austin had the wine glass in hand he visibly relaxed and smiled, as if all the stress of his day vanished at the sight of alcohol. Suddenly Ally wasn't as confident about Austin keeping his drinking under control.

"So did you at least finish shooting the music video?" Dez questioned as he took a bite of pasta. Trish poured Ally a glass of wine, and she sipped it tentatively while focusing on Austin.

"We finished all the dance scenes luckily, but we still have some close up shoots to do in the morning."

"They can't wait until after you come back to do that?" Ally asked a guilty feeling entering her as she once again thought about the amount of work Austin did compared to her own work load.

"It's just close ups of me signing, it won't be bad, and after all this I'll be able to finally relax for a couple of months." Austin leaned back into the couch and finished off his first glass of wine, before continuing to eat.

"So how long will you be in Miami, Dez?" Trish questions.

"I'm not sure yet. I mean for now I can do most of my work over the computer and on the phone. I guess as long as you guys can put up with me." Dez laughed deeply, and didn't notice how Austin's face lit up. "Or at least until the movie premier. Then I have to shove off to California, and head back to New York."

The blonde's face fell again, and he reached to fill his glass with some more wine. Ally and Trish's gazes met, concern shining in both their eyes. Luckily the rest of the night seemed uneventful, they talked and laughed together. Trish, Ally and Dez had another glass of wine, leaving nothing for Austin to have a third glass, and since his ankle was injured he didn't get up to obtain a new bottle. He knew better then to ask Ally to open another bottle, he was completely aware of his friends' disapproval of his drinking habit; though he himself thought they were overreacting a bit.

Dez's arm touched his upper back, and Austin jolted at the contact. He covered it up quickly with a wide grin and stated, "Man warn a guy, you scared me."

"Sorry, you were kinda dozing off there. You need some help getting to bed?" Austin could hear the girlsgetting up to clean the dishes in the kitchen sink, still laughing. He really had to try hard to keep his reaction normal, so Dez wouldn't notice his grittiness. He would love for Dez to take him to bed, though he would have preferred it under different circumstances.

To cover up his feelings Austin chuckled and shook his head. "It's just a sprained ankle I can still walk, and I have crutches to help me too."

"Ok guys, I'm heading back to my apartment." Trish announces as she comes out of the kitchen, Ally right behind her.

"Goodnight Trish!" The boys said in unison, and Ally walked her friend to the door. Austin grabbed his crutches and started to get up on his own, only to feel a supporting hand on his back. He didn't shake it off, he was rather happy to feel the warm hand on him. Once he was standing the hand disappeared.

"Goodnight." Austin almost whispered as he looked at Dez's friendly face, a flutter filled his stomach.

"I'll see you in the morning," The redhead responded and Austin hobbled off to his room, with thoughts of his friend joining him floating in his mind.

.

.

"Ally, hurry up! Austin's almost on!" Dez shouted from the living room. Ally hurried in with a French toaster stick hanging from her mouth. Dez was sitting cross legged on the couch with a bowl of lucky charms, bouncing slightly in excitement. Ally came to sit next to him and couldn't help but smile at her friend's behavior.

"You seem excited."

"This will be the first time I see a live broadcast of Austin. I usually end up missing all his interviews and music videos, though sometimes I look them up online. I don't have a lot of free time."

"Well it's good you try to keep up with Austin's stuff. He probably appreciates it a lot. I usually tag along with him, so this is the first time I'll be seeing it on TV too."

"Shhh!" Dez sputters messily with a mouth full of cereal as Austin is introduced. Ally makes a face at the drops of milk that almost landed on her face, but she doesn't take offense to the redhead's behavior. On the Television Austin was dressed in a black vest who's lapel was covered in sequence and a blue button up underneath with a loose purple tie. He had on long pants and purple sneakers which covered up his wrapped up ankle. He looked good, and moved well considering his injury. He didn't do his usual spins and side steps, however, he did try to sway with the music as he sang. He used his hand and mike to get the fans involved, and to make them sing along. Austin had gotten good at putting on a show ever since he started performing at the mall when they were younger.

Ally felt proud as she watched her friend and business partner perform without a sign of discomfort. He finished with a powerful note and a hand in the air as the lights shined on him, and the crowd cheered. As the crowd was settling down Robin Roberts made her way to Austin.

"What a performance." She said as she stopped in front of him.

"Thank you."

"Now if I understand correctly, you're not at your best today."

"Not entirely, hurt my ankle, but the show goes on." He said with a bright smile and again the fans cheered.

"And you have a new CD coming out right?"

"Yes I do, I'm excited, and I hope everyone will enjoy it. My partner and I worked really hard on trying to provide some new and unique songs. I wanted to push myself a little, and try and achieve a wider range of music, so we have a little bit of everything, but mostly my signature sound."

"Well, I'm sure everyone can't wait to hear it. You've come a long way from when you first began haven't you?"

"Yeah I really have, and I wouldn't have been able to do it without my fans, friends and family. I'm really grateful for all my success. This new CD really reflects my growth, and how I want to keep moving, and keep giving back to my fans, and hopefully gain some new ones along the way."

"Well, I'm sure anyone who heard this performance is on board. Do you mind if we get some questions from the fans already here?"

"No not at all." Robin stepped toward the crowd of people holding colorful signs and picked out a girl who had her hand up and was shouting. The girl squealed in excited before asking her question.

"I'm a big fan, and I follow your blog, but I never hear anything about your romantic life. Do you have someone special that you're seeing?"

Austin looked at the ground for a slit second before giving the girl a winning smile. "No not at the moment, but I do have my eye on someone." The crowd responded to that with giggles and squeals. Robin went on to pick one more fan.

"Austin, do you have any advice to someone who want to become a singer?"

"Sure, just follow your heart, and let your voice be heard. You don't have to start big, just make sure people can hear you and someone will notice."

"Well that's all the time we have for now—"

"Oh man, Austin did great, and he really handled the interview well." Dez announced.

Ally nodded. "I'm just glad that after this he can rest, and focus on getting his ankle better." She was hoping that the rest would do him good in other department, such as talking to Dez and weaning off the alcohol.

"Does that happen often?" Dez's face changed quickly from happy to concerned. "You know hurting himself while working. Don't you think they push him a little too hard?"

Ally actually agreed, but she also knew that show business worked this way. "Most singers have a full schedule, and injury really doesn't stop them, unless it's something serious. He usually doesn't get hurt, though he's recorded with a hang—a head ache before." Ally corrected herself and hoped Dez hadn't caught her mistake.

Blue eyes studied her face, and Ally started to feel uncomfortable. Despite the fact that Dez acted clueless and silly most of the time, he was rather perceptive. Like Austin had stated before, he knew all the blonde's secrets even if he hadn't been told. "Is he taking care of himself?"

"Yeah of course, if he's really sick he won't record." Ally looked nervously at her fingers, before reaching for the remote. "Let's see what else is on."

Dez looked like he wanted to press the issue but his phone rang. "Hello? Oh, hi, you sent me the first scene? No I haven't checked my e-mail." His voice trailed away as he walked out of the room, and toward the small office Ally and Austin had in their house which held the computer.

Ally relaxed, but berated herself for acting so odd and worrying Dez. He was sure to catch on that something was wrong with Austin. The biggest fear she had was that Dez would witness Austin in one of his drunken moods. Somehow she wanted to shield him from that, she felt like Austin was her responsibility when he was like that. Though, occasionally, she had called on Trish for support. She just prayed that Austin could be cured by telling Dez how he truly felt. She prayed that some of her friends stress would melt away if he were in a happy relationship, but a part of her knew that alcohol dependency wasn't so easily cured. Especially since Austin had so many other stressors in his life.

.

.

There was a limo waiting for Austin outside the airport. His manger hustled him in while talking on the phone. Austin was grateful to be sitting and put his leg up on the seat to rest his ankle. He removed his glasses and hat and relaxed against the tinted window.

"Welcome back mister Moon." His driver greeted.

Thanks Jerry, glad to be heading home." The driver pulled away and started to drive the familiar route to Austin and Ally's penthouse. His manager was still talking on the phone to another one of her clients, and continued to do so until they reached Austin's apartment building.

She hung up. "Well you did a great job on GMA. I'll tell you once we've edited the music video and are going to air it. Other than that, enjoy your hiatus." She smiled genuinely at him, before telling the driver to take her home, and pulling out her cell again.

Austin limped toward the elevator and punched in the code for his penthouse, happy to start his break.

"Hey Austin! Oh, are you ok on your feet?" Ally greeted and quickly made her way over to him just in case he needed some support.

"It hurts a little, but I should start putting some weight on it. It's not so bad, by the end of this week I'm sure I'll be walking normally." Despite his statement he did grab hold of Ally's arm and let her walk him toward the couch. "Where's Dez?"

"Oh he's working in the office, checking e-mails and such." Ally turned on the TV and put it on Disney channel, since Austin enjoyed watching it. The blonde put a pillow on the coffee table and lifted his leg onto it.

Ally stayed quiet for a while and let Austin settle down. "So how was the trip?"

"It was alright, kind of boarding without you there to talk to while I'm in my dressing room, or on the plane."

"Aww," Ally lightly pushed her friends shoulder.

"Did you watch it this morning?"

"Of course, Dez wouldn't have let me miss it. You did great."

"Did he like it?"

"Yeah he was really excited, but concerned about your ankle."

"Wow, he might be more of a worry wart then you." Austin teased.

"I'm not a worry wart, I just want what's best for you." Ally rested her head against Austin's shoulder. "So now that you're back—"

"I'll talk to him ok. Tomorrow, I'll talk to him tomorrow." Austin sounded agitated and Ally felt bad for bringing it up.

"I just think it'll help you to get this off your chest." She whispered.

"I know Ally, I'm sorry for snapping at you, but you should know how scary it is to tell someone that you…that you…"

"I know." Ally nodded. "But Dez wont' turn away from you even if he doesn't feel the same way. He's too good of a friend, he cares about you a lot you know." Austin nodded, and looked at his hands, before taking a deep breath.

"It's been a long day, I think I'm going to head in early. Night Ally." The brunette watched her friend get up unsteadily and make his way around the corner to his bedroom. Maybe she should have waited to mention Dez. Austin was truly afraid of telling him. Though Ally was positive nothing bad would happen, she couldn't convince Austin of it. She wanted her friend to be happy, she wanted him to be happy with Dez. Despite the fact that for all she knew Dez wasn't gay, or Bi, she just wanted this for her friend so badly. She wanted something, anything to bring a little light into Austin's life. So he wouldn't lock himself up, away from the world. Maybe even if Dez rejected him, it will give Austin the chance to move on and find someone he can trust and fall in love with.

Though Ally was the one with stage fright, it was Austin who was missing out on living a happy and fulfilled life. She wanted that to change, if she were strong enough to take some of the burned of her musical partner she would, but she was too afraid. Just like Austin was afraid of losing Dez, of losing his best friend simply because he loved him.