Hello all! Thanks to all who reviewed. Means a lot! Anyway, here's the update!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Covenant or any its characters. I do, however, own Astaire. Oh, but I don't own Think of Me, either. That belongs to the talented Andrew Lloyd Webber.

A little known fact to those outside the Spenser student body was that the school had a ballet class. Well, more so an elite, kick-ass club of sorts that performed from time to time. Mostly, it just gave Spenser's best dancers an opportunity to practice and prepare for college auditions. Or show off. But who was honestly paying attention to distinctions like those?

Astaire Montgomery was a well-known name within the Spenser ballet community as well as within the Ipswich community as a whole. So when she walked back into the ballet studio at school, she was welcomed with open arms.

The studio was a place of comfort for Astaire. It was a mirrored haven where she could sit her hand on that waist high wooden bar and feel at ease. Which was exactly what she needed after such a trying first period. So during lunch, instead of heading to the dining hall, she escaped to her own personal heaven. Her old instructor Madame Cecelia was already waiting with a satisfied smile and Astaire's ballet essentials: black leotard and skirt, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, and bright turquoise legwarmers. Astaire almost collapsed into grateful tears at the sight.

So ten minutes later, Astaire emerged from the dressing room into a blissfully empty dance space with her favorite music playing. Turning up the music, she closed her eyes and let the music take over. Then she began to dance.

Every move was perfect---every leap in stunning formation, every pirouette landed with grace. Her arabesques were beyond compare.

But Astaire didn't notice how her steps were coming out. She just kept moving as she let her emotions guide her and inspire her. Every bit of her confusion, anger, sadness, and humiliation went into the routine. When she was done, she was exhausted and panting, but she finally felt relaxed. Astaire smiled. She had forgotten how much passion she put into dance. It was liberating, but quite tiring.

Taking a deep breath, she lowered herself to the floor. Now that she had worked out all her frustrations, she needed to think. First of all, she needed to assess her situation with each of the Sons. She started off with Reid.

Reid was definitely angry as hell. It was understandable. Reid used to be---well, still was in her mind---her best guy friend. They were partners in crime, thick as thieves. Sure, Reid was an arrogant pain in the ass before she left, but she had a feeling he acted way over the top now. In just a day, the tidbits she had heard about Reid amounted to one thing: he was a cocky man-whore with his mind constantly in the gutter. He used girls and tossed them aside like so much garbage. Reid used to treat her with respect, but even if he stopped being angry at her would he treat her like all the other girls? Like she was just some submissive, stupid girl for him to taunt? Astaire sighed. She forgot how much people changed.

Switching mindsets, she thought of Tyler. She smiled. He truly was Baby Boy to her, but it seemed like he'd matured. Astaire was glad. His plain shyness seemed to have shifted into just quiet observance. Plus, he didn't seem mad at her, just shocked. Perhaps he would be the first of her childhood friends she would speak to again.

Caleb was still, thankfully, Caleb. He was the one solid thing amidst the sea of change. Astaire was thankful that her big brother of sorts was still as she remembered. Stoic, responsible, polite, and an all around good guy. But she hoped he still had enough rebellion in him to have some fun once in a while. Through everything, Caleb was the guy she always got advice from, and she had a feeling she still could. Not now, however, for he seemed confused on how to act…he did possess loyalty on the matter to a certain brother.

Which brought Astaire hesitantly to Pogue. She wasn't sure want to think of him. He seemed shocked, that's for sure, and more than a little upset. That was expected. She didn't know if he was angry or not, and she wasn't certain she wanted to find out. She knew that they had to discuss things sometime, but she wasn't sure if she was ready. Pogue and her…it was complicated.

Astaire hugged her knees to her chest, resting her chin on her knees. Reid wasn't the only one she had heard gossip about, and apparently Caleb wasn't the only Son with a girlfriend. Astaire had heard that Pogue had a girlfriend named Kate. She hadn't seen Kate yet, but she could assume she was pretty from the way guys went on about how lucky Pogue was. Supposedly, she was pretty popular. It made sense, and yet, Astaire wasn't sure on how she felt about it. Pogue was, well, Pogue. Like it or not, he would always mean something to her. Good or bad was the question. Also, it didn't help her emotional dilemma that Pogue had gotten extremely hot during her time away. She was a seventeen year old girl with hormones after all, and couldn't help but notice how well muscled he was.

Astaire sighed. So this is what it felt like to be back.

Pogue felt loads better after his swim. He had exercised rigorously, which he figured produced endorphins that led to his slightly uplifted mood.

Strolling out of the locker room, he thought he'd head for the dining hall and try talking to Kate. He was feeling slightly more reasonable than he had before, and wanted to resolve things sooner, rather than later.

Think of me. Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye…

Pogue paused, craning his head towards the sound. He miraculously knew that song, but more importantly, he knew that voice.

Remember me. Once in a while please promise me you'll try…

Pogue moved down the hall in a direction he hadn't gone in a year. Strange, he thought, how you can always remember some things… such as the way to one of the most important places of someone who used to be your world. He stopped in front of the one-way mirror that looked into Dance Studio A.

When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free…

If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me.

Pogue smiled a little as he saw Astaire, dark brown curls haloing her head as she laid on the floor with her eyes closed. Her ballet shoes were laid neatly beside her with the skirt thrown over them. She looked peaceful. Pogue looked at he clock. Ten minutes until class. With a sigh, he figured he should remind her of the time. It was a shame, though, that he'd have to disturb her.

Taking a deep breath, Pogue pushed open the door to the studio.

SLAM!

He grimaced as it hit the wall. Maybe he'd opened it a little more forcefully than intended. Then again, he was really anxious. He didn't expect to be conversing with her so soon.

Astaire shot up, hair flying, and whipped her head towards the door with wide eyes.

" Hey."

Her deer in the headlights expression didn't fade as she looked at Pogue.

" Um, hey."

They were both very plain greetings. Very neutral. But the tense atmosphere made it seem like the beginning of an Old Western showdown.

Pogue looked away awkwardly, running a hand through his hair.

" I, uh, saw you in here and thought I should let you know that, uh, class is starting in ten minutes."

Astaire nodded, slightly regaining her wits now that she realized Pogue wasn't here to have the dreaded conversation. She had dodged it for now. She bent down and picked up her things.

" Thank you. I lost track of the time."

She turned on her heel and walked towards the changing room. Pulling a hair band off her wrist, she hastily and somewhat haphazardly put her hair into a ponytail. It was difficult, seeing as she was also trying to hold her shoes and escape from Pogue.

" Astaire."

She turned, looking at him and quirking a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"You and I need to talk. Not now, but sometime."

She nodded slowly.

" Yeah, you're right. I'm sure we'll find the time."

She turned again.

" Nicky's. Tonight." he said.

Astaire paused, thinking. Was she ready to talk to Pogue this soon?

"Sure," she answered, still looking ahead of her. With that, she walked into the changing room

So much for dodging the conversation.

Pogue stood there for a moment before leaving the studio.

" Nicky's? Tonight? Ah, man. I can't believe I said that!"

He ran a hand over his face. He was in no way, shape, or form ready to talk about the issue filling the huge crater between him and Astaire. He hadn't even resolved his problems with Kate yet and here he was, diving into some more. Sometimes his brain wasn't connected to his mouth, but his foot definitely was. And he'd definitely shoved his boot in there this time.

" I couldn't have picked a worse place!"

"Talking to yourself?"

Pogue turned his head, smiling sheepishly at Caleb.

"Hey, man."

Caleb's smile widened as he came up to his friend.

" 'Couldn't have picked a worse place' for what?" he asked.

Pogue once again ran a hand through his hair, his face becoming serious. There was silence for a few seconds before he answered.

" I asked Astaire to talk to me tonight at Nicky's. Like, really talk."

Caleb concentrated on the clack of there shoes as they walked down the hall. He was surprised that was certain. He didn't think Pogue would even consider talking to Astaire this soon.

" why at Nicky's?" Caleb questioned, looking at Pogue. " Why tonight?"

They turned into a populated hallway. The female portion of the student body looked lovingly at the Sons as they made their way to English. However, the boys took little notice, as they were engrossed in their own conversation.

" Because," Pogue started, trying to keep his voice casual, " I figured she'd want to go to Nicky's anyway, and I just want to get this conversation over with so we can both, y'know, get over it."

" Have you ever thought about the possibility that the two of you will end up together again?"

Pogue stared at Caleb in blatant disbelief.

" I'm serious," Caleb said, not looking away. " Have you ever considered that the reason you and Kate are constantly at odds is because you don't really love her?"

" What?! Of course I do."

Caleb paused, not sure how his next words would go over with his friend. But, he was sure telling Pogue his real opinion was the best option.

"Not fully. Not like you loved Astaire." Caleb stopped in front of the door to English, looking seriously at Pogue. " Not like you love Astaire."

Pogue could only stand shocked as Caleb went into class. He couldn't believe Caleb thought that. He was wrong, anyway…completely crazy.

" Pogue. You comin', dude?"

Reid walked by and clapped Pogue on the shoulder.

" Yeah, man. I'm coming."

School was finally over for the day. After driving to her upscale townhouse, Astaire flopped down on her bed in pure exhaustion. She'd had one of the most trying days of her life, and the worst part was that it wasn't even done yet. She still had to go to Nicky's.

She rolled over on her side and curled up into a ball. Nicky's. The place held a lot of memories…

" I don't dance, Air," a sixteen year old Pogue insisted.

" C'mon," she replied, pulling his arm gently. " One dance won't kill you. It'll be fun."

" Oh, I just bet it will," Reid joked, blue eyes sparkling with wit.

Astaire scoffed. " I didn't mean anything dirty."
Caleb grinned. " Better not have, or I might have to have a serious talk with somebody." He glared mock-seriously at Pogue.

Pogue laughed, taking Astaire's hand. " Okay, Air. One dance. Let's go."

She smiled, her brown eyes lighting up. Astaire nodded as she followed her boyfriend out to the dance floor.

" Hands to yourselves!" Tyler jokingly called after them.

"Not a chance," Pogue whispered, pulling Astaire recklessly close and looking into her eyes. " I just won't let you go."

She gazed back up at him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The caring way he was looking at her truly touched her.

" Good," she said softly, burying her head into his chest. " Because there's no place I'd rather be."

He grinned and leaned his head down so that his lips were right in front of hers. " Kiss me."

Astaire smiled as she answered.

" Gladly."

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Astaire turned her head lazily to look at her cell phone. It was vibrating its little heart out on the bedside table. She swiftly picked it up so it wouldn't fall to the floor.

" Hello?"

" Hey."

Astaire blinked in surprise. " Caleb?"

He laughed a little before answering. " Yeah, it's me."

" How'd you get my number?"

" I called your house and asked your mom."

"Oh."

She wasn't quite sure what to say. Her mind was a jumbled mess of questions. Why did Caleb call her? Would the others be mad if they knew he did? Was he going to be mad at her?

" I just wanted to say hi." Caleb said, sounding at ease with the conversation. " we haven't talked in a while."

" No, we haven't." Astaire agreed. She paused, unsure of what to say. After a few moments, she settled on just saying what was on her mind.

" I'm sorry… for everything. Especially for not calling and coming back announced."

" Thanks for the apology," he said sincerely before stopping for a second. " But I didn't hear you say you were sorry for leaving."

Astaire looked out the window, slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected him to catch that.

" You're right. I didn't say sorry for leaving because I'm not. It was what I needed to do, and it helped me. You have no idea how much better I got after I left."

She could picture Caleb nodding, whether in agreement or contemplation.

" Alright," he said, "Well, I'll see you at Nicky's."

Oh, so Pogue had told Caleb that he planned to talk to her.

"Yeah."

" And Astaire?

" Yes?"

" Welcome home."