Chapter Eleven

Moose

Even if I say
It'll be alright
Still I hear you say
You want to end your life
Now and again we try
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around
'Cause it's not too late
It's never too late

"Where's Gabe?" Moose demanded as he entered the apartment.

Sneaking out of the hospital had been easier than he expected. The only trouble he had was trying to find a sling so he could move more easily with his injured shoulder. Now, he stood in front of Eleanor who looked as though she couldn't give him an answer to his question.

"He's not here, that's all I can tell you." She whispered and Moose became angry.

He knew where Gabriel was, or at least, he thought he knew. Sighing, he walked over to the couch and collapsed on it. He had used his remaining amount of energy to get home, and his shoulder was hurting like nobody's business.

"I told him not to go, you know. I hate when he kills, it's like...a piece of him dies too." She whispered as she gazed at the door, willing Gabriel to walk in.

"Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all," Eleanor's head snapped towards Moose. His eyes were empty as he spoke, "When he gets back, tell him he can find a new king."

She was absolutely speechless as he stood up. Moose gave her a sad smile as he left the apartment. Camille stood waiting for him outside, and they hailed a cab. She tried to comfort him, but he didn't respond. His return to The Vault wasn't a joyous one. Well, he was the only one who wasn't joyous. After promising to to tell them of his great adventure in the last few weeks, Moose retired to his room.

Sighing, and having nothing better to do, he turned on the television. Finding nothing to watch, Moose turned the television to the news channel.

"Firemen are at a loss as to how a warehouse of this size could suddenly go up in flames. Arson has been listed as a possible cause. This warehouse is famous for housing an underground event known as the Grand Ball..." The news anchor went on a shots of the burning warehouse flashed across the television. Moose's eyes widened and he hastily grabbed his phone.

No matter how many times he called, he got no answer. Finally, he yelled in frustration. Gabriel couldn't be dead, could he? There was just no way. Burying his head in his hands, Moose struggled to breathe. And he began to wish. He wished that he had never received the invitation. He wished he had never met Gabriel. He wished he had never challenged Jared. He wished he had never accepted the title of King. He wished none of this had ever happened.

"Dammit!" He yelled in frustration and pain shout up his shoulder. Hissing, Moose decided that he wasn't just going to sit there. No, he was never good at sitting still.

Despite the protests that came from his shoulder, Moose stood and walked out of his room. Silently, he made his way to the speaker room and stood in front of the stack of boom boxes. How long had it been, he wondered. Far too long, and the desire to dance was insatiable. Walking over to one of the boxes, he pressed play and suddenly, the entire room was flooded with sound.

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime

Moose let the music pulse through his body as he began dancing. He let everything he had been feeling dissipate as his body became one with the beat. As he moved, it felt as though chains were falling off his body. There was freedom, something he hadn't realized he had lost. By the time the song ended, he was nearly breathless and a lot happier than he had been in days. He had finally reconnected with his first love, dance.

"Very nice," Moose turned to see Gabriel watching him. Forgetting his previous anger, Moose's face lit up.

"Dude! I thought you were dead!" He exclaimed as he turned off the speakers.

"Takes more than a burning building to kill me." Gabriel joked and a light bulb went off in Moose's head.

"You did it, didn't you? You burned it down." Gabriel nodded as he pulled a pack of matches from his pocket. Moose couldn't help but grin. He could see the light in his friend's eyes.

"I hope you're not mad at me, since I asked you to be king. I'd like for you to help me rebuild it, though." Moose breathed heavily as he considered this. They were going to rebuild the Ball, and make it much better than it had been. That had been the plan, but Moose didn't know if that was what he wanted anymore.

"I don't know. I really don't, Gabe. This...I don't think it's the best idea for me. I still have school and Camille. It's been fun but...it's over for me." His voice was nothing short of apologetic as he turned away from Gabriel.

"I understand, and I want to thank you, Moose. For everything." Moose turned to say something, but Gabriel was gone.

It was over, all of it. And now life would resume for Moose. With a sad smile, he walked back over the speakers and pressed play again. Hours passed and he did nothing but dance. Finally, when the sun rose, he made his way to his bed and collapsed in it.

The next week passed in a blur of classes and lunch dates for Moose. He did his best to make up for lost time with the Pirates, and they battled in the club nearly every night. As his first semester came to an end, Moose and Camille wandered through the park, playing in the new fallen snow. They celebrated his nineteenth birthday at Coney Island and spent Christmas and New Years in Times Square.

It was strange, the day he ran into Eleanor. As usual, she had some guy following after her, and she winked flirtatiously at Moose. They didn't talk long, but just exchanged pleasantries. They never broached the subject of Gabriel but Eleanor indirectly told Moose that her brother was doing well. After they parted, he met up with Camille for lunch and told her about his run-in.

"Do you ever miss it?" She asked but he didn't answer. It wasn't because he didn't want to, but because he didn't know how.

"I don't really want to bring it up anymore." He told her.

"You miss it." She stated and Moose frowned at her.

"No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Moose, despite everything that happened, you had the time of your life. And now that everything seems to be over, you're just going walk away? Where's the guy who nearly threw everything away to compete in the World Jam? Where's the guy who became a double major so he could pursue what he loved most? Where's Moose? My boyfriend?" Moose sighed.

"What are you trying to say, Camille?"

"I'm telling you to go! Get out of here, and I'll be out shopping for a dress. I want to look great for the Ball." She grinned. Moose leaned over and kissed her, before leaving. Smiling, she wondered if this had been the best idea before dismissing it.

If he got into any trouble, she could rely on Gabriel to get him out.

I'm not sure if I like this chapter. It was a challenge to write, that's for sure. Ultimately, it's up to you guys to decide. So review! And thank you for all those who have.

~As the Rush Comes~

Disclaimer: I don't own Step Up, Never Too Late by Three Days Grace, or Lose Yourself by Eminem