We won! Not only favorite kids TV show but both Ross and Laura got their awards too! Man I really didn't think we were gonna pull it off, but I'm so glad that we did! I am honestly so humbled to have witnessed their journey with that show. I'm the same age as them, so I feel like I've grown up with them. And the new episode, that was great. I think me and Dez have the same dance moves ;) Did anyone see that picture the writers tweeted? They have finished writing the finale. I'm gonna be sad to see this show go, I am also going to take the time to say that after I finish all my current running stories I shall be retiring. It feels like the right time. Anyway! here we go. This is pretty short, but it's just leading in to the final 3 chapters ;)


"You must have something! Anything at all."

"I'm sorry Mr Moon, we just aren't hiring at the moment. Check back in a few weeks and we might have a space available."

"Alright." Austin sighed. "Thanks anyway." He shook his head in disappointment leaving the store. "I guess you had no luck then?" Ally asked.

"None." He shrugged. "I never knew it was so damn hard to get a job in this place. I'll keep looking." He reassured her.

"It's too late Austin, the trial is tomorrow."

"I really feel like I've let you down.."

"You haven't." She smiled. "This wasn't your fault."

"I just have just sucked it up and I'd still have a job. I don't get why my dad does this."

"Why don't you head back to mine." She said handing him the keys. "I'm gonna go see Trish for a few hours. I'll be back before eight, we need an early night."

"Alright." He nodded. "Do you want me to give you a lift?"

"No it's okay, I'll walk. It's a nice day." She looked up at the sky.

"Yeah." He smiled. "Well I will see you tonight."


"Enter"

"Mr Moon." Ally smiled. "Miss Dawson."

"Ah yes, hello." Mike stood up and shook her hand. He looked at her for longer than normal before shrugging and sitting back down. "What did you say you work for again?"

"The weekly cut." She replied.

"Hrm." He thought to himself. "Can't say I recall ever reading something from that one."

"It's quite a low key publisher. People in high places buy it."

"Ah, well then. Take a seat." He pointed at one of the seats in front of his desk.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

"Of course, it's my pleasure." Mike replied.

"I'm just going to ask you a few questions, I assume you've been interviewed before?"

"Several times."

"Then this should be quite easy." Ally smiled. "First, just tell me a little bit about yourself."

"Well, I like cars." He laughed. "I grew up learning how to fix them and appreciate them."

"Any other hobbies?"

"Golf." Mike smiled.

"You'll fit right in with everyone who reads this paper." Ally nodded.

"Ah good! Might attract more customers."

"Do you get a lot of customers?"

"We're a private company, so we have the regulars who swing by every few months, and sometimes we have the one off's. Business could not be better."

"How long have you had this business for then?" Ally asked.

"My father passed it down to me when he passed away in 1994."

"So it's a family business?" She asked looking up from her notepad.

"It is indeed." Mike smiled. "We aim to give the customers the best service possible and I think that a family environment adds to that."

"Of course." Ally smiled. "Do you have a son?"

"I do." Mike nodded.

"So, will the business be passed to him?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Most likely."

"Interesting."

"How so?" Mike asked.

"Well as far as I know he doesn't even work here?" Ally questioned.

"Excuse me?"

"Your son, he recently got fired."

"Austin?" Mike asked. "How do you know about that?"

"You know how it is, rumours fly." Ally shrugged.

"Uh huh, I'm beginning to think you might not actually be a journalist. Did Austin send you?"

"No, of course not. He doesn't know I'm here."

"So you know him?" Mike raised an eyebrow.

"I do, and I don't think it's fair what you've done to him."

"I don't know who you think you are, but my family business is none of yours!" Mike stood up. "Besides, you don't even know the half of it!"

"Half of what?"

"Who are you?" Mike sat back down.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Just talk to him Mr Moon." Ally sighed. "He needs his dad."

"Leave."

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you." Ally said.

"It's fine just go." Mike pointed to the door and Ally left as quickly and as swiftly as she could. Mike buzzed through to his secretary. "Sharon, call Gavin and ask him to meet me here in an hour. Cancel all my other appointments."

"Should I reschedule them for later?"

"No."

"But Mr Moon these are important meetings."

"I'll sort it out later, just do it please." He took his finger off the button and pulled out his phone. "It's me, I think we need to tell him."


"Good morning." Austin smiled. "I made you coffee." He said setting the mug down on the bedside table. "Thank you." Ally smiled back as she sat up in the bed.

"When did you get in last night?" He asked. "I fell asleep on the couch, I guess you knew that though." He laughed.

"Trish wouldn't stop talking, you know how it is." Ally said.

"I can't say I've ever had a conversation with her where she hasn't been shouting at me."

"I was going to wake you when I got in, but you looked so cute." Ally smiled.

"Cute?" He laughed.

"It's the only compliment you'll get."

"I'll take it." Austin nodded. "Well today is the day."

"Yeah.." Ally took a deep breath.

"It'll be okay." He nodded. "I was looking online last night and in most cases the moms always get custody."

"Most cases." Ally stressed.

"You managed this long without any support, they'd be stupid not to see that." Austin smiled. "Now come on, Elliot said he'd be here in half an hour."

"How are you.. we going to pay Leanne?" Ally asked.

"Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. I'm not gonna stop looking for a job. There's gotta be something I'm good at that isn't cars, right?" Austin asked.

"You tell me." Ally shrugged.

"Hrm." He thought for a second. "I can sing." He smiled.

"You can not." Ally rolled her eyes.

"I'll have you know I actually can. And I can play every instrument you need to form a rock band." He looked a little proud of himself.

"So are you going for form a one man rock band?" She laughed.

"I could give it my best shot." He shrugged.

"Sing something."

"Oh uh.. I can't.." He coughed. "Losing my voice."

"Uh huh. Exactly what I thought." She got up walking to the bathroom.

"I'm telling you I can sing!"

"If you say so." she replied.


"Now Elliot, I'll remind you that you can't intervene at any point." Leanne warned him.

"I know, I'll just sit there and look pretty don't you worry." Elliot winked.

"Pretty isn't the word I'd use."

"You really know how to kick a guy when he's down."

"That's probably why I'm divorced." Leanne smiled. "You ready Ally?"

"As I'll ever be." Ally smoothed down her dress.

"You just let me do most of the talking, if the judge asks anything just answer as honestly as you can. That goes for you too Austin."

"Roger that." Austin replied.

"Ally." Lester and Penny rushed over. "We wanted to wish you luck before the trial." Her father hugged her. "Thank you." Ally sighed into him.

"We'll be right there with you." Penny smiled joining the hug.

"I love you guys." Ally said.

"We love you too." Penny sighed.

"Now you go kick that Paul's ass!" Lester joked.

"That's not quite how court works Mr Dawson." Elliot said.

"Yes, I know. It was a joke Elliot."

"Oh.. I knew that." Elliot scratched the back of his head.

"Right." Lester shook his head. "We better go get a seat."

"Good luck." Penny said as her and Lester made their way in.

"I better go get my seat too." Austin sighed. "Dez just text me, says he's sitting with Trish." Austin shrugged.

"Yep, me as well." Elliot shook Leanne's hand. "Good luck in there. You too Ally." Elliot hugged her. "Thank you Elliot."

"I'll see you in there I guess." Austin leaned in a kissed her.

"Ew, love." Leanne rolled her eyes making them both laugh a little. "Good luck." He said to both of them before following Elliot in.

"This is it then Dawson, let's go slay some bitches."