Derailed - Chapter 10

. . .

Sunday morning Ally was picked up by Austin, Scarlett and her assistant Andrea. Scarlett drove the car and did a lot of talking and planning with her assistant. Austin sat in the back seat with Ally, holding her hand and generally demanding her attention as they drove from her cottage to the airport.

Ally brought along a large purse with her wallet, notebook and a change of clothes for the concert that night. She carried that onto the private jet scheduled to take Austin to Dublin that morning to prepare for his concert that night. He didn't have anything with him other than a phone because Scarlett had sent their luggage ahead in another car. He kept Ally close though, leading her to some seats in the back of the plane while Scarlett and Andrea stayed up front to give them some privacy.

"Do you often fly on private jets?" Ally asked as they sat down.

Austin shrugged. "Sometimes. It's been more convenient lately so we can follow our own schedule and I like not getting mobbed by fans."

"You poor thing." Ally teased.

The plane began to move and they were quiet for a minute during takeoff. Ally watched the world flash by below them as they ascended. She loved flying.

"Do you have homework or anything to finish for classes tomorrow?" Austin asked conversationally when the plane leveled off at cruising altitude.

"I have an anatomy test in biology but I don't need to study for it." she said.

"Oh, miss know it all." It was Austin's turn to tease.

"Well, after seeing Gorillas mate and give birth, then watching a few autopsies I have a pretty good handle on bodies and organs and how they all fit together and function." Ally said.

Austin gaped at her. "Watching autopsies?"

"The Gorillas started getting sick and two died rather suddenly so some of mom's colleagues studied the bodies to see if they could find the problem and prevent the whole group from dying as well. Just before they pinpointed a new plant that had been accidently brought to the area by humans the gorillas figured it out too and stopped eating the plant. Nature was faster than science that time." she explained.

"Wow. No wonder you did so well in school. They never show gorillas mating in biology class in Miami." Austin joked with a smile.

Ally pushed his shoulder playfully. "Shut up."

"You've seen and done some pretty amazing things though, haven't you?" he said, more serious now.

"So have you. You've been to more countries than I have with all your touring, and met a lot more people." she pointed out.

He shrugged. "Maybe. Who would have guessed our lives would go this way back when we were kids?"

"Not me. But you always had bigger dreams than I did. You were the ambitious one."

"And you were the smart pretty one. You haven't changed at all." he said. They stared at one another and leaned slightly, drawn toward one another like magnets. When Austin's eyes flickered to her lips Ally pulled away and looked out the window again at the landscape far below.

"Ally?" Austin asked after a few quiet moments. She didn't seem to mind him kissing her yesterday and he remembered her responding enthusiastically. He wasn't sure why she was keeping her distance today.

"There were a lot of people with you at the club the other night. Are they on a different plane?" Ally asked, preventing him from saying what he was going to.

"The rest of my tour crew drove to Dublin yesterday while I was with you. Now I have to catch up and flying was the only way."

"I don't want to slow you down, Austin." she said.

Austin took her hand in his. "You won't." he said, meeting her eyes as she finally looked at him again. She looked uncertain and a little sad. "Don't walk away from me again." he urged. "You were the one who suggested the break up last time, not me."

Ally shook her head doubtfully. "I still don't see how this will work out. It's a nice idea: us keeping in touch and being long distance friends again, but we both know that it's not that easy." she said.

"It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. I'll prove it to you." he promised.

"We can try." she agreed earning a huge smile from Austin.

Not long after that they landed and were met in the airport by a driver arranged by Scarlett. They were driven directly to the club where Austin would perform that night. Lunch was waiting for them and they ate in Austin's dressing room. After that Austin left Ally with Scarlett while he changed and did a soundcheck. She felt out of place, watching people scurry about, busy with their jobs while she waited, unsure what to do with herself. She changed her clothes as well so she would look less out of place during the show.

. . .

Austin found Ally again and led her to the stage, showing her the place where she could watch just off to the side until he finished. He grabbed her hand and pulled her onto the stage. Ally hesitated. There was no audience but this was foreign territory to her and she still had stage fright. He stopped when he got to the keyboard.

"Sing that song with me again, the new one we wrote." he prompted. He pulled some sheet music from his back pocket and spread it out in front of them. Sometime during the night he had put their music and words into a program and printed it out. Ally had forgotten what it looked like to see her own music on paper like that.

Ally glanced at the large empty space in front of the stage before Austin stepped directly in front of her. "It's just us. Sing with me again: I've missed it."

She nodded and then began to play the chords as Austin moved to stand beside her. They sang all the words together, their eyes meeting often, voices melding in perfect harmony. As the last note faded Austin leaned down and kissed her softly.

"This is how it should always be for us." he said quietly, staying close to Ally. She leaned into him, resting her forehead on his shoulder.

"I don't want to think about 'what if' and 'should be' anymore: it only makes me angry or sad. I just want to live right now in this moment. I want to feel and know that this is actually happening and is real. Okay?" she pleaded, getting teary-eyed again.

Austin put his arms around Ally and simply held her. She sank into him, letting his solidity and strength calm her. He was here with her now - she tried to focus on that instead of wondering about tomorrow and if she would ever see him again after tonight.

. . .

"Austin?" Scarlett's voice came from the wings ten minutes later and Austin loosened his hold on Ally.

"Out here." he called.

"There you are, oh, do you need a minute?" Scarlett asked, pausing at the edge of the stage when she saw their embrace.

"What do you need?" he asked, moving so his arm was around Ally's shoulder and he stood by her side.

"I wanted to tell you that the doors are opening soon and make sure you are ready." Scarlett said, returning quickly to her professional tone.

"I'm ready. I'll come back to talk to the band in a second. Ally's going to watch the show from the wings - make sure she has anything she wants or needs." Austin said.

"Andrea will take care of Ally. Everyone is gathering near your dressing room." Scarlett said and walked away.

Austin turned to Ally, facing her. "I'm glad you are here tonight. Stick around, don't be afraid to ask for anything you want, and I'll see you as soon as I'm done tonight."

"I'm good now. Sorry for the meltdown, I'm not usually like this." Ally said, nodding her head with resolve.

"I know, and don't worry about it. We're both here now, that's all that matters." he said. "Cheer loud for me tonight."

Ally smiled while her confident friend grinned at her before bounding away to meet with his band.

Andrea appeared a few minutes later offering Ally food, snacks, water bottles, etc. . . Ally accepted some of the snacks to put the assistant at ease and make her feel like she'd done her job. Then Ally started chatting with her and both began to relax a bit. They stood aside as the band took the stage, Austin pausing to place a quick kiss on Ally's cheek as he passed. Andrea quirked an eyebrow at Ally which made her laugh, then she watched the crowd go crazy for Austin as the concert began.

Luckily Andrea was really fun and Ally had a good time with her during the concert as they watched and sang along from the sidelines. She also kept teasing Ally whenever they caught Austin stealing a glance at her during or between songs.

Scarlett reappeared during the final song with water bottle in hand, ready for Austin to come off stage. The song ended and Austin thanked the crowd and headed straight for Ally. He took the water Scarlett handed him as he reached them.

"How was it?" he asked, beaming and enthusiastic.

"You were great and you know it: your ego doesn't need my help." Ally told him but couldn't hide her smile.

"You loved it." he said.

"I know." she agreed.

His smile was huge as Scarlett began ushering him toward his dressing room.

"Stay with Andrea. I'll see you soon!" Austin called as he was practically dragged away, keeping to Scarlett's schedule.

Ally laughed as she watched him go. His energy was off the charts and it made her insides flutter to know he wanted to spend time with her so badly. The band filed off stage and she kept out of the way, cheeks hurting from smiling so much.

"Wow." Andrea said beside her.

"What?" Ally asked, curious about the assistant's comment.

"I've had to watch out for a few girls Austin has let come to his shows like this over the last two years but he never acted like this with them. He's really into you." Andrea said.

Ally's face heated up in embarrassment. "We were just separated for a long time and we're both anxious to catch up. It's going to be hard for me to get back on that plane tonight. I'll miss him."

"You know he's had me checking on flights from London to Amsterdam next weekend right?" Andrea asked.

"What?"

"He wants you at his show next Saturday too." Andrea said.

"Wow." Ally said. She was surprised and pleased and the butterflies in her stomach just multiplied.

"I'm just glad you are nicer and more fun than others I've had to keep company. I don't mind hanging out with you." Andrea said. Then her phone beeped so she quickly glanced at it. "Come on, he wants you." she said and began heading toward the dressing rooms.

Ally followed, her body buzzing and mind on overload. Two days ago she and Austin had begun to rekindle their relationship. Whether it was friendship or something more she was still uncertain. He had kissed her, more than once, and he was being really attentive. But she wasn't quite ready to read anything into it, since seeing each other was still so new. She didn't dare to trust it or let herself get comfortable in the idea yet, however, fearful that it could be yanked away again and leave her broken. She hadn't forgotten last time. But now, Austin seemed to be working harder at keeping her and he clearly wanted to be around her. She tried to shut out her musings on the future and if one existed for them as she followed Andrea into the dressing room. She needed to enjoy the moment.

Scarlett drew Andrea aside the moment they walked in and Austin's face lit up when he saw Ally.

"Hey, so I have a few minutes before I have to go see some fans. I've told Scarlett to get me out of there in a half hour and then I can ride with you back to the airport. I can't go back with you because I already have a flight Tuesday morning that she won't let me out of."

"It's okay." Ally assured him.

"I just want to spend as much time with you as I can." he said and moved closer to her.

"Me too, but you still have a job to do." Ally said.

"I told her I could fly out of London and make the concert Thursday and I'd stay with the crew until the Saturday show as well but she thinks I'll get distracted and not make it." Austin complained.

"We shouldn't throw off her schedule more than we have." Ally said, feeling guilty for taking so much of Austin's time.

"Yeah, and she has a good point. If I went back to London with you I wouldn't want to leave again." he said.

Ally looked into his eyes. She had missed those eyes, especially when they looked at her like that. "I wouldn't want you to leave either." she admitted.

"I don't want to say goodbye tonight." he said.

"But we have to."

"I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Austin moved even closer, getting into her personal space and placing his hands on her hips. He filled her senses and she couldn't focus on anything but him. He was about to kiss her when someone cleared their throat from the open doorway.

"Sorry Austin, but if you want to drive with Ally you have to come now." Scarlett said.

He groaned in frustration and pulled away from Ally. "Coming." he grumbled and walked away, shooting Ally an apologetic look on his way.

Ally took a deep breath and collapsed onto a nearby chair. Everything between her and Austin was so intense. She loved it but wondered if it could last.

Andrea came in the room again. Ally made sure she had everything in her bag and after forcing herself to eat some food that Andrea offered, they went out the building to a waiting car. She was starting to get nervous and feel sick about saying goodbye to Austin. She really didn't want this, whatever it was, to end. Far from getting closure and getting over Austin, she was falling in deeper than ever.

Once Ally was in the car it didn't take long for Austin to join her. He was halfway through eating some kind of energy bar as he climbed into the back seat with her. Scarlett was right behind him but stopped short of getting in.

"The driver has strict instructions to bring you back here. You are not to get on that jet with Ally tonight, no matter what." she lectured sternly.

"I know." Austin said and reached for the door.

"Bye Ally." Scarlett barely got the words out before the door closed, leaving Austin and Ally almost alone.

"Let's go." Austin said to the driver who immediately pulled away from the curb and rolled up a partition window to give them privacy.

Austin swallowed the last of his energy bar and turned to Ally. "I know I was busy most of the time, but thanks for coming here with me."

"Thanks for inviting me."

Austin just shook his head. "I've always loved having you around, or did you forget?"

"I didn't forget."

"Then you'll know I still feel the same way. Listen, I know you have school and that's important, but would you come to my concert next Saturday night? I'll take care of all the travel so you don't have to worry about anything: you just have to show up." Austin said in a nervous rush.

"Andrea accidently told me you were asking about flights to get me there." Ally admitted.

"So?"

"I'd love to come."

"Yes!" Austin pulled her into a celebratory hug. "You don't know what seeing you waiting offstage means to me. I'm so glad you bought that ticket to my concert in Oxford." he pulled back slightly as he spoke so he could look her in the eye.

"Being backstage was what I imagined when you wrote about your career getting started, back when I thought I'd be coming home." Ally said.

"Exactly." he agreed.

They stared at each other for a moment. There was so much to say, so much they were feeling.

"I really don't want to say goodbye to you tonight." Austin said, his eyes flickering to her lips again.

"Neither do I."

The words barely left Ally's mouth before Austin captured her lips in a kiss. He couldn't resist her and he didn't want to try. She kissed him back with equal intensity, trying to convey everything she didn't have words for at the moment.

They lost track of time and everything else that wasn't each other. So it was a surprise when the car came to a stop. Austin reluctantly broke his kiss with Ally and saw confusion mirrored in her hazy eyes. The partition in the car opened a crack and the driver spoke.

"We have reached the airport sir." he informed the couple in the back seat.

"Oh. Um, thanks." Austin responded and looked at Ally again. She was blushing as she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. "Can I walk you in?"

"I'd like that." she said, lifting her bag onto her lap.

"I'll be right back, I promise." Austin said to the driver. "So don't go reporting me to Scarlett just yet. I only need a minute."

He opened the door and got out, stretching now that he was out of the confined car as Ally got out as well. He took her hand and they walked into the terminal where Ally's ticket was waiting at the check in counter.

"I'll call you tomorrow." he said as they stood in the short line.

Ally smiled. "You better. I don't make out with just anybody in the back seat of a car, you know." she joked as his smile grew wider.

"Well, you won't be making out with anyone else anywhere if I have my way." Austin responded.

Ally's heart stopped for a moment. Was this really happening? Could she and Austin really start again?

"I'll see you next weekend." Ally said when she found her voice.

"It's not soon enough, but we have no choice, right?" Austin said.

Suddenly Ally was next in line and their time was up.

"I'll miss you." Ally said.

Austin nodded, not wanting to speak. He hugged her tight and let go as the person behind the counter called for the next customer. Austin stepped out of line as Ally approached the counter, glancing back at him as she did. Seconds later she had her ticket in hand and was being ushered toward the security check point. Austin lifted a hand to wave and Ally mirrored the action before turning and walking further into the airport. Austin watched her until he couldn't see her any longer before going back outside to the car.

. . .

Alright lovely readers: do you think they can make it work this time? What did you think of the chapter? Any favorite moments so far?

weesh