Chapter 13

How can a heart be put back together after being smashed into millions of pieces? That question was going through Ally's mind as she was still recovering after what happened with Austin. He is still in the bathroom; she could hear his sobs coming through the door. It just breaks her heart even more if possible. This afternoon has gone a lot different than she thought it was going too. Sure there are tears and heartbreak, but Ally thought it would have gone a lot worse.

Don't get ahead of yourself Dawson. There is still more ground to cover. So Austin came to New York, to try and get her to go back to Miami. Ally couldn't help but smile at the thought, she just wishes he stayed around and found out that Tony was her cousin and not a guy she was hooking up. Then maybe they could have been together. Millions of thoughts are going through her head right now, if Austin had stayed would she have caved and went back? And would they have even gotten together? It was the tone of Austin's words that told her that he did have feelings for her then. Her heart couldn't help it, it beated a little faster at the thought that Austin had felt the same way about her as she had for him.

Austin even said it to her right in this very room that he fell in love with her. And All Ally wanted was to kiss him senseless and to never let go. But she didn't. How could she after everything they have been through. It would have been too soon and too fast. They both need to recover from their mutal heartbreak and see if it is even possible if they can become friends again.

Austin is still sobbing in the bathroom, she knows she should go and try and comfort him, but she just couldn't move. It was hard to process so much information in such a small area of time. She knows she should be furious with Austin for turning on her just because he thought she was dating someone else, but she just couldn't. He was punishing himself more than she ever could. The guilt and remorse she could hear in his tears nearly drowned her. So yes she should be mad, but she's not. All she wants to do now is hold him and tell him that everything is going to be alright.

That is if she could make herself believe it.

As much as she thought she had hurt during their time apart, it was obvious that Austin was hurting far worse. The way he acted was just out of being hurt himself by her actions. She couldn't help but think that if she stayed things would have been different.

But at this point there really is no point in wishing things were different. They were at this point and there was no changing it. But maybe with time they can move past it. Ally wants nothing more than to go back to Austin and Ally but without the emotional damaged that has been flicked upon them.

It sounds like Austin's sobs are slowing down; it becomes quiet in the bathroom. Ally finally has the courage to go and knock on the door.

"Austin?"

Silence. Come on Austin please let's talk. Finally he does

"Hold on Ally." He sounded horse. Ally walks back to the bed and sets down. The door opens and Austin walks out. And Ally just wants to die. The look of despair and utter self-hatred on Austin's face nearly killed her. She got up and walked to him, Ally pulls Austin in a hug so tight that it was a surprise that both still had oxygen to breath. Austin clinged on to her tight afraid that he didn't she would disappear. He then hid his face into her neck and the tears came again.

"I am so sorry Ally. I am so very sorry."

"Austin it's alright, it's going to be okay. I just need you to do me a favor though"

Austin looking up into Ally's eyes who was also filled with tears. "Anything Ally, I will do anything you ask."

"I need you to forgive yourself Austin. Because I have. What happened was awful but the good thing about it is that it is in the past. Austin I really need you to forgive yourself okay?"

How could she ask me to do that? Doesn't she know how much of an ass I was to her? And she doesn't want me beating myself up over it. How can she just be so forgiving after everything I done. I mean I held the fact that she wanted to chase her dreams against her, I got upset over thinking that she was with someone else when we haven't even admitted our feelings for one another and I fired her from Team Austin an Stole her song credits away from her. Not to mention that I used it as a reason to bang everything that walked.

How can this beautiful woman standing in front of me expect me not to hate myself for it? I would do anything for Ally, I would but I am not sure if I could do this.

She needs someone who is good for her. She needs someone that will never stop believing in her. Someone that treats her like the Queen that she is. As I am about to tell her my reasons why I can't forgive myself, she looks at me and she knows.

"You can forgive yourself Austin, because I can tell you I have. What point would it be to hold on to this self-loathing? It doesn't, Austin you hurt me, that is a fact. But after hearing you today I realized that I hurt you just as bad if not worse. We were best friends and I left you behind without a proper goodbye. If you would have done that to me? I would have hated you too. You apologized to me, but I don't think I have too. So Austin Monica Moon I Ally Dawson from the bottom of her heart wants to let you know how sorry I am. I never wanted to hurt the one person in my life that meant everything. And I Love You Too."

God how can I love this person more. I am just amazed at the kind of strength that is within her. I just cling on to her like to keep her from disappearing.

"Ally..." I try and put into words on what this means to me, but like always she beats me to it.

Ally slowly places a kiss on Austin's lips as a way to tell him that it is going to be okay. The feel of her on his lips is driving Austin wild. He felt more alive and on fire then he had with every woman he has been with intimately. Because even though those girls had his body, this woman in front of him had something that was more valuable. She had his heart. Austin closes his eyes as he settles into the kiss, the warmth of their lips was sending sensations down both their bodies, it was like something was finally coming home after being gone for so long. The kiss remains timid as it has been a while since they have been vulnerable with each other. It lasts a couple more seconds till Ally pulls away.

She smiles.

He smiles, and for the first time in three years he has felt like his old self and he couldn't help but thank Ally for it.

" Ally I don't know what to say that can describe how I am feeling, I can't promise you that I won't always hate myself for what I did, but I will try."

"Good, that is all I ask. Man this has been exhausting you hungry?" Ally asks. After they day they had she is starving.

" I am always hungry Als. Remember I have to feed these guns!" Austin flexes his muscles. After a few seconds both Austin and Ally busted out laughing. After the emotional upheaval they had today a little laughter was needed.

Austin finally settles down. Man he missed this. A few hours ago he thought this wouldn't be possible, in fact he was pretty sure that it would have been the last time they would ever see each other. Thinking that too much has been done to one another, but boy was he proven wrong. By forgiving him, Ally just proved to Austin that she did the right thing in going to New York; she achieved her dream and became stronger for it. Not many people can overlook all that happened and forgive, but that just proved how much Ally is really the better person of their group.

"So what do you want to eat?" Ally asks

"I can go for anything right now, but do you think we can order the food here to the hotel? I'm not ready to leave here yet you know?"

Ally smiles and grabs my hand. "Yeah I know, how about pizza? Usual toppings? I mean if they haven't changed."

"No I like the same as usual."

Ally nods and goes to place the order. I must look like a freak in goofball right now. The smile on my face is so wide I am not surprised that it hasn't eaten my face yet. But I can't help it, I haven't been this happy in forever. Now maybe we can focus on fixing us and getting a real chance of something more. Before I didn't have any hope, but now. Hope seems to be the one thing I do have and I have Ally to thank for it.

She is one special girl that Ally Dawson is. Now as I was saying maybe we can be something now that we were too afraid to try for back then. And not just us, Dez and Trish, It will be good to have the old gang back together. I know Trish really doesn't care for me anymore, but you know what? I am not going to give up, I am going to get my old life back and Trish was my closest friend besides Dez and of course Ally. I don't care how long it takes, that friendship will be fixed. It is funny how a gut wrenching afternoon can change someone's perspective on things. Austin is no fool he knows it is only because Ally was willing to forgive because if she wasn't then things wouldn't be. But there is no point in second guessing. Life is too short.

Austin is determined to fix what was broken and he took the first steps with Ally, He will also make right by Dez and Trish. Those three were his family and he plans on them being one happy bunch again. As for his parents, as bad as he would like to fix things with them, how could he go back to them when they told him he was dead? Parents were supposed to love their children unconditionally, and when the chips were down, Mike and Mimi Moon failed. Yes he is responsible for his share, but they failed from their side as well. Maybe one day possibly maybe they could. But not right now. And that is okay, Austin knows as long as he has Ally and the rest of Team Austin then things will be alright.

Speaking of Team Austin. It maybe time for a name change. He wasn't interested in being in the spotlight solo anymore. And to be honest he isn't sure if he will ever return to music at all. Which at one time in his life would be crazy to think of, I mean who was Austin Moon without Music? Nothing or so he thought. He has felt more like himself in these moments with Ally then in the whole three years he was devoted to his career. It also doesn't help that he burned bridges with Jimmy Starr, the man who offered Austin everything that he ever wanted. He knows he owes Jimmy an apology for his actions, but at the moment that isn't the first thing on his mind.

Maybe it was time for Austin to focus on his other dream this time. Him and Ally and the future that they could have. Okay you need to slow down Austin, Today was a start but let's take it day by day. There will be time for a discussion about the future.

"The pizza should be here in 30, is that okay Austin?"

"It is fine. I can handle the wait on one condition."

"What's that?" Ally laughs.

"I know we have things we need to focus on and heal the wounds of our past. And I don't want to pressure you but can I ask a favor?"

"Sure what is it?"

"You know when you told me when I was orange and sweaty that we would get a hug later? Three years later can I get that hug?"

Ally smiles, and moves into my arms. I wrap my arms around her and the only thing I can think of is that I was finally home.