Hello all! Yes, can you believe it? Another chapter so soon. Hopefully I can get on some kind of roll with this... Thank you, always, for reading and reviewing... Always...

Flashbacks in italics

Great Escape

"Do you have to stand so close" Annabelle said through gritted teeth and she gave a little jab with her elbow to Jason's ribs.

"Ow. Hey, its not my fault that they gave us standing room only tickets for this show" Jason quipped as he waved his right in front of her face trying to draw attention to the large amount of people around them at the moment.

"Well, you would think they could afford better, considering the ungodly amount of money they make, and well, the amount they made from us alone" Annabelle responded as she tried to swat away Jason's hand that was flailing around her face.

"We? What do you mean we? I seem to remember me being the one to write the music and lyrics. The rest of you just stood there and looked pretty" Jason said feigning a haughty posture sticking his nose in the air.

"It couldn't have been that much then, considering you are still working there. Wait, that's why you are still working there. Your songs were so bad you are working off all the money you lost them, right" Annabelle replied with a slight chuckle and soon was allowing a smirk form knowing Jason wouldn't really have a comeback.

"You, I... Oh, forget it. I am going to get a drink, and before you ask, 'no' I am not bringing you anything back" Jason stated as he shoved his hands in his pockets, but then taking a quick look over his shoulder before being swallowed up by the mass of heads and shoulders, letting a knowing look adorn his slightly scruffy face.

"Can we talk" Annabelle asked as she slumped in the swivel chair big enough for two people.

"Sure, what's up" Jason replied without looking up from the board as he was setting the pots back to level for the night.

"That doesn't look too hard you know. I don't get why they even pay you" Annabelle said with smirk as she twisted in the chair a little bit, letting her legs swing just enough to move the chair slightly.

"Whether its hard or not isn't the question. The question is did you even look in the mirror before you left the house this morning" Jason responded in a flat tone as he pushed his chair away from the sound board and gave Annabelle an exaggerated once over then rolling his eyes.

"I think I look quite lovely today, thank you" Annabelle countered as she reached up with her foot and tried to swipe at Jason's moving form, and after failing, just let her foot drop in a huff.

"Okay, Sleeping beauty, what is it that you wanted to talk about" Jason questioned as he sat back down after grabbing two waters out of the mini-fridge.

"Well, I know that I have a few months left of this tour. "I just think, I.. Annabelle couldn't get the words out as her eyes shifted to the shoelaces that were now flopping up and down due to her legs bobbing nervously.

"You just think that it may be time to go in a different direction" Jason stated not as a question but a mere fact. He knew that look. He had it himself a few years ago.

"How did, oh... Yeah, I think this could be the last go round for me. I don't have it in me to be on the road all the time anymore" Annabelle replied letting out a deep sigh as she finally stopped the chair's movement and was now resting her forearms on her thighs, with her hands clasped.

"Have you discussed this with anyone else" Jason asked taking a swig from his water bottle not removing his glance from Annabelle's face, studying, waiting for her reaction.

"No" Annabelle stated flatly

"Okay. Well, then are you planning on discussing this with anyone else" Jason said trying to get anything but a monosyllabic response from Annabelle.

"Yes" Annabelle replied with a little more inflection than her previous answer.

"Geez, that's the least amount of words to ever fall out of your mouth, ever" Jason quipped, trying to lighten the heavy mood that had settled over the soundproof room.

Jason could see the struggle emanating from Annabelle's face and posture. He fully understood where she was coming from, the internal war that was waging just below the surface, not obvious to most. He had been to a few shows in the recent past. She was ever the professional, dutifully fulfilling her obligations to the record company and her fans. She always put on a heartfelt show. But the cracks were beginning to show, at least in Jason's estimation, ever since they returned from Italy and that mountain that had seemed to be in between her and his older sibling, had begun to finally crumble. He could empathize with her need to feel secure with the person she gave her heart to years ago, not wanting to see them retreat backward. He also didn't want Annabelle to make such a big decision based solely on wanting to be with Simone. Not that it wasn't a good enough reason, a noble one, but one that he thought would be made in haste, not allowing Annabelle to really give any other reason a second's thought. She really had to do this for her, because she was truly ready to be done with this side of the business, ready to explore what she was capable away from the stage and the bright lights. He wanted her to have completely gotten the 'road' out of her system before making such a big decision. Of course he wanted nothing more than to see Annabelle and his sister happy, but happy without regrets, from either of them.

"Jas, I thought I could do it all. That I would be happy just knowing that I had someone 'waiting' for me so to speak. That I would come off the road and just be happy with a day here and a day there, just thinking that would be enough" Annabelle said as her voice was barely audible, seeming to be lost in thought at the same time she was talking.

"Annabelle, I just hope that you... Jason was interrupted by Annabelle saying, "I know what you are going to say. I have, I have thought it over. I have had a lot of time alone in my own thoughts while on the road, and even before I left on this tour. She is everything to me Jas. Everything. I don't feel that draw to the road anymore. The fans. Yes, you know as well as I do what a rush that is. I know my priorities have changed. Can I say one-hundred percent if Simone and I were not together again that I would be thinking like this? Honestly, I can't. Now, it doesn't matter. I am thinking like this, and this is how I am choosing to handle it. It has been a long time coming for me. This is just speeding up the process a little" Annabelle said without really taking a noticeable breath. Feeling a comforting hand over hers, she felt a sudden touch of panic after putting her thoughts out there on this subject for the first time.

"Annabelle, you should just... Jason was cut off by Annabelle's insecure tone, caught off guard by this display from his normally confident if not bordering on cocky 'little sister'.

"What if she says no".

The crowd was in a frenzy as the band was just about to re-emerge from backstage to do an encore. Jason and Annabelle shot each other a knowing look, and pretty soon, he was leading her through the sea of people with a slight grip on her upper arm, just in case those around them decided to form a last second mosh pit as the band picked up their instruments for one last song.

"Well, that was fun" Annabelle said with a sarcastic tone after she and Jason were finally outside and had the ability to walk without being smashed up against him for the last couple of hours.

"If you don't appreciate the finer details of the evening, then it looks like you are going to have to find some other way to keep a roof over your head, among other things" Jason replied shaking his head with a slight chuckle watching Annabelle fight the beads of sweat that were still keeping her hair matted to her forehead.

"I will just have to find a sugar mama. I don't think that would be too hard, with my good looks" Annabelle responded with a flip or two of her hair as she strutted a little more forcefully, then stopping and turning toward Jason with a wink.

"Just, just get in" Jason said with a shake of his head as the limo pulled up beside them taking them away from the small arena without incident and back toward the city.

"You know, you could still always write" Jason offered as he handed Annabelle a bottle of water to help cool off from the last couple hours.

"I could" Annabelle said quietly as she took a large sip from her bottle. She had so many thoughts rushing around in her head at the moment, she couldn't really think straight.

"Just think about it. I can tell your mind is already on overdrive. Its not like you have to make a decision right this minute. Just know, regardless of what you do, you have a lot of support" Jason replied as he reached over and gave her hand a small squeeze. Even though most of the time, these two were playfully at each others throats, he knew that she was really struggling to find a path that she could better navigate, not only for herself, but for the relationship he knew she would do whatever it took to make it work, now, and forever.

"Thanks Jas" Annabelle responded with subtle pressure from her own hand. Her words were few, but sincere. Jason had turned into the brother she never had. A bully most of the time, but at the same instance, the most staunch protector. She knew he would do what ever he could to help her transition from road weary rock star to, whatever niche she found in another side of the business. He knew she could do whatever she put her mind to. He had been there so many times over the years from her joining the band, to the record deals, the tours, the long nights and the broken heart. She had a tenacity that he knew would make her successful in anything she wanted. What he was most grateful for, was her unwillingness to let her heart belong to anyone else but his sister. Even though the last couple of years had been spreading everyone and emotions thin within the little family they had built for themselves, that bond never really snapped, even with the weight pulling from all sides.

Jason and Annabelle were in their own thoughts, not noticing the car had come to a stop in the garage of the record company. The sound of the window being lowered brought them out of their contemplative states as they heard; "Is there anything else"?

"No, thank you. Thank you for the safe ride, have a great night" Jason replied as he nudged Annabelle to get her to move toward the door.

"Thank you" Annabelle said as she stepped out onto the hard surface, looking toward where her car was parked. The black beauty still shining in the florescence of the garage, a smile washed over her features, having a sudden realization that there was a shift in the air, things were different, nothing tactile yet, but in essence.

"You going straight home" Jason asked as the door of the limo clicked closed behind him.

"Maybe, maybe not" Annabelle replied cryptically.

"Okay sparky, well, just let me know somehow, someway that you made it to whatever destination you have in mind safely" Jason said with slight chuckle as he waved his phone in the air for emphasis.

The light sounds of knocking snapped her head toward the door. She slowly made her way over to the door, hand already resting on the knob, knowing who it was, but still taking the time to check the peep hole before finishing her hands motion and letting dark eyes settle on slightly disheveled blue eyes. It had been such a long time since they last saw each other face to face. Time, travel, and life just making it impossible to stay connected as they once were, in a much simpler time. Two smiles were lighting up the doorway, which was soon a thing of the immediate past as Annabelle strode over the threshold of the place that she was not all too familiar with, but that didn't matter, this was a home that she would always feel welcome in, no matter how long in between visits.

"Thanks for letting me crash your place" Annabelle said as she wrapped her arms around the person that she knew was her rock, no matter what the years had brought them.

"You know you are always welcome here, and anywhere else me or my family may be. Collins replied with a tight squeeze around her best friend, grateful she had decided to let Annabelle into her life all those years ago.

"I appreciate that, and the same goes for you. My mother says hello by the way" Annabelle said with a big grin just happy for the connection that she had with Collins and her family, knowing in reality, they were all a part of each others families, with a few more in tow now that the years, marriages and reuniting of souls added more to the fray.

"How is she doing" Collins asked, genuinely concerned, knowing that the Senate races were heating up.

"She is flat out exhausted. You know, she is like a machine though, and wont rest until all of mankind is safe" Annabelle rattled out with a slight chuckle, garnering an eye roll from her best friend.

"You are such a smart ass" Collins retorted as she turned toward the living room that was radiating with a slight warmth from the crackling fireplace.

"Yeah, well you still love me anyway" Annabelle stated as she gave Collins arm a light squeeze and then allowed herself to fall silently down onto the love seat closest to the fire.

"I've just felt sorry for you all these years, please don't take that as anything but sympathy" Collins replied, getting better at jabs and quips after all the years being around the band.

"Good one" Annabelle said with a smirk and a nod, and continued by saying, "So, I may need a little help with something" Her voice wavering just a bit as she looked toward the fire, the flames reflecting in her eyes hiding the anxiety that was bubbling beneath the surface, not so much from doubt, just flat out knowing that she was finally here, the one moment in her life that was at once so far away, but now, so close she could taste it. She knew she wanted things to be perfect, not rushed, but her lack of patience was pushing her to the edge a bit, just wanting to throw all the formalities out the window and sweep Simone away, and never look back.

"Of course, what is it" Collins replied, realizing that Annabelle was deep in thought. She cleared her throat for the second time not getting a response when she finally heard; "I need to go shopping. I thought of you immediately, knowing, you have impeccable taste and... Annabelle was interrupted by Collins saying "Shopping for what? Annabelle, you have a great style of your own, you have never picked anything that I have suggested before, I think out of spite to be honest but... Now, Collins was being interrupted by Annabelle, as she blinked a few times at the words she just heard, Collins, not sure if she heard correctly, then she heard it again.

"For an engagement ring".

"Hi, is this Simone Bradley" The voice on the other end of the line said, in a lame attempt to cover a chuckle.

"Yes, it is, how may I help you" Simone replied, not giving into the desire to laugh herself.

"Really, thee, Simone Bradley. World famous photographer and editor" The same voice was now dropping down an octave, not trying to hide the flirtatious nature of her words.

"The one and only. Who may I ask is calling" Simone said with a flat tone as a smile washed over her features as the caller's tone sent a slight shiver down her spine.

"Your number one fan" The caller said in a tone that had Simone gripping her phone a little bit tighter.

"Well, I would love to meet my number one fan. What are you doing for dinner tomorrow" Simone returned the words in a hushed tone, trying to keep her true emotions from showing in her voice.

"Tomorrow is too far away. I was thinking a bit sooner than that" The voice on the end of the line answered just above a whisper.

"When, exactly were you thinking" Simone replied with a higher pitched tone suddenly wrinkling her forehead.

"Now" The caller stated firmly, then letting out the breath they had been holding in a deep satisfying sigh.

Simone didn't even hear the knock on the door. Her feet automatically took her to her destination after hearing the one word answer on the other end of the line a few seconds before. That voice had surrounded her with a buzzing feeling from the second she answered the phone. Nothing could compare to the subtle growl that would emanate from her throat when she was waking from a sound sleep, after a concert, and when she wanted Simone to know, that her heart was hers and hers alone as she whispered into her ear each night no matter if she was physically wrapped around her or on the other side of the world. A couple of minutes had passed when Simone heard that voice again, this time without a barrier between them.

"Hi" Annabelle said as she locked eyes with the blond-haired beauty, then slowly raked her tired eyes over the length of Simone's figure as that undeniable glint returned.

Simone just stood there, leaning against the door, hoping that this wasn't a continuation of the dream she was having earlier while dozing on the couch as the TV hummed in the background.

"Do you think you can spare a few minutes for your number one fan" Annabelle asked, covering her chuckle taking in the spaced-out features in front of her.

"Hi. Of course, anything, for my number one fan" Simone said as she snapped out of her daze, with a small smirk of her own as she stepped aside, allowing Annabelle to fully enter the house.

TBC...

Peace!

Great Escape is by Pat Monahan