Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Previously...

"Stay with me, Austin."

"What?

"I want you to stay.. Please?"

Chapter 7

"Austin?"

He let out a breath as he chuckled, "You know, Ally, as much as I'd love to, I can't," he took her hand and kissed it. "I hope you understand."

"No worries. Goodnight Austin."

"Hey Ally?"

"Yeah?"

"Baby steps. For now."

A smiled appeared on her face. "Baby steps then." She opened the door but didn't get out. She turned and gave Austin a peck on the lips before running out. A silly grin appeared on his face as he watched her walk up to the front door of her building. Once she got inside, he started the car and drove to the hospital. He walked up to the familiar room and entered.

"Hey skater," Austin said in a soft voice.

Carter Mason turned her head and smiled at him. "Hey, slacker! What are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on you," he replied as he took a seat on a chair beside her bed.

"Where's Ally?" she asked.

"At her apartment," he smiled at silly smile again. "We got back together."

"Really? Congrats, dude!"

"Thanks. So how are you?" he asked.

"I'm good. I mean.. I'm better."

"That's good. So, I gotta go. Will you be okay?"

"Go! I'm fine."

He smiled. "Alright then." He leaned down and kissed her forehead and left.

The next day, Austin walked in the Sonic Boom. Wow, he thought. He hasn't been in here for so long. He looked around and found Ally in front of the counter, with her back facing him.

He smiled as he approached her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a peck on the cheek from behind before resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Hey beautiful."

"Hey Austin," Ally said.

"Hey Austin? Is that all I get?" he said as he let her go.

She turned around, wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, "Well, now that I can see you," she leaned in and kissed his lips gently. When she pulled away and he gave her a loopy smile. "That's more I like it."

She giggled as she kissed him again. He gladly returned the kiss. They were then interrupted by someone.

"Guess who's back from vacation?"

Ally looked towards the door. "Trish!" Ally ran to her and hugged her. "You're back!" She pulled away. "You look great, Trish."

"You too. So, what happened since I left?"

"Well," Austin started as he made his way towards them. He wrapped her arms around Ally's waist from behind again and smiled. "I got back together with the most talented and amazing and awesome girl in Miami." He kissed her cheek as Ally blushed.

"Austin... You're back! Wait.. What happened to Dallas?" she asked. Austin pulled away from his girlfriend.

"Who knows?" Austin and Ally said.

"Okay then. Hey Ally, look who I found?" Just then, a good looking guy walked in and smiled. "Hey Ally."

"Elliot! What are you doing here?"

"I'm visiting an old friend," he said. Ally then hugged him and Austin just let her. Once they pulled away, Elliot said to Austin, "So, you must be Ally's famous boyfriend. I'm Elliot."

"I wouldn't say famous but I am her boyfriend. Hey, I'm Austin. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Austin."

"So.. how did you two meet?" Austin asked.

"We went to a camp together as kids."

"Oh.. really... wow.. Well, I'll leave you two to catch up," he walked up to Elliot and whispered, "Fair warning. Don't do anything you'd regret." Then, he said aloud, "Have fun!" With that, he left.

Austin walked out of Sonic Boom to bump into Carter, who was supposed to be in the hospital. She looked fine, physically.

"Carter? You're supposed to be at the hospital," Austin started.

"I know but I got bored."

"Carter..." he started.

"Austin!" she said with a smile. "I'm hurt, not.."

"No.. Don't say it."

"Then I won't. Anyways, aren't you supposed to be with Lil' Miss Goody-too-shoes?"

"Since when did you call Ally that?"

"Since you left. I mean it as a compliment. Promise."

He let out a chuckle. "She's inside with Trish and her old friend, Elliot."

"Hmm... Old friend or old "friend", huh?" Carter teased.

"Shut up," he said playfully. "They are just friends."

"Right.. Like how you and her were just friends before. And Dallas too.." she cut herself off but it was too late. "I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad that he's gone. And as for Ally? I trust her, she wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"Right. Like when she let you-know-who kiss her on her birthday? Yeah, she wouldn't do anything to hurt you," Carter said sarcastically.

"Carter!" Austin exclaimed.

"What? I'm simply stating the truth." "I mean, a cutie like him? I'd probably jump at the chance."

"Well, I... Wait... Really?"

"Yeah. He's pretty good looking."

"So, what would you say to a double date?" Austin asked.

"Me and him? C'mon Austin, get real. I barely know the guy and you want to hook us up? Thanks but no thanks."

"C'mon, Car! Why not? I mean, you said it yourself, he's good looking and he seems like a nice guy." "If you do this, I don't have to worry about him and you get a new boyfriend. It's a win, win. C'mon Carter. Please?"

"I'll think about it. Let me meet the guy first, alright?"

"Yes! Carter, I owe you."

"I haven't said anything yet," Carter reminded him.

"Right, of course. Shall we?" he held out his arm.

"Well, I got nothing better to do. It's at least better than rotting in that hospital bed," she said as she took his arm.

Back at the Sonic Boom, Ally and Elliot were talking by the counter as Austin and Carter walked in. As soon as Ally saw them, she smiled and waved. She excused herself from Elliot and walked towards them.

"Austin? Carter? What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be resting, Carter?"

"I got bored."

Ally let out a chuckle and shook her head. She turned her head towards her boyfriend and asked him, "And you?"

"I was wondering if I could steal you away for a lunch date at 3pm. Since all of us are here, why not we all go? You, me and we can even bring Elliot and Carter. Make it a double date. What do you say?"

"Make it a triple date, with Dez and Trish, and count me in!" Ally said, excitedly.

"Since when was Dez and Trish...?" he trailed off, hoping she would get it.

"Oh, Austin... A lot happened while you were gone," Ally teased and pat his cheek. He turned and watched her walk up to the practice room, swaying her hips as she walked. He just looked. Carter noticed and smacked his arm.

"Ow! What?" Austin said, acting innocent.

"You're such a guy," Carter said as she rolled her eyes.

"For your info, I am a guy," he said.

"Whatever. See you at 3."

"Hang on. You haven't met Elliot yet."

"I was hoping that you'd forget."

Austin chuckled and dragged her to where Elliot was.

"Hey Elliot."

"Oh, hi Austin."

"I want you to meet my friend. Elliot, this is Carter Mason. Carter, this is Ally's friend, Elliot."

"Nice to meet you," Carter said.

"Likewise," Elliot replied with a smile.

"So, Elliot, me and Ally were wondering if you would join us for lunch. Ally, Trish, Dez, Carter and myself." "What do you say?"

"Sounds cool."

"Cool. Meet at the food court at 3."

"Okay. See you then," with that Elliot left the Sonic Boom. Austin turned to Carter and smiled.

"Shut up," Carter said.

"I didn't say anything!"

"You were thinking something! See ya, slacker!"

"I really think you should change my nickname, Car."

"Huh, says the person who nicknamed me "Car"."

"I also call you "skater"! Besides, I went all this trouble. It doesn't make me a slacker!"

"It does in my book." "See ya, Austin." Then she left.

I'm just gonna stop there now. What do you guys think? I brought in Elliot from Campers & Complications. What do you think will happen next?