A/N- Hey guys sorry for the late update, this chapter is just a fill in two days after Ally stayed the night at the hospital:) Hope you like it, the next chapter will be better I 100% promise:)

Fighting Against the Odds

Austin's POV

I sipped on my coffee diligently.

My fingers tapped on the keyboard, I was recently trying to find out any information or history on the Memorial Bank. I wanted to know if there was an underground tunnel underneath the building, if so, this was just going to get even more confusing than before.

Did I mention it was my first day back from the hospital?

I got discharged yesterday morning, I wanted to go to work but of course Ally being Ally just had to insist on me staying home and getting rest. It was annoying, trust me I know Ally's a really great person but her paranoia can get the best of her.

She called me 8 times and messaged me 3 times every hour.

Apparently she called it her 'check up'.

Last time I checked check-ups don't involve annoyance.

Suddenly I felt a pair of eyes watching me, it sent a chill down my back. I knew it was Ally but I was just too busy to even yell at her or scold her, I've missed a lot of work due to the radioactive bombing and the shot I got in my side. I don't need anymore physical distractions.

"Austin..." She whined.

I rolled my eyes and forced my eyes upon the brightly lit computer screen.

She started poke my shoulder lightly, "Austin..."

I slammed my fist on the table, "Dawson! This is not a playground, we don't have time to mess with each other. Can't you see I'm busy with work?" I screeched angrily. She looked at me and cocked an eyebrow, "You work too much Austin."

"Okay and?"

"You just got out of the hospital you deserve a break." She soothed.

"Breaks are for the weak." I snapped, while clicking on my email icon. She shook her head and pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, turning back in her seat she took out a stack of papers from her black leather bag and tossed them on my desk.

"You idiot, while you were out I looked up the Memorial bank research myself."

I raised an eyebrow and scanned the papers, "Where'd you get this?" I asked.

She shrugged, "I just simply found it."

I flipped a page and found a picture of the Memorial Bank before it got rebuilt. It looked old, but back in those days they would have called that something expensive. The famous statue of the president who owned the bank was there and it still looks the same as the one today, but maybe it was a bit more polished up.

"Pretty neat huh?"

I sat them down, "Still doesn't say a damn thing about the tunnel."

"So? We can always find it right?"

"That'll take too long," I retorted. "You're too impatient."

"And you're too stubborn to realize that I have this all under control."

I turned my chair in an angle that faced her and laced my fingers together sophisticatedly, "If you so called had this under control, we would've have found where these people were hiding the underground bomb by now."

She turned in her chair to face me, "Look Austin, I don't know why you're in such a mood."

"I can be in any mood I want." I whined.

"No you cannot, especially if it was towards a person who's been nothing but nice to you, you jerk." She snapped angrily before grabbing her bag, she got up from her seat and grabbed her coffee. "Ally? Where are you going?" I asked standing up.

She scoffed, "Anywhere but here," and with that she walked out of the room.

I sat back down in my seat and leaned back in my chair.

Was I really in that much of a mood? Even after she had treated me so nicely at the hospital that night? Even though she tired as hell, yet she decided to stay and keep me company through the lonely dark night?

Why was I being so moody?

I couldn't control my anger or my feelings.

I have self control, but sometimes with Ally it's like anger wells up inside of me.

Should I get up and go after her? Maybe I should, but...then again...it is quiet...

Suddenly the door swung open and in came Dallas with his snazzy suitcase, "Ally totally ignored me out there in the hallway, she looked so pissed." He enthused while pulling out a pack of cigars.

"Thanks for the enlightenment." I said sarcastically.

He swiftly sat down in Ally's empty chair and pulled out a lighter, "You're pathetic."

My eyes widened and I stared at him in complete and utter shock, "W-What?" I stuttered. He shrugged and lit his cigarette and took a drag, "Look Austin I don't care how many damn years you've been working in this corporation but hurting Ally out of all people? Are you really that cold and shallow?"

"She was bothering me Centino!"

"I don't give a fuck Moon, you like Ally a lot, why do you always have to screw it up for the both of you two," he snapped angrily while taking another drag. he leaned back in the seat and crossed his legs, "Is it because of her?"

I froze.

"No."

"Oh just cut the crap will you!?" He yelled.

"Shut up will you!?" I screeched. Suddenly Dallas grabbed my collar and shoved me up against the wall, I hissed in pain as my side began to ache, "You son of a bitch, you're hurting Ally because you can't seem to get over your own feelings for someone who's a traitor? Who betrayed us? You're so fucking clueless! I heard that she stayed with you a whole night yet you treat her like crap!" He screamed.

I looked away, refusing to look him in the eye, "It's your fucking pride."

"No it isn't!" I retorted.

His grip tightened, "Well then lets get it straight Austin, you need to fix things with Ally or else." He threatened. I looked him in the eyes and glared at him as I laughed, "Or else what Dallas?" I challenged.

He smirked and took a drag, "Or I'll take her for myself." He blew a whisp of smoke in my face before letting go and sauntering off into the hallway. I stood there frozen in my place, I didn't care if the smoke irritated my eyes.

Or I'll take her for myself.

The words echoed in my mind like a dark empty tunnel.

My hand clenched into a fist, there was no way in hell I was going to let Dallas have Ally. She was too good of a person to even get kissed by him, of course we've been best friends but competition was always over our friendship.

Dallas and I were competitive in work, running, soccer, and now...love.

Well love, welcome to the game, let's just see who can win the trophy now.

A/N- Hey guys I know I haven't updated in like forever! I'm such a horrible author, I'm really sorry I got a bit busy after I last updated and now that I'm a freshman I have tons of homework and stupid things to pile onto my desk at night:( I'll be trying to update a lot of my stories and as I promised I haven't forgotten about the sequel to Clarity, trust me I'm working on it as we speak, so please read! Review! Love!:)

-Taylor