Brook-

Hey Brook. Can you stop by the house after work? I have something for you.

I read over the text I had received from Rian a few times before the end of my work day arrived. I couldn't possibly think of what he could have to give me. I asked and he sort of ignored the question. It was probably clothes I'd left at the house last time I was there.

The following week after Alex was home from Japan, he had to go back to California for a few weeks to do more writing before the band went off to Brazil. It was still so strange to me how Alex could be in Maryland one day and before I knew it, he was worlds away again. I had no idea how any of the guys could handle that.

According to Cassadee, Alex was supposed to be in California from when they got back to Canada until the Japan shows and then again until Brazil. Alex apparently flat out told his superiors that there was no way he could be away from home for three months if it wasn't absolutely necessary. When I asked him about it, he swore it was because of the dogs and denied me having anything to do with it. I knew he was full of it and thought it was really sweet.

As hard as it was to tell Alex everything I had gone through with Josh, I'm so glad that I did. He needed to know how my brain worked, that way if I got a little weird sometimes, he'd understand.

At first I was afraid he would freak out and think I was crazy but he had taken the whole thing really well. He didn't judge me. Not at all. He would probably never fully grasp how much I appreciated that. It was such a great moment in our relationship.

I pulled up in front of Alex and Rian's house a little after three-thirty that afternoon. I saw Alex's car in the drive way but I had to quickly remind myself that he was not home.

I walked up to the front door and knocked on the large wooden door before letting myself in. The door was already opened and I knew Rian was waiting for me. As I stepped inside I was immediately greeted by two dogs, wagging their tails and jumping around my feet for attention. I knelt down to pet each dog.

"Hey Brook!" Rian called from inside the house, coming into view a few seconds later.

"Hi Ri," I smiled, greeting him with a quick hug. "What's up?"

"Not much," he said when I released him. "How was work?"

"It was fine," I replied, eyeing him carefully. "Now, I know you didn't ask me to come here to ask me how my day at work was. So what gives?"

"Well as you know, I'm heading out to California tomorrow," he started and it was all I could do to not roll my eyes.

Every time I spoke to Cass, she was updating me with how many days left until Rian came to visit her. I was happy for her and Rian but I was also bitter because she always had less days left until she would see her boyfriend than me. I wish I had the luxury to just hop on a plane and fly across the country to see Alex but I couldn't. Plus, I absolutely hated flying.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know we're leaving at five tomorrow," Rian said, pulling me from my thoughts.

"We? Did you need a ride to the airport?" I asked confused as Rian handed me a piece of paper.

"No, my mom is going to drive us."

I was confused as I unfolded the paper he gave me.

"Who's us, Rian?"

He shrugged and gestured for me to read the paper. My eyes scanned it quickly and I found I was holding a flight confirmation in my name for tomorrow.

"Rian, what is this?"

"Your flight confirmation. We leave at five."

"Rian. I can't go to California. I have a job and-"

"Relax,” he cut me off. “You can work all day tomorrow and just need to call in sick for Monday. You fly home Monday night and will be back to work on Tuesday."

I was beginning to see that I didn't have much of a choice, not that it was really going to take much convincing at this point. I was dying to see my boyfriend.

"Rian, that was incredibly nice of you. I swear I will pay you back for the ticket," I said hugging him tightly.

"You don't have to. I bought the ticket with my miles anyway," he said, letting me go. "Plus, I was happy to do it."

"Why is that?" I asked trying to contain how happy I was at the thought of seeing Alex in just over twenty-four hours.

"Well, you're miserable and Alex is super miserable."

"He's super miserable?" I asked, my face twisting to a frown.

"We're not supposed to tell you because he doesn't want you to worry, but Alex has been sick as a dog for about a week now," Rian explained.

"What? I speak to him every night. I had no idea he was sick."

I suddenly felt like a terrible girlfriend. How could I not know Alex was sick?

"He's very good at hiding it, I guess. He's got Cass and Jack waiting on him hand and foot whenever he's not locked away in the studio. They're ready to kill him."

"So really you're sending me out there to save Alex's life and your girlfriend's sanity," I pointed out, cracking a smile.

"That and I think you deserve a few days away and seeing Alex just happens to be the icing on the cake."

"Thank you, Rian," I smiled, giving him another tight hug. "Seriously. This is so nice."

"You got it, Brook," he said as I let him go. "Do you want to go grab something to eat?"

"I would,” I said shaking my head. “But I have to get home and pack."

"It's three nights," he laughed.

"Exactly. That makes it harder to figure out what to bring without over packing.
***

My Friday work day seemed to drag longer than usual but finally I was on a plane with Rian headed to California. I’d been so excited about seeing Alex that I sort of forgot how terrified being on a plane made me. It didn’t hit me until I was seated next to Rian and the plane started to taxi down the runway. Rian, being the angel that he is, held my hand during takeoff and didn’t let go until I told him I was okay. He did the same when we were landing. He was a serious Godsend.

Once the plane landed and the flight attendant welcomed us to Los Angeles, I was still finding it hard to believe that I was actually there.

Alex had no idea I was coming. Rian and I decided it would be better if we kept it a secret. When I spoke to Alex that night I could tell that he was trying to hide how sick he felt. Now I could see right through it but I pretended to know nothing. It was hard not to tell him I would see him soon, especially when he went on and on for like five minutes straight on how much he missed me.

Once we were let off the plane, Rian and I immediately bypassed baggage claim since our suitcases were small enough to pass as carry-ons. As soon as we stepped outside, Rian was attacked in a hug by the tiny brunette that I'd come to consider one of my closest friends over the past few months.

I stood to the side, trying my best not to feel awkward as Rian and Cassadee hugged and kissed and exchanged I love yous among a variety of other cute and adorable phrases. I wanted to gag. And I wanted my boyfriend.

"Brook!" Cassadee suddenly shouted, pulling me from my thoughts and it was my turn to be crushed in a hug. "How's it feel to be out on the west coast?"

"It feels great," I smiled, hugging her back. "It's good to see you."

"You too," she beamed, letting me go. "But I know you're here to see your man, so let's get you there!" she announced, leading us back to her car.

Alex was staying in a condo with All Time Low's guitar tech, Danny, for the time he was staying in California. Cassadee was going to drop me off there before heading to her place a few blocks away with Rian. On my way there, I was informed that Alex was not home as he was at the studio with Jack. Danny was waiting for me. I tried not to get nervous. I hadn't met Danny yet but I heard nothing but nice things about him.

"Hi Brook," he greeted me when I got to the house. "It's great to finally meet you."

I smiled as Danny took my suitcase from me.

"It's great to meet you, too. Thanks for letting me stay here for a few days."

"Are you kidding?" he laughed, ushering me inside. "It's not a problem at all. Besides, I think it's time someone else took care of Alex's sick ass."

I laughed a little, taking a seat in the chair Danny had pulled out for me at the small table in the kitchen.

"Yeah. I heard all about him making Cass and Jack crazy."

"Yeah. They took over when I was done," he laughed. "Can I get you anything?"

"No," I shook my head. "I'm good, thank you."

"Let me show you to Alex's room. You can put your stuff away," Danny said, lifting my suitcase from where he had sat it down by the front door.

I followed him to the room that Alex was staying in. I looked around quickly. It was neater than I expected, minus the pile of dirty clothes in the corner. On the night stand among the box of tissues, cough syrup and variety of bottles of different medication, there was a picture frame that held a picture of us that had been taken at the party at his house a while back. It was one of the first we'd ever taken together. On the bed, resting against a pillow was the teddy bear I won for him on one of our first dates.

He really was the cutest thing ever.

"Usually he wouldn't be home for a few more hours, but I'll call him and give him some reason to come home," Danny suggested.

"Okay," I nodded. "But do you think you can take me to the grocery store first? I'd like to get some things to make chicken soup."

"Of course,” Danny nodded. “Let's go."

Once we got back from the store, I quickly went to work on the soup while Danny called Alex.

Alex-

"Dude, you should probably get home soon," Danny said over the phone with panic in his voice.

"What? Why? What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't know. This girl showed up at the door a little while ago looking for you. I told her you were out and she insisted on staying until you got back."

"What? Who is she? What's her name?" I asked quickly.

"I have no idea. She didn't say. She just walked in and found your bedroom. She's laying down right now."

"Jesus, Danny. You just let anyone in the house?" I hissed.

"I'm sorry. She was very convincing that she knew you. I've never met this girl before in my life."

"Okay. I'm finishing up now. Jack and I will be back soon."

"Okay," Danny said. "Just hurry."

"I will. Just keep your phone on you. And maybe a sharp object," I suggested before hanging up.

"What's up?" Jack asked as soon as I ended Danny's call.

"Some girl showed up at the house insisting that I know her. And Danny let her in."

"Really?” Jack laughed. “Is she hot?"

I rolled my eyes as I started packing my stuff up.

"I don't know, Jack, but she definitely sounds a little crazy."

"Well are there any of your random Cali hookups that knew you were staying there?" Jack asked, packing his guitar away.

"No," I said quickly. "I don't talk to any of those girls anymore. And I haven't for a really long time," I explained while answering a text from Brook.

She was whining about a stupid school cheer competition she had to supervise super early the following morning.

"Good. That was a test," Jack smirked. "If she turns out to be hot, can I get her number?"

"Whatever Jack," I rolled my eyes as we gathered our stuff and headed to the car.

I passed the keys to Jack. My medicine must have been wearing off because I was feeling super tired all of a sudden.

I rested my head against the glass window and my eyes fell closed as Jack started up the car. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, my eyes were blinking open as Jack gently shoved my shoulder.

"Dude. Wake up," I heard him say.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stretched my achy muscles before crawling out of the car. I opted to leave my guitar in the back for Jack to get. With how run down I felt, I just wanted to crawl into bed, talk to my girlfriend on the phone for a little bit and pass out for the night.

I could tell Jack was following slowly behind me up to the front door. He was probably afraid I was going to fall over backward or something.

I barely had a chance to fish my house key from my pocket before Danny pulled the front door open.

"Finally," he sighed, ushering Jack and myself into the house. "She's in the kitchen."

I sighed. I'd forgotten about the mystery girl that showed up looking for me. I took a deep breath. A soothing smell floated from the kitchen and filled my nostrils. For a second I was sure I'd smelled this smell before.

"She's cooking?"

"She insisted." Danny nodded.

"If she's hot and cooks, I really call dibs," Jack announced, rounding the corner and walking into the kitchen.

Jack gasped loudly at whatever or whoever he found in there and after a few muffled words I heard him yell, "Alex. You'd probably want to get your ass in here. Like now."

I rolled my eyes, looking up at Danny, who just smiled and nodded his head towards the kitchen.

I took a deep breath again and dragged myself to the kitchen. I suddenly felt like I weighed three hundred pounds.

"Dibs!" Jack squealed as I stepped into the kitchen in time to see Jack place Brook back on the ground after spinning her around the room.

Brook. My girlfriend, Brook. In the kitchen. In California.

"Holy shit," I said quietly, mostly to myself as Brook gained control over her giggles and turned to look at me.

"Hey," she smiled. "I was in the neighborhood, so I figured I'd cook dinner," she said, gesturing to the pot on the stove of what I now found to be her chicken soup.

"That's too bad,” I faked a frown. “I already ate on my way home."

"Jerk,” Brook groaned, rolling her eyes.

I took a few steps closer to her, finally reaching her and wrapping my arms tightly around her waist and squeezing her tight to me. It still didn't feel real that she was there.

"How long were you planning this?" I asked into her hair.

She loosened her arms from around my neck and looked up at me.

"Actually, it was all Rian's planning. He pretty much called me over yesterday and said get packing, we leave tomorrow."

I smiled a little wider before moving my hands to her face and pressing my lips down to hers. I know I'd kissed her many, many times before this, but there was something about this kiss in particular that felt so right.

"Remind me to thank him later," I mumbled before leaning in for another kiss. "I missed you so much," I whispered when we broke apart.

"I missed you too," she replied and I cracked a laughed when I spotted tears welling up in her eyes.

"Don't start this," I pleaded, wiping away a few tears from under her eyes with my thumbs before kissing her again.

After a few minutes Jack cleared his throat and I was suddenly reminded that he and Danny were in the room and Brook and I had an audience.

"Sorry guys," I muttered, blushing a little as I released Brook, only long enough to wrap one arm around her waist and pull her close to my side.

"It's okay," Jack laughed. "I just wanted to know when that soup's going to be ready. It smells great and I'm starving. Or is it only for Sicky McSick over here," he said gesturing to me at the end of his sentence and I winced when Brook nudged me in the side with her elbow.

"Yeah. About that," she said, glaring up at me. "Why did I have to find out you're an inch away from death from Rian?"

"I didn't want you to worry about me. It's not a big deal. Honest. I'm fine."

"Bull," she hissed. "These guys all told me how much of a whiny, pain in the neck you've been," she called me out and I could tell she was trying not to laugh at me.

"They're just being assholes. I wasn't so bad," I tried and Jack and Danny's laughter completely betrayed me. "Okay, fine. When I'm sick, I'm an insufferable, miserable, pain in the ass."

Danny and Jack laughed again while Brook smiled and kissed me quickly.

"Go change and get into bed. I'll bring you some soup. Jack, Danny, you guys can help yourself."

"Okay," I smiled, kissing her again quickly before I said a goodnight to Jack and Danny before heading to my room for the night.

I changed into my pajamas and crawled into my bed. I had to fight back a smile when I realized Brook would be sleeping next to me tonight.

"Here it is," Brook announced, coming through the door a little while later with a bowl in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

"Thanks," I smiled, sitting up straight as she handed me the bowl and put the glass of water on the night stand, among all the medicine I was supposed to take.

I took a spoonful into my mouth and instantly felt relief; the warm liquid felt good on my sore throat.

"It's good," I assured Brook.

"Good," she smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of my head. "I'm going to go shower real fast. I feel like I smell like airport."

"Okay," I frowned. "Hurry back." I called after her as she closed the door to the bathroom behind her.

I ate a few more spoonfuls of the soup before I pushed the bowl away to take my medicines. By the time Brook was out of the shower and walked back into the room in her pajamas and her damp hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head, I could barely keep my eyes open.

"You okay?" she asked, crawling into the bed next to me, pulling the blankets over her legs.

"Yeah," I wrapped my arm around her. "Now I am at least."

She smiled sleepily, leaning her head on my shoulder.

"Did you take all your medicine?"

"Yes ma'am." I nodded.

"Good," she kissed my cheek. "Oh. And by the way, no studio tomorrow."

"What? Why not?" I frowned. "I'll bring you with me!"

"You need to rest and I know you haven't been doing that and that's why you're not getting better."

I frowned and she looked up at me.

"Don't make that face. It's for your own good."

"Okay. Fine," I sighed. "How long are you here for, by the way?"

"I fly home Monday night."

"You're going to fly alone?" I asked a little surprised.

Brook hated flying. She didn't handle it well. At least that's what she's told me.

"Yep. I'm not looking forward to it at all."

I smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"Thank you," I said and she looked up at me again.

"For what?"

"For what? Really? You got on a plane for six hours for me. You surprised me. You made me chicken soup."

"It was nothing."

"No. It wasn't nothing. It was awesome. You've been here less than an hour and I'm already feeling better."

She smiled, leaning up and kissing me again.

"I must be a miracle worker."
***

Notes

Story Title: Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly
Chapter Title: Gym Class Heroes - Cupid's Chokehold
Brook's outfit.