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Other Beautiful Things

Title: Six Pack Summer
Author: LondonRain (Kristen)
Summary: Alternate Universe. The year is 1995 and Lyla Peretti is a famous singer and tours all the time bringing Katie along with her. This year they have to go to Australia and 16 year old Katie really doesn't want to go.
Rating: PG-13.
Author's Note:I know not the laws of Australia so I'm just assuming they are the same as here.

Chapter 1


Katie sat on the plane and put her head in the palms of her hands and looked out the window. She let out a helpless sigh, she hated having to leave all her friends for yet another summer in a new place.

"Mom, why do I always have to go with you? I could've stayed with Ashley or Sammy. Ashley's family even invited me to spend the summer with them at their beach house."

"Katie, you know how much I like having you there, you've always been my biggest fan. How would I get along with out you?"

"You've played a billion shows and I've attended pretty much all of them and you always are awesome. I don't see how having me there or not would change that."

"Katie it's not up for discussion. We're almost there. You know, most kids would kill for the chance to spend their summer in Australia."

"Yeah well let the other kids go, I just wanna go home. I don't see what's so special about Australia anyway." Katie muttered under her breath and Lyla shot her an unsympathetic look.

Simon Frasier sat in yet another dive club waiting for his turn to share his musical "gift" with the drunk paitrants. He took his place on stage and tuned his guitar. He played a nice slow ballad, but no one seemed to be listening. He stopped mid song and started to play a jazzy blues riff and all eyeswere on him. Conversations stopped as all eyes were on him listening intently. He loved being the center of attention, he couldn't get enough. He continued playing hte song people smiling and nodding along with the beat. When he finished playing the crowd went wild, standing ovations, loud applause, hooping and hollaring, whistling, you name it. Simon smiled and took the microphone.

"Thank you, you're a great crowd." He waved as the applause continued and walked off stage. The manager of the club shook his hand.

"Great job out there kid, you've got real talent." Simon swun his guitar over his shouldar.

"Thank you."

"You know, I keep my ears open and I heard a big American singer is coming to town and touring Australia."

"Yeah, so?"

"So, I also heard her guitarist quit and she might be in need of someone with such a rare and special gift."

"Oh really now? So, who would this "famous singer" be?"

"Lyla Peretti." Simon's smile grew with recognition, he nodded and thanked the club manager and walked out. This could be just the opportunity he needed.

Katie sat on a stool at the bar as Lyla practiced with her band. "They sound pretty lame without Fransisco." She thought to herself. Her mind drifted as thoughts of the handsome spanish guitarist flooded her mind. "Why did he have to join a grunge band, they are so last year." She sighed heavily, there was something about a man with an accent that drover her crazy. Alas Fransisco was engaged and really committed to his fiance. She sighed again and layed her head on the palm of her hand. She was so lost in her day dream of Fransisco taht she didn't notice a handsome man come and sit next to her, well until he spoke that is.

"Hey, kid." At first she didn't hear him or at least didn't respond. He coughed announcing his presence. "Hey, kid." She turned around the thick Australian accent finally registered. All thoughts of her crush on Fransisco was lost with the sound of his voice. She was even more forgone when she was met the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen. She told herself she had to play it cool.

"Hmmm?" She gave him her best annoyed look.

"So what are you doing here, they usually don't let youngsters in here." Ok now she didn't have to feign being annoyed, she hated being treated like a little kid.

"Ok one I'm not a kid, I'm 16 and two that's my mom up there."

"Oh, Lyla Peretti is you're mother?"

"Yup. Hey what are YOU doing here, this is supposed to be a closed rehersal."

"Hey, I'm here to talk to you're mother. I hear she might be in need of a guitarist."

"Ah, so you want to be a part of the band? What makes you think she's even looking for a guitarist?"

"A bar owner friend of mine said something besides just listen to them, they need a lead guitar."

"So you think you're good enough."

"I'm the best, kid."

"A little cocky now aren't we?"

"I have sheer talent to back me up." Katie supressed a giggle, this guy was too much.

"Well, put you're money with your mouth is."

"I'm ready." Katie nodded and got up off the bar stool.

"Hey mom." She ran up to the stage.

"Katie, dear, I'm rehersing."

"I know, but this guy," she pointed towards the stranger on the stool, "want's to try out for a guitarist spot."

"Well, young man, come on up here. Johnny go get the electric guitar from the back." The drummer did as he was told and returned in mere seconds and pluged the guitar in the amp.

"Ok big guy, give it a shot, wow us." Katie challanged.

"Be careful, man, Miss Peretti is hard to please." Johnny whispered.

"Well she is a musician and it is her band." Johnny laughed at this.

"No, I mean her daughter."

"What's the kid gotta do with anything?"

"Let's just say if she isn't impressed you can kiss your shot of joining us goodbye. Lyla listens to Katie and Katie knows good music and good musicians when she hears it." Simon nodded and looked over at Katie who glared at him with her arms folded.

"Ok, any day now." She tapped her foot impatiantly. Alright now he was a little nervous, he hadn't exactly made the best impression on her and now she was deciding his fate.

"Umm, what do you want me to play?"

"You mean you came down here wanting to be in the band and didn't prepare anything?" Katie rolled her eyes.

"I didn't say that, I was just merely wondering if you had any requests." He shot back. He than closed his eyes and began to play a song he'd written a few days ago. It was still pretty rough, but Katie was speechless. As much as she hated to admit it, he was really good. So not only was he drop dead gorgeous he had talent too. Lyla looked at her daughter trying to read her response. She could already tell that Katie was enamored with the young man on stage. When he was done everyone glared expectantly at Katie. She just shrugged and said:

"I guess, you'll do, you're ok."

"Just ok?" He looked at her almost hurt and Johnny interjected.

"Hey, man, that's a glowing recomendation coming from Katie. Welcome to the band man. So what's your name anyway?"

"Frasier, Simon Frasier." He shook the mans hand and smiled at the two lady's in the audience. Katie turned her eyes away from his, but Lyla smiled brightly at him thankful to finally find the guitarist her band really needed.

Chapter 2

Katie sat the bar watching her mother perform as she sipped her Dr. Pepper and tried to keep from looking at the new handsome guitarist. Simon Fraiser seemed to monopolize most of Katie's thoughts of late and she couldn't explain it. He was arrogant, self centered, egotistical, gorgeous, perfect body, beautiful green eyes, not to mention a to die for accent. The band had finished their set and she clapped wildly along with the rest of the crowd. Lyla got off stage and made her way over to her daughter.

"So how were we?" She took the empty stool next to Katie's.

"That was so awesome, Mom, you guys rocked. In fact that was the best I've seen you guys in a long time."

"I guess we have Simon to thank for that huh?" She gave her daughter a knowing smile and wink. Katie shook her head.

"Mom, I think you are giving him entirely too much credit. I meant that everyone, as a whole, was better. My comments had nothing to do with Mr. Frasier."

"Katie, I see the way you look at him or should I say the way you try NOT to look at him."

"Ok, Mom, yeah Simon's cute, but he's also arrogant as hell."

"So, kid, you think I'm cute." Katie's eyes widened in surprise and embarrassmant as she heard him behind her. She spun around and tried to cover herself.

"I guess you missed the arrogant as hell part huh?"

"I tend to tune out negative comments." He put his elbows on the bar and put his head on his hands and looked her dead in the eyes. "So what else do you think about me."

"Oh you don't want to know."

"Yeah, I do, come on kid."

"Will you stop calling me kid, you egotistical insensitive jerk."

"Well, don't hold back there."

"I haven't yet begun to tell you how much I loathe and despise you. You hide behind that arrogant and..."

"Cute?" He finished.

"Jerky" she corrected "exterior. You know I bet you could be really sweet if you wanted to be, but no you have to piss off everyone you come into contact with why?"

"Well, you're the expert, you tell me."

"I think it's 'cause you're scared."

"Of what, Dr. Freud?"

"Of letting anyone see the real you, of someone getting too close." Simon looked at her unable to say anything.

"Hey, Simon, we got to get back on stage." Johnny called. Katie watched Simon walk towards the stage every few seconds turning around looking at her. She knew she was right and he knew she was right. Maybe this summer could be interesting after all.

A week later.

Katie and Simon had gone a week without barely a word spoken between them. Everytime she would try to say something to him, he'd pretend to ignore her and walk away. When he would finally get enough courage to try to speak to her, she would always pretend not to hear him or bury herself in a book or her headphones. Now here they were alone in a deserted bar waiting for Lyla and Johnny to get back from picking up some new equipment for the gig that night.

"So..." Simon began.

"What?" Katie looked up from the book she was reading.

"So how long are we gonna keep on pretending the other doesn't exist?"

"I don't know, forever?"

"Fine, I was gonna try to be friends with you, kid, but you make that impossible."

"I make it impossible, what about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, I give you my perception of you and than you don't give me the time of day. I guess I struck a nerve huh?"

"You don't know what you're talking about is all."

"Oh I think I'm dead on, you're scared to let people get too close. The question is why?"

"You're wrong." He choked out which made Katie believe she was right.

"You know, I'm really relentless, so you might as well just save yourself some grief and tell me."

"I think you should just mind your own business."

"Oh, is there some deep dark secret you don't want anyone to know about? Did your lover try to turn you over to the feds by wearing a wire?"

"What?"

"Hey it happened to Sonny on General Hospital."

"Well, we're not on a soap opera are we?"

"Hey, I'm just saying it could happen."

"Not to me." He laughed and Katie giggled.

"Hey, at least I got you to laugh."

"That you did, I gotta give you credit, not much gets me to laugh these days."

"Anytime." She extended her hand as a sign of peace. "Truce?" He took the hand and shook it.

"Truce." He gave her a smile and wink which made her insides turn to jello. She smiled back at him.

"You know and if you still want MAYBE I can try and be friendlier towards you, but I'm not promising anything."

"Fine, you know you're not all bad, kid, you're actually pretty cool when you wanna be."

"Same goes to you." She turned around and sipped her drink and Simon did the same. She then looked over at him. "Oh and Simon, the name's Katie, not kid."

"Whatever you say, kid." Katie rolled her eyes and Simon smiled to himself.

Chapter 3

Katie walked into the club her mom was gonna play that night. She was hoping to get a chance to talk to Simon again. Their little talk the night before had actually went well and now she was even more attracted to him than ever, if that was even possible.

"Hey Mom, Johnny." She greeted as she walked in. She looked around and noticed a very important entity was missing. "Where's Simon?"

"Why don't you tell us?" Lyla glared at her daughter.

"How would I know? I'm not his keeper." She hopped up to sit on the stool in front of the bar.

"Yeah, but you were the last one to talk to him last night. Did he say anything?"

"No."

"What did you say to him?" She asked accusingly.

"Nothing! Mom, why is everything always my fault? We actually agreed to a truce and promised to be more friendly toward eachother."

"Then why else would he miss rehersal."

"I don't know, but if you ask me he's got serious issues. Mom, what do you want me to do, go to his house and check on him?" She joked.

"Would you?"

"Mom I was just joking."

"Katie, I think it would be nice if you went and apologized for whatever you might have said."

"I already told you I didn't say anything or do anything to him that could be considered even mildly offensive."

"Katie..."

"Fine, fine, give me his address." Katie relented as her insides did somersaults at the mere thought of going to Simon's house and the chance of being alone with him. Lyla wrote the address down on a napkin and handed it to Katie She grabbed the napkin, hopped off the stool and left in a huff.

"You actually trust Simon alone with your teenage daughter?" Johnny asked after Katie was out of ear shot.

"Katie has a crush on him, yeah, but it's not like Simon would reciprocate." Johnny supressed a laugh and shrugged and Lyla looked curiously at him. "What, do you know something I don't?"

"Let's just say that Simon's a man and Katie's grown up quite a lot..."

"What are you saying?"

"Just that Simon would be an idiot if he didn't notice her." Lyla's slid onto the stool and massaged her temples with her finger tips as she started to grow more than a little worried.

Katie walked up to an apartment door. She glanced at the napkin than at the number at the door.

"Apt. 33 this is the place." She lifted a hand to knock, but stopped when she heard a beautiful guitar solo. The music sounded so lonely and sad. Katie had to repress the urge to cry, the music touched her so. She took a deep breath and finally let her knuckles meet with the door in a light rap. The music stopped and all was silent. She knocked again, a little louder, still no answer. So she banged on the door.

"Simon, I know you're in there." She called. She heard some movement inside then teh lock clicked. Finally the door opened and Simon stood irritated on the other side.

"What do you want, kid?" She rolled her eyes, but let the "kid" comment slide when she saw the pain and sadness that reflected in his gorgeous green eyes.

"Simon, I know we haven't exactly been all buddy buddy, but I want you to know that you can talk to me. I'm a really good listen and you can trust me."

"Can I?"

"Yeah." He stepped away from the door allowing her to pass.

"So is that why you're here, to talk?" He moved a pile of clothes off the couch and through them in a corner to allow her to sit down.

"Not really. Mom sent me to see where you were, your missing rehersal, ya know and Mom thinks it's MY fault. So I actually came to drag you to the club to prove that you and I had burried the hatchet." Simon couldn't help but laugh a little as she spoke so animatedly. She looked up at him and was a little hurt he was laughing at her. "What?"

"Nothing, you talk a lot for a good listener."

"I was just answering your question." There was a silent pause and they both grew more serious. "So, Simon, what's wrong?"

"What makes you think something is wrong?"

"I can see it in your eyes and on your face. You're hurting nad I want to know why."

"Why should I tell you anything? We bearly know each other and besides it's none of your business."

"Then why did you let me in?"

"Because it's rude to keep a lady in the hallway."

"A lady?"

"A young lady, a very YOUNG lady." He added and Katie stood up.

"Fine, if you don't want to talk than I'm leaving." She went towards the door and as her fingers touched the knob, she heard her name and turned around.

"Katie, stay, please." His voice was a low whisper, but it echoed through the quiet apartment. She turned around and nodded giving him a supportive half smile.

"Ok." She whispered back and sat back down on the couch next to him.

Chapter 4

Katie sat on her bed listening to the radio and writing in her Journal.

"Hey I know I haven't written in here since I landed in Australia, but I've been busy. I know I said I didn't want to be here, but now I don't think I ever want to leave, not as long as Simon Frasier is here. Who is Simon Frasier you ask? He's only the most gorgeous man alive, but I swear I'm not superficial. Besides his awe inspiring bod, he has a good heart and an intense soul. If you had heard him play like I did yesterday than you would be forced to agree. He has a way to touch you at the core of your being with just a chord. I've never been as affected by anyone then I am by him. I try to play it cool, but it's hard especially after yesterday. What happened yesterday? Well besides hearing his wonderful guitar playing, he kissed me!! AHH! I know, but there is a down side. He only did it to make his ex girlfriend jealous. I've only spent like 2 minutes with the girl and I already can't stand her. She acts like she's god's gift to men and like she's soo perfect and friendly, but I saw the way she eyed me when she walked in, she's anything but. God, how could Simon ever want to be with her? I could offer him so much more, if only he'd give a "kid" like me a chance."

"Katie, telephone." She set down her pen and placed the journal on the nightstand when her mom called.

"Who is it?" She yelled down.

"Simon!" Katie's heart skipped a beat at the mere mention of his name. She immediatly ran her fingers through her hair and checking herself out in the mirror. The fact that Simon couldn't see her didn't seem to register. She took a deep breath and picked up the reciever on the phone next to her bed.

"Hello?" She said as sexy as she could.

"Katie? Is that you?"

Katie cleared her throat and started to speak normally.

"Yeah, it's me, what do you want?"

"Well, I wanted to know if you'd like to go to a club with me tonight?"

Katie was jumping up and down now trying her best not to squeal with excitement.

"Really?"

"Yeah, Lily and Holden are going and this is the perfect oppurtunity for us to make her jealous."

Katie's face fell and she sat on her bed defeated.

"Yeah, perfect."

"Good I'll pick you up at 8, be ready."

"I will, see you then."

"Bye."

Katie hung up the phone and covered her face with ehr teddy beart and let out an exasperated scream.

By 7:50 Katie was pretty much ready to go. She chose a light blue miniskirt with top to match, topped off with the perfect matching accessories. She was just finishing touching up her makeup when the doorbell rang. She checked herself one more time in the mirror as her mom called her.

"Katie, Simon's here."

She slowly decended the stairs and Simon's breath cought in his throat, this was Katie, a 16 year old girl, why couldn't he take his eyes off of her? He shook his head breaking himself out of the spell he'd been under and took her hand.

"Shall we go?"

"Yeah,"

"Katie remember..."

"I know no later than 2am and call if we're gonna be later."

"Very good and most importanly..."

"Have fun, I know mom, can we go now?"

"Yeah." Lyla waved to her daughter and watched as they drove off.

"So what did you say the name of this club is called?"

"The Garage."

Katie's knees weakened as he said "garage". Thank god she was still sitting or else she would've toppled over.

"Oh and Lily will be there?" She stammered, when she was finally able to regain her vocal chords.

"Yup with Holden in tow."

"How do you know?"

"A mutual friend."

"So how am I supposed to get in, don't they card?"

"Yeah, but you're with me kid, they won't question." Katie gave him a confused look. "I know the owner, he's a good friend of mine. I can bring in who I want as long as they don't cause too much trouble."

"Oh, ok."

"Well here we are." He got out and opened the door for Katie then extended his hand which she willingly accepted.
Loud music blared from the outside and she saw a line of people a mile long waiting to get in.

"We'll never get in, the long is forever long."

"I told you the owners a friend." Simon led Katie up to the front where the bouncer was.

"Simon, what's up man?"

"Nothing Carl, just here for some dancing and fun."

"Well you've come to the right place, haven't seen you in awhile, James was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten us?"

"Nah, is James here tonight I'd like to say hi."

"He'll be here later, so whose this little cutie?" He nodded towards Katie who looked shyly at the ground.

"This is my date for tonight, Katie Peretti meet Carl, the best bouncer in the history of bouncing."

"Hi." She said meekly.

"Hey, why don't you two go on in and have fun. I'll tell James you're here when he comes back."

"Thanks Carl, great to see you again." Simon put his arm around Katie leading her inside. If she thought the music was loud outside it was positively deafing inside.

"I'm going to see if I find Lily, just sit at the bar and order something, preferalby non-alcoholic"

"I know, I know, I don't even really like alcohol."

"Good." Simon set her down at the end of the bar then made his way through the crowd.

"So what can I get you little lady."

"Do you Dr. Pepper?"

"No, just coke."

"Fine I'll take a coke."

The Bartender smiled and went over to the otherside. He reached for the tap filling the glass with Coke then when Katie wasn't looking added a little rum to it. He snickered under his breath and set the drink down in front of her. She handed him some money.

"Enjoy."

"Thank you."

She took a sip and noticed it tasted a little funny, but she was thirsty. She drank the whole thing rather quickly. The bartender kept refilling the glass with the same rum and coke and Katie was starting to feel really weird and didn't know why, but she kept drinking her drink unaware of the cruel joke the bartender was pulling.

Chapter 5

"Katie, I don't think I see them anywhere."

"Simon!" She squealed as she looked up at him with hazy eyes. "It's Simon," she whispered to the bar tender who shook his head and poured her another drink.

"Katie, are you drunk?" He tried not to laugh.

"I'm not drunk. Pffft, I don't drink."

"I beg to differ." He picked up the coke she was drinking and sniffed it before chugging it himself.

"Hey, that's mine."

"Katie, how many of these have you had."

"This many." She held up 5 then 6 then 7 fingers. Simon put his head in his hands then squatted down to eye level with Katie.

"I think we should get out of here." The bartender came back and poured more in her glass.

"Not until I finish my drink." She picked it up then Simon put his hand on her wrist and forced her to put it down again.

"I think you've had enough."

"Hey, buddy, the lady want's to drink." The bartender interjected.

"I don't believe we were talking to you, so mind your own buisness."

"Simon, shh, he's a nice guy."

"Yeah great guy getting a 16 year old kid drunk."

"I'm not a kid."

"Hey she didn't say her age, besides whats a 16 year old doing in a bar."

"She's with me."

"I'm not a kid." She told the bartender firmly, neither man seemed to here her though.

"Oh and who are you."

"Your worst nightmare pal." He reached over the counter and grabbed the bartender by the shirt. He drew back his fist when a gentle hand reached out to him. He looked back and saw Katie's pleading big eyes.

"Don't." She stated simply and he let the bartender go and he fell to the ground. He quickly got back up and picked up the phone.

"Wait till I call the boss and tell him about this, he'll have you permetly thrown out, if not arrested."

"Go ahead call your boss, I'd love to see him again."

"What do you mean."

"Your boss is my best friend from high school, we're still rather close. I'd love to tell him how you served alcohol to a minor. Come on Katie, we're leaving."

"Aww do we have to."

"Yup."

"Ok, nice meeting you." She smiled and waved to the bartender and then tried to stand up, she felt light headed and almost fell. She quickly sat back down. "On second thought, right here is rather comfy."

"Katie?" He looked at the young girl who looked like she was about to lose her lunch. "Come here." He helped her stand, she was a little wobbily, so he let her rest her weight on him as he helped her out of the club. Once they were outside she looked up at him gratefully.

"Simon, what about Lily."

"She doesn't matter right now. Getting you home safely is number one priority ok?" She smiled at him as he helped her into the car and buckled her in.

"Simon, I don't feel too well."

"It's ok, we'll get you home and in bed and you'll feel better, at least until tomorrow."

"This was a great night."

"Really how so?"

"You care about me."

"Yeah I guess I do. You're my friend remember."

"Yeah and you take care of me."

"I don't know about all that."

"You are right now."

"Let's get you home." She nodded as he started the car. They rode in a comfortable silence for most of the way home.

"Simon?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think you could ever feel for me what you feel for Lily?"

"What?"

"Do I stand a chance, or will I always be some kid to you."

"I guarentee you'll never be just some kid to me."

"Really?" Her heart soared at his words.

"Really."

"But could you love me?"

"Maybe if you were a little older."

"So you still think of me as a kid."

"Katie, you are still so young and innocent. Sure your beautiful, but your jailbait."

"So." She pouted. "I really like you."

"It's just a crush, you'll get over it. You'll go back to America and meet some boy your own age who will make you think 'Simon who'"

"Nope, not gonna happen."

"Your positive."

"Yup."

"Ok, and how do you base this?"

"Some things you just know and I'm good at predicting stuff like that." She layed her head back on the head rest and closed her eyes. He looked over at her prepared to ask her how she knew this, but was met with her sleeping figure. He chuckled to himself as his eyes went back to the road only a few minutes later her found them back on her. She looked so sweet and beautiful. He shook his head as he tried to convince himself he couldn't be feeling this, it was wrong. She was so young and had her whole life ahead of her and besides he had Lily. He looked back at her again and for the first time he suddenly felt like Lily wasn't the only one who could capture his heart.

"If only you were a few years older." He sighed. He turned the car into her driveway. He got out of the car then opened her door and unfastening her seat belt before lifting her out of the seat. He carried her to her door and knocked. Lyla answered in her robe rubbing sleep from her eyes. She eyed Katie and Simon worry and fear in her eyes.

"Simon, what's wrong with Katie?"

"Nothing, she's just sleeping, she looks really peaceful doesn't she?"

"What happened?"

"The bartender thought it would be funny to give her some alcohol. She was completely innocent in the whole thing, I assure you. I'm so sorry I let it happen, if I had known..."

"Simon, I believe you. Now go put her in her bed." She gave a light sigh as she let Simon enter and carry her youngest child up the stairs. He opened the door to her room and layed her gently on the bed. He turned to leave.

"Simon, thank you." She said sleepily.

"For what?"

"Protecting me, taking care of me, everything."

"Anytime, see you latter kid."

"I'm not a kid." With that she was back to sleep.

"I'm beginning to get that now." He watched her for a few moments more then went back to her side and kissed the top of her head reverently then ran his fingers through the hair that fell on the side of her face before finally leaving the room, a smile planted on his face. He said his goodbyes to Lyla apologizing one last time before making his way to the car and then to his apartment. The whole drive home was filled with images of the girl who was suddenly becoming such an overwhelming presence in his life, no matter how much he hated to admit it, he was falling for the blonde "kid".

Chapter 6

Katie opened her eyes, only to quickly close them once again, the harsh light filling her room made her head hurt 10 times worse than it already did. She started to wonder if this is what it felt like to be dying. A soft knock came on her door and the sound echoed in her ears and seemed much louder than it actually was.

"Go away." She groaned, covering her already closed eyes. The door opens with a light creek and Katie held her head in pain.

"Katie?" Simon peeked his head in.

"Could you please not shout?"

"I was whispering." He walked over to her bed side a vase with assorted flowers in his hand. He set them down next to her.

"Flowers?"

"Yeah, I figured you wouldn't be feeling to good today."

"I feel like a steamroller just went over my head."

"Hold on, I'll be right back." Simon quickly exited the room.

"Simon…" Seconds later he returned with juice in one hand and a bottle of aspirin in the other.

"Juice helps, trust me and so does the aspirin, the most important thing is to get plenty of fluids in you." She takes the pills and drinks the juice, then smiles gratefully at him.

"Thanks, for everything."

"Hey, no problem."

"I don't think I'll be drinking again for a long time."

"I think that would be best."

"But you really helped me last night, you were a perfect gentleman, well from what I can remember."

"What do you remember."

"You carrying me to the car and putting me to bed. You left without finding Lily to take care of me."

"Hey, I couldn't leave you like that, now could I. Lyla would've had my head."

"So that’s the only reason you did what you did?"

"I care about you Katie, you gotta know that. You are my friend and at that point taking care of you and getting you home was top priority."

"Really?"

"Really. Well I'm off to rehearsal, I'm taking it you're not going huh?"

"Not this morning, if I feel better I'll come to the gig tonight though."

"Then I really hope you feel better, it won't be the same with out ya, kid."

"Stop calling me kid, Simon."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. You look so cute when you're annoyed." He smiled at her then leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek before leaving the room. When he was gone she held her cheek and sighed. She reached over and took another drink of juice and stared at the pretty flowers Simon had given her. Her crush grew more and more each day and she could see a glimmer of something new in Simon's eyes when he looked at her. Could she dare to hope that maybe he was starting to feel something as well? She took another sip remembering what Simon had said. If she wanted to be good for the concert she had to drink plenty of fluids.

That night Katie dressed in a tight outfit that showed off everything that she wanted to be seen and nothing of what she didn’t. She admired herself in the mirror and smiled. Tonight she'd have Simon right where she wanted him. He'd no doubt be asking her how she was doing and everything and she'd just have to play it up and get his sympathy. She put the last finishing touches on her makeup and hopped downstairs.

"Katie, feeling better?" Her mom entered the room.

"A little, enough to sit in the audience and watch my mom play." She gave her mom a quick peck on the cheek.

"You seem in much better spirits."

"Yeah, let's just say Tylenol is a life saver."

"And you'll be more careful next time I take it."

"Oh yeah, I don't ever want to see another alcoholic beverage for oh they next 5 years."

"Good, now let's get a move on shall we?"

"I’m ready."

Katie and Lyla entered the venue early, so early that they were pretty much the only ones there, except a few waitresses and bar tenders. Katie sat down on a stool near the stage and turned to the bartender.

"Can I have a coke?"

"One coke coming up." He set down the glass of coke in front of her.

"This is JUST coke right? Nothing added?" She looked at the glass and sniffed it.

"I assure you miss, it is just plain coke, right out of that tap." He pointed to the little sprayer.

"Thanks." She put the straw to her lips and took a sip. She kept looking around for Simon "He should be here by now." She thought to herself as she checked her watch for the millionth time. Suddenly she heard laughter coming from behind. She turned around and saw him and smiled, then her face fell as the person he was laughing with came into view, Lily. Katie started to feel a little queasy, again. Simon's arm was draped around Lily's shoulder and they looked very close. Katie felt tears spring to her eyes. She got off the stool and ran into the bathroom before Simon noticed her. How had this all turned out so wrong?

She went into a stall and let her tears flow out freely using a balled up piece of toilet paper as a tissue to wipe her eyes. She could hear the band beginning to warm up. She knew she had to make an appearance soon or her mom would get worried about her and the last thing she wanted anyone to know was that she was crying over Simon Fraiser. She stepped out of the stall and looked at herself in the mirror.

"Just great, my mascara's running." She dabbed at her eyes with some toilet paper trying to get rid of the black streaks running down her face. All the crying had ruined her makeup. "Just great, this is just great." She kept repeating as she desperately tried to fix her face before going out into public. When she looked semi descent, at least like she hadn't been crying in a bathroom stall for the past 20 minutes, she took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. She was greeted with worried looks from Lyla, Johnny and Simon.

"Katie, you ok?" Simon's eyes were full of concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a little something left over from last night." She gave them all a weak 'I'm ok' smile.

"Honey, maybe you should go home." Lyla offered.

"No, I'll be fine, I just need to sit down. Break a leg you guys." She kept the weak smile up all the way over to where she had been sitting before, only to see the seat was taken, by Lily. "Perfect." She muttered as she sat in the stool next to Lily's.

"Hey, I know you, you're Katie right?"

"Umm, yeah, Lily, right?" Katie nodded giving her a fake smile.

"Yeah, Simon's talked about you, I’m sorry about what happened between you two?"

"What happened…?" She stated unsurely.

"You know, the fight and the breakup."

"Oh yeah, well, ya know." Katie nodded and tried to look away to focus on the band who was about to start.

"I hope it's not to awkward."

"Awkward?"

"Yeah, now that Simon and I are kinda sorta back together." Katie turned and looked at her with shock and amazement, this couldn't be true.

"I thought you were with that Holden guy?"

"Yeah, well things are kinda on again off again, we never seem to stay together for very long?"

"Why not, he seems like such a nice guy and very cute."

"Yeah, he is, but for some reason I keep thinking of Simon, so I need to see where that takes me for awhile."

"So, what, you're using Simon?"

"No, not at all, I care a great deal about him, he's a great guy."

"Yeah, he is." There was a silence between the two females.

"Katie, I hope you're not too mad at us."

"Mad, why would I be mad, things weren't working quite as well with Simon as I had originally thought." She stated honestly, she had thought maybe something was between them, but obviously that was not so, or else Lily wouldn't be here on Simon's arm.

"Good, because I know you have to still see him everyday on account of your mother."

"Yeah, well, I think I can manage."

"You are a bigger woman then most."

"Thank you." They both turned to watch Simon do his big guitar solo and clapped wildly when the song was over.

"He is actually very good with that thing." Lily beamed proudly.

"Yeah, he is."

"But I wish he'd grow up, ya know."

"No, what do you mean?"

"Well it's just that playing in a band is all well and good, but it's not a career, he can't really keep this up for the rest of his life."

"Hey this is my mom's career and we've done just great and Simon will too. He's happy doing this, this is what he wants to do, you should be happy for him. If you care about him like you say you do, you should be supportive."

"I am, I think this is great for part time, having fun type of job, but he's gotta go out in the real world soon, make some real money."

"Oh as opposed to the fake money he's making now, right?"

"No."

"He's doing fine now, he has enough to pay bills, even extra, these gigs pay pretty well and it's not like he's with some little band that he started out of a garage, my mom is one of the top selling club acts in the world. This is a once in a lifetime shot for him and he's taking it and having a blast doing it. He loves music, you couldn't really say that you'd make him give it up?"

"Not entirely, just not have it be his main focus."

"Does Simon know about this?"

"No, we haven't really discussed it fully yet."

"Well don't you think that maybe you should? I think Simon would really like to know how his life's ambition is just a waste of time, don't you think?" Katie just shook her head in disgust and got up to move seats, she couldn't listen to this anymore, how could Simon be in love with someone like that? Katie watched the rest of the concert sitting against a wall, just wanting to be as far away from Lily as she could. If Simon wanted to ruin his future by going with someone like her, she'd just have to let him, besides there was nothing she could do, or was there. An idea hit her, something Simon had said about Lily played in her head.

"She always wants what she can't have."

"Well Lily, if that's the way you like it, then we'll have to do something about that." A wicked smile crept on Katie's face.

To Be Continued ....

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