From their first date on, Alannah and Chris were inseparable. It seemed like the perfect relationship. They laughed at the same things, always wanted to do the same things, and Alannah even started playing pranks on people along with Chris. They were the practical joke duo that wouldn't quit and they drove everyone nuts, especially Lance. He had been happy when the two of them got together, but now he felt like he had lost his best friend. In a way he had, he thought, because Al was always hanging out with Chris and never had time for him anymore. He approached her about this one day when they were getting ready to leave the hotel for their last concert venue.

"Hey Al, can I talk to you for a minute ?" Lance asked as he walked into her hotel room.

"Of course. I'm just about finished packing, so go ahead. I'm listening."

Lance watched as she hurried back and forth, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything. It distracted him for a moment, watching her slender form dart back and forth. Her hair was hanging loosely past her shoulders and it swished from side to side as she walked. He had a sudden longing to touch her hair, but pushed the thought out of his mind as he remembered the reason for his presence. "Um, I just wanted to talk to you about Chris."

"What about Chris ? Is something wrong with him ?" she asked, turning toward him with concern flickering in her eyes.

"No, nothing like that. I just wanted to know if you're happy with him." Lance knew this discussion was not going to end happily, but he had to know how serious this relationship was.

"That's a silly question. Of course I'm happy with him, why wouldn't I be ?" she asked suspiciously.

"No reason. I just wanted to make sure my best friend is happy," he answered with a smile.

"I'm happy, but I have a feeling that you aren't," she stated as she closed her suitcase and turned to face him.

"Why wouldn't I be happy ? I've got everything in my life that I need. What else would I need to be happy ?" he lied.

"I don't know Lance, why don't you tell me ?" Damn, she always could read him like a book. She sat down on the bed and motioned for him to sit beside her. He moved slowly to the bed and sat down. God, this was going to be torture. He could smell the floral scent of her perfume and her shampoo and it was driving him crazy. He fidgeted for a minute and finally began pacing the room. "Lance, is everything OK ?" Alannah eyed him worriedly.

"No, everything is not OK, Al. You want to know what else I need in my life to be happy ? OK, I'll tell you. It's you. I need YOU." He felt like he had screamed the words, but knew that he actually had spoken in a whisper.

"What do you mean, you need me ? You've had me as your best friend since the day we met," Alannah replied in confusion.

"No, not as a friend. I want you to be more than a friend," Lance explained as he sat beside her and held her hand. "Don't you understand ?" he pleaded with despair in his eyes.

"I do understand, but I'm sorry Lance, I don't feel the same way. I'm dating Chris and I love him. I love you too, but only as a friend. That's all, I'm really sorry," she finished with tears in her eyes. She looked up at him and wanted to cry. She didn't want to be the reason that her best friend was unhappy. She wanted to tell him that she loved him too, but it wasn't the truth and she never lied to her best friends. She pulled her hand from his and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry, but can we still be friends ?"

"Of course. I'm sorry that I brought this up, but I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. I wish you loved me too, but I understand that you love Chris and I can accept that. Just know that I'll always be watching over you and loving you."

"Thank you." Alannah wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up. "Well, I guess we'd better get going."

"Yep. The bus leaves in ten minutes. Do you want me to carry your suitcase for you ?"

"No thanks. Chris will be here in a minute and he'll do it." She noticed his slight cringe at the mention of Chris's name, but made no comment. She let him out, still feeling sad at his confession, but she cheered up as she saw Chris doing cartwheels down the hall.

"Hey baby, why are you in such a good mood this morning ?" she asked as she helped him up after his last cartwheel.

"Because we're going to be finished with the tour tomorrow night and because I have you in my life," he answered as he kissed her cheek.

"Aww, aren't you sweet," she replied. "I thought you'd be disappointed that the tour's coming to an end."

"Nope. Now I'll have more time to spend with you." He picked up her suitcase and took her by the hand. "Are we ready, milady ?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Goodnight, San Antonio !" the guys screamed as the show ended. They came running backstage, flinging towels and clothes in the laundry bin. Alannah and Lillian were waiting on the bus for them as they jumped onto the bus. Chris came over to Alannah who was sitting on the couch and flopped on top of her.

"Eww, you're covered in sweat. Get off me!" she teased.

"Oh come on, I just wanted to use you for the cutest towel I've ever seen," Chris replied in mock hurt. He rubbed his hair on her shirt and proceeded to kiss her neck.

"OK kids, get a room," Justin commented from his spot on the floor.

"Right. Like you and Britney don't make out in front of us all the time anyway," Chris retorted.

"Whatever Chris," Justin said as he threw a pillow at him. It missed and hit Alannah in the face.

"Ok, little boy, this is war," she stated. She jumped up and beat him over the head with the pillow repeatedly.

"Down feisty girl," Chris said as he pulled her off Justin. Alannah swung the pillow around and started beating Chris with it. This started an all out war with pillows, until Lillian stopped it after Justin hit her in the face with one.

"OK children, no more playing. It's all fun and games until you hurt the pregnant lady," she scolded.

"That's right," JC backed her up. "We've got to keep our little boy safe."

"Little boy ? How do you know that it's not a girl ?" Lillian interrupted.

"I just know," he stated with confidence.

"Whatever JC." This little argument was interrupted by the bus driver's announcement that they were at the hotel. They were spending the night at the hotel and then flying to different destinations to spend some vacation time with family and friends. Alannah was flying with JC and Lillian back to Orlando where she now lived. Lance, Chris, and Justin were flying back to their hometowns to visit family and friends, and Joey was flying to L.A. to be with his girlfriend and their little girl. They were all going to meet in Orlando in three weeks to start work on their next album.

Everyone raced off the bus with bodyguards at their side so they could make it safely through the sea of fans. Chris held Alannah's hand tightly so he wouldn't lose her in the crowd. Alannah noticed some of the fans were giving her dirty looks, but she ignored them. She knew it was something she'd have to get used to. He pulled her close to him in the elevator and wrapped his arms around her. It was only in this moments when no fans were around that they could show their true affection for one another. They had decided to wait a while before announcing that they were dating. He released her and only walked closely beside her as they entered the hall of rooms where they'd be staying. This time around, Alannah and Chris would be rooming together, so Justin would have a room to himself. Lillian had questioned Alannah about the two of them rooming together earlier, but Alannah assured her that nothing would happen. Lillian had left it at that, but was secretly worried about the two of them rooming together so early in their relationship.

"So, here we are," Chris announced as he opened the door to their room and escorted Alannah inside. He noticed the uncertain look on her face and asked, "You're not worried about us rooming together, right ?"

"Hmm ? No, of course not," she replied as she set her suitcase down. "Why would I be ?" she continued as she went over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"No reason, you just had a strange look on your face a minute ago."

"Oh, I'm just tired, that's all. I'm not used to all this touring like you guys are."

"Believe me, we're not used to it either. I guess we get used to it after a while, but really it's hard to get used to."

"I don't see how you do all this and stay alive. I mean, these last three months have been great, but I couldn't do this all the time. I need my sleep."

"You'd be able to do it if it was your dream. I think you've done a fantastic job of keeping up with us. Are you going to stay with us and help with photo shoots and stuff even when we're not on tour ?"

"Of course. I couldn't leave you behind even if I wanted to," she replied with a smile.

"I feel the exact same way about you. In fact, I have a little present for you."

"A present ? What's it for ?"

"Just because I'm going to miss you while I'm in Pennsylvania and you're in Florida." He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a slender velvet box. Alannah unwrapped herself from his neck and took it from him. "I hope you like it," he commented as she opened it carefully. Inside was a thin silver chain with an emerald heart pendant hanging from it.

"Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous. I love it! Thank you so much," she squealed as she kissed him on the lips.

"Hey if I get a kiss from you for every present I give you, then I'm going to give you a million presents," Chris quipped.

"Silly boy, you don't have to give me presents to get a kiss." Alannah laughed and then proceeded to kiss Chris passionately. After a few minutes, they pulled apart, and Chris remarked, "Hmm, I guess you're right." He pulled the necklace from her hands and placed it around her slim neck, kissing her neck as he fastened the clasp. He continued kissing her neck in a trail back up to her lips. "Mmmm," was her only reply.

"Like that, do ya ?"

"Definitely, but I think that we'd better stop before things go too far," she said as she sat up and looked into his eyes.

"You're right. How about we change into our pj's and get into our beds ?" Chris suggested. Lillian had at least insisted that the room have twin beds instead of them sharing the same bed.

"Great idea. Dibs on the bathroom," Alannah said as she grabbed her pajamas and raced to the bathroom.

"Women," Chris commented with a smile. He turned on the TV and changed into the boxer shorts and T-shirt that he always slept in. A few minutes later, he looked up as Alannah emerged from the bathroom, smelling of mint toothpaste and almond lotion. She was wearing her usual tank top and pajama pant combination. This particular outfit was dark green and had gold designs on the pants. He thought she looked gorgeous especially with her light red hair pulled back in a scrunchie that matched her outfit. She came to sit on his bed beside him. "So, I guess this is goodnight," she said as she kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Hey, don't I get a better goodnight kiss than that ?" he teased.

"Nope, you have to wait for til tomorrow for a better kiss than that," she replied as she got into her bed and pulled up the covers. Chris pretended to pout, but then went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he emerged, Alannah had turned out all the lights, except for the lamp between the beds. She was so quiet that he thought she was asleep until he turned out the light and laid down.

"Chris ?" she whispered.

"What is it, hun ?"

"Will you lay in my bed with me until I go to sleep ?" she asked quietly.

"Of course." He got up and slid into bed with her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Is this better ?"

"Much. Goodnight Chris, I love you." She leaned against his chest and was soon sleeping soundly.

"I love you too," he whispered. She was sleeping so soundly that he arranged the pillows to a more comfortable position and fell asleep within minutes.