~ 3 Weeks Later ~

"Where are we headed?"

"New York."

"What?"

"Alvin, it's a huge city and you're playing to an over packed house." "It's a three night stay."

Alvin sighed and looked out the window at passing scenery. He should've known this was coming. He ached for her. Johnny was excited to be seeing Britney. Alvin didn't want to witness their reunion.

Britney was waiting at the hotel for the band to arrive. She had a show that night and had reserved a block for the band. She saw the bus pull up and Johnny hurried out to take her in his arms. She hugged him back and looked past him to Alvin who wouldn't meet her eyes. She let go of Johnny, to greet Dave who handed her presents from her sisters for ruling her role on the stage. She'd had little time for phone calls and was happy to see the letters that accompanied the gifts. She stared at Alvin until her glanced her way and gave her a head nod, then walked to the front desk to check in. Britney watched him walk off and tried hard not to cry. He hadn't missed her at all. Dave watched the interaction and sighed. This was going to be a long three days.

Once in his room, Alvin buried his face in a pillow. He lifted his head and saw Brit's face. Stunned, he sat up and picked up the magazine that had Britney's face on it and proceeded to read of her praises. She was greatly respected and was the shining star of the show. There was no mention of Johnny as her beau and in fact, there was very little about her past as a singer with the Chipettes. There was however, a whole paragraph on how she was able to portray her character so well because of her tumultuous relationship with him. He frowned, sighed, then picked up the phone and sent her flowers.

Britney was backstage when the flowers came. The card read: GLAD TO BE A SERVI CE TO THE STAGE. LOVE, ALVIN. Britney hadn't liked the article and was sorry that Alvin had seen it. With Alvin in the crowd, she had her first attack of stage fright. She wanted to knock him dead with her performance, but the love in LOVE, ALVIN, had her flustered.

Alvin sat next to Dave and wondered if she'd gotten the flowers. The lights went off and he sighed at the beauty of her as the stage was lit. He spent the next two hours captivated by her power and control on the stage. No one held an audience's attention like her…except him. He planned on wowing her the next night at his concert. He'd written a new song for the tour. He wondered if she'd catch on that, it was for her.

After the show, she went back to the hotel with Johnny. When she was finally ready to leave, she stopped by Alvin's room. For a few brief moments, she paused and just stared at the closed door. She was lost in thought thinking back to when they were kids…

Childhood: Fighting over toys, fighting over whom was going to lead the pack, ending with them both on top and laughing. High School: realizing there was more to the relationship they had, their first kiss, the first time they told each other, "I love you." Images were swirling. What if she hadn't let him go? What if she'd fought for him? No, she once again berated herself for thinking that way. Alvin had made his choice long ago and she was determined not to cave.

"Britney?"

Britney jerked out of her daydream.

"Oh, Alvin, hi."

"Did you need something?"

"No, um… thank you for the flowers."

"No problem. You were wonderful, just as I knew you would be."

"Big night tomorrow."

"Eh, it's nothing new."

"Is it great to have it back?"

"You know I live for this."

"Yes, I know."

A head poked around Alvin, "Baby, what are you doing?"

Britney looked at a young girl, who appeared to be about their age, with long blonde hair and stunning blue eyes.

"Alvin, I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company."

"This is Tiffany. Tiffany, this is Britney."

"Oh my god, it's her!"

Britney did a mental head slap.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Can I have your autograph?"

Britney nodded. Tiffany ran back to her purse for a pen and some paper.

"I had just stopped by to thank you for the flowers. I'm sorry I interrupted," Britney said to Alvin.

Alvin nodded. Tiffany returned and Britney signed the paper. Then she smiled and took her leave.

After Tiffany had left, Alvin went to his suitcase and took out an album that he'd brought with him. He looked at the old pictures of Britney and him. He thought about sitting on the couch with her and watching movies. He thought about their old tours where it was the six of them wreaking havoc on hotel rooms. He remembered the good times that led to chart topping duets. He remembered the simple pleasure of holding her close. He thought about trying to find her apartment.

Alvin looked at her angrily; "I hate being stuck in this chair! I can't be me when I'm in this chair! You wouldn't understand. Ugh, I can't do anything."

"Alvin, give yourself time to heal. We still love you for you. This hasn't changed a thing."

He looked at her and saw her too going on with her life and leaving him in the dust.

"Britney, go back to Johnny."

"What?"

"We're never going to work or have what our siblings have. Go back to him and be happy."

"Alvin…"

"No, I don't love you, this isn't a relationship. Now let's walk away with some dignity, just go."

Alvin woke with a start. Ugh, that awful day. He hated dreaming about it. He had himself convinced then that she too would leave him. He thought then that he'd never be himself again and was afraid of holding her back. He forced himself not to miss her. She deserved so much. Even in her worst moments, he knew that it was all a result of being driven by her passion. She was so like him in the sense that they were perfectionists and desired to be the best at everything they tackled. Johnny was good for her. He was passionate and levelheaded. He would keep her happy and Alvin knew he needed to step back and let her have her happiness. It was the least he could do for talking to her the way he had.

~ The Next Night ~

Alvin was backstage in his dressing room tuning his guitar. The rest of the band was in another room and he was grateful for the peace. He thought about their new song. He was nervous Johnny would figure it out. He was worried that Britney wouldn't get the message. He didn't know how else to tell her how he felt.

Dave knocked on the door, "Five minutes, Alvin."

Alvin yelled, "Okay, Dave."

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled. It was his turn to shine.

It was time. This song required only half of the lights they had used for the other songs. Alvin could already feel the girls' mounting apprehension. Most of his songs were for everyone, but the girls in the audience were all going to be pretending he was singing this for them. He smiled and stepped toward the microphone…

Now the butterfly has spread its wings,

From the angels, learned to fly.

I'm fascinated by this transformation.

I can't keep her. I can't know her.

Over now before it had begun.

Who could she be, this muse, who speaks to me?

What can I do to hold her now with me?

I'm running out of time to find a way,

To keep her here, in this world, with me.

I ran away to hide, to get away.

The magic once existed, lost its spark.

Fear and doubt consumed me everyday.

She is magical, so wonderful, will I get a chance to say,

Be with me, believe in me, make a world where we are free.

Who could she be, this muse, who speaks to me?

What can I do to hold her now with me?

I'm running out of time to find a way,

To keep her here, in this world, with me.

The wall, it now is breaking down.

I can hear her though she's not around.

I'm dancing high above the clouds.

Could she be dancing in the crowd?

Run away with me. Be free with me.

Ignore all this reality, let go, let go, and dream with me.

Who could she be, this muse, who speaks to me?

What can I do to hold her now with me?

I'm running out of time to find a way,

To keep her here, in this world, with me.

Who could she be, this muse, who speaks to me?

What can I do to hold her now with me?

I'm running out of time to find a way,

To keep her here, in this world, with me.

This was not his normal type of song. The words were soft, but the music typically harsh and loud. The band didn't absorb the words and the female fans were so touched by them that the music was lost on them. Every girl there thought that song was hers. Every guy wished he could be that cool to get away with saying such stuff. A lot of Alvin's music appealed to both guys and girls, but this song was clearly meant for female ears.

Britney had enjoyed the concert and had moments when she missed being up on the stage belting out her songs. Broadway was fun, but not nearly that much of a rush. Alvin's closing song was wonderful. It blew her away. She wondered if he'd written it for Tiffany. Johnny stared at her the whole time. She had a hard time keeping her eyes off Alvin. Dave was next to her and smiling. She knew he was happy to see Alvin back to being himself. She, for the first time, missed being the one Alvin was singing to. The words rushed over her and she longed for his arms.

After the concert, Johnny brought her backstage. Girls who'd won passes were there all over Alvin and the band. She was slightly nauseated seeing Tiffany to Alvin's right, hanging on him.