His hands clenched into fists.

Who the hell was that guy? He wasn't able to get a good look at him from his angle at the door before he chickened out and pulled the door shut but as soon as he got over the shock of seeing someone with Ally, he was flooded with all other emotions. Anger, for one, rushed through him like a storm surge.

Again, who the hell was that guy? What right did he have sitting so close to her? Invading her personal space, smelling her lavender-scented hair? He had no right. She was his partner. His best girl friend. His Ally. His.

She was his.

He gnashed his teeth as he flexed his fingers. Closing his eyes, he began deliberating whether to barge into the practice room, grab Ally and make a run for it or just go right ahead and punch that creep in the teeth.

"Austin!"

His eyes popped open. It was Dez. Of-freaking-course. Leave it to Dez to announce his name for all the world to hear.

"What're you doing there?" Trish asked, who was a few steps behind his towering best friend, as the duo made their way toward him. "Did you see Ally?"

Before he could summon a word of response, the door behind him flew open.

"Austin?"

Her voice sent shockwaves to his spine. It had been so long since he heard her say his name. So freaking long. Turning around slowly, he forced himself to crack a smile.

"Hey," was all he could muster. All those nights he spent mastering a soliloquy to sweep her off her feet, all he could say was a lame 'hey'. He knew he was off to a disastrous start.

Luckily, Dez was there to save him as the tall redhead pushed him to the side, seized Ally and hauled her off the floor for a rather awkward hug.

And that was the first time he had felt so envious of Dez. It was almost painful to watch his best friend hold the girl he had been dying to touch.

"Ally," Dez sighed, a goofy smile plastered on his equally goofy face. "Have you always been this small?"

Ally made a sound between a giggle and a snort. "Oh Dez, I can honestly say I miss you least of all."

Trish slapped Dez's shoulder playfully. "Put her down, Dez, it's my turn!"

As soon as Ally's feet touched the ground, Trish's arms were thrown around her neck as the two girls embraced.

"Please don't leave me alone with Dez again," Trish grumbled, making Ally smile wider.

Austin was like a statue in his corner, listening to them exchange 'I missed you', hoping he could find the courage to say it out loud too.

Trish released Ally and he knew it was his turn. But try as he might he couldn't will himself to move.

"Hi, Austin," Ally turned to him as Dez and Trish parted like the red sea.

She took one step closer and if it weren't for the wall keeping him in place, he would have retreated. What the hell was wrong with him? Wasn't he the one who practically dragged Trish and Dez to Sonic Boom as soon as their bus reached the Mall of Miami? Wasn't he the one who couldn't sleep a wink last night because he was too excited to come home? Come home to her. And now here she was, an arm's length away, in all her Ally glory and all he could do was stare and swallow thickly.

"Don't I at least get a hug?" she asked, eyes almost pleading.

Heaven knows he wanted more than just hug her. If he could have his way, he'd hold her tight and never let go.

But he wasn't that lucky. Because the second he raised his arm and reached out to her, the guy in the red and brown shirt appeared by the door as if on cue.

"Austin Moon," the guy, who looked somewhat familiar, called out, grinning from ear to ear. "So glad to finally meet you!" He extended his arm to Austin for a handshake and he reluctantly took it. "Gavin Young. I'm a big fan."

Gavin freaking Young.

Austin's heart sank to the ground. That explained a lot. He didn't realize he had been squeezing Gavin's hand a little bit tighter until the other guy winced and pulled his hand back.

"So… you're Gavin. The country artist," Austin finally managed to say.

"Guilty as charged," Gavin drawled in his annoying Southern twang, raising his arms in the air in a comical gesture of 'I surrender'. "Ally has told me so much about you."

Funny, she never told me anything about you, he thought sardonically. But then again he hadn't spoken to her in almost a month.

"Wow!" Dez exclaimed, moving closer to Gavin, "You are a lot taller than we imagined."

"Uh… thanks, I guess?"

"Yep, definitely taller." Dez pressed his back against Gavin to compare their height. "Your fan page didn't mention that you're a six-footer. Y'see, when Austin freaked out after he heard that you're making a song with Ally, we googled you and I must admit you are a lot more dreamy in person. I thought you'd be -"

Austin's eyes widened as he began shaking his head, hating the fact that his best friend had absolutely no filter.

"Dez! What did I tell you about thinking out loud?" Trish chimed in, her glare doing the chastising.

"Don't do it?" Dez asked with uncertainty.

"Exactly." Trish swooped in and offered her hand to Gavin. "Hi, I'm Trish, Austin and Ally's manager. Don't pay any attention to him. He was dropped a lot when he was a baby."

Gavin merely smiled and shook Trish's hand. "Pleasure to meet you Trish. And don't you worry a bit. I did the same thing about y'all. When my manager told me I'm doin' a song with Ally Dawson I kinda freaked out too and googled all o' you. I don't wanna make a fool of myself in front of Ally, knowin' how great she is."

Dez and Trish made a chorus of 'aww' and Austin repressed the urge to roll his eyes. Traitors.

Austin fixed his eyes on Ally, who had been deliberately avoiding his gaze since Gavin showed up and ruined their reunion. He couldn't help but clench his jaw when he saw her blush at Gavin's pathetic attempt at flattery.

"So Gavin," Austin chipped in, "how was that one song you're making with Ally?"

"Fantastic!" Gavin chirped excitedly. "Actually we've just finished rehearsing. We're gonna do the recording in the studio tomorrow."

"Great!" Austin couldn't help but cheer. "Does that mean you're done here and you're going back to Nashville?"

"Austin," Ally screeched with a reproaching glare. He knew he was being rude but he couldn't bring himself to care. Now that Gavin and Ally's song was done, there was no reason for Gavin to stay in Miami. Hell, he'd even help him pack if that'd speed up his departure.

Gavin grinned. Seriously, this guy had to stop smiling, it was very annoying.

"S'okay, Ally. I know Austin just can't wait to have his song partner back. Can't blame him; only a fool would let someone like you get away," Gavin cooed, draping his arm over Ally's shoulder, making Austin grit his teeth. "To be honest, my manager has been buggin' me to return to Nashville for weeks now but I just can't bring myself to leave Ally alone."

"She's not alone!" Austin cut in way too quickly, "I mean… not anymore," he added, trying to gain a little of his dignity back. "We're back now. I'm back." He zeroed in on her, inching closer so she would have no choice but to meet his gaze. "And I'm never ever leaving her alone again."

He saw her twitch, her neck tightening and her eyes glazing. "I swear, Ally." It was one promise he meant to keep.

Her lips parted and by God all he wanted to do was grab her and kiss her senseless.

"Then I guess you'd be goin' to Nashville too?" Gavin's obnoxious voice broke his trance.

"What?" He blinked in confusion.

"Didn't Ally tell you? She's goin' to Nashville with me next week. She's gonna be my front act to debut her new single."

Austin's stomach plummeted to the ground. He really should have punched this guy in the teeth when he had the chance.

A/N: I don't own Auslly. (They're just too effin' cute!)

Thank you guys for the warm reception! I'm really nervous writing about Auslly; afraid I won't be able to do them justice. I admit this is a bit angsty compared to the show, I hope you still like it. I have a thing for brooding guys. I'm thinking of writing an Ally POV too. Please give this story a chance and please, please, please leave me a review, it makes my day. I'm kind of needy like that. Thanks! xo