Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the movie "Hairspray" or it's characters.

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Zac ran a hand through his hair. I was all getting to him. Paparazzi, fans, Vanessa, talk shows. He needed a break from it.

He looked at the clock. It was 12:15 a.m. in California. It would be 3:15 a.m. on the east coast. She would be in bed, he was sure of it. But he needed her, she would understand.

Zac picked up the phone. He had her number on speed dial. He was the only one who knew it, as the paparazzi hadn't gotten a hold of this information yet. He hit the button and pressed talk. The phone dialed and he heard it ring. Once. Twice. If she didn't pick up after the third ring he would hang up. Half way through the third ring he could hear it being picked up.

A sudden wave of panic washed over him as he though, What if someone else answers. He relaxed when he heard her groggily say, "Hello."

"Hey Nik, it's good to hear your voice," he said with a sad smile on his face.

"Zac? What's wrong?" She heard the sadness in his voice. She sat up and looked at the clock. 3:17 a.m. Now she was scared. If he was calling this late it had to be bad.

How did she know something was wrong? he thought. Answering his own question in his head he heard, Because she's your best friend stupid. Oddly enough, the voice in his head sounded like Elijah Kelly as Seaweed J. Stubbs. He said aloud, "It's just all getting to me!" He broke down and let all his frustration out. "I can't keep going like this Nik. The pressure of it all. No one seems to care what I really want or need. They want this image of me that they've made up in their heads. I just want to feel like me again."

Nikki just let him go. Listening, as she always did, waiting for him to run out of steam and let her speak. He stopped, "What can I do to help?" This was how she was with everyone, and why Zac knew he could count on her.

"I need to get away for a while. Can I come to see you?" He knew she would say yes. Asking was just polite.

"Of course you can. But," she said. "But", he didn't expect "but". Man, I'm such an ass. I shouldn't have expected Nikki to drop everything for me. He decided he should apologize to her. Resolving himself to this he heard his name.

"Zac? Earth to Zac? Are you still with me?" She sounded very worried.

"Yeah Nik, I'm here," he said, coming out of his reverie.

"Did you even hear what I said to you? Or were you too busy berating yourself for assuming I would say yes?"

"You know me too well. Okay, so what did you say," he asked. Smiling because she truly was the only one who could read him so well.

"I had said, of course you can come here, but I'm just worried about paparazzi. You know we have them in New York, too."

"I know. I just need to get away. So, you don't mind if I come out. I would hate to put you out" Zac was starting to feel much better.

"Zac, you won't be putting me out. Besides, my family will love seeing you again," she told him.

"Are you sure they won't mind. I mean, I know you guys just got done with that craziness in the Islands. By the way, I knew you would win. Congrats!" Zac had always had faith in her with that.

"Thanks Zac. That means a lot coming from you. And yes, I know my family won't mind. So, when do you want to come out?"

"Is tomorrow night on the Red Eye, too soon." Zac asked.

"No Zac. Get it all arranged. I will meet you at the airport," Nikki said. She would do anything for him. "I think it would be easier to fly into Newark. Better chance of avoiding paparazzi."

"Sounds good. I'll see you soon sweetie. Thank you so much for everything," he said, pleased she was so willing to help.

"You are so welcome. See you soon," she said. She was glad she could help. "Get some sleep Zac! Goodnight." She waited for his response to hang up.

"Sweet dreams, Nik. Goodnight." They hung up. Both went to bed. Nikki went right back to sleep. Zac took a while longer, but fell asleep, finally able to relax.

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The next day, Zac prepared for his trip. He only told his parents where he was going. They understood, agreeing to look after his apartment and get the mail.

He told Vanessa he was going away for a while, just not where he was going. She was probably the only person who knew what he felt like. She was under the same pressure was. With the hype of HSM3, the two of them had been shoved in to the spotlight.

Very few people know that they were a couple just to boost the publicity for the HSM/Disney franchise. They were good friends, but that was all. At least in private, in public they were pretending to date. Always performing, trying to convince the world the fantasy was real. Once HSM3 was out on DVD a very public break up would take place. Stoically, they would agree to be friends, but nothing more. Pressures of a private relationship being so public would be to blame. This vacation would be good for them both.

Zac, with help was catching the Red Eye from LAX to Newark. Nikki would pick him up there. Both hoping they would have a better chance of avoiding the press in New Jersey than in New York.

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Zac arrived in New Jersey with everything going according to plan. Nikki was waiting for him in the terminal. They held off normal greetings wanting privacy. They said a formal "hello" and went to get Zac's luggage. At the car, he pulled her into a big hug. "I've missed you Nikki," he said, not showing signs of letting go.

"Zac, I've missed you too," Nikki replied. "But, starting to feel my ribs cracking." With a kiss on her head he released her.

"Sorry. You okay."

"I'm not a china doll, Zac. You can't break me." They both giggled. Suddenly a bright flash of light and a loud thunder clap could be seen and heard in the distance.

Zac says with urgency, "Let's get going. This storm could be bad." He looked down at her. He saw her eyes, she looked very tired. "You look tired. Why don't I drive."

"To be honest, that would be great. I'll set the GPS and we can go." Setting it quickly they left.

They drove in silence for a few minutes. Without realizing it Zac grabbed Nikki's hand. Her hand fit his just right. This small gesture worried her more than made her happy.

"Are you okay Zac? I know something's wrong," she said.

"I've missed this. I've missed us. The way we were during the making of "Hairspray", and after doing the promotional tour."

"Me, too. Things were easier as Tracy Turnblad and Link Larkin," looking at Zac in a dreamy sort of way.

Suddenly a bolt of lightening struck the ground in front of the car. With little traffic on the road, no one noticed the car heading for Great Neck, New York, vanished into thin air.

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Their eyes were having trouble refocusing. Zac was scared, he had put his foot on the brake so he was sure they were safe, but the lightening was close. He felt Nikki shaking next to him. He asked, "You okay Nik?"

"I'm okay. Just shaken. You?"

"The same." Both blinking in hopes of getting their sight back faster. When their sight did come back they were shocked at what they saw.

Nikki was the first to speak, "Is it me or are we back on the set of "Hairspray?"

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A/N: Please read and review. Tell me if you like it so far. If you do I will keep going. If not I will take it down. Thanks to you all.