Marissa slid the piece of paper across the smooth counter top, giving it a tap with her perfectly manicured nail once for effect. “These are our final tour dates, it's all down. I got dad to force Maureen into giving him a copy. Thanks daddy!” she shouted.

“You're welcome sweetie!” called Mr James' silky voice from the room over.

Being too focused on the dates in front of her, Keely didn't even scowl at the voice that bothered her so. She didn't know half of the city names on the tour list that stretched across both the United States and Canada. But, to be fair, she'd always sucked when it came to geography.

Still, a few of the dates paired with the cities stood out for her. The first show would be in New York – no surprise there. There would be a show in Vancouver, but she didn't even want to think about the implications that arose with that city. Close to Christmas there was a show in Green Bay, would that mean she'd have to spend her first Christmas away from home? And the final show of their tour was in Seattle, which seemed rather eery to her.

“Here,” murmured Keely, shoving the piece back across to the other girl. Grabbing her bag from the chair next to her, she sent Marissa a distracted smile. “Thanks for showing me, and now I have to go.”

“Hey, where are you going?”

Sending a grin over her shoulder, Keely slipped the strap of the bag over her shoulder. “I've got a concert to go to.”

“Huh?”

Rolling her eyes, she leaned against the doorjamb, looking back to her still confused friend who hadn't moved from her position against the counter. “Tyler Collins, concert tonight, M James, keep up.”

She blinked, before arching an eyebrow in Keely's direction. “And why wasn't I invited?”

“Sold out,” shrugged she, “You probably could get backstage-”

Marissa interrupted by mimicking gagging. “Backstage sucks, it really isn't exciting at all.”

Chuckling, Keely shook her head, “You guys are just so jaded. Is it really that bad back there?”

“No, probably not to someone who's never been backstage before. But it's just us getting ready before the show, and then hanging around after. And, don't mind me asking, but how in the hell did you get tickets to a sold out show?”

“I didn't, Seth did, and he's going to murder me if I'm late. So I'll see you around.”

Not waiting for an answer in fear that Marissa would draw her into conversation again, Keely hastily departed the kitchen. Moving hastily through the kitchen with the private elevator in mind, wondering vaguely if there was a way to get to the apartment by stairs. She'd have to ask Marissa about that another day.

“Goodbye Keely,” said Mr James, not looking up from his newspaper at his perch on one of the tasteful couches.

“Mr James,” answered Keely stiffly.

She knew it would sound rude, but she just couldn't help it. Dashing towards the elevator, Keely was down hailing a cab in record time, although the drive to her hotel wasn't as fast, New York traffic really was a pain in the ass.

And within forty five after she'd gotten back to her room; Keely had managed to shower, do her hair and sufficiently be ready to go. Well, besides the fact that she was lacking in the clothes department. Hurrying around her rather empty closet, she tugged on a pair of dark jeans, almost falling over the legs while she tried to move as she tugged them up, and then dragging a Peter Frampton shirt over her head as she rushed around the floor. A black bomber jacket and grey scarf later, Keely was ready and sprinting down her stairs.

Very nearly crashing down to the ground on the bottom step, she managed to shove all her things into her bag before running out the door, her bag trailing behind her as she moved, slamming the door shut behind her. Checking her watch as she opted for the stairs – there was no waiting involved in that option – Keely smiled triumphantly, because, although she'd very nearly died in hurry, she was only five minutes late.

“See you Mr Englis!” called Keely easily without so much as glancing in his way, just shoving her way through the front doors.

Of course, there was Seth, always infuriatingly on time, leaning back against the side of his car, his arms folded in front of his chest. “Should I just start coming five minutes late to everything?” he asked, smirking as she descended the steps.

“I'm going to choose to ignore that comment,” Keely responded, resiting the urge to glare at him.

He just raised an eyebrow at her, running a hand through his hair as she hit flat ground. “Are you going to be no fun tonight, too?”

That time she couldn't resist the urge to narrow her eyes at him, hastily taking up the step left between him and punched him in the stomach. Only afterwards did she realise it most likely hurt her more than it did him.

“Ow,” she complained, shaking her hand.

Laughing, Seth shoved up from the car, pulling her door open carelessly before skirting around the hood.

Throwing her bag into the back seat as she habitually did, Keely fell down into the passenger's seat, dropping her head against the headrest comfortably. “Do you even know how to get to the theatre?”

Rolling his eyes, Seth gunned the engine. “I've left in this city for a few years, except that half a year in L.A, I think I can find my way around the city,” he answered confidently, putting a hand on her headrest as he looked behind them, swinging the car around with one hand as it shot backwards.

“You lived in L.A?” Keely asked, slouching back in her seat.

“Yeah, bad couple months,” Seth snorted, “I hated it there.”

Her eyebrows rose. “What happened?”

“Nothing really, just didn't like it there, at all. The lady really isn't a tramp because she doesn't like California, let me tell you. I hated the studio that UAE has there, people were way too fake.”

Keely smirked, “So it's true that the smart people go to New York and the beautiful people go to California?”

“They aren't all beautiful,” answered Seth, giving a shudder.

Laughing, she looked out through the windshield, looking at the city alight by nothing but the street lights, the sun having set long enough before that the city was given that familiar, almost eery, sheen from the bright lights. As promised, Seth found his way through the horribly congested roads, getting people to swear out their windows or flip him the finger as he cut through the traffic, only succeeding in making Keely laugh as she sang with the radio.

Almost a half an hour later, with much bickering – although it was at the least good natured – and Keely singing, Seth swung into a parallel parking spot that she would have thought would be impossible for his car to fit, but he did it anyways. She almost wished they were two minutes later, then Feel Like Makin' Love could have finished.

Shoving out of the car, Keely continued singing the song down the road, a capella this time, though.

As they joined the line she caught sight of Seth slipping his hood on discretely from the corner of her eye. Smirking, she looked forward to the door to the theater, sing more quietly now, the boy really didn't want to be recognized.

When he handed her the ticket, Keely asked, “Can you play that song on the guitar, honestly?”

He smirked broadly, his eyes slightly shadowed from an obvious lack of sleep. “Yeah, it's probably my favorite one from Bad Company.”

“I'm still all for the song Bad Company, off the album Bad Company, by the band Bad Company,” answered Keely as she stepped forward in the line, Seth chuckling behind her.

Rolling her eyes, she handed the ticket to the man at the front doors, waiting with a smirk on her face as he got searched since he apparently looked suspicious. Standing there, her arms crossed in front of her, Keely couldn't help but notice the side long looks she was receiving, she was sure she wasn't a fan of it already.

At least she wasn't famous yet – she'd been in a few magazines but that was mostly because of Seth or the boys and while her song was on the charts and radio, it was still her debut single – she wouldn't be getting stared at when she was just at a concert for the music.

When Seth was finally cleared for not having any weapons, Keely stuffed her hands into the front pockets of her jeans as they walked into the crowd, cutting through the people until it became impossible to go any further.

“Are you ever going to take off your hood?” she asked loudly, leaning towards him to be heard over the loud chatter in the theater.

“Yeah, once the show really starts going and people aren't paying any attention.”

She was about to reply, but at that moment the lights dimmed, and she focused on the stage.

The show was great.

Well, to be honest, the opening act wasn't too amazing. She didn't have the charisma that Keely had seen with artists, there was no connecting with the audience the way that Janis Joplin had always done so easily, none of the way that The Doors' – particularly Morrison's – enthusiasm had rubbed off onto the crowd or the awe that people would be doused in while watching Billie Holiday.

There was none of that, but that didn't mean the girl on stage wasn't good. She just didn't put all of herself into the music, and it made it sound more robotic than soulful. At least in Keely's opinion, music was all about emotion, so what was the point of performing if you're not going to give your music the emotion it deserved? All though, she couldn't exactly talk, she might feel like those few times she'd performed she'd given everything to her music, but she couldn't really say seeing as she hadn't seen herself play the music.

But then Tyler Collins came on, and Keely could feel the smile spread across her face as she looked towards the stage, people screeching deafeningly around her. His shaggy blonde hair was sticking out from beneath a hat, wearing a pilot style jacket, jeans and holding a Gibson guitar she knew very well was worth seventeen thousand dollars, the Super 400 CES. That was when Keely started to shout with the rest of the crowd, feeling herself jump up and down in excitement.

She also knew that without a doubt Seth would be teasing her about it, but she couldn't help herself. Keely was feeling like many of the many Beatles fan girls, although she wasn't crying yet, so she wasn't that bad.

He was amazing to be honest. Keely just loved to see people who really enjoyed performing, and you could see the chemistry between Collins and his back up band. There were some people who you just know love something, and she could see it. The way he connected to the audience, laughing during a song, eyes serious if the emotions of the song called for it; it was just perfect.

Towards the end of the show, Tyler Collins waved to the crowd, but Keely found his eyes suspiciously locked. Tipping her head to the side, she saw Seth smiling and sending a nod up to the stage. He wasn't wearing that dimple smile, but at least he didn't look as terribly sad as she'd seen him before. Seth just looked normal.

“Like the show?” he asked her, pulling his hood back on his head as the people began to mill out around them.

She just rolled her eyes, nudging him softly with her elbow in the stomach. “You know I did, you jerk.”

“Ouch, words hurt,” he joked, pressing his hands to his heart.

Shaking her head although there was a small smile working it's way onto her lips, Keely turned her head back to the stage, pulling absentmindedly on the long scarf she still had wound about her neck. The people had already half migrated away from the theater, leaving the stage crew to demolish the set in peace.

“C'mon,” Seth told her abruptly, slipping his arm around her shoulders easily, tugging her towards a suspicious looking side door.

Grinning, Keely peered up at him, “I thought we weren't going to go backstage?”

Seth snorted, jokingly dragging her closer and making Keely laugh as he whispered in her ear. “Backstage is boring as hell, you're going to figure that out after this tour. But for now, we're going to back there long enough to meet up with Ty and then head out.”

She frowned slightly, taking in his words, “We're going out with Tyler Collins?”

“Yeah,” he answered easily, dropping his arm to open the door and hold it open for her, “Get going, rebel.”

Not having to be told twice, Keely hurried through the doorway. But paused immediately after, shoving her hands into her pockets awkwardly as she looked around the dark back stage. Really, it wasn't at all like she imagined, she'd expected something glamorous or grungy like she'd seen in movies growing up, no matter what the guys had told her. But it just looked like what had been backstage at the Chrome Palace.

People were walking around hurriedly, looking like they had something to do. The artists she'd seen perform were just sitting around, leaning against walls drinking water or chatting with other people. They just looked all rather normal when they weren't showered in the light that was the stage, just normal people.

“Not so exciting isn't it?” Seth asked, closing the door behind her.

Smirking, she turned her head to look at him, not so much as blinking when she found his chest almost brushing her back, after all she hadn't given him much room between her and the door. “I was hoping you were lying about the twenty hookers.”

He just laughed down at her, “I'm sure you could put that on your writer.”

“Ha ha,” answered Keely sarcastically, slapping him absentmindedly on the stomach.

She barely had time to register that she should stop doing that, his stomach was much to hard for her to keep doing that and be able to play the guitar, before a voice called out.

“You son of a bitch!”

Eyes widening, Keely's gave swiveled around to see Tyler Collins striding towards them. He was looking as handsome as he always had on the covers to his albums, the shaggy blonde hair falling appealingly, his bright blue eyes crinkled with laughter and the angular face. It was almost a shock to see him in person, if she was being truthful, Tyler Collins had been her music crush for a long time, how could it not be? But she would never say that aloud.

Anyways she didn't believe that it held truth anymore, her stomach might have been jumping in excitement, but that wasn't because of his good looks, but because an amazingly talented musician was walking towards her. And if she'd continue to be honest, if it was all about the looks, she would be jumping up and down over Seth. Because honestly, the boy had those strange golden hazel eyes that could deepen as they looked at you, the lean yet muscular physique, that soft dark hair that was always messy and sticking up on end, plus that moment when he smiled with the single dimple was swoon worthy. Yes, he was much sexier than Tyler Collins could ever pull off, but that was only in her opinion. And while Seth was definitely the most talented musician that she'd ever met, she didn't faint at the sight of him in the studio everyday, why would she faint over Collins?

“Hey man,” grinned Seth, side stepping her to meet the other guy.

Chewing on her lip to hold in the laughter, she watched as they did that odd thing that men considered a “manly hug” the clapping their hands together and then pulling each other into the bear hug where they hit each others backs.

Although Collins had a couple years on Seth, the later still stood just a bit taller than him in the hug.

“I missed you, man,” said Collins, smiling madly as he pulled out of the hug and clapped Seth on the shoulder. “I would say come on tour with us, but if you told me to rewrite a song because it isn't good enough every day I'd punch you in the face.”

“And you'd only ever get one punch in,” smirked Seth, returning the clapping on the shoulder. “It was a good show, you might want to tell your opening act to tighten it up a bit, though.”

Standing silently to the side, Keely smirked broadly. At least she wasn't the only one to notice.

“It's the riding end of the tour, we only have four shows left. She's just holding on.”

Seth shrugged, “Your choice.”

Before Keely could blink, Tyler Collins had turned away from Seth to her. “You're Keely Staub, right?”

“That's me,” answered she, quite proud that she found her voice to speak.

He grinned broadly. “Yeah, Seth told me he was bringing you to the show. I heard your song, For You, it's great. I love the hook. And someone showed me a video of you two singing Hospital Beds, seriously, I'm pissed that I wasn't in town to see that.”

“Uh, thanks,” she replied, smiling up at him, “You had a great show.”

In her mind, Keely swore she sounded like some dumb blonde ditz from a cliche fifties television show, and she wanted to kick herself in the face for it. But the two boys didn't seem to notice, just continued on as normal.

“I've just got to grab a jacket, then we can go,” said Tyler, pointing behind him.

It was only then that Keely realized the rock star had changed out of his concert clothes. Instead he had opted for a plain Dire Straits and a pair of faded jeans. As the fell into step towards his changing room, Keely and Seth lagging slightly behind, she tipped her head up to him, seeing the slight stubble that had worked its way across his chin. “Where are we going anyways?” she asked.

“You'll see when we get there,” answered Seth evasively before smirking down at her. “So should I be switching rebel for fan girl now?”

Scowling, Keely shoved him away from her, but barely succeeded in making him move farther than a step away while he chuckled at her. “You know what? I'm fine with rebel, it's all good, I'm liking the Bowie reference now.”

“Of course you are,” Seth laughed, nudging her with his arm.

Quickly Tyler slipped a jacket over his shoulders, making Keely frown when she realized they were all wearing leather jackets. Seth had a gray hoodie beneath his open one, hers was zipped up to her scarf wrapped around her neck and Tyler was wearing his open over top of his t-shirt with a scarf falling from around his neck. That was oddly disconcerting.

“Take care of the guitar!” shouted Tyler when he saw one of the men packing away the instruments from the musicians' dressing rooms.

Snorting Seth just nudged Keely out of the side door, gripping Tyler by the back of the jacket and yanking him out of the theater before he could complain anymore. “They're not going to be any nicer to the guitar with you screaming at them every second,” Seth pointed out, shutting the door firmly behind him.

“Yeah, you're telling me that, I've seen you scare some poor guy shitless when he dropped your empty guitar case, the only reason you didn't punch him was Marco and Colton dragged you away,” pointed out Tyler, straightening his jacket.

Keely snorted, finding herself sandwiched between the two tall men as they moved down the road. “He seriously did that?”

“Yeah, your boy, he has issues. I bet that kid committed himself.”

“Well, he did quit the crew the next day,” added Seth thoughtfully.

Laughing Keely buried her face in her hands, feeling more comfortable out in the streets. Maybe the air wasn't clear – it was New York City after all – but it helped clear her head.