Chapter 19: Is this how it ends?
"Leia!" yelled Dan as he waited for her downstairs. "Come on! We're going to be late!"
Dan and the boys had a flight for New York City at noon; it was quarter after 11. O-Town was going to be performing for the MTV New Year's Special. They were allowed to bring one person with them. Erik was bringing his girlfriend, Danielle. Trevor was flying out his best friend Brooke. Dan decided he wanted Cindy to come out. They did agree to stay friends and he knew Dana and Leia would love to see her. Jacob gave in to Dan and used Leia as his one person to fly out, and Ashley invited Dana to come. He hoped that this would give him and her the chance to get back together. Ashley has missed her so bad. They did exchange letters and call each other when they had the time, but time wasn't something Ashley nor any of the guys have had for a while. They had just got off the Britney tour and had a week off for Christmas; then, they had to do some more press and now they're going to NYC.
"OK OK, Dan." Leia came downstairs with her luggage. "I'm sorry, but I had to brush my teeth. Is that a crime?"
"I don't want to hear it. You should have been up at 7 like the rest of us. You and Erik are the hardest people to get up."
Jacob started laughing. "Yeah and then if it's not Ashley taking forever with his hair, it's her."
"At least I wash mine," cracked Leia.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jacob glared at her.
"Your hair is nothing but a bunch of nappy knots."
The other 4 started laughing along with Leia. Jacob just shot her an evil look; then, started helping Mike C. with the luggage. Everyone else walked out to the bus they were taking to the airport. Mike and Jacob came in five minutes later.
"Damn, Leia," said Mike, "what did you pack? I nearly threw my back out putting your luggage in the trunk."
"Just the essentials." Leia started to blush a little.
"Yeah," said Jacob. "Essentials as in every last damn hair product made, and then the truckload of make up. Plus let's not forget she must have a new shirt every five seconds."
Dan started laughing. Leia shot him a look, and Dan stopped. The rest of the ride there was quiet. They boarded their plane, and set off for New York. Leia hadn't been on a plane since the attacks, and now she was a bit nervous. It didn't help at all when Erik told her this one guy sitting behind him looked like a psycho. Dan told him to shut up, and put his arm around her. Sometime during the flight, Leia fell asleep. Next thing she knew, Dan was waking her up telling her they were there. She grabbed her carry on bag and exited the plane. She was still tired, and could barely hold her luggage.
"Need some help?"
Leia turned her head to see Jacob walking beside her. "It's OK. I've got it." Just at that moment her bag slipped off her shoulder and fell to the ground.
"Yeah sure you do." Jacob picked it up before she could get to it and put it on his shoulder.
"Jacob, seriously, you don't have to."
"Leia, look at you. You're dead tired. It's OK,"
Leia smiled at him. "Thank you."
"No problem." Jacob smiled back at her, and kept walking.
They walked to the waiting area until everyone was there; then, they were going to head to the hotel. Leia didn't think she could stay awake anymore. She was suffering major jet lag.
Ashley waited by the gate for Dana. He leaned against the wall as he looked for her. He suddenly saw her stuck behind an elderly couple. She didn't see him yet, but he could tell she was eager to get out from behind them. Ashley hid until she walked past him; then, he walked behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"Hey there sexy!"
Dana screamed a little and turned around. "Ashley!!!" She hugged him tightly. She has missed him so much.
Ashley laughed. "Miss me?"
"More than anything."
"Same here. Hey let's go see if everyone else is here."
Ashley walked to the waiting area to see Leia sleeping w/ her head on Dan's shoulder. Cindy was talking with Danielle and Brooke when she saw Dana. The four girls stood and talked while the guys got all the luggage taken care of. About two hours after they arrived at the airport, they got to the hotel.
"So who's rooming with who?" Mike C. asked when they got checked in. "I need to know, so I know who's room will be blasting the music and I have to go kill them."
"Well, Leia's staying with me," said Dan.
"And Danielle's with me," Erik answered. "And Brooke's rooming with Trevor."
"Me and Cindy are rooming together, " said Dana.
"So I'm stuck w/ Mr. Teen Heartthrob?" Jacob sarcastically asked.
Leia laughed. "Jacob, there are millions of girls who wish they could say they are rooming with the one and only Ashley Parker Angel."
"Your point is?"
"Her point is," interrupted Ashley, " that you're a very lucky person."
"Oh forgive me for not jumping up and down with pure joy and excitement." Jacob got their key and left.
Everyone else went to their rooms, got ready for bed, and went to sleep. They had a long day tomorrow. It was New Year's Eve.
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Ch.20: With a Simple Telephone Call
The guys had to wake up at 5am the next morning to get ready for all the press and promotion they had to do and for some rehearsing. That night they'd be preforming on the MTV New Year's Live Party. Leia and the rest of the girls were going to go check out the shops to go look for dresses to wear that night.
Leia had taken the girls to Macy's; she was looking at a dress when Dana came over to her.
"Leia, I have to talk to you."
Dana looked real concerned about something. "What is it? You look upset."
"Well, it seems to me that Jacob's trying to get back with you right..."
"He isn't trying to get back with me. We're just friends. I'm with Dan now anyways."
"Let me finish and maybe you'll see my point." Dana laughed. "Seriously, I just heard Cindy talking to Brooke and Danielle about how Dan asked her to dinner tomorrow night."
"What? He's probably going to ask the rest of us to come along when he gets back from rehearsals."
"And what if he doesn't?"
"Then I'll kick his ass." Leia laughed. "I'm just messing around. He probably just wants some time to catch up on things with her. You know it's been almost six months since those two talked."
"Damn, Leia, I would have thought you would get super pissed, and go cuss Dan out or something. You shock me everyday."
"I know I know. I just learned that I can't get jealous over everything that Dan does. He loves me and I love him. Nothing will change that. Even if Jacob likes me. He had his chance, and he ruined it."
"Our little Leia is all grown up." Dana started laughing.
"Ha ha." Leia kept looking through the dresses until she came upon a beautiful blue dress that went a few inches above her knees and had spaghetti straps. "Oh I love this dress. I'm going to get it."
"Are you just asking to have Jacob staring at you the whole night?" Dana asked when she saw the dress.
"I don't know how many times I have to tell you. Me and Jacob are just friends, and I really don't care if he does because that's his problem; not mine."
Leia grabbed the dress and found the other girls. They bought them;then, they went back to the hotel. When they got back to the hotel, the guys were done with rehearsals and were waiting for the girls. They had to be at the MTV studios around six o'clock, and it was four then, so they decided to get changed and go out for dinner. Dan got ready, and told Leia he'd meet her out in the lobby. Leia finished doing her hair and make up and headed out to the lobby. She began walking when she saw Jacob coming out of his room.
"Hey!" Leia called out as she sped up her pace a little to catch up with him.
Jacob turned around and tried to not stare at Leia. "Hi." She looks so beautiful.
"Mind if I walk with you to the lobby?"
"Not at all."
"So excited about tonight?"
"A little. I mean it is New York City and on New Year's Eve, but it's just not everything I thought it would be." Jacob looked sort of depressed to Leia.
"Jacob, what's wrong? You look upset."
"Don't worry about it. It's just me being me and my usual pessimistic self."
"Jacob! Cheer up! You're here in NYC on New Year's!!! And you're with your friends. What more can you ask for?"
Try someone to kiss at midnight. Jacob thought as they reached the lobby. He turned to Leia, "You're right. I'll try to cheer up."
Leia smiled. "That's better." She walked over to Dan who was talking with Cindy. Leia couldn't help, but feel a pang of jealousy when she saw her boyfriend talking to his ex.
"So," said Mike C. as he looked around to make sure everyone was there, "are we ready?"
"Hell yeah," said Erik as he jumped up from his seat besides Danielle. "I'm ready to party my ass off."
"What a potty mouth," joked Dana.
"Yeah, just wait till these guys get a few drinks in them," Cindy said. "Watch the language then."
"Thank you, Cindy, for reminding me," Mike M. said as he stood up beside Mike C.. "For the first hour until you guys are done with your second preformance, no alcohol. I see one glass in your hand, that will be your last. I would like a sober non slurring preformance and no one falling off stage while dancing. Also, we meet back here in the lobby at 2 am. If I have to come look for you, you're going to be sorry. You can leave the MTV party at 12. Other than that, have fun."
"How can we?" Trevor asked. "You just took the fun out of it with your rules."
The Mikes laughed and led everyone into the limo. The girls had to take a seperate limo due to press and the fans. Once they got there, the girls went inside the studio and were taken back by how packed it was.
"You know," said Leia as they found a spot near the stage where the group would be playing later on, "I never thought I would be here. I always watched it with Ashley every year, and I wished one day I would be here, and look my wish came true."
"Speaking of wishes," said Danielle, "what are your resolutions?"
"No one ever keeps those, so I don't bother to make them," Cindy replied.
"Ok just for fun then. What would be your resolutions? Mine is to become the next big thing on TRL."
"Really?" asked Leia. "Hmm ok this is my never is going to happen one. I want to marry Nick Carter."
Dana laughed. "You still have that thing for him?"
"Yeah! That man is fine as hell."
"You guys should have seen Leia when she met him."
"Don't you dare tell them."
"Oooh," Brooke was intrigued by Leia's reaction. "Tell us. Tell us!!!"
"Sorry, Leia, the others have got to know. Ok see the 7 of us were at this after party at the Billboard Awards two years ago. Leia was all hyped up because she knew there was a definate chance of her seeing Backstreet Boys. Well, we're walking around and Leia was talking about how fine Nick looked up on stage when he presented that award to Christina Aguilera. She's so caught up with that thought and talking about how hot he looked, she doesn't pay attention to walking,trips,and falls. The thing she tripped over was Nick's foot. After she fell, Nick offered his hand to her. I'm standing there trying not to bust out laughing after I see who it is. Leia takes his hand not realizing who it is. She looks up to thank him; the girl doesn't even get one syllable out before she realizes it's him. In her state of trying not to freak out, she lets go of his hand and falls back down on her butt. Now see I tried to not laugh at her, but that was just too funny. I started laughing so hard at her. I got the most evil glare from her too. Nick just keeps asking her if she was ok. AJ comes up beside Nick and whispers to him that maybe Leia was drunk. This is when me, being the best friend that I am, explains to them what's going on. Nick starts blushing so bad, and Leia's face is red as a cherry. Finally, Nick helps Leia up again. They talk for a half hour or so; then, Nick had to leave. I teased her about it for months afterwards."
"I don't care how stupid I was. I met Nick!"
"Would you leave Dan if Nick asked you out?" Brooke asked in a serious tone.
"Seriously?" Brooke nodded. Cindy suddenly became very interested in what Leia would say. "Of course not. I love Dan. I wouldn't break up with him not unless he gave me a good reason to."
"What if it were Jacob instead of Nick?" Cindy said.
Leia looked over at her. She loved Cindy, but she was starting to realize that she was becoming uncomfortable with the way Cindy talked about Dan, and the way she looked at him. "I wouldn't leave Dan for anyone. I love him, and I care about him."
Dana could sense the tension between the two girls. "Oh hey guys look there's Carson."
"Carson sucks," Leia said as she walked off from the girls.
She couldn't believe Cindy. Cindy was a great friend to Leia, but right now Leia just wanted to punch her for ever asking a question like that. Jacob caused her so much pain, and Dan hasn't done anything to even upset Leia. They had their arguments, but they weren't ever anything big. Leia heard Carson talking, but she really didn't care what he had to say. At least she didn't until she heard the first few chords to "We Fit Together". She stopped at the spot she was at, and looked for the stage. She found them, and watched the preformance. She noticed Dan had a far away look on his face as he sang. He barely looked out to the audience. When he did, he just stared at the same spot. Leia looked over to the spot he was looking at, and saw Cindy. Leia's heart felt as if someone had ripped it out, and shred it into confetti. She turned away, and started walking to find the nearest exit. She didn't want to be there anymore. She could feel the tears stinging at her eyes wanting to fall, but she wasn't going to let them. She promised herself she would never cry over another guy; no matter how much pain he caused her. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to discover she was facing Jacob.
"Hey..." Jacob noticed the hurt look on Leia's face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Don't start with that nothing crap. I know when you're upset, and you're upset right now. Let's try this again, what's wrong?"
"It's Dan."
"What about him?"
"I think he might break up with me to get back with Cindy."
"What? Why do you think that?"
"Because during your preformance he kept looking at her. He didn't even try to find me."
"Maybe he was looking for you, and it just happened that Cindy was there. After all, Leia, you said you would be at the edge of that stage. Dan was asking after the preformance if we knew where you went."
Leia sighed and shook her head. "You're probably right, J. I don't know what's been going on with me lately."
"Look, I have to hurry and meet up with the others for our last preformance. How about after that, we walk around the studio and talk about it. Ok?"
"That would be nice."
"All right. Be right here." Jacob left, and ran into one of the private areas.
Leia turned her attention back to the stage as she heard Carson introducing O-Town for their last preformance of the night. She saw Dan come out, and hopefully Jacob told him where Leia was, so this time he'd look for her. Yet again, Dan was looking only at Cindy as he sang his verse in the song. He even smiled at her as he went back to join the other guys, and Erik came out to the stage to sing his verse. Leia just wanted to cry. Dan told her he would never hurt her. He said he wouldn't be another Jacob. He lied to me! Leia thought as she felt a few tears going down her face. Oh no I can't cry. I'm not going to let him see he's gotten to me. The preformance ended, and just like Jacob said, he found her right after the preformance. Leia quickly wiped her tears before Jacob could see them.
Jacob saw them, but he didn't say anything. He told Dan backstage how Leia felt, and Dan said he would look at Leia during the preformance. Jacob didn't know why Dan was doing this to Leia. She didn't need to be hurt again. He still felt bad for hurting her the way he did, and he hoped Dan would finally treat her the way she deserved to be treated. Now, Jacob saw that his hope was going down the drain.
"Hey, Leia," Jacob said as he walked up to her and put his arm around her shoulders. "It's quarter till midnight. I say we go find Dan, and you can talk to him."
"Good idea, but let me just go and talk to him. I'll come right back over this way."
"Ok I'll be right here." Jacob smiled and looked at Leia as she left to find Dan.
I can't fall for her! She wouldn't ever give me a second chance. Not after all the pain I put her through, but I love her still...no I don't. I'm going to stop this. I don't love Leia. She's just a friend. Jacob's thoughts argued w/ themselves as he held his head in his hands trying to figure out what to do.
"Well, Jacob," he whispered to himself, "there's only one thing you can do. I'll just have to wait for Leia to come back, so I can do it."
As if on cue, Jacob caught sight of Leia, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking at the doorway, and running towards it. Jacob started running after her as the crowd began the countdown until the year 2002.
"Leia!" Jacob yelled as he chased after her hoping he could catch her before she ran out the door. It was no use. The cheer of the crowd drowned out his voice.
Jacob pushed past people as he tried to catch up with Leia before she ran out of the door. He knew he would probably lose her before he even got halfway to the door.
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Chapter 21: You Leave Me Here
Leia ran to the hotel. She didn't even want to think about what had just happened. She just wanted a hole to open up and swallow her alive.
Jacob decided he would find Leia in a minute, but he was going to find out what happened. He searched for Dan. He finally found him dancing with Cindy. Jacob went up to him, and tugged him away from Cindy.
"What was up with that, Jake?" Dan asked when he noticed Jacob was glaring at him.
"What did you do to her?"
"Do to who?"
"Leia. What did you do to her?"
"Oh...that."
"That?" Jacob looked at him in shock. "Since when did Leia go from the love of your life to just 'that'?"
"I don't know man. I just don't feel for her anymore. It was great while it lasted, but she was told I was still in love with Cindy. She should have seen this coming."
"Daniel Mark!" Cindy exclaimed. "How dare you talk about her like that! I can't believe you!" Cindy slapped him, and ran off.
Dana and Ashley had joined them just in time to see Cindy slap him.
"What's going on guys?" Dana asked.
"I dumped Leia," Dan explained. "She came over here to talk to me. She saw me kissing Cindy, and got upset. I told her that we were through."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Dana gave him a disgusted look. "Are you fucking drunk This isn't like you,Dan. This isn't like you at all."
"Oh cut the mother bullshit," Dan slurred.
"Don't talk to her like that." Ashley stepped up to Dan. "I don't care how drunk you are. I won't let you speak to her that way."
"I see how it is. You think if you stand up for her, maybe you'll get some booty tonight. Don't let me stop you, Ashley."
"You dumbass." Ashley punched him.
"Ashley!" Dana pulled him away before he could take another shot at Dan. "He's drunk. Let's just get out of here."
Ashley didn't say anything, and just followed Dana away from Jacob and Dan.
"I can't believe you, Dan. You're drunk, and you just ruined a great relationship with Leia."
"You have some nerve, Jacob. Who's the one that called Leia just some rebound girl? I'm the one who was there for her those next few months while she was hurting. All you did was sit in your room, and play guitar. You didn't even attempt to make up for it. Think of this as me giving you another chance."
"I don't deserve her. I broke her heart too bad. And after what you did to her, I'm surprised if she ever goes for another guy again. Dan, I seriously pity you man. You lost a great girl."
Jacob hung his head down low, and walked out of the studios. He figured he would just walk back to the hotel. He would just go to sleep, and stay in there for the next day. This would be one night he wanted to forget, but he doubted he would ever be that lucky.
Dana took Ashley outside to Central Park. They held hands as they walked.
Ashley looked over at Dana. "Dana, you know that what Dan said in the studio isn't true right? I'd never do something like that."
"Of course I know that. Ashley, you're too sweet to use a person like that."
"No, that's just me being civil. I'm not sweet at all. I'm a horrible person. I hurt everyone who gets close to me."
"Don't say that."
"I've hurt Leia Lord only knows how many times, I've hurt Jacob, I've hurt Dan, and most importantly I've hurt you. The one thing I never ever wanted to do in my life."
"Aw, Ash. I forgave you though."
"Yeah, but we aren't together anymore."
"That can change you know."
Ashley looked over at her to see her smiling. "Really?"
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
"I love you." He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"I love you, too." Dana wrapped her arms around his back, and deepened their kiss.
Jacob unlocked his hotel door, and went inside. He was too caught up in his thoughts about what he felt for Leia to notice he wasn't alone in the room. He took off his shirt, and flung it across the room.
"Didn't I buy you this shirt for you birthday?" Leia asked as she flicked on the lights. "I thought you would have taken better care of it."
"What are you doing here?"
"To do something I should have done a long time ago."
Leia walked over to him, and kissed him passionately. Jacob responded by putting his arms around her waist, and kissing her back. He missed her too much to let her go at this moment. Jacob snaked his arm around the back of Leia's dress as he tried to undo the zipper in the back. Leia pulled away for a minute, and let him unzip her;then, slid the dress to her feet and kicked it off. Before Jacob could say anything, she went back to kissing him. Jacob gently laid her on the bed as she began to unbuckle his pants. Jacob pulled her hand away, and stopped.
"What is it?" Leia asked.
"Do you want to do this?"
Leia smiled, and kissed a trail from his shoulder to his lips. Jacob deepened it again as he finished unclothing the both of them, and made passionate love to Leia.
Ashley walked Dana to her room. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"You know you could stay with me tonight. I'm sure Jacob isn't going to be a pleasant room mate after what happened in the studio."
"That's true. I can just sleep on the floor."
"No, you won't. You'll sleep in my bed with me."
"You sure you'll be ok with that?"
"I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't."
"True."
Ashley went into the room with Dana to find Cindy fast asleep in her bed. Ashley felt a little sorry for Cindy, but he couldn't in some ways. She was the reason Dan hurt Leia,yet Cindy was under the impression that Leia and Dan were just about over with anyways. Dana went into the bathroom to change into her pajamas;then, Ashley just got into his boxers and laid in bed beside Dana and they fell asleep together.
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Chapter 22: With Nothing at All

Jacob woke up w/ a smile as he recalled last night. He finally got Leia back, and this time he wasn't going to let anything take her away from him. He turned to face Leia only to discover she wasn't there. He saw a folded paper laying on her pillow. Maybe she went to get something, and wrote me so I wasn't worried when I woke up. Jacob opened up the letter, and began to read it.
J,
How can I even begin this letter? Last night was wonderful, but nothing can ever come out of it. I'm sorry that I have to end it like this.
Love,
Leia
"What?" Jacob asked to himself. "No. This is a nightmare. Please tell me this is a nightmare, and when I wake up, I'll find Leia by my side."
Jacob got up, and pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. He walked over to Leia's room, and knocked. When no one answered, Jacob knocked again. The door opened. Jacob was greeted by Dan who was in nothing but boxers, and his hair was sticking up all over the place.
"What do you want?" Dan held a hand to his head. Jacob could tell he was hungover from last night.
"Have you seen Leia?"
"No. I haven't seen her since...well you know the last time I saw her. Go ask Dana maybe she knows where she's at."
Jacob thanked Dan, and went over to Dana's room. He knocked, and was a bit surprised to see Ashley answer the door.
"Ash, have you seen Leia? I really need to talk to her."
Ashley hesitated before he answered him. "Yeah she came by, but she didn't tell us where she was going. She just said she'd call later."
"Did she get her stuff?"
"Yeah. I think she went back home. Jacob, what happened after you ran off after Leia?"
"I can't tell you right now, but once I get everything straightened out I will. I promise."
Jacob went back to his room and sat on the edge of his bed. He couldn't believe that Leia left him like that. He went over to his suitcase, and pulled out a small black velvet box. He opened it up to reveal the silver ring w/ the one big diamond in the middle surrounded by two smaller diamonds on both sides. Jacob had bought it before they left for New York. He was going to give it to Dan because Dan had talked to him before about marrying Leia; then, afterlast night, he decided to use it for himself. Now, it was too late. Jacob replaced the ring, and sat back on his bed;then, an idea hit him.

**********************


Jacob removed his luggage from the cab as he looked back up at the house. Home, sweet home. Jacob had decided to head back early, so he could talk to Leia before anybody else did. He had simply told Ashley that he was going back home to talk to Leia. Jacob still didn't let him know what about. Jacob wasn't about to lose Leia again. He loved her w/ everything in him. He unlocked the door, and went inside. He was greeted by seeing Leia drag a suitcase downstairs. He looked over to see a few more placed by the door.
"What are you doing?"
Leia looked up at him, and sighed. "I'm getting out of here."
"Why? Did I do something to upset you last night? Leia, I stopped and asked you if you really wanted to do that...."
"Jacob, it's not you. You didn't do anything to upset me. I loved last night."
"Why did you leave then?"
"Don't torture yourself like this, Jacob."
"I deserve to know."
"It's me. It has nothing to do with you."
"What about you? Are you sick?"
"No." Leia sighed and sat down on the steps.
"Then what is it? I'm not going to let you leave until you tell me." There was a car horn from outside. "Where are you going?"
"Back home for a while. I might go visit some friends while I'm away." Leia got up, and began to put her luggage outside the door for the cab driver to take.
"Don't leave me like this. What about Ashley? What about Dana?"
"They know already. I have to go, Jacob." She grabbed the last suitcase, and proceded to the door.
"Leia! Marry me." Jacob kneeled in front of her, and pulled out the box.
"What!" Leia turned around to face him. "Jacob, don't do this to yourself. I'm going to leave no matter what you say."
"I love you. You can't tell me that you don't love me either. Why are you turning your back on me?"
"I'm not."
"Then tell me you love me."
"Jacob, the cab is waiting. I have to go." Leia turned the door handle, but Jacob got up and took her hand.
"I know what's wrong, Leia. You're too scared to fall in love again. I can't blame you either. After what Rich, me, and Dan have done to you, I would be scared too. Please believe me when I say I won't ever do that again. I swear on my own life. I love you."
Leia turned her face to hide her tears; she jerked her hand out of Jacob's. "Good-bye." Leia walked out to the cab, and got in. She kept her head down from Jacob's gaze until the cab had started to move. She looked back at the house one more time, and whispered, "I love you, too."
~*~THE END....~*~
SEQUEL WILL BE YET TO COME!!!!