Gerard couldn’t sit still. During the entire six-hour flight from LA to New York all he did was fidget. Not even his iPod helped with the nerves as he stared out the window from his middle seat beside Mikey and tapped his fingers against his knees. On his other side Ray was jotting something in a notebook and bobbing his head to whatever he was listening to. Heaving a sigh, Gerard tried to get comfortable only for Mikey to nudge him in the gut and glare.

“Ow! What the fuck?” he hissed and Mikey pulled his headphones away from his ears.

“Stop fucking moving, you’re driving me insane.” Mikey scowled at him.

“I can’t help it. This plane is too fucking small and I can’t get comfortable,” he complained.

Mikey rolled his eyes and returned his headphones to his ears with a shake of his head. Ray chuckled and Gerard shot him a glare but was just ignored as Ray returned to his writing. Peeking over his shoulder he saw that the guitarist was writing out plans for a song he thought they’d decided to scrap.

“Am I entertaining you?” Ray asked and Gerard slid back into his seat looking guilty.

“Sorry, I was just curious,” he muttered, staring at his hands.

Ray laughed again and tossed the notebook onto his lap, “I know we wanted to scrap this but it’s been bugging me so I decided to try my hand at writing a few parts.”

Nodding, Gerard picked it up and studied the notes; “I’d love to hear it when we get home.”

“I was going to teach it to Dom for her next lesson.” Ray took back the notebook and closed it.

Gerard’s face tensed at the mention of Dom. Yeah, he’d been trying to keep away from her but she was always in the back of his mind. He worried about her all the time. He even reconsidered visiting her on this trip back to the East Coast but he knew if he didn’t show up it would turn out for the worse.

“When are you meeting up with her for her lesson?” he asked casually.

“Hopefully today after we get settled,” Ray said, fiddling with the notebook cover. “I told her I’d call when we got in.”

“Can I come with you?”

The question came out like a pleading whisper than anything and it made him cringe. Ray just laughed.

“Yeah, sure. I’m hitching a ride with Frank cuz he wants to see Nat. I have no idea what Mikey’s up to though.” Glancing at his little brother who had his head turned out the window, Gerard shrugged.

“ I dunno what’s going on with him. He’s been a bit off lately.”

“You know I can hear you,” came his quiet reply.

“Oh, sorry.”

Mikey turned to look at his band mates, his face flat. “I don’t know what I’m doing yet. But I want to see Dom and Nat as much as you guys do. I have to talk to Dom anyway. I don’t like being on bad terms. You know.”

The two nodded quietly and the overhead speakers crackled to life. Their eyes lifted to the ceiling and the muffled voice of the captain reverberated through the plane.

“If you’ll return your seat backs to their upright position, I’ve turned on the seatbelt light. We’ll be landing within the next fifteen minutes.”

“It’s about fucking time,” Gerard muttered under his breath and clipped his seatbelt in place. He still couldn’t sit still, but he fidgeted a bit les as the plane went into it’s decent toward New York City.

______________

“Dom, get up! We have to go!” Nat’s frantic voice interrupted Dom’s nap and she groaned, not opening her eyes.

“You just interrupted a really good dream,” she grumbled and stretched.

Nearly rolling off the couch, Dom rolled onto her back and braced herself as Nat grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

“Get up! Come on!”

This time she actually opened her eyes and frowned, “Why?”

“We have to pick up the guys from the airport! Remember? Frank’s little plan?” Nat grabbed Dom’s hand and pulled, dragging her off the couch. “Go brush your teeth and your hair and let’s go!”

“Calm down, bitch,” Dom stuck her tongue out, shuffling slowly toward the bathroom to do as she was told. Turning on the sink she stuck her toothbrush in her mouth and paused, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like a character out of a Tim Burton film, her eyes heavily shadowed without any make up and her skin pale and sallow. Tilting her head to the side she breathed in through her nose and placed her hands on her hips. She didn’t feel sick.

“Blegh,” she grumbled and finished brushing her teeth, spitting the toothpaste down the drain. She quickly brushed her hair, leaving it down and glanced down at her baggy t-shirt and sweatpants.

“You don’t have time to change, let’s go!” Nat made the decision for her and she sighed and rolled her eyes, trudging back out into the living room where Nat stood waiting, dressed in a pretty green dress with her short hair curled around her face. She looked like a glowing angel compared to her grungy mess of an ensemble but at that point Dom couldn’t care less.

“Here, it’s kind of chilly,” Nat tossed her a jacket and Dom dutifully pulled it on, feeling a little bit better about her appearance since the pea coat looked a bit more sophisticated.

_____________________

“So who’s picking us up again?” Gerard asked as the band made their way as stealthy as possible through the airport, all four of them sporting sunglasses and hoods to cover their faces.

“You’ll see,” Frank grinned beside him and shouldered his backpack. “They’re by a side exit with security so we don’t get mobbed.”

“Good,” Mikey sighed, finding his luggage and pulling it off the conveyor belt. Gerard did the same and the group followed Frank through the various terminals. After a while Frank pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number, his face lighting up when whoever it was answered and he stopped to look around.

“I don’t see you,” he grumbled and did a three sixty, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Frank!” came a high-pitched squeal and Gerard spun around just as a blonde barreled past him and into Frank’s arms.

“Nat?” Ray reacted first and she squealed again and pulled away from her boyfriend.

“Surprise!” she waved with a giggle. “We wanted to be the first to see you this time so Frank called me before you landed.

“Is D—” Mikey began but his unasked question was answered when Dom sidled up to them, her long hair loose and long around her shoulders, her bangs covering one of her eyes. Gerard stared as she offered them a meek wave and shoved her hands in her pockets. Even though she looked sick and exhausted she still radiated beauty to him. He had to fight the urge to run his fingers through her hair and looked down at his sneakers before he did anything stupid. After so long he forgot how strong his attraction to her was. It was like a magnetic pull that he had to use all of his strength to fight off.

“Dom!” Ray scooped her into a hug and she deflated, squeezing him back with a small smile.

“Hey, Ray,” she muttered into his shoulder and Gerard’s eyes snapped back to her. He missed that voice. Her throaty alto that never ceased to send shivers through him.

“You look good,” Ray commented and her cheeks flushed.

“Yeah, right,” she pushed a chunk of hair behind her ear. “Hey Frank.” She turned to him and he hugged her quickly before her eyes fell on him and Mikey. The awkward silence stretched between the three for a minute before Mikey stepped forward and opened his arms.

“It’s really good to see you,” he smiled and she stepped into his embrace. Her eyes were swimming with tears this time and he watched as she turned her face toward his neck. The two stayed locked in the hug for a while and Gerard felt himself getting antsy again. It was his turn. He fought with himself, trying not to rip her away from his brother and kiss her until their lips were sore. Instead he glanced down at his shoes again and listened. She was crying.

“Shh, don’t cry,” Mikey whispered as her muffled sob filled the quiet between them.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffed and pulled back. “I just… there’s so much to say.” She swiped at her eyes and Mikey nodded.

“Yeah, about that,” he shifted uncomfortably.

“Later,” she finished for him and he silently agreed. And then it was Gerard’s turn. Finally. Dom turned to him and he looked up at her. Her eyes watered again and he offered her a crooked smile.

“Hey Sugar,” he muttered and she burst into tears. Unable to stop himself, he wrapped her in a tight hug, pressing his lips to her cheek as she sobbed into his jacket.

“I hate you,” she blubbered and he laughed, burying his face in her hair. She still smelled so good. That sweet scent of her skin mixed with the peachy smell of her shampoo. He never realized how much he missed it.

“I know,” he whispered and she squeezed him against her, her warmth filling him up as she pressed herself against his body. He instantly responded, his body hardening as her hips came in contact with his. He felt his face flush and tried to think about anything to prevent a situation from happening in the middle of the airport. Dom’s nails dug into his back and her tears fell against his neck, her breath brushing over his skin in hot bursts.

“I hate you so much.”

He chuckled awkwardly as the guys tried not to watch their moment. Frank had turned his attention his girlfriend, their lips locked in a quick kiss while Mikey and Ray stared at anything but the awkwardness happening with him and Dom. Clearing his throat, Gerard gave Dom one last squeeze and she stepped away from him and wiped her eyes.

“Sorry guys,” she shrugged. “I didn’t mean to go all emotional the second you showed up. Just kind of happened.”

“It’s all good, Pumpkin.” Frank winked at her and she flipped him off. He giggled and Nat grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the exit they’d been searching for. Dom sighed and stuffed her hands in her pockets, following close beside Ray as they left the airport and piled into Nat’s truck.

The ride into Jersey was quiet, the only sounds being the music turned low on the radio. Dom sat with her feet propped on the dashboard, her fingers tapping on the window as she concentrated on the music. Occasionally she’d glance in the side mirror where she could see Gerard clearly, his hair whipping in the wind and his headphones on. The corner of her mouth pulled up and butterflies erupted in her stomach. Every so often their eyes would meet and she’d quickly glance away, blushing.

“We’ll see you guys in a few hours, okay?” Frank broke the silence when Nat pulled up to his house.

“Sounds good,” Nat chirped, kissing him through the car window. Dom watched as Frank’s hand slid to the back of Nat’s head, pulling her into the kiss to make it deeper. She felt intrusive just watching the sweet moment and her eyes shifted to Gerard again as he stood a few paces away, his bags stacked around his feet. He smirked at her and she blushed again.

“A couple hours then,” Frank spoke and Dom watched him peck Nat’s lips again and step away from the car. Her roommate slowly rolled up the window and waited for the four to troop into Frank’s house before pulling away from the curb.

“What’s happening in a few hours?” Dom asked as they got on the highway back to New York.

“You’ll see,” was all the blonde let on, the car descending into silence as they drove back to their apartment.

Two hours later, Dom stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her body before grabbing another one to towel off her hair. Humming to herself she opened the door, stepping out into the hallway only to freeze at the sight of Gerard making his way down the hall. Her entire body erupted in goose bumps and her hand snapped to the towel, making sure it was secure around her. She could feel her face flaming with heat and she stropped toweling her hair when he took a step toward her, averting his eyes.

“Sorry, Nat sent me back to grab paper towels out of the hall closet.”

“She was setting you up, babe. Sneaky bitch,” Dom grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. “You can look at me. It’s not like you haven’t seen me butt ass naked before.”

He laughed and his eyes slowly found hers again. She felt her cheeks flush but ignoring the embarrassment, she draped her hair towel over her shoulder and continued to her bedroom, nudging the door open with her knee and stepping into her space. She tried her damndest to seem nonchalant as Gerard followed her and leaned against the doorframe. Pulling open her underwear drawer she pushed her clothes around before finding a nice black lacey pair just to be a tease. She could feel his eyes on her as she bent forward, slipping the underwear on under her towel before finding a bra.

“You might want to shut the door if you’re gonna creep at me,” she said over her shoulder and he laughed.

“Sorry, I forgot how distracting you are,” he stepped into the room and kicked the door closed with his foot.

Turning to him, Dom crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip, tapping her bare foot against the wood floor. “So we’re just gonna ignore the huge pink elephant in the room, then?”

She watched him take a few steps toward her and sink down onto her bed. His hair fell in his face when he leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

A flare of rage flashed in her eyes but she pushed it away and tightened the towel around her. “How about acknowledge the fact that you fucking told me you loved me and then didn’t call or talk to me for weeks! And then I hear you’re seeing that chick from MSI? How about an explanation for starters.”

The guilt in his eyes made her throat tight and he played with his hands for a second before looking up at her, “I’m sorry. I just thought some space would help us out. We’ve been sneaking around for so long and Mikey refused to look at me. I thought not speaking for a while would cool us off. Lindsey was just visiting. She’s an old friend.”

“I still hate you,” she shook her head and turned her back to him, letting the towel pool at her feet as she slipped the bra up her arms and clasped it at her back. Gerard couldn’t help but watch her as she pulled open another drawer and tug on a pair of skinny jeans and a black blouse. She turned around as she finished buttoning it, a bit of cleavage showing as she clasped a silver necklace around her neck and combed her fingers through her hair.

“I thought after a while my feelings would calm down but seeing you now just makes me want to rekindle the fire,” he breathed before he could stop himself and Dom let out a dark laugh.

“I think I’m beyond wanting a sexual relationship right now, Gee.”

He cocked his head to the side, “Why?”

“You don’t want to know,” she tried to brush it off but Gerard wasn’t having it. As she moved to the door to rejoin Nat in the living room he grabbed her arm and stopped her, concerned.

“Yes, I do, Dominica.”

Her eyes drifted to the floor but she didn’t move to tug her arm from his grip. Swallowing hard she looked anywhere but in his imploring hazel eyes. “It’s Luke,” she whispered. “He tried to harass me again. I got a restraining order but I don’t think it’s enough so…. I’m leaving.”

“Leaving? Where?” the frantic hint in his voice broke her heart and she finally looked up at him.

“I can’t tell you. I’m sorry. I just need to get away for a while. I need to move on and I can’t when I’m stuck in a rut here. It will help both of us. I can’t be stuck on you and you can’t be stuck on me. It’s dangerous for me to be so attached to one person. I can’t do that to you or Mikey.”

Gerard let her arm free and tucked his hands in the pockets of his own skinny jeans, “I understand, but that doesn’t mean I like this one bit.”

Offering a smile, Dom leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on his cheek, “I do love you, Gee. But I don’t think we were ever meant to work out.”

Gerard refused to admit that. She held something over him that he just didn’t understand. But if she wanted to leave New York, it was her life. He couldn’t stop her from moving away just like she couldn’t stop him from going on tour. It was only fair. Heaving a sigh, Gerard nodded and opened her bedroom door waiting for her to step into the hall before following her out into the living room where Frank, Mikey, Ray and Nat sat waiting.