Ash's morning wasn't going good. For starters, it was a Monday, on top of that, her body temperature was increasing rapidly, and the cherry on top, a developing migraine. Buster had called the day before, he wanted the gang to come by, possibly to hang out again or practice. They haven't really been doing anything. Which means, Busters is planning something. Ash sat up, her sleep wear covered in sweat. She must be coming down with something. A loud knocking was sounding through her apartment. She tried so hard to ignore it. A voice kept calling her name.

"Ash, babe, Let me in!" It called.

"Go away Lance!" She yelled out as much as she could, her voice was dulled out.

Her eyes were somewhat watery, she must've cried a little when she woke up. The knocking kept coming, each bang making her headache worse. Knowing Lance was probably not going to go away for a while. Ash had to sneak past him.

When will this prick give up? She thought.

Probably never!

Ash decided she wasn't up for making any breakfast and just grabbed her guitar case instead. She waited for a moment for the knocking to stop, meaning Lance has gone to the apartment complex's bathroom, in the hallway. Ash cracked her door to make sure the coast was clear and hustled out the door. Walking down the street towards moon theater, Ash was nervous. What if people realized she was sick? She tried pushing this thought to the back of her head, but couldn't. Eventually through the slurs of her thoughts, she was at the front step of the new, refurbished, Moon Theater. She stepped inside, thanking the heavens she was a couple minutes late, therefore missing the gathering in the lobby. Buster had sent everyone to their individual sound rooms. Ash saw no one inside, only hearing muffled singing, music, and a piano.

Johnny plays the piano so… beautifully.

She blushed and shook her head. Sure, Ash had to admit to herself, she was starting to develop a crush on the gorilla. She shook those thoughts out of her head, and decided to head into her practice room. She pulled out her guitar, plugged it into the sound system and gave it a strum to see if everything was working. She decided just to practice "Set It All Free" to pass the time. She strummed the first notes just fine, but the rest… not that much… She missed notes and groaned as she did. Then, her voice when she started to sing, it was mostly full of mild voice cracks. This went on and on, each minute her headache getting worse, and worse. Suddenly, busters voice rang out.

"Ok everybody, you did good! So good in fact, that you can go home early, but only if you want to."

Ash sighed in relief, then she thought.

Did I really struggle to even do the first part of my song for four whole hours!?

She was so out of it, she had lost track of time. Yet, she thanked the lord she was being sent home early. Packing her things, Ash began to set out for home. She stepped out the soundproof room only to became frightened as the very thing she didn't want to run into was already formed. The group had gathered once again in the lobby and gossiped before leaving. Ash sighed once more, hiding her face whilst doing so. She stepped forward, praying to god she wouldn't get noticed. She passed by Mike, Ms. Crawly and Meena and said a brisk, and quick 'bye' to them. She didn't say anything to Buster, Rosita or Johnny. Especially, Johnny, for she knew all too well that Johnny would notice abnormalities in a heartbeat. As She walked past him, she felt something, something in her stomach churn. She was hit by a sudden attack of nausea. Making a grimace, and walking fast, Ash realized she had made it to the door, and without hesitating pushed it open and began to jog her way out the theater. However, the motion from her jog just made her nausea rank up to ten, so she forced herself to slow down. Feeling a wave of weakness in her muscles, her walk turned into a shuffle. She heard footstep from behind her, but didn't turn to look. Boy, did she regret not looking. Appeared, this large dark figure. Ash yelped in surprise and swung her guitar case at it. However, she realized who it was and counteracted her guitar case's momentum.

"J-Johnny! Geez don't scare me like that!" She yelled.

The big gorilla's face showed signs of fright, Ash lost her stern look.

"S-Sorry." She said.

Johnny tried to get a look at Ash's face, of which she was hiding from him.

"Hey, Ash? Are you feeling okay?"

These words alone sent a shock up Ash's spine. She simply responded, 'Yeah'.

"Are you sure, I can drive you home if you want." He replied.

She peeked at Johnny's face and turned away again. Johnny's face was full of worry.

Ugh… why is Johnny so caring and kind?

Man… no wonder I'm getting a crush on the gorilla! Johnny is so much nicer than Lance! Lance didn't give a hoot for what I felt, how I felt. To put it simple, He. Did. Not. Care…

So, why am I hiding it from Johnny!? I should tell him the truth or at least, tell him I'm not feeling very good.

Ash built up the courage to turn to him and tell him herself. Suddenly as she began to turn, a force rose up her throat and into her mouth. She had just thrown up, however she managed to keep it in her mouth and with a grimace, swallowed it. She accidently shown Johnny her now, greenish face. Johnny took a step closer to her.

"Ash, I know you are not feeling good. I can't bear to see you like this, you're not taking another step." He said.

Ash wanted to respond but two hands grabbing her by the arms interrupted her. She was lifted into the air and let out a slight yelp as she quickly rose. Only to find she was sat on Johnny's shoulder. Johnny knelt to pick up the dropped guitar case.

"When I say you're not taking another step, you are not taking another step." He joked. "Don't worry though, the truck is parked at the theater, so, it isn't too far away.

Johnny walked at a swift yet gentle pace. Ash felt the wind on her very red, blushing cheeks. Was Johnny really doing this? Ash just had to pinch herself to make sure. It was all real. She was on Johnny's shoulders, high off the ground. Her mind slipped from her nausea and onto new thoughts. One thought was whether Johnny could see her cheeks or not. Suddenly she realized she was at Johnny's truck. She expected to him to put her down, but he didn't. He sat down the case instead. Ash realized that was his only free hand, where was the other one? She suddenly felt Johnny's other hand on her back, thus keeping her sat upon Johnny's shoulder. Johnny opened the passenger door and then, placed Ash gently inside. The seat was much larger than she was, but she manages to sink into it and get comfortable. Ash got so comfortable in fact, that she failed to register that the truck had been started and was moving. Johnny drove rather gentle.

"I'm driving a little slow, so you don't get any sicker than you already are. Also, if you need too, I have two-no wait…." He paused for a moment to think. "…Three or so Wal-Mart bags in the glove compartment." Johnny flashed a smile at Ash.

Ash saw it clear as day, and began to blush once more.

Why is he so nice to me!? Ash thought to herself.

What can it be? Why am I feeling so… so… odd inside? I know I had a crush on the h-handsome son of a gun, but I didn't know it was this intense!

Ash paused when a certain thought inserted itself into her mind. Ash's cheeks went aflame.

Does he like me back? Does he have a crush on me?

As these thoughts drilled their way into her mind, Ash mindlessly asked the question, completely unaware of her actions.

"Johnny? Do you like me?" She asked. Ash covered her mouth and turned away.

From behind her a nervous voice croaked.

"Yeah you are my friend."

"N-No, not like that Johnny, I mean do you like-like me?"

Ash then became flustered by her very own actions. She turned away from him to hide her blushing face. Ash felt the truck slow down, but never comprehended that it came to a stop.

"Yes, Ash, yes I do."

Ash's ears perked up. She slowly turned to him.

"Y-You do?" Was all she managed to force out.

Johnny paused, at first, his face displayed nervousness, but quickly changed into a face of determination.

"Listen Ash, your beautiful, your smart. You know what else? I know under that punk rock skin lies a kind heart, a heart that's been damaged, but all it needs is tender loving care."

Ash's cheeks felt like they weren't on fire anymore, they were getting nuked. Johnny continued.

"Ash, I bloody love you, for you. Whatever choice you make, I'll be there to back it up and stand by your side every step of the way."

Ash's thoughts were racing.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. He's confessing!

Ash felt her eyes begin to water. What Johnny was saying was beautiful. Never, had she felt this way for anyone, not even Lance. Never, had she felt so cared for and loved and she didn't even know it until now! Ash began to sob softly. Johnny then joked.

"If Lance ever lays a harmful finger on you, let's just say, the bugger should meet, righty and lefty." Johnny joked, holding up his fist.

He sighed and looked Ash in her blue eyes. Ash stared into Johnny's green eyes. Ash knew her cheeks were on fire and her eyes were very wet, but she didn't care anymore. Johnny finally put the icing on the cake, the cherry on top, the… oh you get the point.

"What I'm trying to say Ash, is that I-I love you." He said. "I really do."

UGH! I can't take it anymore, I must do something!

Ash felt it rise in her, something she thought she lost for good when she broke up with Lance; love. It was now, she figured out just how much she loved Johnny. Without hesitation or a thought in her mind, Ash slipped her way out of the gorilla sized seat belt and leapt onto Johnny. Giving him a three second smile, before planting a sudden, passionate and deep kiss onto the gorilla's lips. Ash's cheeks feeling hotter than ever before, were only strengthened when she felt Johnny pull her closer to further deepen the kiss. Suddenly Ash broke the kiss, in shock.

"Oh my god, Johnny I- I'm so sorry, I-I don't know what came over me."

Johnny only smiled, and took a hold of her small, tender hand.

"It's alright." He whispered in a calm, loving voice. "I liked it."

Ash smiled at him, a fear of rejection faded away.

"In that case…" She said, pulling him by the collar of his jacket. "I'll just have to do that again."

They both smiled at each other. They both kissed, once again. This time, a little longer than their first kiss. Ash couldn't help but moan, ever so softly. They soon broke the kiss for air. Johnny and Ash looked each other in the eyes, and knew, they were looking in the eyes of the love of their lives.

Author Notes:

This is the first chapter of my new story. It is a direct continuation of my last story. Now then, I'm going to remain to myself, but I'm going to let you guess what's going on here. ;D

-Toodles!

-Dr. DT