Runaway

Rachel wiped her eyes roughly and looked out of the window. Tony took her hand and she turned to look at him. He smiled at her and she tried to smile back. He squeezed her hand and brought it up to his lips. Rachel sighed and looked back out of the window. Tony concentrated on the road and took a turn. Rachel gulped as she saw them pulling into the car park. She saw the tour bus and trailer and sighed. He pulled up and Rachel got out of the car. Tony came around to meet her. He took her hand and she turned to look at him. He pressed his lips to hers and she kissed him back.
"Want to help me take my bag on?" Tony asked.
"If I get to spend more time with you," Rachel said.
"Come on," he urged. They walked to the door and Tony opened it. He helped her inside and they saw everyone sitting on the sofa. Rachel waved to them and gripped Tony's hand tighter.
"We're waiting on you," the tour manager explained.
"Give me a minute," Tony replied.
"You okay?" Jaime asked.
"Yeah," he nodded. Tony pulled Rachel over to the bunks. They walked down and he set his bag in one. Rachel sat down and he sat with her. He looked her in the eye and she wrapped her arms around him. He rubbed her back soothingly. She put her lips by his neck and kissed him. He could feel her tears on his skin. "Don't cry," he tried.
"I don't want you to go,"
"I don't want to leave you either. But I have to. If Vic learnt to play my part too all the fame would go to his head," he laughed. "He wouldn't be able to fit through the door,"
"Okay," she laughed.
"You know I'll miss you,"
"I'll miss you too," she told him.
"And I want you to call me all the time,"
"I promise," Rachel sniffed.
"And can I ask you something?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Don't go out with any other guys,"
"Why would I?" she giggled.
"Because you're perfect and other guys like you,"
"But I like you," she told him.
"Good," Tony smiled.
"I love you," she rushed.
"I love you too, Rach," he told her. He undid the clasp on a chain around his neck. Then he put it around Rachel's neck and did it up. "There," he smiled. Rachel crushed her lips to his again passionately and he held her waist. She broke away and sighed.
"You have to go, don't you," she muttered. Tony nodded and Rachel got up. She took Tony's hand they walked back into the front lounge. She was about to walk out when she turned and wrapped her arms around Tony. She crushed her lips to his deeply and longly. They stayed there a while until she finally broke away. "I love you," she told him quickly. She blushed deeply and looked back at the others. "Um . . . bye everyone," she said awkwardly.
"I love you, Rach," Tony said quickly. She nodded and walked off of the bus. She went to Tony's car and waited. She saw Tony at the bus window and he waved as the bus drove off. She got in the car and got out her phone. She sighed and dialled the number. The phone started ringing and she held it to her ear.
"Hello?" a woman's voice asked.
"Hi, I'm looking for Charlotte,"
"That's me," the woman confirmed.
"My name is Rachel. I was wondering if I could meet you to talk about someone called Megan," I said quickly.
"Oh gosh. Um . . . Okay," Charlotte breathed anxiously.

A week later Rachel walked down a garden path. She knocked the door and Charlotte answered. She was taken aback when she saw her. Charlotte looked so different to her. Charlotte smiled and Rachel returned it. She stood back to let her in. "Rachel?" she asked.
"Yeah, you're Charlotte,"
"I am," she confirmed. "Come on," she urged. They walked through a hall and into a sitting room. "Can I get you a drink?"
"Water," Rachel smiled. Charlotte nodded and left her. Rachel sat down on the sofa and waited anxiously.
"Here," Charlotte said and handed her a glass. Rachel accepted and took a sip. "So?" Charlotte asked.
"I don't know why I came really," Rachel muttered. "I just need to know,"
"You're not just Tony's friend, are you?"
"No," she shook her head.
"I thought not," she smiled wryly. "Is Tony okay? Is he happy?"
"They're touring. But he's happy, yes,"
"Good, he deserves to be. I'm happy for you both,"
"Thank you," Rachel smiled. "But I need to know about her,"
"I know," Charlotte nodded. "I had to find out from one of Tony's ex's. Let me guess. Megan has approached you alone, asked you to pass on little messages,"
"How did you know?"
"It's what she does. She did it with all his girlfriends. It's how she works,"
"Who is she?" Rachel asked seriously.
"They met in high school. I guess she liked him. They would go to parties after high school. They weren't friends, but they would just end up hooking up. Like strangers with benefits,"
"Oh," she muttered.
"But then he got a girlfriend. He called it off obviously. She didn't like that, she became obsessed with him. She'd follow him, his girlfriend. She can't accept he doesn't want her. That's what she's done to all his girlfriends. She drives you so insane until you eventually just quit trying. You can't take it anymore and have to end it with him,"
"It got that bad?"
"It's awful. It's nothing Tony does. He's such a good guy. It's her,"
"Does Tony ever see her?"
"Not that I know of. He's gotten drunk and seen her, sure. I heard when he came home last year they were having sex for a month or two. But then he realises what he's doing and stops. She can't accept that," Charlotte explained.
"How to I keep her from breaking us up?"
"You can't," Charlotte breathed.
"Please," Rachel begged.
"Don't tell Tony you know, he'll call her to yell and it'll make things worse. When you see him she'll be there so act like the best couple in the world. No one ever lasted long enough for a confrontation. Maybe that's what it takes," Charlotte shrugged.
"Thank you, so much," Rachel breathed.
"Please, try. You seem like a nice girl and Tony is super sweet,"
"Okay, I will," she nodded.
"Thanks," Rachel repeated. She got up and started for the hall. Charlotte followed her and opened the door. Rachel stepped out and looked back. "Goodbye,"
"Bye," Charlotte smiled and Rachel waved to her.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? The boys have left for tour. What about Megan? Now you know. Who was expecting it? What will Rachel do? What do you think will happen? :)