- Prologue -

"Jax? It's Sissy, can I come in?"

Jackson Mackenzie looked up from her position on her warm bed. If she had the strength, she would roll her eyes. She hated when her sister treated her like she was five.

"Sure, Brev, the door's open."

Brevity Lincoln walked in, somewhat shyly, which was unusual but understandable. She knew.

"Whatcha listening to, JacMac?"

Jackson looked up at her sister, tears singing the corners of her green eyes.

Brevity realized what she said and covered her mouth. She quickly fell to her sister's side and engulfed her in a protective hug.

"Oh Jackson, I'm so sorry."

Jax clung to her sister, crying softly into her shirt. "I miss him so much, Brev, I want him back here with me."

Brev just pulled the hair from Jackson's face and let her cry. She needed this.

A loud click broke them from their solace.

Jackson looked over at her stereo. The tape, which she neither had the heart nor strength to stop, finally did on it's own. Somehow that finalized that it truly was over.

But she couldn't let it. She had to listen to it again. She just had to.

Jackson pushed rewind on the tape player and watched at the tiny spools pulled the coveted tape back. She let her memories drift back to when it all started. When everything was simple. She had him. He had her. They had each other.
 
 

- 1 -

"You WHAT?... Oh my God... Nonono, that's great, that's wonderful, you just took me by surprise... Yeah, I know... I'm so proud of you... Um, when are you leavin'?... In a WEEK!!!... Well, I guess I'd want you as soon as possible too... Right now?... It's kinda late... Yeah, I guess I wanna see you too... Okay, no guesses, I really wanna see you... Five minutes?... Perfect, I'll be waiting by the window... K. Bye."

Jackson hung up her cordless phone and watched the green light illuminate, signaling it needed charged. She walked over to the mirror and took advantage of it's reflection. Her auburn hair was almost completely dry and it started to curl. He loved that. There was a light blush on her cheeks from the hot shower. Her green eyes were clear and piercing. She knew he could see her emotions just by gazing in them.

She approached the window just in time to see him ascending the old ladder onto the balcony. He came over and placed his hand on the glass of the window. She smiled and placed hers over his. It was a ritual they've had for over seven years.

She pushed the window up and allowed him to enter.

"Hey," he whispered, softly, running his fingers through her damp curls once.

"Hey," she returned, equally. "So, what's so important that you came to visit yours truly."

He looked down at his hands and started playing with his ring.

"Uh-oh, that bad?"

He looked up, his eyes shining, and pulled her over to the bed. "I didn't exactly tell you everything on the phone."

She sighed and sat down beside him. "Tell me... everything."

"Well, you know we're going to Australia in a week to film the new video." Jax just nodded her head in acknowledgment. "Well, after that... we're starting the tour."

Jackson's eyes conveyed her feelings. "Wh-what? I-I thought you were waiting awhile... till Spring?"

He sighed and clasped his hands together. "We wanted to. But management said we hafta start as soon as possible. He said the fans are starting to forget us."

Jax's heart melted at his words. She knew he let down his guard and he came vulnerable when it came to the fans. She pushed the stray hairs behind his ears. "You know what I'm going to say, don't you?"

A small smile crept to his face and he playfully rolled his eyes. He recited it along with her.

"Fans will come and fans will go, but true friends will last forever." She smiled, wrapped her arms around his shoulders and kissed his temple. "Exactly. The fans who really love you guys are going to stick with you through everything. But I also promise you this one thing." He turned towards her and rested his forehead against hers. "You will always have this fan to love you."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

She was about to reply when she remembered how the conversation started. "Wait, you said you're going to start touring... how long will you be gone?" The smile had left her eyes and it was now replaced with sorrow.

He pulled away and ran his fingers through his hair. "We don't know for sure yet. We're slating up the dates next week. Probably somewhere between three and four months."

Jackson grabbed her stomach, trying to push her heart back up. "I can't believe we have to go through this again."

"It's not like I can help it, Jax, we have to."

"I... I know, I'm just being stubborn, I guess... Well, we have to make the best of this week we have left together."

He smiled and stood up, bringing her with him. "Now that's what I like to hear. No wonder you're my number one girl, JacMac."

Jackson's laugh was genuine as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And you are the only one that can get away with calling me that."

"I better go. How 'bout we get up early tomorrow and go to our spot? I have a surprise for you."

Jackson smiled and tightened her grasp. "Nu-uh, what is it?"

He laughed and puller her arms from around him. "No way, you're not even going to try and sweet talk me. I've been planning this for a little while now and I want it to be special."

Jackson bit her lip and blushed a little. "Okay, I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow... say, eight o'clock?"

He bent down and kissed her hand. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

They walked over to the window and he slowly climbed out. "Sweet dreams, Jackson."

Jackson shuttered as the cold air hit her body, but his warm lips touched her nose. "Sweet dreams, Isaac."