FicWad

Chapter Nineteen - All The Small Things

13th November 2006

The bus pulled up at Liverpool University and Worm flanked by his team and the road manager appeared at the door to let them know that it was okay to move.

"You'll have some press to do and a radio interview before and after the soundcheck."

"Yeah, that's fine." Gerard responded not really paying attention.

"There's also a meet and greet with competition winners."

"Cool," Frank responded as he waved to the fans waiting to see them.

Jill picked up her laptop and followed them towards the university building. There was an air of excitement as a number of students noticed the group and shouted over towards them. Jill pulled her hood tighter and kept her head down as she walked as far away from them as she possibly could. She was so happy to finally get inside and she peeked out of the window to watch them speak to the fans that had been waiting outside from the early hours of the morning. She then wandered off and eventually found a quiet spot which was more like a cupboard and started up her laptop, her editor had been texting her for an update and although Ruth was happy with the blogs she was getting Jill knew she really had to get a draft of some sort to Neil. Jill listened as the sound of voices gradually got louder and the guys reached their dressing room which was just down the corridor from her cupboard. Jill turned her attention back to her computer as she heard the door shut and it became quieter. She sighed as the door quickly reopened and the sound of frantic activity and numerous coming and goings filtered through the corridor. Jill reached down into her bag and pulled her lpod out. She flipped open her notebook and her fingers quickly began to rapidly flow across the keyboard as she started to write.

Jill was oblivious to the time as she concentrated solely on the task ahead of her. She didn't move from the spot until she jumped as someone touched her shoulder. Jill looked behind her to see Bob standing with an apologetic look on his face, "I'm really sorry if I gave you a fright."

"I'm okay," Jill replied pulling the headphones from her ears and turning round in her chair.

"I just found out where you were, you just disappeared." Bob explained as if he felt Jill needed to know why he hadn't been around, "We had a sound check and then interviews that never seemed to end."

Jill looked up at him, "Bob, you don't need to explain where you have been, I know you guys are really busy and I was just trying to keep my editor happy by getting some work sent over to him."

Bob looked slightly surprised at her response and changed the topic of conversation, "You want to come through and get something to eat,"

Jill looked at her watch and noticed the time, "I hadn't realised it was so late, that sounds good I'm starving."

"You better be quick or Frank will have finished all the veggie stuff." Bob replied smiling with that cheeky warm smile of his.

Jill shut down her laptop and grabbed her stuff to follow him. She quickly stood up but felt herself falling forward as she tripped on the strap of her bag. Bob instinctively caught her and pulled her up.

"Got you," he said laughing out loud.

"I'm such a clumsy idiot." Jill laughed back through her embarrasment.

"You're not an idiot Jill, just damn cute," he continued to laugh.

"Although not so cute with a bloody nose if you hadn't been there." Jill responded.

Bob looked down at her, he didn't want to let her go it just seemed so right for Jill to be in his arms. "I wish we were in the UK for longer." He sighed.

Jill's smile disappeared, "Me too."

He pulled her closer and kissed her forehead as Jill closed her eyes and leaned into him.

"Are you okay Jill, I noticed you walking away from us when we arrived here? " Bob asked, " You're not still worrying about that photo are you?"

Jill paused for a moment before looking up at him, "It scared me Bob and I know it was probably someone joking around but I don't want to put myself in that situation again. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for," Bob replied.

"I don't want you to be worrying about me and I'm just being stupid."

Bob gently placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled back from her to allow him to see her clearly, "Listen to me Jill, you are not being stupid and I do worry about you when I see you looking sad, I want to worry about you because I want you to know that I'm here for you whenever you need to talk about anything."

Jill could feel tears in her eyes and her first instinct was to run away but he was here, being so nice and looking at her as he waited for her to respond. "I care for you too." She whispered.

Bob moved his hands up to her face and gently ran his thumbs across her cheeks. He leaned down gently and their lips met once more. Jill reached up and circled her arms around his neck as he moved his arms around her back and pulled her close to his body. She knew that it just felt so right and she let herself forget about everything else as she continued to kiss him. She loved the feel of the stubble on his chin and the warmth of his body as he held her close. Jill could feel herself losing control as she heard him gently moan in response to her hands sliding down his chest. She had to stop, she had to stop before it got to the point where she couldn't.

"JILL," a voice shouted down the corridor, "YOU BETTER HURRY UP BECAUSE FRANK'S EATING ALL YOUR FOOD."

Jill pulled away from Bob and they both started to laugh, "I think that's our hint to move." Bob said gently pushing her hair behind her ears.

"I think so," Jill replied picking up her bag.

"I'll take the laptop, wouldn't want you to drop it." Bob snickered as he lifted the machine off the desk.

"Hey," Jill responded bumping the side of her hip off his, "Anyway I kind of like falling into you."

Bob became serious and then the biggest smile appeared across his face, "I kinda liked it too." He responded closing the door behind them.

Jill walked into the room to see the guys chomping away on the food.

"Where the hell you been Jill?" Frank asked looking up.

"I've been catching up with some work." Jill responded as she sat down beside him.

"Lucky timing because Frank was just about to finish off the veggie stuff." Ray added as he pushed the leftovers towards Jill.

"I wouldn't do that to Jill," Frank replied pouring Jill some juice and passing the cup to her.

Jill started to eat and looked around the room, she couldn't quite believe everything that had happened in the last week and here she was now with some of the nicest people she had ever met and she didn't feel awkward or in the way. Her eyes caught Bob's as he looked over at her and smiled. She felt her heart skip a beat as she returned the smile and looked away for fear of being caught staring at him.

"Guys, you're due to meet with the competition winners in 10 minutes,"

"Okay," Gerard replied finishing his food, "I better go and look half decent."

Jill continued to pick away at the food Frank had left for her as she watched them checking their appearance in the mirrors and playing around with each other. Mikey seemed to spend an age preening himself, then deciding he was fine before going back to check again. She watched as he silently berated himself out of sight of the others. Jill thought back to her interview when she had first met them and Mikey talked about his breakdown. She knew what depression was like having seen it grip her Father to the point she couldn't trust him to be on his own. The familiar little signs were so plainly being shown in the man before her and it worried her. Mikey seemed to change when Gerard walked over to him and soon he was back in the fold laughing with the others. Gerard wrapped his arm around his brother as they walked out of the room, "See you later Jill."

Bob stopped by the door and looked back at Jill to see her attention back on the food. He quickly walked back and sat down beside her.

"Bob, you'll be getting shouted at soon." Jill laughed.

"I don't care," he replied putting his arm around her and smiling as she fell back to lean on him.

"We'll get caught," Jill whispered.

"I don't care," Bob said pulling her closer and kissing her forehead.

"BOB, put Jill the fuck down and get out here," Frank said as he poked his head around the door and laughed at the sight of both Jill and Bob half leaping out off the chair.

Jill looked mortified as Bob just stared at her not sure what to say.

"Oh shit, shit," Jill said wishing she could have thought of something else to have said.

"Jill, breath and stop stressing, everything is fine," Bob replied trying to comfort her and restrain the laughter that was threatening to burst out.

"He knows Bob, he knows, he saw us oh god." Jill frantically replied.

"I hate to tell you this Jill but I think they all know and I think they've known for a while," Bob told her.

"Nooooooooooooooo,"

"Yep and you know something," Bob started.

"You don't care," Jill instantly replied.

"Exactly," Bob laughed as he quickly kissed her and ran out of the room.

Jill sat back in the chair and played with the now empty glass in front of her as she thought about what Bob had just said. The week had truly been an eventful one.


x------x

"About time Bob," Ray remarked as Bob eventually entered the room to meet some of the fans before the show.

"Sorry about that," Bob replied and Ray noted just how relaxed and happy his friend had become.

They spent about twenty minutes with the fans before they had to go back and prepare for the show. The support band had taken to the stage by the time they had reached their dressing room once again. Bob immediately noticed that Jill had once again disappeared and he knew she had gone to allow them the privacy to get ready.

"So Bob, things are going well with Jill?" Frank asked as he sat down and pulled his shoes off.

Bob sighed and looked over at Frank, he could feel the other band members shift their attention to him, "Everything is fine."

"And?" Gerard asked wanting more details.

"Guys, leave him alone," Ray said knowing all too well how private a person Bob was.

Bob silently thanked Ray, "Look guys Jill is a really private person and I don't want to be talking about stuff."

"Oh come on, we're all deprived here at least give us a little bit," Frank added.

Bob laughed to himself as he threw his black parade suit across the back of a chair, "Just for you then Frank, we talked for a bit and well we,"

"You got it on, I knew you had, I just knew it," Frank replied clapping his hands together as him and Gerard exchanged knowing glances.

"We kissed Frank, nothing else," Bob quickly replied.

"I'm really pleased for you Bob," Ray said to his friend.

"How was it?" Frank asked.

"FRANK," Mikey responded.

Bob smiled and looked directly at Frank, "Perfect."

Nobody said anything after that and Frank couldn't help but be so happy for Bob as he watched the drummer getting ready to go on stage. They at times teased each other mercilessly but the sight of seeing Bob looking so content made them all speechless. They all knew that Bob had liked Jill but none of them realised just how hard or how quickly he had fallen for her.

"5 minutes guys," a voice said through the door.
They all gathered together and ran through their usual rituals before they went on stage.
As the time ticked away they eagerly made their way towards the stage and the noise levels within the hall started to rise. They each hugged each other and Geard stood by his brother as they prepared to go on. Bob glanced about to see Jill standing beside Worm at the side of the stage on the opposite end.

"Just a minute," Bob suddenly said as he disappeared from beside Ray.

"Where you going Bob?" Ray shouted suddenly panicking as Bob vanished before him.

"Em, we just lost Bob," Ray shouted to the others.

"What?" Frank shouted back, "Where did he go?"

"I don't know." Ray responded.

"Relax Ray, he's over there." Gerard added pointing to the other side of the stage.

They all watched as Bob appeared beside Jill and they laughed at Jill's reaction as she seemed to jump out of fright and then laugh out loud. They both disappeared behind the curtain and Frank turned and looked at Ray. "So what do you propose they are doing over there I ask you?"

Bob suddenly reappeared with a huge grin and a slightly surprised looking Jill stood behind him. As the lights dimmed, the place erupted and the guys took to the tiny stage. Bob looked over and noticed that Jill had once again pushed herself out of sight but every so often she would peek out from her dark corner.


x------x


Jill sat on the bus typing her blog for Ruth and quickly sending it off. Tonight she would be spending her only night on the bus as they had to travel directly to Glasgow overnight. When she had first been told she would have to spend the night on the bus she had worried about it but now it didn't seem so bad. The bonus of reaching Glasgow early would also allow her to take some time off in the morning to catch up with her Dad. Her thoughts were soon distracted as the door to the bus opened and the group all began to pull themselves on.

"It seems ages since we slept on the bus," Gerard said thowing his bag down and going to the kitchen area.

"I know, I kind of miss it." Frank replied.

"So are you going to show us around Glasgow tomorrow?" Ray asked as he sat down at the table across from Jill.

"No I can't I'm afraid, I have tomorrow morning off and I'm going back to Stirling," Jill replied looking up from her laptop.

"What?" Frank almost shouted as he picked up the conversation.

"I'm finally going to give you guys some peace and escape for a few hours." Jill said smiling back at him.

"Oh can I come with you?" Frank asked moving himself closer to her.

"You don't want to come," Jill replied, "I'm going early in the morning and I'm just going back to see my dad."

"But I do want to come, "Frank explained,"We never actually get to see any of places we go to and you could just drop me of somewhere."

Jill looked directly at him, "Yes that's right I'll just drop you off in the middle of town, how does in front of the high school sound?"

"No-one knows who I am up there but I want to get out for a bit." Frank added.

Jill could see he was being genuine in his request, "You have no idea how famous you are do you?," Jill said to which Frank shrugged, "If you really want to come then it's no problem but you better check you don't have anything on because I don't want your manager or you security trying to kill me."

"Cool." Frank replied with a mischevious grin as he leapt up and hugged her, "I'm not going to get in the way though with your Dad?"

"Not at all but I have to warn you he'll talk the pants of you." Jill said grinning at him.

"That's so unfair, I want to come but I promised E I would phone her," Gerard whined.

Frank exchanged a look with Mikey,"Gee just come, you could phone her on the way."

"No I better not, she wants me to herself and I promised," Gerard replied looking a bit fed up, "Plus it's not worth the hassle if she knows i'm out with you guys, she gives me a hard time already about the fact i spend every waking hour with you Frank."

"Nevermind, next time eh?" Frank said patting him on the back and trying to contain the anger building in him.

"Yeah, next time." Gerard responded as he picked up his mug of coffee and walked towards the bunk area.

Once he was out of sight Frank let rip," Oh for fuck sake, why can't he see it? Please someone tell me why he can't see through it?"

Jill looked over at Bob as she struggled to follow the conversation and he gestured that he would tell her later.

"Relax man, we all can't bear to see him like this but he's not stupid he will eventually see her for what she really is, " Ray whispered, "It's not for us though to force it with him."

Frank sighed, "I know but it kills me to see him so unhappy and run ragged but yet so convinced that he's found the perfect one."

"I know," Mikey said as he sat at the table with Jill.

"So Jill, you're okay with Frankie here tagging along with you tomorrow?" Ray asked changing the subject.

"As long as he promises to behave and not criticise my driving," Jill smirked.

"You never told me you'd be driving," Frank replied, "You can't leave me alone with her in a car, Bob you have to come?"

Jill laughed as Frank dramatically clung on to Bob's arm, "You're all more than welcome but it's not going to be that exciting."

Mikey ran his fingers around the top of his mug before he looked up at Jill, "Would it be okay if I came along?" he quietly asked, "I could do with getting away from the madness and just doing something normal."
"Course you can," Jill instantly replied placing her hand on his forearm.

"You'll need someone to keep this lot in check then if you can fit me in the car too." Bob said smacking Frank off the top of the head.

"See the way I get treated Jill." Frank said rubbing the top of his head.

"You'll need to take security with you." Ray added seriously to which both Mikey and Frank rolled their eyes.

"Come on it's just a quick car ride." Frank moaned.

"Frank, Brian would never let you go in the first place and if you go and don't take security and something happens well lets just say I warned you." Ray replied.

"He's right you know," Bob added, "I'm sure we could get away with just Worm."

Frank nodded, "What you doing tomorrow Ray?"

"I'm going to spend some extra hours in my bed and try and get rid of this bug I've got," Ray explained looking fed up.

"Can I get you anything for it?" Jill asked with concern.

Ray just smiled, "Nah I'm alright."


x------x


Bob cleared all the arrangements for tomorrow with their road manager who was not too keen on the idea but eventually subsided when he realised that no amount of trying to get them to change their mind would work. Bob was given strict instructions in terms of maintaining contact and keeping to schedules. They would all check into the hotel when the bus arrived at the hotel and then leave for Stirling about 9am in the hire car Jill had previously organised. Jill was now so happy she hadn't gone and hired a mini as the thought of Bob, Frank and Mikey crushed in the back would no doubt have ended in tears. Bob relayed the various information to everyone and walked back to his bunk. The bunk area was in semi-darkness as they had all one by one slowly retreated to catch some sleep. Bob's bunk was situated opposite Jill's and slightly further back from the other guys bunks. Jill's curtain was closed and he assumed she must be sleeping as he jumped up into his own bunk. Bob kicked of his shoes and pulled his jeans off as he got himself comfortable for going to sleep. He glanced down at Jill's bunk as he heard her moving about. Sleeping on the bus was never easy, you got used to it but the first time was always weird as your body tried to get used to the constant jostling about and the feeling of being on the move. He couldn't help but quietly laugh as every so often he would see Jill's arm or leg poking out of the curtain as if she was trying to steady herself and he could hear her quietly swearing to herself. Bob lay down in his bunk with the curtain open as he closed his eyes. Suddenly the bus seemed to take a corner a little to fast and he grabbed on to the side of the bunk to keep himself from falling out. He looked down as he heard a shriek and a then a thump. There lying on the ground before him was Jill with what looked like only her pyjamma trousers and her bra on.

"Is everyone okay?" a weary voice asked as curtains were drawn back.

Bob immediately leapt down from his bunk and pulled Jill's blanket from her bunk and placed it over her. Jill looked up at him in total embarrasment as she pulled the cover tightly around her. "Why do I always have to make a complete fool of myself?" she whispered.

"Hey what's going on down there?" Frank asked rubbing his eyes and trying to focus on the figures on the ground.
"Nothing guys, Jill just fell out of her bunk." Bob replied.

"Happens to us all at some point, you gotta wedge yourself in," Gerard muttered as he fell heavily back against his mattress.

"You're not hurt are you?" Frank called back.

"No I'm fine," Jill replied sitting herself back on to her bunk.

"You sure you're not hurt?" Bob whispered looking her over in the dimmed light.

"Just my pride." Jill responded,

Bob smiled back, "I dunno you looked pretty good from what I saw."

Jill pretended to be affronted as she playfully slapped him on the arm, "Well I'm going to go and try to get some sleep, at least I was on a lower bunk."

"Night Jill," Bob gently said as he lightly kissed her and then pulled himself into his bunk. If he had the capacity to be more bold he would have tried to sit with her for a bit longer. As he lay in his bunk all he could think about was how empty his arms felt.

"Night Bob," Jill replied pulling herself back into her bunk and quickly throwing a t-shirt over herself. Her face was still burning as she thought about how Bob had just seem her with virtually nothing on. She was mortified but ever so grateful he had prevented her from exposing herself to the whole group. She would have never lived that down. As she lay in her bunk all she could think about was how good it felt to be held so close, he was close but yet so far away.





First of all I am so sorry for taking so long to post an update, this was such a hard chapter to write and I hope you can forgive me. Secondly - holy f**k, look at the reviews for my last chapter. I was in shock and total awe to you guys for taking the time to leave reviews. I'm so happy and totally overwhelmed, which is why I'm kinda scared about this one. Hope you like it.