She came up with a stack of newspaper clippings. Her eyes fell on some happier ones that were towards the top of the stack as she leafed through them and then she came to some depressing ones, well, one in particular that pulled at a heartstring...the clipping read: "Local Lawyer, Killed in Car Crash.....”

Ally was sitting in her room next to John, after the ice cream incident with Helena and Larry. "Well are you gonna talk to him?" John watched Ally as she banged her head against her knees.

Ally looked up, "I already did," she looked straight at him.

"And?" John prodded.

"I broke up with him," Ally said matter-of-factly, deep down not really knowing what she did.

John was stunned, "But Ally," John paused, not wanting to sound accusative, "Why?" he asked, much softer.

Ally looked at John. She got up and walked over to her stereo system and turned it on, playing whatever it was on shuffle, coming to number three on a certain disk. The melody was calm and melancholy, the words rang out in the room. John listened to them, not knowing if Ally was.

In your time of trouble

I wish that I could be the one that you'd call at night when you needed a friend

And in your time of sorrow

I wish that I could be the one to make you smile again

It's not over

Just start over

Oh you, are so beautiful and special

You're my hero

You don't even know

John became haunted slightly by this. Ally was always that to him, that special friend, he didn't look over at her at that moment though.

You are always there inside my mind

I'm so preoccupied

Sending love to you across the sky

So I, never seem to get things done

You're the only one

I worry all the time

So I have to let you go

John now realized what this song meant. It was Ally's message to Larry. She had to let him go, no matter how she felt or what she wanted, Larry didn't want her around for whatever reason. John finally looked over at Ally. She was looking at him with soft eyes. John was taken back.

And in your time of trouble

I wish that I could be the one that you'd want to hold you and tell you you're fine

And in your time of sorrow

I wish that I could be the one to make you try again

It's not over

Just start over

Oh you, are so fragile and so peculiar

You took a little detour

You feel a little unsure

Don't give up

There's a way out and your know it

Don't give up

John remembered all the times Ally was there for him, regardless of his oddness and always rooted for his happiness, even when she was not happy herself. He so admired her. He lost track of his thoughts and reached out to touch her face. She closed her eyes and brought her hand up to cover his.

You are always there inside my mind

I'm so preoccupied

Sending love to you across the sky

So I, never seem to get things done

You're the only one

I worry all the time

So I have to let you go

"John,” Ally began.

So I have to let you go

"You are the only one who has not left me or judged me or pushed me away. You, you, you," Ally kept repeating, getting softer each time as she stroked his hand which was still on her cheek. John had no idea what he was getting himself into, he stepped closer to Ally, and she took his other hand in hers. It was John's turn to close his eyes. He could feel Ally's breath on his cheek and he breathed her scent in deeply.

John opened his eyes and looked Ally deep in hers. "Ally," he said softly. Ally's gaze was soft and loving. John remembered that she had just broken up with Larry. How can I do this? John thought a moment. I can't be selfish right now, she really loved Larry, she really DOES love Larry, what's the matter with me? He finished his thought.

"John," she started asking, "why did it take me a break-up to realize what you mean to me?" John slowly brought his hand down from her face and searched for an answer. Okay, so she DOES know she just broke up with Larry, but... John couldn't finish the thought.

"Ally, you can't possibly be ready for anything to this extent," he withdrew his intertwined hand from hers and started towards the door, wanting to do the right thing.

"But John," Ally looked at John in horror, thinking she might be losing him too.

"No Ally, you can't be ready for this, there's no way," he opened the door and just as he stepped out, he turned back, "If you want to talk Ally, you know I'm here," and with that, he closed the door lightly leaving Ally in her room with the rest of the lyrics that haunted both of them.

You are always there inside my mind

I'm so preoccupied

Sending love to you across the sky

So I never seem to get things done

You're the only one

I worry all the time

So I have to let you go

"It uh, it was just ice cream, with Helena, nothing more. It should go without saying but clearly it doesn't, so, why say it?" Larry looked towards Ally, trying not to look in her eyes. He was anxious.

"It would have gone more without saying if you hadn't cancelled lunch or if you had told me why you were canceling and who for," Ally responded in a soft voice.

"Well," Larry began, "the subject matter was you."

"The subject was me?" this surprised Ally for the logical reasons. "Well um, what does she know about me, Larry? I've never even met her," Ally finished emphasizing ‘me’ and ‘her.’

"The subject I suppose was extensively about you but, I guess I needed to talk about me," he tried to explain.

"And?" Ally prodded.

Larry sighed unbelievably, not wanting to continue anymore. "The thing is, I don't really trust myself. Look, I, failed as a father, I failed as a husband; I would be lying if I said I understood what makes me fail. The biggest lie of all, would be to say I'd never fail again."

Ally didn't know what to say to that and so silence was in the room. Larry got up and slowly walked out of the door...and out of her life...as far as she knew it as of then, forever.

Ally turned around and looked out the window while slowly twirling in her chair casually. Ally suddenly completely and utterly confused. The events of the day rolled through her head like a home movie projector machine, scene by scene popping up onto her own imaginary projector screen in the back of her jumbled mind.

She saw ice cream, the sundae she made on top of Larry's head, the phone conversation when she broke up with him, the conversation she just had with him, and lastly, she had to double-think this one; she saw her and John in her room, his hand on her face, their other hands intertwined and she heard the background music playing once again...the important lyrics becoming clear...

And in your time of trouble

I wish that I could be the one that you'd want to hold you and tell you you're fine

And in your time of sorrow

I wish that I could be the one to make you try again

It's not over

Just start over

Oh you, are so fragile and so peculiar

You took a little detour

You feel a little unsure

Don't give up

There's a way out and your know it

Don't give up

There was another meaning to this song. Ally knew it. She wanted to be that for Larry, but he wouldn't let her. Not only would John let her, she realized that she also pertained that quality to John. She finally saw what everyone else had and what she had been too blind to see in the first place. He loved her. He honest to God loved her, and Ally...well, deep down she knew she loved him too...even though she was hurting over Larry. Ally left her office and headed towards John's, the chorus ringing in her ears.

You are always there inside my mind

I'm so preoccupied

Sending love to you across the sky

So I, never seem to get things done

You're the only one

I worry all the time

So I have to let you go

Ally reached John's office and knocked on the door lightly before entering. John was hanging upside down. Uh-oh, Ally thought, what did I do to him? Ally knew the only time he hung upside down was when he needed to relax. Ally watched him for a little while and then cleared her throat. John didn't move and Ally grew curious. She made her way around towards him and then he spoke, startling her, "I saw him leave. Are you okay?" Ally jumped and then preceded to come around in front of him. His eyes were closed and his arms were crossed...Ally noticed he wasn't really smiling; in fact, his face expression was blank, which wasn't normal.

"Yeah," Ally mustered. "He said he failed as a bunch of things and he didn't know why and would be lying if he said he wouldn't fail again," Ally spoke slowly and couldn't help but notice that she didn't care what she was saying about Larry.

"Well, I extend my apologies Ally," John said not twitching or moving an inch.

Ally didn't want to talk about Larry anymore. She looked at John, focusing on his mouth, missing his smile. "John," she began, not seeing any change in his movement, looking for words. "Please come down," Ally saw a single eye open and she got hopeful. "I wanna talk." Ally noticed John had now opened both of his eyes, looking at her suspiciously. Fact of the matter was, John didn't know what to do. He had come so close to doing something that afternoon that he probably would have regretted; well not for his sake, for hers. Ally stepped back as John dismantled. Ally couldn't help smiling. He was so special...

John grabbed his coat, "Why don't we go for a walk."

Ally motioned for him to hold on a minute while she went and got her own coat. Ally ran back to her office, feeling a smile on her face as she grabbed her coat and her keys. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. Ally then turned around to leave the room and as she turned off the light in her office, she saw John staring at her, in a certain way that, well, she became suddenly very bashful and bowed her head down. What the hell am I doing? she asked herself.

As soon as they entered the night air, they simultaneously took deep breaths and then looked at each other. That was weird... John thought curiously. Ally just bowed her head bashfully again. They started wandering the streets silently, not speaking, like Ally had said she wanted to. She really just wanted to be in his presence...okay, so she wanted what had happened in her room earlier that day to happen again. So what?

Ally softly started singing that song from earlier again not even really noticing.

You are always there inside my mind

I'm so preoccupied

Sending love to you across the sky

So I, never seem to get things done

You're the only one

I worry all the time

So I have to let you go

John glanced over at her, realizing she didn't really notice she was singing and he smiled. God she has an effect on me, John couldn't help thinking. No! Stop it John! he scolded himself.

They kept walking and Ally slipped her arm in his and rested her head on his shoulder. John almost froze in shock but maintained. "Are you okay?" he asked looking down at her.

"I'm just fine John," Ally said sighing contentedly.

John stopped walking, surprising Ally, she pulled her arm away, nervously...wondering if she had done something wrong or too pushy. "What's-" Ally started, but being cut off by John.

"This is me," he pointed at the building next to him, and Ally smiled feeling foolish.

"I'm sorry, I forgot," she looked slowly back up at him. "Well I guess," Ally started.

"Do you wanna come up?" John asked Ally, starting to cave into his noble intentions.

Ally smiled, a smile that melted John in the spot he stood. "Sure."

John pulled his key out and opened the door letting Ally in first, being a gentleman as always.

When they got inside, John started to make some coffee. Ally sat on the couch; it had been a while since she'd been to his place. It was nice, but small. Perfect for John, she thought with a smile.

While waiting for the coffee to brew, he just stood there and watched Ally as she looked around his place, her eyes pertaining a certain glow that captivated him. He, oddly, only remembered seeing it when she was in love. Could it be Larry? he thought, still not believing that Ally could feel something for anyone but Larry at that moment in time.

Ally's gaze found John's and settled on his eyes when the coffee ringer buzzed, signaling it was ready. John quickly whipped around to turn the pot off and pour the coffee into the two mugs he had previously gotten out.

John brought the mugs over to where Ally was and placed them on the coffee table. He sat down cautiously next to Ally not knowing what to do with his hands. He got back up, "Do you want milk or sugar or creamer or something?" he spoke nervously.

Ally looked at John adoringly, "John, please, sit," John obeyed, much to Ally's surprise.

"Ally, before you say anything," John stopped. He couldn't restrain himself anymore. He leaned towards Ally and kissed her, cupping her face with his hands. Ally responded naturally and John could feel her smiling. So she DID want this, did I do the right thing? John couldn't help thinking while enjoying the lip lock with this woman he'd loved deep inside for the past few years.

John pulled back, and Ally instantly became worried. "Are you okay John?" Ally asked.

"Ally, Ally, Ally," he said slowly, sweetly, "I couldn't be better," he smiled at her and touched her face again, just like before.

Before he could do anything else, Ally leaned back into him, kissing him with a little more passion, but still being gentle. John couldn't stop himself any longer, he kissed her with more fervor than ever and Ally slowly fell back towards the arm of the couch, the two of them still locked in a kiss. Her elbow hit a remote that had turned on; she pushed it to the floor. It was the television remote and the channel was set on a country music video channel. A commercial was currently on and then a music video came on. John's ears perked at the tune. He recognized it.

If I could win your heart

If you'd let me in your heart

I'd be so happy baby

Just for these arms to be

Holding you close to me

There's nothing in this world I won't try

No limit to what I'd do

To make you mine, 'cause

John knew what would make the moment perfect. He was holding the woman he loved in his arms, he was kissing her, she was kissing him, there was just one thing he wanted to hear.

I'd climb right up to the sky

I'd take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

The couple pulled away and stood up silently, listening to the chorus and then they made their way to John's room, both leading one another. They got to the room and embraced as they fell silently on the bed, their lips meeting once again.

If I could taste your kiss

There'd be no sweeter gift

Heaven could offer baby

I want to be the one

Living to give you love

I'd walk across this world just to be

Close to you 'cause I want you close to me, yeah

I'd climb right up to the sky

I'd take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

John pulled away and looked into Ally's eyes, scared, genuinely scared, that if he thought anymore, he was going to lose this sacred moment forever. This forsaken moment...

For the rest of your life

Love me, for the rest of all time

Just say the word

And I'll give you my world

There's nothing I won't do

Baby just to be with you

John's finger traced Ally's jaw line, gently, slowly

I'd climb right up to the sky

Take down the stars

Just to be in your arms, baby

I'd go and capture the moon

That's what I would do

Just to hear you say that you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

baby

Just to hear you say that you love me

I need to hear you say that you love me baby

Just to hear you say that love you me

Just say you love me

I need you baby

Oh I need you to love me

Just say you love me

Just to hear you say that you love me

"I love you John," Ally said solemnly as she looked into his eyes and smiled. John felt his heart skip a beat. The love they made that night was the sealing of a bond that had formed over the past four years...the love that had grown, and the love that existed between them that single solitary night together.

When Ally woke up in the middle of the night in John's arms, she wondered what had happened. Had she really just made love to her best friend in the world? Had she said that she loved him? Did she love him? What about Larry? A dozen thoughts swarmed her head, but she chose to not worry about them. She felt safe in John's arms, she felt content, and above all...she felt loved.

The next morning, her and John had shared a peacefully quiet, but precious breakfast. He made it for her, and surprised her when she got out of the shower with a beautiful morning breakfast. He couldn't believe last night. It was the single sweetest moment of his life...the most precious...the most forsaken...