Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Austin ❯ Austin Part III: Austin ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Austin Part III Austin


Aw...I was so mean last time. Well, I'm a little meaner here at the beginning. But the ending's really sweet!

Salmon



Austin Part III

She left without even a number.

Said she needed to clear her mind.

He figured she'd gone back to Austin.

Cuz she talked about it all the time.




3 years later...Austin...


"Paperwork's the worst, huh?" A young man asked, sitting across from JJ.

JJ smiled slightly. "Over the last few years I've found I hate it less."

"That's because your patience level is way too high. Mine is down here somewhere around where normal people keep their patience level."

JJ glanced at his watch. "Shift's almost over. Why don't you cut out early?"

"Mean it?"

"Yah."

"Thanks, partner. See you tomorrow." The man lept up and grabbed his coat.

"Watch your back, Steven."

"Yah, yah." The young man grinned. "Watch your own." That said he rushed off.

JJ returned to the paperwork. 3 hours later he finally left the police station. He walked home, glancing around cautiously every now and then. His apartment building was quiet when he reached it, but a man was sitting on the steps. JJ saw him and sighed. "Excuse me." He went to walk past him.

The man lept up. "JJ, wait. Can't we talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about." JJ replied. "Go home, Alan."

"So, what? It's over just like that? I have feelings for you."

"Yah, you have feelings for whoever you're near." JJ climbed the steps.

"JJ, wait." Alan hurried after him.

"Go home, Alan." JJ repeated, and entered the apartment building. After a minute Alan walked away.

JJ climbed the stairs slowly. He pulled out his keys when he reached the top floor, but when he approached a door it opened. The lights were on, and country music played from a radio. A girl in her early teens looked at JJ, and shook her head. "I take it Alan and your relationship is over."

JJ entered and closed the door. "Raiding my fridge again, Mary?"

"How does one guy go through so many boyfriends?"

"How does one girl go through so much food?" JJ glanced through his fridge and cabinets. "Guess I'll order pizza."

"I'm up for it." Mary grinned. JJ sighed. "I thought Alan seemed nice. What happened?"

"I got back from that undercover case and found him with someone else." JJ replied, picking up the phone.

"Ouch. So much for nice. I take it back, he's a jerk."

"Where'd you find this?" JJ picked up a picture of Drake off the table where his phone sat.

"In a shoebox full of stuff that fell out of the closet when I went to steal a t-shirt. Who was he, anyway? There's tons of pics of you two together."

"My old partner." JJ answered, sitting down.

Mary pulled out the box. "From New York? Cool, what was his name?"

"Drake Parker."

"He was cute." Mary opinioned, setting down the box and pulling out another picture. "So, who's this?"

"Dee Laytner. We were partners before NYC."

"But isn't he in a picturre with that Drake guy?" Mary rummaged through the box.

"Yes, he was in the same precinct as Drake and I."

"Wow. Talk about coincedence. So, who's the guy he's with in this pic?"

"Randy McClane. Dee's partner...and boyfriend."

"Really? Too sweet. Who's the kids?"

"Those kids are older than you in that pic." JJ answered tolerantly. "Bikky and Carol. They were Randy's adopted kids."

"Make a cute family." Mary grinned.

"Yes, they did."

"So, were Drake and you close?"

"Yes, we were."

"You gonna make that call?" Mary asked.

JJ nodded, placing Drake's picture in the shoebox. "Yah, why not?"




If you're calling about the car, I sold it.

If it's Tuesday night, I'm bowling.

If you got something to sell you're wasting your time.

I'm not buying.

If it's anybody else just wait for the tone - you know what to do.

And PS: If this is Austin, I still love you.




3 days later...New York City...


Drake sat at his desk, tapping a pencil against a paper absently. A woman was perched on the desk across fom him. "So, I was thinking we should keep an eye on the building anyway, because..." She trailed off when she saw Drake's absent look. "Because it could be important...or better yet we could hire some monkeys to watch the building for us, and pay them with bananas...or geese, then we'll just have to buy sunflower seeds, which are immensely cheaper than bananas..." She watched Drake's face, waiting for a reaction. "Or llamas. I hear llamas make great guards." Drake turned a sarcastic look on her. "Just seein if you're awake, partner. Didn't look like it for awhile."

"I'm awake. Llamas? Where did that come from?" Drake asked her.

"I read it in the newspaper. Some factory bought llamas to keep its grass cut, and they've never had a break-in since."

Drake sighed. "Fantastic. Look, Karen, can we keep to the matter at hand?"

"That depends, can you keep your mind in the here and now?"

"Hey, guys, here's the files you wanted." A man came up, dropping a pile of files on their desk?"

"Guys?" Karen asked pointedly.

The man rolled his eyes. "Dee and Ryo wanted to remind you that Vikky's birthday party's tonight."

"Tell them I haven't forgotten and I'll be there." Drake replied.

"Oh, you're invited too, Karen."

"Thanks, John. That makes me feel all warm inside." Karen retorted.

"See ya." John waved.

"You going?" Drake asked her.

"Yep, but I have to buy a present still."

Drake shook his head.

"See you later at the party." Karen told Drake as he was leaving the station.

"See you there, Karen." Drake replied.

"Hey, Drake! Got any calls from JJ lately?" Someone shouted. Drake froze, then exited. A group of people laughed.

Karen turned, her fist clenching. Ted put a restraining hand on her shoulder. "Don't. It's not worth it."

"Insensitive bastards. I think it's sweet how Drake's holding on for this guy...wish I'd known him." Karen rplied.

"JJ left before you arrived, didn't he?"

"Yes." Karen nodded.

"He was a nice guy. And a good cop."

"I feel awful for Drake. I think he thinks of him alot." Karen mentioned. Ted nodded his agreement.




Drake hit the button on his answering machine as he gathered things to get ready to go.

"Hey, Drake. This is your annoying partner Karen wondering if you can drop by and pick me up for Vikky's party. Call me back whenever you get in."

"Hey, Drake. This is your annoying partner again, when are you changing your answering machine message? I got another ride, so you don't have to take me to the party. See ya there."

"Drake, hi, it's Ted. I just got your message. Look, leaving town for one weekend isn't going to kill you. You have an answering machine. I'm picking you up Friday whether you want to go or not. Bye, buddy."

Drake sighed as the machine set itself up again. Then he grabbed his coat, a gift bag, and left. As he was locking the door the phone rang. He paused, then walked away. The phone rang three times, then the machine picked up. "Hi, you've reached my answering machine." Drake's voice stated. "If this is my annoying partner calling about our case - use my pager. If this is Dee or Ryo - use my pager. If this is Ted, leave a message. Anyone else can leave a message...and if this is , by some miracle, JJ - I'm still waiting..."




The telephone fell to the counter.

She heard, but she didn't believe.

What kind of man would hold on that long?

What kind of love that must be.




Austin...


The telephone clattered to the floor from JJ's hand. Mary pushed herself up drowsily from the couch. "What are you doing?" She asked wearily.

"Nothing." JJ replied, hanging up the phone.

"Well, can you try to do it quieter?" With that she lay down, apparently drifting back off to sleep.

JJ barely heard her. His mind was racing. It couldn't be...it had been 3 years. Surely Drake wasn't waiting for him after 3 years. "It isn't true." He whispered. "He put the wrong tape in the machine. It's and old message."

"Answering machines don't have tapes now-a-days, they have computer chips. And they don't hold old messages." Mary told him.

JJ glared at her. "How do you know what I'm talking about?"

"You dropped the phone, mentioned a machine and messages. What else would you be talking about? Care to tell me what isn't true?"

"No."




If it's Friday night I'm at the ballgame.

And first thing Saturday, if you don't ring,

I'm going out to the lake and I will be gone

All weeked long.

But I'll call you back when I get home on Sunday afternoon.

And PS: If this is Austin, I still love you.




3 days later...New York...


Drake covered his head with a pillow when the first knock came. A dozen knocks later he pulled himself out of bed."Who is it!?!"

"It's Ted. I told you I was forcing you to go!"

"It's 5:30 AM!!!"

"Tough luck!"

Drake groaned. "Fine. Give me an hour and I'll be ready to go."




3 hours later...Austin...


"Hey, JJ. Can you make some breakfast?" Mary clicked on his bedroom light.

JJ rubbed his eyes, and ran a hand through his hair. "What time is it?"

"7:30 am." Mary replied.

JJ sighed. "Sure."

"Flapjacks! My fave." Mary grabbed 3 with her fork, and grabbed the syrup.

JJ shook his head. "Do you live in my apartment?"

"Yup."

"I see." JJ took a pancake himself, and the syrup out of Mary's hand. "You sure a whole cup of syrup isn't too little for you?" He glanced between her plate and the bottle.

"Very amusing." Mary cut herself a large slice of her pancakes, popping it into her mouth. "They're great." She told JJ a moment later, filling her mouth with another slice off all 3 pancakes.

"Can I ask you a question?" JJ asked.

"Sure."

"What's the longest you've ever heard of someone waiting for another person?"

"Are we talking time-clocked appointments, or figuratively?"

"Romantically."

"Ten years."

"Ten years??"

"Mm-hmmm."

"So if someone promised to wait for someone...and, let's say, three years passed...and the latter discovered the former was still waiting for them. Then-"

"Could you take that from the top again?" Mary asked him.

"What if someone promised to wait for you? What if three years later you found out they where still waiting?"

"I'd say they were very loyal, and that it must have been some romance."

"What if there had never been a romance? Or even an understanding? What if the only promise was to give an answer?"

"What if I said it was one hell of a guy and he must love you very much?" Mary replied. JJ sighed, and set down his fork. "Sorry to be facetious, but what is with all the beating around the bush?...The real question isn't how he feels. How he feels is more than obvious at this point. The question is how you feel."

"That's the question." JJ stood up. "I think I need a walk."

"To each their own." Mary smiled, watching as he left. Her smile disappeared. "But I will miss you."




The city felt quiet that day. In three years he'd never really compared it to New York. It somehow seemed quieter suddenly. The day passed. Shadows shrunk and grew. The sun set...and the stars appeared in the sky, followed by the moon. And JJ still wandered the city streets. His thoughts wandered as well. New York seemed a lifetime ago. Los Angelas even farther. He wasn't the same person anymore. Not the same one who had arrived in New York...or who had left it. And even if he did call...what would he say? What would he do? Would he leave Austin too? Like he'd left LA and NYC...is that what he wanted? Was Drake what he wanted?

Mary wasn't in his apartment. It seemed strangely empty without her. JJ picked up the phone...and stood still for a long moment. Then he dialed the number.





New York...


"You've reached Drake Parker's apartment. I've been kidnapped away for the weekend by an annoying friend. I didn't bring my pager so everyone had to leave a message, and I'll get back to you when I get back to civilization...and if this is, by any slim chance, JJ - I'm still waiting for you."

Beep! "This message is for Drake Parker...if you would please dial the number that follows...there's someone waiting to hear from you..."



We are strong.

Noone can tell us we're wrong.

Searching our hearts for so long.

Both of us knowing...

Love is a battlefield.



Sunday Evening...Austin...


"Well, do you have any idea where else she might be? JJ asked someone on his home phone. "Well, if you have any ideas - call me." He hung up, and paced the living room. The lock clicked and he turned as Mary entered. "Mary! Where have you been?" He hurried over to her.

"I...I've been around." Mary replied.

"You haven't been back all weekend. I was worried sick."

"You were, really?" Mary looked up shyly.

"Of course! You haven't raided my fridge for three nights. That's cause for alarm. Where did you go? Why did you leave?"

"I wanted to stay our of your way so you could think. Have you called?" Mary asked him, not meeting his eyes.

"He was out...I'm waiting for a return call...I didn't tell him who I was."

"Do you want me to leave in case he calls?" Mary asked.

"Leave? You just got back. Have you eaten anything?" JJ put his hands on her shoulders. Mary shook her head. "Let me make you something."

"I'm going to miss you so much." Mary began to cry suddenly.

"Miss me?" JJ tilted her head up. "You poor girl, did you think I was going to leave you?"

Mary blinked. "Aren't you?"

JJ shook his head. "Not in a million years. I've been so worried about you." JJ pulled her into a hug, and the phone rang. "That'll be Steven, I've had him looking everywhere for you...Hello?"

"Hello."

"Drake?"

"JJ? Is that you?"

"Yes, it is...I'm sorry, Drake."

"Sorry?"

"I'm sorry I didn't call sooner...but it took me awhile to get my head straight...it's different now...and so am I...you probably are too." JJ sat down.

"Yes. I probably am." Drake replied.

"How's New York?"

"The same."

"And everyone at the station?"

"Depends."

"It would...: JJ trailed off. "How are you?"

"I'm living."

"Happily?"

"To an extent."

"That doesn't sound very positive."

"It isn't."

"Maybe you need a vacation. Austin's nice this time of year." JJ grabbed Mary's hand. "And there's someone I'd like you to meet. Someone I care about."

"...what's their name?"

"Her name is Mary. And she's very much like a daughter to me...Drake, I was thinking...about alot of things...do you think there might be a place for us in New York?"

"I know there is, JJ."

"You made a promise to me...on a roof top three years ago...I'm listening."

"And if I told you that 3 years haven't changed a thing. That I still love you, just like I did then. And that I can tell you haven't changed enough to change that...what would you say?"

"I'd say I'm in love with you...that I have been for years...longer than I realized...but I'd been hurt, and I was scared. Then I discovered that some incidents take longer than a few minuteds to get over...some take a few years...but I have bounced back now and I'm ready to come home...if you'll have me."

"I'd have you if you'd made me wait ten years...or twenty. Or forever...I promised you I'd wait."

"I know. You'll only have to wait a little while longer."

"And I will wait. I still love you."

"And I love you."

"Are you going to start singing? Cuz I'm out of here if you do." Mary stated, wiping tears out of her eyes.

"Who was that?" Drake asked.

"A facetious brat named Mary." JJ answered. "Why don't I put her on the phone so you two can get to know eachother?"

"Go on."

"Here." JJ handed Mary the phone.

"Here." She handed him two pictures. One of Drake with him, and one of her with him.

"What's this?"

"A cute family."




If you're calling about my heart - it's still yours.

I should have listened to it a little more.

Then it wouldn't have taken me so long

To realize where I belong.

And by the way, boy, this is no machines you're talking to.

Can't you tell? This is Austin...and I still love you...

I still love you...



Salmon 2001

So, okay, it has a corny ending. I don't know where Mary came from, she wasn't part of my original plot. She just came out of nowhere and slipped in. I was inspired by Blake Shelton's Austin. I heard it one night, and the plot came to me from beginning to end. It turned out different than I originally planned, and several other songs slipped in to because they fit their scenes so perfectly.

I have to give kudos to them so noone sues me. Most of them are country. The story starts off with the Tin Man by Kenny Chesney. And then Hazard by Richard Marx. (How did I go from 2001 country to 80s rock? Don't ask - it just worked.) Then it's Trisha Yearwood's I Would Have Loved You Anyway. (Back to 2001 country.) And then the song that inspired the story finally comes in. Austin by Blake Shelton We get 4 verses of that. And then suddenly we jump to Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benitar. (80s rock again. Scary.) And then Austin finishes it off. Love is a Battlefield slipped in because I didn't want to give away the ending and if I'd put the final verse to Austin up (like I do after the final scene) it would have. And then noone would have stayed to read the ending. (J/K...or maybe not...)

No, I don't own Fake or its characters. (Boy, I wish I did.) But Casey, the Psycho Killer with No Name, Steven, Alan, Mary, Karen, and John were my creations. Hey, have to move the story along somehow...

Salmon