Flying three days after you get your body beat up is quite possibly the worst idea ever. The four hour flight did a number on Gray. Luckily no one else was in their row so Gray could keep her leg up, but at this point she was hurting everywhere. Her side was screaming, and her arm and leg throbbed in pain. Liam’s face began to get whiter and whiter as they started to land.

“Love?” He whispered to her. Gray was leaning away from him on the armrest with her eyes shut hard. She wanted to cry so bad and just make the pain go away but she didn’t want Liam to see. She pulled her hat down lower and looked at him.

“I’m okay, I just need to move,” she said, trying to reassure them. They had a swift landing into the airport and headed to the terminal. Gray was so antsy her good leg was shaking. She knew she couldn’t take one of her pills; otherwise she would be asleep in minutes. The plane surfaced at the terminal, and the seatbelt sign came off causing everyone on the plane to gather their things. Gray immediately tried to stand up, but Liam put a hand on her lap stopping her.

“Liam,” she groaned. What the heck was he thinking?

“Just wait,” he said quietly. They got all the way to San Diego without being recognized at all. Gray hoped they could get through this airport doing the same thing. The whole plane emptied until it was just the two of them there.

“Liam, what are you doing,” she hissed between her teeth. She needed off this plane, now. Liam looked up to see Steve board the plane.

“You two ready,” he asked. Gray shook her head fast. Off the plane, yes, she needed to do so as soon as possible. Liam stood up letting her go first, staying behind her just in case she fell. Steve led them out first down the hallway, stopping just before they went through the door to the airport.

“Sunglasses kids, there is a big crowd out there. Gray we have a wheelchair for you,” Steve barked. Aah, she missed him and his stern attitude. They loaded Gray into the wheelchair, threw on their sunglasses and took off. Steve was pushing Gray and Liam stayed closely right in front of her creating a wall. He had a look on his face, ready to take down anyone who may step too close. Steve wasn’t kidding about the crowd. Camera flashes went off around them, and people started shouting at them. Gray felt so self conscious. She pulled her hat down as lowest as possible to cover her face. The roar of the crowd got louder and started to push closer to them all.

“Back up, back up please,” Steve yelled behind her. Gray started to shake. Crowds we were worse when you look like complete crap. Liam and Steve walked faster and Gray closed her eyes. She just wanted it to be all over. Airport security led them through a set of closed doors, which thankfully the crowd was not able to join them. Steve stopped to let Liam kneel down to check on her.

“Love?” Gray opened her eyes and waved him away. She just wanted to get there already.

“I’m fine, let’s go,” she ordered. They walked down the long gray hallway into a loading dock where the bus one. Gray breathed a sigh of relief, she had never been so happy to see that bus in her entire life. Liam jumped on quickly to get rid of her bags and be able to help her.

“Gray Goose,” she heard Louis laugh making her smile. She missed them more then she thought. Liam jumped back off the bus and walked over to her.

“Let’s get you on,” he whispered, quickly giving her a kiss to ease her mind. Gray hobbled over to the door, handing her crutches to Steve.

“Harry, give her a hand,” Liam barked. She rolled her eyes. She wasn’t that helpless. She used the railing and one of Harry’s hands and jumped up the bus to the landing. Gray looked up to see all the boys staring at her, white as a ghost.

“I’m fine, I’ll heal,” she barked her usual line. Liam helped her over to the couch where she laid down and closed her eyes. Everything that could hurt in her body, hurt. Tears were fighting their way out, but she held them in not wanting to cry in front of them all.

“Gray,” she heard Liam’s voice next to her. She opened one eye to see him holding out one of her pills and a bottle of water. Gray gratefully accepted them both, choking them down and went back to lying on the couch with her arm over her face. She knew the rest of the guys were staring down at her, not knowing what to do, but she didn’t care. She wanted to sleep and let this pain ease away.

----

All of them stood around awkwardly until Gray was completely asleep. Liam briefly ran to the back to grab his pillows and adjusted them under Gray’s lifeless head and body. He nudged his head to the boys, silently telling them to go to back with him. They all went into the lounge room and shut the sliding door.

“Jesus Liam, you didn’t tell us it was that bad,” Niall exclaimed. The rest shook their head in agreement.

“It was worse when I first got there,” he said. Liam sat down on the couch and sighed. The hardest part was over. She was on the bus, away from the crowds and safe with him.

“Well I am glad she is here mate,” Louis said offering him an encouraging hug. Liam thanked him and shook it off all. It was time to figure out the game plan tonight.

“Alright, what is the plan tonight..”

----

Gray woke up hours later feeling somewhat back to normal. Nothing in her body was hurting as bad as it did on the plane and she was relieved. The boys were nowhere to be found, but she assumed there were in the back where the door was shut. She grabbed her crutches and slowly made her way down the narrow aisle and knocked on the door. Niall opened and immediately smiled at her.

“Hey Gray.” He moved over letting her in. All five of them stood up and held their hands out to her just in case she tipped.

“I’m find guys, sit down,” she laughed. They really seemed to think she was going to break in half. Gray turned around, threw the crutches to the ground and sat next to Liam with a big sigh. Thirty feet with crutches was a lot harder then she thought. Liam protectively threw his arm around her shoulders. She smiled up at him.

“Where are we,” she asked, looking out the window everything was brown.

“Albuquerque,” Liam said, throwing it out with a smile and jazz hands to make her laugh.

“Sounds lovely.”

“We’ll get there sometime after midnight, until then you are stuck here,” Liam explained. She really didn’t mind, less walking meant a better day for her.

“Hey Zayn?” He looked up from his seat across the room from her.

“You want to work your magic,” Gray asked holding up her cast. He laughed and came over. Gray turned and laid down on the couch putting her head in Liam’s lap and her legs on Louis. He was the second most trusting when it came to her injuries. Liam’s face ran through her hair and she closed her eyes. They were in their own little weird tattoo shop. Zayn continued to focus only on her arm drawing, while the other guys talked about the show they had coming that night. Gray yawned again feeling tired, and closed her eyes. In a weird way, this was her favorite family.

----

Gray woke up three hours later in the same position. Louis and Liam were asleep in the same spots with their heads resting against the backseat. Zayn was passed out on the floor and Harry was sleeping in their bean bag chair. Gray slowly removed her legs from Louis’ lap and stood up. Food, she needed food asap. Gray opened the door and took the steps down the hall.

“Hey Gray,” Niall said, making her jump.

“Sorry, “he giggled.

“No harm no foul. Do you have food?” Niall pointed to the fridge. Gray opened it and dug around to find a Lunchable. Her mouth watered immediately, she hadn’t had one of those in years. She threw it on the table and sat down across from Niall.

“Harry is going to hurt you,” Niall joked.

“He can bring it, I’m already beat up. Besides Lunchables are the BEST,” she joked. A somber look came over Niall’s face.

“That’s not funny Gray. We are all still kind of shocked this happened.” Gray immediately got uncomfortable from the tone in his voice and pulled her hat down farther on her face.

“I know, but it’s going to be okay. I’m going to heal.” She really needed to get that tattooed on her forehead.

“I know that, the guys know that, but I don’t think Liam does. He has been worrying about you for a long time now. He needs a Valium. Badly,” Niall laughed. Gray could agree with him on that one. Liam had been breathing down her neck since he showed up at her hotel room back home. She loved him with everything she had, but that man needed to settle it down.

“Tempting, trust me.” Gray smiled.

“That’s Liam though. He is pretty straightforward when it comes to things he wants. You especially, probably the best thing that ever happen to him. He is a lot happier then he has ever been.” Gray shuddered and blushed. She always felt weird talking about her effects on Liam.

“Hey, there is nothing wrong with that Gray. You know you shouldn’t sell yourself short. You are a beautiful girl, I know what he sees in you,” Niall explained, causing her to blush even more.

“Oh be quiet,” she laughed, trying to get him to change the subject.

“You just stop thinking he is going to change his mind, because I can tell you are thinking it. I may be a little crazy, but I can see it. Loosen up! You need to have fun Gray!” His arms went up in the air. He got up and went to the radio turning it on. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” starting blaring out of the speakers. Niall started to shimmy around the front of the bus causing Gray to laugh loudly again.

“Come on Gray Goose, I know you have some moves in there.” Gray got up hiking one of the crutches under her bad side and swayed with Niall. He jumped up on the couch and started the inbetweener’s dance. Gray mimicked his moves, trying her best with crutches. They continued their dance, just the two of them without the other guys. Gray felt happy, happier than she ever has been. It was nice for her just to let loose without Liam having to worry about her, or her worrying about impressing him.

----

Gray yawned in boredom on the couch in the dressing room. She had already been there a week and she was losing her mind. Albuquerque was fun, but since then she had nothing to do. Her face was starting to heal more, instead of a deep purple; it was starting to go to a greenish blue. It looked just as nasty, but she was making progress. Gray still wore her hat everywhere though; no one needed to see the full effect. The boys walked in to see Gray sprawled out on the couch.

“Hey Love,” Liam said, giving her a kiss while sitting next to her. She yawned again.

“Hiya.”

“Tired,” he asked. Still a week later he was constantly checking up on her.

“Bored, I’m losing my marbles.” Niall laughed next to her. Since their dance party on the bus they have gotten a lot closer. Other then Liam, she considered him her best friend.

“You won’t be for long,” Harry said under his breath causing Liam to shoot him a death glare. Gray looked at them both, wondering what was up.

“What’s that mean,” she asked. She didn’t have the time to be left out right now. Liam gave her a reassuring smile. They continued to sit around making small talk when Liam abruptly jumped off the couch causing Gray to fall over.

“Hey,” she yelled, she was using him for support.

“Be right back,” he said leaving the room. The boys all had foolish grins on their faces. Gray rolled her eyes.

“Alright, one of you start talking,” she warned.

“We know nothing Gray,” Louis explained, try to keep a straight face. Gray groaned, her patience was running thin and she didn’t have time for this today. Gray stood up, grabbing her crutches and made her way out.

“I’ll be on the bus,” she said, not caring if anyone heard her.

She sat on the bus alone, and sad. Her mom was still at work and Mila wasn’t answering her phone like she normally always does. School had ended for her two weeks ago and Gray knew she didn’t have anything else to do. She threw her phone across the bus to the couch and flopped down in her and Liam’s cot. Tears fought to escape her eyes. She missed being back home with her family and not stuck at one place for so long.

“Gray! Gray where are you,” a voice chimed up on the bus. She stuck her head out of the curtain to see Zayn staring at her.

“What,” she crabbed wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Liam needs you,” he said. He was fidgeting with his hands, obviously trying to keep something from her.

“Why? Zayn I really don’t want to play games right now.” Gray stuck her head back under the curtain and laid back down hoping he leave her alone. Zayn didn’t leave though. Instead he threw the curtain open and pulled her out.

“Gray, trust me. You need to come with me,” he said sternly. Gray continued to ignore him and closed her eyes. Go away before I kill you, she thought.

“Don’t kill me,” he quickly said before picking her up off the bed and throwing her over her shoulder. Gray was shocked for a split second; she didn’t think he could lift her.

“Zayn, I swear to God you put me down right now,” she yelled at his back. Zayn chuckled, not listening and walked her out of the bus. He stopped in the parking lot and all Gray could see was the feet of three others. Damn them.

“You all best run when I get down, I’m coming for blood,” she spat at them.

“Calm down Gray Goose, this is for your own good,” Louis laughed.

“What the hell is so important for this,” she yelled starting to get really mad. Zayn still didn’t let her down, and she was ready to be done with staring at his butt.

“Me you wench!” Gray knew that voice, how did she know that voice. Then it hit her. MILA! She squirmed in Zayn’s arms.

“Put me down! Put me down!” Zayn did as he was told and Gray turned around. It was Mila, she was here! Tears ran down Gray’s face, she had never been so excited to see her in her life. Zayn didn’t bring her crutches with her, but she still half hobbled, half skipped over to Mila.

“Oh my god! Oh my god!” She screamed hugged and jumping up and down into Mila’s arms. Mila squeezed her too hard causing Liam to step closer to them, but Gray didn’t care. Pain was fine with her best friend here.

“What are you doing here,” Gray yelled to her.

“Liam called, said you needed a buddy so here I am!” Gray looked over at Liam’s blushing face. She unattached from Mila and walked over to him, not looking away from his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had. He knew exactly what she needed even without her having to tell him.

“Thank you. I love you so much Liam,” she whispered into her ear.

“I love you too perfect girl,” he whispered back.

“Alright, detach you love birds,” Mila laughed next to him. Gray did as she was told and joined Mila again.

“How long are you here?”

“You get me for three days.” Gray pouted inside; three days would never be long enough. She linked Mila’s arm around her elbow and pulled her along.

“Come on, I’ll show you around.” They walked away laughing to themselves about something Mila said. The boys were left to stand by themselves.

“And just like that, you get ditched,” Louis joked to Liam, causing him to smile. He didn’t like being near her, but he knew Gray needed this. Liam continued to stare at the girls as they got farther and farther away.

“Hey, hey,” Niall yelled, and snapped his fingers in Liam’s face. Liam whirled around and looked at him.

“Man, just buy a ring and get it over with,” Harry joked to him,” you are so far gone it’s not even funny mate.” They all laughed, even Liam. Inside he knew though, he already planned on doing so.

----

“You didn’t tell me how hot they were,” Mila said. Gray laughed and hit her arm playfully.

“You never asked!”

“I have three days, I’ll get one of them eating out of my hand like Liam does to you.”

“Please,” Gray joked.

“You still don’t see it do you,” Mila asked, her tone turning serious. Gray groaned. Why did everyone always have to bring this up to her?

“Apparently not,” she joked, hoping Mila would forgot this conversation started.

“Girl, you really are blind. He begged me on the phone. I was going to say yes from the beginning, but I had to make him work for it.”

“What did he say?” Gray was curious to hear, he seemed to always have these deep thoughts and conversations about her when she wasn’t around.

“He sounded all shook up and nervous. Told me he wanted to come make sure you were okay and that you were happy, you know what that’s about,” Mila asked her. Gray had no clue.

“I thought he knew I was happy with him,” Gray explained. Mila wrapped her arm around the shorter Gray.

“Hunny, have you shown him?” Gray thought about it. She hadn’t done any of the typical ‘girlfriend’ type moves. Sure they have had sex and dinner, but other than that, there hasn’t been much.

“Shit, I suck at being a girlfriend.” Mila laughed at her.

“I’ll help you, let’s figure something out.”

----

They sat out on the floor while the boys were running through sound check. Gray occasionally caught Liam staring at her, so she would wink and wave.

“Mila, our ideas suck,” she whispered. For the past 45 minutes, they got nowhere. Mila had suggestions, but they were all too cheesy for Gray.

“I still think poetry would be sweet,” Mila offered. Gray shot her a look.

“He writes songs for a living. Best I have is ‘There once was a boy name Liam’,” Gray said.

“Who played in a coliseum. He really liked Gray, who didn’t know how to play, but she still loved to see him. Perfect!” Mila laughed out loud. She always had a way with words. Gray gave her a look of shock.

“You are mad. Talented but mad,” Gray said, joining in on the laugh. Soon they put couldn’t stop. They had one bit fit of laughs, with tears falling down their face and all. Their laughs got louder and louder, soon the boys could even hear them.

“Ladies, we are working here,” Louie yelled into his microphone. Gray waved her hand at them, unable to stop laughing to speak.

“I.. I.. can’t breathe,” Mila giggled causing Gray to start all over again with laughter. Gray saw Liam looking over at her. She waved again, giggling.

“We best leave, I’m going to get in trouble,” Gray whispered. They stood, slowly moving out of the aisle with Mila leading.

“Good bye Coliseum Liam,” Mila shouted to the stage. Gray started to laugh again, barely able to get her crutches moving. She tried to swing them around, but it clipped the chair and front of her, causing Gray to fall to the ground. Liam saw too. He immediately went to the stage steps to go help her up, but Louis stopped him.

“She’s fine mate,” he said. Gray was fine too. She laid there, laughing more until Mila grabbed her good hand and pulled her out of the aisle. They both said on the floor aisle laughing their heads off. Gray wasn’t hurt at all. Sure, she felt like a fool for falling, but right now she couldn’t think about it. Gray army crawled up the aisle before standing, and hopping over to get her crutches. She signaled a wave to the boys, letting she was okay. Mila and her left the back of the arena, still laughing their heads off.

“What just happened,” Zayn asked.

“Have they been drinking,” Harry laughed. Liam just shook his head and smiled. He liked fun, giggling Gray.

----

“I got it,” Gray yelled. After somewhat getting kicked out of the arena, they headed to the back where Liam’s dressing room would be. Gray had been searching online on her phone for any sort of present for Liam.

“Let me see,” Mila peeked her head over Gray’s shoulder.

“I like. See Cameron, you do have a girlfriend side.” Mila playfully hit Gray’s shoulder.

“Yeah, yeah. Now I have to get it, that’s the hard part.” Gray walked down the hall looking for the perfect victim to execute plan.

“Curtis!” She said, getting his attention. Even though she and Steve were getting along fine, Curtis was still her favorite.

“Hey Gray, what’s up?” Gray parked her crutches next to him and showed the picture on her phone to him.

“How fast can you get this for me,” she asked. He thought about it for a second.

“I’ll go out now and have it to you before the show starts.” Gray reached over and hugged him.

“Curtis! That is why I love you, but don’t tell Steve I don’t need him to cry.” Curtis chuckled at her while she walked away. Now all she had to do was give it to Liam. She silently prayed he liked it, otherwise Gray would like beyond stupid.

----

Gray and Mila took their spot in the wings thirty minutes to go before the show started. Curtis wasn’t back yet, which made Gray extremely nervous.

“Stop fidgeting,” Mila barked. They were both on the speaker box, squished together. Gray’s shaking made the whole thing move.

“Sorry,” she blushed.

“You are such a girl. He will like anything you give him.” Gray decided not to respond, she didn’t need Mila hassling her some more. Curtis finally arrived and walked over to them.

“Thank god,” Gray exclaimed jumping off the speaker and into her crutches.

“This work for you?” Gray took it out of the bag and checked over it.

“Perfect. Thank you Curtis,” she said sincerely, “be right back Mila.” Gray walked down the hallway into the boys’ room. She had gone accustomed to leaving them alone right before their concert, giving them time to get in the zone. She peeked her head in, feeling nervous as ever.

“Hey Liam, can I talk to you for a second?” The boys turned around from their group circle. Liam’s face went to stone while he walked over and out into the hallway.

“What’s wrong love? Are you okay?” He asked checking over her body for any new injuries she may have gotten.

“Yes, Yes I’m fine. I.. I wanted to give you this.” Gray shoved the bag into his stomach a bit too hard. A playful look came over his face.

“What is this?” He opened the bag and immediately a smile erupted on his face. Gray had a custom made snapback for him. It was completely black with the word ‘GRAM’ in bright purple on the font and her initials in grey on the side and a smaller font. You wouldn’t be able to see that part unless you got close enough.

“Gray, this is awesome,” Liam said immediately trying it on. It was a perfect fit.

“I thought you needing something to wear too like me,” her fingers twirled around her bracelet. She never took it off. They were the only ones that knew what it said on the other side. Liam put his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

“Thank you love,” he whispered before kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck causing the crutches to go crashing to the floor. Niall and Louis came running out to check, but secretly laughed and tip toed back in the room when they saw the two wrapped up in each other. Liam and Gray didn’t even notice, they were too busy connecting and shutting out the rest of the world.

Notes

Title Creds: "Feel Again" by One Republic