The bus started moving to the arena leaving them all in shock wondering what just happened. Grace and Gillian looked scared, the boys didn’t know what to feel and Liam was beyond mad. He starting walking towards the bathroom only to have Gloria stop him.

“Liam dear, I think you should let me handle this one,” she said. Liam stopped in the aisle, but continued to stare down the bus aisle. It only took ten minutes to get there and thankfully the arena had an underground parking area, so they could freely leave the bus without getting trampled.

“Boys, could you take the girls with you for a bit while I check on Gray?” A smile came over Harry’s face.

“Sure, they can be our backup dancers.” Grace and Gillian cheered, forgetting what had just gone on minutes before. Harry left with them, Zayn and Louis but Liam wouldn’t budge.

“Niall,” Gloria motioned her head to Liam, trying to have him off the bus. Niall took the bait.

“Hey Liam, come on, Gloria will be her out in a bit,” he urged, pulling on Liam’s arm. Liam gave Gloria look, trying to let her know it was ok.

“I’m used to my daughter, don’t be worried. We will be out in a while,” Gloria smiled warmly at him. Liam reluctantly turned and followed Niall out.

Gray heard knocking on the bathroom door. She wiped her nose on the back of her hand only to have a bigger snotty, tomato mess.

“Go away Liam,” she sobbed to the door.

“He isn’t here. It’s just me.” Gray quickly scrambled up from the toilet and opened to door to see her mom there.

“Mom,” she sobbed, throwing her arms around her mother.

“Shh, it’s okay Gray.” Gloria rubbed her back, not caring about the mess covering it.

“Help me,” Gray choked out, she wanted to erase the memories and guts away.

“Come on dear.” Gloria ushered her out into the small kitchen to check over her.

“It’s okay girl. Just a small bruise on your face, the rest you can wash off.” Gloria’s finger ran over the small purple bruise causing Gray to flinch. Gloria walked to the back of the bus to Gray’s suitcase pulling out a pair of jeans and a sweater.

“Get out of that mess,” she ordered, throwing the clothes at Gray. Gray quietly followed orders, dropping her tomato soaked dress to the floor and slipping on the new clothes. They were soft and clean giving Gray a sigh of relief.

“Come here, we have to fix your hair.” Gloria positioned her over the very small kitchen sink and started to rinse out her hair.

“I haven’t done this in years,” she joked. Gray stayed silent, just letting her mom do the work. After minutes of shampooing and conditioning, Gray was finally tomato free. Gray quickly combed and braided it to the side, keeping it out of her face. She saw her mom staring at her with sadness in her eyes.

“I’m fine,” Gray lied. Gloria rolled her eyes, she knew a lie when she saw one.

“That crap may work with Liam, but I’m not stupid.” Gray stayed quiet, not sure of what to say.

“Gray, you were somewhat attacked again, for the second time now in a year. It’s starting to scare me way too much as your mother. What is the next thing someone will try,” Gloria asked sincerely.

“It was a stupid mistake, I should have keep closer to you all. I’ll talk with Steve about a new plan,” Gray trailed off.

“How bad Gray? How much of this has been going on?” Gray kept her eyes down to the floor, nervously playing with the ends of her hair.

“It’s been bad,” she barely whispered out.

“Gray,” Gloria warned, she wanted the whole story right now.

“Between the stupid tabloids and the death threats, it’s been a rough one. No one has followed through with them, but you know..”

“Gray Lydia Cameron! You didn’t feel the need to tell your mom people are threatening your life!” Gloria sat down on the couch, she was suddenly feeling woozy. She put her head in her hands before talking.

“I know you love him, I get that Gray. Your one and only, all that BS, but I want you to think strongly about continuing on this trip with him. You have to think of your safety about anything else. Death threats are a BIG deal Gray, you should know this.” Gray did. She worked in the school systems, and knew how bad it could actually be.

“I’ll think about it,” she whispered out. Right now she just wanted to get off that damn bus.

“We are not done talking about this. Let’s go. I need to make sure your sisters haven’t broken anything.” Gloria led them out of the bus and through the arena. Gray stayed farther behind, not up to hearing her mom yell at her anymore. She knew she was in the wrong for not telling her, but at the same time she had to keep everyone sane. They walked into the arena from the side. Gray could immediately feel everyone’s eyes on her.

“I’m fine, I’m alive! No need to send out hateful tweets, PSA’s or anything else,” she yelled to them all, putting her hands up in surrender. She said down in the front row chairs with Gloria, watching them finish rehearsals. It was a tense situation. Liam’s stone cold glare wouldn’t leave her alone.

“Please just think about what I said. Ok? I know you two love each other, but you are my daughter. Your safety means more to me than anything,” Gloria quietly told her, snapping Gray out of her trance.

“I know Mom, I do. We have been really safe lately, but with you guys here it just threw us for a loop, that’s all. I promise I will be safe,” Gray pleaded with her. Gloria didn’t have a chance to respond. The guys finished up their pre performance checks and came barreling down the stairs to them. Of course Liam led the charge.

“Let me see,” he barked as he kneeled down in front of her. Liam gently grabbed her face with both hands and turned her head to check out the bruise. All the guys crowded around; wanting to make sure she was all right. She tried to wave them all off.

“I’m fine guys, honest. Just a simple bruise and my hair may smell like spaghetti for a couple of days,” Gray told them all. Liam wasn’t convinced. His fingers still continued to run over the same spot on her face. Gray gently pushed him off, giving her attention to her sisters.

“Are you okay Gray,” Gillian barely whispered out. Gray stood up and walked over to her where she was sitting next to Gloria.

“Of course, someone was just being funny and I got in the way,” Gray told her giving her a hug. Gillian hugged her back with all her might. It was killing Gray inside to see her family so worked up about this.

“I promise,” Gray said, giving her one last hug and pulling away.

“Hey Gray, I think we need to say something about this tonight,” Zayn started before Gray cut him off.

“No. Absolutely not. You will only add fuel to the fire at this point. You guys spoke out last time something happened and look where that got me. At this point, mum is the word,” she fought back. No amount of talking was ever going to make their fans listen, at least the mean ones.

“Love..”

“No, you shush.” Gray joked; she walked closer to them all, not wanting the girls to hear her.

“I have my sisters here. I don’t need them to be scared or nervous right now. Or do I need someone doing something stupid to. Please guys, I am begging you right now to just stay quiet.”

“Fine Gray, we won’t bring it up,” Louis said, speaking for the group. She sighed in relief.

“Thank you, honestly,” she told them. Gray told see Liam wanted to say something else, but he kept his mouth shut. She moved away from the group and back to her family.

“Come on ladies, let’s go find something to do.” Gray left Liam standing there. It killed her to not run into his arms and ever let go, but right now they had to have space.

----

The guys were going on in thirty minutes and Gray still couldn’t figure out a plan to sit. She would love to take the girls out front like Perrie and her do, but the last thing she needed was another vegetable slapping her in the back.

“Steve,” she called out his name down the hall. He had to have a plan for her.

“What’s up Gray?”

“Any ideas on where to put my family tonight?” He knew all.

“Right where we always sit. Don’t worry, we will have a couple extra rent a cops up there too, just to be safe.” Gray laughed at him.

“Rent a cop? Isn’t that what you are?”

“Hell no. I get paid three times as much as a real cop. Stop freaking out, plop your family out there and I will make sure nothing goes wrong.” Gray gave him a quick hug and headed back to the dressing rooms. She didn’t mean to, but she had been avoided Liam all day. It wasn’t completely on purpose; she just wanted to make sure the girls were okay before anything else. Gray also didn’t want him fretting over the bruise either. She walked into the dressing room seeing Niall listening to music on his phone.

“Hey, where is he,” Gray asked. Niall just smiled and pointed to the bathroom door. She walked over, knocking twice, and walked in. Liam was in mid-shave his face. A curious grin came over his face when he saw her. She sat on the toilet seat while he continued his shaving.

“Enjoying the view Miss Cameron,” he asked. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

“Always with you.” She got up and stood right next to the sink.

“You now I am fine, right,” she asked him. Liam put the razor down and stared at her.

“You know Gray, you always say those things and yet I have a hard time believing you.” Gray rolled her eyes.

“I really am,” she told him.

“You think you are, but you seem to hide things quite well. Don’t lie to me, are you really okay?” Gray stared at her fingers. She shook her head, unwilling to voice the truth.

“That is what I thought.” Liam did nothing. He didn’t touch her or come near her, but he continued to stare at Gray with a worried look.

“What else can I do?” Gray really didn’t have any options. There was no one there who could actually pinpoint her threw it all at her.

“You can trust me, that I promise to keep your safe as long as you are with me,” Liam whispered to her. Gray looked up at him.

“I can’t be here with you forever.” Liam felt like she took a knife to his heart.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“My main life is in Stafton. My family is there, hopefully a job at some point. I don’t know Liam, we fly by the seat of our pants, at some point it will all have to end,” she sighed.

“Are you saying we are going to break up?”

“No, definitely not. But right now it would be kind of hard to make set plans,” Gray explained. Liam stayed quiet, he didn’t know what to say to that.

“What happened to Gray 2.0?”

“She is still here, just a bit more cautious than before.” Gray reached her hands up to his half shaved face. Liam looked like someone just shot him in the heart.

“You get me for now Liam, we will figure out the rest later.” Her lips landed on his, shutting him up before he could bring up a rebuttal. Shaving cream got all over her face, but she didn’t care. It was just them, nothing else to worry about. Liam locked his arms together behind her, not giving her the chance to let go.

“I love every single piece of you,” he said, still pressed against his lips. Gray smiled up at him.

“I love you more than Karen,” she laughed. Liam quickly kissed her again.

“Good, you should. I’ll protect you Gray, even if you aren’t near me.” She knew he was being truthful; Liam would do anything for her.

“I better let you get back to business,” she said trying to wiggle away. Liam locked his arms tighter and made her stay there.

“You are going to be late,” she warned.

“I know.” Liam’s stare on her was making Gray blush.

“Liam, what are you doing?”

“I’m looking down at my amazing girlfriend hoping she isn’t eating herself alive about all of this. I hope she realizes that her family here loves her very much and she is not a bad person for dating a famous boy bander.” Gray rolled her eyes.

“Yes captain. Now let me go so I can get this goo off my face.” He did as she asked and released her.

“Are you wearing this shirt tonight?” He had on a simple black t-shirt. Liam shook his head no. Gray grabbed the bottom of his shirt, exposing his back to her and wiped her face.

“You brat,” he laughed. Gray winked at him before leaving the room and going to find her family.

----

Just liked Steve promised, Gray and the girls were full protected sitting out on the floor. They had to move closer to the corner, making it harder to see, but she was okay with that. Grace and Gillian didn’t even notice, there were too happy screaming and singing along. Gray smiled seeing their bracelets still on their wrists. Apparently they never took them off, even if Gloria tried. The same went for the boys though. They always left their bracelets on; it was a way they were all connected together. The music started and the screams in the crowd got louder. Even though Gray had watched their show countless of times, it still made her excited like it was her first time. There was something about seeing a life show that makes you come alive. The boys came shooting out of the floor. As soon as Gray saw them, her mouth dropped.

“Oh my god,” she said, even though no one could hear her. Niall, Louis and Zayn came out with huge peace signs on their shirts while Harry and Liam both had one plain grey shirt. She knew they planned it, there was no way that could happen by choice.

“They always surprise you,” Gloria yelled into her eye. Gray nodded, grinning from ear to ear. She swayed along with the music and threw her hands together and laughed with Gillian through the first three songs.

“How are you all doing,” Louis yelled to the crowd, making them cheer again.

“Well we are feeling the same. We came here to have fun with you all and to make spread the peace,” Louis said, pointing to his shirt.

“We know it’s been missing lately, but remember we love you all and you should always love us too!”

Gray rolled her eyes. They just never listen to her.

----

Gray woke up the next morning to her phone going off. They got in very late from the show, but thankfully it was an easy night. Nothing was thrown or shouted at her. It was a nice change of pace.

Perrie: You up? We need to Skype.

Gray looked over her shoulder to see Liam still asleep.

Me: Can’t. Li is still asleep.
Perrie: Piss on it. Go to Zayn’s if you must, he is awake.

Gray quietly hopped out of her bed and threw on her sweatpants and sweatshirt before heading to his room. Zayn opened the door before she even had a chance to knock.

“I was told to leave so she can talk to you,” he muttered.

“Sorry.” She really did feel bad, but Perrie was in charge right now. Zayn walked out of the room and Gray went over to the computer on the table. Perrie was already on the screen, looking very impatient.

“Hey Pea.” Perrie jumped up and smiled at her.

“Love! Lean close, I need to see your face.” Gray groaned, it was a bruise, not a missing body part. Gray did as she was told and leaned in.

“My lord!”

“It’s not that bad Perrie,” Gray told her.

“Any sort of bruise on your body from a fan is bad Gray. How are you doing with it all?” Gray shrugged.

“That bad I see.”

“It’s not that bad Perrie, I’m just confused. I don’t get why I get all the hate and you and Eleanor got off unscaved.”

“It’s you Gray. You so.. average.” Gray threw her hands up in the air. She was really starting to hate that word.

“No, don’t get me wrong, you aren’t average to me. But that is what they see. A normal girl, leaving in a suburb and who was a regular job. It makes them angry that it’s not them. You see what I mean?” Perrie explained to her, but it wasn’t helping Gray at all.

“No, I don’t. I’m not sure I ever will. When is it okay to throw produce at a person?” Gray’s voice continued to get louder and louder.

“It’s never okay love. Ever. I wish we could all figure out a way to make it stop.”

“There is a way,” Gray muttered. Perrie looked at her with alarm.

“Gray, what are you saying?” Gray waved her off.

“Nothing, I’m just thinking. The more I think about it the more I want get pissed. My sisters are here, I’m terrified someone is going to go after them next.”

“Have you talked to Liam about all of this,” Perrie asked. Gray gave her a look.

“Really? I cannot believe you asked me that.”

“I know, that was stupid of me, you haven’t. Radioactive Liam would blow, you’d get pissed, it would be a lovely time,” Perrie said sarcastically. Gray put her head in her hands.

“You guys have the shittiest communication. When does your family go back to the States?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Gray told her. Perrie was silent for a minute.

“I know what you are thinking Gray, Zayn even knew too. Think really hard before you do this, ok? Once you do, you may not be able to go back. For the record, I really don’t want you to do this,” Perrie told her.

“I know,” Gray said quietly. She needed to talk with her mom; she always had a level head about everything.

“Love you Gray Goose.”

“I love you too Pea.” Gray signed off and left Zayn’s room to go back to hers. She quietly walked in, stripping herself of the clothes she put on and climbed back into bed next to Liam. Gray stared at him sleeping, he was magnificent. She ran her fingers over his forehead and down his cheek trying to remember every curve and imperfection along the way. Gray’s hands made their way down, lightly touching his lips and down to his collarbones. There was nothing about him she didn’t love.

“What are you doing,” he whispered causing her to jump. Shit, he caught her.

“You scared me!” Liam opened his eyes and smiled at her.

“Where did you go?”

“Zayn’s. Perrie needed to talk to me face to face.”

“How’d that go?” He asked, pulling her body in close. He nuzzled her hair with his face.

“Same old bull crap about the same old things. She needed to know what fan did damage to me now.” Liam sighed in her ear.

“It will get better you know,” he told her.

“I have a hard time believing that. As long as I am near you, it won’t stop Liam.”

“You don’t know that.” His voice changed, she knew he was getting upset.

“I have a pretty clear indication. Did you know #goodbyegray has been trending on Twitter lately?” Even though she tried to stay off it, she caved. After the show last night while they were going back to the hotel Gray had looked through Twitter. Sure, the nice fans outweighed the bad, but it was still hard to see.

“You need to stay off Twitter,” he griped on her ear. Gray pulled away from him.

“So what, now I need to stay off every electronic device or site there is? Just so I don’t get my feelings hurt? Maybe you guys are right; I should be the one speaking up on there, not you all. I don’t know what you expect me to do Liam!”

“Well, to calm down for the moment. I know things will pass over. We have six weeks left of the tour and then it’s back home for a while. It will all die down,” he pleaded with her.

“No Liam! I cannot calm down right now! I’ve stayed quiet for too long. So what, I worry about my life for another month then I am all good again. What happens next time you have an album come out and you go on tour? I hide for ten months of my life?”

“I don’t know Gray, I don’t have the answers you want. I just wish we wouldn’t argue right now,” he whispered to her. Gray groaned, she didn’t need his puppy dog face right now. She moved out of bed and sat on the edge away from him. When did life become such a mess? She felt the bed move as Liam sat behind her, wrapping his arms and legs around her body. Gray relaxed into his body, unable to care anymore.

“What do you want me to do Gray?” She knew waking up today what she had to do. Nobody was going to like it, especially Liam. Right now though, it was her only choice. She had to protect herself, and the people she loved. Today would be her last day here.

“Can we do something fun? Anything?” She wanted one more perfect day.

“The lads thought about taking a trip to the Koala place,” Liam told her. Squishy little animals were the best way to spend the day.

“Perfect.”

----

“Okay, family picture,” the worked yelled them all. They had spent the last hour there without having to worry about any crowds or unruly fans. The guys, Gray and her family all squished together holding koalas. Gray smiled up at Liam, it was beyond nice to just be themselves and not have to worry.

“What are you staring at,” he joked. He leaned down and kissed her.

“You. “ She smiled. This is how it should be for them every day, not just a few hour every two weeks.

“Can we need it mommy,” Grace cried to her mom. The baby koala she was holding was sleeping in her arms.

“No way child.”

“She looks like Harry the first time we met you all,” Louis laughed. Gray smiled at the memory, it seemed like a lifetime ago.

“You slept on Harry,” Gloria asked her, shocked. Grace smiled and nodded her head like crazy.

“I swear, all my girls are suction cups for you people,” she laughed. They all were having a good time until they saw Steve headed straight for them. Gray saw him first, her smile left her face.

“We need to go, don’t we,” she asked. Steve hesitated, but soon nodded yes.

“Things are getting a bit out of control in the front. I’m sorry Gray, I really am.” Gray nodded once and walked over to put the koala down back with the others. Tears filled her eyes, but she bit her lip not willing to let them fall.

“Steve really? Are you just being overprotective or what? We were having a good time,” Louis shouted, feeling upset.

“Louis, cut the attitude, you know I would be the first one to let you stay here as long as possible,” Steve barked back.

“That is bullshit, you and I know it. You always go crazy over the littlest things. Can those people get in here? I think not! Do you have it out for Gray?!” Steve walked toward him seeing fire.

“I’m the first person to back her up so don’t you dare think I do this out of spite. You can go fuck yourself Louis,” Steve yelled. Soon they were both shouting at each other with very foul language. Harry stepped in front of Louis, while Niall and Zayn tried to block Steve. Gray could barely believe this was happening.

“Stop! Stop it right now you idiots! Look at yourselves! You are all being fools! This is my fault, not anyone elses. Do not blame Steve for this. Get your shit and let’s go,” Gray yelled to them all. She grabbed her bag, and Grace’s hand before storming off to the bus. Her and Grace boarded quickly and headed to the back sitting area.

“Gray are you mad,” Grace asked, looking sad.

“A little bit, but just because we have to leave those cute little animals. Weren’t they adorable?” Gray could care less right now, but she needed to say something for Grace to talk about. She could see everyone else board the bus out of the corner of her eye. Louis stormed off into his bunk, while the rest stayed up front. Gray needed to talk to her mom as soon as possible.

----

They got back to the hotel, with no one talking. Everyone looked very grim heading into the hotel. Before Gray even started the worst talk of her life with Liam, she needed to talk to her mom first.

“Mom?” Gray asked, walking into the room.
“Hi,” her mom said quietly. Gloria looked pissed, and that wasn’t like her.

“Can I talk to you?” Gloria patted on the bed next to her, letting her know it was okay.

“I know I need to go back home with you tomorrow,” Gray spit out. Tears came to her eyes just thinking about it. Gloria reached out to hold her hand.

“You have been thinking about this for a while, haven’t you?” Gray nodded her head yes.

“I don’t want to, I really don’t but I’m out of options. It’s only going to get worse,” Gray sobbed out. Gloria next it was the truth, she could see it all happening.

“Have you talk to Liam about this,” Gloria asked.

“No, I was going to tonight. It’s going to kill him.”

“Are you just leaving Australia, or leaving it all,” Gloria questioned.

“All. I have to leave it all mom.” Gray sobbed harder, finally coming to the conclusion of it. Gloria rocked her in her arms, for the first time, she knew Gray was actually making the right choice.

----

“You were quiet at dinner,” Liam said once they got back to the room. Everyone went out to hotel restaurant for some peace and food. Thankfully they had their own room so no one could bug them. Gray stayed quiet throughout the whole dinner. The weight of having to break it off with Liam was too much.

“I know,” she told him, changing into her pajamas. It should have been an easy red flag for him, she usually never wore anything like that to bed. Unfortunately, Liam was in his own little world.

“Gray, I need to talk to you,” he whispered out. Gray had to look at him twice just to making sure he actually said something. He paced up and down the small distance not sure where to start.

“Liam, what’s a matter,” she asked. Gray knew something was up.

“I spoke to the boys earlier. It wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have, trust me. They didn’t want to have it either. I don’t… I don’t know how to say this Gray,” he trailed off finally looking at her. Gray’s stomach dropped. She knew right then and there. The same thing she planned to tell him, he was going to tell her.

“You think we should break up,” she whispered. Liam nodded very slowly, not able to take his eyes off hers. Her whole body trembled. She knew it was the truth, but seeing him nod stabbed her in the heart.

“I don’t want to, honest. I know it’s the stupidest decision I have ever made, but I don’t think we will be able to keep you safe anymore.” Tears stared to flow down his face.

“Come here,” she told him. Liam walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. Gray put her arms around him, letting Liam sob on her shoulder.

“It’s okay Liam, I was going to tell you the same thing. I knew it was okay anymore.” She held her there, letting the tears from her own eyes fall. Gray never would of imagined it could be this hard. In nine short hours, she would be leaving the love of her life for good.

Notes

Title Creds: S Club 7