It feels so good to be back on the tour. Of course I was very apprehensive coming back and leaving my family, but mama and daddy assured me that Ashleigh was getting better.

We're in Houston today. I just arrived here and was driven to my bus which was already at the venue. 

There's a knock on the bus door.

"Come in," I yell.

"Smells good in here."

I scream, run over to Brad, jump up and throw my arms around him. He laughs because he has to catch me and he holds me there, rocking back and forth.

"It's good to have you back," he says.

"It's good to be back."

He sets me down and takes my hand and as we walk to the middle of the bus.

"Look at all of these," he says looking at the bouquets of flowers people have sent me.

"I know, you'd think I was the one sick. I can't imagine how many things Ash would have gotten if we hadn't had them sent straight to the children's ward. We got all of the cards and well wishes of course."

He nods.

"These are mostly people from the tour, though. Isn't that nice?" I ask touching one of the flowers. "Look, they all signed a card too." I pick up the card and show it to him.

He reads it and smiles. "That's sweet. Did you get ours?"

"Of course," I said picking up another card. "It made me cry."

"Awww, we didn't intend on doing that."

"You guys are so good to me. I missed all of you."

"You've become a big part of our lives." He squeezes my hand. "So your sister is doing better?"

"Yeah she is. Her legs aren't tingly anymore and she's not as tired. I'm not even going to try to explain what was wrong…I'd get it all wrong. All that matters is that they caught it and she's going to be fine."

"It was still hard for you to leave them though," he says looking down into my eyes.

I sigh. "Yes it was. But now that I'm here, I can't wait to get back in the swing of things. I only missed one show and tomorrow is the meeting about the Concert Network show and all is good."

"Yep."

"I feel like I haven't performed in weeks."

"You need me to remind you what songs you're singing?"

I swatted at his arm when he started laughing, so he grabbed my arms and stopped laughing. It took me a couple of seconds to realize he was just staring at me.

"I missed this too," he said leaning down.

Suddenly the door to the back of the bus sprung open and Brad jerked back. Tony cleared his throat.

"I'd say I was sorry, but I'm not."

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"I didn't know you were on the bus, sorry," Brad says.

"Don't apologize," I say. I look at Tony. "I wanted him to kiss me."

He walks closer to us. "I know you did. I'm not stupid."

I roll my eyes.

"I better go. I'll see you in a few minutes at sound check," Brad says.

"Okay."

"Bye," Tony says as he waves.

"You can be so mean sometimes."

"Yes…but you still love me," he says walking by me to reach his laptop. "Sit down and we'll go over what I've found out about the concert in a couple of nights."

I sit down next to him and my head is spinning by the time he's finished.

"Why can't I just get up on stage and do my show like normal?"

"You can. This is to just let you know what's going to be going on around you."

"Thirty cameras?"

He nods.

"Okay. You said they're going to be at the show tonight?"

"Yeah, the director is and the producer I believe. They want to get a feel for each show. They'll be at sound check too so they might be asking you some questions."

"Great. I haven't performed in how many days and I'm going to get drilled while I'm trying to remember my dance steps."

He gave me a "get real" look. "You can do those dance moves in your sleep. Come on, let's go."

I was glad we started sound check a little earlier because Tony was right, they asked quite a few questions. Basically they wanted to make sure I walked around the stage pretty much the same way every night when I wasn't dancing so that they could get the best camera angles…stuff like that.

On my way back to the bus I bumped into Sasha.

"I'm glad to hear your sister's doing better," she said.

"Oh, thanks. The flowers and the card were very nice, thank you."

She nods. "Well we are a family here…at least for a little while. So, have you talked to Marcus?"

What is with this girl?

"No…have you?"

"He was here to see Michael again, while you were gone. He was very disappointed when you weren't here."

"He sent a nice card too. He likes Ashleigh."

She nods. "You know he never visited Michael until you showed up. I find it funny that you don't notice it."

I shift my weight a little. "I do notice it…I just ignore it. He doesn't mean anything to me…that way. Look Sasha, obviously you're still hung up on him or it wouldn't make a difference. Why don't you talk to him about it."

There was a glimmer of something that happened in her eyes. I'm not sure if it was anger or happiness.

"There's really nothing to talk about. I'll see you at dinner I guess."

"See you," I said as she turned and walked away.

I shrug to myself and continue walking to my bus. When I get on the bus I hear my phone beeping.

"Shoot, I forgot to bring it. It could be about Ash," I say picking it up and reading the display. I dial a number and listen to the voice mails.

I smile at mama's voice.

"Hey baby it's me…just wanted to make sure you got in okay. I hope today isn't crazy for you. Give me a call when you have a minute. I love you."

I delete the message. Next one…

"Hi Ana…it's Marcus. I just wanted to say I was glad to hear that Ashleigh is getting better. I'm sure your family was frantic about the whole thing. I stopped by the Oklahoma show to visit Michael and found out then, when you weren't there. I'm sorry I missed you. I will be watching the Concert Network special though. I'm sure you'll do a great job. Well, call me if you get a chance. Bye."

I delete the message and sit down.

"He doesn't take a hint does he?"

"Who doesn't?"

I jump when I hear another voice on the bus.

"Uncle Lance," I say as I stand back up and give him a hug.

He squeezes me tight.

"Hey superstar. How's it going?"

"It's going pretty good. Why didn't you tell me you were going to stop by?"

He shrugged as we both sat down.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to make it here. My plans change a lot sometimes."

"Yeah I bet."

"I was actually going to go back to Orlando to see you guys but when I got wind that Ashleigh was doing better and you were going back on tour…"

"Daddy called you didn't he?"

He chuckles. "You know him well don't you?"

I smile and nod.

"He said it would be better for him if I was here with you. Just to make sure you get enough rest and take care of yourself for a couple of days."

"I'll be fine," I shrug. "Now that I know Ashleigh's going to be okay."

"I just can't imagine that spunky little thing not feeling well."

"It was so sad Uncle Lance. I never want to see her like that again."

He sat back a little bit and put both arms up on the back of the couch. "Guess who I stopped by and saw a few days ago?"

"Who?" I ask stretching my legs out.

"Your Aunt and new cousin."

"Really?"

He nods. "He's a cutie."

"Yeah that's what mama says," I say softly.

"Oh…sorry. You haven't gotten to see him yet have you?"

I shake my head and fight back tears.

"No not yet. I think I have a couple days off coming up."

"Just make sure Tony doesn't book you okay?"

I smile and nod. "I will."

Tony quickly knocks on the door and climbs on the bus.

"Hey boss," he says to Uncle Lance, who stands up to shake his hand.

"How are things going?"

"Good. I was just coming to tell Adriana that there's a press conference tomorrow morning in Dallas. All of the acts for the show are going to be there to help promote it."

"Ugh…what time?"

He chuckles. "Like eleven. Not too early."

"Early enough." I look at Uncle Lance. "How long are you staying?"

"I'm going to try to stay through the taping of the special. Unless something urgent comes up."

"Oh good."

Later that evening, while I'm still on the bus, my cell phone rings.

"Hello?"

"Hi Ana."

"Oh, hi Marcus. Thanks for the card."

"You're welcome. I'm just glad that your sister is getting better. I'm sure you were scared."

"Yeah," I say softly.

"I'm sorry I missed you when I stopped by."

"Yeah, that's a shame." I hope he doesn't pick up on the sarcasm.

Tony sticks his head in the door and holds up ten fingers and I nod.

"Well I'll try to make it back in a couple of weeks…before I go to Europe."

"You must be excited about that."

"Yeah…but it's going to kick my butt. They don't really know who I am there so I'll have to do the endless promotion thing."

"Hmm, kinda like I'm doing now."

He chuckles. "Well yeah. But with the way you're going you won't have to do that for long. I saw the stats of your album. It's doing really really well."

"Yeah, I'm very blessed. You'll be fine. Just think of all those new fans you'll be making."

Silence.

"Marcus…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did you and Sasha break-up?"

"Uhhh why?"

"I'm just curious. If it's too personal I understand."

"Has she said something to you? I'm sure she makes it out to be all my fault."

She was surprised by the tone of his voice.

"No, she hasn't said anything. She just lets me know every time that you're around so I was wondering if she was really over you."

He laughs. "She's the one who said we needed space…not me."

"Okay, just wondering. Maybe you two should…"

"Why are we talking about Sasha? I called to talk to you."

"I'm sorry…she just seems sad when she talks about you. I thought I was helping."

He sighs. "I didn't mean to snip at you, I'm sorry. She's just a sore subject with me."

"Obviously. Well, I have to go backstage and get ready for my set."

"Okay. Break a leg."

She could tell he was annoyed.

"Thanks. You have a show tonight?"

"No, but I have to make an appearance at a club somewhere."

"Okay, well have fun."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and rubbed my forehead. What the heck was that all about?