That Thing You Do! (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 50 - Goodbye

Katie's P.O.V

"Kirk!" I ran over to him.
"Katie!" He met me half way. "I need to talk to you!" He grabbed my arms, holding me at my elbows.
I placed my hands over his forearms and smiled. "I'm due on in a minute. Can't it wait?" I asked him, as I was handed my guitar.
I took it from Alec, seeing him run over to the Gov, who was on the phone with someone.
"It really can't! It's waited for long enough." Kirk looked at me. He wore a charcoal Janie's Gun shirt, with our album cover on it, with his black skinny jeans and his black beret.
I smiled at his shirt and looked at him. "What?"
"I... OK... I really like you, Katie, and you being so far away is killing me. I could never ask you to abandon your dreams, and I never will, but maybe... If you could see us working out somehow, then I'm all in. You're so fantastic and beautiful, and you just know what to say and how to do it. I'm crazy about you..." Kirk looked at me with his puppy eyes.
"You like me back?" I asked him, stunned.
"Back...? Yeah." He smiled, nodding at me.
"Janie's Gun to the stage! It's show time!" I looked back at the guy, before looking at Kirk.
"Yes." I smiled. That was all he needed. He hugged me and kissed my shoulder, before I really had to run.

"Monroe!" Eddie called out to me.
"Good luck!" Kirk smiled.
I smiled at him, letting him go. I nodded to Joe, and ran out into the stage.
As always I ran upstage, stood on the step, held my right hand up, and shouted out: "ROCK AND ROLL!"

. . .

I smiled at Eddie, as I jumped over Dylan, 'I Want Action' coming to a close.
Two songs left.

I ran to stage left and smiled at Kirk, as he laughed at our antics.
I laughed at myself and stood up on a level, upstage left. I looked out at the crowd and smiled at them, some girls screaming, 'cause I was so close, yet so far...
"Monroe!" I heard the gov call out to me.

I stepped off the step, Stevie teasing the audience with some cymbals.
I walked over to backstage, not stepping off the stage, looking at the gov.
"We need to get off this tour, right now! Your album is number one, kid! You're headliners!" He shouted out to me.
"Headliners..." I whispered.
I looked back at my band. Stevie was looking at me shocked. He heard somehow.
I smiled at him and he smiled at me.
"Finish your set! We gotta Beatles the fuck outta here!" Gov called out to me.
That meant we had to run like the wind. Everything we were doing and did was just like all the bands we know and love, so it was a constant flow of references.

"Rock and roll!" I nodded to Stevie.
He nodded at me, three drum beats, I was about to play '#1 Bad Boy' when Todd took to the mic.
"Hold on a second, I got something to say..." He looked back at us.
I looked at Eddie, who looked at me, before nodding for Todd to go on. I don't have a clue what's happening...

Todd looked out at the crowd, before he looked back at us four.
He held the mic up to his lips and blew our worlds apart.
"I quit." He said.

The world slowed down. I blinked, my smile faltering. I heard the crowd pause before they started booing us.
Todd smiled at me, dropped his mic and started to walk off stage left.
I shook my head at him, things speeding up. I saw red.

I removed my guitar and threw it into his path, some strings breaking, the crowd screaming.
There was a crash at the drumkit, I marched up to Todd.
"You son of a bitch!" I shoved him back.

I was pulled back by Stevie.
"Get thah fu' away from 'er, Todd." He growled.
"What is going on?!" I heard someone backstage.
"I quit!" Todd smiled, looking me in the eyes.
He was about to step around me, when Dylan grabbed him and pulled him close. "Big mistake, Todd..." Dylan knew something I didn't.
I kicked my guitar, Todd shoving Dylan and walking away.
I screamed, curling into a ball. The stage went black, someone grabbed me and pulled me off the stage.

The crowd was booing us, Todd disappeared, and Joe hugged me tight.
"It's OK!" He called over all the noise.
My heart was beating, I was sweating, I could hardly breathe, my throat was hurting so bad...
"Monroe's having a panic attack, let's give her space!" Gov called out, pushing people back.
"I- I!" I cried, holding Joe for my life. I was so scared.
"I know!" Joe kissed my head.

"Eddie, Monroe..." Gov pulled Eddie over to me, so he could speak to us. "Word of advice..."
I looked at the gov, not able to move or speak. "Always read the small print. He quit the band... His career is over. EMI, nor Capitol, will take him on. He's at rock bottom." Gov explained.
Dylan must of read the small print... That's what he was saying to Todd.
I collapsed in Joe's arms and that was that. I don't remember anything else...

. . .

Unknown P.O.V

I stood up on my chair, trying to see the stage. The lights went down and it looked like someone ran out to Monroe. I couldn't see.
"What's going on?!" My girlfriend called over the crowds booing.
People were throwing stuff up on the stage, a fight broke out on the floor.
We were sat up on the circle. Row C, best seats we could get, and thank God for that. I'd hate to be down there...
"I don't have a clue..." I panicked. I loved this band, they couldn't be breaking up! They had so much to offer, this was their first tour!

"Wanna go home?!" My girlfriend asked me.
I shook my head, no. I had to know what was going on...
The stage lit up, the crowd got rowdier, some guy, a roadie, walked out.
"Ladies and gentleman, I regret to have to inform you, Janie's Gun's set is finished from here. Refunds will be given at the front desk, if you wish. Ten minutes, for AC/DC!" He spoke into a mic.
"We're getting a refund." I jumped off my chair and grabbed my girl's hand.
"What about AC/DC?" She asked me, as we left the row of seat.
"Fuck 'em! They're not Janie's Gun. They're who I came to see." I fucking hated Todd Ericson.
The doors shut behind us, we walked to the box office, we collected our refund, we walked out the venue.

"Quick, before a fucking mob comes!" A guy yelled out, before I saw Janie's Gun, plus others, running to a few big cars lined up. Someone was carrying Monroe. It looks like she's fainted!
"Holy shit." I ran over, wanting to see them at the very least. I had to say something, but what...
I jumped onto a wall, the cars just in front of me. The band and crew all in, engines roaring.
I caught Eddie's eye, seeing his window was open a crack.
"Rock and roll!" I looked him in the eye.
He gave me a nod and the cars drove away.

The End.