No Way Back (a Taylor Hawkins fan fiction)

Chapter 17 - Cigarettes and Run Ins

The rest of the show seemed to crawl by. Gen was dying for it to be over. She was dying for the week to be over. She just wanted to be back in LA with Taylor, where she belonged.

At last the final band for the night took the stage.

"This is our cue, Iggs," Taylor whispered, removing his arm from the back of her seat.

She noticed several others beginning to make a stealthy exit in an attempt to beat the rush. They followed suit, Taylor leading the way, holding her hand tightly. They were ushered into another black SUV, Dave and Kate squeezing in after them. The guys chatted about the show as Gen tried to avoid Kate's concerned gaze.

They arrived to yet another chaotic red carpet scene at W London where the show's official after party was getting underway.

"Let's get some free booze!" Taylor shouted, still buzzing from the night's success. Gen laughed genuinely, smiling at her goofball of a boyfriend.

They entered, pausing for more photos on the way. Inside, the decadently decorated bar played host to a who's who of A-list celebrities. Gen stuck to Taylor's side as they made their way to a bank of black leather couches against one wall. The ceiling was covered in disco balls of various sizes, red lights richly illuminating the dark room. Finding space on one of the couches next to Kate Moss and Jamie Hince, Pat hailed a nearby cocktail waitress and ordered a round for the group.

"Shots?" Gen suggested. Taylor nodded in enthusiastic agreement and raced to follow the waitress who was disappearing into the crowd. Kate took this moment to wedge herself in beside Gen on the couch, grabbing her knee with urgency.

"Gen," she said sternly. "What's going on... stop avoiding me."

"I'm fine," Gen replied, finally turning to face her friend. "It's fine."

Before Kate could attempt any further digging, Taylor returned, clumsily carrying a tray of shot glasses.

"Ladiessss," he drawled, offering Gen and Kate a sampling of the libations. Gen eagerly accepted, the bourbon burning in her throat as she downed it quickly.

"I need a cigarette," she announced, getting up from her place on the couch.

"I'll meet you out there, babe!" Taylor gave her a quick peck on the cheek before continuing the bourbon vs. whiskey debate he'd begun with the Kills' guitarist.

Gen weaved her way through the well-dressed crowd and was finally greeted with the chill of the night air on the smoking patio. Pulling a cigarette out of her small clutch, she sidled up next to a heat lamp, her dress not providing quite enough coverage against the damp London cold. She inhaled deeply, savoring the moment of relative solitude. It wasn't to last.

"Vieve?"

The initial chill of walking outside had been nothing compared to the chill she felt now, instantly recognizing Sergio's voice behind her as she turned to face him slowly. There he was, clad in one of his tattered military peacoats, a selection of silver necklaces standing out against a soft black T-shirt. She felt a stab of pain in her chest as she recognized one of them. An anatomical silver heart on a thin chain. She had the matching one in a drawer back home in Los Angeles. They'd found them in a little shop in Leicester Square on her first trip to London.

Her mouth opened, but she couldn't form words.

"I heard you were in town," he said quietly. His eyes were soft and slightly sad, seemingly full of non-verbal apologies.

"H-hi," she managed to sputter at last.

Before either of them could say anything more, Taylor appeared, slapping Sergio on the back.