After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

18

Every night Amber's been doing one cover song. She's allotted five songs, but only has four originals that are stage ready, since she never got to finish the song she and Jordan had been working on.

She's mixed it up and done different covers of songs that were popular during the same time as the New Kids, songs their fans would be all too familiar with. Paula Abdul, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Taylor Dayne and so on. It's been a lot of fun for her. Donnie even came out and sang the male part to Opposites Attract one night.

When she finishes her four songs, Amber walks to the front of the stage. "Thank you for allowing me on this incredible journey with all of you. Tonight is my last performance with these five amazing guys. You'll never know how much it's meant to me that all of you accepted me. I'll remember this experience for the rest of my life.
Tonight I'm going to sing something a little different. It's one of my favorite songs. It's for anyone who's ever lost the one person you loved more than anyone and had your heart broken into a million tiny pieces by them. But you still held out hope of being with them again someday. It's my favorite Taylor Dayne song. I hope you all enjoy it."

Amber begins singing the hauntingly sad song "Love Will Lead You Back". Emotions rise up in her chest and she actually cries. To put herself out there, like this, isn't like her. She always plays it so tough, she never shows any of her weaknesses to anyone. Near the end of the song Amber looks over and sees Joe standing just off stage. She can see the tears on his cheeks. She has to look away from him if she wants to finish the song. When the song ends Amber takes a bow, then she turns to Joe and blows him a kiss before she walks off stage, to the opposite side of Joe.

Andi's waiting for Amber when she comes off stage. She whispers something into her ear and Amber follows her back to her dressing room.

Joe wants to run after her. He wants to take it all back, tell her how much he loves her. Tell her he was a fool to ever let her go. But there's no time, he's got to be on stage in one minute. He swears to himself that as soon as the show is over he's making it right.

When they come off stage for their first outfit change, Jared pulls Donnie aside and tells him they have to cut Grown Man and Big Girl Now from the set list. "Why would we do that Jared?"

"Because Amber's gone. Apparently she left as soon as she got off stage. All her stuff is gone guys, I don't think she's coming back. I've called and called her but her phone is going straight to voice-mail. Sorry Donnie." Jared rushed off to let the crew know about the change. Which leaves Donnie to break the news to the guys. "Guys I've got some bad news. Amber's gone. She just took off with no word. So we're cutting Grown Man and Big Girl Now."

Jordan looks at Joe. "What did I tell you Joe? Before the tour began? I said dating her was a bad idea for this exact reason. So we just cut two fan favorites?" Joe can't believe Jordan's being so callous. Joe's more worried about whether or not Amber's okay. After her emotional performance, he thinks it's quite possible she left because of him. "Jordan I can't believe you. You keep wanting to call her your daughter, but when it might really matter you totally turn into self centered Jordan. Don't you think that just maybe you should be worried about her? Of course not, you're worried about everything but her. I'm so glad you're not the only father she has." Joe pulls his phone out as he walks away. He quickly dials her number. Straight to voice-mail. He leaves her a short message asking if she's okay and pleading for her to call him back.

Jordan has a message from Sara Beth when he gets off stage. It just says that Amber wants him and the guys to know she's okay and that she's so sorry she had to leave. He immediately calls Sara back. "Sara, what's going on? Why'd she just take off like that? She really left us in the lurch."

"Jordan, she didn't want to leave. And trust me she feels terrible. But there wasn't another option for her. That's all she wants you to know. I can't tell you anything else. What the hell did you do to make her so angry with you anyway?"

Jordan sighs, "I did exactly what you told me not to. I broke her and Joe up. And Sara I feel awful. I want to make it right but now she's gone and she won't talk to me. Is she okay?"

"Honestly Jordan no. She's not okay. But I made her a promise and I won't break it. So just let the others know how sorry she is okay. I've got to go now, but if anything changes I'll call you. Bye Jordan."

Jordan's left standing there, phone to his ear, no one on the other end, more confused than ever. He feels terrible that when he first heard she left he was upset about the show and didn't think about her well being. Then he blamed Joe, which he really needs to apologize for. He wonders when he became this asshole or if he'd always been this selfish and self centered.