"Taylor."

She looked up, startled at the sound of her name. "AJ." She glanced around, to see who had noticed him. "She's not here." She glanced around again.

AJ mimicked her glances, "Who are you looking for?"

"I was,..." she stopped, realizing he was making fun of her, "Smart ass."

"So, I'm told," He leaned on the desk between them, "So, where is she?"

Taylor glanced down at the schedule book in front of her. "Hospital. She's covering for someone." She shrugged absently, "Sorry."

"Whatever," Taylor expected him to go, and when he didn't she looked at him curiously. "You got a minute?"

Taylor stepped away from the desk without saying anything, calling to another of the nurses. There was a quick conversation and then she returned. "I've been graced with five minutes, make it quick."

AJ motioned in the direction of Alexa's office and Taylor went down the hall, wondering what was going on. "Okay," Taylor started as soon as the door was shut, "What's up?" She sat down in Alexa's desk chair and looked expectantly at AJ.

"You're her best friend, right?" He leaned on the back of a chair as Taylor shrugged.

"I guess so, why?" She looked at him suspiciously. Being a fan wasn't helping her to figure him out at all. Not that she was surprised by that really. It was just annoying.

"You know her pretty well, and she talks to you, right?" Taylor nodded. "She's got this distance thing that she's doing right now." Again Taylor nodded. She knew all about it. Alexa was keeping as much space as she could between AJ and herself. It was her defense against getting hurt again. Taylor also knew that Alexa was having trouble keeping the distance, but that was information that she wasn't going to share with AJ, unless she wanted Alexa to murder her, and death was not in her immediate plans.

She watched AJ fidget, amused that she was getting to see the other side of him. She waited, expecting him to say something else, and when he didn't she spoke, "So, you want me to tell you how to get to her."

He stopped, then nodded with his most persuasive look, "Or help. That would be better. She listens to you."

Taylor smirked, shaking her head. "Oh, you're good." She looked away from him and stared at the desktop, choosing her words. "Patience is very important when dealing with Alexa." She looked back at him, "I know, patience is not in your vocabulary." Taylor knew Alexa wasn't going to be pushed into anything this time, by her or AJ. She'd already tried, had been trying actually ever since Alexa had finally told her what the status was between her and AJ. She'd keep trying probably, just because she liked them together.

"So I wait." He was twisting the edge of his shirt between his fingers.

Taylor nodded. "Don't push her, and she'll turn to you when she's ready for it to happen." Taylor was certain of that. Alexa was playing it so safe now, because she didn't want it to go wrong.

"You can't convince her..."

"Oh no no. I'm not putting myself in the middle of this. Alexa already thinks I'm your biggest advocate." She leaned back in the chair and folded her hands in front of her.

"Aw, Taylor, I didn't know you cared."

She couldn't keep from rolling her eyes at him, "Of course I'm an advocate of my friend dating a member of my favorite music group. Who wouldn't be?" She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes before she continued, "Of course, you're not exactly my first choice..."

AJ dramatically clutched at his heart, "Oh, Taylor, that hurt." When Taylor giggled, he stopped. "I'm serious."

"Sure, sure." She waved her hand dismissively, "I'm sure I believe you." She took a minute to study his face before saying anything else. "Are you really sure about this thing with Alexa?" She was pretty sure she knew the answer, but she wanted to actually hear him say it.

AJ raised his eyebrows, surprised she'd asked the question, "Would I be here if I wasn't?"

Taylor nodded thoughtfully, "Okay, just checking." She stood up, realizing she had to get back to work. "So, listen. With Alexa, just give her time." She waved AJ out the office door. "And I'll see what I can do for ya." She threw that in to see if he was still paying attention.

"Taylor. My new best friend!" He grabbed her, spinning her around in the hallway. Obviously he was paying attention.

"What are you gonna give me for helping?"

AJ stepped away from her, thoughtful for a second, "Tickets?"

Taylor was shaking her head, "Nope, I don't think that's enough. I'm thinking bigger. More... human."

AJ cackled, "Nick might have something to say about that."

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