Chapter 10;

I sat in a chair behind George Martin's and listened as the boys sang their last few songs for the album Beatles For Sale that was meant to go out in less than four days. I hugged my knees, as I listened to John's, now rough, voice singing I'm A Loser. I didn't know if I was the one who made him want to sing... Or write a song like that.

Not even a few days after being accepted with open arms, George told me I looked like a close friend, Eloise, of course. But luckily he didn't say anything it in front of anyone else. John and I've got on speaking terms and Paul has quickly reclaimed his spot as my friend.

"You boys ready to hear it?" George Martin said as they all walked in and sat down.

"I'll pass," John said, after downing half a bottle of water. He's never been too fond of his voice, but I and obviously everyone else is in complete aw over it.

"I'll go get some more waters, yeah?" I said, as everyone agreed. I quickly got out of the studio and into the hallway, all the way knocking into someone and falling on my butt.

"I'm so sorr-" John began but once he saw it was me started laughing.

"Hey! Help me up." I said pouting on the ground.

"Fine," John said like it was exhausting and quickly lifted me to my feet. "It's not my fault yer clumsy."

"Yet it is your fault I fell to my ass." I said laughing.

"Well maybe you shouldn't try and follow me. It's gettin' a tad bit creepy now, ay?" John said jokingly.

"Well maybe you should like your voice. It's great, you should have more confidence."

"Why have you been right about everything since I've met you... Yer not really stalking me, are ye?" He said pushing me.

"Shut up," I said pushing him back. "Sometimes I just... feel like what you want and need to hear. But I'm not lying, you've got an amazing voice." 

"Thanks love," John said handing me a few water bottles. "Now ye may want to get back in there." John told me, and I did.

"Thank God!" Paul said, grabbing a water bottle out of my hand and hugging me, much too close for my comfort level... Or my sense of smell either.

"I've got you a surprise!" Richard told me, once we were safe and inside of his apartment. 

"Tell me!" I said excitedly, with a big smile on my face. Ringo's smile was contagious and I loved it. 

"Well, we're gonna be able to... After the album comes out of course. We're going to France! To have a vacation, and go on some shows and perform! Isn't that great?!" 

"I'm happy for you!" I said, I truly was, but you know how distance can be. Not very good, at all. 

"Don't ye see what I'm sayin'? Yer comin' along! Course, that is if ye want to come?"

"I'd love too! I've never been." I told him shyly, draping my arms over his shoulders. 

"Great," Richard said kissing me. "We'll experience it together, love." Ringo said, kissing me much longer this time. 

**** 

"What? Why's he in the hospital?" I asked worried, already grabbing my packed back. It was supposed to be for France, but I'd probably go back to the hospital instead. 

"Stop worryin' Michelle. Ringo's at University College Hospital in the middle of London, he's gettin' his tonsils removed and will be flyin' over to France as soon as he's better." Brian told me in a calming voice. 

"Can I go see 'im before we leave?" I asked

"We're about to pick you up to leave love, plus he's gettin' prepped for surgery. I'm sorry darlin'." 

"It's alright Brian, when will you be 'ere?" I sighed. I didn't really want to be alone with them, without Ringo but now I'd have to. 

"Half an hour. We'll see you then, alri?" 

"Alright, see you then, bye." I said, clicked the off button and walking back into my room, packing the last few essential things. My friend, would be taking over the sells of my art work while I would be gone. I sat on my counter, impatiently tapping my fingers and thinking about this trip, I surely didn't want to be without Ringo, but I also didn't want to make a big deal. I was pushed out of thought as I heard Mel beep his horn outside for me. 

"There she is!" Paul said, smiling brightly at me. 

"'Ello you lot." I said, getting comfortable as Mel started driving again. 

"Are ye excited?" George asked. 

"Very, I've never been! I haven't been in a plane either.. So I'm a bit scared." I told them nervously playing with my charm bracelet.

"Don't worry 'bout it, Paul was scared his first time but he's fine now! Look at him." John told me, I looked over to him and his scared expression, which made me crack a grin. 

"Shove off Lennon," Paul told him cautiously. The rest of the drive was covered in light conversation, but as we got into the airplane, my breathing got heavier and I was scared to death. I had a death-grip on the chairs armrest. "'ere lemme 'elp." Paul said, coming over and sitting down beside of me. "Ye can take my hand," 

"No I-," I began, but the loud start of the engine, made me quickly grab a hold of his hand and shut my eyes.

"All I've got to ask of ye is not to break me hand love." Paul said chuckling, I loosened my grip on his hand, but pushed my head into his arm, which he quickly put around me, so I could dig my head into his chest.

I felt myself shaking and I was about to jolt out of my seat, when I felt as if I was falling "Shit!" I said quickly getting up. Paul pulled his head up and looked up at me with heavy laden eyes. 

"Shh, what's wrong love?" 

"Did ye not feel that?" I whisper yelled at him. 

"Darlin' you were asleep, we've been in the air for at least an hour or two." Paul told me, yawning and stretching in the small seat. 

"Oh... Okay, are ye sure?" 

"Why would I lie to ye Michelle? I've got no reason too, you 'aven't lied to me," wow okay that hurt, I felt as if I'd fall right then. "Come, sit down. You'll feel better." 

"Thanks Paul, for everything." I said, giving him a big hug, he quickly engulfed me in his arms. It felt like old time's again... Not that he'd know it.

"Just relax. Ye can go back to sleep, alri'?" Paul told me, but I was already out... Asleep, or just in deep thought. I couldn't tell the difference.

I woke up again with a shaking, but it was light. It was Paul. "Mornin' love. We're headin' off." Paul told me as I began to stretch my tied muscles. "Brian said you'll leave with 'im, after us."

"That's fine." I told him and went to Brain, grabbing my carry-on-bag. "How're ye Brain?"

"I'll be great. Just once we get outa 'ere." Brian said running a hand through his hair. 

"You don't like planes either, eh?" 

"I don't like how small and constricted they are. Then we got outa 'ere and there's a huge crowd. Not as fun as it sounds." Brian told me, Mel had already opened the hatch and the amount of screaming was ridiculous. 

"It doesn't sound fun!" I yelled over the screaming, which just made him start to chuckle. 

"Exactly." Brian said, taking me under his wing and leading me out of the plane. I sat in the back of the room, with Brian during the press-conference. The boys were funny, a bit rude and sometimes didn't even make sense. Of course they loved it, but I didn't, it felt as if I was slipping away from the boys more and more. 

"Which rooms are, ours?" Paul asked as we were back in the hotel. Feeling familiar. Strangely familiar. 

"Rooms 1002, and 1004. Ye don't mind do ye Michelle?" Brian said, getting my attention. 

"Hm, mind what?" I asked, stepping onto the elevator

"There weren't enough rooms, you'll be stayin' with either Paul and George or John and I. These won't be permanent bed room arrangement either." Brian told me, I felt as if all eyes were on me, God. I hate small, awkward places. 

"She can stay with us," Paul said before I could answer. "No worries, I'll sleep on the couch love." 

"Alright, I guess I'll stay with them." I told Brian, who just nodded and luckily the elevator opened up to our floor. "Which room?" 

"Room 1002 love," Paul said, slipping and arm around my waist to open the door, I giggled at the sudden contact. "Do we've got anythin' else to do today?" 

"You know you've always got more than a couple hours for jet-lag. Then, 'round seven we've got a press conference.

I quickly confined in the dark room and slept the whole time, till there was a sudden knock on the door, waking me up. "Come in," I said turning on the bed side lamp and trying to flatten my bed head. "Oh, hello Paul, what're you doin'?" 

"I just wanted to see if ye'd like to come to the club across the street with us," Paul began but I was already shaking my head 'no'. "Come on! Please Michelle! Brian said he may even come if ye do! It won't 'urt love. I'll keep ye right by me side." 

"And pay for drinks?" I asked, smirking at him. 

"All on me love." 

"Alright, get out." 

"Why?" Paul said, crossing his arms at me. 

"Because, I'm getting ready so we go 'ed and leave." I told him, getting up out of the bed. Paul left after that, leaving me to brush my hair, teeth and put on a night time dress. "I'm ready!" I said as I left my room, seeing everyone in the main room of our hotel room. 

"Ah, ye clean up nice." Paul said, smiling at me. 

"You lot aren't too bad yerself," I said laughing "Now are we leavin'?" 

"Right this way," John said, opening the door for me. 

"Ta!" I told him as John, Paul, George, Mel and I made our way downstairs and across the street to the club. 

"Would ye like to dance?" Paul asked, giving me a charming smile

"Ah, ah Paul! You said drinkin' nothin' 'bout dancin'. Maybe a coupla of drinks in." I said as he grabbed my hand and we walked through the crowd of people to the bar. "Scotch and coke." I told the man

"Make that two," Paul shouted to him. "How'd you know that was me favorite?"

"I didn't." I told him, taking a sip of my drink. "It's mine." 

Paul whisked me onto my feet of a night of Coke and Scotch. Plus a little dancing Paul had insisted on. The night was still going on strong, and so was Paul, but I was losing control, having drunken more than I could count on one hand, or maybe even two. I don't know who Paul and the rest of them could do it. 

"Dance with me lovely," Paul murmured in my ear, making me shudder involuntarily. 

"Paul," I began to say but he had plucked me up from my chair and were we on the dance floor, luckily closer to the door. "Paulie, I can barely stand." I told him giggling, I didn't know why either. 

"Be quiet Michelle," Paul said letting go of my arms. I could feel gravity pulling me back down, but Paul luckily grabbed me and pulled me up to face him. "Okay, maybe I should bring you back to the room." Paul said and I just nodded in response. 

Once we were on the street the fresh, cold air hit me, making me feel a whole lot better. "Will you carry me?" I asked, giving him the puppy dog face, as I stumbled even with his grip tight around me. "Please?" 

"Fine," Paul said, stopping and picking me up bridal style, he carried me all the way back up to the hotel room, setting me down once we were inside. "You need help goin' to yer room?" 

"Please," I said, turning back towards him and we made our way to the full bed. Paul began to get up, but my grip on his arm wouldn't let go. 

"Can I stay?" Paul whispered, his hot breath hitting my cold cheeks, all I could do is nod in response. "Do you want me to stay?" 

"P-please," I said my voice sounding odd and no longer familiar. Paul looked at me with a small smile, pushing a piece of hair out of my face, I quickly looked down feeling my cheeks burn. 

"There's no reason to be scared love," Paul whispered getting closer to me subtly. "I'm just me." he said, our lips barely touching before he kissed me, just a peck at first, but came back pushing his soft lips against mine and laying me down on my back. "Yer so beautiful," Paul whispered, kissing me again. "What's the matter love?" 

"Yer..." I began crying. "Yer you." I said kissing him softly of the lips. "And I'm not me." 

"What are ye talkin' 'bout Michelle?" 

"I'm Ellie," I whispered tears falling down my cheeks, he quickly wiped them from my face but looked startled. 

"Where did you 'ear that name?" He asked, sounding sad, mad even. "Why are you lying?!" 

"Paul," I whimpered from his sudden anger. "I'm Ellie, and yer James McCartney and I lived with you and you and John and George were first in the Quarry Men. And I-I loved John. So much. And now that's not even John, it's not even you." I said, crying letting out sudden gasp of air. "I don't know who you are anymore, any of you and it scares me to death. I'm scared Paul, so fucking scared." 

"Shh, shh Ellie. Oh my God Ellie," Paul said, pulling me to his chest, so my cries were muffled. "I can't believe it's you." 

"And, and you know what the worst part is Paul? He kept all of his promises, and I've lied directly to his face this whole time Paul. He really did take me travelin' didn't he. That's what's bad about it. I'm so empty Paul, I'm so far away from him. I'm so far away from a single lifeline. That I could die at any moment." I tell him, shedding new tears. 

"I'm sure he'll be glad to see you bu-" 

"No!" I quickly cut him off. "You can't tell anybody, not even yer journals Paul. Promise me, please. Promise?" 

"I promise Eloise," Paul told me wrapping his arms around me and kissing my forehead. 

"Paul?" A voice said as the front door opened, obviously more than just one person was in the hotel room. 

"Go on," I told him shooing him out "Have a good time." I settled back into bed, I felt as if I could sleep for a hundred more years, but I listened to the conversation going on out there. 

"Wow, Paulie. Ringo's chick, eh?" 

"Shut up. She was drunk and couldn't walk, I was just helpin' 'er to bed." 

"Well, let's not disturb 'er. We can go into me room." Someone, probably John said. I quickly fell asleep with too much on my mind.