Pippa is lonely and bored. It's never a good combination, which she knows already, but as she sits in her hotel room in Australia, she can't help but wonder why she's here. Not here, as in Australia, in Hamilton, or even on this world. She's not that philosophical. She is wondering why she is sitting in her room, alone, while everyone else is out.

Jazzy and Anthony are on a date, some of the ensemble girls are being tourists, and Lana, Jessa, Kaitlyn, and Brett went to see a movie, though sadly, it wasn't a double date. It was only that all four of them really wanted to see some superhero movie that was just released, and were interested in how an Aussie movie theater may have been different than an American one.

Pippa contemplated what to do for a few minutes, before deciding to settle on FaceTiming Steven, and hoping that he picks up.

Thankfully, he does.

"Pippa, sweetie!" he exclaims. "I wasn't expecting you to call me!"

"I was lonely," she admits. "Everyone else is out doing fun stuff without me."

"Pippa, honey, I'm sure you could've joined them," he says.

"I know, but I didn't want to intrude on any of them."

"You're too much of a cinnamon roll," Steven laughs.

"Thank you?" Pippa replies, assuming that it is a compliment.

Steven laughs. "You're more than welcome."

They share a moment of silence, Pippa staring at Steven through the screen, and wishing he was somehow here, and Steven doing the same to Pippa.

"So, how's the tour going?" Steven eventually asks, breaking the silence.

"Pretty good, I guess," Pippa replies. She has nothing to complain about, but nothing extraordinary has happened either.

"I saw your Instagram post. It looks like you and Jas had fun at the beach."

"Yeah, we did."

"Where's she?" Steven asks.

"On a date with Anthony."

"I wish that I could be there to take you on a date," Steven tells her.

Pippa bites her lip. She misses him so much. All that she wants is for Steven to be holding her in his strong arms.

Pippa, she scolds herself. Don't get like this. The last time you were like this, it ended horribly.

The fear is still there, though it's lessening every day. The fear is still there, and she hates that about herself.

"Hey Pippa? You're going to hate me, but I have to go," Steven says. "I hope that you have a wonderful night, though, alright? Will you learn me a new song to play on piano?"

"I guess so," Pippa sighs. "I miss you, Steve."

"I miss you too, my love. Don't worry, we will be together again soon."

"Okay," Pippa replies. "Love you."

"Love you too. Bye Pips."

"Bye," she replies. At that, the two break their connection by pressing the red button at the bottom of the screen. The red button that has become Pippa's enemy. What makes her have to leave Steven.

For a few hours, Pippa occupies herself by learning how to play "On My Own" from Les Mis on her keyboard. How ironic. It's not a coincidence that she chose that song, though. She knows what it means, and right now, really relates to it.

At about 8:00, she gives up and just goes to bed. She falls asleep to the comforting mix of Rodgers and Hammerstein songs on her phone.

--------------------

The next day, at about 3:00, Jazzy pulls Pippa aside during rehearsal.

"Come on, Pippa. We aren't up for the rest of the day, and I really want to show you this cool place that Anthony and I found last night. You'll really like it," she says.

"What, Jazzy? Are you sure it's okay?"

"Actually, it was Daveed's idea. He thinks you seemed a bit down today, and wanted me to take you to do something fun as a treat."

"Oh, well, okay Jas," Pippa replies, hesitantly. She picks up her bag, and follows Jazzy out of the theater and into her rental car.

They drive along a road that looks sort of familiar. Pippa can't place her finger on where it is from, though. She just trusts that Jazzy knows where she is going, which Pippa realizes is probably the worst decision ever, but at this point, doesn't really care. She's just happy to be spending time with her best friend.

As Jazzy pulls into a parking lot, Pippa realizes when she has traveled that road before. They're at the airport.

"Jazzy, why are we here? Better question, why were you and Anthony here on your date last night?"

"Pippa, I'm just going to need you to trust me on this one," Jazzy tells her. "Please?"

"Fine, but I swear, if you're putting me on an airplane to Timbuktu with only the clothes on my back, my Hamilton script, my water bottle, and some trashy Australian fashion magazine, then you are making a giant mistake."

"You sound genuinely worried about that," Jazzy chuckles.

"I AM!" Pippa protests.

"Don't worry. I promise, you're not leaving Sydney, nor will you leave the ground in Sydney."

"Okay," Pippa replies, skeptically.

Pippa's only confusion grows as Jazzy leads her inside of the airport. They make it to baggage claim, before Jazzy points to a bench.

"Sit."

Unsure of what other options she has, Pippa does as she is told. Jazzy looks at her phone, then back up at Pippa.

"I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be back."

"Okay," Pippa replies with a sigh. As Jazzy walks away, Pippa tucks her legs up under her, so that she is sitting criss-cross applesauce on the bench. She pulls out her phone and absorbs herself in scrolling through Twitter.

Not five minutes later, somebody comes up behind Pippa and puts their hands over her eyes. They don't feel like Jazzy's hands, though. They feel masculine.

Oh God, is Pippa immediate thought. I'm being kidnapped. This is the end of me.

Then, something unexpected happens. She hears a familiar, deep voice.

"You get one guess- who is it?"

She almost can't bring her lips to form the word.

"Steven?"

"You smartie pants," he replies. Pippa jumps to her feet, with a giant smile.

"Steven!" she squeals, running into his open arms. He picks her up and twirls her around, and then sets her down, as the two embrace in a tender kiss. It resonates somewhere inside of Pippa that this is the first time their lips have met, but she's too happy about seeing Steven to let it fully sink in.

"Oh my God, what are you doing here?" Pippa asks, once they pull apart.

"I came to see you, because I missed you," Steven replies.

"You bought a plane ticket to Australia just because you missed me?" Pippa exclaims. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"It was really in my own self-interest. You're forgetting that I missed you just as much as you missed me."

Pippa laughs. "So yesterday, when you said that you had to go..."

"I was heading to the airport."

"Oh my goodness," Pippa squeals. "How long have you been planning this for?"

"Not too long," Steven admits. "I think that I first brought up the idea to Jazzy a week ago to see if it would be possible."

"Wow," Pippa murmurs. "You must've spent a fortune on the plane ticket."

"It's okay, love. I don't splurge too much."

"Steve, you've already planned to take me to Disney World..."

"What can I say? I guess I love you."

Pippa laughs, and hits his chest playfully, but really, the words resonate with her more than she lets it show. It feels different hearing the words in person than over the phone.

"So, Pippa, did you like what I brought you to see?" Jazzy walks back up to them.

"Yes! Oh my God, yes!" Pippa exclaims.

"Well, how about we go back to the hotel, and you two can have some time to yourselves?" she suggests.

"That sounds wonderful," Pippa replies, lacing her fingers through Steven's as they walk back out to Jazzy's rental car. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

happy new year!