After a few long moments patiently biding her time in the hallway, Isabel realized that Paul and the rest of them probably wouldn't be out and ready anytime soon. When she peered back inside, she saw that they were all lounging around in a relaxed manner. Though the initial discomfiture regarding Gail's presence had not yet completely dissipated, there was a definite sense of familiarity and camaraderie between her and the boys that allowed them to temporarily sidestep any overarching tension.

"So, see if you can picture this, Gail -- Paul's far gone, Ringo has a lampshade on his head, my trousers are split down the middle and 'ol Johnny-boy's only concerned with winning the bet..." George recounted in a no-nonsense tone, smirking subtly.

"Get out of here!!" Gail interjected, fervidly getting into the story.

"Meanwhile, it's already half past one, none of us are coherent enough to hail for a cab, the place wreaks of Paul's inability to hold down his liquor..."

"Oh, gosh, who was there to clean up that mess?" Gail questioned, her eyes wide with concern.

"No one," George replied.

"No one!?" Gail exclaimed, taking offense. "Does that bloody hag think being a secretary is just a 9-5 job!?"

"Gail, focus!" George snapped.

"Sorry," Gail muttered softly.

"That's just one of the many incidents that have happened since you've been gone, Gail," Ringo noted with a smile.

"Well, as much as I would've enjoyed being there to witness your endearingly juvenile antics, I simply couldn't postpone my calling any longer. I'm a writer!" Gail stated dramatically.

Everyone promptly groaned and rolled their eyes in response to this. This was the sixth time she'd mentioned her writing profession in one sitting.

"Yeah, yeah, Miss Puffer!" Paul spoke up as he shook his head and baited her with a sly, provocative wink.  "Now, do what you do best and make me a cuppa..."

"Ha-ha, watch it, Macca..." Gail's voice nearly rose to a shriek, warning Paul. Though outwardly she laughed, her biting tone gave away that she was the complete opposite of amused.

"Damn!" George blurted out, chuckling and wincing slightly. "And here I thought Johnny was the only one who called him that..."

"I usually am..." John remarked somberly.

"You're right, you're right, George," Gail acknowledged, simpering. "To me, you'll always be the boys. My boys."

Before anything more could be said, Brian's voice blasted through the studio: "Hope you lads are ready, we leave in 5!"

"Aw, man! We don't even have on our disguises yet!" Ringo pouted.

"Well, looks like we better get on with that, then," John stated matter-of-factly.

His shoulders haphazardly rubbed against Gail's as he got up and shifted from where he was seated. For a brief moment, their eyes met and he raised a wry eyebrow at her.

"Later! I said we'd deal with this later! Quit smothering me!!!" Gail barked, defensively reacting to his touch.

"That's fine, Abbie. Christ, no need to act so prickly!" John fired back as he rolled his eyes and helped Gail up with his hand.

"Is everybody ready..?" Brian stepped in and flashed a knowing smile, almost as if he was vaguely invested and riveted with the conversation that was transpiring in front of him.

"Just about, Eppy," John replied with a sneer.

"And what about you, Miss Greene?" Brian posed, turning to beam at Gail. "How's our trusty secretary holding up?"

"Hey, former secretary!" Gail corrected him in a snappy sing-song voice. "I'm a writer now!"

More groans could be heard faintly in the background.

Brian chuckled, seemingly charmed at her over-the-top theatrics, "Quite right, Gail. My mistake..."

John gazed intensely at Gail, narrowing his eyes mischievously.

"...What!?" Gail snapped, still on the defensive.

John's lips quirked into a smile, "Nothing..."

"I wasn't even that good a secretary! I was so unprofessional..." Gail mused with a smirk, rolling her eyes.

"Happens to the best of us," John supplied with a smug grin. "Hell, even your new middle-aged replacement can't resist stealing a smooch from time to time..."

Gail scoffed and swatted playfully at John's arm, "You're such a brat!"

"Hey!" John guffawed. "Cut it out! My fragile limbs can't take the abuse!"

"Oh, so now you're a brat and a wimp!" Gail retorted, pertly placing her hands on her hips.

"You're changing the subject!" John astutely noted. "So, you mean to tell me you have no ties to your old life at all..?"

Gail's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "This feels like a loaded question, John..."

"It's not, I swear!" John insisted. "It's just, you seemed to slip right back into that 'mode' as soon as you got here..."

"What mode!? John, what are you even on about!?" Gail demanded in a shrill tone.

"Abbie..." John lowered his voice and directed her attention to her absentmindedly working hands, impulsively scrubbing at the edge of a flat surface with a stray cloth.

Gail looked down and winced, annoyed with herself, as she realized what she was doing, "...Goddamnit!"

John stifled a gleeful chuckle.

"Stop it! It's not funny!" Gail turned away from him and crossed her arms, flustered.

"Oh, come on, Abbie, lighten up, it is a little funny..." John coaxed, lightly grazing her shoulder blade.

"I don't have to put up with this, you know!" Gail snarled once again at his touch, turning back towards him.

"Put up with what?" John fixed his eyes on hers as he raised his eyebrow suggestively.

Gail broke into a sweat, responding to his proximity, unable to resist leaning closer, "This...this..." Torture. Confusion. Uncertainty. "This hogwash!"

"Whatever you say, sweetheart..." John hummed, a droll expression on his face as his eyes darted to her lips and instinctively closed in on them.

For a moment, everything slowed as the outside world melted around them. Then, just as their mouths were about to make contact...

"LATER!!! We'll deal with this later!!!" Gail suddenly yelped in spite of herself, leaving John behind in a dash.

~~~

As George and Ringo prepared for their outing and put the finishing touches on their disguises, they overheard Paul and John bickering over a retreaded topic.

"I don't know why you keep insisting on bringing this up, John!"

"The song is stupid and prancy!"

"You liked it when I showed it to you yesterday!"

"Yeah? I was probably high off my arse then!"

The firing back-and-forth continued to escalate, becoming increasingly louder by the second. Gail, who had also been listening in on the row, gave George and Ringo a confused, frightened look.

George locked eyes with Gail and smiled weakly, shaking his head slightly.

"They've been at it like that since you left. It used to always be over something minor and inconsequential, but lately they've been getting more intense..."

Gail hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not she should voice her concern at the risk of sounding vain and self-centered.

"It's not...because of me, is it?"

George replied with what looked to be a cross between a smile and a smirk as he shook his head in dissent.

"It's not you, love," Ringo reassured her. "Hell, the only thing they can agree on is that they both bloody fooking missed you..."

"Yes, Gail, regardless of what anyone says or how anyone acts, we're all ecstatic to see you again!" George asserted.

Gail sighed and looked down, "Thanks, guys, but I'm not gonna pretend my being here isn't awkward and that I'm not already wreaking some havoc..."

"John, please don't be like this..." Paul pleaded softly as the door flung open and he followed John out of the room.

"I'll be however I damn please, Macca! Now do everyone a favor and put a proverbial sock in it!"

"In what..?" Ringo cocked his head in confusion.

John grumbled in response as he briskly moved forward. His head perked slightly, however, when he spotted Gail.

Immediately upon meeting his gaze, Gail's eyes widened and she bit down hard on her lip as she began to fidget anxiously.

"Um, g-gotta go, guys!" she stuttered out as she, once again, dashed away.

John's eyes narrowed sternly. He looked over to see George and Ringo staring up at him, feigning innocence.

~~~

Isabel couldn't stomach overhearing all the mindless chatter for too long. Fraught with the direction the conversations were heading in, she opted to wait outside where at least the pleasant sights and sounds of nature could be of some companionship.

When Paul finally came out, fully-disguised, she couldn't help smiling as she brought a hand to her mouth and chortled lightly.

Paul's eyes promptly lit up when he saw her, "What's got you in such a chirpy mood, my dear?"

"That's the same disguise you wore when we met!" Isabel pointed out as she permitted a wholesome giggle to escape.

Paul looked down and intently inspected his get-up, his fake beard comically hanging off of his chin. Looking back up with a grin, he replied, "Yes, I suppose it is..."

Beaming as she followed him, Isabel was glad to see Paul's loose, happy demeanor was back again. She decided to take advantage of his relaxed state of mind, hoping it would allow her to pry a bit deeper into the current situation.

"Paul, what can you tell me about Gail?" she blurted out.

Instantly, Paul's mood shifted. Pausing his pace for a brief second, his eyelids drooped and he bit his lip in contemplation.

"Gail?" his voice chimed innocently, as if it was his first time hearing that name. "She's a brain and a beauty. She's smarter than the rest of us but she pretends not to be..."

Isabel's eyes narrowed. He was being coy with her, purposely keeping things vague.

Paul's head then turned back towards her, their eyes meeting, "Why do you ask..?"

Isabel's pupils distended at his scrutiny and her heart suddenly began to palpitate, "Well, frankly, I feel I know next to nothing about her -- except that she apparently used to work here, correct..?"

Paul grunted, barely responding as he persisted to charge ahead of her.

Hobbling behind him, Isabel audibly gulped. She was quickly convincing herself that Gail's presence was something she had every reason to be personally concerned about. There was clearly a thread here that was being left unraveled. Even if Paul was unwilling to go into any details about their mysterious guest, Isabel was determined to get to the bottom of it.

~~~

Though still slightly unsettled, Gail loosened up a fair bit around Ringo and George as they all strolled on their way to their destination.

"Ringo, you slow poke! Try to keep up!" George commented in between fitful snickers.

"I'm trying! You know I'm not a leg man!" Ringo retorted, equally tickled.

"If you believe in yourself hard enough, you can be, Rings!" George countered teasingly.

"Yes, just believe, Ringo, it worked for me!" Gail chimed in, smiling.

"It can't be that simple..." Ringo remarked doubtfully.

"To hell if it ain't, Richard!" George stated passionately.

"Why can't you just accept my slow and steady self, Geo-uh-hmm..." Ringo reflected as he tapped his chin pensively. "George isn't short for anything..."

"I'm just pushing you to be your best, mate!" George said in reply as he playfully shoved Ringo's back.

"Knock it off!" Ringo chuckled. "You're gonna make me run into the lady!"

"Gail's not a lady..." George quipped, sneering and raising his eyebrow mischievously.

Gail scoffed and shoved George back, "Shut up! I'm as lady-like as they come!"

George shook his head with a sly grin, "Tsk, tsk, pity if that's the case..."

As Gail, George and Ringo continued to giggle and outwit each other, they didn't notice who was approaching them from behind.

"Hey, Abbie!" John spouted mirthfully.

Gail flinched and gasped tensely, "John! Quit stalking me!!"

"You always attack me when you feel threatened..." John said with a smirk, endeared to the effect he was having on her.

"Oh, do I?" Gail rejoined. "Maybe I have a right to feel threatened, given that you haven't taken your menacing eyes off of me ever since I've gotten here..."

John shrugged, "What can I say? The view is great. I love to see that tight little ass!"

Gail rolled her eyes, smiling sternly at his attempt to provoke her, "As I recall, you seemed to enjoy it even more when you slapped it at Mo's house..."

John grinned, "Hey, now, that's not fair! I was hammered that night!"

"Well, it's great that you can get out of your tree. Now, can you get out of mine..?" Gail's voice increased in pitch, her overall anxiety and agitation getting the better of her.

John abruptly stopped as his voice softened and a serious expression overtook his face, "Abbie, it's okay. You know I'm just winding you up, I don't really mean it..."

"John! I just wish you'd--" Gail broke a sweat as her heart began to pound. She didn't know what she meant. She didn't know what she wanted. All she could do was run, averting her head as she attempted to swallow the muddled tears that threatened to come out.

~~~

In all of her frenzy to get away from John, Gail didn't notice the towering figure she bolted right past.

"It's good to see you again, Gail..." Neil Aspinall, the boys' longtime roadie, expressed plainly.

"Oh!" Gail squeaked with a start at the low rumble of his voice, feeling herself freeze in place as he closed in on her space. "...H-hi, Neil..." she greeted him shakily.

All of a sudden, she felt a pressing hand on the small of her back, urging her to move. She found herself walking briskly past him even though her legs previously wouldn't let her. With a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw that it was Paul who was guiding her out of Neil's way.

In a daze, the stony-faced Paul disappeared from Gail's sight. Before she could fully process what happened, she realized they had all made it to the thrift shop.

~~~

"Now, remember boys, you're only allowed to try on the outfits and accessories my colleague has laid out for you. Everything else is off-limits, understand?"

"Yes, Brian," the four lads muttered begrudgingly. 

"Those are my good boys!" Brian acknowledged. His gaze shifted briefly to Gail. Though she was no longer under any obligation to follow his orders, his eyes gently urged her to keep an eye on them. Gail blinked once and nodded, automatically in understanding.

Paul, John, George and Ringo continued to stare longingly at the forbidden attire. 

"Man, those caps hanging there look right smashing, don't they?" Paul pouted.

"Hmph," John grumbled. "Figures ol' Eppy would keep the best stuff away from us! What a stingy bastard!"

"Hey, hey!" Gail interjected. "Brian said to keep your hands off of those garbs, so keep your grimy hands off of them!"

"Oh, lighten up, Gail," George chided, shaking his head. "Surely, there must be something you want in there too..."

"It doesn't matter!" Gail insisted. "You guys always have everything handed to you, it's time you learn some discipline and self-restraint!"

"Oh, you mean like with you and your work friend..?" John retorted bitterly with a roll of his eyes.

Gail's face fumed in red as her fists tightened, "Shut up, John!!"

"We're getting off-topic," George stated flatly. "Now how are we going to sneak in those costumes?"

"What we need to do is divert Brian's attention just long enough for us to nick 'em..." Paul chimed in.

"Hmm," Ringo pondered, tapping his chin. "Who do we know who's a pretty bird who can create a ruse and distract him..?"

Suddenly, everyone's gaze shifted towards Gail. Her eyes promptly widened and she gasped slightly. "NOPE! No, I did NOT sign up for this!"

Paul and John eagerly took it upon themselves to carry her away.

"STOP IT! LET ME GO!!" Gail squirmed and fidgeted in protest.

At the sound of her shrill cry, John and Paul's eyes met and they both silently agreed that this was not the best approach.

"Pipe down, will ya!? He'll hear ye!" John groused as he set her down. 

"You know, this could classify as assault!" Gail remarked, dusting off her now wrinkled sleeves. 

"We're shaking in our boots, dear," Paul deadpanned, causing Gail to glare menacingly at him. 

"Gail, we don't ask much of you, just please take Eppy off our hands for a few minutes..." George expressed, calmly attempting to reason with her.

Gail put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow, "Well, what's in it for me..?"

"I don't know, a fountain pen!?" Everyone looked curiously as George. "What? That's what writers like, yeah?"

"I'll tell you what, Abbie. You do this for us, I'll plant a nice, juicy fat one on your lips!" John grinned at his own suggestion.

Gail glared at him but with good nature, "For me, John, what's in it for me!?"

"We'll give you a starring role in our next movie!" Paul shot up. 

Gail paused thoughtfully, "You know, you guys do owe me that much. I didn't even get a flippin' cameo role in A Hard Day's Night!"

"So, do we have a deal?" George asked. 

"No, actually we're just good friends!" Gail let out a boisterous laugh, causing everyone to stare in bewilderment.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't a cogent response to what you said, I just wanted to quote the movie!" Gail explained sheepishly. "Yes, we have a deal!"

~~~

"Brian! I need your input immediately!" Gail called out. She swiftly turned to the boys, giving them two thumbs up and winking excitedly.

Brian proceeded to approach her in a slightly confused daze, "Yes, Gail, what is it?"

Gail's eyes widened as her heart halted in panic, ".......Um, if a tree falls, does it make a sound..?"

The band reacted to this manner of stalling with varying levels of amusement and befuddlement.

In response, Brian grimaced. "Um...I would imagine so, Gail--"

"No, wait, wait! I got that wrong!" Gail exclaimed, interrupting his train of thought. "It goes, 'if a tree falls in the middle of the forest and no one is around to hear it, then does it make a sound'..?"

Brian's lips pursed as he began to lose his patience, "Gail, why are you wasting my time with these nonsensical quandaries? Where are the boys?"

All of a sudden, the distinct rattling of a door could be heard echoing through the thrift shop. 

"Drat! It's locked!" John cursed in a hush.

"Not making a sound, I would hope!" Gail replied, sternly raising her tone.

Brian blinked blankly at her, "I've had enough of this, Gail." He assertively walked away from the commotion.

"Gail, come help us open this door!" George requested. 

Rolling her eyes and sighing in resign, she bent down and attempted to pick the lock.

John grinned, "Man, I sure missed watching that bum walk up and down the studio!"

"Got any more wry comments about my bum, John?" Gail questioned in aggravation.

"I could write a whole ode to it, my dear!" John cracked with a proud smirk. 

Gail turned to him abruptly, "Listen, you can keep the international lady-killer rockstar persona but writing...is my thing!"

John snorted in merriment, "Understood, miss..."

"Are you sure your thing isn't improvisational riddles?" Ringo winked at her. 

George chortled, "Yes, tell me Gail, if a tree falls on your head and no one is around to laugh at you..." 

"Oh, enough!" Gail scoffed, holding back a smile. "You Looney Tunes..."

"In all seriousness, thank you for helping us out, Gail!" Ringo mentioned with gratitude. 

"Oh, it's nothing!" Gail shook her head and waved it off, beaming. "I adore you guys..."

Finally, Gail managed to pick the lock and opened the door, revealing a paradise of colorful costumes.   

~~~

"I want this one!" Ringo excitedly declared as he placed a feathered hat atop his head.

"Uh, no, I think you mean I want this one!" George corrected Ringo as he snatched the hat from his head.

"Come now, George, let Starkey have this! He's due for a victory and he's in desperate need of a sense of style..." Paul remarked in a jokingly posh manner.

John rolled his eyes and scoffed in dry amusement, "Oh, like you have it all put together, Macca. What you need is a good dose of reality!"

"We're Beatles! What do we know about reality?" George pointed out.

"Oh, don't you start with your spiritual, rhetorical shit, Geo!" John bawled.

"Oh, I'm sorry, John, did you want to discuss something else..?" George bit back, his eyes subtly and sardonically darting towards Gail.

"Let's talk about how ace I look in this hat!" Ringo piped up joyously.

"Well," Paul snagged the hat from Ringo's head and placed it atop his own. "That was a short conversation."

"Hey! I thought you were gonna let me 'have this'!" Ringo protested.

"I want this," Paul answered simply.

"Why don't we make up the difference and just stack the rest of the hats on Ritchie's head!?" John suggested impassively, flinging one towards the group.

Rapidly, the three Beatles started hurling hats toward Ringo's face. A few of them managed to land on the peak of his head. John, cracking up with the rest of the lads, tied a bonnet on top for good measure.

Even after all this time, the boys still had a tremendous energy about them; such spirit and chemistry with one another. Gail couldn't help but smile and shake her head at their familiar, heartwarming antics. As she watched them from afar, she realized she missed them more than she cared to admit.

"Gail, come help me pick out a hat!" Paul called out to her.

Gail's eyes widened for a moment before she mindlessly moved towards him, "Well, already, I can tell you that is not your color..."

Paul's eyes twinkled as he beamed softly at her, "Oh, yeah..?"

Gail tittered as she messed with his hat and hair, "Yeah, who told you you could match red and green like that..? Dear God, I hope you're not going out in public looking like this..."

"Hey, now," Paul arched his eyebrows together in slight offense, grinning as he defensively shielded his choice in head-wear. "So, what do you propose I wear for this shoot?"

"Hmm,"

Already, Gail was scattering through the pile of hats, deep in concentration. She tried them all on Paul's head, one by one, contemplating which look was the best.

"Have you decided on a look yet..?" Paul asked, playfully poking her side.

Gail's face turned red as she bent down and began to giggle uncontrollably, "Paul, cut it out!"

"Make me!" Paul challenged, his tone overtly flirtatious.

Meanwhile, Isabel sat quietly in a corner, watching sadly. 

"Ugh! I'm getting back into that mode again!!!" Gail suddenly exclaimed, chiding herself in realization.

"What mode..?" Paul raised his eyebrow in confusion.

"I'm a writer, I'm capable of so much more than this! I'm not just here to be your handmaiden!"

"I don't know, I'd say your quite good at it..." Paul smiled impishly, poking her side yet again.

"Stop it! Ugh, you're both exactly the same! You think you can manipulate me with your looks and charms to get whatever you want! Well, it's not gonna work this time!" Gail screamed, visibly fed up.

Paul's eyes flickered with hurt, "Gail, I..."

"No! Save it! You really think you can just act like nothing's changed? Like you didn't hurt me?" Gail's voice cracked as it raised. "I didn't come back just so you could play with my heart and boss me around again!"

"What's going on here..?" John asked in concern as he approached them.

"WE'LL DEAL WITH THIS LATER!!!" Gail screeched at John, storming off.

  ~~~  

John stood momentarily in disbelief, scowling at Paul.  "...What did you do!? Fucking traumatize her!?" 

"No, mate, your pushy shit is probably what put her on edge!" Paul spouted angrily. 

Isabel leaned her back against the wall, listening in on their heated exchange, her heart pounding.

All of a sudden, John's mouth gaped slightly at his bandmate and his expression softened. "...Wait, are you crying..?"

Paul sniffled and rubbed at his glistening left doe eye.

"Paul, you never cry..." John stifled a chuckle, both shocked and endeared to his friend's emotional reaction.

~~~

Upon overhearing this, Isabel ran off, barely fighting back a sob. It was beyond apparent that everyone was going gaga over Gail, and Isabel couldn't help feeling it was at her expense. As if she didn't already feel left out and ignored before Gail showed up, now she nearly felt non-existent. There was something about the way Gail referred to the band as "her boys," the ease with which she interacted with them, that made her heart twinge with jealousy. And Paul practically melted into a pile of good over Gail; he demanded her attention...

All of a sudden, her shapely physique was scorching against her light sundress. She frantically fanned her face, her chest tightening as she struggled to gather enough oxygen in her lungs. Her surroundings appeared to be swirling around, all of the colors blending rapidly, as if her world were being stirred by a gigantic spoon. She sensed that her body was moving, gliding, floating away, but she was not in control of her movements. Was she going to faint? 

"Are you okay..?" a soft voice uttered, jolting her back to reality. 

Isabel blinked a few times as her blurred vision slowly came back into focus. Two intimate blue eyes stared back at her. Ringo.

"Yes, I'm okay," Isabel answered absently. "I think..."

"Don't scare me like that, love, you almost went and bloody ghosted on me!" Ringo quipped in relief, chuckling lightly. 

Taking in a deep, much-needed breath, Isabel casually began to iron out the tufts of her dress with her long, nimble fingers. 

"It's good to see some of the color coming back to those pretty, little cheeks!" Ringo remarked with a beam.

All of a sudden, her breath caught as she looked back up. The thought of Ringo actually noticing her and caring enough to mention something like that made her face flush even warmer. 

Seemingly oblivious to the effect he was having, Ringo prattled on, "You know, whenever I'm feeling stressed, I often whip out my camera and snap some shots. Do you ever take pictures?"

Isabel shook her head.

Ringo's eyes crinkled, revealing his magnificent smile, "Well, you're in luck! We're headed to the hardware store now. Would you like me to guide you towards the camera section?"

Isabel nodded, her vast eyes dilated with interest. Finally, she began to feel at ease again.

~~~

"Excuse me, ma'am, can I gouge my eyes out with that pencil?" John pointed to a box of golf pencils at the hardware store as he tried to get an older lady's attention. 

"John, stop beleaguering the workers," Paul sighed.

"Why don't you stop with your fancy language, Macca..." John snipped. 

"Aw, let's liven up, lads! We won't be here too much longer now -- may as well smile for the shoot!" Ringo commented, perky as ever. 

"Ringo, you know you can untie all those hats from your head now..." Paul mentioned gravely. 

"Jealous, Paul?" Ringo's eyes twinkled as he adjusted his head wear. 

"Excuse me, ma'am, can I cut through the tension with this knife?" John asked as he lifted up a hefty diamond knife. 

"John!" Paul snapped. "You're not helping!" 

"Well, your incessant moping isn't helping either, mate..." George pointed out. 

"Fine!" Paul fumed as he shoved past him. "Maybe I'll just step out, then..."

~~~

  (skip to 6:11)  

https://youtu.be/BWerj8FcprM

Paul walked and walked, storming the premises until he found the exit. He shot past Gail, who had been hiding in the other side of the store, sniveling. Noticing his anguish, she sighed and decided to follow him behind from a distance, contemplating an apology.

"Oh hey, there you are..." Paul stopped in surprise, his distress melting away as he spotted Isabel.

She was taking pictures of the bushes, not paying much mind to anything else. All of a sudden, flashes from Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 burst through his head as Isabel turned around, acknowledging him. 

Gail remained hidden as Paul sat down with Isabel on the pavement. He seized an English Daisy sprouting on the side of the road and handed it to her. They sat in silence for a moment as Isabel looked down at the flower, basking in its serenity. 

"See, this is why I like you, Isabel. I can be myself around you. I don't have to put up any fronts..." Isabel watched as Paul took a long drag from his cigarette. 

"The lot of them, in there...it's all just noise," he stated in a solemn, fragile tone, pointing to the hardware store behind him. "Being out here, with you...it's a break from all the noise..."

Still watching covertly from behind the door, Gail exhaled softly. She was so engrossed with the scene unfolding in front of her that she didn't notice who was standing right beside her.

John finally spoke, "It's later."

~~~

The two went for a walk, upon John's request. No words were spoken and no eye contact was made for the first few minutes. 

"Haven't seen much of ye," John began. "You keep running away. Not much has changed, eh?" Though he put on a half-hearted smile, Gail could hear the bitterness in his tone.

Her stomach lurched as her mind raced back to events of the past, times when she had blown him off, running away from her feelings. 

I can't keep avoiding him. That's what the old Gail would do. 

"I wasn't ready to come back," Gail expressed, her voice low and full of regret. "I was mad at Paul for acting like nothing happened, but I guess by coming back here, I was doing the same thing. I can't just waltz in and pretend everything's fine when it's not..." 

John merely nodded in reply as he bit his lip. They eventually found a discreet corner to settle into and they both sat with their legs spread out, facing each other.

"I'm...sorry I've been yelling at you all day," Gail began as she rubbed at his foot comfortingly. "You didn't deserve that. I just...I--" 

Gail was unable to verbalize how she was feeling even though it was obvious. She gazed intently at John as he picked at the floor. This was the first time in a long while that she had a good look at him. He always looked years older than his age; hardened, weary.

"Was it because of me..?" John finally looked up.

"What?" Gail snapped out of her daze.

"Did you leave because of me?" John repeated.

"No!" Gail anxiously tittered. "I didn't leave because of you! Of course not! I left because of me! I couldn't very easily accomplish my writing goals while simultaneously doing chores for Brian!"

John stared blankly at her, unconvinced. 

Gail blinked as her eyes became glassy with tears, "I...I was about to come between you and your wife. I saw the way Paul and Jane made me feel...I didn't wanna put Cyn through that..."

John nodded, biting his lip, looking downward, "...So, I guess that means anything between us now is off the table..?"

Gail's own head looked down in response, "...John, you know I have feelings for you. But you also know precisely why we can't go there. Believe it or not, I actually have some shred of morals left..."

John chuckled, "So that's what this comes down to? Morals? Christ, Abbie, we haven't even done anything yet..."

"So!? That doesn't matter! It's the intent that counts!" Gail spurted. 

John stuck his nose up in scorn, "Darling, it's the sixties..."

"So!? What does the current decade have to do with anything!? I swear, you're so aggravating!" Gail fumed.

John couldn't help but chuckle. 

Meanwhile, Gail's tone remained grave and somber, "John, we can't. It's too risky. You saw the way Paul wrecked me...I can't put myself through that again..."

"Paul moved on quickly. I didn't," John gruffed. 

"...D-did he really move on quickly..?" Gail inquired shakily as her eyes darted back to where Paul and Isabel were seated. Something about his tone implied that there was more than one woman he had 'moved on' with. John sighed, watching her grimace.

"So, what about that work mate of yours..?" he asked.

Gail simpered, "You and I both know that's just a fling...an idle pastime..."

"Thought so..." John mused, looking relieved.

"...What?" Gail smiled a small smile. "Were you actually worried about that..?"

"A little..." John grinned sheepishly. Gail chortled in return, lightening the mood.

"...I may have left in part because of you, but I also came back because of you," she confessed, looking downward. "The whole time I was away, hard as I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about you..."

"And I stayed up many a night thinking about you, Abbie..." John replied. 

Gail nodded, "Wanking off..?"

John looked at her curiously. 

"I was just beating you to the unseemly remark..." Gail smirked with a shrug.

John shook his head in disbelief, "You confuse...and fascinate me, Abbie..."

"I confuse and fascinate myself too," Gail concurred. "And you had that effect on me, as well..."

John crinkled his brow, "Had?"

"Yes, past tense, that part's important!" Gail declared with a slight squeak. "You don't have that effect on me anymore, you can't. But we can always be friends!"

"...Without benefits..." John concluded with a scowl.

"Haha, there you go!" Gail exclaimed, playfully slapping his knee. "You already put it perfectly earlier!"

John sighed, once again shaking his head, "You were in A Hard Day's Night, by the way..."

Gail's brows perched and her mouth gaped in confusion.

"...But it was just your bum!" John sneered, to which Gail scoffed and rolled her eyes.

~~~

After their chat, the two met up with the others outside. Paul and Gail's eyes widened upon seeing each other and they looked away awkwardly. Meanwhile, John stormily flew past George and Ringo without a word. 

George looked at Gail, "What's up with him?"

"Oh, he's just gone to spare because I told him we can only be friends..." Gail explained with a tentative smile. "...It's probably for the best, right..?"

George opened his mouth to speak.

"No, you're right, I'm not going to put you guys in the middle of this. It wouldn't be fair..." Gail said.

George opened his mouth to speak.

"I did the right thing! John has Cyn and Jules to think about and I'm not going through all of that heartache again..." Gail reaffirmed.

George, once again, opened his mouth to speak. Ringo also shot her a look as she rambled, his eyes narrowed knowingly.

"I'm not in denial!" Gail snapped in defense. 

"Did you and Paul sort out your issues?" George inquired.

"What issues..?" Gail smiled a disturbing smile, her eyes slightly bugging out.

Ringo muffled a wince as he and George shared a quick, concerned look.

"Alright, so we have cross John, distraught Paul, Gail who's not in denial and Isabel, aka the only sane one..." George recapped. 

"Don't forget me!" Ringo piped up. 

"I never could, Ringo..." George lovingly reassured him. 

"So, Gail, what's it like to be back? How did the boys hold up?" Brian asked as he came strolling back in with Mal.

"Well, the boys, or as I now like to call them, the annoying little shits," Gail replied in between a fit of giggles. "Had a very busy day today, to put it lightly..."

"So, do they each get a kiss for their good behavior?" Mal teased with a wink. 

Though Gail hesitated for a brief moment, she decided to oblige, kissing each one of them on the cheek. She stopped, however, at Paul when a loud noise spooked her.

"Sorry," Mal's face reddened. "I spilled the golf pencils..."

"Hey, you owe me a kiss on the cheek!" Paul tested Gail with a grin.

"How's about a slap on the cheek!?" Gail countered with smirk.

"We can get cheeky at a later time..." Ringo suggested. 

Everyone laughed and Gail sighed wistfully at the banter; it almost felt like old times...

Meanwhile, John achingly rubbed the spot Gail's lips had touched.

"Savor the cheek kiss, Johnny! That's the only action you'll be getting from her..." George laughed.

"Sod off, Harrison! Why don't you kiss my cheek? The one that's not on my face..." John retorted.

~~~

Back at the studio, there appeared to be a respite. Ringo practiced his drums, Gail absentmindedly scrubbed the equipment. 

And George pointed it out. "Gail!" 

"Goddamnit!" she groused. 

John sat mirthlessly in the corner, eyeing her from afar. Paul then walked up to him, subtly consoling him with his presence.

"Why's she gotta be so bloody adorable!?" John lamented.

"She is adorable, I'll give you that much..." Paul nodded in agreement.

"She actually had the nerve to say we're just friends, can you believe that!?" John mowed.

Paul rolled his eyes and groaned, "John, for Christ's sake, you and Gail are going to end up together! I know it, you know it, everyone knows it!"

John narrowed his eyes skeptically at him, "Well, what about you? How are things looking for you and your lady-friend..?"

Paul then eyed Isabel fiddling with her new camera. He grinned, chuckling to himself, "She's nice...she's a nice girl..."

John raised a brow in slight intrigue at his mate's warm reaction.

"I'm here..." a soft, posh voice unexpectedly uttered. 

"OH, FUCK!!!" Paul suddenly exclaimed, horrified. 

John lightly chuckled in amusement, Paul wasn't usually one to speak in expletives. "You alright there, Paulie..?" 

"No, the fuck I'm not alright!" Paul yelled in a hushed tone. "She was supposed to come tomorrow!!!

"Who?" John asked.

All of a sudden, the exquisite Jane Asher showed herself.

Gail, immediately spotting her, glanced back at Paul and John menacingly, holding back a fit of rage. "You know what!? I'm not even fucking surprised..."

John held back laughter as his eyes twinkled, "Oh man, I'm scared for you, mate..."

~~~

NOTE: It's finally here! ಥ_ಥ 

I could get into why it took me so long to update this. The truth is there were plenty of times in the last few months when I could've sat down and written the chapter. I just always got intimidated; as I've mentioned before, I'm a perfectionist and I go back and forth over small details in scenes. We could also discuss my unorganized, barely cohesive, loosely connected notes that I used instead of a proper outline, which didn't help matters. This is how we write, folks...

Poor Gail. You can really sense her struggle and conflict within her self over her true identity. I didn't even know if I still shipped John and Gail but this steamy chapter made them my OTP again -- all the subtle flirtation. *-* E̶v̶e̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶y̶'̶r̶e̶ ̶a̶c̶t̶u̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶v̶e̶r̶y̶ ̶u̶n̶h̶e̶a̶l̶t̶h̶y̶ ̶p̶a̶i̶r̶i̶n̶g̶,̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶w̶i̶l̶l̶ ̶s̶e̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶r̶. Also, I think my crush on John may be back...oooooof. 

We also saw a more vulnerable side to Paul here. If you like Isabel and you miss her, then so do I. But trust me, this entire detour had a point! This chapter was already extremely long as it is and I had to split the last one up -- don't expect the other ones to be this long! I'm just happy to finally be moving past this portion!

I normally think dedications are corny, but in this case @requiemforatuesday completely deserves it. She's been so sweet, understanding and supportive of my writing since almost the beginning. 

I notice and appreciate every single of you who reads, votes and comments! I would shout you all out one by one if this thing weren't already so freaking lengthy! There were moments in these past few months where I felt extremely depressed and demoralized, and I even contemplated quitting Wattpad, but your comments and messages are what kept me going and gave me the strength and confidence to continue doing what I do! I am truly over the moon with how far I have come and I have every one of you to thank for that! Cheers! ♥♥♥