Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with anything to do with knowing any member of the band Hanson or anyone involved with Hanson. Enjoy!! Please R&R!!

“Dude, come on. We’ve got meet-and-greet.”

“Yeah, I’m coming.” Isaac set down the notebook he had been writing in and followed his brothers out of the room.

They had been on tour for several months now and Ike was beginning to feel a bit burned out. He always put on a good show, so most everyone didn’t notice. Zac had noticed that he had become slightly more secluded, but let it slide in with Ike’s reassurances that everything was fine.

The last few months all seemed to be never ending. Isaac couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept through the night or even in a real bed. He was having trouble seeing the point in all their hard work. It’s not that he didn’t care about the fans, but they all blurred together into the same person. Everything ran together and he couldn’t tell last night’s concert from one they’d performed several weeks ago.

Suddenly Ike’s quiet thoughts were interrupted by the noise of the press room. He plastered on a smile that seemed genuine and he was led to his seat at the end of the table. The girls and occasional boy filed past and Isaac stayed on task. He greeted each one with mild enthusiasm, signed what they handed him, even made a bit of small talk. His attention was grabbed by a quiet conversation the last two girls were having.

“I told you we should have left earlier Maggie,” one girl said frantically to another. “The guy almost didn’t let us in!”

“Yeah well, he did. So, shut up and give your CD to Taylor.”

Isaac looked up from his signing to see a girl with dark brown hair slightly past her shoulders and pale, yet piercing, grey eyes. She stood out to him. She stood out so much he ignored the fan in front of him. He quickly realized his error and apologized for “spacing out.” There were several fans between Isaac and this girl. He became less focused on making small talk with the current fan and more focused on the girl slowly making her way down the line.

He watched as she laughed nervously at what Ike could only assume was a witty remark from Taylor. He watched as she talked to her friend while waiting on Zac. He watched as she casually flipped her over her shoulder. And he smiled a true smile.

After what seemed like an eternity she was finally in front of him. He was at a momentary loss for words. “I’m Isaac,” he said extending his hand.

“She smiled and gave another nervous chuckle. “Yeah, I’ve been a fan since ’97.”

Lost again for words, Ike said the first thing that came into his mind. “All right. I’m always curious: where do you stand on the whole hair issue? Do you prefer the short or the longer hair?”

At this she outright laughed. “Well naturally,” she began seeming totally at ease, “I was devastated when I first found out. Even more so when my crush followed suit. Although I’m sure you didn’t influence his decision,” she paused and held her breath for a second. “I can’t believe I just told you that.” She flushed pink and Isaac laughed. “I’m sorry.”

“No, no. Don’t worry about it; I understand.” He wasn’t sure what he understood, but it felt like the right thing to say. He realized that she was the first person to make him laugh in a long while.

“Well, after the initial shock wore off and I became more accustomed to it and I find you just as attractive with or without it.”

Isaac was so mesmerized in watching her talk that it took him a moment to realize that she had stopped talking. He had been so enthralled with her enthusiasm and passion for what she was talking about that he forgot to listen to what she was saying. “I’m sorry. What’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m Alex.” She seemed to realize once again who she was talking to and handed him a copy of “This Time Around” previously signed by his brothers. “Could you sign this for me?”

“Oh yeah, sure.” He quickly scrawled his signature on the front of the case and handed it back. “Here you go.” She mutter thanks and a silence fell on them. A guy wearing a microphone headset came over and whispered something to Isaac. Ike nodded as his two brothers stood up.

“Listen I’d really like to talk to you later.” He looked around quickly before removing his mass from around his neck. “I don’t know where the backstage passes are or even if we have any more. So, take mine, it should get you in. I’ll let the guards know that you’re coming and that you’re bringing a friend.

Alex looked shocked as she took the lanyard from his waiting hand. “Uh, thank you. I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say that you’ll be there.” The guy with the headset whistled at Ike. “Ok. I’ve got to get ready for the show. I hope to see you afterwards.” He turned to walk away when he heard Alex shout.

“Wait! What about Maggie’s autograph?”

“Oh God. I’m so sorry Maggie.” He took her poster and signed below his photo. “I promise to make it up to you if you and Alex will come backstage after the show.”

“Of course we will. But could I get a hug now,” Maggie asked with a cheeky grin.

Ike returned her smirk and reached over the table to fulfill the request. “I’m sorry. I really must go.”

Isaac smile all the way back to the dressing room. Once there, he still didn’t stop. He couldn’t; he’d tried. He remembered his promise to Alex to notify the guards. He quickly found the guy in charge. “Ah, Dean, my good man. I have a small favor to ask of you. After the show a girl with beautiful chestnut hair and startling grey eyes will be coming back with my ID/pass thingy. She’ll be bringing a friend called Maggie, I think. It would be greatly appreciated if you were to allow them passage.”

“You know I’m not supposed to allow that Ike. I’m not even supposed to allow you back here without your badge.”

“I know Dean and that’s why I’m asking you this favor.” After a bit more convincing Dean finally conceded and Ike whistled his way back to his brothers.

The smile that he had plastered on his face earlier was continuing to play on his lips. He couldn’t stop thinking about Alex. He remembered the twinkle in her eyes as she had begun talking about his hair. How excited she seemed to just be there. He wondered what her name was short for. He walked back into the room where his brothers were and had to focus his thoughts on the upcoming concert.

As soon as Ike walked out onto the stage he immediately began searching for Alex. Taylor was already introducing the first song when he finally found her. She was in the third row right in front of him. He tried to make eye contact and flashed her a (hopefully) dazzling smile, before beginning to play.

He began to play with the energy and delight that had faded since the beginning of the tour. She had revitalized him. She had reminded him of why exactly he was there. He was there to make people happy; to make her smile.