"Ahh, it's good to be back." Alex stretched as she got up from her seat on the plane. It was late and they had just landed in L.A. The group grabbed their carry-ons and waited as passengers began exiting the plane. Alex and Ji-Hoon planned on following the staff to the luggage pick up while the guys made their way to the cars. Even with it being late, the paparazzi were bound to be waiting for them.

Yoongi was standing behind Alex on the plane. He tickled her side while they waited, "So, do I get to see your place while I'm here?"

She turned back to look at him, "I think that can be arranged." She linked her fingers with his and held their hands behind her back until they stepped off the plane.

The airport was busy even for a Sunday night. Alex pulled up her mask and walked with her head down next to Ji-Hoon. Yoongi walked along the other side of him, "Keep on eye on her for me."

Ji-Hoon nodded his head, then he and Alex headed for the luggage area. The guys stepped out the doors and sure enough, a wave of camera flashes went off. They acknowledged the cameras then quickly got into their cars and sped off to their hotel. Alex and Ji-Hoon grabbed their bags and went to wait for their rides. Ji-Hoon would be going to his hotel, and Alex would be heading to her apartment.

When she got home, she found a cup of water holding some flowers on her table and the fridge had been filled for her. Props to her coworker who had been thoughtful enough get stuff ready for her return. She pulled her bag into her room and then flopped onto her bed. "My pillow. My bed. I missed you bed." She curled up on top of the blanket and was going to close her eyes for just a minute, but she had fallen fast asleep.

________

The next morning, Alex's alarm went off. She had to run into the office with Ji-Hoon for a bit before they took on their normal duties with the guys that week. Now that they were in the states, HYBE would be dropping the trailers soon for the documentary. Which meant things were going to pick up speed from here on out.

At the office, Alex and Ji-Hoon were sitting in a meeting with the executives going over the last of the America schedule. The CEO pointed his pen at Alex, "Be prepared. There may be some interviews you have to do, but you'll be the guest on these."

Alex nodded her head. She was ready for them. Coordinated interviews were much easier than being caught off guard on the street, so to speak. She mentally planned her outfits in her head as the meeting started to conclude. She tapped Ji-Hoon on the arm as they started packing up. "I want you in those interviews with me."

He pointed at himself, "Me? Why? I barely speak enough English to answer any questions."

"Doesn't matter. You've been my right hand man this whole time through it all. You're going to be there too."

They headed over to the arena where the guys had just finished practice. That afternoon they were going to be talking about being back in America and how their popularity had grown in recent years in the states. Afterwards, they were going to do a V Live from the stage to say hi to ARMY.

The staff set up the chairs while the guys rehydrated. Alex walked over to them to see if they were ready. She bent down and fanned their faces for fun, "You poor things, you must be exhausted." Yoongi snaked his hand out to grab her. She laughed as she jumped out of reach.

"Come on guys, duty calls." They headed over and took their seats to start the interview.

Alex grabbed her notes and sat down as well. They gave her a thumbs up and Ji-Hoon signaled he was ready. "Gentlemen, you're back in the states for the first time on tour since 2022. How does it feel being back?"

"It feels amazing," RM pushed his sleeves up, "The last time we were here it was only meant to be for a couple of shows, and then of course we went on for four more in Las Vegas. Our American ARMY was and still is so supportive."

Jimin nodded his head in agreement, "We just want to thank ARMY for welcoming us back here again. We promise this time to give you our all and put on better performances."

Alex smiled, "Back then, it had been during a stressful time. You were in the process of preparing for a break, all the while making material to give ARMY to enjoy while they watched you grow on your own during your individual endeavors. How did it feel knowing what you were about to embark on, but not being able to tell ARMY while you were here?"

Jungkook straightened in his seat, "It was difficult knowing we were giving what would be our last shows for a while. We live to meet ARMY and perform for them. It was a risk to go out on our own paths, but we made the decision as a group. It was time for us to stretch our legs and grow as individuals so we could could come back together with fresh ideas, and be better for ARMY. It's like I said at the last concert, that was never gonna be the last time." His smile bloomed across his face.

Alex laughed, "I remember seeing that all over social media. It's still one of my favorite memes . . . . You put a lot of emphasis on being better for ARMY, always wanting to give them more and give them the best of what's inside of you. Do you ever stop and think that ARMY loves you just as you are, and that you don't have to go to the ends of the earth for them?"

Yoongi smiled, "We know it doesn't take much to please ARMY, but it's because of them that we have become as big as we are. It makes us happy to do what we do for them. Nothing is ever too big or too small when it comes to ARMY. Everything we do for them is important to us and means something."

"Have you ever thought about doing fan greets again, or maybe hosting a competition for a special encounter with BTS?"

The guys all exchanged surprised glances at the idea. Jin sort of chuckled, "We would love to meet ARMY again like we used to. There's just no way we could meet everyone, which is a sad thought. I'm not sure what kind of competition we could do, but that seems like something we should look into." He looked over at the other guys.

They all nodded their heads in agreement. Alex giggled inside at the thought of ARMY fighting to the death to win that competition one day. It would be the highlight of their lives to experience BTS up close and personal. She could personally attest to that.

After they concluded the interview the guys hopped on their V Live. When it was done they started making their way out of the arena. Yoongi slid up next to Alex as they walked, "So, when can I come over and see your place?"

"What's your schedule like for the next couple of days?"

"We're pretty open till Thursday. How bout I come over tonight? I'll cook you dinner." He gave her a side grin.

"Sounds good to me, but instead of having the guards bring you, what if I set up a different driver for you so you're not so easily spotted?"

He thought about it, "I think we can make that work. Who's the driver?"

She gave him a big smile, "My buddy Rich. He's the one I told you about that has taken me to work all these years."

Alex pulled out her phone and called Rich, "Hey, can I borrow you for a bit tonight? I have a special customer I need you to pick up and bring to my house . . . . Yes, him . . . . ok, I'll send you the details in a bit. Thanks, Rich. You're the best!" She slipped her phone back in her bag. "It's all set. I'll send him to get you at seven down at the garage."

"What did you mean by him?" Yoongi gave her a cheeky grin.

She rolled her eyes, "I think you know."

He laughed then gave her a quick peck on the cheek, "See you tonight." He ran to catch up with the rest of the guys as they headed to the cars. Alex was feeling excited. She was going to have Yoongi at her place. Something she never thought she would say when she first began this journey. First, she needed to get home and clean before he got there. She ran to catch a ride with Ji-Hoon's cab and headed home.