Izabel looked at Brian hoping that he was drunk beyond belief. Maybe he wouldn't remember her when he woke up or what she had said. But her hopes were diminished when Brian stood up and walked towards her, obviously sober. "Hi." She managed to say into his shocked eyes. All color had drained from his face. Alexei didn't know their past but figured he was in for a history lesson that night. AJ and Nick swaggered up to Izabel and Brian who didn't seem to notice anyone around them. "Hey, it's Bel! Hi'ya girlie." Nick slurred. "Well I see Nick hasn't changed. He only got taller." She said with a smile. Nick laughed. "Yo Iz, Brok and I are single now and what's her name's, um, what IS her name?" Nick tried with great difficulty to pronounce his words correctly. "Rachel." Brian said flatly, staring at Izabel's shocked face. "Yeah, Rashel...dat bitch is gone. We dumped our chicks and here we are." Nick took an unbalanced step backwards and was caught by AJ. "Careful there, buddy." AJ said. "Hey Izzy. How's life been treating you?" Leave it to AJ to get to the point without being too blunt. Izabel nodded her head slowly at AJ with a small smile on her face. "Hi AJ. You *really* haven't changed. Life's good. It's really good." She replied giving AJ a warm smile before automatically looking at Brian. Her smiled turned into a fake one instantly as Izabel tried not to look into his blue eyes. Brian looked hurt and she realized that he had every reason to be hurt and angry but there was no anger registering on his face. "I hear you have a son." Brian said. She nodded her head. "A son?" AJ asked. "Yeah, I do. It's been two years, AJ." Izabel politely reminded him. "Oh right. Right. So, what's his name? How old is he?" AJ was being nosy. Brian didn't seem to mind but Izabel was growing uncomfortable. "His name is Thomas and he'll be two years old in about 7 months." Izabel said proudly. "I hope he looks like you and not his father. You're so much more beautiful!" Nick said while trying to retain his balance. "His father? How do you know what he looks like?" She asked Nick with fear in her voice. "I don't. I'm just hoping." Nick gave her his famous half smile. "When did you get married, you crazy girl? I never figured you one to get married so young." AJ was being even more nosy but Izabel answered honestly. "I never got married." "So, what's daddy's name?" He asked again. AJ was sobering up slowly. He knew that there was something wrong with this picture. Brian looked like he needed a few drinks. Izabel shook her head. "That's for me to know." She said looking down at the ground. She could feel Brian's eyes borring into her. "Can we talk?" Brian finally asked. Izabel didn't have anything to say to him but at the same time her heart was crying out for her to say all. She nodded her head slowly. She glanced at the clock and realized that her shift was over. "Alone." Brian said bluntly. AJ, Nick, and Alexei took their cue and stood up to walk back to their table.

"You look the same, Iz." Brian smiled at Izabel. She looked sad and tired. "I guess I should take that as a compliment considering I had a baby." She laughed. "Yeah, congratulations on that, by the way. Must be refreshing to be able to go home and know that your child is waiting for you, happy to see you." He was rambling on while his mind was working over time trying to figure out what he really wanted to say and ask. "You make it sound like a puppy." She lightly punched him in the arm. "I know, I did, didn't I?" He laughed. "So, how have you been?" She asked him. "Great! Life has been kind to me careerwise..." He started to explain. "No luck in the relationship department?" She sighed to him. He shook his head no. "Me neither but at least I got Thomas out of it." She smiled at him. "Well, at least I got rid of Rachel." He stated in the same way she did. She looked at his grinning face and started laughing. "You haven't changed." She smiled, feeling a bit more relaxed. Silence grew between them and neither knew what to say to the other one. "I can't handle this. Just tell me why you ended it two years ago." He bluntly cried out. Izabel sighed with frustration. "You'd never understand. You couldn't comprehend it." She said in a mere whisper. "Oh yeah? Try me." Brian finally found his anger towards Izabel within his heart. "I would have ruined your career and you guys were finally starting to take off here. It wasn't the right time for you." She explained. "I don't understand you at all. What are you talking about? I just want to know why you left me. I loved you!" He yelled at her. They had left the club a few minutes earlier to take a walk down Sunset Blvd. As he yelled at her he could see other people at the outdoor cafes taking notice. Some people pointed after recognizing Brian. Izabel stood in a daze staring at Brian. "What did you say?" She asked slowly. He sighed and walked off in the opposite direction. "Brian. Wait!" Izabel yelled. Brian stopped in his tracks and turned around to face her. His face showed little expression. "You didn't answer me." She pointed out. "You didn't answer *me*." He replied. "You loved me?" She asked slowly. "Yes. And you left me." He told her. "You never told me you loved me. You never said anything." She tried to defend. "I never told you anything? I told you everyday all the time how much you meant to me. I might have never said I love you right out but I was younger then, and I was scared of what I felt for you. Rachel broke me so many times. It was hard to get back into another relationship, especially with someone who understood me so well. I was afraid." He told her. After saying everything he had to say Izabel looked shocked. She turned around so he couldn't see her face as the tears streamed down her cheeks. Her sobs were becoming more audible as Brian walked slowly towards her. "Izabel. I'm sorry I never told you how I really felt. I thought you knew." Brain didn't know what to do. He wanted to take her in his arms and tell her everything was going to be fine but she had a child now, and possibly a boyfriend. H didn't want to over step his boundaries. "You're going to hate me. I'm going to ruin your life." She tried to explain. "Hate you? Why? Izabel, I loved you. I still do." She turned around and looked into his eyes. "You'll hate me." She said again with a small sob. He shook his head no and put his arms around her. "I can't." He defended. "Brian, I'm really tired..." Izabel tried to tell him. "Okay, okay. We can talk about this later. Want me to take you home?" He asked. She nodded her head. As they started walking towards his car he realized that Alexei had his keys, he had them for a reason. Brian stopped and hit his head with the palm of his hand. "Oh, Iz. I've been drinking. I'm sorry I didn't think about it." "Don't worry. I live up the street. I always walk here and back." She told him with a slight smile. "Okay, I'll walk you home." "Okay. But we don't have to talk about it later. I'll explain everything tonight." She offered.

Izabel and Brian walked down Sunset Blvd past the cafes and clubs. The street was filled with expensive cars zooming by in both directions. It was only Tuesday night so things were kind of slow. After a five minute walk Izabel turned down Laurel Blvd with Brian right next to her. He kept glancing sideways at her smiling to himself. He couldn't believe he was walking home with Izabel. She had occupied his heart and soul while Rachel occupied his body and most notably, his wallet for the past two years. Izabel turned towards her left and walked up an outdoor flight of stairs to her apartment. It was an older house that was turned into a two story apartment building. The only other occupants of that apartment were an older couple living downstairs. Izabel took out her key and opened the door. A younger version of Izabel came running down the hall towards the door. "Izabel, he will *not* go to sleep. He wants his 'bball'." The girl complained. "Like always." Izabel sighed, tossing her purse onto the couch. "Lita, this is Brian. Brian this is Lita, my little sister and live-in nanny." Izabel joked. "Nice to meet you." Both greeted each other. "Iz, go take care of Tommy. He's driving me nuts! I don't know where he gets that energy but he better let me have a piece of it." Lita sighed and plopped down onto the couch. "Sounds like me when I was little." Brian laughed, sitting on the couch next to Lita while Izabel went to take care of her son. Brian and Lita made small talk while they watched the local news. "...And the Backstreet Boys were seen today hanging out in Santa Monica with some very pretty ladies. Sorry girls, but it seems two of them are taken." The entertainment reporter stated. Brian moved around uncomfortably in his seat. "Is there anything else on TV?" He asked Lita. Lita hushed him. "No wait, I wanna see this. My friend loves them and I want to see if the one she likes is taken or not." Brian looked Lita over and came to the conclusion that she was probably around 18 more or less. The TV displayed a video shot earlier that day of all five guys, Breanna, Eve, and Alexei walking down the pier laughing. The reporter continued with his report "It seems Howie Dorough, left with the short haired brunette, and Kevin Richardson, middle with the long haired brunette are both officially taken. There were reports on the internet that they had girlfriends but their publicist would not confirm them. It is also reported that AJ McLean, mister rebel himself, is back with longtime on and off girlfriend, singer Mya Marson. As for more rumors, supposedly Nick Carter, the tallest and most popular Backstreet Boy broke up with his girlfriend as did his best friend, Brian Littrell, better known as Brok. Don't believe everything you hear, though, girls. The Boys have not confirmed anything but it does seem, as the video shows, that Kevin and Howie are off the market." As the report ended Lita looked over at Brian who had his hands covering his face in embarrassment. He peeked through his fingers to see Lita staring at him with a shocked expression. "Is it over yet?" He jokingly asked. Lita nodded her head. "You're that guy!" Lita yelled. Brian nodded his head. "My sister knows a Backstreet Boy?" Lita asked in amazement. Brian nodded again and smiled. "We were friends a long time ago, right before we became successful in the US." Brian stated. "I didn't know that. She never said anything. What happened? After you became successful you were too good to be friends with Izabel?" Lita asked in an annoyed voice. "No, in fact she kinda dumped me almost two years ago to the day. That's why I'm here. To find out why." He stated. Lita looked at him in amazement. "So, which one was your friends favorite?" He asked with a smirk, his head held high in the air. Brian tried to pretend he was the greatest and Lita laughed at him. "Well, it sure as hell isn't you!" She replied. "Just like your sister." He smiled to her. "Ahem!" Brian and Lita turned to see Izabel in the hallway staring at them with a smile. "Is he asleep?" Lita asked with her fingers crossed. "No. He won't sleep. He keeps saying b-ball, so I'm just gonna let him play with his little hoop until he wears himself out." Izabel looked tired and stressed. "I should cut into you for what you did to Brian two years ago, but I'm not. You're a moron, by the way." Lita told her sister as she walked down the hall toward her room. "WHAT?" Izabel asked her sister while staring at Brian. Brian looked scared then gave Izabel a goofy smile. "Long story but she doesn't know about our past." Brian offered in explanation. Izabel looked confused. "We were on the news." Brian told her. She nodded her head comprehending what he meant. "She figured out who you were and she wanted to know how you knew me so you told her we slept together then I dumped you." Izabel joked. "Everything but the sleeping together part." He smiled in reply.

Brian and Izabel started to talk about old times. They reminisced about their past together and the past two years. Brian told hilarious stories about the past two years of touring, recording, awards, fans, traveling, and the rest of the guys. He told her about how Howie had met Breanna in Las Vegas and by the end of the week they were in love. He told her the same story about Kevin and Eve. He explained AJ's situation with Mya, who Izabel met two years before, and about Nick and Naomi. He finally explained his situation with Rachel. Izabel listened intensely and sympathized. Brian decided to turn the table on Izabel by asking about the last two years and her son. Izabel felt panic build up inside of her but she was saved when Thomas ran out of his room towards his mother. He was barely a little over two and a quarter feet tall and his legs were still a little wobbly. Izabel helped Thomas climb onto the couch before he buried his head into her chest. Brian couldn't see his face but noticed his dark sandy blonde hair. His mother had her fingers running through it calmly, trying to comfort her son. Izabel sighed. "He always gets like this once he's tired. He wants me to hold him until he falls asleep." She explained with a tired smile. Brian grinned back at her as he continued to look between mother and son. "Thomas, say hello to my friend Brian." Izabel whispered into his ear. Thomas didn't move for a few minutes. Once he decided to look at who his mother was talking about, Brian's eyes grew wide. Thomas looked at Brian for a few minutes before climbing out of his mothers lap. Thomas walked up to Brian who was sitting on the other side of the couch. Thomas, who could speak little for the fact that he was so young, mumbled something to Brian. Brian, realizing that Thomas was trying to have a conversation with him, lowered his head to look into Thomas' eyes. "Really? Is that so? How cool!" Brian replied to Thomas with much enthusiasm. Thomas looked at his mother then back to Brian. He grabbed Brian's hand and smiled to him. "Room? Room!" Thomas shouted with a giggle. "He wants you to go to his room with him." Izabel explained. Brain took Thomas's hand and stood up. "Duh!" Brian said to Izabel, sticking his tongue out at her. She smiled and sighed. Izabel wanted to give Brian and Thomas a chance to spend time together. That would probably be the last time Thomas would ever see Brian.

"He shoots and he scores! Three pointer!" Brian shouted holding Thomas above his head as the little boy laughed. Brian placed Thomas back down on the ground, looking at him carefully for a second. Thomas stared back at Brian. "Better watch out, Tommy! The monsters gonna get you!" Brian yelled, chasing Thomas around his room. Brian finally caught Thomas by the waist and started tickling him. Thomas screamed with laughter. "Say uncle!" Brian demanded as he continued to tickle the little boy. "Unnn!" Thomas managed to shout out. Brian knew that Thomas was too young to say uncle so he stopped tickling him. Thomas managed to crawl out of Brian's grasp towards his bed. "Tired? Want to put your PJs on and I'll tell you a story?" Brian offered his new friend. Thomas looked at Brian quizzically before nodding head. "Great! Now, where are your PJs?" Brian asked glancing around the room. Thomas pointed towards his closet. They were hanging on a hook. Brian dressed Thomas slowly, taking extra time to talk to him. Finally Brian helped Thomas climb into his crib. Brian stood next to the crib trying to think of a story to tell Thomas. After a few minutes, Brian picked up Thomas out of the crib and walked towards a rocking chair. He sat down with Thomas on his lap. "How 'bout I tell you about Snow White?" Brian asked. The story reminded him of Izabel and thought Thomas would enjoy it. By the time Brian got to the part of the story where the seven drawfs made their appearance, Thomas started playing with Brian's facial features. Thomas grabbed Brian's nose while he sucked on one of his fingers. Brian smiled at Thomas but continued to tell him the story. Thomas finally touched Brian's eyes before pulling his hand back to touch his own. Thomas did the same thing three times, each time Brian would stop telling the story to look at Thomas with a curious smile. Brian finally finished telling Thomas the story and looked down to find him sleeping. Brian smiled down at the sleeping baby boy before standing up and carrying him back to his crib. He placed Thomas softly down and covered him with his blanket. He stood next to the crib staring at Thomas, with different thoughts and fears floating through his head. He glanced down at Thomas, smiled to himself, and walked out of the room slowly.