Breanna plopped down in her seats while the cold air conditioning blew through her hair.  Natasha sat with the other dancers a few rows behind Breanna to give her some time alone.  It was obvious that she was stressing herself out.  "Excuse me?  Is this seat taken?"  A  voice asked.  "Um, I don't think so." Breanna replied not bothering to look up.   When the man didn't sit down Breanna glanced around to see where he went.   "Ohmigod!"  Breanna shouted.  She stood up and hugged the man tightly.  "So much for being fashionably late!"  She smiled at him.   "I'm glad you're so happy to see me.  We haven't really spent any quality time together since we first met so I decided to keep you company on tour for the first week or two, just until you get settled in."  He explained to Breanna while he put his luggage in the overhead compartment.  Breanna sat back down with a giddy smile on her face.  AJ finally sat down next to her staring into her eyes.  "Stop stressing out, Hun.  It doesn't do anything for those beautiful eyes of yours."   He stated in a flirtatious voice while taking her hand in his as the plane took off towards New York City. 

During the entire plane flight Breanna and AJ talked about everything and anything.  She told him about the ulcers she was getting and the truth about Mitchell.  AJ in return told her about how he had cheated on Mya in the past and how they overcame everything to be where they were today, hoping she took the hint.  They laughed together and Breanna even cried a few times when the subject of Howie came up.  The flight seemed too short for Breanna.  Once they arrived their bodyguards explained to Breanna that there were too many fans in the airport.  They would have to run from the plane to the limo that was waiting near the runway if they wanted to get out of the airport without anyone getting hurt.  Breanna had never had any fan encounters that would cause her to have to do anything drastic.   She looked around at her dancers and bodyguards with scared questioning eyes.   AJ grabbed her hand and gave her a comforting smile.  "Welcome to my world, sweetheart!"  AJ joked making Breanna smile.  Once they made it to the limo, Breanna leaned her head against AJ's shoulder to relax.  Without realizing how tired she was, Breanna fell asleep. 

When Breanna awoke she was in a bed in a strange room.   "How the hell did I get here?"  She questioned herself aloud.   "I don't have a hangover so I know I didn't drink and pass out..."  "Good evening, madam!"  AJ said in a French accent, pushing a cart with silver dishes on it through the doorway.  "AJ!  How did you..?"  But Breanna stopped in mid sentence when she noticed AJ doubled over from laughter.   "How soon you forget about me."  He pouted with his hand over his heart, eyes peering over his tinted glasses.  "How could I ever forget you?  I just don't remember how I got *here*."  She said, pointing down towards the bed.  "Oh that's easy.  You fell asleep in the limo and I carried you to bed. Actually, your favorite bodyguard Mike did.  He now has a sore back, but I made him carry you."  AJ teased Breanna.   "Okay...so, what's that?"  "It's called room service.  I ordered you your favorite.  Chicken strips and French fries with honey mustard and barbecue sauce.  And to drink, lemonade!"  AJ said, presenting the food from under their silver lids.  Breanna applauded AJ for his presentation.   "Thank you, thank you!"  He bowed.  Breanna crawled out of bed and hugged AJ.  "What was that for?" He asked, looking down at her.   "For just being you.  A wonderful friend."  She smiled.   "Oh, I think I'm going to cry!"  He said wiping away a fake tear.   "Oh stop that!"  She joked, punching him slightly in the arm.  

For the first time in weeks Breanna actually held down her meal. AJ watched Breanna as she ate with an occasional glance at his watch.  "What!?"  She said laughing with a mouth full of food.  "I'm just counting the minutes until you run to the bathroom, that's all."  He teased.  "I guess I've been sick a lot, lately."  He nodded his head.  "I don't feel stressed out right now.   I'm enjoying myself and I'm not worrying.  That's probably because you're here.  I always feel like you're there to protect me whenever you're around."  She said sticking another french fry in her mouth.  "Well, I am.  I look out for you.  You're like the baby of the group so we all look after you.  Kevin does.  Brian does.  Even though it doesn't seem like it, Nick does, too."  Breanna grabbed her lemonade and took a small sip, never taking her eyes off AJ.  She glanced back down at her plate and reached across to pick up the last fry.  "You never mentioned Howie."  She replied as she dipped her fry in barbecue sauce.  AJ scrunched up his nose when he thought about eating fries with barbecue sauce.  "No, I shouldn't have to mention Howie, Bree.  You know he's there for you no matter what happens.  He even told me that before we left this morning."  Breanna stopped chewing and looked up at AJ with doe eyes.   "He did?"  She asked.  AJ nodded his head in response.   "Yeah, he gave me a list of commandments.  Ya know, 'don't touch her unless it involves saving her life.  Keep other guys away. Keep her laughing, stress free, and happy'.  You know how us protective, loving ex-boyfriends can be.   He's the only one who knows I left.  Well, the others now know, cause he told them after we left.  I had to sneak past Nick to get on the plane.  It's not easy to disguise myself."  AJ laughed.  "How'd you do it?"    "I didn't.  Nick caught me but I told him I was just going to run onto the plane to say goodbye to you.  But, I think he knew cause I had a few bags and a ticket in my hand."  Breanna was laughing at the thought of AJ trying to talk his way out of that situation.  It finally felt good to laugh again.

"Well, I think you should get some sleep.  You have an interview with MTV and rehearsal tomorrow.  Then, you have that movie premier you were invited to attend.  And no date.  What a shame."  AJ said, shaking his head.  Breanna plopped back down on her bed laughing at AJ.   "No date, huh?  So you'll refuse if I ask you to go with me?"   She asked.  "That would be a total shame. You blowing off the perfect movie with a famous and kinda cute chick.  I never knew you to turn a girl down, AJ.   Looks like I'll have to call Mitchell."  Breanna said walking towards her bathroom to get dressed into her pajamas, not giving AJ a chance to reply.  She closed the door behind her back while AJ stood staring at the door laughing to himself.   "That girl is too much." He whispered.  Breanna waited a minute and opened the bathroom door.  "Fine, I'll go with you.  You just *had* to twist my arm."  AJ replied.  She closed the door happy with his response and continued to get dressed.  She put on her flannel pajama bottoms and noticed that she had gained weight while she was on vacation that month.  She walked out of the bathroom and AJ wolf whistled at her.  "Oh, you're gonna make lil' ol me blush, AJ."  Breanna said in her best southern accent.  "Anyway, I don't deserve a wolf whistle.  I gained 5 pounds while I've been off the tour.  Look at this roll I'm developing on my stomach."  Breanna told AJ as she pinched her abdomen.  AJ looked at her sidewise.  "Girl, you haven't gained weight.   You've been sick all month!  You probably *lost* 5 pounds, at least.  And don't worry!  You're still sexy to me no matter what!  And I know someone else who still considers you sexyyyyyy..."  AJ sang out.  "AJ, please.   I don't feel like getting into tonight, okay?"  AJ realized that Breanna was still touchy about the whole Howie subject.  "Sure, Bree.  I was just joking, you know that right?"  He questioned.  "Yeah, I know.   It's just that I've gotten used to everyone pressuring me about D and now every time someone jokes about us, I feel like jumping down their throat.  The only one who let me have peace was Kevin."  Breanna replied, as she sat on her bed brushing her hair out.  "Yeah, but when Kevin would get done talking to you he'd take his frustration he felt towards you out on us!   A bitchy Kevin is worse than you when you're PMS'ing."  AJ retorted.  Breanna smiled at the thought and looked up at AJ with pleading eyes.  "AJ?"  She asked in a sweet voice.  "Oh what the hell do you want?"  He laughed.  "Rub my back.  Please?  It's sore."  "I'd love to but D made he swear not to touch you unless I'm saving your life."  Breanna shot him a glare.   "Well, how about this.  It will save my life.  I'm in pain.  He wouldn't want me suffering.  Not to mention it'd be the end of *your* life if you didn't do it."  "You don't have to tell me twice!"  AJ announced as Breanna laid down on her stomach.  AJ kneaded her back until she fell asleep.   He stood up and looked down at Breanna.  He picked her up and positioned her so that her head was on her pillow and her blankets covered he body.  "I think you did gain weight, Bree!"  He jokingly whispered as he kissed her forehead goodnight.