Roz and I stayed up to the early morning hours talking about the events of the day so we slept in the next day. I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing repeatedly. I pushed my arm out from under the covers and groped on the table by my bed for the phone. As I found it, I glanced at the alarm clock. 12:15. I coughed, and answered the phone.

"Hello?!" I cringed realizing my voice was scratchy from having just woken up.

"Uh, Lisa?" I thought I knew who it was, but I wasn't sure.

"Yeah."

"Are you okay? Or did you just scream too much yesterday?" I laughed.

"I'm fine, Brian. How ya doin'? Able to hear yet?" I heard him chuckle.

"I'm good. Nick called me this morning. He wondered if you and Roz would be interested in getting together with us, again."

"Cool, doing what?" Brian laughed.

"Not sure, we figured you'd have suggestions."

"You're asking the girl who's been here for two years and has yet to even get a tan. Like I know anything cool to do." I laughed at how sad my life sounded.

"Alrighty then. I guess we'll have to come up with something. You'll make sure Roz is free, right? Nick definitely wanted her to come, too." I found that very interesting.

"Really? And just what else did he say about my girl?"

"Oh c'mon. I can't give secrets on my boy. You should know that." I smiled to myself.

"Ya, ya, I know. I figured it couldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure she'll be happy to come. When's this mystery thing happening?"

"When's good?"

"Gee, you guys really planned every detail." I thought for a minute. "When are you supposed to be leaving? You said something about Wednesday, right? And what about Nick on Aaron's tour thingy?"

"There's no reason to go back to Kentucky, if I have a reason to stay here. So, there's no definite date. And Nick's free for a while. His little brother gave him time off," he said with a sarcastic laugh.

"Alright.... um.. What about next weekend sometime? Once you figure out what we're doing then you can pick a definite day okay?"

"Okay."

"So, give me a call once you get it all figured out." As I finished my sentence my radio alarm clock came on blaring the local pop radio station. I groaned as I recognized �I Want It That Way' and I heard Brian laugh.

"Nice choice of music. I'll talk to Nick and call you later, alright?"

"Yup, later." I hung up the phone and groaned as I put it back on the night table. Why do all the stupid coincidences happen to me?

When I got home on Wednesday afternoon, Roz wasn't there. I put my camera bag on the table and flopped on the couch. I had just turned on the TV when Roz clamored in the door.

"Lexi! Kevin made me a demo tape. It was SO fun. I was there all day, and we did two songs. And it was FUN!"

"So, I guess you had fun, huh?" When she glared at me, I laughed. "Just kidding, geez. What's he gonna do with the tape?"

"I d'know. I just wanted to try it. He said he's keeping it right now though." The phone rang in the middle of her last sentence., and she ran to answer it.

"Hi Brian, what's up?" I grinned at the way her voice changed when she realized who she was talking to. She would deny it, but I think she still liked him. I stopped listening to the conversation as my attention was caught by the TV show I had been watching. At the next commercial, I heard Roz walk up beside the couch where I was sitting.

"Can you drag yourself away from that Benjamin Bratt guy long enough to talk to B... rian." She giggled as she almost called him B. I rolled my eyes at her and grabbed the phone from her hand.

"Hey Brian," I glanced at the TV as Law & Order came back on.

"'That Benjamin Bratt guy'? You sure you're not too busy?" I laughed.

"Oh yeah, I am MUCH too busy watching Law & Order reruns to bother with you." I laughed some more. "I've seen most of the episodes at least twice. It's still interesting though." I glanced at the TV as Roz flipped the channel and I saw Bart Simpson come into view. "At least it's more intelligent than The Simpsons." Roz stuck her tongue out at me, and I heard Brian do the familiar �DOH!' that Homer Simpson made famous. "Don't you start! We have this argument everyday. Both shows are on at the same time. Never mind that The Simpsons is on like 5 other times too."

"Hey, I'm not getting involved. Nick and I made a decision. There's a carnival thing going on not too far away. It starts Friday. Interested?" I paused for a second, thinking about my fear of heights and dislike for most rides. Then I remembered Brian was afraid of heights as well.

"Um, sure."

"Good, I'll come by and pick you up again, alright?"

"Sure, see ya Friday." Roz turned to me as I hung up the phone.

"So, what's Friday?" I looked at her.

"What makes you think it has anything to do with you?" She glared at me. "Okay, okay. I forgot to tell you before, Nick called Brian who called on Saturday, about us all going out again."

"Oh, goody!" I hear her sarcasm, and decided to use it to tell her the most interesting part.

"Oh well, Nick wanted to make sure you were definitely there, but if you don't want to, then I guess he'll just be disappointed."

"He what? He barely talked to me." I shrugged.

"Guess he knew all he needed to know."

Brian and Nick came back to the apartment with Roz and I, after the carnival on Friday. Roz went to the kitchen to get something to drink, while I checked the answering machine. As I listened, my heart stopped.

"Rozzie, come here! NOW!" I saw Brian and Nick exchange looks from the other room, and then Roz joined me. "You need to hear this message. It's... uh, it's Chrissi. It's not good news." I rewound the tape and then pressed play. As she listened I saw the color drain from her face.

"Oh my god. Meg. I have to go home. I have to... Oh my god! What am I going to do?" All I could do was hug her, as Brian and Nick came into the room to find out what was going on. I gestured for them to be quiet before I carefully passed Roz over to a stunned Nick, who looked like he didn't know what to do with her. Brian and I followed as he guided her over to the living room couch. Brian stopped me in the doorway.

"What happened, and what can I do?" I sighed.

"I think Nick is doing all we can do right now. Her little sister, Megan, was in an accident. She's in the hospital. I have to figure out how to get her home, fast. She can't fly like this by herself." I sighed again.

"Did you know Megan well, you look pretty upset to." I smiled, appreciating his concern.

"Actually, I only met Meg once, but I know a lot about her. I'm just worried for Roz, she needs to be home with her family."

"Give me a few minutes, I'll see about getting her a flight, alright? You go talk to her." I hugged him in thanks, and went over to where Nick and Roz were. As I sat down beside the couch, Roz sniffled and looked up. She looked a little surprised to see Nick beside her.

"How are ya, hun? Brian's trying to get you a flight right now, but I don't really like the idea of you flying by yourself, when you're upset. I wish I could go."

"It's okay." She sniffled. "I'll be alright. I know you'd come if you could." As we were talking Nick got up quietly and went into the kitchen where Brian was on the phone. I heard them mumble a short conversation and then Brian came into the room.

"Everything's taken care of." I was surprised it had taken him so little time. "Nick's getting the final time of the flight. And, Roz, you have a traveling companion. He's willing to brave his fear of flying for you." There was a bit of laughter in his voice, as Nick stared at the floor coming back into the room. He shrugged when he stopped.

"No big deal. Can't fly by yourself right?" I was surprised at how uncomfortable he seemed; I'd always imagined that he had enough attitude to cover any amount of embarrassment.

"Thanks, Nick." I smiled, grateful for one less thing to worry about.

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