Kian stood up so abruptly the chair fell behind him. "I’ll tell you what I think. This is the most over the top idea I’ve ever heard. What do you think we are? 5 fucking robots?! We’re human too. We have feelings. We have needs. This is inhumane. 5 months?! 5 months on the go, 5 months without coming home at all? Would you want to do that yourself? I bet not!"

Shane touched Kian’s arm, "Kian, just-"

Kian shrugged him off, "Fuck off Shane! FUCK OFF! I was appointed to stand up for our needs. What do I get back? Nothing, NOTHING! Nobody ever even bloody listens to me. Nag, nag, nag. Do this, do that. I’m sick and tired off this. I wanna quit! Find some other blonde bloke who’s stupid enough to do what you want, ‘cause I’m not. Not anymore."

Shane tried again. "Kian, calm down…" Kian’s eyes met his and Shane hated the pain he could see in them. He hated the deep blue colour that told him Kian was angry. An anger that resulted from having bottled up his emotions for too long, and still trying to stay strong.

"I’m leaving." Kian said firmly. The room went quiet; bar Kian’s heavy breathing.

Louis rose. "Kian, you can’t do that. You signed a contract committing to Westlife for 5 years. We’re only half way through that time span." In contrast to Kian, he was calm and collected. The knowledge he was fighting a loosing battle only fuelled Kian’s temper.

"I’m getting a lawyer. A good lawyer and I am out of here."

Kian made to leave but Nicky stood up and blocked his way. "Kian, you need to stay and-"

Kian harshly pushed him out of the way, so harshly Nicky fell. "Fucking hell I do. I don’t need to do anything anymore. I’m out. Did ya hear that?! I’M OUT!" Kian turned on his heel and stormed out of the room.

The room was hushed, and nothing could be heard except from the occasional sob from Nicky.

Shane was the first to speak. "He didn’t mean that. He’s just… had a bad week. Sorry…" Flashing his most apologetic smile he rose and went over to help Nicky up. "Are you ok?’"

Nicky nodded faintly as Mark rose from the other end of the table and hurried over. He pushed Shane away.

"Mark…" Nicky’s faint protest went unheard as Mark pushed Shane against the wall.

"I’m tired of you Filan! Why do you always protect that scumbag? Always! Just because you’re fucking doesn’t mean he loves you!"

"Mark, I-"

"Listen to me Shane. How much love does he show you? Huh? Did he ever tell you he loves you? Do you think he does? Do you think that man loves anyone?!"

Shane lost it. Completely. He had intended not to, but Mark went too far. He punched Mark. Hard. Oblivious to Nicky crying desperately as Mark’s lip split under his fist. Bryan rushed over to hold Nicky, watching in horror as the scene unfolded.

Mark backed in shock and brought a hand to his mouth. Shane was raging. "Fuck you Mark. Fuck you. I thought you were happy with your little Nicky. Stop interfering with my life. Stop judging Kian. He’s a lovely person and I love him. I love him Mark. I never loved you."

Shane turned around to the shocked people sitting around the table. "I’m going to go talk to Kian," he said calmly before he walked out the same door Kian had left through minutes earlier.

He found Kian outside on a bench. His back was facing the building but Shane could tell he was crying the second he saw him. He carefully walked over and put an arm around him. "Shhhh… it’s ok…"

He rocked Kian as he cried. He knew he needed it, had needed it for a long time but Kian’s pride struggled with his emotional side, and had won until that guy had told them they’d spend 5 months straight in America.

Kian’s sobs eventually subsided. His fingers interlaced with Shane’s. "I’m sorry, I-"

Shane smiled with a little sigh. "Don’t be sorry Kian. Just don’t be. It’s not your fault."

"What happened after I… erm"

Shane shrugged. "I don’t think you wanna know."

Kian tilted his head to the side and Shane realised he’d said the wrong thing. "Tell me," Kian demanded.

Shane sighed heavily. "I said sorry. Mark got angry and said some things about you he shouldn’t have. I punched him. And, oh, yeah, it’s now out in the open that me and Mark are ex lovers, and that Nicky and Mark and you and me are currently couples."

Kian hushed. "Oh. All that came out in… what? 3 minutes? We’ve worked 3 years to keep that secret and…"

Shane sighed, "Please Kian. Mark was angry after you pushed Nicky. He took it out on me and I lost it too."

Kian hugged him, "Ok, what do we do now so?"

Shane shrugged before standing up. "I guess we go back into that room and participate in the meeting. I guess there’s a lot of things to sort after this."

Everyone looked up as Shane and Kian entered the conference room. "So, you found him?" Louis said sourly.

Mark glared at them as Nicky held an ice bag to his lip and rubbed his arm to keep him calm. Shane nodded wordlessly and realising it was all out in the open anyway he slipped an arm around Kian’s trembling body and sat him down on a chair. He sat down beside him and took his hand.

Louis was the first to break the tense silence. "Let me get this straight, Kian and Shane, and Mark and Nicky are dating?" The four lads nodded. Louis sighed, "Ok. So, Bryan?"

"Hey, leave me out of this, I love my woman."

Louis smiled, "Ok, fine. Nicky, what about Georgie?"

"She isn’t my girlfriend, she’s a cover."

"Aha." Louis went silent.

Shane spoke up. "Listen Louis… everyone. I, I…" He stopped.

Kian looked at him and picked up. "We think that up until now this has not been a problem for the band. I understand if you," he ran his eyes over the representatives from the US record company, "Want to drop us now. But I would like to say that we have worked hard, very hard for what we have. As we will do in America. I apologise for my outburst, and can safely say it’s all down to stress. 5 months in America is virtually nothing and I agree that if we get success from it it will be worth it. In the future I think I can promise that we’ll all talk to each other when something’s bothering us, and a repeat performance of this evening will not happen again. I guarantee you."

The room was silent again, and Kian could tell Louis was afraid it was all ruined. He knew he’d be the one to blame, which made him feel awkward. Shane squeezed his hand to reassure him.

Finally, one of the men spoke up. "What strikes me about Westlife is your talent, your looks, your sound. What you do on your free time never, ever really occurred to me. I want you to quit your drinking while you’re over here. There will be a slight image change in order to fit the American market. I don’t think this is a reason to drop you. As long as you keep that promise and don’t let anything get in the way of the band. Arista will invest a lot of money in this, don’t let us down."

"They won’t," Louis said quickly, "Right lads." They all nodded.

The people from the record company stood up, "Alright so, we will see you all at dinner tomorrow and discuss everything then. Get a good nights sleep now."

Louis looked at the five lads as the other people left. He shook his head. "You surprise me lads, you know that?" He stood up, "Well, let’s get back to the hotel and get that good nights sleep. Sleep, lads. I trust that you will do that even if you share rooms."

Kian rose first, "We will, Louis. Thank you."

Louis smiled, "No problem fellas. But Kian, please don’t ever scare me like that again, I seriously thought it was all lost." Kian nodded as the rest of the lads rose to leave.

Louis watched the 5 lads leave the room . Convinced they would be talking it through and sorting out their differences as soon as possible. He knew them too well to think otherwise.