"I'm going out tonight with Marcus and a couple of his buddies from his fraternity," NIck explained grabbing his leather jacket.

"But you just got home three days ago," Aaron whined playing the annoying little brother perfectly.

"I haven't seen Marcus in a long time Aaron. Just let me go hang out with him tonight and I'll hang out with you tomorrow night." Nick looked pleadingly at Aaron. He didn't want him mad at him.

"Promise?" Aaron asked suspiciously.

"I promise," Nick said giving him a smile. He walked out of the bedroom door and called over his shoulder," See you later."

Aaron followed more slowly and waved bye. The truth was, he wouldn't see Nick later, he never came home until the next day when he was out with Marcus.

"Yo Marcus!" Nick yelled jumping over the door into the passanger seat of his candy red convertable.

"Hey Carter! How's show biz?" Marcus asked.

"Tiring but fun," Nick said smiling. "Where are we headed tonight?"

"I'm glad you asked. We are going to the ottest club in orlando. We're going to The City tonight," Marcus said.

Nick smiled. "Nice."

The rest of the way there they bot sat quietly and Nick watched the scenery go by. Not much hadchanged since he'd been gone. Of course, he had only been gone for a couple months.

"Here we are," Marcus said parking the car. "Jon and Jer are already inside. Lets go party!"

The club was already packed by the time they had gotten in. The dance floor was full and you couldn't even see the bar from behind all the people. But Nick made his way that way and slowly pushed his way to the front. He knew exactly when Kyle spotted him.

"Carter! When did you get back?" Kyle said over the noise. Then he began to make Nick's favorite drink, the Tom and Jerry.

"Thanksgiving Day," Nick said when he got closer to him. "I'm here for another week if you want to stop by the house. Bobbi Jo would love to see you." Nick winked at Kyle.

"She still has a crush on me," Kyl\e said laughing. "Maybe I should just ask her out."

"No man, that's my sister and I know your reputation," Nick said polishing off his drink. He motioned for another.

"Who are you here with?" he asked after he had finished making the drink.

"Marcus and some of his friends," Nick said.

"Did you see who was here tonight?"

"No, but I haven't been here long. Who's here?" Nick asked looking around.

"Missy," Kyle said nodding towards the blonde walking up to Nick. He walked away as Missy put her arm around Nick's shoulders.

"You never called me," she said pouting.

"I've been busy," Nick said giving her his smile that made millions of girl's swoon. "You know, being a pop god."

"Well, you're not busy now," Missy said pulling him up. "Lets go dance."

A fast song had just finished and a slow one started up. Nick found himself flush up against Missy who was rubbing herself up and down him. Nick smiled and just let himself enjoy the night.

Later that night, Kyla waved as Missy escorted a very drunk Nick out of The City.

Kristen smiled up at her mom. "Thanks for the coffee, I was falling asleep on my feet," she said quietly.

Her mom nodded. "I still think you should have gone home. The doctor said that he would sleep through the night."

"It's my father mom, I want to be here," Kristen said stubbornly.

Kristen had gotten home right as the ambulence had pulled out of their driveway. Her dad had had a heart attack in his sleep and Cody had found him on his bed unconsious. It had been a severe heart attack and even though everybody was smiling and not talking about the problem. What if he didn't get better?

"At least go lay down in the bed over there," Her mom said helping her stand up and nudging her towards the other hospital bed.

"No mom, your older and you look like the world is on your shoulders. Go try and sleep. I'm going to go out in the hallway and call Nick," kristen said walking towards the door.

She was already walking out the door when the phone was ringing at Nick's house.

"Hey, you've reached Nick. The phone isn't on or I just don't want to answer. Leave your name and number and I may ball you back."

Kristen sighed and waited for the beep. "Nick, it's me. Just needed to talk to you. Well, call me back please. I need ot hear your voice,' she said hanging up.

It was around midnight and the hospital was dead. There was three nurses behind the information center and a couple other family members who were staying with other patients. Other than that, the hospital was quiet.

Kristen jumped as her cell phone rang. She answered quickly hoping it was Nick. "Hello?"

"Kristen babe, I just heard," Sara said sounding concerned. "Do you want me to fly up there. I will."

Kristen smiled. "No Sara, I don't want to disappoint Brian who is happy you're there."

"He would understand," Sara said softly.

"No Sara, you stay in Kentucky and have fun," Kristen said seriously.

"How's he doing?"

Kristen moved down towards the waiting room. "He's unconsious, not in a coma but just not awake. It's wierd, my dad has never been this still in his life. It's kinda scary."

"Yeah, I bet," Sara said softly. "Well, I'm going to let you go lay down and get some sleep. It's late and you need rest."

"I will, hey, will you have Brian try and get a hold of Nick. I called him and he didn't answer."

"Sure," Sara said before saying good-bye and hanging up.

Kristen made her way to the waiting room. Now that she had talked to someone, she was exhausted. Tomorrow she would talk to Nick."

(2 Days Later)

"Hey honey, Kristen's called you like eight times, maybe you should call her back," Jane said as Nick came down for breakfast.

"I will later," Nick assured his mom taking a bite of his french toast.

"You should now, that girl sounded in tears and Brian told me Kristen really need her friends now, especially her boyfriend," Jane said standing in the doorway wither her hands on her hips.

"Mom, I don't need this...this nagging. Just leave me alone," Nick yelled throwing his fork on the table and he ran from the room. Jane heard the front door slam and sighed. Something was going on in her son's head.

Nick squealed his tires as he pealed out of the driveway. He had messed up big time and he needed time. He needed to think. If he talked to Kristen, he would end up spilling his guts. No one could find out, especially Kristen.